bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Samarang Integrated Operations IO: Real Time Integration of Wells and Field for Gas Lift Surveillance and Optimization Using Analytical Integrated Modelling Approach
Authors: Sayung Colin Lajim , Ahmad Zul Izzi , Som M Kasim , Salim M. Muhamed , Lee Hin Wong , Biniwale S. S. , Tri N. Vo , Soh K. K.
Published: September 2014

Samarang field started its first oil in year 1975 and has since, producing for last 39 years as we speak. The asset has embarked on a Field Redevelopment Project in 2010. The Field Redevelopment Project consists of infill drilling, production enhancement as well as an Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) scheme.

Integrated Operations (IO) is executed as part of Redevelopment Plan and was incepted in year 2011 with front end design and subsequently a multi-phases implementation that aligns to overall Field Redevelopment Plan. The main business drivers of Integrated Operations (IO) is to enable Samarang asset a real time production, reservoir and process surveillance & optimization in order to gain reservoir and production understanding for effective asset management.

As a brown field, over 90% of Samarang wells are being gas lifted. As such, gas lift surveillance and optimization workflow is identified as one of the key workflows in Samarang Integrated Operations (IO) implementation to ramp up production of the Samarang field.

The status quo operating environment in Samarang with majority of the platforms were installed with pneumatic instrumentation, control and shutdown systems, with no provision for remote monitoring and control has posed challenges in performing surveillance and hence, hinder the efforts to perform production optimization. Furthermore, the flow from multiple wells are commingling at production headers in each of the platforms that resulted in sporadic well test measurement, delay in well models updates and in turn, deferring opportunity for production optimization and enhancement.

The gas lift surveillance and optimization workflows within Samarang Integrated Operations (IO) include modification of control valves, installation of wellhead transmitters for pressure, temperature and flow measurements. The instrumentation provides real time data input to analytical models to determine the optimum set points for gas injection. The general merits of the workflow are as follows: Continuously monitoring of Gas Utilization Factor (GUF) in real-time,Keeping well and network models up-to-date.Optimize the production rate by re-distributing the lift gas within the active production wells by honoring production constraints.Continuously to optimize gas utilization, reduce production deferments and improve production.

This paper describes the implementation of gas lift surveillance and optimization workflow, the architecture and benefits within the Samarang Integrated Operations (IO).
Enhanced Rock Strength Modelling, Combining Triaxial Compressive Tests, Non-Destructive Index Testing and Well Logs
Authors: Khaksar A. , Gui F. , Taylor P. G. , Younessi A. , Rahman K. , Richard T.
Published: September 2014

Knowledge of rock mechanical properties, including unconfined compressive strength (UCS), is essential for accurate geomechanical evaluations. Reliable quantitative data on UCS can only be derived at specific depths from laboratory tests on core samples, typically through destructive tests. Rock strength evaluation is primarily based on well log strength indicators, calibrated where possible against limited measurements on cores.

A number of techniques have been developed to supplement plug-based destructive tests to indicate the rock's strength. Scratch and Schmidt hammer tests are examples of such techniques with the ability to provide continuous or semi-continuous, fine-scale measurements of rock mechanical properties. Both of these index tests are non-destructive; do not cause significant damage to the core and no special core preparation is required prior testing.

In this paper we examine laboratory test results from both conventional triaxial testing on plugs and semi-continuous, non-destructive, index testing along core sections in conjunction with well log calibration, for a range of rocks from oil wells in different geological settings. The rocks represent a range of strengths from very weak to very strong (competent) rocks with UCS ranging between 1 and100 MPa. We show that the use of generalized (global) correlations of index testing versus UCS may provide reasonable estimates, however a local calibration based on triaxial tests would still be required for more accurate UCS profiling. Once calibrated to a few conventional plug tests, the continuous index test results can be correlated with petrophysical logs to generate a reliable strength log, coupled with sedimentological and diagenetic classification.

We show that besides the direct application to geomechanical evaluation, the index tests can be used as a screening tool to optimize plug sampling to characterize the range of heterogeneity of the cored interval and also for filling the gaps in the core strength data where plugging is practically impossible or difficult, due to natural or coring-induced reasons.
Impact of the New Brazilian Fiscal System on Development of Oil Production Strategy
Authors: Marques L. M. , Gaspar A. T. , Schiozer D. J.
Published: September 2014

Production strategy is an important component of the oil reservoir development phase. Among, the main parameters are the geometry, number and position of wells and platform liquid capacity, influencing the level of the project investment required, which all depend on geological characteristics, economic scenarios and fiscal regimes. In the oil industry, companies produce under a fiscal system imposed by the government, which has a strong impact on economic and operational indicators, influencing production strategy.

Recently, the Brazilian government established a law changing its fiscal terms on pre-salt areas from Royalty and Tax (R&T) to Production Sharing Contract (PSC) to increase the government take. Previous works have shown that, in optimistic scenarios, an optimal recovery strategy presents low discrepancy in the production strategy configuration across both fiscal regimes. This study considers four economic scenarios for further evaluation. For this purpose, a simulation model was submitted to the production strategy selection process for both fiscal systems.

In more pessimistic economic scenarios, the results indicate that the number of wells and the level of investment tend to be lower under PSC than under R&T system. Thus, the new system could lead to fewer industrial investments, which would reduce the government return compared to the former tax system. In the most pessimistic scenario considered, profitable production could be expected under R&T, while under PSC it would be unprofitable, generating lower revenues.

It is still not clear whether a company, under PSC, will also be able to develop its strategy plan based on NPV or whether negotiation with the government regarding a minimum oil recovery factor will take place. Regardless, this study identifies the impact on production strategy selection for the new Brazilian PSC system compared to optimized strategy for R&T, and in both cases the objective-function is the company's NPV. From the company's point of view, depending on the economic scenario, the prevailing fiscal system will influence decisions at the level of the investment to be made. The results show the importance of considering the impact of the new fiscal system when selecting production strategies.
Advanced Stimulation Technologies for Enhanced Unconventional Oil and Gas Recovery
Authors: Viktorovich Krachenko Oleg , Alekseevich Veligotskii Dmitrii , Asgatovich Khabibullin Ruslan
Published: September 2014

The report presents an advanced stimulation technology to increase well productivity and recovery of unconvencional oil and gas reserves based on a multistage thermal-gas-and-chemical process, wherein gases (first of all hydrogen, and hot acids – nitrogen acid and hydrogen acid, and sometimes fluoric acid) are formed at the bottomhole of the well.

Hydrogen is generated at the initial stage of the thermal-gas-and-chemical process and it improves permeability of tight formations, and fosters filtration of active chemical components into the formation, where secondary reactions of its mineral part and colmatants take place. Hydrogen cracking of ARPD (asphalt, resin, and paraffin deposition) occurs during the high temperature stage of the process (250-350 °C) under high pressures, and in the presence of atomic and molecular hydrogen and catalyst agents leading to formation of vapory and distilled fractions.
Spatiotemporal Response of Maize Yield to Edaphic and Meteorological Conditions in a Saline Farmland
Authors: Scudiero Elia , Teatini Pietro , Corwin Dennis L. , Ferro Nicola Dal , Simonetti Gianluca , Morari Francesco
Published: September 2014

Spatiotemporal variability of crop production strongly depends on soil heterogeneity, meteorological conditions, and their interaction. Canopy reflectance can be used to describe crop status and yield spatial variability. The objectives of this work were to understand the spatiotemporal variability of maize (Zea maysL.) yield using ground‐based reflectance acquisitions in a salinity‐ and water‐stress‐affected 21‐ha field beside the Venice Lagoon, Italy. Intra‐ and interannual reflectance variations were analyzed across the entire field and at each map cell with time to understand how the different soil‐related stresses (i.e., salinity and water) arise under different meteorological conditions. The results show that the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) acquired during the maize flowering and kernel maturation stages (during the three growing seasons of 2010, 2011, and 2012) effectively described yield spatiotemporal variability. In particular, stressed areas exhibited the smallest changes in NDVI during a single growing season. Soil salinity and water stress were responsible for approximately 44% of the intra‐annual NDVI change. When multiyear NDVI data are compared, areas affected by soil salinity show the smallest temporal variability. Nevertheless, areas that are slightly saline and constantly affected by water stress could not be distinguished from highly saline areas. Multiyear reflectance data can be a useful tool to characterize areas where soil salinity is the main factor limiting crop production. In areas where several plant stresses occur simultaneously every year, the proposed approach could be used to guide precision irrigation to make adjustments for within‐field leaching requirement and/or irrigation needs.
Salinity Effects on Germination, Growth, Photosynthesis, and Ion Accumulation in Wild Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. Populations
Authors: Sun Qian , Yamada Toshihiko , Takano Tetsuo
Published: September 2014

The lignocellulosic crop Miscanthus spp. has been identified as a good candidate for biomass production. To satisfy the need for high yield and to avoid competition with food production by growing the crop in marginal areas, we studied the responses of M. sinensis to salinity. Effects of salt concentrations (0−360 mM NaCl) on seed germination, growth, photosynthesis, and shoot ion accumulation were examined. In the germination test of 17 accessions, high salt concentration inhibited seed germination in all accessions, while germination percentage varied significantly among the accessions. Two accessions showing variable salt tolerance, JM0119 (salt‐tolerant) and JM0099 (salt‐sensitive), were selected for a greenhouse study on plant dry weight, leaf chlorophyll content, total leaf area, tiller number, photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), photosystem‐II (PSII) operating efficiency (∆F/F´m), and shoot ion concentration during various lengths of time. The experiment was performed twice, but for most parameters, no significant differences between runs were observed. Salinity resulted in a reduction of plant growth. Photosynthetic rate and gs were adversely affected by all salt treatment levels, while ∆F/F´m was not reduced until salt concentrations reached 120 mM NaCl. In contrast to the increases of shoot Na+ and Cl− concentrations, shoot K+ concentration declined in the presence of salt. Overall, this study revealed a great variability for salt tolerance in M. sinensis germplasm. The relative advantage of JM0119 over JM0099 under saline conditions was primarily associated with larger leaf area, a greater number of tillers, greater photosynthetic capacity, and restricted Na+ accumulation in shoots.
Genetic Differentiation of Asian Weedy Rice Revealed with InDel Markers
Authors: Zhang Shulin , Li Juan , Lee Dongsun , Xu Hongyun , Zhang Lidong , Dongchen Wenhua , Xiong Haibo , Zhu Qian , Zhang Xiaoling , Lu Bao‐rong , Chen Lijuan
Published: September 2014

To elucidate occurrence patterns and genetic differentiation of weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) from diverse geographical regions, we analyzed 142 weedy rice accessions, 25 cultivated rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.), and 9 common wild rice accessions (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) from various regions in Asia using InDel molecular markers. Principal component analysis revealed significant genetic differentiation of weedy rice into 2 distinct groups. Results indicated a significant indica–japonica differentiation of weedy rice. Analysis of the geographic distribution indicated that the indica types were found across latitudes from 5 to 40° N without a significant correlation with latitude (R2 = 0.1041, P > 0.05). Japonica types were mostly limited to latitudes >35°N and correlated with latitude gradients (R2 = 0.426, P < 0.05). Most intermediate types were distributed in regions at latitudes <35° N. The relationship among weedy, cultivated, and wild rice as analyzed by a neighbor‐joining phylogenetic tree revealed a two‐group classification. The first group included japonica‐type weedy rice accessions and japonica cultivars from higher latitude gradients (>35° N), suggesting that in these regions, the Asian weedy rice varieties are genetically closer to japonica cultivars—particularly to local cultivars—and have probably originated from local cultivars. The second group included indica cultivars and wild rice entries, indicating that weedy rice entries from latitude gradients (≤35° N.) are genetically closer to wild rice. Thus, weedy rice may have genetically evolved from wild rice or resulted from natural crossing of wild rice and cultivars. These findings provide a strong scientific basis for the occurrence patterns and control strategy of weedy rice.
A New Dominant Gene E9 Conditions Early Flowering and Maturity in Soybean
Authors: Kong Fanjiang , Nan Haiyang , Cao Dong , Li Ying , Wu Fangfang , Wang Jialin , Lu Sijia , Yuan Xiaohui , Cober Elroy R. , Abe Jun , Liu Baohui
Published: September 2014

Adaptability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to a wide range of latitudes is attributed to the natural variation in the major genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control flowering time and maturity. Identification of novel genes and understanding their molecular basis is critical to improving soybean productivity. We identified a new locus conditioning days to flowering and maturity that was detected in hybrid progeny between cultivated and wild soybeans. A backcross was made between the recurrent parent Tokei 780 and two early‐flowering recombinant inbred lines (RILs; from the cross Tokei 780 × Hidaka 4, a wild soybean accession, all of which possessed an identical genotype at the major four maturity loci, E1 to E4). The segregation patterns observed in the F2 and F3 progeny derived from the two crosses revealed that early‐flowering was controlled by a single dominant gene. The gene was fine‐mapped to a 245‐kb interval between markers M5 and M7 on Gm16. A tagging marker ID1 was significantly associated with the variation in days to flowering (0.82, p < 0.01) and maturity (0.76, p < 0.01) in the F2 population. The new early‐flowering gene and its tagging marker are very useful for molecular breeding towards early maturity and stable productivity of soybean under high‐latitude environments. The gene symbol E9e9 has been assigned. E9E9 results in early maturity and e9e9 results in late maturity.
Molecular Genetic Mapping of the Major Effect Photoperiod Response Locus in Pima Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)
Authors: Zhu Linglong , Kuraparthy Vasu
Published: September 2014

Photoperiod sensitivity is a major barrier to using introgressions from the tropical gene pool in cotton breeding programs in North America. To better understand the genetic processes underlying photoperiod response in Pima cotton, a photoperiod‐insensitive line, Pima S‐7, was crossed to a photoperiod‐sensitive landrace accession, NC7018. An F2 mapping population of 211 individuals was used to establish that a single dominant gene controls the photoperiod sensitivity in Gossypium barbadense. Molecular mapping with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers localized the photoperiod response gene Gb_Ppd1 to a 3.3‐cM region on chromosome 25 of the Pima cotton genetic map. Orthologous mapping of the flanking markers with the draft diploid D‐genome sequence resolved the photoperiod response gene to a 5.8 Mb region close to the centromere on chromosome 10 of Gossypium raimondii. In silico mapping of the flowering‐time candidate genes of model plant species suggested that the putative gene Gorai.010G161200 of G. raimondii, which has a function involved in photoperiodism, was mapped in the genomic region of Gb_Ppd1. Identification of closely linked molecular markers and the delineated genomic region in sequenced G. raimondii genome will aid marker‐assisted selection and molecular isolation of photoperiod response loci in cotton.
Enhancing Freedom to Operate for Plant Breeders and Farmers through Open Source Plant Breeding
Authors: Luby Claire H. , Kloppenburg Jack , Michaels Thomas E. , Goldman Irwin L.
Published: September 2014

The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) (www.osseeds.org) seeks to address the dramatic transition over the past 100 yr in how plant germplasm is distributed, developed, and released: from a freely available resource primarily located in the public sector to proprietary structures managed largely by the private sector. OSSI was developed by a group of plant breeders, farmers, seed companies, nonprofit organizations, and policymakers with the goal of promoting and maintaining open access to plant genetic resources worldwide. OSSI seeks to provide an alternative to pervasive intellectual property rights agreements that restrict freedom to use plant germplasm through the development and promulgation of a Pledge which is intended both to raise awareness of these issues and to ensure that germplasm can be freely exchanged now and into the future. In this paper we discuss the historical forces and trends that have led to various types of biological and intellectual property protections and how this has potentially limited plant breeders' “freedom to operate” and farmers' sovereignty over seed. We then discuss how OSSI is providing an alternative to increasingly restrictive intellectual property rights for plants and working to maintain open access to plant germplasm.
Soil Thermal Properties under Prairies, Conservation Buffers, and Corn–Soybean Land Use Systems
Authors: Adhikari Pradip , Udawatta Ranjith P. , Anderson Stephen H.
Published: September 2014

Although prairies and conservation buffers are becoming popular to improve soil properties and environmental quality, very little is known about their influence on soil thermal properties. This study compared and quantified thermal conductivity (λ), thermal diffusivity (D), and volumetric heat capacity (C) of prairies (Tucker Prairie [TP] and Prairie Fork [PF]), conservation buffers (grass buffers [GB] and agroforestry buffers [AGF]), and corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation (COS) land uses in Missouri. Core and bulk soils were collected at 10‐cm depth increments. Soil thermal properties and water characteristic curves were determined at 0, −33, −100, and −300 kPa pressures. Additionally, soil organic C (SOC) and bulk density (BD) were also determined. The results showed that SOC was negatively correlated with λ and D and positively correlated with C. Significantly higher values of SOC and lower BD were observed for AGF, TP, GB, and PF than COS. Similarly, λ and D were significantly higher and C was lower under COS than the prairies and conservation buffers. The results suggest that a greater amount of SOC decreases the thermal conductance due to the insulating characteristics of SOC and acts as a barrier to heat transport. Therefore, AGF, TP, GB, and PF had lower thermal conductance to deeper soil depths, which helps to conserve more moisture as well as assist in increasing the longevity of SOC in the soil matrix. Our results imply that buffers and perennial vegetation can help reduce heat flow by increasing the thermal capacity and thereby mitigating climate change.
A Factor Analytic Examination of the Achievement Goal Questionnaire–Revised Supports a Three-Factor Model
Authors: Strunk Kamden K.
Published: September 2014

The literature in achievement goals includes mixed results as to the factor structure of achievement goal measures, particularly the Achievement Goal Questionnaire–Revised (AGQ–R). In a sample of 1,496 undergraduate students (600 men, 891 women, 5 unreported sex; M age = 20.6 yr., SD = 3.2), the AGQ–R was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis that suggested three factors. Then, in a different sample of 1,125 undergraduate students (270 men, 750 women, 5 unreported sex; M age = 21.7 yr., SD = 5.4), the measure was subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis, in which a three-factor solution, again, showed the best fit to the observed data. The implications of these results for the measurement of achievement goals are discussed.
Using a vision cognitive algorithm to schedule virtual machines
Authors: Zhao Jiaqi , Mhedheb Yousri , Tao Jie , Jrad Foued , Liu Qinghuai , Streit Achim
Published: September 2014

Scheduling virtual machines is a major research topic for cloud computing, because it directly influences the performance, the operation cost and the quality of services. A large cloud center is normally equipped with several hundred thousand physical machines. The mission of the scheduler is to select the best one to host a virtual machine. This is an NPhard global optimization problem with grand challenges for researchers. This work studies the Virtual Machine (VM) scheduling problem on the cloud. Our primary concern with VM scheduling is the energy consumption, because the largest part of a cloud center operation cost goes to the kilowatts used. We designed a scheduling algorithm that allocates an incoming virtual machine instance on the host machine, which results in the lowest energy consumption of the entire system. More specifically, we developed a new algorithm, called vision cognition, to solve the global optimization problem. This algorithm is inspired by the observation of how human eyes see directly the smallest/largest item without comparing them pairwisely. We theoretically proved that the algorithm works correctly and converges fast. Practically, we validated the novel algorithm, together with the scheduling concept, using a simulation approach. The adopted cloud simulator models different cloud infrastructures with various properties and detailed runtime information that can usually not be acquired from real clouds. The experimental results demonstrate the benefit of our approach in terms of reducing the cloud center energy consumption
An unconditionally positive and global stability preserving NSFD scheme for an epidemic model with vaccination
Authors: Ding Deqiong , Ma Qiang , Ding Xiaohua
Published: September 2014

In this paper, a NonStandard Finite Difference (NSFD) scheme is constructed, which can be used to determine numerical solutions for an epidemic model with vaccination. Here the NSFD method is employed to derive a set of difference equations for the epidemic model with vaccination. We show that difference equations have the same dynamics as the original differential system, such as the positivity of the solutions and the stability of the equilibria, without being restricted by the time step. Our proof of global stability utilizes the method of Lyapunov functions. Numerical simulation illustrates the effectiveness of our results
“Kinect-ing” With Clinicians: A Knowledge Translation Resource to Support Decision Making About Video Game Use in Rehabilitation
Authors: Levac Danielle , Espy Deborah , Fox Emily , Pradhan Sujata , Deutsch Judith E.
Published: September 2014

Microsoft's Kinect for Xbox 360 virtual reality (VR) video games are promising rehabilitation options because they involve motivating, full-body movement practice. However, these games were designed for recreational use, which creates challenges for clinical implementation. Busy clinicians require decision-making support to inform game selection and implementation that address individual therapeutic goals. This article describes the development and preliminary evaluation of a knowledge translation (KT) resource to support clinical decision making about selection and use of Kinect games in physical therapy. The knowledge-to-action framework guided the development of the Kinecting With Clinicians (KWiC) resource. Five physical therapists with VR and video game expertise analyzed the Kinect Adventure games. A consensus-building method was used to arrive at categories to organize clinically relevant attributes guiding game selection and game play. The process and results of an exploratory usability evaluation of the KWiC resource by clinicians through interviews and focus groups at 4 clinical sites is described. Subsequent steps in the evaluation and KT process are proposed, including making the KWiC resource Web-based and evaluating the utility of the online resource in clinical practice.
Strategies for Teaching Students to Think Critically
Authors: Abrami Philip C. , Bernard Robert M. , Borokhovski Eugene , Waddington David I. , Wade C. Anne , Persson Tonje
Published: September 2014

Critical thinking (CT) is purposeful, self-regulatory judgment that results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanations of the considerations on which that judgment is based. This article summarizes the available empirical evidence on the impact of instruction on the development and enhancement of critical thinking skills and dispositions and student achievement. The review includes 341 effects sizes drawn from quasi- or true-experimental studies that used standardized measures of CT as outcome variables. The weighted random effects mean effect size ( g+) was 0.30 ( p < .001). The collection was heterogeneous ( p < .001). Results demonstrate that there are effective strategies for teaching CT skills, both generic and content specific, and CT dispositions, at all educational levels and across all disciplinary areas. Notably, the opportunity for dialogue, the exposure of students to authentic or situated problems and examples, and mentoring had positive effects on CT skills.
Measuring Professional Behaviour in Canadian Physical Therapy Students' Objective Structured Clinical Examinations: An Environmental Scan
Authors: Davies Robyn , Ellerton Cindy , Evans Cathy
Published: September 2014

Purpose: To identify professional behaviours measured in objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) by Canadian university physical therapy (PT) programs. Method: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted to review current practice and determine which OSCE items Canadian PT programs are using to measure PT students' professional behaviours. Telephone interviews using semi-structured questions were conducted with individual instructors responsible for courses that included an OSCE as part of the assessment component. Results: Nine PT programmes agreed to take part in the study, and all reported conducting at least one OSCE. The number and characteristics of OSCEs varied both within and across programs. Participants identified 31 professional behaviour items for use in an OSCE; these items clustered into four categories: communication (n=14), respect (n=10), patient safety (n=4), and physical therapists' characteristics (n=3). Conclusions: All Canadian entry-level PT programmes surveyed assess professional behaviours in OSCE-type examinations; however, the content and style of assessment is variable. The local environment should be considered when determining what professional behaviours are appropriate to assess in the OSCE context in individual programmes.
Performing the Hyphen
Authors: Feldman Jackie , Peleikis Anja
Published: September 2014

The Jewish Museum Berlin (JMB) is a dynamic, performative space that negotiates between representing the Jew as an integral part of German history and as ultimate Other. While this tension has been documented through the political history of the museum (Lackmann 2000; Pieper 2006; Young 2000), we focus on the dynamics of guided tours and special events. We claim that guiding and festival events at JMB marginalise Holocaust memory and present an image of Jews of the past that promotes a multicultural vision of present-day Germany. In guiding performances, the identity of the guide as German/Jewish/Muslim is part of the guiding performance, even when not made explicit. By comparing tour performances for various publics, and the 'storytelling rights' granted by the group, we witness how visitors' scripts and expectations interact with the museum's mission that it serve as a place of encounter (Ort der Begegnung). As German-Jewish history at JMB serves primarily as a cosmopolitan template for intercultural relations, strongly affiliated local Jews may not feel a need for the museum. Organised groups of Jews from abroad, however, visit it as part of the Holocaust memorial landscape of Berlin, while many local Jews with weaker affiliations to the Jewish community may find it an attractive venue for performing their more fluid Jewish identities – for themselves and for others.
Long-term effectiveness of an ad hoc tailored titanium implant as a spacer for microvascular decompression in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by megadolichoectatic basilar artery anomaly: 9-year follow-up
Authors: Banczerowski Péter , Czigléczki Gábor , Nyáry István
Published: September 2014

An enlarged, elongated, ectatic, and sclerotic aberration of the vertebrobasilar system is known as a megadolichoectatic basilar artery (BA) anomaly. The anomaly is often involved in the pathological process of trigeminal neuralgia by compressing and distorting the trigeminal nerve. First-line medical treatment includes drug therapy, but a second-line surgical procedure could be effective in medication-resistant cases. The authors report the case of a 65-year-old man with a 12-year history of progressing trigeminal neuralgia who underwent microvascular decompression after the first-line drug treatment had failed. This case is unique because an in situ tailored titanium microplate was used as a spacer to alleviate compression by the BA on the trigeminal nerve. The titanium implant provided durable and sufficient retraction for the sclerotic arterial complex when the trigeminal nerve was placed in the tunnel of the implant.

The 9-year follow-up examination proves the safety and long-term efficacy of titanium implants in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by a megadolichoectatic BA anomaly. The method applied in this case was not intended to be and certainly is not an alternative to routine microvascular decompression—this surgical solution may be reserved for some extreme cases.
A meta-analysis of spinal surgical site infection and vancomycin powder
Authors: Khan Nickalus R. , Thompson Clinton J. , DeCuypere Michael , Angotti Jonathan M. , Kalobwe Erick , Muhlbauer Michael S. , Camillo Francis X. , Klimo Paul
Published: September 2014

Object

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious and costly complication of spinal surgery. There have been several conflicting reports on the use of intrawound vancomycin powder in decreasing SSI in spine surgery. The purpose of this study is to answer the question: “Does intrawound vancomycin powder reduce the rate of SSIs in spine surgery?”

Methods

A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases and bibliographies was conducted to identify clinical studies that evaluated the rates of SSI with and without the use of intrawound vancomycin powder in spine surgery. Independent reviewers extracted data and graded the quality of each paper that met inclusion criteria. A random effects meta-analysis was then performed.

Results

The search identified 9 retrospective cohort studies (Level III evidence) and 1 randomized controlled trial (Level II evidence). There were 2574 cases and 106 infections in the control group (4.1%) and 2518 cases and 33 infections (1.3%) in the treatment group, yielding a pooled absolute risk reduction and relative risk reduction of 2.8% and 68%, respectively. The meta-analysis revealed the use of vancomycin powder to be protective in preventing SSI (relative risk = 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.17–0.66, p = 0.021). The number needed to treat to prevent 1 SSI was 36. A subgroup analysis found that patients who had implants had a reduced risk of SSI with vancomycin powder (p = 0.023), compared with those who had noninstrumented spinal operations (p = 0.226).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that the use of vancomycin powder may be protective against SSI in open spinal surgery; however, the exact population in which it should be used is not clear. This benefit may be most appreciated in higher-risk populations or in facilities with a high baseline rate of infection.
Rainfall Distributions in Sri Lanka in Time and Space: An Analysis Based on Daily Rainfall Data
Authors: Burt T. , Weerasinghe K.
Published: September 2014

Daily rainfall totals are analyzed for the main agro-climatic zones of Sri Lanka for the period 1976–2006. The emphasis is on daily rainfall rather than on longer-period totals, in particular the number of daily falls exceeding given threshold totals. For one station (Mapalana), where a complete daily series is available from 1950, a longer-term perspective on changes over half a century is provided. The focus here is particularly on rainfall in March and April, given the sensitivity of agricultural decisions to early southwest monsoon rainfall at the beginning of the Yala cultivation season but other seasons are also considered, in particular the northeast monsoon. Rainfall across Sri Lanka over three decades is investigated in relation to the main atmospheric drivers known to affect climate in the region: sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, of which the former are shown to be more important. The strong influence of El Niño and La Niña phases on various aspects of the daily rainfall distribution in Sri Lanka is confirmed: positive correlations with Pacific sea-surface temperatures during the north east monsoon and negative correlations at other times. It is emphasized in the discussion that Sri Lanka must be placed in its regional context and it is important to draw on regional-scale research across the Indian subcontinent and the Bay of Bengal.
The Value of Mainstreaming Human Rights into Health Impact Assessment
Authors: MacNaughton Gillian , Forman Lisa
Published: September 2014

Health impact assessment (HIA) is increasingly being used to predict the health and social impacts of domestic and global laws, policies and programs. In a comprehensive review of HIA practice in 2012, the authors indicated that, given the diverse range of HIA practice, there is an immediate need to reconsider the governing values and standards for HIA implementation [1]. This article responds to this call for governing values and standards for HIA. It proposes that international human rights standards be integrated into HIA to provide a universal value system backed up by international and domestic laws and mechanisms of accountability. The idea of mainstreaming human rights into HIA is illustrated with the example of impact assessments that have been carried out to predict the potential effects of intellectual property rights in international trade agreements on the availability and affordability of medicines. The article concludes by recommending international human rights standards as a legal and ethical framework for HIA that will enhance the universal values of nondiscrimination, participation, transparency and accountability and bring legitimacy and coherence to HIA practice as well.
Reducing Capacity, Chlorogenic Acid Content and Biological Activity in a Collection of Scarlet (Solanum aethiopicum) and Gboma (S. macrocarpon) Eggplants
Authors: Plazas Mariola , Prohens Jaime , Cuñat Amparo , Vilanova Santiago , Gramazio Pietro , Herraiz Francisco , Andújar Isabel
Published: September 2014

Scarlet (Solanum aethiopicum) and gboma (S. macrocarpon) eggplants are important vegetables in Sub-Saharan Africa. Few studies have been made on these crops regarding the diversity of phenolic content and their biological activity. We have studied the reducing activity, the chlorogenic acid and other phenolic acid contents in a collection of 56 accessions of scarlet eggplant, including the four cultivated groups (Aculeatum, Gilo, Kumba, Shum) and the weedy intermediate S. aethiopicum-S. anguivi types, as well as in eight accessions of gboma eggplant, including the cultivated S. macrocarpon and its wild ancestor, S. dasyphyllum. A sample of the accessions evaluated in this collection has been tested for inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) using macrophage cell cultures. The results show that there is a great diversity in both crops for reducing activity, chlorogenic acid content and chlorogenic acid peak area (% of total phenolic acids). Heritability (H2) for these traits was intermediate to high in both crops. In all samples, chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic acid and accounted for more than 50% of the chromatogram peak area. Considerable differences were found among and within groups for these traits, but the greatest values for total phenolics and chlorogenic acid content were found in S. dasyphyllum. In most groups, reducing activity was positively correlated (with values of up to 0.904 in the Aculeatum group) with chlorogenic acid content. Inhibition of NO was greatest in samples having a high chlorogenic acid content. The results show that both crops are a relevant source of chlorogenic acid and other phenolic acids. The high diversity found also indicates that there are good prospects for breeding new scarlet and gboma eggplant cultivars with improved content in phenolics and bioactive properties.
Resistin Stimulates Expression of Chemokine Genes in Chondrocytes via Combinatorial Regulation of C/EBPβ and NF-κB
Authors: Zhang Ziji , Zhang Zhiqi , Kang Yan , Hou Changhe , Duan Xin , Sheng Puyi , Sandell Linda , Liao Weiming
Published: September 2014

To further investigate the regulation role of two chemokine genes CCL3 and CCL4 in chondrocytes in response to resistin, human primary chondrocytes and T/C-28a2 cells were cultured. The function of resistin on the chemokine genes, and the expression of C/EBPβ, NF-κB isoforms were tested using qPCR. The methods used to investigate timed co-regulation of C/EBPβ and NF-κB were NF-κB inhibitor (IKK-NBD) and C/EBPβ inhibitor (SB303580) treatments, and subcellular localization, with or without resistin stimulation. Results showed that resistin could increase the up-regulation of chemokine genes independently. Resistin increased the expression of C/EBPβ and NF-κB isoforms. C/EBPβ regulated basal activity and steadily increased over time up to 24h with resistin. NF-κB was up-regulated upon induction with resistin, peaking at 4 h. C/EBPβ and NF-κB co-enhanced the chemokines expression; inhibition of their activity was additive. The timing of activation in chondrocytes was confirmed by subcellular localization of C/EBPβ and c-rel. Chondrocytes react to resistin in a non-restricted cell-specific manner, utilizing C/EBPβ and NF-κB in a combinatorial regulation of chemokine gene expression. The activity of C/EBPβ is augmented by a transient increase in activity of NF-κB, and both transcription factors act independently on the chemokine genes, CCL3 and CCL4. Thus, resistin stimulates CCL3 and CCL4 through combinatorial regulation of C/EBPβ and NF-κB in chondrocytes.
Design and Synthesis of Thiazolo[5,4-f]quinazolines as DYRK1A Inhibitors, Part II
Authors: Foucourt Alicia , Hédou Damien , Dubouilh-Benard Carole , Girard Angélique , Taverne Thierry , Casagrande Anne-Sophie , Désiré Laurent , Leblond Bertrand , Besson Thierry
Published: September 2014

The convenient synthesis of a focused library (forty molecules) of novel 6,6,5-tricyclic thiazolo[5,4-f]quinazolines was realized mainly under microwave irradiation. A novel 6-aminobenzo[d]thiazole-2,7-dicarbonitrile (1) was used as a versatile molecular platform for the synthesis of various derivatives. Kinase inhibition, of the obtained final compounds, was evaluated on a panel of two kinases (DYRK1A/1B) together with some known reference DYRK1A and DYRK1B inhibitors (harmine, TG003, NCGC-00189310 and leucettine L41). Compound IC50 values were obtained and compared. Five of the novel thiazolo[5,4-f]quinazoline derivatives prepared, EHT 5372 (8c), EHT 6840 (8h), EHT 1610 (8i), EHT 9851 (8k) and EHT 3356 (9b) displayed single-digit nanomolar or subnanomolar IC50 values and are among the most potent DYRK1A/1B inhibitors disclosed to date. DYRK1A/1B kinases are known to be involved in the regulation of various molecular pathways associated with oncology, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer disease, AD, or other tauopathies), genetic diseases (such as Down Syndrome, DS), as well as diseases involved in abnormal pre-mRNA splicing. The compounds described in this communication constitute a highly potent set of novel molecular probes to evaluate the biology/pharmacology of DYR1A/1B in such diseases.
Téménos
Authors: Van Effenterre Henri
Published: September 2014

Difficultés présentées par l'interprétation et l'étymologie traditionnelles du mot. Distinction à faire entre le domaine royal proprement dit et la concession d'un apanage au chef de guerre ; origines possibles de la confusion dont témoignent les tablettes mycéniennes et les poèmes homériques à ce sujet. Survivance du toponyme de Téménos dans la région de Cnossos-Lykastos.
Le personnage de Lyssa dans Héraclès d'Euripide
Authors: Duchemin Jacqueline
Published: September 2014

On connaît l'importance des abstractions personnifiées dans la mythologie et la poésie grecques, et particulièrement, bien entendu, dans les œuvres dramatiques. La personnification de Lyssa est-elle à mettre à l'actif d'Euripide ? Le substantif est employé dès Homère. Mais les textes n'apportent pas la preuve d'une personnification antérieure à l'Héraclès, bien qu'un fragment des Ξαντρίαι d'Eschyle puisse être interprété en ce sens. Les peintures de vases, par contre, incitent à penser que l'auteur de la tétralogie de Penthée avait déjà personnifié la Rage. Les arts plastiques, considérés en eux-mêmes, et la tragédie ont parallèlement évolué dans le sons d'une personnification de plus en plus fréquente des entités.
Une métaphore d'Euripide (Autolycos, 10-12)
Authors: Dumortier Jean
Published: September 2014

L'analogie d'un passage d'Euripide (Autolycos 10-12) et d'un verset d'Isaïc (50,9) est assez frappante pour que l'on puisse penser à une réminiscence de la part du poète. Il existait à Athènes des traductions grecques de certains livres de la Bible, que l'on lisait dans les synagogues. La minorité juive, comme toute minorité, avait désappris sa langue maternelle et n'entendait plus que le grec. Elle avait donc dû traduire ses textes sacrés. La curiosité d'Euripide pour toutes les manifestations de l'esprit religieux a pu l'amener à se procurer pour sa bibliothèque un exemplaire de ces traductions.
Note sur l'éther chez les Pythagoriciens, Platon et Aristote
Authors: Boyancé Pierre
Published: September 2014

La notion de l'éther dans l'abrégé pythagoricien d'Alexandre Polyhistor (Diog. L., VIII, 26), si on la compare à celle du Timée et à celle d'Aristote, présente des caractères originaux et nettement plus archaïques ; elle ne peut être considérée comme ayant subi leur influence.
Platon, République 349 B-350 C.
Authors: Moulinier Louis
Published: September 2014

Indépendamment des raisons que je donne au début, j'ai voulu montrer que le potentiel du verbe grec est utile à Platon non pas seulement quand il veut présenter sa pensée d'une façon conditionnelle, mais aussi, affirmatif comme il l'est d'un Bien transcendant, quand il veut marquer cette affirmation même.
Monnaies de Taxila et d'Arachosie. Une nouvelle reine de Taxila
Authors: Le Rider Georges
Published: September 2014

Publication de 29 tétradrachmes d'argent bilingues (grec et kharoshthi) qui proviennent d'un trésor découvert récemment dans le Swat (Pakistan occidental) ; 16 d'entre eux ont été frappés par Mauès à Taxila, 12 par Vononès et Spalahora en Arachosie ; le dernier exemplaire est nouveau : il a été frappé à Taxila et on lit au revers, en kharoshthi, le nom de Mauès ; mais au droit est placé le nom en grec d'une reine jusqu'à présent inconnue, Nachènè ou Machènè, qui porte le titre de théotropos.
Sur un prétendu affranchissement par vente à un dieu, en Égypte romaine
Authors: Bingen Jean
Published: September 2014

Comme pour le papyrus BGU 1564, c'est par erreur qu'on a vu dans SB 9546 (Fayoum, IIIe siècle) un exemple d'affranchissement par vente ou consécration à un dieu, dans ce cas-ci à Zeus.
Une famille de sophistes thessaliens à Delphes au IIe s. ap. J.-C.
Authors: Pouilloux Jean
Published: September 2014

L'inscription de Delphes relative au sophiste Titus Flavius Alexander d'Hypata mentionne une famille de philosophes et de rhéteurs, nouvel exemple de la bourgeoisie provinciale qui fut le meilleur appui de Rome dans les provinces et connut une heure de prospérité exceptionnelle au temps d'Hadrien. Phoinix et Phylax, fils d'Alexandros, furent eux aussi des notables, et dans cette Grèce impériale du IIe siècle jouèrent un rôle non négligeable qu'attestent les inscriptions et les notices de Philostrate dans ses Vies des Sophistes. Hypata paraît avoir été alors un centre actif et avoir connu une prospérité qu'atteste l'illustration de plusieurs familles.
Grégoire de Nysse lecteur de Porphyre
Authors: Courcelle Pierre
Published: September 2014

Parmi les Néo-platoniciens, Grégoire de Nysse n'a pas lu seulement Plotin. En effet, dans le De virginitate, son éloge tacite de Basile de Césarée, chef des ascètes, reproduit textuellement, malgré le revêtement chrétien, l'éloge de Plotin par l'oracle d'Apollon, mis par Porphyre en tête des Ennéades. Le Sage idéal, qu'il s'appelle Plotin ou Basile, a pris pour cible le chœur des Bienheureux, franchi la vague et la houle des passions et vit maintenant dans la pureté.
Les trois quarantaines de la vie de Moïse, schéma idéal de la vie du moine-évêque chez les Pères Cappadociens
Authors: Harl Marguerite
Published: September 2014

Deux textes de Basile de Césarée. (ou do son milieu) attestent l'usage chez les Cappadociens du thème juif des trois quarantaines de la vie de Moïse ; le patriarche a vécu successivement trois types de vie : culture profane, contemplation philosophique, vie mixte. Ce schéma a paru préfigurer la vie de ces hommes à la fois cultivés, moines et évêques, tel Basile lui-même. Il a servi de cadre à leur éloge (Grégoire de Nysse).