bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Produced Water Management Processes: A Case Study of a Brown Field in Niger Delta
Authors: Ofili O. , Temisanren T. , Olafuyi O.
Published: August 2015

Produced water often contains chemicals, oil and sometimes naturally occurring radioactive materials which could be harmful to the environment. Its management is aimed at reducing the toxicity of discharged volumes and mitigates the effects in the environment.

This study evaluated the management method being carried out, the physio-chemical properties and trace metals constituents of produced water from a well in the Niger-Delta to determine the extent of compliance with standards of discharge.

The results obtained showed that the pH values, Zinc, copper and cadmium were within acceptable regulatory limits for near-shore and inland discharge; the concentration of trace metals like iron, lead, chromium were not within acceptable limits for near-shore and inland discharge. The constituent of the produced water of most importance was the concentration of the dispersed oil in the water and the management method which is being used reduces the oil concentration to a minimum of 250mg/l before disposal which does not comply with the regulatory standard of 10mg/l for inland disposal.

A better management method was proposed which reduces the oil concentration to 50-75mg/l based on the relationship between oil droplet size and oil concentration and the economics of operation. Also, due to the oil and water production rates, it was proposed that some of the produced water be used for waterflooding to obtain additional recoverable reserves thereby optimizing the water management approach.
Surfactant-Polymer Flooding Schemes (A Comparative Analysis)
Authors: Felix Uwari , Ayodele Taiwo Oluwaseun , Olalekan Olafuyi
Published: August 2015

Surfactant Polymer (SP) flooding-a chemical EOR method, involves the injection of surfactants into the reservoir to reduce interfacial tension between oil and water and thus reduce capillary pressure for easy mobilization of oil. Polymers are also injected alongside to reduce mobility ratio and gather the oil droplet within the reservoir to create an oil bank and mobilize the oil towards the wellbore.

In this paper, three different methods or mechanisms of implementing surfactant Polymer flooding were considered. Firstly, for Scheme or Method A, after water flooding, Sodium Dodecyl sulphate slug was injected then followed by gum Arabic slug. For Scheme B, a slug consisting of a mixture of Sodium Dodecyl sulphate and gum Arabic was injected after water flooding. In Scheme C, the core was first soaked with Sodium Dodecyl sulphate and then flooded with gum Arabic.

The result showed a recovery of 56.25% of the water flooding residual oil for the first method while the other two Methods yielded displacement efficiencies of 66.12% and 64.4% respectively.

In summary, the Mechanisms of implementing an SP flooding have some effects on the Oil recovery and as such care must be taken in selecting the mechanism to be adopted so as to optimize recovery.
Ranking of C6+ Composition Split Schemes of Pipeline Gas for Hydrocarbon Dewpoint Determination
Authors: Aniefiok Livinus
Published: August 2015

For energy calculation and hydrocarbon dewpoint calculation of pipeline gas, many gas processors and end-users are now applying equation of state, either a Peng-Robinson (PR) or Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) equation of state, to the pipeline gas composition after splitting the C6+ component into a fixed ratio of n-hexane, n-heptane and n-octane: varying predictions are obtained because the commonly used percentage C6+ composition splits published in GPA standard are based on empirical studies of most pipeline gases. In addition, several different software packages are available to the industry to perform dew point calculations, and each of these may yield different predictions using the same gas compositions and equations of state.

This work therefore presents the ranking of the common C6+ split schemes for hydrocarbon dewpoint determination on the basis of C6+ mole fraction through the study of several common C6+ composition splits of pipeline gas applied to a large set of field and hypothetical C6+ data by means of HYSYS(with PR EOS and SRK EOS for predicting hydrocarbon dewpoint.
Multiple Zones Completion Using a Proactive Algorithm for a Liquid Rich Deep-water Gas Well
Authors: Nasir Y. , Adamu M. B. , Auwalu A. M. , Sulaiman A. D.
Published: August 2015

With increasing number of deep water discoveries, the key issue is to develop new completion design philosophies and technologies that will lead to new levels of efficiency and reliability in completion design, safety, and environmental aspects. Deepwater fields are often associated with high pressures as well as additional down-hole problems such as shallow-water or gas flows, sand production, heavy oil, hydrates, paraffin-rich oil, and asphaltene deposition during drilling, completion and production. This provides new challenges for producing hydrocarbon from reservoirs located below such water depths. Intelligent completions, although complex and costly, are serving as an effective way of reducing many of the risks associated with reservoir uncertainties and their use justified in deep water and subsea environments. In this work, we incorporated intelligent well completion using a generated proactive algorithm in the design of a lower (multiple zones) completion for a liquid rich deepwater gas well discovered in a field 1800m of water and 250km from the shore. The field reservoir is susceptible to sand production, hydrate and scale formations - with a series of stacked channels with average porosity of 28 pu, and average permeability of 900 mD with each channel sequence approximately 10 – 15m thick. Key aspects of the design considered include cased hole gravel packing to curb sand production; an injection mandrel for the injection of methanol and scale inhibitors and the use of interval control valves (ICVs) and permanent down hole gauges. The proactive algorithm proposed in this study aid in the effective control of the ICVs in order to achieve controlled flow and also in monitoring down hole pressure and temperature.
Drilling Through a Fault in the Niger Delta Sedimentary Basin - Integrating a Geo-steering Application with Borehole Imaging
Authors: Ndokwu Chidi , Okowi Victor , Foekema Nico , Caudroit Jerome , Jefford Leigh , Otevwe Joseph , Fang Xiaodong , Idris Maaji
Published: August 2015

High-angle or horizontal wells pose many geological challenges that include maintaining well trajectory within a particular horizon in drain sections, detecting stratigraphic positions after passing a discontinuity, and subsurface feature identification. Geo-steering has shown increased value over the years because it uses data from different sources, including borehole imaging, to meet these challenges. Bulk density and gamma ray borehole images can be used to describe the near-wellbore environment, and that description can be analyzed further to explain the near-wellbore structural geology. In this study, structural analysis and zonation of bulk density and gamma ray images were used to detect the fault zone, while a geo-steering application was used to pick the true stratigraphic depth after crossing the fault. Provision of an alternative model to seismic-only interpretations and a better understanding of subsurface structures are the industrial benefits of this study.

The Niger delta sedimentary basin of Southern Nigeria is a prograding depositional complex of Cenozoic-aged sand and shales that extends from about longitude 3° – 9° E and latitude 4° 30' – 5° 20' N. This paper demonstrates the importance of geo-steering, shows the application of geo-steering in a high-angle well drilled in the Niger delta sedimentary basin, and establishes the importance of structural analysis from borehole images in making final geo-steering interpretations. This paper also shows that borehole imaging is an additional and useful source of information in the planning stage of any drilling campaign.
The Role of Natural Gas in Nigeria Power Generation: Emprical Analysis of Challenges, Constraints and Opportunities
Authors: Igbokoyi Alpheus O. , Nigeria Abuja , Iledare Omowumi
Published: August 2015

This paper examined the existing and possible power source portfolio available in Nigeria, and the role of natural gas in Nigeria power generation and sustainability. Nigeria, with population of about 160 million or more, has installed power generating capacity of about 10,000MW with a peak production of about 4,500 MW. Going by the rule of thumb of about 1.0 MW for every one thousands of population for an industrialized nation, Nigeria power generation should be about 160 GW.

The present peak production of 4.5 GW is about 2.8 % of what Nigeria needs to become an industrialized nation. The Federal Government has a target of about 40 GW by the year 2020. This respresents about 25 % of the expected 1.0 MW per 1000 population for the country. Thus, the country projection for 2020 is 75 % below what is actually needed to fulfil Industrial Revolution Dream. South Africa with a population of about 53 million has a generating capacity of about 43 GW. This puts South Africa at about 0.8 MW per one thousand populations.

Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural gas resources, which can be used in power generation such that other sources (hydro, solar and wind) will be a suplementary. We take a holistic approach to evaluate the energy portfolio that is available in Nigeria and set out how the country can take the advantage of the abundant energy resources to generate electricity for both urban and rural areas. We also evaluate the Government role in energy strategic and policy and her role in encouraging private sector in investing in power generation industry. Thus, the paper projects into the future and attempt to estimate how long the country gas reserves can last under different rate of power consumption.
HSE Training Evaluation And Effectiveness Of Sustaining HSE Culture
Authors: Bada A. J. , Adegboyega A. S.
Published: August 2015

Health Safety and Environment (HSE) training is a systematic approach used in creating awareness of workplace hazards and of workplace incidents, to preventing re-occurrence of incidents. The main purpose of this paper is to assess and evaluate workplace trainings for their effectiveness in the prevention of workplace injuries/ illnesses and overall improvement of HSE Culture. The other purpose is to use the available evaluation models from researchers as comparison to the workplace HSE training management. Different effectiveness and evaluation models were analysed and found that they were consistent to a seven element category. These models were then examined with a recommended template that can ensure proper gap analysis and proper budgeted actions to follow. After extensive checks of these models, a set of critical constructs can be distilled. By that time, convergence of research efforts focusing on major themes can be achieved. Though, training alone cannot be used as assessment index of lost time injury (LTI) but training of personnel is a re-occurring management factor in many incident investigations. A reference to major disasters where root causes linked to training and competences were mentioned easily showed that industries have either not paid attention to Training and competence or the principles of required training have not been applied. Planning and resources are needed to ensure that competence training is given utmost priority and evaluation consistent to continuous improvements. Most researchers, however, did not include employee’s behavior and this could be a major step to sustained HSE Culture. An established link of HSE culture to HSE training could be further treated in training education researches and implementation.
Theoretical Model for the Transportation of Stranded Gases As Hydrates
Authors: Dosunmu Adewale , Udoh Nse-Obong , Ekeinde Evelyn , Anyanwu Chimaroke , Okoro Emeka , Dosunmu A.
Published: August 2015

In the oil and gas industry, safe, on-time delivery and cost-effective ways of transporting oil and gas is required. Natural gas hydrates (NGH) technology (which involves production, transportation and regasification) can be used to transport natural gas and or stranded gas or gas that will be flared or re-injected, in bulk carriers.

In the previous work on NGH Technology, the constraint had been on how hydrate with natural gas can be sustained to delivery. This work introduces a favourable theoretical thermodynamic model of heat loss reduction with reference to various insulating membrane diameter and aids in the transportation of the hydrated stranded gases to delivery at a stated duration without the need for time consuming re-gasification. Mathematical models including Fourrier's law of heat transfer, fourrier's law of mass transfer, Peng Robinson equation of state and break even analysis for economics were employed in validation of feasibility of this new technology, HYGAS. Also, HYGAS software from the platform of Microsoft Visual Basic. Net is developed for modelling and designing of hydration of gas for economic transportation.
Infertility and Miscarriage: Common Pathways in Manifestation and Management
Authors: Agenor Angena , Bhattacharya Sohinee
Published: August 2015

The relationship between miscarriage and fertility is complex. While most healthcare settings treat miscarriage as a problem of subfertility in assisted reproduction units, others believe that miscarriage occurs in super-fertile women. Infertile women undergoing assisted reproduction are at a greater risk of having a miscarriage especially at an advanced age compared with women conceiving naturally. Aberrant expression of immunological factors and chromosomal abnormalities underlie both infertility and miscarriage. Common risk factors include increased maternal age, obesity, smoking, alcohol, pre-existing medical conditions and anatomical abnormalities of the reproductive system. Management pathways of both conditions may be similar with pre-implantation genetic testing and assisted reproductive technology used in both conditions. This paper discusses the synergies and differences between the two conditions in terms of their epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, risk factors and management strategies. The two conditions are related as degrees of severity of reproductive failure with common pathways in manifestation and management.
Forced convection in a self heating porous channel: Local thermal nonequilibium model
Authors: Abdedou Azzedine , Bouhadef Khedidja , Bennacer Rachid
Published: August 2015

Laminar forced convection flow through a parallel plates channel completely filled with a saturated porous medium where occurs a uniform heat generation per unit volume with volumetric heat generation is investigated numerically. The Darcy-Brinkman model is used to describe the fluid flow. The energy transport mathematical model is based on the two equations model which assumes that there is no local thermal non-equilibrium between the fluid and the solid phases. The dimensionless governing equations with the appropriate boundary conditions are solved by direct numerical simulation. The effect of the controlling parameters, Biot number, thermal conductivities ratio, heat generation rate, and the Reynolds number on the local thermal equilibrium needed and sufficient condition is analyzed. The results reveal essentially that the local thermal equilibrium condition is unfavorably affected by the increase in the heat generation rate, the thermal conductivities ratio, and the decrease in the Biot number. In addition, for a given heat generation rate, the effect of Reynolds number on the local thermal equilibrium condition is reversed depending on the conductivities ratio threshold.
Measurements and modeling pollution from traffic in a street canyon: Assessing and ranking the influences
Authors: Milosavljevic Branimir , Pesic Radivoje , Taranovic Dragan , Davinic Aleksandar , Milojevic Sasa
Published: August 2015

More than half a century, the scientific community is trying to understand
the mechanisms and conditions of pollution dispersion within urban areas.
Thereat, special attention has been focused on specific areas, such as a
street canyon, in which harmful concentrations higher than allowed are more
likely registered. However, there is still a controversy about the conditions
of occurrence and impact of the individual air pollution components due to
fluctuations of key contributions. Given that OSPM model is a well-known
semi-empirical model specializing in the assessment of air quality within a
street canyon, after its testing and validation, the results of subsequent
simulations were used as a basis for planning a special experiment in order
to implement 48 full factorial designs, where using the response surface
methodology, as the final objective, an answer was precisely given on the
impact and contribution of urban air pollution components. In addition to the
main objective of this study, as a secondary, but not less important result
defining emission factors for CO and NOx can be emphasized, which to date
have not been determined for the fleet of the Republic of Serbia.
Temperature and other microclimate conditions in the oak forests on Fruska Gora (Serbia)
Authors: Babic Violeta , Krstic Milun , Govedar Zoran , Todoric Jovana , Vukovic Nebojsa , Milosevic Zoran
Published: August 2015

The paper presents the most important data on temperature and other
microclimate conditions (solar radiation and light regime) in the 127 year
old even-aged pure sessile oak forest in the National Park ?Fruska Gora? in
Serbia. Data collection was conducted in July 2008, using an automatic
weather station ?WS-GP1? and a luxmeter with a selenium photocell. The study
stands are located on the east and west facing sides of a ridge at an
altitude of 475m. The slope inclination is 27? and 32?. The canopy is sparse
to complete (0.6 to 0.7). The paper presents comparative research results for
the eastern and western aspect, which are further compared with the data from
the reference weather station ?Rimski Sancevi?. The intensity and trend of
microclimate changes depend on the type of forest, its structure,
geographical location, canopy closure and other features. Microclimate
research results indicate that during the research period the maximum air
temperature of the eastern aspect was 24.8?C, which was 3.6?C below the
maximum measured at the reference station. The maximum air temperature of the
western aspect amounted to 31.0?C, which was 2.8?C below the value measured
in the open. The maximum total solar radiation of the eastern aspect was
769W/m2 (at 11.08), and 634W/m2 (at 15.31) of the western. The research
determined that the east-facing stand had the light intensity of
6,766.3Lx/m2, while the light transmission coefficient amounted to 14.8%; the
west-facing stand had the light intensity of 9213.8Lx/m2 and the light
transmission coefficient of 19.3%.
Experimental investigation of evaporation rate and emission studies of diesel engine fuelled with blends of used vegetable oil biodiesel and producer gas
Authors: Nanjappan Balakrishnan , Kavandappa Goundar , Natarajan Nedunchezhian
Published: August 2015

An experimental study to measure the evaporation rates, engine performance
and emission characteristics of used vegetable oil methyl ester and its
blends with producer gas on naturally aspirated vertical single cylinder
water cooled four stroke single cylinder diesel engine is presented. The
thermo-physical properties of all the bio fuel blends have been measured and
presented. Evaporation rates of used vegetable oil methyl ester and its
blends have been measured under slow convective environment of air flowing
with a constant temperature and the values are compared with fossil diesel.
Evaporation constants have been determined by using the droplet regression
rate data. The fossil diesel, biodiesel blends and producer gas have been
utilized in the test engine with different load conditions to evaluate the
performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine and the results are
compared with each other. From these observations, it could be noted that,
smoke and hydrocarbon drastically reduced with biodiesel in the standard
diesel engine without any modifications.
A practice-based evaluation of the prevalence and predisposing etiology of white spot lesions
Authors: Brown Matthew D. , Campbell Phillip M. , Schneiderman Emet D. , Buschang Peter H.
Published: August 2015

Objective 

To use an alumni-centered, practice-based research network to evaluate white spot lesions (WSLs) among treated orthodontic patients.

Materials and Methods: 

An initial survey was conducted to ascertain whether orthodontic alumni from Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry were willing to participate. Twenty randomly selected alumni participated, providing 158 treated cases. Each alumnus (1) obtained internal review board consent; (2) submitted pre- and posttreatment photographs of 10 consecutively finished cases; (3) completed a treatment survey; and (4) had the patient/parent complete the American Dental Association (ADA) Caries Risk Assessment.

Results: 

Almost 90% of the alumni surveyed were willing to participate in the practice-based research, primarily because a fellow alumnus asked them to. Approximately 28% of the patients developed WSLs. The average patient developed 2.4 white spots, affecting 12.7% of the teeth examined. WSLs were significantly (P < .001) more (2.3−3.2 times) likely for patients who were identified on the ADA Caries Risk Assessment. The risk of developing WSLs during treatment was also increased for those with fair (2.7 times) or poor (3.5 times) oral hygiene, poor gingival health (2.3 times), and extended treatment times (2.1 times).

Conclusions: 

There is a substantial risk of developing WSLs among private practice patients, depending partially on the length of treatment. Patients at greatest risk can be identified prior to treatment based on the ADA Caries Risk Assessment, oral hygiene, and gingival health.
Type 2 Diabetes–Associated K+ Channel TALK-1 Modulates β-Cell Electrical Excitability, Second-Phase Insulin Secretion, and Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Vierra Nicholas C. , Dadi Prasanna K. , Jeong Imju , Dickerson Matthew , Powell David R. , Jacobson David A.
Published: August 2015

Two-pore domain K+ (K2P) channels play an important role in tuning β-cell glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). The K2P channel TWIK-related alkaline pH-activated K2P (TALK)-1 is linked to type 2 diabetes risk through a coding sequence polymorphism (rs1535500); however, its physiological function has remained elusive. Here, we show that TALK-1 channels are expressed in mouse and human β-cells, where they serve as key regulators of electrical excitability and GSIS. We find that the rs1535500 polymorphism, which results in an alanine-to-glutamate substitution in the C-terminus of human TALK-1, increases channel activity. Genetic ablation of TALK-1 results in β-cell membrane potential depolarization, increased islet Ca2+ influx, and enhanced second-phase GSIS. Moreover, mice lacking TALK-1 channels are resistant to high-fat diet–induced elevations in fasting glycemia. These findings reveal TALK-1 channels as important modulators of second-phase insulin secretion and suggest a clinically relevant mechanism for rs1535500, which may increase type 2 diabetes risk by limiting GSIS.
TYK2, a Candidate Gene for Type 1 Diabetes, Modulates Apoptosis and the Innate Immune Response in Human Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Marroqui Laura , Dos Santos Reinaldo Sousa , Fløyel Tina , Grieco Fabio A. , Santin Izortze , Op de beeck Anne , Marselli Lorella , Marchetti Piero , Pociot Flemming , Eizirik Decio L.
Published: August 2015

Pancreatic β-cells are destroyed by an autoimmune attack in type 1 diabetes. Linkage and genome-wide association studies point to >50 loci that are associated with the disease in the human genome. Pathway analysis of candidate genes expressed in human islets identified a central role for interferon (IFN)-regulated pathways and tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2). Polymorphisms in the TYK2 gene predicted to decrease function are associated with a decreased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. We presently evaluated whether TYK2 plays a role in human pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and production of proinflammatory mediators. TYK2-silenced human β-cells exposed to polyinosinic-polycitidilic acid (PIC) (a mimick of double-stranded RNA produced during viral infection) showed less type I IFN pathway activation and lower production of IFNα and CXCL10. These cells also had decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins, a hallmark of early β-cell inflammation in type 1 diabetes. Importantly, TYK2 inhibition prevented PIC-induced β-cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway of cell death. The present findings suggest that TYK2 regulates apoptotic and proinflammatory pathways in pancreatic β-cells via modulation of IFNα signaling, subsequent increase in MHC class I protein, and modulation of chemokines such as CXCL10 that are important for recruitment of T cells to the islets.
Selective FFA2 Agonism Appears to Act via Intestinal PYY to Reduce Transit and Food Intake but Does Not Improve Glucose Tolerance in Mouse Models
Authors: Forbes Sarah , Stafford Stuart , Coope Gareth , Heffron Helen , Real Katia , Newman Robert , Davenport Richard , Barnes Matt , Grosse Johannes , Cox Helen
Published: August 2015

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) is expressed on enteroendocrine L cells that release glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) when activated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Functionally GLP-1 and PYY inhibit gut transit, increase glucose tolerance, and suppress appetite; thus, FFA2 has therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, FFA2-selective agonists have not been characterized in vivo. Compound 1 (Cpd 1), a potent FFA2 agonist, was tested for its activity on the following: GLP-1 release, modulation of intestinal mucosal ion transport and transit in wild-type (WT) and FFA2−/− tissue, and food intake and glucose tolerance in lean and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Cpd 1 stimulated GLP-1 secretion in vivo, but this effect was only detected with dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibition, while mucosal responses were PYY, not GLP-1, mediated. Gut transit was faster in FFA2−/− mice, while Cpd 1 slowed WT transit and reduced food intake and body weight in DIO mice. Cpd 1 decreased glucose tolerance and suppressed plasma insulin in lean and DIO mice, despite FFA2−/− mice displaying impaired glucose tolerance. These results suggest that FFA2 inhibits intestinal functions and suppresses food intake via PYY pathways, with limited GLP-1 contribution. Thus, FFA2 may be an effective therapeutic target for obesity but not for type 2 diabetes.
Anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic properties of Syzygium calophyllifolium
Authors: Chandran Rahul , Sathyanarayanan Saikumar , Rajan Murugan , Kasipandi Muniyandi , Parimelazhagan Thangaraj
Published: August 2015

The article discusses anti-oxidant oral glucose tolerance and anti-hyperglycemic potentials of Syzygium calophyllifolium. Extracts from successive solvent extraction were tested for the total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid content and free radical scavenging property using DPPH, ABTS+, phosphomolyb-denum, FRAP, superoxide and metal chelating assays. Ethyl acetate extract of bark responded well against DPPH (IC50 4.13), ABTS+ (36832.29 µM TE/ g extract),phosphomolybdenum (100.4 g AAE/100g extract), superoxide and metal ion radicals. The methanol extract of bark was also found as an effective radical scavenger. The leaf methanol extract also showed significant anti-oxidant ability. The bark methanol extract could potentially reduce the blood glucose level in glucose loaded and diabetic rats. The immense anti-oxidant potential of S. calophyllifolium leaf and bark extracts could be taken as a good source of natural anti-oxidant supplement in food to defend oxidative stress related disorders like diabetes.

 
Effect of Pre-treatment with Moringa oleifera (Drumstick) Leaves on Diabetogenesis Produced by Alloxan in Rats
Authors: Nahar Shamsun , Parveen Feroza , Ara Ferdous , Faisal Ferdous Mahmud
Published: August 2015

Background: Medicinal plants constitute an important source of potential therapeutic agents for diabetes.Objective: In the study, we aimed to investigate the pre-treatment effect or preventive effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves on blood sugar of rats.Materials and method: This experimental study was carried out in the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Sir Salimullah Medical College in collaboration with Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka. A total 24 long Evans rats were included in this study and divided in to four groups. Hyperglycemia was induced on rats using alloxan (100 mg/kg body weight, intraperitioneally). Blood sample was collected from tail vein by tail tipping method. Pre-treatment effect or preventive role of Moringa oleifera (drumstick) leaf powder on diabetogenesis produced by Alloxan in rats was tested by giving 50 mg/rat/day Moringa oleifera leaf powder for 14 days orally as pre-treatment along with standard rat feed. Then alloxan was administered intraperitoneally on 15th day of the experiment and 50mg/rat/day Moringa oleifera leaf powder was given for 7 days as post-treatment.Results: No significant effect of MO on blood glucose level was observed on normal rats and non significant hypoglycaemic effect was found in rats that were pretreated with MO.Conclusion: The present study suggests that Moringa oleifera leaf powder did not produce any significant protective effect in diabetogenesis produced by alloxan though it has hypoglycaemic effect.Delta Med Col J. Jul 2015; 3(2): 63-67
Congenital Rubella Syndrome - A Major Review and Update
Authors: Nazme Nure Ishrat , Hussain Manzoor , Das Ashith Chandra
Published: August 2015

Rubella is a major public health problem which is usually a mild rash illness in children and adults. However, it has devastating systemic consequences when rubella virus crosses the placental barrier and infects fetal tissue resulting in congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Congenital rubella syndrome is an under-recognized public health problem in Bangladesh and the burden of the disease weighs heavily on patients and society; therefore, routine vaccination and other preventative strategies are strongly encouraged. Extensive surveillance studies should be conducted to eliminate CRS from our country. In this review, we will characterize the epidemiology of CRS; describe the patho-phyisiology, clinical features and laboratory testing for the disease, and discuss measures needed for prevention of rubella and CRS.Delta Med Col J. Jul 2015; 3(2): 89-95
Juvenile Localized Scleroderma: A Very Rare Case
Authors: Paul Nibedita , Islam Md Rafiqul , Nusrat Nadia , Sharmin Lazina , Hasan Md Mahamudul
Published: August 2015

Juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) is a rare chronic inflammatory and fibrosing disorder. It can result in significant morbidity, disfigurement, and severe functional, aesthetic and psychological disabilities. Patients with JLS should be identified early, evaluated extensively, treated aggressively, and monitored carefully. Here the case of a 2 year old boy is reported who was admitted into the department of Paediatrics of Delta Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh with painful swelling of all fingers of both hands for 6 months and blackish patches over the fingers for the last one and half months. Left little finger was the first finger affected and there was flexion contracture of both left little and index fingers. The boy was diagnosed as a case of juvenile localized scleroderma and was confirmed by skin biopsy. We treated the child with methotrexate and prednisolone. It is very essential to raise awareness about this disease among clinicians and also parents for early diagnosis and treatment.Delta Med Col J. Jul 2015; 3(2): 96-101
The Legitimacy of Festivals and Their Stakeholders: Concepts and Propositions
Authors: Larson Mia , Getz Donald , Pastras Pantazis
Published: August 2015

This conceptual article provides an overview of organizational and stakeholder legitimacy as applied to the study of festivals and their networks of stakeholders. Legitimacy is shown to be a vital condition for festival acceptance and sustainability. Different kinds of criteria for
judging legitimacy (legal, pragmatic, moral, and cognitive) are illustrated by reference to typical festival stakeholders. As well, legitimacy can either be situational, depending on problems at hand, or more permanently derived from legal status or institutional arrangements and ownership.
Networks of stakeholders have to be considered, and at the levels of industry (i.e., the festival/event sector), area (e.g., festivals in a city), and firm (the festival organization). This article concludes with a discussion of practical management implications, and with a set of propositions
that can be used as hypotheses to be tested and as a general guide for future research and interdisciplinary theory building.
Simplicity in the Complexity of Organizing the Olympic Games: The Role of Bureaucracy
Authors: Gargalianos Dimitris , Asimakopoulos Makis , Chelladurai Packianathan , Toohey Kristine
Published: August 2015

The Olympic Games involve many individual and organizational stakeholders as well as an infinite number of tasks requiring technical competence; hence, they are complex to organize. On the other hand, there are constant principles in their organization that are determined by the rules of the 2014 Olympic Charter and the Host City Contract (HCC), which affect the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (OCOG), an entity of limited duration established with a single mandate: to organize the Games. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the organizational efforts of an OCOG are guided by Weber's tenets of bureaucracy: division of labor; authority structure; system of abstract rules; impersonality; and technical competence. In order to fulfill this purpose the authors used a case study methodology and investigated the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (ATHOC). The methodology also included review of relevant literature and official ATHOC documents, especially the 2004 Official Post Games Report. Moreover, personal experience of the first and second authors, who were contractually involved with the organization of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, was employed. It was concluded that ATHOC used Weber's tenets of bureaucracy to simplify its organizational efforts.
Tourist Dimension of Canine Events
Authors: Matejevic Milosava , Wallrabenstein Ksenija , Ristic Zoran
Published: August 2015

Canine events, as a very specific kind of events, attract a large number of visitors, among which competitors represent the majority, and on whom the attraction of the event itself mostly depends. Canine events can contribute both to the development and to higher income from tourism
and catering in the destination itself, but organizers should, first of all, understand the competitor's motivation for the participation in certain/specific events of such type. The purpose of this study was to find out the level of interest of the competition participants in the tourist
activities, which are the basic factors of motivation when choosing the event at which they will take part. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) method distinguished four factors of motivation of participants at the canine events. The results of this research show that tourist dimension of
canine events is not of great importance to its participants, but it is not, however, negligible or excluded.
Conductance through single biphenyl molecules: symmetric and asymmetric coupling to electrodes
Authors: Kanthasamy Karthiga , Pfnür Herbert
Published: August 2015

The contacts and the chemical bonds formed between metallic electrodes and molecules determine to a large extent the conductive properties of single molecular junctions, which represent the smallest possible active elements in an electronic circuit. We therefore investigated in a comparative study, using the break junction technique (MCBJ), the conductive properties of [1,1’-biphenyl]-4,4’-dithiol (M1) and of 4’-mercapto-[1,1’-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (M2) between gold electrodes. As a function of electrode separation, characterized by the conductance close to 0 V, we found several plateaus of relative stability, with those close to 0.01G0 being the most pronounced. The overall conductance of symmetric and asymmetric molecules were surprisingly similar, only the range of stability was smaller for M2. While M1 yielded symmetric I–V-curves, only small asymmetries were detected for M2. These are also reflected in the comparable values for coupling parameters using the single level resonance model. The high conductance for the asymmetric molecule is interpreted as a result of coherent coupling of electronic states through the whole molecule, so that the outcome cannot be predicted just by adding conductive properties of individual molecular groups.
Método Isostretching como tratamento da dor lombar
Authors: Taborda Carlos Fernando , Moschen Gisele Maria , Mitsuro Magda Yaemi , Fréz Andersom Ricardo , Daniel Christiane Riedi
Published: August 2015

OBJETIVO: Verificar os efeitos do método Isostretching na qualidade de vida, na intensidade da dor e na funcionalidade em sujeitos com dor lombar e determinar a influência desta técnica na mobilidade da coluna.MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa 18 sujeitos com idade média de 35,68 ± 6,85 anos. Foram aplicadas de 12 a 15 posturas do método Isostretching, 3 vezes por semana, durante 8 semanas, totalizando 24 intervenções. Foram consideradas as variáveis: dor, avaliada pela Escala Visual Analógica e pelo Questionário de McGill; capacidade funcional, utilizando o Questionário de Incapacidade de Roland-Morris; qualidade de vida, utilizando o Questionário SF-36; flexibilidade, pelo banco de Wells; e, amplitude de movimento do tronco, utilizando a goniometria. Para a análise dos dados, utilizou-se o teste t pareado para os resultados com distribuição normal e o teste não paramétrico de Wilcoxon para dados não homogêneos.RESULTADOS: Diferenças significativas foram observadas em ambas as avaliações da dor (p<0,001); da capacidade funcional (p<0,0001), da qualidade de vida (p<0,0001) e em todos os domínios do SF-36 (p<0,05), da flexibilidade (p<0,0001) e da amplitude de movimento lombar (p<0,05).CONCLUSÃO: As 24 intervenções do método Isostretching foram eficazes para redução da dor, melhora da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida e aumento da flexibilidade da cadeia posterior e da mobilidade da coluna lombar.
De La Malinche a El Jamaicón: regímenes de gubernamentalidad neoliberal en el México contemporáneo
Authors: Ley-Cervantes Melissa
Published: August 2015

El artículo analiza la tensión presente en las narrativas en torno a la ‘pertenencia’ de un grupo de migrantes de clase media en Madrid, a través del análisis de dos figuras míticas cuyas historias están determinadas por sus actitudes hacia el ‘otro’: La Malinche y El Jamaicón. El argumento del artículo es que ambas figuras son parte de los regímenes de gubernamentalidad neoliberal en el México contemporáneo, que buscan incentivar lealtad hacia el estado-nación y al mismo tiempo, competitividad a un nivel global. Mientras que La Malinche ha permeado el discurso público desde la época colonial y representa los cambios en las actitudes hacia el mestizaje, el Jamaicón es la figura contemporánea menos conocida de un héroe que cayó en desgracia debido a una profunda nostalgia por el terruño, en un mundo en el que la movilidad determina de manera importante la habilidad de reproducir una identidad de clase media. Estas figuras son ilustrativas de las raíces y los derroteros de la ‘identidad mexicana’ pues son (re) producidas en el discurso público como moralejas de las actitudes de los mexicanos hacia el exterior
Ser de verdad un desplazado: naturalización de la condición de víctima a través de las intervenciones legales post-conflicto en Colombia
Authors: Ruiz Romero Gabriel Alberto
Published: August 2015

Después de casi quince años de aplicación de políticas de reparación por parte del Estado (además de la intervención continua de algunas ONG y otras instituciones), la población desplazada de Nueva Venecia (Magdalena-Colombia) no ha superado su condición de desplazamiento sino que la ha terminado naturalizando. Esto ha tenido lugar, paradójicamente, en la medida en que ellos han sido el objetivo de diversos instrumentos legales teóricamente diseñados para confrontar dicha condición.
Este artículo analiza cómo estos instrumentos legales han sido desarrollados en tanto «sistemas expertos» (usando el concepto de Anthony Giddens), los cuales han terminado definiendo cuándo una persona es realmente una víctima, no debido a sus experiencias traumáticas pasadas sino a que haya podido pasar exitosamente a través del proceso de registro y permanencia en el sistema mismo. El fortalecimiento de las intervenciones post-conflicto a través de estos sistemas expertos está en el centro de la mutua inmovilidad de las víctimas y las instituciones. Las víctimas, porque desde esa posición obtienen unos mínimos con los cuales mal que bien se las arreglan para sobrevivir; y las instituciones, porque no deben preocuparse en procurar nada más que esos mínimos.
Gente de palabras. Subjetividades indígenas en transformación en el Chiapas contemporáneo
Authors: Neila Boyer Isabel
Published: August 2015

A partir de un análisis de la concepción y uso de las palabras entre tzeltales y tzotziles de la región de Los Altos de Chiapas, el presente artículo discute cómo en el «nuevo vivir» tzotzil, ach’ kuxlejal, el interpretado uso incompetente del lenguaje como efecto de la ‘modernidad’ ha derivado en una percepción de otra humanidad y en un cuestionamiento sobre la identidad indígena de la juventud; a quienes tildan como «los del nuevo crecimiento» (ach’ chieletik) o «los del nuevo vivir» (ach’ kuxlejaletik).
¿Mayanización, indigeneidad o mestizaje? Clasificaciones étnicas y diversidad en Guatemala
Authors: Celigueta Gemma
Published: August 2015

El último censo nacional de población de Guatemala, el censo de 2002, introdujo nuevas clasificaciones acordes a los cambios nacionales e internacionales ocurridos en la representación de lo indígena. Estas nuevas clasificaciones revelaron una complejidad étnica que los censos anteriores habían ignorado. A partir del análisis de estos datos, del diálogo con otros autores y de algunas apreciaciones etnográficas obtenidas en el altiplano occidental de Guatemala; este artículo reflexiona sobre las transformaciones, usos y significados, de conceptos tan centrales para este país como indígena, ladino y maya. ¿Los datos revelados por el censo del 2002 podrían sugerirnos cierta mayanización o indigenización del país de forma parecida a lo que ha ocurrido en otros países de América Latina o debemos acercarnos más bien a otra categoría, ausente en el censo, como la de mestizo?
Genealogía de la Antropología Médica en España
Authors: Martínez-Hernáez Ángel , Perdiguero Gil Enrique , Comelles Josep Maria
Published: August 2015

En este artículo proponemos una revisión de la antropología médica en España desde una perspectiva histórica. El artículo analiza diferentes etapas: 1. las relaciones históricas entre la medicina y la antropología, incluyendo la aparición del folcklore médico (siglos XIX-XX); 2. el origen de la antropología médica y las dificultades para el surgimiento de esta especialidad en un contexto en el cual la antropología social española tenía otras prioridades; 3. la institucionalización de la antropología médica (1982-2000); y 4. los desarrollos temáticos actuales, tales como la psiquiatría cultural, el estudio de las enfermedades y discapacidades, la etnografía de las profesiones y las instituciones, y el análisis del pluralismo médico, entre muchos otros. Se concluye con un debate abierto sobre el futuro de la antropología médica en España, en el que nos centramos, especialmente, en los desafíos ante un contexto global en el que los nuevos procesos de medicalización están creando nuevas identidades —y bio-identidades— y complejidades que obligan a pensar nuevas estrategias antropológicas, así como la necesidad de repensar lo ya pensado.
Workforce Development through Student Development
Authors: Vorreyer Anita L. , Miller Regina V.
Published: August 2015

Traditional-aged college students often lack soft skills which are, in essence, self-leadership skills needed for workplace and career success. Therefore, it is important to help students develop those skills in order to strengthen workforce development and promote long term career success. Students in a two year college have a limited time span in which to develop their soft skills. By using innovative practices, community colleges can work in collaboration with business and industry leaders in their area, and assist students in developing self-leadership skills. This chapter explores student development, community college & business partnerships and strategies that align education and practical experience to enhance career readiness, and describes a specific example of an innovative practice that is being used at a two year college in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The chapter also offers suggestions for readers who may want to implement particular components of the model.
Focusing on the Forgotten
Authors: Foote Stephanie M. , Kranzow Jeannine , Hinkle Sara E.
Published: August 2015

Despite the increasing numbers of transfer students, particularly those transferring from two- to four-year institutions, campus programs and services continue to center on assisting first-year students who are entering higher education for the first time. This chapter brings transfer students, an often “forgotten” population, to light through the following: a review of the scholarship and research on community college transfer student transition and success, an examination of factors that affect that transition, and a description of innovative practices that respond to the need of this growing population. The information in this chapter can be used to develop campus programs and services to assist with the transfer student transition to four-year colleges and universities.
Meeting Them Where They Are
Authors: Priester Thomas C. , Smith Tisha M.
Published: August 2015

Correctional educational programs strive to enhance the type of prisoner returning to the community and reduce the chances they will return to their criminal activity and (as a result) return to prison. While some correctional facilities have school districts, some collaborate with community colleges to obtain educational services. In 2007, the United States Congress passed the Second Chance Act, which allotted funding to enhance the nation's educational system within its correctional facilities. The purpose of this chapter is to address a specific way community colleges serve students where they are. The authors address research pertaining to the role of education in an incarcerated student population's ability to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Additionally, the authors share first-hand curricular and support challenges and innovative practices in preparing students behind bars for the workforce of the (in most cases) not so near future.