bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
John Rae (1813–93): Explorer of the Canadian Arctic, the great pedestrian
Authors: Loosmore Brian
Published: December 2009

Born and raised in the Orkney Islands, Dr John Rae joined the Hudson's Bay Company and rose to be Chief Factor. Unusually tough and intelligent, he explored much of northern Canada, mapping the north eastern shore and finding controversial evidence of the lost Franklin expedition of 1845. A talented botanist, geologist, anthropologist and cartographer, he was northern Canada's most distinguished explorer.
Characterizing Hospitalizations of End-Stage Renal Disease Patients on Dialysis and Inpatient Utilization of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Therapy
Authors: Brophy Donald F , Daniel Gregory , Gitlin Matthew , Mayne Tracy J
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND

In 2006, there were over 350,000 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving dialysis therapy. Studies have found that hemoglobin concentrations are often low among dialysis patients after hospital discharge, yet little is known about inpatient anemia treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize hospitalizations among patients with ESRD on dialysis, specifically, inpatient utilization of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, retrospective study of claims data from 5 commercial health plans for the years 2004–2006 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included 1 or more ESRD-specific International Classification of Diseases Ninth Edition (ICD-9) codes, 3 or more ESRD-specific Current Procedural Terminology/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (CPT/HCPCS) procedures on different days, or 3 or more dialysis ICD-9 codes or CPT/HCPCS dialysis procedures on separate days. ESRD patient and hospital characteristics were outlined.

RESULTS

ESRD patients were hospitalized an average of 1.8 times in both 2004–2005 and 2005–2006. The mean ± SD hospital length of stay (LOS) was 13.3 ± 20.5 and 12.8 ± 19.0 days for 2004–2005 and 2005–2006, respectively. For each year, LOS greater than 7 days occurred in 44% of hospitalizations. Many of these patients were admitted for kidney-related comorbidities and ultimately received procedures and services relevant to dialysis care. For each year, ESA utilization was 13% in year 1 and 11% in year 2 across any LOS. For ESRD patients with a 4- to 7-day LOS (the most common LOS), less than 20% received ESA treatment. ESA utilization increased correspondingly with longer hospital LOS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although ESRD patients are commonly hospitalized and claims recognize that kidney-related conditions exist, the utilization of ESAs is low.
Mother-child agreement and its influencing factors in children with and without depression
Authors: Kiss Enikő
Published: December 2009

Az anya-gyerek egyezést és befolyásoló tényezőit vizsgáltam depressziós és nem depressziós gyermekpopulációkban.
Célkitűzés:
Hipotézisek: a gyermek neme és életkora, az anya depressziója befolyásolja az egyezést; a depressziós gyermekek szülei alacsonyabb életminőséget jeleznek gyermekeiknél; életminőséggel kapcsolatos egyezés jobb idősebb és nem depressziós gyermekeknél.
Módszer:
Depressziós gyermekek (
N
= 354) átlagéletkora 11,69 év (sd: 2,05), nem depressziós minta (
N
= 1695) átlagéletkora 10,34 év (sd: 2,19) volt. Pszichiátriai diagnózist félig strukturált kérdőívvel, depressziós tüneteket és életminőséget önkitöltős kérdőívekkel mértem.
Eredmények:
Anya-gyerek egyezés a gyermek depressziós tüneteiről nőtt a gyermek életkorának emelkedésével. Anya-fiú beszámolók szignifikáns különbséget mutattak, anya-lány párok véleménye hasonló volt. Depressziós anyák súlyosabb tüneteket jelöltek gyermekeiknek. Depressziós gyermekek szülei alacsonyabb életminőséget gondoltak gyermekeiknél. Az egyezést befolyásolta a gyermek depressziója.
Következtetések:
A gyermek életkora, az alany pszichiátriai betegsége befolyásolja az egyezést. A gyakorlat számára fontos ezen tényezők ismerete.
Treatment of Methotrexate Intoxication with Various Modalities of Continuous Extracorporeal Therapy and Glucarpidase
Authors: Vilay A. Mary , Mueller Bruce A. , Haines Hilary , Alten Jeffery A. , Askenazi David J.
Published: December 2009

Methotrexate, administered for treatment of pediatric and adult malignancies, is a direct renal toxin, which can lead to renal dysfunction, decreased methotrexate clearance, elevated methotrexate concentrations, and systemic toxicity. Although plasma methotrexate concentrations have been shown to decline precipitously after a single dose of glucarpidase, this drug is investigational and available only through compassionate use. Therefore, alternative treatments for methotrexate removal may be required. We describe a 13‐year‐old girl (body surface area 1.2 m2) with osteosarcoma who was treated with high‐dose methotrexate 12 g/m2 infused over 4 hours. Forty‐eight hours after the infusion, her plasma methotrexate concentrations were elevated at 446 μmol/L. She exhibited severe signs of methotrexate toxicity, including encephalopathy, liver failure, and acute kidney injury, and could not tolerate conventional hemodialysis. Over the next 12 days, the patient was treated with continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD), single‐pass albumin dialysis (SPAD), continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), and glucarpidase to enhance methotrexate elimination. Compared with standard CVVHD, SPAD did not significantly increase methotrexate removal as measured by elimination half‐life and methotrexate saturation coefficient. The highest clearance rate among extracorporeal therapies was achieved by CVVHDF, with an effluent rate of 4950 ml/hour. The patient's clinical condition steadily improved, and all extracorporeal therapies were stopped 168 hours after methotrexate administration. The patient was discharged home and continued with chemotherapy, including methotrexate, which was dosed based on iothalamate glomerular filtration rates on the day before infusion. Although extracorporeal treatments appeared to enhance methotrexate clearance, the administration of glucarpidase resulted in the most rapid percentage decline (86%) in methotrexate concentration. Until glucarpidase is readily available, intermittent hemodialysis should be used to enhance methotrexate clearance. If the patient is unable to tolerate hemodialysis, use of CVVHDF with maximum effluent rates will enhance methotrexate clearance.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated with Vardenafil
Authors: Snodgrass Amanda J. , Campbell Heather M. , Mace David L. , Faria Victoria L. , Swanson Kathleen M. , Holodniy Mark
Published: December 2009

The phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE‐5) inhibitors—sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil—are used primarily in erectile dysfunction, but sildenafil is also indicated for pulmonary hypertension. Common adverse effects of vardenafil include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, dyspepsia, and nausea. Recently, PDE‐5 inhibitors have been associated with adverse vision effects, and emerging evidence now indicates that they may also be responsible for hearing changes and hearing loss. We describe a patient who developed unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss possibly related to the use of vardenafil for erectile dysfunction. To our knowledge, only one other case of hearing loss related to this drug class has been published. Our patient was a 57‐year‐old man who came to the emergency department with right‐sided mild‐to‐moderate hearing loss in the 500–3000‐Hz range, confirmed by audiogram, that occurred after ingestion of vardenafil. The patient was hospitalized 2 days later for administration of intravenous dexamethasone, followed by oral prednisone. He reported that his hearing had improved on the fourth hospital day and was discharged 3 days later, continuing to taper the prednisone on an outpatient basis. A repeat audiogram after 10 days of corticosteroid therapy confirmed that his hearing in the 500–3000‐Hz range was within normal limits. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a possible (score of 3) adverse reaction of sudden sensorineural hearing loss associated with vardenafil consumption. We also performed an analysis of hearing loss cases related to PDE‐5 inhibitors in the United States Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System database to compare the characteristics of our patient with those of other reported adverse event cases. Based on the temporal relation of the sudden sensorineural hearing loss to this patient's drug consumption, we propose that the vardenafil is a likely cause of the hearing loss. This case provides further evidence that PDE‐5 inhibitor consumption should be considered as a possible cause in patients presenting with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Mercaptopurine‐Induced Fever: Hypersensitivity Reaction in a Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Chen Lei Jia , Nightingale Ginah , Baer Maria R.
Published: December 2009

The antimetabolite mercaptopurine is commonly used as part of treatment regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and as treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases. Adverse effects associated with mercaptopurine include myelosuppression, hepatotoxicity, and hyperpigmentation. We describe a 36‐ year‐old man with Philadelphia chromosome‐negative pre‐B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who experienced a serious mercaptopurine‐induced hypersensitivity reaction requiring prolonged hospitalization and extensive laboratory testing and imaging. He was treated with a multiagent chemotherapy regimen. Mercaptopurine 60 mg/m2 /day orally was started as part of his third course of chemotherapy. On day 9 of mercaptopurine therapy, the patient developed persistent fevers, skaking chills, and rigors that persisted in the absence of documented infection, consistent with drug fever. All symptoms and signs resolved after discontinuation of mercaptopurine. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated a probable relationship between the patient's development of fever and mercaptopurine therapy. Mercaptopurine‐induced fever has been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, but this case report is the first, to our knowledge, in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Health care professionals should be aware of the possible development of fever as a hypersensitivity reaction in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with mercaptopurine.
Rewards and Advancements for Clinical Pharmacists
Authors: Goodwin S. Diane , Kane‐Gill Sandra L. , Ng Tien M. H. , Melroy Joel T. , Hess Mary M. , Tallian Kimberly , Trujillo Toby C. , Vermeulen Lee C. ,   American College of Clinical Pharmacy
Published: December 2009

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy charged the Clinical Practice Affairs Committee to review and update the College's 1995 White Paper, “Rewards and Advancements for Clinical Pharmacy Practitioners.” Because of the limited data on the present state of rewards and advancements for clinical pharmacists, an online survey of “front‐line” clinical pharmacists and pharmacy managers was conducted (1126 total respondents, 14% response rate). The resulting White Paper discusses motivators and existing systems of rewards and advancements for clinical pharmacists, as well as perceived barriers to implementation of these systems. Clinical pharmacists reported work‐life balance, a challenging position, and opportunities for professional advancement as the most important factors for career success. At the time of the survey, financial rewards appeared not to be a major motivator for clinical pharmacists. Managers underestimated the importance that clinical pharmacists place on work‐life balance and favorable work schedules. Although almost two thirds of the clinical pharmacists surveyed had not developed a professional development plan, 84% indicated an interest in career planning. Both clinical pharmacists and managers rated the lack of a clear reward and advancement structure as the most important barrier to effective systems of rewards and advancements. Pharmacy managers and administrators are encouraged to develop effective systems of rewards and advancements for clinical pharmacists that positively impact patient care and the institution's mission; these systems will benefit the clinical pharmacist, the health care institution, and the patient.
Drug Fever
Authors: Patel Ruchi A. , Gallagher Jason C.
Published: December 2009

Drug fever is a common condition that is frequently misdiagnosed. It is a febrile response that coincides temporally with the administration of a drug and disappears after discontinuation of the offending agent. Drug fever is usually suspected when no other cause for the fever can be elucidated, sometimes after antimicrobial therapy has already been started. In nonsensitized individuals receiving a drug for the first time, the onset of fever is highly variable and differs among drug classes, but most commonly appears after 7–10 days of drug administration and rapidly reverses after discontinuation of the drug. Early diagnosis may reduce inappropriate and potentially harmful and expensive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Rechallenge with the offending agent will usually cause recurrence of fever within a few hours, confirming the diagnosis. Rechallenge is controversial and should be performed with extreme caution, since there is a potential for a more severe drug reaction. We describe the mechanisms in the pathophysiology of drug fever and summarize the results of published case reports on the wide variety of agents that are implicated in causing drug fever. Special attention is paid to the role of antimicrobial agents in drug fever.
Laboratory Investigation of Asphaltene Precipitation Problems During CO2/Hydrocarbon Injection Project for EOR Application in Kuwaiti Reservoirs
Authors: Oskui G. P. , Jumaa M. A. , Abuhained Waleed A.
Published: December 2009

Asphaltene precipitation and deposition from oil reservoir fluids during production are serious problems for the oil industry, as it can cause plugging of reservoir formation, wellbore, tubing and production facilities. Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is facing asphaltene deposition problems in the wellbore of some of the Marrat Jurassic reservoirs in West Kuwait (WK), South East Kuwait (SEK) and North Kuwait (NK). This has caused a reduction in production and shutting of some of the wells and a severe detrimental effect on the economics of oil recovery.

As part of a major strategic program for development of the master plan for Improved and Enhanced Oil Recovery (IOR/EOR) techniques for Kuwaiti reservoirs, two projects have been conducted by a joint team in Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and KOC to screen all the reservoirs with the available techniques by assessing incremental recovery, miscible gas injection such as CO2 and Hydrocarbon techniques were recommended for more than 80% of the light oil reservoir in Kuwait. Currently the Field development (FD) teams in KOC are planning further investigation and are conducting lab tests and simulation studies to design the first pilot tests for CO2/HC injection for several of the selected reservoirs in NK, WK. Comprehensive laboratory testing, modeling tuning and simulation preparation is required for this design study.

Any Oil production processes and the application of IOR & EOR can modify the flow and phase behavior of the reservoir fluids, and rock properties. These modifications could lead to asphaltene precipitation. Asphaltene deposition on formation is a serious problem, and it might occur during CO2/gas injection, and can cause porosity and permeability reduction in the reservoir, and plugging wellbore and piping in production facilities. In the planning of any gas injection IOR projects, the flocculation and deposition of asphaltene in porous media and their interaction with rock and fluid represent complex phenomena which need to be investigated under dynamic flowing conditions.

In this paper, a systematic approach for the investigation of Asphaltene problems in reservoirs during primary production, pressure depletion and IOR/EOR processes under gas injection processed will be presented. Some of the results of the initial laboratory studies on the characterization and phase behavior studies of typical crude oil samples from Kuwaiti reservoirs will be presented.
A Novel Method to Construct Capillary Pressure Curves by Using NMR Log Data and Its Application in Reservoir Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Chong , Xiao Liang , Mao Zhi-qiang , Sun Zhong-chun , Luo Xing-ping
Published: December 2009

In view of the problem that there is a good agreement with big porosity while a bifurcation with small porosity in practical applications of the method that a linear function of the conversion scale is used to construct NMR capillary pressure curves, it is proved by profound analysis of the morphologic characteristics of mercury intrusion capillary pressure curves that capillary pressure curves can be constructed continuously only if the mercury saturation corresponding to different mercury pressures is calculated. Based on the theory of J function and the classical SDR model, by analyzing 50 core samples, the mercury injection experiment and NMR measurement of which are taken simultaneously, a NMR capillary pressure curve constructing method is put forward and a model of NMR capillary pressure curve construction is established. Accuracy of the new method is verified by analysis of morphologic characteristics of the mercury injection capillary pressure curves comparing with the real ones. Processing analysis of the well A01 of an oilfield is carried out with the method to evaluate the reservoir pore structure and calculate the original reservoir water saturation. The result shows that the method is effective and its deployment can be carried out in the oilfields.
Meeting The Challenges Of Planning A Thermal Pilot For Ratqa Lower Fars Heavy Oil Field
Authors: Sanyal T.
Published: December 2009

Kuwait is keen in developing the shallow Miocene Heavy Oil resources of Ratqa Lower Fars. EOR screening studies indicate thermal methods of Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) and Steamflood as most promising technologies for developing this resource and meeting KOC goals. Thermal development was tried earlier in this field. In 1980's two CSS pilots were carried out that are considered successful. Steam Flood was also planned at that time but the project got stalled due to the Gulf War. Facilities got destroyed during that war. The present paper describes how thermal simulation techniques were used to design a new and improved thermal pilot, by matching the old CSS pilot performance, learning from history matching process and carrying out multiple prediction scenario analysis.

The pilot plan is currently at the early phase of implementation in this field and is considered very important risk mitigation step, towards commercialization of the project. The paper summarized the objectives of the pilot, so that a firm understanding is generated of the expectations and relevance of the pilot in the larger development scheme of the project.

Thermal simulation study results for arriving at the pilot plan would be presented in the paper. How history matching of old CSS pilots and the cold flow data obtained from recent CHOPS pilot wells help in arriving at an improved design of the Steam Flood pilot would be documented.

The contents of the paper can help generating ideas in designing pilots in similar Heavy Oil fields. The document can also serve as a score card for the Lower Fars thermal pilot post implementation, to understand the original objectives of the pilot.
Studies Of Effluent Water Quality For The Enhancement Of Oil Recovery In North Kuwait
Authors: El-Mohemeed Emad , Carew John , Falah M. , Al-Azmi Rasheed , Uthaman Kuppusamy
Published: December 2009

The future plan for North Kuwait oil fields is to produce 900,000 bpd by the year 2013/2014. To meet this target, it is necessary to inject up to 1.5 million barrels of water per day (bwpd). The future plan is to inject 500,000 bwpd of treated sea water with the balance from produced water re-injection. However, if water flooding is not implemented, significant amounts of oil would be left in-place, and the current plan could not be achieved.

Dispersed oil in produced water is detrimental for several reasons. First, bacteria utilize certain components in the crude oil as food. Second, oil is strongly adsorbed on iron sulfides and other scale deposits, which makes it difficult to remove these deposits with acid treatments. Third, oil reduces the relative permeability to water in the injection well. As relative permeability to water decreases, it requires more pressure to inject the same amount of oil free water. Dispersed oil in the injected water can be reduced by proper selection of water treatment equipment, this equipment selection dependant on this study results.

One of the main objectives of this study is to perform a system audit of effluent water specifications from gathering centers (GCs) in one of the Kuwait oil field. This would involve the collecting and analysing the effluent water samples from various points in each gathering center (GC) and evaluate the water quality and its suitability for re-injection to enhance the recovery of oil.
Deterministic versus Stochastic Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) Modeling, Application in a Heterogeneous Naturally Fractured Reservoir
Authors: Tavakkoli Meyssam , Mohammadsadeghi Mehdi , Shahrabadi Abbas , Khajoee Saeed , Malakooti Reza , Beidokhti Mohsen Safari
Published: December 2009

Fracture Modeling is a multi-step process involving several disciplines within reservoir characterization and simulation. This note applies Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) concept in a unique and comprehensive study of fracture modeling in one of the naturally fractured carbonate reservoir in Iran.

A Discrete fracture network is a group of planes representing fractures. Fractures of the same type that are generated at the same time are grouped into a fracture set. Each fracture network containing fractures has at least one fracture set but may have many.

The simplest fracture sets are defined deterministically as a group of previously defined fractures, either as a result of fault plane interpretation extraction from a seismic cube, or as previously defined fractures.

Fractures modeled stochastically can be described statistically either using numerical input or properties in the grid. These properties can vary in 3D and can easily be modeled using seismic attributes from seismic data. Seven seismic attributes are used in this study. The final results of both deterministic and stochastic DFN modeling upscaled to a simple model and used as base grid in dynamic simulation.
Application of Differential Evolution as a New Method for Automatic History Matching
Authors: Hajizadeh Yasin , Christie Mike , Demyanov Vasily
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a novel approach in automatic history matching using a differential evolution algorithm. Differential evolution is becoming a popular global optimization method and has been widely applied in many challenging engineering problems outside the oil industry. Some advantages of differential evolution are its simplicity in structure which leads to ease of coding and straightforward parallelisation, and its few control parameters making it easy to use in an operational context. These advantages make it important to evaluate differential evolution for use in automatic history matching frameworks where reservoir engineers require a powerful, yet easy to work tool with little effort to find optimum algorithm parameters.

We have applied differential evolution approach to obtain history matched models of a reservoir simulation case in Gulf of Mexico. The effect of different tuning parameters on the performance of differential evolution has been studied and the algorithms sensitivity to initial starting conditions investigated. Results confirm that differential evolution is a good optimization tool in obtaining multiple good history matched models. We have also compared the match quality of models obtained using differential evolution with the Neighbourhood Algorithm (NA). This comparison shows that differential evolution obtains comparable or better models in terms of matching misfit.

Finally, we studied the effect of the number of observation data points used in history matching with differential evolution algorithm. We show how additional information helps the algorithm in finding the promising regions of the search space and narrowing down the uncertainty intervals of the predictions.
Planning Miscibility Tests and Gas Injection Projects for Four Major Kuwaiti Reservoirs
Authors: Al-Ajmi Moudi , Alomair Osamah , Elsharkawy Adel
Published: December 2009

The escalating oil demand and maturity of most of the giant oil fields in the world, especially in the Middle East, the techniques for improving oil recovery have became more feasible and essential. Kuwait long term strategy is to increase oil production to meet marked demand. Currently, miscible gas injection is considered for enhancing oil production from Kuwaiti oil reservoirs. A key parameter for assessing the applicability of gas injection for a given reservoir is the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP). In this paper various miscibility experiments for planning gas injection projects in major producing fields in Kuwait are discussed. These experiments include swelling tests, slim-tube tests, and core flooding studies. These tests are useful tool for screening of the potential reservoirs for improving their future oil production and for developing suitable EOS for planning gas injection projects of the chosen fields.
Temperature Logging in Russia: Development History of Theory, Technology of Measurements and Interpretation Techniques
Authors: Valiullin R. A. , Ramazanov A. Sh. , Sharafutdinov R. F.
Published: December 2009

The history of development and the state of the art of well temperature logging in Russia is described in the paper.

As it is known, the first logging in oil wells were temperature ones. In 1906 D. Golubyatnikov made the first measurement of temperature distribution along the well bore using the maximal thermometer. In 1932 it was developed the first electronic well thermometer. From 1970 in practice of field reserarches the high sensitive thermometers with resolution of 0.01K are used: it is registered and analyzed the temperature changes of hundreds and tens parts of degree, caused by Joule-Thomson effect and adiabatic effect.

The development of theoretical and methodical basis of well thermometry was made by several groups of Moscow oil institute (now it is RGUNG), VNIINeft (Moscow), Kazan state university (Kazan) and Bashkir state university (Ufa). In Bashkir SU the model of the first industrial small-size well thermometer STL-28, theoretical basis of thermometry of transient processes in the well and formations were developed and the wide practical experience of solution of different problems in oil wells by thermometry was accumulated.

At present time the most volume of production log is accounted to thermometry. In the paper it is given the examples of field cases from Bashkiria, Tataria and Western Siberia by means of well thermometry in production (flowing, rod pumping and ESP ones) and injection wells, and also during the development by the gas (air) compressor, swab and jet pump. The results of practical testing of new methods of well thermometry as "active thermometry", which is based on local inductive heating of casing on different depths and observation of the transient temperature behavior, and "infrared thermometry" for survey of "dry intervals" of the well above the liquid level.

Also it is discussed the mathematical models, used at interpretation of temperature log. The most recent results are connected with quantitative interpretation of pressure and temperature transients with the purpose of determination of flow rates and individual parameters (for example radius and permeability of damaged zone) of formation in multilayer wells.
3D Geological Modeling of a Tight Naturally Fractured Carbonate Reservoir as an input to Reservoir Simulation – A Case Study from North Kuwait Jurassic fields
Authors: Chakraborty Subrata K. , Rao Narhari Srinivasa , Al-Awadi Mishari , Kidambi Vijaya Kumar , Al-Houli Mariam , Al-Ateeqi Khalid , Perrin Christian , Ghorayeb Kassem
Published: December 2009

Dedicated exploration efforts targeted on the Jurassic reservoirs in North Kuwait culminated in the discovery of six separate fields, encompassing an area of approximately 1,772 km2. These reservoirs are known to hold commercial accumulation of gas, gas condensate and volatile oil and are currently in an early phase of development. The producing Jurassic reservoirs belong to the Marrat, Sargelu and Najmah Formations of Toarcian to Tithonian ages. These reservoirs consist of tight carbonates with several other complex lithologies and are naturally fractured with fractures acting as a driver to production in the Najmah and Sargelu formations and fractures acting as production assist in the Marrat Formation.

A 3D geological model was developed for these reservoirs. The static geological model consists of a matrix model capturing the facies, and other matrix reservoir properties like porosity, permeability and water saturation; and the fracture model captures the fracture properties like fracture porosity, permeability and matrix to fracture coupling parameters. The model framework was guided by seismic horizon interpretation from 3D seismic data while the model vertical resolution was optimized to adequately capture the log defined reservoir properties. Electro facies were interpreted at wells with extensive core calibration and were used to develop a 3D facies model capturing the worked out depositional environment. This facies model was used to develop the porosity, permeability and water saturation models using the processed wireline log data, core plug based measurements. The 3D fracture model was developed capturing the areal distribution of fractures using the calibrated 3D seismic volume curvature attribute as soft data and constrained vertically by hard data from image log and cores from wells, thus bringing robustness and reliability for planning the development wells. This 3D geological model was optimally upscaled depending on the aerial well density for use of flow simulation studies.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Miscible Flooding in Tight Oil Reservoirs: A Case Study
Authors: Arshad Aziz , Al-Majed Abdulaziz A. , Menouar Habib , Muhammadain Abdulrahim , Mtawaa Bechir
Published: December 2009

The CO2 flooding is a proven enhanced oil recovery technique to obtain high oil recovery from complicated formations and can be applied to various types of oil reservoirs. It can be injected as immiscible or miscible flooding but immiscible flooding is less effective than miscible flooding. Two types of miscibility can occur: first contact miscibility and multiple contact miscibility. First contact miscibility happens when a single phase is formed when CO2 is mixed with the crude oil. Multiple contact miscibility occurs when miscible conditions are developed in situ, through composition alteration of the CO2 or crude oil as CO2 moves through the reservoir. The miscible flooding process involves complex phase behavior, which depends on the temperature, pressure and fluid properties of the oil reservoir. The CO2 increases oil recovery by oil swelling, reduction of oil viscosity and density, the acidization of carbonate formations and miscibility effects. Multiple-contact miscibility between the injected CO2 and oil can be achieved at pressures above the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP). MMP is the pressure at which the reservoir fluid develops miscibility with CO2 and is a very important parameter in a well-designed CO2 flood project.

Some reservoirs are considered tight because of poor rock or fluid characteristics. The main objective of this study is to investigate the performance of CO2 miscible flooding in tight oil reservoirs. This includes determination of minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) involving carbon dioxide and crude oil and miscible CO2 core flooding. This paper addresses the results of CO2 miscible flooding applied to a known reservoir. Several CO2 miscible flooding experiments were conducted using live oil at reservoir temperature and pressure above the MMP on composite cores of known reservoir. The MMP was determined experimentally using the slim tube. High oil recovery from these experiments indicates that the MMP determined from slim tube studies was correct and such a high recovery is only possible if full miscibility occurs during the displacement. The analytical correlation also gave a MMP consistent with MMP determined from slim tube experiments.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy: Addressing Parental Stress with the Sense of Coherence
Authors: Stokes Rochelle H. , Holsti Liisa
Published: December 2009

Background. Families of children who have disabilities experience multiple stressors. “Sense of coherence” (SOC) reflects a person's view of life and his or her capacity to respond to stressful situations. Purpose. The purposes of this paper are to (1) introduce the concept of SOC; (2) review the literature on the stresses experienced by parents of children with disabilities; and (3) discuss how SOC can be used to evaluate systematically and to address effectively parents' resiliency against stressors. Key Issues. The literature shows a strong correlation between parental stress, avoidant coping, depression, and low SOC. Preliminary evidence suggests that an early intervention program can help increase parents' SOC. Implications. Occupational therapists can use the SOC as a framework from which to identify the strength of a parents' SOC, and, when deemed to be low, help create a process for enhancing resilience.
Test-Retest Reliability of the GAPP Functional Capacity Evaluation in Healthy Adults
Authors: Gibson Libby A. , Dang Monica , Strong Jenny , Khan Asad
Published: December 2009

Background. Functional capacity evaluations are commonly used in work rehabilitation practice to assess a person's capacity to perform work-related activities. Purpose. This study examined the test-retest reliability of participants' performance and administrator ratings using the Gibson Approach to Functional Capacity Evaluation (GAPP FCE). Methods. Forty-eight healthy adults were evaluated twice on 12 recommended core items of the GAPP FCE and rated for overall performance. Findings. The ICCs and 95% CIs for the Physical Level of Work and Alternative Physical Level of Work Ratings were 0.93 (0.87-0.96) and 0.86 (0.72-0.93) respectively. The ICCs for the core item-level ratings ranged from 0.15 to 0.94, and the ICCs for the actual loads handled in the manual handling items ranged from 0.88 to 0.95. Implications. The stability of an overall physical level of work rating shows potential for use in functional capacity evaluation practice and research. Further research is needed to investigate other measurement properties of the GAPP FCE using populations with injury or disability.
Occupational Therapy Students' Experiences in Learning Occupation-Centred Approaches to Working with Children
Authors: Copley Jodie A. , Rodger Sylvia A. , Hannay Victoria A. , Graham Fiona P.
Published: December 2009

Background. The increasing emphasis on performance outcomes and the use of occupation-centred approaches has implications for practice education. Purpose. This study aimed to describe students' experiences of learning to use occupation-centred approaches when working with children within a university clinic. Methods. Nine occupational therapy students and two clinical educators completed three ***in-depth interviews at intervals across the students' fieldwork experiences. Therapy observations, review of therapy documentation, and tutorial group e-mails informed data triangulation. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Findings. Students described needing to make a theoretical shift in thinking to focus on occupational performance and identified a number of challenges relating to learning complex techniques and strategies. Implications. Teaching methods that assist in making occupation-centred assessment and intervention techniques more explicit and learner-friendly for new users are required. These findings provide valuable new insights in guiding this process.
Survival and Cause‐Specific Mortality of Corsac and Red Foxes in Mongolia
Authors: MURDOCH JAMES D. , MUNKHZUL TSERENDORJ , BUYANDELGER SUURI , SILLERO‐ZUBIRI CLAUDIO
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT  The corsac fox (Vulpes corsac) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) range widely across northern and central Asia and may be declining in many regions due to overhunting and other causes. However, details of the fundamental causes of survival and mortality of both species remain largely unquantified, but may be crucial for understanding interspecific relationships and developing effective conservation actions. We studied a radiomarked population of sympatric corsac and red foxes in central Mongolia to quantify survival and cause‐specific mortality rates from April 2005 to April 2007. Survival probability was 0.34 for corsacs (n = 18) and 0.46 for red foxes (n = 17) and did not vary by year within or between each species. Among both foxes, mortality occurred mainly from hunting by humans, but also from predation by larger canids and unknown causes. Our results suggest that illegal human hunting represents the principal source of mortality for both species and that a recently initiated ranger patrol program in the study area did not affect fox survival. As such, more stringent protective measures will likely be necessary to halt declines of both foxes. Our results also suggest that interference competition occurs between species as red foxes killed but did not consume corsacs. Our results will be useful for developing science‐based management strategies to protect foxes in Mongolia, and in understanding the competitive relationships between them.
Effects of Different Pretreatments on Drying Kinetics and Quality of Sweet Potato Bars Undergoing Air Impingement Drying
Authors: Xiao Hong-Wei , Lin Hai , Yao Xue-Dong , Du Zhi-Long , Lou Zheng , Gao Zhen-jiang
Published: December 2009

The effects of hot water blanching (HWB), superheated steam blanching (SSB) and citric acid pretreatment (CAP) on drying kinetics and quality of sweet potato bars undergoing air impingement drying were examined in this investigation. It was found that CAP could significantly improve the drying rate of the samples, whereas HWB and SSB could obviously decrease the drying rate. In terms of quality, hardness, microstructure and color of the dried sweet potato bars subjected to different pretreatments were studied. Results illustrated that the pretreatments had significant effects on the texture, microstructure and color of the samples. Considering the drying kinetics and quality attributes, SSB is more suitable than HWB and CAP pretreatment for drying sweet potato.
Flow Characteristics in an Airlift Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Khalili Amirhossein , Mehrnia MR , Mostoufi Navid , Sarrafzadeh Mohammad
Published: December 2009

Effect of changing the liquid level in an airlift membrane bioreactor of 0.7 m height, 0.24 m width and 0.18 m depth was studied both experimentally and by simulation. Three-dimensional simulations of the airlift membrane bioreactor were carried out at two different liquid levels above the membrane. The simulations were based on the two-fluid model with the standard k? model for the turbulence. The results showed that by lowering the liquid level, the quality of mixing and uniformity of the velocity distribution of liquid phase in the riser would be improved while the shear stress on the membrane surface would be reduced. Higher shear stress on the membrane surface at high levels of liquid minimizes the extent to which particles settle on the membrane, thus, fouling will be reduced and flux of liquid through membrane will be enhanced. Moreover, it was shown that by lowering the liquid level, the fraction of air in the downcomers becomes lower.
Phenotypic characteristics of trees and seeds as the base for improvement and conservation of the horse chestnut gene pool
Authors: Ocokoljic Mirjana , Stojanovic Nadezda
Published: December 2009

This study deals with individual and group variability of horse chestnut trees cultivated in urban cenoses in Belgrade, Zemun, and Pancevo, Serbia. The trees were selected according to their morphological-aesthetic properties and yield variability. In view of size of the study populations, it can be considered that the trees were cultivated in more or less uniform ecological conditions and that individual intra-population variability is mostly the result of genetic properties. The study results can serve as the base for selection of genotypes significant for application in urban cenoses, especially for the establishment of tree rows.
Characterization of trypsin-like enzymes from the midgut of Morimus funereus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae
Authors: Loncar N. , Bozic Natasa , Nenadovic Vera , Ivanovic Jelisaveta , Vujcic Z.
Published: December 2009

The pH along the midgut of M. funereus larvae had different values, being acidic in the anterior section and basic in the middle and posterior sections. Elastase- and chymotrypsin-like activities were highest in the middle, low in the anterior, and negligible in the posterior section of the midgut. Trypsin-like activities were detected along the whole midgut, with more than 90% of activity in the anterior section. The level of elastase- and chymotrypsin-like activity was very low compared to trypsin-like activity. In the anterior section of the midgut, two isoforms of trypsin-like enzymes were found, both being basic and almost completely inhibited by benzamidine.
Comparative analysis of microspore size variability in the genus Aesculus (Hippocastanaceae)
Authors: Calic-Dragosavac Dusica , Zdravkovic-Korac Snezana , Miljkovic Danijela , Radojevic Ljiljana
Published: December 2009

Pollen size varies extensively among angiosperm species and partially reflects evolutionary adaptation of each species to the pollination and fertilization environment. Size of uninuclear microspores in Aesculus parviflora was analyzed and compared with the size of microspores in Aesculus hippocastanum, Aesculus carnea, and Aesculus flava. The microspores came from closed flower buds of different size (3, 4, and 5 mm) isolated from lower (female flowers), middle (bisexual flowers), and upper (male flowers) segments of inflorescences. Aesculus parviflora had smaller microspores than Aesculus carnea and Aesculus flava, but larger microspores than Aesculus hippocastanum. All analyzed microspores showed bimodal distribution in all investigated species of the genus Aesculus.
Biological activities of the lignicolous fungus Meripilus giganteus (Pers.: Pers.) Karst.
Authors: Karaman Maja , Kaisarevic Sonja , Somborski Jelena , Kebert M. , Matavulj M.
Published: December 2009

Crude extracts (methanolic-ME andwater-WE) of the fungus Meripilus giganteus (Pers.: Pers.) Karst. were analyzed for their antioxidative, antibacterial, cytotoxic, neurotoxic, and hemolytic activities using tests in vitro. The highest scavenging activity was exhibited by WE on OH? radicals, showing a 50% effective concentration (EC50) at 292.83?2.5 ?g/ml and ferric-reducing ability at 14.24?2.9 mg eq of ascorbic acid per g of dried extract (mg/g).An anti?bacterial effect was detected mostly against Gram-positive strains of bacteria. Toxicity assays exhibited higher effects for ME, reaching EC50=403.43?5.8 ?g/ml against estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7); 50% hemolytic activity at a concentration of 30?0.03 ?g/ml against erythrocytes; andEC50=4.5?0.05 mg/ml for acetyl cholinesterase-inhibitory activity. These results suggest possible use of this fungus as a new source of pharmaceuticals.
The study of linear solvation energy relationship for the reactivity of carboxylic acids with diazodiphenylmethane in protic and aprotic solvents
Authors: Uscumlic Gordana , Nikolic Jasmina
Published: December 2009

Solvent effects on the reactivity of cycloalkenecarboxylic, cycloalkeneacetic, 2-substituted cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic, 2-substituted benzoic, 2-substituted cyclohex-1-eneacetic, 2-substituted phenylacetic, 2-phenylcyclohex-1-enecarboxylic, 2-phenylbenzoic and 2-phenylacrylic acids with diazodiphenylmethane (DDM) were investigated. In order to explain the kinetic results through solvent effects, the second-order rate constants for the reaction of the examined acids with DDM were correlated using the Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic equation. The correlations of the kinetic data were realized by means of multiple linear regression analysis and the solvent effects on the reaction rates were analyzed in terms of the contributions of the initial and the transition state. The signs of the equation coefficients support the proposed mechanism. Solvation models for all the investigated acids are suggested. The quantitative relationship between the molecular structure and the chemical reactivity is also discussed.
Effects of solvent and structure on the reactivity of 6-substituted nicotinic acids with diazodiphenylmethane in aprotic solvents
Authors: Drmanic Sasa , Marinkovic Aleksandar , Jovanovic Bratislav
Published: December 2009

The rate constants for the reactions of diazodiphenylmethane (DDM) with 6-substituted nicotinic acids in aprotic solvents at 30?C were determined. The obtained second order rate constants in aprotic solvents, together with literature data for benzoic and nicotinic acids in protic solvents, were used for the calculation of solvent effects, employing the Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic equation (linear solvation energy relationship - LSER) in the form: log k = log k0 + + s?*+ a? + b?. The correlations of the kinetic data were performed by means of multiple linear regression analysis taking appropriate solvent parameters. The sign of the equation coefficients (s, a and b) were in agreement with the postulated reaction mechanism, and the mode of the solvent influences on the reaction rate is discussed based on the correlation results. A similar contribution of the non-specific solvent effect and electrophilic solvation was observed for all acids, while the highest contribution of nucleophilic solvation was influenced by their high acidity. Correlation analysis of the rate data with substituent ?p parameters in an appropriate solvent using the Hammett equation was also performed. The substituent effect on the acid reactivity was higher in aprotic solvents of higher dipolarity/polarizability. The mode of the transmission of the substituent effect is discussed in light of the contribution of solute-solvent interaction on the acid reactivity.
Synthesis and characterization of a series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted-2-pyrazolines derivatives using methanoic acid under thermal condition
Authors: Maleki Behrooz , Azarifar Davood , Moghaddam Khodaverdian , Hojati Fatemeh , Gholizadeh Mostafa , Salehabadi Hafezeh
Published: December 2009

An efficient and practical synthesis of 1,3,5-trisubstituted 2-pyrazoline structures was achieved through cyclization of phenylhydrazine with ?,? -unsaturated ketones (chalcones) using methanoic acid (formic acid) as catalyst under thermal condition.
Electrochemical detection of carbidopa using a ferrocene-modified carbon nanotube paste electrode
Authors: Yaghoubian Halimeh , Karimi-Maleh Hassan , Khalilzadeh Ali , Karimi Fatemeh
Published: December 2009

A chemically modified carbon paste electrode (MCPE) containing ferrocene (FC) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) was constructed. The electrochemical behavior and stability of the MCPE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrocatalytic activity of the MCPE was investigated and it showed good characteristics for the oxidation of carbidopa (CD) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). A linear concentration range of 5 to 600 ?M CD, with a detection limit of 3.6?0.17 ?M CD, was obtained. The diffusion coefficient of CD and the transfer coefficient (?) were also determined. The MCPE showed good reproducibility, remarkable long-term stability and especially good surface renewability by simple mechanical polishing. The results showed that this electrode could be used as an electrochemical sensor for the determination of CD in real samples, such as urine samples.