bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preface to Special Topic: Selected Papers from the First Nanotechnology for Next Generation High Efficiency Photovoltaics Conference—NextGen Nano Photovoltaic, Cargèse, Corsica Island, France, 2013
Authors: Bermudez Veronica , Escoubas Ludovic , Le Rouzo Judikaël , Simon Jean-Jacques
Published: February 2014

The main idea of the NextGen Nano Photovoltaic (PV) Conference was to share the experience of researchers and engineers focused on new concepts at the nanoscale, where one can change the architecture of the solar cell and open new opportunities for low-cost processes to capture light, convert it, and then move charges through the solar cell structure. The timing of these two combined events (workshop and spring school in parallel) was excellent as these technologies could have a dramatic impact on efficiency, help produce low-cost devices and reduce the quantity of materials used, and thus lead the way to a true technological breakthrough leading to the mass deployment of photovoltaic technologies.
Control and navigation system for a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Zhai Ruiyong , Zhou Zhaoying , Zhang Wendong , Sang Shengbo , Li Pengwei
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a flight control and navigation system for a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with low-cost micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors. The system is designed under the inner loop and outer loop strategy. The trajectory tracking navigation loop is the outer loop of the attitude loop, while the attitude control loop is the outer loop of the stabilization loop. The proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control was adopted for stabilization and attitude control. The three-dimensional (3D) trajectory tracking control of a UAV could be approximately divided into lateral control and longitudinal control. The longitudinal control employs traditional linear PID feedback to achieve the desired altitude of the UAV, while the lateral control uses a non-linear control method to complete the desired trajectory. The non-linear controller can automatically adapt to ground velocity change, which is usually caused by gust disturbance, thus the UAV has good wind resistance characteristics. Flight tests and survey missions were carried out with our self-developed delta fixed-wing UAV and MEMS-based autopilot to confirm the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed navigation method.
An efficient closed-form solution for acoustic emission source location in three-dimensional structures
Authors: Li Xibing , Dong Longjun
Published: February 2014

This paper presents an efficient closed-form solution (ECS) for acoustic emission(AE) source location in three-dimensional structures using time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements from N receivers, N ≥ 6. The nonlinear location equations of TDOA are simplified to linear equations. The unique analytical solution of AE sources for unknown velocity system is obtained by solving the linear equations. The proposed ECS method successfully solved the problems of location errors resulting from measured deviations of velocity as well as the existence and multiplicity of solutions induced by calculations of square roots in existed close-form methods.
European spatial planning as governmentality: an inquiry into rationalities, techniques, and manifestations
Authors: Moisio Sami , Luukkonen Juho
Published: February 2014

As a governing process in which ‘European political space’ is dissected and regulated, the EU’s nascent spatial planning opens up a number of empirical and conceptual challenges for research. Even if the ‘governmentalization of Europe’ and the associated mechanisms, tactics, instruments, vocabularies, and technologies through which the power and rule of the EU are effected have been examined, the concept of governmentality offers a useful perspective to explicate European spatial planning. We analyze European spatial planning through the lens of governmentality and offer an ethnographic take on the issue of European spatial planning by problematizing the manifestations of the EU in spatial planning practices in northern Finland.
Picture Surface Illusion: Small Effects on a Major Axis
Authors: Mastandrea Stefano , Kennedy John M , Wnuczko Marta
Published: February 2014

Perception of 2-D ellipses on a picture surface is inaccurate—if the ellipses depict circles that are tilted in 3-D, receding from the viewer (Hammad, Kennedy, Juricevic, & Rajani, 2008a, Perception, 37, 504–510). Notably, the minor axis of the ellipse is seen as larger than is true. This illusory effect could be due to the simultaneous presence of optical information for the 2-D ellipse and optical information for the 3-D tilted circle. The optical information for the circle may bias vision's use of the optical information for the ellipse. This theory predicts that illusory effects should occur on the major axis as well as the minor axis; but, we argue, the major axis effect should be smaller than the minor axis effect. We confirm the prediction. Observers looked at target ellipses depicting tops of tilted cylinders. In one experiment observers chose a match for the target from choice sets of seven 2-D ellipses. In the second, observers used the method of adjustment. Both axes were overestimated, the minor axis more than the major, as the theory suggested. We point out that the relative size of the effects matters to the theory, and so the small effect counts for a lot.
Orientation Contrast and Entropy Contrast in the Genesis of Subjective Contours along Thin Lines
Authors: Gillam Barbara J , Wardle Susan G , Vecellio Elia
Published: February 2014

Subjective contours are widely considered to be an aspect of the perception of occlusion, but considerations of occlusion do not always drive predictions of their strength. Occluding surfaces have no necessary relationship to the contours they occlude, yet it is commonly predicted that subjective contours will be strongest for inducer alignments that are orthogonal to inducer orientations. In several papers we have proposed that a lack of relationship between inducers and their alignment promotes seeing subjective contours. We explore this further here using horizontal or near-horizontal thin-line inducers arranged vertically with linearly aligned terminations along central gaps. Subjective contour strength was measured using the method of paired comparison in two experiments. The weakest subjective contours were found when the gap was orthogonal to the inducers and parallel to the outer edges of the line set. Subjective contours were strengthened by orientation contrast, defined either as a nonorthogonal relationship between the gap and the inducers or as nonparallelism between the gap and the outer alignments of the inducers. The effect was replicated at both high and low line densities. We also confirmed a strong effect of high inducer entropy ( variations in inducer orientation and separation) with thin-line inducers. The results support the view that the lack of a relationship of alignments to what is aligned is a major determinant of subjective contour strength.
Synthesis of Silicon and Germanium Nanowire Assemblies by Template-Assisted Electrodeposition from an Ionic Liquid
Authors: Willert Anne , El Abedin Sherif Zein , Endres Frank
Published: February 2014

We report on the template-assisted synthesis of silicon and germanium nanowires from the air- and water-stable ionic liquid, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Py1,4] TFSA). The synthesis was done by electrochemical deposition in the pores of a commercial track-etched polycarbonate membrane. After chemical dissolution of the polycarbonate membrane in dichloromethane, nanowire assemblies with a regular arrangement were obtained. Different lengths of nanowires can be obtained by varying the applied potential and the time of deposition. The nanowire assemblies were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Our results show that the template-assisted electrochemical deposition approach in ionic liquids has the potential to easily synthesise germanium and silicon nanowire assemblies.
Anomalous water diffusion in salt solutions
Authors: Ding Yun , Hassanali Ali A. , Parrinello Michele
Published: February 2014

Significance

Liquid water remains one of the most important environments in which physical, chemical, and biological processes occur. One such process involves the solvation of ions. Understanding the perturbation that ions make on the hydrogen bond network of water remains an open question. Here, using state-of-the-art simulation methods, we show that treating the electronic degrees of freedom explicitly is required to reproduce the experimentally observed water diffusion trends in CsI and NaCl solutions, where ab initio water is characterized by dynamic heterogeneity. We find that the ions do not disrupt the network in any significant manner and provide some nuances to classical ideas in physical chemistry regarding the “structure-making” and “structure-breaking” properties of ions.
Regulation of the epithelial Ca2+channel TRPV5 by reversible histidine phosphorylation mediated by NDPK-B and PHPT1
Authors: Cai Xinjiang , Srivastava Shekhar , Surindran Sheena , Li Zhai , Skolnik Edward Y.
Published: February 2014

The kidney, together with bone and intestine, plays a crucial role in maintaining whole-body calcium (Ca2+) homoeostasis, which is primarily mediated by altering the reabsorption of Ca2+filtered by the glomerulus. The transient receptor potential-vanilloid-5 (TRPV5) channel protein forms a six- transmembrane Ca2+-permeable channel that regulates urinary Ca2+excretion by mediating active Ca2+reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. Here we show that the histidine kinase, nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (NDPK-B), activates TRPV5 channel activity and Ca2+flux, and this activation requires histidine 711 in the carboxy-terminal tail of TRPV5. In addition, the histidine phosphatase, protein histidine phosphatase 1, inhibits NDPK-B–activated TRPV5 in inside/out patch experiments. This is physiologically relevant to Ca2+reabsorption in vivo, as short hairpin RNA knockdown of NDPK-B leads to decreased TRPV5 channel activity, and urinary Ca2+excretion is increased in NDPK-B−/−mice fed a high-Ca2+diet. Thus these findings identify a novel mechanism by which TRPV5 and Ca2+reabsorption is regulated by the kidney and support the idea that histidine phosphorylation plays other, yet-uncovered roles in mammalian biology.
The availability of filament ends modulates actin stochastic dynamics in live plant cells
Authors: Li Jiejie , Staiger Benjamin H. , Henty-Ridilla Jessica L. , Abu-Abied Mohamad , Sadot Einat , Blanchoin Laurent , Staiger Christopher J.
Published: February 2014

A network of individual filaments that undergoes incessant remodeling through a process known as stochastic dynamics comprises the cortical actin cytoskeleton in plant epidermal cells. From images at high spatial and temporal resolution, it has been inferred that the regulation of filament barbed ends plays a central role in choreographing actin organization and turnover. How this occurs at a molecular level, whether different populations of ends exist in the array, and how individual filament behavior correlates with the overall architecture of the array are unknown. Here we develop an experimental system to modulate the levels of heterodimeric capping protein (CP) and examine the consequences for actin dynamics, architecture, and cell expansion. Significantly, we find that all phenotypes are the opposite for CP-overexpression (OX) cells compared with a previously characterized cp-knockdown line. Specifically, CP OX lines have fewer filament–filament annealing events, as well as reduced filament lengths and lifetimes. Further, cp-knockdown and OX lines demonstrate the existence of a subpopulation of filament ends sensitive to CP concentration. Finally, CP levels correlate with the biological process of axial cell expansion; for example, epidermal cells from hypocotyls with reduced CP are longer than wild-type cells, whereas CP OX lines have shorter cells. On the basis of these and other genetic studies in this model system, we hypothesize that filament length and lifetime positively correlate with the extent of axial cell expansion in dark-grown hypocotyls.
Differential regulation of myosin heavy chains defines new muscle domains in zebrafish
Authors: Nord Hanna , Burguiere Anne-Cecile , Muck Joscha , Nord Christoffer , Ahlgren Ulf , von Hofsten Jonas
Published: February 2014

Numerous muscle lineages are formed during myogenesis within both slow- and fast-specific cell groups. In this study, we show that six fast muscle–specific myosin heavy chain genes have unique expression patterns in the zebrafish embryo. The expression of tail-specific myosin heavy chain (fmyhc2.1) requires wnt signaling and is essential for fast muscle organization within the tail. Retinoic acid treatment results in reduced wnt signaling, which leads to loss of the fmyhc2.1 domain. Retinoic acid treatment also results in a shift of muscle identity within two trunk domains defined by expression of fmyhc1.2 and fmyhc1.3 in favor of the anteriormost myosin isoform, fmyhc1.2. In summary, we identify new muscle domains along the anteroposterior axis in the zebrafish that are defined by individual nonoverlapping, differentially regulated expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms.
Encouraging innovation
Authors: Hyman Anthony A.
Published: February 2014

Innovation is central to the scientific endeavor, and yet the current system of funding in the United States discourages innovation, especially in the young. Subtle alterations to the funding system, guided in part by the success of the European Research Council, could have major effects on encouraging innovation.
ER sheet persistence is coupled to myosin 1c–regulated dynamic actin filament arrays
Authors: Joensuu Merja , Belevich Ilya , Rämö Olli , Nevzorov Ilya , Vihinen Helena , Puhka Maija , Witkos Tomasz M. , Lowe Martin , Vartiainen Maria K. , Jokitalo Eija
Published: February 2014

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) comprises a dynamic three-dimensional (3D) network with diverse structural and functional domains. Proper ER operation requires an intricate balance within and between dynamics, morphology, and functions, but how these processes are coupled in cells has been unclear. Using live-cell imaging and 3D electron microscopy, we identify a specific subset of actin filaments localizing to polygons defined by ER sheets and tubules and describe a role for these actin arrays in ER sheet persistence and, thereby, in maintenance of the characteristic network architecture by showing that actin depolymerization leads to increased sheet fluctuation and transformations and results in small and less abundant sheet remnants and a defective ER network distribution. Furthermore, we identify myosin 1c localizing to the ER-associated actin filament arrays and reveal a novel role for myosin 1c in regulating these actin structures, as myosin 1c manipulations lead to loss of the actin filaments and to similar ER phenotype as observed after actin depolymerization. We propose that ER-associated actin filaments have a role in ER sheet persistence regulation and thus support the maintenance of sheets as a stationary subdomain of the dynamic ER network.
Using kinematic properties of pre-planetary nebulae to constrain engine paradigms
Authors: Blackman Eric G. , Lucchini Scott
Published: February 2014

Some combination of binary interactions and accretion plausibly conspire to produce the ubiquitous collimated outflows from planetary nebulae (PN) and their presumed pre-PN (PPN) precursors. But which accretion engines are viable? The difficulty in observationally resolving the engines warrants the pursuit of indirect constraints. We show how kinematic outflow data for 19 PPN can be used to determine the minimum required accretion rates. We consider main-sequence (MS) and white dwarf (WD) accretors and five example accretion rates inferred from published models to compare with the minima derived from outflow momentum conservation. While our primary goal is to show the method in anticipation of more data and better theoretical constraints, taking the present results at face value already rules out modes of accretion: Bondi–Hoyle–Lyttleton (BHL) wind accretion and wind Roche lobe overflow (M-WRLOF, based on Mira parameters) are too feeble for all 19/19 objects for an MS accretor. For a WD accretor, BHL is ruled out for 18/19 objects and M-WRLOF for 15/19 objects. RLOF from the primary at the Red Rectangle level can accommodate 7/19 objects, though RLOF modes with higher accretion rates are not yet ruled out. Accretion modes operating from within common envelope evolution can accommodate all 19 objects, if jet collimation can be maintained. Overall, sub-Eddington rates for an MS accretor are acceptable but 8/19 would require super-Eddington rates for a WD.
A new cold sub-Saturnian candidate planet orbiting GJ 221
Authors: Tuomi Mikko
Published: February 2014

We re-analyse the recently published High-Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) and Planet Finder Spectrograph (PFS) velocities of the nearby K dwarf GJ 221 that have been reported to contain the signatures of two planets orbiting the star. Our goal is to see whether the earlier studies discussing the system fell victims of false negative detections. We perform the analyses by using an independent statistical method based on posterior samplings and model comparisons in the Bayesian framework that is known to be more sensitive to weak signals of low-mass planets. According to our analyses, we find strong evidence in favour of a third candidate planet in the system corresponding to a cold sub-Saturnian planet with an orbital period of 500 d and a minimum mass of 29 M⊕. Application of sub-optimal signal detection methods can leave low-amplitude signals undetected in radial velocity time series. Our results suggest that the estimated statistical properties of low-mass planets can thus be biased because several signals corresponding to low-mass candidate planets may have gone unnoticed. This also suggests that the occurrence rates of such planets based on radial velocity surveys might be underestimated.
First Report of Leek yellow stripe virus in Allium sativum in Western India
Authors: Gawande S. J. , Gurav V. S. , Ingle A. A. , Gopal J.
Published: February 2014

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important bulbous spice crop in India as well as other parts of world. Garlic is well known for its medicinal properties. Degeneration due to viral infections is one of the important constraints in exploiting its yield potential. Leek yellow stripe virus (LYSV), genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae, is a prominent virus known to infect garlic worldwide (4). During July 2013, potyvirus-like symptoms such as mosaic, streaking, stunting, mottling of leaves were observed on garlic cv. G-41 and landrace Ranibennur local, collected from Karnataka, India, and maintained at the Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune, India. The incidence of symptomatic plants was estimated at 70% for Ranibennur local and 68% for cv. G-41. The symptomatic leaves were sampled diagonally from the field. Twenty symptomatic plants per cultivar with each sample was composited from young, middle, and lower (basal) leaves of the plant. These samples were tested by double-antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA for LYSV using commercially available kit (Agdia Inc., Elkhart, IN). ELISA-positive plants were further subjected to molecular studies. Total RNA from the infected leaf samples were extracted by RNeasy Plant Mini kit (Qiagen GmbH, Hilden, Germany) and assayed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using primer pair LYSV-F 2 (5′-GCACCATACAGTGAATTGAG-3′) (1), LYSV-R (5′-GCCTCGCGCGCTCTAA-3′) (3) to amplify 874 bases of partial Nib and partial coat protein gene. The amplified product of 874 bp derived from A. sativum isolate was purified (QIAquick PCR Purification Kit, Qiagen) and cloned using vector pDrive (Qiagen). The recombinant clones were sequenced and submitted in NCBI database (GenBank Accession No. KF850539). The sequence analysis performed on CLC Main Workbench Version 6.8.4 gave confirmation of LYSV. Further, phylogenetic analysis of the 874-nt sequence revealed the highest nucleotide identity (80 to 82%) with LYSV isolates (DQ925453, JN127339, AB005611, and JX429965). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of garlic by LYSV in western India. LYSV is known to cause direct losses in garlic and other related Allium spp. Up to 54% reduction in bulb weight was observed due to single infection of this virus (2). Hence, our first report about this virus has significant impact on garlic production scenario, if this virus found to be widespread in the country. For this, additional surveys and genotype screenings are needed to obtain a better understanding of the potential impact of LYSV on garlic production in India.

References: (1) H. Fidan and S. Baloglu. Plant Dis. 93:672, 2009. (2) H. Lot et al. Plant Dis. 82:1381, 1998. (3) P. Lunello et al. J. Virol. Methods. 118:15, 2004. (4) H. R. Pappu et al. Plant Dis. 89:205, 2005.
First Report of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus Infecting Barley in Tunisia
Authors: Bouallegue M. , Mezghani-Khemakhem M. , Makni H. , Makni M.
Published: February 2014

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) causes severe leaf symptoms in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). It is a single-stranded RNA virus assigned to the genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae (1). ScYLV is transmitted by two aphid species, Melanaphis sacchari and Rhopalosiphum maidis. Although barley (Hordeum vulgare), oats (Avena sativa), and wheat (Triticum spp.) are susceptible to ScYLV when experimentally inoculated (3), this virus, related serologically to Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)-RPV (4), has never been detected naturally in these cereals. In this study, 240 barley leaves were randomly collected from six fields in Tunisia following a north-south trend during the high infestation periods (March/April) in the 2013 growing season. Samples were tested by DAS-ELISA, using three antibodies (Bioreba AG, Switzerland), two of them, BYDV-B and BYDV-F, specific to luteoviruses corresponding to BYDV-PAV and BYDV-MAV, respectively, and the third one, BYDV-RPV, specific to the polerovirus synonymous to Cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV)-RPV. Based on DAS-ELISA, 30 samples were found positive for B/CYDV infection; 17 out of the 30 infected samples contained a single serotype, BYDV-PAV, and 13 out of the 30 infected samples contained two serotypes, PAV and RPV. Total RNA was extracted from all positive samples, and RT-PCR of the viral CP gene was performed with Lu1/Lu4 primers (2). A product of 531 bp was cloned and sequenced. The identities among the sequences determined varied between 80 to 100%, and from the 17 samples containing BYDV-PAV, six distinct BYDV-PAV sequences were revealed and named PAV-TN1 to PAV-TN6 (GenBank Accession No. JX402453 to JX402457 and KF271792). Fortuitously, all 13 positive samples corresponding to the serotypes PAV-RPV exhibited 98.7 to 99.3% identity with ScYLV isolates. These 13 samples contained three distinct sequences that were named ScYLV-Tun1 to ScYLV-Tun3 (GenBank Accession No. KF836888 to KF836890). Of the 17 PAV-positive samples collected, six were infected with PAV-TN1, four with PAV-TN2, four with PAV-TN3, one with PAV-TN4, one with PAV-TN5, and the last one with PAV-TN6. Of the 13 ScYLV-positive samples, seven were infected with ScYLV-Tun1, four with ScYLV-Tun2, and two with ScYLV-Tun3. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PAV-TN sequences formed a very tight cluster (>98%) corresponding to BYDV subspecies PAV-II, whereas all three Tunisian ScYLV sequences were clustered together. This study provides the first report of ScYLV isolates infecting barley crops in Tunisia, and confirms serological cross-reactivity between ScYLV and BYDV-RPV when commercial antibodies against BYDV-RPV are used.

References: (1) C. J. D'Arcy and L. L. Domier. Page 891 in: Virus Taxonomy, 8th Report of the ICTV. C. M. Fauquet et al., eds. Springer-Verlag, New York, 2005. (2) N. L. Robertson and R. French. J. Gen. Virol. 72:1473, 1991. (3) S. Schenck and A. T. Lehrer. Plant Dis. 84:1085, 2000. (4) J. Vega et al. Plant Dis. 81:21, 1997.
Pseudonocardia cypriaca sp. nov., Pseudonocardia salamisensis sp. nov., Pseudonocardia hierapolitana sp. nov. and Pseudonocardia kujensis sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Sahin Nevzat , Veyisoglu Aysel , Tatar Demet , Spröer Cathrin , Cetin Demet , Guven Kiymet , Klenk Hans-Peter
Published: February 2014

The taxonomic positions of four novel actinomycetes isolated from soil samples, designated KT2142T, PM2084T, K236T and A4038T, were established by using a polyphasic approach. The organisms had chemical and morphological features that were consistent with their classification in the genus

Pseudonocardia

. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the four strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars (cell-wall type IV). Their predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-8(H4). The major fatty acid was iso-C16 : 0. 16S rRNA gene sequence data supported the classification of the isolates in the genus

Pseudonocardia

and showed that they formed four distinct branches within the genus. DNA–DNA relatedness studies between the isolates and their phylogenetic neighbours showed that they belonged to distinct genomic species. The four isolates were readily distinguished from one another and from the type strains of species classified in the genus

Pseudonocardia

based on a combination of phenotypic and genotypic properties. In conclusion, it is proposed that the four isolates be classified in four novel species of the genus

Pseudonocardia

, for which the names Pseudonocardia cypriaca sp. nov. (type strain KT2142T = KCTC 29067T = DSM 45511T = NRRL B-24882T), Pseudonocardia hierapolitana sp. nov. (type strain PM2084T = KCTC 29068T = DSM 45671T = NRRL B-24879T), Pseudonocardia salamisensis sp. nov. (type strain K236T = KCTC 29100T = DSM 45717T) and Pseudonocardia kujensis sp. nov. (type strain A4038T = KCTC 29062T = DSM 45670T = NRRL B-24890T) are proposed.
A novel nerolidol-rich essential oil from Piper claussenianum modulates Candida albicans biofilm
Authors: Curvelo J. A. R. , Marques A. M. , Barreto A. L. S. , Romanos M. T. V. , Portela M. B. , Kaplan M. A. C. , Soares R. M. A.
Published: February 2014

Candidiasis is a major opportunistic fungal infection in humans, and its incidence has increased steadily over the last two decades. Candida albicans, the main species of the genus, has a large arsenal of virulence attributes that contribute to successful infections, such as dimorphism and biofilm formation. The adverse effects of eukaryotic antimicrobial therapies associated with an increase in resistance to the compounds presently available have boosted efforts to improve the therapeutic arsenal against candidiasis with a newer and cheaper range of drugs. In this study, a novel nerolidol-rich essential oil (EO) derived from Piper claussenianum (Miq.) C. DC., Piperaceae, was tested on the growth, transition (yeast to hyphae), formation and stability of biofilms produced by C. albicans. Both inflorescence and leaf EOs were evaluated and revealed MIC values ranging from 0.04 to 0.1 % and 0.2 to 1.26 %, respectively. Furthermore, leaf EO managed to downregulate the yeast-to-hyphae transition by 81 %, as well as reducing biofilm formation by about 30 and 50 % after incubation for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The EO was also able to reduce the viability of pre-formed biofilm by 63.9 %. Finally, the association between the leaf EO and fluconazole was evaluated and revealed an interesting synergistic effect. Taken together, these results demonstrate that this novel compound could be a promising agent and could reinforce the arsenal of therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of candidiasis. Furthermore, it may represent a novel and natural source of nerolidol, which could be of interest pharmaceutically.
In vitro and in vivo effects of beneficial vaginal lactobacilli on pathogens responsible for urogenital tract infections
Authors: De Gregorio Priscilla Romina , Tomás María Silvina Juárez , Terraf María Cecilia Leccese , Nader-Macías María Elena Fátima
Published: February 2014

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of beneficial human vaginal lactobacilli (Lb) on urogenital pathogens throughin vitroandin vivoexperiments. Co-aggregative and antimicrobial properties between five vaginal Lb strains and urogenital pathogens or potential pathogens (Streptococcus agalactiae,Staphylococcus aureusandCandida albicansstrains) were assayed. Also, associative cultures of Lb strains andS. agalactiaewere performed and bacterial growth, pH, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were determined at different times. Based on the results obtained, thein vivostudies were assayed in mice withLactobacillus gasseriCRL 1509 orLactobacillus salivariusCRL 1328 inoculated intravaginally (i.v.) and then challenged i.v. withS. agalactiae. Results were analysed by ANOVA (repeated measures and general linear models). Most of the Lb strains increased the percentage of aggregation ofS. agalactiaestrains. Only one strain (Lactobacillus reuteriCRL 1324) positively affected the aggregation ofS. aureusand none increased the aggregation ofC. albicans. The inhibition of the growth ofS. agalactiaestrains by production of organic acids by lactobacilli was evidenced. The Lb–S. agalactiaeco-cultures showed a significant inhibition of the pathogen after 4 h and 8 h of incubation. Parallel increases in lactic acid and H2O2levels were observed. However, in the experimental murine model, no significant differences were obtained in the number of streptococci recovered from the vaginal tract of control mice and those inoculated with Lb. In conclusion, vaginal Lb exhibitedin vitroco-aggregative and antimicrobial effects onS. agalactiaestrains, suggesting that they could be promising candidates for protection againstS. agalactiaechallenge. However, as these effects were not evidenced in the murine model used, further animal studies under different experimental conditions should be conducted to evaluate the preventive effect of Lb against challenge withS. agalactiae.
Molecular detection and nucleotide sequence analysis of a new Aichi virus closely related to canine kobuvirus in sewage samples
Authors: Yamashita Teruo , Adachi Hirokazu , Hirose Emi , Nakamura Noriko , Ito Miyabi , Yasui Yoshihiro , Kobayashi Shinichi , Minagawa Hiroko
Published: February 2014

Between 2001 and 2005, 207 raw sewage samples were collected at the inflow of a sewage treatment plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Of the 207 sewage samples, 137 (66.2 %) were found to be positive for amplification of Aichi virus (AiV) nucleotide using reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with 10 forward and 10 reverse primers in the 3D region corresponding to the nucleotide sequence of all kobuviruses. AiV genotype A sequences were detected in all 137 samples. New sequences of AiV were detected in nine samples, exhibiting 83 % similarity with AiV A846/88, but 95 % similarity with canine kobuvirus (CKV) US-PC0082 in this region. The nucleotide sequences from the VP3 region to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of sewage sample Y12/2004 were determined. The number of nucleotides in each region was the same as that of CKV. The similarity of the nucleotide (amino acid) identity of a complete VP1 region was 90.5 % (94.8 %) between Y12/2004 and CKV US-PC0082. The phylogenic analyses based on the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequences of VP1 and 3D showed that Y12/2004 was independent from AiV, but closely related to CKV. These results suggested that CKV is present in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
mangal - making ecological network analysis simple
Authors: Poisot Timothée E , Baiser Benjamin , Dunne Jennifer A , Kéfi Sonia , Massol Francois , Mouquet Nicolas , Romanuk Tamara N , Stouffer Daniel B , Wood Spencer A , Gravel Dominique
Published: February 2014

The study of ecological networks is severely limited by (i) the difficulty to access data, (ii) the lack of a standardized way to link meta-data with interactions, and (iii) the disparity of formats in which ecological networks themselves are represented. To overcome these limitations, we conceived a data specification for ecological networks. We implemented a database respecting this standard, and released a R package ( `rmangal`) allowing users to programmatically access, curate, and deposit data on ecological interactions. In this article, we show how these tools, in conjunctions with other frameworks for the programmatic manipulation of open ecological data, streamlines the analysis process, and improves eplicability and reproducibility of ecological networks studies.
Effects of node position on regeneration of stolon fragments in congeneric invasive and native Alternanthera species in China
Authors: Song Yao‐Bin , Zhou Meng‐Yao , Dai Wen‐Hong , Jiang Dan , Li Wen‐Bing , Dong Ming
Published: February 2014

Vegetative regeneration plays an important role in the adaptation of clonal plants in frequently disturbed habitats, but few studies have compared vegetative regeneration capacity of invasive clonal plants with that of their native congeners. Vegetative regeneration capacity from shoot nodes can also be affected by the position of the nodes, but this appears little studied. We conducted a greenhouse experiment with Alternanthera philoxeroides, a highly invasive species in China, and its native congener A. sessilis to test the difference in vegetative regeneration capacity of stolon nodes at five different positions (i.e. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th node starting from the apex of the stolon). At the end of the experiment, we counted and harvested all regenerated plants and determined their biomass and allocation. Both species could successfully regenerate from stolon fragments and node position significantly affected regeneration rate and subsequent growth. However, the vegetative regeneration capacity of A. philoxeroides was not higher than that of A. sessilis. These results suggest that vegetative regeneration from stolon fragments may not be a trait that can explain the invasiveness of A. philoxeroides.
Correlation between infection by ophiostomatoid fungi and the presence of subterranean termites in loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) roots
Authors: Riggins John J. , Little Nathan S. , Eckhardt Lori G.
Published: February 2014

Observations of subterranean termites feeding in pine sapwood containing ophiostomatoid fungi prompted the present study aiming to investigate the effect of infection byLeptographiumfungi on the probability of encountering subterranean termites in loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) roots.

Root samples were collected from 2350 loblolly pine trees inAlabama,Texas,Louisiana andMississippi using hand tools. The presence or absence of subterranean termites in the roots was recorded. Samples were plated onmalt extract agarandcycloheximide‐streptomycin malt agarand incubated to determine which, if any, fungal species were present.

The presence ofLeptographium procerum,Leptographium terebrantisor both was significantly associated with an increased presence of subterranean termites in loblolly pine roots.

The results obtained in the present study indicate that complex ecological interactions may exist between ophiostomatoid fungi, as carried by root‐feeding bark beetles, and subterranean termites.
Identifying chromosomal selection‐sweep regions in facial eczema selection‐line animals using an ovine 50K‐SNP array
Authors: Phua S. H. , Brauning R. , Baird H. J. , Dodds K. G.
Published: February 2014

Facial eczema (FE) is a hepato‐mycotoxicosis found mainly in New Zealand sheep and cattle. When genetics was found to be a factor in FE susceptibility, resistant and susceptible selection lines of Romney sheep were established to enable further investigations of this disease trait. Using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip, we conducted a selection‐sweep experiment on these FE genetic lines. Two analytical methods were used to detect selection signals, namely the Peddrift test (Dodds & McEwan, 1997) and fixation index FST (Weir & Hill, 2002). Of 50 975 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers tested, there were three that showed highly significant allele frequency differences between the resistant and susceptible animals (Peddrift nominal P < 0.000001). These SNP loci are located on chromosomes OAR1, OAR11 and OAR12 that coincide precisely with the three highest genomic FST peaks. In addition, there are nine less significant Peddrift SNPs (nominal P ≤ 0.000009) on OAR6 (n = 2), OAR9 (n = 2), OAR12, OAR19 (n = 2), OAR24 and OAR26. In smoothed FST (five‐SNP moving average) plots, the five most prominent peaks are on OAR1, OAR6, OAR7, OAR13 and OAR19. Although these smoothed FST peaks do not coincide with the three most significant Peddrift SNP loci, two (on OAR6 and OAR19) overlap with the set of less significant Peddrift SNPs above. Of these 12 Peddrift SNPs and five smoothed FST regions, none is close to the FE candidate genes catalase and ABCG2; however, two on OAR1 and one on OAR13 fall within suggestive quantitative trait locus regions identified in a previous genome screen experiment. The present studies indicated that there are at least eight genomic regions that underwent a selection sweep in the FE lines.
Cripto‐1 Expression in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Pilgaard Linda , Mortensen Joachim Høg , Henriksen Michael , Olesen Pia , Sørensen Preben , Laursen Rene , Vyberg Mogens , Agger Ralf , Zachar Vladimir , Moos Torben , Duroux Meg
Published: February 2014

Human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. Cripto‐1 (CR‐1) has a key regulatory role in embryogenesis, while in adult tissue re‐expression of CR‐1 has been correlated to malignant progression in solid cancers of non‐neuronal origin. As CR‐1 expression has yet to be described in cerebral cancer and CR‐1 is regulated by signaling pathways dysregulated in GBM, we aimed to investigate CR‐1 in the context of expression in GBM. The study was performed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry to analyze the blood and tissue from 28 GBM and 4 low‐grade glioma patients. Within the patient cohort, we found high CR‐1 protein levels in blood plasma to significantly correlate with a shorter overall survival. We identified CR‐1 in different areas of GBM tissue, including perivascular tumor cells, and in endothelial cells. Collectively, our data suggest that CR‐1 could be a prognostic biomarker for GBM with the potential of being a therapeutic target.
Saliva stimulation with glycerine and citric acid does not affect salivary cortisol levels
Authors: Brorsson Camilla , Dahlqvist Per , Nilsson Leif , Naredi Silvana
Published: February 2014

Objective

In critically ill patients with hypotension, who respond poorly to fluids and vasoactive drugs, cortisol insufficiency may be suspected. In serum over 90% of cortisol is protein‐bound, thus routine measures of total serum cortisol may yield ‘false lows’ due to hypoproteinaemia. Thus, the occurrence of cortisol insufficiency could be overestimated in critically ill patients. Salivary cortisol can be used as a surrogate for free serum cortisol, but in critically ill patients saliva production is decreased, and insufficient volume of saliva for analysis is a common problem. The aim of this study was to investigate if a cotton‐tipped applicator with glycerine and citric acid could be used for saliva stimulation without affecting salivary cortisol levels.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Participants

Thirty‐six volunteers (six males, 30 females), age 49 ± 9 years, without known oral mucus membrane rupture in the mouth.

Measurements

Forty‐two pairs of saliva samples (22 paired morning samples, 20 paired evening samples) were obtained before and after saliva stimulation with glycerine and citric acid. Salivary cortisol was analysed using Spectria Cortisol RIA (Orion Diagnostica, Finland).

Results

The paired samples correlated significantly (P < 0·0001) and there was no significant difference between un‐stimulated and stimulated salivary cortisol levels.

Conclusions

Saliva stimulation with a cotton‐tipped applicator containing glycerine and citric acid did not significantly influence salivary cortisol levels in healthy volunteers. This indicates that salivary cortisol measurement after saliva stimulation may be a useful complement when evaluating cortisol status in critically ill patients.
Challenges of antituberculosis treatment in patients with difficult clinical conditions
Authors: Vasakova Martina
Published: February 2014

Objectives

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease with a global distribution. The mainstay of treatment is a combination of antituberculous (AT) drugs. The standard combination uses four first‐line AT drugs; however, in certain groups of patients, the combination must be modified or reduced in dosage. This is especially true of patients with comorbidities, in the elderly and in pregnant women. The aim of this review is to provide up‐to‐date information regarding AT treatment in a variety of special patient populations.

Data Source

The recommendations presented here are based on the clinical experience of the author, as well as data presented in textbooks, World Health Organization national and international guidelines, various respiratory societies and original articles quoted in medical databases. The time frame for this review was from 1995 to 2013. The data search was carried out only in English and the index words were as follows: tuberculosis – treatment – liver disease – kidney disease – HIV infection – skin toxicity – elderly – pregnancy.

Results

Based on our experience and the described sources above, we present AT treatment recommendations for specific patient populations.

Conclusions

TB can be difficult to diagnose and treat. This can be especially true in patients with comorbidities, adverse reactions to AT drugs, the elderly and pregnant women. Despite the difficulties, an early diagnosis followed immediately by AT treatment should be the norm for these patients. When choosing a suitable AT regimen, we must consider the potential side effects of the drugs, which could exacerbate an underlying comorbidity, harm an expectant mother or fetus, or adversely affect the elderly.
Hospital outbreak of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) illness in immunocompromised hospitalized children during summer
Authors: Singh Ajay K. , Jain Bhawana , Verma Anil K. , Kumar Archana , Dangi Tanushree , Dwivedi Mukesh , Singh Kaleshwar P. , Jain Amita
Published: February 2014

Purpose

The human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a community‐acquired virus that mainly causes acute respiratory tract infection in infants and children. HRSV is increasingly recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen causing morbidity in immunocompromised patients. Here, we are reporting a hospital outbreak of HRSV during summer in children receiving chemotherapy for haematological malignancies. Prompt detection and timely preventive measures could abort the devastating outbreak.

Methods

In the month of June 2013, seven children from paediatric oncology Ward at King George Medical University presented with respiratory signs and symptoms in span of 3 days. Nasal and throat swabs of children were tested for the presence of HRSV, human metapneumovirus and their subtypes A and B, influenza A and B, measles, parainfluenza virus (1, 2, 3 and 4), adenovirus, and human bocavirus by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. A segment of F gene of HRSV was amplified and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The demographic, clinical profile, underlying diseases, clinical diagnosis and seasonal distribution were studied and analyzed.

Results

Of the total seven cases, six tested positive for HRSV A, which were genetically similar to each other. Children with respiratory symptoms were segregated from other patients, and strict implementation of restricted visiting policy was adapted, which led to control of widespread outbreak.

Conclusions

HRSV A outbreak was detected in immunocompromised patients; the wider spread of which was prevented by prompt detection and application of preventive measures.
Relevance of Own R&D and Sources of Knowledge Transfer for Industrial Innovation in China
Authors: Liu Wan‐Hsin
Published: February 2014

This study investigates industrial innovation and innovation patterns in China with a comparison to the Asian Newly Industrialized Economies (NIEs). It estimates knowledge production functions based on an original firm‐level dataset. Estimation results suggest that even though firms in China carry out various innovation activities at the same time, the innovation pattern found among their counterparts in the Asian NIEs is still relevant for contemporary China. In particular, sourcing knowledge and technologies from their OEM customers still plays a crucial role for Chinese firms' process innovation. In contrast, firms cannot rely on this knowledge source for realizing more sophisticated, knowledge‐intensive innovation outcomes, such as product innovation and patenting, for which their own R&D engagement is more significant.
A Note on the Labor Market Effects of Remittances in Latin American and Caribbean Countries: Do Thresholds Exist?
Authors: Jackman Mahalia
Published: February 2014

The labor market effects of remittances have long been examined in the empirical literature. To date, the results have been mixed: some authors observe a negative association between remittances and unemployment while others report that remittances increase unemployment. This study empirically examines the impact of remittances on unemployment using macroeconomic data for a sample of 18 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Specifically, the study tests whether there is a nonlinear relationship between the variables. Results suggest that when the remittance‐to‐GDP ratio is low, remittances have a positive and significant impact on unemployment. However, as they increase, remittances are negatively associated with unemployment. This suggests the possibility that estimations based on the assumption of a linear relationship between remittances and labor may mask the true relationship between the variables.
How Entrepreneurial Firms Profit from Pricing Capabilities: An Examination of Technology–Based Ventures
Authors: Flatten Tessa Christina , Engelen Andreas , Möller Timo , Brettel Malte
Published: February 2014

This study sheds light on the evolution of the specialized marketing capability, pricing. We develop an operationalization for and empirically validate the pricing–capability dimensions from the perspective of the resource–based view. Using a sample of 420 technology–based ventures, we examine the relationship between pricing capabilities and firm performance, with a particular focus on how age and uncertainty impact these relationships to determine how entrepreneurial firms can profit. We deconstruct pricing capability into four dimensions—price discrimination, dynamic orientation, performance goal orientation, and value delivery—to show, for example, that young companies should focus on their price discrimination capability to improve performance.