bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AMBIENTE DE ALOJAMENTO E EQUIPAMENTOS DE ALIMENTAÇÃO NA AVICULTURA INDUSTRIAL BRASILEIRA - UMA REVISÃO
Authors: NEVES DIEGO P. , NÄÄS Irenilza De A. , BARACHO Marta S.
Published: April 2015

As últimas 30 décadas foram marcadas por uma intensiva produção avícola, onde se alcançou um nível satisfatório de produção com a utilização de tecnologia. Estes fatos permitiram que o país se destacasse dentro de um cenário global, tornando o país o maior exportador e o terceiro maior produtor de carne de frango do mundo. Este texto faz uma revisão do tema de ambiente de alojamento de frangos de corte e apresenta características de equipamentos de alimentação. Atualmente os projetos relacionados a equipamentos rurais desenvolvidos no Brasil têm sido objeto de estudo unicamente por engenheiros e técnicos, mas que poderão ser otimizados com a participação dos desenhistas industriais.
COMPARAÇÃO ENTRE EQUAÇÕES DE PREDIÇÃO DE RESISTÊNCIA A TRAÇÃO DE ESCARIFICADORES
Authors: ALBIERO Daniel , MACIEL Antonio J.S.
Published: April 2015

Este trabalho tem como objetivo comparar equações de resistência a tração com dados experimentais. Foram utilizados dados relativos a escarificadores, sendo que estes valores foram confrontados com os valores calculados pelas equações. Os resultados mostram que em geral estas equações super-dimensionam a resistência a tração oferecida por escarificadores.
FAST PYROLYSIS TEST WITH WHOLE SUGARCANE
Authors: CORTEZ Luis A. B. , JORDAN Rodrigo A. , PEREZ Juan M. M. , BALDASSIN Jr Ricardo , BARBIN Douglas Fernandes
Published: April 2015

This paper shows a preliminary study proposing the usage of whole sugarcane in the thermoconversion process. . Tests were made on fast pyrolysis of biomass as whole sugarcane (bagasse, sugar and sugarcane straw) crushed and dry. These experiments were performed in order to verify the suitability of this type of biomass for the fast pyrolysis process in a fluidized bed. The pre-treatment was assessed, during which, for the preparation of the whole sugarcane, an ordinary machine for chopping and grinding was employed. The pyrolysis process was conducted without major changes in the plant operating conditions to other biomass such as sugarcane trash. The efficiency of energy conversion of biomass to fine coal and bio-oil was 41%, resulting in a production of 3034 MJ per ton of the whole sugarcane processed, compared to 1900.6 MJ obtained in the production of ethanol via fermentation, where the conversion efficiency was around 26%. With the advances in this pyrolysis, efficiency may increase in the coming years, an interesting route for production of second generation fuels via catalytic synthesis using syngas from gasification of the mixture of bio-oil and fine charcoal.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICO-QUÍMICA DO BIODIESEL DE JATROPHA CURCAS PELA ROTA METÍLICA
Authors: BATISTA A. C.F. , VIEIRA A. T. , RODRIGUES H. S. , PORTELA F. M. , LIMA A. L. , RODRIGUES C. C. , MAIA F. M. , HERNANDEZ –TERRONES M. G.
Published: April 2015

O Brasil apresenta uma farta variedade de oleaginosas as quais apresentam potencial para se produzir biodiesel, no entanto, muitas vezes a falta de estudos voltados a essas plantas nao proporciona fundamentação científica visando confirmar por meio de experimentos e dados todo esse potencial. Este trabalho é baseado na caracterizaçao físico-química e também da estabilidade oxidativa do óleo e do biodiesel metílico de pinhão-Manso produzido a partir do óleo bruto.
APRECIAÇÃO DE MÉTODOS DE INTERPOLAÇÃO EM DADOS PLUVIOMÉTRICOS E SUA DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPACIAL
Authors: RODRIGUES Mikael T. , RODRIGUES Bruno T. , MONTE Benicio E. O.
Published: April 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar 2 (dois) interpoladores univariados, inverso do quadrado da distância - IDW e krigagem usando dados de precipitação prevista rodados pelo WRF abrangendo toda Bacia do Rio Paraíba do Meio e avaliar o desempenho dos interpoladores, para o período de 2008 e janeiro, fevereiro e março de 2009. Os mapas de variabilidade espacial não apresentaram grandes diferenças visuais na espacialização, no entanto, o IDW mostrou-se menos detalhado, usando interpolação inversa da distância ponderada e determina os valores das células usando uma combinação linear ponderada de um conjunto de pontos de amostragens, afirmando-se como grande técnica para espacialização de totais pluviométricos.
COMPORTAMENTO DE POEDEIRAS EM FUNÇÃO DE DIFERENTES FONTES DE ILUMINAÇÃO
Authors: DA SILVA Gabriela Fagundes , TAVARES Bartira de Oliveira , PEREIRA Danilo Florentino
Published: April 2015

Tanto o comprimento das ondas quanto a intensidade luminosa influenciam a fisiologia das aves, interferindo no bem-estar animal e na produtividade. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo monitorar o comportamento de poedeiras criadas em ambiente enriquecido, iluminados por lâmpadas de LED de quatro cores diferentes, e analisar como os diferentes espectros luminosos afetaram o comportamento. O experimento foi realizado em um galpão em escala reduzida e distorcida, no qual foram construídos quatro compartimentos idênticos. Em cada compartimento foi instalado uma iluminação de cor diferente (azul, vermelho, verde e branca), uma câmera de vídeo para monitorar as aves, um ninho e um poleiro, sendo que o chão foi coberto com cama de maravalha. Sessenta e quatro poedeiras foram divididas em dois experimentos, em grupos de duas aves em cada compartimento, totalizando quatro repetições de sete dias para cada experimento. No primeiro experimento buscou-se analisar os comportamentos das aves em ambiente enriquecido, submetidas exclusivamente a um dos quatro tratamentos de iluminação. No segundo experimento, foi dada às aves livre escolha entre os compartimentos onde se verificou a preferência das aves pelos tratamentos de iluminação. Os resultados mostraram que o comportamento de comer foi influenciado pelos tratamentos, sendo que as aves comeram mais quando expostas a luz verde quando comparado com a luz azul. Não foram observadas outras diferenças significativas nos demais comportamentos analisados. No teste de preferência, não se verificou preferência das aves por algum dos tratamentos de iluminação testados.
TOMATO SEEDS VIGOR UNDER WATER OR SALT STRESS
Authors: Silva Jr J. F. , Klar A. E. , Tanaka A. A. , Freitas E Silva I. P. , Cardoso A. E. I. , Putti F. F.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the water and salt stress in the germination process of two tomatoes cultivars. The experiment consisted of 16 treatments in a completely randomized design in triple 2 x 2 x 4 factorial design, with two tomatoes cultivars (Santa Adélia and Kátia), two imbibition solutions (PEG6000 and NaCl) and four osmotic potentials (0, -0.2, -0.4 and -0.6 MPa). Each plot was represented by a gerbox with 50 tomatoes seeds. The seeds were remained in contact with the solutions for fourteen days. The germination percentage, emergence rate index, length and dry weight of the seedlings were evaluated. Significant interactions between the factors were deployed. Qualitative factors underwent comparison of means by Tukey test (P < 0.05) and the quantitative analysis by linear regression. According to the results of the study, Santa Adélia cultivar was the most resistant for both situations, hydric and salt stress. The hydric stress was significantly more effective in reducing the results for each variable, except for dry mass. The osmotic potential, from -0.4 Mpa, significantly reduced the germination percentage, index emergency speed and seedlings.
SOFTWARE DE AGRICULTURA DE PRECISÃO PARA MONITORAR PARÂMETROS AMBIENTAIS DE CONFORTO TÉRMICO NA BOVINOCULTURA DE LEITE
Authors: MOLLO NETO Mario , Nääs I. de A.
Published: April 2015

A agropecuária brasileira precisa introduzir novas tecnologias de suporte administrativo, rompendo com práticas tradicionais e possibilitando o surgimento de novas abordagens gerenciais. Um conhecido agente estressor relacionado aos indicadores ambientais, que é o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) causa perdas produtivas e precisa ser monitorado corretamente para evitar que se deprima o desempenho de vacas leiteiras. Neste sentido, com base em quatro categorias do ITU, como função de valores obtidos através de análise climatológica de calor, este trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver um aplicativo para ambiente operacional Windows que permita o acompanhamento dos valores do índice de temperatura e umidade.
COMPARAÇÃO ENTRE SISTEMAS DE AVALIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL EM GALPÕES DE GALINHAS POEDEIRAS NA REGIÃO DE DOURADOS – MS
Authors: Santos R. C. , Battilani M. , Garcia R. G. , Geisenhoff L. , Jordan R. A.
Published: April 2015

Considerando que fatores ambientais como temperatura e umidade influenciam na produção animal, estes devem ser observados com o máximo de precisão possível, para assim, evitar tomadas de decisões baseadas em dados distorcidos. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi coletar dados climáticos próximos a um galpão para produção de galinhas poedeiras e compará-los com os medidos por uma agência meteorológica oficial, verificando possíveis desvios devido à distância geográfica existente. O experimento foi realizado na cidade de Dourados – MS, com coletas de dados climáticos na UFGD e Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, em abril de 2014. Foram escolhidos 8 dias aleatórios, onde se leu a temperatura, velocidade do vento e umidade relativa do ar. Por meio dos valores médios do índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) obtidos para o galpão e dados oficiais foi possível concluir que a curva de ITU adquirida para a agencia climática oficial representa uma curva ideal para a realidade local de Dourados-MS, porém seus dados não representaram a situação local medida in loco no horário mais quente do dia.
ENERGIA SOLAR TÉRMICA: INOVAÇÃO EM AQUECIMENTO DE ÁGUA PARA PROCESSOS INDUSTRIAIS
Authors: Carreira Junior E. F. , Sacomano J. B. , Mollo Neto M.
Published: April 2015

O aumento do consumo mundial de energia tem gerado a busca de fontes alternativas, inclusive a solar, de fácil utilização, não exigindo equipamentos muito sofisticados nem complexos. Muitos processos industriais utilizam água em temperaturas até 100°C. O uso de energia solar na indústria ainda é baixo se comparado ao consumo energético total. O objetivo deste artigo é investigar possibilidades de usos de aquecimento solar de água em processos industriais, para o que foi utilizada pesquisa bibliográfica em artigos internacionais visando identificar o estágio atual dessas aplicações no mundo. Pesquisa exploratória de dados secundários do mercado brasileiro de sistemas de aquecimento solar no Departamento Nacional de Aquecimento Solar (DASOL), e no Plano Nacional de Eficiência Energética 2010-2030 (PNEf-2010) do Ministério de Minas e Energia, buscou caracterizar o estágio atual desse setor no Brasil. O estudo permite concluir que o uso de aquecimento solar de água em indústrias no Brasil é possível e representa uma alternativa que pode contribuir para a redução do custo e do consumo de energia em 30% a 40% dos processos de aquecimento em baixas temperaturas, especialmente nos setores de alimentos, bebidas, têxtil e químico.
IMPLANTAÇÃO DO CERTIFICADO ISO 9001 EM UMA EMPRESA NO SETOR DE PAPELÃO: AVALIANDO SEUS IMPACTOS ORGANIZACIONAIS
Authors: Vieira A. , Caraschi J. C. , Prates G. A.
Published: April 2015

O presente trabalho visa apresentar a avaliação dos impactos internos e externos de uma empresa que adotou um sistema de gestão da qualidade total: a certificação ISO 9001. Baseado em um estudo de caso, apoiado paralelamente em referenciais bibliográficos da literatura, em uma empresa do setor de papelão. A pesquisa visa mensurar e avaliar os conceitos básicos de qualidade e os benefícios da certificação. Ao concluir este estudo verificou-se que realmente a obtenção de um certificado ISO 9001 traz diversos impactos organizacionais e conduz à melhoria global da empresa, como a capacidade de gestão e avaliação geral dos relacionamentos, aumento no número de clientes e fornecedores e a melhoria da imagem da empresa diante do mercado.
ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFUSION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON RIVER BASINS (WATERSHEDS) IN BRAZIL
Authors: BORDIN D. , GABRIEL FILHO L.R.A. , PUTTI F.F. , CREMASCO C.P. , GOES B.C. , SATOLO E.G.
Published: April 2015

River basins or watershed areas have suffered great impact due to deforestation and pollution, which in turn also comprises decrease in the volume of water in rivers involved. Current research overviews scientific literature related to the theme "Watershed", published between 2002 and 2012, and assess the scientific contribution. The research method consists of an exploratory bibliographical survey of Brazilian research on the above-mentioned subject retrieved from the database Web of Science (WoS). Data treatment was conducted through a bibliometric analysis to identify institutions with greater representation in publications and citations by region. The bibliometric analysis was performed with software developed in Delphi language and types of Microsoft Excel® software, Ucinet®, NetDraw® and ArcGIS® that enabled the development of graphical representations related to publications and citations by regions. When the analysis of bibliometric indicators was analyzed, the most productive institutions were mapped and the impact and visibility of their publications and relationships that occurred in collaboration between researchers from major institutions were evaluated. Research related to the theme "Watershed" has its largest production between physically close institutions. This fact shows the need for government action, through investments, for the integration of researchers from different regions to construct a national coverage for these networks. Finally, the Southeast Region of Brazil should be underscored due to its production of more than 50% of publications and citations out of the national total.
Interview with Guilherme de Oliveira Estrella
Authors: de Oliveira Estrella Guilherme
Published: April 2015

The Way Ahead Interview - A conversation with Guilherme de Oliveira Estrella, Managing Director for E&P, Petrobras.
What Does It Take To Be Successful in The Future?
Authors: Thomas Tony
Published: April 2015

What's Ahead

Editor Tony Thomas examines what it takes to be successful in the future.

An individual's work results and business success depend on his/her knowledge and skills (i.e., competency). The contemporary business world changes very rapidly. Therefore, it is essential not only to be oriented toward present-day requirements for individual competency but also to foresee what competencies will determine success in the future. Surely there is not a single individual who embodies all competencies. Therefore, first of all, success is determined not by abundance of competencies but by having certain crucial competencies. Second, it is important to identify the need to develop certain strategic individual competencies and, finally, to develop strategic individual competencies that eventually will integrate successfully into the business.
Keeping the Work/Life Balance
Authors: Van Steene Marie , Koral Alicia , Jahagirdar Shruti Ravindra
Published: April 2015

Women on the Frontline - An examination of work/life balance issues by women in the industry.
Be Proud of Our Industry
Authors: Labastie Alain
Published: April 2015

Message from SPE President - Alain Labastie, 2011 SPE President, communicates the need to be proud of your job and of what the oil and gas industry is doing.
The Petrobras Petroleum Engineering Educational System
Authors: Santos Otto Alcantara
Published: April 2015

Pillars of the Industry - Otto Alcantara Santos of Petrobras.

In August 1955, Petrobras established the Center for Education and Research of Oil (CENAP) to train Petrobras specialists in oil exploration and production. In 1957, an agreement was signed between Petrobras and the Federal University of Bahia whereby drilling and oil production courses would be taught at CENAP facilities in Salvador, Brazil. As a result of this agreement, the following year the Course of Petroleum Engineering (CEP) was created to prepare newly hired petroleum engineers for their jobs in the company. This course gave birth to Petrobras’ educational system for petroleum engineers, whose objective is to update and sharpen engineers’ knowledge and skills throughout their professional lives within the company.

Petrobras recruits petroleum engineers through a nationwide exam— open to those in any engineering discipline—held simultaneously in several Brazilian cities. The selected candidates undergo a medical exam, a psychological evaluation, and a social-functional survey. If they pass, candidates are hired by Petrobras and enrolled in the Petrobras University CEP in Salvador. Since this recruiting and education program began in 1958, approximately 2,760 individuals have become Petrobras petroleum engineers—with nearly half (1,300) undergoing training since 2002.
Extracting Natural Gas Through Desorption in Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Das Jitendra
Published: April 2015

Tech 101 - Based on today’s shale gas recoverable reserves and present rate of production, it is likely that this unconventional energy source will ramp up and be capable of meeting energy needs over the next 100 years.
Emerging Plays Boost Economic Attractiveness of Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Payne Lauren , Sandeen Jackson
Published: April 2015

Economist's Corner - A discussion of how emerging plays boost the economic attractiveness of deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
Deepwater Developments From a Career-Long Petrobras Perspective
Authors: Lara Anelise Quintao
Published: April 2015

Pillars of the Industry - Deepwater developments from a career-long Petrobras perspective.

The evolution of deepwater production cannot be discussed without mentioning the contribution of Petrobras’ upstream activity. The reason is Petrobras’ success in overcoming enormous technological challenges in deep water during the last decade.

I joined Petrobras in 1986, when our production was around 0.6 million B/D, mainly from onshore and shallow-water operations. With the enormous pressure on the Brazilian trade balance from high-priced oil imports, it became imperative to increase domestic supplies. The only area capable of yielding a significant increase in national oil production was the Campos basin. The Marlim and Albacora giant field discoveries during 1985–86 at water depths up to 1000 m brought new opportunities and challenges that promoted enormous technological advancement in the petroleum industry in the following decades. I find it exciting that, 25 years after I joined the company, Petrobras’ oil production has now reached 2 million B/D, an increase—mostly from deep water—of almost 1.5 million B/D.
A Discussion With Hugh Mitchell
Authors: Mitchell Hugh
Published: April 2015

HR Advice - A discussion with Hugh Mitchell, Human Resources Director of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group.
Oil and Gas Industry Efforts on Behalf of Human Rights and Sustainable Development
Authors: Sykes Richard
Published: April 2015

Pillars of the Industry

Richard Sykes, Executive Secretary of the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association, weighs in on human rights and sustainability.
Persuasive Technical Presentations
Authors: Volz Tracy , Hewitt Janice L.
Published: April 2015

Soft Skills - Keys to effective technical presentations.

It happens many times in the oil industry. It may even have happened to you. Someone from R&D has just finished an oral report to management about an exciting, important project. But the managers don’t appear to grasp the importance or understand the concept presented. The result is no managerial enthusiasm with little or no support. What went wrong? Assuming that the R&D findings were potentially valuable to the company, perhaps the presentation was ineffective. What follows are practical suggestions for improving your presentations to management so that your research contributions are more likely to be supported.
Carbon Capture and Sequestration: A Potential "Win-Win" for the Oil Industry and the Public
Authors: Wickramathilaka Siluni , Willis Todd
Published: April 2015

Public Policy Focus - The status of carbon capture and sequestration.

In 1972, the first commercial carbon dioxide (CO2) flood project in the world began with the injection of CO2 into the Scurry Area Canyon Reef Operators Committee (SACROC) unit in the Permian Basin in Scurry County, Texas. The goal was simple: To arrest declining oil production and recover bypassed reserves. Today, nearly 40 years later, CO2 injection is being considered on a much wider scale, and for a different purpose altogether: To help arrest an increase in the average surface temperature of the planet.

CO2, among other gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, is a “greenhouse gas,” a gas that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere by absorbing and emitting radiation within the thermal infrared range, causing a greenhouselike warming effect. The presence of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere is vital, for without them, Earth’s surface would be on average about 59°F colder than at present. CO2 is also a key ingredient that nourishes plant life through photosynthesis.
Well Test Analysis in Practice
Authors: Gringarten Alain C.
Published: April 2015

Tech 101 - It can be safely predicted that the importance of well test analysis in reservoir characterization will continue to increase as new tools such as permanent downhole pressure gauges and downhole flowmeters become more widely used and as the scale relationship with the interpretation of other data from geophysics, geology, and petrophysics becomes better understood.
Dueling Ideologies: Green vs. the Oil and Gas Scene
Authors: Ayliffe Ben , Blackmon David
Published: April 2015

The Way Ahead Interview - Ben Ayliffe, head of Greenpeace International’s Arctic Oil Campaign, and David Blackmon, managing director of strategic communications for FTI Consulting.
Resurgence of an Old Oil Player: Tunisia’s Strategy To Secure Energy for Economic Expansion
Authors: Benyezza Abdurahman
Published: April 2015

Economist's Corner

Abdurahman Benyezza, North Africa Regional Director for Eni, presents an overview on the oil and gas industry in Tunisia, which is emerging again with a new focus on gas field development.
International Career Opportunities: Don't Let Them Pass You By
Authors: Ewing Jeff
Published: April 2015

Pillars of the Industry

Jeff Ewing offers advice on international career opportunities.

If I could give only one piece of advice to young professionals who are, or will be, employed by companies with international operations, it would be to take advantage of any opportunities that you are offered to live and work in locations outside your home country.

Experiencing life outside your home country provides invaluable experience in dealing with different cultures, broadens your work and personal perspectives, and increases your technical expertise by offering new and very different operating and engineering challenges. I believe that employees who possess international experience have a significant competitive advantage over their peers who lack it. This competitive advantage will only increase in the future as the global demand for hydrocarbons swells and companies continue to expand their operations to new locations around the world.

I would like to share with you some of my personal experiences and insights gathered during my 25-year career with Chevron. Of those 25 years, 15 have been spent outside my home country. Each of the five international locations where I have lived and worked has provided me with unique work and cultural experiences, contributed to my knowledge of the industry, and broadened my career opportunities.
Hydraulic Fracturing To Improve Production
Authors: Daneshy Ali
Published: April 2015

Tech 101 - Consultant Ali Daneshy presents an overview of hydraulic fracturing.

Reasons for Hydraulic Fracturing

In their natural state, most oil and gas wells do not produce at their optimum level, but hydraulic fracturing can address multiple challenges to efficient production. Radial flow from the reservoir into the wellbore is not an efficient flow regime. As the fluid approaches the wellbore, it has to pass through successively smaller and smaller areas. This causes “jamming” of the fluid and reduction in flow. If one were to complete the well such that the radial flow changes to nearly linear, then the change in flow pattern will increase well productivity. A properly designed and executed hydraulic fracture can change flow from radial to nearly linear (Fig. 1). Nearwellbore permeability in most formations is reduced by drilling, cementing, and completion operations. Theoretically, one can show that this permeability reduction causes substantial reductions in production rates (Fig. 2). Hydraulic fracturing can extend the reach of the wellbore beyond the damaged area and abate its negative effect on production. Hydraulic fracturing extends the reach of the wellbore far into the formation. Production is therefore controlled by the properties of the average reservoir reached by the fracture, instead of the much smaller near-wellbore region. The net effect is a reduction in the risk of drilling into less- or nonproductive zones.
Women With Advanced Degrees Build New Pathways for Emerging Countries
Authors: Madhavan Radhika , Mokeddem Zohra , Duran Margarita Varon
Published: April 2015

Women on the Frontline - Three women in advanced graduate studies talk about their work and how to attract more young women into science.
Technology Challenges, Opportunities of Next 25 years
Authors: Medina Max , Willis Todd , Onukwu Anthony , Schon Samuel
Published: April 2015

Tech 101 - Technology opportunities for the next 25 years.

“It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” This wisdom from Niels Bohr (or was it Yogi Berra?) is worth pondering as we consider technical challenges and opportunities that will be important in the coming decades. Just a few years ago, who would have foreseen the sudden emergence of North American resource plays or the Macondo disaster in the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and its aftermath? We will look at areas where change is certain, such as automation and information technology, and others where game-changing advances might occur, such as the promise of nanotechnology. Which specific technologies will dominate the oil fields of the future remains unknown, but if past advancements are any guide, as Berra put it, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”

Automation

Henry Ford only saw handmade cars during his lifetime, yet surely he envisioned the automated assembly lines of today as a replacement for those of his time. This is the path the oil industry will travel in the next several decades. The aim will be to automate the different activities that require intensive human labor. The main drivers for widespread automation will be increasing efficiency (i.e., faster operations, with better control and lower cost), improving safety (minimizing exposure of the workforce to hazards), and assisting the pursuit of oil and gas in remote locations and hostile environments.
The Structured Classroom Approach
Authors: van der Togt Jorrit
Published: April 2015

HR Discussion - Interview with Jorrit van der Togt, Shell

What influenced your choice of a career in the oil and gas industry?

I joined Shell via an internship program in South Korea where I worked on an IT program. Although I found Shell a great company to work for, I didn’t really like IT, so I opted to join HR instead and have been in HR ever since. Ironically, in my third job in Shell, I worked as an HR manager in IT, which turned out to be one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. What continues to attract me to Shell are the people I have worked with both on a personal and professional level, the global network I’ve established, the global technical and commercial challenges in the upstream and downstream worlds, and the strategic importance of the oil and gas industry that’s literally affected by just about any major event in the world.

Classroom training is an important element of Young Professionals’ (YPs’) development plans. How should YPs decide which courses to select?

Frankly, young engineers should not be selecting courses on their own. Instead they should be guided along the way. In Shell, we invest heavily in our technical professionals and especially in new graduates by providing a deep technical curriculum. The development plan is tailored to individual needs, determined through dialogue between supervisor and graduate, holistically looking at on-the-job training, coaching, formal training, etc. You need some skills to be productive now, but the majority of your formal training should be laying the foundation for the years to come. So don’t focus on courses alone, but focus on building a good launch pad for the future.
Discover a Career in Geomechanics
Authors: Soroush Hamed
Published: April 2015

Discover a Career - Shell’s Hamed Soroush talks about geomechanics - the oil and gas industry’s missing link.
Using Soap to Revive Mature Oil Fields
Authors: Delshad Mojdeh
Published: April 2015

Academia - A discussion of how soap is used to revive mature oil fields.

Most reservoirs in the US under operation by small producers have become mature due to extended waterflooding. In fact, an estimated 80% of the total number of oil wells in the US are now classified as “marginal.” The mature reservoirs accessed by these wells usually have a high water cut, in the range of 80% to 90%. Also, the industry typically leaves about 65% of oil behind after many years of waterflooding because of reservoir heterogeneity and incomplete sweep of the formation. Excessive water production becomes a major problem as these oil fields mature. High volumes of water production result in increased levels of corrosion and scale, increased load on fluid-handling facilities, increased environmental concerns, and eventually well abandonment (with associated workover costs). Consequently, producing zones are often abandoned in an attempt to avoid water contact, even when the intervals still retain large volumes of recoverable hydrocarbons. Controlling water production has been a challenging goal for most oil producers.
Joint Incidence of Asthma and Rhinitis in Macedonia
Authors: Zdraveska M , Dimitrievska D , Todevski D , Gjorcev A , Janeva E , Pavlovska I , Zafirova-Ivanovska B
Published: April 2015

The concept of “united airways disease”, based on many similar features and mutual interactions in the pathogenesis of asthma (A) and rhinitis (R), has led to an integral approach to their management. We conducted this study to determine the quantity of the problem of joint incidence of A and R in R. Macedonia, and, perhaps to obtain information on a potential causative effect of the two diseases.

Three hundred eighty six patients, who presented with wheezing and/or upper respiratory symptoms at the Pulmology and Allergy Clinic, Skopje, were included during a period of 48 months. The presence of bronchial hyperreactivity – BHR (positive histamine challenge), atopy (prick test to seasonal or perennial inhaled allergens), rhinitis symptoms (such as nasal secretion and obstruction) and X-ray of paranasal sinuses was registered by a specially designed questionnaire. R was diagnosed in 106 of the subjects (27.5%), and A in 280 (72.5%). Among the patients with A, co-incidence with R was found in 219 (76.5%). Including X-ray of paranasal sinuses to the diagnostic protocol increased this percentage to over 90% (256 patients). From the 219 patients with A and R together, 127 (57.99%) had positive atopy. On the other hand, 19 (18.0%) of the rhinitis-only patients had positive BHR without asthma symptoms. The follow up of the rhinitis patients with positive BHR revealed 4 patiets who developed asthma within 36 months, but this was also the case with 2 of the subjects with R and negative BHR. In conclusion, the co-incidence of A and R in our material is 78.21%, or 91.4% (including sinusitis); a greater co-existence of A and R is found in atopic patients. The patients with allergic R are at high risk for developing A and should be monitored in the future and the R symptoms should be adequately treated in order to minimize the risk for developing asthma.
Characterization, treatment, and outcome of bacterial cholecystitis and bactibilia in dogs
Authors: Lawrence Yuri A. , Ruaux Craig G. , Nemanic Sarah , Milovancev Milan
Published: April 2015

Objective—To characterize historical, clinicopathologic, ultrasonographic, microbiological, surgical, and histopathologic features of bacterial cholecystitis and bactibilia in dogs and evaluate response to treatment and outcomes in these patients.

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—40 client-owned dogs (10 with bacterial cholecystitis on histologic analysis or bactibilia on cytologic examination [case dogs] and 30 without bactibilia [controls]) evaluated at a veterinary teaching hospital between 2010 and 2014.

Procedures—Signalment, history, clinicopathologic findings, ultrasonographic features, microbiological results, surgical findings, histopathologic changes, treatments, and outcomes of case dogs were derived from medical records and summarized. Demographic and clinicopathologic data and ultrasonographic findings were compared between case and control dogs. Relationships among prior antimicrobial treatment, sediment formation in the gallbladder, presence of immobile biliary sludge, and presence of bactibilia or bacterial cholecystitis were assessed.

Results—No finding was pathognomonic for bactibilia or bacterial cholecystitis in dogs. Case dogs were significantly more likely to have immobile biliary sludge and had a greater degree of biliary sediment formation than did control dogs. All case dogs for which gallbladders were examined histologically (6/6) had bacterial cholecystitis. Five of 10 case dogs were Dachshunds. Medical or surgical treatment resulted in good outcomes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Bactibilia and bacterial cholecystitis were important differential diagnoses in dogs with signs referable to biliary tract disease. Dachshunds were overrepresented, which may suggest a breed predisposition. Cytologic evaluation of bile should be considered in the routine assessment of dogs with hepatobiliary disease if immobile biliary sludge is present. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015;246:982–989)
Plasma B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) as a marker of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients
Authors: Khan MM Zahurul Alam , Mohibullah AKM , Alam Md Zahid , Safdar AMB , Hoque Shabnam Jahan , Chowdhury Ashish Kumar
Published: April 2015

The first stage of diabetic cardiomyopathy is represented by left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) with preserved systolic function, in an asymptomatic patient. B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone predominantly released from the cardiac ventricles in response to left ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload. The diagnostic role of BNP for detecting LVDD in asymptomatic diabetic patients is still debated and this study was undertaken to find out this relationship of plasma BNP level with LVDD in asymptomatic diabetic patients. First 100 patients who had type 2 diabetes for more than 5 years and had no known cardiac disease other than LVDD (grade-1 & 2), admitted in BIRDEM Hospital were recruited. Plasma BNP was measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) method using AXSYM auto analyzer. Twodimensional, M-mode, spectral, and color flow Doppler echocardiograms was repeated on the same day of blood collection for plasma BNP measurement. After processing of all available data, statistical analysis of their significance was done with the help of computer based SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Science) program. Male female distribution of the study participants was 46% and 54% respectively. Mean plasma BNP level in all participants was 150 pg/ml. In male and female participants the values were 168 and 135 pg/ml respectively. The distribution did not show any significant association (p=0.491). Of the 100 study participants 89% had E/A ratio <1. Distribution of participants with abnormal E/A and E/e did not show any significant association (p=0.955 and 0.844 respectively). Study participants with varying level of plasma BNP level were analyzed in terms of E/A and E/e ratio. Distribution of participants between BNP Groups and E/A and E/e groups did not show statistically significant association (p=0.529). We concluded that plasma BNP has no relation with LVDD (grade- 1 and 2) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had no known cardiac disease.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(1): 1-5
Thyroid stimulating hormone resistance syndrome  a case report
Authors: Ashrafuzzaman SM , Latif Zafar A
Published: April 2015

Resistance to thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (RTSH) can be defined as decreased responsiveness to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) characterized by high TSH with normal but occasionally low T4 and T3 usually in absence of goiter or ectopic thyroid. It can be diagnosed when TSH is >30 mIU/L but free T4 (FT4) is within normal limit. Patient usually presents in euthyroid state with abnormally high TSH but may also present with mild to overt hypothyroidism. The precise prevalence is not known, but 20-30% infants may show transient mild RTSH. In adults it is rare.Here we report a case of RTSH in which a 19 years old young girl presented in euthyroid state with mild goiter.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(1): 32-33
‘The Essence of the Union …’: Unionism, Nationalism and Identity On These Disconnected Islands
Authors: Rosie Michael , Hepburn Eve
Published: April 2015

Linda Colley (1996) identified three key ‘glues’ for the British Union state created in 1707: extensive wars with France; a uniting sense of Protestantism; and a burgeoning commercial and military empire. This article explores how two key parts of this project – namely, ‘unionism’ and a collective sense of ‘Britishness’ – has become increasingly disconnected in different parts of the United Kingdom. In particular, it examines the extent to which, following Colley's historical argument, white and Protestant citizens remain more likely to identify with political Unionism and Britishness as compared to other ethnic and religious groups. The discussion includes an analysis of the degree to which ‘feeling British’ and ‘valuing the Union’ overlap, and whether a connected unionism can be discerned against trends which increasingly place emphasis on the sub-state nation as a key political community of attachment and identity.
Could the Creative Class be a Factor in Scottish Rural Development?
Authors: Slee Bill , Hopkins Jon , Vellinga Nico
Published: April 2015

This paper reviews the applicability of Florida's creative class concept to rural Scotland. It builds on recognition that environmental quality is a powerful attractant to businesses and in-migrants in Scotland, although to date no Scottish analysts of rural regeneration have used Florida's terminology or ideas to any significant degree. This is in spite of compelling evidence that, with uncontroversial modifications to the definition of the creative class, his analysis of the relationship between the presence of creative class members and growth can be confirmed in rural North America. The paper explores some of the challenges of the creative class hypothesis, including defining membership. It recognises some of the difficulties encountered in trying to ascertain the direction of causation with respect to the creative class: are members attracted to areas by the demand for employment or because of the social and environmental qualities of particular places? The paper also recognises that creative class ideas may not resonate especially strongly with endogenous (i.e. internally originating) development ideas, which are more rooted in strong place-based communities as vectors of growth than mobile incomers. The paper highlights three main areas of research to address these questions.
A Guide to Phylogenetic Reconstruction Using Heterogeneous Models—A Case Study from the Root of the Placental Mammal Tree
Authors: Moran Raymond , Morgan Claire , O'Connell Mary
Published: April 2015

There are numerous phylogenetic reconstruction methods and models available—but which should you use and why? Important considerations in phylogenetic analyses include data quality, structure, signal, alignment length and sampling. If poorly modelled, variation in rates of change across proteins and across lineages can lead to incorrect phylogeny reconstruction which can then lead to downstream misinterpretation of the underlying data. The risk of choosing and applying an inappropriate model can be reduced with some critical yet straightforward steps outlined in this paper. We use the question of the position of the root of placental mammals as our working example to illustrate the topological impact of model misspecification. Using this case study we focus on using models in a Bayesian framework and we outline the steps involved in identifying and assessing better fitting models for specific datasets.
Integrating Entropy and Copula Theories for Hydrologic Modeling and Analysis
Authors: Hao Zengchao , Singh Vijay
Published: April 2015

Entropy is a measure of uncertainty and has been commonly used for various applications, including probability inferences in hydrology. Copula has been widely used for constructing joint distributions to model the dependence structure of multivariate hydrological random variables. Integration of entropy and copula theories provides new insights in hydrologic modeling and analysis, for which the development and application are still in infancy. Two broad branches of integration of the two concepts, entropy copula and copula entropy, are introduced in this study. On the one hand, the entropy theory can be used to derive new families of copulas based on information content matching. On the other hand, the copula entropy provides attractive alternatives in the nonlinear dependence measurement even in higher dimensions. We introduce in this study the integration of entropy and copula theories in the dependence modeling and analysis to illustrate the potential applications in hydrology and water resources.
Predicting Effects of Climate Change on Habitat Suitability of Red Spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the USA: Understanding Complex Systems Mechanisms through Modeling
Authors: Koo Kyung , Patten Bernard , Madden Marguerite
Published: April 2015

Alpine, subalpine and boreal tree species, of low genetic diversity and adapted to low optimal temperatures, are vulnerable to the warming effects of global climate change. The accurate prediction of these species’ distributions in response to climate change is critical for effective planning and management. The goal of this research is to predict climate change effects on the distribution of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), eastern USA. Climate change is, however, conflated with other environmental factors, making its assessment a complex systems problem in which indirect effects are significant in causality. Predictions were made by linking a tree growth simulation model, red spruce growth model (ARIM.SIM), to a GIS spatial model, red spruce habitat model (ARIM.HAB). ARIM.SIM quantifies direct and indirect interactions between red spruce and its growth factors, revealing the latter to be dominant. ARIM.HAB spatially distributes the ARIM.SIM simulations under the assumption that greater growth reflects higher probabilities of presence. ARIM.HAB predicts the future habitat suitability of red spruce based on growth predictions of ARIM.SIM under climate change and three air pollution scenarios: 10% increase, no change and 10% decrease. Results show that suitable habitats shrink most when air pollution increases. Higher temperatures cause losses of most low-elevation habitats. Increased precipitation and air pollution produce acid rain, which causes loss of both low- and high-elevation habitats. The general prediction is that climate change will cause contraction of red spruce habitats at both lower and higher elevations in GSMNP, and the effects will be exacerbated by increased air pollution. These predictions provide valuable information for understanding potential impacts of global climate change on the spatiotemporal distribution of red spruce habitats in GSMNP.
NADPH Oxidase Activity in Cerebral Arterioles Is a Key Mediator of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease—Implications for Prevention
Authors: McCarty Mark
Published: April 2015

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), a common feature of brain aging, is characterized by lacunar infarcts, microbleeds, leukoaraiosis, and a leaky blood-brain barrier. Functionally, it is associated with cognitive decline, dementia, depression, gait abnormalities, and increased risk for stroke. Cerebral arterioles in this syndrome tend to hypertrophy and lose their capacity for adaptive vasodilation. Rodent studies strongly suggest that activation of Nox2-dependent NADPH oxidase activity is a crucial driver of these structural and functional derangements of cerebral arterioles, in part owing to impairment of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. This oxidative stress may also contribute to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier seen in SVD. Hypertension, aging, metabolic syndrome, smoking, hyperglycemia, and elevated homocysteine may promote activation of NADPH oxidase in cerebral arterioles. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase with phycocyanobilin from spirulina, as well as high-dose statin therapy, may have potential for prevention and control of SVD, and high-potassium diets merit study in this regard. Measures which support effective eNOS activity in other ways—exercise training, supplemental citrulline, certain dietary flavonoids (as in cocoa and green tea), and capsaicin, may also improve the function of cerebral arterioles. Asian epidemiology suggests that increased protein intakes may decrease risk for SVD; conceivably, arginine and/or cysteine—which boosts tissue glutathione synthesis, and can be administered as N-acetylcysteine—mediate this benefit. Ameliorating the risk factors for SVD—including hypertension, metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, smoking, and elevated homocysteine—also may help to prevent and control this syndrome, although few clinical trials have addressed this issue to date.
Alternative Bio-Based Solvents for Extraction of Fat and Oils: Solubility Prediction, Global Yield, Extraction Kinetics, Chemical Composition and Cost of Manufacturing
Authors: Sicaire Anne-Gaëlle , Vian Maryline , Fine Frédéric , Joffre Florent , Carré Patrick , Tostain Sylvain , Chemat Farid
Published: April 2015

The present study was designed to evaluate the performance of alternative bio-based solvents, more especially 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, obtained from crop’s byproducts for the substitution of petroleum solvents such as hexane in the extraction of fat and oils for food (edible oil) and non-food (bio fuel) applications. First a solvent selection as well as an evaluation of the performance was made with Hansen Solubility Parameters and the COnductor-like Screening MOdel for Realistic Solvation (COSMO-RS) simulations. Experiments were performed on rapeseed oil extraction at laboratory and pilot plant scale for the determination of lipid yields, extraction kinetics, diffusion modeling, and complete lipid composition in term of fatty acids and micronutrients (sterols, tocopherols and tocotrienols). Finally, economic and energetic evaluations of the process were conducted to estimate the cost of manufacturing using 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) as alternative solvent compared to hexane as petroleum solvent.