bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Skull morphology and phylogenetic relationships of a new Middle Triassic plagiosaurid temnospondyl from Germany, and the evolution of plagiosaurid eyes
Authors: Schoch Rainer R. , Milner Andrew R. , Witzmann Florian 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA partial skull from the Lower Keuper (Middle Triassic) of Germany is recognized as belonging to a new genus and species of plagiosaurid temnospondyl. It is readily identified by the following autapomorphies: (1) extremely large orbits medially extended to give very thin interorbital region and cheek; (2) posterior skull table abbreviated, with splint‐like supratemporals, postparietals and parietals; (3) supraorbital lateral line sulcus absent on frontal, with blind ending on parietal, and continued at the anterior margin of the postorbital; (4) occiput sloping posteriorly, with subtympanic fossa exposed in ventral view; (5) cultriform process and basicranial suture extremely narrow; (6) mandibular and maxillary teeth very long with crowns markedly curved inwards. The new taxon shares the following derived character states with Plagiosternum: (1) the pentagonal shape of orbits; (2) the slender interorbital region and cultriform process; (3) the small‐scale, polygonal pit‐and‐ridge ornament on posterior skull table, with single prominent tubercles rising from ridges. Phylogenetic analysis finds plagiosaurids to be monophyletic within a broad range of temnospondyls, nesting within a clade of short‐skulled stereospondyls. Plagio‐suchus is the most basal plagiosaurid, and Plagiosternum forms the sister group to the new taxon. The biological significance of the large orbits of plagiosaurids and their relationships to the eyeballs is discussed. The only type of eyeball that would be feasible for all known plagiosaurids would be a small spherical structure possibly situated near the anterior edge of the orbit. For those plagiosaurs with extremely large shallow orbits like Plagiosternum and Megalophthalma, a possible adaptation would be a lens‐less eye comprising a flat retinal plate across the entire orbit.
Stronger geomagnetic fields may be a risk factor of male suicides
Authors: Nishimura Tsutomu , Tada Harue , Nakatani Eiji , Matsuda Kazuki , Teramukai Satoshi , Fukushima Masanori 
Published: February 2014

AimSome previous studies have shown a positive relation between geomagnetic disturbances and an increased incidence of suicide. If such a relation exists, stronger geomagnetic fields may affect the number of suicides, because stronger geomagnetic fields generally cause larger geomagnetic field disturbances. Therefore, we here investigated the relation between local geomagnetic field magnetic flux density and the standardized morbidity ratios (SMR) for suicide by each prefecture in Japan.MethodsMonthly suicide data for each prefecture in the period January 1999 to December 2008 was obtained, and it was found that a total of 216 171 male individuals and 85 154 female individuals committed suicide during this period. A multiple linear regression analysis was carried out with a backward elimination procedure. The SMR for suicide by each prefecture was taken as the response variable and the explanatory variables were each prefecture's local geomagnetic field magnetic flux density (nT), north latitude (°), monthly mean unemployment rate (%), monthly mean air pressure (hPa), monthly mean air temperature (°C), monthly mean humidity (%), and monthly total day length (hours). Analyses were carried out separately for each sex.ResultsIn the multiple linear regression analysis for male subjects, the local geomagnetic field magnetic flux density (nT), monthly mean unemployment rate (%), and monthly mean humidity (%) were associated with the incidence of suicide, but in the multiple linear regression analysis of female subjects, only north latitude was associated with that.ConclusionIn this study, we generated a hypothesis that stronger geomagnetic fields affect the number of cases of male suicide.
Tyrosine 263 in Cyanobacterial Phytochrome Cph1 Optimizes Photochemistry at the prelumi‐R→lumi‐R Step
Authors: Sineshchekov Vitaly , Mailliet Joel , Psakis Georgios , Feilke Kathleen , Kopycki Jakub , Zeidler Mathias , Essen Lars‐Oliver , Hughes Jon 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report a low‐temperature fluorescence spectroscopy study of the PAS‐GAF‐PHY sensory module of Cph1 phytochrome, its Y263F mutant (both with known 3D structures) as well as Y263H and Y263S to connect their photochemical parameters with intramolecular interactions. None of the holoproteins showed photochemical activity at low temperature, and the activation barriers for the Pr→lumi‐R photoreaction (2.5–3.1 kJ mol−1) and fluorescence quantum yields (0.29–0.42) were similar. The effect of the mutations on Pr→Pfr photoconversion efficiency (ΦPr→Pfr) was observed primarily at the prelumi‐R S0 bifurcation point corresponding to the conical intersection of the energy surfaces at which the molecule relaxes to form lumi‐R or Pr, lowering ΦPr→Pfr from 0.13 in the wild type to 0.05–0.07 in the mutants. We suggest that the Ea activation barrier in the Pr* S1 excited state might correspond to the D‐ring (C19) carbonyl – H290 hydrogen bond or possibly to the hindrance caused by the C131/C171 methyl groups of the C and D rings. The critical role of the tyrosine hydroxyl group can be at the prelumi‐R bifurcation point to optimize the yield of the photoprocess and energy storage in the form of lumi‐R for subsequent rearrangement processes culminating in Pfr formation.
Membrane Damage Efficiency of Phenothiazinium Photosensitizers
Authors: Bacellar Isabel O. L. , Pavani Christiane , Sales Elisa M. , Itri Rosangela , Wainwright Mark , Baptista Mauricio S. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractStructure–activity relationships have been widely reported for porphyrin and phthalocyanine photosensitizers, but not for phenothiazinium derivatives. Here, four phenothiazinium salts (methylene blue, toluidine blue O, 1,9‐dimethyl methylene blue and the pentacyclic derivative DO15) were used to investigate how the ability to damage membranes is affected by membrane/solution partition, photophysical properties and tendency to aggregation of the photosensitizer. These two latter aspects were studied both in isotropic solutions and in membranes. Membrane damage was assessed by leakage of a fluorescent probe entrapped in liposomes and by generation of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive species (TBARS), while structural changes at the lipid bilayer were detected by small‐angle X‐ray scattering. We observed that all compounds had similar singlet‐oxygen quantum yields in ethanol, but only the photosensitizers that had higher membrane/solution partition (1,9‐dimethyl methylene blue and DO15, the latter having the higher value) could permeabilize the lipid bilayer. Moreover, of these two photosensitizers, only DO15 altered membrane structure, a result that was attributed to its destabilization of higher order aggregates, generation of higher amounts of singlet oxygen within the membranes and effective electron‐transfer reaction within its dimers. We concluded that membrane‐based protocols can provide a better insight on the photodynamic efficiency of the photosensitizer.
Non‐pathogenic rhizosphere bacteria belonging to the genera Rhizorhapis and Sphingobium provide specific control of lettuce corky root disease caused by species of the same bacterial genera
Authors: van Bruggen A. H. C. , Francis I. M. , Jochimsen K. N. 
Published: February 2014

Lettuce corky root (CR) is caused by bacteria in the genera Rhizorhapis, Sphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Rhizorhabdus of the family Sphingomonadaceae. Members of this family are common rhizosphere bacteria, some pathogenic to lettuce. Sixty‐eight non‐pathogenic isolates of bacteria obtained from lettuce roots were tested for control of CR caused by Rhizorhapis suberifaciens CA1T and FL1, and Sphingobium mellinum WI4T. In two initial screenings, 10 isolates significantly reduced CR induced by one or more pathogenic strains on lettuce seedlings in vermiculite, while seven non‐pathogenic isolates provided significant CR control in natural or sterilized field soil. Rhizorhapis suberifaciens FL11 was effective at controlling all pathogenic strains, but most effective against R. suberifaciens CA1T. The other selected isolates controlled only pathogenic strains belonging to their own genus. In a greenhouse experiment, a soil drench with selected biocontrol agents (R. suberifaciens FL11, Sphingomonas sp. NY3 and S. mellinum CA16) controlled CR better than seed treatments or application of alginate pellets. In microplots infested with R. suberifaciens CA1T, seed treatment with R. suberifaciens FL11 provided complete control and a soil drench with FL11 significantly reduced the disease. Pathogenicity tests with FL11 on 23 plant species in 10 families resulted in slight yellowing on roots of lettuce and close relatives; similar yellowing appeared on some roots of non‐inoculated lettuce plants. This research showed that biocontrol agents can be genus‐specific. Only one isolate, FL11, provided more general control of various pathogenic strains causing CR even in field soil in pots and microplots.
Dental attendance among older adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland
Authors: Phadraig C Mac Giolla , Burke Eilish , McCallion Philip , McGlinchey Eimear , Nunn June , McCarron Mary 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTPurposeTo investigate dental attendance patterns and reasons for nonattendance among older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Ireland.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of quantitative data and text analysis of qualitative data drawn from a nationally representative sample of 753 people with ID over 40 years of age in Ireland. Participants were considered as regular or irregular dental attenders for analysis of quantitative data. Text analysis grouped open‐ended responses for analysis.ResultThere were slightly more females. Mean age was 54.1 years (SD = 8.8). Almost half had moderate ID. A majority (86.5%) of respondents attended dental services within the last 2 years. Age and type of residence were associated with frequency of attendance (p < .01), as were dentate status and reported oral problems (p < .001). Text analysis revealed a lack of perceived need as a reason for not attending regularly.ConclusionOlder people with ID in Ireland report a very high level of regular dental attendance. Irregular attenders did not attend because they saw no need. There is a need to further study the importance of regular dental attendance for this population.
Spatial prediction of the exchangeable sodium percentage at multiple depths using electromagnetic inversion modelling
Authors: Huang J. , Davies G. B. , Bowd D. , Monteiro Santos F. A. , Triantafilis J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAgriculture in the semi‐arid and arid areas of the world requires irrigation. However, in these areas, soils naturally contain large amounts of sodium (sodic) which can cause amongst other things, surface crusting on the topsoil or structural instability in the subsoil. The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) needs to be mapped to guide the application of gypsum. Whilst geostatistical techniques, such as ordinary, co‐ and 3‐D kriging have been used, they have often been criticized because they are unable to take into account soil knowledge concerning distribution, processes and factors of formation. The use of digital soil mapping methods which couple remote or proximally sensed data with soil information is increasingly becoming useful because of the production of high‐resolution ancillary data. In this study, we first invert (using EM4Soil software) the electrical conductivity (σa –mS/m) of DUALEM‐421 data collected along a single transect. In doing this, we generate a 2‐dimensional electromagnetic conductivity image (EMCI). We couple the estimates of electrical conductivity (σ – mS/m) at 0.30 m depth increments down to 1.5 m with measured soil ESP. We compare the results of inversion using various possible coil array configurations of the DUALEM‐421 to determine a suitable set of data. We conclude that the use of the DUALEM‐41 is optimal (r2 = 0.70). We use the calibration to estimate ESP along adjacent transects where we also generate EMCI. We are thus able to estimate ESP at various depths across a clay plain and an associated prior stream channel. We conclude that the collection of additional transects of DUALEM‐421 data as well as the use of a quasi‐3‐D inversion modelling approach would improve prediction.
Noisy Data Smoothing in DEM Construction Using Least Squares Support Vector Machines
Authors: Chen Chuanfa , Li Yanyan , Dai Honglei , Cao Xuewei 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSince spatial datasets are subject to sampling errors, a smoothing interpolation method should be employed to remove noise during DEM construction. Although least squares support vector machines (LSSVM) have been widely accepted as a classifier, their effect on smoothing noisy data is almost unknown. In this article, the smoothness of LSSVM was explored, and its effect on smoothing noisy data in DEM construction was tested. In order to improve the ability to deal with large datasets, a local method of LSSVM has been developed, where only the neighboring sampling points around the one to be estimated are used for computation. A numerical test indicated that LSSVM is more accurate than the classical smoothing methods including TPS and kriging, and its error surfaces are more evenly distributed. The real‐world example of smoothing noise inherent in lidar‐derived DEMs also showed that LSSVM has a positive smoothing effect, which is approximately as accurate as TPS. In short, LSSVM with a high efficiency can be considered as an alternative smoothing method for smoothing noisy data in DEM construction.
High electron mobility in InSb epilayers and quantum wells grown with AlSb nucleation on Ge-on-insulator substrates
Authors: Debnath Mukul C. , Mishima Tetsuya D. , Santos Michael B. , Phinney Lucas C. , Golding Terry D. , Hossain Khalid 
Published: February 2014

InSb epilayers and InSb/Al0.20In0.80Sb quantum wells (QWs) were grown on 4°-off-axis Ge-on-insulator (GeOI) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. An initial AlSb nucleation was found to be important for achieving good crystalline quality. For a 4.0-μm-thick InSb epilayer and 25-nm-thick InSb QW, the room-temperature (RT) electron mobility was increased by 25% and 60% [58 000 cm2/(V-s) for the epilayer and 24 000 cm2/(V-s) for the QW], respectively, by using an off-axis GeOI substrate instead of an on-axis GeOI (001) substrate. This significant improvement may be attributed to the reduction of antiphase domains, microtwins, and threading dislocations. A modified QW structure on a 4°-off-axis GeOI substrate showed a further 25% improvement in RT electron mobility with a value 32 000 cm2/(V-s). This is the highest RT electron mobility in an InSb QW grown on a Ge-based substrate to date.
Acetic Acid, the Active Component of Vinegar, Is an Effective Tuberculocidal Disinfectant
Authors: Cortesia Claudia , Vilchèze Catherine , Bernut Audrey , Contreras Whendy , Gómez Keyla , de Waard Jacobus , Jacobs William R. , Kremer Laurent , Takiff Howard 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Effective and economical mycobactericidal disinfectants are needed to kill both
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and non-
M. tuberculosis
mycobacteria. We found that acetic acid (vinegar) efficiently kills
M. tuberculosis
after 30 min of exposure to a 6% acetic acid solution. The activity is not due to pH alone, and propionic acid also appears to be bactericidal.
M. bolletii
and
M. massiliense
nontuberculous mycobacteria were more resistant, although a 30-min exposure to 10% acetic acid resulted in at least a 6-log
10
reduction of viable bacteria. Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria. These findings are consistent with and extend the results of studies performed in the early and mid-20th century on the disinfectant capacity of organic acids.

IMPORTANCE
Mycobacteria are best known for causing tuberculosis and leprosy, but infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria are an increasing problem after surgical or cosmetic procedures or in the lungs of cystic fibrosis and immunosuppressed patients. Killing mycobacteria is important because
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains can be multidrug resistant and therefore potentially fatal biohazards, and environmental mycobacteria must be thoroughly eliminated from surgical implements and respiratory equipment. Currently used mycobactericidal disinfectants can be toxic, unstable, and expensive. We fortuitously found that acetic acid kills mycobacteria and then showed that it is an effective mycobactericidal agent, even against the very resistant, clinically important
Mycobacterium abscessus
complex. Vinegar has been used for thousands of years as a common disinfectant, and if it can kill mycobacteria, the most disinfectant-resistant bacteria, it may prove to be a broadly effective, economical biocide with potential usefulness in health care settings and laboratories, especially in resource-poor countries.
Generation of Unique Poliovirus RNA Replication Organelles
Authors: Richards Alexsia L. , Soares-Martins Jamária A. P. , Riddell Geoffrey T. , Jackson William T. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
Poliovirus (PV), a model for interactions of picornaviruses with host cells, replicates its genomic RNA in association with cellular membranes. The origin of PV replication membranes has not been determined. Hypotheses about the origin of replication membranes, based largely on localization of viral proteins, include modification of coat protein complex I (COPI) and/or COPII secretory pathway vesicles and subversion of autophagic membranes. Here, we use an antibody against double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to identify replication complexes by detection of dsRNA replication intermediates. dsRNA signal is dependent on virus genome replication and colocalizes with the viral integral membrane protein 3A, which is part of the RNA replication complex. We show that early in infection, dsRNA does not colocalize with a marker for autophagic vesicles, making it unlikely that autophagosomes contribute to the generation of PV RNA replication membranes. We also find that dsRNA does not colocalize with a marker of the COPII coat, Sec31, and, in fact, we demonstrate proteasome-dependent loss of full-length Sec31 during PV infection. These data indicate that COPII vesicles are an unlikely source of PV replication membranes. We show that the Golgi resident G-protein Arf1 and its associated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), GBF1, transiently colocalize with dsRNA early in infection. In uninfected cells, Arf1 nucleates COPI coat formation, although during infection the COPI coat itself does not colocalize with dsRNA. Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, which is associated with enterovirus-induced vesicles, tightly colocalizes with Arf1/GBF1 throughout infection. Our data point to a noncanonical role for some of the COPI-generating machinery in producing unique replication surfaces for PV RNA replication.

IMPORTANCE
Picornaviruses are a diverse and major cause of human disease, and their genomes replicate in association with intracellular membranes. There are multiple hypotheses to explain the nature and origin of these membranes, and a complete understanding of the host requirements for membrane rearrangement would provide novel drug targets essential for viral genome replication. Here, we study the model picornavirus, poliovirus, and show that some, but not all, components of the cellular machinery required for retrograde traffic from the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum are transiently present at the sites of viral RNA replication. We also show that the full-length Sec31 protein, which has been suggested to be present on PV RNA replication membranes, is lost during infection in a proteasome-dependent manner. This study helps to reconcile multiple hypotheses about the origin of poliovirus replication membranes and points to known host cell protein complexes that would make likely drug targets to inhibit picornavirus infections.
Honey Bee-Infecting Plant Virus with Implications on Honey Bee Colony Health
Authors: Flenniken Michelle L. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Honey bees are eusocial insects that are commercially managed to provide pollination services for agricultural crops. Recent increased losses of honey bee colonies (averaging 32% annually since 2006) are associated with the incidence and abundance of pathogens. In their study in
mBio
, J. L. Li et al. [mBio 5(1):e00898-13, 2014, doi:10.1128/mBio.00898-13] share their discovery that a plant virus, tobacco ring spot virus (TRSV), replicates in honey bees and that the prevalence of this virus was high in weak colonies. Their findings increase our understanding of the role of viruses in honey bee colony losses and underscore the importance of surveying for new and/or emerging viruses in honey bees. Furthermore, their findings will pique the interest of virologists and biologists across all disciplines. The discovery that a plant virus (TRSV) replicates, spreads, and negatively affects the health of an insect host will lead to additional studies on the mechanisms of host-specific adaptation and the role of cross-kingdom infections in the transmission of this virus.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in Dromedary Camels in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alagaili Abdulaziz N. , Briese Thomas , Mishra Nischay , Kapoor Vishal , Sameroff Stephen C. , de Wit Emmie , Munster Vincent J. , Hensley Lisa E. , Zalmout Iyad S. , Kapoor Amit , Epstein Jonathan H. , Karesh William B. , Daszak Peter , Mohammed Osama B. , Lipkin W. Ian 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is proposed to be a zoonotic disease; however, the reservoir and mechanism for transmission of the causative agent, the MERS coronavirus, are unknown. Dromedary camels have been implicated through reports that some victims have been exposed to camels, camels in areas where the disease has emerged have antibodies to the virus, and viral sequences have been recovered from camels in association with outbreaks of the disease among humans. Nonetheless, whether camels mediate transmission to humans is unresolved. Here we provide evidence from a geographic and temporal survey of camels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that MERS coronaviruses have been circulating in camels since at least 1992, are distributed countrywide, and can be phylogenetically classified into clades that correlate with outbreaks of the disease among humans. We found no evidence of infection in domestic sheep or domestic goats.

IMPORTANCE
This study was undertaken to determine the historical and current prevalence of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus infection in dromedary camels and other livestock in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the index case and the majority of cases of MERS have been reported.