bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progression of mild Alzheimer’s disease: knowledge and prediction models required for future treatment strategies
Authors: Wattmo Carina , Wallin Åsa K , Minthon Lennart 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Knowledge of longitudinal progression in mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is required for the evaluation of disease-modifying therapies. Our aim was to observe the effects of long-term cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) therapy in mild AD patients in a routine clinical setting.

Methods
This was a prospective, open-label, non-randomized, multicenter study of ChEI treatment (donepezil, rivastigmine or galantamine) conducted during clinical practice. The 734 mild AD patients (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score 20 to 26) were assessed at baseline and then semi-annually over three years. Outcome measures included the MMSE, Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change (CIBIC) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale.

Results
After three years of ChEI therapy, 31% (MMSE) and 33% (ADAS-cog) of the patients showed improved/unchanged cognitive ability, 33% showed improved/unchanged global performance and 14% showed improved/unchanged IADL capacity. Higher mean dose of ChEI and lower educational level were both predictors of more positive longitudinal cognitive and functional outcomes. Older participants and those with a better IADL score at baseline exhibited a slower rate of cognitive decline, whereas younger participants and those with higher cognitive status showed more preserved IADL ability over time. Gender and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype showed inconsistent results. Prediction models using the abovementioned scales are presented.

Conclusions
In naturalistic mild AD patients, a marked deterioration in IADL compared with cognitive and global long-term outcomes was observed, indicating the importance of functional assessments during the early stages of the disease. The participants’ time on ChEI treatment before inclusion in studies of new therapies might affect their rate of decline and thus the comparisons of changes in scores between various studies. An increased understanding of expected disease progression in different domains and potential predictors of disease progression is essential for assessment of future therapies in AD.
Cytosine methylation changes in enhancer regions of core pro-fibrotic genes characterize kidney fibrosis development
Authors: Ko Yi-An , Mohtat Davoud , Suzuki Masako , Park Ae Seo Deok , Izquierdo Maria Concepcion , Han Sang Youb , Kang Hyun Mi , Si Han , Hostetter Thomas , Pullman James M , Fazzari Melissa , Verma Amit , Zheng Deyou , Greally John M , Susztak Katalin 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background
One in eleven people is affected by chronic kidney disease, a condition characterized by kidney fibrosis and progressive loss of kidney function. Epidemiological studies indicate that adverse intrauterine and postnatal environments have a long-lasting role in chronic kidney disease development. Epigenetic information represents a plausible carrier for mediating this programming effect. Here we demonstrate that genome-wide cytosine methylation patterns of healthy and chronic kidney disease tubule samples obtained from patients show significant differences.

Results
We identify differentially methylated regions and validate these in a large replication dataset. The differentially methylated regions are rarely observed on promoters, but mostly overlap with putative enhancer regions, and they are enriched in consensus binding sequences for important renal transcription factors. This indicates their importance in gene expression regulation. A core set of genes that are known to be related to kidney fibrosis, including genes encoding collagens, show cytosine methylation changes correlating with downstream transcript levels.

Conclusions
Our report raises the possibility that epigenetic dysregulation plays a role in chronic kidney disease development via influencing core pro-fibrotic pathways and can aid the development of novel biomarkers and future therapeutics.
Cell-cycle regulated transcription associates with DNA replication timing in yeast and human
Authors: Fraser Hunter B 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Background
Eukaryotic DNA replication follows a specific temporal program, with some genomic regions consistently replicating earlier than others, yet what determines this program is largely unknown. Highly transcribed regions have been observed to replicate in early S-phase in all plant and animal species studied to date, but this relationship is thought to be absent from both budding yeast and fission yeast. No association between cell-cycle regulated transcription and replication timing has been reported for any species.

Results
Here I show that in budding yeast, fission yeast, and human, the genes most highly transcribed during S-phase replicate early, whereas those repressed in S-phase replicate late. Transcription during other cell-cycle phases shows either the opposite correlation with replication timing, or no relation. The relationship is strongest near late-firing origins of replication, which is not consistent with a previously proposed model—that replication timing may affect transcription—and instead suggests a potential mechanism involving the recruitment of limiting replication initiation factors during S-phase.

Conclusions
These results suggest that S-phase transcription may be an important determinant of DNA replication timing across eukaryotes, which may explain the well-established association between transcription and replication timing.
Cementing material from rice husk-broken bricks-spent bleaching earth-dried calcium carbide residue
Authors: Wachira Muthengia Jackson , Kanyago Muthakia Gerald , Karanja Thiong'o Joseph 
Published: October 2013

A cementious material, coded CSBR (Carbide residue Spent bleaching earth Broken bricks and Rice husks), was made from dried calcium carbide residue (DCCR) and an incinerated mix of rice husks (RH), broken bricks (BB) and spent bleaching earth (SBE). Another material, coded SBR (Spent bleaching earth Broken bricks and Rice husk ash), was made from mixing separately incinerated RH, SBE and ground BB in the same ash ratio as in CSBR. When CSBR was inter-ground with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), it showed a continued decrease in Ca(OH)2Â in the hydrating cement as a function of curing time and replacement levels of the cement. Up to 45 % replacement of the OPC by CSBR produced a Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) material that passed the relevant Kenyan Standard. Incorporation of the CSBR in OPC reduces the resultant calcium hydroxide from hydrating Portland cement. The use of the waste materials in production of cementitious material would rid the environment of wastes and lead to production of low cost cementitious material.
NIR cutoff filter for true color imaging sensors
Authors: Biertümpfel Ralf , Reichel Steffen 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The function of a near-infrared (NIR) cutoff filter for imaging sensors is being described. The main purpose of the NIR cut filter is to obtain correct color recognition; therefore, the NIR filter is made of an absorbing filter glass and an interference coating. The absorbing filter glass is needed to minimize multiple reflections inside the lens system, which are the cause for ghost images. An additional interference coating enhances the function of the filter. Coating and filter glass are strongly dependent on each other. This requires high reproducibility and low tolerances of the filter glass and interference coating. In addition, features like inner quality – especially striae – and stability of the refractive index are important. A NIR cut filter may be designed as a flat plate or as a lens. Our analysis provides an estimation about striae level and variation of transmittance and their effect on image quality and color recognition. Furthermore, the use of an absorption filter glass as a lens (shrinking down the overall size) is discussed in terms of the influence on transmission and striae.
Determinants of the species selectivity of oxazolidinone antibiotics targeting the large ribosomal subunit
Authors: Saini Jagmohan S. , Homeyer Nadine , Fulle Simone , Gohlke Holger 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Oxazolidinone antibiotics bind to the highly conserved peptidyl transferase center in the ribosome. For developing selective antibiotics, a profound understanding of the selectivity determinants is required. We have performed for the first time technically challenging molecular dynamics simulations in combination with molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) free energy calculations of the oxazolidinones linezolid and radezolid bound to the large ribosomal subunits of the eubacterium Deinococcus radiodurans and the archaeon Haloarcula marismortui. A remarkably good agreement of the computed relative binding free energy with selectivity data available from experiment for linezolid is found. On an atomic level, the analyses reveal an intricate interplay of structural, energetic, and dynamic determinants of the species selectivity of oxazolidinone antibiotics: A structural decomposition of free energy components identifies influences that originate from first and second shell nucleotides of the binding sites and lead to (opposing) contributions from interaction energies, solvation, and entropic factors. These findings add another layer of complexity to the current knowledge on structure-activity relationships of oxazolidinones binding to the ribosome and suggest that selectivity analyses solely based on structural information and qualitative arguments on interactions may not reach far enough. The computational analyses presented here should be of sufficient accuracy to fill this gap.
Electoral Competition and the Constituent-Representative Relationship
Authors: André Audrey , Depauw Sam 
Published: October 2013

AbstractElectoral institutions shape the incentive that elected representatives have to cultivate a personal vote, a geographically concentrated personal vote in particular. But are electoral institutions able to make representatives do what they would not do otherwise and to make them not do what they otherwise would have done? Using data from the cross-national partirep MP survey, it is demonstrated that electoral institutions shape elected representatives’ local orientation. That local orientation decreases as district magnitude grows – regardless of what representatives think about political representation. But representatives’ conceptions of representation do shape their uptake in the legislative arena from their contacts with individual constituents. The effect of the electoral incentive grows stronger as elected representatives think of representation as a bottom-up rather than a top-down process.
Structural and Functional Properties of Iron (II, III)-Doped ZnO Monodisperse Nanoparticles Synthesized by Polyol Method
Authors: Collantes Yesusa , Perales-Perez Oscar 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTIn this work, bare and (Fe3+ and Fe2+)-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized in a polyol medium at 180oC. The synthesis in polyol allows a precise control of doping under size-controlled conditions. The Fe concentration varied in the 0-2 at. % range. As-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and Vibrational Sample Magnetometry (VSM). XRD measurements confirmed the formation of well crystallized wurtzite ZnO with absence of secondary phases in bare and doped samples; the average crystallite size was estimated at 8.4 ± 0.3 nm for bare ZnO NPs. Systematic shifts in the main diffraction peaks due to the incorporation of the dopant species were observed in the Fe3+ and Fe2+ doped-ZnO samples. FT-IR analyses evidenced the presence of organic moieties on the surface of the nanoparticles that are associated to the functional groups of polyol by-products; these adsorbed species could explain the observed stability of the NPs when suspended in water. PL measurements (excitation wavelength 345 nm) reveled that a tuning in the emission bands of ZnO NPs can be achieved through doping. VSM measurements evidenced a weak but noticeable ferromagnetic response at room temperature (RT) in doped samples.
Effect of Adding Zn in Cd1-XZnXS Thin Films Prepared by an Ammonia-Free Chemical Bath Deposition Process
Authors: Carreón-Moncada Iyali , González Luis A. , Pech-Canul Martin I. , Ramírez-Bon Rafael 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe present investigation work shows the results of Cd1-XZnXS thin films (where X= 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16 and 0.2), obtained by total ammonia-free chemical bath processes. The reaction solutions were prepared with precursors of metallic salts as CdCl2 and ZnCl2 and replacing the ammonia with trisodic citrate (C6H5O7Na3) as complexing agent. The reaction solutions were stabilized with KOH to get alkaline solutions. As result of adding Zn, the as deposited films showed changes in their morphological, structural and optical properties. Moreover, additional changes were obtained when thermal treatments to 400°C under N2 environment were applied to the as deposited films. The agglomerates at the surface of the annealed films showed larger grain sizes compared to that of the as deposited films. Due to preferential orientation of the hexagonal wurtzite-type structure in the films, changes in the intensity in the (002), (100) and (101) peaks from x-ray diffraction analysis were observed. Finally, a reduction on the maximum energy band gap from 2.65 to 2.59 eV was obtained as effect of the annealing treatment to the films.
Ultrafast Optical Measurements of Acoustic Phonon Attenuation in Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Silicon
Authors: Andrade Joseph A. , Rachmilowitz Bryan E. , Daly Brian C. , Norris Theodore B. , Yan B. , Yang J. , Guha S. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTWe have measured the attenuation of longitudinal acoustic waves in a series of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon films using picosecond ultrasonics. We determined the attenuation of amorphous Si to be lower than what is predicted by theories based on anharmonic interactions of the ultrasound wave with localized phonons or extended resonant modes. We determined the attenuation of nanocrystalline Si to be nearly one order of magnitude higher than amorphous Si.
Expanding the Drilling Envelope to New Horizons in Saudi Aramco Shaybah Operations
Authors: Saleh Rami , Verma Chandresh , Osman Ahmed , Kuncahyo Dony , Elgali Yasir , Mikati Nadim 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The Shaybah oil field is a major oil-producing field for Saudi Aramco. The field has been extensively developed by exploiting horizontal drilling technology for the last two decades. A typical Shaybah well is a shallow extended reach drilling (ERD), fork-type multilateral, targeting the oil reservoirs in the Shu'aiba formation. Because of low reservoir permeability, drilling maximum reservoir contact (MRC) wells has been a needed practice in Shaybah field.
In a quest to maximize reservoir contact in the Shu'aiba formation, Saudi Aramco has adopted strategies to increase both the lateral section lengths and the number of laterals via ERD and deep openhole sidetracks. The main challenges that are faced drilling extended reach laterals and performing deep sidetracks are severe drilling dynamics experienced by downhole drilling equipment; causing considerable nonproductive time (NPT), and drill string strength and buckling limitations; preventing weight transfer to conventional steerable systems.
In SHYB-A, Saudi Aramco implemented new drilling technologies and procedures to manage the adverse drilling dynamics challenges, maximizing reservoir contact to new field records and extending the drilling envelope to record laterals and new horizons.
Communication protocol management tool between Rigs in "CAT-A" wells and the successful story to deliver sour gas project
Authors: Elsaify Abdelfattah 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
This paper is going to present Communication Protocol Management Tool between Rigs in "CAT-A" Wells and the Successful Story to Deliver Sour Gas Project and using Simultaneous Operations Management Tool based on a new concept and the respective qualification program run in the Field.
CAT-A; CATEGORY-A is the high risky wells, gas wells, and exploration wells has high content of H2S and CO2 We should think about Communication Protocol in SIMOPS terms of "Sharing Information Maximizes Our Personnel Safety". With this stated, a plan can be created by following a process outlined as: Communication Protocol - Study the project, Identify possible SIMOPS, Meet with all Parties Involved, Organize a Plan, and Share the plan/Information. This practice should begin at project inception and is repeated throughout the entire process until completion. Thus making the SIMOPS plan dynamic and causes communication between all parties.
This Communication Protocol I in SIMOPS plan will be applicable from spud in Rigs operation and all persons likely to be working within the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) during the drilling of the H2S bearing formations must be made aware of this plan and establish a means of communication with Field Control room prior to entering the zone.
Based on this approach, we implemented a Communication Protocol in SIMOPS plan in one of Sour Gas Field where the Rigs needed to operate inside the emergency planning Zone (EPZ) of the third one of other project. This is one of the biggest challenges in Sour Gas Field project due to high risk encountered with high exposure of H2S up to 26% PPM and 10% CO2 in one of High Gas Reservoir Field. There were numerous challenges in terms of the harsh sour gas environment.
The implementation of this particular Communication Protocol in Simultaneous Operations was very successful, several large scale exercise were made to verify the effectiveness of the process and an evacuation of the EPZ was done before entering the H2S successfully, this project and the other Rigs within the EPZ area completed the drilling and production testing operation objectives without incident and successfully with no harm.
Next-Generation, Right-Angle-Setting Composition for Eliminating Total Lost Circulation
Authors: Savari Sharath , Whitfill Donald L. , Scorsone Jason T. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The total loss of fluid during drilling continues to plague the oil and gas industry. For many reasons, the various technologies that have attempted to combat this severe issue have been unsuccessful. In Middle East drilling operations, carbonate and limestone formations pose difficult geological conditions, such as naturally occurring fractures and vugular and/or cavernous zones. These troublesome zones are the primary reason for additional costs, including increased drilling non-productive time. The lack of an efficient, controllable solution has led operators to implement complicated and potentially risky drilling practices to access the targeted depths of many wells in the area.
A Right-Angle-Setting Composition (RAS-Co) has been developed to provide the industry an efficient solution for plugging and isolating specific problematic zones. The RAS-Co is engineered to remain at a low fluid viscosity (18–30 cP) during placement and quickly react to bottomhole temperature in a consistent and controllable manner. The instant transition in viscosity from a thin fluid to a rigid composite lets the technology be mixed at the rig site, pumped through any drillstring configuration, and spotted/placed in any suspected loss zone—thereby eliminating further fluid losses. The innovative RAS-Co can be applied in two different versions. The dual-pill version can be used in zones up to 400°F (~204°C) wherever water-based fluids are being used. This version is deployed like a standard ‘gunk squeeze’ application. The time-delayed single pill version can be used where both non-aqueous and water-based fluids are being used at up to almost 300°F. It can tolerate up to 50% contamination with water or drilling fluids, and will not invade the formation. Both versions can be removed with acid. The chemical formula of RAS-Co is customized to offer a versatile, yet controllable solution that is effective for stopping even the most severe lost circulation events.
Key advancements made during the developmental stage (laboratory data) are presented, as well as several successful field applications of the engineered, fluid composition.
One Page Program (OP2): New systematic drilling program work flow for time and effort optimization, A successful Trial in ADCO-
Authors: Al Menhali Adnan Mohammed , Sulaiman Ali , Al Shamsi Juma , Bin Shamlan Abdulla , Abu Aishah Abdel Nasser , Kuyken Chris 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
One Page Program (OP2) is a creative approach to save environment and time. Using the best available process and practices in our daily activities is one of our aims and core values towards the HSE in ADCO. Therefore, as a valuable step and part of our commitment, we have minimized consumption of papers by initiating OP2. Implementing (OP2) upgrades the responsibilities of Drilling engineer to be in charge of other supportive operations such as; HSE, mud properties, cement slurry properties, direction drilling severities and reservoir rock and fluid properties and its characterization. OP2 eliminates the repetitive work which has direct effect on time saving and maintaining the quality of the program.
ADCO's Business Plan demands high number of wells to be delivered in development Fields for better reservoir sweeping efficiency such as; Infill drilling, injector's patterns and maintenance work-over operations in the end of each year. Also lately, for improving Drilling Division system organization, a life cycle engineer concept has been introduced; where two drilling engineers work back to back and each one is responsible for planning, well engineering and operations execution for every alternate well. Therefore drilling engineer has to maximize his effort and utilize his time efficiently in order to produce multiple drilling programs with excellent quality at the same time.
The (OP2) idea evolved and thought to be useful for the standard wells which have 90 % contribution to the business plan.
This paper will take you through the process and steps in how it was evolved. Also the challenges faced between the field asset teams in formatting & generating the OP2. In addition to that the approval process and signature flow of OP2.