bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Grouping of Wells Combining Geological Compartmentalization and Surface Facilities
Authors: Bose Sushanta , Balasubramanian Sriram , Alzahabi Ahmed , Chen Peila , Thakur Ganesh C.
Published: April 2018

A hybrid approach, incorporating subsurface geology, reservoir properties, production behavior, as well as surface facilities, was applied to field X to define three separate areas for efficient reservoir asset management.

Field X has a total of about 80 wells with 69 producing wells. They produce from two stacked, good quality, unconsolidated, fine-grained, Eocene age, fluvio-deltaic sandstones, namely E1 and E2. Average porosity and permeability of the reservoirs are 24% and 400mD, respectively. 3D-seismic was used to map reservoirs, faults, reservoir quality, and hydrocarbon saturations. The latter two were calibrated with petrophysical results.

Large faults, trending NE-SW, dissect the field but the reservoir communication among the fault blocks is evident from the pressure data and similar depths of fluid contacts throughout the field. Although nonsealing, these faults significantly influenced the hydrocarbon accumulations in different areas.

Simultaneously, the network and conditions of the three OCFs (oil collection facility) were studied. A multi-disciplinary approach was employed to compare and combine the surface networks with the subsurface reservoir character and productions. Consequently, three areas-X1, X2 and X3, were defined. The area boundaries are marked mainly by the major faults.

Thickness, net sand, effective porosity, and seismic attribute maps show that the reservoir quality is better in areas X1 and X3 than X2. This leads to faster fluid movement, including water and gas encroachment. Moreover, a shale barrier that helps to prevent water invasion, is thinner in the X1. Therefore, wells from X1 show declining oil production due to high water cut and majority are on artificial lift. X3-wells show relatively steady but gradually declining oil production with some high water-cut- wells and with a few wells on artificial lift. X2 wells display strong oil production, with low water cut and low GOR. These differences in reservoir behavior is reflected in the production plots.

Surface facilities and subsurface characterization were two silos of the operating organization. However, reservoir segments with similar geological and reservoir properties are expected to yield similar production performance. Therefore, this approach to combine wells that are similar based on reservoir, under the same OCF is enabling effective and efficient implementation of reservoir management strategies that are defined specifically for each segment of the reservoirs.
An Innovative Design and Construction Method of New-Build Hull-Platform for Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading
Authors: Tanaka S. , Takano K. , Sogawa Y. , Nakamura K. , Inoue T. , Mori M. , Otonari M.
Published: April 2018

The demand for new-build FPSO hulls is increasing in order to reduce operational and maintenance cost and to install larger topside modules compared with tanker conversion FPSOs. However, low construction cost and fast-track construction are also required to the new-build FPSO as with the conversion FPSO, and they are challenging problems.

In order to cope with those challenging problems, Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. were developed unique modular design and construction concept with simplified hull form, "noah-FPSO Hull" (noah : New Offshore Adapted Hull), and obtained Approval in Principle for the noah-FPSO Hull from two world leading classification societies, Bureau Veritas and American Bureau of Shipping.

Its concept for unique modular design and multi-yard construction were introduced [1]. This paper presents specific modular design and adaptability for various oil fields.
Electromechanical Remotely Operated Barrier Valve Used in Multiple Operations Globally: A Decade in Review
Authors: Thomson Barry , Smith Gary , Brown Irvine
Published: April 2018

This paper discusses a cost-reducing technology that has been used globally in multiple well construction and abandonment applications. The electromechanical remotely operated barrier valve is designed to maximize operational efficiencies and create savings by decreasing valuable rig time from applications. The remote-control operation is facilitated by preprogrammed pressure and timer sequences and is easily tailored to the well conditions and tasks to be performed. This paper discusses field data from applications where the technology has been used and the value created in each case.

The remotely operated barrier valve has been deployed in multiple applications, including completion deployment, well suspension, zonal isolation, decommissioning, and as a replacement for ball-drop valves. The valve uses onboard decision-making electronics and is a retrievable, computer-controlled ball valve that can be repeatedly opened and closed by remote command. No connections to the surface or well interventions are necessary to communicate with and operate the valve. The valve is predominantly deployed below a lock mandrel or retrievable bridge plug. With each function of the valve, an intervention is eliminated from the operation, dramatically reducing rig time and the associated operational and health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks.

The first field installation for the remotely operated barrier valve was in February 2008 for an operator in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea; since then, the valve has been used on more than 600 installations by 40 separate operators in greater than 20 countries. With approximately 1,400 remote activations to date, it has effectively reduced well intervention costs whilst reducing the operational and HSE risks associated with these operations.

Well construction efficiencies and cost savings remain a top priority in an industry where the challenge is no longer to maximize production but to reduce production costs and operational expenditures (OPEX) because of lower oil prices. The use of remotely operated barrier valves has been successfully addressing this challenge for the last decade.
SCORCH JIP - Overview of Project and Summary of Findings
Authors: Potts Andrew , Kurts Phil , Jayasinghe Kanishka , Kilner Andrew , Melchers Rob , Lee Tim , Chaplin Richard
Published: April 2018

Operators have, in the past, experienced high rates of corrosion for mooring systems in warm waters above those allowed for in traditional design guidance. The Joint Industry Project (JIP) for Seawater Corrosion of wire Rope and mooring Chain (SCORCH) was carried out with the participation of over twenty five offshore platform operators, equipment manufacturers, regulators and classification societies to address gaps in industry knowledge on the corrosion of steel wire rope and mooring chain, particularly in tropical waters.

The five-year project involved a broad range of research from literature review through to field experiments, examination of recovered in-service components and derivation of generalised corrosion models. Coupons of several grades of chain were deployed for a two year period at a number of sites to account for variation in temperature, oxygenation, current/wave action and water quality. Full-size chain links and lengths of smaller chain were also deployed for comparison, with special laboratory tests to investigate the effect of nutrient content on microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Wire rope tests were carried out for a similar variation of environmental conditions as the chain tests. A range of specimens including individual wire strands, and wire rope sections with varying levels of blocking compound, jacketing and galvanic protection were subject to exposure for a period of three years and 6 months.

An extensive industry-wide survey of in-service and retired mooring components was also carried out to supplement these experiments. A standardised procedure for corrosion inspection was distributed to participants and a database of detailed wire rope and chain corrosion measurements was collated from approximately 30 floating production units (FPUs) operating in tropical waters in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Some recovered specimens were subject to more extensive examination, including 3D laser scanning and tensile break tests.

The SCORCH JIP advanced knowledge in the field of mooring corrosion by providing guidance on inspection and integrity management methodologies, unique insight into the factors affecting the corrosion performance of steel wire rope and mooring chain, and generalised predictive corrosion models for the assessment of mooring corrosion. These recommendations are presented in the following paper.
A New Method Based on Simulation Experiment to Evaluate Subsea Wellhead Stability of Drilling from Gas Hydrate Sediments in Deep Water
Authors: Li Lilin , Yang Jin , Zhou Guodong , Yan Li , Yin Qishuai , Zhou Bo , Wang Lei , Ke Ke
Published: April 2018

The gas hydrate dissociation may cause subsidence of the subsea wellhead and conductor during the drilling behavior in gas hydrate sediments. This paper proposed a new method based on simulation experiment to evaluate subsea wellhead stability of drilling in gas hydrate sediments in deep-water.

The experiment was investigated in a high-pressure gas hydrate autoclave at 4°C and 15Mpa to simulate submarine environment. The process involved generating gas hydrate in the autoclave, inserting a double-layer assembled pipe and circulating fluid in it to simulate the drilling process. The influence of temperature variation to the bearing capacity and subsea wellhead subsidence were researched. There are 81 groups of experiments were conducted in both strongly and weakly consolidated gas hydrate sediments with the saturation of 18.2%, 26.5%, 38%.

The results show that wellhead subsidence in the simulation experiment consists of 3 stages. Starting stage: the radius of the hydrate dissociation increases with the rise of the formation temperature; the wellhead starts to subside. Accelerating stage: the wellhead subsidence accelerates when the formation temperature rises to an inflexion value. The higher saturation and weaker consolidation of the hydrate lead to the more subsidence of the subsea wellhead. Stabilization stage: the wellhead subsidence tends to be stable after the temperature exceeds the acceleration range. This suggests that there is a drilling fluid temperature window to keep the wellhead stable that can be determined by the wellhead load physical and mechanics parameters of the hydrate. For instance: the safe drilling fluid temperature window is from 4°C to 8.15°C during drilling in the weakly consolidated hydrate sediments with the saturation of 38%. The experiment was carried out to verify that comparing with the normal temperature drilling fluid, the wellhead subsidence decreases 92% if using the drilling fluid temperature in the safety drilling fluid temperature window.

The novelty of this paper is to propose the safe drilling fluid temperature window based on a series of drilling simulation experiments to keep the subsea wellhead stable during drilling in the gas hydrate sediments in deep water. The drilling fluid temperature can be controlled in this window, which can reduce the risks of the wellhead subsidence, improve the wellhead stability and ensure the safety of the drilling operation.
VIV-Mitigating Buoyancy Module Performance Characterization Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Lai Lawrence S. H.
Published: April 2018

A new design of drill riser buoyancy is introduced with tri-helical grooves formed into the module. The primary purpose is to mitigate vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of the riser string which is a significant factor in causing riser cyclic stress and fatigue damage.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is employed to simulate the buoyancy module hydrodynamic behavior. A range of representative offshore environments is considered using a Reynolds-averaged (k-epsilon) turbulence model in 3-dimensional space. The hydrodynamic performance is mainly characterized in terms of the in-line and cross-flow drag coefficients (Cdk, Cdy) and lift coefficients (Cl).

The CFD results show comparable drag coefficients with tow-tank testing data performed at SINTEF in Trondheim, Norway in July 2017. Cdx is shown to be consistent at approximately 0.60 – 0.65 for the Re = 105 – 107 range whereas Cdy and Cl approximates zero and is negligible. This, evaluated from a global riser perspective, means the riser has a predictably consistent drag performance with little variation in cross-flow and axial motion. The helical grooves form channels that divert flow axially away from the free-field flow directions which functions to disrupt regular flow order. This prevents the formation of a von Karman vortex street which is a requirement for vortex-induced vibration. The omni-directional nature of the helical grooves ensures this mechanism for breaking regular flow is achievable regardless of the environmental current direction acting on the riser.

VIV is an increasingly significant problem with deep-water exploration in harsh weather environments. The new buoyancy design provides passive vortex shedding mitigation to top-tensioned risers which would reduce the propensity of VIV occurrence.
Wave-Current Blockage: Reduced Forces for the Re-Assessment of Ageing Space-Frame Offshore Structures
Authors: Santo H. , Taylor P. H. , Day A. H. , Nixon E. , Choo Y. S.
Published: April 2018

This paper summarises extensive research work on the accurate calculation of extreme loads from waves and current on space-frame offshore structures. Although relevant to new builds, improved prediction of extreme loads is also key to the re-assessment of old and ageing offshore platforms.

Current blockage is a field effect. Due to the presence of the rest of the structure, the flow velocity on each structural member is reduced on average leading to smaller overall loads. The first model to account for this ‘current blockage’ was first proposed by Taylor [1], and incorporated into standard industry practice (API, DNV and ISO). This is a simple improvement to the original Morison equation (Morison et al. [2]), which predicts forces using the undisturbed open ocean flow properties.

New work shows that unsteady large waves on top of a steady current introduces additional blockage, interpreted as wave-current blockage. Large-scale laboratory experiments have been used to validate numerical force calculations. This paper describes a numerical Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of a porous block with embedded Morison drag and inertia stresses distributed over the enclosed volume of the space-frame as a global representation. At a local member scale, the standard Morison equation is used, but on the local flow. This local flow speed is reduced because of overall interaction between the structural members interpreted as resulting from a distributed array of obstacle. Since the Morison equation is semi-empirical, drag and inertia coefficients are still required, consistent with present industry practice. This new method should be useful for assessing the overall structural load resistance and integrity in extreme wave and current conditions when survivability is in question.

Results are presented from recent large-scale experiments on a scaled (1:80) jacket model in the Kelvin Hydrodynamics Laboratory in Glasgow. These tests cover force measurements on both a jacket (stiff, statically-responding) and the same model restrained on springs to mimic structural dynamics (the first mode of a deep-water jacket, the second mode of a compliant tower or the first mode of a jack-up). For a jacket structure under all range of wave and current conditions, only a single pair of values of Morison drag and inertia coefficients is required to reproduce the complete total force-time histories on the jacket model. This is in contrast to the present industry practice whereby different Morison drag coefficients are required in order to fit the measured peak forces over the wide range of cases considered. For the dynamic tests, we find that the relative velocity formulation of the Morison equation for space-frame structures is valid for dynamically sensitive structures. All of these effects can be captured using our numerical porous block model.
Structural Health Monitoring for Offshore Wind Turbine Towers and Foundations
Authors: Rahim A. , Sparrevik P. , Mirdamadi A.
Published: April 2018

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of wind turbines can be used for verification and investigation of uncertainties in design, as well as provide input for possible future design optimization. It may also provide early warning of degradation. This allows for condition-based maintenance and status evaluation for possible lifetime extension or changed operational conditions (for example turbine modifications).

SHM monitoring applications include environmental loads, corrosion, natural frequencies and damping characteristics of foundations, stress concentrations, deformation, fatigue cycles, foundation scour, seabed stiffness, pore pressure and settlement.

Benefits of SHM are described with examples of case studies where monitoring made an important contribution to design improvements.

Advantages of integrated monitoring solutions are outlined where an intelligent combination of sensors can provide information of linked parameters and overall assessment of the structural health

Recommendations and examples of monitoring systems are described. These cover different foundation types with emphasis on the most significant monitoring aspects for the design of each foundation type.

This paper and the detailed report to BSEE provide useful guidelines on structural health monitoring of offshore wind turbine foundations where relevant industry standards presently are missing.
Integrated Emergency Management Platform Using IoT to Improve MEM
Authors: Booker Rachel , Benham Ralph
Published: April 2018

We are presenting new tool for emergency response teams to enhance management of major emergencies as they occur. The tool (Real-time Emergency Situation Communications and Updates Exchange—RESCUE) augments communication and provides higher levels of situation awareness for offshore assets and their onshore support teams. It was developed to increase visibility, coordinate responses, and decisively resolve incidents with minimal consequences. RESCUE integrates onshore and offshore communications – a key benefit providing seamless and instant, coordinated response planning.

RESCUE utilizes an interactive display to track emergency incidents and tactical responses. It is intended to be rig, crew, and company specific in order to maximize effectiveness. The system is loaded with a given installation/facility's general arrangement drawings onto the interactive display – drawings can be generic or installation specific, depending on the desired level of customization. Additionally, RESCUE will also be loaded with company specific emergency response procedures and policies – allowing response teams to access checklists and pertinent documents instantly. Through the use of different icons (representing fire, smoke, Response Teams, injured persons, etc.) the Emergency Control Team is able to visually represent the incident's simulated conditions and response efforts in real-time on the interactive display. This macro level visualization allows the Emergency Manager to maintain high situation awareness, maximizing effective decision making. Possibly the biggest advantage, is the synchronization of offshore and shore side response efforts. Via RESCUE, the onshore emergency support team is able to visually observe real time incident updates. This exchange bridges communication gaps between the offshore and onshore response teams providing tighter response efforts for the offshore asset. RESCUE can be loaded on any smart device so key personnel can observe at any time, from any location. Where capable and permissible, the system can also access an installation's closed circuit cameras for direct observations of incidents as they occur.

RESCUE was initially developed to be used for emergency response training; however, as companies were exposed to the system, its capabilities have evolved. As its original intent was for training purposes, RESCUE is also capable of providing remote training in various settings such as on offshore installations or shore based control rooms. Given authorization, everything that the screen displays can be replicated making it possible for the training provider to facilitate remote emergency management training, exercises, and debriefs.
Transition to Practice for Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainers Providing Medical Care in the Secondary School Setting
Authors: Kirby Jessica L. , Walker Stacy E. , Mazerolle Stephanie M.
Published: April 2018

Context: 

Transition to clinical practice can be challenging for newly credentialed athletic trainers (ATs), who are expected to immediately step into their roles as autonomous clinicians. For those providing care in the secondary school setting, this transition may be complicated by the fact that many practice in isolation from other health care providers.

Objective: 

To explore the transition to practice of newly credentialed graduate assistant ATs providing medical care in the secondary school.

Design: 

Phenomenologic qualitative study.

Setting: 

Secondary school.

Patients or Other Participants: 

The 14 participants (2 men, 12 women; age = 23.3 ± 2.0 years) were employed in the secondary school setting through graduate assistantships, had been credentialed for less than 1 year, and had completed professional bachelor's degree programs.

Data Collection and Analysis: 

We completed 14 semistructured phone interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A general inductive approach was used for data analysis. Trustworthiness was established through multiple-analyst triangulation, peer review, and member checks.

Results: 

A period of uncertainty referred to a time during which participants were anxious as they began practicing independently. Legitimation through role engagement signified that as the period of uncertainty passed, participants developed more confidence in themselves and legitimation by engaging in their role. Acclimation through physician communication and professional relationships highlighted the importance of developing a relationship with the team physician, which provided a source of feedback and support for continued growth and confidence.

Conclusions: 

To prepare for this period of uncertainty, educators and preceptors should encourage students to interact with members of the health care team and communicate with parents and coaches. Employers should implement initiatives to orient newly credentialed ATs to their roles, provide clear job expectations, and assign or assist with identifying mentors. Newly credentialed ATs should seek support from many different individuals, including the team physician, who can provide support, feedback, and encouragement.
Cвободные $n$-кратные полугруппы
Authors: Zhuchok Anatolii Vladimirovich
Published: April 2018

Настоящая работа посвящена изучению $n$-кратных полугрупп.
В ней построена свободная $n$-кратная полугруппа
произвольного ранга и, как следствие, охарактеризована
однопорожденная свободная $n$-кратная полугруппа. Кроме
этого, приведены примеры $n$-кратных полугрупп, доказана
независимость аксиом $n$-кратной полугруппы, а также
установлено, что полугруппы построенной свободной $n$-кратной
полугруппы изоморфны, а ее группа автоморфизмов изоморфна
симметрической группе.
Библиография: 17 названий.
Sulfamethoxazole Levels in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Ugandan Children
Authors: Kasule Jingo , Gabriel Erin E. , Anok Aggrey , Neal Jillian , Eastman Richard T. , Penzak Scott , Newell Kevin , Serwadda David , Duffy Patrick E. , Reynolds Steven J. , Hobbs Charlotte V.
Published: April 2018

Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP–SMX) prophylaxis in HIV-uninfected, exposed (HUE) children variably reduces clinical malaria burden despite antifolate resistance, but data regarding achieved serum levels and adherence are lacking. Serum samples from 70 HUE children aged 3–12 months from Rakai, Uganda, enrolled in an observational study were assayed for random SMX levels using a colorimetric assay. Adherence with TMP–SMX prophylaxis data (yes/no) was also collected. Of 148 visits with concurrent SMX levels available, 56% had self-reported adherence with TMP–SMX therapy. Among these 82 visits, mean (standard deviation) level was 19.78 (19.22) µg/mL, but 33% had SMX levels below half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for Plasmodium falciparum with some, but not all, of the reported antifolate resistance mutations reported in Uganda. With TMP–SMX prophylaxis, suboptimal adherence is concerning. Sulfamethoxazole levels below IC50s required to overcome malaria parasites with multiple antifolate resistance mutations may be significant. Further study of TMP–SMX in this context is needed.
Diagnostic and Treatment Monitoring Potential of A Stool-Based Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: DiNardo Andrew R. , Kay Alexander W. , Maphalala Gugu , Harris Nadine M. , Fung Celia , Mtetwa Godwin , Ustero Pilar , Dlamini Sindisiwe , Ha Ngan , Graviss Edward A. , Mejia Rojelio , Mandalakas Anna M.
Published: April 2018

A quantifiable, stool-based, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) test has potential complementary value to respiratory specimens. Limit of detection (LOD) was determined by spiking control stool. Clinical test performance was evaluated in a cohort with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) (N = 166) and asymptomatic household TB child contacts (N = 105). Stool-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results were compared with sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert MTB/RIF), and cultures. In Mtb stool-spiking studies, the LOD was 96 colony-forming units/50 mg of stool (95% confidence interval [CI]: 84.8–105.6). Among specimens collected within 72 hours of antituberculosis treatment (ATT) initiation, stool qPCR detected 22 of 23 (95%) of culture-positive cases. Among clinically diagnosed cases that were Xpert MTB/RIF and culture negative, stool qPCR detected an additional 8% (3/37). Among asymptomatic, recently TB-exposed participants, stool PCR detected Mtb in two of 105 (1.9%) patients. Two months after ATT, the Mtb quantitative burden in femtogram per microliters decreased (Wilcoxon signed-rank P < 0.001) and persistent positive stool PCR was associated with treatment failure or drug resistance (relative risk 2.8, CI: 1.2–6.5; P = 0.012). Stool-based qPCR is a promising complementary technique to sputum-based diagnosis. It detects and quantifies low levels of stool Mtb DNA, thereby supporting adjunct diagnosis and treatment monitoring in pulmonary TB.
Case Report: Ocular Microsporidiosis: Case in a Patient Returning from India and Review of the Literature
Authors: Leroy Jordan , Cornu Marjorie , Deleplancque Anne-Sophie , Bart Aldert , Loridant Séverine , Fréalle Emilie , Dutoit Emmanuel , Gaillot Olivier , van Gool Tom , Puisieux François , Labalette Pierre , Sendid Boualem
Published: April 2018

Microsporidia are protists close to the kingdom of fungi that may cause eye infections. Most cases are reported in Asia and affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Here, we report a rare case of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in an immunocompetent French patient 3 weeks after returning from India. In our patient, Weber trichrome staining of conjunctival scrapings revealed rounded elements approximately 1–3 μm in size. Conventional polymerase chain reaction analysis by ribosomal RNA subunit sequencing showed 100% identity with Vittaforma corneae. Treatment by corneal debridement combined with fluoroquinolone eye drops allowed complete resolution of the lesions. Although rare, ocular microsporidiosis should be investigated in a patient who is native to Asia or has returned from an endemic area and presents with keratoconjunctivitis of undetermined etiology.
The Ozone Monitoring Instrument: overview of 14 years in space
Authors: Levelt Pieternel F. , Joiner Joanna , Tamminen Johanna , Veefkind J. Pepijn , Bhartia Pawan K. , Stein Zweers Deborah C. , Duncan Bryan N. , Streets David G. , Eskes Henk , van der A Ronald , McLinden Chris , Fioletov Vitali , Carn Simon , de Laat Jos , DeLand Matthew , Marchenko Sergey , McPeters Richard , Ziemke Jerald , Fu Dejian , Liu Xiong , Pickering Kenneth , Apituley Arnoud , González Abad Gonzalo , Arola Antti , Boersma Folkert , Chan Miller Christopher , Chance Kelly , de Graaf Martin , Hakkarainen Janne , Hassinen Seppo , Ialongo Iolanda , Kleipool Quintus , Krotkov Nickolay , Li Can , Lamsal Lok , Newman Paul , Nowlan Caroline , Suleiman Raid , Tilstra Lieuwe Gijsbert , Torres Omar , Wang Huiqun , Wargan Krzysztof
Published: April 2018

Abstract. This overview paper highlights the successes of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on board the Aura satellite spanning a period of nearly 14 years. Data from OMI has been used in a wide range of applications and research resulting in many new findings. Due to its unprecedented spatial resolution, in combination with daily global coverage, OMI plays a unique role in measuring trace gases important for the ozone layer, air quality, and climate change. With the operational very fast delivery (VFD; direct readout) and near real-time (NRT) availability of the data, OMI also plays an important role in the development of operational services in the atmospheric chemistry domain.
Characterization of biogenic primary and secondary organic aerosols in the marine atmosphere over the East China Sea
Authors: Kang Mingjie , Fu Pingqing , Kawamura Kimitaka , Yang Fan , Zhang Hongliang , Zang Zhengchen , Ren Hong , Ren Lujie , Zhao Ye , Sun Yele , Wang Zifa
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Molecular composition and abundance of sugars and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) from biogenic sources over the East China Sea were investigated based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Biogenic SOA tracers and sugars exhibit higher levels in the samples affected by continental air masses, suggesting the terrestrial outflows of organic matter to the East China Sea. Glucose was the dominant sugar species (0.31–209 ng m–3, 18.8 ng m–3), followed by mannitol – a fungal spore tracer. All sugar compounds showed higher concentrations in the nighttime than in the daytime. 3-Methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid, one high-oxidation tracer of monoterpene SOA, was found to be the most abundant species among measured biogenic SOA markers, suggesting the input of aged organic aerosols through long-range transport. Fungal-spore-derived organic carbon (OC) was the biggest contributor to total OC (0.03–19.8 %, 3.1 %), followed by sesquiterpene-derived secondary OC (SOC), biomass-burning-derived OC, monoterpene- and isoprene-derived SOC. Larger carbon percentages of biogenic OCs and SOCs in total OC presented in the terrestrially influenced aerosols indicate significant contributions of continental aerosols through long-range transport. Positive matrix factorization results illustrate that the secondary sulfate ammonia, secondary nitrate and biogenic SOA, sea salt and coal combustion were the main sources controlling the marine aerosols over the East China Sea, again highlighting the importance of Asian continent as a natural emitter of biogenic organic aerosols together with anthropogenic aerosols over the coastal marine atmosphere.
How does the terrestrial carbon exchange respond to inter-annual climatic variations? A quantification based on atmospheric CO2 data
Authors: Rödenbeck Christian , Zaehle Sönke , Keeling Ralph , Heimann Martin
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The response of the terrestrial net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 to climate variations and trends may crucially determine the future climate trajectory. Here we directly quantify this response on inter-annual timescales by building a linear regression of inter-annual NEE anomalies against observed air temperature anomalies into an atmospheric inverse calculation based on long-term atmospheric CO2 observations. This allows us to estimate the sensitivity of NEE to inter-annual variations in temperature (seen as a climate proxy) resolved in space and with season. As this sensitivity comprises both direct temperature effects and the effects of other climate variables co-varying with temperature, we interpret it as inter-annual climate sensitivity. We find distinct seasonal patterns of this sensitivity in the northern extratropics that are consistent with the expected seasonal responses of photosynthesis, respiration, and fire. Within uncertainties, these sensitivity patterns are consistent with independent inferences from eddy covariance data. On large spatial scales, northern extratropical and tropical inter-annual NEE variations inferred from the NEE–T regression are very similar to the estimates of an atmospheric inversion with explicit inter-annual degrees of freedom. The results of this study offer a way to benchmark ecosystem process models in more detail than existing effective global climate sensitivities. The results can also be used to gap-fill or extrapolate observational records or to separate inter-annual variations from longer-term trends.
SURATLANT: a 1993–2017 surface sampling in the central part of the
North Atlantic subpolar gyre
Authors: Reverdin Gilles , Metzl Nicolas , Olafsdotir Solveig , Racapé Virginie , Takahashi Taro , Benetti Marion , Vadimarsson Hedinn , Benoit-Cattin Alice , Danielsen Magnus , Fin Jonathan , Naamar Aïcha , Pierrot Denis , Sullivan Kevin , Bringas Francis , Goni Gustavo
Published: April 2018

Abstract. This paper presents the SURATLANT dataset (SURveillance ATLANTique), consisting of individual data of temperature, salinity, parameters of the carbonate system, nutrients and water stable isotopes (δ18O and δD) collected mostly from ships of opportunity since 1993 along transects between Iceland and Newfoundland (https://doi.org/10.17882/54517). We discuss how the data are validated, qualified, their accuracy and the overall characteristics of the data set. The data are used to reconstruct seasonal cycles and interannual anomalies, in particular of Sea Surface Salinity (SSS), inorganic nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and its isotopic composition δ13CDIC, total alkalinity (At), and water isotope concentrations. Derived parameters, such as fCO2 and pH are also estimated. The relation between salinity and At is estimated in these data to investigate the possibility to replace missing At when estimating other parameters of the carbonate system. We compare the seasonal cycle derived from these data with other climatologies. We find a period of small seasonal change between January and late April, except on the Newfoundland shelf/continental slope, when changes related with spring-stratification and blooms occur earlier. The data were collected in a period of multi-decennial variability associated with the Atlantic meridional oscillation with warming between 1994 and 2004–2007, and the recent cooling having peaked in 2014–2016. We also observe strong salinification in 2004–2009 and fresher waters in 1994–1995 as well as since 2010 south of 54° N and in 2016–2017 north of 54° N. Indication of multi-decadal variability is also suggested by other variables, such as phosphate or DIC, but cannot be well resolved seasonally with the discrete sampling and in the presence of interannual variability. As a whole, over the 24 years ocean fCO2 trend (+1.9 µatm yr-1) is close to the atmospheric trend and associated with an increase in DIC (+0.70 μmol kg-1 yr-1). The data also revealed a "canonical" pH decrease of −0.002 yr-1. There is also a decrease in δ13CDIC between 2005 and 2017 (in winter, −0.015 ‰ yr-1, but larger in summer, −0.042 ‰ yr-1), suggesting significant anthropogenic carbon signal at play together with other processes (mixing, biological activity).
Managing uncertainty in flood protection planning with climate projections
Authors: Dittes Beatrice , Špačková Olga , Schoppa Lukas , Straub Daniel
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Technical flood protection is a necessary part of integrated strategies to
protect riverine settlements from extreme floods. Many technical flood
protection measures, such as dikes and protection walls, are costly to adapt
after their initial construction. This poses a challenge to decision makers
as there is large uncertainty in how the required protection level will
change during the measure lifetime, which is typically many decades long.
Flood protection requirements should account for multiple future uncertain
factors: socioeconomic, e.g., whether the population and with it the damage
potential grows or falls; technological, e.g., possible advancements in flood
protection; and climatic, e.g., whether extreme discharge will become more
frequent or not. This paper focuses on climatic uncertainty. Specifically, we
devise methodology to account for uncertainty associated with the use of
discharge projections, ultimately leading to planning implications. For
planning purposes, we categorize uncertainties as either “visible”, if they
can be quantified from available catchment data, or “hidden”, if they
cannot be quantified from catchment data and must be estimated, e.g., from
the literature. It is vital to consider the “hidden uncertainty”, since in
practical applications only a limited amount of information (e.g., a finite
projection ensemble) is available. We use a Bayesian approach to quantify the
“visible uncertainties” and combine them with an estimate of the hidden
uncertainties to learn a joint probability distribution of the parameters of
extreme discharge. The methodology is integrated into an optimization
framework and applied to a pre-alpine case study to give a quantitative,
cost-optimal recommendation on the required amount of flood protection. The
results show that hidden uncertainty ought to be considered in planning, but
the larger the uncertainty already present, the smaller the impact of adding
more. The recommended planning is robust to moderate changes in uncertainty
as well as in trend. In contrast, planning without consideration of bias and
dependencies in and between uncertainty components leads to strongly
suboptimal planning recommendations.
“In Ireland He's Considered an Irish-American Playwright”: Eugene O'Neill, A Touch of the Poet, and the Irish Play
Authors: Westgate J. Chris
Published: April 2018

This article examines the ways in which the US theatergoing public discussed and valued Irishness on stage in the early twenty-first century. It does so through examination of the public discourse which surrounded the 2005 revival of Eugene O'Neill's A Touch of the Poet, which starred Gabriel Byrne and which underscored elements of Irishness for the production, play, and playwright.
How O'Neill's Irishness Translates for the Chinese
Authors: Xu Shiyan
Published: April 2018

“The one thing that explains more than anything about me is the fact that I'm Irish,” Eugene O'Neill informed his son Eugene Jr. in 1946. “And, strangely enough, it is something that all the writers who have attempted to explain me and my work have overlooked.” As the translator of Robert Dowling's Eugene O'Neill: A Life in Four Acts, I have been trying to convey to Chinese readers the Irish aspect of Eugene O'Neill, whose plays, although widely translated and staged in China, have been mostly studied as those of a well-known American playwright. In this article, examples will be taken from the author-translator collaboration to convey O'Neill's Irishness in the best possible way. I hope Chinese readers, when reading the Chinese version of the biography, may also feel Ireland as the constant presence.
Análise numérica via MEF e dimensionamento pelo Método da Resistência Direta de estacas-prancha metálicas de parede fina sob colapso local
Authors: Da Silveira Machado Victor Justen , Landesmann Alexandre
Published: April 2018

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo numérico-computacional, via método dos elementos finitos (MEF), para análises de estabilidade e resistência última de estacas-prancha (EP), constituídas por perfis metálicos formados a frio (PFF), sob modo de falha local, considerando carregamentos típicos atuantes em elementos estruturais de fundações, além de avaliar a aplicabilidade do Método da Resistência Direta (MRD) na estimativa de resistência última. Inicialmente, realiza-se uma análise linear de estabilidade via GBT (Generalized Beam Theory), sendo em seguida abordada a caracterização mecânica dos modos de flambagem ora citados. A seguir, um modelo elaborado em elementos finitos no software ANSYS é empregado para análises não-lineares física e geométrica das estacas que encontram-se sob modo de flambagem local, visando avaliar o comportamento estrutural na pós-flambagem elástica e elasto-plástica. Finalmente, os resultados numéricos desta pesquisa são comparados com as previsões obtidas através da utilização do MRD, que consta na ABNT NBR 14762:2010 (Anexo C).
Secondary pleuroparenchymal fibro-elastosis with airway-centered fibro-elastosis and con-strictive bronchiolitis associated with agriculture dust exposure
Authors: Vrugt Bart , Frauenfelder Thomas , Dressel Holger , Barresi Fabio , Clarenbach Christian , Kuhn Barbara
Published: April 2018

Pleuroparenchymal fibro-elastosis (PPFE) is a rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Secondary forms of PPFE may occur in patients following lung- or bone marrow transplantation. Here we report a middle-aged woman who presented with dyspnea and cough. She had been working as a cleaning woman in an agriculture company and logistic firm. Chest HRCT was highly suggestive for PPFE. Histopathological examination of a surgical biopsy showed a pattern of PPFE with airway-centered fibro-elastosis, constrictive bronchiolitis and birefringent particles in the pathological areas only. Using transmission electron microscopy with X-ray diffraction (TEM/EDX) these particles were identified as quartz and silicates, both components generally found in soil. The present case illustrates that secondary PPFE may result from agricultural dust exposure and stresses the need for a careful workup of the occupational history.
Characterising double frequent users in an emergency department
Authors: Raidla Annelie , Dárro Katrin , Carlson Tobias , Carlström Eric
Published: April 2018

Visits by frequent users (FUs) has been suggested as one reason for crowding in emergency departments (EDs). In this article, we identified the characteristics of double frequent users (DFUs), ≥ 8 visits during 12 months in an ED during a period of six years, in one ED in Western Sweden. The primary outcome was to characterise DFUs and find common reasons for repeatedly visiting the ED. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis on register data covering six years of all visits. The DFUs share of all visitors to the ED was not more than 0.03% (144 individuals), but their share of visits was 2.4% (1,017 visits/year). Chest pain and abdominal pain were the most common complaints. A typical DFU is male, around 50-year-old, unemployed, non-immigrant, suffering from alcohol abuse and/or mental health conditions. The results point to the need for changing strategies in ED services towards DFUs suffering from alcohol abuse and/or mental health conditions. The ED prioritises the severely ill but lacks resources and continuity for handling chronic diseases and follow-up routines.
Interprofessional collaboration: A gastrointestinal unit case study
Authors: Fang Yiying , Feng Yulin , Xu Yan
Published: April 2018

Interprofessional collaboration plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes. The ability to work with professionals from different disciplines is considered a critical element of interprofessional practice. In this article, a case of a patient with upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage in a gastrointestinal unit is reported and analyzed from the perspective of interprofessional practice. Strategies are also introduced in the article. Enhancing mutual understanding and communication skills is conductive to interprofessional collaboration. Meanwhile, interprofessional education, as another strategy, is proved to improve the quality of health care by enhancing the cooperation among different medical team members.
Final Year Dental Students’ Perception of Knowledge, Training and Competence in Medical Emergency Management
Authors: Raffee Liqaa , Khader Yousef , Oteir Alaa , Alawneh Khaled , Saqan Rola S. , Beovich Bronwyn , Williams Brett
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE: The potential for a medical emergency to occur during dental treatment must be met by dental practitioners who are competent to manage such situations. However the literature shows that not all dentists have received training in this area, and of those who have, many are deficient in knowledge, skills and confidence. The objective of this study was to examine the perceptions of final year Jordanian dental students regarding their education and preparedness to manage medical emergencies.METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive study which gathered questionnaire data from an undergraduate student cohort at two Jordanian universities. Descriptive analysis of the data was undertaken, and a Chi-squared test was used to explore the relationships between participants’ responses and the variables of gender and previous attendance at any ME workshop. Statistical significance was deemed at p<.05.RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy dental students responded to the questionnaire with response rates of 76.2% and 81.8% from the two sites. The results indicate that not all of the students had received training in medical emergency management, and their self-reported proficiency and experience was sub-optimal. However, participating in a workshop on managing medical emergencies was associated with changes in some skills and experiences.CONCLUSION: The low levels of medical emergency management knowledge and skills in the final year dental students reflects the situation reported in existing literature. This study indicates the importance of effective medical emergency management training within the dental undergraduate program, and may be used to inform future curricula planning.
The Factors Affecting Jordanians Housewives Consumption Behavior: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Obeidat Mohammad Ibrahim , Oweidat Abdullah , Hamdi Nazieh , Obeidat Zaid Mohammad
Published: April 2018

Based on the findings of semi-structured interviews with (N=129) Jordanian housewives, this study examined the psychological, social, and marketing influences on the purchase and consumption behavior of Jordanian housewives. Overall, the findings of this study showed that the purchase decisions of the housewives were motivated by necessity to satisfy basic needs and the family appeared to be the main influencer affecting the housewife purchase decision.  With regards to the factors prohibiting consumption, inflation appeared to be the main factor discouraging housewives from making purchases. A number of managerial implications and suggestions are also presented.