bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitric‐oxide‐mediated cell death is triggered by chitosan in Fusarium eumartii spores
Authors: Terrile María Cecilia , Mansilla Andrea Yamila , Albertengo Liliana , Rodríguez María Susana , Casalongué Claudia Anahí 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe genus Fusarium comprises a heterogeneous group of fungi important for agriculture. Fusarium solani f. sp. eumartii (F. eumartii), historically considered to be a fungal pathogen of potato, has also been associated with tomato disease. Currently, chitosan and its derivatives have been receiving more attention as environmentally friendly antimicrobial compounds in sustainable practices. The aim of the present work was to characterize downstream events associated with the mode of action of chitosan, including nitrosative reactive species, in order to identify new biomarkers of its cytotoxic action.RESULTSData indicated that chitosan‐mediated nitric oxide (NO) production might lead to conidial death, concomitant with the strong reduction in fungal pathogenicity in tomato plants. Following chitosan applications, a notably dose‐dependent reduction in conidial viability was demonstrated in F. eumartii. Thereafter, the infectivity of chitosan‐treated spores was tested by a bioassay using tomato seedlings.CONCLUSIONAll these data highlight NO valuable properties as a quantitative and qualitative biomarker of cytotoxic action of chitosan in conidial cells. In addition, these findings place the chitosan assayed here as a fungicide with a high potential of application in sustainable horticultural practices. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Confidence intervals around Bayes Cost in multi‐state diagnostic settings to estimate optimal performance
Authors: Batterton Katherine A. , Schubert Christine M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA critical feature of diagnostic testing is correctly classifying subjects based upon specified thresholds of some measure. The commonly employed Youden index determines a test's optimal thresholds by maximizing the correct classification rates for a diagnostic scenario. An alternative to the Youden index is the cost function, Bayes Cost (BC). BC determines a test's optimal setting by minimizing the sum of all misclassification rates from the test. Unlike the Youden index, BC can consider a priori costs of all the diagnostic outcomes including class specific misclassifications regardless of the number of classes. Delta method approximate confidence intervals around BC are derived under the assumption of normally distributed classes as a means for quantifying a test's performance and comparing classifiers at their optimal settings in a multi‐state diagnostic framework. A simulation study is conducted to demonstrate the performance of the derived confidence intervals that are found to perform well, especially for sample sizes of 50 or larger in each diagnostic class. Finally, the proposed methods are applied to a four‐class breast tissue classification problem, where four possible discriminatory features are compared under varying decision cost structures. Using the confidence intervals around BC, the best feature for classification is selected, and the optimal thresholds and their 95% confidence intervals are determined. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
An empirical evaluation of a three‐tier conduit framework for multifaceted test case classification and selection using fuzzy‐ant colony optimisation approach
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Sharma Arun , Kumar Rajesh 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe test case optimisation is an NP‐complete, knowledge‐driven, data‐driven, and multidimensional search space partitioning and dimension reduction problem. In the multifaceted test case classification, partitioning and reducing the multidimensional test case fitness search space is the critical problem. The vague nature of fitness parameters, conflicting nature objectives, and ambiguity in the test case fitness evaluation have created and increased the uncertainty, the imprecision, and the incompleteness in the test case classification and selection. Because of the increasing ambiguity, the complexity, and the cost of software testing, automated test case classification and selection has emerged as an appropriate tool to classify test cases into predefined categories using the multifaceted concept. Most of the test cases affecting the performance of the classifier are irrelevant and redundant. A strong need therefore exists to devise an intelligent technique to identify and remove test cases affecting the performance of the classifier. For increasing the performance of classifier, multifaceted test case selection is used to reduce fitness search space to be searched. In this paper, a three‐tier sequential framework is proposed for a multifaceted test case classification and selection. The first stage of the proposed framework is the fuzzy synthesis‐based filtration approach for multifaceted test case fitness evaluation and classification. The second stage of the proposed framework is the fuzzy entropy‐based filtration technique with a backward search strategy, used for estimating and reducing the ambiguity in test case fitness evaluation, classification, and selection. The third stage of the proposed framework is the ant colony optimisation‐based wrapper technique with a forward search strategy, employed to select test cases from the output (reduced) test suite by the second stage. The proposed framework is tested on artefacts of benchmark applications. The results of the empirical study clearly show that the third stage of our proposed method outperforms the second and first stages, and the performance of the algorithms used in all three stages increases on average as the stages are escalating. The classification accuracy is enhanced by reducing the ambiguity in fitness and the classification of test cases, increasing the number of test cases accurately classified, and reducing the number in the test case pool to be exercised. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo performance of a novel silk fibroin scaffold for partial meniscal replacement in a sheep model
Authors: Gruchenberg Katharina , Ignatius Anita , Friemert Benedikt , von Lübken Falk , Skaer Nick , Gellynck Kris , Kessler Oliver , Dürselen Lutz 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPurposeDue to the negative effects of meniscectomy, there is a need for an adequate material to replace damaged meniscal tissue. To date, no material tested has been able to replace the meniscus sufficiently. Therefore, a new silk fibroin scaffold was investigated in an in vivo sheep model.MethodsPartial meniscectomy was carried out to the medial meniscus of 28 sheep, and a scaffold was implanted in 19 menisci (3-month scaffold group,n = 9; 6-month scaffold group,n = 10). In 9 sheep, the defect remained empty (partial meniscectomy group). Sham operation was performed in 9 animals.ResultsThe silk scaffold was able to withstand the loads experienced during the implantation period. It caused no inflammatory reaction in the joint 6 months postoperatively, and there were no significant differences in cartilage degeneration between the scaffold and sham groups. The compressive properties of the scaffold approached those of meniscal tissue. However, the scaffolds were not always stably fixed in the defect, leading to gapping between implant and host tissue or to total loss of the implant in 3 of 9 cases in each scaffold group. Hence, the fixation technique needs to be improved to achieve a better integration into the host tissue, and the long-term performance of the scaffolds should be further investigated.ConclusionThese first in vivo results on a new silk fibroin scaffold provide the basis for further meniscal implant development. Whilst more data are required, there is preliminary evidence of chondroprotective properties, and the compressive properties and biocompatibility are promising.
Juvenile social play and yearling behavior and reproductive success in female Belding’s ground squirrels
Authors: Nunes Scott 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBenefits of play behavior have been described for individuals during the juvenile period; however, it is less clear whether benefits of juvenile play commonly extend beyond the period of juvenile development. I evaluated possible associations between juvenile social play and yearling maternal territorial behavior and reproductive success in female Belding’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus beldingi). Higher rates of juvenile social play were associated with greater intensity of territorial aggressive and vigilant behavior during gestation but not later phases of the yearling reproductive cycle, suggesting that both juvenile play and later experience may influence maternal territorial behavior in yearling females. Juvenile social play was also a reliable predictor of whether a yearling female successfully weaned a litter, raising the possibility that juvenile play behavior influences yearling reproductive success via effects on maternal territorial behavior in femaleU. beldingi. Other factors were also related to reproductive success in yearling females. Body mass at the beginning of the yearling reproductive period was not correlated with juvenile social play but was associated with the likelihood of successfully weaning a litter. Yearling females whose mother was still alive were more likely to wean a litter than those whose mother was not alive. Mothers and yearling daughters tended to have maternal territories near each other, and mothers with a surviving yearling daughter expressed aggressive behavior at elevated rates and directed aggression toward intruders on the daughter’s territory. Overall, results of the study suggest that juvenile social play is among the variables that influence maternal territorial behavior and reproductive success in yearling femaleU. beldingi, and are consistent with the idea that juvenile play has benefits beyond the juvenile period for femaleU. beldingi.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in a Patient with a Family History of Huntington Disease: Genetic Counseling Challenges
Authors: Smith Andrea L. , Teener James W. , Callaghan Brian C. , Harrington Jack , Uhlmann Wendy R. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington disease (HD) are generally considered to be distinct and easily differentiated neurologic conditions. However, there are case reports of the co‐occurrence of ALS with HD. We present a 57‐year‐old male with a clinical diagnosis of sporadic ALS in the context of a family history of HD. This case adds to the limited literature regarding individuals with a family history of HD who present with features of ALS. There were several genetic counseling challenges in counseling this patient including the diagnostic consideration of two fatal conditions, complex risk information, the personal and familial implications, and the patient's inability to communicate verbally or through writing due to disease progression. DNA banking effectively preserved the right of our patient and his wife not to learn his HD genetic status during a stressful time of disease progression while providing the option for family members to learn this information in the future if desired. We present lessons learned and considerations for other clinical genetics professionals who are presented with similar challenging issues.
Direct seeding of dry forest tree species in abandoned pastures: effects of grass canopy and seed burial on germination
Authors: de Souza Gomes Guarino Ernestino , Scariot Aldicir 
Published: April 2014

AbstractNatural tree regeneration in abandoned pastures can be hampered by various biotic and abiotic filters, including seed removal and predation. We tested the effects of maintenance and removal of grass and seed deposition (buried and unburied) on seed germination of 12 tree species in dry forest pastures. We obtained evidence supporting the hypothesis that seeds attain higher germination under a grass canopy than on bare ground. For most species, grass cover provides safety from seed predators and facilitates germination by providing a suitable microclimate with soil humidity similar to the forest. The hypothesis that buried seeds attain higher germination was not supported by our data. Predation and removal of unburied seeds ranged from 0 to 77 % and, alone or together, were the major causes of non‐germination. Direct seeding is a promising technique for revegetation of recently abandoned pastures in areas originally covered by tropical dry forests. The high germination rate of seeds deposited on the ground and under grass reduces costs during initial restoration stages, potentially facilitating the spread and use of this technique.
Costs and constraints in aphid‐ant mutualism
Authors: Yao Izumi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWhile many studies have demonstrated that ants provide beneficial services to aphids, Bristow (Ant‐plant interactions, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 104–119,1991) first questioned why so few aphid species are ant‐attended. Phylogenetic trees have demonstrated multiple gains and loss of ant‐attendance in the course of aphid‐ant interactions, implying that mutualisms easily form and dissolve. Several studies have reported the factors that influence the formation and maintenance of aphid‐ant interactions. Examples include the physiological costs of ant attendance, competition for mutualistic ants, ant predation on aphids, the influence of host plants, and parasitoid wasps. Recent physiological techniques have also revealed the chemical component of aphid‐ant mutualisms. The honeydew of ant‐attended aphids contains melezitose (a trisaccharide), which has an important role in aphid‐ant interactions. Studies of cuticular hydrocarbons on aphids and ants have clarified the underlying mechanisms of ant predation on aphids. Attending ants also reduce aphid dispersal ability, causing the formation of fragmented aphid populations with low genetic diversity in each population. The reduced aphid dispersal could be partly explained by higher wing loading and reduction of flight apparatus due to ant attendance. Whether ant attendance is associated with the range of host plants of aphids or genetic variation in microorganism in aphids remain to be explored.
Bringing the World to the Classroom through Videoconferencing and Project-based Learning
Authors: Hopper Susan B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The focus of this paper is a case study of a Texas-based school that implemented global projects to connect their students with many states and countries as a platform for integrating collaboration and communication skills, technology tools, and cultural diversity into an existing curriculum. The school introduced videoconferencing at every grade level K-8 in a school-wide initiative to bring the world to the classroom through the engagement of global learning projects with distant partners. A rubric is presented that provides a framework for improvement of interaction and engagement in videoconferencing experiences to develop best practices. For the purposes of this paper, the value of global projects in K-4 will be discussed.
Effects of Regioselectivity and Lipid Class Specificity of Lipases on Transesterification, Exemplified by Biodiesel Production
Authors: Šinkūnienė Dovilė , Adlercreutz Patrick 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLipase‐catalyzed ethanolysis of triolein was studied as a model for biodiesel production. Four lipases were immobilized on porous polypropylene, and ethanolysis reactions were carried out in methyl t‐butyl ether. The reaction products were analyzed using gas chromatography. Three of the four lipases studied were efficient in the conversion of triolein to 2‐monoolein, but slow in the final step of producing glycerol. However, Candida antarctica lipase B was slow in the conversion of triolein, but more efficient in the subsequent two steps than the other lipases. The 1,3‐selectivity of the lipases was less pronounced for the monooleins than for triolein. Silica gel was investigated as a catalyst for acyl migration, showing an increase in biodiesel yield with three of the lipases, but a reduction in yield when C. antarctica lipase B was used. The highest biodiesel yield (96 %) was obtained with a combination of Rhizopus arrhizus lipase and C. antarctica lipase B.
Alzheimer's disease biomarker discovery using SOMAscan multiplexed protein technology
Authors: Sattlecker Martina , Kiddle Steven J. , Newhouse Stephen , Proitsi Petroula , Nelson Sally , Williams Stephen , Johnston Caroline , Killick Richard , Simmons Andrew , Westman Eric , Hodges Angela , Soininen Hilkka , Kłoszewska Iwona , Mecocci Patrizia , Tsolaki Magda , Vellas Bruno , Lovestone Simon ,   AddNeuroMed Consortium, Dobson Richard J.B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBlood proteins and their complexes have become the focus of a great deal of interest in the context of their potential as biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We used a SOMAscan assay for quantifying 1001 proteins in blood samples from 331 AD, 211 controls, and 149 mild cognitive impaired (MCI) subjects. The strongest associations of protein levels with AD outcomes were prostate‐specific antigen complexed to α1‐antichymotrypsin (AD diagnosis), pancreatic prohormone (AD diagnosis, left entorhinal cortex atrophy, and left hippocampus atrophy), clusterin (rate of cognitive decline), and fetuin B (left entorhinal atrophy). Multivariate analysis found that a subset of 13 proteins predicted AD with an accuracy of area under the curve of 0.70. Our replication of previous findings provides further evidence that levels of these proteins in plasma are truly associated with AD. The newly identified proteins could be potential biomarkers and are worthy of further investigation.
Artificial long days increase milk production in subtropical lactating goats managed under extensive grazing conditions
Authors: FLORES M. J. , DELGADILLO J. A. , FLORES J. A. , PASTOR F. J. , DUARTE G. , VIELMA J. , HERNÁNDEZ H. 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYThe objective of the current study was to determine whether exposure to an artificial long-day photoperiod increases milk production in subtropical goats maintained under extensive grazing conditions, with or without the presence of a nutritional supplement. Forty-four lactating goats were exposed to a natural photoperiod (11 h light) with nutritional supplementation (NDS; natural day supplemented group; n=11) or without nutritional supplementation (NDN; natural day non-supplemented group; n=11) or to an artificial long-day photoperiod (16 h light) with nutritional supplementation (LDS; long-day supplemented group; n=11) or without nutritional supplementation (LDN; long-day non-supplemented group; n=11). Daily nutritional supplementation consisted of a mixture of 300 g rolled maize and 200 g soya bean per animal. During the suckling phase, milk yield was assessed at 10 and 20 days lactation and thereafter every 10 days up to 110 days lactation from day 40 of lactation. Plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) concentration was determined at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 days of lactation. Mean milk yield was greater in goats from the LDN group than the NDN group. The difference in mean milk yield was greater when goats received a nutritional supplement. With nutritional supplementation, the plasma IGF-I concentrations were greater in goats exposed to long days than in those maintained under natural photoperiod. However, IGF-I concentrations were lower with long days when goats were not supplemented. In conclusion, exposure to an artificial long-day photoperiod increases milk yield in subtropical lactating goats maintained under extensive grazing conditions, and this increased milk production is more pronounced with a nutritional supplement. Furthermore, depending on nutritional status, exposure to artificial long days increases plasma IGF-I concentration in lactating goats.
In situswimming characteristics of the sea scallop,Placopecten magellanicus, on German Bank, Gulf of Maine
Authors: Mason Gwyn E. , Sameoto Jessica A. , Metaxas Anna 
Published: April 2014

Size distribution and swimming activity of the sea scallop,Placopecten magellanicus, were measuredin situfrom high-definition video recordings collected by a remotely operated vehicle on a fished scallop bed on German Bank, Gulf of Maine in August 2010. Scallop densities ranged from 0.004 to 3.89 m−2and shell height (SH) ranged from 16.3 to 193.8 mm. The size distribution was bimodal, with high abundance from 20 to 40 mm SH indicating a recent recruitment event in the area. The low abundance of scallops >100 mm SH was likely due to the active fishery in this area. Of 535 observed swims, 200 were characterized for swim distance, time, velocity and distance travelled per adduction. The size of scallops observed to swim ranged from 18.9 to 99.9 mm SH. Both swim time and swim distance increased linearly with SH, and quadratic relationships were observed between velocity and SH, and between distance travelled per adduction and SH. Swimming velocities peaked at ~ 50 cm s−1for scallops between 60 and 80 mm, and maximum velocity was 103.2 cm s−1observed for an individual of 64.0 mm SH. Our study provided a unique opportunity to investigate size distribution and associated swimming activity of scallops in their natural habitat, rather than in a simulated study in the laboratory, and at depths not reachable by SCUBA diving.
A population-based longitudinal study of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, IQ and subsequent risk of psychotic experiences in adolescence
Authors: Khandaker G. M. , Stochl J. , Zammit S. , Lewis G. , Jones P. B. 
Published: April 2014

Background.Schizophrenia has a neurodevelopmental component to its origin, and may share overlapping pathogenic mechanisms with childhood neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs). Nevertheless, longitudinal studies of psychotic outcomes among individuals with NDs are limited. We report a population-based prospective study of six common childhood NDs, subsequent neurocognitive performance and the risk of psychotic experiences (PEs) in early adolescence.Method.PEs were assessed by semi-structured interviews at age 13 years. IQ and working memory were measured between ages 9 and 11 years. The presence of six NDs (autism spectrum, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, dyscalculia) was determined from parent-completed questionnaires at age 9 years. Linear regression calculated the mean difference in cognitive scores between children with and without NDs. Associations between NDs and PEs were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); effects of cognitive deficits were examined. Potential confounders included age, gender, father's social class, ethnicity and maternal education.Results.Out of 8220 children, 487 (5.9%) were reported to have NDs at age 9 years. Children with, compared with those without, NDs performed worse on all cognitive measures; the adjusted mean difference in total IQ was 6.84 (95% CI 5.00–8.69). The association between total IQ and NDs was linear (p < 0.0001). The risk of PEs was higher in those with, compared with those without, NDs; the adjusted OR for definite PEs was 1.76 (95% CI 1.11–2.79). IQ (but not working memory) deficit partly explained this association.Conclusions.Higher risk of PEs in early adolescence among individuals with childhood ND is consistent with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia.