bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key Learnings from First 2 Years of a Full Field CSS Development in Oman
Authors: Bettembourg Solenn , Holyoak Steve , Alwazeer Abdullah , Manhali Mohammed , Rawahi Mohammed , Habsi Amur
Published: March 2016

The "A" East Haradh formation contains a 200 m thick oil column of highly viscous oil, with viscosity ranging from 200 to 400,000 cp. Due to the high viscosity, first production was considered only possible using thermal EOR techniques, starting with Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS). The field has now been in operation for more than two years, with a number of wells already into a third CSS cycle.

This paper will focus on the key learnings derived during this initial operations phase of CSS in "A" East Field including, amongst others, key trial results on different well completions and artificial lift systems combined with new insight into the reservoir architecture. In addition, reservoir performance management is being streamlined through the development of a structured approach to the CSS planning and using dedicated visualisation. Automated Exception Based Surveillance "triggers" are currently being developed to efficiently address any deviation from the operating envelopes and further optimise the recovery from this 81 well CSS development.

Based on the very encouraging performance to date, the company has already sanctioned a further 34 well CSS expansion of the current development with drilling scheduled to commence in 2016.
Mechanistic Simulation of Residual Oil Saturation in Viscoelastic Polymer Floods
Authors: Lotfollahi Mohammad , Koh Heesong , Li Zhitao , Delshad Mojdeh , Pope Gary A.
Published: March 2016

Polymer flooding is one of the most widely used enhanced oil recovery methods due to its good performance in numerous large commercial field projects and its relative simplicity and low cost compared to most other enhance oil recovery methods. The main mechanism is considered to be improved sweep efficiency, but numerous studies have also reported lower residual oil saturation to polymer than to water. Because the results depend on many variables such as the initial oil saturation, rock characteristics and polymer characteristics, such experiments must be performed at reservoir conditions and at controlled capillary numbers and so forth to measure the reduction that applies to field polymer floods. Furthermore, a mechanistic model is needed to scale up the laboratory coreflood results to the field.

We implemented and tested the new model for the residual oil saturation in a mechanistic numerical reservoir simulator. The simulation model was used to match the oil recovery and pressure drop of both secondary and tertiary polymer flood experiments. The results showed a strong correlation between the remaining oil saturation and the Deborah number.
Partition Coefficient Relations in Surfactant-Oil-Brine Systems for Improved Description of Microemulsion Phase Behavior
Authors: Torrealba V. A. , Johns R. T.
Published: March 2016

Surfactant mediated enhanced oil recovery techniques such as surfactant-polymer (SP), and alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding, have received increased attention in the past decade due to their ability to reduce capillary forces at the pore-scale to ultra-low values and mobilize oil. In order to improve the economics of such processes, a better understanding of the interaction of surfactant-oil-brine systems is needed. Recently, an equation-of-state (EoS) has been developed that significantly improves microemulsion phase behavior prediction based on coupling of the HLD-NAC equations with a new correlation of optimum conditions, and an updated hydrophilic-lipophilic difference (HLD) model that includes pressure (Ghosh and Johns 2014, 2016). The new EoS accounts for gradients in key formulation properties relevant for reservoir-scale processes in a robust and noniterative framework. One common assumption of all existing microemulsion phase behavior models is the assumption of pure excess phases, which says that the surfactant component can only be present in the microemulsion phase. The focus of this paper is to allow for surfactant partitioning into both the water and oil excess phases, and then relate the relevant surfactant partitioning coefficients to the HLD state function so that K-values, and potentially phase behavior, can be predicted.

This paper derives important relations of the surfactant partition coefficient between relevant phases based on a chemical potential description of the HLD, which measures the deviation from optimum conditions. In particular, we calculate the surfactant partition coefficients from numerous experiments in the literature and show that the surfactant partitioning coefficient has a linear scaling with HLD for a wide variety of formulation variables. Surfactant K-values between excess phases from all experiments examined collapse onto the same linear relationship so that once HLD is known (based on formulation variables such as salinity) the K-values are explicitly determined. The estimation of surfactant partition coefficients can be used to aid the design of surfactant formulations for EOR processes.
Experimental Investigation of Dimethyl Ether/Polymer Hybrid as an Enhanced Oil Recovery Method
Authors: Chahardowli Mohammad , Farajzadeh Rouhi , Bruining Hans
Published: March 2016

Injection of Dimethyl Ether (DME) dissolved in water can enhance the recovery efficiency with respect to water flooding. In this Shell Proprietary Technology, DME partitions from water into the oil; decreases oil viscosity and increases its volume, and mobilizes the trapped oil again. In this work DME-enhanced water flooding is combined with polymer and considered for cases in which a favorable mobility control between water and oil does not exist.

In order to reduce the remaining oil, slugs of the mixed solution of DME and polymer was injected into the cores containing oil and then followed by injection of a chase fluid. This recovery method benefits both (a) from the presence of polymer, and the oil viscosity reduction caused by DME dissolution and (b) from oil swelling due to DME dissolution.

It appears from experimental data the injectivity of a DME/polymer (DMEP) solution is higher than the injectivity of a polymer solution without DME indicating that presence of DME can reduce the viscosifying effect of the polymer. The main experimental observations are: (1) a higher oil recovery is obtained from continuous DMEP flooding than from continuous DME-brine Flooding, (2) the presence of polymer in the DME slug and in the chase phase reduced the remaining oil after a finite slug injection, (3) a larger DME slug and mobility control of the chase phase can improve the oil recovery after a finite slug injection. In summary, the experiments show that combining polymer and DME improves the ultimate recovery significantly and shortens the duration of oil production.
North Sabah EOR ADP – Examining the Challenges of Offshore ASP Development
Authors: Kovalev K. , Agarwal B. , Harris R. , Jaspers H.
Published: March 2016

Three producing fields, located offshore Sabah in northern Borneo are currently being jointly considered Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). An initial screening study conducted in 2009/2010, indicated that a successful implementation of Alkali Surfactant Polymer (ASP) flooding might result in significant improvement in the ultimate recovery from the field.

Due to a limited experience with ASP flooding in offshore environment, a joint Shell and PETRONAS Carigali team was tasked to explore the entire solution space for this opportunity. This led to a development of 4 anchor cases, which span the expected key development decisions of injection strategy, injection rates, composition of the chemical cocktail, type of the host structure and location (onshore/offshore). The intent was to develop an understanding the trade offs between the project decisions with an ultimate objective to defining a series of building blocks and staircase to demonstrate technical feasibility and economical viability. The anchor cases are organized around the injection rate as the injection rate was assumed to be the key cost driver for the topside facilities at the outset of the study.

In the course of development and analysis of four anchor cases, a number of technical challenges emerged related to the choice of the water treatment scheme, power generation strategy and mechanical handling of chemicals in powder form. The technical challenges identified will require innovative solutions in the technology domain to enable a viable solution to the ASP flooding in the offshore environment.

This article presents an overview of the Area Development Plan study and shares a list of improvement opportunities.
Smoking, Not Human Papilloma Virus Infection, is a Risk Factor for Recurrence of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma
Authors: Roh Hwan-Jung , Mun Sue Jean , Cho Kyu-Sup , Hong Sung-Lyong
Published: March 2016

Background

The recurrence rate of sinonasal inverted papillomas (SNIP) is 15–20%. However, few studies have investigated patient-dependent factors related to recurrence of SNIPs.

Objective

To analyze risk factors, including human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and smoking, as well as other factors, for recurrence of SNIPs.

Methods

Fifty-four patients who were diagnosed with SNIP and underwent surgery were enrolled: 39 men and 15 women, with the mean age of 54.0 years. Their mean follow-up was 40.6 months. Demographics and information about the history of smoking, previous surgery, tumor extent, follow-up, and recurrence were reviewed retrospectively. Those patients whose tumors were associated with malignant transformation were excluded in this study. HPV detection and genotyping in the tumor specimens were performed with the HPV DNA chip, a polymerase chain reaction-based DNA microarray system.

Results

Seven patients (13.0%) had recurrence, with a mean time to recurrence of 39.8 months. Recurrence rates in T1, T2, T3, and T4 of the Krouse staging system were 0% (0/4), 8.3% (2/24), 17.4% (4/23), and 33.3% (1/3), respectively (p > 0.5). Eight patients (14.8%) were positive for HPV DNA. All of these patients belonged to the group without recurrence (p > 0.5). However, recurrence rates according to HPV DNA positivity were not statistically different (0% versus 15.2%). Three (42.9%) in the group with recurrence and four (8.5%) in the group without recurrence were smokers (p < 0.5).

Conclusion

Smoking was associated with recurrence of SNIP. However, HPV infection is not a recurrence of SNIP risk factor.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Extraesophageal Reflux: Who is the Candidate for Antireflux Treatment?
Authors: Zeleník Karol , Formánek Martin , Matoušek Petr , Komínek Pavel
Published: March 2016

Background

During the past decade, extraesophageal reflux (EER) has been hypothesized to be one of the possible factors that contribute to the worsening of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, the relationship remains indeterminate due to its complexity, and it is not clear whether antireflux treatment is indicated for patients with recurrent CRS and who would benefit from it.

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine the severity of EER in patients with variable durations of CRS and different numbers of previous endoscopic endonasal surgeries (EES).

Methods

Ninety patients with CRS were recruited for the prospective case series. The age, sex, body mass index, reflux symptom index, duration of treatment of CRS with corticosteroids, and the number of ESS within the previous 5 years were ascertained. The severity of EER was evaluated by oropharyngeal pH monitoring by using the Restech system (the presence of EER, value of the RYAN score) and compared among the groups with varying durations of treatment of CRS (≤10 years, 11–20 years, >20 years) and different numbers of ESS within the previous 5 years (no ESS, 1–2 ESS, >2 ESS).

Results

Pathologic EER was present significantly more often in patients with CRS treated for >10 years (p = 0.0054) and in patients who underwent >2 ESS within the previous 5 years (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Patients with CRS treated for >10 years and those who had undergone >2 ESS within the previous 5 years had significant EER. Antireflux therapy (e.g., proton pump inhibitors) can be recommended for these patients. However, its effect has to be confirmed in further studies.
Mesoscopic Simulations on the Aggregate Behavior of Oligomeric Adamantane Surfactants in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Chen Jingrui , Yang Chufen , Guo Jianwei , Zhu Dongyu , Fu Shuqin , Yang Zhe , Zhong Xing
Published: March 2016

Oligomeric adamantane surfactants are novel surfactants using rigid adamantane as spacer group, which can form a variety of scales and shapes of micelles and aggregates in aqueous solution. In this paper, the self-assembling aggregate behavior of N,N-dimethyl dodecyl ammonium bromide adamantine [Ad-(NC12Br)], 1,3-di(N,N-dimethyl dodecyl ammonium bromide) adamantine [Ad-(NC12Br)2] and 1,3,5-tri-(N,N-dimethyl dodecyl ammonium bromide) adamantine [Ad-(NC12Br)3] in aqueous solution is studied by mesoscopic simulations of dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). The simulation results show that the critical micelle concentrations of the three adamantane oligomeric surfactants is in the order of [Ad-(NC12Br)3] < [Ad-(NC12Br)2] < [Ad-(NC12Br)]. The three oligomeric adamantane surfactants are able to form aggregates with a variety of spatial structures, such as spherical micelles, vesicles, lamellas, reticular lamellas, column lamellas or steric reticules in response to different surfactant concentrations in the aqueous solution.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Some Phenol-Based Anionic Gemini Amphiphiles: Studying Their Influence in the Preparation of Cu2O nanoparticles
Authors: El-dib Fawzia I. , Mohamed Ammona S. , El-Sawy Abdallah A. , Mohamed Dalia E. , Abdelhalim Nermeen M.
Published: March 2016

A series of phenol-based anionic gemini amphiphiles called α,ω-bis (m-dodecanoyl benzene sulfonate) with different spacers (C12-En-C12) where n = 1, 2, 3 has been synthesized via three steps of reaction: (1) acylation of phenol by dodecanoic acid using trifluromethane sulfonic acid as a catalyst, (2) tosylation of mono, di and triethylene glycol, then (3) coupling of tosylated ethylene glycols with acylated phenol, followed by sulphonation of the prepared compounds. The chemical structures of the prepared surfactants were confirmed using elementary analysis and different spectroscopic techniques including FTIR and 1H-NMR spectra. Also an evaluation of surface activity for the synthesized compounds has been determined including: surface and interfacial tension, foaming height, emulsification power, critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness and efficiency. The prepared surfactants were used in the synthesis of cuprous oxide nanoparticles. The crystal structure, average particle size and morphology were investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Experimental and numerical investigation on natural convection heat transfer in nanofluids
Authors: Nayak A. K. , Kulkarni P. P. , Chinchole A. S. , Mulye S. M.
Published: March 2016

An experimental study has been undertaken concerning natural convection heat transfer of nanofluids over a cylindrical heater with a constant wall heat flux condition. The cylindrical heater having 7.1 mm O. D. and 0.5 mm thickness with 100 mm heated length was used as heater surface. The heat flux was varied from 0 to 50 000 W/m2 and the corresponding Rayleigh number range is varied from 3 × 104 to 1.65 × 105. Different Nanofluids were used i. e. Aluminium oxide, Titanium dioxide, Silicon dioxide and Copper oxide with concentration varying from 0.0005 % to 0.05 % by weight. Results show that there was a reduction in natural convection heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids as compared to water. Experimental results were compared with existing models for similar geometry. However, the available correlation was found to be unable to predict experimental data as it does not take into account the effect of particle concentration. A new empirical model was developed based on the experimental data including the effect of nanoparticles concentration which predicts the experimental data satisfactorily.
Role of cerium, lanthanum, and strontium additions in an Al – Si – Mg (A356) alloy
Authors: Nabawy Ahmed M. , Samuel Agnes M. , Alkahtani Saleh A. , Abuhasel Khaled A. , Samuel Fawzy H.
Published: March 2016

The effects of individual and combined additions of cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), and strontium (Sr) on the eutectic modification and solidification characteristics of an Al – Si – Mg (A356) aluminum alloy were investigated using optical microscopy and thermal analysis techniques. Addition of Ce, La, and Sr resulted in different depression levels of the eutectic nucleation temperature and eutectic growth undercooling, generating modified eutectic structures exhibiting different levels of modification. Microstructural results showed that the best modification levels using individual additions were achieved by Sr which produced a fine fibrous eutectic structure, followed by La, which produced a refined lamellar structure, with Ce providing the lowest level of modification. On the other hand, a combined addition of Ce and Sr provided the highest modification level, with the production of a very fine fibrous eutectic silicon structure. In general, the addition of Sr helped to further increase the refinement obtained in the alloys containing La or Ce + La additions. In the latter alloy, the main intermetallic phases observed were La(Al,Si)2 and Al20(La,Ce)Ti2Si. The improved modification levels were found to be proportional to the depression in the eutectic nucleation temperature and the eutectic growth undercooling. A high cooling rate also improved the modification level by at least one level.
Creep behaviour characterisation of a ferritic steel alloy based on the modified theta-projection data at an elevated temperature
Authors: Alipour Roozbeh , Nejad Ali Farokhi
Published: March 2016

This paper establishes and examines the constitutive model of the modified theta-projection concept for predicting the creep-rupture behaviour of a 2.25Cr-1Mo ferritic steel alloy foil at the loading conditions of practical interest. For this purpose, a series of creep-rupture tests are conducted on 0.15 mm thick foil specimens at an elevated temperature of 1 027 K and applied stresses in the range of 90 – 210 MPa. The creep-rupture behaviour of the foil is well represented using the model of the modified three-parameter theta-projection concept. Each model parameter is well represented as a function of the applied stress. Moreover, the creep failure mechanism was analysed by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that chromium atoms diffuse to the grain boundary and form carbide precipitates at the elevated temperature, leading to inter-granular fracture in the material.
Hierarchical bismuth phosphate microspheres with high photocatalytic performance
Authors: Pei Lizhai , Wei Tian , Lin Nan , Yu Haiyun
Published: March 2016

Hierarchical bismuth phosphate microspheres have been prepared by a simple hydrothermal process with polyvinyl pyrrolidone. Scanning electron microscopy observations show that the hierarchical bismuth phosphate microspheres consist of nanosheets with a thickness of about 30 nm. The diameter of the microspheres is about 1 – 3 μm. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the microspheres are comprised of triclinic Bi23P4O44.5 phase. The formation of the hierarchical microspheres depends on polyvinyl pyrrolidone concentration, hydrothermal temperature and reaction time. Gentian violet acts as the pollutant model for investigating the photocatalytic activity of the hierarchical bismuth phosphate microspheres under ultraviolet–visible light irradiation. Irradiation time, dosage of the hierarchical microspheres and initial gentian violet concentration on the photocatalytic efficiency are also discussed. The hierarchical bismuth phosphate microspheres show good photocatalytic performance for gentian violet removal in aqueous solution.
Nanoindentation of carbon microspheres
Authors: Sun Yuan , Chen Rong , Zhao Guangfeng , Yang Fuqian
Published: March 2016

The indentation behavior of carbon microspheres was examined. The indentation load was in the range of 50 μN to 500 μN for the carbon microspheres with a diameter of ∼5 μm, and 15 μN to 100 μN for the carbon microspheres with a diameter of 1 μm. For the same ratio of the maximum indentation depth to the diameter of the carbon microspheres, both the contact modulus and indentation hardness for the carbon microspheres with a diameter of ∼5 μm are larger than the corresponding values for the carbon microspheres with a diameter of ∼1 μm. The carbon microspheres of ∼5 μm in diameter exhibited a larger resistance to the mechanical deformation than the carbon microspheres of ∼1 μm in diameter. The plastic energy dissipated in the nanoindentation increases with the increase of the indentation depth (load) and is a power function of the indentation depth.
Streetcar Resurgence in the United States: Transit Strategy, Growth Machine Tactic, or Some of Both?
Authors: Ramos-Santiago Luis Enrique , Brown Jeffrey R. , Nixon Hilary
Published: March 2016

Streetcars have returned to many cities in the United States, and dozens of cities are contemplating making their own streetcar investments. Yet most streetcars carry relatively few riders per unit of service at a relatively high cost per ride. The streetcar’s poor transportation performance thus raises questions about the purpose of these investments. From a case study of five cities, the authors seek to better understand the streetcar’s appeal in the face of the mode’s poor transportation performance. The authors draw on interviews with developers, business leaders, local officials, transit planners, streetcar advocates, and other key respondents, as well as on documentary sources, and find that private actors with business and development interests in downtown and nearby areas are the main drivers behind the streetcar resurgence. These actors operate within growth-oriented public–private coalitions (growth machines) and typically regard streetcars as economic development, image-making, and tourism promotion tools rather than transportation investments. Rent-seeking behavior underlies growth machine dynamics, and thus streetcar projects remain appealing to these actors, despite the streetcar’s weak transportation performance. The focus on nontransportation goals as primary streetcar objectives affects local decision making and likely leads to the streetcar’s underperformance as a mode of transit.
Research Implementation of AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design in Louisiana
Authors: Wu Zhong , Xiao Danny X. , Zhang Zhongjie
Published: March 2016

Since the release of the first research version of Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide software, the State of Louisiana has conducted a series of studies in preparation for adopting the new AASHTO design guide. The objective of this study was to develop an implementation guideline for the full implementation of the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design program (Pavement ME) in Louisiana. For this purpose, a Louisiana default input strategy that reflected state and local conditions and practices was first developed. Design reliability and performance criteria were established on the basis of a consensus survey and pavement management system (PMS) distress triggers. A total of 162 projects were selected from the existing Louisiana highway network, including flexible pavements with five types of base, rigid pavements with three types of base, and rehabilitation with asphalt overlays. Performance data were retrieved from the PMS database and validated through additional field performance surveys. Through comparison of the performance predicted by the Pavement ME with the measured performance recorded in the PMS database, distress models were evaluated and calibrated according to local Louisiana conditions. Subsequently, a Louisiana Pavement ME Design Guideline that contains all necessary design input information and calibration coefficients was developed. Finally, the practical and economic benefits of the full implementation of the Pavement ME for Louisiana pavement design were demonstrated by a direct comparison with the current 1993 AASHTO design method through a group of thickness design examples and life-cycle cost analyses.
Perdre la mesure … Or, The Ecologics of Extinction
Authors: Herbrechter Stefan
Published: March 2016

The article takes its cue from Olivier Rey's recent book Une question de taille (a question of size) and develops the idea of humanity ‘losing its measure, or scale’ in the context of contemporary ecological catastrophe. It seems true that the current level of global threats, from climate change to asteroids, has produced a culture of ambient ‘species angst’ living in more or less constant fear about the survival of the ‘human race’, biodiversity, the planet, the solar system. This indeed means that the idea of a cosmos and a cosmology may no longer be an adequate ‘measurement’ for scaling the so far inconceivable, namely a thoroughly postanthropocentric world picture. The question of scale is thus shown to be connected to the necessity of developing a new sense of proportion, an eco-logic that would do justice to both, things human and nonhuman. Through a reading of the recent science fiction film Interstellar, this article aims to illustrate the dilemma and the resulting stalemate between two contemporary ‘alternatives’ that inform the film: does humanity's future lie in self-abandoning or in self-surpassing, in investing in conservation or in exoplanets? The article puts forward a critique of both of these ‘ecologics’ and instead shows how they depend on a dubious attempt by humans to ‘argue themselves out of the picture’, while leaving their anthropocentric premises more or less intact.
Aryl Diazonium Chemistry for the Surface Functionalization of Glassy Biosensors
Authors: Zheng Wei , Van den Hurk Remko , Cao Yong , Du Rongbing , Sun Xuejun , Wang Yiyu , McDermott Mark , Evoy Stephane
Published: March 2016

Nanostring resonator and fiber-optics-based biosensors are of interest as they offer high sensitivity, real-time measurements and the ability to integrate with electronics. However, these devices are somewhat impaired by issues related to surface modification. Both nanostring resonators and photonic sensors employ glassy materials, which are incompatible with electrochemistry. A surface chemistry approach providing strong and stable adhesion to glassy surfaces is thus required. In this work, a diazonium salt induced aryl film grafting process is employed to modify a novel SiCN glassy material. Sandwich rabbit IgG binding assays are performed on the diazonium treated SiCN surfaces. Fluorescently labelled anti-rabbit IgG and anti-rabbit IgG conjugated gold nanoparticles were used as markers to demonstrate the absorption of anti-rabbit IgG and therefore verify the successful grafting of the aryl film. The results of the experiments support the effectiveness of diazonium chemistry for the surface functionalization of SiCN surfaces. This method is applicable to other types of glassy materials and potentially can be expanded to various nanomechanical and optical biosensors.
FPGA-Based Real-Time Motion Detection for Automated Video Surveillance Systems
Authors: Singh Sanjay , Shekhar Chandra , Vohra Anil
Published: March 2016

Design of automated video surveillance systems is one of the exigent missions in computer vision community because of their ability to automatically select frames of interest in incoming video streams based on motion detection. This research paper focuses on the real-time hardware implementation of a motion detection algorithm for such vision based automated surveillance systems. A dedicated VLSI architecture has been proposed and designed for clustering-based motion detection scheme. The working prototype of a complete standalone automated video surveillance system, including input camera interface, designed motion detection VLSI architecture, and output display interface, with real-time relevant motion detection capabilities, has been implemented on Xilinx ML510 (Virtex-5 FX130T) FPGA platform. The prototyped system robustly detects the relevant motion in real-time in live PAL (720 × 576) resolution video streams directly coming from the camera.
Catalytic Flash Pyrolysis of Biomass Using Different Types of Zeolite and Online Vapor Fractionation
Authors: Imran Ali , Bramer Eddy , Seshan Kulathuiyer , Brem Gerrit
Published: March 2016

Bio-oil produced from conventional flash pyrolysis has poor quality and requires expensive upgrading before it can be used as a transportation fuel. In this work, a high quality bio-oil has been produced using a novel approach where flash pyrolysis, catalysis and fractionation of pyrolysis vapors using two stage condensation are combined in a single process unit. A bench scale unit of 1 kg/h feedstock capacity is used for catalytic pyrolysis in an entrained down-flow reactor system equipped with two-staged condensation of the pyrolysis vapor. Zeolite-based catalysts are investigated to study the effect of varying acidities of faujasite Y zeolites, zeolite structures (ZSM5), different catalyst to biomass ratios and different catalytic pyrolysis temperatures. Low catalyst/biomass ratios did not show any significant improvements in the bio-oil quality, while high catalyst/biomass ratios showed an effective deoxygenation of the bio-oil. The application of zeolites decreased the organic liquid yield due to the increased production of non-condensables, primarily hydrocarbons. The catalytically produced bio-oil was less viscous and zeolites were effective at cracking heavy molecular weight compounds in the bio-oil. Acidic zeolites, H-Y and H-ZSM5, increased the desirable chemical compounds in the bio-oil such as phenols, furans and hydrocarbon, and reduced the undesired compounds such as acids. On the other hand reducing the acidity of zeolites reduced some of the undesired compounds in the bio-oil such as ketones and aldehydes. The performance of H-Y was superior to that of the rest of zeolites studied: bio-oil of high chemical and calorific value was produced with a high organic liquid yield and low oxygen content. H-ZSM5 was a close competitor to H-Y in performance but with a lower yield of bio-oil. Online fractionation of catalytic pyrolysis vapors was employed by controlling the condenser temperature and proved to be a successful process parameter to tailor the desired bio-oil properties. A high calorific value bio-oil having up to 90% organics was produced using two staged condensation of catalytic pyrolysis vapor. Zeolite-based acidic catalysts can be used for selective deoxygenation, and the catalytic bio-oil quality can be further improved with staged vapor condensation.
Decreasing Deforestation in the Southern Brazilian Amazon—The Role of Administrative Sanctions in Mato Grosso State
Authors: Sousa Paulo
Published: March 2016

Forest conservation efforts through regulatory enforcement routinely failed to prevent large scale deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. However, a turning point occurred in 2005, when a combination of unfavorable economic conditions and an unprecedented coordinated effort between governmental institutions resulted in a gradual slowdown in deforestation. The continuation of this deforestation slowdown in an environment of economic recovery and expansion after 2009 suggests that regulatory enforcement achieved a measure of success not experienced before. In this study, the impact of fines, embargoes on rural private properties, and confiscation of means of production and produce on deforestation in the Southern Amazon state of Mato Grosso was considered through regression and GIS-based analyses. It was found that while all three sanctions were negatively correlated with deforestation, there were important differences in their level of enforcement. Embargoes were effectively implemented and showed high deforestation deterrence effectiveness, but the actual collection of the values of fines issued was extremely low, which casts doubts on their actual effectiveness as a deforestation deterrence mechanism. The results suggest that while sanctions for illegal deforestation have played an important role in the slowdown in deforestation, measures to increase the collection of fines issued are urgently needed.
Association of Safe Disposal of Child Feces and Reported Diarrhea in Indonesia: Need for Stronger Focus on a Neglected Risk
Authors: Cronin Aidan , Sebayang Susy , Torlesse Harriet , Nandy Robin
Published: March 2016

Indonesia still faces several challenges in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Diarrhea remains a major killer of children and it is important to understand the local diarrhea transmission pathways to prioritise appropriate WASH interventions to reduce diarrhea burden. This study used a cross-sectional data set from a recent national household survey (the 2012 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey) to examine the associations between diarrhea in children aged less than 24 months with WASH interventions and population characteristics. Unsafe disposal of child feces was strongly associated with an increased odds of child diarrhea (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.18–1.82, p = 0.001). However, other WASH practices were not found to be associated. The findings underline the dangers of unsafe disposal of child feces and highlight the need for strengthening the related policies and program strategies and their implementation.
New Insights into the Crossroads between EMT and Stemness in the Context of Cancer
Authors: Fabregat Isabel , Malfettone Andrea , Soukupova Jitka
Published: March 2016

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an example of cellular plasticity, where an epithelial cell acquires a mesenchymal-like phenotype that increases its migratory and invasive properties. Stemness is the ability of stem cells to proliferate in an asymmetric way that allows them to maintain the reservoir of undifferentiated cells with stem cell identity, but also to produce new differentiated cells. Initial works revealed that activation of the EMT program in epithelial cells induces the acquisition of stem cell properties, which in the context of cancer may contribute to the appearance of tumor initiating cells (TIC). However, a number of groups have recently reported that mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is required for efficient metastatic colonization and that EMT may be not necessarily associated with stemness. In this review, we summarize recent findings that extend our knowledge about the crossroads between EMT and stemness and their relevance under physiological or pathological conditions.
From Prebiotics to Probiotics: The Evolution and Functions of tRNA Modifications
Authors: McKenney Katherine , Alfonzo Juan
Published: March 2016

All nucleic acids in cells are subject to post-transcriptional chemical modifications. These are catalyzed by a myriad of enzymes with exquisite specificity and that utilize an often-exotic array of chemical substrates. In no molecule are modifications more prevalent than in transfer RNAs. In the present document, we will attempt to take a chemical rollercoaster ride from prebiotic times to the present, with nucleoside modifications as key players and tRNA as the centerpiece that drove the evolution of biological systems to where we are today. These ideas will be put forth while touching on several examples of tRNA modification enzymes and their modus operandi in cells. In passing, we submit that the choice of tRNA is not a whimsical one but rather highlights its critical function as an essential invention for the evolution of protein enzymes.
Kinetic Friction of Sport Fabrics on Snow
Authors: Nachbauer Werner , Mössner Martin , Rohm Sebastian , Schindelwig Kurt , Hasler Michael
Published: March 2016

After falls, skiers or snowboarders often slide on the slope and may collide with obstacles. Thus, the skier’s friction on snow is an important factor to reduce incidence and severity of impact injuries. The purpose of this study was to measure snow friction of different fabrics of ski garments with respect to roughness, speed, and contact pressure. Three types of fabrics were investigated: a commercially available ski overall, a smooth downhill racing suit, and a dimpled downhill racing suit. Friction was measured for fabrics taped on a short ski using a linear tribometer. The fabrics’ roughness was determined by focus variation microscopy. Friction coefficients were between 0.19 and 0.48. Roughness, friction coefficient, and friction force were highest for the dimpled race suit. The friction force of the fabrics was higher for the higher contact pressure than for the lower one at all speeds. It was concluded that the main friction mechanism for the fabrics was dry friction. Only the fabric with the roughest surface showed friction coefficients, which were high enough to sufficiently decelerate a sliding skier on beginner and intermediate slopes.
Surface and Microstructural Failures of PET-Coated ECCS Plates by Salmon-Polymer Interaction
Authors: Zumelzu Ernesto , Wehrhahn María , Rull Fernando , Pesenti Héctor , Sanz-Arranz Aurelio , Ugarte Ricardo
Published: March 2016

The new types of knowledge-intensive, multilayer containers consist of steel plates protected against corrosion by nanometric electrolytic chromium (Cr0) and chromium oxide (Cr2O3) layers chemically bonded to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer coating to preserve food. It was observed that after emptying the cans, the salmon adhered to the polymer coating, changing its color, and that this adhesion increased with longer storage times. This work was aimed at determining the product-container interactions and their characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), confocal Raman and micro-Raman imaging and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The zones of adhesion showed surface changes, variations in crystallinity and microstructural degradation of the PET coating. In addition, localized damages altering the functional properties of the multilayer system were observed as microcracking in the chromium layers that protect the steel. The degradation undergone was evaluated and characterized at a surface and microstructural level to establish the failure mechanisms, which were mainly associated with the activity of the adhered muscle and its biochemical components. Finally, a recommendation is done to preserve the useful life and functionality of cans for the preservation and efficient use of resources with an impact on recycling and environmental conservancy.
The Early Morphological Development of the Near Surface Region of Pickled Grade 91 Tubing Exposed to Steam and Its Long Term Implications
Authors: Gorman David , Fry Antony
Published: March 2016

To improve intra-laboratory consistency and experimental repeatability during high temperature oxidation testing, metallic coupons undergo a standardised surface preparation. It is stipulated in international testing standards that grinding of a coupons surface acceptably replicates surface conditions encountered in industrial settings whilst ensuring that each coupons surface is chemically and topographically homogenised [1,2]. Grade 91 steel tubing exposed in the laboratory to flowing steam at 650 °C and 1 bar for up to 3000 h has been compared with Grade 91 tubing exposed in a commercially operated boiler system at elevated pressures at temperatures in the range of 500 to 650 °C for 91 kh. It has been found that a pre-existing surface structure dissimilar from that of the bulk alloy and that of a ground surface, is present on the inside surface of the tubing. The presence of pre-existing surface features in commercially exposed material has implications on the long term morphological development of the oxidation region and may account for some of the discrepancies between observations made in laboratory and service exposures.
Recovery of Vanadium from H2SO4-HF Acidic Leaching Solution of Black Shale by Solvent Extraction and Precipitation
Authors: Li Xingbin , Wei Chang , Deng Zhigan , Li Cunxiong , Fan Gang , Li Minting , Huang Hui
Published: March 2016

The recovery of vanadium from sulfuric and hydrofluoric mixed acid solutions generated by the direct leaching of black shale was investigated using solvent extraction and precipitation methods. The process consisted of reduction, solvent extraction, and stripping, followed by precipitation and calcination to yield vanadium pentoxide. The influence of various operating parameters on the extraction and recovery of vanadium was studied. Vanadium (IV) was selectively extracted using a mixture of 10% (v/v) di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid and 5% (v/v) tri-n-butylphosphate in sulfonated kerosene. Using six extraction and five stripping stages, the extraction efficiency for vanadium was 96.7% and the stripping efficiency was 99.7%. V2O5 with a purity of 99.52% was obtained by oxidation of the loaded strip solution and precipitation of ammonium polyvanadate at pH 1.8 to 2.2, followed by calcination of the dried precipitate at 550 °C for 2 h. It was concluded that the combination of solvent extraction and precipitation is an efficient method for the recovery of vanadium from a multi-element leach solution generated from black shale.
Nanopore Event-Transduction Signal Stabilization for Wide pH Range under Extreme Chaotrope Conditions
Authors: Winters-Hilt Stephen , Stoyanov Alexander
Published: March 2016

Operation of an α-hemolysin nanopore transduction detector is found to be surprisingly robust over a critical range of pH (6–9), including physiological pH = 7.4 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) pH = 8.4, and extreme chaotrope concentration, including 5 M urea. The engineered transducer molecule that is captured in the standard α-hemolysin nanopore detector, to transform it into a transduction detector, appears to play a central role in this stabilization process by stabilizing the channel against gating during its capture. This enables the nanopore transduction detector to operate as a single molecule “nanoscope” in a wide range of conditions, where tracking on molecular state is possible in a variety of different environmental conditions. In the case of streptavidin biosensing, results are shown for detector operation when in the presence of extreme (5 M) urea concentration. Complications involving degenerate states are encountered at higher chaotrope concentrations, but since the degeneracy is only of order two, this is easily absorbed into the classification task as in prior work. This allows useful detector operation over a wide range of conditions relevant to biochemistry, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology.
Toxicity Testing of Pristine and Aged Silver Nanoparticles in Real Wastewaters Using Bioluminescent Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Mallevre Florian , Alba Camille , Milne Craig , Gillespie Simon , Fernandes Teresa , Aspray Thomas
Published: March 2016

Impact of aging on nanoparticle toxicity in real matrices is scarcely investigated due to a lack of suitable methodologies. Herein, the toxicity of pristine and aged silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to a bioluminescent Pseudomonas putida bioreporter was measured in spiked crude and final wastewater samples (CWs and FWs, respectively) collected from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Results showed lower toxicity of pristine Ag NPs in CWs than in FWs. The effect of the matrix on the eventual Ag NP toxicity was related to multiple physico-chemical parameters (biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) pH, ammonia, sulfide and chloride) based on a multivariate analysis. However, no collection site effect was concluded. Aged Ag NPs (up to eight weeks) were found less toxic than pristine Ag NPs in CWs; evident increased aggregation and decreased dissolution were associated with aging. However, Ag NPs exhibited consistent toxicity in FWs despite aging; comparable results were obtained in artificial wastewater (AW) simulating effluent. The study demonstrates the potency of performing nanoparticle acute toxicity testing in real and complex matrices such as wastewaters using relevant bacterial bioreporters.
The Role of Religion and Acculturation in the Consumer Ethnocentrism of Turkish Immigrants in Germany
Authors: Sevim Nurdan , Eroglu Hall Elif , Abu-Rayya Hisham
Published: March 2016

Researchers have invested much effort in the understanding of acculturation-relevant factors that influence immigrants’ psychological and socio-cultural adaptation. Factors that might have an impact on immigrants’ product consumption decisions have comparatively received scarce attention by acculturation and marketing researchers. Immigrants show different product consumption patterns and therefore constitute big consumer groups that can have an impact on both the economy of immigrants’ culture of origin and the host society. The present study investigated Turkish immigrants’ product consumption ethnocentrism. The sample consisted of 599 youth and adult Turkish in Germany drawn from Cologne, the city with the highest ratio of Turkish people in the country. The study sample represented a very similar demographic make-up of the Turkish people in Cologne. The associations between acculturation strategies, loyalty to religion, and product consumption ethnocentrism were quantitatively analyzed based on a field survey. Research findings indicated that participants in the acculturation mode of separation scored significantly higher for consumer ethnocentrism than those showing other orientations, and those with an assimilation orientation scored the least for consumer ethnocentrism. Among the three religiosity dimensions (behavioral, emotional, cognitive) investigated in the present study, analyses controlling for a range of socio-demographic variables revealed a positive relationship between the behavior dimension of religiosity and consumer ethnocentrism.
Analysis of Insurance Claim Settlement Process with Markovian Arrival Processes
Authors: Ren Jiandong
Published: March 2016

This paper proposes a model for the claim occurrence, reporting, and handling process of insurance companies. It is assumed that insurance claims occur according to a Markovian arrival process. An incurred claim goes through some stages of a claim reporting and handling process, such as Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR), Reported But Not Settled (RBNS) and Settled (S). We derive formulas for the joint distribution and the joint moments for the amount of INBR, RBNS and Settled claims. This model generalizes previous ones in the literature, which generally assume Poisson claim arrivals. Due to the flexibility of the Markovian arrival process, the model can be used to evaluate how the claim occurring, reporting, and handling mechanisms may affect the volatilities of the amount of IBNR, RBNS and Settled claims, and the interdependencies among them.