bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fighting Corruption: the Slovenian Phenomenon
Authors: Nisnevich Y.
Published: February 2021

Today, corruption remains a challenge for most post-socialist states. Unfortunately, this social pandemic was by and large inherited by these countries from the Soviet regime. A lot of representatives of that regime, who actually were the instigators of corrupt practices while governing a state, managed to keep their posts in power even after the regime change. In this way the representatives of the old regime facilitated further spread of corrupt practices in new governments. The research, conducted in cooperation with Professor Peter Rozic (USA), indicates an interesting phenomenon: lustration (in other words, the purge of government officials once affiliated with the Communist system) is indeed an effective mechanism to do away with corrupt legacy of a previous government. In the majority of post-socialist states (except for Albania and Bulgaria), where lustration was carried out in one form or another, we can observe a cleanup of the Soviet times instigators' corrupt practices in public authorities. Interestingly enough, nowadays, the corruption situation in these countries is considerably better than in those were lustration was not conducted. However, it is worth noting that lustration per se is not the panacea for corruption, but it does help to create a fertile ground and serves as a springboard for further anti-corruption measures and reforms. Yet what we see in Slovenia is, in fact, an obvious deviation from this pattern. Lustration was not carried out here. Nonetheless, the country is among the best anti-corruption performers and can be compared with Estonia, where lustration took place. Today, Estonia is ranked by Transparency International’s CPI as a top performer among all other post-Soviet and post-socialist states. We, therefore, decided to look deeper into Slovenian anti-corruption efforts made by the new democratic government after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and to understand the reasons underlying its success in this field. Our research findings indicate that the first factor, which sets this situation apart, was filtering out the government authorities that could bring corrupt relationships or practices of the old Soviet regime, and replacing them with representatives of the nationally-oriented elites. This kind of purge, supposedly complemented by the factor of a small territorial and demographic size, created the advantageous conditions for corruption to be contained right from the start before it would become widespread. The second factor was following the GRECO recommendations to take institutional and legal anti-corruption measures during the process of accession to the European Union. Another defining characteristic of Slovenia is a relatively high quality of the political and good governance principles implementation inherent to the polyarchic democracy, which allows for corruption to be dealt with and kept at low levels through constant civil checks and balances over decisions and actions of authorities.
Eurozone General Business Situation
Authors: Sidorov A.
Published: February 2021

The article deals with the main trends in the dynamics of the Eurozone’s general business situation (GBS) since its formation. The first (2008–2009) and the second (2012–2013) waves of the recession are compared. Average growth rates of key business cycle indicators are calculated. The periodization of the Eurozone business cycles as well as the identification of turning points made by the Centre for Economic Policy Research is critically assessed. The steady character of economic revival in 2014 is challenged. Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) as a principal factor of GBS is assessed. GFCF rate as well as returns on GFCF are calculated and monitored. The classification of the Eurozone countries as per GDP volume and GDP per capita is provided. The mechanism of GBS formation is analyzed; the roles of the core countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) are highlighted. Also, the interaction of the block as a whole and its individual member countries is revealed. Deviations of individual countries dynamics from that of the Eurozone are identified and possible explanations for such phenomena are proposed. Then, the differences in GBS dynamics in the pre-crisis and post-crisis periods are analyzed in details. The correlation between the Eurozone and US business cycle is tracked. The desynchronization of the Eurozone members’ dynamics in 2008-2014 is highlighted. The connection between the level of economic development and the divergence in countries and Eurozone GBS dynamics is established. Business cycle phases and changes in key indicators among the Eurozone members are compared. The fragility of the future Eurozone GBS is forecasted. The author points at a dubious character of the allegations about significant improvement of GBS in the Eurozone and expects the continuation of its competitiveness’ crisis.
Vietnam: Free Trade Areas
Authors: Mazyrin V.
Published: February 2021

The paper provides comparative characteristics of free trade areas (FTA) with Vietnam’s participation, and attempts to summarize his rich and instructive experience in this realm. The first section analyzes the reasons of creation and the balance of power in the FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In the second section it describes the general approach of Vietnam towards integration into the world economy and presents the FTA network (“spaghetti bowl”) set up by Hanoi. The author assesses the factors that determined the choice of Vietnam and the participants of the EAEU while establishing their FTA. He reveals the motivation of the EAEU leaders, particularly Russia, in their decision, the importance of economic aspects of cooperation with the first partner in the FTA framework. Thus, it becomes possible to discover the importance of new integration union for both parties. Economic potential of the FTA members is estimated in order to define their respective roles, “weight category” and, finally, the main beneficiaries of the agreement. So far, we verify the correctness of the dissemination of findings from our analysis of trade between Russia and Vietnam (for which we have representative data) on the agreement at whole. The author explores the main parameters of the agreements with the Asia-Pacific countries and displays aspects of the FTA agreements different for the EAEU and other Vietnam partners. It makes easier to identify countries and regions that take the leaders’ position in the integration process. The composition of trade and other forms of interaction between participants of the FTA in both groups of Vietnam partners is highlighted and a tendency to boost them is revealed. The paper promotes estimations on the conditions, rate, magnitude and first results of liberalization of mutual trade, on safeguard measures applied to support domestic producers. It reveals the preferential treatment difference granted by FTA parties to each other and the reasons for these differences. In conclusion, the impact of the FTA network on competition between Russia (EAEU) and other Vietnam partners which occupied the best position in its market is stressed.
Network Competition as Determinant of Contemporary Markets’ Configuration
Authors: Rozanova N.
Published: February 2021

The latest phenomena in the area of industrial economics have turned out to be beyond the traditional models of industrial organization theory. This theory deals with the four basic market structures, namely that of free competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly, with a common evolutionary pattern from competition to monopoly. However, contemporary technological competition has engendered a brand-new type of market structure. Some key features of it are outlined in the article with the stress on contemporary trends in network market development that have arisen under the influence of digitalization. The traditional approach to network market is through escalation effect, when network spillovers exist either in technology or in demand, and companies or IT platforms should gain a benchmark mass of clients, as fast as possible, in order to have the whole market. All other consumers have tendency to buy the leader’s product; thus, the market becomes a natural monopoly of the leader (at least, natural oligopoly). With the advancement in ICT technology, especially with digitalization, a new configuration of network market structure is being developed. Niche players are gaining their positions. It is arisen a multiple offer of ICT products. Market is becoming more and more fragmented. Network products evolve from substitutes into complements. The market drives from natural monopoly (oligopoly) into a very competitive structure. The author examines the mechanisms and results of network market transformation in contemporary digital era. Unlike the previous period when network services were provided separately, the newest tendencies, starting from TV, demonstrate that the frontiers among network markets become blurred, the separation between markets and particular ICT products vanishes/ So far, the formerly independent network markets are being transformed into shapeless segments of a single and indivisible multimedia area. In this integrated area any ICT provider obtains an opportunity to successfully compete with any other. The differences between various electronic devices, between ICT, broadcasting and address services, and even non-ICT products disappear. Network market evolves from a very concentrated and monopolized structure into a fragmented competitive industry with tough price competition. This brand new structure could be titled as concentric (ring) market, or a center-periphery model. The relationships within it mean unknown possibilities and challenges both for market participants and governments.
Income Inequality in Japan and other Developed Countries
Authors: Saakyan A.
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the problem of rising income inequality in Japan and other developed countries. The main aims are (1) to trace the changes of the last decades (2) to depict the current situation in income distribution in these states (3) to single out the causes of the described trends and (4) to forecast their possible influence on future economic development. The author examines in details the shifts of the main income inequality level indicators such as ratio of income share of the top decile to that of the bottom decile, Gini coefficient at the disposable and market income, and also some specific characteristics, for example the ratio of billionaire net wealth to GDP and 1% income share. This analysis shows that the level of income inequality is rising in all main developed countries, including Japan, primarily because of the impoverishment of a considerable part of population. In fact, the middle class’ shrinkage is statistically evidenced. Further inquiry reveals that the main causes of this trend in Japan are enduring demographic crisis, which leads to the increase of elderly population share in the society, and to a dramatic shift in the employment structure, which consist in non-regular employees share growth. Rising income inequality imposes additional burden on the taxation and social security systems, provokes additional social and political tensions and weakens the working motivation of the population. Also, it reduces the possibilities of the citizens to invest and to consume, which involves the decline in human capital and consumer demand. In the long run the observed income inequality level increase can lead to significant economic deceleration.
Transformation of Presidency in Italy (1978–2015)
Authors: Bazhan E.
Published: February 2021

The article reviews key aspects of the Italian presidents' activity under A. Pertini, F. Kossiga, O.L. Scalfaro, C.A. Ciampi and G. Napolitano. Special attention is paid to the comparative analysis of Carlo Azeglio Ciampi's and Giorgio Napolitano's presidency results, as well as of external factors correlating with these politicians' ratings, considering their significant influence on the head of state institute transformation during the period of their tenures. The aim of the paper is to review the examples of initiatives taken by C.A. Ciampi and G. Napolitano, which is necessary for highlighting new trends of the presidency development in Italy. Systematization and sequencing of popular approaches in the research allow to sort out distinctive characteristics of relations among three political actors: the head of state, political parties and the government. The author conducts comparative analysis of the two presidents' tenures results. The study of C.A. Ciampi's and G. Napolitano's ratings is carried out to determine a decision-making pattern. In the article, the examples of an informal instruments usage are considered, and their effectiveness is evaluated. In this respect, it is possible to review the transformation of the role of a president as an actor responsible for the country's political system stability. Relations between the prime-minister and the head of state are the subject for a separate consideration. In this article, the system analysis method together with other universal scientific approaches (comparative historical, institutional and structural-functional) are used. The contribution of this research consists of defining the role of informal instruments in the decision-making process. Unfortunately, in Russian bibliography, only limited attention is paid to domestic policy issues of the Second Italian Republic. However, the research conducted by the author should elucidate the specificity of presidency and its relations with other public institutes. This paper is addressed to scientists devoting themselves to the South Europe political research, particularly Italy, as well as to anyone interested in the Italian domestic policy issues. Additionally, it may be used in further comparative politics investigations, for the analysis of presidential activities in other European states.
Euroasian Economic Union at Present Stage
Authors: Mikhnevich S.
Published: February 2021

The article analyzed the ways to improve the foreign trade policy of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in connection with the accession of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to this integration association. To achieve this goal the obligations of Armenia and Kyrgyzstan in the framework of the WTO are compared with the Russia's ones. Such comparison is required because the EAEU implements its Treaty “On functioning of Customs Union within the framework of the Multilateral Trading System” as of May 19, 2011. Pursuant to Article 1 of this Treaty, the Russian obligations under the WTO serve as basis for the foreign trade policy pursued by the EAEU. Amid a variety of Russia’s, Armenia’s and Kyrgyzstan’s obligations the author stresses those concerning market access for goods. These obligations will be most meaningful in the mid-run from the perspective of economic development of the EAEU. The levels of applied duties, as well as the levels of bound duties were compared for the main groups of agricultural and non-agricultural products. The analysis of applied duties showed that the EAEC market at whole is better protected than the Armenian and Kyrgyz national markets with regard to an overwhelming majority of product groups. The EAEU has been particularly focused on the protection of the agricultural market, as well as on such product groups as textiles and clothing, wood and related products. At the same time, the analysis of the bound rates for the main groups of agricultural and non-agricultural products points to the fact that, if necessary, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have certain room to increase the customs duties up to the bound levels. A conclusion has been drawn that the harmonization of the WTO obligations assumed by Russia, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan will lead to a certain weakening of tariff protection in the EAEC market. However, the weakening will be insignificant (the average level of the bound customs duties is expected to fall by 2-2.5 per cent points), following the global trend of trade liberalization.
State Capitalism in Belarus
Authors: Rudy K.
Published: February 2021

The article deals with the sources, specific features and mechanisms of state capitalism in the Republic of Belarus. The analysis is based on the elements of the theories of economic transition, as well as those of public finance and administration. The author explains the factors that pushed independent Belarus to prefer the model of state capitalism. These include: Soviet Union heritage of planned economy and centralized public administration (that helped the Republic to successfully revive from the devastative consequences of fascist Germany’s occupation in 1941–1944), decisive role of big and rather modern industrial and agricultural enterprises in the national economy, public demand for building up a welfare state, well-established traditions of extensive financial support to the enterprises. State capitalism in Belarus identifies through budget consolidation, level of taxation and state-owned enterprises. The key instruments of this economic model are state-owned and private enterprises, commercial banks, Development Bank, Sovereign Wealth Fund. The author’s conclusion is, however, that relative efficiency of the Belarus’ model of state capitalism should not be overestimated. It works only with continuation of extensive public and financial support. Still, the main sources of the state capital are the market instruments. Thus, the existing model can be successful only in the short-term period. It mobilizes economy but limits its flexibility, So far, there is a high probability that Belarus faces a great risk to fall into a long-term institutional trap of conservation of its economic structure and steadily falling international competitiveness.
Vox Populi: Ukrainian Crisis through the Lens of Latin American Public Opinion
Authors: Pavlova E.
Published: February 2021

During the crisis in Russia’s relations with the Western countries, provoked by the Ukrainian events, it is important to examine the position of countries whose view of the conflict has been either neutral or positive towards Russia. This article focuses on this previously unexplored subject, with help of examining the attitudes in Latin American countries to Russia’s recent policies. Without trying to analyze the conflict as such, it concentrates on the way it is seen by the Latin American public. This is done using two types of sources. The first part of the article presents the discourse analysis results of online media and sites that publish experts’ accounts of world politics. The second part is based on the results of in-depth interviews with experts and civil society activists conducted by the author in Bolivia (La Paz and Cochabamba) in December 2014. In both cases, the findings suggest that Latin American public opinion negatively evaluates what it sees as hegemonic ambitions of the West, but this does not automatically translate into the support of Moscow’s actions. The conflict around Ukraine is seen as a struggle for the spheres of influence, either between Russia and the West, or between the United States and Europe. In any case, Latin America is expected to lose from this struggle between hegemonic powers, because a world order based on influence areas would mean the U.S. unquestionable dominance in the Americas. Thus, Russia’s moral right to intervene in the internal affairs of Ukraine is often questioned, exactly for the reason that it is seen as Moscow’s protection of its own spheres of influence. At the same time, Russia’s actions are often seen as a reaction to an illegitimate intervention on the part of the U.S. or the West as a whole. Besides, there is a hope that Latin America would be able to benefit economically from sanctions imposed on Russia. In sum, Latin American view of the conflict combines economic pragmatism with a strong fear of potential geopolitical consequences. Acknowledgements. This research was supported by Estonian Research Council (PUT 260).
Import Substitution in Argentina: Aims and Results
Authors: Yakovlev P.
Published: February 2021

Import substitution policy replaced the model of export-oriented agricultural economy that existed in Argentina during the period of 1870–1929. Its mechanism was relatively simple: agricultural products, for which the country had optimal natural conditions, were exported to the external markets, while wide range of industrial products, machinery and equipment were imported. Exports generated substantial revenues (providing a lion's share of state income), and the imports quite satisfied domestic demand for capital and consumer goods. The history of import substitution policy in Argentina can be divided into two stages. At the first stage (1930–1952), the government created its basic tools with a stress on development of labor-intensive light industries whose products were intended to meet domestic consumer demand. During the second phase (1953–1976), Argentine political establishment, not satisfied with the results achieved in the previous period, initiated the policy of “super industrialization”, namely, the creation or expansion of basic capital-intensive industries: metallurgy, machinery, chemicals and petrochemicals, energy. In these years domestic production of machinery and equipment for agriculture and light industry, durables, pharmaceuticals increased dramatically, the national military-industrial complex, scientific and technical sectors were created. In other words, Argentine’s policy of import substitution created a new frame of economic relations. It brought both positive and negative results which fully showed up in mid 70s. Since then, the crisis of import substitution policy became especially evident amidst the world process of globalization and dynamic formation of worldwide value-added chains. Argentina found itself largely isolated from these trends and came into clinch with the changing external conditions. So, under the rumbling populist and nationalist rhetoric it proceeded into the prolonged recession.
Anglo-American “Special Relationship” Under the Government of David Cameron
Authors: Andreeva T.
Published: February 2021

The article is devoted to the Anglo-American "special relationship" maintaining under two U.S. governments of Barak Obama and two Britain's governments – the coalition government of David Cameron-Nicholas Clegg and the conservative government of D. Cameron. The paper covers the evolution of the bilateral relationship from worsening to improving, which came into being amid the American economic and military resources overheating due to the shift of the U.S. political interest from Europe to the Pacific region and overstretch of American military communications as a result. The author scrutinizes only two main fields of this "special relationship": political and military cooperation. International events and political steps of both countries have rescued their relations from the collapse and have boosted them. The article deals with the role of such international crises as wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, combating the Islamic State (Islamic jihadists) and the Ukrainian crisis in preserving the speciality of Anglo-American relations. The author comes to a conclusion that Britain's participation in military operations around the world as the main partner of the U.S. is the main reason for improving the bilateral relationship. The attention is paid to the trends in cooperation making the relationship special, such as nuclear, sea and intelligence cooperation. The partnership between two countries in NATO is also highlighted. The author regards the movement for Scottish secession from the United Kingdom as one of political tendencies in the British society which bring uncertainties to Britain–U.S. relations. Special attention is paid to another political trend in the British society – the movement for Britain's exit from the European Union, which is a real threat for Anglo-American "special relationship", because it can ruin its traditional pillar – the bridge between the U.S. and Europe. The author tries to answer the question about perspectives of Anglo-American "special relationship" under the Cameron's government.
Математическая модель мощного торнадо в атмосфере
Authors: Гавриков Михаил Борисович , Gavrikov Mikhail Borisovich , Таюрский Алексей Александрович , Tayurskiy Aleksei Aleksandrovich
Published: February 2021

Построена математическая теория мощных торнадо в атмосферном воздухе, для которых угловая скорость вращения воздушных масс в вихревом кольце материнского облака, порождающего торнадо, много больше угловой скорости вращения воздушного потока на поверхности Земли. Построенная теория актуальна для приложений и позволяет сколь угодно точно вычислить скорость воздушного потока в торнадо и определить геометрическую воронкообразную границу торнадо.
Быстрый численный алгоритм расчета приведенной нестабильности нулевого уровня усилителей постоянного тока
Authors: Гридин Владимир Николаевич , Gridin Vladimir Nikolaevich , Анисимов Владимир Иванович , Anisimov Vladimir Ivanovich
Published: February 2021

Рассматривается быстрый численный алгоритм расчета приведенной нестабильности нулевого уровня усилителей постоянного тока. Традиционные методы расчета нестабильности нелинейных электронных схем требуют многократного выполнения расчета стационарного режима моделируемой нелинейной схемы с последующим расчетом чувствительности значений координат рабочих точек к вариации параметров компонентов. В отличии от них предлагаемая в статье методика основана на выполнении однократной линеаризации нелинейных характеристик компонентов только на начальном этапе решения задачи. На последующих этапах решения задачи линеаризованное представление компонентов используется для расчета приведенной нестабильности под влиянием внешних воздействий, а также технологического разброса параметров при серийном изготовлении разрабатываемой схемы.
О существовании и единственности оценки ожидаемой продолжительности жизни в модели стабильного населения
Authors: Эдиев Далхат Мурадинович , Ediev Dalkhat Muradinovich
Published: February 2021

Рассматриваются и положительно решены вопросы существования и единственности оценок параметра роста численности населения (мальтузианского параметра) и
продолжительности жизни престарелого населения в модели стабильного населения с эндогенным параметром роста. Полученные результаты указывают на возможность оценки параметра роста при условии гладкости исходных данных, по
точному общему соотношению, без использования оптимизационных и итерационных процедур. Полученные результаты имеют как теоретическое, так и практическое значение при оценивании продолжительности жизни и смертности престарелого населения.
MINERIA DE OPINIÓN, ACCESO ABIERTO Y GOBERNANZA
Authors:   Unicen, Nigro Hector
Published: February 2021

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una nueva mirada de necessidades de investigación sobre minería de opiniones, acceso abierto de la información y gobernanza, donde el concepto de mineria de opinión se hace cada vez más complejo y completo por las técnicas y tecnologías asociadas, sin embargo mientras la TI avanza, por otro lado, la formulación de políticas, leyes, normas y/o regulaciones decae así como el impacto del uso de la información en este mundo globalizado y polarizado.
ESTANDARIZACIÓN DE PROCESOS ADMINISTRATIVOS DEL ÁREA DE GESTIÓN HUMANA, SEGURIDAD Y SALUD EN EL TRABAJO EN UNA ENTIDAD ONCOLÓGICA
Authors:   Universidad Libre, Fuentes Ever Angel , Cordero Useche Fabio Andres , Gómez Arevalo Ingrid Daniela
Published: February 2021

En el mercado organizacional actual, para que una empresa progrese de manera exponencial, el área de Gestión Humana deberá ejercer un papel primordial, dentro de sus funciones principales está procurar al máximo la satisfacción y el crecimiento de los colaboradores en sus áreas de conocimiento y hacerles saber que cada uno de ellos es importante y necesario para obtener excelentes resultados; se requiere de una buena gestión que esté bien estructurada para permitir el hallazgo de posibles fallas internas, estas circunstancias dan lugar a la búsqueda de estrategias que posibiliten la mejora de los procedimientos ejecutados en la entidad oncológica, por lo anterior se da lugar a la necesidad de incorporar la estandarización del área, con relación a esto se plantearon los siguientes objetivos: diagnosticar la situación actual de la gestión documental de los procesos involucrados en el área de Gestión Humana y Sistema de Gestión de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo, desarrollar un estudio de tiempos y movimientos de las operaciones para el mejoramiento en la prestación del servicio, documentar los procesos que se llevan a cabo en el área, realizar un ajuste y complemento de indicadores para que permitan medir los resultados obtenidos y por último realizar un análisis de impacto para la determinación de la viabilidad del proyecto. Para esta investigación, se aplicaron herramientas de ingeniería tales como el diseño y aplicación de entrevistas no estructuradas, matriz de Vester para priorizar los problemas, uso de un listado maestro para visualizar todos los documentos presentes en el área, uso de tiempos estructurados, ajuste de indicadores de gestión y matriz de Leopold para medir el impacto del proyecto; dentro de los beneficios generados, se resalta la disminución de la duplicidad de actividades, la reducción de errores y el aporte a la adherencia de los colaboradores a la entidad.
IMPORTANCIA DEL TALENTO HUMANO Y HERRAMIENTAS TECNOLÓGICAS EN EL DESARROLLO ORGANIZACIONAL, PARA LA MEJORA DE LA PRODUCTIVIDAD LABORAL
Authors:   Corporación Universitaria Republicana, Martinez Urueña Ana Maria , Mateus Moreno Maria Alejandra
Published: February 2021

El desarrollo organizacional permite la eficiencia y eficacia de las empresas, la clave para qué este proceso sea exitoso está en la participación de las personas que conforman la organización, sin importar su rol y el cargo que desempeñe. El resultado de un adecuado desarrollo organizacional tendrá un avance considerable en cuanto se genere la motivación, la creatividad, la productividad, el sentido de pertenencia en sus colaboradores, logrando el uso adecuado del capital humano y de las herramientas tecnológicas, lo que contribuirá a generar ventajas competitivas que permita el aumento de los beneficios de toda la organización.
Proximal Row Carpectomy in Young Patients
Authors: Wagner Eric R. , Barras Laurel A. , Harstad Chelsea , Elhassan Bassem T. , Moran Steven L.
Published: February 2021

Background:

There continues to be controversy regarding the treatment of early-stage arthritis of the wrist, particularly in young patients, because of the large number of techniques, the poor long-term results for many of these techniques, and the overall paucity of high-level scientific data. Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and 4-corner arthrodesis (4CA) have been established as the mainstay motion-sparing surgical treatment options in cases of early scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse arthritis. However, there is marked controversy surrounding the best treatment option for younger patients with greater physical demands because of the questionable outcomes associated with these motion-sparing options in such patients
1–9
. Traditionally, many surgeons prefer 4CA over PRC for young, high-demand patients, in part because studies have suggested that young age and work status as a laborer are important risk factors for worse outcomes following PRC
1,8
. However, the concern for symptomatic nonunion and potential for radiolunate arthritis in 4CA, as well as the lack of medium to long-term comparative studies in this subset, make this recommendation controversial
10
.

Description:

The wrist is accessed via the dorsal approach, creating a retinacular flap and a radially based ligament-sparing capsulotomy. The scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum are then excised en bloc. The radioscapholunate ligament is protected. The capsule and retinaculum and then repaired.

Alternatives:

Alternatives to PRC include nonoperative treatment, 4CA, capitolunate arthrodesis, posterior and anterior interosseous neurectomies, total wrist arthroplasty, and total wrist arthrodesis.

Rationale:

A recent study by Wagner et al. compared patients <45 years old who underwent either PRC or 4CA
11
. Overall, PRC and 4CA had similar complication rates, postoperative pain levels, wrist function, and long-term outcomes free of conversion to arthrodesis. Patients who underwent PRC had improved motion and fewer complications, whereas patients who underwent 4CA had slightly lower rates of radiocarpal arthritis. Therefore, in this technique article, we describe PRC for wrist arthritis in patients <45 years old.
Risk In Exploration And Production - Eliminating Risk Is Not An Option - It's How You Manage It That Matters!
Authors: SØrum Lars
Published: February 2021

The paper aims to provide insights as to what risk elements are observed in the US shale and tight oil and gas development and how they sit in a European setting. In doing so the paper explores the comparative advantages in prescriptive and performance based approaches for shale risk management and through discussing consequence based vs. risk based philosophies. The author uses metrics for below ground risks to compare risk levels. In doing so the paper aim to qualify what what is perceived as risk and what risks are measured in unconventional oil and gas exploration and production.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Continuous Gas Displacement for EOR in Hydraulically Fractured Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Moridis George , Reagan Matthew
Published: February 2021

The main objective of this study is to analyze and describe quantitatively the effectiveness of continuous gas displacement as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process to increase production from multifractured shale oil reservoirs. The study uses CH4 continuously injected through horizontal wells parallel to the production wells as the displacement agent and investigates the effects of various attributes of the matrix and of the induced and natural fracture systems.

This numerical simulation study focuses on the analysis of the 3D minimum repeatable element (stencil/domain) that can describe a hydraulically fractured shale reservoir under production. The stencil is discretized using a very fine (millimeter-scale) grid. We compare the solutions to a reference case that involves simple depressurization-induced production (i.e., without a gas drive). We monitor continuously (a) the rate and composition of the production stream and (b) the spatial distributions of pressure, temperature, phase saturations, and relative permeabilities.

The results of the study indicate that a continuous CH4-based displacement that begins at the onset of production does not appear to be an effective EOR method for hydraulically fractured shale oil reservoirs over a 5-year period in reservoirs in which natural or induced fractures in the undisturbed reservoir and/or in the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) can be adequately described by a single-medium porosity and permeability. Under these conditions in a system with typical Bakken or Eagle Ford matrix and fracture attributes, continuous CH4 injection by means of a horizontal well parallel to the production well causes a reduction in water production and an (expected) increase in gas production but does not lead to any significant increase in oil production. This is attributed to (a) the limited penetration of the injected gas into the ultralow-k formation, (b) the dissolution of the injected gas into the oil, and (c) its early arrival at the hydraulic fracture (HF; thus, short circuiting the EOR process by bypassing the bulk of the matrix), in addition to (d) the increase in the pressure of the HF and the consequent reduction in the driving force of production and the resulting flow. Under the conditions of this study, these observations hold true for domains with and without an SRV over a wide range of matrix permeabilities and for different lengths and positions (relative to the HF) of the gas injection wells.
Physics-Driven Machine-Learning-Based Borehole Sonic Interpretation in the Presence of Casing and Drillpipe
Authors: Liang Lin , Lei Ting , Donald Adam , Blyth Matthew
Published: February 2021

Interpretation of sonic data acquired by a logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool or wireline tool in cased holes is complicated by the presence of drillpipe or casing because those steel pipes can act as a strong waveguide. Traditional solutions, which rely on using a frequency bandpass filter or waveform arrival-time separation to filter out the unwanted pipe mode, often fail when formation and pipe signals coexist in the same frequency band or arrival-time range. We hence developed a physics-driven machine-learning-based method to overcome the challenge. In this method, two synthetic databases are generated from a general root-finding mode-search routine on the basis of two assumed models: One is defined as a cemented cased hole for a wireline scenario, and the other is defined as a steel pipe immersed in a fluid-filled borehole for the logging-while-drilling scenario. The synthetic databases are used to train neural network models, which are first used to perform global sensitivity analysis on all relevant model parameters so that the influence of each parameter on the dipole dispersion data can be well understood. A least-squares inversion scheme using the trained model was developed and tested on synthetic cases. The scheme showed good results, and a reasonable uncertainty estimate was made for each parameter. We then extended the application of the trained model to develop a method for automated labeling and extraction of the dipole flexural dispersion mode from other disturbances. The method combines the clustering technique with the neural-network-model-based inversion and an adaptive filter. Testing on field data demonstrates that the new method is superior to traditional methods because it introduces a mechanism from which unwanted pipe mode can be physically filtered out.

This novel physics-driven machine-learning-based method improved the interpretation of sonic dipole dispersion data to cope with the challenge brought by the existence of steel pipes. Unlike data-driven machine learning methods, it can provide global service with just one-time offline training. Compared with traditional methods, the new method is more accurate and reliable because the processing is confined by physical laws. This method is less dependent on input parameters; hence, a fully automated solution could be achieved.
Challenges from Well Shut-in Amid the Oil Downturn: Long Term Impacts on Near Wellbore Skin Buildup and Sand Control
Authors: Soroush Mohammad , Mahmoudi Mahdi , Roostaei Morteza , Izadi Hossein , Hosseini Seyed Abolhassan , Leung Juliana , Fattahpour Vahidoddin
Published: February 2021

In wake of the biggest oil crash in history triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic; Western Canada in- situ production is under tremendous price pressure. Therefore, the operators may consider shut in the wells. Current investigation offers an insight into the effect of near-wellbore skin buildup because of such shut-in.

A series of simulation studies was performed to quantitatively address the impact of well shut-in on the long-term performance of well, in particular on key performance indicators of the well including cumulative steam to oil ratio and cumulative oil production. The long-term shut-in contributes to three main modes of plugging: (1) near-wellbore pore plugging by clays and fines, (2) scaling, and (3) chemical consolidation induced by corrosion. A series of carefully designed simulations was also utilized to understand the potential of skin buildup in the near-wellbore region and within different sand control devices.

The simulation results showed a higher sensitivity of well performance to shut-in for the wells in the initial stage of SAGD production. If the well is shut in during the first years, the total reduction in cumulative oil production is much higher compared to a well which is shut-in during late SAGD production life. As the induced skin due to shut-in increases, the ultimate cumulative oil production drops whose magnitude depends on well completion designs. The highest effect on the cumulative oil production is in the case of completion designs with flow control devices (liner deployed and tubing deployed completions). Therefore, wellbore hydraulics and completion design play key roles in the maintenance of uniform inflow profile, and the skin buildup due to shut-in poses a high risk of inflow problem and increases the risk of hot-spot development and steam breakthrough.

This investigation offers a new understanding concerning the effect of shut-in and wellbore skin buildup on SAGD operation. It helps production and completion engineers to better understand and select candidate wells for shut-in and subsequently to minimize the skin buildup in wells.
An Innovative Modelling Approach in Characterization of Autonomous Inflow Control Valve Performance to Maximizing Oil Recovery in Heavy Oil-SAGD Application
Authors: Mohd Ismail Ismarullizam , Mathiesen Vidar , Abraham Anson , Ranjbar Ehsan , Zarei Faraj , Walter Jeremy
Published: February 2021

Flow control devices (FCDs) have demonstrated significant potential in improving recovery from Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) production wells. Passive FCDs will allow the SAGD producer well to create additional pressure drop to balance the production influx, improving overall conformance and promoting accelerated hydrocarbon production. However, passive FCDs cannot effectively restrict steam effluents once steam breakthrough at the production well occurs.

The Autonomous Inflow Control Valve (AICV) actively delivers a dynamic flow restriction with the ability to choke and/or ‘shut-off’ in response to the associated viscosity and density of the fluids flowing through the AICV. This novel AICV design behaves truly autonomously based on the Hagen-Poiseuille equation and Bernoulli’s principle. The AICV utilizes the differences in flow behaviour between the laminar and turbulent flow restrictions to differentiate the pressure-drops between oil, water, gas, and steam phases.

A collaborative effort has been initiated between the AICV vendor and the Computer Modelling Group to develop reservoir simulation workflows with the AICV that will allow the user to enter characteristic performance curves for a variety of SAGD and thermal fields. The development of mechanistic wellbore modelling and developed methodology to incorporate the associated complexities of AICV behaviour has shown to be an improvement to the way FCDs are currently modelled, providing insight into the potential for AICV application in SAGD and other thermal recovery operations. Such techniques allow the reservoir simulation tools to perform realistic predictions of the AICV behaviour at downhole conditions and evaluate scenarios and relative impacts of completion designs.

The development of a new characterization method of AICV performance in SAGD applications, and its implementation in reservoir simulation tools, has helped to unveil the benefits of implementing AICVs in improving recovery from SAGD operations.
Making the Case for the Use of Effective Tension in Casing Design to Eliminate Approximations and Wall Thickness Limitations
Authors: Murphey Carey , Ruddy Kenneth , Ruddy Kate
Published: February 2021

Existing plastic limit load equations for casing design include approximations that can result in overly conservative (and costly) well designs and ignore forces that may prove critical for assured integrity in complex operations. The use of effective tension in place of physical tension can simultaneously simplify casing design and eliminate existing approximations and wall thickness limitations.

Effective tension has not yet been widely adopted because a rigorous derivation based on axiomatic mechanics and calculus does not exist in the current body of literature. This paper presents a thorough derivation for effective tension in terms of working stresses, with tensile, radial, and tangential stresses all receiving proper treatment. Unlike Barlow’s equation, which is routinely used for casing selection, the analytical result presented here allows fully plastic limit loads to be established for tubulars of any wall thickness, without introducing any approximations.

Determining plastic limit loads is a crucial component of designing for well integrity, especially with complex operational loads where classical load equations are too conservative. The methods of transformation detailed in this paper facilitate the use of effective tension, which is often the more efficient primary tension load variable for pipe design, as opposed to physical tension. The rigorous model can also be used to derive strains as functions of loads, which is required for some design problems such as seal effectiveness. Additionally, the formulas can be used to dynamically simulate load changes and dimensional changes of pipe when it deforms, such as expandable casing, deformable ball seats, or when approaching rupture pressure.

The elimination of approximations in the equations presented in this paper is significant in today’s well design climate, where integrity is demanded yet excessive cost is not tolerated. The derivation provides a foundation upon which existing casing design can be improved by eliminating wall thickness limitations and dependencies on approximations. This foundation will allow new design techniques to be developed that were not previously achievable due to the inefficiencies inherent in the use of physical tension.