bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategy for Mitigating AC Voltage on Light Rail Systems’ Interactions With Utility AC Power Distribution Systems
Authors: Khalsa Manjit Singh , Sabherwal Krishan 
Published: June 2015

Light rail systems interact with utility AC power distribution systems in many areas where running rails run parallel to the utility AC power transmission and distribution lines. This interaction may produce a 60Hz voltage on the running rail relative to the earth, adjacent to that the running rail. Since the running rails on modern systems are reasonably well isolated, this can result in potentials that can cause significant AC voltage on the rail that can cause instrumentation problems and personnel safety issues working on right-of-way (ROW). This effect is generally seen in areas where electrical distribution lines (power lines) run parallel to the running rail.
This paper will describe methodology used to mitigate the problems by selecting a suitable capacitor filter bank network that provides a highly conductive path for the induced AC voltages between the substation grounding grid and the running rail at the traction power substation location. The filter actually provides lower resistance to AC than the resistance to the ground, thus from an AC standpoint, the running rails are connected to the earth at that location. This drains much of the AC potential between running rail and the earth thus greatly lessening this potential even at significant distance from the substation. The filter network provides no path for DC current so it does not increase stray traction earth currents produced by rail drop voltage from an accelerating train. The adequate measurement and verification (M & V) techniques are adopted to achieve desired results.
The paper describes a cost effective solution comprising of an RC network filter with NEMA 3R rating enclosure, along with monitoring devices for monitoring DC and AC voltages and currents at the negative rail. These devices are installed and tested to mitigate the stray current issues successfully at the Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) traction power substation #31.
Criticality of Railroad Training
Authors: Schlesinger Dave 
Published: June 2015

With the advent of Positive Train Control (PTC), railroads have significantly expanded their communications, signaling, networking and information technology systems. This has required training for existing staff as well as new staff with experience in these areas from industries other than railroading. At the same time, railroads must ensure that maintenance and operations are supported by properly trained employees who execute their responsibilities consistent with regulatory and railroad requirements. Certainly, this is the case for the vast majority of railroad employees; however, in those rare instances when employees deviate from their training, the results can be catastrophic. This has played out recently at Metro North Railroad, which has suffered five accidents over a ten month period, resulting in six fatalities, one hundred and twenty-eight injuries and twenty-eight million dollars in property damage.
The lessons from these tragedies, from the perspective of human behavior, and more specifically, training is discussed. Indeed, these accidents, in part, occurred because the railroad’s training program did not achieve its desired outcome, to mold human behavior; especially while performing safety-critical work. This is consistent with the findings of a recent Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety review of Metro North Railroad, which found ineffective training was at least in part to blame for the aforementioned rash of accidents.
The rigorous training requirements, that are part of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), are detailed. These requirements are intended to ensure that employees are properly prepared to maintain and operate these complex systems and have the added benefit of helping to prepare new employees to take the place of departing, highly experienced individuals. Recognizing the criticality of this training, this paper details training best practices and how they can most effectively be leveraged by railroads. Properly applied, they can reduce accidents, stem the loss of institutional knowledge and properly prepare railroad staff to maintain and operate their new PTC systems.
This paper discusses how comprehensive training programs should be built on a foundation of organizational understanding, created by conducting training needs analysis. This analysis seeks to identify the current state of knowledge of key personnel, and compares it to that needed to properly support new organizational goals, such as to maintain and operate PTC. These organizational goals, coupled with the training needs analysis findings, then drive the enhancement of existing training programs, and, in some cases, the creation of new programs. In order to maximize effectiveness of these programs, it was found that training must be conducted using real-life case studies and in a manner that is engaging and interactive.
Setting System Wide RAM Targets in Passenger Rail Project Early Development Phase
Authors: Muftic Ibrahim , Turner David , Lawrence Steve , Padegimas Paul 
Published: June 2015

New and expanded passenger rail projects must deliver dependable scheduled service with affordable operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) characteristics of equipment, facilities, and rolling stock determine the dependability and O&M costs of a rail system. System designers, builders, and operators can achieve suitable RAM characteristics by applying established engineering concepts, methods, tools, and techniques throughout the system life-cycle. Targeting and achieving system-wide RAM characteristics are necessary to assure the quality of service delivered to the customers and control O&M costs.
A rail project reaps maximum benefits from applying system-wide RAM assurance processes if the RAM activities begin in an early planning phase, whether for a green field or an upgrade project, a single passenger rail system subsystem or a whole new railroad or rail service. Application of RAM assurance processes early on guide design to ensure RAM requirements are met in support of achieving overall service dependability and costs goals. RAM assurance processes are often applied at the railroad subsystem level such as rolling stock, train control, communications, traction power, and even infrastructure and civil works.
Key challenges in the early phases of a project are setting the appropriate system-wide performance indicators and metrics, using on-time performance, O&M cost, and other system-wide indicators; and then apportioning those targets to each railroad subsystem in a suitable metric that is measurable and directly relevant to each subsystem and its provider.
Once the rail system is integrated and in operation, further steps must assure that the system as a whole meets the system-wide RAM targets. This paper describes a model and associated processes that establish the needed parameter sets, analyses, and metrics, and provides a case study based on a new high-speed rail project.
The SpeedCourt: Reliability, Usefulness, and Validity of a New Method to Determine Change-of-Direction Speed
Authors: Düking Peter , Born Dennis-Peter , Sperlich Billy 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:To determine the reliability, usefulness, and validity of 3 different change-of-direction tests on a SpeedCourt (SCCODT) in team-sport players.Methods:For reliability and usefulness, 30 players (16 female and 14 male; age 19 ± 3 y, height 169 ± 30 cm, body mass 70 ± 11 kg) performed 3 SCCODTs differing in duration (7–45 s) on 3 occasions 1 wk apart. The total sprint times (TT) and time to change direction (TCD) were analyzed for each SCCODT. For validity, 14 players performed the Illinois Agility Test (IAT) and 505 test on a separate occasion.Results:TT for all SCCODTs is reliable (ICC > .79, CV < 5%), useful (TE < SWC0.5), and valid (IAT r > .71, P < .05; 505 test r > .54, P < .05). SCCODT variable TCD may be useful (TE = SWC0.5) but shows limited reliability with ICC >.65 and a CV >5%.Conclusions:All SCCODTs are reliable, useful, and valid to detect moderate performance changes regarding TT, with limited reliability for TCD. The quality of assessment improves when players are well familiarized with the SCCODT.
In Vitro
Antimalarial Activity of Different Inhibitors of the Plasmodial Isoprenoid Synthesis Pathway
Authors: da Silva Marcia F. , Saito Alexandre Y. , Peres Valnice J. , Oliveira Antonio C. , Katzin Alejandro M. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have shown that fosmidomycin, risedronate, and nerolidol exert antimalarial activity
in vitro
. We included squalestatin, an inhibitor of the isoprenoid metabolism in
Erwinia uredovora
, and found that combinations of compounds which act on different targets of the plasmodial isoprenoid pathway possess important supra-additivity effects.
Flagellin Is Required for Host Cell Invasion and Normal Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 Expression by Salmonella enterica Serovar Paratyphi A
Authors: Elhadad Dana , Desai Prerak , Rahav Galia , McClelland Michael , Gal-Mor Ohad 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Paratyphi A is a human-specific serovar that, together with
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi and
Salmonella enterica
serovar Sendai, causes enteric fever. Unlike the nontyphoidal
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, the genomes of
S
. Typhi and
S
. Paratyphi A are characterized by inactivation of multiple genes, including in the flagellum-chemotaxis pathway. Here, we explored the motility phenotype of
S
. Paratyphi A and the role of flagellin in key virulence-associated phenotypes. Motility studies established that the human-adapted typhoidal
S
. Typhi,
S
. Paratyphi A, and
S
. Sendai are all noticeably less motile than
S
. Typhimurium, and comparative transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) showed that in
S
. Paratyphi A, the entire motility-chemotaxis regulon is expressed at significantly lowers levels than in
S
. Typhimurium. Nevertheless,
S
. Paratyphi A, like
S
. Typhimurium, requires a functional flagellum for epithelial cell invasion and macrophage uptake, probably in a motility-independent mechanism. In contrast, flagella were found to be dispensable for host cell adhesion. Moreover, we demonstrate that in
S
. Paratyphi A, but not in
S
. Typhimurium, the lack of flagellin results in increased transcription of the flagellar and the
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1) regulons in a FliZ-dependent manner and in oversecretion of SPI-1 effectors via type three secretion system 1. Collectively, these results suggest a novel regulatory linkage between flagellin and SPI-1 in
S
. Paratyphi A that does not occur in
S
. Typhimurium and demonstrate curious distinctions in motility and the expression of the flagellum-chemotaxis regulon between these clinically relevant pathogens.
Distinct Contributions of Neutrophils and CCR2+Monocytes to Pulmonary Clearance of Different Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains
Authors: Xiong Huizhong , Carter Rebecca A. , Leiner Ingrid M. , Tang Yi-Wei , Chen Liang , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Pamer Eric G. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTKlebsiella pneumoniaeis a common respiratory pathogen, with some strains having developed broad resistance to clinically available antibiotics. Humans can become infected with many differentK. pneumoniaestrains that vary in genetic background, antibiotic susceptibility, capsule composition, and mucoid phenotype. Genome comparisons have revealed differences betweenK. pneumoniaestrains, but the impact of genomic variability on immune-mediated clearance of pneumonia remains unclear. Experimental studies of pneumonia in mice have used the rodent-adapted 43816 strain ofK. pneumoniaeand demonstrated that neutrophils are essential for optimal host defense. It remains unclear, however, whether CCR2+monocytes contribute toK. pneumoniaeclearance from the lung. We selectively depleted neutrophils, CCR2+monocytes, or both from immunocompetent mice and determined susceptibility to infection by the 43816 strain and 4 newly isolated clinicalK. pneumoniaestrains. The clinicalK. pneumoniaestrains, including one carbapenem-resistant ST258 strain, are less virulent than 43816. Optimal clearance of each of the 5 strains required either neutrophils or CCR2+monocytes. Selective neutrophil depletion markedly worsened infection withK. pneumoniaestrain 43816 and three clinical isolates but did not increase susceptibility of mice to infection with the carbapenem-resistantK. pneumoniaeST258 strain. Depletion of CCR2+monocytes delayed recovery from infection with each of the 5K. pneumoniaestrains, revealing a contribution of these cells to bacterial clearance from the lung. Our findings demonstrate strain-dependent variation in the contributions of neutrophils and CCR2+monocytes to clearance ofK. pneumoniaepulmonary infection.
A new electrode placement method for obtaining 12-lead ECGs
Authors: Khan Gabriel M 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveWorldwide, more than 50 million ECGs are carried out annually. Studies show that the standard wrist–ankle placement method may produce poor quality ECGs. Factors including limb movement, tremor, anxiety, cold extremities cause artefacts (distortions of the baseline and ECG waveforms). A problem exists. Physicians face a challenge interpreting poor quality ECGs. Diagnostic delays occur. Patients are subjected to recalls; compassion initiated this study. Torso (modified) leads are favoured as they provide rapid acquisition of better quality ECGs, but cause erroneous electrocardiography. Investigators have not attempted to correct these errors. This study analyses the errors and aims to rectify them.MethodsOur pilot and other studies indicated that torso electrodes placed close to the heart cause an increase in R wave amplitude >3 mm in inferior leads that results in disappearance of inferior infarcts; a decrease >3 mm in 1 and aVL may cause false lateral infarcts. We hypothesised that finding electrode placements that do not cause alterations in R wave amplitude should correct these problems. Several electrode placements were assessed to obtain ECGs identical with the standard, but with better quality. A total of 1112 patients received standard and new electrode placement recordings. ECG parameters were assessed. A blinded interpreter assisted.ResultsElectrodes positioned on the mid-arm and lower abdomen revealed ECGs identical with the standard without artefacts or loss of inferior or appearance of lateral infarcts.ConclusionsThis study proved that the new method is faultless and provides better quality ECGs, no recalls and without risk for misinterpretations. Not having to remove leg garments is convenient and allows more rapid acquisition of ECGs. The forearms are freed for, intravenous, radial access, and ECGs needed during procedures. The findings have implications worldwide for patients, clinicians and technicians, and generate the need to study the method in emergency settings.
Combined first-principles and EXAFS study of structural instability in BaZrO3
Authors: Lebedev A. I. , Sluchinskaya I. A. 
Published: June 2015

Phonon spectrum of cubic barium zirconate is calculated from first principles using the density functional theory. Unstable phonon mode with the [Formula: see text] symmetry in the phonon spectrum indicates an instability of the cubic structure with respect to rotations of the oxygen octahedra. It is shown that the ground-state structure of the crystal is [Formula: see text]. In order to find the manifestations of the predicted instability, EXAFS measurements at the Ba [Formula: see text]-edge are used to study the local structure of [Formula: see text] at 300 K. An enhanced value of the Debye–Waller factor for the Ba–O atomic pair ([Formula: see text]) revealed in the experiment is associated with the predicted structural instability. The average amplitude of the thermal rotations estimated from the measured [Formula: see text] value is [Formula: see text] at 300 K. The closeness of the calculated energies of different distorted phases resulting from the condensation of the [Formula: see text] mode suggests a possible formation of a quenched rotational disorder in [Formula: see text] at low temperature, which can explain the discrepancy between the calculations and experiment.
Deep Sequencing Reveals Occurrence of Subclonal ALK Mutations in Neuroblastoma at Diagnosis
Authors: Bellini Angela , Bernard Virginie , Leroy Quentin , Rio Frio Thomas , Pierron Gaelle , Combaret Valérie , Lapouble Eve , Clement Nathalie , Rubie Herve , Thebaud Estelle , Chastagner Pascal , Defachelles Anne Sophie , Bergeron Christophe , Buchbinder Nimrod , Taque Sophie , Auvrignon Anne , Valteau-Couanet Dominique , Michon Jean , Janoueix-Lerosey Isabelle , Delattre Olivier , Schleiermacher Gudrun 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Purpose: In neuroblastoma, activating ALK receptor tyrosine kinase point mutations play a major role in oncogenesis. We explored the potential occurrence of ALK mutations at a subclonal level using targeted deep sequencing.
Experimental Design: In a clinically representative series of 276 diagnostic neuroblastoma samples, exons 23 and 25 of the ALK gene, containing the F1174 and R1275 mutation hotspots, respectively, were resequenced with an extremely high depth of coverage.
Results: At the F1174 hotspot (exon 23), mutations were observed in 15 of 277 samples (range of fraction of mutated allele per sample: 0.562%–40.409%). At the R1275 hotspot (exon 25), ALK mutations were detected in 12 of 276 samples (range of fraction of mutated allele: 0.811%–73.001%). Altogether, subclonal events with a mutated allele fraction below 20% were observed in 15/27 ALK-mutated samples. The presence of an ALK mutation was associated with poorer 5-year overall survival (OS: 75% vs. 57%, P = 0.0212 log-rank test), with a strong correlation between F1174 ALK mutations and MYCN amplification being observed.
Conclusions: In this series, deep sequencing allows the detection of F1174 and R1275 ALK mutational events at diagnosis in 10% of cases, with subclonal events in more than half of these, which would have gone undetected by Sanger sequencing. These findings are of clinical importance given the potential role of ALK mutations in clonal evolution and relapse. These findings also demonstrate the importance of deep sequencing techniques for the identification of patients especially when considering targeted therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(21); 4913–21. ©2015 AACR.
See related commentary by George, p. 4747
СТАН ФЕТОПЛАЦЕНТАРНОГО КОМПЛЕКСУ ТА ПЕРИНАТАЛЬНІ НАСЛІДКИ ПРИ ВАГІТНОСТІ ВНАСЛІДОК ЕКСТРАКОРПОРАЛЬНОГО ЗАПЛІДНЕННЯ
Authors: Пирогова В. І. , Марауі Резкі Бен Салах 
Published: June 2015

Проаналізовано перебіг вагітності і пологів у 114 жінок після ЕКЗ. встановлено, що гестаційний процес у цій категорії вагітних характеризуються у більшості висновків ускладненим перебігом ( загрозою невиношування, пізнім гестозом, патологією гідрамніону, затримкою росту плода). Дослідження гормональної функції плаценти показало, що у вагітних після ЕКЗ при ускладненому перебігу вагітності спостерігається порушення гормональної функції плаценти, починаючи з періоду формування. Вагітні після ЕКЗ внаслідок сукупності чинників, пов’язаних з етіопатогенезом, тривалістю безпліддя і попереднього лікування, віком, методами лікування, високою частотою багатопліддя, оперативним розродженням належать до груп ризику материнської та перинатальної захворюваності. Наслідки лікування ускладнень гестаційного процесу у жінок, після програм ДРТ у більшості випадків визначається ретельністю диспансерного спостереження , своєчасністю госпіталізації, застосуванням адекватних лікувальних і акушерських технологій. Новонародженні від вагітностей внаслідок ЕКЗ вимагають адекватного диспансерного нагляду внаслідок частіших, ніж у загальній популяції, ускладнень неонатального періоду.
Mannitol cannot reduce the mortality on acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients: a meta–analyses and systematic review
Authors: Wang Kai , Sun Mingwei , Jiang Hua , Cao Xiao-ping , Zeng Jun 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Background
We aimed to systematically review the efficacy of mannitol (MTL) on patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods
Databases such as PubMed (US National Library of Medicine), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2014, Issue 3), ISI (Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded), Chinese Biomedicine Database (CBM), and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI) have been searched for relevant studies published between 1 January 2003 and 1 October 2014. We have established inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify RCTs, which were suitable to be enrolled in the systematic review. The comparison group could be hypertonic saline (HS), hydroxyethyl starch, or others. The quality assessment was based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.0.1 and modified Jadad score scale. The major outcome was mortality, followed by the secondary outcomes such as neurological outcome, days on intensive care unit (ICU), and ventilator day. In addition, intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were used as the surrogate endpoints. Data synthesis and meta-analysis was conducted by using R (version 3.7-0.).

Results
When 176 potential relevant literatures and abstracts have been screened, four RCTs met all the inclusion criteria and were enrolled for the meta-analysis. Amongst all the enrolled studies, two trials have provided the primary outcome data. There was no heterogeneity between two studies (I2 = 0 %) and a fixed model was used for meta-analysis (n = 53), pooled result indicated that the mortality was similar in mannitol intervention and control treatment, OR = 0.80, 95 % CI [0.27, 2.37], P = 0.38. We found that both mannitol and HS were efficient in decreasing the ICP. Furthermore, the effect of the HS on the ICP appeared to be more effective in the patients with diffuse brain injuries than mannitol did.

Conclusions
As a conclusion, the mannitol therapy cannot reduce the mortality risk of acute severe traumatic brain injury. Current evidence does not support the mannitol as an effective treatment of acute severe traumatic brain injury. The well-designed randomized controlled trials are in urgent need to demonstrate the adoption of mannitol to acute severe traumatic brain injury.