bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning organizations in higher education: An empirical evaluation within an international context
Authors: Bui Hong T.M. , Baruch Yehuda
Published: December 2011

We proposed and examined a learning organization framework in higher education within an international context. Using a sample of 687 employees in the UK and Vietnam, we tested the relationships between personal mastery, mental models, team learning, shared visions and systems thinking with their antecedents and outcomes. Our findings support the suggested learning organization model. As predicted, these five variables partially mediate the relationship between the antecedents and outcomes. We also found that employees in a collectivist culture were more likely to be committed to the process of becoming learning organizations compared with those from an individualistic culture.
Muriel’s wedding: News media representations of Europe’s first female suicide terrorist
Authors: Brown Katherine E.
Published: December 2011

Muriel Degauque is reported as Europe’s first female suicide bomber, as such her life and death were covered in a wide variety of media. Given this combination, of coverage and non-standard profile, this article seeks to explore to what extent she and her death are defined by her ‘Muslimness’ and by her ‘sex’ in the news media. The construction of Muriel Degauque and her death in the news media can tell us something about our relationship to sex, security and religion as well as to the stability and hegemony of dominant social discourses. This article will demonstrate that the coverage of Muriel Degauque and her death is organised through three interlocking themes of gender, security and religion that combine in a particular trajectory to present her as ‘Other’. Indeed, it concludes that Degauque was fitted into the media mould because of her Islamic identity, and despite of her sex and white European heritage.
Religion, cultural studies and New Age sacralization of everyday life
Authors: Redden Guy
Published: December 2011

Through an interpretation of New Age spirituality, this article is concerned with how cultural studies – as a discipline that emerged in the shadow of secularization theory – can be involved in the reappraisal of religion. At once part consumer culture and part counterculture, the New Age is something of a conundrum that raises alluring questions about social and cultural change. In the name of re-enchantment and taking back control of one’s life through inner spiritual power, it appears to be aimed precisely at those forces of social rationalization that are seen to engender secularization. The piece suggests that such emergent religious movements not only challenge us to rethink the frameworks through which religion has been conceptualized, but that they provide multiple possibilities for the examination of the sacred in light of cultural studies’ disciplinary concerns with contemporary sociocultural dynamics, in particular as they are experienced within the ambit of everyday life.
Enchantment, migration and media: Marabouts in Senegal and in the Netherlands
Authors: Gemmeke Amber
Published: December 2011

West African marabouts are important actors in a globalizing field of religious practices, offering their services such as divination sessions not only to West African expatriates, but also to a non-Muslim and non-African clientele abroad. In an effort to negotiate their expert status publicly, Wets African marabouts mediatize and advertise their services on the internet, in printed press and in radio and television shows – both in West Africa and abroad. This article focuses on the tension between the possibilities of media to reach an audience and the difficulty in legitimizing the use of these media for reliable, effective services. A comparison between marabouts in Senegal and in the Netherlands will illustrate this tension: using the transnational aspect of marabouts’ activities, this article compares the influence of media on marabouts ‘marketed spirituality’ and on the perception thereof, in their country of origin and in one of their host countries.
Theorizing religion and media in contemporary societies: An account of religious ‘publicization’
Authors: Herbert David E.J.
Published: December 2011

This article argues that a combination of the rapid development and dissemination of media technologies, the liberalization of national media economies and the growth of transnational media spheres is transforming the relationship between religion, popular culture and politics in contemporary societies in ways not adequately accounted for in existing sociological theories of religion (secularization, neo-secularization and rational choice) and still largely neglected in sociological theories of media and culture. In particular, it points to a series of media enabled social processes (de-differentiation, diasporic intensification and re-enchantment) which mirror and counter processes identified with the declining social significance of religion in secularization theory (differentiation, societalization and rationalization), interrupting their secularizing effects and tending to increase the public presence or distribution of religious symbols and discourses, a process described as religious ‘publicization’. These processes have implications for religious authority, which is reconfigured in a more distributed form but not necessarily diminished, contrary to neo-secularization theory. Furthermore, contrary to rational choice theory, the increased public presence of religion depends not only on competition between religious ‘suppliers’, but also on the work done by religions beyond the narrow religious sphere ascribed by secular modernity to religion, in supposedly secular spheres such as entertainment, politics, law, health and welfare and hence has implications for the relationship between politics and popular culture central to cultural studies.
The Effect of Lottery Scratch Tickets and Donation Offers on Response Fraction
Authors: Boyle Terry , Heyworth Jane , Landrigan Jenny , Mina Robin , Fritschi Lin
Published: December 2011

Monetary incentives are the most effective way of increasing response to postal questionnaires; however, mailing currency is prohibited in many countries. Hence, nonmonetary incentives, such as lottery scratch tickets and donation offers, have been used. The effectiveness of different types of nonmonetary incentives is unclear, however. Two randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses were conducted to investigate the effect of two types of nonmonetary incentives on response. In the first study, the authors found that participants who received an unconditional lottery scratch ticket at invitation were 24% more likely to take part, while in the second study, the authors found that unconditional lottery scratch tickets and donation offers had a similar effect on response. The meta-analyses show that unconditional lottery scratch tickets significantly increase the chance of response by 9%, conditional scratch tickets have no effect, and donation offers cause a nonsignificant 4% increase in the chance of response. Unconditional lottery scratch tickets provide a modest increase in the likelihood of response.
Job Satisfaction and Career Commitment Among Alzheimer’s Care Providers: Addressing Turnover and Improving Staff Empowerment
Authors: Coogle Constance L. , Parham Iris A. , Rachel Colleen A.
Published: December 2011

This study investigated the relation between job satisfaction and career commitment among 262 Alzheimer’s care staff working in long-term and community-based care settings. It was anticipated that the results would suggest whether career commitment could be enhanced to positively influence job satisfaction, and conversely, if improvements in job satisfaction might contribute to a deepened sense of vocational empowerment. Participants attended dementia-specific training and completed 2 short work-related questionnaires that measured job satisfaction and career commitment. The results of stepwise regression revealed interrelations between the 2 constructs. Congruence appeared to be reciprocal with respect to the overall scale scores and the intrinsic job satisfaction measure. Unexpected relations appeared in analyses of the extrinsic job satisfaction measure and the career planning subscale. Results are indicative of the fundamental distinction between job satisfaction and career commitment. Implications for efforts to reduce turnover and improve staff empowerment are also considered.
Leading Generative Groups
Authors: London Manuel , Sobel-Lojeski Karen A. , Reilly Richard R.
Published: December 2011

This article presents a conceptual model of leadership in generative groups. Generative groups have diverse team members who are expected to develop innovative solutions to complex, unstructured problems. The challenge for leaders of generative groups is to balance (a) establishing shared goals with recognizing members’ vested interests, (b) maintaining control with empowering members, (c) encouraging exploration with conceptualizing meaning, and (d) taking action with making time for reflection. Propositions suggest how members’ metacognitive skills, member diversity, and electronic modes of interaction influence leadership strategies to maintain balance, develop elements of group-level social cognition, and produce generative outcomes. The article concludes with directions for research and practice.
Bias Using Maze to Predict High-Stakes Test Performance Among Hispanic and Spanish-Speaking Students
Authors: Richardson Robert D. , Hawken Leanne S. , Kircher John
Published: December 2011

Universal screening using curriculum-based measures allows educators to detect students who may be in need of instructional interventions. Curriculum-based measures, such as oral reading fluency and Maze, are effective at accurately and efficiently identifying reading proficiency levels for overall school populations. Nevertheless, little is currently known about whether these measures are equally predictive for the diverse populations of students in schools. The current study examined whether Maze has prediction bias for Hispanic students and for students who primarily speak Spanish at home. Slope and intercept bias were examined using hierarchical linear modeling techniques. Intercept bias was found; however, effects were small. Maze underpredicted scores on a high-stakes state language arts test for both Spanish-speaking and Hispanic students, compared to their English-speaking and Caucasian counterparts. Maze was a strong predictor of the state outcome measure and should not be ruled out as a potential universal screening measure. Implications are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Mapping the Mixed Methods–Mixed Research Synthesis Terrain
Authors: Sandelowski Margarete , Voils Corrine I. , Leeman Jennifer , Crandell Jamie L.
Published: December 2011

Mixed methods–mixed research synthesis is a form of systematic review in which the findings of qualitative and quantitative studies are integrated via qualitative and/or quantitative methods. Although methodological advances have been made, efforts to differentiate research synthesis methods have been too focused on methods and not focused enough on the defining logics of research synthesis—each of which may be operationalized in different ways—or on the research findings themselves that are targeted for synthesis. The conduct of mixed methods–mixed research synthesis studies may more usefully be understood in terms of the logics of aggregation and configuration. Neither logic is preferable to the other nor tied exclusively to any one method or to any one side of the qualitative/quantitative binary.
Dating Anxiety in Adolescents and Young Adults With Food Allergies
Authors: Hullmann Stephanie E. , Molzon Elizabeth S. , Eddington Angelica R. , Mullins Larry L.
Published: December 2011

The present study sought to examine dating anxiety and problems in social relationships and health-related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with food allergies compared with their healthy peers. It was hypothesized that individuals with food allergies would experience greater dating anxiety and poorer social functioning and physical and mental health–related quality of life than their healthy peers. Participants with food allergies were age, gender, and ethnicity matched to young adults without a history of allergies or any other chronic illness for analyses. The majority of adolescents and young adults with food allergies reported that their allergies interfere with physical intimacy with their current partner. Results further revealed that adolescents and young adults with food allergies reported greater dating anxiety and fear of negative evaluation than healthy peers. No differences were observed between the groups on physical or mental health–related quality of life or social functioning. For both groups, dating anxiety was a significant predictor of mental quality of life and social functioning.
Human virus-specific effector-type T cells accumulate in blood but not in lymph nodes
Authors: Remmerswaal Ester B. M. , Havenith Simone H. C. , Idu Mirza M. , van Leeuwen Ester M. M. , van Donselaar Karlijn A. M. I. , ten Brinke Anja , van der Bom-Baylon Nelly , Bemelman Fréderike J. , van Lier René A. W. , ten Berge Ineke J. M.
Published: December 2011

It is believed that the size of the CD8+ T-cell pool is fixed and that with every new viral challenge, the size of the pre-existing memory-cell population shrinks to make way for the new virus-specific cells. CMV-seropositive individuals have high numbers of CMV-specific resting-effector type CD8+ T cells in their peripheral blood (PB). This prompted us to investigate whether CMV infection limits immunologic space at sites where immune reactions are initiated, such as in the lymph nodes (LNs). LN and paired PB samples were analyzed for CMV-, EBV-, and influenza-specific CD8+ T cells. In marked contrast to blood, LNs contained significantly lower numbers of CX3CR1-expressing effector-type CD8+ T cells, whereas the CMV-specific cells that were found in the LNs resembled polyfunctional memory-type cells. In contrast, EBV- and influenza-specific CD8+ T cells were highly similar between PB and LNs both in number and function. Therefore, it is unlikely that CMV-specific CD8+ T cells in the LNs restrain the immunologic space of other virus-specific cells.
Influenza A/H1N1 septic shock in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report
Authors: Tselios Konstantinos , Tsioka Ritsa , Sarantopoulos Alexandros , Mouloudi Eleni , Boura Panagiota
Published: December 2011

Background

Immunocompromised patients, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sufferers have an increased risk of mortality, following influenza infection. In the recent pandemic, influenza A H1NI virus caused 18449 deaths, mainly because of adult respiratory distress syndrome or bacterial co-infections.

Case Presentation

In this case report, an SLE patient with viral-induced septic shock, without overt pulmonary involvement, is discussed. The patient was administered oseltamivir and supportive treatment, including wide-spectrum antibiotics, vasopressors and steroids, according to the guidelines proposed for bacterial sepsis and septic shock. She finally survived and experienced a lupus flare soon after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first case to report severe septic shock from influenza A/H1N1 virus, without overt pulmonary involvement.
Ageing prolongs inflammatory marker expression in regenerating rat skeletal muscles after injury
Authors: van der Poel Chris , Gosselin Luc E , Schertzer Jonathan D , Ryall James G , Swiderski Kristy , Wondemaghen Meron , Lynch Gordon S
Published: December 2011

Background

Some of the most serious consequences of normal ageing relate to its effects on skeletal muscle, particularly significant wasting and associated weakness, termed "sarcopenia". The underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia have yet to be elucidated completely but an altered muscle inflammatory response after injury is a likely contributing factor. In this study we investigated age-related changes in the expression of numerous inflammatory markers linked to successful muscle regeneration.

Methods

Right extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from young (3 month), adult (12 month) and old (24 month) male F344 rats were injected with bupivacaine hydrochloride to cause complete muscle fibre degeneration, then excised 12, 24, 36, and 72 hours later (n = 5/age group/time point). We used qRT-PCR to quantify the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory markers TNFα, IFNγ, IL1, IL18, IL6, and CD18 as well as regenerative markers MyoD and myogenin.

Results

Inflammatory markers were all increased significantly in all age groups after myotoxic injury. There was a trend for expression of inflammatory markers to be higher in uninjured muscles of old rats, especially at 72 hours post injury where the expression levels of several markers was significantly higher in old compared with young and adult rats. There was also a decrease in the expression of regenerative markers in old rats at 72 hours post injury.

Conclusion

Our findings identify a prolonged inflammatory signature in injured muscles from old compared with young and adult rats together with a blunted expression of key markers of regeneration in muscles of old rats. Importantly, our findings identify potential targets for future therapeutic strategies for improving the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle during ageing.
A comparison of leg length and femoral offset discrepancies in hip resurfacing, large head metal-on- metal and conventional total hip replacement: a case series
Authors: Herman Katie A , Highcock Alan J , Moorehead John D , Scott Simon J
Published: December 2011

Background

A discrepancy in leg length and femoral offset restoration is the leading cause of patient dissatisfaction in hip replacement surgery and has profound implications on patient quality of life. The aim of this study is to compare biomechanical hip reconstruction in hip resurfacing, large-diameter femoral head hip arthroplasty and conventional total hip replacement.

Method

Sixty patient's post-operative radiographs were reviewed; 20 patients had a hip resurfacing (HR), 20 patients had a Large Head Metal-on-metal (LHM) hip replacement and 20 patients had a conventional small head Total Hip Replacement (THR). The leg length and femoral offset of the operated and unoperated hips were measured and compared.

Results

Hip resurfacing accurately restored hip biomechanics with no statistical difference in leg length (P = 0.07) or femoral offset (P = 0.95) between the operated and non-operative hips. Overall HR was superior for reducing femoral offset discrepancies where it had the smallest bilateral difference (-0.2%, P = 0.9). The traditional total hip replacement was least effective at restoring the hip anatomy.

Conclusion

The use of a larger-diameter femoral head in hip resurfacing does not fully account for the superior biomechanical restoration, as LHM did not restore femoral offset as accurately. We conclude that restoration of normal hip biomechanics is best achieved with hip resurfacing.
Structural and functional plasticity of subcellular tethering, targeting and processing of RPGRIP1 by RPGR isoforms
Authors: Patil Hemangi , Guruju Mallikarjuna R. , Cho Kyoung-in , Yi Haiqing , Orry Andrew , Kim Hyesung , Ferreira Paulo A.
Published: December 2011

Mutations affecting the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator-interacting protein 1 (RPGRIP1) interactome cause syndromic retinal dystrophies. RPGRIP1 interacts with the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) through a domain homologous to RCC1 (RHD), a nucleotide exchange factor of Ran GTPase. However, functional relationships between RPGR and RPGRIP1 and their subcellular roles are lacking. We show by molecular modeling and analyses of RPGR disease-mutations that the RPGR-interacting domain (RID) of RPGRIP1 embraces multivalently the shared RHD of RPGR1–19 and RPGRORF15 isoforms and the mutations are non-overlapping with the interface found between RCC1 and Ran GTPase. RPGR disease-mutations grouped into six classes based on their structural locations and differential impairment with RPGRIP1 interaction. RPGRIP1α1 expression alone causes its profuse self-aggregation, an effect suppressed by co-expression of either RPGR isoform before and after RPGRIP1α1 self-aggregation ensue. RPGR1–19 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas RPGRORF15 presents cytosolic distribution and they determine uniquely the subcellular co-localization of RPGRIP1α1. Disease mutations in RPGR1–19, RPGRORF15, or RID of RPGRIP1α1, singly or in combination, exert distinct effects on the subcellular targeting, co-localization or tethering of RPGRIP1α1 with RPGR1–19 or RPGRORF15 in kidney, photoreceptor and hepatocyte cell lines. Additionally, RPGRORF15, but not RPGR1–19, protects the RID of RPGRIP1α1 from limited proteolysis. These studies define RPGR- and cell-type-dependent targeting pathways with structural and functional plasticity modulating the expression of mutations in RPGR and RPGRIP1. Further, RPGR isoforms distinctively determine the subcellular targeting of RPGRIP1α1, with deficits in RPGRORF15-dependent intracellular localization of RPGRIP1α1 contributing to pathomechanisms shared by etiologically distinct syndromic retinal dystrophies.
Immunolocalization of Myostatin (GDF-8) Following Musculoskeletal Injury and the Effects of Exogenous Myostatin on Muscle and Bone Healing
Authors: Elkasrawy Moataz , Immel David , Wen Xuejun , Liu Xiaoyan , Liang Li-Fang , Hamrick Mark W.
Published: December 2011

The time course and cellular localization of myostatin expression following musculoskeletal injury are not well understood; therefore, the authors evaluated the temporal and spatial localization of myostatin during muscle and bone repair following deep penetrant injury in a mouse model. They then used hydrogel delivery of exogenous myostatin in the same injury model to determine the effects of myostatin exposure on muscle and bone healing. Results showed that a “pool” of intense myostatin staining was observed among injured skeletal muscle fibers 12–24 hr postsurgery and that myostatin was also expressed in the soft callus chondrocytes 4 days following osteotomy. Hydrogel delivery of 10 or 100 µg/ml recombinant myostatin decreased fracture callus cartilage area relative to total callus area in a dose-dependent manner by 41% and 80% ( p<0.05), respectively, compared to vehicle treatment. Myostatin treatment also decreased fracture callus total bone volume by 30.6% and 38.8% ( p<0.05), with the higher dose of recombinant myostatin yielding the greatest decrease in callus bone volume. Finally, exogenous myostatin treatment caused a significant dose-dependent increase in fibrous tissue formation in skeletal muscle. Together, these findings suggest that early pharmacological inhibition of myostatin is likely to improve the regenerative potential of both muscle and bone following deep penetrant musculoskeletal injury.
Roles of Collagen and Periostin Expression by Cranial Neural Crest Cells during Soft Palate Development
Authors: Oka Kyoko , Honda Masaki J. , Tsuruga Eichi , Hatakeyama Yuji , Isokawa Keitaro , Sawa Yoshihiko
Published: December 2011

The tissue in the palatal region can be divided into the hard and the soft palates, each having a specialized function such as occlusion, speech, or swallowing. Therefore, an understanding of the mechanism of palatogenesis in relation to the function of each region is important. However, in comparison with the hard palate, there is still a lack of information about the mechanisms of soft palate development. In this study, the authors investigated the contribution of cranial neural crest (CNC) cells to development of both hard and soft palates. They also demonstrated a unique pattern of periostin expression during soft palate development, which was closely related to that of collagen type I (Col I) in palatine aponeurosis. Furthermore, organ culture analysis showed that exogenous transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) induced the expression of both periostin and Col I. These novel patterns of expression in the extracellular matrix (ECM) induced by CNC cells suggest that these cells may help to determine the character of both the hard and soft palates through ECM induction. TGF-β signaling appears to be one of the mediators of Col I and periostin expression in the formation of functional structures during soft palate development.
Widespread Expression of γ-Glutamyl Cyclotransferase Suggests It Is Not a General Tumor Marker
Authors: Amano Tomonari , Eishi Yoshinobu , Yamada Tetsuo , Uchida Keisuke , Minegishi Kana , Tamura Tomoki , Kobayashi Daisuke , Hiroshi Kawachi , Suzuki Takashige , Board Philip G.
Published: December 2011

γ-Glutamyl cyclotransferase (GGCT) contributes to the γ-glutamyl cycle that regulates glutathione metabolism. Although GGCT has been implicated in several studies as a possible cancer marker, little is known about its distribution in cells and tissues. The authors investigated GGCT expression in normal tissues and tumors using Western blots and immunohistochemistry with a novel anti-GGCT monoclonal antibody. GGCT was detected in most organs and was mainly found in epithelial cells. Although the intracellular distribution was mainly cytoplasmic, in some situations, nuclear staining was strong. A significant increase in the expression of GGCT was found in tumors of the lung, esophagus, stomach, bile duct, and uterine cervix. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in expression in renal and urothelial tumors. These results suggest that GGCT may be a biomarker of tumors in a limited range of organs.
β4 Integrin Marks Interstitial Myogenic Progenitor Cells in Adult Murine Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Liadaki Kalliopi , Casar Juan Carlos , Wessen McKenzie , Luth Eric S. , Jun Susan , Gussoni Emanuela , Kunkel Louis M.
Published: December 2011

Skeletal muscle growth and its regeneration following injury rely on myogenic progenitor cells, a heterogeneous population that includes the satellite cells and other interstitial progenitors. The present study demonstrates that surface expression of β4 integrin marks a population of vessel-associated interstitial muscle progenitor cells. Muscle β4 integrin–positive cells do not express myogenic markers upon isolation. However, they are capable of undergoing myogenic specification in vitro and in vivo: β4 integrin cells differentiate into multinucleated myotubes in culture dishes and contribute to muscle regeneration upon delivery into diseased mice. Subfractionation of β4 integrin–expressing cells based on CD31 expression does not further enrich for myogenic precursors. These findings support the expression of β4 integrin in interstitial, vessel-associated cells with myogenic activity within adult skeletal muscle.
Fetal Laboratory Medicine: On the Frontier of Maternal–Fetal Medicine
Authors: Geaghan Sharon M
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND

Emerging antenatal interventions and care delivery to the fetus require diagnostic support, including laboratory technologies, appropriate methodologies, establishment of special algorithms, and interpretative guidelines for clinical decision-making.

CONTENT

Fetal diagnostic and therapeutic interventions vary in invasiveness and are associated with a spectrum of risks and benefits. Fetal laboratory assessments are well served by miniaturized diagnostic methods for blood analysis. Expedited turnaround times are mandatory to support invasive interventions such as cordocentesis and intrauterine transfusions. Health-associated reference intervals are required for fetal test interpretation. Fetal blood sampling by cordocentesis carries substantial risk and is therefore performed only when fetal health is impaired, or at risk. When the suspected pathology is not confirmed, however, normative fetal data can be collected. Strategies for assurance of sample integrity from cordocenteses and confirmation of fetal origin are described. After birth, definitive assessment of prenatal environmental and/or drug exposures to the fetus can be retrospectively assessed by analysis of meconium, hair, and other alternative matrices. A rapidly advancing technology for fetal assessment is the use of fetal laboratory diagnostic techniques that use cell-free fetal DNA collected from maternal plasma, and genetic analysis based on molecular counting techniques.

Developmental changes in fetal biochemical and hematologic parameters in health and disease are continually delineated by analysis of our collective outcome-based experience. Noninvasive technologies for fetal evaluation are realizing the promise of lower risk yet robust diagnostics; examples include sampling and analysis of free fetal DNA from maternal blood, and analysis of fetal products accessible at maternal sites. Application of diagnostic technologies for nonmedical purposes (e.g., sex selection) underscores the importance of ethical guidelines for new technology implementation.
Optimization of production and reaction conditions of polygalacturonase from Byssochlamys fulva
Authors: Gupta Reena ,   Kalpana
Published: December 2011

In the present study, the optimization of production and reaction conditions of polygalacturonase produced by a fungusByssochlamys fulvaMTCC 505 was achieved. The production of polygalacturonase with a considerable activity of 1.28 IU/ml was found when the culture was shaken at 30°C for 5 days in 100 ml of medium containing (w/v) 10 g/l pectin, 2 g/l NaNO3, 1 g/l KH2PO4, 0.5 g/l KCl, 0.5 g/l MgSO4. 7H2O, 0.001 g/l FeSO4. 7H2O, 0.001 g/l CaCl2. The best carbon and nitrogen source for this enzyme were pectin (1%) and Ca(NO3)2(0.1%), respectively. The enzyme gave maximum activity at incubation time of 72 h, temperature of 30°C and pH 4.5. During the optimization of reaction conditions, the enzyme showed maximum activity in sodium citrate buffer (50 mM) of pH 5.5 at 50°C reaction temperature for 15 minutes of incubation. The enzyme showed greater affinity for polygalacturonic acid as substrate (0.5%).KmandVmaxvalues were 0.15 mg/ml and 4.58 μmol/ml/min. The effect of various phenolics, thiols, protein inhibitors and metal ions on the enzyme activity was investigated. The enzyme was quite stable at 4°C and 30°C. At 40°C the half life of the enzyme was 6 h and at 60°C it was 2 h.
Photoluminescence Study of Damage Introduced in GaN by Ar- and Kr-Plasmas Etching
Authors: Nakano Yoshitaka , Kawakami Retsuo , Niibe Masahito , Takeichi Atsushi , Inaoka Takeshi , Tominaga Kikuo
Published: December 2011

We investigated, by employing a photoluminescence technique, the etching damage introduced in near-surface regions of GaN by Ar and Kr plasmas and clarified the differences between the damage characteristics of these regions for the two plasma etching cases. For Ar plasma, the shallow donor-acceptor pair emission at ~3.28 eV was significantly weakened; additionally, a broad blue luminescence band arose at approximately ~3.0 eV. In contrast, for Kr plasma under high gas pressure, we found the recovery of the damage to the same level as the as-grown crystallinity. These differences in the damage characteristics for the two plasma etching cases probably depend upon which atom (N or Ga) is preferentially etched in these cases.
Epitaxial growth and characterization of cubic GaN on BP/Si(100) substrates
Authors: Nishimura Suzuka , Hirai Muneyuki , Terashima Kazutaka
Published: December 2011

We have focused to grow cubic GaN (c-GaN) on Si(100) substrates using boronmonophosphide (BP) buffer crystals. The growth of GaN was carried out by MOVPE on BP/Si(100) substrate of 2 inches in diameter. By the several evaluations, it was recognized that when the growth temperature is around 750˚C, c-GaN was dominant. The typical growth rate was about 0.5μm/h. We obtained c-GaN layer over 2.5μm thick without cracking.
Breaking the frontiers for effective Flow assurance using Integrated Asset Models (IAM)
Authors: Okafor Charles C.
Published: December 2011

It’s no common news were pipelines/facility may be oversized or undersized, due to some certain traditional norms or nominal constraints imposed. When considered with the harsh subsea environments and long tie backs which the industry experiences these days, then it is highly important that the design of the production surface network is optimized efficiently. It could save remarkably millions of dollars. All thanks to advanced modelling approaches, where the concept of integrated modelling has shone brightly.

The traditional methods practiced by the flow assurance engineer involves obtaining reservoir simulation production profiles either uncertainty profiles (P10, P50 & P90) to early, mid and late field life for engineering design/debottlenecking of surface networks. These methods rely heavily on the assumption that those profiles which form the basis of design are healthy for providing boundary conditions for the surface network. In most cases the engineer does not contest/ understand how these profiles were obtained from reservoir simulation and what controls the wells were subjected to. As an example, a natural well could have been subjected to a nominal well tubing head pressure control (staying constant) for about three quarter of its life. This is a major limitation or "gap" in the traditional approach; it could lead to wrong design and estimations of the thermo-hydraulic responses.

In this paper we introduce the concept of integrated modelling for the flow assurance engineer and compare it to the traditional approach. We show three case studies. The first shows a real case where the IAM corrected a design for a North Sea gas condensate field saving millions of dollars. The second shows how IAM aids an engineer in sizing a line with known indicators such as (mean slug length, Erosion velocity) and the third uses the integrated model to identify wax, asphaltenes and corrosion possible areas.
Detection of Oil Below Ice in Arctic Scenario: Performance Analysis of Microwave Systems
Authors: Santovito M. R. , Adirosi D.. , Mattei S.. , Alberti G.. , Giordani F.. , Stolfi E..
Published: December 2011

The remote sensing plays a crucial role in oil spill countermeasures. In case of wintertime, the problem of remote sensing oil spills beneath ice sheet is particularly challenging since an operational system will need to accommodate different kind of oil in ice configurations over an equally broad range of ice conditions and water depths.

TAS-I, one of the European leading engineering industry for the aerospace, and its research center CO.RI.S.T.A., involved into study and development of radar technologies and instrumentations, are conducting a study in the field of detection of oil below ice by means of microwave systems. In this paper a concept of satellite and airborne microwave systems (Radar Sounder and Synthetic Aperture Radar) devoted to the detection of oil below ice are presented. A suitable performance model has been developed and two different arctic scenarios have been simulated. The analysis has been conducted evaluating the Signal-to-Noise Ratio in presence and absence of oil for the two scenarios. Preliminary values of the instruments main parameters are proposed and the results of the study are described.
Drilling Waste Handling in Challenging Offshore Operations
Authors: Svensen Torgrim , Taugbøl Knut
Published: December 2011

The paper presents Statoil experiences and status for drilling waste management and treatment in offshore operations, as well as the main challenges and a look ahead on technologies and possible applications.

After 40 years of drilling on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, NCS, operators are now experiencing more challenging operations than ever. The wells are more complicated with long sections with high inclinations, years of production have depleted reservoir pressures making the hole stability limits tighter. High Pressure High Temperature, HTHP, fields are developed and the number of Extended Reach Wells, ERD, wells are increasing. Fields are also developed under more harsh environments such as deep waters and arctic climate, some in remote locations making logistics a challenge.

Drilling wastes are unavoidable and often expensive by-products of all drilling operations. As drilling operations becomes more demanding and moves into environmentally sensitive areas attention should be paid to drilling waste management and handling when planning.

This paper outlines current available waste management options as well as providing some suggestions for possible improvements based on future operational challenges and the corresponding environmental regulations.
Lessons Learned From Fifty Years of Operating in the Arctic
Authors: Wendler Curtis , Sharma Amit
Published: December 2011

Oil and gas exploration in the Arctic is technically, physically, socially, and environmentally more challenging than in any other environment in the world due to its extreme cold, considerable darkness, mobility limitations, and remoteness, all of which increase operating costs. However, because this region contains approximately 24% of the world's hydrocarbon reserves, the industry will expend whatever effort is needed to overcome the challenges. Since methodologies that reduce environmental and social impacts will also be required, companies must develop strategies that will employ creative, long-term thinking; the disciplines to work with local communities, industry partners, and stakeholders; and the ability to generate safe technical solutions to enable hydrocarbon development.

To protect the personnel and environment will also require stringent adherence to regulatory standards. Therefore, a significant part of planning for this region also must be dedicated to dealing with these issues.

The difficulties specific to this environment and their mitigation, the merits and limitations of various solutions, and the basic considerations for equipment philosophy will be discussed in this paper. Lessons learned from actual cases will highlight the importance of adequate preparation.

Efficient operation in hostile and environmentally sensitive regions is only possible with the proper application of appropriate technologies. This paper explains why particular methods and equipment should be used and why others are less desirable. It lists the lessons learned by one service-company that has operated in arctic conditions for over 50 years. Those lessons involve:

Logistics Health and Safety Protection of the environment Sustainability Human factors.

The extreme environmental conditions make the discovery and exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves considerably more difficult, and the purpose of this paper is to identify proven solutions to help ensure that operations are safe and efficient. Case histories of the successes achieved and how they were facilitated will be discussed.
Samotlor: Real-Time Production Optimization for Russia's Largest Field
Authors: Shevchenko S. D. , Mironov D. V. , Navozov V. A. , Muslimov E. Ya. , Pchelnikov R. L. , Kondakov D. E. , Gladkov A. V.
Published: December 2011

The Samotlor field developed by TNK-BP is the largest oilfield in Russia. The first oil in the Samotlor field was produced in the 1960s. Today, the operating production well stock exceeds 8700, most of them equipped with ESP. At fields with such a high number of wells, every minute there are thousands of events that should be correctly processed to make a correct control decision. Efficient production requires prompt data, fast processing of that data and an appropriate response. By introducing an integrated real-time production monitoring, analysis and control system it is possible to eliminate the process gaps and improve cost-efficiency.

To introduce the production optimization process in real time, a three-phase multidisciplinary project was initiated: (1) installation of the submersible telemetry transducers at the ESP's and data transfer to the workstations; (2) implementation of the well remote control function; (3) implementation of the real-time production monitoring system. During the first phase, 60% of the wells were equipped with the submersible telemetry transducers, 100% of data was transferred to the SCADA. Implementation of the second phase resulted in creating the functions of the ESP remote control. These functions were implemented in the SCADA software, which enables the ESP start up, shutdown, frequency variation and change of the key operation parameters. During the third phase, a real-time production monitoring analytical system was implemented based on the exception criteria.

During the fourth phase of the project, the approaches implemented for the production well stock will be extended to the surface facilities (oil processing facilities, reservoir pressure maintenance system), injection well stock, pipelines, which will be one more step in the implementation of the intelligent field concept. For mature fields, such as Samotlor, efficient operation is extremely important. The use of the real-time production optimization process allows for improvement of profitability and extension of field life. This approach is especially relevant in the development of Arctic oilfields as it allows for streamlined control of production process with minimum personnel directly on site.
Developing Professional Capability for Russia's Arctic Offshore
Authors: McMorran Paul
Published: December 2011

Russia's petroleum resources include 72% of the 130 billion barrels of oil and 91% of the 1,500 trillion cubic feet of gas believed to exist north of the Arctic Circle1. The environmental conditions in which future fields are located will bring challenges to stretch the capabilities of the global E&P industry. Exploring and developing Russia's Arctic resources calls for a new breed of regional petroleum professional, able to blend generations of domestic well construction and reservoir know-how with innovative technologies, unfamiliar processes and new skills involving partners from other countries and cultures.

This paper considers three broad areas of professional capability that will underpin marine E&P operations at Russia's northern frontier: Project Management, Petroleum Engineering, and offshore-specific operations in Arctic conditions. Based on experience within major Russian operators and service providers since 1999, it reviews progress towards developing capability in each area in the context of future Arctic activity.

In particular, the paper reviews Master's degree programs established since 2001 between universities in Russia and Europe to address specific petroleum industry needs, how future partnerships can support offshore Arctic E&P, and how their graduates can be deployed, mentored and certified as professionals.

Finally, the paper provides a case study of an international educational initiative, launched in 2011 to train and develop professionals specifically for Russia's offshore E&P sector. This non-commercial Sochi-based Academy offers an approach new to the region, based on international best practice. Its strategy, programs and governance model are presented as examples for an Arctic industry on which much will depend.
Aluminium Drillpipe in an Arctic Application—A Well-known Tool Changing the Development Strategy
Authors: Vakhrushev Alexey V. , Gelfgat Mikhail Ya. , Basovich Dmitry V. , Buyanovskiy Ilya N.
Published: December 2011

Aluminium drillpipe (ADP) is being recognized by major drilling companies as an instrument for reducing drillstring weight and consequently torque and drag. This product has been used in Russia since the 1960s. The combination of the low-capacity drilling rigs, ADP, and turbodrills provided a unique opportunity for development of remote Western Siberia deposits, using cluster directional-drilling technology. The modified aluminium alloy drillpipe known as LAIDP (light-alloy improved dependability pipe) was later introduced for ultradeep wells. This design allowed high-torque application, resulting in the achievement of a world record in drilling 12,262 m in the Kola SG-3 well in 1993. Though LAIDP was initially designed for ultradeep drilling, it has been successfully applied in deep oil and gas exploratory and development drilling, especially in horizontal boreholes, since the early 2000s. The untapped potential of LAIDP is significant. Its successful application in the Arctic and other extreme environments can use this potential and become a catalyst for industry growth.

Rough weather, extremely low temperatures, ice, and lack of infrastructure have always made drilling in the Arctic extremely difficult, especially for offshore fields. One of the solutions, in this case, is reaching the target from shore or from an artificial island, using extended-reach drilling (ERD). Existing ERD technology provides wells with horizontal extensions up to 11.5 km. The record ERD well, completed in 2011 at Odoptu field, Sakhalin-1, has reached 12,345 m length. In spite of these amazing results, the industry needs longer wells. LAIDP and similar technologies could advance borehole length for an additional 5 km, as shown by analyses conducted in the past few years. Extensive laboratory tests and field trials would provide more confidence in a 15-km to 20-km well as a target in the near future. Such a possibility may be crucial for development of a number of oil and gas fields in the Arctic.

Light alloy pipes would provide other benefits as well, among them, easier transportation and resistance to cold environments.

Other important properties of ADP may be found useful, such as corrosion resistance to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2), nonmagnetic properties, and good flexibility.
Estimating Friction Reduction ForCasing Operations in High-Angle Wells in The Arctic Region - A Russia Case History
Authors: Nkwocha Chimerebere O. , Glebov Evgeny , Zhludov Alexey , Galantsev Sergey , Kay David
Published: December 2011

Casing and liner running and cementing operations in high angle wells with long open hole sections pose seemingly diverse sets of challenges irrespective of location and drilling environment. The fluvial loose formations predominant in the arctic region of Russia and most parts of Siberia provides more than adequate tests and constraints to modelling, understanding and accommodating the risks associated with such operations as this. This is further complicated with no reliable nor consistent information regarding representative geo-mechanics models or failure plains within the region.

This paper looks at modelling casing1,2,3,4 running operations and the impact of perceived friction factors and choice of accessories on the overall out come of the operation. The objective is to better understand the modelling constraints and the importance of certain parameters and assumptions in the final solutions. Successes, failures and lessons learned will be articulated to provide key best practices or design considerations for similar or future projects. Furthermore, we will also evaluate the technologies available within the area and the impact of technology adoption on both the ability to land casing/liner and provide adequate cementing.