bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aero-Shields: New Product Improves Boiler Performance and Maintenance
Authors: Epelbaum Greg , Tanguay Eric 
Published: July 2013

Aero-Shields were developed by Covanta Energy in 2005 to address excessive fouling and accelerated tube metal wastage in certain heat transfer areas of a large Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) fired boiler. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling and a Cold Flow model were used to investigate flue gas flow distribution, velocities, temperatures, and other parameters in specific areas of the boiler. The intent of this effort was to identify the problematic areas and develop a solution to better distribute gas flow within these specific areas of the boiler.
The result of this development effort was named “Aero-Shield”. The Aero-Shield provides a dual benefit of being a tube-shield and gas baffling device by incorporating extended tapered sides. The shape, size and installation location was developed through the use of CFD modeling. Initial testing of the shields was performed in December 2005 at the Lee County facility Boiler#2 at the top and bottom of the third pass. The Lee County boiler is a typical horizontal boiler design using Martin GMBH technology to process solid waste.
This paper demonstrates how CFD modeling plays an extremely important role in designing and optimizing Aero-Shields for new applications. It also describes additional applications which have been tested in multiple facilities and boilers types since 2005. It covers design guidelines for the material, geometry, and installation procedure. The paper will also highlight a number of benefits which have been confirmed through extensive field testing which include:
• Significant heat transfer increase in a targeted boiler area. This increases boiler efficiency and generates additional MWs at the same fuel rate.
• In Energy-from-Waste (EfW) applications, capital and maintenance costs are often more important than saving fuel. Aero-Shield applications provide significant savings by requiring less heat surface for the same heat recovery in a targeted boiler component.
• Reduced ash deposits which results in reduced maintenance.
• Improved gas flow distribution allows Aero-Shields to reduce peak gas temperatures and velocities, resulting in lower wastage rates for critical boiler components.
• Simple, quick, and economical installation: typically performed in a few hours.
Covanta currently has a patent pending on this application and product. Additional testing is ongoing to address other areas within the boiler that may benefit from this technology recognizing that the “Aero-Shield” is a customized solution for each application.
A Patient Based Approach for Fluid Structure Interaction in Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Xenos Michalis , Rambhia Suraj , Alemu Yared , Einav Shmuel , Ricotta John J. , Labropoulos Nicos , Tassiopoulos Apostolos , Bluestein Danny 
Published: July 2013

Fluid structure interaction (FSI) simulations were conducted to assess the risk of rupture in reconstructed AAA from patients who had contained ruptured AAAs. The goal was to test to ability of our FSI methodology to predict the location of rupture, by correlating the high wall stress regions with the actual rupture location. We also present a parametric study in which the relationship of iliac bifurcation angle and the role of embedded calcifications were studied in respect to the aneurismal wall stress.
The patient specific AAA FSI simulations were carried out with advanced constitutive material models of the various components of AAA, including models that describe the wall anisotropy, structural strength based on collagen fibers orientation within the arterial wall, AAA intraluminal thrombus (ILT), and embedded calcifications. The anisotropic material model used to describe the wall properties closely correlated with experimental results of AAA specimens [1].
The results demonstrate that the region of rupture can be predicted by the region of the highest wall stress distribution. Embedded wall calcifications increase the local wall stress surrounding calcified spots, and eventually increases the risk of rupture. FSI results in streamlined AAA geometries show that the maximum stress on the aneurismal wall increases as the iliac bifurcation angle increases.
One-Step Reverse-Transcription PCR on a High-Throughput Micro-Fluidic Device
Authors: Fleming Paul , Dalton Tara 
Published: July 2013

One step reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays are an attractive option for further automating gene detection assays. One-step assays can reduce hands–on-time and the risk of sample crossover and contamination. The one-step chemistries are showing increasing use in virus detection and have been reported, in some cases, to be more appropriate than their two-step counterparts [1, 2].
Previous work presented by the Stokes Institute research group outlined a micro fluidic based continuous flow instrument which performed high throughput qPCR in nanolitre sized droplets [3]. This instrument had advantages over commercially available instruments in that it could process far more than the traditional 96 or 384 reaction setup in a single run and the reaction volume was reduced from 20–50 μl down to 30–100 nl sized droplets.
Combining one-step chemistry with the technology offered by the devices being developed would lead to a high-throughput RNA-to-signal system capable of reverse transcribing and performing PCR on thousands of nanolitre sized reactions every day. It is envisaged that this technology will also lead to gene expression from single cells contained in nanolitre sized droplets.
In this paper, a study was conducted in which an extra thermal region, manufactured from aluminium, was added to the existing continuous flow instruments. This region was maintained at a temperature suitable for reverse transcription, which was 48°C for the one-step kit tested. The thermal region was also a suitable length to maintain the sample at the required temperature for 15 minutes. Using a commercially available one step RT-PCR kit (TaqMan® RNA-to-CT™ 1-Step Kit, 4392653), the device was evaluated for its potential to perform one-step RT-PCR in continuously flowing nanolitre sized droplets.
Electrophoresis gels were initially used in assessing specific amplification before an end-point detection method was utilized. RNA was extracted from the leukemic REH cell line with the housekeeping gene, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as the gene of interest. To investigate the possibility of further reducing sample preparation and facilitating further automation, amplification from cell lysates without nucleic acid extraction was carried out on the device. Cell lysates were prepared using the cell lysis buffer from the TaqMan® Gene Expression Cells-to-CT™ Kit (Cat #AM1728). It was found that the device was successful in one-step RT-PCR from extracted RNA samples and samples from cell lysates without nucleic acid extraction.
Utilization of Biocompatible Ferrous Particles for a New Cancer Therapy
Authors: Evrensel Cahit A. , Welniak Lisbeth A. , Fuchs Alan , Patel Jigar , Murphy William J. , Gordaninejad Faramarz 
Published: July 2013

Magneto-rheologiacal Fluid (MRF), suspensions of polarizable micron size particles, is synthesized from suspensions of iron particles (micron and nano size) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The iron particles have been surface coated using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with various polymers, such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly(NIPAAm)), and poly(acrylamide) (poly(AAm)). The surface grafted polymer has been characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and properties of resulting fluid have been measured using a rheometer.
A mathematical model is developed to explore the force induced by the particles on the neighboring tissue under externally applied magnetic field. This force results in the damage of the tumor cell lines and trigger the immune system response.
The effect of MRF on primary and metastasized tumor growth were evaluated by using an orthotopic murine breast cancer model (4T1). Tumors were evaluated by growth measurements and histological changes following injection of MRF or carrier fluid alone into the tumor and the effects of subsequent application of a magnetic field to the site. Results indicate slowed tumor growth and increased dendritic cell activation with this therapy and they are encouraging.
Terrain Characterization Using Modified RANSAC Analysis of Human Gait Data
Authors: Sullivan Christopher , DeBartolo Elizabeth A. , Lamkin-Kennard Kathleen 
Published: July 2013

One of the many lasting side effects of a stroke can be foot drop, or an inability to dorsiflex the foot. In order to remedy this, many people wear an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO) post-stroke. One of the many troubles these individuals face is in dealing with obstacles such as stairs and ramps, because the AFO limits the plantarflexion that is natural in navigating these obstacles [1,2]. The end goal of this research is to create an active AFO that adapts to changing ground terrain, providing a more natural gait pattern.
This paper presents the first part of this work: a means for identifying terrain in order to control an AFO. This has been accomplished using an infrared (IR) range sensor attached to the lower leg, used to measure the surface profile of the ground just ahead of a test subject. Using a modified RANSAC technique to fit experimental gait data, standardized gait profiles for different terrain have been quantified and shown to be reproducible, indicating the utility of the technique for terrain identification and AFO control.
Modulation of Chicken Intestinal Immune Gene Expression by Small Cationic Peptides as Feed Additives during the First Week Posthatch
Authors: Kogut Michael H. , Genovese Kenneth J. , He Haiqi , Swaggerty Christina L. , Jiang Yiwei 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

We have been investigating modulation strategies tailored around the selective stimulation of the host's immune system as an alternative to direct targeting of microbial pathogens by antibiotics. One such approach is the use of a group of small cationic peptides (BT) produced by a Gram-positive soil bacterium,
Brevibacillus texasporus
. These peptides have immune modulatory properties that enhance both leukocyte functional efficiency and leukocyte proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA transcription activities
in vitro
. In addition, when provided as a feed additive for just 4 days posthatch, BT peptides significantly induce a concentration-dependent protection against cecal and extraintestinal colonization by
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis. In the present studies, we assessed the effects of feeding BT peptides on transcriptional changes on proinflammatory cytokines, inflammatory chemokines, and Toll-like receptors (TLR) in the ceca of broiler chickens with and without
S
. Enteritidis infection. After feeding a BT peptide-supplemented diet for the first 4 days posthatch, chickens were then challenged with
S
. Enteritidis, and intestinal gene expression was measured at 1 or 7 days postinfection (p.i.) (5 or 11 days of age). Intestinal expression of innate immune mRNA transcripts was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Analysis of relative mRNA expression showed that a BT peptide-supplemented diet did not directly induce the transcription of proinflammatory cytokine, inflammatory chemokine, type I/II interferon (IFN), or TLR mRNA in chicken cecum. However, feeding the BT peptide-supplemented diet primed cecal tissue for increased (
P
≤ 0.05) transcription of TLR4, TLR15, and TLR21 upon infection with
S
. Enteritidis on days 1 and 7 p.i. Likewise, feeding the BT peptides primed the cecal tissue for increased transcription of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β [IL-1β], IL-6, IL-18, type I and II IFNs) and inflammatory chemokine (CxCLi2) in response to
S
. Enteritidis infection 1 and 7 days p.i. compared to the chickens fed the basal diet. These small cationic peptides may prove useful as alternatives to antibiotics as local immune modulators in neonatal poultry by providing prophylactic protection against
Salmonella
infections.
Draft Genome Sequence of Agarivorans albus Strain MKT 106
T
, an Agarolytic Marine Bacterium
Authors: Yasuike Motoshige , Nakamura Yoji , Kai Wataru , Fujiwara Atushi , Fukui Youhei , Satomi Masataka , Sano Motohiko 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Agarivorans albus
is a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, and agar-hydrolyzing marine bacterium. We present the draft genome sequence of the
A. albus
strain MKT 106
T
, which is composed of 67 contigs (>500 bp) totaling 4,734,285 bp and containing 4,397 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), four rRNAs, and 64 tRNA sequences.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Reassortant Avian Influenza H1N2 Virus Isolated from a Domestic Sparrow in 2012
Authors: Xie Zhixun , Guo Jie , Xie Liji , Liu Jiabo , Pang Yaoshan , Deng Xianwen , Xie Zhiqin , Fan Qing , Luo Sisi 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT
We report here the complete genome sequence of a novel H1N2 avian influenza virus strain, A/Sparrow /Guangxi/GXs-1/2012 (H1N2), isolated from a sparrow in the Guangxi Province of southern China in 2012. All of the 8 gene segments (hemagglutinin [HA], nucleoprotein [NP], matrix [M], polymerase basic 2 [PB2], neuraminidase [NA], polymerase acidic [PA], polymerase basic 1 [PB1], and nonstructural [NS] genes) of this natural recombinant virus are attributed to the Eurasian lineage, and phylogenetic analysis showed that those genes are derived from H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, H4N6, H6N2, H10N8, H5N1, and H4N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The amino acid motif of the cleavage site of HA is PSIQSR↓GLF. The sequence analysis will help in understanding the molecular characteristics and epidemiology of the H1N2 influenza virus in sparrows.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Salinarchaeum
sp. Strain HArcht-Bsk1
T
, Isolated from Hypersaline Lake Baskunchak, Russia
Authors: Dominova I. N. , Sorokin D. Y. , Kublanov I. V. , Patrushev M. V. , Toshchakov S. V. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

The complete genome sequence of a novel halophilic archaeon,
Salinarchaeum
sp. strain HArcht-Bsk1
T
, was determined using next-generation sequencing. The genome comprises a 3,255,260-bp circular chromosome with a G+C content of 66.7%. Automatic annotation of the genome revealed a single rRNA operon, 45 tRNAs, and 3,013 protein-coding gene sequences.
Draft Genome Sequence of Indibacter alkaliphilus Strain LW1
T
, Isolated from Lonar Lake, a Haloalkaline Lake in the Buldana District of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Singh Ajit , Kumar Jangir Pramod , Sharma Rakesh , Singh Aditya , Kumar Pinnaka Anil , Shivaji S. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

We report the 5.0-Mb genome sequence of
Indibacter alkaliphilus
strain LW1
T
, isolated from a haloalkaline crater lake in the Buldana district, Maharashtra, India.
Infection with Hemotropic Mycoplasma Species in Patients with or without Extensive Arthropod or Animal Contact
Authors: Maggi Ricardo G. , Compton Sarah M. , Trull Chelsea L. , Mascarelli Patricia E. , Mozayeni B. Robert , Breitschwerdt Edward B. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTPCR amplification targeting the 16S rRNA gene was used to test individuals with and without extensive arthropod and animal contact for the possibility of hemotropic mycoplasma infection. The prevalence of hemotropic mycoplasma infection (4.7%) was significantly greater in previously reported cohorts of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, spouses of veterinary professionals, and others with extensive arthropod exposure and/or frequent animal contact than in a previously reported cohort of patients examined by a rheumatologist because of chronic joint pain or evidence of small-vessel disease (0.7%). Based upon DNA sequence analysis, aMycoplasma ovis-like species was the most prevalent organism detected; however, infection with “CandidatusMycoplasma haematoparvum” and a potentially novel, but incompletely characterized, hemotropicMycoplasmaspecies was also documented. Historical exposure to animals and arthropod vectors that can harbor hemotropicMycoplasmaspp. should be considered during epidemiological investigations and in the evaluation of individual patients.
Isolation and Characterization of Small-Colony Variants of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale
Authors: Zahra Mohammad , Ferreri Miro , Alkasir Rashad , Yin Jinhua , Han Bo , Su Jingliang 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale
is a Gram-negative bacterium associated with respiratory diseases in many avian species, with worldwide distribution, and it causes significant economic loss to the poultry industry. In this study, the isolation and characterization of
O. rhinotracheale
small-colony variants (SCVs) are described for the first time.
O. rhinotracheale
isolates (
n
= 27) were recovered from tracheal samples (
n
= 321) collected from different avian species with clinical signs of respiratory disease. Of the 27
O. rhinotracheale
isolates, 21 (77.8%) showed SCVs in their primary cultures. Five
O. rhinotracheale
SCV isolates showed high levels of stability and were chosen for further characterization with their wild-type (WT) isolates. Stable
O. rhinotracheale
SCVs were oxidase negative, while their WT isolates were positive. Growth curves for stable
O. rhinotracheale
SCVs indicated lower growth rates and longer lag phases than for their WT isolates. Furthermore, it was possible to increase the efficacy of the broth medium in supporting the growth of
O. rhinotracheale
WT isolates by supplementing it with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 2% IsoVitaleX Enrichment. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that
O. rhinotracheale
SCVs had higher MIC values than their WT isolates. This study suggests that successful antibiotic treatment of respiratory diseases associated with
O. rhinotracheale
must take into consideration the resistance patterns of
O. rhinotracheale
SCVs. Intracellular persistence in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages revealed that
O. rhinotracheale
SCV28 had higher survival rates than its WT isolate. Finally, small-colony variants may be important contributors to the pathogenesis of
O. rhinotracheale
.
Dissection of the C-Terminal Region of E1A Redefines the Roles of CtBP and Other Cellular Targets in Oncogenic Transformation
Authors: Cohen M. J. , Yousef A. F. , Massimi P. , Fonseca G. J. , Todorovic B. , Pelka P. , Turnell A. S. , Banks L. , Mymryk J. S. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT
Human adenovirus E1A makes extensive connections with the cellular protein interaction network. By doing so, E1A can manipulate many cellular programs, including cell cycle progression. Through these reprogramming events, E1A functions as a growth-promoting oncogene and has been used extensively to investigate mechanisms contributing to oncogenesis. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how the C-terminal region of E1A contributes to oncogenic transformation. Although this region is required for transformation in cooperation with E1B, it paradoxically suppresses transformation in cooperation with activated Ras. Previous analysis has suggested that the interaction of E1A with CtBP plays a pivotal role in both activities. However, some C-terminal mutants of E1A retain CtBP binding and yet exhibit defects in transformation, suggesting that other targets of this region are also necessary. To explore the roles of these additional factors, we performed an extensive mutational analysis of the C terminus of E1A. We identified key residues that are specifically required for binding all known targets of the C terminus of E1A. We further tested each mutant for the ability to both localize to the nucleus and transform primary rat cells in cooperation with E1B-55K or Ras. Interaction of E1A with importin α3/Qip1, dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), HAN11, and CtBP influenced transformation with E1B-55K. Interestingly, the interaction of E1A with DYRK1A and HAN11 appeared to play a role in suppression of transformation by activated Ras whereas interaction with CtBP was not necessary. This unexpected result suggests a need for revision of current models and provides new insight into transformation by the C terminus of E1A.
A Novel Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody Platform To Dissect the Diverse Repertoire of Antibody Epitopes for HIV-1 Env Immunogen Design
Authors: Chen Yuxin , Vaine Michael , Wallace Aaron , Han Dong , Wan Shengqin , Seaman Michael S. , Montefiori David , Wang Shixia , Lu Shan 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT
The majority of available monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in the current HIV vaccine field are generated from HIV-1-infected people. In contrast, preclinical immunogenicity studies have mainly focused on polyclonal antibody responses in experimental animals. Although rabbits have been widely used for antibody studies, there has been no report of using rabbit MAbs to dissect the specificity of antibody responses for AIDS vaccine development. Here we report on the production of a panel of 12 MAbs from a New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit that was immunized with an HIV-1 JR-FL gp120 DNA prime and protein boost vaccination regimen. These rabbit MAbs recognized a diverse repertoire of envelope (Env) epitopes ranging from the highly immunogenic V3 region to several previously underappreciated epitopes in the C1, C4, and C5 regions. Nine MAbs showed cross-reactivity to gp120s of clades other than clade B. Increased somatic mutation and extended CDR3 were observed with Ig genes of several molecularly cloned rabbit MAbs. Phylogenic tree analysis showed that the heavy chains of MAbs recognizing the same region on gp120 tend to segregate into an independent subtree. At least three rabbit MAbs showed neutralizing activities with various degrees of breadth and potency. The establishment of this rabbit MAb platform will significantly enhance our ability to test optimal designs of Env immunogens to gain a better understanding of the structural specificity and evolution process of Env-specific antibody responses elicited by candidate AIDS vaccines.
Rabbit Anti-HIV-1 Monoclonal Antibodies Raised by Immunization Can Mimic the Antigen-Binding Modes of Antibodies Derived from HIV-1-Infected Humans
Authors: Pan Ruimin , Sampson Jared M. , Chen Yuxin , Vaine Michael , Wang Shixia , Lu Shan , Kong Xiang-Peng 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT
The rabbit is a commonly used animal model in studying antibody responses in HIV/AIDS vaccine development. However, no rabbit monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been developed previously to study the epitope-specific antibody responses against HIV-1 envelope (Env) glycoproteins, and little is known about how the rabbit immune system can mimic the human immune system in eliciting such antibodies. Here we present structural analyses of two rabbit MAbs, R56 and R20, against the third variable region (V3) of HIV-1 gp120. R56 recognizes the well-studied immunogenic region in the V3 crown, while R20 targets a less-studied region at the C terminus of V3. By comparison of the Fab/epitope complex structures of these two antibodies raised by immunization with that of the corresponding human antibodies derived from patients chronically infected with HIV-1, we found that rabbit antibodies can recognize immunogenic regions of gp120 and mimic the binding modes of human antibodies. This result can provide new insight into the use of the rabbit as an animal model in AIDS vaccine development.