bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Flammability Limits of Hydrogen and Methane in Air at Moderately Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Ale B. B. , Wierzba I.
Published: December 2014

The flammability limits of hydrogen and methane in air were determined experimentally at elevated initial mixture temperatures up to 350°C at atmospheric pressure for upward flame propagation in a conventional steel test tube apparatus. Additionally the extent to which a prolonged exposure (i.e., residence time) of the mixture to elevated temperatures before spark ignition and, consequently, the existence of pre-ignition reactions that may influence the value of the lean and rich flammability limits was also investigated. It was shown that the flammability limits for methane widened approximately linearly with an increase in the initial mixture temperature over the whole range of temperatures tested. These limits were not affected by the length of the residence time before spark ignition. Different behaviour was observed for flammability limits of hydrogen. They were also widened with an increase in the initial temperature but only up to 200°C. In this initial temperature range the limits were not affected by the length of the residence time. However, at initial temperature exceeding 200°C the flammability limits, especially, the rich limits narrowed with an increase in the temperature and were significantly affected by the residence time before spark ignition. The results of detailed chemical kinetic simulation showed that the gas phase reactions of hydrogen oxidation could not be responsible for the substantial drop in the value of the rich limit. It was therefore, suggested that this drop in the value of the rich limit with the increase in the residence time was caused by the relatively low temperature catalytic reactions on the stainless steel surface of the flame tube. Simple method for calculating the hydrogen conversion to water was proposed. The results of calculations are in fair agreement with the experimental evidence.
The Response of a New Lightweight Rail Track System (LR55) to Various Loading Environment
Authors: Al Nageim H. , Mohammad F. , Lesley Lewis
Published: December 2014

The finite element method is used to determine the response of a new lightweight rail track system (LR55) to various loading environments.

To calculate the vertical displacement of the rail track system and the vertical pressure in the sub-base and sub-grade layers due to wheel loads and loads exerted by transversely passing vehicles across the track, the global stiffness matrix of the structure is determined. This is done by using one and two dimensional finite element programs. In the two dimensional finite element analysis, linear isoparametric elements with 4-node quadrilateral and 3-node triangular shapes in the discretised mesh of the whole structure are used, also non-homogeneous materials with isotropic of linear elastic behaviour are assumed for all the components forming the track system and surrounding media.

The results of the one dimensional finite element program are compared with those predicted from analytical approach in order to validate the finite element program developed. From the various examples presented the LR55 proves to withstand the main-line railway loading and the vertical pressure distribution in the sub-base and sub-grade of the pavement are within the allowable limit.
Det Norske Veritas Rule Philosophy With Regard to Gas Turbines for Marine Propulsion
Authors: Martin Paul
Published: December 2014

Det Norske Veritas (DNV), has been in the process of updating its Rules for Marine use for some time now. Regulatory bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD), and many others, change their requirements from time to time. IMO has introduced a revised code a few years ago. The requirements of these codes/standards and the implications are often very difficult to understand and implement both for the manufacturers and the class societies such as ours. Further, DNV’s Rule requirements need to be understood and acceptable world-wide, if the gas turbine industry, and the maritime industry as a whole is to function in a rational, safe, and profitable manner. This paper is mainly based on DNV Rules of January 1996, Part 4. Chapter 2. Section 4. - Gas Turbines, and is intended to at least open the dialogue between the gas turbine industry and DNV.
Inhibition of Nucleic Acid Biosynthesis Makes Little Difference to Formation of Amphotericin B-Tolerant Persisters in Candida albicans Biofilm
Authors: Sun Jing , Liu Xiaohua , Jiang Guangshui , Qi Qingguo
Published: December 2014

Candida albicans
persisters constitute a small subpopulation of biofilm cells and play a major role in recalcitrant chronic candidiasis; however, the mechanism underlying persister formation remains unclear. Persisters are often described as dormant, multidrug-tolerant, nongrowing cells. Persister cells are difficult to isolate and study not only due to their low levels in
C. albicans
biofilms but also due to their transient, reversible phenotype. In this study, we tried to induce persister formation by inducing
C. albicans
cells into a dormant state.
C. albicans
cells were pretreated with 5-fluorocytosine (planktonic cells, 0.8 μg ml
−1
; biofilm cells, 1 μg ml
−1
) for 6 h at 37°C, which inhibits nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Biofilms and planktonic cultures of eight
C. albicans
strains were surveyed for persisters after amphotericin B treatment (100 μg ml
−1
for 24 h) and CFU assay. None of the planktonic cultures, with or without 5-fluorocytosine pretreatment, contained persisters. Persister cells were found in biofilms of all tested
C. albicans
strains, representing approximately 0.01 to 1.93% of the total population. However, the persister levels were not significantly increased in
C. albicans
biofilms pretreated with 5-fluorocytosine. These results suggest that inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis did not seem to increase the formation of amphotericin B-tolerant persisters in
C. albicans
biofilms.
In Vitro
Activity of Fosfomycin Alone and in Combination with Ceftriaxone or Azithromycin against Clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates
Authors: Hauser Christoph , Hirzberger Lea , Unemo Magnus , Furrer Hansjakob , Endimiani Andrea
Published: December 2014

New therapeutic strategies are needed to combat the emergence of infections due to multidrug-resistant
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
. In this study, fosfomycin (FOS) was tested against 89
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates using the Etest method, showing MIC
50
/MIC
90
s of only 8/16 μg/ml (range, ≤1 to 32 μg/ml). FOS in combination with ceftriaxone (CRO) or azithromycin (AZT) was then evaluated using the checkerboard method for eight strains, including
N. gonorrhoeae
F89 (CRO-resistant) and AZT-HLR (high-level AZT-resistant). All combinations that included FOS gave indifferent effects (fractional inhibitory concentration [FIC] index values, 1.2 to 2.3 for FOS plus CRO, 1.8 to 3.2 for FOS plus AZT). Time-kill experiments for FOS, CRO, AZT, and their combinations (at 0.5×, 1×, 2×, and 4× the MIC) were performed against
N. gonorrhoeae
strain ATCC 49226, one
N. gonorrhoeae
multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) sequence type 1407 (ST1407) strain, F89, and AZT-HLR. For all strains, at 24 h, the results indicated that (i) FOS was bactericidal at 2× the MIC, but after >24 h, there was regrowth of bacteria; (ii) CRO was bactericidal at 0.5× the MIC; (iii) AZT was bactericidal at 4× the MIC; (iv) CRO plus AZT was less bactericidal than was CRO alone; (v) FOS plus AZT was bactericidal at 2× the MIC; and (vi) CRO plus AZT and FOS plus CRO were both bactericidal at 0.5× the MIC, but FOS plus CRO had more rapid effects. FOS is appealing for use in the management of
N. gonorrhoeae
infections because of its single and oral formulation. However, our results suggest it be used in combination with CRO. After the appropriate clinical trials are conducted, this strategy could be implemented for the treatment of infections due to isolates possessing resistance to CRO and/or AZT.
Bacterial Diversity in the South Adriatic Sea during a Strong, Deep Winter Convection Year
Authors: Korlević M. , Pop Ristova P. , Garić R. , Amann R. , Orlić S.
Published: December 2014

The South Adriatic Sea is the deepest part of the Adriatic Sea and represents a key area for both the Adriatic Sea and the deep eastern Mediterranean. It has a role in dense water formation for the eastern Mediterranean deep circulation cell, and it represents an entry point for water masses originating from the Ionian Sea. The biodiversity and seasonality of bacterial picoplankton before, during, and after deep winter convection in the oligotrophic South Adriatic waters were assessed by combining comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis and catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (CARD-FISH). The picoplankton communities reached their maximum abundance in the spring euphotic zone when the maximum value of the chlorophyll
a
in response to deep winter convection was recorded. The communities were dominated by
Bacteria
, while
Archaea
were a minor constituent. A seasonality of bacterial richness and diversity was observed, with minimum values occurring during the winter convection and spring postconvection periods and maximum values occurring under summer stratified conditions. The SAR11 clade was the main constituent of the bacterial communities and reached the maximum abundance in the euphotic zone in spring after the convection episode.
Cyanobacteria
were the second most abundant group, and their abundance strongly depended on the convection event, when minimal cyanobacterial abundance was observed. In spring and autumn, the euphotic zone was characterized by
Bacteroidetes
and
Gammaproteobacteria
.
Bacteroidetes
clades NS2b, NS4, and NS5 and the gammaproteobacterial SAR86 clade were detected to co-occur with phytoplankton blooms. The SAR324, SAR202, and SAR406 clades were present in the deep layer, exhibiting different seasonal variations in abundance. Overall, our data demonstrate that the abundances of particular bacterial clades and the overall bacterial richness and diversity are greatly impacted by strong winter convection.
Evaluating the Occurrence of Escherichia albertii in Chicken Carcass Rinses by PCR, Vitek Analysis, and Sequencing of the
rpoB
Gene
Authors: Lindsey Rebecca L. , Fedorka-Cray Paula J. , Abley Melanie , Turpin Jennifer B. , Meinersmann Richard J.
Published: December 2014

Escherichia albertii
is a recently described species that has been associated with gastroenteritis in humans and with healthy and ill birds. Most recently, it has been identified as the causative agent in a food-borne outbreak in Japan. The distribution and clinical importance of
E. albertii
are not well studied because its importance is unclear. Culture methods for clinical isolation frequently miss
E. albertii
or incorrectly identify it as
Shigella
spp.,
Escherichia coli
, or
Hafnia alvei
. This study was designed to determine if
E. albertii
could be recovered from chicken carcass rinses collected at slaughter during a 1-year period from November 2009 until October 2010. Colonies were isolated from chicken carcass rinses and tested by PCR for the presence or absence of
clpX, lysP, mdh
, intimin (
eae
), Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (
stx
1
,
stx
2
, and
stx
2f
), heat-stable enterotoxin A (
staA
), and cytolethal distending toxins 1 and 2 (
cdtB
) genes. Sixty-five isolates were analyzed by sequencing a section of the
rpoB
gene. Analysis of the
rpoB
gene sequences revealed 14 fixed differences between
E. albertii
and other, closely related organisms. The fixed differences found in the
rpoB
gene could aid in future discrimination of
E. albertii
from closely related bacteria.
Genetic Tools for the Industrially Promising Methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense
Authors: Puri Aaron W. , Owen Sarah , Chu Frances , Chavkin Ted , Beck David A. C. , Kalyuzhnaya Marina G. , Lidstrom Mary E.
Published: December 2014

Aerobic methanotrophs oxidize methane at ambient temperatures and pressures and are therefore attractive systems for methane-based bioconversions. In this work, we developed and validated genetic tools for
Methylomicrobium buryatense
, a haloalkaliphilic gammaproteobacterial (type I) methanotroph.
M. buryatense
was isolated directly on natural gas and grows robustly in pure culture with a 3-h doubling time, enabling rapid genetic manipulation compared to many other methanotrophic species. As a proof of concept, we used a sucrose counterselection system to eliminate glycogen production in
M. buryatense
by constructing unmarked deletions in two redundant glycogen synthase genes. We also selected for a more genetically tractable variant strain that can be conjugated with small incompatibility group P (IncP)-based broad-host-range vectors and determined that this capability is due to loss of the native plasmid. These tools make
M. buryatense
a promising model system for studying aerobic methanotroph physiology and enable metabolic engineering in this bacterium for industrial biocatalysis of methane.
The Selenocysteine tRNA Gene in Leishmania major Is Transcribed by both RNA Polymerase II and RNA Polymerase III
Authors: Padilla-Mejía Norma E. , Florencio-Martínez Luis E. , Moreno-Campos Rodrigo , Vizuet-de-Rueda Juan C. , Cevallos Ana M. , Hernández-Rivas Rosaura , Manning-Cela Rebeca , Martínez-Calvillo Santiago
Published: December 2014

Eukaryotic tRNAs, transcribed by RNA polymerase III (Pol III), contain boxes A and B as internal promoter elements. One exception is the selenocysteine (Sec) tRNA (tRNA-Sec), whose transcription is directed by an internal box B and three extragenic sequences in vertebrates. Here we report on the transcriptional analysis of the tRNA-Sec gene in the protozoan parasite
Leishmania major
. This organism has unusual mechanisms of gene expression, including Pol II polycistronic transcription and maturation of mRNAs by
trans
splicing, a process that attaches a 39-nucleotide miniexon to the 5′ end of all the mRNAs. In
L. major
, tRNA-Sec is encoded by a single gene inserted into a Pol II polycistronic unit, in contrast to most tRNAs, which are clustered at the boundaries of polycistronic units. 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends and reverse transcription-PCR experiments showed that some tRNA-Sec transcripts contain the miniexon at the 5′ end and a poly(A) tail at the 3′ end, indicating that the tRNA-Sec gene is polycistronically transcribed by Pol II and processed by
trans
splicing and polyadenylation, as was recently reported for the tRNA-Sec genes in the related parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
. However, nuclear run-on assays with RNA polymerase inhibitors and with cells that were previously UV irradiated showed that the tRNA-Sec gene in
L. major
is also transcribed by Pol III. Thus, our results indicate that RNA polymerase specificity in
Leishmania
is not absolute
in vivo
, as has recently been found in other eukaryotes.
Two-Component Regulators Control
hilA
Expression by Controlling
fimZ
and
hilE
Expression within Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Baxter M. Aaron , Jones Bradley D.
Published: December 2014

Salmonellae initiate disease through the invasion of host cells within the intestine. This ability to invade requires the coordinated action of numerous genes, many of which are found within
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). The key to this process is the ability of the bacteria to respond to the environment, thereby upregulating the necessary genes under optimal conditions. Central to the control of SPI-1 is the transcriptional activator
hilA
. Work has identified at least 10 different activators and 8 different repressors responsible for the control of
hilA
. We have previously shown that
hilE
is a
Salmonella
-specific negative regulator that is able to repress
hilA
expression and invasion. Additionally,
fimZ
, a transcriptional activator responsible for the expression of type I fimbriae as well as flagellar genes, has also been implicated in this process.
fimZ
is homologous to response regulators from other two-component regulatory systems, although a sensor for the system has not been identified. The
phoPQ
and
phoBR
regulons are both two-component systems that negatively affect
hilA
expression, although the mechanism of action has not been determined. Our results show that PhoBR is capable of inducing
fimZ
expression, whereas PhoPQ does not affect
fimZ
expression but does upregulate
hilE
in an FimZ-dependent manner. Therefore, phosphate (sensed by PhoBR) and magnesium (sensed by PhoPQ) levels are important in controlling
hilA
expression levels when
Salmonella
is in the intestinal environment.
Role of BrnQ1 and BrnQ2 in Branched-Chain Amino Acid Transport and Virulence in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Kaiser Julienne C. , Omer Sameha , Sheldon Jessica R. , Welch Ian , Heinrichs David E.
Published: December 2014

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; Ile, Leu, and Val) not only are important nutrients for the growth of
Staphylococcus aureus
but also are corepressors for CodY, which regulates virulence gene expression, implicating BCAAs as an important link between the metabolic state of the cell and virulence. BCAAs are either synthesized intracellularly or acquired from the environment.
S. aureus
encodes three putative BCAA transporters, designated BrnQ1, BrnQ2, and BrnQ3; their functions have not yet been formally tested. In this study, we mutated all three
brnQ
paralogs so as to characterize their substrate specificities and their roles in growth
in vitro
and
in vivo
. We demonstrated that in the community-associated, methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(CA-MRSA) strain USA300, BrnQ1 is involved in uptake of all three BCAAs, BrnQ2 transports Ile, and BrnQ3 does not have a significant role in BCAA transport under the conditions tested. Of the three, only BrnQ1 is essential for USA300 to grow in a chemically defined medium that is limited for Leu or Val. Interestingly, we observed that a
brnQ2
mutant grew better than USA300 in media limited for Leu and Val, owing to the fact that this mutation leads to overexpression of
brnQ1
. In a murine infection model, the
brnQ1
mutant was attenuated, but in contrast,
brnQ2
mutants had significantly increased virulence compared to that of USA300, a phenotype we suggest is at least partially linked to enhanced
in vivo
scavenging of Leu and Val through BrnQ1. These data uncover a hitherto-undiscovered connection between nutrient acquisition and virulence in CA-MRSA.
Role of the Nuclease of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in Dispersal of Organisms from Biofilms
Authors: Cho Christine , Chande Aroon , Gakhar Lokesh , Bakaletz Lauren O. , Jurcisek Joseph A. , Ketterer Margaret , Shao Jian , Gotoh Kenji , Foster Eric , Hunt Jason , O'Brien Erin , Apicella Michael A.
Published: December 2014

Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHI) forms biofilms in the middle ear during human infection. The biofilm matrix of NTHI contains extracellular DNA. We show that NTHI possesses a potent nuclease, which is a homolog of the thermonuclease of
Staphylococcus aureus
. Using a biofilm dispersal assay, studies showed a biofilm dispersal pattern in the parent strain, no evidence of dispersal in the nuclease mutant, and a partial return of dispersion in the complemented mutant. Quantitative PCR of mRNA from biofilms from a 24-h continuous flow system demonstrated a significantly increased expression of the nuclease from planktonic organisms compared to those in the biofilm phase of growth (
P
< 0.042). Microscopic analysis of biofilms grown
in vitro
showed that in the nuclease mutant the nucleic acid matrix was increased compared to the wild-type and complemented strains. Organisms were typically found in large aggregates, unlike the wild-type and complement biofilms in which the organisms were evenly dispersed throughout the biofilm. At 48 h, the majority of the organisms in the mutant biofilm were dead. The nuclease mutant formed a biofilm in the chinchilla model of otitis media and demonstrated a propensity to also form similar large aggregates of organisms. These studies indicate that NTHI nuclease is involved in biofilm remodeling and organism dispersal.
Design of Glycoconjugate Vaccines against Invasive African Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Rondini S. , Micoli F. , Lanzilao L. , Gavini M. , Alfini R. , Brandt C. , Clare S. , Mastroeni P. , Saul A. , MacLennan C. A.
Published: December 2014

Nontyphoidal salmonellae, particularlySalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium, are a major cause of invasive disease in Africa, affecting mainly young children and HIV-infected individuals. Glycoconjugate vaccines provide a safe and reliable strategy against invasive polysaccharide-encapsulated pathogens, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a target of protective immune responses. With the aim of designing an effective vaccine againstS. Typhimurium, we have synthesized different glycoconjugates, by linking O-antigen and core sugars (OAg) of LPS to the nontoxic mutant of diphtheria toxin (CRM197). The OAg-CRM197conjugates varied in (i) OAg source, with threeS. Typhimurium strains used for OAg extraction, producing OAg with differences in structural specificities, (ii) OAg chain length, and (iii) OAg/CRM197ratio. All glycoconjugates were compared for immunogenicity and ability to induce serum bactericidal activity in mice.In vivoenhancement of bacterial clearance was assessed for a selectedS. Typhimurium glycoconjugate by challenge with liveSalmonella. We found that the largest anti-OAg antibody responses were elicited by (i) vaccines synthesized from OAg with the highest glucosylation levels, (ii) OAg composed of mixed- or medium-molecular-weight populations, and (iii) a lower OAg/CRM197ratio. In addition, we found that bactericidal activity can be influenced byS. Typhimurium OAg strain, most likely as a result of differences in OAg O-acetylation and glucosylation. Finally, we confirmed that mice immunized with the selected OAg-conjugate were protected againstS. Typhimurium colonization of the spleen and liver. In conclusion, our findings indicate that differences in the design of OAg-based glycoconjugate vaccines against invasive AfricanS. Typhimurium can have profound effects on immunogenicity and therefore optimal vaccine design requires careful consideration.
Another Look at Mutations in Ribosomal Protein S4 Lends Strong Support to the Domain Closure Model
Authors: Fredrick Kurt
Published: December 2014

Ribosomes employ a “kinetic discrimination” mechanism, in which correct substrates are incorporated more rapidly than incorrect ones. The structural basis of this mechanism may involve 30S domain closure, a global conformational change that coincides with codon recognition. In a direct screen for fidelity-altering mutations,
Agarwal and coworkers
(D. Agarwal, D. Kamath, S. T. Gregory, and M. O'Connor, J Bacteriol 197:1017–1025, 2015, doi:
10.1128/JB.02485-14
) isolated mutations that progressively truncate the C terminus of S4. All of these promote miscoding and undoubtedly destabilize the S4-S5 interface, consistent with the domain closure model.
Discovery of the gluon
Authors: Wu Sau Lan
Published: December 2014

The experimental discovery of the first Yang–Mills non-Abelian gauge particle — the gluon — in the spring of 1979 is summarized, together with some of the subsequent developments, including the role of the gluon in the recent discovery of the Higgs particle.
Fluvastatin Upregulates theα1CSubunit of CaV1.2 Channel Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via RhoA and ERK/p38 MAPK Pathways
Authors: Ouyang Qiu-Fang , Han Ying , Lin Zhi-Hong , Xie Hong , Xu Chang-Sheng , Xie Liang-Di
Published: December 2014

Abnormal phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is a hallmark of vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. And this process has been related to remodeling of L-type calcium channel (LTCC). We attempted to investigate whether fluvastatin has any effect on VSMC proliferation and LTCCα1Csubunit(LTCCα1C)expression as well as the potential mechanisms involved. The VSMCs proliferation was assayed by osteopontin immunofluorescent staining and [3H]-thymidine incorporation. The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometric analysis. The activity of RhoA was determined with pull-down assay. MAPK activity andLTCCα1Cexpression were assessed by western blotting. We demonstrated fluvastatin prevented the VSMCs dedifferentiating into a proliferative phenotype and induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in response to PDGF-BB stimulation. Fluvastatin dose-dependently reversed the downregulation ofLTCCα1Cexpression induced by PDGF-BB. Inhibition of ROCK, ERK, or p38 MAPK activation largely enhanced the upregulation effect of fluvastatin(P<0.01). However, blockade of JNK pathway had no effect onLTCCα1Cexpression. We concludedLTCCα1Cwas a VSMC contractile phenotype marker gene. Fluvastatin upregulatedLTCCα1Cexpression, at least in part, by inhibiting ROCK, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK activation. Fluvastatin may be a potential candidate for preventing or treating vascular diseases.
The Antiviral Effect of High-Molecular Weight Poly-Gamma-Glutamate against Newcastle Disease Virus on Murine Macrophage Cells
Authors: Talactac Melbourne , Lee Jong-Soo , Moon Hojin , Chowdhury Mohammed Y. E. , Kim Chul Joong
Published: December 2014

This study demonstrates the capacity of HM-γ-PGA treatment to significantly protect murine macrophage cells (RAW 264.7 cells) against NDV infection. Such protection can be explained by the induction of antiviral state of HM-γ-PGA in RAW 264.7 cells via TLR4-mediated IRF-3, IRF-7, IFN-β, and IFN-related gene induction as shown in time-dependent changes in mRNA expression confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, the present research also showed that HM-γ-PGA can induce proinflammatory cytokine secretion in RAW 264.7 as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Therefore, our findings suggest that HM-γ-PGA can be a potential antiviral substance that can inhibit NDV infection through its stimulation of antiviral state on RAW 264.7 cells. These results have been consistent with the previous studies showing that HM-γ-PGA can protect RAW 264.7 cells and mice against influenza infection. However, it should be noted that although murine macrophage cells are susceptible to NDV, they are not the natural host cells of the virus; thus further in vivo and in vitro studies involving chicken and chicken immune cells are needed to fully assess the efficacy and applicability of HM-γ-PGA in the poultry industry.
Neural Virtual Sensors for Adaptive Magnetic Localization of Autonomous Dataloggers
Authors: Groben Dennis , Thongpull Kittikhun , Kammara Abhaya Chandra , König Andreas
Published: December 2014

The surging advance in micro- and nanotechnologies allied with neural learning systems allows the realization of miniaturized yet extremely powerful multisensor systems and networks for wide application fields, for example, in measurement, instrumentation, automation, and smart environments. Time and location context is particularly relevant to sensor swarms applied for distributed measurement in industrial environment, such as, for example, fermentation tanks. Common RF solutions face limits here, which can be overcome by magnetic systems. Previously, we have developed the electronic system for an integrated data logger swarm with magnetic localization and sensor node timebase synchronization. The focus of this work is on an approach to improving both localization accuracy and flexibility by the application of artificial neural networks applied as virtual sensors and classifiers in a hybrid dedicated learning system. Including also data from an industrial brewery environment, the best investigated neural virtual sensor approach has achieved an advance in localization accuracy of a factor of 4 compared to state-of-the-art numerical methods and, thus, results in the order of less than 5 cm meeting industrial expectations on a feasible solution for the presented integrated localization system solution.
Velocity Selective Polarization Spectroscopy for Modulation-Free Dispersion Signals at Detuned Frequencies
Authors: Yu Hoon , Kim Seung Jin , Kim Jung Bog
Published: December 2014

We present a simple technique to obtain modulation-free locking signals at the detuned frequency from an atom transition between hyperfine structures. Polarization spectroscopy allows us to obtain the dispersion signals that are suitable for frequency locking. Velocity selective optical pumping using another laser beam also allows us to obtain signals at the detuned frequency and to shift crossover signal away. By combining these two techniques, we were able to obtain the velocity selective birefringence signal only at the principle transition in an Rb vapor cell and compare the birefringence signal with the theoretical spectrum predicted by using Nakayama’s model.
Surgical and Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Meena Manoj , Dixit Ramakant , Singh Mrityunjaya , Samaria Jai Kumar , Kumar Surendra
Published: December 2014

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most extensively studied and researched disease in pulmonology and a cause of significant morbidity, mortality, and financial burden on patient’s family and country’s economy. Its management continues to be a challenge to both the physician and the patient’s family. So far, it is preventable and treatable but not curable. Emphysema, a phenotype of COPD, is the most debilitating condition associated with progressive exercise intolerance and severe dyspnea. Despite decades of research, medical treatments available so far have helped improve quality of life and slowed down the decline in respiratory function but did not significantly improve the survival benefits. Though surgical lung volume reduction (LVR) procedures have shown some promise in context to functional gains and survival but, only in a carefully selected group of patients, bronchoscopic LVR procedures are yet to explore their full potential and limitations. This paper retrospectively studied the developments so far, medical and surgical, with special emphasis on the bronchoscopic procedures of lung volume reduction, and tried to comparatively analyze the risks and benefits of each one of them through various trials and studies done to date.
A Statistical Cohomogeneity One Metric on the Upper Plane with Constant Negative Curvature
Authors: Cao Limei , Li Didong , Zhang Erchuan , Zhang Zhenning , Sun Huafei
Published: December 2014

we analyze the geometrical structures of statistical manifoldSconsisting of all the wrapped Cauchy distributions. We prove thatSis a simply connected manifold with constant negative curvatureK=-2. However, it is not isometric to the hyperbolic space becauseSis noncomplete. In fact,Sis approved to be a cohomogeneity one manifold. Finally, we use several tricks to get the geodesics and explore the divergence performance of them by investigating the Jacobi vector field.
Mutant Prevention Concentrations of Imipenem and Meropenem againstPseudomonas aeruginosaandAcinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Dahdouh E. , Shoucair S. H. , Salem S. E. , Daoud Z.
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the MPC of carbapenems against clinical isolates ofPseudomonasspp.andAcinetobacterspp. and to assess its possible relationship with mechanisms of resistance. Detection of the mechanisms of resistance was performed using Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing, Double Disk Synergy, disk antagonism, addition of NaCl to the medium, addition of PBA or EDTA to Carbapenem disks, addition of PBA to Cefoxitin disks, and CCCP test for 10Pseudomonasspp. andAcinetobacter baumanniistrains. The MIC and MPC were determined using the broth macrodilution and plate dilution methods, respectively. FourAcinetobacter baumanniistrains produced MBL. Two of them produced Oxacillinase and one produced ESBL. TwoPseudomonasspp. isolates produced both KPC and MBL. The resistantAcinetobacterspp. andPseudomonasspp. strains had higher MPC values than susceptible ones. However, the Mutant Selection Window was found to be dependent on the degree of resistance but not on a particular mechanism of resistance. The usefulness of the MPC was found to be dependent on its value. Based on our data, we recommend determining the MPC for each isolate before using it during treatment. Furthermore, the use of T>MSW instead of T>MIC is suggested.
Direct Serum Assay for Cell-Free Bmi-1 mRNA and Its Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Value for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhang Xin , Yang Xiaoyun , Zhang Yanli , Liu Xinfeng , Zheng Guixi , Yang Yongmei , Wang Lili , Du Lutao , Wang Chuanxin
Published: December 2014

Purpose: Cell-free Bmi-1 mRNA is stably detectable in the serum/plasma and is associated with the development and progression of some tumors. Previous methods detecting extracellular Bmi-1 mRNA with RNA extraction are inefficient. This study developed a novel reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) approach directly applied in serum (RT-qPCR-D) to quantify Bmi-1 mRNA, and assessed its diagnostic and prognostic potential in colorectal cancer.

Experimental Design: The feasibility of the RT-qPCR-D method was first analyzed in 50 serum samples. Then, using the RT-qPCR-D method, Bmi-1 mRNA expression was validated in serum from an independent cohort of patients with 87 normal colonoscopy, 76 hyperplastic polyp, 82 inflammatory bowel disease, 68 adenoma, and 158 colorectal cancer. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Cox analyses were used to evaluate its diagnosis and prognosis value, respectively.

Results: In a pilot study, levels of Bmi-1 mRNA were increased in colorectal cancer serum samples detected by RT-qPCR-D and significantly associated with results obtained by RT-qPCR. In a validation cohort, serum Bmi-1 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the colorectal cancer group and the adenoma group when compared with other groups. The area under ROC curve distinguishing colorectal cancer from benign colorectal diseases was 0.888, with 72.2% sensitivity and 94.9% specificity, which was superior to carcinoembryogenic antigen. Bmi-1 mRNA levels were significantly associated with survival. Cox analysis indicated Bmi-1 mRNA was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival.

Conclusions: Detection of cell-free Bmi-1 mRNA in serum by RT-qPCR-D is a simple and noninvasive approach and may be used for colorectal cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Clin Cancer Res; 21(5); 1225–33. ©2014 AACR.
Phylogenetic analysis reveals two morphologically unique new species in the genera Astrochapsa and Nitidochapsa (lichenized Ascomycota: Graphidaceae)
Authors: POENGSUNGNOEN VASUN , MANOCH LEKA , MONGKOLSUK PACHARA , BOONPRAGOB KANSRI , PARNMEN SITTIPORN , LÜCKING ROBERT , TEHLER ANDERS , LUMBSCH H. THORSTEN
Published: December 2014

Graphidaceae is the largest family of tropical crustose lichens, with nearly 2,400 known species, and exhibits a large diversity of ascoma morphologies. Ascomata that open by triangular marginal lobules that become recurved to form geaster-like fruiting bodies, so-called chroodiscoid ascomata, were recently shown to have evolved independently several times within the family. A special type of such ascomata is the gyrotremoid form in which the hymenium and excipulum are organized in concentric rings. In the present study, we address the phylogenetic position of two chroodiscoid species collected in Thailand that form aggregate or gyrotremoid, chroodiscoid ascomata, using a molecular phylogeny of nuclear LSU and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences of 92 Graphidaceae. Our morphological, chemical and phylogenetic analyses show that one species is an undescribed species in the genus Astrochapsa, here newly described as A. kalbii Poengsungnoen, Lücking & Lumbsch, with a unique, gyrotremoid ascoma morphology. The second species belongs in the recently established genus Nitidochapsa, which is a close relative of Ocellularia, and is here described as new species N. siamensis Poengsungnoen, Lücking & Lumbsch. Based on these findings, three further new combinations are proposed in the genus Nitidochapsa, viz. N. aggregata (Hale) Poengsungnoen, Lücking & Lumbsch, N. phlyctidea (Vain.) Lücking & Lumbsch, and N. stictoides (Leight.) Tehler, Lücking & Lumbsch. A key to all five species is presented.
One hundred and seventy-five new species of Graphidaceae: closing the gap or a drop in the bucket?
Authors: LÜCKING ROBERT , JOHNSTON MARK K. , APTROOT ANDRÉ , KRAICHAK EKAPHAN , LENDEMER JAMES C. , BOONPRAGOB KANSRI , CÁCERES MARCELA E. S. , ERTZ DAMIEN , FERRARO LIDIA ITATI , JIA ZE-FENG , KALB KLAUS , MANGOLD ARMIN , MANOCH LEKA , MERCADO-DÍAZ JOEL A. , MONCADA BIBIANA , MONGKOLSUK PACHARA , PAPONG KHWANRUAN BUTSATORN , PARNMEN SITTIPORN , PELÁEZ ROUCHI N. , POENGSUNGNOEN VASUN , PLATA EIMY RIVAS , SAIPUNKAEW WANARUK , SIPMAN HARRIE J. M. , SUTJARITTURAKAN JUTARAT , BROECK DRIES VAN DEN , KONRAT MATT VON , WEERAKOON GOTHAMIE , LUMBSCH H. THORSTEN
Published: December 2014

Recent studies of the global diversity of the lichenized fungal family Graphidaceae suggest that there are a large number of species remaining to be discovered. No less than 640 species have been described since 2002, including 175 new species introduced in a collaborative global effort in a single issue in this journal. These findings suggest that the largest family of tropical crustose lichens may have an even higher number of species than Parmeliaceae. To estimate whether the discovery of 175 new species is a significant step forward in cataloguing extant diversity in this family, we employed a parametric method to predict global species richness of Graphidaceae using a GIS-based grid map approach. The model employs linear regression between observed species richness and sample score and vegetation composition per grid to predict individual grid species richness, and interpolation of species grid distributions to predict global species richness. We also applied a non-parametric species-area curve approach and non-parametric species richness estimators (Chao, Jackknife, Bootstrap) to compare the results from the different methods. Our approach resulted in a prediction of 4,330 species of Graphidaceae, including approximately 3,500 (sub-)tropical species in the core subfamilies Fissurinoideae, Graphidoideae, Redonographoideae, plus 125 species restricted to extratropical regions (outside the zone between 30° northern and 30° southern latitude) and 700 species in subfamily Gomphilloideae. Currently, nearly 2,500 species are known in the family, including species not yet formally described. Thus, our model suggests that even after describing 175 species in this issue and with another approximately 140 awaiting publication, the number of species still to be discovered and described is more than 1,800, and much work remains to be done to close this substantial gap. Based on our approach, we predict that most of this undiscovered diversity is to be found in Mexico, the northern Andean region, the eastern Amazon and central and southern Brazil, tropical West Africa, continental Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Composition and Distribution of Deep Water Macroalgae Species from the Continental Shelf of Sergipe State, Brazil
Authors: Pereira Sonia Maria Barreto , TORRES JULIANA , Gestinari Lisia Monica de Souza
Published: December 2014

This study investigates the deep-water flora of the continental shelf in Sergipe State, Brazil located between 10º36’08’’ – 11º21’07’’S and 36º28’10’’ – 37º13’47’’W. The samples were collected by dragging at 18 sampling sites, between 10 to 30 m depth, from May 1999 to March 2000. A total of 91 taxa of marine benthic macroalgae were identified (56 Rhodophyta, 20 Heterokontophyta and 15 Chlorophyta). Forty-seven (47) of these are new occurrences for Sergipe flora. Rhodophyta dominated, accounting for 61% of the total species collected, with the order Ceramiales having the highest number of species present (39.55%), followed by Heterokontophyta (23%), mostly represented by Dictyotales (65%). Finally, 15 Chlorophyta taxa were found (16%), mainly composed of Bryopsidales (53%).
A new species of the lichen genus Parmotrema from Argentina (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota)
Authors: Michlig Silvia Andrea , Ferraro Lidia Itatí , Elix John
Published: December 2014

A new Parmotrema species, P. pseudoexquisitum, was found in Araucaria angustifolia forests in northeastern Argentina. It is characterized by a coriaceous thallus with very sparsely ciliate lobes, strictly marginal soralia with farinose to subgranular soredia, a white medulla and containing conalectoronic and subalectoronic acids in addition to alectoronic and α-collatolic acids. It is closely related to P. exquisitum, which differs in lacking marginal cilia, in having submarginal to laminal soralia with farinose soredia, and its medullar chemistry. This new species is described and illustrated in this paper. Comparisons with other sorediate Parmotrema species with medullary alectoronic acid are included.
The genus Imleria (Boletaceae) in East Asia
Authors: Zhu Xue-Tai , Li Yan-Chun , Wu Gang , Feng Bang , Zhao Kuan , Gelardi Matteo , Kost Gerhard W. , Yang Zhu L.
Published: December 2014

The genus Imleria can be easily distinguished from other genera of Boletaceae by the combination of the following characters: a chestnut brown pileus and stipe, a cream to pale yellow hymenophore, a viscid pileal surface when moist, a cyanescent context and hymenophore on handling or exposure, an ixotrichodermal pileipellis and smooth spores. The monophyly of Imleria and the detection of four independent species were highly supported by phylogenetic analyses using 5 gene markers. The four species, including the previously recognized Im. badia, Im. obscurebrunnea, plus the newly discovered Im. parva and Im. subalpina, are fully documented with taxonomic descriptions and illustrations, and a key to the taxa is provided. Geographically, Im. badia is widely distributed in Europe, North America and probably in Far East Asia, yet there is some intraspecific divergence between specimens from Europe and North America caused probably by geographic isolation. Imleria subalpina and Im. obscurebrunnea might diverge from each other relatively recently with the uplifts of the eastern Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains. An epitype collected from Sweden was designated for Im. badia.
Description of the pseudocryptic species Conticribra weissflogiopsis sp. nov. (Thalassiosirales, Bacillariophyta) isolated from brackish waters in Korea, based on its cingulum structure and molecular analysis
Authors: PARK JOON SANG , LEE JIN HWAN
Published: December 2014

We describe the new fultoportulate diatom species, Conticribra weissflogiopsis, isolated from brackish waters in Korea, based on morphological characters and molecular data. The new species is characterized by having areolae venation with internal (semi-) continuous cribra, a flat valve face, a single marginal rimoportula replacing a marginal fultoportula, a subcentral ring of the valve face fultoportulae, and a dextral pattern of cingulum structure. The overall valve structure of C. weissflogiopsis resembles that of C. weissflogii; however, the cingulum structure differs between the two species—C. weissflogiopsis has a dextral offset of band opening in the cingulum, whereas C. weissflogii has a sinistral offset. Phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) revealed that C. weissflogiopsis is located in the Conticribra clade. Further, the pairwise genetic distance based on the SSU rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) indicated that C. weissflogiopsis is a distinct Conticribra species. On the basis of the morphology and molecular phylogeny, we expand the hypothesis regarding the morphological evolution of Conticribra species.
Cold Extremes in North America vs. Mild Weather in Europe: The Winter of 2013–14 in the Context of a Warming World
Authors: Van Oldenborgh Geert Jan , Haarsma Rein , De Vries Hylke , Allen Myles R.
Published: December 2014

The winter of 2013–14 had unusual weather in many parts of the world. Here we analyze the cold extremes that were widely reported in North America and the lack of cold extremes in western Europe. We perform a statistical analysis of cold extremes at two representative stations in these areas: Chicago, Illinois, and De Bilt, the Netherlands. This shows that the lowest minimum temperature of the winter was not very unusual in Chicago, even in the current warmer climate. Around 1950 it would have been completely normal. The same holds for multiday cold periods. Only the whole winter temperature was unusual, with a return time larger than 25 years. In the Netherlands, the opposite holds: the absence of any cold waves was highly unusual even now, and would have been extremely improbable halfway through the previous century. These results are representative of other stations in the regions. The difference is due to the skewness of the temperature distribution. In both locations, cold extremes are more likely than equally large warm extremes in winter. Severe cold outbreaks and cold winters, like the winter of 2013–14 in the Great Lakes area, are therefore not evidence against global warming: they will keep on occurring, even if they become less frequent. The absence of cold weather as observed in the Netherlands is a strong signal of a warming trend, as this would have been statistically extremely improbable in the 1950s.
Potential Predictability of Malaria in Africa Using ECMWF Monthly and Seasonal Climate Forecasts
Authors: Tompkins Adrian M. , Di Giuseppe Francesca
Published: December 2014

Idealized model experiments investigate the advance warning for malaria that may be presently possible using temperature and rainfall predictions from state-of-the-art operational monthly and seasonal weather-prediction systems. The climate forecasts drive a dynamical malaria model for all of Africa, and the predictions are evaluated using reanalysis data. The regions and months for which climate is responsible for significant interannual malaria transmission variability are first identified. In addition to epidemic-prone zones these also include hyperendemic regions subject to high variability during specific months of the year, often associated with the monsoon onset. In many of these areas, temperature anomalies are predictable from 1 to 2 months ahead, and reliable precipitation forecasts are available in eastern and southern Africa 1 month ahead. The inherent lag between the rainy seasons and malaria transmission results in potential predictability in malaria transmission 3–4 months in advance, extending the early warning available from environmental monitoring by 1–2 months, although the realizable forecast skill will be less than this because of an imperfect malaria model. A preliminary examination of the forecasts for the highlands of Uganda and Kenya shows that the system is able to predict the years during the last two decades in which documented highland outbreaks occurred, in particular the major event of 1998, but that the timing of outbreaks was often imprecise and inconsistent across lead times. In addition to country-level evaluation with district health data, issues that need addressing to integrate such a climate-based prediction system into health-decision processes are briefly discussed.