bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Learning in Resource Play Asessment: An Integrated Approach for Decision Support
Authors: Stabell Charles
Published: September 2012

Traditional stochastic modeling efforts for exploration project assessment start from a model that incorporates estimates of uncertainties and risks and then simulates how the company (decision subject) acts as the risks and uncertainties are resolved (outcomes revealed). In resource play assessment the model also often includes learning of the experience curve (learning-bydoing) type: there is a model component that specifies how uncertain well costs and uncertain drilling durations are reduced as a function of the cumulative number of wells that have been drilled.

This paper presents a framework for assessment of recovered resources and economic value that also models statistical learning. The framework includes an explicit model of how prior uncertainties are transformed into posterior uncertainties and simulates decisions that are based on the posterior uncertainties -- and not on full certainty. The learning application is shale gas resource play assessment and the learning is linked to pilot production. The work follows up on earlier work (Haskett & Brown, 2005) that recognizes that analogs used to define well performance provide an envelope (a population) of well curves. The new integrated analytics presented in this paper use the pilot production to constrain the prior distribution and make decisions based on the resulting posterior well performance (EUR/well) curves. Modeling learning provides a basis for a more realistic simulation that captures not only the potential for more or less effective decisions, but also can be used to assess the value of information. Application is illustrated with an assessment that is used to support the decision to enter a shale gas resource play.
Assessment of Probabilistic Parameters for Barnett Shale Recoverable Volumes
Authors: Ezisi Ibegbuna B. , Hale Brent W. , Watson Marshall C. , Heinze Lloyd
Published: September 2012

The Barnett shale is a renowned Resource play and one of the most developed in North America with enormous hydrocarbon potential located in the Fort Worth basin of North Central Texas. It is currently the largest producing natural gas field in the United States, averaging 5.5 Bcf/d and cumulative production of 9 Tcf as at the end of 2010. However, in spite of its success, it is difficult to predict well performance and reserves with certainty largely due to geological complexity and completion type. Thus, it is common to see wells in the same producing interval exhibiting large differences in producing rates and estimated ultimate recoveries (EUR).

Peak monthly rate (PMR) has been found to be quite useful by some operators in predicting gas reserves because of its favorable correlation with EUR. In this paper, 2,932 Horizontal gas wells were sampled from the top six producing counties in the area and analyzed to confirm if peak month rate can be a good predictor of gas reserves by determining its correlation with EUR. Also, the P10/P90 ratios were assessed for both EUR and PMR. P10/P90 ratios have been found useful in measuring uncertainty in performance and were used extensively in this work to analyze and compare performance of wells across the six counties studied. In addition, P10/P90 ratios can be an indicator of proper population size for use in probabilistic analysis with the given data set. Most of the counties proved to have an ample data set for probabilistic use.

Since geological complexity and completion efficiency are common features affecting performance in resource play reservoirs, several parameters such as: Reservoir depth, Gross thickness, BTU content and Lateral length were reviewed and analyzed with respect to its effect on performance in the Barnett shale.
Comparison of Hydraulic Fracture Fluids in Multi-stage Fracture Stimulated Horizontal Wells in the Pembina Cardium Formation
Authors: Klein Meghan , Kenealey Glen , Makowecki Brad
Published: September 2012

Tight oil plays in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin have recently seen a significant increase in activity through advances in horizontal drilling and fracturing technology. The Cardium Formation in the Pembina field of Alberta, Canada is one such play, with approximately 454 new multi-stage fracture stimulated horizontal wells rig released in 2011. Within the Pembina field there are significant geological variations, which are highlighted by the range of oil production rates and profiles seen throughout the field.

This paper provides a review of the Cardium Formation in the Pembina field, including comparisons of the technical and economic results of the different multi-stage fracture fluids within each specific geographical region and a comparison of the results between the geographical regions.

In general, reservoir quality and oil production from the eastern region of the Pembina field is poorer than oil production from the central and western regions, and therefore the economics of costly completion techniques are unfavourable in the East. Water foam hydraulic fracture fluid yields the highest reserves and value in Central and East Pembina whereas slickwater hydraulic fracture fluid results in the highest reserves and value in West Pembina.

By increasing the understanding of the different approaches that are currently being used and the results, the industry can select the appropriate technique for completing new wells in the Cardium and other similar tight oil plays world-wide.
Management Decision Matrix for Shale Gas Projects in Europe
Authors: Hausberger O. , Högn L. A. , Soliman K.
Published: September 2012

On the today's global market it is an important issue to have an adapted management system, due to the fast change of beliefs in social communities and politics. In the last few years a significant change in E&P business could be recognized from conventional sources to unconventional ones. With this extensive change the degree of resistance and possible problems for E&P companies increase, especially in Europe.

To realize an unconventional project in Europe, like shale gas, it is very important to adjust the project management to the given situation. There is a lot of resistance and fear from the population in Europe against shale gas projects, which is somehow unfounded.

To maintain a high acceptance of the communities and governments, the emphasis lies on the adaption of this operation.

The projects have to be operated in a more sustainable way. Observation of economic and technical issues is important, but the management has to look further beyond. To account for the overall sustainability, two further levels have to be considered, especially in shale gas projects. Ecological and social aspects for unconventional projects have to be introduced and interconnected in a higher degree compared to conventional projects in the oil and gas industry.

This paper introduces a 3D matrix, where the three major points of sustainability are imbedded into a workflow chart of a shale gas project. The matrix should act as a sort of subsidiary to the management of a shale gas project in Europe.
Reserves Booking in Upstream Fiscal Systems Hampered by Inconsistency
Authors: Demirmen F.
Published: September 2012

Lack of consistency has long hampered reserves booking in upstream fiscal systems, in particular in foreign jurisdictions. This is notwithstanding the fact that US oil companies derive a major portion of their earnings from foreign operations. The root cause is ambiguity in reporting standards that leave much room for interpretation. There are currently no clear guidelines issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for recognition of reserves in different fiscal systems. Oil companies use their own interpretation to book reserves from across the spectrum of fiscal settings. Some of the reserves reported appear to be overstated.

Separate from inconsistency, reserves that are currently reported from foreign operations may bear little relation to what the investment community generally perceives as reserves. Investors need better transparency and better comparability.

Criteria currently used for booking reserves in the industry rely on contingencies devised by the US accounting organization Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in 1977. The SEC has not unified these contingencies into a coherent set of standards. SEC's 2008 "Modernization" left this subject untouched.

This paper will address problems in the current reserves recognition practices, in particular in foreign jurisdictions, and propose revised guidelines aimed to bring transparency and consistency in reserves recognition. We will also provide relevant formulation. A key criterion for reserves recognition under the proposed scheme is ownership in kind, as allowed by the host government. We exclude from consideration reserves corresponding to taxes as well as volumes converted from revenue received from a foreign government. We simplify royalty treatment and discourage the working interest method. The author hopes that the paper will stimulate further discussion on the subject and prompt the SEC to issue clarifying guidance. A second aim is to align the reported reserves with the expectation of investors.
Improving the Annual Reserves/Audit Process Through the Use of Citrix and Web-Based Applications
Authors: Six Cameron , Faucher Arthur , Helwerda Harry
Published: September 2012

As companies are increasingly challenged by oil and gas reserve disclosure and corporate governance requirements, it takes more internal and external resources to be compliant. This paper outlines a secure Citrix and web based process which has been used for over 5 years that significantly improves access to data, communication, work product quality, transparency, efficiency, and thus, the cost of an annual reserves or audit requirement. The most significant process change is that the reserve database is hosted by the E&P company with the independent consultant acting as the administrator through secure Citrix access. The process utilizes industry available software processes that allow the independent consultant and E&P company staff, in different parts of the world, to see the work product in 24/7, resulting in workflow and cost efficiencies related to data and/or interpretation issues. In addition to the final report, the reserve database and technical/financial models are also available to the E&P Company for internal business decisions and updating during the year which improves the external process for the following year-end. There are a number of opportunities to improve the Citrix and web based process which will also be discussed.
Gas Transmission Market: New Trends around the World
Authors: Riveros Gina Vega
Published: September 2012

The perception of natural gas today is radically different from what it was 10 years ago. Years ago, the natural gas was perceived as a noble fuel, reserved for premium uses. Today, it is used in a variety of sectors and applications and is experiencing significant growth as a fuel for electricity generation.

During the years 1990–1997, twenty six countries around the world introduced the participation of private capital in the natural gas transmission. The major participation of private capital has been located in Latin America and Caribbean countries. Argentina, Peru and Colombia have undertaken the most ambitious privatization efforts. Mexico expects its gas demand to more than double, with about half the gas used in power generation.

The expected expansion of the North American gas market will require considerable investment in new pipeline capacity from more distant resources. In North America, the gas demand growth is strong, in special in the power generation sector. Major pipeline expansions between Canada and the United States have been completed.

The gas transmission in Europe has been focused on the privatization of existing assets, which are property of the state. Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and United Kingdom have been working to transmit and sell gas to regional distributors receiving individual tariffs for it. It is known as vertical integration. Italy is one of the countries with greater profits received. Different kinds of alliances and joint ventures have been observed during the last years.

The gas transmission in Eat Asia countries such as the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Thailand is still a business reserved for the public sector. In Indonesia and Philippines, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, the private gas transmission has been limited to Greenfield projects.

During the next 20–40 years, the natural gas will play a substantial role in Russian exports. Statistical Review from World Energy 2012 reported that Russia has about 44.6 trillion cubic metres (TCM) of natural gas in proved reserves, which are the largest in the world. About a third of natural gas exports might be destined to Asia region from Russia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Australia.

The gas demand will develop differently from one world region to another in function of the size of gas reserves, their distance from the markets, the maturity of markets and of the competition from other energy sources.
Slow Orthodontic Teeth Extrusion to Enhance Hard and Soft Periodontal Tissue Quality before Implant Positioning in Aesthetic Area
Authors: Maiorana C , Speroni S , Herford A S , Cicciù M
Published: September 2012

Approaching bone defects of jaws treatments, hard and soft tissue augmentation could be considered as a goal for clinicians when performing dental implant placement. The increase in patients who want cosmetic treatment puts practitioners in an awkward position when choosing the best therapy to obtain the most desirable results.

A private dentist referred a young patient to the Department of Implantology in Milan in order to place implants in the upper jaw. Radiographic evaluation of the two upper anterior incisors confirmed that the teeth had a poor prognosis The anterior ridge volume was clinically analyzed and several therapeutic choices were evaluated. Rapid extractions and immediate implant positioning were not considered due to the vertical and horizontal components of the bone defect. Therefore, the surgical team decided on increasing the bone volume by using slow orthodontic teeth extrusion technique.

After 3 months of orthodontic treatment, the angular intra-bony defects of 1.1 tooth was completely healed. Implant guided positioning, associated with a small bone graft, showed optimal results at the time of healing screw placement. The soft tissue conditioning was obtained by a provisional acrylic crown. The final application of two integral ceramic crowns showed excellent aesthetic results. Radiographic investigation at a 24 month follow-up confirmed the integration of the dental implants and the recovery of the bone defects.

Several safe surgical techniques are available today for reconstructing atrophic jaws. However, the same technique applied on the posterior area did not give the same predictable results as in the anterior areas of the jaw.
Fra problematicità e fattualità. Il Dio “Elementare” di Franz Rosenzweig
Authors: Ciglia Paolo
Published: September 2012

Il saggio si propone di analizzare criticamente la particolare comprensione
di Dio che Rosenzweig elabora nel Libro Primo della Parte Prima del suo
capolavoro filosofico, vale a dire, La Stella della Redenzione. Il Dio di
cui si parla nel testo rosenzweighiano esaminato ? il Dio mitico della
tradizione greca. Esso costituisce la condizione ?elementare? necessaria,
ma non sufficiente, sulla quale potr? poi fondarsi il ben pi? complesso e
articolato Dio della rivelazione biblica. Il Dio mitico presenta un profilo
estremamente dinamico, contrassegnato da due polarit? in tensione - la sua
stessa natura e la sua libert? - chegli conferiscono una straordinaria
vitalit?. La libert? divina e la natura divina, nel passaggio dal Dio mitico
al Dio rivelato, produrranno, attraverso una complessa trasfigurazione del
loro assetto polare originario, rispettivamente, da un lato, la creazione
del mondo, e dall?altro, la relazione d?amore che lo stesso Dio rivelato
intratterr? con l?uomo.
Propheten des Mitleids: Herman Cohens Mitleidsbegriff als Tor zum Stern der Erlösung
Authors: Palmer Gesine
Published: September 2012

The German-Jewish philosophers Hermann Cohen and Franz Rosenzweig, have -
both in their own ways - produced systems of philosophy at a time that was
supposed to be the time after systems. With their respective systems they -
both in their own ways - transcended the apologetic stance of Jewish thought
by placing the Jewishness of their thinking at a methodologically central
point for ?general philosophy.? However, the link between Cohen?s system and
the Star of Redemption, is hard to find. Looking back from the perspective of
a ?return of religion? in late twentieth century, the essay proposes to see
the link between both systems in Cohen?s notion of compassion.
Seeking more than health: Using medicine for enhancement
Authors: Gligorov Nada
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this essay is to examine some of the ethical concerns raised
regarding the use of neuroenhancers. Authors such as Fukuyama and Sandel
argue that medical intervention should be limited to treatment of disease,
and that enhancement should be outside of the scope of medicine. This
commentary will examine the distinction between treatment and enhancement. I
shall conclude that it is not a well-drawn distinction and should not be used
to provide guidance with regards to the use of psychopharmacological agents
for the purpose of cognitive enhancement. I shall further examine whether
concepts such as disability and normality could provide a criterion for
determining whether enhancement is a permissible use of medical intervention.
I conclude that as those concepts are contextually defined, they cannot be
used to make principled arguments against enhancement. Finally, I shall
review the charge that medicalization of cognitive performance enhancers is
not morally permissible. I shall argue that medicalization might have both
negative and positive consequences, and decisions about the moral
permissibility of medicalization should be made on a case-by-case basis.
Integration of cognitive and moral enhancement
Authors: Rakic Vojin
Published: September 2012

I will discuss four major perspectives on cognitive enhancement and morality:
1) cognitive enhancement is morally impermissible because humans are not
supposed to alter what God has ordained or nature has shaped; 2) cognitive
enhancement is our moral duty, because a cognitively upgraded human is a
better human; 3) cognitive enhancement is morally permissible only if it is
preceded by moral enhancement; 4) cognitive enhancement is morally
permissible only if it is a means to moral enhancement. I shall argue that
the first three perspectives are less cogent than the fourth. The fourth
perspective integrates cognitive and moral enhancement into one whole. I will
denote it by (C+M) E.
The perils of moral enhancement
Authors: Dobrijevic Aleksandar
Published: September 2012

The idea of biotechnological enhancement of people for non-medical purposes
is not unambiguous. A gap that may arise between the ?cognitive? and
so-called ?moral? enhancement points precisely to this fact. This article
shows that, contrary to the intentions of its supporters, the idea according
to which moral enhancement has precedence over cognitive enhancement is
essentially just a new form of undermining human freedom.
The better human, the better than human: Limits of enhancement
Authors: Krstic Predrag
Published: September 2012

Using the representations of science, fiction and science fiction, this
article attempts to sketch out a certain line of development in the history
of representation of the enhanced human. First it was thought that chemicals
could temporarily or permanently improve his natural abilities, then
artificial substitutes, inserts and accessories dominated the vision of his
improvement. The most recent possibility announced is the fundamental
morphological transformation of his biological composition into a completely
unrecognizable, amorphous ?entity? capable of taking any form. This
trajectory of ?improvement? of human capacities could be regarded as a
gradual advancement in the realization of the pledge of traditional humanism:
that man is special precisely for being able to become anything he chooses.
Siberia on Russian mental maps: The imperial and national space
Authors: Subotic Milan
Published: September 2012

Starting from the theoretical problem of understanding the nation-building
process within continental empires, this paper investigates the various
meanings of ?Siberia? in the Russian imperial and national imagination.
Analyzing discursive practices that create various representations of the
geographical space, this study shows the changes in Russian perceptions of
Siberia from the ?alien? space and the ?colony?, to an unalienable part of
the national territory (?Russian land? or ?homeland?). Tracing the creation
of ?Russianness? of Siberia, the author interprets this concept as a part of
broader debates about ?Russian identity? and the relationship between
?European? and ?Asiatic? Russia. Therefore, the principal aim of the present
study is to examine one of the most important aspects of the process
Russia?s transformation from imperial to a ?nationalizing State?.
Supporting local economic development by infrastructure debt financing in the Republic of Serbia
Authors: Filipovic Milorad , Njegovan Zoran
Published: September 2012

The main goal of this paper is to establish grounds for a more efficient
development of local communities taking into consideration their entire
former development characterized by a pronounced polarization and territorial
inequality of development exhibited among them in extreme proportions. In
view of the insufficient and inadequate decentralization performed without a
specific concept in the past, the authors aim to analyze the state of the
local infrastructure within the framework of territorial organization offered
by the latest regulations, as well as estimate the goals set in the last
couple of years by the support programs related to the development of local
infrastructure provided by the international institutions. The authors have a
similar goal in that sense to provide sufficient argumentation for a quality
distribution of local infrastructure and, accordingly, more efficient local
development as a prerequisite for a more uniform regional development,
especially in rural areas.
Belgrade as European Capital of Culture: Conceptual conjunction
Authors: Volic Ivana , Bajic Luka , Radenkovic-Sosic Bojana
Published: September 2012

The paper treated the question of cultural policy in the context of Belgrade
event ?European Capital of Culture? (ECOC). In accordance with the current
nomination for the title of cultural capital of Europe 2020 there are
frequent media and political statements about contribution to the
socio-economic development of the city and its positioning as an
international cultural center. Also, it is assumed that this project can be a
strategic tool in creating a new model of cultural policy of the city, with
regard to the proposed objectives which coincide with the primary aims of his
cultural development. Taking into account studies that represent the effects
of the event ?European Capital of Culture? in cities that carried the title
in previous years, the paper seeks to highlight the perceived problems and to
propose a possible solution in the form of ?cultural planning? which
represents holistic and flexible understanding of cultural and urban policy.
Such an understanding encompasses the sphere of art, economic, political,
social, educational and environmental sphere of the city and seeks a
sustainable and comprehensive model based on local identity and character of
the city, based on the participatory planning.
Efficiency characteristics of a new quasi-constant volume combustion spark ignition engine
Authors: Doric Jovan , Klinar Ivan
Published: September 2012

A zero dimensional model has been used to investigate the combustion
performance of a four cylinder petrol engine with unconventional piston
motion. The main feature of this new spark ignition (SI) engine concept is
the realization of quasi-constant volume (QCV) during combustion process.
Presented mechanism is designed to obtain a specific motion law which
provides better fuel consumption of internal combustion (IC) engines. These
advantages over standard engine are achieved through synthesis of
unconventional piston mechanism. The numerical calculation was performed for
several cases of different piston mechanism parameters, compression ratio and
engine speed. Calculated efficiency and power diagrams are plotted and
compared with performance of ordinary SI engine. The results show that
combustion during quasi-constant volume has significant impact on improvement
of efficiency. The main aim of this paper is to find a proper kinematics
parameter of unconventional piston mechanism for most efficient heat addition
in SI engines.
Death, Revelry, and "Thysia"
Authors: Peirce Sarah
Published: September 2012

Much recent scholarship on "thysia" sees the meaning and function of the rite for the ancient Greeks to stem partly or largely from the beliefs and emotions surrounding the slaughter of the victim. Scholars have proposed that the Greeks experienced fear and awe when they killed animals for food, and that the source of these feelings was a perception of the slaughter of liverstock as akin to murder. This paper considers evidence for the ancient Greek experience of the rite of "thysia", with the ultimate aim of shedding light on current theories of sacrifice. My source is the extensive system of imagery of "thysia" in Attic vase-painting. I view this imagery not as a series of illustrations of the way "thysia" was performed but rather as a map of the way it was conceptualized. Analyzed in this way, the iconography of "thysia" yields information on the degree to which "thysia" was identified with slaughter, and on the emotions inspired by the rite. The visual terms of definition of "thysia" in this repertory are not slaughter and burnt offerings but rather edible animals and the preparation of meat in the context of feasts and festivals. The semantic range of this imagery is the basis for conclusions about the emotional connotations of "thysia". The depiction of slaughter and of unwilling victims may be associated with the iconography of revelry and appears in some scenes to be the focus of humor. Most significant are the employment of "thysia" in the depiction of victory and the development of several important scene types of "thysia" as subsets of the iconography of Dionysian symposion and kōmos. In these contexts, the imagery of "thysia" appears as a visual metaphor denoting joy and celebration.
Understanding Foreign Exchange Risk: An Instructional Simulation Exercise
Authors: van der Laan Smith Joyce A.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents an instructional exercise designed to promote the learning of foreign exchange risk and accounting for foreign currency transactions. To promote critical thinking skills, the exercise uses an unstructured problem-solving format. I use the United Kingdom (U.K.) MONOPOLY™ board game to simulate a U.S. company investing in London real estate. Students conduct all transactions, on account, in British Pounds (GBP), maintain journals in U.S. dollars (USD), and prepare financial statements at game-end in USD. The instructor sets the exchange rate at the beginning of the game, changes it mid-game, and then offers a forward contract. The instructor alters the exchange rate again at the end of the game. Students perceived the exercise as effective in understanding foreign exchange risk and in learning the accounting for foreign currency transactions. Content analysis of students' responses about the exercise reveals that the most frequently used words in the comments were “fun” and “learn.”
An Alternative Use of Horticultural Crops: Stressed Plants as Biofactories of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Jacobo-Velázquez Daniel A. , Cisneros-Zevallos Luis
Published: September 2012

Plants subjected to abiotic stresses synthesize secondary metabolites with potential application in the functional foods, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agrochemical markets. This approach can be extended to horticultural crops. This review describes previous reports regarding the effect of different postharvest abiotic stresses on the accumulation of phenolic compounds. Likewise, the physiological basis for the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds as an abiotic stress response is described. The information presented herein would be useful for growers and the fresh produce market which are interested in finding alternative uses for their crops, especially for those not meeting quality standards and thus are considered as waste.
Bivariate Rainfall and Runoff Analysis Using Entropy and Copula Theories
Authors: Zhang Lan , Singh Vijay P.
Published: September 2012

Multivariate hydrologic frequency analysis has been widely studied using: (1) commonly known joint distributions or copula functions with the assumption of univariate variables being independently identically distributed (I.I.D.) random variables; or (2) directly applying the entropy theory-based framework. However, for the I.I.D. univariate random variable assumption, the univariate variable may be considered as independently distributed, but it may not be identically distributed; and secondly, the commonly applied Pearson’s coefficient of correlation (g) is not able to capture the nonlinear dependence structure that usually exists. Thus, this study attempts to combine the copula theory with the entropy theory for bivariate rainfall and runoff analysis. The entropy theory is applied to derive the univariate rainfall and runoff distributions. It permits the incorporation of given or known information, codified in the form of constraints and results in a universal solution of univariate probability distributions. The copula theory is applied to determine the joint rainfall-runoff distribution. Application of the copula theory results in: (i) the detection of the nonlinear dependence between the correlated random variables-rainfall and runoff, and (ii) capturing the tail dependence for risk analysis through joint return period and conditional return period of rainfall and runoff. The methodology is validated using annual daily maximum rainfall and the corresponding daily runoff (discharge) data collected from watersheds near Riesel, Texas (small agricultural experimental watersheds) and Cuyahoga River watershed, Ohio.
Energy and Exergy Analysis and Optimization of Combined Heat and Power Systems. Comparison of Various Systems
Authors: Feidt Michel , Costea Monica
Published: September 2012

The paper presents a comparison of various CHP system configurations, such as Vapour Turbine, Gas Turbine, Internal Combustion Engine, External Combustion Engine (Stirling, Ericsson), when different thermodynamic criteria are considered, namely the first law efficiency and exergy efficiency. Thermodynamic optimization of these systems is performed intending to maximize the exergy, when various practical related constraints (imposed mechanical useful energy, imposed heat demand, imposed heat to power ratio) or main physical limitations (limited heat availability, maximum system temperature allowed, thermo-mechanical constraints) are taken into account. A sensitivity analysis to model parameters is given. The results have shown that the various added constraints were useful for the design allowing to precise the influence of the model main parameters on the system design. Future perspective of the work and recommendations are stated.
Several Lipid-Related Gene Polymorphisms Interact with Overweight/Obesity to Modulate Blood Pressure Levels
Authors: Yin Rui-Xing , Wu Dong-Feng , Aung Lynn Htet Htet , Yan Ting-Ting , Cao Xiao-Li , Long Xing-Jiang , Miao Lin , Liu Wan-Ying , Zhang Lin , Li Meng
Published: September 2012

Little is known about the interactions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and overweight/obesity on blood pressure levels. The present study was undertaken to detect 10 lipid-related gene SNPs and their interactions with overweight/obesity on blood pressure levels. Genotyping of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA-1) V825I, acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT-1) rs1044925, low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) AvaII hepatic lipase gene (LIPC) −250G > A, endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) 584C > T, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C > T, the E3 ubiquitin ligase myosin regulatory light chain-interacting protein (MYLIP) rs3757354, proprotein convertase subtilisin-like kexin type 9 (PCSK9) E670G, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) +294T > C, and Scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SCARB1) rs5888 was performed in 978 normal weight and 751 overweight/obese subjects. The interactions were detected by factorial regression analysis. The genotypes of ACAT-1 AC, LIPC GA and AA, and SCARB1 TT; LDL-R A-A- and LIPC GA; and SCARB1 TT were interacted with overweight/obesity to increase systolic, diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and pulse pressure (PP) levels; respectively. The genotypes of ACAT-1 CC; ACAT-1 AA and CC were interacted with overweight/obesity to decrease SBP, PP levels (p < 0.01–0.001); respectively. The differences in blood pressure levels between normal weight and overweight/obese subjects might partly result from different interactions of several SNPs and overweight/obesity.
Microsatellite Markers for the Chameleon Grasshopper (Kosciuscola tristis) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), an Australian Alpine Specialist
Authors: Umbers Kate D. L. , Dennison Siobhan , Manahan Czarina A. , Blondin Laurence , Pagés Christine , Risterucci Ange-Marie , Chapuis Marie-Pierre
Published: September 2012

A set of polymorphic loci was characterised using an enrichment library for the Australian alpine specialist, the chameleon grasshopper (Kosciuscola tristis), an atypical grasshopper known for its remarkable temperature-controlled colour change. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 20 and observed heterozygosity from 0.16 to 0.76. These are the first microsatellite markers for a non-endangered Australian alpine animal and will inform questions of gene flow across the sky islands of this unique and threatened region.
Behavior of Plain Concrete of a High Water-Cement Ratio after Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Authors: Shang Huai-Shuai , Yi Ting-Hua , Song Yu-Pu
Published: September 2012

An experimental study of plain concrete specimens of water-cement ratio 0.55, subjected to 0, 15, 25, 40, 50 and 75 cycles of freeze-thaw was completed. The dynamic modulus of elasticity (DME), weight loss, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, cleavage strength and stress-strain relationships of plain concrete specimens suffering from freeze-thaw cycles were measured. The experimental results showed that the strength decreased as the freeze-thaw cycles were repeated. A concise mathematic formula between DME, weight loss, mechanical properties and number of freeze-thaw cycles was also established. The influences of freeze-thaw cycles on the DME, weight loss and mechanical properties were analyzed. The experimental results serve as a reference for the maintenance, design and life prediction of dams, hydraulic structures, offshore structures, concrete roads and bridges in cold regions.
Hyperpolarized Xenon Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of Building Stone Materials
Authors: Mauri Michele , Simonutti Roberto
Published: September 2012

We have investigated several building stone materials, including minerals and rocks, using continuous flow hyperpolarized xenon (CF-HP) NMR spectroscopy to probe the surface composition and porosity. Chemical shift and line width values are consistent with petrographic information. Rare upfield shifts were measured and attributed to the presence of transition metal cations on the surface. The evolution of freshly cleaved rocks exposed to the atmosphere was also characterized. The CF-HP 129Xe NMR technique is non-destructive and it could complement currently used techniques, like porosimetry and microscopy, providing additional information on the chemical nature of the rock surface and its evolution.
Application of HPLC-NMR in the Identification of Plocamenone and Isoplocamenone from the Marine Red Alga Plocamium angustum
Authors: Timmers Michael Anthony , Dias Daniel Anthony , Urban Sylvia
Published: September 2012

A combination of on-line HPLC-NMR and off-line chemical investigations has resulted in the identification of the previously reported polyhalogenated monoterpene plocamenone, together with the new structural analogue isoplocamenone from the crude extract of the marine alga Plocamium angustum. On-flow and stop-flow HPLC-NMR analyses (including the acquisition of WET 2D NMR spectra) rapidly assisted in the identification of the major component plocamenone and in the partial identification of its unstable double bond isomer isoplocamenone. Conventional off-line isolation and structural characterization techniques were employed to unequivocally confirm both structures, leading to a structural revision for plocamenone, as well as to obtain sufficient quantities for biological testing.
Briacavatolides D–F, New Briaranes from the Taiwanese Octocoral Briareum excavatum
Authors: Wang Shang-Kwei , Yeh Tsun-Tai , Duh Chang-Yih
Published: September 2012

In the continued search for novel bioactive substances from the Taiwanese octocoral Briareum excavatum collected at Orchid Island, three new briarane-type diterpenoids, briacavatolides D–F (1–3) were isolated from the acetone extract. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic analysis and physical data. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity of 1–3 and their cytotoxicity against selected cancer cell lines were evaluated.
A Topological Characterization of Medium-Dependent Essential Metabolic Reactions
Authors: Sonnenschein Nikolaus , Marr Carsten , Hütt Marc-Thorsten
Published: September 2012

Metabolism has frequently been analyzed from a network perspective. A major question is how network properties correlate with biological features like growth rates, flux patterns and enzyme essentiality. Using methods from graph theory as well as established topological categories of metabolic systems, we analyze the essentiality of metabolic reactions depending on the growth medium and identify the topological footprint of these reactions. We find that the typical topological context of a medium-dependent essential reaction is systematically different from that of a globally essential reaction. In particular, we observe systematic differences in the distribution of medium-dependent essential reactions across three-node subgraphs (the network motif signature of medium-dependent essential reactions) compared to globally essential or globally redundant reactions. In this way, we provide evidence that the analysis of metabolic systems on the few-node subgraph scale is meaningful for explaining dynamic patterns. This topological characterization of medium-dependent essentiality provides a better understanding of the interplay between reaction deletions and environmental conditions.
Mapping Vegetation Density in a Heterogeneous River Floodplain Ecosystem Using Pointable CHRIS/PROBA Data
Authors: Verrelst Jochem , Romijn Erika , Kooistra Lammert
Published: September 2012

River floodplains in the Netherlands serve as water storage areas, while they also have the function of nature rehabilitation areas. Floodplain vegetation is therefore subject to natural processes of vegetation succession. At the same time, vegetation encroachment obstructs the water flow into the floodplains and increases the flood risk for the hinterland. Spaceborne pointable imaging spectroscopy has the potential to quantify vegetation density on the basis of leaf area index (LAI) from a desired view zenith angle. In this respect, hyperspectral pointable CHRIS data were linked to the ray tracing canopy reflectance model FLIGHT to retrieve vegetation density estimates over a heterogeneous river floodplain. FLIGHT enables simulating top-of-canopy reflectance of vegetated surfaces either in turbid (e.g., grasslands) or in 3D (e.g., forests) mode. By inverting FLIGHT against CHRIS data, LAI was computed for three main classified vegetation types, ‘herbaceous’, ‘shrubs’ and ‘forest’, and for the CHRIS view zenith angles in nadir, backward (−36°) and forward (+36°) scatter direction. The −36° direction showed most LAI variability within the vegetation types and was best validated, closely followed by the nadir direction. The +36° direction led to poorest LAI retrievals. The class-based inversion process has been implemented into a GUI toolbox which would enable the river manager to generate LAI maps in a semiautomatic way.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I Down-Regulation by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Negative Factor (HIV-1 Nef): What Might We Learn From Natural Sequence Variants?
Authors: Mwimanzi Philip , Markle Tristan J. , Ueno Takamasa , Brockman Mark A.
Published: September 2012

HIV-1 causes a chronic infection in humans that is characterized by high plasma viremia, progressive loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes, and severe immunodeficiency resulting in opportunistic disease and AIDS. Viral persistence is mediated in part by the ability of the Nef protein to down-regulate HLA molecules on the infected cell surface, thereby allowing HIV-1 to evade recognition by antiviral CD8+ T lymphocytes. Extensive research has been conducted on Nef to determine protein domains that are required for its immune evasion activities and to identify critical cellular co-factors, and our mechanistic understanding of this process is becoming more complete. This review highlights our current knowledge of Nef-mediated HLA class I down-regulation and places this work in the context of naturally occurring sequence variation in this protein. We argue that efforts to fully understand the critical role of Nef for HIV-1 pathogenesis will require greater analysis of patient-derived sequences to elucidate subtle differences in immune evasion activity that may alter clinical outcome.
Diversity of Dicotyledenous-Infecting Geminiviruses and Their Associated DNA Molecules in Southern Africa, Including the South-West Indian Ocean Islands
Authors: Rey Marie E. C. , Ndunguru Joseph , Berrie Leigh C. , Paximadis Maria , Berry Shaun , Cossa Nurbibi , Nuaila Valter N. , Mabasa Kenneth G. , Abraham Natasha , Rybicki Edward P. , Martin Darren , Pietersen Gerhard , Esterhuizen Lindy L.
Published: September 2012

The family Geminiviridae comprises a group of plant-infecting circular ssDNA viruses that severely constrain agricultural production throughout the temperate regions of the world, and are a particularly serious threat to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. While geminiviruses exhibit considerable diversity in terms of their nucleotide sequences, genome structures, host ranges and insect vectors, the best characterised and economically most important of these viruses are those in the genus Begomovirus. Whereas begomoviruses are generally considered to be either monopartite (one ssDNA component) or bipartite (two circular ssDNA components called DNA-A and DNA-B), many apparently monopartite begomoviruses are associated with additional subviral ssDNA satellite components, called alpha- (DNA-as) or betasatellites (DNA-βs). Additionally, subgenomic molecules, also known as defective interfering (DIs) DNAs that are usually derived from the parent helper virus through deletions of parts of its genome, are also associated with bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses. The past three decades have witnessed the emergence and diversification of various new begomoviral species and associated DI DNAs, in southern Africa, East Africa, and proximal Indian Ocean islands, which today threaten important vegetable and commercial crops such as, tobacco, cassava, tomato, sweet potato, and beans. This review aims to describe what is known about these viruses and their impacts on sustainable production in this sensitive region of the world.
PepGMV Rep-Protein Expression in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Chapa-Oliver Angela María , Mejía-Teniente Laura , García-Gasca Teresa , Guevara-Gonzalez Ramon Gerardo , Torres-Pacheco Irineo
Published: September 2012

The Geminiviruses genome is a small, single strand DNA that replicates in the plant cell nucleus. Analogous to animal DNA viruses, Geminiviruses depend on the host replication machinery to amplify their genomes and only supply the factors required to initiate their replication. Consequently, Geminiviruses remove the cell-cycle arrest and induce the host replication machinery using an endocycle process. They encode proteins, such as the conserved replication-associated proteins (Rep) that interact with retinoblastoma-like proteins in plants and alter the cell division cycle in yeasts. Therefore, the aim of this work is to analyze the impact of Pepper Golden Mosaic Virus (PepGMV) Rep protein in mammalian cells. Results indicate that the pTracer-SV40:Rep construction obtained in this work can be used to analyze the Rep protein effect in mammalian cells in order to compare the cell cycle regulation mechanisms in plants and animals.
Off-label use of atomoxetine in adults: is it safe?
Authors: Dadashova Rana , Silverstone Peter H.
Published: September 2012

Atomoxetine has been approved for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in both adults and children. However, it is also being examined for several off-label uses in adults including mood disorders, eating disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and the treatment of addictions. Prior to such use it is important to examine the reported adverse events to see if this represents an appropriate level of risk. This is particularly important in the light of recent warnings from several regulatory bodies about an increase in blood pressure in a significant percentage of patients taking atomoxetine. To understand the risks a literature review was performed, and which identified the following potential problems. The first is that this drug should not be given in patients with known cardiovascular problems, and that all adult patients who receive atomoxetine should be monitored for changes in blood pressure throughout treatment. Secondly, there are several clinical situations in which atomoxetine should be closely monitored, or avoided, including patients who have a history or risk of narrow angle glaucoma, epileptic seizures, Tourette's syndrome, a history of urinary outflow obstruction, or who are pregnant or lactating. In conclusion, the current literature suggests that atomoxetine can be safely used off-label provided the above precautions are taken.