bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Regulation of the Offshore Oil Business in the Arctic: The Case For and Against
Authors: Spicer Wylie
Published: December 2012

The paper will describe the existing regulatory systems for the offshore inthe Arctic. Drawing from offshore disasters and the responses thereto bythe Coastal States around the world the paper will point to the arguments forand against international regulation of Arctic offshore areas. Organizations that might create such regulation are considered such as theArctic Council, the International Maritime Organization, The InternationalRegulators Forum, the oil company operators. Current debates concerninginternational regulation such as that of the EU (October 2011) proposal tocreate EU regulations for the offshore and the opposition by the Great Britainwill be reviewed, as will be the Helix Mutual Aid solution in the Gulf ofMexico, the new Canadian filing requirements for Arctic Oil and Gas (December2012) and others.

Introduction

The Titanic sank in the icy waters off the eastern coast of Canada in1912. It was only two years later that first steps were taken to put inplace an International Convention focusing on safety of life at sea(SOLAS). This Convention specifies standards for construction, equipment, and operation of ships. It includes a number of articles covering suchmatters as lifesaving appliances, radio communications, safety navigation, carriage of cargoes, carriage of dangerous goods, management for the safeoperation of ships and measures to enhance maritime safety.

The 1978 sinking of the Amoco Cadiz resulted in the 1982 ParisMemorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) as aninternational effort to better regulate flags of convenience, enabling ports todetain vessels found to not comply with international safety standards. The international community has responded to the threat of pollution with anumber of Conventions addressing the various issues arising from pollutioncaused by ships. In addition to Conventions addressing pollution itselfthere are other Conventions which focus on safety issues, which at least inpart are intended to manage the risks of being at sea.
New Model for Training of Environmental Safety Specialist
Authors: Khaustov A.P. , Redina M.M.
Published: December 2012

The oil companies test a severe shortage in the qualified experts inindustrial and ecological safety (HSE-management), in particular in theconditions of emergency situations, what are the oil spills. The modernspecialist needs a serious additional training to bring his knowledge andskills to meet the requirements of the employer. Declared by the principle of" lifelong learning" - the constant improvement of educational level, inparticular - for sustainable development.

Currently, the Peoples' Friendship University established an educationalcomplex on HSE-management. Such programs are just gaining momentum andpresented at leading universities in industrial countries (Britain, Australia, USA, etc.). With its creation as a result of contacts with leading companies(TNK-BP, Lukoil, Gazprom, Tatneft, and others) was defined profile specialistand were formulated the requirements for professional skills ofspecialists.

The most effective way, allowing the student to " feel" the concept ofenvironmental safety - virtual immersion in a professional environment. Giventhis, the People's Friendship University - the first of the universities ofRussia - based virtual simulator technology started training, practicallyoriented to minimize the harm accidents.

Created a virtual simulator for environmental safety in the oil spillssimulates accidents on pipelines of various sizes for different environmentalconditions. It includes an estimated portion (the definition of poverty, economic and environmental impacts of oil spills), the latest technology forelimination of accident, library of manuals and handbooks.

The integrated approach allows for a short time to prepare qualifiedprofessionals to eliminate the accident consequences. The simulator - the firstRussian software of its kind. Further work on its development can be adapted toa wide range of conditions, including the Arctic.

Thus, the introduction of simulator training in the practice canprovide:tackle key problems technospheric safety (safety of natural systems andpopulations in the zone of influence of objects);preservation of natural resources areas (sustainable development);savings for employers additional training due to the ability to adaptquickly to a specialist professional reality.
Importance of Deep Permafrost Soil Characterization for Accurate Assessment of Thaw Subsidence Impacts on the Design and Integrity of Arctic Wells
Authors: Matthews C.M. , Zhang G.
Published: December 2012

Oil and gas producers have shown renewed interest in developing reservoirslocated both onshore and offshore within the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canadaand Russia. In many cases, the hydrocarbon reservoirs are known to be overlainby a massive permafrost interval that extends over depths of up to 700 m belowthe surface active layer. These conditions create unique design and operationalchallenges for production and injection wells from the perspective of ensuringthat well integrity will not be compromised by the inevitable thaw subsidenceof the permafrost soil layers.

The permafrost soil layers surrounding arctic wells will thaw gradually withtime due to wellbore heat loss. As the thaw zone advances radially outward fromeach well, the ice-to-water phase change within the pore space of thefrozen/partially frozen sediments will lead to changes in the permafrost soilproperties and to the loading conditions within the thaw column region. Thesechanges will result in soil deformations (including both vertical settlements(subsidence) and horizontal displacements) which can, in turn, inducesignificant well casing strains that need to be considered in selecting thewell design and layout. The magnitude of the soil deformations that occurthroughout the permafrost interval are highly dependent on the depositionhistory, insitu temperature and the physical and mechanical properties of theindividual soil layers. Therefore, in order to accurately predict the soildeformations and resultant localized casing strain levels, it is essential toobtain reliable data to properly characterize the lithology (soil types) withinthe permafrost interval, as well as the frozen state and the relevantmechanical and thermal properties (both frozen and thawed) of individual soillayers. This paper describes the various information and geotechnical test datathat has been used to establish the thaw and deformation response of differentpermafrost soils at a number of arctic locations for the purpose of evaluatingthe effects of thaw subsidence loading on wells. Overall, the paper serves tohighlight the importance of collecting the appropriate geotechnical data toallow thaw subsidence-induced ground deformations and associated casing loadingconditions to be properly considered at the well/project design stage.
Sustainable Arctic Field and Maritime Operation
Authors: Borch O.J. , Westvik M.H. , Ehlers S. , Berg T.E.
Published: December 2012

As more attention is paid to the exploration of oil and gas resources in thehigh north, the settlement of the disputed area between Norway and Russia, andthe world's ever-rising demand for energy resources, more and more oilcompanies and suppliers are moving north. For most oil companies, rig and shipoperators and logistics providers, the Arctic represents a new frontier, whereexisting operational systems and technologies are tested to their limits. Thispaper outlines key challenges facing the development of sustainable and safemaritime offshore operation in Arctic waters. The Arctic offers challengesrelated to harsh weather conditions, long distances from bases, limited orabsent infrastructure, a sensitive ecosystem, ensuring safety at sea, potentialoil spills and operations in ice-infested waters. Arctic operations are thussignificantly different from operations in the North Sea. This state of affairsunderlines the need for new or improved organisational and business models forintegrated logistics operations, value chain management and technologicalsolutions that will ensure sustainable and safe maritime operations. It alsodemands optimised design of ships and structures for operation in the Arcticenvironment as well as improved communication infrastructure based onsatellite, terrestrial, ship-to-ship or ad-hoc systems, radar and opticalsatellites. Key features discussed will include ideas and concepts forarea-specific vessel design and multipurpose vessels, with integrated supportand logistics models and systems, base-to-base operation and tailored businessmodels for robust Arctic field operation. The aim is to ensure a holistic andintegrated transport and logistics infrastructure in sparsely populated areaswith extreme weather conditions (polar lows, darkness, fog, ice and icing), including the interplay between vessel technology and the operationalmanagement.
Suggested methods to reduce crane operations downtime (New technology improves the efficiency and safety of crane operations in harsh offshore climates)
Authors: Wintle Grant , Grimes Andrew
Published: December 2012

The increase in offshore activity in harsh weather areas of the worldpresents a major challenge for those involved in the management and executionof lifting operations. This challenge becomes all the more important whenpersonnel are being transferred by crane. This paper examines some of the newtechnologies and operational philosophies that promise to help operators meetthese new challenges. This includes motion monitoring technology developed inNorway that provides accurate real-time data on vessel responses for mariners, and crane operators, allowing them to increase the safety and extend the limitsof lifting operations.

Crane operational downtime has a major financial impact on arctic projects. Therefore there is pressure to maintain continuity of lifting operations. Thisproven technology - the Deck Motion Monitor (DMM) and the Arctic personnelcarrier - allows the safe transfer of cargo and personnel for a higherpercentage of time and reduces the time spent waiting for an optimal weatherwindow.
Approaches for refining pack ice driving force estimates for the Beaufort Sea
Authors: Barker Anne , Timco Garry
Published: December 2012

There are large oil and gas resources in the shear zone region of theBeaufort Sea. Development of these resources would entail many factorsfor consideration. One of the most important is the ice load on drillingand production platforms. However, there is very large uncertainty on theice loads in this region due to a clear lack of knowledge of the pack icedriving forces. This pack ice driving force is one of the primarymechanisms that dictate how much force the ice can exert on an offshoreplatform, even if large multi-year ice floes are present. Improvedknowledge of this force would significantly reduce uncertainty in the designice loads, provide essential baseline engineering knowledge and a more reliablestructure, leading to greater regulatory certainty and safer and moreeconomical offshore operations.

The pack ice driving force, as a function of width, can be calculatedthrough an equation in the ISO Arctic Offshore Structures Standard. However, a relevant parameter is still poorly defined for this equationand spans a large range. As a result, calculations of driving forces arevery uncertain, yet it is the key limiting force mechanism for the BeaufortSea. This paper presents the results of a study that investigated meansof refining uncertainty when calculating pack ice driving forces. Anoverview of the standard method of determining these forces is given, as wellas a discussion of the historical development of, and implications ofuncertainty in, calculating the pack ice force. Methods for refining theuncertainty are presented and comparisons are discussed. Numericalmodelling studies offer the greatest potential for refining the uncertaintybased on cost, usefulness, confidence in the results and studyopportunities. The information provided in this paper has applicationsfor refinement of pack ice driving force calculations in current engineeringstandards. A clear understanding of the magnitude of pack ice drivingforces would help to reduce the risk of failure of engineering structures andimprove their safety, by enabling a significantly better definition of theanticipated ice loads and the upper limit of the loads for the BeaufortSea.
Mechanism and Dynamics of Marine Ice Accretion on Vessel Archetypes
Authors: Shipilova O. , Kulyakhtin A. , Tsarau A. , Libby B. , Moslet P.O. , Loset S.
Published: December 2012

Marine icing (or, 'sea spray icing') is a well-known threat for commercialfishing craft and other relatively small vessels. However, larger vessels, suchas supply ships, where localized icing can primarily be a safety or operationalhazard, are less well studied. The MARICE project is a multi-year effort by DetNorske Veritas (DNV), the Norwegian University of Science and Technology(NTNU), Statoil and the Research Council of Norway (NFR) to study this issue. Athree-part simulation system has been designed to study the amount of waterlifted from different types of ship bows in different weather conditions andestimation of the movement of droplets over, and their impingement with, thesuperstructure of vessels, neglecting the possibility of droplet break-up orcoalescence. It was found that areas where the icing potential might be thegreatest are not necessarily intuitive, as the movement of water and air isturbulent. Attempts were made to validate the model for water freezing on ametal unit against land-based spraying measurements conducted on Svalbard innatural weather conditions. The results of this study would be of greatestinterest in the design and operation of vessels for cold conditions where seaspray icing might pose a hazard.

1. Introduction

Due to the increasing interest in commercial operations in cold marineenvironments, the process and dynamics of sea spray-generated ice accretion onmoving vessels is a high priority area of research. For smaller vessels, suchas many commercial fishing boats, the general threat posed by spray-generatedicing to the stability of the craft is widely acknowledged. However for vesselssuch as those in the 100-meter (300-foot) length range, where the rightingability is less likely to be compromised, the primary concerns regarding vesselicing are more localized, specifically interference with normal operations dueto hindrance of the motion or functionality of equipment, loss of equipmentaccess and obstruction of walkways, icing of sensors, work burden associatedwith ice removal, threat to the safety of the working environment and abilityto conduct emergency operations.
Under-Ice Seismic Acquisition in the Arctic
Authors: Rice Shawn L.
Published: December 2012

With an estimated 25% of the world's undiscovered hydrocarbon resources, theArctic has re-emerged as an area of increased exploration interest. Despite itstremendous potential, the Arctic poses extreme challenges to all E&Pactivities, including seismic acquisition and data processing. Harsh conditionslimit the weather window for seismic operations, pose extreme risk for in-wateracquisition equipment, and introduce unwanted noise into acquired seismic datasets. Combined, these factors have limited both the quantity and quality ofavailable seismic information in the Arctic.

In 2006, ION began acquiring modern seismic data in the Arctic, operatingnear the ice using traditional open water methods. Over the next threeseasons, ION furthered its capabilities by developing technologies andtechniques to gather seismic data in and under the ice.

ION conducted its first formal trial of under-ice acquisition in the summerof 2009 off the northeast coast of Greenland. The objective was toacquire approximately 4,000 kilometers of data safely and efficiently, withoutrisk to the crew, environment, or equipment. The trial was considered asuccess, with just over 5,200 kilometers of long-offset, high-quality 2Dseismic data acquired without incident to crew or environment and only 2%technical downtime.
Seismic Imaging of Gas Hydrate Accumulations Beneath Thick Permafrost Areas of the Mackenzie Delta, NWT, Canada
Authors: Bellefleur G. , Riedel M. , Brent T.
Published: December 2012

The Mackenzie Delta in Canada's Northwest Territories hosts manypermafrost-related gas hydrate accumulations that were indirectly discovered orinferred from conventional hydrocarbon exploration programs. In particular, gashydrate intervals characterized with high saturation show high resistivity andhigh P- and S-wave velocity on well-log data, and are typically found insand-rich horizons. As demonstrated at the Mallik site, the velocity contrastbetween highly saturated gas hydrate-bearing sediments and unconsolidatedwater-bearing sediments is significant and allows their detection with seismicdata. Here, we use 2D and 3D seismic reflection data acquired by industry onRichards Island to map and characterize gas hydrate accumulations beneath athick permafrost area of the Mackenzie Delta. Specifically, we show new seismicevidences of gas hydrate accumulations near YaYa, Ivik and Umiak. The presenceof gas hydrate was previously inferred from well-log data in several boreholeslocated in those areas. All seismic data were re-processed following anAVO-friendly flow that preserved relative amplitude relationships. On suchdata, the strong acoustic impedance of gas hydrate produces strong amplitudeseismic reflections. The seismic signature of gas hydrates is confirmed byseismic-to-well correlation in areas where boreholes are available. Resultsindicate that gas hydrate accumulations occur in structurally-controlled playstypical of conventional oil and gas traps found in this area, and furtherdemonstrate that gas hydrates are part of the regional petroleum system.

Introduction

Gas hydrates located offshore and onshore beneath thick permafrost areasconstitute one of the largest untapped natural gas resources. Most known gashydrate occurrences in the Mackenzie Delta and submarine permafrost areas ofthe Beaufort Sea were discovered or inferred indirectly in wells drilled forconventional hydrocarbon exploration. Well-log data intersecting gas hydratesshow the typical high resistivity and high P-wave velocity signature associatedwith relatively porous hydrate-bearing sandstone. Progress made in the lastdecade has shown that gas hydrates can also be mapped using seismic reflectiondata. The acoustic impedance contrast between non-hydrate and hydrate-bearingsediments usually produces strong amplitude reflections on seismic data. Such asignature was previously observed onshore at Mallik, Northwestern Territories(Collett et al., 1999), and on the North Slope of Alaska (Collett et al.,2011). In addition to mapping, gas hydrate saturations were also estimated fromseismic data where well-logging data are available for calibration (Riedel etal., 2009).
Historical Analysis of Ice Conditions for Risk Assessment
Authors: Bobby Pradeep , Bruce Jim , Power Desmond , Fournier Nicolas
Published: December 2012

The analysis of historical satellite data, both radar and optical, areuseful for understanding the nature of ice conditions in Arctic regions andunderstanding the risk they pose for exploration and development. Archivesatellite data are available at no cost and can be analyzed to assess theseverity and variability of iceberg concentrations and their behavior. National ice centres have been providing charts of sea ice conditions, whichcan be analyzed to understand probabilities of encountering ice of variousconcentrations and the lengths of the open water season. The outputs ofthese analyses are useful for understanding the risk of operating in Arcticregions and for developing an ice management plan.

Introduction

Satellite radar and optical imagery are essential tools for understandingsea ice and iceberg conditions in frontier Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery can be collected day or night, are relatively independent of environmental conditions, can be collectedthrough fog and cloud cover and provide information over remote areas at noadditional cost. There is a substantial archive of low resolution imageryavailable and there is a growing number of sensors available for newacquisitions. Optical imagery, when available, are excellent forproviding detailed information on ice features such as sea ice ridges andiceberg sizes. Low resolution optical data are collected continuously, medium resolution data is available close to shore and high resolution imagescan be acquired from a large number of sensors.

Historic satellite data are used to develop an understanding of the severityand variability of ice conditions in an area. This information serves asan input for the design of structures and selection of vessels that can beutilized in an area as well for development of an ice management plan anddefining the operational window.

New image acquisitions are an important part of the detection component ofan operational ice management plan. Surveillance in certain marginal icezones, such as the Grand Banks, do not rely on satellite imagery since they areclose to shore and reconnaissance can be carried out almost exclusively usingplatform radar and vessel and aerial surveillance. However, the costs ofthis approach grow in remote areas and satellite SAR data have been used inaddition to platform radar to support operations in new Arctic explorationregions.
Generation, Evolution and Applicable Lessons Learned from Alaska's Historic November 2011 Storm over the Bering and Chukchi Seas
Authors: Barnett McLean , Artzer Andrew , Schmude Fred , Diaz Dante , Basciani Joe , Harvey George
Published: December 2012

I. Introduction

One of the most powerful extratropical cyclones in the past several decadesswept across the Bering Sea on 8-9 November 2011 bringing widespreadstorm-force winds, high combined seas and coastal flooding over a large part ofwestern Alaska. An unusual aspect of this system was that it occurred veryearly in the season when most of the Bering Sea was ice-free, thus large wavesoffshore and coastal flooding impacted the region. The November 2011 storm'slocation in the Bering Sea, and intensity at that location, made this system anatypical event.

We seek to provide a historical perspective of this early season stormcompared to two other potent early season extratropical cyclones that haveoccurred in approximately the same geographic area. These other storms were theNovember 1974 storm and the October 2004 storm. We will explore the large scalemeteorological conditions present with each storm and look to draw acorrelation between climatologic predictors of storms of this caliber. Lastly, a more detailed analysis of the impacts of the November 2011 storm will begiven.

II. Historical Perspective

The 1974, 2004, and 2011 storms were very similar in their tracks, intensity, and impacts along the coasts of the eastern Bering and Chukchi Seas. Figures 1a-1c show the northward tracks of these storms across the Bering Seawhere they recorded minimum central pressures of 945 mb, 941 mb, and 943 mb forthe 1974, 2004, and 2011 storms, respectively. At their peak, these systemsreached hurricane force, with winds 64 kts or greater. The combination ofstrong onshore flow and large waves generated by each of these systemsinundated coastal communities in the eastern Bering and Chukchi Seas resultingin much damage. Sustained winds reached storm force (44–63 kts) with hurricaneforce gusts in adjacent Alaskan communities. These areas lay to the east of thestorm center, which is somewhat fortunate in that mature extratropical cyclonestend to generate their strongest winds to the south and southwest of the center(Sienkiewicz, et al 2009). Considering the impacts of these systems, predictingtheir occurrence is crucial to protect people and assets in the Bering andChukchi Sea areas. Table 1 shows some meteorological observations from thethree events.
Best Practice in Arctic Development Concept Selection - How to Avoid the Traps
Authors: Mole Chris , Paulin Mike , Sturge Amy
Published: December 2012

The process of selecting a field development concept following a discoveryinvolves a complex iterative interaction between its key elements ofsubsurface, drilling and completions, surface facilities, and commercial andregulatory considerations. The objective being to understand how differentrisks and uncertainties impact each scenario, leading to the final selection ofthe tsingle concept that best balances the key elements and extracts maximumvalue for all stakeholders.

A recommended procedure for Arctic concept selection has been developed, using a building-block approach matched with a practical and systematic methodfor understanding the key drivers and uncertainties in a project. In order tocomplete this type of anyalysis, experienced professionals are equipped with atoolkit and set of processes that allow a disciplined approach to only doingwork that is focused on each decision that has to be made. This then leads tothe development of a decision based plan to extract the maximum value from anyopportunity.

Also discussed are some of the common traps that can befall a conceptselection study such as: solving the wrong problem due to an inadequate projectframe; utilizing incorrect, invalid or out of date data; having inadequatesystems and tools in place to maintain focus and alignment; an inability toarticulate key insights; a lack of team integration; and finally the dangers ofan activity based workscope instead of a decision based one.

Introduction

Recent studies have estimated that 25% of the world's petroleum reserves arelocated in Arctic waters. Current energy demand has promoted renewed interestin the exploration and field development of offshore hydrocarbon basins inArctic and ice covered waters of the northern hemisphere. With the oilindustry's continued quest for oil and gas in frontier offshore locations, several developments have taken place in regions characterized by seasonal icecover and the presence of icebergs including the US Beaufort, North Caspian, Sakhalin Island, and the east coast of Canada. These new frontier developmentshave a higher cost per barrel than traditional developments. With thisknowledge, it becomes even more important to make good robust decisions whenanalyzing projects to invest in and maximize the value of capital employed. Additionally frontier basins have a lack of benchmark data to give confidencein development costs and schedules - the old " norms" simply don't apply inthese cases.
Salivary gland enlargement and sialorrhoea in dogs with spirocercosis: A retrospective and prospective study of 298 cases
Authors: Van der Merwe Liesel L. , Christie Jevan , Clift Sarah J. , Dvir Eran
Published: December 2012

This longitudinal cross-sectional clinical study investigated the incidence of sialorrhoea in dogs with spirocercosis and determined whether breed, body weight and the extent of the oesophageal involvement was associated with this presentation. A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of 233 dogs and information pertaining to 65 dogs was collected as part of a prospective study. All the animals were client-owned. Patients from the retrospective study underwent thoracic radiography or oesophageal endoscopy to diagnose and characterise the infection and were placed on therapy with a macrocyclic lactone, whereas the patients in the prospective study had both radiography and endoscopy routinely performed and biopsies of the oesophageal nodules collected where possible. Tru-cut biopsies of affected salivary glands were taken in 10 of 13 patients demonstrating clinical signs of sialorrhoea and salivary gland enlargement. The entire salivary gland was sectioned in an additional three dogs with spirocercosis and no sialorrhoea that were presented for post mortem examination. Sialorrhoea was present in 33/298 cases (11%). Fox terrier breeds were over-represented in the patients with sialorrhoea, comprising 36% of cases, whereas they only comprised 1.5% of the patients without sialorrhoea (p 0.001, chi squared test) and 5% of the combined group. Dogs weighing 12 kg or less were significantly over-represented in the sialorrhoea group, 69% versus 19.5% (p 0.001, chi square test). Age was not significantly different between the two groups (p 0.08, Mann-Whitney test). The number of oesophageal nodules per case was significantly higher in the non-sialorrhoea cases (p = 0.048, Mann-Whitney test). The prevalence of distal oesophageal and lower oesophageal sphincter involvement, and neoplastic transformation of the nodules were not statistically different between the two groups. None of the fox terriers in either group showed neoplastic transformation of the parasitic nodules even though they were over-represented as a breed. Mandibular salivary glands were affected in 86% of cases showing sialorrhoea. Histopathology revealed acinar hyperplasia in all cases with concurrent necrosis detected in only two cases.Sialorrhoea and salivary gland enlargement has an incidence of 11% (33/298 cases) in canine spirocercosis. Small breeds (≤ 12 kg) and particularly fox terrier breeds are over-represented in the group demonstrating sialorrhoea and this appeared to be the only risk factor.The conclusion was that sialorrhoea secondary to canine spirocercosis occurs frequently and its presence should prompt further investigation for oesophageal and gastro-intestinal disease. Severely affected patients can be managed with phenobarbitone to control the dysphagia in addition to the routine macrocyclic lactones treatment.
Single Umbilical Artery and Pregnancy Outcome: Cause for Concern
Authors: LNU Pushpalatha , Vasanthalakshmi Gonnabaktula Naga , Mehta Priyanka , Devi S Asha
Published: December 2012

Objective

To study the pregnancy outcome of antenatal women diagnosed with single umbilical artery (SUA) in singleton pregnancy in tertiary medical center and its association with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), renal and cardiac anomalies.

Materials and methods

We performed a prospective study of 6,711 singleton pregnancies at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, between July 2009 and June 2011 and the pregnancies diagnosed with SUA were followed. The primary outcomes were renal anomalies, cardiac anomalies and IUGR.

Results

Of the 6,711 pregnancies there were 59 (0.88%) cases of SUA diagnosed at anatomic survey. Thirty seven pregnancies had isolated SUA (62.7%) and 22 singleton pregnancies had associated malformations (37.2%).

Conclusion

Our data suggests that the prevalence of SUA and associated anomalies seems to be similar to that reported in other countries. Evaluating cord vessels is important and fetuses with isolated SUA need more detailed assessment and monitoring1 including Doppler study in the presence of IUGR. SUA with multiple anomalies need further evalution with fetal echocardiogram and invasive tests like amniocentesis for karyotyping.

How to cite this article

Vasanthalakshmi GN, Pushpalatha, Mehta P, Devi SA. Single Umbilical Artery and Pregnancy Outcome: Cause for Concern. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2012;4(2):103-105.
A Clinical Study on Eclampsia in a Referral Hospital
Authors: Kaur Parneet
Published: December 2012

Objective

To analyze the cases of eclampsia in a referral hospital, like GGS Medical College, Faridkot, with special focus on booked/unbooked/referred, age, parity and antenatal care. Also fetomaternal outcome was seen in all the cases.

Materials and methods

All the cases of eclampsia referred from nearby rural areas, civil hospitals and CHCs sent here for specialist care were studied in this 2 years study from July 2003 to June 2005.

Results and conclusions

A total of 50 cases of eclampsia were admitted. The incidence came out to be 7.4%. Ninetyeight percent of cases were unbooked. Majority of the cases belonged to 21 to 30 years age group. Fifty-six percent of the cases were primigravida. Eighty-eight percent had no antenatal check-up at all. Thirty percent of babies were still born and 12% had early neonatal death. There were three maternal deaths. Antepartum eclampsia was most common seen in 68% of cases. We concluded that there is lack of antenatal care in rural areas and urban slums and this needs to be addressed to prevent this serious complication of pregnancy. Moreover, personnel at district hospitals and CHCs should be capable of administering magnesium sulfate, the anticonvulsant as none of the patient threw a fit after loading dose of magnesium sulfate.

How to cite this article

Kaur P. A Clinical Study on Eclampsia in a Referral Hospital. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2012;4(2):113-115.
A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF THE SMALL FARMERS OUTREACH TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (2501) PROGRAM FROM 1994-2001: IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN FARMERS
Authors: Hargrove Tasha M. , Jones B. Lynn
Published: December 2012

The United States Department of Agriculture incorporated the Small Farmers Outreach Training and Technical Assistance (2501) Program into the 1990 Farm Bill. It was envisioned that the 2501 Program would assist historically black land-grant institutions in addressing the myriad of needs and issues facing African American farmers through the provision of farmer-specific, individualized, technical and outreach assistance. This research article examines the experiences of 6 of the 27 small farm projects participating in the 2501 Program from 1994- 2001. In particular, this study provides a qualitative case study analysis of the 2501 Program and the procedures used in the implementation and delivery of agricultural extension education to African American farmers. This research article addresses the following questions: (1) what did the 2501 projects do, (2) how well did they do it, and (3) how did the farmers experience the 2501 program.
A PHILOSOPHICAL EXAMINATION OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THEORY FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATORS
Authors: Roberts T. Grady
Published: December 2012

Experiential learning is prevalent in secondary and university agricultural education programs. An examination of the agricultural education literature showed many inquiries into experiential learning practice but little insight into experiential learning theory. This philosophical manuscript sought to synthesize and summarize what is known about experiential learning theory. The literature characterizes experiential learning as a process or by the context in which it occurs. Results of this study indicated that the process is cyclical in nature and requires an initial focus of the learner, followed by interaction with the phenomenon being studied, reflecting on the experience, developing generalizations, and then testing those generalizations. The context in which experiential learning occurs is defined by four dimensions: the level, the duration, the intended outcome, and the setting. Based on these results, models depicting the process and context were developed by the author.
Rate coefficients for the reaction of O(1D) with the atmospherically long-lived greenhouse gases NF3, SF5CF3, CHF3, C2F6, c-C4F8, n-C5F12, and n-C6F14
Authors: Baasandorj M. , Hall B. D. , Burkholder J. B.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The contribution of atmospherically persistent (long-lived) greenhouse gases to the radiative forcing of Earth has increased over the past several decades. The impact of highly fluorinated, saturated compounds, in particular perfluorinated compounds, on climate change is a concern because of their long atmospheric lifetimes, which are primarily determined by stratospheric loss processes, as well as their strong absorption in the infrared "window" region. A potentially key stratospheric loss process for these compounds is their gas-phase reaction with electronically excited oxygen atoms, O(1D). Therefore, accurate reaction rate coefficient data is desired for input to climate change models. In this work, rate coefficients, k, were measured for the reaction of O(1D) with several key long-lived greenhouse gases, namely NF3, SF5CF3, CHF3 (HFC-23), C2F6, c-C4F8, n-C5F12, and n-C6F14. Room temperature rate coefficients for the total reaction, kTot, corresponding to loss of O(1D), and reactive channel, kR, corresponding to the loss of the reactant compound, were measured for NF3 and SF5CF3 using competitive reaction and relative rate methods, respectively. kR was measured for the CHF3 reaction and improved upper-limits were determined for the perfluorinated compounds included in this study. For NF3, kTot was determined to be (2.55 ± 0.38) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and kR, which was measured using CF3Cl, N2O, CF2ClCF2Cl (CFC-114), and CF3CFCl2 (CFC-114a) as reference compounds, was determined to be (2.21 ± 0.33) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. For SF5CF3, kTot = (3.24 ± 0.50) × 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and kR < 5.8 × 10×14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 were measured, where kR is a factor of three lower than the current recommendation of kTot for use in atmospheric modeling. For CHF3 kR was determined to be (2.35 ± 0.35) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, which corresponds to a reactive channel yield of 0.26 ± 0.04, and resolves a large discrepancy among previously reported values. The quoted uncertainties are 2σ and include estimated systematic errors. Upper-limits for kR for the C2F6, c-C4F8, n-C5F12, and n-C6F14 reactions were determined to be 3.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 16 (in units of 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1), respectively. The results from this work are compared with results from previous studies. As part of this work, infrared absorption band strengths for NF3 and SF5CF3 were measured and found to be in good agreement with recently reported values.
Measurements of natural deposition ice nuclei in Córdoba, Argentina
Authors: López M. L. , Ávila E. E.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Ice nucleation in the atmosphere is of practical and fundamental importance since ice crystals influence the release of snow, rain and hail. Suspended aerosols in the atmosphere can initiate freezing at temperatures below −15 °C. In this work we describe an experimental device designed to measure the concentration of natural ice nuclei under controlled temperature and supersaturation conditions. The measurements were performed at Córdoba City, for temperatures between −15 °C and −30 °C and the sampled air was supersaturated with respect to ice and subsaturated with respect to liquid water; under these conditions the deposition ice nuclei were quantified. There are few studies reported in the literature regarding measurements of deposition ice nuclei concentration and, to our knowledge, there are no previous laboratory data of this kind of ice nuclei for T < −20 °C. The results show that the number of deposition ice nuclei increases at colder temperatures and higher supersaturations. These results are in general in good agreement with results previously reported by other authors. A fitting function which depends on temperature and supersaturation is proposed to parameterize the results obtained in the present work.
Classifying organic materials by oxygen-to-carbon elemental ratio to predict the activation regime of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)
Authors: Kuwata M. , Shao W. , Lebouteiller R. , Martin S. T.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The governing highly soluble, slightly soluble, or insoluble activation regime of organic compounds as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) was examined as a function of oxygen-to-carbon elemental ratio (O : C). New data were collected for adipic, pimelic, suberic, azelaic and pinonic acids. Secondary organic materials (SOMs) produced by α-pinene ozonolysis and isoprene photo-oxidation were also included in the analysis. The saturation concentrations C of the organic compounds in aqueous solutions served as the key parameter for delineating regimes of CCN activation, and the values of C were tightly correlated to the O : C ratios. The highly soluble, slightly soluble, and insoluble regimes of CCN activation were found to correspond to ranges of [O : C] > 0.6, 0.2 < [O : C] < 0.6, and [O : C] < 0.2, respectively. These classifications were evaluated against CCN activation data of isoprene-derived SOM (O : C = 0.69–0.72) and α-pinene-derived SOM (O : C = 0.38–0.48). Isoprene-derived SOM had highly soluble activation behavior, consistent with its high O : C ratio. For α-pinene-derived SOM, although CCN activation can be modeled as a highly soluble mechanism, this behavior was not predicted by the O : C ratio, for which a slightly soluble mechanism was anticipated. Complexity in chemical composition, resulting in continuous water uptake and the absence of a deliquescence transition that can thermodynamically limit CCN activation, might explain the differences of α-pinene-derived SOM compared to the behavior of pure organic compounds. The present results suggest that atmospheric particles dominated by hydrocarbon-like organic components do not activate (i.e. insoluble regime) whereas those dominated by oxygenated organic components activate (i.e. highly soluble regime).
Effect of spectrally varying albedo of vegetation surfaces on shortwave radiation fluxes and aerosol direct radiative forcing
Authors: Zhu L. , Martins J. V. , Yu H.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. This study develops an algorithm for representing detailed spectral features of vegetation albedo based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) observations at 7 discrete channels, referred to as the MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Albedo (MEVA) algorithm. The MEVA algorithm empirically fills spectral gaps around the vegetation red edge near 0.7 μm and vegetation water absorption features at 1.48 and 1.92 μm which cannot be adequately captured by the MODIS 7 channels. We then assess the effects of applying MEVA in comparison to four other traditional approaches to calculate solar fluxes and aerosol direct radiative forcing (DRF) at the top of atmosphere (TOA) based on the MODIS discrete reflectance bands. By comparing the DRF results obtained through the MEVA method with the results obtained through the other four traditional approaches, we show that filling the spectral gap of the MODIS measurements around 0.7 μm based on the general spectral behavior of healthy green vegetation leads to significant improvement in the instantaneous aerosol DRF at TOA (up to 3.02 W m−2 difference or 48% fraction of the aerosol DRF, −6.28 W m−2, calculated for high spectral resolution surface reflectance from 0.3 to 2.5 μm for deciduous vegetation surface). The corrections of the spectral gaps in the vegetation spectrum in the near infrared, again missed by the MODIS reflectances, also contributes to improving TOA DRF calculations but to a much lower extent (less than 0.27 W m−2, or about 4% of the instantaneous DRF). Compared to traditional approaches, MEVA also improves the accuracy of the outgoing solar flux between 0.3 to 2.5 μm at TOA by over 60 W m−2 (for aspen 3 surface) and aerosol DRF by over 10 W m−2 (for dry grass). Specifically, for Amazon vegetation types, MEVA can improve the accuracy of daily averaged aerosol radiative forcing in the spectral range of 0.3 to 2.5 μm at equator at the equinox by 3.7 W m−2. These improvements indicate that MEVA can contribute to regional climate studies over vegetated areas and can help to improve remote sensing-based studies of climate processes and climate change.
Monitoring methane emission of mud volcanoes by seismic tremor measurements: a pilot study
Authors: Albarello D. , Palo M. , Martinelli G.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A new approach for estimating methane emission at mud volcanoes is here proposed based on measurements of the seismic tremor on their surface. Data obtained at the Dashgil mud volcano in Azerbaijan reveal the presence of energy bursts characterized by well-determined features (i.e. waveforms, spectra and polarization properties) that can be associated with bubbling at depth. Counting such events provides a possible tool for monitoring gas production in the reservoir, thus minimizing logistic troubles and representing a cheap and effective alternative to more complex approaches. Specifically, we model the energy bursts as the effect of resonant gas bubbles at depth. This modelling allows to estimate the dimension of the bubbles and, consequently, the gas outflow from the main conduit in the assumption that all emissions from depth occur by bubble uprising. The application of this model to seismic events detected at the Dashgil mud volcano during three sessions of measurements carried out in 2006 and 2007 provides gas flux estimates that are in line with those provided by independent measurements at the same structure. This encouraging result suggests that the one here proposed could be considered a new promising, cheap and easy to apply tool for gas flux measurements in bubbling gas seepage areas.
High Incidence of Pseudotumours after Hip Resurfacing Even in Low Risk Patients; Results from an Intensified MRI Screening Protocol
Authors: van der Weegen Walter , Smolders Jose M.H. , Sijbesma Thea , Hoekstra Henk J. , Brakel Koen , van Susante Job L.C.
Published: December 2012

We intensified our screening protocol for the presence of pseudotumours in a consecutive series of patients with a hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), to establish whether we should be alert to the presence of ‘silent’ pseudotumours. Patients categorised with high risk (11 hips) and low risk (10 hips) for pseudotumour development and a control group (23 hips) were screened with metal artefact reduction sequence (MARS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Anderson classification to grade any metal-on-metal (MoM) disease present on MARS-MRI images was used. In 15 out of 44 MRI scans pseudotumours were observed (34.1%), of which six were graded with mild (13.6%), eight with moderate (18.2%) and one with severe MoM disease (2.3%). Twelve pseudotumours were present in asymptomatic patients (27.3%). Metal ion levels were normal in 80% of the MARS-MRI screened patients. As a consequence of our intensified screening protocol, one patient was revised for pseudotumour formation and another patient was scheduled for revision. Silent pseudotumours were observed in all three groups. Before our intensified screening protocol was initiated, no pseudotumours were encountered in our cohort of 289 HRAs. We concluded that clinical outcomes and plain radiographs for screening MoM patients underestimates the presence of pseudotumours in MoM patients. The true clinical relevance of these pseudotumours is still unclear.
Predictive Modelling of Wellhead Corrosion due to Operating Conditions: A Field Data Approach
Authors: Ossai Chinedu I.
Published: December 2012

The flow of crude oil, water, and gas from the reservoirs through the wellheads results in its deterioration. This deterioration which is due to the impact of turbulence, corrosion, and erosion significantly reduces the integrity of the wellheads. Effectively managing the wellheads, therefore, requires the knowledge of the extent to which these factors contribute to its degradation. In this paper, the contribution of some operating parameters (temperature, CO2 partial pressure, flow rate, and pH) on the corrosion rate of oil and gas wellheads was studied. Field data from onshore oil and gas fields were analysed with multiple linear regression model to determine the dependency of the corrosion rate on the operating parameters. ANOVA, value test, and multiple regression coefficients were used in the statistical analysis of the results, while in previous experimental results, de Waard-Milliams models and de Waard-Lotz model were used to validate the modelled wellhead corrosion rates. The study shows that the operating parameters contribute to about 26% of the wellhead corrosion rate. The predicted corrosion models also showed a good agreement with the field data and the de Waard-Lotz models but mixed results with the experimental results and the de Waard-Milliams models.