bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of plasma‐derived C1‐esterase inhibitor after subcutaneous versus intravenous administration in subjects with mild or moderate hereditary angioedema: the PASSION study
Authors: Martinez‐Saguer Inmaculada , Cicardi Marco , Suffritti Chiara , Rusicke Eva , Aygören‐Pürsün Emel , Stoll Hildegard , Rossmanith Tanja , Feussner Annette , Kalina Uwe , Kreuz Wolfhart 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundHereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease caused by C1‐esterase inhibitor (C1‐INH) deficiency, characterized by periodic attacks of acute edema affecting subcutaneous (SC) tissues and mucous membranes. Human C1‐INH concentrate given intravenously (IV) is effective and safe, but venous access may be difficult. We compared SC and IV administration of human pasteurized C1‐INH concentrate with respect to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety.Study Design and MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized, open‐label, crossover study. Twenty‐four subjects with mild or moderate HAE were randomly assigned during an attack‐free interval to receive 1000 units of human pasteurized C1‐INH concentrate IV or SC. Plasma levels of C1‐INH activity and antigen, C4 antigen, cleaved high‐molecular‐weight kininogen (clHK), and C1‐INH antibodies were measured.ResultsThe mean relative bioavailability of functional C1‐INH after SC administration was 39.7%. Maximum C1‐INH activity after SC administration occurred within 48 hours and persisted longer than after IV administration. C4 antigen levels increased and clHK levels decreased after IV and SC administration, indicating the pharmacodynamic action of C1‐INH. The mean half‐life of functional C1‐INH was 62 hours after IV administration and 120 hours after SC administration (p = 0.0595). C1‐INH concentrate was safe and well tolerated when administered via both routes. As expected, SC administration resulted in a higher incidence of injection site reactions, all of which were mild.ConclusionWith a relative bioavailability of 39.7%, SC administration of human pasteurized C1‐INH yields potentially clinically relevant and sustained plasma levels of C1‐INH and is safe and well tolerated.
Allergen‐specific immunotherapy in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity: a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Ginel Pedro J. , Hernández Eduardo , Lucena Rosario , Blanco Beatriz , Novales Manuel , Mozos Elena 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundInsect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) is a common cause of pruritus in horses, but there are few controlled studies on the efficacy of allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT). Atopic dermatitis and IBH can present with overlapping clinical signs; multiple insect and environmental allergens could be indicated in these horses to achieve effective hyposensitization. Although the success of ASIT using Culicoides spp. whole‐body extracts is controversial, there are no controlled studies published that clearly show benefit from this form of therapy.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe objective was to evaluate the efficacy of ASIT in horses with IBH using commercially available extracts and tests.AnimalsTwenty horses with seasonal pruritus and positive intradermal reactions to a whole Culicoides extract.MethodsAn enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test (Allercept®) was used to detect concurrent allergen‐specific IgE for other insects and environmental allergens. The ASIT was formulated by adding the relevant serologically positive allergens to the Culicoides extract. After randomization, 10 horses received ASIT and the rest a placebo solution. Clinical response was assessed every 4 months during 1 year using a clinical scoring system based on the severity of four clinical signs at 10 different body regions. Horses were not stabled and, to minimize dropouts, an insect repellent was used weekly in both groups.ResultsDifferences in clinical scores between groups were nonsignificant at any re‐evaluation, while both groups improved to a similar extent, probably due to the insecticide treatment.Conclusions and clinical importanceUsing commercially available extracts and tests, we could not demonstrate a beneficial effect of 1 year multiple ASIT in nonstabled horses with IBH.
Assessment of myometrial transcriptome changes associated with spontaneous human labour by high‐throughput RNA‐seq
Authors: Chan Yi‐Wah , van den Berg Hugo A. , Moore Jonathan D. , Quenby Siobhan , Blanks Andrew M. 
Published: November 2013

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
In this study, we sought to survey the total transcript repertoire of human myometrium, comparing samples taken from patients at term who were not in labour with samples taken at term in spontaneous labour. These sequenced transcriptomes show the repertoire of possible proteins and their variants in myometrial smooth muscle, as well as transcriptional changes associated with term spontaneous labour.
What is the main finding and its importance?
We describe, for the first time, the transcriptome of the human myometrial samples taken from patients prior to and after the onset of spontaneous labour. We document a significant number of novel transcripts of both protein‐coding mRNA and microRNA. This information will be useful for the development of novel therapeutics and the formulation of new hypotheses to be tested by physiological experimentation.
The transition of the human uterus from a quiescent to a contractile state takes place over a number of weeks. On such biological time scales, cellular phenotype is modified by changes in the transcriptome, which in turn is under the control of the underlying endocrine, paracrine, and biophysical processes resulting from the ongoing pregnancy. In this study, we characterize the transition of the human myometrial transcriptome at term from not in labour (NIL) to in labour (LAB) using high throughput RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq). RNA was isolated from the myometrium of uterine biopsies from patients at term who were not in labour (n = 5) and at term in spontaneous labour (n = 5) without augmentation. A total of 143.6 million separate reads were sequenced, achieving, on average, ∼13 times coverage of the expressed human transcriptome per sample. Principal component analysis indicated that the NIL and LAB transcriptomes could be distinguished as two distinct clusters. A comparison of the NIL and LAB groups, using three different statistical approaches (baySeq, edgeR, and DESeq), demonstrated an overlap of 764 differentially expressed genes. A comparison with currently available microarray data revealed only a partial overlap in differentially expressed genes. We conclude that the described RNA‐seq data sets represent the first fully annotated catalogue of expressed mRNAs in human myometrium. When considered together, the full expression repertoire and the differentially expressed gene sets should provide an excellent resource for formulating new hypotheses of physiological function, as well as the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.
The effect of increased physical activity on pulmonary diffusing capacity in unfit women
Authors: Flaherty Joseph M. , Smoliga James M. , Zavorsky Gerald S. 
Published: November 2013

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Alveolar–capillary membrane conductance for nitric oxide (measured as lung diffusion of NO; DLNO) is not thought to be improved with regular exercise training in adult humans. The purpose was to examine the effect of regular exercise training on DLNO in unfit adult women.
What is the main finding and its importance?
Women performing moderate‐intensity physical activity (4–6 metabolic equivalent tasks, or METS, 800 kcal week−1, for 6 weeks) can improve DLNO to a similar extent compared to women performing vigorous‐intensity physical activity (>6 METS, 700 kcal week−1, for 6 weeks); however, the magnitude of improvement in DLNO will probably be small and physiologically questionable. This demonstrates that interval training may not provide additional improvements in DLNO compared with moderate‐intensity physical activity.
The purpose of the study was to determine whether short‐term high‐intensity aerobic interval training improves resting pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO). Twenty‐eight sedentary women [mean (SD) age 32 (11) years, body mass index 24.3 (5.7) kg m−2] were randomly assigned to either a self‐directed moderate‐intensity physical activity (n = 14) group or a supervised high‐intensity aerobic interval training group (n = 14). The moderate physical activity group and the aerobic interval training group increased weekly physical activity energy expenditure by 800 and 1600 kcal week−1, respectively. After 6 weeks, aerobic capacity increased to a similar exent in both groups (mean improvement 8%, effect size 0.39). The DLNO, but not DLCO, increased to a similar extent in both groups, by 4% or 3.0 (5.7) [95% confidence interval 0.8, 5.2] ml min−1 mmHg−1 m−2 from pre‐ to post‐training (effect size 0.27). There was no correlation between the change in aerobic capacity and the change in DLNO (P > 0.05) or between the change in aerobic capacity and the change in total weekly physical activity energy expenditure (P > 0.05). Interval training does not provide additional improvements in DLNO or aerobic capacity compared with self‐directed moderate‐intensity physical activity (4–6 metabolic equivalent tasks, 800 kcal week−1, for 6 weeks) in unfit women. Despite the slight improvement in both DLNO and aerobic capacity, true meaningful physiological changes in these parameters remain questionable.
Dimensioning of Twistlocks in Modular Offshore Platform Designs for Arctic Regions
Authors: Michel Josefine , Kaeding Patrick 
Published: November 2013

To mount service modules in a flexible manner on offshore platforms twistlock systems are used. If the application is not in accordance with standard conditions the existing regulations are not sufficient. Therefore new regulations with appropriate dimensioning equations must be generated. The results of the OMAE 2013 paper “Assessment of Container Mountings in Modular Offshore Platform Designs for Arctic Regions” are applied in this paper to reach such equations.
The stress on twistlocks which mount standard containers to the offshore platform deck in arctic regions depends on roll angle of the offshore platform and friction coefficient — depending on temperature — and is analyzed by regression analysis in this paper. The results show that a local twistlock system can be used to simplify the calculation.
Also the application of a crane module is simulated. The regression analysis is divided into two parts — the cone and the base of the twistlock: these parts take most of the load again depending on roll angle and friction coefficient.
The result of this paper consists of dimensioning equations for these two different applications of twistlock systems in arctic regions.
Green Water Loads on a Cruise Ship
Authors: Ley Jens , Oberhagemann Jan , Amian Christoph , Langer Markus , Shigunov Vladimir , Rathje Helge , Schellin Thomas E. 
Published: November 2013

A linear boundary-element method and a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations solver were combined to predict maximum green water loads on a typical cruise ship of medium size. For structural analysis, a one-way coupling mapped the hydrodynamic pressure from the finite-volume grid onto the computational structural dynamics finite element mesh. First, linear long-term maximum ship responses were determined by a boundary element method combined with long-term statistics based on spectral methods; transfer functions of these responses were used to define response-conditioned wave trains inducing the linear long-term maximum ship response. The investigated wave sequences were correlated to a dedicated probability level for a lifecycle time of 20 years in the North Atlantic environmental wave conditions and for a ship speed of six knots.
Critical impact locations were found to include the weather deck in the foreship, the front wall of the superstructure and the overhanging bridge deck. Predicted loads were compared to experimental data obtained in conditioned wave trains and in extreme irregular sea states. Numerical and experimental results revealed significantly higher loads than design loads specified by classification society rules. Pressure peaks on the weather deck and the superstructure front wall were comparable to rule-based design pressures for breakwaters on containerships and exceeded pressure peaks on the bridge deck.
Annular Frictional Pressure Losses During Drilling: The Effect of Drillstring Rotation
Authors: Saasen Arild 
Published: November 2013

Controlling the annular frictional pressure losses is important in order to drill safely with overpressure without fracturing the formation. To predict these pressure losses, however, is not straightforward. First of all, the pressure losses depend on the annulus eccentricity. Moving the drillstring to the wall generates a wider flow channel in part of the annulus reducing the frictional pressure losses significantly.
The drillstring motion itself also affects the pressure loss significantly. The drillstring rotation, even for fairly small rotation rates, creates unstable flow and sometimes turbulence in the annulus even without axial flow. Transversal motion of the drillstring creates vortices that de-stabilize the flow. Consequently, the annular frictional pressure loss is increased even though the drilling fluid becomes thinner because of added shear rate.
Naturally, the rheological properties of the drilling fluid play an important role. These rheological properties include more properties than the viscosity as measured by API procedures. It is impossible to use the same frictional pressure loss model for water based and oil based drilling fluids even if their viscosity profile is equal because of the different ways these fluids build viscosity. Water based drilling fluids are normally constructed as a polymer solution while the oil based are combinations of emulsions and dispersions. Furthermore, within both water based and oil based drilling fluids there are functional differences. These differences may be sufficiently large to require different models for two water based drilling fluids built with different types of polymers. In addition to these phenomena washouts and tool joints will create localised pressure losses. These localised pressure losses will again be coupled with the rheological properties of the drilling fluids. In the paper, all the above mentioned different phenomena and their consequences for annular pressure losses will be discussed in detail. Application of Det norske field data will be used as an example. The data cannot be used to build general models. The arguments for this model restriction are based on flow stability analysis and the consequences of using drilling fluids with different rheological properties. These different rheological properties include shear dependent viscosity, elongational viscosity and other viscoelastic properties.
Small High Frequency Powerful Vibrator and its Application to Underwater Sound Generator
Authors: Takagawa Shinichi 
Published: November 2013

The author has developed a small and powerful high frequency cam-type vibrator using roller thrust bearings with uneven races. The diameter of the vibrator is nearly the same as the outer diameter of the thrust bearing, and it is very small compared with other vibrators. This vibrator can be installed at the bottom end of a drill string as a high frequency vibro-hammering gear.
Although the amplitude of the axial displacement is fixed, combination of two vibrators of this type can make the amplitude variable by superimposition. This variable superimposition can also be used as an On-Off switch of the vibration.
The underwater sound used for seismic survey is usually a short pulse with a duration of several to several tens of milliseconds. The vibrator described in this paper is capable of generating such short sound pulses owing to the variable superimposition.
Present sound generators for seismic survey are usually big and heavy and generate sound pulses with a wide frequency spectrum, centered around 100Hz. The cam-type vibrator described in this research is much smaller and lighter than present systems, making the deployment near the seafloor easy for even at great depths, which in return leads to more detailed results in stratum surveys. The emitted sound is a pure tone whose frequency can be anywhere between 100 and 1000Hz.
The author has tried to develop this type of sound generator under the support of JOGMEC (Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation).
In this paper, the principle of the vibration, the design of the sound generator and the result of the experiment shall be discussed.
Environment-Induced Cracking in Weld Joints in Subsea Oil and Gas Systems: Part II
Authors: Dodge M. F. , Dong H. B. , Milititsky M. , Barnett R. P. , Gittos M. F. 
Published: November 2013

In subsea oil and gas systems, low-alloy steel (LAS) forgings need to be welded to leaner steels such as X and F-65. While the LAS needs to be post-weld heat treated (PWHT) to relieve stresses and temper the HAZ microstructure in order to avoid hydrogen cracking, the same heat cycle would, in general, result in the degradation of the properties of the leaner alloy. A buttering technique is, therefore, usually used so that the buttered LAS forging can be heat treated before the closure weld is carried out. In the case of clad components, nickel alloy filler materials such as Alloy 625 are commonly used for both buttering and closure welds.
This is an issue for subsea structures protected from corrosion by cathodic polarisation (CP) using aluminium based anodes. Whilst CP has proven successful as a means of preventing corrosion of steel components within subsea structures, failures along the dissimilar metal interfaces have been observed. This is due to hydrogen evolution as a result of CP. To further our understanding on this issue, this paper focuses on the correlation between microstructures, obtained by changing material combinations and PWHT conditions, and the resistance to hydrogen assisted cracking.
Slow strain rate single edge notched bend (SENB) tests were carried out on the interfaces between AISI alloy 8630 and Alloy 625 buttering, retrieved from subsea service and tested in 3.5% NaCl solution under an applied potential of −1100mVsce.
Retrieved specimens were pre-charged with hydrogen and tested at 4°C and 80°C, approximately in-line with commissioning/shutdown and service temperatures, respectively. In addition to the retrieved specimens, a testing programme has been developed to explore the effect of PWHT time on the performance of 8630-Alloy 625 and F22-Alloy 625 interfaces. The microstructures most susceptible to hydrogen cracking in these systems have been assessed by examination of the SENB test specimens.
Subsea Pipelines: The Remotely Welded Retrofit Tee for Hot Tap Applications
Authors: Woodward Neil , Apeland Kjell Edvard , Berge Jan Olav , Verley Richard , Armstrong Mike 
Published: November 2013

Over the last 10 years Statoil has developed subsea remote hot tap technology. The first use of the remote hot tap technology was the Tampen Link hot tap in 2008. The hot tap cutting operation itself was performed without the use of divers; however, the preparatory works including hyperbaric welding of the hot tap tee was performed with saturation divers. The world’s deepest hot tap operations on a pressurized pipeline were performed on the Ormen Lange field in the Norwegian Sea in August 2009. Two Hot Taps were conducted in a water depth of 860 meters on pre-installed tees. The development of the Pipeline Repair System Remote Hot Tap equipment is the result of targeted research and development effort and extensive qualification work over many years. The Retrofit Tee remote installation, welding and cutting equipment has now been employed as part of a production installation: the Åsgard Subsea Compression project to extend the Åsgard gas-field lifetime.
This paper describes the dry hyperbaric GMA weld procedure development and qualification performed in the laboratory, using the Corrosion Resistant Alloy consumable filler material Alloy 59, for the Remote Hot Tapping application using the Retrofit Tee. Specific attention was paid to areas of concern prior to performing the formal Weld Procedure Qualification work, particularly with regard to the effects of moisture and temperature upon the resultant weld quality. Weld procedures developed in the laboratory were successfully tested subsea in representative environments using the Remote Tee Welding Tool (RTWT) equipment in the Sognefjord, Norway, with offshore tests performed at 265 and 350msw in 2011. Further tests were performed in 2012 at 265msw and in the Retrofit Tee itself at 316msw in the Nedstrandfjord.
The hyperbaric GMA weld procedures have now been applied for the production application for the Åsgard Subsea Compression project, with the installation of a Retrofit Tee, associated valve module and gooseneck spool to enable a cost-effective modification to the existing pipeline network without interfering with ongoing production. The Retrofit Tee will be connected with a Subsea Compressor station to extend the gas-field lifetime.
This milestone represents the world’s first application of diverless dry hyperbaric GMA welding for a subsea production application.
Rankine Source Method for Ship-Ship Interaction Problems
Authors: von Graefe Alexander , Shigunov Vladimir , el Moctar Ould 
Published: November 2013

A Rankine source method is extended and applied to ship-ship interaction problems. The method covers the nonlinear steady flow and linear seakeeping in the frequency domain. The nonlinear steady flow solution accounts for the nonlinear free-surface conditions, ship wave and dynamic trim and sinkage. Periodic flow due to waves is linearized with respect to the wave amplitude, taking into account interactions with the nonlinear steady flow following Hachmann approach, which considers the steady perturbation potential as constant in the body-fixed reference frame. This is advantageous for the prediction of ship motions at moderate to high Froude numbers. In this context, a new formulation of the boundary condition for the multi-body case is derived.
Two examples are considered, overtaking in calm water and replenishment at sea. For a feeder vessel overtaken by a container ship, computed forces and yaw moment are compared with model test data. As an example of replenishment operation, interaction between a frigate and a supply vessel is studied. Ship motions are computed for two relative positions and three forward speeds and compared with model test data for the largest forward speed. The Rankine source method proves as more accurate compared with a zero-speed free-surface Green function method.