bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Destruction in Ecuador: Crimes Against Humanity Under the Rome Statute?
Authors: LAMBERT CAITLIN
Published: May 2017

On 16 March 2016, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected on jurisdictional grounds a victims’ request to investigate a case of environmental destruction by Chevron in Ecuador. A little over a year later, on 15 September 2016, the Prosecutor released a policy paper indicating that her office would consider hearing cases of environmental destruction. This article examines how the ICC can prosecute environmental destruction as a crime against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. It presents a survey of the potential jurisdictional and substantive issues of prosecuting environmental issues and uses the victims’ request asking the Prosecutor to investigate environmental destruction by Chevron in the Ecuadorian Amazon as a backdrop. The article proceeds in three parts. Firstly, it discusses the request by the victims in Ecuador asking for the Prosecutor to investigate. Secondly, it sets out the basic jurisdictional framework of the ICC and analyzes why the Prosecutor rejected the victims’ request. Thirdly, it examines Article 7 and concludes that while peacetime environmental destruction committed by a non-state actor that results in a humanitarian atrocity can qualify as a crime against humanity, the factual circumstances alleged in the Ecuadorian victims’ request did not amount to a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute.
Procedural Normative System of the International Court of Justice
Authors: PUNZHIN SERGEY M.
Published: May 2017

On the basis of a thorough empirical analysis, the article comes to a number of theoretical conclusions which have never previously been discussed in the literature. In particular, it demonstrates that the Court's procedure is governed not only by ‘procedural law’ but also by norms which are non-legal. Moreover, it clearly circumscribes which norms in the documents relating to the functioning of the Court are procedural and which lack this character. In their entirety, provisions governing the Court's procedure form a ‘normative system’, with the law being only one of its elements. The Court's procedural norms originate both from the traditional sources of international law as well as from sources which, according to the usual classification, do not necessarily belong to that category. The procedural norms that are derived from all of these sources, while not tending towards uniformity in terms of their characteristics and effect, nevertheless form a system which operates as a whole. The procedure of the International Court of Justice does not fit neatly within the general scheme of ‘legalversusnon-legalnorms’; neither can one readily apply the theory of traditional sources of international law to a procedural system which brings together heterogeneous elements and must therefore be explained keeping in mind its own logic and nature.
Optimal enforcement of (timed) properties with uncontrollable events
Authors: RENARD MATTHIEU , FALCONE YLIÈS , ROLLET ANTOINE , JÉRON THIERRY , MARCHAND HERVÉ
Published: May 2017

This paper deals with runtime enforcement of untimed and timed properties with uncontrollable events. Runtime enforcement consists in defining and using mechanisms that modify the executions of a running system to ensure their correctness with respect to a desired property. We introduce a framework that takes as input any regular (timed) property described by a deterministic automaton over an alphabet of events, with some of these events being uncontrollable. An uncontrollable event cannot be delayed nor intercepted by an enforcement mechanism. Enforcement mechanisms should satisfy important properties, namely soundness, compliance and optimality – meaning that enforcement mechanisms should output as soon as possible correct executions that are as close as possible to the input execution. We define the conditions for a property to be enforceable with uncontrollable events. Moreover, we synthesise sound, compliant and optimal descriptions of runtime enforcement mechanisms at two levels of abstraction to facilitate their design and implementation.
Congenital pseudoaneurysm of the mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa: a case report
Authors: Harrington Jamie K. , Glickstein Julie , Shah Amee
Published: May 2017

The mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa is an area of fibrous continuity between the mitral and aortic valves. We present the first case of a congenital pseudoaneurysm in this region, detected prenatally as an isolated cardiac defect, which was followed-up conservatively postnatally. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiogram demonstrating blood flow into the pouch during systole and into the left ventricular outflow tract during diastole. The infant has been followed-up with serial echocardiograms demonstrating stable size and appearance of the lesion, without signs of obstruction, making close continued observation a reasonable approach.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors in patients with or without CHD: a case–control study
Authors: Björk Anna , Svensson Ann-Marie , Fard Mir Nabi Pirouzi , Eriksson Peter , Dellborg Mikael
Published: May 2017

Background

Approximately 1% of children are born with CHD, and 90–95% reach adulthood. Increased exposure to infections and stress-strain can contribute to an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus. CHD may increase the risk of more serious infections, stress-strain, and increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

We analysed the onset of and the risk of mortality and morbidity associated with concurrent CHD in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared with patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus without CHD. The study combined data from the National Diabetes Register and the National Patient Register.

Results

A total of 104 patients with CHD and type 1 diabetes mellitus were matched with 520 controls. Patients with CHD and type 1 diabetes mellitus had an earlier onset of diabetes (13.9 versus 17.4 years, p<0.001), longer duration of diabetes (22.4 versus 18.1 years, p<0.001), higher prevalence of retinopathy (64.0 versus 43.0%, p=0.003), higher creatinine levels (83.5 versus 74.1 µmol/L, p=0.03), higher mortality (16 versus 5%, p=0.002), and after onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus higher rates of co-morbidity (5.28 versus 3.18, p⩽0.01), heart failure (9 versus 2%, p=0.02), and stroke (6 versus 2%, p=0.048) compared with controls.

Conclusions

From a nationwide register of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the coexistence of CHD and type 1 diabetes mellitus was associated with an earlier onset, a higher frequency of microvascular complications, co-morbidity, and mortality.
In the Drink: A Review of Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Water-Related Activities in the Top End region, Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Jenkins Bevan , Read D. J. , McDermott K. , Ward L. M , Treacy P. J.
Published: May 2017

Study/Objective

A 10-year descriptive analysis of morbidity and mortality associated with water-related activities in the Top End, Northern Territory (NT), Australia.

Background

An outdoor, water-orientated lifestyle characterises the Top End due to its tropical climate, lengthy coastline, many inland-waterways, and common domestic-pool ownership. However, the water holds many dangers: from drowning to the prospect of crocodile attacks.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from two sources: the Trauma Registry (TR), Royal Darwin Hospital, NT and the National Coronial Information System. Inclusion criteria: all mortality or injury with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥9 from water-related activity in the Top End. Exclusion criteria: envenomation. Data included: demographics, geographical location, time/mechanism of injury, injury narrative/outcome, alcohol consumption, ISS, and Indigenous race.

Results

Ninety-five deaths occurred from 1/1/2005–12/31/2014; 87 prehospital (92%). The leading three mechanisms of injury for the 138 TR admissions were drowning (40%), falling/diving (35%), and watercraft events (14%). Median age 27 (0-90); 78% males. There were 74 children (<16 years) including 20 deaths. Indigenous Australians represent 30% of the NT population, but had 43% of deaths and 12% of admissions. Deaths from crocodile attacks are increasing with 14 deaths from 2005-2014, compared to 10 deaths from 1971-2004 (Caldicutt). Alcohol was recorded in 31% of admissions and 52% of deaths in those age >16. The Top End’s crude rate of drowning averaged over 10 years was 4.36/100,000/annum, compared to 1.31/100,000/annum in Australia.

Conclusion

Alcohol plays a major role in the Top End’s water-related harm, associated with all mechanisms and over one-half of adult deaths. Also striking is increasing crocodile fatalities, possibly caused by population recovery from endangered to plentiful, since hunting ceased in 1971. Local authorities/advocates push water-safety and crocodile-awareness programs. However, the lure of tropical waters combined with alcohol remains a risk to life and limb. Further public health campaigns focusing on these issues are called for.
Restart capability of resting-states ofEuglena gracilisafter 9 months of dormancy: preparation for autonomous space flight experiments
Authors: Strauch Sebastian M. , Becker Ina , Pölloth Laura , Richter Peter R. , Haag Ferdinand W. M. , Hauslage Jens , Lebert Michael
Published: May 2017

Dormant states of organisms are easier to store than the living state because they tolerate larger variations in temperature, light, storage space etc., making them attractive for laboratory culture stocks and also for experiments under special circumstances, especially space flight experiments. Like several other organisms,Euglena gracilisis capable of forming desiccation tolerant resting states in order to survive periods of unfavourable environmental conditions. In earlier experiments it was found that dormantEuglenacells must not become completely desiccated. Some residual moisture is required to ensure recovery of the resting states. To analyse the water demand in recovery ofEuglenaresting states, cells were transferred to a defined amount of cotton wool (0.5 g). Subsequently different volumes of medium (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 20 ml) were added in order to supply humidity; a control was set up without additional liquid. Samples were sealed in transparent 50 ml falcon tubes and stored for 9 months under three different conditions:

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Constant low light conditions in a culture chamber at 20°C,

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In a black box, illuminated with short light emitting diode-light pulses provided by joule thieves and

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In darkness in a black box.

After 9 months, cells were transferred to fresh medium and cell number, photosynthetic efficiency and movement behavior was monitored over 3 weeks. It was found that cells recovered under all conditions except in the control, where no medium was supplied. Transcription levels of 21 genes were analysed with a Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. One hour after rehydration five of these genes were found to be up-regulated: ubiquitin, heat shock proteins HSP70, HSP90, the calcium-sensor protein frequenin and a distinct protein kinase, which is involved in gravitaxis. The results indicate a transient general stress response of the cells.
Spray Drift from Dicamba and Glyphosate Applications in a Wind Tunnel
Authors: Sousa Alves Guilherme , Kruger Greg R. , da Cunha João Paulo A. R. , Vieira Bruno C. , Henry Ryan S. , Obradovic Andjela , Grujic Mica
Published: May 2017

With the recent introductions of glyphosate- and dicamba-tolerant crops, such as soybean and cotton, there will be an increase in POST-applied tank-mixtures of these two herbicides. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate drift from dicamba applications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dicamba with and without glyphosate sprayed through standard and air induction flat-fan nozzles on droplet spectrum and drift potential in a low-speed wind tunnel. Two standard (XR and TT) and two air induction (AIXR and TTI) 110015 nozzles were used. The applications were made at 276 kPa pressure in a 2.2 ms−1 wind speed. Herbicide treatments evaluated included dicamba alone at 560 gaeha−1 and dicamba+glyphosate at 560+1,260 gaeha−1. The droplet spectrum was measured using a laser diffraction system. Artificial targets were used as drift collectors, positioned in a wind tunnel from 2 to 12 m downwind from the nozzle. Drift potential was determined using a fluorescent tracer added to solutions, quantified by fluorimetry. Dicamba droplet spectrum and drift depended on the association between herbicide solution and nozzle type. Dicamba alone produced coarser droplets than dicamba+glyphosate when sprayed through air induction nozzles. Drift decreased exponentially as downwind distance increased and it was reduced using air induction nozzles for both herbicide solutions.
Gedanken zum Vernachlässigen des Selbst
Authors: Kiereck Maximilian
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die erste Trennung von einem Partner, ein herber Rückschlag im Berufsleben oder eine misslungene Klausur – war nicht jeder Mensch in der einen oder anderen Situation, welche das zuvor sichergeglaubte „Selbst“ derart erschüttert hat, so dass es über einen bestimmten Zeitraum nicht die Aufmerksamkeit und Fürsorge erhielt, die notwendig war? Arbeit in Wechselschichten, erlebte Aggression und Gewalt im psychiatrischen Alltag oder das verlorengegangene Sinnverständnis sinnvoller pflegerischer Arbeit kenne ich aus eigener Erfahrung. Für mich stellen sich häufig die Fragen: Warum tu ich mir das an? Wieso wird meine Arbeit eigentlich nicht wertgeschätzt, personell wie auch monetär?
Ermutigerin und Freundin
Authors: Prins Sibylle , Nuißl Klaus
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Am 5. April 2017 wurde Dorothea Buck 100 Jahre alt. Sie ist schon zu Lebzeiten zur Legende geworden. Zunächst durch ihren vielbeachteten Erfahrungsbericht „Auf der Spur des Morgensterns“, aber auch durch ihr unermüdliches Engagement für eine Gesellschaft und Psychiatrie, in der sich die Gräuel der „Euthanasie“ niemals wiederholen dürfen, für die Anerkennung und Rehabilitation der Opfer, gegen eine gesprächslose Psychiatrie, gegen Zwang in der Psychiatrie, für die Mitbegründung des Trialogs und der Psychose-Seminare, für die Anstöße zur Selbsthilfe der Psychiatrie-Erfahrenen und nicht zuletzt für eine andere, verständnisvollere Betrachtung von Psychose-Inhalten.
Hinsehen und Hinriechen, Hinhören und Hinfühlen
Authors: Hahn Sabine
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Anna Gogl ist diplomierte psychiatrische Pflegefachfrau, Pflegelehrerin und Pflegeexpertin. Seit 1959 ist sie in der psychiatrischen Pflege tätig gewesen. Sie hat nicht nur Psychiatrie-Geschichte miterlebt sondern auch auf verschiedenen Ebenen Einfluss genommen. Mit dem Buch „Selbstvernachlässigung bei alten Menschen – Von den Phänomenen zum Pflegehandeln“ hat sie vor drei Jahren deutliche Spuren hinterlassen. Ein Buch, auf reflektierte Erfahrungen setzt.
Do Individual Differences in Emotion Regulation Mediate the	Relationship Between Mental Toughness and Symptoms of	Depression?
Authors: Mutz Julian , Clough Peter , Papageorgiou Kostas A.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Mental Toughness (MT) provides crucial psychological capacities for achievement in sports, education, and work settings. Previous research examined the role of MT in the domain of mental health and showed that MT is negatively associated with and predictive of fewer depressive symptoms in nonclinical populations. The present study aimed at (1) investigating to what extent mentally tough individuals use two emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression; (2) exploring whether individual differences in emotion regulation strategy use mediate the relationship between MT and depressive symptoms. Three hundred sixty-four participants (M = 24.31 years, SD = 9.16) provided self-reports of their levels of MT, depressive symptoms, and their habitual use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. The results showed a statistically significant correlation between MT and two commonly used measures of depressive symptoms. A small statistically significant positive correlation between MT and the habitual use of cognitive reappraisal was also observed. The correlation between MT and the habitual use of expressive suppression was statistically significant, but the size of the effect was small. A statistical mediation model indicated that individual differences in the habitual use of expressive suppression mediate the relationship between MT and depressive symptoms. No such effect was found for the habitual use of cognitive reappraisal. Implications of these findings and possible avenues for future research are discussed.
Sesn2 gene ablation enhances susceptibility to gentamicin-induced hair cell death via modulation of AMPK/mTOR signaling
Authors: Ebnoether Eliane , Ramseier Alessia , Cortada Maurizio , Bodmer Daniel , Levano-Huaman Soledad
Published: May 2017

The process of gentamicin-induced hair cell damage includes the activation of oxidative stress processes. Sestrins, as stress-responsive proteins, protect cells against oxidative stress. Sestrins, particularly Sestrin-2, suppress excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and inhibit mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Thus, we addressed the role of Sestrin-2 in the regulation of sensory hair cell survival after gentamicin exposure. Here, we show that Sestrins were expressed in the inner ear tissues, and Sestrin-2 immunolocalized in sensory hair cells and spiral ganglion (SG). The expression of Sestrin-2 was unchanged, and later downregulated, in gentamicin-treated explants from wild-type mice in vitro. Compared with wild-type mice, Sestrin-2 knockout mice exhibited significantly greater hair cell loss in gentamicin-treated cochlear explants. Significant downregulation of phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα) and upregulation of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) were measured in wild-type cochlear explants exposed to gentamicin compared with their untreated controls. Such regulatory effect was not observed between explants from untreated and gentamicin-treated knockout mice. The gentamicin effect on mTOR signaling was rapamycin-sensitive. Thus, our data provide evidence that Sestrin-2 plays an important role in the protection of hair cells against gentamicin, and the mTOR signaling pathway appears to be modulated by gentamicin during hair cell death.
Differential cytokine withdrawal-induced death sensitivity of effector T cells derived from distinct human CD8+ memory subsets
Authors: Larsen Sasha E , Voss Kelsey , Laing Eric D , Snow Andrew L
Published: May 2017

CD8+central memory (CM) and effector memory (EM) T-cell subsets exhibit well-established differences in proliferative and protective capacity after infectious challenge. However, their relative sensitivity to apoptosis has been largely overlooked, despite the importance of programmed cell death in regulating effector T-cell homeostasis. Here we demonstrate that primary human effector T cells derived from the CD8+EM subset exhibit significantly higher sensitivity to cytokine withdrawal-induced cell death (CWID), a critical intrinsic apoptosis program responsible for culling cells once an infection is cleared and interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels diminish. Interestingly, we found no differences in the expression of IL-2 or IL-2 receptor components in cells originating from either subset. Relative to CM-derived effectors, however, EM-derived T cells displayed more mitochondrial instability and greater caspase activity. Indeed, we found that heightened CWID sensitivity in EM-derived effectors coincided with higher expression of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein BIM, both at steady state and withde novoinduction following withdrawal of exogenous IL-2. These data point to ‘imprinted’ differences in BIM protein regulation, preserved by CD8+CM and EM progeny, which govern their relative sensitivity to CWID. In addition, we detected a burst of autophagy after IL-2 withdrawal, which was better maintained in CM-derived T cells. Both subsets showed increased, equivalent CWID sensitivity upon treatment with autophagy inhibitors, suggesting sustained autophagy could preferentially protect CM-derived T cells from apoptosis. These findings offer new insight into how CM CD8+T cells display superior effector cell expansion and more persistent memory responsesin vivorelative to EM-derived T cells, based in part on decreased CWID sensitivity.
Endogenous miRNA Sponge LincRNA-ROR promotes proliferation, invasion and stem cell-like phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Fu Zhiqiang , Li Guolin , Li Zhihua , Wang Yingxue , Zhao Yue , Zheng Shangyou , Ye Huilin , Luo Yuming , Zhao Xiaohui , Wei Lusheng , Liu Yimin , Lin Qing , Zhou Quanbo , Chen Rufu
Published: May 2017

The long intergenic non-coding RNA, regulator of reprogramming (linc-ROR) is an oncogene and plays a key role in the embryonic stem cell maintenance and is involved in cancer progression. The objective of this study was to analyze linc-ROR expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and determine the regulation effects of linc-ROR on proliferation and invasion of cancer cells, as well as properties of cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs). In this study, we found that linc-ROR was up-regulated in PDAC tissues and related to poor prognosis. Linc-ROR knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells inhibited cell growth and arrested in G1 phrase. Suppressed linc-ROR expression also attenuated cancer cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We observed that linc-ROR expression was increased in CSLCs. Importantly, linc-ROR knockdown impaired the properties and tumorigenesis of pancreatic CSLCs in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that linc-ROR functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to several tumor suppressor microRNAs, particularly some members of let-7 family. We conclude that, as a crucial oncogene, linc-ROR promotes cell proliferation, invasiveness and contributes to stem cell properties of CSLCs in PDAC via acting as a ceRNA to regulate function of microRNAs. The linc-ROR is a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Supramolecular structural transformation of N,N′-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-naphthalene diimide and fluorescence water sensing
Authors: Li Guo-Bi , Yang Qing-Yuan , Pan Rong-Kai , Liu Shenggui , Xu Yao-Wei
Published: May 2017

The supramolecular organic structure exhibits reversible dehydration/rehydration in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal process, selective adsorption of CO2over N2as well as H2and sorption selectivity for water and fluorescence sensing of water.
Optimisation of an extraction/leaching procedure for the characterisation and quantification of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in aquatic environments using SdFFF-ICP-MS and SEM-EDX analyses
Authors: Dutschke Florian , Irrgeher Johanna , Pröfrock Daniel
Published: May 2017

A novel, optimized and validated extraction method for engineered TiO2nano-particles from environmental samples prior to SdFFF-MALS-ICP-MS/MS analysis is presented.
Enantiomeric separation of tryptophan by open-tubular microchip capillary electrophoresis using polydopamine/gold nanoparticles conjugated DNA as stationary phase
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhang Yi , Chen Wujuan , Zhang Yating , Zhu Luqi , He Pingang , Wang Qingjiang
Published: May 2017

We reported the use of polydopamine/Au nanoparticles/DNA (PDA/Au NPs/DNA) as a stationary phase for the separation of tryptophan enantiomers by microchip capillary electrophoresis (MCE).
Synthesis of highly luminescent Cu/Ag bimetal nanoclusters and their application in a temperature sensor
Authors: Han Bingyan , Hou Xufen , Xiang Rongchao , He Gaohong
Published: May 2017

Highly luminescent Cu/Ag Bimetal nanoclusters (BNCs) has been synthesized based on weakly luminescent Cu NCs by the introduction of a certain amount of Ag+.
An open-framework manganese(ii) phosphite and its composite membranes with polyvinylidene fluoride exhibiting intrinsic water-assisted proton conductance
Authors: Wang Mei , Luo Hong-Bin , Zhang Jin , Liu Shao-Xian , Xue Chen , Zou Yang , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: May 2017

An open-framework manganese(ii) phosphite shows intrinsic water-assisted proton conductance; homogenous composite membranes have been fabricated, and the water-assisted proton conductivities have been studied.
Intense greenish phosphorescence emission under ambient conditions in a two-dimensional lead(ii) coordination polymer with a 1,1′-ethynebenzene-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylate ligand
Authors: Liu Xiao , Zhai Lu , Zhang Wen-Wei , Zuo Jin-Lin , Yang Zhu-Xi , Ren Xiao-Ming
Published: May 2017

A new 2D Pb2+-based coordination polymer emits intense greenish phosphorescence in the solid state under ambient conditions with a quantum yield of 1.5% and a phosphorescence lifetime of 4.17 ms.
A ferrocenecarboxylate-functionalized titanium-oxo-cluster: the ferrocene wheel as a sensitizer for photocurrent response
Authors: Fan Yang , Cui Ying , Zou Guo-Dong , Duan Rui-Huan , Zhang Xu , Dong Yu-Xiang , Lv Hai-Ting , Cao Jun-Tao , Jing Qiang-Shan
Published: May 2017

A ferrocenecarboxylate-functionalized titanium-oxo cluster [Ti6(μ3-O)6(OiPr)6(O2CFc)6] was synthesized, in which the ferrocene wheel performs as a sensitizer for photocurrent response.
Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside combined with its metabolite protocatechuic acid attenuated the activation of mice hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Jiang Xinwei , Shen Tianran , Tang Xilan , Yang Wenqi , Guo Honghui , Ling Wenhua
Published: May 2017

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside with the aid of its metabolite protocatechuic acid attenuated the activation of mice hepatic stellate cells.
Reductive amination/cyclization of levulinic acid to pyrrolidones versus pyrrolidines by switching the catalyst from AlCl3 to RuCl3 under mild conditions
Authors: Wu Cailing , Luo Xiaoying , Zhang Hongye , Liu Xinwei , Ji Guipeng , Liu Zhenghui , Liu Zhimin
Published: May 2017

Reductive amination/cyclization of levulinic acid was presented to selectively produce pyrrolidones versus pyrrolidines by switching the catalyst from AlCl3 to RuCl3 under mild conditions.
Ionic liquids grafted onto graphene oxide as a new multifunctional heterogeneous catalyst and its application in the one-pot multi-component synthesis of hexahydroquinolines
Authors: Sobhani Sara , Zarifi Farzaneh , Skibsted Jørgen
Published: May 2017

The synergistic effect of ionic liquids and carboxylic acids in the reaction mechanism improved the catalytic activity of supported ILs.
Synthesis of textured polysaccharide–silica nanocomposites: a comparison between cellulose and chitin nanorod precursors
Authors: Cardoso Laura , Cacciaguerra Thomas , Gaveau Philippe , Heux Laurent , Belamie Emmanuel , Alonso Bruno
Published: May 2017

Through a straightforward sol–gel procedure, two polysaccharide (cellulose and chitin) nanorods can be used to elaborate textured hybrid nanocomposites and mesoporous silica-based materials whose textural properties are defined by the nanorod dimensions and concentrations.
Composites of BaAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+/organic dye encapsulated in mesoporous silica as multicolor long persistent phosphors based on radiative energy transfer
Authors: Das Sourav , Manam Jairam , Sharma S. K.
Published: May 2017

Multicolor long persistent phosphors based on radiative energy transfer.
A new rod-shaped BODIPY-acetylene molecule for solution-processed semiconducting microribbons in n-channel organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Ozdemir Mehmet , Choi Donghee , Zorlu Yunus , Cosut Bunyemin , Kim Hyungsug , Kim Choongik , Usta Hakan
Published: May 2017

A novel solution-processable BODIPY-based small molecule (BDY-PhAc-BDY) yields highly-crystalline, one-dimensional (1-D) microribbon semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs).
Novel imine-linked porphyrin covalent organic frameworks with good adsorption removing properties of RhB
Authors: Hou Yuxia , Zhang Xiaomei , Wang Chiming , Qi Dongdong , Gu Yongqing , Wang Ziqian , Jiang Jianzhuang
Published: May 2017

A porphyrin COF was constructed and post-treated with FeCl3 which led to the CuP-DMNDA-COF/Fe material displaying superior adsorption performance for RhB.
Design and fabrication of Co3V2O8nanotubes by electrospinning as a high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Qin Zhongzheng , Pei Jian , Chen Gang , Chen Dahong , Hu Yongyuan , Lv Chade , Bie Changfeng
Published: May 2017

Co3V2O8nanotubes are fabricatedviablending electrospinning followed by annealing, which exhibit superior performance as anode materials for LIBs.
Selective hydration of asymmetric internal aryl alkynes without directing groups to α-aryl ketones over Cu-based catalyst
Authors: Mei Qingqing , Liu Huizhen , Hou Minqiang , Liu Hangyu , Han Buxing
Published: May 2017

The catalyst enlarges the uniqueness of the electron population on the two triple-bond carbon atoms, resulting in highly regioselective hydration.
Strongly Fully Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme for the weighted completion time minimization problem on two-parallel capacitated machines
Authors: Kacem Imed , Sahnoune Myriam , Schmidt Günter
Published: May 2017

We consider the total weighted completion time minimization for the two-parallel capacitated machines scheduling problem. In this problem, one of the machines can process jobs until a certain time T1 after which it is no longer available. The other machine is continuously available for performing jobs at any time. We prove the existence of a strongly Fully Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme (FPTAS) for the studied problem, which extends the results for the unweighted version (see [I. Kacem, Y. Lanuel and M. Sahnoune, Strongly Fully Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme for the two-parallel capacitated machines scheduling problem, Int. J. Plann. Sched. 1 (2011) 32–41]). Our FPTAS is based on the simplification of a dynamic programming algorithm. Moreover, we present a set of numerical experiments and we discuss the results.
Some results about component factors in graphs
Authors: Zhou Sizhong
Published: May 2017

For a set ℋ of connected graphs, a spanning subgraph H of a graph G is called an
ℋ-factor of G if every component of H is isomorphic to a member ofℋ. An H-factor is also referred as a component factor. If each component of H is a star (resp. path), H is called a star (resp. path) factor. By a P≥ k-factor (k positive integer) we mean a path factor in which each component path has at least k vertices (i.e. it has length at least k − 1). A graph G is called a P≥ k-factor covered graph, if for each edge e of G, there is a P≥ k-factor covering e. In this paper, we prove that (1) a graph G has a {K1,1,K1,2, … ,K1,k}-factor if and only if bind(G) ≥ 1/k,
where k ≥ 2 is an integer; (2) a connected graph G is a P≥ 2-factor covered graph if
bind(G) > 2/3; (3) a connected graph G is a P≥ 3-factor covered graph if
bind(G) ≥ 3/2. Furthermore, it is shown that the results in this paper are best possible in some sense.
A stochastic programming approach for Shelter location and evacuation planning
Authors: Bayram Vedat , Yaman Hande
Published: May 2017

Shelter location and traffic allocation decisions are critical for an efficient evacuation plan. In this study, we propose a scenario-based two-stage stochastic evacuation planning model that optimally locates shelter sites and that assigns evacuees to nearest shelters and to shortest paths within a tolerance degree to minimize the expected total evacuation time. Our model considers the uncertainty in the evacuation demand and the disruption in the road network and shelter sites. We present a case study for a potential earthquake in Istanbul. We compare the performance of the stochastic programming solutions to solutions based on single scenarios and mean values.
Projecting demands for renal replacement therapy in the Northern Territory: a stochastic Markov model
Authors: You Jiqiong , Zhao Yuejen , Lawton Paul , Guthridge Steven , McDonald Stephen P. , Cass Alan
Published: May 2017

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of different health intervention strategies on demand for renal replacement therapy (RRT) services in the Northern Territory (NT). Methods A Markov chain simulation model was developed to estimate demand for haemodialysis (HD) and kidney transplantation (Tx) over the next 10 years, based on RRT registry data between 2002 and 2013. Four policy-relevant scenarios were evaluated: (1) increased Tx; (2) increased self-care dialysis; (3) reduced incidence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD); and (4) reduced mortality. Results There were 957 new cases of ESKD during the study period, with most patients being Indigenous people (85%). The median age was 50 years at onset and 57 years at death, 12 and 13 years younger respectively than Australian medians. The prevalence of RRT increased 5.6% annually, 20% higher than the national rate (4.7%). If current trends continue (baseline scenario), the demand for facility-based HD (FHD) would approach 100 000 treatments (95% confidence interval 75 000–121 000) in 2023, a 5% annual increase. Increasing Tx (0.3%), increasing self-care (5%) and reducing incidence (5%) each attenuate demand for FHD to ~70 000 annually by 2023. Conclusions The present study demonstrates the effects of changing service patterns to increase Tx, self-care and prevention, all of which will substantially attenuate the growth in FHD requirements in the NT. What is known about the topic? The burden of ESKD is projected to increase in the NT, with demand for FHD doubling every 15 years. Little is known about the potential effect of changes in health policy and clinical practice on demand. What does this paper add? This study assessed the usefulness of a stochastic Markov model to evaluate the effects of potential policy changes on FHD demand. What are the implications for practitioners? The scenarios simulated by the stochastic Markov models suggest that changes in current ESKD management practices would have a large effect on future demand for FHD.
Mapping regulatory models for medicinal cannabis: a matrix of options
Authors: Belackova Vendula , Shanahan Marian , Ritter Alison
Published: May 2017

Objective
The aim of the present study was to develop a framework for assessing regulatory options for medicinal cannabis in Australia.

Methods
International regulatory regimes for medicinal cannabis were reviewed with a qualitative policy analysis approach and key policy features were synthesised, leading to a conceptual framework that facilitates decision making across multiple dimensions.

Results
Two central organising dimensions of medicinal cannabis regulation were identified: cannabis supply and patient authorisation (including patient access). A number of the different supply options can be matched with a number of different patient authorisation options, leading to a matrix of possible regulatory regimes.

Conclusions
The regulatory options, as used internationally, involve different forms of cannabis (synthetic and plant-based pharmaceutical preparations or herbal cannabis) and the varying extent to which patient authorisation policies and procedures are stringently or more loosely defined. The optimal combination of supply and patient authorisation options in any jurisdiction that chooses to make medicinal cannabis accessible will depend on policy goals.

What is known about the topic?
Internationally, regulation of medicinal cannabis has developed idiosyncratically, depending on formulations that were made available and local context. There has been no attempt to date in the scientific literature to systematically document the variety of regulatory possibilities for medicinal cannabis.

What does this paper add?
This paper presents a new conceptual schema for considering options for the regulation of medicinal cannabis, across both supply and patient authorisation aspects.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The design of regulatory systems in Australia, whether for pharmaceutical or herbal products, is a vital issue for policy makers right now as federal and state and territory governments grapple with the complexities of medicinal cannabis regulation. The conceptual schema presented herein provides a tool for more systematic thinking about the options.
Underground storage of carbon dioxide in the Harvey area, south-west Western Australia
Authors: Lim David , Strachan Geoff , Van Gent Dominique , Sharma Sandeep
Published: May 2017

Underground storage of carbon dioxide as a means of reducing atmospheric emissions of CO2 has been examined both theoretically and practically over the past decade. There is a large amount of research and field experience in the energy sector to show that underground storage of CO2 is feasible. The Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute has identified 38i large-scale projects (operating and/or in the planning) with many companies currently sequestering tons of CO2 per year.
This paper reports on static and dynamic modelling studies conducted on the Harvey structure, onshore Perth Basin, to assess the suitability of the Lesueur Sandstone in the Lower Lesueur Region of Western Australia as a potential geological CO2 sequestration site. The study area for this project within this structure covers 332 km2 and is located approximately 13 km north-west of the town of Harvey, south of Perth.
The static and dynamic modelling investigated a suite of full field simulation models that cover a range of subsurface uncertainties providing confidence that the CO2 plume stays below 800 mTVDss (metres true vertical depth sub sea) within the storage complex for more than 1000 years after injection ceases. The results of the modelling show that it could be feasible to inject 800 000 tonnes CO2 per annum over 30 years into the storage complex. Modelling studies shows that the main factors controlling CO2 plume migration are trapped gas saturation and the solubility of CO2 in brine.
Green enhanced oil recovery (GEOR)
Authors: Haq Bashirul , Liu Jishan , Liu Keyu
Published: May 2017

Green enhanced oil recovery (GEOR) is a chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method involving the injection of specific green chemicals (surfactants/alcohols/polymers) that effectively displace oil because of their phase-behaviour properties, which decrease the interfacial tension (IFT) between the displacing liquid and the oil. In this process, the primary displacing liquid slug is a complex chemical system called a micellar solution, containing green surfactants, co-surfactants, oil, electrolytes and water. The surfactant slug is relatively small, typically 10% pore volume (PV). It may be followed by a mobility buffer such as polymer. The total volume of the polymer solution is typically ~1 PV.
This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the combination of microbial by-products Bacillus subtilise strain JF-2 bio-surfactant and alcohol in recovering residual oil. It also considered whether bio-surfactant capability could be improved by blending it with non-ionic green surfactant. The study consisted of a phase behaviour study, IFT measurement and core-flooding experiments.
In the phase behaviour study, it was found that 0.5% alkyl polyglycosides (APG) and 0.5–1.00% of butanol at 2% NaCl gave stable middle phase micro-emulsion. Non-ionic (APG 264) and anionic (bio-surfactant) mixtures are able to form stable middle phase micro-emulsion. Based on IFT reduction, two low concentrations (40 and 60 mg/l) of JF-2 bio-surfactant were identified where IFT values were low. The bio-surfactant and butanol formulation produced a total ~39.3% of oil initially in place (OIIP).
Methodology for assessing original gas in place and estimated ultimate recovery from a tight marine formation using hydraulic fracture stimulation modelling
Authors: Goldman Matthew , Johnson Raymond L.
Published: May 2017

Operators in Australia are currently exploring similar geological settings to the tight marine unconventional petroleum systems of the United States, in the hope of emulating the North American success. This study sets out the methodology and models required to undertake an analysis of a tight marine source and reservoir rock to estimate its production potential, with particular attention given to modelling the required hydraulic fracture stimulation. The project target formation is the tight marine Log Creek Formation, which forms the source rock to the overlying proved Gilmore Gas Field in the Adavale Basin in Central Queensland. The Marcellus Formation in the Appalachian Basin in the Northeastern United States is an assumed analogue to the Adavale Basin; data from the Marcellus Formation was used when unavailable for the Adavale Basin. Initially, formation evaluation was undertaken to determine key parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC), mineralogy and stress regime. Once the formation had been characterised, a fracture stimulation model was built to determine the hydraulic fracture stimulation treatment design, which optimised the lateral landing depth, hydraulic fracture spacing, conductivity and half‐length. In particular, it is important to determine the lateral landing depth and fracture half‐length with confidence, as they will define the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), which sets the upper boundary on original gas in place (OGIP) and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of gas. OGIP was estimated using a probabilistic model incorporating an adjustment for absorbed gas volume. Finally, a reservoir simulation was undertaken using a single well composite multi‐fracture model to obtain EUR.
Cryogenic expansion joint for LNG service
Authors: Lu Minyuan , Wheeler Cameron , Weir Stephanie
Published: May 2017

Pipelines transporting cryogenic liquids, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), are typically constructed with metal components with a relatively high thermal expansion coefficient. Pipelines contract in length due to the large temperature differential that occurs. To accommodate this thermal contraction, LNG plants, offloading jetties, and other facilities typically utilise expansion loops and/or conventional in-line expansion joints (e.g. bellows). However, expansion loops require a large amount of space and support platforms, which can be costly and/or disruptive to an LNG facility construction. Additionally, conventional bellows-type expansion joints offer very little torsional strength, which may lead to catastrophic failure in the joint. Engineers at Clough Limited have patented two unique embodiments of a cryogenic expansion joint:

a sliding concentric pipe-in-pipe cryogenic expansion joint; and

a torsional cryogenic expansion joint.

Both designs utilise inherent material properties to seal sequential pipeline segments together at cryogenic conditions. The pipe-in-pipe expansion joint provides large axial and unlimited torsional movement. The torsional expansion joint provides unlimited radial and some axial movement. These embodiments eliminate the large conventional expansion loops and reduce project capital expenditure.
Five years on: monitoring of Long Island Point’s Western Port wastewater discharge
Authors: Bok Melanie , Chidgey Scott , Crockett Peter
Published: May 2017

The Esso Long Island Point facility is situated on the edge of Western Port, an important Ramsar designated wetland for migratory birds in Victoria, Australia. The gas fractionation and crude oil storage facility has operated for over 40 years and has discharged treated wastewater to Western Port for most of these years in accordance with its environmental regulatory licence. The 2003 State Environment Protection Policy for Waters of Western Port is the Victorian Environment Protection Authority’s regulatory framework for licensing wastewater discharges to the wetland, and among other items, requires that discharges must cause no ‘detrimental change in the environmental quality of the receiving waters’ or ‘chronic impacts outside any declared mixing zone’. A major upgrade to the water treatment facility in 2010 included a risk-based marine ecosystem program to monitor key environmental indicators including water quality, jetty pile invertebrate communities and seagrass condition. The program’s longer-term monitoring record has allowed assessment of potential chronic effects on invertebrates and seagrass by comparing temporal changes at monitoring sites over the period from pre-operations (2010) to present (2016) and spatial changes between near-field to far-field sites, kilometres from the discharge point. The program has shown that management of the discharge maintains beneficial uses and environmental objectives at the boundary of the mixing zone, and the marine ecosystem is protected from potentially slower and longer-term adverse effects in the far-field. The program demonstrates that the treated wastewater discharge has had no adverse impact on key environmental indicators in Western Port over the longer-term study period.
Visualisation of geomorphological features and interpretation of the depositional system of the Brewster Member, Ichthys Field
Authors: Arsalan Syed Iftikhar , Ichizawa Keiji , Furuya Keiichi
Published: May 2017

The Brewster Member of the Early Cretaceous Upper Vulcan Formation is one of the main reservoirs of the Ichthys Field. The Brewster reservoir is characterised as massive sandstone, 150–200 m thick, deposited in a deep marine environment. It has a high net sand-to-gross ratio (over 90%) throughout the field, but heterogeneous reservoir quality between the wells. Visualisation of various geo-morphological features from seismic data is critical for the better understanding of the reservoir. Due to thick overburden, frequency content of the seismic volume is limited at reservoir level. Since the reservoir primarily consists of high net sand-to-gross sandstone, and seismic data has limited resolution, it is difficult to identify the various depositional elements using conventional seismic amplitude interpretation. Seismic attribute visualisation techniques were applied to Ichthys 3D seismic and inverted P-impedance data, enabling identification of several geo-morphological features in this otherwise massive sandstone interval (e.g. feeder channel belt, channel-lobe complex, channel-lobe fringe). Core and log scale sedimentological interpretation were tied to the identified feature to understand the depositional architecture of the Brewster Member, which could lead to a better understanding of the distribution of reservoir properties.
Resurrection at AGL Silver Springs and Wallumbilla: case study of bringing field and surface facilities back to life
Authors: Croker John , Kidd Matthew , Nicola Evie , Dean James
Published: May 2017

AGL acquired the Silver Springs reserves and operations from Mosaic Oil in 2010, including several depleted yet condensate-rich gas fields. Gas was sent from Silver Springs to the Wallumbilla LPG plant (acquired by AGL in 2011) to be refined into sales gas, LPG and condensate. AGL’s objective was to build a commercial underground gas storage facility by converting the Silver Springs gas field into an underground storage reservoir. The business intent was to run the reservoir in alternating injection and withdrawal mode to take advantage of supply and demand economics.
Setting up for injection and withdrawal required the commissioning of 10 petroleum producing wells, bi-directional high-pressure flowlines and associated infrastructure. A high-pressure injection compressor was commissioned. Injection of dry sales gas into wells commenced in 2011. Withdrawal at a higher rate than original was facilitated by new separation and dehydration equipment.
The Wallumbilla plant was refitted extensively, including flare and venting upgrades and recertification of the pipeline and every pressure vessel on-site.
Withdrawal mode operations commenced in October 2015. The LPG plant operability was demonstrated; however, running at design rate was compromised by excessive chilling in the cryogenic section of the Wallumbilla plant, caused by lower than expected LPG quantities in the withdrawn gas. Process engineering work resulted in design of a regenerative heater to warm the sub-cooled gas.
The presentation covers the extent of the improvement work and the process investigations, which have formed the basis to ensure future versatile operation.