bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Saudi Aramco Downhole Corrosion/Scaling Operational Experience and Challenges in HP/HT Gas Condensate Producers
Authors: Al-Tammar Jawad I. , Bonis Michel , Choi Ho Jin , Al-Salim Yousef 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper shares Saudi Aramco's operational experience and challenges with downhole sweet and sour corrosion and scaling tendencies in the carbon steel (CS) completions. It also reports the company's approach to deal with these issues. Corrosion in wells drilled in sour gas bearing reservoirs commonly occurs in conjunction with iron sulfide scale deposits in the lowermost section of the production tubing and liner. Historically, the progression of sour corrosion has been relatively slow, so CS completions are cost-effective as the frequency of required workovers is low. Nevertheless, although scale deposits are not confirmed to curtail well productivity they reduce wellbore accessibility, which sometimes necessitates their removal by rig-less mechanical operation. Scale removal from old completions resulted in failure of the tubular integrity. In most sour gas wells corrosion starts posing scaling and obstruction problems inside the tubing far before any leaking risk. It is worth noting that this experience is consistent with field cases experienced by Total or other operators, as recently reported in the literature. The company experience with sweet gas producers have shown corrosion tendency to occur at shallow depths with no observed scale deposits. Corrosion was in the form of localized spaced scratches in the joints and metal loss in the pin- and box-ends. For these wells, the average life cycle of tubulars exceeds 10 years. The results from this field study might benefit the world gas producers of Saudi Aramco's intensive and diversified experience and of the completion practices that the company has adapted to develop the high temperature gas condensate fields. It is of particular interest to understand why the corrosion observed on these sweet wells is significantly lower than predicted by most carbon dioxide (CO2) corrosion prediction models.
Asymmetric Cost Behavior
Authors: Banker Rajiv D. , Byzalov Dmitri 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT
We synthesize the growing literature on asymmetric cost behavior—a new way of thinking about costs and, by extension, earnings. While the traditional cost behavior model describes a mechanistic relation between activity and costs, this alternative view recognizes the primitives of cost behavior—resource adjustment costs and managerial decisions. These primitives give rise to “sticky” and “anti-sticky” costs, along with traditional “fixed” and “variable” costs as extreme cases. We formulate an integrated framework of asymmetric cost behavior and review the empirical evidence in support of this framework and its implications for both cost and financial accounting research. We clarify empirical issues and show that recent contrary claims about the validity of findings in the literature are unwarranted because of econometric errors. We present new comprehensive evidence from Global Compustat, which demonstrates that asymmetric cost behavior is a pervasive global phenomenon. We also discuss research opportunities.
Outsourcing the Information System: Determinants, Risks, and Implications for Management Control Systems
Authors: Christ Margaret H. , Mintchik Natalia , Chen Long , Bierstaker James L. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT
Organizations are outsourcing traditional functions that have financial reporting implications, such as transaction processing and valuation assessments, with increasing frequency. This practice of outsourcing aspects of the information system transforms the control structure of the outsourcing company and creates new challenges for management and accountants that are not explicitly addressed by current research. In this paper we synthesize academic literature and regulatory guidance on using third parties to perform functions with financial reporting implications (i.e., service organizations) and identify specific opportunities for future accounting research. To provide structure to our review and highlight knowledge gaps, we develop an organizing framework that links existing theories of outsourcing determinants to outsourcing risks and identifies the advantages and limitations of certain control mechanisms to mitigate such risks. Very little academic research exists on the use of service organizations, despite the rapid growth of this practice and regulators' concerns that financial reporting quality may suffer due to inappropriate management oversight and audit deficiencies. We provide insights for future research on (1) factors influencing companies' decisions to outsource the information system, (2) risks that arise when companies outsource the information system, and (3) implications for management control systems.
Shear Bond Strength of Four Different Repair Materials Applied to Bis-acryl Resin Provisional Materials Measured 10 Minutes, One Hour, and Two Days After Bonding
Authors: Shim JS , Park YJ , Manaloto ACF , Shin SW , Lee JY , Choi YJ , Ryu JJ 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARY
This study investigated the shear bond strength of repaired provisional restoration materials 1) to compare the bond strengths between bis-acryl resin and four different materials and 2) to investigate the effect of the amount of time elapsed after bonding on the bond strength. The self-cured bis-acryl resin (Luxatemp) was used as the base material, and four different types of resins (Luxatemp, Protemp, Z350 flowable, and Z350) were used as the repair materials. Specimens were divided into three groups depending on the point of time of shear bond strength measurement: 10 minutes, one hour, and 48 hours. Shear bond strengths were measured with a universal testing machine, and the fracture surface was examined with a video measuring system. Two-way analysis of variance revealed that the repair materials (p&lt;0.001) and the amount of time elapsed after bonding (p&lt;0.001) significantly affected the repair strength. All of the repaired materials showed increasing bond strength with longer storage time. The highest bond strength and cohesive failure were observed for bonding between Luxatemp base and Luxatemp at 48 hours after bonding.
Bianchi types I and V bulk viscous fluid cosmological models in f(R, T) gravity theory
Authors: Ram Shri , Kumari Priyanka 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn this paper we present non-singular Bianchi types I and V cosmological models, in the presence of bulk viscous fluid and within the framework of f(R,T) gravity theory. Exact solutions to the field equations are obtained by choosing a particular form of the function f(R,T) and a special value for the average scale factor of the model, which corresponds to a time- dependent deceleration parameter. The cosmological models initially accelerate for a certain period of time and thereafter decelerate. The physical and kinematical properties of the models of the universe are discussed.
Optical properties of a liquid crystal with small ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices and small optical anisotropy
Authors: Kędzierski J. , Garbat K. , Raszewski Z. , Kojdecki M. , Kowiorski K. , Jaroszewicz L. , Miszczyk E. , Dąbrowski R. , Zieliński J. , Piecek W. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractOptical properties of a nematic liquid crystal with small refractive index and small birefringence were studied. The ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices and birefringence were measured as functions of temperature by using an Abbe refractometer and wedge nematic cells. From values of these indices the nematic orientational order parameter was calculated by using several methods and corresponding mathematical models. Kuczyński et al. method was found to be suitable for determining the order parameter also for materials featuring small ordinary refractive index, with unknown density.
Investigation of structural, optical and electrical properties of (Ti,Nb)Ox thin films deposited by high energy reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Mazur Michal , Kaczmarek Danuta , Prociow Eugeniusz , Domaradzki Jaroslaw , Wojcieszak Damian , Bocheński Jakub 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this work the results of investigations of the titanium-niobium oxides thin films have been reported. The thin films were manufactured with the aid of a modified reactive magnetron sputtering process. The aim of the research was the analysis of structural, optical and electrical properties of the deposited thin films. Additionally, the influence of post-process annealing on the properties of studied coatings has been presented. The as-deposited coatings were amorphous, while annealing at 873 K caused a structural change to the mixture of TiO2 anatase-rutile phases. The prepared thin films exhibited good transparency with transmission level of ca. 50 % and low resistivity varying from 2 Ωcm to 5×10−2 Ωcm, depending on the time and temperature of annealing. What is worth to emphasize, the sign of Seebeck coefficient changed after the annealing process from the electron to hole type electrical conduction.
The assessment of colostral immunity in dairy calves based on serum biochemical indicators and their relationships
Authors: Šlosárková Soňa , Fleischer Petr , Pěnkava Oldřich , Skřivánek Miloslav 
Published: June 2014

Passive transfer of immunity in dairy calves is routinely monitored in North America. This study analyzes such type of biochemistry monitoring in 591 calves (Holstein, Fleckvieh) from 19 large farms in the Czech Republic. All calves, aged 1–6 days, were blood sampled once. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, zinc sulphate turbidity units and γ-glutamyltransferase activity were analysed by photometry methods. The samples were divided according to concentrations of total protein and zinc sulphate turbidity units, and the age of calves. These groups were compared using nonparametric tests. The samples had good mean values (total protein 63.5 g·l-1, albumin 30.5 g·l-1, zinc sulphate turbidity 11.5 U, γ-glutamyltransferase 10.7 μkat·l-1) but 41% and 54% of calves had low total protein (< 60 g·l-1) and zinc sulphate turbidity (< 12 U), respectively. The calves with low total protein showed markedly worse values in all indicators (P < 0.001). The groups according to zinc sulphate turbidity (thresholds 5, 10, 15 U) demonstrated gradual differences (P < 0.001) in all indicators except albumin. Only γ-glutamyltransferase showed very distinct age-sensitive differences; the highest activity was in 1-day-old calves (18.3 μkat·l-1); calves aged 3–6 days had significantly lower activity. It is newly suggested that samples be taken from calves 1–3 days old for γ-glutamyltransferase analysis and traditionally anytime during the first week of life for all other indicators. This first extensive analysis of passive transfer in Central Europe shows that there are widespread deficiencies in the feeding of colostrum to calves.
Effect of micro-encapsulated n-3 fatty acids on quality properties of two types of dry sausages
Authors: Pavlík Zdeněk , Saláková Alena , Kameník Josef , Pospíšil Jan , Králová Michaela , Steinhauserová Iva 
Published: June 2014

Dry sausages are popular traditional meat products. As these products are a rich source of animal fat, there is an effort to improve their fatty acid ratio. The aim of this work was to study the effect of micro-encapsulated n-3 fatty acids added into dry sausages. Samples of dry sausages (Poličan and Vysočina) enriched with unsaturated fatty acids (36 g for 6 kg of mixture) and rosemary extract (0.3 g·kg-1) were made along with control samples. Physicochemical, instrumental analyses were performed, fatty acid profile was measured by gas chromatography, and oxidation processes were monitored by determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. No significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) in quality indicators were found between samples, however, there were differences in oxidation processes. Sausages enriched with unsaturated fatty acids showed an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (> 2 mg·kg-1 and > 3 mg·kg-1 in Poličan and Vysočina, respectively, compared to control). Sausages enriched with unsaturated fatty acids and also with rosemary extract have the similar concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as the control. An increase in the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids was seen in samples of Poličan supplemented with unsaturated fatty acids in combination with rosemary extract. The addition of rosemary extract had also a significant effect in increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in samples of Vysočina. From the viewpoint of quality indicators, changes in the properties of the product were not seen in any samples.
Relations Inde-Sénégal : « émergence » d'une diplomatie de la coopération
Authors: Jain Pooja 
Published: June 2014

Depuis son indépendance en 1947, l’Inde s’est affirmée comme un acteur clé de la coopération Sud-Sud – une position enracinée dans la solidarité et l’anticolonialisme du Mouvement des non-alignés. L’auteure revient sur un cas particulier de cette coopération : les relations indo-sénégalaises. Un couple improbable à première vue, étant donné l’absence de liens coloniaux directs ou d’une diaspora indienne au Sénégal, mais qui illustre bien les évolutions politiques de ces deux pays et la montée en puissance des partenariats entre les pays émergents et ceux qui aspirent à ce statut. L’auteure analyse la place qu’ont prise ces deux pays dans les enceintes internationales depuis leur indépendance, étudie les changements diplomatiques et idéologiques survenus alors et s’attarde sur les conditions particulières qui les incitent, depuis quelque temps, à resserrer leur coopération.
Chine-Afrique : enjeux de l'ajustement chinois pour les pays miniers
Authors: Chaponnière Jean-Raphaël 
Published: June 2014

La Chine est le premier importateur des minerais d’Afrique subsaharienne et la demande chinoise a contribué a dynamisé les économies africaines. Commencé en 2011, le tassement de la croissance chinoise s’est déjà répercuté sur les cours des matières premières et sur les explorations en chute. Au-delà de la conjoncture, quel pourrait être l’impact du rééquilibrage du régime de croissance de l’économie chinoise sur les économies des pays d’Afrique subsaharienne exportateurs de minerais ? En diminuant le taux d’investissement en Chine, le rééquilibrage pèsera sur les cours, en particulier le cuivre et le fer, et il pourrait être amplifié par une meilleure efficacité de l’utilisation des métaux en Chine.
Risque accidentel de mort chez l'adulte et résilience psychologique : étude comparative exploratoire clinique et projective
Authors: Laurent Mélanie , Morosini Laura , Bustany Pierre , Paysant Jean , Krier Marianne , Lighezzolo-Alnot Joëlle , de Tychey Claude 
Published: June 2014

Cette recherche explore, de manière qualitative et comparative, après l’avoir définie, la résilience psychologique de deux adultes exposés accidentellement à un risque de mort et présentant des adaptations comportementales contrastées en suite de ce traumatisme. Les hypothèses émises, relatives à l’importance de deux variables centrales dans l’élaboration du traumatisme : la qualité de l’étayage externe et du fonctionnement mental intrapsychique, reçoivent une confirmation au vu de la méthodologie clinique et projective utilisée. Des pistes de recherche futures et des indications pour la prise en charge psychothérapique sont suggérées.
Habitat and estimated density of Magicicada septendecula (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), a 17-year periodical cicada newly discovered in Connecticut, United States of America
Authors: Maier Chris T. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPeriodical cicadas in the genus Magicicada Davis (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of brood II emerged in the eastern United States of America in 2013. In Connecticut, only Magicicada septendecim (Linnaeus) had been recorded until this emergence when Magicicada septendecula Alexander and Moore was found on Totoket Mountain in North Branford, Connecticut, United States of America. This discovery represented the northeastern-most record of this species. In two 0.25-ha plots where M. septendecula and M. septendecim emerged and chorused, species of Carya Nuttall (Juglandaceae) comprised 59.9–63.7% of the total basal area, with Carya glabra (Miller) Sweet, accounting for 43.9–60.0%. In one plot, 31.6% of the total basal area was Fraxinus americana Linnaeus (Oleaceae). By using the proportion of exuviae of M. septendecula (hind tibial length<6.3 mm) and M. septendecim (length ⩾ 6.3 mm) near trees and the mean number of emergence holes per 0.25-m2 quadrat (1.88), it was estimated that 1487 M. septendecula and 17 313 M. septendecim emerged in one 0.25-ha plot. Mean tibial length of M. septendecula was significantly smaller in males (5.53 mm) than females (5.99 mm), and the sex ratio did not depart significantly from 1:1. Magicicada septendecula may be threatened by the decline of F. americana and Juglans cinerea Linnaeus (Juglandaceae), the first a known host and the second a suspected host.
The Eμ Enhancer Region Influences H Chain Expression and B Cell Fate without Impacting IgVH Repertoire and Immune Response In Vivo
Authors: Marquet Marie , Garot Armand , Bender Sébastien , Carrion Claire , Rouaud Pauline , Lecardeur Sandrine , Denizot Yves , Cogné Michel , Pinaud Eric 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The IgH intronic enhancer region Eμ is a combination of both a 220-bp core enhancer element and two 310–350-bp flanking scaffold/matrix attachment regions named MARsEμ. In the mouse, deletion of the core-enhancer Eμ element mainly affects VDJ recombination with minor effects on class switch recombination. We carried out endogenous deletion of the full-length Eμ region (core plus MARsEμ) in the mouse genome to study VH gene repertoire and IgH expression in developing B-lineage cells. Despite a severe defect in VDJ recombination with partial blockade at the pro–B cell stage, Eμ deletion (core or full length) did not affect VH gene usage. Deletion of this regulatory region induced both a decrease of pre–B cell and newly formed B cell compartments and a strong orientation toward the marginal zone B cell subset. Because Igμ H chain expression was decreased in Eμ-deficient pre–B cells, we propose that modification of B cell homeostasis in deficient animals was caused by “weak” pre–B cell and BCR expression. Besides imbalances in B cell compartments, Ag-specific Ab responses were not impaired in animals carrying the Eμ deletion. In addition to its role in VDJ recombination, our study points out that the full-length Eμ region does not influence VH segment usage but ensures efficient Igμ-chain expression required for strong signaling through pre–B cells and newly formed BCRs and thus participates in B cell inflow and fate.
Ammonia Drives Dendritic Cells into Dysfunction
Authors: Luo Can , Shen Guobo , Liu Ning , Gong Fengming , Wei Xiawei , Yao Shaohua , Liu Dan , Teng Xiu , Ye Ning , Zhang Nan , Zhou Xikun , Li Jiong , Yang Li , Zhao Xia , Yang Li , Xiang Rong , Wei Yu-quan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Ammonia levels are often elevated in patients with cirrhosis or tumors. Patients with these diseases are immunocompromised. In this study, we investigated the effects of ammonia on a member of the immune cell family, the dendritic cells (DCs). Our results demonstrated that ammonia diminished cell count, phagocytosis, and lymphocyte stimulation of DCs. Ammonia also induced DC swelling, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and mitochondrial damage, which may constitute the underlying mechanism of ammonia-induced DC dysfunction. In ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)–loaded mice, DCs exhibited lowered phagocytosis and a weakened immune response to the chicken OVA vaccine. DCs from patients with cirrhosis or ammonia-treated healthy human blood both exhibited diminished phagocytosis. Moreover, tumor cell conditioned medium drove DCs into dysfunction, which could be reversed by ammonia elimination. In a murine colon carcinoma model, we found that ammonia could regulate tumor growth involving DCs and their related immune response. These findings reveal that ammonia could drive DCs into dysfunction, which contributes to the immunocompromised state of patients with cirrhosis or tumors.
Bronchial Epithelial Cells Induce Alternatively Activated Dendritic Cells Dependent on Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling
Authors: Weitnauer Michael , Schmidt Lotte , Ng Kuet Leong Nathalie , Muenchau Stephanie , Lasitschka Felix , Eckstein Volker , Hübner Sabine , Tuckermann Jan , Dalpke Alexander H. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Airway epithelial cells mount a tolerogenic microenvironment that reduces the proinflammatory potential of respiratory dendritic cells (DCs). We recently demonstrated that tracheal epithelial cells continuously secrete soluble mediators that affect the reactivity of local innate immune cells. Using transcriptional profiling, we now observed that conditioning of DCs by tracheal epithelial cells regulated 98 genes under homeostatic conditions. Among the most upregulated genes were Ms4a8a and Ym1, marker genes of alternatively activated myeloid cells. Ex vivo analysis of respiratory DCs from nonchallenged mice confirmed a phenotype of alternative activation. Bioinformatic analysis showed an overrepresentation of hormone-nuclear receptors within the regulated genes, among which was the glucocorticoid receptor. In line with a role for glucocorticoids, pharmacological blockade as well as genetic manipulation of the glucocorticoid receptor within DCs inhibited Ms4a8a and Ym1 expression as well as MHC class II and CD86 regulation upon epithelial cell conditioning. Within epithelial cell–conditioned medium, low amounts of glucocorticoids were present. Further analysis showed that airway epithelial cells did not produce glucocorticoids de novo, yet were able to reactivate inactive dehydrocorticosterone enzymatically. The results show that airway epithelial cells regulate local immune responses, and this modulation involves local production of glucocorticoids and induction of an alternative activation phenotype in DCs.
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of the Choose Less, Weigh Less Portion Size Health Marketing Campaign in Los Angeles County
Authors: Gase Lauren N. , Barragan Noel C. , Robles Brenda , Leighs Michael , Kuo Tony 
Published: June 2014

Purpose. To assess the impact of the Choose Less, Weigh Less portion size health marketing campaign. Design. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional evaluation. Setting. A quantitative Internet panel survey was administered through an online sampling vendor and qualitative interviews were conducted by street intercept. Subjects. The panel survey included 796 participants, weighted to represent Los Angeles County. Street intercept interviews were conducted with 50 other participants. Intervention. The Choose Less, Weigh Less campaign included print media on transit shelters, bus and rail cars, and billboards; radio and online advertising; and Web site content and social media outreach. Measures. The panel survey measured self-reported campaign exposure and outcomes, including knowledge of recommended daily calorie limits, attitudes toward portion sizes, and intent to reduce calories and portion size. Intercept interviews assessed campaign appeal, clarity, and utility. Analysis. Weighted survey data were analyzed using logistic regression to assess the association between campaign exposure and outcomes. Interview data were analyzed for themes. Results. The campaign reached 19.7% of the Los Angeles County population. Significant differences were seen for 2 of the 10 outcomes assessed. Participants who saw the campaign were more likely than those who did not to report fast-food portion sizes as being too large (adjusted odds ratio [Adj. OR]: 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 3.07) and intention to choose a smaller portion (Adj. OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.31). Qualitative data revealed three themes about appeal, clarity, and utility. Conclusion. Health marketing efforts targeting portion size can have relatively broad reach and limited but positive impacts on consumer attitudes and intent to select smaller portions.