bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of different pruning methods on Lasioptera sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: YAŞAR Bülent , ALKAN Şenay
Published: April 2019

In
this study, effect of cutting axial shoot in different ways and lengths on the
egg-laying preferences of the females of Lasioptera
sp. on tomatoes was determined. The study was conducted on naturally infected
tomato plants in Antalya province in 2017. The experiment consisted of 5
characters (pruning at 5 and 8 cm long by scissors or manually and untreated
control) with 100 replications. As a result, more pupae were counted in the
scissors pruning groups than in the manual pruning axial shoots and the
difference between two treatment was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the
axial shoot pruning with scissors at 5 cm length 418 pupae and at 8 cm length
215 pupae were counted. No pupae were found to untreated control axial shoots
that did not have any treatment, pruning or manual pruning, during the study.
As a result, as reported in previous studies, overall the results showed that manual
pruning the axial shoots at 5-8 cm lengths could reduce the damage of this
insect by approximately 87%, and suggest that this method can be effective in
controlling this harmful species by reducing its egg-laying activity.
International Trade and Terror Relationship in Turkey
Authors: SEZGİN Şennur
Published: April 2019

In this study, the effect of terrorism on international trade is examined in the case of Turkey. Between 1980 and 2015, along with many important political and scientific developments towards the development of international trade, international trading has begun to reach certain limitations with the terrorist channel. International trade has reached the highest levels in history with globalization phenomenon. International trade has remarkably expanded with the help of widespread internet use information technologies especially in the trade of services. Along with these positive developments, international terrorism has a negative impact on world trade. There is strong evidence that the increase in terrorist incidents led to a decline on international trade. This study focuses on whether terrorism affects Turkey's foreign trade. In doing so, between 1970 and 2016, the sensitivity of foreign trade to terrorism was measured by the concept of elasticity.
USING OF 3-ARYLISOCOUMARINS IN 3-ARYLISOQUINOLONS SYNTHESIS
Authors: Shablykina O. , Moskvina V. , Savchenko V. , Khilya V.
Published: April 2019

The review systematizes and analyzes the literature data (100 sources) regarding the recyclization of 3-arylisocoumarins (3-aryl-1H-isochromen-1-ones) under the action of primary N-nucleophiles that leads to the formation of 3-arylisoquinolones (3-arylisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones). This reaction may be carried out with a wide range of primary aminogroup-containing compounds: ammonia, primary aliphatic, aromatic, and heteroaromatic amines, hydrazine, and hydroxylamine. This transformation is not hindered by the presence of active functional groups (hydroxyl, acetal, carboxyl, ester, nitrile groups, or additional aminogroup) neither in 3-arylcoumarin nor in the primary amine. A special attention has been paid to reaction conditions (temperature regime, duration, solvent, catalysts), which may vary greatly. In particular, it is pointed out that in most cases to carry out high-temperature recyclization of 3-arylisocoumarins with ammonia and volatile amines with low molecular weight the use of closed reactors and high-pressure flasks was required. The cases of successful recyclization of 11,12-dihydrodibenzo[c,h]chromen-6-ones, indeno[1,2-c]isochromen-5(11H)-ones, isochromeno[4,3-c]chromen-6,11-dione and 5H-benzofuro[3,2-c]isochromen-5-one are reviewed separately. The polycondensated heterocyclic system of these compounds contains a 3-arylisocoumarin fragment. The biological activity data is presented for the compounds obtained via this transformation – 3-arylisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones, and also polycondensated systems that contain this fragment, e.g. 11,12-dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthridin-6(5H)-ones and 6H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinoline-5,11-diones. The opportunities to use 3-arylisoquinolin-1(2H)-ones in the synthesis of other compounds of isoquinoline family, e.g. natural benzo[c]phenanthridinealocoloids, are demonstrated.
Empathy and intolerance of Russian youth towards people with disabilities: gender and personality differences
Authors: Burkova V.N. , Fedenok J.N. , Butovskaya M.L.
Published: April 2019

In this article, we present the results of a study on empathy and intolerance in relation to people with disabilities among Russian students. We investigated gender and personal differences in the relationship between the level of aggressive behavior, empathy and anxiety (as an indicator of stress). The sample consisted of 192 students — 106 of young men and 86 of young women (average age 20 years). We used a psychological questionnaires and experimental design with the presentation of stimulating photographs. At the first stage, all respondents filled in a personal questionnaire of the self-ratings on aggressive behavior by Bass&Perry, questionnaire of empathic abilities developed by Boyko, and the Spielberg-Khanin questionnaire for determining the level of anxiety. On the next step, we showed a stimulus material — a set of pictures with disabled people. After photo session, we asked respondents to fill in questionnaires on empathy and anxiety again. The results of the study show that the effect of stimulant photos stimulated the arousal of the level of anxiety and empathy in students, Also the development of empathy can lead to a decrease in the number of manifestations of rejection, hostility and aggression (and, consequently, fear) towards people with disabilities.
Teacher Performance Evaluation: A Review of Best Foreign Practices
Authors: Margolis A.A.
Published: April 2019

The paper provides a review of modern foreign systems of evaluating teaching skills and teacher performance. It is argued that the evaluation of professional activities in teachers becomes an effective tool of performance improvement only in the context of professional growth and continuing education. The paper outlines the typology of teacher evaluation forms according to the aims and tasks; normative grounds; tools employed; subject of evaluation. The following key international studies on effective teacher evaluation methods are analysed: ETC (2008), The Sutton Trust (2013), MET (2009-2013).The paper describes the best practices in teacher performance assessment for future teachers (graduates of teacher training programmes) developed within EdTPA, PPAT, TAA, MCTE.Also, the paper addresses the issue of teacher certification on the basis of professional standards such as NBPTS (1987) and APST (2013).Finally, some recommendations are given on how to evaluate teacher performance in the context of the establishment of the national system of teacher growth in the Russian Federation.
El modelo binomial, ahorros fiscales y valor ajustado de la firma por escenarios de continuidad o disolución
Authors: Milanesi Gastón Silverio
Published: April 2019

El descuento de flujos de fondo, en su versión tradicional, no incorpora valores contingentes de ahorros fiscales y los escenarios de continuidad o liquidación a los que se enfrenta la firma. El presente trabajo desarrolla, desde la teoría de opciones reales, un modelo binomial de valoración que incorpora el tratamiento contingente de los ahorros fiscales y los escenarios de disolución o continuidad, condicionados por el grado de endeudamiento. Para esto, se utilizó el enfoque metodológico del estudio de casos, exponiendo relaciones funcionales y ventajas respecto del descuento de flujos de fondos. Los resultados indican que el valor de la firma se ajusta a una función del tipo exponencial. El valor actual obtenido resume ahorros fiscales contingentes y escenarios de liquidación o continuidad.
FEEL THE PAIN AND DO IT ANYWAY
Authors: Fenton Maurice
Published: April 2019

This article is a reflective account of the process of a social care worker’s professional development over a span of 28-years, primarily working within children’s residential care settings. It charts the author’s journey with regard to his ability to cope with anxiety (pain-based fear) and to live “on the edge” in his professional practice. The author’s personal experience as a young boy of the death of his father is identified as having caused pain-based behaviours for the author until such time as he faced the pain of this loss. The traumatic experience then became an asset in his direct work with children and young people in the role of a “wounded healer”. The article introduces the concept of “vicarious confidence” and its critical role in leadership and supervision. Self-care is discussed and the concept of “system-trauma” is identified. The article also discusses the role of magic in social care and links this to neuroscience and brain MRI images. The article highlights the positive role pain can play in enabling workers to connect empathically with hurt children and young people and posits that if we are to care authentically then we must be prepared to experience pain.
ADDRESSING PAIN AND PAIN-BASED BEHAVIOURS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHILD PROTECTION AND OUT-OF-HOME CARE
Authors: Jackson Annette , McKenzie Raeleen J. , Frederico Margarita
Published: April 2019

In this paper we discuss the concepts of physical and emotional pain and people’s reactions such as pain-based behaviours. We describe our work with children and young people in the Victorian (Australia) child protection and out-of-home care system who have experienced many painful experiences often resulting in pain-based behaviours. We describe our practice approach with a description of the “PAIN Relief” emotional first aid tool. We highlight implications for practice, and training in response to emotional pain and pain-based behaviours.
PAIN AND THE UNSPOKEN EMOTION: SHAME
Authors: Bath Howard
Published: April 2019

Anger, fear, and sadness are frequently described emotions that are experienced by many young people in care, but there is another common emotion that is less often named and understood. Shame — the deep sense of not belonging, of being defective or deficient in some way, of feeling unlovable — is a painful and pervasive social emotion that also involves our thinking processes and sense of self-worth. It has been described as a “pit of despair” that “envelops” many young people in care, a toxic force that drives behaviours we struggle to understand including some aggression and self-harm. Referencing Nathanson’s  Compass of Shame, this article looks at some common coping strategies as well as masks or proxies of shame including the so-called “impostor” phenomenon – even the “drive for normality” described by James Anglin in 2002 could be seen as an attempt to escape from shame’s isolating clutches. Strategies for helping young people understand and cope with shame, including the fostering of healthy connections and the judicious use of words, are then explored.
Deactivation of Spent Ion-exchange Resins Contaminated by Cesium and Cobalt Radionuclides
Authors: Palamarchuk M.S. , Tokar E.A. , Tutov M.V. , Yegorin A.M.
Published: April 2019

Simulation of iron oxide (magnetite and maghemite) and aluminosilicate (sillimanite and cyanite) deposits formed on the surface of spent ionexchange resins in the process of decontamination of liquid radioactive waste contaminated by cesium and cobalt radionuclides has been performed. A method of deep deactivation of spent ion-exchange resins contaminated by aluminosilicate and iron oxide deposits using alkaline and acidic solutions containing Zn-EDTA complexes has been suggested. The method of two-stage concentrating of cesium radionuclides using selective sorption materials (resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and Thermoxid-35 ferrocyanide sorbent) has been improved. The method advantage consists in using a solution containing EDTA complexes for elution of cesium radionuclides from the resorcinol-formaldehyde resin with their transition onto Thermoxid-35. High stability of the resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and Thermoxid-35 in the course of concentrating has been demonstrated. A scheme of deactivation of spent ion-exchange resins, which enables one to decrease the volume of secondary wastes due to utilization of a circulating water supply, has been suggested.
The Use of Products Disposal of Bottoms Residues as a Hydrophobic Additive
Authors: Kosulina T.P. , Tsokur O.S. , Chernykh V.F.
Published: April 2019

The most rational direction of disposal of industrial waste is their use in obtaining products for construction purposes, such as concrete. For the purposeful regulation of the structure and properties of cement mortars and concretes, special highly effective additives-modifiers to concrete are widely used to increase strength and durability. In this paper, it was proposed to use the product disposal of bottoms residues as a hydrophobic additive – a composite material in the form of a fine powder. Disposal products, containing in their composition hydrophobic wax substances and silica-containing sorbents, give strength and water resistance to cement brick due to the manifestation of the acquired property of bulk hydrophobization. By keeping the samples in a solution of Na2SO4, the hydrophobic properties of the disposal products were confirmed. Concrete with the addition of a disposal product, obtained on the basis of the decontamination composition CaO:SFDP:spent silica gel, has the best performance.
Pre-project Comparative Environmental Assessment of Alternative Locations for a Production Facility
Authors: Zhigulsky V.A. , Zhigulskaya D.V. , Shuisky V.F. , Maximova E.Yu.
Published: April 2019

The technology of a pre-project comparative assessment of alternative options for locating production facilities, developed by the St. Petersburg ecological project company Eco-Express-Service, is presented. Comparison of options is carried out on the basis of a multi-criteria score-rating assessment in two stages: first, the determination and comparison of values of the environmental safety criteria, then a generalized summary assessment across the totality of the criteria. To bring the obtained results into a general comparative scoring, four competitive methods are used, differing in the degree of detail of the accounting for the indicator significance of the criteria and the ratio of different types of object sites. The stages of technology application are illustrated with concrete examples. The main positive effects and advantages of its use are due to the increased environmental safety of construction and significant (by an order of magnitude) savings of the federal, regional and local budgets and investors owing eliminating unfavorable placement options for the object at the early stages of development.
The Results of a Comprehensive Study of Forest Remediation on Waste Heaps of the Borodinsky Open-Pit Coal Mine
Authors: Zen’kov I.V. , Zhukova V.V. , Agalakova A.V. , Latyshenko G.I. , Vokin V.N. , Kiryushina E.V. , Veretenova T.A.
Published: April 2019

The data of studies of forest reclamation carried out by the Borodinsky open-pit mine on the territory of rock heaps are given. The results of the interpretation and processing of satellite images, which set the dynamics of the formation and development of the plant ecosystem in areas with forest reclamation, are presented.
Morphological and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Experimental Mandibular Fractures Healing Process
Authors: Matchin A. A. , Stadnikov A. A. , Nosov E. V. , Kiriakidi S. Kh.
Published: April 2019

The aimof the study is histological assessment of the effect of oxytocin local application on mandibular fractures healing.

Material and methods.The investigated material was the lower jaw in the fracture zone, fastened by the bone suture method, of 24 Wistar male rats 220–250 g by mass. The preparations were subjected to the same histological processing and studied in light microscope. Reactions with monoclonal antibodies were performed to identify the expression of Ki67, p56, bcl 2, caspasa 3 proteins.

Results.It was established that the dynamics of the bone-wound process in mandibular fractures and the operative fastening of fragments by bone suture is characterized by phase. Light-optical and immunocytochemical studies showed the restoration of the integrity of the damaged mandible after the fragments were fixed with bone suture through the proliferation of the cambial layer cells of the periosteum and low-differentiated mesenchymal stromal bone marrow cells. The data obtained indicate that the use of oxytocyte had an optimizing effect on reparative osteogenesis. When this occurs, the correction of elementary reparative processes of histogenesis at the level of expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes of bone tissue cells (decrease in the apoptotic dominant of osteoblasts in terms of p53 expression, inhibition of the enzyme cascade, implementation of programmed cells death in terms of caspasa 3) takes place. At the same time, the activity of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene and the Ki- 67 gene increased in osteoblasts and endothelial cells, which determines the proliferative component of reparative osteogenesis, increased in the regenerate.
Topographic and Anatomical Features of the Human Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord at the 18–21 Weeks of Fetal Ontogenesis
Authors: Shalikova L. O. , Liashchenko D. N. , Galeeva E. N. , Gulina Y. V. , Galiakbarova V. A. , Isengulova A. Y.
Published: April 2019

The aim of study was to identify anatomical features of the vertebral column and spinal cord, as well as their relationships at the stage of the intermediate fetal period of ontogenesis.

Material and methods. The research included the study and analysis of the sectional material of 20 human fetuses of both genders at the 18–21 weeks of their development. The material was obtained as a result of abortion on social indications. The complex of morphological methods such as macro-microscopic preparation, N.I. Pirogov technique of preparations of variously-planared sections, preparation of series of histotopogrammes with van Gieson’s staining was used in the study.

Results. The study has revealed that the length of the vertebral column varied from 110±4.9 mm to 122±4.7 mm in the investigated period of ontogenesis. The development of the vertebral column curvatures was observed; thoracic kyphosis being found most commonly (in 80% of cases). The transverse size of the vertebral body was larger than the anterior-posterior size of the vertebral column. There was an asymmetry of holes in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. The character of changes in the vertebral canal was defined, the dynamics of these changes was quantitatively described. The morphometry of the spinal cord was performed in correlation with the spinal column. The largest length of the spinal roots was registered at the level of Sc5. The study demonstrated that development of the spinal cord is subject to the rule of bilateral asymmetry: spinal roots of the same segment on the right and left sides are not always symmetrical and may have different length parameters.

Conclusion. Thus, the obtained data on quantitative morphometry and topography of the vertebral column and spinal cord at the 18–21 weeks of the human ontogenesis can be used as the anatomical basis for the developing fetal surgery and diagnostic methods.
Coberturas ecológicas para aplicação em moradias dos assentamentos da reforma agrária: alternativas de ecoinovação
Authors: Durante Luciane cleonice , Alencar Samira gomes , Venere Paulo cesar , Callejas Ivan Julio Apolonio , Rabelo Olivan da Silva , Rossetti Karyna de andrade carvalho
Published: April 2019

As habitações dos assentamentos rurais, geralmente, são construídas pelos próprios moradores, em sistema de mutirão e, muitas vezes, sem acompanhamento técnico. Diante do isolamento geográfico de algumas áreas, utilizam-se materiais comercialmente disponibilizados no centro urbano mais próximo, abordando sistema de transporte e materiais industrializados, similares aos das edificações urbanas. Esse artigo aborda a temática das coberturas dessas habitações, e as possibilidades de sua produção artesanal, no próprio local, com menor custo, maior facilidade de acesso e apropriação da técnica pelo morador. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar sistemas de coberturas ecológicas, categorizando-as em termos de suas características de toxicidade, otimização de recursos naturais, reciclabilidade, energia incorporada, vida útil, impacto de transporte, geração de resíduo, reuso, manutenibilidade, pegada de água azul, número de materiais e biodegradabilidade. A metodologia consistiu de uma revisão sistemática, com buscas em plataformas de pesquisa. Os tipos de telhas selecionados foram submetidos à avaliação de suas características por meio de um painel de especialistas, via formulário eletrônico, permitindo a atribuição de escores de um a cinco a cada categoria. Como resultados, foram encontradas a cerâmica não queimada, a cascaje, as coberturas de formato abobadado, coberturas verdes, telhas de madeira, de bambu e de palha, em ordem decrescente de impacto ambiental. Os resultados demostraram que cada tipologia apresenta benefícios dependendo do local e do uso. Evidenciam-se, assim, alternativas para o sistema de cobertura das habitações rurais, que podem ser passiveis de implementação na forma de tecnologias sociais.
Accurate Forecast Improvement Approach for Short Term Load Forecasting Using Hybrid Filter-Wrap Feature Selection
Authors: Atuahene Samuel , Bao Yukun , Semwaah Gyan Patricia , Ziggah Yao Yevenyo
Published: April 2019

Accurate hybrid ﬁlter– wrap approach is quite important for short term load forecasting as it not only improve forecasting accuracy performance, but also could effectively avoid converging prematurely. The importance of input selection-features is an essential part to develop models. Currently and dynamic surroundings, energy demand, quantity and values are becoming unpredictable and progressively volatile. Increasing amount of decision-making procedures in the industries in terms of energy require a wide-ranging outlook of the uncertain forthcoming. This paper explains the selection method for the proposed hybrid filter-wrapper whose primary composition includes Personal Modular Impactor (PMI) based filter technique and the Firefly Algorithm (FA) based filter wrapper. The filter wrapper planning technique involves the selection of the best corresponding inputs by a predefined model-free technique that measures the specific relationship between the output selection and the input variable. FA wrapper based technique is more useful compared to the filter procedure. Modular Impactor (MI) is a technique mostly preferred by individuals to measure the dependency of variables and commonly used to select input features and in other key fields.
A Review Study of Antecedents of Electronic Word-of-Mouth: The Case of Transition Economy – Uzbekistan
Authors: Kamolov Javohir , Baimagambetova Assem , Liu Dawei
Published: April 2019

Antecedents of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in social media have not been analyzed in the case of transition economies. The Commonwealth of independent states (CIS) is an interesting case, where countries lived with the ideology of communism for a long time and now they need to adapt to a new set of rules. First of all, the current study analyzes the cultural aspects of Uzbekistan to understand them in the perspective of Hofstede’s classification. Secondly, it reviews previous literature and finds what kind of effects tie strength, homophily, interpersonal influence, trust, self-presentation, and self-disclosure can have on engagement in eWOM in individualistic and collectivistic communities. Finally, it suggests why future research involving the CIS sample is important.
ESTIMATE OF CHERNOZEM ERODIBILITY LEVEL ACCORDING TO THE HUMIFICATION DEGREE
Authors: Kogut B. M.
Published: April 2019

A short review of literature sources is presented to characterize the eroded soils according to their humus content. Traditional diagnostic indicators of the soil erodibility level based upon the humus status are the following: (1) decrease in the thickness of humus horizons in eroded soils in percentage of that in uneroded soil (standard); (2) decline in the humus storage in the eroded soil profile in percentage of that in uneroded soil (standard). It is worth emphasizing that the choice of the uneroded soil standard is a rather labor-consuming study in field and assumes an expert (subjective) character that is highly dependent on the soil scientist’s skill. It is shown that the main shortcomings of the available gradation for eroded soils consist in the absence of approaches to give their objective estimate and recommendations for permissible levels of soil erodibility taking into complete account the humus content in these soils. In the Russian Federation there is a gradation of arable soils (including chernozems) according to the humus content in the plough horizon. It contains four classes (less than the humus minimum, low, moderate and high humus content). In this paper it is recommended to give the gradation of eroded soils with the minimal humus content. The level of chernozem erodibility should be estimated as based upon the minimal and critical humus content. The minimal humus content is interpreted by Kërshens, whereas the critical humus content - by Kiryushin and Ganzhara. A gradation scale of soil erodibility is presented to estimate its permissible, non-permissible and critical levels. It is exemplified by the gradation of chernozem soils in Russia and Germany.
Surgical treatment of Ebstein anomaly: A unicenter experience
Authors: AKKAYA Gökmen , BİLEN Çağatay , TUNCER Osman Nuri , AYIK Mehmet Fatih , ATAY Yüksel
Published: April 2019

Aim: Ebstein
anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac disorder that causing by failure of
delamination of the tricuspid valve. Various surgical methods have been
developed so far as treatment options. Our initial experience and short term
follow up reported herein.Materials and Methods: Ten patients underwent surgical treatment with a diagnosis of
Ebstein anomaly in our center between 2007 and 2017. Two patients underwent one
and a half ventricle repair and Danielson method applied to eight patients. The
X-clamping and cardiopulmonary by-pass (CPB) timing, duration in intensive care
unit (ICU), extubation time and need for blood product were compared between
Danielson and one and a half ventricle repair applied patients.Results: There
was no mortality among patients. In the one and a half repair applied group
both X-clamping (p=0.044) and CPB time (p=0.044) was longer compared to
Danielson group. On the other hand there is no significantly difference between
groups in ICU duration (p=0.400) or extubation timing (p=0.889). Furthermore,
need for blood product and amount of drainage were not different between groups
when two infant age cases were excepted while calculating.

Conclusion: Danielson method is safe and effective in the repair of Ebstein anomaly
and can be applied at infant age with similar clinical outcomes. Nevertheless,
one and a half repair option is also beneficial in patients with a large size
atrialized right ventricular volume. The last decision should be confirmed by
heart team considering patient characteristics and surgeons’ past experience.
Crystal Period Vectors under External Stress in Statistical Physics
Authors: Liu Gang
Published: April 2019

A basic and general equation to determine their period vectors (cell edge vectors) is necessary in physics, especially when crystals are under external stress. It has been derived in Newtonian dynamics in these years. Since statistical physics should also generate such, here we derive it. By extending the normal way for crystals under external pressure, regarding crystal cells as being filled with continuous media, writing the work done by the external stress on the crystal explicitly, and deriving the forces on the surfaces of the cells by the external stress, we arrived at the equation for the period vectors, which is in principle the same as the above mentioned counterpart achieved in Newtonian dynamics. It should be applicable when crystals are under different pressures in different directions, like in piezoelectric and piezomagnetic phenomena.
Effects of Vegetable Cultivation on Health: A Qualitative Study of the Health Effects Other than Increasing Vegetable Intake
Authors: Machida Daisuke , Yoshida Tohru
Published: April 2019

The present short communication aimed to determine the effects of vegetable cultivation on health. We conducted a qualitative study using responses to an open-ended question that was part of a survey on regional differences on vegetable intake. Participants in this study were residents of Gunma Prefecture, Japan, and were aged between 20–74 years. In the questionnaire, we asked: “Aside from increasing vegetable intake, how does vegetable cultivation affect your health?” We were able to categorize the answers into six subcategories related to physical health, mental health, and social well-being.
Estimation of Exchangeable Sodium Percentage with the Aid of Sodium Adsorption Ratio in Sedimentary Soils
Authors: Niknamian Sorush
Published: April 2019

Soil salinity and sodicity are two main factors limiting plant growth in irrigated agricultural land. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) are two different criteria as an index of soil sodicity and salinity. Various approximate relationships between ESP and SAR have been reported for soils in different regions of the world. Since there is possibility that these relationships change substantially with clay content, mineralogy, salinity of equilibrium solution, and saturation percentage of soils, it seems essential doing specific studies for different regions.  The purpose of this research was to i) find the relationship between ESP and SAR, and ii) estimate the ESP from SAR in alluvial soils of Sistan, the dry plain in east of Iran. Thus, 301 soil samples were collected from study area and  analyzed. The best linear and logarithmic equations found between ESP and SAR using Datafit software were ESP = 8.89 × ln(SAR1:1) + 14.04 and ESP = 8.73 × ln(SAR1:5) + 14.59, that ESP variation was justified 78% and 76%, respectively. Then, the multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLP) and ANFIS system performance were investigated in order to estimate ESP. Results showed superior performance of MLP and ANFIS compared with the regression models. ESP estimation from SAR1:1 using ANFIS was more accurate than other models (coefficient of determination and root mean square error values were 0.99 and 0.014, respectively). These results indicate the superiority of the intelligent models in order to explain the relationship between ESP and SAR over  linear and non-linear regression equations.
Comparative Distal Limb Anatomy Reveals a Primitive Trait in 2 Breeds of Equus caballus
Authors: May-Davis Sharon , Vermeulen Zefanja , Brown Wendy Y.
Published: April 2019

The 55-million-year history of equine phylogeny has been well documented from the skeletal record, however not the soft tissue structures that are now vestigial in modern horse. A recent study reported 2 ligamentous structures resembling functional 3rd and 4th interosseous muscles were evident in Dutch Konik horses. The current study investigates this finding and compares it to members of the genus Equus to identify either a breed anomaly or functional primitive trait. Distal limbs (n=571) were dissected from 4 species of Equus; E. caballus, E. asinus, E. przewalskii and E. burchelli beohmi. Breed representatives of E.caballus (n=18) included the primitive Dutch Konik. The 2nd and or 4th interosseous muscle was evident in all 4 species, but only 2 breeds of E.caballus expressed this trait - the Dutch Konik and Bosnian Mountain Horse. These 2 breeds were the only close descendants of the extinct Tarpan (Equus ferus ferus) represented in this study. In conclusion, the 2nd and 4th interosseous muscles originated from the distal nodule of respective splint bones and inserted into the corresponding branches of the 3rd interosseous muscle proximal to the sesamoids. Suggesting a functional role in medial and lateral joint stability and a primitive trait in modern equids.
Análise do gasto ambulatorial do acidente vascular cerebral na perspectiva do sistema público
Authors: Reis Marcio , Chaoubah Alfredo , Mármora Cláudia Helena , Liebel Graziela
Published: April 2019

Objetivo: Analisar o gasto médio anual por paciente de acidente vascular cerebral em período ambulatorial pelo sistema público. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e quantitativo, composto por uma amostra de 95 pacientes usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde de uma sede de macrorregião de saúde de Minas Gerais. Um questionário foi aplicado entre setembro e outubro de 2014 e a partir dele foram estimados os gastos médios anuais, por paciente, do acidente vascular cerebral em fase ambulatorial. Uma análise bivariada e multivariada foi realizada para identificar a influência das variáveis nos gastos. Resultados: O sistema público brasileiro gasta em média por ano com pacientes acometidos por acidente vascular cerebral U$ 305.18 (DP = 185.46) em gastos diretos e U$ 2,456.80 (DP = 2,945.20) em gastos indiretos por paciente em período ambulatorial. Conclusões: Os gastos públicos com pacientes de acidente vascular cerebral na fase ambulatorial variaram em função dos gastos indiretos e foram mais elevados em pacientes que sofreram a lesão precocemente, que estiveram em tratamento há mais tempo no sistema público e que perderam a sua produtividade econômica devido à doença, onerando principalmente a previdência social.
Modelo de gerenciamento de projetos aplicado a pesquisa clínica
Authors: Zanotto Angelica , Ruschel Karen , Polanczyk Carisi Anne
Published: April 2019

Objetivo: Desenvolver um modelo para o gerenciamento de projetos em centros de pesquisa clínica (CPCs) no cenário público-privado e privado. Métodos: Estudo transversal prospectivo com aplicação de um questionário específico em CPCs no Brasil. Esse instrumento avaliou a aplicação prática das 10 áreas de conhecimento do Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) (gerenciamento da integração, do escopo, do tempo, de custos, de qualidade, de recursos humanos, de comunicações, de riscos, de aquisições e partes interessadas) com relação à prática diária da pesquisa clínica nos CPC do país. Resultados: Dos 195 centros de pesquisa elegíveis, 55 responderam ao questionário completo. O profissional com o cargo de gerente de projetos é inexistente em 37 centros (67,3%) ativos e não há Escritório de Gerenciamento de Projetos (EGP) em 41 centros (74,5%). O controle de despesas e receitas é realizado por 50 centros (90,9%), entretanto 28 (50,9%) realizam avaliação da rentabilidade. Quanto ao gerenciamento da qualidade, 28 (50,9%) não têm parâmetros de qualidade implantados e 11 (40,7%) não realizam auditoria interna. Falhas de comunicação estão presentes em 48 centros (87,2%). A partir da avaliação da aplicação prática das 10 áreas de conhecimento do Guia PMBOK®, foi desenvolvido um modelo de gerenciamento de projetos com aplicabilidade aos centros. Conclusões: É possível que os centros tenham melhor definição do escopo de cada projeto, custos e prazos possuam baixa margem de variabilidade, se estabeleça boa comunicação entre as partes envolvidas e que o impacto econômico do gerenciamento possa ser reconhecido.
Modelo de impacto orçamentário do trastuzumabe subcutâneo comparado com o intravenoso no tratamento de câncer de mama HER-2 positivo no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro
Authors: Kashiura Diego , Souza Paulo Vitor , Yoshida Ligia , Garrido Sarah Danielle , Nardi Elene , Alves Marcia Regina
Published: April 2019

Objetivo: Estimar o impacto orçamentário do trastuzumabe subcutâneo, comparado com o intravenoso, no Sistema de Saúde Suplementar (SSS) para o tratamento do câncer de mama inicial e metastático HER-2 positivo. Métodos: Foi realizada uma análise de impacto orçamentário na perspectiva do SSS. Os tratamentos de câncer de mama inicial foram trastuzumabe em monoterapia e trastuzumabe com paclitaxel ou docetaxel. No câncer de mama metastático, considerou-se trastuzumabe associado com docetaxel ou paclitaxel na primeira linha e em monoterapia na segunda linha. Para ambos, comparou-se a substituição do trastuzumabe intravenoso pelo subcutâneo. Uma pesquisa com 28 operadoras mapeou taxas, preços e tabelas de referência usadas para o reembolso de medicamentos, materiais e procedimentos. Uma equipe multidisciplinar estimou o uso de recursos. Custos médicos diretos foram incluídos e os preços foram obtidos de fontes públicas. O horizonte temporal foi cinco anos e considerou-se a incorporação progressiva de trastuzumabe subcutâneo com 20% no primeiro ano até atingir 100%. Resultados: Estimaram-se 31.589 pacientes com câncer de mama no SSS em cinco anos. O uso progressivo de trastuzumabe subcutâneo em comparação com o intravenoso levou a uma economia de 962,7 mBRL, 14,5 mBRL, 1,5 mBRL e 0,2 mBRL no SSS, para operadoras de saúde de grande, médio e pequeno porte, respectivamente. Materiais e procedimentos de suporte com taxas médicas foram os parâmetros mais sensíveis. Conclusão: O trastuzumabe subcutâneo em comparação com o intravenoso pode levar a uma economia de até 962,7 mBRL no tratamento do câncer de mama no SSS.
Eficiência na assistência hospitalar em Portugal: um estudo comparativo
Authors: Nunes Alexandre , Ferreira Diogo
Published: April 2019

Objetivo: Os hospitais públicos em Portugal melhoraram desde 2002 seus resultados em termos de eficiência, porém, nem sempre na mesma proporção nas diferentes regiões do país. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar os escores de eficiência em unidades hospitalares nas cinco regiões administrativas portuguesas. Métodos: A técnica da Análise Envoltória de Dados para quantificar e comparar a eficiência na atenção hospitalar em 27 unidades hospitalares das cinco regiões. Na aplicação dos modelos usaram-se quatro tipos de variáveis: insumos (custos totais), serviços prestados medidos pelo número de doentes atendidos ajustados por case-mix, qualidade do serviço prestado e acesso ao mesmo, bem como o ambiente externo (demografia e epidemiologia) usado para homogeneizar as condições em que os hospitais operam. Resultados: O nível de ineficiência médio, apenas para hospitais ineficientes, é aproximadamente 6%, um valor próximo do encontrado na literatura. Este valor corresponde a cerca de 370 milhões de Euros desperdiçados. Conclusões: Os hospitais públicos portugueses exibem um desempenho médio considerável. No entanto, existem regiões com pontuações maiores que a média nacional e outras com resultados mais pobres. A diversidade encontrada aponta para disparidades que merecem atenção especial de formuladores de políticas e gestores.
Field-Scale Evaluation of Re-Injecting the Associating Produced Gas Through the GDWS-AGD EOR Process
Authors: Al-Mudhafar Watheq J , Wojtanowicz Andrew K
Published: April 2019

To date, our feasibility studies [CMTC-502487-MS and SPE-190163-MS] of the Gad and Downhole Water Sink-Assisted Gravity Drainage (GDWS-AGD) process for the South Rumaila oil field have considered using Carbon Dioxide gas injection to enhance recovery from the field. As availibiulity of CO2 is limited and its cost considerable it might be also feasible to use natural gas,, Associated Produced Gas (APG) as an alternative solvent to enhance oil recovery with this process. In the study, efficiency of APG vs. CO2 is compared for the South Rumaila oil field.

In the study, the GDWS-AGD process installation includes 20 vertical APG injection wells are drilled to the top of the reservoir to build a gas cap in the oil pay zone. In addition, eleven horizontal oil-producing wells are placed at the bottom of the oil pay zone with six horizontal water drainage (sink) wells below the oil-water contact (OWC). The two horizontal leg installation may be made from a vertical well with 7-casing dual-completed (from two kick-off points) in the oil payzone and in the bottom water (below OWC) with two horizontal well legs and the two 2-3/8 inch tubings in each well. In a dual-tubing design of the process the two horizontal well legs produce independently. If only one tubing is used production from the water sink well is hydraulically isolated inside the vertical well by a packer. In either design, the water sink well is operated with a submersible pump.

In this study, the GDWS-AGD process with APG is considered for the upper sandstone member/South Rumaila Oil Field, located in Iraq to improve oil recovery. The Rumaila field has an infinite acting-aquifer with very strong edge water drive. In the GDWS-AGD, the bottom water drainage would not only reduce water cut and water cresting, but would also significantly reduce the reservoir pressure, resulting in improving gas injectivity. The study shows considerable improvement with the GDWS-AGD process - oil recovery increased from 76% by CO2 to 83% by APG and water cut was readily controlled resulting in more rapid reduction with APG (from 98% to less than 5%) than that with CO2 in all horizontal oil producers. The results show that the use of APG gas alternative for the GDWS-AGD process not only improves water-cresting control due prompt reduction of water cut, but also enhances gas injectivity and significantly improves oil recovery.
Coupled Hydrodynamic-Geomechanical Modelling of CO2-WAG Field Development at Farnsworth Unit: A Case Study
Authors: McMillan Marcia , Will Robert , Ampomah William , Balch Robert , Czoski Paige
Published: April 2019

The SWP project is located in a mature waterflood undergoing conversion to CO2-WAG operations at Farnsworth, Texas, USA. Utilized CO2 is anthropogenic, sourced from a fertilizer and an ethanol plant. Major project goals are optimizing the storage/production balance, ensuring storage permanence, and developing best practices for CCUS.

This paper provides a review of work performed toward development of a 3D coupled Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) for use in assessment of caprock integrity, fault reactivation potential, and evaluation of stress dependent permeability in reservoir forecasting. Mechanical property estimates computed from geophysical logs at selected wellbores were integrated with 3D seismic elastic inversion products to create a 3D "static" mechanical property model sharing the same geological framework as the existing reservoir simulation model including 3 major faults. Stresses in the MEM were initialized from wellbore stress estimates and reservoir simulation pore pressures. One way and two way coupled simulations were performed using a compositional hydrodynamic flow model and geomechanical solvers.

Coupled simulations were performed on history matched primary, secondary (waterflood), and tertiary (CO2 WAG) recovery periods, as well as an optimized WAG prediction period. These simulations suggest that the field has been operating at conditions which are not conducive to either caprock failure or fault reactivation. Two way coupled simulations were performed in which permeability was periodically updated as a function of volumetric strain using the Kozeny-Carmen porosity-permeability relationship. These simulations illustrate the importance of frequent permeability updating when recovery scenarios result in large pressure changes such as in field re-pressurization through waterflood after a long primary depletion recovery period. Conversely, production forecasting results are less sensitive to permeability update frequency when pressure cycles are short and shallow as in WAG cycles.

This paper describes initial work on development of a mechanical earth model for use in assessment of geomechanical risks associated with CCUS operations at FWU. The emphasis of this work is on integration of available geomechanical data for creation of the static mechanical property model. Preliminary coupled hydro-mechanical simulations are presented to illustrate some of the key diagnostic output from coupled simulations which will be used in later work for in depth evaluation of specific risk factors such as induced seismicity and caprock integrity.
Water Shut-Off with Polymer in the Alvheim Field
Authors: Langaas Kåre , Stavland Arne
Published: April 2019

The Alvheim field, offshore Norway, has subsea wells with long horizontal branches completed with sand screens. After 10 years of production, water production starts to constrain the oil production. Mechanical water shut-off is impossible in these wells, hence other methods are of interest. In a well workover in 2013, two high-viscous polymer pills were bull-headed and squeezed into the reservoir. The well productivity was reduced with around 50% while the water-cut dropped and pointed to potentially 3 mmstb of extra oil recovery. A research study was initiated with the objectives to understand the changed well performance and if polymer bull-heading can be a future method to reduce water production and enhance oil production.

An experimental laboratory program started with filtration tests of polymer solutions based on the polymer used in the well operation. Core flood experiments were performed by injecting polymer into two parallel mounted cores, then back producing these individually with either water or oil. Several combinations of parallel cores were tested with polymer injection: high vs. low permeability, high oil saturation vs. low oil saturation, outcrop sandstone vs. Alvheim core, as well as two different polymer versions.

The polymer recipe as used in the well operation showed to plug standard filters with filter size larger than the reservoir pore sizes but did not plug the cores. The polymer recipe as used in the well gave a better disproportionate permeability reduction (DPR) than the alternative polymer variant with similar viscosity. A theoretical model for the shear rate in the porous media matched the experimental measured data excellent. The core results show a stable permeability reduction factor of 100-450 for water, while only a factor 2-10 and decreasing with time for oil. The achieved DPR ratio of 45-80 is better than the trend from earlier published results.

The DPR as measured in the laboratory was next integrated in the reservoir model as part of the history match of the treated well. The Alvheim field has several reservoir zones separated with thin shales, and this reservoir zonation seems key for this EOR method to work.

The laboratory work, the reservoir studies and the field experience all point to a possible robust and simple EOR method for Alvheim and similar oil fields. The polymer seems to act as a "magic filter", allowing oil to pass while not water. Future work includes more research and maturing a new polymer pilot on Alvheim.