bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Continuous Carbon Dioxide Injection Design and Screening Tool for Naturally Fractured Reservoirs of Varying Oil Compositions
Authors: Hamam Hassan , Ertekin Turgay
Published: March 2018

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) injection is one of the more effective EOR methods in oil reservoirs. Continuous CO2 injection is a viable technique that could yield high oil recoveries when employed effectively in naturally fractured reservoirs. Screening, evaluating, and designing optimized continuous CO2 injection projects require extensive computational power for the concerned reservoirs. Although reservoir fluid composition is the most important parameter when it comes to EOR, it can be particularly challenging to account for different reservoir fluid compositions in any workflow. In this study, a new workflow is developed that helps evaluate and design CO2 injection in naturally fractured reservoirs for different reservoir fluid compositions. Reservoir rock properties are also evaluated as part of this study to assess the impact on recovery. Continuous CO2 injection schemes with variable injection design parameters are constructed using a two-well, two-layer, dual porosity, miscible compositional reservoir simulation model. Representative scenarios are then used to train and develop two Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based proxy models: 1) A performance prediction proxy that predicts reservoir performance for a specific injection design, 2) An inverse ANN for injection applications that determines injection design parameters for the desired performance. ANN's predictability is evaluated and measured through its accuracy to predict blind testing data sets. The proposed proxies are found to be capable of predicting within an acceptable degree of error against the blind testing scenarios. The developed proxies have the potential of overcoming existing limitations and setting up a new benchmark for future studies.
SmartWater Synergy with Chemical EOR: Effects on Polymer Injectivity, Retention and Acceleration
Authors: AlSofi Abdulkareem M. , Wang Jinxun , Kaidar Ziyad F.
Published: March 2018

The synergy between various enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes has always been raised as a potential optimization route for achieving a more economic and effective EOR application. In previous work, beside the established positive impact of SmartWater on polymer rheology, we have demonstrated polymer positive impact on SmartWater effects through measurements of surface potential and contact angles. The results were also supported by forced oil-displacement experiments. In this work, we further investigate this SmartWater/Polymer synergy focusing on the possible impact of SmartWater on polymer floods specifically polymer injectivity, retention and acceleration. For this purpose, a set of thoroughly designed single-phase displacement experiments were performed at reservoir conditions. The results demonstrate that SmartWater has: (1) a slight negative impact on both polymer and chase water injectivity, (2) a positive impact on polymer retention, and (3) a negligible impact on polymer, hence oil bank, acceleration. Given the minor negative impact on injectivity, we conclude that SmartWater/Polymer flooding exhibits an overall favorable synergy that reduces chemical consumption and improves sweep.
A Novel Ultra-Low IFT Spontaneous Emulsification System for Enhanced Oil Recovery in Low Permeability Reservoirs
Authors: Li Zhe , Lu Yao , Wu Hairong , Yang Meng , Feng Haishun , Xu Derong , Hou Jirui , Kang Wanli , Yang Hongbin , Zhao Yilu , Bai Baojun
Published: March 2018

Emulsion, as an oil displacement and conformance control system, provides essential contribution for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). However, conventional flooding systems, which form large emulsion droplets compared to the pore size of porous media in formation, usually encounters problems including high capillary pressure and poor displacement efficiency in low permeability reservoirs. Thus, it is necessary to find a new flooding system that has high displacement efficiency and no capillary pressure.

In our reseach, effects of combined surfactant and alkali on interfacial tension and spontaneous emulsification capacity for the surfactant solution were evaluated to determine the optimum formula of the flooding system. Then, the oil/water interfacial rheology and environmental influence on the spontaneous emulsion stability were performed to study the enhanced mechanism of spontaneous emulsification system. It was proposed that the solution with alkali and surfactants not only could achieve ultra-low interfacial tension, but also exhibited an excellent spontaneous emulsification behavior at a reservoir temperature of 45 °C. The average size of formed spontaneous O/W emulsion droplets was about 0.2 μm which was smaller than average size of the low permeability throats. The presence of the optimum system can further improve the interfacial rheological properties. Ultimately, the oil displacement tests, using outcrop cores with permeability in the range of 25-35 mD, indicating that EOR slug can improve approximately 12.4% as compared to the initial oil in place (IOIP) through the strikingly spontaneous emulsification flooding after water flooding, better than that of the conventional surfactant flooding. The laboratory research suggested that the newly formulated spontaneous emulsification system can be applied as an ideal EOR system and efficiently overcome the constraint of high capillary pressure in conventional chemical flooding for low permeability reservoirs.
Effect of Initial Wetting on Smart Water Potential in Carbonates
Authors: Mjos Jon Endre , Strand Skule , Puntervold Tina , Gaybaliyev Heydar
Published: March 2018

To evaluate the feasibility of "Smart Water" injection, reproducing representative initial wettability in laboratory experiments is essential. Experimental studies have confirmed that adsorption of polar organic components from crude oil to the rock surface is a main contributor in establishing initial wettability. This study intends to examine the effect rock surface accessibility, by altering the initial water saturation (Swi), has on the adsorption efficiency of polar components in carbonates.

The adsorption study of polar components was performed by flooding several pore volumes of crude oil through outcrop Stevns Klint carbonate cores at different Swi. To observe the amount of adsorbed polar components, the acid and base numbers of the effluent were examined regularly using titration. Core wettability was thereafter investigated by spontaneous imbibition, forced imbibition and by the chromatographic wettability test.

The study illustrated the importance of the acidic components in the crude oil on wettability alteration in carbonates. It was observed that 1) increased adsorption to the pore surface of acidic polar components lead to less water-wet conditions. 2) The adsorption process occurs immediately as the oil contacts the porous media, having the highest rate of adsorption during the first pore volumes of injection. 3) Increasing the surface accessibility for polar components by reducing the initial water saturation has strong influence on the initial wettability. 4) Adsorption of acidic components is more pronounced than that of basic components.

Aging of cores has for a long time been regarded as the primary method for establishing initial wettability in the laboratory. This study demonstrates that the adsorption of polar components occurs almost instantly, and that aging is not necessary to obtain mixed wettability.
Experimental Study of Surfactant Polymer for a Heavy Oil Field in South of Oman
Authors: Al-Jabri R. , Alkindi A. , Al-Mjeni R. , Al-Azri N. , Rousseau D. , Renard S. , Miralles V. , Delamaide E.
Published: March 2018

Heavy oil reservoirs remain challenging for surfactant-based EOR, particularly in selecting fine-tuned chemical formulations which combine high performance and guarantee trouble-free operations. This requires substantial laboratory work and a solid methodology. This paper reports a laboratory feasibility study aiming at designing a surfactant-polymer pilot for a heavy oil field in the South of Oman.

The workflow was organized as follows: (i) oilfield initial assessments; (ii) selection and preparation of the rock and fluids; (iii) initial design of the surfactant-polymer formulation involving an extensive screening of surfactants and polymer combinations using a robotic platform; (iv) pre-qualification tests involving in-vitro adsorption and assays for emulsion risk at surface conditions; (v) demonstration coreflood test aiming at determining the ultimate oil recovery achievable with the formulation and (vi) optimization study involving coreflood test and formulation fine tuning to design the most adapted injection strategy.

An extensive screening study was carried out to select representative core and fluid materials. To enable comparative coreflood tests, an analogue granular porous medium was built, with mineralogical composition mimicking that of the reservoir rock. The design of the surfactant-polymer formulation relied on hundreds of automated salinity screening phase behavior and solubility assays. Polymer selection was achieved by membrane injection tests performed under imposed velocity conditions to determine resistance factors versus pore size, velocity, concentration and salinity. This procedure resulted in the successful design of a surfactant-polymer formulation that provided o/w IFT of less than 10-2 mN/m at 50°C over a relatively broad range of salinities, including the injection water salinity. A first coreflood test performed on a reservoir rock plug demonstrated that injecting the formulation as an infinite slug in post-polymer flooding conditions led to 100% recovery of the remaining oil with a very good in-depth propagation of the formulation. The optimization study was then carried out and led to designing injection sequences that allowed minimizing the surfactant losses due to both retention on the rock and dissolution in oil.

The results demonstrate that a surfactant-polymer formulation can successfully be designed and evaluated for heavy oil reservoirs. They also provide practical guidelines for the pilot implementation and pave the way for the next stage of the feasibility study which will focus on generating data for reservoir simulation, operational design and improving the economics.
Successful Optimization of Steam Flooding Pilot Test Project in Sudanese Oil Field Fula North East - Block 6
Authors: Rdwan M. F. , Elbaloula H. A. , Erpeng G. , Shahin A. F. , Mohammed H. A. , Fidial A.
Published: March 2018

Steam flooding is acontinues steam injection heats a large portion of the reservoir while reducing oil viscosity and achieves the most efficient heavy oil recovery.

FNE oil field started production since 2009. In 2010 a pilot Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) was implemented and showed double oil production incremental. Then full field Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) was carried out, in September 2015 steam flooding pilot project was started with obvious increament.

In this paper, an evaluation and optimization are made for the pilot test project in line with design, implementation, and production performance of the steam flooding pilot test in Fula North East.

This paper will present the results from a study that done using advanced thermal software simulator on a sector model that extracted from FNE full field model, pilot area coverage 4 injectors and 9 producers. History matching and optimization was carried out along with perforation interval, steam intensity, steam quality and production rate. Optimum run case was determined among different sensitivity runs.

The results show that oil production performance of steam flooding had significant effect on enhancing oil production. Oil rate increased from 715.66 to 1733.8 BOPD and clear water cut dwindled. After the optimization of steam injection parameters and perforation intervals observable increment in production was achieved, oil production rate increased from 966 to 1160 BOPD and clear water cut decreased.
The Effect of the Presence of Oil on Polymer Retention in Porous Media from Clastic Reservoirs in the Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Wever D. A. , Bartlema H. , ten Berge A. B. , Al-Mjeni R. , Glasbergen G.
Published: March 2018

Polymer retention in porous media can significantly delay the arrival of the oil bank. This delay erodes value and affects the economics of any potential polymer project. In this paper, the effect of the presence of residual oil on polymer (partially hydrolysed polyacrylamide [HPAM]) retention is investigated. Various corefloods have been carried out using different sandstone reservoir rock material, both in single phase and at residual oil saturation. Corefloods without oil showed high polymer retention values, i.e. > 100 µg/g. Experiments at residual oil saturation led to polymer retention values that were approximately 10 times lower for medium to low permeable cores, i.e. 271 vs. 28 µg/g for respectively single-phase and at residual oil saturation. For the high permeable cores, the polymer retention in the presence of oil was very low, i.e. between 0-11 µg/g. This was significantly lower compared to the value that was measured in the absence of oil (38 µg/g). Polymer retention consists of physical surface adsorption and mechanical entrapment. Physical adsorption is dependent on the adsorbing surface area. The presence of oil can reduce the available surface area for the polymer to adsorb onto, especially in an oil-wet or mixed-wet core.

The results of the coreflood experiments demonstrate the effect of the presence of oil on the retention of polymer in porous media. Corefloods without oil show polymer retention values that are much higher than values in the presence of oil.

This suggests that injecting polymer slugs below the oil-water contact could potentially result in a delay in the breakthrough of polymer and the arrival of the associated oil bank, which in turn could have significant detrimental effects on the economics of a commercial polymer project. In the experimental program to de-risk polymer flooding for full field commercial projects comprising polymer injection in oil legs, corefloods to assess polymer retention should always be executed with (residual) oil present.
Microemulsion Formation & Its Effect on Rheology Using Carbonate-Based Alkalis for AP or ASP Floods in the Matzen Field
Authors: Leitenmueller Verena , Toumi Oussema , Hofstaetter Herbert , Clemens Torsten
Published: March 2018

Most of the crude oil is already recovered and discovering new oilfields tend to be challenging and difficult. Implementing an EOR method is essential to enhance the production life of mature oil fields and to make them economically more attractive. Especially, for heavy oil reservoirs chemical flooding is besides thermal methods promising. Only a limited number of alkali flood projects alone are reported worldwide. Phase screening represents the first step of experiments and gives information about the ability of various alkali solutions to generate in-situ surfactants at different concentration ranges.

In this study, carbonate-based alkalis were screened on their effect on in-situ soap generation. Two oil reservoirs both located in the Matzen oil field (Austria) were observed, where an alkali flood project will be realized in the near future. In lab scale, were phase experiments with various concentrations of carbonate-based alkalis (sodium and potassium carbonate) screened at the water-oil-ratio 5:5. Formulations with synthetic and real softened brine were compared, using dead oil and viscosity-matched oil with cyclohexane. Samples were observed over time (100 days) to figure out their equilibrium at reservoir temperature. Afterwards large-scale samples were prepared and viscosity measurements performed.

Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is not well investigated in the literature as an alkali agent yet. It showed very promising results in all performed trials and generated remarkably more amounts of in-situ surfactants compared to Na2CO3, which is the most frequently used alkali performer. Additionally, in most concentrations the micro emulsion viscosities were lower. Thus, potassium carbonate might be an interesting candidate in future alkali applications.
Reservoir Modeling and Simulation for Thermal Oil Recovery in Fractured Karst Carbonates in Bahrain
Authors: Lambert Mark , AlMuftah Ali , Yousif Maysa , Barni Sajeda , Ai Guang , Zhang Eamon
Published: March 2018

The Late Cretaceous Mishrif limestone is known locally in Bahrain as the "Rubble" due to extensive tectonic fracturing and karst brecciation which may have tens to hundreds of times the permeability of the tight matrix where most oil resides. If these secondary features are not properly managed, steam utilization during thermal heavy oil recovery is compromised, so heat transfer to viscous crude in the matrix is less effective. To address this challenge, field pilots are conducted across Awali field to apply customized thermal processes to varying geology.

Designing the thermal pilots uses 3D static and dynamic models representing the heterogenous reservoir to test various thermal processes (cyclic steam stimulation, forced imbibition, and steamflood). Initial geocellular models are multi-well secular models utilizing simplified erosional surface truncations and fault-fracture networks to optimize run times for multi-component thermal simulation. Reservoir properties are guided by well log data and geostatistics, whereas an effective permeability hierarchy accounts for historic well performance and observations. Additional inputs for simulation include thermal properties for rock and fluids, temperature-dependent relative permeability curves, temperature-viscosity relationships and vapor-liquid equilibrium ratios for each crude component, and injected steam quality.

Piloting in a sparsely fractured portion of Awali field gave unexpected results that required revisiting conceptual geologic models and testing new ideas with dynamic simulation. This effort was accelerated by multiple scenario playing with "pseudo-fractures" strategically relocated to honor dynamic data while remaining consistent with the known fault, fracture and karst trends.

This paper describes the results of this particular pilot and the versatile modeling approach taken to understand the outcomes. It recommends early quick multiple scenario playing to help guide subsequent time-intensive detailed fault-fracture-karst modeling.
Surfactants As Steam Foam Additives for Thermal EOR Processes
Authors: Nguyen Thu , Rommerskirchen Renke , Fernandez Jorge , Nguyen Quoc P.
Published: March 2018

Steam override and channeling due to high steam mobility during steam injection for heavy oil recovery can result in high operating costs and low oil recovery. The high steam mobility issue can be overcome with a sufficient increase in the apparent steam viscosity by surfactant stabilized foams. The objective of this research is to identify surfactants that are thermally stable and can generate stable foam at typical conditions of steam injection for thermal steam EOR processes. Proprietary surfactant structures were found to be stable at up to 250 °C for at least 2 weeks. It was also found that these surfactants at 0.5 wt% concentration were able to generate stable foam in the sandpack with steam at 75% quality (i.e. volume fraction of steam in the injected mixture of steam and surfactant solution) and up to 250 °C. Foam increased the apparent steam viscosity by three orders of magnitude without bitumen and by two orders of magnitude in the presence of bitumen. The results demonstrate that this type of surfactant significantly reduces steam mobility, which is needed to overcome steam gravity override and channeling issues. The study of structure-property relationship shows that the foaming efficiency and effectiveness depend on the temperature and the hydrophobicity of the surfactants. Past research reported in literature focused mostly on sulfonate surfactants as foaming agents for steam EOR processes at operating temperatures up to 200 °C and in the absence of oil. This work has extended the scope of steam foam research as it identified surfactants that are thermally stable and could stabilize foam at up to 250 °C even in the presence of oil. In addition, the structures of the identified surfactants in this study could be optimized with respect to surfactant hydrophobicity to tailor the transport and thermodynamic properties as well as the foam property of the surfactants to target specific reservoir temperature and salinity condition.
Biodegradation of Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide HPAM Using Bacteria Isolated from Omani Oil Fields
Authors: Al-Moqbali Walaa , Joshi Sanket J. , Al-Bahry Saif N. , Al-Wahaibi Yahya M. , Elshafie Abdulkadir E. , Al-Bemani Ali S. , Al-Hashmi Abdulaziz , Soundra Pandian Sathish Babu
Published: March 2018

In present study the biodegradation of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) by bacterial strains isolated from Omani oil fields was analyzed. HPAMs are extensively used in oil fields for enhanced oil recovery operations. The produced water after polymer flooding poses grave ecological problems, such as it could raise the difficulty of oil–water separation, producing toxic acrylamide that degrades naturally, which threatens the local environment. Biodegradation of HPAM by microbes may be an efficient way to solve those problems. Microbial biodegradation is considered an environmentally friendly safe technique. The isolation of microbes that are able to degrade HPAM from the oil field produced water was investigated in this study. The bacterial isolates were identified by MALDI-Biotyper and the biodegradation of HPAM was analyzed by LC-MS and reduction in viscosity by rheometer. Two HPAM degrading bacterial strains Bacillus sp. (NP-10) and Chelatococcus sp. (NP-11) were isolated from the polymer-flooding produced water. The removal efficiency of HPAM based on shear viscosity for NP10 andNP11 were 59.9% and 58.4%, respectively after 9-days treatment period, at pH 7.1, 40 °C and 160 rpm. The addition of glucose (0.5 g/l) did not improve the HPAM degradation for NP11. However, the degradation percentage by NP10 reached to 68.8%. HPAM samples after bacterial biodegradation were analyzed by LC-MS. The results showed the presence of acrylamide monomers in the culture after biodegradation. Three other isolated strains were identified as NP-9, NP-2 and NP-8 were able to reduce the concentration of acrylamide significantly. Present findings proved that both Bacillus sp. (NP-10) and Chelatococcus sp. (NP-11) could be suitable candidates for biodegradation of HPAM and NP-9, NP-2 and NP-8 strains as potential candidates for reducing the acrylamide concentrations, as an environmental friendly approach.
Canopy Development of Annual Legumes and Forage Sorghum Intercrops and Its Relation to Dry Matter Accumulation
Authors: Darapuneni Murali K. , Angadi Sangamesh.V. , Umesh M. R. , Contreras‐Govea Francisco E. , Annadurai K. , Begna Sultan H. , Marsalis Mark A. , Cole N. A. , Gowda Prasanna H. , Hagevoort G. Robert , Lauriault Leonard M.
Published: March 2018

Core Ideas

Canopy and light interception characteristics of forage sorghum and sorghum‐legume systems were evaluated.

Intercropping with sorghum increased canopy coverage and light interception early in the growing season.

Intercropping legumes with forage sorghum increased LAI compared with sole forage sorghum.

LAI was an accurate growth predictor of light interception in sole sorghum and all sorghum‐legume systems.

Livestock production is an important agro‐industry in many semiarid regions of the world including the southern High Plains, USA. Therefore, objectives of this study were to understand how canopy development and light interception patterns impact biomass yield of several legume species when intercropped with forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown under irrigation. Field studies were conducted at Tucumcari and Clovis, NM in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Five annual legumes [cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.), lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.), lablab (Lablab purpureus L.), and pole bean (P. vulgaris L.)] were intercropped between two rows of sorghum spaced at 0.75 m and compared with sole sorghum under irrigation. Intercropping legumes with sorghum increased leaf area index (LAI) compared with sorghum alone, at both locations. Intercropping legumes with sorghum resulted in faster canopy coverage and greater light interception early in the growing season compared with sorghum alone. Lablab, cowpea, lima bean, and pole bean were promising legumes to improve light interception when intercropping with sorghum. The LAI was an accurate growth predictor of light interception in all intercropping systems and sorghum alone (R2 > 0.94). Overall, optimum LAI (90% light interception) was lower in all intercropping systems compared with sorghum alone. Dry matter accumulation had strong correlations with LAI and light interception at both locations before canopy closure (58 d after planting). Overall, intercropping legumes in forage sorghum benefits producers by providing protein to livestock and reduces the need to purchase dietary supplements in their traditional livestock production systems.
Fertilizer Nitrogen and Corn Plants: Not all Volatilized Ammonia is Lost
Authors: Schoninger Evandro Luiz , González‐Villalba Hugo Abelardo , Bendassolli José Albertino , Ocheuze Trivelin Paulo Cesar
Published: March 2018

Core Ideas

Corn plants absorb volatilized ammonia from urea.

Foliar area controls ammonia absorption.

Not all N‐fertilizer emitted as ammonia can be considered lost.

Plants can absorb NH3 from the atmosphere through the foliage, potentially recovering part of the volatilized N from N fertilizers. To measure the extent of corn (Zea mays L.) foliar uptake of NH3 derived from surface applied urea at different growth stages and study the relationship between the amount of NH3 uptake and corn leaf area, a field experiment was set up during the 2011–2012 and the 2012–2013 growing seasons. The experiment was developed in a complete randomized blocks design with four replications. Treatments consisted of five sidedress N application times (growth stages V4, V6, V8, V10, and V12) using 15N‐labeled urea. The percentage of volatilized N (VN), the percentage of volatilized N recovered by the plant (PVNP), and the leaf area (LA) at each N application time were evaluated. Using the tray method, the VN varied from 23 to 68% of the total N applied, given these differences mainly related to climatic conditions (i.e., rainfall occurrence). On average for the two growing seasons, measured PVNP values were 3.4, 5.5, 6.2, 9.0, and 14.8% at V4, V6, V8, V10, and V12 growth stages, respectively. Approximately 90% of the total N uptake (15NH3, by the foliage) was allocated in the leaves and 10% in the stem. We found a high correlation between LA and PVNP (r2 = 0.92, p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, corn plants can take up part of the surface applied fertilizer‐derived (urea) NH3, up to values of 15% of the volatilized N–NH3.
Biomass and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Grain Sorghum with Nitrogen and Supplemental Irrigation
Authors: Sigua G. C. , Stone K. C. , Bauer P. J. , Szogi A. A.
Published: March 2018

Core Ideas

Effective use of water and N improved biomass and nutrient use efficiency of sorghum.

Sorghum applied with N and 100% irrigation had the greatest biomass.

Sorghum with 85 kg N ha–1 and 100% irrigation had the greatest nutrient use efficiency.

Poor rainfall distribution and poor soil fertility in the humid coastal plain region may affect grain crop production. Nitrogen insufficiency and water stress can both reduce crop yield, but little information is available on whether supplemental irrigation (SI) and N fertilization can alleviate both water stress and nutrient deficiency in humid regions. A field sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] study was conducted under a variable‐rate center pivot. The objective of our study was to determine the combined effects of N fertilization (0, 85, and 170 kg N ha−1) and SI (0, 50, and 100% of the full irrigation rate) on aboveground biomass (AB), nitrogen uptake (NU), and nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE) of two varieties (VAR) of grain sorghum in coastal plain region of the United States. Aboveground biomass and NU varied with SI (p ≤ 0.001) and levels of N (p ≤ 0.001). In irrigated treatments, the rates of 85 and 170 kg N ha−1 resulted in significantly higher AB, NU, and NUE. Averaged across years, VAR, N and SI, grain sorghum applied with 170 kg N ha−1 and 100% SI had the greatest AB of 3997 kg ha−1. Sorghum with 85 and 170 kg N ha−1 and 100% SI treatment had the greatest NUE of 60.5 and 57.1%, respectively. Our results support our hypothesis that negative impacts of water stress and nutrient deficiency could be mitigated by SI and N fertilization. Effective water use in irrigation and maintaining a sufficient amount of N will improve the AB, NU, and NUE of grain sorghum.
Genetic Introgression from Glycine tomentella to Soybean to Increase Seed Yield
Authors: Akpertey A. , Singh R. J. , Diers B. W. , Graef G. L. , Mian M. A. R. , Shannon J. G. , Scaboo A. M. , Hudson M. E. , Thurber C. S. , Brown P. J. , Nelson R. L.
Published: March 2018

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding in the United States currently relies on a narrow genetic base. Glycine tomentella Hayata (2n = 78), native to Australia, is a perennial relative in the tertiary gene pool of soybean. No effort has been devoted to using this species to increase seed yield. The objectives of this research were (i) to identify high‐yielding lines derived from backcrosses between the soybean cultivar Dwight (2n = 40) and G. tomentella PI 441001 (2n = 78) and to compare their agronomic performance with that of the recurrent parent, and (ii) to determine associations between G. tomentella introgressions and agronomic traits. PI 441001 was crossed to Dwight and immature seed rescue was used to produce a sterile F1 plant. Amphidiploid plants (2n = 118) were produced by treating the F1 hybrid with colchicine. Amphidiploid plants were backcrossed to Dwight and a series of backcrosses were made to obtain lines with 2n = 40 chromosomes, which were self‐fertile and genetically stable. Preliminary yield testing was used to select 180 lines in maturity groups II, III, and IV that had yields greater than or less than that of the recurrent parent. Yield data collected in two replication tests at six to eight locations in 2013 and 2014 identified experimental lines in all three maturity groups that were higher yielding than the recurrent parent. All experimental and parental lines were genotyped, revealing an average of 1% G. tomentella introgression. Significant associations were detected between G. tomentella introgressions and time of flowering, height, lodging, and yield.
Embedding Sustainability Principles in the Mindset of Children Through Creating Nature-Interactive Physical Spaces
Authors: Sadek Yasmin , Khodeir Laila
Published: March 2018

Natural world is one of the most important context of children’s maturation. However, the result of a latest survey that was conduct- ed on 12,000 parents from 10 different countries, showed that one- third of children in the age of 5 to 12 years old spend less than 30 minutes outside every day. This survey and other relevant studies have brought evident to the problem of the lack of children interac- tion with their surrounding environment and nature in general. One of the major role players who can make a difference in resolving children-environment interaction is the architecture designer, who is the one responsible for creating physical spaces for children. The ob- jective of this paper is thus to investigate the role of architecture in the creation of spaces for children that can act as a tool in itself, and which could promote both tangible and intangible sustainability concepts. A literature review was conducted in order to study the principles of sustainability and how to integrate nature into a physi- cal space for children through a number of analyzed case studies. Findings of this paper were based on a double perception including literature and designers. It was indicated that children are generally interested in the idea of integrating nature to their physical space. The results of this study are expected to influence the architects through presenting guidelines that guides decision throughout the design of spaces for children. It is recommended that such spaces should enhance understanding of the concept of sustainability, and could sustain sustainability in the mind set of young children, who represent in turn environmentally aware future generation.
Dysfunctional HDL as a Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis Prevention
Authors: Ossoli Alice , Pavanello Chiara , Giorgio Eleonora , Calabresi Laura , Gomaraschi Monica
Published: March 2018

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Among the various lipoprotein classes, however, high density lipoproteins (HDL) are inversely associated with the incidence of atherosclerosis, since they are able to exert a series of atheroprotective functions. The central role of HDL within the reverse cholesterol transport, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and their ability to preserve endothelial homeostasis are likely responsible for HDL-mediated atheroprotection. However, drugs that effectively raise HDL-C failed to result in a decreased incidence of cardiovascular event, suggesting that plasma levels of HDL-C and HDL function are not always related. Several evidences are showing that different pathologic conditions, especially those associated with an inflammatory response, can cause dramatic alterations of HDL protein and lipid cargo resulting in HDL dysfunction. Established and investigational drugs designed to affect lipid metabolism and to increase HDL-C are only partly effective in correcting HDL dysfunction.
Role of Azoles in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Present and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ahmad Khurshid , Khan Mohd Kalim A. , Baig Mohammad Hassan , Imran Mohd , Gupta Girish Kumar
Published: March 2018

Background:

Cancer has gradually become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The
incidence of cancer among the population has increased alarmingly over the last two decades, primarily due to
an increasing population of immune-compromised patients and the continuing rise in anti-cancer drug
resistance. Azole found privileged structure in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical industry and also found
to be showing antioxidant; antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anticancer, antiviral, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory,
anti-HIV, and antihypertensive activities.

Objective:

In this review, we highlight some areas of current interest in context to azoles and their derivatives as
potential chemotherapeutic agents and inhibitors.

Method:

A comprehensive literature search was performed for writing this review. An updated view on different
derivatives of azoles and use in cancer management has been discussed.

Results:

Here we have discussed the present scenario of azoles and their derivatives as potential
chemotherapeutic agents and inhibitors. Along with, the future perspectives of azoles in cancer prevention and
treatment are also discussed.

Conclusion:

The information provided in this review might be useful to researchers in designing of novel and
potent multifunctional azole analogues for the treatment of cancer and other multifactorial diseases.
Depletion of Hypocretin/Orexin Neurons Increases Cell Proliferation in the Adult Subventricular Zone
Authors: Arias-Carrion Oscar , Ortega-Robles Emmanuel , de Celis-Alonso Benito , Palasz Artur , Mendez-Rojas Miguel A. , Salas-Pacheco Jose , Murillo-Rodriguez Eric
Published: March 2018

Background & Objective: Adult neurogenesis, a specific form of brain plasticity in
mammals that occurs in the subventricular zone, is subject to complex regulation. Hypocretin/orexin
neurons are implicated in the regulation of sleep and arousal states, among other functions. Here we
report for the first time the presence of orexinergic projections within the adult rat subventricular zone.
Post-mortem retrograde tracing combined with immunofluorescence indicated orexinergic projections
toward the subventricular zone. To establish the relationship between the depletion of orexin neurons
and the number of proliferating cells in the subventricular zone, we labeled mitotic cells. Histological
analysis revealed proliferating cells to be in close contact with orexinergic fibers. Neurotoxinlesioning
of orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus significantly activated precursor cell proliferation
in the subventricular zone. Furthermore, cell proliferation in both normal and lesioned animals
failed to reveal newly born orexin neurons in the lateral hypothalamus.

Conclusion:

Based on these findings, we suggest that the adult subventricular zone is affected by
orexinergic signaling, the functional implication of which must be further elucidated.
Effect of Short-term Quercetin, Caloric Restriction and Combined Treatment on Age-related Oxidative Stress Markers in the Rat Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Alugoju Phaniendra , V.K.D. Krishna Swamy , Periyasamy Latha
Published: March 2018

Background & Objective: Aging is characterized by gradual accumulation of macromolecular
damage leading to progressive loss of physiological function and increased susceptibility to diverse
diseases. Effective anti-aging strategies involving caloric restriction or antioxidant supplementation
are receiving growing attention to attenuate macromolecular damage in age associated pathology.

Method:

In the present study, we for the first time investigated the effect of quercetin, caloric restriction
and combined treatment (caloric restriction with quercetin) on oxidative stress parameters, acetylcholinesterase
and ATPases enzyme activities in the cerebral cortex of aged male Wistar rats. 21
months aged rats were divided into four groups (n=6-8) such as group 1-fed ad libitum (AL); group
2-quercetin supplementation of 50 mg/kg b.w/day for 45 days fed ad libitum (QUER); group 3: caloric
restricted (CR) (fed 40% reduced AL for 45 days); group 4-fed 40% CR and 50 mg/kg b.w/day QUER
for 45 days (CR + QUER). Group 5-three month age old rats served as young control (YOUNG).

Results:

Our results demonstrate that combined treatment of caloric restriction and quercetin significantly
improved the age associated decline in the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes [such
as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and glutathione
(GSH) content and attenuated elevated levels of protein carbonyl content (PCC), lipid peroxidation,
lipofuscin, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, it is also observed that
combined treatment ameliorated age associated alterations in acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and
adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) such as Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca+2-ATPase (but not Mg+2-
ATPase) enzyme activities.

Conclusion:

Finally, we conclude that combined treatment of caloric restriction and quercetin (but not
either treatment alone) in late life is an effective anti-aging therapy to counteract the age related accumulation
of oxidative macromolecular damage.
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Authors: Singh N[aUm_m§Mm Aä`mg, IamV gy`©H$m§V Zm_ , Singh CnbmZo _oKm _hmXod
Published: March 2018

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Print Mediaand Punjab Militancy: An Analysis of Category of Labelling and Issue of Sensitization
Authors: Bassi Dinesh , Verma Sudheer Singh
Published: March 2018

Punjab faced acute torture ofmilitancyfrom the 1980’s and acquired disastrous shape after the Operation Blue Starled by Indian Army to flush out militants from the Golden Temple premises.Whereas the conflict was continuing among militants and security personals at plains of Punjab, English and vernacular print media were in tussle with each other over covering news related to the occurred violence in Punjab. The English and vernacular media had labelled news related to perpetuating violence in Punjab to people which was created fractured sphere of news world. The media had presented the news covered by ideological contours which was too offended the communities’emotionsthat were having century’s old roots. The print media were looked divided while representing violent incidents in Punjab due to theirideological differences.The paper has attempted to understand the meaning of the covered news related to the violent incidents through the ideological lenses by the newspaper and the occurred consequences of that labelled news to society. The paper applied content analysis method, which covers under the qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The paper has solely based on the qualitative methodology. The paper briefly concluded that the role of media is crucial in creating social capital in security. The English and Vernacular print media represented the news related to the violent incidents according to their set ideology, which created fractured views of the sphere in society.
How users experience and use an eHealth intervention based on self-regulation: a mixed-methods approach (Preprint)
Authors: Poppe Louise , Van der Mispel Celien , Crombez Geert , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Verloigne Maïté
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

EHealth interventions show stronger effects when informed by solid behaviour change theories. For example, self-regulation models supporting people in translating vague intentions to specific actions have shown to be effective in altering health behaviours. Although these theories inform developers about which behaviour change techniques should be included, they provide limited information about how these techniques can be implemented in online interventions in an engaging way. Taking into account the high levels of attrition in eHealth, investigating users’ experience about the implementation of behaviour change techniques might be a fruitful avenue.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated how users experienced the implementation of self-regulation techniques in an online intervention targeting physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the general population.

METHODS

Twenty adults from the general population used the intervention for a period of five weeks. Users’ website data were explored and semi-structured interviews with each of the users were performed. A directed content analysis was performed using NVivo Software.

RESULTS

The techniques ‘providing feedback on performance’, ‘action planning’ and ‘prompting review of behavioural goals’ were appreciated by the users. However, the implementation of ‘barrier identification/problem solving’ appeared to frustrate users. This was also reflected by the users’ website data: many coping plans were of poor quality. Most users were well-aware of the benefits of adopting a more active way of living and stated not to have learned novel information. However, they appreciated the provided information as it reminded them about the importance of having an active lifestyle. Furthermore, prompting users to self-monitor their behavioural change was not stimulating enough to make users actually monitor their behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Iteratively involving potential end-users offers guidance to optimally adapt the implementation of various behaviour change techniques to the target population. We recommend to create short interventions with a straightforward lay-out that support users in creating and evaluating specific plans for action.
A Path to Better-Quality mHealth Apps (Preprint)
Authors: Larson Richard S
Published: March 2018

UNSTRUCTURED

The rapid growth of mobile health (mHealth) apps has resulted in confusion among health care providers and the public about which products rely on evidence-based medicine. Only a small subset of mHealth apps are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. The system similar to that used to accredit and certify laboratory testing under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment offers a potential model for ensuring basic standards of quality and safety for mHealth apps. With these products expanding into the realm of diagnosis and treatment, physicians and consumers are in a strong position to demand oversight that delivers safe and high-quality mHealth apps.