bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Hail Damage Using Property Insurance Claims Data
Authors: Brown Tanya M. , Pogorzelski William H. , Giammanco Ian M. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
A series of thunderstorms on 24 May 2011 produced significant hail in the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex, resulting in an estimated $876.8 million (U.S. dollars) in insured losses to property and automobiles, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Insurance claims and policy-in-force data were obtained from five insurance companies for more than 67 000 residential properties located in 20 ZIP codes. The methodology for selecting the 20 ZIP codes is described. This study evaluates roofing material type with regard to resiliency to hailstone impacts and relative damage costs associated with roofing systems versus wall systems. A comparison of Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) radar-estimated hail sizes and damage levels seen in the claims data is made. Recommendations for improved data collection and quality of insurance claims data, as well as guidance for future property insurance claims studies, are summarized. Studies such as these allow insurance underwriters and claims adjusters to better evaluate the relative performance and vulnerability of various roofing systems and other building components as a function of hail size. They also highlight the abilities and limitations of utilizing radar horizontal reflectivity-based hail sizes, local storm reports, and Storm Data for claims processing. Large studies of this kind may be able to provide guidance to consumers, designers, and contractors concerning building product selections for improved resiliency to hailstorms, and give a glimpse into how product performance varies with storm exposure. Reducing hail losses would reduce the financial burden on property owners and insurers and reduce the amount of building materials being disposed of after storms.
Spine Posture and Discomfort During Prolonged Simulated Driving With Self-Selected Lumbar Support Prominence
Authors: De Carvalho Diana E. , Callaghan Jack P. 
Published: May 2015

Objective: We examined magnitude preference, subjective discomfort, and spine posture during prolonged simulated driving with a self-selected amount of lumbar support. Background: The general use of lumbar supports has been associated with decreased reports of low-back pain during driving exposures; however, minimal data exist regarding occupant magnitude preference. Method: Participants chose between five discrete levels of lumbar support (0–4 cm). Time-varying postural and discomfort responses were then monitored throughout 2 hr of simulated driving. Results: There were no significant effects of gender or time on posture. Women preferred larger amounts of support than men (3.25 cm ± 0.71 and 2.56 cm ± 0.88, respectively, p = .048). All participants exhibited significant increases ( p = .003) in pelvic discomfort throughout the 2-hr trial regardless of the level of support chosen. Discomfort related to various aspects of the lumbar support increased significantly over time. Retrospectively, no participants desired a setting beyond 4 cm, and the majority of respondents indicate had they been able to change their initial selection, they would choose a setting between 2 and 3 cm. Conclusion: The results suggest that occupants would prefer increasing the excursion capability of automobile lumbar supports beyond 2 cm. Application: Excursion capability and adjustability of automobile lumbar supports are important features to better meet end-user preference and to reducing lumbar flexion in sitting.
On the Effects of Surge Absorbers-Part II. Numerical Results
Authors: Sakr M. M. , Mansour E. A. A. , Girgis R. S. 
Published: May 2015

The results are given of a numerical evaluation of the equations corresponding to the output voltage from a surge absorber, as derived in Part I. Curves have been plotted to show how the constants of the absorber, and the capacitance of the capacitor simulating the transformer, affect the wave form of the incident surge. As it is the main function of the surge absorber to reduce ‘the voltages induced in the apparatus connected to it, a comparison has been made between the stresses produced in a transformer due to a unit step surge with and without the presence of the absorber.
Is the practice of goal-setting for patients in acute stroke care patient-centred and what factors influence this? A qualitative study
Authors: Rosewilliam Sheeba , Sintler Carron , Pandyan Anand D , Skelton John , Roskell Carolyn A 
Published: May 2015

Objective: To explore whether goal-setting for rehabilitation with acute stroke survivors is patient-centred and identify factors which influence the adoption of patient-centredness in goal-setting practice. Setting: Acute stroke unit in a large teaching hospital in England. Participants: Patients with stroke who had no cognitive or significant communication problems and health care professionals who had a significant engagement with an individual patient were approached for participation. Method: Multiple qualitative methods were used. Perceptions and beliefs about patient-centredness, within the context of goal-setting, were collected from patients and corresponding professionals using qualitative semi-structured interviews. Adoption of patient-centred behaviour was triangulated using analysis of patient records and observation of team meetings related to participating patients. Data analysis: Interview transcripts and field notes were coded, clustered under categories and descriptively summarised. Additionally, data from patients’ documents were summarised. These summaries were then mapped on to an a-priori frame work of patient-centredness from which further interpretative themes were derived. Results: Seven patients and seven health-care professionals participated. Goal-setting was not consistently patient-centred as evidenced by a) incongruities between patients and professionals in setting, communicating and prioritising of goals and b) dysfunctional therapeutic relationships. The factors that influenced patient-centred goal-setting were both professional and patient beliefs and attributes, work-culture, practice model, limitations in knowledge and systems that disempowered both professionals and patients. Conclusion: It may be possible to infer that current local practice of goal-setting was inadequately patient-centred. Further research is required to identify strategies to overcome these challenges and to develop patient-centred goal-setting methods.
Assessing the Damaging Effect of Continuous Vibration in Brittle Structures
Authors: Turner J. D. 
Published: May 2015

It is common practice to measure vibration amplitudes in terms of acceleration levels when assessing the likelihood that a particular broad-band vibration will cause damage to a brittle structure, such as a bridge or building. The practical relevance of this is in the assessment of structures exposed to broad-band vibration such as that produced by machinery or road and rail traffic. This paper presents a theoretical prediction that peak velocity is the most appropriate quantity to measure for beam-like structures, since it can be shown to be more closely related to peak strain than to peak acceleration or displacement. An experimental verification of the theory is presented for the simple case of a brittle cantilever. The experimental work was undertaken as a final-year undergraduate project.
Undergraduate Projects Involving the Thermofluid Design of Power-Plants
Authors: Tubman K. A. 
Published: May 2015

This article describes a type of final-year project offered to undergraduates over the past twenty years on the Combined Engineering Course at Coventry University. Each project is concerned with either confirming the thermofluid design of a particular power-plant, or with proposing a design for a novel and futuristic plant. The type of power-plant involved may be a power-station or an industrial or vehicular engine or turbine plant of specific rating and usage, e.g. the Space Shuttle, or a futuristic 3-GW(e) steam power-station linked to a fusion reactor. The work is concerned with the thermofluid cycle and plant design only, and does not include the mechanical design or other design aspects. It is assumed that these aspects can be achieved because the power-plants chosen are either already in existence or are thought to be practicable futuristic plants. To date, thirty-four projects have been completed, each constituting one-sixth of the students' final-year study programmes. The general nature of these projects is described in the article, and an illustrative example is presented. This is followed by a discussion on what are appropriate projects in the 1990s, and the merits of offering the type described here.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Intra-articular Knee Injections Show No Superiority Versus Viscosupplementation
Authors: Filardo Giuseppe , Di Matteo Berardo , Di Martino Alessandro , Merli Maria Letizia , Cenacchi Annarita , Fornasari PierMaria , Marcacci Maurilio , Kon Elizaveta 
Published: May 2015

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that will affect almost half the population at some point in their lives through pain and decreased functional capacity. New nonoperative options are being proposed to treat earlier stages of joint degeneration to provide symptomatic relief and delay surgical intervention. Purpose: To evaluate the benefit provided by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to treat knee joint degeneration in comparison with hyaluronic acid (HA), the most common injective treatment currently adopted for this condition. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 443 patients were screened, and 192 of them were enrolled in the study according to the following inclusion criteria: (1) unilateral symptomatic knee with history of chronic pain (at least 4 months) or swelling and (2) imaging findings of degenerative changes (Kellgren-Lawrence score of 0-3 at radiographs or MRI evidence of degenerative chondropathy). Patients underwent 3 weekly intra-articular injections of either PRP or HA. Patients were prospectively evaluated at baseline and then at 2, 6, and 12 months of follow-up using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score (main outcome), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, EuroQol visual analog scale, and Tegner score. Range of motion, transpatellar circumference, patient satisfaction, and adverse events were also recorded. Results: Two patients reported severe pain and swelling after HA injections, while no major adverse events were noted in the PRP group. However, PRP presented overall significantly more postinjection swelling and pain. Both treatments proved to be effective in improving knee functional status and reducing symptoms: the IKDC score in the PRP group rose from 52.4 ± 14.1 to 66.2 ± 16.7 at 12 months ( P < .0005), and in the HA group it rose from 49.6 ± 13.0 to 64.2 ± 18.0 at 12 months ( P < .0005). A similar trend was observed for all the clinical scores used. The comparative analysis of the 2 treatments showed no significant intergroup difference at any follow-up evaluation in any of the clinical scores adopted. Conclusion: PRP does not provide a superior clinical improvement with respect to HA, and therefore it should not be preferred to viscosupplementation as injective treatment of patients affected by knee cartilage degeneration and OA.
Comparison of the Mechanism of Toxicity of 3′-Azido-3′-Deoxythymidine and 3′-Fluoro-3′-Deoxythymidine in Human Lymphocytes
Authors: Cox S. , Harmenberg J. 
Published: May 2015

The thymidine analogue 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT), whilst a useful drug for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, produces toxic side-effects which can be severe and can interfere with therapy. The toxic mechanism of AZT is unknown. We have investigated the relationship between the phosphorylation and effect on natural dNTP pools of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and the closely related 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine and their toxicity in human lymphocytes. We attempted to reduce the toxicity by co-administration of natural nucleosides. The toxicity of 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine could be reduced with thymidine or deoxyuridine five- and 10-fold, respectively. The toxicity of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine could be reduced twofold with cytidine or uridine but was increased by all other nucleosides, including thymidine. Neither analogue caused significant changes in the dNTP pools at cytotoxic concentrations; the effect of the nucleosides in reducing toxicity was not owing to replacement of a depleted dNTP. Thymidine reduced the phosphorylation of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine 6 and 17 times, respectively. 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine appear to have different mechanisms of toxicity. The toxic mechanism of 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine is probably inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis by the triphosphate. The toxicity of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine in lymphocytes does not appear to be directly related to the amounts of the phosphorylated forms. The mechanism may be interference with RNA metabolism or precursors, perhaps by the nucleoside.
Studies on the Reversal of Azidothymidine Toxicity in Human Lymphocytes by Cytidine and Uridine
Authors: Cox S. 
Published: May 2015

The toxicity of 3′-azidothymidine (AZT) in human lymphocytes has been shown previously to be reversed by co-incubation with the ribonucleosides cytidine or uridine. In the present paper, the effects of 3′-azidothymidine and cytidine/uridine, both alone and in combination, were studied upon key processes in lymphocytes in order to discover more about the mechanism of toxicity reversal. In these experiments 3′-azidothymidine had only minor effects on the ribonucleoside triphosphate pools. Cytidine increased the CTP pool, and uridine the UTP pool. Co-incubation with AZT caused similar changes to incubation with cytidine or uridine alone. Toxicity reversal was not linked to replacement of deficient ribonucleoside triphosphate pools. 3′-Azidothymidine caused the excretion of thymidine from lymphocytes. Incubation with cytidine and uridine increased the intracellular cytidine and uridine pools, respectively. Co-incubation with 3′-azidothymidine increased still further the intracellular cytidine and uridine pools. Cytidine and uridine did not affect the intracellular 3′-azidothymidine pool. The toxicity of 3′-azidothymidine was increased by co-incubation with the bases adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, and uracil, but not by dihydrouracil, thymine, or xanthine.
Anionic Compounds as Inhibitors of African Swine Fever Virus Replication in Vero Cells
Authors: García-Villalón D. , Gil-Fernández C. 
Published: May 2015

The anionic compounds, aurintricarboxylic acid, Evans blue, glycyrrhizic acid, taurolithocholic acid, and fuchsin acid, have been tested for their capacity to inhibit the replication of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in Vero cells. Aurintricarboxylic acid suppressed ASFV cytopathic effects at 5μg ml−1 and emerged as the most efficacious inhibitor with a selectivity index (S.I.) of 400, followed by Evans blue with 40, Fuchsin acid with 20, taurolithocholic acid with 10, and glycyrrhizic acid with 5. All the compounds inhibited the virus adsorption or penetration to the cells in some degree, but inhibition was also found when they were added after virus adsorption, indicating that other mechanism (or mechanisms) are involved in viral inhibition.
Metabolism of 3′-Azido-3′-Deoxythymidine and 3′-Fluoro-3′-Deoxythymidine in Combination in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Lymphoblastoid Cells
Authors: Cox S. 
Published: May 2015

A combination of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) with 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine (FLT) has been shown previously to give synergistic inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus replication and greatly reduced cytotoxicity in vitro. The phosphorylation of the compounds, and their effect upon the natural deoxynucleoside triphosphate pools, were compared in CEM, H9, and HIV-infected H9 lymphoblastoid cells, both for the compounds when used alone and when combined together. Higher levels of FLT triphosphate than AZT triphosphate, and higher levels of AZT monophosphate than FLT monosphosphate, were formed in all cell types. Both compounds were phosphorylated most efficiently in CEM cells, whereas they were least efficiently phosphorylated in infected H9 cells. Owing to competition, the phosphorylation of both analogues was reduced when used in combination, compared to the phosphorylation of the separate compounds. The phosphorylation of the separate compounds was therefore at a maximum and was not increased by combining the compounds. The two compounds competed equally with each other for phosphorylation when used at a ratio of AZT: FLT of 5: 1. Both analogues severely reduced the deoxynucleoside triphosphate pools in uninfected and human immunodeficiency virus-infected H9 cells, but not in CEM cells. The effects of the two compounds were similar to those found when the compounds were combined, and thus H9 cells were shown to be much more sensitive to the effects of the analogues upon deoxynucleoside triphosphate pools than CEM cells were. Thus the synergistic combination of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine and 3′-fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine was shown to have a similar metabolism and a similar effect upon cellular deoxynucleoside triphosphate pools to the individual compounds.
Inhibitory Effects of Novel Mannose-Binding Lectins on HIV-Infectivity and Syncytium Formation
Authors: Animashaun T. , Mahmood N. , Hay A. J. , Hughes R. C. 
Published: May 2015

Several new lectins were isolated and characterized with respect to their composition and sugar binding specificities and their ability to prevent HIV-1 infection. Twelve of the 13 mannose-specific lectins were inhibitory to varying degrees. The most effective were Machaerium biovulatum agglutinin (MBA) and M. lunatus agglutinin (MLA) which at 0.4 μg ml−1 prevented the cytopathic effect of the virus. Lower protection was obtained with Bowringia mildbraedii agglutinin (BMA), Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA), Lablab niger agglutinin (LNA) and Dolichos lablab agglutinin (DLA). All these lectins are more protective than Con A while MBA is nearly 10 times more potent than any previously reported lectin. In each case the selective antiviral activity appears to be due to interaction with virus and not with some component on the target cell. MBA and GNA immobilized on Sepharose specifically bound gp120. Studies of binding to glycoproteins confirmed the recognition of particular isomers of high mannose oligosaccharides Man9 to Man7GlcNAc2 by BMA and of Man5GlcNAc2 glycopeptides by GNA. By contrast, MBA did not bind oligomannosidic structures but did interact with ovalbumin, a glycoprotein rich in hybrid-type glycans.
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of anti-HIV Drug Interactions: Effect of Zidovudine on 2′-3′-Dideoxyinosine Kinetics in Monkeys
Authors: Qian M. , Swagler A. R. , Mehta M. , Vishwanathan C.T. , Gallo J. M. 
Published: May 2015

The current investigation was conducted to determine if zidovudine (AZT) altered the pharmacokinetics of dideoxyinosine (ddl) in non-hurnan primates, an appropriate animal model for AZT and ddl pharmacokinetics in human. Each of nine animals received 20 mg kg−1 of ddl intravenously in the absence and presence of two different dosage regimens of AZT. For each combination regimen, AZT was administered as a combined i.v. bolus-constant rate infusion regimen for 30 min that produced AZT plasma concentrations of about 4 μg ml−1 in six animals (low dose group) and 11 μg ml−1 in three others (high dose group). Serial blood samples were collected, and pharmacokinetic parameters for ddl were calculated based on plasma ddl concentrations measured by HPLC techniques. The pharmacokinetics of ddl given alone in the first phase of the low ( n = 6) and high ( n = 6) dose AZT groups, resulted in a mean elimination half-life 1.54 and 1.9h, a mean total clearance of 0.62 and 0.731 h−1 kg−1, and a mean steady state volume of distribution of 1.02 and 0.891 kg−1, respectively. Following combined ddl and AZT administrations, in both the low and high dose AZT groups, plasma concentration-time profiles of ddl were similar for each monkey, and no statistical differences were observed in the pharmacokinetic parameters compared to those obtained when ddl was given alone. The fact that AZT does not alter the pharmacokinetics of ddl at the range of AZT dose studied provides a basis for rational dosage design for combined ddl and AZT treatments in HIV infection.
Drug Combination of AZT and ddl: Synergism of Action and Prevention of Appearance of AZT-Resistance
Authors: Antonelli G. , Dianzani F. , Bellarosa D. , Turriziani O. , Riva E. , Gentile A. 
Published: May 2015

Both 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2′,3′-dideoxynosine (ddl) strongly inhibit the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Here, it is shown that combination of AZT and ddl at concentrations that are readily achievable in vivo synergistically inhibit HIV-1 replication in C8166 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The synergism is significant even when the effect of AZT and ddl alone was negligible. Our findings show that AZT-resistance is less likely to occur when a combination of AZT and ddl is used. Particularly, generation of AZT-resistant strains by in vitro selection is prevented, or delayed, by the combination of AZT plus ddl. Taken together these observations provide a rationale for combination of AZT and ddl in the therapy of AIDS patients.
The Effect of Absolute Configuration on the Anti-HIV and Anti-HBV Activity of Nucleoside Analogues
Authors: Furman P. A. , Wilson J. E. , Reardon J. E. , Painter G. R. 
Published: May 2015

This review concerns the effect of stereoisomerism on the selective activity of anti-HIV and anti-HBV nucleoside analogues. The synthesis of a number of nucleoside analogues with anti-HIV and anti-HBV activity yields mixtures of 1-β-D and 1-β-L stereoisomers. Anti-HIV and anti-HBV activity is associated primarily with one of the two enantiomers and the more potent activity does not always reside with the 1-β-D configuration characteristic of natural nucleosides. In the case of HIV, the origin of this stereoselectivity appears to be the result of differential metabolism of the analogues and not due to differential inhibition of the target enzyme; the HIV reverse transcriptase. However, mutations at position 184 of the HIV-RT does result in stereoselective inhibition of the enzyme. On the other hand, with HBV, there is also a stereoselective inhibition of the HBV DNA polymerase, where the 5′-triphosphate of the 1-β-L enantiomer is the more potent inhibitor.
Herpesviruses as Co-Factors of HIV Disease: Case not Proven
Authors: Jeffries D. J. 
Published: May 2015

Factors other than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be important in determining disease progression in AIDS. The concept that viruses may act as co-factors in HIV pathogenesis has been based on in vitro studies of potential molecular or biological interactions between HIV and other viruses, some epidemiological evidence for an adverse effect of cytomegalovirus on progression to AIDS, and the apparent survival advantage conferred by aciclovir prophylaxis in people with AIDS. It is possible that molecular or cellular interaction between herpesviruses or other infectious agents and HIV are necessary to encourage the virus into maximal production or to amplify pre-existing replication. However, there is no evidence as yet that this occurs, and studies that claim to show such an effect cannot be convincing unless they take account of the significant associations of progression with virus phenotype, host response, age and genetic factors. This paper was presented as the case against in a debate on ‘Herpesviruses as co-factors of HIV disease’. The case for was made by Paul Griffiths (see page 17)