bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Biology of Intestinal Enterococcus Isolates from Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Individuals in Different Age Groups
Authors: Tedim Ana P. , Ruiz-Garbajosa Patricia , Corander Jukka , Rodríguez Concepción M. , Cantón Rafael , Willems Rob J. , Baquero Fernando , Coque Teresa M.
Published: December 2014

The diversity of enterococcal populations from fecal samples from hospitalized (
n
= 133) and nonhospitalized individuals (
n
= 173) of different age groups (group I, ages 0 to 19 years; group II, ages 20 to 59 years; group III, ages ≥60 years) was analyzed. Enterococci were recovered at similar rates from hospitalized and nonhospitalized persons (77.44% to 79.77%) of all age groups (75.0% to 82.61%).
Enterococcus faecalis
and
Enterococcus faecium
were predominant, although seven other
Enterococcus
species were identified.
E. faecalis
and
E. faecium
(including ampicillin-resistant
E. faecium
) colonization rates in nonhospitalized persons were age independent. For inpatients,
E. faecalis
colonization rates were age independent, but
E. faecium
colonization rates (particularly the rates of ampicillin-resistant
E. faecium
colonization) significantly increased with age. The population structure of
E. faecium
and
E. faecalis
was determined by superimposing goeBURST and Bayesian analysis of the population structure (BAPS). Most
E. faecium
sequence types (STs; 150 isolates belonging to 75 STs) were linked to BAPS groups 1 (22.0%), 2 (31.3%), and 3 (36.7%). A positive association between hospital isolates and BAPS subgroups 2.1a and 3.3a (which included major ampicillin-resistant
E. faecium
human lineages) and between community-based ampicillin-resistant
E. faecium
isolates and BAPS subgroups 1.2 and 3.3b was found. Most
E. faecalis
isolates (130 isolates belonging to 58 STs) were grouped into 3 BAPS groups, BAPS groups 1 (36.9%), 2 (40.0%), and 3 (23.1%), with each one comprising widespread lineages. No positive associations with age or hospitalization were established. The diversity and dynamics of enterococcal populations in the fecal microbiota of healthy humans are largely unexplored, with the available knowledge being fragmented and contradictory. The study offers a novel and comprehensive analysis of enterococcal population landscapes and suggests that
E. faecium
populations from hospitalized patients and from community-based individuals differ, with a predominance of certain clonal lineages, often in association with elderly individuals, occurring in the hospital setting.
Transcriptional Analysis of Deinococcus radiodurans Reveals Novel Small RNAs That Are Differentially Expressed under Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Tsai Chen-Hsun , Liao Rick , Chou Brendan , Contreras Lydia M.
Published: December 2014

Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) are posttranscriptional regulators that have been identified in multiple species and shown to play essential roles in responsive mechanisms to environmental stresses. The natural ability of specific bacteria to resist high levels of radiation has been of high interest to mechanistic studies of DNA repair and biomolecular protection.
Deinococcus radiodurans
is a model extremophile for radiation studies that can survive doses of ionizing radiation of >12,000 Gy, 3,000 times higher than for most vertebrates. Few studies have investigated posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms of this organism that could be relevant in its general gene regulatory patterns. In this study, we identified 199 potential sRNA candidates in
D. radiodurans
by whole-transcriptome deep sequencing analysis and confirmed the expression of 41 sRNAs by Northern blotting and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). A total of 8 confirmed sRNAs showed differential expression during recovery after acute ionizing radiation (15 kGy). We have also found and confirmed 7 sRNAs in
Deinococcus geothermalis
, a closely related radioresistant species. The identification of several novel sRNAs in
Deinococcus
bacteria raises important questions about the evolution and nature of global gene regulation in radioresistance.
Accumulation of Reserve Carbohydrate by Rumen Protozoa and Bacteria in Competition for Glucose
Authors: Denton Bethany L. , Diese Leanne E. , Firkins Jeffrey L. , Hackmann Timothy J.
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to determine if rumen protozoa could form large amounts of reserve carbohydrate compared to the amounts formed by bacteria when competing for glucose in batch cultures. We separated large protozoa and small bacteria from rumen fluid by filtration and centrifugation, recombined equal protein masses of each group into one mixture, and subsequently harvested (reseparated) these groups at intervals after glucose dosing. This method allowed us to monitor reserve carbohydrate accumulation of protozoa and bacteria individually. When mixtures were dosed with a moderate concentration of glucose (4.62 or 5 mM) (
n
= 2 each), protozoa accumulated large amounts of reserve carbohydrate; 58.7% (standard error of the mean [SEM], 2.2%) glucose carbon was recovered from protozoal reserve carbohydrate at time of peak reserve carbohydrate concentrations. Only 1.7% (SEM, 2.2%) was recovered in bacterial reserve carbohydrate, which was less than that for protozoa (
P
< 0.001). When provided a high concentration of glucose (20 mM) (
n
= 4 each), 24.1% (SEM, 2.2%) of glucose carbon was recovered from protozoal reserve carbohydrate, which was still higher (
P
= 0.001) than the 5.0% (SEM, 2.2%) glucose carbon recovered from bacterial reserve carbohydrate. Our novel competition experiments directly demonstrate that mixed protozoa can sequester sugar away from bacteria by accumulating reserve carbohydrate, giving protozoa a competitive advantage and stabilizing fermentation in the rumen. Similar experiments could be used to investigate the importance of starch sequestration.
Pathogenic Potential, Genetic Diversity, and Population Structure of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from a Forest-Dominated Watershed (Comox Lake) in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Chandran Abhirosh , Mazumder Asit
Published: December 2014

Escherichia coli
isolates (
n
= 658) obtained from drinking water intakes of Comox Lake (2011 to 2013) were screened for the following virulence genes (VGs):
stx
1
and
stx
2
(Shiga toxin-producing
E. coli
[STEC]),
eae
and the adherence factor (EAF) gene (enteropathogenic
E. coli
[EPEC]), heat-stable (ST) enterotoxin (variants STh and STp) and heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) genes (enterotoxigenic
E. coli
[ETEC]), and
ipaH
(enteroinvasive
E. coli
[EIEC]). The only genes detected were
eae
and
stx
2
, which were carried by 37.69% (
n
= 248) of the isolates. Only
eae
was harbored by 26.74% (
n
= 176) of the isolates, representing potential atypical EPEC strains, while only
stx
2
was detected in 10.33% (
n
= 68) of the isolates, indicating potential STEC strains. Moreover, four isolates were positive for both the
stx
2
and
eae
genes, representing potential EHEC strains. The prevalence of VGs (
eae
or
stx
2
) was significantly (
P
< 0.0001) higher in the fall season, and multiple genes (
eae
plus
stx
2
) were detected only in fall. Repetitive element palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) fingerprint analysis of 658
E. coli
isolates identified 335 unique fingerprints, with an overall Shannon diversity (
H
′) index of 3.653. Diversity varied among seasons over the years, with relatively higher diversity during fall. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that the majority of the fingerprints showed a tendency to cluster according to year, season, and month. Taken together, the results indicated that the diversity and population structure of
E. coli
fluctuate on a temporal scale, reflecting the presence of diverse host sources and their behavior over time in the watershed. Furthermore, the occurrence of potentially pathogenic
E. coli
strains in the drinking water intakes highlights the risk to human health associated with direct and indirect consumption of untreated surface water.
Comparative Proteome Analysis Reveals Four Novel Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Granule-Associated Proteins in Ralstonia eutropha H16
Authors: Sznajder Anna , Pfeiffer Daniel , Jendrossek Dieter
Published: December 2014

Identification of proteins that were present in a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) granule fraction isolated from
Ralstonia eutropha
but absent in the soluble, membrane, and membrane-associated fractions revealed the presence of only 12 polypeptides with PHB-specific locations plus 4 previously known PHB-associated proteins with multiple locations. None of the previously postulated PHB depolymerase isoenzymes (PhaZa2 to PhaZa5, PhaZd1, and PhaZd2) and none of the two known 3-hydroxybutyrate oligomer hydrolases (PhaZb and PhaZc) were significantly present in isolated PHB granules. Four polypeptides were found that had not yet been identified in PHB granules. Three of the novel proteins are putative α/β-hydrolases, and two of those (A0671 and B1632) have a PHB synthase/depolymerase signature. The third novel protein (A0225) is a patatin-like phospholipase, a type of enzyme that has not been described for PHB granules of any PHB-accumulating species. No function has been ascribed to the fourth protein (A2001), but its encoding gene forms an operon with
phaB2
(acetoacetyl-coenzyme A [CoA] reductase) and
phaC2
(PHB synthase), and this is in line with a putative function in PHB metabolism. The localization of the four new proteins at the PHB granule surface was confirmed
in vivo
by fluorescence microscopy of constructed fusion proteins with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP). Deletion of A0671 and B1632 had a minor but detectable effect on the PHB mobilization ability in the stationary growth phase of nutrient broth (NB)-gluconate cells, confirming the functional involvement of both proteins in PHB metabolism.
Modulation of Decoding Fidelity by Ribosomal Proteins S4 and S5
Authors: Agarwal Deepali , Kamath Divya , Gregory Steven T. , O'Connor Michael
Published: December 2014

Ribosomal proteins S4 and S5 participate in the decoding and assembly processes on the ribosome and the interaction with specific antibiotic inhibitors of translation. Many of the characterized mutations affecting these proteins decrease the accuracy of translation, leading to a ribosomal-ambiguity phenotype. Structural analyses of ribosomal complexes indicate that the tRNA selection pathway involves a transition between the closed and open conformations of the 30S ribosomal subunit and requires disruption of the interface between the S4 and S5 proteins. In agreement with this observation, several of the mutations that promote miscoding alter residues located at the S4-S5 interface. Here, the
Escherichia coli
rpsD
and
rpsE
genes encoding the S4 and S5 proteins were targeted for mutagenesis and screened for accuracy-altering mutations. While a majority of the 38 mutant proteins recovered decrease the accuracy of translation, error-restrictive mutations were also recovered; only a minority of the mutant proteins affected rRNA processing, ribosome assembly, or interactions with antibiotics. Several of the mutations affect residues at the S4-S5 interface. These include five nonsense mutations that generate C-terminal truncations of S4. These truncations are predicted to destabilize the S4-S5 interface and, consistent with the domain closure model, all have ribosomal-ambiguity phenotypes. A substantial number of the mutations alter distant locations and conceivably affect tRNA selection through indirect effects on the S4-S5 interface or by altering interactions with adjacent ribosomal proteins and 16S rRNA.
A semiclassical approach for the Higgs boson
Authors: Fariborz Amir H. , Jora Renata , Schechter Joseph
Published: December 2014

Starting from the equations of motion of the fields in a theory with spontaneous symmetry breaking and by making some simple assumptions regarding their behavior we derive simple tree level relations between the mass of the Higgs boson in the theory and the masses of the gauge bosons corresponding to the broken generators. We show that these mass relations have a clear meaning if both the scalars and the gauge bosons in the theory are composite states made of two fermions.
One and two point binding of organic bases molecules by meso-nitro substituted Zn-octaethylporphyrins
Authors: Mamardashvili Galina M. , Kulikova Olga M. , Maltseva Olga V. , Koifman Oscar I. , Mamardashvili Nugzar Zh.
Published: December 2014

A study of complex formation of Zn -octaethylporphyrin and its mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-nitro meso-substituted derivatives towards propylamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 2-(4-imidazolyl)-ethylamine and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane was carried out by UV-vis titration method and 1 H NMR. It has been determined that the nitro-substituted porphyrin receptors form with 1,3-diaminopropane and 2-(4-imidazolyl)-ethylamine 1:1 complexes with two points of binding. Individual contributions of a donor–acceptor interactions and a hydrogen bonding into a total energy of the complexes formation have been estimated. It has been shown that due to a good geometric match between the host–guest molecules the tetra-nitro substituted Zn -porphyrin has maximum binding ability towards the 1,3-diaminopropane, and the tri-nitro substituted Zn -porphyrin effectively binds the 2-(4-imidazolyl)-ethylamine.
ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY: DO IT NOW OR WAIT AND SEE?
Authors: NARITA DAIJU , QUAAS MARTIN F.
Published: December 2014

As growing attention is paid to climate change adaptation as an actual policy issue, the significant meaning of climate variability in adaptation decisions is beginning to be recognized. By using a real option framework for adaptation in agricultural production, we shed light on how climate change and climate variability affect individuals' (farmers') investment decisions with regard to adaptation (switching from rainfed to irrigated farming). The option value delays adaptation easily for several decades with a realistic set of parameter levels, implying a critical role of risk sharing in promoting adaptation. When variability-influenced adaptation involves the use of an open-access resource (groundwater), uncoordinated farmers may adapt too early or too late depending on the level of their risk aversion. Private adaptation should be supported or discouraged accordingly if coordination is infeasible or farmers are not convinced about the possibilities of collective resource management in the long run.
Perforated Jejunal Diverticula Secondary to a Large Faecolith: A Rare Cause of the Acute Abdomen
Authors: Webster Peter John , Hyland Abigail , Bilkhu Amarvir , Hanavadi Satheesh , Sharma Narinder
Published: December 2014

Jejunal diverticula are uncommon and usually asymptomatic. Very rarely, they can lead to acute complications such as bleeding, obstruction, and perforation. This report describes our experience of a case of jejunal diverticula perforation secondary to a large faecolith, with particular focus on the aetiology and management of this rare condition.
Application of Hybrid Cubic B‐Spline Collocation Approach for Solving a Generalized Nonlinear Klien‐Gordon Equation
Authors: Mat Zin Shazalina , Abd Majid Ahmad , Ismail Ahmad Izani Md. , Abbas Muhammad
Published: December 2014

The generalized nonlinear Klien‐Gordon equation is important in quantum mechanics and related fields. In this paper, a semi‐implicit approach based on hybrid cubic B‐spline is presented for the approximate solution of the nonlinear Klien‐Gordon equation. The usual finite difference approach is used to discretize the time derivative while hybrid cubic B‐spline is applied as an interpolating function in the space dimension. The results of applications to several test problems indicate good agreement with known solutions.
The Interval Stability of an Electricity Market Model
Authors: Wang Weijuan , Lu Zhanhui , Zhu Quanxin
Published: December 2014

Combined with the electric power market dynamic model put forward by Alvarado, an interval model of electricity markets is established and investigated in this paper pertaining to the range of demand elasticity with suppliers and consumers. The stability of an electricity market framework with demand elasticity interval is analyzed. The conclusions characterizing the interval model provided are derived by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function and using the theory of interval dynamical system in differential equations and matrix inequality theory and so forth. Applying the corollary obtained can judge the system stability by available data about demand elasticity. The obtained results are validated and illustrated by a case example.
Application of Asiatic Honey Bees (Apis cerana) and Stingless Bees (Trigona laeviceps) as Pollinator Agents of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuumL.) at Local Indonesia Farm System
Authors: Putra Ramadhani Eka , Permana Agus Dana , Kinasih Ida
Published: December 2014

In Indonesia, hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) is one of the most important spices. Despite the fact that high yield cultivars and fertilizers have been applied to increase the annual production of this spice, local farming is always unable to maintain constant production. Studies to find the explanation of this problem mostly focused on pest attack while possibility of low fruit production due to lack of pollination was neglected. In this study, the effect of pollinator visitation to fruit set and quality was assessed by application of two local domesticated honey bees, Asiatic honey bees (Apis cerana) and stingless bees (Trigona laeviceps) as potential pollinator agents at hot pepper plantation. This study found that both bees had similar visitation rate whileA. ceranaspend less time in flowers. Visitation byA. ceranaandTrigona laevicepsimproved fruit set, fruit production per plant, average fruit weight, and fruit size. This result confirms the importance of cross pollination for hot pepper production and both species could be used as pollination agent for hot pepper. Advantages and disadvantages for each species as pollination agent for local Indonesia farm system are discussed in this paper.
Advances in Medical Revascularisation Treatments in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Asadi H. , Yan B. , Dowling R. , Wong S. , Mitchell P.
Published: December 2014

Urgent reperfusion of the ischaemic brain is the aim of stroke treatment and there has been ongoing research to find a drug that can promote vessel recanalisation more completely and with less side effects. In this review article, the major studies which have validated the use and safety of tPA are discussed. The safety and efficacy of other thrombolytic and anticoagulative agents such as tenecteplase, desmoteplase, ancrod, tirofiban, abciximab, eptifibatide, and argatroban are also reviewed. Tenecteplase and desmoteplase are both plasminogen activators with higher fibrin affinity and longer half-life compared to alteplase. They have shown greater reperfusion rates and improved functional outcomes in preliminary studies. Argatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor used as an adjunct to intravenous tPA and showed higher rates of complete recanalisation in the ARTTS study with further studies which are now ongoing. Adjuvant thrombolysis techniques using transcranial ultrasound are also being investigated and have shown higher rates of complete recanalisation, for example, in the CLOTBUST study. Overall, development in medical therapies for stroke is important due to the ease of administration compared to endovascular treatments, and the new treatments such as tenecteplase, desmoteplase, and adjuvant sonothrombolysis are showing promising results and await further large-scale clinical trials.
An Effective Technique for Enhancing Direction Finding Performance of Virtual Arrays
Authors: Li Wenxing , Mao Xiaojun , Yu Wenhua , Yue Chongyi
Published: December 2014

The array interpolation technology that is used to establish a virtual array from a real antenna array is widely used in direction finding. The traditional interpolation transformation technology causes significant bias in the directional-of-arrival (DOA) estimation due to its transform errors. In this paper, we proposed a modified interpolation method that significantly reduces bias in the DOA estimation of a virtual antenna array and improves the resolution capability. Using the projection concept, this paper projects the transformation matrix into the real array data covariance matrix; the operation not only enhances the signal subspace but also improves the orthogonality between the signal and noise subspace. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed method can achieve better DOA estimation accuracy of virtual arrays and has a high resolution performance compared to the traditional interpolation method.
AgCu Bimetallic Nanoparticles under Effect of Low Intensity Ultrasound: The Cell Viability Study In Vitro
Authors: Bernard Vladan , Zobač Ondřej , Sopoušek Jiří , Mornstein Vojtěch
Published: December 2014

The effects of metallic nanoparticles as cytotoxicity or antibacterial activity are widely known. It is also obvious that ultrasound is one of the most widely used therapeutic modalities in medicine. The effect of application of therapeutical ultrasonic field in the presence of metallic nanoparticles AgCu <100 nm modified by phenanthroline or polyvinyl alcohol was examined on human ovarian carcinoma cells A2780. Metallic nanoparticles were characterized by electron microscopy and by measuring of zeta potential. The cell viability was tested by MTT test. The experimental results indicate a significant decrease of cell viability, which was affected by a combined action of ultrasound field and AgCu nanoparticles. The maximum decrease of cells viability was observed for nanoparticles modified by phenanthroline. The effect of metallic nanoparticles on human cell in presence of ultrasound exposure was found—a potential health risk or medical advantage of targeted therapy in the future.
A Vascular Model of Tsc1 Deficiency Accelerates Renal Tumor Formation with Accompanying Hemangiosarcomas
Authors: Leech Jarrett D. , Lammers Stephen H.T. , Goldman Sam , Auricchio Neil , Bronson Roderick T. , Kwiatkowski David J. , Sahin Mustafa
Published: December 2014

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal disease caused by inactivating mutations in either of the tumor suppressor genes TSC1 or TSC2. TSC-associated tumor growth is present in multiple tissues and organs including brain, kidney, liver, heart, lungs, and skin. In the kidney, TSC angiomyolipomas have aberrant vascular structures with abnormal endothelial cells, suggesting a role for endothelial mTORC1 function. In the current report, a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM) with a conditional knockout allele of Tsc1 with a Darpp32-Cre allele displayed accelerated formation of both kidney cystadenomas and paw hemangiosarcomas. All mutant mice developed hemangiosarcomas on multiple paws by 6 weeks of age. By 16 weeks of age, the average mutant hind paw was 4.0 mm in diameter, nearly double the size of control mice. Furthermore, the hemangiosarcomas and kidney cystadenomas were responsive to intraperitoneal rapamycin treatment. Immunoblotting and immunostaining for phospho-S6 (pS6) and phospho-CAD showed that the effect of rapamycin on tumor size was through inhibition of the mTOR signaling pathway. Finally, elevated VEGF mRNA levels were also observed in hemangiosarcoma specimens. Because paw hemangiosarcomas are easily detectable and scorable for size and growth, this novel mouse model enables accelerated in vivo drug testing for therapies of TSC-related tumors.

Implications: These findings provide a strong rationale for simultaneous use of this conditional knockout mouse as an in vivo genetic model while seeking new cancer therapies for TSC-related tumors. Mol Cancer Res; 13(3); 548–55. ©2014 AACR.
Reversal of Mutant KRAS-Mediated Apoptosis Resistance by Concurrent Noxa/Bik Induction and Bcl-2/Bcl-xL Antagonism in Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Okamoto Koichi , Zaanan Aziz , Kawakami Hisato , Huang Shengbing , Sinicrope Frank A.
Published: December 2014

KRAS mutations are frequently detected in human colorectal cancer and contribute to de novo apoptosis resistance and ultimately therapeutic failure. To overcome KRAS-mediated apoptosis resistance, the irreversible proteasome inhibitor, carfilzomib, was evaluated and found to potently induce Noxa, which was dependent upon c-Myc, and Bik. Isogenic mutant versus wild-type KRAS carcinoma cells showed elevated Bcl-xL, confirmed by KRAS siRNA or ectopic expression. Upregulated Bcl-xL by mutant KRAS was mediated by ERK as indicated by ERK knockdown. Bcl-xL expression was regulated at the level of mRNA and protein as shown using actinomycin D and cyclohexamide, respectively. Suppression of Bcl-xL by shRNA sensitized mutant KRAS cells to carfilzomib. Concurrent Bcl-xL antagonism by the BH3 mimetic ABT-263 combined with carfilzomib synergistically enhanced apoptosis that was dependent on Bax or p53, and was attenuated by Noxa or Bik shRNA. In support of this strategy, ectopically expressed Noxa enhanced apoptosis by ABT-263. Carfilzomib-induced Noxa and Bik sequestered Mcl-1 and ABT-263 released Bik and Bak from Bcl-xL, suggesting a mechanism for drug synergy. These preclinical findings establish mutant KRAS-mediated Bcl-xL upregulation as a key mechanism of apoptosis resistance in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. Furthermore, antagonizing Bcl-xL enabled carfilzomib-induced Noxa and Bik to induce synergistic apoptosis that reversed KRAS-mediated resistance.

Implications: This novel study reveals a promising treatment strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer by concurrent upregulation of Noxa/Bik and antagonism of Bcl-xL. Mol Cancer Res; 13(4); 659–69. ©2014 AACR.
New species of graphidoid and thelotremoid Graphidaceae from Australia
Authors: MANGOLD ARMIN , LÜCKING ROBERT , LUMBSCH H. THORSTEN
Published: December 2014

Four new graphidoid and thelotremoid Graphidaceae are described from Australia, all supported by previously published molecular data. Fissurina bullata Mangold, Lücking & Lumbsch differs from other Fissurina species in having a strongly bullate thallus with large clusters of calcium oxalate crystals, in combination with a psoromic acid chemistry. Ocellularia australiana Mangold, Lücking & Lumbsch is similar to O. wirthii in having a white-grey thallus and in containing psoromic acid but differs in the loose cortex and the more irregular ascomata with partly fissured margins and often divided, thickly white-tipped columella, as well as slightly larger ascospores. Thelotrema fuscosubtile Mangold, Lücking & Lumbsch was previously confused with T. subtile but can be distinguished by the prominent ascomata and in the ascospores becoming pale brown. Finally, T. inspersoporinaceum Mangold, Lücking & Lumbsch differs from T. porinaceum in having an inspersed hymenium.
Three new species of Graphidaceae from tropical Africa
Authors: BROECK DRIES VAN DEN , LÜCKING ROBERT , ERTZ DAMIEN
Published: December 2014

Three new species of Graphidaceae are described as new to science from tropical Africa: Graphis aptrootiana Van den Broeck, Lücking & Ertz and Redingeria desseiniana Van den Broeck, Lücking & Ertz from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and G. vandenboomiana Ertz, Lücking & Van den Broeck from Reunion. A key is presented to all known species of Redingeria. The lichenicolous fungus Etayoa trypethelii is mentioned as new to Central Africa.
New Graphidaceae from northern Argentina
Authors: FERRARO LIDIA ITATI , LÜCKING ROBERT , APTROOT ANDRÉ , CÁCERES MARCELA EUGENIA DA SILVA
Published: December 2014

Six new species of Graphidaceae are described from northern Argentina: Graphis tetracarbonisata, with apical carbonization and additional patchy carbonization at the basis of the labiae, ascomata of the anguilliradians-morph, ascospores submuriform, 15–19-septate and with a few longitudinal septa, 73–87 × 13–16 μm, and thallus containing substances of the stictic acid complex; Leucodecton pustulatum, with gnarled confluent pustules and substances of the stictic acid complex; Ocellularia marmorata, which is close to O. auberianoides but with maculate thallus, blackened columella and without secondary chemistry; O. misionensis, differing from O. obturascens in the more complex, carbonized columella and lack of secondary substances; O. papillifera, with a thick thallus covered with papillae resembling pseudocyphellae and with large, columnar crystal clusters; and Rhabdodiscus argentinensis, similar to R. auberianus but with erumpent ascomata, smaller, consistently 3-septate ascospores, and stictic acid in addition to psoromic acid.
The genus Melobesia (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from the subtropical South Atlantic, with the addition of M. rosanoffii (Foslie) Lemoine
Authors: Borges Vanessa Poletto , Bastos Eduardo , Batista Manuela Bernardes , Bouzon Zenilda , Lhullier Cintia , Schmidt Eder Carlos , Sissini Marina Nasri , Horta Paulo Antunes
Published: December 2014

The calcareous crusted epiphytic algae are a group of extremely delicate, fragile and poorly studied algae. The subfamily Melobesioideae (Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) includes the genus Melobesia, which has no record of molecular analysis.However, thanks to measurement data, it was possible to find enough similarity for taxonomic identification of two species: Melobesia rosanoffii (Foslie) Lemoine, described for the first time in South Atlantic Ocean, and Melobesia membranacea (Esper) Lamouroux, first described in southern Brazil. The group has undergone several changes of classification from animals to plants. Today crusty coralline algae have great importance due to the possibility of easy spore dispersal between oceans.
Nongeniculate coralline red algae (Rhodophyta: Corallinales) in coral reefs from Northeastern Brazil and a description of Neogoniolithon atlanticum sp. nov.
Authors: TÂMEGA FREDERICO T. S. , Riosmena-Rodriguez Rafael , MARIATH RODRIGO , Figueiredo Marcia
Published: December 2014

A taxonomic reassessment of coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) associated with reef environments in the Abrolhos Bank, northeastern Brazil, was developed based on extensive historical samples dating from 1999–2009 and a critical evaluation of type material. Our goal was to update the taxonomic status of the main nongeniculate coral reef-forming species. Our results show that four species are the main contributors to the living cover of coral reefs in the Abrolhos Bank: Lithophyllum stictaeforme, Neogoniolithon atlanticum sp. nov., Porolithon pachydermum and Spongites fructiculosus. Comparison of the type material to modern collections has shown that Lithophyllum congestum is a heterotypic synonym of L. stictaeforme. However, L. stictaeforme and P. pachydermum were the most abundant species at the studied sites, a finding consistent with other coral reefs in the region. This is the first record of S. fructiculosus in the southwestern Atlantic. This review provides the baseline data needed for the monitoring and management of the southernmost limits of coral reefs in the western Atlantic Ocean.
Lithophyllum species from Brazilian coast: range extension of Lithophyllum margaritae and description of Lithophyllum atlanticum sp. nov. (Corallinales, Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Vieira-Pinto Talita , Oliveira Mariana C. , Bouzon Janayna , Sissini Marina , Richards Joseph L. , Riosmena-Rodríguez Rafael , Horta Paulo A.
Published: December 2014

Coralline algae (Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) are primarily characterized by the impregnation of calcium carbonate (calcite) in their cell walls. To determine the systematic position of genera and species, researchers are increasingly combining anatomical studies with comparisons of DNA sequences. In the present study we have described the main representatives of the genus Lithophyllum in intertidal and subtidal habitats from the southern coast of Brazil based on anatomical studies, supported by molecular markers. Analyses were conducted on specimens collected from five sites along the coast of southern Brazil. Anatomical studies were carried out by light and scanning electron microscopy. Molecular studies were based on DNA barcoding markers (cox1; UPA) and SSU rDNA. Using comparative anatomical features, corroborated by the molecular data, we identified two taxonomic entities from the Brazilian coast: Lithophyllum margaritae, and we propose the new species Lithophyllum atlanticum.
Neogoniolithon (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) on the Atlantic coast of Mexico, including N. siankanensis sp. nov.
Authors: Mateo-Cid Luz Elena , Mendoza González A. Catalina , Gabrielson Paul W.
Published: December 2014

This is the first revision of Neogoniolithon species on the east coast of Mexico based on both DNA sequences (psbA) and morpho-anatomical characters. Nine species names are provisionally applied based on morpho-anatomical comparisons with type specimens or with species descriptions: N. accretum, N. acropetum, N. erosum, N. mamillare, N. propinquum, N. rhizophorae, N. solubile, N. spectabile and N. strictum. For none of these species was type or topotype material sequenced, but all have their type localities in the subtropical or tropical western Atlantic Ocean. Neogoniolithon siankanensis is described on the basis of a distinctive branched thallus, apical tetrasporangial conceptacles and DNA sequence. Another four species are present, each characterized by DNA sequence, but insufficient reproductive material was available to adequately describe these species. A suite of vegetative and reproductive characters can adequately segregate the currently named Mexican east coast Neogoniolithon species, including 1) branched versus unbranched thalli, 2) monomerous versus dimerous construction, 3) disposition of trichocytes, 4) interior dimensions of mature tetrasporangial conceptacles, 5) number of cell layers comprising tetrasporangial conceptacle roof and 6) shape of cells that line tetrasporangial pore canal. Morpho-anatomical descriptions and distributions are provided for all named species.
Rediscovery of Eugenia fajardensis (Myrtaceae), a rare tree from the Puerto Rican Bank
Authors: Trejo-Torres Jorge Carlos , CARABALLO-ORTIZ MARCOS A. , VIVES-HEYLIGER MIGUEL A. , TORRES-SANTANA CHRISTIAN W. , CETZAL-IX WILLIAM , MERCADO-DÍAZ JOEL A. , CARLO TOMÁS A.
Published: December 2014

Eugenia fragrans var.? fajardensis was described in 1895 and raised to species status in 1923 as E. fajardensis. In 1925, it was relegated to the synonymy of Anamomis fragrans (Myrcianthes fragrans). Since 2001, we have re-discovered wild plants and herbarium specimens, including a previously unidentified isotype of E. fajardensis, supporting the validity of this species. Here we designate a lectotype and an epitype for E. fajardensis. In addition, we provide: 1) an extended description for the species including the previously unknown flowers and fruits, an illustration, and photographs of live plants, 2) a key for the 24 taxa of Eugenia reported for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and 3) descriptions of the three known populations. These populations collectively hold 182 plants in the islands of Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques. Based on the IUCN Red List Criteria, E. fajardensis meets the requirements to be considered a Critically Endangered species.
Rhoicosphenia michali: a new species of marine diatom (Bacillariophyta) from King George Island, Antarctica
Authors: Ligowski Ryszard , AL-HANDAL ADIL Y. , WULFF ANGELA , JORDAN RICHARD W.
Published: December 2014

Rhoicosphenia michali sp. nov., described from the shallow sublittoral zone in Antarctica, is the second species in the genus with just one raphe slit on its convex valve. The first species, Rhoicosphenia flexa, was also described from marine coastal habitats in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, the morphology and ecology of R. flexa and R. michali are compared. The new species described herein may be endemic to Antarctica and can be found as free living cells on the shallow seabed, although it mainly occurs on the red alga Georgiella confluens, which is endemic to Antarctica.
Disentangling Risk and Change
Authors: Kacperczyk Aleksandra , Beckman Christine M. , Moliterno Thomas P.
Published: December 2014

Using data on 3,225 actively managed U.S. mutual funds from 1980 to 2006, we test hypotheses designed to disentangle risk and change as outcomes of behavioral performance feedback routines. We theorize that managers make decisions involving risk and decisions involving change under different conditions and motivated by different concerns. Our results show internal social comparison across units within a firm will motivate risk, whereas external social comparison across firms will motivate change. When a fund experiences a performance shortfall relative to internal social comparison, the manager is likely to make decisions that involve risk because the social and spatial proximity of internal comparisons trigger individual concern and fear of negative individual consequences, such as job loss. In contrast, when a fund experiences a performance shortfall in comparison with external benchmarks, the manager is more likely to consider the shortfall an organizational concern and make changes that do not necessarily involve risk. Although we might assume that negative performance in comparison with both internal and external benchmarks would spur risky change, our results indicate that risky change occurs most often when a decision maker receives unfavorable internal social performance feedback and favorable external social performance feedback. By questioning assumptions about why and when organizational change involves risk, this study begins to separate change and risk outcomes of the decision-making process.
Alloy optimisation of bainitic steel for large plastic mould
Authors: Zhang Z. , Wu X.-C. , Li N. , Min Y.-A.
Published: December 2014

Based on the phase transformation theories, especially the T0 concept of bainite transformation, alloy optimisation of bainitic steel with carbides has been carried out aiming at the produce of plastic mould with large cross-section. The effect of manganese and silicon on proeutectoid ferrite and bainite transformation is explored by dilatometric analysis, XRD and different microscopy techniques. The results show that after the alloy optimisation, the transformation of proeutectoid ferrite is suppressed and when the cooling rate is lower than 0·1°C s− 1, the new lower bainite transformation appears by decreasing carbon capacity of austenite and promoting carbide precipitation. Industrial production proves that the optimised alloy SDP1 can meet the demand for the plastic mould with the thickness of 1050 mm.
Development and testing of a visualization application software, implemented with wireless control system in smart home care
Authors: Vanus Jan , Kucera Pavel , Martinek Radek , Koziorek Jiri
Published: December 2014

This article describes the development of a visualization application software used to control operational and technical functions in the Smart Home system or Smart Home Care system via the wireless xComfort control system. Graphic visualization of a home electrical control system gives the user unprecedented comfort when controlling home systems. The user is able to obtain the information necessary to optimise the management of operational and technical functions in the building as well as information about energy consumption. Selected definitions of requirements for the visualization system, online access via the Internet, control via USB interface, and control requirements executed via mobile phone are the reasons why these technical elements were selected. This article describes their mutual relations, functions and connections within the system. At the end of this article we propose a method to test the reliability of the created software application as well as the wireless xComfort system under different conditions which stimulate different implementation methods applicable to a real building/apartment unit. Measurement results can be used for the actual installation process and for optimal implementation of the active elements of the wireless system.
The levelling effect of product market competition on gender wage discrimination
Authors: Hirsch Boris , Oberfichtner Michael , Schnabel Claus
Published: December 2014

Using linked employer–employee panel data for West Germany that include direct information on the competition faced by plants, we investigate the effect of product market competition on the gender pay gap. Controlling for match fixed effects, we find that intensified competition significantly lowers the unexplained gap in plants with neither collective agreements nor a works council. Conversely, there is no effect in plants with these types of worker codetermination, which are unlikely to have enough discretion to adjust wages in the short run. We also document a larger competition effect in plants with few females in their workforces. Our findings are in line with Beckerian taste-based employer wage discrimination that is limited by competitive forces.

JEL codes:J16, J31, J71
What active labour market programmes work for immigrants in Europe? A meta-analysis of the evaluation literature
Authors: Butschek Sebastian , Walter Thomas
Published: December 2014

A growing body of programme evaluation literature recognises immigrants as a disadvantaged group in European labour markets and investigates the employment effects of Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMPs) on this subgroup. So far, however, there is no systematic review establishing which ALMPs are effective for immigrants. Using a meta-analysis, we condense 93 estimates from 33 empirical studies of the effectiveness of four types of ALMPs employed across Europe to combat immigrant unemployment: training, job search assistance, wage subsidies and subsidised public sector employment. We find that only wage subsidies can be confidently recommended to European policy-makers.

Jel codes: J15, J61, J68, I38
The economy of attention in the age of (mis)information
Authors: Bessi Alessandro , Scala Antonio , Rossi Luca , Zhang Qian , Quattrociocchi Walter
Published: December 2014

In this work we present a thorough quantitative analysis of information consumption patterns of qualitatively different information on Facebook. Pages are categorized, according to their topics and the communities of interests they pertain to, in a) alternative information sources (diffusing topics that are neglected by science and main stream media); b) online political activism; and c) main stream media. We find similar information consumption patterns despite the very different nature of contents. Then, we classify users according to their interaction patterns among the different topics and measure how they responded to the injection of 2788 false information (parodistic imitations of alternative stories). We find that users prominently interacting with alternative information sources – i.e. more exposed to unsubstantiated claims – are more prone to interact with intentional and parodistic false claims.
A novel Cd8-cis-regulatory element preferentially directs expression in CD44hiCD62L+ CD8+ T cells and in CD8αα+ dendritic cells
Authors: Sakaguchi Shinya , Hombauer Matthias , Hassan Hammad , Tanaka Hirokazu , Yasmin Nighat , Naoe Yoshinori , Bilic Ivan , Moser Mirjam A , Hainberger Daniela , Mayer Herbert , Seiser Christian , Bergthaler Andreas , Taniuchi Ichiro , Ellmeier Wilfried
Published: December 2014

CD8 coreceptor expression is dynamically regulated during thymocyte development and is tightly controlled by the activity of at least 5 different cis-regulatory elements. Despite the detailed characterization of the Cd8 loci, the regulation of the complex expression pattern of CD8 cannot be fully explained by the activity of the known Cd8 enhancers. In this study, we revisited the Cd8ab gene complex with bioinformatics and transgenic reporter gene expression approaches to search for additional Cd8 cis-regulatory elements. This led to the identification of an ECR (ECR-4), which in transgenic reporter gene expression assays, directed expression preferentially in CD44hiCD62L+ CD8+ T cells, including innate-like CD8+ T cells. ECR-4, designated as Cd8 enhancer E8VI, was bound by Runx/CBFβ complexes and Bcl11b, indicating that E8VI is part of the cis-regulatory network that recruits transcription factors to the Cd8ab gene complex in CD8+ T cells. Transgenic reporter expression was maintained in LCMV-specific CD8+ T cells upon infection, although short-term, in vitro activation led to a down-regulation of E8VI activity. Finally, E8VI directed transgene expression also in CD8αα+ DCs but not in CD8αα-expressing IELs. Taken together, we have identified a novel Cd8 enhancer that directs expression in CD44hiCD62L+ CD8+ T cells, including innate-like and antigen-specific effector/memory CD8+ T cells and in CD8αα+ DCs, and thus, our data provide further insight into the cis-regulatory networks that control CD8 expression.
An essential role of syntaxin 3 protein for granule exocytosis and secretion of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12b, and CCL4 from differentiated HL-60 cells
Authors: Naegelen Isabelle , Plancon Se´bastien , Nicot Nathalie , Kaoma Tony , Muller Arnaud , Vallar Laurent , Tschirhart Eric J , Bre´chard Sabrina
Published: December 2014

Besides their roles in the killing of pathogens, neutrophils have the capacity to package a variety of cytokines into cytoplasmic granules for subsequent release upon inflammatory conditions. Because the rapid secretion of cytokines orchestrates the action of other immune cells at the infection site and thus, can contribute to the development and chronicity of inflammatory diseases, we aimed to determine the intracellular SNARE machinery responsible for the regulation of cytokine secretion and degranulation. From a constructed gene-expression network, we first selected relevant cytokines for functional validation by the CBA approach. We established a cytokine-secretion profile for human neutrophils and dHL-60 cells, underlining their similar ability to secrete a broad variety of cytokines within proinflammatory conditions mimicked by LPS stimulation. Secondly, after screening of SNARE genes by microarray experiments, we selected STX3 for further functional studies. With the use of a siRNA strategy, we show that STX3 is clearly required for the maximal release of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12b, and CCL4 without alteration of other cytokine secretion in dHL-60 cells. In addition, we demonstrate that STX3 is involved in MMP-9 exocytosis from gelatinase granules, where STX3 is partly localized. Our results suggest that the secretion of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12b, and CCL4 occurs during gelatinase degranulation, a process controlled by STX3. In summary, these findings provide first evidence that STX3 has an essential role in trafficking pathways of cytokines in neutrophil granulocytes.