bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seismic rupture during the 1960 Great Chile and the 2010 Maule earthquakes limited by a giant Pleistocene submarine slope failure
Authors: Geersen Jacob , Völker David , Behrmann Jan H. , Kläschen Dirk , Weinrebe Wilhelm , Krastel Sebastian , Reichert Christian 
Published: June 2013

AbstractDetermining factors that limit coseismic rupture is important to evaluate the hazard of powerful subduction zone earthquakes such as the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki event (Mw = 9.0). In 1960 (Mw = 9.5) and 2010 (Mw = 8.8), Chile was hit by such powerful earthquakes, the boundary of which was the site of a giant submarine slope failure with chaotic debris subducted to seismogenic zone depth. Here, a continuous décollement is absent, whereas away from the slope failure, a continuous décollement is seismically imaged. We infer that underthrusting of inhomogeneous slide deposits prevents the development of a décollement, and thus the formation of a thin continuous slip zone necessary for earthquake rupture propagation. Thus, coseismic rupture during the 1960 and 2010 earthquakes seems to be limited by underthrusted upper plate mass‐wasting deposits. More generally, our results suggest that upper plate dynamics and resulting surface processes can play a key role for determining rupture size of subduction zone earthquakes.
Services Trade, Regulation and Regional Integration: Evidence from Sectoral Data
Authors: van der Marel Erik , Shepherd Ben 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe use new World Bank Services Trade Restrictiveness Indices (STRIs) to measure the impact of regulation on cross‐border services trade at the sectoral level. We find that policy barriers as measured by the overall STRI for each sector have a negative and significant effect on total services trade, as well as trade in business and financial services. The effect in other sectors is not statistically significant. However, disaggregating the policy data by mode produces stronger results: policy restrictiveness negatively impacts trade in all sectors except wholesale and retail trade. There is thus considerable evidence of cross‐sectoral heterogeneity in the impact of regulations. In addition, we find evidence of cross‐modal substitution in total services trade, but complementarity in business, financial and insurance services. Finally, we find that regional trade agreements tend to promote trade overall and in business and financial services; however, the effect seems to be primarily driven by the impact of the European Union.
Clinicopathological findings of canine seborrhoeic keratosis with comparison to pigmented viral plaques
Authors: Bradley Charles W. , Luff Jennifer A. , Mauldin Elizabeth A. 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundSeborrhoeic keratoses (SKs) are common benign epidermal neoplasms in humans and are rarely diagnosed in the dog. These circumscribed, raised, variably pigmented plaques arise in middle aged to older humans, with a focal or multicentric distribution; although common, the underlying cause of these lesions is not known. Although less common in the dog, the lesions are similar and have features that overlap with papillomavirus‐associated pigmented viral plaques.Hypothesis/ObjectivesSeborrhoeic keratoses in the dog are negative for canine papillomavirus.AnimalsEleven cases of SK from a 12 year period were reviewed.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of the histopathological findings and case histories. Complete clinical records following collection of the skin biopsy were available in five of 11 cases. Immunohistochemistry was performed for all cases; PCR analysis was carried out for papillomavirus in six cases.ResultsHistologically, SKs had an exophytic to mildly endophytic epidermal proliferation, creating a papillomatous to acanthotic, hyperkeratotic, frequently pigmented plaque. There was an absence of hypergranulosis or viral cytopathic effect; PCRs for canine papillomavirus within the formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded skin biopsies were negative. No breed, sex or site predilection was recognized. The mean age at biopsy of the lesions was 8.8 years (range 5–14 years).Conclusions and clinical importanceHistopathological features and negative papillomavirus status distinguish SK as an important differential diagnosis for pigmented viral plaques in dogs.
Measurement of cortisol in dog hair: a noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of hypercortisolism
Authors: Ouschan Claudia , Kuchar Alexandra , Möstl Erich 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundThe clinical signs of hyperadrenocorticism (hypercortisolism) in dogs are known to be caused by chronic overexposure to glucocorticoids. The quantification of cortisol in serum, saliva or urine reflects the cortisol concentration at the time of sample collection, but in suspected hyperadrenocorticism it may be preferable to examine a long‐term parameter of cortisol production.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThere is a need for a noninvasive method to monitor the long‐term production of cortisol in dogs. It seems possible that measuring cortisol levels in hair could represent such a method.AnimalsHair was collected from 12 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and from 10 healthy control dogs.MethodsImmunoreactive cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay. High‐performance liquid chromatography was performed to test the validity of the cortisol assay.ResultsLevels of immunoreactive cortisol, cortisone and corticosterone were significantly higher in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism than in control dogs. The difference was most pronounced for the cortisol level.Conclusions and clinical importanceThe determination of cortisol in hair offers the advantage that sampling is easier and less invasive than taking blood, urine, faeces or saliva. Measuring cortisol in hair may represent a valuable tool for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.
Fundamental radiological and geometric performance of two types of proton beam modulated discrete scanning systems
Authors: Farr J. B. , Dessy F. , De Wilde O. , Bietzer O. , Schönenberg D. 
Published: June 2013

Purpose:The purpose of this investigation was to compare and contrast the measured fundamental properties of two new types of modulated proton scanning systems. This provides a basis for clinical expectations based on the scanned beam quality and a benchmark for computational models. Because the relatively small beam and fast scanning gave challenges to the characterization, a secondary purpose was to develop and apply new approaches where necessary to do so.Methods:The following performances of the proton scanning systems were investigated: beamlet alignment, static in‐air beamlet size and shape, scanned in‐air penumbra, scanned fluence map accuracy, geometric alignment of scanning system to isocenter, maximum field size, lateral and longitudinal field uniformity of a 1 l cubic uniform field, output stability over time, gantry angle invariance, monitoring system linearity, and reproducibility. A range of detectors was used: film, ionization chambers, lateral multielement and longitudinal multilayer ionization chambers, and a scintillation screen combined with a digital video camera. Characterization of the scanned fluence maps was performed with a software analysis tool.Results:The resulting measurements and analysis indicated that the two types of delivery systems performed within specification for those aspects investigated. The significant differences were observed between the two types of scanning systems where one type exhibits a smaller spot size and associated penumbra than the other. The differential is minimum at maximum energy and increases inversely with decreasing energy. Additionally, the large spot system showed an increase in dose precision to a static target with layer rescanning whereas the small spot system did not.Conclusions:The measured results from the two types of modulated scanning types of system were consistent with their designs under the conditions tested. The most significant difference between the types of system was their proton spot size and associated resolution, factors of magnetic optics, and vacuum length. The need and benefit of mutielement detectors and high‐resolution sensors was also shown. The use of a fluence map analytical software tool was particularly effective in characterizing the dynamic proton energy‐layer scanning.
Magnetic tracking for TomoTherapy systems: Gradiometer based methods to filter eddy‐current magnetic fields
Authors: McGary John E. , Xiong Zubiao , Chen Ji 
Published: June 2013

Purpose:TomoTherapy systems lack real‐time, tumor tracking. A possible solution is to use electromagnetic markers; however, eddy‐current magnetic fields generated in response to a magnetic source can be comparable to the signal, thus degrading the localization accuracy. Therefore, the tracking system must be designed to account for the eddy fields created along the inner bore conducting surfaces. The aim of this work is to investigate localization accuracy using magnetic field gradients to determine feasibility toward TomoTherapy applications.Methods:Electromagnetic models are used to simulate magnetic fields created by a source and its simultaneous generation of eddy currents within a conducting cylinder. The source position is calculated using a least‐squares fit of simulated sensor data using the dipole equation as the model equation. To account for field gradients across the sensor area (∼25 cm2), an iterative method is used to estimate the magnetic field at the sensor center. Spatial gradients are calculated with two arrays of uniaxial, paired sensors that form a gradiometer array, where the sensors are considered ideal.Results:Experimental measurements of magnetic fields within the TomoTherapy bore are shown to be 1%–10% less than calculated with the electromagnetic model. Localization results using a 5 × 5 array of gradiometers are, in general, 2–4 times more accurate than a planar array of sensors, depending on the solenoid orientation and position. Simulation results show that the localization accuracy using a gradiometer array is within 1.3 mm over a distance of 20 cm from the array plane. In comparison, localization errors using single array are within 5 mm.Conclusions:The results indicate that the gradiometer method merits further studies and work due to the accuracy achieved with ideal sensors. Future studies should include realistic sensor models and extensive numerical studies to estimate the expected magnetic tracking accuracy within a TomoTherapy system before proceeding with prototype development.
Novel Quorum-Sensing Peptides Mediating Interspecies Bacterial Cell Death
Authors: Kumar Sathish , Kolodkin-Gal Ilana , Engelberg-Kulka Hanna 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli
mazEF
is a toxin-antitoxin stress-induced module mediating cell death. It requires the quorum-sensing signal (QS) “extracellular death factor” (EDF), the penta-peptide NNWNN (
Ec
EDF), enhancing the endoribonucleolytic activity of
E. coli
toxin MazF. Here we discovered that
E. coli mazEF
-mediated cell death could be triggered by QS peptides from the supernatants (SN) of the Gram-positive bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
and the Gram-negative bacterium
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. In the SN of
B. subtilis
, we found one EDF, the hexapeptide RGQQNE, called
Bs
EDF. In the SN of
P. aeruginosa
, we found three EDFs: the nonapeptide INEQTVVTK, called
Pa
EDF-1, and two hexadecapeptides, VEVSDDGSGGNTSLSQ, called
Pa
EDF-2, and APKLSDGAAAGYVTKA, called
Pa
EDF-3. When added to a diluted
E. coli
cultures, each of these peptides acted as an interspecies EDF that triggered
mazEF
-mediated death. Furthermore, though their sequences are very different, each of these EDFs amplified the endoribonucleolytic activity of
E. coli
MazF, probably by interacting with different sites on
E. coli
MazF. Finally, we suggest that EDFs may become the basis for a new class of antibiotics that trigger death from outside the bacterial cells.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria communicate with one another via quorum-sensing signal (QS) molecules. QS provides a mechanism for bacteria to monitor each other’s presence and to modulate gene expression in response to population density. Previously, we added
E. coli
EDF (
Ec
EDF), the peptide NNWNN, to this list of QS molecules. Here we extended the group of QS peptides to several additional different peptides. The new EDFs are produced by two other bacteria,
Bacillus subtilis
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Thus, in this study we established a “new family of EDFs.” This family provides the first example of quorum-sensing molecules participating in interspecies bacterial cell death. Furthermore, each of these peptides provides the basis of a new class of antibiotics triggering death by acting from outside the cell.
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Glycoprotein gB Promotes Virus Entry In
Trans
Acting as the Viral Fusion Protein Rather than as a Receptor-Binding Protein
Authors: Wille Paul T. , Wisner Todd W. , Ryckman Brent , Johnson David C. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoproteins gB and gH/gL are both necessary and sufficient for cell-cell fusion. However, it is not clear what roles these glycoproteins play in virus entry, whether acting directly in membrane fusion or in binding receptors. With other herpesviruses, it appears that gB is the fusion protein and is triggered by gH/gL, which, in some cases, binds receptors. However, for HCMV, there is published evidence that gB binds cellular ligands necessary to promote virus entry into or signaling of cells. Most mechanistic information on herpesvirus fusion proteins involves cell-cell fusion assays, which do not allow a determination of whether gB or gH/gL in the virion envelope must be oriented toward cellular membranes that contain receptors. Here, we showed that HCMV virions lacking gB were unable to enter normal cells but entered cells that expressed gB. Analyses of gB mutants lacking the cytoplasmic domain or with substitutions in putative “fusion loops” provided evidence that gB fusion activity was required for this “entry in
trans
.” In gB-mediated entry in
trans
, gB is oriented toward the virion envelope that apparently lacks receptors, arguing against an essential role for gB in binding receptors or signaling molecules. In contrast, particles lacking gH/gL did not enter cells expressing gH/gL, apparently because gH/gL must be oriented toward cellular membranes (which have receptors). Coupled with our previous interference studies, in which gH/gL expressed in cells blocked HCMV entry, our findings here support the hypothesis that HCMV gH/gL binds cellular receptors before triggering gB, which acts as the fusion protein.

IMPORTANCE
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) produces major disease in neonates and immunosuppressed transplant patients. As with other herpesviruses, HCMV requires two membrane glycoproteins, gB and gH/gL, to enter host cells. However, it has not been clear how gB and gH/gL function in two steps of the HCMV entry pathway, i.e., (i) binding of cellular receptors and (ii) fusion of the virion envelope with cellular membranes. There are studies that suggest that HCMV gB is required for receptor binding and other studies suggesting that gH/gL is the receptor binding protein and gB is the fusion protein. Here, we show that HCMV virions lacking gB can enter cells that express gB in cellular membranes. In contrast, virus particles lacking gH/gL could not enter cells expressing gH/gL. Our study supports the hypothesis that gB is the fusion protein and gH/gL acts upstream of gB to bind receptors and then activate gB for fusion.
Natural Genetic Variation of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Pathogenicity onArabidopsisRevealed by Association and Reverse Genetics
Authors: Guy Endrick , Genissel Anne , Hajri Ahmed , Chabannes Matthieu , David Perrine , Carrere Sébastien , Lautier Martine , Roux Brice , Boureau Tristan , Arlat Matthieu , Poussier Stéphane , Noël Laurent D. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTThe pathogenic bacteriumXanthomonas campestrispv. campestris, the causal agent of black rot of Brassicaceae, manipulates the physiology and the innate immunity of its hosts. Association genetic and reverse-genetic analyses of a world panel of 45X. campestrispv. campestris strains were used to gain understanding of the genetic basis of the bacterium’s pathogenicity toArabidopsis thaliana. We found that the compositions of the minimal predicted type III secretome varied extensively, with 18 to 28 proteins per strain. There were clear differences in aggressiveness of thoseX. campestrispv. campestris strains on twoArabidopsisnatural accessions. We identified 3 effector genes (xopAC,xopJ5, andxopAL2) and 67 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers that were associated with variations in disease symptoms. The nature and distribution of the AFLP markers remain to be determined, but we observed a low linkage disequilibrium level between predicted effectors and other significant markers, suggesting that additional genetic factors make a meaningful contribution to pathogenicity. Mutagenesis of type III effectors inX. campestrispv. campestris confirmed thatxopACfunctions as both a virulence and an avirulence gene inArabidopsisand thatxopAMfunctions as a second avirulence gene on plants of the Col-0 ecotype. However, we did not detect the effect of any other effector in theX. campestrispv. campestris 8004 strain, likely due to other genetic background effects. These results highlight the complex genetic basis of pathogenicity at the pathovar level and encourage us to challenge the agronomical relevance of some virulence determinants identified solely in model strains.IMPORTANCEThe identification and understanding of the genetic determinants of bacterial virulence are essential to be able to design efficient protection strategies for infected plants. The recent availability of genomic resources for a limited number of pathogen isolates and host genotypes has strongly biased our research toward genotype-specific approaches. Indeed, these do not consider the natural variation in both pathogens and hosts, so their applied relevance should be challenged. In our study, we exploited the genetic diversity ofXanthomonas campestrispv. campestris, the causal agent of black rot on Brassicaceae (e.g., cabbage), to mine for pathogenicity determinants. This work evidenced the contribution of known and unknown loci to pathogenicity relevant at the pathovar level and identified these virulence determinants as prime targets for breeding resistance toX. campestrispv. campestris in Brassicaceae.
The relationship between informal caregiving and mortality: an analysis using the ONS Longitudinal Study of England and Wales
Authors: Ramsay Susan , Grundy Emily , O'Reilly Dermot 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundMany studies have suggested that caregiving has a detrimental impact on health. However, these conclusions are challenged by research which finds evidence of a comparative survivorship advantage, as well as work which controls for group differences in the demand for care.MethodsWe use a large record linkage study of England and Wales to investigate the mortality risks of carers identified in the 2001 Census. The analysis focuses on individuals aged 35–74 living with others in private households and a distinction is made between those providing 1–19 and 20 or more hours of care per week. Logit models identify differences in carers’ health at baseline and postcensal survival is analysed using Cox proportional hazards models.Results12.2% of study members reported providing 1–19 h of care and 5.4% reported providing 20 or more hours. While carers were significantly more likely to report poorer health at baseline, survival analyses suggested that they were at a significantly lower risk of dying. This comparative advantage also held when the analyses were restricted to individuals living with at least one person with poor health.ConclusionsThe comparative mortality advantage revealed in this analysis challenges common characterisations of carers' health and draws attention to important differences in the way carers are defined in existing analyses. The survival results are consistent with work using similar data for Northern Ireland. However, the study also affords more uniform conclusions about carers’ baseline health and this provides grounds for questioning existing hypotheses about the reasons for this advantage.
Gunshot induced indirect femoral fracture: mechanism of injury and fracture morphology
Authors: Kieser David C , Carr D J , Leclair S C J , Horsfall I , Theis J C , Swain M V , Kieser J A 
Published: June 2013

IntroductionIndirect ballistic fractures occur when a projectile passes close to, but not contacting, the bone. The mechanism of how these fractures occur is not yet proven, but recently the acoustic shockwave has been excluded as a cause. The objective of this study is to determine whether the expanding temporary cavity, the collapse of this cavity or its oscillation causes these fractures. In addition, we describe the fracture morphology and biomechanical causes of this injury.Method40 fresh deer femora were strain gauged and embedded in ballistic gelatin before being shot with four different projectiles with varying distances off the bone. Pressure recordings, chronographs and radar allowed assessment of local pressures and energy transfer. High-speed video allowed the temporal relationship between the temporary cavity and fracture formation to be analysed, while sample dissection allowed the fracture morphology to be described.ResultsThe fractures produced were consistently wedge-shaped and caused by the expansion of the temporary cavity, flexing the bone beyond its yield point, causing tension failure on the cortex opposite the expanding temporary cavity and a compression wedge on the side of the cavity. Local pressure was not predictive of fracture formation but the energy transfer to the gelatin block was predictive.ConclusionsIndirect fractures are caused by the expansion of the temporary cavity and relate to the proximity of this cavity to the bone. Fractures occur from flexion of the bone and classically display wedge-shaped fracture patterns with the apex of the wedge pointing away from the expanding cavity.