bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of neural network technique to determine a corrector surface for global geopotential model using GPS/levelling measurements in Egypt
Authors: Elshambaky Hossam Talaat
Published: October 2017

Owing to the appearance of many global geopotential models, it is necessary to determine the most appropriate model for use in Egyptian territory. In this study, we aim to investigate three global models, namely EGM2008, EIGEN-6c4, and GECO. We use five mathematical transformation techniques, i.e., polynomial expression, exponential regression, least-squares collocation, multilayer feed forward neural network, and radial basis neural networks to make the conversion from regional geometrical geoid to global geoid models and vice versa. From a statistical comparison study based on quality indexes between previous transformation techniques, we confirm that the multilayer feed forward neural network with two neurons is the most accurate of the examined transformation technique, and based on the mean tide condition, EGM2008 represents the most suitable global geopotential model for use in Egyptian territory to date. The final product gained from this study was the corrector surface that was used to facilitate the transformation process between regional geometrical geoid model and the global geoid model.
Professional burnout and concurrent health complaints in neonatal nursing
Authors: Skorobogatova Natalija , Žemaitienė Nida , Šmigelskas Kastytis , Tamelienė Rasa
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to analyze nurses’ professional burnout and health complaints and the relationship between the two components.

Methods

The anonymous survey included 94 neonatal intensive care nurses from two centers of perinatology. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was used to evaluate professional burnout; it consisted of 3 components, Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishments, with 22 items in total. Health complaints were evaluated by 21 items, where nurses were asked to report the occurrence of symptoms within the last year. Scale means were presented with standard deviations (SD). Inferential analysis was conducted with multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age, residence, and work experience.

Results

The mean score of professional burnout on the Emotional Exhaustion subscale was 14.4 (SD=7.91), Depersonalization 3.8 (SD=4.75), and Personal Accomplishment 29.1 (SD=10.12). The health assessment revealed that sleeplessness, lack of rest, nervousness, and tiredness were the most common complaints. The regression analysis revealed that tiredness was independently associated with significantly increased odds of professional burnout (OR=4.1).

Conclusions

In our study, more than half of the nurses in neonatal intensive care had moderate or high levels of emotional exhaustion, while levels of depersonalization were significantly lower. In contrast, the level of personal accomplishment was low in more than half of the nurses. The most common health complaints were sleep disturbances, nervousness, and tiredness. Tiredness was most strongly associated with professional burnout.
CK20 mRNA expression in serum as a biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ji Baoyan , Cheng Xiongfei , Cai Xiaojun , Kong Chuiyan , Yang Qingyan , Fu Ting , Wang Yahang , Song Ying
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serumCK20 mRNA as a biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis by meta-analysis.

Clinical studies related to serum CK20 mRNA expression for colorectal cancer diagnosis were searched in the databases of Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, CNKI and Wanfang. The number of true positive (tp), false positive (fp), false negative (fn) and true negative (tn) of the original included publications were extracted by two reviewers independently. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive likely hood ratio (+LR), negative likelyhood ratio (-LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the symmetric ROC curve (AUC) were pooled by random or fixed effect method according to the statistical heterogeneity among the studies.

After screening the databases, nineteen publications met the inclusion criteria and were finally included in this meta-analysis. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were pooled by random effect model(I2>50%). The pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CK20 mRNA in serum as biomarker for colorectal cancer were 0.49 (95% CI:0.46 to 0.51) and 0.94 (95%CI:0.92-0.96) respectively. The pooled +LR and −LR were 10.90 (95%CI:5.78 to 20.55) and 0.51 (95%CI:0.45 to 0.57) respectively by random-effect method. The pooled DOR was 22.31 with the 95% CI of 11.65 to 42.71. The pooled area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.72for CK20 mRNA in serum as a biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis. Conclusion Serum CK20 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in colorectal cancer patients which could be a promising serum biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis with high specificity.
Rescuing the Libertarian Non-Aggression Principle
Authors: Christmas Billy
Published: October 2017

Many libertarians ground their theory of justice in a non-aggression principle (NAP). The NAP is often the basis for the libertarian condemnation of state action – that it is necessarily aggressive and therefore unjust. This approach is often criticised insofar as it defines aggression, in part, as the violation of legitimate property rights, and is therefore parasitical upon a prior – and unjustified – theory of property. While it is true that libertarians who defend the NAP sometimes fail to give a satisfactory account of its relationship to libertarian property rights, such an account is in fact available. A commitment to property rights and to non-aggression can both be grounded in a commitment to non-interference. Such a principle, then, brings together the NAP and the theory of property it is parasitical upon, thus saving the unity and austerity of the overall approach.
Physical properties of neodymium tin oxide pyrochlore ceramics
Authors: Saleh Adli A. , Qasrawi A. F. , Yumuşak G. , Mergen A.
Published: October 2017

In this work, physical properties of neodymium tin oxide pyrochlore ceramics prepared by solid state reaction technique are investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible light (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry and temperature dependent electrical resistivity measurements. The pyrochlore is observed to have a cubic FCC crystal lattice with lattice parameter of 10.578 Å. The planes of the cubic cell are best oriented in the [2 2 2] direction. From the X-ray, the UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the electrical resistivity data analysis, the grain size, strain, dislocation density, optical and thermal energy band gaps, localized energy band tail states and resistivity activation energies are determined and discussed. The pyrochlore is observed to have an optical energy band gap of ~3.40 eV. This value corresponds to 365 nm UV light spectra which nominates the neodymium tin oxide pyrochlore ceramics for the use as UV sensors.
Crystal structure of bis{μ2-2,4-dichloro-6-(8-(4-(diethylamino)-2-oxidophenyl)-3,6-dioxa-2,7-diazaocta-1,7-dien-1-yl)phenolato-κ5
O:O,N,N′,O′}dicobalt(II) acetone solvate, C43H48Br4Co2N6O9
Authors: Zheng Shan-Shan , Hao Jing , Lan Peng-Fei , Dong Xiu-Yan , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: October 2017

C43H48Br4Co2N6O9, triclinic, P1̅, a = 11.9298(7) Å, b = 12.8850(9) Å, c = 17.5241(11) Å, α = 84.854(6)°, β = 85.181(5)°, γ = 65.796(6)°, V = 2443.7(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0556, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1053, T = 293.51(10) K.
Crystal structure of (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(4-chlorophenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one, C17H12Cl2O
Authors: Maluleka Marole M. , Mphahlele Malose J.
Published: October 2017

C17H12Cl2O, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 17.2845(14) Å, b = 14.2007(11) Å, c = 5.8795(5) Å, β = 99.088(3)°, V = 1425.0(2) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0567, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1395, T = 263 K.
Biodiesel production from vegetable oil: Process design, evaluation and optimization
Authors: Kianimanesh Hamid Reza , Abbaspour-Aghdam Farzin , Derakhshan Mehrab Valizadeh
Published: October 2017

To investigate the effect of reactor performance/configuration of biodiesel production on process parameters (mass & energy consumption, required facilities etc.), two diverse production processes (from vegetable oil) were implemented/designed using Aspen HYSYS V7.2. Two series reactors were taken into account where overall conversion was set to be 97.7% and 70% in first and second processes respectively. Comparative analysis showed that an increase in conversion yield caused to consumption reduction of oil, methanol, cold energy and hot energy up to 9.1%, 22%, 67.16% and 60.28% respectively; further, a number of facilities (e.g. boiler, heat exchanger, distillation tower) were reduced. To reduce mass & energy consumption, mass/heat integration method was employed. Applying integration method showed that in the first design, methanol, cold and hot energy were decreased by 49.81%, 17.46% and 36.17% respectively; while in the second design, oil, methanol, cold and hot energy were decreased by 9%, 60.57% 19.62% and 36.58% respectively.
Growing your green chemistry mindset
Authors: Kosmas Steven
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this article is not to delineate the steps to move across the continuum to being a greener chemist, but to analyse the cognitive processes involved in fostering a green chemistry growth mindset (GCGM) [Dweck C. (2006) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York, NY: Ballatine]. The focus is on changing the mindset, which inevitably will lead to a more mindful approach to chemistry practices before the laboratory begins. A green chemistry fixed mindset (GCFM) is closed to making improvements, since the attitude is that the techniques and processes in the laboratory are already employing a green chemistry mindset [Dweck C. (2006) Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. New York, NY: Ballatine]. The problem with the GCFM is that it precludes the possibility of making improvements. However, the GCGM employs a continuous, intentional focus on the attitude towards green chemistry, with the ultimate goal being a change in chemistry practices that is greener. The focus of this article will be on the GCGM.
On risk measuring in the variance-gamma model
Authors: Ivanov Roman V.
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we discuss the problem of
calculating the primary risk measures in the variance-gamma
model. A portfolio of investments in a one-period setting is
considered. It is supposed that the investment returns are
dependent on each other. In terms of the variance-gamma model,
we assume that there are relations in both groups of the normal
random variables and the gamma stochastic volatilities. The value at
risk, the expected shortfall and the entropic monetary risk measures
are discussed. The obtained analytical expressions are based on values
of hypergeometric functions.
Development of Standards to Evaluate, Analyze, and Retrofit Mass Wall Assemblies and Steep Sloped Roof Assemblies of Existing Buildings for Compliance with Energy Codes
Authors: Cyphers Rex A. , Wagner Carly M. , Knorowski Jodi M.
Published: October 2017

The performance of historical buildings with mass masonry walls and ventilated attics has proven effective over time. By nature, the masonry wall is permitted to dry to both the interior and exterior, preventing moisture accumulation within the assembly. For attic spaces, the air movement under the roof deck has the same effect. With revisions to the energy codes now requiring insulation and continuous air barriers within the building envelope, the thermal and vapor-resistant properties of the assemblies are changing. As such, the assemblies of existing buildings must be evaluated prior to rehabilitation to ensure that the addition of insulation or vapor-resistant materials do not cause moisture-related issues over the life of the building. Two standards are currently under development to provide guidance on these topics: ASTM E3069, Standard Guide for Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Mass Masonry Walls for Changes to the Thermal and Moisture Properties of the Wall, and ASTM WK54379, Standard Guide for the Evaluation, Rehabilitation and Retrofit of Existing Steep Sloped Roof Assemblies. This paper discusses the application of these standards and the need for such guidelines based on the changes to the energy codes to improve the overall energy performance of existing mass masonry walls and steep sloped roofs.
Albeiro Valencia LLano: “…la pasión con la que los maestros y personas mayores relataban la historia incidió en mi formación…”
Authors: Ramírez Bacca Renzo
Published: October 2017

El IV Simposio Colombiano de Historia Regional y Local, tuvo como sede anfitriona a la Universidad de Caldas (Colombia) en mayo de 2013. Al evento fue invitado, entre otros historiadores, uno de los más distinguidos del Departamento de Caldas, el Dr. Albeiro Valencia Llano. El reconocimiento a su trabajo llega del nivel regional, en especial por recibir el Premio Nacional de Periodismo Simón Bolívar en 1988, pero también por su aporte gremial a la Centro de Historia de Manizales, la Academia Caldense de Historia, la Academia Colombiana de Historia Eclesiásticas, el Consejo Departamental de Patrimonio Cultural, la Sociedad de Mejoras Publicas, la Sociedad de Historia de la Educación Latinoamericana y la Asociación Colombiana de Historia Regional y Local. Es desde su experiencia académica, institucional e investigativa que sus aportes giran en torno a la problemática de colonización, poblamiento y vida cotidiana en el Gran Caldas.
¿Una película de vaqueros contra indios? Reseña del libro: Velasco Ávila, Cuauhtémoc. 2012. La frontera étnica en el noreste mexicano. Los comanches entre 1800-1841. Historias de desencuentros y destierros. México: Ciesas-Inah. ISBN: 9786074861549
Authors: Lara Cisneros Gerardo
Published: October 2017

¿Quién de niño, o de joven no se emocionó con una película de vaqueros? Al leer y disfrutar las más de 400 páginas de este bello libro no podía evitar recordar múltiples escenas de películas de vaqueros producidas en Hollywood. El conflicto que esto me producía fue ocasión para pasar del asombro a la incomodidad y luego a la reflexión. Y es que sin duda, para hacer esas películas la industria cinematográfica californiana abrevó en la historiografía producida en su país para explicar el devenir de los estados sureños y la épica construcción de su frontera sur.
Editorial
Authors: Ramírez Bacca Renzo
Published: October 2017

HiSTOReLo, en su Vol. 6, No. 11 (2014), ofrece distintas novedades, que marcan el inicio de una nueva fase de profesionalización del proyecto. El primero es la aceptación de la revista en la plataforma de SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online Colombia y en las bases bibliográficas con Comité de Selección: Social Sciences Abstracts y Urban Studies Abstracts. Estas ofrecerán a los autores una mayor visibilidad e impacto en el ámbito global. Asimismo, nuestra base de datos aumenta a 1206 registros permanentes (lectores, revisores y autores) y los seguidores en Facebook se elevan a 1319, lo cual abre un nuevo horizonte de comunicación en el campo de los latinoamericanistas norteamericanos y público latinoamericano. También, estamos participando en la actual convocatoria de medición en el Sistema Nacional de Publicaciones – Publindex (Colombia), con el propósito de mejorar nuestra categoría de indexación. Así,  queremos mejorar la calidad de nuestros pares evaluadores nacionales e internacionales, y ser estrictos con la duplicidad y el plagiarismo en los textos, buscando con ello mejorar las buenas prácticas en la comunidad académica. En adelante, el lanzamiento de la revista se hará el enero y julio, con el fin de no incurrir en retrasos en la periodicidad y tener la vigencia apropiada para efectos de marcación de los distintos títulos. Es por ello que el Vol. 6, No. 12 (2014) estará en línea a partir del 1ro de julio de 2014.
Socio-technical integration research in an Eastern European setting: Distinct features, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Lukovics Miklós , Fisher Erik
Published: October 2017

While technological innovation is a core element of efforts to increase public welfare, innovators are rarely trained to take the societal dimensions of innovation into account in a systematic manner. Responsible innovation has emerged within policy discourses worldwide to address this challenge. Implementing responsible innovation in daily practices, however, requires addressing both the multidisciplinary and the culturally situated nature of innovation processes. Effectiveness of Socio-Technical Integration Research (STIR) has been tested, but primarily only in developed countries, raising questions about how well it works in innovation and cultural settings differing from Western cultures. Therefore, this study analyzes the possibities of institutionalizing responsible innovation in an Eastern European country, namely in Hungary. For this investigation, we conducted STIR-pilots in two Hungarian natural science research groups. The findings show that though the original STIR method can be adapted to support responsible innovation practices in Hungary, the differences in the innovation environment and culture (such as grant-driven innovation; lack of trust; less knowledge on responsible innovation; lack of law on the societical impacts of research and innovaton) require methodological modifications in order to improve STIR’s effectiveness.
Cost-Effectiveness of Nivolumab in Recurrent Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zargar Mahdi , McFarlane Thomas , Chan Kelvin K.W. , Wong William W.L.
Published: October 2017

Background

Treatment options for patients with platinum-refractory, recurrent, metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC) are limited and prognosis is poor. The recent CheckMate 141 clinical trial demonstrated that nivolumab, an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody, was efficacious in extending the median overall survival (OS) in this patient population compared with standard therapies. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to determine whether nivolumab is a cost-effective treatment in this patient population and examined various subgroups to determine for which, if any, the treatment is more cost-effective.

Materials and Methods

We implemented a state transition model for HNSCC with a patient cohort who had tumor progression 6 months after the last dose of platinum-containing chemotherapy and compared the cost-effectiveness of nivolumab with docetaxel. Treatment effect estimates and adverse event rates were obtained from CheckMate 141. Costs, utilities, and other model inputs were gathered from published sources. We used a Canadian perspective, a 5-year time horizon, and a 1.5% discount rate for the analysis.

Results

Nivolumab extended mean OS by 4 months compared with docetaxel and resulted in fewer treatment-related adverse events, producing an incremental effectiveness of 0.13 quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The incremental cost of treatment with nivolumab was $18,823. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY, nivolumab was not a cost-effective treatment option for r/m HNSCC, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $144,744/QALY. Nivolumab would be cost-effective if its price was reduced by 20%. Our subgroup analysis seemed to indicate that nivolumab might be cost-effective for tumors with expression of programmed death-ligand 1 >5%.

Conclusion

We conclude that although nivolumab offers clinical benefit for the treatment of r/m HNSCC over current regimens, it is not cost-effective based on its list price. We have also established a value-based price estimate for nivolumab to be cost-effective in this patient population. Further study is required to draw a definitive conclusion on biomarkers for cost-effectiveness.

Implications for Practice

In health care settings in which cost considerations are a constraint on choice of therapy, patient selection should be carefully considered to maintain efficiency in the system. Until a biomarker for response to therapy is identified for nivolumab, this medication is unlikely to be cost-effective for most patients with recurrent, metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles: characterization and encapsulation efficiency
Authors: El-Fattah Ahmed Abd
Published: October 2017

Amphiphilic diblock copolymers, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PECL), were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone initiated by the hydroxyl groups of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol). The prepared PECL diblock copolymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton (1H) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Nanoparticles of these copolymers were prepared by the double-emulsification solvent evaporation method and were used to load methylene blue (MB) as a model drug photosensitizer. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that the unloaded nanoparticles were nearly spherical and had particle sizes ranging from 263 to 346 nm with relatively uniform size distribution. It was found that the hydrophobic block length of PECL nanoparticles was a crucial factor in controlling the size of MB-loaded nanoparticles and the encapsulation efficiency. The MB-loaded nanoparticles were irregular and not uniform and had a larger size that ranged from 304 to 367 nm. Moreover, MB encapsulation efficiency increased by about 30% with reducing content of the hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) in PECL copolymer nanoparticles. The amphiphilic PECL nanoparticles in this study offer potential as alternative nanomaterial vehicles for MB aimed at photodynamic therapy applications.
Grounds for concern: geotechnical issues from some recent construction cases
Authors: Tonks David , Gallagher Eugene , Nettleton Ian
Published: October 2017

There continue to be many substantial cases of engineering failures associated with the ground, some very problematic and expensive. This is despite most of the technical issues being well known and the subject of much study and comment. Too often for non-specialists, the lessons continue to be learnt only by bitter experience. This paper reviews various issues and risks from the perspective of the authors’ practical experiences, mostly acting in expert roles investigating and advising on numerous geotechnical cases related to construction. These involve a wide variety of types of failures and circumstances. They include foundations, shallow and deep; slopes and infrastructure for road, rail and utilities; and mining and waste industries. The examples select some of the more substantial cases, with costs frequently of many millions of pounds. None here involved loss of life, but in several cases, this was fortuitous. Some significant implications and learning points are discussed.
Aldosterone Is Essential for Angiotensin II-Induced Upregulation of Pendrin
Authors: Hirohama Daigoro , Ayuzawa Nobuhiro , Ueda Kohei , Nishimoto Mitsuhiro , Kawarazaki Wakako , Watanabe Atsushi , Shimosawa Tatsuo , Marumo Takeshi , Shibata Shigeru , Fujita Toshiro
Published: October 2017

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has an important role in the control of fluid homeostasis and BP during volume depletion. Dietary salt restriction elevates circulating angiotensin II (AngII) and aldosterone levels, increasing levels of the Cl−/HCO3
− exchanger pendrin in β-intercalated cells and the Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCC) in distal convoluted tubules. However, the independent roles of AngII and aldosterone in regulating these levels remain unclear. In C57BL/6J mice receiving a low-salt diet or AngII infusion, we evaluated the membrane protein abundance of pendrin and NCC; assessed the phosphorylation of the mineralocorticoid receptor, which selectively inhibits aldosterone binding in intercalated cells; and measured BP by radiotelemetry in pendrin-knockout and wild-type mice. A low-salt diet or AngII infusion upregulated NCC and pendrin levels, decreased the phosphorylation of mineralocorticoid receptor in β-intercalated cells, and increased plasma aldosterone levels. Notably, a low-salt diet did not alter BP in wild-type mice, but significantly decreased BP in pendrin-knockout mice. To dissect the roles of AngII and aldosterone, we performed adrenalectomies in mice to remove aldosterone from the circulation. In adrenalectomized mice, AngII infusion again upregulated NCC expression, but did not affect pendrin expression despite the decreased phosphorylation of mineralocorticoid receptor. By contrast, AngII and aldosterone coadministration markedly elevated pendrin levels in adrenalectomized mice. Our results indicate that aldosterone is necessary for AngII-induced pendrin upregulation, and suggest that pendrin contributes to the maintenance of normal BP in cooperation with NCC during activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by dietary salt restriction.
Evaluating Public Parks as Walkable Places towards Achieving Livable Cities.
Authors: Al-Obeidy Musaab
Published: October 2017

In ancient times, walking was the first mode of transportation that human used, where humans walked on the earth in search of food, water, and shelter. Nowadays following many decades of development, the nature of mankind has changed due to a change in their needs and lifestyle, which includes the emergence and development of transportation modes, such as cars, buses, and trains. Modes of travel from place to place have changed, whereas reliance on using cars in travel is increasing. The problem of the study is increasing the use of cars and depending on them as a major mean of transportation instead of walking on foot. Hence, the concept of walkability is manifested, and is defined as the extent to which walking is readily available to the pedestrian as a safe, connected, accessible, and pleasant activity. Through this definition, this research examines or evaluates factors of walkability in National Park in Kuala-Lumpur through studying and analyzing dependent travel mode and behavior of its users. The Kuala Lumpur City was chosen as the case study based on being the capital of Malaysia and the only city being included in the Annual World Ranking of the Most Livable Cities in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to diagnose factors that have an impact on walkability, thus supporting travel by foot, using public transportation and bicycle, and reducing the usage of cars. All of these issues are to make Kuala-Lumpur as a more livable city and within top 20 livable cities in the world in 2020. The methodology of research depends on two types of techniques: quantitative as the main technique by applying 240 questionnaire surveys; and the qualitative technique in support of the first technique by applying 20 interviews, as well as direct observation of the location. This study concludes that it is difficult to reduce dependency on cars as mode of moving from place to other, since there is a lack in providing comfort and safety, which affects other factors of walkability. Thus, listing Kuala-Lumpur within the best 20 livable cities in the world as 2020 plan will be more difficult.
Ranges and Areal Proportions of Basic Functional Activities in Residential Apartment of Multi story housing projects in the city of Erbil.
Authors: Al-Sanjary Dr. Hasan
Published: October 2017

House built area determination has formed one of the main economical design tools in housing policies programs around the world. To ensure the efficient performance of these designs, these programs standards has linked the dwelling space determination with its distribution among residents basic functional activities in areas and proportions that efficiently perpetuate his daily life requirements. The research discusses the availability of these rules in the design of multifamily housing output in the city of Erbil , which has seen a huge revival in the field of residential construction during the past years. With the absence of binding design criteria for the design of the city's housing production, the research aims to test the designer's commitment to distribute the available apartment space between the basic functional activities areas and ratios optimized to achieve the highest compatibility with the user's needs. To achieve the goal, a group of apartments has been elected (with economic space and different capacities) from a selected three housing projects implemented in the city . an evaluation of efficiency of their basic functional activities areas & proportions distribution has been made by testing their values ​​change with the change of the resident apartment designer, area and capacity   and by comparing with the design standards provided by the general housing programme for Iraq as a best   comprehensive study can be adopted for the evaluation.
Miýo-pimātisiwin Developing Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Theory (ICRT): Improving Indigenous Health and Well-Being
Authors: Sasakamoose JoLee , Bellegarde Terrina , Sutherland Wilson , Pete Shauneen , McKay-McNabb Kim
Published: October 2017

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada calls upon those who can effect change within Canadian systems to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices and to collaborate with Indigenous healers, Elders, and knowledge keepers where requested by Indigenous Peoples. This article presents the Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Theory (ICRT) as a decolonized pathway designed to guide research that continuously improves the health, education, governance, and policies of Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan. Decolonizing practices include privileging and engaging in Indigenous philosophies, beliefs, practices, and values that counter colonialism and restore well-being. The ICRT supports the development of collaborative relationships between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous allies who seek to improve the status of First Nations health and wellness.
Improving Quality in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Through Effective Replication: A Mixed Methods Focus on Fidelity
Authors: Flinders Brooke A.
Published: October 2017

Fidelity monitoring is an essential component of evidence-based replication in teen pregnancy prevention. Fidelity toolkits ensure that core curriculum is adhered to, by providing a detailed checklist of expected activities. When systematically reviewed, fidelity toolkits offer critical information on challenges and barriers that can inform and improve future programming. The purpose of this project was to implement an educational program to improve sexual health in teens, using a fidelity toolkit to promote and evaluate program fidelity. Participants, from a suburban Ohio county, included faculty, junior-level baccalaureate nursing students, and females, 15–19 years of age. Plan-do-study-act methodology was used to carry out this quality improvement initiative. Twenty-three nursing students, divided among 3 clinical sections, and their 3 faculty members completed the fidelity toolkits. Part I fidelity ranged from 82.73% to 100% (M = 97.8%), Part II fidelity ranged from 75% to 95.83% (M = 92.76%), Part III fidelity ranged from 81.5% to 95.83% (M = 91.8%), and Part IV fidelity ranged from 57% to 100% (M = 98.2%). Overall, fidelity of the program averaged 96.4%. Several themes were identified as a result of the qualitative analysis of narrative toolkit responses, in the categories of participant factors, site factors, and presenter factors. Toolkit use led to a high level of program fidelity.
Use of information technology in the development of professionally oriented lexical competence.
Authors: Olga Ivanova
Published: October 2017

The article deals with the main problems of teaching ESP vocabulary by means of information technology. The definition of the term “lexical competence” has been given in the article. The process of lexical competence development has its own characteristics which have been discussed in the paper. Particular attention has been given to the term “professionally oriented lexical competence” which is an integral part of a foreign language teaching process to the future specialists of different fields. Information technology plays important role in teaching new vocabulary. It allows teachers to optimize and make learning new vocabulary partially automatic. The use of information technology ensures that a student is actively involved in learning new material and acquires new knowledge and skills. The principles of information technology use in teaching ESP are heavily emphasized in the article. Among them are integrative, personalized and interactive learning principles as well as the principle of lexical guidelines and computerized testing of the gained lexical knowledge and skills.
Shale Gas Content Calculation of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Southeastern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Su Jiao , Shen Yingchu , Liu Bo , Hao Jin
Published: October 2017

Shale gas content is the key parameter for shale gas potential evaluation and favorable area prediction. Therefore, it is very important to determine shale gas content accurately. Generally, we use the USBM method for coal reservoirs to calculate gas content of shale reservoirs. However, shale reservoirs are different from coal reservoirs in depth, pressure, core collection, etc. This method would inevitably cause problems. In order to make the USBM method more suitable for shale reservoir, an improved USBM method is put forward on the basis of systematic analysis of core pressure history and temperature history during shale gas desorption. The improved USBM method modifies the calculation method of the lost time, and determines the temperature balance time of water heating. In addition, we give the calculation method of adsorption gas content and free gas content, especially the new method of calculating the oil dissolved gas content and water dissolved gas content which are easily neglected. We used the direct method (USBM and the improved USBM) and the indirect method (adsorption gas, free gas and dissolved gas) to calculate the shale gas content of 16 shale samples of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Southeastern Ordos Basin, China. The results of the improved USBM method show that the total shale gas content is high, with an average of 3.97 m3/t, and the lost shale gas content is the largest proportion with an average of 62%. The total shale gas content calculated by the improved USBM method is greater than that of the USBM method. The results of the indirect method show that the total shale gas content is large, with an average of 4.11 m3/t, and the adsorption shale gas content is the largest proportion with an average of 71%.  The oil dissolved shale gas content which should be taken attention accounts for about 7.8%. The relative error between the improved USBM method and indirect method is much smaller than that between USBM method and indirect method, which verifies the accuracy of the improved USBM method.
Introducing New Shaly Sand Analysis Petrophysical Model for an Unconventional Reservoir Leads to Double the Volumes in a Brown Gas Field, Bahariya Formation, BED 2 Gas Field, Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Mabrouk Ibrahim , El Bendary Ahmed , Magdy Mustafa , Bakr Ahmed , Ashraf Mohamed , Youssry Amira
Published: October 2017

BED 2 is a brown gas field located in the western desert, Egypt and commenced production 1982. The field has multiple reservoirs varying between carbonates, clean sand stone and shaly sand stone.

Baharyia formation is the main producing reservoir in the field. In the latest years of the field life, an unrealistic recovery factor was reached making the volume of the recovered gas exceeds the maximum volume that could be recovered from this reservoir.

Hence, a new further investigation and review for the previously calculated GIIP was initiated. The results of this study yielded that the main uncertainty in the volumetric calculations was the petrophysical evaluation subsequently a new unconventional petrophysical evaluation approach was performed.

The first step in the petrophysical evaluation was to use the core data to separate the rock into different rock types "hydraulic zones" by calculating the reservoir quality index (RQI) and the flow zone indicator (FZI). After that, an electro-facies model was created using the electric logs for the model input and the hydraulic zones derived from the core data as the model learning.

The resulted model matched the core data in all the four cored wells and hence it was applied to the un-cored ones.

After that, the created rock typing model was used to deduce the cut-off criteria per each rock unit which resulted a huge difference from the previously calculated cut-offs and hence the NTG ratio is doubled as three types of net sand were added to the petrophysical evaluation. The first type is a very silty highly laminated sand-shale reservoir while the second one was clean sand reservoir.

Conventional saturation calculation methods showed no match between the calculated volumes and production and hence different unconventional shaly sand analysis was used in calculating the saturation for the two different types of sands.

The new petrophysical evaluation resulted in doubling the volumes in Baharyia reservoir and so a perforation campaign was performed to confirm the new volumetric calculations, which showed a good match with the model results. Hence, a new well was drilled targeting the low quality sand and found them with high pressure almost near virgin pressure.
Design of a Partitioning Interwell Tracer Test for a Chemical EOR Pilot Targeting the Sabriyah Mauddud Carbonate Reservoir in Kuwait
Authors: Al-Murayri M. T. , Al-Qenae A.. , AlRukaibi D.. , Chatterjee M.. , Hewitt P..
Published: October 2017

This paper sheds light on the design of a Partitioning Interwell Tracer Test (PITT) for a normal 5-spot chemical EOR pilot targeting the Sabriyah Mauddud (SAMA) carbonate reservoir in Kuwait. This pilot is currently going through the water pre-flush phase which will be followed by chemical injection in the near future.

Due to recent improvements in the synthesis of partitioning tracers, water-based partitioning tracers can now be utilized to evaluate variations in oil saturation pre and post EOR applications as well as interwell connectivity for chemical EOR pilots. A PITT is planned to take place in support of a normal 5-spot chemical EOR pilot in the SAMA reservoir. Four unique passive tracers will be injected into the pilot injectors prior to better understand reservoir conformance. This will be followed by the co-injection of four passive-partitioning tracer sets to evaluate oil saturation before and after chemical injection.

A fit-for-purpose facility set-up has been installed to perform quasi-simultaneous injection of different tracer packages into the four EOR pilot injectors and a robust sampling strategy was developed to analyze the produced fluids from the pilot producer and sampling observation well in addition to other offset producers surrounding the pilot area. Periodic lab analyses involving techniques such as Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) will be performed to analyze tracer breakthrough times, peaks, dispersion and partitioning-passive tracer relationships. The findings from this PITT will be used to develop a comprehensive understanding of oil distribution and inter-well connectivity within the pilot area to assess the techno-economic feasibility of multi-pattern chemical EOR deployment.

This PITT in a major carbonate reservoir is one of the first reported field cases to evaluate variations in oil saturation and interwell connectivity for subsurface chemical EOR applications in a normal 5-spot pattern pilot area.
Installation of a Sucker Rod Pumping System Over a Failed Progressive Cavity Pump to Recover Production Using Rigless Intervention - Burgan Field - South East Kuwait
Authors: El-Dousary A.. , Al-Adwani H.. , Sierra T.. , Solaeche F. Ledesma , Darwish W. S. , Khan F..
Published: October 2017

The current competitive market conditions in the oil industry and company’s shoestring budgets call for methods to recover crude from wells with minimum costs. This paper focuses on the design, rigless installation, and successful results of a sucker rod pump (SRP) system after the failure of the existing progressive cavity pump (PCP).

The subject well had a PCP at 4,248.05 ft. setting depth failed after 60 days due to a broken rotor. Attempts to fish the parted rotor were unsuccessful. To avoid a workover rig and to reduce non-productive time (NPT), a SRP system with an insert pump anchor was set over the failed PCP system at 4,028 ft. via a flush by unit. A tubing punch job from 4,085 to 4,145 ft. was done for allowing the fluid entering the tubing and passing through the SRP system.

Running a SRP with an insert pump anchor enabled the pump to be set at any depth inside the tubing, above the failed PCP system. Successful installation of the SRP system reduced NPT and standby costs, and eliminated the need for a workover rig. While running the SRP system, the production enhanced by 50% more than the PCP’s maximum recorded rate. On the other hand, the pump can be retrieved and/or the artificial lift method can be converted later on without the requirement of a workover rig.

In Burgan field, Kuwait, the first rigless installation of a sucker rod pump over a failed progressive cavity pump has turned into the reference for methods of how to recover oil when other artificial-lift systems fail.
Realtime Reservoir Fluid Characterization Using High Efficiency Gas Extraction Membrane Technology System and Advanced GC Tracer Chromatograph; A Case Study from East Kuwait Jurassic Reservoir
Authors: Rane Nitin , Ahsan Javed Mohamed , Turkey Shaikha , Datta Kalyanbrat , Al-Nasheet Anwar , Al-Sabea Salem , Al-Mahmeed Fatma , Moustafa Ahmed , Guettal Miloud
Published: October 2017

One of the first sources for formation evaluation while drilling a well is the gas data provided by the mud logging services, that is used increasingly as preliminary real-time reservoir interpretation to identify gas-oil or oil-water contacts, reservoir entry points, lithological changes and other applications.

Gas ratio analysis and interpretation is a very valuable formation evaluation tool for geologists and petrophysicists to characterize the hydrocarbon fluid types and rock properties. Gas ratios when used in combination with wireline or logging while drilling tools can help resolve uncertainties that otherwise could only be resolved by testing a well. Jurassic deeper wells (>11000 ft) with a varying pressure regimes, very often the wireline logging or Logging while drilling (LWD) logs are cancelled due to several drilling related complications especially mud gain/loss situations. In these wells, Gas while drilling becomes a very unique and important tool that can provide significant insight into the reservoir properties. The gases liberated from the formation at the surface helps us determine the composition of the reservoir fluids and also provides information about the lithological changes, water saturation, and the mobility of the hydrocarbons contained into the rock. This broad spectrum of hydrocarbons assisted by the surface gas analyzer allows the separation of producible mobile heavy hydrocarbons from water wet zones. This ability to differentiate allows operators to geosteer a horizontal well in thin units of potential reservoirs by avoiding water bearing zones and staying in producible hydrocarbon zones. The end result is the ability to intersect the maximum amount of net pay in the target zones.

This paper highlights the case studies from deeper reservoirs of East Kuwait where a surface gas logging system employing a semi-permeable membrane extractor coupled with an advanced GC tracer chromatograph detector has been applied in some of wells drilled in Greater Burgan Magwa Marrat limestone reservoir. Advanced gas logging system was deployed in two vertical/deviated wells to characterize the gas ratios for the different units/zones of Marrat reservoir. The zonation from Gas ratio interpretation was validated with the available wireline logging data before using it for planning the horizontal well. The GWD and LWD were performed independently of each other to determine the effectiveness and reliability of the GWD method. GWD in conjunction with LWD was used for the first time in Kuwait to place a horizontal well in a thin (15-20 ft) layer of a deep Marrat reservoir. Use of realtime Gas ratio data and analysis, successfully helped to complete the well as planned high producer.
Application of a Multiple Attribute Decision Making Method to Improve Oil and Gas Field Development Projects
Authors: Passalacqua Herminio , Ortiz-Volcan Jose Luis , Al Einawi Mohamad Hasan , Kadnaji Jamaneh Mostafa , Karam Fatemah
Published: October 2017

This paper presents the application of a Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) method based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a technique developed by Saaty, T.L. (1980, 2008), to improve definition of field development projects at early stages, when facing the challenge of selecting the best development option from multiple alternatives.

In order to rank efficiently various alternatives of development we apply AHP to technical quantitative or qualitative criteria, like EOR options, well types options, facilities options, transport options, operability and reliability, subsurface conditions, as well as economical quantitative parameters, such as Life Cycle Costing (LCC).

The AHP methodology supports decision-making using pairwise comparison of two or more criteria previously established by experts. For the application of this method, it is necessary to decompose the problem into several steps. In this paper, we show how to apply the method for the selection of a development option for a heavy oil field.

AHP applied to Front End Loading (FEL) staged-gate process increases the probability of success in generation of economic return and mitigation of major capital project risks faced during the early stages of the project. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method with respect to other more conventional techniques.

The objective of this work is to introduce the use of the AHP methodology for the FEL screening phase with a simple exercise using information taken from the existing literature. At no time is this intended to be a complete guide for FEL applications.