bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal hypercholesterolemia programs dyslipidemia in adult male mouse progeny
Authors: Mathew Joyce , Huang Sze-chi , Dumolt Jerad H , Patel Mulchand S , Rideout Todd C
Published: April 2020

As a collection of metabolic abnormalities including inflammation, insulin resistance, hypertension, hormone imbalance, and dyslipidemia, maternal obesity has been well-documented to program disease risk in adult offspring. Although hypercholesterolemia is strongly associated with obesity, less work has examined the programming influence of maternal hypercholesterolemia (MHC) independent of maternal obesity or high-fat feeding. This study was conducted to characterize how MHC per se impacts lipid metabolism in offspring. Female (n = 6/group) C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to: (1.) a standard chow diet (Control, CON) or (2.) the CON diet supplemented with exogenous cholesterol (CH) (0.15%, w/w) throughout mating and the gestation and lactation periods. At weaning (postnatal day (PND) 21) and adulthood (PND 84), male offspring were characterized for blood lipid and lipoprotein profile and hepatic lipid endpoints, namely cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) accumulation, fatty acid profile, TG production, and mRNA expression of lipid-regulatory genes. Both newly weaned and adult offspring from CH mothers demonstrated increased very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle number and size and hepatic TG and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid accumulation. Further, adult CH offspring exhibited reduced fatty acid synthase (Fasn) and increased diglyceride acyltransferase (Dgat1) mRNA expression. These programming effects appear to be independent of changes in hepatic TG production and postprandial lipid clearance. Study results suggest that MHC, independent of obesity or high-fat feeding, can induce early changes to serum VLDL distribution and hepatic lipid profile that persist into adulthood.
The subjects of civil practice as a basis for democratic transit of Ukraine
Authors: Reznik Oleksandr
Published: April 2020

It has become an axiom in the scientific literature that any civic engagement contributes to democratic transit and the development of civil society. However, different types of this behavior may have different determinants. These may be actions motivated by civic norms and values, but may also be actions driven by financial encouragement or administrative pressure, especially in transitional democracies. The purpose of the study was to identify the impact of modernization values and orientations on different types of civic activism. The author created an indicator where among the options for the answers was offered a list of socio-political measures that were most relevant at the time of the survey. The substantive side of these activities combined the way and the object of communicating their public aspirations and interests. The most common are discussion forms of civil practices that are individualized. These practices do not require much organizational or collective effort and do not require direct interaction with political or governmental institutions. Practices that combine economic activities also have individualized traits, but they require financial costs or sample consumption, so they are less common. Socio-political practices, civic-local practices and protest-demonstration practices are even less common because they require organizational or collective efforts. Five types of civic practices of the Ukrainian population have been empirically identified and their relationship with democracy and liberal values tested. By means of multiple linear regression method, there was found that only civic practices that combine an ethical consumerism, financial donations and political discussions claim that their subjects could be considered as a social basis of Ukraine’s democratic transit. The likelihood of such actions increases with the increase of education levels, decrease of age and living in large settlements. The paradox is that people who profess values of modernization are ready to fund activists, among whom these values are not traced.
Features of modeling gabion retaining walls for engineering protection of roads on landslide slopes
Authors: Ryabukhin Alexander , Leyer Darya , Teter Shikhambiy , Karpova Maria
Published: April 2020

During the construction of roads in mountainous areas, engineering protection of the highway from landslide processes is often required. Currently, there are many designs used to protect against landslides. However, the engineers are faced with the task of choosing the optimal structural solution both in terms of the boundaries of the field of application of the structures and in terms of economic efficiency. In addition, the problem arises of correct modeling of the predicted situation. The article discusses the engineering protection of the road under construction in Sochi, Krasnodar Territory. In the study of the territory on the site, three landslides were found that are in extreme condition, erosion processes, an elevated level of groundwater, planar flushing, and also weathering of bedrock when they are opened during the laying of the route. Two schemes of constructive solutions using gabion construction both on a natural basis and on a pile are considered. The choice of the type of protective structure is determined by the presence of both surface and ground waters, as well as by a technical and economic comparison (in comparison with a reinforced concrete retaining wall). The authors reviewed existing software systems used in the calculation of underground structures, and also analyzed the basic methods for calculating the slope stability and structural strength. As a result of the study, such geotechnical software systems as: Plaxis, GeoStudio, Geo5 were selected to simulate a landslide slope. Slope stability was determined both for the main combination of loads and for the special one (seismic of 8 points) using such methods as: Phi/c reduction, Morgenstern-Price method and Shahunyants method. The results obtained showed good convergence.
Investigation of aeroelastic stability of two bridges under interference conditions
Authors: Kozichev Andrei , Paryshev Sergei , Strelkov Konstantin , Shustikova Anastasiya , Teperin Leonid
Published: April 2020

The problem of mutual influence of a two parallel road bridges has arisen recently. The new bridges are built close proximity to existing bridges to increase the capacity of highway. The sustainability characteristics of such two parallel road bridges have not been studied enough. Therefore, to safe operation of two parallel bridges, it was necessary to conduct analysis and experimental studies, and also study the behavior of such bridges during exploitation using dynamic monitoring systems. Given their widespread use interference of two close bridges over the river Belaya in Ufa during the operational phase was investigated in this work.

The purpose of the study was to research into the nature and the intensity of aeroelastic oscillation of bridges under conditions of interference, and also to develop recommendations on optimal position of parallel bridges to reduce amplitude of the oscillations.

The results of the study made it possible to estimate the influence of air flow on two close parallel bridges and to offer advice on reduction of vertical oscillation. Overall, the conducted research reveals the most difficult case of interaction. Synchronization of breaking vortices along the span is a random process. In the absence of synchronism, the loads will have a smaller value.
Reconstruction of an arched metal bridge over the Kineshemka River in the city of Kineshma, Ivanovo Region
Authors: Kazaryan Vilgelm , Sakharova Inna
Published: April 2020

This article discusses the technology of reconstruction of a metal arch bridge by reinforcing the structure with prestressed elements. The main metal beams were in unsatisfactory condition, the metal structures of the span below the level of the roadway slab are subject to deep layered corrosion up to the formation of through damage. To restore the bearing capacity of the main beams of the Nikolsky bridge across the Kineshemka river, their reinforcement is provided. The main task when performing the reinforcement of the main beams is the installation of new prestressed reinforced concrete beams directly inside the old metal main beams of the bridge with the regulation of forces in high-strength ropes. Due to the fact that the effort of high-strength ropes cannot be immediately brought to maximum design loads, a step-by-step prestressing scheme of ropes with synchronous sectional concreting of main beam compartments is proposed. The process of tension in the reinforced concrete beam of the main beams is carried out in two stages: stress at the end sections, where an anchoring system was created in four corners and then prestressing the main gift space with concreting sections between the pendants according to a specially developed scheme in the work design. Only fiber-reinforced concrete is used, and reinforcing stops were welded to work together with the inner surface of the main beams. Examples of reinforcing steel beams with steel strands on steel-reinforced concrete spans already existed, however, the transfer of force through a reinforced concrete inner beam was carried out for the first time in the world. After the main tie-in beams began to work together with a metal arch, it was decided to start repairing the cross-beams, which hold the reinforced concrete slab in the longitudinal direction, and themselves rely on the main beams. Some transverse beams were corroded to the point that they were holding onto a reinforced concrete slab, therefore NPP SK MOST developed a technology for prestressing the transverse beams with their jacking and subsequent shotcreting from all sides, and they were supported on the main beams, which were already ready for perception load. In conclusion, the authors confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technology; At the end of 2018, an examination and acceptance testing of the Nikolsky Bridge was carried out. The results of static and dynamic tests of the bridge indicate that the actual stress-strain state of the span structure is consistent with design values. The bridge can be taken under load NK-80. After the acceptance of the bridge structure by the working commission, traffic was opened for cars and pedestrians.
Sustainable Development in Secondary Schools Curricula. Polish Context
Authors: Mróz Anna , Ocetkiewicz Iwona , Tomczyk Łukasz , Walotek-Ściańska Katarzyna , Rott Dariusz
Published: April 2020

According to recommendations of the European Commission and Decade of Education for Sustainable Development assumptions, all teachers, at each education stage, should include in their curricula content supporting efforts towards sustainable development. Knowledge is the basis for acquiring and developing competences. Students’ knowledge may help to shape their competencies in creating sustainable development in social, economical and environmental area. The article presents the results of research on the inclusion of key issues for sustainable development in education programs. Research was conducted since March 2016 to November 2016; 337 teachers employed in the lower and upper secondary school participated in the study. As the analysis of the research showed, Polish teachers are not properly prepared to implement the key issues for sustainable development in their didactic process.
The role of intratympanic dexamethasone in sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Samor Vivek , Khadav Sukhdev , Arya Pooja , . Deepchand , Dhaka Ramniwas
Published: April 2020

Background: Present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and to determine factor affecting treatment outcome for sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods: Prospective study was conducted on 24 patients of sudden sensorineural hearing loss between October 2019 to February 2020 in the department of ENT, OPD, SPMC, Bikaner. Group A were given oral steroids: prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day (maximal dose is 60 mg/day) full dose 14 days, then tapered over next 14 days. Group B were given intratympanic dexamethasone 4 mg/ml, 0.5 ml into middle ear space (into the posterior inferior quadrant) every 7 days for a total of 4 weeks. Audiogram was performed at end of every week for 4 weeks.  

Results: Overall, 58% (n=14) patients showed improvement in pure-tone average. For ≤3 days of presentation; out of total 6 patients, 83.33% cases recovered. For 4 to 7 days of presentation; out of total 10 patients, 80% cases recovered. For 8 to 14 days presentation; out of total 8 patients 12.5% cases recovered (p=0.005).

Conclusions: We suggest the treatment approach in which interaural time difference is used adjuvantly with oral steroids.
Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy of Color Doppler Ultrasonography for Diagnosis of Retinal Detachment
Authors: Akhlaghi Mohammadreza , Zarei Masoomeh , Ziaei Majid , Pourazizi Mohsen
Published: April 2020

Purpose: This study evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of Color Doppler Ultrasonography (CDUS) in patients with suspected retinal detachment (RD) who underwent surgery.
Methods: In this prospective, observational clinical study, 65 eyes of 65 consecutive patients with suspected RD with opaque media were included. Following a standardized protocol, CDUS of the retina of the affected eye was performed. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of CDUS were determined and compared to the findings during surgery.
Results: The mean age of patients (18 men and 47 women) was 52.36 years (range: 8–77 years). The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of ocular CDUS were 91.3%, 88.1%, and 89.2%, respectively. The false-negative rate (negative CDUS images but presence of RD at operation) was 3.1% (2/65) and the false-positive rate (positive CDUS images but absence of RD at operation) was 7.7% (5/65).
Conclusion: CDUS of the retina could be considered as a promising tool in the diagnosis of RD in patients with opaque media.
Serum Levels of Vitamin D in Diabetic Patients With and Without Retinopathy
Authors: Afarid Mehrdad , Ghattavi Naghme , Karim Johari Mohammad
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To evaluate the levels of vitamin D in the serum of diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods: Thirty patients with DR and thirty diabetic patients without retinopathy were included in this cross-sectional study. Based on ophthalmic examination, patients with DR were categorized into having non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative retinopathy (PDR). Patients were tested for fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25 (OH) D), and creatinine levels in the serum, and for urine protein. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25 (OH) D level < 20 ng/mL.
Results: We found that all diabetic patients had mild vitamin D deficiency (serum 25 (OH) D level = 10–20 ng/mL). The mean serum 25 (OH) D concentration in patients with DR was lower than in those without DR (12.10 ± 14.62 ng/mL vs 15.61 ± 9.40 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.012). Trace or more proteinuria was frequently present in patients with DR than in those without DR (56% in DR vs 30% in non-DR; P = 0.037). There were no significant differences in the FBS, HbA1C, and serum creatinine levels between patients with or without retinopathy.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that patients with DR had lower levels of serum vitamin D compared with those without retinopathy.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Patients with RetinalArtery Occlusion
Authors: Atum Mahmut , Alagöz Gürsoy
Published: April 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and plateletto- lymphocyte (PLR) ratios in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) with those from a healthy control population and to identify the relationship between them.
Methods: Forty-six patients with RAO and fifty-one healthy control subjects were included in this retrospective case-control study. RAO was diagnosed following an ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography (FA). Blood neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were recorded for each of the 97 subjects, from which NLR and PLR values were calculated.
Results: There were 46 patients (28 male [M], 18 female [F]) in the RAO group and 51 patients (27 M, 24 F) in the control group. No significant differences were found between patients with RAO and the control subjects in terms of gender and age (P > 0.05). Patients with RAO had significantly increased NLR values (2.85 ± 1.70) than the control subjects (1.63 ± 0.59, P < 0.001). The mean PLR in patients with RAO was 123.69 ± 64.98, while that in control subjects was 103.08 ± 36.95; there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.055). A logistic regression analysis revealed that NLRs were 3.8 times higher in patients with RAO than in control subjects (odds ratio = 3.880; 95% confidence interval = 1.94 to 7.74; P < 0.001).
Conclusion: NLRs were significantly increased in patients with RAO compared to the control subjects.
Does Clear Cornea Cataract Surgery Influence Conjunctivochalasis?
Authors: Mimura Tatsuya , Iida Michiko , Noma Hidetaka , Kondo Aki , Yoshida Maiko , Oguri Manami , Tanaka Yuka , Mizota Atsushi
Published: April 2020

This is a Letter to the Editor and does not have an abstract.
Sexual Assault Prevention: A Randomized Control Trial of a Standard Military Intervention and a Motivational Interview Enhancement
Authors: Gedney Christine R. , Lundahl Brad , Fawson Peter R.
Published: April 2020

Despite increased efforts to prevent sexual assault in military environments, the problem continues at an alarming rate. Sexual assault prevention programs (SAPP) attempt to respond to this issue, yet little is known about their effectiveness within a military environment. This randomized controlled trial examined the potential efficacy of the 2015 United States Air Force (USAF) SAPP compared to that same program with an additional motivational interviewing (MI) enhancement. The MI enhancement involved both self-guided and group discussions designed to elicit change talk toward preventing sexual assault through bystander interventions. Research questions included the general efficacy of the USAF's SAPP in shifting factors linked to sexual assault, specifically participants' endorsement of beliefs associated with sexual assault, beliefs eceived the pretest via e-mailabout intervening as a bystander when confronted with a hypothetical sexual assault situation, and participants' reported willingness to intervene to stop a sexual assault. Fifty-one college students participated, of whom 64% had a history of military involvement. Primary outcome measures included bystanders' willingness and confidence to intervene as well as indicators of rape myth acceptance. Participants in the standard USAF SAPP showed no significant change in willingness or confidence to intervene as bystanders from pretest to posttest. By contrast, those who received a relatively short MI enhancement showed statistically significant increases in their willingness to intervene as bystanders. Neither group showed changes in sexual assault myths. Enhancing SAPPs with a motivational enhancement effort seems justified, especially given the relative low resources involved in introducing such a program.
Prosecutorial Response to Nonfatal Strangulation in Domestic Violence Cases
Authors: Reckdenwald Amy , King Donna J. , Pritchard Adam
Published: April 2020

Recent research has pointed to the need for systematic law enforcement training on domestic violence when nonfatal strangulation is involved to improve evidence-based prosecution of these potentially deadly assaults; however, virtually no research has examined the legal response to nonfatal strangulation since many states have made it a separate criminal felony. The current exploratory study examines filing, charging, and adjudication decisions of nonfatal strangulation cases over a 3-year period based on evidence documentation in law enforcement reports to explore how these cases are handled by the criminal justice system in Brevard County, Florida. Results support previous research showing the importance of training police officers and other personnel as insufficient evidence may be one possible factor limiting the prosecutors' ability to successfully prosecute domestic violence strangulation offenders to the highest extent available under the law. Implications spread across multiple disciplines.
LGBTQ-Related Individual Differences Predict Emotional Reactions to the Pulse Nightclub Shootings
Authors: Maduro Ralitsa S. , Sheehan Brynn E. , Hitson Phoebe , Shappie Alexander T. , Derlega Valerian J.
Published: April 2020

This study examined, among 232 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) participants, the association of identity centrality and public regard with negative affect about the Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando, Florida. Identification with victims and perceived threat to personal safety were sequential mediators. Identity centrality was associated with greater identification with the shooting victims. In turn, identification with the victims was associated with greater perceived threat, followed by more negative affect. Low public regard was associated with greater perceived threat that, in turn, was associated with more negative affect. The results support the notion that LGBTQ-related individual differences increase distress about anti-sexual/gender minority hate crimes, especially for individuals with a strong LGBTQ identity and who believe that the majority, heterosexual society devalues sexual/gender minority persons.
Why do University Teachers use E-Learning Systems?
Authors: Goh Chin Fei , Hii Puong Koh , Tan Owee Kowang , Rasli Amran
Published: April 2020

University teachers are the main players when it comes to integrating e-learning systems into higher education institutions. Prior studies have identified four main antecedents that explain teachers’ technology acceptance in the educational context: (a) subjective norms (SN), (b) technological complexity (TC), (c) constructivist beliefs (CB), and (d) motivation for instrumental use (MOT). In this study, we proposed and tested the dual roles of MOT, one as a causal variable and the other as a mediating variable, to explain university teachers’ acceptance of e-learning systems. To test the research model, we collected data from 174 teachers at a large public university in Malaysia using a self-administered survey. Our study shows that MOT mediates the direct effects of SN, TC, and CB on perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), and behavioural intention (BI). This study offers important policy insight for university administrators who seek to enhance acceptance of e-learning systems among university teachers.
Development of research skills in the future foreign language teacher in the system of continuing education
Authors: Presnukhina Irina Alexandrovna , Sergeeva Marina Georgiyevna , Karavanova Lyudmila Zhalalovna , Belokon Olga Vladimirovna , Khvorikova Elena Georgievna
Published: April 2020

Modern education, implemented in specially targeted institutions, in most cases cannot ensure high performance of graduates. A future teacher should possess not only a high level of qualifications but also creative thinking, the ability to use innovative methods and technologies. The improvement of the integrated abilities of future teachers is based on the appropriate competent combination of the Russian educational tradition with innovative types of education. University programs usually only follow the state educational standards, without contributing to the individual self-identification of young citizens. Today, education should be positioned as a daily intellectual work that reveals the potential of a schoolchild or student and contributes to building the required competencies. Consequently, non-formal education should become part of a teacher’s life, implying both personal cognitive activity and spontaneous education, carried out due to a personal activity in a rapidly developing educational space. The student should not only know a foreign language and master teaching methods, but also demonstrate an adequate intellectual level, the ability to reflect, to conduct scientific research, to predict learning outcomes. Unfortunately, at this stage, the potential of non-formal education in the field of foreign languages is not sufficiently used, which makes it difficult to improve the research skills of future school teachers.
Brief: Managing Computing Technology
Authors: Startzman Richard A.
Published: April 2020

While computing is applied widely in the production segment of the petroleum industry, its effective application is the primary goal of computing management. Computing technology has changed significantly since the 1950's, when computers first began to influence petroleum technology. The ability to accomplish traditional tasks faster and more economically probably is the most important effect that computing has had on the industry. While speed and lower cost are important, are they enough? Can computing change the basic functions of the industry? When new computing technology is introduced improperly, it can clash with traditional petroleum technology. This paper examines the role of management in merging these technologies.

Background

Petroleum engineering is a practice-oriented profession where many technological achievements have been led or inspired by field experimentation. The discipline concentrates on exploiting natural fluids from unseen underground sources. Petroleum reservoirs are unique states of nature; therefore, practical experience is important. Traditional, noncomputing petroleum technology has tended to be empirical instead of theoretical. This empirical approach can be illustrated by some of the most important accomplishments in petroleum technology.

Waterflooding was discovered accidentally in Pennsylvania in the 1880's. However, Buckley and Leverett2 did not present their important theory to explain frontal advance in immiscible displacement processes until 1942. Hydraulic fracturing was first applied intentionally in 1947 to increase oil production in the Hugoton field.3 The considerable advances in understanding fracture behavior physics occurred much later.

Inspired by high taxes on imported salt, the salt manufacturing industry in Sichuan province, China, drilled and produced surprisingly deep brine wells. 4 More than 1,000 years ago, some wells were drilled to 330-ft depths. One well, spudded almost 160 years ago, is still producing brine from more than 3,280 ft deep. Significant improvements in technology have occurred since, but field applications preceded theoretical work by a long time.
Bridging the Employment Gap
Authors: Preng David E.
Published: April 2020

Published in Oil & Gas Executive, Volume 1, Number 1, 1998, pages 32-36.

Last year, eight of the brightest and most productive geoscientists at a major oil company resigned en masse to join a large independent. Recently, a senior exploration manager who had been with his company only 7 months resigned to accept a vice presidential position at another company. To recover the loss, the jilted company recruited a talented executive with less than 1 year at his previous position. Welcome to the era of "free agency" in the energy industry.

Understanding What Works Today

In the 1970's and early 1980's, professionals who switched jobs did so for offers of higher salaries and/or the opportunity to have a direct stake in what they achieved. Today's executives are more likely to look at the total package, especially professional challenges, not just compensation, when evaluating a change. Look around your company and ask yourself if it's likely that eight of your geoscientists would depart en masse for the opportunity to expand their scope of experiences and work on more challenging opportunities. Then ask yourself, "What am I doing to prevent that from happening?" Do I have the right mentality, and does my company have the executive talent (CHRO) to foster this effort? Company leaders who listen to people, understand what they require, and help them achieve their goals will take their teams to the Final Four. There is no magic formula. Whether it's coaching basketball or managing an energy team, people need to feel like part of the solution, to be financially rewarded, to be in a culture where they can thrive, and to be personally and professionally challenged. One should never lose sight of the fact that it takes two things to make a company grow-talented people and capital. It is my experience that talented people are smart enough and entrepreneurial enough to get the capital that is needed.
The Impact of Electronic Data Discovery on the Corporation
Authors: Jessen John H.
Published: April 2020

Published in Oil & Gas Executive, Volume 2, Number 1, 1999, pages 42-48.

A New Way of Thinking

It is clear that electronic discovery is not only here to stay but also will expand significantly in years to come. The Year 2000 litigation problem is just starting to show itself in courts, and many believe that most such litigation will involve some sort of electronic discovery. To gain the benefits that come from being prepared for electronic discovery, corporate executives must develop a new way of thinking about electronic data and the systems on which these data reside.

For years, advances in electronic processing have been introduced into the organization with no thought given to the potential risk associated with them. For example, many oil and gas companies are introducing intranets into their corporate infrastructure. An intranet is an electronic communication system that allows information to be shared internally within an organization. While seen as an advance in information sharing, many organizations are now finding that uncontrolled introduction of such systems can create litigation liability. One company recently lost the trade-secret status associated with its library of oil and gas formulas because the library was placed on an intranet that allowed thousands of nonemployees access to it.

Other companies have found that old data needed for today's litigation cannot be read or processed with today's computer systems. Seismic and drilling data stored on old magnetic tapes (often by use of proprietary, homemade software) is useless unless the old tape-drive hardware has been kept and properly maintained and copies of the software application have been kept along with instruction manuals, passwords, and the like.

As computer systems become more complicated and as upstream and downstream operations rely more and more on electronically stored data, the associated litigation risk will continue to grow. Today's oil and gas executive must realize that the shift in discovery from paper to electronic records requires recognition within the organization, a plan to deal with it, and a new way of thinking about risk management. Organizations that do not have the ability to identify, locate, retrieve, review, preserve, and produce electronic data in a proper, timely, and cost-efficient manner will find themselves at a strategic disadvantage.
Alternative Dispute Resolution - Applications in the Upstream Sector
Authors: Graham John S. , Ghauri Shahid A.
Published: April 2020

Published in Oil & Gas Executive Report, Volume 2, Number 2, 1999, pages 36-40.

In recent years, various methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)have found increasing favor among participants in the oil and gas industry. Many legal instruments and agreements governing industry practice today routinely contain provisions that contemplate resolution of disputes without resort to the judicial system. For the most part, the contracting parties negotiate the range of issues that these provisions address. To draft or implement such a provision effectively, these parties must thoroughly understand the forces that may cause a disputant (or a potential disputant) to choose to resolve a dispute outside a court of law. This article examines some of these forces in the context of disputes that commonly arise in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Mediation and Arbitration

ADR can be broadly defined as the use of a neutral third party to facilitate resolution of disputes outside a formal court of law. This definition encompasses a wide range of procedures that can be used separately or in various combinations. The principal distinguishing factor among these procedures is whether the neutral third party has the power to impose a solution on the parties or merely acts to assist them in arriving at their own solution. The former type of procedure is called adjudicative, while the latter is called consensual.

The most prevalent type of consensual procedure is mediation. In mediation, the parties submit a dispute to a third-party neutral, or mediator, who assists them, privately and collectively, in identifying the issues in dispute and in developing settlement proposals to address these issues. The mediator is not, however, empowered to impose a settlement on the parties.

A typical mediation procedure might involve submission by the parties of premediation briefs to the mediator. These briefs typically set forth the essence of the dispute and each party's position. At the mediation session, the mediator typically gives each party the opportunity to develop his or her position through oral presentation. The mediator then meets privately with each party and provides an evaluation of the dispute, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses in each party's respective position.
Caspian Sea Plans Edge Ahead
Authors: _ _
Published: April 2020

Published in Oil & Gas Executive Report, Volume 2, Number 3, 1999, pages 22–28.

In recent years, the Caspian Sea region has been both the blessing and bane of the world oil and gas industry.

Rich in petroleum resources - but short on infrastructure and access to major markets - the area's contribution to the world's future energy mix is fraught with controversy. Promising business deals can be delayed by uncertain politics and thorny legal issues surrounding resource ownership, in a region where developing and moving oil to market involves negotiations with three or more of the seven national governments in the region (see map and inset). Likewise, once-promising formations can yield disappointing, non-commercial results, as happened several times last year.

Geoffrey Kemp, director of regional strategic programs for the Nixon Center, termed the Caspian Sea region "exciting but troublesome" at a recent Washington, D.C. conference on the region's issues sponsored by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. The key countries surrounding the Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Kazakhstan—are racked by both economic and political instability. Iran, flanking the southern shore, is subject to longstanding trade sanctions that limit foreign investment. While not part of the unstable Caspian mix, NATO ally Turkey is also involved in negotiations for possible pipeline routes to world markets.

Nevertheless, the region's major players are hanging tight, despite the region's inherent challenges and a roller-coaster plunge in prices that has eased only recently. At the SPE conference, some of the world's foremost texperts on the Caspian Sea voiced considerable agreement that there's reason to remain optimistic about the region's future.

Although opinions varied about the timing and magnitude of the region's energy development, most agreed that the Caspian Sea remained a worthwhile investment for players able to endure the often-long wait and frustrations involved in getting projects moving.

Commented Nick Zana, managing director of Chevron's Eurasian business unit:"There's far too much at stake to stop investing. We formed our partnerships in the Caspian region for the long term, and we're going to stay for the long term."
Effect of Probiotic Supplementation along with Calorie Restriction on Metabolic Endotoxemia, Trimethylamine-N-Oxide, Inflammation, Metabolic Factors, and Gut Microbiota Profile in Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Double Blind Placebo Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Moludi Jalal , Kafil Hossein Samadi , Gholizadeh Pouria , Alizadeh Mohammad
Published: April 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be withdrawn due to author disagreement.
Results of the Neuroblastoma-2015 Protocol for Treating Neuroblastoma in China: Experience from Multiple Centers
Authors: Jin Yan , Yan Jie , Li Fu , Jiang Lian , Lu Jun , Li Jianxin , Dai Yunpeng , Zhan Jianghua , Cao Yanna , Li Zhongyuan , Liu Yun , Wang Daowei , Li Zhanglin , Zhao Qiang , Li Jie
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACT Background: The collaborative efforts of the Chinese Children’s Cancer Group (CCCG) have led to advances in our understanding of NB biology, a standardized classification, and stratified strategies, resulting in improved outcomes in China. We aimed to assess the NB-2015 protocol formulated by the CCCG in 2015 and evaluate the extent of the impact of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) . Methods: This study enrolled patients with NB between 2015 and 2018 from seven medical centers in China. The clinical characteristics of one hundred sixty-one patients were reviewed, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated as the impact on survival rate. Results: The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) rates of the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 95.5%, 91.6%, 51.1%, respectively. In total, 3 out of 7 (42.8%) patients with stage 2B disease, none of whom had MYCN amplifications, relapsed. A total of 47 of the 78 patients in the high-risk group underwent external-beam radiation to the primary tumor bed (dose ranging from 18 to 36 Gy). The therapeutic effect was significantly different between patients who received radiation therapy and those who did not (3-year OS P =0.041). Within the high-risk group, The 3-year EFS rates of the patients with and without APBSCT were 72.6% and 37.1%, respectively ( P =0.008). Conclusions: This study showed that using the NB-2015 protocol achieved satisfactory results without the occurrence of fatal complications. For patients in the stage 2B group, chemotherapy should be intensified. APBSCT can effectively improve the survival rate of patients with NB, especially high-risk patients.
Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices about cancer risk factors among health care professionals
Authors: Sheikhalipour Zahra , Ghahramanian Akram , Sanaat Zohreh , Vahedi Leila
Published: April 2020

Background: Given the importance of health care personnel’s awareness of cancer symptoms, this study aimed to investigate their knowledge regarding cancer warning symptoms, attitudes toward cancer risk factors, and performance on undertaking cancer screening tests.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which 145 health care staff working in the medical centers affiliated with Tabriz University of Medical Sciences prticipated in it. The study population included nurses, midwives, operating room technicians, laboratory staff, anesthesiologists and radiologists. Items assessing awareness of cancer warning signs, risk factors, incidence, screening programmes were extracted from the literature.Results: The mean knowledge score of health care staffs was 7.97±2.01. Regarding the staff’s attitude toward the role of risk factors in increasing the likelihood of cancer, the results showed an average attitude score of 35.41±4.69. Concerning the performance of the participants in cancer screening tests, the results showed that out of 125 women aged 25-57 years, only 44% performed monthly self-examinations, 22.1% referred to a specialist physician for breast cancer screening every three years and only 20.51% of the female participants aged over 40 years old performed mammography. In terms of cervical cancer screening in female participants, 27.2% had performed annual Pap smear tests, and 17.6% referred to a specialist for annual pelvic examinations. Regarding colorectal cancer screening in staff older than 45 years, our findings showed that from 24 participants (16.6% of the samples), only one had undertaken occult blood test and performed colonoscopy.Conclusions: Because the public health depends on the wellness of health care professionals and their awareness of cancer warning signs, as well as their knowledge of cancer risk factors and adherence to cancer screening tests, they should be encouraged to perform these examinations.
Highly Efficient Biolistic Transformation of Embryogenic Cell Suspensions of Banana Via a Liquid Medium Selection System
Authors: Dong Tao , Bi Fang-cheng , Huang Yong-hong , He Wei-di , Deng Gui-ming , Gao Hui-jun , Sheng Ou , Li Chun-yu , Yang Qiao-song , Yi Gan-jun , Hu Chun-hua
Published: April 2020

An efficient biolistic transformation system of banana combined with a liquid medium selection system was developed during this study. An embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) of Musa acuminata cv. Baxi (AAA) was bombarded with a particle delivery system. After 7 days of restoring culture in liquid M2 medium, embryogenic cells were transferred to a liquid selection M2 medium supplemented with 10 μg/mL hygromycin for resistance screening. The untransformed cell clusters were inhibited or killed, and a small number of transformants proliferated in the liquid selection medium. After the 0th, first, second, and third generation of antibiotic screening, there were 0, 65, 212, and 320, respectively, vitality-resistant buds obtained from a 0.5-mL packed cell volume (PCV) of embryogenic cell suspension. The β-glucuronidase (GUS) staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, and Southern blot hybridization results all demonstrated a 100% positive rate of regenerated resistant seedlings. Interestingly, the number of buds obtained through third-generation screening was almost equal to that obtained from the original ECS in M2 medium without antibiotics. These results suggested that the liquid medium selection system facilitated the proliferation of a positive transgenic ECS, which significantly improved the regeneration rate of transformants. This protocol is suitable for the genetic transformation of all banana genotypes and is highly advantageous to varieties with low callusing potential.
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of a Strawberry Breeding Program Incorporating DNA-informed Technology
Authors: Wannemuehler Seth D. , Yue Chengyan , Hoashi-Erhardt Wendy K. , Gallardo R. Karina , McCracken Vicki
Published: April 2020

DNA-informed breeding techniques allow breeders to examine individual plants before costly field trials. Previous studies with tree fruits such as apple (Malus ×domestica) and peach (Prunus persica) have identified cost-effective implementation of DNA-informed techniques. However, it is unclear whether breeding programs for herbaceous perennials with 1- to 2-year juvenile phases benefit economically from these techniques. In this study, a cost-benefit analysis examining marker-assisted selection (MAS) in a Pacific northwest U.S. strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) breeding program was conducted to elucidate the effectiveness of DNA-informed breeding in perennial crops and explore the capabilities of a decision support tool. Procedures and associated costs were identified to create simulations of the breeding program. Simulations compared a conventional breeding program to a breeding program using MAS with low (12.5%), medium (25%), and high (50%) removal rates, and examined different scenarios where MAS had diminishing power to remove individuals as selections reenter the breeding cycle as parent material. We found that MAS application under current costs was not cost-effective in the modeled strawberry program when applied at the greenhouse stage, but cost-effectiveness was observed when MAS was applied at the end of the seedling trials before clonal trials with a removal rate of 12.5%.
Anticancer Activity of Lectins from Bauhinia purpurea and Wisteria floribunda on Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cell Lines
Authors: Agrawal Sanskruthi B. , Gupta Neha , Bhagyawant Sameer S. , Gaikwad Sushama M.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Individual and collaborative efforts are being made worldwide in search
of effective chemical or natural drugs with less severe side-effects for treatment of cancer. Due to
the specificity and selectivity properties of lectins for saccharides, several plant lectins are known
to induce cytotoxicity into tumor cells.

Objective:

To study the antiproliferative activity of two N-acetyl galactosamine specific plant
lectins from seeds of Bauhinia purpurea and Wisteria floribunda against MCF-7 Breast cancer cell
lines.

Methods:

MTT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and caspase-
3 assays and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis were performed.

Results:

The agglutinins BPL and WFL; 446 μgml-1 (2.2 μM) and 329 μgml-1 (2.8 μM), respectively
caused remarkable concentration-dependent antiproliferative effect on MCF-7. The effect was
seen to be a consequence of binding of the lectin to the cell surface and triggering S and G2 phase
arrest. Apoptosis induced was found to be associated with LDH leakage, cell cycle arrest and ROS
generation. The apoptotic signal was observed to be amplified by activation of caspase-3 resulting
in cell death.

Conclusion:

The study provides a base for detailed investigation and further use of lectins in cancer
studies.