bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study of Vitamin D3 Supplementation with Different Schemes Based on Multiples of 25,000 IU Doses
Authors: Cavalier Etienne , Faché Werner , Souberbielle Jean-Claude
Published: January 2013

Vitamin D (VTD) treatment is recommended in patients presenting different causes of diseases. To treat these patients, physicians rely on the different available pharmaceutical forms present in their country. Unfortunately, even in a given country, there is no consensus on the best way to treat the patients. In Belgium, VTD is mostly prescribed as ampoules containing 25,000 IU of VTD. In this randomised controlled study, we evaluated whether four therapeutic schemes using multiples of 25,000 IU of VTD according to basal vitamin D concentration were able to increase or maintain the 25(OH)D serum level above 30 ng/mL. We randomized 175 subjects who received the drug (n=140) or placebo (n=35). Total duration of the study was 12 weeks. Doses ranged from 4167 to 1667 IU/day. Blood sampling was performed at baseline and each 4 visits. In the treated (placebo) subjects, mean 25(OH)D serum concentration was 18.7 (19.1) ng/mL at baseline and 31.5 (20.7) ng/mL at w-12. At the end of the study, 57.1% of the subjects treated with VTD presented 25(OH)D serum concentration ≥30 ng/mL, whereas 94.3% were ≥20 ng/mL. In conclusion, the doses administered were safe and increased or maintained the 25(OH)D concentration ≥20 ng/mL. However, concentrations ≥30 ng/mL were only achieved in 57.1% of the subjects.
Volumetric Computed Tomography Angiography in the Evaluation of Mediastinal Fluid Collections following Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Roest Arno A. W. , Roelofs Joost , Hazekamp Mark G. , Rijlaarsdam Marry E. B. , Geleijns Jacob , Kroft Lucia J. M.
Published: January 2013

We present 3 patients with 4 causes of mediastinal fluid collection after congenital cardiac surgery in this extended case report. Volumetric computed tomography played an essential role in diagnosing causes and extent, relevant to subsequent management. Recent advances in volumetric computed tomography allow fast and accurate imaging of cardiovascular and extravascular structures in children with acceptable radiation dose, providing a powerful imaging tool for the evaluation of complications after congenital cardiac surgery.
An Overview of Semisolid Processing of Aluminium Alloys
Authors: Salleh M. S. , Omar M. Z. , Syarif J. , Mohammed M. N.
Published: January 2013

Semisolid metal processing (SSM) or thixoforming is a new technology that offers several advantages over liquid processing and solid processing. This process utilizes semisolid behavior as well as reduces macrosegregation, porosity, and forming forces during shaping process. A lot of research work has been carried out by various researchers in order to exploit the potential of this process to produce different products especially for automotive industry. This paper will summarise the rheological behavior of aluminium alloys in semisolid slurries, thixoformability of modified aluminium alloys, the effect of feedstock production method on mechanical properties, and the importance of developing low-cost raw materials for semisolid processing.
Minimum Energy Demand Locomotion on Space Station
Authors: Chung Wing Kwong , Xu Yangsheng
Published: January 2013

The energy of a space station is a precious resource, and the minimization of energy consumption of a space manipulator is crucial to maintain its normal functionalities. This paper first presents novel gaits for space manipulators by equipping a new gripping mechanism. With the use of wheels locomotion, lower energy demand gaits can be achieved. With the use of the proposed gaits, we further develop a global path planning algorithm for space manipulators which can plan a moving path on a space station with a minimum total energy demand. Different from existing approaches, we emphasize both the use of the proposed low energy demand gaits and the gaits composition during the path planning process. To evaluate the performance of the proposed gaits and path planning algorithm, numerous simulations are performed. Results show that the energy demand of both the proposed gaits and the resultant moving path is also minimum.
PredictingIn SilicoWhich Mixtures of the Natural Products of Plants Might Most Effectively Kill Human Leukemia Cells?
Authors: El-Shemy Hany A. , Aboul-Enein Khalid M. , Lightfoot David A.
Published: January 2013

The aim of the analysis of just 13 natural products of plants was to predict the most likely effective artificial mixtures of 2-3 most effective natural products on leukemia cells from over 364 possible mixtures. The natural product selected included resveratrol, honokiol, chrysin, limonene, cholecalciferol, cerulenin, aloe emodin, and salicin and had over 600 potential protein targets. Target profiling used the Ontomine set of tools for literature searches of potential binding proteins, binding constant predictions, binding site predictions, and pathway network pattern analysis. The analyses indicated that 6 of the 13 natural products predicted binding proteins which were important targets for established cancer treatments. Improvements in effectiveness were predicted for artificial combinations of 2 or 3 natural products. That effect might be attributed to drug synergism rather than increased numbers of binding proteins bound (dose effects). Among natural products, the combinations of aloe emodin with mevinolin and honokiol were predicted to be the most effective combination for AML-related predicted binding proteins. Therefore, plant extracts may in future provide more effective medicines than the single purified natural products of modern medicine, in some cases.
U.S. Climate Reference Network Soil Moisture and Temperature Observations
Authors: Bell Jesse E. , Palecki Michael A. , Baker C. Bruce , Collins William G. , Lawrimore Jay H. , Leeper Ronald D. , Hall Mark E. , Kochendorfer John , Meyers Tilden P. , Wilson Tim , Diamond Howard J.
Published: January 2013

The U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) is a network of climate-monitoring stations maintained and operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide climate-science-quality measurements of air temperature and precipitation. The stations in the network were designed to be extensible to other missions, and the National Integrated Drought Information System program determined that the USCRN could be augmented to provide observations that are more drought relevant. To increase the network’s capability of monitoring soil processes and drought, soil observations were added to USCRN instrumentation. In 2011, the USCRN team completed at each USCRN station in the conterminous United States the installation of triplicate-configuration soil moisture and soil temperature probes at five standards depths (5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 cm) as prescribed by the World Meteorological Organization; in addition, the project included the installation of a relative humidity sensor at each of the stations. Work is also under way to eventually install soil sensors at the expanding USCRN stations in Alaska. USCRN data are stewarded by the NOAA National Climatic Data Center, and instrument engineering and performance studies, installation, and maintenance are performed by the NOAA Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division. This article provides a technical description of the USCRN soil observations in the context of U.S. soil-climate–measurement efforts and discusses the advantage of the triple-redundancy approach applied by the USCRN.
Determining factors of mountain destination innovativeness
Authors: Kuščer Kir
Published: January 2013

The rapidly changing business environment is a forcing destinations to innovate in order to remain competitive. Innovation is increasingly recognized as being important for destination development. In times of economic uncertainty, a comprehensive overview of the factors of mountain destination innovativeness can contribute to the better development of mountain destinations. Research has identified important elements of innovativeness that contribute to mountain destination development and has determined the factors that comprise these elements. The elements of mountain destination innovativeness are tested for their importance in the first part of the analysis. An exploratory factor analysis is then conducted using only the more important elements to form three factors that represent the underlying dimensions of mountain destination innovativeness. The results show that mountain destination innovativeness incorporates the factors of sociocultural sustainability and stakeholder participation, environmental sustainability (natural environment) and proactiveness. Research provides knowledge for researchers as well as for stakeholders in mountain destinations, especially mountain destination managers, who will be able to identify the important factors of mountain destination innovativeness to focus on in order to increase destination development.
Experiential aspects of tourism gift consumption
Authors: Clarke Jackie
Published: January 2013

This article addresses how consumers make use of fantasy, feelings, and fun when deciding, giving, and consuming gifts of tourism and leisure. Despite little industry awareness, consumers are engaging with such behaviour because tourism gifts offer considerable scope for the creative expression of donor–recipient relationships. This UK-based interpretive qualitative study captured data from donors, recipients, and tourism and leisure providers. The feelings (emotions), fantasies (imagination and dreaming), and fun (playfulness) were interrogated through the behavioural phases of gift decision making, gift exchange, post-exchange, and gift consumption. A range of emotions were displayed by donors and recipients at different stages in the gift-giving process; donor decision making in groups for created gifts was particularly charged. Fantasies were evident both for donors planning gifts and for recipients. As an intangible gift, means of exchange allowed for creative mechanisms beyond the classic wrapping strategies associated with physical gifts. The ‘decoy’ strategy stimulated the recipient’s imagination to conjure fantastical scenarios. Fun or playfulness was built into many of the gifts and often related to an element of ‘surprise’, an attribute of the perfect gift (e.g. Belk, 1996) in Western societies.
Toward an identification of elements contributing to satisfaction with the tourism experience
Authors: Maunier Cécile , Camelis Christéle
Published: January 2013

The tourism offering is usually described as an amalgam of touristic products and services available on one site and is considered in the literature as a combination of consumption experiences that involve both private and public actors. The tourism experience is thus characterized by many interactions with the physical and human environment valued by tourists and leading to satisfaction. From a management viewpoint, the main challenge is to understand the satisfactory and dissatisfactory elements of the tourism experience in order to design and deliver a memorable one likely to result in positive post-consumption reactions. Using the critical incident technique, the authors collected 216 incidents in order to reveal the salient factors on which tourists forge their evaluations and base their satisfaction. This research sought to investigate the major driving factors determining tourist satisfaction and dissatisfaction, taking into account all elements related to a touristic stay and partially neglected to date in the tourism literature. A typology of elements contributing to satisfaction with the tourism experience is proposed. The results indicate that a broader, holistic view of tourism experience is needed. They also suggest that marketers should focus on elements leading to satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Moreover, besides the traditional classification categories based on service attributes and the type of providers, the results highlight human factors as a new important category of elements influencing satisfaction. Implications for tourism destination managers and services managers are then discussed.
Quantitative fluorescence loss in photobleaching for analysis of protein transport and aggregation
Authors: Wüstner Daniel , Solanko Lukasz M , Lund Frederik W , Sage Daniel , Schroll Hans J , Lomholt Michael A
Published: January 2013

Background

Fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) is a widely used imaging technique, which provides information about protein dynamics in various cellular regions. In FLIP, a small cellular region is repeatedly illuminated by an intense laser pulse, while images are taken with reduced laser power with a time lag between the bleaches. Despite its popularity, tools are lacking for quantitative analysis of FLIP experiments. Typically, the user defines regions of interest (ROIs) for further analysis which is subjective and does not allow for comparing different cells and experimental settings.

Results

We present two complementary methods to detect and quantify protein transport and aggregation in living cells from FLIP image series. In the first approach, a stretched exponential (StrExp) function is fitted to fluorescence loss (FL) inside and outside the bleached region. We show by reaction–diffusion simulations, that the StrExp function can describe both, binding/barrier–limited and diffusion-limited FL kinetics. By pixel-wise regression of that function to FL kinetics of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), we determined in a user-unbiased manner from which cellular regions eGFP can be replenished in the bleached area. Spatial variation in the parameters calculated from the StrExp function allow for detecting diffusion barriers for eGFP in the nucleus and cytoplasm of living cells. Polyglutamine (polyQ) disease proteins like mutant huntingtin (mtHtt) can form large aggregates called inclusion bodies (IB’s). The second method combines single particle tracking with multi-compartment modelling of FL kinetics in moving IB’s to determine exchange rates of eGFP-tagged mtHtt protein (eGFP-mtHtt) between aggregates and the cytoplasm. This method is self-calibrating since it relates the FL inside and outside the bleached regions. It makes it therefore possible to compare release kinetics of eGFP-mtHtt between different cells and experiments.

Conclusions

We present two complementary methods for quantitative analysis of FLIP experiments in living cells. They provide spatial maps of exchange dynamics and absolute binding parameters of fluorescent molecules to moving intracellular entities, respectively. Our methods should be of great value for quantitative studies of intracellular transport.
A microsatellite-based linkage map of salt tolerant tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus x Oreochromis spp.) and mapping of sex-determining loci
Authors: Liu Feng , Sun Fei , Li Jian , Xia Jun Hong , Lin Grace , Tu Rong Jian , Yue Gen Hua
Published: January 2013

Background

Tilapia is the common name for a group of cichlid fishes and is one of the most important aquacultured freshwater food fish. Mozambique tilapia and its hybrids, including red tilapia are main representatives of salt tolerant tilapias. A linkage map is an essential framework for mapping QTL for important traits, positional cloning of genes and understanding of genome evolution.

Results

We constructed a consensus linkage map of Mozambique tilapia and red tilapia using 95 individuals from two F1 families and 401 microsatellites including 282 EST-derived markers. In addition, we conducted comparative mapping and searched for sex-determining loci on the whole genome. These 401 microsatellites were assigned to 22 linkage groups. The map spanned 1067.6 cM with an average inter-marker distance of 3.3 cM. Comparative mapping between tilapia and stickleback, medaka, pufferfish and zebrafish revealed clear homologous relationships between chromosomes from different species. We found evidence for the fusion of two sets of two independent chromosomes forming two new chromosome pairs, leading to a reduction of 24 chromosome pairs in their ancestor to 22 pairs in tilapias. The XY sex determination locus in Mozambique tilapia was mapped on LG1, and verified in five families containing 549 individuals. The major XY sex determination locus in red tilapia was located on LG22, and verified in two families containing 275 individuals.

Conclusions

A first-generation linkage map of salt tolerant tilapia was constructed using 401 microsatellites. Two separate fusions of two sets of two independent chromosomes may lead to a reduction of 24 chromosome pairs in their ancestor to 22 pairs in tilapias. The XY sex-determining loci from Mozambique tilapia and red tilapia were mapped on LG1 and LG22, respectively. This map provides a useful resource for QTL mapping for important traits and comparative genome studies. The DNA markers linked to the sex-determining loci could be used in the selection of YY males for breeding all-male populations of salt tolerant tilapia, as well as in studies on mechanisms of sex determination in fish.
A water extract of Samchulkunbi-tang attenuates airway inflammation by inhibiting inos and MMP-9 activities in an ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model
Authors: Lee Mee Young , Shin In Sik , Lim Hye Sun , Shin Hyeun Kyoo
Published: January 2013

Background

In this study, we investigated the effect of Samchulkunbi-tang water extract (SCTE) in an established mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The effects of SCTE on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, eotaxin, and total and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity were measured.

Methods

Mice were sensitized on days 0 and 14 with an intraperitoneal injection of 20 μg ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified in 2 mg aluminum hydroxide in 200 μL PBS buffer. On days 21, 22, and 23, mice received an airway exposure to OVA (1%, w/v, in PBS) for 1 h. SCTE was administered orally to mice at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg per day from days 18 to 23.

Results

SCTE reduced the number of inflammatory cells, cytokines, and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and iNOS expression and MMP-9 activity in mouse lung tissue. Histological studies using hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining showed that SCTE substantially inhibited OVA-induced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue and goblet cell hyperplasia in the airway. SCTE also reduced IL-4 and IL-13 expression in concanavalin-A-stimulated splenocytes. These results were similar to those obtained with montelukast as a positive control.

Conclusions

Collectively, these results suggest that SCTE may be an effective oral treatment for allergic airway inflammation by virtue of its anti-inflammatory activity.
Children’s reporting of food insecurity in predominately food insecure households in Texas border colonias
Authors: Nalty Courtney C , Sharkey Joseph R , Dean Wesley R
Published: January 2013

Background

Food insecurity is associated with detrimental physical, psychological, behavioral, social, and educational functioning in children and adults. Greater than one-quarter of all Hispanic households in the U.S. are food insecure. Hispanic families in the U.S. comprise 30% of households with food insecurity at the child level, the most severe form of the condition.

Methods

Food security discordance was evaluated among 50 Mexican-origin children ages 6–11 and their mothers living in Texas bordercoloniasfrom March to June 2010. Mothers and children were interviewed separately usingpromotora-researcher administered Spanish versions of the Household Food Security Survey Module and the Food Security Survey Module for Youth. Cohen’s kappa statistic (κ) was used to analyze dyadic agreement of food security constructs and level of food security.

Results

Eighty percent of mothers reported household food insecurity while 64% of children identified food insecurity at the child level. There was slight inter-rater agreement in food security status (κ = 0.13,p = 0.15). Poor agreement was observed on the child hunger construct (κ = −0.06,p = 0.66) with fair agreement in children not eating for a full day (κ = 0.26,p < 0.01) and relying on low-cost foods (κ = 0.23,p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Mother and child-reported household and child-level food insecurity among this sample of limited-resource Mexican-origincoloniasresidents far surpass national estimates. While the level of dyadic agreement was poor, discordance may be attributable to parental buffering, social desirability in responses, and/or the age of children included in the present analysis. Future research should continue to explore how food security is understood from the perspectives and experiences of children and adolescents.
Daily physical activity predicts degree of insulin resistance: a cross-sectional observational study using the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Nelson Rachael K , Horowitz Jeffrey F , Holleman Robert G , Swartz Ann M , Strath Scott J , Kriska Andrea M , Richardson Caroline R
Published: January 2013

Background

This study examined the independent association of objectively measured physical activity on insulin resistance while controlling for confounding variables including: cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, sex, age, and smoking status.

Methods

Data were obtained from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004, a cross-sectional observational study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control that uses a stratified, multistage probability design to obtain a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. The analysis included 402 healthy U.S. adults with valid accelerometer, cardiorespiratory fitness, and fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. After controlling for relevant confounding variables we performed a multiple linear regression to predict homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) based on average daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

Results

In our bivariate models, MVPA, cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat percentage were all significantly correlated with log HOMA-IR. In the complete model including MVPA and relevant confounding variables, there were strong and significant associations between MVPA and log HOMA-IR (β= −0.1607, P=0.004). In contrast the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and log HOMA-IR was not significant.

Conclusion

When using an objective measure of physical activity the amount of time engaged in daily physical activity was associated with lower insulin resistance, whereas higher cardiorespiratory fitness was not. These results suggest that the amount of time engaged in physical activity may be an important determinant for improving glucose metabolism.
Towards an effective control programme of soil-transmitted helminth infections among Orang Asli in rural Malaysia. Part 1: Prevalence and associated key factors
Authors: Nasr Nabil A , Al-Mekhlafi Hesham M , Ahmed Abdulhamid , Roslan Muhammad Aidil , Bulgiba Awang
Published: January 2013

Background

Despite the continuous efforts to improve the quality of life of Orang Asli (Aborigines) communities, these communities are still plagued with a wide range of health problems including parasitic infections. The first part of this study aimed at determining the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and identifying their associated factors among rural Orang Asli children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 484 Orang Asli children aged ≤ 15 years (235 females and 249 males) belonging to 215 households from 13 villages in Lipis district, Pahang, Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected and examined by using formalin-ether sedimentation, Kato Katz and Harada Mori techniques. Demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural information were collected by using a pre-tested questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 78.1% of the children were found to be infected with one or more STH species. The prevalence of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections were 71.7%, 37.4% and 17.6%, respectively. Almost all, three quarters and one fifth of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections, respectively, were of moderate-to-heavy intensities. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age of ≥ 6 years (school-age), using unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water, absence of a toilet in the house, large family size (≥ 7 members), not washing hands before eating, and not washing hands after defecation were the key factors significantly associated with STH among these children.

Conclusion

This study reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of STH among Orang Asli children and clearly brings out an urgent need to implement school-based de-worming programmes and other control measures like providing a proper sanitation, as well as a treated drinking water supply and proper health education regarding good personal hygiene practices. Such an integrated control program will help significantly in reducing the prevalence and intensity of STH in Orang Asli communities.
Cross-Country Differences in Productivity: The Role of Allocation and Selection
Authors: Bartelsman Eric , Haltiwanger John , Scarpetta Stefano
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates the effect of idiosyncratic (firm-level) policy distortions on aggregate outcomes. Exploiting harmonized firm-level data for a number of countries, we show that there is substantial and systematic cross-country variation in the within-industry covariance between size and productivity. We develop a model in which heterogeneous firms face adjustment frictions (overhead labor and quasi-fixed capital) and distortions. The model can be readily calibrated so that variations in the distribution of distortions allow matching the observed cross-country moments. We show that the differences in the distortions that account for the size-productivity covariance imply substantial differences in aggregate performance. (JEL D24, L25, O47)
Droplet Digital PCR Measurement of HER2 Copy Number Alteration in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Breast Carcinoma Tissue
Authors: Belgrader Phillip , Tanner Stephanie C , Regan John F , Koehler Ryan , Hindson Benjamin J , Brown Alexandra S
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) testing is routinely performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses for all new cases of invasive breast carcinoma. IHC is easier to perform, but analysis can be subjective and variable. FISH offers better diagnostic accuracy and added confidence, particularly when it is used to supplement weak IHC signals, but it is more labor intensive and costly than IHC. We examined the performance of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) as a more precise and less subjective alternative for quantifying HER2 DNA amplification.

METHODS

Thirty-nine cases of invasive breast carcinoma containing ≥30% tumor were classified as positive or negative for HER2 by IHC, FISH, or both. DNA templates for these cases were prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues to determine the HER2 copy number by ddPCR. ddPCR involved emulsifying hydrolysis probe–based PCR reaction mixtures containing the ERBB2 [v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2, neuro/glioblastoma derived oncogene homolog (avian); also known as HER2] gene and chromosome 17 centromere assays into nanoliter-sized droplets for thermal cycling and analysis.

RESULTS

ddPCR distinguished, through differences in the level of HER2 amplification, the 10 HER2-positive samples from the 29 HER2-negative samples with 100% concordance to HER2 status obtained by FISH and IHC analysis. ddPCR results agreed with the FISH results for the 6 cases that were equivocal by IHC analyses, confirming 2 of these samples as positive for HER2 and the other 4 as negative.

CONCLUSIONS

ddPCR can be used as a molecular-analysis tool to precisely measure copy number alterations in FFPE samples of heterogeneous breast tumor tissue.
Development and demonstration of a new SANEX Partitioning Process for selective actinide(III)/lanthanide(III) separation using a mixture of CyMe4BTBP and TODGA
Authors: Modolo Giuseppe , Wilden A. , Daniels H. , Geist Andreas , Magnusson Daniel , Malmbeck Rikard
Published: January 2013

Within the framework of the European collaborative project ACSEPT, a new SANEX partitioning process was developed at Forschungszentrum Jülich for the separation of the trivalent minor actinides americium, curium and californium from lanthanide fission products in spent nuclear fuels. The development is based on batch solvent extraction studies, single-centrifugal contactor tests and on flow-sheet design by computer code calculations. The used solvent is composed of 6,6´-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo-[1,2-4]trizazin-3-yl)-[2,2´]-bipyridine (CyMe4BTBP) and N,N,N´,N´-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) dissolved in n-octanol. A spiked continuous counter-current test was carried out in miniature centrifugal contactors with the aid of a 20-stage flow-sheet consisting of 12 extraction, 4 scrubbing and 4 stripping stages. A product fraction containing more than 99.9% of the trivalent actinides Am(III), Cm(III) and Cf(III) was obtained. High product/feed decontamination factors >1000 were achieved for these actinides. The trivalent lanthanides were directed to the raffinate of the process with the actinide (III) product stream being contaminated with less than 0.5 mass-% in the initial lanthanides.
Effect of Water on the Densities and Viscosities of Some Ionic Liquids Containing a Phosphonium Cation
Authors: Yoo Brian , Afzal Waheed , Prausnitz John M.
Published: January 2013

A small amount of water can significantly decrease the viscosity of an ionic liquid. From 25–80 ºC, densities and viscosities were measured for dilute solutions of water in six ionic liquids: trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinate, trihexyltetradecylphosphonium dicyanamide, tributyltetradecylphosphonium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, 1-ethyl,3-methylimidazolium bis(triflouromethylsulfonyl)imide, methyltrioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and triisobutylmethylphosphonium tosylate. At 25 ºC, when the water content is about 1 wt. %, the viscosity of a phosphonium-based ionic liquid is reduced by nearly one order of magnitude.
Escola: lugar de estudar e de comer
Authors: Freitas Maria do Carmo Soares de , Minayo Maria Cecília de Souza , Ramos Lilian Barbosa , Fontes Gardênia Vieira , Santos Ligia Amparo , Souza Elizeu Clementino de , Santos Anderson Carvalho dos , Mota Sara Emanuela , Paiva Janaina Braga de , Bernardelli Tânia Mara , Demétrio Franklin , Menezes Isadora
Published: January 2013

Este estudo tem por objetivo discutir significados sobre alimentação escolar atribuídos por estudantes em escolas públicas na Bahia. Trata-se de compreender aspectos simbólicos associados à alimentação escolar na complexidade do mundo cotidiano da escola. Utiliza-se uma abordagem qualitativa para a compreensão do comer na escola e das noções sobre alimentação saudável, a partir das narrativas orais e escritas desses adolescentes. Os relatos enunciam oposições entre alimentação estranha e familiar e vice-versa. O que é familiar torna-se estranho a depender do tempo/lugar. Citam diversos exemplos de alimentos que são da tradição, mas que se tornam estranhos ou não habituais ao horário. A cultura alimentar dos estudantes requer a obtenção de alimentos em dois momentos: merenda e almoço (ou jantar). Entidades estas que são distintas, não se mesclam e devem estar presentes na escola, pois para estes atores sociais, estudar e comer são necessidades que se complementam.
Controle do tabagismo em instituição de longa permanência para idosos: relato de experiência
Authors: Carvalho Anderson Albuquerque de , Gomes Lucy , Loureiro Altair Lahud , Bezerra Armando José China
Published: January 2013

Estudos sobre tabagismo em idosos institucionalizados são importantes, para que se desenvolvam intervenções apropriadas. Estudo transversal, base populacional, em indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais, internados em ILPI do DF. Verificou-se prevalência de tabagismo, perfil sociodemográfico e clínico: gênero, escolaridade, provável depressão, grau de motivação para cessação tabágica, uso anterior de auxílio medicamentoso para abolição do tabagismo e percepção de prejuízo do fumo para a saúde. Realizadas espirometria, medição do monóxido de carbono exalado e classificação segundo gravidade da dependência nicotínica. O Programa seguiu diretrizes para cessação do tabagismo, sendo avaliado após um ano do início. Do total, 25,7% eram fumantes, sendo 22,8% homens e 2,9% mulheres, com idade média 68,3 ± 8,5 anos. Surgiu significativa redução da prevalência de tabagismo nos mais idosos e associações significativas entre grau de dependência nicotínica e escolaridade, provável depressão, grau de motivação para cessação de tabagismo e percepção de prejuízo do fumo para saúde. Identificaram-se maiores valores de monóxido de carbono naqueles com obstrução grave. Inicialmente, 37,9% dos tabagistas concordaram em participar da Campanha, obtendo-se êxito, após um ano, em 9% deles.
Real-Time Prediction of Complex Hydraulic Fracture Behaviour in Unconventional Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Keshavarzi R.. , Jahanbakhshi R..
Published: January 2013

Determining the propagation behavior of hydraulic fracture and the most important parameters that affect hydraulic fracturing propagation are important challenges in reservoirs with natural fractures. Hydraulic fracturing in the presence of natural fractures alters the way the induced fracture propagates through the rock and causes a complex network of fractures which can significantly influence the overall geometry and effectiveness of hydraulic fractures. Interaction of hydraulic fracture with natural fractures can lead to pre-mature screen-out, arrest of the fracture propagation, formation of multiple fractures and fracture offsets. In this study, hydraulic and natural fracture interaction in naturally fractured reservoirs has been investigated through an artificial intelligence method. So, a new feed-forward with back-propagation artificial neural network approach has been developed to predict hydraulic fracturing path due to interaction with natural fracture followed by forward selection sensitivity analysis to determine the most influential parameters. Effective parameters in hydraulic and natural fracture interaction such as horizontal differential stress, angle of approach, interfacial coefficient of friction, young’s modulus of the rock and flow rate of fracturing fluid are the inputs and hydraulic fracturing path (turning into/crossing natural fracture) when it encounters a natural fracture is the output of the developed artificial neural network. The results have shown high potentiality of the developed artificial neural network approach for real-time prediction of hydraulic fracturing path due to interaction with natural fracture. Also, the result of sensitivity analysis has shown that the angle of approach, horizontal differential stress and interfacial coefficient of friction are the macro-parameters and flow rate of fracturing fluid and young’s modulus of the rock are the micro-parameters affecting hydraulic fracture behaviour in naturally fractured reservoirs.
The Correlation of Neutron and Density Logs and its Application in Tight Gas Reservoirs Identification
Authors: Tang Wen , Liu Xiao-Peng , Hu Xiao-Xin , Zhang Xiao-Ling , Wang Shang-Xu
Published: January 2013

It’s a great challenge for petrophysicsts and log analysts in identifying tight gas rservoirs from conventional resistivity logs due to the complicated pore structure, thus leads to high irreducible water saturation. The resistivity contrast between tight gas bearing reservoirs and pure water saturated layers is lower than 2.0. The neutron and density logs, which are used for reservoir porosity estimation, are usable in gas bearing formation identification. In gas bearing formation, the neutron derived porosity is lower than the ture formation porosity due to the effection of excavation effect, and the density derived porosity is higher than the true formation porosity. Thus, porosity estimated from density logs is increased and the neutron derived porosity is decreased, the negative correlation exists between these two derived porosity in tight gas bearing formations. On the contrary, with the increasing of neureon porosity, the density derived porosity also increase, the positive correlation exists between them. Based on these two different correlations between tight gas bearing sands and water bearing formation, a technique, which is used to quantitatively characterize the correlation factor, is proposed and the corresponding correlation function is established. For tight gas resercoirs, the value of the correlation factor is negative, and in water saturated formations, its value is positive. Case studies from two tight gas reservoirs in China illustrate that the proposed technique is available in tight gas sands identification.
Analysis and Integration of Near-Surface Array Microseismic Data from the Haynesville Shale
Authors: Gangopadhyay Abhijit , Malayalam Atif , Lucas Jennifer , Gillham Travis , Liu Shujie , Faz Ignacio , Wirnkar Fabian
Published: January 2013

A case study is presented which combines and integrates analyses of microseismic data, production logs, hydraulic fracture treatments, and flow-back performance from four horizontal wells in the Haynesville shale, east Texas. The laterals of the wells are approximately 5,000 ft long, oriented N-S, and each stimulated with twelve stages. Three of the laterals were geo-steered within a 18 ft target window, whereas one was drilled transverse across a 131 ft window. The production logs were run in the transverse lateral to identify zones in the Haynesville that produced the most gas. The microseismic data were obtained using a dense near-surface permanent array spanning ~30 square miles. Based on 1,229 microseismic events, inferred fracture half-lengths range between ~423 ft and ~675 ft. About half the lengths of most of these fractures are contained within the target reservoir interval. Inferred fracture orientations range between ~13° and ~164°, consistent with regional SHmax, thereby supporting our choice of well azimuths. Some of these fractures align with those observed on 3-D seismic based coherency, implying that pre-existing fractures have been activated. Stimulations of northward wells caused less microseismic events, but generated more elongated fractures than southward wells. Additionally, the southward wells with higher microseismic activity implying greater initiation and stimulation of fractures, correlate well with gamma ray log values <~110 gAPI, compared to their northward counterparts, where gamma ray log values in their laterals are predominatly >~110 gAPI, indicating a possible diagnostic of fracture capability, consistent with lithology-based brittleness index. The completions strategy involved pumping resin coated sand in one well, combining that with white sand in others, and stimulating the shortest lateral with the same proppant volume and stages as others. Interpreted production log from the transverse lateral shows that stages near the heel are most productive compared to the first three stages near the toe, leading to an estimate of the effective stimulated rock volume. Overall the study provides multidisciplinary insights into design of future horizontals in the area
Optimising Remote Unconventional Gas Exploration
Authors: Rylance Martin
Published: January 2013

Exploration and Appraisal of Unconventional gas, in remote areas, brings with it a variety of challenges; which are not normally encountered in established development areas such as North America. These challenges include, higher cost(s), logistical issues, lack of existing infra-structure, limited well numbers to name but a few. This paper will describe some of the important considerations, technology choices and approaches that can be considered in order to optimise such a remote Exploration and Appraisal programme.

There are a number of considerations, selections, choices and decisions to be made for an Exploration and Appraisal programme, which can significantly affect the results and outcome when performed in a remote environment. For example, vertical vs. horizontal wells, lower completion technology, stimulation approaches and data gathering choices. Due to a number of unique conditions in remote locations, the optimum decisions are not always obvious, nor always reflect typical practices in established areas and this paper will describe the rationale behind this and the appropriate considerations for various Drilling and Completion aspects.

The author will describe, options, considerations and decision making processes based on experience from recent case histories from a number of world-wide Exploration and Appraisal operations in unconventional gas. The paper will attempt to indicate the relative importance and value associated with these decisions and their impact on the potential success of an Exploration and Appraisal programme.

Unconventional gas Exploration and Appraisal programmes can be challenging to progress in established areas; and this can be compounded by several orders of magnitude when operating in a remote environment. The requirements for establishing unconventional resource assessment can be somewhat different to conventional approaches and an Appraisal programme should take this into account. This paper summarises a number of key lessons learned from a worldwide selection of Unconventional operations and distils them into a philosophy that promotes and encourages success.
Innovative Acquisition and Processing of Low Signal-To-Noise 3D Land Seismic Data, Leads to a Leap in Subsurface Understanding. A Case History from Eastern Jordan.
Authors: Pearse Chris , Adams Nicola , Bateman Philip , Bouska Jack , Duque Carlos , Gravestock Martyn , Stone Johnathan
Published: January 2013

In January 2010 BP Exploration Jordan Ltd signed an agreement with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the National Petroleum Company (NPC) to explore and appraise the 7,200 sq km Risha Concession. The concession, in the desert of Eastern Jordan, bordering Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia contains the partially developed Risha Gas Field. This has historically been a poor seismic data quality area, mostly due to a complex and variably karstified near-surface. There was a sparse coverage of heritage 2D lines and two 3D surveys covering just 5% of the concession and a strong need for a large areal coverage of improved quality 3D seismic data. New and cost-effective techniques in acquisition and processing have been deployed to address the seismic coverage and quality issues, and during 2010 to 2012, a ~5000 sq km Simultaneous Source Seismic (DS3) survey was acquired and processed. The high-density wide-azimuth acquisition was carried out in a time and cost-efficient way. Following innovative acquisition and processing techniques to address the extreme scattered noise problem, high quality seismic attribute products have allowed insights into lithology and potential fracture distribution for the first time in the area. In this paper we discuss the acquisition, processing and analysis that have allowed the data quality improvement and the impact on reservoir interpretation.
Interpretation of Reservoir Flow Regimes and Analysis of Welltest Data in Hydraulically Fractured Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Bahrami Hassan , Siavoshi Jamal
Published: January 2013

Welltest interpretation requires diagnosis of reservoir flow regimes to determine the basic reservoir characteristics. In hydraulically fractured unconventional oil and reservoirs, the reservoir flow regimes may not clearly be revealed on diagnostic plots of transient pressure and its derivative due to extensive wellbore storage effect, fracture characteristics, and also heterogeneity and complexity of reservoir. Thus, use of conventional welltest analysis in interpreting the limited acquired data may fail to provide reliable results, causing erroneous outcomes. To overcome such issues, transient analysis techniques that utilize higher order pressure derivatives integrated with rate transient analysis (RTA) can reduce uncertainties associated with welltest analysis and provide better estimate of the reservoir and hydraulic fractures dynamic parameters. This paper illustrates the reservoir flow regimes in non-fractured and hydraulically fractured unconventional reservoirs, proposes welltesting and interpretation methodologies, and presents field examples in order to show how the hydraulic fracture size and the permeability of the stimulated reservoir volume can estimated for hydraulically fractured unconventional gas reservoirs.
Phosphosulfonic acid, an efficient solid acid catalyst for the one-pot preparation of 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthenes under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Kiasat Reza , Mouradzadegun Arash , Saghanezhad Jafar
Published: January 2013

An expeditious procedure for the synthesis of 14-
aryl-14H-dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes and 1,8-dioxo-octahydro-xanthenes through
one-pot pseudo three component condensation of ?-naphthol or dimedone with
various aryl aldehydes is described. This greener protocol is catalyzed by
phosphosulfonic acid, and proceeds efficiently in the absence of any organic
solvent under optimized, mild, green and environmentally benign reaction
conditions in high yields within 20-55 minutes.
Weak relatively uniform convergences on MV-algebras
Authors: Černák Štefan , Jakubík Ján
Published: January 2013

Weak relatively uniform convergences (wru-convergences, for short) in lattice ordered groups have been investigated in previous authors’ papers. In the present article, the analogous notion for MV-algebras is studied. The system s(A) of all wru-convergences on an MV-algebra A is considered; this system is partially ordered in a natural way. Assuming that the MV-algebra A is divisible, we prove that s(A) is a Brouwerian lattice and that there exists an isomorphism of s(A) into the system s(G) of all wru-convergences on the lattice ordered group G corresponding to the MV-algebra A. Under the assumption that the MV-algebra A is archimedean and divisible, we investigate atoms and dual atoms in the system s(A).
Effects of Additional Amount of Carbon Micro-Coils on the Electrical Properties of Carbon Micro-Coils Composite Sheet as a Tactile Sensor
Authors: Nessa Meherun , Motojima S
Published: January 2013

The morphology and electrical properties, tactile sensing properties of carbon micro-coils  (CMC) composite sheet were examined. Frequency dependence of electrical parameters;  inductance (L), capacitance (C) and impedance (Z) were measured on single and double-helix  composite sheets. It was found that these parameters of carbon micro-coils/polysilicone composites  extensively changed with the additional amount of CMC with polysilicone resine. It was also  observed that the higher additional amount (0 - 10 wt%) of CMC is appropriate for high sensitivity  as a tactile sensor. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v36i2.12961 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 36, No. 2, 177-186, 2012