bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fracture Geometry Characterizations through Physical Modeling
Authors: Al-Bazzaz W. H. , Al-Tarkait F. , Ali A. , Al-Attar M. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Fractures have been known to exist in reservoirs for the last half century, yet the practice of characterizing fractured rock reservoir system has been extremely slow. Why is this so? The greatest contributor to this point of view is that fractured reservoirs are extremely complex. The complexity is attributed to vast number of both dependant and independent geometrical variables that dictates final reservoir response.
Fracture characterization is essential step to understand the overall reservoir performance, and to accomplish this, it is imperative to integrate all facets of information to achieve optimization of permeability response. A basic physics-understanding is absent of the fracture morphology that commonly occur in naturally fractured-reservoirs (NFR). This knowledge will help understand flow and recovery patterns in fractured reservoirs. For example, fracture-population and fracture-spacing, fracture area (length & width), fracture opening (fracture-porosity), and fracture-orientation. The model will simulate several scenarios of hypothetical fracture geometries in pursue of overall reservoir permeability. Anyone who has dealt with natural fractured reservoirs will realize that these variables are few of other numerous variables that when combined properly would have a better prediction for the reservoir overall performance.
Systematic fractured reservoir physical-models are proposed for this study. It is known that almost all fractured reservoirs respond in a unique way according to the class of their fracture. Therefore, the principal objective of the study is to construct a physical model of an artificial permeable reservoir that will host many sets of controlled fracture geometry and morphology. These fractures will be designed and tested. Further these fractures will be studied and modeled in order to seek fundamental knowledge of their impact on total reservoir performance.
Islet Cell Antibody–Positive Versus –Negative Phenotypic Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
Authors: Tfayli Hala , Bacha Fida , Gungor Neslihan , Arslanian Silva 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE
Using the clamp technique, youths with a clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (CDx-type 2 diabetes) and positive pancreatic autoantibodies (Ab+) were shown to have severe impairment in insulin secretion and less insulin resistance than their peers with negative antibodies (Ab−). In this study, we investigated whether oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-derived indexes of insulin secretion and sensitivity could distinguish between these two groups.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A total of 25 Ab−, 11 Ab+ CDx-type 2 diabetic, and 21 obese control youths had an OGTT. Fasting and OGTT-derived indexes of insulin sensitivity (including the Matsuda index, homeostasis model assessment [HOMA] of insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, and glucose-to-insulin ratio) and insulin secretion (HOMA of insulin secretion and 30-min insulogenic and C-peptide indexes) were used. Glucagon and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 responses were assessed.

RESULTS
Fasting C-peptide and C-peptide–to–glucose ratio, and C-peptide area under the curve (AUC) were significantly lower in the Ab+ CDx-type 2 diabetic patients. Other OGTT-derived surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity and secretion were not different between the Ab+ versus Ab− patients. GLP-1 during the OGTT was highest in the Ab+ youths compared with the other two groups, but this difference disappeared after adjusting for BMI. Ab+ and Ab− CDx-type 2 diabetes had relative hyperglucagonemia compared with control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS
The clinical measures of fasting and OGTT-derived surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity and secretion, except for fasting C-peptide and C-peptide AUC, are less sensitive tools to distinguish metabolic/pathopysiological differences, detected by the clamp, between Ab+ and Ab− CDx-type 2 diabetic youths. This underscores the importance of using more sensitive methods and the importance of determining antibody status in obese youths with CDx-type 2 diabetes.
Six Months of Diazoxide Treatment at Bedtime in Newly Diagnosed Subjects With Type 1 Diabetes Does Not Influence Parameters of β-Cell Function and Autoimmunity but Improves Glycemic Control
Authors: Radtke Maria Anita , Nermoen Ingrid , Kollind Magnus , Skeie Svein , Sørheim Jan Inge , Svartberg Johan , Hals Ingrid , Moen Torolf , Dørflinger Gry Høst , Grill Valdemar 
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVEContinuous β-cell rest with diazoxide preserves residual endogenous insulin production in type 1 diabetes. However, side effects have hampered therapeutic usefulness. In a double-blind study, we tested whether lower, intermittent dosing of diazoxide had beneficial effects on insulin production, metabolic control, and autoimmunity markers in the absence of side effects.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSForty-one newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients were randomized to 6 months of treatment with placebo or 100 mg diazoxide at bedtime. A1C, C-peptide (fasting and glucagon stimulated), and FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) were measured. Patients were followed for 6 months after intervention.RESULTSOf six dropouts, three were due to perceived side effects; one subject in the diazoxide group experienced rash, another dizziness, and one in the placebo group sleep disturbance. Adverse effects in others were absent. Diazoxide treatment reduced A1C from 8.6% at baseline to 6.0% at 6 months and 6.5% at 12 months. Corresponding A1C value in the placebo arm were 8.3, 7.3, and 7.5% (P &lt; 0.05 for stronger reduction in the diazoxide group). Fasting and stimulated C-peptide decreased during 12 months similarly in both arms (mean −0.30 and −0.18 nmol/l in the diazoxide arm and −0.08 and −0.09 nmol/l in the placebo arm). The proportion of Tregs was similar in both arms and remained stable during intervention but was significantly lower compared with nondiabetic subjects.CONCLUSIONSSix months of low-dose diazoxide was without side effects and did not measurably affect insulin production but was associated with improved metabolic control.
A Novel in Vitro Model to Investigate Behavior of Articular Chondrocytes in Osteoarthritis
Authors: RANKIN KENNETH S. , LAKEY RACHEL L. , GERRAND CRAIG H. , SPROWSON ANDREW P. , McCASKIE ANDREW W. , BIRCH MARK A. 
Published: December 2009

Objective. To investigate in vivo simulation of the microenvironment in which osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes are cultured in vitro.Methods. Human articular chondrocytes were cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cells were cultured on standard culture plastic or a porous polyHEMA surface that closely resembles the in vivo cartilage microarchitecture. Morphological changes to the cells were demonstrated by fluorescent staining with DAPI and vinculin. Proteoglycan and type II collagen protein levels were assessed using established techniques. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production was assessed by ELISA. The gene expression of type II collagen and SOX9 was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results. Cells grown on culture plastic were seen to be flat and hexagonal. Cells cultured on the porous polyHEMA surface exhibited morphology in keeping with the in vivo microenvironment. Glycosaminoglycan release in hypoxia was high from cells cultured on standard culture plastic. Transcriptional expression of type II collagen was upregulated in hypoxia and by culture on the polyHEMA surface. Transcriptional expression of SOX9 in hypoxia was upregulated compared to normoxia; no significant effect was seen by varying the culture surface. Translational expression of type II collagen was upregulated at 20% oxygen on the polyHEMA surface compared to culture plastic and this was related to MMP-1 expression.Conclusion. Culture of chondrocytes in hypoxia and on a porous surface simulates the in vivo microenvironment and illustrates the molecular mechanisms of OA.
Negative Relationship Between Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptor α and Disease Activity: Glucocorticoid Treatment of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: LI XIU , ZHANG FENG-SHAN , ZHANG JI-HUI , WANG JING-YUAN 
Published: December 2009

Objective. Glucocorticoid receptor α (GRα) is crucial for glucocorticoids (GC) to carry out their physiological and pharmacological roles. Studies have shown the disorder of GR-GC systems in autoimmune diseases. Our study was performed to test the relationship between GRα expression and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods. The responses of 55 patients with SLE to GC were screened. We examined GRα mRNA and protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SLE patients and healthy volunteers by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.Results. Expression of GRα in patients with SLE was lower than that in controls (p < 0.05). Expression of GRα obviously decreased after administration of GC in the steroid-sensitive group with SLE (p < 0.05). Expression of GRα was negatively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index scores in the steroid-sensitive group with SLE.Conclusion. The expression of GRα in patients with SLE was low and there was a negative correlation between GRα expression and disease activity; these findings might provide insight into the pathogenesis of SLE and help to screen whether the patient is sensitive to GC treatment. (Heilungkiang Provincial Health Department Guiding Projects Funding. Trial registration No. 2006-094.)
Stromal Interaction Molecules 1 and 2 Are Key Regulators of Autoreactive T Cell Activation in Murine Autoimmune Central Nervous System Inflammation
Authors: Schuhmann Michael K. , Stegner David , Berna-Erro Alejandro , Bittner Stefan , Braun Attila , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Stoll Guido , Wiendl Heinz , Meuth Sven G. , Nieswandt Bernhard 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) signaling in T lymphocytes is essential for a variety of functions, including the regulation of differentiation, gene transcription, and effector functions. A major Ca2+ entry pathway in nonexcitable cells, including T cells, is store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), wherein depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores upon receptor stimulation causes subsequent influx of extracellular Ca2+ across the plasma membrane. Stromal interaction molecule (STIM) 1 is the Ca2+ sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum, which controls this process, whereas the other STIM isoform, STIM2, coregulates SOCE. Although the contribution of STIM molecules and SOCE to T lymphocyte function is well studied in vitro, their significance for immune processes in vivo has remained largely elusive. In this study, we studied T cell function in mice lacking STIM1 or STIM2 in a model of myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35–55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We found that STIM1 deficiency significantly impaired the generation of neuroantigen-specific T cell responses in vivo with reduced Th1/Th17 responses, resulting in complete protection from EAE. Mice lacking STIM2 developed EAE, but the disease course was ameliorated. This was associated with a reduced clinical peak of disease. Deficiency of STIM2 was associated with an overall reduced proliferative capacity of lymphocytes and a reduction of IFN-γ/IL-17 production by neuroantigen-specific T cells. Neither STIM1 nor STIM2 deficiency altered the phenotype or function of APCs. These findings reveal a crucial role of STIM-dependent pathways for T cell function and activation under autoimmune inflammatory conditions, establishing them as attractive new molecular therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Counting tropical elliptic plane curves with fixed $j$-invariant
Authors: Kerber Michael , Markwig Hannah 
Published: December 2009

In complex algebraic geometry, the problem of enumerating plane elliptic curves of given degree with fixed complex structure has been solved by R. Pandharipande [8] using Gromov–Witten theory. In this article we treat the tropical analogue of this problem, the determination of the number

E_{\mathrm{trop}}(d)

of tropical elliptic plane curves of degree

d

and fixed “tropical

j

-invariant” interpolating an appropriate number of points in general position and counted with multiplicities. We show that this number is independent of the position of the points and the value of the

j

-invariant and that it coincides with the number of complex elliptic curves (with

j

-invariant

j ∉ \{ 0, 1728 \}

). The result can be used to simplify G. Mikhalkin's algorithm to count curves via lattice paths (see [6]) in the case of rational plane curves.
Statistics in Finance
Authors: Davis Richard A. , Klüppelberg Claudia 
Published: December 2009

The Statistics in Finance Workshop, organized by Richard A. Davis (Ft. Collins) and Claudia Klüppelberg (Technische Universität München), was held January 11–17. This meeting was well attended with over 40 participants with broad geographic representation from Europe, England, Australia, the Far East, and the US. This workshop was a nice blend of researchers with various backgrounds including statistics, probability, and econometrics. Approximately 33 talks, of varying lengths, were delivered during the five days. The talks were given by both leading experts in the field as well as by up and coming stars.
There were several major themes in the various sessions. These included, continuous time models, Levy processes, stochastic volatility models, GARCH models, extreme value theory with applications to financial risk, theory of copulas, and option pricing. This meeting generated a great deal of discussion and often smaller groups of people met in the evenings for expanded and detailed lectures. A number of important research contacts were made which we fully expect to stimulate many new collaborative research projects.
In addition to the excellent scientific program, there were two scheduled social activities. The inclement weather cleared up just in time for the traditional Wednesday afternoon hike to Oberwolfach for coffee and Black Forest Cake. The second activity, which most considered the highlight of the week, was a piano recital performed by Peter Brockwell and Gernot Müller.
For many of the participants, this was their first trip to Oberwolfach, and they came away very impressed from the experience. There was a strong consensus that the “Statistics in Finance Workshop” should become a regular Oberwolfach event.
Mini-Workshop: Nonlinear Spectral and Eigenvalue Theory
Authors: Appell Jürgen , Drábek Pavel , Chiappinelli Raffaele 
Published: December 2009

What is the state-of-the-art of abstract spectral and eigenvalue theory for nonlinear operators, and how may this theory be applied to nonlinear equations involving the p-Laplace operator? These two questions have provided the main focus of the Mini-Workshop. Accordingly, the main topics covered by the talks on this Mini-Workshop have been
Of course, these three topics are not mutually independent, but there are various interconnections between them which are of particular interest. For example, sets of eigenvalues (point spectra) may be regarded, as in the linear case, as an important part of the spectrum; conversely, nonlinear eigenvalue theory is one of the historical roots of nonlinear spectral theory. Moreover, the p-Laplace operator is one of the most interesting homogeneous (though nonlinear) operators which may not only serve as a “model operator” in nonlinear eigenvalue problems, but also occurs quite frequently in various applications to physics, mechanics, and elasticity.
The aim and scope of the Mini-Workshop was to bring together experts on nonlinear spectral analysis and operator theory, on the one hand, and more application-oriented specialists in eigenvalue problems for nonlinear partial differential equations (like the p-Laplace equation), on the other. As a result, 15 leading experts in the field from 10 different countries discussed recent progress and open problems in the theory, methods, and applications of spectra and eigenvalues of nonlinear operators.
Hyperbolic Conservation Laws
Authors: Dafermos Constantine , Kröner Dietmar , Leveque Randy 
Published: December 2009

The conference was organized by Constantine Dafermos (Providence), Dietmar Kröner (Freiburg), Randy LeVeque (Seattle).
44 scientists from 9 countries participated in this workshop. During the conference we had 22 main lectures and on Tuesday and Thursday evening 10 short informal contributions. On Wednesday evening the whole group came together for a roundtable discussion on open problems. The main feature of this workshop was characterised by the collaboration of people from numerical and theoretical analysis. In the field of hyperbolic conservation laws, progress is mainly based on the input from numerical analysis to mathematical theory and vice versa. This has been shown for many new results obtained in the past and was confirmed during this workshop.
The abstracts are listed in two groups, first about “Theory” and second about “Numerics” and in each group in alphabetical order.
Cohomological Aspects of Hamiltonian Group Actions and Toric Varieties
Authors: Guillemin Victor W. , Puppe Volker , Vergne Michèle 
Published: December 2009

The meeting brought together people with different mathematical background, who all use cohomological methods to study symmetries of manifolds. The main aim was the exchange of ideas, recent results, and the discussion of open problems and questions from diverse viewpoints. Altogether there were 27 talks (including an evening talk on computer programs), and a Hausmusik evening with an artistic juggling intermission.
All talks reflected the central theme of the workshop, namely the use of (equivariant) cohomology in studying Lie group actions on manifolds. Contribution to the following subjects were given:
Especially the informal discussions among participants both with similar and with diverse mathematical background were a very important aspect of the workshop. We believe that the meeting has stimulated further cooperation in the study of actions of Lie groups between mathematicians from different areas.
Thermodynamische Materialtheorien
Authors: Hutter Kolumban , Müller Ingo , Truskinovsky Lev 
Published: December 2009

The workshop was well-attended with 46 participants of which 9 gave keynote lectures and 25 gave short contributions. After most lectures there were lively discussions to which all attendants contributed.
The overall theme was thermodynamics which, as a universal theory, may be – and was – applied to different types of phenomena and materials, viz.
The participants had a varied background: Some were physicists and engineers, others applied mathematicians. The former were mostly interested in modelling of material properties and simulation of observed processes. They generally tended to make their models as simple as possible. The mathematicians took an interest in the properties of the model equations, provided that they offered a challenge to the analyst, or that they permitted the application of their analytical tools.
This dichotomy of the audience was intended by the organizers, of course, and it led to lively discussions. Thus it was hotly debated whether good mathematics should be wasted on bad physics. Or whether it is justifiable to construct mutilated, or arbitrarily extended physical models such that they be amenable for the analytical toolbox. The question arose of what value an existence and uniqueness proof is for non-realistic models.
Another case in point is the regularization of originally hyperbolic equations as they occur in the kinetic theory of gases and in extended thermodynamics. It was debated whether it is worthwhile to smooth out solutions artificially, rather than investigate how nature manages the problem of avoiding jumps.
It could not be expected that such discussions reach an agreeable conclusion but - perhaps - they served to break up questionable ideas in both groups of participants; ideas, that have become all too comfortable and well-accommodated in their minds. The dialogue will be continued in the future between communities that ordinarily do not overlap; this may in fact be an important outcome of the meeting.
There was an evening lecture by Prof. W. Bürger on toys – boomerangs, spinning tops and rattlebacks. Everybody seems to have enjoyed that lecture.
Graph Theory
Authors: Diestel Reinhard , Schrijver Alexander , Seymour Paul 
Published: December 2009

This conference was one of a series of Oberwolfach conferences, held every two years or so, with focus on graph structure, decomposition, and representation. There were 49 participants, including over a dozen graduate students and postdocs.
At the request of the Oberwolfach Director, the conference schedule was designed to promote informal collaboration. In particular, there were fewer formal talks than usual, and instead there were a number of discussion groups or “workshops”. Also, the first day (except for one plenary talk) was devoted to having the participants introduce themselves – we asked all participants to give a five-minute presentation of their current interests.
We were fortunate in that several of the plenary talks described major new results. For instance, Ron Aharoni and Eli Berger have just solved the Erdős–Menger conjecture; Bertrand Guenin has proved a major extension of the four-colour theorem; and Stephan Brandt and Stéphan Thomassé have settled a long-standing question about the chromatic number of dense graphs.
But probably the most distinctive feature of the meeting were the workshops. Some of these were planned before the conference, and others were held spontaneously. They were each on a topic with a chairman, but made as informal as possible. Some were more or less a sequence of talks on the topic, some were monologues, and some were genuine discussions. There were several different topics: infinite graphs and Ramsey theory, matroid theory, connectivity, graph minors and width, and topological methods. Three topics in particular gave rise to particularly active and long-running workshops: the proof of the Erdős–Menger conjecture, the prospects of extending the graph minors project to matroids, and the use of topological methods for combinatorial problems.
Our thanks to the organizers of the workshops for making them run successfully, to the Director for encouraging us to try out new ways of informal collaboration, and to all the participants for making this a highly stimulating meeting.