bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Impact of Reservoir CO2 on ASP Flood Performance in Aishwariya Field
Authors: Mishra Sudhakar , Pandey Amitabh
Published: March 2018

A procedure to model the impact of reservoir CO2 on chemical EOR (polymer/ASP) flood performance has been developed. The work which was initially developed for polymer flood modelling has been further extended and a simple approach has been presented to model the impact of reservoir CO2 on ASP flood performance.

Fatehgarh reservoirs in Aishwariya field, located in Barmer Basin of Rajasthan India, have very high CO2 content in reservoir fluid. The oil is moderately viscous and aqueous based chemical EOR techniques like polymer/ ASP flooding are being considered for production enhancement. The presence of high CO2 may impact aqueous based flooding processes planned in Aishwariya field. Three unconventional mechanisms occur in the reservoir: i). With injection of water, CO2 is stripped out of oil over time, this leads to increase in oil viscosity. ii). Since CO2 decreases pH of the system, polymer in-situ viscosity is decreased. iii). CO2 reacts with sodium carbonate (alkali) in aqueous medium leading to reduction in pH which may have an impact on ASP performance.

An advanced processes simulator was used initially to model the impact of CO2 on polymer flood performance. For simplicity, solution gas was assumed to be entirely composed of CO2. Waterflood followed by polymer injection was simulated in the model. CO2 was defined as an aqueous component instead of conventional oleic component allowing for modelling polymer viscosity dependence on CO2 concentration.

In order to model the impact of CO2 on ASP performance, reaction of CO2 with alkali was included in the model. The ASP simulation run could now capture all three unconventional mechanisms occurring in the reservoir due to presence of CO2: increase in oil viscosity, reduction in polymer viscosity and consumption of alkali due to reaction with CO2. Different simulation runs were then carried out both with and without the reaction of CO2 with alkali and the results were compared. Impact of grid refinement on the flood performance was also studied.

The developed approach could mechanistically capture the impact of CO2 on ASP performance in Aishwariya field. It was also observed that grid refinement has a major impact on the results; fine grid simulation is required to properly evaluate the impact of CO2 on ASP performance as it can appropriately capture impact of dilution and reaction based on CO2 concentration (moles) available.

The paper presents a step by step approach of modelling the impact of in-situ CO2 on ASP flood performance. The suggested approach helped in evaluating the impact of CO2 on polymer/ASP flood performance and adjusting the injection slug design appropriately.
Optimization of Steam Injection Processes in Reservoirs with Subsidence and Uplift
Authors: Temizel Cenk , Putra Dike , Najy Anas Khaled , Piñerez Iván , Puntervold Tina , Strand Skule
Published: March 2018

Bang-Bang theory provides on-off control of injection and production in hydrocarbon reservoirs and improves recovery by means of simply switching the wells or valves on and off at optimum cycles. In this study, we extend the concept to steamflloding along with including the geomechanics factor in softer formations where subsidence/uplift are observed along with injection or withdrawal of fluids.

In this study, to model the above-mentioned phenomenon and apply it to different types of reservoirs with varying geomechanical properties, a full physics commercial simulator has been used. The simulator has been coupled to an optimizer and uncertainty analysis tool to exhibit the significance and applicability of Bang-Bang Control. For a clear depiction of the simulation results for the reservoir model, a broad theoretical background of the approach is provided.

For robust reservoir managmentment to be taken, considering economically tight constraints, it is imperative to illustrate the cause-effect relationship or significance of every decision and control variable used for obtaining the results. For this purpose, results from the optimizer and uncertainty analysis tool proves valuable as it helps to accurately identify the injection-production strategies as well as optimum injection rates that increase the recovery rates. To further improve reservoir management strategies using Bang-Bang Control, it is understood that geomechanical behavior and reservoir response to different strategies must be clearly identified.

The use of optimal control theory (and Bang-Bang control) for steamflooding are not recent in the industry, but studies that include geomechanical effects during Steamflooding have not been widely undertake. Therefore, the authors aim to highlight the performance and potential of the application of this method for steamflooding in reservoirs that undergo subsidence and uplift at multiple levels.
Effect of Lithology on Pore-Scale Residual Oil Displacement in Chemical Flooding Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Experiments
Authors: Liu Zheyu , Cheng Hongjie , Xu Changfu , Chen Yukun , Chen Yihang , Li Yiqiang
Published: March 2018

Chemical flooding, as one of the most promising EOR techniques in both laboratory research and field practice has been widely applied to enhance residual oil displacement in conglomerate and sandstone reservoirs. To fully understand the displacement mechanism of chemical flooding in reservoirs with different lithologies, it is critical to understand the way residual oil is displaced from the pore-scale perspective.

In this study, three cores with similar permeability but different lithologies (sandstone, sandyconglomerate and poorly-sorted conglomerate) were selected for unclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Deuteroxide was used to replace water as aqueous phase to distinguish signals of water phase and oil phase. The lower size limit of workable pores was determined based on the relationship between mercury injection curves and NMR T2 spectrums. The distribution and migration patterns of residual oil in different flooding processes were evaluated by quantitatively analyzing the change of the relaxation time. The amounts of oil displaced from pores of different sizes after water flooding, polymer flooding, and surfactant/polymer (SP) flooding were calculated, respectively.

The ultimate oil recovery by chemical flooding in cores with different lithologies decreased in the order of sandstone, sandy conglomerate, and poorly-sorted conglomerate cores. Specifically, SP flooding achieved much higher oil recovery than polymer flooding, especially in the conglomerate core. It has been demonstrated that polymer solution could effectively mobilize residual oil in medium pores (1-10μm) in the sandstone core. Meanwhile, the incremental oil recovery during SP flooding was mostly attributed to the small and medium pores (0.25-1.6μm). But for the conglomerate core, polymer flooding was only to some extent effective in the pores with diameters ranging from 4.3μm to 25μm. Moreover, it was found that the lower size limit of workable pores by SP flooding decreased with the increase of heterogeneity. Generally, oil trapped in pores smaller than 4μm was hard to be mobilized.
First Successful Temperature and Pressure Profile Test for Horizontal Section of Thermal Wells in Offshore Heavy Oilfield China
Authors: Liu Hao , Liu Yigang , Han Xiaodong , Wang Qiuxia , Zou Jian , Zhang Hua , Wang Hongyu , Guo Erpeng
Published: March 2018

Steam huff-and-puff pilot has been conducted for 2 horizontal wells in Bohai Oilfield since 2011 with total enhanced production of 14.5×104bbl in comparation with cold production. However, owing to limitations of the platform space and wellbore configuration characteristics, real temperature and pressure parameters for horizontal section of thermal wells haven’t been acquired until the first coiled tubing test be successfully applied in C1h before and after steam injection in its second huff-and-puff cycle.

The primary objective of our work in this paper is to accurately grasp the degree of steam utilization along horizontal section through coiled tubing test. The test consists of four main units, that is, temperature test unit, pressure test unit, water cut unit and data recording and storage unit. Minimized facilities and specific dual sealing structure based on integrated system are designed and optimized with temperature and pressure resistance of 300°C and 21MPa in consideration of the platform space, HTHP working environment and test cost. The test procedure is elaborated in this paper.

One of the test is conducted before steam injection for the purpose of basic thermal field construction, and the other is in the soak stage after steam injection for the analysis of steam absorption profile along horizontal section. Pigging operation is necessarily conducted before the test. The first test results show that both the temperature and pressure distribute uniformly, with the highest temperature of 60°C and highest pressure of 9.69MPa, which could match well with well configuration. The second test results show that temperature rises up along horizontal section from 2000m to 2400m with the highest value of 238.6°C at 2400m as well as the pressure value ranging from 17.23 to 17.37MPa. The steam useage along horizontal section of C1h is relatively balanced and uniform according to the test results, which could be consistent with the real formation permeability distribution with the purpose of providing vertification in numerical model.

This is the first time that coiled tubing test is successfully put into trial for HTHP steam injection wells in offshore heavy oilfield. Test results in this paper could provide a basis for the prediction of uniform steam injection, the estimation of gas channeling location and the implement of profile control process in the next huff-and-puff cycle.
Investigation and Observations on the Stability of Water-Oil Ratio WOR during Chemical Floods in Heavy Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Delamaide Eric
Published: March 2018

Long periods of up to several years of production at a Water-Oil Ratio (WOR) at or close to 1 have been observed in polymer floods in heavy oil reservoirs in Western Canada. A similar behavior had been noted by some authors in waterflood projects in heavy oil; however, this has never been documented in chemical floods before. Such long periods of WOR stability at low values, with very unfavorable Mobility Ratios, are not expected from theory. The aim of this paper is to review chemical floods in heavy oil reservoirs in Canada to better understand this phenomenon and try and identify the potential mechanisms by investigating reservoir and operational factors. If the phenomenon can be controlled through adequate operational practices, it would allow to operate chemical floods under very favorable WOR conditions for long periods.

The production data of hundreds of wells in 8 large scale polymer and ASP floods in heavy oil reservoirs in Western Canada has been reviewed to investigate the occurrence of periods of stable WOR close or equal to 1. A significant number of wells that display this kind of behaviour were identified and studied. The impact of Gas Oil Ratio, oil viscosity, injection rate and other factors was analysed to try and identify some potential factors causing the phenomenon.

Long periods of WOR stability at or around 1 have been confirmed in 3 of the 8 chemical floods reviewed; 2 cases are polymer floods and 1 is a mixed polymer/ASP flood. The behaviour has been observed during primary, secondary as well as tertiary polymer flood. There appears to be a link with the injection and liquid production rates i.e. WOR stability occurs in a given range of rates; but no other obvious factors have been identified so far.

The existence of long periods (up to several years) of WOR stability around 1 is documented for the first time in chemical floods in heavy oil reservoirs. This behavior is unexpected from theory and deserves further study; if it could be controlled through adequate operational practices, it would allow to operate chemical floods under very favorable WOR conditions for long periods.
Polymer Injection Pilots in Bhagyam Oil Field and Full Field Polymer Development Planning
Authors: Shankar Vivek , Jain Shakti , Mishra Alok , Seth Saurav , Rautela Chandra Mohan , Jha Bhawesh Chandra
Published: March 2018

The paper describes the experience of polymer injection pilots from both subsurface, surveillance and facilities perspective. It also discusses the optimization approach for revising the full field polymer plans.

Bhagyam is an onshore oil and gas field in Rajasthan, India. The main producing unit is Fatehgarh multi-storied fluvial sand stone of Paleocene age. The oil is moderately viscous (20 cP to 400 cP) with a vertical viscosity gradient. Reservoir quality is excellent with porosity in the range of 25-30% and permeability of 1 to 10 Darcy.

Bhagyam was developed as an edge water injection drive with 153 development wells and put on production in 2012. Polymer flood was recognized early in field life as a viable secondary recovery process. Bhagyam has several characteristics suited for polymer flood like high initial oil saturation, high rock permeability, low reservoir temperature, low connate water and low water salinity. A full field polymer development plan was envisaged in 2013 with a combination of pattern polymer flooding and peripheral polymer injection in water leg. But the field performance under water flood was way below expectations. Along with the fall in crude prices in 2014, the project turned economically unviable.

Two polymer injection pilots were done to de risk the polymer flood. A multi-disciplinary team worked to optimize the pilot and full field development plan and improve the modeling of water flood. The two pilots used skid mounted polymer preparation units installed at the well pad and focused on data gathering. An online viscometer and special sampler with chemical stabilizers were used for polymer viscosity measurements. PLT, IFOs and polymer quality parameters like filter ratio, viscosity etc were also regularly measured. A revamped reservoir model was built for the field which helped better characterize the water flood performance.

The tests were successful with the wells injecting at or better than expected rates. The offset response was good with WOR drop and oil rate increase in many nearby producers. The conformance of some injectors was successfully managed with selective completions installed.

To reduce costs, additional well drilling count was reduced by focusing on high net pay areas, reducing polymer consumption by cutting back on water leg polymer injection, and optimizing polymer viscosity. Pipeline requirements were reduced and polymer injection facilities modified from centralized to skid based. The optimization significantly reduced costs compared to the earlier plan. The economic viability of the project was established at lower oil prices and the modeling efforts along with pilots helped significantly reduce the uncertainty associated with the project.
Power Base Games That School Principles Use Scale: Its Development, Validity and Reliability
Authors: Gencer Muharrem , Tok Türkay Nuri , Ordu Aydan
Published: March 2018

While organizations have a power struggle with their
environment and with other organizations in the globalised world, employees who
are the most important resource of the organization also have power struggle among
themselves. To be successful in this power struggle, employees, especially managers,
use a number of political games in the organization. Developing the scale of power
base games that school principles use is the aim of this study to detemine how and
how much school principles use power base games in schools which are educational
organizations. The sample of this study consists of 213 teachers working in Yeşilova
and Karamanlı districts of Burdur city in 2015-2016 educational year. In the evaluation
of the scale by authorities, Lawshe technique was used and then, Exploratory Factor
Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used. After the analyses,
it was found that this scale is a reliable and valid measurement tool which consists
of 41 items and six dimensions as sponsorship, making alliance building, empire
building, budgeting, expertise and lording.
Now you see me: diversity, CEO education, and bank performance in the UK
Authors: Elsharkawy Mohamed , S. Paterson Audrey , Sherif Mohamed
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates the impact of board diversity and CEO educational background on bank performance. Based on a sample of 54 UK publicly listed banks over the period 2005–2015, we examine the relationship of both static and dynamic modelling frameworks, which controls for individual specific effects and potential sources of endogeneity. The study reports a positive but insignificant relationship between CEO education and bank performance, and a positive significant association between gender diversity and bank performance. It further denotes a negative and significant impact of nationality diversity on bank performance. Our findings provide empirical support for the significance of the association between board diversity and firm performance. Our study also provides support for theories concerned with how corporate governance differs in financial institutions.
Behavioral finance: the analysis of investor behavior based on belief and feeling and the investor rationality towards LQ 45 stocks
Authors: Indriani Etty , Tunggal Sari Cahyani
Published: March 2018

This research analyzes behavioral finance, especially the behavior of investors in Yogyakarta, Indonesia Region. The performance of investor behavior is examined based on the LQ 45 stocks return on Indonesia Stock Exchange and questionnaires that are spread out to five securities agents in Yogyakarta.The performance of LQ 45 stocks return is compared to the questionnaire analysis in the “Belief” part at the first and second stages. The first result shows that LQ 45 stocks are profitable. It can be seen from the average return of the stocks that it has positive value and is statistically identical with the LQ 45 index return. This result is in line with the investors’ opinion that LQ 45 stocks are profitable. The second result shows that most of LQ 45 stocks are profitable and give high return. But, this result is also contrary to the opinion of investors towards traditional finance paradigm that investors still believe “high risk – high return, low risk – low return”. Although most of LQ 45 stocks are considered as low risk stocks, many investors prefer to choose LQ 45 stocks. It means that the traditional finance paradigm has weakness. It is proven that investors sometimes act irrationally.The third and fourth stages of the study are aimed to analyze the relationship between feeling and belief towards frequency of transaction each day based on the questionnaire using regression analysis. The result shows that there is significant relationship between feeling and frequency of transaction each day.
Justifying exemptions through policy appraisal: ecological ambitions and water policy in France and the United Kingdom
Authors: Boeuf Blandine , Fritsch Oliver , Martin-Ortega Julia
Published: March 2018

The Water Framework Directive aims to achieve ‘good status’ for all water bodies in the European Union. However, exemption clauses enable member states to delay protective measures and to lower water quality objectives. The ambiguity of exemption clauses has led to a plurality of approaches across the continent. They differ as to their political objectives, i.e., the overall ambition displayed in implementing the Directive, and to their methodological choices, i.e., the analytical tools used to justify exemptions. This article argues that those political and methodological dimensions influence each other. Relying on a framework of analysis that integrates key recommendations from the literature, we explore the usage and justification of exemptions in two countries, the United Kingdom and France. Our analysis suggests that analytical methods were often decided so as to reflect the ecological ambitions of a country, and some methodological choices seem to have had unintended consequences for water quality objectives. We conclude that economic methods should be adapted so that they take into account, rather than ignore, the political ambitions of a country in the field of water.
Genetic algorithm hyper-parameter optimization using Taguchi design for groundwater pollution source identification
Authors: Xia Xuemin , Jiang Simin , Zhou Nianqing , Li Xianwen , Wang Lichun
Published: March 2018

Groundwater pollution has been a major concern for human beings, since it is inherently related to people's health and fitness and the ecological environment. To improve the identification of groundwater pollution, many optimization approaches have been developed. Among them, the genetic algorithm (GA) is widely used with its performance depending on the hyper-parameters. In this study, a simulation–optimization approach, i.e., a transport simulation model with a genetic optimization algorithm, was utilized to determine the pollutant source fluxes. We proposed a robust method for tuning the hyper-parameters based on Taguchi experimental design to optimize the performance of the GA. The effectiveness of the method was tested on an irregular geometry and heterogeneous porous media considering steady-state flow and transient transport conditions. Compared with traditional GA with default hyper-parameters, our proposed hyper-parameter tuning method is able to provide appropriate parameters for running the GA, and can more efficiently identify groundwater pollution.
Structural Design and Physicochemical Foundations of Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Li Qingyong , Ning Zhengxiang , Ren Jiaoyan , Liao Wenzhen
Published: March 2018

Biomedical research, known as medical research, is conducive to support and
promote the development of knowledge in the field of medicine. Hydrogels have been extensively
used in many biomedical fields due to their highly absorbent and flexible properties.
The smart hydrogels, especially, can respond to a broad range of external stimuli
such as temperature, pH value, light, electric and magnetic fields. With excellent biocompatibility,
tunable rheology, mechanical properties, porosity, and hydrated molecular
structure, hydrogels are considered as promising candidate for simulating local tissue microenvironment.
In this review article, we mainly focused on the most recent development
of engineering synthetic hydrogels; moreover, the classification, properties, especially the
biomedical applications including tissue engineering and cell scaffolding, drug and gene
delivery, immunotherapies and vaccines, are summarized and discussed.
Spirolactones: Recent Advances in Natural Products, Bioactive Compounds and Synthetic Strategies
Authors: Quintavalla Arianna
Published: March 2018

Background:

The spirocyclic compounds have always aroused a great interest
because this motif is present as structural core in a number of natural products and bioactive
compounds. In particular, the spirolactone moiety has been recognized in a wide array
of natural and non-natural scaffolds showing a variety of useful pharmacological
properties.

Methods:

Extensive literature search using SciFinder (Databases: CA Plus, CAS Registry,
CAS React, Chemlist, Chemcat and Medline) and Web of Science (Database: Web of
Science Core Collection) was conducted.

Results:

Nowadays, many efforts are being devoted to the discovery of new natural products
containing the promising spirolactone framework and to the disclosure of the potential
bioactivities of these chemical entities. Moreover, the medicinal relevance of many
spirolactones makes these scaffolds attractive targets for the design and development of
innovative and efficient synthetic strategies, enabling the construction of complex and
variably substituted products.

Conclusion:

This review gives an overview on the recent advances in the spirolactones
field, in terms of new compounds isolated from natural sources, recently determined bioactivity
profiles and innovative synthetic approaches. The collected data demonstrate the
key role played by spirolactones in medicinal chemistry and the great attention still devoted
by the scientific community to these compounds.
Natural Snake Venom Inhibitors and their Pharmaceutical Uses: Challenges and Possibilities
Authors: Saavedra Soledad Lorena , Avila Lucia , Giudicessi Silvana Laura , Albericio Fernando , Camperi Silvia Andrea , Cascone Osvaldo , Martinez-Ceron Maria Camila
Published: March 2018

Nowadays, treatment with specific antivenins is considered the only cure for snakebites accidents.
However, access to antivenom obstructs the successful implementation of the World Health Organization international
guidelines. In the last few years, natural organic compounds, peptides, and proteins with the ability to
inhibit snake toxins and obtained from different sources such as plant extracts and animal blood have been proposed
as antivenoms. In this work, we will focus on the inhibitors of the main venom toxins, phospholipases A2
and metalloproteinases, and their application as novel antivenoms.
TA-65, A Telomerase Activator improves Cardiovascular Markers in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Fernandez Maria Luz , Thomas Minu Sara , Lemos Bruno S. , DiMarco Diana M. , Missimer Amanda , Melough Melissa , Chun Ock K. , Murillo Ana Gabriela , Alyousef Hana M. , Medina-Vera Isabel
Published: March 2018

Background:

Telomerase Activator 65 (TA-65), a compound extracted from Astragalus
membranaceus has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for extending lifespan. Scarce information exists on
the effects of TA-65 on parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods:

We recruited 40 patients with MetS to determine the effects of TA-65 on dyslipidemias, hypertension,
and oxidative stress in this at-risk population. The study was a double-blind, randomized crossover design in
which patients were allocated to consume either 16 mg daily of a TA-65 supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Following a 3-week washout, participants were allocated to the alternate treatment for an additional 12 weeks.
Anthropometric and biological markers were measured at the end of each treatment. Plasma lipids, glucose, CReactive
Protein (CRP), liver enzymes, and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured using a Cobas c-111. Inflammatory
cytokines were measured by Luminex technology and markers of oxidative stress by the use of spectroscopy.

Results:

Compared to the placebo period, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was higher while body mass index, waist
circumference, and the LDL/HDL ratio were lower (p < 0.05) during TA-65 treatment. In addition, plasma tumor
necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was lower during the TA-65 period (p< 0.05). Positive correlations were observed in
changes between the placebo and the TA-65 periods in HDL-C and CRP (r = -0.511, p < 0.01), alanine
aminotransferase (r = -0.61, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = -0.550, p < 0.001) suggesting that the favorable changes
observed in HDL were associated with decreases in inflammation.

Conclusion:

TA-65 improved key markers of cardiovascular disease risk, which were also associated with reductions
in inflammation.
Protein Stability Determination (PSD): A Tool for Proteomics Analysis
Authors: Panja Anindya Sundar , Nag Akash , Bandopadhyay Bidyut , Maiti Smarajit
Published: March 2018

Background:

Protein Stability Determination (PSD) is a sequence-based bioinformatics tool which was developed by utilizing a large input of datasets of protein sequences in FASTA format. The PSD can be used to analyze the meta-proteomics data which will help to predict and design thermozyme and mesozyme for academic and industrial purposes. The PSD also can be utilized to analyze the protein sequence and to predict whether it will be stable in thermophilic or in the mesophilic environment.  Method and Results: This tool which is supported by any operating system is designed in Java and it provides a user-friendly graphical interface. It is a simple programme and can predict the thermostability nature of proteins with >90% accuracy. The PSD can also predict the nature of constituent amino acids i.e. acidic or basic and polar or nonpolar etc.

Conclusion:

PSD is highly capable to determine the thermostability status of a protein of hypothetical or unknown peptides as well as meta-proteomics data from any established database. The utilities of the PSD driven analyses include predictions on the functional assignment to a protein. The PSD also helps in designing peptides having flexible combinations of amino acids for functional stability. PSD is freely available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/protein-sequence-determination.
Preoperative Ultrasonographic Evaluation for Malignancy of Soft-Tissue Sarcoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Morii Takeshi , Kishino Tomonori , Shimamori Naoko , Motohashi Mitsue , Ohnishi Hiroaki , Honya Keita , Aoyagi Takayuki , Tajima Takashi , Ichimura Shoichi
Published: March 2018

Background:

Ultrasonography is useful for distinguishing between benign and malignant soft-tissue tumors. However, no study has focused on its usefulness in the differential diagnosis between low-grade and high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas. We conducted a retrospective study to determine the usefulness of the parameters of ultrasonograph and to develop a practical scoring system for distinguishing between high-grade and low-grade sarcomas.

Methods:

Twenty-two cases of low-grade and 43 cases of high-grade malignant soft-tissue sarcoma were enrolled. Ultrasonography parameters including the longest diameter, depth of the tumor, echogenicity, tumor margin, and vascularity defined according to Giovagnorio’s criteria were analyzed as factors to distinguish between the two types of sarcoma. Significant factors were entered into a multivariate model to define the scores for distinction according to the odds ratio. The usefulness of the score was analyzed via receiver operating characteristic analyses.

Results:

In univariate analysis, tumor margin, echogenicity, and vascularity were significantly different between low- and high-grade sarcomas. In the multivariate regression model, the odds ratio for high-grade vs. low-grade sarcoma was 8.8 for tumor margin, 69 for echogenicity, and 8.3 for vascularity. Scores for the risk factors were defined as follows: 1, ill-defined margin; 2, hypoechoic echogenicity; and 1, type IV in Giovagnorio’s criteria. The sum of each score was confirmed by receiver operating characteristic analysis. The area under the curve was 0.95, with a cut-off score of 3, indicating that the scoring system was useful.

Conclusion:

The ultrasonography parameters of tumor margin, echogenicity, and vascularity are useful for distinguishing between low- and high-grade sarcomas.
Practical use of clinical cytology for the diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis in dairy cattle
Authors: Rodríguez Fierros Félix Leao , Quiroz Rocha Gerardo , Núñez Ochoa Luis , Aparicio Cecilio Adolfo , Salgado Hernández Eligio Gabriel
Published: March 2018

Hepatic lipidosis is a metabolic disorder that occurs frequently in dairy cattle. Its clinical evaluation on dairy farms is complex, as it is based on physi­cal, chemical and biological tests. The present study evaluates the practical use of hepatic cytology in dairy cattle and suggests that overall health and dairy production rates of animals are not compromised with this procedure. Cell and blood samples were obtained from 25 randomly selected multipa­rous Holstein dairy cows at three different times during the transition period (at calving and at 10 and 21 days postpartum). The values of haematocrit, plasma protein, fibrinogen, and total and differential leucocyte counts were determined, together with total protein, albumin, glutamate dehydrogenase, triacylglycerides, cholesterol and ß-hydroxybutyrate. Cytological results were classified by the detected degree of fatty infiltration, and haematological and metabolic results were compared between each sampled period. The health status and the daily milk production at each sampling stage were recorded. Obtained results indicated that the animals did not show significant clinical inflammation or a decrease in dairy production, which could be deemed secondary to the cytological sampling. This technique is thus regarded as a feasible alternative for the diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis in dairy cattle.
Interrogating Vitality of the Streets in two Cypriot Towns
Authors: Jalaladdini Siavash , Oktay Derya
Published: March 2018

This paper focuses on the issue of vitality in urban public spaces, streets in particular, as a major indicator of their success and as one of the determinants of livable cities. The study first provides a theoretical framework for understanding the social value and role of urban public spaces in the quality of urban life. Second, it discusses essential components of vitality in streets. Finally, it investigates vitality and its determinants in two main streets in Famagusta and Kyrenia, in North Cyprus. The paper highlights some issues such as proper connection and proximity to important magnets, along with physical and social attributes in the street area.
Social Cohesion of the Malaysian Cul-de-sac Neighborhoods: Brief critical review of concepts
Authors: Ibrahim Bajunid Anniz Fazli , Abbas Mohamed Yusoff , Nawawi Abdul Hadi
Published: March 2018

The national mass housing policies are currently being scrutinised on affordability and quality of life. The consideration of a better neighbourhood design is currently only evident in curvilinear and organic planning designs of neighbourhoods such as the cul-de-sac. The objective of this paper is to identify concepts of the cul-de-sac neighbourhoods and the communityâ€™s social cohesion through a critical review of available literature within the framework settings of a Malaysian pluralistic neighbourhood. The paper is anticipated to lead to methodological assessment processes of the physical environment and neighbourhoods as well as expand existing contextual knowledge of the Malaysian cul-de-sac neighbourhoods.
Spatial Connectivity of Indonesian Shop Houses
Authors: Anggraini Lya Dewi
Published: March 2018

Given the very high variety of self-built shop houses in Indonesia, this paper unfolds the pattern of the shop house layout through its spatial connectivity. The method of Hillier and Hanson (1984) is modified and used to discover the type of connectivity and its effect on the functional spaces. By analyzing samples from Chinese & Javanese settlements in Yogyakarta, the result shows that the spatial connectivity of the Chinese shop houses has the inclination of direct connectivity than the Javanese. This may assume that in Chinese shop houses the access to the rooms is more strictly controlled and circulation is more regulated than in Javanese shop houses. Further results also show the distinct characteristic differences that are inward/outward orientation, multi-unit/single-unit, linear/cluster organization, and closeness/openness.
Users' Assessment on Interior Environment of a Hospital Outpatient Unit in Malaysia
Authors: Abu Samah Zanariah , Ibrahim Norhati , Abd Wahab Mohd Hanif
Published: March 2018

Assessment on the physical design of healthcare facilities from the perspective of the patient and their family members (user) is the method to understand their expectation, preferences and experiences. This paper reports the study conducted on an outpatient unit in Malaysia, focusing particularly on the interior design characteristics. The study adopted post occupancy evaluation technique that combines baseline analysis, occupancy survey and walkthrough observation methods. The study findings indicate that the case study, which has served the public for more than 20 years, is performing moderately on all interior design aspects. Users' assessments did not score any of the facility "good" in terms of their interior quality, suggesting the desire for improvement to the current facility.
Individual Practice and Cultural Context in the Transformation of Batak Toba House
Authors: Hanan Himasari
Published: March 2018

Batak Toba people today are facing the dilemma of maintaining their tradition and keeping up to the modern way of living. This has resulted in cultural transformation of traditional houses, where modern utensils and new spaces are added with no reference to the original one. The traditional settlement of Huta Siallagan in Samosir Island North Sumatra begin to aspire urban standards of living, and traditional building practices are dying out because domestic life systems are changing. Traditional houses are undergoing transformation as they are more and more influenced by the modernizing effect of capital economy.
Cooperative/Collaborative Learning Technique in Theoretical Subjects of Interior Architecture Program
Authors: Ruengtam Porntip
Published: March 2018

Generally, the objective of teachings-learnings in theoretical subjects of interior architecture programs is focused on transferring theories to students, which usually can be underline for application in design practical subjects. The research objectives are to study concepts and implementations of cooperative/collaborative learning technique in classes by a theoretical subject case study, to propose a guideline for the teaching-learning management in the theoretical subjects and designing interior environment in the classes where harmonize to the teaching-learning management. Results and recommendations were discussed and presented in this research.
Improving Implementation of eMental Health for Mood Disorders in Routine Practice: Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitating Factors
Authors: Vis Christiaan , Mol Mayke , Kleiboer Annet , Bührmann Leah , Finch Tracy , Smit Jan , Riper Heleen
Published: March 2018

Background

Electronic mental health interventions (eMental health or eMH) can be used to increase accessibility of mental health services for mood disorders, with indications of comparable clinical outcomes as face-to-face psychotherapy. However, the actual use of eMH in routine mental health care lags behind expectations. Identifying the factors that might promote or inhibit implementation of eMH in routine care may help to overcome this gap between effectiveness studies and routine care.

Objective

This paper reports the results of a systematic review of the scientific literature identifying those determinants of practices relevant to implementing eMH for mood disorders in routine practice.

Methods

A broad search strategy was developed with high sensitivity to four key terms: implementation, mental health care practice, mood disorder, and eMH. The reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was applied to guide the review and structure the results. Thematic analysis was applied to identify the most important determinants that facilitate or hinder implementation of eMH in routine practice.

Results

A total of 13,147 articles were screened, of which 48 studies were included in the review. Most studies addressed aspects of the reach (n=33) of eMH, followed by intervention adoption (n=19), implementation of eMH (n=6), and maintenance (n=4) of eMH in routine care. More than half of the studies investigated the provision of mental health services through videoconferencing technologies (n=26), followed by Internet-based interventions (n=20). The majority (n=44) of the studies were of a descriptive nature. Across all RE-AIM domains, we identified 37 determinants clustered in six main themes: acceptance, appropriateness, engagement, resources, work processes, and leadership. The determinants of practices are expressed at different levels, including patients, mental health staff, organizations, and health care system level. Depending on the context, these determinants hinder or facilitate successful implementation of eMH.

Conclusions

Of the 37 determinants, three were reported most frequently: (1) the acceptance of eMH concerning expectations and preferences of patients and professionals about receiving and providing eMH in routine care, (2) the appropriateness of eMH in addressing patients’ mental health disorders, and (3) the availability, reliability, and interoperability with other existing technologies such as the electronic health records are important factors for mental health care professionals to remain engaged in providing eMH to their patients in routine care. On the basis of the taxonomy of determinants of practices developed in this review, implementation-enhancing interventions can be designed and applied to achieve better implementation outcomes. Suggestions for future research and implementation practice are provided.
Implementing Systematically Collected User Feedback to Increase User Retention in a Mobile App for Self-Management of Low Back Pain: Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)
Authors: Clement Innocent , Lorenz Andreas , Ulm Bernhard , Plidschun Anne , Huber Stephan
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Promising first results for Kaia, a mobile app digitalizing multidisciplinary rehabilitation for low back pain, were recently published. It remains unclear whether the implementation of user feedback in an updated version of this app leads to desired effects in terms of increased app usage and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to elucidate the effect on user retention and clinical outcomes of an updated version of the Kaia app where user feedback was included during development.

METHODS

User feedback of the initial app versions (0.x) was collected in a quality management system and systematically analyzed to define requirements of a new version. For this study, the anonymized data of Kaia users was analyzed retrospectively and users were grouped depending on the available version at the time of the sign-up (0.x vs 1.x). The effect on the duration of activity of users in the app, the number of completed exercises of each type, and user-reported pain levels were compared.

RESULTS

Overall, data of 1251 users fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which 196 users signed up using version 0.x and 1055 users signed up with version 1.x. There were significant differences in the demographic parameters for both groups. A log-rank test showed no significant differences for the duration of activity in the app between groups (P=.31). Users signing up during availability of the 1.x version completed significantly more exercises of each type in the app (physical exercises: 0.x mean 1.99, SD 1.61 units/week vs 1.x mean 3.15, SD1.72 units/week; P<.001; mindfulness exercises: 0.x mean 1.36, SD 1.43 units/week vs 1.x mean 2.42, SD 1.82 units/week; P<.001; educational content: 0.x mean 1.51, SD 1.42 units/week vs 1.x mean 2.71, SD 1.89 units/week; P<.001). This translated into a stronger decrease in user-reported pain levels in versions 1.x (F1,1233=7.084, P=.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limitations of retrospective cohort studies, this study indicates that the implementation of systematically collected user feedback during development of updated versions can contribute to improvements in terms of frequency of use and potentially even clinical endpoints such as pain level. The clinical efficiency of the Kaia app needs to be validated in prospective controlled trials to exclude bias.
They don't care about us! Care personnel's perspectives on Ambient Assisted Living technology usage: a scenario-based quantitative study (Preprint)
Authors: Offermann-van Heek Julia , Ziefle Martina
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Demographic change represents enormous burdens for the care sectors resulting in high proportions of (older) people in need of care and a lack of care staff. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) technologies have the potential to support the bottlenecks in care supply, but are not yet in widespread use in professional care contexts.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims for investigating professional caregivers' AAL technology acceptance, their perception of specific technologies, data handling, perceived benefits, and barriers. In particular, the study focuses on perspectives on AAL technologies differing between care professionals working in diverse care contexts in order to examine to what extent the care context influences the acceptance of assistive technologies.

METHODS

An scenario-based online questionnaire (n = 170) was carried out focusing on professional care givers in medical, geriatric, and care of disabled people. The participants were asked for their perceptions concerning specific technologies, specific types of gathered data, potential benefits, and barriers of AAL technology usage.

RESULTS

The care context significantly impacted the evaluations of AAL technologies (F(14,220) = 2.514; P = .002). Professional caregivers of disabled people had a significantly more critical attitude towards AAL technologies than medical and geriatric caregivers: indicated by a) being the only caregiver group with rejecting evaluations of AAL technology acceptance (F(2,118) = 4.570; P = .01) and specific technologies (F(2,118) = 11.727; P = .000) applied for gathering data and b) by the comparatively lowest agreements referring to the evaluations of data types (F(2,118) = 4.073; P = .02) which are allowed to be gathered.

CONCLUSIONS

AAL technology acceptance is seen critical out of technology implementation reasons, especially in the care of people with disabilities. AAL technologies in care contexts have to be tailored to care professional's needs and concerns ("care about us"). The results contribute to a broader understanding of professional caregivers needs referring to specific data and technology configurations and encloses major differences concerning diverse care contexts. Integrating these findings into user group-tailored technology concepts and communication strategies will support a sustainable adoption of AAL systems in professional care contexts.
Counterpart Theory and Its Applications
Authors: Ma Lei
Published: March 2018

Inspired by the many-worlds interpretation in quantum theory, I present the concepts of “nousor” and the theory of counterpart, by which I make a metaphysical argument that the existence of other parallel worlds could be brought to light by dreams, and that counterparts in different worlds can exchange information through the nousor containing information packets to ensure the oneness of counterparts. Many worlds and all lives there follow the rules which are permanent and can not be violated. Based on the counterpart theory, I propose a new view on the origin and meaning of déjà vu, Planck’s problem, and actual dreams, to offer a novel way of thinking and a problem-solving paradigm. Governments should collect citizen’s dreams and use group dreams as a critical indicator to predicate catastrophes.
EXOTIC FRUITS AND VEGETABLE FOOD AS NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT FOR DIABETES, OBESITY AND METABOLIC DISEASES
Authors: Joshi Shraddha , Jadhav Varsha , Kadam Vilasrao
Published: March 2018

The most challenging diseases such as obesity and diabetes are growing wider and its treatment is a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Most of these metabolic diseases are because of the impact of lifestyle on health. Many studies have recognized a high intake of fruits, greens and other vegetables, nuts and pulses play an important role in our daily diet. Biological constituents are important to combat such diseases and can act as nutritional supplements for treatment of diabetes, cancer, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this article is to explore the role of all these exotic fruits and vegetable food in the pathophysiology of metabolic diseases and in alteration of diabetes and obesity.