bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rationalisation of the pre-analytical and analytical processes of serological infection diagnostics by the use of modular automated systems / Rationalisierung präanalytischer und analytischer Prozesse für die serologische Infektionsdiagnostik mit Hilfe automatischer Systeme
Authors: Schuller Annette , Kurt Roth W. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
While in large clinical laboratories the implementation of total laboratory automation is continuously proceeding, this concept is mostly not suitable for small- and middle-sized laboratories or for testing laboratories of blood donation services due to costs and required space. For these facilities, however, a rational level of automation can be achieved by the installation of stand-alone work cells for pre-analytical and selected analytical processes. In this review, the features of some automated pre-analytical sample processing systems and automated systems for the serological testing for infectious diseases are described exemplarily and compared with each other. The major advantages of automated systems, compared to a solely manual workflow, are described. Essential factors which have to be considered for making the choice for an appropriate automated system are pointed out.
Mutagenic hazards of complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures in contaminated soil
Authors: Lemieux Christine L , Lambert Iain B , Lundstedt Staffan , Tysklind Mats , White Paul A 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to evaluate hazard/risk assessment methods for complex environmental mixtures that involve a targeted, priority chemical approach based on the cumulative hazard/risk of known mixture components or analyses of sufficiently similar mixtures. Ten polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)–contaminated soils were separated into nonpolar and semipolar fractions, and both fractions elicited positive responses on the Salmonella reverse mutation assay. Targeted and nontargeted methods of hazard prediction routinely overestimated mutagenic activities for the nonpolar soil fractions, suggesting nonadditive interactions of PAHs in complex mixtures. This suggests that current risk assessment methods for complex mixtures may provide conservative estimates regarding soils contaminated with priority PAHs alone. Significant underestimations of total risk, however, will be obtained if the soils also contain unidentified PAHs as well as polycyclic aromatic compounds and related compounds that contribute to the total mutagenic activity. Furthermore, estimates of excess lifetime cancer risk associated with the nondietary ingestion of the PAH-contaminated soils studied here indicate that a traditional risk assessment model based on identified priority PAHs and an assumption of additivity generally underestimates the risk associated with the nonpolar soil fractions (in comparison to bioassay-derived risk estimates). Additional cancer risk may be associated with the more polar compounds that also are found at these contaminated sites and that rarely are included in the standard risk assessment methodology.
Detecting the transport of toxic pesticides from golf courses into watersheds in the precambrian shield region of ontario, canada
Authors: Metcalfe Tracy L , Dillon Peter J , Metcalfe Chris D 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Golf courses impact the environment through alterations to habitat and through the release of nutrients and pesticides. The Precambrian Shield region of central Ontario, Canada, which is a major recreational area, is especially susceptible to the impacts of golf courses as a result of the geology and hydrology of the region. In a monitoring program at two golf courses in the Muskoka region conducted during the spring, summer, and fall of 2002, semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were deployed into streams that drain the golf courses. The extracts from the SPMDs were tested for toxicity using bioassays with early life stages of an aquarium fish, the Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Toxicity was assessed using a scoring system developed for the present study. The bioassays with medaka indicated that toxicity was highest in extracts from SPMDs deployed during the spring and the fall. The peaks in toxicity for the SPMDs deployed at the two golf courses corresponded with the presence in the SPMD extracts of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) at concentrations up to 334 ng/SPMD. Quintozene is the turfgrass fungicide in which PCNB is the active ingredient. Pentachlorothioanisole, an anaerobic degradation product of PCNB, also was detected in the SPMDs deployed during the spring. Extracts prepared from SPMDs with high toxicity contained residues of a surfactant used in pesticide formulations, nonylphenol, at concentrations up to approximately 20 μg/SPMD. Overall, these data indicate that some pesticides applied to golf courses in the Precambrian Shield of central Ontario may have the potential to cause toxic impacts to aquatic organisms in adjacent watersheds.
Laboratory degradation studies of four endocrine disruptors in two environmental media
Authors: Sarmah Ajit K , Northcott Grant L 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
We investigated the degradation of 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol-A (BPA), and 4-n-nonyl-phenol (4-n-NP) in river water–sediment and groundwater–aquifer material under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The results showed rapid degradation of all four compounds in both media with &gt;90% of the four compounds degraded within the first 2 to 4 d under both conditions. However, degradation rates were extremely slow for the remaining period. Model derived 50% dissipation time (DT50) values in river water–sediment slurries ranged from 0.24 to 1.5 d (E2), 0.29 to 1.1 d (EE2), 1.2 to 1.4 d (BPA), and 0.42 d (4-n-NP), while the 90% dissipation time (DT90) values for the four endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) ranged from 0.9 to 2.8 d under both conditions. A minor difference was observed in DT50 and DT90 values for the four EDCs in groundwater-aquifer material under aerobic conditions as compared with river water–sediment. Under anaerobic conditions, DT90 values ranged from &gt;1,000 d (EE2) to &gt;300 d (BPA), in groundwater–aquifer material. Degradation of the four compounds under anaerobic conditions was attributed to the sulfate-, nitrate-, and iron-reducing conditions within the tested media; however, it was postulated that overall degradation of the compounds was also influenced by abiotic factors, accounting for nearly 6 to 40% (river water-sediment) and 0 to 18% (groundwater–aquifer material) under the two conditions tested.
Heterocypris incongruens as a tool to estimate sewage sludge toxicity
Authors: Oleszczuk Patryk 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The toxicity of 13 sewage sludges was evaluated in relation to the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens. The bioassay used was a commercial, direct contact test that allows evaluation of solid-phase toxicity. Evaluation of sewage sludges included physicochemical properties (pH, total organic C, total N, cation-exchange capacity, total exchangeable bases, available forms of p and K, and electrical conductivity), heavy metal content (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc), and content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency list). The evaluated parameters were then compared with bioassay results (mortality and growth inhibition). Sewage sludges were characterized by optimal physicochemical properties; low K (&lt;5.64 mg/kg) and total organic C (177–253 g/kg) levels were noted. Contaminant content (heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) clearly differed between individual sewage sludges. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contents ranged from 3.8 to 36.4 mg/kg. Total concentrations of heavy metals in all sewage sludges (with the exception of one sludge) were lower than the pollutant concentration limits for land application. Heterocypris incongruens mortality when sludge was applied at doses of 6, 12, or 24% ranged from 0 to 70%, from 4.7 to 72.1%, and from 0 to 100%, respectively. Average growth inhibition was 39.7 to 46.6% (depending on the sludge dose applied). Any stimulating influence of two sewage sludges on the test organism was recorded. The median lethal concentrations calculated for individual sewage sludges ranged from 88 to 956 g sewage sludge/kg.
Oxidative stress, defense response, and early biomarkers for lead-contaminated soil in Vicia faba seedlings
Authors: Wang Cheng-Run , Wang Xiao-Rong , Tian Yuan , Yu Hong-Xia , Gu Xue-Yuan , Du Wen-Chao , Zhou Hui 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Chemical analyses and biological measurements were investigated in leaves of Vicia faba seedlings exposed to extraneous lead (Pb) at 0 to 2,000 mg/kg of soil for a month. The results showed that superoxide radical (O•−2) production, increased along with total Pb in leaves and available Pb in soil, resulted in enhancement of malondialdehyde and carbonyl groups. Antioxidant enzymes, including corresponding isoenzymes and heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70), were also enhanced to some extent. Significant changes were detected in the patterns and intensities of guaiacol peroxidase isoenzymes, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase isoenzymes only changed intensities. Superoxide dismutase activities increased with the increase of extraneous Pb at 0 to 500 mg/kg of soil and tended to decline thereafter, which might be responsible for the decrease of hydrogen peroxide and accumulation of O•−2. Guaiacol peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes were upregulated to become major scavengers of excess hydrogen peroxide on the condition of decreased catalase activities. Levels of hsp 70 were well correlated with Pb contents in leaves (r = 0.777), O•−2 accumulation (r = 0.985, p &lt; 0.01), and carbonyl groups (r = 0.920, p &lt; 0.01) under extraneous Pb at 0 to 250 mg/kg of soil, suggesting that hsp 70 induced by O•−2 was possibly involved in disposal of denatured proteins. The results showed that O•−2, hsp 70, and guaiacol peroxidase isoenzymes had the most sensitive responses in the seedlings and these parameters could be potential early biomarkers of soil Pb contamination.
Heating treatment schemes for enhancing chelant-assisted phytoextraction of heavy metals from contaminated soils
Authors: Chen Yahua , Wang Chunchun , Wang Guiping , Luo Chunling , Mao Ying , Shen Zhenguo , Li Xiangdong 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Recent research has shown that chelant-assisted phytoextraction approaches often require a high dosage of chelant applied to soil. The present study focused on optimization of phytoremediation processes to increase the phytoextraction efficiency of metals at reduced chelant applications. Pot experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of increased soil temperature on shoot uptake of heavy metals by corn (Zea mays L.) and mung bean (Vigna radiat L. Wilczek) from heavy metal–contaminated soils. After the application of S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid or ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid, soils were exposed to high temperatures (50 or 80°C) for 3 h, which significantly increased the concentration of heavy metals in shoots. The heating treatment 2 d after the chelant addition resulted in higher concentrations of metals compared with those treatments 2 d before or simultaneously with the chelant application. Irrigation with 100°C water 2 d after the chelant addition, or irrigation with 100°C chelant solutions directly, also resulted in significantly higher phytoextraction of metals in the two crops compared with 25°C chelant solutions. In addition, a novel application method to increase soil temperature using underground polyvinyl chloride tubes would increase the chelant-assisted extraction efficiency of Cu approximately 10- to 14-fold in corn and fivefold in mung bean compared with those nonheating treatments. In a field experiment, increasing soil temperature 2 d after chelant addition also increased the shoot Cu uptake approximately fivefold compared with those nonheating treatments. This new technique may represent a potential, engineering-oriented approach for phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils.
Evaluation of sample preparation methods for nuclear magnetic resonance metabolic profiling studies withEisenia fetida
Authors: Brown Sarah A. E , Simpson André J , Simpson Myrna J 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe earthworm Eisenia fetida is frequently used in ecotoxicological studies; however, it has not yet been investigated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) metabolic profiling methods. The present study investigates the impact of depuration time, sample homogenization, and different extraction solvents on the quality and reproducibility of the 1H NMR spectra of E. fetida with the goal of determining whether this species is suitable for future metabonomic studies. A depuration time of 96 h, followed by intact lyophilization before homogenization and extraction into a deuterium oxide (D2O)-based phosphate buffer, was found to produce extracts with excellent 1H NMR reproducibility. The D2O buffer extracted the largest quantity of the widest variety of earthworm metabolites, which is consistent with the results from other studies using different earthworm species. Nuclear magnetic resonance assignments of the major metabolites in the D2O-based buffer also were performed and found to be similar to those for other earthworm species, such as Eisenia veneta, but also to have characteristic attributes in E. fetida. The major metabolites identified include amino acids (alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, serine, tyrosine, and valine), two sugars (glucose and maltose), the sugar alcohol mannitol, and the polyalcohol inositol. Two other earthworm species (Lumbricus rubellus and Lumbricus terrestris) also were examined using protocols developed for E. fetida, and of the three species, the 1H NMR spectra of E. fetida had the least variation, indicating this species is well-suited for future metabolomic-based ecotoxicity studies.
Dietary uptake models used for modeling the bioaccumulation of organic contaminants in fish
Authors: Barber M. Craig 
Published: March 2008

AbstractNumerous models have been developed to predict the bioaccumulation of organic chemicals in fish. Although chemical dietary uptake can be modeled using assimilation efficiencies, bioaccumulation models fall into two distinct groups. The first group implicitly assumes that assimilation efficiencies describe the net chemical exchanges between fish and their food. These models describe chemical elimination as a lumped process that is independent of the fish's egestion rate or as a process that does not require an explicit fecal excretion term. The second group, however, explicitly assumes that assimilation efficiencies describe only actual chemical uptake and formulates chemical fecal and gill excretion as distinct, thermodynamically driven processes. After reviewing the derivations and assumptions of the algorithms that have been used to describe chemical dietary uptake of fish, their application, as implemented in 16 published bioaccumulation models, is analyzed for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), walleye (Sander vitreus = Stizostedion vitreum), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that bioaccumulate an unspecified, poorly metabolized, hydrophobic chemical possessing a log KOW of 6.5 (i.e., a chemical similar to a pentachlorobiphenyl).
First Application of New Expandable Liner Hanger Technology in Deepwater HP/HT Well of Egypt
Authors: Moore Melvin , Lopez Jesse , Chacon Edgar , Waheed Arshad , Nida Ron 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper discusses the application of a new expandable liner hanger system in a deepwater, high-pressure, high-temperature (HP/HT) well in the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. At the time of its application in early April 2007, it was the first expandable liner hanger set in Egypt and the industry's first, deepest set depth (4870 m) for the 7 5/8–in. liner hanger size.A majority of the liners run in this area for this operator can be classified as drilling liners that allow the well to be "cased off" at key points in the drilling sequence so that drilling can progress safely to its target depth. This case history is about setting a liner across a weak (lost circulation) zone and a high-pressure kick (saltwater) zone drilled in the same hole section. The liner hanger operation was deemed critical especially after having had an issue in the last hole section in setting a conventional 9 7/8–in. liner hanger packer resulting in 2.1 days of NPT (nonproductive time). It was important to get proper isolation of both the formations and the liner lap and the placement of the liner in the desired position to avoid having issues drilling ahead.The expandable liner hanger (ELH) offers a significant departure in design from a conventional system. The mechanics of the ELH system eliminates the potential of a premature set of the hanger. Moreover, it eliminates the normal operating procedures of testing conventional liner tops and "dressing" cement left on top of the liner—operations that require a substantial amount of time and money to accomplish before drilling ahead can resume.This paper will discuss the expandable liner system in detail with an insight into its design, operating procedures, its simplicity, and the benefits it provides even in difficult well conditions such as this case history.
One Company's First Exploration UBD Well for Characterizing Low Permeability Reservoirs
Authors: Woodrow C. K. , Elliott D. , Pickles R. , Cox D. B. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper describes the use of an under balanced drilling (UBD) system in a remote desert exploration well to directly evaluate the hydrocarbon reservoir inflow potential. The integrated sub-surface and well design team, planning, activity execution and results are discussed, with an assessment of the added value realized. The lessons learnt will be used to optimize the subsequent exploration and appraisal drilling activities, and in the longer term, optimization of subsequent field development activities.The vision is effectively to inflow test all available hydrocarbon reservoirs while drilling, thereby generating a pseudo reservoir inflow profile as a function of depth without the uncertainty of drilling induced formation damage. To achieve this objective, the available under balance drilling operating parameters and drilling fluids, were proactively controlled. This allowed the rig crew to manage the inflow while drilling, and near well bore skin damage, reducing the uncertainty to optimize the reservoir information acquired. The activity was executed in Q3 2007.Inflow testing in a known ‘non damaged state’ while drilling exploration and appraisal wells in desert areas remote from hydrocarbon processing and export infrastructure helps to reduce overall project risk. In low permeability reservoirs, over balance drilling induced near wellbore reservoir inflow impairment, has historically delivered inconclusive inflow data, resulting in higher project uncertainty and higher costs. UBD reservoir characterization information may be used to reduce subsequent well flow testing activities, which in turn, lowers project costs, speeds up the field appraisal process and reduces waste.
Simplified Country Risk Assessments for Global Petroleum Investments
Authors: Rajan Surya , Vikas Shree 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAs Rate of Reserve Replacement continues to be challenged, International Oil Companies (IOCs) face competition from other IOCs as well as from entrepreneurial national oil companies (NOCs) aggressively looking to develop assets domestically and overseas. A disproportionately large fraction of reserves are controlled by a few NOCs, and downstream resources are similarly pursued by NOCs and IOCs alike. Evaluation of potential countries or regions targeted for reserves replacement objectives must be made based on assessment of key risk factors for mid to long timeframe.Country Risk Assessments for new country or region entry decisions serve as a crucial decision point in determining viability of project or project portfolio from a location perspective, but such assessments typically tend to be time consuming, complex, somewhat subjective, and often do not provide a basis for any objective comparison between candidate countries or regions.Using a matrix of weighted risk factors this model presents a simplified approach for objectively assessing a potential country or region under consideration, and provides a basis for apples-to-apples comparison between shortlisted countries or regions. This approach is applicable to IOCs, NOCs, or Service Companies alike. Based on a relevance-weighted approach this model can assist in quick screening before further due diligence is embarked on. This not only accelerates decision-making for such investment considerations, but also provides input for later detailed project risk management.
Functional traits and phylogeny: What is the main ecological process determining species assemblage in roadside plant communities?
Authors: Valladares F. , Tena D. , Matesanz S. , Bochet E. , Balaguer L. , Costa‐Tenorio M. , Tormo J. , García‐Fayos P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuestion:What is the main ecological process determining species assemblage in roadside herbaceous plant communities?Location:Roadside slopes (roadcuts and embankments) in the south (Málaga, mesic Mediterranean) and east (Valencia, dry and continental) of the Iberian Peninsula.Methods:We identified 417 plant species, from which we selected the 331 most abundant (within the 70th abundance percentile) at each site. We compiled information on 28 functional traits and on the biogeographic range of each of these 331 species. We quantified the phylogenetic signal of each trait for the species of each community and determined the number of functional convergences or divergences over the phylogenetic tree for each of the four situations (roadcuts and embankments in the two sites).Results:There was a significant phylogenetic signal in many traits, being positive in Valencia embankments and negative in Valencia roadcuts with almost no signal in any type of slope in Malaga. Each trait was significantly correlated with 20% ‐ 35% of all other traits but correlation coefficients were low. No significant phylogenetic signal was found for the species'distribution range in any of the four communities studied, which might be the consequence of the complex mixture of biogeographic origins of the species found in these communities.Conclusion:The lack of a phylogenetic signal in most traits in Malága, a climatically favourable locality, suggests that competitive exclusion was the main process involved in the assemblage of these communities. The significant and either positive or negative phylogenetic signal (in embankments and roadcuts respectively), the latter coupled with a significant number of functionally convergent nodes in the phylogenetic tree, suggests that environmental filtering is the most likely process involved in the harsh locality of Valencia.