bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Essential Parameters for Enhancing Drilling Efficiency for ERD Wells Profile
Authors: Salam Mohamed Abdel , Goswami Shreyasi , Hamed Mohamed
Published: March 2016

Drilling efficiency depends on several dynamic factors and challenges. Horizontal drilling well design is critical to maximizing production and reservoir contact particularly cases in which several fluid engineering aspects affect drilling. Challenges increase when transitioning from horizontal to extended-reach drilling (ERD); however, minimizing metal-metal or metal-formation friction is vital. This paper presents a detailed study of laboratory testing of a range of lubricants and software simulation models of a true drilling environment to minimize friction.

For nearly a decade, efforts to reduce friction have focused on engineering the lubricant only without taking into consideration additional factors that could help diminish friction. The challenges of drilling reservoirs are numerous; however, the availability of intelligent software allows for replication of the actual conditions precisely enough to design and drill wells with minimum friction, while taking into account the numerous aspects affecting success. A detailed laboratory study that included software simulation was conducted to create a true ERD environment model with the goal of creating a plan to reduce friction; thus, improve production.

During one of the ERD intelligent projects, the service company team successfully simulated a scenario showing how the drilling fluid behaves under downhole conditions. Taken into consideration were temperature and pressure, the effect of tripping pressures on the equivalent static density (ESD), the effect of drilling parameters on equivalent circulating density (ECD), and the effect of lubricants on performance of different types of fluid design. A comprehensive study of all the parameters was completed, and their effect on drilling performance was determined. Both laboratory-prepared fluids and field fluids were further studied for high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) rheology, lubricity, tripping pressure calculations, and ECD predictions to identify any gaps. Both data sets were consistent, allowing for excellent predictions for the fluid performance when well geometry is known.

A wide range of lubricants, both solid and liquid, and their effects were studied as well as the effect of using ester-based oil to formulate nonaqueous synthetic fluid. The study was extended to include both clay-based and clay-free invert emulsion fluids (IEF), including variable concentrations of ester-based fluid at different oil/water ratios and with different types of lubricants to present a comprehensive overview of all aspects of lubricity.
Evaluating Soil Resistance to Driving in Carbonate Sand
Authors: Mahmoud Moataz Abd ElRahman
Published: March 2016

Soil Resistance to Driving (SRD) has been recognized as a consideration to be studied for the purpose of offshore pile foundation driveability assessment. Since its establishment in 1982 and until now, Robert Stevens approach has been widely utilized for the SRD prediction in fixed offshore structures located in different soil types including the carbonate sand.

During the engineering of one of the fixed platforms in offshore Egypt (Helal platform), adopting Stevens carbonate sand model in 102 m penetration pile, the driveability analysis revealed the need to a hammer with extreme high energy and weight, where the real behavior during installation was different. As a result of this experience, a bench mark study was conducted for eight platforms founded on carbonate sand in different locations in offshore Egypt with available pile field driving reports. Wave equation driveability analyses were carried out based on Stevens SRD model (Stevens' four cases) by GRL-Weap 2010 (Offshore version) software. Then the results were compared to the real driving records for those locations.

In the eight locations, the results uncovered the fact that the Stevens based predicted blow counts are much higher than the recorded ones. And it was found that in most of the cases the analyses output showed potential premature refusal whilst the real records showed that the target penetrations were achieved smoothly. Furthermore, in most of the cases actual driving hammer energy was found dramatically less than the hammer energy required by the Stevens analysis which in turn leads to a substantial over sizing in the pile section, the hammer and the installation cost. Bearing in mind what is recommended by the API-RP2A to reduce the limiting values of the carbonate sand static resistance, a series of trials was conducted to evolve a new carbonate sand model from Stevens' considering reduced soil resistance values. Eventually, a new model was reached that showed great consistency between the predicted SRD and the actual recorded ones.

This paper elaborates how effective is implementing the new approach to the offshore installation industry from the engineering perspective, as it optimizes the pile section and makeup. This is in addition to the construction and management perspectives, as it could significantly reduce the installation time and cost on one hand and relax the requirement of qualified hammers by widening the range of hammers selection on the other hand.

Although the proposed method are found to be suitable for the selected locations considered in this study, it should be noted that the results of the back-analyses in the current study may be affected by the inherent uncertainty pertaining to the adoption of default hammer properties or applied hammer energy necessitated by the unavailability of instrumented data. Hence, the applicability of the proposed method at other location with similar soil conditions should be further verified using site specific instrumented pile monitoring data.
Decommissioning of High Torque Threaded Drilling Riser at World Record Break Out Torques of 257,000 ft-lbs
Authors: Chang B. T , Galbreath A. , Boyd R.
Published: March 2016

Current deepwater activities within Asia demand the introduction of new technology to meet customer's challenges. Operators with deepwater threaded riser applications face high torque connections of exotic grade, non-API size tubulars and heavy string weights, amongst other challenges. With the associated high cost, connection integrity with emphasis on safety, operational efficiency gains, accuracy and reliability while ensuring cost savings is essential.

Threaded, ultra-high torque specialty drilling riser further pushes the limits of tubular running technology with both torque and non-marking handling requirements.

An Asia first was recently achieved on Murphy's Kikeh Spar where 16.77" drilling riser was decommissioned with an engineered, custom designed, mechanized, hands-free system that meets API standards, exceeding client's requirements on penetration of tubular body and cold work over a producing facility as well as overcoming the challenges posed by the rig's limitations of weight and size of the tong and associated handling equipment.

Connections with torque in excess of 257,000 ft.lbs (a world record with fully rotational power tong in field operation) were broken out and laid down with a non-marking handling system; safely and two days ahead of schedule with estimated savings of USD 2M.

This paper will discuss (1) engagement with Client and Rig on requirements and limitations. Collaboration between Global and Regional teams in meeting Client's timeline and requirement while overcoming rig's limitation (2) meeting the challenges with customized, engineered solutions that meet industrial standards (3) pre-qualification of systems for penetration and torque (4) provision of complete cold work decommissioning solution to prepare against uncertainties in pulling a riser which was operational for the last eight years (5) overriding focus on cost and time savings to increase efficiency in a challenging market.
HP/HT Flowline Lateral Buckling and Walking Design for 40 Year Design Life
Authors: Sicilia Carlos , Khalkho Ravi , Russell Graeme
Published: March 2016

Lateral buckling and pipeline walking are two of the key aspects in the design of HPHT flowlines. This paper presents the design methodology and the mitigation measures developed for the production flowlines in the Ichthys Gas Field.

Lateral buckling is mitigated using a controlled buckling approach, with buckle initiator sleepers at regular spacing. Pipeline walking is mitigated by introducing additional axial restraint at the points in between the sleepers using concrete mattresses.
Die roep van die narokkong bly jou by
Authors: Van Niekerk Jacomien
Published: March 2016

No abstract available.
Protein Modifications as Manifestations of Hyperglycemic Glucotoxicity in Diabetes and Its Complications
Authors: Zheng Hong , Wu Jinzi , Jin Zhen , Yan Liang-Jun
Published: March 2016

Diabetes and its complications are hyperglycemic toxicity diseases. Many metabolic pathways in this array of diseases become aberrant, which is accompanied with a variety of posttranslational protein modifications that in turn reflect diabetic glucotoxicity. In this review, we summarize some of the most widely studied protein modifications in diabetes and its complications. These modifications include glycation, carbonylation, nitration, cysteine S-nitrosylation, acetylation, sumoylation, ADP-ribosylation, O-GlcNAcylation, and succination. All these posttranslational modifications can be significantly attributed to oxidative stress and/or carbon stress induced by diabetic redox imbalance that is driven by activation of pathways, such as the polyol pathway and the ADP-ribosylation pathway. Exploring the nature of these modifications should facilitate our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of diabetes and its associated complications.
Kissing Bug (Triatoma spp.) Intrusion into Homes: Troublesome Bites and Domiciliation
Authors: Klotz Stephen A. , Shirazi F. Mazda , Boesen Keith , Beatty Norman L. , Dorn Patricia L. , Smith Shannon , Schmidt Justin O.
Published: March 2016

Kissing bugs ( Triatoma spp.) frequently enter homes and bite human and pet occupants. Bites may lead to severe allergic reactions and, in some cases, death. Kissing bugs are also vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the cause of Chagas disease. In general, modern houses in the United States are not conducive to domiciliation of kissing bugs (bugs living out their entire life within the home with the presence of eggs, nymphs, adults, and exuviae). Construction features such as concrete foundations, solid walls and ceilings, window screens, tight thresholds for doors and windows, and other measures impede bug entry into homes, and air conditioning reduces the need for open doors and windows. Where Chagas disease is endemic in Mexico and Central and South America, homes often have thatch roofs, adobe walls, and open doors and windows. We investigated numerous instances of kissing bug intrusions into homes in Southern Arizona, California, and Louisiana and documented the reactions to kissing bug bites. Our work confirms the importance of modern home construction in limiting kissing bug intrusions. Older homes, especially those lacking modern screening, caulking, and weather stripping to reduce air leakage, may be subject to kissing bug intrusions and domiciliation. We describe a community in Southern Arizona where domiciliation of homes by Triatoma recurva is common. We also provide recent data regarding kissing bug bites and allergic reactions to the bites.
Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Ahmad Saif , Bhatia Kanchan , Kannan Annapoorna , Gangwani Laxman
Published: March 2016

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease with a high incidence and is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is primarily characterized by degeneration of the spinal motor neurons that leads to skeletal muscle atrophy followed by symmetric limb paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. In humans, mutation of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene shifts the load of expression of SMN protein to the SMN2 gene that produces low levels of full-length SMN protein because of alternative splicing, which are sufficient for embryonic development and survival but result in SMA. The molecular mechanisms of the (a) regulation of SMN gene expression and (b) degeneration of motor neurons caused by low levels of SMN are unclear. However, some progress has been made in recent years that have provided new insights into understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of SMA pathogenesis. In this review, we have briefly summarized recent advances toward understanding of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of SMN levels and signaling mechanisms that mediate neurodegeneration in SMA.
Oxidative potential of ambient water-soluble PM2.5 in the southeastern United States: contrasts in sources and health associations between ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) assays
Authors: Fang Ting , Verma Vishal , Bates Josephine T. , Abrams Joseph , Klein Mitchel , Strickland Matthew J. , Sarnat Stefanie E. , Chang Howard H. , Mulholland James A. , Tolbert Paige E. , Russell Armistead G. , Weber Rodney J.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The ability of certain components of particulate matter to induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo may be one mechanism accounting for observed linkages between ambient aerosols and adverse health outcomes. A variety of assays have been used to measure this so-called aerosol oxidative potential. We developed a semi-automated system to quantify oxidative potential of filter aqueous extracts utilizing the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay and report here the development of a similar semi-automated system for the ascorbic acid (AA) assay. Approximately 500 PM2.5 filter samples collected in contrasting locations in the southeastern US were analyzed for a host of aerosol species, along with AA and DTT activities. We present a detailed contrast in findings from these two assays. Water-soluble AA activity was higher in summer and fall than in winter, with highest levels near heavily trafficked highways, whereas DTT activity was higher in winter compared to summer and fall and more spatially homogeneous. AA activity was nearly exclusively correlated with water-soluble Cu (r  =  0.70–0.94 at most sites), whereas DTT activity was correlated with organic and metal species. Source apportionment models, positive matrix factorization (PMF) and a chemical mass balance method with ensemble-averaged source impact profiles (CMB-E), suggest a strong contribution from traffic emissions and secondary processes (e.g., organic aerosol oxidation or metals mobilization by secondary acids) to both AA and DTT activities in urban Atlanta. In contrast, biomass burning was a large source for DTT activity, but insignificant for AA. AA activity was not correlated with PM2.5 mass, while DTT activity co-varied strongly with mass (r  =  0.49–0.86 across sites and seasons). Various linear models were developed to estimate AA and DTT activities for the central Atlanta Jefferson Street site, based on the CMB-E sources. The models were then used to estimate daily oxidative potential at this site over the 1998–2009 period. Time series epidemiological analyses were conducted to assess daily emergency department (ED) visits data for the five-county Atlanta metropolitan area based on the estimated 10-year backcast oxidative potential. Estimated AA activity was not statistically associated with any tested health outcome, while DTT activity was associated with ED visits for both asthma or wheeze and congestive heart failure. The findings point to the importance of both organic components and transition metals from biomass burning and mobile sources to adverse health outcomes in this region.
Measurement of isoprene nitrates by GCMS
Authors: Mills Graham P. , Hiatt-Gipson Glyn D. , Bew Sean P. , Reeves Claire E.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. An instrument based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) and the associated calibration methods are described for the speciated measurements of individual isoprene nitrate isomers. Five of the primary isoprene nitrates formed by reaction of isoprene with the hydroxyl radical (OH) in the Master Chemical Mechanism are identified using known isomers on two column phases, and are fully separated on the Rtx-200 column. Three primary isoprene nitrates from the reaction of isoprene with the nitrate radical (NO3) are identified after synthesis from the already identified analogous hydroxy nitrate.
Comparison of nitrous oxide (N2O) analyzers for high-precision measurements of atmospheric mole fractions
Authors: Lebegue Benjamin , Schmidt Martina , Ramonet Michel , Wastine Benoit , Yver Kwok Camille , Laurent Olivier , Belviso Sauveur , Guemri Ali , Philippon Carole , Smith Jeremiah , Conil Sebastien
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Over the last few decades, in situ measurements of atmospheric N2O mole fractions have been performed using gas chromatographs (GCs) equipped with electron capture detectors. This technique, however, becomes very challenging when trying to detect the small variations of N2O as the detectors are highly nonlinear and the GCs at remote stations require a considerable amount of maintenance by qualified technicians to maintain good short-term and long-term repeatability. With new robust optical spectrometers now available for N2O measurements, we aim to identify a robust and stable analyzer that can be integrated into atmospheric monitoring networks, such as the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS). In this study, we present the most complete comparison of N2O analyzers, with seven analyzers that were developed and commercialized by five different companies. Each instrument was characterized during a time period of approximately 8 weeks. The test protocols included the characterization of the short-term and long-term repeatability, drift, temperature dependence, linearity and sensitivity to water vapor. During the test period, ambient air measurements were compared under field conditions at the Gif-sur-Yvette station. All of the analyzers showed a standard deviation better than 0.1 ppb for the 10 min averages. Some analyzers would benefit from improvements in temperature stability to reduce the instrument drift, which could then help in reducing the frequency of calibrations. For most instruments, the water vapor correction algorithms applied by companies are not sufficient for high-precision atmospheric measurements, which results in the need to dry the ambient air prior to analysis.
A new plant chamber facility, PLUS, coupled to the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR
Authors: Hohaus T. , Kuhn U. , Andres S. , Kaminski M. , Rohrer F. , Tillmann R. , Wahner A. , Wegener R. , Yu Z. , Kiendler-Scharr A.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. A new PLant chamber Unit for Simulation (PLUS) for use with the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR (Simulation of Atmospheric PHotochemistry In a large Reaction Chamber) has been built and characterized at the Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Germany. The PLUS chamber is an environmentally controlled flow-through plant chamber. Inside PLUS the natural blend of biogenic emissions of trees is mixed with synthetic air and transferred to the SAPHIR chamber, where the atmospheric chemistry and the impact of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) can be studied in detail. In PLUS all important environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), soil relative humidity (RH)) are well controlled. The gas exchange volume of 9.32 m3 which encloses the stem and the leaves of the plants is constructed such that gases are exposed to only fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) Teflon film and other Teflon surfaces to minimize any potential losses of BVOCs in the chamber. Solar radiation is simulated using 15 light-emitting diode (LED) panels, which have an emission strength up to 800 µmol m−2 s−1. Results of the initial characterization experiments are presented in detail. Background concentrations, mixing inside the gas exchange volume, and transfer rate of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through PLUS under different humidity conditions are explored. Typical plant characteristics such as light- and temperature- dependent BVOC emissions are studied using six Quercus ilex trees and compared to previous studies. Results of an initial ozonolysis experiment of BVOC emissions from Quercus ilex at typical atmospheric concentrations inside SAPHIR are presented to demonstrate a typical experimental setup and the utility of the newly added plant chamber.
Effects of different N sources on riverine DIN export and retention in a subtropical high-standing island, Taiwan
Authors: Huang Jr-Chuan , Lee Tsung-Yu , Lin Teng-Chiu , Hein Thomas , Lee Li-Chin , Shih Yu-Ting , Kao Shuh-Ji , Shiah Fuh-Kwo , Lin Neng-Huei
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Increases in nitrogen (N) availability and mobility resulting from anthropogenic activities have substantially altered the N cycle, both locally and globally. Taiwan characterized by the subtropical montane landscape with abundant rainfall, downwind of the most rapidly industrializing eastern coast of China, can be a demonstration site for extremely high N input and riverine DIN (dissolved inorganic N) export. We used 49 watersheds with similar climatic and landscape settings but classified into low, moderate, and highly disturbed categories based on population density to illustrate their differences in nitrogen inputs (through atmospheric N deposition, synthetic fertilizers, and human emission) and DIN export ratios. Our results showed that the island-wide average riverine DIN export is ∼ 3800 kg N km−2 yr−1, approximately 18 times the global average. The average riverine DIN export ratios are 0.30–0.51, which are much higher than the averages of 0.20–0.25 of large rivers around the world, indicating excessive N input relative to ecosystem demand or retention capacity. The low disturbed watersheds have a high N retention capacity and DIN export ratios of 0.06–0.18 in spite of the high N input (∼ 4900 kg N km−2 yr−1). The high retention capacity is likely due to effective uptake by secondary forests in the watersheds. The moderately disturbed watersheds show a linear increase in DIN export with increases in total N inputs and mean DIN export ratios of 0.20 to 0.31. The main difference in land use between low and moderately disturbed watersheds is the greater proportion of agricultural land cover in the moderately disturbed watersheds. Thus, their greater DIN export could be attributed to N fertilizers used in the agricultural lands. The greater export ratios also imply that agricultural lands have a lower proportional N retention capacity and that reforestation could be an effective land management practice to reduce riverine DIN export. The export ratios of the highly disturbed watersheds are very high, 0.42–0.53, suggesting that much of the N input is transported downstream directly, and urges the need to increase the proportion of households connected to a sewage system and improve the effectiveness of wastewater treatment systems. The increases in the riverine DIN export ratio along the gradient of human disturbance also suggest a gradient in N saturation in subtropical Taiwan. Our results help to improve our understanding of factors controlling riverine DIN export and provide empirical evidence that calls for sound N emission/pollution control measures.
Can the Audit Committee Provide Better Oversight of Listed Companies? – An Efficiency of Cash Holdings Perspective
Authors: Huang Cheng-Li , Chen Wei-ju , Lu Kuo-Chen
Published: March 2016

This study attempts to inspection the efficient of using cash holdings whether is improved after setting up audit committee sound corporate governance from the perspective of reducing agency costs. We use the difference in difference method to investigate the effect of oversight of audit committee from 2007 to 2010 the company with audit committee for sample. The empirical results show that the using efficiency of cash holdings isn’t promoted after setting up audit committee with all listed companies sample. We further divided the sample into the over-the-counter (OTC) market and the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) market according to the stock market feather. The empirical indicated that the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) market listed sample exhibited the effect of oversight of audit committee; however, the over-the-counter (OTC) market listed is not. It indicated that the different market structure did affect the effect of oversight of audit committee.
The Impact of Motivational and Metacognitive Cultural Intelligence on the Study Abroad Experience
Authors: Racicot Bernadette M. , Ferry Diane L.
Published: March 2016

The current study used a time-lagged design to examine the effects of Metacognitive and Motivational Cultural Intelligence (CQ) prior to studying abroad on the experiential behavior of students during their study abroad trip and their future interest in work and study abroad opportunities. Using Hayes’ conditional process analysis, results indicated that Motivational CQ predicted Metacognitive CQ which predicted cultural experiences pursued while studying abroad which in turn predicted future interest in working/studying abroad. Implications for improving the study abroad experience and training of students for study abroad programs are discussed.
Gallbladder Sludge in Dogs: Ultrasonographic and Clinical Findings in 200 Patients
Authors: Cook Audrey K. , Jambhekar Anisha V. , Dylewski Allison M.
Published: March 2016

Echogenic luminal contents are often noted during ultrasonographic examination of the gallbladder (GB) in canine patients, but the significance of biliary sludge is not well understood. GB contents were evaluated during 200 sequential ultrasonographic scans performed at a veterinary school, and sludge was quantified using a 1–5 scale. GB volume was retrospectively estimated from stored images. Medical records were used to determine patient demographics, clinicopathologic findings, and diagnoses/disorders. The majority of dogs (66.5%) had some hyperechoic material within the GB. Four dogs were diagnosed with a mucocele. For statistical purposes, dogs with uniformly nonechogenic bile or minimal sludge (80.5%) were compared to those with >25% sludge (17.5%). Dogs with >25% sludge were significantly older than those with minimal sludge (8 versus 11 yr). Serum cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations and activities of both alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were not correlated with the presence of GB sludge. Dogs with spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism or hypothyroidism were more likely to have >25% sludge (odds ratio: 5.04). In addition, >25% sludge was associated with increased GB volume, suggesting that changes in GB function or contractility may impact the formation of biliary sludge in dogs.
Retrospective Study of 122 Dogs That Were Treated with the Antifibrinolytic Drug Aminocaproic Acid: 2010–2012
Authors: Davis Megan , Bracker Kiko
Published: March 2016

Antifibrinolytic drugs are used to promote hemostasis and decrease the need for red blood cell transfusion. Medical records of 122 dogs that were prescribed either oral or intravenous aminocaproic acid between 2010 and 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. Of the 122 dogs, three experienced possible drug-related adverse effects. No significant differences were identified between dogs that experienced adverse effects and those that did not and the possible adverse effects noted were all minor. All dogs that received packed red blood cell transfusions were evaluated for correlations between baseline packed cell volume or dose of red blood cells and aminocaproic acid dose and no correlation was identified. Dogs that received aminocaproic acid as a treatment for active bleeding were divided by cause of hemorrhage into the following groups: neoplastic, non-neoplastic, and unknown. No significant differences in aminocaproic acid dose or the percentage of patients requiring a blood transfusion were identified between groups.
Canine Osteosarcoma Treated by Post-Amputation Sequential Accelerated Doxorubicin and Carboplatin Chemotherapy: 38 Cases
Authors: Frimberger Angela E. , Chan Catherine M. , Moore Antony S.
Published: March 2016

Canine appendicular osteosarcoma is an important clinical problem in veterinary medicine. Current standard therapy includes amputation followed by chemotherapy, which improves outcomes; however the percentage of long-term survival is still relatively low at 15–20%. Established prognostic factors include serum alkaline phosphatase level, histologic grade, and lymphocyte and monocyte counts. We used a protocol with shorter inter-treatment intervals than standard, but which we expected to still be well-tolerated, based on drugs known to be active agents, with the aim of improving outcomes by increasing dose intensity. Thirty-eight dogs with confirmed appendicular osteosarcoma and no pulmonary metastases that underwent amputation followed by this chemotherapy protocol were retrospectively evaluated. The median survival time was 317 days and 1- and 2-yr survival percentages were 43.2% and 13.9%, respectively. Toxicity was comparable to that seen with other standard dose protocols, with 5.2% of dogs hospitalized for complications that resolved with supportive care and no chemotherapy-related mortality. Serum alkaline phosphatase level (normal or high) (p = 0.004) and whether or not chemotherapy was completed (p = 0.001) were found to significantly impact survival time on multivariate analysis. Outcomes were similar to those reported with most other published chemotherapy protocols for dogs with this disease.
Use of Cystoscopy to Visualize Morphological Alteration of the Liver in a Posthatchling Turtle (Cuora trifasciata)
Authors: Di Girolamo Nicola , Melidone Raffaele , Catania Salvatore , Nardini Giordano , Selleri Paolo
Published: March 2016

A 55 g, 7 mo old Chinese three-striped box turtle (Cuora trifasciata) was presented with a 2 wk history of lethargy and anorexia. The owner attempted various antibiotic treatments without clinical improvement. A cystoscopic evaluation of the coelom was performed. The liver appeared dark red-to-brown presenting multifocal irregularly shaped white-to-tan and roughly round areas of discoloration on the capsular surface. An adult keeled box turtle (Pyxidea mouhotii), which died in the same facility at the same time, had similar hepatic lesions detected upon necropsy. From hepatic lesions, an antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli was isolated. Antibiotic treatment based on sensitivity testing led to a rapid resolution of the clinical signs in the Cuora trifasciata, with gain of appetite 4 days after the first antibiotic administration. A recheck cystoscopy demonstrated macroscopic resolution of hepatic lesions. This report demonstrates, to the best of the authors' knowledge, for the first time the clinical usefulness of cystoscopy for the diagnostic evaluation of the coelom of small chelonians. This minimally invasive technique is a valuable clinical tool in the medical approach to posthatchling chelonians.
Outcome Following Surgical Correction of Grade 4 Medial Patellar Luxation in Dogs: 47 Stifles (2001–2012)
Authors: Hans Eric C. , Kerwin Sharon C. , Elliott Alan C. , Butler Ryan , Saunders W. Brian , Hulse Don A.
Published: March 2016

Grade 4/4 medial patellar luxation (MPL) is a complex disease of the canine stifle that often requires surgical realignment of the patella to resolve clinical lameness. Outcome following surgery remains poorly described. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for surgical correction of grade 4 MPL. Signalment and exam findings, surgical procedures performed, complications, and clinical outcome were reported. Data was statistically analyzed for association with major complication occurrence and unacceptable function following surgery. Forty-seven stifles from 41 dogs were included. The surgical procedures most frequently utilized for patellar realignment were the combination of femoral trochleoplasty, tibial tuberosity transposition, and joint capsule modification. Median in-hospital veterinary examination was performed at 69 days (range 30–179 days) following surgery. Full function was reported for 42.6% of cases (n=20). Acceptable function was reported for 40.4% of cases (n=19). Unacceptable function was reported for 17% of cases (n=8). The overall complication rate was 25.5% (n=12), with revision surgery for major complications required in 12.8% of cases (n=6). Corrective osteotomies were associated with major complications (P < 0.001). In general, pelvic limb function improves following surgical correction of grade 4 MPL; however, a return to full function should be considered guarded.
Considerações empíricas acerca da aplicação do procedimento de Heckman: Há viés de seleção amostral na indústria brasileira?
Authors: Fiuza-Moura Flávio Kaue , Maia Katy
Published: March 2016

Diversas pesquisas acerca do mercado de trabalho brasileiro abordam a probabilidade de inserção e estrutura de determinação salarial dos trabalhadores e, para aplicação empírica, lançam mão do procedimento de detecção e correção de viés de seleção amostral de Heckman. No entanto, poucos estudos no Brasil são focados na aplicabilidade deste procedimento, principalmente no que tange setores específicos. A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo abordar estas questões ao testar a existência de viés de seleção amostral na indústria brasileira, bem como analisar o impacto da correção deste viés sobre os coeficientes estimados. Os resultados indicaram que o viés de seleção amostral existe apenas em segmentos industriais cuja remuneração é tradicionalmente inferior e apenas entre grupos de trabalhadores costumeiramente de menor remuneração (mulheres, principalmente as de pele preta e parda). A análise das equações mincerianas com e sem correção de viés de seleção amostral mostrou que, se não for aplicado o procedimento de Heckman nos casos em que o viés é estatisticamente significativo, os coeficientes referentes ao ganho salarial dos homens em relação ao das mulheres e dos trabalhadores urbanos em relação ao dos não urbanos tendem a ser superestimados.
Barriers to School Success for Latino Students
Authors: Arbelo Marrero Floralba
Published: March 2016

Academic achievement among Latino high school students is a pressing issue as data consistently demonstrates that Latino students underperform and are at higher risk of dropping out of high school than their non-Latino peers. This paper reviews nonacademic barriers to the success of Latino students focusing on sociocultural issues that influence the school success of Latino students and how schools and communities can co-labor in order to support Latino academic achievement. This includes a look at the lack of culturally competent school personnel that work among Latino populations, the misunderstanding of schools in relation to the perceived Latino parental disengagement, home and school partnerships that can help foster success for Latino students, and other strategies that can be developed to link Latino parents and communities to the schools that educate their children.
A View from the Sky
Authors: Gomez Manuel , Gomez Juan Carlos
Published: March 2016

A View from the Sky

This article, which is based on the research conducted for the General Report ‘Relief in Small and Simple Matters in an Age of Austerity’ presented at the XV World Congress of Procedural Law, provides a contextualised and broad overview of these phenomena in the United States. After describing the general features of the federal and state judiciaries, including its adversarial model of judging, and the importance of the jury system, the article turns its attention to discuss the factors that affect the cost of litigation in the United States, the different models of litigation funding, the available legal aid mechanisms, and the procedural tools available for handling small and simple disputes. Furthermore, this article briefly revisits the discussion about the effect of austerity on the functioning of the United States legal system on the handling of small and simple matters and ends with a brief conclusion that summarises its contribution and sketches the points for future research on this important topic.
Uma nova abordagem do Activity Based Costing – ABC: Desenvolvimento e Aplicação do ABC Matricial em uma Indústria Calçadista de Portugal
Authors: Santana Alex Fabiano Bertollo , Medeiros Hyggor Da Silva , Guimarães Levi Da Silva
Published: March 2016

Com a proposta de uma nova contribuição nos sistemas de custeio, o presente artigo tem como principal objetivo realizar uma aplicação do modelo ABC Matricial. É uma ferramenta de gestão onde desenvolve-se a modelação dos processos e das atividades e utiliza a multiplicação de matrizes, onde o resultado encontrado é um algoritmo simples, flexivel e rápido de controlar. A metodologia de pesquisa classifica-se como um estudo de caso de caráter quantitativo-descrito utilizando a simulação de dados para validação do modelo. Como conclusão, o método mostrou–se eficiente e adequado, pois além de apurar os custos dos produtos, demonstra em termos conceituais a ligação entre as atividades, recursos e produtos através de um processo bem definido. Considera-se como uma ferramenta de gestão para o desenvolvimento de designers de software, i.e, criar soluções eficientes e eficazes para a tomada de decisão e sistemas de custeio.
A identificação de riscos como um fator na tomada de decisões eficazes
Authors: Napolitano Domingos Márcio Rodrigues , Rabechini Jr. Roque
Published: March 2016

A influência da gestão de risco nos projetos é um campo de estudo que merece atenção de acadêmicos e profissionais em gerenciamento de projetos. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa sobre a influência do processo de identificação de riscos nas decisões de projetos. O método adotado foi a pesquisa tipo survey que envolveu 146 projetos do Brasil e Peru. Os resultados foram analisados por meio de métodos estatísticos, por meio de análise de regressão, linear e logística, e as relações estudadas mostraram que os esforços no processo de identificação de riscos em projetos influenciaram de forma significativa as decisões nos projetos. Foi possível verificar que os gerentes de projetos fizeram uso das informações obtidas do processo de identificação de riscos para a tomada de decisão.
Otimização aplicada ao problema de alocação de equipes em uma panificadora
Authors: Triches Juliana , Kripka Moacir , Boscardin Ilizandro
Published: March 2016

Uma das principais atividades do planejamento de projetos é o planejamento de cronograma, que envolve alocar equipes e escalonar tarefas. Alocar uma equipe consiste em atribuir as responsabilidades de uma tarefa a um conjunto de recursos humanos. Podem existir várias alternativas a ponderar e várias restrições a respeitar, como prazos, orçamentos, limitação de recursos humanos, carga horária máxima e dependências entre tarefas. Os desenvolvedores podem ter capacidades técnicas diferentes e as tarefas podem exigir necessidades distintas. Devido à complexidade de resolução deste tipo de problema, torna-se ideal a aplicação de técnicas de otimização. Assim, o objetivo da abordagem proposta é oferecer uma ferramenta capaz de apoiar e guiar as decisões no problema em questão, a alocação de equipes em uma panificadora. Observou-se que a formulação e resolução como um problema de otimização conduziram a uma distribuição mais uniforme das atividades, respeitando as habilidades e evitando a concentração de tarefas sobre um único funcionário.
Agregação de valor: Um estudo de caso sobre recuperação de equipamentos industriais
Authors: Melo Patrícia Karla de , Resende André Alves de , Tannús Sílvia Parreira
Published: March 2016

Em conjunto com as funcionalidades e características de operação, os equipamentos devem ter baixo valor para ser atrativo ao mercado. Como possibilidade de reduzir este valor, algumas empresas tem apostado na recuperação de equipamentos. Esta recuperação pode ser interessante tanto para a empresa que compra, por um preço abaixo do equipamento novo, quanto para a empresa que recupera, já que a mesma agrega valor e pode obter lucro nesta atividade. É nesta perspectiva que se baseia o presente artigo, onde o objetivo geral é analisar a rentabilidade de uma empresa do setor de recuperação de equipamentos. O estudo de caso foi realizado em uma empresa de serviços em manutenção industrial, localizada na cidade de Anápolis-GO. Foram analisados quatro equipamentos em relação à reforma praticada e aos indicadores de investimento encontrados. A coleta de dados ocorreu através de visitas in loco, entrevistas e avaliação de relatórios financeiros da empresa. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se perceber que houve lucratividade por parte da empresa estudada, com a comercialização de equipamentos recuperados.
Innovation and financial performance of brazilian companies: A statistical study period 2009 to 2013
Authors: Rodrigues Leonel Cezar , Canela Renata , Cassol Alessandra , Alencar Vanessa , Da Silva Jussara Goulart
Published: March 2016

We look at innovation returns in two groups of companies set in Brazil. One group includes innovative companies, referred as 3i’s companies (Innoscence Innovation Index) and listed in the Stock Exchange Values of São Paulo – BOVESPA. The other group is referred as Not 3i’s companies, also listed in Sao Paulo’s BOVESPA. We first did a descriptive and then a regression analysis of performance indicators - net margin, asset profitability, return on equity and on invested capital, with data from companies classified as 3i’s and Not 3i’s in Economatica Report, limited to the period of 2009 to 2013. Results indicate that significant correlation appears between innovation and invested capital (ROI) returns on equity and on assets, as well, for 3i’s companies, as hypothetically projected. Net margin, however, is lower for 3i’s, than for Not 3i’s companies showing that restrained gains in 3i’s companies may be due to higher costs of internal innovation.
Out of the Box and Into the Book: Innovative Library Partnerships to Close the 30 Million Word Gap
Authors: Baldini Michelle , Martens Marianne
Published: March 2016

Recent research has shown that early literacy is directly connected to school readiness. Talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing, the basic tenets of Every Child Ready to Read 2 (ECRR2), not only increase young children’s vocabulary, they also help them process new information. However, the disparity in vocabularies of children of lower and higher income families is one of the greatest battles of the twenty-first century.
The Importance of Multidisciplinary Management during Prenatal Care for Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Han Hyun Ho , Choi Eun Jeong , Kim Ji Min , Shin Jong Chul , Rhie Jong Won
Published: March 2016

Background The prenatal ultrasound detection of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and its continuous management in the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal periods using a multidisciplinary team approach can be beneficial for parents and their infants. In this report, we share our experiences with the prenatal detection of CL/P and the multidisciplinary management of this malformation in our institution's Congenital Disease Center.

Methods The multidisciplinary team of the Congenital Disease Center for mothers of children with CL/P is composed of obstetricians, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pediatricians, and psychiatrists. A total of 11 fetuses were diagnosed with CL/P from March 2009 to December 2013, and their mothers were referred to the Congenital Disease Center of our hospital. When CL/P is suspected in the prenatal ultrasound screening examination, the pregnant woman is referred to our center for further evaluation.

Results The abortion rate was 28% (3/11). The concordance rate of the sonographic and final diagnoses was 100%. Ten women (91%) reported that they were satisfied with the multidisciplinary management in our center.

Conclusions Although a child with a birth defect is unlikely to be received well, the women whose fetuses were diagnosed with CL/P on prenatal ultrasound screening and who underwent multidisciplinary team management were more likely to decide to continue their pregnancy.
Two-Stage Latissimus Dorsi Flap with Implant for Unilateral Breast Reconstruction: Getting the Size Right
Authors: Feng Jiajun , Pardoe Cleone I , Mota Ashley Manuel , Chui Christopher Hoe Kong , Tan Bien-Keem
Published: March 2016

Background The aim of unilateral breast reconstruction after mastectomy is to craft a natural-looking breast with symmetry. The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap with implant is an established technique for this purpose. However, it is challenging to obtain adequate volume and satisfactory aesthetic results using a one-stage operation when considering factors such as muscle atrophy, wound dehiscence and excessive scarring. The two-stage reconstruction addresses these difficulties by using a tissue expander to gradually enlarge the skin pocket which eventually holds an appropriately sized implant.

Methods We analyzed nine patients who underwent unilateral two-stage LD reconstruction. In the first stage, an expander was placed along with the LD flap to reconstruct the mastectomy defect, followed by gradual tissue expansion to achieve overexpansion of the skin pocket. The final implant volume was determined by measuring the residual expander volume after aspirating the excess saline. Finally, the expander was replaced with the chosen implant.

Results The average volume of tissue expansion was 460 mL. The resultant expansion allowed an implant ranging in volume from 255 to 420 mL to be placed alongside the LD muscle. Seven patients scored less than six on the relative breast retraction assessment formula for breast symmetry, indicating excellent breast symmetry. The remaining two patients scored between six and eight, indicating good symmetry.

Conclusions This approach allows the size of the eventual implant to be estimated after the skin pocket has healed completely and the LD muscle has undergone natural atrophy. Optimal reconstruction results were achieved using this approach.