bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving Factors for Young Careers
Authors: Zarri Francesca
Published: April 2015

Pillars of the Industry - How "moving factors" can affect your career.

The challenges that the oil industry is coping with today, and will cope with tomorrow, have a common denominator: scarcity, both on the material side (hydrocarbon reserves) and the human side (talented professionals). High oil prices are the result of a lot more than the current geopolitical scenario and international tensions. It comes after years when the price of a barrel of oil had reached historic lows (down to U.S. $10 at one point) and companies reacting as they would in any other industry when revenues are in a free fall: Investment in new technologies and exploration was drastically trimmed. Exploration investments take years to be developed into productive assets. On top of this, new reserves are being found in more-complex and -challenging environments, thereby requiring the application of advanced technologies for effective production. The bottom line: scarcity of supply.

Low oil price in the late 1990s also initiated a detrimental chain reaction on the human side of the equation. For a start, during those years, hiring was taboo, or at least slimmed down to the bare minimum, and the sluggish performance of the industry made an oil career less attractive for students. In addition, the current wave of early retirements by the baby boomers is also contributing to further reduce the amount of knowledge and expertise available. The result of all of these factors is few experienced engineers and technicians, with most of them concentrated at the opposite ends of the age spectrum. The bottom line: scarcity of human/technical capital.
Interview with Paul Tooms
Authors: Tooms Paul
Published: April 2015

Technical Leader Interview - An interview with Paul Tooms, Global Head of Subsea Discipline for BP.
Old School vs. New School: Back to Basics!
Authors: Onyige Rita , Tealdi Loris , Thomas Tony
Published: April 2015

Forum - Young professionals offer views on "old school" vs. "new school" approaches.

Our latest survey of young professionals attracted 554 respondents. Of those responding, 49% were North or South American, 22% European/Russian, 18% Asian, and 11% from Africa/Oceania. Concerning the primary work location, North and South America also represented the largest population in the survey at 53%. Others were 21% working in Europe/Russia and the rest taking up 26%. The male/female mix was 81/19. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents had 3 to 10 years of work experience. Most of the respondents work in reservoir description and dynamics, production and operations, and drilling and completions. The survey looked at the views of the respondents on the technical competence, job commitment and ethics, and career orientation of older and younger oil and gas industry professionals.
Interview with Iman Hill
Authors: Hill Iman
Published: April 2015

Technical Leaders Interview

An interview with Iman Hill, Senior Vice President, Santos Basin, BG Group.
IOCs and NOCs: The Fourteen (and plus) Sisters
Authors: Ayala H. Luis F.
Published: April 2015

What's Ahead

TWA Editor Luis Ayala discusses the rise of the "new Seven Sisters."

Enrico Mattei, Italian businessman and founder of Italy's Eni, is widely credited to have coined the term "Sette Sorrelle" (Seven Sisters), which he used to describe the group of companies that dominated the world's oil production in the mid-20th century. At the time, the group included today's Exxon Mobil (Exxon + Mobil), Chevron (Chevron/ SoCal + Gulf + Texaco), BP, and Royal Dutch Shell. Along with additional multinational players such as Total and ConocoPhillips, this list is now inclusive of some of the largest international oil companies (IOCs) still in operation. IOCs are private, non state-owned companies with significant presence in the multinational oil arena—which used to be the only relevant international oil players at the time when the "Seven Sisters" term was coined.

Years passed and the wave of nationalizations that swept the oil industry during the second half of the 20th century gave rise to their new rivals: the national oil companies (NOCs). The rise of the influence of NOCs has been tremendous ever since. And indeed so: just 2 years ago, the Financial Times came up with an updated list of the most powerful players in oil and gas. In contrast to Mattei's list, only largely state-owned oil companies or NOCs made the new ranking: Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia), Gazprom (Russia), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC, China), National Iranian Company (NIOC, Iran), PDVSA (Venezuela), Petrobras (Brazil), and Petronas (Malaysia). In its article, the Financial Times discusses how the surviving members of the original Seven Sisters were gradually replaced by the new breed of oil companies (state-owned NOCs) over the course of a half a century and that has created a new energy landscape which seems to be here to stay.
Interview with John MacArthur
Authors: MacArthur John
Published: April 2015

The Way Ahead Interview

John MacArthur, operations general manager of Shell/EGPC joint venture, Egypt, talks about his career choices and the future energy landscape.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining: Enabling Technology for Smart Fields
Authors: Mohaghegh Shahab D.
Published: April 2015

Tech 101

Shahab D. Mohaghegh of West Virginia University discusses the key role of artificial intelligence and data mining in smart-fields technology.
Energy and Oil - A Personal Journey
Authors: Saleri Nansen G.
Published: April 2015

Academia.edu@TWA

Nansen G. Saleri reflects on his career in the oil and gas industry.

I entered the world of energy in 1974—many moons ago by any account—with Standard Oil of California (today's Chevron). All my degrees were in chemical engineering, so it made sense to be employed by the refining end of the business. Chevron offered me a choice of two research positions: one in their downstream research facility near San Francisco and the other with the upstream counterpart in southern California. The latter became my "accidental" selection per my wife Marina's fear of San Francisco earthquakes. That choice captures my life. Some of the best things in our lives happen due to luck or accidents. I have no way of knowing where I would be today if my wife's field of knowledge about California's tectonics pushed my decision (and hers) in the opposite direction. What I do know, however, is that I have had a terrific journey—still in full swing—since reporting to work at Chevron Oil Field Research Company on Monday, October 7, 1974.

Looking Back

My career has spanned three distinct experiences in the oil industry— international oil company (IOC), national oil company (NOC), and now entrepreneurship. In September 2007, I launched the third and present phase of my career as a founder of Quantum Reservoir Impact—a niche-technology, venture-capital startup. My career can be viewed as a grand mosaic with three complementary segments, each with its unique color and accent.
Russian Oil Export - Projection Fraught With Risk
Authors: Zotin Alexander
Published: April 2015

Economist's Corner

Economic risks in the Russian oil sector.

With the onset of the global economic decline, last year brought rather unpleasant news to the Russian oil sector. According to Rosstat data, Russia's oil and natural gas liquids production in all of 2008 was lower than the total for only the first 9 months of 2007—notwithstanding the increase of prices to record levels during the first 7 months of last year. In all, 2008 marked the first year since 1998 that Russian oil production has declined. The situation, if anything, was more acute for natural gas. Russian Finance Minister Aleksey Kudrin told journalists in November that gas production had peaked, and the statistics soon seemed to bear him out. While oil production in the first half of 2009 stagnated at 100.1% of the comparable year-on-year (yoy) level, gas production simply collapsed to 79.2% on a yoy-comparison basis.

Understandably, the dramatic fall of oil and gas prices in the second half of 2008 only exacerbated the problems of declining production. Both Russia and the West for some years have become used to the constant growth of Russian production, and the sudden declines have a large impact on world hydrocarbon markets. Russia is an extremely important player in those markets, ranking as the world's secondlargest producer (9.8 million B/D) and exporter (7 million B/D) of oil—after Saudi Arabia—and largest exporter of natural gas. Russia's hydrocarbon exports generate roughly 20% of its gross domestic product and account for 64% of all Russian exports.
Continuing Education: The Options Ahead
Authors: Onukwu Anthony
Published: April 2015

What's Ahead - Young professionals must manage their own education.

This issue of TWA highlights the need for more efficient, up-to-date, and accountable options for continuing learning in our industry.

The September 2005 issue of the Oil & Gas Finance Journal reported that the top 25 oil companies have shed more than 1 million employees since 1982, and those who managed to hang on are now rapidly approaching retirement age. After years of the gradual reduction of jobs, the industry may not have the manpower or the brainpower to keep up with the world’s growing demand for oil and gas.

There is a pressure to get entry-level and mid-career professionals up to speed with those experienced professionals who are about to leave the industry in the coming years. The innovation pace in the industry and the need to address workforce challenges are the main reasons why continuing education for oil and gas professionals is so important. However, the “big question” is what programs work, which do not, and which ones are most valued and useful in our industry.
Discover a Career in Pressure-Transient Testing
Authors: Ehlig-Economides Christine
Published: April 2015

Discover a Career - Christine A. Ehlig-Economides discusses a career in pressure-transient testing.
Continuing Education: Making the Most of All the Opportunities
Authors: Burly Stuart
Published: April 2015

Academia.edu@TWA - Stuart Burley, head of Geoscience at Cairn Energy India, on taking advantage of continuing-education opportunities.
Continuing Education: Adding Value for Industry Professionals
Authors: Ajienka Joseph A.
Published: April 2015

HR Discussion - An Interview With Joseph A. Ajienka, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Most oil and gas companies recovering from global economic recession are restructuring and adjusting their operating costs to become more efficient and competitive. Often, these efficiency measures translate into reductions in workforce training and education. This is a challenge for employees seeking to build on their professional knowledge and take on new and higher responsibilities. The petroleum industry is very dynamic, and so employees must remain current in the latest career practices, strategies, and techniques. Organizations must seek ways to meet company needs for well-educated, better-trained employees with even fewer financial resources available. To underscore the importance of this, and how continuing education can meet these needs, the HR Discussion Team recently interviewed Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Joseph A. Ajienka.
The Technology Issue: Carpe Technology
Authors: Medina Max
Published: April 2015

What's Ahead - Overview of technology

Old technology? New technology? Future technology? The truth is it really does not matter. It will all boil down to how we are able to become more efficient and get the most value by using the best technology available at the right time. It is up to us, the young professionals, to seize the opportunity and rise to the challenge! Failure to do so could mean becoming firsthand witnesses to our industry falling behind in the energy race. Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to maximize technology use so our industry can become leaders in the vision of achieving sustainable development for our planet.

Making the required step-change in oilfield technology development and implementation is easier said than done. There are all sorts of technical, financial, regulatory, leadership, and cultural obstacles. But it would be naive to think that we can change our industry without starting with ourselves. My proposal is that more of us need to search deep into our technical engineering roots and be proud of being energy and oilfield nerds. Yes, you did not misread. We need to embrace the technical spirit of our profession and emerge as petroleum geeks! Please do not worry about your image; nowadays, being a geek is as cool as it gets. The technical-vs.-managerial dilemma is solved!
The Impact of Nanotechnology on Oil and Gas Economics
Authors: Meehan D. Nathan
Published: April 2015

Economist's Corner - Nanotechnology will be part of a host of products that will improve oilfield economics.
Benchmarking the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Miessler Ray , Pappas James , Wheler Jennifer
Published: April 2015

Technical Leaders Interview - A cross-industry interview with Ray Miessler, Johnson Space Center; James Pappas, Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America; and Jennifer Wheler, MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Discover a Career in Well Completions Engineering
Authors: King George E.
Published: April 2015

Discover a Career - Apache’s George E. King talks about well completions engineering.

Well completions engineering is very likely the junction point of every other technical discipline in the oil industry. Feed-ins from geosciences and drilling must be balanced with predictions from reservoir engineering and requirements from production to deliver a fit-for-purpose well design. All this must be contained in a package that retains sufficient flexibility to handle life-of-well changes while retaining well integrity beyond the designed life of the well. Expected well life may range from a few years in deep water to more than 70 years in tight gas applications.

Conditions range from the pressure and temperature fluctuations of ultradeep water to those of long horizontals and 20- to 50-multistage-fracture stimulations in shale oil and gas completions. The extremes of pressure and temperature are continually increasing, and environmental requirements are a moving target.

Because of the engineering complexity involved, completions engineering is where a large amount of new technology enters the industry. If you are interested in engineering challenges, then take a closer look at well completions engineering.
Mature Oil Fields: Preventing Decline
Authors: Munisteri Islin , Kotenev Maxim
Published: April 2015

Forum - A discussion of mature oil fields focusing on preventing decline.

As the price of oil reached approximately USD 147 per barrel on 3 July 2008, an increasing number of mature oil fields became attractive for redevelopment. On the fifth anniversary of the highest oil price yet attained TWA asked,“What defines a mature oil field?” According to Paul Bondor, 2010–11 SPE Distinguished Lecturer, retired from Shell after 35 years of technical and supervisory service, “a mature oil field is an oil field that is considered fully developed. There may be infill opportunities but in general the field development plan has been executed. “There may or may not be secondary recovery with gas or water injection. But if there are no additional wells to be drilled, you are doing a decent job of reservoir management and your production has peaked and is on decline. For example, with a strong and active aquifer you may never put water in the ground but you will still get eventual high water cut. “To me, a mature oil field is one where you have development in place, and the field has peaked and is on decline.”
10 Years: One Whole Decade
Authors: Vaucher David
Published: April 2015

What's Ahead - Inspiring words from David Vaucher in his final issue at TWA's helm.

What were you doing 10 years ago? If you are among today’s youngest TWA readers, you probably weren’t older than 8. There was no iPhone, no Twitter, and WTI crude was in the USD-30-to-USD-50/bbl range.The world was different then, and so were you. In 2004, I was 20 years old, still a mechanical engineering student at Rice University—and loving it. Now I am 30. I graduated not only from college but also graduate school (twice). I switched jobs a few times before finding the great opportunities I have where I am now. The girl I dated in college is married (not to me). I am about 25 pounds heavier (all muscle, really!). And my goals, aspirations, and skills changed dramatically for the better. 10 years: One whole decade. It is a long time. And yet the fact that I can remember my college years like they were yesterday shows how fast time appears to move forward—with no stops, no pauses, no time to catch your breath. Looked at one way, it is terrifying: It is not such a leap to imagine that since I seemed to experience the past 10 years in an instant, the time between when I’m 30 and when I’m 40 will appear to go by just as quickly—maybe even faster. What if I don’t achieve everything I have set out to do? Seen another way, it is highly motivating: I think of everything I have done and accomplished in the last 10 years— some of which I never would have predicted—and I think “Yeah, things worked out pretty well actually, and there’s no reason to think the next 10 years won’t be just as eventful.”
Interview with Bob Dudley
Authors: Dudley Bob
Published: April 2015

The Way Ahead Interview - Bob Dudley, BP’s chief executive, talks about his career and what it’s like leading one of the industry’s most talked-about companies.
Recruitment Trends and Talent Management - 10 Years: A Panoramic View
Authors: Bahuguna P. C.
Published: April 2015

HR Discussion - Recruitment trends and talent management—a 10-year panoramic view.

With continuous development in energy policies across many countries, the great crew change, and increased international oil and gas trade, the hydrocarbon sector has reached a crossroads. On the one hand, the demand for oil and gas is constantly increasing; on the other hand, issues such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, pricing, security of supply, and constantly increasing exploration and production budgets are pressing the industry severely. To meet continued increasing demand and offset the challenges, skilled human resources are key. The challenge for companies is to develop rigorous talent management systems to help ensure availability of the most-experienced, best-trained, best-educated, most-flexible, and most-adaptable people for the industry and then find meaningful and creative ways of retaining them while also using them to truly enhance the company’s productivity and profitability. In the last 10 years, the oil and gas industry has seen major changes in trading practices throughout the value chain. Deregulation of petroleum products in India led to increased competition mainly in the downstream sector. This, in turn, forced companies to change hiring patterns to better cope with the higher standards and requirements that became prevalent in the market. Retirement rates are still increasing, giving rise to the industry’s current talent crunch.
Excelling in Your First 10 Years: Ten Life Lessons
Authors: Roth Jakob , Munisteri Islin
Published: April 2015

Forum - Ten life lessons to help you excel—now and for the rest of your career.

Between training programs and moving to new locations, a lot can happen in the first 10 years of your career. The TWA Forum team informally talked with our colleagues and found that people whose backgrounds appeared disparate often voiced similar themes regarding what they learned in their first 10 years in the “real world” of the workplace. Below are the nine life lessons that emerged from these discussions—plus one for you to write.

1. What you do, or don’t do, creates the reputation you have amongst your peers.

Be responsible for yourself—your conduct, your actions, and your behavior. Your reputation in the oil and gas industry has been building since the day you entered the game and is being continually developed daily amongst your peers, coworkers, and other professionals. How you interact and deal with your coworkers, management, clients, suppliers, and contractors all play a direct role in developing and maintaining your reputation in the industry. Your reputation is related to the value you bring to your company. And remember, first impressions definitely count, so always give a respectable handshake and smile. Timothy Price, president at Heath Energy Products Corp., says, “This is an industry where you will cross paths with thousands of people who all cross paths with each other. Therefore, nothing is more important than your reputation.” When transitioning to a new role, realize that you should always “uphold your reputation, it will precede you and hold you accountable,” says Darren Vaught, special projects manager at Hydessco. What underpins reputation is integrity. Larry Bartram, region account manager at Halliburton’s Multi-Chem, notes, “In any industry, honesty and integrity are first and foremost. Your reputation is of paramount importance to your success.”
Is the Industry Ready for a Change in Leadership?
Authors: Ghosh Partha , Soupa Olivier
Published: April 2015

Soft Skills - Critical to the successful identification and development of future leaders is an intimate understanding of the existing talent pool.
Determination of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in plastic medical devices
Authors: Kostic Ivana , Andjelkovic Tatjana , Andjelkovic Darko , Cvetkovic Tatjana , Pavlovic Dusica
Published: April 2015

The presence of DEHP in dialysis and infusion sets for peritoneal dialysis
and parenteral nutrition, which are made of PVC and other plastic polymeric
materials, were investigated. Phthalate determination was carried out by gas
chromatography - mass spectrometry method (GC-MS). The results showed that
the peritoneal dialysis set (bag and tubing) made of PVC contains DEHP in
significant amount, about 31 - 34%. Solution for peritoneal dialysis which
was stored in the investigated PVC bag, contains low amount of DEHP, about
3.72 ?g dm-3. Infusion bottles which are made of LDPE, also contain DEHP but
in lower amount than PVC bags. LDPE bottle for packaging physiological
saline solution (0.9% NaCl) showed higher amount of DEHP than LDPE bottle
for packaging Ringer?s solution. In contrast, solution stored in bottle with
lower DEHP level, i.e. Ringer?s solution contained about three times higher
concentration of DEHP than physiological saline solution stored in bottle
with higher DEHP level. Concentrations of DEHP in Ringer?s solution and
physiological saline solution are 17.30 and 5.83 ?g dm-3, respectively. The
obtained values are under estimated upper-bound dose of DEHP received by
adult patients undergoing procedures of peritoneal dialysis and parenteral
nutrition.
Settlement Oscillations in the Negev Highlands Revisited: The Impact of Microarchaeological Methods
Authors: Shahack-Gross Ruth , Finkelstein Israel
Published: April 2015

Microarchaeological methods, especially those focused on geoarchaeology and radiocarbon dating, have revolutionized the manner in which the Iron Age settlement peak in the Negev Highlands is interpreted. We review here results from field and laboratory studies conducted at two Iron Age sites (Atar Haroa and Nahal Boqer) compared to one Byzantine/Early Islamic site (Wadi el-Mustayer)—all located near Sede Boqer. We present our methodology, which is based on small-scale but detailed excavations, study of sediments, and identification of livestock dung remains and their utility as indicators of past subsistence practices. To this we add meticulous14C dating, ceramic petrography, and identification of botanic and zoological remains. We conclude that subsistence during the Iron Age included tending livestock but did not include agriculture. We further propose that the long-distance trade of copper from the Arabah Valley under Egyptian auspices and possibly the trading of cinnamon, dates, and other Arabian/Indian commodities were the driving force in the initiation (and later decline) of the Iron Age settlement system. We hypothesize that the agricultural settlement peak during the Byzantine/Early Islamic period was also influenced by an imperial power from outside of the Negev and that large-scale agriculture was enabled due to the adoption of new agricultural techniques, including terracing of ephemeral streams along with water diversion systems and possibly water storage facilities such as advanced cisterns. Future studies are expected to shed additional light on the complexity of settlement oscillations in the Negev Highlands region in key periods such as the Early and Intermediate Bronze Ages.
Computerized Paleographic Investigation of Hebrew Iron Age Ostraca
Authors: Faigenbaum-Golovin Shira , Shaus Arie , Sober Barak , Finkelstein Israel , Levin David , Moinester Murray , Piasetzky Eli , Turkel Eli
Published: April 2015

This article surveys ongoing research of the Legibility Enhancement of Ostraca (LEO) team of Tel Aviv University in the field of computerized paleography of Hebrew Iron Age ink-written ostraca. We perform paleographic tasks using tools from the fields of image processing and machine learning. Several new techniques serving this aim, as well as an adaptation of existing ones, are described herein. This includes testing a range of signal-acquisition methodologies, out of which multispectral imaging and Raman spectroscopy have matured into imaging systems. In addition, we deal with semior fully automated facsimile construction and refinement, facsimile, and character evaluation, as well as the reconstruction of broken character strokes. We conclude with future research directions, addressing some of the long-standing epigraphic questions, such as the number of scribes in specific corpora or detection of chronological concurrences and inconsistencies.
Preface—The Iron Age in Israel: The Exact and Life Sciences Perspectives
Authors: Finkelstein Israel , Weiner Steve , Boaretto Elisabetta
Published: April 2015

In the original proposal entitled Reconstructing Ancient Israel – The Exact and Life Sciences Perspective, two of us (Israel Finkelstein and Steve Weiner) wrote, “If the microscopic data are well integrated into the macroscopic (archaeological) record, they will undoubtedly provide new insights into the study of Ancient Israel.” And this was what this 5-year (2009–2014) European Research Council (ERC) sponsored program (details below) was all about. New ground was broken on three fronts: conceptual, methodological, and in the generation of new data that indeed provide novel insights into the history and material culture of Ancient Israel in particular and the Iron Age Levant in general. The reviews presented in this special volume synthesize some of these new insights. The findings have been published in about 70 papers (see Appendix).
Teacher Gesture and Lexical Focus on Form in a Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Inceoglu Solène
Published: April 2015

Abstract:

This article explores the use of gesture by a French language teacher during lexical focus on form (FonF). The analysis compares pre-emptive FonF (before a problem in communication has occurred), and reactive FonF (after a problem has occurred) and looks at the differences between teacher-initiated and learner-initiated FonF in the use and type of gesture. Ten hours of classroom interaction in an intermediate, French as a foreign language course were video-recorded. Overall, 110 form-focused episodes (FEEs) were identified, half of them – verbs and collocations, in particular – accompanied by gestures. Results revealed that the initiator and the type of FonF (reactive vs. pre-emptive) may have influenced the number of gestures and the duration of the FFEs. Indeed, 91.6% of the learner-initiated versus 49% of the teacher-initiated FFEs were accompanied by gestures (iconics were the most used), and pre-emptive learner-initiated FFEs led, on average, to longer and more complex gestural explanations from the teacher.
Effect of edible mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) on type-2 diabetics
Authors: Sayeed M Abu , Banu Akhter , Khatun Khaleda , Khanam Parvin Akter , Begum Tanjima , Mahtab Hajera , Haq J Ashraful
Published: April 2015

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are on the increase globally and predominantly in the South East Asian Region (SEAR). The increasing NCD and its complications burdened the health cost of Bangladesh. The available literatures suggest that edible mushrooms are effective in controlling metabolic risks like hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia.The study addressed the metabolic effects of edible oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in diabetic individuals and to assess the undesirable effects of mushroom.A total of 5000 newly registered diabetic women were screened for eligible participants (urban housewives, age 30  50y, BMI 22  27, FBG 8  12 mmol/l; free from complications or systemic illnesses and agreed to adhere to the study for 360 days). The investigations included weight and height for BMI, waist- and hip-girth for WHR, BP, FBG, 2ABF, T-chol, TG, HDL, LDL, ALT and Creatinine starting from the day 0 (baseline) and each subsequent follow-up days: 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 for comparison between placebo and mushroom groups and also within group (baseline vs. follow up days), individually for placebo and mushroom. The daily intake of mushroom was 200g for the mushroom group and an equivalent calorie of vegetables for the placebo group.Overall, 73 diabetic housewives (mushroom / placebo = 43 /30) volunteered. The mean (with SEM) values of BMI, WHR, BP, FBG, 2ABF, T-chol, TG, HDL, LDL, ALT and Creatinine of the placebo group were compared with the mushroom group. Compared with the placebo, the mushroom group showed significant reductions of FBG (p<0.001), 2ABF (p<0.001), T-chol (p<0.001), TG (p=0.03) and LDL (p<0.001); whereas, no difference was observed for BMI, SBP, DBP, HDL, Hb, creatinine and ALT. The comparison within groups (baseline vs. follow-up) there were significant reduction of these variables in mushroom but not in the placebo group.Mushroom was found to have significant effect in reducing blood glucose, T-chol, TG and LDL. No impaired function was observed for liver, kidney and hemopoeitic tissue in taking mushroom for 360 days of the study period.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(1): 6-11
Research on the Torque and Back EMF Performance of a High Speed PMSM Used for Flywheel Energy Storage
Authors: Zhao Jing , Gu Zhongxin , Li Bin , Liu Xiangdong , Li Xiaobei , Chen Zhen
Published: April 2015

Due to advantages such as high energy density, high power density, rapid charge and discharge, high cyclic-life, and environmentally friendly, flywheel energy storage systems (FESs) are widely used in various fields. However, the performance of FES systems depends on the performance of a high speed machine, therefore, the design and optimization of a high efficiency and high power density machine are very crucial to improve the performance of the whole FES system. In this paper, a high speed permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) is researched. Considering the requirement of low torque ripple in low speed and loss caused by back electromotive force (EMF) harmonics, the electromagnetic performance is improved from points of view of slot/pole matching, magnetic-pole embrace with the finite element method (FEM). Furthermore, the magnetic-pole eccentricity, the slot opening, the thickness of PM and air-gap length are also optimized with Taguchi method. The electromagnetic performance, such as torque ripple, cogging torque, average torque and back EMF wave are much improved after optimization. Finally, experiments are carried out to verify the calculated results.
Can We Use Forest Inventory Mapping as a Coarse Filter in Ecosystem Based Management in the Black Spruce Boreal Forest?
Authors: Chaieb Chafi , Fenton Nicole , Lafleur Benoit , Bergeron Yves
Published: April 2015

Forest inventory mapping is used worldwide to describe forests at a large spatial scale via the delimitation of portions of the landscape that are structurally homogeneous. Consequently, there is a significant amount of descriptive forest data in forest inventory maps, particularly with the development of ecosystem classification, which represents a significant potential for use in ecosystem based management. With this study we propose to test whether forest inventory maps can be used to describe not only stand characteristics but also dynamic processes. The results indicate that stand types identifiable in forest inventory maps do not in fact represent unique developmental stages, but rather confound stands at multiple developmental stages that may be undergoing different ecological processes. The reasons for this are linked to both the interaction between succession, fire severity and paludification. Finally, some aspects of the process of forest inventory mapping itself contribute to the disjunction between forest types and forest succession. Given the low similarity between spruce mapping types and their actual description following forest inventories, it would be too ambitious to infer the dynamic aspects of spruce forest by map units.
Transcriptional Responses of Glutathione Transferase Genes in Ruditapes philippinarum Exposed to Microcystin-LR
Authors: Reis Bruno , Carneiro Mariana , Machado João , Azevedo Joana , Vasconcelos Vitor , Martins José
Published: April 2015

Glutathione Transferases (GSTs) are phase II detoxification enzymes known to be involved in the molecular response against microcystins (MCs) induced toxicity. However, the individual role of the several GST isoforms in the MC detoxification process is still unknown. In this study, the time-dependent changes on gene expression of several GST isoforms (pi, mu, sigma 1, sigma 2) in parallel with enzymatic activity of total GST were investigated in gills and hepatopancreas of the bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum exposed to pure MC-LR (10 and 100 µg/L). No significant changes in GST enzyme activities were found on both organs. In contrast, MC-LR affected the transcriptional activities of these detoxification enzymes both in gills and hepatopancreas. GST transcriptional changes in gills promoted by MC-LR were characterized by an early (12 h) induction of mu and sigma 1 transcripts. On the other hand, the GST transcriptional changes in hepatopancreas were characterized by a later induction (48 h) of mu transcript, but also by an early inhibition (6 h) of the four transcripts. The different transcription patterns obtained for the tested GST isoforms in this study highlight the potential divergent physiological roles played by these isoenzymes during the detoxification of MC-LR.
Concise Review: Methods and Cell Types Used to Generate Down Syndrome Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Hibaoui Youssef , Feki Anis
Published: April 2015

Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), is the most common viable chromosomal disorder, with an incidence of 1 in 800 live births. Its phenotypic characteristics include intellectual impairment and several other developmental abnormalities, for the majority of which the pathogenetic mechanisms remain unknown. Several models have been used to investigate the mechanisms by which the extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to the DS phenotype. In the last five years, several laboratories have been successful in reprogramming patient cells carrying the trisomy 21 anomaly into induced pluripotent stem cells, i.e., T21-iPSCs. In this review, we summarize the different T21-iPSCs that have been generated with a particular interest in the technical procedures and the somatic cell types used for the reprogramming.
A Comparison of Two Approaches for Estimating the Wheat Nitrogen Nutrition Index Using Remote Sensing
Authors: Chen Pengfei
Published: April 2015

Remote predictions of the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) are useful for precise nitrogen (N) management in the field. Several studies have recommended two methods for estimating the NNI, which are classified as mechanistic and semi-empirical methods in this study. However, no studies have been conducted to thoroughly analyze and compare these two methods. Using winter wheat as an example, this study compared the performances of these two methods for estimating the NNI to determine which method is more suitable for practical use. Field measurements were conducted to determine the above ground biomass, N concentration and canopy spectra during different wheat growth stages in 2012. Nearly 120 samples of data were collected and divided into different calibration and validation datasets (containing data from single or multi-growth stages). Based on the above datasets, the performances of the two NNI estimation methods were compared, and the influences of phenology on the methods were analyzed. All models that used the mechanistic method with different calibration datasets performed well when validated by validation datasets containing single growth or multi-growth stage data. The validation results had R2 values between 0.82 and 0.94, root mean square error (RMSE) values between 0.05 and 0.17, and RMSE% values between 5.10% and 14.41%. Phenology had no effect on this type of NNI estimation method. However, the semi-empirical method was influenced by phenology. The performances of the models established using this method were determined by the type of data used for calibration. Thus, the mechanistic method is recommended as a better method for estimating the NNI. By combining proper N management strategies, it can be used for precise N management.
Potential of Space-Borne Hyperspectral Data for Biomass Quantification in an Arid Environment: Advantages and Limitations
Authors: Zandler Harald , Brenning Alexander , Samimi Cyrus
Published: April 2015

In spite of considerable efforts to monitor global vegetation, biomass quantification in drylands is still a major challenge due to low spectral resolution and considerable background effects. Hence, this study examines the potential of the space-borne hyperspectral Hyperion sensor compared to the multispectral Landsat OLI sensor in predicting dwarf shrub biomass in an arid region characterized by challenging conditions for satellite-based analysis: The Eastern Pamirs of Tajikistan. We calculated vegetation indices for all available wavelengths of both sensors, correlated these indices with field-mapped biomass while considering the multiple comparison problem, and assessed the predictive performance of single-variable linear models constructed with data from each of the sensors. Results showed an increased performance of the hyperspectral sensor and the particular suitability of indices capturing the short-wave infrared spectral region in dwarf shrub biomass prediction. Performance was considerably poorer in the area with less vegetation cover. Furthermore, spatial transferability of vegetation indices was not feasible in this region, underlining the importance of repeated model building. This study indicates that upcoming space-borne hyperspectral sensors increase the performance of biomass prediction in the world’s arid environments.
Comparison Analysis and Evaluation of Urban Competitiveness in Chinese Urban Clusters
Authors: Guo Haixiang , Liu Xiao , Li Yijing , Wang Deyun , Chen Xiaohong
Published: April 2015

With accelerating urbanization, urban competitiveness has become a worldwide academic focus. Previous studies always focused on economic factors but ignored social elements when measuring urban competitiveness. In this paper, a city was considered as a whole containing different units such as departments, individuals and economic activities, which interact with each other and affect its economic operation. Moreover, a city’s development was compared to an object’s movement, and the components were compared to different forces acting upon the object. With the analysis of the principle of object movement, this study has established a more scientific evaluation index system that involves 4 subsystems, 12 elements and 58 indexes. By using the TOPSIS method, the study has worked out the urban competitiveness of 141 cities from 28 Chinese urban clusters in 2009. According to the calculation results, these cities were divided into four levels: A, B, C, D. Furthermore, in order to analyze the competitiveness of cities and urban clusters, cities and urban clusters have been divided into four groups according to their distributive characteristics: the southeast, the northeast and Bohai Rim, the central region and the west. Suggestions and recommendations for each group are provided based on careful analysis.
Dietary l-Arginine Supplementation Protects Weanling Pigs from Deoxynivalenol-Induced Toxicity
Authors: Wu Li , Liao Peng , He Liuqin , Feng Zemeng , Ren Wenkai , Yin Jie , Duan Jielin , Li Tiejun , Yin Yulong
Published: April 2015

This study was conducted to determine the positive effects of dietary supplementation with l-arginine (Arg) on piglets fed a deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated diet. A total of eighteen, 28-day-old healthy weanling pigs were randomly assigned into one of three groups: uncontaminated basal diet (control group), 6 mg/kg DON-contaminated diet (DON group) and 6 mg/kg DON + 1% l-arginine (DON + ARG group). After 21 days of Arg supplementation, piglets in the DON and DON + ARG groups were challenged by feeding 6 mg/kg DON-contaminated diet for seven days. The results showed that DON resulted in damage to piglets. However, clinical parameters, including jejunal morphology, amino acid concentrations in the serum, jejunum and ileum, were improved by Arg (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA levels for sodium-glucose transporter-1 (SGLT-1), glucose transporter type-2 (GLUT-2) and y+l-type amino acid transporter-1 (y+LAT-1) were downregulated in the DON group, but the values were increased in the DON + ARG group (p < 0.05). Collectively, these results indicate that dietary supplementation with Arg exerts a protective role in pigs fed DON-contaminated diets.
Laboratory Studies on Granular Filters and Their Relationship to Geotextiles for Stormwater Pollutant Reduction
Authors: Paul Parneet , Tota-Maharaj Kiran
Published: April 2015

Applications of geotextiles within tertiary stormwater treatment systems and for stormwater infiltration can provide a substrate for biofilm formation, enabling biological treatment of contaminants. Geotextiles can serve as an efficient part of stormwater filtration within the urban water environment. The project assessed the applications of three experimental granular filters as a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) for the decomposition of organic pollutant loading present in stormwater. The three filter rigs were packed with alternating layers of filter media consisting of gravel, pea gravel, sand and either a single, double or no layer of geotextile membrane. A nonwoven geotextile was layered within the filter media. The hydraulic loading capacity for the three filters matched that commonly used with conventional sand filters systems. Water quality parameters were quantified by measuring suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, and phosphate concentrations. It was found that Filter Rig No. 3 (upper and lower geotextile membrane) and Filter Rig No. 2 (single geotextile membrane) had a significant statistical difference in treatment performance from Filter Rig No. 1 (no geotextile membrane).
Clinical characterization and risk factors of Clostridium difficile infection in elderly patients in a Chinese hospital
Authors: Lihua Zhang , Danfeng Dong , Cen Jiang , Xuefeng Wang , Yibing Peng
Published: April 2015

Introduction: Clostridium difficile is a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea, especially in elderly patients. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and assess the risk factors associated with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in elderly hospitalized patients. Methodology: A retrospective case-control study was conducted among elderly hospitalized patients (> 60 years of age) in a Chinese tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2013. Fifty-two CDI patients and 150 randomly selected non-CDI patients were included in the study. Clinical features of CDI and non-CDI patients were compared by appropriate statistical tests. Logistic regression analyses were performed on a series of factors to determine the risk factors for CDI among the elderly hospitalized patients. Results: The elderly CDI patients showed higher leukocyte counts, lower serum albumin levels, longer duration of hospital stay, and higher mortality compared to the non-CDI patients. The proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit or exposed to gastric acid suppressants was also significantly different (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that serum creatinine (OR 1.004; 95% CI 1.001–1.008), surgical intervention (OR 6.132; 95% CI 2.594–14.493), the number of comorbidities (OR 2.573; 95% CI 1.353–4.892), gastrointestinal disease (OR 4.670; 95% CI 2.002–10.895), and antibiotic use (OR 6.718; 95% CI 2.846–15.859) were independently associated with CDI. Conclusions: This study revealed several risk factors for CDI among elderly hospitalized patients. These findings will increase the knowledge concerning this disease and provide information regarding the control and prevention of CDI in the elderly.
A rarely seen cause for empyema: Leuconostoc mesenteroıdes
Authors: Usta-Atmaca Hanife , Akbas Feray , Karagoz Yesim , Piskinpasa Mehmet Emin
Published: April 2015

Leuconostoc species are Gram-positive, non-motile, vancomycin-resistant bacteria placed within the family of Streptococcaceae. They naturally exist in food and are important in the sauerkraut, milk and wine industries due to their role in fermentation. Infections caused by Leuconostocs are generally reported in immunosuppressed patients with an underlying disease, or in those who were previously treated with vancomycin. Central venous catheter insertion is also a risk factor for introducing bacteria into the body. Although they are resistant to vancomycin, leuconostocs are sensitive to erythromycin and clindamycin. Here, we report a case with pleural empyema due to Leuconostoc mesenteroides in an otherwise healthy person whose occupation is known to be selling pickles.
Gastric wall perforation secondary to presumed aspergillosis in a pediatric patient with aplastic anemia: A case report
Authors: Reyna-Figueroa Jesus , Luna-Aguilar Francisco Javier , Cardoso-Yah Gabriela , Rivera-Salgado Maria Irene , Limon-Rojas Ana Elena , Galindo-Delgado Patricia
Published: April 2015

Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that may develop in immunocompromised patients with conditions such as leukemia or aplastic anemia. A rare case of stomach perforation following acute fungal gastritis in a 13-year-old female patient with aplastic anemia is reported herein. The patient had developed aplastic anemia without bone marrow fibrosis secondary to acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chemotherapy. The pathological examination revealed a large ischemic transmural perforation (9.5 × 9 cm) associated with fungal septic emboli. Fungal hyphae characteristics were compatible with those of Aspergillus spp. There are few reports identifying fungi as agents associated with gastric perforation. There is a need for early identification of the infectious agent.