bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of electrical properties of small molecule organic solar cells under oxygen and moisture
Authors: Ciammaruchi Laura , Carlo Aldo Di , Tang Ching W.
Published: June 2014

We investigated the photovoltaic (PV) parameters of a planar hetero-junction solar cell with di-[4-(N,Nditolyl-amino)-phenyl] cyclohexane (TAPC) as donor (D) and C60 as acceptor (A), upon exposing the acceptor side to oxygen and moisture. We found that for the same time of exposure, even minor oxygen amounts lead to more detrimental results compared to moisture. We argue that the photo-conversion efficiency (PCE) decreases due to creation of recombination centers at the interface, which induce losses in exciton diffusion and charge generation. Under the same conditions, we also registered a direct connection between the cell PV parameters’ decay and a C60 thin-film conductivity loss.
Estrutura do setor bancário e o ciclo recente de expansão do crédito: o papel dos bancos públicos federais
Authors: Paula Luiz Fernando de , Oreiro José Luis , Basilio Flavio A. C.
Published: June 2014

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a evolução recente da estrutura do setor bancário brasileiro e o ciclo recente do crédito no Brasil, focalizando em especial no desempenho e no papel dos bancos públicos, em particular os grandes bancos federais - BN-DES, Banco do Brasil e CEF. Em particular, destaca-se o papel contracíclico dos bancos públicos no mercado de crédito, além de sua importância no desenvolvimento de algumas linhas de financiamento de mais longo prazo, como financiamento do investimento, crédito agrícola e crédito habitacional. A ênfase do estudo se dá no período pós-real e no boom recente do crédito, ou seja, o período 2003-2009.
Impactos da liberalização do comércio de etanol entre Brasil e Estados Unidos sobre o uso da terra e emissão de CO2
Authors: Nardy Vanessa , Gurgel Angelo Costa
Published: June 2014

Investigar os potenciais impactos de uma redução nas tarifas de importação norte-americana ao etanol brasileiro sobre as mudanças no uso da terra e na emissão de gases de efeito estufa provenientes dessas mudanças é o objetivo do presente trabalho. Utiliza-se uma versão do modelo econômico global GTAP capaz de simular como o aumento na produção brasileira de etanol afetaria o uso da terra e a emissão de CO2 tanto no país como no mundo. Os resultados indicam aumento nas áreas de cultura e redução de áreas de pastagem e florestas no país e no mundo, com incrementos modestos em emissão de CO2, compensados pela redução das emissões no consumo de combustíveis fósseis. Conclui-se que a liberalização comercial não compromete a capacidade do etanol de cana-de-açúcar em contribuir com reduções líquidas em emissão de gases de efeito estufa, mesmo que sejam consideradas emissões de mudanças no uso da terra.
Os licenciados em Portugal: uma tipificação de perfis de inserção profissional
Authors: Ramos Madalena , Parente Cristina , Santos Mónica
Published: June 2014

A adequação entre o nível e tipo de formação académica e a situação profissional é um tema presente sempre que se aborda a temática da inserção profissional dos licenciados. Pretende-se, com este artigo, analisar as situações profissionais de diplomados portugueses do ensino superior cinco anos após a conclusão da licenciatura, à luz da problemática da inserção e transição profissional. Enquadra-se a relação entre sistema de ensino e mercado de trabalho comparando-se indicadores internacionais que contextualizam o caso português, de modo a discutir os resultados empíricos que caracterizam a situação profissional vivida em 2010 por uma amostra de 1.004 diplomados de duas universidades portuguesas. Definem-se cinco tipos de situações profissionais a partir de técnicas de análise multivariadas e reflete-se sobre os perfis encontrados. Conclui-se que a maioria dos licenciados exerce uma atividade profissional adequada ao seu nível de graduação, com rendimentos salariais, vínculos laborais e horários adequados ao grupo dos especialistas das actividades intelectuais e científicas. Porém, a análise mais fina revela-nos uma configuração hierárquica das situações profissionais num continuum que se organiza desde a inserção frágil à inserção qualificante associada às áreas de formação frequentadas. Os diplomados nas áreas de educação, artes e humanidades ocupam as situações profissionais mais precarizantes, contrastando com a sobrerrepresentação nos empregos mais favoráveis dos licenciados das áreas de saúde, economia, gestão e direito.
Modeling, Simulation, and Optimal Control of Oil Production under Gas Coning Conditions
Authors: Hasan Agus , Foss Bjarne , Sagatun Svein Ivar , Tjøstheim Bjørn Peter , Svandal Atle , Hatland Cato
Published: June 2014

Gas coning is a tendency of the gas to impel the oil downward in an inverse cone contour toward the well perforations. Once the gas reaches the well, gas production will dominate the well flow and the oil production will hence significantly decrease. From an economical and operational standpoint this condition is undesirable since the gas price is much lower than the oil price, and the gas handling capacity often is a constraint. Therefore, there is an incentive to maximize oil production up until gas breakthrough. In this paper, the gas coning process in a gas oil reservoir completed with a single horizontal well is analytically modeled, simulated, and analyzed applying a nonlinear control approach. The model which describes the interaction between the well and the reservoir may be cast into a boundary control problem of the porous media equation with two boundary conditions; a Neumann boundary condition describing no flow at the outer boundary of the reservoir, and a nonlinear boundary condition describing the well production rate. A well rate controller for the boundary control problem is designed using the Lyapunov method. The controller holds some formal performance guarantees and requires information on the gas oil contact at the well heel only. Further, the controller has a tuning parameter which can be used to maximize a suitable performance measure. The controller is evaluated using a detailed ECLIPSE simulator of a gas coning reservoir. Simulation results show significant improvement of production profit of the proposed method compared to a conventional method which usually uses a constant rate up until gas breakthrough.
Flow Induced Inline Separation (FIIS) De-watering Tests at the Gullfaks Field
Authors: Bjørkhaug M. , Johannesen B. , Eidsmo G. S.
Published: June 2014

Several fields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf have reached the decline phase with an increasing production of water and gas, often in combination with reduction in reservoir pressure. The available space and weight allowance for installation of new equipment on the platforms is often limited, and it is important to minimize both the operational and capital costs. Compact, inline separation equipment can be a key technology for mature fields, and also for subsea fields at large water depths where the weight is critical during the installation phase.

The Statoil operated Gullfaks license has identified Flow Induced Inline Separation (FIIS) as a key technology in order to increase the oil recovery. Due to low foot print, low hydrocarbon inventory and reduced need for flare capacity, the resulting reduced operating cost of the technology, can aid prolonged production from the reservoir. The technology will also provide free space and weight allowances for future tiebacks to Gullfaks. A survey identified a need for both compact gas-liquid as well as compact oil-water separation. Statoil have chosen to develop and test relevant units in close co-operation with vendors of compact separation equipment. All the tested technologies are based on cyclonic separation equipments with low or moderate pressure drops.

Statoil is carrying out an extensive qualification program where compact oil-water separators from FMC Technology and Caltec are developed and tested at real operating conditions. Individual unit tests (25 Am3/h, 3770 bpd liquid) have been performed in high pressure laboratory flow loops and in a test rig on the Gullfaks C production platform located in the North Sea. The aim is to remove at least 60 % of the incoming water phase with a water quality acceptable to the downstream produced water system. The operational window of the tested cyclonic technologies is wide for both vendors. The effect of gas content, water cut, droplet size, operating pressure and water removal on the outlet water quality will be described in the paper.

The conclusion from the work is that the potential of compact oil-water separation is large and possible applications will be discussed in the paper.
Geometric Analysis of Progressive Cavity Pump Single Lobe, for the Production of Extra-Crude Heavy Oil at Huyaparí Oil Field at Orinoco Oil Belt Venezuela
Authors: Arredondo Manuel , Cermeño Leonardo , Quijada Efren
Published: June 2014

Since its appearance in May 1930, the progressive cavity pump is being increasingly used in oil production, mainly at heavy oil fields with numerous of application advantages. In the design and selection of progressive cavity pumps (PCP) and extra heavy crude oil, it is usually assessed the type of elastomer used, the displacement capability and the lifting of the pump, leaving out important variables to consider.

A very important point to highlight between two pump models that have similar in uprisings capabilities and geometry, which influence on parameters that affect the volumetric efficiency, the type of fluid to be pumped, capacity and solids handling, speed of operation and service life, among others.

Depending on the application some pumps will be more appropriate than others, it would depend on the geometric design, which affects the performance of the pump operating conditions. For example, without taking care of the elastomer type or the lifting value, two pumps 80 m3/D/100RPM of different geometry, have different efficiencies working with the same fluid. It is Possible that one of them required a higher speed of operation that the other, this one would be more susceptible to solids, and the pump would fail sooner. It could show some remarkable differences on their service-life that means that one of them could have a run-time longer than other.

This document presents the geometric analysis performed at progressive cavity pumps used successfully at the Huyaparí field at the Orinoco Oil Belt Venezuela. Based on field experience, actual data geometries from different suppliers, it is presented a characterization of the geometric variables that must have an efficient BCP at Huyaparí field and it could be extrapolated to some oil fields that have similar characterization of fluid and operation. This study is focused on the geometric analysis, thus excluding elastomers or assessment survey and focus required in the successful operations of a specific field.
Cost Reduction in High Production Wells with ESP in Tello Field
Authors: Archila Jesus , Rueda Julio Mario , Garces Carlos , Carreño Oscar
Published: June 2014

This article describes the implementation of a better performance of the ESP equipment to improve and maintain production in Tello field, focus on one of the most important root cause of failure in the Tello field that was "well geometry" referring to collapsing and no uniforms 7" and 9-5/8" casings new technology, reducing costs with a better down hole installation velocity, eliminating the stuck risk, and less failure services.

With efficient solutions of the problem using ESP slim application with high load shaft thru a significant difference of diameter on a big range of flow rate was reduce the probability of a MLE damage and scratch the equipment with the casing, as well the MWI (measure while installing) it’s been implemented on each service to eliminate the verification of electrical continuity in ESP installations.
Assessing Risks and Regulating Safety Standards in the Oil and Gas Industry: The Peruvian Experience
Authors: Cordano A. L.Vásquez , Jácome J. Salvador , Carpio R.García. García , Guzmán V. Fernández
Published: June 2014

Abstract*

Environmental regulation has usually focused on continuous sources of pollution like CO2 emissions through carbon taxes. However, the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has shown that accidents associated to safety failures can also generate bursts of pollution with serious environmental consequences. Regulating safety conditions to prevent accidents in the oil and gas industry is challenging because public regulators cannot perfectly observe whether firms comply with safety laws. Likewise, it involves a complex political process in which different agents such as the government and oil companies interact and compete. This paper studies this problem in the case of Peru, providing a framework to analyze the enforcement of regulations designed to control safety standards in the oil and gas industry.

Regulating oil accidents demands a holistic approach, for the paper discusses different contributions from economics and game theory to understand the safety regulatory framework of Peru representing the interactions among the government, oil companies, and public regulators. It characterizes the optimal enforcement strategy to prevent safety law violations causing accidents. Policy instruments such as self-reporting, monitoring and economic incentives are also analyzed considering the Peruvian experience.

It is possible to represent using a simple decision framework the complex institutional system governing environmental regulations in Peru. Economic motives in an uncertain business environment drive law infringing behavior that leads to safety violations, so the government finds optimal to apply a law enforcement strategy that attacks these incentives. Oil companies may find beneficial to comply with safety standards to minimize private losses associated to large accidents involving oil spills, gas pipelines leakages, etc.

Understanding how to properly regulate the occurrence of oil and gas accidents is fundamental for the legitimacy of the oil industry and governments’ stability in a context where citizens demand improvements in safety standards and environmental quality. The analysis provided here can help oil firms and regulators in Peru and other jurisdictions assess the risks involved in oil and gas operations and the optimal ways to diminish them by considering appropriate regulations that balance the interests of companies and the governments’ objective of protecting the environment and human health.
Improving the Accuracy and Reliability of MWD Magnetic Wellbore Directional Surveying in the Barents Sea
Authors: Edvardsen I. , Nyrnes E. , Johnsen M. G. , Hansen T. L. , Løvhaug U. P. , Matzka J.
Published: June 2014

The years ahead will see increased petroleum-related activity in the Barents Sea with operations far off the coast of Norway. The region is at high geomagnetic latitude in the auroral zone, and therefore, directional drilling using magnetic reference will experience enlarged azimuth uncertainty compared to operations in the Norwegian and North Seas. Two main contributors to azimuth uncertainty are magnetic disturbances from electric currents in the ionosphere and axial magnetic interference from the drillstring. The former is more frequent in the Barents Sea than further south and the effect of the latter is increased because of diminished value of the magnetic horizontal component. Directional wellbore surveying for operations on the continental shelf in the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea rely on well-established procedures for near real-time magnetic monitoring using onshore magnetic reference stations. The different land and sea configuration, distant offshore oil and gas fields, higher geomagnetic latitude and different behavior of the magnetic field require the procedures to be reassessed before applied to the Barents Sea. To reduce drilling delays, procedures must be implemented to enable efficient management of magnetic disturbances. In some areas of the Barents Sea, the management requires new equipment to be developed and tested prior to drilling, such as sea-bed magnetometer stations. One simple way to reduce drillstring interference is increasing the amount of non-magnetic steel in the bottomhole assembly (BHA). To maintain azimuth uncertainty at an acceptable level in northern areas, it is crucial that directional wellbore surveying requirements are given high priority and considered early during well planning. During the development phase of an oil and gas field, the planned wells must be assigned adequate positional uncertainty models and if possible, be designed in a direction that minimizes the wellbore directional uncertainty.
Angola Ultra-Deepwater Development: Pinnacle Completion Designs Deliver Prolific Production
Authors: Peña J. F. , Joseph A. Q. , Oakey N. , McNerlin B. , Ralph S. A.
Published: June 2014

BP's largest subsea development, PSVM, sits in water depths of 2,000 metres located north-west of Luanda in block 31. It's the first ultra-deepwater development in the continent of Africa and the most expansive sub-sea development in the industry to date due to the combination of water depth and geographical spread. From the initial discoveries in 2002 to 2004, and as early project planning took shape in late 2005, it was realised the scale of the development, water depth, and location would present new challenges to the industry and BP.

Given the reservoir quality, sand distribution, and highly unconsolidated formations, all zones of interest in the development require sand control completions. Because of the ultra-deep water depth and subsea infrastructure, intervention operations and costs are prohibitive; thus, completions are designed to minimize the need for interventions during the life of the well. This objective has driven the need for robust equipment design with respect to longevity, corrosion, erosion-resistant, and remote monitoring and control.

The production wells were completed as open hole gravel packs, resulting in technical limit productivity along with exceptional mechanical reliability and integrity. All wells completed to date have shown zero formation damage, contributing to the planned field plateau production output of 150 Mbpd. To sustain this production capability, voidage replacement is important and therefore, the injection wells are mandated to deliver equivalent well performance through the use of effective sand-control completion designs. Based on this, cased hole frac-pack completions were selected for the initial gas injection wells and stand-alone screen completions for the water injectors. The injectors have set the bar for flow efficiency in high transmissibility reservoirs and are some of the largest injector completions in BP's portfolio.

This paper discusses the keys to the successful delivery and well productivity of the first 7 out of 40 wells of this world class ultra-deep subsea development. It reviews the PSVM completion basis of design as well as incorporates completion best practices and lessons inherited from BP Angola's first deepwater project, Greater Plutonio and Angola Joint Venture operations (White et al, 2008).
Autonomous ICD Installation Success in Ecuador Heavy Oil: A Case Study
Authors: Least Brandon , Bonner Aaron , Regulacion Rhandy , Peñaranda Robert , Sampedro Tito , Coloma Francisco
Published: June 2014

New technology has been called upon in Ecuador to help increase reserves and optimize the management of fluid in several reservoirs. Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICD) have provided increased oil production and decreased water production with installations in the Ginta field. When compared to neighboring wells completed with stand-alone screen technology and producing the same total liquid, the AICD installation initially produced more oil with a lower water cut percentage. Over several months, the water cut in the AICD installation eventually reached a similar level to that of offset completions; however, allowed significant more oil recovery prior to reaching that point. The heavy oil in these fields is approximately 60cP in viscosity. The wells are still in the evaluation phase; however, early data is of interest.

Due to its autonomous sensing functionality, fluid viscosity dictates the path the produced fluid will take through the AICD. Higher viscosity oil takes a relatively non-restrictive path whereas low viscosity water is sent on a tortuous path causing a decrease in flow rate through that particular tool. A well completed with a system of AICDs and oil swelling packers for annular isolation restricts zones with high water ratios which in turn stimulates neighboring oil zones.

This paper presents oil production data over time for two AICD heavy oil installations in Ecuador and compares the data to that from neighboring wells in the field. The benefit of AICD technology for reservoir management and production optimization will be discussed.
Variability of morphometric leaf characteristics of black poplar from the area of Vojvodina
Authors: Cortan Dijana , Sijacic-Nikolic Mirjana , Knezevic Radmila
Published: June 2014

A morphological study of intra and interpopulation variability of black
poplar leaves was conducted in two populations in the area of Vojvodina. Nine
morphometric parameters of leaves have been analyzed. The results indicate
that there is considerable variability within and between the populations.
Morphological differentiation is clearly represented with the average values
of analyzed parameters and a statistically significant difference between the
mean values. On the basis of the obtained data, it has been concluded that
the variability within the two populations is much more expressed than the
variability between them. The uniformity of environmental conditions of the
studied locations indicates that this variability is a consequence of the
specific gene pool of the studied populations.
Breaking of Judas tree seed dormancy by plant hormone treatments
Authors: Grbic Mihailo , Skocajic Dragana , Djukic Matilda , Djunisijevic-Bojovic Danijela , Obratov-Petkovic Dragica , Bjedov Ivana
Published: June 2014

The study deals with the influence of growth regulators on the germination of
Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum L.) seed which is double dormant. We
simultaneously tested seeds prepared in the conventional procedure:
scarification + stratification and scarified seeds treated with phytohormones
from the groups of gibberellins, auxin and cytokinins. The results indicate a
positive effect of gibberellic acid (GA), as well as some combinations of
this phytohormone with others. Recommendations for practice are to combine
the conventional procedure with GA. The procedure may shorten the duration of
stratification; the application of GA should follow stratification because
the temperature of 4?C does not provide growth regulators activity. The study
results can serve as the base for easier generative reproduction of this
valuable woody ornamental species which could have a wide use in changed
climate conditions.
Dendrochronological research in an artificially established sessile oak stand in the area of Fruska Gora
Authors: Stajic Branko , Vuckovic Milivoj , Janjatovic Zivan
Published: June 2014

This paper presents the first regional research of the chronologies of
sessile oak trees and definition of the local (master) chronology of sessile
oak in the area of Fruska Gora. In addition, the aim of this study is to
determine the strength of the common signal in the growth of sessile oak and
its dendroclimatological potential under the given conditions. The quality of
the local series of radial increment (chronology) and the strength of the
common and climatic signals were evaluated using the following parameters:
average mean sensitivity, expressed population signal, signal-to-noise ratio
and the variance explained by eigenvectors in the procedure of analysis of
the principal components. The results have shown that the obtained master
chronologies are of satisfactory quality and reliability, and that they
contain a sufficient general common ?signal?, which is a characteristic of
all analyzed trees that can be processed in all dendroclimatological
analyses. It was concluded that, under the investigated site conditions,
sessile oak showed low to medium sensitivity of reaction to the modifications
of environmental conditions in the past 90 years.
Conservation status of white poplar (Populus alba L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.) in the territory of Great War Island
Authors: Sijacic-Nikolic Mirjana , Milovanovic Jelena , Nonic Marina , Maksimovic Zoran , Cortan Dijana
Published: June 2014

T he paper describes t he conservation status of white poplar (Populus alba
L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.) in the territory of Great War Island.
The activities of in situ and ex situ gene pool conservation have been
defined in order to preserve and expand the populations of the above species,
as carriers of complex wetland forest ecosystems.
Yoga and victims
Authors: Nikolic-Ristanovic Vesna
Published: June 2014

In this paper the findings of literature review and explorative empirical
research of yoga application in the work with victims of various forms of
sufferings is presented. The largest notion of victim is accepted, which
encompasses victims of crime, victims of human rights violations (including
convicted persons), as well as victims of war, natural disasters and other
sufferings. After determination of the notion of victim and yoga, the review
and analyses of research findings and direct experiences with the application
of yoga in victim support and victimisation prevention worldwide and in
Serbia, is done. The author?s research findings as well as personal
experiences with the application of yoga in the work with prisoners in prison
for women in Pozarevac (Serbia), within the workshops that Victimology
Society of Serbia implemented during 2012/2013, are presented as well. In the
conclusions, contribution of yoga to holistic approach to victim support as
well as important role that yoga may have in prevention of victimisation and
criminalisation, is stressed. The importance of yoga for support of prisoners
as the part of preparation for re-entry and with the aim to prevent
recidivism, as well as to enable their more successful reintegration into the
society, is particularly emphasised. The paper is based on the research
implemented by the author for the purpose of writing the final essey at the
course for yoga instructors on International yoga academy, Yoga Allience of
Serbia.
Female alcoholism: Gender differences as victimogenic predispositions
Authors: Konstantinovic-Vilic Slobodanka , Zunic Natalija
Published: June 2014

The subject matter of this paper is an analysis of stereotypical social
reactions to women?s alcoholism in the micro and macro social and cultural
environment. The social stigma and blame that female alcohol abusers are
exposed to have become part of deeply rooted gender-related labels. In a
broader social context, they lead to discrimination and social exclusion. In
the contemporary society, female alcoholism is turning into a growing social
and health problem and because of that it is essential to make the social
environment more sensitive to the issue of female alcoholism in order to
eliminate the causes of female alcoholism and fully support women?s medical
treatment,. It would have a preventive effect in suppressing female
alcoholism and it would significantly reduce victimization of women who are,
in such circumstances, much more vulnerable and exposed to physical and
sexual violence. The aim of this paper is to point out to the basic
phenomenological and etiological feature of female alcoholism, prejudices and
stereotypical attitudes they are exposed to, social and cultural implications
of female alcoholism, which is perceived as a predisposition for women?s
victimization and exposure to violence, so as to promote a different social
approach to female alcoholism and advocate for instituting social and
educational policy based on the concept of gender equality and support of
social control measures.
Femicide in media
Authors: Mrsevic Zorica
Published: June 2014

Media in Serbia explain femicide usually as caused by poverty and alcoholism.
This style is gender blind and socially stereotyped because of neglected
gender aspects of male violence against women. Particular problem is lack of
problematizing obvious social ?permission? of male violence. Femicide is
regularly presented as an incident, allegedly impossible for anticipation
rather than tragic epilogue of long lasting male violence against women which
as such exists as a part of traditional gender social relations and roles.
Media overlook that alcohol and poverty may only contribute to
intensification of already existing, widely accepted domination of men and
subordination of women. Media reports as a rule didn?t enter deeper into
problems of institutional and social context in which is perpetrated long
lasting violence as prefacing femicide. Media also never criticize the social
behavior of neighbors, relatives and all others informed on the domestic
violence, but rather avoid ?mixing?into privacy matters. Thus violence
escalates without barriers, eventually developed in femicide, murder a woman,
victim of this, decades long lasting violence.
Victims’ relation towards the offence and victim-offender mediation
Authors: Hrncic Jasna , Rajic Tatjana
Published: June 2014

The paper analyse relation of victims toward the offence and their readiness
for victim-offender mediation (VOM). Aims were analysis of feelings,
behaviours and needs of victims regarding the offence, as well as and
analysis of readiness of victims for VOM. 17 mediators assessed 41 victims
and 42 offenders, participants of 41 VOM by Assessment Visit Check List
(Quill, Wynne, 1993). Victims showed strong feelings of bitterness, anger and
grievance more frequently than offenders, while offenders showed feeling of
guilt more frequently than victims. Victims had higher defensive attitude and
self-confidence then offenders. Almost all victims and offenders needed
reparation and agreement with the other party. Most of them wanted to know
more about the other party in conflict and were opened to contacts with him.
The results were discussed in relation to current knowledge.
Relationship between the police and crime victims: An analysis of the process and the level of satisfaction with police work
Authors: Klisaric Milan , Djan Aurelija
Published: June 2014

The task of this study was to investigate the level of satisfaction of
various categories of crime victims with various aspects of police work and
behavior. The aim of this research was to examine whether the police treat
all victims of crime equally responsibly, or whether there is a significant
difference in the satisfaction of various categories of crime victims with
various aspects of police work and behavior. On an occasional sample of 150
examinees, we analyzed the level of satisfaction of crime victims in relation
to the expectations of the police regarding the reported criminal offenses
and then the level of satisfaction towards different aspects of work and
conduct of the police, such as reporting crime to the police, environmental
conditions of interview and human compassion/empathy of police officers. The
results indicate a significant difference in the satisfaction of specified
aspects of police work among different categories of victims. Most
dissatisfaction was expressed by members of the LGBT community and convicted
persons when they appear in the role of victims. The research makes
recommendations for improving the quality of the work and behavior of the
police towards victims of crime.
Nucleotides Released From Palmitate-Challenged Muscle Cells Through Pannexin-3 Attract Monocytes
Authors: Pillon Nicolas J. , Li Yujin E. , Fink Lisbeth N. , Brozinick Joseph T. , Nikolayev Alexander , Kuo Ming-Shang , Bilan Philip J. , Klip Amira
Published: June 2014

Obesity-associated low-grade inflammation in metabolically relevant tissues contributes to insulin resistance. We recently reported monocyte/macrophage infiltration in mouse and human skeletal muscles. However, the molecular triggers of this infiltration are unknown, and the role of muscle cells in this context is poorly understood. Animal studies are not amenable to the specific investigation of this vectorial cellular communication. Using cell cultures, we investigated the crosstalk between myotubes and monocytes exposed to physiological levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Media from L6 myotubes treated with palmitate—but not palmitoleate—induced THP1 monocyte migration across transwells. Palmitate activated the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in myotubes and elevated cytokine expression, but the monocyte chemoattracting agent was not a polypeptide. Instead, nucleotide degradation eliminated the chemoattracting properties of the myotube-conditioned media. Moreover, palmitate-induced expression and activity of pannexin-3 channels in myotubes were mediated by TLR4-NF-κB, and TLR4-NF-κB inhibition or pannexin-3 knockdown prevented monocyte chemoattraction. In mice, the expression of pannexin channels increased in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in response to high-fat feeding. These findings identify pannexins as new targets of saturated fatty acid–induced inflammation in myotubes, and point to nucleotides as possible mediators of immune cell chemoattraction toward muscle in the context of obesity.
GLP-1 Agonism Stimulates Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis and Browning Through Hypothalamic AMPK
Authors: Beiroa Daniel , Imbernon Monica , Gallego Rosalía , Senra Ana , Herranz Daniel , Villarroya Francesc , Serrano Manuel , Fernø Johan , Salvador Javier , Escalada Javier , Dieguez Carlos , Lopez Miguel , Frühbeck Gema , Nogueiras Ruben
Published: June 2014

GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is widely located throughout the brain, but the precise molecular mechanisms mediating the actions of GLP-1 and its long-acting analogs on adipose tissue as well as the brain areas responsible for these interactions remain largely unknown. We found that central injection of a clinically used GLP-1R agonist, liraglutide, in mice stimulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and adipocyte browning independent of nutrient intake. The mechanism controlling these actions is located in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH), and the activation of AMPK in this area is sufficient to blunt both central liraglutide-induced thermogenesis and adipocyte browning. The decreased body weight caused by the central injection of liraglutide in other hypothalamic sites was sufficiently explained by the suppression of food intake. In a longitudinal study involving obese type 2 diabetic patients treated for 1 year with GLP-1R agonists, both exenatide and liraglutide increased energy expenditure. Although the results do not exclude the possibility that extrahypothalamic areas are also modulating the effects of GLP-1R agonists, the data indicate that long-acting GLP-1R agonists influence body weight by regulating either food intake or energy expenditure through various hypothalamic sites and that these mechanisms might be clinically relevant.
Olive Cultivation, its Impact on Soil Erosion and its Progression into Yield Impacts in Southern Spain in the Past as a Key to a Future of Increasing Climate Uncertainty
Authors: Gómez José , Infante-Amate Juan , De Molina Manuel , Vanwalleghem Tom , Taguas Encarnación , Lorite Ignacio
Published: June 2014

This article is intended as a review of the current situation regarding the impact of olive cultivation in Southern Spain (Andalusia) on soil degradation processes and its progression into yield impacts, due to diminishing soil profile depth and climate change in the sloping areas where it is usually cultivated. Finally, it explores the possible implications in the regional agricultural policy these results might have. It tries to show how the expansion and intensification of olive cultivation in Andalusia, especially since the late 18th century, had as a consequence an acceleration of erosion processes that can be identified by several indicators and techniques. Experimental and model analysis indicates that the rate of soil erosion accelerated since the expansion of mechanization in the late 1950s. In addition, that unsustainable erosion rates have prevailed in the region since the shift to a more intense olive cultivation systems by the end of the 17th Century. Although agroenvironmental measures implemented since the early 2000s have reduced erosion rates, they are still unsustainably high in a large fraction of the olive area in the region. In the case of olive orchards located in steeper areas with soils of lower water-holding capacity (due to coarse texture and stone content), cumulative erosion has already had a high impact on reducing their potential productivity. This is one of the factors that contributes towards increasing the gap between these less intensified orchards in the mountainous areas and those in the hilly areas with more gentle slopes, such as for instance the lower stretches of the Guadalquivir River Valley. In the case of olive orchards in the hilly areas with better soils, easier access to irrigation and lower production costs per unit, the efforts on soil conservation should be oriented towards limiting off-site damage, since the soil water-storage function of these soils may be preserved in the medium term even at the current soil erosion rates. The assessment made in this manuscript should be regarded as an initial approximation, since additional efforts in terms of increasing experimental records (for current or historical erosion) and of improving model analysis, with more comprehensive studies and more robust calibration and validation processes, are required.
Unique Responses are Observed in Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 and Vanilloid 1 (TRPA1 and TRPV1) Co-Expressing Cells
Authors: Sadofsky Laura , Sreekrishna Koti , Lin Yakang , Schinaman Renee , Gorka Kate , Mantri Yogita , Haught John , Huggins Thomas , Isfort Robert , Bascom Charles , Morice Alyn
Published: June 2014

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptors are implicated in modulation of cough and nociception. In vivo, TRPA1 and TRPV1 are often co-expressed in neurons and TRPA1V1 hetero-tetramer formation is noted in cells co-transfected with the respective expression plasmids. In order to understand the impact of TRP receptor interaction on activity, we created stable cell lines expressing the TRPA1, TRPV1 and co-expressing the TRPA1 and TRPV1 (TRPA1V1) receptors. Among the 600 compounds screened against these receptors, we observed a number of compounds that activated the TRPA1, TRPV1 and TRPA1V1 receptors; compounds that activated TRPA1 and TRPA1V1; compounds that activated TRPV1 and TRPA1V1; compounds in which TRPA1V1 response was modulated by either TRPA1 or TRPV1; and compounds that activated only TRPV1 or TRPA1 or TRPA1V1; and one compound that activated TRPA1 and TRPV1, but not TRPA1V1. These results suggest that co-expression of TRPA1 and TRPV1 receptors imparts unique activation profiles different from that of cells expressing only TRPA1 or TRPV1.
The Ufm1 Cascade
Authors: Daniel Jens , Liebau Eva
Published: June 2014

The ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (Ufm1) is a posttranslational modifier that belongs to the ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) family. Ufm1 is present in nearly all eukaryotic organisms, with the exception of fungi. It resembles ubiquitin in its ability to be ligated to other proteins, as well as in the mechanism of ligation. While the Ufm1 cascade has been implicated in endoplasmic reticulum functions and cell cycle control, its biological role still remains poorly understood. In this short review, we summarize the current state of Ufm1 research and its potential role in human diseases, like diabetes, ischemic heart disease and cancer.
Discriminating Bacteria with Optical Sensors Based on Functionalized Nanoporous Xerogels
Authors: Crunaire Sabine , Marcoux Pierre , Ngo Khanh-Quyen , Moy Jean-Pierre , Mallard Frédéric , Tran-Thi Thu-Hoa
Published: June 2014

An innovative and low-cost method is proposed for the detection and discrimination of indole-positive pathogen bacteria. The method allows the non-invasive detection of gaseous indole, released by bacteria, with nanoporous colorimetric sensors. The innovation comes from the use of nanoporous matrices doped with 4-(dimethylamino)-cinnamaldehyde, which act as sponges to trap and concentrate the targeted analyte and turn from transparent to dark green, long before the colonies get visible with naked eyes. With such sensors, it was possible to discriminate E. coli from H. alvei, two indole-positive and negative bacteria after seven hours of incubation.
From Evaporative to Cooling Crystallisation: An Initial Co-Crystallisation Study of Cytosine and Its Fluorinated Derivative with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzoic Acid
Authors: Wittering Kate , King Josh , Thomas Lynne , Wilson Chick
Published: June 2014

Two new multi-component molecular complexes of cytosine and 5-fluorocytosine with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid are presented. Materials synthesis was achieved initially by evaporative crystallisation and the crystal structures determined. The process was then successfully transferred into a controlled small scale cooling crystallisation environment, with bulk samples shown to be representative of the multi-component product phase, by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. Turbidity measurements are shown to be a valuable process analytical technology probe for characterising the initial stages of molecular complex formation in solution. The significance of these findings for scale-up of crystallisation of multi-component molecular materials and for future transfer into continuous cooling crystallisation is discussed.
Evaluation and Comparison of QuickBird and ADS40-SH52 Multispectral Imagery for Mapping Iberian Wild Pear Trees (Pyrus bourgaeana, Decne) in a Mediterranean Mixed Forest
Authors: Arenas-Castro Salvador , Fernández-Haeger Juan , Jordano-Barbudo Diego
Published: June 2014

The availability of images with very high spatial and spectral resolution from airborne sensors or those aboard satellites is opening new possibilities for the analysis of fine-scale vegetation, such as the identification and classification of individual tree species. To evaluate the potential of these images, a study was carried out to compare the spatial, spectral and temporal resolution between QuickBird and ADS40-SH52 imagery, in order to discriminate and identify, within the mixed Mediterranean forest, individuals of the Iberian wild pear (Pyrus bourgaeana). This is a typical species of the Mediterranean forest, but its biology and ecology are still poorly known. The images were subjected to different correction processes and data were homogenized. Vegetation classes and individual trees were identified on the images, which were classified from two types of supervised classification (Maximum Likelihood and Support Vector Machines) on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The classification values were satisfactory. The classifiers were compared, and Support Vector Machines was the algorithm that provided the best results in terms of overall accuracy. The QuickBird image showed higher overall accuracy (86.16%) when the Support Vector Machines algorithm was applied. In addition, individuals of Iberian wild pear were discriminated with probability of over 55%, when the Maximum Likelihood algorithm was applied. From the perspective of improving the sampling effort, these results are a starting point for facilitating research on the abundance, distribution and spatial structure of P. bourgaeana at different scales, in order to quantify the conservation status of this species.
Genetic Epidemiology and Preventive Healthcare in Multiethnic Societies: The Hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Giordano Piero , Harteveld Cornelis , Bakker Egbert
Published: June 2014

Healthy carriers of severe Hemoglobinopathies are usually asymptomatic and only efficiently detected through screening campaigns. Based upon epidemiological data, screenings have been offered for decades to populations of endemic Southern Europe for primary prevention of Thalassemia Major, while for many populations of the highly endemic African and Asian countries prevention for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Major is mainly unavailable. The massive migrations of the last decades have brought many healthy carriers of these diseases to live and reproduce in non-endemic immigration areas changing the epidemiological pattern of the local recessive diseases and bringing an urgent need for treatment and primary prevention in welfare countries. Nonetheless, no screening for an informed reproductive choice is actively offered by the healthcare systems of most of these welfare countries. As a consequence more children affected with severe Hemoglobinopathies are born today in the immigration countries of Northern Europe than in the endemic Southern European area. Following the Mediterranean example, some countries like the UK and The Netherlands have been offering early pregnancy carrier screening at different levels and/or in specific areas but more accessible measures need to be taken at the national level in all immigration countries. Identification of carriers using simple and inexpensive methods should be included in the Rhesus and infectious diseases screening which is offered early in pregnancy in most developed countries. This would allow identification of couples at risk in time for an informed choice and for prenatal diagnosis if required before the first affected child is born.
Estrogen Rapidly Enhances Incisional Pain of Ovariectomized Rats Primarily through the G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor
Authors: An Guanghui , Li Wenhui , Yan Tao , Li Shitong
Published: June 2014

It has become increasingly apparent that the pain threshold of females and males varies in an estrogen dependent manner. To investigate the modulation of pain by estrogen and the molecular mechanisms involved in this process. A total of 48 rats were ovariectomized (OVX). At 14 and 20 days after OVX, rats were divided into eight groups: groups 1–4 were administered drugs intravenously (IV); groups 5–8 were administered through intrathecal (IT) catheter. Hind paw incision was made in all animals to determine incisional pain. Paw withdraw threshold (PWT) was tested prior to and 24 h after incision. The test drugs were applied 24 h after the incision. Rats were either IV or IT administered with: 17-β-estradiol (E2), G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)-selective agonist (G1), GPER-selective antagonist (G15) and E2 (G15 + E2), or solvent. Before and 30 min after IV drug administration and 20 min during the IT catheter administration, PWT was tested and recorded. 24 h after incisional surgery, the PWT of all rats significantly decreased. Both in the IV group and IT group: administration of E2 and G1 significantly decreased PWT. Neither administration of G15 + E2 nor solvent significantly changed PWT. Estrogen causes rapid reduction in the mechanical pain threshold of OVX rats via GPER.