bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Effect of Low Calcium Fly Ash on Geopolymer Cement for Oil Well Cementing
Authors: Sugumaran Maheswaren
Published: October 2015

With the increasing awareness of global warming, geopolymer cement has been identified as one of the methods in reducing the emission of CO2 during oil well cementing operation. However, it is important that geopolymer cement can meet the specific requirement of oil well condition in order to be substitute of current conventional cement system. The use of fly ash in geopolymer based cement can affect the performance of the cement slurry by its properties which yet needs proper study to yield better advantages of it.In this research, the main objective is to study the effect of fly ash in geopolymer cement, by varying the properties which are thickening time, fluid loss and compressive strength. It is identified that the current conventional cement slurry is not environmentally-friendly, and is energy intensive. It is also identified that fly ash produced cannot be recycled and mostly being dumped. Thus, this study can provide the solutions to the problems identified. It involves extensive laboratory work in order to identify the properties of the cement.This project focused on the designation of fly ash based geopolymer cement compositions, the testing of the prepared fly ash based geopolymer with different compositions and different acid concentrations.This report comprises the literature review on the properties of geopolymers, the experimental works and their results, as well as the discussion and recommendations of the project.The tested parameters are water ratio, type and molarity of alkaline activator and alkaline activator ratio.The water ratio is 0.4 with the use of 12M of Sodium Hydroxide and the alkaline activator ratio is 0.4. Sodium silicate and silica fume was added to optimize the compressive strength which proved to have 31% increase of strength. Under low concentration acid, the cement is able to withstand the reaction but failed with higher concentration.The performance of the new blend will be analyzed.
Is Epoxy-Based Polymer Suitable for Water Shut-Off Application?
Authors: Hakiki Farizal , Salam Damian Dion , Akbari Achmad , Nuraeni Nuraeni , Aditya Wisnu , Siregar Septoratno
Published: October 2015

Well known use of epoxy-based polymer is to plug a selective layer in completion process. The similar behaviour related to its gelation as a completion fluid is a trigger to ask a question: Is epoxy-based polymer suitable for WSO (water shut-off) application too? Therefore, this paper is aimed to study the applicability of epoxy-based polymer to "reducing excessive produced water treatment" called WSO covering synthesising and core-flood experiment. An epoxy-based polymer is synthesised in various temperature and concentration of reagents those are epoxy and triethylenetetramine which are vary from 6.25% to 50% which diluted in acetone with volume over volume concentration. The polymer is then characterised using Fann-VG to know the rheology and the gelation behavior with respect to the variables above mentioned. A polymer consists of 50% (v/v) epoxy and 50% (v/v) triethylenetetramine is chosen to be applied in core-flood apparatus operating at room temperature, 20 psia injection and 120 psia confining pressure. Sandstone core with various porosity and permeability are tested to reduce its poro-perm due to epoxy-based polymer injection. Variation on concentration has shown that higher concentration gives shorter gelation period. Gelation is defined as a time required to dramatically changing the viscosity profile. These gelation data can be modelled into a simple mathematical model with multivariable consist of concentration and temperature. Sandstone cores undergo a reduction on its porosity over than 54% and permeability upto 100% which means it has potential to resist or even plug a layer with high water cut.
A New Thermal Degradation Model of Polymer in High-Temperature Reservoirs
Authors: Lu Xiang'an , Jiang Hanqiao , Smørgrav Eivind , Li Junjian , Ding Shuaiwei , Li Chen , Liu Guangwei
Published: October 2015

Polymer flooding in high-temperature reservoirs generally shows rather poor performance since the injected polymer suffers from severe thermal degradation which leads to ineffective in-situ sweep efficiency. Due to the absence of accurate viscosity description, simulation results of high-temperature reservoir tend to be far from expectation. The aim of this study is to modify an existing reservoir numerical simulation model to simulate polymer behavior with significant thermal degradation in high-temperature reservoirs.

Experimental results show three obvious phenomena for polymer thermal degradation: polymer apparent viscosity follows exponential decline, mass concentration of the polymer solution remains constant during the whole degradation process, and partially degraded polymer won't cause a complete viscosity loss. Currently the concept of ‘half-life’ has been widely used in numerical simulation to describe thermal degradation. An attenuation term was then introduced in the conservation equation to characterize degradation as viscosity decline caused by loss of polymer mass concentration, which was conflicted with the actual experimental results stated above. Thus we proposed a modified viscosity model where degradation was described through the modification of viscosity field, that is, the relationship between viscosity and concentration. The new degradation model has been verified by mathematical analysis and implemented in MATLAB-MRST. Moreover, influence of thermal degradation on viscosity field distribution for steady state flow could be clearly displayed through the newly developed model.

In this work, polymer thermal degradation has been characterized through viscosity modification directly. The new degradation model can explain experiment results more precisely and is also suitable for different polymer types. Calculation results based on the viscosity modification model are rather helpful to evaluate the effect of thermal degradation and simulate the polymer concentration field.
Deep Water Reservoir Characterization and Its Challenges in Field Development Drilling Campaign, Kutei Basin, Indonesia - A Case Study
Authors: Kurniawan D. , Cook D. C. , Majesta C. , September B. , Buldani I. , Ciuffardi M. , Gumulya F. I. , Kurnia P. , Aquilina G. , Prasetia F.
Published: October 2015

Prediction of the presence, distribution and quality of deep water reservoir requires integration of all subsurface disciplines (Geology, Sedimentlology, Geophysics, Petrophysics, Operational Geology and Reservoir Engineering). Complex environments of deposition and reservoir architectures must be understood by integrating all disciplines to ensure optimal resource development and hydrocarbon recovery. The case study is located in Kutei Basin, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The subsurface description is challenging because the field is a system of individual hydraulically discrete reservoir "segments" not all of which have been penetrated. Several subsurface challenges have been identified using all subsurface data (seismic, core and log) in order to optimizing the development drilling campaign and for developing the production strategy.

Seismic attributes are used to delimit the segment boundaries and thickness, determining the impact of seismic tuning has been particularly important in understanding reservoir geometry uncertainties. The extensive series of 3D seismic processing attribute extractions, seismic interpretations and supportive studies have been utilized to design a drilling sequence, well placement and formation evaluation plan that will reduce uncertainty/risk in the drilling campaign process.

All exploration wells encountered gas within Pliocene deep water turbiditic sandstones characterized by staked, very thin to moderately thick bedded sandstone bodies separated by thick to very thick intervals of shale and siltstones. Those sediments are product of submarine canyon fill. Generally, the sandstones have good to excellent reservoir properties (porosity 0.22-0.30 with permeability >100 mD).

The other challenge is that the reservoirs consist of thinly bedded sandstone-siltstone and shale, where the conventional log analysis can underestimate hydrocarbon pore thickness and volume in such beds. It will impact static and dynamic modeling for gas in place calculation. Hence, thin beds analysis should be performed to obtain reliable interpretation by using proper logging tool and method.

The results of characterizing and mitigating the risks have been applied in the planning and execution of development wells during drilling campaign of the case study and is considered successful finding good quality sandstone reservoirs. Development of deepwater gas fields in Indonesia is in its early stages. The depositional environment is challenging due to the number of separate reservoir systems included in a single development. Limited well control requires heavy reliance on seismic interpretation of two different data sets.
Well Manufacturing Concept and Its Implementation: Key Technology to Unlock Unconventional Resources
Authors: Han Min , Wu Shuhong , Zhang Feng
Published: October 2015

Unconventional resources are showed to be very rich and abundant, which is definitely good news to countries like China which has the huge demand for energy. However, some technical and economic challenges are still existing to unlock such huge potentials, like the high development cost, environmental protection issues, and high risk due to the lack of experiences. How to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost through streamlined working process and upgrade technologies is the main focus.

Well manufacturing system is the tool to meet the demands, which includes several following elements, optimized pad design according to the geographic conditions and the optimized working process, bespoke rigs (including off-line capability, module design, quick move system, automatic and remote control) and centralized drilling management to improve efficiency of supporting functions (including waste management, water management, power management and improved coordination). The paper will detail the basic principle to design the well site layout, the comparison between conventional drilling process and well manufacturing process and also, bespoke rig with the characteristic of fast move, off line capability and safe operation and its application in oil field of China and Canada.

For the conventional drilling process, Swiss army knife rig drills the well one by one and a new one can only start with the completion of the previous one which is time-consuming due to waiting on cementing, BOP installation and testing. Once a failure happened, the whole process will be stopped. For the well manufacturing progress, the whole drilling and completion process becomes a production line in the factory which greatly improves the efficiency. Actually, the shallower the well is, the more time can save, because its advantages in fast rig moving and smooth transfer between processes can be fully leveraged.

The implementation of well manufacturing shows that it can improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of well drilling and provide more integrated, innovative technical solutions for the exploration of the unconventional resources, which will bring the encouraging technical and economic benefits.
Evaluation of Dual Injection Methods for Multiple Zone Steamflooding
Authors: Hight M. A. , Redus C. L. , Lehrmann J. K.
Published: October 2015

For multiple oil zone reservoirs, it is advantageous to steam flood two zones at the same time to take advantage of overburden heating. To have adequate control over injection rates to each zone and provide injection streams with different steam qualities or water temperatures, two separate injection streams are required. With injection wells already in place, the most economical method is to use the same injection well to flood two zones simultaneously. Three dual injection methods were tried and tested at Texaco's Kern River Field in Bakersfield, California.

Because dual injection results in an excessive amount of heat transfer between injection streams, it was imperative to predict steam quality or water temperature at the sandface for each injection stream. To adequately evaluate the merits of each method, a computer model was written to predict downhole temperatures, steam qualities, and pressures of each injection stream. Field tests of the three injection configurations provided measurements necessary for the validation of the model. This paper describes the computer model, the field test and the results from the three dual injection scenarios.
The economic belt of the new silk road: Chinese breakthrough in the west or a response to Asian challenges
Authors: Simic Jasminka
Published: October 2015

The paper analyses how the Chinese project of establishing the Economic Belt
of the New Silk Road challenges newly formed Eurasian Economic Union, with
Russia as the leading force, as well as the North-American and Pacific trade
network, dominated by the U.S. The author discusses how the overlapping
responsibilities and influence of these regional economic groups may affect
their complementarities and competitiveness on the world market, and how they
may impact the future course of international relations. The Economic Belt is
aimed at creating and strengthening economic, transport, human and cultural
relations between China and Central Asian countries, but without Russia. The
New Silk Road would stretch from the Pacific to the Baltic Sea, encompassing
land and sea trading routes, and follows the route of the ancient Silk Road.
When the New Silk Road project, linking three continents, is completed, it
will bring new chance for development for China as well as for all other
countries on the New Silk Road, including those in the Southeastern Europe.
The author concludes that the Economic Belt of the New Silk Road might relax
conflicts and quarrels between Western and Far East countries in regard to
their aspirations to dominate in Euroasia.
Real Earnings Management before and after Reporting SOX 404 Material Weaknesses
Authors: Järvinen Tuukka , Myllymäki Emma-Riikka
Published: October 2015

SYNOPSIS

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether SOX Section 404 material weaknesses manifest in real earnings management behavior. The empirical findings indicate that, compared to companies with effective internal controls, companies with existing material weaknesses in their internal controls engage in more manipulation of real activities (particularly inventory overproduction). This implies that the weak commitment by management to provide effective internal control system and high-quality financial information relates to a tendency to use real earnings management methods. Moreover, we find evidence suggesting that companies employ real earnings management (overproduction and reduction of discretionary expenses) after disclosing previous year's material weaknesses. We conjecture that the public disclosure of material weaknesses induces management to strive to mitigate the expected negative reactions of stakeholders to the disclosure by engaging in real earnings management, which is not easily detected or constrained by outsiders. Overall, this study suggests that material weaknesses in internal controls signal an environment where management is more inclined to employ real earnings management.
The Effects of Prior Manager-Auditor Affiliation and PCAOB Inspection Reports on Audit Committee Members' Auditor Recommendations
Authors: Abbott Lawrence J. , Brown Veena L. , Higgs Julia L.
Published: October 2015

This study investigates (1) the extent to which audit committee members (ACM) of small publicly traded companies utilize Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspection reports in their auditor selection recommendations when management recommends hiring the auditor, and (2) whether the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's mandated one-year cooling-off period mitigates independence concerns of ACM resulting from a prior management-auditor affiliation in the same auditor selection context. We use financially literate professional participants as proxies for ACM who make a Likert-scale based recommendation for hiring the auditor. Our study manipulates a hypothetical, triennially inspected auditor's inspection results (favorable/unfavorable) as an auditor competence indicator and a prior management-auditor affiliation (present/absent) as an auditor independence indicator. We document that participants incorporate the inspection results into their selection recommendations, that prior affiliation negatively impacts ACMs' selection recommendations, and that auditor independence effects are contingent upon auditor competence. More specifically, auditor independence impacts auditor selection decisions only when auditor competence is favorable.
One-Year-Long Continuous and Synchronous Data Set of Fossil Carbon in Atmospheric PM2.5 and Carbon Dioxide in Debrecen, Hungary
Authors: Major István , Furu Enikő , Haszpra László , Kertész Zsófia , Molnár Mihály
Published: October 2015

Radiocarbon investigation of atmospheric PM2.5 aerosol synchronized with 14CO2 observations began in Debrecen in the winter of 2010. The aim of the study was to determine the contemporary and fossil carbon fractions in the aerosol and to set them against the fossil CO2 excess data referring to the same period. The mass of the collected PM2.5 mode on prebaked quartz filters was determined gravimetrically, while its total carbon mass was calculated from the pressure of CO2 gas produced after the combustion of the filters. As a result of the applied sampling and preparation method, the stable, nonvolatile carbon forms were principally studied. 14C measurements of the tiny aerosol bulk samples were performed using the EnvironMICADAS accelerator mass spectrometer at ATOMKI. The sample preparation method was tested using several blanks, standards, and real samples. Test results showed good reproducibility for the applied aerosol sample preparation and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C analyses. Atmospheric fossil CO2 excess data were calculated according Levin et al. (2003), using the 14C results of collected CO2 samples measured by the gas proportional counting system at ATOMKI. Mass concentration of PM10 involving the PM2.5 mode in the city air exceeded the daily average of 50 μg/m3 (24-hr limit value in the EU) several times in 2011, mainly during the winter. The results showed that recently derived carbon most likely from domestic wood burning was causing the elevated carbon mass concentration of PM2.5 in Debrecen at the time. In the course of the 1-yr-long continuous and systematic comparison of fossil carbon mass concentration of PM2.5 mode and mole fraction of fossil excess of atmospheric CO2, similar and synchronous trends were observed during the studied period in Debrecen.
Radiocarbon and Stratigraphic Chronology of Canímar Abajo, Matanzas, Cuba
Authors: Roksandic Mirjana , Mark Buhay William , Chinique de Armas Yadira , Rodríguez Suárez Roberto , Peros Matthew C , Roksandic Ivan , Mowat Stephanie , Viera Luis M , Arredondo Carlos , Martínez Fuentes Antonio , Gray Smith David
Published: October 2015

Twelve accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates from the shell-matrix site of Canímar Abajo (Matanzas, Cuba) are reported. Eleven were obtained directly from human bone collagen in burials and one was obtained from charcoal recovered from a burial context. The site stratigraphy presents two episodes of burial activity separated by a shell midden layer. The AMS dates fall into two compact clusters that correlate remarkably well with the stratigraphy. The older burial dates to between 1380–800 cal BC (2σ) and the younger one to between cal AD 360–950 (2σ). The AMS dates are compared to eight conventional 14C dates previously obtained on shell and charcoal. One of the conventional dates on charcoal (5480–5380 cal BC; 2σ) has been reported as the oldest 14C date in the Caribbean region; its context and reliability are clarified. The suite of AMS dates provides one of the most reliable chronometric dating of a cultural context during this timeframe in Cuba. The correlation of 14C and stratigraphy establishes a solid chronology for investigating the important economic and ritual features of Canímar Abajo.
Tubercular Osteomyelitis of Talus with Staphylococcal Co infection
Authors: Soraganvi P , Ramakanth R
Published: October 2015

Tuberculosis osteomyelitis of foot bones is uncommon and may evade the diagnosis for long time because of atypical presentation, paucibacillary nature and relatively normal picture on laboratory investigations. As tuberculosis of bone mimic like chronic osteomyelitis, clinical picture with confection by other organism lead to misdiagnosis. A case of tubercular osteomyelitis of talus reported here for its rarity and atypical presentation. Clinical suspicion and histological confirmation of diagnosis is recommended avoiding undue delay and for early chemotherapy.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(4) 2014; 298-300
New-Onset Diabetes after Transplant (NODAT)
Authors: Maskey R
Published: October 2015

New onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) is a well known complication following solid organ transplantation and has been reported to occur in 4% to 25% of renal transplant recipients, 2.5% to 25% of liver transplant recipients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection between 40% and 60% and 2% to 53% of all solid organ transplants. This variation in the reported incidence may be because of lack of a universal agreement on the definition of NODAT, the duration of follow-up, and the presence of modifiable and non-modifiable risks factors. Moreover, reduced patient survival and accelerated graft loss have been reported with NODAT. In our country also there is increasing in number of kidney transplants patients and along with that there is chance of development of NODA. It is better to detect the NODATS early. So in this article I tried to presents an overview of the literature on the current diagnostic criteria for NODAT and discuss suggested risk factors for the development of NODAT, its potential pathogenic mechanisms, and its impact on post-transplant outcomes after solid organ transplantation.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(4) 2014; 301-305
Percutaneous Ilio-Sacral Screw Fixation in Supine Position under Fluoroscopy Guidance
Authors: Shrestha D , Dhoju D , Shrestha R , Sharma V
Published: October 2015

Background Pelvic ring disruption when treated conservatively can be associated with prolonged hospital stay and immobilization, mal-union, chronic pain, limb length discrepancy if they are treated conservatively. Open reduction and fixation in an already compromised soft tissue and hemodynamically unstable patient causes more soft tissue injury, heamatoma, infection and neurovascular injury. Percutaneous ilio-sacral joint fixation can be an alternative technique for sacro-iliac joint injury and sacral fracture.Objective To evaluate technique and safety of percutaneous ilio-sacral screw fixation in supine position under single fluoroscopy guidance for sacral fracture and sacro-iliac joint disruption.Method Twenty one patients either with sacral fracture or sacro-iliac joint disruption with percutaneous ilio-sacral screw fixation with cannulated cancellous screw fixation in between 2008 to 2014 were retrospectively evaluated including AP, inlet and outlet views of pelvis X rays and CT scan. Tile’s classification and Dennis classification were used for pelvis and sacral injury.Result Thirty five percutaneous ilio-sacral screws were placed (Male: 6, Female: 15; range: 15 to 54) for sacral fracture involving zone 2 (8 with sacral fracture only and 5 with pelvis injury; Tile’s type B in four and type C in one) and sacro-iliac joint injury (Tile’s type B in three and type C in five). Commonest mode of injury was motor vehicle accidents (10) followed by fall related injury (6). Injury hospital interval and injury surgery interval was five hours to 13 days and 2 to 20 days respectively. Follow period was 3 months to 6 years. One patient developed post-operative deep vein thrombosis and another patient had post-operative haematoma. Two screws were juxtra-foramial. Good to excellent outcome were in 16 patients, fair in four and poor in one patient (Majeed Scoring).Conclusion Percutaneous ilio-sacral screw fixation for sacro-iliac joint injury and sacral fracture with C arm guidance is safe and minimally invasive technique. Clear images and accurate interpretation of X-rays, CT scans and per operative C arm images are important to avoid malpositioning of screws and iatrogenic neurovascular injuries.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2015; 56-60
Community-Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Case Series
Authors: Veni E JK , Bhat G , Shalini SM , Kumar P , Chakrapani M , Baliga S
Published: October 2015

Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) usually causes skin and soft tissue infections. However, community-acquired methicillin resistant S.aureus has been identified as a causative agent of many invasive infections like necrotizing fasciitis, pneumonia and bacteremia. Risk factors such as immunodeficiency and skin and soft tissue infections have been identified for acquiring bacteremia. We present four cases of bacteremia caused by community-acquired methicillin resistant S.aureus, risk factors and outcome.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2015; 77-79
Comparison of different types of hearing protection devices for use during weapons firing
Authors: Nakashima Ann
Published: October 2015

Introduction: Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are not rated for impulse noise, which makes it difficult to select an appropriate device for use during weapons firing. Measurements of different types of HPDs (level independent, level dependent, earplugs, and earmuffs) were performed following American National Standards Institute/Acoustical Society of America S12.42 procedures. Methods: A rifle producing a peak level of 154 decibels of sound pressure level was used as the noise source for the measurements. The devices tested were E-A-R Classic earplugs, Combat Arms double-end earplugs, ETY·Plugs earplugs (standard fit), Peltor H10A earmuffs, and Peltor PowerCom Plus earmuffs. The earmuffs were also tested in combination with the E-A-R Classic earplugs and with ballistic glasses. Results: The earplug and earmuff combinations provided the most protection, followed by the level-independent earplugs, earmuffs, and level-dependent earplugs. Wearing of ballistic glasses reduced the effectiveness of the earmuffs. Discussion: Although the results provide information about the level of protection that is possible for several types of HPDs, the best choice of HPD depends on the operational setting. The combination of level-independent earmuffs and earplugs was the most effective, but it is not a practical solution when communication is required. Earplugs should be worn in cases in which earmuffs interfere with sighting the weapon or are incompatible with other gear such as a helmet or glasses. Future work should include different types of communication headsets and different combinations of HPDs.
Far-forward surgery in the modern battlespace
Authors: Talbot Max , Forestier Colleen , Beck Iain
Published: October 2015

The nature of the current and future battlespace will require adaptive solutions to provide troops with timely damage-control surgery and resuscitation. A light surgical module, the Mobile Surgical Resuscitation Team (MSRT), was developed to meet this need for Canadian Special Operations Forces. The team is composed of six Canadian Health Services Group clinicians specialized in the delivery of trauma care in remote environments. In addition to care delivery, the MSRT can provide simulation training to allied nations and presents an ideal platform for the introduction of emerging science and technology to the field environment.
Racing toward History: Utopia and Progress in John Guare’s A Free Man of Color
Authors: Mansbridge Joanna
Published: October 2015

This article examines the way John Guare’s A Free Man of Color (2010) mobilizes a metatheatrical aesthetic to question the methods we use to organize our understandings of the past and formulate our projections of the future. Looking specifically at George C. Wolfe’s production at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre and drawing on the work of Reinhart Koselleck and Ernst Bloch, the article shows how Guare’s densely textured epic stages a metatheatrical duel between two competing forces of history: one grounded in Enlightenment notions of progress (rational, linear, forward movement), the other in utopia (an imagined future always on the horizon). As progress and utopia jostle for the authority to define the history – and so also the future – that the play re-enacts, it becomes clear to the audience that what is at stake, in our present, is the meanings and practices of citizenship, race, sexuality, and class that history defines.
HIV-1 Recruits UPF1 but Excludes UPF2 to Promote Nucleocytoplasmic Export of the Genomic RNA
Authors: Ajamian Lara , Abel Karen , Rao Shringar , Vyboh Kishanda , García-de-Gracia Francisco , Soto-Rifo Ricardo , Kulozik Andreas , Gehring Niels , Mouland Andrew
Published: October 2015

Unspliced, genomic HIV-1 RNA (vRNA) is a component of several ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNP) during the viral replication cycle. In earlier work, we demonstrated that the host upframeshift protein 1 (UPF1), a key factor in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), colocalized and associated to the viral structural protein Gag during viral egress. In this work, we demonstrate a new function for UPF1 in the regulation of vRNA nuclear export. OPEN ACCESS Biomolecules 2015, 5 2809 We establish that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of UPF1 is required for this function and demonstrate that UPF1 exists in two essential viral RNPs during the late phase of HIV-1 replication: the first, in a nuclear export RNP that contains Rev, CRM1, DDX3 and the nucleoporin p62, and the second, which excludes these nuclear export markers but contains Gag in the cytoplasm. Interestingly, we observed that both UPF2 and the long isoform of UPF3a, UPF3aL, but not the shorter isoforms UPF3aS and UPF3b, are excluded from the UPF1-Rev-CRM1-DDX3 complex as they are negative regulators of vRNA nuclear export. In silico protein-protein docking analyses suggest that Rev binds UPF1 in a region that overlaps the UPF2 binding site, thus explaining the exclusion of this negative regulatory factor by HIV-1 that is necessary for vRNA trafficking. This work uncovers a novel and unique regulatory circuit involving several UPF proteins that ultimately regulate vRNA nuclear export and trafficking.
Graphene Nanosheets Based Cathodes for Lithium-Oxygen Batteries
Authors: Kichambare Padmakar , Rodrigues Stanley
Published: October 2015

Lithium-oxygen batteries have attracted considerable attention as a promising energy storage system. Although these batteries have many advantages, they face several critical challenges. In this work, we report the use of graphene nanosheets (GNSs), nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (N-GNSs), exfoliated nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets (Ex-N-GNSs), and a blend of Ex-N-GNSs with nitrogen-doped carbon (Hybrid 1) as oxygen cathodes. These cathode materials were characterized by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In order to mitigate safety issues, all solid-state cells were designed and fabricated using lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (LAGP) as ceramic electrolyte. The cathodes prepared from GNSs, N-GNSs, Ex-N-GNSs, and Hybrid 1 exhibit remarkable enhancement in cell capacity in comparison to conventional carbon cathodes. This superior cell performance is ascribed to beneficial properties arising from GNSs and nitrogen doped carbon. GNSs have unique morphology, higher oxygen reduction activity, whereas nitrogen-doped carbon has higher surface area.
Decadal Patterns of Westerly Winds, Temperatures, Ocean Gyre Circulations and Fish Abundance: A Review
Authors: Oviatt Candace , Smith Leslie , McManus M. , Hyde Kimberly
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this review is to describe the global scope of the multidecadal climate oscillations that go back at least, through several hundred years. Literature, historic data, satellite data and global circulation model output have been used to provide evidence for the zonal and meridional jet stream patterns. These patterns were predominantly zonal from the 1970s to 1990s and switched since the 1990s to a meridional wind phase, with weakening jet streams forming Rossby waves in the northern and southern hemispheres. A weakened northern jet stream has allowed northerly winds to flow down over the continents in the northern hemisphere during the winter period, causing some harsh winters and slowing anthropogenic climate warming regionally. Wind oscillations impact ocean gyre circulation affecting upwelling strength and pelagic fish abundance with synchronous behavior in sub Arctic gyres during phases of the oscillation and asynchronous behavior in subtropical gyres between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
A Vibration Analysis Based on Wavelet Entropy Method of a Scroll Compressor
Authors: Liu Tao , Wu Zaixin
Published: October 2015

Vibration-based condition monitoring and fault diagnosis is an effective approach to maintain the reliable operation of a scroll compressor. Unfortunately, the vibration signal from the scroll compressor always has characteristics of being non-linear and non-stationary, which makes vibration signal analysis and fault feature extraction very difficult. To extract the significant fault features, a vibration analysis method based on Wavelet entropy is proposed in this paper. Two forms of the wavelet entropy, namely the wavelet space feature spectrum entropy (WSFSE) and the wavelet energy spectrum entropy (WESE), are defined to depict instantaneous characteristics of the local variation of the vibration signal. Four types of mechanical faulty vibration signal, namely unbalanced rotor, malfunctioning scroll, loosened mechanical assembly, and loosened bearing, are analyzed by using the proposed approach. The experimental results show that feature components and energy distribution of each fault signal is accurately identified and revealed, which proves that the combined application of WSFSE and WESE approach is a successful scheme for the vibration analysis of scroll compressors.
D’Alembert’s Direct and Inertial Forces Acting on Populations: The Price Equation and the Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection
Authors: Frank Steven
Published: October 2015

I develop a framework for interpreting the forces that act on any population described by frequencies. The conservation of total frequency, or total probability, shapes the characteristics of force. I begin with Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection. That theorem partitions the total evolutionary change of a population into two components. The first component is the partial change caused by the direct force of natural selection, holding constant all aspects of the environment. The second component is the partial change caused by the changing environment. I demonstrate that Fisher’s partition of total change into the direct force of selection and the forces from the changing environmental frame of reference is identical to d’Alembert’s principle of mechanics, which separates the work done by the direct forces from the work done by the inertial forces associated with the changing frame of reference. In d’Alembert’s principle, there exist inertial forces from a change in the frame of reference that exactly balance the direct forces. I show that the conservation of total probability strongly shapes the form of the balance between the direct and inertial forces. I then use the strong results for conserved probability to obtain general results for the change in any system quantity, such as biological fitness or energy. Those general results derive from simple coordinate changes between frequencies and system quantities. Ultimately, d’Alembert’s separation of direct and inertial forces provides deep conceptual insight into the interpretation of forces and the unification of disparate fields of study.
Transcriptome Changes during the Life Cycle of the Red Sponge, Mycale phyllophila (Porifera, Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida)
Authors: Qiu Fan , Ding Shaoxiong , Ou Huilong , Wang Dexiang , Chen Jun , Miyamoto Michael
Published: October 2015

Sponges are an ancient metazoan group with broad ecological, evolutionary, and biotechnological importance. As in other marine invertebrates with a biphasic life cycle, the developing sponge undergoes a significant morphological, physiological, and ecological transformation during settlement and metamorphosis. In this study, we compare new transcriptome datasets for three life cycle stages of the red sponge (Mycale phyllophila) to test whether gene expression (as in the model poriferan, Amphimedon queenslandica) also varies more after settlement and metamorphosis. In contrast to A. queenslandica, we find that the transcriptome of M. phyllophila changes more during the earlier pre-competent larva/post-larva transition that spans these defining events. We also find that this transition is marked by a greater frequency of significantly up-regulated Gene Ontology terms including those for morphogenesis, differentiation, and development and that the transcriptomes of its pre-competent larvae and adult are distinct. The life cycle transcriptome variation between M. phyllophila and A. queenslandica may be due to their long separate evolutionary histories and corresponding differences in developmental rates and timing. This study now calls for new transcriptome datasets of M. phyllophila and other sponges, which will allow for tests of the generality of our life cycle expression differences and for the greater exploitation of poriferans in both basic and applied research.
Transcultural Experiences in the Late Middle Ages: The German Literary Discourse on the Mediterranean World—Mirrors, Reflections, and Responses
Authors: Classen Albrecht
Published: October 2015

As recent scholarship has demonstrated, the world of the Mediterranean exerted a tremendous influence not only on the societies and cultures bordering the Mediterranean Sea during the late Middle Ages, but had a huge influence on the mentality and culture of the world north of the Alps as well because it was here where East and West met, exchanged ideas and products, and struggled to find, despite many military conflicts, some kind of transcultural. The highly complex conditions in the Mediterranean realm represented significant challenges and promises at the same time, and no traveler from Germany or England, for instance, whether a merchant or a pilgrim, a diplomat or an artist, could resist responding to the allure of the Mediterranean cultures. The corpus of travelogues and pilgrimage accounts is legion, as scholars have noted already for quite some time. But we can also observe literary reflections on the Mediterranean especially during the fifteenth century. The emergence of the late medieval and early modern prose novel is often predicated on transcultural experiences, whether they entailed military conflicts or peaceful encounters between Christians and Muslims. These literary texts did not necessarily respond to the historical events, such as the fall of Constantinople in 1453, but they document an intriguing opening up of German, English, French, and Flemish, etc., society to the Mediterranean world. The prose novels discussed in this paper demonstrate that Germany, in particular, was a significant hinterland of the Mediterranean; somewhat farther apart, but still closely connected. The literary evidence will allow us to identify how those transcultural encounters were recognized and then dealt with.
Geographic Layers as Landscape Drivers for the Marco Polo Argali Habitat in the Southeastern Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan
Authors: Salas Eric , Valdez Raul , Boykin Kenneth
Published: October 2015

We described in this report the essential geographic layers used as landscape drivers for the Marco Polo Argali habitat in the eastern Tajik Pamirs. Using remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems (GIS), individual layers were generated in order to acquire more information on argali patterns and habitat suitability and to make the dataset available online. We introduced an improved object-based image analysis in our mapping of the vegetation cover by utilizing spectral, topographic, and texture variables. We exhausted every Landsat image band and texture feature combination to select the best pairing of band-texture components. For vegetation class alone, the producer’s accuracy was 90.8% and the user’s accuracy was 91.6%.
Landslide Fissure Inference Assessment by ANFIS and Logistic Regression Using UAS-Based Photogrammetry
Authors: Akcay Ozgun
Published: October 2015

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are now capable of gathering high-resolution data, therefore, landslides can be explored in detail at larger scales. In this research, 132 aerial photographs were captured, and 85,456 features were detected and matched automatically using UAS photogrammetry. The root mean square (RMS) values of the image coordinates of the Ground Control Points (GPCs) varied from 0.521 to 2.293 pixels, whereas maximum RMS values of automatically matched features was calculated as 2.921 pixels. Using the 3D point cloud, which was acquired by aerial photogrammetry, the raster datasets of the aspect, slope, and maximally stable extremal regions (MSER) detecting visual uniformity, were defined as three variables, in order to reason fissure structures on the landslide surface. In this research, an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and a Logistic Regression (LR) were implemented using training datasets to infer fissure data appropriately. The accuracy of the predictive models was evaluated by drawing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and by calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The experiments exposed that high-resolution imagery is an indispensable data source to model and validate landslide fissures appropriately.
The Osteogenesis Effect and Underlying Mechanisms of Local Delivery of gAPN in Extraction Sockets of Beagle Dogs
Authors: Hu Hongcheng , Pu Yinfei , Lu Songhe , Zhang Kuo , Guo Yuan , Lu Hui , Li Deli , Li Xuefen , Li Zichen , Wu Yuwei , Tang Zhihui
Published: October 2015

A plastic and biodegradable bone substitute consists of poly (l-lactic-co-glycolic) acid and 30 wt % β-tricalcium phosphate has been previously fabricated, but its osteogenic capability required further improvement. We investigated the use of globular adiponectin (gAPN) as an anabolic agent for tissue-engineered bone using this scaffold. A qualitative analysis of the bone regeneration process was carried out using μCT and histological analysis 12 weeks after implantation. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) superimposition was used to characterise the effect of the different treatments on bone formation. In this study, we also explored adiponectin’s (APN) influence on primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells gene expressions involved in the osteogenesis. We found that composite scaffolds loaded with gAPN or bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) exhibited significantly increased bone formation and mineralisation following 12 weeks in the extraction sockets of beagle dogs, as well as enhanced expression of osteogenic markers. In vitro investigation revealed that APN also promoted osteoblast differentiation of primary cultured human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (h-JBMMSCs), accompanied by increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, greater mineralisation, and production of the osteoblast-differentiated genes osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein and collagen type I, which was reversed by APPL1 siRNA. Therefore, the composite scaffold loaded with APN exhibited superior activity for guided bone regeneration compared with blank control or Bio-Oss® (a commercially available product). The composite scaffold with APN has significant potential for clinical applications in bone tissue engineering.
Comparative Mitogenomics of the Genus Odontobutis (Perciformes: Gobioidei: Odontobutidae) Revealed Conserved Gene Rearrangement and High Sequence Variations
Authors: Ma Zhihong , Yang Xuefen , Bercsenyi Miklos , Wu Junjie , Yu Yongyao , Wei Kaijian , Fan Qixue , Yang Ruibin
Published: October 2015

To understand the molecular evolution of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) in the genus Odontobutis, the mitogenome of Odontobutis yaluensis was sequenced and compared with those of another four Odontobutis species. Our results displayed similar mitogenome features among species in genome organization, base composition, codon usage, and gene rearrangement. The identical gene rearrangement of trnS-trnL-trnH tRNA cluster observed in mitogenomes of these five closely related freshwater sleepers suggests that this unique gene order is conserved within Odontobutis. Additionally, the present gene order and the positions of associated intergenic spacers of these Odontobutis mitogenomes indicate that this unusual gene rearrangement results from tandem duplication and random loss of large-scale gene regions. Moreover, these mitogenomes exhibit a high level of sequence variation, mainly due to the differences of corresponding intergenic sequences in gene rearrangement regions and the heterogeneity of tandem repeats in the control regions. Phylogenetic analyses support Odontobutis species with shared gene rearrangement forming a monophyletic group, and the interspecific phylogenetic relationships are associated with structural differences among their mitogenomes. The present study contributes to understanding the evolutionary patterns of Odontobutidae species.
Tetrodotoxin, an Extremely Potent Marine Neurotoxin: Distribution, Toxicity, Origin and Therapeutical Uses
Authors: Lago Jorge , Rodríguez Laura , Blanco Lucía , Vieites Juan , Cabado Ana
Published: October 2015

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin responsible for many human intoxications and fatalities each year. The origin of TTX is unknown, but in the pufferfish, it seems to be produced by endosymbiotic bacteria that often seem to be passed down the food chain. The ingestion of contaminated pufferfish, considered the most delicious fish in Japan, is the usual route of toxicity. This neurotoxin, reported as a threat to human health in Asian countries, has spread to the Pacific and Mediterranean, due to the increase of temperature waters worldwide. TTX, for which there is no known antidote, inhibits sodium channel producing heart failure in many cases and consequently death. In Japan, a regulatory limit of 2 mg eq TTX/kg was established, although the restaurant preparation of “fugu” is strictly controlled by law and only chefs qualified are allowed to prepare the fish. Due to its paralysis effect, this neurotoxin could be used in the medical field as an analgesic to treat some cancer pains.