bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação da Vigilância Epidemiológica em âmbito municipal
Authors: Carvalho Eduardo Freese de , Cesse Eduarda Ângela Pessoa , Albuquerque Maria Ilk Nunes de , Albuquerque Luciana Caroline , Dubeux Luciana Santos
Published: April 2006

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a vigilância epidemiológica (VE) e as características específicas da gestão municipal. MÉTODOS: foram selecionados onze municípios de Pernambuco conforme critérios geográficos, porte populacional e condição de gestão. O grau de implantação foi estimado através de entrevistas com atores-chave em três níveis de atuação da VE: nível central, unidades de saúde da família (USF) e unidades de saúde tradicionais (UST), enfatizando aspectos relativos à infra-estrutura e ao processo de trabalho. Às variáveis selecionadas foram atribuídos pontos, cujo somatório, classificou a VE como: implantada, parcialmente implantada e não implantada. Para avaliar as características da gestão foram entrevistados os onze secretários municipais de saúde. RESULTADOS: a VE apresentou-se implantada em apenas 27% dos municípios e parcialmente implantada em 46%, encontrando-se mais estruturada nos municípios de grande porte e com gestão plena do sistema municipal, onde, dos três níveis estudados, observou-se que o nível central apresentou mais fragilidades, e as USF, quando comparadas às UST, obtiveram melhor desempenho. Quanto às características de gestão, embora todos os municípios estivessem certificados para realizar ações de VE, foram identificados entraves significativos para sua efetiva realização. CONCLUSÕES: A VE apresentou deficiências que comprometem a sua implantação plena no âmbito municipal.
Arborescent palm seed morphology and seedling distribution
Authors: Salm Rodolfo
Published: April 2006

This study examines how the seed morphology of two large arborescent palms, Attalea maripa (Aubl.) Mart. and Astrocaryum aculeatum G. Mey, may affect their seed shadow in a seasonally dry Amazonian forest. In addition to being smaller and produced in larger numbers than those of A. aculeatum, A. maripa seeds also presented a substantially lower amount of nutritional reserves available for the embryo. However, A. maripa seedlings were found in much higher numbers than those of A. aculeatum. The results suggest that, within the spatial scale considered, the seed rain of A. maripa is more restricted to the area surrounding around reproductive conspecifics than that of A. aculeatum. Furthermore, in comparison with those of A. aculeatum, the smaller seeds of A. maripa might be less attractive to scatterhoarding rodents (e.g. Dasyprocta aguti). The pattern observed emphasizes the importance of scatterhoarding rodents as dispersers of large-seeded plant species in Neotropical forests.
Movimentos de desterritorialização e reterritorilização na transformação das organizações
Authors: Pereira Denise de Castro , Carrieri Alexandre de Pádua
Published: April 2006

O trabalho identifica as formas concretas e simbólicas de apropriação do espaço em uma empresa do setor de telecomunicações: a Telemig/Telemar-Minas. A disputa por espaços se liga ao sentido de territorialidade. Na medida em que os indivíduos defenderiam determinado espaço que lhes interessava, tais disputas envolveriam um amplo leque de dimensões como status e identidade, podendo refletir significações simbólicas que evidenciam relações de poder e dominação. Por meio de elementos da análise do discurso como instrumento metodológico básico para as análises sobre doze anos de atividades da empresa, observaram-se movimentos de desterritorialização e reterritorialização dos atores sociais envolvidos. Esses movimentos, somados às mudanças nas significações culturais, buscariam promover duas estratégias: a primeira, provocar um desenraizamento real e simbólico dos espaços; a segunda, tentar fazer com que a organização, por sua vez, apareça como um novo espaço de trabalho.
Lipoma endobrônquico
Authors: Bof Antônio Mauro , Rapoport Abrão , Paier Luiz Carlos , Diaz Yara Lopes , Leiro Luiz Carlos Filgueiras , Pando-Serrano Roberto Ruben , Gomes Márcio Rogério Alcalá , Lomonte Emílio Scafura
Published: April 2006

Os lipomas são neoplasias benignas compostas basicamente de tecido adiposo e podem se localizar em várias partes do corpo. O caso relatado é de uma paciente que procurou o serviço médico com queixa de pneumonias de repetição. Após a propedêutica diagnóstica, que incluiu radiografia simples de tórax e tomografia computadorizada de tórax, suspeitou-se que havia uma lesão endobrônquica com densidade de gordura. A hipótese diagnóstica era a presença de um lipoma endobrônquico como responsável pelo quadro clínico da paciente, que foi confirmada após tratamento cirúrgico. Os objetivos deste trabalho são relatar o caso de um lipoma endobrônquico e fazer uma revisão da literatura.
Relation between chronic periodontal disease and plasmatic levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions
Authors: Machado Ana Cristina Posch , Quirino Maria Rozeli de Souza , Nascimento Luiz Fernando Costa
Published: April 2006

Many people in the world are affected by hyperlipidemia, which is a known risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. On the other hand, periodontitis, a prevalent oral disease, has been connected to several systemic health changes, including an altered lipid metabolism. Transient and recurrent bacteremias, which may be caused by periodontal infection, induce an intense local and systemic inflammatory response, leading to changes in the whole body. The aim of the present study was to verify the relationship between severe and moderate periodontal disease and blood lipid levels. Sixty individuals seen at the clinics of the University of Taubaté, São Paulo, over 20 years old, were divided into two groups, with and without periodontitis, and paired according to sex and age. Their levels of total cholesterol, tryglicerides and fractions were determined. Variables related to high cholesterol levels, including age, sex and body mass index, were evaluated. The values recommended by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology were considered to classify lipidemia. The results showed that mean levels of cholesterol (192.1 mg/dl ± 40.9) and triglycerides (153.5 mg/dl ± 105.6) in individuals with periodontitis were higher than, but not statistically different from, those of individuals without periodontitis (186.1 mg/dl ± 35.4 and 117.5 mg/dl ± 68, respectively). Therefore, this study has demonstrated that there is no significant relationship between periodontal disease, regardless of its intensity, and blood lipid levels in the studied population.
Effect of light curing tip distance and resin shade on microhardness of a hybrid resin composite
Authors: Aguiar Flávio Henrique Baggio , Lazzari Carolina Rodrigues , Lima Débora Alves Nunes Leite , Ambrosano Glaucia Maria Bovi , Lovadino José Roberto
Published: April 2006

Resin composite shades and resin composite polymerization performed with a distanced light tip are factors that can affect polymerization effectiveness. Thisin vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of curing tip distance and resin shade on the microhardness of a hybrid resin composite (Z250 - 3M ESPE). Forty-five resin composite specimens were randomly prepared and divided into nine experimental groups (n = 5): three curing tip distances (2 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm) and three resin shades (A1, A3.5, and C2). All samples were polymerized with a continuous output at 550 mW/cm². After 24 hours, Knoop microhardness measurements were obtained on the top and bottom surfaces of the sample, with a load of 25 grams for 10 seconds. Five indentations were performed on each surface of each sample. Results showed that bottom surface samples light-cured at 2 mm and 4 mm presented significantly higher hardness values than samples light-cured at 8 mm. The resin shade A1 presented higher hardness values and was statistically different from C2. The resin shade A3.5 did not present statistical differences from A1 and C2. For the top surface, there were no statistical differences among the curing tip distances. For all experimental conditions, the top surface showed higher hardness values than the bottom surface. It was concluded that light curing tip distance and resin shade are important factors to be considered for obtaining adequate polymerization.
Selective COX-2 inhibitor reduces bone healing in bone defects
Authors: Gurgel Bruno César de Vasconcelos , Ribeiro Fernanda Vieira , Silva Marco Antônio Dias da , Nociti Júnior Francisco Humberto , Sallum Antonio Wilson , Sallum Enilson Antônio , Toledo Sérgio de , Casati Márcio Zaffalon
Published: April 2006

Anti-inflammatory agents have been reported to regulate bone healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (meloxicam) on bone healing in calvarial defects in rats. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were included. After anesthesia, a linear incision was made through the skin of the scalp, a full-thickness flap was reflected and a 4 mm round defect was made with a trephine drill. The animals were randomly assigned to one of the following 4 treatment groups (9 animals each), including daily subcutaneous injections: A: saline solution for 15 days; B: saline solution for 45 days; C: 3 mg/kg of meloxicam for 15 days and D: 3 mg/kg of meloxicam for 45 days. The animals were sacrificed and the specimens, routinely processed. The bone filling was histometrically measured and statistical analysis, performed. Intergroup comparisons demonstrated that the meloxicam groups presented a significant reduction in bone healing when compared to their respective controls (group A, 44.5 ± 5.75%, against group C, 57.5 ± 7.25%, p < 0.05; group B, 40.25 ± 13.75%, against group D, 52.25 ± 17.25%). Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may reduce bone healing in calvarial defects in rats after continuous administration.
Simplified Method for Calculation of Minimum Miscibility Pressure or Enrichment
Authors: Yuan Hua , Johns Russell T.
Published: April 2006

Local displacement efficiency from gas injection is highly dependent on the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) or minimum miscibility enrichment (MME). Analytical methods, which are inexpensive and quick to use, have been developed to estimate MMPs for complex fluid characterizations. Published methods,1–3 however, often require estimation of numerous parameters and little has been written with regard to method robustness. This paper presents a simplified and robust method for MMP or MME calculation.

The approach relies on finding key crossover tie lines for a dispersion-free displacement using the method of characteristic theory (MOC). The new method, however, differs from published methods by significantly reducing the number of equations and unknown parameters, and by providing a fast and robust method that can avoid trivial and false solutions. We demonstrate the improvements by calculation of the MMP and MME for a variety of gas/oil systems and also give new analytical solutions for constant K-value systems that give insight into the nature of false solutions. The number of potential false solutions increases greatly with the number of components in the fluid characterization. Thus, any proposed method must ensure convergence to the physical MMP/MME.
Directional Drilling with Casing
Authors: Warren Tommy , Houtchens Bruce , Madell Garret
Published: April 2006

Casing while drilling (CwD) has proven to be an effective method of reducing drilling costs and solving drilling problems. Most of the current CwD activity focuses on drilling vertical wells, but interest in directional wells is increasing as CwD benefits in straight holes are demonstrated.

A directional CwD system has been run sufficiently to prove that directional drilling with casing is practical with casing sizes from 7 to 133/8 in. The system uses a wireline-retrievable-directional-drilling assembly (positioned atthe lower end of the casing) to replace the conventional directional tools used when drilling with drillpipe. These tools have been used to drill to inclinations greater than 90° and have been retrieved and rerun at inclinations ranging from vertical to horizontal.

Directional CwD can be used for a broad range of directional applications to capture proven advantages demonstrated in vertical wells.
Underbalanced Drilling with Casing Evolution in the South Texas Vicksburg
Authors: Gordon D. , Billa R. , Weissman M. , Hou F.
Published: April 2006

Underbalanced drilling with casing (UBDWC) is improving drilling performance dramatically in south Texas fields. This approach allows drilling of depleted and high-pressure sands intermingled within one hole section, resulting in significantly less-expensive well plans. Drilling costreductions of 30% have been realized. Smaller-reserves targets areviable—a key advantage in the mature south Texas Vicksburg play.
A Compendium of Directional Calculations Based on the Minimum Curvature Method
Authors: Sawaryn S. J. , Thorogood J. L.
Published: April 2006

The minimum curvature method has emerged as the accepted industry standard for the calculation of 3D directional surveys. Using this model, the well' strajectory is represented by a series of circular arcs and straight lines. Collections of other points, lines, and planes can be used to represent features such as adjacent wells, lease lines, geological targets, and faults. The relationships between these objects have simple geometrical interpretations, making them am enable to mathematical treatment. The calculations are now used extensively in 3D imaging and directional collision scans, making them critical for both business and safety. However, references for the calculations are incomplete, scattered in the literature, and have no systematic mathematical treatment. These features make programming a consistent and reliable set of algorithms more difficult. Increased standardization is needed.

Investigation shows that iterative schemes have been used in situations in which explicit solutions are possible. Explicit calculations are preferred because they confer numerical predictability and stability. Though vector methods were frequently adopted in the early stages of the published derivations, opportunities for simplification were missed because of premature translation to Cartesian coordinates.

This paper contains a compendium of algorithms based on the minimum curvature method (includes coordinate reference frames, toolface, interpolation, intersection with a target plane, minimum and maximum true vertical depth (TVD) in a horizontal section, point closest to a circular arc, survey station to a target position with and without the direction defined, nudges, and steering runs). Consistent vector methods have been used throughout with improvements in mathematical efficiency, stability, and predictability of behavior. The resulting algorithms are also simpler and more cost effective to code and test. This paper describes the practical context in which each of the algorithms is applied and enumerates some key tests that need to be performed.
Analysis of Interference Tests With Horizontal Wells
Authors: Al-Khamis M. , Ozkan E. , Raghavan R.
Published: April 2006

One of the common assumptions in horizontal-well interference-test analysis is to ignore fluid flow in and out of the horizontal observation well and represent it by a point. In some cases, the active well is also approximated by a vertical line source. Using a semianalytical model, this paper answers three fundamental questions:

What is the critical distance between the wells to represent the horizontal observation well by an observation point? Where should the observation point be placed along the horizontal well? Under what conditions may the active well be approximated by a vertical line source and the exponential integral solution be used to analyze observation-well responses?

Two correlations are presented to simplify the analysis of horizontal-well interference tests. Example applications are presented, and error bounds are documented.
Improved Microseismic Fracture Mapping Using Perforation Timing Measurements for Velocity Calibration
Authors: Warpinski N. R. , Sullivan R. B. , Uhl J. E. , Waltman C. K. , Machovoe S. R.
Published: April 2006

A method is decribed wherein microseismic mapping of hydraulic fractures is improved by using crosswell data to calibrate and/or verify dipole-sonic-velocity data. In the perforation-timing procedure, crosswell-velocity data are obtained by monitoring the firing pulse from the receiver-orientation perforations and recording the timing pulse along with the arrivaldata. From these results, a simple one-dimensional model of velocities canbe extracted and used to validate, refine, or correct the detailed dipole-sonic data or provide a warning of discrepancies
High-Temperature Wells With Lost-Circulation Demands and Reverse-Circulation Techniques Using Foamed-Cement Systems: Two Case Histories
Authors: Moore Robert , Bour Daniel , Reed Shawn , Hernandez Rafael
Published: April 2006

Drilling activities in diverse areas can pose significant challenges for conventional cement systems and circulation methods. To overcome these challenges, a unique cementing system and a circulation method have been tested in the field with great success. This paper details how these technologies and techniques were successfully used in the cementation process of one casing string in a relatively shallow geothermal well in central California and a relatively deep string in central Wyoming.

Globally, many wells experience lost-circulation problems that require the reduction of circulation pressures to allow proper placement of cement to provide annular coverage. To help minimize these circulation pressures, cement was directly pumped into the annulus, significantly reducing placement pressures and allowing placement of the cement with no apparent losses—a process referred to as the reverse-circulation placement technique (RCPT). In the deep and shallow applications discussed, the placement technique and the individual slurry designs address temperature issues.
An Innovative Approach To Integrate Fracture, Well-Test, and Production Data Into Reservoir Models
Authors: Bahar Asnul , Ates Harun , Al-Deeb Maged H. , Salem Salem E. , Badaam Hussein , Linthorst Steef , Kelkar Mohan
Published: April 2006

This paper presents an innovative approach to integrate fracture, well-test, and production data into the static description of a reservoir model as an input to the flow simulation. The approach has been implemented successfully in a field study of a giant naturally fractured carbonate reservoir in the Middle East. This study was part of a full-field integrated reservoir-characterization and flow-simulation project.

The main input available for this work includes matrix properties and fracture-network, well-test, and production data. Stochastic models of matrix properties were generated using a geo-statistical methodology based on well logs, core, seismic data, and geological interpretation. The fracture network was described in the reservoir as lineaments (fracture swarms) showing two major fracture trends. The network and its properties (i.e., fracture porosities and permeabilities) were generated by reconciling seismic, well-log, and dynamic data (Well Test and Production Log Tool, PLT).**

The challenge of the study is to integrate all the input in an efficient and practical way to produce a consistent model between static and dynamic data. As a result, it is expected to reduce the history-matching effort. This challenge was solved by an innovative iterative procedure between the static and dynamic models.

The static part consists of the calibration of model permeability to match the well-test permeability. It is done by comparing their flow potentials, kh. In this analysis, the dominant factor in controlling production at each well, either matrix or fracture, was determined. Based on the dominant factor, matrix or fracture permeability was modified accordingly. This way, the changes in permeability are consistent with the geological understanding of the field.

The dynamic part was carried out through a full-field flow simulation to integrate production data. The flow simulation at this stage was used to match production capacity, [i.e., to determine whether the given permeability (matrix and fracture) distribution is enough to produce the fluid at the specified pressure during the producing period of the well]. The iteration is stopped once a reasonable production-capacity match is obtained. In general, a good match was achieved within three to four iterations. The generated reservoir description is expected to substantially reduce the effort required to obtain a good history match.
Near-Wellbore Formation Damage Effects on Well Performance: A Comparison Between Underbalanced and Overbalanced Drilling
Authors: Ding Y. , Herzhaft B. , Renard G.
Published: April 2006

Prediction of formation damage that occurs while drilling horizontal wells is a critical point for optimizing an oil field's development. The economic impact of near-wellbore drilling-induced damage and cleanup efficiency has led to significant progress being made in both experimental and numerical studies to assess wellbore flow properties during oil production. As a result, a numerical model has been developed to study the impact of various parameters related to the properties of drilling fluids on well inflow performance.

This paper describes a numerical approach developed in this model to simulate near-wellbore formation damage caused by underbalanced drilling (UBD). It is generally expected that UBD will be of benefit by preventing formation damage. However, this benefit can be lost for various reasons. For instance, an overbalanced pressure can be applied on the formation during short periods of time for various operational reasons and can cause severe formation damage because of the absence of external cake protection and huge filtrate invasion. Another possible cause of formation damage in UBD is related to spontaneous imbibition, which induces water-blocking, which was observed while drilling tight gas reservoirs.

A methodology for the modeling of possible formation damage during UBD is presented. Crossflow phenomena caused by spontaneous imbibition is taken into account to model the filtrate invasion from the well to the porous media, as the well is in production.
Injection of Aquifer Water and Gas/Oil Separation Plant Disposal Water Into Tight Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Raju K. U. , Nasr-El-Din H. A. , Hilab V. V. , Siddiqui S. , Mehta S.
Published: April 2006

Disposal of produced water from oil fields is a major concern for environmental and economic reasons. One way to dispose of this water is to mix it with aquifer water and inject it back into the formation. One of the carbonate reservoirs in Saudi Arabia produces wet oil where the total dissolved solids (TDS) of the produced water is high (up to 238,000 mg/L). The produced water also contains dissolved gasses (H2S and CO2) and suspended material (oil and corrosion products). Thus, disposal water from a gas/oil separation plant (GOSP) not only has CaCO3 scaling potential, but can also precipitate sulfides because it contains nearly 750 mg/L of H2S. In contrast, the aquifer waters from the area contain approximately 2 mg/L of total iron. Therefore, if these two waters were to be mixed, the possibility of damaging the formation from iron sulfide precipitation could be signficant. The objective of this study is to assess potential formation damage that can result when the two waters are mixed and injected into the tight carbonate reservoir.

The current study included a detailed analysis of field waters, determination of scaling potential of various waters, and extensive coreflood testing using reservoir cores. A unique feature of this study was that the cores were examined after the injection of the mixed waters by computerized tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine both macro and porelevel effects on core properties.

The study revealed that the injection of mixed water into reservoir cores created wormholes, which increased core permeability. This new finding indicates that disposal water is not always damaging. On the other hand, the precipitated iron sulfide particles seem to damage the cores, but the damage was constrained by the core initial permeability. For example, the iron sulfide particles (0.25 μm) caused damage to cores with permeability of less than 20 md after injecting 1,000 pore volumes (PV) of the mixed waters. However, no damage was observed in cores with permeability greater than 60 md, even after injecting 600 PV of the same mixed water.

The study identified various types of scale resulting from mixing produced and aquifer waters, and determined conditions under which these waters could be injected. Also, the study highlights an unexpected benefit of injecting H2S-containing waters, which is to create wormholes and thus significantly increase permeability of tight carbonate reservoirs.
Reservoir Simulation of CO2 Storage in Deep Saline Aquifers
Authors: Kumar A. , Ozah R. , Noh M. , Pope G. A. , Bryant S. , Sepehrnoori K. , Lake L. W.
Published: April 2006

We present the results of compositional reservoir simulation of a prototypical CO2 sequestration project in a deep saline aquifer. The objective was to better understand and quantify estimates of the most important CO2 storage mechanisms under realistic physical conditions. Simulations of a few decades of CO2 injection followed by 103 to 105 years of natural gradient flow were performed. The impact of several parameters was studied, including average permeability, the ratio of vertical to horizontal permeability, residual gas saturation, salinity, temperature, aquifer dip angle, and permeability heterogeneity. The storage of CO2 in residual gas emerges as a potentially very significant issue meriting further study. Under some circumstances this form of immobile storage can be larger than storage in brine and minerals. Most importantly, we find that permanent storage is feasible. That is, the storage process can be designed to place large volumes of CO2 in forms that will not escape the aquifer any faster than fluids originally present in the aquifer.
A New Generation Chemical-Flooding Simulator
Authors: John A. , Han C. , Delshad M. , Pope G. A. , Sepehrnoori K.
Published: April 2006

Compositional reservoir simulators that are based on equation-of-state (EOS) formulations typically do not handle the modeling of aqueous phase behavior, and those that are designed for modeling chemical processes typically assume simplified hydrocarbon phase behavior. There is a need to have a single reservoir simulator capable of combining both approaches to benefit from the advantages of both aqueous and hydrocarbons models. Developing and implementing fully implicit procedures for modeling both hydrocarbon and aqueous phase behavior simultaneously is a complex process. An approach to integrate a surfactant phase behavior model into an existing fully implicit, parallel, EOS compositional simulator is presented in this paper. Physical property models describing the flow and transport of surfactant and polymer species have been implemented. These properties include surfactant phase behavior, interfacial tension, capillary desaturation, viscosity, adsorption, and relative permeability as a function of trapping number. Polymer properties include viscosity, permeability reduction, inaccessible pore volume, and adsorption. The simulation results were validated by comparison with the explicit chemical-flooding simulator UTCHEM and are shown in this paper. Test runs were performed with high-resolution models in a parallel environment, with results indicating a good scalability of the simulator.
Fast History Matching of Finite-Difference Models Using Streamline-Derived Sensitivities
Authors: Cheng Hao , Kharghoria Arun , He Zhong , Datta-Gupta Akhil
Published: April 2006

We propose a novel approach to history matching finite-difference models that combines the advantages of streamline models with the versatility of finite-difference simulation. Current streamline models are limited in their ability to incorporate complex physical processes and cross-streamline mechanisms in a computationally efficient manner. A unique feature of streamline models is their ability to analytically compute the sensitivity of the production data with respect to reservoir parameters using a single flow simulation. These sensitivities define the relationship between changes in production response because of small changes in reservoir parameters and, thus, form the basis for many history-matching algorithms. In our approach, we use the streamline-derived sensitivities to facilitate history matching during finite-difference simulation. First, the velocity field from the finite-difference model is used to compute streamline trajectories, time of flight, and parameter sensitivities. The sensitivities are then used in an inversion algorithm to update the reservoir model during finite-difference simulation.

The use of a finite-difference model allows us to account for detailed process physics and compressibility effects. Although the streamline-derived sensitivities are only approximate, they do not seem to noticeably impact the quality of the match or the efficiency of the approach. For history matching, we use a generalized travel-time inversion (GTTI) that is shown to be robust because of its quasilinear properties and that converges in only a few iterations. The approach is very fast and avoids many of the subjective judgments and time-consuming trial-and-error steps associated with manual history matching. We demonstrate the power and utility of our approach with a synthetic example and two field examples. The first one is from a CO2 pilot area in the Goldsmith San Andreas Unit (GSAU), a dolomite formation in west Texas with more than 20 years of waterflood production history. The second example is from a Middle Eastern reservoir and involves history matching a multimillion-cell geologic model with 16 injectors and 70 producers. The final model preserved all of the prior geologic constraints while matching 30 years of production history.
Hyperactivated Motility in Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) Spermatozoa
Authors: Baumber Julie , Meyers Stuart A.
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT:Macaque spermatozoa can be capacitated according to a defined protocol and exhibit hyperactivated motility similar to that described in other species. The aim of this study was to create a method for defining hyperactivation that could be routinely used in the laboratory alongside our existing sperm motility analysis protocol. Percoll‐separated macaque spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours (37°C; 5% CO2in air) at a concentration of 20 × 106/mL in bicarbonate (36 mmol)‐buffered Biggers, Whitten and Whittingham medium (BWW) containing 30 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (BSA), followed by an additional 30 minutes with (capacitated) or without (incubated) caffeine (1 mmol) and dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP; 1.2 mmol). One hundred and fifty progressive and hyperactivated tracks were selected from each of three monkeys. Thresholds for hyperactivation were based on the 10th (amplitude of lateral head displacement, ALH) and 90th (linearity, LIN) percentiles of the hyperactivated kinematic data set and were LIN less than or equal to 69% and ALH greater than or equal to 7.5 μM; a threshold of greater than or equal to 130 μM/s was also included for curvilinear velocity (VCL). These thresholds were 91% effective at identifying hyperactivated tracks. Capacitation of macaque spermatozoa, by the addition of caffeine and dbcAMP, resulted in a significant increase in ALH, VCL, and beat cross frequency and a significant decrease in total and progressive motility, straight line velocity, straightness, and LIN when compared to incubated spermatozoa, suggesting the expression of hyperactivated motility. Utilizing the above thresholds, hyperactivation was expressed by 5% ± 0.8% of the incubated sperm population vs 53 ± 3.7% of the capacitated sperm population (P< .0001). Hyperactivation was not observed when dbcAMP and caffeine were added separately and was significantly (P< .005) reduced by the addition of H‐89. The results of this paper demonstrate that hyperactivation can be reliably estimated for rhesus macaque spermatozoa.
Psychobiological Correlates of Delayed Ejaculation in Male Patients With Sexual Dysfunctions
Authors: Corona Giovanni , Mannucci Edoardo , Petrone Luisa , Fisher Alessandra D. , Balercia Giancarlo , De Scisciolo Giuseppe , Pizzocaro Alessandro , Giommi Roberta , Chiarini Valerio , Forti Gianni , Maggi Mario
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT: The pathogenesis of delayed ejaculation (DE) is rather unknown, though the contribution of various psychological, marital, hormonal, and neurological factors has been advocated. In this study we systematically investigated the relative relevance of the aforementioned factors in 1632 men who were seeking medical help for sexual dysfunction. The severity of DE was classified according to Kaplan criteria. Mild and moderate forms of DE (MMDE) recognized different risk factors than the most severe ones (anejaculation or severe DE [ASDE]). ASDE was essentially coupled with the presence of neurological diseases or with the use of serotoninergic drugs. Serotoninergic drugs also significantly increase (by at least 10‐fold) the risk for MMDE, which, however, was also coupled with other relational factors (eg, partner's impaired climax, patient's hypoactive sexual desire [HSD]) or intrapsychic factors (eg, stress at work). At multiple regression analysis, some organic pathological conditions (such as psychiatric disorders and hypogonadism) were also associated with MMDE. In particular, hypogonadism retained significance for DE even after adjustment for HSD (adjusted odds ratio = 2.08 [1.11–3.89]; P < .05), suggesting other effects of testosterone deficiency on the ejaculatory reflex besides reduced libido. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that multiple psychobiological determinants are associated with DE, a still obscure condition that substantially impairs psychosexual equilibrium of the couple.
Science and magic in African technology: traditional iron smelting in Malawi
Authors: van der Merwe Nikolaas J. , Avery Donald H.
Published: April 2006

Opening Paragraph

Iron smelting was still widespread in Africa at the beginning of the twentieth century and was recorded in a number of areas by missionaries, administrators, travellers and the like. A wide variety of technical procedures and associated magic was observed in the process. The quality of these early accounts varies depending on the technical expertise of the observers and their interest in (or bias against) the ritual aspects. Reviews of the early literature, both technical and ritual, have been provided by Cline (1937) and others and no attempt in this direction will be made here. It will suffice to say that magic associated with smelting appears to be universal in sub-Saharan Africa, as are certain themes. These include the following:

1. For iron smelting to be successful, the smelters must be technically expert and a variety of supernatural forces must be propitiated. This propitiation takes the form of ceremonies and ritual and involves the application of special materials or medicines. The combination of ritual and medicines is referred to here as magic.

2. The iron smelters, especially the leaders, command the knowledge to carry out both the technical and magical components of smelting. This makes them more than ordinary craftsmen and gives them special status, usually high; alternatively they may be outcasts.

3. Sexual symbolism and taboos accompany smelting, often expressed through the exclusion of women from smelting in progress, compulsory celibacy for the smelters, or female anthropomorphic details added to smelting furnaces.
Possession cults on the Swahili coast: a re-examination of theories of marginality
Authors: Giles Linda L.
Published: April 2006

Opening Paragraph

This article examines the role of spirit possession cults in the Swahili coastal area of Kenya and Tanzania, based on three years (1982–85) of doctoral dissertation research in seven field sites (including the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba). It provides a reassessment of the conventional theoretical viewpoint that such cults are peripheral to the wider society's value and socio-cultural structure, asserting that in this case they are, in fact, not only central to it but actually one of its most illuminating expressions.
The world of the Yoruba taxi driver: an interpretive approach to vehicle slogans
Authors: Lawuyi Olatunde Bayo
Published: April 2006

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The purpose of this paper is to analyse the slogans which are so prominent and ubiquitous on motor vehicles as expressions of social stratification among the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria. I interpret the slogans in the context of the taxi owners' and drivers' social interactions, not just as disembodied expressions of a total Yoruba world view. In studying the slogans I pay particular attention to processes of accumulation of wealth, status mobility and the way these are affected by cultural values. It is argued that the vehicle owners make different claims at different stages of their careers. Their fears and hopes at each stage must be understood in the light of the contemporary Christian and traditional mix of beliefs about destiny, the world and God.
1787–1887–1987: reflections on a Sierra Leone bicentenary
Authors: Fyfe Christopher
Published: April 2006

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Seen in the widest perspective, 1787 is only one date among the uncounted tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands of years during which the present Sierra Leone has been inhabited. Archaeologists have done disappointingly little work there. But it is clear from their findings (and by implication from findings in the rest of forest-belt West Africa) that people have lived there a very long time. Though traditional historiography always tends to present the peoples of Sierra Leone as immigrants from somewhere else, the language pattern suggests continuous occupation over a very long period. As Paul Hair (1967) has shown, there has been a striking linguistic continuity in coastal West Africa since the fifteenth century. Nor is there evidence to suggest that before that period stability and continuity were not the norm.
Dreams of power: social process in a West African religious movement
Authors: Curley Richard T.
Published: April 2006

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In the present paper we shall describe the ways in which dreams are regarded by the members of a West African religious sect and explain how dreams figure in the social organization of the sect. Our point of departure will be largely sociological, and in this respect our study differs from most anthropological writings on dreams. The dream narrations which we are considering arise as much out of the social organization of the sect as from the psyche of the individuals. Furthermore, the narrations are public performances and are evaluated by members of the sect for the purpose of situating each other within the community of church members. The narrations are used by church members to demonstrate the depth of their religious commitment and to assist them in competing for key roles within the church. Thus dreams are important as indicators of a person's worth and as instruments of social mobility. Following Charsley's treatment of dreams in a Ugandan independent church we will not focus on the use of dreams as a ‘privileged channel of insight into the culture’ (1973: 244), although the themes and symbols which are described in the narratives can indeed reveal much about the beliefs of church members and suggest ways in which their beliefs might guide their behaviour. It is appropriate to discuss some of these themes and symbols en route to our objective, and in doing so it will be possible to shed some light on the teachings of the sect and on the mentality of many of its members. It is important to state, however, that the primary data of this study are not accounts of dreams such as those that might be told privately to an analyst or an ethnographer. Rather they are mostly accounts which people present in public at church services. They are sometimes retold, embellished and circulated throughout the community of church members. Thus the data are speech events which are often used instrumentally by the narrator, sometimes for the purpose of ennobling the self and sometimes for the purpose of praising the sect. This means that one would have to question the authenticity of the narratives if one were to use them as windows into the minds of church members. We are on safer ground if we view the narratives of dreams as public performances which are patterned in accordance with the expectations of the church community and which have an effect on social action within that community.
Assongu: a terracotta tradition of south-eastern Ivory Coast
Authors: Soppelsa Robert T.
Published: April 2006

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Assongu are small terracotta figurines, sculpted to represent a spirit force which originated on, and is said to emanate from, an island in the Aby Lagoon of southeastern Ivory Coast. The sculptures are called ‘fetish’ figures by the people who make and use them. They are material representations of the powerful spirit force called Assongu (which I write with an upper-case A for clarity), which is propitiated by offerings presented to the sculptures. The tradition exists among the Eotilé, the Anyi of Sanwi, the Abure and the Nzema, all of whom live around the Aby Lagoon (see map).
The Juggernaut's apologia: conversion to Islam in black Africa
Authors: Fisher Humphrey J.
Published: April 2006

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This story begins with Robin Horton's thoughtful and stimulating article ‘African conversion’, published inAfricain 1971. My own ‘Conversion reconsidered’ followed in 1973. This was in part a response to Horton, though concentrating upon Islamic conversion, which had been only a supporting feature in Horton's chiefly Christianity-based argument. I also explored a little the possibilities for Muslim/Christian comparison in black Africa, a fruitful and promising field which has not figured prominently in the subsequent discussion, but to which I return briefly towards the end of the present article. Horton's own rely (‘On the rationality of conversion’, in 1975) being essentially rather acid in tone, it seemed best at the time to let the matter rest, which I did.
The social marketing of elites: the advertised self in obituaries and congratulations in some Nigerian dailies
Authors: Lawuyi Olatunde Bayo
Published: April 2006

This paper rests on the belief that various forms of advertisement of self such as the obituary and congratulation publications in the Nigerian daily newspapers exhibit a number of common themes in the imagery with which they handle the fact of achievement. Further, it argues that these themes may be a mix of modern and traditional criteria of success and represent an attempt by the elite to restate their superior attributes. The data were collected from NigerianDaily TimesandDaily Sketch, from interviews conducted with the business managers of theDaily Sketchand the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, withGuardianandDaily Timescorrespondents, and with newspaper vendors and advertisement agents based in Ile-Ife. A survey of attitudes to the publications and their implicit criteria of success was also investigated. In all, the consensus of opinion is that the publications do raise the revenue base of the print and the audio-visual media, that attitudes to the publications vary across ethnic, religious and class groups, and that the construction of selfhood within each of the advertisement formats is but an aspect of social relationships, mediated in this case through the forms of economic or political development in Nigeria.
Issues of resource access and control: a comment
Authors: Okali Christine
Published: April 2006

The series of droughts in Africa and associated famine since the 1970s and the increasing reliance of most African countries on imported food are seen by many people to be key indicators of a crisis in African agriculture. At the same time there is a substantial difference between the story told by the macro-indicators of the crisis—foreign trade and grain production statistics from the formal sector, global famine statistics and environmental data—and by reports from individual village/community studies.
The economic implications of transformations in Akan funeral rites
Authors: Arhin Kwame
Published: April 2006

Two related problems are raised: (1) why the persistence, and increase in scale, of funeral rites (with consequently much greater expenditure) both colonially and post-colonially; (2) what is the effect of this greater funeral expenditure on the economy of today's Asante? It is suggested that present-day funeral rites have only superficial religious significance; it is their economic and social importance that explains the vigour with which they are still performed. Far from being economically wasteful, they fuel economic activities that are on balance beneficial. It is the combination of economic and social utility that sustains, even enhances, the scale of the performance of the rites.
The social context of iron forging on the Kenya coast
Authors: Kusimba Chapurukha M.
Published: April 2006

Ironsmiths occupy an important yet ambiguous position in many African societies. They are both revered and feared, because they wield social power which arises from their access to occult knowledge, not only of metallurgy but of healing, divination, circumcision and peacemaking. In some societies smiths enjoy high status and are the wealthiest people. In others they are feared, covertly maligned, and blamed for societal misfortunes. In still others the smiths' position is often marginal except when they are needed to intercede on their society's behalf to solve natural or cultural predicaments. The forge or smithy plays a central role in the community as tool-making centre, a place of refuge from violence, of purification, and for healing. This article examines the social context of iron forging among the ironsmiths of the Kenya coast, focusing on the role of iron forging in the coastal economy, the forge, the smiths' life cycle, the institution of apprenticeship, the ritual and technical power of smiths, the role of women in the smiths' community, and the future of iron forging on the coast. It is argued that, while coastal smiths are marginal and despised, they hold important ritual and spiritual powers in coastal society. The article concludes that a detailed understanding of the traditional crafts historically practised on the coast can do much to illuminate the complex history of coastal society.
The colonial encapsulation of the north-western Namibian pastoral economy
Authors: Bollig Michael
Published: April 2006

The inhabitants of Kaokoland, Himba and Herero, have recently gained prominence in the discussions concerning a controversial hydro-electric power scheme in their region. They are depicted as southern Africa's ‘most traditional pastoralists’ by groups opposing the dam and those demanding it. The article describes how Kaokoland's pastoralists suffered tremendously from the politics of encapsulation the South African government adopted against them. Having been enmeshed in interregional trade networks, commodity production and wage labour around 1900, they were isolated by the South African government within a period of twenty years. Buffer zones for the commercial ranching area and prohibitions on movement across other newly invented boundaries limited their spatial mobility. Trade across borders was inhibited altogether. Pastoralists who had diversified their assets during the previous fifty years and had taken the chance of a first wave of commercial penetration were forced back on to subsistence herding.