bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A transcriptomics investigation into pine reproductive organ development
Authors: Niu Shihui , Yuan Huwei , Sun Xinrui , Porth Ilga , Li Yue , El‐Kassaby Yousry A. , Li Wei 
Published: September 2015

Summary

The development of reproductive structures in gymnosperms is still poorly studied because of a lack of genomic information and useful genetic tools. The hermaphroditic reproductive structure derived from unisexual gymnosperms is an even less studied aspect of seed plant evolution.

To extend our understanding of the molecular mechanism of hermaphroditism and the determination of sexual identity of conifer reproductive structures in general, unisexual and bisexual cones from Pinus tabuliformis were profiled for gene expression using 60K microarrays. Expression patterns of genes during progression of sexual cone development were analysed using RNA‐seq.

The results showed that, overall, the transcriptomes of male structures in bisexual cones were more similar to those of female cones. However, the expression of several MADS‐box genes in the bisexual cones was similar to that of male cones at the more juvenile developmental stage, while despite these expression shifts, male structures of bisexual cones and normal male cones were histologically indistinguishable and cone development was continuous.

This study represents a starting point for in‐depth analysis of the molecular regulation of cone development and also the origin of hermaphroditism in pine.
Exploring the evolutionary signature of food webs' backbones using functional traits
Authors: Dalla Riva Giulio V. , Stouffer Daniel B. 
Published: September 2015

Increasing evidence suggests that an appropriate model for food webs, the network of feeding links in a community of species, should take into account the inherent variability of ecological interactions. Harnessing this variability, we will show that it is useful to interpret empirically observed food webs as realisations of a family of stochastic processes, namely random dot‐product graph models. These models provide an ideal extension of food‐web models beyond the limitations of current deterministic or partially probabilistic models. As an additional beneﬁt, our RDPG framework enables us to identify the pairwise distance structure given by species' functional food‐web traits: this allows for the natural emergence of ecologically meaningful species groups. Lastly, our results suggest the notion that the evolutionary signature in food webs is already detectable in their stochastic backbones, while the contribution of their ﬁne wiring is arguable.SynthesisFood webs are influenced by many stochastic processes and are constantly evolving. Here, we treat observed food webs as realisations of random dot‐product graph models (RDPG), extending food‐web modelling beyond the limitations of current deterministic or partially probabilistic models. Our RDPG framework enables us to identify the pairwise‐distance structure given by species' functional food‐web traits, which in turn allows for the natural emergence of ecologically meaningful species groups. It also provides a way to measure the phylogenetic signal present in food webs, which we find is strongest in webs' low‐dimensional backbones.
Feeding transgenic plants that express a tolerogenic fusion protein effectively protects against arthritis
Authors: Hansson Charlotta , Schön Karin , Kalbina Irina , Strid Åke , Andersson Sören , Bokarewa Maria I. , Lycke Nils Y. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAlthough much explored, oral tolerance for treatment of autoimmune diseases still awaits the establishment of novel and effective vectors. We investigated whether the tolerogenic CTA1(R7K)‐COL‐DD fusion protein can be expressed in edible plants, to induce oral tolerance and protect against arthritis. The fusion protein was recombinantly expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana plants, which were fed to H‐2q‐restricted DBA/1 mice to assess the preventive effect on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). The treatment resulted in fewer mice exhibiting disease and arthritis scores were significantly reduced. Immune suppression was evident in treated mice, and serum biomarkers for inflammation as well as anticollagen IgG responses were reduced. In spleen and draining lymph nodes, CD4+ T‐cell responses were reduced. Concomitant with a reduced effector T‐cell activity with lower IFNγ, IL‐13 and IL‐17A production, we observed an increase in IL‐10 production to recall antigen stimulation in vitro, suggesting reduced Th1, Th2 and Th17 activity subsequent to up‐regulated IL‐10 and regulatory T‐cell (Treg) functions. This study shows that edible plants expressing a tolerogen were effective at stimulating CD4 T‐cell tolerance and in protecting against CIA disease. Our study conveys optimism as to the potential of using edible plants for oral treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Turn the Beat Around: A Stroke Prevention Program for African‐American Churches
Authors: Williams Lovoria B. , Franklin Brandi , Evans Mary B. , Jackson Chazeman , Hill Alethea , Minor Michael 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to pilot a socioculturally tailored church‐based stroke prevention program delivered by trained community health workers (CHWs) and to test its effects on participant knowledge scores.Design and SampleA single‐group, pre‐post test pilot study was conducted with a convenience sample of 201 adult African‐Americans recruited from nine churches in three Alabama counties. Measurements included participant weight, blood pressure (BP), physical activity level; knowledge related to hypertension, heart disease, and stroke; cigarette smoking; and access to care, as well as the Stages of Change constructs within the Transtheoretical Model. The intervention was a six‐session group‐based health education program delivered by trained CHWs.MeasuresMeasurements included participant weight, blood pressure (BP), physical activity level; knowledge related to hypertension, heart disease, and stroke; cigarette smoking; and access to care, as well as the Stages of Change constructs within the Transtheoretical Model. The intervention was a six‐session group‐based health education program delivered by trained CHWs.ResultsFrom baseline to 12 weeks, knowledge increased significantly (p < .001). Systolic BP measures improved (p = .0008). More than half of participants lost weight; however, weight change did not reach significance (p = .1380). Most (87%) participants indicated having a medical home at baseline; at the end of the study the percentage increased to 92% (p = .0138).ConclusionA church‐based intervention delivered by trained CHWs is feasible and may be a promising public health strategy to increase knowledge regarding hypertension and stroke prevention among African‐Americans.
Differential responses of two wetland graminoids to high ammonium at different pH values
Authors: van Diggelen J. M. H. , Smolders A. J. P. , Visser E. J. W. , Hicks S. , Roelofs J. G. M. , Lamers L. P. M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractEnhanced soil ammonium () concentrations in wetlands often lead to graminoid dominance, but species composition is highly variable. Although is readily taken up as a nutrient, several wetland species are known to be sensitive to high concentrations or even suffer toxicity, particularly at low soil pH. More knowledge about differential graminoid responses to high availability in relation to soil pH can help to better understand vegetation changes. The responses of two wetland graminoids, Juncus acutiflorus and Carex disticha, to high (2 mmol·l−1) versus control (20 μmol·l−1) concentrations were tested in a controlled hydroponic set up, at two pH values (4 and 6). A high concentration did not change total biomass for these species at either pH, but increased C allocation to shoots and increased P uptake, leading to K and Ca limitation, depending on pH treatment. More than 50% of N taken up by C. disticha was invested in N‐rich amino acids with decreasing C:N ratio, but only 10% for J. acutiflorus. Although both species appeared to be well adapted to high loadings in the short term, C. disticha showed higher classic detoxifying responses that are early warning indicators for decreased tolerance in the long term. In general, the efficient aboveground biomass allocation, P uptake and N detoxification explain the competitive strength of wetland graminoids at the expense of overall biodiversity at high loading. In addition, differential responses to enhanced affect interspecific competition among graminoids and lead to a shift in vegetation composition.
Assessing Raster GIS Approximation for Euclidean Shortest Path Routing
Authors: Hong Insu , Murray Alan T. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIdentifying a route that avoids obstacles in continuous space is important for infrastructure alignment, robotic travel, and virtual object path planning, among others, because movement through space is not restricted to a predefined road or other network. Vector and raster GIS (geographic information system) solution approaches have been developed to find good/efficient routes. On the vector side, recent solution approaches exploit spatial knowledge and utilize GIS functionality, offering significant computational advantages in finding an optimal solution to this path routing problem. Raster‐based shortest path techniques are widely applied in route planning for wayfinding, corridor alignment, robotics and video gaming to derive an obstacle avoiding path, but represent an approximation approach for solving this problem. This research compares vector and raster approaches for identifying obstacle‐avoiding shortest paths/routes. Empirical assessment is carried out for a number of planning applications, highlighting representational issues, computational requirements and resulting path efficiency.
Jasmonic acid promotes degreening via MYC2/3/4‐ and ANAC019/055/072‐mediated regulation of major chlorophyll catabolic genes
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyu , Chen Junyi , Xie Zuokun , Gao Jiong , Ren Guodong , Gao Shan , Zhou Xin , Kuai Benke 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDegreening caused by rapid chlorophyll (Chl) degradation is a characteristic event during green organ senescence or maturation. Pheophorbide a oxygenase gene (PAO) encodes a key enzyme of Chl degradation, yet its transcriptional regulation remains largely unknown. Using yeast one‐hybrid screening, coupled with in vitro and in vivo assays, we revealed that Arabidopsis MYC2/3/4 basic helix‐loop‐helix proteins directly bind to PAO promoter. Overexpression of the MYCs significantly enhanced the transcriptional activity of PAO promoter in Arabidopsis protoplasts, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment greatly induced PAO expression in wild‐type Arabidopsis plants, but the induction was abolished in myc2 myc3 myc4. In addition, MYC2/3/4 proteins could promote the expression of another Chl catabolic enzyme gene, NYC1, as well as a key regulatory gene of Chl degradation, NYE1/SGR1, by directly binding to their promoters. More importantly, the myc2 myc3 myc4 triple mutant showed a severe stay‐green phenotype, whereas the lines overexpressing the MYCs showed accelerated leaf yellowing upon MeJA treatment. These results suggest that MYC2/3/4 proteins may mediate jasmonic acid (JA)‐induced Chl degradation by directly activating these Chl catabolic genes (CCGs). Three NAC family proteins, ANAC019/055/072, downstream from MYC2/3/4 proteins, could also directly promote the expression of a similar set of CCGs (NYE1/SGR1, NYE2/SGR2 and NYC1) during Chl degradation. In particular, anac019 anac055 anac072 triple mutant displayed a severe stay‐green phenotype after MeJA treatment. Finally, we revealed that MYC2 and ANAC019 may interact with each other and synergistically enhance NYE1 expression. Together, our study reveals a hierarchical and coordinated regulatory network of JA‐induced Chl degradation.
Household water efficiency strategies in Cornwall, SW of England
Authors: Sharpe Richard A. , Osborne Nicholas J. , Skerratt Glynn 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDemand‐side measures are thought to be a sustainable approach to meeting the future supply‐demand balance. We assess the uptake of domestic demand‐side measures and potential factors that may promote the uptake of water efficiency devices. Fifty‐one face‐to‐face questionnaires were used to collect demographic and household characteristics data. We use descriptive statistics and univariate models to assess factors promoting water efficiency. Fifty‐one adult participants aged between 30 and 64 years provided data on water consumption and efficiency. Participants investigating water saving solutions and homeowners were more likely to utilise water efficiency devices. Targeted factors shown to promote consumer up‐take of water efficiency measures along with strategies utilising low‐cost efficiency devices provide a cost‐effective means to reduce water consumption.
Farmers’ willingness‐to‐pay towards soil and water conservation measures in agro‐ecosystems of Chotanagpur Plateau, India
Authors: Gulati Aastha , Rai Suresh Chand 
Published: September 2015

AbstractLack of importance given to farmers’ knowledge and perceptions towards soil and water conservation (SWC) is a major factor responsible for failure of conservation programs. The study explores farmers understanding of SWC and further adds to the limited empirical evidence towards farmers’ willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for SWC. Contingent valuation survey conducted to elicit the WTP (cash and labor days) for SWC draws attention to the importance of adopting SWC to ensure year‐round water availability. The willing households of the area could generate US$1302.2 and/or 1207 labor days monthly. The WTP (cash) showed strong positive influence by qualification, total income, off‐farm income and previous irrigation farming experience; while WTP (labor days) showed strong negative influence by age, qualification, dependency ratio, market access and livestock holding. The study will be useful for decision makers regarding investments and policy purposes for soil–water conservation measures in agricultural lands of developing countries.
Human Brucellosis Trends: Re‐emergence and Prospects for Control Using a One Health Approach in Azerbaijan (1983–2009)
Authors: Kracalik I. T. , Abdullayev R. , Asadov K. , Ismayilova R. , Baghirova M. , Ustun N. , Shikhiyev M. , Talibzade A. , Blackburn J. K. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryBrucellosis is one of the most common and widely spread zoonotic diseases in the world. Control of the disease in humans is dependent upon limiting the infection in animals through surveillance and vaccination. Given the dramatic economic and political changes that have taken place in the former Soviet Union, which have limited control, evaluating the status of human brucellosis in former Soviet states is crucial. We assessed annual spatial and temporal trends in the epidemiology of human brucellosis in Azerbaijan, 1983–2009, in conjunction with data from a livestock surveillance and control programme (2002–2009). To analyse trends, we used a combination of segmented regression and spatial analysis. From 1983 to 2009, a total of 11 233 cases of human brucellosis were reported. Up to the mid‐1990s, the incidence of human brucellosis showed a pattern of re‐emergence, increasing by 25% annually, on average. Following Soviet governance, the incidence rates peaked, increasing by 1.8% annually, on average, and subsequently decreasing by 5% annually, on average, during the period 2002–2009. Despite recent national declines in human incidence, we identified geographic changes in the case distribution characterized by a geographic expansion and an increasing incidence among districts clustered in the south‐east, compared to a decrease of elsewhere in the country. Males were consistently, disproportionately afflicted (71%) and incidence was highest in the 15 to 19 age group (18.1 cases/100 000). During the period 2002–2009, >10 million small ruminants were vaccinated with Rev1. Our findings highlight the improving prospects for human brucellosis control following livestock vaccination; however, the disease appears to be re‐emerging in south‐eastern Azerbaijan. Sustained one health measures are needed to address changing patterns of brucellosis in Azerbaijan and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union.
Detailed Analysis and Description of Grinding Wheel Topographies
Authors: Weiß Markus , Klocke Fritz , Barth Sebastian , Rasim Matthias , Mattfeld Patrick 
Published: September 2015

In this paper, an innovative approach for the description of the functional properties of a grinding wheel surface is discussed. First, the state of the art in the description of grinding wheel topographies is summarized. Furthermore, the fundamentals for a new approach for the quantitative description of grinding wheel topographies are provided. In order to analyze the functional properties of a grinding wheel’s topography depending on its specification, grinding experiments were carried out. For the experimental investigations both vitrified and synthetic resin bonded grinding wheels with varied compositions were analyzed.
During the experiments, the topographies of the investigated grinding wheel surfaces have been analyzed in detail. The developed software tool allows for a detailed description of the kinematic cutting edges depending on the grinding process parameters and the grinding wheel. In addition to the calculation of the number of kinematic cutting edges and the area per cutting edge a differentiation of the cutting edge areas in normal and tangential areas of the grinding wheel’s circumferential direction is implemented. This enables a detailed analysis and a quantitative comparison of grinding wheel topographies related to different grinding wheel specifications. In addition, the influence of the dressing process and wear conditions can be evaluated. The new approach allows a better characterization of the contact conditions between grinding wheel and workpiece. Hence, the impact of a specific topography on the grinding process behavior and the grinding result can be revealed.
Study of the Degradation of Polyethylene Glycol in Inconel 718 Feedstock During Powder Injection Moulding Process
Authors: Royer Alexandre , Gelin Jean-Claude , Barrière Thierry 
Published: September 2015

Metal injection moulding (MIM) has over the past decade established itself as a competitive manufacturing process to produce in large quantities small precision components with complex shape which would be costly to produce by alternative methods (Enneti, 2012). MIM is a process which combines the versatility of plastic injection moulding with the strength and integrity of machined, pressed or otherwise manufactured small, complex metal parts. MIM consist in shaping powder particles in injection process and then sintering them. MIM make use of the plastic moulding concepts to shape powder-polymer feedstock into the required geometry. During the injection phase, segregation appears in the feedstock and defects will be appear in the component during the sintering. To limit this effect a vast variety of binder systems have been developed (Enneti, 2012) to improve the homogeneity of feedstocks and limit segregation. Binder is formulated as a mixture of different organic or inorganic substances with several functions. Binder has the main commitments of giving the necessary rheological behavior to the feedstocks for injection moulding to transport the powder particles into the mould cavity and the cohesion of the green part (Enneti, 2012).
The goal of this study is to characterize and understand the chemical behavior of feedstocks during the phases of mixing and injection. First the binder was studied. Then based on these results the characterization of the feedstock was made. For this a study of the chemical behavior and interactions on feedstocks based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Inconel 718 powder was investigated by Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR) (Hidalgo et al., 2013). That methodology was also investigated to study the thermal behavior of the binder at a temperature close to the temperature of mixing and injection. Analyzes shows the thermal degradation of the PEG is not affect by the components of the feedstocks. No chemical interactions between the powder and the binder are revealed. The thermal degradation of the PEG appears during the mixing process and change the rheological behavior of the binder. This result shows the necessity to develop another formulation of binder to preserve the PEG.
Supporting Affordability-Based Design Decisions in the Presence of Demand Variability
Authors: Siedlak Dennis J. L. , Schlais Paul R. , Pinon Olivia J. , Mavris Dimitri N. 
Published: September 2015

In the years since the Cold War, the aerospace industry has seen a shift towards affordability-based design from the primarily performance-based designs of the past era. While many techniques, such as IPPD and PLM, have been implemented in support of this shift, recent developments in the industry have led to major cost overruns and production delays. The increased prevalence of demand variability in the aerospace industry and the difficulty to rapidly adapt production plans are a primary cause of these issues. Furthermore, traditional aircraft designers perform detailed manufacturing cost analysis late in the design process when the majority of the program costs are already committed. With the recent shift to more composite aerostructures, historical regressions and cost estimating relationships used to predict cost and manufacturability are no longer accurate, so postponing more detailed cost analyses to later design phases can lead to high costs due to sub-optimal early design decisions. The methodology presented in this paper addresses these problems by providing the ability to conduct multi-disciplinary trades in the early stages of design, when a large amount of design freedom and cost savings opportunities exist.
To enable these multi-disciplinary trades, this paper describes how aircraft performance considerations are integrated with production rate, manufacturing cost, and financial planning metrics into a parametric, visual trade-off environment. The environment, combined with a multi-objective optimization routine, facilitate effective affordability-based trades during the early stages of design. An F-86 Sabre redesigned wingbox using 3 separate manufacturing concepts is used as a proof-of-concept for this research.
Robustness of 802.15 Wireless Interface for Real-Time Thermal Feedback Control of the Friction Stir Welding Process
Authors: Kruger Grant H. , Miller Scott F. , Shih Albert J. , van Niekerk Theo I. 
Published: September 2015

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a modern, solid-state joining processes, involving frictional heating and mechanical forging. High quality joints can be created using a control system that compensates for external disturbances by regulating the state of the weld zone (WZ) surrounding the tool. However, in this situation direct monitoring is complex since the rotating tool is embedded in plasticized material.
This research discusses the development of a Bluetooth-based Wireless Rotating Process Monitoring (WRPM) system to overcome limitations in inductive/capacitive telemetry systems. Communication channel performance was assessed to determine the suitability of Bluetooth for use in the feedback control loop for in-process FSW WZ temperature control.
Peak round-trip communications latencies of 300–650 ms for 20–200 byte payloads were observed. Additionally, electrical noise from the machine tool reduced the receive signal strength measured on the Bluetooth module. The bit error rate (BER) also increased from 0 to 0.001 % as spindle speed increased from 0 to 1400 rpm. Due to the communication latency, the signal strength and BER effects were not observed to affect throughput. The results support the use of the WRPM system for feedback control of FSW. However, deterministic communication latency must be achieved to enable the design of a stable control system.