bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acoustic Emission Monitoring Techniques Applied to Offshore Strucrure – Subsea and Topside Applications
Authors: Webborn Thomas J. C. , Rogers Lenard M. , Hansen John Philip , McWade Simon 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The reliability of the more conventional non-destructive testing techniques, as applied to offshore steel jacket structures and semi-submersibles, to provide accurate assessment of defect severity or growth is questioned. The sources of error and inconsistency when applying these techniques to geometrically complex structures of relatively heavy section are discussed. The introduction of continuous monitoring techniques to establish structural integrity is reviewed and the promising acoustic emission analysis method is described in some detail. The use of acoustic emission analysis to monitor fatigue cracking or repaired cracks in the submerged part of offshore structures has been researched and applied to a number of platforms in the North Sea, together with laboratory and offshore excercises to assess the feasability of the technique. The extension of the method to topside applications, for which land based experience can be paralleled, is shown to offer a number of benefits when applied to pressurised components and systems, critical areas of the superstructure, slew ring cranes and general leak detection.
Dynamic Behaviour of Models of Tethered Buoyant Platforms
Authors: Lonergan John 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The paper discusses observations made during wave tank tests of models of tethered buoyant platforms. Models included simple structures for investigating basic behaviour, and detailed models of oil production platforms to carry payloads of from 10,000 to 22,000 tonnes. Aspects of dynamic behaviour covered include platform motions, anchorage cable forces, and resonant conditions occurring in the anchorage cables.
Test-CONAT, A Large Scale Test in the Vicinity of the Research Platform "Nordsee"
Authors: Butt Heinz G. , Salewski Jurgen , Wagner Peter , Grallert Manfred , Kokkinowrachos Konstantin 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
In this paper the concept of the research programme on the articulated tower "Test-CONAT" is presented and discussed. The tests are running in the vicinity of the research platform "Nordsee" and are sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Research and Technology.
The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the CONAT concept (Concrete Articulated Tower) which is the result of extensive research and development work within a German joint venture.
Characteristic features of this concept are the bottleshaped concrete tower and the ball joint which creates the articulated connection. The type of ball joint developed allows access from the tower into the foundation and enables maintenance work to be performed under atmospheric conditions.
The paper starts with a short discussion of the main problems arising in the design of oscillating platforms for several ranges of water depth. Together with this, the results of systematic investigations into various CONAT versions are presented and evaluated. Furthermore, the basic steps of the design of the "Test-CONAT" are discussed. The main components of the system, i.e. the tower, the ball joint and the foundation are described. The transportation and installation procedures for both fundament and tower are also reported. Finally, the scheduled programme of tests is briefly outlined.
Floating Concrete Platform for Deep Water Oil Production and Storage
Authors: Dybwad Kaare , Nes Kjetil , Kure Gregers 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
The search for hydrocarbons takes place in steadily deeper waters. This fact increases the demand for platforms to operate in water depths beyond the reach of bottom supported structures.
This paper presents a floating concrete platform designed for oil and gas production in water depths ranging from 200 m to 600 m. The platform is based on the semi-submersible principle and consists of a submerged caisson and four tapered columns extending above sea level to support the deck structure.
A general description of the platform concept is given. The paper also contains information on platform construction and installation.
A comprehensive computer simulation has been undertaken for analysis of platform motions and anchor system. Simulation technique and results are presented.
Aggregation in Budgeting: An Experiment
Authors: Schwartz Steven T. , Spires Eric E. , Wallin David E. , Young Richard A. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
We conduct two experiments to study the effect of aggregated budget proposals on budgetary slack when superiors cannot commit to an acceptance policy. Prior research on similar settings suggests preferences for fairness will lead to retaliatory behavior by the superior if the subordinate's requests are perceived as selfish. Aggregation causes costs to be more closely distributed around the mean, which decreases the possibility that subordinates will have to make abnormally large budget requests that may be viewed as selfish and hence may reduce the likelihood of rejection. Aggregation also increases the size of each budget decision. This second effect may also deter superiors from retaliating, because it becomes more costly to do so. In our first experiment we find that aggregation increases the frequency of mutually beneficial budget approval. In our second experiment we find that, although some of the increase in budget approval is due to the larger decision unit, the primary driver is the superior's incomplete appreciation for the statistical effects of aggregation.
Autofeedback from Ultrasound Images Provides Rapid Improvement in Palpation Skills for Identifying Joint Swelling in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: OGASAWARA MICHIHIRO , MURAYAMA GO , YAMADA YUSUKE , NEMOTO TAKUYA , KAGEYAMA MICHIAKI , TOYAMA SHOKO , KUSAOI MAKIO , ONUMA SHIN , KON TAKAYUKI , SEKIYA FUMIO , SUGIMOTO KAORU , MATSUDAIRA RAN , MATSUSHITA MASAKAZU , TADA KURISU , KEMPE KAZUO , YAMAJI KEN , TAMURA NAOTO , TAKASAKI YOSHINARI 
Published: May 2012

Objective.Joint swelling, an important factor in the classification criteria and disease activity assessment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), renders joint palpation a necessary skill for physicians. Ultrasound (US) examination that visualizes soft tissue abnormalities is now used to assess musculoskeletal disease. We assessed the usefulness of US assessments in enhancing physical joint examination skills.Methods.We examined 1944 joints (bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, metacarpophalangeal joints 1–5, and knee joints) in 108 patients with RA during April–July 2011. We first physically examined and confirmed joint swelling; subsequently, the same rheumatologist conducted US examinations and multiple assessors graded the joint swelling. When the 2 results differed, we received autofeedback from the US results to improve the physical examination skills.Results.The sensitivities and specificities of physical examination for US-detected swollen joint, the correlation coefficient (CC) of the swollen joint counts, and the concordance rate in each patient for joint swelling sites and power Doppler (PD)-positive sites with the κ coefficients between the physical and US examinations were compared over time. We found that the sensitivity of physical examination increased by 42 percentage points (pp), while the specificity decreased by 18 pp. The average CC in June–July was greater than that in April–May. The percentage of κ coefficients > 0.8 increased from 8.8% to 17% for joint swelling and from 8.3% to 14% for PD-positive sites.Conclusion.Our results suggest that autofeedback from US assessment provides quick improvement in palpation skills for identifying joint swelling in patients with RA.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Peripheral Blood Is Associated with Femoral Neck Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: KIM JUNG-HA , LEE DUK-CHUL 
Published: May 2012

Objective.It has been suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction is related to aging and metabolic disorders. Yet there are few studies of the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and mitochondrial content in humans. We investigated the relationship between BMD and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in peripheral blood of postmenopausal women.Methods.The study included 146 postmenopausal women. Enrolled subjects were taking no medications and had no disorders that altered bone metabolism. We measured BMD using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and leukocyte mtDNA copy number using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Anthropometric evaluations and biochemical tests were performed.Results.Patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis had lower mtDNA copy numbers than normal subjects (p < 0.0001). Femoral neck BMD was negatively correlated with age (r = −0.01, p = 0.04) and with serum levels of adiponectin (r = −0.22, p = 0.01) and osteocalcin (r = −0.31, p = 0.0001). Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D (r = 0.32, p < 0.0001) and mtDNA copy number (r = 0.36, p < 0.0001) were positively correlated with femoral neck BMD. Multiple regression analysis showed that mtDNA copy number (ß = 0.156, p < 0.001) was an independent factor associated with femoral neck BMD after adjustment for age, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, adiponectin, osteocalcin, homocysteine, lipid profiles, 25-OH vitamin D, and regular exercise. mtDNA copy number was not related to lumbar BMD.Conclusion.Low mtDNA content in peripheral blood is related to decreased femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a potential pathophysiologic mechanism of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Validity and Reliability Problems with Patient Global as a Component of the ACR/EULAR Remission Criteria as Used in Clinical Practice
Authors: MASRI KARIM R. , SHAVER TIMOTHY S. , SHAHOURI SHADI H. , WANG SHIRLEY , ANDERSON JAMES D. , BUSCH RUTH E. , MICHAUD KALEB , MIKULS TED R. , CAPLAN LIRON , WOLFE FREDERICK 
Published: May 2012

Objective.To investigate what factors influence patient global health assessment (PtGlobal), and how those factors and the reliability of PtGlobal affect the rate, reliability, and validity of recently published American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remission criteria when used in clinical practice.Methods.We examined consecutive patients with RA in clinical practice and identified 77 who met ACR/EULAR joint criteria for remission (≤ 1 swollen joint and ≤ 1 tender joint). We evaluated factors associated with a PtGlobal > 1, because a PtGlobal ≤ 1 defined ACR/EULAR remission in this group of patients who had already met ACR/EULAR joint criteria.Results.Of the 77 patients examined, only 17 (22.1%) had PtGlobal ≤ 1 and thus fully satisfied ACR/EULAR criteria. A large proportion of patients not in remission by ACR/EULAR criteria had high PtGlobal related to noninflammatory issues, including low back pain, fatigue, and functional limitations, and a number of patients clustered in the range of PtGlobal > 1 and ≤ 2. However, the minimal detectable difference for PtGlobal was 2.3. In addition, compared with a PtGlobal severity score, a PtGlobal activity score was 3.3% less likely to be abnormal (> 1).Conclusion.Noninflammatory factors contribute to the level of PtGlobal and result in the exclusion of many patients who would otherwise be in “true” remission according to the ACR/EULAR definition. Reliability problems associated with PtGlobal can also result in misclassification, and may explain the observation of low longterm remission rates in RA. As currently constituted, the use of the ACR/EULAR remission criteria in clinical practice appears to be problematic.
Safety and Efficacy of Etanercept in a Cohort of Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Under 4 Years of Age
Authors: BRACAGLIA CLAUDIA , BUONUOMO PAOLA S. , TOZZI ALBERTO E. , PARDEO MANUELA , NICOLAI REBECCA , CAMPANA ANDREA , INSALACO ANTONELLA , CORTIS ELISABETTA , DE BENEDETTI FABRIZIO 
Published: May 2012

Objective.To evaluate safety, tolerability, and efficacy of etanercept in a cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) under 4 years of age.Methods.Data were collected at every visit during treatment with etanercept in 25 children who began treatment at a mean age of 3 years (range 18–48 months). Safety endpoints included the incidence of any adverse events. Efficacy endpoints included the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Pediatric 30, 50, and 70 criteria for improvement.Results.Data from 25 patients with JIA treated with etanercept for a mean period of 23 months were analyzed. All patients received concomitant medications: 24 methotrexate, 3 cyclosporin A, and 10 corticosteroids. After the first 6 months of treatment, 15 (71.4%) patients achieved an ACR Pedi30 response and at the last observation 20 (80%) achieved ACR Pedi30. ACR Pedi50 and 70 responses were, respectively, 62% and 43% at 6 months and 72% and 64% at the last followup. Five patients (20%) discontinued etanercept for lack of efficacy. Two (8%) developed adverse events, both primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections (both not vaccinated). One was hospitalized because of a necrotizing fasciitis secondary to VZV infection. No cases of tuberculosis, opportunistic infections, or malignancies were reported.Conclusion.In our cohort of patients etanercept proved to be safe and efficacious in the majority of children. The response in toddlers was similar to that in older children. We observed only 1 case of severe infection that required hospitalization and stopped treatment temporarily.
Associations between the concurrent use of clinical decision support and computerized provider order entry and the rates of appropriate prescribing at discharge
Authors: Marken P.A. , Simon S.D. , Hackman J.L , Schaefer R.S. , Patterson M.E. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryIntroduction: Electronic health record systems used in conjunction with clinical decision support (CDS) or computerized provider order entry (CPOE) have shown potential in improving quality of care, yet less is known about the effects of combination use of CDS and CPOE on prescribing rates at discharge.Objectives: This study investigates the effectiveness of combination use of CDS and CPOE on appropriate drug prescribing rates at discharge for AMI or HF patients.Methods: Combination use of CDS and CPOE is defined as hospitals self-reporting full implementation across all hospital units of CDS reminders, CDS guidelines, and CPOE. Appropriate prescribing rates of aspirin, ACEI/ARBs, or beta blockers are defined using quality measures from Hospital Compare. Multivariate linear regressions are used to test for differences in mean appropriate prescribing rates between hospitals reporting combination use of CDS and CPOE, compared to those reporting the singular use of one or the other, or the absence of both. Covariates include hospital size, region, and ownership status.Results: Approximately 10% of the sample reported full implementation of both CDS and CPOE, while 7% and 17% reported full use of only CPOE or only CDS, respectively. Hospitals reporting full use of CDS only reported between 0.2% (95% CI 0.04 – 1.0) and 1.6% (95% CI 0.6 – 2.6) higher appropriate prescribing rates compared to hospitals reporting use of neither system. Rates of prescribing by hospitals reporting full use of both CPOE and CDS did not significantly differ from the control group.Conclusions: Although associations found between full implementation of CDS and appropriate prescribing rates suggest that clinical decision tools are sufficient compared to basic EHR systems in improving prescribing at discharge, the modest differences raise doubt about the clinical relevance of the findings. Future studies need to continue investigating the causal nature and clinical relevance of these associations.
Impact of Preoperative Therapy with 5-α-Reductase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: De Stefano Giacomo , Fusco Ferdinando , Arcaniolo Davide , Pistone Antonio , Capece Marco , Mirone Simone Sannino Vincenzo 
Published: May 2012

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is considered a progressive disease intimately linked with aging. The long-term use of combination therapy with a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, together with an alpha blocker in men with moderate-severe symptoms, reduces the risk of clinical progression and BPH-related surgery. It is unclear what the impact is of preoperative therapy with 5-ARI in patients that undergo surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative therapy with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors on: a) indication on the type of surgery; b) surgical and functional outcomes; c) surgical complications. This is a prospective observational study. It will include all patients undergoing surgery by TURP or Open Prostatectomy in a period of 24 months. We expect results that demonstrate significant and favorable influence of pretreatment with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors on certain outcomes. Therefore, therapy with 5-ARI could be considered as neoadjuvant to surgery, whatever this is.
From Bioconjugation to Self‐Assembly in Nanobiotechnology: Quantum Dots Trapped and Stabilized by Toroid Protein Yoctowells
Authors: Schreiber Andreas , Yuan Ying , Huber Matthias C. , Thomann Ralf , Ziegler Andreas , Cölfen Helmut , Dengjel Jörn , Krüger Michael , Schiller Stefan M. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractConjugation of quantum dots (QDs) with proteins is applicable for biosensing and imaging in biomedical applications but also for the confined assembly of various nanostructures. Here, the conjugation of CdSe QDs ranging from 2.5 up to 9.5 nm with Hcp1, a yoctowell forming hexameric core protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is described. Defined structures ranging from single QDs trapped within the donut‐shaped hexameric protein cavity over “globular” multi‐toroid architectures up to photonic wires of 850 nm in length and 9 nm in width are self‐assembled while preserving the native hexameric structure of the protein conserving the photoluminescence intensity of the QDs in aqueous solution for more than 3 month.
Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of GDP‐L‐Fucose Derivatives as Potent and Selective α‐1,3‐Fucosyltransferase Inhibitors
Authors: Lin Yu‐Nong , Stein Daniel , Lin Sheng‐Wei , Chang Sue‐Ming , Lin Ting‐Chien , Chuang Yu‐Ruei , Gervay‐Hague Jacquelyn , Narimatsu Hisashi , Lin Chun‐Hung 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFucosyltransferases (FucTs) usually catalyze the final step of glycosylation and are critical to many biological processes. High levels of specific FucT activities are often associated with various cancers. Here we report the development of a chemoenzymatic method for synthesizing a library of guanosine diphosphate β‐L‐fucose (GDP‐Fuc) derivatives, followed by in situ screening for inhibitory activity against bacterial and human α‐1,3‐FucTs. Several compounds incorporating appropriate hydrophobic moieties were identified from the initial screening. These were individually synthesized, purified and characterized in detail for their inhibition kinetics. Compound 5 had a Ki of 29 nM for human FucT‐VI, and is 269 and 11 times more selective than for Helicobacter pylori FucT (Ki=7.8 μM) and for human FucT‐V (Ki=0.31 μM).
Fifteen years of occupational and environmental health projects support in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico: A report from Mount Sinai School of Medicine ITREOH program, 1995–2010
Authors: Peres Frederico , Claudio Luz 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health created the International Training and Research Program in Occupational and Environmental Health (ITREOH program) in 1995 with the aim to train environmental and occupational health scientists in developing countries. Mount Sinai School of Medicine was a grantee of this program since its inception, partnering with research institutions in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. This article evaluates Mount Sinai's program in order to determine whether it has contributed to the specific research capacity needs of the international partners.MethodsInformation was obtained from: (a) international and regional scientific literature databases; (b) databases from the three participating countries; and (c) MSSM ITREOH Program Database.ResultsMost of the research projects supported by the program were consistent with the themes found to be top priorities for the partner countries based on mortality/morbidity and research themes in the literature. Indirect effects of the training and the subsequent research projects completed by the trained fellows in the program included health policy changes and development of collaborative international projects.ConclusionInternational research training programs, such as the MSSM ITREOH, that strengthen scientific research capacity in occupational and environmental health in Latin America can make a significant impact on the most pressing health issues in the partner countries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:29–37, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
POSS Core star‐shape molecular hybrid materials: Effect of the chain length and POSS content on dielectric properties
Authors: Ke Fuyou , Zhang Chao , Guang Shanyi , Xu Hongyao 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA series of inorganic–organic molecular hybrids, poly(styrene‐co‐octavinyl‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)s (PS‐POSSs), were synthesized, and their structures and properties were characterized by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, 29Si‐NMR, XRD, optical microscopy (OM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The chemical incorporation of POSS into polymer matrixes achieves uniform dispersion and makes the resultant hybrids display good film formability. The relationship between molecular structure of these hybrids and their dielectric constants and formation mechanism of low dielectric constant were investigated. The low dielectric constant of the hybrids mainly originates from the increase of free volume, involving the free volume of intrinsic porosity from POSS and an increase in the free volume owing to steric hindrance of bulky POSS. The latter plays a dominant role to increase the free volume and formation of low dielectric constant. Simultaneously, the polymer arm‐length has an important influence on the dielectric constant of the star‐type hybrids. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Influence of organic liquids on the nanostructure of precipitated cellulose
Authors: Watson Brian J. , Hammouda Boualem , Briber Robert M. , Hutcheson Steven W. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractOrganic liquids have been used in pretreatments to improve the digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass, ultimately reducing the amount of enzyme required to digest the material to its constituent sugars. To understand the influence of these solvents on cellulose nanostructure, phosphoric acid was used to solubilize cellulose (PAS cellulose) followed by washing of the PAS cellulose with organic liquids previously demonstrated to aid pretreatment. PAS cellulose washed using methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol had gel‐like properties with disrupted nanostructures. PAS cellulose washed with acetone, 2‐propanol, and water yielded an opaque white precipitate. Small‐angle neutron scattering indicated the formation of loosely bundled rods of cellulose in the gel‐like material. Fourier transform infrared resonance of solvent‐washed, flash‐dried PAS cellulose suggested an increase in interchain hydrogen bonds in the gel‐like precipitates relative to the more obvious precipitates formed in other solvents. The optimal wash liquid was determined to be 40% by volume ethanol in water to induce a highly digestible, gel‐like material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013