bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents on the Mental Health of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Fabrazzo Michele , Zampino Rosa , Vitrone Martina , Sampogna Gaia , Del Gaudio Lucia , Nunziata Daniela , Agnese Salvatore , Santagata Anna , Durante-Mangoni Emanuele , Fiorillo Andrea
Published: July 2020

In chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, interferon-based treatments showed toxicity, limited efficacy, and psychiatric manifestations. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents appeared safer, though it remains unclear if they may exacerbate or foster mood symptoms in drug-naïve CHC patients. We evaluated 62 CHC patients’ mental status, before and 12 weeks after DAA therapy, by assessment scales and psychometric instruments. We subdivided patients into two groups, CHC patients with (Group A) or without (Group B) a current and/or past psychiatric history. After DAA treatment, Group A patients showed low anxiety and improved depression, no variation in self-report distress, but worse general health perceptions. No significant difference emerged from coping strategies. Depression and anxiety improved in Group B, and no change emerged from total self-reported distress, except for somatization. Moreover, Group B increased problem-focused strategies for suppression of competing activities, and decreased strategies of instrumental social support. Contrarily, Group B reduced significantly emotion-focused strategies, such as acceptance and mental disengagement, and improved vitality, physical and social role functioning. DAA therapy is safe and free of hepatological and psychiatric side effects in CHC patients, regardless of current and/or past psychiatric history. In particular, patients without a psychiatric history also remarkably improved their quality of life.
Targeted High Volume Hemofiltration Could Avoid Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Some Patients with Severe Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome
Authors: López René , Pérez-Araos Rodrigo , Salazar Álvaro , Espinoza Mauricio , Vial Cecilia , Cuiza Analia , Vial Pablo A. , Graf Jerónimo
Published: July 2020

Background: Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) has a high lethality. About two-thirds of the severe cases may be rescued by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, about half of the patients supported by ECMO suffer major complications. High volume hemofiltration (HVHF) is a depurative extracorporeal support that provides homeostatic balance allowing hemodynamic stabilization in some critically ill patients. Methods: We implemented HVHF prior to ECMO consideration in the last five severe HCPS patients requiring mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs admitted to our intensive care unit. Patients were considered HVHF-responders if ECMO was avoided and nonresponders if ECMO support was needed. Results: The first two patients required ECMO, while the last three did not. Patients had a maximum serum lactate of 8.4 [4.3-14] mMol/L and a lowest cardiac index of 1.76 [1.45-2.9] L/min/m2. Nonresponders were connected later to HVHF, displayed progressive tachycardia and decreasing stroke volume. The opposite was true for HVHF-responders who also received targeted-HVHF compounded by aggressive hyperoncotic albumin, sodium bicarbonate and calcium supplementation plus ultrafiltration to avoid fluid overload. All patients survived, but one of the ECMO patients suffered a vascular complication. Conclusion: HVHF may contribute to support severe HCPS patients avoiding the need for ECMO in some of them. Early connection and targeted-HVHF may increase the chance of success.
Mutational Screening of the Proteome of Sars-Cov-2 Isolates: Mutability of ORF3a, Nucleocapsid and Nsp2 Proteins
Authors: Bianchi Martina , Benvenuto Domenico , Ciccozzi Massimo , Pascarella Stefano
Published: July 2020

The Sars-CoV-2 is the causative agent of the current coronavirus disease pandemic. To effectively fight this pathogen, it is important to understand its evolution and the mechanism of adaptation to the host. A software workflow has been utilized to scan 26,016 Sars-CoV-2 genomes available in GISAID databank to analyse the distribution and frequency of mutations in the corresponding proteomes. A filtering procedure has been applied to remove data inconsistencies and redundancies. The number of observed mutations appears proportional to protein sequence length except for ORF3a, Nucleocapsid and Nsp2 that seem to accept more mutations than expected. The most pervasive mutations of the three proteins have been reported and the most variable and conservative regions mapped onto the respective sequences. The results suggest that these proteins may have a role in the adaptation of virus to new hosts and influence its pathogenicity and replication. These considerations prompt the experimental study and characterization of the three proteins.
World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Database: WHO Needs It?
Authors: Kodvanj Ivan , Homolak Jan , Virag Davor , Trkulja Vladimir
Published: July 2020

A large number of COVID-19 publications has created a need to collect all research-related material in centralized databases. Generating and maintaining such databases regularly, while preserving the quality of the content is challenging, especially considering that the bibliometric databases rely on different data categorization strategies. In this short article, we investigate the functionality and quality of the WHO, PubMed and Scopus databases with a focus on missing values and duplicate entries related to COVID-19. Even though the WHO database is compiled from multiple sources, we conclude that using only the WHO database is not satisfactory as a lot of articles are still available exclusively in other databases. In addition to that, a more careful investigation revealed significant quality problems with all databases in terms of missing values, and many duplicate entries in the WHO database.
A Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Potential Luminescent and Biological Activities of Diaminodicyanoquinodimethane Derivatives
Authors: Jimenez Edison Rafael , Caetano Manuel , Santiago Nelson , Torres F. Javier , Terencio Thibault , Rodriguez Hortensia
Published: July 2020

Since the discovery of the aggregation-induced emission effect in 2001, diaminodicyanoquinone derivatives (DADQs) have presented interesting fluorescence properties, allowing them to be considered fluorescent dyes capable of showing quantum yields above 90%. Besides, the diaminodiacyanoquinone core represents a versatile building block propense either to modification or integration into different systems to obtain and provide them unique photophysical features. Herein, we carried out a theoretical study on the fluorescence properties of three different diaminodicyanoquinodimethane systems. Therefore, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) was used to obtain the values associated with the dipole moments, oscillator strengths, and the conformational energies between the ground and the first excited states of each molecule. The results suggest that only two of the three studied systems possess significant luminescent properties. In a further stage, the theoretical insights were confirmed by means of experimental measurements, which not only retrieved the luminescence of the DADQs, but also suggest a preliminary and promising antibacterial activity of these systems.
Numerical Fire Spread Simulation Based on Material Pyrolysis - An Application to the CHRISTIFIRE Phase 1 Horizontal Cable Tray Tests
Authors: Hehnen Tristan , Arnold Lukas , La Mendola Saverio
Published: July 2020

A general procedure is described, to generate material parameter sets to simulate fire propagation in horizontal cable tray installations. Cone Calorimeter test data is processed in an inverse modelling approach. Here, parameter sets are generated procedurally and serve as input for simulations conducted with the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The simulation responses are compared with the experimental data and ranked based on their fitness. The best fitness was found for a test condition of \SI{50}{\kilo\watt\per\meter^2}. Low flux conditions \SI{25}{\kilo\watt\per\meter^2} and less exhibited difficulties to be simulated accurately. As a validation step, the best parameter sets are then utilised to simulate fire propagation within a horizontal cable tray installation and are compared with experimental data. It is important to note, the inverse modelling process is focused on the Cone Calorimeter and not aware of the actual validation step. Despite this handicap, the general features in the fire development can be reproduced, however not exact. The fire in the tray simulation extinguishes earlier and the total energy release is slightly higher as compared to the experiment. The responses of the material parameter sets are briefly compared with a selection of state of the art procedures.
NTRU-Like Random Congruential Public-Key Cryptosystem for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ibrahim Anas , Chefranov Alexander , Hamad Nagham , Daraghmi Yousef-Awwad , Al-Khasawneh Ahmad , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C.
Published: July 2020

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are the core of Internet of Things and require cryptographic protection due to the increase number of attacks. Cryptographic methods for WSN should be fast and consume low power as these networks consist of battery-powered devices and constrained microcontrollers. NTRU, the fastest and secure public key cryptosystem, uses high degree polynomials, and is susceptible to the lattice basis reduction attack (LBRA). CPKC, proposed by NTRU authors, works on integers modulo $q$ and is easily attackable by LBRA since it uses small numbers for the sake of the correct decryption. Herein, RCPKC, a random congruential public key cryptosystem working on integers modulo $q$ is proposed, such that the norm of a two-dimensional vector formed by its private key is greater than $\sqrt{q}$. RCPKC works similar to NTRU, and it is a secure version of insecure CPKC. RCPKC specifies a range from which the random numbers shall be selected, and it provides correct decryption for valid users and incorrect decryption for an attacker using LBRA by Gaussian lattice reduction. Because of its resistance to LBRA, RCPKC is more secure. Simultaneously, due to the use of big numbers instead of high degree polynomials, RCPKC is about 24 (7) times faster in encryption (decryption) than NTRU. Also, RCPKC is more three times faster than the most effective known NTRU variant, BQTRU. Compared to NTRU, RCPKC reduces energy consumption at least seven times that allows increasing life-time of unattended WSN more than seven times.
Hybrid Data Hiding Based on AMBTC Using Enhanced Hamming Code
Authors: Kim Cheonshik , Shin Dong-Kyoo , Yang Ching-Nung , Leng Lu
Published: July 2020

We present a method of effectively concealing data in two quantization levels representing blocks based on Absolute Moment Block Truncation Coding (AMBTC) using Hamming code. The reason for choosing AMBTC as the cover media is that AMBTC is not only easily compressible by simple arithmetic operations, but is also efficient for exchanging data in small portable terminals, such as smart devices, because compression efficiency and image quality are satisfactory. AMBTC is expressed in the form of a $trio (a, b, BM)$, where $a$ and $b$ are quantization levels and BM is a bitmap. The quantization level is a pixel value used as a representative value when dividing an image into $4 \times 4$ blocks. Bai \& Chang introduced a method of hiding data using Hamming code.
However, this method presented a problem with efficiency compared to the existing methods.
In this paper, in order to improve the problem of this method, we minimize the error that occurs when concealing the data using the optimized Hamming code lookup table.
We verified that the performance of the proposed method is satisfactory in terms of embedding capacity and quality of the image through sufficient experimental results.
Facile Synthesis of Highly Conductive Vanadium Doped NiO Film for Transparent Conductive Oxide
Authors: Kotta Ashique , Seo Hyung-Kee
Published: July 2020

Metal oxide based electrodes play a crucial role in various as a transparent conductive oxide (TCO). One of the metal oxides, nickel oxide is a promising electrical conductive material. Here, we display that incorporation of vanadium in NiO lattice significantly improve both electrical conductivity and hole extraction. Also, vanadium doped nickel oxide exhibits a lower crystalline size compared to pristine nickel oxide, which maintains the reduction of surface roughness. These results indicating that the vanadium is an excellent dopant for NiO.
Sexual Dimorphism in the Multielemental Stoichiometric Phenotypes and Stoichiometric Niches of Spiders
Authors: Sobczyk Łukasz , Filipiak Michał , Czarnoleski Marcin
Published: July 2020

Nutritional limitations may shape populations and communities of organisms. This phenomenon is often studied by treating populations and communities as pools of homogenous individuals with average nutritional optima and experiencing average constraints and trade-offs that influence their fitness in a standardized way. However, populations and communities consist of individuals belonging to different sexes, each with specific nutritional demands and limitations. Taking this into account, we used the ecological stoichiometry framework to study sexual differences in the stoichiometric phenotypes, reflecting stoichiometric niches, of four spider taxa differing in hunting mode. The species and sexes differed fundamentally in their elemental phenotypes, including elements beyond those most commonly studied (C, N and P). Both species and sexes were distinguished by the C:N ratio and concentrations of Cu, K and Zn. Species additionally differed in concentrations of Na, Mg and Mn. Phosphorous was not involved in this differentiation. Sexual dimorphism in spiders’ elemental phenotypes, related to differences in their stoichiometric niches, suggests different nutritional optima and differences in nutritional limitation experienced by different sexes and species. This may influence the structure and functioning of spider populations and communities.
Physicochemical Changes Occurring during Long-Time Fermentation of the Indigenous Alcoholic Sorghum-Based Beverages Brewed in the Northern Cameroon
Authors: Bayoï James Ronald , Etoa Francois-Xavier
Published: July 2020

In Cameroon, alcoholic beverages remain the main consumed drink. In the Northern regions, indigenous sorghum beers are popular and widely consumed in an actively fermenting state by the people. In this study, some physicochemical parameters of the alcoholic sorghum beverages and correlations between them were evaluated during fermentation for 10 days. The indigenous white and red beers were produced at the laboratory scale assisted by experimented producers and some parameters (pH, total acidity, alcohol, sugars, density, total solids, temperature, and conductivity) were measured on the wort and fermented beverages. The pH decreases from 3.2 to 2.4 and 3.11 to 2.41; total acidity increases from 1.07 to 5.1 g/l and 0.5 to 4.6 g/l; alcohol enhances from 0 to 9.5% and 0 to 6.8% (v/v); total solids drop from 13.6 to 5°P and 12.2 to 3.3°P were observed respectively in the white and red sorghum beers. The multivariate analysis showed a good correlation between consumption of sugar, the decrease of total solids and density with the decrease in pH. It was also shown that, a perfect link exist between the production of alcohol and organic acids. The hierarchical analysis showed that indigenous red beer samples fermented for 1 and 2 days and those fermented for 4 to 10 days are related and could be separate in two distinct groups, whereas white turbid beer samples are separated in three different groups, those fermented for 1 to 4 days, those 5 to 6 days and those 7 to 10 days. The results obtained could serve as a guide to better understand the fermentation process of the indigenous alcoholic sorghum-based beverages.
Covid-19: Back to Classes in Brazil From a Bioecological Perspective
Authors: Abad Alberto , Abad Thaís Marques
Published: July 2020

South America has become the new epicenter of the coronavirus, especially in Brazil where the disease continues to spread exponentially across the country. This text aims to analyze the psychosocial factors of Covid-19 on back to school strategies in Brazil from a bioecological perspective. At the microsystem level, the population is experiencing different levels of stress and fear; at the microsystem level, changes in routines, separation from family and friends, and closure of schools; and at the macrosystem level, national guidelines to control the pandemic, institutional standards on a national and international scale. Therefore, the main focus for the success of school return must be in the prevention of contagion and with physical and psychological health, and should not only consider the demands of curricula, financial or administrative management. For this reason, it is paramount that greater female representativeness is increased in decision-making levels of the meso and macrosystem, regarding the resumption of school and academic activities in the pandemic period, since the number of female leaders in decision-making, is still insufficient.
From Firm Solar Power Forecasts to Firm Solar Power Generation: An Effective Path to Ultra-High Renewable Penetration - A New York Case Study
Authors: Perez Richard , Perez Marc , Kivalov Sergey , Schlemmer James , Dise John , Hoff Thomas E. , Swierc Agata , Keelin Patrick , Pierro Marco , Cornaro Cristina
Published: July 2020

We introduce firm solar forecasts as a strategy to operate optimally overbuilt solar power plants in conjunction with optimally sized storage systems so as to make up for any power prediction errors, hence entirely remove load balancing uncertainty emanating from grid-connected solar fleets. A central part of this strategy is plant overbuilding that we term implicit storage. We show that strategy, while economically justifiable on its own account, is an effective entry step to least-cost ultra-high solar penetration where firm power generation will be a prerequisite. We demonstrate that in absence of an implicit storage strategy, ultra-high solar penetration would be vastly more expensive. Using the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) as a case study, we determine current and future cost of firm forecasts for a comprehensive set of scenarios in each ISO electrical region, comparing centralized vs. decentralized production and assessing load flexibility’s impact. We simulate the growth of the strategy from firm forecast to firm power generation. We conclude that ultra-high solar penetration enabled by the present strategy, whereby solar would firmly supply the entire NYISO load, could be achieved locally at electricity production costs comparable to current NYISO wholesale market prices.
Immunomodulators Acting on COVID-19: Actual Knowledge and Perspectives
Authors: Durán Nelson , Fávaro Wagner J.
Published: July 2020

Since the outbreak of SARS CoV-2 infection (Covid-19), healthcare professionals worldwide have been trying to find disease management and control alternatives to encourage immunotherapies. Immunotherapy is an efficient therapeutic option used against comparable viral contaminations such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. The aim of the current study is to assess the existing knowledge associated with SARS-CoV-2 immunotherapy. Information available in published articles and their quality highlights the importance of following strict scientific rules for clinical outcomes. Thus, these studies have shown enough data to confirm that immunomodulation is the main topic investigated in research about Covid-19 therapy. Therefore, it is possible saying that immunotherapy is certainly the appropriate option against this virus.
Antibiofilm Activity of Acidic Phospholipase Isoform Isolated from Bothrops erythromelas Snake Venom
Authors: Nunes Ellynes , Frihling Breno , Barros Elizângela , de Oliveira Caio , Verbisck Newton , Flores Taylla , de Freitas Júnior Augusto , Franco Octávio , de Macedo Maria , Migliolo Ludovico , Luna Karla
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Bacterial resistance is a worldwide public health problem, requiring new therapeutic options. An alternative approach to this problem is the use of animal toxins, such as phospholipases (PLA2) isolated from snake venom, which have important biological activities. Bothrops erythromelas is one of the snake species in the Northeast of Brazil that attracts great medical-scientific interest. Here we aimed to purify and characterize a PLA2 from B. erythromelas, searching for heterologous activities against bacterial biofilm. Methods: Venom extraction and quantification were followed by RP-HPLC in C18 column, MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry and sequencing by Edman degradation. All experiments were monitored by specific activity using 4-nitro-3 (octanoyloxy) benzoic acid (4N3OBA) substrate. In addition, hemolytic tests and anti-bacterial tests including action against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, were carried out. Moreover, tests of antibiofilm action against A. baumannii were also performed. Results: PLA2, after one purification step, presented 31 N-terminal amino acid residues, and molecular weight of 13656.4 Da with enzymatic activity confirmed in 0.06 µM concentration. Antibacterial activity against S. aureus (IC50 = 30.2 µM) and antibiofilm activity against A. baumannii (IC50 = 1.1 µM) were observed. Conclusions: This is the first time that PLA2 purified from B. erythromelas venom has appeared as an alternative candidate in studies of new antibacterial medicines.
Reference State and Benchmark Concepts for Better Biodiversity Conservation in Contemporary Ecosystems
Authors: McNellie Megan J. , Oliver Ian , Dorrough Josh , Ferrier Simon , Newell Graeme , Gibbons Philip
Published: July 2020

Measuring the status and trends of biodiversity is critical for making informed decisions about the conservation, management or restoration of species, habitats and ecosystems. Defining the reference state against which status and change are measured is essential. Typically, reference states describe historical conditions, yet historical conditions are challenging to quantify, may be difficult to falsify, and may no longer be an attainable target in a contemporary ecosystem. We have constructed a conceptual framework to help inform thinking and discussion around the philosophical underpinnings of reference states and guide their application. We characterise currently recognised historical reference states and describe them as Pre-Human, Indigenous Cultural, Pre-Intensification and Hybrid-Historical. We extend the conceptual framework to include contemporary reference states as an alternative theoretical perspective. The contemporary reference state framework is a major conceptual shift that focuses on current ecological patterns and identifies areas with higher biodiversity values, regardless of the disturbance history. The specific context for which we design the contemporary conceptual frame is underpinned by an overarching goal—to maximise biodiversity conservation and restoration outcomes in existing ecosystems. The contemporary reference state framework can account for the inherent differences in the diversity of biodiversity values (e.g., species richness, habitat complexity) across spatial scales, communities and ecosystems. In contrast to historical reference states, contemporary references states are measurable and falsifiable. This ‘road map of reference states’ offers perspective needed to define and assess the status and trends in biodiversity and habitats. Our framework for contemporary reference states provides a tractable way for policy-makers and practitioners to navigate biodiversity assessments to maximise conservation and restoration outcomes in contemporary ecosystems. We illustrate how to define a contemporary reference state using an example from south-eastern Australia.
Incorporating Consumer Choice into an Optimization Model for the German Heat Sector: Effects on the Projected Bioenergy Use
Authors: Jordan Matthias , Hopfe Charlotte , Millinger Markus , Rode Julian , Thrän Daniela
Published: July 2020

Energy system optimization models (ESOM) are widely used to inform about energy transition strategies. The heterogeneity of consumers, especially in the heat sector, is rarely considered in these model types. Integrating consumer heterogeneity and behavioral factors into ESOMs may generate new insights for energy policy. In this study a literature review was conducted, identifying empirical data on consumer behavior for adopting residential heating systems. This data was integrated into an ESOM for the German heat sector, combining established methods for integrating consumer heterogeneity and a novel approach for calculating indirect costs, representing behavioral factors. The incorporation of consumer choice leads to a higher diversity in technology market shares in a business as usual and an ambitious measures scenario. Especially, the future role of log wood technologies in the private household sector may have been underestimated in previous studies and should be discussed, when designing policies. Still, these findings need to be handled with care, since the empirical data basis and the methodological basis is limited.
KONTRIBUSI DAN PERAN PRODUKTIF IBU DALAM MENINGKATKAN PENDAPATAN RUMAH TANGGA PETANI PADI
Authors: Fitriyah Vivi , Tridakusumah Ahmad Choibar
Published: July 2020

Permasalahan ekonomi yang dihadapi oleh rumah tangga petani mengakibatkan petani berusaha untuk mencari cara agar nafkah keluarganya terpenuhi. Cara yang dilakukan oleh rumah tangga petani salah satunya yakni dengan melibatkan anggota keluarga khususnya ibu rumah tangga untuk bekerja. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk menganalisis mengenai peran produktif ibu yang dilakukan di sektor pertanian dan luar pertanian dan besarnya kontribusi ekonomi yang diberikan oleh ibu terhadap pendapatan rumah tangga. Penelitian di lakukan di Desa Mekarjaya Kecamatan Gantar Kabupaten Indramayu yang dipilih secara sengaja dengan mempertimbangkan Desa Mekarjaya sebagai sentra produksi padi di Jawa Barat dan memiliki penduduk perempuan terbesar. Sampel dalam penelitian ini sebesar 45 responden rumah tangga petani yang istrinya bekerja yang diperoleh melalui rumus slovin dan diambil dengan menggunakan metode acak sederhana. Metode penelitian yang digunakan  yakni metode kuantitatif deskriptif. Data dianalisis dengan analisis deskriptif dan analisis pendapatan. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Ibu rumah tangga menjalankan peran produktif dalam kehidupannya. Peran produktif tersebut dilakukan di  berbagai sektor baik itu pertanian mapun selain pertanian.  Kontribusi ibu rumah tangga yang melakukan peran produktif itu penting yakni 17,38 %. Hal tersebut disebabkan karena kontribusinya tersebut dapat membantu kebutuhan sehari- hari.
MOTIVASI PETANI DALAM BUDIDAYA PADI PULU MANDOTI
Authors: Latif Jumarni , Busthanul Nurbaya , Amrullah A.
Published: July 2020

Farmer motivation is defined as a condition that drives a person to carry out an action in order to achieve his goals. Pulu Mandoti is one of the rarest types of fragrant glutinous rice. Pulu Mandoti can only grow in mountainous areas with an altitude of 700 meters above sea level. One of the villages that meets these criteria is Salukanan Village, Baraka sub-District, Enrekang District. This study aims to describe the system of Mandoti Pulu rice cultivation and to determine the motivation of farmers in the cultivation of Mandoti Pulu rice. This research was conducted in Salukanan Village, Baraka Subdistrict, Enrekang District in July 2019 using a descriptive qualitative method, by collecting information through interviews and questionnaires, then the information was processed using a Likert scale, and analyzed descriptively qualitatively. In conclusion, the cultivation conditions of the mandoti rice plant varieties used are local seeds, the process of land management is done by spraying herbicides, planting by way of transplanting with planting spacing, ie spacing of 25x25 cm tiles, fertilizing is done on average 5 times in one run planting season, i.e. before planting, 7 days after planting, 3rd week, 6th week, and 12th week, irrigation using water coming from the mountains using semi-technical irrigation, controlling pests and diseases by spraying appropriate pesticides such as supremo, regent, dangke and rat poison, harvest after rice aged 6-7 months ie in September to November is carried out using a technology that is still simple, ani-ani, post-harvest activities carried out namely drying and threshing. While the motivation of farmers in the cultivation of Pulu Mandoti rice from the aspect of the economic environment is at a moderate level, aspects of the social environment are at a high level, and aspects of the natural environment are at a high level.
Peranan Kawasan Industri dalam Mengatasi Gejala Deindustrialisasi
Authors: Winardi Winardi , Priyarsono D. S. , Siregar Hermanto , Kustanto Heru
Published: July 2020

Industrial area is one of the determinant factors in the development of manufacturing industry in a region. Theoretically, industrial companies located in industrial areas have an impact on increasing productivity, added value, eciency, and economic income of a region. This research aims to analyze the role of industrial area in overcoming the deindustrialization symptom with Social Accounting Matrix Model. The result of analysis shows that industrial area has an important role in increasing the output of economy and the absorption of bigger workforce so that indirectly will have an impact on acceleration of industrialization process and also to overcome deindustrialization. ======================== Kawasan industri merupakan salah satu faktor penentu dalam perkembangan industri manufaktur pada suatu wilayah. Secara teoretis, perusahaan industri yang berlokasi di kawasan industri berdampak pada peningkatkan produktivitas, nilai tambah, efisiensi, dan pendapatan ekonomi suatu wilayah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis peranan kawasan industri dalam mengatasi gejala deindustrialisasi dengan Model Social Accounting Matrix. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa kawasan industri mempunyai peranan penting dalam peningkatan output perekonomian dan penyerapan tenaga kerja yang lebih besar, sehingga secara tidak langsung akan berdampak pada percepatan proses industrialisasi sekaligus mengatasi gejala deindustrialisasi.
Domestic and family violence based on the novel “Purple hibiscus” and on the “Maria da Penha vs. Brazil” case
Authors: Sarlet Gabrielle Bezerra Sales , Farias Adriana Dornelles
Published: July 2020

This article is an application of the methodology Law in Literature, with bibliographic research. It develops the concept of education in Human Rights, based on the dignity of the human person, the right to non-discrimination, and the general principle of equality in law, all ideas acknowledged by the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 and the current norms in the context of family and domestic violence in Brazil. It presents an interdisciplinary dialogue between the legal doctrine and the novel "Purple Hibiscus", in attempt to map the main actions applied in Brazil by the Interamerican Human Rights System in the Maria da Penha case. Thus, it is possible to establish an exchange between human and fundamental rights, through inclusion policies, information sharing and empowerment, especially regarding women and children.
Common Spring Types in the Valley and Ridge Province: There Is More than Karst
Authors: Vesper Dorothy J. , Herman Ellen K.
Published: July 2020

The Valley and Ridge Province (V&R) of the central Appalachians is rich in springs that support ecosystems, provide local water resources, and export water from the region. Although there has been extensive research on springs in the province, the focus has been on chemically variable karst springs. The purpose of this work is to identify common spring types found in the V&R based on an analysis of three regions. Three types of V&R springs are included in this comparison, and their relationship to more general classification systems is included. Headwater springs, located near ridge tops and along ridge flanks, are typically small, may be ephemeral, have localized flow paths, and are associated with siliciclastic units. Karst springs, generally located in the valleys, include both the more chemically variable limestone springs and the more stable dolomite springs. Thermal warm springs, with temperatures higher than the mean annual air temperature, are less common than the other spring types; they may be large and are typically associated with major thrust faults. The temperature, chemistry, and locations of the springs are controlled by the structural geology and topography as well as the formations and lithologies through which the recharge water travels. There is overlap in the water chemistry and storm responses of the spring groups, but some general trends can be identified, such as lower pH in the headwater springs. The V&R springs are critical resources, but their sustainability, chemistry, and hydrology need to be considered within the local geologic framework.
Production Optimization of Deep Commingled Multizone Wells with High Gas Content Using ESP and Digital Solutions
Authors: Teves Ricardo , Oyarzun Raul , Perez Hector , Russo Martin , Pires Juan Cruz , Tejerina Martin , Devincenti Victor , Muñoz Damian Heber
Published: July 2020

Objectives/Scope: The Goal is to Increase production on new gassy and deep wells having primary recovery, avoiding downtime due to pump gas lock on existing deployments, where is not possible to change the down hole design. The solution is done by installing a new algorithm at the existing drive’s controller in "las Piedras" field. This is applied in slim wells with 5 ½" casings and 2600-2800m deep. ESP installed below and between perforations in commingle configuration.

Methods, Procedures, Process: Different downhole configuration having gas separators, gas handlers, and taper were used in the past to mitigate the free gas, wich is difficult to predict it given the amount of layers produced at same time. This paper show the experience of the last digital technology applied: an algorithm that speed up and down the pump using information of load, motor temperature and pressures. This way, the surface equipment can predict a down hole gas locking condition and avoid it before it happens and Keep the ESP in constant production even if some gas sag appears

Results, Observations, Conclusions: Wells in "Las Piedras" fields are vertical with 5 ½" casing. Several layers are perforated at the same time and produced in commingle. ESP is installed below or between such perforations assisted by a 4 ½" shroud to ensure refrigeration and some natural separation. Seals and motor used are 375 series. Pumps used are 400 series typically mix flow stages. Typical production rate is between 1000 to 1700bpd, 54% WC and @ 1000 psi of dynamic pressure. Considering the fact that system typically is operating below perforation, some times it is experienced some free gas above 20% at low pressure in the intake, which requires some additional assistance. 6 wells having gas locking problems, as mentioned above, were modified in the surface using this algorithm achieving a constant production. Downtime was reduced by eliminating unnecessary underload trips, while maintaining the system within a safe mechanical condition (range, temperature, in example). An average increase production of 1000bpd of crude per month was achieved by eliminating downtime. Savings where generated by eliminating some premature failure but also eliminating rig time to pull and optimize the downhole equipment to handle the unexpected gas condition.

Novel/Additive Information: New digital technologies are helping to model and predict some well behaviors and avoid late reactions that could generate unnecessary trips downtime and failures. In the past, drives only speeds up under gas-locking situation using Electrical Current as feedback. Today other measured or calculated variables can optimize that behavior more effectively. This paper will show such considerations and drive settings for multilayer wells produced in commingle.
A New Framework for Compositional Simulation Using Reduced Order Modeling Based on POD-DEIM
Authors: Lee Jae Wook , Gildin Eduardo
Published: July 2020

Fast and reliable reservoir simulation is a key for the successful decision making in integrated reservoir studies. Large and complex multiphase reservoir models usually require expensive computational infrastructure. Physics-based model order reduction (MOR) methods have been introduced and applied (POD-DEIM, POD-TPWL), especially for mitigating the computational cost of black oil models in workflows that require multiple calls of the reservoir simulator. However, only a limited number of methods have looked deeper at the effectiveness of these techniques to multiphase and compositional simulation where expensive phase equilibrium calculations are added to the level of complexities associated with obtaining robust solutions. In this work, we develop the physics-based MOR techniques for rapid compositional simulations that accelerate calibrating of system of equations and phase equilibrium.

The combination of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM) has been used extensively in two-phase flow systems. POD reduces the size of the system to be solved, and DEIM contributes to approximate the nonlinear terms for faster computation. These snapshot-based methods work in a two-step process. In the training case one can obtain the snapshots, which are the solutions at each time step, to derive the POD basis and DEIM basis. Then the test case is utilized to validate if the reduced model works for the different well control schedule cases, and to compare the speed of the simulation run time.

Results show that the POD-DEIM technique enables us to approximate the conventional model with high levels of accuracy up to more than 99%. And it also enables a faster simulation owing to the reduced order system.

In this study, we show the robustness of POD-DEIM method to reduce the computational cost for multi-phase, multi-component 3D reservoir model.
Describing the Flow Behavior of Smart Water in Micromodels with Wettability Modified Pore Structures
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Hincapie Rafael E. , Gaol Calvin , Säfken Stefanie , Ganzer Leonhard
Published: July 2020

This work focuses on oil recovery processes by smart-water injection in micromodels with different wettabilities. It provides detailed visualization of the displacements taking place during Smart-Water flooding at a pore scale level, whilst evaluating the effect of wettability on oil recovery. We propose a workflow for the evaluation of Smart-Water flooding including fluid-fluid and rock-fluid interactions. The methods studied comprise experiments with micromodels and core flooding. Artificial and real-structure water-wet micromodels (derived from Bentheimer sandstone material with three different permeability zones) were used to understand flow behavior and oil recovery. Subsequently, complex-wet and oil-wet micromodels helped understanding wettability and rock-fluid interaction. Synthetic-Sea-Water (SSW) was the benchmark fluid, and subsequently modified by diluting its composition. The effect of sulphate content in the brine was key in this work; polymer flooding was used as a final step to discard any possible further effects and as mobility control agent.

Micromodel experiments conducted in this work indicate that Smart-Water flooding performs better in mixed-wet (artificial structure) than water-wet systems, but with seemly good results for oil-wet systems. The observation slightly differs from core flood experiments, where oil-wet conditions provided a better process efficiency. Smart-Water flooding in artificial oil-wet micromodels led to higher produced oil compared to SSW injection in water-wet system. This behavior was expected, since the spiked sulphate present in Smart-Water disturbed the ionic equilibrium in the micromodel system causing a release of the polar compounds of oil. This is understood as an improved interfacial viscoelasticity at the oil-brine interface (fluid-fluid interaction), promoting additional oil production/continuous flow and ganglia movement. Results obtained in mixed-wet micromodel showed that when Smart Water is spiked with sulphate a 3.13% higher recovery is obtained compared to SSW. Same trend was observed for oil-wet micromodel with additional recovery of 2.63%. As an overall result, Smart-Water flooding recovered higher oil than the SSW injection in oil-wet and complex-wet system as compare to water-wet.

Majority of the work presented in the literature, have mainly focused on the evaluation of core flooding data for smart water injection. This work unlocks the potential of micromodels to study the micro-scale visual analysis of Smart-Water flooding through porous media. The workflow not only relies on oil-ganglia analysis and displacement efficiency evaluation, but also considers fluid-fluid and rock-fluid interactions.
A New Insight into Modeling of Polymer Flooding in Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Al-Shalabi Emad W.
Published: July 2020

Polymer flooding is a widely used chemical enhanced oil recovery technique in sandstones, but it has limited applications in carbonates. This is due to the harsh conditions of carbonates including high temperature, high salinity, low permeability, and high heterogeneity. Polymer flooding improves volumetric sweep efficiency through improving the adverse mobility ratio by increasing water viscosity. Therefore, the effect of trapping number on oil recovery is usually neglected. This paper numerically investigates the effect of trapping number on oil recovery by polymer flooding in carbonates under harsh conditions. The trapping number effect was predicted by running several 1D simulations using measured reservoir rock and fluid data. A previously history matched biopolymer rheological behavior was considered. This study aims to validate the flow behavior of this biopolymer through history matching recently conducted coreflooding experiments. Sensitivity studies were performed on different uncertain parameters to history match the oil recovery observed in the lab. These parameters include inaccessible pore volume (IPV), polymer adsorption, permeability reduction, shear rate coefficient, hardness of makeup water, and trapping number.

The results showed that IPV, polymer adsorption, permeability reduction, shear rate coefficient, and hardness of makeup water have negligible effect on oil recovery by biopolymer flooding. Also, history matching of oil recovery data was not possible when these parameters were varied within their typical range of values. Interestingly, when trapping number effect was applied through capillary desaturation curve (CDC), residual oil saturation was reduced to 10% as opposed to 20% without considering its effect. The pronounced effect of trapping number in this case is due to the increase in water viscosity post-polymer flooding compared to pre-polymer flooding, which is about two orders of magnitude. Therefore, the common practice of neglecting trapping number effect during polymer flooding might be misleading, particularly in carbonates that are characterized by a shallow CDC. Trapping number effect on oil recovery by polymer flooding depends on rock type and the targeted polymer viscosity, so the results might vary. The results indicate as well the effect of polymer flooding in improving both displacement and volumetric sweep efficiencies. The effect incorporated in this study is the elastic effect without considering polymer viscoelasticity, which might require further investigation. The study at the laboratory-scale is considered as a basis for field-scale predictions.
Reservoir Surveillance Through Fall off Test in a Mature Field with Waterflooding
Authors: Tello Cristhian , Guerrero Ximena , Mora Gisela , Becerra Jerson , Taborda Tatiana , Escarraga Cristian , Parra Marly
Published: July 2020

This paper describes the successful case study of a new approach to a Fall Off Test (FOT) for reservoir characterization and pressure surveillance in a mature oil field with waterflooding. The main objectives are to evaluate fundamental reservoir properties, to study uncertainties attributed to well-to-well communications, and to validate the presence of potential fractures.

The first step was the evaluation of current waterflooding performance at the sand layer level using injectivity behavior and petrophysical information, prioritizing high remaining oil reserves. Also, well candidates were screened against wellbore integrity and operational execution. Once the technology was ready for deployment, a customized log acquisition, and reservoir surveillance program was designed for slickline operation to acquire fall-off test data in every mandrel properly. Finally, the interpretation was made in specialized software, which served as input to update analytical models and improve reservoir understanding.

The proposed technology offers an innovative way to improve reservoir management through a cost-effective and credible application for pressure surveillance, taking advantage of selective-string capabilities for zonal evaluation. In addition, the methodology can be applied in oilfields where permanent downhole sensors are installed in intelligent completions for water injection purposes.
An Integrated New Exploitation Strategy in Bloque 61, from Modeling to Full-Field Implementation
Authors: Piñeiros Silvia , Mendoza María Alejandra , Cevallos Gonzalo , Molina Edison , Azancot Annalyn , Bermeo Pablo
Published: July 2020

A new Integrated Exploitation strategy to boost production and incorporate reserves at the Ecuadorian Bloque 61 was put on the table to radically change the production strategy from primary to secondary recovery in only two years timeframe. This was accomplished by drilling appraisal, development and infill wells in conjunction with peripherical and pattern waterflooding.

The project departed from reservoir characterization and modeling to identify the potential targets for waterflooding. The identified opportunities were assessed and ranked. Consequently, several pilots were implemented as a proof of concept.

Once the waterflooding pilots were in place, the complexity of the reservoir was evaluated. To account for the subsurface uncertainties, a probabilistic approach was followed to do the economical evaluation and risk management for the expansion.

Novel facilities configuration, implementation of new completion design and production enhacement techniques, along with a robust surveillance plan played a key role for the rapid implementation of a new exploitation strategy.

Positive reservoir pressure response and incremental production were observed within one to three months right after injection started in the pilots. This behavior was similar for the other fields where waterflooding was expanded. As such, new wells drilled and well reactivations in areas influenced by waterflooding has proven to have a threefold increase in expected initial productivity, therefore, the increase of reservoir pressure opened new development opportunities in Block 61 in former depleted reservoirs.

The implementation of a new exploitation philosophy focused in secondary recovery, increased recovery factor in about 10%, the contribution from waterflooding is about 30% of the total oil production. Additionally, 50% of the volume to be developed, corresponds to activity to be completed in Waterflooding areas.

This waterflooding strategy represents a shift in the exploitation paradigm in the Ecuadorian E&P industry, by going beyond the pilot execution through proper risk and uncertainty management as a path to full-field implementation. To fast-track this deployment of the water injection, a closed loop system was implemented between the water source and the injector to reduce facilities costs up to 80% as no treatment is required for the injected water.