bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus kolymensis Associated with Pinus sylvestris in Serbia
Authors: Bačić J. , Stare B. G. , Urek G. , Širca S. 
Published: September 2014

Bursaphelenchus mucronatus kolymensis (Korentchenko) Braasch et al. (1), also referred to as the European type of B. mucronatus, is morphologically very similar to the pine wood nematode (PWN) B. xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle, the causal agent of pine wilt disease. The main morphological difference between the two species is the shape of the female tail mucro (3); however, some populations of PWN vary in mucro shape, which can lead to misidentification. Since PWN was found and identified for the first time in Portugal in 1999 (4), concern about the spread of PWN to pines and other conifers all over Europe has increased. Therefore, the PWN survey in every European country is essential. In 2011, the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management implemented phytosanitary measures for detection of PWN in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. In September 2013, wood samples were collected from a 40-year-old wilted Pinus sylvestris located on Divcibare Mountain, western Serbia. Nematodes were extracted by a modified Baermann funnel method. Nematode specimens (10 females and 10 males) were characterized by an Aphelenchoid-type esophagus, female vulva flap, mucro on the end of female tail, and males with paired arcuate spicules. Morphological identification matched that of B. mucronatus kolymensis (1). The specific morphometric evidence for this European type subspecies of B. mucronatus was sub-cylindrical female tail with mucro 3 to 4 μm long, digitate, well offset from tail (5). Species identification was confirmed by PCR-RFLP of the rDNA ITS region using one female and one male nematode separately (2). The sizes of restricted DNA fragments as determined with agarose gel and capillary electrophoresis were in compliance with reported data in the literature (2,4) and support the identification of the nematode as B. mucronatus kolymensis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of any species belonging to Bursaphelenchus genus in Serbia. The presence of B. mucronatus kolymensis in Serbia indicates the possibility of establishment and spread of PWN. Therefore, the measures taken in case of PWN occurrence should be prepared and training foresters to identify pine wilt disease symptoms should be encouraged in Serbia. References: (1) H. Braasch et al. J. Nematode Morphol. Syst. 14:77, 2011. (2) W. Burgermeister et al. Nematology 11:649, 2009. (3) Y. Mamiya and N. Enda. Nematologica 25:353, 1979. (4) M. M. Mota et al. Nematology 1:727, 1999. (5) M. M. Mota and P. Vieira. Page 146 in: Pine Wilt Disease: A Worldwide Threat to Forest Ecosystems. Springer Science and Business Media, 2008.
First Report of Meloidogyne javanica Parasitizing Duboisia sp. in Paraná State, Brazil
Authors: Machado A. C. Z. , Dorigo O. F. , Boss A. , Tironi P. 
Published: September 2014

Duboisia sp. is a small tree belonging to the family Solanaceae originating from the rainforest areas of the eastern coast of Australia. Dried leaves are used for the extraction of pharmaceutical alkaloids, making this a commercially viable crop. The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita has been reported parasitizing Duboisia myoporoides (5); however, no information of other root-knot nematode species associated with this plant was found. Duboisia sp. is cultivated at Solana Farm, near Arapongas (23°25′08″ S, 51°25′26″ W), Paraná State, Brazil. During the renovation of a production field in this municipality, galled roots were observed on plants and samples were submitted to the Nematology Laboratory at Instituto Agronômico do Paraná, IAPAR, on December 2013. Plants did not exhibit any above-ground symptoms. The specimens were identified through perineal patterns and esterase phenotypes of 20 adult females extracted from dissected roots (2,3) and morphometrics of 10 second-stage juveniles extracted from roots using the blender-sieving method (1). Morphological characteristics were consistent with those described for M. javanica (4). Females had rounded perineal patterns with low, trapezoid shape dorsal arch, striae smooth interrupted by a pair of incisures on both sides, corresponding to lateral fields, clearly demarcated from striae by more or less parallel lines, tail whorl often distinct (4). The juvenile mean body length was 459.9 ± 28.7 μm and tail length averaged 51.6 ± 5.1 μm, with 10 to 16 μm long hyaline region and finely rounded tail tip (4). Results from the esterase electrophoresis were typical of M. javanica (2) with the J3 (Rm = 1.0, 1.3, and 1.4) phenotype being obtained. To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. javanica on Duboisia sp. in Brazil. This finding has great importance for Brazilian production since this nematode may damage plants, reduce yields, and control of this nematode on Duboisia sp. is difficult (5). Additional work is necessary in order to elucidate the losses caused by M. javanica on Duboisia sp. References: (1) J. I. Bonetti and S. Ferraz. Fitopatol. Bras. 6:533, 1981. (2) P. R. Esbenshade and A. C. Triantaphyllou. J. Nematol. 22:10, 1990. (3) K. M. Hartman and J. N. Sasser. Page 115 in: An Advanced Treatise on Meloidogyne. Volume II Methodology. K. R. Barker et al., eds. North Carolina State University Graphics, Raleigh, 1985. (4) D. J. Hunt and Z. A. Handoo. Page 55 in: Root-Knot Nematodes. R. N. Perry et al., eds. CABI International, Wallingford, UK, 2010. (5) A. M. Mello et al. Nematol. Bras. 22(2):12, 1998.
Seed and seedling traits affecting critical life stage transitions and recruitment outcomes in dryland grasses
Authors: Larson Julie E. , Sheley Roger L. , Hardegree Stuart P. , Doescher Paul S. , James Jeremy J. 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Seeding native plants is a key management practice to counter land degradation across the globe, yet the majority of seeding efforts fail, limiting our ability to accelerate ecosystem recovery.

Recruitment requires transitions through several seed and seedling stages, some of which may have overriding influences on restoration outcomes. We lack, however, a general framework to understand and predict differences in these critical demographic processes across species. Functional traits influence fitness, and consequently, trait variation could provide the basis for a framework to explain and predict variation in life stage transition probabilities.

We used seed and seedling traits, and field probabilities of germination, emergence, seedling establishment, and survival for 47 varieties of drylands grasses under two watering treatments to identify critical life stage transitions and quantify the effect of traits on cumulative survival through the first growing season.

Variation in germination and emergence probabilities explained over 90% of the variation in cumulative survival regardless of seedling survival probabilities or watering treatment, with emergence probability being the strongest predictor of cumulative survival.

Coleoptile tissue density and seed mass had significant effects on emergence and germination, respectively, explaining 10–23% of the variation in transition probabilities.

Synthesis and applications. While the majority of functional trait work has centred on linking leaf and root traits to resource acquisition and utilization, our study demonstrates that traits associated with germination and emergence may have prevailing influences on restoration outcomes. A portion of these traits have been examined, but there is substantial opportunity to identify other key traits driving these demographic processes. These advancements will underpin our ability to develop trait‐based frameworks for overcoming recruitment barriers and facilitating recovery of degraded systems across the globe.
The Amherst Embassy and British Discoveries in China
Authors: Hao Gao 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe Amherst embassy to China has long been viewed as a major diplomatic failure in Britain's early relations with China. This article concentrates on the greatly overlooked aspect of the Amherst mission: the delegation's discoveries in China after the official proceedings were concluded. Since the embassy was given unprecedented freedom of movement during its four‐month return journey from Beijing to Canton, British observers were able to explore the interior of China and to communicate more fully with the Chinese government and people than ever before. As a consequence, the Amherst embassy not only provided valuable first‐hand observations which increased and improved Britain's knowledge of China, but developed the view that the Qing government was the chief obstacle to the progress of Chinese civilization and to the general welfare of the Chinese people. These important perceptions laid the foundation for future changes in Sino‐British relations and led, indirectly, to the outbreak of the Opium War.
Eighteenth‐CenturyJamaica's Ambivalent Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Robertson James 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEighteenth‐centuryJamaica's brutal society appears inimical to the values that theEnlightenment promoted, yetEnlightenment‐era scientific inquiry, printing and some self‐critical debates took place in the island's towns. Sugar‐profits could fund books and instruments.Jamaica's eighteenth‐century towns sustained a social life that allowed wider aspects ofEnlightenment‐era cosmopolitanism to take root. In these transient societies ‘ordinaries’ and coffee‐houses stocked the latest newspapers, while the new Freemasons’ lodges integrated the colony's white males. The urban networks of assembly rooms, journal subscriptions and scientific memberships inKingston andSpanishTown were inclusive – for those whites who could afford them – while some basic research did draw on enslaved plant collectors’ expertise. Data fromWestIndian botanists and historians informedEuropean scholars’ theorizing, but for slave‐holding Jamaicans the humanitarian ideas developed in mid‐eighteenth‐century Europe proved a tendentious import. In the 1780s the firstMethodist missionaries, the next metropolitan intellectual wave to reach the island, piggy‐backed onto existing urban intellectual networks before reaching out to a widerJamaica. By the century's end a fearful colonial elite found the Enlightenment's free exchange of ideas suspicious rather than supportive.
Evaluating Area‐Based Socioeconomic Status Indicators for Monitoring Disparities within Health Care Systems: Results from a Primary Care Network
Authors: Berkowitz Seth A. , Traore Carine Y. , Singer Daniel E. , Atlas Steven J. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo determine which area‐based socioeconomic status (SES) indicator is best suited to monitor health care disparities from a delivery system perspective.Data Sources/Study Setting142,659 adults seen in a primary care network from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011.Study DesignCross‐sectional, comparing associations between area‐based SES indicators and patient outcomes.Data CollectionAddress data were geocoded to construct area‐based SES indicators at block group (BG), census tract (CT), and ZIP code (ZIP) levels. Data on health outcomes were abstracted from electronic records. Relative indices of inequality (RIIs) were calculated to quantify disparities detected by area‐based SES indicators and compared to RIIs from self‐reported educational attainment.Principal FindingsZIP indicators had less missing data than BG or CT indicators (p < .0001). Area‐based SES indicators were strongly associated with self‐report educational attainment (p < .0001). ZIP, BG, and CT indicators all detected expected SES gradients in health outcomes similarly. Single‐item, cut point defined indicators performed as well as multidimensional indices and quantile indicators.ConclusionsArea‐based SES indicators detected health outcome differences well and may be useful for monitoring disparities within health care systems. Our preferred indicator was ZIP‐level median household income or percent poverty, using cut points.
Assessing the impact of arthropod natural enemies on crop pests at the field scale
Authors: Macfadyen Sarina , Davies Andrew P. , Zalucki Myron P. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThere are many reasons why it is important that we find ways to conserve, and better utilize natural enemies of invertebrate crop pests. Currently, measures of natural enemy impact are rarely incorporated into studies that purport to examine pest control. Most studies examine pest and natural enemy presence and/or abundance and then qualitatively infer impact. While this provides useful data to address a range of ecological questions, a measure of impact is critical for guiding pest management decision‐making. Often some very simple techniques can be used to obtain an estimate of natural enemy impact. We present examples of field‐based studies that have used cages, barriers to restrict natural enemy or prey movement, direct observation of natural enemy attack, and sentinel prey items to estimate mortality. The measure of natural enemy impact used in each study needs to be tailored to the needs of farmers and the specific pest problems they face. For example, the magnitude of mortality attributed to natural enemies may be less important than the timing and consistency of that mortality between seasons. Tailoring impact assessments will lead to research outcomes that do not simply provide general information about how to conserve natural enemies, but how to use these natural enemies as an integral part of decision‐making.
Heat and Mass Transport during Microwave Heating of Mashed Potato in Domestic Oven—Model Development, Validation, and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Chen Jiajia , Pitchai Krishnamoorthy , Birla Sohan , Negahban Mehrdad , Jones David , Subbiah Jeyamkondan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA 3‐dimensional finite‐element model coupling electromagnetics and heat and mass transfer was developed to understand the interactions between the microwaves and fresh mashed potato in a 500 mL tray. The model was validated by performing heating of mashed potato from 25 °C on a rotating turntable in a microwave oven, rated at 1200 W, for 3 min. The simulated spatial temperature profiles on the top and bottom layer of the mashed potato showed similar hot and cold spots when compared to the thermal images acquired by an infrared camera. Transient temperature profiles at 6 locations collected by fiber‐optic sensors showed good agreement with predicted results, with the root mean square error ranging from 1.6 to 11.7 °C. The predicted total moisture loss matched well with the observed result. Several input parameters, such as the evaporation rate constant, the intrinsic permeability of water and gas, and the diffusion coefficient of water and gas, are not readily available for mashed potato, and they cannot be easily measured experimentally. Reported values for raw potato were used as baseline values. A sensitivity analysis of these input parameters on the temperature profiles and the total moisture loss was evaluated by changing the baseline values to their 10% and 1000%. The sensitivity analysis showed that the gas diffusion coefficient, intrinsic water permeability, and the evaporation rate constant greatly influenced the predicted temperature and total moisture loss, while the intrinsic gas permeability and the water diffusion coefficient had little influence.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Approaches in Quality and Hygienic Production of Semisolid Low‐Moisture Foods: A Review of Critical Factors
Authors: Mondal Arpita , Buchanan Robert L. , Lo Y. Martin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractLow‐moisture foods have been responsible for a number of salmonellosis outbreaks worldwide over the last few decades, with cross contamination from contaminated equipment being the most predominant source. To date, actions have been focused on stringent hygienic practices prior to production, namely periodical sanitization of the processing equipment and lines. Not only does optimum sanitization require in‐depth knowledge on the type and source of contaminants, but also the heat resistance of microorganisms is unique and often dependent on the heat transfer characteristics of the low‐moisture foods. Rheological properties, including viscosity, degree of turbulence, and flow characteristics (for example, Newtonian or non‐Newtonian) of both liquid and semisolid foods are critical factors impacting the flow behavior that consequently interferes heat transfer and related control elements. The demand for progressively more accurate prediction of complex fluid phenomena has called for the employment of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model mass and heat transfer during processing of various food products, ranging from drying to baking. With the aim of improving the quality and safety of low‐moisture foods, this article critically reviewed the published literature concerning microbial survival in semisolid low‐moisture foods, including chocolate, honey, and peanut butter. Critical rheological properties and state‐of‐the‐art CFD application relevant to quality production of those products were also addressed. It is anticipated that adequate prediction of specific transport properties during optimum sanitization through CFD could be used to solve current and future food safety challenges.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profile in patients with restless legs syndrome
Authors: Turkel Yakup , Oguzturk Omer , Dag Ersel , Buturak S. Visal , Ekici Mehmet S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIntroductionRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with psychiatric disorders. We aim to investigate the personality traits of RLS patients using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.MethodsTwenty adult patients with RLS (14 females and 6 males) and 20 healthy controls (14 females and 6 males) who were referred to university neurology were enrolled in the present study. Diagnosis of RLS was established using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Psychometric evaluation was made with the Turkish version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.ResultsRLS patients have significantly higher absolute and clinical elevation scores on hypochondriasis and hysteria, and clinical elevation scores on psychasthenia, compared with the controls. Absolute scores on depression were higher at the border in RLS patients compared with the controls.DiscussionRLS patients have hypochondriac, hysterical, depressive, and anxious personality traits.
Spatio‐Temporal Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor α During Human Prenatal Development
Authors: Cizkova Katerina , Rajdova Aneta , Ehrmann Jiri 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) is a ligand‐dependent transcription factor which is activated by various endogenous as well as exogenous compounds. It is involved in the regulation of a variety of biological processes, such as nutrient metabolism, energy homoeostasis, immunological response and xenobiotic metabolism. Little is known about its expression during human prenatal development. We examined the spatio‐temporal expression pattern of PPARα in human embryonic/foetal intestines, liver and kidney from the 5th to 20th week of prenatal life by indirect two‐step immunohistochemistry. PPARα expression can already be detected in the early stages of prenatal development; as early as the 7th week of intrauterine development (IUD) in the intestines, 5th week of IUD in the liver and 6th week of IUD in the kidney. We found age‐dependent changes in the PPARα expression pattern in the intestines and kidney. These events occur approximately at the commencement of function of these organs. In the intestines, we detected an obvious change of the PPARα expression pattern along the crypt‐villous axis in the 11th week of IUD. In the kidney, the most apparent change was increased expression of PPARα in glomeruli in the 12th week of IUD. Moreover, in the liver, we detected a strong positivity in part of the developing blood elements. Information about the spatio‐temporal expression pattern of PPARα could be the first step in evaluating the potential harmful impact of a wide range of environmental or pharmaceutical compounds which serve as PPARα ligands on the developing human organism.
Case-Base Methods for Studying Vaccination Safety
Authors: Saarela Olli , Hanley James A. 
Published: September 2014

Summary
Pooling of controls under nested-case control settings can produce substantial efficiency gains compared to standard time-matched analysis using the Mantel–Haenszel method or conditional logistic regression. In the context of possible adverse effects of early childhood vaccinations, we propose pooling of the information from the controls to estimate the population exposure prevalence as a parametric or nonparametric function of time, and possibly other factors. This function in turn may be used as a plug-in estimate to control for confounding in the subsequent estimation of rate ratios. We derive standard errors for the resulting two-step estimators, demonstrate through simulations the efficiency gains compared to standard matched analysis, and propose a novel graphical presentation of the vaccination and adverse event time data. We formulate the methods in the general framework of case-base sampling, which subsumes the different case-control and case-only methods.
Salvage micro‐dissection testicular sperm extraction; outcome in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia with previous failed sperm retrievals
Authors: Kalsi Jas S. , Shah Paras , Thum Yau , Muneer Asif , Ralph David J. , Minhas Suks 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo assess the outcome of micro‐dissection testicular exploration sperm extraction (m‐TESE) as a salvage treatment in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in whom no sperm was previously found on single/multiple TESE or testicular sperm aspiration (TESA).Patients and MethodsIn all, 58 men with NOA underwent m‐TESE. All the patients had previously undergone either single/multiple TESE or TESA with no sperm found. All the patients underwent an m‐TESE using a standard technique. Serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and histopathological diagnosis were examined as predictive factors for sperm recovery. All patients underwent preoperative genetic screening. One patient was found to have an azoospermic factor c (AZFc) micro‐deletion and five were diagnosed with Kleinfelter's syndrome.ResultsThe mean (range) patient age was 39.0 (26–57) years. Spermatozoa were successfully retrieved in 27 men by m‐TESE (46.5%). The mean (range) FSH level was 19.4 (1.6–58.5) IU/L. There was no correlation in age (mean age retrieved 38.1 years, not retrieved 39.7 years, P = 0.38), FSH levels (mean FSH retrieved 21.4 IU/L, not retrieved 17.7 IU/L, P = 0.3) and the ability to find sperm by m‐TESE. However, there was a significant difference in testosterone levels and sperm retrieval (mean testosterone retrieved 14.99 nmol/L, not retrieved 11.39 nmol/L, P < 0.05). Patients with a diagnosis of Sertoli‐cell‐only (SCO) syndrome [14/35 (40%)] and maturation arrest [four of 11 (36%)] had lower sperm retrieval rates than those in the hypospermatogenesis group [nine of 12 (75.0%)] (P < 0.05). There were no significant complications after m‐TESE.ConclusionsIn men with NOA who have undergone previous attempts at sperm retrieval with negative results, a salvage m‐TESE offers a significant chance of finding sperm even in SCO syndrome. There does seem to be a correlation between preoperative testosterone levels and the ability to successfully find sperm.