bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tylotus laqueatus, a new species of Dicranemataceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from the Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Kraft Gerald T. , Conklin Kimberly Y. , Sherwood Alison R. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryA rarely collected shallow‐subtidal Hawaiian macroalga has been determined anatomically and molecularly to belong to an undescribed species of Tylotus J. Agardh, the most widely distributed genus of the small, mostly Australian‐endemic family Dicranemataceae. Thalli are repent and imbricate on calcareous boulders at the type locality on O‘ahu, and are anchored both basally and by haptera arising marginally and ventrally on the (sub‐)dichotomous, linear axes. Simple or forked terete haptera can be a means of perennation by the occasional direct issuing of adventitious blades. Fronds are multiaxial and consist of a broad pseudoparenchymatous medulla of thick‐walled cells surrounded on both sides by a two‐ or three‐layered small‐celled pigmented cortex in which numbers of ‘glandular’ hairs are embedded. Tetrasporangia are zonate, and gametophytes are monoecious. Carpogonial branches are three‐celled, directed to the thallus surface, and borne laterally on inner‐cortical supporting cells; cystocarps are prominently protuberant and scattered sparingly on dorsal frond surfaces, the carposporophytes directed outwardly beneath an ostiolate pericarp and connected to the parent gametophyte across a broad placental base in which the remnant auxiliary cell persists centrally. The inner surface of the pericarp is unusual in producing extensive patches or isolated islands of short gonimoblast filaments with terminal carposporangia as an apparent result of the implantation of gonimoblasts into the tissue of the lining. Anatomy indicates that the new species is more closely related to the East‐Asian Tylotus lichenoides Okamura than to the only other described member of the genus, the type species T. obtusatus (Sonder) J. Agardh from southern Australia. An rbcL phylogeny supports placement of sequences for Hawaiian specimens within the genus Tylotus but distinct from all previously recorded sequences of Tylotus. As is widely reported in other molecular‐phylogenetic analyses of the Gigartinales, we find that support for generic and familial relationships within the order is strong whereas that for between‐family relationships is low.
Cryptic species in the Pyropia yezoensis complex (Bangiales, Rhodophyta): Sympatric occurrence of two cryptic species even on same rocks
Authors: Niwa Kyosuke , Kikuchi Norio , Hwang Mi Sook , Choi Han‐Gu , Aruga Yusho 
Published: September 2013

SummaryIn a previous study on wild populations of Pyropia, the occurrence of two possible new species (Pyropia sp. 2 and Pyropia sp. 3) which are closely related to the two commercially important Pyropia species, P. yezoensis and P. tenera, was confirmed as the result of molecular phylogenetic analyses. To characterize the morphological features of the two wild Pyropia species, we collected Pyropia blades in a natural population in which Pyropia sp. 3 was known to occur, and carried out molecular identification before detailed morphological observations. Through the molecular identification we found, unexpectedly, that Pyropia sp. 2 blades grew sympatrically in the same site. Therefore, after molecular identification, we examined in detail the external morphology and anatomy of the two wild Pyropia species using more than 10 blades each. As a result, it is concluded that all of the blades of the two species are morphologically identical to P. yezoensis, but distinct from P. tenera. It is therefore considered that both of the two wild Pyropia species are cryptic species within the P. yezoensis complex. Furthermore, this study revealed that the two cryptic species grew sympatrically, even on the same rocks within the natural habitat.
A Two-Component Circular Regression Model for Repeated Measures Auditory Localization Data
Authors: McMillan Garnett P. , Hanson Timothy E. , Saunders Gabrielle , Gallun Frederick J. 
Published: September 2013

Summary
Auditory localization experiments are conducted to evaluate human ability to locate the position of a source of sound, and to determine how population characteristics might affect this ability. These experiments generate data that are circular, bimodal and repeated, and have hypothesized symmetry patterns that should be included and tested within the modelling framework. We propose a two-part mixture of wrapped Cauchy densities for these bimodal angular data, with random effects to model correlation between repeated measures. The effects of signal position and types of symmetry in the signal response around the circle are modelled by using circular B-splines. The model is used to investigate the effects of age and hearing impairment on the ability to localize a low frequency signal.
Dynamic Threshold Modelling and the US Business Cycle
Authors: de Carvalho M. , Turkman K. F. , Rua A. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryLeading economic indicators are often used to anticipate changes in key economic variables. Understanding the dynamics of these indicators is of primary interest for policy-making objectives and for sustainable economic welfare. We are concerned with the problem of setting a dynamic threshold above which the value of leading indicators would be considered as extreme. We propose a dynamic threshold modelling approach based on fractionally integrated processes where a semiparametric method is used to determine the amount of differencing that is required to obtain a weakly stationary process—to which standard methods of statistics of extremes apply. Given that our approach is linked to the Box–Jenkins method, we refer to the procedure proposed and applied herein as the Box–Jenkins–Pareto procedure. We use our approach to analyse the weekly number of unemployment insurance claims in the USA and explore the connection between its threshold exceedances and the US business cycle.
Exploratory Graphics for Financial Time Series Volatility
Authors: Lawrance A. J. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryThe paper develops a framework for volatility graphics in financial time series analysis which allows exploration of the time progression of volatility and the dependence of volatility on past behaviour. It is particularly suitable for identifying volatility structure to be incorporated in specific volatility models. Plotting techniques are identified on the basis of a general time series volatility model and are illustrated on the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100-Share Index financial time series. They are statistically validated by bootstrapping and application to simulated volatile and non-volatile series, generated by both conditionally heteroscedastic and stochastic volatility models. An important point is that volatility can only be properly visualized and analysed for linearly uncorrelated or decorrelated series.
Evaluation of Kinship Identification Systems Based on Short Tandem Repeat DNA Profiles
Authors: Corradi Fabio , Ricciardi Federico 
Published: September 2013

SummaryWe show how to evaluate a kinship identification system, which is a probabilistic tool devoted to obtain the likelihood ratio supporting the hypothesis that an individual, the candidate for identification, is a specific member of a family, conditional on the available familial DNA evidence. The paper considers the likelihood ratio as a random variable and focuses on the evaluation of the probability that a candidate for identification would be correctly classified, exploiting the likelihood ratio distributions conditional on each hypothesis. The system evaluation proposed is specific for each case, does not require any additional laboratory costs and should be carried out before the identification trial is performed. In a pre-experimental perspective, we evaluate whether a system fulfils the requirements of the parties that are involved. Special attention is devoted to the computational aspects of the problem: since high dimensional spaces are involved, matters concerning approximations are discussed. Some real cases using the methodology proposed are presented and discussed.
Spillovers in Exchange Rates and the Effects of Global Shocks on Emerging Market Currencies
Authors: Kavli Haakon , Kotzé Kevin 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis paper provides an investigation into the spillover effects of exchange rate returns and volatility for developed and emerging market currencies, using data from 1997 to 2011. The results suggest that spillovers in exchange ratereturnshave increased steadily over time, in moderate reaction to economic events. In contrast, spillovers in total observedvolatility(measured by squared returns) react more strongly to economic events, and this transmission has remained at a relatively high level since the global financial crisis. Furthermore, over the course of time, global shocks would appear to account for a larger proportion of aggregate exchange rate volatility (and the relative importance of domestic shocks has declined). The paper also considers whether the increase in volatility spillover is due to sudden shocks, or whether it is due to changes in the stochastic trend of the underlying volatility process. The results suggests that in most cases, this increase is due to sudden shocks, however, in certain instances country‐specific events may perpetuate changes to the trend of the underlying volatility spillover.
Frailty and Dialysis Initiation
Authors: Johansen Kirsten L. , Delgado Cynthia , Bao Yeran , Tamura Manjula Kurella 
Published: September 2013

AbstractFrailty is a physiologic state of increased vulnerability to stressors that results from decreased physiologic reserves or dysregulation of multiple physiologic systems. The construct of frailty has been operationalized as a composite of poor physical function, exhaustion, low physical activity, and weight loss. Several studies have now examined the prevalence of frailty among chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and have found frailty to be more common among individuals with CKD than among those without. Furthermore, frailty is associated with adverse outcomes among incident dialysis patients, including higher risk of hospitalization and death. Recent evidence shows that frail patients are started on dialysis earlier (at a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) on average than nonfrail patients, but it remains unclear whether these patients' frailty is a result of uremia or is independent of CKD. The survival disadvantage that has been associated with early initiation of dialysis in observational studies could be mediated in part through confounding on the basis of unmeasured frailty. However, available data do not suggest improvement in frailty upon initiation of dialysis; rather, the trajectory appears to be toward higher levels of dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) after dialysis initiation. Overall, there are no data to suggest that frail patients derive any benefit from early initiation of dialysis either in the form of improved survival or functional status.
Crystal structure and biochemical analyses reveal that the Arabidopsis triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme AtTTM3 is a tripolyphosphatase involved in root development
Authors: Moeder Wolfgang , Garcia‐Petit Christel , Ung Huoi , Fucile Geoffrey , Samuel Marcus A. , Christendat Dinesh , Yoshioka Keiko 
Published: September 2013

SummaryThe Arabidopsis protein AtTTM3 belongs to the CYTH superfamily named after its two founding members, the CyaB adenylate cyclase from Aeromonas hydrophila and the mammalian thiamine triphosphatase. In this study we report the three‐dimensional structure of a plant CYTH domain protein, AtTTM3, determined at 1.9 Å resolution. The crystal structure revealed the characteristic tunnel architecture of CYTH proteins, which specialize in the binding of nucleotides and other organic phosphates and in phosphoryl transfer reactions. The β barrel is composed of eight antiparallel β strands with a cluster of conserved inwardly facing acidic and basic amino acid residues. Mutagenesis of these residues in the catalytic core led to an almost complete loss of enzymatic activity. We established that AtTTM3 is not an adenylate cyclase. Instead, the enzyme displayed weak NTP phosphatase as well as strong tripolyphosphatase activities similar to the triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme proteins from Clostridium thermocellum (CthTTM) and Nitrosomonas europaea (NeuTTM). AtTTM3 is most highly expressed in the proximal meristematic zone of the plant root. Furthermore, an AtTTM3 T‐DNA insertion knockout line displayed a delay in root growth as well as reduced length and number of lateral roots, suggesting a role for AtTTM3 in root development.
N‐linked glycan profiling of GGTA1/CMAH knockout pigs identifies new potential carbohydrate xenoantigens
Authors: Burlak Christopher , Bern Marshall , Brito Alejandro E. , Isailovic Dragan , Wang Zheng‐Yu , Estrada Jose L. , Li Ping , Tector A. Joseph 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe temporary or long‐term xenotransplantation of pig organs into people would save thousands of lives each year if not for the robust human antibody response to pig carbohydrates. Genetically engineered pigs deficient in galactose α1,3 galactose (gene modified: GGTA1) and N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (gene modified: CMAH) have significantly improved cell survival when challenged by human antibody and complement in vitro. There remains, however, a significant portion of human antibody binding.MethodsTo uncover additional xenoantigens, we compared the asparagine‐linked (N‐linked) glycome from serum proteins of humans, domestic pigs, GGTA1 knockout pigs, and GGTA1/CMAH knockout pigs using mass spectrometry. Carbohydrate structures were determined with assistance from GlycoWorkbench, Cartoonist, and SimGlycan software by comparison to existing database entries and collision‐induced dissociation fragmentation data.ResultsMatrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) analysis of reduced and solid‐phase permethylated glycans resulted in the detection of high‐mannose, hybrid, and complex type N‐linked glycans in the 1000–4500 m/z ion range. GGTA1/CMAH knockout pig samples had increased relative amounts of high‐mannose, incomplete, and xylosylated N‐linked glycans. All pig samples had significantly higher amounts of core and possibly antennae fucosylation.ConclusionsWe provide for the first time a comparison of the serum protein glycomes of the human, domestic pig, and genetically modified pigs important to xenotransplantation.
Phylogeny of Aphantochilinae and Strophiinae sensu Simon (Araneae; Thomisidae)
Authors: Teixeira Renato A. , Campos Luiz A. , Lise Arno A. 
Published: September 2013

This study tests the monophyly of ant‐mimicking Thomisidae (Aphantochilinae and Strophiinae sensu Simon), redefines the composition of these taxa, proposes tribes and discusses aspects of their myrmecomorphy and biogeography. The analysis is based on a matrix composed of 113 morphological characters and 37 terminal taxa (11 Aphantochilinae, 16 Strophiinae and 10 belonging to the out‐group). The 12 most parsimonious trees with 232 steps, obtained with equally weighted characters, support the monophyly of Aphantochilinae sensu Simon. Strophiinae emerges as a paraphyletic group divided into two clades: a basal clade that groups Strophius and Strigoplus (Strophiini new status) and another clade that includes Ceraarachne, Simorcus and Ulocymus (Ceraarachnini new status) as the sister group of Aphantochilus + Bucranium (Aphantochilini new status). Diagnoses are presented for the tribes and genera in this analysis. The synonymy between Bucranium and Aphantochilus is rejected. Majellula and Acracanthostoma are considered junior synonyms of Bucranium, and Synstrophius of Ceraarachne. The monophyly of Synstrophius is not recovered, S. blanci is transferred to Ceraarachne and S. muricatus is transferred to Ulocymus. Ant‐preying behaviour appears to be basal and has been documented for Strophiini and Aphantochilini species. Myrmecomorphy, which was documented for Aphantochilus, is presumably derived. The biogeographical analysis of Aphantochilinae and Strophiinae suggests an ancient relation between Neotropical, Afrotropical and Oriental species, with probable origin after the breakup of Gondwana, that is, in early Paleogene.
Forest refugia and riverine barriers promote diversification in the West African pygmy shrew (Crocidura obscurior complex, Soricomorpha)
Authors: Jacquet François , Nicolas Violaine , Colyn Marc , Kadjo Blaise , Hutterer Rainer , Decher Jan , Akpatou Bertin , Cruaud Corinne , Denys Christiane 
Published: September 2013

The Crocidura obscurior or West African pygmy shrew complex is endemic to West African forests from south‐eastern Guinea, eastern Liberia, southern Côte d'Ivoire and south‐western Ghana. We explore the genetic and morphometric diversity of 239 individuals of the C. obscurior complex from 17 localities across its geographical range. Using genetic data from three mitochondrial (16S, cytochrome b and COI) and four nuclear markers (BRCA1, STAT5A, HDAC2 and RIOK3) and skull geometric morphometrics, we show that this complex is composed of two cryptic and sympatric species, C. obscurior and C. eburnea. We then test several hypotheses to infer their evolutionary history. The observed phylogeographical pattern based on cytochrome b and COI sequences fits the forest refuge theory: during arid phases of the Plio‐Pleistocene, around 3.5, 2.1, 1 and 0.5 Mya, a small number of populations survived in isolated forest patches and diverged allopatrically. During wetter climatic periods, forests expanded, leading to secondary contacts between previously isolated populations. Our results also suggest the possible contribution of episodes of isolation in subrefuges. Historical variation of the West African hydrographic network could also have contributed to the observed patterns of genetic differentiation. Rivers such as the Volta and Sassandra may act as past and/or current barriers to gene flow. Although these two species have sympatric distributions, their phylogeographical histories are somewhat dissimilar due to small differences in their dispersal abilities and ecological requirements.
Pediatric radiation dosimetry for positron‐emitting radionuclides using anthropomorphic phantoms
Authors: Xie Tianwu , Bolch Wesley E. , Lee Choonsik , Zaidi Habib 
Published: September 2013

Purpose:Positron emission tomography (PET) plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and surveillance of clinically localized diseases. Combined PET/CT imaging exhibits significantly higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than conventional imaging when it comes to detecting malignant tumors in children. However, the radiation dose from positron‐emitting radionuclide to the pediatric population is a matter of concern since children are at a particularly high risk when exposed to ionizing radiation.Methods:The authors evaluate the absorbed fractions and specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) of monoenergy photons/electrons as well asS‐values of 9 positron‐emitting radionuclides (C‐11, N‐13, O‐15, F‐18, Cu‐64, Ga‐68, Rb‐82, Y‐86, and I‐124) in 48 source regions for 10 anthropomorphic pediatric hybrid models, including the reference newborn, 1‐, 5‐, 10‐, and 15‐yr‐old male and female models, using the Monte Carlo N‐Particle eXtended general purpose Monte Carlo transport code.Results:The self‐absorbed SAFs andS‐values for most organs were inversely related to the age and body weight, whereas the cross‐dose terms presented less correlation with body weight. For most source/target organ pairs, Rb‐82 and Y‐86 produce the highest self‐absorbed and cross‐absorbed S‐values, respectively, while Cu‐64 produces the lowest S‐values because of the low‐energy and high‐frequency of electron emissions. Most of the total self‐absorbed S‐values are contributed from nonpenetrating particles (electrons and positrons), which have a linear relationship with body weight. The dependence of self‐absorbed S‐values of the two annihilation photons varies to the reciprocal of 0.76 power of the mass, whereas the self‐absorbed S‐values of positrons vary according to the reciprocal mass.Conclusions:The producedS‐values for common positron‐emitting radionuclides can be exploited for the assessment of radiation dose delivered to the pediatric population from various PET radiotracers used in clinical and research settings. The mass scaling method for positron‐emitters can be used to derive patient‐specific S‐values from data of reference phantoms.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Pregnant Women in Northeast Iran
Authors: Babaie Jalal , Amiri Samira , Mostafavi Ehsan , Hassan Nayereh , Lotfi Peyman , Esmaeili Rastaghi Ahmad Reza , Golkar Majid 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACT

We report
Toxoplasma
IgG seroprevalence of 34.4% among 419 pregnant women in Mashhad, northeast Iran. Soil contact, living in rural environment, and level of education were associated with infection. The prevalence did not increase with age, suggesting high infection rate during childhood and adolescence.
Anti-Leishmania infantum IgG Antibody Avidity in Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Tiburcio Monique Gomes Salles , Anversa Laís , Kanunfre Kelly Aparecida , Ferreira Antonio Walter , Rodrigues Júnior Virmondes , Silva Luciana de Almeida 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACT

IgG avidity tests are used to discriminate acute from chronic infections. There are few reports on the IgG avidity profile of patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This study investigated the anti-
Leishmania
IgG avidity in patients with classic VL (
n
= 10), patients showing clinical cure after treatment (
n
= 18), and asymptomatic subjects with at least one positive
Leishmania
test (
n
= 20). All subjects were from areas in Brazil where VL is endemic. Serum samples were collected from each subject on two different occasions. IgG avidity was evaluated by Western blotting. The proportion of high-avidity antibodies was higher in all samples from patients with classic VL. In contrast, low-avidity antibodies predominated in subjects with a history of VL, including 13 cases (72.2%) in the first assessment and 14 (77.8%) in the second. Fifteen (75%) of the asymptomatic subjects presented a predominance of low-avidity antibodies in the first assessment, and the frequency of high-avidity antibodies increased over time in seven subjects (35%) of this group. Antibodies against the 14- and/or 16-kDa antigen fraction were detected in the first assessment in all patients with classic VL, in 10 (55.5%) treated patients, and in 10 (50%) asymptomatic subjects. These were high-avidity antibodies in most cases. In the asymptomatic group, an increase in IgG avidity against the 14- and/or 16-kDa antigen fraction was observed in three cases (15%). The results indicate distinct responses in infected and asymptomatic subjects, probably associated with the length of time after infection. In this respect, IgG avidity tests represent a new approach to better characterize asymptomatic VL.