bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preference for Non-Cooperative Economic Strategies is Associated with Lower Perceived Self-Efficacy, Fewer Positive Emotions, and Less Optimism
Authors: Karamanoli Vassia , Fousiani Kyriaki , Sakalaki Maria
Published: June 2014

The goal was to investigate the association of economic opportunism with self-efficacy, optimism, and positive emotion. It was hypothesized that economic opportunists should experience lower self-efficacy, less positive thinking, and less optimism. Study 1 ( N = 206) showed that economic opportunism was negatively correlated with self-efficacy, optimism, and positive affect, and positively correlated with negative affect. Study 2 ( N = 128) indicated that individuals reporting higher self-efficacy were less likely to defect on their counterparts in a game situation. These findings show the negative association of opportunistic propensity with self-efficacy and positive emotions. Implications for experimental research on economic opportunism and positive emotions are discussed.
Analysis of Prolactin and Kappa-Casein Genes Polymorphism in Four Cattle Breeds in Turkey
Authors: Akyüz Bilal , Ulaş Çınar Mehmet
Published: June 2014

The objective of this study was to identify allele and genotype frequencies of CSN3 and PRL genes in four cattle breeds in Turkey. For this purpose, a total of 390 cattle of East Anatolian Red (EAR), Zavot, Brown Swiss (BS) and Simmental (SIM) breeds were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method. A 443 bp fragment of CSN3 and a 156 bp fragment of PRL were amplified and digested with HindIII and RsaI restriction enzymes, respectively. For CSN3 and PRL genes, two types of alleles (A and B) and three types of genotypes (AA, BB, and AB) were observed. The highest frequencies for CSN3-A and CSN3-B alleles were estimated for the EAR breed (0.743) and for the BS breed (0.556), respectively. The highest frequency for PRL-A and PRL-B alleles was estimated for the SIM breed (0.801) and for the BS breed (0.315), respectively. The Chi-square test among the investigated cattle breeds showed that only the Zavot breed was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) for both loci.
Influence of Production Season and Lactation Stage on the Technological Suitability of Milk from Cows of Various Breeds Fed in the TMR System
Authors: Barłowska Joanna , Litwińczuk Zygmunt , Kowal Monika
Published: June 2014

The aim of the study was to evaluate selected indicators of the technological suitability of milk from four breeds of cow housed in free-stall barns and fed in a TMR system. A total of 1, 146 milk samples were analysed, collected from cows of the breeds Polish Holstein-Friesian (Black-and-White and Red-and-White populations), Jersey, and Simmental. The following were determined in the samples: content of solids non-fat and casein, protein-to-fat ratio, active and potential acidity, heat stability, rennet clotting time, and milk fat dispersion. Despite the use of a mono-diet (TMR) year round, somewhat higher daily milk yield was obtained in the spring/summer season, but the differences were statistically significant (P≤0.01) only in the case of PHF RW. The milk obtained in the autumn/winter season contained more solids-non-fat, including casein, and in the case of JE and PHF HO the differences were statistically significant (P≤0.01). It also had significantly higher heat stability and a longer rennet clotting time (P≤0.01), with the greatest differences noted in the case of the SM breed. Milk from this period also had a higher percentage of fat globules with a diameter. 6 ≥m. The concentration of solids-non-fat, including casein, increased significantly (P≤0.01) over the course of lactation in all of the breeds evaluated. The stage of lactation did not significantly affect clotting time, heat stability, or milk fat dispersion.
La traduction (im)propre du nom propre littéraire
Authors: Lungu-Badea Georgiana
Published: June 2014

Nous nous proposons de présenter dans cet article quelques traductions (im)propres de noms propres littéraires et de titres (ergonymes) littéraires afin d’attirer l’attention sur les effets et, le cas échéant, sur les éventuels méfaits traductifs
Black–White Summer Learning Gaps
Authors: Quinn David M.
Published: June 2014

The estimation of racial test score gap trends plays an important role in monitoring educational equality. Documenting gap trends is complex, however, and estimates can differ depending on the metric, modeling strategy, and psychometric assumptions. The sensitivity of summer learning gap estimates to these factors has been under-examined. Using national data, I find Black–White summer gap trends ranging from a significant relative disadvantage for Black students to a significant relative advantage. Preferred models show no overall gap change the summer after kindergarten, but Black students may make less summer math growth than White students with similar true spring scores. In estimating gap trends, researchers must recognize that different statistical models not only carry unique assumptions but also answer distinct descriptive questions.
“Each year the Indians flexed their muscles a little more”: The Maliseet Defence of Aboriginal Fishing Rights on the St. John River, 1945–1990
Authors: Kenny James , Parenteau Bill
Published: June 2014

Abstract:

As in the rest of Canada in the postwar period, Aboriginal resistance to state fishing regulations in New Brunswick intensified. This article explores the conflict between Maliseet, commercial and sports fishers, and the state on the Kingsclear Reserve on the St. John River between 1945 and 1990. While the province's Aboriginal population had long asserted their fishing rights on the basis of eighteenth-century treaties, the modern struggle reflected the new challenges of the modernization era when water pollution, over-fishing by an industrial offshore fishery, and construction of hydroelectric dams reduced the river's Atlantic salmon population. Encouraged by an influential angling lobby, state authorities attempted to restrict Aboriginal fishing, especially at Kingsclear, located at the foot of the Mactaquac dam. As they had in the past, the Maliseet resisted enforcement of fisheries regulations, but a new generation of leaders, working closely with other Canadian Aboriginal organizations, also challenged the state in the courts and media. Faced with growing opposition both locally and nationally, and a judiciary increasingly sensitive to Aboriginal issues, federal enforcement declined, setting the stage for a negotiated settlement with the province. This study also shows that Maritime First Nations were active participants in the national wave of Aboriginal resistance and militancy during the 1970s and 1980s.
From There to Here: The Making of a Feminist Historian
Authors: Strong-Boag Veronica
Published: June 2014

Abstract:

“From There to Here” traces a life in which family, politics, and the disciplines of history and women's studies created a feminist scholar. Gender, class, and race, with all their privileges and disabilities, always left their mark. Inspiration came with shared communities and hopes for a better world.
The effect of duty hour regulations on outcomes of neurological surgery in training hospitals in the United States: duty hour regulations and patient outcomes
Authors: Norby Kiersten , Siddiq Farhan , Adil Malik M. , Haines Stephen J.
Published: June 2014

Object

The effects of sleep deprivation on performance have been well documented and have led to changes in duty hour regulation. New York State implemented stricter duty hours in 1989 after sleep deprivation among residents was thought to have contributed to a patient's death. The goal of this study was to determine if increased regulation of resident duty hours results in measurable changes in patient outcomes.

Methods

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures at hospitals with neurosurgery training programs were identified and screened for in-hospital complications, in-hospital procedures, discharge disposition, and in-hospital mortality. Comparisons in the above outcomes were made between New York hospitals and non–New York hospitals before and after the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) regulations were put into effect in 2003.

Results

Analysis of discharge disposition demonstrated that 81.9% of patients in the New York group 2000–2002 were discharged to home compared with 84.1% in the non–New York group 2000–2002 (p = 0.6, adjusted multivariate analysis). In-hospital mortality did not significantly differ (p = 0.7). After the regulations were implemented, there was a nonsignificant decrease in patients discharged to home in the non–New York group: 84.1% of patients in the 2000–2002 group compared with 81.5% in the 2004–2006 group (p = 0.6). In-hospital mortality did not significantly change (p = 0.9). In New York there was no significant change in patient outcomes with the implementation of the regulations; 81.9% of patients in the 2000–2002 group were discharged to home compared with 78.0% in the 2004–2006 group (p = 0.3). In-hospital mortality did not significantly change (p = 0.4). After the regulations were in place, analysis of discharge disposition demonstrated that 81.5% of patients in the non–New York group 2004–2006 were discharged to home compared with 78.0% in the New York group 2004–2006 (p = 0.01). In-hospital mortality was not significantly different (p = 0.3).

Conclusions

Regulation of resident duty hours has not resulted in significant changes in outcomes among neurosurgical patients.
Wann werden gebietsfremde Gehölze invasiv? Ein methodologischer Ansatz
Authors: Conedera Marco , Schoenenberger Nicola
Published: June 2014

When do non-native species become invasive? A methodological approach

The invasive behavior of non-native species in a new habitat depends on the invasiveness of the species itself on the one hand and on the invasibility of the ecosystems on the other hand. We discuss the mutual relations between the traits that foster the invasiveness of selected woody species and the invasibility of the concerned ecosystems in the light of the leading theories on ecological invasions. As examples we use selected tree species (Robinia pseudoacacia, Ailanthus altissima, Prunus serotina, Cinnamomum glandulifera), shrub species (Prunus laurocerasus, Laurus nobilis, Elaeagnus pungens) and a palm species (Trachycarpus fortunei) that are already considered to be invasive in the southern foothills of the Swiss Alps.
Neomyzeten – eine anhaltende Bedrohung für den Schweizer Wald
Authors: Sieber Thomas N.
Published: June 2014

Neomycetes – persistent threats to Swiss forests

More than 40 neomycetes pathogenic to woody plant species were introduced to Switzerland during the last 100 years, and the number is increasing exponentially. A few neomycetes are invasive and cause serious diseases on forest and ornamental trees: Cryphonectria parasitica, causal agent of chestnut blight, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus causing ash dieback, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi causing Dutch elm disease and Ceratocystis platani causing canker stain of plane. The causal agents of sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) and collar and root rot of alder (P. alni ssp. alni) have been detected in Switzerland but have not reached epidemic levels. Ceratocystis fagacearum, causal agent of oak wilt, or Leptographium wageneri causing black stain root disease of conifers are absent from Switzerland, but are threats to Swiss forests and measures have been implemented to prevent their introduction. Prevention of threats by fungi which are harmless symbionts in their native range, e.g. endophytic fungi, is more challenging. The only way to avoid the endophyte problem is to grow trees from aseptic seed, saplings or meristem cultures. Additionally, setup of sentinel plantings in as many regions as possible all over the world could serve as early warning systems. To prevent the introduction of wilt and root diseases, only treated wood and treated potting media should be allowed for import. Natural regeneration prevents contamination of forest soils by Phytophthora species originating from nursery plants.
Ginsenoside Rd Attenuates Mitochondrial Permeability Transition and Cytochrome c Release in Isolated Spinal Cord Mitochondria: Involvement of Kinase-Mediated Pathways
Authors: Zhou Jin-Song , Wang Jiang-Feng , He Bao-Rong , Cui Yong-Sheng , Fang Xiang-Yi , Ni Jian-Long , Chen Jie , Wang Kun-Zheng
Published: June 2014

Ginsenoside Rd (Rd), one of the main active ingredients in Panax ginseng, has multifunctional activity via different mechanisms and neuroprotective effects that are exerted probably via its antioxidant or free radical scavenger action. However, the effects of Rd on spinal cord mitochondrial dysfunction and underlying mechanisms are still obscure. In this study, we sought to investigate the in vitro effects of Rd on mitochondrial integrity and redox balance in isolated spinal cord mitochondria. We verified that Ca2+ dissipated the membrane potential, provoked mitochondrial swelling and decreased NAD(P)H matrix content, which were all attenuated by Rd pretreatment in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, Rd was not able to inhibit Ca2+ induced mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide generation. The results of Western blot showed that Rd significantly increased the expression of p-Akt and p-ERK, but had no effects on phosphorylation of PKC and p38. In addition, Rd treatment significantly attenuated Ca2+ induced cytochrome c release, which was partly reversed by antagonists of Akt and ERK, but not p-38 inhibitor. The effects of bisindolylmaleimide, a PKC inhibitor, on Rd-induced inhibition of cytochrome c release seem to be at the level of its own detrimental activity on mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we also found that pretreatment with Rd in vivo (10 and 50 mg/kg) protected spinal cord mitochondria against Ca2+ induced mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation and cytochrome c release. It is concluded that Rd regulate mitochondrial permeability transition pore formation and cytochrome c release through protein kinases dependent mechanism involving activation of intramitochondrial Akt and ERK pathways.
The Influence of Ecological and Conventional Plant Production Systems on Soil Microbial Quality under Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Authors: Oszust Karolina , Frąc Magdalena , Gryta Agata , Bilińska Nina
Published: June 2014

The knowledge about microorganisms—activity and diversity under hop production is still limited. We assumed that, different systems of hop production (within the same soil and climatic conditions) significantly influence on the composition of soil microbial populations and its functional activity (metabolic potential). Therefore, we compared a set of soil microbial properties in the field experiment of two hop production systems (a) ecological based on the use of probiotic preparations and organic fertilization (b) conventional—with the use of chemical pesticides and mineral fertilizers. Soil analyses included following microbial properties: The total number microorganisms, a bunch of soil enzyme activities, the catabolic potential was also assessed following Biolog EcoPlates®. Moreover, the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) was characterized by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (T-RFLP) of PCR ammonia monooxygenase α-subunit (amoA) gene products. Conventional and ecological systems of hop production were able to affect soil microbial state in different seasonal manner. Favorable effect on soil microbial activity met under ecological, was more probably due to livestock-based manure and fermented plant extracts application. No negative influence on conventional hopyard soil was revealed. Both type of production fulfilled fertilizing demands. Under ecological production it was due to livestock-based manure fertilizers and fermented plant extracts application.
Processing of Kansui Roots Stir-Baked with Vinegar Reduces Kansui-Induced Hepatocyte Cytotoxicity by Decreasing the Contents of Toxic Terpenoids and Regulating the Cell Apoptosis Pathway
Authors: Yan Xiaojing , Zhang Li , Guo Jianming , Cao Yudan , Shang Erxin , Tang Yuping , Ding Anwei , Duan Jin-Ao
Published: June 2014

Euphorbia kansui is a Traditional Chinese Medicine widely used for the treatment of oedema, ascites and asthma. However, its serious hepatotoxicity hinders its safe clinical application. The process of stir-baking with vinegar is regularly used to reduce the toxicity of kansui. Up till now, the exact mechanism of the reduction in hepatotoxicity of kansui stir-baked with vinegar has been poorly defined. In this study, decreased contents of five diterpene and one triterpene in kansui (GS-1) after stir-baking with vinegar (GS-2) was investigated by UPLC-QTOF/MS. Flow cytometry and Hoechst staining were used to show that the stir-baking with vinegar process reduces kansui-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the result also indicated that kansui stir-baked with vinegar protects LO2 cells from apoptosis by increasing the cell mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), decreasing the release of cytochrome c and inhibiting the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 as evidenced by means of high content screening (HCS), ELISA and western blotting. These results suggested that the stir-baking vinegar could reduce the hepatotoxicity of kansui by effectively decreasing the contents of toxic terpenoids and inhibiting the intrinsic pathway of hepatocyte cell apoptosis. In conclusion, the study provided significant data for promoting safer and better clinical use of this herb.
Un modèle moghol à Aceh au XVIIe siècle?
Authors: Wormser Paul
Published: June 2014

This article examines various examples of the influence of Persian culture in Aceh in the 17th century and tries to identify those coming from Mughal India. After looking for possible sources of transmission, and emphasizing the scarcity of references to Aceh in Mughal India, we focus on the Acehnese context of reception. We argue that these elements of Persian culture were part of a general tendency to borrow means of royal legitimation, whatever their origin may have been. What appears from this survey is that Aceh and the Mughal Court were clearly very distant and that the borrowing of these Persian elements has not survived the decline of Aceh’s international trade.
Brau de Saint-Pol Lias à Sumatra (1876-1881). Utopies coloniales et figures de l’explorateur
Authors: Labrousse Pierre
Published: June 2014

In the course of the years 1870-80, colonial enterprises developed in several places around the Straits : estates on the East Coast of Sumatra, tin on the Malay peninsula, projects to cut through the isthmus of Kra. Xavier Brau de Saint-Pol Lias (1840-1914) found himself at the intersection of these enterprises which, in Sumatra, failed. His own attempt, called Colons- Explorateurs, established south of Deli, went bad. He tried to take advantage of the Dutch pacification of Aceh to renew the estates there but he did not imagine that the war would be endless. Supported in France by the movement which brought together geography and colonization, he represents a modernized version of the explorer who comes into contact with populations, methodically collects and then, on the wave of the adventure novel, markets his experience to assure its deserved celebrity through his talks, his articles and his books.
The Massacre of 1740 as Reflected in a Contemporary Chinese Narrative
Authors: Salmon Claudine
Published: June 2014

Cette courte note présente brièvement la vision du massacre de 1740 telle qu’elle apparaît à travers quelques rapports de l’administration chinoise, mais surtout à travers la relation De Cheng Xunwo dans son Ge-la-ba jilüe ou «Bref récit sur Kelapa » seulement publié après la mort de son auteur. Cheng Xunwo, qui avait séjourné à Batavia quelques années avant le massacre, expose avec beaucoup de lucidité la détérioration économique de la fin des années 1730 qui conduisit au soulèvement. Il décrit ensuite le massacre qui s’en suivit dans un style littéraire, mettant l’accent tant sur la responsabilité de quelques meneurs chinois que sur les atrocités commises par les soldats hollandais.
Indian Patola and Trade Cloth Influence on the Textiles of the Atoin Meto People of West Timor
Authors: Barrkman Joanna
Published: June 2014

Le commerce avec Timor est attesté dans les sources écrites au moins depuis le XIVe s. Des marchands chinois, malais, indiens et moyen-orientaux s’activaient dans le Grand Est indonésien en vue de se procurer du bois de santal et des épices en échange essentiellement d’étoffes indiennes. Au cours des XVIe-XVIIe s., ce commerce passa sous le contrôle des Européens et plus particulièrement des Portugais, des Hollandais et des Anglais. Les textiles indiens ont influencé les motifs des étoffes dites de double ikat produites en divers endroits de l’Indonésie orientale. Cet article, à travers trois études de cas, traite de la question de savoir si les patola indiens ont également eu une influence sur les rituels ainsi que sur les textiles produits à Biboki (Timor occidental). Quelques exemples de motifs de textiles contemporains permettent de voir que les anciens motifs de patola sont toujours présents dans les étoffes, par simple ikat de chaîne, fabriquées par les Atoin meto.
Indonésie 2008 : le principe de réalité
Authors: Raillon François
Published: June 2014

2008 was a contrasted year when the rise of oil prices made it difficult for president Yudhoyono to manage the economy properly as a few months later the financial bubble burst, giving way to a serious downturn. Facing the prospect of the 2009 general and presidential elections, political actors prepared for the contest. While muslim parties seemed unable to present candidates against Yudhoyono and Megawati, they could advance some of their own agendas : under their pressure the Ahmadiyah sect was virtually banned and the anti pornography bill was eventually voted in parliament. Yudhoyono dealt with these challenges by making compromises, yielding to principles of realpolitik.
Notes linguistiques et critiques sur le Livre III des Coniques d’Apollonius de Pergè (Seconde partie)
Authors: Federspiel Michel
Published: June 2014

Suite des précédents articles consacrés aux Livres I, II et III des

Coniques et publiés dans cette Revue. Elle peut aussi servir à compléter le Dictionnaire historique de la terminologie géométrique des Grecs de Ch. Mugler. – Recherches étendues sur δεικτέον ὅτι ἐπει, ουν et ἀλλα dans les mathématiques grecques.
Un serment violé chez Alcée
Authors: Caciagli Stefano
Published: June 2014

The interpretation of the act of ἐμβάτευσις, suggested by L. Gernet in Droit et prédroit en Grèce ancienne, could explain Alc. fr. 129,21-24 V. Indeed, it is possible to give the verb ἐπεμβαίνω the ritual value of ‘ stepping upon’ on sacred objects : this action would signify penetrating into a domain that is religiously qualified.
‘Our Digging Upon That Common is the Talk of the Whole Land’: The Story of the Surrey Diggers as Told by Contemporary Newsbooks
Authors: Curelly Laurent
Published: June 2014

Cet article s’intéresse au traitement, par les journaux de l’année 1649, de ce qu’il serait aujourd’hui convenu d’appeler un fait divers : l’appropriation par un groupe d’individus qui furent surnommés Bêcheurs de terres communes dans le Surrey en avril 1649, suivie par la mise en place d’une société agraire reposant sur le principe de la propriété collective. Il s’efforce en particulier de montrer pourquoi les journaux s’emparèrent de cet événement qu’ils présentèrent comme le symptôme d’un mouvement contestataire de grande ampleur menaçant de subvertir l’ordre établi et de renverser la toute nouvelle République. Il met en lumière le rapport qu’entretinrent presse et pouvoir à l’époque de la Révolution anglaise, période durant laquelle la diffusion de l’écrit fut un des ressorts de la propagande politique.
Binding SNOMED CT Terms to Archetype Elements
Authors: Bermudez J. , Illarramendi A. , Berges I.
Published: June 2014

Introduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Managing Interoperability and Complexity in Health Systems”.

Background: The proliferation of archetypes as a means to represent information of Electronic Health Records has raised the need of binding terminological codes – such as SNOMED CT codes – to their elements, in order to identify them univocally. However, the large size of the terminologies makes it difficult to perform this task manually.

Objectives: To establish a baseline of results for the aforementioned problem by using off-the-shelf string comparison-based techniques against which results from more complex techniques could be evaluated.

Methods: Nine Typed Comparison Methods were evaluated for binding using a set of 487 archetype elements. Their recall was calculated and Friedman and Nemenyi tests were applied in order to assess whether any of the methods outperformed the others.

Results: Using the qGrams method along with the ‘Text’ information piece of archetype elements outperforms the other methods if a level of confidence of 90% is considered. A recall of 25.26% is obtained if just one SNOMED CT term is retrieved for each archetype element. This recall rises to 50.51% and 75.56% if 10 and 100 elements are retrieved respectively, that being a reduction of more than 99.99% on the SNOMED CT code set.

Conclusions: The baseline has been established following the above-mentioned results. Moreover, it has been observed that although string comparison-based methods do not outperform more sophisticated techniques, they still can be an alternative for providing a reduced set of candidate terms for each archetype element from which the ultimate term can be chosen later in the more-than-likely manual supervision task.
Monitoring Nocturnal Heart Rate with Bed Sensor
Authors: Kortelainen J. M. , Pärkkä J. , Tenhunen M. , Himanen S. L. , Bianchi A. M. , Migliorini M.
Published: June 2014

Introduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Biosignal Interpretation: Advanced Methods for Studying Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems”.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the reliability of the estimated Nocturnal Heart Rate (HR), recorded through a bed sensor, compared with the one obtained from standard electrocardiography (ECG).

Methods: Twenty-eight sleep deprived patients were recorded for one night each through matrix of piezoelectric sensors, integrated into the mattress, through polysomnography (PSG) simultaneously. The two recording methods have been compared in terms of signal quality and differences in heart beat detection.

Results: On average, coverage of 92.7% of the total sleep time was obtained for the bed sensor, testifying the good quality of the recordings. The average beat-to-beat error of the inter-beat intervals was 1.06%. These results suggest a good overall signal quality, however, considering fast heart rates (HR > 100 bpm), performances were worse: in fact, the sensitivity in the heart beat detection was 28.4% while the false positive rate was 3.8% which means that a large amount of fast beats were not detected.

Conclusions: The accuracy of the measurements made using the bed sensor has less than 10% of failure rate especially in periods with HR lower than 70 bpm. For fast heart beats the uncertainty increases. This can be explained by the change in morphology of the bed sensor signal in correspondence of a higher HR.
Comptabilité politique ou le droit comptable au service de l'intérêt général
Authors: Lamrani El Mehdi
Published: June 2014

A partir d’une réflexion sur le rôle de la normalisation et en mettant en exergue les rapports de force qui la sous-tendent, nous faisons la description des enjeux de pouvoir de la comptabilité. Nous soulignons ensuite le rôle de la recherche comptable dans la promotion d’une comptabilité politique, en posant ainsi le problème de l’interaction entre politique et droit comptable. Cet article montre que la dimension politique est au cœur de la production de l’information comptable et de sa normalisation. Son ambition est de contribuer au débat sur la portée des valeurs que véhiculent non pas les données comptables arithmétiques, mais les normes comptables internationales. Conçues uniquement pour répondre aux besoins d’information des apporteurs de capitaux, ces dernières véhiculent une représentation comptable de l’entreprise prônée par le capitalisme financier.
Characterisation and preliminary lipid-lowering evaluation of Lactobacillus isolated from a traditional Serbian dairy product
Authors: Zavišić G. , Ristić S. , Petrièević S. , Jovanović J. Novaković , Radulović Ž. , Petković B. Janać , Strahinić I. , Piperski V.
Published: June 2014

We investigated the potential probiotic properties of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Serbian homemade cheese. Seventeen LAB strains were isolated and characterised using standard protocols. One of the strains showed several probiotic properties: survival at low pH and in bile salts solution, antimicrobial activity, susceptibility to antibiotics and adhesion to hexodecane. DNA analysis identified the isolate as Lactobacillus casei, hereafter named L. casei 5s. The lipid lowering effect of L. casei 5s was evaluated in vivo using a hyperlipidemic rat model. Orally administered L. casei 5s significantly decreased the elevated total serum cholesterol and triglycerides, and attenuated macro vesicular steatosis in the liver. Moreover, L. casei 5s improved the intestinal microbial balance in favour of lactobacilli, while decreasing the number of Escherichia coli cells. The bacteria were re-isolated and identified from the surface of the intestinal mucosa and from the faecal samples of treated animals, indicating adhesiveness and colonisation ability. The results of an acute oral toxicity study in mice and the absence of translocation to other organs demonstrated the safety of the strain. In conclusion, L. casei 5s demonstrated promising probiotic potential and might be a good candidate for more detailed investigations.
Deciphering meta-analytic results: a mini-review of probiotics for the prevention of paediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and Clostridium difficile infections
Authors: McFarland L.V.
Published: June 2014

Meta-analyses are used to evaluate pooled effects of a wide variety of investigational agents, but the interpretation of the results into clinical practices may be difficult. This mini-review offers a three-step process to enable healthcare providers to decipher pooled meta-analysis estimates into results that are useful for therapeutic decisions. As an example of how meta-analyses should be interpreted, a recent meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of paediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) and the prevention of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) will be used. First, the pooled results of this meta-analysis indicates a significant protective efficacy for AAD is found when the 16 different types of probiotics are combined (pooled relative risk (RR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.33-0.56) and also a significant reduction of paediatric CDI (pooled RR=0.34, 95%CI=0.16-0.74) was found pooling four different types of probiotics. Secondly, because the efficacy of probiotics is strain-specific, it is necessary to do a sensitivity analysis, restricting the meta-analysis to one specific strain. Two strains, Saccharomyces boulardii lyo and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG showed significant efficacy for paediatric AAD when pooled (pooled RR for S. boulardii = 0.43, 95%CI=0.21-0.86 and pooled RR for L. rhamnosus GG = 0.44, 95%CI=0.20-0.95). Thirdly, if studies within probiotic types have different results, it is prudent to examine these studies individually to determine the reasons why non-significant differences in efficacy were found. By drilling down through these three analytic layers, physicians will be confident in recommending the correct probiotic strain to their patients.
Una nota sobre la fecha de la muerte de Plinio el Joven
Authors: Mayer i Olivé Marc
Published: June 2014

La fecha tradicionalmente aceptada para la muerte de Plinio el Joven dista mucho de estar suficientemente probada y responde a deducciones hechas a partir del formulario de la titulación imperial de la inscripción que contiene una parte del testamento del escritor. Se suma a ello el aparente silencio de su correspondencia durante la última parte de su gobierno en Bithynia. Estos hechos, que pueden parecer coherentes entre sí, no pueden ser, en nuestra opinión, considerados como una prueba irrefutable, ya que pueden haber sido causados por otros factores, y dicha muerte quizás debería de situarse en un momento algo posterior.
Revision of Sequences Boundaries and Maximum Flooding Surfaces: Jurassic to Recent
Authors: Wornardt Walter W. , Walter W.
Published: June 2014

The key to recognizing the third and fourth order depositional sequences is the maximum flooding surface. An age designation of this surface is extremely important in seismic sequence stratigraphic analysis. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to recognize and date the Cenozoic, Cretaceous and Jurassic maximum flooding surfaces in Ma and to assign a specific numerical age and letter designation to each of these maximum flooding surfaces from the Jurassic to Recent. These designations can be used as a standard of reference for the maximum flooding surfaces worldwide.

INTRODUCTION

Seismic sequence stratigraphy is the integration of high resolution biostratigraphy (including age datable bioevents, paleobathymetry and fossil diversity and abundance histograms), well-log signatures and seismic profiles. Each of these three components are interdependent and incomplete by themselves and, therefore, they must be analyzed and integrated with each other using an iterative process in order to obtain accurate, reliable and reproducible results. The introduction of high resolution biostratigraphy and paleobathymetry into seismic sequence stratigraphy in 1987 (Lamb, 1986) provided the key data set that permitted Sequence Stratigraphy and Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy to become a practical reality in exploration and development. It permitted the explorationist to age date the maximum flooding surface within each sequence and help divide a stratigraphic section in a well and on a seismic section into a series of third order depositional sequences and systems tracts in a reasonable amount of time with a high degree of confidence. Maximum flooding surfaces can be age dated in millions of years before present (Ma) because of their association with important chronostratigraphic species within the maximum flooding surface condensed section. These maximum flooding surfaces, within one third order depositional sequence can be correlated with the Global Cycle Chart of Hardenbol et al., 1998. The (MFS) maximum flooding surfaces within a third order depositional sequence permits the recognition of the lowstand systems tract below the transgressive systems tract and highstand systems tracts above the maximum flooding surface.

The maximum flooding surface is recognized by the bellshaped curve that is formed from the increase and decrease in fossil abundance in the maximum flooding surface condensed section, and the highest gamma and lowest resistivity peaks onthe well log.

The depth of these peaks, converted to seismic time correlates with the regionally continuous, high amplitude seismic reflectors on seismic reflection profiles. The sample by sample paleobathymetric interpretation (Lamb et al., 1986)from fossils permits the recognition of maximum flooding surfaces (Lamb et al., 1987, Wornardt et al., 1990 and Shaffer,1990) at an increase in water depth and the sequence boundary at the decrease in water depth.
The Tordis IOR Project
Authors: Gjerdseth Ann Christin , Faanes Audun , Ramberg Rune
Published: June 2014

The idea of separating oil from water on the sea floor has been an engineer's dream for years. Now, with the Tordis IOR (increased oil recovery) project in the North Sea, Statoil and FMC Technologies with partners1 are making this dream a reality.

The Tordis IOR project realises the first commercial full scale subsea separation installation in the world. Statoil expects to improve the Tordis field's recovery factor from 49 to 55 percent and to extract 35 million barrels of additional oil from the field.

The Tordis field is linked to a Gullfaks C platform via 11 km pipelines. Tordis is a mature field, which produces more and more water and less oil. There is not capacity on the platform to separate the vast amount of water needed to keep Tordis in production. Installation of a subsea separation, boosting and injection (SSBI) system removes the water subsea and enable lowering the well head pressure. This is the main driver for increased oil production even if the reservoir pressures start to drop. This allows Tordis IOR to remain operative an additional 15 -17 years.

Figure 1. Illustration of the subsea separation, boosting and injection (SSBI) station. Separator and desander vessels are illustrated in orange. The multiphase and water injection pumps and leakage detectors are shown in white. Note: Protection structure has been removed for better visibility. At distance the water injection well (upper left) and Pipeline inline manifold (right) can be seen.

The well stream is routed to the SSBI system, where water, sand and hydrocarbons are separated. Oil and gas are pumped through a 2,3 MW multiphase pump1 to the Gullfaks C platform.

The ability to handle sand is important in a mature field IOR project. The de-sanding process for Tordis is therefore designed to handle up to 500 kg sand per day. The separated sand is ejected into the water stream, downstream a 2,3 MW water injection pump1, and injected into the dump reservoir in the Utsira formation through a water injection subsea tree. Statoil has chosen a contract strategy where the SSBI technology development is handled as a normal delivery project, as opposed to a technology development project.

Background

A majority of Statoil's oil and gas production comes from subsea wells. Statoil has therefore been developing subsea processing equipment for more than 10 years, ranging from small, simple pumps to large compressors that are still under development.

The strategy has been to develop the technology incrementally and test it out thoroughly (topside) prior to installation. In this way, Statoil has gradually increased the power of electric motors, the step-out distance from topside facilities, water depths, and the complexity of processing systems. The Tordis field at the Norwegian Continental Shelf has been producing since 1994. It is a subsea development at 200m water depth with tie-in of the production to the Gullfaks C platform in the Tampen area.
LNG FPSO - Solving the supply shortfall
Authors: Iversen Ivin , Hellekleiv Vegard
Published: June 2014

1. Market

Four years ago liquefaction capacity was considered to be the bottleneck in the LNG market. This unbalance in supply/demand of LNG led to huge investments in new liquefaction capacity and in 2009 and 2010 there is 45 and 30 mtpa respectively of new liquefaction capacity that is scheduled to come on stream. Roughly half of these volumes are not yet sold to a specific customer and HLNG expects that the new capacity, combined with the challenging economic environment, will lead to a slight change in the shortage of liquefaction capacity that we have seen these last years. For the liquefaction projects with planned start-up from 2011 and onwards HLNG expects that there will be severe delays because of the increasing construction costs we have seen the last years, the decrease in oil and gas price and difficulties to obtain financing.
Dynamic Medium Voltage Power Cables
Authors: Worrall P. , Hurtt J.
Published: June 2014

Designing dynamic subsea power cables for various renewable energy applications presents a range of challenges. The four most technologically demanding considerations are: maximum submersible depth, maximum cable capacity/voltage, maximum length before switching from AC to DC transmission and stress limits for dynamic cables.

This paper discusses the cable designs that exist for subsea power links and their benefits and limitations. Particular focus is placed on self-supporting cables, which tolerate gentle flexing through special flexible conductors and screening systems, and proven dielectric insulation systems. The latter enable subsea power cables to operate within water without rigid metallic barriers, such as lead, which would ultimately fail in such a dynamic environment.

To qualify this paper's findings, various data has been collected, cables developed and computer modeling completed in order to validate the conclusions.

There is a significant application under development, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants, which will require dynamic submarine power cables.

It is widely accepted that OTEC is economically viable for plant sizes of more than 100 MWe-net power generation and a plant of this size will require offshore platforms located in water depths of at least 1000 m. At these water depths, a fixed position mooring is not possible so floating platforms and deepwater, dynamic subsea power cables are needed to supply OTEC-generated electricity from platform to shore.

A dynamic power cable of this size and at this water depth has not yet been developed but is required to enable OTEC to become economically viable. Electrical stress limits for dynamic cables will also be discussed, detailing several options, work in progress and their limitations. European wet systems (which are immersed in water), historical data, type tests and reliability type testing will be also referenced.

This paper will significantly advance research and development efforts in dynamic subsea power cable technology that will, in turn, help advance many offshore energy technologies.
Probabilistic System Approach for Risk Based Inspection of FPSO
Authors: Goyet Jean , Rouhan Antoine , Lharidon Emmanuel , Gomes Luiz Antonio Miranda
Published: June 2014

The paper presents a Probabilistic System Approach for Risk Based Inspection (RBI) of FPSOs. This approach is based on a hierarchical model of the hull and uses Bayesian Probabilistic Networks to propagate probabilities from component level to system level. The system approach makes risk analysis more tractable because consequence analysis, including evaluation of direct and indirect consequences of damages to the constituents of the system, may be developed in an exhaustive and systematic way. This approach is new as consequences of failure and damages are usually considered only in setting crudely acceptable failure probabilities at component level. A model example is given for illustration. The paper gives also some insights regarding the owner and class point of views in terms of RBI. This paper explained also how Risk Based Inspection may be developed within the Class regime.

Introduction

Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Units (FPSOs) are specific installations regarding their operating conditions and functions in comparison with classic ships. One of these specificities is the lack of opportunity to dry-dock. Operating FPSOs continuously whilst at the same time safely presents therefore a particular challenge which ultimately led to the development of new Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) procedures to be applied to FPSOs.

This has encouraged major companies and class societies to adopt Risk Based Inspection (RBI) as the most appropriate procedure for IMR planning of FPSOs. As a consequence, the challenge of both parties during the last decade was to develop and implement RBI methodologies which guarantee profitability and competitiveness of FPSOs while ensuring the required structural integrity level throughout the service life.

Bureau Veritas has developed, since the beginning of this period, RBI methodologies which have then been applied to a significant number of offshore units and can also be used within Class regime. Bureau Veritas thus acquired major knowledge and competency in the field of RBI. In parallel, many major' oil companies decided to implement risk based IMR plans to some of their FPSOs.

Advantages and benefits of RBI are first presented. It is shown how RBI may be a key issue to ensure the success of a Structural Integrity Management program for FPSOs. General principles of RBI are then reminded and a new RBI approach based on system considerations is presented: the approach uses a hierarchical representation of the hull and Bayesian Probabilistic Networks (BPNs) to compute at system level the risks associated to any inspection planning. A model example is given as illustration. The last part of the paper reverts on the challenge of the development of system approaches for RBI.
Stations and Terminals Modeling for Risk and Reliability Assessment
Authors: Gonzalez Jose L. Martinez , Betancourt Enrique Rodriguez , Taylor Irani Perez , Gomez Lorenzo Martinez , Garcia Augusto
Published: June 2014

A hydrocarbon logistics for transmission and distribution involves several facilities that are part of a complex process and associated functions for every single element. In comparison with pipelines, stations and terminals are generally confined to a specific site. Facilities modeling to assess risk and reliability are limited to what occurs within a fence. It is clear stations and terminals have not been subject to the same type of scrutiny as pipelines, however, this is changing and more engineering efforts are required.

Facilities components are covered in several engineering standards, where in many cases every element is considered individually without referring to every possible combination or arrangement – in other words, the user has to assemble a process from different sources. This paper provides a documented process to assemble this jigsaw in a simple way to convince operators and field engineers to use it as a supporting tool. These facilities may have one or more main parallel and support processes and a function, therefore defining a simple way for modeling becomes an important issue. It is important to bear in mind that stations and terminals may have one or more main processes, functions, auxiliary or support processes. Therefore it is important to make as simple as possible the connection between all components and a flow chart. This avoids assumptions by the analyst who has to model what it is actually seeing to obtain results that benefit its decisions.

Models to assess facilities must be based on a consistent hierarchy to establish boundaries between all possible layers in such a way that they can be evaluated independently to include their contribution in risk and reliability. This model is supported by ISO 14224 Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries – Collection and Exchange of Reliability and Data maintenance for Equipment, which is devised for any user of a model's results: industry, business category, installation, unit, section, equipment, subunit and maintainable items.