bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fiber-Enhanced Proppant Plugs Ensure Zonal Isolation During Multistage Coiled Tubing Abrasive Perforation and Stimulation in Horizontal Sidetracks
Authors: Burdin K. V. , Oparin M. V. , Adil A. R. , Popov M. A. , Klimenko V. , Bravkov P. V. , Klyubin A. , Novikov M , Potryasov A. A. , Kovalev V. N.
Published: March 2013

Horizontal drilling and multistage fracturing completions are becoming widespread practices in the development of Western Siberia’s low-permeability oil fields. More than 100 wells have been completed to date—with success from both operational and production perspectives. The majority of applications were applied in newly drilled wells, where it is possible to install openhole packers and frac ports for isolating fracture stages. The concept of multistage fracturing was transferred to old areas of brownfields, where sidetracks drilling was the main method of increasing oil recovery. Traditional sidetracks were associated with risks of production underachievement in low-permeability environments - even after stimulation treatments.

The ability to drill sidetracks with a considerable horizontal section, and stimulating them with several fracturing stages would improve production significantly. However, slim wellbores of sidetracks significantly restrict completion option choice and abrasive perforating via coiled tubing (CT) becomes a universal enabler for multistage fracturing treatments. One of the greatest challenges in such a process is isolation between the stages. Fiber-enhanced proppant plugs were used for better proppant grains suspension, which sets the plug in the most efficient, homogeneous way.

The first well was recently completed with this method. Three stages of fracturing stimulation were performed with CT abrasive perforation; fiber-enhanced proppant plugs were placed at the tail-in of the first two fractures. In both of the fractures, reliable isolation was achieved at first attempt. After all three stages were placed, wellbore cleanout with CT was performed, followed by nitrogen kickoff. Oil production has exceeded expectation by 30%.

Multistage fracture (MSF) stimulation in the horizontal section of a sidetrack well completed with cemented liner with the utilization of abrasive perforating and fiber-enhanced proppant plugs has demonstrated unique value, as it is the only effective solution currently available for these conditions. The decision-making and candidate-selection processes, execution and lessons learnedare described.
Successful Coiled-Tubing Application for Milling, Cleanout, and Kickoff Operations of Horizontal Wells Completed with Liner for Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing Project on Priobskoe Oil Field
Authors: Burdin K. V. , Sitdikov S. S. , Bataman I. V. , Mogutov N. A. , Nikitin A. N. , Shvayko V. A. , Serdyuk A. N. , Vereschagin S. A. , Yudin A. , Bravkov P. , Serikov D.
Published: March 2013

Historically, coiled tubing (CT) services were positioned as highly tailored services in Russian Federation. Main operations for CT application were post-frac cleanouts (CO) and kick-off (KO) of vertical and slightly deviated wells. Lately, with increasing of horizontal wells quantity, CT application scope became wider: logging, perforating, fishing jobs, CO, milling and other operations. With increasing interest to multi-stage hydraulic fracturing technology, Coiled Tubing application has to grow to meet client demands. In wells with horizontal section 1000 m long, milling of different sizes balls and seats became the most challenging and efficient technical solution.

Located in Khanty-Mansiysk District of Western Siberia, Priobskoe field is one of the world’s largest oilfields. Due to low permeability almost 80% of reserves are hardly recoverable. Oilfield development plan include post drill fracturing of all new completed wells. In order to maximize the hydrocarbon recovery field-proven technology enabling multi-stage hydraulic fracturing of an uncemented completion in one pumping treatment became a consistent decision for well treatment.

For the first job following workflow was applied: multi-stage hydraulic fracturing completion was installed and 7 zones were fractured one by one. Technology implies that during pumping, at specified stage time, balls are dropped (one at time) from the surface to open the Frac Ports (FP). After the treatment, the most efficient technical solution to remove the balls is to mill them using CT. Following milling operations the well was cleaned out and kicked off with nitrogen. In designing a Coiled Tubing job the critical part is BHA and string selection. Selected mill should be strong enough for milling Frac Port iron and long enough to prevent damage of FP, by side tracking from it to reservoir.

As per project program 4 wells have been completed with technology described above. Current production rates show high efficiency of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing technology over traditional well completions. This article describes technical and operational details of the project, candidate selection process, job planning and determines a way to find an optimum technique to meet client demands. Analysis of 4 wells completed with multi-stage fracturing liner is shown in comparison with standard completion in the article.
Plug Alternatives To Prevent Fluid Loss and Formation Damage During Extreme Hydrostatic Overbalance Well Interventions in Deepwater Wells
Authors: Salazar Namir
Published: March 2013

This paper will present planning and execution details for different mechanical plug types used to prevent fluid loss and formation damage during workover interventions on deepwater wells with extreme hydrostatic overbalance conditions, between 2,000-2,200 psi. Actual case history for four wells, using different mechanical formation plug methods, from one deepwater field in the Gulf of Mexico will be included.

The information is applicable to oil producing wells, to be worked over with similar extreme hydrostatic overbalance to producing formations, where well control needs to be maintained during the intervention, fluid loss to the producing formation needs to be minimized and subsequent removal of the isolation barrier is required to restore well production.

The results obtained with all four different isolation methods used, suggest that a detailed assessment to the well conditions, along with "fit-for-purpose" shop tests simulating the specific well conditions, has to be completed prior to selecting the most convenient option to execute the workover.

This paper will describe the specific planning and operational process of the workover activities, and present a number of lessons learned and useful recommendations for similar activities in extreme hydrostatic overbalance wells.
Strategic Rigless Approach in Identifying and Curing Complex and Multiple Completion Leaks in Malaysia
Authors: Syed Mohd Shahril S. A , Ariff Shazwan M. , Mohd Zulkifli O. , Nussbaum C. , Sathish Kumar B.
Published: March 2013

Integrity diagnostic has become one of the key prerequisite criteria when dealing with uncertainties in the well completion of mature assets. This is particularly true in Malaysia, where most of the tubing and casing in production wells has aged more than 30 years, and yet some of these wells are still producing beyond their original design life expectancy. Locating the source of integrity issues relies on being able to identify leaks and/or flow behind casing. Typically, conventional technologies have been used for anomaly detection, including spinners and temperature logs, downhole cameras, calipers and noise logs. In general these lack accuracy, with smaller leaks being particularly difficult to identify.

Development studies pioneered in the well logging industry have led to a new diagnostic approach utilising high definition ultrasound technology. This has created a fast, accurate and reliable technique which can be used to identify leaks as small as 0.02 litres per minute inside the completion tubing. Field D and Field BN fields are two of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd. (PCSB) mature fields where ultrasound technology has been implemented aggressively in order to mitigate complex completion problems involving tubing and annulus leaks.

PCSB has successfully implemented this technology since 2008; to date the company has resolved more than 100 wells uncertainties using the method to determine multiple completion leaks and flow channelling behind casing.

The ultrasound-based leak detection case histories demonstrate the practicality of the technique in many cased-hole applications. The related ultrasound-based flow-behind-pipe survey detects liquid or gas flow behind casing with a measurement from within the tubing. This unwanted flow can have a variety of negative outcomes, including poor well performance, ground water or reservoir contamination and/or more catastrophic uncontrolled fluid escape at surface. The diagnostic is sensitive to the ultrasound energy created by turbulent liquid or gas flow through small restrictions in annuli. From within the tubing, it can detect and locate undesirable flow behind pipe with great accuracy - even through multiple casing strings.

This paper shares some experiences and best practices developed while implementing the technology in Field D and Field BN fields.
Plug and Abandonment of a Deep High-Pressure and High-Temperature Gulf of Mexico Well Using Coiled Tubing: A Case History
Authors: Webb Brendon , Rudnik Alexander , Bonin Burt , Lefort Luke
Published: March 2013

As a result of production having drained once-prolific reservoirs, Gulf of Mexico (GOM) operators are dealing with an increase in well abandonment activity spurred by environmental concerns and government regulatory agencies. Many well plugging and abandonment (P&A) activities are performed using coiled tubing (CT), which eliminates the need for a rig. Cement placement is an essential part of every P&A operation. Deep wells (exceeding 20,000-ft measured depth) with high bottomhole static temperature (BHST) (greater than 400°F) and an aggressive H2S/CO2 environment add additional challenges to the cement slurry design. Furthermore, operations need to be executed safely and within the limits of CT equipment.

An operator needed to P&A a well in the Mobile Bay block of the GOM. No previous high-pressure, high-temperature cementing operations through CT at BHSTs greater than 400 °F in the Gulf had been performed. One of the key challenges for this CT intervention was designing a cement system for 425 °F BHST to be pumped through a 23,620-ft, 1-1/2-in. OD CT string. Concentrations of 75 ppm H2S and 4% CO2 increased the complexity of the operation even further. After several unsuccessful attempts with wireline to dump-bail cement, the operator successfully used CT to plug the bottom zone of this deep, high-pressure well with cement.
Pressure Activated Sealants-Non-Rig Solutions in Mature Fields in Alaska
Authors: Julian J. Y. , Jackson J. C. , Ellis B. C. , Cary D. N.
Published: March 2013

Pressure-activated sealants are used to repair small surface and downhole leaks and have been successful remediating many instances of small pressure anomallies in mature Alaska fields since 1999. The sealants are unique in that the pressure drop through the leak site causes the sealant to polymerize into a flexible solid. Only at this point of differential pressure will the sealant polymerization process occur. As the reaction proceeds, polymerized sealant forms at the edges of the leak site and simultaneously links together to form a flexible bond across the leak site. The remainder of the sealant in the system remains liquid.

This paper discusses the history, implementation, and success rate of pressure activated sealants in Alaska including successful deployment methods used to repair small production casing leaks in naturally flowing wells and injectors. The advantage sealant repair has over a conventional RWO for casing repair is that there is no need to pull tubing, resulting in the well being returned to service faster. Typical sealant procedure costs are less than 5% of the costs for production casing repair with a rig workover (RWO). Pressure activated sealants are particularly attractive in areas where RWO cost is high, such as subsea, offshore, remote, or arctic locations.

Results will be presented from a study of jobs performed in Alaska from 2005 to 2012. Since 2005, Alaska has performed 56 of BP’s 102 worldwide treatments with a 77% success rate to repair wellhead packoffs, casing, bradenheads, tubing, cement microannuli (Table 1).
An Evaluation of Well Deployment Aspects Affecting Well Flow Performance on Horizontal Production Log Results
Authors: Heddleston Duncan
Published: March 2013

Production logging uses measurements to understand the velocity & fluid types comingling as open reservoir intervals deliver products which begin to flow up hole. In a horizontal flowing well environment, the logging tools of choice can be individual discreet measurements situated across the cross sectional flow area to measure and define the fluid type & velocity. Flow measurements are much more difficult to measure as most horizontal flowing environments are not stable. Deployment of this tool type can be conveyed using a coiled tubing setup or a well tractor conveyed tethered to a wireline. These deployment methods can have an effect on the flow regime during the logging survey.

When oil company operations engineering teams require production log data across a flowing lateral, one aspect seldom addressed is how the deployment intervention can affect the well flow performance when deploying the production logging measurements.

Often times the perturbation causing the well performance is based on the deployment intervention selection. This in return causes the well to underperform at the point in time a production logging survey is needed; leaving the logging technology with an unstable environment to deliver a confident result.

What tends to occurs within the engineering teams is the perception that there is an inability of present day technology to accurately measure the well performance, meanwhile the deployment aspect chosen & the procedures to convey a production log actually can be a main culprit in changing the well flow dynamics & stability.

Via deployment experience & a thorough understanding of well flow combined with production log analytical skill sets. This technical paper will discuss in a case history a production log run in a horizontal well, the deployment aspects & well flow challenges using wireline tractor & coiled tubing interventions, and how the end result was able to assist the customer.
Marital Satisfaction among Older Couples: The Role of Satisfaction with Social Networks and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Walker Ruth , Isherwood Linda , Burton Cassandra , Kitwe-Magambo Katie , Luszcz Mary
Published: March 2013

Marital satisfaction is important for health and well-being, although determinants of satisfaction among older couples are unclear. Much of the marital literature has focused on the role of the spouse, in isolation from satisfaction with broader social relationships. We conducted separate semi-structured interviews with both members of n = 40 couples (mean age 76 years) to measure satisfaction with particular types of social networks (confidant, friend, children, other relatives) as well as levels of physical and psychological well-being. In order to account for the likely interdependence among observations within married couples, a series of multi-level models, culminating in a full actor-partner interdependence model, were fitted. Results indicate that an individual's own depressive symptoms were related to their levels of marital satisfaction, whereby higher scores on the depression scale predicted lower marital satisfaction scores for the individual. None of the individual's other variables (physical well-being, sociodemographic, or social network satisfaction), nor any of the spouse variables, were related to individual levels of marital satisfaction. These findings reinforce the importance of psychological well-being as influencing the quality of older couple relationships.
Dementia and Friendship: The Quality and Nature of the Relationships That Remain
Authors: Harris Phyllis Braudy
Published: March 2013

Friendships are an integral part of the human experience. Yet, dementia often takes a toll on social relationships, and many friends withdraw. This research, however, focuses on friendships that remain, despite a diagnosis of dementia. It examines the quality of the friendships of people with dementia and long-term friendships. Data were collected through focus group interviews with people with early stage dementia and their care partners, and through interviews with designated friends. The findings show that people with dementia do have friends that remain and they have a wide variety of friendships, from those based on one shared activity to those of multifaceted deep relationships. The long-term friendships, which last across the various stages of dementia, appear to fall into two types: one, where the person with dementia has become more like a family member than a friend (suffusion); and the other where the diagnosis of dementia was the impetus for the relationship to become closer (progressive friendship).

“From my perspective, you can count your good friends on less than five fingers. And if they're truly your friends, you're with them throughout whatever.” (A woman talking about her 45-year-old friendship with a person recently diagnosed with early stage dementia.)
Carotid Body Denervation Prevents the Development of Insulin Resistance and Hypertension Induced by Hypercaloric Diets
Authors: Ribeiro Maria J. , Sacramento Joana F. , Gonzalez Constancio , Guarino Maria P. , Monteiro Emília C. , Conde Sílvia V.
Published: March 2013

Increased sympathetic activity is a well-known pathophysiological mechanism in insulin resistance (IR) and hypertension (HT). The carotid bodies (CB) are peripheral chemoreceptors that classically respond to hypoxia by increasing chemosensory activity in the carotid sinus nerve (CSN), causing hyperventilation and activation of the sympathoadrenal system. Besides its role in the control of ventilation, the CB has been proposed as a glucose sensor implicated in the control of energy homeostasis. However, to date no studies have anticipated its role in the development of IR. Herein, we propose that CB overstimulation is involved in the etiology of IR and HT, core metabolic and hemodynamic disturbances of highly prevalent diseases like the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnoea. We demonstrate that CB activity is increased in IR animal models and that CSN resection prevents CB overactivation and diet-induced IR and HT. Moreover, we show that insulin triggers CB, highlighting a new role for hyperinsulinemia as a stimulus for CB overactivation. We propose that CB is implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic and hemodynamic disturbances through sympathoadrenal overactivation and may represent a novel therapeutic target in these diseases.
Extracellular Signal–Regulated Kinase in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Mediates Leptin-Induced Glucose Uptake in Red-Type Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Toda Chitoku , Shiuchi Tetsuya , Kageyama Haruaki , Okamoto Shiki , Coutinho Eulalia A. , Sato Tatsuya , Okamatsu-Ogura Yuko , Yokota Shigefumi , Takagi Kazuyo , Tang Lijun , Saito Kumiko , Shioda Seiji , Minokoshi Yasuhiko
Published: March 2013

Leptin is a key regulator of glucose metabolism in mammals, but the mechanisms of its action have remained elusive. We now show that signaling by extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and its upstream kinase MEK in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) mediates the leptin-induced increase in glucose utilization as well as its insulin sensitivity in the whole body and in red-type skeletal muscle of mice through activation of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) in the VMH. In contrast, activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), but not the MEK-ERK pathway, in the VMH by leptin enhances the insulin-induced suppression of endogenous glucose production in an MCR-independent manner, with this effect of leptin occurring only in the presence of an increased plasma concentration of insulin. Given that leptin requires 6 h to increase muscle glucose uptake, the transient activation of the MEK-ERK pathway in the VMH by leptin may play a role in the induction of synaptic plasticity in the VMH, resulting in the enhancement of MCR signaling in the nucleus and leading to an increase in insulin sensitivity in red-type muscle.
Metabolic Effects of Chronic Cannabis Smoking
Authors: Muniyappa Ranganath , Sable Sara , Ouwerkerk Ronald , Mari Andrea , Gharib Ahmed M. , Walter Mary , Courville Amber , Hall Gail , Chen Kong Y. , Volkow Nora D. , Kunos George , Huestis Marilyn A. , Skarulis Monica C.
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE

We examined if chronic cannabis smoking is associated with hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, reduced β-cell function, or dyslipidemia in healthy individuals.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional, case-control study, we studied cannabis smokers (n = 30; women, 12; men, 18; 27 ± 8 years) and control subjects (n = 30) matched for age, sex, ethnicity, and BMI (27 ± 6). Abdominal fat depots and intrahepatic fat content were quantified by magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Insulin-sensitivity indices and various aspects of β-cell function were derived from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT).

RESULTS

Self-reported cannabis use was: 9.5 (2–38) years; joints/day: 6 (3–30) [median (range)]. Carbohydrate intake and percent calories from carbohydrates, but not total energy intake, were significantly higher in cannabis smokers. There were no group differences in percent total body fat, or hepatic fat, but cannabis smokers had a higher percent abdominal visceral fat (18 ± 9 vs. 12 ± 5%; P = 0.004). Cannabis smokers had lower plasma HDL cholesterol (49 ± 14 vs. 55 ± 13 mg/dL; P = 0.02), but fasting levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or free fatty acids (FFA) were not different. Adipocyte insulin resistance index and percent FFA suppression during an OGTT was lower (P < 0.05) in cannabis smokers. However, oral glucose insulin sensitivity index, measures of β-cell function, or incretin concentrations did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic cannabis smoking was associated with visceral adiposity and adipose tissue insulin resistance but not with hepatic steatosis, insulin insensitivity, impaired pancreatic β-cell function, or glucose intolerance.
Rapid Improvement in Diabetes After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Lingvay Ildiko , Guth Eve , Islam Arsalla , Livingston Edward
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE

Improvements in diabetes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) often occur days after surgery. Surgically induced hormonal changes and the restrictive postoperative diet are proposed mechanisms. We evaluated the contribution of caloric restriction versus surgically induced changes to glucose homeostasis in the immediate postoperative period.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes planning to undergo RYGB participated in a prospective two-period study (each period involved a 10-day inpatient stay, and periods were separated by a minimum of 6 weeks of wash-out) in which patients served as their own controls. The presurgery period consisted of diet alone. The postsurgery period was matched in all aspects (daily matched diet) and included RYGB surgery. Glucose measurements were performed every 4 h throughout the study. A mixed-meal challenge test was performed before and after each period.

RESULTS

Ten patients completed the study and had the following characteristics: age, 53.2 years (95% CI, 48.0–58.4); BMI, 51.2 kg/m2 (46.1–56.4); diabetes duration, 7.4 years (4.8–10.0); and HbA1c, 8.52% (7.08–9.96). Patients lost 7.3 kg (8.1–6.5) during the presurgery period versus 4.0 kg (6.2–1.7) during the postsurgery period (P = 0.01 between periods). Daily glycemia in the presurgery period was significantly lower (1,293.58 mg/dL·day [1,096.83–1,490.33) vs. 1,478.80 mg/dL·day [1,277.47–1,680.13]) compared with the postsurgery period (P = 0.02 between periods). The improvements in the fasting and maximum poststimulation glucose and 6-h glucose area under the curve (primary outcome) were similar during both periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Glucose homeostasis improved in response to a reduced caloric diet, with a greater effect observed in the absence of surgery as compared with after RYGB. These findings suggest that reduced calorie ingestion can explain the marked improvement in diabetes control observed after RYGB.
Effect of water depth on amount of flexion and extension of joints of the distal aspects of the limbs in healthy horses walking on an underwater treadmill
Authors: Mendez-Angulo Jose L. , Firshman Anna M. , Groschen Donna M. , Kieffer Philip J. , Trumble Troy N.
Published: March 2013

Objective—To determine the maximum amount of flexion and extension of the carpal, tarsal, metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints and the percentage duration of the stance and swing phases of the stride for horses walking on an underwater treadmill in various water depths.

Animals—9 healthy adult horses.

Procedures—Zinc oxide markers were placed on the forelimbs and hind limbs of the horses. Video was recorded of horses walking (0.9 m/s) on an underwater treadmill during baseline conditions (< 1 cm of water) or in various amounts of water (level of the metatarsophalangeal, tarsal, and stifle joints). Maximum amount of joint flexion and extension, range of motion (ROM), and the percentage durations of the stance and swing phases of the stride were determined with 2-D motion analysis software.

Results—The ROM was greater for all evaluated joints in any amount of water versus ROM for joints in baseline conditions (primarily because of increases in amount of joint flexion). The greatest ROM for carpal joints was detected in a tarsal joint water depth, for tarsal joints in a stifle joint water depth, and for metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints in metatarsophalangeal and tarsal joint water depths. As water depth increased, the percentage durations of the stance and swing phases of the stride significantly decreased and increased, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study suggested that exercise on an underwater treadmill is useful for increasing the ROM of various joints of horses during rehabilitation and that the depth of water affects the amount of flexion and extension of joints.
Computed tomographic characterization of the pulmonary system in clinically normal alpacas
Authors: Cooley Stacy D. , Schlipf Jr John W. , Stieger-Vanegas Susanne M.
Published: March 2013

Objective—To characterize and quantitatively assess the typical pulmonary anatomy of healthy adult alpacas with multidetector row CT.

Animals—10 clinically normal adult female alpacas.

Procedures—CT examination of the thorax was performed before and after IV administration of iodinated contrast medium in sedated alpacas in sternal recumbency. Measurements of the trachea, bronchi and related blood vessels, and selected vertebrae as well as the extent and density of lung parenchyma were performed with a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) viewer. Morphometric and quantitative data were summarized.

Results—Separation of individual lung lobes could not be identified, except for the accessory lung lobe. In all alpacas, both lungs extended farther caudally at the medial aspect than at the lateral aspect. The right lung extended farther in both cranial and caudal directions than did the left lung. The branching pattern of the bronchial tree varied only slightly among alpacas and consisted of 1 cranial bronchus and 3 caudal bronchi bilaterally, with a right accessory bronchus. Luminal diameters of first-generation bronchi ranged from 3 to 9 mm. Mean ± SD parenchymal lung density was −869 ± 40 Hounsfield units (HU) before contrast injection and −825 ± 51 HU after contrast injection. Mean difference in diameter between bronchi and associated arteries or veins was 0.8 ± 0.9 mm.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Knowledge of the typical anatomy of the lungs and bronchial tree in healthy alpacas as determined via CT will aid veterinarians in clinical assessment and bronchoscopic evaluation of alpacas.
Comparison of inferred fractions of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in feral domestic cat diets with those in commercial feline extruded diets
Authors: Backus Robert C. , Thomas David G. , Fritsche Kevin L.
Published: March 2013

Objective—To compare presumed fatty acid content in natural diets of feral domestic cats (inferred from body fat polyunsatrated fatty acids content) with polyunsaturated fatty acid content of commercial feline extruded diets.

Sample—Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue samples (approx 1 g) from previously frozen cadavers of 7 adult feral domestic cats trapped in habitats remote from human activity and triplicate samples (200 g each) of 7 commercial extruded diets representing 68% of market share obtained from retail stores.

Procedures—Lipid, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid fractions in adipose tissue samples and ether extracts of diet samples were determined by gas chromatography of methyl esters. Triacylglycerol and phospholipid fractions in the adipose tissue were isolated by thin-layer chromatography. Diet samples were also analyzed for proximate contents.

Results—For the adipose tissue samples, with few exceptions, fatty acids fractions varied only moderately with lipid fraction and site from which tissue samples were obtained. Linoleic, α-linolenic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acid fractions were 15.0% to 28.2%, 4.5% to 18.7%, 0.9% to 5.0%, < 0.1% to 0.2%, and 0.6% to 1.7%, respectively. As inferred from the adipose findings, dietary fractions of docosahexaenoic and α-linolenic acid were significantly greater than those in the commercial feline diets, but those for linoleic and eicosapentaenoic acids were not significantly different.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The fatty acid content of commercial extruded feline diets differed from the inferred content of natural feral cat diets, in which dietary n-3 and possibly n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were more abundant. The impact of this difference on the health of pet cats is not known.
Comparison of pathological changes and viral antigen distribution in tissues of calves with and without preexisting bovine viral diarrhea virus infection following challenge with bovine herpesvirus-1
Authors: Risalde María A. , Molina Verónica , Sónchez-Cordón Pedro J. , Pedrera Miriam , Romero-Palomo Fernando , Bautista María J. , Moreno Alberto , Gómez-Villamandos José C.
Published: March 2013

Objective—To compare pathological changes and viral antigen distribution in tissues of calves with and without preexisting subclinical bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection following challenge with bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1).

Animals—24 Friesian calves.

Procedures—12 calves were inoculated intranasally with noncytopathic BVDV-1a; 12 days later, 10 of these calves were challenged intranasally with BHV-1 subtype 1. Two calves were euthanized before and 1, 2, 4, 7, or 14 days after BHV-1 inoculation. Another 10 calves were inoculated intranasally with BHV-1 only and euthanized 1, 2, 4, 7, or 14 days later. Two calves were inoculated intranasally with virus-free tissue culture fluid and euthanized as negative controls. Pathological changes and viral antigen distribution in various tissue samples from calves with and without BVDV infection (all of which had been experimentally inoculated with BHV-1) were compared.

Results—Following BHV-1 challenge, calves with preexisting subclinical BVDV infection had earlier development of more severe inflammatory processes and, consequently, more severe tissue lesions (limited to lymphoid tissues and respiratory and digestive tracts) and greater dissemination of BHV-1, compared with calves without preexisting BVDV infection. Moreover, coinfected calves had an intense lymphoid depletion in the Peyer patches of the ileum as well as the persistence of BVDV in target organs and the reappearance of digestive tract changes during disease progression.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In calves, preexisting infection with BVDV facilitated the establishment of BHV-1 infection, just as the presence of BHV-1 favors BVDV persistence, thereby synergistically potentiating effects of both viruses and increasing the severity of the resultant clinical signs.
Contraceptive practices and associated social covariates: an experience from two districts of West Bengal, India
Authors: Haldar A , Baur B , Das P , Misra R , Pal Ranabir , Roy R P
Published: March 2013

Background Contraceptive practice acceptable to Indian society is said to be associated with socio-economic status, education, practice of the area and other factors. Population stabilization and a gradual lowering of population growth is the basic aim behind contraceptive practice. Objectives The study was conducted to assess current status of contraceptive practice and social covariates (age, type of family, religion, socio-economy, education, etc). Materials and Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among four thousand eligible couples in Howrah and Paschim Midnapore districts of state of West Bengal, India from March to September 2009. By stratified multistage random sampling technique, 32 areas were selected from two districts; villages of sub-centre zone and wards of municipality; from each selected area; 125 eligible couples were interviewed by house to house survey. Results The contraceptive acceptance (prevalence) rate (CAR) by any method was 65.3 percent and couple protection rate (CPR) by approved methods was 58.4 percent in these two districts of West Bengal. In Paschim Midnapore district CAR was higher (67.4%) than Howrah district (63.3%). Similarly in Howrah district CPR was less (54.3%) than Paschim Midnapore district (62.6%). Type of family, age and literacy status of female partners, religion and social class were associated with adoption of family planning methods by the eligible couples with inter-district variation. Conclusion Area specific multipronged tailor-made interventions are needed through Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for promotion of acceptance of both the temporary & permanent methods of contraception at the appropriate time to achieve small family norm.
Theology and Frye: Some Implications of The Great Code
Authors: Fennell William
Published: March 2013

The interest of Christian scholars in Northrop Frye's bestseller on the Bible is easily understood. To subject it to critical appraisal from their perspective may seem another matter. It wasn't written with them predominantly in mind. It is a work of literary criticism, written by a renowned literary critic, who from the commencement of his brilliant career has had a deep and lasting interest in the formative role the Bible has played in the creation of the literature of western culture.
The Centripal Theology of The Great Code
Authors: Wiebe Donald
Published: March 2013

If Frye's disclaimer is taken seriously the theologian qua theologian will have little interest in The Great Code. This book, as he put it, ' ... is not a work of Biblical scholarship, much less [one] of theology '"(p. xi)'. It has, he insists, none of the system -historical, scientific, or metaphysical-that characterizes theology but is, rather, a work of bricolage, as is the Bible itself (p. xxi). The 'putting together of bits and pieces of whatever comes to hand' , whether in the Bible or in his book, he suggests, however, yields a deeper comprehension of reality than does abstract, scientific and rational thought. And that suggestion, his disclaimer notwithstanding, I shall argue here, indicates that The Great Code is very much a theological, or at least a metatheological, exercise and that it should, therefore, be of considerable interest to theologians. Frye's acknowledgment of the 'emotionally explosive' character of the thesis he presents indicates, moreover, the radical, and therefore important, nature of his (hidden) theological agenda.
An Invitation to Canadian Theology
Authors: Lind Christopher
Published: March 2013

To ask a theologian about central themes for theology in a Canadian context is to ask him or her to shift out of the dominant mode of theological discourse and to take up the task associated with that movement known as 'contextual theology'. We would do well to consider briefly the nature of that task.
Church and Politics
Authors: Boesak Allan
Published: March 2013

The subject I have chosen for my address today is 'Church and Politics', a timely topic, you will agree. Today, more than ever before, South Africans are thinking about the relationship between the Church and politics. Although the witness of the Church in the political arena in our country is not new, I daresay that there has never been a time the churches' political responsibility has been so pronounced or elicited such response from the powers that be.
Christology and Roman Primacy at Chalcedon
Authors: Lindsey William
Published: March 2013

Few periods in Christian history have been subjected to such intensive historical scrutiny as has the period immediately preceding the council of Chalcedon. The attraction of this period is not difficult to identify: for most Christian traditions, the two-nature christological formulation endorsed by Chalcedon remains the basis of credal confession and of christological reflection.1 Since the Chalcedonian formula was developed as a result of the condemnation of Eutyches, historians have been particularly interested in tracing the exact course of events which followed Eutyches' condemnation and which led to the council of Chalcedon. However, because Chalcedon and the period preceding it are viewed primarily as a time of christological development and struggle, historical interest in this period has tended to be preponderantly theological: historians have been concerned to sort out who believed what, and why various beliefs were held. Though such questions are fundamental, and have given rise to valuable historical studies, they are not the only important questions that may be asked about this period.
The Christian and the Self Deceiver
Authors: Alton Bruce
Published: March 2013

Too often, what I can only call 'confrontational' evangelism and pastoral counselling attempts to deal with the self-deceived person by thoughtlessly and carelessly 'exposing' the self-imposed lie. Such tactics make for good, television drama, but in the real world of spiritual growth they are often self-defeating and sometimes corrupt. Self-deception is a universal human phenomenon, inexorably linked with our capacity for self-reflective consciousness, and serving both good and bad purposes: that which can be known can also be denied, for various personal (and often private) reasons. It follows from the peculiar logic and complex psychology of 'lying to ourselves' that self-deceivers who are confronted, and whose lies are exposed, are often driven further into self-deception by such simplistic tactics. It also follows that those who choose to 'help' the self-deceiver run considerable risk of being self-deceived about their own motives and about the real effects of their help.
Recent Study of Hebrew Poetry: Implications for Theology and Worship
Authors: Ceresko Anthony
Published: March 2013

Karl Rahner concludes his essay, 'Poetry and the Christian' , with an observation that is also part question: How far the grace of God has gained mastery over us we cannot tell directly, because it is in itself invisible and intangible. Apart from having confident faith, there is practically only one thing we can do here: it is to ask ourselves how far we have become men . One way, though not the only way, of knowing this is to see whether our ears are opened, to hear with love the word of poetry. And hence the question of how we stand with regard to poetry is a very serious and strictly Christian question, and one which merges in the question of man's salvation. Further, Rahner can make this latter affIrmation because he considers the capacity and practice of perceiving the poetic word as 'a presupposition for hearing the word of God': ... the poetic word and the poetic ear are so much a part of man that if this essential power were really lost to the heart, man could no longer hear the word of God in the word of man. Since one-third of the Hebrew Bible is poetry, this statement ofRahner takes on particular relevance for readers of the Old Testament.
Barmen: Lesson in Theology
Authors: Hall Douglas
Published: March 2013

We are here to celebrate the achievements of Barmen, and I think that it is right for us to do so, but only if the end product of our remembering is the acquisition of a greater courage and wisdom to engage ourselves in the act of Christian reflection and confession appropriate to our own historical moment. The history of the Church, as of humankind at large, testifies all too explicitly to the habit human beings have of turning apparently 'successful' achievements of the past into moments of glory, without extracting from them any genuine lessons in living, dying or telling the truth. We build tombs for the prophets!
Book Reviews
Authors: Kloppenborg John , Kloppenborg John , Richardson Peter , Steinhauser Michael , LaPorte Jean-Marc , Hick John , Farris James , Demson David
Published: March 2013

Schuyler Brown, The Origins of Christianity. A Historical Introduction to the New Testament, reviewed by John S. Kloppenborg

John C. Meagher, Five Gospels: An Account of How the Good News Came to Be, reviewed by John S. Kloppenborg

Richard N. Longenecker, New Testament Social Ethics for Today, reviewed by Peter Richardson

Heinz O. Guenther, The Footprints of Jesus' Twelve in Early Christian Traditions. A Study in the Meaning of Religious Symbolism, reviewed by Michael G. Steinhauser

Dan Donovan, A Lasting Impact. John Paul II in Canada, reviewed by Jean-Marc Laporte

Terence Penelhum, God and Skepticism — A Study in Skepticism and Fideism, reviewed by John Hick

Hendrik Hart, Understanding Our World: An Integral Ontology, reviewed by James Farris

Edward Farley, Theologia: The Fragmentation and Unity of Theological Education, reviewed David Demson
Reponse to Bruce Marshall
Authors: Webb Stephen
Published: March 2013

Well, let me say I knew that sooner or later a "real" Barthian would read my book, and it would not be pretty. Since my book is about rhetoric, as well as Barth, let me make a comment or two about its context. It was not written for Barth scholars (a title I would not claim for myself); in fact, it was not written (University of Chicago Divinity School) where Barth was much read or taken seriously at all. It was written as a way of putting Barth into conversation with a lot of people who could benefit, I thought, from his voice. I saw certain parallels between Barth's early theology and many of the issues and claims of post-modem literary theorists, philosophers and rhetoricians, and I wanted to draw Barth into that conversation. (My role models in this, by the way, were Robert Scharlemann and Walter Lowe.) I also thought that many of the recent advances in rhetorical theory could be applied to a great theological writer with productive results. I was glad to write this book at an institution where the blurring of boundaries was encouraged and celebrated.
"Assured and Patient and Cheeful Expectation": Barth on Christian Hope as the Church's Task
Authors: Webster John
Published: March 2013

In this paper I want to suggest that Christian theology has a very great deal to say about the latter issue, but that what it has to say can only be grasped if we take serious steps to address the first problem. What the Christian community has to say theologically about hope is inseparable from that community's renewed attention to and inhabitation of its distinctive linguistic, intellectual and ethical practices as the community brought into being by, sustained by and wholly referred to Jesus Christ, its origin and goal.
Barth in the Nineties
Authors: Placher William
Published: March 2013

A massive edifice can best be seen from a distance; standing two feet from one of its walls hardly provides the proper perspective for appreciating Chartres Cathedral. The theology of Karl Barth is, in its own way, a structure as large and rich in detail as a great cathedral. It may be-the thought is not original-that only now, a quarter of a century after his death, are we gaining the proper distance from which to view Barth's accomplishments. In any event, too many theologians long either admired Barth uncritically, attacked a caricature of his views or just ignored him. A new generation of scholars now seems in a variety of interesting ways to be learning from Barth while also sometimes disagreeing with him or setting his work in new contexts.
The Role of Images, Symbols and Metaphors in the Discernment Process: The Artistic Process as an Analogy for Moral Discernment
Authors: Nafziger-Leis Cheryl
Published: March 2013

An individual undertakes moral discernment in a particular situation. Discernment by this moral agent occurs in the concrete, not in the abstract. The practical moral question which one faces in the concrete situation is: "What ought I to do?" Moral behaviour involves, however, more than just the decision made and the action taken in response to a particular moral problem.
Moral Exploration: The Relation Between Moral Exhortation and Doctrinal Exposition in the Letter to the Hebrews
Authors: Matera Fank
Published: March 2013

It is almost a truism to say that the moral teaching of the New Testament exhibits wide diversity. While the Synoptic Gospels and the letters of Paul are marked by an abundance of concrete instruction, the contribution of other writings is more in the realm of motivation and exhortation. Instead of emphasizing concrete moral instruction, they focus on why Christians should persevere in the moral life. This essay examines the relationship between exhortation and doctrinal exposition in the Letter to the Hebrews, a relationship of no little import for contemporary Christian ethics.
Liberation in a Religiously Plural World: The Problem of Normative Christological Claims in Latin American Liberation Theology
Authors: McCarthy Katherine
Published: March 2013

In efforts to define key features of Latin American liberation theology, orthopraxis is often given precedence over orthodoxy, that is, right action over right belief. This is useful shorthand for recent Latin American theological efforts, and yet it leaves unanswered an important question. Once the truth claims of traditional belief formulas are removed from the theological throne, what is to be done with them? Such claims are certainly not absent from the work of liberation theologians, and yet their status remains relatively unexamined. I will consider the question here by examining in the works of Gustavo Gutierrez and Jose Miguez Bonino the particular claim to the normative status of Christian revelation in light of the world's religious pluralism. Should such claims be accepted? Should they be reinterpreted in terms more agreeable to contemporary world views? Should they be jettisoned? In any case, it appears clear that they cannot remain impervious to critical examination. Such examination exposes both the liabilities of traditional christological formulas in liberation theology and the resources that theology offers for reinterpreting these claims in the service of both the liberation project itself and the wider effort to make theological sense in a pluralistic world.