bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enforcing Firearms Laws at the Local Level: A Case Study of the Virginia Beach Police Department's Gun Trace Unit
Authors: Patterson William R.
Published: November 2010

Gun violence remains a serious threat to public safety throughout the United States. Numerous federal and local agencies have taken a variety of steps in an attempt to deal with this perennial problem. One of the most common tactics has been the development of task forces between local agencies and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). This is the approach that the Virginia Beach Police Department took until recently. In April 2008, however, the department disbanded its task force and developed its own internal unit tasked with the investigation of firearms-related crimes called the Gun Trace Unit. This article details the new unit's mission, how it functions, and what advantages it has over the previously instituted task force approach. The Gun Trace Unit has been a successful innovation in Virginia Beach and may serve as a useful model for other jurisdictions.
Fractionation and characterization of lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) from eucalyptus fibers
Authors: Li Jiebing , Martin-Sampedro Raquel , Pedrazzi Cristiane , Gellerstedt Göran
Published: November 2010

The effect of milling time on the structure of lignin was investigated by analyzing the quantity and molecular size distribution of thioacidolysis products obtained from wood and pulp of eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus). After milling, the ability of three solvent systems was determined to completely dissolve the wood or pulp meal. It was found that a mixture of DMSO and 50% aqueous tetrabutylammonium hydroxide was superior to either dimethylacetamide-LiCl or DMSO-tetrabutylammonium fluoride as solvent. By applying the minimum milling time required for complete dissolution, structurally unaltered wood or pulp could be further separated into lignin-carbohydrate fractions. These were analyzed by thioacidolysis. From eucalypt pulp, two different lignin-carbohydrate fractions were obtained, one glucan- and one xylan-enriched fraction, with the latter having more syringyl units in its lignin moieties. The developed solvent system seems to be universal because spruce and flax fibers and pulps could also be dissolved in it after milling.
Scale effect in the anisotropic deformation change of tracheid cells during water adsorption
Authors: Taguchi Ayako , Murata Koji , Nakamura Masashi , Nakano Takato
Published: November 2010

The dependence of the deformation change on the location and number of cells during water adsorption was examined by microscopy combined with a “charged-coupled device” camera and image analysis based on the digital image correlation method. The deformation change ratio (DCR) vs. moisture content (MC) in the radial direction approached linearity with MC with increasing in number of cells between measurement points in earlywood, whereas its relation in latewood was various such as swelling, swelling after shrinking, or remaining constant with MC. The number of cells between observation points clearly affected the DCR vs. MC, i.e., its relationship had the so-called “scale effect” that a certain physical property appears clearly with increasing scale. The mechanism of the scale effect differed in the radial and tangential directions.
Das Verständnis grammatischer Strukturen beim Lesen in Deutsch als Fremdsprache: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Untersuchung
Authors: Kaiser Irmtraud , Peyer Elisabeth , Berthele Raphael
Published: November 2010

This paper presents an overview of the results of the research project “The psycholinguistics of a grammar for reading German” which has been carried out at the University of Fribourg/Freiburg (CH). The project is based on the idea that the most natural and direct way to multilingualism starts with receptive competence in a third language. In the context of research into European intercomprehension, it investigates Italian and French students' grammatical problems while reading in German as an L3 or L4. To achieve this aim, we worked with specially developed experimental designs. The main research instrument was a reading test which consisted of encyclopaedia articles on imaginary animals. By way of these articles seven grammatical structures of German were tested for their receptive difficulty, with a particular focus on grammatical structures that are traditionally deemed to be difficult for learners of German as a second/foreign language. This general opinion, however, is based on teachers' experience and/or production evidence and not on a systematic investigation of comprehension processes. Further research instruments were a German placement test as well as a self-evaluation of the students' competences in reading in other foreign languages. In addition, oral translation exercises into the L1 of the participants were carried out which helped to gain further insight into the process of reading comprehension.

In our paper, we will discuss under what circumstances certain grammatical structures pose problems to readers at various levels of language proficiency. On the basis of oral translation protocols, of general cognitive (language) processing mechanisms, and the structure of the German language, tentative explanations will be given as to why certain sentences/structures are more difficult to understand than others and why some structures do not seem to be a problem at all. The results of the study allow fine-grained insights into the impediments (or their absence) particular structures represent for in-depth comprehension of German texts at various levels of competence.
50 Jahre Valenztheorie und Dependenzgrammatik
Authors: Ágel Vilmos , Fischer Klaus
Published: November 2010

This article celebrates 50 years of dependency grammar and valency theory. The development of both theories is traced historically and an overview of current problems and possible future developments is given. Section 1 poses basic questions of dependency grammar, which derive from the syntactic theory of L. Tesnière: his innovative analysis, developed decades before Chomsky's Syntactic Structures and Greenberg's Universals of Language, not only combines syntactic autonomy with a functional grounding, but also contains a typological perspective. Section 2 sketches a modern version of valency theory, tracing the discussion since Tesnière's Éléments de syntaxe structural and presenting much discussed topics such as the delimitation of complements from adjuncts and multi-dimensional valency models, but also more recent ideas such as typological-structural valency realisation, the interplay of construction and projection in the valency of polysemous verbs, semantic types of valency modification and historical valency change, i.e. the application of valency theory to non-standardised historical varieties. Section 3 addresses definitory problems of a pure dependency grammar, in particular criteria for establishing connexions between words and determining the regent (head), leading to a short comparison of the information contained in dependency and constituency representations. The article does not just take stock but in section 4 also develops ideas for the future development of syntactic theory by introducing constructionist elements into a projectionist framework and by adding the dimension of historical viability to synchronic syntactic theorising.
The database of evidential markers in European languages. A bird’s eye view of the conception of the database (the template and problems hidden beneath it)
Authors: Wiemer Björn , Stathi Katerina
Published: November 2010

This introduction not only browses through the contributions of the whole issue, but also attempts to set the stage for a cross-linguistically unified study of evidentiality markers to be registered in a database. This endeavor has so far been restricted to European languages. We assume evidentiality to be a conceptual domain and, on this basis, want to account for diverse units irrespective of their morphological format and status in the particular language’s grammar. Evidential markers are claimed to be locatable on a lexicon – grammar cline, ranging from distinct lexical units (accessed holistically) to grammatical morphology (having been the subject of traditional descriptions in typology).

We highlight different theoretical prerequisites necessary to build a template, pinpoint some shortcomings in recent theorizing and stress the necessity of a neat distinction between an onomasiological and a semasiological perspective: the former ought to delineate the functional values belonging to evidentiality, also examining systematic affinities to neighboring domains, while the latter perspective asks for the structural and distributional parameters of distinct linguistic units that fulfill the basic conceptual requirements and accounts for overlaps with values from contiguous domains.

Beside the aims of the database, its present structure is explained and justified. The template designed as an entry for each single unit is illustrated with a pertinent unit from Polish (including an appendix).
New polyhedra – Part 1
Authors: Andersson Sten
Published: November 2010

New polyhedra are derived with symmetry codes and variables.
Progress and Promise of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Human Complex Trait Genetics
Authors: Stranger Barbara E , Stahl Eli A , Raj Towfique
Published: November 2010

Enormous progress in mapping complex traits in humans has been made in the last 5 yr. There has been early success for prevalent diseases with complex phenotypes. These studies have demonstrated clearly that, while complex traits differ in their underlying genetic architectures, for many common disorders the predominant pattern is that of many loci, individually with small effects on phenotype. For some traits, loci of large effect have been identified. For almost all complex traits studied in humans, the sum of the identified genetic effects comprises only a portion, generally less than half, of the estimated trait heritability. A variety of hypotheses have been proposed to explain why this might be the case, including untested rare variants, and gene–gene and gene–environment interaction. Effort is currently being directed toward implementation of novel analytic approaches and testing rare variants for association with complex traits using imputed variants from the publicly available 1000 Genomes Project resequencing data and from direct resequencing of clinical samples. Through integration with annotations and functional genomic data as well as by in vitro and in vivo experimentation, mapping studies continue to characterize functional variants associated with complex traits and address fundamental issues such as epistasis and pleiotropy. This review focuses primarily on the ways in which genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have revolutionized the field of human quantitative genetics.
A Model Selection Approach for Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) Mapping
Authors: Wang Ping , Dawson John A , Keller Mark P , Yandell Brian S , Thornberry Nancy A , Zhang Bei B , Wang I-Ming , Schadt Eric E , Attie Alan D , Kendziorski C
Published: November 2010

Identifying the genetic basis of complex traits remains an important and challenging problem with the potential to affect a broad range of biological endeavors. A number of statistical methods are available for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL), but their application to high-throughput phenotypes has been limited as most require user input and interaction. Recently, methods have been developed specifically for expression QTL (eQTL) mapping, but they too are limited in that they do not allow for interactions and QTL of moderate effect. We here propose an automated model-selection-based approach that identifies multiple eQTL in experimental populations, allowing for eQTL of moderate effect and interactions. Output can be used to identify groups of transcripts that are likely coregulated, as demonstrated in a study of diabetes in mouse.
Management of Food Allergy in the School Setting
Authors: Sicherer Scott H. , Mahr Todd ,   the Section on Allergy and Immunology
Published: November 2010

This Clinical Report was reaffirmed October 2020.

Food allergy is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 25 school-aged children and is the most common trigger of anaphylaxis in this age group. School food-allergy management requires strategies to reduce the risk of ingestion of the allergen as well as procedures to recognize and treat allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. The role of the pediatrician or pediatric health care provider may include diagnosing and documenting a potentially life-threatening food allergy, prescribing self-injectable epinephrine, helping the child learn how to store and use the medication in a responsible manner, educating the parents of their responsibility to implement prevention strategies within and outside the home environment, and working with families, schools, and students in developing written plans to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis and to implement emergency treatment in the event of a reaction. This clinical report highlights the role of the pediatrician and pediatric health care provider in managing students with food allergies.
Temporal coherence among tropical coastal lagoons: a search for patterns and mechanisms
Authors: Caliman A. , Carneiro LS. , Santangelo JM. , Guariento RD. , Pires APF. , Suhett AL. , Quesado LB. , Scofield V. , Fonte ES. , Lopes PM. , Sanches LF. , Azevedo FD. , Marinho CC. , Bozelli RL. , Esteves FA. , Farjalla VF.
Published: November 2010

Temporal coherence (i.e., the degree of synchronicity of a given variable among ecological units within a predefined space) has been shown for several limnological features among temperate lakes, allowing predictions about the structure and function of ecosystems. However, there is little evidence of temporal coherence among tropical aquatic systems, where the climatic variability among seasons is less pronounced. Here, we used data from long-term monitoring of physical, chemical and biological variables to test the degree of temporal coherence among 18 tropical coastal lagoons. The water temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration had the highest and lowest temporal coherence among the lagoons, respectively, whereas the salinity and water colour had intermediate temporal coherence. The regional climactic factors were the main factors responsible for the coherence patterns in the water temperature and water colour, whereas the landscape position and morphometric characteristics explained much of the variation of the salinity and water colour among the lagoons. These results indicate that both local (lagoon morphometry) and regional (precipitation, air temperature) factors regulate the physical and chemical conditions of coastal lagoons by adjusting the terrestrial and marine subsidies at a landscape-scale. On the other hand, the chlorophyll-a concentration appears to be primarily regulated by specific local conditions resulting in a weak temporal coherence among the ecosystems. We concluded that temporal coherence in tropical ecosystems is possible, at least for some environmental features, and should be evaluated for other tropical ecosystems. Our results also reinforce that aquatic ecosystems should be studied more broadly to accomplish a full understanding of their structure and function.
Parent–Child Aggression: Association With Child Abuse Potential and Parenting Styles
Authors: Rodriguez Christina M.
Published: November 2010

The present investigation predicted that greater use of corporal punishment as well as physical maltreatment would be associated with child abuse potential and selected parenting styles. Three independent studies were examined, two with community samples and a third with a clinical at-risk sample of parents. Parents across all studies anonymously completed the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, the Parent–Child Conflict Tactics Scale to assess physical discipline and maltreatment, as well as the Parenting Scale to measure dysfunctional parenting styles. Findings support that overall parent–child aggression, as well as physical maltreatment behaviors specifically, were associated with child abuse potential. Parent–child aggression was also related to dysfunctional parenting styles, particularly an overreactive, authoritarian parenting style. Permissive parenting was also identified as potentially associated with physical maltreatment, although the findings regarding such lax parenting styles are less clear. Intriguing findings emerged regarding the connection of psychological aggression to both child abuse potential and dysfunctional parenting style. Child abuse potential was also associated with dysfunctional parenting style, particularly harsh, overreactive approaches. Recommendations for future study with at-risk samples and additional research on permissive parenting and psychological aggression are discussed.
Attachment and Personality Predicts Engagement in Sexual Harassment by Male and Female College Students
Authors: Ménard Kim S. , Shoss Naomi E. , Pincus Aaron L.
Published: November 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine a trait model of personality (Five-Factor Model) as a mediator of the relationship between attachment styles and sexually harassing behavior in a sample of male (N = 148) and female (N = 278) college students. We found that gender (male) and low Agreeableness predicted engaging in sexual harassment and all three of its subtypes; gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion. Further, low Conscientiousness predicted overall sexual harassment, gender harassment, and unwanted sexual attention. Personality traits mediated the relationship between insecure attachment styles (Preoccupation with Relationships and Relationships as Secondary) and sexually harassing behaviors. Thus, factors beyond gender can help predict students’ propensity to sexually harass others.
Upscaling in Partially Fractured Oil Reservoirs Using Homogenization
Authors: Salimi Hamidreza , Bruining Johannes
Published: November 2010

Flow modeling in fractured reservoirs is largely confined to the so-called sugar-cube model. Here, we consider a situation where matrix blocks are connected to neighboring blocks so that part of the global flow occurs only in the matrix domain. We call this a partially fractured reservoir (PFR). As opposed to the sugar-cube model, global flow in the matrix blocks plays an important role in the PFR when the interconnections between the matrix blocks are sufficiently large. We apply homogenization to derive an upscaled model for PFRs that combines dual-porosity and dual-permeability concepts simultaneously. We formulate a well-posed fully implicit 3D upscaled numerical model and investigate oil-recovery mechanisms for different dimensionless characteristic numbers. As we found previously for the sugar-cube model, the Péclet number, defined here as the ratio of the capillary diffusion time in the matrix to the residence time of the fluids in the fracture, plays a crucial role. The gravity number and specific fracture/matrix-interface area play a secondary role. For low Péclet numbers and high gravity numbers, the results are sensitive to gravity and water-injection rates, but relatively insensitive to the specific fracture/matrix-interface area, matrix-block size, and reservoir geometry (i.e., sugar cube vs. PFR). At low Péclet numbers and high gravity numbers, ECLIPSE simulations using the Barenblatt or Warren and Root (BWR) approach give poor predictions and overestimate the oil recovery, but, at short injection times, show good agreement with the solution of the PFR model at intermediate Péclet numbers. At high Péclet numbers, the results are relatively insensitive to gravity, but sensitive to the other conditions mentioned. In particular, when the specific fracture/matrix-interface area is large, it enhances the imbibition and, consequently, leads to a higher oil production. If this specific interface area is small, it leads to a considerable retardation of the imbibition process, which leads to an earlier water breakthrough and lower oil recovery. The BWR (commercial simulator) simulations and the sugar-cube model result in inaccurate predictions of the oil-production rate at high Péclet numbers. This can be inferred from the discrepancy with respect to the PFR model for which we assert that it accurately predicts the oil recovery. We conclude that, at low Péclet numbers and large gravity numbers, it is advantageous to increase the water-injection rate to improve the net present value. However, at high Péclet numbers, increasing the flow rate may lead to uneconomical water cuts.
Comparisons and Advantages of Marine CNG Transportation
Authors: Nassar Yehya Mohamed
Published: November 2010

Natural gas is becoming a more popular energy source worldwide and its use is expected to increase dramatically over the next 2 decades. Natural gas has been gaining wider significance as a result of sustained high oil prices, a need for energy diversification and security, the growing global awareness of environmental issues, and the development of new gas-related technologies.

Traditionally natural gas has been delivered to markets using two main commercially proven methods—pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Each of these alternatives is highly capital intensive and requires considerable working terms regarding the quantities and distances to market. In other words, these two methods are economical only over a specified range of quantities and distances and not over the whole range, which opens the door to a number of alternative technologies that have the potential to make the development for smaller quantities to be transported to specific distances.

The most advanced among these alternative technologies include onshore gas-to-liquid (GTL), floating LNG and GTL, natural-gas hydrates (NGH), adsorbed natural gas (ANG), and compressed natural gas (CNG). However, none of these has been developed yet and been proved on a commercial scale, although they have proved themselves viable on the basis of technical parameters.

This paper will be concerned mainly with (1) marine CNG alternatives, which are currently in their final stages of commercialization, indicating the various available marine CNG technologies used worldwide; (2) the operating differences between LNG and CNG transportation; (3) technical and economic evaluation of both the obstacles facing the commercialization of marine CNG transportation and its advantages.
Multiwell Thermal Interaction: Predicting Wellbore and Formation Temperatures for Closely Spaced Wells
Authors: McSpadden Albert R. , Coker Oliver D.
Published: November 2010

A method is presented to predict wellbore and formation temperatures for a template of closely spaced wells. Multiwell thermal interaction will alter the wellbore temperatures as well as formation temperatures in the interwell zones and also farther out from the well template. The change in temperature profile relative to a single well can be significant. For producing wells in close proximity, wellbore and formation temperatures will converge to a significantly hotter condition than in the isolated-single-well case.

The modeling of wellbore and formation temperatures for closely spaced wells has not been widely examined to date. This problem has been approached only by using theoretical formulations based on simplified assumptions. The current work presents for the first time a methodology based on standard industry tools and models that yield results consistent with field experience. The method employs standard industry thermal/hydraulic-modeling software and a finite-element model (FEM) in a loosely coupled, iterative analysis that assumes steady-state conditions. Other numerical approaches including finite-difference (FD) and boundary-element-method (BEM) techniques are also considered. The far-field thermal-flux behavior of a single well is also considered as an important baseline for comparison.

The effect of multiwell thermal interaction is important for closely spaced wells such as offshore platforms or subsea and Arctic developments. A case study is presented for a high-pressure/high-temperature offshore field development. The multiwell disturbance on formation and wellbore temperatures affects well design, facilities planning, and operations. Annular-pressure buildup, wellhead movement, tubular-stress design, cement-slurry design, subsidence/compaction effects, and facilities health and safety issues can all be affected. In some cases, unexpectedly high wellbore temperatures can be catastrophic.

If multiwell thermal interaction is not taken into account, then load events such as annular-pressure buildup, wellhead movement, and thermal-induced stresses may be underestimated. For high-rate production wells, the increase in produced-fluid temperatures may be small, but even a small change may be critical. In all cases, the effect on outer wellbore strings/annuli and on the formation is significant. This also impacts the planning of offshore fields to be developed in phases with batch drilling.
Flow of Hydrophobically Modified Water-Soluble-Polymer Solutions in Porous Media: New Experimental Insights in the Diluted Regime
Authors: Dupuis Guillaume , Rousseau David , Tabary René , Grassl Bruno
Published: November 2010

The specific molecular structure of hydrophobically modified water-soluble polymers (HMWSPs), also called hydrophobically associative polymers, gives them interesting thickening and surface-adsorption abilities compared with classical water-soluble polymers (WSPs), which could be useful in polymer-flooding and well-treatment operations. However, their strong adsorption obviously can impair their injectivity, and, conversely, the shear sensitivity of their gels can be detrimental to well treatments. Determining for which improved-oil-recovery (IOR) application HMWSPs are best suited, therefore, remains difficult. The aim of this work is to bring new insight regarding the interaction mechanisms between HMWSPs and rock matrix and the consequences concerning their propagation in reservoirs.

A consistent set of HMWSPs with sulfonated polyacrylamide backbones and alkyl hydrophobic side chains together with an equivalent WSP was synthesized and fully characterized. HMWSP and WSP solutions were then injected in model granular packs. As expected, with HMWSPs, high resistance factors (or mobility reductions, Rm) were observed. Yet, within the limit of the injected volumes, the effluent showed the same viscosity and polymer concentration as the injected solutions.

A first significant outcome concerns the specificities of the Rm curves during HMWSP injections. Rm increases took place in two steps. The first corresponded to the propagation of the viscous front, as observed with WSP, whereas the second was markedly delayed, occurring several pore volumes (PV) after the breakthrough. This result is not compatible with the classical picture of multilayer adsorption of HMWSPs but suggests that injectivity is controlled solely by the adsorption of minor polymeric species. This hypothesis was confirmed by reinjecting the collected effluents into fresh cores; no second-step Rm increases were observed.

Brine injections in HMWSP-treated cores revealed high residual resistance factors (or irreversible permeability reductions, Rk), which can be attributed to the presence of thick polymer-adsorbed layers on the pore surface. Nevertheless, Rk values strongly decreased when increasing the brine-flow rate. This second significant outcome shows that the adsorbed-layer thickness is shear-controlled.

These new results should lead to proposing new adapted filtration and injection procedures for HMWSPs, aimed, in particular, at improving their injectivity.
Power-Law Correlation for Two-Phase Pressure Drop of Gas/Liquid Flows in Horizontal Pipelines
Authors: Al-Sarkhi Abdelsalam , Sarica Cem
Published: November 2010

New dimensionless parameters and a simplified power-law correlation to predict pressure drop during the gas/liquid flow in horizontal pipes are proposed. The new equation fits the published data very well. The proposed power-law equation can correlate the stratified-smooth, stratified-wavy, stratified-atomization, stratified-annular-transition and annular flow patterns. The proposed simplified dimensionless formula can be used for flowline-design purposes and flow-assurance predictions in pipelines.
Scrubber Separation—Droplet Entrainment in High-Pressure Gas/Liquid Separation
Authors: Patruno L.E.. E. , Marchetti J.M.. M. , Dorao C.A.. A. , Jakobsen H.A.. A. , Svendsen H.F.. F. , Tayebi D..
Published: November 2010

This work presents experimental results on droplet entrainment in two different geometries: a stratified liquid film and a wire flooded by liquid. The experiments feature the system pressure ranging from 900 to 1600 kPa (130 to 220 psia) and surface tension of the system in the range of 24 mN/m.

The resulting droplet-size distribution after a liquid-entrainment event plays a major role in the modeling of the gas/liquid scrubbers. When a mesh pad-based separator gets flooded, the high-speed gas running throughout the mesh can re-entrain the liquid and carry over liquid droplets into the dry-gas processing facility.

Conventional correlations for liquid entrainment overestimate the resulting droplet size because they were derived from higher-surface-tension systems. In addition, a correlation for the entire droplet-size distribution is presented.
Using Surface Deformation To Estimate Reservoir Dilation: Strategies To Improve Accuracy
Authors: Nanayakkara Asanga S. , Wong Ron C.K.
Published: November 2010

Reservoir dilat(at)ions, which are induced by a variety of subsurface injection operations, propagate to the surrounding formations and extend up to the ground surface, resulting in surface deformations. The surface deformations can be measured using various technologies and can be inverted to infer reservoir dilations (volume change distribution). This paper discusses the mathematical aspects of the inverse process in detail and investigates factors affecting the accuracy of the inverse solution through a parametric study. Based on results of the parametric study, the volume change distribution in the lateral direction can be estimated with both high accuracy and high resolution by applying the Tikhonov regularization technique. The volume change distribution in the vertical direction can also be resolved to a certain extent by providing further information regarding the desired solution in terms of an initial estimate. Strategies to improve accuracy of the inverse solution in the lateral as well as in the vertical directions are also discussed.
Analytical Models for Wellbore-Temperature Distribution
Authors: Spindler Richard
Published: November 2010

An analytical transient wellbore-temperature-distribution model that was previously approximated in the literature is solved exactly for either initial or boundary conditions in two different regions of position/time. In addition, the model is extended to include conduction effects and is solved explicitly for both initial conditions (ICs) and boundary conditions (BCs). The three solutions are compared and discussed. In the process, the fundamental temperature and momentum equations are made dimensionless to analyze the process of approximation quantitatively. Also arising from this analysis are the primary dimensionless parameters and scales that affect the solutions.
Saskatchewan's Place in the Canadian Oil Sands
Authors: Schramm Laurier L. , Kramers John W. , Isaacs E.E.
Published: November 2010

Canada's oil sands are well recognized internationally, with Alberta's mined and in-situ oil sands reservoirs being well developed with mature commercial technologies. The next frontier in Canadian petroleum development will be the shallow in-situ oil sands residing in both Saskatchewan and Alberta. Presenting opportunities and challenges that are distinct from the mining and deeper in-situ reservoir situations, the shallow reservoirs will probably need to be developed with new "game-changer" in-situ technologies that will reduce and/or replace the use of steam and fresh water, and dramatically reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, such as CO2. Significant research and development programs are now aimed at developing and demonstrating such new technologies. Piloting new shallow in-situ development technologies for Saskatchewan's oil sands deposits will enable a new source of Canadian "technology oil" and serve to test more environmentally friendly technologies that could be adapted to current commercial operations. This paper provides a detailed description of the oil sands geology and physical properties as well as highlighting Saskatchewan's oil sands and some of the novel recovery technologies that are being developed for shallow in-situ reservoirs.
Modelling and Analysis of Shale Gas Production With a Skin Effect
Authors: Bello Rasheed O. , Wattenbarger Robert A.
Published: November 2010

Many hydraulically fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs have been observed to exhibit transient linear behaviour. This transient linear behaviour is characterized by a one-half slope on a log-log plot of rate against time. This transient linear flow regime is expected to be caused by transient drainage of low-permeability matrix blocks into adjoining fractures. This transient flow regime is the only flow regime available for analysis in many wells.

In this paper, a linear dual-porosity model is used to approximate the shale gas completions with a horizontal well and multiple hydraulic fractures. Five flow regions are identified with this model. It seems that field production data exhibit Region 4 behaviour, which is primarily transient drainage from the matrix.

However, a skin effect for Region 4 is observed in many wells. This modifies the shape of the log-log rate plot and the square root of time plot. A new analytical equation is presented to model the effect of skin on linear flow behaviour. The resulting curve shapes are somewhat surprising and tend to explain the early curve shapes of actual wells. A procedure is presented in this paper to analyze field data.
Fate of Organic Nitrogen in Four Biological Nutrient Removal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Sattayatewa Chakkrid , Pagilla Krishna , Sharp Robert , Pitt Paul
Published: November 2010

This study investigated the fate of nitrogen species, especially organic nitrogen, along the mainstream wastewater treatment processes in four biological nutrient removal (BNR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). It was found that the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) fraction was as high as 47% of soluble nitrogen (SN) in the low‐SN effluent plant, which limited the plant's capability to remove nitrogen to very low levels. A lower DON fraction was observed in high‐SN effluent plants. Effluent DON concentrations from the four plants ranged from 0.5 to 2 mg N/L and did not vary significantly, even though there was a large variation in the influent organic nitrogen concentrations. Size fractionation of organic nitrogen by serial filtration through 1.2‐, 0.45‐, and 0.22‐µm pore‐sized membrane filters and the flocculation‐and‐filtration with zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) method was investigated. The maximum colloidal organic nitrogen (CON) fractions found were 68 and 45% in the primary effluent and final effluent, respectively. The experimental results showed that effluents after filtration through the 0.45‐µm pore‐sized filter contain significant colloidal fractions; hence, the constituents, including organic nitrogen, are not truly dissolved. A high CON fraction was observed in wastewater influents and was less significant in effluents. The flocculation and filtration method removed the colloidal fraction; therefore, the true DON fraction can be determined.
Spatial and Temporal Variability in Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide Generation and Emission from Full‐Scale Biological Nitrogen Removal and Non‐BNR Processes
Authors: Ahn Joon Ho , Kim Sungpyo , Park Hongkeun , Katehis Dimitrios , Pagilla Krishna , Chandran Kartik
Published: November 2010

Biological nitrogen removal (BNR) strategies can contribute to atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O). In the future, as BNR is implemented at more wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) around the globe, the emission and release of these gases to the atmosphere is expected to increase. This study focused on the quantification of N2O emissions rates and inventory at several WWTPs using a newly developed, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Washington, D.C.) (U.S. EPA)‐reviewed protocol. Application of the protocol revealed nitrous oxide emissions from aerated zones therein, hitherto not considered in the current U.S. EPA approach to quantifying N2O fluxes from WWTPs. A high degree of diurnal variability in N2O fluxes was measured, which correlated well with diurnal total Kjeldahl nitrogen loadings. In combination, these results point to the diminishing utility of a single emission factor approach to estimate the N2O emissions from WWTPs, which has been followed to date.
Attitudes toward Older People and Coworkers' Intention to Work with Older Employees: A Taiwanese Study
Authors: Lu Luo
Published: November 2010

The aim of this research was to examine attitudinal barriers to the employment of Taiwanese older workers (aged 60 and above). Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using structured questionnaires from a sample of full-time employees ( N = 258). We found that: (1) positive attitudes toward older people in general, perceived subjective norm, and traditional Chinese cultural values were all related to stronger intentions to work with older employees; (2) the model derived from the theory of reasoned action emerged the best model accounting for behavioral intention among competing structural models. The associations of positive attitudes and subjective norm with intention were found after controlling for demographics, cultural values, and personal contact experiences with older people. Our results highlight the importance and urgency of more concerted research to inform public and organizational policies to better promote and manage the careers of older employees in an aging, economically developing society.
Mental Health Literacy in Hmong and Cambodian Elderly Refugees: A Barrier to Understanding, Recognizing, and Responding to Depression
Authors: Lee Hee Yun , Lytle Kathy , Yang Pa Nhia , Lum Terry
Published: November 2010

This study aims to explore mental health literacy, specifically focusing on depression, among Southeast Asian (SEA) elderly refugees residing in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Three focus groups were held with nine mental health professionals who work with SEA elders. Jorm's mental health literacy framework guided the study theoretically. For data analysis, grounded theory was employed by utilizing MAX QDA2. Four themes emerged from the analysis: 1) lack of knowledge about specific mental disorders, 2) culture-specific knowledge and beliefs on the causes of depression, 3) lack of awareness about professional help, and 4) cultural attitudes toward seeking mental health services. The findings indicated that cultural beliefs of SEA elders impact their ability to understand, recognize, and respond to depression. Barriers to treatment were identified and recommendations were made to reduce mental health disparity in this elderly population.
Which Creatinine and Cystatin C Equations Can Be Reliably Used in Children?
Authors: Bacchetta Justine , Cochat Pierre , Rognant Nicolas , Ranchin Bruno , Hadj-Aissa Aoumeur , Dubourg Laurence
Published: November 2010

Background and objectives

Estimation of GFR in children is challenging; reference methods are cumbersome, and formulas have limitations. The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) the new creatinine-based formula recently proposed by Schwartz using a kinetic colorimetric compensated Jaffe technique; (2) some cystatin C-derived formulas (Hoek, Le Bricon, Larsson, Rule, Filler, and Zappitelli) using a nephelemetric technique; and (3) combined formulas using both cystatin and creatinine (Zappitelli and Bouvet).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

These formulas were evaluated in a cross-sectional cohort of 252 children with moderate CKD or normal GFR, in comparison with the reference standard (inulin clearance, iGFR). Mean age, body weight, height, creatinine, and cystatin C were 10.7 ± 4.0 years, 35 ± 15 kg, 137 ± 20 cm, 55 ± 30 μmol/L, and 0.91 ± 0.35 mg/L, respectively.

Results

Mean ± SD iGFR was 101 ± 32 ml/min per 1.73 m2. When evaluating agreement between these formulas and iGFR (e.g. correlation, Bland Altman plots, bias, and accuracies), there was a good correlation between iGFR and all Le Bricon, Larsson, Rule, and Zappitelli (both) and locally adapted Schwartz and 2009 Schwartz formulas; by contrast, Filler and original 1976 Schwartz formulas overestimated iGFR, whereas Hoek and Bouvet formulas underestimated iGFR.

Conclusion

Different cystatin C-derived formulas (at least Larsson and Le Bricon) for estimating GFR as well as the Zappitelli combined formula are accurate in addition to the new Schwartz bedside formula in a general pediatric population.
Peritoneal Membrane Phosphate Transport Status
Authors: Bernardo Ana Paula , Contesse Sebastián Azorin , Bajo Maria Auxiliadora , Rodrigues Anabela , Del Peso Gloria , Ossorio Marta , Cabrita António , Selgas Rafael
Published: November 2010

Background and objectives

Phosphate control impacts dialysis outcomes. Our aim was to define peritoneal phosphate transport in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to explore its association with hyperphosphatemia, phosphate clearance (PPhCl), and PD modality.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Two hundred sixty-four patients (61% on continuous ambulatory PD [CAPD]) were evaluated at month 12. PPhCl was calculated from 24-hour peritoneal effluent. Phosphate (Ph) and creatinine (Cr) dialysate/plasma (D/P) were calculated at a 4-hour 3.86% peritoneal equilibration test.

Results

D/PPh correlated with D/PCr. PPhCl correlated better with D/PPh than with D/PCr. Prevalence of hyperphosphatemia (>5.5 mg/dl) was 30%. In a multiple regression analysis, only residual renal function was independently, negatively associated with hyperphosphatemia; in anuric patients, only D/PPh was an independent factor predicting hyperphosphatemia. D/PPh was 0.57 ± 0.10, and according to this, 16% of the patients were fast, 31% were fast-average, 35% were slow-average, and 17% were slow transporters. PPhCl was 37.5 ± 11.7 L/wk; it was lower in the slow transporter group (31 ± 14 L/wk). Among fast and fast-average transporters, PPhCl was comparable in both PD modalities. In comparison to automated PD, CAPD was associated with increased PPhCl among slow-average (36 ± 8 versus 32 ± 7 L/wk) and slow transporters (34 ± 15 versus 24 ± 9 L/wk).

Conclusions

In hyperphosphatemic, particularly anuric, patients, optimal PD modality should consider peritoneal phosphate transport characteristics. Increasing dwell times and transfer to CAPD are effective strategies to improve phosphate handling in patients with inadequate phosphate control on automated PD.
Staphylococcus Aureus Increases Cytokine and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Nasal Mucosae of Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps
Authors: Wang Jong Hwan , Kwon Hyun Ja , Jang Yong Ju
Published: November 2010

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterial pathogen associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with/without nasal polyps (CRSw/sNP). We investigated the effect of S. aureus on the secretion of eotaxin, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8, IL-13, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP) 1 in nasal mucosae from CRSwNP patients to assess the roles of these materials in NP pathogenesis.

Methods

We infected organ cultures of NP and inferior turbinate (IT) mucosae taken from patients with CRSwNP with S. aureus ATCC 25923 for 24 hours and incubated the cultures for an additional 48 hours at 37°C. S. aureus infection and staphylococcal enterotoxins were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Eotaxin, IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 protein levels were measured by ELISA.

Results

S. aureus infection significantly increased the concentrations of eotaxin, IL-5, IL-8, and IL-13 in the IT and NP groups (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). S. aureus infection also significantly increased the concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in both groups (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). After S. aureus infection, the relative increases in eotaxin (6.42 versus 3.56), IL-5 (15.29 versus 8.89), MMP-2 (1.95 versus 1.58), MMP-9 (2.34 versus 1.95), and TIMP-1 (1.45 versus 1.31) were greater in the NP group than in the IT group.

Conclusion

S. aureus infection enhances the secretion of cytokines, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 by both NPs and IT mucosae from patients with CRSwNP. S. aureus may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NP via tissue remodeling as well as eosinophilic inflammation.
Pioglitazone Attenuates Allergic Inflammation and Induces Production of Regulatory T Lymphocytes
Authors: Wang Weihua , Zhu Zhenghua , Zhu Bingwei , Ma Zhaoxin
Published: November 2010

Background

Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists have been shown to be involved in the regulation of allergic inflammatory responses. The molecular mechanisms by which PPAR-gamma activation inhibits the inflammatory process have not been well understood.

Methods

BALB/c mice received ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization followed by OVA intranasal challenge. Mice in the treatment group received intragastric administration with pioglitazone (PIO; 30 mg/kg) before each OVA challenge. Various allergic responses were then assessed.

Results

The frequencies of sneezing and nose-scratching and eosinophil infiltration decreased significantly in the PIO treatment group compared with the OVA group (p < 0.05). The PIO treatment also showed that the levels of nasal cavity lavage fluid interleukin (IL)-5 and sera OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) were markedly reduced (p < 0.05). PIO significantly increased the expression of Foxp3 mRNA (p < 0.05) and induced production of regulatory T lymphocyte (p < 0.01) compared with the OVA group.

Conclusion

Given the potent effectiveness shown by PIO, we conclude that PPAR-gamma agonists deserve investigation as potential therapies for human allergic upper airway inflammation.
Cytological and Tissue Eosinophilia Correlations in Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Armengot Miguel , Garín Luis , de Lamo Miguel , Krause Francisco , Carda Carmen
Published: November 2010

Background

Eosinophils are possibly the most important inflammatory cells in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. Eosinophilic nasal mucosal infiltration is characteristic of nasal polyposis. The aim of this work was to study the possibility of correlations between cytological and tissue eosinophilia in patients with nasal polyposis and with the stage of the disease. If this correlation exists, nasal cytology will be very useful in diagnosis and management of patients with nasal polyposis.

Methods

We studied 40 patients affected idiopathic nasal polyposis and 12 normal group controls. Qualitative measurements of eosinophils in nasal exudates and in tissue biopsy specimens were performed and the results were compared.

Results

Nasal cytology and tissue biopsy showed a statistical correlation in the normal as well as in the pathological group. Clinical staging polyposis also correlated with cytological and tissue eosinophilia.

Conclusions

Nasal cytological eosinophilia is a simple, fast, nontraumatic, and inexpensive method in the evaluation of patients with nasal polyposis. Eosinophilic infiltration of the nasal mucosa is characteristic of nasal polyposis. It correlates with the stage of the disease and tends to be higher in patients with asthma, nasal polyposis, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intolerance (acetil salicilic acid triad).