bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ECONOMIC-MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF RISK ANALYSIS IN AGRICULTURE IN CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Levkina R. V. , Kravchuk I. I. , Sakhno I. V. , Kramarenko K. M. , Shevchenko A. А.
Published: November 2019

The use of automatic information systems for risk analysis from other countries in Ukraine is extremely difficult due to the lack of databases on factors affecting risk, not only at the regional but also at the state level. Therefore, it became necessary to create an economic-mathematical model for information processing, including incomplete data, on factors affecting risks for use in the agricultural sector of Ukraine. Such a model was formalized, created and tested.The developed economic-mathematical model of the risk analysis system presupposes the necessity of preliminary statement of the task by an expert in the field of agriculture and further automatic work of the software complex adapted to the conditions of use by specialists in economic and mathematical modeling.Because of there are mostly no databases in Ukraine on factors affecting risks, it is needful to evaluate and use incomplete data or data for limited time intervals.One of the components of the algorithm is the method of simulation. The automatic information system for risk analysis generates so-called pseudo-random sequences and gradually verifies the reliability of their description of each of the risks named by the expert, specific to this particular task for the farms. Such a method has already been tested on tasks whose solution was faced with a lack of statistical information, and the impossibility of using analytical methods.Reducing the execution time of the task is facilitated by the formation of a library of working arrays, which accumulates during the operation of an automatic risk analysis system.Reducing the time of the task is facilitated by the formation of library tool working arrays, which accumulates during the operation of the automatic risk analysis system.To simplify the processing of incoming information and work out calculations, it is suggested to use a parametric model.This method was borrowed from the experience of using gert-networks.To test the effectiveness of the developed algorithm, a risk calculation has been made for farms that grow cereals, legumes and sunflowers. The results of the calculation showed reliable values of risk factors.It was determined which of the risks is more significant for the producers of these agricultural products.
IMPROVEMENT OF TOOLS FOR CASH FLOW ANALYSIS OF E-COMMERCE COMPANIES
Authors: Khoma I. , Kostiuk-Pukaliak O.
Published: November 2019

The article is devoted to the study of new methods of cash flows analysis at        e-commerce enterprises. The study of these methods included an investigation of some historical facts that served as an impetus for the development of a methodology for assessing the enterprise’s reliability in terms of its investment attractiveness. The history of the financial crisis that occurred in the USA during 2001—2004 and is widely known as the dotcom bubble is investigated. The approach to assessing the performance of the company in terms of profits completely discredited itself, which led to the bankruptcy of many companies, the opening of litigation for abuse and fraud by equity funds, and the loss of confidence in the IT industry as a whole. After this crisis, the approach to assessing the effectiveness of e-commerce changed, thus, the efficiency of the company’s activity was analysed not by profit, but by cash flow. Nowadays, the concept of free cash flow is introduced for analysing the investment attractiveness of enterprises.The article shows the value of a free cash flow indicator, which became an alternative in determining the effectiveness of both e-commerce enterprises and traditional sales methods. Taking into account the fact the crisis in the IT industry was caused by the overestimation of the value of enterprises in this sector, this indicator is important for determining the efficiency of Internet-based enterprises.Considering the conditions of economic performance, namely, the financial system in which entrepreneurship takes place, it is expedient to interpret the free cash flow indicator according to the factors of influence on the enterprise’s activity. In this study, for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of e-commerce companies, the use of an interpreted free cash flow indicator is offered, i.e. a net free cash flow that takes into account not only the interest in continuous investment for business growth but also reflects the ability of an enterprise to pay off the bank loans and dividends. Considering the investor interests, it will enable the company to be sure in a long-term financial support and development opportunities in the future.
FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE
Authors: Zahorskyi V. S. , Lipentsev A. V. , Yurystovska N. Ya. , Mazii N. H. , Akimov O. O.
Published: November 2019

The article substantiates key financial and administrative aspects of small business development. It is noted that entrepreneurship in the field of small business is determined as the activity of business units with the inherent features that are both characteristic to entrepreneurial structures in general, and also peculiar features that determine the peculiarities of such a functioning of business units in the sphere of implementing the tasks and objectives of the business. It is highlighted that the success of a small business depends on the conditions of the environment in which entrepreneurial structures operate. It is explained that to such conditions there should be included economic, legal, socio-cultural, demographic, technological, natural-geographical and organizational ones. The peculiarities of business development in developed countries and Ukraine are analyzed and their comparative estimation is presented. It is determined that small and medium business play a significant role in the development of economic systems of developed countries around the world. It is established that the share of small and medium business in the GDP of many developed countries stands for more than 50%, which speaks of their significance for society as a whole.It is proved that in order to reach the level of developed countries in Ukraine and to increase the presence and importance of small business, it is necessary to improve the mechanisms of public administration and to strengthen the financial factor of influence on the processes of business development in the country. The ways of improving financial mechanisms of small business management at the level of the state are presented. The direct and indirect means of public administration influence are characterized, on the basis of which entrepreneurs will be able to attract financial resources for their development.It is suggested to allocate budget allocations, preferential lending and partial compensation of interest rates on loans to the direct means of public administration influence on the development of small business. Also, in the article there is offered to treat the development of alternative financing schemes, the activity of specialized guarantee funds, improvement of access of business to credit resources, improvement of the financial market infrastructure and training of specialists for the provision of consulting services for the participation of small business in financial market operations as the indirect means of public administration influence on the development of small business.
ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ІНВЕСТИЦІЙНОЇ СПРОМОЖНОСТІ НЕБАНКІВСЬКИХ ФІНАНСОВИХ ІНСТИТУТІВ УКРАЇНИ
Authors: Nieizviestna О. V. , Slobodyanyuk N. O. , Voloshyna S. V. , Gudz Yu. F.
Published: November 2019

Присвячено дослідженню інвестиційної спроможності небанківських фінансових інститутів України в часи фінансово-економічних криз. Наголошено, що попит на додаткові ресурси особливо посилюється під час технічного переоснащення економіки, що вимагає потужних інвестицій, а це, у свою чергу, продукує необхідність детального вивчення ролі небанківських фінансово-кредитних установ у забезпеченні постійного фінансування секторів економіки, виробничого процесу, економічно активних агентів. Проаналізовано основні індикатори розвитку небанківського фінансового сектору в період із 2006 року до 2016-го, такі як чисельність небанківських фінансових інститутів (страхових компаній, лізингових компаній, фінансових компаній, кредитних спілок та ломбардів), обсяги їхніх операцій, фінансові результати діяльності. Окреслено чинники, які послабили функціональну спроможність небанківських фінансових інститутів щодо трансформації заощаджень в інвестиції. Наведено розрахунки окремих показників і коефіцієнтів розвитку небанківського фінансового сектору України у 2008—2016 рр., які демонструють прояви наявних проблем у діяльності небанківських фінансових інститутів, а саме: коефіцієнт монетизації економіки, співвідношення активів сектору небанківських фінансових установ до ВВП країни, частка акцій та облігацій в активах небанківських фінансових установ, частка депозитів і грошових коштів в активах небанківських фінансових установ, та ін. На основі їхнього аналізу визначено чинники, які стали на заваді процесу розвитку небанківських фінансових інститутів в Україні. Наголошено, що, незважаючи на наявні проблеми, небанківські фінансові інститути мають достатній потенціал розширення інвестиційної діяльності за умов їхньої концентрації та нарощування активів, завдяки особливостям функціонування. Хоч і існує високий рівень конкуренції з боку банківських установ, небанківські фінансові інститути мають значні переваги, адже їхня особливість — кредитування у невеликих обсягах. Саме завдяки цьому вони можуть зміцніти свої конкурентні позиції в майбутньому.
DIVERSIFICATION OF FINANCING SOURCES OF HEIS IN UKRAINE
Authors: Kholiavko N. І.
Published: November 2019

In the conditions of information economy, is growing the role of sectors capable of generating new knowledge, thus contributing to the country's economic development. The intellectual and innovative potential of the higher education system can transform the higher education institutions (hereinafter HEI) into one of the key drivers for activating the processes of the information economy formation.In modern social-economic conditions, is becoming urgent to modernize the higher education system in response to the actual demands of the external economic environment; the modernization processes require adequate funding. Taking into account the potential and the tendency of HEIs transformation into economic entities, it is important to create the preconditions for diversification of their funding sources at the state level.The financial aspects of the HEIs functioning, the aspects of diversification of funding sources of higher education system are being researching by the number of scientists: Kaleniuk I., Bogolib T., Kuklin O., Tsymbal L., Buchkovskaya Ya., Radionova I., Komarova I., Volikov V., Devol R., Lee J., Ratnatunga M., etc.Problems of diversification of financial sources require further research, in particular — the prospects of commercialization of universities’ research results.The research objective: study of diversification of financing sources of the Ukrainian higher education institutions.The article analyzes tendencies of financing of the Ukrainian higher education system. The analysis demonstrated a gradual reduction of public funding for higher education. Exogenous and endogenous problems of commercialization of universities research results are specified in the article.The author comes to the conclusion about the necessity of diversification of funding sources of the Ukrainian higher educational institutions. The author identifies the commercialization of research results of higher educational institutions as one of priority funding sources.
La batalla por la forma
Authors: Eseverri Máximo
Published: November 2019

La conformación de una sociedad de masas, el lugar del arte en un mundo hipertecnificado, la aparición denuevos dispositivos como el cine sonoro, las mutaciones de la música en la era de la radio y el mercado del disco fonográfico fueron algunos de los problemas que Theodor Adorno y Walter Benjamin incluyeron en su intercambio epistolar en la segunda mitad de la década del treinta del siglo pasado. Mientras tanto, el mundo intelectual del Occidente de entreguerras era testigo de una ardua controversia librada en las fronteras de la estética y la política: la querella entre realistas y modernistas.
Comunicadores corporativos: desafíos de una formación profesional por competencias en la era global
Authors: Gil Cubillos Claudia
Published: November 2019

A lo largo de los años, la función del Director de Comunicación se ha ido consolidando en las organizaciones determinando a la vez una gestión profesional cada vez más compleja. En este contexto, dominado por la cultura virtual, las organizaciones adquieren una mayorvisibilidad frente al entorno y, por lo tanto, están más conscientes y sensibles respecto de laimportancia de gestionar la comunicación y las relaciones como herramientas estratégicas queagregan valor al negocio, no sólo fortaleciendo el posicionamiento en el mercado sino tambiéncomo pieza clave para fidelizar y comprometer a sus públicos de interés (stakeholders) con lospropósitos de la organización. Así, el perfil profesional en términos de las competencias que debemanejar quien asuma esa responsabilidad o trabaje en planes estratégicos de comunicación sevuelve cada vez más exigente. El debate se orienta a reflexionar respecto de redefinición de esteperfil, para dar respuesta a un mercado organizacional que demanda comunicadores con rasgosmás humanos y éticos, centrados en competencias cognitivas y técnicas sobre la disciplina.
Comunicación: lobby y asuntos públicos
Authors: Correa Ríos Enrique
Published: November 2019

En el presente artículo el autor reflexiona acerca del lobby, su evolución, implicancias y su ejercicio profesional, profundizando acerca de su status en el mundo y específicamente en América Latina, en el Cono Sur. A la vez, enmarca la labor de diseñar e implementar una agenda de reuniones con decisores públicos dentro de una estrategia de comunicaciones que sólo corresponde a un trabajo profesional, en el establecimiento de relaciones armónicas de largo plazo. Refiere a la aplicación de una variada gama de técnicas de diagnóstico, construcción de escenarios, identificación de mensajes, elaboración de perfiles de los actores que corresponden a la injerencia del profesional de comunicaciones y relacionador público. Ubica a los expertos en comunicación en asuntos públicos como facilitadores en compatibilizar el interés público y privado, ya que conocedores de la empresa privada, el mercado y las políticas públicas, contribuyen a la construcción de puentes entre mundos de lógicas y culturas a menudo distantes.
RSE - Caso líder en consumo inteligente
Authors: MasterCard Comunicaciones Corporativas
Published: November 2019

Este artículo corresponde a un caso líder desarrollado por el Equipo de Comunicaciones Corporativas de Mastercard para la región de Latinoamérica y el Caribe, en el marco de la gestión de Responsabilidad Social Empresaria, con un programa basado en consumo inteligente, sobre la temática de educación financiera. A través del uso de las últimas tendencias en tecnología y social media, incluyendo un sitio 2.0, podcasts, y herramientas interactivas, además de actividades offline y múltiples alianzas, MasterCard se propuso ayudar a los consumidores latinoamericanos a manejar su dinero en forma más eficiente y responsable.
The Coping Strategies in Biographies of Polish Middle- Class Representatives of (Post)Transformation Period
Authors: Burski Jacek
Published: November 2019

The article focuses on the problem of life strategies adapted by the representatives of young Polish middle-class in the (post)transformation period in Poland towards different aspects of social change. On the basis of two research projects focused on the consequences of the Polish systemic transformation, I discuss issues related to biographical experiences of this process. The main theoretical and methodological background is concentrated on using the autobiographical narrative interview to analyze coping strategies in relation to the class position of examined cases. The interviews taken under consideration have been conducted with young men who could be described as middle-class members.
Who Is a Right-Wing Supporter? On the Biographical Experiences of Young Right-Wing Voters in Poland and Germany
Authors: Mrozowicki Adam , Trappmann Vera , Seehaus Alexandra , Kajta Justyna
Published: November 2019

This article explores the selected cases of the biographies of right-wing supporters from a larger sample of narrative interviews with young (18-35 years old) people in Poland and Germany. In the existing literature, we can find the socio-economic explanations of the sources of the right-wing turn (related to economic deprivation, precarisation, social exclusion, labor market competition with immigrants and others), as well as cultural explanations connected with new identity politics, symbolic exclusion and divide between society and political elites, the disembedding from previously solid communities, and the fear of new risks related to the inflow of cultural Others. Despite notable exceptions, it is rather uncommon to discuss in this context the actual biographical experiences of right-wing and far-right supporters. In the article, we take a closer look at four biographical cases of people declaring their political support for far right parties. The analysis of the cases leads to the distinction of socio-economic and socio-political pathways to right-wing populist support.
Case Report: Sparganosis in Domestic Cat
Authors: Samosir Hartina , Putriningsih Putu Ayu Sisyawati , Suartha I Nyoman
Published: November 2019

Sparganosis is one of the food borne zoonotic diseases caused by the plerocercoid larvae (spargana) of the Spirometric genus. Sparganosis cases in five-month-old female cats in Denpasar, Bali were reported by us. Clinical sign of a Spirometric tapeworm infection in the case cat of the fecal consistency is grade 3.5. These findings are reported from animal’s owners who found worms when defecate. Eggs per gram (EPG) 16,900 it shows the intensity of spirometra infection in cat high enough. The Animal were treated with praziquantel 0.5 tablets, given twice with a seven-day interval. Evaluation of the cat after two times treatments for clinical signs of significant changes only from the fecal effusion from grade 3.5 to grade 2 was well formed, does not leave a mark when picked up.
A Plot for Sustainability – The Sustainable Development Goals as A Narrative
Authors: Obura David O.
Published: November 2019

The Sustainable Development Goals, while complex at first sight, express a simple narrative about the relationships between people and nature. This paper illustrates this in the context of a coral reef land or seascape supporting coastal people. Coral reefs, their health described by measures of coral and fish diversity and abundance, provide key services and benefits to people. These services directly support 10s of millions of jobs in multiple economic sectors in coastal and distant states, protect and harbor communities and cities across tropical coastlines, sustain use of living and non-living resources, provide transport infrastructure and valuable natural products, and in future may provide energy solutions. Through these multiple benefits, coral reefs contribute to reducing hunger and poverty, thus improving health, and potentially strengthening gender and social equality. However, access and use result in pressures that may drive decline in coral reef health. Broader land and seascape factors also affect reef health and therefore delivery of benefits, including land-use change and altered freshwater flows, as well as climate change. Managing this complex system requires appropriate awareness and knowledge, governance mechanisms and investments by stakeholders. This ‘SDG narrative’ can be used from local to global levels, motivating actions and policy at and across these scales to sustain ecosystem function and use, for the oceans what is also increasingly called a blue economy.
Free Surface Flows in Electrohydrodynamics with a Constant Vorticity Distribution
Authors: Hunt Matthew , Dutykh Denys
Published: November 2019

In 1895, Korteweg and de Vries (KdV), derived their celebrated equation describing the motion of waves of long wavelength in shallow water. In doing so they made a number of quite reasonable assumptions, incompressibility of the water and irrotational fluid. The resulting equation, the celebrated KdV equation, has been shown to be a very reasonable description of real water waves. However there are other phenomena which have an impact on the shape of the wave, that of vorticity and viscosity. This paper examines how a constant vorticity affects the shape of waves in electrohydrodynamics. For constant vorticity, the vertical component of the velocity obeys a Laplace equation and also has the usual lower boundary condition. In making the vertical component of the velocity take central stage, the Burns condition can be thus bypassed.
SiC-IrSi3 for High Oxidation Resistance
Authors: Camarano Antonio , Giuranno Donatella , Narciso Javier
Published: November 2019

SiC is a material with excellent mechanical and thermal properties, but with a high production cost. Obtaining SiC by reactive infiltration is an attractive method and at a much lower cost than the traditional sintering process. However, the reactive infiltration process presents a serious problem, which is the high residual silicon content, which decreases its range of application. The replacement of silicon with silicides is a widely used alternative. The present investigation shows the good mechanical properties of the SiC/IrSi3 composite material obtained by reactive infiltration of SiC/C preforms with Ir-Si alloys. The thermomechanical analysis shows a high compatibility of silicide with SiC. The presence of the silicide shows a substantial improvement against the oxidation of the SiC/Si composites.
Sustainable and Selective Extraction of Lipids and Bioactive Compounds from Microalgae
Authors: Santoro Ilaria , Nardi Monica , Benincasa Cinzia , Costanzo Paola , Giordano Girolamo , Procopio Antonio , Sindona Giovanni
Published: November 2019

The procedures for the extraction and separation of lipids and nutraceutics from microalgae using classic solvents have been used many times. However, these production methods usually require expensive and toxic solvents. Based on our studies involving the use of eco-sustainable methodologies and alternative solvents, we select ethanol (EtOH) and cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) for extracting bio-oil and lipids from algae. Different percentage of EtOH in CPME favors the production of an oil rich of SFA useful to production biofuel or rich of compounds bioactive. The proposed method for obtain a rich extract of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids from dry algal biomass is disclosed is eco-friendly and allows a good extraction yield. The method is compared both in extracted oil percentage yield and in extracted fatty acids selectivity to extraction by supercritical carbon dioxide.
The Zebrafish Xenograft Platform – A Novel Tool for Modeling KSHV-Associated Diseases
Authors: Pringle Eric S. , Wertman Jaime , Melong Nicole , Coombs Andrew J. , Young Andrew L. , O'Leary David , Veinotte Chansey , Robinson Carolyn-Ann , Ha Michael N. , Dellaire Graham , Druley Todd , McCormick Craig , Berman Jason N.
Published: November 2019

Kaposi’s sarcoma associated-herpesvirus (KSHV, also known as human herpesvirus-8) is a gammaherpesvirus that establishes life-long infection in human B lymphocytes. KSHV infection is typically asymptomatic but immunosuppression can predispose KSHV-infected individuals to primary effusion lymphoma (PEL); a malignancy driven by aberrant proliferation of latently infected B lymphocytes, and supported by pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors produced by cells that succumb to lytic viral replication. Here, we report the development of the first in vivo model for a virally-induced lymphoma in zebrafish, whereby KSHV-infected PEL tumour cells engraft and proliferate in the yolk sac of zebrafish larvae. Using a PEL cell line engineered to produce the viral lytic switch protein RTA in the presence of doxycycline, we demonstrate drug-inducible reactivation from KSHV latency in vivo, which enabled real-time observation and evaluation of latent and lytic phases of KSHV infection. In addition, we developed a sensitive droplet digital PCR method to monitor latent and lytic viral gene expression and host cell gene expression in xenografts. The zebrafish yolk sac is not well-vascularized and using fluorogenic assays we confirmed that this site provides a hypoxic environment that may mimic the microenvironment of some human tumors. We found that PEL cell proliferation in xenografts was dependent on the host hypoxia-dependent translation initiation factor, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E2 (eIF4E2). This demonstrates that the zebrafish yolk sac is a functionally hypoxic environment and xenografted cells must switch to dedicated hypoxic gene expression machinery to survive and proliferate. The establishment of the PEL xenograft model enables future studies that exploit the innate advantages of the zebrafish as a model for genetic and pharmacologic screens.
From Allostatic Agents to Counterfactual Cognisers: Active Inference, Biological Regulation, and The Origins of Cognition
Authors: Corcoran Andrew W. , Pezzulo Giovanni , Hohwy Jakob
Published: November 2019

What is the function of cognition? On one influential account, cognition evolved to co-ordinate behaviour with environmental change or complexity (Godfrey-Smith 1996). Liberal interpretations of this view ascribe cognition to an extraordinarily broad set of biological systems – even bacteria, which modulate their activity in response to salient external cues, would seem to qualify as cognitive agents. However, equating cognition with adaptive flexibility per se glosses over important distinctions in the way biological organisms deal with environmental complexity. Drawing on contemporary advances in theoretical biology and computational neuroscience, we cash these distinctions out in terms of the representation and resolution of different varieties of uncertainty. This analysis leads us to propose a formal criterion for delineating cognition from other, more pervasive forms of adaptive plasticity. On this view, biological cognition is rooted in a particular kind of functional organisation; namely, one that enables the agent to detach from the present and engage in counterfactual (active) inference.
PENGARUH PRETREATMENT JERAMI PADI PADA PRODUKSI ENZIM TERMOSTABIL MENGGUNAKAN ISOLAT BAKTERI TERMOFILIK
Authors: Yuansah Sunrixon Carmando , Darmawan Darmawan , Fitriana Nurdian , Laga Amran
Published: November 2019

Jerami padi merupakan salah satu substrat lignoselulosa yang belum dimanfaatkan secara optimal dan kebanyakan hanya menjadi limbah pertanian apabila tidak ditangani dengan baik. Kandungan selulosa dan hemiselulosa dalam struktur lignoselulosa jerami padi memiliki potensi yang besar untuk produksi enzim termostabil dari bakteri termofilik. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh pretreatment substrat jerami padi terhadap pola pertumbuhan bakteri selulolitik-hemiselulolitik dan aktivitas enzim yang dihasilkan. Metode yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini meliputi pembuatan tepung jerami, isolasi dan seleksi sistem batch bertingkat, produksi enzim termostabil, pengukuran total bakteri serta pengukuran aktivitas enzim. Hasil yang diperoleh yaitu perlakuan kombinasi delignifikasi basa dan pemanasan uap bertekanan menghasilkan pola pertumbuhan mikroba yang lebih tinggi daripada perlakuan pemanasan uap bertekanan saja. Pengamatan pH menunjukan penurunan pH setiap perlakuan. Aktivitas enzim yang diperoleh menunjukan hasil yang fluktuatif akibat adanya fenomena diauksik.
High-Volume Arthroplasty Centers Demonstrate Higher Composite Quality Scores and Enhanced Value
Authors: Hollenbeck Brian , Hoffman Megan A. , Tromanhauser Scott G.
Published: November 2019

Background:

In recent years, there has been a move toward value-based health care. Value is generally defined as outcome divided by cost; however, it is not clear exactly how to define and measure outcomes. In this study, we utilized the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to determine how hospital volume and other factors affect quality for patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty.

Methods:

Using the NIS of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), we conducted a retrospective study of all total hip and total knee arthroplasties performed from 2001 to 2011. We identified all procedure and outcome variables using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) billing codes. Patients were grouped into quartiles based on the corresponding hospital’s procedure volume. The quality measurement for each hospitalization was binary, with perfect inpatient care reflecting a favorable result for all of the following outcomes of interest: death, sepsis, postoperative infection, thromboembolic events, venous thrombosis, hematoma, blood transfusion, and length of stay below average. The Perfect Inpatient Care Index (PICI) was then calculated for each hospital. The PICI was defined as the number of hospitalizations with no unfavorable outcomes divided by total volume of arthroplasty. Value was measured as the PICI divided by the mean total charges. Multivariable nested regression was used to determine variables that predict perfect inpatient care.

Results:

From 2001 to 2011, the NIS database reported 1,651,354 total hip or total knee arthroplasties. Hospital arthroplasty volume ranged from 0 to 11,758 procedures. Overall, hospital PICI scores increased as arthroplasty volume increased. In multivariable nested regression analysis, procedure volume (odds ratio [OR] for the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile, 2.116 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.883 to 2.378]) and lower patient acuity (OR, 2.450 [95% CI, 2.429 to 2.472]) were independently associated with better PICI scores. Value increased as hospital procedure volume increased.

Conclusions:

Hospital procedure volume varied widely. Although small differences were seen in individual outcome measures, composite scores (PICI) and value were substantially better at hospitals that had higher procedure volume and in lower-acuity patients.

Level of Evidence:

Economic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Successful Appraisal of Maximum Reservoir Contact Well in an Undeveloped Reservoir Through Well Construction and Integrated Fit for Purpose Engineering & Technology
Authors: Al-Hassani Sultan Dahi , Altameemi Ibrahim Mohamed , Ahmed Shafiq Naseem , Khan Owais Ameer , Al Hammadi Mariam Khaleel , Zakaria Hasan Mohammed , Saqib Talha , Fernandes Warren , Potshangbam Sanathoi , Saravanakumar Krishnan , Hassan Syed
Published: November 2019

Undeveloped reservoirs poses many uncertainties in terms of reservoir structural control and inherent properties and as a result integrated fit for purpose engineering and technology plays a vital role to drill, appraise and complete a well successfully. While Maximum Reservoir Contact (MRC) wells show promise in increased deliverability, sustainability and cumulative recovery, the risk of high cost, reduced well life and sustainability issues can become real if the well is not planned, executed and appraised properly.

This paper focuses on the integrated multi-disciplinary approach between Reservoir Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Drilling and Geoscience functions to achieve MRC of 8,500 ft. in two sublayers of 3 ft. each while mapping and avoiding any potential risk for water zones. Data acquisition pertaining to reservoir characterization, fracture and fault identification was planned to enhance this undeveloped reservoir understanding and to optimize lower completion design.

3D real-time multiwell reservoir modelling and updating capabilities with appropriate LWD measurements for Proactive Geosteering and Formation Evaluation was planned. Based on forward response model from offset well data along with drilling engineering and data acquisition requirements, an LWD suite consisting of RSS, Gamma Ray Image, High Resolution Resistivity Image (Fracture and Fault identification), NMR (both Total and Partial Porosities, and T2 Distribution) along with a Deep Azimuthal Resistivity measurement for early detection and avoidance of conductive/water zones was utilized.

Achieved a field record of the longest drain drilled with 8,500 ft. of MRC. The fit for purpose real time LWD measurements enabled successful placement of the lower completion and blanking the risk zones for pro-longed sustainable production. Identification of fracture zones in real time helped in optimizing the completion plan while drilling. Based on this well's results, it is established that replicating the same practice could positively affect the overall Field Development potential. The same technique is planned for the future development of undeveloped reservoirs in this field.
Achieving the Three Dimensions of Mixed Refrigerant Compressor Efficiency
Authors: Tushar Patel , Michael Drewes , James Zhao
Published: November 2019

Investors in small-scale LNG (SSLNG) face the grave challenge of achieving cost efficiency, operational efficiency, and energy efficiency in the equipment they use, all with maximum availability. In this context, the mixed refrigerant compressor's initial design plays a particularly substantial role – and challenge – in both the efficiency and the ROI of an SSLNG plant. In addressing the overall efficiency requirement of the mixed refrigerant compressor, the design must consider several key requirements, such as power consumption, seal leakage rates, and performance degradation during the life of the compressor. Regarding ROI, plant CAPEX, which consists of equipment cost and installation cost (i.e., space, complexity installation time), and OPEX (i.e., power, maintenance interval, and cost) play a vital role. This case study – written jointly by representatives from the turbomachinery OEM and from the end user of an SSLNG plant in China, respectively – will examine how different compressor technologies can address these different dimensions of efficiency requirements.

Evaluating different compressor technology solutions for such applications, the authors will examine in detail how a mixed refrigerant compressor can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific plant's processes. Furthermore, the authors describe how a 27 MW (36 200 hp) integrally geared mixed refrigerant compressor deployed in a Chinese SSLNG plant in a single mixed refrigerant cycle supports the achieving of different efficiency parameters. In the compressor design, for example, choosing open or closed impellers can translate into substantial efficiency gains. The case study will also examine how inlet guide vanes (IGVs) allow operators to make full use of agile plant deployment while increasing compressor efficiency by up to 9%. By guiding and regulating inlet flow, IGVs provide more accurate process control at a constant discharge pressure. Variable IGVs can also offer a good operating range and superior partial-load performance for the differing conditions encountered in small-scale LNGs. The integrally geared compressor solution deployed in the case study is designed to deliver 98% reliability and 84% compressor efficiency. In addition, by incorporating seal support, lube oil, and the main compressor on the same skid (single-lift design) is up to 25% smaller than that of inline compressors. The integrally geared approach also allows for intercooling between stages, which improves both energy and cost efficiency by about 2%.
A Novel Approach to the Geomechanical Characterization of Basement Fractures- Are Open Fractures Necessarily Critically Stressed
Authors: Chakraborty Srimanta , Kidambi Tapan , Sharma Ashish , Sabu KG
Published: November 2019

This paper attempts to answer a fundamental question pertinent to fracture characterization of unconventional basement reserves using rock mechanics & petrophysics; are open fractures in basements necessary critically stressed? Evaluation of naturally occurring fractures are critical for production as well as reserves estimation. In this regard, a study well was drilled in the basement section of the Cauvery basin to explore unconventional pay zones & characterize the contributing fractures by integrated Geomechanical & Petrophysical analysis.

A suite of open hole logs including the basic, acoustic and electrical borehole images were acquired and an integrated approach was taken, including geomechanical analysis to identify the contributing fractures. Standard petrophysical evaluation in basements was inconclusive and porosity quantification from fractures posed a major challenge. Image log analysis involved identification of conductive and resistive fractures in the gauged wellbore and combining Stoneley reflectivity further indicated probable open fractures. Following this, a geomechanical analysis was carried out to determine the current in-situ stress orientation/magnitudes based on observed breakouts. Finally a CSF study was done to check for fracture slip events.

Based on the integrated study of Petrophysics and Geomechanics, an optimized workflow was developed and the critically stressed fractures were identified. It was found that, while some fractures strike direction was different from the present day maximum horizontal stress direction (SHmax), in general, most fractures were indeed aligned to SHmax. To check the fluid flowing capability of fracture networks, formation tester was deployed in selective zones for testing and sampling. Successful hydrocarbon sampling from selective fractures with orientation not aligned to SHmax led to the validation of the current study. The results proved that while most critically stressed/open fractures did indeed contribute to flow, a smaller fraction of the naturally occurring fractures while contributing to flow, were not necessarily aligned to the in situ orientations.

The results present a discrepancy between observation and the expectation that open fractures are necessarily oriented parallel or nearly parallel to modern-day SHmax. This works highlights the fact that although paleo-stresses may influence the fracture networks, it is the contemporary in-situ stresses that truly dominate fluid flow and only through a detailed understanding of the critically stressed areas, can we come to a decisive conclusion that further improves overall recovery.
Hydraulic Fracturing Operations Enhancement in Depleted Horizontal Gas Wells, a Novel Approach with Outstanding Results
Authors: Nunez Alvaro Javier , Al-Farei Ibrahim , Benchekor Ahmed , Al Husaini Nasser Khalfan , Sayapov Ernest , Al-Shanfari Abdul Aziz , Al Bahri Khalfan Mubarak , Chavez Juan Carlos , Al Hinai Adnan Saif
Published: November 2019

Hydraulically fracturing operations is becoming much more complex as the gas formations are being depleted with the time. In addition to this, some gas reserves need to be recovered by fracturing horizontal wells with multiple stages which is the case of an extensive gas field in the Sultanate of Oman that has been producing since 1991 mainly by hydraulic fracturing.

The scope of this paper is to discuss the different methodologies in the operations associated to hydraulic fracturing in horizontal gas wells with formations depleted in PDO, the main objective is to show operations and well delivery improvement by the optimization of tools conveyance, perforating techniques, clean out and milling strategy. The paper will show the enhancement of the operations and the outstanding results in these challenging well conditions. The paper will start by describing the different methods used to execute operations for fracturing horizontal wells which are mainly related to plug and perf technique, clean out and milling plugs in between stages. Further, it will discuss the strategy, planning and job execution of one of the wells with 14 stages in the horizontal section, the perforating technique and strategy used to help reduce screen out's, it will also discuss the acquisition of spectral Noise log data post fracturing with the assistance of Nitrogen as well as the milling of the isolation plugs at the end of the job.

The optimization of the conventional operations is a novel approach to enhance hydraulic fracturing in depleted horizontal gas wells in PDO, this is in alignment with the continuous improvement ideas and the lean thinking across the oil and gas industry. It is easy to replicate in other horizontal wells to be hydraulically fractured which will reduce cost, HSE exposure and will help increase the recovery of hydrocarbon reserves.
Prediction of Souring in Infill Wells using Standalone Extended 2D Simulator for a Malaysian Offshore Field
Authors: Salleh Intan Khalida , Panuganti Sai Ravindra , Misra Sanjay , M Ibrahim Jamal Mohamad , Hamza Norashikin , Sorbie Kenneth Stuart , Cruickshank John , Tewari Raj Deo
Published: November 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in a sea water injected, high temperature offshore reservoir is causing concern, because the existing wells and facilities are not designed for sour service. This is challenging for the design and material selection for two upcoming infill opportunities in this reservoir, which will be dictated by the reservoir souring predictions.

The reservoir under consideration is one of the major reservoirs in a prominent Malaysian offshore brown field area. The reservoir commenced production in 2002 closely followed by the start of sea water injection. Injection of the sulphate containing sea water has been known to trigger H2S production because of the activity of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB). Understanding the need for modeling H2S generation and propagation, PETRONAS and Heriot-Watt University have jointly developed a simple standalone extended 2D reservoir souring simulator, referred to as a 2D+ Souring Model.

The 2D+ Souring Model considers two phase flow (oil and water) in the porous medium (rock formation) based on the normal multiphase flow equations. The full reservoir flows are simulated by building "panels" to connect all of the corresponding injectors and producers. Each panel is a layered cross-sectional model with different permeability layers. The geo-thermal considerations are based on heat transfer due to convection and conduction. The simulator considers bacterial growth both in planktonic and sessile forms. Monod microbial kinetics is applied for the growth of SRB and NRB, leading to the consumption of sulphate/nitrate and substrate (volatile fatty acids) which in-turn is linked to H2S generation. Along with H2S propagation, H2S scavenging by rock and H2S partitioning between the various phases is also accounted for.

This paper explains the souring simulation and H2S, oil and water production history matching conducted for the reservoir. For infill wells souring prognosis, the model is run based on parameters obtained from history matching. It provided reasonable souring predictions which have been used for the infill well material specification and design.
Review and Prospect of the Development and Field Application of China Offshore Chemical EOR Technology
Authors: Li Baozhen , Zhang Jian , Kang Xiaodong , Zhang Fengjiu , Wang Shanshan , Zhao Wenshen , Wang Xiujun , Wei Zhijie
Published: November 2019

The research and application of chemical EOR technology has been carried out worldwide for many years, and many theoretical and practical achievements have been obtained in China's onshore oil fields. At present, it has become one of the most important means to develop mature oilfields for stable & improved production in oilfield. Also, it has been successfully applied in China offshore oilfields as a major EOR technology. CNOOC has preliminarily established a chemical flooding (polymer, polymer-surfactant, polymer-weak-gel, etc) technology system including high-efficiency chemical flooding agents, platform injection facilities, and produced liquid treatment technology. Since 2003, pilot tests and field applications were carried out in S, L and JW oilfields, and predicted oil increment and good economic benefits have been achieved, which proved that offshore chemical EOR technology is feasible and economical. It has explored a new road for increasing the recovery of offshore oilfields, and provided a solid technical guarantee for their economic and efficient development.
Verification of Slim Ultra-deep Resistivity Inversions in a Complex Geological Environment
Authors: Clegg Nigel , Hansen Eirik , Ma Jin , Lozinsky Clint
Published: November 2019

Operators have used ultra-deep azimuthal resistivity tools for geostopping in landing situations and for geosteering and geomapping in horizontal wells for several years. However, their use in slim boreholes, where 4¾-in. tools are required, is a relatively new application of the technology. Operators often require ultra-deep azimuthal resistivity data, even in wells where pressure changes or stability issues require slim borehole sections to reach a target. In these scenarios, 1D inversion canvasses, which display the position of resistivity boundaries above and below the wellbore, and azimuthal resistivity images, which display changes in the resistivity to the side of the wellbore, are valuable as an aid for optimal well placement and for mapping formation and fluid changes away from the wellbore.

This paper presents early field results for a new 4¾-in. ultra-deep resistivity tool. Verification of the tool results is vital to demonstrate that design changes to accommodate the smaller diameter do not degrade the results relative to larger tool sizes, and that the tool accurately maps the resistivity profile around the well. The case history presented describes a mature field with a complex geology and a history of production and water injection, resulting in fluid boundaries that show significant displacement from their original positions and a complex morphology. It is, therefore, important to verify the ultra-deep resistivity results with multiple additional data sources, such as seismic and other established logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools.

The inversion results show a complex geological structure. Faulting, expected from the seismic data, has resulted in the displacement of formation boundaries, and sharp resistivity boundaries show the influx of water into the reservoir. These significant geological features are evident in the ultra-deep resistivity data. Other data sources, such as seismic, density, and shallow-resistivity data, help to verify the structural features and the fluid boundary positions. Evaluation of azimuthal resistivity images from the ultra-deep tool provides further reservoir understanding, because they can demonstrate that the formations dip across the wellbore and that some of the faults cross the well path at an oblique angle.

Even where the subsurface geology is very complex, as in this case study, the 1D ultra-deep resistivity inversion results successfully represented the position of formation and fluid boundaries. In addition, azimuthal resistivity data from the tool provided additional information that leads to greater reservoir understanding. There is no evidence to suggest that the smaller diameter of the 4¾-in. tool has compromised the quality of the data.