bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pilot Test of Utilizing Residual Polymer in Formation to Improve Oil Recovery: A Successful Case
Authors: Chen Yizhe , Zhou Yanxia , He Fengyun , Cheng Hongxia
Published: October 2009

Polymer flooding is the most widely applied chemical flooding and plays an important role in EOR in Daqing oilfield since 1996. For polymer-flooded reservoirs, significant amount of polymer is still left behind in the reservoir(e.g. polymer-flooded NW block of Daqing, the polymer concentration in produced liquid is 100-900mg/L), the retained polymer is continuously produced from production wells, which, on the one hand, results in difficulties in treatment of produced liquid, on the other hand, affects the effect of successive waterflooding. Aimed at resolving this problem, laboratory and numerical simulation studies were conducted and a pilot test was carried out.

Laboratory study was used to investigate the mechanism of polymer adsorption-retention in various permeability cores, injection timing and amount of flocculating agent, residual resistance factor and plugging percentage. Reservoir simulation was applied to optimize injection parameters and to provide theoretical basis for pilot test. A pilot test, which includes 6 injectors and 13 producers with a well spacing of 237m, was performed in Daqing field. 6 injectors was in stage of succeeding waterflooding in May 2007, the injection of flocculating agent began on September 12, 2007, and was completed on December 1, 2007. On average, 5161.8m3 of flocculating agent solution per well was injected.

Response of oil increase is observed from all 13 producers, average oil increase per well is 3.1t/d, decrease of watercut is 3.11%, reduction of concentration of produced polymer reaches 105mg/L. The cumulative incremental oil is 4230.5t, the ratio of investment to revenue is 1:3.62.

This technology utilizes residual polymer in reservoir to carry out in-depth profile modification, so the cost of conformance control operation can be reduced significantly. Pilot test shows this novel technology is feasible and is a new approach to increasing oil recovery of waterflooding.
Exploratory Data Analysis in Reservoir Characterization Projects
Authors: Holdaway Keith R.
Published: October 2009

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo da Vinci

The process to characterize the reservoirs of a mature field encapsulates the analysis of large data sets collated from well tests, production history and core analysis results enhanced by high resolution mapping of seismic attributes to reservoir properties. It is imperative to capture the more subtle observations inherent in these data sets, to comprehend the structure of the data. Invariably, geostatistical methods can be implemented to accurately quantify heterogeneity, integrate scalable data and capture the scope of uncertainty. However, between 50 and 70 per cent of allotted time for any reservoir characterization study worth its investment should be concentrated on Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA). As an overture to spatial analysis, simulation and uncertainty quantification, exploratory data analysis ensures consistent data integration, data aggregation and data management, underpinned by univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis.

This paper not only details some of the more common EDA steps that initiate efficient reservoir characterization projects, but also underlines the importance of the EDA school of thought often overlooked or even precluded prior to the spatial analysis, kriging, simulation and uncertainty quantification steps. See Figure 1 for a comprehensive reservoir characterization project flow chart as it cycles through each step from EDA to uncertainty analysis. Illustrated by a case study to optimize recovery factors, the EDA techniques are enumerated and graphically explicated. Using a suite of statistical tools in various workflows across an enterprise business intelligence framework, data integrity is preserved and managed efficiently to enable various regression models to be deemed appropriate, implementing stepwise algorithms and other techniques to render reliable knowledge of those reservoir properties that are most influential in increasing recovery factors.
Delineation of Mauddud Carbonate Reservoirs Through Post Stack Seismic Inversion, North Kuwait: A Case Study
Authors: Shereef* Mohammed Hameed , Al-Ajmi Bader , Ibrahim Hossam El-Din
Published: October 2009

Seismic inversion emerged as an important tool for reservoir characterization and quantifying reservoir properties. It combines geophysical, geological and petro physical data through a robust inversion scheme to extract more meaningful reservoir information. When compared to working with seismic amplitudes, inversion results show higher resolution with accurate interpretations, which in turn facilitates better estimates of reservoir properties such as porosity.

In this study, Mauddud carbonate reservoirs of western flank of Sabriyah, saddle part between Raudhatain - Sabriyah and South of Sabriyah were considered for porosity studies. The two fields namely Raudhatain and Sabriyah are well developed. The Mauddud Limestone of Upper Cretaceous is one of the main producer in these fields. Around 600 wells drilled over the main structures of these fields show good porosity development in Mauddud reservoir ranging from 15-35%.

This paper mainly deals to know the porosity development towards the Western flank of Sabriyah, saddle part between Raudhatain and Sabriyah and Southern part of Sabriyah through the post stack Constrained Sparse Spike Inversion (CSSI), which was successfully performed on a 3D seismic volume over a carbonate reservoir Mauddud. The Inversion results improved the structural model, closely represented the true sub-surface geology and predicted reservoir porosity. A relationship between acoustic impedance and porosity was established using well data and applied in transforming into porosity volume. This porosity volume was used to generate porosity maps for Mauddud reservoir interval to analyze the porosity distribution. The generated maps show moderate to good porosity development in the Western flank, moderate porosity developed in the saddle part, moderate to good porosity development in SE of Sabriyah field and some isolated porosity development in South West of Sabriyah field. This study has allowed understanding the internal reservoir heterogeneity, facies variation within the reservoir and has provided a strong base to refine the planning and placement of development and exploratory wells with higher confidence.
Data Assimilation Coupled to Evolutionary Algorithms—A Case Example in History Matching
Authors: Schulze-Riegert Ralf , Krosche Markus , Pajonk Oliver , Mustafa Hassan
Published: October 2009

Data assimilation techniques are on the verge of being employed in real field history matching processes in a production environment. In a previous publication on "Stochastic Optimization using EA and EnKF - A Comparison" (cf. Pajonk 2008) similarities between data assimilation techniques (EnKF) and stochastic optimizers (Evolutionary Algorithm - EA) were analyzed. Both algorithms are population based, they have similar implementation properties but differing optimization characteristics. A hybrid optimizer which couples an EnKF approach and the advantages of an Evolutionary Algorithm was introduced and applied to a synthetic test function.

In this paper the formulation of a hybrid optimization approach with application to a history matching process is presented. Techniques are applied to the Brugge field simulation model which was taken from a recent SPE benchmark study. Production data is assimilated via a continuous update of 3D porosity and permeability fields. Global parameter uncertainties are included in a parameter estimation process guided by an evolutionary optimization method. In this paper we will concentrate on an Evolution Strategy with local and global search properties.

It is shown that an EnKF workflow can be effectively coupled to other stochastic optimization schemes with complimentary optimization features. The EnKF formulation reduces a non-linear optimization problem in a large parameter space to a statistical optimization problem in ensemble space. An Evolution Strategy (ES) gradually modifies individual parameters and can be applied to mixed-integer parameter types.

The case example shows that an EnKF ensemble can be combined with a population of individual realizations from a generational update scheme using an Evolution Strategy. Benefits are seen in alternative performance properties and the use of mixed-integer parameter types.

This paper will include the first example of a hybrid EnKF-ES approach with application to reservoir simulation. Practical implications for history matching processes with mixed-integer parameter types which have not been used in a standard EnKF approach are discussed.
In The Rain With No Umbrella: How To Model With Scant Fracture Data
Authors: Fernandez O. , Yearron L. M. , Damodaran R. M. , Karantharath R. , Alserkal K.
Published: October 2009

We present a case study from a naturally fractured reservoir in the Middle East, where matrix provides the main porosity in the system, but fractures account for most of the permeability. Fracture data was only available from cores and image logs for 3 wells. The lack of extensive data precluded the application of standard fracture modeling workflows. However, well pressure test and well interference test data were available for over 15 wells, which provided the best measure of the impact of fractures on reservoir properties.

Fracture modeling was performed to quantify the contribution of fractures to permeability and porosity in the reservoir. Results were obtained through a combination of standard fracture modeling workflows using the scant data available, and geostatistical simulation techniques to calibrate the results with well test data. The uncertainty related to the lack of detailed fracture data was quantified by proposing alternative scenarios.

Fracture permeability in the field is dominated by seismic scale faults and their associated deformation zones. Different scales of fracturing (small fractures, fault deformation zones and sub-seismic faults) are required to accurately honor the permeability estimated from well tests and the observations from well fracture data.

Three scenarios, each with calibrated fracture permeability and porosity, were generated in under 5 days, ready for use in simulation. The methodology used makes it possible to update and modify the modeling scenarios interactively during the history matching process.

Fracture modeling is a task often left to the specialized geologist and requires significant amounts of fracture data. However, a rapid assessment of the impact of natural fractures on reservoir behavior can be made by the non-specialist modeler during early phases of exploration or field development, leaving advanced modeling to stages in which more data and time are available.
Revelation of Carbonate Rock Typing – The Resolved Gap
Authors: Al-Farisi Omar , Elhami Mohamed , Al-Felasi Ali , Yammahi Fatemah , Ghedan Shawkat
Published: October 2009

The heterogeneity in carbonate rocks made it hard for Geoscientist to define a universal classification methodology that is able to honor the critical static and dynamic properties. Most classifications like lithofacies, capillarity & textural methods base their rock typing on one or two static properties then try to find analog in other static properties to cluster or group them, then populate rock types across the whole field. However; from field observations and experiences of utilizing these conventional techniques, it's obvious that they suffered from several gaps, like inability to have the properties analog consistent through out the whole reservoir, moreover, the groups or clusters have big dispersion that produces overlaps, then theoretically they could not fully honor physics in a way deficiency in the classification definition is recognized and finally a major gap in solving for complex grain sorting effect on flow dynamic properties always existed.

Therefore, in this study, rock typing is made to honor static and dynamic properties all together through changing the classification concept to resolve for the gaps of the traditional methodologies. The ultimate objective of all reservoir characterization and rock classification is to enable building geological and simulation models with optimum honoring of both rock static properties and rock-fluid dynamic flow properties that allow history matching to succeed. To achieve this objective, the framework established in this paper is based on analyzing the effects of each of the rock properties on another and the value and impact that each can add to the models most critical parameters. By this technique, the gap of pore and pore-throat network is resolved through Multiple Properties Intersection.

This Integrated Carbonate Rock Typing technique starts with capturing the heterogeneity of carbonate rock by generating matrix of core permeability, capillary pressure (end point, threshold pressure & Plateau), pore-throat size distribution, porosity and formation factor. Then intersecting this matrix to construct weighted links between these properties and identify unique groups. Resulted classes entered to feedback analysis node to explore and validate the logic of linked physics to tune the classes’ thresholds. Finally for utilizing this technique in non-cored wells, an analog with logging data is structured.
Global Laboratory Experience of CO2-EOR Flooding
Authors: Ghedan Shawket
Published: October 2009

Primary and secondary drive oil production mechanisms are coming short in meeting the ever increasing global oil demand. Currently, many tertiary recovery-EOR projects are in the design or implementation stage in many parts of the world to help meeting this extra global oil demand. Good number of these projects involves certain kinds of CO2 gas injection. To help match the technical results of these projects and their economic viability under the current oil prices, the industry should learn from the lessons of the available global field, pilot and laboratory technical evaluation experiences. This is to avoid unnecessary losses in time and money and to make the best incremental oil recovery possible.

To master the performance of CO2 flooding and provide accurate data for designing an oil development plan, a comprehensive investigation of CO2 flooding phase behavior and mechanisms based on laboratory study needs to be conducted. This is a challending prospect technically and economically. The results of a large number of CO2 gas injection laboratory technical evaluations have been reported in the literature. This paper tries to give a serious and comprehensive review of the past global experience of laboratory CO2-EOR flooding, and reports the best practices of laboratory technical evaluations and to highlight the uncertainties and limitations of these evaluations.

A large number of technical papers were reviewed to describe the laboratory experiments that are most performed for CO2 flooding evaluation. The main issues that could be addressed using laboratory technical evaluation are covered including PVT properties of different CO2-Oil mixtures, effect of Rock Pore Structure on CO2 Miscible Displacment, effect of WAG and Wettability on CO2-EOR Flooding, assessement of Asphaltene Deposition, and effect of Slug Size on Oil Recovery by CO2 Miscible Flooding and finally CO2 flooding in naturally fractured reservoirs. Finally, the paper reports on the proper utilization of any attainable laboratory data and its limitations.
An Efficient Upscaling Process Based on a Unified Fine-scale Multi-Physics Model for Flow Simulation in Naturally Fracture Carbonate Karst Reservoirs
Authors: Bi Linfeng , Qin Guan , Popov Peter , Efendiev Yalchin , Espadal Magne S.
Published: October 2009

The main challenges in modeling fluid flow through naturally-fractured carbonate karst reservoirs are how to address various flow physics in complex geological architectures due to the presence of vugs and caves which are connected via fracture networks at multiple scales. In this paper, we present a unified multi-physics model that adapts to the complex flow regime through naturally-fractured carbonate karst reservoirs. This approach generalizes Stokes-Brinkman model (Popov et al. 2007). The fracture networks provide the essential connection between the caves in carbonate karst reservoirs. It is thus very important to resolve the flow in fracture network and the interaction between fractures and caves to better understand the complex flow behavior. The idea is to use Stokes-Brinkman model to represent flow through rock matrix, void caves as well as intermediate flows in very high permeability regions and to use an idea similar to discrete fracture network model to represent flow in fracture network. Consequently, various numerical solution strategies can be efficiently applied to greatly improve the computational efficiency in flow simulations.

We have applied this unified multi-physics model as a fine-scale flow solver in scale-up computations. Both local and global scale-up are considered. It is found that global scale-up has much more accurate than local scale-up. Global scale-up requires the solution of global flow problems on fine grid, which generally is computationally expensive. The proposed model has the ability to deal with large number of fractures and caves, which facilitate the application of Stokes-Brinkman model in global scale-up computation.

The proposed model flexibly adapts to the different flow physics in naturally-fractured carbonate karst reservoirs in a simple and effective way. It certainly extends modeling and predicting capability in efficient development of this important type of reservoir.
Efficient Uncertainty Management Workflow for Brownfield Redevelopment
Authors: Friedel Torsten , Tewari Raj Deo , Othman Tg Rasidi B Tg , Flew Stephen , Strasser Ralf , Trebolle Ramiro , Belfield William , Caretta Fausto
Published: October 2009

Brownfields are often characterized by a varying degree of maturity, both within the field and within individual reservoir units. This variation makes infill drilling more prospective in areas with fewer well penetrations and completions and less production. However, these areas are inherently more uncertain, with geological, petrophysical, and structural parameters particularly affected. A novel workflow solves the complex problem of uncertainty assessment and risk management in a brownfield redevelopment. Traditionally, a single deterministic reservoir model is built, matched, and used for predictions and infill planning. The availability of sophisticated simulation workflow tools enable the team now to explore the practical aspects of performing sophisticated reservoir description, static model construction, history matching, and forecast uncertainty analysis. Incorporated into multiple equiprobable reservoir descriptions, uncertainties are carried from the static model construction throughout the entire dynamic modeling process. History matching is conducted for all realizations, and the match quality is assessed by means of statistical analysis. The workflow facilitates generating hydrocarbon thickness maps by using the average column thickness of many simulation models instead of a dedicated single one. Target selection also accounts for possible sweep and sand risks by means of maps showing the standard deviation of the column thickness. The new framework is applied to a conceptual redevelopment of a brownfield. It increases the understanding of fluid flow processes in the reservoirs and is a vital component of the decision and risk analysis for the concept selection stage.
Novel Applications Approach to Waterflood Design to Enhance Pattern Performance With Massive Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Khasanov Mars , Krasnov Vitaly , Musabirov Timur , Mukhamedshin Rustem
Published: October 2009

Wide application of hydraulic fracturing especially in low permeability reservoirs becomes a successful approach in field development practice. Utilizing full potential of extensive fractures at production wells and water injection under induced fracturing conditions requires a new method of effective waterflood pattern design to be proposed. This paper describes a new general approach to optimization of well spacing and pattern geometry with account for hydraulic and induced fractures size and orientation.

It is shown that under specified conditions it is useful to present all regular well patterns as linear well systems with lines directed parallel to fracture orientation. This way of well systems description seems to be more consistent and applicable than traditional pattern description (five-, seven- or nine-spot patterns, etc.). It makes possible to increase water-free production period and sweep efficiency by stretching of well pattern along the fracture' direction while squeezing lines in perpendicular direction and keeping average well spacing intact. Semi-analytical model for calculation of pressure distribution, streamlines and field performance parameters for such waterflood systems with arbitrary fracture azimuth is also presented. Concept of effective well spacing is introduced and connected to average length of streamlines. Using proposed method it is shown that increasing of fracture length conform to denser well spacing when compared to regular (non-fractured) well patterns.
Comparison of Different Methods for Assessment of Sperm Concentration and Membrane Integrity With Bull Semen
Authors: Anzar Muhammad , Kroetsch Tom , Buhr Mary M.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Assessing semen quality is crucially important for the exploitation of genetically superior sires in an artificial insemination (AI) program. In this study, we compare modern and conventional techniques to estimate bovine sperm concentration and membrane integrity. First, the NucleoCounter SP‐100 was validated for sperm concentration and provided statistically reliable and repeatable estimates among aliquots and replicates of 25 fresh ejaculates. Sperm concentrations in 78 ejaculates were then determined with hemacytometer, flow cytometer, and NucleoCounter SP‐100 and were significantly correlated (P < .001), with regression coefficients among these 3 techniques close to 1 (P < .01). However, the sperm concentration determined by hemacytometer was lower (P < .01) than by flow cytometer and NucleoCounter SP‐100. Forty frozen‐thawed semen samples were then assessed for sperm concentration and membrane integrity with hemacytometer, flow cytometer and NucleoCounter SP‐100. Significant relationships were found for sperm concentration determined by hemacytometer and NucleoCounter SP‐100 and for sperm membrane integrity determined by flow cytometer and NucleoCounter SP‐100 (P < .01). Finally, the standard curves of sperm concentrations in 6 spectrophotometers, comparing optical density against counts drawn by hemacytometer and NucleoCounter SP‐100 (n = 94 fresh ejaculates) showed different (P < .01) intercepts and regression coefficients (linear, quadratic, cubic). It was calculated that a breeding station can improve its production potential by 13% with the use of NucleoCounter SP‐100 instead of hemacytometer for calibration of spectrophotometers. Flow cytometer and NucleoCounter SP‐100 can be used with equal confidence to estimate sperm concentration and membrane integrity in domestic animals and human semen.
Groundwater governance and the Law of the Hidden Sea
Authors: Lopez-Gunn Elena , Jarvis W. Todd
Published: October 2009

The paper offers an alternative interdisciplinary approach to dealing with the complexity associated with groundwater resources, providing a new angle that integrates deep groundwater systems as defined by hydro-geologists with a paradigm shift in natural resource governance, developed by political scientists. It questions the piecemeal approach to governance of groundwater resources, coupled with the lack of acknowledgment regarding the hydraulic connection of vast deep aquifers—or a hidden sea of groundwater. Rather than relying on traditional approaches to groundwater governance, which treat the resource like a mineral resource underlying the boundaries of a sovereign nation, the “post-sovereignty” and “multi-level” governance model proposed here for groundwater resources acknowledges that groundwater is hydraulically connected to the ocean and is equally complex with respect to predictive modeling. Existing legal instruments associated with the ocean that fall under the global “contract” of the UNCLOS, together with ongoing efforts to develop a legal instrument for transboundary aquifers, offer useful lessons. The paper concludes that a “world water contract” or Law of the Hidden Sea could be adapted to incorporate groundwater as a global common, deep aquifers that are not in direct hydraulic connection with surface water resources and that are part of the developing common heritage of mankind.
The importance of operating rules and assessments of beneficial use in water resource allocation policy and management
Authors: Hughes D. A. , Mallory S. J. L.
Published: October 2009

The future management of water resources must take into account the levels of beneficial use that apply to various water use sectors. Competition for water during periods of low natural availability (droughts) suggests that users may not have access to their full supply requirement all of the time. This is particularly true of regions such as South Africa where natural water availability is highly variable and possibly will be even more so in the future. Socioeconomic evaluations of water allocation strategies should therefore account for the impacts of periodic restrictions (or shortfalls) in supply across different water use sectors. This paper presents an approach to designing water allocation operating rules that can account for restrictions and their impacts on individual water users, as well as on the community as a whole. The approach is illustrated using hypothetical data, as real data are not generally available. The paper maintains that it is important for socioeconomic evaluation methods to account for the possible effects of supply restrictions as well as the relative benefits of the normal supply volume. If they do not, they will not provide the information required by water resource engineers to design and operate water allocation systems.
Wastewater treatment modelling: dealing with uncertainties
Authors: Belia E. , Amerlinck Y. , Benedetti L. , Johnson B. , Sin G. , Vanrolleghem P. A. , Gernaey K. V. , Gillot S. , Neumann M. B. , Rieger L. , Shaw A. , Villez K.
Published: October 2009

This paper serves as a problem statement of the issues surrounding uncertainty in wastewater treatment modelling. The paper proposes a structure for identifying the sources of uncertainty introduced during each step of an engineering project concerned with model-based design or optimisation of a wastewater treatment system. It briefly references the methods currently used to evaluate prediction accuracy and uncertainty and discusses the relevance of uncertainty evaluations in model applications. The paper aims to raise awareness and initiate a comprehensive discussion among professionals on model prediction accuracy and uncertainty issues. It also aims to identify future research needs. Ultimately the goal of such a discussion would be to generate transparent and objective methods of explicitly evaluating the reliability of model results, before they are implemented in an engineering decision-making context.
Anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in a two-stage membrane process
Authors: Trzcinski A. P. , Stuckey D. C.
Published: October 2009

A batch of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) was treated in a two-step process with effluent recirculation comprising a novel hydrolytic reactor (HR) followed by a Submerged Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (SAMBR) operating at a stable permeate flux of 5.6 L/m2 hr (LMH). A soluble COD removal higher than 95% was obtained from the SAMBR. The soluble COD as well as the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) did not build up due to efficient hydrolysis inside the SAMBR, and no VFA accumulation occurred due to the complete retention of methanogens by the membrane as well as the formation of syntrophic associations. Because of the microfiltration membrane in the second reactor a stabilized leachate was obtained from the very first days of the treatment and the highly stable process enabled shorter treatment periods compared to traditional leach bed processes. This experiment showed that the recycle of the stabilised leachate does not lead to a build up of SCOD. Size exclusion chromatography analysis confirmed that high molecular weight compounds were completely degraded and did not appear in the SAMBR permeate, and that low molecular weight fulvic-like and medium MW material were present in the permeate of the SAMBR but their concentration remained stable with time.
Microbial community associated with glucose-induced enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Wu Guangxue , Sørensen Ketil B , Rodgers Michael , Zhan Xinmin
Published: October 2009

The microbial community associated with enhanced biological phosphorus removal with glucose as the main carbon source at 11°C was investigated using microscopy and molecular fingerprinting techniques. The study lasted 77 days and comprised two stages—Stage 1 when the mixture of glucose, yeast and dried milk was the organic carbon source and Stage 2 when glucose was the single carbon source. Rhodocyclus-related polyphosphate accumulating organisms, α-Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes constituted 42% in Stage 1 and 45% in Stage 2, 21% in Stage 1 and 16% in Stage 2, and 10% in Stage 1 and 7% in Stage 2 of the total Bacteria, respectively. The Trichococcus genus from the low GC Gram-positive bacteria was possibly responsible for lactic acid production from glucose. The microbial community was gradually changing throughout the experiment and appeared to stabilize towards the end of the experiment. Periods of suboptimal phosphorus removal could have been caused by competition among different microbial communities for carbon substrate.
Innovative Enhancement of the Design and Precision of the Capillary Suction Time Testing Device
Authors: Sawalha Ola , Scholz Miklas
Published: October 2009

The capillary suction time (CST) test can be used as an alternative to predict the otherwise expensive, hard‐to‐run specific resistance to filtration test. One of the major drawbacks of the CST test, however, is relatively high variability of test results. The aim of this study was, therefore, to improve the product design by testing the effectiveness of using a funnel sealant to reduce variability. Use of a funnel sealant resulted in increased test precision. There was a reduction of up to 63% in the coefficient of variation and a substantial improvement in the predictability of the specific resistance to filtration test.
Observational Data on Practical Experience and Conditions of Use of Written Instructions
Authors: Ganier Franck
Published: October 2009

This article presents a study investigating how people deal with procedural documents when using a new domestic appliance. An observational study was carried out in a quasi-experimental setting in order to outline the behavior of users encountering and using an appliance for the first time. The purpose of this observation was to identify two kinds of factors: on the one hand, factors inciting the use of procedural documents accompanying appliances, and on the other hand, design features facilitating the use of these documents when looking for specific information. User behavior and strategies were categorized using two kinds of indicators: 1) the number of times the documents were examined prior to contact with the appliance and/or while carrying out the prescribed tasks; and 2) the total time required to locate information in three different kinds of documents: Text only, Picture only, Text + Picture. Results show that 16 participants out of 30 spontaneously used the procedural documents before starting to use the appliance. However, during the session, 27 participants consulted the documents at least once. This consultation was determined by the task to carry out and the complexity level of the task. Otherwise, results show that time taken to locate information was shortest when instructions were displayed in text-and-picture format.
Age and Cigarette Smoking are Independently Associated with the Cutaneous Vascular Response to Local Warming
Authors: Avery Miriam R , Voegeli David , Byrne Christopher D , Simpson David M , Clough Geraldine F
Published: October 2009

Purpose: To investigate the relative impacts of age and cigarette smoking on cutaneous blood flow and flowmotion.

Experimental Design: Skin blood flux was measured before and during the hyperaemic response to thermal warming of the skin to 43°C using laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF) in 28 habitual smokers (5.4 [11.4] (median [IQR]) pack years; pack years = packs/day X duration of smoking habit), aged between 18 and 63 years and their age, sex and body mass index. flowmotion was assessed using Fourier analysis of the LDF signal.

Results: Mean and total hyperaemic (area under the flux curve, AUC10) response during warming were reduced in smokers compared with their non‐smoking controls (P<0.05). Attenuation of the response to warming in smokers was associated with a reduction in relative spectral power around 0.01 Hz, reflecting a reduced endothelial/metabolic activity (P <0.04). In regression modelling with AUC10 as the outcome, and smoking (yes/no), age, sex and BMI, as explanatory variables, age (P <0.0001) and smoking (P =0.018) were independently associated with the hyperaemic response and together accounted for 31% of the variance in AUC10.

Conclusions: Age and smoking are associated with approximately one‐third of the variance in the endothelium‐associated microvascular vasomotor activity in habitual smokers.
Abstracts of the fall 2009 meeting of the Microcirculatory Society, Inc. “Frontiers in microcirculation: control processes and clinical applications”
Authors: Segal Steven S.
Published: October 2009

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The following companies are gratefully acknowledged for their generous support of this scientific conference: Danish Myo Technology (www.dmt.dk/); Hitschfel Instruments, Inc. (www.hitschfel.com/); IonOptix llc (www.ionoptix.com/); Living Systems Instrumentation, Inc. (www.livingsys.com/); Siskiyou Corporation (www.siskiyou.com/); Solamere Technology Group (www.solameretech.com/); Stanford Photonics, Inc. (www.stanfordphotonics.com/); Sutter Instrument Company (www.sutter.com/); Warner Instruments, llc (www.warneronline.com/); and World Precision Instruments (www.wpiinc.com/).
Survey of Weeds and Management Practices in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the Savanna Ecology of Ghana1
Authors: Dzomeku I. K. , Abudulai M. , Brandenburg R. L. , Jordan D. L.
Published: October 2009

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the most popular legume cultivated for food and cash in the Guinea and Sudan savannah ecologies of northern Ghana. A three-year survey was conducted between 2003 and 2005 to: (1) document the prevalence of weed species, (2) determine current cropping systems and weed management practices, and (3) assess the response of peanut to weed management practices. Flora with more than 5% dominance included: (1) the dicotyledonous weeds, Corchorus olitorius L. Commelina benghalensis L., Commelina diffusa Burm., f, Desmodium scorpluras (Sw.) Desv., Hyptis suoveolens Poit., Mimosa invisa Mart., Mimosa pigra L., Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) DC., Oldenlandia corymbosa L., Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn., Scoparia dulcis L., Tridax procumbens L., Triumfeta cordiflora A. Rich., and Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less.; (2) the monocotyledonous weeds Axonopus compresus (Sw.) P. Beauv., Cyperus esculentus L., Cyperus rotundus L., Digitaria horizontalisWilld., Eragrostis tremula Hochst. Ex Steud., Hackelochloa granularis (L.) O. Ktze., Kyllinga erecta Schumach. Var., Kyllinga squamulata Thonn. Ex Vahl., Paspalum scrobiculatum L., Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, and Setaria pallide-fusca (Schum.) Stapf. & C.E. Hubbard; and (3) the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Land preparation practices included the use of tractors, followed by use of livestock, and lastly hand preparation. Cropping systems consisted of cereals preceding peanut, peanut preceding peanut, and intercropping peanut with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench.), millet (Pennisetum Americanum L.), or corn (Zea mays L.). Genetically-improved peanut cultivars expressing bunch or erect growth habits were the most common cultivars although some farmers planted local cultivars expressing a distinct runner growth habit. The majority of farmers planted peanut from early June to early July based on rainfall pattern. Eighty-eight percent of peanut fields were hand weeded once, 3 to 5 weeks after planting (WAP) or twice, 2 to 3 and 5 to 6 WAP. Weed management was generally poorly timed and insufficient to prevent significant weed interference resulting in total oven-dried weed biomass ranging from 600 to 2400 kg/ha at harvest. Peanut haulm production ranged from 500 to 5500 kg/ha with improved cultivars. Pod yield production ranged from 200 to 1680 kg/ha. Results from this survey revealed the need for accelerated research and capacity building of farmers and agricultural extension agents for improved technology transfer to the peanut industry in the region.
Early Experience of Spinal Instrumentation at NITOR, Dhaka "Spinal Stabilization is the Goal for Early Mobilization"
Authors: Ahmed Sk Abbas Uddin , Alam ASM Monirul , Kairy Ramdew Ram
Published: October 2009

In our country spinal injury patients are mostly treated conservatively for 12 to 18 weeks. So complications of immobilization for long time are more (bed sore, UTI, respiratory infection, paralytic ilius, wt. loss and lastly psychological distress).With this in our mind spinal stabilization was done for early mobilization of the paraplegic patients to prevent complications of immobilization. Objective of this study were: to reduce pain, to early mobilize for prevention of complications of immobilization and to assess the improvement after spinal stabilization. This Randomized prospective study was conducted from May 2003 to January 2004 at Tertiary referral Orthopaedic Institute.   DOI: 10.3329/bmj.v38i1.3581 Bangladesh Medical Journal 38(1) 2009 15-17
Human Papilloma Virus and Other Risk Factors of Carcinoma Cervix
Authors: Khatun S , Hussain Syed Md Akram , Hossain F , Choudhury A
Published: October 2009

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in many developing countries constituting 20%-30% of female cancers. The etiological factors of cervical cancer include environmental, social, sexual and sexually transmitted agents including human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV has identified in 99.7% invasive cancer. Objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of HPV-DNA virus among diagnosed cases of preinvasive and invasive diseases and to find out different sociodemographic parameters related to carcinoma cervix. This was a cross sectional study. The study has conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Duration of study was from May 2005 to May 2006. Samples were collected from diagnosed cases of CIN I, II, III and CIS and invasive cancer. Thirty cases were recruited for collection of cervical scraping. Sample were collected of in a specially designed sampler containing liquid transport medium and preserved in minus 20 Degree Celsius and sent to the DNA laboratory for processing and identification of HPV by hybrid capture II method. The results were analyzed by using SPSS version 11.0 and shown in tables and diagrams. The risk factors for HPV infection identified from the result. These are early sexual activity, years of sexual activity, urban people, and higher number of pregnancies. The test could identify HPV-DNA in 100 % of invasive and 50 % of preinvasive cancer. In this study HPV infection was found as a strong determinant for the development of cervical carcinoma and its precursors. Poor socio-economic condition, lower level of education, early marriage and first delivery, multi-parity, years of sexual activity are the risk factors for developing HPV infection. New guidelines for cervical cancer screening strategies could be able to develop from the information obtained from this study. A population-based study with larger sample will be required for the evaluation of cervical cancer screening strategies. Key words: HPV, Carcinoma Cervix   DOI: 10.3329/bmj.v38i1.3582 Bangladesh Medical Journal 38(1) 2009 18-23
Mortuary Profile for Unnatural Deaths at Forensic Medicine Department of Dhaka Medical College
Authors: Rahim Mostaque , Das TC
Published: October 2009

Death is unnatural when caused permaturely against the order of nature by injury, position or other means of violence. Data on unnatural deaths may reflect the law and order situation in a particular area of jurisdiction. This study is concerned with pattern of unnatural deaths in Dhaka Medical College mortuary during 1996. We found 1725 (97%) cases of unnatural deaths by analyzing 1772 cases of deaths. Data gives 18.37% increment in unnatural deaths 77.28% was males and 22.71% females. The frequency pattern of unnatural deaths were 68.92% RTAs, 11.69% homicide, 08.00% suicide and 2.80 natural. Burn, electrocution and others comprise the rest 11.565 unnatural deaths. Males suffer 3.4X more unnatural deaths than females. But RTAs males were 5.31X, in homicide 11.40X, in suicide 1.70X respectively than females. In hanging, female were predominant (1.72X of male deaths). 21-40 years is the age group showing peak frequencies on different types of unnatural deaths though hanging showed peak on 11-20 years. Besides, 95.47% of the unnatural deaths were the Muslims, 4.25% were Hindu and .14% was Christians. Firearms were used in 29.40% cases, blunt weapon in 38.46% cases and sharp cutting weapon in 31.60% cases of homicides respectively. Key words: Unnatural Death, RTA, Homicide   DOI: 10.3329/bmj.v38i2.3572 Bangladesh Medical Journal 38(2) 2009 44-47
An Application Illustration of the Event Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) as a Framework for Analysis Using the Design of the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Authors: Silvers Julia Rutherford , Nelson Kathleen Beard
Published: October 2009

Case studies involving actual situations and events have long been recognized as a valuable learning tool, providing instructors with methods for promoting mental inquiry (Knowles, Holton, & Swanson, 1998) and students with real-life examples to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate.
This article proposes the use of the Event Management Body of Knowledge (EMBOK) as an analytical tool to support case studies, as well as other teaching methods, because of its potential as a structure for deconstructing and analyzing an event. In the realm of events, there is arguably no
better example to study than the Olympic Games due to its global recognition and hallmark status. This article uses the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games as the subject of an analysis using the Design Knowledge Domain of the EMBOK to illustrate the value of the EMBOK as a
logical framework for analysis in a learning environment.
A Platform for Supporting Micro-Collaborations in a Diverse Device Environment
Authors: Johnson David
Published: October 2009

Collaborative software is usually thought of as providing audio-video conferencing services, application/desktop sharing, and access to large content repositories. However mobile device usage is characterized by users carrying out short and intermittent tasks sometimes referred to as â??micro-taskingâ??. Micro-collaborations are not well supported by traditional groupware systems and the work in this paper seeks out to address this. Mico is a system that provides a set of application level peer-to-peer services for the ad-hoc formation and facilitation of collaborative groups across a diverse mobile device domain. The system builds on the Java ME bindings of the JXTA P2P protocols, and is designed with an approach to use the lowest common denominators that are required for collaboration between varying degrees of mobile device capability. To demonstrate how our platform facilitates application development, we built an exemplary set of demonstration applications and include code examples here to illustrate the ease and speed afforded when developing collaborative software with Mico.
Analysis of Pedagogical Considerations of M-Learning in Smart Devices
Authors: Mostakhdemin-Hosseini Ali
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT- Unlike the traditional classroom based learning where the learning happened on the specific time and place. In mobile learning the learning is not depended to any designated time and place. Learning through mobile device requires extensive design and pedagogical considerations. The traditional teaching pedagogy theories are not suitable for mobile learning since the main assumptions on teaching are in the classroom. There have already been some initiatives for defining distinct pedagogical theories for mobile learning. The main focuses of the mobile learning pedagogical consideration must be directed to content of the learning materials and the context where the learning occurs.
Usability Testing of a Collaborative and Interactive University on a Mobile Device
Authors: McArdle Gavin , Monahan Teresa , Bertolotto Michela
Published: October 2009

Abstract - The use of mobile devices for delivering learning tools is an attractive concept. Termed mobile learning (m-learning), this new technology allows people to participate in learning activities without being tied to a fixed location and provides users with convenient and flexible access to learning resources anytime and anywhere. While many m-learning applications have been developed to date, most provide tools to help studentsâ?? with specific learning tasks rather than a general interface to online courses. Few sup-port online learning communities or allow users to download multimedia learning content. These features would engage mobile users and enable them to interact with one another, thus allowing them to participate in group learning activities despite their changing location. In this article, we describe an m-learning system which we have developed which aims to incorporate these facilities. This system provides access to multimedia learning resources and supports mobile users in an interactive synchronous learning environment with their desktop peers. Details of the evaluation techniques which we utilised to appraise the system are provided and the results are presented. Feedback suggests that the features offered by our system are beneficial for collaborative m-learning.