bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deficit Irrigation and Organic Compost Improve Growth and Yield of Quinoa and Pea
Authors: Hirich A. , Choukr‐Allah R. , Jacobsen S.‐E. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSupplying organic matter under deficit irrigation conditions could be a practical solution to compensate the negative effect of water stress. For this purpose, studies in pea as a legume and quinoa as a new drought‐tolerant crop were conducted in the south of Morocco between October 2011 and March 2012. Three organic matter levels (0, 5 and 10 t ha−1) were supplied as compost amendment combined with 2 irrigation levels (50 and 100% of full irrigation). The results indicate that stomatal conductance and dry matter have been affected significantly (P < 0.05) only by deficit irrigation, while harvested yield was affected significantly (P < 0.05) by both deficit irrigation and organic manure. The highest seed yields (3.3 t ha−1 for quinoa and 5.6 t ha−1 for pea) were recorded under full irrigation and 10 t ha−1 of compost. Results indicated that organic amendment of 10 t ha−1 and 5 t ha−1 significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased seed yield by 18 and 11% under stress conditions and by 13 and 3% under full irrigation for quinoa and by 24 and 11% under full irrigation and by 41 and 25% under water‐deficit irrigation for pea. It can be concluded that organic amendment improved significantly yield and biomass production better under deficit irrigation conditions than under full irrigation. Combining deficit irrigation and organic amendment led to the maximization of crop water productivity.
Relative resource allocation to dispersal and competition demonstrates the putative role of hybridity in geographical parthenogenesis
Authors: Coughlan Jennifer M. , Stefanović Saša , Dickinson Timothy A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimAsexual organisms frequently have larger ranges than their sexual progenitors, a phenomenon referred to as geographical parthenogenesis (GP). In plants, GP is associated not only with asexuality (apomixis), but also with polyploidization and hybridity (allopolyploidy). Dispersal is thought to play a role in range‐size differences in other taxa, but has not been directly related to GP. Here, we compare resource allocation to dispersal‐related traits in sexual diploids, asexual autopolyploids and asexual allopolyploids, and relate these differences to patterns of GP.LocationThe Pacific Northwest, North America.MethodsWe created distribution maps for all cytotypes known in Crataegus series Douglasianae using herbarium records. To quantify dispersal ability, we collected fruit samples from sexual diploids, apomictic allopolyploids and apomictic autopolyploids across their ranges, and used the masses of each fruit component as a proportion of the total fruit mass to gauge relative investment in dispersal and competitive ability.ResultsThe largest ranges belong to apomictic allopolyploids, whereas apomictic autotriploids and sexual diploids have the smallest ranges. Compared to sexual diploids and apomictic autotriploids, the allotetraploids exhibit a more dispersal‐orientated strategy, with proportionally heavier pyrenes and more fruit pulp, but proportionally lighter seeds. Allotriploid taxa, which arose via back‐crosses between sexual diploids and asexual allotetraploids, exhibit an intermediate range size as well as intermediate investment in dispersal.Main conclusionsIn Crataegus series Douglasianae, GP is associated only with allopolyploids, highlighting the potential role of hybridization in range expansion. The data suggest that allopolyploids are associated with increased resource allocation to dispersal‐related traits, whereas sexual diploid C. suksdorfii and asexual autotriploid C. gaylussacia exhibit a more competition‐orientated strategy. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that hybridization contributes to patterns of GP in asexual allopolyploids, potentially by increasing their dispersal ability.
Uncovering overlooked island diversity: colonization and diversification of the medically important spider genus Loxosceles (Arachnida: Sicariidae) on the Canary Islands
Authors: Planas Enric , Ribera Carles 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimOur aim was to assess the evolutionary history of the spider genus Loxosceles on the Canary Islands. We unravelled its present diversity within the archipelago, and investigated its origin, mode and tempo of colonization to and between the islands using a phylogenetic framework.LocationCanary Islands, Madeira, Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Mediterranean region, Guinea.MethodsWe conducted extensive sampling across the Canary Islands, and examined the phylogenetic relationships among the Canary Island representatives of the genus Loxosceles and with regard to species from western Africa and the Mediterranean Basin. We used an evolutionary criterion (general mixed Yule coalescent) to delimit the evolutionary lineages, and applied fossil and biogeographical calibration points to estimate dates for major cladogenetic events within the Canary Islands using a Bayesian framework.ResultsPhylogenetic analyses revealed the existence of a well‐supported clade formed exclusively by Canarian Loxosceles specimens, comprising seven allopatrically distributed evolutionary lineages. Major dispersal events between the islands occurred during the late Miocene. Representatives of the cosmopolitan Loxosceles rufescens were also found on the archipelago.Main conclusionsWe have revealed the existence of an overlooked endemic group of medically important spiders. The pattern of diversity of this group fits well with the general dynamic theory of oceanic island biogeography, where maximum diversity is found on islands of intermediate age. The colonization pathway of the group is compatible with a stepping‐stone model. Between‐islands dispersal was the major driving force for diversification in the group, but a few within‐island speciation events were also inferred, such as on Gran Canaria, where the Roque Nublo volcanic event acted as a vicariant agent, promoting the split between the two Gran Canarian lineages. The recently introduced L. rufescens is cohabiting with the endemic lineages.
Serum Uric Acid Is Associated With Coronary Artery Calcification
Authors: Grossman Chagai , Shemesh Joseph , Koren‐Morag Nira , Bornstein Gil , Ben‐Zvi Ilan , Grossman Ehud 
Published: April 2014

Uric acid (UA) is associated with atherosclerosis, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a marker of atherosclerosis. The authors studied the association between UA and CAC. A total of 663 asymptomatic patients (564 men; mean age, 55±7 years) were evaluated for the presence of CAC. The study population was divided into three tertiles according to their UA levels, and the prevalence of CAC was compared between the tertiles. CAC was detected in 349 (53%) patients. Levels of UA were significantly higher in those with CAC than in those without CAC (5.6+1.2 vs 5.3+1.3; P=.003). The odds ratio for the presence of CAC in the highest vs lowest UA tertile was 1.72 (95% confidence interval, 1.17–2.51). The highest UA tertile remained associated with the presence of CAC after adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors. The results show that high serum UA levels are associated with the presence of CAC.
Playing smart vs. playing safe: the joint expression of phenotypic plasticity and potential bet hedging across and within thermal environments
Authors: Simons A. M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAdaptive phenotypic plasticity evolves when cues reliably predict fitness consequences of life‐history decisions, whereas bet hedging evolves when environments are unpredictable. These modes of response should be jointly expressed, because environmental variance is composed of both predictable and unpredictable components. However, little attention has been paid to the joint expression of plasticity and bet hedging. Here, I examine the simultaneous expression of plasticity in germination rate and two potential bet‐hedging traits – germination fraction and within‐season diversification in timing of germination – in seeds from multiple seed families of five geographically distant populations of Lobelia inflata (L.) subjected to a thermal gradient. Populations differ in germination plasticity to temperature, in total germination fraction and in the expression of potential diversification in the timing of germination. The observation of a negative partial correlation between the expression of plasticity and germination variance (potential diversification), and a positive correlation between plasticity and germination fraction is suggestive of a trade‐off between modes of response to environmental variance. If the observed correlations are indicative of those between adaptive plasticity and bet hedging, we expect an optimal balance to exist and differ among populations. I discuss the challenges involved in testing whether the balance between plasticity and bet hedging depends on the relative predictability of environmental variance.
Photothermal microscopy: optical detection of small absorbers in scattering environments
Authors: VERMEULEN PIERRE , COGNET LAURENT , LOUNIS BRAHIM 
Published: April 2014

SummaryPhotothermal microscopy enables detection of nanometer‐sized objects solely based on their absorption. This technique allows efficient observation of various nano‐objects in scattering media notably gold nanoparticles in cells. The extreme sensitivity of the method and the stability of the signals open numerous applications in spectroscopy, analytical chemistry and bioimaging. This review briefly describes the principle and the main characteristics of photothermal microscopy, with its major advantages and limitations, and exposes the principal applications that have been carried out since its first implementation.
A novel INF2 mutation in a Korean family with autosomal dominant intermediate Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Park Hyung J. , Kim Hye J. , Hong Young B. , Nam Soo H. , Chung Ki W. , Choi Byung‐Ok 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMutations in the inverted formin‐2 (INF2) gene were recently identified in patients with autosomal dominant intermediate Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (DI‐CMT) disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, we identified a novel p.L132P INF2 mutation in a Korean family with DI‐CMT and FSGS by whole‐exome sequencing. This mutation was cosegregated with affected individuals in the family and was not found in the 300 controls. The two affected members exhibited juvenile onset sensorimotor polyneuropathy and FSGS. Nerve conduction studies showed an intermediate range of motor nerve conduction velocities. We report a novel INF2 mutation in a family with DI‐CMT and FSGS as the first case in Koreans. The INF2 mutation appears to be a major cause of CMT with FSGS.
Exploratory genotype–phenotype correlations of facial form and asymmetry in unaffected relatives of children with non‐syndromic cleft lip and/or palate
Authors: Miller Steven F. , Weinberg Seth M. , Nidey Nichole L. , Defay David K. , Marazita Mary L. , Wehby George L. , Moreno Uribe Lina M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFamily relatives of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) who presumably carry a genetic risk yet do not manifest overt oral clefts, often present with distinct facial morphology of unknown genetic etiology. This study investigates distinct facial morphology among unaffected relatives and examines whether candidate genes previously associated with overt NSCL/P and left–right body patterning are correlated with such facial morphology. Cases were unaffected relatives of individuals with NSCL/P (n = 188) and controls (n = 194) were individuals without family history of NSCL/P. Cases and controls were genotyped for 20 SNPs across 13 candidate genes for NSCL/P (PAX7, ABCA4‐ARHGAP29, IRF6, MSX1, PITX2, 8q24, FOXE1, TGFB3 and MAFB) and left–right body patterning (LEFTY1, LEFTY2, ISL1 and SNAI1). Facial shape and asymmetry phenotypes were obtained via principal component analyses and Procrustes analysis of variance from 32 coordinate landmarks, digitized on 3D facial images. Case–control comparisons of phenotypes obtained were performed via multivariate regression adjusting for age and gender. Phenotypes that differed significantly (P < 0.05) between cases and controls were regressed on the SNPs one at a time. Cases had significantly (P < 0.05) more profile concavity with upper face retrusion, upturned noses with obtuse nasolabial angles, more protrusive chins, increased lower facial heights, thinner and more retrusive lips and more protrusive foreheads. Furthermore, cases showed significantly more directional asymmetry compared to controls. Several of these phenotypes were significantly associated with genetic variants (P < 0.05). Facial height and width were associated with SNAI1. Midface antero‐posterior (AP) projection was associated with LEFTY1. The AP position of the chin was related to SNAI1, IRF6, MSX1 and MAFB. The AP position of the forehead and the width of the mouth were associated with ABCA4–ARHGAP29 and MAFB. Lastly, facial asymmetry was related to LEFTY1, LEFTY2 and SNAI1. This study demonstrates that, genes underlying lip and palate formation and left–right patterning also contribute to facial features characteristic of the NSCL/P spectrum.
Donating Money to Get Money: The Role of Corporate Philanthropy in Stakeholder Reactions to IPOs
Authors: Jia Ming , Zhang Zhe 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis study examines how stakeholders' investment time horizons interact with information about corporate giving in initial public offering (IPO) firms. Specifically, we build a model that explains how corporate philanthropy affects IPO performance. We find that at the IPO‐preparation stage, corporate giving is negatively related to underwriter prestige, venture capital investment, and IPO financing costs. We also find that at the IPO‐issuance stage, negative media coverage of IPOs moderates the U‐shaped relationship between corporate giving and market premiums. At the IPO‐trading stage, we find that corporate giving only positively influences the market premiums for IPO firms that are the subject of negative media reports. Our findings contribute to the signalling theory by showing how various stakeholders interpret the same signals differently, and they have implications for understanding how the relationship between corporate philanthropy and corporate financial performance materializes in the IPO markets.
Both head extension and mouth opening impair the ability to swallow in the supine position
Authors: Hanamoto H. , Kadono K. , Boku A. , Kudo C. , Morimoto Y. , Sugimura M. , Niwa H. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryHead position and mouth opening in the supine position may impair the ability to swallow. If this does occur, it would lead to retention of intra‐oral fluids during dental treatment, which would lead to stimulation of the cough reflex. This study was conducted to investigate how head position and mouth opening affect swallowing ability. The water swallowing test was performed in 13 healthy adult subjects in the supine position. The subjects were asked to swallow 10 mL of water that was injected into the mouth in a single attempt. After swallowing, the residual intra‐oral water was suctioned and its volume was measured. An electromyogram (EMG) of the suprahyoid (SH) muscles was also recorded during the test. The duration of SH muscle activity and peak amplitude of SH EMG were examined. The water swallowing test was performed under three head positions (neutral, extended and flexed) and four mouth opening patterns (interincisal distances of 0, 20, 30 and 40 mm). The wider the subject opened the mouth, the more the water remained in the mouth after swallowing. The residual volume of water was more in the extended position compared with that in the neutral and flexed positions. Peak amplitude of SH EMG decreased with mouth opening. Duration of SH muscle activity was longer in the extended position than in the neutral and flexed positions. Head extension and mouth opening can induce difficulty in swallowing in the supine position by extending the duration of SH muscle activity while reducing its intensity.
Subjective sleepiness is a sensitive indicator of insufficient sleep and impaired waking function
Authors: Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Anund Anna , Axelsson John , Kecklund Göran 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe main consequence of insufficient sleep is sleepiness. While measures of sleep latency, continuous encephalographical/electro‐oculographical (EEG/EOG) recording and performance tests are useful indicators of sleepiness in the laboratory and clinic, they are not easily implemented in large, real‐life field studies. Subjective ratings of sleepiness, which are easily applied and unobtrusive, are an alternative, but whether they measure sleepiness sensitively, reliably and validly remains uncertain. This review brings together research relevant to these issues. It is focused on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), which is a nine‐point Likert‐type scale. The diurnal pattern of sleepiness is U‐shaped, with high KSS values in the morning and late evening, and with great stability across years. KSS values increase sensitively during acute total and repeated partial sleep deprivation and night work, including night driving. The effect sizes range between 1.5 and 3. The relation to driving performance or EEG/EOG indicators of sleepiness is highly significant, strongly curvilinear and consistent across individuals. High (>6) KSS values are associated particularly with impaired driving performance and sleep intrusions in the EEG. KSS values are also increased in many clinical conditions such as sleep apnea, depression and burnout. The context has a strong influence on KSS ratings. Thus, physical activity, social interaction and light exposure will reduce KSS values by 1–2 units. In contrast, time‐on‐task in a monotonous context will increase KSS values by 1–2 units. In summary, subjective ratings of sleepiness as described here is as sensitive and valid an indicator of sleepiness as objective measures, and particularly suitable for field studies.
The catabolic enzyme methionine gamma‐lyase limits methionine accumulation in potato tubers
Authors: Huang Tengfang , Joshi Vijay , Jander Georg 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIncreasing methionine in potato tubers is desirable, both to increase the availability of this limiting essential amino acid and to enhance the aroma of baked and fried potatoes. Previous attempts to elevate potato methionine content using transgenic approaches have focused on increasing methionine biosynthesis. Higher isoleucine accumulation in these transgenic tubers suggested that the potatoes compensate for increased methionine biosynthesis with enhanced catabolism via methionine gamma‐lyase (MGL), thereby producing 2‐ketybutyrate for isoleucine biosynthesis. In the current study, we show that potato StMGL1 encodes a functional MGL in potato tubers. In planta silencing of StMGL1 results in an increased methionine to isoleucine ratio in the free amino acid profile of potato tubers and, in some transgenic lines, elevated accumulation of free methionine. In both wild‐type and transgenic tubers, the ratio of methionine to isoleucine is negatively correlated with the level of StMGL1 transcript. A three‐dimensional distribution of free amino acids in potato tubers is also described.
Resistance and systemic dispersal of Xanthomonas fragariae in strawberry germplasm (Fragaria L.)
Authors: Bestfleisch M. , Richter K. , Wensing A. , Wünsche J.N. , Hanke M.‐V. , Höfer M. , Schulte E. , Flachowsky H. 
Published: April 2014

The angular leaf spot disease caused by Xanthomonas fragariae is an important plant disease with major impact for the strawberry nursery industry. Currently there is no plant protection product available for controlling the disease effectively. Planting of resistant cultivars seems to be promising, but all commercially used cultivars are susceptible and no donor with a high level of resistance has yet been found. Therefore, a total of 145 genotypes from the Fruit Genebank Dresden (Germany) were evaluated for resistance to X. fragariae by artificial inoculation. Six genotypes were classified as partly resistant, out of which only two (US4808 and US4809) are octoploid. Fragaria vesca f. alba, Fragaria nilgerrensis ‘Yunnan’, F. vesca ‘Illa Martin’ and F. moschata ‘Bauwens’ were also classified as partially resistant, but they are only of limited use for breeding because of their variable ploidy level. Fully resistant genotypes could not be detected. The systemic dispersal of the bacteria in strawberry plants was investigated after inoculation of leaves with X. fragariae strain XF3.9.C and the GFP‐tagged strain XF3.9.C(pKAN). The systemic spread was evaluated after 3, 7, 14 and 28 days post‐inoculation (dpi) by nested PCR and fluorescence microscopy. After 3 dpi, X. fragariae could be found in all tissues tested including the inoculated leaf, its petiole, the rhizome, the heart bud up to the youngest fully expanded leaf and its petiole. The systemic spread was also detectable in partially resistant genotypes.
Acute focal infections of dental origin
Authors: Olsen Ingar , van Winkelhoff Arie J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThis article describes the most important pus‐producing acute oral infections (dental infections) that can spread extra‐orally. Most of these infections are spread by bacteria entering the bloodstream. However, dental infections have a number of other pathways for dissemination. By forming abscesses or phlegmon they can reach facial spaces that communicate with each other and then spread downwards to the mediastinum or upwards to the brain. In such cases dental infections can become, if not properly treated, life‐threatening. It seems that early diagnosis and treatment are imperative, and potentially infectious foci should be traced and eliminated. Dental hygiene and prophylaxis to prevent dental biofilm formation are important measures to reduce the risk of these calamities. The more compromised the host defense is, the more importance should be put on these measures. Although commensal bacteria are often involved in these infections, attention should also be paid to specific periodontal pathogens, and a proper microbial diagnosis, obtained using molecular methods plus bacterial sensitivity testing, can provide the patient with optimal care. Drainage of pus must be established where possible so that the optimal effect of antibiotics can be achieved. Penicillin is still the drug of first choice in settings where suspicion of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus is low.