bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short-duration Stellar Flares in GALEX Data
Authors: Brasseur C. E. , Osten Rachel A. , Fleming Scott W. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We report on a population of short-duration near-ultraviolet (NUV) flares in stars observed by the Kepler and Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) missions. We analyzed the NUV light curves of 34,276 stars observed from 2009 to 2013 by both the GALEX (NUV) and Kepler (optical) space missions with the eventual goal of investigating multiwavelength flares. From the GALEX data, we constructed light curves with a 10 s cadence, and we ultimately detected 1904 short-duration flares on 1021 stars. The vast majority (94.5%) of these flares have durations less than 5 minutes, with flare flux enhancements above the quiescent flux level ranging from 1.5 to 1700. The flaring stars are primarily solar-like, with T
eff ranging from 3000 to 11,000 K and radii between 0.5 and 15 R
⊙. This set of flaring stars is almost entirely distinct from that of previous flare surveys of Kepler data and indicates a previously undetected collection of small flares contained within the Kepler sample. The range in flare energies spans 1.8 × 1032–8.9 × 1037 erg, with associated relative errors spanning 2%–87%. The flare frequency distribution by energy follows a power law with index α = 1.72 ± 0.05, consistent with results of other solar and stellar flare studies at a range of wavelengths. This supports the idea that the NUV flares we observed are governed by the same physical processes present in solar and optical flares. The relationship between flare duration and associated flare energy extends results found for solar and stellar white-light flares, and suggests that these flares originate in regions with magnetic field strengths of several hundred Gauss, and length scales of the order of 1010 cm.
Disintegrating Inbound Long-period Comet C/2019 J2
Authors: Jewitt David , Luu Jane 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
We present observations of the disintegrating long-period comet C/2019 J2 (Palomar), taken to determine the nature of the object and the cause of its demise. The data are consistent with the break-up of a sub-kilometer nucleus into a debris cloud of mass ∼109 kg, peaking on UT 2019 May 24 ± 12. This is ∼56 days before perihelion and at a heliocentric distance of ∼1.9 au. We consider potential mechanisms of disintegration. Tidal disruption is ruled out, because the comet has not passed within the Roche sphere of any planet. Impact disruption is implausible, because the comet orbit is highly inclined (inclination 105.°1) and disruption occurred far above the ecliptic, where asteroids are rare. The back pressure generated by sublimation (0.02–0.4 N m−2) is orders of magnitude smaller than the reported compressive strength (30–150 N m−2) of cometary material and, therefore, is of no importance. The depletion of volatiles by sublimation occurs too slowly to render the nucleus inactive on the timescale of infall. However, we find that the e-folding timescale for spin-up of the nucleus by the action of sublimation torques is shorter than the infall time, provided that the nucleus radius is r

n
< 0.4 km. Thus, the disintegration of C/2019 J2 is tentatively interpreted as the rotational disruption of a sub-kilometer nucleus caused by outgassing torques.
Sahel : soubassements d’un désastre
Authors: Antil Alain 
Published: September 2019

Économies atones peu créatrices d’emplois, croissances démographiques vigoureuses, aides internationales souvent considérées comme des rentes, appareils de sécurité incapables de sécuriser les espaces nationaux, et surtout de protéger les populations : les États du Sahel sont-ils en train de perdre la main sur leurs propres espaces intérieurs ? La déroute des systèmes militaires, judiciaires et éducatifs n’autorise que peu d’optimisme sur l’avenir de ces pays, et de l’insécurité qui y grandit.
Sustainability assessment of sludge and biogas management in wastewater treatment plants using the LCA technique
Authors: Amaral Karina Guedes Cubas do , Aisse Miguel Mansur , Possetti Gustavo Rafael Collere 
Published: September 2019

Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASBs) used in sewage treatment generate two useful byproducts: sludge and biogas. This study evaluated the sustainability of four different scenarios for the treatment and final destination of biological sludge and biogas in a medium-sized wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in South Brazil. At this plant, the sludge is sanitized by Prolonged Alkaline Stabilization and applied to agriculture (base scenario). Scenario 1 is about biogas use to dry sludge, which is taken to be used in agriculture. In Scenarios 2 and 3 the heat of the sludge burning is used for drying and sanitation. Finally, in Scenario 3 the ashes are destined to landfills. An environmental impact assessment was performed through life-cycle assessment using the ReCiPe 2016 evaluation method. Social life-cycle assessment indicators, adapted and developed for WWTPs, were used for social assessment. Economic assessment was performed through the analysis of life-cycle costs. The dashboard of sustainability (DoS) method was used for global assessment of sustainability. For overall sustainability assessment, Scenario 1 had the highest score (678 points) (best scenario) in the DoS. The environmental dimension was what facilitated this scenario. For this dimension, the following indicators presented the highest points when compared to the other scenarios: soil acidification, ozone formation, terrestrial ecosystem. The base scenario had the lowest score (worst case scenario) (375 points).
Control of Relative Market Power in Competition Law
Authors: Glöckner Jochen 
Published: September 2019

Control of Relative Market Power in Competition Law. An Instrument to Implement the Unfair Trading Practices Directive?
On April 2019 the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain has entered into force. In particular the remedies that the Member States are supposed to offer seem to be designed after the blueprint of competition law enforcement, and the practices deemed “unfair” in this Directive are closely related to abusive practices under Article 102 TFEU. While such practices are typically based on an economic dependence, no dominant position as required by Article 102 TFEU will be found. So, the question is whether an expansion of the scope of control of unilateral conduct under competition law might be the way to implement the Directive.Germany has a long-standing tradition with respect to the expansion of the scope of control of abusive conduct to undertakings with less than a dominant position. Following a brief introduction that outlines the contents of the Directive (I.) this contribution is going to give a picture of the provisions on control of so-called “relative market power”, i.e. a position of independence not versus all competitors and the opposite market side as defined by the ECJ, but only in the relation to individual trading partners under German competition law (II.), and finish with an outline of the structural problems that might stand in the way of implementing the new rules with a simple application or amendment of the competition law provisions on relative market power (III.)
Organic facies variability and paleoenvironmental interpretation of the Early Toarcian of the Pyrenean Basin: the Bizanet and the Pont de Suert sections
Authors: Fonseca Carolina , Mendonça Filho João Graciano , Lézin Carine , Duarte Luís Vítor , Fauré Philippe 
Published: September 2019

The Early Toarcian is characterized by major worldwide environmental changes recorded in an organic-rich black shale sedimentation and carbon cycle disturbances, the so-called Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) (e.g. Jenkyns, 2010). This organic-rich sedimentation is particularly recorded in shallow marine epicontinental basins that developed as part of the Toarcian European epicontinental shelf, paleogeographical framework in which the Pyrenean Basin is incorporated (e.g. Fonseca et al., 2018; McArthur et al., 2008). With these premises, the main objective of this study is to assess the organic facies variability and to define the depositional paleoenvironments of two sections from the Pyrenean Basin (Bizanet and Pont de Suert) during the T-OAE, using palynofacies and geochemical (Total Organic Carbon - TOC and insoluble residue - IR) data. The Pyrenean tectonics that occurred between the latest Cretaceous and the Oligocene, deformed, detached and fragmented the substrate resulting in diverse tectonic units (Faure, 2002). The late Pliensbachian-early Toarcian of the Pont de Suert section, located in the South Pyrenean zone, is characterized by the limestone dominated Barre a Pecten Formation (Fm.), and the carbonate and/or argillaceous-carbonate alternation of its three members (alternations of marl and argillaceous limestone of the Calcaires argileux à Spirifèrines Member (Mb.), the argillaceous limestones and marls of the Calcaires argileux et marnes à Soaresirhynchia Mb., and the marl and argillaceous limestone dominated Calcaires argileux à Telothyris Mb.; Faure, 2002). The Bizanet section is located in the eastern Corbières, and is characterized by a 3m thick succession of late Pliensbachian-early Toarcian sediments comprising, at the base, the limestone dominated Barre a Pecten Fm., followed by a sedimentary gap dated to the Tenuicostatum Chronozone, topped by the marly dominated succession of the Bizanet Fm. (black ferruginous marls intercalated with limestones and topped by dolomitic limestones of the Schistes carton Mb., and the black marls of the Argilites noires litées Mb.; Faure, 2002). The geochemical results evidenced that the Bizanet section presents higher TOC contents than the Pont de Suert section, with values reaching 2.03 wt.%. In the Bizanet section IR ranges between 12 wt.% and 82 wt.% and in the Pont de Suert section varies from 13wt.% to 67 wt.%, displaying a similar average value for the two sections (45 wt.%). The palynofacies assemblage is dominated in both sections by the same components, belonging to the Phylum Cnidaria, Class Hydrozoa and Order Hydroida, and are represented by fragments of colonial and non-colonial sessile polypoid forms and free-swimming medusoid forms, with different degrees of amorphization.
(This abstract has been truncated, please see the complete PDF version)
No-till System as an Alternative for Soil Conservation Aiming at Sustainability in Tobacco Production
Authors: Bolzan Felipe Tascheto , Meneghetti Camila Bisognin , Michelon Cleudson José , Streck Carlos Arnoldo 
Published: September 2019

Aims: Tobacco cultivation is important in the income composition of family farmers. The use of soil cover plants is a practice that plays an important role in keeping the soil covered and reducing the effects of water erosion and improving the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of using different species for soil covering preceding the production of tobacco in the no-tillage system.
Place and Duration of Study: Two experiments were conducted in Jaguari-RS, in the years 2015 and 2016.
Methodology: The treatments were different species of soil cover crops, preceding the cultivation of tobacco (nicotine tabacum) as described: Black oat (Avena strigosa); Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.); Consortium of Black Oat + vetch and white lupine (Albus L.). For both experiments, the experimental units consisted of plots of 3.5 x 3 m, comprising an area of 10.5 m2. The plant growth, production of the dry mass and decomposition of crop residues, of the cover crops, as well as weed infestation and tobacco yield were evaluated.
Results: Among the winter cover crops, black oats and white lupine stood out, as they showed fast growth and higher dry mass production, resulting in higher tobacco yield. These cover crops showed the most promising, combining the benefits to soil conservation and the sustainability of the production system.
Conclusion: In this study it was observed that the treatments with cover crops that presented the highest dry mass production were the same ones that provided the highest tobacco yield, making it possible to affirm that there is a positive relation between the production of the dry mass of precedent crop with tobacco yield.
Introduction
Authors: Baselski Vickie S. , Weissfeld Alice S. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Laboratories are subject to a wide array of regulatory compliance issues, including those impacting laboratory test performance, those related to laboratory safety, and those relating to privacy, security, and integrity of health information. Most hospital laboratories generally performed services for their own inpatients and occasionally for affiliated outpatients, and tests were billed according to a formula established by the business office. This chapter seeks to provide guidance on developing a laboratory program to ensure that reimbursement practices are compliant with payor rules and regulations. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) interprets statutes and regulations and issues these interpretations through a variety of official documents. CMS is responsible for establishing payment amounts for clinical diagnostic laboratory services on the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule. A key component of the billing compliance process is attention to correct coding.
Wound Cultures
Authors: Bryson Alexandra L. , Doern Christopher D. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
A wide variety of microorganisms that reside on the skin and mucous membranes of the body, as well as those found in the environment, can cause skin and soft tissue infections. These organisms enter the body through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, through wounds made by trauma or bites (exogenous) or as a complication of surgery or foreign‐body implants (endogenous), or they can be spread to the tissues through the vascular system. Acute wound infections are normally caused by external damage to intact skin, such as that produced during surgery or by trauma and bites. Conversely, chronic infections, such as decubitus or foot and leg ulcers, are normally due to complications related to impaired vascular flow or metabolic disease. Quantitative wound cultures are primarily used as research tools and only in unique circumstances for patient care. Tissues from acute wounds are the specimen types that may be used for quantitative microbiological analysis.
Identification of Gram‐Positive Bacteria
Authors: Bernard Kathryn 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Unlike in the case of Gram‐negative bacilli, it can be difficult to definitively identify Gram‐positive cocci and bacilli to the genus and species levels. Gram‐positive bacilli have been difficult to identify because pathogens have to be discerned from hundreds of validly named species that are found in the environment or are part of the normal microbiota of the human body, including the skin, mucosal membranes, oropharynx, and genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts, and the taxonomy of such agents is both evolving and being augmented. For species‐level identification of viridans group streptococci, enterococci, and corynebacteria, commercial kits are often easier to perform than standard tube biochemical tests, but both approaches have limitations in accuracy. Because of the lack of unique colony morphologies for many Gram‐positive microorganisms, the Gram stain must be performed on isolates for identification. Gram‐variable microorganisms are considered Gram positive.
Processing Specimens for Anaerobic Culture
Authors: Morris Trefor E. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This chapter presents the procedure for processing specimens for anaerobic culture. This procedure describes the steps for processing a specimen for anaerobic culture once received within the laboratory. The overarching aim is to complete these steps within the shortest possible timeframe so that there is no loss of organism viability. Ideally, all processing should take place within an anaerobic chamber, as this allows all stages to occur within an anaerobic environment. All specimens should be examined macroscopically (visually), with reference made to any significant characteristics, and microscopically via Gram stain. The procedure includes the steps, such as visual examination, microscopic examination via Gram stain, specimen preparation, inoculation of media, and incubation.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Blood Cultures
Authors: Martinez Raquel M. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Because of the impact on patient care, blood cultures are considered among the most important microbiology tests performed. Quality control (QC) begins with acquiring a blood culture instrument and associated blood culture media, then verifying and validating the performance for clinical use. Like QC, quality assurance (QA) programs are essential to ensure accurate and reliable results. For blood cultures to perform as intended, specific preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical criteria must be met. The volume of blood collected for culture is the most critical of all the quality benchmarks, as it is the most significant factor impacting culture positivity. The analytical QA metrics specific to blood cultures, such as percent contamination and percent positivity, are directly impacted by the preanalytical variables including fill volume and the number of bottles submitted. Higher rates of contamination are associated with certain specimen types, such as line draws, lower‐extremity venipuncture, and arterial puncture.
Staining, Culture, and Identification Methods for Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteria Recovered from Positive Blood Cultures
Authors: Hilt Evann E. , Jean Sophonie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Use of continuously monitored blood culture systems reduces the time to detection of bacteremia and candidemia and reduces contamination rates compared to manual methods. Ideally, processing of positive blood cultures for subculture and Gram stain with immediate reporting of Gram stain results should be performed around the clock, 24/7. Blood culture contamination is associated with negative patient outcomes and significant cost. Culture procedures for positive blood cultures should focus on rapid identification of true pathogens. If multitarget molecular panels are not available, laboratories may use a variety of rapid biochemical testing methods for presumptive identification and reporting, followed by confirmatory testing on recovered isolates. Additionally, laboratories may utilize matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry for rapid identification directly from positive blood culture bottles. Rapid, presumptive identification of true pathogens, particularly those with infection control risks, should be prioritized.
Diagnosis of Catheter‐Related Bloodstream Infection: Differential‐Time‐To‐Positivity Cultures and Catheter Tip Cultures
Authors: Miller Steve 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This chapter lists the most common types of vascular and hemodialysis access catheters used for patient care that the laboratory may encounter. Clinical policy should instruct physicians to submit peripheral blood cultures and either paired cultures from the catheter lumen or removed catheter segments to the laboratory for diagnosis of suspected catheter‐related bloodstream infection. Several methods have been used to diagnose catheter‐related sepsis. The submission of differential‐time‐to‐positivity cultures, consisting of two sets of blood cultures, is the preferred method to diagnose catheter‐related bacteremia and does not require removal of the catheter. For diagnosis after the catheter has been removed, semiquantitative cultures are more reliable than qualitative catheter tip cultures. The chapter focuses on the specimen collection, transport, and handling, materials, quality control, interpretation, reporting results and limitations of procedure.
Disk Diffusion from Positive Blood Culture
Authors: Kahlmeter Gunnar , Campeau Shelley 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Methodologies from the CLSI and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) for performing disk diffusion directly from positive blood culture broth are based on standard disk diffusion, but with significant modifications to one or more of the following: inoculum, incubation times, reading instructions, and breakpoints. This procedure provides information for performing both the CLSI direct disk diffusion test and the EUCAST rapid antimicrobial susceptibility test (RAST) methods. For both CLSI and EUCAST, the identification of the genus and/or species, depending on which method is used, must be known before interpreting results, since breakpoints apply to specified organisms or organism groups. Positive blood culture broth with
Enterobacterales
or
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, within 0 to 18 h after blood culture has signaled positive. Positive bottles should be processed promptly, but if not, they should remain in the instrument until ready to proceed with the RAST method.
Gradient Diffusion Tests
Authors: Dwivedi Hari P. , Brocco Fabio , Matuschek Erika 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
A standardized inoculum of bacteria is swabbed onto the surface of a low‐thymine‐thymidine‐concentration, cation‐adjusted Mueller‐Hinton agar plate, in accordance with the ISO 16782 standard. Gradient diffusion test strips, i.e., strips containing a continuous gradient of antimicrobial concentrations, are placed on the agar surface. After overnight incubation, an elliptical zone of inhibition forms as the antimicrobial agent inhibits growth. The MIC is read where growth intersects the gradient test strip. MICs can be interpreted in categories based on the breakpoints established by breakpoint‐establishing agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the CLSI, or the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). The gradient test strips are commercial antimicrobial gradient products and are not specifically addressed in CLSI or EUCAST standards. The CLSI does acknowledge FDA‐cleared antimicrobial gradient tests that perform comparably to CLSI reference methods as acceptable for use in clinical laboratories.
Detection of VRSA, VISA, and Vancomycin‐Heteroresistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(hVISA)
Authors: Morrisette Taylor , Rybak Michael J. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Vancomycin‐resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(VRSA) and vancomycin‐intermediate
S. aureus
(VISA) can be detected using routine broth microdilution methods (BMD); the vancomycin agar screen test is another available method. Detection of VISA and VRSA isolates should preferentially be performed by BMD, agar dilution, or gradient diffusion methods. The detection of vancomycin heteroresistance in
S. aureus
(hVISA) is challenging and labor‐intensive, and it is complicated in the clinical realm by a lack of routine screening procedures. The presence of hVISA in clinical specimens has been associated with vancomycin treatment failures in some studies, but this is poorly validated clinically. The PAP‐AUC ratio is considered the gold standard method for detection of hVISA. The chapter covers proper quality control principles for analytical tests. With postanalytical considerations, it provides attention to common test limitations, interpretive challenges, and results reporting.