bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micromechanical testing of oxidised grain boundaries in Ni Alloy 600
Authors: Stratulat Alisa , Roberts Steve G.
Published: May 2013

Micromechanical testing of focused ion beam (FIB) machined cantilevers was used to study oxidised grain boundaries in Ni-alloy 600. The Ni-alloy 600 samples were exposed in simulated PWR primary water at 325°C for 4500h with a hydrogen partial pressure of 30kPa. The FIB was used to machine small cantilever beams at the selected sites in the Ni alloy 600, cut so that the beam contained a selected grain boundary close to the built-in end. The FIB was also used to make a pre-crack, 700 nm deep, on the grain boundary. Cantilevers were loaded at the free end using a nanoindenter. Cantilevers milled in the un-oxidised sample yielded, and did not fracture. The specimens containing oxidised grain boundaries fractured at the boundary after small amounts of plasticity. Load vs. displacement data were used to calculate the fracture toughness of the oxidised grain boundaries. The fracture toughness associated with fracture of grain boundary oxide for these cantilevers was in the range 0.73-1.82MPa (m)1/2, with an average value of 1.3MPa (m)1/2. We believe this to be the first time the fracture toughness of an oxidised grain boundary has been determined.
Glass: an old material for the future of manufacturing
Authors: Klein Susanne , Dickin Fraser , Adams Guy , Simske Steve
Published: May 2013

Traditional assembly line manufacturing is speculative, costly and environmentally unsustainable. It is speculative because it commits substantial resources—energy, materials, shipping, handling, stocking and displaying—without a guaranteed sale. It is costly because each of these resources—material, process, people and place—involves expense not encountered when a product is manufactured at the time of sale. It is environmentally unsustainable because, no matter how much recycling is done, not using the resources unless actually needed is always a better path. Three-dimensional printing is currently of great commercial interest as it can be employed to manufacture parts on-demand economically and without the significant cost & environmental downsides, i.e. inventory and waste, associated with traditional manufacturing processes. Herein, we describe the formulation of a novel water-based material which can be used in a traditional 3D printer extrusion process to create optically transparent glass-based objects. Such objects have a wide range of applications including, but not wholly limited to: security printing using color & coating effects, protective films and coatings, electronic codes readable by smartphones, tablets or touch screens. Additional all glass objects traditionally manufactured by the so called kiln glass method can be generated by this type of 3D printing making it interesting for the high end market of art objects.
Microstructure of epitaxial AlN layers on sapphire substrates deposited by physical vapor deposition
Authors: Kohli Sandeep , Druz Boris , Devasahayam Adrian , Datta Arindom , Cerio Frank
Published: May 2013

Asymmetric (10L) XRD peaks have been employed as a measure of epitaxial quality for aluminum nitride (AlN) nucleation layers (NL) deposited on sapphire substrate. Epitaxial AlN films have been deposited on 2-6” sapphire substrate by reactive sputtering. FWHM of AlN (103) and (105) were found to be an excellent indicator of quality of AlN films for GaN growth. AlN films produced nucleation layers with highly reproducible microstructure and GaN film growth. NLs had in-plane and out-of-plane texture as evident by the pole-figure results and selected area diffraction pattern. Based on electron microscopy results, AlN film thickness for complete atomic ordering was estimated to be 6-7 nm and most of the edge dislocations were seen in the first 20 nm of the film. Excellent thickness and texture uniformity were seen on planar and patterned sapphire substrates. A compressive stress of 2.9±0.2 GPa was seen in our BKM films. The maximum screw and edge dislocation densities of films were found to be ∼3 x 108 cm−2 and ∼9 x 109 cm−2 respectively. The root mean square roughnesses of A-polar films were found to be < 0.3 nm.
Atomic Dynamics in Complex Metallic Alloys
Authors: Euchner Holger , Pailhès Stephane , Yamada Tsunetomo , Tamura Ryuji , Ishimasa Tsutomu , Rols Stephane , Schober Helmut , Mihalkovic Marek , Trebin Hans-Rainer , Schopf Daniel , Paschen Silke , Haghighirad Amir , Ritter Franz , Assmus Wolf , Grin Yuri , Nguyen Lien , de Boissieu Marc
Published: May 2013

Complex Metallic Alloys (CMAs) are metallic solids of high structural complexity, consisting of large numbers of atoms in their unit cells. Consequences of this structural complexity are manifold and give rise to a variety of exciting physical properties. The impact that such structural complexity may have on the lattice dynamics will be discussed. The surprising dynamical flexibility of Tsai-type clusters with the symmetry breaking central tetrahedron will be addressed for Zn6Sc, while in the Ba-Ge-Ni clathrate system the dynamics of encaged Ba guest atoms in the surrounding Ge-Ni host framework is analysed with respect to the experimentally evidenced strong reduction of lattice thermal conductivity. For both systems experimental results from neutron scattering are analyzed and interpreted on atomistic scale by means of ab initio and molecular dynamics simulations, resulting in a picture with the respective structural building blocks as the origin of the peculiarities in the dynamics.
Gold’s Structural Versatility within Complex Intermetallics: From Hume-Rothery to Zintl and even Quasicrystals
Authors: Miller Gordon J. , Thimmaiah Srinivasa , Smetana Volodymyr , Palasyuk Andriy , Lin Qisheng
Published: May 2013

Recent exploratory syntheses of polar intermetallic compounds containing gold have established gold’s tremendous ability to stabilize new phases with diverse and fascinating structural motifs. In particular, Au-rich polar intermetallics contain Au atoms condensed into tetrahedra and diamond-like three-dimensional frameworks. In Au-poor intermetallics, on the other hand, Au atoms tend to segregate, which maximizes the number of Au-heteroatom contacts. Lastly, among polar intermetallics with intermediate Au content, complex networks of icosahedra have emerged, including discovery of the first sodium-containing, Bergman-type, icosahedral quasicrystal. Gold’s behavior in this metal-rich chemistry arises from its various atomic properties, which influence the chemical bonding features of gold with its environment in intermetallic compounds. Thus, the structural versatility of gold and the accessibility of various Au fragments within intermetallics are opening new insights toward elucidating relationships among metal-rich clusters and bulk solids.
A Comparison of Different Ni+Al Structural Energetic Materials
Authors: Aydelotte B. , Thadhani N.N.
Published: May 2013

A comparison of different Ni+Al reactive materials is conducted to elucidate the effects of microstructure morphology on performance. CTH, a multi-material Eulerian hydrocode, was utilized to study mesoscale deformation during simulated rod-on-anvil experiments. It is found that the cold sprayed Ni+Al, which has a more topologically connected nickel phase, is likely to be more reactive because of enhanced deformation in the Ni phase relative to explosively compacted Ni+Al, where the Ni phase undergoes less deformation. Rod-on-anvil impact tests verify that cold sprayed Ni+Al is indeed more reactive than explosively compacted Ni+Al when subject to impact.
First-principles Study of Bias Effect on Magnetoresistance of Fe/MgO/Fe Tunnel Junctions
Authors: Deng Ning , Cheng Hongguang
Published: May 2013

We studied the transport properties of the Fe/MgO/Fe and Fe/Ag/MgO/Ag/Fe magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with 13-layer MgO barrier under bias voltage based on first-principles calculations. Our results showed that two features determine the TMR value decreases with bias of Fe/MgO/Fe MTJ: (1) interfacial states lying at 1.06 eV in spin down channel (2) the energy level of the spin down Δ1 band of the Fe electrode. Our results showed that an inserted Ag mono-layer at Fe/MgO interface can remarkably improve the TMR effect at a high bias voltage.
In-situ Tensile Straining of Metal Films on Polymer Substrates under an AFM
Authors: Cordill M.J. , Marx V.M.
Published: May 2013

Metal films on polymer substrates are commonly used in flexible electronic devices and as gas barrier coatings. One way to evaluate the fracture and adhesion properties of such film systems is the fragmentation test. In the fragmentation test a film-substrate system is strained in tension under an optical microscope or inside a scanning electron microscope to observe the cracking and delamination events in situ. The technique works very well for brittle metal and ceramic films. However, when ductile films are strained they deform plastically before cracks and buckles appear. Therefore, a tensile straining device was developed to fit under an AFM for in situ observation of ductile metal films on polymer substrates. With the new in situ device the first occurrence of plastic deformation in the form of localized thinning of the film and channel cracks are visible. These features can only be detected through a height difference in the AFM images and not with optical or scanning electron micrographs. A comparison to brittle Cr films on polymer substrates was performed.
Influence of size variation on the strain distribution in YSZ membranes on Si substrates
Authors: Kuhl Florian , Piechotka Markus , Reppin Daniel , Henning Torsten , Janek Juergen , Klar Peter J.
Published: May 2013

The oxygen conductor yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) is widely used in miniaturized solid oxide fuel cells (µSOFC) and may be suitable for solid state ion emitter applications e.g. as miniaturized ion engines for electric propulsion. Since the YSZ films are not completely free of stress during the growth, cracks in fabricated free-standing membranes are often observed.

YSZ thin films were deposited on silicon substrates by radio frequency sputtering. Free-standing YSZ membranes were fabricated by partially removing the Si substrate by anisotropic wet-chemical etching using different masking patterns defined by electron beam lithography. We show how different sizes and etching conditions influence the strain in the fabricated membranes. To characterize these membranes we used optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Biting behavior of Anopheles mosquitoes in Costa Marques, Rondonia, Brazil
Authors: Klein Terry A. , Lima Jose B.P. , Tang Amazonia Toda
Published: May 2013

Mosquito collections were made in and near Costa Marques, Rondonia, Brazil, to determine anopheline anthropophilic/zoophilic behavior. Collections from a non-illuminated, bovine-baited trap and indoor and outdoor human-bait collections were compared. Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles deaneorum were more anthropophilic than the other anophelines collected. The remainder of the Anopheles species were collected much morefrequently in bovine-baited traps than in human-bait collections. Anopheles darlingi and An. deaneorum were more frequently collected inside houses than the other anopheline species. But, when collections were made in a house with numerous openings in the walls, there were few differences in the percentages of each species biting man indoors versus outdoors. Anopheles darlingi was the predominant mosquito collected, both inside and outside houses, and had the strongest anthropophilic feeding behavior of the anophelines present.
Relação entre características morfológicas de frutos e incidência de podridão carpelar em clones de macieira 'Gala' e 'Fuji' sobre diferentes porta-enxertos
Authors: Silveira Fabiane Nunes , Kretzschmar Aike Anneliese , Rufato Leo , Bogo Amauri , Fioravanço João Caetano
Published: May 2013

A podridão carpelar tem-se tornado uma importante doença no Brasil, deixando de ser considerada uma doença secundária dentro do grupo das doenças de verão. O desenvolvimento e o formato dos frutos podem ser influenciados por eventos climáticos que ocorrem durante o período de polinização e frutificação da macieira. Além de outros fatores como nutrição das plantas, manejo da condução, tipo de porta-enxerto e cultivar copa. As alterações no formato dos frutos advindas destes fatores podem influenciar no aumento da intensidade da doença. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relacionar características morfológicas de frutos com a incidência de podridão carpelar, em clones de macieira, utilizando diferentes porta-enxertos, durante os ciclos de produção de 2009/2010 e 2010/2011, no município de Vacaria, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em arranjo fatorial 9 x 2, com nove clones das cultivares Gala e Fuji e dois porta-enxertos EM-9 e Marubakaido com interenxerto de EM-9. As características morfológicas dos frutos avaliados foram: relação entre comprimento e diâmetro de frutos (C/D), distância entre lóbulos, abertura calicinar, comprimento do tubo calicinar, número de sementes e classe de sintomas da doença nos carpelos. A doença não foi identificada nos clones da cultivar Gala, em ambos os ciclos de produção. Houve interação entre os fatores clones e porta-enxertos para as características morfológicas avaliadas, em ambos os ciclos de produção. A maior incidência da doença nos clones de 'Fuji' apresentou uma relação positiva com as características morfológicas dos frutos com maior abertura calicinar, menor relação C/D e maior distância entre lóbulos dos frutos, quando comparados aos clones de 'Gala'. O clone 'Fuji Suprema', enxertado sobre porta-enxerto EM-9, apresentou 19,33 % de incidência de podridão carpelar, sendo significativamente superior quando comparado aos 6,67% de incidência do porta-enxerto Marubakaido com interenxerto de EM-9. Dentre os gêneros de fungos isolados de carpelos de maçãs, Alternaria é o gênero que apresentou maior frequência na proporção de 14 e 20% nos ciclos de 2009/2010 e 2010/2011, respectivamente.
Estimativa de temperaturas basais e exigência térmica em mangueiras no nordeste do estado do Pará
Authors: Rodrigues Juliana Chagas , Souza Paulo Jorge de Oliveira Ponte de , Lima Renata Trindade de
Published: May 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar as temperaturas basais e a exigência térmica da mangueira, na região nordeste do Estado do Pará. Um experimento foi realizado em um pomar de mangueiras de 25 hectares, durante as safras de 2010/2011 e 2011/2012, sendo acompanhadas diariamente a fenologia e as condições meteorológicas desde a floração até a colheita. As duas safras experimentaram diferentes condições meteorológicas, e, por isso, a duração do ciclo e a exigência térmica diferiram significativamente. As temperaturas basal inferior e superior para a cultura da mangueira foram de 13 °C e 32 °C, respectivamente, a exigência térmica média encontrada para a mangueira atingir o ponto de colheita comercial foi de 1.024,23 °C dia-1 a 1.157,99 °C dia-1 e a duração média do ciclo da mangueira foi de 110 a 112 dias.
Microclima em vinhedos de 'Niagara rosada' em diferentes sistemas de condução durante safras de inverno e de verão
Authors: Pedro Júnior Mário José , Hernandes José Luiz , Blain Gabriel Constantino , Rolim Glauco de Souza
Published: May 2013

Na região vitícola de Jundiaí, o tradicional sistema de condução das plantas em espaldeira vem sendo paulatinamente substituído pela manjedoura na forma de Y. Alguns produtores têm lançado mão do uso de cobertura plástica para conferir maior proteção aos cachos de uva. Como esses diferentes sistemas de condução provocam alterações no microclima dos vinhedos, foram feitas medições de radiação solar global, umidade relativa, temperaturas máxima e mínima do ar no ambiente externo e na altura dos cachos de vinhedos de 'Niagara Rosada' conduzidos em espaldeira a céu aberto e em Y, com e sem cobertura de plástico, durante o período das safras de inverno e de verão. Verificou-se, que durante a safra de verão, as diferenças entre os valores diários de radiação solar, temperatura máxima do ar e umidade relativa foram mais elevadas em relação às da safra de inverno na comparação entre os sistemas de condução e o ambiente externo. Os vinhedos conduzidos em espaldeira apresentaram menores valores de radiação solar e umidade relativa do ar, na altura dos cachos. As temperaturas máximas e mínimas do ar foram semelhantes em todos os sistemas de condução e durante as diferentes safras. O uso de cobertura plástica no sistema de condução em Y não influiu na umidade relativa do ar e na temperatura mínima, porém propiciou aumento nos valores de temperatura máxima do ar.
Tamanho ótimo de amostra para avaliação de caracteres de frutos de abacaxizeiro em experimentos com adubação usando parcelas grandes
Authors: Krause Willian , Storck Lindolfo , Lúcio Alessandro Dal´Col , Nied Astor Henrique , Gonçalves Regis Queiroz
Published: May 2013

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o tamanho ótimo de amostra para avaliar a massa, o comprimento e o diâmetro de frutos de abacaxieiro, usando parcelas grandes submetidas a diferentes adubações. No experimento com abacaxizeiro (cultivar Pérola), foram avaliadas duas fontes de nitrogênio (ureia e sulfato de amônio) e cinco doses de cloreto de potássio (zero;350; 700; 1.050 e 1.400 kg ha-1). Cada parcela continha cinco fileiras duplas de quatro metros de comprimento, sendo que as três fileiras centrais foram consideradas como área útil. O espaçamento de plantio foi 1,2 x 0,4 x 0,4 m, correspondente a 60 plantas por parcela útil. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos completos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Foi calculado o tamanho de amostra ( η ) para as semiamplitudes do intervalo de confiança (SA) iguais a 2; 4; 6;8 e 10% da estimativa da média, com grau de confiança (1-α) de 95%, usando a distribuição t de Student. Posteriormente, fixou-se η como o total de frutos colhidos por parcela para o cálculo da SA em percentagem da estimativa da média para cada um dos caracteres. Com um erro de estimação de 4% da média, devem ser amostrados, respectivamente, 83; 35 e 10 frutos em cada uma das parcelas experimentais, para a avaliação da massa, do comprimento e do diâmetro de frutos de abacaxizeiro, cultivar Pérola, em experimentos com adubação.
Normas preliminares dris e faixas de suficiência para goiabeira 'Paluma'
Authors: Souza Henrique Antunes de , Rozane Danilo Eduardo , Amorim Daniel Angelucci de , Natale William
Published: May 2013

O diagnóstico nutricional a partir da análise do tecido foliar é um instrumento eficiente para detectar desequilíbrios e auxiliar no processo de recomendação de adubação. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a relação entre os índices DRIS e os teores foliares de nutrientes, estabelecer teores foliares adequados de nutrientes com o DRIS e validar normas DRIS para a goiabeira 'Paluma'. Avaliou-se um pomar comercial nas condições de cultivo do Estado de São Paulo, durante seis safras de produção de frutos, provenientes de ensaios de adubação orgânica e mineral, totalizando 168 amostras. A ordem dos nutrientes limitantes por falta em ordem decrescente foram: Fe>K>Mn>Ca>B>N>P>Cu>S>Mg>Zn, e limitantes por excesso em ordem decrescente foram: Cu>Fe>P>Mn=Mg>Zn>Ca>B>K>S>N. As faixas adequadas, provenientes dos índices DRIS, são: 18-21; 1,5-1,7; 15-17; 8-11; 1,8-2,5 e 2,5-2,9 (g kg-1) para os macronutrientes N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S, respectivamente, e 26-38; 5-57; 54-112; 53-101 e 13-126 (mg kg-1) para os micronutrientes B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn, respectivamente. A produtividade das goiabeiras esteve associada ao estado nutricional.
Qualidade de vida de pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral em reabilitação
Authors: Rangel Edja Solange Souza , Belasco Angélica Gonçalves Silva , Diccini Solange
Published: May 2013

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar e correlacionar a qualidade de vida e depressão de pacientes após acidente vascular cerebral em reabilitação. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado em dois serviços de reabilitação, com pacientes de acidente vascular cerebral. As informações coletadas foram sociodemográficas, o Medical Outcome Study 36 - item short-form health survey, o Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale, o Índice de Barthel e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi constituída de 139 pacientes, idade média 59,4 anos e 59% eram homens. Houve comprometimento dos escores da qualidade de vida geral e específica. Segundo o Índice de Barthel 49,6% dos pacientes apresentavam dependência moderada a severa e 49,7% tinham sintomas depressivos, conforme Inventário de Depressão de Beck, não havendo correlação positiva entre estes dados e qualidade de vida geral e específica. CONCLUSÃO: A qualidade de vida geral e específica dos pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral, em reabilitação, apresentou domínios comprometidos.
Por uma vida melhor na mídia: discurso, aforização e polêmica
Authors: Baronas Roberto Leiser , Cox Maria Inês Pagliarini
Published: May 2013

Neste artigo estuda-se, na perspectiva da análise de discurso, a polêmica em torno do livro didático de língua portuguesa Por uma vida melhor que teve lugar na mídia no primeiro semestre de 2011, gerando um numeroso arquivo de matérias jornalísticas sobre o tema. A polêmica se instaurou a partir de um conjunto de enunciados destacados do capítulo do livro, modificados segundo a ideologia do português único das Organizações Globo. O corpus discursivo, constituído de enunciados recortados de matérias sobre o tema que circularam de modo impresso e/ou pela internet, foi examinado com base nos conceitos de destacabilidade e aforização (MAINGUENEAU, 2010, 2008), bem como nos conceitos de polêmica, interincompreensão, tradução e simulacro (MAINGUENEAU, 2005). Verifica-se se o destaque e a aforização potencializam a produção e a circulação de simulacros na esfera midiática.
The Potential of Helical Tomotherapy in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Van Gestel Dirk , Verellen Dirk , Van De Voorde Lien , Ost Bie , De Kerf Geert , Vanderveken Olivier , Van Laer Carl , Van den Weyngaert Danielle , Vermorken Jan B. , Gregoire Vincent
Published: May 2013

A decade after its first introduction into the clinic, little is known about the clinical impact of helical tomotherapy (HT) on head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. Therefore, we analyzed the basics of this technique and reviewed the literature regarding HT's potential benefit in HNC. The past two decades have been characterized by a huge technological evolution in photon beam radiotherapy (RT). In HNC, static beam intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has shown superiority over three-dimensional conformal RT in terms of xerostomia and is considered the standard of care. However, the next-generation IMRT, the rotational IMRT, has been introduced into the clinic without any evidence of superiority over static beam IMRT other than being substantially faster. Of these rotational techniques, HT is the first system especially developed for IMRT in combination with image-guided RT. HT is particularly promising for the treatment of HNC because its sharp dose gradients maximally spare the many radiosensitive organs at risk nearby. In addition, HT's integrated computed tomography scan assures a very precise dose administration and allows for some adaptive RT. Because HT is specifically developed for IMRT in combination with (integrated) image-guidance, it allows for precise dose distribution (“dose painting”), patient setup, and dose delivery. As such, it is an excellent tool for difficult HNC irradiation. The literature on the clinical results of HT in HNC all show excellent short-term (≤2 years) results with acceptable toxicity profiles. However, properly designed trials are still warranted to further substantiate these results.
Unsaturated soil interacting with a rotating model wall
Authors: Vo Thanh , Russell Adrian R.
Published: May 2013

A new testing facility and set of procedures for performing retaining wall model tests in unsaturated soils are described. The facility enables a model wall to be rotated into or away from a soil sample about one of a number of rotation centres. The results of a single test in a decomposed granite sample are presented. The test sample was prepared using a modified moist tamping method involving a hand-held electric percussion compaction hammer. The compaction energy applied to each of ten thin layers of soil in forming the sample was controlled and enabled a uniform density to be achieved. Suction changes were measured using vibrating wire piezometers. Pressures on the wall were measured by earth pressure cells embedded in the wall face. Integrating the earth pressure profile enabled an equivalent load acting on the wall to be calculated, and was in reasonable agreement with the measured applied load. Soil deformations were recorded using photographic image velocimetry. The pattern of soil deformation observed, particularly strain localisations, was similar to those in tests on dry sands. The suction increases measured during the test were consistent with the volumetric dilation that occurred in the sample.
Forest patch symmetry depends on direction of limiting resource delivery
Authors: Stanton Daniel E. , Negret Beatriz Salgado , Armesto Juan J. , Hedin Lars O.
Published: May 2013

Edge effects are a major concern in the study and conservation of forest patches. The traditional perspective, derived from patches formed by fragmentation, considers forest edges as intermediates in a gradient between interior and exterior conditions, symmetrically distributed around the core of the patch. We present a more general conceptual model that shows that this perspective is only one of several possible environmental gradients across forest patches. When resources are delivered horizontally (e.g., fog, surface runoff), environmental parameters and species composition are expected to have very different, asymmetric, distributions within forest patches. We conducted transect surveys characterizing environmental conditions (light, soil moisture, soil nutrients), vegetation structure and species composition in fog‐fed patches of relict temperate forest in northern Chile. Windward edges differed most from the surrounding scrubland, whereas the core merely represented an intermediate between windward and leeward edges. Community composition changed drastically from temperate forest specialists on the windward edge to mediterranean shrub species leeward. The simple edge‐core model is shown to be inadequate for describing spatial patterns in fog‐influenced forests: a more universal model including the directionality of external resource inputs and internal dynamics must be considered when evaluating forest patch dynamics.
A Novel Multirate Dual-Porosity Model for Improved Simulation of Fractured and Multiporosity Reservoirs
Authors: Geiger S.. , Dentz M.. , Neuweiler I..
Published: May 2013

A major part of the world's remaining oil reserves is in fractured carbonate reservoirs, which are dual-porosity (fracture-matrix) or multiporosity (fracture/vug/matrix) in nature. Fractured reservoirs suffer from poor recovery, high water cut, and generally low performance. They are modeled commonly by use of a dual-porosity approach, which assumes that the high-permeability fractures are mobile and low-permeability matrix is immobile. A single transfer function models the rate at which hydrocarbons migrate from the matrix into the fractures. As shown in many numerical, laboratory, and field experiments, a wide range of transfer rates occurs between the immobile matrix and mobile fractures. These arise, for example, from the different sizes of matrix blocks (yielding a distribution of shape factors), different porosity types, or the inhomogeneous distribution of saturations in the matrix blocks. Thus, accurate models are needed that capture all the transfer rates between immobile matrix and mobile fracture domains, particularly to predict late-time recovery more reliably when the water cut is already high. In this work, we propose a novel multi-rate mass-transfer (MRMT) model for two-phase flow, which accounts for viscous-dominated flow in the fracture domain and capillary flow in the matrix domain. It extends the classical (i.e., single-rate) dual-porosity model to allow us to simulate the wide range of transfer rates occurring in naturally fractured multiporosity rocks. We demonstrate, by use of numerical simulations of waterflooding in naturally fractured rock masses at the gridblock scale, that our MRMT model matches the observed recovery curves more accurately compared with the classical dual-porosity model. We further discuss how our multi-rate dual-porosity model can be parameterized in a predictive manner and how the model could be used to complement traditional commercial reservoir-simulation workflows.
Contribution to reviewing potentials of natural resources of the Sjenica-Pester plateau for organizing organic sheep production
Authors: Savic Mila , Vuckovic Savo , Jovanovic Slobodan
Published: May 2013

The paper presents results of investigating possibilities for organizing and
developing organic production in sheep farming, in the territory of the
Sjenica-Pester plateau. The results of investigations on yield, floristic and
chemical composition, as well as harmful matter, demonstrate that conditions
exist for the development of organic production, in particular of organic
lamb meet. On the grounds of its known characteristics, the Sjenica-Pester
Pramenka breed presents the most suitable breed for organizing organic sheep
production. Organic sheep production can largely contribute to rural
development and the advancement of this region.
Contamination of cattle feed with molds and mycotoxins
Authors: Krnjaja Vesna , Novakovic Zeljko , Stojanovic Ljiljana , Ostojic-Andric Dusica , Stanisic Nikola , Niksic Dragan , Mandic Violeta
Published: May 2013

The total number of potentially toxigenic molds (fungi), total aflatoxins,
zearalenone (ZON), and deoxynivalenol (DON), as well as the joint appearance
of ZON and DON have been investigated in 67 samples of cattle feed
(concentrate (n=21), silage of whole maize plant (n=18), beet pulp (n=4),
brewer's malt (n=2), alfalfa and grass (n=1), alfalfa hay (n=12), meadow hay
(n=7), pea and oat hay (n=1), and red clover hay (n=1) originating from
private farms from 10 districts of the Republic of Serbia. The total number
of fungi per 1 g feed ranged from 0 (silage of brewer?s malt) to 12 x 104
(concentrate). Eight fungi genus species have been identified: Acremonium,
Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillum, Rhizopus and
Trichoderma. The presence of ZON (100%) was established in all the examined
cattle feed samples, while 98.5% samples were contaminated with total
aflatoxins and 92.5% samples were DON positive. The joint appearance of ZON
and DON was established in 92.5% samples. ZON was present in the highest
average concentration in the sample of alfalfa and grass silage (2477.5 ?g
kg-1) and in the lowest in beet pulp silage samples (64.9 ?g kg-1). Total
aflatoxins were established in the highest average concentration in the pea
and oat hay silage sample (7.9 ?g kg-1) and in the lowest average
concentration in beet pulp silage samples (1.6 ?g kg-1). DON was detected in
the highest average concentration in concentrate samples (694.2 ?g kg-1) and
in the lowest average concentration in the red clover hay sample (11.0 ?g
kg-1), while DON was not detected in brewer's malt silage samples (0.0 ?g
kg-1). In all the examined cattle feed samples, between moisture content (up
to 20%) and the concentration of examined mycotoxins, a negative correlation
was established (r=-0.26) with total aflatoxins and a positive correlation
with ZON (r=0,36) and DON (r=0,60). Furthermore, a positive correlation
(r=0.22) was established between ZON and DON concentrations.
Building Cohesive Leadership Development
Authors: Shoaf Lisa , Zigler Ted , Beebe Robert
Published: May 2013

In 2004 the General Assembly of the State of Ohio (USA) enacted Senate Bill 2, which created the Educator Standards Board ‘to develop and recommend to the state board of education standards for entering and continuing in the teaching and principalship professions’. Since that time the Ohio Department of Education has established a coherent leader development system to strengthen the accountability and performance of school principals under the standards that were adopted. This article reports on the national and international context of such work, related research, the development of the Ohio Principal Standards, the alignment of the standards with national standards, the development of the Ohio Principal Evaluation System, and the development of rubrics to measure principal performance. The authors believe that this work may be instructive and helpful to other entities that are seeking to upgrade principal performance.
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Is Involved in Streptozotocin-Induced Bone Loss in Female Mice
Authors: Tamura Yukinori , Kawao Naoyuki , Okada Kiyotaka , Yano Masato , Okumoto Katsumi , Matsuo Osamu , Kaji Hiroshi
Published: May 2013

In diabetic patients, the risk of fracture is high because of impaired bone formation. However, the details of the mechanisms in the development of diabetic osteoporosis remain unclear. In the current study, we investigated the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetic osteoporosis by using PAI-1–deficient mice. Quantitative computed tomography analysis showed that PAI-1 deficiency protected against streptozotocin-induced bone loss in female mice but not in male mice. PAI-1 deficiency blunted the changes in the levels of Runx2, osterix, and alkaline phosphatase in tibia as well as serum osteocalcin levels suppressed by the diabetic state in female mice only. Furthermore, the osteoclast levels in tibia, suppressed in diabetes, were also blunted by PAI-1 deficiency in female mice. Streptozotocin markedly elevated the levels of PAI-1 mRNA in liver in female mice only. In vitro study demonstrated that treatment with active PAI-1 suppressed the levels of osteogenic genes and mineralization in primary osteoblasts from female mouse calvaria. In conclusion, the current study indicates that PAI-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetic osteoporosis in females. The expression of PAI-1 in the liver and the sensitivity of bone cells to PAI-1 may be an underlying mechanism.
Early Electrophysiological Abnormalities and Clinical Neuropathy
Authors: Hyllienmark Lars , Alstrand Nils , Jonsson Björn , Ludvigsson Johnny , Cooray Gerald , Wahlberg-Topp Jeanette
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to elucidate whether subclinical nerve dysfunction as reflected by neurophysiological testing predicts the development of clinical neuropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Fifty-nine patients were studied twice with neurophysiological measurements at baseline and at follow-up. At baseline, patients were 15.5 ± 3.22 years (range 7–22 years) of age, and duration of diabetes was 6.8 ± 3.3 years. At follow-up, patients were 20–35 years of age, and disease duration was 20 ± 5.3 years (range 10–31 years).

RESULTS

At baseline, patients showed modestly reduced nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes compared with healthy subjects, but all were free of clinical neuropathy. At follow-up, clinical neuropathy was present in nine (15%) patients. These patients had a more pronounced reduction in peroneal motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), median MCV, and sural sensory nerve action potential at baseline (P < 0.010–0.003). In simple logistic regression analyses, the predictor with the strongest association with clinical neuropathy was baseline HbA1c (R2 = 48%, odds ratio 7.9, P < 0.002) followed by peroneal MCV at baseline (R2 = 38%, odds ratio 0.6, P < 0.006). With the use of a stepwise forward analysis that included all predictors, first baseline HbA1c and then only peroneal MCV at baseline entered significantly (R2 = 61%). Neuropathy impairment assessment showed a stronger correlation with baseline HbA1c (ρ = 0.40, P < 0.002) than with follow-up HbA1c (ρ = 0.034, P < 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Early defects in nerve conduction velocity predict the development of diabetic neuropathy. However, the strongest predictor was HbA1c during the first years of the disease.
Development of a survey instrument to assess health-related quality of life in small animal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy
Authors: Iliopoulou Maria A. , Kitchell Barbara E. , Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan Vilma
Published: May 2013

Objective—To develop a quality of life (QOL) survey for use in a canine cancer chemotherapy setting, validate the instrument's utility, identify key questions that facilitate client and clinician communication regarding decisions in patient care, and use human and veterinary QOL literature to develop a comprehensive yet simple proxy survey instrument.

Design—Survey.

Animals—29 canine chemotherapy patients.

Procedures—Patients were evaluated by both owners and veterinarians at the time of initial visit to the clinic and at 3 and 6 weeks after the initiation of chemotherapy. This survey consisted of a longitudinal evaluation of QOL with 6 components addressing the animal's QOL retrospectively, before onset of cancer; changes in the animal's QOL since manifestation of disease; changes in the animal's QOL with regard to treatment response; owner's QOL and its impact on priorities in decision making; clinician's impression of the owner's priorities and QOL; and clinician's impression of the dog's QOL.

Results—Multiple regression analysis indicated 3 significant predictors of canine cancer patient QOL to be play behaviors, signs of illness, and canine happiness as perceived by owners.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The QOL instrument was easy to use and enhanced client perception of patient care and clinician concern. Owners enjoyed the opportunity to complete the survey. Since questions regarding play behaviors, clinical signs of disease, and canine happiness were significant indicators of changes in QOL, these should be included in future studies. Quality of life assessment may facilitate treatment decisions and assessment of canine patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of brain magnetic resonance imaging in dogs
Authors: Leclerc Mylène-Kim , d'Anjou Marc-André , Blond Laurent , Carmel Éric Norman , Dennis Ruth , Kraft Susan L. , Matthews Andrea R. , Parent Joane M.
Published: May 2013

Objective—To evaluate interobserver agreement and diagnostic accuracy of brain MRI in dogs.

Design—Evaluation study.

Animals—44 dogs.

Procedures—5 board-certified veterinary radiologists with variable MRI experience interpreted transverse T2-weighted (T2w), T2w fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and T1-weighted-FLAIR; transverse, sagittal, and dorsal T2w; and T1-weighted-FLAIR postcontrast brain sequences (1.5 T). Several imaging parameters were scored, including the following: lesion (present or absent), lesion characteristics (axial localization, mass effect, edema, hemorrhage, and cavitation), contrast enhancement characteristics, and most likely diagnosis (normal, neoplastic, inflammatory, vascular, metabolic or toxic, or other). Magnetic resonance imaging diagnoses were determined initially without patient information and then repeated, providing history and signalment. For all cases and readers, MRI diagnoses were compared with final diagnoses established with results from histologic examination (when available) or with other pertinent clinical data (CSF analysis, clinical response to treatment, or MRI follow-up). Magnetic resonance scores were compared between examiners with κ statistics.

Results—Reading agreement was substantial to almost perfect (0.64 < κ < 0.86) when identifying a brain lesion on MRI; fair to moderate (0.14 < κ < 0.60) when interpreting hemorrhage, edema, and pattern of contrast enhancement; fair to substantial (0.22 < κ < 0.74) for dural tail sign and categorization of margins of enhancement; and moderate to substantial (0.40 < κ < 0.78) for axial localization, presence of mass effect, cavitation, intensity, and distribution of enhancement. Interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial for categories of diagnosis (0.56 < κ < 0.69), and agreement with the final diagnosis was substantial regardless of whether patient information was (0.65 < κ < 0.76) or was not (0.65 < κ < 0.68) provided.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The present study found that whereas some MRI features such as edema and hemorrhage were interpreted less consistently, radiologists were reasonably constant and accurate when providing diagnoses.
The first transition metal iodato peroxido complex: the synthesis, vibrational spectra and crystal structure from powder diffraction data of K3[V2O2(O2)4(IO3)]·H2O
Authors: Šimuneková Mária , Schwendt Peter , Chrappová Jana , Smrčok Ľubomir , Černý Radovan , Beek Wouter
Published: May 2013

The first transition metal iodato peroxido complex, K3[V2O2(O2)4(IO3)]·H2O (I), was prepared by crystallization from the KVO3 — KIO3 — H2O2 — H2O — ethanol (HNO3) solution. The dinuclear anion is immediately decomposed in aqueous solution; the 51V NMR spectrum exhibits signals corresponding to [VO(O2)2(H2O)]−, [V2O2(OH)(O2)4]3− and H2VO4− species only. The IR and Raman spectra contain all characteristic bands of the VO(O2)2 group and the coordinated IO3− ligand. Based on the positions of bands assigned to the vibrations of the VO(O2)2 groups a pentagonal pyramidal arrangement around the vanadium atoms can be supposed. The crystal structure was solved from X-ray synchrotron powder data by direct space method and refined by energy minimization in the solid state employing a hybrid PBE0 functional. This crystal and molecular structure, has confirmed the presence of hexacoordinated vanadium atoms and revealed asymmetric dinuclear structure of the [V2O2(O2)4(IO3)]3− ion. The coordination spheres of vanadium atoms are different — the IO3− anion is coordinated only to one vanadium center. A thermal analysis of the complex confirmed the presence of water molecules in the crystal structure and revealed a considerable stability of the dehydrated complex.
Acupuncture in Subacute Stroke: No Benefits Detected
Authors: Zhu Yi , Zhang Lixia , Ouyang Gang , Meng Dianhuai , Qian Kailin , Ma Jinhui , Wang Tong
Published: May 2013

Background

There is debate concerning the effect of acupuncture on rehabilitation following stroke, with key reviews unable to find evidence of benefit. This lack of evidence may be due to poor study design, small sample size, and insufficient theoretical background.

Objective

The present study was designed to determine whether acupuncture combined with conventional physical therapy improves motor function and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke compared with conventional physical therapy alone.

Design

A multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study was conducted.

Setting

Four rehabilitation centers in the Jiangsu province of China participated in this study.

Patients

One hundred eighty-eight patients with subacute stroke admitted to the hospital were randomized into an acupuncture group and a conventional rehabilitation group.

Interventions

A combination of body and scalp acupuncture was used for 3 months in the acupuncture group. All patients underwent conventional stroke rehabilitation.

Measurements

The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index (BI) were performed at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after inclusion in the study.

Results

No statistically significant differences were found at baseline between the groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups using the FMA motor scores and the BI scores at baseline or at 1, 3, or 6 months. Significant improvements were found in each group following treatment.

Conclusions

In patients with subacute stroke, the addition of body and scalp acupuncture to a regimen of conventional physical therapy does not result in further improvement in either motor function or ADL beyond the effect of conventional physical therapy alone.
Complications after mesial temporal lobe surgery via inferiortemporal gyrus approach
Authors: Vale Fernando L. , Reintjes Stephen , Garcia Hermes G.
Published: May 2013

Object

The purpose of this study was to identify the complications associated with the inferior temporal gyrus approach to anterior mesial temporal lobe resection for temporal lobe epilepsy.

Methods

This retrospective study examined complications experienced by 483 patients during the 3 months after surgery. All surgeries were performed during 1998–2012 by the senior author (F.L.V.).

Results

A total of 13 complications (2.7%) were reported. Complications were 8 delayed subdural hematomas (1.6%), 2 superficial wound infections (0.4%), 1 delayed intracranial hemorrhage (0.2%), 1 small lacunar stroke (0.2%), and 1 transient frontalis nerve palsy (0.2%). Three patients with subdural hematoma (0.6%) required readmission and surgical intervention. One patient (0.2%) with delayed intracranial hemorrhage required readmission to the neuroscience intensive care unit for observation. No deaths or severe neurological impairments were reported. Among the 8 patients with subdural hematoma, 7 were older than 40 years (87.5%); however, this finding was not statistically significant (p = 0.198).

Conclusions

The inferior temporal gyrus approach to mesial temporal lobe resection is a safe and effective method for treating temporal lobe epilepsy. Morbidity and mortality rates associated with this procedure are lower than those associated with other neurosurgical procedures. The finding that surgical complications seem to be more common among older patients emphasizes the need for early surgical referral of patients with medically refractory epilepsy.
Hypothalamic hamartomas. Part 1. Clinical, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological characteristics
Authors: Mittal Sandeep , Mittal Monika , Montes José Luis , Farmer Jean-Pierre , Andermann Frederick
Published: May 2013

Hypothalamic hamartomas are uncommon but well-recognized developmental malformations that are classically associated with gelastic seizures and other refractory seizure types. The clinical course is often progressive and, in addition to the catastrophic epileptic syndrome, patients commonly exhibit debilitating cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances. Over the past decade, investigators have gained considerable knowledge into the pathobiological and neurophysiological properties of these rare lesions. In this review, the authors examine the causes and molecular biology of hypothalamic hamartomas as well as the principal clinical features, neuroimaging findings, and electrophysiological characteristics. The diverse surgical modalities and strategies used to manage these difficult lesions are outlined in the second article of this 2-part review.