bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant Synthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeTriggers Morphogenic Transition, a Virulence Trait of Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Rao Reeta Prusty , Hunter Ally , Kashpur Olga , Normanly Jennifer 
Published: March 2010

AbstractMany plant-associated microbes synthesize the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and several IAA biosynthetic pathways have been identified in microbes and plants. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has previously been shown to respond to IAA by inducing pseudohyphal growth. We observed that IAA also induced hyphal growth in the human pathogen Candida albicans and thus may function as a secondary metabolite signal that regulates virulence traits such as hyphal transition in pathogenic fungi. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (Ald) is required for IAA synthesis from a tryptophan (Trp) precursor in Ustilago maydis. Mutant S. cerevisiae with deletions in two ALD genes are unable to convert radiolabeled Trp to IAA, yet produce IAA in the absence of exogenous Trp and at levels higher than wild type. These data suggest that yeast may have multiple pathways for IAA synthesis, one of which is not dependent on Trp.
Identification of Genes Affecting Wing Patterning Through a Loss-of-Function Mutagenesis Screen and Characterization of med15 Function During Wing Development
Authors: Terriente-Félix Ana , López-Varea Ana , de Celis Jose F 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The development of the Drosophila melanogaster wing depends on the correct regulation of cell survival, growth, proliferation, differentiation, and pattern formation. These processes, and the genes controlling then, are common to the development of epithelia in many different organisms. To identify additional genes contributing to wing development we have carried out a genetic screen in mosaic wings carrying clones of homozygous mutant cells. We obtained 12 complementation groups corresponding to genes with a proven role in wing formation such as smoothened, thick veins, mothers against dpp, expanded, and fat and 71 new complementation groups affecting the pattern of veins and the size of wing. We mapped one of these groups to the mediator15 gene (med15), a component of the Mediator complex. We show that Med15 and other members of the Mediator complex are required, among other processes, for the transcription of decapentaplegic target genes.
Managing Alien Plants for Biodiversity Outcomes—the Need for Triage
Authors: Downey Paul O. , Williams Moira C. , Whiffen Leonie K. , Auld Bruce A. , Hamilton Mark A. , Burley Alana L. , Turner Peter J. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractRecognition that alien plants pose a significant threat to biodiversity has not always translated into effective management strategies, policy reforms, and systems to establish priorities. Thus, many alien plant management decisions for the protection of biodiversity occur with limited knowledge of what needs to be protected (other than biodiversity in a generalized sense) or the urgency of actions. To rectify this, we have developed a triage system that enables alien plant management decisions to be made based on (1) the urgency of control relative to the degree of threat posed to biodiversity, compared with (2) the likelihood of achieving a successful conservation outcome as a result of alien plant control. This triage system is underpinned by a two-step approach, which identifies the biodiversity at risk and assesses sites to determine priorities for control. This triage system was initially developed to manage the threat posed by bitou bush to native species in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. It has subsequently been improved with the national assessment of lantana in Australia, and the adaptation from a single to multiple alien plant species approach on a regional scale. This triage system identifies nine levels of priority for alien plant management aimed at biodiversity conservation, ranging from immediate, targeted action to limited or no action. The development of this approach has enabled long-term management priorities to be set for widespread alien plants that are unlikely to be eradicated. It also enables control to occur in a coordinated manner for biodiversity conservation at a landscape scale, rather than as a series of individual unconnected short-term actions.
Growth Regulator Herbicides Prevent Invasive Annual Grass Seed Production
Authors: Rinella Matthew J. , Haferkamp Marshall R. , Masters Robert A. , Muscha Jennifer M. , Bellows Susan E. , Vermeire Lance T. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAuxinic herbicides, such as 2,4-D and dicamba, that act as plant growth regulators are commonly used for broadleaf weed control in cereal crops (e.g., wheat, barley), grasslands, and noncroplands. If applied at late growth stages, while cereals are developing reproductive parts, the herbicides can reduce seed production. We tested whether growth regulators have this same effect on the invasive annual grass Japanese brome. The herbicides 2,4-D, dicamba, and picloram were applied at typical field use rates to Japanese brome at various growth stages in a greenhouse. Picloram reduced seed production nearly 100% when applied at the internode elongation, boot, or heading stages of growth, whereas dicamba appeared to be slightly less effective and 2,4-D was much less effective. Our results indicate it may be possible to control Japanese brome by using growth regulator herbicides to reduce its seed production, thereby depleting its short-lived seed bank.
Comparative Seed and Dispersal Ecology of Three Exotic SubtropicalAsparagusSpecies
Authors: Vivian-Smith Gabrielle E. , Gosper Carl R. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe genusAsparagusincludes at least six invasive species in Australia.Asparagus aethiopicusandA. africanusare invasive in subtropical Australia, and a third species,A. virgatusis naturalized and demonstrates localized spread in south east Queensland. To better understand how the attributes of these species contribute to their invasiveness, we compared fruit and seed traits, germination, seedling emergence, seed survival, and time-to-maturity. We further investigated dispersal ecology ofA. africanus, examining the diet of a local frugivore, the figbird (Sphecotheres viridis) and the effect of gut passage on seedling emergence. Overall,A. aethiopicuswas superior in germination and emergence, with the highest mean germination (98.8%) and emergence (94.5%) under optimal conditions and higher emergence (mean of 73.3%) across all treatments. In contrast,A. africanushad the lowest germination under optimal conditions (71.7%) and low mean seedling emergence (49.5%), but had fruits with the highest relative yield (ratio of dry pulp to fruit fresh weight) that were favored by a local frugivore. Figbirds consumed large numbers ofA. africanusfruits (∼30% of all non-Ficusfruits), and seedling germination was not significantly affected by gut passage compared to unprocessed fruits.Asparagus virgatusgerminated poorly under cool, light conditions (1.4%) despite a high optimum mean (95.0%) and had low mean performance across emergence treatments (36.3%). The species also had fruits with a low pulp return for frugivores. For all species, seed survival declined rapidly in the first 12 mo and fell to < 3.2% viability at 36 mo. On the basis of the traits considered,A. virgatusis unlikely to have the invasive potential of its congeners. Uniformly short seed survival times suggest that weed managers do not have to contend with a substantial persistent soil-stored seed bank, but frugivore-mediated dispersal beyond existing infestations will present a considerable management challenge.
Fabrication of Al2O3/Al structure by nitric acid oxidation at room temperature
Authors: Iwata Takashi , Matsumoto Taketoshi , Terakawa Sumio , Kobayashi Hikaru 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA thick Al2O3/aluminum (Al) structure has been fabricated by oxidation of Al with 68wt% and 98wt% nitric acid (HNO3) aqueous solutions at room temperature. Measurements of the Al2O3 thickness vs. the oxidation time show that reaction and diffusion are the rate-determining steps for oxidation with 68wt% and 98wt% HNO3 solutions, respectively. Observation of transmission electron micrographs shows that the Al2O3 layer formed with 68wt% HNO3 has a structure with cylindrically shaped pores vertically aligned from the Al2O3 surface to the Al2O3/Al interface. Due to the porous structure, diffusion of HNO3 proceeds easily, resulting in the reaction-limited oxidation mechanism. In this case, the Al2O3/Al structure is considerably rough. The Al2O3 layer formed with 98wt% HNO3 solutions, on the other hand, possesses a denser structure without pores, and the Al2O3/Al interface is much smoother, but the thickness of the Al2O3 layer formed on crystalline Al regions is much smaller than that on amorphous Al regions. Due to the relatively uniform Al2O3 thickness, the leakage current density flowing through the Al2O3 layer formed with 68wt% HNO3 is lower than that formed with 98wt% HNO3.
Asymptotic evolution of random unitary operations
Authors: Novotný Jaroslav , Alber Gernot , Jex Igor 
Published: March 2010

AbstractWe analyze the asymptotic dynamics of quantum systems resulting from large numbers of iterations of random unitary operations. Although, in general, these quantum operations cannot be diagonalized it is shown that their resulting asymptotic dynamics is described by a diagonalizable superoperator. We prove that this asymptotic dynamics takes place in a typically low dimensional attractor space which is independent of the probability distribution of the unitary operations applied. This vector space is spanned by all eigenvectors of the unitary operations involved which are associated with eigenvalues of unit modulus. Implications for possible asymptotic dynamics of iterated random unitary operations are presented and exemplified in an example involving random controlled-not operations acting on two qubits.
Rice and perfluorocarbon liquid pads: Comparison of fat suppression effects
Authors: Moriya Susumu , Miki Yukio , Yokobayashi Tsuneo , Yamamoto Akira , Kanagaki Mitsunori , Komori Yoshiaki , Ishikawa Mitsunori 
Published: March 2010

Background: With the chemical shift selective (CHESS) method, lingering fat signals remain because of the effects of nonuniformity in the magnetic field. One method to reduce this phenomenon is the use of pads filled with rice (rice pad), but the improvement in fat suppression effects with rice pads, as compared with conventional perfluorocarbon liquid pads, remains unclear. Purpose: To investigate whether rice pads are superior to perfluorocarbon liquid pads in improving fat suppression effects in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the knee. Material and Methods: Subjects were 10 healthy volunteers (5 men, 5 women; aged 20–45 years), from whom images taken using the CHESS methods were collected. Two images were taken for each subject; one with a rice pad placed under the knee and the knee flexed, and the other with a perfluorocarbon liquid pad placed under the knee and the knee flexed. Images were visually assessed by one radiologist and one radiologic technologist. Kendall's W and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for statistical comparisons. Results: Of the 20 evaluations made by the 2 observers, scores for images obtained with the rice pad were higher than those with the perfluorocarbon liquid pad in 18 cases, while the scores were equal in 2 cases. Images with the rice pad were not inferior in any cases. The mean score for visual assessment was 4.65 for the rice pad and 3.0 for the perfluorocarbon liquid pad. The rice pad was thus confirmed to be superior to the perfluorocarbon liquid pad ( P=0.0039). Conclusion: The rice pad exhibited better performance in improving the fat suppression effect. Thus, the rice pad is a superior product that is inexpensive and simple to use.
A comparison of seminal vesicle size on CT between autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients and normal subjects
Authors: Joo Ijin , Kim Seung Hyup , Cho Jeong Yeon 
Published: March 2010

Background: Extrarenal manifestations are common in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Although seminal vesicles can also be involved in patients with ADPKD, little is known about the size differences of the seminal vesicles between ADPKD patients and normal subjects. Purpose: To determine whether the size of seminal vesicles in ADPKD patients is larger than that in normal subjects with the use of three-dimensional (3D) CT. Material and Methods: Using a retrospective case-control study design, we reviewed the findings of 696 male patients with an age range of 20–69 years who underwent contrast enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging of the kidney in our institution from August 2007 to July 2008. A total of 68 male patients with ADPKD comprised the study group. Another 68 age-matched non-ADPKD male patients comprised the control group. The size of bilateral seminal vesicles was assessed by measurement of the short dimension on axial, coronal, and sagittal images by the use of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Results: The mean width of seminal vesicles in ADPKD patients was 1.70±0.40 cm (axial images), 1.86±0.45 cm (coronal), and 1.59±0.39 cm (sagittal). For control group subjects, the mean width was 1.53±0.29 cm (axial), 1.68±0.43 cm (coronal), and 1.48±0.31 cm (sagittal). The mean size differences between the ADPKD and control groups for the measured widths on axial and coronal images were statistically significant ( P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively). The width as measured on axial images showed a decrease with age in the control group subjects (linear trend, P=0.005), but no significant decrease was noted in ADPKD patients. Conclusion: The seminal vesicles were demonstrated to be larger in ADPKD patients as compared with normal subjects as determined with the use of 3D CT.
Multicountry Studies of Latin American Legislatures: A Review Article
Authors: CRISP BRIAN F. , BOTERO FELIPE 
Published: March 2010

Electoral Laws and the Survival of Presidential Democracies. By Mark P. Jones. (South Bend, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1995. Pp. 246).Legislative Politics in Latin America. Edited by Scott Morgenstern and Benito Nacif. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Pp. 503).Partidos Políticos de América Latina: Centroamérica, Mexico, y República Dominicana. By Manuel Alcántara Sáez and Flavia Friedenberg. (Salamanca, Spain: Biblioteca de América, 2001. Pp. 776).Partidos Políticos de América Latina: Cono Sur. By Manuel Alcántara Sáez and Flavia Friedenberg. (Salamanca, Spain: Biblioteca de América, 2001. Pp. 628).Partidos Políticos de América Latina: Paises Andinos. By Manuel Alcántara Sáez and Flavia Friedenberg. (Salamanca, Spain: Biblioteca de América, 2001. Pp. 680).Patterns of Legislative Politics: Roll Call Voting in Latin America and the U.S. By Scott Morgenstern. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Pp. 224).1Politicians and Economic Reform in New Democracies. By Kent Eaton. (University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 2002. Pp. 351).1Presidentialism and Democracy in Latin America. Edited by Scott Mainwaring and Matthew Soberg Shugart. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Pp. 493).Term Limits and Legislative Representation. By John M. Carey. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1996. Pp. 216).
Party Caucuses and Coordination: Assessing Caucus Activity and Party Effects
Authors: FORGETTE RICHARD 
Published: March 2010

Party caucuses are increasingly important to members' allocation of time. This article reports findings from new data on the minutes, frequency, timing, and attendance of House party caucus meetings. I argue that the party caucuses increasingly affect political and policy information flows to members. This growing party coordination has resulted in a greater bonding and shared strategic information among rank‐and‐file copartisans.This research also contributes to the party effects literature. Earlier research on congressional partisanship has used roll‐call data to measure both member preferences and party effects. I investigate whether or not members' attendance at party caucus meetings immediately prior to key congressional votes imposes partisan cohesion beyond members' preferences. The results indicate that party coordination contributes to greater congressional party unity on key floor votes at both the bill and member level controlling for members' ideological preferences. This party coordination effect occurs even during a period of high intraparty preference homogeneity.
Vote Switchers and Party Influence In the U.S. House
Authors: YOUNG GARRY , WILKINS VICKY 
Published: March 2010

Party‐centered theories of Congress often rely on the critical assumption that some majority party members vote against their preferences when granting their leadership procedural powers, such as closed rules. Such an assumption renders these approaches ad hoc, and thus theoretically dubious, unless firm support for the assumption can be found.Firm support is elusive largely because it is difficult to separate party and preference effects. In this article, we produce a simple but critical test of the party persuasion assumption that largely avoids these measurement problems. Specifically, we use a “switcher analysis” (Krehbiel 1998) to compare votes on final passage of the legislation with the votes on the closed rule. Our analysis of all closed rule‐final passage vote pairs for the 104th–108th Congresses reveals vote patterns that cannot exist absent significant party effects.
Improved Monte Carlo 1D inversion of vertical electrical sounding and time‐domain electromagnetic data
Authors: Piatti Claudio , Boiero Daniele , Godio Alberto , Socco Laura Valentina 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThis work deals with a robust and reliable global search inversion tool for vertical electrical sounding (VES) and time‐domain electromagnetic (TDEM) data, able to take into account the data quality and the dimensionality of the problem. The approach is an importance sampling method that exploits a scale property of the solution to move the random population of models closer to the solution. We obtain a more efficient sampling of the model parameter space with respect to a pure Monte Carlo method. The application of the scale properties overcomes some of the problems encountered when using optimization methods (e.g., simulated annealing), which are based on transition probability rules barely related to the specific problem or that require tuning of control parameters or training procedures (e.g., neural networks). Furthermore, the scale properties reduce the bias related to the initial definition of the boundaries of the model parameter space. A statistical test that accounts for the data uncertainties and the degrees of freedom of the problem is adopted to draw inference on the results. Synthetic and field data show that the algorithm is able to concentrate the sampling in high probability density zones of the model parameter space and to supply a reliable picture of the non‐uniqueness and equivalence problems.
‘Free Line Sensing’, a new method for soil moisture measurements using high‐voltage power lines
Authors: Königer F. , Schmitt G. , Schuhmann R. , Kottmeier C. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTLarge area integrated soil moisture measurement results are often required for meteorological studies as well as for geological, agricultural and natural disaster research. Commonly used sensors measure the soil moisture locally and exhibit a strong spatial variability due to the heterogeneity of most land surfaces.The new ‘Free Line Sensing’ technology uses existing high‐voltage power lines to detect variations in soil moisture below the lines. The electromagnetic field of an additional radio‐frequency signal in the range of 50–500 kHz on the line is influenced by changes in the electric properties of the soil, e.g., after rainfall. This has been simulated using high‐frequency software, the result being that variations of electrical conductivity or dielectric coefficient of the soil will lead to a measurable effect with power line sections extending over several kilometres.Measurements have been conducted on a 13 km long high‐voltage power line. The resulting signal is evaluated with respect to amplitude and phase. Measurement data demonstrate the capability of the ‘Free Line Sensor’ to monitor the integrated soil moisture of the Earth’s surface and near subsurface over the area covered by the power line. The resulting signal of the ‘Free Line Sensor’ strongly responds to precipitation events and the following drying of the soil. Comparison with soil moisture data obtained from gravimetric drying of soil samples reveals a good agreement.
Electrical properties of clay in relation to moisture loss
Authors: Russell Edward J.F. , Barker Ron D. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTSubsidence of buildings situated on clay soils can be a serious insurance problem in dry summers. In order to investigate subsidence and monitor its progress, non‐invasive techniques that provide information on soil properties have enormous potential. To help assess the application of new electrical tomographic monitoring techniques, the electrical properties of seven geographically extensive clays and their relationships with moisture content have been determined. It is found that resistivity increases slowly as moisture content decreases to between 10–15% of the total saturation, beyond which resistivity increases rapidly. As electrical resistivity of clay is also dependent on ambient temperature, this must be monitored and corrected for. The results suggest that electrical resistivity could be a useful indicator of moisture content in clay soils.
Microphysical structure of a developing convective snow cloud simulated by an improved version of the multi‐dimensional bin model
Authors: Misumi Ryohei , Hashimoto Akihiro , Murakami Masataka , Kuba Naomi , Orikasa Narihiro , Saito Atsushi , Tajiri Takuya , Yamashita Katsuya , Chen Jen‐Ping 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA new version of the multi‐dimensional bin‐microphysics model, which employs four dimensions to represent ice‐particle properties (ice mass, solute mass, aspect ratio and volume), was developed. The model was incorporated into an adiabatic parcel model to simulate the developing stage of a convective snow cloud observed over the Sea of Japan. The results suggest that crystals originating from deposition/condensation–freezing nuclei grow the fastest in the cloud, and isometric crystals among them effectively act as embryos of graupels. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society