bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Corpora Lutea Seen at 6–13 Weeks' Gestation Infers Dizygosity Among Spontaneous Same-Sexed Dichorionic Twins
Authors: Woo Jean , Tong Stephen , Campbell Megan J. , Wallace Leanne , Meagher Simon , Montgomery Grant W. , Chao Fay , Chan Weng , Vollenhoven Beverley
Published: March 2009

Current ultrasound techniques can accurately determine the chorionicity of twins, but not zygosity. We previously proposed that the zygosity of spontaneously conceived twins can be determined at early ultrasound, where 2 corpora lutea infers dizygosity, and 1 implies monozygosity. Here we did a case series, comparing zygosity predicted using this method with definitive DNA genotyping of twins after birth. We retrospectively identified 14 ultrasound reports of spontaneous twin pregnancies at 6(+0 days) to 13+6 weeks' gestation, where both ovaries were seen and the number of corpora lutea documented. We visited all twin pairs, obtained buccal smears, and determined zygosity by genotyping 9 independent microsatellite markers. All 8 cases where 2 corpora lutea were seen were dizygotic pregnancies. One further case where 3 corpora lutea were seen was also dizygotic. All 3 sets of monozygotic twins had 1 corpus luteum. There were 2 cases incorrectly assigned, where 1 corpus luteum was seen in dizygotic pregnancies. We conclude if 2 corpora lutea are seen at a first trimester ultrasound of spontaneously conceived dichorionic twins, they appear to be almost certainly dizygotic. However, if 1 corpus luteum is seen in dichorionic twins, zygosity cannot be determined with certainty since it is either monozygotic, or dizygotic where a second corpus luteum has been missed.
Sex, Lies, and Agriculture: Reconstructing Japanese Immigrant Gender Relations in Rural California, 1900–1913
Authors: Tsu Cecilia M.
Published: March 2009

This article argues that the conditions of Japanese immigrants' lives in rural California produced unstable gender relations and patterns of intra-ethnic conflict. Early twentieth-century inquest records of the Santa Clara County coroner reveal tensions stemming from gender imbalance, exacerbated by the difficulties of farm life, racial marginalization, and circumscribed economic opportunity. Immigrant men equated success in America and status among their compatriots with being economically viable farmers and supporting a family in America; some who could not achieve these goals resorted to violent behavior. Meanwhile, Japanese women encountered new options and freedoms in a predominantly male immigrant society but also found themselves battling new forms of aggression from their countrymen. The volatility of gender relations in this Japanese community highlights the disruptive effects of migration, as well as the process through which immigrant men and women negotiated new lives and identities in America.
The Strange Career of Leo Stanley: Remaking Manhood and Medicine at San Quentin State Penitentiary, 1913–1951
Authors: Blue Ethan
Published: March 2009

Dr. Leo Stanley served as San Quentin's chief surgeon for nearly four decades. Between 1913 and 1951, he oversaw the modernization of its medical regime, shifting from Lombrosian eugenic criminology through biomedical explanations for crime, and finally into psychological treatments in the postwar period. Throughout, Stanley fixated on curing various crises of manhood. Under Stanley's scalpel, prisoners became subjects in a series of eugenic treatments ranging from sterilization to implanting "testicular substances" from executed prisoners---and also goats---into San Quentin inmates. Stanley was convinced that his research would rejuvenate aged men, control crime, and limit the reproduction of the unfit. His medical practice revealed an underside to social hygiene in the modern state, where the lines between punishment, treatment, and research were blurred.
The Silkworm Z Chromosome Is Enriched in Testis-Specific Genes
Authors: Arunkumar K P , Mita Kazuei , Nagaraju J
Published: March 2009

The role of sex chromosomes in sex determination has been well studied in diverse groups of organisms. However, the role of the genes on the sex chromosomes in conferring sexual dimorphism is still being experimentally evaluated. An unequal complement of sex chromosomes between two sexes makes them amenable to sex-specific evolutionary forces. Sex-linked genes preferentially expressed in one sex over the other offer a potential means of addressing the role of sex chromosomes in sexual dimorphism. We examined the testis transcriptome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, which has a ZW chromosome constitution in the female and ZZ in the male, and show that the Z chromosome harbors a significantly higher number of genes expressed preferentially in testis compared to the autosomes. We hypothesize that sexual antagonism and absence of dosage compensation have possibly led to the accumulation of many male-specific genes on the Z chromosome. Further, our analysis of testis-specific paralogous genes suggests that the accumulation on the Z chromosome of genes advantageous to males has occurred primarily by translocation or tandem duplication.
Tethering Recombination Initiation Proteins inSaccharomyces cerevisiaePromotes Double Strand Break Formation
Authors: Koehn Demelza R , Haring Stuart J , Williams Jaime M , Malone Robert E
Published: March 2009

Meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is initiated by the creation of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), an event requiring 10 recombination initiation proteins. Published data indicate that these 10 proteins form three main interaction subgroups [(Spo11-Rec102-Rec104-Ski8), (Rec114-Rec107-Mei4), and (Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2)], but certain components from each subgroup may also interact. Although several of the protein–protein interactions have been defined, the mechanism for DSB formation has been challenging to define. Using a variation of the approach pioneered by others, we have tethered 8 of the 10 initiation proteins to a recombination coldspot and discovered that in addition to Spo11, 6 others (Rec102, Rec104, Ski8, Rec114, Rec107, and Mei4) promote DSB formation at the coldspot, albeit with different frequencies. Of the 8 proteins tested, only Mre11 was unable to cause DSBs even though it binds to UASGAL at GAL2. Our results suggest there may be several ways that the recombination initiation proteins can associate to form a functional initiation complex that can create DSBs.
Expression Analysis of Selected Immune-Relevant Genes in Channel Catfish during Edwardsiella ictaluri Infection
Authors: Elibol-Flemming Banu , Waldbieser Geoffrey C. , Wolters William R. , Boyle Carolyn R. , Hanson Larry A.
Published: March 2009

Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were intraperitoneally challenged with the bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri (the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish), and the expression of genes presumed to function in the inducible innate defense was evaluated. End-binding protein 1 (EB1), β1-integrin, natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), serum amyloid P (SAP), and transferrin gene expression profiles were determined using quantitative reverse-transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction on liver, anterior kidney, spleen, and gut. Fish were subsampled at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after bacterial or phosphate-buffered-saline injection. Posterior kidney sampling demonstrated increasing bacterial counts at 24–48 h postinjection (hpi), followed by a plateau to 96 hpi. The transferrin and SAP transcripts were liver specific. The other genes were expressed in all four tissues. In bacterially infected fish, expression of EB1 (anterior kidney, spleen, and liver), Hsp70 (anterior kidney and spleen), and Nramp (spleen and gut) significantly increased by 48 hpi. Transferrin was strongly up-regulated and SAP was down-regulated by 72 hpi, indicating positive and negative acute-phase reactants, respectively. The data indicate a substantial response of innate immunity effector cells by 48 hpi, followed by suppression of bacterial growth and induction of the acute-phase response. This suggests that the 48–72-hpi time frame is critical in our model for evaluating the effectiveness of innate defenses.
Phylogeny and provenance affect plant–soil feedbacks in invaded California grasslands
Authors: Brandt Angela J. , Seabloom Eric W. , Hosseini Parviez R.
Published: March 2009

Plant–soil feedbacks can affect plant community dynamics by influencing processes of coexistence or invasion, or by maintaining alternate stable states. Darwin's naturalization hypothesis suggests that phylogenetic relatedness should be a critical factor governing such feedbacks in invaded communities but is rarely considered in soil feedback studies. We investigated the effects of soil biota from experimentally established native and invaded California grassland communities on resource capture and allocation of three native and three exotic grass species, comprising three tribes, grown in the laboratory. Phylogeny was the single greatest determinant of grass biomass, root : shoot ratio, and growth rate, with presence of soil biota explaining the second greatest proportion of variance in total grass biomass. Similar trends were observed in soil collected from naturally occurring stands of native perennial and exotic annual grasses. Species of similar life history/provenance exhibited similar biomass responses to the same soil community, while more closely related species exhibited similar root : shoot ratio responses to the same soil community. Relationships between the plant community composition of a field plot and species responses to soil inoculum collected from that field plot were idiosyncratic, with many aspects of plant community structure potentially contributing to soil feedbacks. Thus, future studies should explicitly consider both phylogeny and provenance and evaluate soil feedbacks in a community setting.
An evaluation of density‐dependent and density‐independent influences on population growth rates in Weddell seals
Authors: Rotella Jay J. , Link William A. , Nichols James D. , Hadley Gillian L. , Garrott Robert A. , Proffitt Kelly M.
Published: March 2009

Much of the existing literature that evaluates the roles of density‐dependent and density‐independent factors on population dynamics has been called into question in recent years because measurement errors were not properly dealt with in analyses. Using state–space models to account for measurement errors, we evaluated a set of competing models for a 22‐year time series of mark–resight estimates of abundance for a breeding population of female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) studied in Erebus Bay, Antarctica. We tested for evidence of direct density dependence in growth rates and evaluated whether equilibrium population size was related to seasonal sea‐ice extent and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). We found strong evidence of negative density dependence in annual growth rates for a population whose estimated size ranged from 438 to 623 females during the study. Based on Bayes factors, a density‐dependence‐only model was favored over models that also included environmental covariates. According to the favored model, the population had a stationary distribution with a mean of 497 females (SD = 60.5), an expected growth rate of 1.10 (95% credible interval = 1.08–1.15) when population size was 441 females, and a rate of 0.90 (95% credible interval = 0.87–0.93) for a population of 553 females. A model including effects of SOI did receive some support and indicated a positive relationship between SOI and population size. However, effects of SOI were not large, and including the effect did not greatly reduce our estimate of process variation. We speculate that direct density dependence occurred because rates of adult survival, breeding, and temporary emigration were affected by limitations on per capita food resources and space for parturition and pup‐rearing. To improve understanding of the relative roles of various demographic components and their associated vital rates to population growth rate, mark–recapture methods can be applied that incorporate both environmental covariates and the seal abundance estimates that were developed here. An improved understanding of why vital rates change with changing population abundance will only come as we develop a better understanding of the processes affecting marine food resources in the Southern Ocean.
Intimate Partner Violence Experience and Expectations Among College Women in Dating Relationships: Implications for Behavioral Interventions
Authors: Stein Amanda L. , Tran Giao Q. , Fisher Bonnie S.
Published: March 2009

Studies suggest that experience and expectations of intimate partner violence (IPV) among college women may be positively related. We investigated their association using modified versions of two standard measures: the Conflict Tactics Scale and the Multidimensional Emotional Abuse Scale. Five hundred and thirty-four college women completed each measure twice: once based on their partner’s actual behaviors and once based on what they expected a male partner would do in a relationship. Results demonstrated that IPV experience and IPV expectations are significantly and positively related. Results also showed that respondents expected more IPV than they reportedly experienced, suggesting that college women may believe that IPV occurs more frequently in others’ relationships than in their own. Findings suggest that behavioral interventions for IPV victims should address IPV expectations.
Assaultive Behavior in Bars: A Gendered Comparison
Authors: Krienert Jessie L. , Vandiver Donna M.
Published: March 2009

This research assesses the prevalence, nature, and arrest patterns of barroom aggression; it includes a cross-national sample of men and women involved in simple or aggravated assault. Prior research indicates bars are a haven for assaults; however, little research has focused on female involvement in barroom assault. Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System are used to assess differences between men (n = 9,262) and women (n = 2,787) involved in barroom assaults during 2005. Results shed light on an understudied population of barroom offenders. Specifically, women are younger than their male counterparts and more likely to use a weapon during a barroom altercation. Additionally, while barroom assault is intrasexual in nature, women are more likely than men to assault outside their sex.
THE REINFORCING EFFECTS OF HOUSELIGHT ILLUMINATION DURING CHAINED SCHEDULES OF FOOD PRESENTATION
Authors: Allen Ron , Kupfer Jeff , Malagodi E.F.
Published: March 2009

Pigeons' keypecking was maintained under two‐ and three‐component chained schedules of food presentation. The component schedules were all fixed‐interval schedules of either 1‐ or 2‐min duration. Across conditions the presence of houselight illumination within each component schedule was manipulated. For each pigeon, first‐component response rates increased significantly when the houselight was extinguished in the first component and illuminated in the second. The results suggest that the increase was not the result of disinhibition or modification of stimulus control by component stimuli, but appears to result from the reinforcement of responding by the onset of illumination in the second component. Additionally, the apparent reinforcing properties of houselight illumination resulted neither from association of the houselight with the terminal component of the chained schedule nor through generalization of the hopper illumination present during food presentation. The results of the present series of experiments are related to previous demonstrations of illumination‐reinforced responding and to the interpretation of data from experiments employing houselight illumination as stimuli associated with timeout or brief stimuli in second‐order schedules.
Relationship of Metabolic Syndrome to Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Li Peng , He Lu , Sha Yue‐qin , Luan Qing‐xian
Published: March 2009

Background: Many studies have suggested that periodontal disease is related to metabolic disorders. Few studies have investigated metabolic syndrome (MS), as defined by the International Diabetes Federation in 2005, in the Chinese population. The aim of this study was to assess the association of periodontitis with MS.

Methods: In this case‐control study, 152 patients with MS and 56 generally healthy adults received a comprehensive clinical dental examination. Attachment loss, probing depth, bleeding index, and plaque index were examined at two sites per tooth (mesio‐buccal and disto‐lingual). The number of missing teeth was noted in each subject.

Results: The male patients with MS were significantly younger and their periodontal parameters were significantly higher than those of the healthy group. The female patients with MS were significantly older, and all periodontal parameters were higher than those in the healthy group; only plaque index was statistically significantly different (P = 0.001). After adjustment for gender, age, and smoking, the corresponding adjusted odds ratios for MS were 6.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 to 44.77), 9.9 (95% CI: 1.50 to 65.24), and 15.6 (95% CI: 2.20 to 110.43) for subjects with attachment loss ≥3 mm in >0% to 33% of sites, >33% to 67% of sites, and >67% of sites, respectively. Most periodontal parameters were highest in patients with four components of MS, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Patients with MS had poor periodontal conditions, and periodontal disease was associated with MS, independent of other risk factors.
Improvement of Periodontal Parameters in Untreated Quadrants After Surgical Periodontal Therapy at Adjacent Quadrants
Authors: Radvar Mehrdad , Mardani Nima , Mellati Ehsan , Habibi Mehdi
Published: March 2009

Background: Once full‐mouth surgery is planned following the non‐surgical phase for a patient with chronic periodontitis, it often does not undergo revision during the surgical period. The aim of this study was to find out whether surgical treatments performed on each quadrant would have any influence on the periodontal status of the untreated quadrants.

Methods: Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis were selected and received full‐mouth scaling and root planing. After 8 weeks, quadrant‐wise surgery was performed during four consecutive sessions at 2‐week intervals for sites with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP). Clinical parameters, including PD, BOP, and clinical attachment level, were recorded at baseline, at each session prior to surgery, and 8 weeks after the last surgical visit.

Results: Only the data recorded for the last‐treated quadrant are presented in this article. Marked differences were found in the clinical measurements of the last‐treated quadrant among all visits. A significant improvement in the clinical parameters of the last‐treated quadrant between sessions two and five were mostly related to the treatment of the other three quadrants.

Conclusion: The treatment plan made at the time of reassessment of the initial phase of therapy should be considered provisional, and it should be open to revision prior to each surgical visit to reconfirm or modify the treatment plan previously devised for the remaining quadrant(s).
N‐Acetylcysteine, a Thiol Antioxidant, Decreases Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis in Rats
Authors: Toker Hulya , Ozdemir Hakan , Eren Kaya , Ozer Hatice , Sahın Gonul
Published: March 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphometric and histopathologic changes associated with experimental periodontitis in rats in response to systemic administration of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC).

Methods: Forty‐three Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: non‐ligated (NL) group (n = 10), ligature only (LO) group (n = 10), and groups that were administered NAC systemically (7, 35, or 70 mg/kg body weight per day [NAC7, NAC35, and NAC70 groups, respectively]; n = 8, 9, and 6). Silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of the lower first molars in a mandibular quadrant. The study duration was 11 days, and the animals were sacrificed at the end of this period. Changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences among the study groups.

Results: At the end of 11 days, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to NL, NAC7, NAC35, and NAC70 groups (P <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the osteoclast numbers among the study groups (P >0.05), whereas the effect of NAC was dose‐dependent.

Conclusion: NAC prevented alveolar bone loss in the rat model, in a dose‐dependent manner, when administered systemically.
Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha Levels After Surgical Anti‐Infective Mechanical Therapy for Peri‐Implantitis: A 12‐Month Follow‐Up
Authors: de Mendonça Adriana Cutrim , Santos Vanessa Renata , César‐Neto João Batista , Duarte Poliana Mendes
Published: March 2009

Background: The aim of the present case series was to evaluate the effects of a surgical anti‐infective mechanical therapy for peri‐implantitis on clinical parameters and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels at 12 months post‐therapy.

Methods: Ten patients with peri‐implantitis were treated with open surgical debridement, abrasive sodium carbonate air‐powder, and resin curets. Clinical parameters were recorded before and 3 and 12 months after therapy. At these time points, the total amounts of TNF‐α in the peri‐implant crevicular fluid were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: At 3 and 12 months, the anti‐infective therapy resulted in significant improvements in all clinical parameters (P <0.05). Moreover, the total amount of TNF‐α was significantly reduced at 3 and 12 months after therapy compared to baseline (P <0.05), paralleling the changes in mean probing depth and bleeding on probing.

Conclusion: The anti‐infective mechanical therapy reduced the crevicular levels of TNF‐α in sites affected by peri‐implantitis over a period of 12 months, and this phenomenon was associated with improvements in clinical parameters.
Root Coverage Esthetic Score: A System to Evaluate the Esthetic Outcome of the Treatment of Gingival Recession Through Evaluation of Clinical Cases
Authors: Cairo Francesco , Rotundo Roberto , Miller Preston D. , Pini Prato Giovan Paolo
Published: March 2009

Background: Generally, esthetic outcomes following root‐coverage procedures are not assessed. This article proposes a score for evaluating the esthetic outcome following root‐coverage surgery.

Methods: Thirty‐one patients with Miller Class I and II recession defects treated with root‐coverage procedures were evaluated. Esthetic outcomes were assessed using the root coverage esthetic score (RES) 6 months after surgery. This score evaluates five variables: level of the gingival margin, marginal tissue contour, soft tissue texture, mucogingival junction alignment, and gingival color. Because complete root coverage was the primary treatment goal, and the other variables were considered secondary, the value assigned for root coverage was 60% of the total score, whereas 40% was assigned to the other four variables. With regard to assessment of the final position of the gingival margin, 3 points were given for partial root coverage, and 6 points were given for complete root coverage; 0 points were assigned when the final position of the gingival margin was equal or apical to the previous recession. One point was assigned for each of the other four variables. Thus, 10 points was a perfect score.

Results: Of the 31 treated recession defects, 24 (77%) exhibited complete root coverage at 6 months. The mean amount of root coverage was 89.4% (range, 0% to 100%). The mean RES was 7.8. Five of 24 cases of complete root coverage achieved a perfect score (RES = 10). In one case, RES = 0.

Conclusion: The RES system may be a useful tool to assess the esthetic outcome following root‐coverage procedures.
Effect of External Mechanical Damage on the Fatigue Life of Coiled Tubing Exposed to Sour Environments: Criteria for CT100 Grade
Authors: Padron Tomas , Datahan Gerardo
Published: March 2009

BJ Services has successfully used grades 70 and 80 coiled tubing (CT) in sour environments. Recent laboratory studies have shown the feasibility (with some restrictions) of using high-strength CT grades (i.e. 90 and 100) in sour wells (SPE 107014). However, in normal operations, CT can be subjected to mechanical damage on its outer surface that adversely affects its fatigue life, so it is important to know the performance of these CT grades in sour environments when external mechanical damage is present.

In a previous paper (SPE 113149) it was concluded that for grade 90 the presence of external mechanical damage with a transverse orientation and depth equivalent or higher than 10% of the nominal wall thickness should not be acceptable for sour service. This conclusion was based on the observation that for these damage characteristics the "damage effect" overshadowed the effect of hydrogen embrittlement (i.e. H2S effect) on the fatigue life reduction. On the other hand, this type of behaviour was not observed when the damage was longitudinal with depths up to 10% of the nominal wall thickness or transverse with depths up to 5%, so these limits were proposed as potential criteria regarding mechanical damage in CT90 grade intended for sour service. However, additional testing was needed in order to propose a set of criteria for CT100 grade.

The present paper summarizes the results from the fatigue testing of CT100 samples with artificial external mechanical damage of different orientations and depths and compares their performance with that for CT90 and CT80 grade samples, in order to define a set of criteria regarding mechanical damage and sour service for CT100 grade.
First North Sea Application of Pinpoint-Stimulation Technology to Perform a Rig-Based Acid Fracture Treatment Through CT
Authors: Barclay David , Trodden Lain , Allam Robbie , Chisholm Alastair
Published: March 2009

This paper presents the prejob engineering process and executional summary of the first North Sea application of a novel tubing-conveyed fracturing technique. The logistical challenges that were overcome during the completion of the project will also be discussed. This fracturing technique was implemented successfully to perform a large multistage acid treatment from a semisubmersible rig. Historically, wells in this field have been treated using dedicated stimulation vessels. Acid-fracture treatments have typically been pumped at high rates (50+ bbl/min), treating multiple intervals simultaneously using various methods for fluid diversion, including ball-sealer technology and limited-entry perforating, to ensure every target zone is contacted and adequately stimulated (Alastair et al. 1999). At present, the demand for stimulation vessels is extremely high because of the level of new well-development and general stimulation activity in the North Sea sector. This demand, coupled with a reduction in the number of available stimulation vessels operating in the area, led to the requirement for an alternative method of completing this well.

The overall success of this project demonstrates that there is a viable commercial and technical alternative to the traditional stimulation methodology associated with wells of this type. With further development to improve efficiency, these methods could become competitive with conventional vessel-based techniques.
Annular Isolation of Horizontal Slotted Liners With Chemical External Casing Packers
Authors: Chow J. H. , Blount C. G. , Hilleary N.
Published: March 2009

Slotted liners are a simple and cost-effective method for completing horizontal wells that can provide sand control and wellbore stability. The uncemented annulus between the slotted liner and the openhole makes selective stimulation, isolation, and remediation challenging unless mechanical isolation devices such as external casing packers or swellable packers are added to the outside of the slotted liner at the time of the initial completion. For existing wells without these mechanical isolation devices, Chemical External Casing Packers (CECP) can be used to isolate the annulus while leaving an unobstructed flow path through the internal bore of the slotted liner.

In this study, the authors tested two CECP systems. The first was a highly-thixotropic cement slurry and the second was a Fiber-Reinforced Neutral-Density (FReND) cement. Testing consisted of an evaluation of the pumpability of the thixotropic slurry through coiled tubing and the ability of the two CECP systems to efficiently displace existing annular fluids and effectively isolate the annulus between a 4-1/2-in. slotted liner and an 8-in. openhole without significant fall back into the slotted liner.

The pumpability test showed that the thixotropic slurry could be pumped at a rate of 2.5 bbl/min with a treating pressure of less than 4000 psi through a 10,500 ft string of 2-in. OD coiled tubing. The testing showed that both CECPs were able to effectively displace existing annular fluids, and isolate the slotted liner annulus. An error in the testing procedure for the thixotropic blend resulted in no quantifiable measurement in percentage of cement fall-back into the liner. However, samples of the pumped thixotropic slurry were shown to have significant resistance to falling back into the liner once pumped into the liner annulus. The FReND system showed only minor fall back of cement into the slotted liner that still left an open flowpath through the liner.

With the ability to selectively isolate portions of the slotted liner annulus, the CECP's can target areas of water influx and shut them off while still allowing flow from below. Additionally, by straddling two separate CECP isolated areas, treatment fluids such as stimulation fluids, cements, or permeability modifiers can be accurately placed into the desired location of the well.

Many existing horizontal wells completed with slotted liners do not have swellable packers or external casing packers installed. The development of an effective and easily placeable CECP provides options for remedial operations in these wells that were not available before.
New Results From Electromagnetic and Ultrasonic Inspections of Coiled Tubulars
Authors: Stanley Roderic K.
Published: March 2009

We present new data for several inspection technologies as follows: electromagnetic inspections of coiled tubing strings, which indicate the device used can pass the quality requirements of a major oil company and those of draft API 5ST. Our latest research results for wall thickness assessments of tubing, both from the outside and from the inside are given. We have also produced technology for the measurement of internal coating thickness in coiled line pipe.

Additionally, we have used phased array ultrasonic technology for the inspection of seam and butt welds in coiled tubulars, and report the results. This technology appears to be able to replace older technologies, especially for inspecting critical strings offshore.

Finally, we report on progress with four API proposed documents.
Product Proliferation in India's Cotton Seed Market: Are There Too Many Varieties?
Authors: Ramaswami Bharat , Murugkar Milind , Shelar Mahesh
Published: March 2009

With about $250 million in sales, India's cotton seed market is one of the largest cotton seed markets in the world. While products of public sector breeding traditionally dominated this sector, the bulk of value is now accounted by private seed firms. A persistent criticism of the Indian cotton seed market is that there are far too many cotton varieties as the private sector recycles older and inferior varieties under new names. This paper examines the phenomenon of variety proliferation in the cotton seed market of Maharashtra, India. Empirical evidence is presented from a survey of seed dealers in 2005. The evidence shows that while variety proliferation is indeed observed, the cause of it is private bred hybrids that are highly localized and which are rarely market leaders. Only a few varieties are dominant geographically and they command price premiums suggesting brand power. Firm and brand reputations matter and substitute for regulation by restricting fly-by-night operators.
Regulating NOx and SO2 Emissions in Atlanta
Authors: Muller Nicholas , Tong Daniel , Mendelsohn Robert
Published: March 2009

Through a series of experiments, we measure the marginal damage of emissions near Atlanta using a sophisticated integrated assessment model. The marginal damages of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are driven by proximity to downtown Atlanta; emissions produced closer to the city lead to higher exposures and therefore damages.The spatial pattern in damages from nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are more complex because of the powerful role of atmospheric chemistry. NOx emissions from ground-level sources in downtown Atlanta reduce aggregate exposures to both the tropospheric ozone as well as small particulates. In contrast, NOx discharges in suburban or rural areas lead to higher exposures and damages from both pollutants. These findings raise questions about the current policy of treating all NOx and SOx emissions as though they are alike.
Adapting to Climate Change Mosaically: An Analysis of African Livestock Management by Agro-Ecological Zones
Authors: Seo S. Niggol , Mendelsohn Robert , Dinar Ariel , Kurukulasuriya Pradeep
Published: March 2009

This paper examines African livestock management across Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) to learn how they would adapt to climate change in the coming century. We analyze farm level decisions to own livestock and to choose a primary livestock species using logit models with and without country fixed effects or AEZ fixed effects. With a hot dry scenario, the results indicate that livestock ownership will increase slightly across all of Africa, but especially in West Africa and high elevation AEZs. Dairy cattle will decrease in semi-arid regions, sheep will increase in lowlands, and rearing chickens will increase at high elevations. On the other hand, if climate becomes wetter, livestock ownership will fall dramatically in lowlands and high elevation moist AEZs. Beef cattle will increase and sheep will fall in dry AEZs, dairy cattle will fall precipitously and goats will rise in moist AEZs, and chickens will increase at high elevations but fall at mid elevations. Therefore, adaptation measures should be tailored to a specific AEZ.
Geography: Graphics and Economics
Authors: Nordhaus William D , Chen Xi
Published: March 2009

Past studies of the relationships between economic activity and geography have been hampered by limited spatial data on economic activity. This study presents revised data on global economic activity, the G-Econ database, which measures economic activity for the entire globe, measured at a 1° latitude by 1° longitude scale. The methodologies for the study are described. We show several graphical applications, including an "output globe." The study shows the location of economic deserts. The study indicates the importance of geophysical variables for Africa and questions whether the importance of latitude in economic-growth studies in fact reflects geophysical variables.
Morphometric characteristics of the pelvic limbs of Labrador Retrievers with and without cranial cruciate ligament deficiency
Authors: Mostafa Ayman A. , Griffon Dominique J. , Thomas Michael W. , Constable Peter D.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To evaluate skeletal characteristics of pelvic limbs with and without cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficiency in Labrador Retrievers.

Animals—30 adult purebred Labrador Retrievers.

Procedures—Pelvic limbs (n = 28) of 14 dogs without CCL deficiency were classified as control limbs, whereas the limbs of 16 dogs with CCL deficiency were considered affected by (18 limbs) or predisposed to (10 contralateral limbs of dogs with 1 affected limb) CCL deficiency. Skeletal characteristics were evaluated via physical examination, radiography, and computed tomography. Radiographic and computed tomographic variables were compared among limb groups by use of a mixed-model ANOVA.

Results—The tibial plateau slope was steeper in CCL-deficient limbs but not in predisposed limbs, compared with the slope in control limbs. The angle between diaphyseal and proximal tibial axes was increased in both CCL-deficient and predisposed limbs. The relative width of the proximal portion of the tibia and the inclination of the patellar ligament did not differ among limb groups. The overall and distal femoral anteversion angles were greater in CCL-deficient and predisposed limbs, whereas the femoral condyle trochanteric angle was decreased in those limb groups, compared with findings in control limbs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cranial angulation of the proximal portion of the tibia, excessive steepness of the tibial plateau, and distal femoral torsion appeared more likely to be associated with CCL deficiency than femoral angulation, tibial torsion, intercondylar notch stenosis, and increased inclination of the patellar ligament.
Effect of parenteral administration of ivermectin and erythromycin on abomasal emptying rate in suckling calves
Authors: Afshari Gholam-Reza , Nouri Mohammad , Hassan Ebrahim Bani , Mokhber-Dezfooli Mohammad-Reza , Constable Peter D.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To evaluate the effect of parenteral administration of ivermectin and erythromycin on abomasal emptying rate in suckling calves.

Animals—6 male Holstein-Friesian calves < 15 days old.

Procedures—In a crossover study, calves were administered each of 3 treatments (control treatment, 2 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution, IM; erythromycin, 8.8 mg/kg, IM; and ivermectin, 200 μg/kg, IV). Thirty minutes later, calves were bottle-fed 2 L of fresh cow's milk containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected from a jugular vein at various periods after suckling of milk. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by use of the time to pharmacokinetically determined maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.

Results—Administration of erythromycin and ivermectin caused a significant increase in abomasal emptying rate, compared with results for the control treatment, as determined on the basis of time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Parenteral administration of erythromycin and ivermectin increased the abomasal emptying rate. The macrolide erythromycin can be an effective prokinetic agent in calves and other animals. Ivermectin is classified as a macrolide but has a number of structural differences from erythromycin. The clinical importance of a slight increase in abomasal emptying rate after IV administration of ivermectin remains to be determined because ivermectin is only labeled for SC, oral, and topical administration.
The contribution of imaging in diagnosis, preoperative assessment, and follow-up of moyamoya disease
Authors: Bacigaluppi Susanna , Dehdashti Amir R. , Agid Ronit , Krings Timo , Tymianski Michael , Mikulis David J.
Published: March 2009

The aim of this review was to evaluate the imaging tools used in diagnosis and perioperative assessment of moyamoya disease, with particular attention to the last decade.
Optimal surgical treatment for moyamoya disease in adults: direct versus indirect bypass
Authors: Starke Robert M. , Komotar Ricardo J. , Connolly E. Sander
Published: March 2009

Moyamoya disease is a chronic cerebrovascular occlusive disorder that results in severe morbidity and death. There is much controversy surrounding the optimal treatment for adult patients with the disorder. There have been no randomized trials to assess the efficacy of any single surgical treatment, and existing case series suffer from inadequate power, selection bias, and inherent differences in patient characteristics. In this article the authors review the literature concerning the optimal surgical treatment of adult patients with moyamoya disease.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors (MMPIs) from Marine Natural Products: the Current Situation and Future Prospects
Authors: Zhang Chen , Kim Se-Kwon
Published: March 2009

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of more than twenty five secreted and membrane-bound zinc-endopeptidases which can degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components. They also play important roles in a variety of biological and pathological processes. Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMPIs) have been identified as potential therapeutic candidates for metastasis, arthritis, chronic inflammation and wrinkle formation. Up to present, more than 20,000 new compounds have been isolated from marine organisms, where considerable numbers of these naturally occurring derivatives are developed as potential candidates for pharmaceutical application. Eventhough the quantity of marine derived MMPIs is less when compare with the MMPIs derived from terrestrial materials, huge potential for bioactivity of these marine derived MMPIs has lead to large number of researches. Saccharoids, flavonoids and polyphones, fatty acids are the most important groups of MMPIs derived from marine natural products. In this review we focus on the progress of MMPIs from marine natural products.
Ultrasound Promoted Synthesis of Bis(substituted pyrazol-4-ylcarbonyl)-Substituted Thioureas
Authors: Xiao Li , Liu Chen-Jiang , Li Yan-Ping
Published: March 2009

A series of novel bis(substituted pyrazol-4-ylcarbonyl)-substituted thioureas have been synthesized by the reactions of substituted pyrazol-4-ylcarbonyl isothiocyanates with different diamines under ultrasound irradiation and classical heating method at 20-25 °C. In general, substantial improvement in rates and modest yields increases were observed when reactions were carried out under sonication, compared with the classical heating method. The structures of these compounds have been elucidated by elemental and spectral (IR, 1H-NMR) analysis.
Electrochemical Sensors Based on Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ahammad A. J. Saleh , Lee Jae-Joon , Rahman Md. Aminur
Published: March 2009

This review focuses on recent contributions in the development of the electrochemical sensors based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs have unique mechanical and electronic properties, combined with chemical stability, and behave electrically as a metal or semiconductor, depending on their structure. For sensing applications, CNTs have many advantages such as small size with larger surface area, excellent electron transfer promoting ability when used as electrodes modifier in electrochemical reactions, and easy protein immobilization with retention of its activity for potential biosensors. CNTs play an important role in the performance of electrochemical biosensors, immunosensors, and DNA biosensors. Various methods have been developed for the design of sensors using CNTs in recent years. Herein we summarize the applications of CNTs in the construction of electrochemical sensors and biosensors along with other nanomaterials and conducting polymers.
Preparation and Properties of Various Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Drbohlavova Jana , Hrdy Radim , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene , Schneeweiss Oldrich , Hubalek Jaromir
Published: March 2009

The fabrications of iron oxides nanoparticles using co-precipitation and gadolinium nanoparticles using water in oil microemulsion method are reported in this paper. Results of detailed phase analysis by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy are discussed. XRD analysis revealed that the crystallite size (mean coherence length) of iron oxides (mainly γ-Fe2O3) in the Fe2O3 sample was 30 nm, while in Fe2O3/SiO2 where the ε-Fe2O3 phase dominated it was only 14 nm. Gd/SiO2 nanoparticles were found to be completely amorphous, according to XRD. The samples showed various shapes of hysteresis loops and different coercivities. Differences in the saturation magnetization (MS) correspond to the chemical and phase composition of the sample materials. However, we observed that MS was not reached in the case of Fe2O3/SiO2, while for Gd/SiO2 sample the MS value was extremely low. Therefore we conclude that only unmodified Fe2O3 nanoparticles are suitable for intended biosensing application in vitro (e.g. detection of viral nucleic acids) and the phase purification of this sample for this purpose is not necessary.
Estimation of Distribution Algorithms as Logistic Regression Regularizers of Microarray Classifiers
Authors: Robles V. , Larrañaga P. , Bielza C.
Published: March 2009

Objectives: The “large k (genes), small N (samples)” phenomenon complicates the problem of microarray classification with logistic regression. The indeterminacy of the maximum likelihood solutions, multicollinearity of predictor variables and data over-fitting cause unstable parameter estimates. Moreover, computational problems arise due to the large number of predictor (genes) variables. Regularized logistic regression excels as a solution. However, the difficulties found here involve an objective function hard to be optimized from a mathematical viewpoint and a careful required tuning of the regularization parameters.

Methods: Those difficulties are tackled by introducing a new way of regularizing the logistic regression. Estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs), a kind of evolutionary algorithms, emerge as natural regularizers. Obtaining the regularized estimates of the logistic classifier amounts to maximizing the likelihood function via our EDA, without having to be penalized. Likelihood penalties add a number of difficulties to the resulting optimization problems, which vanish in our case. Simulation of new estimates during the evolutionary process of EDAs is performed in such a way that guarantees their shrinkage while maintaining their probabilistic dependence relationships learnt. The EDA process is embedded in an adapted recursive feature elimination procedure, thereby providing the genes that are best markers for the classification.

Results: The consistency with the literature and excellent classification performance achieved with our algorithm are illustrated on four microarray data sets: Breast, Colon, Leukemia and Prostate. Details on the last two data sets are available as supplementary material.

Conclusions: We have introduced a novel EDA-based logistic regression regularizer. It implicitly shrinks the coefficients during EDA evolution process while optimizing the usual likelihood function. The approach is combined with a gene subset selection procedure and automatically tunes the required parameters. Empirical results on microarray data sets provide sparse models with confirmed genes and performing better in classification than other competing regularized methods.
High Incidence of Celiac Disease in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: ROSATO EDOARDO , De NITTO DANIELA , ROSSI CARMELINA , LIBANORI VALERIO , DONATO GIUSEPPE , Di TOLA MARCO , PISARRI SIMONETTA , SALSANO FELICE , PICARELLI ANTONIO
Published: March 2009

Objective.

To evaluate the presence of celiac disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The association of autoimmune diseases with celiac disease has been reported, but few publications deal with the combination of SSc and celiac disease.

Methods.

We investigated the presence of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) antibodies and serum antiendomysial antibodies (anti-EMA) in 50 patients with SSc. All subjects were on a gluten-containing diet. Duodenal mucosa histology and biopsy culture were performed in anti-tTG-positive patients; anti-EMA and IgA, IgG1 anti-tTG were detected in culture supernatants.

Results.

The incidence of celiac disease in patients with SSc was found to be 8%. Serum anti-tTG antibody-positive results were detectable in 5 out of 50 patients with SSc, but only in 4 of them was the diagnosis confirmed by histological results (Marsh classification).

Conclusion.

Our data show an increased prevalence of celiac disease in patients with SSc.