bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small Balloon Catheters in the Induction of Labour in Mid-Trimester Pregnancy
Authors: Li Zhu Xiao
Published: January 2017

Labour induced in 46 women with a small balloon catheter was compared to 46 women induced with ‘normal balloon’ (Robinson's catheter with two condoms) and matched for age, parity, gestational age, marital status and ethnic origin with the aim of identifying a preferred induction method for middle trimester pregnancy. The retrospective study showed no differences in the duration of delivery, Pitocin, mode delivery, complications and effective rate. ‘Small balloon’ is simpler than ‘normal balloon’ and is a safe, reliable induction of labour method for mid-trimester pregnancy.
An Integrated Approach to Health Care Financing — The Case of Chogoria Hospital
Authors: Sammon Alastair M
Published: January 2017

A response to the increasing financial crisis for African hospitals is presented. The first measure is careful health care system design. Cost to the community can be reduced by cost-containment, income generation, and seeking of donations. Community ability to pay can be boosted by community financial development and community insurance. The final measure is continual appropriate level setting.
Endoscopic Injection Therapy for Bleeding Peptic Ulcer Using Absolute Alcohol
Authors: Misra S P , Dwivedi M
Published: January 2017

The injection of sclerosants and adrenaline in a bleeding peptic ulcer is known to arrest bleeding in the majority of patients. However, there are very few studies from India on this subject.

Injection therapy was carried out using absolute alcohol in 21 patients with bleeding gastric ulcer and 55 with bleeding duodenal ulcer. Injection therapy successfully controlled bleeding in all 76 patients. Bleeding recurred in two patients who were successfully managed with a second injection of absolute alcohol. Post-injection blood transfusion was required in 16 (76%) patients with gastric ulcer compared with only 12 (22%) of those with a duodenal ulcer. The difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). No complication of injection therapy was noted. It is concluded that injection therapy using absolute alcohol is a safe and effective therapy for managing patients with bleeding peptic ulcer.
Intrapartum Amnioinfusion for Meconium-Stained Liquor in Developing Countries
Authors: Moodley J , Matchaba P , Payne A J
Published: January 2017

Background

Intrapartum amnioinfusion (AI) has been reported to decrease perinatal mortality and morbidity in women with meconium-stained liquor. Such work has not previously been performed at King Edward VIII Hospital (KEH), in a developing country, where the incidence of meconium-stained liquor is said to be extremely high.

Objective

To establish whether AI during the intrapartum period for meconium-stained liquor decreases Caesarean section rates for fetal distress and decreases perinatal morbidity.

Method

Informed consent was obtained from patients in labour who were 3–8 cm dilated, with meconium-staining of the liquor, grades I to III inclusive, and who had a normal cardiotocograph on presentation at term. Sixty patients were included in the trial; 30 had AI. The control group was managed by standard methods. The study group had an amnioinfusion of 0.9% normal saline at 15 ml/min under continuous cardiotocographic monitoring, until a volume of 1 l was completed. This was repeated if delivery did not occur within 4 h.

Results

The mean pH of umbilical arterial blood was significantly higher in the AI group (7.30 versus 7.23; P = 0.0029). In addition fewer patients in this group developed hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (0 versus 2 controls) or meconium aspiration syndrome (1 versus 4 controls). This was not statistically significant. Caesarean section for fetal distress was performed on fewer patients in the AI group (3 versus 7 controls), although this was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that amnioinfusion is an effective technique for improving the perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated by meconium-stained liquor in labour. The decrease in Caesarean sections for fetal distress, though not statistically significant in this study, has clinical relevance. Furthermore, this study suggests that amnioinfusion is cost effective in a busy, high-risk labour ward unit and consequently should become standard practice in the management of meconium-stained liquor in labour.
Epilepsy in Practice
Authors: Kok Peter
Published: January 2017

Epilepsy is a common and often neglected illness in developing countries requiring a conscious effort by health workers, especially at community level, to enhance access to regular treatment and to motivate patients to continue treatment. Effective new drugs have recently come on to the market. However, their high cost means that they often cannot be afforded by poor countries. Strengthening local and national level organizations may help to motivate health workers and the public, improving health services for those with epilepsy and preventing serious complications.
Antiepileptic Drug Treatment in Rural Africa: Involving the Community
Authors: Kaiser Christoph , Asaba George , Mugisa Christine , Kipp Walter , Kasoro Silver , Rubaale Tom , Kabagambe Geoffrey
Published: January 2017

The vast majority of patients with epilepsy in developing countries do not receive adequate medical treatment and an estimated percentage of 80–90% are without any treatment. Poor infrastructure, insufficient availability of drugs and scarcity of trained medical personnel are relevant factors for this situation. Traditional concepts about epilepsy may also affect acceptance and compliance to modern treatment.

We report our experience with anti-epileptic drug (AED) treatment in a rural African community with a high prevalence of epilepsy. After identification of the patients during a prevalence survey on epilepsy, the input of the medical service of the district to the treatment scheme was reduced to a 6-monthly medical visit to the area and long-term provision of AED to the patients. Members of the community were integrated as assistants in the distribution of the drugs and community participation was gradually enhanced over the first year of the programme. A cost-sharing system for the financing of the community assistants was introduced and a self-help committee of epilepsy patients and their families was founded. Within the first 20 months the patients showed good compliance as indicated by a growing number of patients presenting for treatment and a low rate of discontinuation of the treatment. A marked improvement could be observed for most of the patients treated with phenobarbitone in terms of reduction of seizure frequency although complete seizure control was achieved in only a few.
Comparison of a Rapid Dipstick Test and Thick Blood Films for Detecting Parasites of Plasmodium Falciparum Used under Typical Conditions at a Semi-Rural Hospital in Cote D'Ivoire
Authors: Watson P A , Laidoueu A B , Kacou E , Koudou G , Traore M
Published: January 2017

This prospective study compares a rapid dipstick test (ParaSight™-F) with thick blood films for the detection of parasites of P falciparum, under ‘typical’ conditions and constraints to be found in a semi-rural hospital in a tropical developing country in Africa. Eighty-two samples were tested using the two techniques and found to concur in 95.1% of cases. However, in four of the samples the results differed. The thick blood films of 60 samples were later re-read by a local reference laboratory. Of these 98.3% were in agreement with the reading performed at the hospital. Only one of the 60 slides differed.

The rapid dipstick test proved to be both easy to use and free from many of the usual constraints such as a need for formally trained or experienced laboratory staff, laboratory equipment, and reliable water and electricity supplies.

In an holoendemic area for P falciparum transmission, it would appear to be eminently suitable, in technical terms and ease of handling as well as on the basis of rapid results, for wider distribution within this region. Its main drawback remains financial.
Saving More Neonates in Hospital: An Intervention towards a Sustainable Reduction in Neonatal Mortality in a Nicaraguan Hospital
Authors: Aleman J , Brännström I , Liljestrand J , Peña R , Persson L A , Steidinger J
Published: January 2017

A process of change was initiated in a Nicaraguan regional hospital in order to achieve a sustainable reduction of early neonatal mortality. A series of organizational, educational and hygienic measures was introduced, involving all staff in antenatal care, delivery care and neonatal care. Neonatal mortality decreased from 56/1000 live births in 1985 to 11/1000 in 1993. A commission of maternal and child health, a weekly perinatal audit, the active involvement of all staff and dedicated work of key individuals, as well as national policy decisions, are considered important determinants of the process. Keeping neonatal mortality in focus through continuous analysis of care routines, and through external exchange of ideas is important in order to sustain improvements and to decrease further the mortality.
Usefulness of a Self-Report Measure of Anxiety in Prediction of Motor Performance
Authors: Pokrajac Branko
Published: January 2017

An instrument which provides a proper anxiety state measure and measures of seven other emotions was constructed. The instrument (Scale of Eight Emotions — S8E) was used in two investigations aimed at clarification of the relationship between anxiety and motor performance. An experiment which followed the usual design in the study of the effect of anxiety on motor behaviour was conducted. ‘Trait anxiety’ and instruction (2times2) were independent variables, while four motor tasks were dependent ones. Before and after performing motor tasks, the subjects (Ss) responded to the S8E. The Ss' scores on the S8E considerably helped the interpretation of experimental results. The second study was carried out in a natural setting: a modern rhythmical gymnastics contest. The multiple R between seven emotion predictors and motor performance was 0.72 ( P< 0.05). Most important in prediction, anxiety state was correlated with performance with r = −0.58 ( P< 0.01). Fear, the emotion frequently confused with anxiety, was not significantly correlated with performance. ‘Trait anxiety’ too was not significantly correlated with performance, indicating how problematic it is to substitute a trait for a state anxiety measure.
An Empirical Study of the Incidence, Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-Up of Academically Under-Achieving Children
Authors: Lowenstein L.F.
Published: January 2017

The well-known view that success leads to success and failure or frustration with learning to more failure has been investigated by Keister and Updegraff (1937). This has also been proved correct in recent years (Latta, 1978). Ample research observations exist concerning under-achievement and its aetiology or associated features. One of the more recent pieces of research refers to parental influences on a child's capacity to achieve academically (Su, 1976). Su surveyed the perceptions of parents of 352 male and female Junior high-school students who were classified as high, medium or low achievers on the basis of the differences between their expected and actual scores in school examinations. Only students scoring between 90 and 135 on the Army General Classification Test were included. Attitudes towards parents were assessed with ‘the parent/child relationship questionnaire’. Results indicate that high achievers perceive their parents more favourably than do low achievers, rating them higher in giving love and respect. Low achievers felt more rejection and neglect, and received fewer symbolic rewards and more symbolic punishments. Males more than females perceived their parents as demanding and not as showing love and care. Both males and females felt their mothers were more rejecting than their fathers.
A Psycho-Educational Approach to Coping with Failure Amongst Pupils
Authors: Engel Ruth
Published: January 2017

In this paper I hope to explain the reasons for developing a method to provide the individual with tools to cope with failure at an early stage of his life; additionally, the general principles of that method will be formulated. Obviously, the basic objective is ultimately aimed at conditioning the child's thinking towards development of different attitudes in relation to failure situations. Success of the method, in the long run, depends upon the repetition of similar techniques, at least during the first years of the child's schooling. Thus we tend to believe that if we ‘instil’ in the child the proposed way of relating, he will then be able to cope not only with failure in the future but also with pressures exerted by unskilled teachers in school, who may use failure as a threat. As an additional alternative there is proposed a general model of treating children who have not been trained at an earlier stage to deal with failure within the school framework.
Gifted Secondary Pupils in England
Authors: Painter Frieda
Published: January 2017

The Fourth World Conference on Gifted and Talented Children was held in Montreal in 1981. The large gathering of over 1000 participants brought together the representatives of more than 40 countries. They included psychologists, teachers, politicians, administrators and parents. In this climate of increasing concern throughout the world regarding the educational needs of, and provision for, the most able children in schools, it is of interest to inquire into the situation of gifted pupils in particular countries. The research described below investigated first the extent to which teachers recognized pupils who possessed exceptional ability, and second the nature of some of the characteristics of gifted children. As many as possible of the gifted pupils in six secondary schools were identified: their test scores and the replies to questionnaires were used to obtain information about them. All the pupils on the rolls of the six establishments were screened. Altogether, they numbered well over 5000 pupils.
The Doctrines of Specification and Accession: Potential Bases for Legal Ownership through Labor?
Authors: Barker Melissa A.
Published: January 2017

This paper explores the viability of the doctrines of accession and specification as potential sources of a historical-legal basis for ownership rights accruing to labor by recognizing its unique capacity to create value. Focusing on examples from American case law, the origin and development of these doctrines are documented. The changes in these doctrines, from their first appearance in the early civil law or Code of Justinian to the present, often reflect the historic changes in the composition of products, the legal relationship between labor and capital and the changes in the dominant mode of production. The purpose of this inquiry is to determine if a legal rationale exists which justifies collective ownership of the means of production.
The Aftermath of Sweden's Codetermination Law: Workers' Experiences in Gothenburg 1977–1980
Authors: Haas Ain
Published: January 2017

Drawing from previous commentaries on developments in Sweden and recent poll data, this article reviews the emergence of the movement for workers' control of companies in Sweden, presents some research findings on its impact, and discusses the implications of the Swedish approach to workplace democracy. Personal interviews and mail surveys among workers in Gothenburg in 1977 and 1980 reveal that the new Codetermination Law has brought a noticeable but not drastic improvement in employees' opportunities to participate in decisions at the workplace. The law's implementation has apparently neither pacified nor radicalized the workforce, and support for further reforms remains strong.
Norwegian Hydro Power in the Oil Era
Authors: Brunborg Ivar
Published: January 2017

Norway is in most parts a mountainous country with ample precipitation and since such regions are thinly populated the exploitation of the hydro resources (which provides 99% of electricity) has been generally coupled with the development of power-intensive industries, e.g. aluminium, ferro alloys, nitrogen fixation, and carbides production.

Investors (many of them foreign) were attracted by cheap power that could be developed on a reasonable scale. Power plant and the industry were initially built as integrated, and isolated, units by private investors. More recently the State and the communities have taken a bigger stake in the development and a common grid that now covers the entire country has been established. Today, less than 20% is privately owned, about 1/3 belonging to the state and the rest split between county and local communities.

Availability of hydro power is subject to variations in precipitation and in addition a large fraction falls as snow (October–April) in the mountains where its potential is highest, but its contribution to the energy supply very small until it has melted. Economically exploitable hydro power in Norway is 170 TWh/year of which 95 TWh/year is fully developed (25 TWh will be exempted because of nature conservation) leaving room for substantial expansion. Although the off/shore oil and gas resources are now at the centre of the Nation's expectations (and, admittedly, these energy resources surpass hydro by some orders of magnitude) hydro power is still vital to the country's development.

Less than 10% of the total is marketed by a ‘Power Pool’ who fix night and day prices and coordinate supply from the power companies. As in most countries, electricity prices are subject not only to cost and market forces, but also to political considerations. Most households and general industry pay 20 øre (ca. 2 UK-p) per kWh (per capita consumption is >20 000 kWh/year), while the large-scale power-intensive industry may have long range contracts at 6–8 øre and even lower. This includes an electricity tax of 2 øre for most users. The Norwegian electricity system is energy dimensioned, the main problem being the collection and storage of water, while it is relatively cheap to supply sufficient power. This points to benefits from cooperation between Swedish nuclear power, Danish coal-fired stations and Norwegian hydro plants (a 500 MW DC-cable connects Denmark and Norway).
Inconsequences and Neglects in Hydrocarbon Exploration
Authors: Schmidt Walter J.
Published: January 2017

Inconsequences and neglected areas abound in the exploration history of hydrocarbons, both spatially and temporally, and as a result of geologic/technical and economic/political factors. Inorganic hydrocarbons, deep-Earth gas, continental sources and natural coal gasification — are these so rarely considered because of scientific inhibition? Might not vast new areas be opened up to exploration if the rigid beliefs of prospectors on the influence of effusiva and depth of burial could be modified? Our understanding of regional tectonic units is limited but may provide vital clues as to potential for as yet unsuspected exploitable deposits. The essence of a successful outcome will be in the development of an intelligent and organised approach, and an unbiased attitude.
The Arctic Pilot Project
Authors: Bailey Richard A.
Published: January 2017

The Arctic Pilot Project (APP) is a transportation system designed to deliver 7.6 × 106 m3/day of natural gas from Melville Island in the Arctic Islands to a terminal location in Eastern Canada on a year-round basis using icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. LNG was chosen as the cargo because of the abundance of natural gas in the Canadian Arctic and the fact that the LNG is a non-pollutant. The Project would provide experience in the movement of resources from the Arctic on the smallest economic scale. Eventhough the Project is small in scale compared to alternative energy projects, it would yearly provide enough gas to heat approximately 725 000 homes. It is the sponsors' belief that the Project is complimentary to other energy transportation systems, is highly flexible and does not commit the Canadian federal government to only marine transportation of resources. Of importance to government, the Project is environmentally benign and will have minimal impact on the peoples of the Arctic.
An Overview of Nuclear Waste Management
Authors: Shemilt L. W. , Sheng G.
Published: January 2017

The disposal and safe handling of high-level radioactive wastes resulting from the generation of electricity by nuclear fission is a topic of great current concern and future importance. All types of nuclear fuel produce similar quantities of fission products per GW over time, and the most important factor in handling is whether the waste is used fuel or reprocessing waste. It is believed that deep terrestrial or sub-seabed disposal offer the most risk-free options, the former being the more immediate proposition. Developments in media for encapsulating reprocessed wastes may increase the ease with which they can be disposed of. All geologic systems of disposal require a multi-barrier approach, but there are no significant technical problems to safe disposal in this way. Site investigations must study geologic formations, hydrogeology, geochemical properties of host rock and groundwater and long-term stability of the site. Risk assessment of the long-term safety of disposal sites is necessarily probabilistic, and is the subject of much study. The major problem of such assessments is the lack of a commonly-accepted concept of ‘safe’ levels of radiation over geologic timescales.

The paper examines in detail the Canadian waste management and research programs and discusses various international projects on nuclear waste disposal.
Exploration Maturity and Reserves Discovery Relations in the Niger Delta
Authors: Ejedawe J. E. , Abiola V. O. , Young A. S.
Published: January 2017

Phantom surfaces of the normal deviates of well density and discovered oil reserves in place (DORIP) describe the areal variation in exploration maturity and success in the Niger Delta basin. The prolific centres and the prolific belt are clearly defined on the well density map as a high-maturity zone and suggest that the prolific belt is a reflection of exploration maturity.

Cross-matching of the similarity maps (cross-product and difference maps) of the normal deviates of well density and DORIP expresses the degree of association between maturity and success and gives a pictorial view of variations in the degree of advancement of exploration in this province. Six relationships (A, B1, B2, D, E1, and E2) are recognised and can be correlated with local geology to provide a basis for determining the favourability of any area for future significant reserves discovery and hence in exploration planning.
Tidal Power Projects in the Bay of Fundy
Authors: Baker G. C.
Published: January 2017

The geography of the Bay of Fundy, where the tide is probably the highest in the world, is conducive to the concentration of tidal energy, and has therefore been the site of many attempts at harnessing its power. Capital costs, and not technical problems, have been the major source of failure, and are still the overriding constraint on development. After 1973, Canadian Government agencies re-examined the case for development, and great efforts have gone into researching the resource. The benefit/cost ratio in 1981 was of the order of 2.5 or 3.0 to 1, but the fluctuations of the energy market have put off any resolve to develop a large Fundy project, at least until long-term contracts for its power have been secured.
In-Situ Leach Uranium Mining: A Review
Authors: Geddes W. P.
Published: January 2017

This paper describes a current technique (ISL) in uranium mining, i.e. by solution or ‘leaching’. Although it is not yet widespread, it promises a relatively cheap and efficent means of extracting uranium from orebodies in sandstone deposits, such as those of the USA, Australia and Japan. The paper reviews the method and its constraints, project evaluation (largely based on US experience) and wellfield design, environmental aspects, licensing and costs. In addition a guide to current ISL activities is given in the Appendix.
Technological Change in US Coal Mining: Issues and Evidence
Authors: Baker Joe G.
Published: January 2017

This article examines recent developments and issues concerning technological change in US coal mining. First, factors that influence the rate of technological change, such as firm profit, industry structure, and investment are discussed with attention paid to economic conditions in the 1970s. This discussion concludes that characteristics such as geological variability, product homogeneity, and the high-cost long-term nature of investment required in coal mining result in lower levels of R&D in coal mining than in other industries. However, high rates of profit and the growth in coal demand in the 1970s resulted in growth in coal mining R&D throughout much of the 1970s. Second, evidence of technological change in coal mining in examined. Data concerning the employment of scientists and engineers and R&D expenditures are analyzed. More direct measures of technological change such as productivity indexes, are also examined. These data suggest that changes in the types of coal mine work activities (health, safety, and environment as opposed to coal removal) have resulted in reduced coal productivity in the face of increasing R&D.

Given the relationship between sales, profit, investment, and R&D and technological change, the most beneficial means of advancing technology in coal mining would be a healthy, sustained rate of growth in the coal market. Even in favorable economic conditions, the coal industry is unlikely to undertake highly innovative R&D because of industry characteristics that are unaffected by economic variables. This gap in innovative R&D is a possible area of public sector involvement.
Brown Coal Deposits of the German Democratic Republic
Authors: Strzodka Klaus , Bachmann Horst
Published: January 2017

The major source of energy for power generation in the GDR is brown coal. This paper identifies the areas of production, the types of deposit and their exploitation. Techniques for extraction are described, and recent developments in technology mentioned, which have lead to increased efficiency and overall production totals. Apart from providing an indigenous source of fuel, working of brown coal deposits has allowed economic exploitation of associated resources, such as sands and gravels. The mining of brown coal in the GDR is part of an overall planned system for regional and national development, which includes comprehensive reclamation treatments for worked areas, and provides for ‘mining protection areas’ which are designed to prevent conflicts of interest in areas of potential resources.
Energy Science and Technology in China and Taiwan: An Overview
Authors: Tang Tong B.
Published: January 2017

This paper describes, in general terms, China's energy resources, their development, exploitation and distribution, and the context in which they are currently placed. Details are given of coal, oil and gas, hydropower, nuclear power and unconventional sources, and the institutes and organisations within the People's Republic which have responsibility for research, exploration and development, as well as making mention of successes and difficulties encountered, especially in counting the dramatic shortages of power to industry, and in trying to reduce net imports of fuels. Mention is also made of similar developments in Taiwan.
Electricity Generation Policy in the Netherlands
Authors: Van Loon A. J.
Published: January 2017

For a long time the electricity policy in The Netherlands was based mainly upon two considerations: (1) that the capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand, even under extreme conditions; and (2) that supply should be reliable, which means that interruptions must be avoided.

After the oil crisis of 1973–74 other aspects became important, like the price of the fuels and the availability of a ‘strategic reserve’. Due to those considerations no longer an almost exclusive use was made of domestic fuels (originally coal, later natural gas). More or less at the same time the social attitude towards electricity supply (e.g. opposition to nuclear energy, promotion of renewable energy sources) started to have a considerable influence on the political decision-makers.

Due to these complex changes no well-defined electricity policy has existed in the recent past. Recent formulations of policy (which stress the importance of low prices and of diversification) are hampered in their execution by decreasing demand, thus preventing the building of new plants which would lead to a situation that is more in accordance with the present policy.
Geothermal Exploration at Southampton in the UK
Authors: Downing R. A. , Allen D. J. , Barker J. A. , Burgess W. G. , Gray D. A. , Price M. , Smith I. F.
Published: January 2017

Two geothermal wells have been drilled in or near Southampton since 1979. One is at Marchwood, just outside Southampton, and the other is in the centre of the city; the wells are 1.85 km apart. They proved a geothermal reservoir in the upper 25 to 40 m of the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone at a depth of about 1700 m. The reasons for siting the wells in Southampton are discussed and the nature of the reservoir described.

The wells have been extensively tested. The Marchwood well yielded 30 ls−1 for a pressure reduction of 3.7 MNm−2 after a test of 33 days, while the Western Esplanade well gave 20 ls−1 for about 3.0 MNm−2. Both yielded brine with a salinity of over 100 g l−1 at a well-head temperature of between 70 and 74°C. The transmissivity of the reservoir is 6 m2/d (3.5 D.m) and the storage coefficient 4 × 10−5.

Computer modelling of changes in reservoir pressure suggests that near the wells there is a region of relatively high permeability but the permeability declines at distances of more than a few kilometres from the wells. This could take one of several forms including a bounded reservoir or a narrow wedge-shaped reservoir.

The thermal yield from either well at an abstraction rate of 20 ls−1 would be about 3 MW.
Japanese Oil and Gas Situation—Supply and Demand to 1990
Authors: Nomiyama Akihiko
Published: January 2017

Japan's oil demand hit a peak of 4·05 M b/d in 1978. After that, it steadily declined until it dropped in 1985 to 3·12 M b/d. However, Japan is still the largest oil consumer country in the Pacific Rim region.

Japan's oil supply and demand have a great impact on oil flow in this region. Therefore, it is necessary for Japan to carry out her business with a view to helping to smooth the oil flow in this region rather than balancing supply and demand only in Japan. I believe it is possible for Japan to function effectively as one of the major oil terminals in the Pacific Rim region.

As a major oil consumer, Japan has an international responsibility to shoulder a fair share of the risk involved in the development of oil resources. We should seek new development by actively exchanging information in the private sector as well.
High Efficiency Conversion of Lignocellulosics to Sugars for Liquid Fuel Production by the ACOS Process
Authors: Paszner Laszlo , Cho H.J.
Published: January 2017

Decline of world oil reserves and pollution problems from burning of fossil fuels and lead require that methods for safe alternate liquid fuels be developed. Ethanol is one of the most important alternate liquid fuels since it can be produced readily by fermentation of sugars. Wood and vegetable growth are excellent sources of sugars to support an ethanol fuel economy of significant proportions.

Acid Catalysed Organosolv Saccharification (ACOS) is a new means for total biomass dissolution and recover of component sugars and lignin from wood. The process uses an acidified aqueous acetone solution for the high-temperature hydrolysis of biomass. Acetone provides an excellent reaction medium for dissolution of both sugars and lignins and through a transient derivatization of the sugars protects them from further reaction (dehydration) to furfurals and humic substances. Therefore, sugar and lignin recoveries are quantitative. The ACOS process is 700 times faster than the conventional weak acid hydrolysis processes and wood can be dissolved in 30 sec by this process. The lignin is recovered as a low molecular weight powder by-product.

This process is applicable to both coniferous and deciduous woods and agricultural residues such as corn stover, straw and bagasse. In case of such residues the ethanol yield can be doubled (straw and corn stover) or tripled (bagasse) compared to what has been obtained from the grain and sugarcane juice so far. Hitherto these residues were merely discarded or burned.
Commercialization of Biomass Conversion
Authors: Bungay Henry R.
Published: January 2017

Biomass for fuels and chemicals remains a potentially viable option and opportunities for commercialization should be pursued. In the US, apart from the possible use of agricultural wastes, energy plantations of hybrid poplar could produce biomass yields of exploitable proportions.

The technologies and economics of biomass refining indicate that co-product credits are essential for commercial propositions. There are many processes using either enzymatic or acid hydrolysis for the conversion of wood cellulose with subsequent fermentation of the sugars to alcohol. There is also the possibility of producing other industrial chemicals such as acetic acid. The economics of biomass refining could hinge on the profitable sale of the lignin.

The paper discusses the prospects for renewable energy availability from wood and agriultural wastes, sucrose, wood refining, biogas, biomass refining and fermentation products.
Coal Gasification for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Power Generation
Authors: Takematsu Toshi'ichi
Published: January 2017

A number of coal gasifiers applicable to IGCC are under development or at the demonstration stage. These include moving bed, fluidised bed, entrained flow and molten bath types. The efficiency of an IGCC system increases as the temperature of the gas entering the turbine increases. Practical temperatures are currently limited by turbine blade materials and by the system used to clean the gas prior to entering the turbine. Work on hot gas cleaning systems, turbine blade materials and blade cooling techniques are under way. The main requirements of the gasification system are to provide a high temperature, high pressure gas with a minimum of impurities.
Petroleum Exploration and Development Prospects in Australia
Authors: Alderson R.
Published: January 2017

As production from Gippsland Basin peaks: interest in oil and gas supplies have shifted elsewhere. panicuarly offshore wherethere have been significant discoveries in the Tinor Seaand North west self area. Estimates of Australian reserves arecrude oil 2.4 b.b..condensate 0.5 b.b. and natural gas 23 tcf. There is considerable potential for increase in these reserves because exploration activity has not yet been extensive.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Abatement: Implications for Canadian Energy Industries
Authors: Haites Erik
Published: January 2017

Growing public and scientific concern over the prospects of climate change – the greenhouse effect - have led to calls to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 20 percent from 1988 levels by the year 2005. Studies of ways to achieve such reductions in Canada were undertaken by The DPA Group and ROBBERT Associates. This paper examines the implications of the abatement strategies presented in the DPA and ROBBERT reports for Canadian energy industries.

To achieve reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of 20 percent from current levels by 2005, the primary energy demand is kept slightly below the current level. Overall, the impacts of measures to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent from 1988 levels in 2005 on Canada's energy supply industries are not as serious as might be apprehended.

Domestic demand for coal is likely to suffer most. Coal production would depend even more heavily on export markets. In the case of oil and natural gas the effect is primarily to tie the development of major projects to export markets. Construction of fossil-fired generation would be curtailed but non-fossil construction would be unaffected. Exports of coal, natural gas, electricity and, possibly oil, could rise.

The DPA and ROBBERT scenarios are rough analyses of national carbon dioxide emissions abatement strategies. The foregoing assessment, likewise, is a preliminary overview of their impact, nationally, on the Canadian energy industries.
Public Acceptance of Nuclear Energy in Canada
Authors: Warwick Joanna
Published: January 2017

This paper starts from the premise that there is no future for nuclear energy without public support. It traces the history of Canadian public attitudes toward this technology from the early years of opinion polling in the 1940s to the present day. It briefly discusses why nuclear energy is mistrusted by many and the nature of the challenge to the industry in this regard. It describes in some detail current public attitudes in Canada, concentrating on opinion polls, surveys, reports and focus group studies on attitudes towards the nuclear industry, the environment, waste disposal and nuclear safety. In conclusion, it suggests some new directions the industry might consider to stop the decline in public opinion and turn it around.
Basin Analysis Codes: Strategies for Use Based on Data Availability
Authors: Lerche Ian
Published: January 2017

Based upon many quantitative case histories of basins, evaluated by several basin analysis groups, some general patterns of application of codes are developing. Here we set down some ideas for using quantitative basin analysis codes when minimal, moderate or maximal quantities of high quality data are available. While strategies for each basin have to be tailored to the specific geologic setting of each basin, nevertheless some general patterns of development seem to be of generic validity.

Three stategies are outlined as follows:

(a) Minimal data (Table 1 and Section II) (b) Moderate data (Table 2 and Section III) (c) Maximal data (Table 3 and Section IV)

In addition, comments are provided on using basin analysis codes and seismic sections in an integrated manner (section V); while the quandary between corporate applications versus basic research development is briefly considered in section VI.
Generating and Using Basin Specific Discovery and Finding Costs Forecasts
Authors: Power M. , Fuller J.D.
Published: January 2017

This paper outlines a model for predicting the probable volumes of oil-in-place (OIP) and recoverable volumes of oil that will result from the progressive exploration of an area of geologic interest. The model takes specific account of historical drilling results and the available geologic assessments of the basin. The discovery predictions may be combined with drilling cost information to define average and marginal finding cost curves. These may be used to analyze the relative attractiveness of alternative opportunities and, ultimately, to help firms more efficiently allocate limited exploration budgets among competing basins.
Biomass Fuel in Kenya: Availability and the Potential for Gasification
Authors: Laichena Justus K.
Published: January 2017

Biomass, in the form of wood, charcoal, and crop residues, is the most important source of energy in Kenya, providing about 75% of the total. A survey was conducted to assess the availability, use, ease of gathering, and the suitability of various biomass fuels for thermal gasification in Kenya.

Kenya generates a large variety of by-products from the agricultural sector and related industries (eg coffee husks, coconut shells, bagasse, maize cobs, and cereal straw), and from the forest industry (eg sawdust, bark, off-cuts, and timber shots). Most of these are suitable for gasification; only a small fraction is used as domestic fuel or for animal feed. The quantities generated annually are sufficient to operate small to medium-scale gasifiers that might be used to power sawmills, water pumps, maize and cereal mills, or to generate electricity for remote rural communities.

Finally, the paper considers the potential for application of gasification technology in Kenya. Suitable biomass materials are available, and a tentative economic analysis shows that small-scale gasifiers are attractive if the biomass price is low and if the gasifier can be repaired and serviced locally.
17–29 the Baltic Republics – Independence and Energy
Authors: Scanlan A.F.G.
Published: January 2017

With the exception of the oil shale mined in Estonia, the three Baltic Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been heavily dependent on energy supplies from the USSR. The energy sectors of the Baltic States are described and indications are given of possible developments. However a prime objective for each of the Republics is to collect and collate their national energy supply and consumption statistics which are at present totally inadequate.

The way in which the energy sectors develop will be very dependent on political stability in East Europe and on financial and technical help from West Europe.
Coal Related Demand for Energy: Global Perspectives on Energy Scenarios
Authors: Williams Nicole
Published: January 2017

In 1990 fifty countries had coal fired power stations and another twenty had plans to construct them. Despite the fact that coal, worldwide, remains the most important fuel in electricity generation assessing future demand requires careful analysis of potential restraints and opportunities. Some of the factors to be considered are: decline in reserve generating capacities; changes in electricity demand; environmental concerns; interfuel competition; increased electricity trade; acquisition of funding and expertise to construct new generating capacity and the related infrastructure. The total coal fired generating capacity is expected to double over the next thirty years and the international trade in coal is forecast to increase by an additional 200 Mt by 2000 and a further 100 Mt by 2010. By the year 2000 it is estimated that the world's power stations will use 370 Mt/year of seaborne traded coal.
World Natural Gas Reserves
Authors: Cornot-Gandolphe Sylvie
Published: January 2017

Cedigaz, the International Centre for information on natural gas and all gaseous hydrocarbons, continually reviews natural gas reserves world wide. Presented here are the statistics published in the Cedigaz 1992 survey together with the reserves definitions and the major changes during 1992.
The Strategic Implications of Estimating Reserves
Authors: Howorth Gary
Published: January 2017

A detailed analysis of the UK North Sea oil and gas reserves is provided. Estimating the undiscovered reserves, which can be subject to quite different views, is becoming an important factor for both companies and the UK government to determine strategies.
Deriving Proven Oil Reserves Comments on the Monte Carlo Simulation Procedure
Authors: Wallace Mark
Published: January 2017

The definition of reserves categories is frequently related directly back to the probabilistic distribution of reserves in the field. Most developments are planned around the P50 or “most likely” expectation for the field a level which incorporates the Proven plus Probable categories. The Proven category is usually backed out from the resulting reserves distribution by assuming an arbitrary P90 or P80 value, similarly upside or the Reserves including the Possible category are allocated a P20 or P10 value. This approach provides an “accepted” range to the reserves but is essentially reliant upon applying a range to a set of deterministric parameters. This approach assumes the basic principles of reservoir description are correct and can be applied at all confidence levels (P90-P10). In complex reservoirs this is less of a valid assumption, and running deterministic cases using pessimistic and optimistic data interpretations is the realistic way to determine the reserves range for the field.
Distinctions in the Oil and Gas Reserves and Resources Classifications Assumed in Russia and USA – Source of Distinctions
Authors: Nemchenko Nikolai N. , Zykin Mikail Ya. , Arbatov Alexander A. , Poroskun Vladimir I. , Gutman Igor S.
Published: January 2017

The existing estimates of the Russia's oil and gas proved reserves have many variations and distinctions especially between the Russian and Western ones.

The article analyses these distinctions and offers explanations of their origin. The results of the analysis provide a possibility for Western experts to use their classifications to understand and estimate real production capacities of the deposits which have been evaluated with Russian methodology.
China's Petroleum Market in the 1990s: Review and Challenges to its Refining Industry
Authors: Tang Frank C.
Published: January 2017

On the basis of reviewing China's petroleum market in the early 1990s, this paper examines some critical issues facing the country's refining industry. China's crude oil production has stagnated in recent years, whereas oil demand and oil imports have increased rapidly since the early 1990s. For the first time since 1960s, China became a net oil importer in 1993. Although the total capacity of China's refining industry is impressive, the overall refinery utilization rate has been considerably low owing to the inherited dispersed and poorly coordinated refining system, and inadequate domestic crude oil supply. In addition, the industry is confronting several major critical challenges, mainly, changing demand pattern, worsening crude quality, and tightening product specifications.
The Prospects of Oil Supply in China
Authors: Wang Haijiang
Published: January 2017

This paper provides a brief overview of the prospects for the exploration and development of Chinese crude oil, and presents projection of Chinese crude output over the next decade. Crude production in onshore eastern China is nearing its economically and technologically feasible limit, and will start to decline after 2000, while offshore production will rise moderately and gradually. Only the western region shows very hopeful signs for greatly increased Chinese crude output. Accordingly, it is expected to have the highest rate of production growth. China's crude oil output is projected to plateau at 3.4 million during the early 2000s, compared with 1994's 3.0 million b/d.
Study on the Possibility of Recovering Lignites from Refused Innerburden
Authors: Vamvuka D.
Published: January 2017

The technique of Selective Size Reduction was adopted in order to investigate the possibility of recovering the combustible material from the refused innerburden of the Komanos mine in Greece, in an effort to increase the exploitable energy reserves. The variation of the qualitative characteristics of the grain fractions, produced by the application of this technique, provided useful information on both the suitability of these fractions for combustion in the Power Plants of the area and the possibility of the exploitation of the refuse. The results have shown that the fraction –1.6+1 mm, which was produced from the third stage of crushing with a recovery of 70%, was of acceptable quality for combustion in specific Power Plants, while the refuse (–1 mm) appeared to be proper for use in the cement industry.