bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seed and Seedling Vigour in Tropical Maize Inbred Lines
Authors: Adebisi M.A. , Kehinde T.O. , Porbeni J.B.O. , Oduwaye O.A. , Biliaminu K. , Akintunde S.A. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Seed and seedling vigour is an aspect of seed quality which affects field establishment and performance. Low maize yields have been reported to be affected by several factors in which poor quality seed with low seed and seedling vigour. Information is scarce on seed and seedling vigour in maize inbred lines developed for tropical environments. Fifteen genotypes of tropical maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines were evaluated to determine the level of differences in seed and seedling vigour traits, and extent of relationships among traits and their heritability. A substantial amount of genetic variability was found, which suggested that most of the traits under study could be improved through selection and utilized in breeding programs. Positive and significant interrelationship among seed germination and seedling traits and a positive correlation between seed germination and seed vigour and field emergence showed that these could be given due consideration in crop improvement for seed and seedling vigour. High genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were obtained for seed germination, seed emergence, shoot length and seedling vigour index I and II, revealing the possibility of improvement in these characters through direct selection. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified seed emergence, shoot length, seedling vigour index I and II and tetrazolium vigour as characters that contributed greatly to variation in seed vigour in the maize inbred lines. Cluster analysis partitioned the genotypes into two groups, with group I consisting of seven genotypes and group II comprised the other eight genotypes, which suggested that hybridization between the two groups could lead to high level of heterosis. Genotype V5 had superior seedling vigour traits compared to other genotypes. Seedling emergence, shoot length, seedling vigour index I, seedling vigour index II and tetrazolium vigour are effective characters for good seedling vigour traits in maize inbred lines investigated.
Genetic Assessment of 23 Cassava, Manihot Esculenta Crantz, Genotypes at Two Agro-Climatic Zones in Nigeria
Authors: Oduwaye O.A. , Ojo D.K. , Mkumbira J. , Alake C.O. , Adenuga O. , Mapayi E.F. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
This study investigated genetic diversity among 23 cassava genotypes in two-agro-ecological zones (Ibadan and Mokwa), Nigeria. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The cassava genotypes were evaluated for tuber yield, fresh weight of tuber, number of tubers, tuber girth and length, dry matter and chlorophyll concentration. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and differences among the genotypes were computed using Duncan’s multiple range test. Single linkage cluster and FASTCLUS analysis were used to group the cassava genotypes. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability, heritability and genetic advance were also evaluated. Genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) were significant (P < 0.01) for most of the traits evaluated. The magnitude of the environment was higher compared to genotype and GEI. Comparative mean performance varied from location to location. Tuber yield ranged from 0.32 for 92/0325 to 0.90 kg for 99/3073 with mean of 0.58 kg, and 0.16 kg for 82/00058 to 0.67 kg for 98/0581 with mean of 0.35 kg in Mokwa. Higher genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variability were observed in Ibadan than Mokwa, for most of the characters. The interrelationships among the characters revealed the superiority of some cassava genotypes for a character in one location and not in the other location. However, breeding potentials exists among the cassava genotypes across the two environments.
Effects of Nacl Stress on Seed Germination Attributes of Periwinkle (Catharanthus Roseus L.) and Corn Poppy (Papaver Rhoeas L.) Plants
Authors: Saeb H. , Khayyat M. , Zarezadeh A. , Moradinezhad F. , Samadzadeh A. , Safaee M. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The present research was conducted to evaluate the effects of salinized water with NaCl on seed germination of Periwinkle and Corn Poppy. Treatments were: A) H2O- distilled water (control); B) sodium chloride solutions (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mM). Application of the highest NaCl concentration (80mM) significantly reduced germination percentage and mean germination time of both species, although increased the day of 50% germination. Increment of salinity concentration was led to the reduction of radicle length in Periwinkle. The seedling fresh weight and water content and radicle length of Corn Poppy were decreased in both levels of 20 and 80 mM, and seedling dry weight was unaffected by treatments. It is concluded that both species are tolerant to NaCl salinity up to 80 mM during germination stage.
Genetic Diversity of Common Bean Genotypes as Revealed By Seed Storage Proteins and Some Agronomic Traits
Authors: Marzooghian Akbar , Moghaddam Mohammad , Valizadeh Mostafa , Kooshki Mohammad Hasan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractEvaluation of the genetic diversity present within species is essential for conservation, management and utilization of the genetic resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate genetic variability of 70 common bean genotypes for seed storage proteins, grain morphological characteristics and agronomic traits. Two methods of extracting soluble seed proteins in salt were used.Positive correlations were observed among both seed morphological characters and developmental characters while yield components showed negative correlations with each other. Factor analysis for agronomic and grain morphological traits resulted in three factors were named yield components, seed morphology and phenology, respectively. Most genotypes had lower or medium scores for yield components and phenology factors. Considerable diversity was observed for seed morphology factor among the common bean genotypes.Nei’s diversity coefficient (He= 0.4), effective number of alleles (Ae= 1.69) and number of polymorphic loci (N = 17) indicated larger variation in the extraction method of soluble proteins in low salt (0.2 M NaCl) than high salt (1 M NaCl) condition. Considering that the centers of diversity for common bean are different in seed size, the result of Gst statistics showed that bands with relative mobility of 30, 32, 38 and 40 differentiated two weight groups more than other bands. Furthermore, significant differences were observed between these bands for number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant.
Extending Statistical Boosting
Authors: Binder H. , Gefeller O. , Schmid M. , Mayr A. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryBackground: Boosting algorithms to simultaneously estimate and select predictor effects in statistical models have gained substantial interest during the last decade.Objectives: This review highlights recent methodological developments regarding boosting algorithms for statistical modelling especially focusing on topics relevant for biomedical research.Methods: We suggest a unified framework for gradient boosting and likelihood-based boosting (statistical boosting) which have been addressed separately in the literature up to now.Results: The methodological developments on statistical boosting during the last ten years can be grouped into three different lines of research: i) efforts to ensure variable selection leading to sparser models, ii) developments regarding different types of predictor effects and how to choose them, iii) approaches to extend the statistical boosting framework to new regression settings.Conclusions: Statistical boosting algorithms have been adapted to carry out unbiased variable selection and automated model choice during the fitting process and can nowadays be applied in almost any regression setting in combination with a large amount of different types of predictor effects.
Accuracy and consistency of grass pollen identification by human analysts using electron micrographs of surface ornamentation
Authors: Mander Luke , Baker Sarah J. , Belcher Claire M. , Haselhorst Derek S. , Rodriguez Jacklyn , Thorn Jessica L. , Tiwari Shivangi , Urrego Dunia H. , Wesseln Cassandra J. , Punyasena Surangi W. 
Published: August 2014

• Premise of the study: Humans frequently identify pollen grains at a taxonomic rank above species. Grass pollen is a classic case of this situation, which has led to the development of computational methods for identifying grass pollen species. This paper aims to provide context for these computational methods by quantifying the accuracy and consistency of human identification.• Methods: We measured the ability of nine human analysts to identify 12 species of grass pollen using scanning electron microscopy images. These are the same images that were used in computational identifications. We have measured the coverage, accuracy, and consistency of each analyst, and investigated their ability to recognize duplicate images.• Results: Coverage ranged from 87.5% to 100%. Mean identification accuracy ranged from 46.67% to 87.5%. The identification consistency of each analyst ranged from 32.5% to 87.5%, and each of the nine analysts produced considerably different identification schemes. The proportion of duplicate image pairs that were missed ranged from 6.25% to 58.33%.• Discussion: The identification errors made by each analyst, which result in a decline in accuracy and consistency, are likely related to psychological factors such as the limited capacity of human memory, fatigue and boredom, recency effects, and positivity bias.
An overview of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in veterinary medicine and their public health consequences
Authors: Nóbrega Diego Borin , Brocchi Marcelo 
Published: August 2014

Serious human and animal infections caused by bacteria are usually treated with beta-lactams. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) constitute the most clinically and economically important enzymes that are able to hydrolyze and inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics in veterinary medicine. The spread of ESBLs represents a serious threat to healthcare systems, drastically undermining therapeutic options. The relationship between drug usage and the emergence of resistance has been extensively reported. Nevertheless, the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine and the emergence of ESBLs in animals remains a matter of debate. Moreover, there is still controversy about whether antibiotic usage in farm animals poses a potential public health risk. This review will (i) deal with aspects related to the presence of ESBLs in veterinary medicine, (ii) its link with human medicine, and (iii) discuss strategies to be implemented to preserve antimicrobial effectiveness. New insights relative to old questions concerning antimicrobial use in domestic animals are also presented.
A stakeholder approach to international human rights. Could the trend become a tragedy ?
Authors: Matwijkiw Anja , Matwijkiw Bronik 
Published: August 2014

Dans cet article, les deux auteurs présentent les divers postulats et implications de l’approche des parties prenantes au regard de la réglementation internationale des droits de l’homme. Alors que les Nations Unies ont déjà présenté la terminologie de « parties prenantes », l’organisation ne prend pas parti et ne se prononce donc pas, de manière expresse, sur le choix d’une approche lato sensu ou stricto sensu de la théorie des parties prenantes. Cependant, il est possible de démontrer qu’indirectement l’organisation est plus sensible au système que défendent les partisans de la conception large de la théorie des parties prenantes. Ceci est particulièrement vrai dans le cadre de l’analyse des droits fondamentaux qu’invoquent Herbert L.A. Hart et Neil MacCormick au moyen de leurs critères concurrentiels d’authentification auxquels s’ajoutent des composants variés du positivisme légal et de la doctrine du droit naturel. Dans la mesure où la théorie des parties prenantes a été conçue pour la gestion commerciale stratégique, il n’est prêté que peu d’attention aux aspects relevant de la philosophie du droit bien que, pour les Nations-Unies, ceux-ci soient fondamentaux. Les conclusions formulées suivent donc les implications des principaux postulats philosophiques et méthodologiques qui caractérisent chaque type d’approche. Dans le même temps, dans les contributions faites par les philosophes partisans de l’approche générale de la théorie des parties prenantes, la distinction opérée entre conceptions générale et étroite devient problématique. De ce fait, ceci est en pratique néfaste aux intérêts qui autrement auraient été protégés afin de garantir non seulement la liberté (v. droits civils/politiques) mais également le bien être (v. droits économiques et sociaux). En ouvrant la voie à l’attitude qui consiste à faire comme si de rien n’était, les Nations Unies devraient probablement y penser à deux fois - pour le bien de la mission même de l’organisation - et songer à l’idée d’une affiliation future à la théorie des parties prenantes.
Cross-Education Strength and Activation After Eccentric Exercise
Authors: Lepley Lindsey K. , Palmieri-Smith Riann M. 
Published: August 2014

Context
After injury, eccentric exercise of the injured limb is often contraindicated. Cross-education training, whereby the uninvolved limb is exercised, is an alternative that may improve quadriceps muscle strength and activation in the unexercised limb.

Objective
To determine the effect of eccentric exercise on quadriceps strength and activation gains in the unexercised limb.

Patients or Other Participants
Eighteen healthy individuals were randomly assigned to an eccentric training group or a control group.

Intervention(s)
Quadriceps strength and activation measures were collected at preintervention, midintervention, and postintervention. Eccentric training participants exercised their dominant limb with a dynamometer in eccentric mode at 60°/s, 3 times per week for 8 weeks.

Main Outcome Measure(s)
Quadriceps strength was quantified at 30° and 60°/s in concentric and eccentric modes. Quadriceps activation was assessed using the burst superimposition technique and quantified via the central activation ratio. A 2 × 3 repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to detect the effects of group and testing session on quadriceps strength and activation. Where appropriate, post hoc Bonferroni multiple-comparisons procedures were used.

Results
We found greater eccentric strength in the unexercised limbs of eccentric training participants between preintervention and midintervention and between preintervention and postintervention (preintervention to midintervention: 30°/s P = .05; preintervention to postintervention: 30°/s P = .02, 60°/s P = .02). No differences were noted in concentric strength (P &gt; .05). An overall trend toward greater quadriceps activation in the unexercised knee was detected between preintervention and postintervention (P = .063), with the eccentric training group demonstrating a strong effect (Cohen d = 0.83). Control strength did not change (P &gt; .05).

Conclusions
Exercising with eccentric actions resulted in mode-specific and velocity-specific gains in quadriceps strength in the unexercised limb. A trend toward greater quadriceps activation in the unexercised knee was noted, suggesting that strength gains may have occurred because of enhanced neural activity. This type of therapy may be a useful addition to rehabilitation programs designed to improve quadriceps strength.
Myringoplasty with and without Cortical Mastoidectomy in Treatment of Non-cholesteatomatous Chronic Otitis Media: A Comparative Study
Authors: Tawab Hazem Mohammed Abdel , Gharib Fadi Mahmoud , Algarf Tareq M. , EISharkawy Louay S. 
Published: August 2014

Objective To compare the outcome and success of repair of uncomplicated tympanic membrane perforations with myringoplasty alone and when combined with mastoidectomy. Methods A prospective study where 40 patients with non-cholesteatomatous chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) were recruited during the period of June 2013 to December 2013 from the outpatient clinic of Otorhinolaryngology department, Faculty of medicine, Cairo University. Patients were managed medically and after dryness of their perforations they were operated upon. Twenty patients underwent simple myringoplasty alone and 20 patients underwent myringoplasty with cortical mastoidectomy. Underlay technique with temporalis fascia was done for all patients. Follow-up period was at least 3 months. Results Hearing improvement was comparable in both groups. There was no significant difference in graft uptake between the myringoplasty alone group (70%) and cortical mastoidectomy group (80%) ( P = 0.7). There was no significant difference in ear dryness between the myringoplasty alone group (75%) and cortical mastoidectomy group (90%) ( P = 0.4). Conclusion Mastoidectomy performed in non-cholesteatomatous CSOM in this study gives no statistically significant benefit over simple myringoplasty as regards graft success rate and dryness of the middle ear with comparable hearing outcome.
Multi-Soliton and Rogue-Wave Solutions of the Higher-Order Hirota System for an Erbium-Doped Nonlinear Fiber
Authors: Zuo Da-Wei , Gao Yi-Tian , Sun Yu-Hao , Feng Yu-Jie , Xue Long 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation appears in fluid mechanics, plasma physics, etc., while the Hirota equation, a higher-order NLS equation, has been introduced. In this paper, a higher-order Hirota system is investigated, which describes the wave propagation in an erbium-doped nonlinear fiber with higher-order dispersion. By virtue of the Darboux transformation and generalized Darboux transformation, multi-soliton solutions and higher-order rogue-wave solutions are derived, beyond the published first-order consideration.Wave propagation and interaction are analyzed: (i) Bell-shape solitons, bright- and dark-rogue waves are found; (ii) the two-soliton interaction is elastic, i. e., the amplitude and velocity of each soliton remain unchanged after the interaction; (iii) the coefficient in the system affects the direction of the soliton propagation, patterns of the soliton interaction, distance, and direction of the first-order rogue-wave propagation, as well as the range and direction of the second-order rogue-wave interaction.
Can Mutations in the BAP1 Gene be Detected by Immunohisto-chemistry in Hereditary Kidney Cancers?
Authors: Arunima Ghosh  , Karlena Lara-Otero  , Marston W. Linehan  , Maria J. Merino  
Published: August 2014

Background: Hereditary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) constitutes about 5% of all RCCs. The most common and well studied syndromes include, VHL, HLRCC, BHD, Familial Oncocytoma, RCC Papillary Type 1, TSC, RCC associated with Succinate dehydrogenase B (SHDB) mutations and others. Several genes, including VHL, MET, FLCN, FH and genes encoding the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits B/C/D have been identified as causative. However, the genetic basis of a significant percentage of familial RCC, some with clear cell morphology remain unknown. BAP1 (BRCA1 associated protein-1), a tumor suppressor gene that encodes a nuclear deubiquitinase, is inactivated in 15% of sporadic clear cell RCCs and its loss was associated with high tumor grade and poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the possible role of this gene in the spectrum of RCC part of hereditary syndromes. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the role of BAP1 in all the spectrum of hereditary RCC, we studied by IHC a panel of RCCs which covers the spectrum of kidney cancers and included 10 VHL tumors, 6 HLRCCs, 8 chromophobe, 5 Hereditary Papillary Type 1, 6 Oncocytomas, 3 BHD (hybrid), and 24 sporadic clear cell RCCs. To analyze the BAP1 expression in these tumors, formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues were immunostained with mouse monoclonal anti-human BAP1 antibody (Clone C-4, Santa Cruz). Results: We found that all the tumors except two showed positive nuclear staining for BAP1. The two negative cases that were negative for BAP1 were Clear cell type and belonged to two siblings. Molecular analysis in a prepublished study showed both patients harboring the p.L14H mutation. Conclusion: Our study supports the hypothesis that BAP1 mutations can play a role in hereditary syndromes predominantly in clear cell tumors. Staining for BAP1 should be done when there is no definite known mutation in a clear cell cancer but the patient gives history of familial kidney cancer. The two related patients who had similar mutations had aggressive, metastatic disease, which suggests that probably BAP1 does play a role in hereditary RCC clear cell type.
PGE2 Upregulates IL-8 Via P38MAPK-Dependent Dual-Activation of CHOP and C/EBP-β in Human Astrocytomas
Authors: Isabella Venza  , Maria Visalli  , Rosaria Oteri  , Agliano Federica , Silvia Morabito  , Gerardo Caruso  , Maria Caffo  , Diana Teti  
Published: August 2014

We previously showed that in low- as well as in high-grade astrocytomas IL-8 overexpression is triggered by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) through the upregulation of the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-β (C/EBP-β) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Here we investigated the signal transduction pathways and the molecular mechanisms underlying the PGE2-dependent IL-8 gene expression in astrocytomas. Low- and high-grade PGE2-treated astrocytoma cells were transfected with wild-type and mutated IL-8 promoter constructs in the presence of various signal transduction pathway inhibitors, and cotransfected with transcription factor overexpressing plasmids or small-interfering RNAs. p38MAPK, C/EBP-β, and CHOP phosphorylation was analyzed by Western blotting. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation evaluated the in vitro and in vivo binding of CHOP and C/EBP-β to IL-8 promoter. The results obtained allowed us to find out the signaling pathways triggered by PGE2 and responsible for the activation of the transcription factors involved in the overproduction of IL-8 by astrocytoma. Therefore, it can be argued that the inhibition of the PGE2 downstream pathways may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with astrocytoma.
lincRNA HOTAIR as a Novel Promoter of Cancer Progression
Authors: Gregory Loewen  , Ying Zhuo  , Yan Zhuang  , Janarthanan Jayawickramarajahand  , Bin Shan  
Published: August 2014

Large intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNA) regulate development and disease via interactions with their protein partners. Expression of the lincRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) is elevated in a variety of malignancies and linked to metastasis and poor prognosis. HOTAIR promotes proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in the preclinical studies of cancer through modulation of chromatin modifying complexes. In the current review we discuss the molecular mechanisms of HOTAIR-mediated aggressive phenotypes of cancer, HOTAIRs potential in cancer intervention, and challenges in exploration of HOTAIR in cancer biology