bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Price Advertising by Manufacturers and Dealers
Authors: Xu Linli , Wilbur Kenneth C. , Siddarth S. , Silva-Risso Jorge M.
Published: September 2014

The central prediction of the current paper is that manufacturer price advertising may be a less effective tool for influencing demand than retailer price advertising. We manipulate the source of a price advertisement in an experiment run on a sample of pickup truck owners. Manufacturer price advertising leads to lower indicators of potential demand than dealer price advertising, even among consumers who are experienced with the brand. An econometric analysis of pickup truck sales, price, and advertising data shows that this effect is large enough to detect in market data. Manufacturer and dealer price advertising both increase the demand intercept and the responsiveness of demand to price, but the effects of dealer price advertising are larger. Although dealer price advertising is more effective than manufacturer price advertising, manufacturer price advertising may still be useful to reduce channel conflict.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
A taxonomic review on the genus Larinodontes Faust, 1898 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from the Oriental Region with a description of a new species from India
Authors: Gültekin Levent , Lyal Christopher H. C.
Published: September 2014

The genus Larinodontes Faust, 1898 stat. rev. is revised and a diagnostic redescription given. The holotype of Larinodontes indicus Faust, 1898 is examined. A new species Larinodontes thompsoni sp. nov. is described from India; both species are described, keyed and illustrated. Larinodontes indicus is a new record for Laos and Vietnam.
Diversity of coprophilous species of Panaeolus (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales) from Punjab, India
Authors: KAUR AMANDEEP , ATRI N. S. , KAUR MUNRUCHI
Published: September 2014

Kaur A, Atri NS, Kaur M. 2014. Diversity of coprophilous species of Panaeolus (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales) from Punjab, India. Biodiversitas 15: 115-130. An account of 16 Panaeolus species collected from a variety of coprophilous habitats of Punjab state in India is described and discussed. Out of these, P. alcidis, P. castaneifolius, P. papilionaceus var. parvisporus, P. tropicalis and P. venezolanus are new records for India while P. acuminatus, P. antillarum, P. ater, P. solidipes, and P. sphinctrinus are new reports for north India. Panaeolus subbalteatus and P. cyanescens are new records for Punjab state. A key to the taxa explored is also provided.
Epidermal studies of three species of Vernonia Schreb. in Southern Nigeria
Authors: EVANS CATHERINE IJEOMA KEMKA , OKOLI BOSA , NWACHUKWU CHIB UIKE
Published: September 2014

Kemka-Evans CI, Okoli B, Nwachukwu CU. 2014. Epidermal studies of three species of Vernonia Schreber in Southern Nigeria. Biodiversitas 15: 137-141.The leaf epidermal studies of three species of Vernonia namely V. cinerea (L) Less, V. amygdalina Delile.(bitter leaf and non-bitter leaf variety) and V. conferta Benth. were undertaken with the aim of revealing their foliar characters whichwill enhance their identification and determination of their taxonomic relationship. Matured leaves were soaked in Sodium OxochlorateII for 24hours to separate the epidermal surfaces. Data from the measurement of stomata and epidermal cells were analyzed. Thepresence of diagnostic characters such as contiguous stomata and sinuous anticlinal walls on the abaxial leaf surface of non-bitter varietyof V. amygdalina and on both leaf surfaces (adaxial and abaxial) of V. cinerea are of taxonomic importance. The irregular T-shapedtrichomes on the leaf surfaces of V. amygdalina (bitter leaf) and the cuticular striations on the adaxial surface of the same taxa could beused to delimit the taxa from the other species. The distribution of the stomata show hypoamphistomatic in all the three species studied.Anomocytic stomata occurred on all the taxa studied. Anisocytic stomata were found on the abaxial surface of V. conferta. Thesecharacters examined revealed interspecies relationship among the three species and also suggest that V. amygdalina (non bitter leaf) is avariety of V. amygdalina (bitter leaf) and should not be regard as another species of Vernonia. The epidermal leaf characters of V. amygdalina (non-bitter leaf) is also been reported for the first time.
Short-term abandonment of human disturbances in Zagros Oak forest ecosystems: Effects on secondary succession of soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation
Authors: HEYDARI MEHDI , POTHIER DAVID , FARAMARZI MARZBAN , MERZAEI JAVAD
Published: September 2014

Heydari M, Pothier D, Faramarzi M, Merzaei J. 2014. Short-term abandonment of human disturbances in Zagros Oak forest ecosystems: Effects on secondary succession of soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation. Biodiversitas 15:147-161. Zagros Oak forests in the west of Iran have been degraded by anthropogenic activities during many years and to fight against this degradation,several management strategies have been implemented. The principal objectives this study were to identify the characteristics of the soil seed bank and the aboveground vegetation that were affected by degradation and short-term abandonment of human disturbances andevaluate the potential of the soil seed bank to restore the degraded types after short-term conservation management. For that, wecompared three types of Zagros forest ecosystem with different management regimes: (i) Long term disturbed type as LDT (also usedand disturbed at the present), (ii) Short-term abandonment of human disturbances as SAD (5 years without human disturbances) and anundisturbed control or C (iii). We selected three replicates or stands per type. In the aboveground vegetation (ABV), 115, 72 and 51species were recorded in C, SAD and LDT types, respectively, whereas in the soil seed bank (SSB) flora, 33, 19 and 12 plant taxa wereobserved in C, SAD and LDT types, respectively. The percentage of annuals increased in ABV and decreased in SSB with increasingsite degradation with human activities such as animal husbandry in the forest edges. The percentage of perennial and biennial herbsdecreased in ABV and increased in SSB with increasing site degradation. The Shannon index of the SSB decreased with increasing sitedegradation. The average seed density in the SAD type was significantly larger than that of the LDT type. DCA analysis showed that theseed bank flora of SAD and LDT types were relatively similar and differed from that of the C type. This indicates that a full recovery ofdegraded type in the oak forest ecosystem in the Zagros region cannot be based only on the soil seed bank present at the beginning of theprotection period while a more complete recovery may require a longer period of protection.
Spatial gradients in freshwater fish diversity, abundance and current pattern in the Himalayan region of Upper Ganges Basin, India
Authors: PATHAK AJEY KUMAR , SARKAR UTTAM KUMAR , SINGH SHRI PRAKASH
Published: September 2014

Pathak AK, Sarkar UK, Singh SP. 2014. Spatial gradients in freshwater fish diversity, abundance and current pattern in the Himalayan region of Upper Ganges Basin, India. Biodiversitas 15: 186-194.The present study describes the analysis and mapping of the differentmeasurements of freshwater fish biodiversity of the Upper Ganges basin in the Himalayan region using spatial interpolation methods ofGeographical Information System. The diversity, richness and abundance of fishes for each sampling location were determined andKriging interpolation was applied on each fisheries measurement to predict and produce semivariogram. The semivariogarms producedwere cross validated and reclassified. The reclassified maps for richness, abundance and diversity of fishes, occurrence of cold waterthreatened fish and abundance of important genera like Tor, Schizothorax and species were produced. The result of the Krigingproduced good results and overall error in the estimation process was found significant. The cross validation of semovariograms alsoprovided a better result with the observed data sets. Moreover, weighted overlay analysis of the reclassified raster maps of richness andabundance of fishes produced the classified raster map at different evaluation scale (0-10) qualitatively describing the gradient ofspecies richness and abundance compositely. Similarly, the classified raster map at same evaluation scale qualitatively describing thegradient of species abundance and diversity compositely was produced and published. Further, basin wise analysis betweenAlaknanda/Pindar and Ganga1 sub basins showed 0.745 disparities at 0.745 distances in 2 dimensional spaces. The richness, diversityand abundance of threatened fishes among the different sampling locations were not significant (p = 0.9).
The effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in the Hyrcanian region, Iran
Authors: JAHED RAZIYEH RAFEIE , HOSSEINI SEYED MOHSEN
Published: September 2014

Rafeie Jahed R, Hosseini SM, Kooch Y. 2014. The effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in the Hyrcanian region, Iran. Biodiversitas 15: 206-214. In the present work, we studied the effect of natural and planted forest stands on soil fertility in theHyrcanian region of northern Iran. Natural forest stands (including Acer velutinum Bioss., Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall), Parrotia persica(DC.) C.A.Mey, Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey., Carpinus betulus L, Mixed planted stand (including Acer velutinum, Ulmuscarpinifolia G. Suckow Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey, Carpinus betulus L., Tilia begonifolia Scop. subsp. caucasia (Rupr.) Loria;maple (Acer velutinum Bioss) plantation, pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation and also clear-cut region (control) were considered in thisresearch. Soil samples were collected at two different depths, i.e., 0-15 and 15-30 cm, and characterized with respect to organic carbon(C), total nitrogen (N), available nutrient elements (P, K, Ca and Mg); pH and soil texture. The results showed that the highest amountof total N was found in mixed plantation. The highest amount of available P was detected in maple plantation and pine plantation hadthe highest available K and organic C than other treatments. The highest and the lowest available Ca and Mg were found in naturalforest and control area, respectively. In addition, it was observed that nutrients accumulate in upper layers of the soil. Hardwood standshave been more successful than the conifers stands, so this should be considered in the sustainable management of forests.
Short Communication: A new record of naturalized Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring (Selaginellaceae) from Java, Indonesia
Authors: SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: September 2014

Setyawan AD. 2014. A new record of naturalized Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring (Selaginellaceae) from Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 15: 261-268. During extensive field researches on the diversity and distribution of Selaginella in Java, between 2007 and2014, an alien species has been found in nature, i.e. Selaginella uncinata. This species is a trailing herb with small, wiry, creeping mainstem, fan-shaped branches, rooting at the nodes to c.a. 100 cm long or more; leaves are dimorphic, 4-ranked, and characterized byconspicuous blue iridescent; strobili are tetragonal, up to c.a. 2 cm long. S. uncinata was found growing wild in the highlands with highrainfall, namely: Cibodas Botanical Garden, Cianjur, West Java and Tawangsari, in the city district of Wonosobo, Central Java,Indonesia. Transplant experiments showed that this plant was able to grow and reproduce well in lowlands (Depok, 107 m asl.) andhighlands (Wonosobo, 768 m asl.). In the experimental garden, it could compete successfully with native species of Javan selaginellas, for space, sunlight and nutrients. Therefore, we must be concerned about the invasion ability of this species.
Effects of timber harvest on structural diversity and species composition in hardwood forests
Authors: TAVANKAR FARZAM , BONYAD AMIR ESLAM
Published: September 2014

Tavankar F, Bonyad AE. 2015. Effects of timber harvest on structural diversity and species composition in hardwood forests. Biodiversitas 16: 1-9. Forest management leads to changes in structure and species composition of stands. In this research vertical and horizontal structure and species composition were compared in two harvested and protected stands in the Caspian forest of Iran. The results indicated the tree and seedling density, total basal area and stand volume was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the protected stand. The Fagus orientalis L. had the most density and basal area in the both stands. Species importance value (SIV) of FagusÂ orientalis in the protected stand (92.5) was higher than in the harvested stand (88.5). While, the SIV of shade-intolerant tree species such as Acer insigne, Acer cappadocicum and Alnus subcordata was higher in the harvested stand. The density of trees and seedling of raretree species, such as Ulmus glabra, Tilia begonifolia, Zelkova carpinifolia and Fraxinus coriarifolia, was also higher in the protected Â stand. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the protected stand (0.84) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in the harvested stand (0.72). The highest diversity value in the harvested stand was observed in DBH of 10-40 cm class, while DBH of 40-70 cm had the highest diversity value in the protected stand.
Harmonization protocols for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) immunoassays: different approaches based on the consensus mean value
Authors: Clerico Aldo , Ripoli Andrea , Zucchelli Gian Carlo , Plebani Mario
Published: September 2014

The lack of interchangeable laboratory results and consensus in current practices has underpinned greater attention to standardization and harmonization projects. In the area of method standardization and harmonization, there is considerable debate about how best to achieve comparability of measurement for immunoassays, and in particular heterogeneous proteins. The term standardization should be used only when comparable results among measurement procedures are based on calibration traceability to the International System of Units (SI unit) using a reference measurement procedure (RMP). Recently, it has been promoted the harmonization of methods for many immunoassays, and in particular for thyreotropin (TSH), as accepted RMPs are not available. In a recent paper published in this journal, a group of well-recognized authors used a complex statistical approach in order to reduce variability between the results observed with the 14 TSH immunoassay methods tested in their study. Here we provide data demonstrating that data from an external quality assessment (EQA) study allow similar results to those obtained using the reported statistical approach.
Uric acid: a potential biomarker of multiple sclerosis and of its disability
Authors: Moccia Marcello , Lanzillo Roberta , Palladino Raffaele , Russo Cinzia , Carotenuto Antonio , Massarelli Marco , Vacca Giovanni , Vacchiano Veria , Nardone Antonio , Triassi Maria , Morra Vincenzo Brescia
Published: September 2014

Uric acid (UA) is a strong natural scavenger of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, with evidence of possible use in the treatment of animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Consequently, serum UA has gained much attention as a possible biomarker of MS. We aim to investigate differences in serum UA levels between MS subjects and controls and evaluate possible relationships of UA with MS clinical features.

We recruited relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive MS subjects and healthy controls and measured their serum UA levels. We excluded subjects presenting concomitant conditions affecting UA levels.

MS subjects (n=362) and controls (n=181) were recruited by propensity score matching (PSM). Statistical analyses were corrected for age, gender, and renal function. MS subjects presented significantly lower serum UA levels than controls (analysis of variance, p=0.014, adjusted r

Our findings support the importance of serum UA as a biomarker of MS disability and progression. Further studies with longitudinal design should be specifically designed to evaluate the importance of UA in the different stages of MS and in relation to distinct therapeutic strategies.
Recent guidelines and recommendations for laboratory assessment of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs): is there consensus?
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Favaloro Emmanuel J.
Published: September 2014

A new generation of antithrombotic agents, which are conventionally known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), have recently emerged and are continuing to be developed. These provide direct inhibition of either thrombin (factor IIa; FIIa) or activated factor X (FXa) and currently include dabigatran (FIIa inhibitor) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (FXa inhibitors). The dogma that DOACs do not require laboratory monitoring is countered by ongoing recognition that laboratory testing for drug effects is needed in many situations. In this review, we summarize the background to establishment of DOACs, assess which tests were found to be useful to screen for or quantitate drug effects/levels, and then review published guidelines/recommendations to assess concordance. In brief, (a) for the anti-FIIa agent dabigatran, the recommended screening assays are activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and/or thrombin time (TT), and the quantitative assays (using a dabigatran standard) are dilute TT/direct thrombin inhibitor assay (Hemoclot thrombin inhibitor) or an ecarin-based assay such as the ecarin clot time (ECT); (b) for the anti-FXa agent rivaroxaban, the recommended screening assay is the prothrombin time (PT), but this was not endorsed by all guidelines, and the quantitative assay (using a specific rivaroxaban standard) is an anti-FXa assay; (c) for the anti-FXa agent apixaban, the general insensitivity of PT and APTT prevented most groups from providing recommendation, and instead there was generalized support for direct quantitative assessment using anti-FXa assays and specific apixaban standard; (d) there is insufficient data for other direct anti-FXa agents and limited guidance in the literature.
Atmospheric corrosion modeling
Authors: Simillion Hans , Dolgikh Olga , Terryn Herman , Deconinck Johan
Published: September 2014

A better understanding of corrosion processes during the last years is leading to an increased demand for numerical corrosion models. Corrosion models become increasingly relevant toward simulations, lifetime predictions, and the optimization of corrosion prevention. Also, the improvements in computational power and capacity give rise to an increased number of research projects in this field. Totally different modeling approaches are applied to a wide range of different corrosion processes. This leads to a dispersion of information in the literature. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the present approaches in atmospheric corrosion modeling. In the past, atmospheric corrosion has been modeled based on empirical, historical data. These models provide fitted functions of the corrosion rate or damage as a function of time for different environmental parameters. These methods give no or little information about the underlying physicochemical phenomena that determine the corrosion processes. During the last decade, more and more work has been done on causal approaches. Therefore, the focus will be on these recent advances in atmospheric corrosion modeling. The links will be made to the microscopic models of isolated corrosion phenomena. The examples are crevice corrosion, corrosion under porous layers, and the modeling of local electrochemical methods. Also, some more general, macroscopic approaches will be discussed. These macroscopic approaches will be compared to each other and positioned into the scope of multiscale modeling. The first goal of atmospheric corrosion modeling is to provide tools in the understanding and quantification of the processes under the influence of external atmospheric conditions. These models could reduce the current corrosion assessment methods that essentially rely on empirical models. On a longer term, modeling would aid in optimizing the material selection, structural design, and maintenance management.
Attitudes towards English in Norway: A corpus-based study of attitudinal expressions in newspaper discourse
Authors: Graedler Anne-Line
Published: September 2014

This article explores some dimensions of how the role of the English language in Norway has been discursively constructed in newspapers during recent years, based on the analysis of data from the five-year period 2008–2012. The analysis is conducted using a specialised corpus containing 3,743 newspaper articles which were subjected to corpus-based macro-analyses and techniques, as well as manual micro-level analyses and categorisation. The main focus of the analysis is on the manifestation of attitudes through various ways of expression, such as the occurrence of lexical sequences and conceptual metaphors related to language. The results show that even though positive perceptions of English were quite frequent in the data, the main part consisted of expressions where English is seen in a negative light. Hence, a fairly negative attitude towards the role of English is predominant, as illustrated by the most frequent conceptual metaphor,
Language ideology or language practice? An analysis of language policy documents at Swedish universities
Authors: Björkman Beyza
Published: September 2014

This article presents an analysis and interpretation of language policy documents from eight Swedish universities with regard to intertextuality, authorship and content analysis of the notions of language practices and English as a lingua franca (ELF). The analysis is then linked to Spolsky’s framework of language policy, namely language practices, language beliefs, values (and ideology), and language planning or management (Spolsky 2004). The results show that the language policy documents refer heavily to official documents that have as their primary aim to protect and promote the Swedish language (e.g., the Language Act 2009), which appears to have been the point of departure for the language policy work in these settings, reflecting their protectionist stance towards the local language, Swedish. Little focus is put on actual language practices in these policy documents. The description of language practices is often limited to the description of the existing situation, based on concerns about Swedish losing ground as a result of the widespread use of English. Similarly, the notion of ELF is used primarily for description of the existing situation without sufficient guidance as to how students and staff in these university settings are to use English in their everyday practices. These results bring to the fore the question of what the purpose of university language policy documents should be with reference to a speech community’s everyday practices. It is suggested here that university language policy documents would benefit from taking research on actual language practices as their starting point and base their work on research on language practices, striving to provide guidance on local choices made for communicative effectiveness.
English as a lingua franca: A source of identity for young Europeans?
Authors: Gnutzmann Claus , Jakisch Jenny , Rabe Frank
Published: September 2014

As a result of globalisation and the European integration process, identity concepts of young Europeans are becoming more and more diverse and possibly heterogeneous. The factors that influence the development of identity formation and impact on identity constructions are complex – but language seems to be of central importance. It is generally accepted that language and identity are closely connected and that identities are shaped to a large extent through discursive practice. These interactions no longer take place in the mother tongue alone; they are increasingly affected by the wide use of English as a lingua franca (ELF) in Europe or, Euro-English. This raises the question of whether European identity should be built upon linguistic diversity, as officially promoted by the European Union, or whether the use of ELF could help to fulfill this unifying function. Drawing on a questionnaire survey conducted at the University of Braunschweig with 1061 students, the article investigates the potential role of ELF in the formation of a common European identity.
A Disruption Mechanism for Bribes
Authors: Cooter Robert D. , Garoupa Nuno
Published: September 2014

Crimes such as bribery require the cooperation of two or more criminals for mutual gain. Instead of deterring these crimes, the state should disrupt them by creating distrust among criminals so they cannot cooperate. In a cooperative crime with two criminals, the state should offer amnesty and a bounty to the criminal who first secures punishment of the other criminal. When the bounty exceeds the bribe, a bribed official gains less from keeping the bribe than from confessing and receiving the bounty. Consequently the person who pays the bribe cannot trust the person who takes it. The game’s unique equilibrium is non-cooperative and bribes disappear. We explore legal implications and practical challenges to this disruption mechanism.
Influence of injection molding parameters on electrical resistivity of carbon nanotube reinforced polycarbonate
Authors: Dönmez Sinan , Kentli Aykut
Published: September 2014

Electrical properties of plastic products can be adjusted by adding a certain amount of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the injection molding process. However, injection molding parameters should be arranged carefully due to their influence on electrical properties of CNT-reinforced plastic composites. In this study, polycarbonate/CNT nanocomposites, having three different CNT concentrations (1, 3 and 5 wt%), were produced and injection molded by using three different injection temperatures and speeds to investigate their influence on electrical resistivity. It was found that the electrical resistivity was influenced greatly by the injection temperature when 1 wt% amount of CNT was used in the nanocomposite. However, the effect of injection speed was negligible.
The Historical Example in 1 Clement
Authors: Breytenbach Cilliers
Published: September 2014

While previous research emphasised deliberative rhetoric employed by 1 Clement (van Unnik; Bakke), the current paper offers continued investigation on the function of historical examples as part of its argumentative strategy. The author of 1 Clement addresses the congregation in Corinth with an appeal to let concord and peace be the foundation of their community life, instead of strife and dissension. Illustrative parallels for 1 Clement can be found in contemporary writings by Dio Chrysostom, Aelius Aristides and Plutarch. They argue likewise in favour of concord by giving positive and negative examples from the past that reveal its benefit for household, polis or nation. 1 Clement adapts this widespread rhetoric strategy to expose the devastating role of jealousy for the Corinthian community, both for brotherhood and leadership. In addition, it promotes repentance and righteousness as positive values. Examples from the Greek Bible and from contemporary Christianity are thus fitted into Greek rhetorical tradition to form paradigmatic narratives for fellow Christians. 1 Clement therefore reveals a mode of reference to biblical tradition that is highly influenced by contemporary culture.
Irenaeus and the Gnostic Valentinus: Orthodoxy and Heresy in the Church of Rome around the Middle of the Second Century
Authors: Chiapparini Giuliano
Published: September 2014

The re-examination of the first eight chapters of Book 1 of Adversus Haereses by Irenaeus of Lyon (so-called “Grande Notice”) has allowed reasserting the importance of this source, not only to reconstruct the history of early Valentinianism and Gnosticism as a whole, but also to get to know better a crucial phase of the doctrinal evolution which accompanied the exegetic-theological debate in the Church of Rome in the mid 2d century, a debate which was to result in the distinction between orthodoxy and heresy. Analysing the praefationes of Books 1 and 2 of Adversus Haereses, it seems that the phases of realization of the work are two and the conception of the “Grande Notice” and the retrieval of the sources (mainly from Ptolemy and his disciples) can be anticipated from the traditional dating, i.e. 180, to the Roman period of Irenaeus (ca. 160−165). The chronological distance between Valentinus’ stay in Rome and that of Irenaeus is shorter and Irenaeus knows the doctrine of Valentinus and that of the continuers in detail, as well as being well aware of the theological differences among them. The research was based on philological reconstruction, ever made so far, of the Greek text of the “Grande Notice” on the basis of the quotation handed down by Epiphanius, using synoptically the Latin transposition of Tertullian (Adversus Valentinianos) and considering that the Latin text of Adversus Haereses is not a version written by Irenaeus himself, but a translation dating back to the 4th−5th century, not always faithful to the original text.
Rare association of acromegaly with left atrial myxoma in Carney's complex due to novel PRKAR1A mutation
Authors: Birla Shweta , Aggarwal Sameer , Sharma Arundhati , Tandon Nikhil
Published: September 2014

Carney complex (CNC) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by pigmented lesions of the skin and mucosae along with cardiac, endocrine, cutaneous, and neural myxomatous tumors. Mutations in the PRKAR1A gene have been identified in ∼70% of the CNC cases reported worldwide. A 30-year-old male was referred to the endocrinology clinic with suspected acromegaly. He had a history of recurrent atrial myxoma for the past 8 years for which he underwent repeated surgeries. Presently, he complained of having headache, excessive snoring, sweating, and also noticed increase in his shoe size. Evaluation for acromegaly revealed elevated levels of GH in random as well as in suppressed condition. Magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed enlarged sella with microadenoma in the left anterior pituitary. Screening of PRKAR1A gene was carried out for the patient, his parents and siblings who were available and willing to undergo the test. The patient was diagnosed to have the rare CNC syndrome characterized by recurrent atrial myxoma and acromegaly due to a novel 22 bp insertion mutation in PRKAR1A which was predicted to be deleterious by in silico analysis. Screening the available family members revealed the absence of this mutation in them except the elder brother who also tested positive for this mutation. The present study reports on a novel PRKAR1A insertion mutation in a patient with acromegaly and left atrial myxoma in CNC.

Learning points

Identification of a novel deleterious PRKAR1A insertion mutation causing CNC.

It is important that patients with cardiac myxoma be investigated for presence of endocrine overactivity suggestive of CNC.

PRKAR1A mutation analysis should be undertaken in such cases to confirm the diagnosis in the patients as well as first degree relatives.

This case highlights an important aspect of diagnosis, clinical course, and management of this rare condition.
Flow Cytometry of Microencapsulated Colonies for Genetics Analysis of Filamentous Fungi
Authors: Delgado-Ramos Lidia , Marcos Ana T , Ramos-Guelfo María S , Sánchez-Barrionuevo Leyre , Smet Francis , Chávez Sebastián , Cánovas David
Published: September 2014

The analysis of filamentous fungi by flow cytometry has been impossible to date due to their filamentous nature and size. In this work, we have developed a method that combines single-spore microencapsulation and large-particle flow cytometry as a powerful alternative for the genetic analysis of filamentous fungi. Individual spores were embedded in monodisperse alginate microparticles and incubated in the appropriate conditions. Growth could be monitored by light or fluorescent microscopy and Complex Object Parametric Analyzer and Sorter large-particle flow cytometry. Microencapsulated Trichoderma and Aspergillus spores could germinate and grow inside the alginate capsules. Growth tests revealed that auxotrophic mutants required the appropriate nutrients and that pyrithiamine and glufosinate halted fungal growth of sensitive but not resistant strains. We used an Aspergillus nidulans, thermosensitive mutant in the cell-cycle regulator gene nimXCDK1 as proof-of-concept to the detection and identification of genetic phenotypes. Sorting of the microparticles containing the clonal fungal mycelia proved the power of this method to perform positive and/or negative selection during genetic screenings.
Reverse payment settlements – US-Rechtslage und die Antwort des europäischen Kartellrechts
Authors: Picht Peter
Published: September 2014

Der Vergleichsschluss hat einen guten Ruf, weil er Ressourcen schont und rasch Frieden schafft. Vor allem im Pharmasektor treten aber Vergleiche zu Tage, die ein ganz anderes Antlitz zeigen. Bei wettbewerbswidrigen „reverse payment settlements“ kauft sich der Hersteller eines patentgeschützten Originalmedikaments von der Generika-Konkurrenz frei. Die Zeche zahlt der Konsument in Gestalt hoher Arzneimittelpreise. In den USA haben sich Wissenschaft und Praxis bereits intensiv mit solchen Vergleichen befasst, jüngst so der Supreme Court in seiner wegweisenden Actavis-Entscheidung. In Europa führt die Kommission erste Wettbewerbsverfahren durch, eine fundierte Diskussion der Rechtsfragen steht aber noch am Anfang. Der folgende Beitrag soll zu ihr Anstoß und Beitrag sein.
Die Gesamtrechtsnachfolge in Kartellbußgeldverfahren nach § 30 Abs. 2a OWiG
Authors: Görner André
Published: September 2014

Verstöße gegen das deutsche und europäische Kartellrecht können von deutschen Kartellbehörden als Ordnungswidrigkeiten geahndet werden. Die Festsetzung von Bußgeldern gegen kartellrechtswidrig handelnde Unternehmen und Unternehmensvereinigungen ist dabei ein zentrales Instrument der Kartellbehörden zur Erfüllung ihrer Aufgaben. Damit Umstrukturierungen der betroffenen Unternehmen der Bußgeldfestsetzung nicht entgegenstehen, hat der Gesetzgeber mit § 30 Abs. 2a OWiG eine Regelung zur Gesamtrechtsnachfolge im Ordnungswidrigkeitenrecht geschaffen. Die Tatbestandsmerkmale und die Bewertung dieser Regelung sind Gegenstand des nachfolgenden Beitrags.
Es regnet Preiserhöhungen – Wie Preisschirme auch Unbeteiligte schädigen können
Authors: Hartmann-Rüppel Marco , Schrader Konstantin
Published: September 2014

Der EuGH hat anerkannt, dass grundsätzlich auch Abnehmer von Kartellaußenseitern Schadensersatzansprüche gegen Kartellanten geltend machen können müssen. Eine nationale Regelung, die dies kategorisch ausschließt, verstößt gegen EU-Recht. Dem ist vor dem Hintergrund der „jedermann“-Rechtsprechung des EuGH unter dem Gesichtspunkt des effet utile auch zuzustimmen. Mit dem Urteil dürften vermehrt Schadensersatzklagen erhoben und Ansprüche auf Ersatz von „Preisschirm-Schäden“ geltend gemacht werden. Einer ausufernden Haftung der Kartellanten dürften aber die Hürden eines Nachweises von Preisschirmeffekten und Preisschirm-Schäden einschließlich der erforderlichen Kausalität entgegenstehen. Die Rechtsprechung wird entscheiden, ob und inwieweit sie Beweiserleichterungen zulassen wird; ökonomisch mögen bei jedenfalls bestimmten Marktbedingungen kartellbedingte Preiserhöhungen auch bei dem Kartellaußenseiter zwingend sein. Die Kommission ist aufgerufen, das Thema Preisschirmeffekt in ihren Richtlinienvorschlag zu privaten Schadensersatzklagen aufzunehmen.
Die sachliche Rechtfertigung der Verweigerung des Zugangs zu einer Infrastruktureinrichtung durch die Unmöglichkeit einer Mitbenutzung
Authors: Zimmermann Martin
Published: September 2014

In seiner Entscheidung in Sachen Puttgarden II befasste sich der BGH erneut mit der Verweigerung des Zugangs zum Fährhafen Puttgarden. Im Zentrum stand dabei vor allem die Frage, unter welchen Voraussetzungen sich der Inhaber einer Infrastruktureinrichtung i. S. v. § 19 Abs. 2 Nr. 4 GWB zur sachlichen Rechtfertigung einer Zugangsverweigerung auf die rechtliche Unmöglichkeit der Mitbenutzung berufen kann und wie die Beweislast insoweit verteilt ist. Der Beitrag untersucht im Lichte dieser Entscheidung, wie der Rechtfertigungsgrund der Unmöglichkeit auszulegen ist, und zieht dabei insbesondere weitreichende Parallelen zur zivilrechtlichen Regelung der Unmöglichkeit der Leistung.
Critical Periods of Weed Control for Naked Crabgrass (Digitaria nuda), a Grass Weed in Corn in South Africa
Authors: Hugo Elbé , Morey Liesl , Saayman-Du Toit Anna E. J. , Reinhardt Carl F.
Published: September 2014

Difficulties in chemically controlling large crabgrass in corn in South Africa have recently been attributed to the occurrence of naked crabgrass. In contrast to large crabgrass, naked crabgrass is not easily controlled with acetanilide herbicides. Critical periods of weed control (CPWC) for naked crabgrass in corn was determined in field studies during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 growing seasons at two separate localities for an early and late planting date of corn. Weed-free and weed–crop interference treatments of increasing duration were maintained at various crop growth stages in the presence of naked crabgrass. Biomass of naked crabgrass was determined as dry weight per square meter quadrant, which yielded 428 g m−2at Potchefstroom and 594 g m−2at Wesselsbron. An exponential regression model was used to determine the CPWC expressed as growing degree days after crop emergence, on the basis of an estimated 10% relative yield loss in corn. The onset and ending, as well as the duration of the CPWC, differed between seasons and localities. At 10% relative yield loss, the onset of the CPWC ranged between the two-leaf (V2) and six-leaf (V6) stages, and the ending between the 12-leaf (V12) stage and 2 wk after tasseling (T + 2). The duration of the CPWC ranged between 22 and 80 d for the respective planting dates, years, and localities. Yield losses ranged from 28 to 82% in the season-long weedy plots. The shifting of planting dates alone did not reduce yield losses since the effect of late infestations of naked crabgrass is significant. Naked crabgrass control from crop emergence is essential, followed by POST herbicide application during the critical period of weed control to lower the risk of corn yield losses.
Agricultural Weed Research: A Critique and Two Proposals
Authors: Ward Sarah M. , Cousens Roger D. , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar V. , Barney Jacob N. , Beckie Hugh J. , Busi Roberto , Davis Adam S. , Dukes Jeffrey S. , Forcella Frank , Freckleton Robert P. , Gallandt Eric R. , Hall Linda M. , Jasieniuk Marie , Lawton-Rauh Amy , Lehnhoff Erik A. , Liebman Matt , Maxwell Bruce D. , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Murray Justine V. , Neve Paul , Nuñez Martin A. , Pauchard Anibal , Queenborough Simon A. , Webber Bruce L.
Published: September 2014

Two broad aims drive weed science research: improved management and improved understanding of weed biology and ecology. In recent years, agricultural weed research addressing these two aims has effectively split into separate subdisciplines despite repeated calls for greater integration. Although some excellent work is being done, agricultural weed research has developed a very high level of repetitiveness, a preponderance of purely descriptive studies, and has failed to clearly articulate novel hypotheses linked to established bodies of ecological and evolutionary theory. In contrast, invasive plant research attracts a diverse cadre of nonweed scientists using invasions to explore broader and more integrated biological questions grounded in theory. We propose that although studies focused on weed management remain vitally important, agricultural weed research would benefit from deeper theoretical justification, a broader vision, and increased collaboration across diverse disciplines. To initiate change in this direction, we call for more emphasis on interdisciplinary training for weed scientists, and for focused workshops and working groups to develop specific areas of research and promote interactions among weed scientists and with the wider scientific community.
A Transient Two-Phase Fluid- and Heat-Flow Model for Gas-Lift-Assisted Waxy-Crude Wells With Periodical Electric Heating
Authors: Han Guoqing , Zhang He , Ling Kegang , Wu Di , Zhang Zuguo
Published: September 2014

This paper presents innovative iteration algorithms for multi-interface heat transfer in pipe flow. To the best of our knowledge,this is the first approach derived from the drift-flux model (DFM), which is more competent than mechanistic models for high-slippage gas/liquid flow. The mass- and momentum-conservation equations are inherited from literature and we have written them in the differential forms. In parallel, we thoroughly analyzed the heat-flux conservation among different layers and successfully presented the derivatives of temperature in location and time. Finally, the solution is obtained numerically to capture the temperature/ pressure-distribution profiles under transient conditions. For waxy-crude fields, it is critical to sustain the flowing temperature above the wax-appearance temperature. This is especially challenging for gas-lift-assisted wells. The injected gas, commonly at a relatively low temperature, makes this flow-assurance problem sophisticated. An effective practice is to heat up the flowing fluid by installing an electrical cable in tubing. The heat exchange happens at three interfaces in the production system: between cable and flowing crude, flowing crude and injected gas, and injected gas and formation. It is challenging to model such a multiphase production system, including an inner annulus inside the tubing, because once the electrical cable is installed, an outer annulus is where the gas is injected. To optimize this production system, a rigorous transient multiphase and multi-interface heat transfer simulator is required. By integrating the subsurface boundary condition explicitly, new algorithms can optimize the cable length, heating period, supplied power, or gas-injection rate for the aforementioned production system. This new method has been applied successfully for several gas-lift-assisted wells in a waxy-crude field located in northern China. The power consumption has decreased noticeably by 30% more than the historical field performance. The delegated optimization scheme reduces the shut-in time in winters, which promises cost-savings. The presented model not only satisfies the exceptional modelling requirements for periodically heating crude producers, but it also is appropriate for other heat-transfer investigations under transient multi-interface and multiphase-flow conditions.
Mitigating HS&E Risks for Oil & Gas Services using a Comprehensive Risk Management Program during New Product Development
Authors: Meyer Nicholas , Cho Joseph J. , Phillips Randolph G.
Published: September 2014

This paper reviews a "total product and service life cycle" risk management program. The program goal is to ensure the products, people, processes and facilities are compliant to current and future standards required by current and future regulatory, third-party or customer-specific requirements regarding HS&E and performance risk management. In response to HS&E failure events worldwide, considerable efforts have been put forth to improve compliance to new and existing standards to further manage and improve HS&E programs.

Product and service risk mitigation in the oil and gas industry must start with a new product development process for product and services. Mitigating HS&E risks requires not only diligence to critical on-rig operations process improvements (e.g., training, procedures), but also a quantitative assessment of failure modes and mechanisms associated with how products fail during the missions they are required to execute. Stated differently, the reliability of HS&E critical products and parts must be modeled and quantified to mitigate HS&E risks to an acceptable level or minimize the likelihood of failure. This quantitative assessment will determine what mitigation is required during design and downstream (supply chain, operations) to reduce failure possibility to an acceptable level. Design and process failure modes and effects analysis (FMEAs) now take on a much more critical role of correlating risk (RPNs) to actual failure rates. The goal of this paper is to review the progress one company has made toward achieving this total product life cycle approach to HS&E and performance risk management.
Effective Crisis Management and Emergency Response in Total E&P Qatar
Authors: Barthelemy David
Published: September 2014

The materials present the good practices of Total E&P Qatar to make its crisis management and emergency response effective: the way it is organized and the way the people involved are behaving.

To protect its assets, TEPQ has developed its own Affiliate Emergency Response Plan. In case of emergency response, TEPQ sets different group of people structured in cells. Each cell has its own role in the emergency response, depending on the situation. The cross-functionality between each cell for the application of the emergency response plans is warranted by a central Emergency Response Cell.

Real cases confirmed the effectiveness of the TEPQ emergency response organization. Nevertheless it highlighted the need of having the involved people more comfortable with their role and responsibilities. For this purpose two main actions were taken: The drills and exercises frequency of the cells have been increased;The number of people likely to be involved was decreased to better train them.

As a summary, less people but better trained with more experience.

For the trainings, TEPQ has set-up training matrices, called ComPass, defining the trainings or awareness mandatory for each position. All the employees and contractors involved in the emergency response are namely identified in the ComPass matrix of their site and their training status is followed.

For the experience, each person likely to be involved in one of the emergency response cell participates to weekly tests, monthly table top, three-monthly exercises and yearly large scale exercises.
Producing Extra Heavy Oil from Llanos Basin, Colombia, Through Progressive Cavity Pumps and Electric Submersible Pumps: Case Study in the Chichimene Field
Authors: Lopez Uribe J. E. , Chaustre Ruiz A. J. , Ayala Marín C. A.
Published: September 2014

This work aims to present both the learning curve in implementing Electro Submersible Pumps and Progressive Cavity Pumps as methods for artificial lift wells producing extra-heavy oil. In order to study the performance of these systems operate with viscous fluids, they were carried out tests on producing wells and PCPs ESPs installed in field Chichimene viscosity fluids ranging from 3600-4500 cP. Energy consumption, number of failures, volumetric efficiency and other factors which affected assessed when working with highly viscous fluids.

The data collected have allowed a better understanding of the impact of temperature and viscosity of the produced fluids in the lifting efficiency, demonstrating that it is possible to verify the performance degradation of ESPs operating in conditions of high viscosity, in terms of energy consumption and useful life.

The study shows the main criteria taken into account to work with ESP at the beginning of the development of extra heavy oil reserves, followed by a more detailed assessment of their performance to subsequently perform a pilot test of change of lift system pilot to PCP in field with several wells. At the end it is looking for a change in strategy to reassess the possibility of implementation of PCP systems to develop reserves of extra-heavy oil and a first evaluation of the PCP learning curve two years later.

Lessons learned and best practices found, combined with economies of scale will help to develop appropriate production strategies through the use of various artificial lift systems applicable in the exploitation of our fields of heavy and extra heavy oil.