bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Sunitinib in Advanced Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Intermediate Results of Phase II THYSU
Authors: Ravaud Alain , Fouchardière Christelle , Asselineau Julien , Delord Jean-Pierre , Do Cao Christine , Niccoli Patricia , Rodien Patrice , Klein Marc , Catargi Bogdan
Published: February 2010

The article reports on the efficacy of sunitinib for thyroid carcinoma from a phase II trial.
In Reply
Authors: Bugalho Maria João
Published: February 2010

The author responds to comments on the study published by Ravaud et al. in The Oncologist on sunitinib for medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Shear assessment of Della Vittoria stadium, Bari, Italy
Authors: Foti D. , Mongelli M. , Paparella V.
Published: February 2010

Modern buildings are characterised by their use of reinforced concrete (RC) as a novel and versatile building material. In assessments of existing buildings, the most critical structures in terms of shear resistance are those designed in the first half of the last century, when RC theory and detailing rules were not then well established. This study considers the issues related to the gradual understanding of shear behaviour, with particular reference to buildings constructed in Bari, Italy in the period 1920–1960, and aims to emphasise the vulnerability at a territorial scale of structural typologies designed only to vertical loadings. Subsequently, the shear resistance verification of the structural elements of a typical frame of the stadium Della Vittoria, Bari, is investigated according to new Italian and American design codes and the recently proposed Arslan's equation. The results are compared with those included in the original calculation report (written according to a 1930 royal decree). The paper ends with a detailed commentary on lack of compliance with the ‘capacity design’ philosophy.
The safety of masonry buttresses
Authors: Huerta S.
Published: February 2010

The vault is the main element in most historical buildings. Masonry vaults exert an inclined thrust that must be resisted by a substantial mass of masonry: the buttress. The buttress system assures the safety of the whole construction. Most traditional structural design rules addressed the problem of buttress design. Today, an architect or engineer assessing the structural safety of a historical construction needs to estimate the safety of the buttress system with accuracy. This is not an easy matter. Among other possible failures, a buttress may fracture under certain conditions with a substantial loss of stability, it may show a certain leaning or it may be separated from the wall. Furthermore, buttress systems are complex structures – a combination of walls and counterforts, flying buttresses, etc. – made of different types of masonry, and their assessment cannot be handled in an abstract way. This paper outlines the development of buttress design since around 1700 to explain the main approaches used and to provide a historical context. The paper then goes on to summarise the state-of-the-art in modern masonry buttress analysis and to discuss estimations of safety.
A review of the 1892 water demand forecast for Birmingham
Authors: Bradford W. , Bridgeman J. , Gaterell M.
Published: February 2010

The water demand forecast forms half of the supply–demand balance used for developing a long-term water resources plan, but historical water demand forecasts attracted less analytical attention than historical water supply issues. This paper is a critical review of the water demand forecast for the city of Birmingham, which was presented to Parliament by James Mansergh in 1892 – when demand was growing by 3% per annum and the headroom of supply over demand was approaching zero – to justify the need for one of the largest and most controversial water resources schemes in the UK, the Elan Valley reservoirs in Mid-Wales. The first phase was commissioned in 1904. Today, the full scheme supplies water to over a million people in Birmingham, and will continue to do so well into the twenty-first century, long after the 60 to 70 years originally expected by Mansergh. The results of this analysis suggest that by demonstrating an understanding of the drivers of demand growth, Mansergh was able to convince Parliament that his assumptions about the scale of Birmingham's future demand growth were reasonable. A comparison of the 1892 forecast with actual annual average demand up to Mansergh's horizon in 1955 shows that the profile of his forecast was remarkably accurate.
Conway and Britannia tubular bridges: Stephenson's team
Authors: Barr B.
Published: February 2010

The paper reviews the significant achievements of Robert Stephenson and his team in the innovative design and construction of Conway and Britannia tubular bridges. The text is based on extensive extracts taken from contemporary accounts by two members of Stephenson's team, William Fairbairn and Edwin Clark. The paper describes the sequence of model tests (from initial small-scale tests, followed by one-sixth scale tests to tests on the first Conway tube) and the methods used to overcome the problems of buckling that were identified in the experimental work. The innovative method of floating and raising the tubes into their final location is also reported. In addition to strength and stiffness considerations, Stephenson's team also investigated the effects of temperature and wind loading and in these studies developed an accurate method of measuring deflections. It is suggested that the design and construction of Conway and Britannia Bridges could provide an excellent case study for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying structural behaviour and, in particular, the problems associated with buckling.
Probabilistic analysis and design at the ultimate limit state of obliquely loaded strip footings
Authors: SOUBRA A.-H. , MASSIH D.S.YOUSSEF ABDEL
Published: February 2010

This paper presents a probabilistic approach for the analysis and design of a strip footing subjected to an inclined load. Both the punching and sliding modes of failure were considered. The deterministic model of the soil punching mode was based on the kinematic approach of limit analysis using a non-symmetrical translational multiblock failure mechanism. The vertical and horizontal components of the footing load were considered as random variables. The soil shear strength parameters were first modelled as random variables and then as random fields to take into account the soil spatial variability. Spatial averaging was used to transform the random field problem to a simple problem of correlated random variables. The reliability index of each failure mode and the system failure probability were calculated. When the soil shear strength parameters were modelled as random variables, it was shown that the coefficient of variation of the angle of internal friction and that of the horizontal footing load have a non-negligible effect on the system failure probability. On the other hand, when the shear strength parameters were modelled as random fields, it was found that the case of (a) a finite (i.e. non-infinite) autocorrelation distance and/or (b) an anisotropic soil regarding the autocorrelation distance, leads to a greater reliability of the foundation with respect to the reference case of isotropic and infinite autocorrelation distances (i.e. the case of random variables). For both cases of random variables or random fields, it was shown that the negative correlation between the shear strength parameters gives a greater reliability of the foundation in comparison to the uncorrelated shear strength parameters. Finally, for design, an iterative procedure was performed to determine the breadth of the footing for a target system failure probability.
A failure surface for circular footings on cohesive soils
Authors: TAIEBAT H.A. , CARTER J.P.
Published: February 2010

The results of three-dimensional finite element analyses of circular footings under combinations of vertical load, horizontal load and moment are presented in this paper. The soil is assumed to be uniform and homogeneous and deforms under undrained conditions. These studies include the performance of the foundations under large overturning moments and large horizontal loads. The contact between the soil and the rigid footing is unable to sustain tension and therefore allowance is made for breakaway under large overturning moments. The results of the analyses are presented in the form of a failure locus in the vertical, horizontal and moment loading space. A comparison is made between the results of the current analysis and a simple method commonly used in calculation of the bearing capacity of foundations. It is shown that, while the hypothesis of an effective footing width provides a good approximation to the effects of load eccentricity, the conventional method overestimates the effects of load inclination for load combinations with a large horizontal shear component. A new factor is presented in this paper that can be used to describe the effects of load inclination more accurately when used with the simple method to calculate bearing capacity.
Effect of bender element installation in clay samples
Authors: CHAN K.H. , BOONYATEE T. , MITACHI T.
Published: February 2010

In recent years, bender element (BE) testing has become a standard procedure used for the determination of the shear modulus of geomaterials. Before the test is conducted, the BE transducers are plugged on both ends of a soil sample. The installation of the BEs is likely to cause disturbance to the soil sample. This study seeks to investigate the effects of bender element installation on the measurement of shear wave velocity. The effects are examined by comparing the shear wave velocities measured before and after the receiver BE is penetrated to different penetration positions into the soil. By varying the rate of penetration of the bender, size of the sample and consolidation pressure during the test, it was found that the installation of the bender inside the clay sample did not cause disturbance to the sample.
Deep-penetrating spudcan foundations on layered clays: centrifuge tests
Authors: HOSSAIN M.S. , RANDOLPH M.F.
Published: February 2010

Installation of independent-legged jack-up rigs in sea-bed sediments where a strong layer overlays weaker soil can lead to catastrophic ‘punch-through', with potential leg buckling or toppling of the unit. Although approximate methods of analysis exist for estimating the penetration resistance, these do not account for the distortion of the upper layer as it punches through into the lower layer and there has been only limited visual depiction of the failure mechanism that occurs for the case of strong clay overlying weaker soil. This paper reports results of centrifuge model tests undertaken to provide insight into spudcan foundation behaviour during undrained vertical penetration through a stronger clay layer into weaker material, varying the strength ratio between lower and upper soil layers, the thickness of the upper layer relative to the spudcan diameter and the strength gradient of the lower layer. The model tests included half-spudcan tests against a transparent window, allowing the soil flow to be captured continuously by a digital camera and subsequently quantified through particle image velocimetry (PIV) analysis, and separate full-spudcan tests to measure the penetration resistance. Four interesting aspects of the soil flow mechanisms were identified: (a) vertically downwards motion of the soil and consequent deformation of the layer interface; (b) trapping of the stronger material beneath the spudcan, with this material being carried down into the underlying soft layer; (c) delayed back-flow of soil around the spudcan into the cavity formed above the spudcan; (d) eventual localised flow around the embedded spudcan. The effect of normalised layer soil properties and geometry on the soil flow mechanisms and the form of the penetration resistance profile is discussed in the context of the likelihood and severity of punch-through failure. Typical critical failure modes involved punching shear, with clear shear planes in the shape of a truncated cone forming in the upper layer below the spudcan. Potential punch-through, with a peak in penetration resistance followed by some reduction, occurred for almost all cases investigated. The reduction in resistance became more severe as the strength ratio of the underlying layer to the upper layer reduced, and also as the upper layer thickness increased. The failure modes assumed by the currently available recommended practices are not consistent with those observed from the study, suggesting a more rational approach is needed.
A plasticity model for predicting the vertical and lateral behaviour of pipelines in clay soils
Authors: HODDER M.S. , CASSIDY M.J.
Published: February 2010

A complete theoretical model for predicting the undrained behaviour of a rigid pipe in clay soils when subjected to combined vertical and horizontal loading is described. Physical modelling of a pipe on soft, lightly overconsolidated kaolin clay was conducted, with the experimental test programme specifically designed to establish the model parameters. The testing was conducted within the University of Western Australia's geotechnical drum centrifuge using an element of pipe 10 mm in diameter and 50 mm long, at an acceleration of 50 times the Earth's gravity. The model presented is expressed by the force resultants on the pipe and the corresponding displacements and allows predictions of response to be made for various vertical and horizontal load or displacement combinations. However, it is limited to monotonic loading and does not account for the influence of berms created by repetitive large lateral displacements. The model is verified in this paper by retrospectively simulating a selection of combined loading tests and comparing the output with the experimentally recorded results.
Smear zone identification and soil properties around stone columns constructed in-flight in centrifuge model tests
Authors: WEBER T.M. , PLöTZE M. , LAUE J. , PESCHKE G. , SPRINGMAN S.M.
Published: February 2010

Stone columns are primarily used for the purpose of ground improvement in fine grained soils in order to reduce settlements and the risk of bearing failure. They are also designed to improve the drainage conditions in the ground and to accelerate the consolidation processes within the clay. However, smear and disturbing effects caused during the construction of stone columns result in degradation of consolidation performance in comparison with the theoretically ideal conditions. Model stone columns are constructed in-flight under 50 times gravity in centrifuge tests and the soil micro-structure in the vicinity of these columns is investigated by applying different methods, including environmental scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results of these tests confirm that smear and disturbance occur owing to stone column installation and the region influenced can be divided into three sections: a penetration zone (1) where the sand particles are squeezed through the clay; a smear zone (2) where the soil particles have experienced a significant reorientation; and a densification zone (3) where the structure of the clay does not appear to change, but compaction of the clay is measurable. The extremes of the disturbed zone around model stone columns are determined to extend to about 2·5 times the column radius.
Stiffness characteristics of soluble mixtures
Authors: TRUONG Q.H. , EOM Y.H. , LEE J.S.
Published: February 2010

Soils naturally contain grains of different minerals, which may be dissolved under chemical or physical processes. The dissolution leads to changes in the microstructure of the particulate media, such as an increase in local voids or permeability, which affects the strength and deformation of soils. This study focuses on the small strain stiffness characteristics of soluble mixtures, which consist of sand and salt particles at different volume fractions. Experiments were carried out in a conventional oedometer cell integrated with bender elements for the measurement of shear waves. Dissolutions of particles were implemented by saturating the mixtures at various confining stresses. Experimental results show that, after dissolution, the vertical strain and the void ratio increase, whereas the shear wave velocity decreases. The decrease of the velocity results from the void ratio increase and particle contact decrease. It is proven that specimens prepared from sand and salt particles are able to provide valuable insight into the macrostructural behaviour of soluble mixtures.
Lightweight recycled geomaterials reinforced with geogrids
Authors: Voottipruex P. , Bergado D. T. , Tanchaisawat T.
Published: February 2010

Scrap tyres are unwanted urban waste, the volume of which is increasing every year. One possible recycling method is for the shredded tyres, either alone or mixed with soil, to be used as a lightweight geomaterial. The present study aimed to examine (a) the interactions between geogrids and a tyre chips–sand mixture, (b) the performance of a full-scale geogrid-reinforced test embankment and (c) a numerical simulation of this full-scale test embankment. Numerous experiments were performed in the laboratory to investigate the interactions between the geogrid and the tyre chips–sand mixture. A full-scale, geogrid-reinforced embankment with lightweight tyre chips–sand fill was then constructed on soft Bangkok clay and extensively instrumented to evaluate its performance. The unit weight of rubber tyre chip–sand mixtures with ratio 30:70 per cent by weight was 13·6 kN/m3 compared with 18·0 kN/m3 for conventional sand backfill. The total settlement magnitude of 122 mm of the lightweight embankment was 67·5% less when compared with the corresponding value of 400 mm for conventional embankment. Numerical analysis using two-dimensional plane strain conditions provided satisfactory predictions for the full-scale field test.
Soft ground improvement with solar-powered drainage
Authors: Pothiraksanon C. , Saowapakpiboon J. , Bergado D. T. , Voottipruex P. , Abuel-Naga H. M.
Published: February 2010

In this study, raising the temperature of soft Bangkok clay up to 90°C using solar-powered prefabricated vertical drains during a preloading process was investigated in full-scale field tests. Two identical 6 m high, full-scale test embankments for preloading were constructed over the soft Bangkok clay where a conventional vertical drainage system was installed underneath one embankment and a solar-powered system was utilised for the other. Analyses were carried out to determine the flow parameters by back-calculation of field settlements in terms of the horizontal coefficient of consolidation (Ch) and the ratio between the horizontal hydraulic conductivity in the undisturbed zone (Kh) to the horizontal hydraulic conductivity in the smear zone (Ks). The field test analysis based upon the back-calculated results shows that the Kh/Ks values were 6·2 and 4·1 for drainage without and with heat, respectively, with corresponding Ch values of 6·8 and 8·5 m2/year, respectively. Thus, the use of solar heating can increase the drainage performance by reducing the drainage retardation effects in the smear zone around the drain.
Assessing recycled/secondary materials as pavement bases
Authors: Saride S. , Puppala A. J. , Williammee R.
Published: February 2010

The use of recycled or secondary materials in pavement construction is gaining popularity owing to the added advantages over conventional materials, which include the conservation of natural resources, conservation of energy, preservation of the environment and reduction in life-cycle costs. In this research, two types of recycled materials, namely reclaimed asphalt pavement and cement-stabilised quarry fines, were utilised as pavement base materials for a highway extension project in Arlington, Texas, USA. Prior to the construction of test sections, a series of laboratory studies including strength, compressibility, swell/shrink and resilient modulus tests were performed on the selected base materials to verify their suitability as base materials for pavement construction. Pavement test sections were instrumented with horizontal inclinometers and pressure cells to monitor the long-term performance of these new base materials. Pavement surface profiling surveys were also conducted at regular intervals to monitor for any accumulated roughness of the pavement surfaces. Analysis of results obtained from both laboratory and field monitoring studies demonstrates that these secondary materials can be effectively used as pavement bases. The sustainability issues of this project are also discussed in detail.
Stabilisation of an erodible soil using a chemical admixture
Authors: Vinod J. S. , Indraratna B. , Mahamud M. A. A.
Published: February 2010

Internal erosional behaviour of a lignosulfonate-treated dispersive soil has been studied using apparatus designed and built at University of Wollongong. The effectiveness of lignosulfonate-treated dispersive clay on its erosion resistance has been investigated and its advantages over traditional admixtures (cement) have been presented. Lignosulfonate is a non-toxic admixture that can stabilise certain erodible and dispersive soils effectively, without causing any adverse environmental impact on the ground unlike some traditional stabilisers. Test results show that the erosional parameters such as critical shear stress and coefficient of soil erosion are improved with the increase in the amount of lignosulfonate. Knowledge about the clay particles and lignosulfonate interaction mechanisms is pertinent for long-term environmental sustainability of treated soils, a factor which is poorly understood at microscopic level. Considering this, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were carried out on representative samples to understand the stabilisation mechanism at the particle scale level. The improvement of performance exhibited by the lignosulfonate-treated soil can be mainly attributed to the reduction of the double-layer thickness by the neutralisation of surface charges of the clay particles and the formation of more stable particle clusters by polymer bridging.
Analysis of the electrochemical phenomenon at the rebar–concrete interface using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopic technique
Authors: Vedalakshmi R. , Palaniswamy N.
Published: February 2010

The corrosion rate of rebar during the various stages where it occurs, such as passivation, initiation of corrosion and severe corrosion, needs to be determined non-destructively for the maintenance, restoration and replacement of concrete structures. The double layer capacitance (Cdl) and the charge transfer resistance or polarisation resistance (Rp) of the corrosion processes have been associated with the slope of the low-frequency arc in the Nyquist plot, and this can be related to the electrochemical phenomenon that occurs at the steel–concrete interface. The present studies, based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) conducted on three different densities of concrete with addition of 0·5 and 1% chloride over a period of 1765 days, reveal that the capacitive behaviour of a low-frequency arc with a slope more than −1 indicates the passive condition of rebar. Warburg diffusion behaviour with a slope exactly equal to −1 denotes the initiation of corrosion on the rebar. A slope of less than −1 is obtained when corrosion spreads uniformly on the rebar. Other electrochemical parameters such as Rp, Cdl and phase angle are correlated with the phenomenon occurring at the steel–concrete interface. An Rp value greater than 250 kΩ cm2 indicates the passive condition of rebar, whereas values of less than 230 and 14 kΩ cm2 indicate initiation and severe corrosion of the rebar respectively. Similarly, a Cdl value greater than 1000 μF/cm2 indicates the severe corrosion of rebar, whereas less than 100 μF/cm2 denotes the passive condition of rebar. If the rebar is in the passive condition, the phase angle is more than 30°, whereas it is less than 20° under severe corrosion. The reduction of intrinsic chloride diffusivity owing to pore restructuring by pozzolanic reaction and adsorption of a greater amount of chloride ions into the interlayer of additional calcium silicate hydrate content are responsible for delayed initiation of corrosion in Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) and Portland slag cement (PSC) concretes, when compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete.
Experimental study on the relationship between shrinkage and interior humidity of concrete at early age
Authors: Zhang J. , Dongwei H. , Wei S.
Published: February 2010

The calculation of shrinkage-induced stresses and evaluation of cracking risk in concrete structures require information on shrinkage strain that always relates to the moisture decrease caused by drying or cement hydration. In the present paper, the development of internal relative humidity (RH) and global deformation in early-age normal and high-strength concrete were experimentally measured simultaneously by monitoring humidity and deformation sensors, respectively, starting from the time of concrete casting. The experimental results show that the development of the internal RH of concrete first follows a vapour-saturated stage (RH = 100%, stage I), followed by a gradually reducing stage (RH ≤ssthan 100%, stage II). Meanwhile, the global deformation behaves first as a plastic swelling for the initial several hours after casting and then shrinking occurs with a gradually reduced rate. The end of swelling normally corresponds to the point of concrete setting, at which point the transformation of fresh concrete from a liquid-like plastic state to a solid state is finished. Shrinkage has been measured even in the vapour-saturated stage with RH = 100%. In the humidity reduction stage, a linear relationship between free shrinkage strain and humidity reduction exists. In practice, the relationship of free shrinkage strain and local RH may be used to calculate the free shrinkage strain field and further to calculate the shrinkage-induced stresses in structures as well.
Instantaneous and short-term deformation of early-age concrete under quasi-instantaneous loading
Authors: Choi S. , Cha S.W. , Park H.
Published: February 2010

In order to assess accurately the stresses in early-age concrete, a realistic compliance function is required. The existing compliance functions, however, have been deduced from the data of hardened concrete and thus the rapid change during the hardening process in early-age concrete cannot be considered rationally. The purpose of this study is to propose a compliance function that can describe the highly viscoelastic behaviour in very early-age concrete. A test method to estimate the instantaneous compliance without creep effect was investigated first and tests were performed to determine the instantaneous and creep compliance. While both material parameters relating to instantaneous and ageing viscoelastic compliance were constants in the existing model based on the solidification theory, the test results showed that they had a strong age dependency at very early ages. A modified compliance function was proposed to provide more realistic prediction of the behaviour of early-age concrete.
Informing an urban design process by way of a practical example
Authors: Boyko C. T. , Cooper R. , Davey C. L. , Wootton A. B.
Published: February 2010

Urban design and sustainability are critical issues in creating better urban environments. The UK government is endorsing sustainability through its sustainable communities agenda and is urging the public, private and third sectors to emphasise high quality design in their urban development projects. However, with little guidance as to how to design sustainable urban development projects, decision-makers may end up wasting time, money and resources in projects that are unsustainable for themselves, the community and beyond. One option for decision-makers is loosely to follow a generic process for urban design that demonstrates, by way of a series of stages and activities, when to make decisions and to consider sustainability, what tools are needed to make decisions and who should be making decisions. To further the understanding of the use of a process in sustainable urban design decision-making, a baseline model was first created that amalgamates stages and activities from relevant processes found in a variety of disciplines and professions. A case study was then conducted, showing the process for the urban design and development of Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell, London. Through analysis of interviews, archival material and site analysis, three distinct periods of the process were discerned. These periods are discussed by way of process stages, decisions, tools and sustainability. The paper then compares this process with the baseline process to understand how the former can help improve the latter as a tool for assisting decision-makers in creating more sustainable urban environments.
Briefing: A ‘Burns night’ for planners
Authors: Hillman Lester
Published: February 2010

One hundred years on, this briefing reflects on the UK Housing, Town Planning Etc. Act, described at enactment in 1909 as the most important piece of social legislation. The centennial anniversary of the Act offers a chance to explore the larger-than-life character of John Burns MP who steered it through Parliament. The article describes something of the legacy today in the John Burns Collection of papers and in an enduring turn of phrase that encapsulated planning aspirations. In conclusion, it places the Act in a context of other centennials associated with planning.
What now for urban regeneration?
Authors: Granger R.
Published: February 2010

It is against recent experiences of virulent neoliberalism and commodification in UK urban environments that regeneration practitioners and core professionals must confront assumptions about the impact and purpose of recent renewal strategies. Over the last decade, urban landscapes have been reinvigorated through intense design and renewal and a massification of private investment, which have come to characterise a new urbanism. Urban regeneration – the broad banner under which much of this change has occurred – has been encouraged by many localities to the extent that it has been beyond reproach by political and critical analysts. This paper makes use of the current respite in urban renewal, which has been brought about by changes in financial markets, to revisit the policy principles and impacts of existing renewal projects as well as the strategic aspirations of several urban areas. It is hoped that this paper might stimulate debate about the future form of urban regeneration and consideration of the need for changes in policy design.
Enhancing Asset Performance: How Can The Benefits Of Collaborative Work Environments Be Effectively Measured?
Authors: Adefulu Yemi
Published: February 2010

Measurement of the impact of digital energy solutions on asset performance continues to be a challenge. The performance impacts of digital energy solutions is difficult to measure primarily due to the fact that the impact of individual solutions cannot be isolated from the larger performance of the asset.

A collaborative work environment (CWE) is a common solution within the accepted portfolio of Digital Oilfield solutions. A CWE is a custom designed facility to support improved field management through the integration of people, process, and technology. CWEs are being embraced in the upstream industry as an effective way if designed well to manage challenges by improving decision-making, achieving higher quality analysis and interpretations, and effectively and efficiently using skilled resources.

As part of the CWE implementation, key performance indicators (KPIs) that drive collaborative behaviour were monitored and tracked over the lifecycle of the implementation. These key performance indicators monitored the impact of the CWE on: Operational disruption managementProductivity and efficiency gainsReduced operating costsCompetency/capabilityMorale

This paper outlines the impact of a CWE implementation on asset performance through comprehensive analysis of identified key performance indicators. In addition, the paper draws round lessons learned and best practice for outlining and tracking KPIs for CWEs.
Pipeline Management Using Shell Model Optimizing Control and Lagosa— Effectively Leveraging Downstream Expertise in the Upstream
Authors: van Donkelaar Edwin , van Opstal Jan , de Wolf Sjoerd , La Riviere Rene , Sturm Wilco
Published: February 2010

Relative small improvements in the operational efficiency of gas trunkline systems can generate significant business value due to the large volumes of gas running through the system. Production deferment, off-spec gas, ramp up time, etc. can be greatly reduced by accurate control of the gas flow within constraints on gas quality, pressure regime, liquid holdup, etc.

In this paper we will show how the workflow of gas trunkline management can be improved by a successful combination of Shell Model Optimizing Control (SMOC, Shell's proprietary MPC technology) and the web-based on-line dynamic modeling environment Lagosa, Shell's proprietary Liquid & Gas Online Scenario Advisor (Lagosa).

The case study entails an operator support system that provides advice to the operator on how to manage the flow rate of ten platforms such that the flow rate is optimized while satisfying constraints on e.g. landing pressure and gas quality.

In this paper we will to share the learning from this cross-business implementation project. Learnings will be shared from a workflow/people perspective as well as from a technology perspective.
Numerical Simulation of an Evaporative Spray in a Gas-Solid Crossflow
Authors: Li Tingwen , Pougatch Konstantin , Salcudean Martha , Grecov Dana
Published: February 2010

Evaporative liquid feeds are often introduced into gas-solid systems through horizontal nozzles in many industry applications. The interactions of gas, particles and evaporative spray play key roles in affecting process efficiency and product quality. Good understanding of the fundamental hydrodynamics of this phenomenon is essential to the design improvement and process optimization. In this work, an Eulerian multi-fluid model for evaporative spray in gas-solid flows is proposed and a three-dimensional numerical simulation of a gas-liquid nitrogen jet in a uniform gas-solid crossflow is performed. In this model, the droplet evaporation and interphase heat transfer are modeled with appropriate semi-empirical correlations. Detailed numerical results of the flow field are obtained and the predicted temperature distribution is compared with experimental measurements in the literature. The evaporative spray jet is investigated under different particles loadings and the effect of spray evaporation on the flow behavior is discussed. Finally, parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the effects of droplet size, jet velocity on the jet behavior.
A Review of Rapid Gas-Solid Separation Techniques
Authors: Huard Martin , Briens Cedric , Berruti Franco , Gauthier Thierry A
Published: February 2010

Rapid, effective separation of phases is an essential step in many hydrocarbon conversion gas-solid processes. In heavy oil upgrading, fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and biomass pyrolysis, for example, very fast separation of reacting gases from catalytic or heat-bearing solids is required to inhibit further reaction. The primary functions of a rapid separator in the context of a gas-solid flow are, first, to terminate contact between the reacting gases and the catalytic or hot solid particles and, second, to recover the isolated product vapors. Uninterrupted vapor-solid contact results in degraded, overcracked and generally less valuable products. Increasing interest in rapid separation has led in the past 25 years to a wide variety of proposed separator designs in the literature.Centrifugal separation is the fundamental principle underlying cyclone operation and most rapid gas-solid separation processes. Traditional cyclones rely on centrifugal separation and are very widely applicable. They are used for the removal of solid particulate matter from gas or liquid streams, for gas demisting, and in hydrocyclones. Most FCC processes employ traditional cyclone configurations for secondary and tertiary separation. The review briefly summarizes important topics studied in reverse flow cyclone operation. For initial separation, however, most fast gas-solid separators in the literature feature only partial cyclone layouts. Separation typically occurs more quickly in these devices relative to traditional cyclones, likely at the expense of separation efficiency.The current review places emphasis on experimental results and novel separation techniques in the context of fast gas-solid separation. Several recent methods of rapid gas-solid separation employ co-current or "uniflow" centrifugal arrangements. Hence, particular attention is directed to co-current centrifugal separators. These devices have been studied much less intensively than their reverse flow counterparts. Fast co-current separators, with their novel, partial cyclone layouts, are interesting for their performance characteristics in relation to popular commercial designs.
Geometry Effects in Eulerian/Granular Simulation of a Turbulent FCC Riser with a (kg-?g)-KTGF Model
Authors: Nazif Hamid Reza , Basirat Tabrizi Hassan , Farhadpour Farhad A
Published: February 2010

Three-dimensional, transient turbulent particulate flow in an FCC riser is modeled using an Eulerian/Granular approach. The turbulence in the gas phase is described by a modified realizable (kg-?g) closure model and the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) is employed for the particulate phase. Separate simulations are conducted for a rectangular and a cylindrical riser with similar dimensions. The model predictions are validated against experimental data of Sommerfeld et al (2002) and also compared with the previously reported LES-KTGF simulations of Hansen et al (2003) for the rectangular riser. The (kg-?g)-KTGF model does not perform as well as the LES-KTGF model for the riser with a rectangular cross section. This is because, unlike the more elaborate LES-KTGF model, the simpler (kg-?g)-KTGF model cannot capture the large scale secondary circulations induced by anisotropic turbulence at the corners of the rectangular riser. In the cylindrical geometry, however, the (kg-?g)-KTGF model gives good prediction of the data and is a viable alternative to the more complex LES-KTGF model. This is not surprising as the circulations in the riser with a circular cross section are due to the curvature of the walls and not due to the presence of sharp corners.
Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Resorcinol over Mesoporous Alumina Loaded with Sulfuric Acid
Authors: Chandren Sheela , Ramli Zainab , Nur Hadi
Published: February 2010

Mesoporous alumina which contains only Lewis acidity was synthesized by sol-gel method and was then impregnated with sulfuric acid to generate Brönsted acidity. The catalyst was used in Friedel-Crafts alkylation of resorcinol with methyl tert-butyl ether to produce 4-tert-butylresorcinol and 4,6-di-tert-butylresor- cinol as the major and minor products respectively. It was demonstrated that Lewis and Brönsted acidities play a synergetic role in this reaction.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Weight Management
Authors: Moran Lisa J , Lombard Catherine B , Lim Siew , Noakes Manny , Teede Helena J
Published: February 2010

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women of reproductive age, and has reproductive, metabolic and psychological implications. Weight gain and obesity worsen the features of PCOS, while weight loss improves the features of PCOS. While there are potential barriers to successful weight management in young women who do not suffer from PCOS, women with PCOS may experience additional barriers. Weight management strategies in younger women with or without PCOS should encompass both the prevention of excess weight gain and achieving and maintaining a reduced weight through multidisciplinary lifestyle management, comprising dietary, exercise and behavioral therapy, as well as attention to psychosocial stress and practical and physiological barriers to weight management. Further research is warranted in the examination of specific barriers to weight management in women with PCOS, as well as in the determination of optimal components of lifestyle weight management interventions in young women in order to facilitate long-term compliance.
The Illinois Women'S Health Registry: Advancing Women'S Health Research and Education in Illinois, USA
Authors: Bristol-Gould Sarah , Desjardins Michelle , Woodruff Teresa K
Published: February 2010

To achieve the goal of personalized medicine, we must first improve our understanding of the differences in health and illness between men and women. The purpose of the Illinois Women's Health Registry (USA) is to provide a research and education tool that advances scientific knowledge of sex- and gender-based differences in health and disease. Specifically, the Registry is a confidential 30-min health and lifestyle survey for female residents of Illinois over the age of 18 years. The survey includes questions regarding health, environment, health-related behaviors, symptoms and illnesses or conditions that a participant may have now or has had in the past. By enrolling in the Registry, women throughout the state are provided with information and access to clinical research studies that they may be eligible for, based on their self-reported health information. The Registry not only serves as a platform for recruitment into pivotal research studies, but also represents the beginning of a state-wide database that enables researchers to examine the collective de-identified health information provided by women living in Illinois. Ultimately, a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of these data will help to clarify the issues that women themselves identify as their main health concerns. In response to these concerns, specific research studies can be designed and launched, allowing us to eventually deliver tailored treatment and prevention options to women. Finally, by creating a reliable state-focused research tool, developed by staff that are trained in women's health research, we can compare health issues across the state and apply strategies for improvement where it is needed most. This article will provide examples of sex differences in disease, the lack of federal enforcement for inclusion of women in studies, researcher-perceived burdens and sex-based reasons as to why recruitment of women is considered to be more challenging. In addition, this article will discuss what a women's health registry is and why we need one in Illinois, how we have recruited women and our successes and challenges. Our goal is to inform the reader about the utility of a state-based tool and to provide a discussion regarding the lessons learned in order to aid other states in implementing this kind of program.
Risk Quantification in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Erkan Doruk
Published: February 2010

Evaluation of: Urbanus RT, Siegerink B, Roest M, Rosendaal FR, de Groot PG, Algra A: Antiphospholipid antibodies and risk of myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke in young women in the RATIO study: a case–control study. Lancet Neurol. 8(11), 998–1005 (2009). In a multicenter, population-based case-control study of women younger than 50 years of age, 175 patients with ischemic stroke, 203 patients with myocardial infarction and 628 healthy controls were analyzed. Lupus anticoagulant positivity increased the odds ratio (OR) of ischemic stroke (OR: 43.1; 95% CI: 12.2-152) and myocardial infarction (OR: 5.3; 95% CI: 1.4-20.8). Moreover, additional traditional thrombosis risk factors, such as smoking or oral contraceptives, further increased the OR of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction in lupus anticoagulant-positive patients, supporting the evidence in support of a multifactorial nature of thrombosis in antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients.
Overactive Bladder: Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Vij Monika , Robinson Dudley , Cardozo Linda
Published: February 2010

Overactive bladder syndrome is a chronic condition that requires long-term management and is associated with a significant impairment in the quality of life of the individual as well as having an economic impact on healthcare. Behavioral interventions, along with lifestyle modifications, are effective, but medical management remains the mainstay of treatment. Challenges to improving the overactive bladder syndrome burden and outcomes include underdiagnosis, undertreatment and patient nonadherence to medication. Recent pharmacological advances, along with behavioral interventions, have helped to improve patient compliance. Healthcare providers should acknowledge the need for education regarding overactive bladder syndrome symptoms, its diagnosis and its management options. This article gives an overview of overactive bladder syndrome, its diagnosis and the different treatment options available, as well as discussing recent advances in the field.
Stem Cells of the Breast and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Groner Bernd , Vafaizadeh Vida , Brill Boris , Klemmt Petra
Published: February 2010

Breast cancer remains a significant public health problem despite advances in the understanding of the molecular and cellular events that underlie the disease. Crucial pathways regulating the cell cycle, proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells have been investigated and aberrant components of these pathways have been exploited as new drug targets. However, the mortality from breast cancer is only slowly declining. Recently, a model has been proposed that might explain the heterogeneous biological features of breast cancer cell populations and their differential response to therapeutic agents, which has interesting implications for further progress in therapy. This model links the emergence of breast cancer cells to stem cells and progenitors, an observation originally made in other cancer entities. It hypothesizes that the tumors originate from a small population of undifferentiated cells. These cells can undergo self-renewal and are able to generate a large number of partially differentiated cells, which constitute the bulk of the tumor. These cancer stem cells resemble adult stem and progenitor cells found in the normal breast, but are deregulated in their patterns of proliferation and differentiation. They could originate from normal stem cells or from more differentiated progenitors and lose their normal growth restraints through a series of oncogenic mutations that deregulate a small number of central signaling pathways. If breast cancer really is a stem and progenitor cell disease, this will have important implications for the understanding of the emergence of cancer cells. A combination of the cell-type of origin, stem cells, early or late progenitors and the particular oncogenic mutations acquired could provide a new classification of the different types of breast cancer. These parameters might determine the mechanisms of cancer progression and the responsiveness of patients to drug treatment. Stem cell-specific features could possibly be exploited as innovative drug targets.