bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Don Field Subsea Development: Umbilical Strategy and Practical Experiences
Authors: Hall J.H. , Campbell J.J. , Shaw P.G.H.
Published: June 2014

The Don field was developed as a subsea satellite of the Thistle platform and is currently the furthest from the host platform (17.5 km) in the UKCS. The paper presents the umbilical strategy adopted for the first phase of the field development.

The paper also addresses, in particular, problems encountered with the design, manufacture and installation of the electro-hydraulic control umbilical and their successful resolution following an extensive test programme.

INTRODUCTION

The Don field is situated in Block 2ll/18a about 15 km north of BP's Thistle Platform and is in 170 meters water depth. The field is extensively faulted and consists of two main accumulations. These are denoted as Don NE and Don SW with the former having potentially the more prolific reserves. The reserves for both areas were estimated as 56 mmstb. Figure 1 shows the location of the field.

The plan finally adopted was to develop the field using sub sea production techniques tied back to the Thistle Platform. Because of the nature of the reservoir particularly its multiple faults and uncertain reservoir characteristics, the development was to be phased.

Two production wells and a water injection well comprise the first phase. All three wells are located at the Don NE area. The second phase potentially requires up to a further seven wells at Don NE area and three wells at the Don SW area. However, the detailed requirements and their location will be better determined after further reservoir information has been gained from the early phase 1 production experience. Both the production wells incorporate down hole pressure and temperatures gauges to assist in maximizing this information.

The wells are arranged in a cluster around a manifold. This enables the wells to be drilled from one mooring position and allows simultaneous production and drilling and work over. Each tree structure incorporates a valve package containing an additional wing valve designed to take the flow cutting action on tree shut down and a choke. A control module to control and monitor each well isalso located on the tree adjacent to the valve package. The valve package and the control module are independently retrievable without having to recover the tree.

The cluster arrangement proposed for both phases is shown in figure 2. The development is also described in more detail in ref 1.

In order to derive maximum economic benefit from a phased development, Phase 1 equipment was generally limited to that required for the initial stage of the development only and was not extended to accommodate flexibility initially for future development. However, there were areas where the expenditure of very little capital in an early phase was seen to result in significant savings in later phases and it was recognized that the umbilical's satisfied this criteria.
The Applicability of the Ras Tanajib Pile Capacity Method to Long Offshore Piles
Authors: Stevens Robert F. , Al-Shafei Khell A.
Published: June 2014

The applieabfity of the Ras Tanajib pile capacity method to piles driven to penetrations greater than 30 m in the very dense sands of the Safaniya Field of the Arabian Gulf is investigated. Comparisons of observed and predicted blow counts, and measured and computed soil resistances to driving are presented. Blow counts are predicted using procedures recommended by Stevens, Wiltsie, and Turton (1982). The measured soil resistance to driving is the Case- Goble bearing capacity computed using a damping coefficient of 0.20. The computed soil resistance to driving is the lower and upper bound values computed for a plugged pile. CAPWAP analyses are performed at final penetration to confirm pile capacities computed using the Ras Tanajib method.

Introduction

We platforms were recently installed as part of the GOSP- 4 complex in the Safaniya Field of the Arabian Gulf. Design penetrations were selected from pile capacities computed using the Ras Tanajib method, and ranged from 48 to 69 m for the six-pile Accommodation Platform, 59 to 77 m for the eight-pile Tie-In Platform, and 35 to 84 m for the twelve-pile Production Platform. The Flare Bridge Support and Flare Platforms were lightly loaded structures. Previously, the maximum driven pile penetrations in the Safaniya Field were only 28 and 30 m for 36- and 42-in. (0.91- and 1.07-m) -diameter piles, respectively. Pile refusal has occurred at shallow penetrations due to rock layers and cemented zones. Since 1979, of the 41 piles that have refused, 19 were accepted based on the results of pile monitoring, 10 were accepted with a grout plug, 6 were redriven after drilling a pilot hole, one was redriven after removing the soil plug and 5 drilled and grouted insert piles were installed. The average penetration for the piles driven to refusal is 19 m

The Ras Tmusjib Method

Piles driven to shallow penetrations in the Safaniya Field had soil resistances to driving that were as much as 10 times greater than the computed static pile capacity. Because discrepancies of this magnitude were observed, a total of 26 pullout tests were performed in 1982 at eight offshore siteson 20- to 30-in. (0.51- to 0.76-m) -diameter open-ended pipe piles driven to penetrations of 11 to 22 m. Tensile capacities were 2.5 to 6 times greater than the static pile capacity computed using the API method. Wiltsie, Stevens, and Vines (1984) provide additional information. Load tests were performed in 1983 on two 18-m long, 24-ii. (0.61- m) -diameter open-ended pipe piles driven in the very dense sands at Ras Tanajib, A new procedure was developed to compute pile capacity in very dense sands. Helfrich, Wiltsie, COL and A1-Shafei (1985) and A1-Shafei, COL and Helfrich (1994) describe these load tests in more detail. The engineering design parameters adopted by Saudi Aramco for designing piles driven into medium-dense to very dense sand are presented on Table 1. The very dense, over consolidated sand and silty sand typically have cone sleeve resistances greater than 400 kpa.
Recent Research on Properties of Gas Hydrates
Authors: Makogon Yuri F. , Dunlap Wayne A. , Holditch Stephen A.
Published: June 2014

Gas hydrates are metastable minerals whose formation, stable existence and decomposition depend on pressure, temperature and composition of the gas and water.

Gas hydrates are widespread in nature; they exist in sedimentary rocks on land in sub-Arctic regions and in the cold sediments of the ocean at depths of 200 m or more. Potential gas resources concentrated on earth in the hydrate state exceed 1.5 × 1 0 16m3. Although gas hydrates can be a tremendous energy source, they can also be an expensive problem during the drilling and operation of deep wells and during the operation of oil and gas pipelines. Analysis of research results indicates that the properties of hydrate and hydrate saturated sediments remains one of the most important and least studies parts of the hydrate problem. The properties of natural gas hydrates depend on the conditions of formation, dynamics of pressure, temperature in the sediments in geological time, migration of gas-saturated water, structure and hydrate saturation of sediments, position of hydrate-saturated stratum in the hydrate formation zone, supercooling d hydrates, and many other factors.

Recent research results of the authors into the properties of hydrates are discussed with particular reference to the factors mentioned above.

Introduction

Deep drilling and operation of oil and gas wells, and operation of oil and gas pipelines in the deep sea are vastly complicated by the presence of natural gas hydrates.

Gas hydrate is a metastable mineral. Its formation, stable existence and decomposition depend on pressure, temperature, and composition of the gas and water.

Gas hydrates are inclusion compounds, solid solutions, in which water is the solvent. Molecules of water tied together by hydrogen bonds form a space-filling lattice. Mobile molecules of gasses are absorbed or incorporated in the cavities of the water lattice.

Gas hydrates are widespread in nature A in sedimentary rock on land in the sub-Arctic regions and in the cold bottom rock of the ocean at depths of 200-500 m or more. Potential gas resources concentrated on earth in the hydrate state exceed 15x1015m3. Explored reserves of methane in the hydrate state are over 700 trillion m3. Several countries have started research aimed at the discovery and production of gas from offshore gas hydrate deposits. For example, Japan discovered 12 gas hydrate deposits around the Japan islands with total reserves of methane estimated at 6 trillion m3. A program of testing production of gas from the hydrate deposits will start in 1999 (Okuda, 1996). Similar programs have started in India, where potential resources in the Bay of Bengal can be over 60 trillion m3, and in the Ukraine (Black Sea opposite the Crimea) where potential resources are over 25 trillion m3. The amount throughout the entire Black Sea bottom is about 75-100 trillion m3 (Smirnov, 1996).

On one hand, gas hydrate represents a tremendous amount of mineral energy, but on the other hand, a large expensive problem.
Myocarditis in a Traveler Returning from the Dominican Republic: An Unusual Presentation of Dengue Fever
Authors: Zea Diego , Foley Kimberly , Carey Jeanne
Published: June 2014

Myocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of dengue fever. We describe a case of a 69-year-old Hispanic male who presented to an emergency room in New York City 3 days after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic complaining of a 1-day history of chest pain and fever. His first electrocardiogram showed a new left bundle branch block, and initial cardiac enzymes included troponin of 5 ng/dL, creatine kinase-MB of 9 ng/mL, and myoglobin of 234 ng/mL. Dengue fever antibodies were found to be elevated: immunoglobulin M (IgM) titer was 2.48 (reference range < 0.9), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer was 4.26 (reference range < 0.9). The patient was diagnosed with myocarditis caused by dengue fever. He improved after 1 week with conservative management in a telemetry unit and was discharged home.
Sequential Episodes of Dengue—Puerto Rico, 2005–2010
Authors: Sharp Tyler M. , Hunsperger Elizabeth , Muñoz-Jordán Jorge L. , Margolis Harold S. , Tomashek Kay M.
Published: June 2014

Of 53,633 suspected dengue cases reported to a passive dengue surveillance system in Puerto Rico during 2005–2010, 949 individuals were reported on more than one occasion and 21 had laboratory-confirmed dengue on two separate occasions. Median time between illness episodes was 2.9 years (range: 62 days–5.3 years). Seventeen (81%) individuals with sequential episodes of dengue were male, and seven (33%) were adults. All 21 individuals experienced one episode and seven (33%) individuals experienced both episodes during a large epidemic that occurred in 2010. These observations show that heterotypic dengue virus immunity that protects against illness may have considerable variability but typically does not last longer than 3 years.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency A− Variant in Febrile Patients in Haiti
Authors: Carter Tamar E. , Maloy Halley , von Fricken Michael , St. Victor Yves , Romain Jean R. , Okech Bernard A. , Mulligan Connie J.
Published: June 2014

Haiti is one of two remaining malaria-endemic countries in the Caribbean. To decrease malaria transmission in Haiti, primaquine was recently added to the malaria treatment public health policy. One limitation of primaquine is that, at certain doses, primaquine can cause hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (G6PDd). In this study, we genotyped two mutations (A376G and G202A), which confer the most common G6PDd variant in West African populations, G6PDd A−. We estimated the frequency of G6PDd A− in a sample of febrile patients enrolled in an on-going malaria study who represent a potential target population for a primaquine mass drug administration. We found that 33 of 168 individuals carried the G6PDd A− allele (includes A− hemizygous males, A− homozygous or heterozygous females) and could experience toxicity if treated with primaquine. These data inform discussions on safe and effective primaquine dosing and future malaria elimination strategies for Haiti.
A model of the methane cycle, permafrost, and hydrology of the Siberian continental margin
Authors: Archer D.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. A two-dimensional model of a passive continental margin was adapted to the simulation of the methane cycle on Siberian continental shelf and slope, attempting to account for the impacts of glacial/interglacial cycles in sea level, alternately exposing the continental shelf to freezing conditions with deep permafrost formation during glacial times, and immersion in the ocean in interglacial times. The model is used to gauge the impact of the glacial cycles, and potential anthropogenic warming in the deep future, on the atmospheric methane emission flux, and the sensitivities of that flux to processes such as permafrost formation and terrestrial organic carbon (Yedoma) deposition. Hydrological forcing drives a freshening and ventilation of pore waters in areas exposed to the atmosphere, which is not quickly reversed by invasion of seawater upon submergence, since there is no analogous saltwater pump. This hydrological pump changes the salinity enough to affect the stability of permafrost and methane hydrates on the shelf. Permafrost formation inhibits bubble transport through the sediment column, by construction in the model. The impact of permafrost on the methane budget is to replace the bubble flux by offshore groundwater flow containing dissolved methane, rather than accumulating methane for catastrophic release when the permafrost seal fails during warming. By far the largest impact of the glacial/interglacial cycles on the atmospheric methane flux is attenuation by dissolution of bubbles in the ocean when sea level is high. Methane emissions are highest during the regression (soil freezing) part of the cycle, rather than during transgression (thawing). The model-predicted methane flux to the atmosphere in response to a warming climate is small, relative to the global methane production rate, because of the ongoing flooding of the continental shelf. A slight increase due to warming could be completely counteracted by sea level rise on geologic time scales, decreasing the efficiency of bubble transit through the water column. The methane cycle on the shelf responds to climate change on a long time constant of thousands of years, because hydrate is excluded thermodynamically from the permafrost zone by water limitation, leaving the hydrate stability zone at least 300 m below the sediment surface.
Immobilized photocatalyst on stainless steel woven meshes assuring efficient light distribution in a solar reactor
Authors: El-Kalliny A. S. , Ahmed S. F. , Rietveld L. C. , Appel P. W.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. An immobilized TiO2 photocatalyst with a high specific surface area was prepared on stainless steel woven meshes in order to be used packed in layers for water purification. Immobilization of such a complex shape needs a special coating technique. For this purpose, dip coating and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) techniques were used. The EPD technique gave the TiO2 coating films a better homogeneity and adhesion, fewer cracks, and a higher ·OH formation than the dip coating technique. The woven mesh structure packed in layers guaranteed an efficient light-penetration in water treatment reactor. A simple equation model was used to describe the distribution of light through the mesh layers in the presence of absorbing medium (e.g., colored water with humic acids). Maximum three or four coated meshes were enough to harvest the solar UV light from 300 nm to 400 nm with a high penetration efficiency. The separation distance between the mesh layers played an important role in the efficiency of solar light penetration through the coated mesh layers, especially in case of colored water contaminated with high concentrations of humic acid.
Implementation and scaling of the fully coupled Terrestrial Systems Modeling Platform (TerrSysMP) in a massively parallel supercomputing environment – a case study on JUQUEEN (IBM Blue Gene/Q)
Authors: Gasper F. , Goergen K. , Kollet S. , Shrestha P. , Sulis M. , Rihani J. , Geimer M.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Continental-scale hyper-resolution simulations constitute a grand challenge in characterizing non-linear feedbacks of states and fluxes of the coupled water, energy, and biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial systems. Tackling this challenge requires advanced coupling and supercomputing technologies for earth system models that are discussed in this study, utilizing the example of the implementation of the newly developed Terrestrial Systems Modeling Platform (TerrSysMP) on JUQUEEN (IBM Blue Gene/Q) of the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Germany. The applied coupling strategies rely on the Multiple Program Multiple Data (MPMD) paradigm and require memory and load balancing considerations in the exchange of the coupling fields between different component models and allocation of computational resources, respectively. These considerations can be reached with advanced profiling and tracing tools leading to the efficient use of massively parallel computing environments, which is then mainly determined by the parallel performance of individual component models. However, the problem of model I/O and initialization in the peta-scale range requires major attention, because this constitutes a true big data challenge in the perspective of future exa-scale capabilities, which is unsolved.
Work area monitoring in dynamic environments using multiple auto-aligning 3-D sensors
Authors: Wang Y. , Ewert D. , Meisen T. , Schilberg D. , Jeschke S.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Compared to current industry standards future production systems will be more flexible and robust and will adapt to unforeseen states and events. Industrial robots will interact with each other as well as with human coworkers. To be able to act in such a dynamic environment, each acting entity ideally needs complete knowledge of its surroundings, concerning working materials as well as other working entities. Therefore new monitoring methods providing complete coverage for complex and changing working areas are needed. While single 3-D sensors already provide detailed information within their field of view, complete coverage of a complete work area can only be achieved by relying on a multitude of these sensors. However, to provide useful information all data of each sensor must be aligned to each other and fused into an overall world picture. To be able to align the data correctly, the position and orientation of each sensor must be known with sufficient exactness. In a quickly changing dynamic environment, the positions of sensors are not fixed, but must be adjusted to maintain optimal coverage. Therefore, the sensors need to autonomously align themselves in real time. This can be achieved by adding defined markers with given geometrical patterns to the environment which can be used for calibration and localization of each sensor. As soon as two sensors detect the same markers, their relative position to each other can be calculated. Additional anchor markers at fixed positions serve as global reference points for the base coordinate system. In this paper we present a prototype for a self-aligning monitoring system based on a robot operating system (ROS) and Microsoft Kinect. This system is capable of autonomous real-time calibration relative to and with respect to a global coordinate system as well as to detect and track defined objects within the working area.
A mathematical model to estimate the volume of grey water of pesticide mixtures
Authors: Paraiba Lourival Costa , Pazianotto Ricardo A. Almeida , Luiz Alfredo J. Barreto , Maia Aline de Holanda Nunes , Jonsson Claudio Martin
Published: June 2014

The usual method to calculate grey water footprint does not take into account the volume of water required to dilute concentrations of pesticide mixtures in freshwater and it also depends on maximum concentration limit acceptable in water. We propose a model to estimate the grey water footprint of crops by calculating the volume of water necessary to dilute pesticide mixtures reaching freshwaters. The model requires short-term toxicity data from aquatic organisms based on EC50 values, soil pesticide half-life and soil sorption coefficient values, and does not require maximum concentration limit acceptable in water. The lixiviation rate and runoff rate of each pesticide was estimated by attenuation factor and by Soilfug model, respectively. The usefulness of the proposed model was illustrated by estimating the volume of grey water required to dilute the 17 most widely used herbicides in sugarcane crops of Brazil. The grey water footprint corresponding to the recommended agronomic dose for each herbicide varied between 4.20×106 m3 yr-1 and 1.20×1012 m3 yr-1 and the grey water footprint of the mixture of herbicides was 2.36×1012 m3 yr-1 in a cultivated area of 8.4×106 ha. These results establish the ranking position of each herbicide in the composition of the grey water footprint of mixture of herbicides. The rank of each herbicide could be used to create a label to be placed on the package of the pesticide, thus informing farmers about the volume of grey water per hectare due to the use of this herbicide.
Predictive ability of machine learning methods for massive crop yield prediction
Authors: Gonzalez-Sanchez Alberto , Frausto-Solis Juan , Ojeda-Bustamante Waldo
Published: June 2014

An important issue for agricultural planning purposes is the accurate yield estimation for the numerous crops involved in the planning. Machine learning (ML) is an essential approach for achieving practical and effective solutions for this problem. Many comparisons of ML methods for yield prediction have been made, seeking for the most accurate technique. Generally, the number of evaluated crops and techniques is too low and does not provide enough information for agricultural planning purposes. This paper compares the predictive accuracy of ML and linear regression techniques for crop yield prediction in ten crop datasets. Multiple linear regression, M5-Prime regression trees, perceptron multilayer neural networks, support vector regression and k-nearest neighbor methods were ranked. Four accuracy metrics were used to validate the models: the root mean square error (RMS), root relative square error (RRSE), normalized mean absolute error (MAE), and correlation factor (R). Real data of an irrigation zone of Mexico were used for building the models. Models were tested with samples of two consecutive years. The results show that M5-Prime and k-nearest neighbor techniques obtain the lowest average RMSE errors (5.14 and 4.91), the lowest RRSE errors (79.46% and 79.78%), the lowest average MAE errors (18.12% and 19.42%), and the highest average correlation factors (0.41 and 0.42). Since M5-Prime achieves the largest number of crop yield models with the lowest errors, it is a very suitable tool for massive crop yield prediction in agricultural planning.
GIS-based assessment of land suitability for alfalfa cultivation: a case study in the dry continental steppes of northern China
Authors: Deng Fei , Li Xiaobing , Wang Hong , Zhang Meng , Li Ruihua , Li Xu
Published: June 2014

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most valuable perennial forage grass in northern China. We selected 12 ecological criteria and 4 socioeconomic criteria to calculate the suitability of land for alfalfa cultivation in the Xilingol League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. We combined ecological suitability assessment with fuzzy analysis to standardize the criteria. We used the analytical hierarchy process to determine the weight of these criteria, and used multi-criterion decision analysis (MCDA) to aggregate the criteria. We then calculated the suitability score for each evaluation unit. The suitability was divided into highly, moderately, and marginally suitable, or unsuitable, using the geoprocessing module of ArcGIS 9.3 according to the FAO land suitability classification. We found that highly suitable areas covered 10,799.84 km2, accounting for 5.3% of the total area, and unsuitable areas covered 99,235.87 km2, accounting for 48.9% of the total area. Combining the fuzzy analysis method with the theory of ecological suitability and the MCDA method to evaluate the suitability of land for alfalfa cultivation provided insights that can guide decisionmakers and farmers to make more practical and scientific decisions.
Salinity contamination response to changes in irrigation management. Application of geochemical codes
Authors: Garcia-Garizabal Iker , Gimeno Maria J. , Auque Luis F. , Causape Jesus
Published: June 2014

Salinity contamination caused by irrigation has been widely studied but the analysis of geochemical processes regarding agronomic variables has not adequately been considered yet. The research presented here analyzes the influence of changes in irrigation management on salinity contamination, through the use of geochemical modeling techniques, in an agricultural basin during the hydrological year of 2001 and within the period 2005-2008. The results indicate that the changes implemented in irrigation management reduced the masses of salts exported in 72%, although water salinity increased by 25% (this salinity level does not restrict its use for irrigation). The different ionic ratios in drainage water, the results of the salinity balances, and the results of geochemical calculations (mass balances and speciation-solubility) indicate, mainly, precipitation of calcite, dissolution of gypsum and halite and cation exchange. The salt contamination index decreased from approximately 70% to levels close to those presented in modern irrigation areas, indicating that the changes in irrigation management were effective. Petrocalcic genesis and punctual sodification of soils can constitute an agroenvironmental problem that requires adequate management of irrigation and drainage considering future modernization of irrigation areas.
Deep percolation in greenhouse-cultivated celery using the technique of subsurface film strips placement
Authors: Du Zhida , Shao Longtan , Ma Mingchao
Published: June 2014

To reduce the deep percolation during greenhouse vegetable cultivation, the technique of subsurface film strips placement was tested. Four treatments with two kinds of cross-sections (flat and U-shaped) and two different spacings (10 cm and 40 cm) of subsurface film strips were arranged in a greenhouse before planting celery. At the same time, a non-film treatment was arranged for comparison. Soil water content was measured and irrigation time was adjusted according to the soil water content. Evapotranspiration of celery during growth was calculated by the method of energy balance and the deep percolation was calculated by the equation of water balance. Deep percolation was reduced in all experimental treatments. Greater reduction in deep percolation was observed when using U-shaped cross-section strips compared with that using the flat cross-section strips. In addition, greater reduction in deep percolation was observed when the spacing between the film strips was smaller. The results of this test showed that the technique of subsurface film strips placement can reduce deep percolation and conserve irrigation water for greenhouse vegetables cultivation. However, the optimal layout variables for the use of the technique of subsurface film strips placement need further experimental and numerical analysis.
Short communication. First field assessment of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki aerial application on the colony performance of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Leza Salord Maria del Mar , Llado Gregori , Petro Ana Belen , Alemany Ana
Published: June 2014

Honeybee populations around the world are experiencing a decrease in colony numbers probably due to a combination of different causes, such as diseases, poor nutrition and frequent applications of insecticides to control pests. Previous studies about the effect of pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) on Apis mellifera L. report different results. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of field aerial applications of Btk on bee colony performance, specifically on the brood cell percentage evolution, which can be used as an indicator of queen health and brood development breeding rates. To achieve it, the brood cell surface was photographed in every sampling, and data were analyzed using a method based on image treatment software. A total of 480 pictures were examined from two groups of four nucleus hives in two areas, one receiving aerial spraying with Btk and the other without treatment. A mixed factorial design was realized to analyse the data showing no differences in colony performance between the two groups of colonies either before the treatment, during and at the end of the assay. Furthermore, the brood surface ratio of Btk-treated/untreated increased along the experiment. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that Btk aerial applications did not affect the brood development of honeybees under natural conditions. Nevertheless further field studies are required to ascertain a safe use of Btk in forest pest management.
Metabolic level recognition of progesterone in dairy Holstein cows using probabilistic models
Authors: Turino Ludmila N. , Cristaldi Mariano D. , Mariano Rodolfo N. , Boimvaser Sonia , Scandolo Daniel E.
Published: June 2014

Administration of exogenous progesterone is widely used in hormonal protocols for estrous (re)synchronization of dairy cattle without regarding pharmacological issues for dose calculation. This happens because it is difficult to estimate the metabolic level of progesterone for each individual cow before administration. In the present contribution, progesterone pharmacokinetics has been determined in lactating Holstein cows with different milk production yields. A Bayesian approach has been implemented to build two probabilistic progesterone pharmacokinetic models for high and low yield dairy cows. Such models are based on a one-compartment Hill structure. Posterior probabilistic models have been structurally set up and parametric probability density functions have been empirically estimated. Moreover, a global sensitivity analysis has been done to know sensitivity profile of each model. Finally, posterior probabilistic models have adequately recognized cow’s progesterone metabolic level in a validation set when Kullback-Leibler based indices were used. These results suggest that milk yield may be a good index for estimating pharmacokinetic level of progesterone.
Consensus Statements on the Assessment of Older Drivers
Authors: Hogan David B. , Scialfa Charles T. , Caird Jeff K.
Published: June 2014

BackgroundThe rapidly increasing number of older drivers is accentuating the challenges in concurrently identifying older drivers posing an unacceptable risk if they continue to drive, while not discriminating against those capable of safely driving. Attendees of an invitational meeting about the assessment of older drivers were asked to participate in a modified Delphi process designed to develop consensus statements on the assessment of older drivers.MethodsForty-one non-student symposium attendees were invited to participate in two rounds of a survey, in which they were asked to indicate their level of agreement (or disagreement) on a five-point Likert scale to a series of statements about the assessment of older drivers. Consensus was defined as 80% + of respondents either agreeing or disagreeing with a statement.ResultsMore than one-half (n = 23) completed the first round of the survey and 12 participated in the second. There was consensus on the need for a modifiable, fair, rational, and widely accessible multi-step approach to the assessment of older drivers. This would require the engagement and support of physicians and other health-care practitioners in identifying and reporting medically at-risk drivers of any age. At a societal level, alternatives to driving a personal motor vehicle should be developed.ConclusionsAn on-going dialogue about this complex issue is required. Decisions should be based on explicitly stated principles and informed by the best available evidence.
Geriatric Rehabilitation Patients’ Perceptions of Unit Dining Locations
Authors: Baptiste Françoise , Egan Mary , Dubouloz-Wilner Claire-Jehanne
Published: June 2014

BackgroundEating together is promoted among hospitalized seniors to improve their nutrition. This study aimed to understand geriatric patients’ perceptions regarding meals in a common dining area versus at the bedside.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted. Openended questions were asked of eight patients recruited from a geriatric rehabilitation unit where patients had a choice of meal location.ResultsEating location was influenced by compliance with the perceived rules of the unit, physical and emotional well-being, and quarantine orders. Certain participants preferred eating in the common dining room where they had more assistance from hospital staff, a more attractive physical environment, and the opportunity to socialize. However, other participants preferred eating at their bedsides, feeling the quality of social interaction was poor in the dining room.ConclusionsParticipants’ experiences of, and preferences for, communal dining differed. If the benefits of communal dining are to be maximized, different experiences of this practice must be considered.
Les unions endogames transnationales des descendants d’immigrés en France
Authors: Santelli Emmanuelle , Collet Beate
Published: June 2014

Étudiant les options conjugales des descendants d’immigrés nés ou ayant grandi en France et dont les parents sont originaires du Maghreb, de Turquie et d’Afrique sahélienne, notre étude révèle qu’une partie d’entre eux se marie avec des immigrés, originaires des pays de leurs parents. Cet article tente de discerner les caractéristiques sociales et culturelles de ces couples endogames transnationaux par rapport aux autres options conjugales possibles. Les résultats présentés se fondent d’une part sur l’exploitation statistique de l’enquêteTrajectoires et origines(INED/INSEE 2008) et, d’autre part, sur une série d’entretiens biographiques réalisés en 2007. L’option conjugale à l’étude semble attester une préférence pour un entre-soi communautaire, assurant une certaine continuité générationnelle et maintenant une conception statutaire des rôles de chacun. Tout se passe comme si ce qui ressemble à des préférences culturelles était la conséquence des conditions sociales de ces descendants d’immigrés, à savoir l’absence de diplôme, la précarité de l’emploi et un lieu d’habitation dans un quartier ségrégué.
Effect of a 2-Week Trial of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Gait Function and Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Downing Abbey , Van Ryn David , Fecko Anne , Aiken Christopher , McGowan Sean , Sawers Sarah , McInerny Thomas , Moore Katie , Passariello Louis , Rogers Helen
Published: June 2014

Background: Footdrop is a common gait deviation in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) leading to impaired gait and balance as well as decreased functional mobility. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) provides an alternative to the current standard of care for footdrop, an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). FES stimulates the peroneal nerve and activates the dorsiflexor muscles, producing an active toe clearance and a more normal gait. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of a 2-week FES Home Assessment Program on gait speed, perceived walking ability, and quality of life (QOL) among people with MS-related footdrop.

Methods: Participants completed the Timed 25-Foot Walk test (T25FW) and two self-report measures: 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) and 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). Measures were taken without FES before and with FES after 2 weeks of full-time FES wear.

Results: A total of 19 participants (10 female, 9 male) completed the study; mean age and duration of disease were 51.77 ± 10.16 and 9.01 ± 7.90 years, respectively. Use of FES for 2 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in time to complete the T25FW (P < .0001), the MSWS-12 standardized score (P < .0001), and the MSIS-29 total (P < .0001), Physical subscale (P < .0001), and Psychological subscale (P = .0006) scores.

Conclusions: These results suggest that use of FES can significantly improve gait speed, decrease the impact of MS on walking ability, and improve QOL in people with MS-related footdrop even over a short period of time.
A Systematic Review of Stress-Management Interventions for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Reynard Alison K. , Sullivan Amy Burleson , Rae-Grant Alexander
Published: June 2014

Background: The objective of this study was to identify stress-management interventions used for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and systematically evaluate the efficacy of these interventions.

Methods: Several strategies were used to search for studies reported in articles published up to 2013.

Results: Our initial search retrieved 117 publications, of which 8 met our criteria for review. Of the eight studies, one provided Class I evidence, five provided Class III evidence, and two provided Class IV evidence for the efficacy of stress-management interventions according to the evidence classification established by the American Academy of Neurology. Most studies showed positive changes in outcomes assessed; however, the range of methodological quality among the published studies made it difficult to draw conclusions.

Conclusions: The promising findings for stress-management interventions highlight the need for future studies. Additional large, prospective, multicenter studies will help to define the role of stress-management interventions in the treatment and course of MS. Furthermore, including outcome measures based on biological and clinical markers of disease will prove useful in understanding potential underlying mechanisms.
In Defence of Methodological Nationalism: Immigrants and the Irish Nation-State
Authors: Fanning Bryan
Published: June 2014

The focus of this article is on tensions between transnationalism and methodological nationalism in the sociology of immigration, with reference to sociological analyses of the Irish case. Cosmopolitans, critical theorists and others who emphasis global interdependences, inequalities and risks see the focus on the nation-state as deeply flawed. The case for sociological transnationalism is that it addresses lives lived at odds with borders, nation-state containers and the cages of national identities. It challenges perceptions that the nation-state, a relatively new human invention, is natural, inevitable or static. However, both nationalism and ethnicity have persisted as categorical identities invoked by elites and other participants in political and social struggles and need to be still taken seriously.
Náisiúnachas Leamh i ‘Bpobal Inbhuanaithe’ in Aice le Teorainn na Fraince Agus na Gearmáine
Authors: Watson Iarfhlaith
Published: June 2014

Níl an tírghrá go hiomlán difriúil leis an náisiúnachas, is cineál náisiúnachais é. D'fhéadfá a rá gur cineál náisiúnachas fuar nó leamh (‘banal’) é an tírghrá. Sa Ghearmáin, in áiteanna agus ar ócáidí a mbeifí ag súil le siombailí an náisiúin a bheith ann go leamh, níl siad ann ar chor ar bith, nó tá siad íoslaghdaithe d'aon turas. Ach fós cuirtear náisiúin i láthair leis an bhfhianaise is fearr dá bhfuil ar fáil i na rudaí a mó a mbíonn bród ar an náisiún astu. Cé nach bhfuil an siombalachas soiléir iontu seo tugann na rudaí sin tacaíocht leamh don bhród náisiúnta agus tá an cumas iontu a bheith ina siombailí náisiúnta sa chás go dtiocfadh an náisiúnachas te i gceist. Sa pháipéar seo pléitear ceantar éiceolaíoch sa Ghearmáin mar shampla de na cineálacha siombailí folaigh seo.
Polemic and Apocalyptic in the Cromwellian Invasion of Scotland
Authors: Gribben Crawford
Published: June 2014

This article describes the culture of print and polemic associated with the Cromwellian invasion of Scotland and the resistance of the Church of Scotland. It argues that print solidified Parliamentary ideas during the invasion but that it did not continue to do so after English dominance had been established. These texts illustrate the divisions between the mentalité of the Cromwellian rank-and-file and that of the rather small and probably unrepresentative body of opinion formers who sought to control and represent it.
Symmetric exchange of multi-protein building blocks between stationary focal adhesions and the cytosol
Authors: Hoffmann Jan-Erik , Fermin Yessica , Stricker Ruth LO , Ickstadt Katja , Zamir Eli
Published: June 2014

How can the integrin adhesome get self-assembled locally, rapidly, and correctly as diverse cell-matrix adhesion sites? Here, we investigate this question by exploring the cytosolic state of integrin-adhesome components and their dynamic exchange between adhesion sites and cytosol. Using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) we found that the integrin adhesome is extensively pre-assembled already in the cytosol as multi-protein building blocks for adhesion sites. Stationary focal adhesions release symmetrically the same types of protein complexes that they recruit, thereby keeping the cytosolic pool of building blocks spatiotemporally uniform. We conclude a model in which multi-protein building blocks enable rapid and modular self-assembly of adhesion sites and symmetric exchange of these building blocks preserves their specifications and thus the assembly logic of the system.
Sex-specific processing of social cues in the medial amygdala
Authors: Bergan Joseph F , Ben-Shaul Yoram , Dulac Catherine
Published: June 2014

Animal–animal recognition within, and across species, is essential for predator avoidance and social interactions. Despite its essential role in orchestrating responses to animal cues, basic principles of information processing by the vomeronasal system are still unknown. The medial amygdala (MeA) occupies a central position in the vomeronasal pathway, upstream of hypothalamic centers dedicated to defensive and social responses. We have characterized sensory responses in the mouse MeA and uncovered emergent properties that shed new light onto the transformation of vomeronasal information into sex- and species-specific responses. In particular, we show that the MeA displays a degree of stimulus selectivity and a striking sexually dimorphic sensory representation that are not observed in the upstream relay of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the development of sexually dimorphic circuits in the MeA requires steroid signaling near the time of puberty to organize the functional representation of sensory stimuli.
Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Middle Ear Effusion Following Acute Otitis Media in Young Children: A Pilot Study
Authors: Steele Karen M. , Carreiro Jane E. , Viola Judith Haug , Conte Josephine A. , Ridpath Lance C.
Published: June 2014

Context:Childhood acute otitis media (AOM) is highly prevalent. Its usual sequela of middle ear effusion (MEE) can lead to conductive hearing loss, for which surgery is commonly used.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of an osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) protocol on MEE resolution following an episode of AOM. The authors hypothesized that OMT provided adjunctively to standard care for young children with AOM would reduce the duration of MEE following the onset of AOM.

Methods:We compared standard care only (SCO) and standard care plus OMT (SC+OMT) for the duration of MEE following AOM. Patients were aged 6 months to 2 years. The SC+OMT group received OMT during 3 weekly visits. Weekly tympanometric and acoustic reflectometer (AR) readings were obtained from all patients.

Results:There were 52 patients enrolled, with 43 completing the study and 9 dropping out. No demographic differences were noted. Only ears from each patient with abnormal tympanograms at entry were included. There were 76 ears in the tympanogram analysis (38 from SCO; 38 from SC+OMT) and 61 ears in the AR data analysis (31 from SCO; 30 from SC+OMT). Dependence of bilateral ear disease noted in AR readings was accounted for in statistical analysis. Tympanogram data demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in MEE at visit 3 in patients in the SC+OMT group (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.16, 7.62; χ2test for independence,P=.02). The AR data analysis showed statistically significant improvement at visit 3 for the SC+OMT group (z=2.05;P=.02). There was no statistically significant change in MEE before or immediately after the OMT protocol.

Conclusion:A standardized OMT protocol administered adjunctively with standard care for patients with AOM may result in faster resolution of MEE following AOM than standard treatment alone. (ClinicalTrials.govnumber NCT00520039.)
Osteopathic Approach to Sacroiliac Dysfunction in a Patient With Steroid Myopathy: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kohns David J. , Fitch David S.
Published: June 2014

Long-term steroid use has a well-documented risk of myopathy that imposes functional limitations for patients and challenges for health care providers. Proximal weakness from steroid myopathy affects support structures around the pelvic girdle and likely predisposes patients to somatic dysfunction. To the authors' knowledge, there are no prior reports in the literature that describe an osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) approach for patients with steroid myopathy. In the present case report, a 59-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia received a blood stem cell transplantation and developed gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease. High-dose steroids were prescribed, and she developed proximal weakness from steroid myopathy. The patient's acute inpatient rehabilitation was impacted by new onset left sacroiliac dysfunction. A patient-focused OMM approach was used to assist the patient in maximizing her sacroiliac function. The proximal weakness seen with steroid myopathy necessitates special considerations for an OMM approach to address somatic dysfunction associated with this disease.
Direct Measurement of Intracellular Pressure
Authors: Petrie Ryan J. , Koo Hyun
Published: June 2014

A method to directly measure the intracellular pressure of adherent, migrating cells is described in this unit. This approach is based on the servo‐null method where a microelectrode is introduced into the cell to directly measure the physical pressure of the cytoplasm. We also describe the initial calibration of the microelectrode, as well as the application of the method to cells migrating inside three‐dimensional (3‐D) extracellular matrix (ECM). Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 63:12.9.1‐12.9.9. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.