bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planning And Placing First Waimea Horizontal Production Well - A Case History - Campos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Flores Sergio , Rafainer Gilberto , Ernesto Paulo , Rosa Marcia R. Da S. , Costa Vagner , Ribeiro Mauro Torres , Landinez Giovanni , D'Oliveira Diogo Scarcelli , Guedes Ana Beatriz Felicio , Ramirez Julian
Published: October 2011

The exploration campaign that started with the creation of the new company, in 2007, took another step forward with the drilling and completion of it's first horizontal producing well in the Campos Basin. The Waimea accumulation was discovered in the third exploratory well drilled in December 2009 (1-OGX-3-RJS), and confirmed with formation tests. The main reservoir drilled in well 1-OGX-3-RJS contained high energy carbonates intercalated with shales, occurring in structural and stratigraphic traps limited by normal and compressive geological failures in the NE-SW direction.

To ensure the commercial production of this accumulation, the development plan will require the drilling of several horizontal wells with high productivity index. This paper explains how careful planning along with well placement technologies were used to mitigate the geological uncertainties involved in drilling a horizontal well in a carbonate reservoir. The result was a successful production well at an early stage in the exploratory campaign.

Some of the key design and operation aspects which contributed to the success of the well were:–The initial design objective for the Waimea Extension well was to define a directional well profile and a linked horizontal profile such that both intersected at the planned entry point of the horizontal section, this challenging approach was key to obtaining further knowledge of these highly fractured carbonate reservoirs.–The evaluation of several alternative trajectories with the seismic data and, proper petrophysical properties analysis from the pilot hole log data to maximize well bore contact with the reservoir, to achieve the highest possible net pay in 1000 meters of horizontal geosteering.–The development of a geomechanical study to review these trajectories and define mud weight windows for safe drilling with minimum fluid invasion.–The use of well placement technologies with the support of, fit for purpose, rotary steerable system with logging while drilling tools which provided vital real time formation evaluation data for geosteering.

The planning and execution of the well culminated in excelent results for this first horizontal producer, with high net pay over the 1000 meters drilled and well testing confirming the well's high production potencial.
Mooring System Integrity: Deteriorative Mechanisms on Mooring Systems and Appropriate Inspection Techniques
Authors: Hall Anthony David , Trower Alastair Michael
Published: October 2011

The mean time to failure of most permanently installed FPSO mooring systems is 7.6 years, in spite of design lives of 3 times that. This paper will combine an introduction to, and identification of, mechanisms that are deemed unique to floating production systems. For the purpose of this paper these have been classified into two categories:

Mechanical Deteriorative Mechanisms;

– Sea floor trenching – Chain Wear – Turret Hawser Tube/Bending Shoe/Fairlead Issues – Out of Plane Bending – Differential loading – Fairlead/chain run-out – Vortex Induced vibration

Biological Deteriorative Mechanisms;

– Sulphur Reducing Bacteria (SRB) in the water column, hawser tube and in sea-floor material. Identification of SRB related pitting that can lead to crack propagation within individual chain links – Microbially Induced Corrosion caused by specific interactions between sea floor mooring system and water temperature

The presentation will include:

– An examination of deteriorative mechanisms using photographic, graphic and video evidence. – A brief overview of the classification and legislative requirements for permanent floating production mooring systems – An overview of the measurement and inspection techniques available in the industry – An overview of industry best practice guidelines for Mooring Integrity Management
Improved Girth Welds Manufacturing for Fatigue Demanding Deep Water Developments Through Laser Pipe End Measurement
Authors: Motta Lorenzo , Darcis Philippe , Novelli Paolo , Tintori Federico
Published: October 2011

Laser measurement systems (fixed and portable) have been developed by Tenaris to perform an automatic dimensional inspection of pipe ends.

Measuring OD, ID and WT, this tool is helpful not only for pipeline producers, which can have a better knowledge of the manufactured pipe ends' geometry, but also for the laying companies and for the end users, giving useful information in order to perform more efficient pipe line-up prior welding.

Since fatigue is normally the main limiting design criterion for fatigue sensitive products like flowlines and risers, representing a major engineering challenge, one way to minimize the risks of girth welds' fatigue failure is to reduce the pipes abutting Hi-Lo. This task could be accomplished by the use of laser pipe ends measurements analyses together with dedicated software.

Improvement of line-up pipe is very important for offshore oil recovery industry, where the fatigue requirements of pipelines subject to high dynamic loads are continuously increasing, as the exploitation is moving in harsh environments.

This paper describes the validation process and the implementation of automatic measurement systems for the inspection of the pipe ends' dimensions with high repeatability and precision. In addition, the following software applications are showed:–Division in families: determination of pipes groups according to their OD/ID/WT tolerances;–Best Matching: search of the alignments which minimize pipes abutting Hi-Lo;–Counter-Boring: analysis of the best pipe ends ID and/or OD to be machined and of the residual WT forecast after counter-boring.

Introduction

The increasing requirements of risers and flowlines subject to fatigue loads are leading to an interest of pipe ends laser measurements, aiming to enhance girth weld manufacturing and consequently their fatigue strength.

Fatigue is becoming one of the most important aspects to be taken into account in the design of offshore floating production systems (e.g. Spar, Semi-submersible, Tension Leg Platform (TLP), Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)). Due to their highly compliant nature, fatigue loading is accentuated particularly if compared to traditional fixed-bottom platforms. Fatigue loading arises due to production systems' motions that are caused by current action and waves. Some of the most fatigue critical components of these systems are the import and export Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs). Wave motions transmit significant fatigue loading to SCR, in particular at the touchdown location where the nearly vertical riser curves to join the pipeline or flowline on the ocean floor. In addition, the riser can experience fatigue loading due to vibrations induced by sea currents, like Vortex Induced Vibrations (VIV). These vibrations can occur at any number of locations along the riser length depending on the dynamic response of the structure and the current profile.
New Solutions for Subsea Produced Water Separation and Treatment in Deepwater
Authors: Anres Stephane Jean , Butin Nicolas , Evans Wayne , Bigeonneau Didier
Published: October 2011

Subsea processing is becoming necessary for subsea production enhancement in deepwater. For brown fields, when water production is increasing, subsea oil/water separation with water re-injection into the reservoir is a relevant solution. When operated subsea, the produced water treatment will increase oil recovery from mature fields and generate spare topside capacity in order to tie back new wells. Indeed, this solution will provide process capacity for oil (reduction of total liquids) and capacity for injection water (reduction of seawater needs).

Current oil/water separation units (Troll and Tordis operated both by Statoil in North Sea) are installed in relatively shallow waters and re-inject produced water into disposal wells. For deepwater applications, the large diameter vessels used on these two projects are not practical, due to the very thick wall required to sustain high pressure (either hydrostatic pressure or wellhead shut in pressure). Saipem is currently developing two bulk liquid separation systems to fit deepwater requirements, one based on gravity separation using several pipes working in parallel, and the second one based on cyclonic separation with compact equipment.

After this first separation stage, if produced water is re-injected into injection wells, additional water treatment is then required to meet the stringent requirements of oil-in-water and solids-in-water contents.

On this basis, Saipem and Veolia Water have partnered together to develop a series of solutions for deep water produced water treatment, targeting a water quality compliant with operators' requirements to inject produced water safely in existing or new injection wells. One of the developed solutions is based on the use of ceramic membranes which bring advantages compared to more conventional cyclonic systems, giving a much better water quality.

This paper will present the global solutions developed for deepwater applications, from the first separation stage to the produced water treatment stage, giving the expected performances and the current maturity of the whole system.

Introduction

The production of a large number of deepwater fields requires water injection in order to sweep the oil to the production wells (water flooding) and/or to maintain the reservoir pressure by replacing the volume of the produced fluids.

The injected water has conventionally been treated seawater while the water coming from the production stream is separated on topsides and disposed to the sea. As produced water cuts increase, produced water reinjection has become common, the oily water being treated on the topsides prior to injection.

This paper addresses Subsea Produced Water Re-Injection (SPWRI) applied to mature deepwater fields producing a large amount of water. It consists of separating most of the produced water on the seabed and reinjecting it into the reservoir through water injection wells.
What If Scenario Testing of Synthetic Fibre Rope for Deepwater Mooring Systems
Authors: Rowley David Stuart , Leite Sergio
Published: October 2011

Given industry concerns about the rising cost of performing deepwater installations, Lankhorst Ropes Offshore Division has developed a rope test machine that is expected to provide insights into deepwater mooring rope behaviour and optimise installation scenarios. For example, more accurate information on the degree of pre-loading required will avoid the high cost and safety issues surrounding excessive pre-loading during offshore installation.

Naval architects need comprehensive fibre rope test data when designing rope mooring systems. The rope test machine will provide the opportunity to conduct extensive testing of stiffness and degree of stretch under maximum load for a range of rope constructions, together with 'what if' scenarios by simulating storms and hurricanes, and loop current events with associated vortex induced vibrations on the mooring lines.

Using the rope test results, a new approach to pre-tensioning ropes ahead of installation is described. The approach is designed to address the issue of installing ropes of increasing stiffness and their associated higher mooring installation costs. In so doing it is intended to equip naval architects with a greater understanding of the performance of different synthetic yarns and rope constructions when designing deepwater mooring systems, and the role of pre-tensioning during installation.
Lessons Learned From Statfjord A Oil Spill and Actions Taken to Reduce Spill Risk During Offloading Operations
Authors: Meling Trond Stokka , Heen Per
Published: October 2011

December 12, 2007, several incidents and miscommunication during an offloading operation from the GBS Statfjord A to a shuttle tanker led to a 4400 m3 large oil spill.

The paper will present what caused the oil spill and lessons learned. The main focus in the paper will be on actions taken to reduce the risk for future oil spills during offloading including harware upgrade, monitoring, improved offloading procedures and inspection and maintenance programs.

A central element is the FMEA test program that was developed to ensure that the entire cargo line on the shuttle tankers was working as intended in the design philosophy. All shuttle tankers used by Statoil in the North Sea has now gone through the FMEA test program and an extensive upgrade program was required to meet the design requirements. Statoil believe the risk of oil spills during our offloading operations is significantly reduced after this work program was carried out.

The lessons learned from this incident is relevant for all offloading operations, and the actions taken to reduce spill risk can also be adopted by other operators in their offloading operations

Nomenclature

APL Advanced Production and Loading

BLS Bow loading System

FMEA Failure Mode and Effect Analysis

GBS Gravity Based Structure

OLS Offshore Loading System

PSA Petroleum Safety Authorities (in Norway)

Background

The Statfjord field is one of the oldest and largest oil fields in the North Sea. It is developed with 3 large Gravity Based Structures (GBS), see Figure 1, and production started from Statfjord A in 1979. The maximum daily production was 850 000 bbls in 1987, and the crude oil was originally exported through 3 articulated loading towers located 2-3 km from the platforms. The water depth at Statfjord is around 150 m.
Enhancing Local Content for Projects
Authors: Bonnel Pierre-Olivier
Published: October 2011

BR Petrobras plans to spend $224 billion through 2014 to develop deepsea oil finds. Supplying equipment in a timely fashion will be key to its efforts to nearly double oil production in Brazil by 2020. Brazil's government wants the majority of the cash headed to local companies or local units of foreign multinationals and wants to develop the oil services sector, creating industry that could export goods and services around the world. Thus, gradually, the minimum local content requirements will increase up to 95% in 2017.

Whoever wishes to have a major role in the E&P will have to establish significant local presence, in particular equipment suppliers (topsides, pipes, drilling packages, power packages for offshore units, etc.), who will likely need to build production facilities in Brazil.

The issue is not only to install local manufacturing support, but also pre-sales technical support, a presence close to the shipyards and operators throughout the phase of integration, commissioning and operation, and a very strong and effective after-sale support.

The paper will discuss the overall strategy needed to bring to Brazil the technical and manufacturing expertise to support the rapid growth of the shipbuilding industry and will examine the importance of providing local support to the yards and owners to reduce delays in technical proposal and during the construction phase of vessels.

Honeywell has set up, in addition of its already existing operations, a Marine operation in Rio de Janeiro. This unit includes:Front End Engineering Desing (FEED)Customer Engineering Project SupportTechnical sales supportInstallation & Commissioning support.Service StationLocal spare part inventory.

Consideration will also be given to a study being run by Honeywell to implement an assembly line in Brazil to minimize logistics costs and delivery times.
Complement-Fixing Anti-Type VII Collagen Antibodies Are Induced in Th1-Polarized Lymph Nodes of Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita-Susceptible Mice
Authors: Hammers Christoph M. , Bieber Katja , Kalies Kathrin , Banczyk David , Ellebrecht Christoph T. , Ibrahim Saleh M. , Zillikens Detlef , Ludwig Ralf J. , Westermann Jürgen
Published: October 2011

The environment encountered in secondary lymphoid organs (e.g., lymph nodes) influences the outcome of immune responses. Immunization of mice with type VII collagen, an adhesion protein expressed at the cutaneous basement membrane, induces experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). In this model, clinical disease is associated with the H2s haplotype of the MHC found in SJL/J mice. Most other strains (e.g., BALB/c, C57BL/6, NZM2410/J) are resistant to clinical disease, despite autoantibody production. Comparison of autoantibody response in EBA-resistant and -susceptible mice showed an IgG2-dominated response in the latter. We hypothesized that EBA susceptibility is due to specific cytokine gene expression in draining lymph nodes (dLN). To challenge this hypothesis, EBA-susceptible (SJL/J) and -resistant (BALB/c, C57BL/6) mice were immunized with type VII collagen, followed by analysis of clinical phenotype, subclasses of circulating and tissue-bound autoantibodies, complement activation, and cytokine gene expression in dLN. Disease manifestation was associated with induction of complement-fixing autoantibodies, confirming previous observations. Furthermore, however, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in dLN of EBA-susceptible mice was significantly increased compared with EBA-resistant strains, suggesting a Th1 polarization. Immunization of H2s-congenic C57BL/6 mice (B6.SJL-H2s) led to Th1 polarization in dLN and clinical disease. In addition to their cytokine milieu, EBA-susceptible and -resistant mice also differed regarding the expression of FcγR on peripheral leukocytes, in which a higher FcγRIV expression in SJL/J and B6.SJL-H2s mice, compared with C57BL/6, was associated with skin lesions. In summary, blistering in experimental EBA is regulated by both adaptive (divergent class switch recombination due to polarized cytokine expression) and innate (FcγR expression) immune mechanisms.
Challenges Associated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy for Metastatic Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Cabanillas Maria E. , Hu Mimi I. , Durand Jean-Bernard , Busaidy Naifa L.
Published: October 2011

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) which target angiogenesis are promising treatments for patients with metastatic medullary and differentiated thyroid cancers. Sorafenib, sunitinib, and pazopanib are commercially available drugs which have been studied in these diseases. Vandetanib is the first drug approved in the United States for treatment of medullary thyroid cancer. These TKIs are used as chronic therapies, and therefore it is imperative to understand the adverse event profile in order to avoid excessive toxicity and maintain patients on therapy as long as it proves beneficial. Here we review common toxicities, management of these, and other challenging situations that arise when using TKIs in patients with thyroid cancer.
Stable oxygen isotopes in chironomid and cladoceran remains as indicators for lake‐water δ18O
Authors: Verbruggen F. , Heiri O. , Reichart G. J. , Blaga C. , Lotter A. F.
Published: October 2011

An understanding of modern relationships between the stable oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) of lake water and aquatic invertebrates is essential for the interpretation of paleoclimate records based on δ18O of organic remains of these organisms. We analyzed δ18O of lake water and invertebrate remains, including head capsules of chironomid larvae and resting eggs (ephippia) of planktonic Cladocera, in surface sediments from 31 large, deep, and stratified lakes along a latitudinal transect through Europe. The δ18O values measured for both lake water and aquatic invertebrate remains were compared to estimated δ18O in precipitation. A strong linear relationship between mean annual air temperature and δ18O of precipitation was observed along the north–south transect (r = 0.97), whereas the relationship between precipitation δ18O and lake‐water δ18O was weaker (r = 0.80). A strong positive correlation was observed between δ18O in lake water and aquatic invertebrates (r = 0.95 and 0.94 for chironomids and cladocerans, respectively). Although slopes of linear regressions between lake‐water δ18O and δ18O of both aquatic invertebrate groups are similar, a systematic offset between the absolute δ18O values of chironomids and cladocerans was observed; chironomids were on average 2.4‰ heavier than Cladocera. We attribute this offset to differences in ecology, metabolism, and/or behavior between benthic chironomid larvae and planktonic Cladocera. δ18O records based on subfossil chironomid and cladoceran remains have the potential to quantitatively characterize past lake‐water δ18O and, indirectly, past climatic changes.
Response of a shallow‐water sediment system to warming
Authors: Alsterberg Christian , Hulth Stefan , Sundbäck Kristina
Published: October 2011

Effects of predicted global warming (+4°C) on the structure and function of a temperate shallow‐water sediment system were studied for 1.5 months during spring (March–April), using intact sediment in a flow‐through system under close to natural light conditions. Although significant effects from temperature were observed during the entire experimental period, many were rather moderate and probably a combination of both direct and indirect effects. With the exception of an earlier development of floating microalgal mats at raised temperature, dividing the autotrophic compartment into a benthic and pelagic part, autotrophic variables, such as oxygen production, biomass, and species composition of benthic microalgae did not respond to warming. However, uptake of nutrients did increase, strengthening the role of shallow‐water sediments as sinks for inorganic nutrients in spring. As hypothesized, heterotrophic variables (bacterial production, meiofaunal biomass, and dark fluxes of oxygen and total alkalinity) responded more clearly to warming than did autotrophic variables. Warming is generally hypothesized to push ecosystems towards heterotrophy, but there was no support for this in the present study. Although community respiration and anaerobic mineralization increased, the system remained highly autotrophic during the entire experiment due to the photosynthetic activity of benthic microalgae. The presence of a well‐developed benthic microalgal community, already in early spring, appeared to moderate the temperature response. It therefore seems that, in spring, benthic microalgae dampen ecological consequences of global warming in illuminated sediment systems by maintaining the system net autotrophic.
Comparative effects of urea, ammonium, and nitrate on phytoplankton abundance, community composition, and toxicity in hypereutrophic freshwaters
Authors: Donald Derek B. , Bogard Matthew J. , Finlay Kerri , Leavitt Peter R.
Published: October 2011

Dissolved nitrogen (N) as urea ([NH2]2CO), nitrate (NO‐3), and ammonium (NH+4) was added to naturally phosphorus (P)‐rich lake water (up to 175 µg P L‐1) to test the hypotheses that pollution of hypereutrophic lakes with N increases total algal abundance, alters community composition, and favors toxic cyanobacteria that do not fix atmospheric N2. Monthly experiments were conducted in triplicate in polymictic Wascana Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada, during July, August, and September 2008 using large (> 3140 liters) enclosures. Addition of all forms of N added at 6 mg N L‐1 increased total algal abundance (as chlorophyll a) by up to 350% relative to controls during August and September, when soluble reactive P (SRP) was > 50 µg P L‐1 and dissolved N : P was < 20 : 1 by mass. In particular, NH+4 and urea favored non‐heterocystous cyanobacteria and chlorophytes and NO‐3, urea promoted chlorophytes, some cyanobacteria, and transient blooms of siliceous algae, whereas N2‐fixing cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates exhibited little response to added N. Added N also increased microcystin production by up to 13‐fold in August and September, although the magnitude of response varied with N species and predominant algal taxon (Planktothrix agardhii, Microcystis spp.). These findings demonstrate that pollution with N intensifies eutrophication and algal toxicity in lakes with elevated concentrations of SRP and low N : P, and that the magnitude of these effects depends on the chemical form, and hence source, of N.
Beyond the average: Diverse individual migration patterns in a population of mesopelagic jellyfish
Authors: Kaartvedt Stein , Titelman Josefin , Røstad Anders , Klevjer Thor A.
Published: October 2011

We examined the diel behavior among the jellyfish Periphylla periphylla in Lurefjorden, Norway in a sampling campaign and by a > 3‐month continuous acoustic study. Jellyfish distribution and behavior were recorded by an upward‐facing, bottom‐mounted echo sounder at 280‐m depth. The population was typically divided into four groups, each with different behavior. Individuals of behavioral Mode 1 undertook synchronous diel vertical migrations (DVM) within the upper 100 m. Individuals of behavioral Mode 2, stayed at ~ 160‐200‐m depth during the day, and also exhibited synchronized DVM, ascending at dusk and descending at dawn. The smaller individuals of behavioral Mode 3 swam continuously up and down throughout both day and night, yet occurred below Mode 2 individuals in daytime (~ 200 m‐bottom), while their vertical range encompassed the entire water column during night. Mode 4 behavior was displayed by large jellyfish located between ~ 130 m and the bottom. These animals shifted between remaining motionless and relocating in rapid steps during both day and night. These four main behavioral patterns persisted throughout the registration period, although the synchronously migrating Mode 2 behavior became weaker in spring. This acoustic study has unveiled more diverse migration behaviors than previously derived from net sampling and remote‐operated vehicles methods and emphasizes the importance of studying individuals. DVM is complex because individuals in a plankton population may simultaneously engage in a range of various contrasting behaviors.
Zooplankton community response to enhanced turbulence generated by water‐level decrease in Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europe
Authors: G.-Tóth Làszló , Parpala Laura , Balogh Csilla , Tàtrai Istvàn , Baranyai Eszter
Published: October 2011

During the unusually long European drought between 2000 and 2003, the water level of the large and shallow Lake Balaton, Hungary (area = 596 km2, mean depth = 3.25 m), decreased by 28%. Although food availability for zooplankton remained unchanged, and the fish stock declined more than the water mass, the density of populations of several planktonic rotifers, cladocerans, calanoid copepodes, and veligers decreased by 60‐90% simultaneously with the water‐level decrease and regenerated only after the drought. The generally strong turbulence of the lake was intensified during the four consecutive years of low water, as verified by instrumental monitoring of the turbulence intensity and by the estimation of the turbulent kinetic‐energy dissipation rate. In our tank experiments, turbulence conditions similar to those that existed in the lake during low water were simulated, but mineral suspended material was minimized and food was regularly resupplied. Under these experimental conditions, zooplankton taxa showing the highest mortality were the same as those that were most susceptible in situ. Increased turbulence coupled with the water‐level decrease is especially unfavorable for rotifer Keratella, the cladoceran Daphnia, Bosmina, and copepodit and adult stages of the calanoid copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis in this lake.
Characteristics of the terrestrial field-aligned current system
Authors: Gjerloev J. W. , Ohtani S. , Iijima T. , Anderson B. , Slavin J. , Le G.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. We present the first ever comprehensive statistical study of the spatiotemporal characteristics of field-aligned currents in the terrestrial magnetosphere-ionosphere system using multi point measurements. We determine how the FAC density, variability and scale size are coupled. The three ST 5 satellites were in a pearls-on-a-string formation making measurements of the magnetic field with variable inter-spacecraft separations ranging from a few seconds to about 10 min. More than 4700 sets of satellite passes are analyzed using a robust correlation analysis aimed at determining the variability of the FAC system as a function of scale size and satellite spacing. We find significant differences between the FAC characteristics on the dayside and on the nightside in terms of dynamics of the current systems. On the dayside the FAC characteristics are found to be independent of IMF Bz and geomagnetic activity while the nightside indicates increased variability during disturbed conditions. The boundary separating highly and poorly correlated FACs can be fitted by a linear line for satellite separations shorter than 60 s (dayside) and 160 s (nightside). We interpret this as the dayside and nightside magnetospheric reconfiguration times respectively. For times exceeding this the FAC characteristics are suggested to be controlled by the solar wind (dayside) and plasma sheet (nightside) dynamics. Finally, the characteristics of FAC system with scale sizes larger than ~200 km (at ionospheric altitude) appear to be stable and repeatable on time scales of the order of a minute (i.e. comparable to the low-altitude orbiting satellite's traverse time across the auroral belt). In this sense, our results effectively validate the Iijima and Potemra (1978) assumption that on average the large-scale currents with scale sizes of the Region1 and Region2 are quasi-persistently significant in the transport of energy and momentum between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere.
Pneumatic Retinopexy for Retinal Detachment Associated with Choroidal Coloboma
Authors: Giansanti Fabrizio , Giuntoli Matteo , Mazzini Cinzia , Pieretti Giulia , Abbruzzese Giacomo , Menchini Ugo
Published: October 2011

Purpose

To report a case of retinal detachment in an eye with choroidal coloboma treated with pneumatic retinopexy and laser.

Methods

Case report.

Results

A 34-year-old woman who had had poor vision in her left eye since early childhood and high myopia in her right eye complained a sudden deterioration of vision in her left eye for 3 days. Fundus examination of the left eye showed a large choroidal coloboma, extending to the disc margin from 5–8 o'clock inferiorly and above the inferotemporal arcade, excluding the fovea and the parafovea. Superotemporal bullous detachment of the retina was also observed, including the macula. The patient underwent a pneumatic retinopexy with SF6 gas (0.5 cc) injection into the vitreous cavity. The following day laser was applied around the margin of the choroidal coloboma. Three months later, visual acuity was 20/200 and fundus examination disclosed a completely attached retina.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates the feasibility of using pneumatic retinopexy in selected cases.
Qualitative assessment of study materials and communication strategies used in studies that include DNA collection
Authors: Jenkins Mary M. , Reed‐Gross Erika , Barfield Wanda D. , Prue Christine E. , Gallagher Margaret L. , Rasmussen Sonja A. , Honein Margaret A.
Published: October 2011

To understand motivations and barriers to participation in studies that include DNA collection, focus group discussions were held with mothers who had participated in a case–control study of birth defects. Recruited mothers had completed an interview and had received a mailed kit containing cytobrushes to collect buccal cells for DNA from herself, her infant, and her infant's father. Six moderator‐led focus groups were attended by a total of 38 women residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Focus groups were segmented by DNA collection status (biologics participants or nonparticipants), infant case–control status, infant birthweight, and maternal race and ethnicity. This report assesses maternal attitudes toward study materials and communication strategies. Across groups, respondents expressed concern about how their contact information was obtained. Study materials were described as clear and professional by most women, although some respondents reported confusion about disclosure of individual genetic results. Respondents generally reported that monetary incentives were not a motivation to participate, but increased perceived study legitimacy. Biologics nonparticipants expressed concerns about kit component sterility; government involvement; and DNA sample use, storage, and disposal. Respondents suggested that investigators provide feedback on whether sample collection was performed correctly and provide materials targeted to fathers to help alleviate paternal skepticism. Participation in DNA collection might be improved by strengthening study materials and communication strategies. Published 2011. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Synthesis, structure and cytotoxic activity of binuclear phenyltin(IV) complexes with N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐1,2‐ethanebis(dithiocarbamate) ligand
Authors: Tian Laijin , Zheng Xiaofeng , Zheng Xiaoliang , Sun Yuxi , Yan Dongmei , Tu Linglan
Published: October 2011

Two new dinuclear phenyltin(IV) complexes derived from N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐1,2‐ethanebis(dithiocarbamate) ligand, [2‐HOC6H4CH2N(CS2SnPh3)CH2]2 (1) and [2‐HOC6H4CH2N(CS2SnClPh2)CH2]2 (2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (1H, 13C and 119Sn) spectra. The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction and show that the dithiocarbamate ligand is coordinated to the tin atom in the anisobidentate manner and the tin atom is five‐coordinated. The coordination geometry of tin atom is best described as an intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal with τ‐values of 0.63 and 0.53, respectively. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds (OH···S and OH···Cl) in 1 and 2 connect neighboring molecules into a one‐dimensional supramolecular chain with the centrosymmetric cyclic motifs. Complex 1 has potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against two human tumor cell lines, CoLo205 and Bcap37, while complex 2 displays weak cytotoxic activity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure evolution of melt‐spun poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers during hot‐drawing
Authors: Wu Qian , Chen Ning , Li Li , Wang Qi
Published: October 2011

The drawability of melt‐spun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers and its structure evolution during hot‐drawing process were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), two dimensional X‐ray diffraction (2‐D WAXD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results showed that the water content of PVA fibers should be controlled before hot‐drawing and the proper drying condition was drying at 200°C for 3 min. PVA fibers with excellent mechanical properties could be obtained by drawing at 200°C and 100 mm/min. The melt point and crystallinity of PVA fibers increased with the draw ratio increasing. The 2‐D WAXD patterns of PVA fibers changed from circular scattering pattern to sharp diffraction point, confirming the change of PVA fibers from random orientation to high degree orientation. Accordingly, the tensile strength of PVA fibers enhanced by hot‐drawing, reaching 1.85 GPa when the draw ratio was 16. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Sicherheit bei terroristischen Bedrohungen im öffentlichen Raum durch spezielle bauliche Lösungen
Authors: Gebbeken Norbert , Döge Torsten , Larcher Martin
Published: October 2011

Terroristische Angriffe richteten sich in der Vergangenheit verstärkt gegen sogenannte weiche Ziele. Somit ist es erforderlich, die Bedrohungen zu analysieren und “öffentliche Räume“, die nicht den kritischen Infrastrukturen zugerechnet werden, zu schützen. Aus den Szenarien ergeben sich konkrete Bedrohungen, z. B. aus Explosion, Anprall und dem Herumfliegen von festen Teilen. Öffentliche Räume sollen durch Elemente geschützt werden, die von der Bevölkerung nicht als Schutzelemente wahrgenommen werden. Dieser Artikel beschreibt architektonisch attraktive bauliche Schutzmaßnahmen und intelligente Planungen der Landschaftsarchitektur zum Schutz von öffentlichen Räumen. Der Aufsatz ist ein wichtiger Beitrag zur Steigerung der Sicherheit im urbanen Umfeld vor möglichen terroristischen Bedrohungen.

Safety from terrorist threats in public spaces by attractive constructional solutions. Terrorist attacks were increasingly directed against so‐called soft targets in the past. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the threats and to protect “public spaces” that are not attributed to the critical infrastructure. Specific threats e.g. explosions, vehicle impact and impact of flying debris, arise from various scenarios. Public spaces are to be protected by elements that are not perceived by the population as protective elements. This paper describes architectural attractive constructional protective measures and intelligent design of landscape architecture for the protection of public spaces. The paper is an important contribution to the enhancement of safety against terrorist threats in urban environment.
Die Berechnung von Baugruben mit dem Bettungsmodulverfahren nach EB 102
Authors: Brand Thomas , Bastian David , Hillmann Stephan
Published: October 2011

Mit der 4. Auflage der EAB im Jahr 2006 wurden in der Empfehlung EB 102 drei Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Bettungsmoduls für die Berechnung von Verbauwänden vorgeschlagen. Zur Überprüfung der in der EB 102 empfohlenen Berechnungsverfahren wurden von der Ed. Züblin AG, Zentrale Technik Berlin, umfangreiche Vergleichsrechnungen durchgeführt und die Ergebnisse dem Arbeitskreis Baugruben der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geotechnik e. V. (DGGT) vorgestellt. Da die Ergebnisse der drei Verfahren stark voneinander abwichen und nicht mit Mess‐ und FE‐Ergebnissen zahlreicher Baugruben übereinstimmen, hat der Arbeitskreis Baugruben der DGGT die EB 102 inzwischen überarbeitet und veröffentlicht.

In dem nachfolgenden Beitrag wird nun die Anwendung des Bettungsmodulverfahrens nach “neuer“ EB 102 praxisnah erläutert. Es werden die Berechnungsergebnisse ausgeführter Baugruben, mit FE‐ und Messergebnissen verglichen. Hierbei zeigt sich eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung, so dass das Bettungsmodulverfahren nach “neuer“ EB 102 jetzt für die Bemessung von Baugrubenkonstruktionen eingesetzt werden kann.

The design of construction pits using the subgrade reaction method according to the recommendations of EB 102 – advice of applications, case studies, comparison with measurements and results of FE – calculations. The 4. edition of the EAB (recommendation of the working group for excavation) of 2006 offered three methods to determine the subgrade modulus for the calculation of retaining walls. In order to verify the recommended methods given in EB 102 numerous comparative calculations were undertaken by the Technical Head Office of Ed. Züblin AG. The results of the calculations based on the three methods were presented to the working group for excavation of the German Society for Geotechnical Engineering. They varied considerably and did not match with those of FE‐calculation and with measurements on numerous excavation constructions. As a consequence the working group for excavation has revised the recommendations completely and published it recently. The following article explains the application of the subgrade reaction method according to the “new” EB 102 for practical use. The results obtained by the subgrade reaction method correspond very well with FE‐simulation and measurements on executed construction pits. As a conclusion the revised recommendation EB 102 can now be used for the design of retaining walls.
Micro‐anatomy of the renal sympathetic nervous system: A human postmortem histologic study
Authors: Atherton Daniel S. , Deep Nicholas L. , Mendelsohn Farrell O.
Published: October 2011

Hypertension remains an epidemic uncontrolled with pharmacologic therapies. A novel catheter inserted into the renal artery has been shown to lower blood pressure by ablating the renal sympathetic nerves with radiofrequency energy delivered through the arterial wall. We report a histologic study describing the anatomic substrate for this technique, specifically the renal sympathetic nervous system. Histological sections from proximal, middle, and distal renal artery segments from nine renal arteries (five human autopsies) were analyzed. Nerves were manually counted and their distance from the lumen‐intima interface was measured using a micrometer. The nerves were then categorized by location into 0.5‐mm‐wid e “rings” that were arranged circumferentially around the renal artery lumen. Of all nerves detected, 1.0% was in the 0–0.5 mm ring, 48.3% were in the 0.5–1.0 mm ring, 25.6% were in the 1.0–1.5 mm ring, 15.5% were in the 1.5–2.0 mm ring, and 9.5% were in the 2.0–2.5 mm ring. Beyond 0.5 mm, the proportion of nerves tended to decrease as the distance from the lumen increased. Totally, 90.5% of all nerves in this study existed within 2.0 mm of the renal artery lumen. Additionally, the number of nerves tended to increase along the length of the artery from proximal to distal segments (proximal = 216; middle = 323; distal = 417). In conclusion, our analysis indicates that a great proportion of renal sympathetic nerves have close proximity to the lumen‐intima interface and should thus be accessible via renal artery interventional approaches such as catheter ablation. This data provides important anatomic information for the development of ablation and other type devices for renal sympathetic denervation. Clin. Anat. 25:628–633, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Online inserting virtual characters into dynamic video scenes
Authors: Zhang Yijiang , Pettré Julien , Ondřej Jan , Qin Xueying , Peng Qunsheng , Donikian Stéphane
Published: October 2011

The seamless integration of virtual characters into dynamic scenes captured by video is a challenging problem. In order to achieve consistent composite results, both the virtual and real characters must share the same geometrical constraints and their interactions must follow some common sense. One essential question is how to detect the motion of real objects—such as real characters moving in the video—and how to steer virtual characters accordingly to avoid unrealistic collisions. We propose an online solution. First, by analysis of the input video, the motion states of the real pedestrians are recovered into a common world 3D coordinate system. Meanwhile, a simplified accuracy measurement is defined to represent the confidence of the motion estimate. Then, under the constraints imposed by the real dynamic objects, the motion of virtual characters are accommodated by a uniform steering model. The final step is to merge virtual objects back to the real video scene by taking into account visibility and occlusion constraints between real foreground objects and virtual ones. Several examples demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pose space parameterization and style transfer of skin deformation
Authors: Kim Jong‐Hyuk , Choi Jung‐Ju , Hoffmann Christoph M.
Published: October 2011

We present a technique to parameterize skin deformation by skeletal motion and to transfer the deformation style from one character to another. We decompose skin deformation into time‐varying signals and basis matrices by using dimension reduction techniques and then approximate the time‐varying signals by using radial basis functions with respect to joint angles that define skeletal motion. This decomposition reduces the size of deformation data to a small number of time‐varying signals that represent the complex role of muscle action. The subsequent parameterization yields a fast and intuitive control of characters; thus, it allows us to construct faithful skin deformations quickly as skeletal bones move. The representation of our parameterization allows us to capture and transfer a derived deformation style to another skeleton–skin structure without considering the input dimension of the deformation data. This style transfer can be used as a basis for realistically animating variants of sample characters that have the same skeletal topology. Parameterization of skin deformation and its style transfer can be performed within a small amount of error once the preprocessing time and control of the deformation is carried out in real time by our graphics processing unit implementation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidative properties of phenolic acids and interaction with endogenous minor components during frying
Authors: Aladedunye Felix A. , Przybylski Roman
Published: October 2011

The ability of selected phenolic acids to improve the frying performance of canola oil was evaluated in a frying test. The frying performance of the oil was assessed by analysis of total polar components (TPC), level of 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE), and the rate of formation of volatile carbonyl compounds (VCC). All the tested phenolic acids; ferulic acid (FA), caffeic acid (CA), dihydrocaffeic acid (HCA), gallic acid (GA), and vanillic acid (VA) significantly increased the frying performance of canola oil triacylglycerols (CTG). At the end of the frying test, the amount of TPC in CTG was 22.9 ± 1.0% compared to a maximum of 18.8 ± 0.8% in CTG fortified with the phenolic acids. Similarly, the level of HNE was reduced by up to 45% when it was supplemented with phenolic acids. The results showed that ethyl ferulate (EF) was a better antioxidant than FA under frying conditions; HCA offered a slightly better protection than CA; and the cinnamic acid derivative, FA was better than VA, its benzoic acid analogue. A significant synergy was observed between phenolic acids and the sterol fraction isolated from canola oil. The observed synergy was attributed to the possible formation of steryl phenolates during the frying test.

Practical applications: The poor thermal stability of polyunsaturated oils limits their application for prolonged frying. PUFA offer important health benefits and can improve nutritional value of fried foods. Contrary to the commonly applied synthetic antioxidants, the phenolic acids tested in this study often are part of endogenous oil components present in oilseeds and also in some oils, and are known for their positive health benefits. Thus, the simple phenolic acids, especially the cinnamic acid derivatives may be applied as potent antioxidants to protect oils during thermal processes used for food production.
An alternative linear trend analysis for assessing the results of the mouse lymphoma assay
Authors: Hou Saimei , Sjögren Niclas , Bolcsfoldi George
Published: October 2011

As recommended by the mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) Workgroup of the International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (Aberdeen, 2003), a trend test is critical if an induced mutant frequency (MF) of at least 126 × 10−6 (global evaluation factor, GEF) is achieved at one or more test concentrations. Only those responses that both achieve the GEF and a significant trend are biologically relevant. While no specific trend test was recommended by the Workshop, a trend test was recommended by the UK Environmental Mutagen Society (1989). The test uses MF (untransformed) averaged over replicate cultures following a consistency test (against a historical heterogeneity factor) in a weighted linear regression with chi‐square (χ2) test for slope and returns significant results in virtually all cases that are positive for the GEF, including those with no apparent dose–response. We have explored an alternative method where the natural logarithm of MF and its variance are estimated for each replicate culture separately and used in a weighted ordinary linear regression with t‐test for slope. Using test cases positive for the GEF, the P‐value from this model is shown to be sensitive to changes in the number of replicates, the shape and magnitude of mutant induction, in contrast to the χ2 model. Cases with no apparent dose–response and thereby questionable biological significance are tested negative by our method but positive by the χ2 model. Our method is thus straight‐forward and provides a meaningful complement to the GEF in assessing the biological significance of the MLA results. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.