bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Gharif Development Catalogue: From Geoscience to Development Decisions
Authors: Alsop D. B. , Pentland C. , Hamed W. , Al Ghulam J. , Al Ma‘Mary T. S. , Svec R. , Al Kiyumi A. , Al Daoudi Y.
Published: November 2016

The Gharif Formation is one of the most prolific oil and gas producing clastic reservoirs in the Sultanate of Oman with production spanning five decades and thousands of wells. The depositional environment for the Gharif varies both vertically as well as spatially across Oman making identification of appropriate field analogues challenging. A thematic study of the Gharif Formation over the last few years has added new insights into the impact of these geologically complex reservoirs on connectivity and field development options. The objectives of the development catalogue is to utilize the geological, petrophysical and reservoir engineering knowledge and data to support the decision making process.

The Gharif is divided into three main units with the depositional environments ranging from fluvio-deltaic, shoreface, tidal flats, semi-arid and humid tropical fluvial systems. Each environment has its own respective reservoir characteristics such as reservoir properties, body geometry, vertical and lateral connectivity and net to gross. These environments vary between units as well as regionally across Oman. Standardization of core facies and well picks with the application of sequence stratigraphy has enabled regional palaeogeography maps to be created at flow unit level. Production is often co-mingled with nine possible reservoir combinations and fluids range from heavy oil (<20 °API) to gas. Development areas have been identified based on regional palaeogeography maps, diagenetic trends and fluid properties. For each area and unit, an assessment of the rock and fluid properties has been undertaken and key uncertainties are identified and captured in a matrix. A review of development decisions and approaches resulted in an understanding of how optimal field development varies throughout the Gharif; the key development decisions were captured in a decision matrix.

The distillation and analysis of the extensive Gharif dataset has resulted in specific tools and workflows that are available to aid better, and faster, decision making in Gharif field developments. Technical databases put the appropriate quality controlled data at the field developer's finger tips while development workflows utilizing uncertainty and decision matrices empower teams in their decision making process. We envisage field development studies benefiting from the consistent application of identified best practices resulting in significant multi-month time savings.

This work has shown how formation specific data, covering a wide geographical area, can be integrated and analysed to quickly assess subsurface uncertainties and identify appropriate analogues. This in turn enables development teams to make better and faster decisions on development options. This approach will now be replicated for other formations in Oman.
Modeling and Simulation Study for Black Powder Detection in Gas-Oil Pipelines Using Magnetic Particle Imaging and its Hardware Realization
Authors: Kalra Mohit , Meribout Dr.Mahmoud. Mahmoud , Saied Imran
Published: November 2016

This paper suggests a new Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) technique for two dimensional (2D) tomographic imaging to detect the presence of flowing solid particles (i.e. black powder which consist of paramagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs)) passing through gas-oil pipelines. The hardware consists of a ring of a modified Halbach array of 24 permanent magnets, in addition to two surrounding Helmholtz coil pairs, and a receiving coil, which are evenly distributed across a cross-section of the probe. With the application of static and dynamically moving drive fields, the MPI utilizes the full benefit of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) by providing a linear response when they are exposed to a relatively low magnetic field and no response when they are saturated. The scanning of region of interest with the field-free line (FFL) instead of the field-free point (FFP) is motivated by the fact that a high intensity DC current is required for FFP, which is not tolerated in oil-gas pipelines where the maximal current should not exceed few Amps. With the presence of oscillatory magnetic field, SPIONs react with a non-linear magnetization response which is further measured by the receiving coil. A 2D Image reconstruction is then performed using frequency-based image reconstruction process. The hardware design, specifically the sizing of permanent magnets with regard to their relative position and dimensions, was refined following an optimization technique based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique. The assessment of the system using finite element method indicates that the system can reconstruct the 2D profile of the SPOIN with a mean absolute error of prediction of less than 4 % and 12% using FFL and FFP methods respectively.
Flared Gas Monetization with Modular Gas-to-Liquid Units: Oilfield Conversion of Associated Gas into Petrol at Small-Scales
Authors: He Zhong , Khatu Gautam , Tenenbaum Emily , Li Weibin , Han Zengqiang
Published: November 2016

Historically, gas-to-liquids (GTL) systems have only been implemented at large scales, such as the 1.6 BCF/D Pearl plant in Qatar. However, recent advances in process design and cost reduction have resulted in smallscale GTL systems profitable at gas flows of 110,000 to 540,000 Nm3/d (4-20 MMcf/d). Small-scale GTL units are now an attractive option for monetizing associated petroleum gas that would otherwise be flared. This paper describes the application of a smallscale GTL solution for flared gas monetization, and details the process design, feed gas requirements, and liquid product specifications.

To address the problem of oilfield flared gas, a standard, modular lump-sum GTL system has been developed to convert flows as small as 110,000 Nm3/d (4 MMcf/d) of wellhead associated gas into high quality gasoline (a.k.a. petrol). The system accepts a wide range of wellhead gas types without modification, for example wet or dry gas, and gas with up to 25% CO2 content are suitable feedstocks. The unit utilizes the STG+™ process, which features a series of fixed bed catalytic reactors that convert gas into petrol in a single gas phase closed loop via syngas, methanol and dimethyl ether intermediates. Process water and unreacted light gases are recycled within the system, minimizing hydrocarbon loss and the need for wastewater treatment.

The resulting petrol product can be sold into the regional fuel market or mixed in with the crude oil onsite for simpler logistics. Compliance with antiflaring regulations, monetization of associated gas, reduction of CO2 emission, and increased liquid output are achieved via implementation of the GTL system.

This standardization of small-scale GTL technology as a cost effective modular unit enables distributed deployment directly at the wellhead that was previously not possible with traditional larger scale GTL technology.
Proposed Guideline for Identification and Assessment of Dead-Legs in Process Piping
Authors: Sayed Talal Al , Al-Yaarubi Ameer Yaser , Terchoun Slimane , Abdel-Majeed Emad , Hussein Khaled , Dharmendra Dalal , Malik Shervin , Izadkhah Mehran
Published: November 2016

Dead-legs are potentially the most critical components within a piping system to assess against corrosion degradation. The root cause of the issue relates to fluid being stagnant inside a dead-leg and separated from the main flow stream which in turn creates the condition prone to activate certain corrosion mechanism such as under deposit attack, etc. API RP 570[8] requires inspection to be carried out at these sub-components however still not very clear on how the corrosion rate may be different to the main line. When carrying out Risk-Based inspection as per API RP 581[1], the damage factor as the index for likelihood of failure is tripled if a very comprehensive inspection has not been carried out on a deadleg. Nerveless it is understandable that a universal methodology cannot be implemented due to the large variation of product (and consequently corrosion rate) within the piping system across all process plants using API documents as their assessment guideline.

To overcome this issue, ADMA OPCO together with TWI have developed a guideline document (GDL-059[6]) to address specific requirements to identify and assess deadlegs within ADMA OPCO offshore and on-shore process piping. GDL-059[6] provides recommendations on how to identify a deadleg, and once it is identified, how to gather the information required for further assessment. As it is neither practical nor economical to carry out a comprehensive inspection at each deadleg within short time interval, recommendations are also provided on how to evaluate a relative corrosion rate of a deadleg to its parent piping system. Contributing factors to the higher corrosion rate at deadlegs such as dimensions and orientation of the deadleg together with the nature and velocity of the flow were examined using qualitative and quantitative approach. Recommended values of relative corrosion rates are provided and a decision making process is given in-line with API RP and API RP philosophy.
Mechanical Anisotropy of Unconventional Shale – Build the Correct Relationship between Static and Dynamic Properties
Authors: Jin Guodong , Ali Syed Shujath , Dhamen Ali Abdullah
Published: November 2016

Most of unconventional shales are mechanically anisotropic and usually treated as transversely isotropic (TIV) media. Full anisotropy characterization of gas shale samples traditionally requires laboratory tests on several plugs cut along different orientations to the bedding. In practice, very often, this is untenable – due to the scarcity of shale plugs, experimental challenges, cost consideration and other factors. As alternate, ultrasonic measurements are only performed along the longitudinal axis of the sample, where the apparent dynamic properties are determined using isotropic media equations, and then used to build a correlation model between static and dynamic properties. However, such approximations could result in significant difference in reservoir rock mechanical properties determined from downhole acoustic logging measurements when the simplified apparent dynamic/static correlation model is used.

The paper performs ultrasonic measurements, velocity anisotropy analysis, and triaxial compression testing on a series of shale samples cut in two orientations – parallel and perpendicular to the bedding. The static Young's moduli measured along the bedding are not always higher than those measured perpendicular to the bedding. For the samples tested, horizontal plugs generally have higher Young's moduli than vertical plugs in the range of low modulus, while lower than vertical plugs in the high modulus range. Generally, horizontal plugs have relatively higher static Poisson's ratios than vertical plugs. Both the dynamic and apparent dynamic Young's moduli are higher than the static moduli. There exist strong correlations between the dynamic/apparent dynamic and static moduli. However, the apparent dynamic moduli seem to have a relative better correlation with static values than the dynamic ones. In addition, the apparent dynamic moduli are higher than dynamic ones when they are measured perpendicular to the bedding, while they are almost the same when measured parallel to the bedding.

The discrepancy observed between the dynamic (measured from velocity anisotropy analysis) and apparent dynamic (using the isotropic model) confirms the importance of distinguishing and carefully selecting between these values when building static-dynamic relations for log-core calibration. The method of performing velocity anisotropy analysis on one horizontal plug only enables one to obtain the complete dynamic properties for the transversely isotropic media, which could considerably simplify the anisotropic measurements, save core material, and make much more geomechanical data available for shale well development.
Energy Effiency and Technology are at the Heart of Sustainable Marine Operations
Authors: Rodrigues Ajit , Masaabi Khalid Al , Jalal Taha
Published: November 2016

Objectives/Scope

Logistic activities plays a vital role in sustainable field operations, TABK recently achieved Energy Efficiency Management System (ISO 50001) certification and is committed to excellence in energy uses and saving the world for future generations. Marine Technology provide platform to sustain marine operations and provide efficient marine logistic activity.

Methods, Procedures, Process

Logistic activities long adopted energy efficiency and ship energy efficiency management plan in its activities, exploring maritime market for energy efficient operating vessels, whilst sustaining logistic demands of our operational activities. These extreme team efforts resulted in utilization of the dynamically positioned vessels in our activities. Furthermore, innovative solutions to anchor the dynamically positioned vessels, have both wisely resulted in sustainable uses of the energy in our operations.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

This initiatives and commitment for sustainable energy uses has resulted in raising awareness to our marine contractors as well and further resulted in better contracts conditions and favorable choices. It is our intention that energy efficiency is part of our marine call for tender processes and we have been leading industry in sustainable marine operations. Our contractors have been part of this methodology.

Novel/Additive Information

Our "Al MERSAH" Project which is currently been implemented, is anticipated to give us a reduction of energy uses in a world of fluctuated economy.

Energy and its uses, plays a vital in everything we do, we carry or we contract
Value Creation in the Supply Chain through Next Generation Inspection NGI
Authors: Lewis Martin , Houari Mohamed , Tavari Morteza
Published: November 2016

In the current oil and gas market, the reduction of inspection costs throughout the asset lifecycle while maintaining or improving the quality of the end product is becoming of great significance and value to asset owners. More specifically, the Inspection Test Plan (ITP) budgets are being increasingly subjected to cost reductions pressure that is often based on inconsistent methodologies across the oil and gas industry and sometimes within the same company.

DNV GL developed a consistent risk based methodology (Next generation inspection, NGI) that combines: criticality of equipment and/or material, • criticality of suppliers, equipment and supplier historical data; and enables the reduction of the overall ITP budget in a consistent and controlled manner while using data smart concepts.

In the procurement phase, NGI introduces a tool to measure a manufacturer's ability to control the process and product quality by using a rating assessment methodology and quantitatively documenting the operation's "capability level" measured against the project's or asset's specific criteria. This would recognize and prevent potential complications and improve manufacturing processes during production or in pre-contract phase in connection with new projects.

Assessed vendor's ratings along with equipment/material design criticality are then used to develop a matrix with "inspection criticality" output. Inspection interventions in the ITP can then be marked based on the inspection criticality which streamlines the process into an optimized plan culminating in lesser inspections with more reliable and higher added value on the output.

The data smart platform provides information that is known about an item or equipment historically and conversely identifies where there is a lack of information about a supplier capability or equipment.

It is recognized in the industry that CAPEX related inspection costs could be further reduced by inspection of equipment based on their criticality.

Despite the availability of equipment inspection data, learning from past events and historical data is not being consistently used in determining this criticality due to the lack of an overall data mining and analysis capability.

Furthermore, the anomalies in the supply of products by unqualified vendors/suppliers to oil and gas projects are causing significant shortfalls in the quality of the goods delivered. This has led to a major impact on delivery schedules and spiraling costs resulting in the loss of revenue on these projects. Again vendor/manufacturer historical data exists but are randomly used.

This methodology involves a combination of traditional inspection methods and the development of a practical risk-based strategy capable of minimizing the inspection costs while maintaining and improving the effectiveness of the work carried out on a data smart platform.
Reservoir Characterization through Integrated Stochastic Inversion
Authors: Zheng York Y. , Grant Sara R.
Published: November 2016

We present an efficient inversion method, One-Dimensional Stochastic Inversion (ODiSI), which integrates petrophysical data, seismic data and geological information to provide an estimate of reservoir properties and associated uncertainties. We show results from the application of this inversion method to fields in the Nile Delta, offshore West Africa, and to a tight-gas field in the Middle East.

ODiSI provides 3D volumes of reservoir properties and their associated uncertainties, and is becoming an integral part of our reservoir characterisation process. The inversion algorithm works by matching large numbers of stochastically simulated 1D stratigraphic profiles (pseudo-wells) to actual seismic traces. The method first establishes rock property relationships and vertical statistics at the reservoir level from existing well data. This information is used to generate thousands of pseudo-wells with a range of consistent and realistic reservoir properties. Synthetic seismic traces, derived from the pseudowells using extended elastic impedance (EEI), are compared with traces of input colour-inverted angle stacks. The best matches are selected and averaged to provide an estimate of reservoir properties and the associated uncertainties.

In early applications, ODiSI was used primarily to predict net-to-gross sandstone for relatively simple siliciclastic fields. The output net-to-gross volumes were used to create net-to-gross maps, define key geological features, assist with well planning, inform volumetric estimates, and to provide input for reservoir modelling. We have also extended the application of ODiSI to a tight sand reservoir in the Middle East, where good quality well ties were observed between inverted and measured Vshale logs. The porosity estimates showed spatially consistent patterns indicative of geological features. The output net-to-gross sandstone and porosity volumes were used in uncertainty analysis to assess the spatial extent of good quality sand bodies.

ODiSI products are becoming a standard input to our seismic analysis and interpretation workflow. We continue to expand the capability of the tool to enable its application to other geological settings.
Field Applications of the New Multidetector Slim Pulsed Neutron Logging Tool: Oman Case Studies
Authors: Al-Yaarubi A. H. , Rose D. A. , Zhou T. , Gonzalez G. , Lombardi P. A. , Kechichian J. , Ross R. R. , Lukmanov R. B. , Guntupalli S. , Reda A. , Al Ani K. M. , Al Shoaibi S. S. , Al-Habsi Y. R. , Grover R.
Published: November 2016

This paper presents field applications of a new slim pulsed neutron logging tool (PNL) in the Sultanate of Oman. In the spectroscopy mode, the tool provides high-resolution capture and inelastic spectroscopy measurements with significantly improved accuracy and precision over the previous-generation tools. In the gas, sigma, and hydrogen index (GSH) mode, the tool provides self-compensated sigma and neutron porosity measurements for a wide range of environmental conditions, including gas-filled boreholes. This mode also introduces the fast neutron cross section (FNXS) measurement, which is sensitive to variations in gas-filled porosity and is insensitive to variations in liquid- filled porosity. The answers from this tool are valuable for formation evaluation and reservoir monitoring in conditions where existing technologies are limited.

Five case studies of various field applications demonstrate the benefits from the tool's elevated specifications in comparison with existing technology. The first case study addressed three fluid phases in a carbonate oil reservoir undergoing water and gas cap expansion. The second case study evaluated the gas-bearing potential of the Gharif formation. Evaluation of the Middle Gharif formation is particularly challenging due to its complex mineralogy and the co-existence of bitumen and gas. The third case study targeted the tight gas reservoirs in the Barik and Miqrat formations. The challenging environment posed by the combination of low permeability and a gas-filled borehole made this well a very good candidate to explore the new tool's capability for providing accurate self-compensated sigma and hydrogen index logs with the required precision. The fourth case study was conducted in an observation well that is completed with plastic-based casing to monitor an enhanced oil recovery pilot. Achieving optimal saturation accuracy was the primary objective. The fifth case study targeted organic-rich carbonate mudstone in the Natih formation. The primary objective was the determination of total organic carbon (TOC) behind casing. Openhole logs, production data, and core analysis were used to verify the results of the new slim PNL tool.

The traditional applications of PNL spectroscopy tools, such as reservoir monitoring and analysis behind casing, benefit greatly from the tool's elevated precision, accuracy, and detailed mineralogy description. In addition to this, integrating carbon-oxygen and the FNXS measurements enables the evaluation of multiple phases, such as those typical in thermal or gas-injection-based developments.
CFD Study of Using Foam Fracturing Fluid for Proppant Transport in Hydraulic Fractures
Authors: Kong Xianhui , McAndrew James , Cisternas Pablo
Published: November 2016

The work aims to improve understanding of proppant transport and evaluate foam effectiveness for hydraulic fracturing in the oil and gas industry. In recent years, hydraulic fracturing has been of particular importance for unconventional oil and gas production. For this process, the reservoir rock is fractured under high hydraulic pressure in the well to maximize well-reservoir contact and create channels for reservoir fluid flow to the wellbore. As the essential step of the fracturing operation, proppant is pumped through the wellbore into the reservoir to support the created fracture path and avoid the fracture closure. The fracturing fluid, such as foam and gel, exhibits complex rheology. Many studies have been done on foam rheology. However, it is particularly challenging to predict the proppant tranpsort due to the complex physics involved, including fluid dynamics, fluid rheology, multiphase flow, solid size and shape, etc. Hence there are limited modeling studies on the capacity of these fluids in transporting proppant in the fracture.

In this paper, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate proppant transport in fractures and gain insight into the complexity of slurry flow. The numerical model couples the complex non-Newtonian fluid rheology of foam as fracturing fluid with the solid-solid and solid-fluid interactions using Euler-Euler method, assuming uniform spherical sand. The model captures the sand particle gravitational settling and sand bed propagation in fractures. The solid proppant and flow simulation model was validated by empirical correlation for single particle settling. Simulation results in 2D and 3D fracture models are compared with published experiments, and 3D simulations show a good match to experiment. The effectiveness of foam fracturing fluid on sand transport is demonstrated by comparing it to water fracturing fluid. The simulation model also reveals the significant impact of dimensionless convection number and fracture width on sand transport in the fracture. Results in this work demonstrated the impact of fluid rheology and enhanced the understanding of the flow of proppant and fracturing fluid within a fracture, which can be used to help lab experiment and fracturing process design.
Benefits Realized from Implementing Integrated Digital Field Technology in a Sector of Greater Burgan Field of Kuwait
Authors: Desai S. F. , Pandey M. , Al-Shammari B. , Rane N. M. , Al-Rabah A. A. , Almater D. S. , Shankhdhar S. , Jagannathan R.
Published: November 2016

The Burgan KwIDF technology comprises of instrumentation and infrastructure installed on the wells and production facility to monitor production in real time. Data from wells and production gathering facility is transmitted to the field operations center through SCADA and also to the base collaboration center where it is processed and analyzed within the Burgan KwIDF intelligent daily operations system (i-DO).

The KwIDF system has automated workflows which generate a real time alarm from the raw data based on anomaly detection and exceeding of operational thresholds. Smart dashboards are also provided which processes raw information for quick indication of production losses or gains from wells and associates it with the key change in well or facility parameter. Opportunities for increasing chokes or header changes are proactively presented for compensating losses and increasing production utilizing integrated well and network models with the real time data.

This paper provides insight on the application of integrated digital oil field technology in Burgan field. It shows through actual field examples how real time data integrated with smart automated workflows and intelligent alarms help in improved well diagnostics, enable quick actions to minimize losses, sustain and increase production with effective facility and water management in a collaborative work environment.
Deep Reading Technology Integrated with Inflow Control Devices to Improve Sweep Efficiency in Horizontal Waterfloods
Authors: Onur Balan H. , Gupta Anuj , Georgi Daniel T. , Alkhatib Ali , Marsala Alberto
Published: November 2016

Premature breakthrough and low sweep efficiency during waterfloods result from heterogeneity in the permeability field in a reservoir. Production wells with inflow control valves/inflow control devices (ICVs/ICDs) have the ability to reduce the water-oil ratio by shutting in flow ports with high water cut. Subsequently, this technology has been limited to a response based on detection of water breakthrough at production wells. Deep reading technologies have been reported to be successful in detecting the approaching waterfront before its breakthrough. The objective of this study is to investigate if the technology for early front detection combined with ICVs/ICDs can improve sweep efficiency in horizontal waterfloods.

In this study, a synthetic horizontal well pair model is built using a black oil reservoir simulator to study performance of waterflooding in a single layer heterogeneous oil reservoir and to understand the value of information obtained from deep reading technology to control ICVs/ICDs for optimizing waterfloods. The simulation results show that using ICVs/ICDs at the horizontal production well significantly improves sweep efficiency and reduces water production. Early detection of waterfront with deep reading technologies provides incremental oil recovery. An optimum location for waterfront detection exists between the injector and the producer to improve oil production with specified injection and production constraints. Deep reading technologies may also provide valuable information about the mobility field between the well pair to reduce uncertainty in heterogeneity, which can be used to update the geological model for better history matching and forecasting production.
Biodiversity of Mushrooms in Conservative Forest in Dansai District of Loei Province, Thailand
Authors: Rachadaporn Benchawattananon
Published: November 2016

Dansai District is located in Loei Province, Northeast Thailand, rich in natural resources and composes of many kinds of forests, such as evergreen forests and mixed-deciduous forests. The objectives of the study are to determine the diversity of mushrooms and investigate the values of the forest influencing the community way of life and exploration of problems and guidelines for developing the forest along with sufficiency economy theory. The study includes compilation of data from past studies, semi-structured interview with the local communities and discussion with focus group. The survey was done once a month during the rainy season from May to August in 2012 and 2013. The results of the survey revealed 56 species belonging to 26 families, 38 genera. A total of 52 mushroom species belong to Basidiomycota, while 4 species belong to Ascomycota. The community forest remains fertile due to the conservation effort by the community leaders and a group of villagers. A community forestry board were set up to conserve the forest and proposed to the government at Dansai Vocational Community College to officially declare the forest as a formal community forest. The conservation management relied upon the kinship relations, seniority, and religious belief along with the enforcing authorities. If an encroacher is found, he would be fined according to the regulations and defamed publicly. However, encroachment still exists. In general, community forest is valuable and directly affected the villagers’ ways of life in which they could generate income from the forest, particularly reducing the daily expenses and promoting their socio-cultural perspective.
Ascorbate Peroxidase Activity of Aranda Broga Blue Orchid Protocorm-like Bodies (PLBs) In Response to PVS2 Cryopreservation Method
Authors: Khor Soo Ping  , Rahmad Zakaria  , Sreeramanan Subramaniam
Published: November 2016

Throughout the cryopreservation process, plants were exposed to a series of abiotic stresses such as desiccation and osmotic pressure due to highly concentrated vitrification solution. Abiotic stress stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which include hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radicals, and singlet oxygen. Higher production of ROS may lead to oxidative stress which contributes to the major injuries in cryopreserved explants. Antioxidant enzymes in plant such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX) can protect plants from cell damage by scavenging the free radicals. This study was determined based on APX enzyme activity of Aranda Broga Blue orchid’s protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) in response to PVS2 (Plant Vitrification Solution 2) cryopreservation treatments at different stages. PLBs that were precultured at 0.25 M sucrose for 3 days were subjected to vitrification cryopreservation method. Results obtained showed that the highest APX activity was achieved at PVS2 cryoprotectant treatment prior liquid nitrogen (LN) storage. This phenomenon indicating that accumulation of osmotic and dehydrating stress throughout the cryopreservation treatment resulted in oxidative burst which in turn leads to higher APX activity in order to control the excess production of ROS. To conclude, PVS2 treatment was revealed as the most detrimental step throughout cryopreservation treatment. Thus, this research also suggested that exogenous antioxidant such as ascorbic acid can be added throughout cryopreservation procedure especially at PVS2 treatment in the future experiments to aid in regrowth of cryopreserved explants by reducing oxidative stress.
Zooplankton Composition and Abundance as Indicators of Eutrophication in Two Small Man-made Lakes
Authors: Azma Hanim Ismail  , Anis Amalina Mohd Adnan
Published: November 2016

The distribution and abundance of zooplankton species of Harapan and Aman Lakes were investigated in relation to physical parameters and chlorophyll-a content. Both lakes were characterised by the occurrence of algal bloom problem. The composition of zooplankton was collected at monthly intervals from November 2013 to February 2014. The total number of taxa in Harapan and Aman Lakes were 23 and 27, respectively. Rotifera was the highest abundance group represent 64% of the total species recorded followed by Copepoda (29%) and Cladocera (7%). Three dominant zooplankton that been recorded in both the lakes are Brachionus forficula, Brachionus nilsoni, and Trichocerca sp. High abundance of these species indicates that the lakes are eutrophic water bodies. Overall, zooplankton species distribution and abundance in the study sites are influenced by various environmental factors such as water transparency and chlorophyll-a content.
3D printing as an adjunct to complex airway assessment
Authors: Chambers David , Tol Govind W. , Smurthwaite Glyn J. , Herwadkar Amit V.
Published: November 2016

A patient with known neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who presented for urgent spinal surgery was predicted to have a difficult airway due to a large craniofacial neurofibroma. From a three dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) reconstruction of his airway, a 3D printed model was manufactured. The 3D model aided the peri‐operative planning of the patient's airway management, and is the first published report of its kind.
Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solutions using water treatment sludge modified with sodium alginate as a low cost adsorbent
Authors: Poormand Hamid , Leili Mostafa , Khazaei Marzieh
Published: November 2016

In this research, aluminum-based drinking water treatment sludge is used as a starting material and immobilized by sodium alginate to develop low cost adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. The studied variables included pH, adsorbent dose, initial MB concentration and contact time. Characteristics of the adsorbent were also studied using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was revealed from kinetic tests that removal efﬁciency of MB was 88.5% under the optimum conditions of pH 8, initial MB concentration of 50 mg/L, contact time of 60 min, and adsorbent dose of 0.3 g/L. The oxygen functional groups such as –OH, C–O–C and C=O were found on the surface of developed adsorbent by FTIR. In addition, the adsorption data fitted well the Langmuir adsorption model with the maximum sorption capacity of 909.1 mg/g, and followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics. Findings of this study indicate that the prepared adsorbent is promising for further development of an effective and economical adsorbent material in the near future.
Evaluation in Mouse Model of Combined Virus-bacterial Vaccine Based on Attenuated Influenza A(H7N3) Virus and the Group B Streptococcus Recombinant Polypeptides
Authors: Desheva Yulia A. , Leontieva Galina F. , Kramskaya Tatiana A. , Smolonogina Tatiana A. , Grabovskaya Kornelia B. , Kiseleva Irina V. , Rudenko Larisa G. , Suvorov Alexander N.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Secondary bacterial influenza complications are a common cause of excesses morbidity and mortality, which determines the need to develop means for specific prophylaxis. Group B streptococcal infection is especially common cause of pneumonia among children and the elderly with underlying conditions. Here we investigate in a mouse model the effects of combined intranasal immunization using live attenuated influenza vaccine and recombinant polypeptides based on group BStreptococcussurface proteins.

Methods:

Groups of outbred mice received two doses of the following preparations: 1) the reassortant A/17/Mallard/Netherlands/00/95 (H7N3) influenza virus; 2) a mixture of P6, ScaAB, ScpB1 and Stv recombinant GBS proteins (20 µg total); 3) the A(H7N3) influenza vaccine pooled with the four bacterial peptide preparation; 4) control animals were treated with PBS.

Results:

Intranasal vaccination using LAIV in combination with GBS polypeptides provided advantageous protection against infections with homologous A/Mallard/Netherlands/12/00 (H7N3) wild type virus or heterologous A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) followed by serotype II GBS infection. Also, combined vaccination improved bacterial clearance from the lungs of mice.

Conclusion:

Intranasal immunization with LAIV+GBSV was safe and enabled to induce the antibody response to each of vaccine components. Thus, the combined vaccine increased the protective effect against influenza and its bacterial complications in mice compared to LAIV-only.
MonVoix-An Android Application for the acoustically challenged people
Authors: Kamat Rachana , Danoji Aishwarya , Dhage Aishwarya , Puranik Priya , Sengupta Sharmila
Published: November 2016

Human communication is the most valuable foundation in developing a cooperative environment for sharing information and knowledge by interactive sessions. Normal individual vocalizes his views through shared intentions like facial expressions and hand gestures. People with acoustical disabilities are obligated to rely on interpreters for day-to-day conversations. Interpretation of various Sign Languages is important as it will shorten the social drift and act as an agent of communal integration. This paper proposes an Android Application for a coherent interpretation of Sign Languages. MonVoix- a French remark for my voice, would act as a boon for the deaf and the mute by completely eliminating the requisite of a human interpreter. This approach utilizes a user’s Smartphone camera to capture a series of hand gestures and convert the image file to the corresponding message and audio using image processing techniques and database emulation for identification of image.
Optimization of Bacillus aerius strain JS-786 cell dry mass and its antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea using response surface methodology
Authors: Shafi Jamil , Mingshan Ji , Zhiqiu Qi , Xiuwei Li , Zumin Gu , Xinghai Li , Yang Zhang , Peiwen Qin , Hongzhe Tian , Wunan Che , Kai Wang
Published: November 2016

The optimization of fermentation conditions is necessary for field
application of biological control agents. The present study was designed to
optimize the fermentation conditions for the Bacillus aerius strain, JS-786
in terms of cell dry mass and its antifungal activity against Botrytis
cinerea with response surface methodology. A strain of bacteria with strong
antifungal activity was isolated from the phyllosphere of tomato plant and
identified as B. aerius JS-786 based on the sequence homology of its 16S rRNA
gene. After the success of preliminary antifungal activity tests, response
surface methodology was used to optimize the fermentation conditions (medium
pH, gelatin percentage, incubation period, rotatory speed and incubation
temperature) to maximize the cell dry mass and antifungal activity against B.
cinerea. A 25 factorial central composite design was employed and multiple
response optimization was used to determine the desirability of the
operation. The results of regression analysis showed that at the individual
level, all of the experimental parameters were significant for cell dry mass;
significant results were obtained for antifungal activity pH, incubation
period, rotatory speed and incubation temperature. The interactive effect of
the incubation period, rotatory speed and incubation temperature was
significant. Maximum cell dry mass (8.7 g/L) and inhibition zone (30.4 mm)
were obtained at pH 6.4, gelatin 3.2%, incubation period 36.92 h, rotatory
speed 163 rpm, and temperature 33.5?C. This study should help to formulate a
more rational and cost-effective biological product both in terms of
bacterial growth and antifungal activity.
Estimation of plasma protein binding of selected antipsychotics using computed molecular properties
Authors: Beric Jelena , Jelic Ratomir , Nesic Dejan , Trbojevic-Stankovic Jasna , Odovic Jadranka
Published: November 2016

The plasma protein binding (PPB) data of twelve antipsychotics (aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, sertindole, ziprasidone, chlorpromazine, flupentixol, fluphenazine, haloperidol, zuclopenthixol) were estimated using computed molecular descriptors, which included the electronic descriptor ? polar surface area (PSA), the constitutional parameter ? molecular weight (Mw), the geometric descriptor ? volume value (Vol), the lipophilicity descriptor (logP) and aqueous solubility data (logS), and the acidity descriptor (pKa). The relationships between computed molecular properties of the selected antipsychotics and their PPB data were investigated by simple linear regression analysis. Low correlations were obtained between the PPB data of the antipsychotics and PSA, Mw, Vol, pKa, logS (R <0.30) values, while relatively higher correlations (0.35 < R2 < 0.70) were obtained for the majority of logP values. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was applied to access reliable correlations of the PPB data of the antipsychotics and the computed molecular descriptors. Relationships with acceptable probability values (P<0.05) were established for five lipophilicity descriptors (logP values) with application of the acidity descriptor (pKa) as independent variables: AlogP (R2=0.705), XlogP3 (R2=0.679), ClogP (R2=0.590), XlogP2 (R2=0.567), as well as for the experimental lipophilicity parameter, logPexp (R2=0.635). The best correlations obtained in MLR using AlogP and pKa as independent variables were checked using three additional antipsychotics: loxapine, sulpiride and amisulpride, with the PPB values of 97%, ?less than? 40% and 17%, respectively. Their predicted PPB values were relatively close to the literature data. The proposed technique confirmed that lipophilicity, together with acidity significantly influences the PPB of antipsychotics. The described procedure can be regarded as an additional in vitro approach to the modeling of the investigated group of drugs.
Factors Influencing Recruitment of Non-Accounting Business Professionals into Internal Auditing
Authors: Bartlett Geoffrey D. , Kremin Joleen , Saunders K. Kelli , Wood David A.
Published: November 2016

This paper examines factors affecting non-accounting business professionals' willingness to work in internal auditing. In a 2 × 6 experiment with 502 participants from across the country, we find that, in contrast to prior research examining accountants, business professionals have relatively favorable views of internal audit. Although they hold favorable views, participants were still less likely to apply for a position labeled as internal audit than an identical position with an alternate label. Varying the structure of internal audit, including job responsibilities, career path, and sourcing arrangement, did not affect participants' willingness to apply for an internal audit position. We also find that high academically performing participants are less likely to apply to work in internal audit. Finally, based on an additional survey of 46 business students, we find that lower academically performing students would be more interested in internal audit if it paid more, but higher academically performing students would be more interested if internal audit performed more interesting work, was in a preferred company/field, or if they had more understanding of the profession.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
Exploring Data Center Migration: A Case Study
Authors: Cefaratti Meghann A. , Lin Hui
Published: November 2016

A data center migration (DCM) refers to the physical and/or logical relocation of IT services from one physical and/or virtual location to another. The demand for and occurrences of DCMs have increased in recent years. In this case study, we examine a DCM completed by a governmental organization with approximately 80,000 users. We identify key success factors and measure the importance of specific DCM activities. Analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data to derive factors that contribute to DCM success, the following overarching conclusion emerged: Key success factors in a data center migration include proper planning, consideration of procedures to minimize end-user impact including downtime, and effective communication among team members before and during the data center migration. DCMs have practical implications for regulatory compliance and enterprise risk management efforts. Opportunities for future research include employing structure-mapping theory to test the predictive value of DCM success factors in other system implementation and migration contexts such as cloud migrations.

Data Availability: A complete copy of the questionnaire is available upon request.
Generation of nanoscale anticounterfeiting patterns on silicon by optical trap assisted nanopatterning
Authors: Chen T.-H. , Tsai Y.-C. , Fardel R. , Arnold C. B.
Published: November 2016

Among the different strategies aimed at protecting products from counterfeiting, hidden security patterns are used by manufacturers to mark their products in a unique way. However, most anticounterfeiting patterns bear the risk of being reproduced by an unauthorized party who has gained knowledge of the exact technique and process parameters. In this paper, we use optical trap assisted nanopatterning to create unique security markings by taking advantage of statistical fluctuations when generating nanoscale features within the pattern. We image the patterns by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy and propose a three-level examination process that allows for an efficient yet highly secure authentication.
Description of the prevalence, histologic characteristics, concomitant abnormalities, and outcomes of mammary gland tumors in companion rats (Rattus norvegicus): 100 cases (1990–2015)
Authors: Vergneau-Grosset Claire , Keel M. Kevin , Goldsmith Dayna , Kass Philip H. , Paul-Murphy Joanne , Hawkins Michelle G.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence, histologic characteristics, concomitant abnormalities, and outcomes for various types of mammary gland tumors in companion rats (Rattus norvegicus).

DESIGN Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS 100 client-owned rats.

PROCEDURES Medical records of companion rats that had an SC mass and were examined at a veterinary teaching hospital between 1990 and 2015 were reviewed. Information regarding the signalment, age at mass detection, reproductive sterilization status, histologic diagnosis of the SC mass, location of the initial and all subsequent SC masses, treatments administered, and clinical outcomes was extracted from each record and summarized.

RESULTS 105 SC masses were initially detected in 100 rats. The most prevalent SC mass identified was mammary gland fibroadenoma (56/105 [53%]), followed by mammary gland carcinoma (13/105 [12%]). Overall, 26 of 105 (25%) masses were malignant. Sexually intact males were more likely to have nonmammary SC tumors than sexually intact females. In rats receiving no adjunctive treatment after excision of a mammary gland fibroadenoma (n = 16), a second fibroadenoma was detected 1 to 8 months after initial excision, at a median of 4.5 months after surgery. A concomitant pituitary gland tumor was identified in most rats with mammary gland fibroadenoma (21/28 [75%]) and other types of mammary gland tumors (10/17 [59%]). Fourteen of 35 (40%) rats with mammary gland fibroadenoma had concomitant reproductive tract abnormalities.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that, like other species, companion rats with SC masses should undergo a thorough diagnostic workup that includes histologic examination of the excised mass.