bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air emissions associated with decommissioning California's offshore oil and gas platforms
Authors: Cantle Peter , Bernstein Brock 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The 27 oil and gas platforms offshore southern California are nearing the end of their productive lives and will be decommissioned in the near future. Many are in deep water and are correspondingly large, with the largest, Harmony, in 1200 feet of water and weighing approximately 43 000 tons. Nearly 30% of California's platforms are in water depths that exceed those of any previous decommissioning project anywhere in the world. Decommissioning will involve the operation of diesel-powered heavy equipment for long periods in virtually all phases of the operation (e.g, at the platform, in transit to and from the platform, in port, at offloading, salvage, and recycling facilities) in a region where air quality is a crucial concern for state, federal, and local regulatory agencies, as well as the public. To support future decision making about the choice between decommissioning options, we consider potential air emissions generated under complete and partial (removal to 85 feet below water line) removal options. We describe major emissions categories, and the environmental and human health issues associated with each, and examine how the regulatory system would operate in specific projects. We then describe methods to estimate emissions for a worst-case example involving the largest platform, Harmony. We estimate that complete versus partial removal of Harmony would result, respectively, in 600 or 89 tons of NOx, 50 or 7 tons of carbon monoxide, 29 400 or 4400 tons of CO2, 21 or 3 tons of PM10, and 20 or 3 tons of PM2.5. Complete removal of Harmony's jacket and topsides creates approximately 6.75 times more air pollution than partial removal down to 85 feet below the sea surface. We discuss how the Harmony estimate can be used as a baseline to roughly estimate emissions from decommissioning other platforms, using expected time on station for the major categories of decommissioning equipment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;X:000–000. © 2015 SETAC
Key Points
The majority of air pollution emissions from platform decommissioning will result from diesel engine combustion during the removal and salvage process. Total air pollution emissions during partial or complete removal varies based on the number of days diesel engines are used. Using the interactive decision model PLATFORM, complete removal of the largest oil platform off the California coast, ExxonMobil's Harmony, would result in an estimated 6.75 times more air pollution than partial removal 85 ft below the sea surface. Complete versus partial removal of Harmony would result, respectively, in 600 or 89 tons of NOx, 50 or 7 tons of carbon monoxide, 29,400 or 4,400 tons of CO2, 21 or 3 tons of PM10, and 20 or 3 tons of PM2.5.
A costing model for offshore decommissioning in California
Authors: Bressler Andrew , Bernstein Brock B 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
California's 27 offshore oil and gas platforms will reach the end of their useful lifetimes sometime in the near future and will require decommissioning. Although existing leases require complete removal of all platforms and associated infrastructure, the underlying laws and regulations have changed in recent years to allow a number of alternative uses after decommissioning. In particular, AB 2503, signed into law in September 2010, provides for a rigs-to-reefs program that allows the state to accept ownership of decommissioned platforms in federal waters. Decisions about whether to remove platforms completely or leave them in place as artificial reefs will depend in part on the relative cost of the 2 options. In this study, we describe the design and use of a mathematical decision model that provides detailed cost estimates of complete and partial removal (to 85 feet below the water line) for California's offshore platforms. The model, PLATFORM, is loaded with Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) costs for complete removal, along with costs for partial removal calculated for this study and estimates of the uncertainty associated with decommissioning cost estimates. PLATFORM allows users to define a wide range of decommissioning and costing scenarios (e.g., number of platforms, choice of heavy lift vessel, shell mound removal, reef enhancement). As a benchmark cost, complete removal of all 27 offshore platforms, grouped into the 7 decommissioning projects defined by the most recent federal cost estimates produced in 2010, would cost an estimated $1.09 billion, whereas partial removal of these platforms, grouped into the same set of projects, would cost $478 million, with avoided costs of $616 million (with minor rounding). Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;X:000–000. © 2015 SETAC
Key Points
PLATFORM is an interactive decision model that uses options and suboptions to calculate oil and gas platform decommissioning costs, for complete and partial decommissioning scenarios. PLATFORM allows users to explore a wide range of decommissioning and costing scenarios, as well as providing preprogrammed features that allow detailed examination of how uncertainty may affect analysis results. Using PLATFORM, complete removal of all 27 offshore platforms as proposed would cost an estimated $1.09 billion, while partial removal of these platforms would cost $478 million, with avoided costs of about $616 million. Using PLATFORM to estimate costs for 3 illustrative scenarios, the cost savings of the partial removal option for decommissioning was found to be substantial for larger platforms when compared to complete removal.
Evaluating alternatives for decommissioning California's offshore oil and gas platforms
Authors: Bernstein Brock B 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This paper introduces a series of 6 additional papers in this issue that describe an in-depth analysis of options for decommissioning oil and gas platforms offshore southern California. Although current leases require lessees in both state and federal waters to completely remove all production facilities and restore the seafloor to its pre-platform condition, other options have emerged since these leases were signed. Laws and regulations in other jurisdictions (particularly in federal waters) have evolved to allow a number of other uses such as aquaculture, alternative energy production, and artificial reefing. In response, the California Natural Resources Agency initiated an effort to investigate the issues associated with these and other decommissioning alternatives. The papers in this series are the result of the second phase in this process, a broad investigation of the engineering, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of the most feasible and likely options. In addition to the project's final report, the authors produced an interactive mathematical decision model, PLATFORM, that enables users to explore the implications of different decommissioning projects and options, as well as the effects of different approaches to valuing the associated costs and benefits. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;X:000–000. © 2015 SETAC
Key Points
This article introduces the papers in this series analyzing options for decommissioning the 27 oil and gas platforms off the coast of Southern California, in both state and federal waters. Current leases require lessees in both state and federal water to completely decommission all platform facilities and restore the seafloor to preproduction conditions. Since platform leases were signed, additional decommissioning options have become available including artificial reefs, aquaculture, and alternative reefing, resulting in subsequent changes in laws and regulations.
Rivastigmine for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson disease: A placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Mamikonyan Eugenia , Xie Sharon X. , Melvin Emilie , Weintraub Daniel 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson's disease (PD) may be associated with subtle functional impairment and worse quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of rivastigmine for PD‐MCI. Patients with PD‐MCI (n = 28) were enrolled in a 24‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover, single‐site study of the rivastigmine transdermal patch. The primary outcome measure was the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study—Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS‐CGIC). Secondary outcomes included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Dementia Rating Scale‐2 (DRS‐2), Neurotrax computerized cognitive battery, the Everyday Cognition Battery (ECB), and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐8). Twenty‐six participants (92.9%) completed both study phase assessments, and 23 (82.1%) completed both phases on study medication. The CGIC response rate demonstrated a trend effect in favor of rivastigmine (regression coefficient for interaction term in linear mixed‐effects model = 0.44, F[df] = 3.01 [1, 24], P = 0.096). For secondary outcomes, a significant rivastigmine effect on the ECB (regression coefficient = –2.41, F[df] = 5.81 [1, 22.05], P = 0.03) was seen, but no treatment effect was found on any cognitive measures. Trend effects also occurred in favor of rivastigmine on the PDQ‐8 (regression coefficient = 4.55, F[df] = 3.93 [1, 14. 79], P = 0.09) and the State Anxiety Inventory (regression coefficient = –1.24, F[df] = 3.17 [1, 33], P = 0.08). Rivastigmine in PD‐MCI showed a trend effect for improvements on a global rating of cognition, disease‐related health status, and anxiety severity, and significant improvement on a performance‐based measure of cognitive abilities. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Accurate genetic diagnosis of Finnish pulmonary arterial hypertension patients using oligonucleotide‐selective sequencing
Authors: Vattulainen Sanna , Aho Joonas , Salmenperä Pertteli , Bruce Siina , Tallila Jonna , Gentile Massimiliano , Sankelo Marja , Laitinen Tarja , Koskenvuo Juha W. , Alastalo Tero‐Pekka , Myllykangas Samuel 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe genetic basis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) among Finnish PAH patients is poorly understood. We adopted a novel‐targeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approach called Oligonucleotide‐Selective Sequencing (OS‐Seq) and developed a custom data analysis and interpretation pipeline to identify pathogenic base substitutions, insertions, and deletions in seven genes associated with PAH (BMPR2, BMPR1B, ACVRL1, ENG, SMAD9, CAV1, and KCNK3) from Finnish PAH patients. This study represents the first clinical study with OS‐Seq technology on patients suffering from a rare genetic disorder. We analyzed DNA samples from 21 Finnish PAH patients, whose BMPR2 and ACVRL1 mutation status had been previously studied using Sanger sequencing. Our sequencing panel covered 100% of the targeted base pairs with >15× sequencing depth. Pathogenic base substitutions were identified in the BMPR2 gene in 29% of the Finnish PAH cases. Two of the pathogenic variant‐positive patients had been previously tested negative using Sanger sequencing. No clinically significant variants were identified in the six other PAH genes. Our study validates the use of targeted OS‐Seq for genetic diagnostics of PAH and revealed pathogenic variants that had been previously missed using Sanger sequencing.
Comparison of the effects of five dietary fibers on mucosal transcriptional profiles, and luminal microbiota composition and SCFA concentrations in murine colon
Authors: Lange Katja , Hugenholtz Floor , Jonathan Melliana C. , Schols Henk A , Kleerebezem Michiel , Smidt Hauke , Müller Michael , Hooiveld Guido J. E. J. 
Published: April 2015

ScopeThe aim of our study was to investigate and compare the effects of five fibers on the mucosal transcriptome, together with alterations in the luminal microbiota composition and SCFA concentrations in the colon.Methods and resultsMice were fed fibers that differed in carbohydrate composition or a control diet for 10 days. Colonic gene expression profiles and luminal microbiota composition were determined by microarray techniques, and integrated using multivariate statistics. Our data showed a distinct reaction of the host and microbiota to resistant starch, a fiber that was not completely fermented in the colon, whereas the other fibers induced similar responses on gene expression and microbiota. Consistent associations were revealed between fiber‐induced enrichment of Clostridium cluster IV and XIVa representatives, and changes in mucosal expression of genes related to energy metabolism. The nuclear receptor PPAR‐γ was predicted to be an important regulator of the mucosal responses.ConclusionResults of this exploratory study suggest that despite different sources and composition, fermentable fibers induce a highly similar mucosal response that may at least be partially governed by PPAR‐γ.
Distribution of serum transferrin, and its associations with metabolic disorders among Chinese: A nation‐wide, health and nutrition survey
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Qiang , Wu He , Meng Ran , Du Shufa , Tao Shu‐Juan 
Published: April 2015

ScopeThis study examined the associations of serum transferrin and metabolic disorders among Chinese population.Methods and resultsThis study is based on nation‐wide, population‐based China Health and Nutrition survey including 8564 men and women aged 18 years or older. Anthropometric and fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipids, and transferrin data were collected. Elevated transferrin concentrations associated with higher body mass index, waist circumference, lipids, insulin, glucose (all p < 0.0001). Serum transferrin concentrations increased gradually with increasing numbers of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components among men and women (p = 0.0003). Elevated concentrations of transferrin were significantly related with higher risk of MetS (p = 0.0006), obesity (p = 0.0089), overweight (p < 0.0001). No associations between transferrin concentrations and risk of diabetes and high blood pressure were observed in both men and women.ConclusionElevated transferrin concentrations were positively associated with risk of MetS and obesity, but not with risk of diabetes among Chinese.
Mortality in myasthenia gravis: A nationwide population–based follow‐up study in Denmark
Authors: Hansen Julie S. , Danielsen Ditte H. , Somnier Finn E. , Frøslev Trine , Jakobsen Johannes , Johnsen Søren P. , Andersen Henning 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In previous studies of myasthenia gravis (MG), increased mortality has been reported. The aim of this study was to estimate mortality in patients with acetylcholine receptor antibody–positive (AChR‐Ab–seropositive) MG in a nationwide population–based, long‐term follow‐up study. Methods: All AChR‐Ab–seropositive MG patients, diagnosed between 1985 and 2005, were identified. Defined by age at diagnosis (≤50 or >50 years), patients were classified as having early‐ or late‐onset MG. For comparison, 10 non‐MG individuals from the general population were matched with each patient. All patients and controls were followed until January 1, 2009. Mortality rates and estimated mortality rate ratios (MRRs) were calculated. Results: Of 702 AChR‐Ab–seropositive MG patients, 302 died during follow‐up. Overall mortality was higher for patients with MG (MRR = 1.41, range 1.24–1.60). In late‐onset women and men, the MRRs were 1.64 (1.36–1.99) and 1.22 (1.02–1.46), respectively. Total MRR was highest during the first 5 years after diagnosis. Conclusions: MG diagnosis is still associated with increased mortality. Muscle Nerve 53: 73–77, 2016
Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Nurses in the Early Implementation Phase of California's Safe Patient Handling Legislation
Authors: Lee Soo‐Jeong , Lee Joung Hee , Gershon Robyn R. M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMusculoskeletal injuries and symptoms are prevalent in nurses and are largely associated with strenuous patient handling. In 2011, California enacted legislation that required acute‐care hospitals to implement safe patient handling (SPH) policies and programs. To assess the early phase of this legislation, we conducted an epidemiological assessment of organizational SPH practices, musculoskeletal symptoms, and perceptions in a random sample of 396 registered nurses. Among those who worked in hospitals and had patient handling duties (n = 220), the 12 month prevalence of work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms was 69% (lower back 54%, neck 41%, shoulders 34%, and hands/wrists 26%). Twenty‐two percent of the nurses reported that their hospitals had a “no‐lift” policy, 37% reported that their hospitals had lift teams, and 61% reported the availability of mechanical lift equipment such as floor or ceiling lifts. Nurses whose facilities employed lift teams were significantly less likely to report low back pain (OR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.30–0.97]). Nurses whose units had ceiling lifts were significantly less likely to report shoulder pain than nurses with no access to lifts (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.10–0.98]). Roughly 60% of respondents were aware of the SPH law, and 33% reported changes in their hospital's patient handling policies or programs since the law went into effect. Hospital SPH practices reported by the nurses in our sample were generally sub‐optimal, but our findings suggest positive effects of elements required by SPH legislation. These data will serve as the baseline for future evaluation of the impact of this law in California. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acute phase proteins altered in the plasma of patients with congenital ventricular septal defect
Authors: Zhang Xi , Wang Kai , Yang Qin , Wang Jun , Xuan Chao , Liu Xiao‐Cheng , Liu Zhi‐Gang , He Guo‐Wei 
Published: April 2015

PurposeVentricular septal defect (VSD) has intracardiac left‐to‐right shunt and increased pulmonary flow that may affect the acute phase response (APR). We examined the hypothesis that plasma proteins of VSD patients may be altered.Experimental design2DE and MS were used to detect differential plasma proteins in VSD patients (n = 55) and controls (n = 70). Candidate APR proteins were confirmed by ELISA in new samples.ResultsAmong three differentially expressed APR proteins from 322 protein spots detected, haptoglobin (0.4 ± 0.04 versus 0.6 ± 0.07 mg/mL; p = 0.016) and serum amyloid P‐component (SAP) (3.8 ± 0.2 versus 6.3 ± 0.8 ng/mL; p = 0.003) were significantly lower and orosomucoid 2 (3.1 ± 0.1 mg/mL versus 2.3 ± 0.1 mg/mL; p < 0.001) was significantly higher in VSD patients than in normal controls.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe plasma concentration of three acute phase proteins, haptoglobin, SAP, and orosomucoid 2 are altered that may reflect inflammation, be associated with decreased innate immune system function, and predispose the VSD patients to vulnerability to infections and pulmonary disease. These three proteins in plasma may also be developed as biomarkers for the function of innate immune system in patients with congenital heart disease.
Identifying migration corridors of mule deer threatened by highway development
Authors: Coe Priscilla K. , Nielson Ryan M. , Jackson Dewaine H. , Cupples Jacqueline B. , Seidel Nigel E. , Johnson Bruce K. , Gregory Sara C. , Bjornstrom Greg A. , Larkins Autumn N. , Speten David A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTHighways are hazardous to migratory ungulates world‐wide, causing direct and indirect impacts to ungulate survival. Moreover, significant financial costs are incurred in damage from wildlife–vehicle collisions and in building and maintaining wildlife passage structures. Information is needed to link ungulate movements to collision occurrence to prioritize needed construction of wildlife crossings on highways. We simultaneously documented mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) migration corridors and mule deer–vehicle collisions (DVCs) in South‐central Oregon, USA, over 6 years (2005–2011). We calculated Brownian Bridge Movement Models for 359 migrating mule deer equipped with Global Positioning System technology. We modeled DVC counts as functions of probability of use during migration, annual average daily traffic (AADT), and habitat characteristics. Probability of use during migration was the strongest predictor of where DVCs occurred (r = 0.93). Predicted DVCs also increased with AADT but peaked at approximately 8,000 and then decreased. Where AADT was above approximately 8,000, fewer deer attempted to cross the highway and DVCs decreased because, over time, deer either abandoned the migration route or were killed trying to cross this busy highway. Our results suggest that managers should focus on migration corridors or high‐density DVC locations to identify where fencing and under/overpasses could be most effective for maintaining migratory corridors when confronting increasing traffic and development that bisect seasonal ranges of mule deer. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Assessing chemical control of earthworms at airports
Authors: Seamans Thomas W. , Blackwell Bradley F. , Bernhardt Glen E. , Potter Daniel A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTEarthworms originating from Europe (e.g., Lumbricus spp., Aporrectodea spp.), which are common in the United States and southern Canada can create hazardous conditions at airports by attracting birds that pose a threat to aircraft. These nonnative earthworms are also considered pests on golf courses and sports fields, as well as having detrimental effects on temperate boreal forests. No toxicants or repellents are currently registered for earthworm control in the United States. Our purpose was to identify products that could be used to repel or suppress nonnative earthworms on airports or other managed sites where they pose a hazard or nuisance. We conducted experiments on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Plum Brook Station, Ohio, USA, and at an area about 15 km south of this site, during 2007–2013. We hypothesized that either abrasiveness or extreme low or high pH levels would be characteristic of an efficacious repellent. Ammonium sulfate fertilizer (an acidic treatment) repelled Lumbricus terrestris in choice tests. However, 6 applications of ammonium sulfate over 2 years only reduced the field density of Aporrectodea spp., and not Lumbricus spp. Application of tea‐seed cake pellets (TSP), a saponin‐rich byproduct of tea oil (Camellia oleifera) manufacture that causes earthworms to come to the surface and desiccate, temporarily reduced densities of both Lumbricus and Aporrectodea spp. in field plots. However, several applications per year would probably be needed for sustained control. Ring‐billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) showed no apparent adverse effects over a 48 hour period from feeding on TSP‐killed earthworms. We discuss potential value and limitations of TSP and other methods for managing earthworms to reduce airport bird‐strike hazards. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.