bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Qishe Pill, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on cervical radiculopathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cui Xue-Jun , Sun Yue-Li , You Sheng-Fu , Mo Wen , Lu Sheng , Shi Qi , Wang Yong-Jun 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Neck pain is a common symptom in most patients suffering from cervical radiculopathy. However, some conservative treatments are limited by their modest effectiveness. On the other hand, surgical intervention for cervical disc disorders is indicated when symptoms are refractory to conservative treatments and neurological symptoms are progressive. Many patients use complementary and alternative medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine, to address their symptoms. The purpose of the present study is to examine the efficacy and safety of Qishe Pill, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, for neck pain in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Methods/design
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Qishe Pill is proposed. The study will include 240 patients from five sites across China and diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, according to the following inclusion criteria: age 18 to 65 with pain or stiffness in the neck for at least 2 weeks (neck disability index score 25 or more) and accompanying arm pain that radiates distally from the elbow. Qualified participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: Qishe Pill group and placebo group. The prescription of the trial medications (Qishe Pill/placebo) are 3.75 g each twice a day for 28 consecutive days. The primary outcome is pain severity. Secondary outcomes are functional status, patient satisfaction, and adverse events as reported in the trial.

Discussion
Qishe Pill is composed of processed Radix Astragali, Muscone, Szechuan Lovage Rhizome, Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae, Ovientvine, and Calculus Bovis Artifactus. According to modern research and preparation standards, Qishe Pill is developed to improve on the various symptoms of cervical radiculopathy, especially for neck pain. As it has a potential benefit in treating patients with neck pain, we designed a double-blind, prospective, randomized-controlled trial and would like to publish the results and conclusions later. If Qishe Pill can alleviate neck pain without adverse effects, it may be a unique strategy for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.

Trial registration
This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01274936
A fluorescent curcumin-based Zn(II)-complex reactivates mutant (R175H and R273H) p53 in cancer cells
Authors: Garufi Alessia , Trisciuoglio Daniela , Porru Manuela , Leonetti Carlo , Stoppacciaro Antonella , D’Orazi Valerio , Avantaggiati Maria Laura , Crispini Alessandra , Pucci Daniela , D’Orazi Gabriella 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Mutations of the p53 oncosuppressor gene are amongst the most frequent aberration seen in human cancer. Some mutant (mt) p53 proteins are prone to loss of Zn(II) ion that is bound to the wild-type (wt) core, promoting protein aggregation and therefore unfolding. Misfolded p53 protein conformation impairs wtp53-DNA binding and transactivation activities, favouring tumor growth and resistance to antitumor therapies. Screening studies, devoted to identify small molecules that reactivate mtp53, represent therefore an attractive anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. Here we tested a novel fluorescent curcumin-based Zn(II)-complex (Zn-curc) to evaluate its effect on mtp53 reactivation in cancer cells.

Methods
P53 protein conformation was examined after Zn-curc treatment by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays, using conformation-specific antibodies. The mtp53 reactivation was evaluated by chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses of wild-type p53 target genes. The intratumoral Zn-curc localization was evaluated by immunofluorescence analysis of glioblastoma tissues of an ortothopic mice model.

Results
The Zn-curc complex induced conformational change in p53-R175H and -R273H mutant proteins, two of the most common p53 mutations. Zn-curc treatment restored wtp53-DNA binding and transactivation functions and induced apoptotic cell death. In vivo studies showed that the Zn-curc complex reached glioblastoma tissues of an ortothopic mice model, highlighting its ability to crossed the blood-tumor barrier.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that Zn-curc complex may reactivate specific mtp53 proteins and that may cross the blood-tumor barrier, becoming a promising compound for the development of drugs to halt tumor growth.
An experimental investigation of the enhanced oil recovery and improved performance of drilling fluids using titanium dioxide and fumed silica nanoparticles
Authors: Cheraghian Goshtasp , Hemmati Mahmood , Masihi Mohsen , Bazgir Saeed 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Nanotechnology has contributed to the technological advances in various industrial biomaterials and renewable energy production over the last decade. Recently, a renewed interest arises in the application of nanotechnology for the upstream petroleum industry such as exploration, drilling and production. In particular, the adding of nanoparticles to injection fluids may drastically benefit enhanced oil recovery, such as changing the properties of the fluid, wettability alternation of rocks, advanced drag reduction, strengthening sand consolidation, reducing the interfacial tension and increasing the mobility of the capillary-trapped oil. The feasibility of these methods depends on many factors such as flow mechanisms in porous media and porous medium properties at microscopic and macroscopic scales. Previous studies have indicated that the oil recovery from porous media may be substantially increased by the injection of miscible fluids. This all sounds great and waterflooding has been used successfully for decades; however, it is important to carefully design and appropriately operate the waterflood. Using nanoparticles in all samples has resulted in recovery increase. Among these applications of the study is nanoenhanced oil recovery which can be applied in many water-wet reservoirs dominated by inhibition mechanism to extract more fluid through really small caliber pores. In these experiments, two nanoparticles dissolved in water are injected into simulated environment, and also, the effect of these nanoparticles in water-base drilling typical fluid have been investigated. Using nanoparticles in all samples has resulted in recovery increase. Finally, considering the experiments, it is demonstrated that flows with nanoparticles and, in particular, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have the highest amount of recovery factors and thus using nanoparticles in waterflooding projects and even some in polymer flooding ones. Also, results of the other tests, regarding each typical drilling costs of each foot and importance of time in the operation, it is possible to replace technically and economically the ordinary addition (here, the widely used sodium hydroxide) with fumed silica nanoparticles in drilling fluid to prevent cement contamination of the drilling fluid. The advantages of nano-TiO2 are possessing suitable thermal transition qualities in the drilling fluid.
Neutrophils from critically ill septic patients mediate profound loss of endothelial barrier integrity
Authors: Fox Elizabeth D , Heffernan Daithi S , Cioffi William G , Reichner Jonathan S 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Sepsis is characterized by systemic immune activation and neutrophil-mediated endothelial barrier integrity compromise, contributing to end-organ dysfunction. Studies evaluating endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by neutrophils from septic patients are lacking, despite its clinical significance. We hypothesized that septic neutrophils would cause characteristic patterns of endothelial barrier dysfunction, distinct from experimental stimulation of normal neutrophils, and that treatment with the immunomodulatory drug β-glucan would attenuate this effect.

Methods
Blood was obtained from critically ill septic patients. Patients were either general surgery patients (Primary Sepsis (PS)) or those with sepsis following trauma (Secondary Sepsis (SS)). Those with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were identified. Healthy volunteers served as controls. Neutrophils were purified and aliquots were untreated, or treated with fMLP or β-glucan. Endothelial cells were grown to confluence and activated with tissue necrosis factor (TNF)-α . Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) was used to determine monolayer resistance after neutrophils were added. Groups were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results
Neutrophils from all septic patients, as well as fMLP-normal neutrophils, reduced endothelial barrier integrity to a greater extent than untreated normal neutrophils (normalized resistance of cells from septic patients at 30 mins = 0.90 ± 0.04; at 60 mins = 0.73 ± 0.6 and at 180 mins = 0.56 ± 0.05; p < 0. 05 vs normal). Compared to untreated PS neutrophils, fMLP-treated PS neutrophils caused further loss of barrier function at all time points; no additive effect was noted in stimulation of SS neutrophils beyond 30 min. Neutrophils from ARDS patients caused greater loss of barrier integrity than those from non-ARDS patients, despite similarities in age, sex, septic source, and neutrophil count. Neutrophils obtained after resolution of sepsis caused less barrier dysfunction at all time points. β-glucan treatment of septic patients’ neutrophils attenuated barrier compromise, rendering the effect similar to that induced by neutrophils obtained once sepsis had resolved.

Conclusions
Neutrophils from septic patients exert dramatic compromise of endothelial barrier integrity. This pattern is mimicked by experimental activation of healthy neutrophils. The effect of septic neutrophils on the endothelium depends upon the initial inflammatory event, correlates with organ dysfunction and resolution of sepsis, and is ameliorated by β-glucan.
High-efficiency RNA cloning enables accurate quantification of miRNA expression by deep sequencing
Authors: Zhang Zhaojie , Lee Jerome E , Riemondy Kent , Anderson Emily M , Yi Rui 
Published: October 2013

AbstractSmall RNA cloning and sequencing is uniquely positioned as a genome-wide approach to quantify miRNAs with single-nucleotide resolution. However, significant biases introduced by RNA ligation in current protocols lead to inaccurate miRNA quantification by 1000-fold. Here we report an RNA cloning method that achieves over 95% efficiency for both 5′ and 3′ ligations. It achieves accurate quantification of synthetic miRNAs with less than two-fold deviation from the anticipated value and over a dynamic range of four orders of magnitude. Taken together, this high-efficiency RNA cloning method permits accurate genome-wide miRNA profiling from total RNAs.
Das neue Hörsaal- und Medienzentrum der Technischen Universität Darmstadt auf dem Campus Lichtwiese
Authors: Svenshon Helge 
Published: October 2013

Zusammenfassung
Am 27. Mai 2013 wurde auf dem Campus Lichtwiese nach nur zweijähriger Bauzeit der zweite Bibliotheksneubau der Technischen Universität Darmstadt, das „Hörsaal- und Medienzentrum“ (HMZ), eröffnet. Fast genau ein halbes Jahr nach Inbetriebnahme des neuen Hauses in der Stadtmitte hat die umfassende bibliothekarische Neuordnung der TU Darmstadt hin zu einer „funktionalen“ Einschichtigkeit nun ihren vorläufigen Abschluss gefunden. Nach insgesamt 10- jähriger Planungs- und Bauzeit sind an beiden Universitätsstandorten zentrale Einrichtungen entstanden, deren fachübergreifende Funktion und stadträumliche Präsenz ihr jeweiliges Umfeld auf unterschiedliche Weise neu strukturieren.
Das neue Domizil der BFI Library in London
Authors: Gabel Gernot U. 
Published: October 2013

Zusammenfassung:
Das 1933 gegründete British Film Institute (BFI) ist eine der ältesten staatlich subventionierten Fördereinrichtungen auf dem Kunstsektor in Großbritannien. Neben dem nationalen Filmarchiv unterhält das BFI am südlichen Themseufer das bedeutendste Programmkino des Landes und organisiert eine Reihe von Filmfestivals. 1983 erhielt die gemeinnützige Einrichtung eine königliche Satzung verliehen und 2011 wurde sie von der Regierung als führende nationale Fördereinrichtung für den Film anerkannt.
Die Bibliothek des BFI war jahrelang in einem Bürogebäude im Stadtteil Soho untergebracht, wo sie abseits des populären Kinokomplexes eher ein Schattendasein führte. Im Frühjahr 2012 bezog sie die ehemalige Galerie des Programmkinos als neues Bibliotheksquartier. Die Bibliothek verfügt über die größte Sammlung an Büchern und Broschüren, Zeitschriften, Fotos, Plakaten und Pressematerialen zum Film- und Fernsehschaffen weltweit.
Local junction voltages and radiative ideality factors of a-Si:H solar modules determined by electroluminescence imaging
Authors: Tran T. M. H. , Pieters B. E. , Schneemann M. , Müller T.C.M. , Gerber A. , Kirchartz T. , Rau U. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIn this contribution, we show that the dominant electroluminescent emission of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film solar cells follows a diode law, whose radiative ideality factor nr is larger than one. This is in contrast to crystalline silicon and Cu(In, Ga)Se2 solar cells for which nr equals one. As a consequence, the existing quantitative analysis for the extraction of the local junction voltage Vj(r) from luminescence images fails for a-Si:H solar cells. We expand the existing analysis method, and include the radiative ideality factor nr into the model. With this modification, we are able to determine the local junction voltage Vj(r) for a-Si:H solar cells and modules. We investigated the local junction voltage Vj(r) and the radiative ideality factor nr for both initial and stabilized a-Si:H solar modules. Furthermore, we show that the apparent radiative ideality factor is affected by the spectral sensitivity of the used camera system.
Drill Pipe Connection Technology Enables Saudi Aramco & Precision Drilling to Deliver the Longest Horizontal Well in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Iravani Alan , Hanafi Machmud , Al-Shehry Saeed , Plessis Guillaume , Mohamed Nowfal 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Recently in Saudi Arabia, a national drilling record was reached for the longest horizontal well drilled. A key technology for drilling such wells, which typically show a Total Depth (TD) in excess of 30,000 ft, was the use of extended reach horizontal drilling.
Drilling these wells required, among other things, a proper selection of drill stem products. With drill pipe accounting for most of the string length, choosing the right specification plays a huge role in overall drilling performance. With a lot of friction as the string is ran downhole, the ability to transmit torque to the bit is challenging and connection technology becomes critically important. Double shoulder connections place connections at par with the pipe body in terms of torque capacity and actually come with additional benefits. Not only do these connections transmit higher torque but they do it using a thinner steel envelop, which allows a larger internal opening for improved hydraulics. Furthermore, these streamlined connections can also come with reduced Outside Diameter (OD) tool joints which help keep the Equivalent Circulation Density (ECD) as low as necessary to maintain formation integrity.
Towards the end of 2010, a national record 32,136 ft measured depth well was drilled in Saudi Arabia using such connection technology, proper material grade selection and optimized pipe size selection. The well was then used for horizontal water injection into the reservoir in order to maintain reservoir pressure and optimize production. This paper will describe the challenges of this project and how connection technology, engineered material grade and pipe size helped address each of these challenges. The record well case history will form the base of this paper and authors will include a comprehensive section on the successfully selected connection, its performances as well as a summary of more recent results.
China Shale Gas Exploration: Early Sichuan Basin Longmaxi Shale Gas Stimulation and Completion Case Study
Authors: Lv Zonggang , Wang Lin , Deng Sufen , Chong King Kwee , Wang Qiang , Dumesnil Joe 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
China has surpassed the US to become the largest energy consumer in the world, and it is projected that China's demand for energy will increase from 97 quadrillion Btus in 2010 to 142 quadrillion by 2040 (ExxonMobil 2013), a 46% increase. EIA estimated China has 1,115 Tcf of risked technically recoverable shale gas resources (EIA 2013), making it an important resource for China's future energy demand. Currently, the majority of China's shale gas exploration and development are focused on three marine shales in and around Sichuan basin: the Silurian Longmaxi, the Cambrian age Qiongzhusi, and Niutitang. Of these, it is estimated that the Longmaxi has the highest risked recoverable shale gas (EIA 2013). However, because of its complex paleo tectonic movement, the Longmaxi formation is a highly fractured and faulted system, which makes it challenging to drill and fracture.
This paper is a case study of operational challenges encountered when fracturing the Longmaxi formation. A brief geological review of Sichuan basin geology is discussed to present the origin of the geological complexity. The diagnostic fracture injection test (DFIT), hydraulic fracture job charts, log analysis, and microseismic data during fracture stimulation of a horizontal Longmaxi well is analyzed as an example to show the difficulty operators could experience when fracturing a shale formation developed in such a complex geological environment. Possible solutions are discussed as lesson learnt. The production is also detailed.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned After 10 Years of Digital Oilfield (DOF) Implementations
Authors: Saputelli Luigi , Cesar Bravo , Michael Nikolaou , Carlos Lopez , Cramer Ron , Toshi Mochizuki , Moricca Giuseppe 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn the last decade, upstream oil industry faced an exponential increase of the use of real-time data, which lead to numerous digital oilfield (DOF) implementations. These have demonstrated the value to drive operations efficiency, optimize production, and maximize hydrocarbon recovery with better, faster decisions while reducing health, environmental and safety risks.Since the appearance of computers and the internet, many enabling technologies entered the oil-patch. Over the years, various areas improved as a result of significant commercial, corporate and academic efforts. However, some specific concerns remain be the same as a decade ago: data, value proposition, work processes, people skills and other aspects of change management.This paper focuses on the best practices that have made DOF implementations successful and the hard lessons learned. Many DOF implementations failed to deliver the expected value because of poor practices and misconceptions. These are presented in four interrelated areas: people, automated workflows, processes and technologies.Management of change at various levels of the organization continues to be a critical success factor, e.g. the introduction of new systems, designing effective collaborative ways of working, training people, management support and having the right resources (time and financial) to focus on real-time oil and gas production optimization.Automated workflows have been developed and deployed at various intensity levels. Although there is a lack of common language for defining workflows, there has been tremendous improvement in this area.On the other hand, work processes had been an area of little improvement. Because of poor process definition and understanding, companies failed to adopt and sustain highly sophisticated workflows. In the paper, we discuss the effort required to properly describe work process that support DOF implementations. We also describe the technology challenges faced and how these can be mitigated in the future.
Stable Fracturing Fluids from Produced Waste Water
Authors: Kakadjian Sarkis , Thompson Joseph , Torres Robert , Trabelsi Siwar , Zamora Frank , Ait Hamlat Yahia 
Published: October 2013

AbstractEnvironmental concerns and public opinion have elevated the visibility of hydraulic fracturing. Currently oil companies and operators acquire fresh water for fracturing treatments on the front end and pay to dispose or transport the flowback or produced water on the back end, increasing dramatically the cost of the hydraulic fracturing job. We report a newly developed fracturing fluid system utilizing 100% untreated produced water which eliminates the upfront costs of purchasing fresh water. In addition, the back end costs are significantly reduced by transporting produced and/or flowback water to locations for re-use rather than to disposal well(s) located miles away or even in other states.This new system uses conventional gelling agents and crosslinkers used in active US shale plays, addressing the fracturing focus initiative.This new fluid system was developed for temperature ranges between 120-300+ °F. Field tests prove shear stability and good proppant transport at 20 BPM through a 1.25 in sliding sleeve baffle. The fracturing fluid system can be designed for instant or delayed crosslinking in recycle water with total dissolved solids exceeding 300,000 mg/L with hardness exceeding 30,000 mg/L. Another concern in the past was the presence of boron in produced water. This system can be used in water containing boron levels exceeding 500 mg/L.The code for recycle water has been broken utilizing this unique fracturing fluid system designed to conserve fresh water aquifers and recycle produced and flowback waters, reducing significantly disposal costs.This paper reports laboratory testing of the fluid characteristics in untreated produced water from the Bakken as well as the outcome of hybrid fluids in field applications, recommendations for field applications and economic impacts on fracturing fluid systems.
Challenges in implementing digital oil field for production optimization in Joint Operations Kuwait
Authors: Bhat M. S. , Spain J.. , Silva N.. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
It is difficult to change the operating culture and its equilibrium in an oil field, especially when the price of oil and profits are high. This paper discusses the challenges faced while implementing a digital oilfield concept for production optimization at Joint Operations (JO) in Kuwait. The operations are in the onshore Partitioned Zone, an area between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. This operation is unique in that it is operated jointly under separate concessions from two countries, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and involves a private player working alongside a national oil company during day-to-day operations. The production is from fields bordering Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and is staffed and funded equally by Saudi Arabian Chevron Inc. (SAC) and the Kuwait Gulf Oil Co. (KGOC). Some of the Chevron employees that rotate every 3 to 5 years from this location are familiar with the concept of the digital oil field (DOF). JO has set up a control center in the field. Approximately 50% of the wells are ‘on SCADA,’ meaning that the data from these wells are monitored in real time. JO wanted to implement real-time optimization, which would provide the engineers a tool at their desktop to monitor and optimize their wells in real time. The foremost challenge was to get all employees to adapt to a DOF concept. Several strategies have been considered to gain greater acceptance and usage of the DOF, some of which have yielded short-term gains. There is an attempt to generate greater user interest by providing daily reports from the software to show wells that are down along with their alarms. These wells are not part of the differed oil production. This paper discusses such strategies in addition to creating a sense of urgency, a top-down management approach and individual one-on-one training sessions, among others.