bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria functionality and sperm quality
Authors: Amaral Alexandra , Lourenço Bárbara , Marques Mónica , Ramalho-Santos João
Published: July 2013

Although mitochondria are best known for being the eukaryotic cell powerhouses, these organelles participate in various cellular functions besides ATP production, such as calcium homoeostasis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. The aim of this review was to discuss the putative roles of mitochondria in mammalian sperm function and how they may relate to sperm quality and fertilisation ability, particularly in humans. Although paternal mitochondria are degraded inside the zygote, sperm mitochondrial functionality seems to be critical for fertilisation. Indeed, changes in mitochondrial integrity/functionality, namely defects in mitochondrial ultrastructure or in the mitochondrial genome, transcriptome or proteome, as well as low mitochondrial membrane potential or altered oxygen consumption, have been correlated with loss of sperm function (particularly with decreased motility). Results from genetically engineered mouse models also confirmed this trend. On the other hand, increasing evidence suggests that mitochondria derived ATP is not crucial for sperm motility and that glycolysis may be the main ATP supplier for this particular aspect of sperm function. However, there are contradictory data in the literature regarding sperm bioenergetics. The relevance of sperm mitochondria may thus be associated with their role in other physiological features, particularly with the production of ROS, which in controlled levels are needed for proper sperm function. Sperm mitochondria may also serve as intracellular Ca2+stores, although their role in signalling is still unclear.
Inovação em escolas públicas de nível básico: o caso Redes da Maré (Rio de Janeiro, RJ)
Authors: Ghanem Júnior Elie George Guimarães
Published: July 2013

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de um estudo de caso de inovação educacional na atuação de uma organização não governamental (ONG) junto a escolas públicas de educação básica no Complexo da Maré, Rio de Janeiro (RJ). A hipótese examinada pela pesquisa foi a de que fatores salientes que se conjugam na geração de ações de inovação são o tempo de experiência profissional de educadores(as), a estabilidade de sua equipe, o nível de qualificação e a atuação mobilizadora de líderes da ONG. São descritos os objetivos e características da atuação da ONG e são apontadas as características de líderes, agentes e equipes. Em conclusão, a hipótese levantada é aceita.
O olhar supervisivo na perspectiva da ativação de processos de mudança
Authors: Hoffmann Leandro Marcial Amaral , Koifman Lilian
Published: July 2013

O presente estudo objetiva contribuir para a discussão de algumas das competências necessárias ao processo de supervisão em saúde: competência político-gerencial, com ênfase na gestão participativa; competência no cuidado em saúde, com ênfase na integralidade; e competência educacional, com ênfase nas metodologias ativas de ensino e aprendizagem. O desenvolvimento dessas habilidades precisa ser contemplado no processo de formação e educação permanente em saúde, bem como, em especial, a reflexão sobre o caráter transformador do processo de supervisão.
Desempenho de sementes de soja sob deficiência hídrica: rendimento e qualidade fisiológica da geração F1
Authors: Tavares Lizandro Ciciliano , Rufino Cassyo de Araújo , Brunes André Pich , Tunes Lilian Madruga de , Barros Antonio Carlos Souza Albuquerque , Peske Silmar Teichert
Published: July 2013

O vigor das sementes interfere significativamente na tolerância à deficiência hídrica e no rendimento de sementes. Assim, o objetivo no presente trabalho foi avaliar a influência da deficiência hídrica sobre o rendimento e a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de soja produzidas na geração F1. O trabalho foi desenvolvido utilizando-se sementes de soja da cultivar M-SOY 8008 RR, semeadas em vasos com capacidade de 15 kg de solo, coletado do horizonte A1 de um Planossolo Háplico Eutrófico solódico, em casa de vegetação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x2, sendo os fatores sem e com deficiência hídrica do 1° ao 10° dia após a emergência e nível de vigor das sementes (alto e baixo), totalizando quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram a fitomassa seca da parte aérea e a área foliar aos 10, 20, 30 e 40 dias após a emergência, rendimento e qualidade fisiológica através dos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado e massa de mil sementes na geração F1. A utilização de sementes de alto vigor proporciona acréscimos superiores a 15% no rendimento, em relação ao uso das sementes de baixo vigor. A deficiência hídrica do 1° ao 10° dia após a emergência não interfere no rendimento e na qualidade fisiológica de sementes da geração F1, tanto daquelas de alto como de baixo vigor.
Suplementação dietética de levedura de cerveja e de minerais orgânicos sobre o desempenho e resposta imune em frangos de corte desafiados com a vacina de coccidiose
Authors: Fernandes Jovanir Inês Müller , Bortoluzzi Cristiano , Kosmann Raquel Cristina , Gottardo Elisangela Thaísa , Fernandes Nelson Luis Mello
Published: July 2013

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação de levedura de cerveja e minerais orgânicos sobre o desempenho, morfometria intestinal e resposta imune humoral de frangos de corte, desafiados com a vacina de coccidiose. Foram utilizados 384 pintos de corte, distribuídos aleatoriamente em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (1. controle, 2. minerais orgânicos 3. levedo de cerveja, 4. associação de minerais orgânicos e levedo de cerveja) e 4 repetições de 24 aves cada. No alojamento, 12 aves de cada repetição foram identificadas com anilha e receberam a vacina contra coccidiose via ocular. Aos 7, 21, 35 e 42 dias, foi coletado sangue para análise de proteínas séricas totais e perfil eletroforético de IgA e IgG e um segmento do duodeno para análise morfométrica. A suplementação de levedo de cerveja ou de minerais orgânicos não afetou o desempenho de frangos de corte ou a produção de anticorpos. O desafio imunológico com a vacina de coccidiose não foi suficientemente eficaz em provocar uma resposta imune capaz de alterar a morfometria da mucosa duodenal e a produção de anticorpos.
Caqui cv. 'Mikado': análise de compostos voláteis em frutos adstringentes e destanizados
Authors: Martineli Maristella , Alves Andréa Aparecida Ribeiro , Figueiredo Gisele Machado de , Rezende Claudia Moraes de , Fonseca Marcos José de Oliveira
Published: July 2013

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar os compostos voláteis em frutos de caqui Mikado adstringentes e destanizados, em dois períodos de armazenamento, utilizando microextração em fase sólida (MEFS, fibra DVB/CAR/PDMS) por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). A partir dos resultados foi possível observar diferenças na composição volátil em frutos adstringentes e destanizados de caqui Mikado, com perdas em ambas as amostras. A remoção da adstringência com exposição ao álcool promoveu aumento dos voláteis no 1o dia após a destanização. Os compostos voláteis de caqui Mikado são representados, majoritariamente, por hidrocarbonetos terpênicos, seguidos de ésteres de cadeia linear.
A seleção de candidaturas no DEM, PMDB, PSDB e PT nas eleições legislativas federais brasileiras de 2010: percepções dos candidatos sobre a formação das listas
Authors: Bolognesi Bruno
Published: July 2013

Este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma análise do processo de escolha de candidaturas nos quatro maiores partidos brasileiros (DEM, PMDB, PSDB e PT), levando em conta a percepção dos candidatos sobre tal processo -uma perspectiva ainda pouco abordada no Brasil. A partir desta análise, estabeleceram-se critérios empíricos para a mensuração da democracia interna nos partidos políticos. Para tanto, aplicamos um survey a 120 candidatos à deputado federal nas eleições de 2010. O marco de análise utilizado foi o proposto por Freidenberg (2003) para a definição e mensuração de democracia interna e Hazan e Rahat (2010) para o processo de seleção de candidatos. A hipótese é que seleções mais inclusivas e realizadas por meio de votação produzem partidos mais democráticos. Os resultados apontam que partidos com participação de instâncias organizativas médias (como delegados) e que mobilizam o voto para a tomada de decisão nem sempre apresentam melhores índices de representatividade.
Institucionalização e execução das políticas públicas de economia solidária no Brasil
Authors: Nagem Fernanda Abreu , Silva Sandro Pereira
Published: July 2013

O artigo investiga a política pública de economia solidária no governo federal, implementada a partir de 2003 com a criação da Secretaria Nacional de Economia Solidária (SENAES), visando analisar com que mecanismos a temática se converte em política pública no âmbito do governo federal. Partindo do modelo teórico de Kingdon (1995), o artigo analisa, em primeiro lugar, o processo político (em sentido lato) que sucedeu sua inserção como política pública para a geração de trabalho e renda. A seguir, analisa-se os projetos e ações desenvolvidas no programa entre 2003 e 2010, com ênfase nas suas diretrizes, estrutura interna, dotação orçamentária e capacidade de execução. Finalmente, o artigo analisa as parcerias engendradas pelo SENAES com outros programas governamentais que fazem interface com a economia solidária, com vistas a aumentar a aderência do tema no interior do governo federal. A análise sugere que o modelo de Kingdon explica o processo de inserção da economia solidária como política pública em 2003, ainda que essa inserção seja apenas uma etapa do seu ciclo. Definida sua constituição normativa, nota-se uma disputa do programa no interior do governo: passados oito anos, não se observou uma intervenção efetiva do governo ao ponto de consolidar as práticas socioeconômicas - difundidas pela economia solidária - como estratégia real para a inserção no mundo do trabalho, ou mesmo criar um ambiente institucional que incentive a formalização dos grupos econômicos associativos existentes. Em que pese sua baixa dotação orçamentária face a outros programas do MTE, o PESD não se constituiu em um programa de referência para uma nova estratégia de desenvolvimento, mesmo que a SENAES tenha conseguido aglutinar ao seu entorno forças sociais e políticas importantes para a defesa da economia solidária enquanto política pública. O trabalho situa e problematiza a inserção e a condução das politicas de economia solidaria no governo federal, revelando que a temática não ascendeu ao macrossistema político, gravitando em um campo marginal, fora desse núcleo, em busca de espaço para sua valorização interna. Enquanto ela for encarada meramente como uma alternativa paliativa ao problema do desemprego, dificilmente conseguirá enfrentar os antagonismos e conflitos de interesse que impedem sua viabilização.
The dark side of the moon: heritage, memory and place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Gonçalves José Reginaldo Santos
Published: July 2013

In this paper the author focuses on the various ways people from an outlying area of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, understand the concepts of heritage, memory and place. Facing a radical transformation of their neighborhood conducted by the city government, they discuss the destiny of an old movie theater that is threatened with demolition. Some of them understand it as a heritage site to be protected and preserved because it supposedly expresses the memory of the neighborhood. Others affirm that the best way to deal with the problem is to demolish the old building and construct a new public square. The point made by the author is that we are facing two quite distinct ways of understanding the concept of heritage: one of them is based on an abstract and legal perspective; the other based on the everyday life experience of local residents.
The city museum of São Paulo: a new design for city museums in the era of the megacity
Authors: Franco Maria Ignez Mantovani
Published: July 2013

The City Museum of São Paulo as subject of study and museological challenge tries explicitly to present a multidisciplinary methodology - already tested in 2003 and 2004 - that enunciates the conception of a new model of city museum, whose objective is the analysis of the great metropolis São Paulo, articulated upon the collection of contemporary items to be pursued by methods of social mobilization, maintaining a dialogue with the proper logic of a globalised world, but canonically erected over the founding precepts of sociomuseology. Focusing on territory museums, that model tries to stimulate an alternative new path that observes and interacts with the reality that is inherent to contemporaneity, to Latin American megacities, as it endeavors to understand the dynamics, as well as the problems that characterise human life in those vast and complex territories.
The recognition of Brazilian samba de roda and reunion maloya as intangible cultural heritage of humanity
Authors: Samson Guillaume , Sandroni Carlos
Published: July 2013

In this essay, we present a comparative analysis of the UNESCO heritage nomination process for two African Diaspora music and dance forms: samba de roda, from the Bahian Recôncavo (a coastal area of the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia), and maloya, from Reunion Island (a former French colony in the Indian Ocean, which is now officially an "overseas department of France"). samba de roda, as the Brazilian candidate, was included in the III Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity, in 2005. And maloya, the French candidate, was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in 2009. Despite a number of formal commonalities between samba de roda and maloya, such as responsorial singing, choreography, and the main musical instrument types, the controversies raised during their respective processes of nomination were quite distinct. The former is regarded as a traditional and less well known style of samba, the musical genre widely recognized as the musical emblem of Brazil. The latter competes with séga-a genre of popular music consolidated in the local media-for the position of chief musical representative of Reunion Island. The disparate symbolic identities attributed to these musical expressions pave the way for a distinct manner of employing the international resources related to the safeguarding of intangible heritage. This suggests that the local impact of the inclusion onto international lists depends as much on the contextual particularities of each candidacy as on central decision-making bodies such as UNESCO.
Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling Inhibition on Human Erythropoiesis
Authors: Bhatta Sumita S. , Wroblewski Kristen E. , Agarwal Kelly L. , Sit Laura , Cohen Ezra E.W. , Seiwert Tanguy Y. , Karrison Theodore , Bakris George L. , Ratain Mark J. , Vokes Everett E. , Maitland Michael L.
Published: July 2013

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling increases red blood cell (RBC) counts, and erythropoiesis markers have been proposed to guide antiangiogenic therapy in humans. We analyzed RBC measurements in patients enrolled in three studies: a phase II trial of axitinib in thyroid cancer; a study of sorafenib in advanced solid tumors; and a randomized trial of fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, and radiation with and without bevacizumab for head and neck cancer. In the sorafenib trial, plasma erythropoietin concentrations were measured at baseline, day 8, and day 35. Over the first 84 days of treatment, RBC counts increased for each day on sorafenib (2.7 M/μL [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5–3.9]) and axitinib (4.3 M/μL [95% CI, 2.2–6.5]). RBCs declined over the first 68 days of cytotoxic chemoradiotherapy alone (−12.8 M/μL per day [95% CI, −15.7 to −9.8]) but less so with added bevacizumab (−7.2 M/μL per day [95% CI, −9.5 to −4.9]). Erythropoietin levels increased, on average, by 9.5 mIU/mL between day 8 and day 35 of sorafenib exposure. No significant relationships between elevations in RBCs and changes in volume status or blood pressure or between elevations in erythropoietin and smoking status were found. VEGF signaling inhibition is associated with increased RBC and erythropoietin production in humans. The effects of these changes are subtle at physiologic doses and are unlikely to be clinically useful biomarkers for guiding the administration of or predicting treatment responses to VEGF pathway inhibitors.
Topographically controlled soil moisture is the primary driver of local vegetation patterns across a lowland region
Authors: Moeslund Jesper E , Arge Lars , Bøcher Peder K , Dalgaard Tommy , Odgaard Mette V , Nygaard Bettina , Svenning Jens-Christian
Published: July 2013

Topography is recognized as an important factor in controlling plant distribution and diversity patterns, but its scale dependence and the underlying mechanisms by which it operates are not well understood. Here, we used novel high‐resolution (2‐m scale) topographic data from more than 30500 vegetation plots to assess the importance of topography for local plant diversity and distribution patterns across Denmark, a 43000 km2 lowland region. The vegetation data came from 901 nature conservation sites (mean size = 0.16 km2) distributed throughout Denmark, each having an average of 34 plots (five‐meter radius) per site. We employed a variety of statistical measures and techniques to investigate scale dependence and mechanistic drivers operating within the study region. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple regression modeling scaled at different spatial resolutions (2 × 2, 10 × 10, 50 × 50, 100 × 100 and 250 × 250 m) was used to identify the horizontal resolution yielding the strongest vegetation–topography relationships. Using data scaled at this resolution, we quantified local (within‐site) and regional (among sites) relationships between elevation, mechanistic topographic factors (slope, heat index, potential solar radiation, wind exposure, wetness index) and 10 vegetation measures representing species composition, richness and functional composition (average plant preferences along key environmental niche axes). We also investigated how overall site‐level environmental characteristics affect the strength of these local relationships. Topography exerted the strongest effects at the 10 × 10 m horizontal resolution scale. Elevation exerted the strongest influence on vegetation, followed by slope and wetness. Topography generally affected all vegetation measures and exhibited the strongest local relationships with the main species‐compositional gradient, the main functional gradient and the plant's average soil moisture preference. The strength of these relationships was strongly influenced by habitat and site‐level average moisture conditions, with the strongest relationships found in wet habitats. Our findings show that fine‐scale topography can strongly influence local vegetation patterns across a wide range of habitat types even in low‐relief lowland regions. Notably, topography exhibited a consistently strong relationship with the main local floristic and functional compositional gradients. While a plurality of underlying mechanisms may contribute to the relationship between topography and vegetation patterns, topographically controlled soil moisture exerts primary control on the relationship.
Stakeholder Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility as a Rescipe for Peace in The Niger Delta
Authors: Lugard Sunday Bontur
Published: July 2013

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a pathway to business-stakeholders engagement in general and its host community in particular, especially when the operations of such enterprise have a way of negatively impacting the environment or other interests of such community. Empirical research has shown that such stakeholder engagement has a way of not just improving corporate-community relations but a strategic roadmap to corporate sustainability. This is one area International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria's Niger Delta region have without doubt neglected and floundered, and hence the ensuing and seemingly intractable confrontations from the host communities and militant groups who claim to be fighting the cause of such communities. The continuous hostilities and the consequent loss of production and stoppage of production is enough to make the IOCs seek for alternative ways of improving their engagement with the host communities; their conventional claim of not being local governments not having yielded the desired results. This piece offers an alternative that would engender peaceful, symbiotic engagement between the IOCs and their host communities through a stakeholder approach to CSR. This writer presents the concept of "emotional equity" as a strategic tool for community involvement in corporate sustainability.
Potential of Waterflooding in Shale Formations
Authors: Morsy Samiha , Sheng J. J. , Ezewu Roland O.
Published: July 2013

Waterflooding is the cheapest and most profitable secondary recovery method that has been used for more than seventy years for conventional oil reservoirs. However, few studies have been done on its viability on unconventional tight formations especially shales. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of water imbibition in different shale formations. In this study, fresh water, water with different salinities, and high pH alkaline solutions were examined to recover oil from different shale formations. Reservoir core samples from Eagle Ford and outcrop samples from Mancos, Barnett, and Marcellus shales were used in this study. The samples were 2.54 to 3.81 cm in diameter and 0.762 to 5.08 cm in length. First, we studied the porosity of samples using helium porosimeter, weight difference, and CT Scanning. The average porosity was 3.4% for Mancos, 2% for Eagle Ford, 2.6% for Marcellus, and 7.7% for Barnett shale samples. Second, we studied the rock stability and spontaneous imbibtion of the different used samples in fresh water, different saline solutions (5–15 eq wt% of NaCl and KCl), and high pH alkaline solutions (0.1–2 wt% NaOH). During the spontaneous imbibition, the maximum oil recovery was 59% for Mancos using fresh water, 44% for Eagle Ford using 2 wt% NaOH and fresh water, 24% for Barnett using fresh water, and 4% for Marcellus using 2 wt% NaOH and 2 eq wt% of KCl. The Mancos shale samples were very sensitive to low water salinity (0–15 eq wt %) compared with the other shales. The higher oil recoveries of Mancos samples were positively correlated with clay swelling in fresh water and low saline solutions. Eagle Ford recovered more oil when exposed to NaOH solutions due to favorable mineral dissolution without affecting the cores' stability. On the other hand, Barnett was partially damaged when exposed to higher alkaline solutions (2 wt% NaOH) and Marcellus was very tight to allow any fluid imbibition. Collectively, our study showed a great potential of waterflooding in unconventional shale reservoirs.
Implications of US and Europe Shale Gas on the Nigerian Gas Market
Authors: Oyekunle A. A.
Published: July 2013

In the past few years, the US in order to reduce her dependence on foreign energy had ramped up efforts towards the discoveries of new conventional and unconventional sources of energy. One of such breakthroughs is the discovery of vast deposit of shale gas. A 2011 study estimates the US shale gas deposit at 2, 170 TCF1.

Encouraged by the success of the US, some European Nations are already prospecting for possible shale gas deposits in commercial quantity.

These has some implications for the Nigerian Gas whose major markets are in the US and Europe. This paper intends to look at the near term and long term effect of the shale gas revolution in the US and Europe on the Nigerian gas and options for the Nigerian gas in order to guarantee its demand.
Risk Based Deterministic Approach for Estimating Recoverable Volumes for Further Field Development Wells
Authors: Ogbalor Cyril , Fasasi Roseline , Akpos Ebufegha
Published: July 2013

Abstract

The process of estimating oil and gas recoveries for producing field continues throughout the life of the field. There is always uncertainty in making such estimates, the level of uncertainty is affected mainly by the Quantity and quality of the geological, engineering, and geophysical data, the magnitude of uncertainty however, decreases with time until the economic limit is reached and the ultimate recovery is realized.

Experimental (ED) design techniques are increasingly been adopted as a standard, to consistently combine the uncertain parameters to construct a range of reservoir models to evaluate recoverable volumes. However, ED technology is a time and resource consuming workflow, requiring a suite of static and dynamic models to be generated and a full history matching process to be applied, however, when a project team is time constrained full ED approach, should be limited to only those reservoirs which have a maturity less than 70% and capture 90% of the impact to total remaining recoverable volumes.

Traditional deterministic simulation methods, calculate ultimate recovery based on the assumption that all input parameters are exactly known, however they sometimes ignore the variability and uncertainty in the input data which creates inherent problems resulting in over pessimistic or optimistic numbers.

This paper details Modelling strategy aimed at achieving a risked based and scalable solution to delivering realistic recoverable volumes for the candidate reservoirs in the planned time frame.

Introduction

Oil and gas volumes evaluation is achievable through any of the following methods: volumetric based on analogues, Performance based Decline curve Analysis, Material balance and Simulation (deterministic or probabilistic).

In the early stages of development of a reservoir, recoverable volumes estimates are restricted to and analogy and volumetric calculations.

The volumetric method, involves determining the areal extent of the reservoir, the rock pore volume, and the fluid content within the pore volume. This provides an estimate of the amount of hydrocarbons-initially-in-place. A recovery factor estimated using analogues is then applied to obtain the recoverable volumes. The analogue technique involves identifying a mature reservoir with similar structural and geological setting as the subject reservoir. The drainage radius and recovery factor from this mature analogue reservoir is then used to calculate recoverable volumes for the relatively greener subject reservoir.
Twenty Years of Horizontal Sandface Completion in SPDC
Authors: Nnanna Erasmus , Nwabueze Vincent , Kooijman Arjen
Published: July 2013

Horizontal drilling technology is a fairly mature technology. Advances in drilling tools and techniques have simplified the technology making it a common concept in field development projects both in green and brown fields. The objective of sandface completion in horizontal wells is to prevent collapse of the horizontal drainhole (borehole support and/or prevent sand production. The first objective applies to where the formation is relatively consolidated and therefore does not require sand-control. The second objective applies to friable formations with propensity for sand production.

Various sandface completion mechanisms have been deployed in SPDC horizontal wells. These include pre-drilled liners, slotted liners, openhole expandable sand screens, stand-alone screens and a combo of stand-alone screen, swellable packers and interval control devices (ICDs). With nearly 150 horizontal wells (including sidetracks and muti-laterals) drilled between 1992 and 2012, there has been a significant improvement in sandface completion philosophy mainly driven by the desire to achieve life-cycle sand exclusion. The earlier wells were completed with slotted liners while later applications have deployed stand-alone screens. Performance of these wells is constantly being reviewed for further optimization of the sandface completions where scope exists.

This paper traces the development of horizontal sandface completion in SPDC from the early days to present highlighting factors that led to improvements. It also explores the current trend in horizontal sandface completion, limitation of existing technology and scope for improvement.
Fiber Optic Based Pipeline Oil and Gas Leak and Intruder Detection System with Security Intervention Plan
Authors: Idachaba Francis , Wokoma Esther , Okuns Godwin , Brown Colin , Walker Ian
Published: July 2013

The accurate and timely localization of the vandalization and leak point on an oil pipeline provides operators with information to aid with the development of robust security response and intervention plans. These plans have the potential of reducing the impact of leaks on the environment by enabling operators to take actions to mitigate their effect. A major challenge with current leak and vandalization detection systems is the generation of spurious signals which in time slows down the response to these alerts. This paper presents results of the field trial of a Fiber Optic Cable based Oil/Gas leak and intruder detection system. Oil and Gas leaks were simulated on a pipeline section buried in a swamp location with 1mm and 2mm Orifices located at the 0°, 90° and 180° positions on the pipe with a section of the pipe exposed for third party intruder detection tests. The orifices were connected to compressed air and water used in place of Oil and gas. The fiber optic cable was buried on both sides of the pipeline and hooked up to the Helios Integrator. The system was able to detect and localize leaks from the orifices with the signal intensity proportional to the leak intensity. It was able to detect third party activities such as cutting and the use of hammers on the pipeline and also walking near the pipeline. The results coupled with the security intervention plan which is developed to provide varying levels of response will eliminate response to spurious signals thus providing a robust response and intervention plan to oil and gas leak and intruder detection.
AKPO and USAN Deepwater Field Operations (The First 100 Days): The Story and Lessons Learnt
Authors: Iwegbu M. , Yuba R. , Ani B. , Ekpecham O.
Published: July 2013

The startup / ramp up phase of an FPSO in an Offshore Deep Water environment characterized by simultaneous operations such as drilling, construction and commissioning activities with their attendant impact on production operations present several challenges.

An analysis of the first 100 days experience of the Akpo & Usan Deep Water Field Operations tells the story: A review of Shutdown occcurrences with their frequency, duration, classification, impact on production and root causes have provided viable data and essential details to help establish problem areas to be given adequate attention if seamless start-up of production is to be achieved.

The result of the analysis provides a bright pointer not only to the root causes of such shutdowns but underscores the learning curve required as feedback and recommendation to new assets in operations and future projects.
Effect of Viscosity of Alkaline/Surfactant/Polymer on Enhanced Oil Recovery in Heterogeneous Sands
Authors: Ojo Oladimeji V. , Onyekonwu M. O. , Ogolo N. A. , Ubani C.
Published: July 2013

New development in technology and the rise in world oil prices give promises that substantial portion of otherwise neglected oil can be recovered. Reservoir heterogeneity significantly affects both the oil production and the performance of injection wells in water flooding or miscible flooding projects, thus the influence of heterogeneity on the oil exploitation process has been a concern in petroleum engineering. Numerous laboratory experimental studies and field tests on Alkaline/Surfactant/Polymer (ASP) flooding have been done. In this research, the relationship between the viscosity of an ASP solution and oil recovery in heterogeneous porous models were studied. Twenty-four ASP flood tests were conducted using artificial models. These models were made to have different permeability variation coefficients so that ASP floods in homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoir can be compared Local materials in place of industrial materials were used.

Four ASP solutions were prepared and used in the ASP flood tests. The effect on tertiary oil recovery as viscosity increased was investigated. For heterogeneous models, it was found that increasing the ASP viscosity from 1.00cp to about 2.56cp increased and improved oil recovery. Further increase in viscosity to about 3.6cp had no much effect on recovery, because increasing the alkaline concentration reduced the visco-elastic effect of the viscosity of the solution.
Investigating The Carrying Capacity And The Effect Of Drilling Cutting On Rheological Properties Of Jatropha Oil Based Mud
Authors: Fadairo Adesina , Orodu David , Falode Olugbenga
Published: July 2013

Environmental problems associated with complex fluids in general and diesel oil based mud in particular, are among the major concerns of world communities. Studies have shown that diesel oil based mud is highly environmentally unfriendly because of its deleterious effects on the environment and expensive to dispose. For these reasons, it is imperative to promote and propagate the use of environmentally friendly mud for drilling operation.

This study investigates the drilling cutting carrying capacity of both jatropha and diesel based drilling muds. It also examines the effect of contaminants on the rheological properties of the muds. The properties measured are Plastic Viscosity, Yield Point, Apparent Viscosity, Mud Weight, Gel strength.

The results obtained show that cuttings have detrimental effects on rheological properties of both muds by increase in filter cake thickness, loss circulation, struck pipe and operational cost, hence reduction in drilling efficiency. It also showed that Jatropha oil based mud exhibits better adaptability, higher carrying capacity and less pressure loss in pipe than diesel oil based mud, hence should be encouraged for use during drilling activities.

Finally, the results of the study would enable the drilling engineer to determine the hole cleaning capacities, at which percentage of cutting become catastrophic and the extent at which cutting should be allowed in the mud.
Pressure Behaviour in Partial Completion Wells for Closed Boundary System
Authors: Dankwa O. K. , Ofei T. N. , Nyame M.
Published: July 2013

A systematic and simplest analytical solution for obtaining pressure behavior of vertical wells with partial completion for no-flow boundary system is the main objective of this paper.

Depending upon the type of wellbore completion configuration, it is possible to have radial, spherical or hemispherical flow near the wellbore. A well with a limited perforated interval (partial completion) could result in spherical flow in the vicinity of the perforations. A well which only partially penetrates the pay zone, could result in hemispherical flow. These conditions could arise where coning of bottom water or gas cap becomes a serious issue

Partial completion is the completion of or flow from less than the entire producing interval. This situation causes a near-well flow constriction that result in a positive skin effect in a well-test analysis.

The partial differential equations were solved for no-flow boundary system in Laplace and Fourier Transform domains before inversion to real time domain.

The application of Gaver-Stehfest algorithm (1970) was used to invert the dimensionless pressure drop in Laplace space in a MATLAB program.

Pressure behaviour solution for closed boundary has been obtained, taking into consideration the effect of partial completion.

Various plots of pressure drop and derivative versus time for a well partially completed at the middle (centre) at different skin (S) values have also been obtained.
Explicit Half Range Cosine Fourier Series Expansion for Z Factor
Authors: Kareem Lateef A.
Published: July 2013

All natural gas processes, including production, sweetening, drying, transportation, storage, metering and selling requires that we possess ability to predict with great accuracy its volume, pressure, temperature, specific heat capacity etc. Unlike an ideal gas, a real gas does not expand and contract according the simple pressure-volume-temperature relation.

This deviation from the ideal gas behavior is corrected with the use of z-factor. Z factor is simply the ratio of the volume of a real gas to that which equal mass of an ideal gas will occupy under the same condition. Several computational methods of obtaining this factor have been developed, but the implicit nature of these correlations called for an explicit method of evaluating the multivariate parameter.

In this paper, over 6000 data points prepared by careful laboratory measurement of behavior of natural gas mixture is used to develop the model. The result was found to match the result to a very high accuracy without over fitting.
A Risk Based Model to Quantify Differential Sticking Risk in Drilling Depleted Reservoir Formations
Authors: Okwu Alaekwe Ewelike , Dosunmu Adewale
Published: July 2013

Given the mature phase that the industry is in, companies can no longer afford a haphazard approach to operational risk. Risk must be quantified to assure that a proper return is being paid for it. And one drilling operational risk that must be quantified is differential sticking owing to the loss that this problem has cost the industry over the years. The loss is ever increasing as the industry is forced to access depleted reservoir formations that expose her greatly to the differential sticking problem in her bid to increase hydrocarbon recovery.

This study seeks to quantify (give a sense of magnitude) to the risk of being differentially stuck in drilling a depleted reservoir formation. This is project seeks to identify drilling parameters that contribute to differential sticking which can be engineered to provide drilling conditions that will always allow a high probability (P90) of being able to pull free in case of differential sticking

A deterministic model is built first then a stochastic model is obtained from the deterministic model to incorporate the uncertainties surrounding most of the modeled variables. The stochastic model is built and run with risk analysis software @RISK. Sensitivity analysis is carried on the key variables contributing to the sticking force to ascertain the degree to which each one has contributed to the resultant sticking force. The modeled variables include: BHA and Drillstring Design, Mud Design and Mud Cake Morphology, Formation Characteristics and Drag and wellbore geometry. The model was tested by applying it to 3 wells drilled onshore Niger Delta.

The built model both deterministic and stochastic predicted accurately the occurrence of severe differential sticking in well #1 and 2 and also predicted minimal differential sticking in well #3 and this is conformity with the field experiences in drilling these wells. The sensitivity analysis showed that the variables affecting differential sticking are mud cake thickness, length of embedded pipe mud weight and sticking coefficient.

It is of paramount importance to quantify the differential sticking risk of drilling a depleted reservoir formation. The model developed can with a good degree of accuracy quantify this risk and through sensitivity analysis identify variables that should be adjusted to reduce this risk to an acceptable limit of (P10).
Westernization, Intuitive Eating, and BMI: An Exploration of Jordanian Adolescents
Authors: Wirtz Amanda L. , Madanat Hala N.
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study was to validate the Arabic-version of the adapted Marin Bidimensional Acculturation Scale and investigate the relationship between Westernization, intuitive eating, and body mass index (BMI) in a sample of Jordanian female adolescents. A total of 199 subjects between the ages of 11–18 were surveyed. Participants who scored higher on the Arabic domain exhibited higher Intuitive Eating Scale (IES) intrinsic subscale scores ( r = 0.147, P = 0.048) suggesting that those who are more orientated toward Arabic culture may respond more naturally to physical hunger cues than their more Westernized counterparts. Reinforcing intuitive eating attitudes and behaviors and emphasizing body ideals resonant with the Arabic culture may propagate the continuation of intuitive eating in this population, potentially reducing the risk of obesity and other nutrition-related non-communicable diseases.
Behind the Smokescreen: Native American Tobacco Use in Oklahoma
Authors: Stearns Ami E. , Spivak Andrew L. , Givel Michael S.
Published: July 2013

The rate of Native American adult cigarette use in Oklahoma is 33.6%, exceeding the average state adult smoking rate of 24.7%. The present study examines differences in attitudes toward cigarette use and perceptions of tobacco-related health dangers held by Native Americans in Oklahoma. We analyze cross-sectional data from the 2004 and 2008 Oklahoma Adult Tobacco Surveys ( n = 4,530) in order to evaluate whether Native American Oklahomans held differing perspectives of the risks of cigarette use and secondhand smoke. Oklahoma Native Americans were less likely than Oklahoma whites to believe that cigarettes are addictive, maternal smoking is harmful, and secondhand smoke is harmful. There was no significant difference between Oklahoma whites and Native Americans in the belief that certain diseases could be attributed to cigarettes and secondhand smoke. We conclude that for those identifying as Native Americans, Oklahoma agencies can bolster knowledge in the areas of cigarette addiction, maternal tobacco use, and the dangers of secondhand smoke with more effective messages.
Response to Weinstock and Slatin's (2012) Critique of IWH-NIOSH Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of OSH Training
Authors: Robson Lynda S. , Schulte Paul A. , Amick Benjamin C. , Stephenson Carol M. , Irvin Emma L.
Published: July 2013

This commentary responds to the recent critique by Weinstock and Slatin [1] of our systematic review on the effectiveness of occupational safety and health (OSH) training conducted jointly by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Canada and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the United States [2, 3]. We address misunderstandings of our perspectives on training, especially empowerment training, and the evaluation of such training.
Student Internships with Unions and Workers: Building the Occupational Health and Safety Movement
Authors: Bateson Gail
Published: July 2013

One of the most successful programs to recruit young professionals to the occupational safety and health field was launched more than 35 years ago, in 1976. Created by the Montefiore Medical Center's Department of Social Medicine collaborating with Tony Mazzocchi of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW), it placed medical, nursing, and public health students in summer internships with local unions to identify and solve health and safety problems in the workplace. The experience of working with and learning from workers about the complex interactions of political, economic, and scientific-technological issues surrounding workplace conditions inspired many students to enter and stay in our field. Many former interns went on to make important medical and scientific contributions directly linked to their union-based projects. Former interns are now among the leaders within the occupational health and safety community, holding key positions in leading academic institutions and governmental agencies.
Shaping the Future: Ten Years of the Occupational Health Internship Program
Authors: Delp Linda , Riley Kevin , Jacobs Sarah , Bush Diane , Kirkland Katherine , Denis Ingrid , London Matt , Harrison Robert
Published: July 2013

The Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP) was initiated in 2003 to recruit a new, diverse generation of occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals and to advance OSH within union and community-based initiatives. It retains the principles of the original OCAW/Montefiore internship program while adapting to the changed landscape of the 21st-century workplace. Case studies of OHIP projects illustrate how students have contributed to key OSH policies—to regulate silica exposure among construction workers, apply principles of green chemistry with Vietnamese nail salon workers, and integrate OSH into “green” jobs in the recycling industry. They have supported innovative campaigns with immigrant workers in contingent jobs—from taxi drivers to warehouse workers. The students, in turn, have been inspired to enter the OSH arena as professionals and worker advocates with the potential to contribute new energy to an OSH movement.
Workplace Violence Prevention: Improving Front-Line Health-Care Worker and Patient Safety
Authors: Lipscomb Jane A. , El Ghaziri Mazen
Published: July 2013

There is perhaps no workplace hazard for which front-line health-care workers and patient safety are more closely linked than workplace violence. When workplace violence occurs, there are direct and indirect consequences for both staff and patients, including compromised patient care. The purpose of this article is to review risk factors for and interventions to reduce front-line health-care worker risk of injury, as well as overall strategies to improve worker and patient safety through comprehensive and participatory workplace violence-prevention programs. Numerous studies have documented risk factors and preventive factors for violence in the health-care setting. Considerably fewer have evaluated interventions designed to reduce these risks and subsequent injury. Front-line health-care workers should actively participate in developing and implementing programs to reduce the risk of injury to staff and patients.
Integrating Patient and Worker Safety Policies
Authors: Ormsby Jason Derek
Published: July 2013

Within the United States a number of federal and state legislative efforts, federal agency regulatory initiatives, and public/private policy efforts have attempted to improve patient safety or health care worker safety, but these initiatives have typically not been linked, in either conceptual development or implementation. Recently, policymakers and stakeholders have acknowledged that the two areas are inherently connected and that efforts to improve safety for frontline health care workers have not been adequately coordinated with initiatives addressing patient safety. Experts at prominent organizations recommend that subsequent discussions involve the integration of patient and worker safety advocates and strategies. This article was commissioned to stimulate discussion at a recent workshop in which nationally recognized patient and worker safety advocates participated in an open forum with discussion focused on policies impacting the U.S. hospital sector, resulting in an overall assessment of efforts in both areas and recommendations to integrate future policy strategies.