bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction of an in vitro bypassed pyruvate decarboxylation pathway using thermostable enzyme modules and its application to N-acetylglutamate production
Authors: Krutsakorn Borimas , Imagawa Takashi , Honda Kohsuke , Okano Kenji , Ohtake Hisao
Published: October 2013

Background

Metabolic engineering has emerged as a practical alternative to conventional chemical conversion particularly in biocommodity production processes. However, this approach is often hampered by as yet unidentified inherent mechanisms of natural metabolism. One of the possible solutions for the elimination of the negative effects of natural regulatory mechanisms on artificially engineered metabolic pathway is to construct anin vitropathway using a limited number of enzymes. Employment of thermostable enzymes as biocatalytic modules for pathway construction enables the one-step preparation of catalytic units with excellent selectivity and operational stability. Acetyl-CoA is a central precursor involved in the biosynthesis of various metabolites. In this study, anin vitropathway to convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA was constructed and applied toN-acetylglutamate production.

Results

A bypassed pyruvate decarboxylation pathway, through which pyruvate can be converted to acetyl-CoA, was constructed by using a coupled enzyme system consisting of pyruvate decarboxylase fromAcetobacter pasteurianusand the CoA-acylating aldehyde dehydrogenase fromThermus thermophilus. To demonstrate the applicability of the bypassed pathway for chemical production, a cofactor-balanced and CoA-recycling synthetic pathway forN-acetylglutamate production was designed by coupling the bypassed pathway with the glutamate dehydrogenase fromT. thermophilusandN-acetylglutamate synthase fromThermotoga maritima.N-Acetylglutamate could be produced from an equimolar mixture of pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate with a molar yield of 55% through the synthetic pathway consisting of a mixture of four recombinantE. colistrains having either one of the thermostable enzymes. The overall recycling number of CoA was calculated to be 27.

Conclusions

Assembly of thermostable enzymes enables the flexible design and construction of anin vitrometabolic pathway specialized for chemical manufacture. We herein report thein vitroconstruction of a bypassed pathway capable of an almost stoichiometric conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. This pathway is potentially applicable not only toN-acetylglutamate production but also to the production of a wide range of acetyl-CoA-derived metabolites.
Low Serum retinol-binding protein-4 levels in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at intensive care unit admission is a predictor of mortality in elderly patients
Authors: Jin Qihui , Chen Yueliang , Lou Yufeng , He Xiaojun
Published: October 2013

Background

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are thought to be associated with increased mortality in elderly patients. Low retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) is associated with a high risk of respiratory infections in the general population. Therefore, we hypothesized that low RBP4 levels are associated with an increased risk of AECOPD and can be used as a biomarker for AECOPD in elderly patients.

Methods

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess RBP4 levels in elderly with AECOPD within the first 24 hours after intensive care unit admission. Forty-six elderly patients with stable COPD in outpatient clinics and 50 healthy elderly persons who had physical examinations as outpatients were controls.

Results

In AECOPD patients, RBP4 levels were lower than those in stable COPD patients and healthy controls (59.7 vs 91.2 and 113.6 mg/L, p < 0.001). RBP4 levels were decreased by 30.6% in non-survivors compared with survivors (51.5 vs 74.2 mg/L, p < 0.001). A higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Enquiry II (APACHE II) score and Simplified Acute Physiology score (SAPS II) were associated with lower RBP4 levels (r = −0.692, p = 0.024 and r = −0.670, p = 0.015, respectively). RBP4 was positively correlated with creatinine and body mass index, and negatively correlated with C-reactive protein and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage. Multivariate logistic regression showed that RBP4 was an independent mortality predictor of AECOPD (odds ratio: 0.926, p = 0.007). Analysis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) curve showed that RBP4 showed good discrimination (AUC: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.78–0.94; p = 0.008) in predicting mortality. RBP4 improved the prognostic accuracy of mortality for the APACHE II and SAPS II scores.

Conclusions

Serum RBP4 levels are significantly reduced in elderly AECOPD patients. RBP4 might be a good predictive biomarker for mortality in elderly AECOPD patients in the intensive care unit.
The functional interplay of Helicobacter pylori factors with gastric epithelial cells induces a multi-step process in pathogenesis
Authors: Posselt Gernot , Backert Steffen , Wessler Silja
Published: October 2013

Infections with the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can lead to severe gastric diseases ranging from chronic gastritis and ulceration to neoplastic changes in the stomach. Development and progress of H. pylori-associated disorders are determined by multifarious bacterial factors. Many of them interact directly with host cells or require specific receptors, while others enter the host cytoplasm to derail cellular functions. Several adhesins (e.g. BabA, SabA, AlpA/B, or OipA) establish close contact with the gastric epithelium as an important first step in persistent colonization. Soluble H. pylori factors (e.g. urease, VacA, or HtrA) have been suggested to alter cell survival and intercellular adhesions. Via a type IV secretion system (T4SS), H. pylori also translocates the effector cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and peptidoglycan directly into the host cytoplasm, where cancer- and inflammation-associated signal transduction pathways can be deregulated. Through these manifold possibilities of interaction with host cells, H. pylori interferes with the complex signal transduction networks in its host and mediates a multi-step pathogenesis.
Molecular differential diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma and adenoma based on gene expression profiling by using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues
Authors: Pfeifer Aleksandra , Wojtas Bartosz , Oczko-Wojciechowska Malgorzata , Kukulska Aleksandra , Czarniecka Agnieszka , Eszlinger Markus , Musholt Thomas , Stokowy Tomasz , Swierniak Michal , Stobiecka Ewa , Rusinek Dagmara , Tyszkiewicz Tomasz , Kowal Monika , Jarzab Michal , Hauptmann Steffen , Lange Dariusz , Paschke Ralf , Jarzab Barbara
Published: October 2013

Background

Differential diagnosis between malignant follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and benign follicular thyroid adenoma (FTA) is a great challenge for even an experienced pathologist and requires special effort. Molecular markers may potentially support a differential diagnosis between FTC and FTA in postoperative specimens. The purpose of this study was to derive molecular support for differential post-operative diagnosis, in the form of a simple multigene mRNA-based classifier that would differentiate between FTC and FTA tissue samples.

Methods

A molecular classifier was created based on a combined analysis of two microarray datasets (using 66 thyroid samples). The performance of the classifier was assessed using an independent dataset comprising 71 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples (31 FTC and 40 FTA), which were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). In addition, three other microarray datasets (62 samples) were used to confirm the utility of the classifier.

Results

Five of 8 genes selected from training datasets (ELMO1, EMCN, ITIH5, KCNAB1, SLCO2A1) were amplified by qPCR in FFPE material from an independent sample set. Three other genes did not amplify in FFPE material, probably due to low abundance. All 5 analysed genes were downregulated in FTC compared to FTA. The sensitivity and specificity of the 5-gene classifier tested on the FFPE dataset were 71% and 72%, respectively.

Conclusions

The proposed approach could support histopathological examination: 5-gene classifier may aid in molecular discrimination between FTC and FTA in FFPE material.
Inhibition of Hedgehog signaling sensitizes NSCLC cells to standard therapies through modulation of EMT-regulating miRNAs
Authors: Ahmad Aamir , Maitah Ma’in Y , Ginnebaugh Kevin R , Li Yiwei , Bao Bin , Gadgeel Shirish M , Sarkar Fazlul H
Published: October 2013

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor- tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) benefit Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and an EGFR-TKIi erlotinib, is approved for patients with recurrent NSCLC. However, resistance to erlotinib is a major clinical problem. Earlier we have demonstrated the role of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NSCLC cells, leading to increased proliferation and invasion. Here, we investigated the role of Hh signaling in erlotinib resistance of TGF-β1-induced NSCLC cells that are reminiscent of EMT cells.

Methods

Hh signaling was inhibited by specific siRNA and by GDC-0449, a small molecule antagonist of G protein coupled receptor smoothened in the Hh pathway. Not all NSCLC patients are likely to benefit from EGFR-TKIs and, therefore, cisplatin was used to further demonstrate a role of inhibition of Hh signaling in sensitization of resistant EMT cells. Specific pre- and anti-miRNA preparations were used to study the mechanistic involvement of miRNAs in drug resistance mechanism.

Results

siRNA-mediated inhibition as well as pharmacological inhibition of Hh signaling abrogated resistance of NSCLC cells to erlotinib and cisplatin. It also resulted in re-sensitization of TGF-β1-induced A549 (A549M) cells as well the mesenchymal phenotypic H1299 cells to erlotinib and cisplatin treatment with concomitant up-regulation of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers (Sox2, Nanog and EpCAM) and down-regulation of miR-200 and let-7 family miRNAs. Ectopic up-regulation of miRNAs, especially miR-200b and let-7c, significantly diminished the erlotinib resistance of A549M cells. Inhibition of Hh signaling by GDC-0449 in EMT cells resulted in the attenuation of CSC markers and up-regulation of miR-200b and let-7c, leading to sensitization of EMT cells to drug treatment, thus, confirming a connection between Hh signaling, miRNAs and drug resistance.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that Hh pathway, through EMT-induction, leads to reduced sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLCs. Therefore, targeting Hh pathway may lead to the reversal of EMT phenotype and improve the therapeutic efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC patients.
Anisotropic frequency-dependent spreading of seismic waves from first-arrival vertical seismic profile data analysis
Authors: Baharvand Ahmadi Amin , Morozov Igor
Published: October 2013

A model of first-arrival amplitude decay combining geometric spreading, scattering, and inelastic dissipation is derived from a multioffset, 3D vertical seismic profile data set. Unlike the traditional approaches, the model is formulated in terms of path integrals over the rays and without relying on the quality factor ([Formula: see text]) for rocks. The inversion reveals variations of geometric attenuation (wavefront curvatures and scattering, [Formula: see text]) and the effective attenuation parameter ([Formula: see text]) with depth. Both of these properties are also found to be anisotropic. Scattering and geometric spreading (focusing and defocusing) significantly affect seismic amplitudes at lower frequencies and shallower depths. Statistical analysis of model uncertainties quantitatively measures the significance of these results. The model correctly predicts the observed frequency-dependent first-arrival amplitudes at all frequencies. This and similar models can be applied to other types of waves and should be useful for true-amplitude studies, including inversion, inverse [Formula: see text]-filtering, and amplitude variations with offset analysis. With further development of petrophysical models of internal friction and elastic scattering, attenuation parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] should lead to constraints on local heterogeneity and intrinsic physical properties of the rock. These parameters can also be used to build models of the traditional frequency-dependent [Formula: see text] for forward and inverse numerical viscoelastic modeling.
Polarization-based wave-equation migration velocity analysis in acoustic media
Authors: Zhang Qunshan , McMechan George A.
Published: October 2013

The source extrapolation step in wave-equation prestack reverse-time migration gives wavefield polarization information, which can be used to generate angle-domain common-image gathers (ADCIGs) from seismic reflection data from acoustic media. Concatenation of P-wave polarization segments gives wavefield propagation paths (“wavepaths”), which are similar to the raypaths in ray-based velocity tomography. The ADCIGs provide residual depth moveout (RMO) information, from which a system of linear equations is constructed for tomography to solve for the velocity ratio used for velocity updating. An empirical relation between the RMO data and the velocity ratio updates reduces the amount of computation, and is stabilized by the feedback provided by the iterative loop through prestack migration, to RMO, to velocity update, to prestack migration. Correcting the RMOs to flatten the ADGIGs is the convergence condition. Synthetic data for a layered model with a fault successfully illustrates the method.
The Paradox of Parity in Sentencing in Australia: The Pursuit of Equal Justice That Highlights the Futility of Consistency in Sentencing
Authors: Bagaric Mirko , Pathinayake Athula
Published: October 2013

Parity in sentencing is the principle that offenders who are parties to a crime should, all things being equal, receive the same penalty. While it is a well-established principle, the reality is that its scope is greatly limited by the largely unfettered nature of the sentencing calculus. Things are rarely equal between offenders due to the large number of variables that current orthodoxy maintains are relevant to sentencing. This makes application of the parity principle unpredictable, resulting in the paradox that parity highlights the unfairness that it is meant to mitigate: inconsistency in sentencing. This article contends that parity will remain an aspiration, as opposed to a concrete principle, until the instinctive synthesis approach to sentencing yields to a more transparent and precise decision-making process. The article focuses on Australian jurisprudence, but the analysis applies to all jurisdictions where sentencing has a considerable discretionary component (including the UK and the USA—apart from the limited circumstances where mandatory sentences apply).
Battered Women, Startled Householders and Psychological Self-Defence: Anglo-Australian Perspectives
Authors: Wake Nicola
Published: October 2013

This article provides a timely and critical reappraisal of the interconnected, but discrete, doctrines of loss of self-control, under ss 54–56 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, and self-defence within s. 76 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. The loss of control conceptualisation renders it difficult for defendants to claim the partial defence where exculpatory self-defence has been rejected, and fear of serious violence is adduced. This doctrinal incoherence has been exacerbated by the fact that s. 43 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 effectively legitimises the use of disproportionate force in self-defence, but only in ‘startled householder’ cases. A more appropriate avenue of reform is provided by developments in Australian jurisdictions. This comparative extirpation engages the introduction of a new partial defence of self-preservation/psychological self-defence predicated on the notion of excessive utilisation of force in self-defence as in New South Wales, supplemented with a ‘social framework’ provision, akin to that in Victoria. The new defence would avoid the problems associated with requiring the abused woman to establish a loss of self-control and/or affording an affirmative defence in ‘startled householder’ cases.
Kajian Teknis & Keekonomian Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Biomasa Sawit; Kasus: Di Pabrik Kelapa Sawit Pinang Tinggi, Sei Bahar, Jambi
Authors: Febijanto Irhan
Published: October 2013

Utilization of empty fruit bunch (EFB) waste as a fuel for power electric generation is one of the options available for palm oil factory in the effort to reduce EFB waste. At the moment, there are several options to utilize EFB waste such as fertilization and composting. However, both ways show ineffective result, particularly in handling huge amount of EFB. Up to now, Indonesia only has a limited number of EFB fueled power plants. This paper explains technically and economically EFB fueled power plant supplying to PLN grid in Pinang Tinggi Palm Oil Factory located at Sei Bahar, Jambi Province. The economical feasibility is low, if the additional revenue generated from selling remnant oil, selling ash of EFB and selling credit carbon are not counted as an income. Using these additional revenues, the IRR project increased from 2.03% to 15.12%. The investment cost and the selling electricity price are critical sensitivity factors for project economics.
Monitoring Vibration of A Model of Rotating Machine
Authors: Djajadi Arko , Azavi Arsi , Rusyadi Rusman , Sinaga Erikson
Published: October 2013

Mechanical movement or motion of a rotating machine normally causes additional vibration. A vibration sensing device must be added to constantly monitor vibration level of the system having a rotating machine, since the vibration frequency and amplitude cannot be measured quantitatively by only sight or touch. If the vibration signals from the machine have a lot of noise, there are possibilities that the rotating machine has defects that can lead to failure. In this experimental research project, a vibration structure is constructed in a scaled model to simulate vibration and to monitor system performance in term of vibration level in case of rotation with balanced and unbalanced condition. In this scaled model, the output signal of the vibration sensor is processed in a microcontroller and then transferred to a computer via a serial communication medium, and plotted on the screen with data plotter software developed using C language. The signal waveform of the vibration is displayed to allow further analysis of the vibration. Vibration level monitor can be set in the microcontroller to allow shutdown of the rotating machine in case of excessive vibration to protect the rotating machine from further damage. Experiment results show the agreement with theory that unbalance condition on a rotating machine can lead to larger vibration amplitude compared to balance condition. Adding and reducing the mass for balancing can be performed to obtain lower vibration level.
Machine Vision Implementation in Rapid PCB Prototyping
Authors: Murijanto Yosafat Surya , Rusyadi Rusman , Sinaga Maralo
Published: October 2013

Image processing, the heart of machine vision, has proven itself to be an essential part of the industries today. Its application has opened new doorways, making more concepts in manufacturing processes viable. This paper presents an application of machine vision in designing a module with the ability to extract drills and route coordinates from an un-mounted or mounted printed circuit board (PCB). The algorithm comprises pre-capturing processes, image segmentation and filtering, edge and contour detection, coordinate extraction, and G-code creation. OpenCV libraries and Qt IDE are the main tools used. Throughout some testing and experiments, it is concluded that the algorithm is able to deliver acceptable results. The drilling and routing coordinate extraction algorithm can extract in average 90% and 82% of the whole drills and routes available on the scanned PCB in a total processing time of less than 3 seconds. This is achievable through proper lighting condition, good PCB surface condition and good webcam quality.
Autoregressive Integrated Adaptive Neural Networks Classifier for EEG-P300 Classification
Authors: Soetraprawata Demi , Turnip Arjon
Published: October 2013

Brain Computer Interface has a potency to be applied in mechatronics apparatus and vehicles in the future. Compared to the other techniques, EEG is the most preferred for BCI designs. In this paper, a new adaptive neural network classifier of different mental activities from EEG-based P300 signals is proposed. To overcome the over-training that is caused by noisy and non-stationary data, the EEG signals are filtered and extracted using autoregressive models before passed to the adaptive neural networks classifier. To test the improvement in the EEG classification performance with the proposed method, comparative experiments were conducted using Bayesian Linear Discriminant Analysis. The experiment results show that the all subjects achieve a classification accuracy of 100%.
Maximum Power Point Tracking of Photovoltaic System for Traffic Light Application
Authors: Muhida Riza , Mohamad Nor Hilmi , Legowo Ari , Irawan Rudi , Astuti Winda
Published: October 2013

Photovoltaic traffic light system is a significant application of renewable energy source. The development of the system is an alternative effort of local authority to reduce expenditure for paying fees to power supplier which the power comes from conventional energy source. Since photovoltaic (PV) modules still have relatively low conversion efficiency, an alternative control of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method is applied to the traffic light system. MPPT is intended to catch up the maximum power at daytime in order to charge the battery at the maximum rate in which the power from the battery is intended to be used at night time or cloudy day. MPPT is actually a DC-DC converter that can step up or down voltage in order to achieve the maximum power using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control. From experiment, we obtained the voltage of operation using MPPT is at 16.454 V, this value has error of 2.6%, if we compared with maximum power point voltage of PV module that is 16.9 V. Based on this result it can be said that this MPPT control works successfully to deliver the power from PV module to battery maximally.
Sudden Death, Sudden Friend
Authors: Rennels Tasha R. , Paxton Blake A.
Published: October 2013

Challenging the dominant paradigm that relationships with the deceased must be terminated, our goal in this article is to exemplify how these relationships can be maintained. We demonstrate, in particular, how friends with a similar loss can help one another continue bonds with their deceased loved ones. Having both lost our mothers as young adults, we provide personal insight about this process and the ways in which our friendship has been influential in maintaining strong, posthumous connections with our mothers. By sharing our personal experiences, we illustrate that continuing bonds with the deceased is not a pathological choice, but rather a mechanism through which we can enrich our lives, open spaces for emotional growth, and understand ourselves as well as our deceased loved ones better.
A generic risk‐based surveying method for invading plant pathogens
Authors: Parnell S. , Gottwald T. R. , Riley T. , van den Bosch F.
Published: October 2013

Invasive plant pathogens are increasing with international trade and travel, with damaging environmental and economic consequences. Recent examples include tree diseases such as sudden oak death in the Western United States and ash dieback in Europe. To control an invading pathogen it is crucial that newly infected sites are quickly detected so that measures can be implemented to control the epidemic. However, since sampling resources are often limited, not all locations can be inspected and locations must be prioritized for surveying. Existing approaches to achieve this are often species specific and rely on detailed data collection and parameterization, which is difficult, especially when new arrivals are unanticipated. Consequently regulatory sampling responses are often ad hoc and developed without due consideration of epidemiology, leading to the suboptimal deployment of expensive sampling resources. We introduce a flexible risk‐based sampling method that is pathogen generic and enables available information to be utilized to develop epidemiologically informed sampling programs for virtually any biologically relevant plant pathogen. By targeting risk we aim to inform sampling schemes that identify high‐impact locations that can be subsequently treated in order to reduce inoculum in the landscape. This “damage limitation” is often the initial management objective following the first discovery of a new invader. Risk at each location is determined by the product of the basic reproductive number (R0), as a measure of local epidemic size, and the probability of infection. We illustrate how the risk estimates can be used to prioritize a survey by weighting a random sample so that the highest‐risk locations have the highest probability of selection. We demonstrate and test the method using a high‐quality spatially and temporally resolved data set on Huanglongbing disease (HLB) in Florida, USA. We show that even when available epidemiological information is relatively minimal, the method has strong predictive value and can result in highly effective targeted surveying plans.
Lethal Intimate Partner Violence: An Interactional Perspective on Women’s Perceptions of Lethal Incidents
Authors: Vatnar Solveig Karin Bø , Bjørkly Stål
Published: October 2013

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is the only lethal violence in which women are the principal victims. This research reports on an investigation of possible differences between dynamics of lethal and nonlethal intimate partner violence (IPV). A representative sample of 157 help-seeking female victims of IPV in Norway was interviewed. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that women who perceived they had been subjected to lethal IPV were different from those who had not perceived the IPV as lethal concerning interactional dimensions of IPV and in their help-seeking responses. There was no difference related to sociodemographic factors. Because some IPV help-seeking women may be at a heightened risk for lethal violence, it is imperative that their efforts to seek assistance are responded to with care and structured risk assessment.
Lethal Firearm-Related Violence Against Canadian Women: Did Tightening Gun Laws Have an Impact on Women’s Health and Safety?
Authors: McPhedran Samara , Mauser Gary
Published: October 2013

Domestic violence remains a significant public health issue around the world, and policy makers continually strive to implement effective legislative frameworks to reduce lethal violence against women. This article examines whether the 1995 Firearms Act (Bill C-68) had a significant impact on female firearm homicide victimization rates in Canada. Time series of gender-disaggregated data from 1974 to 2009 were examined. Two different analytic approaches were used: the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling and the Zivot–Andrews (ZA) structural breakpoint tests. There was little evidence to suggest that increased firearms legislation in Canada had a significant impact on preexisting trends in lethal firearm violence against women. These results do not support the view that increasing firearms legislation is associated with a reduced incidence of firearm-related female domestic homicide victimization.
Neural-net Modeling of Shale-swelling Behavior in Aqueous Drilling Fluids
Authors: Maghrabi Shadaab , Kulkarni Dhanashree , Teke Kushabhau , Kulkarni Sandeep D. , Jamison Dale
Published: October 2013

Managing shale swelling is critical when drilling with water-based muds (WBMs). Excessive swelling can lead to shale sloughing, borehole collapse, stuck pipe, and shale disintegration. The fine solids content can increase and cause difficulties controlling rheological properties. Linear swell meter (LSM) testing is a well-known laboratory procedure used to characterize shale swelling in a WBMs.

A mathematical modeling tool known as the artificial neural network (ANN) was used to model shale swelling in a WBM. The ANN model establishes complex relationships between a set of inputs and an output based on computational modeling. For ANN modeling of the shale-swelling, the shale mineralogy and fluid composition constituted input parameters, while the output was represented by an experimental characteristic swelling parameter derived from the "% swelling vs. time" data from the LSM test for the respective shale-fluid combinations.

Experimental data for building the ANN model was obtained by performing about 250 standard LSM tests on different shales with varying mineralogy and WBMs with varying salt concentrations. This shale swelling ANN model provided excellent correlation with R2 > 0.9. The ANN model was then successfully validated for an independent set of shale-fluid conditions.

Using the shale swelling ANN model, shale-swelling in WBM was predicted for a given shale mineralogy and fluid composition. This reduced the number of trials necessary to determine an optimized WBM formulation. Mud engineers can use this model in real-time as the shale chemistry varies with the depth of the formation drilled. The model provides a helpful measure of fluid performance to determine the optimization necessary to obtain the desired shale behavior. Using this method can help minimize drilling risks and costs associated with unpredictable shales.
Well Integrity: Application of Ultrasonic Logging, Production Logging and Corrosion Logs for Leak Detection in Wells - A Case Study
Authors: Jalan Shiv N. , Al-Humoud Jamal , Al-Sabea Salem , Gazi Naz , Al-Azmi Khalid , Al-Haddad Saud , Abdulrazzaq E.. , Al-Baghli Fatma , Khalil Mamdouh , Zaki Hasan , Fahrizal A..
Published: October 2013

Well integrity is one of the critical concern during the life cycle of wells and impose an enormous challenge to the oil & gas industry. External and/or Internal corrosion of tubing & casing is one of the main reasons of leaks in the wells causing fluid movement from one annulus to other annulus. Complete understanding of the source of pressure communication between different annuli is of prime importance for designing an effective remedial action. Most leaks can worsen with time and therefore, locating and repairing a leak in its early stages is essential otherwise it may sometimes lead to abandonment of the well. Knowing the precise location of a leak prior to executing repair jobs will lead to better planning thus reducing downtime and repair costs. The problem becomes more complicated when the leak diagnosis has to be done using conventional logging techniques without pulling out the tubing string.

Presence of competent barriers is a fundamental imperative of well integrity. Imperfect barriers introduce risks that need assessment and management. Few wells go through their operating life cycle without undergoing material degradation and component failures resulting in imperfect barriers. Therefore, use of contingent barriers is necessary to minimize the likelihood of such failures and the resultant impact.

This paper describes different types of through tubing logging techniques used by Kuwait Oil Company for identifying tubing-casing leak in an oil well and discusses the interpretation of the results. The paper also discusses the probable reasons for occurrence of the leak, remedial actions taken to arrest the leak and future completion philosophy to avoid such failures in the new wells.
Impact of Rock Mechanics and Formation Softening Analysis in Shale Fracturing Fluid Design
Authors: Das Prasanta , Achalpurkar Manojkumar
Published: October 2013

For low-permeability formations, such as oil- and gas-bearing shales, hydraulic fracturing stimulation is a requisite to obtain commercial production. One of the key parameters for ensuring successful stimulation and prolonged production is the proper selection of stimulation fluid. The selection and optimization of the fracturing fluid is greatly dependent on the reservoir rock properties as well as the formation softening resulting from fluid-formation interaction.

In the past, slickwater treatment fluids often were adopted in tight shale plays for creating a complex fracture network for maximum production yield. Most often, the slickwater recipe is driven by formation fluid sensitivity analysis (e.g., effect of fresh water, salt, or acids on the formation). While this might work for a few formations, the rock mechanical properties, such as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio, will determine the fracability and whether it is advantageous to use slickwater, linear gel, or crosslinked gel. Similarly, formation softening analysis using a Brinell hardness test and proppant embedment test will ensure that the formation does not close upon fluid treatment and will have conductive flow channels. This paper discusses the impact of different types of fracturing fluids on different shale formations. The paper also discusses processes involving fluid sensitivity tests, formation softening, and rock mechanical tests and shows their influence on the choice of the proper fluid formulation for hydraulic fracturing through data from a few test samples.

The formation rock, proppant, and fracturing fluid interaction can also cause diagenetic growth on proppant and formation faces, resulting in formation softening and a large decrease in fracture conductivity. This paper focusses on careful selection of the stimulation fluid based on rock parameters to ensure prolonged production in tight oil and gas shale plays.
Development of Strategic Facilities Plan for Wafra Joint Operations
Authors: Castro E. A. , Al-Hasawi G.. , Zaheer A..
Published: October 2013

At the beginning of each field development there are Field Development Plans (FDPs) made with great detail on how facilities will be built to support that development. After several years of development the initial assumptions and originally documented field development plan change because of new reservoir information, market changes, etc. FDPs are then changed to Field Depletion Plans or Asset developments Plans. However, the level of detail of the corresponding facility plans to support the updated plans are usually not comprehensive enough to support the planned field depletion plans or asset development plans.

In Wafra Joint Operations, the lack of facility plans led to an inflated budget request log in excess of $800 MM. In short, the budget request log lacked comprehensiveness, did not show interlinks between budget request line items, did not tie in facility upgrades with asset development plans, and lacked prioritization. These issues in turn reduced capital efficiency, lead to excessive lost production events, constrained supply chain with low valued added facility upgrades, and in the misappropriation of the available engineering resources.

There are many papers and case studies1, 2, 3 that show how to comprehensively develop Field Development Plans. However, there has been little work on how to update or revise those facility plans after the field development plans are changed to asset development or depletion plans. In latter, different focus areas are required. The sections below will show how the facility plans for Wafra Joint Operations were developed into the Strategic Facilities Plan.
Laboratory Performance Evaluation of WAG Process for Carbonate Reservoir at Reservoir Condition
Authors: Zhou Xianmin , Al-Otaibi Fawaz , Kokal Sunil
Published: October 2013

Remaining oil production after water flooding, water cut, flow characteristics and injectivity of supercritical CO2 and water play an important role in the modeling and reservoir performance prediction for a CO2 miscible WAG injection process. Six cyclic WAG displacements of supercritical CO2/live crude oil in watered-out carbonate composite cores were performed to study the performance of supercritical CO2 WAG process at reservoir conditions in great detail. The water cut during supercritical CO2 WAG process, endpoint relative permeability to oil in the miscible zone, Krom, oil bank, Kro, and to water, Krw for the water injection cycle, and injectivity for all supercritical CO2 WAG injection cycles are presented in this paper. The viscosity of supercritical CO2/live crude oil, µom in miscible zone is predicted using a Genetic Algorithm-based model and parameters of a live crude oil to calculate the endpoint relative permeability to oil, Krom, in miscible zone.

Based on supercritical CO2 core flooding data and performance of the water cut, injectivity and endpoint relative permeability for supercritical CO2 WAG process, the results indicate: 1) the oil bank and miscible zone were built up when supercritical CO2 was injected in the 1st and 2nd cycle and oil mobility was improved significantly. The remaining oil after initial water flooding was recovered mostly after the 2nd-water injection cycle and water cut dropped quickly in the 1st-water and 2nd supercritical CO2 injection cycles; 2) endpoint relative permeability, Krom in the miscible zone was higher than that of oil-endpoint relative permeability, Kro in the oil bank, and maximum value was observed at critical cycle (2nd cycle). There was a significant difference in water-endpoint relative permeability, Krw between supercritical CO2 and water injection. Krw- endpoint relative permeabilities of water injection were greater than the values of the supercritical CO2 injection. Krom and Kro endpoint relative permeability decreases quickly after the 2nd cycle of supercritical CO2 and water injection; 3) water injectivity was higher than values for supercritical CO2 injection, but the differential between water and supercritical CO2 injection was a little; 4) The viscosity of supercritical CO2/live crude oil in the miscible zone can be predicted using a Genetic Algorithm-based model, which was approximately half of the live oil viscosity in the oil bank for this study.
Skeletal ryanodine receptor gene associated with chemical compositions of meat and physiochemical parameters of blood
Authors: Khoa Djỗ , Huỳnh Loan
Published: October 2013

Objectives of the current study were to segregate single nucleotide
polymorphism of the ryanodine receptor gene (RyR1) gene as well as to
evaluate its effects on blood parameters and chemical composition traits of
meat. For these, 90-American Yorkshire (AY), 85-American Landrace (AL) and
162- Australian unrelated commercial Yorkshire x Landrace (YL) pigs were
genotyped for the locus C1843T (Arg615Cys) corresponding to alleles ?N? and
?n?. In relation to the RyR1 polymorphism, a frequency of 0.09 was observed
for the ?n? allele in the YL breed but not in the AY and AL. Therefore, only
the YL pigs were phenotyped for physiochemical properties and chemical
compositions of meat. A significant association was found between genotypes
and observed traits, assessed by 1WBC30, WBC100, PLT30, DML, CPL, and PL with
genotype NN being higher than Nn as well as by GLU60 and AshL (P<0.05) with
NN being lower than Nn. The allele ?N? showed great potential in the genetic
improvement for health and metabolism in pigs.
Phenotype variability of external quality traits of fertile eggs of partridge Italian bread in semi extensive breeding system
Authors: Djermanovic V. , Mitrovic S.
Published: October 2013

In this paper results of research of external quality traits of the fertile
eggs of Partridge Italian bread in semi extensive system are shown. Research
was conducted on sample of 64 eggs, divided in to two groups according to the
weight. First group was eggs weighing up to the 60 g (? 60 g) and second
group eggs weighing above 60 g (> 60 g). Aim of the research was to determine
influence of the weight of the eggs to the external quality traits of fertile
eggs, such as weight, length, width and shape index of the eggs in quoted
breeding system. Obtained result points to the fact that Partridge Italian in
semi extensive system achieves satisfying results in regard of the basic
external characteristics of egg quality. Results of the conducted research
show that it is needed to give higher attention to the quality of eggs used
for planting, to the breeding direction, improvement of the productive and
reproductive traits, and therefore to preservation of the genetic potential
of different breeds and strains of chicken.
Moulds and mycotoxins in stored maize grains
Authors: Krnjaja V. , Levic J. , Stankovic S. , Petrovic T. , Tomic Z. , Mandic V. , Bijelic Z.
Published: October 2013

In this study the presence of moulds and mycotoxins in samples of stored
maize grains in the period from October 2011 to September 2012 was
investigated. Mycological analyses of whole and broken grains showed the
presence of species from the genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium,
Penicillium, Rhizopus and others. Among the Aspergillus and Fusarium genera
as potentially toxigenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus was identified with the
highest percentage on broken grains (20.38%) whereas F. verticilioides was
the predominant species in the whole maize grains (34.04%). In addition, it
was obtained that tested samples of stored maize grains were 100% positive
with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZON), deoxynivalenol (DON) and
fumonisin B1 (FB1) with an average concentration of 1.39 ?g kg-1, 71.79 ?g
kg-1, 128.17 ?g kg-1, and 1610.83 ?g kg-1, respectively. A significant
positive correlation was found between the moisture content and the presence
of Fusarium spp. on the broken grains (r = 0.44) and between the moisture
content and the concentration of DON (r = 0.61). However, a significant
negative correlation was found between moisture content and FB1 (r = -0.34),
and between the concentration of ZON and DON mycotoxins (r = -0.58).
Student housing unit in a floor area without corridors
Authors: Cekic Nikola , Vasov Miomir , Bjelic Igor
Published: October 2013

This paper treats the issues of position and urbarchitectonic-functional
organization of a housing unit in a floor area without corridors in a student
hostel. The authors advocate a new, more rational and functional concept in
which the student room is not in direct contact with the corridor
communication, but belongs to the housing unit, student apartment for 4-6
users. In a more rational organized volume, the living of the students is
more comfortable and has a different character. The socialization conditions
for the users are better, and the conditions for efficient studying more
stable.
Vulnerability of structures from the aspect of seismic safety and risk in architectonic designing
Authors: Zdravkovic Slavko , Mitkovic Petar , Turnic Dragana
Published: October 2013

It is natural the people should be most interested in the behavior of
buildings during earthquakes, as they spend the most of their time in them.
The times when the buildings were designed and constructed for unknown
customers have passed. Apart from the static stability, which must not be
endangered, care must be taken of functional and esthetic features. The
buildings are long-lasting and expensive human property, more so in the
seismic areas, so by their quality they must guarantee safety to their users.
Regarding high seismicity and frequency of earthquakes on the territory of
our country, safety of social resources and human lives must be harmonized
with the development degree and future needs of the society and the users.
Through seismic safety and reduction of risks, we protect ourselves from
collapse and damage of the structures, from injuries and human casualties,
and from direct and indirect, economic and functional, social and other
damage. For these reasons building in seismically active areas is a complex
task. Complete protection from the earthquake action is not possible, and for
this reason the level of seismic risk represents an acceptable vulnerability
for the corresponding period and probability of excitation. Structures are
protected from collapse and seismic damage if the appropriate regulations are
applied. Seismic division in micro-regions represents a good approach to
defining an uniform criterion of protection of structures and protection of
equipment in them.
Using Daphnia bio-sensor for random number generation
Authors: Djordjevic Djordje , Nesic Srbislav
Published: October 2013

One of the most used bioassays for toxicity screening of chemicals and for
toxicity monitoring of effluents and contaminated waters is the acute
toxicity test performed with Daphnia Magna. Standard methods have been
developed and gradually improved by national and international organizations
dealing with toxicity testing procedure, in view of its application within a
regulatory framework. As for all toxicity tests, the organisms used for the
acute Daphnia magna assay have to be obtained from live stocks which are
cultured in the laboratory on live food (micro-algae). The technical and
biological problems inherent in year-round culturing and the
culturing/maintenance costs of live stocks restricts its application to a
limited number of highly specialized laboratories. This bottleneck in
toxicity testing triggered investigations forward the concept of
"microbiotests" or "small-scale" toxicity tests. This paper deals with the
measurement of changes in the behavior of Daphniae using device BIOTOXINOMER,
awarded by Ministry for Science and Technological Development of Republic
Serbia with Diploma for best Innovation idea in year 2010 in category
Medicine, Health, and Ecology. Actually, the main topic is digitalization of
bio-monitoring results and random number generating on the base of Daphniae
movement (distance). The on-line monitoring is available on site
www.dundjer.co.rs/Daphniae and open-source software support is available on
the same site.
A bioinformatics study concerning structural and functional properties of human caveolin proteins
Authors: Isvoran Adriana , Craciun Dana , Ciorsac Alecu , Perrot Nahuel , Beswick Veronica , Nedellec Pierre , Sanson Alain , Jamin Nadege
Published: October 2013

We performed a bioinformatics study to predict and compare the structural and
functional properties of human caveolins: caveolin-1, -2 and -3. The computed
local physico-chemical properties, predictions of their secondary structure
elements and interacting partners of caveolin-2 and -3 are compared to
experimentally proved structural and functional properties of caveolin-1.
These data combined with the sequences alignment of the three caveolins,
allowed predicting and characterizing the functional domains of caveolin-2
and -3. The hydrophobic regions of these proteins are highly similar in
sequences and physicochemical properties and it is in good agreement with
their known membrane locations and functions. The most divergent in sequences
and properties are the C-terminal regions of caveolins suggesting that they
might be responsible for their distinct predicted interactions, with direct
consequences on signalling processes.
Super-resolution fluorescence imaging and correlation spectroscopy: Principles and examples of application
Authors: Jovanovic-Talisman Tijana , Vukojevic Vladana
Published: October 2013

Self-organization of cell-surface receptors in structurally distinct domains
in the plasma membrane is of vital interest for correct cellular signaling.
However, this dynamic process is difficult to study in cells with
sufficiently high temporal and spatial resolution. We present here two
quantitative high-resolution methods with single-molecule sensitivity,
Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and pair-correlation
Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (pcPALM), which enable nondestructive
study of receptor diffusion and lateral organization at the nanoscale level.
We introduce here the methods and review their application in studies of
lateral organization of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). Examples from
our own work on opioid receptor lateral organization are presented in order
to illustrate the most recent advances in the field.