bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relative Influence of Generic Essential Drugs and Nursing Staff Supplies on Access to Primary Healthcare Services in Burkina Faso: A Trivariate Probit Modeling Approach
Authors: Niankara Ibrahim
Published: February 2018

This study uses data from the pilot project "Community Monitoring for Better Health and Education Services Delivery Project'' in Burkina Faso, to model the joint impact of generic essential drugs and nursing staff supplies constraints on access to primary health care in the country. The results show that statistical endogeneity of supply side constraints are present in the standard univariate probit specification of access to care. However, when accounted for, the resulting Trivariate Probit model shows that although shortages of generic essential drugs supply do not seem to constitute a significant barrier to access in Burkina Faso, shortages in nursing staff supply do. In fact, the likelihood of primary care access is reduced by 85.5% among those that reported having experienced a shortage in nursing staff, while paradoxically increasing by 60.3% among those that reported having experienced a shortage in generic essential drugs. A potential explanation for these findings is that overall the health care needs in the three surveyed regions in the country were more linked to primary health care services consumption from nurses, although further research would be important to clearly elucidate the position of health goods such as generic essential drugs.
Whitebark Pine in the Northern Cascades: Tracking the Effects of Blister Rust on Population Health in North Cascades National Park Service Complex and Mount Rainier National Park
Authors: Rochefort Regina , Howlin Shay , Jeroue Lacey , Boetsch John , Grace Lise
Published: February 2018

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) is a key component of subalpine and alpine ecosystems in the northern Cascades. The species survival is threatened by white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles, fire exclusion, and climate change. Trees were monitored in permanent plots in two national parks three times between 2004 and 2016. The proportion of trees showing signs of blister rust infection increased in North Cascades National Park Service Complex from 32% in 2004 to 51% in 2016 and from 18% to 38% in Mount Rainier National Park. Mortality increased from 7% to 21% in North Cascades National Park Service Complex and 38% to 44% in Mount Rainier National Park. Annual mortality rates were calculated for three time periods: 2004-2009, 2009-2015/2016, and 2004-2015/2016. Mortality rates, annualized across the entire study period, were 1.47% in Mount Rainier National Park and 2.27% in North Cascades National Park Service Complex; these rates decreased between the first time period and the second, which could reflect blister rust resistance. Signs of mountain pine beetle were rare and limited to a few trees in individual plots. Although reproductive trees were found in most stands, densities were low and regeneration was dominated by subalpine fir.
Uji Aktivitas Antibakteri Ekstrak Sarang Lebah Hutan (Apis Dorsata) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli Dan Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Prestianti Ika , Baharuddin Maswati , Sappewali Sappewali
Published: February 2018

Penyakit infeksi akibat bakteri merupakan masalah serius dalam kesehatan. Antibakteri alami yang dapat digunakan untuk menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri yaitu sarang lebah hutan (Apis dorsata) (propolis, kantong madu, kantong telur dan kantong pollen) yang mengandung senyawa metabolit sekunder seperti flavonoid, tanin dan asam fenolat.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah megetahui aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak sarang lebah hutan dari setiap pelarut yang digunakan dan untuk mengetahui pengaruh konsentrasi ekstrak sarang lebah hutan terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli dan Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pengujian antibakteri dilakukan dengan metode difusi kertas cakram dengan lama perendaman   1 jam kemudian diinkubasi selama 3 x 24 jam. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa aktivitas antibakteri ekstrak metanol sarang lebah memiliki aktivitas tertinggi pada bakteri  E. coli yaitu 3,8 mm pada konsentrasi 8%, ekstrak etil asetat sarang lebah pada bakteri S. a ureus yaitu 3,72 mm pada konsentrasi 8% dan ekstrak n-heksan sarang lebah pada bakteri E. coli yaitu 16,1 mm pada konsentrasi 8%. Pengaruh konsentrasi ekstrak yaitu semakin tinggi konsentrasi ekstrak maka semakin besar pula daya hambat ekstrak terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri S. aureus, E. coli dan P. aeruginosa.

Antibacterial Evaluation of Extract Beehive (Apis dorsata) on Growth Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial infectious diseases are serious health problems. One of natural antibacterial that can be used to inhibit bacterial growth is honeycomb (propolis, honey bag, egg bag and pollen bag) containing secondary metabolite compounds such as flavonoids, tannins and phenolic acids. The purpose of this research is to know the antibacterial activity of honeycomb extract from each solvent used and to know the effect of honeycomb extract concentration on the growth of S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria. Antibacterial testing was performed by the method of paper disc diffusion with soaking time 1 hour then incubated for 3 x 24 hours. The results showed that antibacterial activity of methanol honeycomb extract had the highest activity in E. coli bacteria i.e., 3.8 mm at 8% concentration, ethyl acetate honey extract on S. aureus bacteria ie 3.72 mm at 8% concentration and n extract n-hexan honeycomb in E. coli bacteria that is 16,1 mm at 8% concentration. The higher extract concentration the greater the inhibitory activity of extract on the growth of S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria.
Desulfurisasi Katalitik Tiofen Menggunakan Katalis CoMo/USY dalam Reaktor Batch
Authors: Nugrahaningtyas Khoirina Dwi , Pratiwi Nanda , Heraldy Eddy
Published: February 2018

Telah dilakukan uji aktivitas katalis CoMo/USY pada reaksi desulfurisasi tiofen. Reaksi dilakukan pada reaktor sistem batch dengan tekanan gas N2 sebesar 1 bar gas N2 dan waktu reaksi selama 1 jam. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh variasi temperatur dan variasi karakter katalis pada reaksi desulfurisasi tiofen. Product desulfurisasi dianalisis dengan Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectra (GC-MS). Karakter kestabilan struktur katalis dilihat dengan analisis menggunakan instrumen Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Hasil analisis terhadap uji aktivitas desulfurisasi menunjukkan bahwa pada rentang temperatur 200-300°C, rendemen bertambah dengan meningkatnya temperatur. Pada penelitian telah berhasil menghidrogenasi tiofen, tetapi belum bisa menghilangkan kandungan sulfurnya. Adapun efek karakter katalis terhadap aktivitas katalitiknya menunjukkan bahwa karakter katalis yang paling dominan adalah sifat keasaman. Katalis dengan keasaman tertinggi, yaitu katalis CoMo/USY, memiliki aktivitas tertinggi dengan rendemen produk sebesar 2,88%. Hasil analisis FT-IR terhadap katalis bekas menunjukkan bahwa struktur cukup stabil dan tidak ada pengotor yang terikat pada katalis.

Catalytic Desulfurization of Thiophene using CoMo/USY Catalyst in Batch Reactor. CoMo/USY catalyst activity has been tested for thiophene desulfurization reaction. The reaction was carried out in batch system reactor with N2 gas pressure of 1 bar and reaction time for 1 hour. This study aims to determine the effect of temperature variation and catalyst character variation in thiophene desulfurization reaction. The desulfurization products were analyzed by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectra (GC-MS). The characters of structure catalyst were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results of the analysis of the desulfurization activity test showed that in the temperature range 200-300 °C, the yield raised with increasing temperature. The analysis results of the desulfurization activity test showed that in the temperature range of 200-300°C, the yield raised with increasing temperature. The study has successfully hydrogenated thiophene, but has not been able to eliminate the sulfur content. The effect of the catalysts character on its catalytic activity shows that the most dominant character of the catalysts was its acidity. The highest acidity catalyst, CoMo/USY catalyst, has highest activity with the product yield of 2,88%. The result of the FTIR analysis on the used catalyst show that the structure was stable and no impurities were attached the catalyst.
Performance Tasks in Developing Creativity in Education
Authors: KOÇ Kemal , AKSOY Ayhan
Published: February 2018

The creativity is a process which can be enhanced by education. The creativity process may be evaluated in the most efficient way by following the student studies. The significant point is to look at the events, ideas, rules, behaviors and objects from different perspectives and to experience it in the life itself. The creativity is an important dimension of learning. The creative thinking is vital for acquiring the information and the environments convenient to enhancing the creativity help learners to hold positive attitudes towards learning. In this study, the creativity and creative thinking which are crucial nowadays and assumed to increase its importance in the future are examined in terms of the relationship between “alternative assessment methods” and “performance tasks” which have entered into our education system in recent years.
A MAP OF VULNERABILITY TSUNAMI AND PLAN EVACUATION IN COASTAL VILLAGE OF PARANGTRITIS SUB-DISTRICT KRETEK DISTRICT BANTUL DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Handoyo Gentur , Putro Agus A.D. Suryo , Subardjo Petrus
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

The tsunami often hitthe southern coast of Java several times, where Parangtritis located in that area. This is due to the meeting of Indo-Australian plate with the Eurasian plate in the south of Java that results in a major tectonic tsunami source. Tsunami waves from this region takes 50 to 100 minutes to reach the beach. Considering the short span of time to self-rescue, than its necessary to concieve a map of vulnerability to the tsunami region to plan evacuation routes and tsunami temporary evacuation place (TES) tsunami incoastal village of Parangtritis. The material used as an object to study in this research is the vulnerability of the tsunami, tsunami runoff based on the runup height, the proposed evacuation routes and tsunami temporary evacuation place (TES) as. The result,village in Parangtritis is a tsunami prone areas with vast percentage of the tsunami-prone areas at 66.45%. When the tsunami run up reach 16m the affected area was 788.07 Ha. There are three proposed evacuation route through the Parangtritis roads, Depok roads and Depok-Parangtritis roads. There are 12 proposed temporary evacuation place which spread in the village Parangtritis.

Keywords: Inundation, Plate, Runup
Evaluation of Inflow Control Device Performance using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Miersma M. , Mahmoudi M. , Fattahpour V. , Li L. , Lange C. F.
Published: February 2018

In steam injection thermal recovery, it is essential to have a uniform flow to improve the recovery and to avoid the localized steam breakthrough which could lead to damage to well completion. In this paper, we propose three quantitative criteria to assess the performance of inflow control devices (ICD) based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. The new performance criteria are exemplified in the evaluation of a few basic ICD designs.

To evaluate the response of the ICD to flow rate and fluid type, three new performance criteria, defined as (1) quadratic flow coefficient, (2) viscosity coefficient, and (3) erosion potential, are proposed and evaluated based on a set of CFD simulations. The first criterion measures the flow rate response and the ability of the ICD to restrict high velocity flow, the second quantifies the viscosity sensitivity, and the third predicts the potential for erosion in the device.

Four different liner deployed ICD designs, based on two passive design types (nozzle and channel) and one autonomous design type (Tesla flow diode), were analyzed using a rigorous CFD model. The model includes the surrounding slotted liner and inner tubing to identify any interactions of the ICD with the surrounding completion. The CFD model has been verified for grid and domain independence and it was applied to a range of flow rates representative of the field condition. In addition, simulations were run for a range of single-phase incompressible fluids with varying viscosities.

Using the newly proposed criteria, the ICDs were evaluated and compared. The comparison shows that, of these devices, the diode does the best job of restricting the flow at high flow speeds and low viscosities. At high viscosities, such as in the case of oil, the diode is the least restrictive device. Although the two straight nozzles tested are slightly worse at restricting the flow, they have the lowest erosion potential. Based on this comparison and the proposed criteria, the channel design performs poorly. At low viscosities it does not sufficiently restrict the flow, and at high viscosities it overly restricts the production of oil. It also has a high erosion potential, because of the steep entrance angle.

In this work, a new set of quantifiable criteria are defined and assessed that allow multiple aspects of different ICD designs to be compared simultaneously. Overall, these three criteria give a highly sensitive, quantitative means of comparing ICD designs. With these three criteria together, a more comprehensive comparison can be made in support of selection and improvement of ICDs.
Phase Behavior Modelling of Oils in Terms of SARA Fractions
Authors: Gutiérrez D. , Moore R. G. , Mehta S. A. , Ursenbach M. , Bernal A.
Published: February 2018

One of the key steps towards improving the predictability of air-injection-based processes relies on the development of accurate phase behavior models of the oil.

Historically, for in-situ combustion (ISC) in heavy oils and bitumens, phase behavior was often ignored, as the physical aspects of the process (e.g. distillation) were not considered to be as significant as the oxidation reactions. However, this step is important for several reasons. First, the compositional model should reflect the phase behaviour of the original fluids. Second, reaction rates are dependent on the concentration of the reactants, which in turn are affected by the volatility of the components. This is particularly important for lighter oils (but not unimportant for heavier oils) where the phase equilibrium between the liquid and vapour can have a significant impact on the flammability range for vapour phase combustion at given temperature and pressure conditions. Finally, for the case of lighter oils, a good phase behaviour model is required to capture the compositional effects of the resulting flue-gas drive.

This study presents a practical workflow to develop a phase behavior model in terms of SARA fractions (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes), which is aligned with the reaction modelling approach used in most kinetic models. The methodology requires conventional oil characterization (i.e. based on distillation cuts) and conventional phase behavior experiments (e.g. differential liberation), as well as oil characterization in terms of SARA fractions.

The first step of the method consists of splitting of the heaviest oil fraction (i.e. plus fraction), followed by the lumping of all single-carbon-number components, in such a way that the new oil characterization honours the SARA data available, such as composition, and physical properties of each fraction (e.g. molecular weight). In addition, the gas components (e.g. Methane) would be treated as additional components as necessary. The second step is to tune an equation of state (EoS), in terms of the SARA-based model, to match the relevant laboratory experiments. Finally, the tuned EoS would be used to export the equilibrium constants (K-value tables) to the thermal numerical simulator.

Different examples on the application of the phase behavior modelling workflow are presented and discussed in detail, for heavy and light oils. This work opens up opportunities to model the ISC process for any oil (i.e. light or heavy) by utilizing the currently available kinetic models, which in turn is an important step towards improving the predictability of ISC processes using reservoir simulation.
Generalized Approach to Predict k-Values of Hydrocarbon Solvent/Bitumen Mixtures
Authors: Azinfar Bahareh , Haddadnia Ali , Zirrahi Mohsen , Hassanzadeh Hassan , Abedi Jalal
Published: February 2018

A generalized model is presented to calculate the k-values of methane/bitumen, ethane/bitumen, propane/bitumen, and butane/bitumen systems. These data are required for phase behaviour modeling and simulation of solvent-aided bitumen recovery processes. The proposed model is evaluated by comparing the calculated results with the measured experimental k-values.

The proposed model provides generalized binary interaction parameters between each hydrocarbon solvent (methane, ethane, propane, and butane) and the defined components in bitumen and calculates the k-values of solvent/bitumen systems. Unlike the existing common approaches, experimental solubility data are not required to tune the model. The boiling point or carbon number distribution of bitumen or heavy oil obtained by simulated distillation (SimDist) test is the only required data to characterize and define the components of heavy oil or bitumen. The SimDist test is a very fast test and much less expensive than the common solubility measurements.

This model has been developed based on the experimental fractionation of bitumen. The Athabasca bitumen was experimentally fractioned to four bitumen cuts applying vacuum distillation method and the solubility of solvent in each bitumen cut were measured at wide ranges of temperature and pressure. The measured solubility data of methane, ethane, propane, and butane in each bitumen cut have been used to tune the PR-EoS and the generalized binary interaction parameter coefficients for each solvent and bitumen components have been found. To calculate the k-values of solvent/bitumen mixtures, the bitumen is defined as a mixture of n-alkanes based on simulated distillation results. The properties of n-alkanes have been assumed for each component. Employing the obtained binary interaction parameters in PR-EoS using experimental data of solvent/bitumen cut systems and considering the defined bitumen components as input to the proposed model, the k-values of solvent and any bitumen or heavy oil mixtures are calculated. The validity of the proposed model has been confirmed by calculating the k-values of methane, ethane, propane, and butane with two different bitumen samples with an average deviation of less than 3.0 %.

The proposed model predicts the k-values of methane/bitumen, ethane/bitumen, propane/bitumen, and butane/bitumen mixtures without requiring the time and cost intensive experimental PVT data for tuning. Providing the simulated distillation results of any bitumen or heavy oil samples, the k-values of hydrocarbon solvent/bitumen or heavy oil can be calculated in wide ranges of temperature and pressure. The outputs of this model can be directly used as k-values in simulation of solvent-aided thermal recovery processes.
Designing Surfactant-Polymer Processes for Heavy Oil Reservoirs: Case Studies
Authors: Rousseau D. , Bekri S. , Boujlel J. , Hocine S. , Degre G.
Published: February 2018

Whereas polymer flooding is now a proven method for heavy oil reservoirs, the use of surfactants is reported only in a limited number of cases and mostly in combination with alkali (ASP) to benefit from in-situ generated soaps. Operational issues such as scale formation, corrosion or logistics difficulties are often encountered. The objective of this work was to assess for the feasibility of alkaline-free surfactant-polymer (SP) processes for heavy oil reservoirs. Three "pseudo-synthetic" sandstone cases have been investigated for SP formulation design and performance evaluation through coreflood tests:

– 100 cP oil viscosity, 60°C, 800 mD and salinity 7.5 g/L TDS; – 1400 cP oil viscosity, 35°C, 2 D and salinity 20 g/L TDS; – 4500 cP oil viscosity, 50°C, 2-4 D and salinity 6.4 g/L TDS.

All experimental assays have been carried out on outcrop rock plugs but with dead oil samples from real reservoirs. SP formulations were successfully designed for the three cases with ultra-low IFT (<10−2 mN/m) at the target salinities and with good solubilities. For the 1400 and 4500 cP cases, SP tertiary oil recovery coreflood tests were carried out and led to high recoveries, namely above 90% of post-polymer flooding ROIP. For the 1400 cP case, a salinity gradient method was proven successful to mitigate adsorption. For the 100 cP case, injections at and below the optimal salinity were carried out with good results in both situations. To enable these experimental assays, new protocols had to be developed to contend with the specificities of heavy oils such as very long equilibrium times and difficulties to determine the oil production in corefloods. These exploratory investigations demonstrate that alkaline-free SP processes are feasible for heavy oil reservoirs and that field operations can be prepared using proper laboratory methods.
Wormhole Stability Under Post Chops Conditions
Authors: Oldakowski K. , Sawatzky R. P.
Published: February 2018

The CHOPS process involves the growth of high permeability channels (wormholes) into the reservoir. The wormholes provide improved access to the reservoir, thereby substantially increasing oil production rates. Field evidence and laboratory experiments indicate that wormholes tend to persist as stable high-permeability flow channels throughout the duration of the CHOPS process.

The existence of wormholes in the reservoir needs to be taken into consideration in the design of post CHOPS recovery processes. One of the key issues is the stability of wormholes during the re-pressurization phase of any follow up process to CHOPS. For example, wormholes could remain as stable high permeability flow channels to deliver injected fluids into a reservoir or they could collapse to improve conformance for fluid injection.

This paper presents the results of experiments testing the stability of wormholes under conditions that could be destabilizing such as cold and hot water circulation, heating, and pressurization with hydrocarbon gases (e.g., methane, ethane). The experiments were performed in a triaxial cell, approximately 19 cm in diameter and 18 cm long, packed with water-wet sand and saturated with heavy oil. Wormholes were generated in the pack by injecting heavy (dead) oil into the cell at a sufficiently high rate to produce sand from the pack. Then, conditions that could be destabilizing to wormholes were applied to test their outcome.

Cold water flowing through the wormhole eroded its walls, eventually causing the pack to collapse after more than a week. The injection of hot water accelerated the process of erosion considerably. Heating the pack did not cause it to collapse, but the wall of the wormhole was destabilized to a limited extent in that the diameter of the wormhole increased by more than a factor of two. The heating reduced the viscosity of the heavy oil in the pack, causing the apparent strength of the sand to decrease. Pressurizing the sand pack with methane and then slowly depressurizing it did not destabilize the wormhole. However, pressurizing the pack with ethane caused the sand matrix surrounding the wormhole to collapse over a period of two weeks. As in the case of heating, dissolution of ethane into the heavy oil caused the apparent strength of the sand to decrease by reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil in the pack.

Although the confining pressure in these experiments was relatively low, the experimental cell did not allow for stress redistribution due to the deformation of the sand matrix, as would occur in the field. For this reason, the wormholes generated in the experiments were less stable than ones in the field. Consequently, the laboratory conditions that resulted in wormhole collapse should be regarded as a guide to the behaviour that would be expected in the field.
An Innovative Dielectric Constant Measurement Method to Determine the Ideal Surfactant Candidate to Enhance Heavy Oil Recovery
Authors: Alshaikh M. , Huff G. , Hascakir B.
Published: February 2018

Steam injection is widely used enhanced oil recovery technique for heavy oil extraction. However, environmental and economic drawbacks of steam generation make the chemical additive-steam injection processes more favorable than steam injection alone. In this study, the performance of surfactant-steam flood process were investigated for heavy oil recovery and a quick recipe was proposed for the right surfactant selection through dielectric constant measurements.

Experiments were conducted on two heavy oil samples with different API gravity (12.09° and 11.56°) and viscosity (10,100 cP and 208,500 cP). Three anionic surfactants with same polar head group (sodium sulfate) but with different nonpolar tail length [long (SDS), moderate (SDeS), and short (SOS)] were selected to be tested. The crude samples and their SARA (Saturate, Aromatic, Resins, and Asphaltenes) fractions were blended with surfactant solutions at their critical micelle concentration (CMC). Interaction of crude oils, crude oils' non-polar fractions (Saturates and Aromatics) and crude oils' polar fractions (Resins and Asphaltenes) with surfactant solutions were visualized under optical microscope. An innovative and quick method, dielectric constant measurements were used to quantify indirectly the polarity of the blends. These measurements were used to determine the best surfactant candidates to recover each oil samples and accuracy of this new method was validated through optical microscopy images.

Microscopic images revealed asphaltenes have the higher contribution in the formation of micro-emulsions. It is observed that the polar-polar interaction of asphaltenes with resins adversely affected the surfactant performance due to reduction in overall polarity. We found that as the dielectric constant increases, the polarity of the oil/surfactant blends (microemulsions) increases which indicates that polar-polar interaction between oil/surfactant is minimized and the effectiveness of surfactants is maximized. Microscopic images were used to confirm this finding and for the blends having higher dielectric constants, minimum interaction of resins with surfactants and lower asphaltene aggregation for the same crude oil-surfactant blends were observed.

Our results offer that dielectric constant measurements can be used as an innovative and easy surfactant screening method.
Unique Infill Configuration to Unlock Additional Barrels in the Boscan Heavy Oil Water Injection Project
Authors: Kumar Raushan , Socorro Daniel , Pernalete Marta , Gonzalez Karin , Atalay Nilufer , Nava Rafael , Lolley Chris , Kumar Mridul , Arbelaez Alejandro
Published: February 2018

Boscan is a giant multi-billion-barrels heavy oil (10.5° API gravity and asphaltic) field in Venezuela. Although, a large part of the field is on primary production with a low recovery factor (<6%), water injection has been successfully implemented in portions of the field for over 15 years with improved recovery. High mobility ratio waterflood (HMRWF) behavior and associated key production mechanisms obtained from detailed field data analysis and dynamic modeling are presented. A novel and unique infill configuration is also proposed to further improve recovery in this high (or adverse) mobility ratio environment.

Water injection in such heavy oil (10.5° API) was considered not effective by the industry previously, due to adverse mobility ratio. However, water injection for pressure maintenance (WIPM) was successfully implemented using a pattern configuration, pseudo 1-3-1 inverted 7-spot (an additional row of producer between conventional pattern rows). Field data and reservoir simulation models show increased reservoir pressure up to the second row of producers from the injector. The pressure support is utilized to significantly improve recovery using the unique configuration at low water cut. WIPM has already resulted in significant reserves addition. Current production from water injection areas is ~40 MBOPD (or ~ 47% field production).

However, it is estimated that because of high oil viscosity, a significant amount of oil remains bypassed in the WIPM area. An infill opportunity was identified from an integrated reservoir management study that included detailed WIPM data analysis and dynamic (mechanistic and full field) modeling. A unique infill configuration is proposed that conceptually uses the current injectors with an additional row of producers between the existing first and second row of the producers. This configuration has the potential to economically unlock millions of barrels of bypassed oil and significantly increase recovery in this prolific heavy oil field.

This study provides insights into HMRWF behavior evaluating relative impact of displacement vs. pressure. The unique and novel infill configuration can be used to improve recovery, a step vital to monetize this large resource in the low-price environment.
A Benchmarking Study of a Novel Data Physics Technology for Steamflood and SAGD Modeling: Comparison to Conventional Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Zhao Yong , Sarma Pallav
Published: February 2018

A novel modeling technology termed "Data Physics" that combines reservoir physics with machine learning is validated against a conventional reservoir simulator for thermal recovery problems, i.e., steam flooding and steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). The novelty of the new model is its combination of speed of data integration (less than a week) and runtime (minutes) with long-term predictive accuracy (years or decades). This is due to the unique integration of reservoir physics with fast data-driven methods. For accurate benchmarking, major sources of modeling errors in the finite difference simulations are screened and controlled. Two cases are studied, the SPE4 steamflood model, and a single pad SAGD model. The results demonstrate that the Data Physics model is able to reproduce production profiles and key reservoir physics accurately when numerical errors in simulation are properly accounted for, while also being immune to numerical issues like grid orientation effects that can have significant impact on results of reservoir simulation.
Composting as an Alternative Management Strategy for Sargassum Drifts on Coastlines
Authors: Sembera Jen A. , Meier Erica J. , Waliczek Tina M.
Published: February 2018

Massive drifts of sargassum (Sargassum fluitans and Sargassum natans) float onto the United States Gulf, Atlantic, and European shorelines regularly throughout the spring and summer months. To maintain tourist appeal and subsequently, the tourism industry, the standard practice of Texas beach communities has been to mechanically remove the sargassum seaweed and integrate it into dunes along the shoreline or dispose of the material in the landfill. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential to manage the invasive species sargassum using composting and to test the quality of the resulting compost. This study used ≈12 yard3 of sargassum as a feedstock mixed with cafeteria food waste and local wood chips, using a total of ≈72 yard3 of feedstocks, to create nearly 25 yard3 of stabilized compost. The final compost products were of equal or higher quality to current compost standards. Therefore, this study determined that the composting and waste management industries can use sargassum as a feedstock to create a desirable compost product that could be used in the horticulture and agriculture industries, while helping to manage this invasive species.
Group Dynamics and Student Participation in a Chinese Setting: Teacher and Observer Perspectives
Authors: Harper John , Chen Hui-ju
Published: February 2018

This article addresses the frequently discussed notion of Chinese students’ supposed reticence and passivity in the English as a Foreign Language classroom. Using the concept of group dynamics as a starting point, it examines teachers’ classroom-management techniques in terms of promoting (or not promoting) active student participation. The study, using a grounded theory of research, analyzed classroom data obtained from class observations and from class filmings and supplemented these data with post-lesson interviews with the four involved teachers. Findings suggested that Chinese students were not necessarily reticent or passive but rather engaged actively when given a learning environment conducive to active engagement. The study pointed to three practical implications for classroom teachers: (1) promoting participation by working toward group cohesion, (2) promoting participation by providing effective teacher-student scaffolding and by providing opportunities for student-student scaffolding, (3) promoting participation by actively replacing textbook materials in order more effectively to offer students adequate support in terms of both language and affect. Acknowledging the fact that different institutional contexts may require different classroom-management techniques, the study calls for further testing of the present findings in other Chinese settings.
Concentration of radon in the premises and effective equivalent dose of exposure to the population of the Volgograd Region
Authors: Mikhnev Ilia Pavlovich
Published: February 2018

This article provides studies of radiation (radon) characteristics of premises in the Volgograd Region. The purpose of the study was to identify factors of the radiation background caused by radon in civil engineering objects. The regularities of radon distribution at the objects of the building complex are determined depending on the influence of various factors. The studies made it possible to calculate the average annual effective equivalent doses of exposure to the population of the Volgograd Region caused by radon and daughter products of decay.
Experiences With Video Consultations in Specialized Palliative Home-Care: Qualitative Study of Patient and Relative Perspectives (Preprint)
Authors: Funderskov Karen Frydenrejn , Raunkiær Mette , Danbjørg Dorthe Boe , Zwisler Ann-Dorthe , Munk Lene , Jess Mia , Dieperink Karin Brochstedt
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The work of specialized palliative care (SPC) teams is often challenged by substantial amounts of time spent driving to and from patients’ homes and long distances between the patients and the hospitals.

OBJECTIVE

Video consultations may be a solution for real-time SPC at home. The aim of this study was to explore the use of video consultations, experienced by patients and their relatives, as part of SPC at home.

METHODS

This explorative and qualitative study included palliative care patients in different stages and relatives to use video consultations as a part of their SPC between October 2016 and March 2017. Data collection took place in the patients’ homes and consisted of participant observations followed by semistructured interviews. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients with the need for SPC, aged more than 18 years, who agreed to participate, and relatives wanting to participate in the video consultations. Data were analyzed with Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological methodology.

RESULTS

A number of patients (n=11) and relatives (n=3) were included and, in total, 86 video consultations were conducted. Patients participating varied in time from 1 month to 6 months, and the number of video consultations per patient varied from 3 to 18. The use of video consultations led to a situation where patients, despite life-threatening illnesses and technical difficulties, took an active role. In addition, relatives were able to join on equal terms, which increased active involvement. The patients had different opinions on when to initiate the use of video consultations in SPC; it was experienced as optional at the initiating stage as well as the final stage of illness. If the video consultations included multiple participants from the SPC team, the use of video consultations could be difficult to complete without interruptions.

CONCLUSIONS

Video consultations in SPC for home-based patients are feasible and facilitate a strengthened involvement and communication between patients, relatives, and SPC team members.
Establishing Digital Biomarkers for Occupational Health Assessment in Commercial Salmon Fishermen: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wilbur Rachel Elizabeth , Griffin Jacob Spencer , Sorensen Mark , Furberg Robert Daniel
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Commercial salmon fishing in Alaska is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Between 1992 and 2008, the average annual industry mortality rate was 128 deaths per 100,000 workers, and despite an increase in industry regulations, there has not been a significant decrease in mortality rate since 2000. Unpredictable fishing openings and fierce competition for limited resources result in periods of intense sleep deprivation and physical strain during the short commercial salmon season in Alaska.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesize that the combined effect of sleep deprivation, intense physical workload, and significant short-term chronic stress may be deleterious to health in both the short- and long-term among commercial salmon drift gillnet fishermen in Alaska. The objective of this protocol is to determine the feasibility of the study design to test this hypothesis.

METHODS

The study design uses mixed methods and includes biometric monitoring consisting of heart rate variability, respiration, and movement data collected via a personal, wearable biometric device. Additional methods include observational data on activity, including duration and quality of sleep, weather, catch, and financial gain, as well as the collection of salivary cortisol. As such, the study will provide a holistic assessment of individual stress on multiple simultaneous timescales: immediately and continuously through the personal wearable biometric device, on the minute-hour level through the multiple daily collections of salivary cortisol, and by the hour-day through the use of participant and environment observational data.

RESULTS

Data collection was initiated in July 2017 and will extend through August 2019. Initial data collection has indicated that the methods outlined in this protocol are feasible and allow for effective collection of qualitative and quantitative data related to the psychological and physiological impact of Alaska commercial salmon fishing.

CONCLUSIONS

We anticipate that the use of a biometric device will be crucial in establishing measures of stress and physical activity within a population and environment uniquely challenged by physical isolation, strong weather patterns, and the potential for significant financial gain by fishermen. The potential exists for individuals engaged long-term in the fishing industry, through repeated and extended exposure to periods of intense sleep deprivation and chronic stress, to be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR

DERR1-10.2196/10215
A Surveillance Infrastructure for Malaria Analytics: Provisioning Data Access and Preservation of Interoperability (Preprint)
Authors: Al Manir Mohammad Sadnan , Brenas Jon Haël , Baker Christopher JO , Shaban-Nejad Arash
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

According to the World Health Organization, malaria surveillance is weakest in countries and regions with the highest malaria burden. A core obstacle is that the data required to perform malaria surveillance are fragmented in multiple data silos distributed across geographic regions. Furthermore, consistent integrated malaria data sources are few, and a low degree of interoperability exists between them. As a result, it is difficult to identify disease trends and to plan for effective interventions.

OBJECTIVE

We propose the Semantics, Interoperability, and Evolution for Malaria Analytics (SIEMA) platform for use in malaria surveillance based on semantic data federation. Using this approach, it is possible to access distributed data, extend and preserve interoperability between multiple dynamic distributed malaria sources, and facilitate detection of system changes that can interrupt mission-critical global surveillance activities.

METHODS

We used Semantic Automated Discovery and Integration (SADI) Semantic Web Services to enable data access and improve interoperability, and the graphical user interface-enabled semantic query engine HYDRA to implement the target queries typical of malaria programs. We implemented a custom algorithm to detect changes to community-developed terminologies, data sources, and services that are core to SIEMA. This algorithm reports to a dashboard. Valet SADI is used to mitigate the impact of changes by rebuilding affected services.

RESULTS

We developed a prototype surveillance and change management platform from a combination of third-party tools, community-developed terminologies, and custom algorithms. We illustrated a methodology and core infrastructure to facilitate interoperable access to distributed data sources using SADI Semantic Web services. This degree of access makes it possible to implement complex queries needed by our user community with minimal technical skill. We implemented a dashboard that reports on terminology changes that can render the services inactive, jeopardizing system interoperability. Using this information, end users can control and reactively rebuild services to preserve interoperability and minimize service downtime.

CONCLUSIONS

We introduce a framework suitable for use in malaria surveillance that supports the creation of flexible surveillance queries across distributed data resources. The platform provides interoperable access to target data sources, is domain agnostic, and with updates to core terminological resources is readily transferable to other surveillance activities. A dashboard enables users to review changes to the infrastructure and invoke system updates. The platform significantly extends the range of functionalities offered by malaria information systems, beyond the state-of-the-art.
Developing of instructional media-based animation video on enzyme and metabolism material in senior high school
Authors: Yusuf Muhammad Mustofa , Amin Mohamad , Nugrahaningsih Nugrahaningsih
Published: February 2018

The research aimed to product a learning material related to animation video on enzyme and metabolism material for high school student which is validated by media and material experts, educational practition and student legibility. Research and development model is ADDIE with quantitative-qualitative data analyzing methode. Data collection was obtained from validation results by media and material experts, educational partition and student legibility. The validation results were scores and suggestion. The percentage of product from expert media validation (100%), expert material validation (89,58%), educational practition (84,61%), and student legibility (81,91%) showed valid of the criteria and feasible to use after revision.
Teachers' Innovativeness and Teaching Approach: The Mediating Role of Creative Classroom Behaviors
Authors: Ucus Sukran , Acar Ibrahim H.
Published: February 2018

We examined the associations between teachers' innovativeness, creative classroom behaviors, and teaching approach (constructivist and traditional) focusing in particular, on the mediating role of teachers' creative classroom behaviors in the relationship between their innovativeness
and their teaching approach. We recruited 247 teachers (80.6% women, 19.4% men) working in early childhood centers and junior classes at elementary schools in Turkey to participate in the study. Participants reported on their innovativeness, creative classroom behaviors, and teaching approach.
There was a positive association between creative classroom behaviors and use of the constructivist teaching approach, and a negative association between innovativeness and use of the traditional teaching approach. Mediation analysis results showed that there was an indirect effect from innovativeness
to the constructivist teaching approach through creative classroom behaviors but this effect did not occur when a traditional teaching approach was used. Implications of our findings are discussed.
REDUCED OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE – A POPULATION-BASED STUDY
Authors: Yao Shenzhen , Lix Lisa , Shevchuk Yvonne , Teare Gary , Blackburn David F
Published: February 2018

Background: In 2007, a drug benefit plan for Seniors (SDP) was launched in Saskatchewan, Canada. SDP capped out-of-pocket costs at $15 per prescription for individuals aged 65 and older.

Objectives: To quantify the impact of the SDP on chronic medication adherence. 

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for participants aged 65 or older who were eligible to the SPD, controlled by a younger group aged 40 to 64 who were ineligible. Adherence was measured over 365 days using medication possession ratio (MPR). MPRs were compared between age groups, and between pre and post SDP-launch periods. The odds ratio of optimal adherence (i.e., MPR≥80%) was estimated using logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results: Between 2005 and 2009, 353,568 adherence observations were observed from 188,109 unique patients. Comparing the post-SDP period vs before, the increase in the odds of optimal medication adherence was significant (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.11) and was stronger after excluding patients already receiving medication benefits from other government programs (OR= 1.21, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.26). The SDP was associated with improved adherence among the subgroup of prevalent medication users (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.12), but not incident users (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.13).

Conclusion: Reducing out-of-pocket medication costs for seniors was associated with small improvements in medication adherence across the population.
Defining U.S. consumers’ (mis)perceptions of pollinator friendly labels: an exploratory study
Authors: Khachatryan Hayk , Rihn Alicia
Published: February 2018

Declining pollinator insect populations is an important global concern due to potential negative environmental and economic consequences. However, research on consumer perceptions of pollinator friendly traits is limited. Understanding consumer perceptions is important because they impact behavior and product selection. In turn, this affects the effectiveness of relevant policies and pollinator insects’ access to beneficial plants. This manuscript quantifies consumers’ perceptions of plant traits that aid pollinators. U.S. consumers (n=1,243) were surveyed to identify their perceptions of pollinator friendly traits. Binary logit models and marginal effects were estimated using 22 plant traits and consumers’ purchasing interest, existing knowledge, and demographic variables. Results imply consumers interested in purchasing pollinator friendly plants selected positive traits regardless of accuracy. Furthermore, consumers selected traits that aligned with their knowledge. Older participants had more accurate perceptions of pollinator friendly traits. Results highlight the challenges facing regulatory efforts geared towards promoting pollinator friendly products/practices.