bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep Injection of Waste Water in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin
Authors: Ferguson Grant 
Published: May 2014

AbstractInjection of wastes into the deep subsurface has become a contentious issue, particularly in emerging regions of oil and gas production. Experience in other regions suggests that injection is an effective waste management practice and that widespread environmental damage is unlikely. Over the past several decades, 23 km3 of water has been injected into the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). The oil and gas industry has injected most of this water but large amounts of injection are associated with mining activities. The amount of water injected into this basin during the past century is 2 to 3 orders magnitude greater than natural recharge to deep formations in the WCSB. Despite this large‐scale disturbance to the hydrogeological system, there have been few documented cases of environmental problems related to injection wells. Deep injection of waste appears to be a low risk activity based on this experience but monitoring efforts are insufficient to make definitive statements. Serious uncharacterized legacy issues could be present. Initiating more comprehensive monitoring and research programs on the effects of injection in the WCSB could provide insight into the risks associated with injection in less developed sedimentary basins.
A Fuzzy Rule Based Remedial Priority Ranking System for Contaminated Sites
Authors: Polat Sener , Aksoy Aysegul , Unlu Kahraman 
Published: May 2014

AbstractContaminated site remediation is generally difficult, time consuming, and expensive. As a result ranking may aid in efficient allocation of resources. In order to rank the priorities of contaminated sites, input parameters relevant to contaminant fate and transport, and exposure assessment should be as accurate as possible. Yet, in most cases these parameters are vague or not precise. Most of the current remediation priority ranking methodologies overlook the vagueness in parameter values or do not go beyond assigning a contaminated site to a risk class. The main objective of this study is to develop an alternative remedial priority ranking system (RPRS) for contaminated sites in which vagueness in parameter values is considered. RPRS aims to evaluate potential human health risks due to contamination using sufficiently comprehensive and readily available parameters in describing the fate and transport of contaminants in air, soil, and groundwater. Vagueness in parameter values is considered by means of fuzzy set theory. A fuzzy expert system is proposed for the evaluation of contaminated sites and a software (ConSiteRPRS) is developed in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 platform. Rankings are employed for hypothetical and real sites. Results show that RPRS is successful in distinguishing between the higher and lower risk cases.
Factors Affecting Public‐Supply Well Vulnerability in Two Karst Aquifers
Authors: Musgrove MaryLynn , Katz Brian G. , Fahlquist Lynne S. , Crandall Christy A. , Lindgren Richard J. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractKarst aquifers occur in a range of climatic and geologic settings. Nonetheless, they are commonly characterized by their vulnerability to water‐quality impairment. Two karst aquifers, the Edwards aquifer in south‐central Texas and the Upper Floridan aquifer in western Florida, were investigated to assess factors that control the movement of contaminants to public‐supply wells (PSWs). The geochemistry of samples from a selected PSW or wellfield in each aquifer was compared with that from nearby monitoring wells and regional PSWs. Geochemistry results were integrated with age tracers, flow modeling, and depth‐dependent data to refine aquifer conceptual models and to identify factors that affect contaminant movement to PSWs. The oxic Edwards aquifer is vertically well mixed at the selected PSW/wellfield, although regionally the aquifer is geochemically variable downdip. The mostly anoxic Upper Floridan aquifer is affected by denitrification and also is geochemically variable with depth. In spite of considerable differences in geology and hydrogeology, the two aquifers are similarly vulnerable to anthropogenic contamination. Vulnerability in studied PSWs in both aquifers is strongly influenced by rapid karst flowpaths and the dominance of young (<10 years) groundwater. Vulnerability was demonstrated by the frequent detection of similar constituents of concern in both aquifers (nitrate, atrazine, deethylatrazine, tetrachloroethene, and chloroform). Specific consideration of water‐quality protection efforts, well construction and placement, and aquifer response times to land‐use changes and contaminant loading are discussed, with implications for karst groundwater management.
The Effect of Modeled Recharge Distribution on Simulated Groundwater Availability and Capture
Authors: Tillman F.D , Pool D.R. , Leake S.A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractSimulating groundwater flow in basin‐fill aquifers of the semiarid southwestern United States commonly requires decisions about how to distribute aquifer recharge. Precipitation can recharge basin‐fill aquifers by direct infiltration and transport through faults and fractures in the high‐elevation areas, by flowing overland through high‐elevation areas to infiltrate at basin‐fill margins along mountain fronts, by flowing overland to infiltrate along ephemeral channels that often traverse basins in the area, or by some combination of these processes. The importance of accurately simulating recharge distributions is a current topic of discussion among hydrologists and water managers in the region, but no comparative study has been performed to analyze the effects of different recharge distributions on groundwater simulations. This study investigates the importance of the distribution of aquifer recharge in simulating regional groundwater flow in basin‐fill aquifers by calibrating a groundwater‐flow model to four different recharge distributions, all with the same total amount of recharge. Similarities are seen in results from steady‐state models for optimized hydraulic conductivity values, fit of simulated to observed hydraulic heads, and composite scaled sensitivities of conductivity parameter zones. Transient simulations with hypothetical storage properties and pumping rates produce similar capture rates and storage change results, but differences are noted in the rate of drawdown at some well locations owing to the differences in optimized hydraulic conductivity. Depending on whether the purpose of the groundwater model is to simulate changes in groundwater levels or changes in storage and capture, the distribution of aquifer recharge may or may not be of primary importance.
Therapeutic management and costs of severe haemophilia A patients with inhibitors in Italy
Authors: Abbonizio F. , Giampaolo A. , Coppola A. ,   the Italian Association of Haemophilia Centres (AICE), Arcieri R. , Hassan H. J. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryHaemophilia A (HA) patients with high responding inhibitors require therapies with bypassing agents to control bleedings or Immune Tolerance Induction (ITI) to attempt inhibitor eradication and restore FVIII therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the therapeutic management and product consumption of HA inhibitor patients and the relative costs in Italy. A retrospective survey was performed utilizing data from the National Registry of Congenital Coagulopathies and from a specific questionnaire on product consumption of HA inhibitor patients over the year 2011. Among HA patients, 10% had currently detectable inhibitors; 24% of patients were undergoing ITI (mostly children) and 76% utilized bypassing agents. Patients on ITI consumed 45 000 000 IU of FVIII (median consumption/patient of 1 200 000 IU year−1). Patients receiving bypassing agents utilized 21 000 000 IU of aPCC (median consumption/patient of 360 000 IU year−1), and 38 000 mg of rFVIIa (median consumption/patient of 440 mg year−1). The annual cost/patient on ITI and on bypassing agents therapy was analysed. Recombinant products represen‐ted the product of choice for children therapies in >90% of the cases. FVIII prophylaxis of severe HA patients without inhibitor costs about half than therapy with bypassing agents and is three times less expensive than prophylaxis with such agents. Therefore, the possibility to restore FVIII prophylaxis, having eradicated the inhibitor through ITI, can justify the high costs of ITI treatment needed in the short term. Consistent with this notion, over the last years a 50% increase in the number of patients undergoing ITI in Italy was registered.
Effects of enoxaparin on myeloperoxidase release during hemodialysis
Authors: Gozdzikiewicz Joanna , Borawski Jacek , Koc‐Zorawska Ewa , Mysliwiec Michal 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMyeloperoxidase (MPO) is a proteolytic and prooxidant enzyme largely assembled with the vascular wall, and a heparin‐binding protein. We studied if low‐molecular‐weight heparin enoxaparin administered for hemodialysis (HD) anticoagulation causes systemic MPO activation. Plasma MPO levels were measured in patients undergoing maintenance HD with an intravenous bolus of enoxaparin. Patients were retested during HD employing dialyzers with heparin‐grafted polyacrylonitrile membrane and no systemic enoxaparin administration. During enoxaparin‐anticoagulated HD plasma MPO levels strikingly increased in all patients (8.6‐fold at 10 minutes and 3.3‐fold at 120 minutes, both P < 0.0001). The increments were directly associated with the enoxaparin dosage and strongly inversely with the predialysis levels of the enzyme. The increase in plasma MPO during systemic heparin‐free HD was significantly less pronounced. Enoxaparin administered for HD anticoagulation induces a marked and dose‐dependent increase in plasma MPO as a plausibly favorable result of the liberation of the enzyme from the vascular wall.
Cellular metabolism modulation in T lymphocyte immunity
Authors: Liu Huanrong , Yang Hui , Chen Xi , Lu Yun , Zhang Zhengguo , Wang Jian , Zhang Ming , Xue Lixiang , Xue Feng , Liu Guangwei 
Published: May 2014

AbstractT lymphocytes are a central component, and play an important role in controlling immunity and immunological diseases. Recent studies have shown that T cell metabolism is highly dynamic and has a tremendous impact on the modulation of T lymphocyte immunity. Specific metabolic pathways meet energy and biosynthetic requirements that can support specific T cell functional activities in immunity and immunological diseases. This review summarizes the recent progresses about the modulatory role of cell metabolism in T cell development, differentiation, activation and function in immunity. These might provide new opportunities to modulate the immune responses and treat clinical immunological diseases.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Analysis of Statistical Interactions in Factorial Experiments
Authors: Kitsche A. , Schaarschmidt F. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractTwo or higher‐order factorial designs are very common in agricultural and horticultural experiments. The evaluation of such trials by analysis of variance (anova) and the corresponding F‐tests for the interaction effects covers only a global decision concerning the presence of interactions. This study presents a straightforward method, which provides a more detailed analysis of interactions via multiple contrast tests. The presented approach takes both the structure of each factor and the research question into account by building user‐defined product‐type contrasts. Simultaneous inference for these user‐specified interaction contrasts that controls the overall error rate is available. In addition to adjusted P‐values, it is recommended to use simultaneous confidence intervals to present the magnitude, direction and the biological relevance of the interaction effects. The proposed method is demonstrated using two horticultural trials. Furthermore, the authors provide a collection of worked examples using the R (A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing, 2013, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) add‐on package statint stored on github (https://github.com/AKitsche/statint).
Commentary: Are ADHD symptoms habit‐like? – a commentary on Goodman et al (2014)
Authors: Tannock Rosemary 
Published: May 2014

The recent publication of the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) unleashed a torrent of dissatisfaction with and criticism of the ongoing use of a symptom‐based classification system, based on descriptive phenotypical features. Thus, the ‘multiple memory systems’ framework proposed in the accompanying Annual Research Review by Goodman et al. (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55, 2014, XX) as a potential explanatory mechanism underlying several psychiatric disorders, is innovative and consistent with an emergent focus on transdiagnostic core mechanisms. In this commentary, I discuss the ‘merit and mire’ of the proposed framework, focusing on its potential for delineating neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, with particular emphasis on one of the neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD.
What weekday? How acute? An analysis of reported planned and unplanned GP visits by older multi‐morbid patients in the Patient Journey Record System database
Authors: Surate Solaligue David Emanuel , Hederman Lucy , Martin Carmel Mary 
Published: May 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesTimely access to general practitioner (GP) care is a recognized strategy to address avoidable hospitalization. Little is known about patients seeking planned (decided ahead) and unplanned (decided on day) GP visits. The Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) provides a biopsychosocial real‐time monitoring and support service to chronically ill and older people over 65 who may be at risk of an avoidable hospital admission. This study aims to describe reported profiles associated with planned and unplanned GP visits during the week in the PaJR database of regular outbound phone calls made by Care Guides to multi‐morbid older patients.MethodsOne hundred fifty consecutive patients with one or more chronic condition (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart/vascular disease, heart failure and/or diabetes), one or more hospital admission in previous year, and consecutively recruited from hospital discharge, out‐of‐hour care and GP practices comprised the study sample. Using a semistructured script, Care Guides telephoned the patients approximately every 3 week days, and entered call data into the PaJR database in 2011. The PaJR project identified and prompted unplanned visits according to its algorithms. Logistic regression modelling and descriptive statistics identified significant predictors of planned and unplanned visits and patterns of GP visits on weekdays reported in calls.ResultsIn 5096 telephone calls, unplanned versus planned GP visits were predicted by change in health state, significant symptom concerns, poor self‐rated health, bodily pain and concerns about caregiver or intimates. Calls not reporting visits had significantly fewer of these features. Planned visits were associated with general and medication concerns, reduced social participation and feeling down. Planned visits were highest on Monday and trended downwards to Fridays. Unplanned visits were reported at the same rate each weekday and more frequently when the interval between calls was ≥3 days. The PaJR project Care Guides advised patients to make unplanned visits in 6.3% of calls and advised planned GP visits in 2.5% of calls.ConclusionUnplanned GP visits consistently indicated a significant change to worse health with planned visits presenting less acuity in this study of older multi‐morbid patients in general practice, when monitored by regular calls at about every 3 days. The PaJR study actively prompted GP visits according to its algorithms. Assessing and predicting acuity in older multi‐morbid patients appears to be a promising strategy to improve access to primary care, and thus to reducing avoidable hospital utilization. Further research is needed to investigate the topic on a wider scale.
Towards a programme theory for fidelity in the evaluation of complex interventions
Authors: Masterson‐Algar Patricia , Burton Christopher R. , Rycroft‐Malone Jo , Sackley Catherine M. , Walker Marion F. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesThis paper addresses the challenge of investigating fidelity in the implementation of a complex rehabilitation intervention designed to increase the level of independence in personal activities of daily living of stroke patients living in UK care homes. A programme theory of intervention fidelity was constructed to underpin a process evaluation running alongside a cluster randomized trial of the rehabilitation intervention.MethodsThe programme theory has been constructed drawing on principles of realist evaluation. Using data from in‐depth semi‐structured interviews (n = 17) with all occupational therapists (OTs) and critical incident reports from the trial (n = 20), and drawing from frameworks for implementation, the programme theory was developed.ResultsThe programme theory incorporates four potential mechanisms through which fidelity within the trial can be investigated. These four programme theory areas are (1) the balancing of research and professional requirements that therapists performed in a number of areas while delivering the study interventions; (2) the OTs rapport building with care home staff; (3) the work focused on re‐engineering the personal environments of care home patients; and (4) the learning about the intervention within the context of the trial and its impacts over time.ConclusionsThese findings characterize the real‐world nature of fidelity within intervention research, and specifically the negotiated nature of implementation within clinical settings, including individual patients' needs. This research adds to the evidence base because current frameworks for fidelity neglect the importance of learning over time of individuals and across the time span of a trial.
Design and Development of Leaf Splitting Unit for Aloe Vera Gel Expulsion Machine
Authors: Chandegara V.K. , Varshney A.K. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn this investigation, leaf‐splitting unit was designed and fabricated for Aloe vera gel expulsion machine. The splitting unit consisted of grip roller, reciprocating blade, rotary disc and eccentric drive. The rotary motion was converted into the reciprocating drive with slanted rotary disc mounted on shaft. The grip roller was covered with spongy material to hold the A. vera leaf without breaking rind. The design parameters included were grip roller dimensions and speed, stroke of reciprocating blade and size of rotary disc. The leaf was inserted between two grip rollers and splitting into two halves carried out by reciprocating knife. The splitting unit was tested for different speed of grip expulsion roller and leaf thickness. It was concluded that for getting maximum gel recovery, minimum residual gel percentage, highest expulsion efficiency and output capacity, the leaves should be split in splitting unit and the A. vera gel expulsion should be carried out at 75 rpm roller speed for 25–30‐mm thickness of A. vera leaves.Practical ApplicationsGel extraction from A. vera leaves is important process as it is used as preservative coating, food drinks and cosmetics. Squeezing of A. vera leaves leads mixing of compounds from leaf skin and deteriorates the quality of gel. The leaf‐splitting process is necessary to reduce the contamination of inner A. vera gel during gel expulsion by preventing ingress of chemical ingredients from leaf skin and maintain its cosmetic and nutritional values. The developed leaf‐splitting unit would reduce manual contact and minimize the processing time to get good quality gel from A. vera leaves without contamination.
Baicalin attenuates transforming growth factor-β1-induced human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and phenotypic switch by inhibiting hypoxia inducible factor-1α and aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression
Authors: Huang Shian , Chen Puwen , Shui Xiaorong , He Yuan , Wang Heyong , Zheng Jing , Zhang Liangqing , Li Jianwen , Xue Yiqiang , Chen Can , Lei Wei 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Objectives
Baicalin, a natural flavone, has antithrombotic, antihyperlipidemic and antiinflammortory activity. It can also inhibit cancer cell proliferation and reduce brain cell apoptosis. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of baicalin on the excessive proliferation of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and to investigate the roles of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in mediating this TGF-β1-induced excessive proliferation of HPASMCs.

Methods
TGF-β1-induced proliferation of HPASMCs was assayed using the CCK8 method. The cellular phenotype was identified by immunocytochemical staining. Expression of HIF-1α and AhR mRNA was determined by real-time quantitative PCR.

Key findings
TGF-β1 promoted significantly HPASMC proliferation (P &lt; 0.05) and induced a phenotypic switch from the contractile to synthetic type. Baicalin inhibited this TGF-β1-induced phenotypic switch and consequently the excessive growth of HPASMCs in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, baicalin attenuated the abnormal proliferation of HPASMCs through suppression of the HIF-1α and AhR pathways.

Conclusions
Our study shows that baicalin has the potential to be used as a novel drug in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension pathology by antagonizing HIF-1α and AhR expression and subsequently decreasing HPASMC proliferation and the phenotypic switch.
Assessment of the Relationship Between the Use of Birth Control Pill and the Characteristics of Mate Selection
Authors: Gori Alessio , Giannini Marco , Craparo Giuseppe , Caretti Vincenzo , Nannini Ilaria , Madathil Renee , Schuldberg David 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Introduction
In recent research, scientists have begun to suspect that birth control pill use could interfere with key mechanisms that play a role when women choose a sexual partner. Many studies have shown that women, particularly during the most fertile days of their menstrual cycle, look for specific physical, psychological, and behavioral characteristics indicative of genetic quality in a short-term partner.

Aims
Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Partner's Masculinity Index (PMI) scale. The scale was built to assess the degree of masculinity in hypothetical short-term partners.

Methods
A total of 395 female Italian volunteers from Central Italy (M = 32.9 years old, SD = 8.58, range = 18–50 years) completed the study. The psychometric properties of PMI were then evaluated.

Main Outcome Measures
We administered the following self-report questionnaires: (i) PMI; (ii) Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Masculinity/Femininity scale; and (iii) Demographic Questionnaire.

Results
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed a four-factor structure for the PMI. Internal consistency of the measure, evaluated with the Cronbach's alpha, was satisfactory. Factorial ANOVA results showed that the group of nonpill users obtained higher scores on the PMI scale than the group of pill users (considering the fertile phase of the cycle).

Conclusions
From an evolutionary point of view, changes in preference for indicators of genetic quality in a sexual partner are considered to be functional and adaptive. Pill use may have implications for both current and future generations. Directions for future research are discussed.