bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Membrane Ultrafiltration and Residual Chlorination as a Decentralized Water Treatment Strategy for Ten Rural Healthcare Facilities in Rwanda
Authors: Huttinger Alexandra , Dreibelbis Robert , Roha Kristin , Ngabo Fidel , Kayigamba Felix , Mfura Leodomir , Moe Christine
Published: October 2015

There is a critical need for safe water in healthcare facilities (HCF) in low-income countries. HCF rely on water supplies that may require additional on-site treatment, and need sustainable technologies that can deliver sufficient quantities of water. Water treatment systems (WTS) that utilize ultrafiltration membranes for water treatment can be a useful technology in low-income countries, but studies have not systematically examined the feasibility of this technology in low-income settings. We monitored 22 months of operation of 10 WTS, including pre-filtration, membrane ultrafiltration, and chlorine residual disinfection that were donated to and operated by rural HCF in Rwanda. The systems were fully operational for 74% of the observation period. The most frequent reasons for interruption were water shortage (8%) and failure of the chlorination mechanism (7%). When systems were operational, 98% of water samples collected from the HCF taps met World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for microbiological water quality. Water quality deteriorated during treatment interruptions and when water was stored in containers. Sustained performance of the systems depended primarily on organizational factors: the ability of the HCF technician to perform routine servicing and repairs, and environmental factors: water and power availability and procurement of materials, including chlorine and replacement parts in Rwanda.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in European Countries
Authors: Lapa Daniele , Capobianchi Maria , Garbuglia Anna
Published: October 2015

Over the last decade the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin (IgG) anti hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been increasing in European countries and shows significant variability among different geographical areas. In this review, we describe the serological data concerning the general population and risk groups in different European countries. Anti-HEV antibody prevalence ranged from 1.3% (blood donors in Italy) to 52% (blood donors in France). Various studies performed on risk groups in Denmark, Moldova and Sweden revealed that swine farmers have a high seroprevalence of HEV IgG (range 13%–51.1%), confirming that pigs represent an important risk factor in HEV infection in humans. Subtypes 3e,f are the main genotypes detected in the European population. Sporadic cases of autochthonous genotype 4 have been described in Spain, France, and Italy. Although most HEV infections are subclinical, in immune-suppressed and transplant patients they could provoke chronic infection. Fulminant hepatitis has rarely been observed and it was related to genotype 3. Interferon and ribavirin treatment was seen to represent the most promising therapy.
JNK-Bcl-2/Bcl-xL-Bax/Bak Pathway Mediates the Crosstalk between Matrine-Induced Autophagy and Apoptosis via Interplay with Beclin 1
Authors: Yang Jiong , Yao Shukun
Published: October 2015

Autophagy is associated with drug resistance which has been a threat in chemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The interconnected molecular regulators between autophagy and apoptosis serve as switching points critical to the ultimate outcome of the cell. Our study was performed to investigate the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis in HCC after the treatment of matrine. Flow cytometry and TUNEL (terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) assay were used to detect apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Bax oligomerization and Cytochrome c release assay were performed. Immunoprecipitation and siRNA transfection were used to detect the interplay between Bcl-2/Bcl-xL,Bax, and Beclin 1. Our results showed that: (1) matrine not only activated caspase and PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) cleavage, but also triggered autophagy as shown by the increased levels of LC3II, Beclin 1, and PI3KC3, and the decreased level of p62; (2) matrine treatment promoted the JNK-Bcl-2/ Bcl-xL-Bax/Bak pathway; (3) Bax was oligomerized, the mitochondrial membrane potential altered, and Cytochrome c was released subsequently; (4) Bax interacts with Beclin 1 and inhibits autophagy, which may be a new crosstalk point; and (5) finally, we showed that matrine suppressed the growth of a MHCC97L xenograft in vivo for the first time. In conclusion, the JNK-Bcl-2/Bcl-xL-Bax/Bak pathway mediates the crosstalk between matrine-induced autophagy and apoptosis via interplay with Beclin 1.
Simplified Calculation Model and Experimental Study of Latticed Concrete-Gypsum Composite Panels
Authors: Jiang Nan , Ma Shaochun
Published: October 2015

In order to address the performance complexity of the various constituent materials of (dense-column) latticed concrete-gypsum composite panels and the difficulty in the determination of the various elastic constants, this paper presented a detailed structural analysis of the (dense-column) latticed concrete-gypsum composite panel and proposed a feasible technical solution to simplified calculation. In conformity with mechanical rules, a typical panel element was selected and divided into two homogenous composite sub-elements and a secondary homogenous element, respectively for solution, thus establishing an equivalence of the composite panel to a simple homogenous panel and obtaining the effective formulas for calculating the various elastic constants. Finally, the calculation results and the experimental results were compared, which revealed that the calculation method was correct and reliable and could meet the calculation needs of practical engineering and provide a theoretical basis for simplified calculation for studies on composite panel elements and structures as well as a reference for calculations of other panels.
Active Nanofibrous Membrane Effects on Gingival Cell Inflammatory Response
Authors: Morand David-Nicolas , Huck Olivier , Keller Laetitia , Jessel Nadia , Tenenbaum Henri , Davideau Jean-Luc
Published: October 2015

Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is involved in normal skin wound healing and also has anti-inflammatory properties. The association of α-MSH to polyelectrolyte layers with various supports has been shown to improve these anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nanofibrous membrane functionalized with α-MSH linked to polyelectrolyte layers on gingival cell inflammatory response. Human oral epithelial cells (EC) and fibroblasts (FB) were cultured on plastic or electrospun Poly-#-caprolactone (PCL) membranes with α-MSH covalently coupled to Poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA-α-MSH), for 6 to 24 h. Cells were incubated with or without Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS). Cell proliferation and migration were determined using AlamarBlue test and scratch assay. Expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) was evaluated using RT-qPCR method. Cell cultures on plastic showed that PGA-α-MSH reduced EC and FB migration and decreased IL-6 and TGF-β expression in Pg-LPS stimulated EC. PGA-α-MSH functionalized PCL membranes reduced proliferation of Pg-LPS stimulated EC and FB. A significant decrease of IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β expression was also observed in Pg-LPS stimulated EC and FB. This study showed that the functionalization of nanofibrous PCL membranes efficiently amplified the anti-inflammatory effect of PGA-α-MSH on gingival cells.
A Cohomology Theory for Commutative Monoids
Authors: Calvo-Cervera María , Cegarra Antonio
Published: October 2015

Extending Eilenberg–Mac Lane’s cohomology of abelian groups, a cohomology theory is introduced for commutative monoids. The cohomology groups in this theory agree with the pre-existing ones by Grillet in low dimensions, but they differ beyond dimension two. A natural interpretation is given for the three-cohomology classes in terms of braided monoidal groupoids.
Taylor Law in Wind Energy Data
Authors: Calif Rudy , Schmitt François
Published: October 2015

The Taylor power law (or temporal fluctuation scaling), is a scaling relationship of the form σ ~ (P)λ where !! is the standard deviation and hPi the mean value of a sample of a time series has been observed for power output data sampled at 5 min and 1 s and from five wind farms and a single wind turbine, located at different places. Furthermore, an analogy with the turbulence field is performed, consequently allowing the establishment of a scaling relationship between the turbulent production IP and the mean value (P).
RF-Based Location Using Interpolation Functions to Reduce Fingerprint Mapping
Authors: Ezpeleta Santiago , Claver José , Pérez-Solano Juan , Martí José
Published: October 2015

Indoor RF-based localization using fingerprint mapping requires an initial training step, which represents a time consuming process. This location methodology needs a database conformed with RSSI (Radio Signal Strength Indicator) measures from the communication transceivers taken at specific locations within the localization area. But, the real world localization environment is dynamic and it is necessary to rebuild the fingerprint database when some environmental changes are made. This paper explores the use of different interpolation functions to complete the fingerprint mapping needed to achieve the sought accuracy, thereby reducing the effort in the training step. Also, different distributions of test maps and reference points have been evaluated, showing the validity of this proposal and necessary trade-offs. Results reported show that the same or similar localization accuracy can be achieved even when only 50% of the initial fingerprint reference points are taken.
Identification and Application of Neutralizing Epitopes of Human Adenovirus Type 55 Hexon Protein
Authors: Tian Xingui , Ma Qiang , Jiang Zaixue , Huang Junfeng , Liu Qian , Lu Xiaomei , Luo Qingming , Zhou Rong
Published: October 2015

Human adenovirus type 55 (HAdV55) is a newly identified re-emergent acute respiratory disease (ARD) pathogen with a proposed recombination of hexon gene between HAdV11 and HAdV14 strains. The identification of the neutralizing epitopes is important for the surveillance and vaccine development against HAdV55 infection. In this study, four type-specific epitope peptides of HAdV55 hexon protein, A55R1 (residues 138 to 152), A55R2 (residues 179 to 187), A55R4 (residues 247 to 259) and A55R7 (residues 429 to 443), were predicted by multiple sequence alignment and homology modeling methods, and then confirmed with synthetic peptides by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neutralization tests (NT). Finally, the A55R2 was incorporated into human adenoviruses 3 (HAdV3) and a chimeric adenovirus rAd3A55R2 was successfully obtained. The chimeric rAd3A55R2 could induce neutralizing antibodies against both HAdV3 and HAdV55. This current study will contribute to the development of novel adenovirus vaccine candidate and adenovirus structural analysis.
Femmes en temps de guerre. Pétrifications et réserve figurative de l’hystérie.
Authors: Abdelouahed Houria
Published: October 2015

Se saisissant du cas d’une femme irakienne victime de viol, l’auteure explique les raisons de son désaccord avec une application de l’histoire d’Amphitryon (où le jeu du désir et du plaisir va de pair avec le leurre) sur la violence qu’impose le violeur à la psyché et au corps de sa victime. Le terme arabe qui désigne le viol (ightisâb) signifie littéralement la néantisation de la psyché. Ce dernier, sorte de matricide déplacé, engendre une éradication subjective, des expériences agonistiques, souffrances narcissiques, psychoses post-traumatiques… À la lumière de cette clinique, l’auteure révise la notion de traumatisme telle qu’elle figure dans les théorisations de René Roussillon, et rappelle que la plupart des travaux psychanalytiques envisagent le crime du point de vue du criminel : fascination pour le criminel, l’échec du narcissisme, le lien avec le perceptif, la sensori-motricité, la cruauté de mort… Face à un vécu de sidération, l’analyste fait appel, dans l’après-coup, à la réserve des ressources imaginatives et figuratives de l’hystérie pour pouvoir associer et psychiser. Les ressources de l’hystérie sont nécessaires dans cette clinique de l’extrême.
Mal de mère : la « vraie » femme
Authors: Kessaci Lyasmine
Published: October 2015

La maternité est-elle le parachèvement logique et l’aboutissement nécessaire de la féminité ? Si l’on considère que le désir d’enfant se substitue au désir du phallus, au « Penisneid », et que le désir d’être mère tente de répondre à ce qui s’est joué dans le rapport (ravageant) de la femme à sa propre mère, il semble effectivement difficile de penser la féminité sans la maternité. Mais que l’on considère aussi que l’advenue d’un enfant dans le réel ne corresponde pas forcément à la réponse que ces désirs appelaient, et que les situations pathologiques démontrant toute l’ambivalence des mères vis-à-vis de leurs enfants sont loin d’être rares (certaines pouvant même s’avérer extrêmes), et l’on admettra alors que c’est plutôt sur le mode de l’opposition radicale que féminité et maternité s’articulent parfois. Ce que le mythe de Médée – la « vraie femme », selon Lacan – laissait déjà entendre : en tuant ses enfants, c’était aussi la mère en elle qu’elle tuait, pour ne plus laisser place qu’à la seule femme.
La mélancolie féminine aux origines de la maternité
Authors: Brun Danièle
Published: October 2015

C’est la lecture d’une lettre que Freud écrivit à Stefan Zweig en 1932 qui me mena à découvrir une autre façon d’être mère que j’appelle : Mère majuscule. Il s’agit d’une production de l’inconscient qui trouve sa source dans les relations précoces de la petite fille avec sa mère. Cela se traduit dans la vie quotidienne par un état mélancoliforme que fait surgir la prise de conscience d’un écart entre la représentation de l’enfant de chair, l’enfant réel et celle de l’enfant fantasmé depuis la prime enfance. Une intrication anatomo-psychique caractéristique de la féminité, telle qu’abordée par Freud dans les années 1930.
L’allaitement prolongé : un refus du féminin
Authors: Vesely-Lesourd Nathalie
Published: October 2015

À partir d’entretiens avec trois femmes pratiquant l’allaitement maternel prolongé de manière militante, l’auteure interroge les effets du discours dominant actuel sur les rapports mère-enfant, du fait de la sexualisation de la relation qu’induit, inconsciemment, cette pratique dans la modernité occidentale. Après avoir resitué rapidement l’histoire de l’allaitement et de ses représentations sociales diverses, elle montre la dimension jouissive infantile de l’allaitement pour ces mères dans leurs rapports à l’enfant, au père de celui-ci et aux autres sociaux.
Le genre serait une névrose
Authors: Lesourd Serge
Published: October 2015

Comme le montrent les mythes fondateurs de Dionysos et de la Vierge, ce qui constitue le sujet, c’est la séparation entre jouissance maternelle et jouissance de la femme. Cette séparation radicale doit être soutenue par le lien social, ce qu’avait fait pendant des siècles la fiction paternelle avec ses avatars phallocratiques de la « domination masculine » et la production des névroses classiques. Les théories des genres semblent venir remplacer ces constructions dans un monde où règne la loi des Maîtres invisibles et du discours du Capitaliste, faisant du genre une forme actuelle des névroses.
L’abolition du passé et le tabou du féminin. Une lecture de Sa Majesté des mouches de William Golding
Authors: Cohen-Salmon Julie
Published: October 2015

Sa Majesté des mouches de William Golding est un roman qui met en scène la montée d’une violence sacrificielle chez un groupe d’enfants âgés de 6 à 12 ans, échoués sur une île sauvage. Par la nécessité de s’adapter à leur nouvel environnement extérieur, certaines ressources psychiques sont mobilisées. Les enfants survivants vont se détacher de leur vie d’avant le naufrage, se mettant à distance de leurs souvenirs. À côté de cet éloignement nous soulignons l’absence de filles dans le récit. En quoi l’abolition du passé et ce qui se révèle être un tabou du féminin seraient au fondement d’une violence sacrificielle ?
Le lien mère-enfant à l’épreuve des violences conjugales
Authors: Metz Claire , Thévenot Anne
Published: October 2015

Les enfants témoins de violence conjugale constituent une population à risque encore trop souvent méconnue en France. Pourtant, l’ampleur et la gravité de ces violences nous alertent quant aux conséquences actuelles et futures sur les enfants. Les travaux issus d’Amérique du Nord insistent surtout sur les symptômes visibles des enfants et sur les risques de répétitions transgénérationnelles des violences, sans explorer les mécanismes psychiques en jeu. Or, ces mécanismes peuvent expliquer en partie pourquoi ces violences sont si difficiles à enrayer dans nos sociétés, où nous constatons leur persistance malgré les dispositifs de traitement et de prévention. Nous proposons donc d’élucider quelques enjeux psychiques chez l’enfant témoin et sa mère, qui peuvent expliquer et permettre de mieux prévenir ces phénomènes de répétition. Ainsi, deux illustrations cliniques révèlent la fragilité fondamentale du « Moi-peau » de ces enfants et les difficultés de leurs mères, montrant la nécessité d’accompagner le lien mère-enfant.
Clinique des psychoses infantiles : du transfert dissocié à la direction de cure
Authors: Pouillaude Élie
Published: October 2015

Centré sur la clinique des psychoses, l’auteur propose de présenter les modalités théorico-cliniques à partir desquelles l’association de santé mentale La Nouvelle Forge organise sa pratique actuelle du traitement des patients dissociés. Il sera question de soutenir le concept de « direction de cure » autour duquel est articulée cette clinique psychanalytique et institutionnelle des enfants et adolescents psychotiques, en réponse aux caractéristiques psychiques et transférentielles de leur fonctionnement psychopathologique. Cette pratique sera étayée par la présentation de la cure du jeune Sylvain.
Sevrage alcoolique et pulsion de mort : clinique du vide
Authors: Delostal Chloé , Sanahuja Maria de la Almudena
Published: October 2015

Ce présent article a pour objectif de développer les difficultés rencontrées à l’abord de la problématique alcoolique et au sein de la relation avec le patient alcoolo-dépendant en processus de sevrage. À travers le discours alexithymique et apsychognosique, et les contre-attitudes ou contre-transferts du clinicien face au patient, nous constatons que le déni et la pulsion de mort agissent chez l’un comme chez l’autre et viennent entraver la relation thérapeutique, qui devient alors manquée. La vignette clinique nous permettra d’illustrer la prégnance de la pulsion de mort au sein de cette problématique, et les difficultés thérapeutiques à aborder le déni, pathognomonique, dans cette relation. Cet article se propose de confirmer la complexité de la rencontre alcoolique et de ses enjeux thérapeutiques singuliers, impliquant la prise en compte, dans cette rencontre de sevrage, de ce que nous appellerons la « clinique du vide » ou « clinique du négatif ».
Corps handicapé, culture et norme. Penser le handicap en dehors du modèle exclusion/intégration
Authors: Squverer Amos
Published: October 2015

L’auteur chercher à éclairer l’articulation entre culture et handicap en la comprenant comme structurellement conflictuelle. Cette tension structurelle s’éclaire à partir de l’opérateur freudien du désaide. La situation du handicap, en tant qu’elle renvoie à l’état de désaide, angoisse le social et pointe son impuissance. Cette tension entre culture et handicap s’éclaire également par le nouage serré entre la norme et le corps que le corps handicapé vient troubler. L’auteur cherche à saisir le fondement de ce nouage entre corps et norme et soutient que la pensée normative a comme point d’origine le corps. Enfin, si la culture maintient un rapport oppressant (exclusion) ou normatif (intégration) avec le handicap, depuis quand ce rapport s’est-il cristallisé, et comment peut-on sortir de cette dichotomie ? L’auteur revisite, dans un deuxième temps, les rapports à l’infirmité dans le discours religieux – matrice de ce traitement social du handicap – pour répondre à ces questions.
De l’anorexie à l’action politique : pour une psychopathologie postmoderne
Authors: Scudéri Christophe , Herlant-Hémar Kristina
Published: October 2015

Apparaissant à la fois comme une résistante au consumérisme ambiant et comme la figure prototypique du capitalisme actuel, l’anorexique incarne un mode aporétique de l’être. De plus, se caractérisant à partir de l’effet qu’elle suscite chez l’Autre, elle est une pathologie de l’intersubjectivité. Prenant acte de ce double trait, nous nous proposons d’en tirer les conséquences pour une psychopathologie de l’anorexie, puis d’esquisser à partir de son acte une théorie de l’action politique.
Kefir-isolated bacteria and yeasts inhibit Shigella flexneri invasion and modulate pro-inflammatory response on intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Bolla P.A. , Abraham A.G. , Pérez P.F. , de los Angeles Serradell M.
Published: October 2015

The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of a kefir-isolated microbial mixture containing three bacterial and two yeast strains (MM) to protect intestinal epithelial cells against Shigella flexneri invasion, as well as to analyse the effect on pro-inflammatory response elicited by this pathogen. A significant decrease in S. flexneri strain 72 invasion was observed on both HT-29 and Caco-2 cells pre-incubated with MM. Pre-incubation with the individual strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae CIDCA 8112 or Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CIDCA 8221 also reduced the internalisation of S. flexneri into HT-29 cells although in a lesser extent than MM. Interestingly, Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 exerted a protective effect on the invasion of Caco-2 and HT-29 cells by S. flexneri. Regarding the pro-inflammatory response on HT-29 cells, S. flexneri infection induced a significant activation of the expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 (CCL20) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) encoding genes (P<0.05), whereas incubation of cells with MM did not induce the expression of any of the mediators assessed. Interestingly, pre-incubation of HT-29 monolayer with MM produced an inhibition of S. flexneri-induced IL-8, CCL20 and TNF-α mRNA expression. In order to gain insight on the effect of MM (or the individual strains) on this pro-inflammatory response, a series of experiments using a HT-29-NF-κB-hrGFP reporter system were performed. Pre-incubation of HT-29-NF-κB-hrGFP cells with MM significantly dampened Shigella-induced activation. Our results showed that the contribution of yeast strain Kluyveromyces marxianus CIDCA 8154 seems to be crucial in the observed effect. In conclusion, results presented in this study demonstrate that pre-treatment with a microbial mixture containing bacteria and yeasts isolated from kefir, resulted in inhibition of S. flexneri internalisation into human intestinal epithelial cells, along with the inhibition of the signalling via NF-κB that in turn led to the attenuation of the inflammatory response.
Polyoxometalates-Based Nanocatalysts for Production of Sulfur-Free Diesel
Authors: Julião Diana , Ribeiro Susana , de Castro Baltazar , Cunha-Silva Luís , Balula Salete S.
Published: October 2015

In the last decade, polyoxometalates have been demonstrated to be efficient catalysts for the activation of oxidants in desulfurization processes. Successful results on desulfurization using polyoxometalates and hydrogen peroxide to desulfurize model oils and liquid fuels were reported and can be found in the literature. The desulfurization is an actual subject with notable interest for refineries and fuel cost, and consequently it is important to focus the scientific community to work in desulfurization technology in order to develop catalytic systems based on polyoxometalates capable to be reused, stable, efficient and selective. Therefore, the main goal is the design of heterogeneous polyoxometalate based catalysts. This chapter pretends to inform the research society about the scientific directions that have been taken using heterogeneous polyoxometalate catalysts in oxidative desulfurization of simulated and real liquid fuels. In addition, future perspectives are proposed to cover the actual needs of this area.
A Review of Emerging Contaminants in Water
Authors: Stefanakis Alexandros I. , Becker Julie A.
Published: October 2015

Contaminants of emerging concern or, simply, emerging contaminants represent a newly discovered group of chemicals present in surface and groundwater. It was only the improvements in analytical instrumentation that allowed for the detection of these contaminants even at trace levels. The continuous detection of new chemicals with time raises questions concerning their source pathways, their fate, transport, transformations and impact on aquatic environments. The scope of this chapter is to present an overview of the contaminants classified as “emerging”, their sources and introduction pathways to the environment and the related risks to human health and aquatic life.
Cyanobacterial Toxins in Water Sources and Their Impacts on Human Health
Authors: Mohamed Zakaria
Published: October 2015

Cyanobacteria are a group of phytoplankton of marine and freshwaters. The accelerated eutrophication of water sources by agricultural and industrial run-off has increased the occurrence and intensity of cyanobacterial blooms. They are of particular concern because of their production for potent hepato-, neuro-, and dermatoxins, being hazardous to human health. Dissemination of knowledge about cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxins assists water supply authorities in developing monitoring and management plans, and provides the public with appropriate information to avoid exposure to these toxins. This chapter provides a broad overview and up-to-date information on cyanobacteria and their toxins in terms of their occurrence, chemical and toxicological characteristics, fate in the environment, guideline limits, and effective treatment techniques to remove these toxins from drinking water. Future research directions were also suggested to fill knowledge and research gaps, and advance the abilities of utilities and water treatment plant designers to deal with these toxins.
Nurses, Healthcare, and Environmental Pollution and Solutions
Authors: McKeown A. Elaine
Published: October 2015

Many nurses may not be aware of the role that healthcare plays in the cycle of harm. Healthcare participates in the cycle of harm by mismanaging waste, using fossil fuel energy and offering meat-based diets. Lack of knowledge, resources and empowerment potentiate this participation. Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use and meat-based diets, with resultant water pollution, contribute to climate change. Climate change and healthcare source pollution in water from mismanaged waste, contributes to illnesses of community members. Once sickened, individuals come to the healthcare center for treatment. This illness care then contributes to more environmental pollution. Specific human health consequences of resultant water pollution and climate change will be discussed. With healthcare professionals collaborating with others concerned, the connections potentiating this cycle of harm can be broken. Recommendations will be offered for healthcare's forward movement to help create the solutions to the pollution.
Assessment of Mechanical Parameters of PMMA Used in Human Body
Authors: Szarek A.
Published: October 2015

Commercially available acrylic cement which has been popular in orthopaedics in the nineties of the recent century (SIMPLEX P, manufactured by HOWMEDICA LIMERICK) was used in the study. The choice of this material was caused by the fact that the average period of operation of cement prostheses in human body amounts to ca. 12 years and large percentage of prostheses implanted in this period is destabilized in the bone. The investigations focused on assessment of changes in strength parameters of PMMA used in human body over a period of 10 years and their effect on prosthesis loosening. In order to determine differences in strength parameters of the cement, directly after polymerization and after a particular period of use in human body, a series of tests were carried out, aimed at determination of the effect of aggressive environment inside human body and fatigue load which results from human motor activity on changes in strength parameters in PMMA. PMMA samples (30 days after polymerization, stored in saline solution) and the samples removed from human body due to aseptic loosening were used for comparison of strength. Due to a very complex character of operation and specific load, were tested in order to determine the dynamic properties by means of DMTA method, thus to determine the storage modulus E’ and the mechanical loss factor tgδ, responsible for dispersion of mechanical energy.
Nanoscale Engineering of Exciton Dissociating Interfaces in Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Turak Ayse , Nguyen Minh , Maye Felix , Heidkamp Jonathan , Lienerth Peter , Wrachtrup Jörg , Dosch Helmut
Published: October 2015

Interfaces are inherent in and essential to organic electronic devices. At every interface, both organic/organic and organic/inorganic, the potential to utilize nanostructuring to control device performance is very high. In this paper, we focus on one example of nanostructuring at the donor/acceptor heterojunction in organic photovoltaics, with the purpose of modifing efficiency by four orders of magnitude. We show that the length of the exciton dissociating interface can be tuned by changing the substrate temperature for small molecule heterojunction photodiodes based on crystalline DIP/C60 mixtures. Due to the tuneable interface morphology, the performance of such devices can be changed from poor performing planar heterojunctions to higher efficiency ordered nanoscale bulk heterojunction structures. In this way, highly crystalline DIP can be thought of as a natural “bulk” heterojunction.
Tests of Flexible Polymer Joints Repairing of Concrete Pavements and of Polymer Modified Concretes Influenced by High Deformations
Authors: Kwiecień Arkadiusz , Gruszczyński Maciej , Zajac Boguslaw
Published: October 2015

Three kinds of repair methods of cracked concrete floors are presented in the paper. One of them, based on coating using of polymer-cement composites, is discussed with presentation of the influence of different amount of styrene-butadiene co-polymer dispersion additive onto the shrinkage and strength. The next two correspond to injecting repair methods. There are also presented two different approaches in repair bonding of damaged floors. Following these ideas, results of testing of epoxy and polymer (PU) bonding of cracked specimens made of concrete and polymer-cement composites are discussed. Proposed new repair polymer flexible joints introduce energy dissipaters which allow protecting concrete pavements against large deformations. Presented comparisons of results indicate that the use of flexible polymers in repair process is efficient, what was confirmed by tests and observations of repair done at the KRK airport concrete pavement.
Vibrational Characteristics and Young's Modulus of Stainless Steel Sheets Coated with some Inorganic Films
Authors: Sakurai Yutaka , Yim Cheol Mun , Takai Takeshi , Yasuoka Manabu
Published: October 2015

Young's modulus of coat films has been estimated by using the double-beam vibration-reed method. The 18-8 stainless steel (SUS304; JIS) sheets coated by some inorganic films were prepared by using the sputtering and CVD. The method are applied to estimate the modulus by using the fundamental mode resonant frequencies of coated substrate before and after deposition of the films. The resonant frequency of each sample was measured by shaking the sample, and the displacement response detected by the eddy current displacement sensor. The specimens include non-coated stainless, TiO2, CrN, TiN, and diamond-like carbon(DLC) coated sheets. The thickness of the coat films range from 0.4 to 3.5. The non-coated substrate specimen requires an adequate annealing corresponding to the thermal history of the film deposition. The measured resonant frequencies have some amplitude dependencies, therefore the frequencies were extrapolated to zero amplitude. The extrapolated frequencies, the modulus of the annealed substrate, density and the geometrical parameters were assigned to the formula of the resonant frequency for the double-beam. The measured modulus of SUS304 substrate, TiO2 and TiN films are smaller than bulk form. The measured modulus for the CrN film is larger than the one form the literature data. The modulus of DLC film falls onto the range of literatures.
Wettability Alteration of Heavy-Oil/Bitumen Containing Carbonates Using Solvents, high pH Solutions and Nano/Ionic Liquids
Authors: Cao Nahai , Mohammed M. Almojtaba , Babadagli Tayfun
Published: October 2015

Capillary imbibition tests are commonly applied to measure wettability alteration potential of chemicals. However, these tests are exhaustive, time-consuming, expensive, and the underlying physics of the alteration process from a surface chemistry point of view is often limited and/or unexplained. Contact angle measurement is a quicker and more feasible screening tool to assess the emerging wettability modifiers. They also provide visual data on the mechanics of the wettability alteration process. This paper focuses on contact angle measurements as a mean to evaluate the wettability alteration on mineral plates and porous rock samples. Imidazolium ionic liquids were tested at different concentrations. To study the effect of pH on the wettability, sodium chloride and sodium borate were used at different concentrations. The composition of divalent ions was varied due to their possible use with low/high salinity water as wettability alteration agent. Unmodified and surface modified silica, zirconium, and alumina nanoparticles were also tested.

Contact angle measurements were performed initially on mica, marble, and calcite plates. Experiments were repeated on polished surfaces of Berea sandstone, Indiana limestone, and -cleaned- Grosmont carbonate cores. Oils (pure and solvent mixed crude oils) with different viscosities and densities were used to test the effect of oil type on the process. The images were obtained by an SLR camera at different temperatures ranging from 25 to 80°C. By testing with different concentrations, the optimum chemicals were found for different mineral plates/porous rock systems. Then, the results were cross-checked with the imbibition tests performed on the same samples to validate the contact angle measurement observations.

Thermal stability tests were also performed in case of their use during or after a thermal method. For the thermal stability tests, contact angle experiments were conducted in a high pressure and high temperature (up to 200°C) cell. It was shown that certain ionic liquids and nanofluids are stable at high temperatures and can be efficiently used at low concentrations.
Cost of the Unknown: A Case Study of Riser Integrity Management in and out of the Design Phase
Authors: Botto A. , Soto J. , Fan C. , Strouse J.
Published: October 2015

This paper will present a case study where the benefits and cost savings are demonstrated by early adoption of a proactive approach to riser integrity management versus reactive, i.e. ALARP risks while balancing CAPEX and OPEX. The case study will present two scenarios where the riser has and doesn't have an integrity management program in place. A comparison will demonstrate the benefits of evaluating mechanical integrity of risers during front-end design to avoid development of concepts where equipment condition assessment is difficult or prohibitive. CAPEX and OPEX investments will be compared for both scenarios to support operators to understand the impact on potential production availability and long term cost savings. Results will demonstrate the importance to be proactive on the development of a riser integrity management program. The identification of all credible threats early in the design stage can mitigate risks, e.g. adequate material selection, more accurate simulation, adequate protective instrumentation, piggability of risers. Moreover, it is imperative that the equipment is designed so that it can be inspected, monitored, evaluated, maintained, and if necessary repaired or replaced. Findings from this paper should support operators to demonstrate the need to "spend the money now" instead of "remediating later".
BC-10 Subsea Production System Integrated Approach
Authors: Delescen K. , Nicholson M. , Olijnik L. , Ortiz W. , Maia A. , Lacourt R. , Nunes H.
Published: October 2015

The Parque das Conchas (BC-10) project consists of five fields, Ostra, Abalone, Argonauta B-West, Argonauta O-North and Nautilus, located in the Campos Basin area, offshore Espirito Santo, Brazil. The project is situated 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of the city of Vitoria, in water depths of 4,921 to 6,562 feet (1,500 to 2,000 meters).

During the development of Phase II and III, Shell adopted an innovative integrated approach for the delivery, testing, installation and commissioning of the Subsea Production System. This approach led to significant gains in operational efficiency and overall helped in the optimization of the rig schedule.

Some of the critical elements for success of the Project were the alignment of hardware delivery with logistics and custom clearance activities, a fit-for-purpose test facility in Vila Velha, a dedicated Multi Purpose Supply Vessel together with its ROV services, and a dedicated multidisciplinary team which leveraged the optimization of the learning curve through the execution of the project.

17 Tubing Head Spools (THS) and 17 Subsea Trees were successfully installed in water depths up to 1850 m. by Multi-Purpose Support Vessel (MPSV) Holiday in 2 separate campaigns that spanned roughly 2 years.

The MPSV with its 150 T Active Heave Compensated (AHC) Crane showed excellent performance in executing its core hardware installation activities, and was then also used on multiple additional Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) jobs, optimizing the utilization for the specific field development. Most relevant among this peripheral work were: data acquisition from a permanent seabed seismic array, support in a Gas Export line remediation project and repair of a service line jumper.

Additionally, for the 7 trees of Phase III, the vessel ROVs participated in commissioning activities, communicating with the tree control system, to anticipate cycling and opening of the downhole isolation valves, resulting in further savings of rig days. For this purpose a project specific ROV kit was arranged to communicate with the tree control pod, provide fail safe double barriers during the intervention, and inject conditioning fluids inside the shallow section of the well bore.

This paper will detail the integrated approach taken for this field development, the added value unlocked with this approach, and will point out the efficiency gains obtained.
Step-Change Seabed ESP Boosting
Authors: Homstvedt G. , Pessoa R. , Portman L. , Wang S. , Gonzalez J. , Maldaner M. , Margulis J.
Published: October 2015

Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) systems have been applied successfully for seabed hydrocarbon boosting for years. However, the design of ESPs for in-well applications presents several limitations for its use on the seafloor. The long slender body and limited gas handling capabilities have historically been important factors restricting the wider use of ESPs in subsea applications. In order to overcome the main design challenges, ESPs have been placed in caissons that enable gas/liquid separation and installation of the pump in a vertical position. This arrangement has resulted in high installation and work-over costs, limiting the acceptance in subsea applications. For low gas applications, skid based subsea ESP designs have also recently emerged, but these are large and heavy, which also leads to higher installation and work-over costs.

The Subsea Production Alliance between Baker Hughes and Aker Solutions has developed an innovative new solution to these challenges in the form of an ESP system installed in a flow line jumper. This new solution utilizes the same well proven ESP and increases its gas tolerance by utilizing state-of-the art technology used in subsea separation and boosting applications. Fluid conditioning, gas/liquid mixing and liquid recirculation together with field proven control algorithms form the revolutionary flowline booster system. Installation and retrieval of the jumper-mounted ESPs are as simple as retrieving a standard flowline jumper by using a light installation vessel and field proven tie-in technology. This new system provides for a step-change in operational robustness and cost-benefit for subsea boosting solutions.

This paper presents the concept and highlights the benefits of modularity, ease of installation and replacement, operability and client value. A simulation of the operational performance of the system applied in a brown field application is presented. A commercial comparison between the flowline booster system and a skid based ESP boosting system is also presented.
Coarse-Grained Models for Crude Oils: A Direct Link Between Equations of State and Molecular Simulations
Authors: Müller E. A. , Herdes C. , Totton T. S.
Published: October 2015

A description of fluid systems with molecular-based algebraic equations of state (EoS) is common practice in the oil industry while direct molecular simulation is a mainstream tool in the physical sciences, but the two approaches are rarely closely coupled. We describe a framework whereby we link molecular simulations to continuum EoS, effectively bridging large size and time scales. The novelty in our approach is that the EoS is employed to develop a force-field model for the intermolecular interactions (i.e., a potential energy function that can be used directly in microscopic/molecular simulations of fluids). This multi-scale model has the advantage that molecular simulations performed using said force field may be employed to explore aspects of the fluid properties that are inaccessible to experiment (owing to limitations resulting from the resolution of the system size, the short timescale, or extremes in the experimental conditions) and/or to theory (e.g., an accurate description of the structural/microstructural or dynamical properties of dense fluids)

The procedure is exemplified by describing a coarse grained model for the simulation of a light condensate and a heavier live crude oil. By fitting the SAFT EoS to experimental pure component properties (densities, vapor pressures), one is able to obtain parameters for all the constituents in the mixture including surrogate models for the heavy ends. We employ this SAFT model to predict the phase behavior of synthetic mixtures of crude oils composed of discrete components by means of direct multiphase molecular dynamics.

As proof-of-concepts, the dew point of a synthetic seven-component mixture is predicted from molecular dynamics simulations without the need of any fitted parameter and is in excellent agreement with experimental data. Similarly, the largest reported simulation, equivalent to over one million atoms, of a 15-component crude oil mixture including a model resin and asphaltene, is described. The framework presented is completely generic in nature and a discussion on the way it can be adapted for the study of complex mixtures including surfactants, aqueous systems, systems containing precipitants such as asphaltenes or waxes in a relatively straightforward way is given.
Riserless Light Well Intervention: Taking the North Sea Experience to Deeper Water and Higher Efficiency
Authors: Sbordone A. , Morrison B. , Karlsen O. , Sten-Halvorsen V. , Neumann B. , Bjerkvik O.
Published: October 2015

Riserless Light Well Intervention (RLWI) operations have been routinely performed for more than 25 years in the North Sea, with 5 vessels delivering riserless production enhancement operations in several hundred wells, helping the Operators to increase the oil recovery rates from their subsea fields.

The ability to carry out frequent, scheduled interventions as opposed to remedial interventions has proven to be crucial to realize higher recovery rates from subsea wells. Such operations are becoming more common and are moving to deeper water, which brings increased technical challenges. At the same time, the ability to substitute expensive deepwater rigs with smaller Light Well Intervention vessels can have a major impact on project cost and scheduling and represent an even bigger opportunity for cost optimization.

In 2015 a brand new RLWI vessel and intervention package have become available for operations in deep and ultra-deep water, taking the RLWI capabilities and successful experience of the North Sea to the deepwater subsea fields of Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and West Africa. 10 years of experience and track record have been capitalized into the design of a new and enhanced deepwater intervention stack (Stack 4), which is deployed and operated from a state of the art RLWI vessel, the Island Performer.

The new intervention stack, now at its 3rd generation, brings increased efficiency and reliability thanks to smaller umbilical, optimized deployment sequences, easier maintainability, elimination of use of guidelines and simplified control system.

On the vessel side, the Island Performer benefits from larger size, increased lifting capabilities, higher accommodation capacity, higher work floor positioning allowing less green water on deck, sea current monitoring capabilities through the water column, faster tool change-out thanks to additional deployment capabilities.

The paper will give a detailed account of the opportunities to improve recovery rates in subsea wells by enabling access with this lighter, more efficient, and ultimately more productive intervention method. It will also describe and elaborate on the significant enhancements brought to the design and capabilities of the vessel and of the intervention stack, and will illustrate how these improvements make RLWI even more attractive, efficient and cost-effective for Riserless intervention operations in deepwater wells. The paper will also cover the significant testing and qualification activities carried out during preparation for actual operations, including results from wet system integration testing and actual operations performed to date.
Offshore Fixed Platforms Decommissioning: Mapping of the Future Demand in the Brazilian Context
Authors: Mimmi F. , Dalvi Nunes R. , Miguel Silva M. , Lobo de Souza G.
Published: October 2015

Decommissioning of offshore fixed platforms has become a reality that the Brazilian market has to face since only 5% of the offshore platforms installed in Brazil have been completely removed until now. In the last few years, many oil and gas fields have reached the end of their productive lives and many platform structures are reaching, or already exceeding, their project service life, 20 to 30 years on average. In addition, changes acting on the global market and the recent sharp fall in oil price are inducing oil companies to re-estimate the profitability of each production unit and to consider, in several cases, decommissioning as a valid alternative. This paper aims at analyzing the future demand for decommissioning of fixed offshore units, taking into account the financial, technical and operational point of view. Forecast of decommissioning demand is finally mapped in the short, medium and long terms.