bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Talent & Technology: Drawing on Collective Engineering Sentiment To Improve Learning Outcomes
Authors: Lawrie-Munro Michele , Dalrymple Lori
Published: September 2017

With many engineering disciplines projected to have a shortage of workers in the next 10 years and the impending retirement of many senior-level employees, there has been an emphasis on identifying job competencies and skills gaps. SPE, and others, have developed a variety of tools to identify and address these and help members ready themselves for the emerging realities of the future workplace, further their careers, and meet employers’ expectations.

As the SPE Soft Skills Committee reported in the February 2016 issue of JPT(Fig. 1), the American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES) released an Engineering Competency Model (CMT) in July 2015. The group engaged subject matter experts from its 17 member societies to develop the model in conjunction with the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration over a 2-year period. The administration partners with industries and professions to develop and maintain dynamic models of the foundational and technical competencies that are necessary in economically vital industries and sectors of the American economy. SPE’s parent organization, the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) participated as a member society. AIME interfaced with SPE training staff during development of this model.

The creation of the competency model included an examination of existing bodies of knowledge, as well as the inclusion and involvement of the stakeholders within the engineering community, including associations, industry, and academia. The tool was vetted via a webinar, a survey, and an in-person review session. The team built the model to provide a universal standard for the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary not only for entering the engineering profession but also for maintaining proficiency during one’s career. It is also helpful to employers, educators, associations, and economic developers.

While the Department of Labor has used this pyramidal template to develop models for 23 industries, engineering was the first profession for which this was used. Additional detail can be found at https://www.careeronestop. org/CompetencyModel/.

Bridging the Engineering Competency Model 

With SPE’s Competency Work The ECM competencies are laid out in pyramidal fashion to display foundational skills typically learned earlier in life underneath those skills acquired in later stages of educational and workplace achievement. But it stops short of identifying competencies for specific engineering disciplines and jobs. This is where most of SPE’s technical competencies come in.
Fifty Years of TUDRP
Authors: Banzet-Ellis Gail
Published: September 2017

Many professionals in today’s drilling engineering industry can trace their careers back to a historic research facility in Tulsa. One of the oldest drilling consortia in the world, The University of Tulsa Drilling Research Project, TUDRP, is celebrating 50 years and is poised to continue its tradition for another 5 decades.

TUDRP is the concept of legendary TU professor Kermit Brown who initially established the consortium. A nonprofit cooperative between industry partners and university associates, TUDRP conducts basic and applied research to advance drilling technology. Students gain experience in the industry while partners benefit from the research developed. Professor B.J. Livesay was the group’s first director and welcomed a small group of industry partners. Livesay left the program in 1972, and John Day served as interim director until J.J. Azar accepted the permanent role. Azar arrived at TU in 1965 as an assistant professor in aerospace engineering. As director, he reached out to major oil corporations, independents, contractors, and suppliers.

“We were the only existing cooperative research program in petroleum engineering that specialized in drilling while also promoting academics,” Azar said.

TUDRP grew to more than a dozen members with worldwide recognition, and by the late 1980s, more than 25 companies were involved.

Azar led TUDRP for 22 years while teaching drilling courses to hundreds of students and helping them publish technical papers as a direct result of the research at TUDRP.

Professor Stefan Miska, who initially taught at New Mexico Tech, joined TU in 1992 and succeeded Azar as TUDRP director in 1996. Miska continued to focus on Azar’s priorities while also expanding the research. The development of a flow loop system by Azar provided a location for new experiments, and Miska was eager to implement additional applications.

“I wanted to do more for the drilling industry,” he said. “I wanted to develop something that would be unique and useful.”

TUDRP began looking at all aspects of drilling mechanics and introduced new tools such as the Rock Mechanics Facility to better understand factors affecting the drilling rate and ultimately drilling costs. Current TUDRP resources include a low-pressure flow loop, advanced cuttings transport facility, drillpipe/coiled tubing buckling facility, full-scale testing rig, drillpipe fatigue testing facility, fluids characterization laboratory, small and large indoor flow loops, shale-fluid interaction test cell, triaxial rock mechanics testing facility, and others. The consortium team includes eight TU faculty members as well as research technicians, several consultants, and research assistants. To date, 170 projects have been completed, and 14 are in progress.
Technology Focus: Field Development Projects (October 2017)
Authors: Capello Maria A.
Published: September 2017

Technology Focus

The new dynamics and strategies of field development are marked more than ever by the profitability considerations imposed by an extended period of low oil prices. The new market scenario has apparently cornered producers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain their production volumes because reducing production to raise oil prices would trigger profitability levels for shale oil and nonconventional producers. Interweaved forces of precarious equilibrium affect field development and redevelopment plans.

The papers presented at main SPE conferences are grounded in this reality, and I found that a staggering number of articles by researchers and service and producing companies are related to theoretical and real-data economic modeling, with approaches rarely seen before, where the long-term profitability has acquired prime weight. Early assessments of the future reservoir response to enhanced-recovery systems need more-detailed, -reliable, and -precise fore-casts to enable decisions of ever-more-demanding investors and stakeholders in international and national oil companies. Development/redevelopment plans for new and established oil fields of any kind undergo a detailed screening of future performance in low-price scenarios, and further challenges to cost arise when producing from frontier areas or from reservoirs with different maturity levels at the same time or with environmentally challenged production systems.

The papers selected typify this new trend and exemplify several of the challenges experienced in new and mature oil fields. Paper SPE 181598 showcases challenges for offshore redevelopment in the Middle East to extend production for 25 years. Paper IPTC 18984 accounts for an incipient shale development in China, and paper SPE 182269 departs from the conventional net-present-value maximization and capital-expenditure minimization to explore alternative options for subsea-production-systems design.

The industry is evolving to a more factual approach to profitability, with emphasis in modeling the long-term scenarios with detail. And this applies for developments in both mature and new fields.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 182632 Model-Based Well-Location Optimization—A Robust Approach by B.A. Ramirez, Shell, et al.

OTC 27592 Johan Sverdrup—Creating a Unique Environment for Successful Drilling Operations in an Accelerating Spotlight Project by JÁkup øregaard, Statoil, et al.

SPE 184848 Optimizing Well Spacing and Well Performance in the Piceance Basin Niobrara Formation by N. Li, Black Hills Exploration and Production, et al.
Field Life Extension in Abu Dhabi Through Hybrid Development Concept
Authors: Wilson Adam
Published: September 2017

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 181598, “Prospective Unlocking of Future Reserves in Offshore Abu Dhabi: Field-Life Extension Through Hybrid Development Concept,” by T. Nakashima, SPE, D. Ouzzane, SPE, G. Dudley, SPE, and M. Al-Marzouqi, ADMA-OPCO, prepared for the 2016 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dubai, 26–28 September. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Field A, a giant field consisting of many subreservoirs, is offshore Abu Dhabi and has produced for 50 years, mainly through peripheral water injection. A long-term development plan (LDP) for the field aims to extend the production plateau by 25 years through infill drilling and waterfloods. This paper describes an approach for optimizing the number and type of drilling centers required to enable the development plan to be flexible in design to accommodate infrastructure, facilities, drilling, and subsurface constraints.

Introduction

Field A, a giant carbonate field, has been developed for 50 years. As the field reaches maturity, it moves to another phase of development. Design of the next development phase, the LDP, began in the early 2010s. The LDP assessment stage, which screened the surface and subsurface development concept, was recently completed, and the development planning team is preparing for the selection stage. The assessment-stage conclusion was for drilling from artificial islands (AIs), wellhead towers (WHTs), or a combination of both and leaves a degree of freedom. This paper describes the optimization approach of the drilling-center options.

The LDP is just the first phase of a large-scale long-span offshore reservoir redevelopment that aims for a further 50 years of production. The complexity of the field is significant because of limited seabed space, the age of the existing surface facilities and pipelines, and challenging drilling circumstances.

These complexities differentiate the development project from other offshore projects, and an appropriate selection of drilling centers is one of the more important keys to project success.

Field and Development History

The field of carbonate reservoirs is in shallow water. The field is 40×20 km, and different reservoirs have been developed by two different operators. The stack of reservoirs is divided into shallower reservoirs (U Reservoirs) and deeper reservoirs (L Reservoirs).

The L Reservoirs are geologically divided into two major reservoirs, L1 and L2, which have been developed similarly. The development began with natural production with original reservoir energy. Beginning in the 1970s, pressure maintenance through dump flood-water injection by connecting the target reservoirs with a shallow aquifer was conducted for 10 years. For further reservoir-pressure maintenance, powered peripheral water injection was started, and the development scheme has been continuous, with reinforced pressure maintenance through immiscible gas injection from the top structure.
Natural-Language-Processing Techniques for Oil and Gas Drilling Data
Authors: Wilson Adam
Published: September 2017

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 181015, “Natural-Language-Processing Techniques on Oil and Gas Drilling Data,” by M. Antoniak, J. Dalgliesh, SPE, and M. Verkruyse, Maana, and J. Lo, Chevron, prepared for the 2016 SPE Intelligent Energy International Conference and Exhibition, Aberdeen, 6–8 September. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Recent advances in search, machine learning, and natural-language processing have made it possible to extract structured information from free text, providing a new and largely untapped source of insight for well and reservoir planning. However, major challenges are involved in applying these techniques to data that are messy or that lack a labeled training set. This paper presents a method to compare the distribution of hypothesized and realized risks to oil wells described in two data sets that contain free-text descriptions of risks.

Introduction

In the oil and gas industry, risk identification and risk assessment are critical. This holds particularly true during the drilling stages, which cannot begin before a risk assessment is conducted. While these risk assessments are typically conducted in a group setting, the project drilling engineer usually has a predetermined list of risks and likelihood scores that are the focus of the conversation.

One problem with this approach is that drilling engineers are inherently biased by personal experiences, which can affect their view on how likely an event is to happen. For example, if a project drilling engineer recently encountered well-control issues, the engineer will likely overestimate the chance of future well-control issues. On the other hand, if the engineer has never encountered a well-control issue, it may be unintentionally omitted altogether from the risk assessments.

Using historical data as a barometer could help the drilling engineer overcome these issues, though doing so requires a unified view of both prior risk assessments and prior issues encountered. Chevron maintains both data sets in disparate systems. The Risk Assessment database contains descriptions of risks from historical risk assessments, and the Well Operations database contains descriptions of unexpected events and associated unexpected-event codes, which categorize the unexpected events.

Leveraging both, a system has been created that allows a project drilling engineer to enter a risk in natural language, return drilling codes related to this risk, produce statistics showing how often these types of events have happened in the past, and predict the likelihood of the problem occurring in certain fields.
Technology Focus: Sand Management and Sand Control (October 2017)
Authors: Wang Xiuli
Published: September 2017

Technology Focus

More than half of all existing wells are estimated to require sand control or sand management throughout their lifetime, including unconsolidated sandstone in conventional reservoirs or flowback in unconventional reservoirs. The majority of recent major hydrocarbon discoveries, from Africa (Mozambique, Angola, and Tanzania), transcontinental countries (Egypt), North America (US and Canada), to Far East Asia (Malaysia), are offshore with high-permeability soft formation sands. Approximately half of them are gas-bearing reservoirs.

High-flow-rate gas wells are particularly susceptible to sand production. High-velocity or turbulent fluid flow generates large drag forces, dislodging unconsolidated sand particles. The free-flowing particles can erode downhole and surface equipment, including well-control barriers. In a worst-case scenario, this can lead to dangerous uncontrolled production.

To ensure successful sand management, a multidisciplinary engagement is necessary. The teams should be able to predict sanding tendencies, detect the sanding locations, select appropriate downhole sand-management and -control devices, and implement the best operating practices for the life of the well.

Because of the current downturn, operators are shifting their efforts to the revitalization of existing wells in order to squeeze more production from depleted reservoirs. The same holistic sand-management tactic should be applied to remedial sand control.

In summary, production from sand-prone reservoirs is a daunting task, with formidable challenges. Sand management and control remain as an old problem but with new challenges because of the suppressed oil and gas prices. Cost-saving and value-adding solutions are vital now more than ever.

For more information, read the featured papers, recommended additional reading, and other publications at OnePetro.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 181596 Defining Sand Control in an Uncharted Frontier: A Case Study on the Zawtika Field Development in Myanmar by Graham Grant, PTTEP International, et al.

SPE 181360 Case History: Integrated Approach to Sand Management and Completion Evaluation for Sand Producer in a Mature Field, North Sea by M. Ruslan, Dong Oil and Gas, et al.

SPE 182511 New Criteria for Slotted-Liner Design for Heavy-Oil Thermal Production by Mahdi Mahmoudi, University of Alberta, et al.
Advancement in Openhole Sand-Control Applications With Shape-Memory Polymer
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: September 2017

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 181361, “Advancement in Openhole Sand-Control Applications With Shape-Memory Polymer,” by Xiuli Wang and Gbenga Osunjaye, Baker Hughes, a GE company, prepared for the 2016 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dubai, 26–28 September. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Conventional openhole sand-control techniques include standalone screens, expandable screens, and openhole gravel packing (OHGP). In some cases, the uniformity, size, and level of compressive strength of the formation dictate the use of an OHGP completion. However, OHGP is not always feasible or practical for some reservoirs and geographic locations. Shape-memory-polymer (SMP) technology can fill the gaps that exist with current OHGP techniques. This paper summarizes a technology using SMP to provide downhole sand control in openhole environments.

Introduction

The SMP conformable sand-control system consists of an engineered polymer material compacted onto a retainer cartridge (outer shroud, plain Dutch-weave mesh, and inner shroud). The assembly is then installed onto a perforated base pipe by mechanical means to provide a simple modular system for openhole sand-control applications.

SMP Principle and Engineered Behaviors. The SMP typically has two different states: the glass state at low temperatures and the rubber state at higher temperatures. The point of change of state (the transition from the glass state to the rubber state), and the associated temperature, is referred to as the glass transit temperature (Tg).

The engineered SMP has a defined Tg—the point where shape recovery starts. The initial SMP is first heated to the Tg of the polymer. Then, a mechanical force is applied to compact it to a smaller diameter and onto a retainer cartridge. The condensed SMP is then cooled below its Tg, and the force is removed. The SMP retains its compacted size until the surrounding temperature of the SMP reaches the Tg, at which point shape recovery begins.

The bottomhole temperature (BHT) of the candidate reservoirs needs to be lower than the Tg to ensure that the SMP is rigid under the downhole conditions during the production phase. After the SMP sand-control system is installed in a wellbore, to expand the SMP under a BHT that is lower than the Tg, an activation fluid must be introduced. This activation fluid serves as a catalyst and temporarily reduces the Tg below the BHT so the SMP will be recovered to its initial shape. After the SMP is deployed, the activation fluid is flushed out. The SMP retains its recovered shape that conforms to the wellbore, and it is ready for production.
Influence of salicylate administration on weight gain and serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens
Authors: B. Poźniak , H. Yuan , Yi J. , C. Guo , S. Deng , L. Zhu , Lu Y. , Y. Yang , M. Świtała
Published: September 2017

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sodium salicylate (SS) administration on weight gains and serum biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. This study was performed to investigate the safety of ASA and SS in chickens in conditions of moderate overdose. Seventy five broiler chickens (Sanhuangji breed) were divided into control and experimental groups. The chickens were administered orally with ASA or SS in the following daily doses: 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 20 days. In the course of the experiment weight gains were recorded. On day 14 and day 20 the chickens were sampled for blood biochemical analysis. Investigated parameters included serum total protein, albumin, uric acid, creatinine, potassium, sodium and calcium contents as well as alanine transaminase activity. After the last samplings the chickens were dissected and liver and kidney to body weight ratios were recorded. It was demonstrated that SS at a dose of 200 mg/kg increased serum total protein level. ASA increased serum proteins at a dose of 100 mg/kg but not at a higher dose. At the dose of 200 mg/kg ASA increased the kidney to body weight ratio. In all salicylate treated groups the liver weights were lower as compared to the control. No clinical manifestations of intolerance were observed. It is assumed that chickens tolerate ASA and SS well, even in doses producing distinct side effects in several mammalian species.
Representações geográficas: notas e exemplos
Authors: Corrêa Roberto Lobato
Published: September 2017

Representações sobre a espacialidade da natureza e da ação humana constituem longa e enraizada tradição entre os geógrafos. Estas representações se fazem de diferentes modos, mas aqui consideraremos apenas as representações gráficas, partes integrantes dessa tradição. O longo caminho trilhado, contudo, exibe problemas tanto técnicos e conceituais como de rejeição por parte de geógrafos e não-geógrafos. Neste texto reafirma-se e exemplifica-se a importância das representações gráficas como meio para tornar inteligível a espacialidade da natureza e da ação humana. Este texto divide-se em duas partes. Na primeira discute-se brevemente alguns pontos importantes a respeito das representações (geo)gráficas e na segunda apresentase alguns exemplos dessas representações.
Evaluation of design flood estimates – a case study for Norway
Authors: Kobierska Florian , Engeland Kolbjørn , Thorarinsdottir Thordis
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive fit of probability distributions to annual maximum flood data, and in particular to evaluate (1) which combination of distribution and estimation method gives the best fit and (2) whether the answer to (1) depends on record length. These aims were achieved by assessing the sensitivity to record length of the predictive performance of several probability distributions. A bootstrapping approach was used by resampling (with replacement) record lengths of 30 to 90 years (50 resamples for each record length) from the original record and fitting distributions to these subsamples. Subsequently, the fits were evaluated according to several goodness-of-fit measures and to the variability of the predicted flood quantiles. Our initial hypothesis that shorter records favor two-parameter distributions was not clearly supported. The ordinary moments method was the most stable while providing equivalent goodness-of-fit.
Statins and Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Bakakos Agamemnon , Oikonomou Evangelos , Vogiatzi Georgia , Siasos Gerasimos , Tsalamandris Sotiris , Antonopoulos Alexios , Mourouzis Costas , Fountoulakis Petros , Vavuranakis Manolis , Tousoulis Dimitris
Published: September 2017

Background: Statins are a well-established class of drugs in both preventing coronary events and
treating cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease, however their use in heart failure is still in debate.

Objectives: To establish whether statins' pleiotropic actions in endothelium, inflammation, remodeling of the
heart and anti-arrhythmic potential may be in favorable of heart failure patients.

Methods: We proceed to literature search of English bibliography under the terms heart failure, statins, 3-
hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors.

Results: Various experimental and clinical trials on the use of statins in the different subtypes of heart failure
according to the ejection fraction of the left ventricle have been conducted to conclude whether statins should be
part of their patients' treatment. The evidence shows that the subgroup of patients with ischemic heart disease and
those with preserved ejection fraction seems to have better results from the use of statins although randomized
control trial in the total heart failure population did not show any benefit in mortality.

Conclusion: Statins may be beneficial to left ventricle systolic and diastolic performance of heart failure patients
however their result in mortality cannot be established based on current evidence.
Statins and Oxidative Stress in the Cardiovascular System
Authors: Margaritis Marios , Sanna Fabio , Antoniades Charalambos
Published: September 2017

Statins are widely established as an important class of medications for primary and secondary prevention
of cardiovascular disease. In addition to their lipid-lowering effects, mounting evidence suggests that statins
exhibit non-lipid-lowering mediated effects in the cardiovascular system. These so called “pleiotropic” effects are
partly due to antioxidant properties of statins. These are mediated by inhibition of the mevalonate pathway, which
interferes with small GTP-ase protein prenylation. This, in turn, leads to anti-oxidant effects of statins via a plethora
of mechanisms. Statins prevent the activation of the pro-oxidant enzyme NADPH-oxidase by interfering with
Rac1 activation and translocation to the membrane, as well as reducing expression of crucial subunits of
NADPH-oxidase. Statins also enhance the expression, enzymatic activity and coupling of endothelial nitric oxide
synthase (eNOS), through mevalonate-dependent effects. The net result is a restoration of the redox balance in the
cardiovascular system, with subsequent anti-atherosclerotic and cardioprotective effects. While the evidence from
basic science studies and animal models is strong, more clinical trials are required to establish the relevance of
these pleiotropic effects to human cardiovascular disease and potentially lead to expanded indications for statin
treatment or alternative therapeutic strategies.
Statins in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Chiesa Scott T. , Papageorgiou Nikos , Charakida Marietta
Published: September 2017

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common atherosclertico condition affecting the lower extremities.
PAD patients share similar cardiovascular risk factors to coronary artery disease patients and suffer from
increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Statins have been widely used in coronary artery disease patients
but have been underused in patients with PAD. In the current review, we present data which support the
beneficial role of statins in both reducing cardiovascular events and improving symptom-related outcomes in
PAD patients. Alongside their lipid lowering effects, their pleiotropic actions are also discussed. Recent guidelines,
which strongly recommend the administration of statins in PAD patients, are also presented.
Contributions of Household Income of Farmers as Palm Crafts Outside Agriculture Sector
Authors: Sadguna Dewa Nyoman , Sulistiawati Ni Putu Anom , Astiari Ni Komang Alit
Published: September 2017

The aim of this research is to know: the reasons of the farmer working as the craftsman, the constraints faced by the farmer as the craftsman, and the large contribution of household income of farmers as a craftsman fibers outside the agricultural sector in Munggu Village. Data collected in this research are primary data and secondary data. Data collection methods used were interviews and questionnaires. The data were analyzed by dividing the household income from the palm craft sector with the total income of the farmer household which was then supplies. Based on the results of the analysis is known most of the respondent farmers work as craftsmen “fibers/palm “ijuk” is for economic reasons. The palm craft sector is an alternative in the effort to supplement household income since the income as a worker of palm oil producers can contribute to the total income of farm households, where the palm craft sector contributes 30,21 of the total income of farm households. The agricultural sector contributed 25,92%. Given the substantial contribution of the palm fiber sector, the work can still be done by the farmers of respondents as long as no other work is considered better in helping to increase the income of farm households.
The Swedish Web Version of the Quality of Recovery Scale Adapted for Use in a Mobile App: Prospective Psychometric Evaluation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Nilsson Ulrica , Dahlberg Karuna , Jaensson Maria
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

The 40-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) questionnaire is well validated for measuring self-assessed postoperative recovery. The Swedish version of the 40-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-40) has been developed into a Web-based questionnaire, the Swedish Web version of the Quality of Recovery (SwQoR) questionnaire, adapted for use in a mobile app, Recovery Assessment by Phone Points, or RAPP.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test the validity, reliability, responsiveness, and clinical acceptability and feasibility of SwQoR.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective psychometric evaluation study including 494 patients aged ≥18 years undergoing day surgery at 4 different day-surgery departments in Sweden. SwQoR was completed daily on postoperative days 1 to 14.

RESULTS

All a priori hypotheses were confirmed, supporting convergent validity. There was excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha range .91-.93), split-half reliability (coefficient range .87-.93), and stability (ri=.99, 95% CI .96-.99; P<.001). Cohen d effect size was 1.00, with a standardized response mean of 1.2 and a percentage change from baseline of 59.1%. An exploratory factor analysis found 5 components explaining 57.8% of the total variance. We noted a floor effect only on postoperative day 14; we found no ceiling effect.

CONCLUSIONS

SwQoR is valid, has excellent reliability and high responsiveness, and is clinically feasible for the systematic follow-up of patients’ postoperative recovery.
Cooperation among Ugandan farmers: cultivating social capital
Authors: Morrow J.L. , Joyce Richard Patrick , McMahon William J. , DeMaia Antonio M. , McVicker S. Caleb , Parsons Ashley E. , Wilcox Kristin
Published: September 2017

A survey was administered to 183 Ugandan farmers in August 2014 to assess the factors that influence their willingness to become members of a proposed new agricultural cooperative. In particular, we were interested in a better understanding of how farmers viewed the social benefits associated with cooperation. These social benefits have the potential to become valuable sources of social capital. Four valid and reliable measures of social benefits were identified. Social benefits that farmers may use to get by (bonding networks) had two dimensions: emotional support and social support. Social benefits that farmers may use to get ahead (bridging networks) also had two dimensions: tangible and intangible resource sharing. The desire to gain these social benefits from cooperation (except for emotional support) emerged as strong predictors of farmers’ willingness to cooperate in a proposed new agricultural cooperative. Surprisingly, the expected economic benefits of cooperation did not have a significant effect on willingness to cooperate. Implications and suggestions for future research and cooperative development and management are also discussed.
Exploring the applicability of a sustainable smallholder sourcing model in the black soybean case in Java
Authors: Sjauw-Koen-Fa August R. , Blok Vincent , Omta Onno
Published: September 2017

Food and agribusiness multinational enterprises are redesigning their sourcing strategies to tap into the underused food production potential of small-scale farms in a way that improve farmers’ livelihood. The problem is that current widely applied sourcing models do not include improvement of livelihood of the producers/farmers. The present article explores the applicability of a sustainable smallholder sourcing model with a list of critical success factors, in which business objectives and corporate social responsibility perspectives are combined. To this end, the black soybean supply chain in Java/Indonesia is studied. It was found that the black soybean case can be conceptualized by the sourcing model. Most of the critical success factors were present, but also some differences were identified. The differences enable to fine-tune some critical success factors. The sustainable sourcing model can help in (re-)designing sourcing strategies to secure sustainable and more equitable supply from small-scale farmers from a business perspective.
Considering the consumer in the design of a supply chain of perishables
Authors: Jiménez-Guerrero José F. , Pérez-Mesa Juan C. , de Burgos-Jiménez Jerónimo , Piedra-Muñoz Laura
Published: September 2017

Customer satisfaction, contrary to a manufacturer based approach, is considered a key factor in the business strategy of many companies and in supply chain management. However, focusing on the consumer requires an analysis of the preference structure, which is something that conditions supply chain strategy. In this work we carry out a customer segmentation of a perishable product in order to identify different profiles, depending on their needs and preferences, which may allow the study of differentiated supply chain strategy. Thus, taking consumer satisfaction, we propose a differentiated supply chain approach depending on the segment which the company intends to address. In parallel and from a theoretical point of view, this approach represents a first step toward introducing the concept of responsible innovation in the study of supply chain management.
Chinese Economics, 1976-1986: Basic Trends and Perspectives
Authors: Louven Erhard
Published: September 2017

Everyone travelling through the People's Republic of China nowadays and comparing the situation with that of 1976, becomes well aware of the great changes that have been taking place since then. In the countryside, the peasants are building new houses, often two-storied and in the urban areas, one sees people dressed after the latest Western fashions.
As China Grows Strong
Authors: Segal Gerald
Published: September 2017

China's modernization is already rapidly improving the welfare of one quarter of mankind and changing communist ideology. But China is not only growing more stable and prosperous, it is also growing stronger. China's fourth modernization, national defence, is rarely treated in great detail, but it is increasingly clear that the reform of the defence sector is also having an important impact on both domestic and foreign policy. The process began in earnest in 1978 and by 1987 had completed its first stage of reorganization. At a major meeting of military and civilian officials in December 1986, the strategy for the next phase of military modernization was discussed.1 At the dawn of the new age of Chinese military power, it is essential to assess the implications of a stronger China for China itself, its neighbors, and the great power balance.
Metabólitos Secundários e ação antioxidante de Croton helliotripifolius e Croton blanchetianus
Authors: Aquino Vitória Viviane Ferreira , Costa José Galberto Martins , Angélico Elissandra Couras , Medeiros Rosália Severo , Lucena Maria de Fatima Araujo , Rodrigues Onaldo Guedes
Published: September 2017

Antioxidantes são compostos que reagem com os radicais livres controlando o estresse oxidativo. Muitas doenças estão associadas à produção de radicais livres, os quais tem estimulado investigações do potencial antioxidante de diversas famílias da flora mundial. Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo identificar as principais classes de metabólitos secundários presentes nos estratos etanólicos das folhas de Croton blanchetianus (Marmeleiro) e Croton helliotripifolius (Velame), e avaliar o seu potencial antioxidante. Os estratos etanólicos foram obtidos das folhas, apresentou um rendimento de 3,29% e 3,26%. Em seguida, os estratos foram submetidos a análise fitoquímica, nos quais foi possível identificar a presença de taninos condensados, flavonoides, flavononas, flavonóis, flavononóis, catequinas e xantonas. A atividade antioxidante dos estratos foi determinada pelo método fotocolorimétrico in vitro realizada por meio do sequestro de radicais livres, usando o DPPH (1,1-difenil-2-picril-hidraliza). Ambos os estratos foram capazes de sequestrar o radical livre DPPH, sendo que o estrato de Croton blanquetianus mostrou ser mais eficiente do que o BHT (Hidroxitolueno butilado; controle positivo), com CE50 = 6,5 ± 0,5 mg mL-1. Contudo, os resultados observados para os estratos etanólicos, possivelmente sejam atribuídas à presença e a concentração de compostos fenólicos pertencentes as classes dos taninos e flavonoides, os quais foram identificados nesse estudo.
Riqueza de espécies de aves no Parque Estadual do Pico do Jabre, Paraíba
Authors: Mariano Erich De Freitas , Martins Luana Regial Alves
Published: September 2017

O presente estudo teve como objetivo fazer um levantamento das espécies de aves do Parque Estadual do Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, listando as espécies em relação as suas categorias tróficas e dependência de ambientes florestais. Foram montadas 240 listas de Mackinnon em 12 dias de amostragem. A família que apresentou maior riqueza foi Tyrannidae, com 20 espécies, seguida de Thamnophilidae (7), Trochilidae (6) e Emberizidae (6). Aproximadamente 20% das espécies que ocorrem na área se mostraram dependentes de ambientes florestais, 38,7% semi-dependentes e 41,4% independentes. A baixa participação de espécies dependentes de ambientes florestais na comunidade pode estar associada a pressão sofrida no entorno do parque. A manutenção destas áreas se mostra importante devido ao intercâmbio de espécies com as áreas secas adjacentes, servindo de refúgios para estas espécies nos períodos de seca. A presença da Penelope jacucaca (jacu-caca), que está inserida no livro vermelho de espécies da fauna brasileira ameaçada de extinção, é um dos indicativos que apesar do entorno do parque sofrer com a presença do homem, a área florestal do parque encontra-se em bom estado de preservação.
Potencial de contaminação de aquíferos na bacia do córrego do Gouveia, São Paulo
Authors: Roque Guerrero João Vitor , Dantas Chaves Michel Eustáquio , Cesário Justino Rodrigo , Verola Mataveli Guilherme Augusto , Moschini Luiz Eduardo
Published: September 2017

No cenário atual de aumento da consciência ambiental e procura por meios de proteger o meio ambiente, a preservação das águas, tanto a superficial quanto a subterrânea, tem ganhado destaque tanto nos meios de informação quanto na ciência. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo gerar uma carta de potencial de contaminação de aquíferos da bacia hidrográfica do córrego do Gouveia, localizado no município de Brotas, São Paulo, referente ao ano de 2017, com base em análise multicritério e sistematizada por lógica Fuzzy. A carta considerou a relação entre os processos geológicos, geomorfológicos, pedológicos, de declividade com o uso do solo local. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que 96% da área da bacia apresenta classes de médio, alto ou muito alto potencial de contaminação de aquíferos, sugerindo que a relação entre a dinâmica natural do meio físico e o atual padrão de ocupação antrópica são desfavoráveis à manutenção da qualidade dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos. A metodologia aplicada pode servir como suporte para decisões de planejamento territorial e gestão sustentável do sistema aquífero Guarani à medida em que é possível espacializar áreas que necessitam de maior conservação e outras onde a ocupação seria mais favorável.
Concentração de metais no rio Doce em Mariana, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Carvalho Marllon Santos de , Ribeiro Kátia Daniela , Moreira Raner Moacir , Almeida Alex Magalhães de
Published: September 2017

Esta pesquisa avaliou a concentração de metais nas águas do rio Doce por metais pesados após o rompimento da barragem do Fundão, distrito de Bento Rodrigues, em Mariana, Minas Gerais. Amostras de água foram coletadas numa nascente a montante do local do rompimento (P1), a montante de um dique de contenção da lama despejada (P2) e a jusante do dique de contenção (P3), sendo caracterizadas quanto aos teores de chumbo (Pb), arsênio (As), níquel (Ni), cobre (Cu), alumínio (Al) e manganês (Mn) por espectrofotometria. As maiores concentrações dos metais foram observadas para o ponto P2, nas seguintes concentrações (em mg L-1): Pb (0,097); As (0,911); Ni (1,078); Cu (1,115); Al (9,432) e Mn (1,638), sendo a concentração de cobre, nesse ponto, 86 vezes maior que o valor máximo permitido (VMP) pela legislação brasileira, para Classe III de qualidade das águas. No ponto P1, as concentrações de Ni (0,051 mg L-1), Cu (0,062 mg L-1) e Al (0,465 mg L-1) apresentaram-se 2,0; 4,8 e 2,3 vezes maiores que os VMP’s, respectivamente, podendo-se relacionar esses resultados à natureza mineralógica da área. As elevadas concentrações desses metais na água do rio podem estar provavelmente relacionadas ao desastre ambiental de Mariana, Minas Gerais, com rejeitos de minas. Ações de políticas ambientais e de recuperação da área são essenciais para o reequilíbrio das características químicas desse ecossistema aquático.
Analysis of operating variables for Yerba mate leaves supercritical carbon dioxide extraction
Authors: Teofilovic Branislava , Grujic-Letic Nevena , Kovacevic Strahinja , Podunavac-Kuzmanovic Sanja , Gadzuric Slobodan
Published: September 2017

Given the increasing demand for potassium in Brazil, the mining and use of carnallite is becoming increasingly important, because the current source of potassium, sylvinite, is being depleted and there is a risk of shortages. Based on theoretical and practical data available in existing literature, this work describes the development, simulation, and economic feasibility of a process for dissolution and crystallization of potassium chloride from carnallite ore. Positive results were obtained following the application of the Hoffman diagram and determination of the corresponding equation. The proposed process provided over 85% potassium chloride crystallization, demonstrating its superior performance, compared to existing procedures.
Towards ontoUML for software engineering: Transformation of kinds and subkinds into relational databases
Authors: Rybola Zdeněk , Pergl Robert
Published: September 2017

OntoUML is an ontologically well-founded conceptual modelling language that distinguishes various types of classifiers and relations providing precise meaning to the modelled entities. While Model-Driven Development is a wellestablished approach, OntoUML has been overlooked so far as a conceptual modelling language for the PIM of application data. This paper is an extension of the paper presented at MDASD 2016, where we outlined the transformation of Rigid Sortal Types ? Kinds and Subkinds. In this paper, we discuss the details of various variants of the transformation of these types and the rigid generalization sets. The result of our effort is a complete method for preserving high-level ontological constraints during the transformations, specifically special multiplicities and generalization set meta-properties in a relational database using views, CHECK constraints and triggers.
Design of Ag-Ge-Zn braze/solder alloys: Experimental thermodynamics and surface properties
Authors: Delsante S. , Li D. , Novakovic R. , Borzone G.
Published: September 2017

The experimental investigation of the Ag-Ge-Zn phase diagram was performed by
using combined microstructural and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
analyses. The samples were subjected to thermal cycles by a heat-flux DSC
apparatus with heating and cooling rate of 0.5 or 0.3?C/min. The
microstructure of the samples, both after annealing and after DSC analysis,
was studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS
(Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) analysis. Considering the slow heating and
cooling rate adopted, the isothermal section at room temperature was
established. No ternary compounds were observed. On the basis of the
experimental investigations the invariant reactions were identified.
Combining the thermodynamic data on the Ag-Ge, Ag-Zn and Ge-Zn liquid phases
by means of Butler?s model the surface tension of Ag-Ge-Zn alloys was
calculated.
Thermodynamics of Bi2O3-SiO2 system
Authors: Onderka B. , Fitzner K. , Kopyto M. , Przybyło W.
Published: September 2017

Thermodynamic properties of the liquid Bi2O3-SiO2 solutions were determined
from the results of the electrochemical measurements by use of the solid
oxide galvanic cells with YSZ (Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia) electrolyte.
Activities of Bi2O3 in the solutions were determined for 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and
0.5 SiO2 mole fractions in the temperature range 1073-1293 K from measured
electromotive force (e.m.f) of the solid electrolyte galvanic cell: Bi,
Bi2O3-SiO2 | YSZ | air (pO2 = 0.213 bar) Additionally, heat capacity data
obtained for two solid phases 6Bi2O3?SiO2 and 2Bi2O3?3SiO2 were included into
optimization of thermodynamic properties of the system. Optimization
procedure was supported by differential thermal analysis (DTA) data obtained
in this work as well as those accepted from the literature. Using the data
obtained in this work, and the information about phase equilibria found in
the literature, binary system Bi2O3-SiO2 was assessed with the ThermoCalc
software.
The role of physico-chemical properties of liquid solder in reactive wetting: the Cu/SnZnIn system
Authors: Pstruś J.
Published: September 2017

The measurements of surface tension, density and viscosity of liquid Sn-Zn
eutectic alloys containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 25 mole fraction of In were
carried out using the sessile drop method, dilatometric technique and
capillary method. The measurements were performed at temperature range
between 493 and 843 K. The technique of sessile drop was applied in the
measurements of wetting angles and spreading test in the SnZnIn/ Cu system.
Surface tension, density and viscosity measurements were carried out in a
protective argon-hydrogen atmosphere. Wettability tests were performed in air
in the presence of flux Alu33, at 250?C for 2 minutes. Subsequently, the
microstructure of solder and the resulting joints was studied. The addition
of In to eutectic Sn-Zn alloy improved the wetting properties and causes a
reduction of thickness of the intermetallic compounds layer created at the
interface between the liquid solder and the Cu substrate.
Phase transformation and microstructure study of the as-cast Cu-rich Cu-Al-Mn ternary alloys
Authors: Holjevac-Grguric T. , Manasijevic D. , Kozuh S. , Ivanic I. , Balanovic Lj. , Anzel I. , Kosec B. , Bizjak M. , Knezevic M. , Gojic M.
Published: September 2017

Four Cu-rich alloys from the ternary Cu-Al-Mn system were prepared in the
electric-arc furnace and casted in cylindrical moulds with dimensions: f=8 mm
and length 12 mm. Microstructural investigations of the prepared samples were
performed by using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy,
equipped by energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Assignation of
crystalline phases was confirmed by XRD analysis. Phase transition
temperatures were determined using simultaneous thermal analyzer STA DSC/TG.
Phase equilibria calculation of the ternary Cu-Al-Mn system was performed
using optimized thermodynamic parameters from literature. Microstructure and
phase transitions of the prepared as-cast alloys were investigated and
experimental results were compared with the results of thermodynamic
calculations.