bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Element of Risk in International Investment Arbitration
Authors: Kałduński Marcin 
Published: March 2011

AbstractInvestments have always been exposed to a degree of risk. The present article, based on the author’s presentation at the conference “Sir Hersch Lauterpacht ‐ Lawyer of Two Cultures”, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law of the University of Cambridge on 5‐6 November 2008, examines the element of risk, inherent in any investment project, as it has been delineated through international investment arbitration. The main focus is on the duty, on the part of the investor, to make a risk-assessment and act in good faith. These duties, however, do not mean ipso facto that the investor is responsible for any occurrence that may damage the investment. It is at this point that tribunals bear an important obligation to balance investor and host State interests.
Singularity and Repetition in Carl Schmitt’s Vision of History
Authors: Lievens Matthias 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDespite the problematic political positions he adopted during his life span, the work of Carl Schmitt contains a fascinating argument in favour of ‘the political’, which is understood as a plural symbolic space composed of friends and enemies who reciprocally recognise each other. Schmitt’s struggle for the political is a struggle for a public spirit which accounts for this plurality. One of the terrains on which Schmitt wages this struggle is that of historical meaning. The image of history is crucial for the political, as it is one level on which the relation between enemies is symbolised. In this paper, Schmitt’s polemic for a political conception of history, which gives the enemy and the defeated their due place as political subjects, will be reconstructed. Central to Schmitt’s endeavour is the attempt to think historical singularity, against the notion of repetition in history, against the understanding of history as a reservoir of ‘lessons’ and against ideologies of progress. Through his polemic, a profane and sober image of history appears which stresses singularity, relative contingency and openness, and the pluralisation of social temporalities. The enigmatic notion of the katechon will play a crucial role in providing a very minimal but crucial form of historical meaning for such a political conception of history.
A Review of Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts and Their Use in Short- to Medium-Range Streamflow Forecasting
Authors: Cuo Lan , Pagano Thomas C. , Wang Q. J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractUnknown future precipitation is the dominant source of uncertainty for many streamflow forecasts. Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models can be used to generate quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPF) to reduce this uncertainty. The usability and usefulness of NWP model outputs depend on the application time and space scales as well as forecast lead time. For streamflow nowcasting (very short lead times; e.g., 12 h), many applications are based on measured in situ or radar-based real-time precipitation and/or the extrapolation of recent precipitation patterns. QPF based on NWP model output may be more useful in extending forecast lead time, particularly in the range of a few days to a week, although low NWP model skill remains a major obstacle. Ensemble outputs from NWP models are used to articulate QPF uncertainty, improve forecast skill, and extend forecast lead times. Hydrologic prediction driven by these ensembles has been an active research field, although operational adoption has lagged behind. Conversely, relatively little study has been done on the hydrologic component (i.e., model, parameter, and initial condition) of uncertainty in the streamflow prediction system. Four domains of research are identified: selection and evaluation of NWP model–based QPF products, improved QPF products, appropriate hydrologic modeling, and integrated applications.
Assimilation of Surface-Based Boundary Layer Profiler Observations during a Cool-Season Weather Event Using an Observing System Simulation Experiment. Part I: Analysis Impact
Authors: Otkin Jason A. , Hartung Daniel C. , Turner David D. , Petersen Ralph A. , Feltz Wayne F. , Janzon Erik 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this study, an Observing System Simulation Experiment was used to examine how the assimilation of temperature, water vapor, and wind profiles from a potential array of ground-based remote sensing boundary layer profiling instruments impacts the accuracy of atmospheric analyses when using an ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation system. Remote sensing systems evaluated during this study include the Doppler wind lidar (DWL), Raman lidar (RAM), microwave radiometer (MWR), and the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI). The case study tracked the evolution of several extratropical weather systems that occurred across the contiguous United States during 7–8 January 2008. Overall, the results demonstrate that using networks of high-quality temperature, wind, and moisture profile observations of the lower troposphere has the potential to improve the accuracy of wintertime atmospheric analyses over land. The impact of each profiling system was greatest in the lower and middle troposphere on the variables observed or retrieved by that instrument; however, some minor improvements also occurred in the unobserved variables and in the upper troposphere, particularly when RAM observations were assimilated. The best analysis overall was achieved when DWL wind profiles and temperature and moisture observations from the RAM, AERI, or MWR were assimilated simultaneously, which illustrates that both mass and momentum observations are necessary to improve the analysis accuracy.
Near-Surface Eddy Heat and Momentum Fluxes in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in Drake Passage
Authors: Lenn Yueng-Djern , Chereskin Teresa K. , Sprintall Janet , McClean Julie L. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The authors present new estimates of the eddy momentum and heat fluxes from repeated high-resolution upper-ocean velocity and temperature observations in Drake Passage and interpret their role in the regional Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) momentum balance. The observations span 7 yr and are compared to eddy fluxes estimated from a 3-yr set of output archived from an eddy-resolving global Parallel Ocean Program (POP) numerical simulation. In both POP and the observations, the stream-averaged cross-stream eddy momentum fluxes correspond to forcing consistent with both a potential vorticity flux into the axis of the Subantarctic Front (SAF) and a sharpening of all three main ACC fronts through Drake Passage. Further, the POP analysis indicates that the mean momentum advection terms reflect the steering of the mean ACC fronts and are not fully balanced by the eddy momentum forcing, which instead impacts the strength and number of ACC fronts.
The comparison between POP and observed eddy heat fluxes was less favorable partly because of model bias in the water mass stratification. Observed cross-stream eddy heat fluxes are generally surface intensified and poleward in the ACC fronts, with values up to approximately −290 ± 80 kW m−2 in the Polar and Southern ACC Fronts. Interfacial form stresses FT, derived from observed eddy heat fluxes in the SAF, show little depth dependence below the Ekman layer. Although FT appears to balance the surface wind stress directly, the estimated interfacial form stress divergence is only an order of magnitude greater than the eddy momentum forcing in the SAF. Thus, although the eddy momentum forcing is of secondary importance in the momentum balance, its effect is not entirely negligible.
Surface properties of bentonite and illite complexes with humus acids
Authors: Księżopolska A. , Pazur M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this study, the reaction between humus acids (humic acid and β-humus fulvic acid fraction) and bentonite and illite was studied at a variety of pH values. The degree of reaction was determined from the specific surface area and molar energy of adsorption. Characteristic parameters of adsorption isotherms for the formation of a mono-layer of the adsorbent, such as the constant C from the BET equation, mono-layer capacity (Nm), and standard error square (R2), were also included in the study. After the addition of humus acids, the specific surface area of illite and bentonite decreased at all pH values, reaching a minimum at pH 4. This indicates different degrees of reaction of humus acids with the clays and, probably, partial hydrophobization of the materials. The degree of reaction of humus acids with the minerals depended on the pH and, for certain combinations, it was highest at pH 4. This value is relatively close to that at which the humus acid fractions in question precipitate from solution.
A simple and efficient method for manufacturing porous bioceramics
Authors: Zeng Chuisheng , Chen Xiaoming , Yan Yuhua , Zeng Yanjun , Tang Xiaoying , Liang Yilong 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to develop a simple and efficient method for manufacturing porous bioceramics, in which small organic foam spheres were taken as the poremaking reagent and green bodies were made by hot die-casting in moulds. The raw materials (small organic foam spheres, paraffin, oleic acid and β-TCP powder) were mixed into a slurry at 30–120ºC and moulded into green bodies using a hot die-casting machine at 30–90ºC; the green bodies were then sintered and the porous bioceramics obtained. The main characteristics (structure and size of pores, water permeability, apparent porosity and shrinkage) were tested. The results indicated that the apparent porosity was high and directly proportional to the mass ratio between the small organic foam spheres and the β-TCP powder. The pores connected with each other in three dimensions; the size, distribution of the shapes and structures of the pores were clearly related to the dimensions of the small organic foam spheres. The water permeability was proportional to the hot die-casting pressures and the shapes of the samples could easily be controlled by selecting different moulds. This study indicated that the method can be used to manufacture porous bioceramics with controlled pore structures and different shapes effectively and easily by adding different amounts and sizes of small organic foam spheres, mixing the raw materials evenly, and by selection of the hot die-casting pressure and by the use of different moulds.
Enhanced fluorescence of selected cationic dyes adsorbed on reduced-charge montmorillonite
Authors: Pustková P. , Klika Z. , Preclíková J. , Grygar T. M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe aggregation of three cationic dyes (CD), crystal violet (CV), Nile blue (NB) and rhodamine B (RB) in aqueous solution was studied by visible absorption spectrophotometry and compared with methylene blue (MB). The distribution of the dye species (monomers, dimers, trimers, and tetramers) in aqueous solutions with different concentrations of dye was calculated using equilibrium stepwise aggregation constants Kn. These cationic dyes were intercalated into montmorillonite (SAz-1) and its reduced charge form (RC-SAz(210)) prepared by heating lithium montmorillonite (Li/SAz-1) at 210ºC. The fluorescence of fully saturated CD/SAz and low-CD loaded CD/RC-SAz(210) complexes was studied. Visible absorption spectra of CD aqueous solutions and visible absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns (d001) of the CD/SAz and CD/RC-SAz( 210) solid complexes were obtained and evaluated. Large fluorescence intensities were found for CV/RC-SAz(210) and NB/RC-SAz(210) complexes in the same way as for the complex of methylene blue with reduced-charge montmorillonite MB/RCM(210) described previously.
Bacillus anthracis spore interactions with mammalian cells: Relationship between germination state and the outcome of in vitro
Authors: Gut Ian M , Tamilselvam Batcha , Prouty Angela M , Stojkovic Bojana , Czeschin Stephanie , van der Donk Wilfred A , Blanke Steven R 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
During inhalational anthrax, internalization of Bacillus anthracis spores by host cells within the lung is believed to be a key step for initiating the transition from the localized to disseminated stages of infection. Despite compelling in vivo evidence that spores remain dormant within the bronchioalveolar spaces of the lungs, and germinate only after uptake into host cells, most in vitro studies of infection have been conducted under conditions that promote rapid germination of spores within the culture medium.

Results
Using an in vitro model of infection, we evaluated the influence of the germination state of B. anthracis spores, as controlled by defined culture conditions, on the outcome of infection. Spores prepared from B. anthracis Sterne 7702 germinated in a variety of common cell culture media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS) while, in the absence of FBS, germination was strictly dependent on medium composition. RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells internalized spores to the same extent in either germinating or non-germinating media. However, significantly more viable, intracellular B. anthracis were recovered from cells infected under non-germinating conditions compared to germinating conditions. At the same time, RAW264.7 cells demonstrated a significant loss in viability when infected under non-germinating conditions.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the outcome of host cell infection is sensitive to the germination state of spores at the time of uptake. Moreover, this study demonstrates the efficacy of studying B. anthracis spore infection of host cells within a defined, non-germinating, in vitro environment.
Specific, simple and rapid detection of porcine circovirus type 2 using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification method
Authors: Zhao Kai , Shi Wei , Han Fangting , Xu Yan , Zhu Lianlong , Zou Yong , Wu Xiao , Zhu Hong , Tan Furong , Tao Shiru , Tang Xueming 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Background
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). It has caused heavy losses in global agriculture in recent decades. Rapid detection of PCV2 is very important for the effective prophylaxis and treatment of PMWS.

Results
A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was used to detect PCV2 in this study. Three pairs of primers were specially designed for recognizing eight distinct sequences of the ORF2 gene. This gene lies in the PCV2 virus genome sequence, and encodes the Rep protein that is involved in virus replication. Time and temperature conditions for amplification of PCV2 genes were optimized to be 55 min at 59°C. The analysis of clinical samples indicated that the LAMP method was highly sensitive. The detection limit for PCV2 by the LAMP assay was 10 copies, whereas the limit by conventional PCR was 1000 copies. The assay did not cross-react with PCV1, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, transmissible gastroenteritis of pigs virus or rotavirus. When 110 samples were tested using the established LAMP system, 95 were detected as positive.

Conclusion
The newly developed LAMP detection method for PCV2 was more specific, sensitive, rapid and simple than before. It complements and extends previous methods for PCV2 detection and provides an alternative approach for detection of PCV2.
Persistent organ dysfunction plus death: a novel, composite outcome measure for critical care trials
Authors: Heyland Daren K , Muscedere John , Drover John , Jiang Xuran , Day Andrew G ,   the Canadian Critical Care Trials Group
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Due to resource limitations, few critical care interventions have been rigorously evaluated with adequately powered randomized clinical trials (RCTs). There is a need to improve the efficiency of RCTs in critical care so that more definitive high quality RCTs can be completed with the available resources. The objective of this study was to validate and demonstrate the utility of a novel composite outcome measure, persistent organ dysfunction (POD) plus death, for clinical trials of critically ill patients.

Methods
We performed a secondary analysis of a dataset from a prospective randomized trial involving 38 intensive care units (ICUs) in Canada, Europe, and the United States. We define POD as the persistence of organ dysfunction requiring supportive technologies during the convalescent phase of critical illness and it is present when a patient has an ongoing requirement for vasopressors, dialysis, or mechanical ventilation at the outcome assessments time points. In 600 patients enrolled in a randomized trial of nutrition therapy and followed prospectively for six months, we evaluated the prevalence of POD and its association with outcome.

Results
At 28 days, 2.3% of patients had circulatory failure, 13.7% had renal failure, 8.7% had respiratory failure, and 27.2% had died, for an overall prevalence of POD + death = 46.0%. Of survivors at Day 28, those with POD, compared to those without POD, had a higher mortality rate in the six-month follow-up period, had longer ICU and hospital stays, and a reduced quality of life at three months. Given these rates of POD + death and using a two-sided Chi-squared test at alpha = 0.05, we would require 616 patients per arm to detect a 25% relative risk reduction (RRR) in mortality, but only 286 per arm to detect the same RRR in POD + mortality.

Conclusions
POD + death may be a valid composite outcome measure and compared to mortality endpoints, may reduce the sample size requirements of clinical trials of critically ill patients. Further validation in larger clinical trials is required.
Effect of morphological variability of incrusted pit membranes on efficiency of transverse compression to improve liquid uptake
Authors: Wang Yue , Sugiyama Junji 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
The present study examined the effect of morphological variability of incrusted pit membranes (PMs) on efficiency of transverse compression to improve liquid uptake. The heartwoods of four conifers were investigated, and the deformations and ruptures of incrusted PMs were evaluated after subjecting them to several treatments such as transverse compression, ethanol-benzene extraction, and combination of extraction and compression. (1) The PMs in Cunninghamia lanceolata Hook, formed a brittle surface that was easily broken by compression, and the wood showed improved liquid uptake; (2) In Cryptomeria japonica D. Don, additional margo gaps were exposed after extraction resulting in substantial liquid uptake; and (3) in Larix leptolepis Gordon and Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco, tori strongly stuck to the pit aperture, preventing any increase in liquid uptake despite all types of treatment. Moreover, the pit borders in C. lanceolata and C. japonica deformed like a viscoelastic body, whereas those in L. leptolepis and P. menziesii displayed irregular deformations during compression. These results demonstrate the influence of the unique morphology of the incrusted PM on the efficiency of liquid uptake enforced by transverse compression.
Where Do Drill Cuttings Go in Offshore Drilling?
Authors: Guo Boyun , Li Jun , Lin Shuhua 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
In offshore drilling operations, most water-base mud (WBM) and synthetic-based mud (SBM)-associated cuttings are discharged to the seabed whenever feasible. Although SBM is less toxic and biodegrade in marine sediments faster than oil-base mud, discharge of SBM associated with cuttings is still an environmental concern. It is highly desirable to know where the drill cuttings go during and after offshore well drilling. This paper presents an analytical method to predict the transport and settling of drill cuttings in seawater.
Starting from Newton’s second law of motion, a mathematical model has been developed in this study to predict the transport and settling of drill cuttings in seawater. It can forecast the location, configuration, and characteristics of cuttings piles in flowing seawater. Factors affecting the cuttings transport include water depth, current velocity, cuttings properties (size distribution, density, and sphericity), and water properties (density and viscosity). This mathematical model has been computerized. It provides a useful tool for predicting the characteristics of cuttings piles that can be used for evaluating the potential impact of drill cuttings on subsea environment.
Produced Water Management Using Wetlands: A Progress Report on the Installation of the First Commercial Wetland Application in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Breuer R. S. , Schlicht T. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
A wetland based water treatment plant is being constructed combining a three stage treatment process starting with an Oil/Water Separator followed by a Constructed Wetland and a Water Evaporation and Salt Crystallization Facility to receive initially 45,000 m3 produced water per day.
For such a natural system climate data and local soil conditions are essential design parameters. Initial given data had to be verified during the construction phase to prove all used design parameters by recording and determine temperature, evaporation and evapotranspiration data as well as soil characteristics and infiltration data of the used mineral sealing layer.
Although the implementation of the treatment facility is influenced by the new data acquisition the construction works covering more than 600 ha are on schedule. A Reed Bed area of 195 ha out of 234 ha has been completed and the plantation of 1,200,000 locally produced Phragmites australis plants has been started on schedule. The current program will allow the full wetland to be operational by the commissioning date in January 2011.
A Combination of Biodegradation and Microfiltration for Removal of Oil and Suspended Solids from Polymer-Containing Produced Water
Authors: Wang Z. , Lin B. , Sha G. , Zhang Y. , Yu J. , Li L. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Produced water from polymer flooding in Daqing oilfield was investigated and the typical characteristic includes: (1) high concentration of polymer (polyacrylamide, 120-190 mg/l), (2) very stable oil-colloid emulsion at presence of polymers (suspended colloid, 50-100 mg/l), and (3) increased concentration of dissolved hydrocarbon and silica (oil, 160-800 mg/l). To overcome the economic and environmental challenges of reusing the produced fluid from polymer flooding, a combined biological/microfiltrating process with capacity of 1500 m3/day was field tested for removing oil and suspended solids. The purified water met the quality criteria proposed by Daqing oilfield for reinjection: &lt; 8 mg/l oil concentration, &lt; 3 mg/l suspended solids, and &lt; 2.0μm of median particle size of suspensions.
This paper investigates the bench scale study of biodegradation of polymer-containing produced water including bacterial selection and enrichment. The enriched bacteria from local produced water pond, including Bacillus, Halomonas, and Arhodomonas, were investigated by DNA sequencing. Kinetics of biodegradation of different combination was identified and influences of additives, such as nutrient and oil suspensions, were optimized for enhancing biodegradation efficiency. According to the bench scale study, a pilot test of biodegradation/filtration for produced water purification was carried on for one year. The fully operational field demonstration suggests that the combined biological/filtratiing process can significantly reduce the hydrocarbon content and break the polymer-oil-colloid emulsions for more efficient oil/water separation. The oil concentration was reduced from 689 mg/l to 3.51 mg/l. The suspended solid was reduced from 164 mg/l to 4.9 mg/l and the average median particle size of suspensions was reduced to 1.5 μm. The operating cost of the biological process is estimated at 26 cents/m3. Other economical factors including capital investment, land use, and operating cost were discussed.