bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ab initio Calculations and Qualitative Valence Bond Considerations for H2N-NO2 (Nitramide) and H2N-NO (Nitrosamine)
Authors: Geith Janna , Klapötke Thomas M. , Harcourt Richard D. , Wolynec Peter P.
Published: February 2015

The structures, energies and vibrational frequencies of H2N-NO2 and H2N-NO have been calculated at HF, MP2(FC), MP2(FULL) and CISD levels of theory using a polarized triple-zeta 6-311+G(d,p) basis augmented with a diffuse function. In addition, the structures and energies were also computed at the QCISD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. The structure and bonding in H2N-NO2 and H2N-NO is discussed on the basis of a Natural Bond Orbital Analysis (NBO analysis) and in addition based on qualitative valence bond (VB) considerations.
Hexakis(dimethylaminoxy)disiloxane: Insertion of an Oxygen Atom into the Si-Si Bond of a Disilane by Dimethylaminoxy Lithium
Authors: Mitzel Norbert W. , Losehand Udo
Published: February 2015

The compound (Me2NO)3SiOSi(ONMe2)3 was prepared by the reaction of LiONMe2 with Si2Cl6, a reaction in which oxygen is inserted into the Si-Si bond. The crystal structure of (Me2NO)3SiOSi(ONMe2)3 was determined and shows the compound to have a linear siloxane core and SiON units with small valence angles at oxygen, caused by weak Si (-N interactions leading to partially hypercoordinate Si centres.
Synthesis And Spectroscopic Studies Of New Bis(N-1-hydroxy-2,6-Di-Fe/Tf-Butylphenyl- Salicylideneaminato)Cobalt(Ii) Complexes And Their Oxidation With PbO2
Authors: Kasumov Veli T. , Karabulut Bünyamin , Kartal Ibrahim , Köksal Fevzi
Published: February 2015

A series of new bis[N-(1-OH-2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)salicylaldiminato]cobalt(II) complexes possessing one or two HO- and CH3O - substituents on the salicylaldehyde moiety were prepared, and their spectroscopic properties as well as their oxidation with PbO2 were examined. ESR data indicate that oxidation of the complexes produces stable phenoxyl radicals. All phenoxyl radicals have similar g-values and hyperfine coupling constants, which are influenced very little by the substituents and by coordination. The experimental observations indicate that the Co(L·x)2 radicals are ligand-localized and that there is no notable contribution from the metal d-orbitals to the values of the g-factors. Satellite peaks from the 13C nuclei in the aromatic ring were also observed. The ESR spectra of some of the complexes showed partial conversion of primary radicals to secondary paramagnetic species exhibiting interaction with 59Co(I = 7/2) and 14N nuclei
Synthesis Of New Cyclopentadienyl-, Indenyl- And Fluorenylphosphanes By The Reaction Of Carbanions Of The Cyclopentadienyl Type With Alkyl(Aryl)Chloro-N,N-Dialkylaminophosphanes
Authors: Avtomonov Evgeni V. , Ustynyuk Nikolai A. , Lemenovskii Dmitry A. , Kotov Vasily V.
Published: February 2015

A number of alkyl(aryl)chloro-N,N-dialkylaminophosphanes RP(Cl)NR1R2 (1a-o ) were synthesized starting from alkyl(aryl)dichlorophosphanes RPCl2 and amines by a convenient procedure with nearly quantitative yields. The reactivity of alkyl(aryl)-N,N-dialkylamino(halogeno) phosphanes RP(Hal)NR1R2 (Hal = Cl, I) with cyclopentadienyl, bis(cyclopentadienyl), indenyl, bis(indenyl) and fluorenyl carbanions has been investigated. The new aminocyclopentadienylphosphanes R„Cp(R)PNR1R2 2a-f and 3a-c (R„Cp = Ind, Flu, Cp2CMe2, Ind2CEt2, Ind2(CH2)2) were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Flu(t-Bu)PN(H)t-Bu (2f) was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis
Synthesen, Kristallstrukturen und magnetische Eigenschaften von [Li(12-Krone-4)2][Li(12-Krone-4)(OH2)]2[Nb6Cl18], [Li(15-Krone-5)2(OH2)]3[Nb6Cl18] und [(18-Krone-6)2(O2H5)]3[Nb6Cl18] / Syntheses, Crystal Structures and Magnetic Behaviour of [Li(12-Krone-4)2][Li(12-Krone-4)(OH2)]2[Nb6Cl18], [Li(15-Krone-5)2(OH2)]3[Nb6Cl18] and [(18-Krone-6)2(O2H5)]3[Nb6Cl18]
Authors: Ströbele Markus , Meyer H.-Jtirgen
Published: February 2015

The title compounds were prepared through reactions of Li2Nb6Cl16 with the corresponding crown ethers in acetone. All three compounds were obtained as dark brown crystals. Their structures were solved with the means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

[Li(12-crown-4)2][Li(12-crown-4)(OH2)]2[Nb6Cl18]: space group P21/n, Z =2, a = 1320.4(1), b = 1879.1(1), c = 1321.7(1) pm, ß = 92.515(6)°, R1 = 0.0297 (I>2σ(I)). The crystal structure contains Li+ sandwiched by two 12-crown-4-ethers plus Li+ coordinated by one 12-crown-4- ether and one water molecule.

[Li(15-crown-5)2(OH2)]3[Nb6Cl18]: space group R3̅, Z = 3, a = b = 2081.7(1), c = 1991.7(1) pm, R1 = 0.0395 (I > 2σ(I)). In the crystal structure Li+ and one water molecule are sandwiched by two 15-crown-5-ethers.

[(18-crown-6)2(O2H5)]3[Nb6Cl18]: space group P1̅, Z = 1 ,a = 1405.1(1), b = 1461.1(2), c = 1492.2(2) pm; α = 98.80(1)°, ß = 98.15(1)°, γ = 97.41(1)°, R1 = 0.0538 (I > 2σ(I)). H5O2
+ was found in the structure refinement sandwiched between two 18-crown-6-ethers.

All compounds reported contain [Nb6Cl18] clusters with Nb-Nb distances between 299 and 301 pm. The paramagnetic behaviour expected for [Nb6Cl18]3- in all three compounds was confirmed by magnetic measurements.
Donor-Acceptor Complexes between Organoamines and Phosphorus Tribromide
Authors: Müller Gerhard , Brand Jörg , Jetter Simone Elisabeth
Published: February 2015

Lewis acid-base adducts between NMe3, tmeda (N ,N ,N′ ,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine), and 1.4-dimethylpiperazine as donors and PBr3 as acceptor have been prepared and structurally characterized. NMe3 and tmeda form 1:1 adducts (Me3N)PBr3 (1) and (tmeda)PBr3 (2), respectively, while 1,4-dimethylpiperazine adds 2 molecules of PBr3 leading to [(1,4-dimethylpiperazine)( PBr3)2] (3). Adduct 2 is found in two modifications 2a and 2b with different crystal and molecular structures. (Crystal data of 1: monoclinic P21/n, a = 5.983(3), b = 10.821(2), c = 13.877(5) Å, ß = 99.70(2)°, Z = 4. 2a: monoclinic P21/c, a = 7.891(1), b = 12.826(1), c = 12.218(2) Å ,ß = 102.162(6)°, Z = 4. 2b: monoclinic P21/n, a = 11.687(2), b = 8.375(1), c = 12.668(1) Å, ß = 102.74(1)°, Z = 4. 3: monoclinic P21/c, a = 6.383(3), b = 16.36(3), c = 8.407(3) Å , ß = 101.49(2)°, Z= 2). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 indicate a partially ionic character with a strongly bonded amine and one (1 ) or two (2 ) weakly bonded bromine atoms. In 2 the donor tmeda is bonded through both nitrogen atoms to one phosphorus atom. In 3 the 1,4-dimethylpiperazine ring is in chair conformation, the methyl and PBr3 substituents being in equatorial and axial positions, respectively. Due to axial-axial repulsion the N-P donor-acceptor bonds are long while the P-Br bonds are rather uniform in length.
NATURAL PLANT TOXICANT – CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDE AMYGDALIN: CHARACTERISTIC, METABOLISM AND THE EFFECT ON ANIMAL REPRODUCTION
Authors: Kolesár Eduard , Halenár Marek , Kolesárová Adriana , Massányi Peter
Published: February 2015

The amount of cyanogenic glycosides, as natural plant toxicants, in plants varies with plant species and environmental effects. Cyanogenic glycoside as an amygdalin was detected in apricot kernels, bitter almonds and peach, plum, pear and apple seeds. Amygdalin itself is non-toxic, but its HCN production decomposed by some enzymes is toxic substance. Target of this review was to describe the characteristic, metabolism and possible effects of amygdalin on reproductive processes. Previous studies describe the effects of natural compound amygdalin on female and male reproductive systems focused on process of steroidogenesis, spermatozoa motility and morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa. In accordance to the previous studies on amygdalin its benefit is controversial.
INFLUENCE OF FUNGI OF THE GENUS TRICHODERMA ON PHYTOAVAILABILITY CADMIUM AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITION OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS)
Authors: Marchel Magdalena , Duma Paulina , Owsiak Alina
Published: February 2015

The aim of conducted research was to determine in what degree inoculation of soil by fungi Trichoderma modifies process of phytoavailability of cadmium through roots and above ground parts of maize (Zea mays) and how it affects cadmium activity as damaging factor of photosynthetic apparatus of plants. Outline of vase experiment covered 5 objects (control without addition of cadmium and 4 objects with increasing amount of cadmium in amount from 10 to 80 mg.kg-1 d.m. soil), and within each object two variants: soil without (-T) and with (+T) addition of fungi of Trichoderma (+T) in shape of granulated preparation of Trianum–G in amount of 750 g.m-3 soil. Increasing amount of cadmium in surface caused decrease of harvest size of roots and above ground parts of maize, but inoculation of surface by Trichoderma fungi softened those changes. Amount of cadmium in plants was increasing promotionally to increasing amount of that metal in soil, but the presence of fungi of Trichoderma type caused decrease of phytoavailability cadmium by above ground parts of maize. Decrease parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence F0, FM, Fv, Fv/FM Fv/F0 showed lack of disturbances in photosynthetic apparatus of maize despite decrease the amount of chlorophyll in leaves under the influence of inserted cadmium doses to soil.
First record of Ninia atrata (Hallowell, 1845) (Squamata: Colubridae) from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, northern Colombia
Authors: Meza-Joya Fabio Leonardo
Published: February 2015

The current work provides the first confirmed record of Ninia atrata in the northern foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, La Guajira department, Colombia. This record extends the Colombian known species’ distribution ca. 320 km NW from the northernmost record and represents the first observation of the species in the Caribbean Region of Colombia.
Damage Calculation for First Wall Submitted to High Neutron Flux in a Tokamak
Authors: Velasquez C.E. , Veloso M. A. F. , Costa A. L. , Pereira C.
Published: February 2015

The displacement per atom (dpa) has been a specific issue to evaluate the damage in the first wall of the Tokamak. Two different first wall materials were evaluated. In this study, MCNP5 code was used to obtain the neutron flux, the energy deposition and the main reaction rates, on the inboard and outboard first wall. The damage calculations were performed by the SPECTER code using the neutronic parameters obtained by MCNP5. The Tokamak reactor modeled has similar dimensions to the ITER. Tungsten and beryllium alloys were simulated on the outboard first wall. The results indicate which material has a higher resistance to be damage and dpa values for the analyzed material.
Role of Irradiation Embrittlement in RPV Lifetime Assessment
Authors: Brumovský Milan
Published: February 2015

Integrity and lifetime of reactor pressure vessels are practically determined by their material resistance against fast/non-ductile failure and consequently by their radiation damage resulting in irradiation embrittlement and hardening. Mechanism of irradiation embrittlement of RPV materials depends on selected materials and operation conditions but their values depend in a large extent on reactor design, i.e. on neutron flux/fluence depending on RPV wall. Generally, new RPV design allows smaller neutron fluences but absolute value of irradiation embrittlement still depends on a choice of RPV material. Even though radiation damage (especially irradiation embrittlement) is important for RPV behavior, integrity and lifetime depends, in principle, on final value of applied fracture mechanics parameter –transition temperature. Thus, its initial value as well as its shift due to irradiation embrittlement is of interest but only the embrittlement can be affected during operation.
Texture evolution in metals under mechanical stress: Application of a tensile stage on a laboratory X-ray system
Authors: te Nijenhuis J. , Dadivanyan N. , Götz D.J.
Published: February 2015

The evolution of texture in copper has been studied in situ as a function of the applied mechanical stress. A uniaxial tensile stage was integrated onto a Eulerian cradle in a laboratory X-ray diffraction system, providing a platform for pole figure measurements on samples under an externally applied mechanical load. Thin strips of rolled copper were investigated at various stages of elongation. The pole figures were of good quality such that the orientation distribution function could be well determined. Changes in the orientation distribution function as a function of strain along the β-fiber could be clearly observed; the initial main component S is replaced by the Copper component at higher stages of elongation.
Phase equilibrium between bcc solid solution matrix and B2 aluminides in Nb-based alloy
Authors: Yamanouchi Takuya , Miura Seiji
Published: February 2015

B2 aluminides have a role of Al reservoir for Al2O3 surface and it is expected to increase oxidation resistance of (Nb,Mo)-bccss substrate. For the accumulation of the basic information to design the alloy composed of B2 coating on bccss matrix, bccss - B2 two-phase field was investigated in the Nb-Mo-Ni-Pd-Al system at 1273 K. It is found that Pd-rich B2-(Ni,Pd)Al phase is in equilibrium with Nb-rich bccss phase, while without Pd, the composition range of bccss coexisting with B2-NiAl phase is limited to be low Nb.
REU in Physics at Howard University
Authors: Misra Prabhakar , Hubsch Tristan , Venable Demetrius , Gatica Silvina , Stancil Kimani , Demoz Belay , Jenkins Gregory
Published: February 2015

The NSF-funded REU summer program in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Howard University provided cutting-edge research opportunities in Computational Nanophysics, Experimental Nanophysics, Laser Spectroscopy, Atmospheric Physics and Superstring Theory to six undergraduate students recruited from across the U.S. The REU students were engaged in challenging research projects under the supervision of seasoned mentors across a variety of stimulating physics sub-disciplines that included: (1) computation-intensive surface nanophysics of condensed phase systems focused on the adsorption of gases in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs); (2) experimental measurements using light scattering techniques on gels and polymers in the condensed phase; (3) experimental laser spectroscopy with special emphasis on Raman spectral measurements on tungsten oxide nanolayer deposited on a silicon substrate; (4) observation-based and modeling-intensive atmospheric physics project for developing better understanding of wind lidar performance under various aerosol/cloud loading and relative humidity scenarios in the U.S. and regional ozone and aerosols modeling and analysis of data recorded in West Africa; and (5) a cross-disciplinary project involving quantum theory, supersymmetry, graph theory, encryption, and super-commutative algebra and algebraic geometry with applications to string theory. Each student learned a multitude of relevant techniques related to their research projects, with the vision of teaching and nurturing knowledge, both theoretical and experimental, that will be useful throughout their academic careers both in their major discipline and in interdisciplinary research as a whole. Raman Spectroscopy, 3D Physics Modeling, Monte Carlo Simulations, Algebraic Geometry and Graph Theory are some of the techniques that the students learned that illustrate the importance of physics research in general and have wide-ranging applications in interdisciplinary studies. In addition, the students participated in field trips to the University of Maryland (visit coinciding with NanoDay), Georgetown University (cleanroom tour and research presentations), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (visit coinciding with Science Jamboree Day), and Smithsonian Museums (coinciding with evening fireworks viewing on the Mall on July 4). The REU students gave midterm and final research presentations and submitted a research paper in refereed journal format at the end of their internship. A comprehensive assessment of the REU program was conducted by an independent project evaluator.
Impact of Sustainable Structural Systems Undergraduate Research on Education and Program Development at MSU Denver
Authors: Balogh Jeno , Haynes Sandra , Brown Aaron
Published: February 2015

This paper presents the impact of three undergraduate research projects focusing on constructability assessment of adhesive-based wood-concrete composite structural members, on a solar heating technology that can be utilized in conjunction with this system and how these projects relate to engineering education and program development at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver). The sustainable structures topic was pursued within senior project classes offered in summer 2013 and 2014 at MSU Denver. The first project addressed new members, while the second dealt with retrofits. These projects were motivated by faculty research in developing new sustainable construction systems using composites. Since underlining faculty research is on an international scale, students had direct access to researchers world-wide. Such research was used as an instrument in the “Experimental Methods in Structural Engineering” course. The students were also exposed to a broader-range of diverse ideas within the field of research by attending an international conference on timber bridges. The solar furnace project was run in parallel, providing students an opportunity to conduct research targeted at design and performance optimization of the heating units with the intention to assess the benefits of incorporating these devices into future buildings using the sustainable structural system technology. Experiences gained through the undergraduate research activities were applied in the design of a proposed Sustainable Systems Engineering degree program.
Chemo-ionic-conformational memory from reactive dense gels: a way to explore new multivalent memories and brain memory
Authors: Otero Toribio F. , Martinez Jose G.
Published: February 2015

So far we ignore how brain stores memory. Neurons communicate by pulses where the charges are carried between them by ions flowing through channels. Those pulses present a characteristic maximum related to the conformational movements of the channel protein opening and closing. Electrochemical responses from dense gel electrodes of conducting polymers mimic those pulses. Here we proved that the biomimetic pulse includes simultaneously electrical, chemical and conformational information related to the energy stored by the initial conformational packed state of the polymer. This energetic memory increases linearly with the potential used to reduce and pack (write) the initial state: hundreds of different values can be written (stored) in a full reproducible way (multivalent memory). Every state constitutes a chemo-ionic-conformational (CHEMICONF) memory. Each multivalent memory is read and erased by the reverse electrochemical reaction. Crosslinking states produce permanent memories not erased while reading. Developing CHEMICONF memories can provide new hypothesis to reveal brain memory mechanisms.
Numerics for Liquid Crystals with Variable Degree of Orientation
Authors: Nochetto Ricardo H. , Walker Shawn W. , Zhang Wujun
Published: February 2015

We consider the simplest one-constant model, put forward by J. Eriksen, for nematic liquid crystals with variable degree of orientation. The equilibrium state is described by a director field n and its degree of orientation s, where the pair (n, s) minimizes a sum of Frank-like energies and a double well potential. In particular, the Euler-Lagrange equations for the minimizer contain a degenerate elliptic equation for n, which allows for line and plane defects to have finite energy. Using a special discretization of the liquid crystal energy, and a strictly monotone energy decreasing gradient flow scheme, we present a simulation of a plane-defect in three dimensions to illustrate our method.
Marshaling the Evidence: The Prioritized Public Health Accreditation Research Agenda
Authors: Kronstadt Jessica , Beitsch Leslie M. , Bender Kaye
Published: February 2015

A national public health department accreditation program was recently developed and implemented by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) to improve the quality and performance of public health departments.

Because of its potential to transform public health, it is critical that the evidence base around accreditation be strong. With input from public health practitioners and researchers, PHAB developed a research agenda that highlights priority questions related to barriers and facilitators to seeking and obtaining accreditation, the PHAB standards and review process, metrics to determine the impact of accreditation, and benefits and outcomes associated with accreditation for the departments that undergo the process.

We present that agenda, discuss the potential challenges of conducting accreditation research, and call on researchers to build a greater base of evidence related to accreditation.
Economies of Scale in the Production of Public Health Services: An Analysis of Local Health Districts in Florida
Authors: Bernet Patrick M. , Singh Simone
Published: February 2015

Objectives. We examined the existence and the extent of scale and scope economies in the delivery of public health services. We also tested the strength of agency, population, and community characteristics that moderate scale and scope economies.

Methods. We collected service count and cost data for all Florida local health districts for 2008 and 2010, complemented with data on agency, population, and community characteristics. Using translog cost functions, we built models of operating efficiencies for 5 core public health activities: communicable disease surveillance, chronic disease prevention, food hygiene, on-site sewage treatment, and vital records.

Results. Economies of scale were found in most activities, with cost per unit decreasing as volume increased. The models did not, however, identify meaningful economies of scope.

Conclusions. Consolidation or regionalization might lower cost per unit for select public health activities. This could free up resources for use in other areas, further improving the public’s health.
Defining and Assessing Quality Improvement Outcomes: A Framework for Public Health
Authors: McLees Anita W. , Nawaz Saira , Thomas Craig , Young Andrea
Published: February 2015

We describe an evidence-based framework to define and assess the impact of quality improvement (QI) in public health. Developed to address programmatic and research-identified needs for articulating the value of public health QI in aggregate, this framework proposes a standardized set of measures to monitor and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public health programs and operations.

We reviewed the scientific literature and analyzed QI initiatives implemented through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Public Health Improvement Initiative to inform the selection of 5 efficiency and 8 effectiveness measures.

This framework provides a model for identifying the types of improvement outcomes targeted by public health QI efforts and a means to understand QI’s impact on the practice of public health.
Subsea Needs To Make the Right Connections
Authors: Herbert Pat
Published: February 2015

Guest editorial

The subsea market is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the international oil and gas industry, involving the development and deployment of some of the most advanced technology ever created in increasingly inhospitable environments. Where once a water depth of 500 m or 1000 m was considered an industry challenge, many technologies are being designed for or can now operate at 3,000 m. And depths of 4000 m and 5000 m may not be too far away.

More shallow regions will continue to be extremely important as subsea installations migrate to deeper depths for economic and environmental reasons. More and more subsea processing benefits all offshore production where the lack or the removal of permanent structures becomes the norm and all production is tied back to floating systems or directly to shore.

The drive to place technology and equipment on the seabed as close as possible to the hydrocarbon source will continue. In the next few years, this trend could result in the emergence of production systems similar or more advanced than those coined as “subsea villages” or “subsea factories,” which may incorporate full processing capabilities. As these subsea centers continue to grow, so too does the size and scale of the systems now being considered.

Every “village” or “factory” needs chemicals, communications, information, and power. The question of how that will be delivered to these subsea centers of the future is a key factor that needs to be considered in the early stages of development. However, when the industry refers to subsea “systems,” umbilicals and cables appear to be an afterthought. Most subsea equipment suppliers and operators seem to believe these are purchasable, off-the-shelf products. Contrary to this belief, umbilicals and power cables have become increasingly more complex and require a more customized approach to design and connectivity. These products should be at the forefront of an operator’s vision when it comes to powering the future systems.

In his June 2014 JPT column, SPE President Jeff Spath wrote: “The power and the value of integration across several product lines, within a single company, could not be more evident than in subsea systems. Over time, contracting methods for subsea systems have changed from a best-in-class approach—with operators buying Christmas trees, manifolds, and controls from different suppliers and providing the integration and interface management internally—to a more likely scenario in which entire systems are being procured from a single supplier.” I could not agree more because providing products for more technically challenging systems cannot be done discretely without unacceptable cost escalation.
Federal Spending Cuts Test Appetite for Exploration and Production Research
Authors: Rassenfoss Stephen
Published: February 2015

Research Partnership Funding

Last year, lawmakers in the United States sent a blunt message to the oil business: If it wants new exploration and production technology, it will need to pick up more of the cost. Specifically, federal budget cuts eliminated further funding for the technology development organization known as RPSEA (Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America).

While outside observers have talked about the end of RPSEA, those inside have been seeking new sources of support. “You might consider it a turnaround situation,” said James Pappas, president of RPSEA. “We are continuing to manage current projects. As we are closing the books on those, we have a couple of different avenues” to replace them.

The effect of the federal cutoff will not be immediate. The last payment to RPSEA was USD 3.8 million covering administrative costs through 30 September 2014. Another federal agency, though, will pay it to manage the technical aspects of projects already under way over the next 2 years.

In July, the small RPSEA staff was busy winning US Department of Energy approval for the last 19 contracts to do research and development (R&D) work valued at USD 32.7 million: USD 18.5 million in federal funding and USD 14.2 million in corporate matching money. That will give it nearly 79 projects to manage, but the total dwindles rather quickly and runs out at the close of 2016.

RPSEA is working on finding other sources of government-funded research, with much of it related to safety and the environment, Pappas said. It will be using its membership base and industry connections to put together privately funded projects, such as joint industry research projects.

It will be a tough test. RPSEA is seeking new sources of funding at a time when aggressive US federal spending cuts have reduced support for research of all kinds. One sign of the times is the growing number of oil industry research consortia appearing at major universities, where academics run R&D programs addressing member company problems. Others doing oil industry technology development work are the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, and industry-supported research groups such as DeepStar, which focuses on deepwater technology development.
Technology Focus: Reservoir Performance and Monitoring (September 2014)
Authors: Vikane Erik
Published: February 2015

Technology Focus

“If you have one watch, you know the time. If you have two, you will never be sure.”

This was a quote that my professor in reservoir engineering, T.D. van Golf-Racht, once stated when he tried to make us students reflect upon the availability and the quality of the data given for a specific exercise. This was in the late 1980s, and the amount of data was rather limited compared with today’s vast amount of data available. The cost of new data is increasing; most operators are cutting cost, and the cost/ benefit exercise is getting more and more challenging. Actionable information is even more important, and payback time is the crucial number to know.

When you have obtained the necessary funding for acquiring data, make sure that you spend it wisely by collecting the data the right way and understanding the data you have gathered. Paper SPE 169539, related to diagnostic fracture injection tests, highlights the pitfalls when acquiring data to prepare for a hydraulic-fracture treatment.

Understanding well and reservoir performance is the ultimate goal of data gathering, and this gives the necessary foundation for making decisions. Regardless of the amount of data available and supercomputers at hand, analytical methods still play an important role in today’s analysis of reservoir performance. Another featured paper describes the use of modern analytical tools in an excellent way.

Data are of particular importance when you try to establish fundamental knowledge, whether it is drainage strategy for a new discovery or (even more fundamental) recovery processes for new types of hydrocarbons such as hydrates, described in paper OTC 25328.

We, the engineers, need to prepare for tougher times ahead. We need to make sure that key data are collected and be prepared to skip the rest. We need to make sure that more time is spent understanding the data than gathering them. We need to make sure that we perform cost/benefit analysis both before and after data acquisition. JPT
FeS-Scale Cleanout With High-Pressure Coiled Tubing and Tailored Fluid
Authors: Denney Dennis
Published: February 2015

This article, written by Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper SPE 169759, ’Extreme Challenges in FeS-Scale-Cleanout Operation Overcome Using Temporary Isolation, High-Pressure Coiled Tubing, and Tailored Fluid Systems,’ by Mustafa Buali, Noel Ginest, SPE, Jairo Leal, and Oscar Sambo, Saudi Aramco, and Alejandro Chacon and Jose Vielma, Halliburton—Boots & Coots, prepared for the 2014 SPE International Oilfield Scale Conference and Exhibition, Aberdeen, 14-15 May. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

The gas-producing carbonate zones of the Ghawar field in eastern Saudi Arabia have been affected by extensive iron sulfide (FeS) scale deposition, reducing overall gas production and increasing risks during well interventions. Previous remediation attempts used workover rigs, which can be costly because of the time necessary for workovers and lost production. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels (2 to 5%) in the reservoir also contribute to higher costs and risks with the use of workover rigs. H2S in the reservoir poses a safety concern with the returns at surface and a concern with potential corrosion of the coiled tubing (CT) and completion. Therefore, the safest and most economical method was deemed to be mechanical descaling with CT.

Introduction

Two wells were descaled mechanically by use of CT. Each well involved four major challenges: low reservoir pressure, higher reservoir temperature, horizontal openhole completion, and highspecific- gravity (3.7 to 4.3) scale. The low reservoir pressure required payzone isolation to enable circulating out the heavy scale and to minimize fluid losses to the formation. With a bottomhole temperature as high as 310°F, the operational envelope of temporary chemical packers in combination with lost-circulation materials (LCMs) to isolate the openhole section had to be expanded. Following mechanical descaling with CT, the final challenge was cleaning out the LCM in the horizontal open hole and bringing the well back to maximum gas production by use of pinpoint stimulation techniques.

Scale Composition

Many scale samples have been collected and characterized throughout the years with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron micrographs, and microscopic methods (thin section). Although the exact chemical composition of the scale changes from well to well and varies with depth in a given well, the scale deposits are mixtures of many compounds, usually dominated by FeS minerals including pyrrhotite, troilite, mackinawite, greigite, pyrite, and marcasite.
Impacts of Real-Time Passenger Information Signs in Rail Stations at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Authors: Chow William , Block-Schachter David , Hickey Samuel
Published: February 2015

Real-time information systems have been used in transit agencies around the world to inform passengers better of their estimated wait. In 2012, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) activated new real-time information signage across its heavy rail system. These signs displayed the estimated arrival of the next two trains in each direction. The study reported in this paper examined whether the introduction of realtime arrival signage led to reduced expectations of wait time, improved satisfaction with MBTA, and increased ridership. In-station surveys were conducted before and after real-time information was introduced to gauge changes in passenger satisfaction and wait-time expectations. These expectations were compared against headways collected from automated train tracking data. Ridership changes were measured with automated fare collection data provided by MBTA. Survey results revealed that, after the introduction of the countdown signs, people reduced their overestimation of wait time by 50%. Satisfaction with MBTA did not change significantly as a result of the real-time signage. People reported that they felt more relaxed with real-time signage if the next train arrival occurred within a scheduled headway but less relaxed in cases in which the headways were much greater than scheduled. Minor improvements in ridership were detected in stations with the real-time information after other factors were controlled for, but these results were preliminary. This study suggests that real-time arrival signage would be a positive addition to heavy rail systems to increase passenger comfort and improve perceptions of system performance in a relatively cost-effective manner with the use of existing technologies.
International Study of Current and Potential Social Media Applications in Unplanned Passenger Rail Disruptions
Authors: Pender Brendan , Currie Graham , Delbosc Alexa , Shiwakoti Nirajan
Published: February 2015

This paper presents research on the role that social media play in the management of unplanned passenger rail disruptions. The study incorporated an international survey of 86 agencies on current practice and a case study on social media use in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Research literature on social media in transit is limited; this paper presents the first analysis of their practical use during unplanned passenger rail disruptions. When disruptions occur, passengers need reliable, up-to-date information, which should be transparent and sympathetic to the impact of delays on passengers. Social media are useful during disruptions, because social media enable concise, real-time information to be provided and enable passengers to make informed, proactive choices in commonly reactive and suboptimal situations. Passengers have greater opportunity to take control of their situation as a result of social media communication. The international survey results indicated that 86% of the agencies used Twitter, 33% used Facebook, and only 12% did not use social media. Twitter was prevalent in high-frequency networks; its real-time nature provided the most appeal. Social media benefited soon-to-travel commuters the most and enabled proactive selection of alternative travel and nontravel options. The needs for support staff resources and skills were identified as impediments to social media deployment. Rail agencies also reported that the management of commuter expectations in the use of social media was a growing concern. A conceptual model for the social media impact on disruptions is developed in the paper on the basis of the research findings. The paper discusses future research and practice opportunities.
Ion Acceleration by Short Chirped Laser Pulses
Authors: Li Jian-Xing , Galow Benjamin , Keitel Christoph , Harman Zoltán
Published: February 2015

Direct laser acceleration of ions by short frequency chirped laser pulses is investigated theoretically. We demonstrate that intense beams of ions with a kinetic energy broadening of about 1% can be generated. The chirping of the laser pulse allows the particles to gain kinetic energies of hundreds of MeVs, which is required for hadron cancer therapy, from pulses of energies in the order of 100 J. It is shown that few-cycle chirped pulses can accelerate ions more efficiently than long ones, i.e., higher ion kinetic energies are reached with the same amount of total electromagnetic pulse energy.
Materials Best Paper Award 2015
Authors: Tabrizian Maryam
Published: February 2015

Materials has established an annual award for the best article and for the best review published in Materials in order to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our authors in the area of materials science and engineering.[...]
Improving Students’ Safety Practice Behaviors Through a Simulation-Based Learning Experience
Authors: Mariani Bette , Cantrell Mary Ann , Meakim Colleen , Jenkinson Amanda
Published: February 2015

This study evaluated 175 senior-level undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions and comfort level regarding safety principles and practices before and after participating in a safety-focused clinical simulation-based experience during their nursing leadership course. The Healthcare Professionals Patient Safety Assessment (HPPSA) was used to measure students’ perceptions and comfort level regarding patient safety practices. Respondents rated their level of agreement about statements related to errors and safety in health care, their comfort level in reporting and disclosing an error, and whether they had seen, disclosed, or reported an error. The
t
test for the HPPSA Part 2 was statistically significant (
n
= 153,
t
= 2.78,
p
= 0.006) with mean pretest and posttest scores of 16.95 (
SD
= 3.44) and 17.69 (
SD
= 3.25), respectively. The findings suggest simulation is a teaching strategy that may contribute to increasing undergraduate nursing students’ comfort with reporting or investigating errors. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2015;54(3, Suppl.):S35–S38.]
Online Teaching: “Are You There, and Do You Care?”
Authors: Mastel-Smith Beth , Post Jerri , Lake Pamela
Published: February 2015

Much of nursing education is moving online, and faculty must learn to deliver content and communicate differently. A hybrid model of concept development provided insight into faculty’s perceptions and expressions of online caring presence. Phase one of concept development revealed many related concepts. Phase two involved (a) six qualitative interviews with doctoral-prepared nursing faculty who taught 100% online, and (b) Watson’s Ten Caritas Processes were revised for application in online nursing education and used as a guide for course review. Four themes emerged from the interview data: (a) online teaching experiences, (b) similarities and differences between online and face-to-face teaching, (c) online presence, and (d) online caring presence. Course review suggested that faculty promoted helping-trusting-caring relationships and addressed individual learning needs. Phase three integrated findings from phases one and two; a comprehensive definition of online caring presence was developed. Recommendations regarding technology and communication skill acquisition and Caritas Process application are suggested. [
J Nurs Educ.
2015;54(3):145–151.]
Engaging High School Students in an Engineering Thermodynamics Project
Authors: Preciado Babb Armando Paulino , Saar Candace , Brandon Jim , Friesen Sharon
Published: February 2015

Efforts for recruiting and retaining students in engineering programs are evident in many postsecondary institutions around the world. These efforts include outreach programs at both elementary and secondary school level, as well as projects that develop capacities beyond technical content—often taught as declarative and procedural knowledge. The mandate of the Galileo Education Network Association includes the design of rich learning environments engaging K – 12 students in authentic tasks: tasks that resemble the real work of professionals such as engineers. We describe the experience of enacting a seven-session engineering project in thermodynamics with Grade Ten students. Special attention is paid to formative assessment as an essential support for students' learning along the project. The initial project resulted from the collaboration—as a means for teacher professional development—between this network association and the mathematics and science teachers in a western Canadian high school. We propose that programs for teacher professional development in mathematics and science should include a focus on tasks that resemble the work of engineering in order to design authentic, engaging learning tasks, and assessing strategies that support and enhance student learning.
On Fuzzy Logic-Based Channel Selection in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Yao Yong , Popescu Alexandru , Popescu Adrian
Published: February 2015

Cognitive radio networks are a new technology based on which unlicensed users are allowed access to licensed spectrum under the condition that the interference perceived by licensed users is minimal. That means unlicensed users need to learn from environmental changes and to make appropriate decisions regarding the access to the radio channel. This is a process that can be done by unlicensed users in a cooperative or non-cooperative way. Whereas the non-cooperative algorithms are risky with regard to performance, the cooperative algorithms have the capability to provide better performance. This chapter shows a new fuzzy logic-based decision-making algorithm for channel selection. The underlying decision criterion considers statistics of licensed user channel occupancy as well as information about the competition level of unlicensed users. The theoretical studies indicate that the unlicensed users can obtain an efficient sharing of the available channels. Simulation results are reported to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the suggested algorithm.
Routing through Efficient Channel Assignment in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Saleem Yasir , Salim Farrukh , Rehmani Mubashir Husain , Rashid Bushra
Published: February 2015

In Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) there is much dynamicity due to the activities of primary users which results in instability of routes. Therefore, an efficient routing protocol based on good channel assignment strategy is required in CRNs. A good channel selection strategy makes route stable by selecting channels having larger capacity and greater availability time. Therefore, the focus of this chapter is joint channel assignment and routing in CRNs, which provides a comprehensive survey on routing and channel assignment in CRNs. First, the importance of joint channel assignment and routing for successful communication in cognitive radio networks is discussed. Then classification and challenges related to channel assignment and routing are discussed in detail. In order to establish reliable routes in CRNs, some factors are discussed that further enhance the communication in CRNs. Finally, guidelines for the development of efficient routing protocols are discussed.
Throughput-Efficient Spectrum Access in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Umar Raza , Mesbah Wessam
Published: February 2015

Cognitive radio based on dynamic spectrum access has emerged as a promising technology to meet the insatiable demand for radio spectrum by the emerging wireless applications. In this chapter, the authors address the problem of throughput-efficient spectrum access in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) using Coalitional Game-theoretic framework. They model the problem of joint Coalition Formation (CF) and Bandwidth (BW) allocation as a CF game in partition form with non-transferable utility and present a variety of algorithms to dynamically share the available spectrum resources among competing Secondary Users (SUs). First, the authors present a centralized solution to reach a sum-rate maximizing Nash-stable network partition. Next, a distributed CF algorithm is developed through which SUs may join/leave a coalition based on their individual preferences. Performance analysis shows that the CF algorithms with optimal BW allocation provides a substantial gain in the network throughput over existing coalition formation techniques as well as the simple cases of singleton and grand coalition.
Compact and Efficient Reconfigurable Antennas for Flexible Radio Front-End in Cognitive Radio Systems
Authors: Aboufoul Tamer , Alomainy Akram
Published: February 2015

Cognitive Radio presents promising applications in creating a more intelligent and flexible radio and wireless system structures considering the increasing demands faced by spectrum usage and spectrum regulators for specific frequency bands. The flexibility and reconfigurability required by such systems place a significant burden on engineers and radio designers specifically on the radio front-end and antenna elements. This chapter aims to study and analyse the various reconfiguration techniques and types that could be employed in the antenna front-end that will allow cognitive radio to be more flexible and adaptable to different bands and environments. The chapter focuses on theoretical and experimental analyses of novel methods to frequency-reconfigure compact ultra-wideband antennas to work in different bands, and it also explores the possibility of pattern and polarisation reconfiguration of the antenna element. It ultimately shows a method of combining all reconfiguration techniques to realise an original antenna structure capable of adapting the cognitive radio unit to work in congested electromagnetic spectrum bands based on availability of other free gaps, usage rate, and environmental factors. The authors strongly believe the proposed design meets the growing demand of cognitive and smart radio devices for more intelligent and multi-functional antennas.
Complexity Issues within Eigenvalue-Based Multi-Antenna Spectrum Sensing
Authors: Elleuch Ines , Abdelkefi Fatma , Siala Mohamed
Published: February 2015

This chapter provides a deep insight into multiple antenna eigenvalue-based spectrum sensing algorithms from a complexity perspective. A review of eigenvalue-based spectrum-sensing algorithms is provided. The chapter presents a finite computational complexity analysis in terms of Floating Point Operations (flop) and a comparison of the Maximum-to-Minimum Eigenvalue (MME) detector and a simplified variant of the Multiple Beam forming detector as well as the Approximated MME method. Constant False Alarm Performances (CFAR) are presented to emphasize the complexity-reliability tradeoff within the spectrum-sensing problem, given the strong requirements on the sensing duration and the detection performance.