bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intertidal sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) alter body shape in response to wave action
Authors: Hayne Kurtis J. R. , Palmer A. Richard 
Published: April 2013

SUMMARYSea stars are some of the largest mobile animals able to live in the harsh flow environment of wave-exposed, rocky intertidal shores. In addition, some species, such as the northeastern Pacific Pisaster ochraceus, are ecologically significant predators in a broad range of environments, from sheltered lagoons to the most wave-exposed shorelines. How they function and survive under such an extreme range of wave exposures remains a puzzle. Here we examine the ability of P. ochraceus to alter body form in response to variation in flow conditions. We found that sea stars in wave-exposed sites had narrower arms and were lighter per unit arm length than those from sheltered sites. Body form was tightly correlated with maximum velocity of breaking waves across four sites and also varied over time. In addition, field transplant experiments showed that these differences in shape were due primarily to phenotypic plasticity. Sea stars transplanted from a sheltered site to a more wave-exposed site became lighter per unit arm length, and developed narrower arms, after 3 months. The tight correlation between water flow and morphology suggests that wave force must be a significant selective factor acting on body shape. On exposed shores, narrower arms probably reduce both lift and drag in breaking waves. On protected shores, fatter arms may provide more thermal inertia to resist overheating, or more body volume for gametes. Such plastic changes in body shape represent a unique method by which sea stars adapt to spatial, seasonal and possibly short-term variation in flow conditions.
Bibliotheksgesetzgebung in der Schweiz
Authors: Rühle Christopher 
Published: April 2013

Zusammenfassung:
Im Januar 2012 wurde im Schweizer Kanton St. Gallen mit einer Rekordzahl von über 10 000 Unterschriften das Volksbegehren „für zeitgemäße
Bibliotheken im Kanton St. Gallen (Bibliotheksinitiative)“ eingereicht. Die St. Galler Bibliotheksinitiative will eine zeitgemäße, qualitativ gute bibliothekarische Versorgung der Bevölkerung im ganzen Kanton erreichen. Im Juli 2012 hat die Kantonsregierung einen Gegenvorschlag zur Bibliotheksinitiative in Form eines Bibliotheksgesetzes vorgelegt – das erste dieser Art in der Schweiz. Nachfolgend sollen die Entwicklung und die Erfahrungen im Kanton St. Gallen und der Entwurf für ein St. Galler Bibliotheksgesetz vor dem Hintergrund bestehender kantonaler Gesetzesgrundlagen mit Bibliotheksbezug vorgestellt werden.
Origin and diversity of the words denoting some traditional Eurasian pulse crops in Mongolic and Tungusic
Authors: Mikić Aleksandar , Perić Vesna 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Supporters of the existence of the Altaic language family consider it to include Turkic, Mongolic, Tungusic, Korean and Japonic branches, and believe that all of these originated from the Proto-Altaic. On the basis of archaeological findings, one may expect that traditional Eurasian pulse crops, such as peas (Pisum sativum), lentils (Lens culinaris), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), faba beans (Vicia
faba), vetchlings (Lathyrus spp.) and vetches (Vicia spp.), were known to the ancestors of the modern Altaic nations. This assumption is confirmed by two Proto- Altaic roots. The first root is *bŭkrV, denoting pea. Its three main direct derivatives preserved the original meaning and transferred it to their modern descendants, namely the Proto-Turkic *burčak to the majority of modern Turkic languages, such as Kazakh with burşaq; the Proto-Mongolic *buγurčag, giving the modern Mongolian būrcag; and the Proto-Tungusic *boKa-ri, giving the Manchu boxori. Another root is *zịăbsa, denoting lentil. It gave the Proto-Turkic *jasimuk, the Proto-Mongolic *sisi and the Proto-Tungusic *sibsV. In Turkic and Tungusic, its original meaning was preserved, such as in the Turkmen jasmiq or the Nanai siusi, while in Mongolic it shifted to Sorghum spp., such as in Kalmyk, with šiš.
Targeting caspases in cancer therapeutics
Authors: Hensley Patrick , Mishra Murli , Kyprianou Natasha 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The identification of the fundamental role of apoptosis in the growth balance and normal homeostasis against cell proliferation led to the recognition of its loss contributing to tumorigenesis. The mechanistic significance of reinstating apoptosis signaling towards selective targeting of malignant cells heavily exploits the caspase family of death-inducing molecules as a powerful therapeutic platform for the development of potent anticancer strategies. Some apoptosis inhibitors induce caspase expression and activity in preclinical models and clinical trials by targeting both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways and restoring the apoptotic capacity in human tumors. Furthermore, up-regulation of caspases emerges as a sensitizing mechanism for tumors exhibiting therapeutic resistance to radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the functional involvement of caspases in apoptosis control and the current understanding of reactivating caspase-mediated apoptosis signaling towards effective therapeutic modalities in cancer treatment.
Parental beliefs and family functioning in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Janet T.Y. , Shek Daniel T.L. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The relationships between parental beliefs (i.e., Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity, attribution of children’s success and failure to effort, and expectations of children’s future) and family functioning were examined in 550 Chinese parents experiencing economic disadvantage. Results showed that perceived Chinese cultural beliefs about adversity and parental expectations on children’s future were positively related to family functioning in both fathers’ and mothers’ samples. In addition, paternal expectations of children’s future emerged as the most important predictor of perceived family functioning. The findings underscored the important role of the fathers in Chinese families experiencing economic disadvantage. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Parent-adolescent discrepancies in perceived family functioning and developmental outcomes in Chinese adolescents experiencing economic disadvantage
Authors: Leung Janet T.Y. , Shek Daniel T.L. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The relationships between parent-adolescent discrepancies in perceptions of family functioning and adolescents’ achievement motivation and psychological competence were examined. The respondents included 275 Chinese intact families experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong. Results indicated that parents and adolescents had different perceptions of family functioning. Father-adolescent discrepancies in perceived family functioning were negatively related to adolescent achievement motivation; both father-adolescent and mother-adolescent discrepancies in perceived family functioning were also negatively associated with the psychological competence in poor adolescents. The present findings provided support for the thesis that family functioning plays an important role in shaping the developmental outcomes of adolescent experiencing economic disadvantage.
Post-lecture evaluation of a university course on leadership and intrapersonal development
Authors: Shek Daniel T.L. , Sun Rachel C.F. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Post-lecture evaluation findings of a subject on leadership and intrapersonal development, which was designed to promote holistic development of university students at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, were reported. In the first 13 lectures, students were invited to respond to a 12-item post-lecture questionnaire after each lecture. Normative findings showed that students generally had positive perceptions of the subject, class and lecturer attributes, indicating an overall positive evaluation. Through factor analyses, three factors were abstracted from the scale, including Subject Attributes, Class Attributes, and Lecturer Attributes. The total scale and subscales were internally consistent. Regarding predictors of the global evaluation of the subject and the teacher, multiple regression analyses showed that subject, class, and lecturer attributes were significant predictors.
Regulatory policy: what role for retrospective analysis and review?
Authors: Lutter Randall 
Published: April 2013

Given that President Obama’s Executive Orders on regulation have emphasized the importance of retrospective analysis and review of existing federal rules, I survey the state of retrospective analysis and review of federal regulations. I first ask how much is known about the economic merit of past federal regulatory decisions, based on retrospective economic analyses of their effects. I review reports of the Office of Management and Budget and related literature, but unlike those reports I find only five rules, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for which retrospective analyses provide estimates of both costs and reasonably good proxies for benefits (e.g., adverse health effects avoided). Other retrospective studies of federal rules estimate are incomplete, estimating only the compliance costs, or only the benefits, or only costs and measures of effectiveness, like emissions reductions, which do not closely relate to people’s welfare.I also seek to explain differences in the practice of retrospective analysis and review between NHTSA, which appears to have the best record of retrospective analyses among federal agencies, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an important regulatory agency. I find that NHTSA regularly conducts such analyses and reviews, while EPA rarely does retrospective analysis and presents rulemakings that look like business as usual as being the result of a retrospective review. I analyze the role of data limitations, statutory authority, and institutional incentives in influencing the different behaviors of these two agencies. I conclude that differences in data availability and in particular the lack of relevant control groups, are an important barrier to retrospective analysis at EPA. This data deficiency, combined with important restrictions on EPA’s ability to consider information on net benefits or cost-effectiveness in its rule-making, are together the biggest hindrance to generating better information about the effects of its rules. I conclude with recommendations intended to generate more measurement of the actual effects of regulations.
Toxicity of Chevron Escravos crude oil and chemical dispersant on guinea pig testicular function
Authors: Afonne Onyenmechi Johnson , Onyiaorah Igwebuike Victor , Orisakwe Orish Ebere 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background: Chemical contaminants have been found to affect reproductive functions in mammals. This study investigated the effect of Chevron Escravos crude oil and Emulsol L.W. dispersant on the testicular functions of guinea pig.

Methods: Eight groups of seven sexually mature male guinea pigs each were given 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg of crude oil and dispersant for 7 days. The fluid and food intake and body weight of the animals were measured daily throughout the study. After the exposure period, sperm quality analysis was carried out, and fructose and lactate dehydrogenase were analyzed in tissue homogenate, while testosterone and estradiol were assayed in blood. The right testis was also processed for histological analysis.

Results: The epididymal sperm number and fructose level of treated animals showed a significant dose-dependent decrease (p<0.05) compared with controls. Also, sperm motility and morphology were altered in the treated groups, while testosterone and estradiol levels were increased significantly (p<0.05) in the treated groups. Histological examination showed signs of toxicity in the treated animals.

Conclusions: From the findings, it was evident that Chevron Escravos crude oil and Emulsol L.W. oil dispersant are able to cause acute testicular toxicity in guinea pigs. The possible mechanism of toxicity is suggested to be by stimulation of hormone production from the adrenal cortex, causing a negative feedback on gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the pituitary gland to suppress spermatogenesis.
A numerical study of solidification and viscous dissipation effects on polymer melt flow in plane channels
Authors: Tutar Mustafa , Karakus Ali 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The combined effects of solidification and viscous dissipation on the hydrodynamic and thermal behavior of polymer melt flow during the injection process in a straight plane channel of constant cross section are numerically studied by considering the shear-rate and temperature-dependent viscosity and transient-phase change behavior. A numerical finite volume method, in conjunction with a modified form of the Cross constitutive equation to account for shear rate, temperature-dependent viscosity changes and a slightly modified form of the method proposed by Voller and Prakash to account for solidification of the liquid phase, is used and a validation with an analytical solution is presented for viscous heating effects. The hydrodynamic and solidified layers growth under the influence of a transient phase-change process and viscous dissipation, are analyzed for a commercial polymer melt flow, polypropylene (PP) for different parametric conditions namely, inflow velocity, polymer injection (inflow) temperature, the channel wall temperature, and the channel height. The results demonstrate that the proposed numerical formulations, including conjugate effects of viscous heating and transient-solidification on the present thermal transport process, can provide an accurate and realistic representation of polymer melt flow behavior during the injection molding process in plane channels with less simplifying assumptions.
Proactive Tools to Enhance Drilling Safety Performance
Authors: Boucif Mustapha Nasr-Eddine , Al Mutawa Ahmed , Al-Hosani Mohamed 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
This article will show how Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) Drilling Division and its contractors obtained employee commitment resulting in world class performance in HSE for the past five years and recorded the lowest Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR), in ADCO's Drilling Division history and the longest time without LTI (Eighteen months without LTI) in 2011. In addition we have recorded zero car related injuries for the past five years and zero spills in 2011 and 2012.
DOIRC (Drilling Operations Incident Review Committee), a monthly meeting with all our contractors was a key factor in improving the safety performance of the drilling community by developing 360° communication between ADCO main office, ADCO field, Contractor's management office and their teams in the field. The forum also have shifted from a reactive committee where only incidents are discussed to a proactive forum where best practices are shared and a communication network was established to inform the fields on regular basis.
In addition to that, DOIRC High Profile Tours (rig visits by ADCO and contractors Top Management), onsite workshops and regularly launching campaigns with our drilling contractor National Drilling Company (NDC) were the additional tools used to raise Drilling Division performance to a world class performance.
ADCO Drilling Division has clearly established a successful formula for its safety performance to reach and maintain a world class performance for the past five years, reaching 0.52 TRIR in 2011 and 0.60 in 2012 and 0.09 LTIF in 2008 and 2010; the lowest in ADCO Drilling history through effective communication culture.
In 2012 the Vehicle Accident Frequency went down to 0.1 with the implementation of the ADCO 9 Life Protection Rules with particular focus on the first LPR rule (follow the Road Safety Rules) using the proactive tools above even though we had increased the numbers of rigs and drilled more wells in remote areas (more driving exposure), again an indication that the communication network and the tools we are using did enhance the safety culture of the drilling division
Zonal Isolation Evaluation of Multiple Depleted Gas Bearing Sands Under Challenging Offshore Mediterranean Environment: An expansion of the Capabilities and Applications of Ultrasonic Tools in Egypt
Authors: Shamma H. L. , Nelson R.. , Vazquez M. L. , Shah Shabbir H. , Metwally O.. , Beach J.. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Well A, encountered multiple depleted reservoir layers (initial reservoir pressure &gt;10840 psi) with up to 5,000 psi differential pressure across layers due to irregular depletion in thin bedded shale and sand layers. Well was drilled with over 16 ppg mud to limit under balance in any higher pressure layer and overbalance in depleted layers. After drilling 4 lopes of sand body and during the start of drilling the last sand lope, complete loss of circulation was encountered, followed by kick and differential sticking. The original well integrity assurance plan considered the deployment of borehole compensated sonic tool in order to acquire a discriminated cement bond log based on attenuation measurement. Also in the plan, a Cased Hole Dynamic Tester tool was to be run and the selection of pressure points to be based on the results of the cbl-vdl. So to assure the full integrity of the cement and be able to conduct the Cased Hole Dynamic Tester as required and proper decision to be evaluated regarding the Type of GP job, the use of the Ultrasonic Imaging Tool was evaluated to be run under tough and challenging conditions (high mud weight and thick wall thickness).
The Ultrasonic tool for cement to casing bond evaluation is typically limited by the attenuation of the ultrasonic echo caused by the wellbore mud weight and composition. With the cooperation between BP PhPc and Schlumberger, and making use of worldwide expertise, the decision was taken to include the Ultrasonic Tool in the cement evaluation suite despite the well conditions.
The analysis of the log managed to prove the zonal isolation requirements and be a source of development of best practices that can improve cement evaluation even with the presence of heavy SOBM.
Field Development Study: Channel Fracturing Technique Combined with Rod-shaped Proppant Improves Production, Eliminates Proppant Flowback Issues and Screen-outs in the Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Abdelhamid Mohamed S. , Marouf M.. , Kamal Y.. , Shaaban A.. , Mathur A.. , Yosry M.. , Kraemer C.. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The Western Desert of Egypt is a mature hydrocarbon province that has been producing oil and gas for the past 60 years. With the vast majority of the oilfields in decline, almost all wells require hydraulic fracture stimulation to produce economically. This paper describes the application for the first time of a novel channel-fracturing technique combined with rod-shaped proppant in selected production targets in the Cretaceous-aged Abu Roash and Upper Bahariya formations in the El-Fayoum concession in the Egyptian Western Desert. The channel fracturing technique introduces channels within the proppant pack that increase conductivity and effective half-length leading to increased production (Gillard et al. 2010). Rod-shaped proppant when used as tail-in in fracturing treatments increases near-wellbore fracture conductivity and prevents proppant flowback due to its particular geometry (McDaniel et al. 2010).
Many sedimentary features of hydrocarbons in the Western Desert in Egypt are characterized as multi-layered, deltaic, thinly and tightly laminated sandstones consisting of sands with limited lateral and vertical extension with an average permeability of 1 mD and Young's modulus in the order of 2.6 million psi. Historical challenges in the field using conventional hydraulic fracturing have included a premature screen-out rate greater than 45% and subsequently, proppant flowback issues.
A campaign of 4 wells was conducted in the Silah field in the El-Fayoum concession for comparison against 7 offset wells fractured with conventional techniques. With the application of the channel fracturing technique, the screen-out rate of fracturing treatments was reduced to zero, thus eliminating the cost of additional workover rig time or coil tubing cleanup time, and in most cases, the loss of a potentially productive zone. Further, the application of rod-shaped proppant has eliminated proppant flowback. The positive results from implementation of this combined stimulation technique have led to a vigorous expansion of its utilization throughout Egypt's Western Desert area.
Multiphase Boosting in Oil and Gas Production - Recent Applications and Developments
Authors: Müller-Link Dietrich 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Today's increasing demand for energy calls for a number of different measures to be taken in day-to-day oil and gas production. Scenarios for green fields may require a different approach than full-fledged traditional facilities. Furthermore mature assets or single wells, some of them may have even been shut-in already, gain more and more adherence.
Those brown fields mainly suffer from low wellhead pressures, making them unable to flow even to first stage separation. Moreover, as gathering stations may have been deleted due to an overall decreased production, even longer flow lines will result in a higher pressure demand. If the water content increases additional challenges are rendered. Furthermore regional legal frameworks call for stringent environmentally friendly handling of hydrocarbons. Thus, where gas flaring was state-of-the art in the past it is no longer allowed today. Subsequently the past common production scenarios require adjustments to a considerable extent.
Multiphase pumps are particularly suited, to help overcoming the above-mentioned challenges. Their ability to add energy to the untreated well stream, while reducing the wellhead pressure creates an entirely different pressure regime in the production system. They are capable to pump 100 % gas only, as may be required during oil well start-up and with gas wells suffering from liquid loading. Multiphase pumps are also used to recover the casing gas, thus optimising the hydrodynamic liquid level in the annulus.
While inflow performance is enhanced, differential pressure across down-hole pumps is decreased and at the very system end the gas delivery pressure is increased.
Recent field applications are highlighted and latest technological developments discussed.