bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electric-Line Deployed Lightweight Intervention Technology for The Effective Removal of Barium Sulphate Scale Obstructions from Small Diameter Wellbores
Authors: Haugen I. , Døssland L. , Brankovic M. , Osaland E. , Osugo L. , Grødem M. , Grønnerød Anders
Published: February 2017

Barium Sulphate (BaSO4) scale is classified as a hard scale and removal is extremely resistant to both chemical and mechanical methods. Coiled-tubing deployed mechanical intervention is effective, but with inherent logistics, footprint and cost implications. Electric-line deployed wellbore cleanout systems have the advantage of being light and easily deployable. In wellbores with inside diameters (ID) of less than 3 in., removal and downhole collection of hard debris has proved to be a particular challenge.

This paper describes a wellbore cleanout operation on powered electrical wireline in the North Sea. The main operational objective was to clear out the wellbore to the top of a suspected malfunctioning Sliding Side Door (SSD), with a drift ID of 2.797 in. Access was required to run a tubing punch to establish communication with the target reservoir and therefore restore well production. The debris severely plugging the wellbore was predominantly BaSO4 scale.

Slickline broaching was initially attempted to remove the obstruction, but could not make sufficient progress. An electric-line deployed wellbore cleanout system, with bottomhole assembly (BHA) outside diameters (OD) of 2.625 in. and 2.75 in. and reservoir chamber OD of 2.5 in. was subsequently deployed, which was effective and consistently able to interact with, and remove to surface, the scale blockage. 168.6 litres of debris was collected by the electric line wellbore cleanout system.

Contributing to the success of the operation was extensive pre-job testing and measurements executed in the laboratory. These simulated downhole completion geometry and expected debris condition and interaction. The pre-job test results fed in to the design of an optimum BHA and were a basis for decision-making during the operation. The resulting system design maximised solids recovery per run, which increased cleanout and collection efficiency. A surface wellsite washout system was used to clean out the collection chambers, which enabled the rapid turnaround of equipment in-between runs.

Cleanout was executed through multiple runs, with the majority returning maximum fill to surface, which ultimately gained access to target depth as efficiently as possible. A multi-finger caliper log run confirmed the removal of the obstruction and a tubing puncher was run to perforate the inner tubing. Production was restored, with an average (over the first three months) oil production rate of 1,290 STB/D (205 Sm3/d), gas rate of 7.2 MMscfd/D (204,321 Sm3/d) and water cut of 69%.

This is the first time that an electric-line deployed wellbore cleanout system with an OD as small as 2.625 in. has delivered high, successive, repeatability in cleaning out hard BaSO4 scale from a completion with an ID as small as 2.797 in.
Rigless Isolated Formation Testing in a Producing Well A Case History
Authors: Zsolt Liam
Published: February 2017

Cook Inlet Energy (CIE) had several wells producing gas from the Tyonek formation, which overlays the oil-bearing Hemlock formation. CIE needed to obtain a fluid sample and/or well test from the Hemlock without interrupting flow from the Tyonek. This paper discusses methods for independently testing a particular zone in a comingled completion, without requiring a rig or a production interruption.

The procedure began with setting a cement retainer across the Hemlock with tubing-conveyed perforating guns made up to the bottom. Next, a stinger was run on the end of a coiled tubing (CT) string, which landed in the retainer. This isolated the inside of the CT from the Tyonek formation and put it in communication with the perforating guns. The CT was then cut at surface and pressured up with nitrogen to fire the perforating guns. This allowed the Hemlock formation to be tested through a temporary CT velocity string without ever shutting in the Tyonek formation. Also addressed in the design and execution phases were the maintenance and confirmation of well barriers, restricted centralization, inability to confirm spaceout, and unusually sized components that had to be custom designed.

This operation was executed in June and July of 2014. It was a challenging and unconventional job, which required major collaboration. Ultimately, the decision was made to kill the Tyonek formation during the CT cutting stage, as the health, safety, and environment (HSE) exposure was intensified by the novelty of the method. Recommendations are made in this paper to remove this necessity in similar jobs in the future. The well was brought online successfully and is still producing gas in 2016. The job was executed effectively, efficiently, and without major cost or time overruns.

In a depressed price environment, operators must seek creative solutions to execute well work at a fraction of the previous cost. This paper shows how jobs that would traditionally necessitate a workover rig or snubbing unit can be reimagined with less costly intervention equipment while maximizing the flow time of producing wells.
Fracturing Plugs Drillout Experiences in Unconventional Applications
Authors: Zanellato Gabriel , Szklarz Juan Martin , Pach Esteban , Nebiolo Martín
Published: February 2017

A drill-bit supplier provided mills and bits for drilling out fracturing plugs for a new project in the Vaca Muerta formation in Argentina; however, it was difficult to locate information on similar experiences elsewhere. This paper presents the experience gained during execution of a completions project that included fracturing plug drillouts.

Several technologies were used, and their performances are reviewed, including mills, roller-cone bits, and polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits. Drillout times, size and shape of debris, hole cleaning, and tool dull grades are analyzed. All operations were performed with coiled tubing (CT) equipment. Other parameters considered in the analysis include drilling parameters, number of runs to complete a well, plugs per run drilled, and tolerances with respect to casing drift. Some problems that occurred during project execution are discussed, such as motor stall and casing deformation.

The operations were performed in a combination of horizontal and vertical wells. More than 500 fracturing plugs were drilled out in more than 60 wells, gaining sufficient experience to derive significant conclusions. To help reduce drilling time, improve economics, minimize risks, and reduce CT system fatigue, the five to six-blade PDC bit was verified as the best option in this context. This drill type has an acceptable rate of penetration (ROP), does not risk losing moving parts, and minimizes motor stall. When tolerance with respect to casing drift is correct, the five to six-blade PDC bit also minimizes debris size, which helps reduce stuck-in-hole risks and improves subsequent well production.

Several statistics, images, and resolved issues are presented to advise future CT and well intervention projects. Conclusions regarding various plug types, materials, and drillout procedures are also explained to aid similar projects.
High-Strength 130-kpsi Coiled Tubing Intervention in High-Pressure/Extreme-Temperature Wells, North Sea
Authors: Ermakov Konstantin , Savenkova Anna
Published: February 2017

This paper introduces challenges faced in the exploration and development of high-pressure/extreme-temperature (HP/ET) wells and discusses how these challenges were successfully overcome through the development of materials and electronics capable of withstanding such harsh environments.

As HP/ET wells are produced, parts of the reservoir are differentially depleted by as much as 640 bar less than virgin pressure. When perforating wells, including virgin sands, this differential pressure has to be properly managed to reduce the risk of stuck guns. The safest method of perforation has been to complete as few runs as possible using high-strength (130 kpsi) coiled tubing (CT) to perforate a full interval of 230 m (755 ft) in one run. Gun weights of 3200 kg (7,055 lbm) have been deployed, fired, and retrieved under pressure without accident or incident.

Some HP/ET wells in the field have the additional challenge of scale formation throughout the completion. This scale cannot be dissolved in acid and is too heavy to be circulated out of the hole using CT. During a reperforation campaign, a cut of 25% Cr 125-kpsi tubing was correlated and completed successfully on CT in a high-angle well of 52° and a total depth (TD) of 7200 m measured depth (MD) (23,622 ft).
Consistent, Systematic Approach to Deepwater Coiled Tubing Efficiency Improvement Substantially Reduces Operational Time, Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Weiland Peter , Rudnik Alexander , Gagen Eric
Published: February 2017

Despite new deepwater project economics being strongly challenged by the halved oil prices, it is expected that the ongoing projects will continue, given the large, long-term investments that have already been made. In this challenging market environment, operators are required to reduce operating costs to balance expenditures with available cash flow. With the reduction in operator spending, coiled tubing (CT) service companies are further pressed to reduce service charges. Lowering service rates is not the ultimate solution because it neglects to consider a prevalent factor that often relates to excessive expenditures: inefficient performance. Improved operational efficiency holds significant cost-saving potential. Efficient performance in the areas of equipment loading, offloading, rigging up, pressure testing, in-hole operations, and rigging down enables substantial financial reward in the form of time savings.

The importance of efficiency improvements in deepwater vessel-based CT operations, along with the key areas of improvement and performance solutions, were explained in previous papers, Ottolina et al. (2016) and Rudnik et al. (2014). The objective of this study is to transform efficiency improvement into a repeatable process that can be applied to every aspect of CT operations to decrease operational risk, enhance performance and reduce intervention cost.

Low-performance areas and locations of recurring non-productive time (NPT) were addressed with remedial work plans. Meanwhile, high-performance areas were analyzed to record the best practices for efficient execution to realize efficiency gains for the campaign's duration. These best practices were applied to areas of mediocre performance to elevate the percentage of tasks performed on an efficient level. To ensure continuous improvement and unbiased performance review, a performance tracking system and various performance metrics were created. To ensure consistency of performance and continuity between three offshore crews, the development of standard work instructions, process flow charts, and templates were created and deployed.

The development of a total efficiency solution provided the framework for a step change in performance for seven well intervention operations. A consistent, systematic approach to CT operation efficiency improvement has resulted in reductions of 60% for average pressure testing time, 63% for BHA makeup with break test, and 30% reduction in rig up and rig down series. Additionally, improved consistency has accompanied increased performance as the online pressure testing success rate improved from 64 to 95%. These efficiency gains currently provide an estimated 22 hr total time savings for a typical 7-day CT operation.
Innovative Use of Coiled Tubing Catenary System to Intervene a Well with Restricted Flowback Facilities
Authors: Tapia W. R. , Marsaleh Z. , Srisa-ard S.
Published: February 2017

After an operator confirmed wellbore integrity failure in a well located on a small platform, a coiled tubing (CT) catenary intervention was urgently required. However, the production facilities of the platform were not authorized to operate, which represented an impediment to receive returns from the wellbore. This paper documents the analysis and implementation of nonconventional flowback methods and the actions taken to perform the intervention using a state-of-the-art fly-by-wire CT catenary package in a setup that had never used before in this field.

After a shut-in period, the subject well faced integrity issues that could end in an uncontrolled situation. To remediate this situation, milling and plug-setting runs were designed using a catenary system with a fly-by-wire CT unit set for first time completely on the vessel and leaving only the injector head on the platform. To address the flowback limitation, technical and economical assessments were performed on three options: using slope barges to receive fluids in storage tanks, setting conventional flowback equipment on board the catenary vessel, or using the gas injection pipeline available on the platform.

After analyzing each alternative, the options to use slope barges and flowback equipment on the vessel were discarded after confirming that they represented an additional risk and generated higher costs for their implementation. The use of the gas injection pipeline involved the modification of many resources on land and at the offshore facilities, and a detailed plan was needed to utilize the lines in a different way from their initial design. Additionally, weather conditions played a major role during the job execution. Consequently, a special focus was placed on elaborating contingency plans to address emergencies during the operation taking into account that the method implied handling hydrocarbons at surface under uncommon situations. The coordination and collaboration in the operation enabled the operator to achieve the expected results, recovering the wellbore integrity in a cost-effective way, while also eliminating the exposure of additional vessels or sophisticated equipment on location.

The paper presents the large amount of information that was amassed during the implementation of the solution, which could be used by other locations facing similar conditions where conventional production facilities cannot be used during well interventions. The document also includes contingency plans for every stage of the project, safety measurements, lessons learned, and details of the modifications done to the gas injection system and the CT equipment.
Coiled Tubing Advancements Enable Multistage Stimulation and Production Profiling in an Exploration Well in Eastern Siberia
Authors: Burdin K. , Yudin A. , Ronzhin K. , Demkovich M. , Kreknin S. , Pushnikov K. , Borovinskiy Yu. , Zykov. A.
Published: February 2017

The geology of Eastern Siberia formations is unique. In particular, producing formations of the Chayandinskoye field have extremely low temperatures 46 -55° F (8 to 13°C). The field is currently in the exploration stage. Geological properties of the formations vary significantly, and it is necessary to define appropriate methods of well construction and completion prior to switching to a field development stage. One of the prospective options is to implement hydraulic fracturing in low-permeability areas of the Chayandinskoye. A multistage stimulation campaign was executed to test the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing in subhorizontal multilayer well. Coiled tubing was involved in operating controllable frac ports, well kick-off and inflow profile recording using proprietary technologies. The project is one of the first gas fracturing campaigns in Eastern Siberia.

The well completion configuration combined 6-5/8- and 4-1/2-in. liners, equipped with three frac ports that allow multiple opening and closing. This completion makes possible to get separate or combined inflow from producing layers. The coiled tubing fleet made several runs for frac port manipulation, wellbore cleanout of debris and residual proppant, and well kickoff until production achieved the natural flow regime.

Gas wells of Chayandinskoye field have a potential to form gas hydrates at formation conditions. Therefore, special inhibitors at high concentrations were introduced in stimulation fluid and during wellbore cleanout and kickoff. Coiled tubing minimized the hydrate issues from production start up until stable gas flow was reached. A wireline bottomhole assembly for inflow profiling and downhole pressure and temperature recording was used to obtain precise measurements of multiphase flow in the sub-horizontal wellbore. The tool was run via coiled tubing, and fiber optic telemetry transferred data from the bottomhole in real time.

The remote location of the field and limited operational timeframe due to winter road conditions generated additional difficulties in equipment logistics. As a result, the planning and preparation phases were crucial for project execution. Results have shown that fracturing as a method of field development is effective, but requires a complex preparatory stage in the laboratory and further optimization to local logistics and geological conditions. Coiled tubing services are an integral part of the completion process. By combining fiber optics telemetry and multiphase flow scanning, engineers could identify underperforming frac ports and propose prompt remedies. The technologies used in the well also enabled production testing in the exploration well in various regimes – separately from each formation, and combined. Results from the complex exploration workflow will be used to make decisions on overall field development.
Sand Consolidation Case History and Lessons Learned from Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Othman Anis Izzuddin , Zaki Shazana Bt. , Naharindra Adhi , Riyanto Latief , Yahia Zaidil B. , Govinathan Kesavan , Kristanto Tutus , Yeo Kim Teng
Published: February 2017

Field A, an oil field located in Peninsular Malaysia, was completed in 2007 with an initial production of 6,000 BOPD and managed to reach a peak production of 15,000 BOPD the same year, with a water cut of 15%. Toward the end of 2014, a decrease in production was observed with an increase in water cut to 85%. Coupled with high water cut, some of the wells experienced sand production issues. Most of the wells were completed with either standalone screens or without any sand control methods. After a few years in production, the sand-producing wells were shut-in to help prevent damage to surface facilities.

Two idle oil wells, Wells 1 and 2, were identified and efforts were made to reactivate them. High costs can be associated with remedial mechanical sand control to work over a well, so a chemical consolidation treatment using solvent-based resin was identified as a less expensive solution for remedial sand control for these wells.

Chemical sand consolidation using solvent-based epoxy resin was tested in a laboratory using produced sand samples from the selected wells and showed good results. The chemical consolidation treatments for Wells 1 and 2 were designed based on these results. Before treatment was performed for either well, Well 2 was replaced with Well 3 because of a gas supply shortage, which affected total field production. In October and November 2015, Wells 1 and 3 were intervened and chemical sand consolidation was executed on both wells. After the treatment, Wells 1 and 3 were brought back on production. Sand production for Well 1 was below the threshold limit of 15 pounds per thousand barrels (pptb). However, the performance of Well 3 did not meet expectations.

This paper describes the process of treatment design and execution for the chemical sand consolidation of Wells 1 and 3 and explains the workflow used during the design stage. Coiled tubing isolation technique and bullhead treatment technique are discussed together with lessons learned from Wells 1 and 3 in terms of designing chemical sand consolidation treatments for future applications.
Cost and Value of a Dissolvable Frac Plug
Authors: Walton Zachary , Porter Jesse , Fripp Michael , Vargus Greg
Published: February 2017

Although all plug-and-perf systems require frac plugs to isolate zones in the wellbore, there are alternative approaches to hydraulic fracturing using the plug-and-perf method. The availability of dissolvable frac plugs enables operators to weigh the cost and risk of using non-dissolvable frac plugs against the cost and risk of dissolvable frac plugs. This paper analyzes the cost and value of these varying fracturing approaches for applications in North America in traditional and extended reach wellbores.

Frac plugs must be removed from the wellbore before production begins. Non-dissolving frac plugs are removed by milling; this step increases the cost of the overall completion and can sometimes lead to production delays. Risks associated with the milling operation include becoming stuck in the wellbore, damage from the milling debris, and the requirement for larger amounts of water. Consequently, the cost of milling is an added cost to non-dissolvable fracture products. Dissolvable solutions, however, have a larger upfront cost because dissolvable materials are more expensive than non-dissolving materials.

There is a trade-off between the larger upfront costs of dissolvable fracturing technology and the milling costs and risks of non-dissolvable fracturing technology. This trade-off depends on the number of stages, wellbore fluids, formation parameters, operational costs, cost of delayed production, and the operator's willingness to accept risk. The trade-offs also vary between operators and regional geographies. The costs of non-dissolving frac plugs are acquired from historical data and include tools, milling, materials, and the time delay to production, as well as the weighted risk of potential formation damage and lost time incidents. The costs of dissolvable fracture plugs are estimated from the experience in the use of this dissolvable technology. These dissolvable costs are modeled for a typical wellbore in North America for both full wellbore and extended reach laterals. The result is an estimate of the trade-off between cost and risk for non-dissolving and dissolvable fracture technology.

A dissolvable frac plug adds both cost and value to fracturing operations in the unconventional market. A key advantage for dissolvable frac plugs is the ability to fracture longer extended reach wellbores. This paper enables the operator to balance the tool cost with the value of eliminating operational mill-out steps, overall cost of the completion, risk associated with the completion, and the time necessary to begin production.
Electric Submersible Pump Changeouts with the use of HWO Units: An Evolutionary Path of Efficiency
Authors: Chacon Alejandro , Pedraza Carlos , Berthe Vanessa Hernandez , Marcano Aurelio Jose
Published: February 2017

Within the oil industry worldwide, artificial lift (AL) has become necessary to achieve desired reservoir production and maintain commercial output levels. According to Spears and Associates, in 2005, about $50,000 was spent per every new well drilled, by the end of 2016 it is expected that this figure is above $300,000. Bear in mind that this is a figure to bring things into perspective, as part of that investment is in replacing equipment in older wells, however, it does tell an important story in terms of showcasing the evident growth of the service. In an ever-evolving industry, where the ultimate goal is reducing the costs per BOE lifted, being efficient is paramount to the overall success of an operation.

According to industry statistics (Spears 2016 Artificial Lift Market Analysis), wells fitted with electrical submersible pump (ESP) systems represent approximately 56% of the global AL market revenue-wise; representing the most common lifting method, followed by rod lifting, progressive cavity pumps (PCP), and gas lift in fourth place. Just as with any complex piece of equipment, these pumps must often be pulled out for maintenance or replacement, and retrieval is not a trivial task. Workover rigs are the usual workhorse for such operations; however, other equipment, such as hydraulic workover (HWO) units, can be used to perform the same task in a more efficient manner. The evaluation approach was based on analysis from operational times throughout the past year, comparing both the evolutionary improvement of the HWO interventions as well as the operations performed with a conventional workover unit.

HWO units offer several advantages compared to workover rigs when performing retrieval and deployment of ESPs. The most important are smaller footprint and shorter rigup times. Additionally, if a well exhibits wellhead pressure (WHP), only an HWO unit can be used to perform the work. For these reasons, in land operations in western Venezuela, HWO units have proven to be the method of choice for artificial lift equipment replacement operations. Because these wells produce from 1,000 to 3,000 BOPD, they are of paramount importance to Venezuela's production stream. This paper explains the necessary steps and procedures to complete such operations; additionally presented are study results showing decreased intervention time from 15 to 11 days, which is a significant increase in efficiency. Conversely, this study showed that it takes approximately 20 days to complete the same intervention using a conventional workover unit.

Lastly described is the evolutionary path of efficiency developed by the operations team to improve intervention results, which are based on key performance indicators and other qualitative data, providing solid evidence of improvement.
Big Bore Balanced Sand Cleanout in HP/HT Gas Well: An Amalgamation of an Innovative Fluid System and Engineering
Authors: Khandelwal Nakul , Chandak Raj , Makkar Archit , Pathak Himanshu
Published: February 2017

Coiled tubing (CT) is widely used during sand cleanout applications for its multiple benefits, such as speed, cost effectiveness, minimum reaction time, efficient operations, the ability to perform live intervention cleanouts, etc. However, these benefits are difficult to achieve in complex, offshore, high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT), or big bore wells because of various operational constraints, such as weight, dimensions, wellbore trajectory, and completion design, resulting in increased expenditures and operation time for workover activities.

This paper describes how these constraints were eliminated using a synergy of an innovative fluid system and engineering to perform a challenging, balanced sand cleanout treatment using 1.75-in. 5800 m long CT in ~500 m of a 7-in. 35-lbf casing section executed in a 5300-m deep HP/HT well.

The deep HP/HT well had a minimum restriction of 2.56-in. in the upper completion limits, requiring large-diameter CT strings and a bottomhole assembly (BHA). Feasibility studies for use of a 1.75-in. CT vs. 2-in. CT string were performed, resulting in the selection of the 1.75-in. string. Another challenge was executing sand cleanout in a balanced condition, resulting in the selection of a saturated 13.1-lbm/gal potassium-formate (K-formate) brine. The combination of all three major constraints, a) 500-m long 7-in. section, b) use of 1.75-in. CT string, and c) use of saturated brine, made the cleanout design challenging, as sand cleanout with CT requires circulation rates, net particle rise velocity, friction pressures, viscosity, and fluid properties within the design envelope. However, the inversely proportional nature of such treatments means tuning of one property would decrease the operational feasibility of other properties.

Based on results of several tests, a customized fluid recipe was designed containing a gelling agent that can become hydrated in saturated brine and remain stable at high temperatures. A compatible friction reducing agent was used to help reduce pumping friction to attain the desired annular fluid rate and velocity. A field test was performed with the designed fluid at surface with a CT string that was to be used for operations, confirming the effectiveness of the fluid recipe.

Using downhole turbulence created by the tool, along with the custom-designed recipe in combination with wiper trips, the necessary design parameters were achieved for the cleanout operation, resulting in a) effective sand cleanout with ~98% efficiency, b) reduced operating hours, c) cost savings on workover operations, d) safer operation by keeping the well in a balanced condition, and e) a contingency action in place for screenout during fracturing treatments.

The procedure described in this paper, along with lesson learned, can be applied in similar applications to help optimize results and overcome related challenges.
Wireline-Deployed Perforating: Maximizing Efficiency without Killing the Well
Authors: Aboelnaga Sharif , Martin Andy , Ugalde Angel , Contreras Javier Mercado
Published: February 2017

In the current oil and gas environment, the status quo for completing and perforating wells is being challenged by increased well complexities and extreme cost pressure. In pursuit of increased productivity, improved operational efficiency, and reduced costs, operators and service companies must look at novel approaches to how they complete and perforate wells.

Several innovative approaches have been implemented to optimize perforating operations and enable operators to complete wells in a more efficient, cost-effective, and productive manner. Detailed job planning and preparation identified candidate wells with intervals that typically would not be accessible or cost-effective via wireline perforating. Through the introduction of wireline perforating tractors, addressable selective switches, release devices and high-strength cables, the ability to access these wells by wireline and convey ultralong perforating gun strings has pushed the operating envelope. Utilizing job simulation and planning software, optimum perforating configurations can be designed to maximize gun length while ensuring the assembly can reach the target depth, perforate, and either drop the guns intentionally or withstand the perforating shock and return to surface safely with the spent guns.

In the last several years, ultralong perforating operations deployed on wireline have become more widespread. These jobs have demonstrated that in specific applications, improved completion efficiency can be achieved over conventional perforating operations without impacting the operational integrity or safety of the operation. A specific area of focus is wireline-deployed perforating that is performed without killing the well. In these cases, innovative solutions have delivered significant cost savings to the operator with improved operational efficiency of the perforating operation as well as the post-perforating cleanup.
The impact of providing feedback to students as future professionals on their professional calling
Authors: Saveljeva Regina , Rupšienė Liudmila
Published: February 2017

Researchers express ideas about the relationship between feedback provided during the studies and students' professional calling and raise hypotheses about the impact of certain elements of feedback on some aspects of professional calling, however, empirical evidence of the impact of feedback on students' professional calling is still lacking. The article raises the problematic question: "What is the impact of providing feedback to students as future professionals on their professional calling?" The accomplished quasi-experiment and post-experimental testing of 110 students of the social pedagogy study programme has revealed that providing feedback to students as future professionals during their studies has an impact on their professional calling.
Psychological characteristics of school-leavers’ hardiness at their professional self-determination
Authors: Baranauskienė Ingrida , Serdiuk Liudmyla , Chykhantsova Olena
Published: February 2017

The article discusses the personal qualities of school-leavers that determine their hardiness at the stage of professional self-determination. It analyzes contemporary theoretical approaches to defining of the essence of the ‘hardiness’ concept. The factors are revealed that contribute to personal hardiness formation in the situation of professional choice. The article determines that hardiness components are related to the parameters of effective self-realization and personal subjective quality of life and hardiness is a key personality formation that mediates stress factor influence on psychological well-being and success in activities
EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS ON TOURISM DESTINATION COMPETITIVENESS: THE MODERATING IMPACT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Authors: Chee-Hua, Chin  , May-Chiun, Lo  , Vikneswaran Nair  , Peter Songan
Published: February 2017

Contemporarily, tourism sector is a highly competitive environment, which forces tourism players to provide better visitor services in order to stay competitive. In rural tourism, a growing niche in the tourism market, multiple components of environmental constructs play a crucial role in contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of rural tourism destinations. Hence, this study examines the impact of environment components on development of rural tourism destination competitiveness from a local community perspective. In addition, community support was adopted as moderator variable to examine the relationship among the constructs. 299 respondents comprising of residents of rural tourism in Sarawak, Malaysia took part voluntarily in this study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 21.0 and Smart PLS 2.0 (M3) to assess the developed model, based on path modelling and then bootstrapping. Interestingly, the findings revealed that four of the environmental constructs have had a significant positive impact on destination competitiveness from local communities' perspective.
THE FORMALISATION OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE MEDICAL RELIEF NGO: THE EVIDENCE OF MERCY MALAYSIA
Authors: Norazita Marina Abdul Aziz
Published: February 2017

Social engagement involves the participation of a group people in undertaking collective activities in social community. The paper aims to examine the formalisation of NGO social engagement to their stakeholders. The MERCY's social engagement is not only focusing on the traditional forms of reports i.e. social reports to the stakeholders but includes the forms of actions including conversation, behavioural explanations and reasonable conduct through negotiation of performance and impact among stakeholders. The social engagement paradigm emphasises on the rights and contracts between two parties (i.e. Accountor and Accountee). The qualitative research is employed by undertaking empirical case study research for MERCY, an international disaster relief NGO that highlight an understanding of social engagement through the power of negotiation. The data are gathered through indepth series of interviews and documentary reviews, which was analysed through thematic analysis. The findings revelas the social "closeness" within the community can be seen from the moral values imperatives that had driven by the trustworthiness and willingness of the people in the community to engage in the volunteering work.
Control of urine odor in different sanitation practices and its implication on water saving
Authors: Hashemi Shervin , Han Mooyoung
Published: February 2017

To avoid odor in sanitation systems, urine is usually diluted with water (flushed), which leads to high water consumption. The smell may remain in sanitation systems if the systems are not well managed, or if the urine is flushed with insufficient amounts of water. In this study, using the standard threshold odor number (TON) measurement as an indicator of urine odor, the effects of the pH and temperature of the diluting water regarding the amount of water:urine dilution ratio were studied. The effects of temperature and pH of the diluting water on TON when the dilution ratio was constant were investigated. Results show that lowering the pH and temperature of the diluting water can reduce the minimum dilution ratio needed to achieve TON = 0. At constant dilution ratio, reducing pH seemed to be more efficient, sustainable, and economical in comparison to adjusting the temperature of the diluting water. It was found that, based on the specific pH and temperature of the diluting water, there is a minimum dilution ratio required to avoid urine odor. Therefore, in sanitation systems, the amount of flushing should be adjusted based on the characteristics of the flushing water as well as on the amount of urination.
Nutrient recovery from airplane wastewater: composition, treatment and ecotoxicological assay
Authors: Filho Jorge Luiz da Paixão , Tonetti Adriano Luiz , Guimarães Martha Tavanielli , Silva Dailto
Published: February 2017

For the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil has expanded its airport infrastructure. This will lead to an increase in wastewater generation from aircrafts. This wastewater is traditionally taken from the aircrafts and disposed in the public sewage collection system. However, this residual water may have a different composition than the usual sanitary sewage. Therefore, it is important to study an alternative to treat this kind of wastewater. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize and analyze the treatment of wastewater from airplane toilets through chemical precipitation for the removal of ammonia in the form of struvite. The airplanes' effluent showed a composition similar to human urine with pH 8.9, ammonia nitrogen 4,215 mg L−1, phosphorus 430 mg L−1 and a very high acute toxicity (Vibrio fischeri). The best treatment for struvite formation was with pH 9.0 and molar ratio Mg:NH4:PO4 equal to 1.5:1.0:1.0. In this case, the removal of ammonia and phosphorus achieved 97.0% and 95.3%, respectively. After this procedure, the toxicity by Vibrio fischeri decreased.
Particle separation from road runoff by a decentralised lamella system – laboratory tests and experiences in the field
Authors: Fettig J. , Pick V. , Liebe H.
Published: February 2017

A new decentralised settling system based on the principle of lamella separation was developed for the treatment of road runoff. Two different laboratory test methods, the DIBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik) procedure and our own approach, were applied in order to evaluate the efficiency of the system based on the separation of fine mineral particles and a mixture of mineral and organic particles, respectively. Overall efficiencies (88% after DIBt and 61% according to our own method) were comparable to results obtained for commercial systems. The lamella system was then applied in the field for 1 year to treat runoff from a road area of 420 m2. The amount of solids separated that was calculated from a mass balance (10.1 kg) was consistent with the amount of sediments measured (8.6 kg). However, the average separation efficiency was only 30% in the field study. This is related to the size and composition of the particles in runoff, which are not represented well by the material used for the test procedures. It is concluded that the test methods should be improved, and that more field studies are needed in order to obtain a better understanding of the settling behaviour of particles in road runoff.
The Confounding Effect of Assessor Ethnicity on Subjective Pain Reporting in Women
Authors: Vigil Jacob Miguel , Coulombe Patrick , Rowell Lauren Nikki , Strenth Chance , Kruger Eric , Alcock Joe , Venner Kamilla , Stith Sarah See , LaMendola Joseph
Published: February 2017

The current study examines how subjective pain reporting is influenced by the concordant and discordant nature of the ethnic identities of pain expressers (participants) and pain assessors (experimenters). Three discomfort conditions that varied in stimuli intensity (Study 1: mild pain; Study 2: severe pain), and distraction components (Study 3) were used to assess whether pain intensity and tolerance reporting differ with the ethnic identification of the participant and the experimenter. Specifically, 87 Hispanic and 74 Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women (18–51 yrs., Mage = 20.0, SD = 4.3) underwent a cold pressor pain task (CPT) after engaging in minimal procedural interactions with one of the 22 research experimenters (47% Hispanic, 42% females). The procedural interactions with the experimenters included only consenting and instructions, with no interaction between experimenter and participant during the actual CPT. Random-effects models showed that between the 0% and 18% of the variance in pain sensitivity (intensity and tolerance scores) was attributable to characteristics of the experimenters. Controlling for self-esteem, baseline pain levels, and the gender of the experimenter, Hispanic subjects showed higher pain sensitivity (as marked by lower pain tolerance and higher pain intensity scores) following interactions with an NHW rather than a Hispanic experimenter in response to the most severe pain intensity stimuli. These results question the validity of common findings of ethnic differences in pain sensitivity from studies that have not accounted for the ethnic identity of the pain assessor (and the general communicative nature of pain reporting).
Corneal Toxicity Following Exposure to Asclepias Tuberosa
Authors: Mikkelsen Lauge Hjorth , Hamoudi Hassan , Gül Cigdem Altuntas , Heegaard Steffen
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To present a case of corneal toxicity following exposure to milky plant latex from Asclepias tuberosa.

Methods:

A 70-year-old female presented with blurred vision and pain in her left eye after handling an Ascepias tuberosa. Clinical examination revealed a corneal stromal oedema with small epithelial defects. The corneal endothelium was intact and folds in Descemets membrane were observed. The oedema was treated with chloramphenicol, dexamethasone and scopolamine.

Results:

The corneal oedema had appeared after corneal exposure to the plant, Asclepias tuberosa, whose latex contains cardenolides that inhibit the Na+/ K+-ATPase in the corneal endothelium. The oedema resolved after 96 hours. After nine months the best corrected visual acuity was 20/20.

Conclusion:

Corneal toxicity has previously been reported for plants of the Asclepias family. This is a rare case describing severe corneal toxicity caused by exposure to latex from Asclepias tuberosa. Handling of plants of the Asclepias family should be kept as a differential diagnosis in cases of acute corneal toxicity.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Orbital Fractures
Authors: Reiss Benjamin , Rajjoub Lamise , Mansour Tamer , Chen Tony , Mumtaz Aisha
Published: February 2017

Purpose:

To determine whether prophylactic antibiotic use in patients with orbital fracture prevent orbital infection.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Participants:

All patients diagnosed with orbital fracture between January 1, 2008 and March 1, 2014 at The George Washington University Hospital and Clinics.

Main Outcome Measures:

Development of orbital infection.

Results:

One hundred seventy-two patients with orbital fracture met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. No orbital infections were documented. Twenty subjects (12%) received no prophylactic antibiotic, and two (1%) received only one dose of antibiotics pre-operatively for surgery. For primary antibiotic, 136 subjects (79%) received oral antibiotics, and 14 (8%) received intravenous (IV) antibiotics (excluding cefazolin). Cephalexin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were the most prescribed oral antibiotics that are equally effective. Five-to-seven day courses of antibiotics had no increased infections compared to ten-to-fourteen day courses. Calculated boundaries for effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics ranged from a Number Needed to Treat (NNT) of 75 to a Number Needed to Harm (NNH) of 198.

Conclusion:

Antibiotics for prevention of orbital infection in patients with orbital fractures have become widely used. Coordination between trauma teams and specialists is needed to prevent patient overmedication and antibiotic resistance. Should antibiotics be used, shorter courses and avoidance of broad spectrum agents are recommended. Additional studies are needed.
Effect of Water Quality and Temperature on the Efficiency of Two Kinds of Hydrophilic Polymers in Soil
Authors: Dehkordi Davoud Khodadadi
Published: February 2017

In this study, evaluation of two‐superabsorbent effects, Super‐AB‐A‐300 and Super‐AB‐A‐200 in a sandy soil on the water retention capability and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) at different water quality and soil temperature were done. The Super‐AB‐A‐200 was less effective in water uptake than Super‐AB‐A‐300. The efficiency of these polymers in water retention was negatively influenced by the water quality and temperature. The efficiency of these polymer treatments in water uptake reduced significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing soil temperature. In the control soil, the Ks stayed nearly constant with increasing soil temperature. As compared to the untreated control, the treated soil demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) linear increase of Ks with increasing soil temperature. In the control soil, the water holding properties curve did not change with increasing soil temperature.
One Foot in Each Camp: The Dual Identification of Contract Workers
Authors: George Elizabeth , Chattopadhyay Prithviraj
Published: February 2017

We examine the organizational identification of contract workers who are associated with two organizations, their primary employer and their client. We conducted a study of contract workers in the information technology industry to address three questions: (1) What are the antecedents of contract workers' identification with the work organizations with which they are associated? (2) Do these antecedents differentially predict identification with each of the target organizations? and (3) What is the relationship between contract workers' identification with their employing organization and their identification with their client organization? Results indicate that contract workers identify with both the employing and client organizations based on perceived characteristics of the organization as well as social relations within the organization. Perceived characteristics of the organization are more closely related with identification with the employer, and social relations variables are more closely related with identification with the client. Contract workers are more likely to identify with both their client and their employing organization when the two are perceived to be similar on key attributes.
Risky Business? Entrepreneurship in the New Independent-Power Sector
Authors: Sine Wesley D. , Haveman Heather A. , Tolbert Pamela S.
Published: February 2017

Building on sociological research on institutions and organizations and psychological research on risk and decision making, we propose that the development of institutions that reduce the risks of entering new sectors has a stronger effect on the founding rates of firms using novel technologies than on firms using established technologies. In an analysis of the independent-power sector of the electricity industry from 1980 to 1992, we found that the development of regulative and cognitive institutions legitimated the entire sector and provided incentives for all sector entrants; thus, foundings of all kinds of firms multiplied rapidly but had a stronger impact on those using risky novel technologies. In contrast, the central normative institutions that developed in this sector, state-level trade associations, provided greater support for particular forms (those using established technologies) and thus increased foundings of those favored forms more than foundings of less favored forms (those using novel technologies). Our study demonstrates how institutional forces can alter the mix of organizations entering a new industry and thus contribute to diversity, as well as similarity, among organizations.