bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experience with Horizontal Wells in the Statfjord Field
Authors: Kostøl Petter , Berg Dag P. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The paper will review the most recent experience with completion techniques and production performance in horizontal wells in the Statfjord field. A total of 25 horizontal/extended reach wells have been drilled and completed to date. Wells with horizontal section up to 2230 m have been drilled and the longest horizontal displacement is 7290 m. Several well interventions have been performed in these wells, primarily for re-completion purposes. The paper will describe development of completion and intervention techniques with focus on perforating, well killing, well productivity and sand free production rates. Operational consequences in well interventions due to well design will be shown.
The first horizontal wells were perforated in overbalance on drillpipe, while today most intervals are perforated in underbalance with coiled tubing. Production and reservoir management for these wells will be discussed with focus on requirements for data acquisition and well intervention.
Future possibilities for horizontal wells on Statfjord and technology requirements will finally be discussed in the paper.
Three Methods of Achieving a True Hydraulic Seal/Control Across a Junction in a Multi Lateral Well
Authors: Ross Bob 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
For many multi lateral well applications, achieving a mechanically stable junction between the main well bore and a branch is critical, not only to meeting pressure integrity requirements during the initial completion, but also to maintaining control of individual lateral sections during future interventions. During 1996, three different completions systems designed to allow for a true hydraulic seal and/or control at the junction in a multilateral well will have been field tested in the North Sea/World. This paper describes the three systems, including the advantages and disadvantages of each, and will summarise their deployment and field performance.
Determinants of Business Tax Compliance
Authors: Nur-tegin Kanybek D 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
This paper provides empirical evaluation of a number of determinants of tax evasion by firms. The analysis includes both standard determinants, such as tax rates and probability of detection, and non-traditional factors, such as trust in government, compliance costs, and corruption. Firm-level survey data from 4,538 firms in 23 transition economies are analyzed. One of the main findings is that fighting corruption is more important in deterring tax evasion than conventional measures.
Trade Liberalization and New Exporters' Size: A Test of Heterogeneous Firm Models
Authors: Marinov Rosen , Rocha Nadia , DiNino Virginia 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
This paper tests an empirical implication of heterogeneous firm models along the lines of Melitz (2003) in the context of falling trade costs. Using the EU's intensive liberalization phase (1993-2002) as a natural experiment, we investigate freer trade's impact on the frequency of market reorientation across the productivity distribution of active firms to shed light on the presence of a minimum productivity (size) threshold for profitable sales abroad. Contrary to the models' predictions, firms that switch from non-exporting to exporting over the studied period are not concentrated in a particular size range. Our findings, based on a rich data set of French manufacturing enterprises, suggest a scope for fine-tuning of the theoretical framework.
Coping with Disaster: The Impact of Hurricanes on International Financial Flows, 1970-2002
Authors: Yang Dean 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
How well do countries cope with the aftermath of natural disasters? Do international financial flows buffer countries in the wake of disasters? This paper examines the impact of hurricanes on resource flows to developing countries. Using meteorological data, I construct a time-varying storm index taking into account the fraction of a country's population exposed to storms of varying intensities. Overall, hurricanes lead to large increases in foreign aid. For other types of international financial flows, the impact of hurricanes varies according to income level. For poorer countries, hurricanes lead to increases in migrants' remittances, so that total inflows from all sources in the three years following hurricane exposure amount to roughly four-fifths of estimated damages. For richer countries, by contrast, hurricanes stimulate inflows of new lending from multilateral institutions, but offsetting declines in private financial flows are so large that the null hypothesis of zero damage replacement cannot be rejected.
Entry and Exit in the Nonprofit Sector
Authors: Harrison Teresa D. , Laincz Christopher A 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
We study the entry and exit dynamics of nonprofit public charities using 1989-2003 tax return data. The observed patterns can be understood using a dynamic industry model based on Jovanovic (1982) that incorporates profit-deviation and a non-redistribution constraint. Both features generate a high exit threshold which implies high net entry rates and low exit rates. The data reveal that nonprofit gross entry rates are lower than those of for-profits in services, while extremely low exit rates (across both sectors and time) result in net entry rates nearly 3 times larger than that of for-profit firms. We find that the behavior of new public charities is remarkably similar to that found in studies of private firms (e.g. new firms begin smaller than the industry mean, but grow faster). However, exit patterns diverge sharply. Besides relatively low exit rates, the survival rate of new nonprofit firms greatly exceeds those found in studies on services and manufacturing. In addition we find that the hazard rate of exit declines with age and size, and with size conditional on age.
Pay Peanuts and Get Monkeys? Evidence from Academia
Authors: Boyle Glenn 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
In most countries, academic pay is independent of discipline, thus ignoring differences in labor market opportunities. Using some unique data from a comprehensive research assessment exercise undertaken in one such country -- New Zealand -- this paper examines the impact of discipline-independent pay on research quality. I find that the greater the difference between the value of a discipline's outside opportunities and its New Zealand academic salary, the weaker its research performance in New Zealand universities. The latter apparently get what they pay for: disciplines in which opportunity cost is highest relative to the fixed compensation are least able to recruit high-quality researchers. Paying peanuts attracts mainly monkeys.
Discreteness in time
Authors: Peschel Ulf , Bersch Christoph , Onishchukov Georgy 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
In this paper we discuss the joint propagation of a periodically modulated field and a pulse of different frequency in an optical fiber. The pulse experiences the action of an index lattice induced via cross-phase modulation by the periodic field. We predict effects of discreteness to show up both in the temporal and in the spatial domain. For large walk-off between the two fields one should observe Bloch oscillations in frequency space, where discrete diffraction is expected to occur for equal velocities of both waves.
Wide bandpass optical filters with TiO2 and Ta2O5
Authors: Asghar Muhammad , Shoaib Muhammad , Placido Frank , Naseem Shahzad 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Complex multilayer thin film filters for optical applications have been designed, prepared and characterized in this work. E-beam reactive evaporation technique has been used as a deposition process. In the first stage, optimized individual film layers of TiO2, Ta2O5, and SiO2 are deposited and characterized optically and structurally before the deposition of multilayered structures. The filter designs are based upon 33 layered SiO2/TiO2 and SiO2/Ta2O5 configurations on glass substrate. These designs are optimized to achieve wideband transmission in the visible spectrum. After deposition, the two filter configurations are characterized optically and structurally using spectrophotometery, atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SiO2/Ta2O5/glass filter has been found sensitive to deposition conditions since high absorption is observed in multilayered configuration for the as-deposited samples. Post-deposition annealing of the filter in the temperature range 150 to 250°C was also performed in order to study the effect of temperature on absorption and spectral characteristics of the filter. Comparison of the two filter configurations was also performed to analyze their suitability for optical applications. Adhesion of the two filters was found to be very good by means of tape-peel test.
Nuclear reprogramming: what has been done and potential avenues for improvements
Authors: Loi Pasqualino , Matsukawa Kazutsugu , Takahashi Seiya , Akagi Satoshi , Ptak Grazyna 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
A major challenge for reproductive biologists is the development of novel strategies to improve cloning efficiency. Even in species for which cloning is relatively successful, like cattle, the efficiency is still unacceptably low. In this review article we critically analyse all approaches that have been suggested by different laboratories in the field so far. As will be discussed below, so far none of these gives rise to a dramatic increase in cloning efficiency. Possibly, a multi-step approach including a pre-treatment of donor cells to modify their chromatin, along with improved culture system for cloned embryos would be the most promising.
Distinctive attributes for predicted secondary structures at terminal sequences of non-classically secreted proteins from proteobacteria
Authors: Kampenusa Inara , Zikmanis Peteris 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
C- and N-terminal sequences (64 amino acid residues each) of 89 non-classically secreted type I, type III and type IV proteins (Swiss-Prot/TrEMBL) from proteobacteria were transformed into predicted secondary structures. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) confirmed the significance of location (C- or N-termini) and secretion type as essential factors in respect of quantitative representations of structured (a-helices, b-strands) and unstructured (coils) elements. The profiles of secondary structures were transcripted using unequal property values for helices, strands and coils and corresponding numerical vectors (independent variables) were subjected to multiple discriminant analysis with the types of secreted proteins as the dependent variables. The set of strong predictor variables (21 property values located at the region of 2–49 residues from the C-termini) was capable to classify all three types of non-classically secreted proteins with an accuracy of 93.3% for originally and 89.9% for cross-validated (leave-one-out procedure) grouped cases. The average error rate (0.137 ± 0.015) of k-fold (k = 3; 4; 6; 8; 10; 89) cross validation affirmed an acceptable prediction accuracy of defined discriminant functions with regard to the types of non-classically secreted proteins. The proposed prediction tool could be used to specify the secretome proteins from genomic sequences as well as to assess the compatibility between secretion pathways and secretion substrates of proteobacteria.
The “Window t test”: a simple and powerful approach to detect differentially expressed genes in microarray datasets
Authors: Berger Fabrice , Hertogh Benoît , Pierre Michaël , Gaigneaux Anthoula , Depiereux Eric 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
This work focuses on differential expression analysis of microarray datasets. One way to improve such statistical analyses is to integrate biological information in the design of these analyses. In this paper, we will use the relationship between the level of gene expression and variability. Using this biological information, we propose to integrate the information from multiple genes to get a better estimate of individual gene variance, when a small number of replicates are available, to increase the power of the statistical analysis. We describe a strategy named the “Window t test” that uses multiple genes which share a similar expression level to compute the variance which is then incorporated a classic t test. The performances of this new method are evaluated by comparison with classic and widely-used methods for differential expression analysis (the classic Student t test, the Regularized t test (reg t test), SAM, Limma, LPE and Shrinkage t). In each case tested, the results obtained were at least equivalent to the best performing method and, in most cases, outperformed it. Moreover, the Window t test relies on a very simple procedure requiring small computing power compared with other methods designed for microarray differential expression analysis.
Regulation of human aldoketoreductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) gene expression in the adipose tissue
Authors: Svensson Per-arne , Gabrielsson Britt , Jernås Margareta , Gummesson Anders , Sjöholm Kajsa 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAldoketoreductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a functional prostaglandin F synthase and a negative modulator of the availability of ligands for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). AKR1C3 expression is known to be associated with adiposity, one of the components of the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of AKR1C3 in the adipose tissue and adipocytes and to investigate its potential role in the metabolic syndrome. Using microarray analysis and realtime PCR, we studied the expression of AKR1C3 in adipose tissue samples from obese subjects with or without metabolic complications, during very low calorie diet-induced weight loss, and its expression in isolated human adipocytes of different sizes. The adipose tissue AKR1C3 expression levels were marginally lower in obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome compared with the levels in healthy obese subjects when analyzed using microarray (p = 0.078) and realtime PCR (p < 0.05), suggesting a secondary or compensatory effect. The adipose tissue mRNA levels of AKR1C3 were reduced during and after dietinduced weight-loss compared to the levels before the start of the diet (p < 0.001 at all time-points). The gene expression of AKR1C3 correlated with both adipose tissue mRNA levels and serum levels of leptin before the start of the diet (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, large adipocytes displayed a higher expression of AKR1C3 than small adipocytes (1.5-fold, p < 0.01). In conclusion, adipose tissue AKR1C3 expression may be affected by metabolic disease, and its levels are significantly reduced in response to dietinduced weight loss and correlate with leptin levels.
Erythropoietin affects GABAergic transmission in hippocampal neurons in vitro
Authors: Wójtowicz Tomasz , Mozrzymas Jerzy 
Published: July 2008

AbstractErythropoietin is a potent regulator of erythropoiesis. It acts via the specific membrane receptor (EpoR). Erythropoietin is also known to be present in the central nervous system, and its concentration and the expression of EpoR change during development, which raises the possibility that this modulator might be involved in the regulation of neuronal functions in the developing brain. The GABAergic system undergoes profound changes during development and is particularly susceptible to modulation by endogenous factors. Therefore, we decided to investigate the impact of Epo on GABAergic transmission in hippocampal neurons developing in vitro. An analysis of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) revealed that a long-term treatment with Epo (48 or 72 h) resulted in a major acceleration of the decaying phase of these currents while the amplitude and current frequency remained unchanged. Interestingly, this effect was restricted to the youngest considered age group (6-8 DIV), indicating that Epomediated modulation of mIPSCs depends on the developmental stage of the neurons. We conclude that Epo may exert a modulatory action on GABAergic transmission in developing neural networks.
Two-colour HgCdTe infrared detectors operating above 200 K
Authors: Rutkowski J. , Madejczyk P. , Piotrowski A. , Gawron W. , Jóźwikowski K. , Rogalski A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe performance of dual waveband HgCdTe photodiodes fabricated using metaloorganic chemical vapour deposition operated at high temperatures is presented. The effect of additional separating layer on the quantum efficiency and cross-talk of the photodiodes is analyzed. The photodiodes with cutoff wavelengths up to 6 μm, good R0A product, and high quantum efficiency at 200 K have been demonstrated. The temperature dependence of the differential resistance is discussed. It is shown that the multilayer heterojunction P-n-N-n-P structure operating in a simultaneous mode has better performance than a structure operating in a sequential mode.
Incidence and risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications in elective intracranial surgery
Authors: Sogame Luciana Carrupt Machado , Vidotto Milena Carlos , Jardim José Roberto , Faresin Sonia Maria 
Published: July 2008

Object
It has been shown that craniotomy may lead to a decrease in lung volumes and arterial blood gas tensions as well as a change in the respiratory pattern. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and the mortality rate in patients who have undergone elective craniotomy and to evaluate the associations between preoperative and postoperative variables and PPCs in this population.

Methods
Two hundred thirty-six patients were followed up based on a protocol including a clinical questionnaire, physical examination and observation of clinical characteristics in the preoperative period, type of surgery performed, duration of surgery, time spent in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital, and the occurrence of any PPCs.

Results
Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 58 patients (24.6%) and 23 other patients (10%) died. Predicting factors for PPCs according to multivariate analyses were as follows: type of surgery performed (p < 0.0001), prolonged mechanical ventilation ≥ 48 hours (p < 0.0001), time spent in the ICU > 3 days (p < 0.0001), decrease in level of consciousness (p < 0.002), duration of surgery ≥ 300 minutes (p < 0.01), and previous chronic lung disease (p < 0.04).

Conclusions
The incidence from March 2003 to March 2005 of PPCs in patients who had undergone craniotomy was 25% and death occurred in 10%. Some risk factors for PPCs may be predicted such as the type of surgery performed, prolonged mechanical ventilation, a longer time in the ICU, a decreased level of consciousness, duration of surgery, and previous chronic lung disease.
Reversible monoparesis following decompressive hemicraniectomy for traumatic brain injury
Authors: Stiver Shirley I. , Wintermark Max , Manley Geoffrey T. 
Published: July 2008

Object
The “syndrome of the trephined” is an uncommon and poorly understood disorder of delayed neurological deficit following craniectomy. From the authors' extensive experience with decompressive hemicraniectomy for traumatic brain injury (TBI), they have encountered a number of patients who developed delayed motor deficits, also called “motor trephine syndrome,” and reversal of the weakness following cranioplasty repair. The authors set out to study motor function systematically in this patient population to define the incidence, contributing factors, and outcome of patients with motor trephine syndrome.

Methods
The authors evaluated patient demographics, injury characteristics, detailed motor examinations, and CT scans in 38 patients with long-term follow-up after decompressive hemicraniectomy for TBI.

Results
Ten patients (26%) experienced delayed contralateral upper-extremity weakness, beginning 4.9 ± 0.4 months (mean ± standard error) after decompressive hemicraniectomy. Motor deficits improved markedly within 72 hours of cranioplasty repair, and all patients recovered full motor function. The CT perfusion scans, performed in 2 patients, demonstrated improvements in cerebral blood flow commensurate with resolution of cerebrospinal fluid flow disturbances on CT scanning and return of motor strength. Comparisons between 10 patients with and 20 patients (53%) without delayed motor deficits identified 3 factors—ipsilateral contusions, abnormal cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and longer intervals to cranioplasty repair—to be strongly associated with delayed, reversible monoparesis following decompressive hemicraniectomy.

Conclusions
Delayed, reversible monoparesis, also called motor trephine syndrome, is common following decompressive hemicraniectomy for TBI. The results of this study suggest that close follow-up of motor strength with early cranioplasty repair may prevent delayed motor complications of decompressive hemicraniectomy.
Stereotactic drainage and Gamma Knife radiosurgery of cystic brain metastasis
Authors: Franzin Alberto , Vimercati Alberto , Picozzi Piero , Serra Carlo , Snider Silvia , Gioia Lorenzo , Passano Camillo Ferrari da , Bolognesi Angelo , Giovanelli Massimo 
Published: July 2008

Object
Treatment options for patients with brain metastasis include tumor resection, whole-brain radiation therapy, and radiosurgery. A single treatment is not useful in cases of multiple tumors, of which at least 1 is a cystic tumor. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of stereotactic drainage and Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of cystic brain metastasis.

Methods
Between January 2001 and November 2005, 680 consecutive patients with brain metastases underwent GKS at our hospital, 30 of whom were included in this study (18 males and 12 females, mean age 60.6 ± 11 years, range 38–75 years). Inclusion criteria were: 1) no prior whole-brain radiation therapy or resection procedure; 2) a maximum of 4 lesions on preoperative MR imaging; 3) at least 1 cystic lesion; 4) a Karnofsky Performance Scale score ≥ 70; and 5) histological diagnosis of a malignant tumor.

Results
Non–small cell lung carcinoma was the primary cancer in most patients (19 patients [63.3%]). A single metastasis was present in 13 patients (43.3%). There was a total of 81 tumors, 33 of which were cystic. Ten patients (33.3%) were in recursive partitioning analysis Class I, and 20 (66.6%) were in Class II. Before drainage the mean tumor volume was 21.8 ml (range 3.8–68 ml); before GKS the mean tumor volume was 10.1 ml (range 1.2–32 ml). The mean prescription dose to the tumor margin was 19.5 Gy (range 12–25 Gy). Overall median patient survival was 15 months. The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 54.7% (95% confidence interval 45.3–64.1%) and 34.2% (95% confidence interval 23.1–45.3%). Local tumor control was achieved in 91.3% of the patients.

Conclusions
The results of this study support the use of a multiple stereotactic approach in cases of multiple and cystic brain metastasis.