bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arctic Drilling Operations Planning and Execution: Feedback from Kharyaga Field, Russia
Authors: Fletcher Howard
Published: December 2011

In 1995 Total signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the Russian Federation for the development and production of the Kharyaga oil field, situated 60km to the north of the Polar Circle in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and 140km away from the main base in Usinsk (Figure 1). Figure 1Kharyaga and Usinsk localization on a mapFigure 2Nabors 536 on Kharyaga Pad EP-1

Kharyaga is Russia’s first onshore project under PSA terms. It is a key operational project for Total in Russia to date. Total (40%) operates the project in partnership with the Norwegian Statoil (30%) and two state Russian companies - Zarubezhneft (20%) and the Nenets Oil Company (10%).

The weather is particularly harsh at the rig site with a temperature far below 0°C from October to June. The average temperature is around -20°C and recent records show down to -53°C in winter time, without considering the wind chill effect.

Kharyaga consists of normally pressured or depleted reservoirs, at depths of up to 2850m TVD (TEPR object 2). It contains up to 1.2% H2S. The field is shared with another operator, presenting challenges for well design, and trajectory planning.

This paper discusses the main issues in planning, designing and preparing for a drilling campaign in the remote arctic environment of Russia, from field layout and location preparation through to operations performance in the extreme cold.
Experience of Applying Geosteering to Drill Horizontal Wells in Salinization Reservoirs of Eastern Siberia
Authors: Chashkov A. V. , Gordeev Ya. L. , Menyakin V. F.
Published: December 2011

East Siberia is a new and promising centre of oil and gas industry in Russia. Reserves explored in the region amount to ~11 percent of oil, ~14 percent of natural gas, and ~16 percent of gas condensate reserves of Russia. However, East Siberia is currently producing no more than 0.3 percent of Russian oil and about 1 percent of gas [1]. Major causes of such a low production level include remoteness of the region, poorly developed infrastructure, complicated geology, numerous faults, high mineralization of formation water in pay zones, etc.

The largest oil- and gas-bearing object of East Siberia is the Vendian terrigenous complex, which transgressively and discordantly overlies the eroded surface of Riphean rock. The complex is represented by the Parfenovskiy Horizon (the Kovykta Field), the Vanavarskaya Suite (the Sobinskoye Field), the Verhnechonskiy Horizon (the Verhnechonskoye Field), the Botuobinskiy Horizon (Srednebotuobinskoye and Chayandinskoye fields), etc. The present publication focuses on our experiences of applying geosteering to drilling in the Verkhnechonskiy Horizon interval of the Verkhnechonskoye oil and gas condensate field.

The key specific feature of the Verkhnechonskiy Horizon reservoir is its almost all-round yet very uneven Salinization [2].

Moreover, some of the rock series contain significant volumes of accessory minerals of anomalous physical properties [3].

Risks of drilling horizontal wells in poorly productive intervals are significant due to highly abrupt variability of reservoir rocks of the terrigenous complex in interwell space. With application of LWD, it is possible to drill horizontal sections of wells through the most favourable subsurface zones and to obtain reliable determinations of resistance-contrasting boundaries of formations along the entire wellbore [4]. It is generally an adeqaute condition for timely adjustment of well trajectories and for keeping wellbores within target interval boundaries.

Geosteering makes it possible to achieve a 10 percent increase in penetrating the best reservoir by horizontal wellbores in comparison with the originally designed wellbores. The average total effect of geosteering in more than 20 wells came to 67 tpd per well.
Applying Modern Technologies of Reservoir Quality Prediction by Seismic Data for Complex Fields, Tyumen Petroleum Research Center LLC (TNNC), Russian Federation
Authors: Marchenko E. A. , Khamitullin I. M. , Malygina O. S.
Published: December 2011

The present work presents J4 reservoir properties results in the central part of Uvat oil-and-gas- bearing area based on 3D seismic data interpretation, well logging and sediment logical core analysis. The complex reservoir structure is associated with facies variability that is specific for continental conditions of sedimentation and tectonic geology.
Stochastic Methods for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Arctic Shelf Field Development Strategy
Authors: Sevastianova Kristina , Kuznetsov Mikhail , Tarasov Peter , Zilber Vladimir , Nekhaev Sergey
Published: December 2011

This paper briefly describes a method for evaluating the effectiveness of field development strategy in conditions of risk and uncertainty. Volumes of recoverable reserves and the economic market conditions are considered as key sources of uncertainty. The proposed approach allows obtaining integral criterion of the investment project efficiency, taking into account possible flexibilities in the development strategy upon receipt of new information.
Simulation of Multilayer Wells Operating
Authors: Yudin Evgeniy , Lubnin Alexander
Published: December 2011

The paper discusses various approaches for modeling technical operations on multilayer wells. An approximate method for simulation of the multilayer well operation is considered. The essence of the approach lies in the extension of nodal analysis method where transient flow is acting in the formation and the start of production from different layers is not simultaneous. An example of using this approach for modeling unsteady processes occurring after involving into development of new layers is given. The constructed model can be used for incremental production planning, evaluation of interstratal crossflows, as well as candidates selection.
Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing in Horizontal Wells as a Method For the Effective Development of Gas-Condensate Fields in the Arctic Region
Authors: Ignatyev A. E. , Mukminov I. R , Vikulova E. A. , Pepelyayev R. V.
Published: December 2011

Currently considerable part of new oil and gas fields put into production, features structurally complex low permeable reservoirs. Under complex Arctic climatic conditions, Yamal in particular, development of gas-condensate deposits seems to be especially difficult and capital intensive task. To increase projects commercial efficiency, productivity of each gas well needs to be maximized. Classic solution here is to drill vertical well (VW) with fracture. Under complicated conditions especially when developing offshore fields, where drilling unit costs are considerably higher than in already developed oil and gas bearing regions of Russia, horizontal or sub-horizontal wells (HW) with multiple fractures can be more efficient.

To evaluate process efficiency under conditions of Urengoiskoe gas-condensate field, a high resolution sector reservoir model for a single well was built. The model was used to calculate production parameters for various bottomhole design variants: vertical well with fracture, horizontal well with several transverse or longitudinal fractures.

In this sector model, each fracture was explicitly simulated, and in number of models minimum width of a cell containing fracture was 5 to 10 mm, which correlated with real fracture width.

Analytical calculations and simulation results, considered in this paper, are indicative for a number of typical effects for gas-condensate wells, which should be given a notice: ▪Generation of condensate bank in bottomhole formation zone, leading to well productivity decline;▪Inertial effects in fracture (Forchheimer effect) caused by high gas filtration rate and also resulting in well productivity decline;▪"Straightening’ of relative permeability curves in the areas with high fluid velocity.
About the Problem of Calculation of Interaction of Sea Gravitational Oil and Gas Extraction Platforms with the Soil Basis
Authors: Papusha A. N. , Gontarev D. P.
Published: December 2011

In paper a principles of the calculation of interaction of sea gravitational oil and gas extraction platforms with the soil basis are presented. Sea bed is presented by the non- uniform model consisting of seven soils layers, saturated with a liquid. Approximate calculation of interaction platform «Prirazlomnaya» with a sea-bottom is resulted.
The New Model of Environmental Safety Specialists Training for Oil and Gas Exploration in the Arctic
Authors: Khaustov A. P. , Redina M. M.
Published: December 2011

The oil companies test a severe shortage in the qualified experts in industrial and ecological safety (HSE-management), in particular in the conditions of emergency situations, what are the oil spills. The modern specialist needs a serious additional training to bring his knowledge and skills to meet the requirements of the employer. Declared by the principle of "lifelong learning" - the constant improvement of educational level, in particular - for sustainable development.

Currently, the Peoples' Friendship University established an educational complex on HSE-management. Such programs are just gaining momentum and presented at leading universities in industrial countries (Britain, Australia, USA, etc.). With its creation as a result of contacts with leading companies (TNK-BP, Lukoil, Gazprom, Tatneft, and others) was defined profile specialist and were formulated the requirements for professional skills of specialists.

The most effective way, allowing the student to "feel" the concept of environmental safety - virtual immersion in a professional environment. Given this, the People's Friendship University - the first of the universities of Russia - based virtual simulator technology started training, practically oriented to minimize the harm accidents.

Created a virtual simulator for environmental safety in the oil spills simulates accidents on pipelines of various sizes for different environmental conditions. It includes an estimated portion (the definition of poverty, economic and environmental impacts of oil spills), the latest technology for elimination of accident, library of manuals and handbooks.

The integrated approach allows for a short time to prepare qualified professionals to eliminate the accident consequences. The simulator - the first Russian software of its kind. Further work on its development can be adapted to a wide range of conditions, including the Arctic.

Thus, the introduction of simulator training in the practice can provide: tackle key problems technospheric safety (safety of natural systems and populations in the zone of influence of objects);preservation of natural resources areas (sustainable development);savings for employers additional training due to the ability to adapt quickly to a specialist professional reality.
Soil and Tissue Testing for Sulfur Management of Alfalfa in New York State
Authors: Ketterings Quirine M. , Godwin Greg , Gami Sanjay , Dietzel Kevin , Lawrence Joe , Barney Peter , Kilcer Tom , Stanyard Mike , Albers Carl , Cherney Jerry H. , Cherney Debbie , Czymmek Karl J.
Published: December 2011

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage crop in New York. During the past decades, atmospheric S deposition has decreased, raising questions about fertilizer S needs of alfalfa and soil and tissue testing as tools for S management. On‐farm, replicated trials were conducted in eight locations in New York comparing two S sources (CaSO4 and K2SO4×2MgSO4 at 168 kg S ha−1) applied after the first cutting in 2008 vs. a no‐S control. Four of eight sites were S responsive, averaging a 17% yield increase with S fertilization. Sulfur fertilization did not impact estimated milk production per unit yield for any of the cuttings or locations despite small S‐fertilization‐induced changes in protein levels at some locations. The greatest yield and response to S were measured for Site 5 (10.0 and 8.5 Mg ha−1 with and without S fertilization, respectively). The data suggest critical values of 2.7 g S kg−1 (tissue test) and 8 mg SO4–S kg−1 (0.01 mol L−1 CaCl2 extractable soil test) at which a 95% relative yield was obtained. Monitoring of soil S concentrations during a 5‐yr corn (Zea mays L.) and 4‐yr alfalfa rotation showed that recently manured fields are not likely to be S deficient, but soil S concentrations declined during the unmanured alfalfa years and soils could become S deficient. We concluded that both tissue and soil S tests have potential as indicators of S responsiveness for alfalfa. Additional research is needed to validate the suggested soil and plant tissue critical values.
Three‐Dimensional Sensitivity Distribution and Sample Volume of Low‐Induction‐Number Electromagnetic‐Induction Instruments
Authors: Callegary James B. , Ferré Ty P. A. , Groom R. W.
Published: December 2011

There is an ongoing effort to improve the understanding of the correlation of soil properties with apparent soil electrical conductivity as measured by low‐induction‐number electromagnetic‐induction (LIN FEM) instruments. At a minimum, the dimensions of LIN FEM instruments' sample volume, the spatial distribution of sensitivity within that volume, and implications for surveying and analyses must be clearly defined and discussed. Therefore, a series of numerical simulations was done in which a conductive perturbation was moved systematically through homogeneous soil to elucidate the three‐dimensional sample volume of LIN FEM instruments. For a small perturbation with electrical conductivity similar to that of the soil, instrument response is a measure of local sensitivity (LS). Our results indicate that LS depends strongly on the orientation of the instrument's transmitter and receiver coils and includes regions of both positive and negative LS. Integration of the absolute value of LS from highest to lowest was used to contour cumulative sensitivity (CS). The 90% CS contour was used to define the sample volume. For both horizontal and vertical coplanar coil orientations, the longest dimension of the sample volume was at the surface along the main instrument axis with a length of about four times the intercoil spacing (s) with maximum thicknesses of about 1 and 0.3 s, respectively. The imaged distribution of spatial sensitivity within the sample volume is highly complex and should be considered in conjunction with the expected scale of heterogeneity before the use and interpretation of LIN FEM for mapping and profiling.
Factors Influencing the Recovery of Glucosamine Nitrogen from Soils Commonly Cropped to Rice
Authors: Roberts T. L. , Ross W. J. , Stiegler J. C. , Norman R. J. , Slaton N. A. , Wilson C. E.
Published: December 2011

The Illinois soil N test (ISNT) is intended to predict the amount of mineralizable N in a soil by estimating the amount of amino sugar N present. The objective of this study was to compare the ISNT with a direct steam distillation (DSD) method for recovering 15N‐labeled glucosamine added to soil collected from the 0‐ to 15‐, 15‐ to 30‐, 30‐ to 45‐, and 45‐ to 60‐cm depth increments. Four clay and four silt loam soils where chosen from rice (Oryza sativa L.) production regions in the mid‐South United States. When the ISNT and DSD were compared across all soils and for all depths, the N liberated with the DSD was, on average, 19.2 mg N kg−1 soil greater than the N liberated with the ISNT. The ISNT recovered 89.2 to 97.9% and the DSD method 88.5 to 99.1% of the 15N‐glucosamine added to the four soil depth increments for all eight soils. There was a significant interaction between soil depth and method; the ISNT recovered a greater amount of added glucosamine‐N from the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth than the DSD. Overall, the ISNT and the DSD methods recovered similar amounts of added glucosamine N from each soil depth below 15 cm but alkaline hydrolyzable N (AH‐N) and total N (TN) appear to influence the recovery of glucosamine when using the DSD. The results of this study indicate that the ISNT and DSD methods can recover similar amounts of glucosamine N in soils with different textures; however, the glucosamine N recovery by DSD is highly influenced by the presence of AH‐N, as indicated by a significant negative relationship.
Phosphorus Loss Potential and Phosphatase Activity under Phosphorus Fertilization in Long‐Term Paddy Wetland Agroecosystems
Authors: Wang Shaoxian , Liang Xinqiang , Chen Yingxu , Luo Qixiang , Liang Wusheng , Li Song , Huang Changlin , Li Zuzhang , Wan Lanlan , Li Wei , Shao Xuexin
Published: December 2011

Phosphorus fertilization may lead to increased P runoff and leaching, contributing to surface water and groundwater pollution. Plots of a 25‐yr field study in subtropical China representing eight P fertilization treatments were sampled to determine the effects of P fertilization on P loss potential and correlations among soil test P, soil neutral phosphatase activity, and water P content. Phosphorus fertilization increased soil test P and neutral phosphatase activity in the plow layer compared with P‐free fertilization. Total P content of paddy surface water increased with P fertilization, from <0.01 to 0.35 mg L−1. Phosphorus fertilization created P runoff loss risk, especially with the combined application of both inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments. The P runoff loss potential could be reduced or avoided by utilizing physical barriers on field margins to reduce or eliminate runoff. Soil neutral phosphatase activity, soil test P in the 0‐ to 5‐cm layer, and surface water P content were significantly and positively correlated. Soil neutral phosphatase activity contributed to soil test P and the potential of P runoff loss. Fertilization did not affect soil test P or neutral phosphatase activity beneath the plow layer or total P of paddy groundwater at the 100‐cm depth. The P content of paddy groundwater was not related to that of surface water, indicating that downward movement of P and P leaching did not occur. The results suggest that paddy wetland ecosystems can store P with proper management, especially for organic amendments.
Linking Particle and Pore Size Distribution Parameters to Soil Gas Transport Properties
Authors: Arthur Emmanuel , Moldrup Per , Schjønning Per , de Jonge Lis W.
Published: December 2011

Accurate estimation of soil gas diffusivity (Dp/Do, the ratio of gas diffusion coefficients in soil and free air) and air permeability (ka) from basic texture and pore characteristics will be highly valuable for modeling soil gas transport and emission and their field‐scale variations. From the topsoil of two Danish arable fields representing two natural clay gradients, Dp/Do and ka were measured at soil water matric potentials between −1 and −100 kPa on undisturbed soil cores. The Rosin–Rammler particle size distribution parameters α and β (characteristic particle size and degree of sorting, respectively) and the Campbell water retention parameter b were used to characterize particle and pore size distributions, respectively. Campbell b yielded a wide interval (4.6–26.2) and was highly correlated with α, β, and volumetric clay content. Both Dp/Do and ka followed simple power‐law functions (PLFs) of air‐filled porosity (εa). The PLF tortuosity–connectivity factors (X*) for Dp/Do and ka were both highly correlated with all basic soil characteristics, in the order of volumetric clay content = Campbell b > gravimetric clay content > α > β. The PLF water blockage factors (H) for Dp/Do and ka were also well (but relatively more weakly) correlated with the basic soil characteristics, again with the best correlations to volumetric clay content and b. As a first attempt at developing a simple Dp/Do model useful at the field scale, we extended the classical Buckingham Dp/Do model (εa2) by a scaling factor based on volumetric clay content. The scaled Buckingham model provided accurate predictions of Dp(εa)/Do across both natural clay gradients.
Mineralization Potential and Temperature Sensitivity of Soil Organic Carbon under Different Land Uses in the Parkland Region of Alberta, Canada
Authors: Arevalo Carmela B. M. , Chang Scott X. , Bhatti Jagtar S. , Sidders Derek
Published: December 2011

The temperature sensitivity of soil organic C contained in different particle‐size fractions is important in the context of global climate change but to date has been poorly studied. We compared the effects of temperature (7, 14, and 21°C) on C mineralization rates in fractionated soils from four land use systems [agriculture, AG; plantation; grassland, GRA; and native aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) stand, NAT] in the parkland region of Alberta, Canada, over a 370‐d laboratory incubation. Carbon was largely held in the fine (<53 μm) fraction (59%), followed by the medium (53–250 μm, 31%) and coarse (250–2000 μm, 10%) fractions. Across land uses and incubation temperatures, the amount of C mineralized from bulk soil over 370 d ranged between 2 and 9% of initial total organic carbon (Ci), with mineralization rates based on per unit of Ci ranging from 0.4 to 5.8 × 10−4 mg C mg−1 Ci d−1 and mean residence times (MRTs) ranging from 15 to 65 yr. Of the total amount of C mineralized, 77, 14, and 9% came from the coarse, medium, and fine fractions, respectively. The temperature sensitivity (Q10) of organic C under NAT increased with decreasing particle size, while plantation‐ and GRA‐derived soil organic C showed significantly greater Q10 in the medium and fine fractions only. We conclude that the mineralization potential and temperature sensitivity of soil organic C in the studied land use systems were controlled mainly by organic matter quality and physical protection provided through aggregation and adsorption.
Changes in Organic Matter Pools and Increases in Carbon Sequestration in Response to Surface Liming in an Oxisol under Long‐Term No‐Till
Authors: Briedis Clever , de Moraes Sá João Carlos , Caires Eduardo Fávero , de Fátima Navarro Jaqueline , Inagaki Thiago Massao , Boer Adriane , de Oliveira Ferreira Ademir , Neto Caio Quadros , Canalli Lutécia Beatriz , dos Santos Josiane Bürkner
Published: December 2011

In a no‐till system (NTS) on naturally acidic soils, surface liming is essential to neutralize soil acidity and increases crop productivity. As a result, the soil organic matter (SOM) pools of the soil surface layers may change, reflecting increased C inputs by crop residues. The objective of this study was to quantify changes in SOM pools and the rate of C sequestration that occur in response to surface liming in a long‐term NTS experiment. The experiment was conducted in an Oxisol in southern Brazil. The treatments consisted of the application of 0 or 6 Mg ha−1 of dolomitic lime on the soil surface in 1993 and a reapplication of 0 or 3 Mg ha−1 of dolomitic lime in 2000 to plots with or without the previous lime application. Liming caused total organic C (TOC) accumulation, especially in the 0‐ to 2.5‐cm layer. The amount of TOC stored in the 20‐cm layer was 49.9, 52.9, 52.7, and 57.5 Mg ha−1 in the control, 6 + 0, 0 + 3, and 6 + 3 Mg ha−1 treatments, respectively. The levels of particulate organic C (POC) and mineral‐associated organic C (MAOC) in the SOM were also enhanced by liming. The increase in POC was directly related (R2 = 0.99, P = 0.002) to the accumulation of C from crop residues, which was greater in the plots receiving lime treatment. There were positive correlations between TOC and C extractable with hot water, total polysaccharides, and labile polysaccharides. The correlation analysis also demonstrated that TOC was more tightly correlated with POC than with MAOC, indicating a greater influence of the labile fraction on the increase in TOC with surface liming.
Improved Nitrogen Management for an Intensive Winter Wheat/Summer Maize Double‐cropping System
Authors: Qiu Shaojun , Ju Xiaotang , Lu Xing , Li Ling , Ingwersen Joachim , Streck Thilo , Christie Peter , Zhang Fusuo
Published: December 2011

Improving N and straw management to achieve high crop yields, minimize nitrate leaching, and balance soil fertility presents challenges in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/summer maize (Zea mays L.) double cropping systems on the North China Plain. A long‐term field experiment was designed to study crop performance, nitrate leaching, and N balance under three N management approaches (conventional farming practice, improved Nmin, and N balance methods) with two straw management options (straw removal and return), and two types of organic amendment (cattle [Bos taurus] manure and municipal waste compost). Grain and straw yields and C/N ratios were determined in each crop, together with N uptake and residual NO3–N in the top 2 m of the soil profile. Over six successive crops of the study (October 2006–September 2009) 32 to 93% of applied N was saved without reducing either wheat or maize yields and less NO3–N accumulated in the top 1 m of the soil (the root zone) or leached 1 to 2 m down the soil profile when the two new N management approaches were used in comparison with conventional N management. Straw return did not affect crop yield or NO3–N accumulation but the N rate with straw return in the improved Nmin method increased due to N immobilization induced by the straw. Moreover, in the hot and wet maize seasons, chemical fertilizer N rate in the N balance method can further decrease by reducing the target residual NO3–N in the 0 to 1 m root zone and by increasing the percentage availability of total N in organic amendments in future studies.
Modeling the Spatial Distribution of Soil Texture in the State of Jalisco, Mexico
Authors: Pongpattananurak Nantachai , Reich Robin M. , Khosla R. , Aguirre-Bravo C.
Published: December 2011

Information on the spatial variability of soil attributes, such as soil texture, is crucial for a wide range of decisions in ecosystem and agricultural research and management. Surveys designed to collect such information across large geographic regions may not capture the fine to moderate scales of variation in soil properties. As a result, soil properties may exhibit spatial dependencies at scales smaller than the scale at which sampling was performed. This lack of spatial structure in the sample data makes it difficult, if not impossible, to use optimal predictors such as ordinary kriging for modeling spatial variability in a data set. We developed a new approach for modeling soil texture fractions across large geographic regions at a fine spatial resolution. The method of three‐stage least squares is used to model the large‐scale variability in soil texture, while the small‐scale variability is modeled using multivariate regression trees. This approach was used to model the spatial distribution of soil textural classes in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Independent variables used in the modeling process included terrain data, climatic data, and satellite imagery. Our results indicate that the sand model accounted for 62% of the variability observed in the sample plots, while the clay model accounted for 56% of the observed variability. Maps of soil attributes obtained from this study can serve as a useful surrogate (i) explaining the spatial variability in soil attributes across large geographic regions and (ii) supporting applications of precision forestry and agriculture for site‐specific management across both small and large geographic regions.
Simple and Reliable Approach for Quantifying IRIS Tube Data
Authors: Rabenhorst M. C.
Published: December 2011

The recent use of IRIS (indicator of reduction in soils) tubes by wetland scientists and approval of their use by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils has required some simple means for quantifying paint removed from the tubes. The cylindrical shape of the tubes has generally made scanning or other automated processes difficult. Visual estimations are commonly made, but recent work has pointed out substantial errors from visual estimations and also a high variation among individuals using this approach. This note describes a simple and reliable method for quantifying paint removed from IRIS tubes by placing a transparent mylar grid around the tube, physically marking the grid, and then counting the marked sectors. This method, which requires approximately 8 min per tube, is much more accurate and the variation between individuals making the same evaluations is far smaller than when making visual estimations.
Core Depressive Symptoms In Depressed Cancer OutpatientsB
Authors: Pasquini Massimo , Berardelli Isabella , Cabra Ambra , Maraone Annalisa , Matteucci Gabriella , Biondi Massimo
Published: December 2011

Objective:

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of core depressive symptoms among cancer outpatients diagnosed with depressive or adjustment disorders with depressed mood. We also aimed to detect potential differences between patient self-assessment and psychiatrist evaluation in classifying the severity of depression.

Methods:

Fifty-two outpatients diagnosed with solid tumor malignancy and depressive or adjustment disorder with depressed mood were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) (and its shortened version the HAMD-7) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) (and its shortened version BZSDS).

Results:

Based on HAMD-7 results, the prevalence of moderate depression was low (7.7%); using the BZSDS moderate depression was absent. Mild depression was identified in 82.3% and 73% of our subjects using the HAMD-7 and the BZSDS, respectively. The strength of agreement between psychiatrist and patients’ self-evaluation for mild depression was “slight”, employing the original and the abbreviated versions of both scales.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that the prevalence of core depressive symptoms is very low in cancer patients diagnosed with depressive disorder. The lack of a strong agreement between psychiatrist and patient in classifying the severity of depression highlights the importance of factors such as well-being and functional status among depressed cancer patients in their self assessment of depression.
Confined Expansion and Bond Property of Micro-Expansive Concrete- Filled Steel Tube Columns
Authors: Kai-Cheng Xu , Meng-Cheng Chen , Fang Yuan
Published: December 2011

The shrinkage/expansion behavior and bond carrying capacities were investigated through 4 micro-expensive
concrete-filled steel tube(MCFST) and 3 conventional concrete-filled steel tube(CFST) short columns. The results show
that the temperature field in MCFST is similar to that of ordinary concrete members. Concrete core has obvious effect
on shrinkage-compensating with the addition of swelling agent. Pre-stress is produced in the core concrete when it is
confined by the steel tube. Both water cement ratio and expansive agent have obvious influence on expansive behaviors of
MCFST. The tests also indicate that the pre-stress in core concrete can improve bond strength of core concrete and steel
tube of MCFST columns and proposed a new method to improve the interface bond strength of composite structures.
Temperature Effects and Calculation Method of Closure Temperatures for Concrete-filled Steel Tube Arch Rib of Dumbbell-shape Section
Authors: Yang Bin , Huang Jinhua , Lin Chunjiao , Wen Xinkun
Published: December 2011

This paper has done continuous on-site experimental researches on temperature field and temperature effects
that are under the influence of hydration heat of concrete during the molding process of dumb-bell CFST arch bridge.
Analysis on time-history law of temperature field and temperature effects is made. Results reveal that temperature variation
of hydration heat of the concrete within the steel tube is showed as follows: temperature rising-continuous high
temperature—temperature dropping—equalizing. The structural temperature field, generated under the effect of hydration-
heat in the process of molding arch rib, is nonlinear temperature field. Temperature field of concrete hydration heat
has an obvious effect on crown section. Finally, practical methods to calculate the closure temperature of CFST arch rib
and the effective measures to reduce the residual internal stress of temperature of arch rib are proposed.
Stress Intensity of Debonding for A Rigid Inclusion Near An Angle Dislocation
Authors: Wang Xianfeng , Xing Feng , Hasebe Norio
Published: December 2011

The study of debonding is of importance in providing a good understanding of the bonded interfaces of dissimilar
materials. The problem of debonding of an arbitrarily shaped rigid inclusion in an infinite plate with a point dislocation
of thin plate bending is investigated in this paper. Herein, the point dislocation is defined with respect to the difference
of the plate deflection angle. An analytical solution is obtained by using the complex stress function approach and the
rational mapping function technique. In the derivation, the fundamental solutions of the stress boundary value problem
are taken as the principal parts of the corresponding stress functions, and through analytical continuation, the problem
of obtaining the complementary stress function is reduced to a Riemann-Hilbert problem. Without loss of generality,
numerical results are calculated for a square rigid inclusion with a debonding. It is noted that the stress components are
singular at the dislocation point, and a stress concentration can be found in the vicinity of the inclusion corner. We also
obtain the stress intensity of a debonding in terms of the stress functions. It can be found that when a debonding starts
from a corner of the inclusion and extends to another corner progressively, the stress intensity of the debonding increases
monotonously; once the debonding extends over the corner points, the value of the stress intensity of the debonding
gradually decreases. The relationships between the stress intensity of the debonding and the direction and position of the
dislocation are also presented in this paper.
Theoretical Analyses of Aerosol Aging on a Substrate without Wall-Effects by a Cross-Flow
Authors: P. Cowin James , Yang Xin , Yu Xiao-Ying , J. Iedema Martin
Published: December 2011

Long time (~1day) aging or reactions of aerosol is typically studied using either large aerosol chambers (>10 m3) or particles supported on a substrate to minimize wall effects. To avoid wall effects in the latter, it is often essential that the wall reactivity be extremely small (<10-5 reactions per encounter) and that the particle loadings be very small (<1 pg/cm2) to eliminate transport-limited trace gas depletion near the particles and substrate. We evaluate here a cross-flow approach, which greatly reduces these constraints. Particles are to be supported on a micromesh (~50% or more open area) through which the reactive gas is drawn at around a few hundred cm/s. The analysis shows how the competitions between flow and diffusion establishes a “zone of isolation” several microns wide around each reactive particle, outside of which the reactivity of other particles or the substrate is irrelevant to the local reactions. This cross-flow approach reduces the effects of substrate and collective particle reactivity typically orders of magnitude, and will facilitate aging studies of
supported aerosols.
Assessment of Triangle Tilt Surgery in Children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury Using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument
Authors: Nath Rahul K , Avila Meera B , Karicherla Priyanka , Somasundaram Chandra
Published: December 2011

Background:

The benefits of triangle tilt surgery in children with OBPI have been previously validated through measurements of statistical improvements in Mallet scores and in glenohumeral congruity. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of triangle tilt surgery through the application of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument, a well validated questionnaire designed to evaluate function and comfort in children with musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods:

OBPI patients between 2 and 10 years of age who came to our institute for routine office visits between May 2009 and October 2009 were considered to participate in the study. Among the patient group, the first 130 completed surveys who met the study criteria were included in the study. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument was completed by the parents of patients who have undergone triangle tilt surgery (Group 1: N=63) or those who were considered candidates for this procedure (Group 2: N=67). The results were compared between the two patient groups and analyzed using the unpaired student’s t-test. Later, 23 patients from the group 2, underwent triangle tilt surgery (Group 3). We collected post-op data, compared and analyzed the outcome of the surgery in these patients to their own pre-op PODCI scores, using the paired student’s t test.

Results:

In patients who have undergone triangle tilt surgery, significantly higher PODCI scores were observed in the parameters of upper extremity function (p<0.05), sports/physical function (p<0.05), basic mobility (p<0.0001) and global functioning (p<0.05), when compared to patients who have not undergone triangle tilt surgery. Further, PODCI scores in group 3 patients were significantly higher after surgery in the parameters of upper extremity function (p <0.03), Pain/Comfort (p <0.05), basic mobility (p<0.0002) and global functioning (p<0.03), when compared to before triangle tilt surgery.

Conclusion:

The results of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument demonstrate the functional benefits of triangle tilt surgery in patients with obstetric brachial plexus injury.
Adjustment of Animal Growth Rate Responses in Repeat Measurement Grazing Trials
Authors: Scott David
Published: December 2011

In animal-response grazing trials there are sources of uncertainty in one-period one-off measurements, which as partial factorisation over time, become traceable and quantifiable sources of variation in repeat measurement trials. This is illustrated for a trial comparing sheep and goat live-weight gains under two stocking rates on mixed species pastures established by three contrasting sowing methods. It used variable plot size to give uniform animal numbers and tracked changes in individual animal performance and pasture growth in different periods. It was repeated on the same plots and
animals over 17 grazing cycles. The variation explainable was greater with growth rates expressed as percent live-weight increase per day, than as weight or metabolic weight increase per day. The base data sets were adjusted for specific weighing-day effects of estimated gut-fill using moving averages, and for calibration for individual animal effects by genotype/environment analysis. Collectively these significantly increased the proportion explainable by 3.1-3.8% in variance analyses using qualitative treatment variables, and 2.7-3.7% in response function analyses relative to measured climate, pasture, plot and collective animal covariates. Simulation studies, to allow for variability in the independent variables as well as the dependent variables, indicated that the proportion explainable could increase by a further 0-1.2% and 1.1-1.9% respectively for the variance or response function approaches.
Effects of operational parameters of process UV radiation/hydrogen peroxide on decolorization of anthraquinone textile dye
Authors: Radovic Miljana , Mitrovic Jelena , Bojic Danijela , Kostic Milos , Ljupkovic Radomir , Andjelkovic Tatjana , Bojic Aleksandar
Published: December 2011

The photodegradation of textile dye Reactive Blue 19, an anionic
anthraquinone dye of reactive class, was investigated using UV radiation in
the presence of H2O2 in UV reactor with low-pressure mercury lamps, with
maximum energy output at the wavelength 254 nm. The effects of experimental
variables, namely initial pH, initial dye concentration and concentration of
peroxide were studied. The change of concentration of RB19 was followed by
UV/vis spectrophotometric measurement of absorbance at 592 nm. The increase
of the initial pH resulted in the efficiency increase of dye decolorization.
The total decolorization was achieved in about 15 min. Results show that with
the increase of dye concentration from 10 to 100 mg dm-3 the efficiency of
process decreases. With the increase of the initial concentration of H2O2
from 10 to 30 mmol dm-3, the decolorization rate constant increased from
0.083 to 0.120 min1, with the decrease of process rate at the concentrations
above. The highest decolorization rates were achieved at peroxide
concentration of approx. 30 mmol dm-3, above which decolorization was
inhibited by scavenging effect of peroxide. This study shows that UV/H2O2
process is promising treatment for dye RB 19 degradation in water and
wastewater.
Degradation of industrial azo dye in aqueous solution by heterogeneous Fenton process (fly ash/H2O2)
Authors: Becelic-Tomin Milena , Dalmacija Milena , Dalmacija Bozo , Rajic Ljiljana , Tomasevic Dragana
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities and efficiency of
heterogeneous Fenton process with the use of fly ash from thermal power
plants Kolubara, Serbia, as the catalyst in the degradation of industrial azo
dye Zetanyl Rosso B-NG. The effects of various experimental parameters such
as pH, temperature, concentration of fly ash, the initial concentration of
H2O2 and initial concentration of dye on the kinetics and efficiency of
decolorization were investigated. Simultaneous leaching of iron from fly ash
was monitored. The optimum conditions had been determined, and it was found
that decolorization efficiency obtained after 150 min of reaction, was about
98.9%. The optimal parameters were: initial pH = 3; [H2O2]0 = 6 mM; dosage of
fly ash = 0.1g/l (for dye concentration of 100 mg/l); temperature = 22 ?C.
The effectiveness of the applied treatment for mineralization of dye solution
was investigated, under optimal conditions determined by the examination of
various factors influencing the decolorization process at the specified
contact time. The maximum achieved reduction of total organic carbon content
was 96.5%. The results indicate that the reuse of fly ash as the catalyst
support in ?OH production in this process achieves significant efficiency in
terms of decolorization, 94.4% and mineralization, 89.6%. Futhermore, fly ash
showed adequate stability during the reaction (low iron leaching,
concentrations under optimal reaction condition were about 2 mg/l).
Effectiveness of consenting in Otorhinolaryngology
Authors: Okpala Nnaemeka , Okpala Amala , John Gareth , Cox Hugh
Published: December 2011

Informed consent in today’s medical practice has become a cornerstone and a routine ethical component playing a major role in forming a therapeutic alliance with the patient. The present study sought to analyse the effectiveness of the consent forms and the consenting process in Otorhinolaryngology. This three month questionnaire-based study covered varying operations which ranged from tonsillectomies, grommet insertions to pharyngeal pouch stapling. Twenty-nine percent of consent forms were signed on the day of the operation. Of the patients who received leaflets (51%) during the process of informed consent, a majority (88%) found it useful. The respondents were satisfied with the explanation of the procedure, benefits and complications (70–74%). Majority kept their consent forms at home (60%) and did not bother engaging in further search with regards to the information in the consent form (81%). Majority of the patients agreed that they had enough time to make an informed consent. Patients were satisfied with the consent process but more can be done to improve the consenting process.
Mixed oxides of transition metals as catalysts for total ethanol oxidation
Authors: Ludvíková Jana , Jirátová Květa , Kovanda František
Published: December 2011

Oxides of transition metals could be suitable alternatives to catalysts based on noble metals in the oxidation processes used for the abatement of volatile organic compounds. Mixed oxides of transition metals can exhibit good efficiency and thermal stability, as well as being inexpensive. In this work, oxide catalysts containing various combinations of Cu, Co, Ni, Mn, and Al, grained or supported on oxidised aluminium foil Al2O3/Al, were studied in terms of their chemical and physical properties, including their chemical composition, porous structure, phase composition, reducibility, and activity in total ethanol oxidation. Ternary co-precipitated catalysts in the form of grains obtained from layered double hydroxide-like precursors were highly active, especially those containing manganese. Deposition of the selected precursors on an anodised aluminium foil-support afforded less active catalysts, mainly because the required metal molar ratios were not achieved, and insufficient amounts of metals were deposited. However, by controlling the preparation conditions (pH), higher loading of active components and higher catalytic activity were obtained.
The Street Network Evolution of Crowdsourced Maps: OpenStreetMap in Germany 2007–2011
Authors: Neis Pascal , Zielstra Dennis , Zipf Alexander
Published: December 2011

The OpenStreetMap (OSM) project is a prime example in the field of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). Worldwide, several hundred thousand people are currently contributing information to the “free” geodatabase. However, the data contributions show a geographically heterogeneous pattern around the globe. Germany counts as one of the most active countries in OSM; thus, the German street network has undergone an extensive development in recent years. The question that remains is this: How does the street network perform in a relative comparison with a commercial dataset? By means of a variety of studies, we show that the difference between the OSM street network for car navigation in Germany and a comparable proprietary dataset was only 9% in June 2011. The results of our analysis regarding the entire street network showed that OSM even exceeds the information provided by the proprietary dataset by 27%. Further analyses show on what scale errors can be reckoned with in the topology of the street network, and the completeness of turn restrictions and street name information. In addition to the analyses conducted over the past few years, projections have additionally been made about the point in time by which the OSM dataset for Germany can be considered “complete” in relative comparison to a commercial dataset.
Self-Reported Dental Fear among Dental Students and Their Patients
Authors: Serra-Negra Junia , Paiva Saul M. , Oliveira Mauricio , Ferreira Efigenia , Freire-Maia Fernanda , Pordeus Isabela
Published: December 2011

The aim of the present study was to compare self-reported dental fear among dental students and patients at a School of Dentistry in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Eighty students ranging in age from 20 to 29 years and 80 patients ranging in age from 18 to 65 years participated in the study. A self-administered pre-tested questionnaire consisting of 13 items was used for data acquisition. The city of Belo Horizonte Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was employed for socioeconomic classification. The chi-square test and binary and multinomial logistic regression were employed in the statistical analysis, with the significance level set at 0.05. The majority of dental students (76.5%) sought the dentist for the first time for a routine exam, while patients (77.3%) mostly sought a dentist for the treatment of dental pain. Dental fear was more prevalent among the patients (72.5%) than the students (27.5%). A total of 47.1% of the students and 52.9% of the patients reported having had negative dental experiences in childhood. The logistic model revealed an association between dental fear and a pain-related experience (OR: 1.8; 95%CI: 1.3–2.6). Patients were more prone to dental fear (OR: 2.2; 95%CI: 1.0–5.0). Although at different percentages, both students and patients experienced dental fear. Current patient with previous experience of dental pain had more dental fear.