bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Offset Well Analysis in Petrel
Authors: King Emma , Dwyer Jean , Ilett Thomas , Houette Olivier , Gunawan Henny , Correa Juan , Lepp Becky , Tawakol Mohamed , Blasdale Tim
Published: January 2016

Prior to undertaking any drilling campaign, the process of offset well analysis is of paramount importance. When performed accurately and presented properly it provides the basis for all design work and risk analysis.

A new feature in the modelling software Petrel called Drilling Risk Manager offers the ability to be able to carry out the offset well analysis in a 3D environment.

The aims of this study is to investigate the means in which the Drilling Risk Manager feature of Petrel can aid in de-risking wells during the offset well analysis process and to highlight the potential efficiency savings that can arise.

The efficiency savings of using Petrel have been highlighted through the use of a case study focusing on the initial development work that was carried out in conjunction with TAQA for their North Cormorant and Cormorant East fields in the UK continental shelf. In this study a Schlumberger engineer worked closely with TAQA on classifying the offset well data for the field, populating the data into a 3D shared earth model in Petrel and then using this model to perform a full risk analysis.

For TAQA, using Petrel has made it easier to clearly view all of the drilling hazards that have occurred on the North Cormorant and Cormorant East fields. Using all of the extra information, two wells drilled on the Cormorant East field were well prepared for hazards which are common in the area. Using the 3D model to aid in the risks analysis process saved a considerable amount of time in comparison to the usual method employed by TAQA.

Schlumberger are in the process of fully developing the use of Petrel as a means of derisking wells in mature fields in to a value added service that can be provided throughout a drilling campaign. Projects are being developed for several UK Operators in this field, incorporating well bore stability and drilling analysis in order to provide efficiency savings throughout a drilling campaign.
Pressure-Transient Analysis of a Finite-Conductivity Inclined Fracture Connected to a Slanted Wellbore
Authors: Jia Pin , Cheng Linsong , Huang Shijun , Liu Hongjun
Published: January 2016

The principal focus of this work is on pressure-transient analysis of a finite-conductivity inclined fracture connected to a slanted wellbore, on the basis of a semianalytical model. Detailed analysis of unsteady-state pressure behavior of a fully penetrating inclined fracture in an infinite-slab reservoir was provided. The study has shown that a finite-conductivity inclined fracture may exhibit five flow regimes: bilinear flow, formation linear flow, early radial flow, compound linear flow, and pseudoradial flow. The characteristics of bilinear flow and formation linear flow are predominantly determined by fracture conductivity. In the case of a low formation-thickness/fracture-half-length ratio and small inclination angle, both early radial flow and compound linear flow may be absent. Analytical solutions for transient responses during different flow regimes are similar to that for a fully penetrating vertical fracture and can be correlated with the cosine of fracture-inclination angle with consideration of permeability anisotropy. Effect of inclination angle and reservoir-permeability anisotropy on transient responses is strong, which extends to pseudoradial-flow period. Formation thickness mainly influences the middle to late flow periods. In addition, the pseudoskin factor is also investigated in detail.
Evaluating the Value of Single-Point Data in Heterogeneous Reservoirs With the Expectation-Maximization Algorithm
Authors: Nakayasu Masahiro , Goda Takashi , Tanaka Kei , Sato Kozo
Published: January 2016

A better characterization of reservoir heterogeneity is indispensable to improve the prediction accuracy on production performance of heterogeneous petroleum reservoirs. Measuring physical properties at a single point can provide us with local information on reservoir heterogeneity, which is also beneficial in reducing some degree of uncertainty about global reservoir heterogeneity, and thus leads us to an improved prediction accuracy. It is not necessarily the case, however, that an improvement of the prediction accuracy implies an increase of our ability to make a proper decision. In this paper, we discuss how to quantify such a value of single-point data, obtained by measuring physical properties at a single point, for decision making in development of heterogeneous reservoirs by using the value-of-information (VOI) theory. We present an efficient algorithm to evaluate the value of single-point data with the help of reservoir simulation, Gaussian random field models, Monte Carlo integration, and the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. We validate our algorithm through a toy problem, and then demonstrate the practical usefulness of our algorithm through numerical experiments.
Changes in Nutrient Plant Availability in Loam and Sandy Clay Loam Soils after Wood Fly and Bottom Ash Amendment
Authors: Ochecova Pavla , Tlustos Pavel , Szakova Jirina , Mercl Filip , Maciak Matus
Published: January 2016

Wood ash has the potential to be an auxiliary fertilizing material. The effect of growing application of the ash derived from woody biomass (representing both fly and bottom ash) on Ca, K, P, and Mg to plant availability in four soils (two loam and two sandy clay loam soils) was investigated. Additives were applied to soils at two rates (1 and 5% w/w) and incubated for 0, 14, 28, and 56 d. Plant‐available element concentrations extractable via Mehlich 3 solution were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F‐AAS) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). The ashes were also characterized using x‐ray diffraction (XRD). The results, supported by the statistical linear mixed‐effect model, indicated the significant increase of plant‐available nutrient portions in all soils with an increasing ash rate. In addition, the other factors, such as incubation time and soil properties (especially pH, content of clay, and organic C), determined nutrient plant availability in our experiment. In the case of Ca, clay content was a more determining factor for plant availability than organic C content in soils. Concretely, the decrease of plant‐available Ca after ash enrichment was slower in soils with a high clay content than in soils with a high organic C content. Based on our results, wood ash should be applied on soils at least in rate 5% w/w and soils should be characterized before ash addition for the best wood ash fertilizing effect.
Model fusion approach for monthly reservoir inflow forecasting
Authors: Bai Yun , Xie Jingjing , Wang Xiaoxue , Li Chuan
Published: January 2016

Considering the complexity of reservoir systems, a model fusion approach is proposed in this paper. According to different inflow information represented, the historical monthly data can be constructed as two time series, namely, yearly-scale series and monthly-scale series. Even grey model (EGM) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) are adopted for the forecasts at the two scales, respectively. Grey relational analysis (GRA) is subsequently used as a scale-normalized model fusion tool to integrate the two scales' results. The proposed method is evaluated using the data of the Three Gorges reservoir ranging from January 2000 to December 2012. The forecast performances of the individual-scale models are improved substantially by the suggested method. For comparison, two peer models, back-propagation neural network and autoregressive integrated moving average model, are also involved. The results show that, having combined together the small-sample forecast ability of the EGM in the yearly-scale, the nonlinearity of the ANFIS in the monthly-scale, and the grey fusion capability of the GRA, the present approach is more accurate for holistic evaluation than those models in terms of mean absolute percentage error, normalized root-mean-square error, and correlation coefficient criteria, and also for peak inflow forecasting in accordance with peak percent threshold statistics.
Response of hydrological processes to permafrost degradation from 1980 to 2009 in the Upper Yellow River Basin, China
Authors: Niu Li , Ye Baisheng , Ding Yongjian , Li Jing , Zhang Yinsheng , Sheng Yu , Yue Guangyang
Published: January 2016

Watersheds in cold regions are undergoing climate warming and permafrost degradation, which result in quantitative shifts in surface water–groundwater interaction. Daily discharge, annual maximum frozen depth (AMFD) of seasonal frozen soil, precipitation and negative degree-day temperature were analyzed to explore changes and correlations of climate, runoff and permafrost in the Upper Yellow River Basin from 1980 to 2009. Plausible permafrost degradation trends were found at two of the stations, but an unsubstantiated trend was found at Huangheyan Station. The winter recession processes slowed down gradually from 1980 to 2009 at three stations but had little relation to AMFD. Meanwhile, the ratio of monthly maximum to minimum discharge reduced significantly. It is clear that permafrost degradation and runoff variations have already occurred in the basin, particularly in zones where the permafrost coverage is above 40%. It is proposed that the variations in the hydrological regimes were caused by permafrost degradation which enlarged infiltration and sub-surface water contribution to winter discharge. The differences of changes in runoff generation and confluence in various regions were thought to be affected by different permafrost coverage and changes because the exchange of groundwater and surface-water mediated by permafrost.
Water governance challenges presented by nanotechnologies: tracking, identifying and quantifying nanomaterials (the ultimate disparate source) in our waterways
Authors: Lynch Iseult
Published: January 2016

Nanotechnologies are considered an enabling technology, as they enhance the functioning of a wide range of products and processes. They are increasingly appearing in consumer products, including sun creams, socks and outdoor paints, resulting in the potential for direct access of nanomaterials (NMs) into wastewater and the environment. As such, they could be considered as the ultimate disparate source, with multiple products and multiple routes into the environment, as well as numerous transformation pathways, such that the final form may bear little resemblance to the initially produced form. NMs thus represent a significant governance and regulatory challenge, for a number of reasons, related to their small size, which makes detection challenging, especially against a background of naturally occurring nanoscale entities (clay and sediment particles, etc.), and their large surface area and high surface energy which leads to very dynamic behaviour and a strong tendency to interact with (bind) anything they come into contact with. Some initial considerations of regulatory issues related to Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, the Water Framework Directive, and the potential for benign-by-design approaches exploiting the potential for recovery or recycling of NMs at the design phase are presented, aimed at reducing the risk of unintentional accumulation of NMs in our waterways.
Simulation of seawater intrusion in the Nile Delta aquifer under the conditions of climate change
Authors: Abd-Elhamid Hany , Javadi Akbar , Abdelaty Ismail , Sherif Mohsen
Published: January 2016

The problem of seawater intrusion is encountered in almost all coastal aquifers. Because of its higher density, the seawater migrates inland into freshwater aquifers even without any pumping activities. Excessive pumping of groundwater would accelerate seawater intrusion. Climate change and sea level rise represent critical parameters affecting the rate and degree of seawater intrusion. In this paper, a coupled transient finite element model for simulation of fluid flow and solute transport in saturated and unsaturated soils (2D-FEST) is employed to study the seawater intrusion in the Nile Delta aquifer. The results of the current model are compared to results of SEAWAT for model verification. The (2D-FEST) model is used to investigate seawater intrusion considering the impacts of climate change. Three scenarios are studied: (a) rise in sea level, (b) decline of the piezometric head at the land side due to excessive pumping, and (c) combination of sea level rise and decline of the piezometric head. The results show that the rise in the sea level has a significant effect on the position of the transition zone. The third scenario represents the worst case under which the groundwater quality would deteriorate in large areas of the Nile Delta aquifer.
Disinfection of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by copper in water
Authors: Armstrong Andrew M. , Sobsey Mark D. , Casanova Lisa M.
Published: January 2016

When households lack access to continuous piped water, water storage in the home creates opportunities for contamination. Storage in copper vessels has been shown to reduce microbes, but inactivation kinetics of enteric bacteria in water by copper alone needs to be understood. This work characterized inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by dissolved ionic copper in water. Reductions of E. coli and P. aeruginosa increase with increasing dose. At 0.3 mg/L, there was a 2.5 log10 reduction of E. coli within 6 hours. At 1 and 3 mg/L, the detection limit was reached between 3 and 6 hours; maximum reduction measured was 8.5 log10. For P. aeruginosa, at 6 hours there was 1 log10 reduction at 0.3 mg/L, 3.0 log10 at 1 mg/L, and 3.6 log10 at 3 mg/L. There was no significant decline in copper concentration. Copper inactivates bacteria under controlled conditions at doses between 0.3 and 1 mg/L. E. coli was inactivated more rapidly than P. aeruginosa. Copper at 1 mg/L can achieve 99.9% inactivation of P. aeruginosa and 99.9999997% inactivation of E. coli over 6 hours, making it a candidate treatment for stored household water.
Human infective potential of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in urban wastewater treatment plant effluents
Authors: Ma Jiawen , Feng Yaoyu , Hu Yue , Villegas Eric N. , Xiao Lihua
Published: January 2016

Cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and microsporidiosis are important waterborne diseases. In the standard for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in China and other countries, the fecal coliform count is the only microbial indicator, raising concerns about the potential for pathogen transmission through WWTP effluent reuse. In this study, we collected 50 effluent samples (30 L/sample) from three municipal WWTPs in Shanghai, China, and analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi by microscopy and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, propidium monoazide (PMA)-PCR was used to assess the viability of oocysts/cysts. The microscopy and PCR-positive rates for Cryptosporidium spp. were 62% and 40%, respectively. The occurrence rates of G. duodenalis were 96% by microscopy and 92–100% by PCR analysis of three genetic loci. Furthermore, E. bieneusi was detected in 70% (35/50) of samples by PCR. Altogether, 10 Cryptosporidium species or genotypes, two G. duodenalis genotypes, and 11 E. bieneusi genotypes were found, most of which were human-pathogenic. The chlorine dioxide disinfection employed in WWTP1 and WWTP3 failed to inactivate the residual pathogens; 93% of the samples from WWTP1 and 83% from WWTP3 did not meet the national standard on fecal coliform levels. Thus, urban WWTP effluents often contain residual waterborne human pathogens.
The South Australian Safe Drinking Water Act: summary of the first year of operation
Authors: Froscio Suzanne M. , Bolton Natalie , Cooke Renay , Wittholz Michelle , Cunliffe David
Published: January 2016

The Safe Drinking Water Act 2011 was introduced in South Australia to provide clear direction to drinking water providers on how to achieve water safety. The Act requires drinking water providers to register with SA Health and develop a risk management plan (RMP) for their water supply that includes operational and verification monitoring plans and an incident notification and communication protocol. During the first year of operation, 212 drinking water providers registered under the Act, including one major water utility and a range of small to medium sized providers in regional and remote areas of the State. Information was captured on water source(s) used and water treatment. Rainwater was the most frequently reported drinking water source (66%), followed by bore water (13%), on-supply or carting of mains water (13%), mixed source (rainwater with bore water backup) (6%) and surface water (3%). The majority of providers (91%) treated the water supply, 87% used disinfection. During the first year of operation, 16 water quality incidents were formally reported to SA Health. These included both microbial and chemical incidents. Case studies presented highlight how the RMPs are assisting drinking water providers to identify incidents of potential health concern and implement corrective actions.
Effect of reaction time on formation of silica core/shell particles
Authors: Nikolic Milan , Filipovic Radoslav , Stanojevic-Nikolic Slobodanka
Published: January 2016

The silica core/shell nanostructures were prepared by a wet-chemical process.
Silica core particles were prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of
tetraethylorthosilicate. The obtained particles (average size ~0.4 ?m) were
used as templates for assembling of silica nanoparticles generated from
highly basic sodium silicate solution. The silica core particles were
functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to allow
electrostatic assembling of silica nanoparticles on the surface of silica
core particles. In order to find the optimal conditions for synthesis of
silica core/shell particles with mesoporous shells, the effect of reaction
time on formation of silica nanoparticles was investigated. The effect of
process parameters on generation and aggregation of silica nanoparticles
prepared from highly basic sodium silicate solution was also investigated. It
was shown that the size of silica nanoparticles and tendency towards
aggregation increase with increasing the reaction time and temperature. These
behaviours were reflected on the formation of mesoporous silica shell around
silica core particles. Thin and uniform mesoporous silica layers were
obtained if reaction times were kept short. When the reaction time was
prolonged, the thicker and non-uniform shells were obtained.
Crystallization and thermo-mechanical properties of Li2O-ZnO-CaO-SiO2 glass-ceramics with In2O3 and Fe2O3 additives
Authors: Salman Saad , Salama Samia , Mahdy Ebrahim
Published: January 2016

Li2O-ZnO-CaO-SiO2 based glasses were prepared by the conventional melting
technique and subsequently converted to glass-ceramics by controlled
crystallization. The nucleation and crystallization temperatures were
determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The effects of adding
In2O3 and Fe2O3 addition on the crystallization behaviour and
thermo-mechanical properties of the prepared glass-ceramics were
investigated. A study on the microstructure, close to the internal phases of
the resulting glass-ceramics, was followed by using scanning electron
microscope (SEM). The dilatometric thermal expansion and Vickers?
microhardness of the crystalline products were also evaluated. The
crystalline phases that can be found in the resulting glass-ceramics,
identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, are ?-quartz-[SiO2], lithium
zinc silicate-[Li2ZnSiO4], lithium disilicate-[Li2Si2O5],
wollastonite-[CaSiO3], wollastonite containing iron,
ferrobustamite-[(Ca0.79Fe0.21)SiO3], and lithium indium silicate of pyroxene
type-[LiInSi2O6]. Average thermal expansion coefficient (in the temperature
range 25-700?C) decreased from 191?10-7 1/?C to 115?10-7 1/?C and the Vickers?
microhardness increased from 3.56 to 5.44GPa with the increase of In2O3 and
Fe2O3 contents in the glass-ceramics. The changes in the obtained expansion
coefficient and microhardness were due to the formation of different phases
which in turn influenced the rigidity/bonding and microstructure in the
resultant glass-ceramics.
OA Go Away: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Self-Management Tool to Promote Adherence to Exercise and Physical Activity for People with Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee
Authors: Paterson Gail , Toupin April Karine , Backman Catherine , Tugwell Peter
Published: January 2016

Purpose: To determine the face and content validity, construct validity, and test–retest reliability of the OA Go Away (OGA), a personalized self-management tool to promote adherence to exercise and physical activity for people with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. Methods: The face and content validity of OGA version 1.0 were determined via interviews with 10 people with OA of the hip or knee and 10 clinicians. A revised OGA version 2.0 was then tested for construct validity and test–retest reliability with a new sample of 50 people with OA of the hip or knee by comparing key items in the OGA journal with validated outcome measures assessing similar health outcomes and comparing scores on key items of the journal 4–7 days apart. Face and content validity were then confirmed with a new sample of 5 people with OA of the hip or knee and 5 clinicians. Results: Eighteen of 30 items from the OGA version 1.0 and 41 of 43 items from the OGA version 2.0 journal, goals and action plan, and exercise log had adequate content validity. Construct validity and test–retest reliability were acceptable for the main items of the OGA version 2.0 journal. The OGA underwent modifications based on results and participant feedback. Conclusion: The OGA is a novel self-management intervention and assessment tool for people with OA of the hip or knee that shows adequate preliminary measurement properties.
Novel Utility-Based Methodological Framework for Valuation of Road Infrastructure
Authors: Porras-Alvarado Juan Diego , Peters Diniece , Han Zhe , Zhang Zhanmin
Published: January 2016

Transportation infrastructure assets are the largest publicly owned infrastructure assets in the United States. The management of these assets and the determination of their value have been at the forefront of discussions in many state agencies and local governments. However, existing valuation approaches are mostly based on physical condition and neglect the effect of factors such as functionality and overall use on the asset's value. This paper presents a utility-based methodological framework for the valuation of transportation infrastructure. The proposed valuation methodology uses the asset replacement cost as the base value. Value is then added to the base value by considering three key factors associated with the infrastructure: physical condition, functionality, and overall asset use. Each factor is characterized by appropriate indicators that can be quantified with specific performance measures. Then, the utility theory is applied to combine the effect of performance indicators of varying measures and scales on the value of an asset. The proposed framework can assist state and local transportation agencies in optimizing their resource allocation procedures for better coordination of asset investments within or across infrastructure assets.
Global System for Transportation Simulation and Visualization in Emergency Evacuation Scenarios
Authors: Lu Wei , Liu Cheng , Thomas Neil , Bhaduri Budhendra L. , Han Lee D.
Published: January 2016

Simulation-based studies are frequently used for evacuation planning and decision making. Given the complexity of and data availability for transportation systems, most evacuation simulation models focus on certain geographic areas. With routine improvement of OpenStreetMap road networks and LandScan global population distribution data, this paper presents the Toolbox for Urban Mobility Simulations (TUMS). TUMS uses unified data structure for simulation inputs. The toolbox also integrates a supernode trip distribution model as the default simulation parameter to improve the system computational performance. Two levels of visualization tools, including link-based macroscopic visualization and vehicle-based microscopic visualization, are implemented for evacuation performance analysis. For left-hand and right-hand traffic patterns in different countries, the authors propose a mirror technique to experiment with both scenarios without significantly changing traffic simulation models. Sixteen cities in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa are modeled for demonstration. With default traffic simulation models for fast and easy-to-use evacuation estimation and visualization, TUMS also retains the capability of interactive operation for users to adopt customized traffic simulation models. For the first time, TUMS provides a unified platform with which global evacuation researchers can estimate and visualize the performance of transportation systems under evacuation scenarios.
Die Rolle von Eiche, Totholz und Efeubeeren bei der Habitatwahl des Mittelspechts
Authors: Spühler Lisa , Krüsi Bertil O. , Pasinelli Gilberto
Published: January 2016

The role of oak, deadwood and ivy for habitat selection of the middle spotted woodpecker

Due to their habitat needs, woodpeckers are generally considered to be excellent indicators of forest habitat quality and biodiversity. In the EU and in Switzerland, the middle spotted woodpecker acts as a flagship species for nature conservation in forests. After several decades of decline in the Canton of Zurich, the population of the indicator species more than doubled between 2002 and 2012. The reasons for this positive development are so far unknown. It is hypothesized that an increased availability of ivy berries, sometimes eaten by the middle spotted woodpecker, may have contributed to the population growth. Based on the woodpecker monitoring 2012 in the Canton of Zurich, in 2013 the availability of trees with ivy berries at sites with and without presence of the middle spotted woodpecker was examined in eight forests. At the same time we also studied the availability of oaks and standing dead trees, two habitat factors well known to be important for the middle spotted woodpecker. Results revealed significantly shorter distances to large oaks and a tendency towards shorter distances to dead trees at points with middle spotted woodpecker presence than at points without. The distance to trees with ivy berries, on the other hand, was the same at presence and absence points. Occurrence probability of the middle spotted woodpecker was best explained by the distances to the closest large oak and to the closest standing dead tree, respectively. The importance of ivy contributing to the structural diversity in forest ecosystems and providing food and refuge to many species is widely recognized. Therefore, ivy should not be eliminated and oaks and dead trees should be continued to be fostered.
From the Shell-shocked Soldier to the Nervous Child: Psychoanalysis in the Aftermath of the First World War
Authors: Roper Michael
Published: January 2016

This article investigates the development of child analysis in Britain between the wars, as the anxious child succeeded the shell-shocked soldier as a focus of psychoanalytic enquiry. Historians of psychoanalysis tend to regard the Second World War as a key moment in the discovery of the ‘war within’ the child, but it was in the aftermath of the First War that the warring psyche of the child was observed and elaborated. The personal experience of war and its aftermath, and the attention given to regression in the treatment of war neuroses, encouraged Melanie Klein, Anna Freud and others to turn their attention to children. At the same time, however, the impact of the First World War as a traumatic event, with inter-generational consequences, remained largely unaccounted for within psychoanalysis as Klein and others focused on the child's riven internal world.
Weed Control with Cover Crops in Irrigated Potatoes
Authors: Mehring G.H. , Stenger J.E. , Hatterman-Valenti H.M.
Published: January 2016

Field experiments at Oakes, ND, USA in 2010 and Carrington, ND, USA in 2011 were conducted to evaluate the potential for cover crops grown in the Northern Great Plains, USA in order to reduce weed emergence and density in irrigated potatoes. Treatments included five cover crop treatments and three cover crop termination treatments. Termination of cover crops was done with glyphosate, disk-till, and roto-till. Cover crop biomass accumulation was greatest for rye/canola and triticale at Oakes, and hairy vetch and hairy vetch/rye at Carrington. Cover crop and termination affected weed control 14, 29, and 51 days after planting (DAP) at Oakes. Weed control at Carrington was at least 90% for all cover crop and termination treatments at all three evaluation timings. Marketable yield at Oakes was greater when roto-till was used to terminate the cover crops compared with disk-till or herbicide, which is beneficial for organic systems where herbicides are not used. Marketable yield at Carrington was not affected by cover crop or termination treatments. Results suggest that cover crops can successfully be integrated into irrigated potato production for weed control with yields equal to no cover crop, and with attention to potential mechanical difficulties.
A Novel Tunable Multi-Frequency Hybrid Vibration Energy Harvester Using Piezoelectric and Electromagnetic Conversion Mechanisms
Authors: Xu Zhenlong , Shan Xiaobiao , Chen Danpeng , Xie Tao
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a novel tunable multi-frequency hybrid energy harvester (HEH). It consists of a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) and an electromagnetic energy harvester (EMEH), which are coupled with magnetic interaction. An electromechanical coupling model was developed and numerically simulated. The effects of magnetic force, mass ratio, stiffness ratio, and mechanical damping ratios on the output power were investigated. A prototype was fabricated and characterized by experiments. The measured first peak power increases by 16.7% and 833.3% compared with that of the multi-frequency EMEH and the multi-frequency PEH, respectively. It is 2.36 times more than the combined output power of the linear PEH and linear EMEH at 22.6 Hz. The half-power bandwidth for the first peak power is also broadened. Numerical results agree well with the experimental data. It is indicated that magnetic interaction can tune the resonant frequencies. Both magnetic coupling configuration and hybrid conversion mechanism contribute to enhancing the output power and widening the operation bandwidth. The magnitude and direction of magnetic force have significant effects on the performance of the HEH. This proposed HEH is an effective approach to improve the generating performance of the micro-scale energy harvesting devices in low-frequency range.
Convection of Moist Saturated Air: Analytical Study
Authors: Zakinyan Robert , Zakinyan Arthur , Ryzhkov Roman , Avanesyan Kristina
Published: January 2016

In the present work, the steady-state stationary thermal convection of moist saturated air in a lower atmosphere has been studied theoretically. Thermal convection was considered without accounting for the Coriolis force, and with only the vertical temperature gradient. The analytical solution of geophysical fluid dynamics equations, which generalizes the formulation of the moist convection problem, is obtained in the two-dimensional case. The stream function is derived in the Boussinesq approximation with velocity divergence taken as zero. It has been shown that the stream function is asymmetrical in vertical direction contrary to the dry and moist unsaturated air convection. It has been demonstrated that the convection in moist atmosphere strongly depends on the vapor mass fraction gradient.
DNA Methylation Analysis: Choosing the Right Method
Authors: Kurdyukov Sergey , Bullock Martyn
Published: January 2016

In the burgeoning field of epigenetics, there are several methods available to determine the methylation status of DNA samples. However, choosing the method that is best suited to answering a particular biological question still proves to be a difficult task. This review aims to provide biologists, particularly those new to the field of epigenetics, with a simple algorithm to help guide them in the selection of the most appropriate assay to meet their research needs. First of all, we have separated all methods into two categories: those that are used for: (1) the discovery of unknown epigenetic changes; and (2) the assessment of DNA methylation within particular regulatory regions/genes of interest. The techniques are then scrutinized and ranked according to their robustness, high throughput capabilities and cost. This review includes the majority of methods available to date, but with a particular focus on commercially available kits or other simple and straightforward solutions that have proven to be useful.
Targeting Stromal-Cancer Cell Crosstalk Networks in Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Authors: Yeung Tsz-Lun , Leung Cecilia , Li Fuhai , Wong Stephen , Mok Samuel
Published: January 2016

Ovarian cancer is a histologically, clinically, and molecularly diverse disease with a five-year survival rate of less than 30%. It has been estimated that approximately 21,980 new cases of epithelial ovarian cancer will be diagnosed and 14,270 deaths will occur in the United States in 2015, making it the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Ovarian tumor tissue is composed of cancer cells and a collection of different stromal cells. There is increasing evidence that demonstrates that stromal involvement is important in ovarian cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, stroma-specific signaling pathways, stroma-derived factors, and genetic changes in the tumor stroma present unique opportunities for improving the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the major components of the tumor stroma that have demonstrated supportive roles in tumor progression. In this review, we highlight various types of signaling crosstalk between ovarian cancer cells and stromal cells, particularly with CAFs. In addition to evaluating the importance of signaling crosstalk in ovarian cancer progression, we discuss approaches that can be used to target tumor-promoting signaling crosstalk and how these approaches can be translated into potential ovarian cancer treatment.
Guardian of Genetic Messenger-RNA-Binding Proteins
Authors: Anji Antje , Kumari Meena
Published: January 2016

RNA in cells is always associated with RNA-binding proteins that regulate all aspects of RNA metabolism including RNA splicing, export from the nucleus, RNA localization, mRNA turn-over as well as translation. Given their diverse functions, cells express a variety of RNA-binding proteins, which play important roles in the pathologies of a number of diseases. In this review we focus on the effect of alcohol on different RNA-binding proteins and their possible contribution to alcohol-related disorders, and discuss the role of these proteins in the development of neurological diseases and cancer. We further discuss the conventional methods and newer techniques that are employed to identify RNA-binding proteins.
Moderate (2%, v/v) Ethanol Feeding Alters Hepatic Wound Healing after Acute Carbon Tetrachloride Exposure in Mice
Authors: Deshpande Krutika , Liu Shinlan , McCracken Jennifer , Jiang Lu , Gaw Ta , Kaydo Lindsey , Richard Zachary , O’Neil Maura , Pritchard Michele
Published: January 2016

Wound healing consists of three overlapping phases: inflammation, proliferation, and matrix synthesis and remodeling. Prolonged alcohol abuse can cause liver fibrosis due to deregulated matrix remodeling. Previous studies demonstrated that moderate ethanol feeding enhances liver fibrogenic markers and frank fibrosis independent of differences in CCl4-induced liver injury. Our objective was to determine whether or not other phases of the hepatic wound healing response were affected by moderate ethanol after CCl4 exposure. Mice were fed moderate ethanol (2% v/v) for two days and then were exposed to CCl4 and euthanized 24–96 h later. Liver injury was not different between pair- and ethanol-fed mice; however, removal of necrotic tissue was delayed after CCl4-induced liver injury in ethanol-fed mice. Inflammation, measured by TNFα mRNA and protein and hepatic Ly6c transcript accumulation, was reduced and associated with enhanced hepatocyte apoptosis after ethanol feeding. Hepatocytes entered the cell cycle equivalently in pair- and ethanol-fed mice after CCl4 exposure, but hepatocyte proliferation was prolonged in livers from ethanol-fed mice. CCl4-induced hepatic stellate cell activation was increased and matrix remodeling was prolonged in ethanol-fed mice compared to controls. Taken together, moderate ethanol affected each phase of the wound healing response to CCl4. These data highlight previously unknown effects of moderate ethanol exposure on hepatic wound healing after acute hepatotoxicant exposure.
Tau Protein Hyperphosphorylation and Aggregation in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Tauopathies, and Possible Neuroprotective Strategies
Authors: Šimić Goran , Babić Leko Mirjana , Wray Selina , Harrington Charles , Delalle Ivana , Jovanov-Milošević Nataša , Bažadona Danira , Buée Luc , De Silva Rohan , Di Giovanni Giuseppe , Wischik Claude , Hof Patrick
Published: January 2016

Abnormal deposition of misprocessed and aggregated proteins is a common final pathway of most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is characterized by the extraneuronal deposition of the amyloid β (Aβ) protein in the form of plaques and the intraneuronal aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau in the form of filaments. Based on the biochemically diverse range of pathological tau proteins, a number of approaches have been proposed to develop new potential therapeutics. Here we discuss some of the most promising ones: inhibition of tau phosphorylation, proteolysis and aggregation, promotion of intra- and extracellular tau clearance, and stabilization of microtubules. We also emphasize the need to achieve a full understanding of the biological roles and post-translational modifications of normal tau, as well as the molecular events responsible for selective neuronal vulnerability to tau pathology and its propagation. It is concluded that answering key questions on the relationship between Aβ and tau pathology should lead to a better understanding of the nature of secondary tauopathies, especially AD, and open new therapeutic targets and strategies.
Characteristics of Tau and Its Ligands in PET Imaging
Authors: Harada Ryuichi , Okamura Nobuyuki , Furumoto Shozo , Tago Tetsuro , Yanai Kazuhiko , Arai Hiroyuki , Kudo Yukitsuka
Published: January 2016

Tau deposition is one of the neuropathological hallmarks in Alzheimer’s disease as well as in other neurodegenerative disorders called tauopathies. Recent efforts to develop selective tau radiopharmaceuticals have allowed the visualization of tau deposits in vivo. In vivo tau imaging allows the assessment of the regional distribution of tau deposits in a single human subject over time for determining the pathophysiology of tau accumulation in aging and neurodegenerative conditions as well as for application in drug discovery of anti-dementia drugs as surrogate markers. However, tau deposits show complicated characteristics because of different isoform composition, histopathology, and ultrastructure in various neurodegenerative conditions. In addition, since tau radiopharmaceuticals possess different chemotype classes, they may show different binding characteristics with heterogeneous tau deposits. In this review, we describe the characteristics of tau deposits and their ligands that have β-sheet binding properties, and the status of tau imaging in clinical studies.
Functional Analysis of the Glucuronyltransferases GlcAT-P and GlcAT-S of Drosophila melanogaster: Distinct Activities towards the O-linked T-antigen
Authors: Breloy Isabelle , Schwientek Tilo , Althoff Deborah , Holz Marvin , Koppen Tim , Krupa Angelika , Hanisch Franz-Georg
Published: January 2016

The Drosophila melanogaster glucuronyltransferases dGlcAT-S and dGlcAT-P were reported to be expressed ubiquitously and results of in vitro activity assays indicate a functional redundancy. We analyzed both transferases in vivo and in vitro and could show significant differences in their activity towards N-and O-glycoproteins in vivo. While GlcAT-P is able to use N-linked N-acetyllactosamine chains and the O-linked T-antigen as a substrate to form non-sulfated HNK1- (GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-) and glucuronyl-T-antigens in vivo, GlcAT-S adds glucuronic acid only to N-linked chains, thereby synthesizing only the non-sulfated HNK1-antigen.
Stem Cell Therapies for Treatment of Liver Disease
Authors: Nicolas Clara , Wang Yujia , Luebke-Wheeler Jennifer , Nyberg Scott
Published: January 2016

Cell therapy is an emerging form of treatment for several liver diseases, but is limited by the availability of donor livers. Stem cells hold promise as an alternative to the use of primary hepatocytes. We performed an exhaustive review of the literature, with a focus on the latest studies involving the use of stem cells for the treatment of liver disease. Stem cells can be harvested from a number of sources, or can be generated from somatic cells to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Different cell lines have been used experimentally to support liver function and treat inherited metabolic disorders, acute liver failure, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and small-for-size liver transplantations. Cell-based therapeutics may involve gene therapy, cell transplantation, bioartificial liver devices, or bioengineered organs. Research in this field is still very active. Stem cell therapy may, in the future, be used as a bridge to either liver transplantation or endogenous liver regeneration, but efficient differentiation and production protocols must be developed and safety must be demonstrated before it can be applied to clinical practice.
Individual Differences in Anticipatory Somatosensory Cortex Activity for Shock is Positively Related with Trait Anxiety and Multisensory Integration
Authors: Greening Steven , Lee Tae-Ho , Mather Mara
Published: January 2016

Anxiety is associated with an exaggerated expectancy of harm, including overestimation of how likely a conditioned stimulus (CS+) predicts a harmful unconditioned stimulus (US). In the current study we tested whether anxiety-associated expectancy of harm increases primary sensory cortex (S1) activity on non-reinforced (i.e., no shock) CS+ trials. Twenty healthy volunteers completed a differential-tone trace conditioning task while undergoing fMRI, with shock delivered to the left hand. We found a positive correlation between trait anxiety and activity in right, but not left, S1 during CS+ versus CS− conditions. Right S1 activity also correlated with individual differences in both primary auditory cortices (A1) and amygdala activity. Lastly, a seed-based functional connectivity analysis demonstrated that trial-wise S1 activity was positively correlated with regions of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), suggesting that higher-order cognitive processes contribute to the anticipatory sensory reactivity. Our findings indicate that individual differences in trait anxiety relate to anticipatory reactivity for the US during associative learning. This anticipatory reactivity is also integrated along with emotion-related sensory signals into a brain network implicated in fear-conditioned responding.
Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity Drives Therapeutic Resistance
Authors: Doherty Mary , Smigiel Jacob , Junk Damian , Jackson Mark
Published: January 2016

The connection between epithelial-mesenchymal (E-M) plasticity and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties has been paradigm-shifting, linking tumor cell invasion and metastasis with therapeutic recurrence. However, despite their importance, the molecular pathways involved in generating invasive, metastatic, and therapy-resistant CSCs remain poorly understood. The enrichment of cells with a mesenchymal/CSC phenotype following therapy has been interpreted in two different ways. The original interpretation posited that therapy kills non-CSCs while sparing pre-existing CSCs. However, evidence is emerging that suggests non-CSCs can be induced into a transient, drug-tolerant, CSC-like state by chemotherapy. The ability to transition between distinct cell states may be as critical for the survival of tumor cells following therapy as it is for metastatic progression. Therefore, inhibition of the pathways that promote E-M and CSC plasticity may suppress tumor recurrence following chemotherapy. Here, we review the emerging appreciation for how plasticity confers therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence.
Determination of Morphine and Its Metabolites in Human Urine by Capillary Electrophoresis with Laser Induced Fluorescence Detection Employing On-Column Labeling with a New Boronic Acid Functionalized Squarylium Cyanine Dye
Authors: Sebaiy Mahmoud , El-Shanawany Abdullah , Baraka Mohamed , Abdel-Aziz Lobna , Isbell Theresa , Colyer Christa
Published: January 2016

A novel method for the labeling and rapid separation of morphine, morphine-3-beta-d-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-beta-d-glucuronide (M6G) in human urine employing a new boronic acid functionalized squarylium dye (SQ-BA3) and capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) is described. The spectrochemical properties, solution stability, pH range, and mechanisms for interactions with morphine and its metabolites were first established for SQ-BA3, followed by optimization of an on-column labeling procedure and CE-LIF method. SQ-BA3 itself was shown to be unstable and weakly fluorescent in aqueous buffers due to aggregate formation. However, SQ-BA3 showed a relative stability and dramatic increase in fluorescence intensity upon the addition of morphine, M3G, and M6G. Because of the low background fluorescence of this dye, on-column labeling was feasible, leading to a simple and rapid analytical method with the potential for clinical applications.
Recent Advances in Portable Analytical Electromigration Devices
Authors: Van Schepdael Ann
Published: January 2016

This article presents an overview of recent advances in the field of portable capillary electrophoresis and microchip electrophoresis equipment during the period 2013–Mid 2015. Instrumental achievements in the separation as well as the detection part of the equipment are discussed. Several applications from a variety of fields are described.