bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Multiple Fracture Stimulation in Horizontal Wells by Downhole Temperature Measurements
Authors: Cui Jingyuan , Zhu Ding
Published: May 2016

Diagnosis fractured well performance for a multiple-stage fractured horizontal well is critical to understand and improve fracture stimulation design. Production logging tools (PLT) can be used in this problem, and temperature distribution data (by PLT or fiber-optic sensors) is one of the valuable information for performance diagnosis. However, until today quantitative interpretation of dynamic temperature data is still challenging and requires in-depth mathematical modeling of heat and mass transfer during production in a complex flow system.

In this study we developed a semi-analytical model to predict temperature and pressure behavior in a multiple-fractured horizontal well during production. The tri-linear model is used to simulate flow in a fracture system for horizontal wells. The model can be applied for single phase oil or gas wells. For gas well, the non-Darcy effects are considered by permeability alteration using minimum permeability plateau. Flow in the wellbore is modeled under unsteady state condition modified from a steady state horizontal wellbore model presented before. This coupled model for fracture flow and wellbore flow can predict the pressure gradient along fracture and also the pressure and flow rate distribution in the wellbore. The thermal model calculates the heat transfer in the fracture/reservoir/wellbore system considering subtle temperature changes caused by the Joule-Thomson cooling and frictional heating effects. The fluid properties are set as functions of in-situ pressure and temperature.

The result shows that transient temperature behavior can be used to estimate the fracture initiation points and length, number of created fractures and distribution of fluid along the wellbore. The temperature is sensitive to the flow rate distribution along the wellbore, the fracture geometry, and also the fracture conductivity. With the developed method, we can evaluate the fracture treatment by comparing the designed fracture half-length with the generated fracture-length. When applied in history match of production data, it also can predict conductivity decline as a function of production time.

Introduction

Due to the improved accuracy and continuity of downhole temperature measurement, downhole sensors attract a lot of interest in petroleum industry. Besides the pressure/temperature gauges, distributed temperature sensors (DTS) and production logging tools are the common methods to assess well production and formation information. With the development of hydraulic fracture technology and its successful application in tight gas and shale reservoirs, the downhole temperature measurement also used during the stimulation treatment to monitor the fracturing process and later in production period to evaluate the fractures' effectiveness.
Multi Strategy Approach to Manage Waxy Oil Wells in Malaysia's Marginal Fields - A Unique Experience Offshore Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Cheong Ing Keith , Saidu Anwarudin
Published: May 2016

Wax formation continuously proves itself to be a major problem in PETRONAS Carigali's marginal fields as it clogs up the well, damages the near wellbore formation hence severely impairing production. A clogged up well also makes well intervention impossible as toolstrings are restricted by the wax plug and in worse cases get stuck hence leaving a fish in hole. Some of the marginal fields in West Malaysia are notoriously known to produce very waxy crude and would harden in just a matter of a few minutes at surface conditions due to its relatively high pour point.

What adds to the challenge faced is that platforms located in these marginal fields are mostly smaller sized platforms fitted with small cranes that have small lifting capacity. Space on these platform facilities is quite limited, thus restricting larger size intervention equipment such as the coiled tubing unit while also limiting the platform's crane capacity. Furthermore such platforms are typically unmanned and located in remote areas. Complicated well intervention techniques will not only increase the safety risk but would also tremendously increase the intervention cost.

Due to the nature of such challenges, PETRONAS Carigali has resorted to develop an ingenious strategy to manage the wax plugging problems in its marginal field's wells. A multiple strategy approach has been undertaken to tackle the wax problem, depending on the severity of the wax buildup in the well. These approaches are divided into two types – with intervention and without intervention depending on the degree of wax buildup.

All these steps taken by PETRONAS Carigali have helped to control the wax problem in its highly waxy marginal fields of West Malaysia to a manageable level and the experience gained can serve as a good technical lesson on how to manage a waxy well in small and remote platforms.

Introduction

Field P which is situated within the marginal fields cluster offshore peninsular Malaysia is notoriously known to be very problematic in terms of wax deposition. The pour point of the crude oil from this field is 56 OC hence resulting in a lot of wax build up. Deposition of organic components can have adverse effect on the production, transportation and processing of crude oil. The economic concerns of organic deposition can be overwhelming. Heavy organic molecules such as asphaltenes, paraffin /wax, aromatics and resins exist in crude oils in various quantities, forms and are the main source of organic deposition. Due to several mechanisms, these compounds could separate out of the crude oil and be deposited. Asphaltene especially has a major effect on the toughness of the deposits; it acts as glue in toughening the deposit, therefore causing resistance to oil flow [1].

In a nutshell, organic deposition predominantly in the near well bore and in the production tubing can cause:Flow restrictionsNear wellbore damageReduced efficiency of crude transportation and processing units
Ascendancy of Continuous Profiles of Grain-Size Distribution for Depositional Environment Studies
Authors: Gaafar Gamal Ragab , Altunbay Mehmet , Bal Adriaan , Anuar Norfazlina B
Published: May 2016

Knowledge of structure, composition and texture, the three fundamental attributes of sedimentary deposits, is necessary for a robust analysis and interpretation of depositional environment. In the absence of core information; borehole images, "elemental-capture spectroscopy" and NMR logs all contribute to understanding the structure, composition and grain-size attributes. Grain-size is considered the most important textural parameter because it reflects the processes and energy levels active at the time of deposition. Early studies show that depositional processes and environment can be inferred from size distributions (Krumbein1934 and Sahu1964).These inferences are based on deductions and experimental data and deliver acceptable accuracy. Although Krumbein (1941) shows other textural (e.g. shape, roundness, roughness) and compositional information enhances certainty.).

Building on early work, we present a methodology and examples where NMR derived grain-size-distributions are used to infer depositional environment. In contrast to spot-core analysis, NMR provides a continuous along hole profile of grain-size-distributions. This study is the first to utilize a continuous grain-size-distribution profile. The study was conducted blindfolded, without initial reference to core studies, to test the robustness of the methodology.

By using statistical parameters from grain-size distributions that are characteristic of depositional environments, and applying Sahu (1964) linear-discrimination functions, depositional systems for two wells were inferred to be shallow marine-to-fluvial deltaic. Linear-discriminate analysis of geostatistical variables showed bimodal distributions of sediments dominated by fine-grain sands and silts. The studied sandstones were concluded to be mainly fine grained, moderately to poorly sorted, fine skewed, mesokurtic, leptokurtic occasionally platykurtic in nature.

Our conclusion was "shallow-marine deposition" and was compared and confirmed with core-driven studies as "shallow marine". In summary, profiles of grain-size-distributions from NMR logs provide important information about changes in depositional energy level from which we infer depositional setting and reservoir quality. A precise depositional environment interpretation is crucial for optimal/economical field development.
Geochemical Characteristics and Genetic analysis of Ordovician Dolostone reservoirs, in the Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Zhang YueQiao , Guo YanRu
Published: May 2016

The Ordovician dolomites have been known as one of the largest gas producers in China and their mechanism of dolomitization has been a hot topic for many years. Core-based studies including slices observation, X-RAS identification, carbon and oxygen isotope, major and trace elements and Rare Earth Element (REE) analysis have been conducted to investigate the geochemical characteristics of dolomite and the mechanism of dolomitization in this reservoir. Petrography and diagenesis analysis of more than 1,000 meters of core from five wells near center of the Ordos Basin shows that these dolomites has the following geochemical characteristics:Dolomites mainly show red-brown and dark brown, the degree of order is high and the molar volume of CaCO3 is low.The content of Sr and Na is low, while Fe and Mn is high, which may have undergone a normal burial evolution.The δ18O and δ13C ranges from –4.57‰ to –9.16‰ Pee Dee Belemnite [PDB], and -2.53 to +1.63‰ PDB, which lower than those of the Ordovician seawater. The negative values of δ18O of dolomite result probably from temperature effect of the burial process.The high homogeneous temperature of fluid inclusions in dolomite (90o to 130oC) indicates deep burial circumstances.REEs must have experienced clear differentiation, since the values of LREE/HREE are all over 1, clearly indicating the characteristic of enrichment of LREE and decrement of HREE. Ce has no obvious anomaly and Eu has clear negative anomalies, which suggests a reducing environment.

This interpretation is also supported by the presence of large saddle-like dolomite and high temperature minerals at the deeper part of the reservoirs. All characteristics above reveal that those dolostone have been formed in a deep burial environment, while not in mixing zone as former studies showed.

Introduction

The dolomite problem has been the research focus of the geologists for more than 150 years. In the past few decades, petroleum geochemists have try to applied various analysis methods to address this question, including stable istopes, trace elements, and fluid inclusions etc. Those most common groups of tools in use help to study the ultimate origin of an ancient dolomite. An evolutionary history of dolomitization can be outlined only when all these methodologies are combined under the umbrella of detailed petrographic study, which allows a tie of the various geochemical values to appropriate crystal tratigraphy (e.g. Drivet and Mountjoy, 1997; Yoo et al., 2000).
Retrieving Information and Discovering Knowledge from Unstructured Data Using Big Data Mining Technique: Heavy Oil Fields Example
Authors: Wu Wenkuang , Lu Xiaoguang , Cox Ben , Li Guoqiang , Lin Lihua , Yang Qing
Published: May 2016

In recent years, big data and relevant analytics technologies have become increasingly popular in E&P industry. Numerous tools and techniques such as Hadoop, HBase, Hive and Mahout have been created to store, administrate and analyze big data with a variety of formats. By employing big data mining method on E&P data, information can be extracted and knowledge can be discovered from large volumes of unstructured raw data. Currently, the volume of unstructured data is estimated to be more than ~80% of the total big data volume.

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how to extract information and discover knowledge from huge amount of unstructured text data with lower-density value by Hadoop technology. As an example to illustrate the whole procedure, more than 10,000 public SPE abstracts on the topic of heavy oil fields' development and production are collected, pre-processed and stored in Hadoop distributed file system, from which some key parameters like field name, country, EOR methods, permeability and porosity of heavy oil fields are retrieved by pattern match and statistical models. The extracted values from the Hadoop then cleaned and analyzed. Based on the extracted information, knowledge such as the top ten heavy oil fields according to their occurrences, geographical distribution of heavy oil fields, EOR methods applied in heavy oil fields, EOR history charts, porosity distribution and crossplot of permeability and porosity of heavy oil fields can be easily presented and visualized. In order to validate the effectiveness and accuracy of the knowledge discovering process, the extracted values are compared with those from manual constructed system, illustrating the information retrieving and knowledge mining processes based on Hadoop big data technology are capable of retrieving text and numeric values from unstructured raw data in E&P industry and providing similar statistical trends with the manual system.

Introduction

The oil and gas industry has accumulated huge amount of exploration and production data with various formats. Moreover, the data incremental speed is accelerating due to more data acquired from smart fields, real-time sensors, 2D, 3D and 4D time-lapsed seismic and complicated reservoir modeling and simulations, which have been widely used in E&P industry for a few years. It was reported that the Chevron's internal IT traffic alone exceeded 1.5 terabytes a day in 2011 (Feblowitz, 2012). In addition, the proportion of the unstructured format among the big data is increasing. How to store, analyze and retrieve values and knowledge from big data is a challenge that the oil industry has to confront. When the data volume increases to hundreds of terabytes, the conventional database and data analytics methods usually fail to deal with considering the time and cost they will take.
Sharper DLS Through New Technology Helps Achieve Breakthrough and Pave Way for Well Designs with Challenging Profiles
Authors: Hussain Iqbal , Al-Enezi Dakhil Rasheed , Sounderrajan Mahesh , Suryavanshi Vijay , Hayat Sara
Published: May 2016

Upper Zubair Horizontal wells in North Kuwait pose a unique challenge; the challenge of building angle at High DLS, to achieve horizontal profile within short section of TVD. While normal DLS in Horizontal wells had been in the range of 5–7 deg. /100ft. in the 8½" section, the planned DLS to achieve the horizontal in upper zubair required a Build of 10–11 deg. /100 ft. This exceeded the capacity of normal Rotary Steerable Systems and it was something which was never attempted before in the entire Middle East region. Kuwait Oil Company strived for technological solutions and successfully carried out the job.

The need for sharp DLS arises primarily to counter the complications from formations in the section previous to it. High angle of inclination through shaly formations compounded with total loss, leads to quick destabilization of the hole creating an unstable hole. These issues enforce a strategy of not building beyond 40° inclination at the casing point, leaving the onus of building to horizontal in a short section of TVD. Completion strategies with ICD and Swell Packers in the lateral further tightened these requirements to a very smooth curve.

With proper operational control, the curve section was drilled with a proprietary RSS along with a specialized bit, cased and cemented successfully. Later the successful deployment of a stiff ICD completion proved the portability of this success to other challenging projects. The total savings realized on account of lesser directional work is over $700,000 US.

The paper outlines the planning efforts, risk assessment and operational details in achieving success. With capabilities of reaching DLS of 15°/100 ft. through these special RSS systems, new vistas have opened up for drilling of such challenging profiles. Sharper profiles with lower Kick-Offs could have huge potential for optimization in terms of lower directional costs and cycle times.
Synthesis of Remote Air Traffic Control System and Air Traffic Controllers’ Perceptions
Authors: Gawade Makarand , Zhang Yu
Published: May 2016

Airports face financial constraints in the use of services of air traffic control (ATC) towers. The remote air traffic control system (RATCS) is anticipated to be an economical and safe alternative to a control tower. RATCS is a concept intended to supply ATC to an airport by providing communication, navigation, and surveillance from a remote location. This study aims to gain insights about RATCS by conducting a review of existing studies, airport visits, discussions with RATCS technology providers, RATCS demonstration visits, and questionnaire surveys and interviews of controllers. A major inference from nontowered airport visits is that the introduction of RATCS will present many challenges such as pilot readiness to be supervised by RATCS, differences in local conditions, and significant limitations in available infrastructure. The knowledge gained through airport–demonstration visits and meetings with RATCS providers assisted in designing a questionnaire survey and interview. The number of surveys and interviews was limited; hence, conducting a comprehensive quantitative evaluation from responses was difficult. Nevertheless, controllers who participated in the study developed a consensus. The survey outcomes showed that controllers had concerns about RATCS functionality for communication or coordination between controllers and for ATC in high traffic conditions. The controllers provided favorable responses toward new features of RATCS, such as infrared cameras, high-definition monitors, target tracking functionality, and runway overlays. Potential advantages of RATCS anticipated by some controllers include systems with replay capabilities, situational awareness capabilities in low-visibility conditions, and surveillance capabilities of ground operations.
Quantifying the Effects of Uncertainty in a Decentralized National Airspace System
Authors: Sherman Stephanie , McCue Leigh , Roberts Billy
Published: May 2016

Modernization of the National Air Traffic Control System is on the horizon and with it the likely introduction of autonomous air vehicles into the national airspace. With the increase in air traffic to an already congested management scheme, the implementation of a decentralized control protocol may be the answer to replace the current classical centralized management system. Equipping each aircraft with the information necessary to navigate safely through integrated airspace becomes an information-sharing problem: How much information about other aircraft is required for a pilot to fly the gamut of a heavily populated airspace safely? What paradigm shifts may be necessary for safe and efficient use of available airspace? This paper describes the development of a tool for testing alternative traffic management systems—centralized and decentralized—in the presence of uncertainty. Applying a computational fluid dynamics–inspired approach to the problem both creates a simulation tool to model the movement of traffic within the airspace and allows study of the effects of interactions between vehicles. With incorporation of a model based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics, discrete particle aircraft each carry a set of unique deterministic and stochastic properties. With this model, aircraft interaction can be studied for better understanding of how variations in the nondeterministic properties of the system affect its overall efficiency and safety. The tool is structured to be sufficiently flexible to allow incorporation of different governing equations (right-of-way rules) for aircraft traffic management.
The Effects of Thermal Preconditioning on Oncogenic and Intraspinal Cord Growth Features of Human Glioma Cells
Authors: Zeng Xiang , Han Inbo , Abd-El-Barr Muhammad , Aljuboori Zaid , Anderson Jamie E. , Chi John H. , Zafonte Ross D. , Teng Yang D.
Published: May 2016

The adult rodent spinal cord presents an inhibitory environment for donor cell survival, impeding efficiency for xenograft-based modeling of gliomas. We postulated that mild thermal preconditioning may influence the fate of the implanted tumor cells. To test this hypothesis, high-grade human astrocytoma G55 and U87 cells were cultured under 37°C and 38.5°C to mimic regular experimental or core body temperatures of rodents, respectively. In vitro, the 38.5°C-conditioned cells, relative to 37°C, grew slightly faster. Compared to U87 cells, G55 cells demonstrated a greater response to the temperature difference. Hyperthermal culture markedly increased production of Hsp27 in most G55 cells, but only promoted transient expression of cancer stem cell marker CD133 in a small cell subpopulation. We subsequently transplanted G55 cells following 37°C or 38.5°C culture into the C2 or T10 spinal cord of adult female immunodeficient rats (3 rats/each locus/per temperature; total: 12 rats). Systematic analyses revealed that 38.5°C-preconditioned G55 cells grew more malignantly at either C2 or T10 as determined by tumor size, outgrowth profile, resistance to bolus intratumor administration of 5-fluorouracil (0.1 μmol), and posttumor survival ( p < 0.05; n = 6/group). Therefore, thermal preconditioning of glioma cells may be an effective way to influence the in vitro and in vivo oncological contour of glioma cells. Future studies are needed for assessing the potential oncogenic modifying effect of hyperthermia regimens on glioma cells.
Identification of Gene Transcripts Implicated in Peritoneal Membrane Alterations
Authors: Parikova Alena , Vlijm Anniek , Brabcova Irena , de Graaff Marijke , Struijk Dirk G. , Viklicky Ondrej , Krediet Raymond T.
Published: May 2016

Background

Permanent stimulation of the peritoneum during peritoneal dialysis (PD) is likely to result in increased expression of genes encoding proteins involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling. Peritoneal fibrosis and neoangiogenesis may develop.

Objective

To assess highly expressed genes potentially involved in peritoneal alterations during PD treatment using an animal model.

Methods

A PD catheter was implanted in 36 male Wistar rats after 70% nephrectomy. The rats were divided into 3 groups, exposed to dialysis solution for 8 weeks, and sacrificed 2 weeks later. Group B was exposed to a buffer, group D was exposed to a 3.86% glucose-based dialysis solution, and in group D+H, a second hit of intraperitoneal blood on top of the dialysis solution was given to induce the development of peritoneal sclerosis. Before sacrifice, peritoneal function was assessed. Omental tissue was obtained for analysis of gene expression using RT-qPCR.

Results

Fibrosis scores, vessel counts, and peritoneal function parameters were not different between the groups. Genes involved in the transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation were more expressed ( p < 0.05) in the D+H group. Almost no differences were found between the control groups. We identified 4 genes that were related to peritoneal transport.

Conclusion

Already a mid-term peritoneal exposure, when no microscopical and functional alterations are present, provokes activation of gene pathways of cell proliferation, fibrosis, neoangiogenesis, and inflammation.
Duration of Hemodialysis following Peritoneal Dialysis Cessation in Australia and New Zealand: Proposal for a Standardized Definition of Technique Failure
Authors: Lan Patrick G. , Clayton Philip A. , Johnson David W. , McDonald Stephen P. , Borlace Monique , Badve Sunil V. , Sud Kamal , Boudville Neil
Published: May 2016

Background

Although technique failure is a key outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD), there is currently no agreement on a uniform definition. We explored different definitions of PD technique failure using data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry.

Methods

We included 16,612 incident PD patients in Australia and New Zealand from January 1998 to December 2012. Different definitions of technique failure were applied according to the minimum number of days (30, 60, 90, 180, or 365) the patient received hemodialysis after cessation of PD.

Results

Median technique survival varied from 2.0 years with the 30-day definition to 2.4 years with the 365-day definition. For all definitions, the most common causes of technique failure were death, followed by infectious complications. The likelihood of a patient returning to PD within 12 months of technique failure was highest in the 30-day definition (24%), and was very small when using the 180- and 365-day definitions (3% and 0.8%, respectively). Patients whose technique failed due to mechanical reasons were the most likely to return to PD (46% within 12 months using the 30-day definition).

Conclusions

Both 30- and 180-day definitions have clinical relevance but offer different perspectives with very different prognostic implications for further PD. Therefore, we propose that PD technique failure be defined by a composite endpoint of death or transfer to hemodialysis using both 30-day and 180-day definitions.
Theoretical and experimental study on vertical dynamic characteristics of six-axle heavy-haul locomotive on curve
Authors: Liu Peng-Fei , Zhai Wan-Ming , Wang Kai-Yun , Feng Quan-Bao , Chen Zai-Gang
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a method to study the vertical dynamic characteristics of a heavy-haul locomotive in curve. A quasi-static analysis model based on the static force equilibrium relationship is established to investigate the load bearing characteristics of suspension system when the locomotive runs through the curve. Then a locomotive–track coupled dynamics model is used to analyse the dynamic characteristics of wheel load in curves. Finally, a field test in curve is carried out to validate the simulated results. The theoretical analysis results indicate that due to the different twist shapes of track on the entry and exit transition curves, for some specific position in the suspension system or wheel arrangements, the corresponding vertical load along the curve length presents an asymmetry about the section of circular curve. The asymmetry is predominantly caused by the Superelevation Angle Differences (SADs) between car body, bogie frames and wheelsets. A distinct phenomenon is that the outer wheel–rail vertical load of the first axle increases when the locomotive enters the transition curve and then reduces when it exits. These results are expected to provide theoretical guidance to the design of the heavy-haul railways. It is suggested that the asymmetric characteristics of the wheel loads can be improved by some measures, such as adopting a low vertical stiffness in the secondary suspension and increasing the transition curve length.
HONU and Supervised Learning Algorithms in Adaptive Feedback Control
Authors: Benes Peter Mark , Erben Miroslav , Vesely Martin , Liska Ondrej , Bukovsky Ivo
Published: May 2016

This chapter is a summarizing study of Higher Order Neural Units featuring the most common learning algorithms for identification and adaptive control of most typical representatives of plants of single-input single-output (SISO) nature in the control engineering field. In particular, the linear neural unit (LNU, i.e., 1st order HONU), quadratic neural unit (QNU, i.e. 2nd order HONU), and cubic neural unit (CNU, i.e. 3rd order HONU) will be shown as adaptive feedback controllers of typical models of linear plants in control including identification and control of plants with input time delays. The investigated and compared learning algorithms for HONU will be the step-by-step Gradient Descent adaptation with the study of known modifications of learning rate for improved convergence, the batch Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, and the Resilient Back-Propagation algorithm. The theoretical achievements will be summarized and discussed as regards their usability and the real issues of control engineering tasks.
Discrete-Time Decentralized Inverse Optimal Higher Order Neural Network Control for a Multi-Agent Omnidirectional Mobile Robot
Authors: Lopez-Franco Michel , Sanchez Edgar N. , Alanis Alma Y. , Lopez-Franco Carlos , Arana-Daniel Nancy
Published: May 2016

This chapter presents a new approach to multi- agent control of complex systems with unknown parameters and dynamic uncertainties. A key strategy is to use of neural inverse optimal control. This approach consists in synthesizing a suitable controller for each subsystem, which is approximated by an identifier based on a recurrent high order neural network (RHONN), trained with an extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm. On the basis of this neural model and the knowledge of a control Lyapunov function, then an inverse optimal controller is synthesized to avoid solving the Hamilton Jacobi Bellman (HJB) equation. We have adopted an omnidirectional mobile robot, KUKA youBot, as robotic platform for our experiments. Computer simulations are presented which confirm the effectiveness of the proposed tracking control law.
Elastin-Derived Peptides Promote Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation by Modulating M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Dale Matthew A. , Xiong Wanfen , Carson Jeffrey S. , Suh Melissa K. , Karpisek Andrew D. , Meisinger Trevor M. , Casale George P. , Baxter B. Timothy
Published: May 2016

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a dynamic vascular disease characterized by inflammatory cell invasion and extracellular matrix degradation. Damage to elastin in the extracellular matrix results in release of elastin-derived peptides (EDPs), which are chemotactic for inflammatory cells such as monocytes. Their effect on macrophage polarization is less well known. Proinflammatory M1 macrophages initially are recruited to sites of injury, but, if their effects are prolonged, they can lead to chronic inflammation that prevents normal tissue repair. Conversely, anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages reduce inflammation and aid in wound healing. Thus, a proper M1/M2 ratio is vital for tissue homeostasis. Abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue reveals a high M1/M2 ratio in which proinflammatory cells and their associated markers dominate. In the current study, in vitro treatment of bone marrow–derived macrophages with EDPs induced M1 macrophage polarization. By using C57BL/6 mice, Ab-mediated neutralization of EDPs reduced aortic dilation, matrix metalloproteinase activity, and proinflammatory cytokine expression at early and late time points after aneurysm induction. Furthermore, direct manipulation of the M1/M2 balance altered aortic dilation. Injection of M2-polarized macrophages reduced aortic dilation after aneurysm induction. EDPs promoted a proinflammatory environment in aortic tissue by inducing M1 polarization, and neutralization of EDPs attenuated aortic dilation. The M1/M2 imbalance is vital to aneurysm formation.
M-CSF Mediates Host Defense during Bacterial Pneumonia by Promoting the Survival of Lung and Liver Mononuclear Phagocytes
Authors: Bettina Alexandra , Zhang Zhimin , Michels Kathryn , Cagnina R. Elaine , Vincent Isaah S. , Burdick Marie D. , Kadl Alexandra , Mehrad Borna
Published: May 2016

Gram-negative bacterial pneumonia is a common and dangerous infection with diminishing treatment options due to increasing antibiotic resistance among causal pathogens. The mononuclear phagocyte system is a heterogeneous group of leukocytes composed of tissue-resident macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocyte-derived cells that are critical in defense against pneumonia, but mechanisms that regulate their maintenance and function during infection are poorly defined. M-CSF has myriad effects on mononuclear phagocytes but its role in pneumonia is unknown. We therefore tested the hypothesis that M-CSF is required for mononuclear phagocyte-mediated host defenses during bacterial pneumonia in a murine model of infection. Genetic deletion or immunoneutralization of M-CSF resulted in reduced survival, increased bacterial burden, and greater lung injury. M-CSF was necessary for the expansion of lung mononuclear phagocytes during infection but did not affect the number of bone marrow or blood monocytes, proliferation of precursors, or recruitment of leukocytes to the lungs. In contrast, M-CSF was essential to survival and antimicrobial functions of both lung and liver mononuclear phagocytes during pneumonia, and its absence resulted in bacterial dissemination to the liver and hepatic necrosis. We conclude that M-CSF is critical to host defenses against bacterial pneumonia by mediating survival and antimicrobial functions of mononuclear phagocytes in the lungs and liver.
Next-generation nutritional biomarkers to guide better health care
Authors: Redi CarloAlberto
Published: May 2016

One of the main precision medicineâ€™s promises is nutrigenomics; still far from being aÂ widespread attitude for the laypeople, it is certainly one of the most challenging aspect of the near to come health care system based on personalized medicine. Thus, we welcome books like this one that is exploring the pre-requisites to get a better health care in the new millennium.....
The Present and Future of Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer: Proteomics, Genomics, and Immunology Advancements
Authors: Gaudreau Pierre-Olivier , Stagg John , Soulières Denis , Saad Fred
Published: May 2016

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common form of cancer in men worldwide. Biomarkers have emerged as essential tools for treatment and assessment since the variability of disease behavior, the cost and diversity of treatments, and the related impairment of quality of life have given rise to a need for a personalized approach. High-throughput technology platforms in proteomics and genomics have accelerated the development of biomarkers. Furthermore, recent successes of several new agents in PC, including immunotherapy, have stimulated the search for predictors of response and resistance and have improved the understanding of the biological mechanisms at work. This review provides an overview of currently established biomarkers in PC, as well as a selection of the most promising biomarkers within these particular fields of development.
Diabetes Mellitus, a New Risk Factor for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Asadian Leila , Haddadi Kaveh , Aarabi Mohsen , Zare Amirhossein
Published: May 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with spinal stenosis and lumbar vertebral disk degeneration, and the correlation of diabetes with these diseases.

Study Design

This is a cross-sectional study.

Methods

This case–control study was performed during 2012–2014 with 110 patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis and 110 patients with lumbar disk herniation, who were diagnosed using clinical and radiological evidences. Additionally, 110 participants who were referred to the clinic and did not show clinical signs of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine entered the study as a control group. Demographic data and medical histories of the patients were collected using checklists.

Results

A total of 50 patients (15.2%) were diagnosed with diabetes, which comprised 32 (29.1%) in the stenosis group, 7 (6.4%) in the lumbar disk herniation group, and 11 (10%) in the control group. The prevalence of diabetes in women with spinal stenosis and women with lumbar disk herniation was 35.9% and 10.3%, respectively, whereas prevalence of diabetes in women was 10.9% in the control group. This difference was statistically significant in the spinal stenosis group in comparison with the controls ( P < 0.0001). Conversely, no significant difference was found in men.

Conclusions

There is an association between diabetes and lumbar spinal stenosis. Diabetes mellitus may be a predisposing factor for the development of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Role of Nuclear Receptors in Central Nervous System Development and Associated Diseases
Authors: Ana Maria Ana , Oscar Andréas Moreno-Ramos , Haider Neena B.
Published: May 2016

The nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) superfamily is composed of a wide range of receptors involved in a myriad of important biological processes, including development, growth, metabolism, and maintenance. Regulation of such wide variety of functions requires a complex system of gene regulation that includes interaction with transcription factors, chromatin-modifying complex, and the proper recognition of ligands. NHRs are able to coordinate the expression of genes in numerous pathways simultaneously. This review focuses on the role of nuclear receptors in the central nervous system and, in particular, their role in regulating the proper development and function of the brain and the eye. In addition, the review highlights the impact of mutations in NHRs on a spectrum of human diseases from autism to retinal degeneration.
A Values Affirmation Intervention to Improve Female Residents' Surgical Performance
Authors: Salles Arghavan , Mueller Claudia M. , Cohen Geoffrey L.
Published: May 2016

Female residents in surgical training may face stereotype threat. The awareness of negative stereotypes about surgical ability based on gender may heighten stress and thus reduce performance.Background

 The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a brief stress-reducing writing exercise, known as a values affirmation, to mitigate the negative effects of stereotype threat on the performance of female surgical residents.Objective

 This is a randomized, controlled trial in which 167 residents were invited to participate. A total of 45 resident volunteers, including 18 women, were randomized to the affirmation condition or the no-affirmation condition. We administered a values affirmation intervention and measured clinical evaluations data both prior to and 6 months after the intervention.Methods

 Women benefited from the affirmation. Women who had participated in the affirmation exercise earned higher clinical evaluation scores than those in the control condition (B = 0.34, P < .05). For men, performance did not differ by affirmation condition (B = –0.20, P = .35).Results

 Our findings suggest a benefit of values affirmation for women in surgical training, as measured by performance on clinical evaluations. This suggests that a brief psychological intervention may improve on-the-job performance for women in surgery, an underrepresented group.Conclusions
Arte contemporânea: do que se trata? Notas feitas através da leitura do livro “The contingente object of contemporary art” de Martha Buskirk
Authors: Mathias Pérola
Published: May 2016

O que designa exatamente aquilo que chamamos de “arte contemporânea” nos dias atuais? Essa expressão é um rótulo estético, um estilo, um gênero, um período histórico ou o quê? A respeito de certos artistas argumentarem que faz arte contemporânea aquele que produz arte no seu tempo presente, este texto busca deslindar a complexidade de questões sobre este “paradigma” artístico através da leitura do livro The contingent object of contemporary art de Martha Buskirk. A autora, além da problematização sobre a contingência do objeto, traz questões acerca da autoria, originalidade e inserção dos novos modos de produção e fruição no mundo da arte. Palavras-chave: arte contemporânea, autoria, obra de arte
A Monumentalidade na democratização do espaço e da cultura
Authors: Alves Inês
Published: May 2016

O artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre monumentalidade no instaurar do poder político e religioso, e sua reconversão com uma sociedade democrática. São analisadas 3+1 tipologias de espaço expositivo cultural: o palácio ou a igreja, contentores de grandes obras de arte clássicas, no miolo dos centros históricos; as galerias de arte associadas a uma economia mercantil, com dinamização de uma zona do centro da cidade e ainda, a autonomização do objeto arquitetônico na proximidade da cidade tradicional. Por último é referido o estudo de caso – Silo Espaço Cultural – no interior do NorteShopping, porém disposto numa estrutura periférica a este, que se vem distinguir por uma aparente proximidade a público múltiplo. Palavras-chave: Democratização, espaço público, monumentalidade
Potências de Agir Implicadas na Arte Interativa
Authors: Oliveira Andreia Machado
Published: May 2016

Ao apontar a relevância de se problematizar alguns aspectos da Arte Interativa a partir da abordagem dos conceitos potência de agir e afecção, trazidos pelo filósofo Spinoza, visa-se pensar as possibilidades de instigação de outros modos de subjetivação na contemporaneidade. A arte interativa vem dar continuidade às questões experimentais que unem arte e vida, utilizando a interação como meio de investigação. Percebe-se nela um potencial de explicitar as afecções que nossos corpos sofrem e os afectos que os mesmos produzem. Portanto, problematiza-se sobre processos de interatividade, com suas implicações ético-estéticas, na Arte Interativa.Palavras-chave: Arte Interativa, potências de agir, afecções
Imagens e sonoridades da formação: concepções de arte e seu ensino na perspectiva de licenciandos em Artes
Authors: Fonseca da Silva Maria Cristina Da Rosa , Shambeck Regina Finck
Published: May 2016

O artigo tem por objetivo revelar as concepções de arte e seu ensino na perspectiva de licenciandos em Artes Visuais e Música.  Esses alunos selecionaram imagens e sonoridades a partir da pergunta: “Como se constrói um professor de Artes?” O referencial teórico sócio-histórico foi utilizado para auxiliar nas análises de depoimentos, relatórios de estágio e nas postagens escritas no ambiente virtual. Esse material reflete um processo de amadurecimento dos licenciandos na construção do desejo pela docência e a compreensão do universo educacional que permeia a escola contemporânea. Palavras-chave: Formação docente, Artes Visuais, Música
Novas Configurações do Ofício Artesanal no México: ser artesão-artista
Authors: Freitag Vanessa
Published: May 2016

O presente trabalho é parte de um projeto de pesquisa de caráter etnográfico que busca analisar o trabalho criativo de artesãos-artistas mexicanos. O objetivo é pensar sobre algumas novas configurações que vêm tomando o ofício artesanal nesse contexto e de modo mais específico sobre a inserção de artesãos no circuito da arte. Participações em concursos artesanais, feiras, exposições em galerias e museus são alguns desses novos cenários para difundir e reconhecer o trabalho dos artesãos-artistas.  Palavras-chave: arte, artesanato, artesãos-artistas
A morte da biblioteca? O lugar do livro e do leitor na era da dispersão
Authors: Furtado Joaci Pereira
Published: May 2016

Com a imaterialidade do livro, qual o lugar dele na sociedade contemporânea? A biblioteca, como repositório de livros, faz sentido quando a palavra escrita se tornou ubíqua e virtualmente passível de ser lida em qualquer ponto do planeta? Se o livro existe como tal somente quando é lido, que significado tem a leitura hoje?Palavras-chave: Leitura, biblioteca, livro
A proposal for a new system of classification for hotels based on information taken from a multi-sponsor loyalty program
Authors: Martin Santana Josefa D. , Reinares Lara Eva , Reinares Lara Pedro
Published: May 2016

This work aims to provide an innovative classification of hotels based on guests´ assessments of the attributes that influence the choice of a particular hotel. To this end, information provided by a multi-sponsor loyalty program will be used due to the large number of hotel chains associated with these kinds of programs and their ability to collect and process information from their users more effectively than conventional research procedures. In this paper, we have conducted an exploratory qualitative study using six focus groups each with a sample of 60 people and a self-administered questionnaire applied to a sample of 73,698 users of a loyalty program who have redeemed points at a hotel. This proposal for a new system of classification highlights the disparity between supply and demand in the way hospitality services are promoted in the Spanish market, as well as hotel classification to be optimised according to those features that really make an offer stand out from the perspective of the customer. This contribution will allow types of establishment in each of the new categories proposed in this paper to be precisely matched to customer profiles. In addition to providing an instrument through which the client can identify establishments more in line with their preferences.
The moderator effect of training in the adoption of ICT in microenterprises
Authors:   Department of Business Organization. Social Science School. C/ Tajo S/N, 28670, Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid). manuel.platero@uem.es, Platero Jaime Manuel , Benito Hernández Sonia ,   Department of Economy, Statistics and Business Economics. School of Agricultural Engineering. Campus de Moncloa, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid. sonia.benito@upm.es, Rodríguez Duarte Antonio ,   Department of Business Organization. Business and Economics School. Campus de Somosaguas s/n, 28223, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid). duarte@ccee.ucm.es
Published: May 2016

This research aims to study two determinant factors of the ICT adoption and use in the Spanish micro-enterprise’s framework. Furthermore, this article analyses the combined influence of the age and the training experience of the entrepreneur according to the use of ICT in the company. Previous research has considered that the age of the entrepreneur has a negative effect while the level of education of the entrepreneur always have a positive effect in the use of ICT. However, any previous research has found the analysis of the combined effects of both variables together: the age and training, since the combined effects may be different from the effects of each variable separately. On this basis it has analysed a sample of 148 Spanish firms with fewer than 10 employees. The survey results seem to conclude that the specific training of entrepreneurs on issues related to ICT, (rather than the overall level of their training), moderates the negative effect caused by the increasing age the employer in the use of ICT.
Tourist routes linked to fiction series. Analysis routes Doctor Mateo and Gran Reserva
Authors:   Facultad de CC Empresariales y Turismo, Campus Las Lagunas, 32004, Ourense (España). naraujo@uvigo.es, Araújo Vila Noelia , Fraiz Brea José Antonio ,   Facultad de CC Empresariales y Turismo, Campus Las Lagunas, 32004, Ourense (España). jafraiz@uvigo.es
Published: May 2016

In today’s tourism market, consumers seek differentiated tourism products, hence the offer must adapt by offering alternatives to mass tourism. Examples are tourist routes, which create a route based on a subject or resource. Hence many of them currently exist: economic, dining, wine tourism..., or even some lesser known like linked to films or series. In the case of the series they are still very few studies conducted so that it is facing a new field of research. In order to deepen this subject, this paper analyzes two tourist routes linked to two series known in the Spanish panorama: Doctor Mateo and Gran Reserva. After surveying 143 individuals who have made some of these routes, we seek to know their level of satisfaction and influence of sociodemographic variables in the valuation of a tourist route of this type, seeking positive or negative aspects that set an example for other destinations in the series that have been recorded and want to exploit the tourism potential that entails. Both routes get positive feedback, especially Gran Reserva, and areas for improvement as could be signalling. It concludes with including a destination in a high impact series and creating a tourist route is a good way to start a destination promotion, promotion should be complemented by other strategies.