bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Particle–Fluid–Structure Interaction for Debris Flow Impact on Flexible Barriers
Authors: Leonardi Alessandro , Wittel Falk K. , Mendoza Miller , Vetter Roman , Herrmann Hans J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractFlexible barriers are increasingly used for the protection from debris flow in mountainous terrain due to their low cost and environmental impact. However, the development of a numerical tool for the rational design of such structures is still a challenge. In this work, a hybrid computational framework is presented, using a total Lagrangian formulation of the finite element method to represent a flexible barrier. The actions exerted on the structure by a debris flow are obtained from simultaneous simulations of the flow of a fluid‐grain mixture, using two conveniently coupled solvers: the discrete element method governs the motion of the grains, while the free‐surface non‐Newtonian fluid phase is solved using the lattice Boltzmann method. Simulations on realistic geometries show the dependence of the momentum transfer on the barrier on the composition of the debris flow, challenging typical assumptions made during the design process today. In particular, we demonstrate that both grains and fluid contribute in a nonnegligible way to the momentum transfer. Moreover, we show how the flexibility of the barrier reduces its vulnerability to structural collapse, and how the stress is distributed on its fabric, highlighting potential weak points.
GacA is essential for Group A Streptococcus and defines a new class of monomeric dTDP‐4‐dehydrorhamnose reductases (RmlD)
Authors: van der Beek Samantha L. , Le Breton Yoann , Ferenbach Andrew T. , Chapman Robert N. , van Aalten Daan M. F. , Navratilova Iva , Boons Geert‐Jan , McIver Kevin S. , van Sorge Nina M. , Dorfmueller Helge C. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe sugar nucleotide dTDP‐L‐rhamnose is critical for the biosynthesis of the Group A Carbohydrate, the molecular signature and virulence determinant of the human pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS). The final step of the four‐step dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis pathway is catalyzed by dTDP‐4‐dehydrorhamnose reductases (RmlD). RmlD from the Gram‐negative bacterium Salmonella is the only structurally characterized family member and requires metal‐dependent homo‐dimerization for enzymatic activity. Using a biochemical and structural biology approach, we demonstrate that the only RmlD homologue from GAS, previously renamed GacA, functions in a novel monomeric manner. Sequence analysis of 213 Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive RmlD homologues predicts that enzymes from all Gram‐positive species lack a dimerization motif and function as monomers. The enzymatic function of GacA was confirmed through heterologous expression of gacA in a S. mutans rmlD knockout, which restored attenuated growth and aberrant cell division. Finally, analysis of a saturated mutant GAS library using Tn‐sequencing and generation of a conditional‐expression mutant identified gacA as an essential gene for GAS. In conclusion, GacA is an essential monomeric enzyme in GAS and representative of monomeric RmlD enzymes in Gram‐positive bacteria and a subset of Gram‐negative bacteria. These results will help future screens for novel inhibitors of dTDP‐L‐rhamnose biosynthesis.
Surface display of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans autotransporter Aae and dispersin B hybrid act as antibiofilm agents
Authors: Ragunath C. , DiFranco K. , Shanmugam M. , Gopal P. , Vyas V. , Fine D.H. , Cugini C. , Ramasubbu N. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryAmong the various proteins expressed by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, two proteins play important roles for survival in the oral cavity. The autotransporter Aae facilitates the attachment of the pathogen to oral epithelial cells, which act as a reservoir, while the biofilm‐degrading glycoside hydrolase dispersin B facilitates the movement of daughter cells from the mature biofilm to a new site. The objective of this study was to use the potential of these two proteins to control biofilms. To this end, we generated a hybrid construct between the Aae C‐terminal translocating domain and dispersin B, and mobilized it into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) pLysS cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of the modified E. coli cells confirmed the presence of dispersin B on the surface. Further, the membrane localization of the displayed dispersin B was confirmed with Western blot analysis. The integrity of the E. coli cells displaying the dispersin B was confirmed through FACS analysis. The hydrolytic activity of the surface‐displayed dispersin B was confirmed by using 4‐methylumbelliferyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside as the substrate. The detachment ability of the dispersin B surface‐displaying E. coli cells was shown using Staphylococcus epidermidis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms in a microtiter assay. We concluded that the Aae β‐domain is sufficient to translocate foreign enzymes in the native folded form and that the method of Aae‐mediated translocation of surface displayed enzymes might be useful for control of biofilms.
Novel Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Mineral Metabolism Abnormalities in End Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Kendrick Jessica , Chonchol Michel 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAbnormalities in mineral metabolism are a universal complication in dialysis patients and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Hyperphosphatemia, increased fibroblast growth factor 23 levels and secondary hyperparathyroidism are all strongly associated with adverse outcomes in end stage renal disease (ESRD) and most treatment strategies target these parameters. Over the past few years, new therapies have emerged for the treatment of abnormalities of mineral metabolism in ESRD and many are promising. This article will review these new therapeutic options including the potential advantages and disadvantages compared to existing therapies.
Conservation of Mass: An Important Tool in Renal Research
Authors: Sargent John A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe dialytic treatment of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is based on control of solute concentrations and management of fluid volume. The application of the principal of conservation of mass, or mass balance, is fundamental to the study of such treatment and can be extended to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general. This review discusses the development and use of mass conservation and transport concepts, incorporated into mathematical models. These concepts, which can be applied to a wide range of solutes of interest, represent a powerful tool for quantitatively guided studies of dialysis issues currently and into the future. Incorporating these quantitative concepts in future investigations is key to achieving positive control of known solutes, and in the analysis of such studies; to relate future research to known results of prior studies; and to help in the understanding of the obligatory physiological perturbations that result from dialysis therapy.
Does the Quality of Investment Protection Affect FDI Flows to Developing Countries? Evidence from Latin America
Authors: Dixon Jay , Haslam Paul Alexander 
Published: August 2015

AbstractStudies on the impact of international investment agreements (IIAs), including bilateral investment treaties (BITs), on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have been inconclusive. This paper contributes to the debate about the effectiveness of IIAs using an original database that differentiates between investment agreements according to the quality of investor protection, and which covers a wide variety of trade and investment agreements signed and ratified in the Americas. We find evidence that in the least likely case of south–south FDI flows, high‐quality international investment treaties have a demonstrable effect on foreign direct investment inflows. Moreover, international investment agreements appear to be most effective in a context of deeper economic integration. That is, they work better when they provide higher quality protection to investors and when they are combined with other preferential economic integration agreements, such as trade agreements.
Retrospective analysis for treatment of naïve canine multicentric lymphoma with a 15‐week, maintenance‐freeCHOPprotocol
Authors: Curran K. , Thamm D. H. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractStandard of care treatment of dogs with multicentric lymphoma includes combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP); however, owners may be hesitant to commit the resources necessary to complete a lengthy, multi‐drug protocol. One hundred thirty‐four client‐owned dogs with multicentric lymphoma were treated with a 15‐weekCHOPchemotherapy protocol. The overall response rate was 98% with 104 dogs experiencing a complete response (CR). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) time for all dogs was 176 days, and the median disease‐specific overall survival time was 311 days. Prognostic factors identified on multivariate analysis as significant forPFSincluded substage, immunophenotype, hospitalization for adverse events, need for dose reduction, presence of neutrophilia at diagnosis, presence of anemia and experiencing aCRas best response to therapy. In conclusion, this protocol may be a viable alternative toCHOPprotocols using a larger number of treatments.
Effects of muscle composition and architecture on specific strength in obese older women
Authors: Rastelli F. , Capodaglio P. , Orgiu S. , Santovito C. , Caramenti M. , Cadioli M. , Falini A. , Rizzo G. , Lafortuna C. L. 
Published: August 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Do obesity‐specific factors affect skeletal muscle performance in older individuals?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Older obese women have a larger quadriceps femoris size but develop lower tension per unit of skeletal muscle than their normal‐weight counterparts.

Muscle impairment and excess body mass are very common among older people. Given that the effect of obesity on strength production has scarcely been studied in older individuals, we analysed functional and structural characteristics of quadriceps femoris (QF) in obese (OB) and normal‐weight (NW) older women with comparable habitual physical activity. In five OB (body mass index 36.8 ± 1.9 kg m−2, age 72.4 ± 2.3 years) and six NW well‐functioning older women (body mass index 24.3 ± 1.8 kg m−2, age 72.7 ± 1.9 years), peak knee‐extension torque (KET) was measured in isometric (90 deg knee flexion) and isokinetic conditions (240, 180, 120 and 60 deg s−1). Mid‐thigh QF cross‐sectional area (CSA) and muscle tissue fat content (MF%) were determined with magnetic resonance imaging (Dixon sequence). Muscle fascicle length and pennation angle (PA) were assessed with ultrasonography for each muscle belly of the QF (vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, rectus femoris and vastus intermedius). Despite similar values of KET, CSA was 17.0% larger in OB than in NW women (P < 0.05), so that KET/CSA was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in OB women. Compared with NW women, OB women had 28.7% higher MF% (P < 0.05) and 24.9% higher average PA (P < 0.05), while fascicle length was similar. Overall, isometric KET/CSA was negatively affected by both MF% (P < 0.05) and PA (P < 0.05), while isokinetic KET/CSA was negatively affected only by MF% (P < 0.01). Muscle composition and architecture seem to be important determinants of KET/CSA in elderly women. In fact, owing to the effect of obesity overload, OB women have a larger QF size than NW women, but unfavourable muscle composition and architecture. The higher MF% and steeper PA observed in OB women are associated with reduced levels of muscle specific strength.
Increase in pulmonary blood flow at birth: role of oxygen and lung aeration
Authors: Lang Justin A.R. , Pearson James T. , Binder‐Heschl Corinna , Wallace Megan J. , Siew Melissa L. , Kitchen Marcus J. , te Pas Arjan B. , Fouras Andreas , Lewis Robert A. , Polglase Graeme R. , Shirai Mikiyasu , Hooper Stuart B. 
Published: August 2015

Key points
There is no well‐established, direct correlation between local aeration and perfusion in the lungs immediately following birth.
In a new study of simultaneous X‐ray imaging and angiography in near‐term rabbits, we investigated the relative contributions of lung aeration and increased oxygenation in the increase in pulmonary perfusion at birth.
We demonstrated that partial lung aeration induces a global increase in pulmonary blood flow that is independent of changes in inspired oxygen.
These results show that mechanisms unrelated to oxygenation or the spatial relationships that match ventilation to perfusion initiate the large increase in pulmonary blood flow at birth.
AbstractLung aeration stimulates the increase in pulmonary blood flow (PBF) at birth, but the spatial relationships between PBF and lung aeration and the role of increased oxygenation remain unclear. Using simultaneous phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging and angiography, we have investigated the separate roles of lung aeration and increased oxygenation in PBF changes at birth using near‐term (30 days of gestation) rabbit kits (n = 18). Rabbits were imaged before ventilation, then the right lung was ventilated with 100% nitrogen (N2), air or 100% O2 (oxygen), before all kits were switched to ventilation in air, followed by ventilation of both lungs using air. Unilateral ventilation of the right lung with 100% N2 significantly increased heart rate (from 69.4 ± 4.9 to 93.0 ± 15.0 bpm), the diameters of both left and right pulmonary axial arteries, number of visible vessels in both left and right lungs, relative PBF index in both pulmonary arteries, and reduced bolus transit time for both left and right axial arteries (from 1.34 ± 0.39 and 1.81 ± 0.43 s to 0.52 ± 0.17 and 0.89 ± 0.21 s in the left and right axial arteries, respectively). Similar changes were observed with 100% oxygen, but increases in visible vessel number and vessel diameter of the axial arteries were greater in the ventilated right lung during unilateral ventilation. These findings confirm that PBF increase at birth is not spatially related to lung aeration and that the increase in PBF to unventilated regions is unrelated to oxygenation, although oxygen can potentiate this increase.
Leptospira interrogans lpxD
Homologue Is Required for Thermal Acclimatization and Virulence
Authors: Eshghi Azad , Henderson Jeremy , Trent M. Stephen , Picardeau Mathieu 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACT

Leptospirosis is an emerging disease with an annual occurrence of over 1 million human cases worldwide. Pathogenic
Leptospira
bacteria are maintained in zoonotic cycles involving a diverse array of mammals, with the capacity to survive outside the host in aquatic environments. Survival in the diverse environments encountered by
Leptospira
likely requires various adaptive mechanisms. Little is known about
Leptospira
outer membrane modification systems, which may contribute to the capacity of these bacteria to successfully inhabit and colonize diverse environments and animal hosts.
Leptospira
bacteria carry two genes annotated as UDP-3-
O
-[3-hydroxymyristoyl] glucosamine
N
-acyltransferase genes (la0512 and la4326 [
lpxD1
and
lpxD2
]) that in other bacteria are involved in the early steps of biosynthesis of lipid A, the membrane lipid anchor of lipopolysaccharide. Inactivation of only one of these genes, la0512/
lpxD1
, imparted sensitivity to the host physiological temperature (37°C) and rendered the bacteria avirulent in an animal infection model. Polymyxin B sensitivity assays revealed compromised outer membrane integrity in the
lpxD1
mutant at host physiological temperature, but structural analysis of lipid A in the mutant revealed only minor changes in the lipid A moiety compared to that found in the wild-type strain. In accordance with this, an
in trans
complementation restored the phenotypes to a level comparable to that of the wild-type strain. These results suggest that the gene annotated as
lpxD1
in
Leptospira interrogans
plays an important role in temperature adaptation and virulence in the animal infection model.
Preventing penetrating hand injuries in sabre fencing: an application and critique of the van Mechelen model by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime
Authors: Harmer Peter A 
Published: August 2015

Background/aimTo address the unusual phenomenon of unbroken blades causing penetrating hand injuries in sabre fencing by applying the van Mechelen model of the ‘sequence of prevention’.MethodsCases were collected from three surveillance systems and snowball sampling, and examined for potential aetiological factors. Presumed contributing factors were evaluated against the available evidence to compile a viable list for change. Determining a prevention strategy was guided by the philosophy of developing an approach that was most likely to produce a meaningful reduction in these injuries with the least disruption to the current norms of competitive sabre fencing.ResultsNine factors which contributed, either individually or in some combination, to these injuries were grouped under three headings relating to: (1) the nature of modern sabre fencing, (2) the design of the sabre blade and (3) the vulnerability of the hand. Changes to the design and integrity of sabre gloves were selected as the most feasible option and new standards were introduced as compulsory in international competitions from 1 April 2014. The effect of this change is now being monitored via available surveillance systems.ConclusionsThe van Mechelen model is a useful framework for sports federations to apply to reduce injury risk, even for rare injuries. However, this research model has limitations in guiding the realities of sometimes competing interests among the scientific, political, financial and technical aspects of injury prevention interventions.
Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse and Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Basso Cristina , Perazzolo Marra Martina , Rizzo Stefania , De Lazzari Manuel , Giorgi Benedetta , Cipriani Alberto , Frigo Anna Chiara , Rigato Ilaria , Migliore Federico , Pilichou Kalliopi , Bertaglia Emanuele , Cacciavillani Luisa , Bauce Barbara , Corrado Domenico , Thiene Gaetano , Iliceto Sabino 
Published: August 2015

Background—
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may present with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) even in the absence of hemodynamic impairment. The structural basis of ventricular electric instability remains elusive.

Methods and Results—

The cardiac pathology registry of 650 young adults (≤40 years of age) with SCD was reviewed, and cases with MVP as the only cause of SCD were re-examined. Forty-three patients with MVP (26 females; age range, 19–40 years; median, 32 years) were identified (7% of all SCD, 13% of women). Among 12 cases with available ECG, 10 (83%) had inverted T waves on inferior leads, and all had right bundle-branch block ventricular arrhythmias. A bileaflet involvement was found in 70%. Left ventricular fibrosis was detected at histology at the level of papillary muscles in all patients, and inferobasal wall in 88%. Living patients with MVP with (n=30) and without (control subjects; n=14) complex ventricular arrhythmias underwent a study protocol including contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance. Patients with either right bundle-branch block type or polymorphic complex ventricular arrhythmias (22 females; age range, 28–43 years; median, 41 years), showed a bileaflet involvement in 70% of cases. Left ventricular late enhancement was identified by contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance in 93% of patients versus 14% of control subjects (
P
<0.001), with a regional distribution overlapping the histopathology findings in SCD cases.

Conclusions—
MVP is an underestimated cause of arrhythmic SCD, mostly in young adult women. Fibrosis of the papillary muscles and inferobasal left ventricular wall, suggesting a myocardial stretch by the prolapsing leaflet, is the structural hallmark and correlates with ventricular arrhythmias origin. Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance may help to identify in vivo this concealed substrate for risk stratification.
<strong>A revised checklist of Hawaiian mosses</strong>
Authors: Staples G. W. , Imada C. T. , Hoe W. J. , Smith C. W. 
Published: August 2015

A revised and updated literature-based checklist of Hawaiian mosses is presented Geographic coverage includes the eight main Hawaiian Islands; the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are excluded The checklist is alphabetically ordered by scientific names; the family is noted for each genus Synonyms and misapplied names are cross-referenced to the accepted names A bibliography of supporting references is included.
<p><strong>Studies on<em> Barbula tenuirostris</em> Brid. [replaces <em>Barbula consanguinea</em> (Thwaites &amp; Mitt.) A. Jaeger sensu A. Eddy]</strong></p>
Authors: Sollman Philip 
Published: August 2015

Twelve taxa are proposed as new synonyms of Barbula tenuirostris Brid. Two nomina nuda also belong here. Barbula tenuirostris is compared with the most closely related taxa in Asia. Barbula anceps Cardot is Barbula arcuata Griff. A lectotype is selected for Barbula scleromitra Besch.
Key Role of the North Pacific Oscillation–West Pacific Pattern in Generating the Extreme 2013/14 North American Winter
Authors: Baxter Stephen , Nigam Sumant 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The 2013/14 boreal winter (December 2013–February 2014) brought extended periods of anomalously cold weather to central and eastern North America. The authors show that a leading pattern of extratropical variability, whose sea level pressure footprint is the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) and circulation footprint the West Pacific (WP) teleconnection—together, the NPO–WP—exhibited extreme and persistent amplitude in this winter. Reconstruction of the 850-hPa temperature, 200-hPa geopotential height, and precipitation reveals that the NPO–WP was the leading contributor to the winter climate anomaly over large swaths of North America. This analysis, furthermore, indicates that NPO–WP variability explains the most variance of monthly winter temperature over central-eastern North America since, at least, 1979. Analysis of the NPO–WP related thermal advection provides physical insight on the generation of the cold temperature anomalies over North America. Although NPO–WP’s origin and development remain to be elucidated, its concurrent links to tropical SSTs are tenuous. These findings suggest that notable winter climate anomalies in the Pacific–North American sector need not originate, directly, from the tropics. More broadly, the attribution of the severe 2013/14 winter to the flexing of an extratropical variability pattern is cautionary given the propensity to implicate the tropics, following several decades of focus on El Niño–Southern Oscillation and its regional and far-field impacts.
Enhanced Signal Processing Algorithms for the ASR-9 Weather Systems Processor
Authors: Cho John Y. N. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractNew signal processing algorithms for the Airport Surveillance Radar-9 (ASR-9) Weather Systems Processor (WSP) are introduced. The Moving Clutter Spectral Processing for Uneven-Sampled Data with Dealiasing (MCSPUDD) algorithm suite removes isolated moving clutter targets and corrects aliased velocity values on a per-range-gate basis. The spectral differencing technique is applied to the low- and high-beam data to produce a dual-beam velocity estimate that is more accurate than the current autocorrelation-lag-1-based approach. Comparisons with Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) data show that estimate errors are reduced by 8%, 15%, and 15% for the low-, high-, and dual-beam velocities, respectively.