bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I Want My Hat Back by J. Klassen
Authors: Roche Matilda
Published: April 2016

Klassen, Jon. I Want My Hat Back. Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2011. Print. Jon Klassen further develops his distinctive and carefully honed aesthetic in I Want My Hat Back, the first children’s book he has both illustrated and written. His illustrations for 2010’s visually complex yet cohesive Cat’s Night Out deservedly won the Governor General’s award for English language children’s illustration. [Reviewed here in Vol.1 no.2 (2011).] Klassen has a very well conceived style that seems to perfectly encompass what current sensibilities would deem the best of design from the 1960s and early 1970s.  As a writer, he has a sharp sense of humour that comfortably inhabits his visual style. Both expressions are arch, dry and irreverent. I Want My Hat Back is, without question, a great looking book that adeptly functions on a number of aesthetic levels. The issue remains, however, of how it functions as a visual and textual narrative for children and in order to discuss that clearly I must provide a SPOILER ALERT: In I Want My Hat Back the rabbit who has absconded with the hat in question is eaten in retribution by a bear. The fact of this dire revenge is conveyed very amusingly but obliquely. So obliquely that it seems unlikely that a child would be able to understand (perhaps mercifully) what had happened as the bear denies that he knows what has become of the rabbit. This presented an excellent opportunity to experiment on my children by reading them I Want My Hat Back and observing their reactions.  The two year old was most distressed by the fact of the missing hat and relieved at its recovery. He seemed to have grasped that the bear eats the rabbit at the end but was unconcerned. The five year old, however, took the bear at his word and has no idea what happened to the rabbit. Perhaps the two year old in the initial stage of language comprehension had to hear and interpret the bear’s words more literally than the five year old who, while she can understand language in a more nuanced way, can’t interpret the implications that lie beyond what the bear says? Fascinating! Highly recommended:  4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Matilda RocheMatilda spends her days lavishing attention on the University of Alberta’s metadata but children’s illustrated books, literature for young adults and graphic novels also make her heart sing. Her reviews benefit from the critical influence of a four year old daughter and a one year old son – both geniuses. Matilda’s super power is the ability to read comic books aloud.
Mitchell's License by H. Durand
Authors: Storie Dale
Published: April 2016

Durand, Hallie. Mitchell's License. Illus. Tony Fucile. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press, 2011. Print. Three and a half year old Mitchell, who never wants to go to bed, receives his “remote-controlled dad driver’s license”, which allows him to drive his father around the house like a car.  This delightful picture book features plenty of visual sight gags as Mitchell puts the car into gear (by pulling on his father’s ears), checks the tires (feet), cleans the windshield (eyeglasses), and honks the horn (nose).  Although Mitchell initially drives his dad straight into a wall, over time he learns how to avoid collisions and make hairpin turns.  The book concludes with the son trying to feed his dad some gas (a cookie) before being driven off to bed. This is the first picture book by author Durand (also known for the Just Desserts books), whose husband invented the “remote-controlled dad” game for their children.  There isn’t much of a story, nor does there need to be; the pleasure in the book is the driving game and the interaction between Mitchell and his dad.  Fucile, who is well known from his career in animation, is a perfect illustrator for bringing this high-speed adventure to life, especially the overtly slapstick scenes where Dad collides into the wall or has “oil” poured into his mouth.  Many pages use a lot of white space, which when combined with Fucile’s graphic style; make the illustrations look as though they were taken directly from a sketchbook.  This effect gives the whole book a feeling of fluidity and improvisation that complements the driving game being enacted, while never coming off as blatantly cartoony. This book is highly recommended, especially for any child who loves cars and driving.  However, parents should probably expect children to demand their own driver’s licenses after reading this book! Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Dale StorieDale is Public Services Librarian at the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. He has a BA in English, and has also worked in a public library as a children's programming coordinator, where he was involved with story times, puppet shows, and book talks.
Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU by C. Silverberg & F. Smyth
Authors: Marshall Kyle
Published: April 2016

Silverberg, Cory and Fiona Smyth. Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU. New York: Seven Stories Press, 2015. Print.“Having a penis isn’t what makes you a boy. Having a vulva isn’t what makes you a girl. The truth is much more interesting than that!”In a watershed year for transgender activism, Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth have broken ground with their trans-inclusive sex education book Sex is a Funny Word. This new release follows a cast of four 8-10 year old kids, including gender queer Zai, as they learn about and explore that strange and funny word - sex. Throughout the book, Smyth’s illustrations employ bright, opaque and high-contrast colours to great effect, and readers are exposed to characters of wonderfully diverse abilities, races, shapes and sexualities.It is however reductive to merely draw attention to the diversity in Sex is a Funny Word, as a wide gamut of topics are discussed with age-appropriate aplomb, including anatomy, “touch” and relationships. Silverberg’s opening notes to adult readers provide tips for co-reading the book with children, explaining that the text is meant to be read over many sittings to aid comprehension and reflection. By bookending each chapter with interactive questions, readers identify and reflect on personal morals anchored in four concepts - trust, respect, joy and justice. These questions do the hard work for parents, who can defer to one of the lively and inquisitive characters for discussion points. Moreover, the only sexual activity mentioned in this book is masturbation, so even the most squeamish adult readers should feel comfortable co-reading Sex is a Funny Word.Sex is a Funny Word is the second of a three-part, age-specific sex education series written by Silverberg and illustrated by Smyth. Those with younger children can find reproduction discussed in What Makes a Baby, while intercourse will specifically be covered in the series’ next title. For a positive, fun and healthy introduction to these concepts, parents and librarians will be well-served by seeking out Sex is a Funny Word for their collection.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kyle MarshallKyle Marshall is the School-Aged Services Intern Librarian for Edmonton Public Library. He graduated with his MLIS from the University of Alberta in June 2015, and is passionate about diversity in children's and youth literature.
Sonya’s Chickens by P. Wahl
Authors: Gathoni Nasra
Published: April 2016

Wahl, Phoebe. Sonya’s Chickens. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2015. Print.This book tells a lovely story of Sonya, a little girl whose father gave her chicks to take care of. In simple language the book brings out the story of Sonya’s passion to care for the chickens and equally brings out emotions of a child who loses a “pet”; in this case, a chicken. When Sonya’s chicken is taken by a fox the reader feels her great loss and sadness. The book combines the different emotions of joy, caring, passion, compassion and sadness in a most wonderful and simple way for a young child to grasp and appreciate. The flow of the story is captivating and the style would without doubt keep a child reading the text to the end.While attractive colour and drawing have been used in the text sections of the book, there are whole pages of drawings corresponding to the text sections. The drawings have strong colours and they are presented in a manner in which a young child may easily understand and make connection to the story. The pictures which add content to the story are very useful in helping any young child connect with the story. This is a wonderful book that is recommended for public libraries and small children’s rooms everywhere.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Nasra GathoniNasra is a Health Sciences Librarian at the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya. Nasra is an avid book reader, a passion she nurtured from her childhood and believes in the necessity of children reading from a tender age.
Pyro by M. Polak
Authors: Scheideman Kimberly
Published: April 2016

Polak, Monique.  Pyro. Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2012. Ebook. Franklin Westcott has always been fascinated by fire.  As pressures mount in his life, Franklin struggles internally to keep things together.  His father is running to be re-elected as Mayor, and is focused on catching the pyromaniac that is threatening the community.  Franklin's mother reveals she is in love with someone else, and moves out of their home.  At his father's request, Franklin attends Sunday school, something he hasn't done for years.  Fatefully, he becomes involved in the lighting crew for the talent show the Sunday school is presenting.  There he meets Tracy, one of the girls performing in the show, who is also struggling with her own inner turmoil.  Together, Franklin and Tracy face the obstacles life has presented them.  As their relationship grows, Franklin begins to open up to Tracy and, in her, finds the support he needs to face his inner demons. The simple sentences and compelling storyline make this an accessible and intriguing read for struggling and reluctant readers.  The straightforward plot development is quick paced, engaging the reader from start to finish.  The unexpected revelations and complexities keep the reader questioning the outcome for Franklin to the very end.  It deals with subject matter which is realistic and relevant to middle school students, broaching a topic which is often in the shadows of more prevalent issues, such as bullying and teenage suicide.   Polak researched "firestarters" over several months, utilizing the expertise of Dr. Kenneth R. Fineman, a psychologist specializing in the topic.  Polak also interviewed numerous firefighters and high school students to gain further insights to the techniques and characteristics of such youth.  The result is a story which reveals the consequences of such actions for all those involved.  Pyro brings awareness to the issue and promotes fire prevention. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Kimberly Scheideman Kimberly Scheideman is a student in the TLDL program at the University of Alberta, and an Instructional Coach/Teacher with ECSRD No. 2 in Spruce Grove, Alberta.
The Last Song by E. Wiseman
Authors: Smith Jorden
Published: April 2016

Wiseman, Eva. The Last Song. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books, 2012. Print. Set in Inquisition-era Spain, Wiseman tells us the story of Isabel, a young woman about to be married to a villainous young man from a wealthy and well-established Catholic family. Isabel has lived a life of privilege in the historically tolerant Spain until, in the late 15th Century, the monarchy embraces Catholicism and seeks to eradicate all other religions by any means necessary. As the Inquisition, led by the truly evil Torquemada, storms into Toledo, Isabel thinks she is impervious to the violence she passively witnesses on the streets, believing her family to be devoutly Catholic. In an unsurprising twist, we discover that Isabel’s family has converted to Catholicism from Judaism, yet surreptitiously practices their faith. Isabel does not have the crisis of conscience that one might expect, and begins to adopt Judaism immediately. Disguised as a boy, she sneaks into to the Juderia to attend Torah classes and learn about the religion she previously scorned. Although the theme of self-discovery would generally welcome such dedication, it is not written in such a way that it is compelling or believable. As her malicious fiancée, Luis seeks to destroy her family and family friends begin to abandon them, Isabel and her parents search for a means of survival in a town torn apart by hate, greed, and ignorance. The characters, even the protagonist, are static with minimal development. The majority of the Catholics are depicted as cold and heartless, while the Jews are kind and generous. Although one might assume that people in Spain were, at the time, terrified of being falsely accused of punishable crimes and therefore were predominately on the offensive, this was not explained in the book and someone unfamiliar with the time period may not arrive at those conclusions. Isabel has the potential to be a truly great protagonist, yet she falls flat. I appreciate Wiseman’s ability to build tension, however a series of contrived coincidences underpins the plot. The story tackles a brutal historical period, but does so only superficially. It gently introduces the reader to the Inquisition and to dealing with blind hate, but does not delve into the depths of the animosity that tore apart 800 years of peace. The root of the issue is barely addressed, and not in any meaningful way. An opportunity to raise awareness about this incredibly significant and tragic time was lost. After reading Wiseman’s previous novel, Puppet, I expected more from this book. It held so much promise, but failed to deliver. I would recommend this novel for early teens interested as a safe introduction into the Inquisition and the history of Judaism in Europe. Recommended with reservations: 2 out of 4 starsReviewer: Jorden SmithJorden Smith joins the team as a book reviewer. Jorden is a Public Services Librarian in Rutherford Humanities and Social Sciences Library at the University of Alberta.  She is an avid fiction reader and subscribes to Hemingway’s belief that “there is no friend as loyal as a book.”
From Lands of the Night by T. Mollel
Authors: Aitken Leslie
Published: April 2016

Mollel, Tololwa.  From Lands of the Night.  Illus. Darrell McCalla.  Markham, Ontario: Red Deer Press, 2014. Print.In this work, a well-known author and storyteller, Tololwa Mollel, has drawn upon the folk customs of East Africa to illustrate how one family deals with critical illness.  The tale is set in contemporary times and is told through the eyes of a child. Briefly, a feverish baby seems beyond the help of standard medical practice and, thus, his parents turn to a traditional healer for help. Under the healer’s guidance, they invite friends, neighbours and relatives to a “joyful celebration.”  The healer summons guests from lands of the night: ancestors, angels, and even Mola, who is God.  There follows a night of feasting, singing and dancing.  Darrell McCalla’s watercolors brilliantly convey the otherworldliness of the occasion.  The baby revives.Mollel’s text is well written for reading aloud or telling: in fact, anyone who has ever heard him perform will sense his voice engaging the listener throughout the story.In an author’s note, Mollel tells us of his intention to marry the traditional with the contemporary in writing of his native Tanzania.  In doing so, he bridges the distance between the real and the imaginary world very subtly.  No rabbit hole, no magic wardrobe, no melting railway station wall signals that we have entered a place where faith and magic are freely at work.  It is left to the reader to suspend disbelief – or not -- respecting the baby’s recovery.Who then, will suspend disbelief?  Young children who move effortlessly between the worlds of reality and magic will clearly accept and welcome the arrival of helpers from lands of the night.  Many adults will be skeptical about the efficacy of the “joyful celebration;” nonetheless, they will be fascinated with the tradition that Mollel has here revealed.But the book may be troubling to some.  We cannot ignore the current climate in which it has been published.  In recent months, news of the incremental spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa has dominated the news. The World Health Organization declared this epidemic to be the most serious global health concern of our times. Those countries outside of Africa to which the virus has been carried entered “red alert” mode, and certain segments of their populations panicked.  In the context of these realities, librarians might want to be prepared for the patron who storms in waving the book and demanding, “Why are you advocating miracle cures as a way of dealing with plague?”  There are plenty of good responses: have them at the ready.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Leslie AitkenLeslie Aitken’s long career in librarianship involved selection of children’s literature for school, public, special, and university collections.  She is a former Curriculum Librarian at the University of Alberta.
50 Poisonous Questions: A Book with Bite by T. L. Kyi
Authors: Frail Kim
Published: April 2016

Kyi, Tanya L. 50 Poisonous Questions: A Book with Bite. Illus. Ross Kinnaird. Toronto: Annick Press, 2011. Print. This is the second book in the 50 questions series published by Annick Press. In this case the questions are all centered on toxins of various types such as “Can Sheep Cure Snake Bites?” and “Why Was the Hatter Mad?” It consists of eight chapters with titles such as: “Lethal Leaves”, “Murderous Villains” and “Spills and Disasters”. The answers guide young readers through a series of factoids that act as a gateway to learning about world history, the environment and life sciences. A wide range of time periods and geographical locations are covered. For example, one answer is set in 600 BC and involves how the city state of Delphi in ancient Greece defeated the city state of Kirrha by contaminating their water supply with poisonous hellebore leaves.  A more contemporary example is the deadly sarin gas attack on a Japanese subway carried out by members of the Shinriko cult in 1995. There is also a significant amount of Canadian content: a deadly spider in a Manitoba classroom, mercury poisoning in Quebec and the discovery of a University of Alberta anthropologist regarding what happened to members of the ill-fated Franklin expedition. In addition to the questions, it also includes features such as the “poison puzzle” riddles to challenge readers’ powers of deduction and to reinforce what they have been learning. One particularly intriguing example is the case of the umbrella murderer involving a Bulgarian secret service agent. The author also presents information in the form of “Foul Facts” and mini-articles such as “Sprinting for Strychnine”. The book is illustrated with whimsical cartoon images on a toxic green background highlighted with skulls, cross-bones and warning signs. The look and feel is sure to pique the interest of mid to late elementary school readers and is recommended for grade four or age nine and above. The overall tone and language of the book is light-hearted and not overly academic. It does include a list of resources for further reading, a brief bibliography and an index. There are only 34 resources listed in the bibliography, which is less than one per question. However, given that the articles are designed to be brief and engaging rather than a comprehensive literature review this is not inappropriate. This book is entertaining and informative and could be used as supplementary classroom material on a variety of biology, environmental or history related topics. Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Kim Frail
I Can Brush My Teeth by S. M. Johanson
Authors: Chatterley Trish
Published: April 2016

Johanson, Sarah Margaret. I Can Brush My Teeth. Montreal: Chouette Publishing, 2013. Print board book.For almost 25 years, preschoolers have been delighted by stories of four-year old Caillou. The French Canadian series was initiated by author Christine L’Heureux in an effort to illustrate everyday experiences in a child’s life and how to cope under various circumstances. Child psychologists have typically been consulted in the development of the stories and this book is no exception, drawing on the expertise of child psychologist Francine Nadeau. Pediatric dentist Dr. Hélène Buithieu was also consulted to ensure accurate representation of proper oral health practices.If the average toddler is anything like my three-year old niece, they will love this book! We read it six times over the course of a day. Caillou is growing up and wants to brush his teeth on his own without help from his parents. The story instructs the child to brush in little circles all around the mouth. While the story is a bit repetitive for an adult, this does not appear to be an issue with children and reinforces proper technique as recommended by dentists.Children familiar with the Caillou television program might question why the parents look quite different from the same characters as presented on the show. My niece also astutely observed, “Where’s Rosie?” since the two-year old sister does not make an appearance. The story is simple, the illustrations colourful, and will hopefully encourage children to have fun brushing their teeth by themselves. However, you may have to buy your child sparkly toothpaste so they can brush like Caillou!Recommended: 3 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Trish ChatterleyTrish is a Public Services Librarian for the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta. In her free time she enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading books of all types.
Multidisciplinary approach in combating childhood obesity
Authors: Shree Dr.G. G. Kavitha , Premalatha Dr.M.R. , Jothilakshmi Dr.K.
Published: April 2016

The study demonstrated the beneficial effect of a multidisciplinary dietary-behavioral-physical intervention on childhood obesity among totally selected 618 school children. Children were classified as Group-I who received both education program and fitness exercise (N=228- Long-term behavioral intervention) and Group-II who were exposed only to education program (N=390 Short-term behavioral intervention). It was found that 28.3 per cent were overweight and 7.9 per cent were obese as per International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) standards at the beginning of study. The initial mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 21.6+3.9 in Group-I and 21.9+3.4 in Group-II. The BMI reduced to 21.4+3.8 in Group-I and 21.8+3.5 in Group-II after six months at the first phase. After one year, the mean BMI of Group-I reduced significantly to 20.8+ 3.5 (P = 0.0001) due to long-term interventions, whereas the mean BMI of Group-II increased after one year. There was significant reduction in Waist Hip Ratio from initial to final among Group-I alone. There was no significant change in the Pulse Rate among both groups at the end of the study. After one year, among Group-I children, 6.6 per cent with high Blood Pressure and 4.4 per cent who had low BP shifted to normal BP showing a significant change whereas there was no significant change in Group-II. Peak expiratory flow rate improved significantly only in Group-I. There was significant influence of fitness exercise intervention on the fitness level test scores among Group-I after one year but there was no significant changes in Group-II. Thus the study revealed that only long-term combined multidisciplinary interventions can have positive influence in combating childhood obesity than short-term interventions.
A Study on Stock Co-Movement’s Analysis of Select Bank and IT Company Stocks
Authors: U Divya , Rashinkar Sunil M , Shankar K C Dr. Shiva , Shenoy Veena
Published: April 2016

The risk of a portfolio depends on the co- movement between the security returns forming the portfolio. The coefficient of correlation is an important measure for studying co movement between securities. Banking and IT company’s shares represent sizable share of market portfolio of common investors. In this perspective the present study has been undertaken to help small retail investors who commonly invest in these two major sectors to understand the co movement of returns among Banking and IT industry stocks. This study covers correlation co movement calculation between selected four Banking shares and four IT companies’ shares for a period from 16th June 2014 to 15th June 2015. The correlation between banking shares are more positive compared to correlation between IT company shares. This implies that the banking stocks return more or less move in the same direction. The correlation between Banking and IT Company stocks are either zero or negative which implies that these two sectors shares are not related or move in the opposite direction in terms of return. This implies that banking and IT industry shares are good combinations for portfolio construction which substantially reduces the risk of that particular portfolio.
Assisted History Matching of Channelized Models by Use of Pluri-Principal-Component Analysis
Authors: Chen C.. , Gao G.. , Ramirez B. A. , Vink J. C. , Girardi A. M.
Published: April 2016

Assisted history matching (AHM) of a channelized reservoir is still a very-challenging task because it is very difficult to gradually deform the discrete facies in an automated fashion, while preserving geological realism. In this paper, a pluri-principal-component-analysis (PCA) method, which supports PCA with a pluri-Gaussian model, is proposed to reconstruct geological and reservoir models with multiple facies. PCA extracts the major geological features from a large collection of training channelized models and generates gridblock-based properties and real-valued (i.e., noninteger-valued) facies. The real-valued facies are mapped to discrete facies indicators according to rock-type rules (RTRs) that determine the fraction of each facies and neighboring connections between different facies. Pluri-PCA preserves the main (or principal) features of both geological and geostatistical characteristics of the prior models. A new method is also proposed to automatically build the RTRs with an ensemble of training realizations. An AHM work flow is developed by integrating pluri-PCA with a derivative-free optimization algorithm. This work flow is validated on a synthetic model with four facies types and a real-field channelized model with three facies types, and it is applied to update both the facies model and the reservoir model by conditioning to production data and/or hard data. The models generated by pluri-PCA preserve the major geological/geostatistical descriptions of the original training models. This has great potential for practical applications in large-scale history matching and uncertainty quantification.
Managing Tubing-Casing-Annulus in ESP Completions for Enhanced Wellbore Integrity and Improved ESP Runlife
Authors: Alquwizani Saud A. , Shepler Randall A. , Zoraia Ghanem H. , Khamis Mohammed N.
Published: April 2016

The deployment of downhole packers in Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) completions brings many added benefits to the wellbore integrity, yet it adds a certain degree of complexity to the completion design, installation, and operation. Thermal expansion of the trapped completion fluid in the tubing-casing-annulus (TCA), located between the ESP upper completion packer and the tubing hanger, poses several risks to the wellbore integrity, including tubing collapse, wellhead rupture, packer failure, casing failure, ESP cable failure, and packer electric penetrator failure. The increase in TCA pressure is accelerated in ESP wells because of their capability to instantaneously produce high volumes of hot reservoir fluids to the surface. Improper bleeding of TCA pressure results in explosive decompression (ED) of the different ESP cable components leading to a sudden premature failure of the electrical system. While appropriate bleed-off procedures have shown to minimize ED effects the selection of suitable ESP cable materials have eliminated these types of TCA cable failures. Gathering data from multiple sources such as Dismantle Inspection and Failure Analysis (DIFA), ESP downhole sensors, laboratory tests, and completion pull reports was a critical step for accurate identification of the root cause behind the encountered TCA problems. The followed analysis methodology showed that selection of packer elastomers that are suitable for the reservoir conditions was proven to be of extreme importance to the wellbore integrity and the ESP runlife. In the presented case study, changing to high-grade elastomer packers was necessary in order to tolerate the high hydrogen sulfide (H2S) partial pressure experienced in the studied field. Moreover, data gathered from DIFA proved that proper well cleanouts prior to ESP installation is also crucial in preventing explosive decompression of packer penetrator. In fact, effective TCA management is an important strategy that needs to be implemented in both the design and operation of the well completion.
A Different Perspective on the Forchheimer and Ergun Equations
Authors: Mao Deming , Karanikas John M. , Fair Phillip S. , Prodan Ionut D. , Wong George K.
Published: April 2016

The need to better estimate the performance of hydraulically fractured wells in shale-gas formations has focused attention on the description of the non-Darcy flow in the region of the hydraulic fracture near the borehole where the converging flow may be increasingly dominated by the inertia effect. The analogy between high-rate flow in proppant-filled hydraulic fractures—best described by the Forchheimer equation—and the flow of reactants in fixed beds or granular beds in catalysis—widely described by the Ergun equation—may offer insights on how to estimate the value of the coefficient β across the complete range of velocities (or, equivalently, Reynolds numbers). In this paper, we show that, although the value of β varies over a wide range depending on the porosity (ϕ) and permeability (K) of the porous medium, the value of the product βK is confined in the range of 10−5 to 10−4 m, and a correlation is obtained with narrower uncertainty compared with published ones.
Measurement and Evaluation of Bitumen/Toluene-Mixture Properties at Temperatures Up to 190?°C and Pressures Up to 10 MPa
Authors: Nourozieh Hossein , Kariznovi Mohammad , Abedi Jalal
Published: April 2016

The viscosity of bitumen and heavy oil is extremely high at both reservoir and surface conditions, on the order of 1 million cp. Therefore, viscosity reduction is necessary for production from the reservoir, pipeline transportation, and oil processing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different parameters (temperature, pressure, and solvent-weight fraction) on the density and viscosity of bitumen-containing mixtures. Thus, the density and viscosity of mixtures are measured for a sample of Athabasca bitumen diluted with different fractions of toluene at pressures from 0.1 to 10 MPa and at temperatures from 22 to 190 °C. The mixture densities show a linear decrease with temperature, pressure, and solvent concentration. The viscosity of the mixtures indicates a curvilinear trend with respect to the solvent-weight fraction and temperature. The effect of pressure on the mixture viscosity is more pronounced at lower-solvent-weight fractions. The mixture-density data are evaluated with two different methods: no volume change upon mixing and excess volume. The excess-volume method predicts the mixture-density data with an overall average absolute relative deviation (AARD) of 0.34%. The viscosity data for mixtures are compared with different models: Arrhenius (1987), Cragoe (1933), Shu (1984), Lobe (1973), double-log (Yarranton et al. 2013), Lederer (1933), power-law (Kendall and Monroe 1917), and Bij (Yarranton et al. 2013). The Bij model (Yarranton et al. 2013) produces the most-reliable results for mixture viscosities, with 5.5% AARD.
Traveling wave solutions of an ordinary-parabolic system in R2 and a 2D-strip
Authors: Tian Yanling , Wu Chufen , Liu Zhengrong
Published: April 2016

We investigate a prey-predator model, which we describe by an ordinary-
parabolic system. We obtain four types of wave solutions of this system,
which are connecting different equilibria. To establish the existence of four
types of traveling wave solutions with double wave speeds, we introduce a new
approach to constructing monotonous iteration schemes. Moreover, by using
spreading speeds, we establish the non-existence of traveling wave solutions.
Our results provide insight into the dynamics of this model system.
Expression-Based Genome-Wide Association Study Links Vitamin D–Binding Protein With Autoantigenicity in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Kodama Keiichi , Zhao Zhiyuan , Toda Kyoko , Yip Linda , Fuhlbrigge Rebecca , Miao Dongmei , Fathman C. Garrison , Yamada Satoru , Butte Atul J. , Yu Liping
Published: April 2016

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by autoreactive T cells that recognize pancreatic islet antigens and destroy insulin-producing β-cells. This attack results from a breakdown in tolerance for self-antigens, which is controlled by ectopic antigen expression in the thymus and pancreatic lymph nodes (PLNs). The autoantigens known to be involved include a set of islet proteins, such as insulin, GAD65, IA-2, and ZnT8. In an attempt to identify additional antigenic proteins, we performed an expression-based genome-wide association study using microarray data from 118 arrays of the thymus and PLNs of T1D mice. We ranked all 16,089 protein-coding genes by the likelihood of finding repeated differential expression and the degree of tissue specificity for pancreatic islets. The top autoantigen candidate was vitamin D–binding protein (VDBP). T-cell proliferation assays showed stronger T-cell reactivity to VDBP compared with control stimulations. Higher levels and frequencies of serum anti-VDBP autoantibodies (VDBP-Abs) were identified in patients with T1D (n = 331) than in healthy control subjects (n = 77). Serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with VDBP-Ab levels in patients in whom T1D developed during the winter. Immunohistochemical localization revealed that VDBP was specifically expressed in α-cells of pancreatic islets. We propose that VDBP could be an autoantigen in T1D.
Brain and White Matter Hyperintensity Volumes After 10 Years of Random Assignment to Lifestyle Intervention
Authors: Espeland Mark A. , Erickson Kirk , Neiberg Rebecca H. , Jakicic John M. , Wadden Thomas A. , Wing Rena R. , Desiderio Lisa , Erus Guray , Hsieh Meng-Kang , Davatzikos Christos , Maschak-Carey Barbara J. , Laurienti Paul J. , Demos-McDermott Kathryn , Bryan R. Nick ,   for the Action for Health in Diabetes Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Look AHEAD Brain) Ancillary Study Research Group
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes increases the accumulation of brain white matter hyperintensities and loss of brain tissue. Behavioral interventions to promote weight loss through dietary changes and increased physical activity may delay these adverse consequences. We assessed whether participation in a successful 10-year lifestyle intervention was associated with better profiles of brain structure.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

At enrollment in the Action for Health in Diabetes clinical trial, participants had type 2 diabetes, were overweight or obese, and were aged 45–76 years. They were randomly assigned to receive 10 years of lifestyle intervention, which included group and individual counseling, or to a control group receiving diabetes support and education through group sessions on diet, physical activity, and social support. Following this intervention, 319 participants from three sites underwent standardized structural brain magnetic resonance imaging and tests of cognitive function 10–12 years after randomization.

RESULTS

Total brain and hippocampus volumes were similar between intervention groups. The mean (SE) white matter hyperintensity volume was 28% lower among lifestyle intervention participants compared with those receiving diabetes support and education: 1.59 (1.11) vs. 2.21 (1.11) cc (P = 0.02). The mean ventricle volume was 9% lower: 28.93 (1.03) vs. 31.72 (1.03) cc (P = 0.04). Assignment to lifestyle intervention was not associated with consistent differences in cognitive function compared with diabetes support and education.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term weight loss intervention may reduce the adverse impact of diabetes on brain structure. Determining whether this eventually delays cognitive decline and impairment requires further research.
Metastatic Mammary Carcinoma to the Orbit Masquerading as Maxillary Sinusitis
Authors: Abo-Shasha Rami , Stepniak Camilla , Yeh David H. , Rotenberg Brian
Published: April 2016

Introduction

We report on a case of isolated metastatic breast cancer to the medial rectus muscle. This entity is exceedingly rare.

Case

A 44-year-old female with a history of breast cancer presented with unilateral maxillary symptoms and was treated for sinusitis. Over time, she developed ocular pain, diplopia, blurred vision and eventually complete adduction deficit.

Results

T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed a medial rectus lesion. Biopsy via transnasal transorbital endoscopic approach revealed metastatic mammary carcinoma.

Discussion

Metastatic disease to the orbit should be considered in the differential diagnosis of refractory maxillary sinus pain in patients with a known underlying malignancy.
Idiopathic Pancreatitis in a Patient with a STAT3 Mutation
Authors: Michaud Chelsea , Peppers Brian , Frith John , Tcheurekdjian Haig , Hostoffer Robert
Published: April 2016

Background

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent skin infections with abscesses, recurrent pneumonias with pneumatoceles, and immunoglobulin E levels of >10 times the upper limit of normal.

Case

The patient described herein had a classic case of signal transducer and activator of transcription S (STAT3) deficiency associated with HIES diagnosed several years before this particular presentation. He demonstrated extraimmune manifestations of the disease as well, including characteristic facies and a history of skeletal fractures. In addition, the patient had several distinct episodes of idiopathic pancreatitis for which a full gastrointestinal workup had been performed. STAT3 mutation was confirmed by genotyping at the time of diagnosis of HIES.

Conclusions

STAT3, a mammalian protein that regulates cell growth, survival, and differentiation, has been linked to human pancreatic carcinogenesis as well as the above-mentioned immune deficiency. Mouse studies demonstrated that genetic ablation of STAT3 exacerbates the course of acute pancreatitis, whereas normal pancreatic STAT3 seems to have a protective effect against necrotizing pancreatitis. An association between STAT3 mutations and pancreatitis has not yet been revealed in humans. Here we describe a case of acute pancreatitis that presented in a patient with STAT3 mutation.
1,4- and 1,5-Di(N-Phthalimidomethyl)-1,2,3-Triazoles: Crystal Structures and Density Functional Theory Studies of the Alkyne and Azide Precursors
Authors: López-González Ricardo , Bautista-Renedo Joanatan , Martínez-Otero Diego , Reyes Horacio , González-Rivas Nelly , Cuevas-Yañez Erick
Published: April 2016

Two new di(phthalimidomethyl)-1,2,3-triazole derivatives have been synthesised using 1,3-dipolar-cycloadditions under thermal and copper catalysed conditions from N-(azidomethyl)phthalimide and N-prop-2-ynylphthalimide. The molecular structure of both starting materials was studied by X-ray crystallography. A complete DFT analysis of the alkyne and azide compounds was carried out.
Reviewing Imam Al-Shafiis Tafsir Ayat Al-Ahkam for Developing Principles of Contemporary Tafsir Literature
Authors: Ahmad Md Mokhter
Published: April 2016

Al-Imam Al-Shafi'i is one of the greatest architects of Islamic thought in general and the Qur'anic interpretation in particular. He is the founder of one of the largest denominations based on Islamic Jurisprudence. He made a substantial contribution towards formulating an epistemological methodology for the proper understanding of the Qur'an, especially the Qur'anic verses related to rulings (Ayat al-ahkam), and left a permanent imprint on and legacy for the later Muslim scholars dealing with Quranic tafsir and/or tafsir of Ayat al-ahkam. The Imam devised and developed this methodology at such a juncture of Muslim intellectual exercise when some alien philosophies and doctrines infiltrated into almost all branches of Islamic knowledge. The tafsir literature was no exception. Besides, the emergence of some deviated intellectual outfits from among the Ummah itself virtually challenged and threatened the very fabric, purity, uniqueness and even existence of a distinct Islamic intellectual identity. For substantiating the principles of their thought, these deviant groups heavily relied on the primary normative sources of Islam (i.e., the Qur'an and the Sunnah) and subsequently deducted policies from thereof for running their intellectual denominations. Some of these policies and principles developed thereof were also related to the interpretation of the Qur'an itself. At this time, Al- Imam Al-Shafi'i along with others came forward, developed epistemological methodologies for governing almost all branches of Islamic knowledge including the Qur'anic interpretation, and thus set the course of Islamic thought on right track. The same scenario is again seen everywhere around the globe where the felid of tafsir is further intruded by some obviously alien and un-Islamic philosophical underpinnings. Scores of denominations have already emerged in the Ummah itself which offer such grotesque interpretations for the Qur'an or some of its verses that fall squarely contradictory even to its basic spirit, the fundamental shari'ah principles, and the vivid Prophetic guidelines. Thus the need of the hour is to reassert the methodologies of Al-Imam Al-Shafi'i for the tafsir of the Quran with an avowed objective of evaluating his contribution to this field and investigating into his epistemological principles so that the current deviation in the Qur'anic tafsir may be corrected and a worthwhile methodology for the contemporary interpretation of the Qur'an may be developed.IIUC Studies Vol.10 & 11 December 2014: 09-38
A Comparative Analysis of Profit Rate on Deposit in Islamic Banks in Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir Mohammad Rokibul , Chowdhury Abdul Hamid
Published: April 2016

The study is based on a total number of seven full-fledged listed Islamic Banks operating in Bangladesh. Secondary sources of data are used in this research. Data were collected from the Website of Bangladesh Bank and studying relevant literatures. This paper examines whether there is any differences of profit rate on deposits among different Islamic Banks. It also aims at finding whether there is any relationship between inflation and profit rate on deposits. Analyses have been done for two types of deposits accounts called Mudaraba Term Deposits Account and Mudaraba Savings Account. The results of the study reveal that, in case of Term Deposits the highest mean return is 11.06458% as offered by the First Security Islamic Bank Ltd. and the lowest mean return of 8.687500% is offered by Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Ltd. while in case of Mudaraba Savings Deposits the highest mean return of 6.583333% is offered by the First Security Islamic Bank Ltd. and the lowest mean return of 4.330417% is offered by Al Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. during the studied period. One sample t-test has been applied to find whether there is any significant difference in profit rate in different months and the study unfolds that the profit rate differs significantly in all the banks from month to month. The findings of Paired Sample t-test suggests that there is a significant difference in mean return between the Islamic banks in both of the Mudaraba Term Deposits and Mudaraba Savings Accounts in all the cases except for two pairs as the return on savings deposit does not significantly differ between Al Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. and Social Islami Bank Limited while it does not differ significantly between Social Islami Bank Limited and Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. in case of Mudaraba Term Deposits. Finally, the relationship between inflation and rate of profit is found insignificant in case of Mudaraba Saving Deposits while significant relationship has been discovered between Mudaraba Term Deposits and rate of inflation.IIUC Studies Vol.10 & 11 December 2014: 81-98
Tafhim al-Quran: An Analytical Study of Abu al-A la Mawdudis Approach to the Understanding of Ayat al-Ahkam
Authors: Sarker Md Masum
Published: April 2016

The aim of this paper is to study the approach of Abu al-A la Mawdudi to the understanding of Ayat al- Ahkam based on his tremendous scholarly work i.e. Tafhim al-Quran. The research has relied on inductive, objective and analytic methods in order to accumulate and study various Ayat al-Ahkam, and to evaluate objectively the position of Tafhim. Mawdudi emphasizes Ijtihad for extracting verdicts from Ayat al-Ahkam. In his view, al- Qur'an is not against the juristic disagreements as long as they do not contradict with the principles of Islam, and nor do they lead to disputes. Furthermore, many a time he has compared and gave preponderance among the views of jurists while in some cases he presented the views only. In addition, his juristic views were free from any doctrinal bigotry and were strongly supported by convincing evidences including previously revealed scriptures. Sometimes he has criticized the Western laaws in order to establish the superiority of Quranic legislations and rejected the misinterpretation of the Ayat al-Ahkam by indisputable strong evidences.IIUC Studies Vol.10 & 11 December 2014: 231-262
The Rise and Decline of ArabuTamil Language for Tamil Muslims
Authors: Zubair KMA Ahamed
Published: April 2016

The Arab Muslim Traders and the native Tamil converts to Islam in Tamilnadu state of India and Sri Lanka came into closer contact as a result of their commercial activities. They were bound by a common religion, but separated by two different languages They felt the necessity for a link-language. They started to write Tamil in an adapted Arabic script called Arabu-Tamil. The Arabu-Tamil or Arwi script represents the Tamil language using an Arabic style of scripts. From eighth century to nineteenth century, this language enjoyed its popularity among Tamil speaking Muslims of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The valuable and useful ideas of Tamil Muslim minds were conveyed in Arabicized Tamil called Arabu-Tamil. It rendered a most useful service for the advancement and progress of Arab and Tamil cultures. However, the beginning of the twentieth century saw the decline of Arwi language. And no step was taken to arrest this decline. The study analyses its rise and decline as a language of Tamil Muslims.IIUC Studies Vol.10 & 11 December 2014: 263-282
Against Irish Modernism: Towards an Analysis of Experimental Irish Poetry
Authors: Hutton-Williams Francis
Published: April 2016

This essay rewrites the history of Irish poetic experiment away from modernism, or at least from contemporary industry-driven senses of the term which have multiplied to the point of overuse as a catch-all category. It is divided into two parts. The first part of the essay focuses on questions of literary history, defining some of the key trends of literary production and reception in Ireland during the 1920s and 30s. By surveying the negative impact of religion and censorship on literary development within the Irish Free State (1922–1937), the essay challenges the concept of Ireland as a place of widespread modernist assertion. The second part of the essay steers the discussion towards an ‘avant-garde’ trio of Irish writers, offering an extended and detailed characterisation of their poetry. It traces the emergence of an experimental Irish poetry with a selection of examples taken from Denis Devlin's Intercessions (1937), Thomas McGreevy's Poems (1934) and Samuel Beckett's Echo's Bones and Other Precipitates (1935), showing how poetic experiments of the 1930s challenge the lyric as a versifying form after Irish independence.