bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex-Specific Associations of Established and Emerging Cardiac Biomarkers with All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults: The ActiFE Study
Authors: Dallmeier Dhayana , Denkinger Michael , Peter Richard , Rapp Kilian , Jaffe Allan S , Koenig Wolfgang ,   for the ActiFE Study Group, Rothenbacher Dietrich 
Published: December 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND
N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has strong prognostic value for all-cause mortality in the general population. High-sensitivity assays now allow detection of cardiac troponins even in asymptomatic populations. We examined the association between NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and hs-cTnI and all-cause mortality in older adults.

METHODS
We conducted a longitudinal cohort study [Activity and Function in the Elderly in Ulm (ActiFE Ulm)] including 1506 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years old with NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT, and hs-cTnI measured at baseline. We evaluated the associations between log-transformed biomarker concentrations and 4-year total mortality, accounting for possible confounders, with Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS
We observed 125 deaths among 1422 participants (median follow-up 4 years). We detected effect modification by sex for all biomarkers (all P values &lt;0.05) expressed as hazard ratio (HR) for death per 1-unit increment of ln(biomarker concentration) in women (n = 618, 37 deaths) compared with men (n = 804, 88 deaths): HR 2.97 (95% CI 2.04–4.33) vs 1.73 (1.40–2.13) for NT-proBNP; 3.67 (2.31–5.81) vs 2.15 (1.61–2.87) for hs-cTnT; and 3.32 (2.13–5.18) vs 1.92 (1.55–2.38) for hs-cTnI. Among 777 participants with undetectable hs-cTnT (&lt;5 ng/L), hs-cTnI remained associated with all-cause mortality in age- and sex-adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSIONS
NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT, and hs-cTnI were independently associated with all-cause mortality in older adults. The strength of these associations varied between men and women, emphasizing the need for additional sex-specific research among older people.
‘The world is our community’: Rethinking community radio in the digital age
Authors: Chiumbu Sarah Helen 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
New media technologies – Internet and mobile phones – have transformed the face of radio broadcasting. Research in this area has shown that these technologies are reconfiguring both radio’s institutional structures and its practices. Radio, now accessed on multiple digital platforms, is allowing diverse forms of utilization and engagement. In this article, I analyse the changing nature and meaning of ‘community’ in community radio in the digital age using insights from literature on imagined communities, translocality and liminality. I argue that new media technologies are opening up new spaces for community radio that go beyond the geographical and community of interest to embrace translocal and diasporic communities. There is thus need to interrogate the meaning of community radio in terms of audiences and programming in such new configurations. I use two community radio stations in South Africa to make my arguments. I conclude by pointing to the need for new research avenues on community radio in the digital age.
Staging the body and space in television: Jozi H as a case in point
Authors: Swanepoel JH 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The medical drama series is uniquely positioned to draw together a technology of care as well as a technology of representation. It becomes the nexus where the series’ plot with its dramatic elements and the medium – namely, television, used to represent the narrative – converge. The human body forms the foundation of all television’s narrative. In relation to this, the nature of healing as something that concerns the body as a corporeal and social entity recuperating within a given time frame and within a particular space emerges. The continuity that television lends to the movement and flow of bodies further provides authenticity to the representation of the (healing) human body – a constituent part of the larger body politic itself. This article provides a theoretical and practical exploration by exploring the credits sequence of a South African Canadian medical drama series, Jozi H (2007), set in metropolitan Johannesburg.
The politics of ‘patriots’ and ‘traitors’ on Radio Zimbabwe
Authors: Mudavanhu Selina Linda 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
This article analyses internal dynamics within the groups of people constituted on the state radio station, Radio Zimbabwe, as ‘patriots’ and ‘traitors’ between March and April 2011. While it appears as if these groups were made up of a homogeneous people, a closer look at the broadcasts using critical discourse analysis suggests that each group was internally fraught with inequalities. President Mugabe along with a group labelled as ‘national heroes’ was constructed as superior to other comrades (‘Provincial heroes’ and ‘Liberation war heroes’). This setting apart of some people as better than others worked to justify why some people within the Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party would forever be frontrunners in the party and in the country. Although all opposition groups have generally been depicted in state media as ‘traitors’, this article argues that former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and the faction that he led, the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T), were framed as the ‘worst of the traitors’. The then Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara, and his faction, the Movement for Democratic Change-Mutambara (MDC-M), escaped the vitriolic attack on the station. Ridiculing Tsvangirai and the MDC-T exclusively served to further delegitimize him and his faction as serious political contenders. It also worked to nurture the divisions that already existed within the opposition camp.
Novel DOCK8 Mutation
Authors: Haynes Alison 
Published: December 2014

Background: Hyper IgE syndrome (HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency with sporadic, autosomal dominant (STAT3 mutation) and autosomal recessive (DOCK8 and TYK2 mutations) inheritance patterns. HIES secondary to DOCK8 mutation is characterized by extensive cutaneous viral and staphylococcal infections, recurrent sinopulmonary infections, severe allergic diseases, increased susceptibility to malignancy with lymphopenia, eosinophilia, and elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE). Methods: This case report highlights the clinical presentation and immune investigations of a male patient with a novel DOCK8 mutation. Results: Our patient presented with cutaneous viral infections including severe molluscum contagiosum and herpes simplex virus plus skin abscesses and acute otitis media. In addition to infections, he developed intermittent diarrhea, eczematous lesions, abnormal fingernails, oral ulcers, and Bell's palsy. Immune evaluation revealed lymphopenia, in particular low CD8 cells, low mitogen stimulation response, and poor specific antibody production requiring immunoglobulin replacement. Genetic sequencing confirmed a novel mutation in DOCK8. Conclusion: Patients with significant cutaneous viral and bacterial infections, recurrent sinopulmonary infections, severe allergic diseases, and lymphopenia with associated elevated IgE should be investigated for DOCK8 mutation. This case report highlights a novel mutation in the DOCK8 exon 45 aa1970, c.5908 G>C change alanine to proline homozygous change A1970 to P1970 Statement of novelty: This case reports on a novel mutation in DOCK8
Controlling Shareholders: Issues and Challenges for Shareholders’ Empowerment in Directors’ Remuneration in Corporate Malaysia
Authors: Rachagan Shanthy , Mohd Sulaiman Aiman Nariman 
Published: December 2014

AbstractCurrent reform concerning directors’ remuneration relies on improving legal rules and self-regulation to minimise expropriation of minority shareholders. These have prominently focussed on empowering shareholders. Nonetheless, it is unclear as to the extent these reform proposals are compatible within the concentrated shareholding structure. Some of the reforms taking place in developed countries are suited for dispersed shareholding structure and thus transplanting them to emerging economies with concentrated shareholders may be ineffective. Malaysia poses an interesting case study, especially to countries with similar ownership structure as the concentrated shareholding structure raises different agency problems. The issue of protection of minority shareholder rights and the prevention of abuse of the controlling power by paying excessive remuneration to the executives is therefore a subject of due consideration in Malaysia and countries with similar shareholding structures. This article recommends that Malaysia and other emerging countries look into encouraging limited shareholder empowerment in tandem with laws.
microRNA-210 is involved in the regulation of postmenopausal osteoporosis through promotion of VEGF expression and osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Liu Xiao-Dong , Cai Feng , Liu Liang , Zhang Yan , Yang An-Li 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-protein-codingRNAs that function as negative gene expression regulators. miRNA-210 (miR-210) has recently been recognized in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis associated with angiogenesis. Herein we aimed to explore the clinical significance of miR-210 treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. The expression of miR-210 was detected in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)in vitroand miR-210 significantly promoted the expression of vascular edothelial growth factor (VEGF) in BMSCs in a time-dependent manner (p<0.05). And miR-210 suppressed PPARγ expression but increased the expression of ALP and osterix, demonstrating that miR-210 inhibited adipocyte differentiation and promoted osteoblast differentiation of BMSCsin vitro. The protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and VEGF in 17β-estradiol (E2) treated osteoblasts were significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner (p<0.05). And E2 inducted the VEGF expression through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in osteoblasts. Taken together, these data implied that miR-210 played an important role in ameliorating the estrogen deficiency caused-postmenopausal osteoporosis through promotion the VEGF expression and osteoblast differentiation.
Numerical solution of two-dimensional radially symmetric inverse heat conduction problem
Authors: Qian Zhi , Hon Benny Y. C. , Xiong Xiang Tuan 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
We investigate a two-dimensional radially symmetric inverse heat conduction problem, which is ill-posed in the sense that the solution does not depend continuously on input data. By generalizing the idea of kernel approximation, we devise a modified kernel in the frequency domain to reconstruct a numerical solution for the inverse heat conduction problem from the given noisy data. For the stability of the numerical approximation, we develop seven regularization techniques with some stability and convergence error estimates to reconstruct the unknown solution. Numerical experiments illustrate that the proposed numerical algorithm with regularization techniques provides a feasible and effective approximation to the solution of the inverse and ill-posed problem.
Intima-media thickness and endothelial dysfunction in GCK and HNF1A-MODY patients
Authors: Szopa Magdalena , Osmenda Grzegorz , Wilk Grzegorz , Matejko Bartłomiej , Skupien Jan , Zapala Barbara , Młynarski Wojciech , Guzik Tomasz , Malecki Maciej T 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveMutations in the glucokinase (GCK) gene, along with hepatocyte nuclear factor 1A (HNF1A) gene mutations, are the most frequent cause of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). GCK-MODY patients are typically characterized by a moderate fasting hyperglycemia; however, little is known about atherosclerosis and intermediate-related phenotypes in these subjects.DesignTo examine carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and endothelial function assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in GCK gene mutations carriers and HNF1A-MODY.MethodsA total of 64 subjects with GCK gene mutations, and 52 HNF1A gene mutation carriers as well as 53 nondiabetic controls were examined. IMT and FMD were assessed by ultrasonography. Appropriate statistical tests were performed to assess differences between the groups, and multivariate linear regression was done for the association with IMT and FMD.ResultsThe clinical characteristics of all groups were similar with the mean age at examination of 35.1, 41.1, and 39.5 years for GCK, HNF1A and the control group respectively. The highest mean IMT value was in the HNF1A-MODY group: 7.0±1.4 mm, whereas it reached 6.3±1.4 mm in GCK mutation carriers and 6.3±1.3 mm in controls (P=0.008). After adjustment for possible clinical and biochemical cofounders, IMT remained higher in HNF1A-MODY patients as compared with GCK-MODY patients (P=0.02) and controls (P=0.0003). FMD was significantly lower in HNF1A (9.9±4.6%) and GCK-MODY (11.1±4.6%) patients in comparison with controls (13.9±4.7%; P=0.0001). After adjustment, FMD remained lower in HNF1A-MODY (P=0.0005) and GCK-MODY patients (P=0.01) as compared with controls.ConclusionsBoth examined MODY groups demonstrated evidence of endothelial dysfunction. In addition, HNF1-MODY patients seem to be more prone to an early atherosclerotic phenotype.
Complicated Open Supracondylar Fracture of the Femur Managed Primarily with an Autogenous Split Fibular Graft in Conjunction with an Intramedullary Nail
Authors: Nandakumar R. , Abraham Vineet Thomas , Chandrasekaran M. 
Published: December 2014

Case:
A thirty-two-year-old man presented with an open type-IIIA Müller type-C2 supracondylar fracture of the femur and an ipsilateral segmental fracture of the tibia. An external fixator was used for initial stabilization. After ten days, the fractured femur was stabilized with a retrograde intramedullary nail along with an autogenous split fibular graft placed on either side of the nail; intramedullary nail fixation of the tibia was also performed. At the two-year follow-up, both fractures had united.

Conclusion:
An autogenous split fibular graft in conjunction with an intramedullary nail is a viable option to manage bone defects in complicated supracondylar fractures of the femur.
Malakoplakia of Bone
Authors: Lane Jason L. , Land Adam D. , Thompson S. Michael , Weiner Scott D. 
Published: December 2014

Case:
A sixty-one-year-old woman presented with right knee pain. Imaging demonstrated osteonecrosis, pathologic fracture, and a permeative lesion. A biopsy with irrigation and debridement was performed. Cultures grew Escherichia coli, and histology showed features of malakoplakia, a rare lesion of uncertain etiology usually found in the genitourinary tract. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics.

Conclusion:
Malakoplakia, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of permeative bone lesions, especially in an immunocompromised patient.
Optimizing Spacing of Horizontal, Multistage Fractured Wells in Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Alghannam Maryam , Rahim Zillur 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
The growing demand for gas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the availability of multistage fracturing (MSF) of horizontal well technology have opened up the development of tight gas reservoirs throughout the country. Draining the reservoir efficiently using MSF strongly depends on well spacing, especially for low permeability reservoirs. The majority of the work done by the industry to find the optimum well spacing was based on economic considerations. Saudi Aramco optimizes field development based on sustained rate and ultimate hydrocarbon recovery. Natural gas is treated as one of the most essential commodities supporting the country's infrastructure based on the increased domestic energy demand.
Some of the significant parameters to consider for well spacing optimization are the drilling azimuth and well completion strategy that include a number of induced fractures, fracture conductivity, and fracture half-lengths. In addition, reservoir properties, such as formation thickness, reservoir permeability, and the permeability anisotropy ratio are to be considered. Due to the scarcity of interference test data in gas wells and the inaccuracy of analytical solutions, numeric simulation is the most suitable approach for such a study. To find the optimum well spacing, several simulation runs are carried out for a realistic range of well and reservoir variables. The outcomes are then translated into a 20-year cumulative production as a function of the well spacing, with the results indicating that lower permeability reservoirs require closer well spacing. In the case of a large number of long fractures, wells need to be placed further away from each other to minimize well interference. This paper gives the recommended MSF horizontal well spacing for several development scenarios in Saudi Arabian gas reservoir environments. Although each area must be individually studied and optimized, the results will provide engineers with guidelines to better plan gas field development with the application of MSF technology.
CCS for Enhanced Oil Recovery: Integration and Optimization of a Post Combustion CO2 Capture Facility at a Power Plant in Abu Dhabi
Authors: Reichl Albert , Schneider Gernot , Schliepdiek Torsten , Reimuth Oliver 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Masdar has initiated the Abu Dhabi Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project, with the objective to develop an Abu Dhabi-based carbon capture network capable of creating large reductions of CO2 emissions as well as the capacity to increase oil extraction by use of CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Since Siemens has developed, tested and piloted a proprietary post-combustion CO2 capture technology (PostCap™) for the removal of CO2 from the flue gas of coal and gas fired power plants suitable for the project, both parties decided to cooperate in executing a FEED study. The solvent Siemens based its technology on is an aqueous amino acid salt solution.
Siemens and Masdar have completed a FEED study for capturing 1,800,000 tons of CO2 annually from a natural gas fired power plant in Abu Dhabi, by application of the PostCap™ technology.
Various opportunities and challenges were encountered during the design of the retrofit capture plant. Challenges were often specific to the region, including local climate, water availability and flue gas quality. Design and optimisation of the plant was influenced by local energy and labour prices. Further opportunities included integration with the power plant and a local industrial facility.
The power plant had to supply the capture plant with steam and power without reducing the original electricity production capacity. In order to accomplish this, several heat and power integration concepts were evaluated with respect to their feasibility, including the application of a back-pressure steam turbine and the retrofit of a simple cycle gas turbine to combined cycle.
Various cooling options were considered, in view of climate and resource challenges. Cooling water had to be extracted from a reflux stream produced by an adjacent industrial facility.
Drawing on the results of the FEED study this paper presents how the Siemens PostCap™ technology can be applied for capturing CO2 at a power plant in Abu Dhabi for the purpose of EOR while satisfying specific local needs, and how simultaneously utility supply and power plant integration can be facilitated.
NMR as a Characterization Tool for Wormholes: The Complete Picture
Authors: Al-Duailej Yaser , Mahmoud Mohamed , Al-Khaldi Mohammed , Kwak Hyung , Shebatalhamd Abdullah , Al-Yami Ibrahim 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Acidizing is a common practice aspired to recover the initial skin factor or even decrease it further. Acids tend to create conductive channels (wormholes), through carbonate formations which connect the reservoir to the wellbore and bypass the damaged zones. Optimum wormholes are formed when certain conditions are met, such as optimum acid concentration and optimum injection rate. In order to thoroughly grasp wormhole creation, several characterization techniques should be performed.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan and differential pressure data are two common practices to characterize wormholing in laboratories using core plug samples. Differential pressure data and CT scan can verify acid breakthrough occurrence, and qualitatively suggest the size and path of a wormhole. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was introduced in earlier studies as a new characterization tool for wormholes. It was able to detect the changes in micro- and macro-pores, due to acid injection. In addition, it was able to indicate the changes in interconnectivity between different pore systems and detect the materialization of formation damage. Nevertheless, NMR technique could not detect the new porosity corresponding to the generated wormhole due to inability to sustain saturation fluids inside the core plug samples.
In this study, the NMR technique was further improved using a customized Teflon tube as a container for core plug samples. Since Teflon material does not interfere with NMR readings, this improvement allowed the core plug samples to maintain full saturation, which enabled the detection of the new wormhole porosity. As a result, NMR was able to indicate different characteristics of the generated porosity, including the size of wormhole, the changes in diffusion coupling, and in the distribution of each pore size. This technique can significantly elaborate new aspects of wormhole generation and characteristics in carbonate reservoirs.
Experience of Using a Fibre Optic Pipeline Monitoring System in a Remote Desert Environment
Authors: Espiner Richard , Pickburn Alastair , Smith Gerald 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
BP Oman has recently come to the end of a three-year extended well test (EWT) project to provide field data for the $17+bn Khazzan major project, involving the development of a tight gas field with approximately 300 wells and due to commence production in 2017/8.
The EWT facilities included a gathering pipeline network and gas & liquid export pipelines. The major pipelines were equipped with a fibre optic pipeline monitoring system that was developed, and field trialled through a BP-led technology project. The monitoring system has the capability of continuously monitoring the full length of the buried pipeline on which it is installed, as well as provide real-time indication of leaks, third party activity around the pipeline, ground movement and the passage of maintenance or inspection pigs through the pipeline. The implementation of the monitoring technology for the Oman EWT project was the first full-scale implementation of the system.
The paper describes the capabilities of the fibre optic monitoring system and the experience gained throughout the three years of operations experience in Oman. In particular, operating experience has proven the system's capability of accurately tracking pipeline pigs, and this is illustrated using data from a cleaning & inspection pigging campaign.