bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inexpensive Assessment of Plume Migration During CO2 Sequestration
Authors: Mantilla Cesar A. , Srinivasan Sanjay , Cross Edward A. , Bryant Steven L.
Published: November 2009

Monitoring of CO2 plumes is required to verify long-term sequestration of injected CO2, detect possible leaks from the storage zone, and infer deviations in plume path due to unforeseen large-scale geologic anomalies like flow barriers or high permeability streaks. Although several alternatives are available for monitoring plume path deviations during injection, the cost of monitoring still is a paramount concern for operators. The conjecture of this work is that dynamic data measured at injection wells are informative of the presence of heterogeneities large enough to affect plume paths. Hence geologic models updated using injection data can be used to predict better the trajectory of CO2 plumes and to design operational schemes that will ensure long term containment of the injected CO2. To test this conjecture, we have adapated a probabilistic history matching software (Pro-HMS) originally developed for oil field applications. The software assimilates injection data commonly monitored at active and inactive wells into models for the subsurface aquifer/reservoir. The algorithm yields an ensemble of realizations geologically consistent with the initial model such that the uncertainity in CO2 plume location can be easily assessed. We illustrate the approach with synthetic examples (a deep, heterogeneous aquifer with a long streak of large or small permeability) for which the reference bottomhole pressure and rate responses from injection and inactive wells were obtained from simulation. The updated models obtained after the history matching process detected the presence of the streak, and the subsequent estimation of CO2 plume location was much more accurate. Pressure data recorded at inactive wells were essential for detecting the streak. Monitoring such wells is thus expected to provide valuable information about geologic heterogeneities. The results confirm that injection rate and pressure data provide an inexpensive option for monitoring CO2 plumes.
Utilizing Sustained Casing Pressure Analog to Provide Parameters to Study CO2 Leakage Rates Along a Wellbore
Authors: Huerta Nicolas J. , Checkai Dean A. , Bryant Steven L.
Published: November 2009

Predicting the flux of CO2 along a leaking wellbore requires a model of fluid properties and of transport along the leakage pathway. This model should accurately represent the geometry of any discrete leakage pathway, because this geometry strongly affects the coupling between geochemical reactions and geomechanical response. Validating a transport model in advance of large-scale sequestration is difficult because instances of CO2 plumes reaching abandoned wells are presently rare. However, natural gas leakage events along wellbores can provide insights into conductive pathways analogous to those anticipated for CO2 sequestration. We apply a simple transport model to field measurements of sustained casing pressure (SCP) vs. time. We treat as unknowns the effective permeability of the leakage path and the depth at which leakage into the wellbore is occurring. These parameters are useful for forecasting likely leakage rates in sequestration sites located near oil and gas fields and for choosing candidate sites based on past exploration history. For several cases of SCP, conductive pathways (e.g. open fracture, gas channel, micro annulus) must exist to explain the large inferred values of effective permeability. Applied to a large enough set of SCP wells, this approach can provide a probabilistic distribution of leakage rates given regional and well parameters. For CO2 sequestration purposes this provides a tool to assess the risk associated with carbon dioxide migration along leaky wells, which is necessary for site selection, permitting, and properly crediting sequestration operations.
Effect of Relative Permeability on Pressure-Induced Risk During CO2 Injection in Aquifers
Authors: Oruganti YagnaDeepika , Bryant Steven L.
Published: November 2009

When CO2 is injected in deep saline aquifers on the scale of gigatonnes, pressure buildup in the aquifer during injection will be a critical issue. Because fracturing, fault activation and leakage of brine along pathways such as abandoned wells require a threshold pressure (Nicot et al., 2009), operators and regulators will be concerned with a critical contour of overpressure (CoP). The extent of this contour varies depending on the target aquifer properties (porosity, permeability etc.) and the geology (presence of faults, abandoned wells etc.). The extent also depends on relative permeability, and from the three-region injection model (Burton et al., 2008), we derive analytical expressions for a specific contour of overpressure at any given time. The risk of pressure-induced leakage from the aquifer can therefore be understood in terms of phase mobilities and speeds of saturation fronts. This provides a quick tool for estimating pressure profiles.

Seven different relative permeability curves (Bennion and Bachu, 2005) and their effect on the CoPs in each of the three regions have been studied. The relative permeability curve which gives the maximum two-phase region mobility (MBL) gives the lowest pressure buildup (specific CoP is closest to the injector). Thus characterizing relative permeability will be an important consideration for the practical implementation of CO2 storage projects. For smaller values of critical CoP which lie in the brine region, the location of the critical CoP, and hence the risk due to pressure buildup, are time-invariant and independent of relative permeability. This result significantly reduces the uncertainty in predicting these contours of overpressure.
Emerging Technical Challenges of 5-Million-Ton/yr Injections
Authors: Friedmann S. J.
Published: November 2009

To achieve substantial national and global greenhouse gas abatement, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) must be deployed at large scale in many locations. Individual large projects (5 million tons/y) will inject volumes on the order of 80,000-130,000 bbls/day equivalent continuously for 30 years or more. This requires explicit consideration of and management of growing reservoir pressure unlike CO2-EOR. Accurate reservoir descriptions of fault networks and the in-situ stress tensor are critical to successful management. Small uncertainties in the structural geometry or stress tensor azimuth can potentially produce very different results for fault activation and risk, which in turn affect the potential for induced seismicity in an active injection.

Although smaller than the injection pressure wave, the large injection footprint will make monitoring and verification challenging. Key challenges involve reduction of cost and improvement of accuracy using non-seismic methods. Careful integration of monitoring results and understanding of uncertainties are critical to avoid subsurface trespass and far-field migration. Demonstrations of InSAR, microseismic, and electrical survey methods have improved understanding of these technologies and may lead to improved monitoring suites. Seafloor monitoring has received little attention, but will be central to shelf deployments. Direct monitoring of groundwater systems may also be required by regulations, but have received little attention.

In order to avoid excessive local build-up of pressure and to maintain a small injection footprint, active management of the reservoir may be needed. Co-production and treatment of reservoir brines could provide a cost-effective means of reducing both operational risk and project costs. More aggressive reservoir management (interception wells and induced flow fields) may be needed to avoid trespass onto adjacent properties. Such measures are standard practice in many oilfield operations, suggesting that the incremental cost and risk posed by active management is likely to be small.
Carbon Cyber Infrastructure CCI: Identifying and Characterizing CO2 Sources and Opportunities for Carbon Capture and Storage
Authors: Carr T. R.
Published: November 2009

CO2 sources vary widely in emission characteristics including concentration, pressure, contaminants and intermittency. In addition, the ability to initiate carbon capture and storage (CCS) of particular sources are influenced by geographic location, land use, regulatory environment, and the proximity to potential geologic storage sites that can provide safe, secure storage over long periods of time (such as oil and gas fields, deep coal seams and saline aquifers). Differences in these multiple characteristics can dramatically impact the cost of capture and geologic storage. Large stationary anthropogenic sources of CO2 that provide the best opportunities for CCS include cement kilns, ethanol plants, natural gas plants, refineries, ammonia manufacturing plants and power generation (coal and natural gas). The United States Department of Energy's Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) have generated data that provides the foundation of a carbon cyber-infrastructure (CCI). This geospatial data is available online and can be used by the private and public sectors to improve the implementation of CCS for a single CO2 emission source or group of sources. An integrated learning approach using large amounts of geospatial data is proposed to evaluate CO2 sources in relation to an integrated system of capture, transport and geologic storage will be discussed. Use of geospatial data for source and geologic storage sites in southeast Kansas provides an example of integration within a changing regulatory and economic environment of multiple industrial sources of CO2 emissions of widely varying characteristics with multiple stacked geologic storage opportunities.
CO2 Injection Performance in the Fruitland Coal Fairway, San Juan Basin: Results of a Field Pilot
Authors: Oudinot Anne Y. , Koperna George J. , Philip Zeno G. , Liu Ning , Heath Jason E. , Wells Arthur , Young Genevieve B. , Wilson Tom
Published: November 2009

As part of the Southwest Regional Partnership for Carbon Sequestration (SWP), the Pump Canyon CO2-ECBM/sequestration demonstration in New Mexico has for objectives to prove the effectiveness of CO2 sequestration in deep, unmineable coal seams via a small-scale geologic sequestration demonstration.

At the demonstration site, a new CO2 injection well was drilled mid-2008 into the late-Cretaceous Fruitland coals within an existing pattern of coalbed methane production wells mainly operated by ConocoPhillips. CO2 injection in the three coal seams was initiated late July 2008 and stopped in August 2009. A variety of monitoring, verification and accounting (MVA) methods are being employed to track the movement of the CO2 to prevent any leakage. Some of the MVA methods include continuous measurement of injection volumes, pressures and temperatures within the injection well, coalbed methane production rates, pressures and compositions at the offset producer wells via CO2 sensors, tracers in the injected CO2, time-lapse vertical seismic profiling and surface Tiltmeter arrays amongst others. A detailed study of the overlying Kirtland shale is currently being conducted to investigate the integrity of this caprock. In addition, a detailed geologic characterization and reservoir modeling has been implemented in order to reproduce and understand the behavior of the reservoir.

As of now, the injection has ended and no CO2 breakthrough has occurred, classifying the small scale demonstration pilot as a success. This paper describes the project in details from the well construction to the different monitoring techniques used to prevent CO2 leakage as well as the results of the simulation model.
Results From Continuous Downhole Monitoring PDG at a Field-Scale CO2 Demonstration Project, Cranfield, MS
Authors: Meckel T. A. , Hovorka S. D.
Published: November 2009

Elevated formation fluid pressure resulting from large-volume carbon dioxide (CO2) injection for sequestration is a key factor affecting storage integrity (seal and well performance) and ultimate capacity. Monitoring pressure dynamics (buildup and falloff) is a fundamental and pragmatic reservoir surveillance technique for monitoring sequestration performance. The Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB) field project conducted by the Gulf Coast Carbon Center with support from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed by the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) at Denbury Resources' Cranfield Field in southwest Mississippi provides a unique opportunity to monitor large-scale (>106 tons) CO2 injection on the flank of an anticline at 3 km depth. Prior to large-scale CO2 injection, the reservoir has been shut-in for decades and was near hydrostatic pressures when injection commenced. Thus, the initial pressure buildup prior to production is similar to what would be expected for many brine sequestration projects. The evolving CO2 distribution and pressure perturbation has been monitored continuously for over one year. This paper presents the monitoring well design, including a novel dual completion for above-zone monitoring, and presents real-time pressure data recorded in the injection interval. Correlation of changes in CO2 injection rates from eleven injection wells throughout the field with observed pressure response at the observation well are used to demonstrate the sensitivity of this monitoring technique for quantifying CO2 fluxes within the reservoir, and to illustrate the sealing nature of a reservoir-scale fault in the field during CO2 injection. At Cranfield, subsurface pressure monitoring is capable of detecting CO2 fluxes (injection rate changes) corresponding to as little as hundreds of tons per day at distances up to 1 km. The reservoir appears to have a predictable response of the rate of pressure change at the observation well for injection perturbations of variable rates and distances, suggesting that rates of observed pressure change that are uncorrelated with injection changes could be used to detect, quantify, and locate unanticipated migration of CO2 out of the injection zone.
Characteristics Affecting the Use of Imagery: A Youth Sports Academy Study
Authors: Parker John K , Lovell Geoff
Published: November 2009

An understanding of the effects of imagery on performance is well documented (Weinberg, 2008). However, most of the research has been conducted examining adult athletes (Hall, 2001); few studies have investigated the characteristics of youth sport performers imagery use. Participants from a United Kingdom sports academy included 74 individuals (42 male, 32 female), with a mean age of 16.76 (SD = 0.72). The sample included 24 national, 23 county, and 27 club athletes from a total of 13 sports. Participants completed the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ; Hall et al., 1998) and the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire (VMIQ; Issac et al., 1986). Participants were grouped according to competitive level, practice volume, and imagery ability. Results indicated that athletes use motivational general-mastery imagery most frequently with motivational general-arousal used the least. There was also a significant difference between practice volume and subsequent imagery use. The results suggest that applied practitioners' working with youth sport performers should consider practice volume as a potential characteristic that influences the frequency of imagery use.
The Maximum Entropy Formalism and the Prediction of Liquid Spray Drop-Size Distribution
Authors: Dumouchel Christophe
Published: November 2009

The efficiency of any application involving a liquid spray is known to be highly dependent on the spray characteristics, and mainly, on the drop-diameter distribution. There is therefore a crucial need of models allowing the prediction of this distribution. However, atomization processes are partially known and so far a universal model is not available. For almost thirty years, models based on the Maximum Entropy Formalism have been proposed to fulfill this task. This paper presents a review of these models emphasizing their similarities and differences, and discusses expectations of the use of this formalism to model spray drop-size distribution
Genes: an Open Access Journal
Authors: Young J. Peter W.
Published: November 2009

Genes have been in the scientific vocabulary for a hundred years. The term "gene" was proposed by the Danish plant scientist Wilhelm Johannsen in the first decade of the 20th century. For Johannsen, the gene remained an abstract concept, "free of any hypothesis" [1], but others were already pointing to chromosomes as the likely location of genes. The science of genetics was born at that time, and genes were rapidly connected with mutations, with patterns of inheritance, with development, with quantitative traits, with evolution and with biochemical pathways. All this was achieved without knowledge of the physical nature of genes, but this changed in mid-century with the discoveries of molecular biology. DNA was revealed as the genetic material, and the mechanisms were elucidated by which the information was encoded, and propagated, and linked to the phenotype. However, the concept of a "gene" did not become clearer. Quite the reverse, as the units of mutation, of recombination, of inheritance, of expression, of regulation, etc. did not necessarily coincide. [...]
Apolar Annonaceous Acetogenins from the Fruit Pulp of Annona muricata
Authors: Melot Alice , Fall Djibril , Gleye Christophe , Champy Pierre
Published: November 2009

A methylene chloride extract of the pulp of Annona muricata L. was fractionated in search for scarcely functionalized Annonaceous acetogenins (type E). Previously known C-35 and C-37 mono-epoxy unsaturated compounds, epomuricenins-A and -B (1+2) and epomusenins-A and -B (3+4), were obtained. Two new mono-epoxy saturated C-35 representatives, epomurinins-A and -B (5+6) were also isolated.
1-Methyl-3-octylimidazolium Chloride—Sorption and Primary Biodegradation Analysis in Activated Sewage Sludge
Authors: Markiewicz Marta , Jungnickel Christian , Markowska Aleksandra , Szczepaniak Urszula , Paszkiewicz Monika , Hupka Jan
Published: November 2009

Ionic liquids (ILs) are known to be non-volatile and thus to have low potential for atmospheric contamination or intoxication of humans by inhalation. However ILs have the potential to contaminate soil and water as they might be water soluble and can be sorbed onto solids. The investigation of possible natural ways of reducing the concentration of ILs in the environment is of high importane, especially because the requirement for biodegradable chemicals increases, together with pressure for reduction of incineration and landfill waste. It was found that the upper concentration threshold for primary biodegradation of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride is 0.2 mM. At higher concentrations the dehydrogenase activity of the cells dropped markedly, indicating that the IL inhibits cell activity. This concentration is in good agreement with the minimal inhibitory concentration of the same compound found for a series of bacteria and fungi by this research group. The sorption of 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride was found to be significant, and the sorption coefficient was determined to be 98.2 L kg-1.
Resource Allocation for Sustainable Urban Transit from a Transport Diversity Perspective
Authors: Feng Cheng-Min , Hsieh Cheng-Hsien
Published: November 2009

Different transport stakeholders have different needs for transport infrastructure and services. Meeting the needs of all stakeholders implies a trade-off of benefits and costs between supply and demand and creates transport diversity issues. However, the literature has largely ignored these issues. Transport diversity can assess the level to which important needs are satisfied equitably, and monitor whether transportation systems are moving towards sustainability by confirming the targets and basic level of quality of life. Based on the concept of transport diversity, this study utilizes fuzzy multi-objective programming to solve non-linear multi-objective problems involving urban public transit systems to determine the impact of resource allocation on needs satisfaction in relation to stakeholder behaviors. The proposed approach avoids problems of inefficient and inequitable resource allocation. A real-life case is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the proposed methodology. Furthermore, empirical outcomes show that recent investments allocated to public transit systems considered equitable stakeholder satisfaction for both mass rapid transit (MRT) and bus, and also promoted transport diversity in the Taipei metropolitan area.
A Novel Composite Endpoint to Evaluate the Gastrointestinal (GI) Effects of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs Through the Entire GI Tract
Authors: CHAN FRANCIS K. L. , CRYER BYRON , GOLDSTEIN JAY L. , LANAS ANGEL , PEURA DAVID A. , SCHEIMAN JAMES M. , SIMON LEE S. , SINGH GURKIRPAL , STILLMAN MARTIN J. , WILCOX CHARLES M. , BERGER MANUELA F. , BREAZNA AURORA , DODGE WILLIAM
Published: November 2009

Objective.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) not only cause damage to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract but also affect the lower GI tract. To date, there is no endpoint that evaluates serious GI events in the entire GI tract. The objective of this report is to introduce a novel composite endpoint that measures damage to the entire GI tract — clinically significant upper and lower GI events (CSULGIE) — in patients with NSAID-induced GI damage.

Methods.

We reviewed the data from largescale, multicenter, randomized, clinical trials on lower GI toxicity associated with NSAID use. The rationale for using CSULGIE as a primary endpoint in 2 ongoing trials — the Celecoxib vs Omeprazole and Diclofenac for At-risk Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Patients (CONDOR) trial and the Gastrointestinal Randomized Events and Safety Open-Label NSAID Study (GI-REASONS) — is also discussed.

Results.

Previous randomized trials focused primarily on damage to the upper GI tract and often neglected the lower GI tract. The CSULGIE endpoint extends the traditional “perforation, obstruction, and bleeding” assessment of upper GI complications by including events in the lower GI tract (small/large bowel) such as perforation, bleeding, and clinically significant anemia.

Conclusion.

By providing clinicians with a new, descriptive language for adverse events through the entire GI tract, the CSULGIE endpoint has the potential to become a standard tool for evaluating the GI effects of a range of therapies.
Hand Syndromes Associated with Diabetes: Impairments and Obesity Predict Disability
Authors: REDMOND CHRISTINE L. , BAIN GREGORY I. , LASLETT LAURA L. , McNEIL JULIAN D.
Published: November 2009

Objective.

We determined patterns of disability in diabetic hand conditions and identified factors that contributed to functional limitations.

Methods.

Hand assessments were performed on 60 adults with DM1 or DM2 and carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s disease, or the syndrome of limited joint mobility. The examination included measurement of grip strength, light touch perception, and dexterity, as well as self-reported function using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) instrument and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire. Associations with hand disability were analyzed using correlation and regression.

Results.

The most frequent presentation was carpal tunnel syndrome (45%) but it was common for patients to present with clinical features associated with more than one hand syndrome (47%). Overall, women had greater difficulties, with significantly higher DASH scores than men [mean 30.3 (95% CI 23.2, 37.5) vs 18.0 (95% CI 12.1, 23.9), respectively; p = 0.01]. Grip strength, dexterity, and obesity were associated with hand disability (p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

In adults with hand syndromes associated with diabetes, disability was related to impaired muscle function and carpal tunnel syndrome. Obesity and overall physical functioning influenced hand disability, particularly in women.
Association of HLA Class II Genes with Systemic Sclerosis in Spanish Patients
Authors: SIMEÓN CARMEN P. , FONOLLOSA VICENT , TOLOSA CARLES , PALOU EDUARD , SELVA ALBERT , SOLANS ROSER , ARMADANS LLUIS , MORENO ESTEFANIA , MARSAL SARA , VILARDELL MIQUEL
Published: November 2009

Objective.

To examine the role of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in the susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its clinical expression in a Spanish population.

Methods.

One hundred Spanish Caucasian patients with SSc and 130 controls were studied. Molecular HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-based typing and PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide.

Results.

HLA-DRB1*11 was associated with genetic susceptibility to SSc, whereas HLA-DRB1*07 (HLA-DRB1*0701) showed a protective effect. A significant increase in the frequency of the DRB1*1104 allele was observed in patients with anti-topoisomerase I autoantibodies (anti-Topo I) while HLA-DRB1*01 and HLA-DQB1*05 alleles were significantly increased in patients with anti-centromere antibodies (ACA). The HLA-DRB1*11 allele was more frequent in patients with pulmonary fibrosis; however, no significant association with any HLA-DRB1 or DQB1 alleles was identified in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Conclusion.

HLA alleles play a role in genetic susceptibility to SSc in Spanish patients. Some alleles are more prevalent in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and in patients with certain SSc-specific autoantibodies (anti-Topo I and ACA).
Axial Psoriatic Arthritis: Update on a Longterm Prospective Study
Authors: CHANDRAN VINOD , BARRETT JESSICA , SCHENTAG CATHERINE T. , FAREWELL VERNON T. , GLADMAN DAFNA D.
Published: November 2009

Objective.

To evaluate changes in symptoms, spinal mobility, and radiographic features in patients with axial psoriatic arthritis (AxPsA).

Methods.

Patients with AxPsA were identified from the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis clinic database. Axial symptoms, metrology, and radiographic features at study entry were compared to 5-year and 10-year followup assessments. Data were analyzed using continuity adjusted McNemar’s test, an exact binomial test, or logistic regression.

Results.

Of 297 patients (mean age 42.5 yrs, PsA duration 8 yrs) in the study, 56% had axial symptoms, 43% had radiographic evidence of sacroiliitis, and 13% had syndesmophytes at entry. The number of patients with neck/back pain, neck/back stiffness, and clinical sacroiliitis declined significantly at both 5- and 10-year followup periods. There was a significant increase in the number of patients with restricted cervical spinal mobility at both 5- and 10-year visits and significant reduction in lateral flexion at both timepoints. At 5 (10) years, of those without sacroiliitis at baseline, 36.6% (51.7%) developed at least grade 2 sacroiliitis; 46.5% (52.0%) of those who presented with grade 2 progressed to a higher grade; and 15.6% (25.0%) with grade 3 progressed to grade 4 sacroiliitis. Of the patients without cervical/thoracic/lumbar syndesmophytes at study entry, 11%/16%/14% (14%/21%/20%) developed syndesmophytes in these regions at 5 (10) year followup. Similar results were obtained when analyses were restricted to patients satisfying radiographic criteria alone.

Conclusion.

Over a 10-year period, patients with AxPsA had improvement in neck and back pain, but lateral spinal flexion and cervical mobility deteriorated.
Pattern of Disease Onset, Diagnostic Delay, and Clinical Features in Juvenile Onset and Adult Onset Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: OZGOCMEN SALIH , ARDICOGLU OZGE , KAMANLI AYHAN , KAYA ARZU , DURMUS BEKIR , YILDIRIM KADIR , BAYSAL OZLEM , GUR ALI , KARATAY SALIHA , ALTAY ZUHAL , CEVIK REMZI , ERDAL AKIN , ERSOY YUKSEL , SARAC AYSEGUL J. , TEKEOGLU IBRAHIM , UGUR MAHIR , NAS KEMAL , SENEL KAZIM , ULUSOY HASAN
Published: November 2009

Objective.

To assess the frequency of juvenile onset ankylosing spondylitis (JOAS) in Turkish patients with AS and to compare with adult onset AS (AOAS) in a cross-sectional study design.

Methods.

A total of 322 patients were recruited from the joint database of 5 university hospitals in eastern Turkey.

Results.

Patients with JOAS (n = 43, 13.4%) had significantly longer diagnostic delay (9.21 vs 5.08 yrs), less severe axial involvement and more prevalent uveitis (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.25–6.79), and peripheral involvement at onset (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.51–6.98, adjusted for current age; and OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.07–4.76, adjusted for disease duration). Patients with AOAS had higher radiographic scores and more restricted clinimetrics but similar functional limitations and quality of life.

Conclusion.

JOAS and AOAS had distinctive courses and Turkish patients with AS had similar features compared to other Caucasian patient populations.
Erosion processes in Slovene Istria – part 1: Soil erosion
Authors: Zorn Matija
Published: November 2009

In 2005 and 2006 intensive measurements were made of various erosion-denudation processes in the Dragonja River basin. The measurements included geomorphic processes in the badlands: the rockwall retreat of steep bare flysch slopes, movements of flysch debris along erosion gullies, and geomorphic processes on talus slopes. At the same time, measurements of soil erosion were made in three different land use areas: bare soil in an olive grove, an overgrown meadow, and a forest. The results are presented in two parts. Part One presents the measurements of soil erosion, and Part Two in the next issue of the journal (No. 49-2) will present geomorphic processes in the badlands.The measurements of soil erosion made on one-meter-square closed erosion plots south of the village of Marezige revealed that the greater part of the annual erosion was caused by only a few major erosion events. Between May 2005 and April 2006, interrill erosion amounted to 9,013 g/m2 (90 t/ha) on bare soil in an olive grove with an inclination of 5.5º and an average weekly proportion of specific runoff of 23%, 168 g/m2 (1.68 t/ha) on an overgrown meadow with an inclination of 9.4º and an average weekly proportion of specific runoff of 8%, and 391 g/m2 (3.91 t/ha) in a forest with an inclination of 7.8º and 415 g/m2 (4.15 t/ha) in a forest with an inclination of 21.4º with an average weekly proportion of specific runoff of 6% regardless of the inclination. The amount of precipitation during the reference year was slightly below the long-term average.
Assessment of the earthquake vulnerability of multi-residential buildings in Slovenia
Authors: Kilar Vojko , Kušar Domen
Published: November 2009

The paper assesses the earthquake vulnerability of multi-residential buildings in Slovenia, although it is limited to the buildings that were built before 1981, in the time when the earthquake building codes were much less elaborated than today. In the paper, based on the building completion year, buildings are classified into different time periods, which are characterized by important historical events and bigger changes in earthquake building codes. The assessment of earthquake vulnerability is based on the data from the building completion year, number of storeys, prevailing structural material and the year of the last renovation as obtained from the last census of the population, households and apartments completed in 2002. The result is an estimation of the earthquake vulnerability of a building, also because for very similar buildings the earthquake resistance depends on the architectural design of a building, the amount and layout of its structural elements, foundations, soil profile and other influences. In the first part of the paper the multi-residential buildings are divided by age, material and number of storeys. In the second part, the assessment of the earthquake vulnerability of these buildings is divided into three classes: a) probably earthquake unsafe, b) probably earthquake less safe and c) probably earthquake safe. Additionally the earthquake vulnerability assessment is presented geographically by showing the earthquake less safe and unsafe buildings on the maps and charts for different communities in Slovenia. It has been concluded that the earthquake safety of many multi-residential buildings in Slovenia might be questionable, while we have detected also bigger differences between communities.
Study of the decalcification process in mortars degraded by NH4NO3 by using ultrasonic techniques
Authors: Segura I. , Moragues A. , Macphee D. E. , Anaya J. J. , Molero M.
Published: November 2009

Water takes part in most if not all of the degradation processes experienced by cement-based materials during their service-life. The effect of pure water usually is not of primary concern as it involves very lengthy degradation diffusion controlled processes; aqueous solutions are more aggressive, promoting increased solubility of matrix components and microstructure modification due to leaching. The ability to monitor such changes nondestructively presents a number of challenges as, often, conventional characterisation techniques require sample preparation likely to modify the properties of interest. In this study, ultrasonic pulse velocity profiles have provided a nondestructive means of monitoring microstructural changes during aggressive leaching of blastfurnace slag cement mortars with ammonium nitrate solutions. These data are compared with corresponding analyses by destructive techniques including mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), water porosity measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By analysing degraded ultrasonic velocity profiles it has been possible to calculate degraded depths in the samples, which correlate well with those results obtained by conventional methods.
A checklist of the non-acarine arachnids (Chelicerata: Arachnida) of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Haddad Charles R. , Dippenaar-Schoeman Ansie S.
Published: November 2009

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) in conserved areas, arachnids were collected in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The survey was carried out between 1999 and 2007, and consisted of five intensive surveys between two and 12 days in duration. Arachnids were sampled in five broad habitat types, namely fynbos, wetlands, i.e. De Hoop Vlei, Eucalyptus plantations at Potberg and Cupido’s Kraal, coastal dunes near Koppie Alleen and the intertidal zone at Koppie Alleen. A total of 274 species representing five orders, 65 families and 191 determined genera were collected, of which spiders (Araneae) were the dominant taxon (252 spp., 174 genera, 53 families). The most species rich families collected were the Salticidae (32 spp.), Thomisidae (26 spp.), Gnaphosidae (21 spp.), Araneidae (18 spp.), Theridiidae (16 spp.) and Corinnidae (15 spp.). Notes are provided on the most commonly collected arachnids in each habitat.Conservation implications: This study provides valuable baseline data on arachnids conserved in De Hoop Nature Reserve, which can be used for future assessments of habitat transformation, alien invasive species and climate change on arachnid biodiversity.
Modified structural intensity for singularity localization in noisy signals: Application to coherent averaging for event‐synchronous ECG interference cancellation in diaphragmatic EMG signals
Authors: Guméry P. Y. , Fontecave‐Jallon J. , Aïthocine E. , Meignen S. , Heyer L. , Baconnier P.
Published: November 2009

This paper addresses the problem of singularity location in a noisy signal. Landmark alignment performances of a modified structural intensity formulation are analyzed in the context of ‘averaged template subtraction’. The chosen application is the event‐synchronous ECG interference cancellation (ESC) in the diaphragmatic electromyographic signal. The structural intensity event‐synchronous interference canceller (SIESC) algorithm based on the modified structural intensity formulation is compared with an existing ESC algorithm that requires an ECG reference signal for the coherent averaging process. Efficiency in interference cancellation is evaluated using both simulations and real electromyogram of the diaphragm data. All the results show that the alignment error of the SIESC induces an acceptable discrepancy between the two methods. One interest of this application is to demonstrate the ability of the structural intensity to provide a detector combining robustness and precision. A drawback of this approach is the calculation cost. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Direct, Multiplex Biosensor Platform for Pathogen Detection Based on Cross‐linked Polydiacetylene (PDA) Supramolecules
Authors: Park Cheol Hee , Kim Jun Pyo , Lee Sang Wook , Jeon Noo Li , Yoo Pil J. , Sim Sang Jun
Published: November 2009

This study focuses on the development of a multiplex pathogen‐detection platform based on polydiacetylene (PDA) using a novel immobilization procedure. PDA liposome‐based solid sensors have a critical drawback as the PDA liposomes are not stably immobilized onto the solid substrate. Therefore, to overcome this problem, an interlinker, ethylenediamine, is introduced, which acts as a cross‐linker between individual PDA liposomes. The quantity of ethylenediamine added was optimized to 1 mM, as measured by the fluorescence signal emitted by the stably immobilized PDA liposomes, a concentration at which the fluorescence signal is 10 times higher than for the resulting PDA chips made without the interlinker. This procedure is used to manufacture PDA liposome‐based multiplex biosensor arrays for well‐known water and food‐borne pathogens. The fabricated biosensor was able to perform the simultaneous and quantitative detection of 6 species of pathogens. As such, the results demonstrated from this research can be exploited for the development of more advanced PDA‐based biosensors and diagnostics.
Variable Temperature Mobility Analysis of n‐Channel, p‐Channel, and Ambipolar Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Letizia Joseph A. , Rivnay Jonathan , Facchetti Antonio , Ratner Mark A. , Marks Tobin J.
Published: November 2009

The temperature dependence of field‐effect transistor (FET) mobility is analyzed for a series of n‐channel, p‐channel, and ambipolar organic semiconductor‐based FETs selected for varied semiconductor structural and device characteristics. The materials (and dominant carrier type) studied are 5,5′′′‐bis(perfluorophenacyl)‐2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2′′′‐quaterthiophene (1, n‐channel), 5,5′′′‐bis(perfluorohexyl carbonyl)‐2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2′′′‐quaterthiophene (2, n‐channel), pentacene (3, p‐channel); 5,5′′′‐bis(hexylcarbonyl)‐2,2′:5′,2″:5″,2′′′‐quaterthiophene (4, ambipolar), 5,5′′′‐bis‐(phenacyl)‐2,2′: 5′,2″:5″,2′′′‐quaterthiophene (5, p‐channel), 2,7‐bis((5‐perfluorophenacyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐9,10‐phenanthrenequinone (6, n‐channel), and poly(N‐(2‐octyldodecyl)‐2,2′‐bithiophene‐3,3′‐dicarboximide) (7, n‐channel). Fits of the effective field‐effect mobility (µeff) data assuming a discrete trap energy within a multiple trapping and release (MTR) model reveal low activation energies (EAs) for high‐mobility semiconductors 1–3 of 21, 22, and 30 meV, respectively. Higher EA values of 40–70 meV are exhibited by 4–7‐derived FETs having lower mobilities (µeff). Analysis of these data reveals little correlation between the conduction state energy level and EA, while there is an inverse relationship between EA and µeff. The first variable‐temperature study of an ambipolar organic FET reveals that although n‐channel behavior exhibits EA = 27 meV, the p‐channel regime exhibits significantly more trapping with EA = 250 meV. Interestingly, calculated free carrier mobilities (µ0) are in the range of ∼0.2–0.8 cm2 V−1 s−1 in this materials set, largely independent of µeff. This indicates that in the absence of charge traps, the inherent magnitude of carrier mobility is comparable for each of these materials. Finally, the effect of temperature on threshold voltage (VT) reveals two distinct trapping regimes, with the change in trapped charge exhibiting a striking correlation with room temperature µeff. The observation that EA is independent of conduction state energy, and that changes in trapped charge with temperature correlate with room temperature µeff, support the applicability of trap‐limited mobility models such as a MTR mechanism to this materials set.
Zeolite Catalysts with Tunable Hierarchy Factor by Pore‐Growth Moderators
Authors: Pérez‐Ramírez Javier , Verboekend Danny , Bonilla Adriana , Abelló Sònia
Published: November 2009

The design of hierarchical zeolite catalysts is attempted through the maximization of the hierarchy factor (HF); that is, by enhancing the mesopore surface area without severe penalization of the micropore volume. For this purpose, a novel desilication variant involving NaOH treatment of ZSM‐5 in the presence of quaternary ammonium cations is developed. The organic cation (TPA+ or TBA+) acts as a pore‐growth moderator in the crystal by OH−‐assisted silicon extraction, largely protecting the zeolite crystal during the demetallation process. The protective effect is not seen when using cations that are able to enter the micropores, such as TMA+ Engineering the pore structure at the micro‐ and mesolevel is essential to optimize transport properties and catalytic performance, as demonstrated in the benzene alkylation with ethylene, a representative mass‐transfer limited reaction. The hierarchy factor is an appropriate tool to classify hierarchically structured materials. The latter point is of wide interest to the scientific community as it not only embraces mesoporous zeolites obtained by desilication methods but it also enables to quantitatively compare and correlate various materials obtained by different synthetic methodologies.
Ultralow‐Fouling, Functionalizable, and Hydrolyzable Zwitterionic Materials and Their Derivatives for Biological Applications
Authors: Jiang Shaoyi , Cao Zhiqiang
Published: November 2009

In recent years, zwitterionic materials such as poly(carboxybetaine) (pCB) and poly(sulfobetaine) (pSB) have been applied to a broad range of biomedical and engineering materials. Due to electrostatically induced hydration, surfaces coated with zwitterionic groups are highly resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption, bacterial adhesion, and biofilm formation. Among zwitterionic materials, pCB is unique due to its abundant functional groups for the convenient immobilization of biomolecules. pCB can also be prepared in a hydrolyzable form as cationic pCB esters, which can kill bacteria or condense DNA. The hydrolysis of cationic pCB esters into nonfouling zwitterionic groups will lead to the release of killed microbes or the irreversible unpackaging of DNA. Furthermore, mixed‐charge materials have been shown to be equivalent to zwitterionic materials in resisting nonspecific protein adsorption when they are uniformly mixed at the molecular scale.
Critical flux determination by flux‐stepping
Authors: Beier Søren Prip , Jonsson Gunnar
Published: November 2009

In membrane filtration related scientific literature, often step‐by‐step determined critical fluxes are reported. Using a dynamic microfiltration device, it is shown that critical fluxes determined from two different flux‐stepping methods are dependent upon operational parameters such as step length, step height, and flux start level. Filtrating 8 kg/m3 yeast cell suspensions by a vibrating 0.45 × 10−6 m pore size microfiltration hollow fiber module, critical fluxes from 5.6 × 10−6 to 1.2 × 10−5 m/s have been measured using various step lengths from 300 to 1200 seconds. Thus, such values are more or less useless in itself as critical flux predictors, and constant flux verification experiments have to be conducted to check if the determined critical fluxes can predict sustainable flux regimes. However, it is shown that using the step‐by‐step predicted critical fluxes as start guesses, in our case, in constant flux verification experiments for 5 and 1/2 hours, a sustainable flux was identifiable. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Methodology for the design and evaluation of distillation systems: Exergy analysis, economic features and GHG emissions
Authors: Kencse Hajnalka , Mizsey Peter
Published: November 2009

This work presents a process design methodology that evaluates the distillation systems based on exergetic, economic, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission aspects. The aim of the methodology is to determine how these three features should be applied in process design to obtain information about the accuracy of the design alternatives. The methodology is tested and demonstrated on three different energy‐integrated distillation systems: the direct sequence with backward heat‐integration (DQB), fully thermally coupled distillation column (FTCDC), and sloppy distillation system with forward heat‐integration (SQF). The average relative emission saving is the highest for the DQB scheme and this sequence shows the most flexible range of use. The case studies prove the accuracy of our evaluation methodology. On the other hand, it highlights and demonstrates that the exergy analysis can predict the results of the economic study and the environmental evaluation to make the decisions, associated with process design, much simpler. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Heritability of serum iron measures in the hemochromatosis and iron overload screening (HEIRS) family study
Authors: McLaren Christine E. , Barton James C. , Eckfeldt John H. , McLaren Gordon D. , Acton Ronald T. , Adams Paul C. , Henkin Leora F. , Gordeuk Victor R. , Vulpe Chris D. , Harris Emily L. , Harrison Barbara W. , Reiss Jacob A. , Snively Beverly M.
Published: November 2009

Heritability is the proportion of observed variation in a trait among individuals in a population that is attributable to hereditary factors. The Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Screening family study estimated heritability of serum iron measures. Probands were HFE C282Y homozygotes or non‐C282Y homozygotes with elevated transferrin saturation (TS > 50%, men; TS > 45%, women) and serum ferritin concentration (SF > 300 μg/L, men; SF > 200 μg/L, women). Heritability (h2) was estimated by variance component analysis of TS, natural logarithm (ln) of SF, and unsaturated iron‐binding capacity (UIBC). Participants (N = 942) were 77% Caucasians, 10% Asians, 8% Hispanics, and 5% other race/ethnicities. Average age (SD) was 49 (16) years; 57% were female. For HFE C282Y homozygote probands and their family members, excluding variation due to HFE C282Y and H63D genotype and measured demographic and environmental factors, the residual h2 (SE) was 0.21 (0.07) for TS, 0.37 (0.08) for ln SF, and 0.34 (0.08) for UIBC (all P < 0.0004 for comparisons with zero). For the non‐C282Y homozygote proband group, residual h2 was significant with a value of 0.64 (0.26) for ln SF (P = 0.0096). In conclusion, serum iron measures have significant heritability components, after excluding known genetic and nongenetic sources of variation. Am. J. Hematol. 85:101–105, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.