bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
University R&D Around the World
Authors: Betz Jack
Published: February 2015

R&D on Campus

As the task of finding and producing hydrocarbons becomes more difficult, complex, and costly, the number of universities focusing on finding solutions has risen. Whether the frontier is heavy oil, deep water, or remote locations, efforts within academia are under way to solve the next generation of technical challenges confronting hydrocarbon E&P operations. Because many noteworthy research and development (R&D) efforts exist at universities all over the world, the intent is not to cover all of them but to present a sampling from many geographical locations. Part 2 of this article will appear in the October issue of JPT.

The Pennsylvania State University was chartered in 1855 as Farmers’ High School, located in Centre County, Pennsylvania, USA. In 1862, the school officially changed its name to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania. The US Congress passed the Morrill Land-Grant Act in 1862. The act donated federal public land to each state. When each state sold the land, the proceeds were to be used for the endowment, support, and maintenance of at least one college where not just traditional classical studies would be offered, but agriculture and engineering would be taught in a new, practical, scientific manner.

Competing with five other schools, the Agricultural College received the Pennsylvania land-grant endowment in 1863 when the state legislature designated the college the land-grant institution of Pennsylvania. Penn State remains Pennsylvania’s only land-grant institution.

The school’s name was changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874. The college was elevated to university status in 1953 and renamed The Pennsylvania State University.

Penn State has taught petroleum-related classes since 1896 and today has an active upstream research program including studies on such topics as fluid dynamics, reservoir engineering, and improved oil and gas recovery. In addition, Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences established the Institute for Natural Gas Research in 2013, and several Penn State colleges fund the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, the university’s education and research initiative on unconventional gas plays.
Technology Focus: Completions (September 2014)
Authors: Clem Nicholas , Clem Nicholas
Published: February 2015

Technology Focus

Have you ever been tasked with explaining the oil and gas industry, or more specifically the completions sector, to a family member or friend? Of course you have. Unfortunately, there is no simple way to explain the complexities of our industry, especially to someone without prior knowledge. What usually happens is you find yourself oversimplifying and understating the importance of what we do on a daily basis. But the fact of the matter is that our industry and the challenges it presents have no easy explanation.

Completions is just one piece in the world’s largest jigsaw puzzle that is the oil and gas industry. From the wellhead to the casing shoe, including everything in between, all components and processes ultimately harmonize into a singular system aimed to provide a safe and efficient conduit for the production of one of Earth’s most valuable natural resources. Whether complementary or enabling, advances in completions technologies continue to push the realm of what is possible and allow the exploitation of assets that were deemed impossible previously.

Whether it is a remotely actuated valve set miles beneath the Earth’s surface, a milling tool with a voracious appetite, or a complementary suite of solutions that ignited a revolution, the end game is the same. It is this end game that leads to economic growth and ultimately an improved quality of life for people all around the globe. Without the continued advancement in technology required to meet the demands of the ever-evolving oil and gas industry, the production of energy would become jeopardized. It is this constant advancement of technology that makes the completions sector so unique and so critical to the process of energy production.

The following papers highlight just a few key technological breakthroughs that are certain to have an effect on how completions are designed and deployed for years to come. Reliability, efficiency, and production optimization are common themes that continue to resonate throughout the sector and are further supported by the papers selected for this feature. I am encouraged by the technologies being developed every day in this industry, but I am most excited about what is yet to come. JPT
A High-Pressure/High-Temperature Bridge Plug
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: February 2015

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 166382, ’A State-of-the-Art Completion Technological Innovation: The First 25,000-psi, 500°F Permanent Bridge Plug,’ by Tony Ruffo, SPE, Guijun Deng, SPE, James Doane, SPE, Gary Anderson, SPE, Douglas Lehr, SPE, and Scott Collins, SPE, Baker Hughes, prepared for the 2013 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, 30 September-2 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Conventional high-pressure/ high-temperature (HP/HT) packer and bridge-plug technology is generally limited to long-term operation at 15,000 psi and 450°F. A great deal of research-and-development effort has been put into extending performance beyond these limits. Recently, an innovative approach was applied to this problem, with the objectives of increasing these limits and enabling long-term isolation in ultra-HP/HT wells. This approach resulted in the development of an ultra-HP/HT permanent bridge plug for long-term exposure at 25,000-psi pressure and temperatures of 500°F.

Introduction

The process of completing an ultra- HP/HT well with temperatures approaching 500°F and hydrostatic pressures approaching 35,000 psi is evolving at a rapid pace, and the industry has identified a need for a standalone barrier to isolate the shoe track in these wells. This barrier is required in these applications to mitigate uncertainties related to shoe-track integrity. Historically, bridge plugs for use in ultra-HP/HT applications (greater than 20,000-psi differential pressure and 450°F) have not been available in the marketplace, but the demand for competent, long-term isolation has led to the development of new HP/HT technologies—specifically, ultra- HP/HT bridge plugs.

Recently, an operator of an ultra-HP/ HT well identified the need for a bridge plug capable of operation at a 25,000-psi pressure differential (from above and below) and at 500°F. This bridge plug was required to function in a 6?-in. outer diameter (OD) casing over the weight range of 57.58 to 60.1 lbm/ft. Furthermore, the bridge plug had to meet validation and International Organization of Standardization requirements and possess an estimated service life equal to that of the 6?-in. casing.

A materials-screening and -qualification program was used in the design of the bridge plug. The result was a list of three perfluoroelastomer compounds that were evaluated for various seal configurations. Three metallic alloys were also identified for use in the pressure-containing, structural, gripping, and sealing components in the bridge plug. A surface-treatment-qualification program also identified two coatings for use in combating friction and galling. This effort required 18 months.
Automated Managed-Pressure Drilling Protects Caprock Integrity
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: February 2015

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 170152, ’The Successful Application of Automated Managed-Pressure Drilling To Protect Caprock Integrity by Narrow-Margin Drilling in SAGD Wells,’ by Nadine Osayande, Elvin Mammadov, and Sheldon Sephton, Weatherford Canada, and Vincent Boucher, Suncor Energy, prepared for the 2014 SPE Heavy Oil Conference—Canada, Calgary, 10-12 June. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

This paper presents a drilling solution through application of an automated managed-pressure-drilling (MPD) technique proved to identify and react to actual wellbore pressures and detect and control gains and losses while still having the ability to maintain a constant bottomhole pressure (BHP) while drilling through tight windows. The paper demonstrates the successful application of advanced automated MPD technologies on the Dover well close to Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada.

Introduction

A well in the Dover field had multiple failures in the liner that resulted in excessive sand production, causing the well to be shut in. After reviewing the options of well repair or redrilling the horizontal section to install a new slotted liner, it was determined that redrilling was the best option.

After the well-schematic analysis and in collaboration with the operator, the combination of a proprietary control system and MPD techniques was recommended along with a water-based mud (WBM) weight to drill the well and still be able to maintain the BHP required to overbalance the formation. The capability to detect microinfluxes/-losses while drilling, combined with an automated control system covering the drilling parameters [including the surface backpressure (SBP) and constant BHP], allowed the well to be drilled while maintaining the downhole pressure values as required.

This approach additionally mitigated the challenges with weighted-WBM systems. For this particular well, reservoir temperature had cooled down to 145°C. If the well was not circulated for a period of time during drilling operation, mud temperature would increase, which would lead to the breakdown of the polymers and the loss of suspension of weighting material, effectively reducing the density to values near water density, thus creating an underbalanced situation.

Redrilling a producer well in a shallow, overpressured, hot reservoir was a first for the operator in this area. Typically, during any completion workover, full fluid/mud losses occur, so the potential of these to occur during drilling operations was considered high.
Sulfide-Scale-Formation and -Inhibition Tests for a Gas-Condensate Field
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: February 2015

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 169798, ’Sulfide-Scale-Formation and -Inhibition Tests for a Gas/ Condensate Field With Severe Scaling Conditions,’ by Cyril Okocha and Kenneth S. Sorbie, Heriot-Watt University; Christian Hurtevent and Salima Baraka-Lokmane, Total; and Marcus Rossiter, Total E&P, prepared for the 2014 SPE International Oilfield Scale Conference and Exhibition, Aberdeen, 14-15 May. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

This paper describes various sulfide inhibitor-testing techniques that have been applied to candidate products for the management of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and lead sulfide (PbS) in a gas/ condensate field with a known relatively severe ZnS/PbS scaling problem. The paper presents sulfide static- and dynamic-test measurements along with thermal-aging results that show some encouraging results in terms of ZnS/ PbS inhibition.

Glenelg Field

The Glenelg field is a gas/condensate field discovered in 1999 by exploration; production began in 2006. Glenelg is located in the southern part of the central graben of the North Sea, and it is part of an area where there have been a number of gas/condensate discoveries within Jurassic and Triassic (Fulmar) sandstone formations. For a geological description of the field, please see the complete paper. The Glenelg reservoir has three producing layers (A, B, and C), with the top of the reservoir at approximately 5815-m true vertical depth with diverse reservoir characteristics: thickness ranging from approximately 50 to 150 m, porosity of between 13 and 17%, permeability between 0.3 and 60 md, and water saturations in the range of approximately 28–89%.

Scaling-risk studies for Glenelg show that the primary scaling risk is from calcium carbonate (CaCO3) both in the well and in the production facilities, with halite in the production facilities attributable to the high salinity, as is the case with other high-pressure/ high-temperature gas/condensate wells nearby. However, pressure/volume/temperature studies showed hydrogen sulfide (H2S) content at approximately 30 ppm, with anticipated levels of H2S at approximately 55 ppm during production, although approximately 5 ppm was measured from core barrels. The petrographic reservoir-characterization and -connectivity study shows evidence of pyrite, sphalerite, bitumen, and iron minerals in the reservoir. The presence of H2S is indicated to be as a result of thermochemical sulfate reduction.
Water Retention Characteristics and Pore Structure of Binary Mixtures
Authors: Sakaki Toshihiro , Smits Kathleen M.
Published: February 2015

The mixing of different sized soil particles is known to affect soil properties such as density, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and soil water retention. To better understand how the mixing controls soil water retention characteristics, a set of laboratory experiments was performed using binary mixtures of coarse and fine particles with seven different mixing fractions. For each mixture, the water retention characteristics, porosity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were obtained. To enhance the effects of mixing, coarse and fine sands with a relatively large particle size contrast were used. Results showed that at equal to or above the fine fraction of ∼0.3, the fine particles controlled the behavior. Starting from the fine‐only sample, introducing more coarse particles to the fine particles led to rather gradual changes in the water retention characteristics. Wall effects at the coarse–fine particle interfaces were presumed to be responsible for the changes in the water retention curves. The water retention curves for the mixtures with a fine fraction lower than 0.3 were controlled by the coarse particles yielding the displacement pressure similar to that of the coarse sand. Furthermore, it was inferred that different mixing fractions led to different spectra of pore sizes, suggesting that a parametric model with sufficient flexibility is needed to describe the water retention characteristics of binary mixtures.
Fatigue behavior of calcium containing AZ91 magnesium alloys*
Authors: Amberger Dorothea , Blickle Tina , Höppel Heinz Werner , Göken Mathias
Published: February 2015

The low density of magnesium alloys makes them attractive for light weight constructions. However, important aspects are the rather poor mechanical properties of the most commonly used Mg alloy AZ91 (approximately 9 wt.-% Al, 1 wt.-% Zn), which limits its use in, e. g., power train applications. Alloying AZ91 with Ca leads to a significant improvement of creep resistance. To investigate the influence of the Ca addition on the fatigue behavior, symmetric push pull tests have been performed on AZ91 alloys with an addition of 0, 1 and 3 wt.-% of Ca, respectively. At relatively high amplitudes, the Ca containing alloys show a decrease in fatigue life compared to Ca-free AZ91. However, with a decrease in amplitude, the fatigue life of the alloy with 3 wt.-% Ca are comparable with the Ca-free AZ91 alloy and with a further decrease in amplitude the alloy with an addition of 3 wt.-% Ca has an even higher fatigue life than the Ca-free alloy. All alloys contain pores due to the casting process.
Short, Intermediate and Long Term Follow up of Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect (Secundum) Cases: Thirteen Years Experience with Special Reference to Complications
Authors: Fatema Nurun Nahar
Published: February 2015

Background: Device closure of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Secundum type is gaining popularity because of short learning curve, cosmetic benefits, reduced hospital stay, reduced working hour loss, reduced pain, less or no need for general anesthesia etc. In most centers this is the first choice of therapy comparing to surgical closure. The major concern recently is related to development of erosion and aortic regurgitation. Objective of our study is to review the outcome of our cases over last 13 years with special reference to complication in our series and review from literatures. Methods: One thousand and twenty patients with secundum ASD with indication for closure, age 8 months to (median 11 years) 68 years from December 2000 to December 2013 were included in the study. Patient were followed up after device closure at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months and yearly thereafter with ECG, CXR, and Echocardiography. One hundred and seventy two cases were lost from follow up after first year. Results: Device was implanted on 1020 patient but tried on 1075 patient. Forty one cases postponed after balloon sizing and 12 for unstable position of device or mashrooming deformity of device. Immediate complications were ST changes (n=12), transient arrhythmia (n=4), residual shunt (n=7) etc. Immediate major complication was embolization of device (n=2). There was no late embolization, thromboembolic events, erosion, pericardial effusion, aortic regurgitation in follow up. Mean follow up time was 6.9 years (8 month to 13 years). Residual shunt was abolished in all patients other than those having another uncovered ASD (2 cases). Conclusion: Device closure of ASD is safe and effective in short, intermediate and long term follow up without any major late complication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v7i2.22248 Cardiovasc. j. 2015; 7(2): 85-92
The Pattern of Cardiac Disease at Coronary Care Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital
Authors: Chowdhury Abdul Wadud , Alam Nur , Khan HI Lutfur Rahman , Sabah Khandker Md Nurus , Amin Mohammad Gaffar
Published: February 2015

Background: Epidemiological transition which is taking place in every part of the world, among all races, ethnic groups and cultures has resulted in the global rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. We tried to assess the pattern of cardiac disease at coronary care unit (CCU) of tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted among the patients admitted at CCU of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) during the period of 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010. A total of 2415 patients were included in the study. Results: A total 2415 patients in the year 2010, were admitted at CCU of DMCH, among them 56% (n=1346) were male and 44% (n=1069) were female. Out of total admitted patients 220 (9%) were below 30 years of age and 588 ( 24%) & 1607 (67 %) were the age group of 31 to 44 years and 45 years and above age group respectively. Among the disease group ischemic heart disease( IHD) (45%) was the most common cause of hospitalization followed by heart failure (HF) (16%) valvular heart disease (9%), hypertension (7%) and arrhythmia (2%). Acute myocardial infarction (30 %) was the leading cause of IHD followed by unstable angina (15%). Conclusion: This study has found that almost three-quarters of cardiac disease were due to IHD, HF and valvular heart disease in decreasing order of frequency. Countries like Bangladesh can be able to spend very little resources to address those cardiovascular diseases. Along with public as well as private sector efforts, public awareness about the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases should be improved to reduce this sort mortality and morbidity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v7i2.22259 Cardiovasc. j. 2015; 7(2): 119-122
Therapeutic Advances in Thrombosis
Authors: Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful
Published: February 2015

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v7i2.22268 Cardiovasc. j. 2015; 7(2): 166-167
Regional Observed Trends in Daily Rainfall Indices of Extremes over the Indochina Peninsula from 1960 to 2007
Authors: Yazid Muhammad , Humphries Usa
Published: February 2015

This study analyzed the trends of extreme daily rainfall indices over the Indochina Peninsula from 1960 to 2007. The trends were obtained from high-resolution gridded daily rainfall data compiled by APHRODITE with coordinates of 4°N–25°N and 90E°–112°E. The indices were selected from the list of climate change indices recommended by ETCCDI, which is a joint group of WMO CCl, CLIVAR and JCOMM. The indices are based on the number of heavy rainfall days (≥10 mm), number of very heavy rainfall days (≥20 mm), number of extremely heavy rainfall days (≥25 mm), consecutive dry days (<1 mm), consecutive wet days (≥1 mm), daily maximum rainfall, five-day maximum rainfall, annual wet-day rainfall total, Simple Daily Intensity Index, very wet days, and extremely wet days. The indices were simulated by calculating different extreme characteristics according to wet and dry conditions, frequency, and intensity. Linear trends were calculated by using a least squares fit and significant or non-significant trends were identified using the Mann–Kendall test. The results of this study revealed contrasting trends in extreme rainfall in eastern and western Indochina Peninsula. The changes in extreme rainfall events in the east primarily indicate positive trends in the number of heavy rainfall days, very heavy rainfall days, extremely heavy rainfall days, consecutive wet days and annual wet-day rainfall total, with significant trends at times. These events correlated with the northeastern monsoon that influences the Indochina Peninsula from October to February annually. The results in the west primarily indicate negative trends in consecutive wet days, where significant trends were correlated with decreasing number of annual wet-day rainfall total, heavy rainfall days, very heavy rainfall days, and extremely heavy rainfall days. Daily maximum rainfall, five-day maximum rainfall, very wet days, and extremely wet days show random positive (negative) significant (non-significant) trends, while the simple daily intensity index shows positive trends that dominate the southern part of the Indochina Peninsula, with some grids show significant trends.
Common Genetic Risk for Melanoma Encourages Preventive Behavior Change
Authors: Diseati Lori , Scheinfeldt Laura , Kasper Rachel , Zhaoyang Ruixue , Gharani Neda , Schmidlen Tara , Gordon Erynn , Sessions Cecili , Delaney Susan , Jarvis Joseph , Gerry Norman , Christman Michael
Published: February 2015

There is currently great interest in using genetic risk estimates for common disease in personalized healthcare. Here we assess melanoma risk-related preventive behavioral change in the context of the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC). As part of on-going reporting activities within the project, participants received a personalized risk assessment including information related to their own self-reported family history of melanoma and a genetic risk variant showing a moderate effect size (1.7, 3.0 respectively for heterozygous and homozygous individuals). Participants who opted to view their report were sent an optional outcome survey assessing risk perception and behavioral change in the months that followed. Participants that report family history risk, genetic risk, or both risk factors for melanoma were significantly more likely to increase skin cancer preventive behaviors when compared to participants with neither risk factor (ORs = 2.04, 2.79, 4.06 and p-values = 0.02, 2.86 × 10−5, 4.67 × 10−5, respectively), and we found the relationship between risk information and behavior to be partially mediated by anxiety. Genomic risk assessments appear to encourage positive behavioral change in a manner that is complementary to family history risk information and therefore may represent a useful addition to standard of care for melanoma prevention.
Damping Enhancement of Composite Panels by Inclusion of Shunted Piezoelectric Patches: A Wave-Based Modelling Approach
Authors: Chronopoulos Dimitrios , Collet Manuel , Ichchou Mohamed
Published: February 2015

The waves propagating within complex smart structures are hereby computed by employing a wave and finite element method. The structures can be of arbitrary layering and of complex geometric characteristics as long as they exhibit two-dimensional periodicity. The piezoelectric coupling phenomena are considered within the finite element formulation. The mass, stiffness and piezoelectric stiffness matrices of the modelled segment can be extracted using a conventional finite element code. The post-processing of these matrices involves the formulation of an eigenproblem whose solutions provide the phase velocities for each wave propagating within the structure and for any chosen direction of propagation. The model is then modified in order to account for a shunted piezoelectric patch connected to the composite structure. The impact of the energy dissipation induced by the shunted circuit on the total damping loss factor of the composite panel is then computed. The influence of the additional mass and stiffness provided by the attached piezoelectric devices on the wave propagation characteristics of the structure is also investigated.
Aromatic Medicinal Plants from Tajikistan (Central Asia)
Authors: Sharopov Farukh , Zhang Hanjing , Wink Michael , Setzer William
Published: February 2015

Tajikistan is a small country located in Central Asia. The mostly mountainous terrain with a continental, subtropical, and semiarid climate, is characterized by diverse flora. Many people in Tajikistan rely on medicinal plants as their traditional form of medicine to prevent and cure health disorders. Aromatic medicinal plants, in particular, have played an important role for the local people. In this review, we present a summary of the uses of 18 aromatic medicinal plants from Tajikistan and their compositions of secondary metabolites.
Anti-Proliferative Effect and Induction of Apoptosis in Androgen-Independent Human Prostate Cancer Cells by 1,5-Bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4-pentadiene-3-one
Authors: Citalingam Kamini , Abas Faridah , Lajis Nordin , Othman Iekhsan , Naidu Rakesh
Published: February 2015

Curcumin has poor in vivo absorption and bioavailability, highlighting a need for new curcumin analogues with better characteristics in these aspects. The aim of this study is to determine the anti-cancer properties of four selected curcumin analogues, on the cytotoxicity, proliferative and apoptotic effects on androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and DU 145). Initial cytotoxicity screening showed MS17 has the highest cell inhibitory effect, with EC50 values of 4.4 ± 0.3 and 4.1 ± 0.8 µM, followed by MS13 (7.5 ± 0.1 and 7.4 ± 2.6 µM), MS49 (14.5 ± 1.2 and 12.3 ± 2.3 µM) and MS40E (28.0 ± 7.8 and 30.3 ± 1.9 µM) for PC-3 and DU 145 cells, respectively. Time-dependent analysis also revealed that MS13 and MS17 displayed a greater anti-proliferative effect than the other compounds. MS17 was chosen based on the high selectivity index value for further analysis on the morphological and biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis. Fluorescence microscopy analysis revealed apoptotic changes in both treated prostate cancer cells. Relative caspase-3 activity increased significantly at 48 h in PC-3 and 12 h in DU 145 cells. Highest enrichment of free nucleosomes was noted at 48 h after treatment with MS17. In conclusion, MS17 demonstrated anti-proliferative effect and induces apoptosis in a time and dose-dependent manner suggesting its potential for development as an anti-cancer agent for androgen-independent prostate cancer.
Nutritional Value and Volatile Compounds of Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) Seeds
Authors: García-Aguilar Leticia , Rojas-Molina Alejandra , Ibarra-Alvarado César , Rojas-Molina Juana , Vázquez-Landaverde Pedro , Luna-Vázquez Francisco , Zavala-Sánchez Miguel
Published: February 2015

Prunus serotina (black cherry), commonly known in Mexico as capulín, is used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases. Particularly, P. serotina seeds, consumed in Mexico as snacks, are used for treating cough. In the present study, nutritional and volatile analyses of black cherry seeds were carried out to determine their nutraceutical potential. Proximate analysis indicated that P. serotina raw and toasted seeds contain mostly fat, followed by protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and ash. The potassium content in black cherry raw and toasted seeds is high, and their protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores suggest that they might represent a complementary source of proteins. Solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography/flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry analysis allowed identification of 59 and 99 volatile compounds in the raw and toasted seeds, respectively. The major volatile compounds identified in raw and toasted seeds were 2,3-butanediol and benzaldehyde, which contribute to the flavor and odor of the toasted seeds. Moreover, it has been previously demonstrated that benzaldehyde possesses a significant vasodilator effect, therefore, the presence of this compound along with oleic, linoleic, and α-eleostearic fatty acids indicate that black cherry seeds consumption might have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
Le roman comme déploiement symbolique du rêve : la thématique du rêve dans l’oeuvre de Milan Kundera [The Novel as an Emblematic Developing of a Dream : On the Topic of Dream in Milan Kundera’s Work]
Authors: Češka Jakub
Published: February 2015

The Novel as an Emblematic Developing of a Dream : On the Topic of Dream in Milan Kundera’s Work

The study is focused on the motif (or rather subject matter) of dream in Milan Kundera’s work. The examination of this motif doesn’t restrict itself neither to Kundera’s authorial comments nor to the frequency of this motif in his writings. Dream (dreamy experience) is treated here as the proper origin (birth, cause, motif) of writing (narration, novel). Since the author can be declared as the interpreter of dreams, it is in this way possible to reconstruct originality (and origin) of authorial subject (which classical narratology systematically suppressed). This also enables to inscribe non-textual subjects (author and reader) into the space of semiosis. From this point of view it’s possible to infer that the reader finds common ground with the author only insofar as the reader handles the novel as the developing analogy instead of insisting on distinctive objectiveness.
Persistance de l’Absurde dans la dramaturgie tchèque post-1989 [The Persistent Use of the Absurd in Post-1989 Czech Dramatic Art]
Authors: Boutin Véronique
Published: February 2015

The Persistent Use of the Absurd in Post-1989 Czech Dramatic Art

The quest of the existence of the world and its uncertain boundaries runs the risk of confronting itself with existentialist fears. Both contemporary Czech playwrights Antonín Přidal and Petr Zelenka who wrote respectively Noc potom and Příběhy obyčejného

šílentsví (2001), give us two plays with the notion of the Absurd, thus perpetrating the Czech literary tradition. Pridal’s ‘ in camera’ gives a vision of an illogical dreamlike universe in which Blanche, the protagonist accused of being a nark for the communist regime, is looking for a meaning to her life while dreaming of finding the witness who will rehabilitate her. With Zelenka, Petr can’t face the brutal reality of the world and sinks deep into a grotesque madness which will lead him to committing suicide, a suicide his mother had foreseen in her dream. Both plays reflect the post-1989 society without being political pamphlets and invite us to encounter characters who are incapable of adapting to today’s world.
Le changement de construction des numéraux supérieurs à « cinq » en vieux slave [The New Syntax of Numerals Higher Than ‘5’ in Old Church Slavonic (OCS)]
Authors: Le Feuvre Claire
Published: February 2015

The New Syntax of Numerals Higher Than ‘ 5’ in Old Church Slavonic (OCS)

In the new syntactic pattern of numerals higher than ‘ 5’, the quantified noun agrees with the numeral, instead of being a complement in the Genitive plural. The new pattern is limited to oblique cases, and the majority of instances in OCS are found in prepositional phrases. This leads to the following hypothesis : in prepositional phrases with prepositions governing the Genitive case, the quantified noun in the Genitive, governed by the numeral, was reanalyzed as governed by the preposition, and promoted to the status of head of the numeral phrase, the numeral becoming a modifier, as is the case for smaller numerals from ‘ 1’ to ‘ 4’. The extension to non prepositional oblique cases seems to be secondary. The immediate model, however, are not the smaller numerals, but the quantifiers of indefinite quantity such as koliko, which are characterized by a structural opposition between [ Quant. NGen.] in the direct cases, the quantifier being the head, and [ Quant. x Nx] in the oblique cases, where the quantified noun is the head and the quantifier an agreeing modifier. This structural opposition is old, and probably inherited for this type of non numeral quantifiers, it is found also in Latin (Nom. Acc. quantum argenti, but Abl. quanto argento, with determiner quantus agreeing with the head argento : the quantified noun

argenti, which is a modifier in the direct cases, is promoted to the status of head of the noun phrase in the oblique cases). The coexistence of two syntactic patterns for the quantifiers of indefinite quantity, in Slavic or in Latin, is justified from the semantic point of view, it is used to differenciate the function of evaluation (‘ how big ?’) and the function of quantification (‘ how many / how much ?’) of the same morphemes quantus/ quantum, kolikъ/ koliko. The numerals higher than ‘ 5’ borrowed this model through reanalysis in prepositional phrases : for numerals this syntactic duality is not meaningful, it merely reproduces that of the model. It is not necessary to assume with Žolobov 2006 that complex numerals such as ‘ 20’, ‘ 30’ played a role in the extension of the new syntactic pattern.
Les numéraux en BCMS (bosniaque-croatemonténégrin- serbe) : norme et usage, formes concurrentes et stratégies des locuteurs [Numerals in BCMS (Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian) Language : Norm and Usage, Concurrent Forms and Speakers’ Strategies]
Authors: Thomas Paul-Louis
Published: February 2015

Brojevi u BCHS (bosanskomcrnogorskom-hrvatskom-srpskom) jeziku : norma i uzus, konkurentni oblici i strategije govornika

Članak obrađuje konflikte između norme i uzusa u upotrebi brojeva BCHS jezika, koji zadaju teškoće ne samo onima koji uče jezik, već i izvornim govornicima. U standardima je ponekad moguće više konstrukcija, sa eventualnim semantičkim ili stilskim razlikama, dok neke druge konstrukcije koriste govornici, ali ih norma odbacuje. Stanje u dijalektima i regionalne razlike takođe otežavaju situaciju. Izbor nekog broja zavisi od imenice : zbirni ili kardinalni (osnovni) brojevi za grupe ljudi različitog pola i uz zbirne imenice ; brojni pridevi, kardinalni ili zbirni brojevi uz pluralia tantum i imena predmeta u parovima (uz ovo i upotreba imenice par za predmete tipa pantalone, makaze…), brojne imenice, kardinalni ili zbirni brojevi za grupe muškog pola. Zbog toga što su u savremenom jeziku neki brojevi nepromenljivi, a deklinacija nekih drugih sve ređa u uzusu, pojavljuje se konkurencija između konstrukcija sa promenama po padežima (više književnih, ponekad malo arhaičnih) i bez promena (više kolokvijalnih). Dolazi do upotrebe analitičkih konstrukcija (sa tri prsta) u inače sinkretskom

BCHS jeziku. Izvesni iskazi («Elle a donné de l’argent à ses sept enfants » ) ne mogu se bukvalno prevesti na

BCHS.
Déplacer les savoirs. Discours savant et fiction romanesque chez Sade et Diderot
Authors: Wenger Alexandre
Published: February 2015

Une théorie savante ne produit pas les mêmes effets de lecture selon qu’elle est exposée sous la forme dogmatique du traité, ou qu’elle est présentée dans une fiction, exprimée par des personnages singuliers. Dans cet article, nous nous intéressons au déplacement d’une théorie savante vers le roman : à quel type de travail littéraire ce phénomène de transposition correspond-il ? De quelle valeur esthétique l’importation d’une idée savante dans l’espace de la fiction est-elle porteuse ? Enfin, un tel déplacement s’accompagne-t-il d’outils conceptuels spécifiques pour penser les relations entre science et littérature ? Notre réflexion se fonde sur deux exemples : le premier porte sur la manière dont Sade utilise la théorie naturaliste de Jean-Baptiste Robinet (1735-1820) lorsqu’il compose La Nouvelle Justine . Le second concerne la manière dont Diderot s’est réapproprié la théorie organiciste de Théophile de Bordeu (1722-1776) dans Le Rêve de d’Alembert .
Béroalde de Verville et le transfert des savoirs
Authors: Adam Véronique
Published: February 2015

L’œuvre de Béroalde est une zone commune de transfert entre des savoirs auxquels il confère les mêmes fonctions. Cette identité les inscrit dans un paradoxe entre d’un côté, un auteur porteur de savoirs, transférant un savoir vers un autre, une culture dans une autre, et de l’autre côté, la définition d’un savoir exigeant une pratique personnelle et empêchant la transmission. Convoqués dans l’œuvre romanesque, les savoirs scientifiques se matérialisent dans des machines réflexives et mettent en évidence la permanence de la question de la mimesis liant sans rupture science et littérature, toutes deux soucieuses de vérité. La littérature en exposant les savoirs adopte leurs nouveaux objets. À l’inverse, elle peut modifier un traité des sciences et techniques, en transformant son objet en un sujet totalement poétique et vecteur d’analogies. Le transfert de savoirs maintient donc dans un corpus hétérogène des questions d’abord esthétiques et littéraires.
Théorie économique de la ville discontinue
Authors: Pouyanne Guillaume
Published: February 2015

L’urbanisation discontinue est une forme de l’étalement urbain, caractérisée par la coexistence d’espaces construits et non construits. Cet article effectue une revue de la littérature sur les mécanismes théoriques de l’urbanisation discontinue. Ils sont classés en deux catégories, qui suivent les deux conceptions traditionnelles de l’espace en économie. Dans la première conception, l’espace est homogène. L’urbanisation discontinue est produite par le comportement spéculatif des propriétaires fonciers, qui réservent leur terrain en anticipant une appréciation de celui-ci. Dans la deuxième conception, l’espace est hétérogène. La présence d’externalités d’usage du sol, créées par les espaces ouverts, induit alors de la discontinuité dans le processus d’urbanisation, dont l’ampleur dépend des attributs des espaces ouverts, ainsi que de leur degré de sanctuarisation par les politiques de zonage. Enfin, nous identifions plusieurs pistes de recherche permettant de progresser dans notre compréhension de l’urbanisation discontinue, tant méthodologiques que théoriques.
Use of Student Clinical Partner Dyads as a Teaching Strategy to Facilitate Learning
Authors: Ott Lora K. , Succheralli Lauren
Published: February 2015

Collaborative learning has been used effectively in the classroom, but it is not well understood in the clinical setting. Student clinical partner (SCP) dyads were used as an intentional teaching method to foster teamwork, learning, and confidence. Students were assigned a patient and a student partner. SCP dyads were expected to provide complete care to their assigned patient, listen to report for their partner’s patient, prioritize patient needs, participate in learning experiences for all assigned patients, and function as a team. Students (
n
= 26) compared their clinical rotation with SCP dyads to their clinical rotations without SCP dyads. The majority strongly agreed that SCP dyads had a positive impact on teamwork (74%), learning experiences (58%), and student clinical confidence (62%). Reflective journals stated that SCP dyads increased exposure to patient care activities, confidence in management, prioritization, teamwork, and time with the faculty. [
J Nurs Educ.
2015;54(3):169–172.]
Systematic and Deliberate Orientation and Instruction for Dedicated Education Unit Staff
Authors: Smyer Tish , Tejada Marianne Bundalian , Tan Rhigel Alforque
Published: February 2015

On the basis of increasing complexity of the health care environment and recommended changes in how nurses are educated to meet these challenges, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, School of Nursing established an academic–practice partnership with Summerlin Hospital Medical Center to develop a dedicated education unit (DEU). When the DEU model was implemented, variables that were not discussed in the literature needed to be addressed. One such challenge was how to impart pedagogy related to clinical teaching to the DEU nursing staff who would be acting as clinical dedicated unit instructors (CDIs). Of chief concern was the evaluation and monitoring of the quality of CDI–student interactions to ensure optimal student learning outcomes. This article addresses the development of a deliberate, systematic approach to the orientation and continued education of CDIs in the DEU. This information will assist other nursing programs as they begin to implement DEUs. [
J Nurs Educ.
2015;54(3):165–168.]
An Augmented Virtuality Based Solar Energy Power Calculator in Electrical Engineering
Authors: Onime Clement Ehimika Ohireime , Uhomoibhi James , Pietrosemoli Ermanno
Published: February 2015

It is becoming increasingly important to include information about power generation from renewable energy sources in the training of electrical engineers. Solar energy is arguably the most common renewable energy source in use today. Providing practical hands-on training on solar energy power generation today requires the use of photovoltaic panel devices which are used for transforming solar energy into electrical energy.

In many developing countries, practical hands-on training on solar power generation is limited due to the cost of photovoltaic panel devices and so the training consists of theoretical and tutorial classes sometimes supported by remote and virtual laboratories.

This paper presents an augmented virtuality tool where real-time information from a mobile device’s sensors is used directly within a virtual or computer generated environment. The tool provides a practical context for hands-on tutorial exercises on solar energy power generation.
Cyclostationary Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radios at Low SNR Regimes
Authors: Derakhshani Mahsa , Le-Ngoc Tho , Nasiri-Kenari Masoumeh
Published: February 2015

Spectrum sensing is one of the key elements in the establishment of cognitive radio. One of the most effective approaches for spectrum sensing is cyclostationary feature detection. Since modulated signals can be modeled as cyclostationary random signals, this feature can be used to recognize the cyclostationary modulated signal in a background of stationary noise even at low SNR regimes. This chapter reviews non-cooperative cyclostationary sensing approaches and reports recent advances in cooperative cyclostationary sensing algorithms. New results for cooperative cyclostationary spectrum sensing are then presented, which ensure better performance as well as faster and simpler operation. In the proposed schemes, each Secondary User (SU) performs Single-Cycle (SC) cyclostationary detection for fast and simple implementation, while collaboration between SUs in final decision on the presence or absence of the PU is explored to improve its performance. Furthermore, this chapter presents another look at the performance evaluation of cyclostationary detectors in terms of deflection coefficients.
Spectrum Sensing Using Principal Components for Multiple Antenna Cognitive Radios
Authors: Bhatti Farrukh A. , Rowe Gerard B. , Sowerby Kevin W.
Published: February 2015

This chapter presents an experimental comparative analysis of the well-known Covariance-Based Detection (CBD) techniques, which include Covariance Absolute Value (CAV), Maximum-Minimum Eigenvalue (MME), Energy with Minimum Eigenvalue (EME), and Maximum Eigenvalue Detection (MED). CBD techniques overcome the noise uncertainty issue of the Energy Detector (ED) and can even outperform ED in the case of correlated signals. They can perform accurate blind detection given sufficient number of signal samples. This chapter also presents a novel CBD algorithm that is based on Principal Component (PC) analysis. A Software-Defined Radio (SDR)-based multiple antenna system is used to evaluate the detection performance of the considered algorithms. The PC algorithm significantly outperforms the MED and EME algorithms and it also outperforms MME and CAV algorithms in certain cases.
Spectral Sensing Performance for Feature-Based Signal Detection with Imperfect Training
Authors: Thai Quang , Reisenfeld Sam
Published: February 2015

In this chapter, the effect of imperfect training data on feature-based signal detection is explored, as it relates to both training time and detection performance in a cognitive radio system. The improved performance of feature-based detection comes at the cost of either having to know in advance the signal features present in primary user transmissions (an unrealistic assumption) or learning them whilst operating “in the field.” Such learning, however, necessarily takes place with signal sets which do not perfectly represent the features of the primary users' modulated signals. Using a two-stage detector performing both feature training and sensing functions, it is shown in this chapter that reducing the learning time generally results in poorer detection performance and vice-versa. A suitable trade-off between these two outcomes is obtained by optimizing a cost function that takes both factors into consideration. Cyclostationarity detection is specifically considered.
Precoder Design for Cognitive Multiuser Multi-Way Relay Systems Using MSE Criterion
Authors: Mu Hua , Tugnait Jitendra K.
Published: February 2015

In this chapter, the authors discuss the design of precoders in cognitive multi-user multi-way relay systems. When multiple secondary users intend to communicate with each other using the spectrum licensed to the primary user, how to manage the interference between primary and secondary networks as well as among multiple secondary users becomes an important design issue. They discuss one possible solution of using a relay station as well as multiple antenna techniques. Precoding design in such a relay supported multiple antenna secondary network is presented based on the Mean Square Error (MSE) design criterion. The joint design of precoding matrices at all the secondary nodes is a non-convex problem. Therefore, an iterative algorithm is proposed to iteratively optimize the precoding matrices at secondary transmitters, the precoding matrix at the secondary relay, and decoding matrices at secondary receivers. Other non-iterative solutions are also presented to strike a balance between performance and complexity.