bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microporosity: Characterization, Distribution, and Influence on Oil Recovery
Authors: Fullmer Shawn M , Guidry Sean A , Gournay Jonas , Bowlin Emily , Ottinger Gary , Al Neyadi Abdulla Mohammed , Gupta Gaurav , Gao Bo , Edwards Ewart
Published: March 2015

Microporosity is very common in limestone reservoirs globally and is especially significant in many large Mesozoic reservoirs in the Middle East. Despite its common occurrence there is:Wide variation in its definition,Uncertainty around characterization, genetic controls, and distributionA rudimentary understanding of its influence on reservoir performance and hydrocarbon recovery.

The results of this study, based on a global survey of microporosity and specific Middle Eastern case studies, provide clarity on each of these topics.

One volumetrically significant type of microporosity occurs between micron size subhedral crystals of low magnesium calcite in matrix and within grains. This micro-pore system is very homogenous in terms of pore size distribution with 90% of pores between 1 and 3 microns in diameter. Pore throat radii range between 0.1 and 1.5 microns. Porosity, permeability, and capillarity relationships reflect this homogeneity for rocks dominated by microporosity. Rocks with less than approximately 80% microporosity exhibit a marked increase in pore system heterogeneity.

A pore geometry characterization approach incorporating digital image analyses of petrographic thin-sections was developed and provides a very effective means of rapidly characterizing and quantifying the total pore system, including microporosity.

The lateral and stratigraphic distribution of microporosity is systematically related to the distribution of depositional facies and the regional extent of burial diagenetic processes. Factors that inhibit burial diagenesis, such as hydrocarbon charge, also have a strong influence on the nature and distribution of microporosity.

Remaining oil saturation in microporous limestone, as measured from centrifuge capillary pressure and steady state (SS) core flood experiments, is negatively correlated with the percent fraction of microporosity. Due to the homogenous nature of the micro-pore system, rocks dominated by microporosity have more favorable oil recovery than rocks with mixed pore systems. In the specific cases studied here, water provides more favorable recovery than gas. These results have implications for resource assessment, field development planning and optimization of ultimate recovery in limestone reservoirs with significant microporosity.
Dilute Surfactant Flooding Studies in a Low-Permeability Oil-Wet Middle East Carbonate
Authors: Bennetzen Martin V. , Mogensen Kristian , Frank Soren , Mohanty Kishore
Published: March 2015

The majority of alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) applications to date have targeted medium-to-high permeability sandstone reservoirs containing reservoir brine with moderate salinity and hardness. Surfactant flooding experiments have been reported in carbonates, but applications targeting oil-wet, low-permeability limestone rock are still uncommon.

This paper contains results from laboratory core flood tests performed on an oil-wet limestone rock from the Al Shaheen field, offshore Qatar. The rock samples investigated had approximately 30% porosity and 5 mD permeability, whereas the reservoir brine had a salinity of about 120,000 ppm of which about 10,000 ppm were divalent cations.

The first screening step involved testing combinations of several commercial surfactants, co-surfactant and alkalis. Two cost-effective surfactant systems were identified. The first system, denoted ITR, was capable of reducing the interfacial tension below 0.001 mN/m over the required range of salinities. The second system, referred to as WA, effectively altered the wettability from strongly oil-wet to intermediate-wet. Static adsorption was measured to be low for both systems. No polymer was used because the permeability was very low. Both surfactant systems yielded significant incremental oil, when injected in tertiary as well as in secondary mode. The ITR system recovered almost 95% of OIIP but required many pore volumes since the cores remained oil-wet. The WA system, on the other hand, recovered some 85% of OIIP in secondary mode but achieved this with much fewer pore volumes.

The WA system was subjected to extensive analysis. Relative permeability curves from unsteady-state core flooding data were derived and experiments were simulated with UTCHEM.

The main conclusion from the extensive laboratory work is that surfactant systems can be tailored to recover a significant amount of oil from a low-permeability carbonate reservoir. Wettability alteration may assist in unlocking significant volumes of additional oil from this complex, offshore field.
Fuelling the Future with Gas Hydrates as a Perpetual Energy Source
Authors: Steffones K. , Chaturvedi Krishna R. , Sihag Priya
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds that form when water (or ice) contacts small molecules (called hydrate guests) under certain pressure and temperature conditions. The correct chemical name should be gas clathrate hydrates, with a clathrate being a compound formed by the inclusion of molecules of one kind in the crystal lattice of another (water in this case). In practice, these compounds are commonly referred to as gas hydrates, clathrate hydrates, or just hydrates. While specific to the particular hydrate guest, gas hydrates are stable typically at high pressures and low temperatures. A wide range of molecules have been shown to form gas hydrates. Those of the most practical interest are light hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, and propane. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide also form hydrates and are of particular interest. When hydrates form, water crystallizes to create a lattice of molecular-sized cages that trap guest molecules without chemical bonding between the host water and the guest molecules.
Alarming Pandrug Resistance (PDR), Extensive Drug Resistance (XDR), and Multidrug Resistance (MDR) Gram-Negative Bacilli
Authors: Hossain Moazzem
Published: March 2015

No Abstract AvailableJournal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2015;2(1):1-2DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jcamr.v2i1.22578
Neonatal Outcome among the Misoprostol Induced Term Pregnant women
Authors: Nahar Aftabun , Ghani Afroza , Khatun Ashia , Sultana Rifat , Akter Fatema Mahbooba , Yusuf M Abdullah
Published: March 2015

Background: Use of misoprostol in term pregnancy can give some adverse result. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the neonatal outcome among the term pregnant women. Methodology: This cohort study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital during the period from 1st September 2005 to 28th February 2006. Primi or second gravida patients with the gestational age between 37 weeks to 42 weeks in singleton pregnancy with cephalic presentation and not in labour who came for delivery purposes during the study period at any age were selected as study population. After proper selection of the cases, induction of labour (IOL) was done by applying Tab Misoprostol 50mcg in the posterior vaginal fornix. Purpose of induction of labour was successful when vaginal delivery occurred without any untoward side effects and without any surgical interference and with good APGAR score of the newborn. Result: A total number of 60 pregnant women were recruited in this study. 60% patients were within 23-30 years of age. This table shows that out of 43 cases of vaginal delivery 22 cases needed 1 dose of Misoprostol 21 cases needed more than 1 dose. This table shows that all the baby were live born. Among them 55 (92%) baby were healthy and 5 (8%) baby were asphyxiated. the depressed babies were well after resuscitation in usual manner and after 5" mean Apgar score was 9.46. Mean birth weight was 2.94 kg. Conclusion: There is no perinatal death in the misoprostol induced delivery; however, neonatal asphyxia is found in few cases as an adverse outcome.Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2015;2(1):3-6DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jcamr.v2i1.22579
A Combined Field/Laboratory Method for Assessment of Frost Tolerance with Freezing Tests and Chlorophyll Fluorescence
Authors: Badeck Franz-W. , Rizza Fulvia
Published: March 2015

Recent progress in genotyping allows for studies of the molecular genetic basis of cold resistance in cereals. However, as in many other fields of molecular genetic analysis, phenotyping for high numbers of genotypes is still a major bottleneck. The use of chlorophyll fluorescence measurements as an indicator for freezing stress is a well established and rapid method for evaluation of frost tolerance. In order to extend the applicability of this technique beyond plants grown under controlled conditions in growth chambers and sacrificed for the test, here we study its applicability for leaves harvested from field trials during winter and subjected to freezing tests. Such an approach allows for simultaneous studies of the advancement of cold hardening and other components of winter survival apart from frost tolerance. It is shown that cutting or senescence of cut leaves does not have adverse effects on the outcome of subsequent freezing stress tests. The time requirements for field sampling and laboratory testing on high numbers of genotypes allow for the application of the proposed approach for genotyping/phenotyping studies.
Cancer in Women over 50 Years of Age: A Focus on Smoking
Authors: Baccaro Luiz , Conde Délio , Costa-Paiva Lúcia , De Souza Santos Machado Vanessa , Pinto-Neto Aarão
Published: March 2015

The increase in life expectancy worldwide has resulted in a greater prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with the occurrence of cancer among Brazilian women over the age of 50. A cross-sectional study with 622 women over the age of 50 was performed using a population survey. The outcome variable was the occurrence of a malignant tumor in any location. The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, self-perception of health, health-related habits and morbidities. Statistical analysis was carried out using the chi-square test and Poisson regression. The mean age of the women was 64.1 years. The prevalence of cancer was 6.8%. The main sites of occurrence of malignant tumors were the breast (31.9%), colorectal (12.7%) and skin (12.7%). In the final statistical model, the only factor associated with cancer was smoking > 15 cigarettes/day either currently or in the past: PR 2.03 (95% CI 1.06–3.89). The results have improved understanding of the prevalence and factors associated with cancer in Brazilian women aged 50 years or more. They should be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle and pay particular attention to modifiable risk factors such as smoking.
Pain in the Blood? Envisioning Mechanism-Based Diagnoses and Biomarkers in Clinical Pain Medicine
Authors: Bäckryd Emmanuel
Published: March 2015

Chronic pain is highly prevalent, and pain medicine lacks objective biomarkers to guide diagnosis and choice of treatment. The current U.S. “opioid epidemic” is a reminder of the paucity of effective and safe treatment options. Traditional pain diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases are often unspecific, and analgesics are often prescribed on a trial-and-error basis. In contrast to this current state of affairs, the vision of future mechanism-based diagnoses of chronic pain conditions is presented in this non-technical paper, focusing on the need for biomarkers and the theoretical complexity of the task. Pain is and will remain a subjective experience, and as such is not objectively measurable. Therefore, the concept of “noci-marker” is presented as an alternative to “pain biomarker”, the goal being to find objective, measurable correlates of the pathophysiological processes involved in different chronic pain conditions. This vision entails a call for more translational pain research in order to bridge the gap between clinical pain medicine and preclinical science.
Chemopreventive Potential of Green Tea Catechins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shimizu Masahito , Shirakami Yohei , Sakai Hiroyasu , Kubota Masaya , Kochi Takahiro , Ideta Takayasu , Miyazaki Tsuneyuki , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: March 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a common malignancy worldwide, usually develops in a cirrhotic liver due to hepatitis virus infection. Metabolic syndrome, which is frequently complicated by obesity and diabetes mellitus, is also a critical risk factor for liver carcinogenesis. Green tea catechins (GTCs) may possess potent anticancer and chemopreventive properties for a number of different malignancies, including liver cancer. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are key mechanisms through which GTCs prevent the development of neoplasms, and they also exert cancer chemopreventive effects by modulating several signaling transduction and metabolic pathways. Furthermore, GTCs are considered to be useful for the prevention of obesity- and metabolic syndrome-related carcinogenesis by improving metabolic disorders. Several interventional trials in humans have shown that GTCs may ameliorate metabolic abnormalities and prevent the development of precancerous lesions. The purpose of this article is to review the key mechanisms by which GTCs exert chemopreventive effects in liver carcinogenesis, focusing especially on their ability to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases and improve metabolic abnormalities. We also review the evidence for GTCs acting to prevent metabolic syndrome-associated liver carcinogenesis.
DNA Damage: A Sensible Mediator of the Differentiation Decision in Hematopoietic Stem Cells and in Leukemia
Authors: Weiss Cary , Ito Keisuke
Published: March 2015

In the adult, the source of functionally diverse, mature blood cells are hematopoietic stem cells, a rare population of quiescent cells that reside in the bone marrow niche. Like stem cells in other tissues, hematopoietic stem cells are defined by their ability to self-renew, in order to maintain the stem cell population for the lifetime of the organism, and to differentiate, in order to give rise to the multiple lineages of the hematopoietic system. In recent years, increasing evidence has suggested a role for the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and DNA damage in the decision for hematopoietic stem cells to exit quiescence and to differentiate. In this review, we will examine recent work supporting the idea that detection of cell stressors, such as oxidative and genetic damage, is an important mediator of cell fate decisions in hematopoietic stem cells. We will explore the benefits of such a system in avoiding the development and progression of malignancies, and in avoiding tissue exhaustion and failure. Additionally, we will discuss new work that examines the accumulation of DNA damage and replication stress in aging hematopoietic stem cells and causes us to rethink ideas of genoprotection in the bone marrow niche.
Preliminary Biological Evaluation of 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V a Novel Apoptosis Imaging Agent
Authors: Lu Chunxiong , Jiang Quanfu , Hu Minjin , Tan Cheng , Yu Huixin , Hua Zichun
Published: March 2015

A novel annexin V derivative (Cys-Annexin V) with a single cysteine residue at its C-terminal has been developed and successfully labeled site-specifically with 18F-FBEM. 18F-FBEM was synthesized by coupling 18F-fluorobenzoic acid (18F-FBA) with N-(2-aminoethyl)maleimide using optimized reaction conditions. The yield of 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V was 71.5% ± 2.0% (n = 4, based on the starting 18F-FBEM, non-decay corrected). The radiochemical purity of 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V was >95%. The specific radioactivities of 18F-FBEM and 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V were >150 and 3.17 GBq/µmol, respectively. Like the 1st generation 18F-SFB-Annexin V, the novel 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V mainly shows renal and to a lesser extent, hepatobiliary excretion in normal mice. In rat hepatic apoptosis models a 3.88 ± 0.05 (n = 4, 1 h) and 10.35 ± 0.08 (n = 4, 2 h) increase in hepatic uptake of 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V compared to normal rats was observed after injection via the tail vein. The liver uptake ratio (treated/control) at 2 h p.i. as measured via microPET correlated with the ratio of apoptotic nuclei in liver observed using TUNEL histochemistry, indicating that the novel 18F-FBEM-Cys-Annexin V is a potential apoptosis imaging agent.
In Situ Self Assembly of Nanocomposites: Competition of Chaotic Advection and Interfacial Effects as Observed by X-Ray Diffreaction
Authors: Ratnaweera Dilru , Mahesha Chaitra , Zumbrunnen David , Perahia Dvora
Published: March 2015

The effects of chaotic advection on the in situ assembly of a hierarchal nanocomposite of Poly Amide 6, (nylon 6 or PA6) and platelet shape nanoparticles (NPs) were studied. The assemblies were formed by chaotic advection, where melts of pristine PA6 and a mixture of PA6 with NPs were segregated into discrete layers and extruded into film in a continuous process. The process assembles the nanocomposite into alternating pristine-polymer and oriented NP/polymer layers. The structure of these hierarchal assemblies was probed by X-rays as a processing parameter, N, was varied. This parameter provides a measure of the extent of in situ structuring by chaotic advection. We found that all assemblies are semi-crystalline at room temperature. Increasing N impacts the ratio of α to γ crystalline forms. The effects of the chaotic advection vary with the concentration of the NPs. For nanocomposites with lower NP concentrations the amount of the γ crystalline form increased with N. However, at higher NP concentrations, interfacial effects of the NP play a significant role in determining the structure, where the NPs oriented along the melt flow direction and the polymer chains oriented perpendicular to the NP surfaces.
MEMS Sensor Technologies for Human Centred Applications in Healthcare, Physical Activities, Safety and Environmental Sensing: A Review on Research Activities in Italy
Authors: Ciuti Gastone , Ricotti Leonardo , Menciassi Arianna , Dario Paolo
Published: March 2015

Over the past few decades the increased level of public awareness concerning healthcare, physical activities, safety and environmental sensing has created an emerging need for smart sensor technologies and monitoring devices able to sense, classify, and provide feedbacks to users’ health status and physical activities, as well as to evaluate environmental and safety conditions in a pervasive, accurate and reliable fashion. Monitoring and precisely quantifying users’ physical activity with inertial measurement unit-based devices, for instance, has also proven to be important in health management of patients affected by chronic diseases, e.g., Parkinson’s disease, many of which are becoming highly prevalent in Italy and in the Western world. This review paper will focus on MEMS sensor technologies developed in Italy in the last three years describing research achievements for healthcare and physical activity, safety and environmental sensing, in addition to smart systems integration. Innovative and smart integrated solutions for sensing devices, pursued and implemented in Italian research centres, will be highlighted, together with specific applications of such technologies. Finally, the paper will depict the future perspective of sensor technologies and corresponding exploitation opportunities, again with a specific focus on Italy.
Bialaba Migrants from the Northern of Benin to Nigeria, in Search of Productive Land—Insights for Living with Climate Change
Authors: Dreier Vanessa , Sow Papa
Published: March 2015

The concept of Environmental Migration has been broadly discussed by the international scientific community. Especially developing countries will have to develop strategies to cope with a rising number of people migrating at national and international levels due to climatic changes and environmental degradation. This paper will critically analyze the term Environmental Migration and sets it in relation to a case study conducted in northwest Benin in August/October of 2013 with Bialaba, analyzing their temporary migration pattern to Nigeria. The aim is to reveal current discussions on the term “Environmental Migration”/“Environmental Migrant” and to discuss its conceptual limits. The qualitative study in this working paper was conducted in the form of 36 interviews with farmers in the Dassari watershed North of Benin and surrounding villages as well as with stakeholders of the local government and NGOs active in the research area. Research results are presented in the following paper to clarify migration motives for the Bialaba of northwest Benin towards Nigeria aiming to stimulate discussions on the topic and to promote new research pathways.
A Crossing Method for Quinoa
Authors: Peterson Adam , Jacobsen Sven-Erik , Bonifacio Alejandro , Murphy Kevin
Published: March 2015

As sustainable production of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) increases and its geographic range of cultivation expands, quinoa breeding will allow use of the crop’s wide genetic diversity for cultivar improvement and for adaptation to new agroecosystems and climactic regimes. Such breeding work will require a reliable technique for crossing quinoa plants using hand emasculation. The technique described herein focuses on the isolation of small flower clusters produced low on the plant, emasculation of male flowers, and subsequent pairing of the emasculated female parent with a male parent undergoing anthesis. Various traits, such as plant color, seed color, and axil pigmentation can be used to confirm the successful production of F1 plants. The manual hybridization technology provides a significant advantage over pairing plants and relying on chance cross-pollination, and has been successfully used to generate crosses between quinoa cultivars, as well as interspecific crosses between quinoa and Chenopodium berlandieri. This technology will help pave the way for the introduction and sustainable expansion of quinoa on a global scale across a wide range of target environments and diverse farming systems.
Resource Demand Growth and Sustainability Due to Increased World Consumption
Authors: Balatsky Alexander , Balatsky Galina , Borysov Stanislav
Published: March 2015

The paper aims at continuing the discussion on sustainability and attempts to forecast the impossibility of the expanding consumption worldwide due to the planet’s limited resources. As the population of China, India and other developing countries continue to increase, they would also require more natural and financial resources to sustain their growth. We coarsely estimate the volumes of these resources (energy, food, freshwater) and the gross domestic product (GDP) that would need to be achieved to bring the population of India and China to the current levels of consumption in the United States. We also provide estimations for potentially needed immediate growth of the world resource consumption to meet this equality requirement. Given the tight historical correlation between GDP and energy consumption, the needed increase of GDP per capita in the developing world to the levels of the U.S. would deplete explored fossil fuel reserves in less than two decades. These estimates predict that the world economy would need to find a development model where growth would be achieved without heavy dependence on fossil fuels.
Smilax(Smilacaceae) from the Miocene of western Eurasia with Caribbean biogeographic affinities
Authors: Denk Thomas , Velitzelos Dimitrios , Güner H. Tuncay , Ferrufino‐Acosta Lilian
Published: March 2015

•Premise of the study:Recent molecular studies provide a phylogenetic framework and some dated nodes for the monocot genusSmilax. The Caribbean Havanensis group ofSmilaxis part of a well‐supported “New World clade” with a few disjunct taxa in the Old World. Although the fossil record of the genus is rich, it has been difficult to assign fossil taxa to extant groups based on their preserved morphological characters.

•Methods:Leaf fossils from Europe and Asia Minor were studied comparatively and put into a phylogenetic and biogeographic context using a molecular phylogeny of the genus.

•Key results:Fossils from the early Miocene of Anatolia represent a new species ofSmilaxwith systematic affinities with the Havanensis group. The leaf type encountered in the fossil species is exclusively found in species of the Havanensis group among all modernSmilax. Scattered fossils of this type from the Miocene of Greece and Austria, previously referred toQuercus(Fagaceae),Ilex(Aquifoliaceae), andMahonia(Berberidaceae) also belong to the new species.

•Conclusions:The newSmilaxprovides first fossil evidence of the Havanensis group and proves that this group had a western Eurasian distribution during the Miocene. The age of the fossils is in good agreement with the (molecular‐based) purported split between the Havanensis and Hispida groups withinSmilax. The MioceneSmilaxprovides evidence that all four subclades within the “New World clade” had a disjunct intercontinental distribution during parts of the Neogene involving trans‐Atlantic crossings (via floating islands or the North Atlantic land bridge) and the Beringia land bridge.
Article Commentary: HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders and Central Nervous System Drug Penetration: What Next?
Authors: Marra Christina M
Published: March 2015

The current prevalence of cognitive impairment in HIV-infected individuals is surprisingly high, even in those with undetectable plasma HIV RNA. The aetiology is unknown but one possibility is inadequate control of persistent central nervous system (CNS) HIV infection. The CNS Penetration Effectiveness (CPE) rank has been proposed to predict how well an antiretroviral regimen treats CNS infection. Fabbiani et al. report that ‘correcting’ the CPE rank of each drug in an individual's regimen for the results of genotypic susceptibility (the CPE-GSS score) results in better ability to predict whether the regimen will improve cognition. The CPE-GSS score may help us better understand the aetiology of HIV-associated cognitive impairment. Whether it will be useful in the management of individual patients requires further study.
Pregnancy Outcome in Women of Advanced Maternal Age: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Turkish Maternity Hospital
Authors: Bekdas Mervan , Demircioglu Fatih , KadÄ± Zeynep , KÄ±smet Erol
Published: March 2015

Background: There is a current trend towards delayed childbearing around the world. This is considered to increase the risk for poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this study, we evaluated pregnancy outcomes in women of advanced maternal age in a single maternity hospital in Turkey.Methods: Medical records of 517 women aged 35 years and older that gave birth between 2009 and 2010 were examined retrospectively. The chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U, and Student t tests were used for statistical analyses.Results: In total, 462 (89.3%) women aged 39 years or less and 55 (10.6%) women aged 40 years and older were included in the analysis. Cesarean sections, and neonatal mortality were more common in women of advanced maternal age (p = 0.004 and p=0.002, respectively). Neonatal mortality (OR: 0.1; 95% CI 0.02â€“1; p = 0.032), premature birth (OR: 0.4; 95% CI 0.2â€“0.8; p = 0.008), and low birth weight (LBW) (OR: 0.2; 95% CI 0.1â€“0.5; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in women 40 years and older. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) developed in 26% of babies with LBWs. All patients of neonatal death were diagnosed with asphyxiation or RDS.Conclusions: At the Bolu Izzet Baysal Maternity and Childrenâ€™s Hospital, advanced maternal age was associated with increased adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes.
Treatment of Multiple Chalazions with Intralesional Kenalog-40 Injections in Juvenile Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Janicijevic-Petrovic Mirjana A. , Jancic Snezana , Janicijevic Katarina , Popovic Andrijana
Published: March 2015

Aim: To case report the efficacy of subcutaneous steroid injections in the treatment of multiple chalazions and to evaluate the safety of intralesional injection in primary and recurrent chalazions in juvenile patient.Case report: A 25-year-old man noticed lesions which appeared on upper lid during past three months. It was clinically presented with three focal, large and painful nodules in upper right eyelid. Inflammation process began on May the 1st of 2013. After one month in May 30th 2013 was directly administered synthetic steroid, Kenalog-40. Application of triamcinolone acetonide resulted in two satellite lesions, compared to the original, when the same incisions drained during the first surgery in July 5th 2013, with topical antibiotic-steroidal drugs and hot compresses. Second surgery was in July 26th 2013. Third surgery was performed in August 5st 2013 with second application of Kenalog-40. Combined treatment leads to recovery of clinical signs and inflammation of right upper eyelid with regressions of primary and recurrent chalazions.Conclusion: Two steroid subcutaneous injections produced complete resolution of multiple primary and recurrent chalazions. Clinical imperative was that recurrent or unusual refractory chalazions require referral to Hystopathological examination of curetting to exclude malignancy.
A Case of Allergic Dermatitis after Self-Treatment with Propolis: Case Report
Authors: Fida Monika , Kellici Suela , Hoxha Mehmet , Qirko Etleva
Published: March 2015

Background:Â  Propolis or bee-glue is used as adjuvant in the therapy because of its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and antibacterial properties. Propolis is found in a number of products such as cosmetics, shampoos, toothpastes, lip balms, creams and ointments. In dermatology propolis has been used for wound healing, treatment of ulcers and eczema, and regeneration of the skin. The sensitizing properties of propolis have been reported in the literature.Aim: The aim of this study was to present a case of allergic contact dermatitis after self-treatment with propolis.Methods: We report a case of 46 years old man who presented severe vesiculo-bullous elements on the leg after the treatment with bee-glue for the eczematous elements.Results: The diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis to propolis was confirmed due to patch tests.Conclusions: Here we show that allergic contact dermatitis from propolis should be taken in consideration if an allergic reaction is evident. Dermatologists and general physicians should be aware of propolis as an important allergen that can cause Allergic Contact Dermatitis. The therapeutic use of propolis should be performed under medical advisory.
Análisis paleoambiental de los depósitos aluviales de la sección de Cenicero a partir de las asociaciones de ostrácodos (Mioceno inferior, NO de la Cuenca del Ebro)
Authors: Martínez-García B. , Suarez-Hernando O. , Hernández J. M. , Suárez-Bilbao A. , Murelaga X.
Published: March 2015

En este trabajo se realiza, por vez primera, un análisis paleoambiental y bioestratigráfico de los depósitos aluviales del Mioceno inferior de la sección de Cenicero (sector NO de la Cuenca del Ebro; N de la Península Ibérica), a partir de las asociaciones de ostrácodos y micromamíferos preservadas en estos materiales. Una de las principales características de esta sección es la inusual abundancia de ejemplares de ostrácodos no transportados, en comparación con otras secciones europeas de edad y ambiente sedimentario similares, lo que permite hacer inferencias paleoambientales precisas. La variación en las asociaciones de ostrácodos identificadas, defini-das por especies como Cyclocypris laevis, Ilyocypris bradyi, Ilyocypris gibba, Limnocythere sp. o Pseudocandona parallela, parece sugerir el desarrollo de pequeños cuerpos de agua dulce, someros y efímeros, enmarcados en un ambiente general aluvial distal y/o de llanura de inundación. Hacia techo de la sección, se registra una mayor permanencia temporal de estas acumulaciones y condiciones más estables y favorables del medio para el desarrollo de los ostrácodos. Así mismo, se observan variaciones en la temperatura y salinidad del agua a lo largo de la sección, que podrían estar relacionadas con cambios en el régimen pluviométrico local. La presencia de micromamíferos en uno de los niveles estudiados ha permitido obtener una datación precisa de la sección. Así, la aparición de Armantomys daamsi sitúa la sección de Cenicero dentro de la zona local Y2 (MN2) de edad Ageniense (Mioceno inferior).
Determinants for the Goodness of Performance Measurement Systems
Authors: Pidun Tim
Published: March 2015

The supply of adequate information is one of the main functions of Performance Measurement Systems (PMS), but also one of its drawbacks and reason for failure. Not only the collection of indicators is crucial, but also the stakeholders' understanding of their meaning, purpose, and contextual embedding. Today, companies seek a PMS without a way to express the goodness of a solution, indicating its ability to deliver appropriate information and to address these demands. The goal of this chapter is to explore the mechanisms that drive information and knowledge supply in PMS in order to model a way to express this goodness. Using a grounded theory approach, a theory of visibility of performance is developed, featuring a catalog of determinants for the goodness of PMS. Companies can conveniently use them to assess their PMS and to improve the visibility of their performance.
Design and Development of a Simulation for Testing the Effects of Instructional Gaming Characteristics on Learning of Basic Statistical Skills
Authors: Novak Elena , Johnson Tristan E.
Published: March 2015

Considerable resources have been invested in examining the game design principles that best foster learning. One way to understand what constitutes a well-designed instructional game is to examine the relationship between gaming characteristics and actual learning. This report discusses the lessons learned from the design and development process of instructional simulations that are enhanced by competition and storyline gaming characteristics and developed as instructional interventions for a study on the effects of gaming characteristics on learning effectiveness and engagement. The goal of the instructional simulations was to engage college students in learning the statistics concepts of standard deviation and the empirical rule. A pilot study followed by a small-scale experimental study were conducted to improve the value and effectiveness of these designed simulations. Based on these findings, specific practical implications are offered for designing actual learning environments that are enhanced by competition and storyline gaming elements.
Personality Impressions of World of Warcraft Players Based on Their Avatars and Usernames
Authors: Harari Gabriella M. , Graham Lindsay T. , Gosling Samuel D.
Published: March 2015

Every week an estimated 20 million people collectively spend hundreds of millions of hours playing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Here the authors investigate whether avatars in one such game, the World of Warcraft (WoW), convey accurate information about their players' personalities. They assessed consensus and accuracy of avatar-based impressions for 299 WoW players. The authors examined impressions based on avatars alone, and images of avatars presented along with usernames. The personality impressions yielded moderate consensus (avatar-only mean ICC = .32; avatar plus username mean ICC = .66), but no accuracy (avatar only mean r = .03; avatar plus username mean r = .01). A lens-model analysis suggests that observers made use of avatar features when forming impressions, but the features had little validity. Discussion focuses on what factors might explain the pattern of consensus but no accuracy, and on why the results might differ from those based on other virtual domains and virtual worlds.
QoS Evaluation of End-to-End Services in Virtualized Computing Environments
Authors: Yan Guofeng , Peng Yuxing , Chen Shuhong , You Pengfei
Published: March 2015

Quality of service (QoS) optimization for end-to-end (e2e) services always depends on performance analysis in cloud-based service delivery industry. However, performance analysis of e2e services becomes difficult as the scale and complexity of virtualized computing environments increase. In this paper, the authors present a novel hierarchical stochastic approach to evaluate the QoS of e2e virtualized cloud services using Quasi-Birth Death structures, where jobs arrive according to a stochastic process and request virtual machines (VMs), which are specified in terms of resources, i.e., VM-configuration. To reduce the complexity of performance evaluation, the overall virtualized cloud services are partitioned into three sub-hierarchies. The authors analyze each individual sub-hierarchy using stochastic queueing approach. Thus, the key performance metrics of e2e cloud service QoS, such as acceptance probability and e2e response delay incurred on user requests, are obtained.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Asphalt-Mixture Performance Based on Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Tian Peng , Zhan Gao Feng , Nai Lei
Published: March 2015

Making the test specimen of asphalt mixture, testing the parameters of specimen, such as bulk specific gravity, percentage of voids in aggregate, percent bitumen volume in asphalt mixtures, asphalt saturation,percent voids in coarse mineral aggregate, marshall stability, dynamic stability, marshall residual stability ratio, freeze-thaw splitting strength ratio. Based on the method of principal component analysis, the items of principal component and the contribution rate will be calculated. With the cumulative contribution rate of 90% for the standard, the principal components will be selected. Taking the contribution rate as the weighting, the comprehensive score will be calculated. The research shows that using the method of principal component analysis to comprehensively evaluate asphalt-mixture performance is workable.
Investigation on the Strain Behaviour of a Precipitation-Hardenable Aluminium Alloy through a Temperature Gradient Based Heat Treatment
Authors: di Michele Gabriella , Guglielmi Pasquale , Palumbo Gianfranco , Sorgente Donato
Published: March 2015

In this work the strain behaviour of the heat-treated 6xxx series aluminium alloy AC170PX is investigated by a not conventional approach. Thanks to the low density combined with good mechanical properties, this aluminium alloy is often adopted for automotive applications. Despite these advantages, its formability at room temperature is low. In order to overcome this limit, a distribution of the material properties can be achieved by a local heat treatment (Tailored Heat Treated Blanks). In this context, to evaluate the effects of those parameters mainly affecting the precipitation hardening (aging temperature and aging time), a first experimental campaign was conducted using conventional furnace heat treatment in different conditions . Tensile tests were run with the aim of determining the flow and the aging curves of the heat treated specimens. Starting from these results, a not uniform heat treatment was designed using a Gleeble physical simulator Heat treatments based on a temperature gradient along the sample were performed. Then, tensile tests of the so heated specimens were carried out at room temperature. Through a digital image correlation system both the distribution and the evolution of the strain along the gauge length of the specimen were analysed in order to obtain the hardening/softening working conditions related to a specific heating cycle. These results were validated by the comparison with the data obtained from the first experimental campaign.
Influence of Stress Relaxation after Uniaxial Pre-Straining on Subsequent Plastic Yielding in the Uniaxial Tensile Test of Sheet Metal
Authors: Suttner Sebastian , Merklein Marion
Published: March 2015

Resource efficiency, design oriented accuracy and lightweight properties are demands on modern sheet metal forming parts in the automotive sector. The use of new materials leads to additional challenges on the numerical design of forming processes. During these forming processes the material undergoes different strain states that cause non-linear strain paths. Since the numerical prediction highly depends on the identified characteristic values of the material, an exact characterisation of the material behaviour is essential. Especially obtuse angles of the stress vector trigger a recovery of the material by returning stress. Besides, a relaxation of the material is investigated during holding a constant strain level. The effect of relaxation lead to an altered material behaviour that appears in a reduction of the beginning of plastic yielding. In addition, a kinematic hardening behaviour as under cyclic loading and load reversal, known as the Bauschinger effect, occurs after the relaxation of the stress and results in a reduced beginning of plastic yielding by loading in the same direction as the introduced pre-strain. Within this research work the effect of relaxation is investigated for two materials, AA5182 and DP600, with an initial sheet thickness of 1.0 mm. These materials are typically used for internal and accordingly functional parts in the automotive sector. The relaxation of the material is analysed with different holding times of a constant pre-strain at different levels of straining. The release of the material is studied by subsequent uniaxial tensile tests after pre-straining with the same load condition. Moreover, the influence of the named effects is shown by comparison of the translation of the yield loci.
Changes of Microstructure and Properties of G105 Drill Pipe in H2S Environment
Authors: Huang Ben Sheng , Chen Xiang , Huang Long Peng
Published: March 2015

H2S corrosion has become one of the key factors that has impact seriously on the exploration and development of high-sulfur oil and gas. In order to study the change of microstructure and properties of G105 steel drill pipe in H2S environment, different concentrations of H2S (300ppm, 400ppm, 500ppm, 600ppm) were used respectively at room temperature to make corrosion immersion test on the G105 drill pipe, and then tensile test, impact test, hardness test, metallographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation and EDS spectrum analysis. The results showed that in the range of H2S concentration provided in tests, pipe materials was corroded quite seriously, microstructure changed obviously, comprehensive mechanical properties decreased significantly, and the range decreased first and then increased and decreased again. The type of fracture is classified as the pore ductile fracture, some of them appear prospective cleavage characteristics, and, fracture place exist severe solute partial clustering phenomenon. In addition, high concentration of Sulfur was found in impact fracture surface. The results would provide a reference for our understanding of the corrosion behavior of the drill pipe materials in H2S environment and the development of new anti-corrosion materials drill pipe.
Scenario Analysis of Denitration for Chinese Coal-Fired Power Generation
Authors: Meng Xian Ce , Li Chen , Cui Su Ping , Zhao Li Li , Gong Xian Zheng , Wang Zhi Hong
Published: March 2015

The environmental loads are made due to the natural resources and fossil fuels use and pollutants emissions by Chinese thermal power industry. To explore the realistic coal-fired power generation and its denitration strategies, the input and output of coal-fired power generation in China were identified and quantified. The scope of this paper is defined in the boundary of coal-fired electricity generation system all over China. The methodology follows the principal of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The functional unit is “1 kWh of electricity generated”. The inventory data of Chinese coal-fired power generation in 2009 without denitration technology applications were measured. The output data include the CO, N2O, CH4, CO2, NOx, PM and SO2 emissions. NOx emissions are the major contributor of acidification and photochemical in China. To avoid catastrophic environmental damages, the air pollution especially NOx emissions from coal-fired power plants are advised to be cut. For scenario analysis, in the assumption of 100%of selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) technology applications, China still has denitration potential. In the coming several decades, the SNCR technology will be decisive for the Chinese coal-fired power industry to reach deeper NOx emission reductions. However, the reduction agents of ammonia and urea usage bring ammonia slip, and extra natural resource and fossils consumption. The urea use also brings extra CO2 emissions. This limits the applications of SNCR technology to reduce NOx emissions.
Research Progress on Ecological Design Methods of Materials
Authors: Liu Xiao , Gong Xian Zheng , Liu Yu , Peng Zhen Guo
Published: March 2015

Ecological design of material is to use the ecological ideology in the material design process, considering the ecological environment problems in the life cycle of material, and scheme out the material which can both meet the demand of human and environment. This paper introduces some ecological design ideas and methods used in the material field, and the latest progress of ecological design and each of their advantages are summarized, the ecological design method of the typical materials is obtained. And finally the present problems to be solved and the future development direction of the ecological design puts forward.
Immobilization of Hydroxyapatite Particles onto PET Filter Fabric via Heat Treatment
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Wang Xiao , Lv Li Hua , Cui Yong Zhu , Hao Jun
Published: March 2015

Heat fusion method and hot-press method were applied to immobilize hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles onto the surface of PET filter fabric separately. The effects of treating temperature, treating time and HAp amount on immobilization rate of HAp and pore size of filter fabric were discussed. The high immobilization rate of HAp could be obtained and pore size could be maintained. FTIR, SEM and XRD were used to characterize the structure of filter fabric embedded with HAp particles. Good adsorption property of Cd2+ onto HAp immobilized filter fabric was achieved.
Adsorption Properties of the Macro/Nano-Clay in Crystal Violet Solution
Authors: Bai Hai Hui , Jin Ran , Zhang Qing Song , Zheng Guo , Guo Di
Published: March 2015

In this study, different appearances, structures and morphologies of macro-clay G105-Polymer grade montmorillonite (PMMT) and nanoclay Lithium magnesium silicate (LMSH) were compared and analyzed, which were used in different conditions of non-adsorption and adsorption of crystal violent (CV). Adsorption kinetics and properties of the macro/nanoclay in CV solution were studied, and adsorption time, dye concentration and environmental pH were the main factors on the inspection in this work. The adsorption mechanisms of the macro-/nanoclay on CV were investigated. The results showed that adsorption actions of PMMT and LMSH on CV were some similar, such as time-dependent, linear growth of adsorbed CV amount with increasing CV concentration, adsorption capacity of macro-/nanoclay declined firstly and then increased in 10mg/L CV solution along with increasing pH value. But the adsorption differences in two systems of PMMT-CV and LMSH-CV were obvious. Adsorption behavior of LMSH-CV system showed two adsorption phenomena. Under neutral conditions, adsorbed CV amount in 0.5g LMSH was 1.69 times that of PMMT. Adsorption amount of LMSH was more significant to be affected by dye concentration and pH conditions. The research achievements further showed that adsorption mechanism was the root cause of the following difference. The adsorption of PMMT-CV relied mainly on iron-exchange effect of layers replaceable cations and surface adsorbed ions with CV cations, while the significant adsorption of LMSH-CV was mainly due to the electrostatic interaction from layers negative charge distribution and CV cationic properties in the solution, partly surface ions exchanges also existed in the adsorption process of LMSH-CV.