bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioelectricity versus bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse: is it worth being flexible?
Authors: Furlan Felipe F , Filho Renato Tonon , Pinto Fabio HPB , Costa Caliane BB , Cruz Antonio JG , Giordano Raquel LC , Giordano Roberto C 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Sugarcane is the most efficient crop for production of (1G) ethanol. Additionally, sugarcane bagasse can be used to produce (2G) ethanol. However, the manufacture of 2G ethanol in large scale is not a consolidated process yet. Thus, a detailed economic analysis, based on consistent simulations of the process, is worthwhile. Moreover, both ethanol and electric energy markets have been extremely volatile in Brazil, which suggests that a flexible biorefinery, able to switch between 2G ethanol and electric energy production, could be an option to absorb fluctuations in relative prices. Simulations of three cases were run using the software EMSO: production of 1G ethanol + electric energy, of 1G + 2G ethanol and a flexible biorefinery. Bagasse for 2G ethanol was pretreated with a weak acid solution, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, while 50% of sugarcane trash (mostly leaves) was used as surplus fuel.

Results
With maximum diversion of bagasse to 2G ethanol (74% of the total), an increase of 25.8% in ethanol production (reaching 115.2 L/tonne of sugarcane) was achieved. An increase of 21.1% in the current ethanol price would be enough to make all three biorefineries economically viable (11.5% for the 1G + 2G dedicated biorefinery). For 2012 prices, the flexible biorefinery presented a lower Internal Rate of Return (IRR) than the 1G + 2G dedicated biorefinery. The impact of electric energy prices (auction and spot market) and of enzyme costs on the IRR was not as significant as it would be expected.

Conclusions
For current market prices in Brazil, not even production of 1G bioethanol is economically feasible. However, the 1G + 2G dedicated biorefinery is closer to feasibility than the conventional 1G + electric energy industrial plant. Besides, the IRR of the 1G + 2G biorefinery is more sensitive with respect to the price of ethanol, and an increase of 11.5% in this value would be enough to achieve feasibility. The ability of the flexible biorefinery to take advantage of seasonal fluctuations does not make up for its higher investment cost, in the present scenario.
Ciliate (Euplotes sp.) predation by Pseudodiaptomus annandalei (Copepoda: Calanoida) and the effects of mono-algal and pluri-algal diets
Authors: Dhanker Raunak , Kumar Ram , Tseng Li-Chun , Hwang Jiang-Shiou 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundPseudodiaptomus annandaleiis an estuarine species and being cultured as live feed for grouper fish larvae and other planktivores. We examined the predation behavior ofP. annandaleiadults when preying on ciliated protists (Euplotessp.) and the effects of mono- and pluri-algal diets on ciliate predation byP.annandaleiunder laboratory conditions. The algal food comprised the pigmented flagellateIsochrysis galbana(4 ~ 5 μm) andTetraselmis chui(17 ~ 20 μm).ResultsMales and females ofP.annandaleiconsumed 8 ~ 15 ciliate cells/h. The probability of ciliate ingestion following an attack was a direct function of the copepod's hunger level. Conversely, the probability of prey rejection after capture was a negative function of the copepod's hunger level. Starved and poorly fed females showed a significantly lower rate of prey rejection compared to similarly treated males. The duration of handling a ciliate prey did not significantly differ between males and females ofP.annandalei. Starved copepods spent less time handling a ciliate prey than fed copepods. Prey ingestion rates showed a negative relation with the feeding duration, whereas the prey rejection rate increased as the feeding duration increased. The ciliate consumption rate ofP. annandaleiwas significantly lower in the presence of mixed algae. NeitherI.galbananorT.chuialone had any significant effect on ciliate consumption byP. annandalei.ConclusionsThe results confirmed thatP. annandaleiingests bacterivorous heterotrophic protists even in the presence of autotrophic protists. Therefore, our results point to the role ofP. annandaleiin the transfer of microbial carbon to the classical food chain in estuarine and brackish water ecosystems.
Aspidistra crassifila (Asparagaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
Authors: Lin Chun-Rui , Liu Yan , Nong Dong-Xin , Kono Yoshiko , Peng Ching-I 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAspidistra crassifilaYan Liu & C.-I Peng, a new species of the Asparagaceae from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated.ResultsThe new species is similar toA. subrotataY. Wan & C. C. Huang in the perianth lobes triangular-lanceolate and horizontally spreading, but differs by the perianth campanulate, lobes with appendages at base, stamens 6–8 mm long, filaments enlarged, anthers adnate to perianth tube, connectives extended and upcurved. The chromosome number of the new species was determined to be 2n= 38, and the karyotype was formulated as 2n= 22m2SC+4sm+12st.ConclusionA careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation in the experimental greenhouse, support the recognition of the new speciesAspidistra crassifila, which is described herein.Aspidistra crassifilais currently known only from Shiwandashan Mountains, which lie in southern Guangxi. A line drawing, color plates and a distribution map are given for the new species to aid in identification.
Novelties in Begonia sect. Coelocentrum: B. longgangensis and B. ferox from limestone areas in Guangxi, China
Authors: Peng Ching-I , Yang Hsun-An , Kono Yoshiko , Chung Kuo-Fang , Huang Yu-Song , Wu Wang-Hui , Liu Yan 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The spectacular karst limestone landscape in Guangxi harbors high-level diversity and endemism of Begonia species, especially those of sect. Coelocentrum. In continuation of our studies in this area, we report the discovery of two attractive new species from southwestern Guangxi: Begonia longgangensis and B. ferox.

Results

Begonia longgangensis resembles B. liuyanii, also from Longgang Nature Reserve, in the broadly ovate to suborbicular leaf blade, differing by the much smaller leaves, subglabrous leaf surface, pink flowers, dichasial cymes and the remarkably long stolons sent out from rhizomes. Unexpectedly, both diploid (2n = 30) and triploid counts (2n = 45) were observed in plants collected from the type locality. Begonia ferox probably has the most prominent bullate leaves for the genus. In this aspect, it is similar to B. nahangensis reported from northern Vietnam recently, but is readily distinguishable by the ovate, chartaceous leaves with an acuminate apex; tomentose peduncle not exceeding petioles; and the much larger stature in vegetative parts. A diploid count of 2n = 30 was determined for this unique new species.

Conclusions
All available data support the recognition of the two new species. Begonia longgangensis has remarkably long stolons and B. ferox is characterized by the prominent bullate leaves. Line drawings, color plates and comparisons are provided to aid in identification of the novelties.
Interferon alpha inhibits antigen-specific production of proinflammatory cytokines and enhances antigen-specific transforming growth factor beta production in antigen-induced arthritis
Authors: Chalise Jaya Prakash , Narendra Sudeep Chenna , Paudyal Bhesh Raj , Magnusson Mattias 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Interferon alpha (IFN-α) has a complex role in autoimmunity, in that it may both enhance and prevent inflammation. We have previously shown that the presence of IFN-α at sensitization protects against subsequent antigen-triggered arthritis. To understand this tolerogenic mechanism, we performed a descriptive, hypothesis-generating study of cellular and humoral responses associated with IFN-α-mediated protection against arthritis.

Methods
Arthritis was evaluated at day 28 in mice given a subcutaneous injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA), together with Freund adjuvant and 0 to 5,000 U IFN-α at days 1 and 7, followed by intraarticular injection of mBSA alone at day 21. The effect of IFN-α on mBSA-specific IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgA, and IgE was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytokines in circulation and in ex vivo cultures on mBSA restimulation was evaluated with ELISA and Luminex, and the identity of cytokine-producing cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.

Results
Administration of IFN-α protected mice from arthritis in a dose-dependent manner but had no effect on antigen-specific antibody levels. However, IFN-α did inhibit the initial increase of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF, and the recall response induced by intraarticular mBSA challenge of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12, TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in serum. IFN-α decreased both macrophage and CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ production, whereas IL-17 was decreased only in CD4+ T cells. Ex vivo, in mBSA-restimulated spleen and lymph node cell cultures, the inhibitory effect of in vivo administration of IFN-α on proinflammatory cytokine production was clearly apparent, but had a time limit. An earlier macrophage-derived, and stronger activation of the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) was observed in IFN-α-treated animals, combined with an increase in CD4+ T cells producing TGF-β when arthritis was triggered by mBSA (day 21). Presence of IFN-α at immunizations also prevented the reduction in TGF-β production, which was induced by the intraarticular mBSA injection triggering arthritis in control animals.

Conclusions
Administration of IFN-α has a profound effect on the cellular response to mBSA plus adjuvant, but does not affect antigen-specific Ig production. By including IFN-α at immunizations, spleen and lymph node cells inhibit their repertoire of antigen-induced proinflammatory cytokines while enhancing antiinflammatory TGF-β production, first in macrophages, and later also in CD4+ T cells. On intraarticular antigen challenge, this antiinflammatory state is reenforced, manifested as inhibition of proinflammatory recall responses and preservation of TGF-β levels. This may explain why IFN-α protects against antigen-induced arthritis.
Development and assessment of floor and ceiling items for the PROMIS physical function item bank
Authors: Bruce Bonnie , Fries James , Lingala Bharathi , Hussain Yusra Nazar , Krishnan Eswar 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Disability and Physical Function (PF) outcome assessment has had limited ability to measure functional status at the floor (very poor functional abilities) or the ceiling (very high functional abilities). We sought to identify, develop and evaluate new floor and ceiling items to enable broader and more precise assessment of PF outcomes for the NIH Patient-Reported-Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Methods
We conducted two cross-sectional studies using NIH PROMIS item improvement protocols with expert review, participant survey and focus group methods. In Study 1, respondents with low PF abilities evaluated new floor items, and those with high PF abilities evaluated new ceiling items for clarity, importance and relevance. In Study 2, we compared difficulty ratings of new floor items by low functioning respondents and ceiling items by high functioning respondents to reference PROMIS PF-10 items. We used frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations to analyze the data.

Results
In Study 1, low (n = 84) and high (n = 90) functioning respondents were mostly White, women, 70 years old, with some college, and disability scores of 0.62 and 0.30. More than 90% of the 31 new floor and 31 new ceiling items were rated as clear, important and relevant, leaving 26 ceiling and 30 floor items for Study 2. Low (n = 246) and high (n = 637) functioning Study 2 respondents were mostly White, women, 70 years old, with some college, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores of 1.62 and 0.003. Compared to difficulty ratings of reference items, ceiling items were rated to be 10% more to greater than 40% more difficult to do, and floor items were rated to be about 12% to nearly 90% less difficult to do.

Conclusions
These new floor and ceiling items considerably extend the measurable range of physical function at either extreme. They will help improve instrument performance in populations with broad functional ranges and those concentrated at one or the other extreme ends of functioning. Optimal use of these new items will be assisted by computerized adaptive testing (CAT), reducing questionnaire burden and insuring item administration to appropriate individuals.
Nighttime intensivist staffing and the timing of death among ICU decedents: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Reineck Lora A , Wallace David J , Barnato Amber E , Kahn Jeremy M 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Intensive care units (ICUs) are increasingly adopting 24-hour intensivist physician staffing. Although nighttime intensivist staffing does not consistently reduce mortality, it may affect other outcomes such as the quality of end-of-life care.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of ICU decedents using the 2009–2010 Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation clinical information system linked to a survey of ICU staffing practices. We restricted the analysis to ICUs with high-intensity daytime staffing, in which the addition of nighttime staffing does not influence mortality. We used multivariable regression to assess the relationship between nighttime intensivist staffing and two separate outcomes potentially related to the quality of end-of-life care: time from ICU admission to death and death at night.

Results
Of 30,456 patients admitted to 27 high-intensity daytime staffed ICUs, 3,553 died in the hospital within 30 days. After adjustment for potential confounders, admission to an ICU with nighttime intensivist staffing was associated with a shorter duration between ICU admission and death (adjusted difference: –2.5 days, 95% CI -3.5 to -1.5, p-value < 0.001) and a decreased odds of nighttime death (adjusted odds ratio: 0.75, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.94, p-value 0.011) compared to admission to an ICU without nighttime intensivist staffing.

Conclusions
Among ICU decedents, nighttime intensivist staffing is associated with reduced time between ICU admission and death and reduced odds of nighttime death.
Die neue Bibliothek Sozialwissenschaften und Psychologie auf dem Campus Westend der Goethe-Universität
Authors: Voigt Rolf 
Published: October 2013

Zusammenfassung
Die Bibliothek Sozialwissenschaften und Psychologie (BSP) ist die dritte große Bereichsbibliothek, die im Prozess der vollständigen Standortneuordnung der Goethe-Universität auf dem Campus Westend errichtet wurde. Sie ist Teil des neuen Gebäudes für die Fachbereiche Gesellschaftswissenschaften, Erziehungswissenschaften und Psychologie. Nach insgesamt vierjähriger Bauzeit wurde das Haus ab Jahresbeginn 2013 bezogen. Die Bibliothek enthält insgesamt 22 frühere Teilbibliotheken und ist die insgesamt fünfte Bereichsbibliothek der Goethe-Universität. Mit insgesamt 470 Arbeitsplätzen und einer Stellkapazität von 500.000 Bänden ist sie primär für die Informationsversorgung von knapp 10.000 Studierenden und ca. 300 Wissenschaftlern zuständig. Als Teil des gesamten Bibliothekssystems der Goethe-Universität steht sie jedoch auch anderen Nutzern zur Verfügung.
Recherchieren, informieren und kommunizieren im neuen Fachportal ViFa Benelux
Authors: Riek Ilona , Kostädt Peter , Lütke Theresa , Mrowka Tatjana 
Published: October 2013

Zusammenfassung:
Dieser Beitrag stellt das neue Recherche- und Informationsportal Virtuelle Fachbibliothek (ViFa) Benelux vor. Die ViFa Benelux wurde als interaktives Fachportal für die Disziplinen Niederlandistik, Niederlande-, Belgien-, Luxemburgforschung, Frisistik und Afrikaanse Philologie konzipiert. Im Rahmen des Artikels wird näher eingegangen auf die Genese des Projektes, Fragen der konzeptionellen Entwicklung, die Ausgestaltung der einzelnen Module und Zusatzangebote sowie Aspekte der technischen Realisierung.
Approaches for drug delivery with intracortical probes
Authors: Spieth Sven , Schumacher Axel , Trenkle Fabian , Brett Olivia , Seidl Karsten , Herwik Stanislav , Kisban Sebastian , Ruther Patrick , Paul Oliver , Aarts Arno A.A. , Neves Hercules P. , Rich P. Dylan , Theobald David E. , Holtzman Tahl , Dalley Jeffrey W. , Verhoef Bram-Ernst , Janssen Peter , Zengerle Roland 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIntracortical microprobes allow the precise monitoring of electrical and chemical signaling and are widely used in neuroscience. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technologies have greatly enhanced the integration of multifunctional probes by facilitating the combination of multiple recording electrodes and drug delivery channels in a single probe. Depending on the neuroscientific application, various assembly strategies are required in addition to the microprobe fabrication itself. This paper summarizes recent advances in the fabrication and assembly of micromachined silicon probes for drug delivery achieved within the EU-funded research project
Giant prolactinomas in women
Authors: Delgrange Etienne , Raverot Gerald , Bex Marie , Burman Pia , Decoudier Bénédicte , Devuyst France , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Andersen Marianne , Maiter Dominique 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo characterise distinctive clinical features of giant prolactinomas in women.DesignA multicentre, retrospective case series and literature review.MethodsWe collected data from 15 female patients with a pituitary tumour larger than 4 cm and prolactin levels above 1000 μg/l and identified 19 similar cases from the literature; a gender-based comparison of the frequency and age distribution was obtained from a literature review.ResultsThe initial PubMed search using the term ‘giant prolactinomas’ identified 125 patients (13 women) responding to the inclusion criteria. The female:male ratio was 1:9. Another six female patients were found by extending the literature search, while our own series added 15 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 44 years in women compared with 35 years in men (P<0.05). All cases diagnosed before the age of 15 years were boys. In women (n=34), we observed a minor peak incidence during the third decade of life and a major peak during the fifth decade. Amenorrhoea was a constant feature with seven cases of primary amenorrhoea. In eight women with onset of secondary amenorrhoea before the age of 40 years, the diagnosis was made 2–31 years later (median 9 years) and in all but one because of tumour pressure symptoms. The prolactin levels were above 10 000 μg/l in 15/34 and misdiagnosis due to ‘hook effect’ occurred in two of them. Eighteen patients were treated with cabergoline; standard doses (<2.0 mg/week) were able to normalise prolactin in only 4/18 patients, and 7/18 patients were resistant to weekly doses ranging from 3.0 to 7.0 mg.ConclusionGiant prolactinomas are rare in women, often resistant to dopamine agonists and seem to be distributed in two age groups, with a larger late-onset peak.
Effect of RF or VHF Plasma on Nanocrystalline Silicon Thin Film Structure: Insight from OES and Langmuir Probe Measurements
Authors: Zhu Lala , Das Ujjwal K , Hegedus Steven S , Birkmire Robert W 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTOptical emission spectroscopy (OES) and Langmuir Probe were used to characterize RF and VHF plasma properties under conditions leading to nanocrystalline silicon film deposition. Films deposited by RF plasma at low pressure (3 Torr), even with high crystalline volume fraction, show weak X-ray diffraction signals, suggesting small grain size, while RF films at higher pressure (8 Torr) and VHF films at both high and low pressure have larger grain sizes. The preferential growth orientation is controlled by the H2/SiH4 ratio with RF plasma, while the film deposited by VHF shows primarily (220) orientation independent of H-dilution ratio. Langmuir Probe measurements indicate that the high energy electron population is reduced by increasing pressure from 3 Torr to 8 Torr in RF plasma. Compared with RF plasma, the VHF plasma shows higher electron density and sheath potential, but lower average electron energy, which may be responsible for the larger grain size and crystal orientation. The growth rate and crystalline volume fraction of the film is correlated with OES intensity ratio of SiH* and Hα/SiH* for both RF and VHF plasmas.
A Brownfield Well Re-Design with Casing While Drilling
Authors: Vos Arjan , Kamyani Ibrahim , Hilditch Robert , Sanchez Francisco 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Developments with high depletion tend to have many drilling problems where young shales need to be drilled and losses are incurred. In order to avoid spending large amounts of time and money curing losses, a complete re-design has been carried out in a field in the North of the Sultanate of Oman.
The casing scheme for the wells has been successfully reduced from four to two casings, making use of a hydraulic single joint rig. Furthermore, casing while drilling with stage cementing tools has been trialed, whereby the stage tools are drilled out with the casing while drilling bit. Many lessons have been learned as described in this paper.
Improving Drilling Performance at Majnoon Field
Authors: Armenta Miguel , Tinkhof Rob , Pointing Mike , Cuthbert Andy , Ramsawak Suresh 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Field data included in the paper demonstrates continuous drilling improvement by reducing the number of days per well, on three (3) different rigs with crews comprising up to 80% local staff, most of them without any previous drilling experience. The Majnoon Field was the first major business entry for the operator in Iraq, a post-conflict zone, located in an area impacted by the long Iran-Iraq war with Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) in evidence daily, a real ground zero. The absence of infrastructure, the inexperience of the local workforce, limited number of service companies, severe security limitations and a dearth of accurate subsurface data available to assist with well construction, exacerbated the challenges faced when drilling in this region.
Included in the paper are strategies to clear the area from ERW, logistics, and well design. Drilling challenges and strategies to reduce the number of drilling days per well are also explained. On average, the longest serving rig shows a 20% improvement per well while the other two rigs show an average improvement of 25% per well.
The insight provided in this paper will assist other operators in their endeavors when starting new operations in such challenging environments. The lessons learned included in this paper have led to best practices developed during the Majnoon Project, and serve as a valuable reference to better prepare for a drilling campaign in a field with an underdeveloped infrastructure and scarcity of reliable basic subsurface data and information.