bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF COPPER FRACTIONS IN A VINEYARD SOIL
Authors: Fernández‐Calviño D. , Garrido‐Rodríguez B. , López‐Periago J. E. , Paradelo M. , Arias‐Estévez M. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTThe aim of this work is to assess the effect of planting patterns on the spatial distribution of total copper and other Cu fractions in vineyard soils. Both classical and geostatistical tools were used for the study. The soil of the plot had a loam texture and was strongly acid. The mean total Cu concentration (CuT) was 368 mg kg−1. The mean value of potential available fractions was 188 mg kg−1 for CuEDTA and 122 mg kg−1 for CuDPTA, whereas the mean exchangeable Cu (CuEX) was 5·2 mg kg−1. All Cu measurements exhibited a wide variation. These values are very high compared with those found in non‐polluted soils, and they can affect the soil, plants and microorganisms. The best correlation for CuEX was with soil pH, whereas for CuEDTA, CuDPTA, and CuT, the best correlation was with soil organic carbon. Directional semivariograms were fitted with a spherical model (parallel to plant rows) and a periodic model (perpendicular) showing a dependence on orientation and distance. All Cu measurements were higher along plant rows than among them, finding a periodic pattern in the variance for the normal direction from plant rows. However, in site‐specific management, it is crucial not only to describe the pattern of variation but also to estimate the Cu content in the soil. Copper concentration maps were estimated by kriging interpolation. These maps show a higher Cu accumulation along the cultivated rows than the uncultivated rows. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of strain concentration in Si micro system technology by X‐ray dynamical diffraction
Authors: Saka Takashi 
Published: October 2011

AbstractLong‐range strain in nearly perfect crystalline materials can be detected by X‐ray dynamical diffraction. Long‐range strain due to uniform bending or torsion is undetectable by the conventional method, but can be detected by rotating the specimens along the scattering vector. This method was applied to Si micro systems, and local strain concentrations were clearly revealed by X‐ray topography.
Statistical aspects in comparative benefit‐risk assessment: challenges and opportunities for pharmaceutical statisticians
Authors: Quartey George , Wang Jixian 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBenefit–risk assessment is a fundamental element of drug development with the aim to strengthen decision making for the benefit of public health. Appropriate benefit‐risk assessment can provide useful information for proactive intervention in health care settings, which could save lives, reduce litigation, improve patient safety and health care outcomes, and furthermore, lower overall health care costs. Recent development in this area presents challenges and opportunities to statisticians in the pharmaceutical industry. We review the development and examine statistical issues in comparative benefit‐risk assessment. We argue that a structured benefit‐risk assessment should be a multi‐disciplinary effort involving experts in clinical science, safety assessment, decision science, health economics, epidemiology and statistics. Well planned and conducted analyses with clear consideration on benefit and risk are critical for appropriate benefit–risk assessment. Pharmaceutical statisticians should extend their knowledge to relevant areas such as pharmaco‐epidemiology, decision analysis, modeling, and simulation to play an increasingly important role in comparative benefit–risk assessment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring and reducing the impact of the operating system kernel on end‐to‐end latencies in synchronous packet switched networks
Authors: Welponer Michele , Abeni Luca , Marchetto Guido , Cigno Renato Lo 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYThis paper presents an evaluation of the impact of the so‐called operating system (OS) latencies on the performance of a synchronous network based on global time coordination. The concept of end‐to‐end latency was first defined by extending the concept of latency used to evaluate the performance of real‐time systems and the end‐to‐end latency provided by a general‐purpose OS was measured as a benchmark. Finally, real‐time techniques were used to reduce the worst‐case values of such a latency, showing how a gateway between synchronous and asynchronous networks can be implemented by using commercial‐off‐the‐shelf hardware and a proper software stack (based on a real‐time version of Linux). The use of a real‐time OS is still a nontrivial task, which requires experience and the analysis of the specific application to devise the proper techniques to be applied. This work dissects the problem of OS‐to‐network data transfer (and vice versa) identifying the key sources of latencies and delay jitter, and solving each problem with the application of a proper technique. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphological changes of starch granules during grain filling and seed germination in wheat
Authors: Li Chun Yan , Li Cheng , Lu Zhen Xiang , Li Wei Hua , Cao Lian Pu 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn this study, the morphological changes of wheat starch granules during grain filling and seed germination were observed under scanning electron microscopy. Until 3 days post anthesis (DPA), the pericarp tissue was the major site of starch deposited. From 6 DPA, the size and the number of granules in endosperm gradually increased. The “double disk structure”, “pin holes”, and “equatorial groove” at the surfaces of the granules were observed during grain filling, these micro‐structural features might aid the enzymatic hydrolysis of starch granules during seed germination. The equatorial groove of granule was more susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis than the flat surface.
Effect of base-flow variation in noise amplifiers: the flat-plate boundary layer
Authors: Brandt Luca , Sipp Denis , Pralits Jan O. , Marquet Olivier 
Published: October 2011

AbstractNon-modal analysis determines the potential for energy amplification in stable flows. The latter is quantified in the frequency domain by the singular values of the resolvent operator. The present work extends previous analysis on the effect of base-flow modifications on flow stability by considering the sensitivity of the flow non-modal behaviour. Using a variational technique, we derive an analytical expression for the gradient of a singular value with respect to base-flow modifications and show how it depends on the singular vectors of the resolvent operator, also denoted the optimal forcing and optimal response of the flow. As an application, we examine zero-pressure-gradient boundary layers where the different instability mechanisms of wall-bounded shear flows are all at work. The effect of the component-type non-normality of the linearized Navier–Stokes operator, which concentrates the optimal forcing and response on different components, is first studied in the case of a parallel boundary layer. The effect of the convective-type non-normality of the linearized Navier–Stokes operator, which separates the spatial support of the structures of the optimal forcing and response, is studied in the case of a spatially evolving boundary layer. The results clearly indicate that base-flow modifications have a strong impact on the Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) instability mechanism whereas the amplification of streamwise streaks is a very robust process. This is explained by simply examining the expression for the gradient of the resolvent norm. It is shown that the sensitive region of the lift-up (LU) instability spreads out all over the flat plate and even upstream of it, whereas it is reduced to the region between branch I and branch II for the TS waves.
Evolution of the ejecta sheet from the impact of a drop with a deep pool
Authors: Zhang L. V. , Toole J. , Fezzaa K. , Deegan R. D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe used optical and X-ray imaging to observe the formation of jets from the impact of a single drop with a deep layer of the same liquid. For high Reynolds number there are two distinct jets: the thin, fast and early-emerging ejecta; and the slow, thick and late-emerging lamella. For low Reynolds number the two jets merge into a single continuous jet, the structure of which is determined by the distinct contributions of the lamella and the ejecta. We measured the emergence time, position and speed of the ejecta sheet, and find that these scale as power laws with the impact speed and the viscosity. We identified the origin of secondary droplets with the breakup of the lamella and the ejecta jets, and show that the size of the droplets is not a good indicator of their origin.
Life review therapy for older adults with moderate depressive symptomatology: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Korte J. , Bohlmeijer E. T. , Cappeliez P. , Smit F. , Westerhof G. J. 
Published: October 2011

BackgroundAlthough there is substantial evidence for the efficacy of life review therapy as an early treatment of depression in later life, its effectiveness in natural settings has not been studied. The present study evaluates an intervention based on life review and narrative therapy in a large multi-site, pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT).MethodLife review therapy was compared with care as usual. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms; secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms, positive mental health, quality of life, and current major depressive episode (MDE). To identify groups for whom the intervention was particularly effective, moderator analyses were carried out (on sociodemographic variables, personality traits, reminiscence functions, clinically relevant depressive and anxiety symptoms, and past MDEs).ResultsCompared with care as usual (n=102), life review therapy (n=100) was effective in reducing depressive symptoms, at post-treatment (d=0.60,B=−5.3,p<0.001), at 3-month follow-up (d=0.50,B=−5.0,p<0.001) and for the intervention also at 9-month follow-up (t=5.7,p<0.001). The likelihood of a clinically significant change in depressive symptoms was significantly higher [odds ratio (OR) 3.77,p<0.001 at post-treatment; OR 3.76,p<0.001 at the 3-month follow-up]. Small significant effects were found for symptoms of anxiety and positive mental health. Moderator analyses showed only two significant moderators, the personality trait of extraversion and the reminiscence function of boredom reduction.ConclusionsThis study shows the effectiveness of life review therapy as an early intervention for depression in an ecologically valid context, supporting its applicability to a broad target group. The intervention is also effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and strengthening positive mental health.
Epistemic normativity from the reasoner's viewpoint
Authors: Proust Joëlle 
Published: October 2011

AbstractElqayam & Evans (E&E) are focused on the normative judgments used by theorists to characterize subjects' performances (e.g. in terms of logic or probability theory). They ignore the fact, however, that subjects themselves have an independent ability to evaluate their own reasoning performance, and that this ability plays a major role in controlling their first-order reasoning tasks.
Undisputed norms and normal errors in human thinking
Authors: Girotto Vittorio 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis commentary questions Elqayam & Evans' (E&E's) claims that thinking tasks are doomed to have multiple normative readings and that only applied research allows normative evaluations. In fact, some tasks have just one undisputed normative reading, and not only pathological gamblers but also normal individuals sometimes need normative guidance. To conclude, normative evaluations are inevitable in the investigation of human thinking.
The unbearable lightness of “Thinking”: Moving beyond simple concepts of thinking, rationality, and hypothesis testing
Authors: Brase Gary L. , Shanteau James 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThree correctives can get researchers out of the trap of constructing unitary theories of “thinking”: (1) Strong inference methods largely avoid problems associated with universal prescriptive normativism; (2) theories must recognize that significant modularity of cognitive processes is antithetical to general accounts of thinking; and (3) consideration of the domain-specificity of rationality render many of the present article's issues moot.
First Report of a 16SrIV-D Phytoplasma Associated with Texas Phoenix Palm Decline on Pigmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) in Florida
Authors: Jeyaprakash A. , Sutton B. D. , Halbert S. E. , Schubert T. S. 
Published: October 2011

The pigmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien) is used as an ornamental in Florida and is popular and lucrative within the nursery trade. Severe decline of several pigmy date palms was observed at a residence in Hillsborough County, FL. Several other palm species, including P. canariensis (Canary Island date palm), P. sylvestris (wild date palm), P. dactylifera (date palm), Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm), and Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm), in Florida are known to be affected by Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPPD), a disease associated with a phytoplasma subgroup strain 16SrIV-D (2,3). Moreover, the location of the affected pigmy date palms was in the proximity of many other diseased cabbage palms that were identified in previous surveys and subsequently rogued. Genomic DNA was extracted from 100 mg of ground-up palm trunk tissues containing phloem cells with a DNeasy Plant Mini kit column (QIAGEN Inc., Valencia, CA) from four specimens. A high-fidelity PCR (Hf-PCR) procedure was used in preference to standard PCR because it was 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive (1,4). The Hf-PCR (50 μl) utilized two DNA polymerases; Taq (five units) and ACCUZYME (one unit), 350 μM dNTP, a buffer (50 mM Tris pH 9.2, 16 mM ammonium sulfate, and 1.75 mM magnesium chloride), a higher concentration of primers (200 pM) (2,3), and palm DNA templates (>10 ng) or no DNA negative control. Hf-PCR was performed using three linked profiles: (i) 94°C (2 min) (1 cycle); (ii) 94°C (10 s), 50°C (30 s) for P1m/P7 or 57°C for LY16Sf/LY16Sr and 68°C (2 min) (10 cycles); and (iii) 94°C (10 s), 50°C (30 s) for P1m/P7 or 57°C for LY16Sf/LY16Sr and 68°C (2 min plus 20 s added for every consecutive cycle) (20 cycles) (1). The genomic DNA extracted from P. roebelenii specimens was used as template for amplification by Hf-PCR. Expected 1.8- and 1.4-kb DNA bands for each primer combination were readily amplified. The Hf-PCR products were sequenced (GenBank Accession No. JF791816) and a BLAST search revealed a 100% similarity with a phytoplasma subgroup strain 16SrIV-D (EF042899 and AF434989), which is known to cause severe palm decline (TPPD) in other hosts (2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of TPPD from P. roebelenii, and therefore, expands the host range of this pathogen. In areas where TPPD is present, the landscape industry may need to identify alternative nonhost palm species or resistant varieties for disease management. References: (1) W. M. Barnes. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:2216, 1994. (2) N. A. Harrison et al. Plant Dis. 86:676, 2002. (3) N. A. Harrison et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 153:85, 2008. (4) A. Jeyaprakash and M. A. Hoy. Insect Mol. Biol. 9:393, 2000.
Sequence Analysis of 16S rRNA and secA Genes Confirms the Association of 16SrI‐B Subgroup Phytoplasma with Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Stunting Disease in India
Authors: Mehdi Azadvar , Baranwal Virendra Kumar , Kochu Babu Madhavan , Praveena Deepthi 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDuring January 2010, severe stunting symptoms were observed in clonally propagated oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Leaf samples of symptomatic oil palms were collected, and the presence of phytoplasma was confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal phytoplasma‐specific primer pairs P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 for amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and semi‐nested PCR using universal phytoplasma‐specific primer pairs SecAfor1/SecArev3 followed by SecAfor2/SecArev3 for amplification of a part of the secA gene. Sequencing and BLAST analysis of the ∼1.25 kb and ∼480 bp of 16S rDNA and secA gene fragments indicated that the phytoplasma associated with oil palm stunting (OPS) disease was identical to 16SrI aster yellows group phytoplasma. Further characterization of the phytoplasma by in silico restriction enzyme digestion of 16S rDNA and virtual gel plotting of sequenced 16S rDNA of ∼1.25 kb using iPhyClassifier online tool indicated that OPS phytoplasma is a member of 16SrI‐B subgroup and is a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’‐related strain. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and secA of OPS phytoplasma also grouped it with 16SrI‐B. This is the first report of association of phytoplasma of the 16SrI‐B subgroup phytoplasma with oil palm in the world.
Reverse line blot hybridisation screening of Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium species in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Lu Q. , van den Ende A. H. G. Gerrits , de Hoog G. S. , Li R. , Accoceberry I. , Durand‐Joly I. , Bouchara J.‐P. , Hernandez F. , Delhaes L. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe PCR‐RLB (reverse line blot hybridisation) was applied as a molecular technique for the detection of members of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium from sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Fifty‐nine sputum samples were collected from 52 CF patients, which were analysed by culture and PCR‐RLB. Conventional and semi‐selective culture yielded five positive samples, but the PCR‐RLB hybridisation assay permitted the detection of members of Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium in 32 out of 52 patients (61.5%). In total, PCR‐RLB yielded 47 positives. Pseudallescheria apiosperma was detected in 20 samples, while Pseudallescheria boydii and Pseudallescheria aurantiacum were detected in 17 and eight samples, respectively. Six samples gave a positive reaction with two distinct species‐specific probes and one sample with three probes. In conclusion, the PCR‐RLB assay described in this study allows the detection of Scedosporium spp. in CF sputum samples and the identification of Pseudallescheria apiosperma, P. boydii, S. aurantiacum, Scedosporium prolificans and Pseudallescheria minutispora.
Medium spiny neurons of the neostriatal matrix exhibit specific, stereotyped changes in dendritic arborization during a critical developmental period in mice
Authors: Lee Hyunchul , Sawatari Atomu 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn mice, the matrix compartment of the striatum (caudate/putamen) undergoes major developmental changes during the second postnatal week, including the establishment of corticostriatal and nigrostriatal afferents, the maturation of parvalbumin‐positive interneurons and the appearance of perineuronal nets. It is not known if any of these events influence the dendritic structure of medium spiny neurons, the principal output cells of the striatum. To determine whether any measurable changes in the dendrites of matrix medium spiny neurons occur during this important developmental period, we labeled individual cells at different time points flanking the second postnatal week. These cells exhibit distinct dendritic morphologies from the earliest postnatal time points examined. Furthermore, our data show that the dendritic arbors of these neurons change in length, branch points, diameter and tortuosity, regardless of morphological type. The increase in dendritic length is accompanied by a decrease in the number of branch points that occur in different, but consistent, parts of the dendritic arbor. All of these changes are most pronounced during the second postnatal week, coinciding with a number of developmental events considered important for consolidating circuitry within the striatal matrix. Our results further support the critical importance of this early postnatal period in striatal development.
Tariff Liberalisation and the Growth of World Trade: A Comparative Historical Analysis of the Multilateral Trading System
Authors: Nenci Silvia 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe aims of this study are to assess the relationship between tariff barriers and world trade growth from a comparative and historical perspective, and to derive some useful indications for evaluating the effectiveness of the current multilateral trading system for promoting world trade. The novelty of this work is the complex reconstruction of a historical tariffs and trade series for the period 1870–2000, for 23 countries; this constitutes a good proxy for world trade (accounting for over 60 per cent) in this period. The effect of tariff liberalisation on trade growth is analysed empirically using panel data and time series. The results, while confirming the existence of a world level long‐term relationship between tariff reductions and trade growth, demonstrate how this substantial and significant relationship pre‐World War II gradually diminished in importance and significance after 1950. This result does not conflict with the key role of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization system in trade liberalisation; however, it underlines the importance of a formalised multilateral trading system, not so much for tariff liberalisation, but for building a virtuous process of international coordination of trade policies and ensuring fuller participation in world trade.
ZERO NOMINAL INTEREST RATES, UNEMPLOYMENT, EXCESS RESERVES AND DEFLATION IN A LIQUIDITY TRAP
Authors: Murota Ryu‐ichiro , Ono Yoshiyasu 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTWe present a dynamic monetary model that consistently explains various phenomena such as unemployment, deflation, zero nominal interest rates and excess reserves held by commercial banks. These phenomena were observed during the Great Depression in the USA, the recent long‐run stagnation in Japan and the recent depression triggered by the subprime loan problem in the USA. We show that an excessive liquidity preference leads to a liquidity trap and thereby generates the phenomena.
New approaches for determining a common set of weights for a voting system
Authors: Foroughi Ali Asghar , Aouni Belaïd 
Published: October 2011

AbstractData Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is one of the methods that have been proposed to determine the weights in a ranked voting system. DEA solves one model corresponding to each candidate and evaluates candidates with their own weights. However, sometimes solving only one model, and evaluating the candidates based on a common set of weights, is preferred. In this paper, some drawbacks of existing models are explained and new approaches for determining a common set of weights are proposed. Numerical examples are utilized to illustrate the content of the paper.