bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stem cell drugs: the next generation of pharmaceutical products
Authors: Pham Phuc Van
Published: October 2017

Stem cells represent a new treatment option in medicine and pharmacy. Stem cells have been increasingly used for the treatment of many diseases. In fact, they have spurred a new age of medicine called regenerative medicine. In recent years, regenerative medicine has become a new revolution in disease treatment, especially with the use of stem cell drugs. Stem cell drugs refer to live stem cell based products that used as drugs for particular diseases. Unlike autologous stem cell transplantation, stem cell drugs are “off-the-shelf” products that are ready to be used without requirement of any further manipulation. This review aims to summarize some of the approved stem cell drugs, and discuss the revolution of regenerative medicine and personalized medicine. As well, the review will discuss how stem cell drugs have led to a new direction in stem cell therapy, providing a new platform for patient needs.
Reseña del libro: Márquez Estrada, José Wilson. 2012. El Tranvía Eléctrico de Medellín: 1920-1951. Su aporte al proceso de modernización Urbana. Saarbrücken- Alemania: Editorial Académica Española. ISBN: 978-3-659-01680-6.
Authors: Cano Vargas Alexander
Published: October 2017

Este libro recoge lo fundamental de la monografía de grado, que el autor presentó en la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede Medellín en abril de 2001 para optar el título de Magister en historia la cual fue dirigida por el profesor-investigador Fernando Botero Herrera. En América Latina desde la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, la vida aldeana se vio sacudida por los influjos de la Revolución Industrial, que transformó definitivamente la historia del transporte en esta parte del mundo. Colombia no fue ajena a esta influencia y con igual ruido se sintieron los influjos de la revolución industrial. En el campo de los transportes, se introdujeron la navegación a vapor por el río magdalena, y los ferrocarriles; también aparecieron telégrafos, alumbrado público y el servicio de correo. Este proceso transformó la vida urbana, especialmente en las primeras tres décadas del siglo XX, cuando las ciudades principales como Bogotá, Medellín y Cali experimentaron una verdadera transformación de su morfología urbana. El autor presenta un caso de ellos: el tranvía en Medellín.
Orietta Favaro y Graciela Iuorno, eds. 2013.La trama al revés en años de cambio. Experiencias en la historia argentina reciente. General Roca: Publifadecs, Cehepyc. ISBN 978-987-1549-59-7
Authors: Freire Adriana Jorgelina
Published: October 2017

Orietta Favaro y Graciela Iuorno (editoras) presentan en esta última producción  trabajos propios y de distintos académicos integrantes del Centro de Estudios Históricos de Estado, Política y Cultura (Cehepyc). Dicho Centro tiene funcionamiento enla Universidad Nacionaldel Comahue en Neuquén capital, Patagonia-Argentina.
Bernardo Tovar Zambrano y Reynel Salas Vargas (editores). 2012 Historia comprehensiva de Neiva. Tomo 1. Neiva: Academia Huilense de Historia. ISBN 978-958-57039-1-9
Authors: Martinez Garnica Armando
Published: October 2017

El primer tomo de una ambiciosa obra colectiva de historia regional —organizada y escrita con motivo de la efemérides 400 de la fundación de Neiva— se inicia con una mirada de María Angélica Suaza Español a los habitantes de la jurisdicción de la ciudad de Neiva desde la época aborigen de los cazadores-recolectores, según el utillaje lítico y el arte rupestre hallado por los arqueólogos. Los sitios de San Agustín e Isnos han concentrado la atención del período formativo y el estudio de los cacicazgos cuentan con la información de los cronistas indianos, si bien para los indios pijaos se dispone de mayor información y los sitios de sus enterramientos se distribuyen ampliamente. Una lista de los encomenderos de la ciudad de Neiva en 1560 es suministrada, junto con noticias sobre las etnias que integraron las unidades de encomendación: tamas, pijaos, paeces y yanaconas. En otro capítulo se ocupa esta autora de los estilos de vida e identidades culturales en la provincia de Neiva durante el siglo XVII, diferenciando las figuras de los hacendados, los comerciantes, los artesanos, los españoles, los criollos, los indígenas, los negros y los mulatos, los zambos y los mestizos.
Using theory to interpret how senior clinicians define, learn, and teach clinical reasoning
Authors: Gee Waverley , Anakin Megan , Pinnock Ralph
Published: October 2017

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Introduction: Dual process theory and script theory have been used to understand and explain how students learn clinical reasoning. This study used these tools to interpret how experienced teachers described their definitions of clinical reasoning, their own history learning about clinical reasoning, and their methods of teaching clinical reasoning. Methods: Interview data from 14 senior clinicians were investigated thematically using a general inductive approach then interpreted using principles and concepts associated with dual process theory and script theory, including the concept of deliberate practice and script consciousness. Results and Discussion: Senior clinicians' definitions of clinical reasoning were consistent with the literature. Few of them recalled being explicitly taught clinical reasoning. They identified teaching as a way to further develop their own clinical reasoning. They taught it opportunistically using an apprenticeship and role-modelling approach in clinical contexts. Their teaching techniques included supervised practice, reflection, think aloud, focused data collection guided by the clinical presentation, and iterative reasoning. Conclusion: Dual process theory, script theory, and the concepts of mindful practice and deliberate practice were found to be useful tools to understand how senior clinicians taught and learned clinical reasoning. These findings are guiding our clinical reasoning curriculum and faculty development programme.
Alginate/gelatine hydrogels: characterisation and application of antioxidant release
Authors: Nooeaid Patcharakamon , Chuysinuan Piyachat , Techasakul Supanna
Published: October 2017

Green polymer-based hydrogels have been broadly applied in the pharmaceutical, medical, food and agricultural industries. Alginate/gelatine blended hydrogels loaded with guava leaf extract were prepared using the simple physical crosslinking in situ gelation method. Different blending ratios were investigated in terms of the physico-chemical properties of the hydrogels including morphology, chemical composition, mechanical properties, water absorption and release behaviour. Results indicated that gelatine content had a positive effect on loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency. Increasing gelatine content in the blends significantly improved tensile properties, particularly elongation at fracture, while the ability of the hydrogels to absorb water decreased with increasing gelatine quantity. Extract-loaded hydrogels expressed high antioxidant activity, reaching approximately 70% 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging after 30 min immersion in saline solution. Extract release from the hydrogels was controlled by swelling and polymer relaxation mechanisms according to the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetic model. Results suggested that antioxidant-loaded alginate/gelatine hydrogels are of interest for biomedical applications.
Impaired β-Oxidation and Altered Complex Lipid Fatty Acid Partitioning with Advancing CKD
Authors: Afshinnia Farsad , Rajendiran Thekkelnaycke M. , Soni Tanu , Byun Jaeman , Wernisch Stefanie , Sas Kelli M. , Hawkins Jennifer , Bellovich Keith , Gipson Debbie , Michailidis George , Pennathur Subramaniam ,   the Michigan Kidney Translational Core CPROBE Investigator Group
Published: October 2017

Studies of lipids in CKD, including ESRD, have been limited to measures of conventional lipid profiles. We aimed to systematically identify 17 different lipid classes and associate the abundance thereof with alterations in acylcarnitines, a metric ofβ-oxidation, across stages of CKD. From the Clinical Phenotyping Resource and Biobank Core (CPROBE) cohort of 1235 adults, we selected a panel of 214 participants: 36 with stage 1 or 2 CKD, 99 with stage 3 CKD, 61 with stage 4 CKD, and 18 with stage 5 CKD. Among participants, 110 were men (51.4%), 64 were black (29.9%), and 150 were white (70.1%), and the mean (SD) age was 60 (16) years old. We measured plasma lipids and acylcarnitines using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Overall, we identified 330 different lipids across 17 different classes. Compared with earlier stages, stage 5 CKD associated with a higher abundance of saturated C16–C20 free fatty acids (FFAs) and long polyunsaturated complex lipids. Long-chain–to–intermediate-chain acylcarnitine ratio, a marker of efficiency ofβ-oxidation, exhibited a graded decrease from stage 2 to 5 CKD (P<0.001). Additionally, multiple linear regression revealed that the long-chain–to–intermediate-chain acylcarnitine ratio inversely associated with polyunsaturated long complex lipid subclasses and the C16–C20 FFAs but directly associated with short complex lipids with fewer double bonds. We conclude that increased abundance of saturated C16–C20 FFAs coupled with impairedβ-oxidation of FFAs and inverse partitioning into complex lipids may be mechanisms underpinning lipid metabolism changes that typify advancing CKD.
Correlation Between Destructive And None-Destructive Tests on the Mechanical Properties of Different Cement Mortar Mixtures Incorporated Polyethylene Terephthalate Fibers.
Authors: Alshkane Dr. Younis , Rafiq Dr. Serwan , Boiny Hemn
Published: October 2017

Non-destructive tests have been widely used in engineering purposes especially in civil engineering. Yet it is not properly used to predict the mechanical properties of different cement mortar mixtures reinforced with plastic fibers (PET) made from waste plastic bottles. In this study, the pulse velocity was used to predict the mechanical properties of cement mortar mixtures reinforced with and without plastic fibers made from waste plastic fibers. The Pulse velocity was computed from samples of different cement mortar mixtures with different ratio of cement/sand. Then the desired mechanical properties of mortar samples were calculated from the laboratory tests. Then, the Pulse velocity results were correlated with the destructive test results using simple regression analysis. The results showed that the mechanical properties (Uniaxial Compressive Strength, Modulus of Elasticity, and Tensile strength) can be predicted from the correlation equations proposed in this study.
Exposure to Community Violence Among Low-Income African American Youth in Chicago: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Voisin Dexter R. , Kim Dong Ha , Michalopoulos Lynn , Patel Sadiq
Published: October 2017

African American youth are exposed to some of the highest rates of exposure to community violence. However, few studies have explored factors related to exposures and various subtypes of exposures to community violence (i.e., no exposure, witnessing only and being a witness/victim). Among a matched sample of 129 African American youth and their caregivers, no exposure to community violence was correlated with being heterosexual versus being a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) person, having parents who owned their homes versus rented, and having higher authoritarian parenting attitudes. In addition, being a witness/victim of community violence was correlated with any youth substance use, lower levels of school bonding, having less future orientation, less parental home ownership, and an adverse family history. Practice and programmatic considerations are discussed based on these findings.
A Short Measure of Social Reactions to Sexual Assault: The Social Reactions Questionnaire-Shortened
Authors: Ullman Sarah E. , Relyea Mark , Sigurvinsdottir Rannveig , Bennett Sidney
Published: October 2017

Social reactions to disclosures of sexual assault have significant effects on women’s postassault recovery. However, being the most widely used measure of these reactions, the 48-item Social Reactions Questionnaire (SRQ; Ullman, 2000) is too long for some research and evaluation efforts. Thus, we developed a 16-item short version, the Social Reactions Questionnaire-Shortened (SRQ-S). Three preexisting college and community samples of women survivors (N = 1,012; 1,084; and 344) were used to determine which SRQ items were most related to psychological symptoms and could form reliable subscales. The brief version was then administered in a college and community sample of 447 women survivors. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and supporting psychometrics showed the SRQ-S reliably measures three general scales of the SRQ (Turning Against, Unsupportive Acknowledgment, Positive Reactions) as well as eight 2-item subscales (e.g., Blame). The SRQ-S provides researchers and interventionists with a brief alternative measure to the original SRQ.
Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Cognitive Function in a Mixed-Sex Epidemiological Sample of Urban Adults
Authors: Williams Megan R. , Murphy Christopher M. , Dore Gregory A. , Evans Michele K. , Zonderman Alan B.
Published: October 2017

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is associated with a wide range of mental and physical health problems, but little is known about the effect of IPV on cognitive decline. Previous research suggests an association between IPV victimization and cognitive dysfunction, but the few studies that have examined this phenomenon were cross-sectional in design and focused only on female victims of IPV. This study examined cognitive function over time among a diverse population of both male and female victims of IPV. Regression analyses indicated increased completion time on Trail Making Test (TMT) A for both male and female victims of IPV living below poverty as well as for female victims of IPV without previously depressive symptomatology. Results also indicated increased completion time on TMT B for male victims of IPV. Our findings support an association between IPV victimization and increased cognitive decline that is moderated by poverty status and previous depressive symptomatology.
Hemiparetic Positioning of Patients With Hemiplegia
Authors: Winegar Rhonda , Lach Helen , Lorenz Rebecca , Henderson Debra
Published: October 2017

Nature and scope of the project: Patients with hemiplegia may develop pain, decreased strength, sensation, and tone impacting functional ability of the affected arm when patients are not positioned correctly. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate improvements in the function of patients with hemiplegia in a rehabilitation hospital after implementing a hemiparetic positioning program. Project implementation: Education on hemiparetic positioning developed by an interdisciplinary team was offered to all nursing and therapy staff over a 1-month with follow-up and written materials. Evaluation criteria: The outcome measures for this project were Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) scores. Changes in FIM scores of patients hospitalized 3 months before the project were compared with a sample hospitalized after the project to see if outcomes improved. Outcomes: The sample consisted of 91 (pre-QI = 27, post-QI = 64) hospitalized patients with hemiplegia. All patients had significant improvements in FIM scores from admission to discharge. There were no significant differences observed between the groups on FIM change scores using Mann–Whitney U test: transfers from bed/chair/wheelchair (z = −.822, p = .411), upper body dressing (z = −.104, p = .917), lower body dressing (z = −1.120, p = .263), and toileting (z = −1.259, p = .208).
Barriers to Clinical Practice
Authors: Parks Melanie D.
Published: October 2017

Access to care along with a shortage of healthcare providers, especially psychiatric specialists is a widespread problem in many areas of Virginia. Patients who have 1 or more chronic illnesses frequently have coexisting psychiatric problems, and psychiatric patients often have at least 1 chronic health condition. To assist in addressing both behavioral health and primary care services for health promotion and disease prevention, a collaborative care model as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health Resources and Services Administration was evaluated. The collaborative care model was compared with existing services and barriers to health care identified in a rural Virginia County. Identification and use of advanced practice nursing roles and improved collaboration among health care providers were emphasized. Evidence-based practice interventions and quality improvement strategies such as the plan-do-check-act model were identified and evaluated. Outcome measures outlining an evaluation plan for goals related to improving health outcomes were identified with recommendations for various accessible wellness programs.
Extending the Vision of Short-Term Medical Teams
Authors: Burt Susan
Published: October 2017

Short-term medical teams (STMTs), serving for a week or two, often do not partner with the local health care system. As a result, nationals receive poor care coordination and duplication of medical services (Green, Green, Scandlyn, & Kestler, 2009). This article offers a care model and collaboration alternatives to support coordinated care. Experience: An STMT composed of 15 health care professionals provided care at a local camp in rural Guatemala. The pre-trip preparation included securing supplies and communicating with another STMT that visits the camp each year. Results: The Guatemala medical team treated 494 patients and dispensed 989 medications. Despite communication with a previous STMT, possible duplication of services occurred with an absence of medical follow-up. Analysis: Evaluation of the STMT’s experience involved analyzing the number of people seen and medications dispensed, reflecting on conversations with local health care providers and patient. Discussion: The STMT’s goal was to provide care to people living in poverty. Unfortunately, team members learned that their unfamiliarity with the local medical system resulted in duplication of services. If sustainable care is to occur, future teams should use a care model and collaborate with the local health care professionals.
Impact of the Standardized Surgical Checklist on Communication and Teamwork Among Interdisciplinary Surgical Team Members
Authors: Valerio Regalado A. , Amaya Rodolfo , Cole Kari , Hendrix Cristina C.
Published: October 2017

Traditional timeouts done ineffectively before surgical procedures can result in late blood product requests, inadequate preparation of needed intraoperative apparatus, improper administration of required antibiotics, and operating room (OR) time delays. This clinical concern is important to address because based on current evidence, implementing a Standardized Surgical Checklist (SSC) during timeout can impact patient safety by reducing complications following surgery and can promote good communication and teamwork among the care team. This quality improvement project is aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of SSC on communication and teamwork among an interdisciplinary surgical care team at Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC + USC). The design of this project was a pre- and postinnovation survey. The participants were the members of the interdisciplinary care team who participated in the surgical timeout before and after the innovation was implemented. The surveys consisted of 219 participants. Results from an independent t test demonstrated that the mean improvement score for both communication (t = −3.704, df = 190, p < .001) and teamwork (t = −3.028, df = 184, p = .003) were significantly higher in the postinnovation group than in the preinnovation group. These results indicate that SSC can improve communication and teamwork among providers inside the OR which can potentially lead to a safer delivery of care.
Validity and Reliability of the Kinovea Program in Obtaining Angular and Distance Dimensions
Authors: Puig-Diví Albert , Padullés-Riu Josep Maria , Busquets-Faciaben Albert , Padullés-Chando Xavier , Escalona-Marfil Carles , Marcos-Ruiz Daniel
Published: October 2017

Clinical rehabilitation and sports performance analysis both require the objectification of movement. Kinovea© is a free 2D motion analysis software that enables the establishment of kinematics parameters. This low-cost technology has been used in sports sciences, as well as clinical field and research work. Although it has been validated as a tool with which to assess time-related variables, this is not yet the case regarding angular and distance variables. The main objective of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Kinovea software in obtaining angular and distance data at different perspectives of 90°, 75°, 60° and 45°. For this purpose, a figure with 29 points was designed (in AutoCAD) and 24 frames analysed. Each frame was examined by three observers who each made two attempts. For each export data item, 20 angles and 20 distance variables were calculated, with intra- and inter-observer reliability also analysed. To evaluate Kinovea reliability and validity a multiple approach was applied involving the following analysis: -systematic error with a two-way ANOVA 2x4; -relative reliability with ICC and CV (95% confidence interval); -absolute reliability with Standard Error. The results thus obtained indicate that the Kinovea software is a valid and reliable tool that is able to measure accurately at distances up to 5 m from the object and at an angle range of 90°–45°. Nevertheless, for optimum results an angle of 90° is suggested.
Set-Up Method on Properties of BaXSr1-XTiO3 Thin Films Deposited by RF-Magnetron Co-Sputtering by Projecting Temperature and Stoichiometric Effect
Authors: Estrada-Martínez J. L. , Melo-Banda J. A. , Páramo-García U. , Reséndiz-Muñoz J. , Fernández-Muñoz J. L. , Meléndez-Lira M. , Zelaya-Ángel O.
Published: October 2017

Thin films (100-400 nm) of BaxSr1-xTiO3 (0≤x≤1) deposited in RF-magnetron co-sputtering equipment are presented in this research work. The change of deposition rate, gap energy, and resistivity as a function of temperature- applied power change in the growth parameters was studied through the ISO colour-code lines constructed with MATLAB: By analysing the trend information and take into account the influence of the calculated "x" parameter with the Boltzmann profile fitting is proposed a method to allow a controlled set up of the RF-magnetron co-sputtering system and predict the Eg and resistivity values in the BaxSr1-xTiO3 solid solution with 0≤x≤1 for amorphous and crystalline phases. Also, a versatile tool to optimise the deposition process and material properties.
Impacts of Sewage Irrigation on Soil Properties of Farmland in China: A Review
Authors: Li Qiangkun , Tang Jiao , Wang Tian , Wu Dafu , Jiao Ruifeng , Ren Xiujuan
Published: October 2017

Fresh water is valuable nonrenewable resource and plays an important role of maintaining economic and social development. Condisering its large population and consumption potential, water resources deficit will certainly impede basic industries sustainable development of China in the near future. Application of sewage irrigation, to some extent, was regarded as an alternative way to solve the problem of agricultural irrigation water shortage in some areas (such as North China). However, accompanied with extensive implementation of sewage irrigation, some problems on sewage irrigation in agriculture are gradually obvious, especially serious pollution and destruction for farmland. In this paper, the effects of sewage irrigation on soil physical (soil bulk density, soil resistance to penetration and field capacity), chemical (pH, soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphrous, patassium, heavy metal and organic pollutants) and biological characteristics (soil microorganism and enzyme activities) of farmland in China were systematically reviewed on the base of the current utilization status of China’s farmland sewage irrigation and some feasible suggestions were put forward to the development prospect for the future. This review will be beneficial for promoting healthy development of sewage irrigation and providing theoretical support for reclamation and high efficiency of effluents in China.
Impact of Genetic Polymorphism of Sulpha Transferase Genes (SULT1A) Genes on the Risk of Females with Breast Cancer in Jordan
Authors: Bustami Mona , Al-Shudifat Abdel-Ellah , Hussein Nagham , Yacoub Mohannad , Atwa Eiad , Sabri Israr , Abu-Hamdah Rania , Abu-Rayyan Walid , Arafat Tawfiq , Badran Adnan , Abu-Qatouseh Luay
Published: October 2017

Sulfotransferases (SULTs) family plays a significant role in the biotransformation of a variety of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds by which carcinogenesis and mutagenicity of different malignancies are increasingly affected. Recent data identified various genetically polymorphic SULTs enzymes with significant variations in the enzyme activity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of SULT1A1 gene polymorphism and and its potential risk on females with breast cancer in Jordan using a PCR-RFLP and Sanger Sequencing methods. The analysis showed that 24.7% of the patients and 25.3% of the controls were homozygous for the SULT1A1*1 allele (SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*1) compared to 8.8% and 5.7% homozygous for the SULT1A1*2 allele (SULT1A1*2/SULT1A1*2) for patients and controls respectively. Most of the patients and controls were heterozygous for SULT1A1*1 allele (SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*2) with rates of 66.5% and 69.0% in patients and controls respectively. In addition, the frequencies of the mutant SULT1A1*2 allele were 0.42 and 0.4 in the patient and control groups respectively. No significant difference in genotype and allele distribution was noted between the breast cancer and control groups. The risk of breast cancer in individuals carrying the SULT1A1*2 allele was determined by combining the SULT1A1*1/SULT1A1*2 and SULT1A1*2/SULT1A1*2 genotypes. No association was observed between SULT1A1 polymorphism and breast cancer incidence (P = 0.63; OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.68-1.26). However, SULT1A1*2 allele was found to increase the risk of breast cancer by 1.26-fold.
Presence of Legionella spp. in Hot Water Networks of Different Italian Residential Buildings: A Three-Year Survey
Authors: Totaro Michele , Valentini Paola , Costa Anna Laura , Frendo Lorenzo , Cappello Alessia , Casini Beatrice , Miccoli Mario , Privitera Gaetano , Baggiani Angelo
Published: October 2017

Although the European reports highlight an increase in community-acquired Legionnaires’ disease cases, the risk of Legionella spp. in private houses is underestimated. In Pisa (Italy) we performed a three-year survey on Legionella presence in 121 buildings with an independent hot water production (IB); 64 buildings with a central hot water production (CB); and 35 buildings with a solar thermal system for hot water production (TB). From all the 220 buildings Legionella spp. was researched in two hot water samples collected either at the recirculation point or at on the first floor and on the last floor, while the potable water quality was analyzed in three cold water samples collected at the inlet from the aqueduct network, at the exit from the autoclave, and at the most remove remote? tap. Legionella pneumophila sg1, Legionella pneumophila sg2-16 and not-pneumophila Legionella species were detected in 26% of the hot water networks, mostly in CB and TB. In these buildings we detected correlations between the presence of Legionella and the total chlorine concentration decrease or/and the increase of the temperature. Cold water resulted free from microbiological hazards, with the exception of Serratia liquefaciens and Enterobacter cloacae isolated at the exit from two different autoclaves. We observed an increase in total microbial counts at 22 and 37°C between the samples collected at the most remote taps compared to the ones collected at the inlet from the aqueduct. The study highlights a condition of potential risk for susceptible categories of population and supports the need for measures of risk assessment and control.
Quantitative Imaging of the Stress/Strain Fields and Generation of Macroscopic Cracks from Indents in Silicon
Authors: Tanner Brian K. , Allen David , Wittge Jochen , Danilewsky Andreas N. , Garagorri Jorge , Gorostegui-Colinas Eider , Elizalde Reyes M. , McNally Patrick J.
Published: October 2017

The crack geometry and associated strain field around Berkovich and Vickers indents on silicon have been studied by X-ray diffraction imaging and micro-Raman spectroscopy scanning. The techniques are complementary, the Raman data coming from within a few micrometers of the indentation, whereas the X-ray image probes the strain field at a distance of typically tens of micrometers. For example, Raman data provides an explanation for the central contrast feature in the X-ray images of an indent. Strain relaxation from breakout and high temperature annealing are examined and it is demonstrated that millimeter length cracks, similar to those produced by mechanical damage from misaligned handling tools, can be generated in a controlled fashion by indentation within 75 micrometers of the bevel edge of 200mm diameter wafers.
An Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Gas and Water Slug Size and Injection Order on the Performance of Immiscible WAG Injection in a Mixed-Wet System
Authors: Alkhazmi Bashir , Sohrabi Mehran , Farzaneh S. Amir
Published: October 2017

Water-alternating-gas (WAG) injection is a widely used enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique. The performance of WAG injection is affected by a number of design parameters; including the size of the gas and water injection slugs as well as their order of injection. Since the prediction of the impact of these parameters by numerical simulation lacks reliability, experimental data are needed to optimize the performance of WAG injection. In this work, we will present a comprehensive series of experimental data in which we investigate the impact of these design parameters on the performance of WAG injection in terms of oil recovery and injectivity.

A set of coreflood experiments have been performed in which the performance of WAG injection and the effect of pertinent parameters have been systematically investigated. To minimize laboratory artefacts, long and large cores were used to experimentally investigate various gas and water injection strategies, including WAG and SWAG injection, WAG injection with different slug size and order of gas and water injection. The experiments were performed on a mixed-wet rock using an immiscible gas/oil system.

Comparison of the results of WAG injection with different slug sizes shows a better efficiency and higher recovery performance for short water and gas slug injections compared to the large cycle injections. Reducing the size of the injected WAG slug enhanced oil recovery over that of the large slug size WAG injection, by 6.5 % (IOIP %). WAG injection produced more oil than water or gas injection alone. For the conditions of our experiments, WAG produced 9.0 % and 14.0 % more oil compared to waterflood and gas injection, respectively. The results also revealed that the order of fluid injection was important. When WAG injection started with a gas injection period followed by water injection, 6.0 % additional oil was recovered compared to WAG injection started by a water injection period. However, the large gap of oil recovery observed between LS-WAG (large slug WAG beginning with water) and LS-GAW (large slug WAG beginning with gas) became narrower after reducing the size of the injected slugs. Reducing the injected slug size appears to lead to higher oil recovery and approach the trend of oil recovery by SWAG injection. In other words, the amount of oil recovery observed for SWAG injection seems to present the upper limit of the small slug WAG tests.

A novel and new set of experimental data are reported in this paper. WAG injection is a special case of three-phase flow, which is known to be difficult to reliably simulate by the current reservoir simulators. Therefore, reliable experimental data are needed for better understanding of the complex physics involved in the process of oil recovery by WAG injection and for developing improved models and methodologies for predicting the performance of oil reservoirs under WAG injection.
Development of an Empirical Equation to Predict the Performance of CO2-WAG Flooding
Authors: Balhasan Saad , Al Kandari Bader , Omar Mohamed , Al-Otaibi Jassim , Al-Shakhis Hamad , Al Amer Ali
Published: October 2017

The Water Alternating Gas flooding method aims to improve sweep efficiency during CO2 flooding. This study has screened three waterflooded sandstone reservoirs for CO2 injection to apply the Stalkup Model. An empirical correlation is derived from the Stalkup Model parameters Sorw, Sob, Sorm, and HCPVI to ease estimation of the recovery factor calculation process. The empirical correlation is called the WAG correlation. The hydrocarbon recovery percent calculations of the reservoirs after 1.2 HCPVI were as following; for reservoir (A), the Stalkup Model provided a recovery percentage of 10.00% against the WAG correlation value of 9.30%. In reservoir (B), Stalkup Model calculations gave 6.00% compared to 6.40% from WAG correlation. Finally, in reservoir (C) the calculation showed a 7.00% form Stalkup Model and 6.40% from WAG correlation. The estimated average error for the three reservoirs was 7.4%.
Application of Nanotechnology in Oil Well Cementing
Authors: Baig Mirza Talha , Rahman Muhammad Kalimur , Al-Majed Abdulaziz
Published: October 2017

Nanotechnology provides a wide variety of methods to resolve industrial issues, which could not be addressed previously using customary methods. It helps enable researchers to alter properties of bulk materials at the nanometer scale. Various nanomaterials have been successfully applied in many areas of petroleum engineering, particularly in drilling fluids, lost circulation, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and cementing. This study examines the mechanical and microstructural properties of oil well cement with nanozeolite.

During this research, API Class G cement was used with various concentrations of nanozeolite. Compressive strength development of Class G cement, with and without nanozeolite, was studied using an ultrasonic cement analyzer (UCA) for 24 hours under high-pressure and high-temperature (HP/HT) conditions. The porosity and permeability of set Class G cement admixed with nanozeolite was also analyzed in an automated permeameter/porosimeter after 24 hours of curing. Microstructural examination of cement samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Three important parameters during well cementing operations included time to achieve 50- and 500-psi compressive strength and time to achieve 2,000-psi compressive strength. These parameters were significantly altered by adding a small percentage of nanozeolite to the neat Class G cement. The addition of nanozeolite resulted in a decrease in transition time and accelerated achievement of 2,000-psi strength. Furthermore, the porosity and permeability of the set Class G cement specimens with nanozeolite decreased substantially, thus indicating a dense microstructure of the matrix. This was confirmed by microstructural investigations using SEM. Nanozeolite is nonhazardous, nontoxic and is compatible with API Class G cement.

Nanozeolite can be an effective oil well cement additive because it enhances early strength, and the final compressive strength helps improve cement durability. The accelerated compressive strength development can help decrease wait-on-cement (WOC) time, thus lowering operation costs. Additionally, denser microstructure can help restrain the invasion of corrosive formation fluids.
Method to Measure Front End Loading FEL of Steam-Based Thermal Recovery Projects to Assess Impact of Reservoir Complexity, Uncertainty and Risk in Future Performance
Authors: Ortiz-Volcan J. L. , Shanat F. H. , Haider F..
Published: October 2017

At early stages of front end loading (FEL) of steam-based thermal recovery projects, oil companies make critical strategic decisions with limited understanding on how reservoir complexity, uncertainty and risk could affect recovery and economic performance. A solution is to measure front end loading (FEL) and improving it to meet a minimum level of project definition for sound strategic decisions.

This paper presents a method to measure FEL by combining complexity and definition rating indices that account for a) reservoir structural, stratigraphic, rock, fluid, energy, static and dynamic complexity and b) definition rating indices and completeness of wells and surface infrastructure. Causal maps guide the assessment of complexity, uncertainty and risk in CAPEX, OPEX and cycle time of typical projects.

Sixty-eight factors in eight matrices provide complexity indices and twelve additional factors account for completeness and definition indices for wells and reservoir under static and dynamic conditions. Five hypothetical examples using actual field data from analogs, illustrate how the method works. A causal map describes cause and effect relationships of uncertainty and risk for typical ranges of CAPEX, OPEX and project cycle times which translate into probability of success (POS). Finally, general strategies provide guidelines to reduce uncertainties and mitigate risks.

By measuring and improving FEL companies increase the probability of success by mitigating risks such as higher operational expenditures (OPEX) to meet demand of energy, higher capital expenditures (CAPEX) for oversized processing facilities, and deferred production due to failures caused by extreme operating conditions imposed by high temperature, high pressure and corrosive contaminants.

This method confirms the benefits of measuring the level of definition of a project, which is a best practice used in aerospace, nuclear, chemical, and other complex industries. It also improves the level of inter-disciplinary communication typical of reservoir-well-surface systems in steam-based EOR projects.
Productivity Assessment and Evaluation of Water Coning Tendency to Support Full Field Development Plan Using Single Well Numerical Model
Authors: Algdamsi Hossein Ali , Agnia Ammar , Amtereg Ahemd
Published: October 2017

In the presence of an active aquifer, water coning in a vertical wells phenomenon may cause a significant Reduction of the well productivity, thus reducing the ultimate oil recovery, increasing the cost of production operations, and arising environmental problems related to water disposal. After water breakthrough at a well, the water phase may become the dominant one, and the well must be shut in because oil production becomes uneconomically. A wide number of analytical approaches derived for homogeneous formations were developed to analyse coning phenomena and to define a valid methodology to evaluate the critical rate to consider the impact of formation heterogeneity and flow barrier distribution the combination of geological and flow simulation software. The critical rate is the maximum oil rate that can be produced before water breakthrough occurs. However, due to the complexity of the problem, a rigorous approach of general validity could not be identified. The present study was aimed at providing an exhaustive comparison among the most used analytical methods and the results obtained by numerical simulation for water coning and prediction for a number of possible scenarios to quantify the water coning potential recovery dynamics prior to and after water breakthrough, and water cut control with production rate in the field assessing and well productivity investigates dynamics of productivity loss in the presence of uncertainty of real field geological properties by optimizing new wells targeting and well operation parameter, which provided an increase of water-free periods of the wells. Two set of sensitivities were conducted in this evaluation the first one refers to the reservoir characterization (variation of relative permeability curve, wettability, transition zone, capillary effect, vertical to horizontal permeability ratio distribution) and the second to the completion strategy and well operation parameter (perforation interval, standoff, and geological zone). the single well model showed that the favourable mobility ratio, permeability profile and fluid characteristics has huge impact on efficient displacement and to minimizes the water coning tendency in the field the recommended stand-off and drawdown for future well therefore the high off take rates could be achieved with no impact on ultimate recovery considering the maximum efficient rate MER allowed is directly related to the productivity index of the well.
Selection Criteria for Miscible-Gases to Enhance Oil Recovery in Unconventional Reservoirs of North America
Authors: Alfarge Dheiaa , Wei Mingzhen , Bai Baojun , Alsaba Mortadha
Published: October 2017

Unconventional resources have played a significant role in changing oil industry plans recently. Shale formations in North America such as Bakken, Niobrara, and Eagle Ford have huge oil in place, 100-900 Billion barrels of oil in Bakken only. However, the predicted primary recovery is still low as 5-10%. Therefore, seeking for techniques to enhance oil recovery in these complex plays is inevitable. In this paper, two different approaches have been integrated to investigate the feasibility of three different miscible-gases which are CO2, lean gases, and rich gases. Firstly, numerical simulation methods of compositional models have been incorporated with Local Grid Refinement (LGR) of hydraulic fractures to mimic the performance of these miscible gases in shale-reservoirs conditions. Furthermore, implementation of a diffusion model in the LS-LR-DK (logarithmically spaced, locally refined, and dual permeability) model has been conducted. Secondly, different molar-diffusivity rates for miscible gases have been simulated to find the diffusivity level in the field scale by matching the performance of some EOR pilot-tests which were conducted in Bakken formation of North Dakota, Montana, and South Saskatchewan.

This study approved that diffusion flow is dominated in these types of reservoirs. Therefore, the injected CO2 needs a significant molar-diffusivity into formation-oil, so it can penetrate into shale-matrix and enhance oil production. However, some of CO2 Pilot-tests showed a good match with the simulated cases which have low molar-diffusivity between the injected CO2 and the formation-oil. Accordingly, the rich and lean gases have shown a better performance to enhance oil Recovery in these tight formations. However, rich gases need long soaking periods and lean gases need large volumes to be injected for more successful results. Furthermore, number of huff-n-puff cycles has a little effect on the injected-gases performance; however, the soaking period has a significant effect. This research project demonstrated how to select the best type of miscible gases to be injected in unconventional reservoirs according to the field candidate conditions and operating parameters.
Next-Generation Gelling Agents for Improved Displacement in Enhanced Oil Recovery Processes
Authors: Temizel Cenk , Zhang Ming , Biopharm Frontida , Jia Bao , Putra Dike , Moreno Raul , Al-Otaibi Basel , Alkouh Ahmad
Published: October 2017

Per recent analyses, in the near future, over half amount of the oil extracted globally will require some form of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique. Existing literature and historical investigations suggest that in oil reservoirs having viscosities between 10 — 150 m. Pa.s, there is a substantial prospective for tertiary recovery through the implementation of polymer flooding. For reservoir oil viscosities above 150 mPa.s, the polymer pumping efficiency goes down as polymer injectivity reduces significantly with increasing injection water viscosity that is used to attain a favorable mobility ratio at such high oil viscosities. To overcome this limiting factor, in this study, we propose the use of supramolecular assemblies (SMA) that have adjustable viscosity properties. Complex long-chain amino-amides and maleic acid are used to make these assemblies, which allow it to have reversible viscosity depending on the solution pH level.

To maintain high injection efficiency, during pumping, SMA solutions will be kept at low viscosity values. On entry in deep reservoir or at oil contact phase, through introduction of an external stimulus, the viscosity of SMA solution will be reversed to a much higher viscosity. This will allow to sufficiently improve the mobility ratio. Preliminary results from lab-scale studies have indicated that along with reversibly adjustable viscosity property, SMA solutions are also tolerant to high temperatures and salt concentrations.

Supramolecular solutions can be contemplated as remedy polymer systems, since unlike conventional polymers they disassemble and re-assemble when exposed to high temperature and stress conditions. In such conditions, conventional polymers generally undergo degradation. Additionally, through molecular scission processes SMA solutions can also be used in highly confining environments as well as in permafrost conditions and thin zones where conventional thermal techniques are not applicable.

The objective of this work is the development of a novel SMA system that has the aforementioned properties of reversibly adjustable viscosity through pH, tolerance to high temperature and salt concentrations through desired interfacial properties. Lab-scale preliminary results have shown the potential economic benefits of the use of SMA solutions on a field-wide scale. Based on the results, it must be emphasized that SMA systems have a worldwide application in oil reservoirs for EOR purposes.
Potential for Solar Energy Use in the Global Petroleum Sector
Authors: Wang J.. , Brandt A.. , O'Donnell J..
Published: October 2017

The global oil industry is a major user of energy in extracting, transporting, and refining hydrocarbons.

We have previously reported on the potential for the practical use of solar energy in these operations, including both extraction and transport ("upstream") and refining ("downstream"), considering both the use of solar electricity from photovoltaic (PV) generation and the use of solar thermal energy in the form of steam from concentrating solar collectors. This work is available in the journal Energy (118:884-892) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.10.107).

In this report we provide some further background on the solar technologies we considered for oil industry use, and update our previous assessments. The results show that potential solar thermal capacity ranges from 34 to 88 GWt in upstream operations, and from 42 to190 GWt in current downstream operations. Potential PV deployment ranges from 7 to 12 GWe in upstream operations and 17 to 95 GWe in current downstream operations. New developments are planned and underway in Kuwait; these new upstream and downstream projects collectively could use solar thermal capacity of 68 GWt and 3.2 GWe PV, and constitute a major fraction of the worldwide potential.