bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Damage Tolerance Requirements Using a Probabilistic-Based Life Approach
Authors: Annis C. G. , Hunter D. T. , Watkins T. 
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the results of a study using Pratt & Whitney’s probabilistic-based life analysis system to define the impact of damage tolerance requirements now being written into design specifications. An advanced turbine disk design was considered for several combinations of NDE starting with baseline values representative of actual material and NDE capabilities. Significant conclusions are:
(1) Conventional single-valued descriptions of NDE capability (e.g. 90/95, etc.) are incomplete for comparing competing NDE systems.
(2) The scatter about the mean NDE capability has little influence on system behavior.
These conclusions suggest that more complete descriptions of damage tolerance requirements should be considered. NDE requirements, for example, might be better stated in terms of system performance goals – acceptable failure and removal rates – rather than any specific POD/confidence limit requirement.
The Effect of Reynolds Number and Velocity Distribution on LP Turbine Cascade Performance
Authors: Patterson D. J. , Hoeger M. 
Published: April 2015

Because of the laminar boundary-layer’s inability to withstand moderate adverse pressure gradients without separating, profile losses in LP turbines operating at low Reynolds numbers can be high. The choice of design pressure distribution for the blading is thus of great importance.
Three sub-sonic LP turbine nozzle-guide-vane cascade profiles have been tested over a wide range of incidence, Mach number and Reynolds number. The three profiles are of low, medium and high deflection and, as such, display significantly different pressure distributions. The tests include detailed boundary-layer traverses, trailing-edge base-pressure monitoring and oil-flow visualisation.
It is shown that the loss variation with Reynolds number is a function of pressure distribution and that the trailing-edge loss component is dominant at low Reynolds number. The importance of achieving late flow transition — rather than separation — in the suction-surface trailing-edge region is stressed.
The paper concludes by remarking on the advantages and practical implications of each loading design.
Quality Assurance in the Reconditioning of Gas Turbine and Compressor Blading Components
Authors: Koromzay T. 
Published: April 2015

During the past several years, there has been a strong trend worldwide toward the extensive repair of used gas turbine blading components. The behavior of the marketplace, i.e., of customers, and that of insurance companies, presented manufacturers with two alternatives:
1. To allow the market to go its own way, thereby losing, in many cases, technological control over the blading components installed in their own turbines, or
2. To become active in the business of blade reconditioning.
This paper deals with the second of these alternatives.
Transonic Flow Along Arbitrary Stream Filament of Revolution Solved by Separate Computations With Shock Fitting
Authors: Baoguo Wang , Yaonan Hua , Xiaoyan Huang , Chung-Hua Wu 
Published: April 2015

The transonic flow field in a cascade of blades lying on an S1 stream surface of revolution is solved by separate computations in the supersonic and the transonic region. The characteristics method is used to solve the supersonic flow upstream of the passage shock and the direct matrix method is used to solve the transonic flow downstream of the passage shock. The transonic stream-function equation in weak conservative form was discretized with respect to general non-orthogonal curvilinear coordinates. Using the artificial density technique and a new iteration scheme between the stream function and the density, the set of algebraic equations was solved by the direct matrix method.
A computer program has been developed and is applied to compute the flow field on several S1 stream surfaces of revolution for the DFVLR transonic axial compressor rotor. It is found that the thickness of the S1 stream filament and the variation of entropy along the streamlines have strong influence on calculation. The calculated result agrees with the experimental data fairly well.
AGT 100 Experimental Ceramic Component Test-Bed
Authors: Johnson R. A. 
Published: April 2015

The AGT 100 is an advanced gas turbine designed for passenger car application. The most significant of its advanced features is the use of structural ceramic components for the hot section of the engine’s flow path. The engine was expressly designed for ceramic components; previously, ceramic materials were simply substituted for metal components. Early experimental builds of the AGT 100 contained many ceramic components and metal substitutes for the more complex ceramic components that were not yet fabricated.
Engine testing has continued to accumulate operating time on the ceramic components that have always been engine-worthy (combustor, regenerator, vanes, rings and spacers, piston ring). Recent engine tests have included both a ceramic turbine rotor and static structure (scroll, vanes, backplates, coupling). Each type and shape of ceramic component has now been engine tested. Development is continuing to improve them even further.
Physical Activity Predicts Higher Physical Function in Older Adults: The Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Batsis John A. , Germain Cassandra M. , Vásquez Elizabeth , Zbehlik Alicia J. , Bartels Stephen J. 
Published: April 2015

Objectives:Physical activity reduces mobility impairments in elders. We examined the association of physical activity on risk of subjective and objective physical function in adults with and at risk for osteoarthritis (OA).Methods:Adults aged ≥ 60 years from the longitudinal Osteoarthritis Initiative, a prospective observational study of knee OA, were classified by sex-specific quartiles of Physical Activity Score for the Elderly scores. Using linear mixed models, we assessed 6-year data on self-reported health, gait speed, Late-Life Function and Disability Index (LLFDI) and chair stand.Results:Of 2252 subjects, mean age ranged from 66 to 70 years. Within each quartile, physical component (PCS) of the Short Form-12 and gait speed decreased from baseline to follow-up in both sexes (all P < .001), yet the overall changes across PASE quartiles between these 2 time points were no different (P = .40 and .69, males and females, respectively). Decline in PCS occurred in the younger age group, but rates of change between quartiles over time were no different in any outcomes in either sex. LLFDI scores declined in the 70+ age group. Adjusting for knee extensor strength reduced the strength of association.Conclusions:Higher physical activity is associated with maintained physical function and is mediated by muscle strength, highlighting the importance of encouraging physical activity in older adults with and at risk for OA.
Effect of a High-Fat Meal on the Pharmacokinetics of 300-Milligram Posaconazole in a Solid Oral Tablet Formulation
Authors: Kersemaekers Wendy M. , Dogterom Peter , Xu Jialin , Marcantonio Eugene E. , de Greef Rik , Waskin Hetty , van Iersel Marlou L. P. S. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Posaconazole in oral suspension must be taken multiple times a day with food (preferably a high-fat meal) to ensure adequate exposure among patients. We evaluated the effect of food on the bioavailability of a new delayed-release tablet formulation of posaconazole at the proposed clinical dose of 300 mg once daily in a randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-period crossover study with 18 healthy volunteers. When a single 300-mg dose of posaconazole in tablet form (3 tablets × 100 mg) was administered with a high-fat meal, the posaconazole area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 72 h (AUC
0–72
) and maximum concentration in plasma (
C
max
) increased 51% and 16%, respectively, compared to those after administration in the fasted state. The median time to
C
max
(
T
max
) shifted from 5 h in the fasted state to 6 h under fed conditions. No serious adverse events were reported, and no subject discontinued the study due to an adverse event. Six of the 18 subjects reported at least one clinical adverse event; all of these events were mild and short lasting. The results of this study demonstrate that a high-fat meal only modestly increases the mean posaconazole exposure (AUC), ∼1.5-fold, after administration of posaconazole tablets, in contrast to the 4-fold increase in AUC observed previously for a posaconazole oral suspension given with a high-fat meal.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Benznidazole in Adult Patients with Chagas Disease
Authors: Soy D. , Aldasoro E. , Guerrero L. , Posada E. , Serret N. , Mejía T. , Urbina J. A. , Gascón J. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to build a population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model to characterize benznidazole (BNZ) pharmacokinetics in adults with chronic Chagas disease. This study was a prospective, open-label, single-center clinical trial approved by the local ethics committee. Patients received BNZ at 2.5 mg/kg of body weight/12 h (Abarax, Elea Laboratory, Argentina) for 60 days. Plasma BNZ samples were taken several times during the study and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-visible detection (HPLC-UV). The popPK analysis was done with NONMEMv.7.3. Demographic and biological data were tested as covariates. Intraindividual, interoccasion, and residual variabilities were modeled. Internal and external validations were completed to assess the robustness of the model. Later on, simulations were performed to generate BNZ concentration-time course profiles for different dosage regimens. A total of 358 plasma BNZ concentrations from 39 patients were included in the analysis. A one-compartment PK model characterized by clearance (CL/
F
) and the apparent volume of distribution (
V
/
F
), with first-order absorption (

K
a

) and elimination, adequately described the data (CL/
F
, 1.73 liters/h;
V
/
F
, 89.6 liters; and

K
a

, 1.15 h
−1
). No covariates were found to be significant for CL/
F
and
V
/
F
. Internal and external validations of the final model showed adequate results. Data from simulations revealed that a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/12 h might lead to overexposure in most patients. A lower dose (2.5 mg/kg/24 h) was able to achieve trough BNZ plasma concentrations within the accepted therapeutic range of 3 to 6 mg/liter. In summary, we developed a population PK model for BNZ in adults with chronic Chagas disease. Dosing simulations showed that a BNZ dose of 2.5 mg/kg/24 h will adequately keep BNZ trough plasma concentrations within the recommended target range for the majority of patients. (This study has been registered at EudraCT under number 2011-002900-34 and at ClinicalTrials.gov under number NCT01755403.)
Colonization with Escherichia coli Strains among Female Sex Partners of Men with Febrile Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Ulleryd Peter , Sandberg Torsten , Scheutz Flemming , Clabots Connie , Johnston Brian D. , Thuras Paul , Johnson James R. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

Of 23 unique
Escherichia coli
strains from 10 men with febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) and their female sex partners, 6 strains (all UTI causing) were shared between partners. Molecularly, the 6 shared strains appeared more virulent than the 17 nonshared strains, being associated with phylogenetic group B2, sequence types ST73 and ST127, and multiple specific virulence genes. This indicates that UTIs are sometimes sexually transmitted.
Quantification of Hepatitis C Virus Cell-to-Cell Spread Using a Stochastic Modeling Approach
Authors: Graw Frederik , Martin Danyelle N. , Perelson Alan S. , Uprichard Susan L. , Dahari Harel 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIt has been proposed that viral cell-to-cell transmission plays a role in establishing and maintaining chronic infections. Thus, understanding the mechanisms and kinetics of cell-to-cell spread is fundamental to elucidating the dynamics of infection and may provide insight into factors that determine chronicity. Because hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads from cell to cell and has a chronicity rate of up to 80% in exposed individuals, we examined the dynamics of HCV cell-to-cell spreadin vitroand quantified the effect of inhibiting individual host factors. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we performed HCV spread assays and assessed the appropriateness of different stochastic models for describing HCV focus expansion. To evaluate the effect of blocking specific host cell factors on HCV cell-to-cell transmission, assays were performed in the presence of blocking antibodies and/or small-molecule inhibitors targeting different cellular HCV entry factors. In all experiments, HCV-positive cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining and the number of HCV-positive cells per focus was assessed to determine focus size. We found that HCV focus expansion can best be explained by mathematical models assuming focus size-dependent growth. Consistent with previous reports suggesting that some factors impact HCV cell-to-cell spread to different extents, modeling results estimate a hierarchy of efficacies for blocking HCV cell-to-cell spread when targeting different host factors (e.g., CLDN1 > NPC1L1 > TfR1). This approach can be adapted to describe focus expansion dynamics under a variety of experimental conditions as a means to quantify cell-to-cell transmission and assess the impact of cellular factors, viral factors, and antivirals.IMPORTANCEThe ability of viruses to efficiently spread by direct cell-to-cell transmission is thought to play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of viral persistence. As such, elucidating the dynamics of cell-to-cell spread and quantifying the effect of blocking the factors involved has important implications for the design of potent antiviral strategies and controlling viral escape. Mathematical modeling has been widely used to understand HCV infection dynamics and treatment response; however, these models typically assume only cell-free virus infection mechanisms. Here, we used stochastic models describing focus expansion as a means to understand and quantify the dynamics of HCV cell-to-cell spreadin vitroand determined the degree to which cell-to-cell spread is reduced when individual HCV entry factors are blocked. The results demonstrate the ability of this approach to recapitulate and quantify cell-to-cell transmission, as well as the impact of specific factors and potential antivirals.
Morphogenesis of Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane-Invaginated Vesicles during Beet Black Scorch Virus Infection: Role of Auxiliary Replication Protein and New Implications of Three-Dimensional Architecture
Authors: Cao Xiuling , Jin Xuejiao , Zhang Xiaofeng , Li Ying , Wang Chunyan , Wang Xianbing , Hong Jian , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Dawei , Zhang Yongliang 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

All well-characterized positive-strand RNA viruses[(+)RNA viruses] induce the formation of host membrane-bound viral replication complexes (VRCs), yet the underlying mechanism and machinery for VRC formation remain elusive. We report here the biogenesis and topology of the
Beet black scorch virus
(BBSV) replication complex. Distinct cytopathological changes typical of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) aggregation and vesiculation were observed in BBSV-infected
Nicotiana benthamiana
cells. Immunogold labeling of the auxiliary replication protein p23 and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) revealed that the ER-derived membranous spherules provide the site for BBSV replication. Further studies indicated that p23 plays a crucial role in mediating the ER rearrangement. Three-dimensional electron tomographic analysis revealed the formation of multiple ER-originated vesicle packets. Each vesicle packet enclosed a few to hundreds of independent spherules that were invaginations of the ER membranes into the lumen. Strikingly, these vesicle packets were connected to each other via tubules, a rearrangement event that is rare among other virus-induced membrane reorganizations. Fibrillar contents within the spherules were also reconstructed by electron tomography, which showed diverse structures. Our results provide the first, to our knowledge, three-dimensional ultrastructural analysis of membrane-bound VRCs of a plant (+)RNA virus and should help to achieve a better mechanistic understanding of the organization and microenvironment of plant (+)RNA virus replication complexes.

IMPORTANCE
Assembly of virus replication complexes for all known positive-strand RNA viruses depends on the extensive remodeling of host intracellular membranes.
Beet black scorch virus
, a necrovirus in the family
Tombusviridae
, invaginates the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes to form spherules in infected cells. Double-stranded RNAs, the viral replication intermediate, and the viral auxiliary replication protein p23 are all localized within such viral spherules, indicating that these are the sites for generating progeny viral RNAs. Furthermore, the BBSV p23 protein could to some extent reorganize the ER when transiently expressed in
N. benthamiana
. Electron tomographic analysis resolves the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of such spherules, which are connected to the cytoplasm via a neck-like structure. Strikingly, different numbers of spherules are enclosed in ER-originated vesicle packets that are connected to each other via tubule-like structures. Our results have significant implications for further understanding the mechanisms underlying the replication of positive-strand RNA viruses.
Noncapped Alphavirus Genomic RNAs and Their Role during Infection
Authors: Sokoloski K. J. , Haist K. C. , Morrison T. E. , Mukhopadhyay S. , Hardy R. W. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT
Alphaviruses are enveloped positive-sense RNA viruses that exhibit a wide host range consisting of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Previously we have reported that the infectivity of Sindbis virus (SINV), the model alphavirus, was largely a function of the cell line producing the viral particles. Mammalian-cell-derived SINV particles, on average, exhibit a higher particle-to-PFU ratio than mosquito cell-derived SINV particles. Nevertheless, the outcome of nonproductive infection, the molecular traits that determine particle infectivity and the biological importance of noninfectious particles were, prior to this study, unknown. Here, we report that the incoming genomic RNAs of noninfectious SINV particles undergo rapid degradation following infection. Moreover, these studies have led to the identification of the absence of the 5′ cap structure as a primary molecular determinant of particle infectivity. We show that the genomic RNAs of alphaviruses are not universally 5′ capped, with a significant number of noncapped genomic RNA produced early in infection. The production of noncapped viral genomic RNAs is important to the establishment and maintenance of alphaviral infection.

IMPORTANCE
This report is of importance to the field of virology for three reasons. First, these studies demonstrate that noncapped Sindbis virus particles are produced as a result of viral RNA synthesis. Second, this report is, to our knowledge, the first instance of the direct measurement of the half-life of an incoming genomic RNA from a positive-sense RNA virus. Third, these studies indicate that alphaviral infection is likely a concerted effort of infectious and noninfectious viral particles.
Diabetic ketoacidosis in the setting of HNF1A-maturity onset diabetes of the young
Authors: Egan Aoife M , Cunningham Aine , Jafar-Mohammadi Bahram , Dunne Fidelma P 
Published: April 2015

A female patient was treated for type 1 diabetes following presentation at 12 years of age with hyperglycaemia, polydipsia and weight loss. Eleven years later, while screening relatives attending a genetic diabetes clinic, she was identified as potentially harbouring a mutation in thehepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A)gene. Biochemical testing supported the diagnosis of HNF1A-maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and genetic screening was positive for a heterozygous mutation in theHNF1Agene. The patient transitioned from insulin to sulfonylurea therapy. Three years later, in the setting of poor metabolic control, the patient presented to the emergency department with a history of nausea, vomiting and palpitations. A diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was confirmed and successfully treated. Although a diagnosis of HNF1A-MODY is rarely considered in a patient with a history of DKA, we demonstrate that DKA is possible in the setting of non-compliance with sulfonylurea therapy.
Management of an anaphylactoid crisis due to mast cell degranulation in a dog during general anaesthesia
Authors: Harðardottir Hulda , Yool Donald , Lawrence Jessica , Duncan Juliet 
Published: April 2015

It is widely stated within the veterinary literature that manipulation of a mast cell tumour can lead to an anaphylactoid reaction; however, there is limited information on the frequency or management of such cases in companion animals. A nine‐year‐old, 38.4 kg, female neutered, labrador (retriever) presented for excision of a cutaneous mast cell tumour located on the left lower eyelid. This report describes a Grade III anaphylactoid crisis (hypotension, bradycardia and bronchospasm) that occurred when the dog was under general anaesthesia following mast cell degranulation. Prompt management following fluid resuscitation, administration of an aerosolised bronchodilator and intravenous atropine, successfully addressed the underlying pathophysiology of anaphylactoid crisis.
Petrography and characterization of microbial carbonates and associated facies from modern Great Salt Lake and Uinta Basin's Eocene Green River Formation in Utah, USA
Authors: Chidsey Thomas C. , Vanden Berg Michael D. , Eby David E. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Utah contains unique analogues of microbial hydrocarbon reservoirs in the modern Great Salt Lake and the lacustrine Eocene Green River Formation within the Uinta Basin. Characteristics of both lake environments include shallow-water, ramp margins that are susceptible to rapid widespread shoreline changes, as well as comparable water chemistry and temperature that were ideal for microbial growth and formation/deposition of associated carbonate grains. Thus, microbialites in Great Salt Lake and cores from the Green River Formation exhibit similarities in terms of microbial textures and fabrics. A detailed petrographic analysis provides unique insights into these modern and ancient deposits that can be used to determine reservoir characteristics in other microbial carbonate petroleum plays.
Great Salt Lake is a hypersaline lake and carbonate ‘factory’, containing actively forming microbial mats, stromatolites, thrombolites and associated carbonate grains. Open constructional pores are common within a spectrum of microbial structures. Green River Formation cores display excellent examples of stromatolites and thrombolites that contain primary megascopic pore and microporosity, as well as carbonate grainstones composed of ooids, peloids and skeletal material with abundant interparticle and intraparticle porosity. West Willow Creek oil field produces from a Green River microbial buildup/mound, a feature not currently recognized in Great Salt Lake.