bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empirical Evaluation Of The Overall Impact And By Industries Of Comprehensive Income On European Groups Listed On NYSE And NASDAQ
Authors: Fernández Francisco Sousa , Arana María Mercedes Carro
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this article is to assess the Overall Impact, and by Industries, of Comprehensive Income on Net Income for a sampling of 136 European groups listed on NYSE and NASDAQ from 1999 to 2004. To this end we took as reference the consolidated information disclosed pursuant to SFAS 130 issued by FASB in the reconciliations to the US GAAP when they presented their Annual Reports to the SEC with form 20-F and Industry Classification Benchmark -ICB- (Dow Jones Indexes and FTSE). In order to contrast the corresponding hypotheses, a set of non-parametric tools were used, as the data was far from normality. The results of our paper, which are ground-breaking at an international level, show a statistically significant impact of Comprehensive Income on Net Income for the sample group in most of the years that were analyzed. However, when this impact is itemized by Industries we find that there are hardly any statistically significant differences between them, which allows us to affirm that by adopting Comprehensive Income, within the context that we have studied, we are witness to a phenomenon which, along general lines, affects corporate groups in a similar fashion, independently of the nature of the activities that they carry out.
Absenteeism Problems And Costs: Causes, Effects And Cures
Authors: Kocakülâh Mehmet C. , Kelley Ann Galligan , Mitchell Krystal M. , Ruggieri Margaret P.
Published: March 2016

Employee absences are both costly and disruptive for business, and the trend has been increasing steadily over the years. Personal illness and family issues are cited as the primary reason for unplanned absences. Employers have been attempting to determine the validity of these illnesses and offer incentives and propose possible solutions to mitigate these absences, including those caused by family issues. Illness, family responsibilities, personal issues and stress all take a toll on the worker which in turn affects morale, absences and productivity in the workplace. Some sources including Statistics Canada cite that absenteeism approximates 15-20 percent of payroll (direct and indirect) costs. This is significant. Canada Newswire stated on May 23, 2008 that absenteeism translates into losses of over $16 billion in salary expenses. The purpose of this paper is to identify the leading factors of absenteeism, possible cures that exist for these factors, and present results of companies that have implemented programs to combat the problem of absenteeism. It is important that businesses determine if they in fact have an absenteeism problem and thus consider utilizing some of the proposed solutions offered in this paper.
Foreign Direct Investment: Replacing The Contract Of Work System In Indonesia
Authors: Bhasin Balbir , Venkataramany Sivakumar
Published: March 2016

Indonesia created a novel system to administer Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in mining. This Contract of Work (CoW) system served the country well from 1967 up to 1997 until the national political (democracy revolution) and economic (Asian Currency) crisis, coupled with the Busang fiasco (where large scale fraud in gold discovery claims caused billions in losses) led to total collapse and cessation of FDI in the countrys extraction industry. Since the stabilization of the political and economic framework in Indonesia after free elections in 1999, the government has attempted to create a new law to replace the CoW system which was finally passed in December 2008. This paper evaluates the new proposals and compares them to the previously successful system and suggests concerns and reforms that need be addressed. Specific focus is placed on issues of security of tenure, taxation and royalties, local government involvement, and environmental damage.
Consumers Purchase Intentions For Foreign Products: An Empirical Research Study In Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Ergin Elif Akagun , Akbay Handan Ozdemir
Published: March 2016

Consumers in developing countries seem to possess an increasing demand for the purchase of foreign products. Turkey is a magnet for multinational corporations that view the country as a must-win market. It has become important to determine the underlying intentions that drive the purchase decisions for foreign products in the Turkish market. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the literature by examining the purchase intentions of urban, Turkish consumers for foreign products in three specific categories (apparel, chocolate and personal care products). These categories were selected by taking their applicability to urban consumers into consideration. A field study was carried out at three major shopping malls in Istanbul, with the participation of 600 urban, Turkish consumers. Surveys, consisting of 3 parts and a total of 50 questions, have been used to gather data. In the first part, the subjects were asked about the factors that affect their purchasing motives. The top five factors were reported as perceived brand prestige, quality, value, purchase intention, and influence of others. In the second part, questions were asked regarding the subject’s reactions about foreign brands according to the determined categories.  Finally in the third part, the participants were asked about their demographics and other personal factors. The empirical evidence provides insights into the significance of impact of product category, perceived brand prestige, perceived brand quality and influence of others. The results of the multi-linear regression analysis are reported along with significant implications for marketing managers.
Service Quality And Determinants Of Customer Satisfaction In Hospitals: Turkish Experience
Authors: Zaim Halil , Bayyurt Nizamettin , Zaim Selim
Published: March 2016

Service quality has increasingly been the subject of research in recent years. Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry presented and tested a generic model SERVQUAL to measure the perceived quality of a service. James Carman adapted and applied this instrument for use in the hospital industry. In this study, we use the instrument developed by Carman to collect data from the hospitals in Turkey. The purpose of the study is to examine the important criteria for measuring service quality in the health care industry in Turkey. The relationship between customer satisfaction and serqual measures are investigated for this purpose. In our study customer satisfaction measured by three criteria by asking customers; their future purchase intention, how they evaluate overall service quality and how they see overall quality of the hospital. Service quality was measured by the difference between perceived service and expected service and rated on a seven point Likert scale. Serqual measures consist of 6 criteria; tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, courtesy, and empathy. The techniques of factor analysis and the logistic regression models are used to investigate the relationships. Like the linear regression analysis, most of the usual statistical methods assume that the residuals, or errors, must follow a normal distribution. If they are not the methods should not be used. Unlike ordinary linear regression, logistic regression does not assume that the dependent variable or the error terms are distributed normally. Also, it doesnt assume that the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable is linear.Logistic regression is a variation of ordinary regression which is used when the dependent variable is a categorical variable. The results of our analysis confirm that while tangibility, reliability, courtesy and empathy are significant for customer satisfaction, responsiveness and assurance are not.
The Financing Constraints Hypothesis Controversy: Some Evidence For The Portuguese Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Cunha Jorge , Paisana Antonio
Published: March 2016

In the last two decades, an intense debate on the influence of financing constraints on the investment decisions of firms has emerged. One point of view (e.g. Fazzari, Hubbard and Petersen, 1988) argues that investment spending of a firm is affected by its level of internal funds. Another point of view (e.g. Kaplan and Zingales, 1997) argues that the investment-cash flow sensitivity cannot be used as a measure of financing constraints. Although, these two positions seem contradictory, this paper proposes a new test aiming at reconciling these two opposite views. This new test emphasizes the crucial role that the classification criteria used plays on the empirical results obtained. Therefore, two main empirical predictions were tested. Firstly, if firms are classified according to the degree of asymmetric information problems that they face in financial markets, a higher sensitivity of investment to cash flow would be expected for firms that face these problems at a higher level. Secondly, if firms are classified according to their financial status, investment by firms in a better financial position would be expected to be more sensitive to cash flow variations. The empirical findings obtained in this paper, using a sample of Portuguese manufacturing firms, did not allow to confirm these empirical predictions. In fact, from the regression results obtained, it was possible to see that the cash flow variable has a major impact for firms facing higher asymmetric information problems in financial markets and for firms in poor financial status. Thus, one can be led to think that these results would favour the predictions of Fazzari, Hubbard and Petersen (1988) instead of the one’s proposed by Kaplan and Zingales (1997).
The Analysis Of Comments Received By The BIS On Principles For Sound Liquidity Risk Management And Supervision
Authors: Préfontaine Jacques , Desrochers Jean , Godbout Lise
Published: March 2016

The market turmoil that began in mid-2007 re-emphasized the importance of liquidity to the functioning of financial markets and the banking sector. In June 2008, the Basel Committee of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) released a consultative document on Principles for Sound Liquidity Risk Management and Supervision. Interested parties were invited to provide written comments by the end of July 2008. As a result, the Committee received many comments for publication by 30 different commenters. Our analysis first indicates that comments were formulated on each of the 17 principles discussed in the consultative document. Second, comments were also made in each of the five separate defined areas of focus covered by the 17 principles. Third, the results of our analysis reveal that opinions on different principles differed the most when commenters were separated into four distinct categories: banking trade associations, regulatory supervisors, individual financial institutions, and others (consultants, academics, accounting associations, and financial information providers). Last but not least, the results of the study indicate that commenters’ opinions, both within a category and between categories, differed the most in the two following defined areas of focus: measurement and management of liquidity risk and public disclosure of quantitative information on liquidity risk management.
Imagem sem imagens
Authors: Godinho Ana Maria
Published: March 2016

Como se aprende? O que é uma imagem sem imagens? Estas questões são o ponto de partida para o estudo das relações das imagens com a aprendizagem. Propomo-nos pensar que a aprendizagem não se pode fazer sem uma unidade de conexão, um processo criador virtual-actual. Aprender é uma “tarefa infinita” e transformadora dos movimentos do corpo, do pensamento e do espaço-tempo conjugados, que exige um encontro concreto feito de uma “familiaridade prática” experimental. Este é o objecto da nossa análise: a imagem enquanto operação, transformadora prática de energias, que agem na educação, no quotidiano, no mundo.
The Effects of Religiosity on New Product Adoption
Authors: Baig Aysha Karamat , Karamat Baig Uzma
Published: March 2016

This study is elected to explore the connection between religiosity and new product adoption amongst Pakistani consumers. This paper sheds some light on measured effects of religiosity and the perceived ideologies of Pakistani’s about proffered pharmaceutical products in the country. Total 500 respondents were involved in the study from (fourth largest city) Faisalabad through judgmental sampling to envisage the adoption pattern of Pakistani Muslim consumers. Here religiosity is taken as an independent variable and was analyzed in five dimensions: sacramental, rational, ideological, consequential, and Practical. Moreover new product development is signified as a dependent variable.Islamic tenets influence the adoption of new pharmaceutical products among Pakistani consumers as their attitude persuades adoption patterns that rely on religiosity. All possible substitutes within different dimensions were assessed to find out the most appropriate combination of dimensions which provided the output. Religion is an element of culture that permeates every aspect of a society and saturates the life of individuals whether one is a believer or a non-believer and cultural dimensions are very vibrant in a society, as religious doctrines shape a secure and stagnant pillar in the society. This paper will assist to highlight its significance and implications in product development related decisions of pharmaceutical industry with reference to the use (prescription/recommendation) of pharmaceutical products by Muslim patients (doctors).
The Nature of the Creditor-Debtor Relationship in South Africa
Authors: Moss Viyusani , Dincer Hasan , Hacioglu Umit
Published: March 2016

This article was a result of an investigation measuring the ‘Correlation between Borrower Education and Non-payment Behaviour in Low Income Homeowners in South Africa as the premise of the study and poor relationship between lenders and borrowers as the secondary proposition. The study was motivated by the high level of foreclosures for non-payment of mortgages in the Protea Glen area in Johannesburg, Gauteng, as reported by the Human Rights Commission Inquiry in 2008. In investigating this non- payment behaviour the researcher employed largely quantitative instruments supplemented by qualitative methods. The study revealed interesting empirical findings that largely invalidated the founding hypotheses, despite existing theoretical frameworks - underpinned by various scholars - that sought to corroborate the hypotheses. The findings have however supported the premise that households reporting poor relationships with lenders were susceptible to non-payment behaviour. The rest of the secondary hypotheses were rejected by the empirical findings, viz. that there was no correlation between the level of formal education and non-payment behaviour; the link between propensity to default and the age of homeowners were also invalidated. From these findings, it can be demonstrated that there is a critical need for mitigating measures to remedy the identified shortcomings in this sector.
Brand Management Model in Sport Industry of Iran
Authors: Javani Vajihe , Ehsani Mohammad , Amiry Mojtaba , Kozechian Hashem
Published: March 2016

The study aims to examine brand management model in Iran's professional Football League (2011-2012) with emphasis on brand image. The study was descriptive-survey one. A sample of Iranian professional football league fans (N=911) responded 4 items questionnaire. A structural equation  model  (SEM)  test  with  maximum  likelihood estimation  was  performed  to  test  the relationships among the research variables. The analyses of data showed three dimensions of brand image influenced on fan’s brand loyalty of which the attitude was the most important. Benefits and attributes were placed in the second and third rank respectively. According to Results, brand image play a pivotal role between Iranian fans brand loyalty. Create an attractive and desirable brand image in the fans mind increases brand loyalty. And due to, revenue and profits increase through ticket sales and products of club and also attract more sponsors.
Determinants of Shift Work impacting Job Satisfaction: A study on Service Sector Organizations in Pakistan
Authors: Awan Wasim Abbas
Published: March 2016

This study aims to investigate the impact of determinants of shift work on job satisfaction in service sector organizations of Pakistan. History reveals that the invention of Thomas Edison brought the change in working environment and industrial revolution results in the birth of shift works. A great number of theories in Management are there to define Job satisfaction. All of them show the relationship between ability to perform and the productivity. In order to investigate their impact descriptive study is taken in to account in which survey research method is used to collect data. On the basis of quantitative analysis this study reveals that determinants of shift work has positive impact on job satisfaction. Finally recommendations are made to increase shift work in service sector organizations of Pakistan so that people may upraise their standards of living.
The Effects of Oil Price Changes And Exchange Rate Volatility On Unemployment
Authors: Shahidan Shaari Mohd , Ermawati Hussain Nor , Abdul Rarhim Hafizah
Published: March 2016

The study aims to examine the effects of oil price and exchange rate on unemployment in Malaysia. The empirical analysis commence by analyzing the time series property of data. The Johansen VAR-based co-integration technique was applied to examine the long run relationship between exchange rate, oil price and unemployment and found the long run relationship does exist. The vector error correction model was performed to check the short run dynamics and found that the short run dynamics are influenced by the estimated long run equilibrium. Granger causality was done and found that oil price does not affect unemployment but exchange rate has an influence on unemployment. Therefore, putting the exchange rate under control should be implemented to control unemployment.
Sustainable Tourism and Use of Local Resources As Touristic Products
Authors: Akgoz Erkan
Published: March 2016

Tourism is developing using its all resources particularly local touristic resources efficiently. However, as tourism sector could contribute the maintenance of the resources which it uses as touristic product, it also could cause their getting harm or destroyed as well. Tourism is developing using its all sources particularly local touristic sources efficiently. But, tourism sector would cause source’s getting harm or disappearing which it has used as touristic product as well as its contribution to maintenance of them.  Thus the most recently stated concept regarding tourism is the sustainable tourism concept. In this study, which is conducted for this purpose, sustainable tourism in Beysehir, which has important specifications with its unique natural beauties, rich history and cultural assets, is researched. For this reason, important tourism assets of the region is determined at the beginning and general information related to these is given. Survey questions regarding the topic is prepared after this information. Datum which is obtained from the prepared survey questions are saved in the electronic media and evaluated by the proper software. According to these results, usage of local resources as touristic product and its relation to sustainable tourism is discussed.
Methods of Identification and Evaluation of Brownfield Sites
Authors: Kurtovic Safet , Siljkovic Boris , Pavlovic Nikola
Published: March 2016

The basic objective of this paper was to determine the importance and potential restoration of brownfield sites in terms of economic prosperity of a particular region or country. In addition, in a theoretical sense, this paper presents the methods used in the identification of brownfield sites such as Smart Growth Network model and Thomas GIS model, and methods for evaluation of brownfield sites or the indexing method, cost-benefit and multivariate analysis.
Factors Influencing Poverty Alleviation amongst Microfinance Adopting Households in Zambia
Authors: Mafukata Mavhungu Abel , Kancheya Grace , Dhlandhara Willie
Published: March 2016

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the factors having the most influence on the alleviation of poverty amongst the households adopting microfinance in Zambia. Ninety nine (n=99) respondents were randomly and purposively selected from amongst 340 microfinance adopters of the so-called Micro Bankers Trust programme operating a microfinance business in the Makululu Compound of Kabwe, Zambia. Socio-demographic primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews based on a semi-structured questionnaire instrument. The data were entered into an excel spreadsheet for analysis. The descriptive data were thereafter exported and fitted to an empirical model. The descriptive results revealed that the majority of the respondents were married, unemployed, fairly educated younger women from larger-sized poor households who drew their household income mainly from microfinance activities. The majority of the respondents thought microfinance had improved their well-being in some crucial areas. The results of the empirical model found that some respondents were indeed alleviated from poverty through microfinance. Conclusion drawn in this paper is that microfinance does alleviate poverty of the poor.
Beach Management & Analysis of Visitors’ Remarks
Authors: Paksoy Perihan , Colakoglu Nurdan
Published: March 2016

User perceptions can become vital especially at beach preferences as cleanliness, safety and amenities are some of the apparent factors that will affect. With the awareness of probable adaptation of beach users’ demands into policy recommendations, a case study has been carried out at Black Sea Coast of ?stanbul at ?ile beaches. ?ile has been chosen in this study purposefully as it is a touristic district of ?stanbul which has aimed to earn Blue Flag award previously. Secondly, it receives high amount of visitors especially during the peak periods in weekends; as it has a very close location to the city, people are choosing here most of the time just for the day. In this research with factors about human use of beach and impacts like cleanliness and sufficiency of amenities (showers, toilets, changing cubicles, parks etc.) and the number of lifeguards are studied. Regarding the findings, the researchers consequently highlight recommendations for ?ile beach management which could enhance the visitor experience.
Mobile Marketing Applications of Travel Agencies
Authors: Selvi Murat Selim
Published: March 2016

In recent years, the use of mobile devices in the marketing world is increasing parallel with technological advances. The main problem of this research is to determine agencies’ use of what type of mobile tools for what type of purposes in the marketing process. The aim of this research is to identify Mobile Marketing (MM) applications used by group A travel agencies, and to describe the attitudes towards MM applications of agencies. According to related law, it is only group A agencies give all agency services. Therefore, it is thought that MM is more widely used by those agencies. Thus, this research was made only on the group A agencies. The population of study was consisted of 675 groups A agencies’ representatives deployed in the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. A questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Questionnaire form consisted of two parts. In the first part, questions concerning MM and in the second part, questions regarding demographic issues to managers and travel agents took place. The results were given as descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) on the tables. T-test and One Way ANOVA analysis were performed for the differences of mean among groups. In the study it was concluded that agencies use mobile phones mostly and mobile computers for increasing sales firstly and direct marketing. Thus, the main hypothesis established was confirmed partly.
Determinants of Global Competitiveness of Chinese Economy
Authors: Karabiyik Elmas Demircioglu
Published: March 2016

The Chinese economy has reached approximately average annual growth of 9% after economic reform era that began in 1978. This economic development miracle resulted from by exploiting the economic potential of internal factors in a complimentary external environment.  Main aim of this study is to investigate the determinants of the global competitiveness of Chinese economy by considering economic development process of the Chinese economy and World Economic Forum the Global Competitiveness Index. It is vital to understand the determinants of global competitiveness for the Chinese economy in order to achieve sustainable economic development path in the highly competitive world economy conditions. The result of the study shows that the Chinese economy has strong global competitiveness indicators beside some problematic indicators. The Chinese economy is becoming more competitive by improving bottlenecks and structural problems. On the other hand the Chinese economy have to transform from cheap labour-intensive competitive advantage into high-tech innovative country with high qualified human capital in order to achieve sustainable economic growth in the long term.
Evolution of Corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa - from Nkruma to Mutharika The 2nd
Authors: Mafukata Mavhungu Abel
Published: March 2016

Since Sub-Saharan Africa's first independence in Ghana, the region has experienced massive and costly political and bureaucratic corruption within public service and administration. The causes of the corruption, its nature and form are wide and intertwined. In Sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to curb corruption have failed to discard it. The paper focused on the period from Nkruma in Ghana to Mutharika the 2nd in Malawi. This paper reviewed existing literature on political and bureaucratic corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa while on the other hand the paper employed key informant interviews to gather the required data to investigate, analyse and profile the genesis and evolution of corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa. The key informant interviews were employed to solicit public views and opinion from nineteen key informant participants (n=19) selected from 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper found that corruption is legendary; has entrenched itself to becoming some sort of culture in the region, and has become the most difficult socio-economic challenge to resolve in the region despite the various anti-corruption efforts employed by stakeholders to curb it. It emerged through the study that law-enforcement efforts against corruption need some reinforcement in order to be effective and eficient in uprooting corruption in the region. If Sub-Saharan Africa fails to address its corruption challenge, its development prospects would seriously curtailed.
Factors Affecting the Financing Policy of Commercial Banks in Ethiopia
Authors: Shibru W/Michael , Kedir Hamdu , Mekonnen Yonas
Published: March 2016

Determining the optimal capital structure is one of the most fundamental policy decisions faced by financial managers. Since optimal debt ratio influences firm’s value, different firms determine capital structures at different levels to maximize the value of their firms. Thus, this study examines the relationship between leverage and firm specific (profitability, tangibility, growth, risk, size and liquidity) determinants of capital structure decision, and the theories of capital structure that can explain the capital structure of banks in Ethiopia. In order to investigate these issues a mixed method research approach is utilized, by combining documentary analysis and in-depth interviews. More specifically, the study uses twelve years (2000 - 2011) data for eight banks in Ethiopia.   The findings show that profitability, size, tangibility and liquidity of the banks are important determinants of capital structure of banks in Ethiopia. However, growth and risk of banks are found to have no statistically significant impact on the capital structure of banks in Ethiopia. In addition, the results of the analysis indicate that pecking order theory is pertinent theory in Ethiopian banking industry, whereas there are little evidence to support static trade-off theory and the agency cost theory. Therefore, banks should give consideration to profitability, size, liquidity and tangibility when they determine their optimum capital structure.
Is MGNREG Scheme Complementary to Fishing Activities?
Authors: Neogi Chiranjib , Ray Kamal , Das Ramesh Chandra
Published: March 2016

Freshwater fish output is taken as a proxy variable for empirical assessment of indirect benefits in terms of enhanced quantity of freshwater fish (output) cultivation. It is not unlikely to assess empirically the productivity of subsidized public scheme when rural development or rural asset generations are underlined in the said scheme, MGNREG Act, 2005. Rainwater harvesting is a major component part of the scheme since about 49.5 per cent of the total fund is already utilized on water conservation and obviously it has an impact on the cultivation of freshwater fish output. Time series data on annual expenditure on MGNREG and corresponding freshwater fish output at the state level are taken during the period 2006-07 to 2013-14 for 16 major Indian states. Fixed effect model and random effect models are being applied and the Hausman specification test suggests that fixed effect model is more appropriate than random effect model. Significant differences among the intercepts of the selected states are revealed as per F test. The results of fixed effect panel regression establish that fish output is enhanced by 0.000257 thousand tones or 0.26 tones if MGNREG expenditure rises by one crore or 10 million rupees.
Book review of Cultures of Mediatization by Andreas Hepp, Cambridge, Malden: Polity Press, 2012, 180 pages
Authors: Stoian Saiona
Published: March 2016

Book review of Cultures of Mediatization by Andreas Hepp, Cambridge, Malden: Polity Press, 2012, 180 pages
Yours, Mine and Ours: Theorizing the Global Articulation of Qualitative Research Methods and Academic Disciplines
Authors: Taylor Bryan C.
Published: March 2016

Two current forms of globalization are inherently interesting to academic qualitative researchers. The first is the globalization of qualitative research methods themselves. The second is the globalization of academic disciplines in which those methods are institutionalized as a valuable resource for professional practices of teaching and scholarly research. This essay argues that patterns in existing discussion of these two trends create an opportunity for innovative scholarship. That opportunity involves reflexively leveraging qualitative research methods to study the simultaneous negotiation by academic communities of both qualitative methods and their professional discipline. Five theories that serve to develop this opportunity are reviewed, focusing on their related benefits and limitations, and the specific research questions they yield. The essay concludes by synthesizing distinctive commitments of this proposed research program.
C1 Lateral Mass Screw Migration Causing a Delayed Unilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Lesion
Authors: Hollern Douglas , Shafi Karim , Miller Andrew , Woods Barrett , Heller Joshua , Vaccaro Alexander
Published: March 2016

Case:

We present the case of a fifty-eight-year-old woman who was initially treated with a C1 to C7 anterior-posterior cervical decompression and fusion for an epidural abscess and returned two years postoperatively with four days of progressive dysphagia and tongue deviation. She was diagnosed with a unilateral hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII) palsy secondary to compression from a C1 lateral mass screw.

Conclusion:

This is the first reported case that we are aware of describing a delayed cranial nerve palsy secondary to cutout and cephalad migration of a C1 lateral mass screw resulting in a neurologic deficit due to impingement on the hypoglossal nerve.
The Design, Development, and Testing of a Standardized Treatment System for Oilfield Brines
Authors: Kohler T. E. , Heckman S. W. , Watson R. W. , Adewumi M. A. , Rabosky J. G.
Published: March 2016

The petroleum industry in the eastern United States is dominated by a large number of independent producers. In Western Pennsylvania alone, there are about 1000 producers who operate 45,000 wells. Although most of the producers are small independent businesses, they provide a majoreconomic base for many of the state's counties. In addition to the current economic situation in the oil and gas industry resulting from the decline in crude oil prices, it is anticipated that additional economic duress would result from the necessity to comply with National PollutantDischarge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge standards and Clean Streams Law Part II Water Quality permit requirements.

The standardized oil field brine treatment process addressed by this research was designed to meet certain discharge criteria set by DER. The treatment process consists of several sequential unit operations: oil-water separation, aeration and pH adjustment, settling, secondary aeration, and filtration. A comprehensive chemical analysis of the input and effluent streams was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the treatment process.

Results indicate the capability of the process to adequately address the problem of oil field brine treatment. The treatment facility is being field tested. In addition to the field testing of the facility, a mathematical model has been developed for scale-up purposes and is being tested using the inputs form the field test.
Field Verification of Lead Angle and Azimuth Rate of Change Predictions in Directional Wells Using a New Mathematical Model
Authors: Maidla E. E. , Sampaio J. H. B.
Published: March 2016

A general rock-bit interaction model was developed to determine the bit walk-rate and the best estimate of the lead angle required while kicking off a directional well.

The model was used by a computer program and was validated using the data from 15 directional wells drilled in the offshore Campos Basin area in Brazil. The results showed that the bit walk predictions were good for most of the well trajectories. Due to lack of the appropriate geological information on the history wells, additional field examples are necessary to further validate the model. The results on the lead angle computations showed that it is possible, sometimes, to avoid direction corrections through the appropriate prediction of this angle.
The Effect of Wettability on Estimation of Reserves
Authors: Cockcroft P. J. , Guise D. R. , Waworuntu I. D.
Published: March 2016

Estimations of reserves, especially by the volumetric method, is usually undertaken assuming water-wet conditions. However, in South East Asia, some initial reserves estimates have been grossly overestimated. One of the reasons for this, particularly in carbonates reservoirs of this region, is the effect of different wettabilities. Reserves estimation is important at any stage in the production cycle, but in frontier regions such as in South East Asia where initial production costs can be very high, care must be taken. This wettability effect can manifest itself in the form of 100 % oil-wet or mixed or fractional wettability. Petrophysical data is of primary importance to the estimation of volumetric reserves, and an examination of different wettabilities on log and core results is undertaken. The effect of wettability on saturation exponent, cementation exponent and formation factor commonly overlooked until the reservoir production is mature. Capillary pressure and relative permeability can be changed quite substantially with different wetting phases, with subsequent influences on transition zone height, hydrocarbon-water contacts, producibility and residual oil saturation. These changes are discussed with examples from different reservoirs. Reserves estimation is also undertaken by decline curve analysis, material balance, and at times, reservoir simulation. The effects of different wettabilities on these methods of reserves estimation are examined and presented.
Bambra 3: An Innovative Drilling/Construction Project
Authors: Rampling R. J. , Miller R. L.
Published: March 2016

Development of previously marginal fields in the Carnarvon sedimentary basin in Western Australia has been made possible by the use of monopod production platforms. The Bambra 3 project sought significant cost reduction through integration of the construction and drilling activities. During the project a method of fast installation of piles was developed and tested.
Introduction of Subsea Cuttings Disposal System for Drilling of Riserless Tophole Section on Subsea Templates
Authors: Tungesvik S. , Knutsen S.
Published: March 2016

Accumulation of drill cuttings from predrilling subsea template wells often require subsea dredging before the platform jacket may be installed, such location clean up work is time and cost consuming. The development of a subsea disposal system designed to transport the cuttings away from the subsea template for disposal outside the future jacket installation area, has proven to be a successful development seen both from a technical and an economical point of view.
Developing a Platform Strategy and Predicting Torque Losses for Modeled Directional Wells in the Amauligak Field of the Beaufort Sea, Canada
Authors: Lesso W. G. , Mullens E. , Daudey J.
Published: March 2016

Nine exploration wells drilled by Gulf Canada Resources Ltd. have defined the Amauligak Field in the Beaufort Sea, Canada as being roughly 3 by 12 kilometers in size. An oblong offshore field like this normally would be developed with several platforms. Due to the expense of development structures in the Arctic, it is worthwhile to evaluate drainage of the field from a single platform with extended reach wells. Previous experience gained from the directional wells in the field highlighted problems with excessive drill string torque. This led to concern that the planned extended reach wells would be beyond normal driliability. An accurate prediction of torque losses for these planned wells was necessary to prove the feasibility of the single platform concept.

This paper demonstrates a technique used to predict the total torque losses expected in drilling directional wells. It is based on an analysis of expected drill string side-forces using field derived friction data which has been documented in previous papers (1,3,4). To successfully predict losses on future wells, a simulation of possible corrections to the directional plan, sidetracks and dog-leg severity must be added to the original directional plan. The method described here, simulates survey data with variations on inclination and azimuth that are matched to the corrections and dog-leg severity found in the nearby wells., These effects can increase torque losses by up to 70% above the "ideal" plan.

A 50 well scenario was developed for the field from a 60 slot platform. Ideal directional plans were made and then altered to minimize collision possibilities. A design case directional path with corrections and dogleg severity was simulated, applied to the ideal plan and associated torque losses predicted. The value of these losses were used to size drill string components and top drive equipment. The results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of using a single platform to develop the field.
Field Measurement of Strain and Temperature While Running and Cementing Casing
Authors: Morgan D. R.
Published: March 2016

One of the problems arising from the reservoir: compaction and subsidence of the Ekofisk field is casing deformation. In order to better understand the stresses in the casing as the result of subsidence, strain gauges were run on the 9-5/8 in. (244mm) casing of a deviated well at Ekofisk.

Three sets of sensors spaced at appropriate intervals were run. Each set of sensors included four strain gauges oriented to measure axial strain, four strain gauges oriented to measure radial strain and a temperature gauge. A measure of annulus pressure variations can be inferred from the radial strain measurements, since the pressure inside the casing was known. Bending stresses due to running casing in a deviated well are shown by an increase in the tension measured by one axial gauge and a decrease in tension at the diametrically opposing gauge.

Measurements were made showing the temperatures and stresses in the casing while the casing was being run in the well, while circulating prior to cementing, and during and after cementing the casing. This data shows the forces acting on a casing while running through doglegs and the stresses which occur due to the rapid changes in temperature and pressure during and after cementing. The temperature and pressure changes which occur while cement cures were also measured.
High-Temperature Performance of Rotary-Shouldered Connections
Authors: Maney J. J. , Strozier C. A.
Published: March 2016

High temperature make-up and break-out tests were conducted on full size 6–1/4" (15.88 cm) OD × 2–3/4" (6.99 cm) ID NC46 rotary shouldered connections to determine changes in performance between room temperature and 500°F (260°C).

The tests measured the slope of the torque vs. rotation curve and the torque required to initiate additional circumferential movement after the tool joint connection had been made up to 20.500 Ibf–ft (27.794 N-m) make-up torque at room temperature (move torque).

Results of room temperature tests indicated that the move torque was essentially equal to the make-up torque and the slopes of the torque vs. rotation curves were similar.

High temperature tests produced significantly different results. A used connection was torqued to 48,200 Ibf–ft (65.350 N-m) without failure, while a new connection only reached a maximum torque of 25.600 Ibf–ft (34.709 N-m) before failure; a value which is significantly less than the API torque to yield value of 44.871 Ibf–ft (60.837 N-m).

It was found that increased thread interference from the rough surface finish typically found oh the thread flanks of "used" connections was responsible for the change in performance. The problem of downhole make-up was successfully overcome in the field by implementation of new break-in procedures and through use of a special high temperature thread compound. This compound was developed to increase the coefficient of friction at high temperatures in new connections to provide additional resistance to downhole make-up during the critical break-in period.
Estimation of Pressure Peaks Occurring When Diverting Shallow Gas
Authors: Santos O. L. , Bourgoyne A. T.
Published: March 2016

A model diverter system was constructed on a 381 m (1250 ft) well to experimentally study dynamic loads occurring during a shallow gas flow. Numerical methods for calculating diverter design loads were developed and verified using experimental data obtained. Surface pressures occurring as the mud is expelled from the well were found to be significantly higher than the steady-state pressures previously used to select the working pressure of diverter components.
Composite Cutter Bits Extend Application Range of Conventional PDC Bits in Western Canada
Authors: Schnell D. M.
Published: March 2016

While polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits have been used successfully in Western Canada, they have lacked consistency in many applications. Even when they performed better than conventional roller cone bits, PDC bits were not always an economic success, clearly indicating that development of new cutter technology was required to improve the consistency and economics of synthetic diamond bit performance.

Combining many thermally stable synthetic diamond cutters into a composite cutter, also known as a Mosaic cutter, was a novel approach in drill bit cutter technology. However, the method of cutter manufacture had to be refined in order to make full use of the concept. The resulting drill bits, which use a combination of PDC and composite cutters, have proved successful in extending the PDC bit application in at least one lithological section.
Xls: A New Shale Parameter for Resistivity Log Evaluation
Authors: Hardwick A.
Published: March 2016

Excess conductivity in shaly sandstones complicates the interpretation of resistivity logs for water saturations. A new laboratory procedure has been developed to provide rapid, yet highly accurate assessment of excess conductivity effects in core samples. The basis of the technique is conductivity measurements on samples saturated with dilute brine.
Enhancing Through-Tubing Formation Evaluation Capabilities with the Dual-Burst Thermal Decay Tool
Authors: Jeckovich G. T. , Olesen J-R.
Published: March 2016

The determination of hydrocarbon saturation through tubing and/or casing requires an accurate knowledge of formation capture cross section and porosity. In many cases an openhole porosity log is not available and the presence of tubing prevents running a compensated neutron porosity tool into the borehole.

The Dual-Burst* TDT service has recently been enhanced to provide a real-time wellsite value of the formation porosity. This neutron porosity is based on the ratio of capture gamma rays accumulated in selected gates late after the long burst in the near and far detectors. Corrections are performed for borehole status (open or cased); borehole size; and for borehole and formation fluid salinities, obtained internally from the borehole and formation thermal neutron decay rates. The environmentally corrected ratio is then transformed into porosity according to one of three lithology-dependent transforms. A laboratory data base consisting of more than 750 different cases covering a wide range of porosities, borehole geometries, lithologies, formation and borehole fluid salinities has been analyzed to establish the porosity algorithm. Field examples are presented to compare this new porosity to openhole neutron porosity data over a wide range of borehole conditions.

Previous publications have demonstrated that the Dual-Burst TDT formation capture cross-section measurement is accurate and independent of standard borehole conditions. In this paper, we demonstrate through the use of examples that the appropriate choice of the neutron pulsing and gating scheme and the use of the diffusion model extend the validity of the formation capture cross-section measurement to areas where it has been questionable in the past. More precisely, examples are shown of logs recorded before and after gravel packing operations, through drillpipes and in concentrical casings. The effect of a large cement annulus, as well as the absence of cement, is studied in known laboratory test formations.
Resistivity Index and Capillary Pressure Measurements Under Reservoir Conditions Using Crude Oil
Authors: Longeron D. G. , Argaud M. J. , Bouvier L.
Published: March 2016

Experimental data of resistivity index and oil-brine capillary pressure on sandstone and carbonate rock samples from 4 reservoirs are reported. Laboratory equipment using actual fluids at reservoir conditions has been developed. The capillary drainage was achieved with the porous-plate method and fluid saturation along the core was checked for uniformity by conductivity measurements with a four-electrode system. For each rock sample, the resistivity index and capillary pressures were measured first with refined oil and then with crude oil. In addition, wettability indices were determined using Amott's tests. The resistivity/water-saturation law is well fitted by Archie's law except for vuggy carbonates. In this case, the resistivity/water-saturation plot consisted in two straight line segments in log-log coordinates. The Archie's n-exponent values obtained with crude oil were different than those determined with refined oil except in one case. The n-value increases as the rock becomes more oil-wet. The maximum increase of n-value, from 1.68 to 2.19, was observed for one carbonate, initally neutral and becoming oil-wet during drainage with the crude oil.