bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drilling Evolution of the Ultra Deepwater Drilling Campaign in Mexico, Perdido Fold Belt
Authors: Vallejo Victor G. , Olivares Aciel , Saavedra Octavio , Lopez Juan R. , Torres Manuel E.
Published: February 2015

Description

In 2012, Pemex announced some major oil discoveries in a new exploration region with its first two Ultra Deep Water exploration wells. The first achieved the deepest well ever drilled in Mexico to a depth of 6,119 m and the second achieved drilling in the deepest water depth at 2,900 m. These wells have confirmed that Perdido has a high potential for commercial production. This reservoir was found in Lower Tertiary geological system.

Applications

Problems incurred while drilling out from under the large casing sizes (22", 18", 16") with tandem hole enlargement bottom hole assemblies. Shallow reservoirs need to be evaluated for hydrocarbon potential, but these shallow hole sections are in very large hole sizes that require optimizing the drilling and formation evaluation. The objective here is to drill, evaluate and enlarge with the same BHA. During the same trip, the simultaneous enlargement of the hole is made to avoid a second under reaming trip (22", 20", 17 ½", 16 ½", 13 ½").

The shallow vertical depth of the reservoirs and the shallow geohazards requires a directional well design avoids the shallow hazards and the directional build section is intended to intersect the drilling target. An alternative strategy is to acquire the full suite of wireline logs in a dedicated 12 ¼" pilot hole. Subsequently, an under-reaming trip is made for the hole enlargement. This second option is also very time consuming.

Results

The drilling group has evolved a tandem drilling assembly from traditional hole enlargements of 17½"x20" or 12¼"x 14 3/4" to more complex simultaneous drilling and hole enlargements BHA's of 12 ¼"x 16 ½"x20" or 12 ¼"x14½"x17 ½". These new assemblies incorporate the rotary steerable system with mechanical and hydraulic hole openers, plus a complete set of LWD measurements for supporting the real time formation and geo-mechanical evaluation. This combination assures that in one run, the hole is drilled, evaluated, and enlarged, reducing well bore stability risk, and saves time and resources.

Significance of Subject Matter

Pemex evaluated the reservoirs in the discovery of commercial quantities of hydrocarbons that can possibly double the oil reserves of Mexico
Tension Leg Wellhead Platform for Hurricane and Non-hurricane Environments
Authors: Rijken Oriol
Published: February 2015

One of the methodologies for developing deep water oil and/or gas fields may call for the use of a Tension Leg Well head Platform (TLWP). The TLWP supports the well heads above the water line and allows for drilling and well intervention. The TLWP is assisted by a Tender Assisted Drill rig (TAD) that provides many of the drilling services. The presented TLWP is intended for use in the more benign areas in the world, i.e. non-hurricane / non-cyclonic regions. The design of the TLWP includes a variation of the balance of the typical design parameters which leads to overall improvement of satisfying the various requirements. One of the design parameter which is addressed is a simplified marine system combined with a hull and pontoon framing methodology. The objective is to make the hull as passive as possible, i.e. minimal human activities required inside the hull. A second design parameter addressed is a hull form where the displacement can be changed with reduced impact on the major structural elements. The objective is to minimize the impact on construction if there are significant weight changes late in the project, typically weight growth. A third design parameter is a deck layout which allows the drill riser to travel fully deployed across the entire well bay. The objective is to facilitate and speed up the drilling program.
Orbital (Fusion) Welding for Small Bore Pipes
Authors: Salleh Lokman
Published: February 2015

Design of subsea manifolds for deep-water production, should minimise flange and threaded connections to eliminate potential leakage points because these manifolds are normally left unattended on the seabed for a long time and could be as long as 25 years depending on the life span of the oil field. Sending crew to conduct repair is close to impossible and as a result, all pipe work is fully welded. The challenge is to weld these small bore pipes using traditional welding method example GTAW. Due to the size and the accessibility of these weld joints orbital (fusion) welding is the alternative.

Despite the fact that this welding process has been in the market for many years, producing good weld joints remains a challenge because the welding procedure is very sensitive to the welding parameters. A slight variation in one of the welding parameters will result in poor welding quality and the weld joint has to be cut out, because repair is not permissible, not like traditional welded joints. The welding parameters are: the two parent metal itself, the voltage and current input, travel speed, quality of the purging gas, material and the vicinity cleanliness. In addition to the need to stringently control the welding parameters, tests on the production welds has to be conducted regularly to maintain high quality.

This paper describes in detail the challenges that we faced and the remedies implemented in performing this orbital welding on small bore pipes for various materials namely Duplex, Inconel, and Stainless Steel.
Carbonate Pinnacle-Reef Velocity Modeling for Depth Conversion: Pitfalls and Best Practices
Authors: Adli Saiful , Hafez Hairul
Published: February 2015

Many of the carbonate pinnacle discoveries within the Central Luconia province comprise of a solitary exploration well penetrating the crest, with velocity data from checkshot/VSP (Vertical Seismic Profile). As a result considerable uncertainties remain on the flanks of the undeveloped buildups. The construction of a robust velocity model relies on the approach of discrimination on the contrasting velocities within the carbonate/shale sequences. The resulting velocity model can have a sizeable impact on GRV (Gross Rock Volume), and often seen to be a first-order sensitivity in resource estimation.

This paper will look into the best practices of 3 different methods of velocity modeling to avoid underestimation of reserves (Lookup method, Surface based method and 3D grid based method). Special focus is made to where potential pitfalls may occur in each of the velocity modeling methodologies. Several real-world examples will be presented to compare the difference in GRVs through best practice and pitfall applications, while also using a recent appraisal well penetrating the carbonate flank as hard data to validate our velocity modeling theory.

Proper estimation of GRVs through robust velocity modeling will potentially make smaller fields more economical to explore/develop, while also increasing current available field reserves for improved reservoir management plans. Results from this paper will also serve as a guideline for all future carbonate velocity modeling within Central Luconia.
Spontaneous atlantoaxial subluxation associated with tonsillitis
Authors: Shunmugam Meenalochani , Poonnoose Santosh
Published: February 2015

Atlantoaxial subluxation is a rare condition and requires a high index of suspicion to diagnose and treat in order to avoid long-term sequelae. Here, we present a case of late presentation of a nontraumatic rotatory subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint or atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. A 17-year-old girl presented 3 months after the onset of nonspecific upper limb sensory symptoms which eventually settled spontaneously. Initial conservative management by the general practitioner had no effect. Computed tomography scanning revealed a Type 1 dislocation with rotatory fixation and with <3 mm anterior displacement of the atlas. The management of Type 1 subluxations is usually conservative with bed rest, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, reduction (if required) and immobilization with a soft collar. This patient, however, required more invasive management due to the late presentation and slightly greater fixed deformity. As the subluxation could not be reduced with active manipulation, Gardner-Wells tongs with traction were applied. She then progressed to a pinned HALO, cyber neck support and subsequently an aspen collar which was eventually weaned off over a few weeks. The outcome and radiologic alignment at follow-up was satisfactory.
Intracranial hypotension after syringopleural shunting in posttraumatic syringomyelia: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Summers Johanne , Vellore Yagnesh , Chan Patrick , Rosenfeld Jeffrey
Published: February 2015

We report a case of a 45-year-old male with a syringopleural shunt who developed intracranial hypotension. The patient presented with 2 weeks history of worsening headache and back pain, on a background of having had a syringopleural shunt inserted for a thoracic posttraumatic syrinx. Computerized tomography imaging of the brain revealed bilateral subdural fluid collections. Magnetic resonance imaging appearances of spinal and intracranial pachymeningeal enhancement confirmed intracranial hypotension. We present a rare case of intracranial hypotension secondary to syringopleural shunting in a patient with posttraumatic syringomyelia.
A National Survey of Parent Perspectives on Use of Patient Portals for Their Children’s Health Care
Authors: Costello L.E. , Gebremariam A. , Dombkowski K.J. , Clark S.J.
Published: February 2015

Objectives: To assess parents’ current utilization and future willingness to use patient portals to interact with their child’s health care provider.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of US parents was conducted using an established online panel. Bivariate analyses assessed associations between current utilization and future willingness to use patient portals, parental concerns, and demographic variables.

Results: Among the 1,420 parent respondents, 40% did not know whether their child’s health practice offers the option of setting up a patient portal for their child. Of the 21% of parents who reported being offered the option of setting up a patient portal for their child, 59% had done so. Among parents who had the option but chose not to set up a patient portal for their child, lack of time and low perceived need were the main reasons cited. Current use and likelihood of future use was highest for viewing lab results and immunization records. The most common concern about patient portals was the security of the child portal system.

Conclusions: Current use of patient portals by parents is low. Only about half of parents currently using or likely to use a portal perceive value in using portals for certain tasks, which suggests that providers will need to continue traditional communication mechanisms to reach their entire patient population.

Citation: Clark SJ, Costello LE, Gebremariam A, Dombkowski KJ. A national survey of parent perspectives on use of patient portals for children’s health care. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 110–119

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-10-RA-0098
Effect of Chronic Stress on Ligature-induced Periodontitis in Inbred and Noninbred Rats: A Radiographic Study
Authors: Tonetto Mateus Rodrigues , Borges Alvaro Henrique , Pedro Fábio Luis Miranda , Santos Reidson Stanley Soares dos , Semenoff-Segundo Alex , Bandeca Matheus Coelho , Porto Alessandra Nogueira , Semenoff Tereza Aparecida Delle Vedove
Published: February 2015

Aim

The aim was to compare the effect of chronic stress on ligature-induced periodontitis in inbred and noninbred female rats by means of a radiographic study.

Materials and methods

Adult Lewis (inbred) and Wistar (noninbred) rats were used and divided into the following groups: Ligature/Stress Lewis Group (LSLG, n = 8); Ligature/Stress Wistar Group (LSWG, n = 8); Ligature Lewis Group (LLG, n = 8) and Ligature Wistar Group (LWG, n = 8). The animals were anesthetized and a silk thread was continuously kept around their second upper right molar. Then, groups LSLG and LSWG were subjected to physical stress test (physical restraint for 12 hours). After 15 days of ligature placement, the animals were euthanized. The right hemimaxilla was kept in formalin solution for 48 hours. Radiographs of the hemimaxillae were obtained using the parallelism technique and subsequently submitted to a standardized radiographic processing. The examiner was blinded to the groups and calibrated. The bone height level was measured and the data were subjected to statistical analysis (ANOVA, Tukey, p < 0.05).

Results

LSWG showed bone destruction significantly higher than that of LSLG (32.1 ± 1.45 mm and 23.6 mm ± 2.13, respectively). Similarly, LWG showed bone destruction significantly higher than that of LLG (28.6 ± 1.18 mm and 25.2 ± 2.76 mm, respectively).

Conclusion

Inbred rats (Lewis) are less susceptible to the effects of chronic stress than are noninbred rats (Wistar) in relation to ligature-induced periodontitis.

Clinical significance

Epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between stress and periodontitis. One of the major difficulties of this type of research is the bias of the exact diagnosis of the patient's emotional state. Inbred lines animals have standards-specific neuroendocrine, this allows answers about the susceptibility of periodontal disease, making knowledge applicable in future clinical trials.

How to cite this article

Semenoff-Segundo A, Borges AH, Bandeca MC, Porto AN, Pedro FLM, dos Santos RSS, Tonetto MR, Semenoff TADV. Effect of Chronic Stress on Ligatureinduced Periodontitis in Inbred and Noninbred Rats: A Radiographic Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(5):556-560.
Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia with Facial Asymmetry, Canted Occlusion and Open Bite: A Case Report with 2 Years Follow-up
Authors: Jain Sandhya , Newaskar Vilas , Ali Munira
Published: February 2015

Aim

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign fibro-osseous disorder of unknown etiology that may affect the craniofacial region causing significant impairment of facial esthetics and function. This paper reports a case of a 21-year-old male, which was investigated and diagnosed with craniofacial fibrous dysplasia involving an overgrowth over right maxillary and mandibular region associated with facial asymmetry, severe occlusal cant and anterior open bite. Management of the case included surgical excision, cosmetic contouring and orthodontic intervention. The case was reviewed over a period of two years, which demonstrate stable treatment outcome.

How to cite this article

Gupta S, Jain S, Newaskar V, Ali M. Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia with Facial Asymmetry, Canted Occlusion and Open Bite: A Case Report with 2 Years Followup. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(5):636-645.
The Role of Local Authorities in Addressing Human Trafficking
Authors: Rossiter Kathryn , Benfield Jo
Published: February 2015

Worldwide, it is estimated that nearly 4 million people fall victim to people traffickers every year. Trafficking is carried out mainly by Organised Criminal Networks and the victims are forced into prostitution, illegal labour, domestic slavery and petty crime.On 1 April 2009, the United Kingdom signed up to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Convention, which has to date been ratified by 20 European countries, is legally binding and aims to promote and protect the rights of victims who have been tricked or forced into leaving their homes, moved to another country, or within their own country, and then exploited. Whilst it is national governments who are signatories to the Council of Europe Convention, local authorities have a key role to play in its successful implementation.
Local democracy and public accountability in Uganda: The need for organisational learning
Authors: Kyohairwe Stella
Published: February 2015

The paper examines the impact of public accountability mechanisms in the Uganda's decentralisation local governments. Some of the common tools used for evaluation of local government performance have been presented and discussed including the baraza, village participatory democracy and the score-card reporting method. The orthodox theories of local governance and concept of democracy are bases for assessing the feasibility of public accountability in Uganda. The conclusions of the paper points to inefficiencies are the universal applicability of the concept of local democracy leading to a suggestion of new mechanisms of public accountability that emerge from organisational learning.
Impoverishment assessment of slum dwellers after off-site and on-site resettlement: a case of Indore
Authors: Patel Sejal , Mandhyan Ritika
Published: February 2015

This paper is an attempt to assess the impacts of off-site and on-site resettlement projects in Indore by comparing slum dwellers lives before and after the implementation of the projects, complimenting and corroborating a sister paper based on fieldwork in Ahmedabad (Patel, Sliuzas, Mathur, & Miscione, fortcoming). The impact analysis is based on the indicators of impoverishment risks due to displacement and resettlement formulated by Cernea (2000a) in his Impoverishment Risks and Reconstruction (IRR) model. The findings indicates the presence of the following forms of impoverishment which Cernea proposed for the displacees: significant loss in household assets, increased joblessness or unemployment, loss of access to common services, increased health risks, marginalisation and social disarticulation, all of which have compounded their vulnerability and chances of falling deeper into poverty. The paper also argues that compared to off-site and on-site resettlement displacees were less affected by negative consequences and impoverishment risks. The paper concludes with recommendations for slum resettlement policies of local government so that impoverishment risks can be reasonably averted.
Assessing the Institutional Capacity of External Agencies in Holding Local Government Accountable in Uganda
Authors: Kakumba Umar
Published: February 2015

The Government of Uganda established external agencies as part of the control mechanisms aimed at promoting accountability in the public sector in general and local governments (LGs) in particular. The two cardinal control agencies include the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Inspectorate of Government (IG), who are mandated to enhance public service through efficient and effective resource management, ensuring adherence to standards and regulations, and promoting responsiveness to community needs. In spite of these institutional controls, a surge of unbearable events involving abuse of authority and misuse of public resources still exists, suggesting significant managerial and capacity handicaps, not only in the internal mechanisms of LGs, but also in the external control agencies. This paper presents findings of a study conducted to evaluate the institutional capacity of the OAG and the IG in the enhancement of accountability in local governments (LGs) in Uganda. The findings demonstrate deficiencies in institutional capacity across the spectrum of financial, human and material resources, as well as the enabling legislation and lack stakeholder support. The scenario is a recipe for encouraging public malfeasance. The paper makes a strong case for strengthening institutional capacity, through improvements in planning, resource facilitation and collaborative relations among the key stakeholders. It is argued that the establishment of a special anti-corruption court could help reduce the delays and provide appropriate corrective measures in support of accountability.
Constitutional Challenges of Creating New Local Government Areas in Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Jude
Published: February 2015

Local government is purposely established by law to provide grassroots development. In federal states, it is usually created by law of the federating units, and in unitary states it is created by central government. However, since the entrenchment of local government as a third-tier level of government in the 1979/1999 federal constitutions of Nigeria, there have been a lot of difficulties in creating new local governments. This paper examines the dynamics of this structure and the challenges posed to the orderly creation of new local government areas in Nigeria. The paper adopts secondary methods of data collection and analysis. It finds that the conflicting constitutional provisions which vest in the state and federal governments powers to create new local government areas have created many controversies in the polity. It recommends that the creation and statutory finance of local government councils in Nigeria should be expunged from the federal constitution.
Traditional rulers and local government in Nigeria: a pathway to resolving the challenge
Authors: Tonwe Daniel Adetoritse , Osemwota Osa
Published: February 2015

This paper examines the problem of integrating traditional rulers into the contemporary local government system in Nigeria with a view of resolving the problems arising from the tradition/modernity nexus in the present scheme. Two basic questions guided this work. The first relates to the relevance of indigenous traditional institutions to the challenges of contemporary democratic processes. The second relates to whether traditional modes of thought, behaviour and institutions constitute resources or impediments to the projects of modernisation and development. This paper concludes that the goal of modernisation is to generate rapid increase in social wealth and its driving force is economic development; and where traditional institutions are able to contribute positively to this goal, their input should not be jettisoned.
Is Decentralisation in Ghana pro-poor?
Authors: Obeng-Odoom Franklin
Published: February 2015

There is a popular belief among decentralists that if local governments have the power to generate and spend revenue, without relying on central government funding, their expenditure will be pro-poor and will improve the lives of local people. Such views have influenced recent calls for greater decentralisation in developing countries in general and Africa in particular. However, evidence from Ghana casts some doubts on this view. A brief comparison of the expenditure and revenue patterns of the poorest and richest local governments there suggests that local governments are not inherently pro-poor and that locally generated funds might be used in ways that do not reflect the needs of the locality as a whole. Thus the fiscal devolution view of decentralisation appears to be out of kilter with reality. To discuss this issue, the three sections in this paper summarise the assumptions and perceived benefits of decentralisation, describe decentralisation in Ghana, and analyse the revenue and expenditure patterns of the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority and the Kasena Nankana District Assembly.
Local Government Finance in Ghana: Disbursement and Utilisation of the MPs share of the District Assemblies Common Fund
Authors: Appiah-Agyekum Nana Nimo
Published: February 2015

The establishment of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) in 1993 and concomitant percentage set aside for Members of Parliament (MPs) in 2004 aims to support local governments and legislators in pro-poor development activities in their communities and constituencies. In spite of the importance of the MPs’ share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (MPsCF) in financing local level development in Ghana, very little is known about monitoring systems and procedures on the disbursement and utilization of the funds. The study therefore assessed qualitative data derived from interviews with officials from selected Local Government Authorities (LGAs) as well as other key stakeholders in the disbursement and utilization of the fund. The study findings point to the absence of legislative instrument on the management of the MPsCF. Further, monitoring of the fund was a responsibility shared by the LGAs and other external stakeholders. Finally, the effectiveness of monitoring the disbursement and utilization of the MPsCF was strongly influenced by the relationship between the Chief Executive of the Local Government Authority (LGCE) and MPs in the local government area.
Empowerment of local government in New Zealand: A new model for contemporary local-central relations?
Authors: Cheyne Christine
Published: February 2015

Since 2000 intergovernmental relations in New Zealand have been evolving rapidly as a result of a significant shift in government policy discourse towards a strong central-local government partnership. New statutory provisions empowering local government to promote social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing have significant implications for the range of activities in which local authorities are engaged. In turn, this has consequences for the relationship between local government and central government. The effectiveness of the new empowerment and the prospects for further strengthening of the role of local government are critically examined. Despite some on-going tensions, and an inevitable mismatch in the balance of power between central and local government, it is argued that there is a discernible rebalancing of intergovernmental relations as a result of new legislation and central government policy settings which reflect a ‘localist turn’. On the basis of developments since 2000 it may be argued that the New Zealand system of local government is evolving away from the recognised ‘Anglo’ model. However, further consolidation is needed in the transformation of intergovernmental relations and mechanisms that will cement a more genuine central-local government partnership.
Regional data assimilation of multi-spectral MOPITT observations of CO over North America
Authors: Jiang Z. , Jones D. B. A. , Worden J. , Worden H. M. , Henze D. K. , Wang Y.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Chemical transport models (CTMs) driven with high-resolution meteorological fields can better resolve small-scale processes, such as frontal lifting or deep convection, and thus improve the simulation and emission estimates of tropospheric trace gases. In this work, we explore the use of the GEOS-Chem four-dimensional variational (4-D-Var) data assimilation system with the nested high-resolution version of the model (0.5° × 0.67°) to quantify North American CO emissions during the period of June 2004 – May 2005. With optimized lateral boundary conditions, regional inversion analyses can reduce the sensitivity of the CO source estimates to errors in long-range transport and in the distributions of the hydroxyl radical (OH), the main sink for CO. To further limit the potential impact of discrepancies in chemical aging of air in the free troposphere, associated with errors in OH, we use surface level multispectral MOPITT CO retrievals, which have greater sensitivity to CO near the surface and reduced sensitivity in the free troposphere, compared to previous versions of the retrievals. We estimate that the annual total anthropogenic CO emission from the contiguous US 48 states was 97 Tg CO, a 14% increase from the 85 Tg CO in the a priori. This increase is mainly due to enhanced emissions around the Great Lakes region and along the west coast, relative to the a priori. Sensitivity analyses using different OH fields and lateral boundary conditions suggest a possible error, associated with local North America OH distribution, in these emission estimates of 20% during summer 2004, when the CO lifetime is short. This 20% OH-related error is 50% smaller than the OH-related error previously estimated for North American CO emissions using a global inversion analysis. We believe that reducing this OH-related error further will require integrating additional observations to provide a strong constraint on the CO distribution across the domain. Despite these limitations, our results show the potential advantages of combining high-resolution regional inversion analyses with global analyses to better quantify regional CO source estimates.
What prevents nitrogen depletion in the oxygen minimum zone of the eastern tropical South Pacific?
Authors: Su B. , Pahlow M. , Wagner H. , Oschlies A.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Local coupling between nitrogen fixation and denitrification in current biogeochemical models could result in runaway feedback in open-ocean oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), eventually stripping OMZ waters of all fixed nitrogen. This feedback does not seem to operate at full strength in the ocean, as nitrate does not generally become depleted in open-ocean OMZs. To explore in detail the possible mechanisms that prevent nitrogen depletion in the OMZ of the eastern tropical South Pacific (ETSP), we develop a box model with fully prognostic cycles of carbon, nutrients and oxygen in the upwelling region and its adjacent open ocean. Ocean circulation is calibrated with Δ14C data of the ETSP. The sensitivity of the simulated nitrogen cycle to nutrient and oxygen exchange and ventilation from outside the model domain and to remineralization scales inside an OMZ is analysed. For the entire range of model configurations explored, we find that the fixed-N inventory can be stabilized at non-zero levels in the ETSP OMZ only if the remineralization rate via denitrification is slower than that via aerobic respiration. In our optimum model configuration, lateral oxygen supply into the model domain is required at rates sufficient to oxidize at least about one fifth of the export production in the model domain to prevent anoxia in the deep ocean. Under these conditions, our model is in line with the view of phosphate as the ultimate limiting nutrient for phytoplankton, and implies that for the current notion of nitrogen fixation being favoured in N-deficit waters, the water column of the ETSP could even be a small net source of nitrate.
Records of past mid-depth ventilation: Cretaceous ocean anoxic event 2 vs. Recent oxygen minimum zones
Authors: Schönfeld J. , Kuhnt W. , Erdem Z. , Flögel S. , Glock N. , Aquit M. , Frank M. , Holbourn A.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Present day oceans are well ventilated, with the exception of mid-depth oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) under high surface water productivity, regions of sluggish circulation, and restricted marginal basins. In the Mesozoic, however, entire oceanic basins transiently became dysoxic or anoxic. The Cretaceous ocean anoxic events (OAEs) were characterised by laminated organic-carbon rich shales and low-oxygen indicating trace fossils preserved in the sedimentary record. Yet assessments of the intensity and extent of Cretaceous near-bottom water oxygenation have been hampered by deep or long-term diagenesis and the evolution of marine biota serving as oxygen indicators in today's ocean. Sedimentary features similar to those found in Cretaceous strata were observed in deposits underlying Recent OMZs, where bottom-water oxygen levels, the flux of organic matter, and benthic life have been studied thoroughly. Their implications for constraining past bottom-water oxygenation are addressed in this review. We compared OMZ sediments from the Peruvian upwelling with deposits of the late Cenomanian OAE 2 from the north-west African shelf. Holocene laminated sediments are encountered at bottom-water oxygen levels of < 7 μmol kg−1 under the Peruvian upwelling and < 5 μmol kg−1 in California Borderland basins and the Pakistan Margin. Seasonal to decadal changes of sediment input are necessary to create laminae of different composition. However, bottom currents may shape similar textures that are difficult to discern from primary seasonal laminae. The millimetre-sized trace fossil Chondrites was commonly found in Cretaceous strata and Recent oxygen-depleted environments where its diameter increased with oxygen levels from 5 to 45 μmol kg−1. Chondrites has not been reported in Peruvian sediments but centimetre-sized crab burrows appeared around 10 μmol kg−1, which may indicate a minimum oxygen value for bioturbated Cretaceous strata. Organic carbon accumulation rates ranged from 0.7 and 2.8 g C cm−2 kyr−1 in laminated OAE 2 sections in Tarfaya Basin, Morocco, matching late Holocene accumulation rates of laminated Peruvian sediments under Recent oxygen levels below 5 μmol kg−1. Sediments deposited at > 10 μmol kg−1 showed an inverse exponential relationship of bottom-water oxygen levels and organic carbon accumulation depicting enhanced bioirrigation and decomposition of organic matter with increased oxygen supply. In the absence of seasonal laminations and under conditions of low burial diagenesis, this relationship may facilitate quantitative estimates of palaeo-oxygenation. Similarities and differences between Cretaceous OAEs and late Quaternary OMZs have to be further explored to improve our understanding of sedimentary systems under hypoxic conditions.
Investigating temporal field sampling strategies for site-specific calibration of three soil moisture – neutron intensity parameterisation methods
Authors: Iwema J. , Rosolem R. , Baatz R. , Wagener T. , Bogena H. R.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor (CRNS) can provide soil moisture information at scales relevant to hydrometeorological modeling applications. Site-specific calibration is needed to translate CRNS neutron intensities into sensor footprint average soil moisture contents. We investigated temporal sampling strategies for calibration of three CRNS parameterisations (modified N0, HMF, and COSMIC) by assessing the effects of the number of sampling days and soil wetness conditions on the performance of the calibration results, for three sites with distinct climate and land use: a semi-arid site, a temperate grassland and a temperate forest. When calibrated with a year of data, COSMIC performed relatively good at all three sites, and the modified N0 method performed best at the two humid sites. It is advisable to collect soil moisture samples on more than a single day regardless of which parameterisation is used. In any case, sampling on more than ten days would, despite the strong increase in work effort, improve calibration results only little. COSMIC needed the least number of days at each site. At the semi-arid site, the N0mod method was calibrated better under average wetness conditions, whereas HMF and COSMIC were calibrated better under drier conditions. Average soil wetness condition gave better calibration results at the two humid sites. The calibration results for the HMF method were better when calibrated with combinations of days with similar soil wetness conditions, opposed to N0mod and COSMIC, which profited from using days with distinct wetness conditions. The outcomes of this study can be used by researchers as a CRNS calibration strategy guideline.
Vulnerability of groundwater resources to interaction with river water in a boreal catchment
Authors: Rautio A. , Kivimäki A.-L. , Korkka-Niemi K. , Nygård M. , Salonen V.-P. , Lahti K. , Vahtera H.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. A low altitude aerial infrared (AIR) survey was conducted to identify hydraulic connections between aquifers and rivers, and to map spatial surface temperature patterns along boreal rivers. In addition, the stable isotopic compositions (δ18O, δD), dissolved silica (DSi) concentrations and electrical conductivity of water in combination with AIR data were used as tracers to verify the observed groundwater discharge into the river system in a boreal catchment. The results of AIR surveys and hydrogeochemical studies performed in the boreal catchment are presented. Based on low temperature anomalies in the AIR survey, around 370 groundwater–surface water interaction sites were located along the main river channel and its tributaries (203 km altogether). On the basis of AIR survey, the longitudinal temperature patterns of the studied rivers differed noticeably. The stable isotopes and DSi composition revealed major differences between the studied rivers. The interaction locations identified in the proximity of 12 municipal water intake plants during the low-flow seasons should be considered as potential risk areas for water intake plants during flood periods (groundwater quality deterioration due to bank infiltration), and should be taken under consideration in river basin management under changing climatic situations.
Brief Communication: Future avenues for permafrost science from the perspective of early career researchers
Authors: Fritz M. , Deshpande B. N. , Bouchard F. , Högtröm E. , Lepage J. , Morgenstern A. , Nieuwendam A. , Oliva M. , Paquette M. , Rudy A. C. A. , Siewert M. B. , Sjöberg Y. , Weege S.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Accelerating climate change and increased economic and environmental interest in permafrost-affected regions have resulted in an acute need for more directed permafrost research. In June 2014, 88 early career researchers convened to identify future priorities for permafrost research. This multidisciplinary forum concluded that five research topics deserve greatest attention: permafrost landscape dynamics; permafrost thermal modelling; integration of traditional knowledge; spatial analysis of permafrost types and vulnerability; and engineering issues. These topics underline the need for integrated research across a spectrum of permafrost-related domains and constitute a contribution to the Third International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III).
Convocatoria simposio 2015 / Call for Papers Symposium 2015
Authors: Convocatoria BSJ
Published: February 2015

Convocatoria simposio 2015 / Call for Papers Symposium 2015
Emigración potosina en el siglo XVIII: el linaje Díaz en Calbuco
Authors: Pérez Pablo A.
Published: February 2015

The study documents the presence of an emigrant from the city of Potosí, who was established in the southern Spanish colonial possession of Calbuco (belonging to the orbit of Chiloé), in the first half of the eighteenth century. The lineage originated by him appears in two different branches, providing genealogical and historical materials on both locations. Within a period of almost two centuries, there are approximately thirty people documented that are linked to the male lineage.
Seeing and Hearing the Other: A Jewish Israeli Teacher Grapples with Arab Students' Underachievement and the Exclusion of Their Voices
Authors: Hager Tamar
Published: February 2015

This paper addresses my political and pedagogical resistance to the institutional discrimination of Palestinian Arab students in Israeli academia. Describing my instinctive negative reactions (frustration, helplessness, anger) towards what seems at first sight as their reluctance to study,  I go on to criticize my own and other lecturers' tendency to blame the victim by analyzing the structural, cultural, political and social obstacles encountered by Arab students in Israeli institutions of higher education. The paper mainly focuses on the story of my resistance to this prevailing social and political structure. Adopting feminist critical pedagogy in my course "Representing Disability in Literature and the Cinema", I have created a space for my Arab students to overcome at least temporarily their repression by the Israeli academic system. The process of empowerment and the subsequent educational transformative and liberating exchange has enabled all participants to grant Arabs' transparent and excluded knowledge a significant social, cultural and political place, thus creating new and more culturally sensitive knowledge. Confronting the empowering effects of this method, I conclude my paper by suggesting some explanations as to the rarity of critical feminist pedagogies in Israeli academia.
Different from Us: Teaching About the Rich After Occupy and the Great Recession
Authors: Ohmann Richard
Published: February 2015

In a famous imaginary exchange, F. Scott Fitzgerald said, "The rich are different from us."  Ernest Hemingway replied, "Yes, they have more money."   Most critics have thought the epigram attributed to Fitzgerald more perceptive about class in the United States than the one attributed to Hemingway.  But if we're looking for a wry take on how class has been understood, in the media and among college students, Hemingway's comment is pretty good.
The Lusty Court of Camelot (1967): Exploring Sexuality in the Hollywood Adaptation
Authors: Woller Megan
Published: February 2015

The film adaptation of Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot reinserts sex into the musicalized legend. This article examines key scenes, including musical numbers, that focus on the relationships between the two primary (and overlapping) couples. The film’s restrained but present depiction of sexuality further reflects important changes in the film industry.
Plug-In to Fear: Game Biosensors and Negative Physiological Responses to Music
Authors: Mitchell Helen
Published: February 2015

The games industry is beginning to embark on an ambitious journey into the world of biometric gaming in search of more exciting and immersive gaming experiences. Whether or not biometric game technologies hold the key to unlock the "ultimate gaming experience" hinges not only on technological advancements alone but also on the game industry’s understanding of physiological responses to stimuli of different kinds and its ability to interpret physiological data in terms of indicative meaning. With reference to horror-genre games and music in particular, this article reviews some of the scientific literature relating to specific physiological responses induced by "fearful" or "unpleasant" musical stimuli and considers some of the challenges facing the games industry in its quest for the ultimate "plugged-in" experience.
Programmatic Delivery Key to New Water Supply: San Antonio's Brackish Groundwater Desalination Program
Authors: Davis Bill , Harrah Esther , Timmermann David
Published: February 2015

This collaborative approach to implementing a brackish groundwater desalination program offers a helpful example for utilities looking to diversify their water portfolio ‐ particularly for utilities plagued by drought.
Advanced Weather Intelligence Helps Utilities Prepare for Severe Weather
Authors: Spence Shannon , Foerster Jim
Published: February 2015

Water utility operators have long known that the weather can have the single biggest impact on their operations. The increasing intensity and frequency of rainfall patterns, along with increasingly violent storms, is creating new challenges for water utility operators across the country. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ‐ a panel that assesses the scientific, technical, and socioeconomic information relevant for the understanding of the risk of human‐induced climate change ‐ concluded that intense rain events have become more frequent in the past 50 years. This, combined with increased runoff from land use changes, means more significant flash‐flood events could occur.
An image processing pipeline for electron cryo‐tomography in RELION‐5
Authors: Burt Alister , Toader Bogdan , Warshamanage Rangana , von Kügelgen Andriko , Pyle Euan , Zivanov Jasenko , Kimanius Dari , Bharat Tanmay A. M. , Scheres Sjors H. W.
Published: August 2024

Electron tomography of frozen, hydrated samples allows structure determination of macromolecular complexes that are embedded in complex environments. Provided that the target complexes may be localised in noisy, three‐dimensional tomographic reconstructions, averaging images of multiple instances of these molecules can lead to structures with sufficient resolution for de novo atomic modelling. Although many research groups have contributed image processing tools for these tasks, a lack of standardisation and interoperability represents a barrier for newcomers to the field. Here, we present an image processing pipeline for electron tomography data in RELION‐5, with functionality ranging from the import of unprocessed movies to the automated building of atomic models in the final maps. Our explicit definition of metadata items that describe the steps of our pipeline has been designed for interoperability with other software tools and provides a framework for further standardisation.
Nalmefene auto‐injector approved for opioid overdose
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2024

This month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zurnia, the first nalmefene hydrochloride auto‐injector for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose in adults and pediatric patients ages 12 and older. The agency approved the first nasal spray formulation of nalmefene in May 2023 (see ADAW https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.34062).
Copper–Nickel Oxide Nanosheets with Atomic Thickness for High‐Efficiency Sulfur Ion Electrooxidation Assisted Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Hui , Hong Qing‐Ling , Shao Li‐Yang , Zhai Quan‐Guo , Jiang Yu‐Cheng , Ai Xuan , Chen Yu , Li Shu‐Ni
Published: August 2024

The nitrate electroreduction reaction (NO3RR) offers an eco‐friendly alternative to the Haber–Bosch technology for ammonia (NH3) synthesis. However, the complex reaction process and diverse products make efficient NH3 synthesis challenging. Therefore, the rational design and preparation of highly efficient electrocatalysts are crucial for NO3RR. Herein, ultrathin copper‐nickel oxide (Cu‐NiO) nanosheets (Cu‐NiO UTNSs) are synthesized via the cyanogel‐NaBH4 hydrolysis‐reduction method, which are applied for the cathodic NO3 RR to NH3‐assisted with the anodic sulfur ion (S2−) oxidation reaction (SOR) in an electrolyzer. The ultrathin nanosheet structure, the interaction between NiO and Cu, and the formation of oxygen vacancy contribute to generating the rich active sites, regulating the electronic structure, and improving the substance adsorption. Thus, the Cu‐NiO UTNSs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance for NO3RR and SOR. As a bifunctional Cu‐NiO UTNSs||Cu‐NiO UTNSs electrolyzer, it can reach 10 mA cm−1 at only 0.1 V for NO3−‐to‐NH3 conversion at the cathode and S2−‐to‐S8 conversion at the anode. This work provides a promising approach for producing value‐added chemicals at a low electrolysis voltage and a strategy for pollutant treatment.
Spinel‐Type Metal Oxides with Tailored Amorphous/Crystalline Heterointerfaces for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Mengying , Feng Xufang , Li Shan , Ma Yuxing , Peng Yuxin , Yang Shujiao , Liu Yining , Lei Haitao , Dang Jingshuang , Zhang Wei , Cao Rui , Zheng Haoquan
Published: August 2024

Metal oxides with spinel structure have garnered increasing attention as promising alternatives to noble metal‐based electrocatalysts. However, these electrocatalysts often fail to simultaneously exhibit high activity and stability for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), limiting their applications in electrocatalytic water splitting. Herein, crystalline/amorphous heterogeneous interfaces are successfully introduced into spinel NiCo2O4 nanosheets, which are grown in situ on carbon cloth (CC), denoted as NiCo2O4‐B‐CC. The amorphous/crystalline heterostructures combine the advantages of both phases in electrocatalysts. The amorphous phase of the spinel NiCo2O4 nanosheets modulates the electron density, provides abundant oxygen single vacancies as active sites, and enhances the corrosion resistance, while the crystalline phase improves conductivity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to investigate the influence of surface oxygen single vacancy (SVO) on the activity of the OER and HER processes. The NiCo₂O₄‐B‐CC exhibits overpotentials of only 26 mV for HER and 215 mV for OER at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. It exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for water splitting, achieving a current density of 400 mA cm−2 at an applied voltage of 2.0 V. The construction of crystalline/amorphous heterogeneous interfaces in electrocatalysts provides novel approach for enhancing the electrocatalytic performance of metal oxides in water splitting.