bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk-Based Analysis and Engineering of Safe Distances Between Occupied Structures and Processing Equipment
Authors: Johnstone J. E. , Spangler M. D. , Heitzman C. S. , Wimberley G. A. , Flores A. R. 
Published: August 2015

Summary
Determining the optimal distance between explosive, flammable, and toxic hydrocarbon sources and occupied structures is a constant concern for engineers working to design safe facilities. Over the years, many incidents have occurred during which workers were injured or killed by flying shards of glass and debris, explosive forces, fire, or exposure to toxic gases when occupied structures were not located properly in relation to process equipment. This paper presents newly developed techniques to allow the engineer to locate occupied structures optimally to ensure that the risk of harm to personnel is minimized.
The analysis of determining the placement for an occupied structure involves many variables that the engineer must evaluate. These variables include the properties of the hydrocarbons that are being processed, toxic components (e.g., hydrogen sulfide), operating parameters, loss-of-containment scenarios, prevailing winds, occupancy loads, building construction, safety systems, and operating and maintenance practices. Each of these different variables can have a significant impact on where a building should be located within or adjacent to a facility. The engineer must consider these variables for impacts to the structure cause by fire, blast, or toxic-gas infiltration.
Recognized industry best practices and regulatory requirements require that blast loads, which commonly present the most-severe hazard to a building, be evaluated when locating an occupied structure. Often, it is not practical to design or locate a building to withstand the ’worst-case’ blast scenario. For this reason, a risk-based approach, in conformance with recognized best practices, has been developed to site buildings properly at oil and gas facilities.
This paper presents a viable risk-based approach for the siting of occupied structures at oil and gas facilities. The technique presented in the paper enables the engineer to gather the information needed for the analysis quickly, evaluate credible scenarios, and then make the necessary calculations to determine impacts to the occupants. The result of using this technique is that an occupied structure is located properly and constructed to reduce the risk of harm to the occupants to a tolerable level.
Challenges in a Multidisciplinary Approach for Explosion Design for Floating Facilities
Authors: Paris Laurent , Cahay Marc 
Published: August 2015

Summary
Floating-liquefied-natural-gas (FLNG) units have been under development for decades. They are now becoming a reality, combining the design and installation of liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) units with a traditional floating production, storage, and offloading facility. Because FLNG facilities handle large flammable-gas quantities in a relatively small and congested environment compared with onshore LNG plants, the explosion risk is expected to be higher than that for some other offshore floating facilities. As a consequence, the intensity of the resulting blast loads on the unit can be more severe, even if the likelihood of explosion in the design is considered to be low through frequency analysis.
Even if prevention and mitigation measures are implemented to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable, safety-critical elements (SCEs) such as main equipment and structures should be designed to withstand the blast event. Because the explosion events are very specific (high intensity and short duration), the common design rules and tools should be updated to take into account this accidental event. In addition, the associated performance criteria for SCEs should be modified. Finally, the entire design should comply with safety objectives (personnel protection, prevention of escalation).
This paper focuses on the philosophy of design against a blast event on floating facilities in general, but with a particular focus on FLNG units. It will review the critical functions of the unit that must be maintained during emergency evacuation to protect people and identify the key parameters governing the explosion strength on floating facilities. It will show that the derivation of effective explosion loads on structures and equipment on the basis of computational-fluid-dynamics simulations is not straightforward and requires expertise in explosion modeling and explosion response. The paper will also show how all the engineering disciplines in Technip individually apply these blast loads in their designs through nonlinear-finite-element analysis. Finally, the paper will highlight the interface between the engineering disciplines and how a consistent demonstration through the design can be achieved to fulfill the safety goals, taking engineering further.
Comparing prasugrel to twice daily clopidogrel post percutaneous coronary intervention in a Veterans Affairs population
Authors: Khatri Samreen , Pierce Tamra 
Published: August 2015

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to compare various antiplatelet regimens in patients who experienced increased platelet reactivity on clopidogrel therapy with regards to cardiovascular outcomes, including need for revascularization, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and cardiovascular (CV) death.

Methods
A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center and were subsequently prescribed either clopidogrel 75 mg twice daily, prasugrel 10 mg daily, or clopidogrel 75 mg daily with high platelet reactivity between October 1, 2009 and November 30, 2010. Correlations between antiplatelet regimens and prevention of cardiovascular outcomes and bleeding events were evaluated. Groups were evaluated statistically as two separate comparisons; the first comparison being clopidogrel twice daily versus prasugrel and the second comparison being clopidogrel twice daily versus clopidogrel daily in those patients with a P2Y12 test result of less than 50%.

Results
A total of 108 patients were included in the study. Eight events occurred in the clopidogrel twice daily group (n = 26), including five revascularizations and three MIs. Seven events occurred in the prasugrel group (n = 64), including two revascularizations, two MIs, two strokes, and one CV death. The difference between these groups was statistically significant (p = 0.031), with patients in the prasugrel group experiencing fewer events. Five events occurred in the clopidogrel daily group (n = 18), including one need for revascularization, two MIs, and two instances of CV death. There were no statistically significant differences in CV events between the clopidogrel twice daily group and clopidogrel daily group (p &gt; 0.999). There were also no statistically significant differences in bleeding incidents for either of the comparisons; p &gt; 0.999 and p = 0.676 respectively for the first and second comparisons.

Conclusion
Patients on prasugrel had fewer cardiovascular events as compared to patients on clopidogrel twice daily with no difference in bleeding events. No difference was seen with regards to cardiovascular or bleeding events when comparing clopidogrel twice daily to clopidogrel daily in patients with increased platelet reactivity. Study results suggest that there is no benefit to dosing clopidogrel twice daily when compared to either prasugrel or once daily clopidogrel dosing.
An ice-core record of Antarctic sea-ice extent in the southern Indian Ocean for the past 300 years
Authors: Xiao C. , Dou T. , Sneed S.B. , Li R. , Allison I. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe differing response of ice extent in the Arctic and Antarctic to global average temperature change, over approximately the last three decades, highlights the importance of reconstructing long-term sea-ice history. Here, using high-resolution ice-core records of methane-sulfonate (MS–) from the East Antarctic ice sheet in Princess Elizabeth Land, we reconstruct southern Indian Ocean sea-ice extent (SIE) for the sector 62–92° E for the period AD 1708–2000. Annual MS– concentration positively correlates in this sector with satellite-derived SIE for the period 1979–2000 (r2 = 0.25, P < 0.02). The 293 year MS– record of proxy SIE shows multi-decadal variations, with large decreases occurring in two warm intervals during the Little Ice Age, and during the 1940s. It is very likely that the global temperature is the controlling factor of Antarctic sea-ice variation at the centennial scale, although there has been a change in phase between them in recent decades.
Effect of glabridinon on insulin resistance, C-reactive protein and endothelial function in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Luan Bing-Guo , Sun Cai-Xia 
Published: August 2015

<p class="Abstract">In the present study 32 women with polycystic ovary syndrome were treated with glabridin (10 µM ) daily for 12 months. The results revealed a significant reduction in serum testosterone from 95.3 ± 23.6 to 49.8 ± 12.7 ng/dL and fasting insulin concentrations from 12.3 ± 5.2 to 8.11 ± 3.42 U/mL after glabridin treatment. It also leads to a marked improvement in insulin resistance indices and reduction in hirsutism score from 12.8 ± 3.2 to 7.0 ± 3.5. More interestingly, all the women reverted to regular menstrual cycles. The sex hormone-binding globulin level increased significantly from 23.1 ± 5.6 to 52.5 ± 15.8 nmol/L after glabridin treatment. The levels of serum hsCRP decreased from 0.32 ± 0.08 to 0.06 ± 0.01 mg/dL and that of endothelium-dependent vascular responses from 17.2 ± 4.3 to 8.8 ± 2.4% after glabridin treatment. Therefore, glabridin acts as a potent candidate for the improve-ment of insulin sensitivity and androgen production.</p><p> </p>
Variation in life‐history traits and their plasticities to elevational transplantation among seed families suggests potential for adaptative evolution of 15 tropical plant species to climate change
Authors: Ensslin Andreas , Fischer Markus 
Published: August 2015

• Premise of the study: Because not all plant species will be able to move in response to global warming, adaptive evolution matters largely for plant persistence. As prerequisites for adaptive evolution, genetic variation in and selection on phenotypic traits are needed, but these aspects have not been studied in tropical species. We studied how plants respond to transplantation to different elevations on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and whether there is quantitative genetic (among‐seed family) variation in and selection on life‐history traits and their phenotypic plasticity to the different environments.• Methods: We reciprocally transplanted seed families of 15 common tropical, herbaceous species of the montane and savanna vegetation zone at Mt. Kilimanjaro to a watered experimental garden in the montane (1450 m) and in the savanna (880 m) zone at the mountain's slope and measured performance, reproductive, and phenological traits.• Results: Plants generally performed worse in the savanna garden, indicating that the savanna climate was more stressful and thus that plants may suffer from future climate warming. We found significant quantitative genetic variation in all measured performance and reproductive traits in both gardens and for several measures of phenotypic plasticity in response to elevational transplantation. Moreover, we found positive selection on traits at low and intermediate trait values levelling to neutral or negative selection at high values.• Conclusions: We conclude that common plants at Mt. Kilimanjaro express quantitative genetic variation in fitness‐relevant traits and in their plasticities, suggesting potential to adapt evolutionarily to future climate warming and increased temperature variability.
The non‐native plant Rosa multiflora expresses shade avoidance traits under low light availability
Authors: Dlugos Daniel M. , Collins Hilary , Bartelme Elise M. , Drenovsky Rebecca E. 
Published: August 2015

• Premise of the study: Shade tolerance is a key trait promoting invasive plant performance in forest interiors. Rosa multiflora is a problematic invasive shrub in the northeastern United States, occurring in edge habitats and encroaching into forests. Our objective was to evaluate the shade tolerance of R. multiflora to assess how ecophysiological traits may facilitate its spread into forest interiors.• Methods: In the field, we documented shrub and seed bank density, fecundity, phenology, and seasonal photosynthetic rates of R. multiflora in contrasting light environments. In the greenhouse, we exposed seedlings to simulated canopy treatments by altering spectral quantity and quality, mimicking habitats ranging from open fields to forest interiors.• Key results: In the field, shrub density and fecundity of R. multiflora sharply increased with light availability. However, no differences were observed between forest edge and interior seed banks. Rosa multiflora initiated leaf growth earlier and retained leaves longer than canopy vegetation and tended to have higher photosynthetic rates in spring and fall. In the greenhouse, plants displayed shade‐avoidance traits, decreasing relative growth rate and reducing branching, while increasing elongation and showing no change in light response curve parameters.• Conclusions: In deciduous forest understories, R. multiflora appears to make use of a lengthened growing season in spring and fall, and therefore, substantial growth and spread through intact forests appears dependent on canopy gaps. Management should focus on reducing edge populations to reduce spread into the interior and on monitoring newly created canopy gaps.
CXCL9 Regulates TGF-β1–Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: O’Beirne Sarah L. , Walsh Sinead M. , Fabre Aurélie , Reviriego Carlota , Worrell Julie C. , Counihan Ian P. , Lumsden Robert V. , Cramton-Barnes Jennifer , Belperio John A. , Donnelly Seamas C. , Boylan Denise , Marchal-Sommé Joëlle , Kane Rosemary , Keane Michael P. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal cell transition (EMT), whereby fully differentiated epithelial cells transition to a mesenchymal phenotype, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). CXCR3 and its ligands are recognized to play a protective role in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the presence and extent of EMT and CXCR3 expression in human IPF surgical lung biopsies and assessed whether CXCR3 and its ligand CXCL9 modulate EMT in alveolar epithelial cells. Coexpression of the epithelial marker thyroid transcription factor-1 and the mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin and CXCR3 expression was examined by immunohistochemical staining of IPF surgical lung biopsies. Epithelial and mesenchymal marker expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence in human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells treated with TGF-β1 and CXCL9, with Smad2, Smad3, and Smad7 expression and cellular localization examined by Western blotting. We found that significantly more cells were undergoing EMT in fibrotic versus normal areas of lung in IPF surgical lung biopsy samples. CXCR3 was expressed by type II pneumocytes and fibroblasts in fibrotic areas in close proximity to cells undergoing EMT. In vitro, CXCL9 abrogated TGF-β1–induced EMT. A decrease in TGF-β1–induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 occurred with CXCL9 treatment. This was associated with increased shuttling of Smad7 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where it inhibits Smad phosphorylation. This suggests a role for EMT in the pathogenesis of IPF and provides a novel mechanism for the inhibitory effects of CXCL9 on TGF-β1–induced EMT.
B Cell–Specific MHC Class II Deletion Reveals Multiple Nonredundant Roles for B Cell Antigen Presentation in Murine Lupus
Authors: Giles Josephine R. , Kashgarian Michael , Koni Pandelakis A. , Shlomchik Mark J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractB cells have both Ab-dependent and Ab-independent functions in systemic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ab-independent functions are known to be important, because mice with B cells but no secreted Ig have severe disease. These functions could include roles in lymphoid development, cytokine secretion, and Ag presentation; however, these possibilities have not been directly tested in SLE models. In this study, we show by lineage-specific ablation of MHC class II (MHCII) that B cell Ag presentation plays a nonredundant role in CD4+ T cell activation and effector differentiation in the MRL.Faslpr mouse model of SLE. MHCII-mediated interactions between B and T cells further promote B cell proliferation and differentiation, and, in fact, inefficient MHCII deletion on B cells led to strong selection of escaped cells in activated and plasmablast compartments, further underscoring the central role of B cell Ag presentation. Despite the leakiness in the system, B cell–specific MHCII deletion resulted in substantially ameliorated clinical disease. Hence, B cell Ag presentation is critical for T and B cell activation and differentiation, as well as target organ damage.
MicroRNA-15/16 Antagonizes Myb To Control NK Cell Maturation
Authors: Sullivan Ryan P. , Leong Jeffrey W. , Schneider Stephanie E. , Ireland Aaron R. , Berrien-Elliott Melissa M. , Singh Anvita , Schappe Timothy , Jewell Brea A. , Sexl Veronika , Fehniger Todd A. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
NK cells develop in the bone marrow and complete their maturation in peripheral organs, but the molecular events controlling maturation are incompletely understood. The miR-15/16 family of microRNA regulates key cellular processes and is abundantly expressed in NK cells. In this study, we identify a critical role for miR-15/16 in the normal maturation of NK cells using a mouse model of NK-specific deletion, in which immature NK cells accumulate in the absence of miR-15/16. The transcription factor c-Myb (Myb) is expressed preferentially by immature NK cells, is a direct target of miR-15/16, and is increased in 15a/16-1 floxed knockout NK cells. Importantly, maturation of 15a/16-1 floxed knockout NK cells was rescued by Myb knockdown. Moreover, Myb overexpression in wild-type NK cells caused a defective NK cell maturation phenotype similar to deletion of miR-15/16, and Myb overexpression enforces an immature NK cell transcriptional profile. Thus, miR-15/16 regulation of Myb controls the NK cell maturation program.
Tactical destabilization for economic justice: the first phase of the 1984–2004 rhythm & blues royalty reform movement
Authors: Stahl Matt 
Published: August 2015

This article examines an early (1980s) phase in a two-decade effort towards ‘royalty reform’ in the US recording industry, whereby ageing African American rhythm & blues performers sought to redress systematic underpayment of record royalties. The record companies to which these performers had signed in the 1940s and 1950s had contractually obligated themselves to provide biannual statements of royalty accounts, and to pay artists record royalties, once initial costs had been recouped. Yet this is rarely how things turned out, and many performers found themselves broke and vulnerable as they reached retirement age, even though many of their records had remained in print and selling for decades.
Drawing conceptually on critical race theory and social science scholarship, and empirically on primary source and archival documents, the article outlines the 1950s recording industry's ‘racialized political economy’ and offers an account of singer Ruth Brown and attorney Howell Begle's innovative and successful effort to narrate a counter-history of fraudulent accounting practices and casual racism that helped pressure companies like Warner Communications, MCA and Capitol/EMI into forgiving old production debts, renegotiating 40-year-old contracts, and paying millions of dollars in restitution through the formation and funding of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation.
Human Capital Reorganizations and Market Performance: U.S. Firms
Authors: Anderson Anne , Cowan Everard J , Denning Karen C. 
Published: August 2015

This empirical examination of human capital reorganizations uses Standard and Poor’s large, mid and small cap firms and demonstrates that the typical market response is suggestive of what casual empiricism would suggest: firms undertake work force reductions in periods of poor performance. Though the average firm experiences negative price impacts, nearly half (45%) do not. Firm size and technological intensity matter in impacting the negative abnormal results. Bankruptcy potential and financial distress do not appear to be significant indicators. The peace dividend following the Cold War (1992-1997), white collar outsourcing (1995-2009) and the savings and loan crash (1985-1995) have a dampening effect on the market response to layoffs and other human capital restructurings. Regulatory change and changes in foreign competition have a minor impact. During business cycle downturns our sample has a smaller response to layoff announcements. Offshoring and financing changes intensify the market effect whereas asset changes have a positive impact. Changes in business focus and changes in technology seem to have no impact on the market response to layoffs decisions.
Electrostatically Designing Materials and Interfaces
Authors: Zojer Egbert 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCollective electrostatic effects arise from the superposition of electrostatic potentials of periodically arranged (di)polar entities and are known to crucially impact the electronic structures of hybrid interfaces. Here, it is discussed, how they can be used outside the beaten paths of materials design for realizing systems with advanced and sometimes unprecedented properties. The versatility of the approach is demonstrated by applying electrostatic design not only to metal‐organic interfaces and adsorbed (complex) monolayers, but also to inter‐layer interfaces in van der Waals heterostructures, to polar metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), and to the cylindrical pores of covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The presented design ideas are straightforward to simulate and especially for metal‐organic interfaces also their experimental implementation has been amply demonstrated. For van der Waals heterostructures, the needed building blocks are available, while the required assembly approaches are just being developed. Conversely, for MOFs the necessary growth techniques exist, but more work on advanced linker molecules is required. Finally, COF structures exist that contain pores decorated with polar groups, but the electrostatic impact of these groups has been largely ignored so far. All this suggest that the dawn of the age of electrostatic design is currently experienced with potential breakthroughs lying ahead.