bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design Procedure for Cementing Intercalated Salt Zones
Authors: Jandhyala S. R. K. , Ravi K. , Anjos J.
Published: October 2015

Wells often require being drilled through and cemented across salt formations. In many parts of the world, salt sections consist of multiple salt types. These include Halite, Carnallite and Tachyhydrite. The last two salt types could move one hundred times faster than Halite and are chemically reactive. Typically, Carnallite and Tachyhydrite occur as streaks inserted between Halite. In these cases, cement sheath should withstand salt creep loading. Creep load is primarily compressive in cases of single salt types. For intercalated salts, varying creep rates can result in tensile loads, particularly at salt-salt junctions. Presalt exploration in offshore Brazil is an apt example displaying this behavior. In such a scenario, the cement sheath along a longitudinal well section should be analyzed for both tensile and compressive responses. It is well known that tensile strength of conventional cement systems is low, hence there is the need for detailed analysis and action to prevent damage to cement sheath.

This work demonstrates cement design procedures by evaluating cement sheath mechanical integrity in intercalated salts. A typical presalt Brazilian well with different lengths of Tachyhydrite, Halite, and Anhydrite sections is used as an example in this work. A creep model for these salts is validated with data from triaxial creep testing. Responses of two cement systems, which are cured and tested, are compared. The analysis accounts for classical well loads during drilling and production etc., along with salt creep loading.

This analysis shows that intercalated salts subject cement sheath to a series of tensile and compressive loads whose magnitude depends on the size and relative position of different salts. The salt-salt interface effects dominated the general tenet of increasing creep rate with increasing depth.

This kind of detailed design procedure representing intercalated salt zones is the first of its kind known to the authors. Results from this analysis help fortify the importance of considering salt layering patterns during cement design for long term mechanical integrity. The design procedure discussed and presented in this study should help the industry design cement systems to withstand loads across single and intercalated salt zones and maintain well integrity.
Cementing in Front of Saline Zone and Carbonate Reservoir with Presence of CO2
Authors: Gregatti A. , Carvalho G. , Piedade T. , Campos G.
Published: October 2015

To optimize drilling efficiency, some presalt wells in the Santos basin, Brazil, had their project modified to a configuration in which the entire well is drilled, cased, and cemented in only three phases, in contrast to the usual four phases, thus saving approximately 12 to 15% on the total drilling time. The saline and production zones are cased and cemented in the same phase, requiring a cement slurry design that minimizes salt dissolution and, at the same time, has specific properties for production zone isolation.

The quality of this cement job is key for the success of the project, given that poor cementation could lead to direct exposure of the wellhead to the reservoir fluids, making the three-phases project unviable due to associated risks. It is important, then, to understand and control all aspects that can influence the cement job success.

The presalt reservoir is formed by carbonate rocks that present a variable ratio of gases such as CO2 and H2S. To avoid future risk of gas migration through the cement sheath, the slurry used in the cementing operation must be formulated with gas-migration-control additives to reduce cement matrix permeability.

The salt section is composed of layers of different salt types, with the tachyhydrite and carnallite the most soluble. The results of research conducted with salt rock cores from this basin indicated that the best salt concentration added to the cement slurry, to avoid salt dissolution, is either 15 to 20% sodium chloride or 3 to 5% potassium chloride. It is well known that the addition of salt to cement slurry impairs the slurry properties, especially free fluid and compressive strength, two important parameters to determine a successful cement evaluation. Several laboratory tests were performed until the ideal formulation was defined. The spacers were also optimized to promote superior mud removal. Cementing techniques and best practices such as effective casing centralization, mud removal, losses mitigation, and slurry density control are imperative to ensure job objectives are achieved.

To the time this paper has been written, four wells had been successfully drilled and cemented using the new configuration. Fluids design and flawless execution of the job provided an excellent cement logging evaluation, proving that it is possible to enhance the well construction to save rig time and, consequently, lower the well costs.
New Approach on Drilling Fluids Technology to Improve Drilling Performance
Authors: Lomba R. , Cardoso W. F. , de Sá C. H. M. , D’Almeida A. R.
Published: October 2015

The use of a high quality mud is an essential requirement to guarantee a successful drilling operation. The drilling industry aims to build wells at low costs and as fast as possible. Among other drilling problems, an adequately formulated drilling fluid will prevent wellbore instability while contributing to generate an in gauge borehole. Usually, one of the desired properties of a drilling mud is the least as possible interaction with the drilled formation. On the other hand, the idea of a chemically active fluid that would react with the rock to help improving drilling performance is very welcome. This kind of fluid should not only mitigate drilling problems but also contribute for the improvement of the overall process. The work presents the advances in drilling fluid technology to overcome the challenges that have arisen with the discovery of Pre Salt offshore Brazil, specially the drilling of long salt section containing highly soluble salt layers and the low penetration rates in hard carbonate rocks. An extensive theoretical and experimental work was carried out to assist drilling fluid design in this drilling scenario. A special fluid formulation developed to interact with carbonate rocks and increase penetration rate is presented. Although some important issues have yet to be addressed, the preliminary results show a good potential for the new technology.
Fully Acoustic Telemetry System Improves Cost Efficiency and Safety in DSTs for Deepwater
Authors: Wakabayashi D. , Dias F. , Marcançola F.
Published: October 2015

The Drillstem Test (DST) is an important process used to gain knowledge and understanding about a reservoir, from identifying the characteristics of its oil and gas, to production planning, extending as well to the commercial viability of the entire reservoir. Since 1920, the need to better understand reservoir conditions has driven numerous technology developments throughout different generations. These technologies have helped define reservoirs in harsh conditions. Through the continued search for innovative DST solutions for the challenging deepwater scenario, a new generation of DST tools was successfully achieved. This technological package of downhole tools were influenced mainly by the communication method applied. The acoustic telemetry system is the backbone of the downhole tool network system, providing an efficient and effective bi-directional communication link between the data acquisition computer in the rig control cabin and the tools located down hole. This paper presents how wireless acoustic control of drill-stem test tools can improve cost efficiency and safety in DST operations by: Reducing risks associated with the use of annulus pressure to actuate downhole toolsReducing casing-pressure limitations by using lower applied annulus pressureReducing and, in some cases, eliminating the use of wireline operations in the wellAcoustic signal not affected by mud weightAllowing optimization of the operations by providing real time data monitoringAllowing accurate status feedback and diagnostic from the down hole tools, reducing uncertaintiesReducing the duration of each period of the operation can potentially reduce rig timeAdding redundancy capabilities (tools can operate with means other than acoustic as backup)Comparing with wireline based systems in allowing real-time data acquisition during all the periods of the operationReducing number of personnel necessary in the rig by allowing remote access and analysis of the data

The system was first-time deployed in a semi-submersible rig in a pre-salt region of southeast Brazil. The fully controlled operations included: Opening tester valve for flowClosing tester valve for buildupOpening circulation portsActuating downhole samplersAcquiring real-time pressure and temperature dataTransmitting real-time data to customer officeAnalyzing data in real-time

This paper will discuss how this new full telemetry acoustic system elevated testing operations to a higher performance level, improving cost efficiency and safety in DSTs for deepwater application.
Results of Real-Time Production Optimization of a Maturing North Sea Gas Asset with Production Constraints
Authors: van der Linden R. J. P. , de Boer J. P. , Renes W.
Published: October 2015

Operating maturing assets poses increasingly complex challenges to operators. Meeting hourly or daily production targets becomes more difficult when wells are more often shut in for e.g. water washes (against salt deposition) or solvent jobs (at asphaltenes deposition). Declining reservoir pressure in turn results in less margin to compensate lost production while topside facilities can put constraints when production GOR and watercut increase at late production life. In a joint industry project of Wintershall, GdF, EBN, Siemens and TNO the applicability of real-time optimization is explored. The problem description, system architecture and initial optimizer results were presented in Linden (2013). This paper presents results of the optimization project and looks ahead to further field realization. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that production of a mature North Sea gas asset can be optimized taking into account realistic constraints. All wells at this gas asset are intermittently shut in for water washes while daily nominations must be met. It will be shown that the optimization algorithm obeys the constraints and is fast enough for real-time application and thereby ready for field implementation
Solar geoengineering using solid aerosol in the stratosphere
Authors: Weisenstein D. K. , Keith D. W. , Dykema J. A.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Solid aerosol particles have long been proposed as an alternative to sulfate aerosols for solar geoengineering. Any solid aerosol introduced into the stratosphere would be subject to coagulation with itself, producing fractal aggregates, and with the natural sulfate aerosol, producing liquid-coated solids. Solid aerosols that are coated with sulfate and/or have formed aggregates may have very different scattering properties and chemical behavior than uncoated non-aggregated monomers do. We use a two-dimensional (2-D) chemistry–transport–aerosol model to capture the dynamics of interacting solid and liquid aerosols in the stratosphere. As an example, we apply the model to the possible use of alumina and diamond particles for solar geoengineering. For 240 nm radius alumina particles, for example, an injection rate of 4 Tg yr−1 produces a global-average shortwave radiative forcing of −1.2 W m−2 and minimal self-coagulation of alumina although almost all alumina outside the tropics is coated with sulfate. For the same radiative forcing, these solid aerosols can produce less ozone loss, less stratospheric heating, and less forward scattering than sulfate aerosols do. Our results suggest that appropriately sized alumina, diamond or similar high-index particles may have less severe technology-specific risks than sulfate aerosols do. These results, particularly the ozone response, are subject to large uncertainties due to the limited data on the rate constants of reactions on the dry surfaces.
Comparison of nitrous oxide (N2O) analyzers for high-precision measurements of atmospheric mole fractions
Authors: Lebegue B. , Schmidt M. , Ramonet M. , Wastine B. , Yver Kwok C. , Laurent O. , Belviso S. , Guemri A. , Philippon C. , Smith J. , Conil S. , Jost H. J. , Crosson E. R.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Over the last few decades, in-situ measurements of atmospheric N2O mole fractions have been performed using gas chromatographs (GCs) equipped with electron capture detectors (ECDs). When trying to meet the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) quality goal, this technique becomes very challenging as the detectors are highly non-linear and the GCs at remote stations require a considerable amount of maintenance by qualified technicians to maintain good short-term and long-term repeatability. With more robust optical spectrometers being now available for N2O measurements, we aim to identify a robust and stable analyzer that can be integrated into atmospheric monitoring networks, such as the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS). In this study, we tested seven analyzers that were developed and commercialized from five different companies and compared the results with established techniques. Each instrument was characterized during a time period of approximately eight weeks. The test protocols included the characterization of the short-term and long-term repeatability, drift, temperature dependence, linearity and sensitivity to water vapor. During the test period, ambient air measurements were compared under field conditions at the Gif-sur-Yvette station. All of the analyzers showed a standard deviation better than 0.1 ppb for the 10 min averages. Some analyzers would benefit from improvements in temperature stability to reduce the instrument drift, which could then help in reducing the frequency of calibrations. For most instruments, the water vapor correction algorithms applied by companies are not sufficient for high-precision atmospheric measurements, which results in the need to dry the ambient air prior to analysis.
A physical explanation for the magnetic decrease ahead of dipolarization fronts
Authors: Yao Z. H. , Liu J. , Owen C. J. , Forsyth C. , Rae I. J. , Pu Z. Y. , Fu H. S. , Zhou X.-Z. , Shi Q. Q. , Du A. M. , Guo R. L. , Chu X. N.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Recent studies have shown that the ambient plasma in the near-Earth magnetotail can be compressed by the arrival of a dipolarization front (DF). In this paper we study the variations in the characteristics of currents flowing in this compressed region ahead of the DF, particularly the changes in the cross-tail current, using observations from the THEMIS satellites. Since we do not know whether the changes in the cross-tail current lead to a field-aligned current formation or just form a current loop in the magnetosphere, we thus use redistribution to represent these changes of local current density. We found that (1) the redistribution of the cross-tail current is a common feature preceding DFs; (2) the redistribution of cross-tail current is caused by plasma pressure gradient ahead of the DF and (3) the resultant net current redistributed by a DF is an order of magnitude smaller than the typical total current associated with a moderate substorm current wedge (SCW). Moreover, our results also suggest that the redistributed current ahead of the DF is closed by currents on the DF itself, forming a closed current loop around peaks in plasma pressure, what is traditionally referred to as a banana current.
Air–water fluxes and sources of carbon dioxide in the Delaware Estuary: spatial and seasonal variability
Authors: Joesoef A. , Huang W.-J. , Gao Y. , Cai W.-J.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Distributions of surface water partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) were measured on nine cruises in the Delaware Estuary (USA). The Delaware River was highly supersaturated in pCO2 with respect to the atmosphere during all seasons, while the Delaware Bay was undersaturated in pCO2 during spring and late summer and moderately supersaturated during mid-summer, fall, and winter. While the smaller upper tidal river was a strong CO2 source (27.1 ± 6.4 mol-C m−2 yr−1), the much larger bay was a weak source (1.2 ± 1.4 mol-C m−2 yr−1), the latter of which had a much greater area than the former. In turn, the Delaware Estuary acted as a relatively weak CO2 source (2.4 ± 4.8 mol-C m−2 yr−1), which is in great contrast to many other estuarine systems. Seasonally, pCO2 changes were greatest at low salinities (0 ≤ S < 5), with pCO2 values in the summer nearly 3-fold greater than those observed in the spring and fall. Undersaturated pCO2 was observed over the widest salinity range (7.5 ≤ S < 30) during spring. Near to supersaturated pCO2 was generally observed in mid- to high-salinity waters (20 ≤ S < 30) except during spring and late summer. Strong seasonal trends in internal estuarine production and consumption of CO2 were observed throughout both the upper tidal river and lower bay. Positive correlations between river-borne and air–water CO2 fluxes in the upper estuary emphasize the significance of river-borne CO2 degassing to overall CO2 fluxes. While river-borne CO2 degassing heavily influenced CO2 dynamics in the upper tidal river, these forces were largely compensated for by internal biological processes within the extensive bay system of the lower estuary.
Structural effects of liana presence in secondary tropical dry forests using ground LiDAR
Authors: Sánchez-Azofeifa A. , Portillo-Quintero C. , Durán S. M.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Lianas, woody vines, are a key component of tropical forest because they may reduce carbon storage potential. Lianas are increasing in density and biomass in tropical forests, but it is unknown what the potential consequences of these increases are for forest dynamics. Lianas may proliferate in disturbed areas, such as regenerating forests, but little is known about the role of lianas in secondary succession. In this study, we evaluated the potential of the ground LiDAR to detect differences in the vertical structure of stands of different ages with and without lianas in tropical dry forests. Specifically, we used a terrestrial laser scanner called VEGNET to assess whether liana presence influences the vertical signature of stands of different ages, and whether successional trajectories as detected by the VEGNET could be altered by liana presence. We deployed the VEGNET ground LiDAR system in 15 secondary forests of different ages early (21 years old since land abandonment), intermediate (32–35 years old) and late stages (> 80 years old) with and without lianas. We compared laser-derived vegetation components such as Plant Area Index (PAI), plant area volume density (PAVD), and the radius of gyration (RG) across forest stands between liana and no-liana treatments. In general forest stands without lianas show a clearer distinction of vertical strata and the vertical height of accumulated PAVD. A significant increase of PAI was found from intermediate to late stages in stands without lianas, but in stands where lianas were present there was not a significant trend. This suggests that lianas may be influencing successional trajectories in secondary forests, and these effects can be captured by terrestrial laser scanners such as the VEGNET. This research contributes to estimate the potential effects of lianas in secondary dry forests and highlight the role of ground LiDAR to monitor structural changes in tropical forests due to liana presence.
The Transmuted Marshall-Olkin Fr\'{e}chet Distribution: Properties and Applications
Authors: Z. Afify Ahmed , Hamedani G. G. , Ghosh Indranil , Mead M. E.
Published: October 2015

This paper introduces a new four-parameter lifetime model, which extends the Marshall-Olkin Fr\'{e}chet distribution introduced by Krishna et al. (2013), called the transmuted Marshall-Olkin Fr\'{e}chet distribution. Various structural properties including ordinary and incomplete moments, quantile and generating function, R\'{e}nyi and q-entropies and order statistics are
derived. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the model parameters. We illustrate the superiority of the proposed distribution over other existing distributions in the literature in modeling two real life data sets.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Vol. 5, No. 2
Authors: Sun Barbara
Published: October 2015

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2015
Utilização do eyetracking para análise de interação de usuários de baixo e alto letramento
Authors: Di Maio Letícia Régis , Cavalcante Ney Wagner Freitas , Ferreira Simone Bacellar Leal , Rosa José Luiz dos Anjos , Silveira Denis Silva da
Published: October 2015

Usuários com perfil de baixo letramento, em geral, possuem dificuldade em entender informações textuais, devido à deficiência nas habilidades de leitura, escrita, cálculo e ciências. A maioria dos problemas de usabilidade na Web está relacionada a encontrar, ler e compreender a informação. Pessoas com baixos níveis de habilidade de leitura têm esses problemas ampliados devido à falta de competências linguísticas, caracterizando, assim, uma questão de acessibilidade. O presente trabalho analisou a interação, de usuários com dois perfis diferentes: alto e de baixo letramento, por meio de um dispositivo de rastreamento ocular Tobii, modelo T120. A tecnologia de eyetracking, através de raios infravermelhos, grava as fixações visuais de usuários em tempo de interação. A partir dessa avaliação foram apontadas, de forma comparativa, suas experiências e caraterísticas de interação dos dois perfis de usuários, com um site comercial popular. A relevância deste trabalho, ao testar a interação de usuários analfabetos funcionais, foi propor melhorias de interface de sistemas que permitam o acesso a todos os usuários, independe do grau de instrução. Os resultados sugerem que diante das diferenças na navegação de usuários com perfis distintos de letramento, a partir de algumas correções e adaptações nas interfaces, é possível acessibilizar e promover a participação cidadã.
Integrated tools for environmental management of large hydroelectric reservoirs and their surrounding areas
Authors: Campelo Cláudio Elízio Calazans , Baptista Cláudio de Souza , Rocha Júlio Henrique , Figueirêdo Hugo Feitosa de , Paes Roberta Falcão de Cerqueira , Cruz Igor Gomes de Meneses , Amorim Ruan Victor Bertoldo Reis de
Published: October 2015

Brazil has the largest electricity market in South America and has the largest capacity for water storage in the world. However, the recent economic growth in Brazil has resulted in a strong demand for expansion and modernization of the nation's electric infrastructure. In order to meet these needs, power companies are increasingly looking for Information Technology (IT) solutions that can ensure more efficiency in their business. Moreover, new regulatory rules directly impacts the way companies should acquire, maintain and report information about concession areas, and demand the modernization of companies' information systems. This paper presents a corporate IT solution developed in our Labs to the Sao Francisco's Hydroelectric Company (CHESF), a unit of Brazilâ€™s state-run power utility that generates and transmits electric power to all of the cities in the northeast of Brazil. This project aimed to facilitate the monitoring of concession areas to meet a new normative resolution that establishes particular procedures to be followed by the concessionaires for collecting and maintaining georeferenced information in the granting areas of hydroelectric plants, including all properties around the explored reservoirs. The main aim of monitoring reservoirs and their surrounding areas is to prevent the occurrence of undesired events of land-use or water-use, such construction of buildings and aquaculture; and undesired environmental events, such as fish mortality and water contamination by waste. Our solution provides means of managing different types of information about the properties located within the monitored area; comprises a mobile application that helps collect in-loco information about events; and provides a GIS-based module to facilitate the access and management of georeferenced information.
Um relato de experiência no desenvolvimento de software governamental acessível
Authors: Ayabe Fernando , Matos Jussara Pimenta
Published: October 2015

A internet possibilita aos cidadãos formas importantes de interação que auxiliam o governo na criação de políticas públicas mais apropriadas permitindo a construção de soluções que possibilitam a acessibilidade para pessoas com deficiências de forma igualitária. Desta maneira, é possível melhorar as condições para o exercício da democracia. Este artigo discute um censo para pessoas com deficiência, apresentando detalhes sobre desenvolvimento de projeto de software governamental acessível, os desafios encontrados, as premiações recebidas pelo projeto, as contribuições para a sociedade e seus resultados.
Participação digital e governo eletrônico: abertura para qual cidadania?
Authors: Sampaio Maria Ã‚ngela da Costa Lino Franco , Pinho José Antônio Gomes de , Santos Ernani Marques dos , Sampaio Filho Milton Correia
Published: October 2015

Os processos de governo eletrônico via websites foram criados para oferecer serviços públicos, estabelecer relacionamento, prover recursos de conhecimento (informação e serviços) aos usuários (stakeholders), particularmente cidadãos, empresas e outros órgãos governamentais, atendendo, suas necessidades internas e externas. A participação digital nesse processo é de extrema importância, porém tema ainda pouco estudado. No contexto descrito nesse trabalho pretendeu-se iniciar um estudo sobre a influência da participação digital num clássico problema de filosofia política, a cidadania. Essa cidadania digital pode ser ampliada na prática de um governo eletrônico que promova governança eletrônica com foco na utilização das facilidades dessas novas TICs, aplicadas ao amplo arcabouço das funções de governo na busca de uma melhor atuação política e social, a qual não trata apenas de disponibilizar serviços on-line ou buscar uma melhor administração pública, mas vislumbra o incremento da participação da sociedade na arena decisória e no controle das ações governamentais. O trabalho, a partir de uma revisão teórica sobre os tópicos relacionados e dados empíricos de pesquisa governamental, teve como objetivo analisar a existência e importância da participação digital como forma efetiva da utilização dos serviços de governo eletrônico, ampliação da participação cidadã e o consequente exercício da cidadania digital. Um debate que traz à discussão a importância da participação digital cidadã como catalizador da prática da cidadania digital.
L’émergence du « féminisme territorial »
Authors: Semblat Marie-Lise
Published: October 2015

Le présent article porte sur le féminisme « territorial », un concept issu d’une analyse portant sur les nouveaux groupes de femmes rurales. Ce concept s’applique aux pratiques territorialisées de groupes qui, croisant les dimensions spatiale et sociale du développement, traduisent tout à la fois d’autres expressions du développement et l’émergence d’un nouveau féminisme que nous avons nommé « territorial ». Opérationnalisé par le réseau Aster-International, le concept est bien vivant, car, après avoir figuré parmi les thèmes du plaidoyer du Monde selon les femmes (Bruxelles) en mars 2008, il est devenu une hypothèse du programme de recherche du CRESS-Lessor de l’Université de Bretagne. Ce sont les actions de terrain et des démarches collectives en développement local, en coopération européenne et internationale menées par des femmes qui ont conduit l’auteure à analyser les pratiques repérées et à les théoriser dans le cadre d’une recherche pour le doctorat. À partir de constats issus du vécu et de l’observé, une démarche systématique de recherche (entretiens et groupes de discussion) a été mise en oeuvre en France, en Grèce et en Irlande, mais aussi au Canada francophone.
Le défi d’être, à la fois, local et mondial : Femmes et Villes International
Authors: Andrew Caroline , Canuto Marisa , Travers Kathryn
Published: October 2015

Cet article a pour objectif de décrire comment l’organisation Femmes et Villes International (FEVI) s’est structurée, s’est façonnée et s’est développée en fonction de deux pôles: le local et le mondial. L’argument central de l’article consiste à démontrer la créativité de ces interrelations mais également les tensions qui existent entre les opportunités internationales et locales ainsi que les conséquences de ces opportunités pour l’organisation. Un deuxième objectif poursuivi est de décrire comment des facteurs pragmatiques et théoriques s’entrecroisent, se renforcent et parfois se contredisent dans la réponse de FEVI aux occasions qui s’offrent à elle. À titre d’exemple, le financement par projet impose une sorte de rigidité dans le fonctionnement multi-niveau. Or, celui-ci, avec une forme de financement différente, pourrait acquérir une fluidité finalement plus enrichissante pour la création des villes inclusives et sécuritaires pour les femmes et les filles dans toute leur diversité.
Derecho a la Ciudad, Mujeres y Seguridad Ciudadana en los Gobiernos Locales
Authors: Falú Ana
Published: October 2015

El articulo aborda las violencias en las ciudades del siglo XXI, tanto las que se experimenta como las que se temen, las cuales son problemas centrales de la sociedad y los gobiernos y afectan el ejercicio de los derechos ciudadanos. El mismo elabora alrededor de la construcción identitaria de las mujeres cómo ciudadanas, con derechos a su ciudad, a una vida sin violencias en el ámbito publico y privado. Violencias y miedos que vivencian de manera aleatoria por el solo hecho de ser mujeres en la persistencia de valores patriarcales, los cuales siguen intentando sujetarlas a significaciones de objetos de derecho y no como sujetos de derechos a sus ciudades. Finalmente se identifican los llamados nudos críticos que afectan en general al avance de las políticas de igualdad de oportunidades y derechos en la región, particularmente en los gobiernos municipales. Cierra con algunas consideraciones recuperando el aporte de las mujeres organizadas y las redes feministas especializadas en sus capacidades de incidir en la agenda internacional y local.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease update for the primary care physician
Authors: Mitz Howard S
Published: October 2015

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common ailments that can decrease quality of life to below that of patients with congestive heart failure. Patients can present with typical, atypical, or serious symptoms, either alone or in combination. History, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and 24-hour pH monitoring can help with the diagnosis; but all are not needed for each patient. This clinical review will help primary care physicians to make a rapid diagnosis, guide subsequent treatment, and indicate when to order additional testing or referral, or both.
Alzheimer's disease diagnosis
Authors: Dinsmore Steven T
Published: October 2015

This section reviews some of the more prominent alternate causes of dementia that need to be excluded when pursuing a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In practice, this exclusion cannot be done with 100% precision. Consequently, the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is approximately 85%. Brain biopsy, which is seldom performed in practice, is the only method of moving diagnostic accuracy to near 100%. There is yet no intervention that halts or reverses the underlying pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, so the invasive brain biopsy is rarely justified to confirm a diagnosis.
Caring for the caregivers
Authors: Galluzzi Katherine E
Published: October 2015

Although direct care of the patient with Alzheimer's disease remains the focus of the physician's concern, the importance of evaluating and responding to the needs of that patient's caregivers cannot be ignored. Osteopathic physicians provide a truly holistic approach to treatment of the patient with Alzheimer's disease when that treatment includes the care of the entire family. This article provides a brief overview of the major issues affecting caregiving for the patient with Alzheimer's disease. It describes the warning signs of caregiver burnout; and it provides guidelines for accessing resources available to assist the caregivers.
Feasibility of Using Ultrasonography to Establish Relationships Among Sacral Base Position, Sacral Sulcus Depth, Body Mass Index, and Sex
Authors: Lockwood Michael D. , Kondrashova Tatyana , Johnson Jane C.
Published: October 2015

Context: Identifying relationships among anatomical structures is key in diagnosing somatic dysfunction. Ultrasonography can be used to visualize anatomical structures, identify sacroiliac landmarks, and validate anatomical findings and measurements in relation to somatic dysfunction. As part of the osteopathic manipulative medicine course at A.T. Still University–Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, first-year students are trained to use ultrasonography to establish relationships among musculoskeletal structures.

Objectives: To determine the ability of first-year osteopathic medical students to establish sacral base position (SBP) and sacral sulcus depth (SSD) using ultrasonography and to identify the relationship of SBP and SSD to body mass index (BMI) and sex.

Methods: Students used ultrasonography to obtain the distance between the skin and the sacral base (the SBP) and the distance between the skin and the tip of the posterior superior iliac spine bilaterally. Next, students calculated the SSD (the distance between the tip of the posterior superior iliac spine and the SBP). Data were analyzed with respect to side of the body, BMI, sex, and age. The BMI data were subdivided into normal (18-25 mg/kg) and overweight (25-30 mg/kg) groups.

Results: Ultrasound images of 211 students were included in the study. The SBP was not significantly different between the left and right sides (36.5 mm vs 36.5 mm; P=.95) but was significantly different between normal and overweight BMI categories (33.0 mm vs 40.0 mm; P<.001) and between men and women (34.1 mm vs 39.0 mm; P<.001). The SSD was not significantly different between left and right sides (18.9 mm vs 19.8 mm; P=.08), normal and overweight BMI categories (18.9 mm vs 19.7 mm, P=.21), or men and women (19.7 mm vs 19.0 mm; P=.24). No significant relationship was identified between age and SBP (P=.46) or SSD (P=.39); however, the age range was narrow (21-33 years).

Conclusion: The study yielded repeatable and reproducible results when establishing SBP and SSD using ultrasonography. The statistically significant relationship between SBP and higher BMI and between SBP and female sex may point to more soft tissue overlaying the sacrum in these groups. Further research is needed on the use of ultrasonography to establish criteria for somatic dysfunction.
Incidence of Somatic Dysfunction in Healthy Newborns
Authors: Waddington Erica L. , Snider Karen T. , Lockwood Michael D. , Pazdernik Vanessa K.
Published: October 2015

Context: Recent evidence suggests that osteopathic manipulative treatment of somatic dysfunction in newborns may decrease complications and hospital length of stay. Such dysfunction may result from external forces related to the birth process, but its incidence is unknown.

Objective: To identify the incidence and patterns of somatic dysfunction in healthy newborns at least 6 hours after birth and to correlate those findings with maternal and labor history, gestational age, and findings of the initial newborn assessment performed immediately after birth.

Methods: Healthy newborns aged 6 to 72 hours were physically examined and assessed for somatic dysfunction, including asymmetry and motion restriction of the cranial, cervical, lumbar, and sacral regions. The total somatic dysfunction identified was summarized in a somatic dysfunction severity score (SDSS), calculated by assigning 1 point for each identified finding; the SDSS could range from 0 (no somatic dysfunction) to 34 (all somatic dysfunctions assessed present). Findings were correlated with maternal and newborn characteristics and labor history. Descriptive analyses were performed, and findings were compared between the initial newborn assessment and the research examination.

Results: One hundred newborns were examined (mean gestational age, 38.5 weeks). In 99 newborns (99%), at least 1 sphenobasilar synchondrosis strain pattern was present, with sidebending rotations being the most common (present in 63 newborns [63%]). Condylar compression was found in 95 newborns (95%), temporal bone restrictions in 85 (85%), motion restriction of at least 1 cervical vertebral segment in 91 (91%) and at least 1 lumbar vertebral segment in 94 (94%), and a posterior sacral base in 80 (80%). The SDSS was not associated with mode of delivery or labor augmentation (P=.49 and P=.54, respectively), but it was positively associated with the duration of labor; each 1-hour increase in labor increased the predicted SDSS by 0.12 points (P=.04).

Conclusion: Somatic dysfunction of the cranial, cervical, lumbar, and sacral regions was common in healthy newborns, and the total somatic dysfunction (SDSS) was related to the length of labor. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01496872)
Achilles Tendon Disorders
Authors: Saini Sundeep S. , Reb Christopher W. , Chapter Megan , Daniel Joseph N.
Published: October 2015

Disorders of the Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the human body, are common and occur in both active and sedentary persons. A thorough history and physical examination allow primary care physicians to make an accurate diagnosis and to initiate appropriate management. Mismanaged or neglected injuries markedly decrease a patient’s quality of life. A growing body of related literature is the basis for current therapeutic regimens, which use a multimodal conservative approach, including osteopathic manipulative treatment. Although primary care physicians can manage most cases of Achilles tendon disorders, specialty care may be needed in certain instances. Procedural intervention should consider any comorbid conditions in addition to patients’ lifestyle to help guide decision making. When appropriately managed, Achilles tendon disorders generally carry a favorable prognosis.
Development of Peer Tutoring Services to Support Osteopathic Medical Students’ Academic Success
Authors: Swindle Nicholas , Wimsatt Leslie
Published: October 2015

Context: Peer tutoring can benefit both tutors and tutored students, but information is lacking regarding establishing and measuring outcomes of such a program at new medical schools.

Objective: To examine the outcomes of a pilot peer tutoring initiative and explore the implications for long-term program development.

Methods: Fifty-one osteopathic medical students who participated in a pilot peer tutoring program during the 2013-2014 academic year were surveyed regarding satisfaction with the program. Course grade means for the tutors (all courses) and tutored students (specific courses) were analyzed before and after participating in the tutoring experience. Data analyses were performed using frequency distributions, t tests, and qualitative assessment of emergent themes.

Results: The survey had a 76% response rate (39 of 51 students). Both tutored students and tutors were satisfied with the tutoring program. Statistically significant changes in course grades for the tutored courses were noted at 3 to 4 and 8 to 9 months among the tutored students who were most at risk for failure (P=.001). Tutor course grades showed no significant changes for any of the courses in which they were enrolled (P=.445).

Conclusion: Learning gains were realized by the students at greatest academic risk. Additional research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes.
Crystals of Knowledge Production. An Intercontinental Conversation about Open Science and the Humanities
Authors: Stern Niels , Guédon Jean-Claude , Jensen Thomas Wiben
Published: October 2015

In this article two scholars engage in a conversation about open access and open science in research communication with a specific focus on the Humanities. 

The two scholars have very different points of departure. Whereas Jean-Claude Guedón has been a professor of Literature in North-America for many years and part of the open access movements since its beginning, Thomas Wiben Jensen is in the early part of his carreer and fairly new to the concept of open access. 

The conversation begins with a focus on the Danish national strategy for open access and this strategy's consquenses for the journal NyS where Thomas Wiben is part of the editorial board. However, the conversation brings the reader on an unexpected journey through the history of science communication and through alternative ways of understanding knowledge production as frozen moments or crystals in the Great Conversation of science.

It is the hope of the editor and the contributors that the conversation can lead to a debate about innovative ways of communicating and distributing scientific results. 
Synoptic conditions related to soil moisture‐atmosphere interactions and unorganized convection in Oklahoma
Authors: Ford Trent W. , Quiring Steven M. , Frauenfeld Oliver W. , Rapp Anita D.
Published: October 2015

Atmospheric modification by anomalously dry or wet soils can both enhance and suppress convective activity. However, the local‐scale and mesoscale feedback governing soil moisture‐precipitation coupling are embedded within the larger synoptic‐scale environment. Despite their importance, synoptic‐scale atmospheric conditions are rarely considered in studies examining soil moisture‐atmosphere interactions. We combine self‐organizing maps of 500 hPa geopotential height, spatial synoptic classification, and Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model air mass trajectories to determine if the synoptic‐scale environment affects the ability of the land surface to force unorganized convection in Oklahoma. We identify several synoptic patterns that significantly impact the frequency of unorganized convection. Synoptic patterns characterized by midlevel troughs over the Southern Great Plains are less frequently associated with unorganized convective events. These patterns exhibit cool air advection in the midlevel and lower level of the atmosphere and are linked to suppression of convective activity. The synoptic patterns characterized by 500 hPa ridging over the study region are more frequently associated with unorganized convective events. These patterns likely result in increased net radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and more homogenously dry soils. Unorganized convective events that occur during these synoptic conditions initiate preferentially over dry soils. We present evidence that the synoptic‐scale environment can influence whether and how the land surface has an impact on convection.
Creation of Skyrmions by Electric Field on Chiral‐Lattice Magnetic Insulators
Authors: Mochizuki Masahito
Published: October 2015

It is theoretically proposed that magnetic skyrmions, nanometric spin vortices characterized by a quantized topological number, can be electrically created on a thin‐film specimen of chiral‐lattice magnetic insulator within a few nanoseconds by applying an electric field via an electrode tip taking advantage of coupling between noncollinear skyrmion spins and electric polarizations. This finding paves the way for utilizing multiferroic skyrmions as information carriers for low‐energy‐consuming magnetic storage devices without Joule‐heating energy losses.
Epigenetics and child abuse: Modern‐day darwinism — The miraculous ability of the human genome to adapt, and then adapt again
Authors: Gershon Naomi B. , High Pamela C.
Published: October 2015

It has long been recognized that early adversity can have life‐long consequences, and the extent to which this is true is gaining increasing attention. A growing body of literature implicates Adverse Childhood Experiences, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, in a broad range of negative health consequences including adult psychopathology, cardiovascular, and immune disease. Increasing evidence from animal, clinical, and epidemiological studies highlight the critical role of epigenetic programing, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, in altering gene expression, brain structure and function, and ultimately life‐course trajectories. This review outlines our developing insight into the interplay between our human biology and our changing environment, and explores the growing evidence base for how interventions may prevent and ameliorate damage inflicted by toxic stress in early life. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seasonal winter forecasts and the stratosphere
Authors: Scaife A. A. , Karpechko A. Yu. , Baldwin M. P. , Brookshaw A. , Butler A. H. , Eade R. , Gordon M. , MacLachlan C. , Martin N. , Dunstone N. , Smith D.
Published: October 2015

We investigate seasonal forecasts of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and their relationship with the stratosphere. Climatological frequencies of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) and strong polar vortex (SPV) events are well represented and the predicted risk of events varies between 25 and 90% from winter to winter, indicating predictability beyond the deterministic range. The risk of SSW and SPV events relates to predicted NAO as expected, with NAO shifts of −6.5 and +4.8 hPa in forecast members containing SSW and SPV events. Most striking of all is that forecast skill of the surface winter NAO vanishes from these hindcasts if members containing SSW events are excluded.
Morphology and aggregation of RADA‐16‐I peptide Studied by AFM, NMR and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Bagrov Dmitry , Gazizova Yuliya , Podgorsky Victor , Udovichenko Igor , Danilkovich Alexey , Prusakov Kirill , Klinov Dmitry
Published: October 2015

RADA‐16‐I is a self‐assembling peptide which forms biocompatible fibrils and hydrogels. We used molecular dynamics simulations, atomic‐force microscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and thioflavin T binding assay to examine size, structure, and morphology of RADA‐16‐I aggregates. We used the native form of RADA‐16‐I (H‐(ArgAlaAspAla)4‐OH) rather than the acetylated one commonly used in the previous studies. At neutral pH, RADA‐16‐I is mainly in the fibrillar form, the fibrils consist of an even number of stacked β‐sheets. At acidic pH, RADA‐16‐I fibrils disassemble into monomers, which form an amorphous monolayer on graphite and monolayer lamellae on mica. RADA‐16‐I fibrils were compared with the fibrils of a similar peptide RLDL‐16‐I. Thickness of β‐sheets measured by AFM was in excellent agreement with the molecular dynamics simulations. A pair of RLDL‐16‐I β‐sheets was thicker (2.3 ± 0.4 nm) than a pair of RADA‐16‐I β‐sheets (1.9 ± 0.1 nm) due to the volume difference between alanine and leucine residues. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 72–81, 2016.
Metabolism‐Activated Multitargeting (MAMUT): An Innovative Multitargeting Approach to Drug Design and Development
Authors: Mátyus Péter , Chai Christina L. L.
Published: October 2015

Multitargeting is a valuable concept in drug design for the development of effective drugs for the treatment of multifactorial diseases. This concept has most frequently been realized by incorporating two or more pharmacophores into a single hybrid molecule. Many such hybrids, due to the increased molecular size, exhibit unfavorable physicochemical properties leading to adverse effects and/or an inappropriate ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) profile. To avoid this limitation and achieve additional therapeutic benefits, here we describe a novel multitargeting strategy based on the synergistic effects of a parent drug and its active metabolite(s). The concept of metabolism‐activated multitargeting (MAMUT) is illustrated using a number of examples.