bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial Killing by Light‐Triggered Release of Silver from Biomimetic Metal Nanorods
Authors: Black Kvar C. L. , Sileika Tadas S. , Yi Ji , Zhang Ran , Rivera José G. , Messersmith Phillip B. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIllumination of noble metal nanoparticles at the plasmon resonance causes substantial heat generation, and the transient and highly localized temperature increases that result from this energy conversion can be exploited for photothermal therapy by plasmonically heating gold nanorods (NRs) bound to cell surfaces. Here, plasmonic heating is used for the first time to locally release silver from gold core/silver shell (Au@Ag) NRs targeted to bacterial cell walls. A novel biomimetic method of preparing Au@Ag core–shell NRs is employed, involving deposition of a thin organic polydopamine (PD) primer onto Au NR surfaces, followed by spontaneous electroless silver metallization, and conjugation of antibacterial antibodies and passivating polymers for targeting to gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. Dramatic cytotoxicity of S. epidermidis and E. coli cells targeted with Au@Ag NRs is observed upon exposure to light as a result of the combined antibacterial effects of plasmonic heating and silver release. The antibacterial effect is much greater than with either plasmonic heating or silver alone, implying a strong therapeutic synergy between cell‐targeted plasmonic heating and the associated silver release upon irradiation. The findings suggest a potential antibacterial use of Au@Ag NRs when coupled with light irradiation, which has not been previously described.
Multilevel Hierarchically Ordered Artificial Biomineral
Authors: Liu Xiaoguo , Lin Kaili , Wu Chengtie , Wang Yueyue , Zou Zhaoyong , Chang Jiang 
Published: July 2013

AbstractLiving organisms are known for creating complex organic–inorganic hybrid materials such as bone, teeth, and shells, which possess outstanding functions as compared to their simple mineral forms. This has inspired many attempts to mimic such structures, but has yielded few practical advances. In this study, a multilevel hierarchically ordered artificial biomineral (a composite of hydroxyapatite and gelatine) with favorable nanomechanical properties is reported. A typical optimized HAp/gelatin hybrid material in the perpendicular direction of the HAp c‐axis has a modulus of 25.91 + 1.78 GPa and hardness of 0.90 + 0.10 GPa, which well matches that of human cortical bone (modulus 24.3 + 1.4 GPa, hardness 0.69 + 0.05 GPa). The bottom‐up crystal constructions (from nano‐ to micro‐ to macroscale) of this material are achieved through a hard template approach by the phase transformation from DCP to HAp. The structural biomimetic material shows another way to mimic the complex hierarchical designs of sclerous tissues which have potential value for application in hard tissue engineering.
Variable‐sized wind turbines are a possibility for wind farm optimization
Authors: Chamorro Leonardo P. , Tobin N. , Arndt R.E.A , Sotiropoulos F. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThe potential benefits associated with harnessing available momentum and reducing turbulence levels in a wind farm composed of wind turbines of alternating size are investigated through wind tunnel experiments. A variable size turbine array composed of 3 by 8 model wind turbines is placed in a boundary layer flow developed over both a smooth and rough surfaces under neutrally stratified thermal conditions. Cross‐wire anemometry is used to capture high resolution and simultaneous measurements of the streamwise and vertical velocity components at various locations along the central plane of the wind farm. A laser tachometer is employed to obtain the instantaneous angular velocity of various turbines. The results suggest that wind turbine size heterogeneity in a wind farm introduces distinctive flow interactions not possible in its homogeneous counterpart. In particular, reduced levels of turbulence around the wind turbine rotors may have positive effects on turbulent loading. The turbines also appear to perform quite uniformly along the entire wind farm, whereas surface roughness impacts the velocity recovery and the spectral content of the turbulent flow within the wind farm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of leading edge erosion on wind turbine blade performance
Authors: Sareen Agrim , Sapre Chinmay A. , Selig Michael S. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper presents results of a study to investigate the effect of leading edge erosion on the aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine airfoil. The tests were conducted on the DU 96‐W‐180 wind turbine airfoil at three Reynolds numbers between 1 million and 1.85 million, and angles of attack spanning the nominal low drag range of the airfoil. The airfoil was tested with simulated leading edge erosion by varying both the type and severity of the erosion to investigate the loss in performance due to an eroded leading edge. Tests were also run with simulated bugs on the airfoil to assess the impact of insect accretion on airfoil performance. The objective was to develop a baseline understanding of the aerodynamic effects of varying levels of leading edge erosion and to quantify their relative impact on airfoil performance. Results show that leading edge erosion can produce substantial airfoil performance degradation, yielding a large increase in drag coupled with a significant loss in lift near the upper corner of the drag polar, which is key to maximizing wind turbine energy production. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in Specialists’ Perspectives on Cancer Genetic Testing, Prophylactic Surgery and Insurance Discrimination: Then and Now
Authors: Matloff Ellen T. , Bonadies Danielle C. , Moyer Anne , Brierley Karina L. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe surveyed cancer genetics specialists in 1998 to learn what they would do if at 50 % risk to carry a BRCA or Lynch syndrome mutation. We chose to repeat our study 14 years later, to examine how perspectives have changed with the extensive data now available. In July 2012 we surveyed the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Cancer Special Interest Group via an internet based survey. We found statistically significant increases in the percentage of specialists who: would undergo BRCA testing (p = 0.0006), opt for prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (p =0.0001), opt for prophylactic removal of their uterus and ovaries for Lynch syndrome (p =0.0057 and P = 0.0090, respectively), and bill testing to insurance (p >0.0001). There were also statistically significant decreases in the percentage of participants who would have their colon removed for Lynch syndrome (p = 0.0002) and use an alias when pursuing testing (p > 0.0001). Over the past 14 years there has been a major change in perspective amongst cancer genetic specialists regarding genetic testing, prophylactic surgery and insurance discrimination.
Two-dimensional vortex structures in the bottom boundary layer of progressive and solitary waves
Authors: Scandura Pietro 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe two-dimensional vortices characterizing the bottom boundary layer of both progressive and solitary waves, recently discovered by experimental flow visualizations and referred to as vortex tubes, are studied by numerical solution of the governing equations. In the case of progressive waves, the Reynolds numbers investigated belong to the subcritical range, according to Floquet linear stability theory. In such a range the periodic generation of strictly two-dimensional vortex structures is not a self-sustaining phenomenon, being the presence of appropriate ambient disturbances necessary to excite certain modes through a receptivity mechanism. In a physical experiment such disturbances may arise from several coexisting sources, among which the most likely is roughness. Therefore, in the present numerical simulations, wall imperfections of small amplitude are introduced as a source of disturbances for both types of wave, but from a macroscopic point of view the wall can be regarded as flat. The simulations show that even wall imperfections of small amplitude may cause flow instability and lead to the appearance of vortex tubes. These vortices, in turn, interact with a vortex layer adjacent to the wall and characterized by vorticity opposite to that of the vortex tubes. In a first stage such interaction gives rise to corrugation of the vortex layer and this affects the spatial distribution of the wall shear stress. In a second stage the vortex layer rolls up and pairs of counter-rotating vortices are generated, which leave the bottom because of the self-induced velocity.
Computation of coupled double-diffusive convection–radiation including lattice Boltzmann simulation of fluid flow
Authors: Moufekkir F. , Moussaoui M. A. , Mezrhab A. , Naji H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThis paper reports a numerical study of coupled double diffusive convection and radiation in a differentially heated square enclosure filled with non-grey air–CO2(or air–H2O) mixtures. The numerical procedure is based on a hybrid scheme with the multiple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method and the finite difference method. The fluid velocity is determined by the D2Q9 multiple relaxation time model, and the energy equation is discretized by the finite difference method to compute the temperature field, while the radiative part of the energy equation is calculated by the discrete ordinates method combined with the spectral line-based weighted sum of grey gases model. Depending on the boundary conditions, aiding and opposing flows occur as the result of temperature and concentration gradients. The effects of various parameters, such as the molar fraction on the flow structure, thermal and concentration fields, are investigated for aiding and opposing cases. The numerical results show that, in the presence of non-grey radiation, the heat transfer is decreased and the mass transfer is slightly modified. The gas radiation modifies the structure of the velocity and thermal fields by generating inclined stratifications and promoting instabilities in opposing flows.
Conditional sampling of transitional boundary layers in pressure gradients
Authors: Nolan Kevin P. , Zaki Tamer A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractStatistical analysis of transitional boundary layers in pressure gradients is performed using the flow fields from direct numerical simulations of bypass transition. Laminar–turbulent discrimination separates the streaky laminar flow from turbulent regions. Individual streaks are identified and tracked in the flow field in order to obtain statistics of the amplitude of the streak population. An extreme value model is proposed for the distribution of streak amplitudes. It is also possible to differentiate those streaks which break down into turbulent spots from innocuous events. It is shown that turbulence onset is due to high-amplitude streaks, with streamwise perturbation velocity exceeding 20 % of the free stream speed. The resulting turbulent spots are tracked downstream. The current analysis allows for the measurement of the lateral spreading angles of individual spots and their spatial extent and volumes. It is demonstrated that the volumetric growth rate of turbulent spots is insensitive to pressure gradient.
Resonance characteristics of tides in branching channels
Authors: Alebregtse Niels C. , de Swart H. E. , Schuttelaars H. M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractResonance characteristics of tidal waves in a network are investigated with the linearized, one-dimensional shallow water equations. The network comprises a semi-enclosed main channel with an adjacent secondary channel at an arbitrary position. Water motion is forced by a prescribed incoming wave at the entrance of the main channel. The model is used to compute the ratio of sea surface height amplitude in the presence and absence of the secondary channel. Relevance lies in the possible construction of secondary channels to reduce tidal range in the main channel. When $\mu = 2\mathrm{\pi} { l}_{b}^{\ast } / { l}_{t}^{\ast } \gtrsim \mathrm{\pi} $ (${ l}_{b}^{\ast } $ being the length of the main channel, ${ l}_{t}^{\ast } $ the tidal wavelength) and friction is weak, it is found that reduction (amplification) of the tidal range occurs for secondary channels located less (more) than a quarter wavelength from the closed end of the main channel. Furthermore, a minimum is observed halfway between the closed end and the nodal point, and a maximum a quarter wavelength further seaward. With increasing friction and/or decreasing length of the main channel, amplitude ratios become less pronounced and depend weakly on the location of the secondary channel. The mechanism responsible for amplification or reduction of the sea surface height in the main channel is identified and explained in terms of the forced wave and waves radiating away from the secondary channel.
In Situ Breast Cancer and Microchimerism
Authors: Eun Jinny K. , Guthrie Katherine A. , Zirpoli Gary , Gadi V. K. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMicrochimeric cells of fetal origin persistent in the maternal circulation post-partum are associated with protection against invasive breast cancer. Here using quantitative genomic methods, we evaluated for the presence of male fetal microchimerism in buffy coat cells from women with a prior history of breast carcinomas in situ (CIS) and in healthy controls. Fetal microchimerism was detected in 75 of 88 controls (85%) and in 57 of 89 CIS patients (64%). The odds ratio for protection against non-invasive breast disease was 0.26 (95% confidence interval 0.12–0.56; p < 0.001 adjusted for age and body mass index). Similar to women with invasive breast cancer, women with CIS who are naturally at high risk for future invasive disease were deficient for fetal microchimerism. In addition to autologous anti-tumor immune responses, the maintenance of haploidentical microchimerism may impart an allogeneic edge in immunosurveillance.
From superhydrophobicity to icephobicity: forces and interaction analysis
Authors: Hejazi Vahid , Sobolev Konstantin , Nosonovsky Michael 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe term “icephobicity” has emerged in the literature recently. An extensive discussion took place on whether the icephobicity is related to the superhydrophobicity and the consensus is that there is no direct correlation. Besides the parallel between the icephobicity and superhydrophobicity for water/ice repellency, there are similarities on other levels including the hydrophobic effect/hydrophobic interactions, mechanisms of protein folding and ice crystal formation. In this paper, we report how ice adhesion is different from water using force balance analysis and why superhydrophobic surfaces are not necessary icephobic. We also present experimental data on anti-icing of various surfaces and suggest a definition of icephobicity, which is broad enough to cover a variety of situations relevant to de-icing including low adhesion strength and delayed ice crystallization and bouncing.
Preparation and in vivo characterization of a cocaine hydrolase engineered from human butyrylcholinesterase for metabolizing cocaine
Authors: Xue Liu , Hou Shurong , Tong Min , Fang Lei , Chen Xiabin , Jin Zhenyu , Tai Hsin-Hsiung , Zheng Fang , Zhan Chang-Guo 
Published: July 2013

Cocaine is a widely abused drug without an FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved medication. It has been recognized that an ideal anti-cocaine medication would accelerate cocaine metabolism producing biologically inactive metabolites via a route similar to the primary cocaine-metabolizing pathway, i.e. human BChE (butyrylcholinesterase)-catalysed hydrolysis. However, the native human BChE has a low catalytic activity against cocaine. We recently designed and discovered a BChE mutant (A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G) with a high catalytic activity (kcat=5700 min−1, Km=3.1 μM) specifically for cocaine, and the mutant was proven effective in protecting mice from acute cocaine toxicity of a lethal dose of cocaine (180 mg/kg of body weight, LD100). Further characterization in animal models requires establishment of a high-efficiency stable cell line for the BChE mutant production at a relatively larger scale. It has been extremely challenging to develop a high-efficiency stable cell line expressing BChE or its mutant. In the present study, we successfully developed a stable cell line efficiently expressing the BChE mutant by using a lentivirus-based repeated-transduction method. The scaled-up protein production enabled us to determine for the first time the in vivo catalytic activity and the biological half-life of this high-activity mutant of human BChE in accelerating cocaine clearance. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the BChE mutant (administered to mice 1 min prior to cocaine) can quickly metabolize cocaine and completely eliminate cocaine-induced hyperactivity in rodents, implying that the BChE mutant may be developed as a promising therapeutic agent for cocaine abuse treatment.
An integrated toolkit for accurate prediction and analysis ofcis-regulatory motifs at a genome scale
Authors: Ma Qin , Liu Bingqiang , Zhou Chuan , Yin Yanbin , Li Guojun , Xu Ying 
Published: July 2013

AbstractMotivation: We present an integrated toolkit, BoBro2.0, for prediction and analysis of cis-regulatory motifs. This toolkit can (i) reliably identify statistically significant cis-regulatory motifs at a genome scale; (ii) accurately scan for all motif instances of a query motif in specified genomic regions using a novel method for P-value estimation; (iii) provide highly reliable comparisons and clustering of identified motifs, which takes into consideration the weak signals from the flanking regions of the motifs; and (iv) analyze co-occurring motifs in the regulatory regions.Results: We have carried out systematic comparisons between motif predictions using BoBro2.0 and the MEME package. The comparison results on Escherichia coli K12 genome and the human genome show that BoBro2.0 can identify the statistically significant motifs at a genome scale more efficiently, identify motif instances more accurately and get more reliable motif clusters than MEME. In addition, BoBro2.0 provides correlational analyses among the identified motifs to facilitate the inference of joint regulation relationships of transcription factors.Availability: The source code of the program is freely available for noncommercial uses at http://code.google.com/p/bobro/.Contact: xyn@bmb.uga.eduSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2013 Recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)a
Authors: Baron Ellen Jo , Miller J. Michael , Weinstein Melvin P. , Richter Sandra S. , Gilligan Peter H. , Thomson Richard B. , Bourbeau Paul , Carroll Karen C. , Kehl Sue C. , Dunne W. Michael , Robinson-Dunn Barbara , Schwartzman Joseph D. , Chapin Kimberle C. , Snyder James W. , Forbes Betty A. , Patel Robin , Rosenblatt Jon E. , Pritt Bobbi S. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe critical role of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the health care team. This document, developed by both laboratory and clinical experts, provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. Sections are divided into anatomic systems, including Bloodstream Infections and Infections of the Cardiovascular System, Central Nervous System Infections, Ocular Infections, Soft Tissue Infections of the Head and Neck, Upper Respiratory Infections, Lower Respiratory Tract infections, Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Intraabdominal Infections, Bone and Joint Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Genital Infections, and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including Tickborne Infections, Viral Syndromes, and Blood and Tissue Parasite Infections. Each section contains introductory concepts, a summary of key points, and detailed tables that list suspected agents; the most reliable tests to order; the samples (and volumes) to collect in order of preference; specimen transport devices, procedures, times, and temperatures; and detailed notes on specific issues regarding the test methods, such as when tests are likely to require a specialized laboratory or have prolonged turnaround times. There is redundancy among the tables and sections, as many agents and assay choices overlap. The document is intended to serve as a reference to guide physicians in choosing tests that will aid them to diagnose infectious diseases in their patients.
Complete atrioventricular block does not reduce long‐term mortality in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Tolosana José M. , Trucco Emilce , Khatib Malek , Doltra Adelina , Borras Roger , Castel M. Ángeles , Berruezo Antonio , Arbelo Elena , Sitges Marta , Matas Maria , Guasch Eduard , Brugada Josep , Mont Lluís 
Published: July 2013

AimsA maximum percentage of ventricular pacing is mandatory to obtain a good response to CRT. Atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation has been recommended to attain this objective in patients with AF. The aims of our study were: (i) to determine whether the presence of complete AVJ block (induced or spontaneous) improves survival in patients with permanent AF treated with CRT and (ii) to analyse the predictors of mortality in AF patients treated with CRT.Methods and resultsFrom a series of 608 patients treated with CRT in our centre from 2000 to 2011, a cohort of 155 patients with permanent AF was analysed. Patients in AF were divided into two groups, AF + AVJ block [76 (49%)] and AF non‐AVJ block [79 (51%)]. Mean follow‐up was 30 months (interquartile range 13–51 months). During the follow‐up, 62 patients died. Overall and cardiovascular mortality were similar between both groups: hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51–1.39, P = 0.51 and HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.52–1.68, P = 0.82. Multivariate analysis identified three independent predictors of mortality: basal NYHA functional class IV (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.12–4.22, P = 0.03), glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99, P = 0.03), and LVEF (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99, P = 0.02).ConclusionsAVJ block did not improve survival for patients in AF treated with CRT. Basal NYHA functional class IV, poor renal function, and LVEF were the independent predictors of mortality.