bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Reservoir Uplift, Seismicity and Failure Likelihood during CO2 Injection through Coupled Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Amirlatifi Amin , Eckert Andreas , Nygaard Runar , Bai Baojun
Published: November 2011

CO2 sequestration and injection projects are being intensively studied and conducted throughout the world. The CO2 has to be trapped below a caprock and the trap itself occurs in a complex geological setting which creates a complex geometrical model. Increased pore pressure may result in uplift of the formation and generation of new fractures or reactivation of existing structures that will generate preferred fluid flow pathways along which dissolved CO2 which may escape into the atmosphere or freshwater zones above, or result in seismicity in the region. In order to assess and mitigate these geomechanical risks, a thorough simulation coupling fluid flow through porous media and geomechanics of a realistic representation of the reservoir as well as the overburden is required. Many aspects of geomechanics and reservoir simulation coupling has been studied using idealized horizontal layer basin structures that share the same discretization of the reservoir for the two simulators, and few modeling studies of real reservoirs are carried out, but limited effort has been made for mitigating the fractures forming at the cap rock in a real reservoir. The shared earth model of a candidate shallow CO2 sequestration site in the state of Missouri was separately discretized before coupled simulation in the finite element software and reservoir simulator predicted fracture formations. A coupling module was developed which uses the relative spatial position of Finite Element nodes compared to Finite Difference grid blocks to relate the two simulation grids. Fluid flow properties such as reservoir pressure and fluid saturations are taken from the reservoir simulation and are fed into the finite element simulation model, from which a new state of stress together with new porosities and pseudo compressibility values are calculated and are used to update the reservoir model. Results of this study are used for predicting the best CO2 injection location and injection rates to provide maximum storage capacity and injection rates for safe sequestration. This approach also predicts the critical pore pressures which result in formation of extensional or shear fractures at different places in caprock. This knowledge is then used for determining type, time and amount of sealant to inject for mitigation of flow through caprock fractures so that storage of CO2 at required injection rate is maintained.
The Ultimate Potential for Unconventional Gas in the Horn River Basin: Integrating Geological Mapping with Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Johnson Michael F. , Walsh Warren , Budgell Peter A. , Davidson James A.
Published: November 2011

The Horn River Basin of northeastern British Columbia, Canada, contains natural gas in three Devonian shale units. Isopachs, depths, and net-to gross-pay ratios were determined from well logs for the Muskwa, Otter Park, and Evie Shales and then gridded. Pressure gradients were determined from well test and production data and then gridded into a single grid shared between shales. Because grid points were shared between each grid, volumetric and adsorbed gas equations could be integrated into each grid point. Static values or distributions could then be applied to equation variables and Monte Carlo simulations run to determine probabilistic gas in place (GIP) and marketable resources for each grid point, which were then summed for each shale.

Grid points for the isopach and depth maps were treated as static values in the equations while net-to-gross and pressure gradient grid points became most likely values in Beta distributions where end points were assigned using regional low and high values. Most non-mapped variables in the equations were filled with Beta distributions based on typical values in the area and then applied across the basin without any local variations. On each distribution, whether based on mapped or unmapped variables, a second, overlying distribution was applied on a basin scale. This made entire iterations run a full range from pessimistic to optimistic. A few non-mapped variables in the equations were given static values.

Recoverable gas resources were estimated by applying a recovery factor to free GIP estimates. Recoverable volumes from adsorbed GIP estimates were determined from a recovery factor applied to the portion of gas that would desorb during production as pressure decreased to the assumed well abandonment pressure. To determine marketable gas, gas impurities and fuel gas that would be used for processing and transport were estimated and subtracted from the recoverable estimates. Further, certain lower quality areas of the basin were excluded from the assessment, based on a low likelihood of being developed.

The Horn River Basin shales are estimated to contain 10 466 109m3 (372 Tcf) to 14 894 109m3 (529 Tcf) of GIP with the expected outcome of 12 629 109m3 (448 Tcf). The marketable resource base is expected to be 1 715 109m3 (61 Tcf) to 2 714 109m3 (96 Tcf), with an expected outcome of 2 198 109m3 (78 Tcf).
A New Unified Diffusion-Viscous Flow Model Based on Pore Level Studies of Tight Gas Formations
Authors: Rahmanian Mohammad R. , Aguilera Roberto , Kantzas Apostolos
Published: November 2011

A new technique for numerical reconstruction of porous media is proposed that combines the flexibility and easy data conditioning of pixel-based multiple point statistics (MPS) along with robustness of object-base algorithms. Single phase gas flow simulations that consider slippage effects through a network of slots and micro-fractures extracted from petrographic work in tight porous media of the Nikanassin Group in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) have been conducted. Furthermore, correlations between Klinkenberg slippage effect and absolute permeability have been developed. This leads to a new unified flow model in which Knudsen number acts implicitly as a flow regime indicator.

A detailed understanding of fluid flow at the micro scale level in tight porous media is essential to establish and develop techniques for economic flow rate and recovery. Direct available imaging techniques cannot capture all the details of tight formations at the pore level. Choosing an appropriate equation for flow through a single element of the network is crucial; this equation must include geometry and other structural features that affect the flow as well as all variation of fluid properties with pressure. Disregarding these details in a single element of porous media can easily lead to flow misinterpretation at the macroscopic scale.

Due to the wide flow-path-size distribution in tight porous media, a variety of flow regimes can exist in the equivalent network. Two distinct flow regimes, viscous flow and free molecular flow, are in either side of this flow regime spectrum. Since the nature of these two types of flow is categorically different, finding/adjusting a unified flow model is problematic. The complication stems from the fact that the viscosity concept misses its meaning as the flow regime changes from viscous to free molecular flow in which a diffusion-like flow mechanism dominates. For each specified flow regime, the appropriate equations for different geometries are studied. Also, different unified flow models available in the literature are critically investigated.

Simulation of gas flow through the constructed network at different mean flow pressures leads to investigate the functionality of Klinkenberg factor with permeability of the porous media and pore-level structure. It is concluded that for tight formations the slippage effects is more pronounced and cannot be neglected in the flow equations.
The Stability of Fault Systems in the South Shore of the St. Lawrence Lowlands of Québec – Implications for Shale Gas Development
Authors: Brodylo John , Jean-Yves Chatellier , Matton Guillaume , Rheault Michel
Published: November 2011

Recent concerns over naturally occuring earthquakes, precipitated by the shale gas industry reactivating faults and the potential impact on surface structures and shallow aquifers have prompted this study to catalogue the location, type, current stress state and proximity to the surface of major Cambrian to early Ordovician faults in the St. Lawrence Lowlands of Québec.

A considerable amount of geophysical data has been collected in the St. Lawrence Lowlands of Québec over the last 30 years allowing for accurate mapping of the fault network within the Cambro-Ordovician deposits, the area being targeted for shale gas development.

Integration of modern 2-D seismic, high resolution aeromagnetic surveys, lineament analysis of surface topography and recent geophysical well logs have resulted in detailed maps of the faults affecting the autochthonous strata of the St. Lawrence Lowlands.

After correlating these maps to present day in-situ stress maps and earthquake data it has been determined that hydraulic fracturing of the Utica shale in the south shore region of the St. Lawrence Lowlands is highly unlikely to reactivate near surface faults affecting shallow aquifers or surface structures.
Flexible, Expanding Cement System (FECS) Successfully Provides Zonal Isolation Across Marcellus Shale Gas Trends
Authors: Williams H. , Khatri D. , Keese R. , Le Roy-Delage S. , Roye J. , Leach D. , Rottler P. , Porcherie O. , Rodriguez J.
Published: November 2011

Marcellus gas-shale trends have transformed the regional and national outlook for natural gas supply and are particularly attractive for their proximity to high demand markets and existing pipeline infrastructure. Marcellus shale plays offer unique operational and regulatory challenges during mud removal, cementing, and completion operations. Sustained casing pressure (SCP) is one of the greatest challenges encountered after completion. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Pennsylvania has enacted strict policies regulating cementing practices in Pennsylvanian Marcellus shale trends to reduce the risk of inter-zonal communication and SCP due to substandard annular cement sheath integrity.

To ensure compliance with DEP cementing guidelines, a flexible, expanding cement system (FECS) was developed with fit-for-purpose mechanical properties. A further FECS blend modification included an additive to promote bulk cement expansion during hydration. Since implementation, this approach, coupled with good mud removal and cementing best practices, resulted in rapid static gel strength (SGS) development, acceptable compressive strength development and waiting on cement (WOC) time, and improved flexible and expansive properties.

Since introduction in 2010, six jobs (two intermediate and four production strings) have been successfully cemented with FECS technology. A Marcellus shale trend case study will be presented in this paper that discusses the successful application of FECS during cement placement around a production casing. After completion of each job, a successful shoe test was performed. After stimulation/fracturing treatments, SCP was not reported by the client in Marcellus wells cemented with FECS.

Since implementation in 2010, FECS technology has become a proven approach for cementing Marcellus horizontal tight-gas shale environments where long-term zonal isolation and minimal SCP are required. This approach has been applied to Marcellus shale and Permian Basin formations while other applications are currently being explored.
Formation potential of trihalomethanes (THMs) in blended water treated with chlorine
Authors: Tawabini Bassam , Al-Mutair Mohammed , Bukhari Alaa
Published: November 2011

This study was conducted in the laboratory to assess the formation potential of trihalomethanes (THMs) in blended water under various treatment conditions. Three batches of water samples prepared by mixing desalinated (product) water and ground brackish water with three different proportions (i.e. 1:2, 1:5 and 1:10 – brackish:product water) were treated with three concentration levels of calcium hypochlorite and collected after 24 and 48 h. Other treatment runs were conducted under three different temperatures of 25, 35 and 45 °C. Results of the study indicated that brominated THMs (i.e. bromoform (CHBl3) and dibromochloromethane (CHClBr2)) were the dominant components of the THMs formed in blended water. Results also showed that the total THMs (TTHMs) levels decreased as the portion of product water in the blended samples increased from 2 to 10. Results revealed that bromoform levels decreased and chloroform increased as the product portion increased. In this study, the TTHMs slightly increased as the chlorine dose increased from 1 to 5 ppm and as high as 175 ppb of TTHMs formed when the temperature of the water increased from 25 to 45 °C.
Contemporary Tensions and Contradictions in the Global System
Authors: Denemark Robert A.
Published: November 2011

Copeland, Daryl. 2009. Guerrilla Diplomacy: Rethinking International Relations. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Mittelman, James. 2010. Hyperconflict: Globalization and Insecurity. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Thompson, William R., ed. 2009. Systemic Transitions: Past, Present, and Future. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
One of Deleuze's Bergsonisms
Authors: Ventzislavov Rossen
Published: November 2011

In this article I attempt to reveal some continuities between the anti-psychoanalytic stance adopted by Gilles Deleuze in his later work and Henri Bergson's early philosophy. On account of these continuities I hope to provide a glimpse into what I believe is a century-old tangent of philosophical resistance to the methods and theories of Freudian psychoanalysis. In order to achieve this, I start with a brief meditation on the challenges and benefits of cross-generational inheritance and collaboration in philosophy. The purpose of this is twofold – to explore some general conditions for such collaboration and to tease out some of the implications of these conditions for the substantive argument my specific reading of Bergson via Deleuze occasions. I then expound on Bergson's theory of duration and some of the uses to which Deleuze puts it in the latter part of his career. In this I outline several fecund similarities between Bergson's critique of associationism and Deleuze's attack on Freud. Finally, I attempt a partial evaluation of Freudian psychoanalysis from the joint, albeit naturally disjointed, perspective of my primary sources.
How the Zamuco languages dealt with verb affixes
Authors: Bertinetto Pier Marco
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this paper is to offer a plausible reconstruction of the verb inflection paradigms of two genetically related Zamuco languages (Ayoreo and Chamacoco), whose patterns present several points of interest. In particular, one of the two paradigms exhibits a striking violation of a robust generalization concerning affix order, dictating that person markers should precede number markers, irrespective of their position in relation to the root. Careful analysis of the historical data suggests a plausible solution to this puzzle.
Physician Consultations According to Different BMI Levels of the Greek General Population
Authors: Pappa Evelina , Kontodimopoulos Nick , Papadopoulos Angelos A. , Tountas Yannis , Niakas Dimitris
Published: November 2011

Obesity constitutes a global epidemic which is rapidly becoming a major public health problem in many parts of the world, threatening peoples’ health and quality of life. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence and impact of overweight and obesity on physician consultations and frequency of use and furthermore, to investigate whether physician consultations in each of the groups defined by BMI level correspond to the need for care implied by health risk level, using logistic regression models. The survey was carried out in Greece in 2006 and involved complete data from 645 individuals consulted by physicians. Overweight and obese users constituted 41.7% and 19% of the sample respectively. The findings showed firstly that the odds of obese individuals visiting a physician (OR 2.15) or making more than three visits (OR 2.12) was doubled compared to the odds of individuals with normal weight. Secondly, we conclude that physician consultations in overweight and obese subgroups as well as the frequency of visits were predicted by factors such as co-morbidities, low HRQL, low educational level which are associated directly or indirectly with obesity, and thus with a greater health need, assuming vertical equity in the utilization of such services.
The Effects of Combined Adiponectin-Metformin on Glucose and Lipids Levels in Mice and Acute Toxicity and Anti-Ulcerogenic Activity of Adiponectin Against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injuries in Rat
Authors: Fard Atieh A. , Hajrezaie Maryam , Kadir Farkaad A. , Sefideh Fatemeh A. , Salama Suzy M. , Al-Najar Zahra A. , Qader Suhailah W. , Alshawsh Mohammed A. , Abdulla Mahmood A.
Published: November 2011

Adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted entirely by abdominal fat tissue. It exhibits various biological activities. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of metformin alone or in combination with adiponectin on blood glucose, TG (triglyceride), CHOL (Total cholesterol), LDL (Low density lipoprotein) and HDL (High density lipoprotein) levels in mice and also to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic activity of adiponectin against ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Three groups of mice were gavaged with 1% volume/body weight high fat-sucrose. Metformin at a dosage of 250 mg/kg was added to the feed and a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg adiponectin was injected intraperitoneally (i.p). Blood glucose was measured at one hour intervals for five hours. Blood concentrations of TG, CHOL, LDL and HDL were also measured at the end of the fifth hour of the experiment. On the other hand, four groups of adult healthy rats were i.p. injected with distilled water, omeprazole 20 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg adiponectin one hour before oral administration of absolute ethanol to generate gastric mucosal injury. After an additional hour the rats were sacrificed and the ulcer areas of the gastric walls were determined. Furthermore, an acute toxicity study has indicated no mortality with 5 mg/kg dose of adiponectin injected i.p in rats and no major clinical signs of toxicity were observed. The results indicate that the effect of a combination of metformin and adiponectin on blood glucose and HDL is quite effective. Histology of the gastric wall of negative control rats revealed severe damage of gastric mucosa, along with edema and leucocyte infiltration of the submucosal layer compared to rats pre-treated with either omeprazole or adiponectin extract where there was marked gastric protection along with reduction or inhibition of edema and leucocytes infiltration. The results suggest that combination of metfomin and adiponectin give a promising antidiabetic effect and also, adiponectin promotes ulcer protection as ascertained by the comparative decrease of ulcer areas, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer.
Quantum Dot Sensitized Photoelectrodes
Authors: Macdonald Thomas J. , Nann Thomas
Published: November 2011

Quantum Dots (QDs) are promising alternatives to organic dyes as sensitisers for photocatalytic electrodes. This review article provides an overview of the current state of the art in this area. More specifically, different types of QDs with a special focus on heavy-metal free QDs and the methods for preparation and adsorption onto metal oxide electrodes (especially titania and zinc oxide) are discussed. Eventually, the key areas of necessary improvements are identified and assessed.
Hepatitis C Virus Assembly Imaging
Authors: Popescu Costin-Ioan , Rouillé Yves , Dubuisson Jean
Published: November 2011

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) assembly process is the least understood step in the virus life cycle. The functional data revealed by forward and reverse genetics indicated that both structural and non-structural proteins are involved in the assembly process. Using confocal and electron microscopy different groups determined the subcellular localization of different viral proteins and they identified the lipid droplets (LDs) as the potential viral assembly site. Here, we aim to review the mechanisms that govern the viral proteins recruitment to LDs and discuss the current model of HCV assembly process. Based on previous examples, this review will also discuss advanced imaging techniques as potential means to extend our present knowledge of HCV assembly process.
Viral Determinants of HIV-1 Macrophage Tropism
Authors: Duncan Christopher J. A. , Sattentau Quentin J.
Published: November 2011

Macrophages are important target cells for HIV-1 infection that play significant roles in the maintenance of viral reservoirs and other aspects of pathogenesis. Understanding the determinants of HIV-1 tropism for macrophages will inform HIV-1 control and eradication strategies. Tropism for macrophages is both qualitative (infection or not) and quantitative (replication capacity). For example many R5 HIV-1 isolates cannot infect macrophages, but for those that can the macrophage replication capacity can vary by up to 1000-fold. Some X4 viruses are also capable of replication in macrophages, indicating that cellular tropism is partially independent of co-receptor preference. Preliminary data obtained with a small number of transmitted/founder viruses indicate inefficient macrophage infection, whereas isolates from later in disease are more frequently tropic for macrophages. Thus tropism may evolve over time, and more macrophage tropic viruses may be implicated in the pathogenesis of advanced HIV-1 infection. Compartmentalization of macrophage-tropic brain-derived envelope glycoproteins (Envs), and non-macrophage tropic non-neural tissue-derived Envs points to adaptation of HIV-1 quasi-species in distinct tissue microenvironments. Mutations within and adjacent to the Env-CD4 binding site have been identified that determine macrophage tropism at the entry level, but post-entry molecular determinants of macrophage replication capacity involving HIV-1 accessory proteins need further definition.
Optimal Level of Groundwater Charge to Promote Rainwater Usage for Irrigation in Rural Beijing
Authors: Liang Xiao , Dijk Meine Pieter van
Published: November 2011

Since groundwater is diminishing rapidly in rural Beijing, rainwater harvesting for irrigation is being promoted. As the cost of pumping up groundwater is low, farmers have few incentives to use rainwater. To promote the consumption of rainwater, the Beijing Water Authority may in the future raise the cost of using groundwater by introducing a charge. Higher cost of groundwater will increase the consumption of rainwater, but can have a negative impact on farmers’ incomes. This paper aims to study how to increase rainwater consumption without discouraging farming. The relation between the cost of groundwater and the consumption of rainwater has been studied by analyzing the elasticity of groundwater demand graphically. If the cost of groundwater is lower than the elasticity threshold, farmers lack incentives to use rainwater. If the cost of groundwater is higher than the threshold, rainwater consumption increases. The elasticity threshold of groundwater can move down following a change in the characteristics of rainwater harvesting systems. With linear programming analysis it has been found that increasing subsidies and enlarging the size of rainwater harvesting systems decreases the elasticity threshold of groundwater. This results in a proposal for a realistic charge for groundwater, affecting the consumption of rainwater but also taking into account the income of the farmers.
Bone Marrow Contributes Simultaneously to Different Neural Types in the Central Nervous System through Different Mechanisms of Plasticity
Authors: Recio Javier S. , Álvarez-Dolado Manuel , Díaz David , Baltanás Fernando C. , Piquer-Gil Marina , Alonso José R. , Weruaga Eduardo
Published: November 2011

Many studies have reported the contribution of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) to the CNS, raising the possibility of using them as a new source to repair damaged brain tissue or restore neuronal function. This process has mainly been investigated in the cerebellum, in which a degenerative microenvironment has been suggested to be responsible for its modulation. The present study further analyzes the contribution of BMDC to different neural types in other adult brain areas, under both physiological and neurodegenerative conditions, together with the mechanisms of plasticity involved. We grafted genetically marked green fluorescent protein/Cre bone marrow in irradiated recipients: a) the PCD ( Purkinje Cell Degeneration) mutant mice, suffering a degeneration of specific neuronal populations at different ages, and b) their corresponding healthy controls. These mice carried the conditional lacZ reporter gene to allow the identification of cell fusion events. Our results demonstrate that BMDC mainly generate microglial cells, although to a lesser extent a clear formation of neuronal types also exists. This neuronal recruitment was not increased by the neurodegenerative processes occurring in PCD mice, where BMDC did not contribute to rescuing the degenerated neuronal populations either. However, an increase in the number of bone marrow-derived microglia was found along the life span in both experimental groups. Six weeks after transplantation more bone marrow-derived microglial cells were observed in the olfactory bulb of the PCD mice compared to the control animals, where the degeneration of mitral cells was in process. In contrast, this difference was not observed in the cerebellum, where Purkinje cell degeneration had been completed. These findings demonstrated that the degree of neurodegenerative environment can foster the recruitment of neural elements derived from bone marrow, but also provide the first evidence that BMDC can contribute simultaneously to different encephalic areas through different mechanisms of plasticity: cell fusion for Purkinje cells and differentiation for olfactory bulb interneurons.
Pre- and Posttrip Factors Influencing the Visitor Experience at a Battlefield Commemorative Event: Gallipoli, A Case Study
Authors: Hall John , Basarin V. John , Lockstone-Binney Leonie
Published: November 2011

Battlefield tourism is a major component of national and international tourism. This article sets out to provide a holistic understanding of the preevent factors influencing attendance at an event commemorating a famous World War I battle and to follow the cycle through to gain an understanding
of what postevent factors influence event satisfaction and how this translates into recommending behavior. The Anzac Day commemorative event at Gallipoli, Turkey, provides the backdrop for this study. A two-step process was used to gather information from Australians partaking in the Gallipoli
commemorations in 2007. A preevent questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of respondents while they were in transit from Istanbul to Gallipoli for the commemoration. In total, 482 preevent questionnaires were obtained. Step two of this process saw an exit questionnaire administered
to a convenience sample of participants on the return journey to Istanbul, resulting in 331 completed postevent questionnaires. The pre- and postevent datasets were separately analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) where appropriate. The findings highlight the
role of various event attributes, most prominently the ceremonial and experiential aspects of the Anzac Day commemorations, in encouraging visitor satisfaction and further flow-on effects for recommending behavior.
Tourism Development and Local Communities: The Direct Benefits of Tourism to OvaHimba Communities in the Kaokoland, Northwest Namibia
Authors: Saarinen Jarkko
Published: November 2011

The tourism industry has the potential to provide major benefits to destinations. In Namibia tourism is seen as a good strategy for development, but tourism-based growth does not automatically lead to a socioeconomic development in peripheral communities. The purpose of this article
is to evaluate the quantity of local-level benefits from tourism in peripheral community contexts and discuss the possibilities of local communities to participate, control, and guide tourism-based growth and development. The empirical case involves two OvaHimba communities located in Kaokoland,
Northwest Namibia. The selected communities value tourism but, in a monetary value, the direct benefits of tourism are still rather modest and there is a need to develop a more transparent benefit-sharing model for tourism businesses operating and collaborating directly with the OvaHimba communities
in Kaokoland.
Mortality Risk by Functional Status and Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: MICHAUD KALEB , VERA-LLONCH MONTSERRAT , OSTER GERRY
Published: November 2011

Objective.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of death. Modern RA therapy has been shown to improve health status, but the relationship of such improvements to mortality risk is unknown. We assessed the relationship between health status and all-cause mortality in patients with RA, using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) physical and mental component summary scores (PCS, MCS).

Methods.

Subjects (n = 10,319) were selected from the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases, a prospective longitudinal observational US study with semiannual assessments of HAQ, PCS, and MCS. Risk of death up to 7 years through 2006 was obtained from the US National Death Index. Relationship of HAQ, PCS, and MCS to mortality was assessed using Cox regression models; prediction accuracy was compared using Harrell’s concordance coefficient (C).

Results.

Over 64,888 patient-years of followup, there were 1317 deaths. Poorer baseline health status was associated with greater mortality risk. Adjusting for age, sex, and baseline PCS and MCS, declines in PCS and HAQ were associated with higher risk of death. HAQ improvement was associated with reduced mortality risk from 6 months through 3 years; a similar relationship was not observed for PCS or MCS improvement. Controlling for baseline values, change in PCS or HAQ did not improve prediction accuracy.

Conclusion.

The HAQ and the SF-36 PCS are similarly and strongly associated with mortality risk in patients with RA. Change in these measures over time does not appear to add to predictive accuracy over baseline levels.
Medication Reconciliation in Nursing Homes: Thematic Differences Between RN and LPN Staff
Authors: Vogelsmeier Amy A. , Scott-Cawiezell Jill R. , Pepper Ginette A.
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe medication reconciliation practices in nursing homes with a specific focus on nursing staff involvement in the process. The study was conducted in eight Midwestern nursing homes and included 46 onsite observations of resident transfers to the nursing home. Informal interviews of nursing staff performing medication reconciliation were conducted during each observation. Findings suggest nursing home nursing staff, including both RN and licensed practical nurse (LPN) staff, were primarily responsible for performing medication reconciliation; however, these staff often varied in how they processed resident transfer information to identify medication order discrepancies. Patterns of differences were found related to their perceptions about medication reconciliation, as well as their actions when performing the process. RN staff were more often focused on resident safety and putting the “big picture” together, whereas LPN staff were more often focused on the administrative assignment and “completing the task.”
Effects of Communication Training on Real Practice Performance: A Role-Play Module Versus a Standardized Patient Module
Authors: Schlegel Claudia , Woermann Ulrich , Shaha Maya , Rethans Jan-Joost , van der Vleuten Cees
Published: November 2011

This study investigated the effectiveness of modules involving standardized patients and role-plays on training communication skills. The first module involved standardized patients and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE); the second module consisted of peer role-plays and a written examination. A randomized posttest-only control group design with first-year nursing students was used. The intervention group received one-to-one communication training with direct oral feedback from the standardized patient. The control group had training with peer role-playing and mutual feedback. The posttest involved students’ rating their self-efficacy, and real patients and clinical supervisors evaluated their communication skills. No significant differences were found between self-efficacy and patient ratings. However, the clinical supervisors rated the intervention group’s communication skills to be significantly (
p
< 0.0001) superior. Assessments by clinical supervisors indicate that communication training modules including standardized patients and an OSCE are superior to communication training modules with peer role-playing.
Knowing Nursing Through Inquiry: Engaging Students in Knowledge Creation
Authors: Longo Fabiola , Lindsay Gail
Published: November 2011

Two nurse educators share a nursing knowledge course, which was created as a forum for questioning and discovery, thereby revealing a process of knowing nursing through inquiry. The process of inquiry in nursing praxis is emphasized, facilitating students’ understanding that they are knowledge-users and creators. With students, we explore the construction of praxis, which includes being/becoming (ontology), knowing (epistemology), and doing (actions with consequences). Nursing knowledge is understood to arise from philosophy, world views, nursing theories, patterns of knowing, evidence-based research, and standards of practice. Students are encouraged to critically reflect on and use what is congruent with their praxis and to construct new knowledge. Exemplars from nurse educators and students are presented as evidence of our claim for furthering the science of nursing education.
DESIGN OF A LOW-ENERGY ENVELOPE SYSTEM FOR AN APARTMENT BUILDING THROUGH AN INTEGRATED DESIGN PROCESS: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Ng K.L.R. , Liao Z. , Gorgolewski M. , Gurunlian L.
Published: November 2011

The potential to conserve energy in an apartment building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada through the implementation of an advanced envelope system was explored in this study. This paper illustrates the possibility in reducing energy demand through an integrated design process (IDP), where research outcomes were incorporated into the architectural design. Using the floor plan and schematics provided by the designer, a building energy model was established in an advanced simulation program to evaluate the performances of nine low-energy envelope design strategies in reducing the heating and cooling energy consumption. Through this study, it can be concluded that performing detailed energy simulations early in the design process to identify which low-energy envelope strategies can be omitted or substituted in the final envelope design is crucial in identifying the most effective strategies for improving energy performance. This study also demonstrates the potential of collaboration between academia and industry in generating high performance buildings.
A Review of CALL and L2 Reading
Authors: Askildson Lance R.
Published: November 2011

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the present state of second language reading research and computer-assisted glossing for reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Although computer-assisted language learning, in general, and computer-assisted glossing, in particular, are often cited as facilitative pedagogical and self-study tools for second language reading development (Chun, 2001; Al-Seghayer, 2003; Ko, 2005; Blake, 2007; Stockwell, 2011), the state of computer-assisted glossing research presents a much less compelling and far more nuanced picture of efficacy and facilitation (Ariew & Ercetin, 2004; Bowles, 2004; Taylor, 2006, 2009; AbuSeileek, 2008; Sato & Sazuki, 2010). Research on glossing for reading comprehension presents a mixed collection of findings suggesting facilitation (Leffa, 1992; Lomicka, 1998; Ko, 2005) and inhibition (Hegelheimer, 1997; Plass et al., 2003; Akbulut, 2005; Sakar & Ercetin, 2005), although affective and attentional benefits of glossing for reading comprehension are widely acknowledged. On the other hand, research on incidental vocabulary acquisition as a result of glossing – and particularly multimedia glossing – suggests significant effect and a compelling rationale for ulitization of glossing tools in classroom and self-study contexts (Ariew & Ercetin, 2004; AbuSeileek, 2008; Taylor, 2009; Stockwell, 2011; Aljabri, 2011).
Protection of Australia in the Cyber Age
Authors: Warren Matthew , Leitch Shona
Published: November 2011

Australia has developed sophisticated national security policies and physical security agencies to protect against current and future security threats associated with critical infrastructure protection and cyber warfare protection. In this paper, the authors examine some common security risks that face Australia and how government policies and strategies have been developed and changed over time, for example, the proposed Australian Homeland Security department. This paper discusses the different steps that Australia has undertaken in relation to developing national policies to deal with critical infrastructure protection.
Is it Really so 'Strategic'?
Authors: Lech Przemyslaw
Published: November 2011

This paper presents empirical research on motivational factors for investing in Enterprise Systems (ES), based on the survey conducted among project leaders. The results show that enterprises make investments in ES mostly to increase operational efficiency, provide managers with more accurate information and, which is interesting, to be able to continue the operations on the current level. Almost one third of examined enterprises indicated the replacement of an inefficient IT infrastructure with a new one enabling smooth operation of current business processes as the most important motivational factor for investments. The results of the research presented in this paper may help to understand the productivity paradox as they prove that many enterprises treat IT as a commodity rather than a strategic asset that generates significant business gains.
iChance
Authors: Wang Hao , Ohsawa Yukio
Published: November 2011

In the dynamic and competitive market, enterprises have to timely launch new as well as creative products and services to fulfill the consumers’ demands for occupying much more market share. Therefore, they all regard innovation as their strategic slogan. This paper presents a novel Web-based innovation support system (ISS) named iChance for collaborative innovation, such as idea generation and knowledge creation, based on Idea Discovery Model (IDM). iChance includes four main functional modules: (1) scenario-based innovation module, (2) requirement module, (3) communication module, and (4) toolbar module. The whole operating procedure of iChance is in accordance with one version of Innovators’ Market Game (IMG) which was invented by Ohsawa as a tool for aiding humans’ innovative thoughts and communication. Finally, case studies demonstrate all the principles of IMG are well realized in iChance system when applied in the early phase of product or service development.
Petri Nets and Discrete Events Systems
Authors: Guirao Juan L. G. , Pelayo Fernando L.
Published: November 2011

This paper provides an overview over the relationship between Petri Nets and Discrete Event Systems as they have been proved as key factors in the cognitive processes of perception and memorization. In this sense, different aspects of encoding Petri Nets as Discrete Dynamical Systems that try to advance not only in the problem of reachability but also in the one of describing the periodicity of markings and their similarity, are revised. It is also provided a metric for the case of Non-bounded Petri Nets.
Creating Secondary Learning Resources from Web Based Conversational Learning Around ‘Rational Usage of Medicines’ in Diabetes
Authors: Dayan Yaron Bar , de Oliveira Jose Mario F. , Jenkins Dean , Malik Sabreena , Biswas Rakesh
Published: November 2011

This paper is an exploratory approach to creating stimulating medical education resources in the form of interactive conversational learning between health professionals who present topics related to their practice either in the form of a case uncertainty or a general uncertainty around treatment decisions. Through these conversations, health professionals discover newer insights into the topic being discussed and learn actively along with an online group of health professionals who guide each other contextually through the discussion. doc2doc, BMJ Group’s global clinical online community, presents a unique platform for the above described activity. In this illustrative example, the authors look at the topic of ‘rational usage of medicines’ in diabetes.
DEAL
Authors: Genitsaridi Irini , Bikakis Antonis , Antoniou Grigoris
Published: November 2011

Authorization is an open problem in Ambient Intelligence environments. The difficulty of implementing authorization policies lies in the open and dynamic nature of such environments. The information is distributed among various heterogeneous devices that collect, process, change, and share it. Previous work presented a fully distributed approach for reasoning with conflicts in ambient intelligence systems. This paper extends previous results to address authorization issues in distributed environments. First, the authors present the formal high-level authorization language DEAL to specify access control policies in open and dynamic distributed systems. DEAL has rich expressive power by supporting negative authorization, rule priorities, hierarchical category authorization, and nonmonotonic reasoning. The authors then define the language semantics through Defeasible Logic. Finally, they demonstrate the capabilities of DEAL in a use case Ambient Intelligence scenario regarding a hospital facility.
A Collaborative Framework for Multiagent Systems
Authors: Ahmed Moamin , Ahmad Mohd Sharifuddin , Yusoff Mohd Zaliman M.
Published: November 2011

In this paper, the authors demonstrate the use of software agents to extend the role of humans in a collaborative work process. The extended roles to agents provide a convenient means for humans to delegate mundane tasks to software agents. The framework employs the FIPA ACL communication protocol which implements communication between agents. An interface for each agent implements the communication between humans and agents. Such interface and the subsequent communication performed by agents and between agents contribute to the achievement of shared goals.
Secure Video Transmission Against Black Hole Attack in MANETs
Authors: Umaparvathi M. , Varughese Dharmishtan K.
Published: November 2011

Mobile Adhoc Networks (MANETs) are open to a wide range of attacks due to their unique characteristics like dynamic topology, shared medium, absence of infrastructure, and resource constraints. Data packets sent by a source node may reach destination through a number of intermediate nodes. In the absence of security mechanism, it is easy for an intermediate node to intercept or modify the messages, thus attacking the normal operation of MANET. One such attack is Black hole attack, in which, a malicious node called Black hole node attracts all the traffic of the network towards itself, and discards all the packets without forwarding them to the intended recipients. This paper evaluates the performance of Adhoc on-demand Distance Vector (AODV) and its multi-path variant Adhoc On-demand Multi-path Distance Vector (AOMDV) routing protocols under black hole attack. Non-cryptographic solutions Secure Blackhole AODV (SBAODV) and Secure Blackhole AOMDV (SBAOMDV) have been proposed to mitigate the effect of black hole attack. Through NS-2 simulations, the performance of the proposed protocols with video streaming is analyzed. The results show that the proposed solutions provide better performance than the conventional AODV and AOMDV.
Trust in E-Commerce
Authors: Unsal Fahri , Komaromi Kurt , Erickson G. Scott
Published: November 2011

E-Commerce’s virtuality poses questions concerning trust between buyer and seller. Web 2.0 formats have provided new complications for these questions. Companies are creating more social networking sites, experimenting with ways to use such networks for marketing purposes. This paper explores the issue of trust in social networking site transactions vs. those at more established e-commerce sites. The authors apply the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess the level of trust in different types of e-commerce sites. TAM measures trust along several dimensions and includes potential explanatory factors, such as ease of use, perceived usefulness, search and research capabilities, security, value of product recommendations, and value of customer reviews. The authors directed the respondents to assess amazon.com, Facebook, and eBay—sites with different levels of institutional credibility and social networking affiliations. The data suggest definite differences exist between the sites, perhaps explained by institutional credibility and social networking.
What Drives a Successful Technology Implementation?
Authors: Kapoor Kawal , Dwivedi Yogesh   K. , Williams Michael D. , Singh Mohini , Hughes Mark J.
Published: November 2011

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is revolutionizing item identification and tracking. The technology demonstrates complexities in terms of (a) huge initial capital investment, (b) validating the need for RFID followed by its implementation decisions, (c) risks associated with consumer acceptance and consequences of incorrect implementation, and (d) capability to support enhancements and upgrades in cordial agreement with the individual implementer organizations. This paper explores the extent of RFID implementation at the Swansea University Library, examining the Social, Technological, Economic, and Managerial (STEM) aspects directly associated with implementation. A focused interview approach was resorted to, for data collection purposes. The core implementation team for RFID at Swansea University was interviewed to gain insights into the study’s areas of interest. It was found that self service is the most sought after benefit. It simplifies stock management and enhances security at the libraries. Although the cost of the system remains a concern, varying on the basis of the scale of implementation, vandalism also continues to exist but to a reduced degree. University libraries are public sector organizations, consequently leading these findings to have an insinuation for RFID implementations in other public sector organizations as well.