bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of a NAC transcription factor delays leaf senescence and increases grain nitrogen concentration in wheat
Authors: Zhao D. , Derkx A. P. , Liu D.‐C. , Buchner P. , Hawkesford M. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIncreasing the duration of leaf photosynthesis during grain filling using slow‐senescing functional stay‐green phenotypes is a possible route for increasing grain yields in wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). However, delayed senescence may negatively affect nutrient remobilisation and hence reduce grain protein concentrations and grain quality. A novelNAC1‐type transcription factor (hereafter TaNAC‐S) was identified in wheat, with gene expression located primarily in leaf/sheath tissues, which decreased during post‐anthesis leaf senescence. Expression of TaNAC‐S in the second leaf correlated with delayed senescence in two doubled‐haploid lines of an Avalon × Cadenza population (lines 112 and 181), which were distinct for leaf senescence. Transgenic wheat plants overexpressing TaNAC‐S resulted in delayed leaf senescence (stay‐green phenotype). Grain yield, aboveground biomass, harvest index and total grain N content were unaffected, butNACover‐expressing lines had higher grain N concentrations at similar grain yields compared to non‐transgenic controls. These results indicate that TaNAC‐S is a negative regulator of leaf senescence, and that delayed leaf senescence may lead not only to increased grain yields but also to increased grain protein concentrations.
Two Methods of Vitrification Followed by In Vitro Culture of the Ovine Ovary: Evaluation of the Follicular Development and Ovarian Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Bandeira FT , Carvalho AA , Castro SV , Lima LF , Viana DA , Evangelista JSAM , Pereira MJS , Campello CC , Figueiredo JR , Rodrigues APR 
Published: December 2014

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two vitrification techniques on the extra cellular matrix (ECM) and ovarian follicular development. The ovarian cortex was fragmented (9 mm3) and divided into six groups, viz. fresh control, cultured control, vitrified by the Ovarian Tissue Cryosystem (OTC) method, conventional solid surface vitrification (SSV) method, OTC/cultured and SSV/cultured. Follicles from all the fragments were analysed for morphology, development and viability. The ECM was evaluated based on the condition of collagen and reticular fibres and the immunolocalization of type I collagen and fibronectin. After 7 days of culture, the tissue vitrified by OTC revealed a higher percentage (p < 0.05) of morphologically normal (30.66%) and viable (60.00%) follicles when compared with those vitrified using the SSV technique (21.33% and 23.00%). In all the fragments cultured, regardless of the vitrification method, a significantly higher percentage of developing follicles was observed when compared with the non‐cultured tissue. Analysis of the type I collagen showed increased immunostaining after the in vitro culture in the vitrified fragments. In conclusion, the OTC is better for preserving the follicular viability and morphology and maintaining the integrity of the extracellular matrix components of the ovine ovary.
Mineralogy of Early Cambrian Ni‐Mo Polymetallic Black Shale at the Sancha Deposit, South China: Implications for Ore Genesis
Authors: Han Shanchu , Hu Kai , Cao Jian , Pan Jiayong , Liu Yin , Bian Lizeng , Shi Chunhua 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe mineralogy of the Early Cambrian Ni–Mo polymetallic black shale ores at the Sancha deposit, South China, was investigated to better the understanding of the complex ore genesis by optical microscope, electron microprobe, and scanning electron microscope. Analytical results show that the sulfides in the ore bed mainly comprise C/MoS2 mixed‐layer phase (MoSC), millerite, and pyrite. Of these, MoSC and millerite are the main ore minerals of Mo and Ni, respectively. Pyrite is subdivided into six types based on its morphology, occurrence, relationship to Ni‐ and Mo‐bearing minerals, and chemical composition. Many millerite crystals cut early‐formed MoSC, implying that these two minerals formed at different stages. The concentrations of biogenic elements (e.g., Sb) in the MoSC are high compared with those in millerite, implying a close relationship between MoSC and organic matter. These data provide a new and improved understanding of the complex ore genesis at the Sancha deposit, and can be applied to other black‐shale‐hosted mineral deposits worldwide.
A Study on the Mineralization of the Woxi Au–Sb–W Deposit, Western Hunan, China
Authors: Liang Yi , Wang Guogang , Liu Shengyou , Sun Yuzhen , Huang Yonggang , Hoshino Kenichi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe Woxi Au–Sb–W deposit in the western Hunan Province, China, is of hydrothermal vein type characterized by a rare mineral assemblage of stibnite, scheelite and native gold, of which gold fineness ranges from 998.6 to 1000. The mineralization sequence observed in the deposit is, from early to late, coarse‐grained pyrite – scheelite – stibnite – Pb–Sb–S minerals – sphalerite (+ cubanite) – fine‐grained pyrite. Native gold may have precipitated with scheelte. Microthermometric and LA–ICP–MS analyses of fluid inclusions in scheelite, quartz associated with scheelite and stibnite and barren quartz clarified that there may be at least three types of hydrothermal fluids during the vein formation in the Woxi deposit. Scheelite and native gold precipitated from the fluid of high temperature and salinity with high concentrations of metal elements, followed by stibnite precipitation. The later fluid of the highest temperature and salinity with low concentrations of the elements yielded the sphalerite mineralization. The latest fluid of low temperature and salinity with low concentrations of the elements is observed mainly in barren quartz. The remarkably high Au/Ag concentration ratios determined in the fluid inclusions in scheelite might be the reason for the extremely high gold fineness of native gold.
Study of Carbon‐Bearing Particles in Ascending Geogas Flows in theDongshengmiao Polymetallic Pyrite Deposit, InnerMongolia,China
Authors: Hu Guai , Cao Jianjin , Hopke Philip K. , Holub Robert Frantisek 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSamples of ascending geogas flow particles were collected on toSiNgrids directly in theQuaternary sediments overlying theDongshengmiao polymetallic pyrite deposit, China. Corresponding soil samples were collected in the surface ofDongshengmiao district at the same time. After pretreatment, theseSiNgrid samples were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The tests focused on the characteristics of particles including size, shape, chemical composition, structure and association. The results show that there are numerous carbon‐bearing particles in particulate samples of the ascending geogas flow. The particles contain organic matter, carbonate or carbonate mixed with other minerals. These carbon‐bearing particles generally contain metallic elements likeFe/Zn/Au/Cu/Pb. However, all of the soil particles do not contain elementalCand only consist of common elements (O,Na,Mg,Al,Si,Ca,Ti) just like the composition of earth crust. Through a comparison between the particles from different sources, the carbon‐bearing particles were found to come only from the deep earth and carried useful information about concealed deposits as they pass through the deep‐seated orebodies. Given the influences of organic matter on mineralization, the carbon‐bearing particle may provide information on the deposit genesis. Combining the use of geogas particle for prospecting with characteristics of large depth, and the carbon‐bearing materials' close spatial and genetic relationship with orebodies, we propose a new prospecting method based on the characteristics of carbon‐bearing particles, including morphology, size, chemical component and ultra‐microstructure. This approach could be applied to the exploration of deposits deep in the earth and abundant in carbon‐bearing matter. This approach can provide efficient and effective deposit exploration.
A Tilting Approach to Ranking Influence
Authors: Genton Marc G. , Hall Peter 
Published: December 2014

SummaryWe suggest a new approach, which is applicable for general statistics computed from random samples of univariate or vector-valued or functional data, to assessing the influence that individual data have on the value of a statistic, and to ranking the data in terms of that influence. Our method is based on, first, perturbing the value of the statistic by ‘tilting’, or reweighting, each data value, where the total amount of tilt is constrained to be the least possible, subject to achieving a given small perturbation of the statistic, and, then, taking the ranking of the influence of data values to be that which corresponds to ranking the changes in data weights. It is shown, both theoretically and numerically, that this ranking does not depend on the size of the perturbation, provided that the perturbation is sufficiently small. That simple result leads directly to an elegant geometric interpretation of the ranks; they are the ranks of the lengths of projections of the weights onto a ‘line’ determined by the first empirical principal component function in a generalized measure of covariance. To illustrate the generality of the method we introduce and explore it in the case of functional data, where (for example) it leads to generalized boxplots. The method has the advantage of providing an interpretable ranking that depends on the statistic under consideration. For example, the ranking of data, in terms of their influence on the value of a statistic, is different for a measure of location and for a measure of scale. This is as it should be; a ranking of data in terms of their influence should depend on the manner in which the data are used. Additionally, the ranking recognizes, rather than ignores, sign, and in particular can identify left- and right-hand ‘tails’ of the distribution of a random function or vector.
Estimation of Extreme Quantiles for Functions of Dependent Random Variables
Authors: Gong Jinguo , Li Yadong , Peng Liang , Yao Qiwei 
Published: December 2014

Summary
We propose a new method for estimating the extreme quantiles for a function of several dependent random variables. In contrast with the conventional approach based on extreme value theory, we do not impose the condition that the tail of the underlying distribution admits an approximate parametric form, and, furthermore, our estimation makes use of the full observed data. The method proposed is semiparametric as no parametric forms are assumed on the marginal distributions. But we select appropriate bivariate copulas to model the joint dependence structure by taking advantage of the recent development in constructing large dimensional vine copulas. Consequently a sample quantile resulting from a large bootstrap sample drawn from the fitted joint distribution is taken as the estimator for the extreme quantile. This estimator is proved to be consistent under the regularity conditions on the closeness between a quantile set and its truncated set, and the empirical approximation for the truncated set. The simulation results lend further support to the reliable and robust performance of the method proposed. The method is further illustrated by a real world example in backtesting financial risk models.
Optimal Designs for the Prediction of Individual Parameters in Hierarchical Models
Authors: Prus Maryna , Schwabe Rainer 
Published: December 2014

Summary
Characterizations of optimal designs are derived for the prediction of individual response curves within the framework of hierarchical linear mixed models. It is shown that the so-obtained optimal designs may differ substantially from those propagated in the literature so far and that the latter may become useless in terms of their performance.
Novel tools for stepping source brachytherapy treatment planning: Enhanced geometrical optimization and interactive inverse planning
Authors: Dinkla Anna M. , van der Laarse Rob , Koedooder Kees , Petra Kok H. , van Wieringen Niek , Pieters Bradley R. , Bel Arjan 
Published: December 2014

Purpose:Dose optimization for stepping source brachytherapy can nowadays be performed using automated inverse algorithms. Although much quicker than graphical optimization, an experienced treatment planner is required for both methods. With automated inverse algorithms, the procedure to achieve the desired dose distribution is often based on trial‐and‐error.Methods:A new approach for stepping source prostate brachytherapy treatment planning was developed as a quick and user‐friendly alternative. This approach consists of the combined use of two novel tools: Enhanced geometrical optimization (EGO) and interactive inverse planning (IIP). EGO is an extended version of the common geometrical optimization method and is applied to create a dose distribution as homogeneous as possible. With the second tool, IIP, this dose distribution is tailored to a specific patient anatomy by interactively changing the highest and lowest dose on the contours.Results:The combined use of EGO–IIP was evaluated on 24 prostate cancer patients, by having an inexperienced user create treatment plans, compliant to clinical dose objectives. This user was able to create dose plans of 24 patients in an average time of 4.4 min/patient. An experienced treatment planner without extensive training in EGO–IIP also created 24 plans. The resulting dose‐volume histogram parameters were comparable to the clinical plans and showed high conformance to clinical standards.Conclusions:Even for an inexperienced user, treatment planning with EGO–IIP for stepping source prostate brachytherapy is feasible as an alternative to current optimization algorithms, offering speed, simplicity for the user, and local control of the dose levels.
The first clinical treatment with kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring (KIM): A real‐time image guidance method
Authors: Keall Paul J. , Aun Ng Jin , O'Brien Ricky , Colvill Emma , Huang Chen‐Yu , Rugaard Poulsen Per , Fledelius Walther , Juneja Prabhjot , Simpson Emma , Bell Linda , Alfieri Florencia , Eade Thomas , Kneebone Andrew , Booth Jeremy T. 
Published: December 2014

Purpose:Kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring (KIM) is a real‐time image guidance method that uses widely available radiotherapy technology, i.e., a gantry‐mounted x‐ray imager. The authors report on the geometric and dosimetric results of the first patient treatment using KIM which occurred on September 16, 2014.Methods:KIM uses current and prior 2D x‐ray images to estimate the 3D target position during cancer radiotherapy treatment delivery. KIM software was written to process kilovoltage (kV) images streamed from a standard C‐arm linear accelerator with a gantry‐mounted kV x‐ray imaging system. A 120° pretreatment kV imaging arc was acquired to build the patient‐specific 2D to 3D motion correlation. The kV imager was activated during the megavoltage (MV) treatment, a dual arc VMAT prostate treatment, to estimate the 3D prostate position in real‐time. All necessary ethics, legal, and regulatory requirements were met for this clinical study. The quality assurance processes were completed and peer reviewed.Results:During treatment, a prostate position offset of nearly 3 mm in the posterior direction was observed with KIM. This position offset did not trigger a gating event. After the treatment, the prostate motion was independently measured using kV/MV triangulation, resulting in a mean difference of less than 0.6 mm and standard deviation of less than 0.6 mm in each direction. The accuracy of the marker segmentation was visually assessed during and after treatment and found to be performing well. During treatment, there were no interruptions due to performance of the KIM software.Conclusions:For the first time, KIM has been used for real‐time image guidance during cancer radiotherapy. The measured accuracy and precision were both submillimeter for the first treatment fraction. This clinical translational research milestone paves the way for the broad implementation of real‐time image guidance to facilitate the detection and correction of geometric and dosimetric errors, and resultant improved clinical outcomes, in cancer radiotherapy.
Immunization with Brucella VirB Proteins Reduces Organ Colonization in Mice through a Th1-Type Immune Response and Elicits a Similar Immune Response in Dogs
Authors: Pollak Cora N. , Wanke María Magdalena , Estein Silvia M. , Delpino M. Victoria , Monachesi Norma E. , Comercio Elida A. , Fossati Carlos A. , Baldi Pablo C. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTVirB proteins fromBrucellaspp. constitute the type IV secretion system, a key virulence factor mediating the intracellular survival of these bacteria. Here, we assessed whether a Th1-type immune response against VirB proteins may protect mice fromBrucellainfection and whether this response can be induced in the dog, a natural host forBrucella. Splenocytes from mice immunized with VirB7 or VirB9 responded to their respective antigens with significant and specific production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), whereas interleukin-4 (IL-4) was not detected. Thirty days after an intraperitoneal challenge with liveBrucella abortus, the spleen load of bacteria was almost 1 log lower in mice immunized with VirB proteins than in unvaccinated animals. As colonization reduction seemed to correlate with a Th1-type immune response against VirB proteins, we decided to assess whether such a response could be elicited in the dog. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from dogs immunized with VirB proteins (three subcutaneous doses in QuilA adjuvant) produced significantly higher levels of IFN-γ than cells from control animals uponin vitrostimulation with VirB proteins. A skin test to assess specific delayed-type hypersensitivity was positive in 4 out of 5 dogs immunized with either VirB7 or VirB9. As both proteins are predicted to locate in the outer membrane ofBrucellaorganisms, the ability of anti-VirB antibodies to mediate complement-dependent bacteriolysis ofB. caniswas assessedin vitro. Sera from dogs immunized with either VirB7 or VirB9, but not from those receiving phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), produced significant bacteriolysis. These results suggest that VirB-specific responses that reduce organ colonization byBrucellain mice can be also elicited in dogs.
Tuberculosis Vaccine Types and Timings
Authors: Orme Ian M. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTTraditionally, the design of new vaccines directed againstMycobacterium tuberculosis, the most successful bacterial pathogen on the planet, has focused on prophylactic candidates that would be given to individuals while they are still young. It is becoming more apparent, however, that there are several types of vaccine candidates now under development that could be used under various conditions. Thus, in addition to prophylactic vaccines, such as recombinantMycobacterium bovisBCG or BCG-boosting vaccines, other applications include vaccines that could prevent infection, vaccines that could be given in emergency situations as postexposure vaccines, vaccines that could be used to facilitate chemotherapy, and vaccines that could be used to reduce or prevent relapse and reactivation disease. These approaches are discussed here, including the type of immunity we are trying to specifically target, as well as the limitations of these approaches.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Novel Black-Pigmented
Planococcus
sp. Strain CAU13
Authors: Unverferth Cameron A. , Santisteban Ian C. , Setterdahl Aaron T. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Presented here is the whole-genome sequence of a previously uncharacterized species of the genus
Planococcus
. A 16S sequence analysis shows that this bacterium exhibits 98% sequence identity to the closest relative of
Planococcus kocurii
. Whereas most species of
Planococcus
produce yellow to orange pigments, the species described here produces black pigmentation.
A Newly Sequenced Alcaligenes faecalis Strain: Implications for Novel Temporal Symbiotic Relationships
Authors: Hernández-Mendoza Armando , Lozano-Aguirre Beltrán Luis Fernando , Martínez-Ocampo Fernando , Quiroz-Castañeda Rosa Estela , Dantán-González Edgar 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Alcaligenes faecalis
strain MOR02, a bacterium that is able to colonize nematodes in a temporary fashion and kill insects for their own benefit. The availability of the genome should enable us to explain these phenotypes.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Common Midwife Toad Virus-Like Ranavirus Associated with Mass Mortalities in Wild Amphibians in the Netherlands
Authors: van Beurden Steven J. , Hughes Joseph , Saucedo Bernardo , Rijks Jolianne , Kik Marja , Haenen Olga L. M. , Engelsma Marc Y. , Gröne Andrea , Verheije M. Helene , Wilkie Gavin 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

A ranavirus associated with mass mortalities in wild water frogs (
Pelophylax
spp.) and other amphibians in the Netherlands since 2010 was isolated, and its complete genome sequence was determined. The virus has a genome of 107,772 bp and shows 96.5% sequence identity with the common midwife toad virus from Spain.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Borrelia garinii Strain 935T Isolated from
Ixodes persulcatus
in South Korea
Authors: Noh Yoontae , Kim Su Yeon , Lee Yeong Seon , Kim Dae-Won , Kwon Taesoo , Hwang Kyu-Jam 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

We report here the genome sequence of
Borrelia garinii
strain 935T isolated from
Ixodes persulcatus
in South Korea. The 1,176,739 bp (G+C content, 27.73%) genome consists of 1,194 coding regions, 4 rRNA genes, and 33 aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes. This is the first whole-genome report of a Korean
Borrelia
species isolate.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate with Chromosomally Encoded Carbapenem Resistance and Colibactin Synthesis Loci
Authors: Conlan Sean , Deming Clayton , Tsai Yu-Chih , Lau Anna F. , Dekker John P. , Korlach Jonas , Segre Julia A. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is an important nosocomial pathogen, and multidrug-resistant strains have become a worldwide concern. Here, we report the complete genome of a
K. pneumoniae
isolate with chromosomally integrated
bla
KPC
genes and a colibactin synthesis locus.
Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium butyricum Strain NOR 33234, Isolated from an Elderly Patient with Diarrhea
Authors: Kwok Jamie S. L. , Ip Margaret , Chan Ting-Fung , Lam Wai-Yip , Tsui Stephen K. W. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Clostridium butyricum
is one of the species frequently present in patients' stool samples. However, the identification of this species is sometimes difficult. Here, we present the draft genome of
Clostridium butyricum
NOR 33234, which was isolated from a patient with suspected
Clostridium difficile
infection-associated diarrhea and resembles
Clostridium clostridioforme
in biochemical tests.
Whole-Genome Analysis of Aeromonas hydrophila Strain 187, Exhibiting Quorum-Sensing Activity
Authors: Chan Xin-Yue , Chua Kek Heng , Yin Wai-Fong , Puthucheary S. D. , Chan Kok-Gan 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Aeromonas hydrophila
is a quorum-sensing (QS) bacterium that causes diarrhea in humans upon infection. Here, we report the genome of pathogenic
Aeromonas hydrophila
strain 187, which possesses a QS gene responsible for signaling molecule
N
-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) synthesis and has been found to be located at contig 36.
Infection with Mycobacterium microti in Animals in France
Authors: Michelet Lorraine , de Cruz Krystel , Zanella Gina , Aaziz Rachid , Bulach Tabatha , Karoui Claudine , Hénault Sylvie , Joncour Guy , Boschiroli Maria Laura 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

We describe here 35 animal cases of tuberculosis due to
Mycobacterium microti
in France (2002–2014). Recently, molecular tools that overcome the difficulty of confirming infection by this potentially zoonotic agent have revealed an increasing number of cases, suggesting that its prevalence may have been underestimated.