bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Dispersion and Permeability Variation on Propagation of Tracer Concentration in Permeable Media
Authors: Shen Tong , Tian Wei , Moghanloo Rouzbeh Ghanbarnezhad
Published: November 2016

This paper examines the decoupling of small-scale heterogeneity (dispersion) and permeability variation in a two-well tracer injection. Tracer transport in heterogeneous reservoirs is governed by spreading (because of the spatial variability of permeability) and mixing (due to dispersion); the combined effects of these two phenomena can be described at very late times (rarely met in practice) by Taylor's theory of asymptotic dispersion. However, decoupling of the heterogeneities at earlier times (pre-asymptotic) has yet to be evaluated.

A systematic approach is presented to study tracer propagation (across all layers) in the absence of any cross-flow for a heterogeneous stratified reservoir. The fraction of layers where tracer transport occurs faster than the dispersion mechanism is determined; this fraction represents layers where channeling may take place. Obviously, the larger the fraction, the lower the sweep efficiency. Next, the analysis is extended to five-spot, using the analogy between streamlines and layers with no-cross flow; decoupling of the convective spreading from small-scale heterogeneity is successfully examined for a heterogeneous quarter five-spot pattern.

An accurate prediction of "true" dispersion is an essential step in designing of a successful miscible displacement. It improves production forecasts and, consequently, economic evaluation of the project.
Hybrid Intelligent Decision Support System for Drill Rig Performance Analysis and Selection During Well Construction
Authors: Bello O. , Yaakob A. M. , Gegov A. , Teodoriu C. , Oppelt J. , Holzmann J.
Published: November 2016

Drilling rig selection is one the major bottom line during the development phase of hydrocarbons or geothermal well based on comprehensive consideration of a variety of factors for its purpose. The process of drilling a well is highly cost as it involves hiring a drilling rig and crew for the duration of drilling the well. Problem of drilling rig performance and selection has always been viewed as the most important responsibility during the well design phase of a field development, this is mainly caused due to multiple rig manufacturers in the market that meets the operational conditions but not in accordance most operators design specifications. This solution has always been a complex process as various criteria, known and half known are involved in making final decision. Thus, there is a need for simple, systematic applications/tools that can be used to support the decision making considering a number of selection attributes and their interrelations in making right decisions.

This study proposes a peculiar approach, an intelligent decision support application hybridizing distance based approach (DBA) and an artificial intelligence technique, Fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS) that will assist well engineers, E&P operators in contacting multiple appropriate rig manufacturer that will deliver a reliable drilling performance resulting to safety drilling operations, mitigate effect of time delay, environmental friendly and most importantly be economically viable for different application.

Currently, the conventional approach for the selection of appropriate drill rig for onshore operational activities is based on method of exclusion associated with engineering experience and lithology of the field to be developed serving as key drive factors.

In order to make it scientific, both qualitative and quantitative parameters influencing drill rig selections were first established using database management system and was later implemented using both two techniques, DBA and FTOPSIS. However, for the purpose of this study, selected onshore rigs are considered for the hybrid model implementation.

The novelty of this study lies in the application of a hybrid approach to a real E&P industry case. This study has dealt with one of the most important subjects as related to well design planning, providing a better decision for the selection of drill rig using appropriate quantitative techniques. This work also helps to select the best way to proceed in a situation when the outcomes are uncertain.

The proposed tool will also set up a benchmarking process providing a feedback to the rig manufacturers for further improvement of their equipments that account to safety, less environmental impact, minimal NPT and better drilling performance operation.
NEBA Application for Jacket Decommissioning Techniques
Authors: Kanmkamnerd J. , Phanichtraiphop P. , Pornsakulsakdi L.
Published: November 2016

It is increasingly important that decision makers for large capital projects (including development and decommissioning project phases) evaluate all project alternatives to determine the optimal final project configuration. The decision making process must take into account several important aspects including the long-term environmental impact or benefit of various project alternatives. Determination of the optimal project alternative often has long-term cost implications. In recent years, several innovative tools have been developed to streamline and optimize the decision making process. One of those is the use of the Net Environmental Benefit Analysis (NEBA) to determine the environmentally superior project alternative.

Here we utilized an innovative approach to the NEBA process by developing a semi-quantitative model that provides a relative ranking of project alternatives based on the expected environmental benefit. Our use of NEBA includes evaluation of initial project impact, impact recovery rate, and final (i.e., post-recovery) benefit level for each considered project alternative. The NEBA tool utilizes a streamlined approach designed to rely on a consensus scoring approach to various project attributes. The results of the model provide a relative ranking of project alternatives based on their net environmental benefit and irrespective of project cost or other considerations. In this respect, our approach provides a "pure" environmental vision of the project. As a consensus approach it is ideal for use in workshop formats with stakeholders and regulators avoiding lengthy iterations to determine a project outcome.

Our case study is made to rank five different project alternatives for offshore platform jacket decommissioning following evaluation of ten environmental aspects. Specific environmental aspects considered include the physical and chemical quality of air, water, and sediments at the project location. The ecology of marine fish, benthic organisms, mammals, and seabirds are also considered as are impacts to fisheries, coastal and terrestrial ecology. We bounded impact recovery rates to 100 years and evaluated five different recovery slope factors in the NEBA model. Following application of scoring and specific weighting factors to each environmental aspect, a quantitative NEBA score was developed for each project alternative evaluated. The result of our NEBA approach was a quantitative ranking of project alternatives in the context of the environmental benefit of each approach.

Our approach provided a comprehensive evaluation of project alternatives and returned a clear environmentally superior project alternative. The results of this approach provide project development decision makers with a cost effective and efficient tool to make defensible decisions to choose the most appropriate project alternative.
Smart-Water EOR Made Smarter A Laboratory Development
Authors: Ghosh Bisweswar , Sun Lying , Osisanya Samuel
Published: November 2016

Smart Water and Low Salinity EOR is established as a techno-economically promising method through laboratory coreflood studies and single well tracer studies in field pilot cases. The method is based on lowering salinity of injected water and spiking of multivalent ions such as Mg2+, SO42−, PO43− ions. Wettability alteration and expansion of electrical double layer are attributed to the trapped oil release mechanism. This however invites the possibilities of induced and aggravated scale deposition if the formation water is rich in divalent cations (as in the case of carbonate formation). The resulting formation damage and reduced well productivity may negate the advantages of smart waterflood. This article presents the outcome of an extensive study, conducted to optimize smart water composition targeting an offshore carbonate reservoir. After quantifying the scaling potential at reservoir condition, a Polyphosphate compound is introduced which arrested the scale precipitation. Through contact angle, interfacial tension, Zeta-potential and drainage studies it is established that new formulation not only has reduced scaling potential but also enhanced ability for oil recovery.
Development of Hydraulic Model for Foam Drilling in Vertical Wells
Authors: Sinde Seydou , Shokir Eissa , Dahab Abdel Sattar
Published: November 2016

Foam is commonly used for UBD (underbalanced drilling) because of its low variable densities; which make adjustment of its densities possible in order to keep control of the circulating bottomhole pressures, and because of its high effective viscosities; which give a superior cuttings lifting and transport ability. Foam is also used to transport formation fluids that enter the borehole while underbalance-drilling. This paper is intended to propose an improved computer program in the VISUAL BASIC language that can be used to better simulate the foam hydraulics for vertical wells. The developed model considers foam as a Non-Newtonian power-law fluid in spite of the dispute that still persists among the researchers. Results of the proposed model revealed that the foam flow is affected by the injection pressures, injection flow rates, bottomhole temperatures, ROP (Rate of Penetration), cutting sizes and densities, fluid influxes and the surface back-pressures. The model also proposes a try-and-error procedure to initially determine the best selections of the injection pressures and the injection rates for both liquid and gas. The model evaluation was tested by running the program on two field wells drilled underbalanced with foam in the Middle East with an absolute average error of less than 2.6 % for the first well and with an absolute average error of less than 10.9 % for the second well.
Injection Allocation in Multi-Layer Water Flooding Reservoirs Using SVM Optimized by Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Li Junjian , Jiang Hanqiao , Liang Bin , Zhou Daiyu , Ding Shuaiwei , Gong Changcheng , Zhao Lijun
Published: November 2016

Water injection is essential during secondary recovery process. For multi-layer reservoir, determining the water absorbing capacity of stratification is a necessary step when we investigate the reservoir's production status and analyze the distribution of remaining oil. It is also the precondition of reasonable measures to boost the production, and to improve the ultimate recovery. In view of the reservoir actual situation is multitudinous, such as water is injected at the bottom while the upper produces, and insulation between layer and layer is very poor which can lead to Interlayer channeling, conventional reservoir engineering methods have been unable to effectively forecast recovery performances. This paper set up a methodology of injection allocation in multi-layers water flooding reservoir with support vector machine (SVM) as the core. Because of the credibility of injection profile and liquid producing profile is the highest of all the materials, the method sets the injection profile data and fluid producing profile as the goal, the permeability, reservoir thickness, injection-production well spacing and injection speed and liquid producing as influencing factors, building support vector, then we establish forecasting model, and allocate the water injection rate to each layer. By comparing the injection profile data which is not involved in the prediction process, we found that the prediction of the support vector machine (SVM) method is close and practical, with high credibility. This paper also compared the results with numerical simulation results of commercial numerical simulation software. It is can be found that the method can accurately reveal the inherent law of oilfield development; it has good adaptability and sufficient accuracy. As the forecasting process taking too long, this paper gives the optimization of SVM algorithm. Due to the parameter optimization process of conventional SVM algorithm carried out by searching grid one by one, it ashows these characteristics: low efficiency, large memory overhead. In this paper, we replace the grid searching parameter optimization process by genetic algorithm in the process of machine learning, Results show that the computation time can be reduced more than 70%.
A Novel Chemical Composition to Consolidate the Loose Sand Formation in the Oil Field
Authors: Mishra Saurabh , Ojha Keka
Published: November 2016

Sand production is a major problem to the petroleum industry. Various methods and techniques including mechanical and chemical methods have been proposed but some have failed and some have been ineffective to control the sand production. In the present study a new chemical composition is evaluated to its ability to consolidate the loose sand by increasing its compressive strength without much loss in absolute permeability

For the present study, an experimental setup is designed to consolidate the sand by injecting required PV of chemical solution into the sand pack. All the experiments are done in both presence and absence of hydrocarbon to insure reservoir condition. Effects of chemical composition, curing time, temperature on compressive strength and retained permeability of the consolidated sand is evaluated. Analytical techniques such as FT-IR, FE-SEM, and TG/DTA are used to study the interaction of chemicals with the silica sand sample. The effect of pressure drawdown and flowrate on the consolidation is also studied.

The present mixture shows better consolidation capacity with an unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of >2500 psi with permeability retention greater than 80%. Thus, the consolidation treatment provides the great compressive strength with such permeability retention so that we can take production economically. The curing temperature and time is optimized as 80°C and 12 h respectively. Analytical technique proves a significant binding at the contact point of the sand particles. The consolidation withstand the differential pressure up to 2700 psi and the critical flowrate was recorded as 151.31 cc/sec. the consolidation can hold the pressure drawdown greater than its compressive strength.

The present study comprises the evaluation of a new chemical composition to consolidate the loose sand at their contact point so that it can withstand the drag forces induced by the reservoir fluids and other induced forces.
A Study of Hydraulic Fracture Geometry Concerning Complex Geologic Condition in Shales
Authors: Zhou Tong , Zhang Shicheng , Zou Yushi , Ma Xinfang , Li Ning , Hao Siying , Zheng Yonghua
Published: November 2016

The Lujiaping shale gas formation in Sichuan Basin, SW China, is 1400m deep and has high dip angles. Moreover, it is also subjected to the strike-slip fault geostress and contains highly developed bedding planes and natural fractures. The complex geologic condition makes the fracturing treatment effect hard to predict. This paper aims to establish a simulation model to predict the created hydraulic fracture geometry so as to provide appropriate stimulation strategy. Based on the discrete element method, a novel three-dimensional fracture propagation model is established. The transverse isotropy constitutive relations are primarily introduced to characterize the layered shale in the high dip angle formation. Then, the model is used to investigate how the hydraulic fracture geometry changes with different parameters, such as in-situ stress distribution, natural fracture density, fluid viscosity, and pump rate. The model is validated through experimental data, which shows the simulation result is in accordance with the experimental observation. Taking the complex geologic conditions as the initial condition and assuming the formation dip angle as 50°, the high differential stress which is the difference between overburden stress and minimum horizontal stress enhances the fracture propagation in the vertical direction. At 5 MPa of differential stress, the increase of fracturing fluid viscosity can reduce the influence of bedding plane on fracture geometry. The increase of pump rate is helpful to decrease the restriction of bedding plane on fracture propagation so as to improve the stimulation effect. In addition, the high density of natural fracture will further enlarge the impact on the fracture geometry. This work is a theoretical study of predicting the hydraulic fracture geometry under complex geologic conditions, which provides the technical guidance for the optimization of the fracturing treatment in Lujiaping shale gas formation.
Thermal Cyclic Stress Reduction in Gas Regeneration Piping System
Authors: Surapapwong Thanis , Chaichanavong Charoenpong , Muangsuankwan Natthasart
Published: November 2016

Thermal cyclic resulting in alternating thermal stress in pipe has been identified as the primary cause of high cycle thermal fatigue failure. From several literatures, most of which involve nuclear power plant industry, the failure is caused by ageing. The monitoring and assessment methodology has been focused and developed continuously. Conversely, in upstream oil and gas industry, the failure due to thermal cyclic stress in piping system has not much been reported in open literatures.

In recent year, at the upstream production platform of PTTEP's Greater Bongkot South Field, there was a gas seeping incident at a regeneration gas piping. The overstress due to thermal fatigue at the weldment was suspected to be one of the root causes of the incident apart from the quality of welding profile. Pipe stress analysis for thermal cyclic condition is conducted to check capability of the piping system to withstand a thermal cycling effect due to overstress in the current operating condition. The thermal cyclic in a regeneration pre-treatment unit is brought into the justified case as it has operated in the large thermal range and possibly failed due to the accumulative repeat of the stresses.

The pipe stress analysis result reveals that the existing piping routing has overstress in some locations. The overstress is caused by insufficient flexibility in the piping system. The feasible solutions i.e. modifying the pipe route and modifying the pipe supports are modelized and tested in the study. The final solution is to modify the pipe support as it induces less local stress amplitude in the system and it could be implement with less modification work at site. The solution also provides a margin in the number of operating cycles. Thus, the system is able to operate over 60,000 cycles (as the base case is at 20 years design life) thru approximately 120,000 cycles (40 years) with the current operating condition.
Asset Integrity Management System
Authors: Mirza Faisal , Rezaei Cyrus
Published: November 2016

KOC has focused on Asset Integrity Management System (AIMS) & HSE Management System to enhance process safety & prevent Process Safety Management related incidents & spills. AIMS implementation in KOC facilities started a decade ago & KOC has developed a new PSM group in 2015 to focus on process safety while HSE Group has enhanced the personal safety system / standards / procedures. KOC strives to achieve sustainable Operations Excellence to ensure the followings: (1) PSM incidents are systematically analyzed to identify Root Causes & Critical Factors, (2) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are implemented with controls in place to prevent recurrence & monitor progress.

The overall AIMS system comprises (1) well integrity, (2) pipeline integrity and (3) facility integrity with focus on PSM system at present. While the company's HSE management system is more focused on personal & occupational safety, environment protection & behavioural-based safety (BBS), the AIMS/PSM aspiration is to imbed inherent safety in the project design cycle, manage the safety critical equipment (SCE) and aim for sustainable Operations Excellence.

Operational Excellence is at the heart of KOC commitment to HSSE and is integrated & not separate. It also includes a comprehensive Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) implemented in all assets to identify & correct the human error aspects which can emerge as critical factors leading to incidents. The AIMS system implementation commenced under HSE umbrella and is focused on process safety management system (PSM) with relevant policy and procedures. Company operational assets include Wells, Flow lines, Manifolds, Gathering Centres (GC), Booster Stations (BS), Pipelines corridors, Tank Farms, Export & Marine Facilities . Planned Preventive Maintenance (PM) and Inspection & Corrosion activities involve RBI (Risk Based Inspection) of static equipment and RCM (Reliability Centred Maintenance) for rotating machinery.
Shaping the New Future of Paratransit: An Agenda for Research and Practice
Authors: Mulley Corinne , Nelson John D.
Published: November 2016

The TRB-sponsored international paratransit conference Shaping the New Future of Paratransit, held in Monterey, California, in October 2014, represented the first gathering of the international paratransit community in conference format since 1997. The conference itself drew a cross section of operators, technology providers, policy makers, and researchers from around the world. The presentations from the conference were organized around a number of themes that, when brought together, represented a substantial manifesto for the flexible and demand-responsive transport community. This paper looks at a number of these themes and provides an analysis to highlight the key points and common strands of experiences with paratransit worldwide.
Designing an Automated Demand-Responsive Transport System: Fleet Size and Performance Analysis for a Campus–Train Station Service
Authors: Winter Konstanze , Cats Oded , Correia Gonçalo Homem de Almeida , van Arem Bart
Published: November 2016

The rapid development of automated vehicles and the introduction of shared mobility services hold great potential for the development of automated public transport systems. However, their expected performance under alternative conditions and with alternative design factors remains unknown. In this study, the operation of a new automated mobility service was simulated and evaluated. The proposed transport system was defined as an automated demand-responsive transport system (ADRTS), which consisted of a demand-responsive public transportation service providing sharable rides without fixed routes or timetables in automated vehicles. Requests for the ADRTS were combined if they shared the same pickup and drop-off locations, subject to vehicle capacity limitations. Rides were launched within a predefined maximum vehicle dwell time, and routes were chosen without detours. The proposed system was tested in a field operation pilot project of the operation of automated vehicles in Wageningen in the Netherlands under conditions with different demand patterns, vehicle capacities, and operational factors. The simulation model determined the minimal and optimal fleet size for operation of the shuttle service when total operational and travel costs were minimized and maximum passenger waiting time requirements were satisfied. The results indicated that the most effective way to reduce the system cost per passenger of the ADRTS in the presented case study was to increase the demand level, increase the share of passengers who arrive independently, and use adequate vehicle sizes and short vehicle dwell times.
Maximizing Statewide Multimodal Transportation Systems: Looking to Transportation Option Solutions in Oregon
Authors: Pietz Amanda Joy , Becker Brie
Published: November 2016

In an era of limited and constrained funding, transportation agencies struggle to meet the needs of travelers and the demands on the system. Agencies need creative and low-cost transportation solutions and seek to identify ways to maximize use of existing multimodal networks. As a result, Oregon has recognized the role that transportation demand management strategies and transportation options can play in spreading demand across modes, enhancing interest in multimodal options, and facilitating connections between modes. In 2015, the Oregon Department of Transportation, with broad stakeholder input and support, produced the state’s first Transportation Options Plan. The plan defines transportation solutions, includes justification for their application, and charts a path forward for the state to realize operational and efficiency gains on the transportation system, and for the state to experience economic, public health, and other benefits as a result of these investments. This paper summarizes a statewide approach to investing and implementing transportation options solutions and highlights the benefits that can be achieved.
Travel Model Blind Spots: Importance of Understanding Special Markets Related to Visitors
Authors: Huntsinger Leta F. , Ward Kyle
Published: November 2016

In many small and medium-sized communities, the need to reflect the unique characteristics of travel by special markets is an important consideration. Visitor travel is a special market for many communities that enjoy the benefits of being a destination for visitors from outside the region. Visitor travel can affect the transportation system in a community as well as benefiting the economy. Visitor travel is often not modeled explicitly because of the cost associated with collecting behaviorally rich survey data to support model development. This paper presents a low-cost option for collecting travel behavior data for special markets through the administration of a small-sample intercept survey of persons staying in recreational vehicle (RV) campgrounds in the French Broad River region of North Carolina. Analysis of the survey data showed that travel by these surveyed RV households was different from both retired and seasonal part-time resident households, captured in the region’s household travel survey. Development of a special market model to address travel by RV visitors in the region is also discussed.
How the Poor Commute in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Ratanawaraha Apiwat , Chalermpong Saksith
Published: November 2016

This study examined how the poor traveled to work in Bangkok, Thailand. Two sets of travel surveys were conducted in groups categorized as low income: residents in low-income communities and low-paid workers in various job locations. The results confirmed the general understanding that travel behaviors of the poor depended not only on income but also on public transport availability, job location, and home community location. Suburban residents with limited public transport services tended to travel by private motorcycles and to spend a large portion of household transport expenditures on vehicle and fuel costs. Others who lived near public transport services depended more on public transport and spent a larger share of transport expenditures on fares. No significant difference in household transport expenditures between the two groups was found. The travel survey by occupation revealed that privately owned motorcycles were the most popular mode, followed by employer-provided transport and public buses. Informal modes constituted a small share because of the relatively high fares. The average commute costs of informal modes were higher than the average cost of public buses and were closer to the average cost of private motorcycles. Male commuters were more dependent on private motorcycles and less on public transport than female commuters. With age, dependence on private motorcycles increased and dependence on public transport decreased. Average commute times did not vary significantly among occupational groups. These results highlighted the importance of low-cost public transport to vulnerable subgroups of the urban poor.
Experimental Study on the Force-Bearing Performance of Masonry Structures with a Marble-Graphite Slide Seismic Isolator at the Foundation
Authors: Jia Suizi , Liu Yan , Cao Wanlin , Ye Wei , Zhang Yuchen
Published: November 2016

As part of the search for a seismic isolator for low-rise buildings, this paper proposes a marble-graphite slide seismic isolation system composed of marble-graphite slides, an upper foundation beam, the lower counterpart of the upper beam, and the corresponding stop blocks, with the stop blocks consisting of restrictive screws, positioning plates, nut connectors and stop holes linking the two foundation beams. To provide the desired isolation performance, plain mortar bars can be included at the beam interface to better control the initiating loads for foundation slippage. Tests of low-reversed cyclic loading were performed on four different masonry specimens: a recycled brick wall, a clay brick wall, an integrated recycled brick wall with flay ash blocks sandwiched between, and its clay brick counterpart. The four specimens were provided with marble-graphite slide isolators placed at the foundations. The isolator thickness was 20 mm, and the graphite and the marble served as a lubricant and a bearing, respectively. This paper then analyses all of the specimens in terms of the damage that occurred, the initiating load for slippage, the hysteretic performance, the bearing capacity and the performance of the stop blocks. The results indicate that mortar bars embedded in the marble-graphite slide isolator offer effective control of the initiating load, and the isolation system delivers good hysteretic performance. The stop blocks are capable of withstanding a large-magnitude earthquake and are a good choice for constraining the slippage displacement. Damage or failure of the specimens occurs only when the low-reversed cyclic loading continues after slippage takes place. The design is shown to be an outstanding and flexible seismic scheme for use in low-rise buildings.
CoverageAnalyzer (CAn): A Tool for Inspection of Modification Signatures in RNA Sequencing Profiles
Authors: Hauenschild Ralf , Werner Stephan , Tserovski Lyudmil , Hildebrandt Andreas , Motorin Yuri , Helm Mark
Published: November 2016

Combination of reverse transcription (RT) and deep sequencing has emerged as a powerful instrument for the detection of RNA modifications, a field that has seen a recent surge in activity because of its importance in gene regulation. Recent studies yielded high-resolution RT signatures of modified ribonucleotides relying on both sequence-dependent mismatch patterns and reverse transcription arrests. Common alignment viewers lack specialized functionality, such as filtering, tailored visualization, image export and differential analysis. Consequently, the community will profit from a platform seamlessly connecting detailed visual inspection of RT signatures and automated screening for modification candidates. CoverageAnalyzer (CAn) was developed in response to the demand for a powerful inspection tool. It is freely available for all three main operating systems. With SAM file format as standard input, CAn is an intuitive and user-friendly tool that is generally applicable to the large community of biomedical users, starting from simple visualization of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data, up to sophisticated modification analysis with significance-based modification candidate calling.
Component-Based Cartoon Face Generation
Authors: Sepehri Nejad Saman , Balafar Mohammad
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we present a cartoon face generation method that stands on a component-based facial feature extraction approach. Given a frontal face image as an input, our proposed system has the following stages. First, face features are extracted using an extended Active Shape Model. Outlines of the components are locally modified using edge detection, template matching and Hermit interpolation. This modification enhances the diversity of output and accuracy of the component matching required for cartoon generation. Second, to bring cartoon-specific features such as shadows, highlights and, especially, stylish drawing, an array of various face photographs and corresponding hand-drawn cartoon faces are collected. These cartoon templates are automatically decomposed into cartoon components using our proposed method for parameterizing cartoon samples, which is fast and simple. Then, using shape matching methods, the appropriate cartoon component is selected and deformed to fit the input face. Finally, a cartoon face is rendered in a vector format using the rendering rules of the selected template. Experimental results demonstrate effectiveness of our approach in generating life-like cartoon faces.
Horizontal Air-Ground Heat Exchanger Performance and Humidity Simulation by Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Congedo Paolo , Lorusso Caterina , De Giorgi Maria , Marti Riccardo , D’Agostino Delia
Published: November 2016

Improving energy efficiency in buildings and promoting renewables are key objectives of European energy policies. Several technological measures are being developed to enhance the energy performance of buildings. Among these, geothermal systems present a huge potential to reduce energy consumption for mechanical ventilation and cooling, but their behavior depending on varying parameters, boundary and climatic conditions is not fully established. In this paper a horizontal air-ground heat exchanger (HAGHE) system is studied by the development of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Summer and winter conditions representative of the Mediterranean climate are analyzed to evaluate operation and thermal performance differences. A particular focus is given to humidity variations as this parameter has a major impact on indoor air quality and comfort. Results show the benefits that HAGHE systems can provide in reducing energy consumption in all seasons, in summer when free-cooling can be implemented avoiding post air treatment using heat pumps.
Major Natural Disasters in China, 1985–2014: Occurrence and Damages
Authors: Han Weixiao , Liang Chen , Jiang Baofa , Ma Wei , Zhang Ying
Published: November 2016

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of natural disasters and associated losses from 1985 to 2014. The Mann-Kendall method was used to detect any long-term trends and abrupt changes. Hotspot analysis was conducted to detect the spatial clusters of disasters. We found an increasing trend in the occurrence of integrated natural disasters (tau = 0.594, p < 0.001), particularly for floods (tau = 0.507, p < 0.001), landslides (tau = 0.365, p = 0.009) and storms (tau = 0.289, p = 0.032). Besides, there was an abrupt increase of natural disasters in 1998–2000. Hotspots of droughts, floods, landslides and storms were identified in central, southern, southwest and southeast areas of China, respectively. Annual deaths from integrated natural disasters were decreasing (tau = −0.237, p = 0.068) at about 32 persons/year, decreasing at 17 persons/year for floods (tau = −0.154, p = 0.239), and decreasing at approximately 12 persons/year for storms (tau = −0.338, p = 0.009). No significant trend was detected in inflation-adjusted damages while a declining trend was detected in the ratio of year damage against GDP (gross domestic product). In conclusion, there has been an increasing trend in occurrence of natural disasters in China with the absence of an increase in life and economic losses. Despite the progress in the disaster adaption, there will be great challenges in disaster control for China in the future.
An Adaptive Density-Based Time Series Clustering Algorithm: A Case Study on Rainfall Patterns
Authors: Wang Xiaomi , Liu Yaolin , Chen Yiyun , Liu Yi
Published: November 2016

Current time series clustering algorithms fail to effectively mine clustering distribution characteristics of time series data without sufficient prior knowledge. Furthermore, these algorithms fail to simultaneously consider the spatial attributes, non-spatial time series attribute values, and non-spatial time series attribute trends. This paper proposes an adaptive density-based time series clustering (DTSC) algorithm that simultaneously considers the three above-mentioned attributes to relieve these limitations. In this algorithm, the Delaunay triangulation is first utilized in combination with particle swarm optimization (PSO) to adaptively obtain objects with similar spatial attributes. An improved density-based clustering strategy is then adopted to detect clusters with similar non-spatial time series attribute values and time series attribute trends. The effectiveness and efficiency of the DTSC algorithm are validated by experiments on simulated datasets and real applications. The results indicate that the proposed DTSC algorithm effectively detects time series clusters with arbitrary shapes and similar attributes and densities while considering noises.
Functional Studies and In Silico Analyses to Evaluate Non-Coding Variants in Inherited Cardiomyopathies
Authors: Frisso Giulia , Detta Nicola , Coppola Pamela , Mazzaccara Cristina , Pricolo Maria , D’Onofrio Antonio , Limongelli Giuseppe , Calabrò Raffaele , Salvatore Francesco
Published: November 2016

Point mutations are the most common cause of inherited diseases. Bioinformatics tools can help to predict the pathogenicity of mutations found during genetic screening, but they may work less well in determining the effect of point mutations in non-coding regions. In silico analysis of intronic variants can reveal their impact on the splicing process, but the consequence of a given substitution is generally not predictable. The aim of this study was to functionally test five intronic variants (MYBPC3-c.506-2A>C, MYBPC3-c.906-7G>T, MYBPC3-c.2308+3G>C, SCN5A-c.393-5C>A, and ACTC1-c.617-7T>C) found in five patients affected by inherited cardiomyopathies in the attempt to verify their pathogenic role. Analysis of the MYBPC3-c.506-2A>C mutation in mRNA from the peripheral blood of one of the patients affected by hypertrophic cardiac myopathy revealed the loss of the canonical splice site and the use of an alternative splicing site, which caused the loss of the first seven nucleotides of exon 5 (MYBPC3-G169AfsX14). In the other four patients, we generated minigene constructs and transfected them in HEK-293 cells. This minigene approach showed that MYBPC3-c.2308+3G>C and SCN5A-c.393-5C>A altered pre-mRNA processing, thus resulting in the skipping of one exon. No alterations were found in either MYBPC3-c.906-7G>T or ACTC1-c.617-7T>C. In conclusion, functional in vitro analysis of the effects of potential splicing mutations can confirm or otherwise the putative pathogenicity of non-coding mutations, and thus help to guide the patient's clinical management and improve genetic counseling in affected families.
The Effect of Thermal Cycling Treatments on the Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of a Ti-Based Bulk Metallic Glass Composite
Authors: Bu Fan , Wang Jun , Li Liyuan , Kou Hongchao , Xue Xiangyi , Li Jinshan
Published: November 2016

The effect of thermal cycling treatments on the thermal stability and mechanical properties of a Ti48Zr20Nb12Cu5Be15 bulk metallic glass composite (BMGC) has been investigated. Results show that moderate thermal cycles in a temperature range of −196 °C (cryogenic temperature, CT) to 25 °C (room temperature, RT) or annealing time at CT has not induced obvious changes of thermal stability and then it decreases slightly over critical thermal parameters. In addition, the dendritic second phases with a bcc structure are homogeneously embedded in the amorphous matrix; no visible changes are detected, which shows structural stability. Excellent mechanical properties as high as 1599 MPa yield strength and 34% plastic strain are obtained, and the yield strength and elastic modulus also increase gradually. The effect on the stability is analyzed quantitatively by crystallization kinetics and plastic-flow models, and indicates that the reduction of structural relaxation enthalpy, which is related to the degradation of spatial heterogeneity, reduces thermal stability but does not imperatively deteriorate the plasticity.
Tool Wear Characteristics and Effect on Microstructure in Ti-6Al-4V Friction Stir Welded Joints
Authors: Fall Ameth , Fesharaki Mostafa , Khodabandeh Ali , Jahazi Mohammad
Published: November 2016

In the present paper, tool wear and the rate of wear during friction stir welding (FSW) of Ti-6Al-4V alloy are investigated. A conical tungsten carbide tool was used to produce butt-type friction stir welded joints in two-millimeter thick Ti-6Al-4V sheets. An original design of a movable pin allowed for the examination of the tool damage for each process condition. The influence of tool degradation on the quality of the welded joints and the damage brought to the microstructure are examined and discussed. For this purpose, optical and scanning electron microscopies as well as EDX analyses were used to examine the tool wear and the resulting macrostructures and microstructures. The type and nature of the defects are also analyzed as a function of FSW processing parameters. Important geometry and weight variations were observed on the pin and shoulder for all welding conditions, in particular when low tool rotation and travel speeds were used. Experimental results also show that the radial wear of the pin is not uniform, indicating the presence of important frictional temperature gradients through the thickness of the joint. The maximum wear was measured at a location of about one millimeter from the pin root center. Finally, tool rotation was determined as the most significant process parameter influencing both tool wear and microstructure of the joints.
Colorimetric Analysis of Ochratoxin A in Beverage Samples
Authors: Bueno Diana , Valdez Luis , Gutiérrez Salgado Juan , Marty Jean , Muñoz Roberto
Published: November 2016

This manuscript describes the use of a portable and low cost fluorescence setup to quantify the concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) in beverage samples using an in-house developed system and different color models. It is reported that OTA is naturally fluorescent, for that reason an ultraviolet light at 365 nm was used to excite the samples and a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor was used to get a photograph of the OTA under excitation conditions, which is controlled by an executable interface designed in MATLAB. For each concentration of OTA, the coordinates with respect to each model color were obtained and plotted to quantify the mycotoxin present in the sample. It was possible to observe that despite the fact no extraction column was employed, the Red, Green, Blue (RGB) model shows a proportional relation to the evaluated concentrations. Despite the fact more analysis and other methods are required to quantify the OTA concentration, the brightness and a,b for the color-opponent dimensions (L*a*b) and Hue, Saturation, Value (HSV) tests provide results whereby it is possible to identify the concentration of OTA in beverage samples such as beer and wine.
Factors Affecting Green Supply Chain Operational Performance of the Thai Auto Parts Industry
Authors: Tippayawong Korrakot , Niyomyat Natananot , Sopadang Apichat , Ramingwong Sakgasem
Published: November 2016

In this work, operational performance in the green supply chain management (SCM) of the Thai auto parts industry was investigated. A green supply chain performance measurement (GSPM) model was developed from the combination of various concepts including an SCM logistics scorecard, a supply chain operations reference model, a balance scorecard, and green supply chain management. The GSPM has been designed for use as a self-evaluation tool focusing on five decisive areas, or factors, and 28 sub-factors. A factor analysis was conducted using the survey results of the GSPM in order to identify significant factors that represent the green supply chain operation performance. Grouped as three major factors, namely green procurement, green transportation, and green manufacturing; reverse logistics and eco-design; and reuse and recycle of manufacturing, their significance and impact on the auto parts industry in Thailand were highlighted. Specifically, the factor of green procurement, green transportation, and green manufacturing, as major factor 1, in relation with the factor of reverse logistics and eco-design, as major factor 2, were found to have a strong positive relationship with the asset turnover ratio.
Efficient mechanochemical synthesis of regioselective persubstituted cyclodextrins
Authors: Jicsinszky Laszlo , Caporaso Marina , Martina Katia , Calcio Gaudino Emanuela , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: November 2016

A number of per-6-substituted cyclodextrin derivative syntheses have been effectively carried out in a planetary ball mill under solvent-free conditions. The preparation of Bridion® and important per-6-amino/thiocyclodextrin intermediates without polar aprotic solvents, a source of byproducts and persistent impurities, could be performed. Isolation and purification processes could also be simplified. Considerably lower alkylthiol/halide ratio were necessary to reach the complete reaction in comparison with thiourea or azide reactions. While the presented mechanochemical syntheses were carried out on the millimolar scale, they are easily scalable.
Computer simulation of the pulsating blood flow in arteries with stenosis, aneurysms and plaques
Authors: Tregubov Vladimir
Published: November 2016

The stenosis, aneurysms and plaques are the most common types of the blood vessel
pathology. To study their influence on the pulsating blood flow and the internal pressure the
mechanical models of pulsating blood flow and the above mentioned pathology of blood vessels
were developed. The blood was considered as non-Newtonian liquid. As the boundary condition
on the vessel wall the semi-slip regime was chosen. Computer simulation was executed using
Finite element method, which was realized by means of the system ABAQUS. As results the
pressure and velocity distributions were obtained for the four kinds of pathology in each time
moment of the pulse cycle.
Propagation of measurement uncertainty for balance platform model involving two output quantities
Authors: Idźkowski Adam , Walendziuk Wojciech , Sawicki Aleksander
Published: November 2016

The paper topic is about the propagation of uncertainty in a multivariate measurement.
The Law of Propagation of Uncertainty defined in the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in
Measurement is used to calculate the standard uncertainties, covariance matrix and correlation
coefficient. The procedure is presented for a set of samples, acquired from a balance platform,
which are used to calculate the centre of pressure (COP) coordinates. The possibility of evaluating
the uncertainty of COP results in different way is also discussed.
The use of DTW method as an effective way of uroflowmetry data screening analysis
Authors: Walendziuk Wojciech , Sawicki Aleksander , Idźkowski Adam
Published: November 2016

The aim of this work is to present an application of the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW)
method for the preliminary classification of data obtained during uroflowmetric tests. This enables
determining whether the recorded data from the urine flow speed measurements is accurate or not.
Example urine flow characteristics obtained from a uroflowmeter based on a strain gauge
transducer were used in the research. The analysis of the algorithm performance was done on the
basis of real tests results of patients with the risk of the prostate hyperplasia occurrence. Moreover,
the results of example experiments are presented in this paper.