bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Techniques for Modelling Re-Fracturing in Tight Reservoirs
Authors: Shaikh Hamza , Iwuoha Sochi , Islam Arshad
Published: March 2017

In the current low commodity price environment, several operators have chosen to return to their mature fields to re-fracture the reservoirs to improve overall recovery of reserves. Although modelling remains challenging, re-fracturing treatments have been successfully executed on multiple wells worldwide. This study compares three different approaches to model re-fracturing in tight sands as a means of reducing the overall uncertainty. Multi-domain integration was utilised in which geomechanical data was coupled with petrophysical analysis to build a three-dimensional (3D) hydraulic fracture model. Fracture pressure history matching was performed and the model was validated using calibration data available from microseismic analysis and extended leakoff tests. Production history matching was performed to validate the reservoir simulation model and estimate the resulting depletion around the wellbore. Geomechanical properties and the resulting minimum in-situ horizontal stress were re-calculated incorporating the results of depletion using three different approaches: Pore Pressure Model, Scale Model and Non-Scale Model. Finally, the hydraulic fracture models were re-constructed using the revised geomechanical properties to simulate re-fracturing using various pumping treatments. The fracture geometries obtained from re-fracture simulations were dependent on the model used for re-computation of geomechanical properties post-production as well as the fluid volume pumped. These properties were also validated using laboratory testing. Comparison of the three approaches indicated consistent geometries when small volumes of fluid or typical ‘Plug and Perf’ designs were pumped. Upon pumping larger volumes or typical ‘Sliding Sleeve’ treatments, major differences were observed using the three approaches indicating larger uncertainty and warranting the use of the more rigorous Non-Scale Model. Validated models are important tools for designing hydraulic fracturing treatments to avoid risks of sub-optimisation of fracture designs or undesirable bashing of offset parent wells. Good understanding of re-fracture models helps oil companies make informed decisions regarding their completion programme, hence improving overall hydrocarbon recovery. Modelling of re-fracture treatments continue to pose a challenge for engineers due to added subsurface static and dynamic complexities. This study presents basic guidelines to follow for modelling, with results verified from laboratory testing.
Subsea Installation of an Interventionless Annular Safety Valve Reduces Operational Time A Case Study
Authors: Sirevåg Espen , Torsteinbø Ørjan , Murdoch Euan
Published: March 2017

With the downturn in oil price and recent reduction in drilling activity, especially in high-cost environments, the industry is increasingly looking to save time, cost, and risk throughout all drilling and well operations. Conventional completion operations are being challenged to identify possible ways of reducing time and cost. To address this, the industry is adopting new technologies and methodologies to reduce risk, rig time, and nonproductive time (NPT) and to conduct operations in way that traditional tools do not allow. This paper focuses on the first subsea deployment of a remotely activated annular safety valve (ASV) in a deepwater well located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

ASVs are traditionally set by one of four methods: a dedicated setting line to surface, applied tubing pressure, applied annulus pressure, or the shifting of a mechanical sleeve, which allows communication to a setting chamber. This paper describes an approach for running the ASV that requires no dedicated setting line and is initially insensitive to tubing pressure; this facilitates the full testing of the completion prior to setting the ASV packer. Using existing rig infrastructure, a frequency modulated pressure cycle is sent from surface to command a sleeve to move and allow communication with the setting chamber. The ASV packer is then set and tested.

The first subsea deepwater installation of the ASV was completed in August 2016, and this method of deploying the ASV provided several advantages over traditional methods.
Interventionless Reservoir Isolation Valve Removes the Requirement for an Intermediate Completion: A Case Study
Authors: Edwards Andrew , Murdoch Euan , Munro Christopher
Published: March 2017

With the constant push to save rig time and costs, the industry is looking to technology to provide these benefits whilst maintaining the same operating standards and risk mitigation. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology provides the means to remotely actuate downhole completion tools, thus reducing rig time by mitigating the requirement for intervention runs and the risks associated.

This paper will focus on an application of RFID technology to enable an operator to eliminate an intervention run or intermediate liner into a 10,000-ft reservoir section in the North Sea. The case-study well has pre-perforated liner in two zones—a 4-1/2-in. lower zone and a 7-in. upper zone (Fig. 1). These zones are isolated with swellable packers and pressure-actuated annulus packers. The typical procedure is to straddle the annulus packers individually using an inflatable plug, but setting the lower annulus packer incurs additional risk while running in the horizontal for an extended distance.

In this application the client is to use the RFID Reservoir Isolation Valve (RIV) to eliminate an intervention run to set an annulus packer. The RFID RIV provides the means to isolate the lower reservoir section and to provide a closed system to apply tubing pressure against.

Figure 1 Well schematic
Degassing Rate of Drilling Fluid Base Oils as Exposed to Depressurisation and Drill String Rotation
Authors: Grimstad Alv-Arne , Linga Harald , Haave Øyvind , Saasen Arild
Published: March 2017

An experimental set-up is established, designed for recording the absorption rate of a liquid during gas influx and at rotational flow conditions in an annulus. Likewise, the set-up is designed for monitoring the degassing rate from the liquid during controlled depressurisation, resembling the pressure drop during vertical annulus flow.

The set-up is designed for system conditions up to 400 bar, 150 °C, resembling downhole conditions. Annulus outer/inner diameters are 73/59 mm and the length of the main section is 1000 mm. A windowed section at the top allows monitoring of liquid volume changes and possible foaming behaviour during gas absorption/degassing. An inner cylinder can be rotated at speeds up to several hundred rpm, enough to produce Taylor-vortices and even turbulent flow in the annulus. For the reported test runs the system pressure is 100 bar, with temperatures 40 and 80 °C.

Two different base oils are tested, one normal mineral oil and one linear paraffin oil. A number of tests are run, with varying rotational speed and depressurisation rate. For tests with lower rotational speeds the degassing is postponed, with a corresponding higher maximum degassing rate as system pressure decreases towards atmospheric conditions. The impact from drill string rotation and type of base oil is shown, demonstrating the importance of describing the kinetics of the gas bubble nucleation rather than assuming instant equilibrium of gas and drilling fluid during the depressurisation during the vertical annulus flow.

Tests performed at experimental set-ups like the one presented will provide data for more advanced models of drilling fluid degassing behaviour. This will enable a more correct interpretation of data during well control events.
Predicting Gas Loading Capability in Oil-Based Drilling Fluids
Authors: Skogestad Jan Ole , Linga Harald , Bjørkevoll Knut S. , Saasen Arild
Published: March 2017

During a gas influx scenario in drilling and well operations, early detection is important in order to prevent harmful consequences to rig, personnel and environment. However, the influx of natural gas may be masked if the gas loading capability of the drilling fluid is considerable. This work aims to provide a methodology for predicting the gas loading capability of oil-based drilling fluids, such that precautions for early gas influx detection can be made also for HPHT-drilling with oil-based drilling fluids.

In principle, the bubble-point curve; i.e. the transition from single liquid phase to two-phase, of the mixture of drilling fluid and natural gas determines the maximum loading capability of gas in the drilling fluid at the actual pressure and temperature. In overbalance situations the gas loading capability is decisive for the volumetric response and severity of gas influx. Thus, the gas loading capability needs to be accurately described for hydraulic models used for well control. This paper describes a methodology for gas loading capability prediction based on the bubble-point curve as determined from thermodynamical equations-of-state calculations. Different thermodynamical models have been evaluated and compared with experimental data for OBDF–methane systems. In particular, the features and requirements for the models are discussed.

Strategies for tuning the models to experimental results are necessary regardless of the choice of equations. Both models and experimental data on gas loading capability versus pressure follow the linear Henry's law in the subcritical region, and deviate severely from this as the pressure is increased towards the dense phase region of the drilling fluid – natural gas mixture. The determination of the dense phase region is of particular interest, as for this region there exists no limit in terms of gas loading in the drilling fluid. The proposed methodology forms the basis of a promising tool for gas loading capability calculations that, if utilized in drilling simulation software, may improve understanding and help detecting gas kicks early, thus lowering the associated risks, in particular for HPHT-drilling.
Characterization and Mitigation of Mud Motor Vibrations
Authors: Hohl Andreas , Hohl Carsten , Herbig Christian , Oueslati Hatem , Reckmann Hanno
Published: March 2017

Severe vibrations in drilling systems are one of the main limiting factors for an efficient drilling operation. An adjustment of drilling parameters is necessary to avoid the negative impact of vibrations on reliability, measurement quality, and rate of penetration. The time to drill a well is therefore directly or indirectly affected if vibrations are not properly managed; measurements must be repeated, damaged tools can lead to additional tripping time, and rate of penetration is limited by reduced power that is delivered to the bit and restrictions of operational parameters.

Complex well trajectories, a difficult drilling environment, and the extended-reach of wells are additional challenges for drilling operations. The use of a mud motor in the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) is one option to supply power directly to the bit. However, if the mud motor is not properly managed, its operation can lead to lateral vibrations. BHA design and optimization of operational parameters are options to mitigate lateral vibrations. A basic understanding of mud motor vibrations is necessary for this purpose.

To characterize mud motor-induced vibrations, a statistical evaluation of averaged vibration measurement data from several runs is conducted. Distributions of the vibrational amplitudes are analyzed, in reference to different designs of the mud motor power section. Analysis continues by reviewing a large quantity of time-based acceleration data with a sampling frequency of 1000 Hz. Special downhole tests are conducted that cover the entire range of operational parameters of the mud motor. High-frequency vibration data with distributed sensors are collected for different motor types and stabilizer configurations.

The outcome of the analysis is used to determine the ideal mud motor for a given application. Existing models for drillstring dynamics simulation are fine-tuned. Based on the models, sweet spots for operational parameters that avoid severe vibrations are derived and displayed in an innovative way.

The extensive analysis of high-frequency vibration data enables a reliable determination of operational parameters for mud motor applications that correspond to low levels of lateral vibrations. The approach enables efficient drilling with a high rate of penetration and results in increased downhole tool reliability. This ultimately leads to an optimized service delivery for drilling operations.
Going the Distance Cement Wiper Plug Technology
Authors: LeBlanc Tren
Published: March 2017

The 13 3/8 to 14-in. cement wiper plug system is a critical component for successfully separating fluids during displacement of cement for long strings of casing in deepwater applications. With casing strings becoming longer, there was a need to validate the endurance capabilities of these plugs. This paper will discuss the methods used to test the endurance of a cement wiper plug system.

The test consisted of pumping the same plugs through 130 ft of casing repeatedly, until a maximum length of 40,000 ft was achieved. These plugs were displaced horizontally through the casing using water. This created the worst case scenario because no fluid would be in front of the plug: The elastomer is more susceptible to abrasion in dry pipe than in lubricated pipe. Each plug was dimensionally analyzed every 5,000 ft and then was validated by measuring the bypass pressure from the downhole side. The bypass pressure is directly related to the amount of surface contact between the plug fins and the casing wall and can be used to validate wiping efficiency. Theoretically, the farther the plug travels, the more likely the surface contact is reduced between the plug fins and the casing wall, and that is validated by measuring the bypass pressure.

The results of the endurance test are based on the relative wiping-efficiency test in the same inside diameter as the casing through which the plug is pumped. These results are compared to minimum allowable bypass pressure determined from a test using the largest published inside diameter. Results show that the bypass pressure decreases until a certain length and that at this length, contact force becomes significantly less, inadvertently causing the plug to wear at a slower rate. This relates to the reduction of the bypass pressure until a point where the pressure equalizes at approximately 20 percent less than the control.

Plug bypass can result in displacement errors, which further result in either underdisplacement leaving excess cement in the casing or over displacement, potentially contaminating the shoe tracks. Testing the ability of the plug to mechanically separate fluids and wipe the pipe eliminates the potential for bypass around the plug fins in the forward or reverse direction in long strings of casing.
The Silver Lining to Squeezing Salts: Practical Cased Hole Logging and Interpretation Method Determines if Mobile Formations Act as Annular Barriers for Plug and Abandonment Applications
Authors: Lavery David , Imrie Andrew
Published: March 2017

This paper describes an approach for identifying formations as annular isolation barriers. It also presents details of a novel analysis of cement evaluation and casing integrity data sets as an alternative to casing milling and secondary cementing use in plug and abandonment operations.

Recent ultrasonic cement evaluation logs, performed as part of the integrity diagnostics required for plug and abandonment operations, showed an increase in casing ovality when logging through a specific halite formation in the southern North Sea. These findings were used to postulate that the formation was coupled mechanically to the casing and could be used as an abandonment barrier. The circumferential cement evaluation data helped to identify the azimuthal coverage of the formation, and subsequent pressure testing confirmed the integrity of the halite formation as an isolating medium.

Multiple offset wells were also analyzed with a focus on identifying additional horizons exhibiting mobility that could be detected using casing logging tools. It became evident that this halite formation showed a consistent and clear correlation between casing ovality and circumferential coverage. Case studies are presented in which the halite formation was identified as an appropriate barrier, based on the combined interpretation of both cement evaluation and casing inspection data. This phenomenon typically occurred when the top of cement was below the halite interval; however, in some cases, the formation movement actually improved the cement bond quality across the zone.

By cross-referencing the cement evaluation and casing inspection logging data sets, the mobility of the halite formation can be identified, and subsequent integrity testing confirms its isolating capabilities as an appropriate barrier for plug and abandonment operations. The use of geological formations with suitable mobility as an alternative to a standard milled casing window with a cement plug can reduce rig time and consequently reduce operational costs.
Curved Nozzle Design for PDC Bits Enhances Hydraulics for Bit Cleaning and Cooling Improvements
Authors: Schnuriger Matthew , Cuillier Bruno , Tilleman Danny , Rose Karl
Published: March 2017

Hydraulics can significantly affect Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) bit performance in applications where cuttings volume, formation types, and rig pressure limitations lead to poor fluid dynamics that compromise cleaning and cooling, and result in lower ROP and higher bit wear. A key mitigation challenge is improving cleaning efficiency without experiencing a significant pressure drop across the bit. This paper studies hydraulic conditions affecting PDC bit performance, examines modeling and design steps to develop a curved nozzle design, and presents the nozzle's performance in the field.

Research including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was conducted to better understand flow and velocity across the bit face. The resulting curved nozzle geometry was complex and required multiple iterations to achieve the desired effect. The nozzle design was applied in the field and its performance was compared to similar PDC bits with standard nozzles.

The curved nozzle design redirects fluid flow and reduces distance from the nozzle outlet to cutting face while retaining the same total flow area (TFA). The change in flow characteristics increases fluid impact on the formation and velocity in the waterways to enhance cleaning efficiency and cooling. The carbide nozzles were manufactured and installed on standard PDC bits used in a series of Permian Basin vertical and lateral wells in the United States. Vertical applications in Canada's Viewfield field were also studied. Bits fitted with the curved nozzles demonstrated significant performance gains compared to bits with conventional nozzles. Field reports show higher ROP and less bit wear in formations where interbedded clays and reactive shales present hydraulic challenges.

The insights gained into PDC bit hydraulics and the performance of the resulting curved nozzle design has enhanced the ability to mitigate many common hydraulics-related cleaning and cooling challenges.
Taking a Different Approach to Drilling Data Aggregation to Improve Drilling Performance
Authors: Behounek Michael , Hofer Evan , Thetford Taylor , White Matthew , Yang Lisa , Taccolini Marcos
Published: March 2017

Currently, there is a multitude of commercially available real-time drilling data aggregation and distribution systems, yet the industry remains plagued with issues that limit the usability and effectiveness of data before, during, and after a well is drilled. There are challenges with moving, merging, analyzing, qualifying, and formatting data as well as having access to like-data in sufficient quantity and on a reliable data frequency. This paper discusses a novel, adaptable, and low cost approach to building a system to drive drilling performance and set the stage for future automation.

The Operator embarked on a project to develop a powerful, low cost system in order to leverage both high and low frequency data to gain value from real-time data models and algorithms at the rig site. High frequency data is defined as 1 to 100 Hertz data frequency. Low frequency data is defined as longer than once per hour or asynchronous, and is usually contextual - BHA information, mud reports, rig state, etc. Existing commercial systems fail to meet the requirements due to multiple factors. These include an inability to handle and process high frequency data, communicate with different protocols, and work across different proprietary systems. The result leads to higher costs, extra human resources and efforts, and a lack of consistency across a diverse rig fleet. Druing this process severe data quality issues were discovered at the rig site and needed the flexibility to modify, replace, or add sensors and data streams to remedy the problem. After evaluating more than thirty potential process controls and other industry applications, a software solution was selected, prototyped, tested and deployed to seven North American land rigs within a ten month period. This effort employed the agile development methodology which is an incremental, iterative work cadence using empirical feedback for rapid deployment of updated versions.

The system was designed to take in all forms of data, file types, and communication protocols for seamless integration. The system includes rig state determination, data quality verification, a real time Bayesian model for analytics and smart alarms, integration to the Daily Drilling Report (DDR) database, real-time visualizations, and an open application layer with a Human Machine Interface (HMI) - all at the rig site. Ultimately the platform can also be used as a building block to assist automated drilling due to it being a Supervisory Control Advisory and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system although this is not the goal for this project.
Human Factors Engineering in the Design and Deployment of a Novel Data Aggregation and Distribution System for Drilling Operations
Authors: Behounek Michael , Thetford Taylor , Yang Lisa , Hofer Evan , White Matthew , Ashok Pradeepkumar , Ambrus Adrian , Ramos Dawson
Published: March 2017

Automated monitoring software only adds value when end users take the information and knowledge derived from software, and follow it up with actions. Within the drilling process, this is highly dependent on a few individuals on and off the rig. The objective is to reduce the dependence on those few individuals to create action, by designing and deploying a data aggregation and distribution system that inherently promotes proper action and leads to better performance. The key to the development of this system was a process of methodically determining the "who", the "what', the "when", the "why", the "where" and the "how" of disseminating the results of a real-time data analysis module. The analysis engine itself is an interchange-able modular unit running in the back ground, and does not disturb the human machine interface created on top of it. This effort was focused on understanding how the human computer boundary works, and aims towards maximizing the probability that the human (driller, company man, drilling engineer, etc.) will relate to computer generated information, understand and take action. Given that people are generally resistant to sudden changes, we followed a process of first building interfaces very similar to what they are used to, and then slowly modifying them as their confidence in the system increased. The need to modify displays in steps, necessitated a platform that allowed for easy modification and creation of displays. In the design of alerts, attention was given to data overload, salience, end user attention, interruptibility, and data visualization. The analysis engine needs be validated thoroughly, before the results are exposed to the end user. This is essential to achieving low false or missed alarm rates. The system is currently in operation on six rigs in North America. The paper details the various learnings as we have transitioned from our starting point to where we are now. Just as every well is different, every enterprise and the culture within is different, and this needs to be accounted for in setting up the human-computer interface. While multiple iterations may be needed before the enterprise workflow reaches a stable equilibrium, one does not have to wait until the end to reap the benefits.
Real-Time Drilling Optimization and Rig Activity-Based Models Deliver Best-In-Class Drilling Performance: Case History
Authors: Kumar Dev , Jarrett Cameron , Smith Gregory , Smith Mark , Cheatham Curtis , Kolstad Eric , Brooks Scott
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a case study for improving drilling performance by maximizing penetration rate while ensuring that hole conditions are not compromised. The overall aim was to identify and prevent invisible lost time (ILT) and nonproductive time (NPT) by means of pre-drill engineering studies and real-time drilling optimization. This process was conducted to deliver continuous improvement in a three-well drilling campaign in the East Texas Basin.

Prior to drilling the series of three wells in the East Texas Basin, a pre-drill study of information from offset wells was used to calibrate engineering models and identify opportunities for improvement. These were primarily identified by the analysis of mechanical specific energy (MSE) and rate of penetration (ROP) to create a driller's road map (DRM) to optimize parameters that can be controlled on the rig floor (rpm, WOB, flow rate). Calibrated torque and drag (T&D) and hydraulics models were developed to compare and monitor model versus actual (MvA) in real time.

During the actual drilling of the wells, potential areas of improvement were determined by analyzing MSE and evaluating ILT/NPT. Real-time MSE analysis was conducted during drilling operations to adjust parameters to increase ROP performance. ILT and NPT were reduced by focusing on connection times, optimizing hole cleaning to reduce trip times, increasing flow rate, and improving bit hydraulics. These analyses were used to generate a focused optimization plan to monitor hole conditions at high drilling rates. This plan was incorporated into a recommended real-time process for the wellsite team.

This case history is presented for a three-well development pad in the East Texas Basin. The first well of the campaign was drilled one day faster than the previous well had been drilled, and each subsequent well was delivered in a shorter time with an overall improvement of 30.9%. The Driller's Road Map was refined after each well as part of the continuous improvement process. As a result of improved hole cleaning, major sources of ILT were reduced by 47%. The improved hole cleaning was verified by real-time MvA correlation. The methodology described is being used successfully on other multi-well projects in unconventional reservoirs and other drilling market segments.
General Anaesthesia in a patient with Morvan's syndrome
Authors: Tufail Sabeen , Stacey Mark
Published: March 2017

A 27 year old female with Morvan's syndrome presented for an elective laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Morvan's syndrome is a neurological disorder that results in central, autonomic and peripheral nervous system dysfunction. We outline our experience in anaesthetising a patient with this extremely rare condition and highlight the difficulties encountered when there is little written on the topic to guide anaesthetic management.
Pyroglutamic acidosis: an unusual cause of metabolic acidosis in a malnourished patient
Authors: Reed‐Poysden Carlen
Published: March 2017

A 38‐year‐old man presented with confusion, breathlessness and marked metabolic derangement. His management necessitated the involvement of multiple specialties and led to a diagnosis of pyroglutamic acidosis secondary to chronic paracetamol use in a malnourished patient. The value of the corrected anion gap in metabolic acidosis and the mechanism and treatment of pyroglutamic acidosis are discussed. Treatment to correct metabolic abnormalities may be required before being able to illicit the correct diagnosis.
ANALISIS PENGARUH PARTISIPASI SANTRI KOMITMEN DAN KEMAMPUAN BERINOVASI TERHADAP KINERJA KOPERASI PONDOK PESANTREN DI KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Syarbani Hasyim
Published: March 2017

In order to improve the performance of boarding school cooperative, it can be done through developing participation and commitment of its members, because the participation and commitment can affect the performance of the company. Whereas, innovation-oriented company provides a positive impact on company performance. Therefore, this study is a replication of Johanis W Dominoes research that was applied to the boarding school cooperative. While the purpose of the research is to determine the effect of participation commitment and innovation ability to influnce the performance of boarding school cooperative. The results show that students participation level to commit the innovation ability at boarding school cooperative is low and so with the performance of boarding school cooperative, this is indicated by a decline in business, number of members and the rest of the results of cooperative profit per year. The goodness of fit index and regression weights research model can be accepted that means students participation, commitment and innovation ability influence the performance of boarding school cooperative. Therefore, it can be concluded that the low performance of cooperatives is affected by the lack of students participation, commitment and innovation ability from the boarding school cooperative
Design of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy computing technique for predicting flow variables in a 90° sharp bend
Authors: Gholami Azadeh , Bonakdari Hossein , Ebtehaj Isa , Akhtari Ali Akbar
Published: March 2017

Investigating flow patterns in sharp bends is more essential than in mild bends due to the complex behaviour exhibited by sharp bends. Flow variable prediction in bends is among several concerns of hydraulics scientists. In this study, the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is applied to predict axial velocity and flow depth in a 90° sharp bend. The experimental velocity and flow depth data for five discharge rates of 5, 7.8, 13.6, 19.1 and 25.3 L/s are used for training and testing the models. In ANFIS training, the two algorithms employed are back propagation (BP) and a hybrid of BP and least squares. In model design, the grid partitioning (GP) and sub-clustering methods are used for fuzzy inference system generation. The results indicate that ANFIS-GP-Hybrid predicts velocity best followed by flow depth.
Spatial and temporal hydro-climatic trends in the transboundary Jhelum River basin
Authors: Mahmood Rashid , Jia Shaofeng
Published: March 2017

The present study examined the hydro-meteorological trends and their magnitudes using the Mann–Kendall, Sen's slope, and linear regression methods in the Jhelum River basin. Maximum and minimum temperatures showed increasing trends in the basin. However, the increasing trends of maximum temperature in all seasons as well as in annual datasets were stronger and statistically more significant than minimum temperature. Precipitation showed non-significant increasing and decreasing trends spread evenly throughout the basin. However, decreasing trends dominated in the basin, except in winter, with an average annual decrease of 3.3 mm. In case of streamflow, seasonal and annual decreasing trends dominated in the basin. Summer showed stronger and significant decreasing trends at most of the hydrometric stations in the basin. An annual decrease of 8 mm was observed at Azad Pattan. These decreasing trends are most probably due to decreasing trends in precipitation and increasing trends in temperature, though other factors such as land use changes, industrialization, and urbanization can also affect the changes in streamflow. These decreasing trends in precipitation and stream flow can have some serious implications in the reduction of water availability to the Mangla reservoir, thus producing many challenges for efficient reservoir operation and management.
Modal analysis of annual runoff volume and sediment load in the Yangtze river-lake system for the period 1956–2013
Authors: Chen Huai , Zhu Lijun , Wang Jianzhong , Fan Hongxia , Wang Zhihuan
Published: March 2017

This study focuses on detecting trends in annual runoff volume and sediment load in the Yangtze river-lake system. Times series of annual runoff volume and sediment load at 19 hydrological gauging stations for the period 1956–2013 were collected. Based on the Mann-Kendall test at the 1% significance level, annual sediment loads in the Yangtze River, the Dongting Lake and the Poyang Lake were detected with significantly descending trends. The power spectrum estimation indicated predominant oscillations with periods of 8 and 20 years are embedded in the runoff volume series, probably related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (2–7 years) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (20–30 years). Based on dominant components (capturing more than roughly 90% total energy) extracted by the proper orthogonal decomposition method, total change ratios of runoff volume and sediment load during the last 58 years were evaluated. For sediment load, the mean CRT value in the Yangtze River is about −65%, and those in the Dongting Lake and the Poyang Lake are −92.2% and −87.9% respectively. Particularly, the CRT value of the sediment load in the channel inflow of the Dongting Lake is even −99.7%. The Three Gorges Dam has intercepted a large amount of sediment load and decreased the sediment load downstream.
Update on Interventions in Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Asthma
Authors: Calamelli Elisabetta , Bottau Paolo , Lanari Marcello
Published: March 2017

Background:

Asthma represents a worldwide health problem with a strong morbidity
and a major impact on the health care system. Multiple efforts have been made towards
the development of new strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disorder. In the
light of this the present review of the literature aimed at summarizing the latest advances in
prevention and treatment of pediatric asthma with a focus on the most effective options of interventions
during the first stages of life.

Methods:

References were identified by searches of PubMed. Search terms used in the search
were “pediatric asthma”, “treatment” and “prevention”. We included only meta-analysis, randomized
controlled trials, reviews and systematic review articles pertaining to humans and
subjects aged 0-18 years. All the interventions have been classified as “non-pharmacological”
and “pharmacological”.

Results:

Non-pharmacological interventions have been focused in identifying the genetic and
environmental factors underlying the pathogenesis of this disease, including the individual
genetic susceptibility, the early allergic sensitization, the role of the environmental microbiome
and the exposure to infections and to pollutants. Moreover, the optimization of the existing
pharmacological strategies and the development of new treatment options have improved
markedly the management of this disease, thereby reducing the health care costs and
ameliorating the quality of life of patients.

Conclusion:

Childhood asthma prevention and treatment still represents a worldwide challenge.
Future efforts should be aimed at identifying high risk target populations, minimizing
the costs of each policy of intervention and increasing adherence to treatment strategies.
Liposomal Nanotechnology for Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Yue Xiuli , Dai Zhifei
Published: March 2017

Liposomes are a type of biomimetic nanoparticles generated from self-assembling
concentric lipid bilayer enclosing an aqueous core domain. They have been attractive nanocarriers
for the delivery of many drugs (e.g. radiopharmaceuticals, chemotherapeutic agents,
porphyrin) and diagnostic agents (e.g. fluorescent dyes, quantum dots, Gadolinium complex
and Fe3O4) by encapsulating (or adsorbing) hydrophilic one inside the liposomal aqueous core
domain (or on the bilayer membrane surface), and by entrapping hydrophobic one within the
liposomal bilayer. Additionally, the liposome surface can be easily conjugated with targeting
molecules. Liposomes may accumulate in cancerous tissues not only passively via enhanced
permeability and retention (EPR) effect, but also actively by targeting cancer cell or angiogenic
marker specifically. The multimodality imaging functionalization of liposomal therapeutic
agents makes them highly attractive for individualized monitoring of the in vivo cancer
targeting and pharmacokinetics of liposomes loading therapeutic drugs, and predicting therapeutic
efficacy in combination with the helpful information from each imaging technique. The
present review article will highlight some main advances of cancer theranostic liposomes with
a view to activate further research in the nanomedicine community.
Measuring shame regulation: Validation of the Compass of Shame Scale
Authors: Schalkwijk Frans , Stams Geert Jan , Dekker Jack , Peen Jaap , Elison Jeff
Published: March 2017

Shame is a powerful self-conscious emotion that can interfere with healthy psychological functioning. We examined the validity of the Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS), a self-report measure designed to assess shame regulation styles. In this paper, the construct validity of the Dutch version
and two newly developed subscales of the CoSS were investigated in a survey of 324 adolescents. The results confirmed that the Dutch version and the two new subscales have satisfactory psychometric qualities. We also studied the higher level factor structure of the CoSS for measuring shame
by introducing the concepts of internalizing and externalizing shame-coping styles and the results support the observation that the CoSS measures maladaptive neurotic internalizing shame regulation, as well as externalizing shame regulation.
Predictors of the effectiveness of celebrity endorsement on Facebook
Authors: Um Nam-Hyun
Published: March 2017

I investigated whether or not the factors of self-disclosure, social identity, and need for affiliation predict effectiveness of celebrity endorsement on Facebook. Participants in this study were 320 college students, who viewed a fictitious celebrity Facebook fan page and then completed
an online survey. Results showed that self-disclosure and need for affiliation had a significantly positive impact on both brand attitude and purchase intention. In addition, social identity had a significantly positive impact on consumers' electronic word-of-mouth intention. Overall, my results
indicate that, as one component of an advertising strategy, celebrity endorsement in social media contexts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) is effective.
Happiness and social stratification: A layered perspective on occupational status
Authors: Xiang Yanhui , Wu Hao , Chao Xiaomei , Mo Lei
Published: March 2017

We investigated whether or not occupational status influences happiness and how overt and covert occupational characteristics lead to a hierarchy of happiness. Using data obtained from a subsample (N = 9,940) of a 2012 Chinese labor force survey, we found that higher occupational
status corresponded to greater happiness. Results of regression analysis confirmed the objectivity of the happiness hierarchy. Overt occupational characteristics of power and occupational prestige were significant as objective social factors promoting happiness. Covert characteristics of justice,
self-confidence, and mental health influenced happiness in a different occupational hierarchy. Our results further confirm that happiness can be stratified on the basis of occupational status, and our findings add to understanding of the mechanism behind how occupational status affects happiness.
Filial piety and life satisfaction among Chinese students: Relationship harmony as mediator
Authors: Sun Peizhen , Liu Bei , Jiang Hongyan , Qian Feifei
Published: March 2017

We tested the mediation effect of relationship harmony in the psychological mechanisms underlying the effect of filial piety (FP) on life satisfaction. Participants were 381 undergraduate students (200 women and 181 men) at 3 universities in China who completed the Filial Piety Scale,
the Interpersonal Relationship Harmony Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results of structural equation modeling showed that reciprocity FP had a significant positive direct effect on life satisfaction. Further examination revealed that the link between FP and life satisfaction
was significantly mediated by relationship harmony. Thus, improving the levels of FP and relationship harmony may function as methods to help students maintain their life satisfaction. Our findings augment the burgeoning body of research in which the function of FP in various facets of life
is being investigated, and provide theoretical and practical implications.
Upper and lower bounds for the mixed degree-Kirchhoff index
Authors: Bianchi Monica , Cornaro Alessandra , Palacios José , Torriero Anna
Published: March 2017

We introduce the mixed degree-Kirchhoff index, a new molecular descriptor
defined by R^(G) = ?i<j(di/dj+dj/di)Rij, where di is the degree of the vertex
i and Rij is the effective resistance between vertices i and j. We give
general upper and lower bounds for bR(G) and show that, unlike other related
descriptors, it attains its largest asymptotic value (order n4), among
barbell graphs, for the highly asymmetric lollipop graph. We also give more
refined lower (order n2) and upper (order n3) bounds for c-cyclic graphs in
the cases 0 ? c ? 6. For this latter purpose we use a close relationship
between our new mixed degree-Kirchhoff index and the inverse degree, prior
bounds we found for the inverse degree of c-cyclic graphs, and suitable
expressions for the largest and smallest effective resistances of c-cyclic
graphs.
Some integral inequalities for p-convex functions
Authors: Noor Muhammad , Awan Muhammad , Noor Khalida , Postolache Mihai
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we consider the class of p-convex functions. We derive some
new integral inequalities of Hermite-Hadamard and Simpson type for
differentiable p-convex functions using two new integral identities. Some
special cases are also discussed. Interested readers may find novel and
innovative applications of p-convex functions in various branches of pure
and applied sciences. The ideas and techniques of this paper may stimulate
further research in this field.
Global Malmquist Productivity Index based on preference common-weights
Authors: Abbasian-Naghneh Salman
Published: March 2017

Data Envelopment Analysis is a linear programming technique for assessing the
efficiency and productivity of decision making units (DMUs). Over the last
decade, DEA has gained considerable attention as a managerial tool for
measuring performance. The flexibility in selecting the weights in standard
DEA models deters the comparison among DMUs on a common base. Moreover,
these weights are unsuitable to measure the preferences of a decision maker
(DM). For dealing with these two difficulties simultaneously; we use
preference common weights. This paper uses preference common weights for
time-series evaluations to calculate the global Malmquist productivity index
(MPI) so that the productivity of changes of all DMUs have a common basis
for comparison, and DM?s preference information is incorporated in
calculating global MPI. The Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) suggests a
convenient way of measuring the productivity change of a given unit between
two consequent time periods.
A new iteration scheme for approximating fixed points of nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Thakur Balwant , Thakur Dipti , Postolache Mihai
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we introduce a new three-step iteration scheme and establish
convergence results for approximation of fixed points of nonexpansive
mappings in the framework of Banach space. Further, we show that the new
iteration process is faster than a number of existing iteration processes.
To support the claim, we consider a numerical example and approximated the
fixed point numerically by computer using MATLAB.
The constants to measure the differences between Birkhoff and isosceles orthogonalities
Authors: Mizuguchi Hiroyasu
Published: March 2017

The notion of orthogonality for vectors in inner product spaces is simple,
interesting and fruitful. When moving to normed spaces, we have many
possibilities to extend this notion. We consider Birkhoff orthogonality and
isosceles orthogonality, which are the most used notions of orthogonality.
In 2006, Ji and Wu introduced a geometric constant D(X) to give a
quantitative characterization of the difference between these two
orthogonality types. However, this constant was considered only in the unit
sphere SX of the normed space X. In this paper, we introduce a new geometric
constant IB(X) to measure the difference between Birkhoff and isosceles
orthogonalities in the entire normed space X. To consider the difference
between these orthogonalities, we also treat constant BI(X).
Decompositions of ordered semigroups into a chain of k-Archimedean ordered semigroups
Authors: Zhu QingShun , Popovic Zarko
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we first define various types of k-regularity of ordered
semigroups and various types of k-Archimedness of ordered semigroups. Also,
we define the relations ?(k), ?(k)l, ?(k)r, ?(k)t and ?(k)b (k ? Z+)
on an ordered semigroup. Using these notions, filter, and radical subsets of
an ideal, left ideal and biideal of ordered semigroups we describe chains of
k-Archimedean (left k-Archimedean, t-k-Archimedean) ordered subsemigroups.
Fractals through modified iteration scheme
Authors: Kang Shinmin , Rafiq Arif , Latif Abdul , Shahid Abdul , Alif Faisal
Published: March 2017

In this paper we study the geometry of relative superior Mandelbrot sets
through S-iteration scheme. Our results are quit significant from other
Mandelbrot sets existing in the literature. Besides this, we also observe
that S-iteration scheme converges faster than Ishikawa iteration scheme. We
believe that the results of this paper can be inspired thosewho are
interested in creating automatically aesthetic patterns.
Exploring the Internet Usage for English Language Learning
Authors: Suryani Anne
Published: March 2017

Abstract: In this article, I discuss the idea about how Information and Communication Technologies â€“ particularly the internet- can be developed as a tool to support independent learning. From my point of view, both new media and education are closely connected. Moreover, the internet has several functions that might be explored for academic purposes. Although there are some possibilities of using internet as a tool to learn English, it might not be easy to implement this idea in Indonesian universities because of various problems caused by cultural background, educational institution, government, community, also studentâ€™s and teacherâ€™s perspectives. This paper explains these complexities in five parts: introduction; literature review; analysis; solutions; and conclusions which all are connected to the concepts of language, culture and identity.
Organisasi Profesi Jurnalis dan Kode Etik Jurnalistik
Authors: Sulistyowati Fadjarini
Published: March 2017

Abstract: If managed professionally, the function of the press will be maximum. A professionalism press will always keep the quality of the news, and this is depend on the capability of the journalist. A good journalist upholds the quality of the news and used it as an indicatorÂ whether the press function works well or not. It is because a good journalist will be very obedience to the application of the ethics code of his profession. To keep the journalistic code of ethics works, it is necessary to have a journalist organization. This organization ofÂ journalist profession to increase the press professionalism to the commitment to control the journalistic code of ethics.