bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workflow to Automatically Update Geological Models during Well Placement with High Angle and Horizontal Well Log Interpretation Results
Authors: Omeragic Dzevat , Polyakov Valery , Shetty Sushil , Brot Benoit , Habashy Tarek , Flugsrud Tor Livar
Published: March 2013

We present a novel methodology for integration of high-angle/horizontal (HA/HZ) well data into 3D geomodels as a natural extension to well placement workflows. Log interpretation, typically done in 2D cross-sections, is based on 1-D automated inversion, yielding near-wellbore reservoir structure and properties. 2D cross-section, updated by inversion and further refined using 2D/3D modeling, is subsequently retrofitted into the geomodel so as to minimally perturb the original topology. Changes in positions/dips/azimuths of boundaries and faults, cell properties, and further local grid refinements are applied automatically. The updated geomodel honors high-resolution logs and low-resolution seismic/nearby wells data.

We demonstrate this on a typical real-time well placement scenario. Electromagnetic log interpretation codes are integrated as a high performance computing (HPC) Web service into a geosteering/model update workflow. As the initial model, we use 3D geomodel constructed from seismic/vertical well data. A "curtain" cross-section is extracted, edited based on 1D inversion, and further refined to match HA/HZ logs through 2D and 3D forward modeling, by changing properties/dips/layer thicknesses /fault positions, while preserving the original topology. Then, updated node coordinates and cell properties of the affected pillar grid region are calculated to optimally retrofit the changed 2D cross-section into the grid. These changes are then automatically applied to the 3D model. For quality control, we recompute the 2D cross-section from the refined geomodel. Ultimately, we arrive at the geomodel that honors both seismic and resistivity well-log data. The combination, in a single workflow, of physics-based log modeling codes, Services-Oriented Architecture, HPC framework, and the solver to optimally retrofit 2D cross-sections into 3D models, creates a qualitatively new opportunity for well placement engineers.

This integrated workflow (1) maximizes the value of deep directional resistivity well-logs and real-time well placement interpretation by incorporating them into the source of data for building geomodels; (2) radically speeds up the model refinement loop by automatically calculating and applying the modifications to 3D reservoir model; (3) enables geoscientists to directly refine geomodels while geosteering. The latter has not been a standard practice, hindered by challenges of scale difference between geomodels and well-logs and lack of availability of efficient modeling codes.
What are We Going to Do With All These Wells Then?
Authors: Cramer Ron
Published: March 2013

Advances in drilling technology (e.g. fracing, horizontal wells) has led to successful development of onshore shale gas, tight gas, coal bed methane, shale oil and burgeoning well numbers. Some Majors have indicated that they will drill up to 20,000 new wells by the end of the decade. To achieve well numbers and cope with the work load and manpower shortages, drilling automation technologies are being introduced that will allow multiple rigs to be operated remotely and downmanned.

It is premised that well production operations will also have to be automated to cope with increasing work load as resource will not be available to operate these wells in the traditional, manual way. Associated production processes that will have to be automated include, well surveillance/optimization, well testing, sampling, chemical injection and hydrocarbon accounting. It is desirable to bring the wells onstream as soon as possible after drilling and to maintain production rates at as high a level as possible and to simultaneously account for production of oil, gas and water. It also is imperative to ensure the highest level of safety and environmental factors.

Hence, the purpose of this paper is to describe well automation business requirements/benefits and potential system solutions to optimize production over the life cycle for the ever increasing number of onshore wells that will be drilled in the near future.
Automatic Sensor Data Validation: Improving the Quality and Reliability of Rig Data
Authors: Ashok Pradeepkumar , Ambrus Adrian , van Oort Eric
Published: March 2013

Bad quality data is ubiquitous in oil well drilling operations. The hostile and uncertain environment in which sensors are used and the lower priority/importance usually given to regular calibration of these sensors to ensure accuracy are the main reasons for the lack of good quality and reliable data. Today, online streaming of sensor data from at least all the primary sensors on a rig to a real-time data monitoring facility is becoming commonplace. There also exists software to analyze this data, in real-time, to detect trends and identify potential drilling problems long before they occur. However, these software applications require good quality data to perform accurate analysis. When data is not validated, false and missed alarms are the norm whereby supposedly autonomous software applications require continuous human supervision. High quality data will also be required in the near future when adopting control algorithms for rig automation, which will use this data for making autonomous, closed-loop decisions.

In this paper, a novel technique for real-time sensor data validation is proposed that improves the quality of data collected from the sensors on a rig. This technique uses a model-based approach and the principle of conditional independence. Here, a sensor probabilistic graphical model is created and the relational redundancies in the model are exploited to differentiate between a sensor fault and a process fault as well as to identify the faulty sensor. The approach described in this paper allows for model update in real-time to account for process degradation/changes, thereby alleviating problems associated with the use of a purely analytical model. The application of the algorithm on a generated data set and the results of the experiment are presented in this paper. The adoption of such techniques is expected to greatly enhance the safety and the performance of well drilling and pave the path forward for more automated rig operations.
Exploiting the Latent Benefits of Wired Pipes: A Comprehensive Decision Making System
Authors: Yazidi A.
Published: March 2013

The invent of wired pipes technology opens new avenues for decision making in drilling operations while rising new challenges for making sense of the deluge of delivered measurements. Due to the high costs of drilling, fastness and safety are the two most forsaken requirements. The wired pipes technology inaugurates a dramatic change in the way drilling is currently performed. In fact, down-hole measurements will be available at a higher data rate alleviating the need for the traditional model based measurements, different sensors will be distributed along the miles of pipe posing challenge to fusion them for decision making. In addition to handling the overwhelming quantity of information, user friendly human machine interfaces should be developed and the driller should be trained to cope with the new ways of presenting the drilling data. Exploiting the latent benefits of wired pipes requires an interdisciplinary research that combines different fields of science namely data mining, control theory, artificial intelligence and statistics. In this paper, we will give insights into our effort centered on devising a comprehensive real time decision making mechanism that resorts to wired pipes. The main idea behind is to automatize many of the manual operations in drilling so that to achieve higher speed drilling. The paper will mainly focus on optimizing the rate of penetration, the control of pressure within the pressure window, optimizing the tripping in/out speed and managing the pump start-up. Accurate estimation methods of the remaining life of the drilling bit should be developed in order to avoid unnecessary tripping. The paper will also give insights into Artificial Intelligence based paradigms for predicting and detecting drilling incidents such as loss of circulation and hole pack-off.
Social Computing in an Exploration and Production Enterprise: Achieving Community Learning and Knowledge Transfer
Authors: Jenkins Chris , Lowe Trey , Mjema Fredrick
Published: March 2013

Companies in the exploration and production (E&P) business often suffer from communication challenges as the enterprise grows. These businesses are typically an amalgamation of merged or acquired companies and organically grown assets. Whether the enterprise is organized along functional or asset-based lines, communication outside the normal bounds of the organization can be a challenge. Individuals and teams working on complex problems are often unable to harness all of the company's intellectual capital because their network of colleagues is limited to those colleagues they personally know.

In the last decade, the emergence of Web 2.0 has changed the way that people consume and share information. Visitors to websites are no longer merely consumers of content, but can create, add to, or modify content visible to other users. This shared online space has brought individuals together and enabled the exchange of ideas in ways not previously possible. Given the way that social media has changed the landscape of society, this technology holds great potential to change the way companies conduct their internal business as well.

Devon Energy evaluated the use of a Knowledge Network through a pilot project built on a foundation of commonly available software (Microsoft SharePoint). Participants were completions engineers with a wide range of experience, hailing from a variety of divisions and geographic locations. These engineers identified areas where social computing could be helpful, such as finding experts within the company, building relationships, sharing knowledge, asking questions, and rapidly assembling teams to address issues facing multiple divisions. Participants tested the tools against all of these scenarios, including team projects to address real completions engineering issues with material impact to the company.

Participant feedback and business results from the pilot project have resulted in the Knowledge Network being sanctioned for deployment not only in engineering disciplines, but for all areas of the company. Through the pilot process, we came to understand why previous knowledge management efforts had met with little success. The paper outlines the changes necessary to establish and maintain a culture of community learning, from organizational structure, to participant expectations, time and money invested, and even to management expectations of return on software investments.
Migration of fluoride ions from the permanent teeth into saliva in children with glass ionomer cement restorations: An in vitro study
Authors: Apostolovic Mirjana , Kalicanin Biljana , Igic Marija , Trickovic-Janjic Olivera , Surdilovic Dusan , Kostadinovic Ljiljana , Stojkovic Branislava , Velimirovic Dragan
Published: March 2013

Bacground/Aim. Glass ionomer cements (GIC) belong to the group of
polycarboxyl cements, and one of the principal characteristics of these
materials is their anticariogenic potential of fluorine release into saliva
and enamel-dentin substance. The aim of this study was to examine the content
of released fluorine from GIC restorations (Fuji IX, GC, Japan) of young
permanent teeth in the medium of artificial saliva and similar releases in
the same medium by the restorations of these teeth treated with a low
concentration fluoride solution. Methods. We examined 12 premolars exctracted
from orthodontic reasons. The GIC restored teeth were divided into the group
treated daily with low concentration fluoride solution (334 ppm) and the
control, not treated group. The samples of artificial saliva were analyzed
for fluorine ion content using an ion selective electrode. Results. Our
comparative analysis of the mean values using the Student?s t-test
demonstrated a statistically significant difference in fluorine ion
concentration in artificial saliva of fluoridated and non-fluoridated teeth
with GIC fillings after 14 and 21 days (p < 0.05), while the difference
detected after 7 days was with no statistical significance. Conclusion. The
results of this in vitro study indicated that low-concentration fluoride
solutions could serve to refluoridate GIC fillings and contribute to an
increased fluorine content in saliva. The process of refluoridation of GIC
fillings should be advised 2-3 weeks after the restoration, since the release
of fluorine from GIC fillings diminishes in time.
Comparative study of surgical treatment of acromioclavicular luxation
Authors: Kezunovic Miroslav , Bjelica Dusko , Popovic Stevo
Published: March 2013

Background/Aim. Acromioclavicular (AC) luxations most often affect athletes.
The published results regarding the treatment of AC joint luxations vary.
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so there is still no
consensus on the best method of treatment. The aim of this study was to
review the results of a number of surgical approaches to stabilization of AC
joint recorded over the span of five years. Methods. This study was based on
the data acquired from the analysis of 28 patients with AC luxation
surgically treated in the Clinical Center of Montenegro. One group of 16
patients underwent the traditional AO method (with transfixation of AC joint
with Kirschner wire and Zuggurtung tension bands) or the Bosworth method
(using the coracoclaviculartransfixation screw - Zugg-Bosw group). The second
group of 12 patients underwent a newer techinque with the Hook plate (Hook
plate group). Results. All the patients had AC luxation of higher degree,
stage IV-VI acording to the Rockwood scale. The average age of the two groups
was very similar, with 28 being the average age of the Zugg-Bosw group, and
25 of the Hook plate group. Most patients were males (82%), injured mostly
during athletic activity (75%-83%). Complications were more common and more
complex in the Zugg-Bosw group, with 2 early and 8 late comlications. There
are only 3 late complications in the Hook plate group, but with no
significant statistical difference (p = 0.19; t = -1.34; df = 27). With
respect to the subjective patient satisfaction following the treatment, the
Hook plate group gave significantly better evaluations (4.4 ? 0.19)(p =
0.007; t = 2.95; df = 27). Constant score showed no significant statistical
difference (p = 0.078; t = 1.8; df = 27). The Hook plate group had a better
median score (90 ? 0.18) with respect to the Zugg-Bosw group (85 ? 0.40).
Conclusion. The Hook plate method achieved somewhat better results, which
indicate that this method is one of the ways to ensure a strong, stable
fixation of the AC joint without transfixation. At the same time, this method
does not inhibit the ligament healing and allows an early mobilisation.
On Science, Ecology and Environmentalism
Authors: Tulloch Lynley
Published: March 2013

Using ecological science as a backdrop for this discussion, the author applies Michel Foucault's historical genealogical strategy to an analysis of the processes through which sustainable development (SD) gained hegemonic acceptance in the West. She analyses some of the ideological mutations that have seen SD emerge from an environmentalist ideology based on ecological science to that of a mainstream market-oriented ideology for global economic development. This involves canvassing the voices of early environmental authors and ecologists, whose ideas such as ‘carrying capacity’, ‘limits to growth’ and ‘finite resources' have been co-opted by the ‘sustainable development‘ movement. It is argued that a discursive political and philosophical conservatism has muted the potential for a truly radical ecological approach.
Three Methods of Enhancing Global Educational Awareness for Future Teachers
Authors: Haapanen Iris
Published: March 2013

Teachers can echo the ethnic diversity of students in simulation trips to achieve an appreciation of globally indigenous education practices for future teachers. This article explores the three methods of achieving this, consisting of technology, acting out, and simulated trips, as they may be used by teachers to blend the more salient characteristics of various cultures into the existing curriculum without jeopardizing the intended student learning outcomes. The most likely result of using these methods will be to enrich the standard curriculum, accomplished through the use of technology and acting-out activities. Technically, this involves applying critical hermeneutics to globally indigenous education, but in this article the author will simply refer to it informally as a pedagogical awareness of ‘collective individual differences' in the teaching-learning process. This application works at all levels: elementary, secondary, and university level.
Dissolving the School Space: Young People's Media Production in and outside of School
Authors: Kupiainen Reijo
Published: March 2013

Young people bring their own media and literacy practices to school as an important part of their identity, taste and social life. These practices are changing the media ecology of schools, making the physical boundaries of schools more permeable and creating new, unofficial spaces at school. During peer-based learning, the enhanced media practices of students often get incorporated into the school environment and the learning process in different ways. In this article the author especially highlights youth media production practices, which may relate to school in three different ways: they may be school community-based practices, curriculum-based practices or out-of-school practices. This study shows how these practices create a dialogue between informal and formal learning and make space-time at school more dynamic and hybrid.
Creativity and the Biopolitical Commons in Secondary and Higher Education
Authors: Means Alexander
Published: March 2013

This article draws on autonomist theory in order to examine the role of creativity in educational policy and governance. Drawing examples primarily from the North American context, it suggests that extant efforts to manage creativity in secondary and higher education are ultimately unstable, revealing what the Edu-factory collective has referred to as the ‘double crisis' in education. This refers to the erosion of the social democratic purposes of education conjoined with emergent conflicts over knowledge and immaterial labor. Ultimately, the article suggests that creativity rests at a key axis of contestation between state-corporate power and the possibility of imagining alternative democratic and sustainable futures rooted in the common.
Using Political Metaphors to Understand Educational Policy in Developing Countries: The Case of Ghana and Informal Communities
Authors: Nordensvard Johan
Published: March 2013

This article suggests that one needs to consider education as inherently political to better understand some of the problems in education policy in developing countries. It suggests that using political metaphors as a discursive framework can enhance the understanding of some of the limitations of formal schooling in developing countries. Political metaphors can be an alternative approach to the predominant market metaphors in education policy and can provide valuable insights for future research and policy that go beyond current approaches. By using Ghana as an example, this article focuses on the implications that strong informal communities and markets can have for formal schooling in developing countries.
A compact sunflower line produced after cross Helianthus annuus x Verbesina encelioides
Authors: Vassilevska-Ivanova Roumiana , Kraptchev Boris , Stancheva Ira , Geneva Maria
Published: March 2013

Intergeneric cross was made between the cultivated sunflower inbred line HA89 and an accession of wild Verbesina encelioides tolerant to drought and high temperature. The line was a BC2F5 progeny. The most remarkable feature of the plants was their compact architecture due to short petiole length and also, rather specific bright-yellow inflorescences. Similar plant architecture did not exist in either the wild or the cultivated parent. For sunflower, it is considered as a favourable and potentially useful adaptive trait. The line was multi-branched of medium type branching and possessed good agronomic characteristics. The overall characteristics of HA-VERBENC line make it a useful plant material for research on wide hybridization.
The Luc2 gene enhances reliability of bicistronic assays
Authors: Mašek Tomáš , Vopalenský Václav , Pospíšek Martin
Published: March 2013

Luciferases are prominent reporters in molecular and cellular biology investigations including miRNA target studies and the determination of Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) activities in bicistronic assays. A majority of the current bicistronic vectors contain a firefly luciferase reporter as the second cistron. One reason for this is the presence of cryptic transcription start sites inside the luciferase gene. We present here an experimental evaluation of the cryptic transcription within the latest version of the firefly luciferase gene, luc2. Using flow cytometric analysis, we observed a negligible amount of cryptic transcriptional activity that was only slightly above the background of untransfected cells. Nevertheless, quantitative reverse transcription PCR experiments revealed a six-to-nine-fold gradual increase of transcription along the coding region of the gene. The level of cryptic transcription from the coding region of the improved luc2 firefly luciferase gene is significantly lower when compared to the luc+ gene. In summary, the luc2 better fulfills the requirements of bicistronic assays than the previous luc+ version. The observed low cryptic transcription activity in luc2 could be limiting only in cases where weak IRESs are studied.
Physiological and anatomical responses of wheat to induced dehydration and rehydration
Authors: Kocheva Konstantina , Petrov Peter , Georgiev Georgi
Published: March 2013

Hydroponically grown wheat seedlings of two prominent Bulgarian cultivars (Katya and Prelom) were subjected to 48 h osmotic stress with PEG 8000 and were then rehydrated. The degree of stress was evaluated by monitoring relative water content, lipid peroxidation level, and accumulation of free proline and hydrogen peroxide in the leaves. Anatomy and ultrastructure of leaf tissue were observed under light microscopy. After imposition of stress, drought tolerant cultivar Katya displayed higher free proline content and significantly lower malondialdehyde and peroxide concentration in leaves than in the leaves of susceptible cultivar Prelom. After 24 h of rehydration Katya showed better ability to restore leaf water status and an apparent tendency towards recovery, whereas Prelom sustained higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation products and free proline and markedly low relative water content. Here, we have uncovered some of the characteristics displayed by cultivar Katya that enable it to survive and recover from severe osmotic stress. Interestingly, there was congruence between our results and the high level of cultivar Katya drought tolerance observed in the field.
A practical introduction to microbial community sequencing
Authors: Chmolowska Dominika
Published: March 2013

The use of molecular methods is gaining popularity throughout the field of microbial community ecology studies thanks to their flexibility of application, which ranges from community structure to function and trait determination. Nonetheless, there are environmental microbiologists, who are new in the field and are just starting to get to grips with the genetic tool box. It is for them that this practitioner’s mini-review was compiled. The methods available for microbial community structure analysis are discussed, after which, the reader is introduced to sequencing, as this tool is the most appropriate and has seen the greatest development in recent years. A focus on the practical aspects of the methodology is maintained throughout. The sample preparation procedure from extraction to sequencing is described. Different applications and considerations of sequencing are briefly explained, including clone library sequencing vs. amplicon library sequencing, shotgun-metagenomics vs. metatranscriptomics and the ‘double RNA approach’.
High genetic differentiation among wild populations of alien Medicago sativa in Lithuania
Authors: Vyšniauskienė Regina , Rančelienė Vida , Patamsytė Jolanta , Žvingila Donatas
Published: March 2013

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa; =M. sativa ssp. sativa) in Lithuania is sown as albuminous forage for cattle due to favourable climatic condition. Over many generations, alfalfa plants have escaped from cultivation fields into natural ecosystems and established wild populations. We collected and analyzed individuals from seventeen wild populations of M. sativa. Using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analyses, 117 RAPD and 64 ISSR reproducible and highly polymorphic (90.8% for RAPD and 86.3% for ISSR) loci were established. AMOVA showed a high genetic differentiation of M. sativa populations for both types of DNA markers utilized. According to RAPD markers, the genetic variability among populations was 63.1% and 57.0% when ISSR markers were used. Taken together, these results demonstrate that wild populations of M. sativa possess a high potential of genetic variability, that could potentially result in colonization of natural ecosystems. The UPGMA cluster analysis also showed that the DNA markers discovered in this study can distinguish between M. sativa and M. falcata (=M. sativa ssp. falcata) populations and therefore may be used to study the genetic impact of M. sativa on the native populations of M. falcata.
Acute Pain Treatment at Department of Traumatology
Authors: Kováčová B. , Foltánová T. , Kónya Š. , Ďurišová A.
Published: March 2013

The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize the acute pain management in patients admitted to Department of Traumatology and to identify the efficacy of analgesic pharmacotherapy. The study involved 83 patients divided into two groups: 52 patients (63%) in Group 1 underwent operation; the remaining 31 patients (37%) in Group 2 had conservative treatment. The characteristics of the patients (diagnosis, analgesic therapy, age, comorbidities, drugs used during hospitalisation, analgesic efficacy) were obtained from electronic database and medical reports by the hospital. Therapy during the first seven days of hospitalisation and the recommended therapy after discharging home were analysed. Records of drug adverse reactions during the whole hospitalisation were monitored. Metamizol was the most frequently prescribed as a primal analgesic. Adequate analgesia solely by metamizol was reached in 20% of all patients; the remaining 80% required increased doses or combination with another analgesic. Metamizol was combined mainly with tramadol, morphine or pethidine. Our study proved metamizol to be an effective analgesic. No clinical manifestation of agranulocytosis was observed in this study.
Solubilisation of (+)-Usnic Acid in Aqueous Micellar Solutions of Gemini and Heterogemini Surfactants and their Equimolar Mixture
Authors: Lukáč M. , Prokipčák I. , Lacko I. , Devínsky F.
Published: March 2013

The solubilisation of natural compound, (+)-usnic acid, in micellar solutions of gemini (N,N’-didecyl-N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethane-1,2-diyldiammonium dibromide) and heterogemini (decyl 2-[decyl(dimethyl)ammonio]ethylphosphate) surfactants and their equimolar mixture has been studied. The highest solubility was found for gemini surfactant. The relationship between synergism in surface properties of mixture of surfactants and their solubilisation properties is also discussed.
Political Theory in a Closed World: Reflections on William Ophuls, Liberalism and Abundance
Authors: Dobson Andrew
Published: March 2013

This paper takes as a starting point William Ophul's claim that the last 450 years amount to an ‘era of exception’ in terms of resource availability. Ophuls suggests that it is no accident that this exceptional era of abundance coincides with the birth and development of liberalism – that liberalism, in other words, would not/could not have occurred without the conditions provided by this era of exception. Some of the ways in which this suggestion might be critically examined are discussed, and attention is drawn to one of its more interesting implications: if liberalism depends on abundance, what kind of political theory do we need if we are entering a new era of scarcity (‘peak oil/peak everything’)?
Plasma protein glycation status in Pakistan type 2 diabetic patients with or without nephropathy
Authors: Hussain Fatma , Maan Mohammad Arif , Farida Munzoor
Published: March 2013

Background: Amadori-modified glycated plasma proteins play an important role in diabetic microangiopathy. Many of the pathogenic changes that occur in diabetic nephropathy (DN) may be induced by non-enzymatic glycation (NEG). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of DN and non-enzymatic glycation levels in diabetic population. Methodology: One hundred patients with type 2 diabetes and forty healthy control subjects were recruited after consent. Case participants were further divided into two groups as type 2 diabetics with nephropathy (n = 22) and type 2 diabetics without nephropathy (n = 78). Non-fasting plasma glucose (Trinder GOD-PAP method), total plasma proteins (biuret method), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren's method), HbA1c (glycohemoglobin spectrophotometry A1c Kit) and non-enzymatic glycation (TBA colorimetric technique) were assayed. Results: Diabetic patients with nephropathy had higher ESR (55.33 ± 24.68 mm/1st hour vs. 46.88 ± 23.95 mm/1st hour vs.12.73 ± 2.34 mm/1st hour), total proteins (15.71 ± 4 g/dL vs.14.01 ± 4 g/dL vs 6.18 ± 1.16 g/dL) and non-enzymatic glycation (1.73 ± 0.48 mol./mol. vs.1.47 ± 0.58 mol./mol. vs. 0.48 ± 0.18 mol./mol.) measurements as compared to those without any similar renal complications and controls. Appreciable correlation existed between hyperglycemia and non-enzymatic glycation. Conclusion: Although the clinical consequences of NEG of circulating proteins remain ambiguous. In diabetic patients, however, extensively glycated species could exhibit significant alterations in function. Present study suggests DN as a frequently prevalent secondary complication of diabetes with a potential link with elevated NEG and glycemic control. Key words: Diabetic microangiopathy; nephropathy; glycated serum proteins.DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v9i2.5654Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.09 No.2 Apr 2010 pp.68-75
Association between chronic generalized periodontitis and hyperlipidemia  a case control study
Authors: Ramesh Amirisetty , Shaju Jacob P , Zade RM
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Periodontal disease is caused by predominantly anaerobic gram negative bacteria. Microbial substances initiate and perpetuate the inflammation resulting in the production of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and hyperactivity of white blood cells and of blood platelets, thus promoting the development of hyperlipidemia. Objective: To evaluate the plasma lipids (Total cholesterol, Low Density Lipoproteins and Triglycerides) as well as Fasting blood glucose levels in non diabetic, non-obese periodontal disease patients and controls. Materials and methods: 18 subjects with chronic periodontal disease (aged 38 to 50 years) were matched for age, sex and BMI (Body Mass Index) with 18 healthy subjects. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides and fasting blood glucose levels were measured using routine enzymatic biochemical methods. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides was significantly higher in chronic periodontitis patients by 12% ( p<0.02), 14% ( p<0.03) and 22% ( p<0.03) respectively as compared to controls. Fasting blood glucose levels was higher by 7% (p<0.04) in chronic periodontitis patients than controls. Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia and prediabetic state may be associated with chronic periodontitis. Key words: chronic periodontitis; plasma lipids; body mass index; fasting blood glucose. DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v9i2.5657Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.09 No.2 Apr 2010 pp.95-100
Induced Mutations Unleash the Potentials of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Authors: Mba Chikelu
Published: March 2013

The options for increasing food production by at least 70% over the next four decades so as to keep pace with a rapidly increasing human population are bedeviled by erratic climatic conditions, depleted arable lands, dwindling water resources and by the significant environmental and health costs for increasing the use of agrochemicals. Enhanced productivities through “smart” crop varieties that yield more with fewer inputs is a viable option. However, the genetic similarities amongst crop varieties—which render entire cropping systems vulnerable to the same stresses—coupled with unvarying parental materials limit the possibilities for uncovering novel alleles of genes and, hence, assembling new gene combinations to break yield plateaux and enhance resilience. Induced mutation unmasks novel alleles that are harnessed to breed superior crop varieties. The historical antecedents, theoretical and practical considerations, and the successes of induced mutations in crop improvement are reviewed along with how induced mutagenesis underpins plant functional genomics. The roles of cell and molecular biology techniques in enhancing the efficiencies for the induction, detection and deployment of mutation events are also reviewed. Also, the integration of phenomics into induced mutagenesis and the use of pre-breeding for facilitating the incorporation of mutants into crop improvement are advocated.
Unusual Childhood Waking as a Possible Precursor of the 1995 Kobe Earthquake
Authors: Ikeya Motoji , Whitehead Neil
Published: March 2013

Nearly 1,100 young students living in Japan at a range of distances up to 500 km from the 1995 Kobe M7 earthquake were interviewed. A statistically significant abnormal rate of early wakening before the earthquake was found, having exponential decrease with distance and a half value approaching 100 km, but decreasing much slower than from a point source such as an epicentre; instead originating from an extended area of more than 100 km in diameter. Because an improbably high amount of variance is explained, this effect is unlikely to be simply psychological and must reflect another mechanism—perhaps Ultra-Low Frequency (ULF) electromagnetic waves creating anxiety—but probably not 222Rn excess. Other work reviewed suggests these conclusions may be valid for animals in general, not just children, but would be very difficult to apply for practical earthquake prediction.
Therapeutic Effect of Caffeine Treatment Immediately Following Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury on Spatial Memory in Male Rats
Authors: Alexander Michelle , Smith Amanda , Rosenkrantz Ted , Fitch R.
Published: March 2013

Hypoxia Ischemia (HI) refers to the disruption of blood and/or oxygen delivery to the brain. Term infants suffering perinatal complications that result in decreased blood flow and/or oxygen delivery to the brain are at risk for HI. Among a variety of developmental delays in this population, HI injured infants demonstrate subsequent memory deficits. The Rice-Vannucci rodent HI model can be used to explore behavioral deficits following early HI events, as well as possible therapeutic agents to help reduce deleterious outcomes. Caffeine is an adenosine receptor antagonist that has recently shown promising results as a therapeutic agent following HI injury. The current study sought to investigate the therapeutic benefit of caffeine following early HI injury in male rats. On post-natal day (P) 7, HI injury was induced (cauterization of the right common carotid artery, followed by two hours of 8% oxygen). Male sham animals received only a midline incision with no manipulation of the artery followed by room air exposure for two hours. Subsets of HI and sham animals then received either an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of caffeine (10 mg/kg), or vehicle (sterile saline) immediately following hypoxia. All animals later underwent testing on the Morris Water Maze (MWM) from P90 to P95. Results show that HI injured animals (with no caffeine treatment) displayed significant deficits on the MWM task relative to shams. These deficits were attenuated by caffeine treatment when given immediately following the induction of HI. We also found a reduction in right cortical volume (ipsilateral to injury) in HI saline animals as compared to shams, while right cortical volume in the HI caffeine treated animals was intermediate. These findings suggest that caffeine is a potential therapeutic agent that could be used in HI injured infants to reduce brain injury and preserve subsequent cognitive function.
Scaling of Teak (Tectona grandis) Logs by the Xylometer Technique: Accuracy of Volume Equations and Influence of the Log Length
Authors: Akossou Arcadius , Arzouma Soufianou , Attakpa Eloi , Fonton Noël , Kokou Kouami
Published: March 2013

The accuracy of ten methods of scaling (Smalian, Huber, Newton, Neloïd, paraboloid, cone, paracone, cylinder, truncated cone and truncated Neloïd) was evaluated on logs of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 m cut to different heights of 27 teak trees. For this purpose, the volumes estimated by the ten formulas were compared with real volumes obtained by the technique of xylometer. The results obtained showed that the method of Huber was more efficient to calculate the volume of logs throughout the stem when the length was 0.5 m. For the other length logs, it was also the best formula when the logs came from the base of the stem. The formulas of Newton and Smalian gave in the center and top of the stem, in the case of 1 m and 2 m logs, relatively similar results and were better than other methods of scaling. As might be expected, the dendrometric method (cylinder, paraboloid, Neloïd, cone) gave worse results regardless of the length of logs considered. With logs of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 m long, truncated forms of cone and Neloïd could also be used without significant errors in estimating the volume of teak logs. The model scaling obtained for the entire tree expresses the logarithm of the volume against the logarithm of the diameter and the logarithm of height.
Load Forecast Model Switching Scheme for Improved Robustnessto Changes in Building Energy Consumption Patterns
Authors: Yoo Jaeyeong , Hur Kyeon
Published: March 2013

This paper presents a new, accurate load forecasting technique robust to fluctuations due to unusual load behavioral changes in buildings, i.e., the potential for small commercial buildings with heterogeneous stores. The proposed scheme is featured with two functional components: data classification by daily characteristics and automatic forecast model switching. The scheme extracts daily characteristics of the input load data and arranges the load data into weekday and weekend data. Forecasting is conducted based on a selected model among ARMAX (autoregressive moving average with exogenous variable) models with the processed input data. Kalman filtering is applied to estimate model parameters. The model-switching scheme monitors the accumulated error and substitutes a backup load model for the currently working model, when the accumulated error exceeds a threshold value, to reduce the increased bias error due to the change in the consumption pattern. This switching reinforces the limited performance of parameter estimation given a fixed structure and, thus, forecasting capability. The study results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is reasonably accurate and even robust to changes in the electricity use patterns. It should help improve the performance for building control systems for energy efficiency.
Design and Performance of an Innovative Four-Bed, Three-Stage Adsorption Cycle
Authors: Rahman Abul , Ueda Yuki , Akisawa Atsushi , Miyazaki Takahiko , Saha Bidyut
Published: March 2013

The design of a four-bed three-stage adsorption cycle has been proposed to reduce the volume of the six-bed three-stage adsorption cycle. A simulation model for the proposed innovative cycle was developed to analyse the influence of cycle time on the system performance identifying the specific cooling power (SCP) and coefficient of performance (COP). A particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique was used to optimize the cycle time enabling us to maximize the SCP. PSO results showed that the optimal cycle time was decreased with heat source temperature and SCP value was proportional to heat source temperature. It was found that the proposed cycle could be driven by waste heat as low as 40 °C, along with coolant at 30 °C. Comparative study of optimized result indicated that the proposed cycle increased the performance significantly over a whole range of temperatures from 40 to 70 °C and reduced two adsorbent beds, compared to the six-bed three-stage cycle.
Water Sources and Their Protection from the Impact of Microbial Contamination in Rural Areas of Beijing, China
Authors: Ye Bixiong , Yang Linsheng , Li Yonghua , Wang Wuyi , Li Hairong
Published: March 2013

Bacterial contamination of drinking water is a major public health problem in rural China. To explore bacterial contamination in rural areas of Beijing and identify possible causes of bacteria in drinking water samples, water samples were collected from wells in ten rural districts of Beijing, China. Total bacterial count, total coliforms and Escherichia coli in drinking water were then determined and water source and wellhead protection were investigated. The bacterial contamination in drinking water was serious in areas north of Beijing, with the total bacterial count, total coliforms and Escherichia coli in some water samples reaching 88,000 CFU/mL, 1,600 MPN/100 mL and 1,600 MPN/100 mL, respectively. Water source types, well depth, whether the well was adequately sealed and housed, and whether wellhead is above or below ground were the main factors influencing bacterial contamination levels in drinking water. The bacterial contamination was serious in the water of shallow wells and wells that were not closed, had no well housing or had a wellhead below ground level. The contamination sources around wells, including village dry toilets and livestock farms, were well correlated with bacterial contamination. Total bacterial counts were affected by proximity to sewage ditches and polluting industries, however, proximity to landfills did not influence the microbial indicators.
Quorum Sensing in Some Representative Species of Halomonadaceae
Authors: Tahrioui Ali , Schwab Melanie , Quesada Emilia , Llamas Inmaculada
Published: March 2013

Cell-to-cell communication, or quorum-sensing (QS), systems are employed by bacteria for promoting collective behaviour within a population. An analysis to detect QS signal molecules in 43 species of the Halomonadaceae family revealed that they produced N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), which suggests that the QS system is widespread throughout this group of bacteria. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of crude AHL extracts, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 (pZLR4) as biosensor strain, resulted in different profiles, which were not related to the various habitats of the species in question. To confirm AHL production in the Halomonadaceae species, PCR and DNA sequencing approaches were used to study the distribution of the luxI-type synthase gene. Phylogenetic analysis using sequence data revealed that 29 of the species studied contained a LuxI homolog. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences from Halomonadaceae species grouped together and were distinct from other members of the Gammaproteobacteria and also from species belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria.
Testing a Microarray to Detect and Monitor Toxic Microalgae in Arcachon Bay in France
Authors: Kegel Jessica , Del Amo Yolanda , Costes Laurence , Medlin Linda
Published: March 2013

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur worldwide, causing health problems and economic damages to fisheries and tourism. Monitoring agencies are therefore essential, yet monitoring is based only on time-consuming light microscopy, a level at which a correct identification can be limited by insufficient morphological characters. The project MIDTAL (Microarray Detection of Toxic Algae)—an FP7-funded EU project—used rRNA genes (SSU and LSU) as a target on microarrays to identify toxic species. Furthermore, toxins were detected with a newly developed multiplex optical Surface Plasmon Resonance biosensor (Multi SPR) and compared with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, we demonstrate the latest generation of MIDTAL microarrays (version 3) and show the correlation between cell counts, detected toxin and microarray signals from field samples taken in Arcachon Bay in France in 2011. The MIDTAL microarray always detected more potentially toxic species than those detected by microscopic counts. The toxin detection was even more sensitive than both methods. Because of the universal nature of both toxin and species microarrays, they can be used to detect invasive species. Nevertheless, the MIDTAL microarray is not completely universal: first, because not all toxic species are on the chip, and second, because invasive species, such as Ostreopsis, already influence European coasts.
Role of Probiotics in Short Bowel Syndrome in Infants and Children—A Systematic Review
Authors: Reddy Vudum , Patole Sanjay , Rao Shripada
Published: March 2013

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in children. Probiotics, due to their beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., improving gut barrier function, motility, facilitation of intestinal adaptation and decreasing pathogen load and inflammation) may have a therapeutic role in the management of SBS. To conduct a systematic review of the current evidence for the effects of probiotic supplementation in children with SBS, the standard Cochrane methodology for systematic reviews was used. The databases, Pubmed, Embase, ACTR, CENTRAL, and the international trial registry, and reference lists of articles were searched for randomised (RCT) or quasi-randomised controlled trials reporting on the use of probiotics in SBS. Our search revealed no RCTs on the use of probiotics in children with SBS. We found one small cross-over RCT (placebo controlled crossover clinical trial), one case control study and nine case reports on the use of probiotics in children with SBS. In the crossover RCT, there was no consistent effect on intestinal permeability (primary outcome) after supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG) in nine children with SBS. The case control study (four cases: four controls) reported a trend for increase in height and weight velocity and improvement in non-clinical outcomes, such as gut flora, lymphocyte count and serum prealbumin. Five of the nine case reports showed that children (n = 12) with SBS were benefited (e.g., cessation of diarrhoea, improved faecal flora, weight gain and weaning from parenteral nutrition) by probiotic supplementation. The remaining four reported on the adverse effects, such as Lactobacillus sepsis (n = 3) and d-lactic acidosis (n = 2). There is insufficient evidence on the effects of probiotics in children with SBS. The safety and efficacy of probiotic supplementation in this high-risk cohort needs to be evaluated in large definitive trials.