bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breaking Ground for a New 3,000 Ton Per Day Waste to Energy Facility
Authors: Schauer Raymond H. , Richter Leah K. 
Published: July 2013

Created in 1978, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (Authority) has developed an “award winning” solid waste management system that includes the following facilities to service the residents and businesses in Palm Beach County, Florida:
• North County Resource Recovery Facility (NCRRF);
• Residential and Commercial Recovered Materials Processing Facility;
• Six Transfer Stations;
• Class I Landfill;
• Class III Landfill;
• Biosolids Processing Facility;
• Ferrous Processing Facility;
• Woody Waste Recycling Facility;
• Composting Facility; and
• Two Household Hazardous Waste Facilities.
The Authority has proactively planned and implemented an integrated program to provide for the long term, reliable, economically sound and environmentally sustainable management of solid waste in Palm Beach County.
The County’s anticipated growth necessitated that the Authority evaluate several options for long-term processing and disposal capacity. This resulted in a decision to expand its WTE capacity with a new mass burn facility, the first facility of its kind to be constructed in the US in almost two decades, reaffirming its commitment to waste-to-energy. The planned 3,000 TPD facility will provide the Authority with a total disposal capacity of 5,000 TPD generating approximately 150MW of renewable energy. The decision to proceed with the expansion was approved by the Authority’s Board in October 2008. The Authority, with its Consulting Engineer, Malcolm Pirnie/ARCADIS, has since made significant progress in the implementation of this landmark project including the completion of the preliminary design, securing environmental permits, procuring a full service vendor, issuance of nearly $600 million revenue bonds for signing an electrical sales contract, and ongoing extensive public outreach efforts.
This presentation will focus on the ongoing development of the new mass burn facility and an update of the status of activities conducted to date such as:
• Environmental Permitting – Issuance of the PPSA Conditions of Certification and submittal of the Post Certification/Pre Construction requirements;
• Vendor Procurement – Iterative procurement process designed to obtain vendor input through final selection and contract award of a full service vendor (Design, Build and Operate);
• Preliminary Design – Innovative design features such as the utilization of SCR technology for control of NOx emission and incorporation of rainwater harvesting and water reuse;
• Public Outreach – the Authority’s efforts to keep the public informed through mass mailings, community meetings, television commercials and educational materials for all audiences; and
• Financing – Approach designed to preserve alternative minimum tax benefits.
The Effect of Food Waste Diversion on Waste Heating Value and WTE Capacity
Authors: LoRe Anthony M. , Harder Susana 
Published: July 2013

Most communities use curbside recycling and yard waste composting programs to reduce the amount of solid waste that needs to be disposed in a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility or landfill. Communities with well established programs have come to realize that there is a practical limit to the amount of solid waste that can be diverted using these methods. To increase waste diversion rates further, some communities have begun to target other materials. One material that is receiving increased attention is food waste.
Food waste represents a significant portion of the remaining waste stream and several alternative options are available to manage this material, including composting and anaerobic digestion. In some cases, communities have already begun to implement separate residential food waste collection programs—commonly referred to as the “green bin.” In addition, several jurisdictions have already enacted regulations to promote the diversion of food waste from commercial generators such as food processors, restaurants and supermarkets.
Since food waste has a relatively high moisture content, removal of this high-volume component can significantly affect the composition and characteristics of the remaining waste, most notably the heat content. It is important that current and future WTE facility owners understand the potential impacts to their WTE project should they implement a food waste diversion program.
This paper evaluates the potential outcome of food waste diversion on the heating value of the remaining waste based on recent waste characterization data collected by Metro Vancouver. Metro Vancouver represents a good case study since they currently own a WTE facility and are considering constructing a second one. Metro Vancouver’s long-term solid waste management plan also includes implementing a food waste diversion program in order to increase their overall waste diversion rate from 55 to 70 percent by 2015. The potential effect of food waste diversion on the capacity of Metro Vancouver’s existing WTE facility as well as the capacity and cost of a new WTE facility is also examined.
Human Antibody Neutralizes Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus, an Emerging Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
Authors: Guo Xiling , Zhang Li , Zhang Wenshuai , Chi Ying , Zeng Xiaoyan , Li Xian , Qi Xian , Jin Qiu , Zhang Xiao , Huang Mingming , Wang Hua , Chen Yin , Bao Changjun , Hu Jianli , Liang Shuyi , Bao Lin , Wu Tao , Zhou Minghao , Jiao Yongjun 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a newly discovered member of the
Bunyaviridae
family, is the causative agent of an emerging hemorrhagic fever, SFTS, in China. Currently, there are no vaccines or effective therapies against SFTS. In this study, a combinatorial human antibody library was constructed from the peripheral lymphocytes of 5 patients who had recovered from SFTS. The library was screened against purified virions for the production of single-chain variable-region fragments (ScFv). Of the 6 positive clones, one clone (monoclonal antibody [MAb] 4-5) showed neutralizing activity against SFTSV infection in Vero cells. MAb 4-5 was found to effectively neutralize all of the clinical isolates of SFTSV tested, which were isolated from patients in China from 2010 to 2012. MAb 4-5 was found to bind a linear epitope in the ectodomain of glycoprotein Gn. Its neutralizing activity is attributed to blockage of the interactions between the Gn protein and the cellular receptor, indicating that inhibition of virus-cell attachment is its main mechanism. These data suggest that MAb 4-5 can be used as a promising candidate molecule for immunotherapy against SFTSV infection.
Immunogenicity of Recombinant Proteins Consisting of Plasmodium vivax Circumsporozoite Protein Allelic Variant-Derived Epitopes Fused with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Flagellin
Authors: Leal Monica Teixeira Andrade , Camacho Ariane Guglielmi Ariza , Teixeira Laís Helena , Bargieri Daniel Youssef , Soares Irene Silva , Tararam Cibele Aparecida , Rodrigues Mauricio M. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

A
Plasmodium falciparum
circumsporozoite protein (CSP)-based recombinant fusion vaccine is the first malaria vaccine to reach phase III clinical trials. Resistance to infection correlated with the production of antibodies to the immunodominant central repeat region of the CSP. In contrast to
P. falciparum
, vaccine development against the CSP of
Plasmodium vivax
malaria is far behind. Based on this gap in our knowledge, we generated a recombinant chimeric protein containing the immunodominant central repeat regions of the
P. vivax
CSP fused to
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium-derived flagellin (FliC) to activate the innate immune system. The recombinant proteins that were generated contained repeat regions derived from each of the 3 different allelic variants of the
P. vivax
CSP or a fusion of regions derived from each of the 3 allelic forms. Mice were subcutaneously immunized with the fusion proteins alone or in combination with the Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR-3) agonist poly(I·C), and the anti-CSP serum IgG response was measured. Immunization with a mixture of the 3 recombinant proteins, each containing immunodominant epitopes derived from a single allelic variant, rather than a single recombinant protein carrying a fusion of regions derived from each of 3 allelic forms elicited a stronger immune response. This response was independent of TLR-4 but required TLR-5/MyD88 activation. Antibody titers significantly increased when poly(I·C) was used as an adjuvant with a mixture of the 3 recombinant proteins. These recombinant fusion proteins are novel candidates for the development of an effective malaria vaccine against
P. vivax
.
Magnetic Fractionation and Proteomic Dissection of Cellular Organelles Occupied by the Late Replication Complexes of Semliki Forest Virus
Authors: Varjak Margus , Saul Sirle , Arike Liisa , Lulla Aleksei , Peil Lauri , Merits Andres 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT
Alphavirus replicase complexes are initially formed at the plasma membrane and are subsequently internalized by endocytosis. During the late stages of infection, viral replication organelles are represented by large cytopathic vacuoles, where replicase complexes bind to membranes of endolysosomal origin. In addition to viral components, these organelles harbor an unknown number of host proteins. In this study, a fraction of modified lysosomes carrying functionally intact replicase complexes was obtained by feeding Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-infected HeLa cells with dextran-covered magnetic nanoparticles and later magnetically isolating the nanoparticle-containing lysosomes. Stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture combined with quantitative proteomics was used to reveal 78 distinct cellular proteins that were at least 2.5-fold more abundant in replicase complex-carrying vesicles than in vesicles obtained from noninfected cells. These host components included the RNA-binding proteins PCBP1, hnRNP M, hnRNP C, and hnRNP K, which were shown to colocalize with the viral replicase. Silencing of hnRNP M and hnRNP C expression enhanced the replication of SFV, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Sindbis virus (SINV). PCBP1 silencing decreased SFV-mediated protein synthesis, whereas hnRNP K silencing increased this synthesis. Notably, the effect of hnRNP K silencing on CHIKV- and SINV-mediated protein synthesis was opposite to that observed for SFV. This study provides a new approach for analyzing the proteome of the virus replication organelle of positive-strand RNA viruses and helps to elucidate how host RNA-binding proteins exert important but diverse functions during positive-strand RNA viral infection.
The Baculovirus Core Gene
ac83
Is Required for Nucleocapsid Assembly and
Per Os
Infectivity of Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Zhu Shimao , Wang Wei , Wang Yan , Yuan Meijin , Yang Kai 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT

Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus
(AcMNPV)
ac83
is a baculovirus core gene whose function in the AcMNPV life cycle is unknown. In the present study, an
ac83
-knockout AcMNPV (vAc83KO) was constructed to investigate the function of
ac83
through homologous recombination in
Escherichia coli
. No budded virions were produced in vAc83KO-transfected Sf9 cells, although viral DNA replication was unaffected. Electron microscopy revealed that nucleocapsid assembly was aborted due to the
ac83
deletion. Domain-mapping studies revealed that the expression of Ac83 amino acid residues 451 to 600 partially rescued the ability of AcMNPV to produce infectious budded virions. Bioassays indicated that deletion of the chitin-binding domain of Ac83 resulted in the failure of oral infection of
Trichoplusia ni
larvae by AcMNPV, but AcMNPV remained infectious following intrahemocoelic injection, suggesting that the domain is involved in the binding of occlusion-derived virions to the peritrophic membrane and/or to other chitin-containing insect tissues. It has been demonstrated that Ac83 is the only component with a chitin-binding domain in the
per os
infectivity factor complex on the occlusion-derived virion envelope. Interestingly, a functional inner nuclear membrane sorting motif, which may facilitate the localization of Ac83 to the envelopes of occlusion-derived virions, was identified by immunofluorescence analysis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Ac83 plays an important role in nucleocapsid assembly and the establishment of oral infection.
Targeting of Human Antigen-Presenting Cell Subsets
Authors: Goyvaerts Cleo , Dingemans Jozef , De Groeve Kurt , Heirman Carlo , Van Gulck Ellen , Vanham Guido , De Baetselier Patrick , Thielemans Kris , Raes Geert , Breckpot Karine 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT
Antigen-presenting cells are a heterogeneous group of cells that are characterized by their functional specialization. Consequently, targeting specific antigen-presenting cell subsets offers opportunities to induce distinct T cell responses. Here we report on the generation and use of nanobodies (Nbs) to target lentivectors specifically to human lymph node-resident myeloid dendritic cells, demonstrating that Nbs represent a powerful tool to redirect lentivectors to human antigen-presenting cell subsets.
Impact of clinical trial findings on Bell's palsy management in general practice in the UK 2001–2012: interrupted time series regression analysis
Authors: Morales Daniel R , Donnan Peter T , Daly Fergus , Staa Tjeerd Van , Sullivan Frank M 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesTo measure the incidence of Bell's palsy and determine the impact of clinical trial findings on Bell's palsy management in the UK.DesignInterrupted time series regression analysis and incidence measures.SettingGeneral practices in the UK contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).ParticipantsPatients ≥16 years with a diagnosis of Bell's palsy between 2001 and 2012.Interventions(1) Publication of the 2004 Cochrane reviews of clinical trials on corticosteroids and antivirals for Bell's palsy, which made no clear recommendation on their use and (2) publication of the 2007 Scottish Bell's Palsy Study (SBPS), which made a clear recommendation that treatment with prednisolone alone improves chances for complete recovery.Main outcome measuresIncidence of Bell's palsy per 100 000 person-years. Changes in the management of Bell's palsy with either prednisolone therapy, antiviral therapy, combination therapy (prednisolone with antiviral therapy) or untreated cases.ResultsDuring the 12-year period, 14 460 cases of Bell's palsy were identified with an overall incidence of 37.7/100 000 person-years. The 2004 Cochrane reviews were associated with immediate falls in prednisolone therapy (−6.3% (−11.0 to −1.6)), rising trends in combination therapy (1.1% per quarter (0.5 to 1.7)) and falling trends for untreated cases (−0.8% per quarter (−1.4 to −0.3)). SBPS was associated with immediate increases in prednisolone therapy (5.1% (0.9 to 9.3)) and rising trends in prednisolone therapy (0.7% per quarter (0.4 to 1.2)); falling trends in combination therapy (−1.7% per quarter (−2.2 to −1.3)); and rising trends for untreated cases (1.2% per quarter (0.8 to 1.6)). Despite improvements, 44% still remain untreated.ConclusionsSBPS was clearly associated with change in management, but a significant proportion of patients failed to receive effective treatment, which cannot be fully explained. Clarity and uncertainty in clinical trial recommendations may change clinical practice. However, better ways are needed to understand and circumvent barriers in implementing clinical trial findings.
Characteristics of 5-year-olds who catch-up with MMR: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Pearce Anna , Mindlin Miranda , Cortina-Borja Mario , Bedford Helen 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesTo examine predictors of partial and full measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination catch-up between 3 and 5 years.DesignSecondary data analysis of the nationally representative Millennium Cohort Study (MCS).SettingChildren born in the UK, 2000–2002.Participants751 MCS children who were unimmunised against MMR at age 3, with immunisation information at age 5.Main outcome measuresCatch-up status: unimmunised (received no MMR), partial catch-up (received one MMR) or full catch-up (received two MMRs).ResultsAt age 5, 60.3% (n=440) children remained unvaccinated, 16.1% (n=127) had partially and 23.6% (n=184) had fully caught-up. Children from families who did not speak English at home were five times as likely to partially catch-up than children living in homes where only English was spoken (risk ratio 4.68 (95% CI 3.63 to 6.03)). Full catch-up was also significantly more likely in those did not speak English at home (adjusted risk ratio 1.90 (1.08 to 3.32)). In addition, those from Pakistan/Bangladesh (2.40 (1.38 to 4.18)) or ‘other’ ethnicities (such as Chinese) (1.88 (1.08 to 3.29)) were more likely to fully catch-up than White British. Those living in socially rented (1.86 (1.34 to 2.56)) or ‘Other’ (2.52 (1.23 to 5.18)) accommodations were more likely to fully catch-up than home owners, and families were more likely to catch-up if they lived outside London (1.95 (1.32 to 2.89)). Full catch-up was less likely if parents reported medical reasons (0.43 (0.25 to 0.74)), a conscious decision (0.33 (0.23 to 0.48)), or ‘other’ reasons (0.46 (0.29 to 0.73)) for not immunising at age 3 (compared with ‘practical’ reasons).ConclusionsParents who partially or fully catch-up with MMR experience practical barriers and tend to come from disadvantaged or ethnic minority groups. Families who continue to reject MMR tend to have more advantaged backgrounds and make a conscious decision to not immunise early on. Health professionals should consider these findings in light of the characteristics of their local populations.
Prevalence ofChlamydia trachomatisinfection in the general population of women in Qatar
Authors: Al-Thani Asma , Abdul-Rahim Hanan , Alabsi Enas , Bsaisu Haneen N , Haddad Pascale , Mumtaz Ghina R , Abu-Raddad Laith J 
Published: July 2013

ObjectivesThe Arabian Gulf region has limited epidemiological data related to sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence ofChlamydia trachomatisinfection among general population women in Doha, Qatar.MethodsEndocervical swabs were collected from healthy women attending primary healthcare centres in Doha, June–December 2008. The specimens were tested forC trachomatisby a commercially available PCR-based assay. Data on basic socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and sexual behaviour were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The prevalence ofC trachomatisand of background variables were stratified by nationality, Qatari nationals versus non-Qatari residents.ResultsA total of 377 women were enrolled in the study, out of whom 351 (37.9% Qataris, 62.1% non-Qataris) were tested for the presence ofC trachomatisin their specimens. The mean age of participants was 41.2 years, and the vast majority (93%, 95% CI 90.3 to 95.7) were married. The mean age at sexual debut was significantly lower among Qatari women compared with non-Qatari women (19.2 vs 22.2 years, respectively p<0.001), but the mean number of reported lifetime sexual partners (1.1 partner) was nearly the same in both groups (p=0.110). The prevalence ofC trachomatisinfection was 5.3% among Qatari women and 5.5% among non-Qatari women, with no statistically significant difference between both groups (p=0.923).ConclusionsThe prevalence ofC trachomatisamong women was higher than expected, with no significant difference between Qatari nationals and expatriate residents. The higher prevalence may reflect, in part, the limited access to and use of chlamydia screening and management.
Highly Optimized DNA Vaccine Targeting Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Stimulates Potent Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Yan Jian , Pankhong Panyupa , Shin Thomas H. , Obeng-Adjei Nyamekye , Morrow Matthew P. , Walters Jewell N. , Khan Amir S. , Sardesai Niranjan Y. , Weiner David B. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractHigh levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) are detected in more than 85% of human cancers. Immunologic analysis supports that hTERT is a widely applicable target recognized by T cells and can be potentially studied as a broad cancer immunotherapeutic, or a unique line of defense against tumor recurrence. There remains an urgent need to develop more potent hTERT vaccines. Here, a synthetic highly optimized full-length hTERT DNA vaccine (phTERT) was designed and the induced immunity was examined in mice and non-human primates (NHP). When delivered by electroporation, phTERT elicited strong, broad hTERT-specific CD8 T-cell responses including induction of T cells expressing CD107a, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in mice. The ability of phTERT to overcome tolerance was evaluated in an NHP model, whose TERT is 96% homologous to that of hTERT. Immunized monkeys exhibited robust [average 1,834 spot forming unit (SFU)/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)], diverse (multiple immunodominant epitopes) IFN-γ responses and antigen-specific perforin release (average 332 SFU/106 PBMCs), suggesting that phTERT breaks tolerance and induces potent cytotoxic responses in this human-relevant model. Moreover, in an HPV16-associated tumor model, vaccination of phTERT slows tumor growth and improves survival rate in both prophylactic and therapeutic studies. Finally, in vivo cytotoxicity assay confirmed that phTERT-induced CD8 T cells exhibited specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, capable of eliminating hTERT-pulsed target cells. These findings support that this synthetic electroporation-delivered DNA phTERT may have a role as a broad therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate. Cancer Immunol Res; 1(3); 179–89. ©2013 AACR.
Homozygous Founder Mutation in Desmocollin-2 (
DSC2
) Causes Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in the Hutterite Population
Authors: Gerull Brenda , Kirchner Florian , Chong Jessica X. , Tagoe Julia , Chandrasekharan Kumaran , Strohm Oliver , Waggoner Darrel , Ober Carole , Duff Henry J. 
Published: July 2013

Background—
Dominant mutations in cellular junction proteins are the major cause of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, whereas recessive mutations in those proteins cause cardiocutaneous syndromes such as Naxos and Carvajal syndrome. The Hutterites are distinct genetic isolates who settled in North America in 1874. Descended from <100 founders, they trace their origins to 16th-century Europe.

Methods and Results—

We clinically and genetically evaluated 2 large families of the Alberta Hutterite population with a history of sudden death and found several individuals with severe forms of biventricular cardiomyopathy characterized by mainly left-sided localized aneurysms, regions of wall thinning with segmental akinesis, in addition to typical electric and histological features known for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. We identified a homozygous truncation mutation, c.1660C>T (p.Q554X) in desmocollin-2 (
DSC2
), in affected individuals and determined a carrier frequency of this mutation of 9.4% (1 in 10.6) among 1535 Schmiedeleut Hutterites, suggesting a common founder in that subgroup. Immunohistochemistry of endomyocardial biopsy samples revealed altered expression of the truncated DSC2 protein at the intercalated discs but only minor changes in immunoreactivity of other desmosomal proteins. Recombinant expressed mutant DSC2 protein in cells confirmed a stable, partially processed truncated protein with cytoplasmic and membrane localization.

Conclusions—

A homozygous truncation mutation in
DSC2
leads to a cardiac-restricted phenotype of an early onset biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The truncated protein remains partially stable and localized at the intercalated discs. These data suggest that the processed DSC2 protein plays a role in maintaining desmosome integrity and function.