bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moral Education and Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Keohane Kieran
Published: April 2008

The central problem of citizenship and political culture in the `postnational constellation' is the cultivation and institutionalization of cosmopolitanism as a political identity. The cultivation of citizenship in the postnational constellation echoes the problem Durkheim confronted at the turn of the twentieth century, when he faced the task of developing a systematic programme of moral education as a basis for social solidarity in a secular national French republic; a programme that would perform the same functions of social integration previously organized in terms of a religious discourse. While nationalism provided a discourse of political identification throughout the twentieth century, critical theory and psychoanalysis (for example, the Frankfurt School's studies in prejudice and the authoritarian personality) have shown how nationalism has now become a problematic basis for political identification and citizenship. This article explores Habermas's and Beck's present problem through an examination of Kant and Durkheim. It suggests that an appropriate pedagogical model of cosmopolitanism, one that combines elements of transcendental and situated reason, may be found in Joyce's representation of Leopold Bloom; a pedagogical representation wherein transcendental ideals grounded in universal reason are combined with various discursive and communicative encounters with the Other, in cosmopolitanizing experiences of the workplace and organizational life, international travel and migration, and urban neighbourhoods and milieus.
Politics and Existence
Authors: Datta Ronjon Paul
Published: April 2008

This article discusses theoretical parallels between Durkheim's concept of the totem and Foucault's concept of ` dispositif ' (social apparatus) and draws attention to the respective attempts by these theorists, in which these concepts play a substantial role, to move beyond Kantian conceptions of reality. It is argued that both concepts refer to historically specific structures constitutive of human existence, and to politics as an irreducible feature of such structures. In particular, Durkheim provides an understanding of the truly exceptional potential of politics to constitute meaningful human existence, attaching `words and things'. Hence, his discussion of religion is not simply about reproducing relations of domination. Comparing the concepts of totem and dispositif can aid in developing a richer conception of the contingent manner in which the existential structure of social life is formed by the effects of `politics'. In this light, Durkheim offers a plausible resolution to a lacuna in Foucault by providing an account of the causal force of politics in constituting collective existence. Foucault's attention to contingent causality does similar work to remedy an obscurantist expressivism which subtends Durkheim's account of totem-creation.
Implementing Safe Routes to School: Application for the Socioecological Model and Issues to Consider
Authors: Levin Martin Sarah , Moeti Refilwe , Pullen-Seufert Nancy
Published: April 2008

The newly established national Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program has the potential to positively influence individuals, communities, and the environment regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Many communities are applying their interest in physical activity promotion toward creating policies and programs to encourage active travel, though many barriers exist. SRTS legislation provides funds to address some of the barriers and improve the ability of students to safely walk and bicycle to school. SRTS requires that 70% to 90% of the funds be used for infrastructure projects (i.e., engineering treatments, such as sidewalk construction), and 10% to 30% for noninfrastructure activities, such as education, encouragement, and enforcement. The socioecological model (SEM) is widely used in public health and includes five levels of influence on behavior, from individual to public policy. Application of the SEM to SRTS provides a framework for a comprehensive approach to improve active travel to school.
Heat and Moisture Transport in Porous Building Materials Containing Salt
Authors: Koniorczyk Marcin , Gawin Dariusz
Published: April 2008

The durability of most porous building materials is strongly related with moisture and salt transport mechanisms. They are closely related with inner structure of a material. Therefore, influence of salt on porous structure of cement mortar, initially saturated with different solutions of NaCl, was analysed. SEM and MIP tests were performed and changes of pores size distribution, internal surface and mean pore diameter with the amount of accumulated salt are presented. By thermodynamic balance the dissolution/precipitation process is described using adsorption isotherm. Based on experimental data and theoretical derivations a novel mathematical model describing coupled heat, moisture and salt transport is formulated. The computer code based on it was developed and verified against some available experimental data. Using the software the influence of salt (osmosis, precipitation, sorption isotherm) on moisture content in cementitious building material is analysed.
Modeling Hygro-thermal Performance and Strains of Cementitious Building Materials Maturing in Variable Conditions
Authors: Gawin Dariusz , Wyrzykowski Mateusz , Pesavento Francesco
Published: April 2008

A novel model of hygro-thermal performance of cement-based building materials during their maturing, considering evolution of their strength properties and deformations (shrinkage and creep strains), described in terms of effective stress is briefly presented. Creep is described by means of the modified microprestress — solidification theory by Bazant et al., with some modifications to take into account the effects of temperature and relative humidity on the cement hydration. Shrinkage strains are modeled by using effective stresses in the form introduced by Gray and Schrefler, giving a good agreement with experimental data also for low values of relative humidity. Results of three numerical examples based on the real experimental tests are solved to validate the model. They demonstrate its possibilities to analyze both autogenous deformations in maturing cementitious materials, and creep and shrinkage phenomena, in building elements of different age, sealed or drying at various conditions.
Long-term results of the fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab regimen as initial therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Tam Constantine S. , O'Brien Susan , Wierda William , Kantarjian Hagop , Wen Sijin , Do Kim-Anh , Thomas Deborah A. , Cortes Jorge , Lerner Susan , Keating Michael J.
Published: April 2008

Early results of the fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) regimen in 224 patients showed that it was highly active as initial therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In this report, we present the final results of all 300 study patients at a median follow up of 6 years. The overall response rate was 95%, with complete remission in 72%, nodular partial remission in 10%, partial remission due to cytopenia in 7%, and partial remission due to residual disease in 6%. Two patients (< 1%) died within 3 months of starting therapy. Six-year overall and failure-free survival were 77% and 51%, respectively. Median time to progression was 80 months. Pretreatment characteristics independently associated with inferior response were age 70 years or older, β2-microglobulin twice the upper limit of normal (2N) or more, white cell count 150 × 109/L or more, abnormal chromosome 17, and lactate dehydrogenase 2N or more. No pretreatment characteristic was independently associated with decreased complete remission duration. The risk of late infection was 10% and 4% for the first and second years of remission, respectively, and less than 1.5% per year for the third year onward. In a multivariate analysis of patients receiving fludarabine-based therapy at our center, FCR therapy emerged as the strongest independent determinant of survival.
ReXSpecies – a tool for the analysis of the evolution of gene regulation across species
Authors: Struckmann Stephan , Araúzo-Bravo Marcos J , Schöler Hans R , Reinbold Rolland A , Fuellen Georg
Published: April 2008

Background

Annotated phylogenetic trees that display the evolution of transcription factor binding in regulatory regions are useful for e.g. 1) narrowing down true positive predicted binding sites, providing predictions for binding sites that can be tested experimentally, and 2) giving insight into the evolution of gene regulation and regulatory networks.

Results

We describe ReXSpecies, a web-server that processes the sequence information of a regulatory region for multiple species and associated (predicted) transcription factor binding sites into two figures: a) An annotated alignment of sequence and binding sites, consolidated and filtered for ease of use, and b) an annotated tree labeled by the gain and loss of binding sites, where the tree can be calculated from the data or taken from a trusted taxonomy, and the labels are calculated based on standard or Dollo parsimony. For genes involved in mammalian pluripotency, ReXSpecies trees highlight useful patterns of transcription factor binding site gain and loss, e.g. for the Oct and Sox group of factors in the 3' untranslated region of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene, which closely match experimental data.

Conclusion

ReXSpecies post-processes the information provided by transcription factor binding site prediction tools, in order to compare data from many species. The tool eases visualization and successive interpretation of transcription factor binding data in an evolutionary context. The ReXSpecies URL can be found in the Availability and requirements section.
Genome-wide search reveals a novel GacA-regulated small RNA in Pseudomonas species
Authors: González Nicolas , Heeb Stephan , Valverde Claudio , Kay Elisabeth , Reimmann Cornelia , Junier Thomas , Haas Dieter
Published: April 2008

Background

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are widespread among bacteria and have diverse regulatory roles. Most of these sRNAs have been discovered by a combination of computational and experimental methods. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous Gram-negative bacterium and opportunistic human pathogen, the GacS/GacA two-component system positively controls the transcription of two sRNAs (RsmY, RsmZ), which are crucial for the expression of genes involved in virulence. In the biocontrol bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0, three GacA-controlled sRNAs (RsmX, RsmY, RsmZ) regulate the response to oxidative stress and the expression of extracellular products including biocontrol factors. RsmX, RsmY and RsmZ contain multiple unpaired GGA motifs and control the expression of target mRNAs at the translational level, by sequestration of translational repressor proteins of the RsmA family.

Results

A combined computational and experimental approach enabled us to identify 14 intergenic regions encoding sRNAs in P. aeruginosa. Eight of these regions encode newly identified sRNAs. The intergenic region 1698 was found to specify a novel GacA-controlled sRNA termed RgsA. GacA regulation appeared to be indirect. In P. fluorescens CHA0, an RgsA homolog was also expressed under positive GacA control. This 120-nt sRNA contained a single GGA motif and, unlike RsmX, RsmY and RsmZ, was unable to derepress translation of the hcnA gene (involved in the biosynthesis of the biocontrol factor hydrogen cyanide), but contributed to the bacterium's resistance to hydrogen peroxide. In both P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens the stress sigma factor RpoS was essential for RgsA expression.

Conclusion

The discovery of an additional sRNA expressed under GacA control in two Pseudomonas species highlights the complexity of this global regulatory system and suggests that the mode of action of GacA control may be more elaborate than previously suspected. Our results also confirm that several GGA motifs are required in an sRNA for sequestration of the RsmA protein.
Epidemiology of foodborne Norovirus outbreaks in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Martinez Ana , Dominguez Angela , Torner Nuria , Ruiz Laura , Camps Neus , Barrabeig Irene , Arias Cesar , Alvarez Josep , Godoy Pere , Balaña Pilar Jorgina , Pumares Analia , Bartolome Rosa , Ferrer Dolors , Perez Unai , Pinto Rosa , Buesa Javier ,   The Catalan Viral Gastroenteritis Study Group
Published: April 2008

Background

Noroviruses are one of the principal biological agents associated with the consumption of contaminated food. The objective of this study was to analyse the size and epidemiological characteristics of foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Catalonia, a region in the northeast of Spain.

Methods

In all reported outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with food consumption, faecal samples of persons affected were analysed for bacteria and viruses and selectively for parasites. Study variables included the setting, the number of people exposed, age, sex, clinical signs and hospital admissions. The study was carried out from October 2004 to October 2005.

Results

Of the 181 outbreaks reported during the study period, 72 were caused by Salmonella and 30 by norovirus (NoV); the incidence rates were 14.5 and 9.9 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. In 50% of the NoV outbreaks and 27% of the bacterial outbreaks (p = 0.03) the number of persons affected was ≥10; 66.7% of NoV outbreaks occurred in restaurants; no differences in the attack rates were observed according to the etiology. Hospitalizations were more common (p = 0.03) in bacterial outbreaks (8.6%) than in NoV outbreaks (0.15%). Secondary cases accounted for 4% of cases in NoV outbreaks compared with 0.3% of cases in bacterial outbreaks (p < 0.001)

Conclusion

Norovirus outbreaks were larger but less frequent than bacterial outbreaks, suggesting that underreporting is greater for NoV outbreaks. Food handlers should receive training on the transmission of infections in diverse situations. Very strict control measures on handwashing and environmental disinfection should be adopted in closed or partially-closed institutions.
Complex rearranged small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC), three new cases; evidence for an underestimated entity?
Authors: Trifonov Vladimir , Fluri Simon , Binkert Franz , Nandini Adayapalam , Anderson Jasen , Rodriguez Laura , Gross Madeleine , Kosyakova Nadezda , Mkrtchyan Hasmik , Ewers Elisabeth , Reich Daniela , Weise Anja , Liehr Thomas
Published: April 2008

Background

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) are present ~2.6 × 106 human worldwide. sSMC are a heterogeneous group of derivative chromosomes concerning their clinical consequences as well as their chromosomal origin and shape. Besides the sSMC present in Emanuel syndrome, i.e. der(22)t(11;22)(q23;q11), only few so-called complex sSMC are reported.

Results

Here we report three new cases of unique complex sSMC. One was a de novo case with a dic(13 or 21;22) and two were maternally derived: a der(18)t(8;18) and a der(13 or 21)t(13 or 21;18). Thus, in summary, now 22 cases of unique complex sSMC are available in the literature. However, this special kind of sSMC might be under-diagnosed among sSMC-carriers.

Conclusion

More comprehensive characterization of sSMC and approaches like reverse fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or array based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) might identify them to be more frequent than only ~0.9% among all sSMC.
Factors Affecting Response and Survival in Patients With Myelodysplasia Treated With Immunosuppressive Therapy
Authors: Sloand Elaine M. , Wu Colin O. , Greenberg Peter , Young Neal , Barrett John
Published: April 2008

Purpose

Marrow failure in some patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) responds to immunosuppressive treatment (IST), but long-term outcome after IST has not been described. We evaluated patients with MDS treated with IST at our institution to determine their clinical course compared with a comparable supportive care only group.

Patients and Methods

One hundred twenty-nine patients with MDS received IST with a median follow-up of 3.0 years (range, 0.03 to 11.3 years), using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or cyclosporine (CsA) in combination or singly. Variables affecting response and survival were studied and outcomes were compared with those of 816 patients with MDS reported to the International Myelodysplasia Risk Analysis Workshop (IMRAW) who received only supportive care.

Results

Thirty-nine (30%) of 129 patients receiving IST responded either completely or partially: 18 (24%) of 74 patients responded to ATG, 20 (48%) of 42 patients responded to ATG plus CsA, and one (8%) of 13 patients responded to CsA. Thirty-one percent (12 of 39) of the responses were complete, resulting in transfusion independence and near-normal blood counts. In multivariate analysis, younger age was the most significant factor favoring response to therapy. Other favorable factors affecting response were HLA-DR15 positivity and combination ATG plus CsA treatment (P = .001 and P = .048, respectively). In multivariate analysis of the combined IMRAW and IST cohorts, younger age, treatment with IST, and intermediate or low International Prognostic Scoring System score significantly favored survival.

Conclusion

IST produced significant improvement in the pancytopenia of a substantial proportion of patients with MDS and was associated with improved overall and progression-free survival, especially in younger individuals with lower-risk disease.
Breast Cancer Subtype Approximated by Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and HER-2 Is Associated With Local and Distant Recurrence After Breast-Conserving Therapy
Authors: Nguyen Paul L. , Taghian Alphonse G. , Katz Matthew S. , Niemierko Andrzej , Abi Raad Rita F. , Boon Whitney L. , Bellon Jennifer R. , Wong Julia S. , Smith Barbara L. , Harris Jay R.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To determine whether breast cancer subtype is associated with outcome after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) consisting of lumpectomy and radiation therapy.

Patients and Methods

We studied 793 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer who received BCT from July 1998 to December 2001. Among them, 97% had pathologically negative margins of resection, and 90% received adjuvant systemic therapy. No patient received adjuvant trastuzumab. Receptor status was used to approximate subtype: estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative = luminal A; ER+ or PR+ and HER-2+ = luminal B; ER–and PR –and HER-2+ = HER-2; and ER–and PR –and HER-2–= basal. Competing risks methodology was used to analyze time to local recurrence and distant metastases.

Results

Median follow-up was 70 months. The overall 5-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 1.8% (95% CI, 1.0 to 3.1); 0.8% (0.3, 2.2) for luminal A, 1.5% (0.2, 10) for luminal B, 8.4% (2.2, 30) for HER-2, and 7.1% (3.0, 16) for basal. On multivariable analysis (MVA) with luminal A as baseline, HER-2 (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 9.2; 95% CI, 1.6 to 51; P = .012) and basal (AHR = 7.1; 95% CI, 1.6 to 31; P = .009) subtypes were associated with increased local recurrence. On MVA, luminal B (AHR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 6.5; P = .007) and basal (AHR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 5.2; P = .035) were associated with increased distant metastases.

Conclusion

Overall, the 5-year local recurrence rate after BCT was low, but varied by subtype as approximated using ER, PR, and HER-2 status. Local recurrence was particularly low for the luminal A subtype, but was less than 10% at 5 years for all subtypes. Although further follow-up is needed, these results may be useful in counseling patients about their anticipated outcome after BCT.
Ten-Year Follow-Up of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Protocol 92-02: A Phase III Trial of the Duration of Elective Androgen Deprivation in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Horwitz Eric M. , Bae Kyounghwa , Hanks Gerald E. , Porter Arthur , Grignon David J. , Brereton Harmar D. , Venkatesan Varagur , Lawton Colleen A. , Rosenthal Seth A. , Sandler Howard M. , Shipley William U.
Published: April 2008

Purpose

To determine whether adding 2 years of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) improved outcome for patients electively treated with ADT before and during radiation therapy (RT).

Patients and Methods

Prostate cancer patients with T2c-T4 prostate cancer with no extra pelvic lymph node involvement and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) less than 150 ng/mL were included. All patients received 4 months of goserelin and flutamide before and during RT. They were randomized to no further ADT (short-term ADT [STAD] + RT) or 24 months of goserelin (long-term ADT [LTAD] + RT). A total of 1,554 patients were entered. RT was 45 Gy to the pelvic nodes and 65 to 70 Gy to the prostate. Median follow-up of all survival patients is 11.31 and 11.27 years for the two arms.

Results

At 10 years, the LTAD + RT group showed significant improvement over the STAD + RT group for all end points except overall survival: disease-free survival (13.2% v 22.5%; P < .0001), disease-specific survival (83.9% v 88.7%; P = .0042), local progression (22.2% v 12.3%; P < .0001), distant metastasis (22.8% v 14.8%; P < .0001), biochemical failure (68.1% v 51.9%; P ≤ .0001), and overall survival (51.6% v 53.9%, P = .36). One subgroup analyzed consisted of all cancers with a Gleason score of 8 to 10 cancers. An overall survival difference was observed (31.9% v 45.1%; P = .0061), as well as in all other end points herein.

Conclusion

LTAD as delivered in this study for the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer is superior to STAD for all end points except survival. A survival advantage for LTAD + RT in the treatment of locally advanced tumors with a Gleason score of 8 to 10 suggests that this should be the standard of treatment for these high-risk patients.
The Association of Testosterone Levels with Overall Sleep Quality, Sleep Architecture, and Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Authors: Barrett-Connor Elizabeth , Dam Thuy-Tien , Stone Katie , Harrison Stephanie Litwack , Redline Susan , Orwoll Eric ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study Group
Published: April 2008

Context: Little is known about the association of low endogenous testosterone levels and abnormal sleep patterns in older men, although pharmacological doses of testosterone are associated with increased severity of sleep apnea and other sleep disturbances.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the association between serum testosterone levels with objectively measured sleep characteristics.

Design: This was a cohort study.

Setting: Community-dwelling men aged 65 yr or older from six clinical centers in the United States participated in the study.

Participants and Main Outcome Measures: A total of 1312 men had baseline total testosterone levels measured in 2000–2002, followed 3.4 yr later by 72-h (minimum) actigraphy and one-night in-home polysomnography to assess sleep duration, sleep fragmentation, and sleep apnea. Analyses were performed by quartile of total testosterone and categorically defined low vs. higher total testosterone (<250 ng/dl vs. ≥250 ng/dl). Lifestyle and body size were covariates.

Results: Total testosterone levels were unrelated to age or duration of sleep. Men with lower testosterone levels had lower sleep efficiency, with increased nocturnal awakenings and less time in slow-wave sleep as well as a higher apnea-hypopnea index and more sleep time with O2 saturation levels below 90%. Low testosterone levels were associated with overweight, and all significant associations were attenuated or absent after adjusting for body mass index or waist circumference. In a post hoc analysis in men with higher body mass index (>27 kg/m2), testosterone was significantly associated with more periods awake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency.

Conclusion: Low total testosterone levels are associated with less healthy sleep in older men. This association is largely explained by adiposity. Clinical trials are necessary to determine whether body weight acts directly or indirectly (via low testosterone) in the causal pathway for sleep-disordered breathing in older men.
Pathway selection to the axon depends on multiple targeting signals in NgCAM
Authors: Yap Chan Choo , Nokes Rita L. , Wisco Dolora , Anderson Eric , Fölsch Heike , Winckler Bettina
Published: April 2008

Similar to most differentiated cells, both neurons and epithelial cells elaborate distinct plasma membrane domains that contain different membrane proteins. We have previously shown that the axonal cell-adhesion molecule L1/NgCAM accumulates on the axonal surface by an indirect transcytotic pathway via somatodendritic endosomes. MDCK epithelial cells similarly traffic NgCAM to the apical surface by transcytosis. In this study, we map the signals in NgCAM required for routing via the multi-step transcytotic pathway. We identify both a previously mapped tyrosine-based signal as a sufficient somatodendritic targeting signal, as well as a novel axonal targeting signal in the cytoplasmic tail of NgCAM. The axonal signal is glycine and serine rich, but only the glycine residues are required for activity. The somatodendritic signal is cis-dominant and needs to be inactivated in order for the axonal signal to be executed. Additionally, we show that the axonal cytoplasmic signal promotes apical targeting in MDCK cells. Transcytosis of NgCAM to the axon thus requires the sequential regulated execution of multiple targeting signals.
Mug27 is a meiosis-specific protein kinase that functions in fission yeast meiosis II and sporulation
Authors: Ohtaka Ayami , Okuzaki Daisuke , Nojima Hiroshi
Published: April 2008

Several meiosis-specific proteins of Schizosaccharomyces pombe play essential roles in meiotic progression. We report here that a novel meiosis-specific protein kinase, Mug27 (also known as Ppk35), is required for proper spore formation. This kinase is expressed by the mug27+ gene, which is abruptly transcribed after horsetail movement. This transcription is maintained until the second meiotic division. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Mug27 appears at the start of prometaphase I, localizes to the spindle pole body (SPB) and then translocates to the forespore membrane (FSM) at late anaphase II. In the mug27Δ strain, smaller spores are produced compared with those of the mug27+ strain. Moreover, spore viability was reduced by half or more compared with that of the mug27+ strain. The protein-kinase activity of Mug27 appears to be important for its function: the putative kinase-dead Mug27 mutant had similar phenotypes to mug27Δ. Our results here indicate that the Mug27 kinase localizes at the SPB and regulates FSM formation and sporulation.
Human Capital and the Productivity of Suicide Bombers
Authors: Benmelech Efraim , Berrebi Claude
Published: April 2008

This paper studies the relation between the human capital of suicide bombers and the outcomes of their suicide attacks. We argue that human capital is an important factor in the production of terrorism and that if terrorists behave rationally, we should observe that more able suicide bombers are assigned to more important targets. To validate the theoretical predictions and estimate the returns to human capital in suicide bombing, we use a unique dataset detailing the biographies of Palestinian suicide bombers, the targets they attack, and the number of people that they kill and injure. Our empirical analysis suggests that older and more educated suicide bombers are being assigned by their terror organization to more important targets. We find that more educated and older suicide bombers are less likely to fail in their mission and are more likely to cause increased casualties when they attack.
New phylogenetic insights into the Cambrian radiation of arachnomorph arthropods
Authors: Hendricks Jonathan R. , Lieberman Bruce S.
Published: April 2008

The Cambrian fossil record of the Arachnomorpha is rich and diverse and includes trilobites, chelicerates, and many taxa known from various soft-bodied faunas including the Burgess Shale and the Chengjiang. Exceptionally well-preserved arthropod fossils are also known from Middle Cambrian strata in Utah. Recently, two new arachnomorphs (DicranocarisBriggs, Lieberman, Hendricks, Halgedahl, and Jarrard, 2008 andNettapezouraBriggs, Lieberman, Hendricks, Halgedahl, and Jarrard, 2008) were described from the Wheeler and Marjum formations of Utah. Cladistic analysis is undertaken to investigate arachnomorph relationships in light of these two new genera. The character matrix of Edgecombe and Ramsköld (1999) serves as the foundation for this study, augmented by new characters and taxa. The results of our cladistic analysis suggest that at least three distinct arachnomorph clades had diverged by the Middle Cambrian, and perhaps much earlier; the Utah genera can be referred to groups within one of these clades.
New porcellioidean gastropods from early Devonian of Royal Creek area, Yukon Territory, Canada, with notes on their early phylogeny
Authors: Frýda Jiří , Blodgett Robert B. , Lenz Alfred C. , Manda Štěpán
Published: April 2008

This paper presents a description of new gastropods belonging to the superfamily Porcellioidea (Vetigastropoda) from the richly diverse Lower Devonian gastropod fauna of the Road River Formation in the Royal Creek area, Yukon Territory. This fauna belongs to Western Canada Province of the Old World Realm. The Pragian speciesPorcellia(Porcellia)yukonensisn. sp. andPorcellia(Paraporcellia) sp. represent the oldest presently known members of subgeneraPorcellia(Porcellia) andPorcellia(Paraporcellia). Their simple shell ornamentation fits well with an earlier described evolutionary trend in shell morphology of the Porcellinae. Late Pragian to early EmsianPerryconcha pulchran. gen. and n. sp. is the first member of the Porcellioidea bearing a row of tremata on adult teleoconch whorls. The occurrence of this shell feature in the Porcellioidea is additional evidence that the evolution of the apertural slit was much more complicated than has been proposed in classical models of Paleozoic gastropod evolution.
Review of scolecodonts assigned toArabellites, based on Hinde's (1879) type material
Authors: Eriksson Mats E.
Published: April 2008

Scolecodonts are the mouth pieces of jaw-bearing polychaete annelid worms that occur in abundance as microfossils in the fossil record. Historical scolecodont collections (e.g., Hinde, 1879, 1880, 1882; Stauffer, 1933, 1939; Eller, 1934, 1936, 1940, 1942) are of crucial importance for the taxonomy of fossil polychaetes because they often include taxa with nomenclatural priority over more recently established ones. One significant problem, however, is that most publications dealing with these collections have rudimentary hand-drawings of the fossils that do not allow unambiguous identifications. In this study, all specimens assigned to Arabellites by Hinde (1879) have been re-examined and photographed. Over the years Arabellites has been used for a plethora of morphologically variable scolecodonts of uncertain taxonomic affinity, rendering its status questionable (e.g., Kielan- Jaworowska, 1962, 1966; Kozur, 1970; Jansonius and Craig, 1971; Szaniawski and Wrona, 1973; Eriksson and Bergman, 2003). However, first-hand studies of the type material have allowed new discussions of this genus. Moreover, Glycerites Hinde, 1879, is briefly discussed as it proved to be intimately linked to Arabellites.
Development of a laser roughness analyser to predict in situ the bond strength of concrete-to-concrete interfaces
Authors: Santos P. M. D. , Júlio E. N. B. S.
Published: April 2008

The bond strength at the interface between concrete layers cast at different times is important to ensure the monolithic behaviour of reinforced concrete composite elements, for example precast beams with cast-in-place slabs and bridge decks strengthened with a new concrete layer. Previous studies by the current authors stated that the bond strength is highly influenced by the surface roughness of the concrete substrate. Further studies proved that it is possible to quantify the surface roughness and to correlate this with the bond strength of the interface. Nevertheless, the adopted methodology is work intensive and partially destructive. This paper describes a subsequent study using a laser roughness analyser that was specifically developed to characterise the roughness of the concrete substrate. The proposed new method presents four major advantages: (a) increased accuracy; (b) it is simple and fast to execute; (c) it implies a really non-destructive procedure; and (d) results can be assessed in situ.
HS&E Management System Audit Program as a Risk Management Tool
Authors: Silverstone Mark , Kuykendall Dina
Published: April 2008

Baker Hughes’ internal HS&E Audit Program has evolved into a standard approach used across the entire Enterprise. Audits are conducted to verify conformance with elements of the Company HS&E MS (Management System) and local operational procedures and compliance with applicable regulations. The choice of audit sites is based on risk. Emphasis is placed on making the audit a constructive exercise by highlighting positive aspects of HS&E performance. At the same time, the highest levels of management pay close attention to progress in reducing the incidence and potential severity of high-risk conditions.

Standardization of audit procedures and reporting serve to highlight results in the form of special HS&E achievements, known as "Noteworthy Efforts" to be shared within the organization and important opportunities to improve, known as "Findings". The severity of typical Findings range from "Observations" that merely suggest specific actions to improve HS&E performance to "Major Findings" that are brought to the immediate attention of management and the Executive Leadership of the Company. Use of a database to collect and compile information on Audit results and to track progress on Corrective Action Plans (CAP) provides accountability for reduction of risks to ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) levels. The database further provides indications of the need for increased focus on certain MS elements when audit results indicate trends in the form of frequently noted or especially high-risk Findings. Therefore, these data provide a means to measure "leading indicators" of HS&E performance.

The keys to success of the Program include consistency and standardization provided by auditor mentoring, training and practice at numerous sites, as well as an understanding of the value of the Audit Program and commitment in the form of resources and attention at all levels of the organization. The true value of the Audit Program is that the commitment to it both depends upon and, at the same time, reinforces the Company culture of achievement and continuous improvement to which the audit program contributes.

This paper presents the basic design of the Audit Program, features of the database and some of the results that make the Program a valuable risk control and performance enhancement tool.
HSE Leadership Development Programmes—What Really Works
Authors: Siokos George , Karish John M.
Published: April 2008

The oil and gas industry recognizes that leadership is a key consideration in the creation of an incident free workplace. While definitions around leadership seem to have a consistent flavor, usually worded as "walking the talk, leading cultural change, developing people", or similar, the methodology and success to achieve these outcomes is often more problematic and varies from one organization to the next.

Our experience in working globally, with many oil and gas operators and contractors, in many worksites and with thousands of employees who have safety as a prime value, is that effective leadership and incident free workplaces are inseparable. And yet it seems that the standard response to developing the strength of leaders is to ‘sheep-dip’ them in ineffective non-related training programs.

Programs which rarely translate back to the workplace can confuse and make more difficult the role of leaders in such a unique environment. How should a leader interpret "walk the talk" in an environment inundated with paperwork and systems checks? How do they know where to begin cultural change on a rig with many and significant cultural groups? Our experience is that with the best of intentions we provide leaders with more questions than practical solutions.

Research and experience suggests that for a leadership program to impact positively on an incident free workplace there are four key elements which must be present. These are: A clear and articulated organisational need,A strong link to the role of leaders in terms of accountability and responsibility for addressing the need,An intervention program tailored around the organisation's culture andStrong support after the program to assist leaders apply new learning in the workplace.

Irrespective, the specific methodology may differ from one location to the next and one organisation to the next. There are some common themes amongst the variety of (HSE) leadership programs that we can learn from to ensure that future programs are designed in a way that maximizes the opportunity for success.

This paper will explore two case studies, arising from work done by the authors across major operators and drilling contractors to compare and contrast methodology and results. For the purposes of this comparison we also provide a further third case study from outside the E&P industry which we believe adds valuable insights to this debate
Managing Marine Mammal Issues: Corporate Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Applied Research, and Training
Authors: Streever Bill , Ahmad Lidia , Barley Brian , Edwards John , Gnecco Claudia , Herlugson Chris , Walls Anne
Published: April 2008

Offshore development requires management of potential impacts of industry sounds on marine mammals. From a business perspective, industry representatives should realize that stakeholders and the regulatory community often assume, a priori, that industry sounds will impact whales, seals, and other marine mammals. The onus is on industry to demonstrate that potential impacts—including behavioral impacts—can be mitigated to an acceptable level. Furthermore, acceptable levels of mitigation must be demonstrated against a backdrop of confusion caused in part by a poor understanding of industry sounds and underwater sound propagation, incomplete knowledge of marine mammal hearing ability, and limited data on the ability of sound to injure or change the behavior of marine mammals. This paper describes BP's strategy for managing this issue. The key elements of this strategy include: A flexible corporate approach through adherence to environmental performance requirements, which guide operations globally but allow the flexibility needed to consider regionally or locally important issues, such as differences in species, sound sources, business requirements, and other factors.Constructive engagement with stakeholders who might influence business outcomes.Support of applied research that might yield results with either regional or global business ramifications.Establishment of a training program to better prepare the BP work force involved with marine mammal issues.

While this approach may not be well suited for every oil and gas company, it is clear that all companies need to articulate, at least internally, a strategy that recognizes the issue of marine mammals and underwater sound in a business context. Ignoring the issue, or hoping that it will not impact operations, is to run an unacceptable risk of delayed or inefficient projects and expensive lost opportunities.
Linking Management Responses to Quantitative Assessment of Cumulative Environmental Impact Consequences
Authors: Winton Trevor , Lorkin Mark , Papiccio Emilio
Published: April 2008

As part of the Cumulative Environmental Impact Study for Australia's North West Shelf (NWS) province, and in the absence of suitable techniques linking management responses to cumulative impacts, a methodology was developed to assess cumulative impact consequences, both on a qualitative and quantitative level, for existing and future activities.

An Impact Consequence Assessment Matrix was developed, derived from the combination of Environmental Effect (qualitatively or quantitatively assessed from ‘Serious’ to ‘Non-Significant’) and Effect Duration (‘Permanent’ to ‘Transient’). In a manner familiar within risk matrices, the combined position within the Matrix defines the Impact Consequence Level. Using these defined impact consequences, ALARP principles are applied to environmental impact assessment in a structured and systematic manner to guide management responses, in a similar manner to their traditional use within risk assessment.

The technique was applied to the assessment of cumulative impacts for both oil & gas and non-O&G industry activities affecting the offshore and nearshore marine, atmospheric and terrestrial environments on the NWS. Due to the very high levels of environmental assessment and management embedded into the design and operation of existing projects, individual environmental impact consequences were typically quantified at the lower impact levels which are tolerable without further additional management action. Some individual and a number of cumulative effects from multiple projects/activities resulted in higher level impact consequences requiring management response appropriate to the level and certainty of consequence.

This innovative methodology has the ability to identify appropriate environmental management actions, for currently operated projects and potential future projects, based on quantification and ranking of individual and cumulative environmental impacts across all environmental settings. It is immediately applicable for environmental managers to help better manage the environment for which they are responsible, as well as a tool to assist with environmental planning of future projects.
Industrial Hygiene Risk Assessment Using a Risk Assessment Software: A Nigerian Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Company's Experience
Authors: Wokomah Ajukwura Lymn , Courandier Jean-Michel
Published: April 2008

Exploration and production of oil and gas exposes workers to some inherent health hazards associated with use of chemicals, exposure to physical and biological agents and poor ergonomic design of work places. Health hazards and the associated occupational illnesses can be easily overlooked in a regular HSE Management system since health hazards are not always apparent and may take many years for the effects to manifest in workers. Putting in place an effective risk assessment tool and an employee health management system will help employers to answer the very important question - when, where, how and to what hazard is an employee potentially exposed at work? An industrial hygiene risk assessment methodology was developed and tested in an oil and gas exploration and production multinational company in Nigeria. The method entails the systematic assessment of the potential risk of tasks resulting from the intrinsic hazard of chemical products and other hazardous agents (noise, radiations, extreme temperatures, biohazards, etc), and estimating the duration and frequency of tasks carried out by Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs) of workers. The method also estimates the protection means available in the workplace and hence calculates the residual risk to be managed by employers. The results of the risk assessment exercise are consolidated in a Risk Assessment File document detailing action plans to mitigate high potential residual risks. To facilitate this risk assessment process and enhance employee health data archiving and retrieval, a database management and risk assessment software was employed. The software includes Chemical/MSDS management, Human Resources information, Risk Assessment/Estimation, Personnel Monitoring and link to Occupational Medical data. The use of the software has greatly enhanced access to employee exposure assessments records and overall management of occupational health of the Company's workforce.
Building Stakeholder Consensus for an Oil Pipeline in Lago Agrio, Ecuador
Authors: Benalcazar Fernando L. , Thurber Mark William
Published: April 2008

Petroleum companies operating in the Ecuadorian Amazon historically have been faced with strong community opposition to large infrastructure projects, particularly pipelines. Pipelines have been delayed in government permitting, communities have attempted to stop construction, legal actions have been initiated for environmental and community damages during and after construction, and operating pipelines have been sabotaged causing lost production and significant environmental damage from oil spills and significant social impact from contamination or explosions.

AEC Ecuador Ltd., a subsidiary of EnCana Corporation (EnCana), and Walsh began evaluating strategies in 2002 for mitigating these costly impediments to permitting, building and operating a crude oil pipeline around the rapidly growing Amazonian city of Lago Agrio. A total of 13 different right-of-way (ROW) alternatives were investigated in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment process to determine the three best and potentially least controversial routes. The Company encouraged four other petroleum producers to share a single ROW – a proposal without precedent in Ecuador – and a decision was made: all committed to use the same ROW to reduce social and environmental impacts from multiple ROWs crossing Lago Agrio.

A comprehensive and transparent stakeholder engagement strategy was developed to facilitate community participation and evaluation of the three alternatives. The stakeholders included local, regional and national government; community councils and associations; non-governmental and religious organizations; and individual landowners. Field visits were conducted, technical presentations were provided, formal and informal comments were solicited and workshops were conducted to arrive at a hybrid alternative with micro routing around areas of stakeholder concern. A key strategic decision was made by the Company to maintain transparency throughout consultation process and flexibility in the final design, despite an atmosphere of continuous conflict stemming from another recently constructed pipeline in the city. The affected communities also participated directly in construction monitoring and environmental and social compliance assessment. Due to the high level of community acceptance and proactive environmental approach, the government regulators allowed for a special exemption from the hydrocarbon law to allow multiple pipelines in a single ROW and as consequence, the existing regulation was identified as outdated compared with current international industry practice for ROW.

The pipelines in the ROW were constructed in 2003 with no public controversy and have been operating to date without incidents and without any complaint about the stakeholder strategy and methodology. There have been no legal challenges.
Plant Threats management
Authors: boukoftane Abderrahmane
Published: April 2008

The "Plant Threats Management" is an HSE system developed in GASCO ASAB (UAE) and has been in application for more than two years now.

It is a live HSE system, in the way that it treats mainly the live threats which exist in the plant. A live threat is a risky situation which exists anywhere in the plant and is waiting to be converted to an incident. We know its presence, its location and its threat level.

In general a live threat is difficult to correct in the immediate stage, leaving us with an on-going live risk.

This HSE system focuses on the live threats, as opposed to other systems, which assess the potential threats or hazards which can be controlled or eliminated with proper and adequate controls.

The paper will describe: –The live threats.–The identification of live threats.–The "Live Threats Register".–The Risk-ranking of the threats.–Providing short-term and long-term solutions.–The "Threats register" Review.