bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in the activin A receptor type 2A gene affect the onset time and severity of preeclampsia in the Turkish population
Authors: Zeybek Burak , Celik Handan Ak , Aydin Hikmet Hakan , Askar Niyazi 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the possible roles of selected single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) of the activin A receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) gene in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methods: Ninety-four patients with preeclampsia and 166 healthy pregnant women were included in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from venous blood and were stored at −80°C before the analysis. Selected ACVR2A SNPs (rs10497025, rs1128919, rs13430086) were determined in an ABI 7900 HT Real-Time PCR instrument.

Results: For all three SNPs, no statistically significant difference was found between preeclampsia and control groups in terms of genotype and allele frequencies. In the late preeclampsia group, with regard to the rs1128919 SNP, the frequency of GG genotype was found to be significantly lower (P=0.02). Although the frequency of “A” allele was found to be higher (P=0.05; OR=1.54), and the “G” allele was found to be lower (P=0.05; OR=0.65), the results did not reach statistical significance in late preeclamptic patients. For the rs1128919 SNP, the frequency of the AA genotype was found to be significantly higher in both mild (P=0.004) and severe (P=0.0001) preeclampsia groups, whereas the frequency of GG genotype was found to be significantly lower (P=0.008, and P=0.0001, respectively). For the rs13430086 SNP, while the frequency of the AA genotype was found to be significantly lower in both mild (P=0.02) and severe (P=0.0001) preeclamptic patients, the frequency of TT genotype was found to be significantly higher in only severe preeclampsia group (P=0.0001).

Conclusion:
ACVR2A gene polymorphisms may play a role in the development of preeclampsia.
MTHFR C677T polymorphism, folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in recurrent pregnancy losses: a case control study among north Indian women
Authors: Puri Manju , Kaur Lovejeet , Walia Gagandeep Kaur , Mukhopadhhyay Rupak , Sachdeva Mohinder Pal , Trivedi Shubha Sagar , Ghosh Pradeep Kumar , Saraswathy Kallur Nava 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Aim: The present study attempts to understand the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T (MTHFR C677T) in recurrent pregnancy losses in North Indian women because of hyperhomocysteinemia in light of serum folate and vitamin B12.

Methods: One hundred and seven women with three or more consecutive unexplained recurrent pregnancy losses and 343 women with two or more successful and uncomplicated pregnancies were recruited. Plasma homocysteine, serum folate and vitamin B12 were analyzed using chemiluminescence. MTHFR C677T detection was completed in all subjects.

Results:
MTHFR genotypic distribution among cases and controls showed no significant difference (P=0.409). However, MTHFR C677T polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with increased homocysteine in the case group (P=0.031). Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B12 deficiency were found to be significant risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) (OR=7.02 and 16.39, respectively). Folate deficiency was more common in controls (63.47%) as compared to the case group (2.56%).

Conclusion: Low vitamin B12 increases homocysteine, specifically among T allele carrying case mothers, suggesting T allele is detrimental with B12 deficiency. The study emphasizes the importance of vitamin B12 in the prevention of RPL in North Indian women.
Philosophie und die Frage nach Gott
Authors: Buchheim Thomas 
Published: June 2013

Zusammenfassung
Kunde von Gott haben wir nur durch das vieltausendjährige und weitverzweigte Hörensagen, weder durch einen eigenen Schlüssel der Vernunft noch durch eine Form von Anschauung oder Gefühl. Deshalb gehört zu dem, wer oder was Gott heißt, die Getrenntheit vom endlichen Subjekt. Gerade dadurch aber ist die Frage, ob es Gott gibt, das Paradigma der nicht durch Kohärenz von Ansichten, sondern allein durch tatsächliche Korrespondenz entschiedenen Wahrheit. Und dies verbindet die auf den Leitstern des Wahren verpflichtete Philosophie von Anfang an mit der Gottesfrage. Näher betrachtet, sind es drei rationale Leitfäden, die die Philosophie von Beginn an auf die Frage nach Gott gelenkt haben: (1) die Selbstkontrastierung des Sterblichen gegenüber dem Unsterblichen; (2) der Versuch einer zureichenden Begründung des Begründungsbedürftigen; (3) Gott als spekulativer Konjunktiv philosophischer Betrachtung. In Beziehung auf alle drei werden sowohl positive Beispiele aus der Geschichte der Philosophie als auch mögliche skeptische Reserven geltend gemacht.
Limits of Reason and Limits of Faith. Hermeneutical Considerations on Evolution Theology
Authors: Bestebreurtje Frank Peter 
Published: June 2013

Summary
In the science-religion debate, both scientific and theological approaches suffer from an abstract conception of time and history. This is epitomised by evolution theory and by theological trends trying to match it with biblical and Christian doctrines. On the one hand, thinking in millions of years voids time of any sensible meaning; on the other hand, thinking Darwin and the Bible together compromises both in regards to history. The notion of the “imaginary”, drawn from Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age, helps to circumscribe some of the hermeneutical gaps involved, and enables a more nuanced assessment of the respective claims made in the debate. The “Imaginary” points to the necessity of reflecting on the status of one’s own thought in regard to the past. In that sense, both evolution theory and evolution theology are confined to what one may call the “modern imaginary”. An example of the mismatch between evolution theory and Christian doctrine is found in Alvin Plantinga. As the debate largely hinges on hermeneutics, this contribution is part of a broader endeavour to redefine hermeneutics as an ethics.
Tryptophan degradation and neopterin levels by aging
Authors: Sipahi Hande , Girgin Gozde , Inanici Fatma , Ariogul Servet , Sahin Gonul , Baydar Terken 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Increased neopterin concentrations and altered tryptophan degradation are observed in diseases concomitant with cellular immune activation. This may be involved in the pathogenesis of several age-related disorders such as neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular system disorders and malignancies. Therefore, in the present study, the evaluation of immune system activation by determination of tryptophan degradation and serum neopterin levels was carried out in volunteers aged ≥65 and <65 years old. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio was calculated to estimate indoleamine-(2,3)-dioxygenase (IDO) activity. Tryptophan levels in the elderly (53.1±1.6 μmol/L) were lower than individuals under 65 years (61.4±2.2 μmol/L), whereas kynurenine concentrations in geriatrics and adults were 5.0±0.2 μmol/L and 4.3±0.2 μmol/L, respectively (both p<0.05). The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio was also significantly higher in geriatrics (92.1±3.2) than adults (73.5±2.8) (p<0.05). Neopterin levels were slightly higher in geriatrics compared to adults under 65 years old (p>0.05). Effects of gender, smoking habit, pathology and drug use on measured parameters were also evaluated. In conclusion, our findings show that aging is associated with immune activation, and immune activation may be induced by the number of existing pathologies as well as the number of drugs used.
Joint Spatio-Temporal Modeling of Mycobacterium bovis Infections in Badgers and Cattle – Results from the Irish Four Area Project
Authors: Kelly Gabrielle E. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
In Ireland and in the UK, bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infects cattle and wildlife badgers (Meles meles linnaeus) and badgers contribute to the spread of the disease in cattle. Isotropic and anisotropic spatio-temporal models are fitted to cattle herd and badger sett bTB incidence data from the Four Area Project using sequences of linear geostatistical models. An association was found between the spatial distribution of the disease in cattle and badgers in two of three areas. The limited association may be due to irregularity of sett territories, fragmentation of farms, TB-test insensitivity, temporal lags associated with transmission or non-spatial transmission. A statistical methodology is outlined whereby hypotheses related to spatial correlation structure may be tested.
Synthesis of AA-based SAR interpenetrated with PVA and AM
Authors: Zhang Wenzheng 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
In this paper, an interpenetrating network of acrylic acid (AA)-based superabsorbent resin (SAR) with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and acrylamide (AM) was synthesized by copolymerizing partly neutralized AA, AM and PVA with ammonium persulfate/sodium hydrogen sulfite (APS/SHS) as the radical initiating system and N,N-methylene bisacrylamide as cross-linking agent in an aqueous copolymerization system at 60°C. This type of SAR exhibited excellent properties such as higher water and saline absorbency compared with AA-based SAR. The maximum water and saline absorbency of SAR was 1050 and 125 ml/g, respectively. Those effects were well explained by photographic morphologies obtained using scanning electron microscopy.
Different Paths of Transitional Justice in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland
Authors: Šipulová Katarína , Hloušek Vít 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis article deals with issues of transitional justice in selected Central European countries. The relationship between the mode of democratic transition and the mechanisms and pace of transitional justice processes is discussed. The main focus is on the analysis and comparison of transitional justice issues in three Central European countries – the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. The authors conclude that the mode of democratic transition is not as important as other political factors, such as the presence or absence of leftist parties in the government.
Homo Politicus – Towards a Theory of Political Action and Motivation
Authors: Boda Zsolt 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to sketch an anthropology for political studies. Political science relies extensively on behavioral models borrowed from economics (taking human action to be rational and self-interested), sociology (explaining behavior in terms of norm-abidance and conformity), or even psychology (seeing actors as being motivated by their emotions, neurosis etc.). Strikingly, political science has not endeavored to develop an anthropology for its own purposes. Does it mean that there are no motivational structures that are distinctively relevant to political action? The paper argues that this is not the case. In fact, there is a distinctive conception of a human actor present in political science, even if implicitly, i.e., the conception of an actor who aims at what she perceives to be the common good, and guides her behavior along the lines of collective rationality. The paper aims at providing the first steps towards laying the theoretical and empirical foundations of such a model.
Intervention and Promotion of Democracy. The Paradoxes of External Democratization and the Power-Sharing Between International Officials and Local Political Leaders
Authors: Carati Andrea 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSince the end of the Cold War new practices of external interferences in the domestic affairs of states have revealed an unprecedented relationship between international intervention and the promotion of democracy. In fact, the new generation of peace-building missions is oriented toward the democratization of the target country. Moving from the paradoxes brought about by the goal of democratization, the paper offers an explanation of the power-sharing between international officials and local political actors in the target country. On the one hand, a democratic approach to international intervention fosters self-determination, tends to grant sovereignty and independence and considers the international mandate as temporary. On the other hand, the goal of democratization entails the establishment of enduring neo-trusteeships, violating the sovereignty and independence of the target-state. The paper focuses on three case-studies (Bosnia, Kosovo and East Timor) to assess how those paradoxes lead to conflicting attitudes by international officials – who both concede and retain essential powers over local political actors – creating a power-sharing in the target country.
Genome-Wide Association Study and Pathway-Level Analysis of Tocochromanol Levels in Maize Grain
Authors: Lipka Alexander E , Gore Michael A , Magallanes-Lundback Maria , Mesberg Alex , Lin Haining , Tiede Tyler , Chen Charles , Buell C Robin , Buckler Edward S , Rocheford Torbert , DellaPenna Dean 
Published: June 2013

AbstractTocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as tocochromanols, are the major lipid-soluble antioxidants in maize (Zea mays L.) grain. Given that individual tocochromanols differ in their degree of vitamin E activity, variation for tocochromanol composition and content in grain from among diverse maize inbred lines has important nutritional and health implications for enhancing the vitamin E and antioxidant contents of maize-derived foods through plant breeding. Toward this end, we conducted a genome-wide association study of six tocochromanol compounds and 14 of their sums, ratios, and proportions with a 281 maize inbred association panel that was genotyped for 591,822 SNP markers. In addition to providing further insight into the association between ZmVTE4 (γ-tocopherol methyltransferase) haplotypes and α-tocopherol content, we also detected a novel association between ZmVTE1 (tocopherol cyclase) and tocotrienol composition. In a pathway-level analysis, we assessed the genetic contribution of 60 a priori candidate genes encoding the core tocochromanol pathway (VTE genes) and reactions for pathways supplying the isoprenoid tail and aromatic head group of tocochromanols. This analysis identified two additional genes, ZmHGGT1 (homogentisate geranylgeranyltransferase) and one prephenate dehydratase parolog (of four in the genome) that also modestly contribute to tocotrienol variation in the panel. Collectively, our results provide the most favorable ZmVTE4 haplotype and suggest three new gene targets for increasing vitamin E and antioxidant levels through marker-assisted selection.
A Relative Permeability Modifier for Water Control: Candidate Selection, Case Histories, and Lessons Learned after more than 3,000 Well Interventions
Authors: Vasquez Julio , Eoff Larry 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Excessive water production can detrimentally affect the profitability of hydrocarbon producing wells and limit their economic life. Relative permeability modifiers (RPMs) were introduced to the oil and gas industry more than two decades ago as an option to selectively reduce water production. This type of treatment became appealing to operators because of its simplicity of deployment requiring no zonal isolation (i.e., bullhead-type treatments). However, RPM treatments have their limitations, and proper candidate selection is the key to a high success ratio. This paper discusses the application of a unique RPM system developed for water control.
This RPM system is based on a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer (HRPM) that, once adsorbed to the surface of the rock, selectively reduces water effective permeability with little to no damage to oil or gas production. The hydrophobic modification to the base polymer chain adds unique associative properties to the system. In contrast to porosity fill-sealants (i.e., crosslinked polymer gels), HRPM treatments only provide a restriction to water flow. The following parameters are discussed: (1) HRPM performance testing, (2) candidate selection criteria, (3) design considerations and best practices for field implementation, and (4) case histories.
To date, more than 3000 treatments have been performed with this HRPM system. A wide variety of case histories are highlighted in this paper discussing different types of reservoirs, wellbore completions, and water production mechanisms, among others. In addition to water control, the application of this HRPM system has been extended to hydraulic fracturing, acid stimulation, and overbalanced workover interventions. Case histories are examined. Often, RPM treatments are applied in reservoir/wellbore conditions outside of their operating capabilities. One of the main objectives of this paper is to assist operators with the candidate selection process for this particular HRPM treatment.
Case Study Analysis of Formation Damage Induced by Brine Workover Fluid on Burcioaia Reservoir (Romania) and Research on Damage Removal Methods
Authors: Dragomir A. , Precupanu L. , Arsenoiu V. , Tippel P. , Radulescu G. , Sava D. , Zosmer C. , Tudorin O. C. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Brine workover fluid has a confirmed damage for gas condensate wells generated by both water blockage and fines presented in it. Studied reservoir is a gas condensate field where workover operations performed for replacing downhole equipment have induced severe damage.
Formation damage for brine workover fluid was tested on core for both hydrocarbon flowing phases (condensate and gas) and revealed up to four times decreasing in permeability.
Laboratory research was then oriented to identify the best solution to remove induced damage. It was tried to identify how much of damage was induced by water blockage and how much by fines present in workover fluid. Tests revealed a good recovery of permeability for gas by using alcohol/surfactant fluids but not close to original permeability. On the other hand correctly formulated mud acid solution have removed induced damage and increased the permeability up to three times more than original permeability.
Results have been implemented on field Burcioaia and foam acidizing was used successfully in field tests. For very long perforated intervals foam was used as diverter. In some cases only acid solution was foamed and in other cases also neutral foam was pumped in slugs in between acid stages.
Case histories for performed removing damage jobs are also presented.
Dynamic Fluid Erosion on Filter Cakes
Authors: Opedal Nils van , Cerasi Pierre , Ytrehus Jan David 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The erosion on filter cakes was studied. A water based drilling fluid was placed in a pressure cell and filter cakes where formed under both static and dynamic filtering conditions. The erosion was studied on static formed filter cakes by varying the propeller rotation velocity and rotation duration. The measured response was the filter cake weight and thickness and these two parameters exhibited a slightly different development with regard to erosion. The dynamic filter cakes were formed at different propeller rotation velocity. Increasing fluid movement during the filter cake formation lead to thinner and denser filter cakes which were less prone to erode compared to filiter cakes formed under static and low fluid motion movement.
Long-Term Dynamic Flow Testing of Proppants and Effect of Coatings
Authors: Aven Nevil Kunnath , Weaver Jim , Loghry Ray , Tang Tingji 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The intention for using proppants in a fracture is to create a hydraulically conductive pathway for reservoir fluids that is open to flow and stays open. Most propped fractures, however, experience a loss of flow capacity with time. Several mechanisms have been identified that contribute to this loss, such as mechanical failure of proppant grains, proppant embedment, fluid residue damage, formation spalling, and others. Recently, fracture diagenesis has been proposed as an additional mechanism that can significantly contribute to the slow loss of fracture conductivity.
Previous attempts to quantify the degree of diagenetic activity have been made under conditions of stress and temperature, but without dynamic fluid flow. This paper presents an automated experimental setup that enables long-term (six or more months) dynamic flow testing of multiple proppants simultaneously at reservoir temperature conditions.
This apparatus was used to determine the rate of diagenetic activity on some sand and ceramic proppants with slow, continuously flowing formation water. The results are compared to static cell test results. In addition to a baseline comparison of the proppants under consideration, specialized coatings aimed at reducing the rate of diagenetic reactions are evaluated. Data for four proppants and six coatings subjected to 350°F flowing simulated formation water for six months are presented. Proppants were analyzed for changes in mechanical and compositional properties after 0, 2, and 6 months by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and crush strength. Dynamic permeability was monitored periodically throughout the test period along with produced fluid ionic content as determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) testing. Mass changes of each test proppant were measured.
Results presented in this paper should be helpful to the stimulation engineer responsible for selecting proppants desiring sustained fracture conductivity. A detailed description of an automated laboratory method in which proppants can be evaluated for long periods of time with little human interaction is presented.
Emulsified Chelating Agent: Evaluation of an Innovative Technique for High Temperature Stimulation Treatments
Authors: Sayed M. A. , Nasr-El-Din H. A. , De Wolf C. A. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Acid treatments in wells drilled in carbonate reservoirs aim to remove the damage, and increase the permeability in the area around the wellbore. Regular HCl used to be the main stimulation fluid; however at high temperatures, HCl causes excessive corrosion, rapid acid spending and face dissolution. For high temperature treatments, the alternatives are limited; including chelating agents, such as GLDA (glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid) and HEDTA (N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine-triacetic acid).
This paper discusses the evaluation of an innovative technique to formulate a new emulsified chelating agent that can be used for high temperature stimulation treatments. GLDA (pH = 3.8) of 38 wt% initial concentration was selected to formulate the emulsified GLDA (EGLDA). The EGLDA was formulated using a cationic emulsifier, with final GLDA concentration and volume fraction of 20 wt% and 0.7, respectively. The viscosity of the new EGLDA was measured at temperatures up to 300°F using an HPHT rheometer. The reaction of the EGLDA and limestone rock was studied using a rotating disk apparatus at temperature of 230°F. Coreflood experiments were performed using low permeability Indiana limestone core samples and emulsified GLDA at a temperature of 300°F and injection rate of 2.0 cm3/min.
EGLDA is a non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluid, where the viscosity can be represented by the power-law model. The emulsified GLDA achieved a viscosity of 57.5 cp at 100 s-1 and 75°F. The EGLDA was stable up to 300°F, and the apparent viscosity at 10 s-1 shear was found to be 40 cp. The reaction rates of EGLDA with calcite were in the range of 6.2×10-8 to 1.2×10-7 gmole/cm2.s, less by 2 orders of magnitude than those of 15 wt% HCl emulsified acid formulated by 1.0 vol% emulsifier and reacted with calcite at a temperature of 230°F. The coreflood experiments performed using EGLDA and Indiana limestone cores, indicated that emulsified GLDA was able to enhance the permeability of the core by a factor of 3.7 times. From the work done, the EGLDA achieved low reaction rates with no face dissolution at high temperature, and this will results in better stimulation treatments, especially in high temperature wells.