bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
San Martín, C., Correction: Latest Insights on Adenovirus Structure and Assembly. Viruses 2012, 4, 847-877.
Authors: Martín Carmen
Published: December 2012

It has come to my attention that my article "Latest Insights on Adenovirus Structure and Assembly" (Viruses 2012, 4, 847-877) [1] contains an inaccurate statement. On page 864, the caption for Figure 7 reads: "There are four potential cleavage sites in pTP but they have not been experimentally verified". However, three of these sites have been experimentally confirmed in vitro using recombinant AVP and pTP, as described in Webster A, Leith I.R., Hay R.T.: Activation of adenovirus-coded protease and processing of preterminal protein. J. Virol. 1994, 68, 7292-7300 [2]. [...]
Sub-10 nm colloidal lithography for circuit-integrated spin-photo-electronic devices
Authors: Iovan Adrian , Fischer Marco , Lo Conte Roberto , Korenivski Vladislav
Published: December 2012

Patterning of materials at sub-10 nm dimensions is at the forefront of nanotechnology and employs techniques of various complexity, efficiency, areal scale, and cost. Colloid-based patterning is known to be capable of producing individual sub-10 nm objects. However, ordered, large-area nano-arrays, fully integrated into photonic or electronic devices have remained a challenging task. In this work, we extend the practice of colloidal lithography to producing large-area sub-10 nm point-contact arrays and demonstrate their circuit integration into spin-photo-electronic devices. The reported nanofabrication method should have broad application areas in nanotechnology as it allows ballistic-injection devices, even for metallic materials with relatively short characteristic relaxation lengths.
LIFE CYCLE PROCESS MODEL OF A MARKET-ORIENTED AND STUDENT CENTERED HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Kaklauskas Artūras , Daniūnas Alfonsas , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Urbonas Vilius , Gudauskas Renaldas , Lill Irene , D‘amato Maurizio , Trinkūnas Vaidotas , Jackutė Ieva
Published: December 2012

There is not a single definition/explanation about market-orientation education. Two opposite definitions/explanations of pure market-oriented education (Cato, 2010) and social-market-oriented education (Amaratunga, 2009) are provided in the paper. Integrated multiple criteria analysis at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels are needed to increase efficiency of the market-oriented higher education reforms. Market-oriented higher education reforms management involves numerous aspects that should be considered in addition to making educational, pedagogical, didactical, economic, political and legal/regulatory decisions. These must include social, culture, ethical, psychological, environmental, technological, technical, organizational and managerial aspects. This article presents a Life Cycle Process Model of a Market-Oriented and Student Centered Higher Education (developed during BELL-CURVE (Built Environment Lifelong Learning Challenging University Responses to Vocational Education) project's activities) for such considerations and discusses certain composite parts of it. To demonstrate the application of this research, two Case Studies from Lithuania are submitted for consideration.
HUMAN NATURE AND THE NATURE ITSELF: NATURAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE HUMAN NATURE / ŽMOGAUS PRIGIMTIS IR NATŪRA KAIP TOKIA: GAMTINIAI IR SOCIALINIAI ŽMOGAUS PRIGIMTIES ASPEKTAI
Authors: Mester Béla
Published: December 2012

This paper offers a historical contribution for understanding of the relationship between nature and culture, based on an analysis of a highly influential text of the European philosophical tradition, About the Ends of Goods and Evils of Cicero. Human morality has three different roots on the Ciceronian pages: 1) a human can be an animal – a part of the live nature – in the concept of oikeiōsis; 2) a human has obligations as a cosmopolitēs, a part of the cosmos; and 3) social obligations rooted in human rationality, in other words – human being is a part of the society. Analyzing these three roots of the Stoic ethics in a Roman interpretation, we can understand their contradictory consequences. By the analysis of the relevant texts it will be demonstrated that the Stoic philosophers and their interpreters were unconscious of the ambiguity of the roots of human morality offered by them. A tension in our anthropological thinking about the human nature as a natural or a social phenomenon has its roots partly in this ancient ambiguity, hidden and unconscious. The rise of this conceptually confused ambiguity has several consequences in our today thought as well.

Santrauka

Šiame straipsnyje pateiktas istorinis indėlis suprasti gamtos ir kultūros santykį, pagrįstą labai įtakingo europietiškosios filosofinės tradicijos Cicerono teksto Apie gėrio ir blogio ribas analize. Žmogiškoji moralė Cicerono puslapiuose turi tris skirtingas šaknis: 1) oikeiōsis sampratoje žmogus gali būti gyvūnas – gyvosios gamtos dalis; 2) žmogus kaip cosmopolitēs, kaip kosmo dalis, turi įsipareigojimų; 3) socialiniai įsipareigojimai yra įšaknyti žmogiškajame racionalume, kitais žodžiais tariant, žmogiškoji būtybė yra visuomenės dalis. Analizuodami šias tris stoikų etikos šaknis romėniškojoje interpretacijoje, galime suprasti prieštaringas jų pasekmes. Remdamiesi svarbių tekstų analize parodysime, kad stoikų filosofai ir jų interpretatoriai nesuvokė savo pasiūlytosios žmogiškosios moralės šaknų dviprasmiškumo. Mūsų antropologinio mąstymo apie žmogaus prigimtį kaip gamtinį ar socialinį fenomeną įtampa turi savąsias šaknis iš dalies šiame paslėptame ir nesuvoktame antikiniame dviprasmiškume. Šio konceptualiai painaus dviprasmiškumo iškilimas turi tam tikrų pasekmių taip pat ir mūsų nūdienėje mintyje.
THE EMERGENCE AND DECLINE OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN BALTIC BORDERLANDS / ETNINIŲ MAŽUMŲ IŠKILIMAS IR IŠNYKIMAS BALTIŠKUOSIUOSE PARIBIUOSE
Authors: Lundén Thomas U.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of the paper is to discuss the emergence and decline of national and / or ethnic minorities in the borderlands around the Baltic Sea. The socio-political development of ethnic groups is seen as a result of different influencing factors: The territorial history, the change of state borders and population groups plus relations beyond the state territory. Several criteria were found to determine the development, non-development or decay of national allegiance. The change, establishment or eradication of state boundaries, the ethnic cleansing of areas, mostly for the sake of “nation-state” homogeneity, the assimilation of a potential ethnic group into the majority population, and the non-emergence of a national movement. Santrauka Straipsnio tikslas – aptarti tautinių ir (arba) etninių mažumų Baltijos jūros paribiuose iškilimą ir išnykimą. Sociopolitinė etninių grupių raida suprantama kaip skirtingų įtakos turinčių veiksnių rezultatas: teritorinė istorija, valstybės sienų kaita ir populiacijos grupės, taip pat santykiai už valstybės teritorijos. Buvo pasirinkti skirtingi kriterijai tautinės ištikimybės raidai, ne-raidai ar jos žlugimui apibrėžti. Valstybės sienų permaina, įsteigimas ar sunaikinimas, etninis plotų valymas daugiausia dėl „tautos-valstybės“ homogeniškumo, potencialios etninės grupės asimiliavimasis į didžiąją populiaciją ir tautinio judėjimo neiškilimas.
L'innovation dans les services comme un pilier de l'économie fondée sur la connaissance
Authors: Cherchem Mohamed
Published: December 2012

D’après la littérature qui existe sur l’économie de la connaissance, le contenu du concept E.F.C est abordé à travers différents thèmes en distinguant : connaissance et information, la coopération et la coordination des acteurs publics et privés, économie de la connaissance et ressources humaines, la place des TIC dans l’économie de la connaissance et l’innovation dans les services. L’innovation et l’économie fondées sur la connaissance sont au centre de beaucoup de débats sur la compétitivité des entreprises, notamment des services. Ce papier porte sur l’innovation dans les services financiers et L’EFC. L’objectif de ce travail est d’articuler ces deux problématiques en s’intéressant à la question de l’innovation dans les services et L’EFC. Une étude empirique nous permet d’évaluer et d’estimer la perception des responsables des banques et des assurances publiques algériennes envers le concept de L’EFC et l’innovation ainsi que l’attitude des responsables envers les nouveaux produits et services et L’EFC. Cet article travaille à apporter un éclairage sur cette problématique.
Complémentarité ou adversité des stratégies d'innovation et d'imitation dans le secteur agroalimentaire français ?
Authors: Benyahia-Taibi Ghalia
Published: December 2012

Cet article tente de dévoiler l’existence des pratiques d’imitation dans le secteur agroalimentaire français et l’importance de ces stratégies dans le développement du secteur. L’investigation sur le terrain est de type qualitatif avec une étude documentaire basée sur la revue LSA (Libre-Service Actualités). Les résultats obtenus indiquent que l’imitation est une bonne stratégie permettant de répondre aux exigences des marchés agroalimentaires. Mots- clés : stratégie d’imitation, innovation, secteur agroalimentaire français.
Aproximación a la correlación marino-continental del Plioceno inferior en el Sur de España. El yacimiento de micromamíferos de Alhaurín el Grande-1 (Cuenca de Málaga, Cordillera Bética, España)
Authors: Guerra-Merchán A. , Serrano F. , Ruiz Bustos A. , Garcés M. , Insua-Arévalo J. M. , García-Aguilar J. M.
Published: December 2012

Un nuevo yacimiento de micromamíferos en Alhaurín el Grande (Málaga, Sur de España) situado sobre depósitos marinos del Plioceno inferior permite una aproximación a la correlación marino-continental para esa época. El relleno sedimentario marino del Plioceno inferior en el conjunto de la cuenca de Málaga comprende tres secuencias transgresivas-regresivas (unidades Pl-1, Pl-2 y Pl-3) limitadas por discordancias. A techo de la secuencia intermedia Pl-2, sedimentos turbosos han liberado restos de Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Insectivora y Crocodylia. La presencia de Cricetus barrieri Mein & Michaux, 1970 en asociación con dos múridos, uno con morfología primitiva (Apodemus gudrunae Van de Weerd, 1976) y otros más evolucionados próximo a Occitanomys brailloni Michaux, 1969 y Stephanomys donnezani cordii Ruiz Bustos, 1986, permiten inferir una edad Rusciniense inferior (biozona MN14). En función de los foraminíferos planctónicos, los datos bioestratigráficos indican que los sedimentos marinos justo por debajo del nivel de micromamíferos pertenecen a la biozona MPL-2 del Zancliense inferior. Los datos paleomagnéticos disponibles muestran que el nivel de micromamíferos se localiza entre el subcron geomagnético normal C3n3n (4.89-4.80 Ma) y el subcron C3n2n (4.63-4.49 Ma), limitando la edad del yacimiento a la parte superior del Zancliense inferior.
Métamorphoses de l’idée d’empire à la Renaissance
Authors: Ménissier Thierry
Published: December 2012

Époque de transition, la Renaissance
connaît une série d’évolutions de l’idée politique d’empire (héritée
du Moyen Âge) vers la réalité moderne d’un vaste marché coordonnant
progressivement les économies nationales particulières et leurs
réseaux d’influence. Ces évolutions permettent-elles d’évoquer la mise
en place d’une « version économique de l’empire » ? Peut-on regarder
ce qui se joue à la Renaissance, saisie à travers ses relations
géopolitiques, comme la préfiguration de la globalisation ? L’article
examine ces questions à partir de plusieurs hypothèses et défend la
thèse que l’idée d’empire subit à cette époque des « métamorphoses »,
c’est-à-dire des évolutions qui en modifient le concept, notamment en
ce qui concerne le rapport entre domination et territorialité.
Gattinara et la « monarchie impériale » de Charles Quint. Entre millénarisme, translatio imperii et droits du Saint-Empire
Authors: d’Amico Juan Carlos
Published: December 2012

Spreading the universal monarchy
myth in the early 16th century was closely linked to the
magnitude of the territories controlled by Charles V. For the imperial
chancellor Mercurino Gattinara, universal and messianic ideas, which
were integrated into the symbolism of the Empire, were to legitimate a
policy that aimed at giving a more rational structure to Charles’
territories and at securing a prominent influence for the Habsburg
family in the whole of Europe. Gattinara imagined a kind of
supranational monarchy, organised in accordance with the mythical
model of the Roman Empire, which would be able to guarantee peace
under the aegis of Christianity.
L’inventio de la Nouvelle Espagne. Rhétorique et domination territoriale du Nouveau Monde
Authors: Ceceña Alvarez René
Published: December 2012

Ce texte propose une analyse des mécanismes
argumentatifs mis en œuvre dans les lettres que Hernán Cortés,
conquistador du Mexique, a adressées à Charles V (Cartas de Relación) pour légitimer sa conquête du
territoire qui deviendra la Nouvelle Espagne et, par ce biais, le
Nouveau Monde. Il s’agit en particulier de montrer l’emploi du concept
rhétorique d’inventio dans le passage d’une
appropriation conceptuelle du « Nouveau Monde » (par l’élaboration de
ce concept) à sa domination territoriale (la fondation de Veracruz et
la création de la Nouvelle Espagne).
Le jeu des échelles. Le pouvoir et son inscription spatiale dans les cartographies et les descriptions du Saint-Empire et de ses territoires au XVIe siècle
Authors: Chassagnette Axelle
Published: December 2012

Au XVIe siècle, le Saint Empire romain de
nation allemande constitue un ensemble politique complexe, caractérisé
par un système à plusieurs niveaux de représentation politique et par
l’existence de multiples États placés sous l’autorité impériale.
L’étude des cartes et des descriptions géographiques de l’espace
germanique produites à cette période met au jour la compréhension
qu’avaient les contemporains des formes de souveraineté existant dans
l’Empire et ses territoires. Elle montre notamment que le pouvoir
impérial, à la différence des pouvoirs territoriaux, n’était pas conçu
au premier chef comme une forme d’autorité s’exerçant sur un espace,
mais comme une entité juridique et institutionnelle chargée d’assurer
le fonctionnement politique et l’unité de l’Empire.
Les États pontificaux face à Philippe II, marge ou centre alternatif de la Monarchie catholique ? Retour sur les fondements juridiques, politiques et pragmatiques d’un empire conjoncturel
Authors: Jeanne Boris
Published: December 2012

The Catholic Monarchy is the
short-lived dynastic union (1580-1640) between the kingdoms of Spain
and Portugal. By returning on the legal, political and pragmatic
foundations of this empire which cannot be called Empire (because this
name belongs to the Holy Roman Empire of the cousins of Vienna), the
article tries to seize better the internal functioning of this
heterogeneous political set, by adopting two points of view: that of
America (how the notion of Catholic Monarchy is understood in the
reynos, far from Madrid and Lisbon) and that of Rome (how Holy See
reaches - or not - to exist in the heart of this space). It emerges
from it that the pope and the Catholic King are natural allies (around
the Roman Christianity) but not objectives (their purposes do not
match), and that Rome and Mexico as well picture themselves not as
margins of the Catholic Monarchy, but as real centers.
Spinoza et le passé de la philosophie : un passé sans histoire ?
Authors: Danino Philippe
Published: December 2012

Spinoza’s relation to history is
considered here as relation to the history of philosophy. The matter
is not to research sources or influences of the doctrine, but to
analyse the singular way that Spinoza as a
philosopher recalls philosophy’s past. Can one legitimately call
“historical” the use he makes of this past? Do evocation, correction
or refutation reveal, in Spnoza’s writing, a form of historicity of
philosophy? The idea put forward here is the following: the successive
examining of philosophers, words, and of the motivations at work
behind the writing of the Principia reveals,
despite the appearances, no genuine history, but a variety of
discursive strategies (drawing lines, narrating, constituting) meant
to establish the elements of a “true” philosophy, and thereby to
situate oneself through distanciation and the promotion of a singular
thought.
Medicaid
Authors: Perez Enrique M.
Published: December 2012

In the United States, Medicaid is the primary social safety net that provides health care for the poor and other vulnerable populations. Interest group theory and federalism, state level sovereignty, are used to create a theoretical model that proposes factors, other than increasing health care cost, as growth determinants of Medicaid expenditure and enrollments. For over three decades driven by federalism state-level discretionary Medicaid waiver programs have been creating new and unsustainable entitlements. The role of Medicaid waivers is poorly understood and in need of scholarly attention. Due to a lack of federal oversight and other social and political factors, some of which will be discussed in this paper, it appears that discretionary Medicaid waiver programs put in place as a solution are contributing to the overall structural issues of Medicaid. The paper concludes with suggestions on needed research and some potential policy recommendations.
Why a Partner Ecosystem Results in Superior Value
Authors: Antero Michelle C. , Bjørn-Andersen Niels
Published: December 2012

The paper carries out a historical analysis of business conducted over 25 years by two enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendors in Denmark-Maconomy and Navision-each employing its own business model. Maconomy adopted a business model where the company itself would develop, sell, and implement ERP packages directly to its customers; whereas, Navision adopted a business model which relied on an ecosystem of partners consisting of value added resellers (VAR) and independent software vendors (ISV). Using the Resource Based View (RBV), the paper compared and contrasted the capabilities and resources of the two companies. The key finding is that Navision provided superior customer value and, consequently, collected superior rent, as shown by its selling price of as much as 16 times the selling price of Maconomy. The analysis shows that the main reason for this huge difference is the value of Navision’s ecosystem, which had enabled the company to achieve substantial economies of scale. This finding has implications far beyond the ERP field. The results of the study point to this direction: Technology will lead to more intermediation and the inclusion of more economic units in the traditional value chain or value network due to lower transaction costs and increased focus on core competences.
Motivations and Results for CRM Adoption in Large Companies in Portugal
Authors: Cruz-Cunha Maria Manuela , Varajão João , Santana Daniela
Published: December 2012

There are several motivations for CRM systems adoption, some of them aligned with the results of CRM implementation. This paper presents the main findings of a study undertaken among a sample of Portuguese large enterprises, identifying and discussing the main motivations and results of the adoption of CRM systems. It was possible to conclude that the main results of CRM adoption reflect the main motivations as, for instance, improvement of quality of information or process improvement. The findings of this study allow the academic and professional community to better understand the main motivations of large companies for adopting CRM systems, as well as their obtained results, and also allow CRM systems vendors and consultants to better address the needs of their potential clients.
Training of Family Planning Counselors in Jordan
Authors: Abdel Jabbar Sinaria Kamil
Published: December 2012

This paper briefly describes the development and status of family planning (FP) services, including counseling, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It also reports extensively on a FP counseling training course organized by the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection (JAFPP) which is a local NGO. A field survey approach, with qualitative and quantitative dimensions, was adopted. Questionnaires were used to solicit information about the trainees’ backgrounds, the course material, the methods and techniques of presentation employed by the trainers, and the benefits derived from the course. The findings provide statistical results which shed more light on FP in Jordan, and lay the foundation for specific measures for improvement which the author recommends at the end of the paper.
A Study of the Effects of Competitive Team-Based Learning and Structured Academic Controversy on the Language Proficiency of Iranian EFL College Seniors
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mohammad Hassan
Published: December 2012

This paper presents reports on an experimental study which intended to look into and compare the possible effects of this researcher’s instructional innovation, Competitive Team-Based Learning (CTBL), with Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) – the most popular method of Cooperative Learning (CL) -- on language proficiency of Iranian EFL college students. This goal, the intention to compare the effects of the select teaching methods on the dependent variable of the study, was addressed with respect to different-level achievers (i.e., low, average, and high achievers) of the target group in the field study, in Iran. Out of a total population of 68, forty EFL senior college students at Bojnord Azad University, in Iran, were selected to serve the study, after conducting a test of English language proficiency. The subjects were randomly put into control and experimental groups. While the control group were taught through SAC, the experimental group experienced learning the English language through CTBL. The results are explored further in the article and the author discusses the probable causes for the results of the study, sheds light on the pedagogical implications, and suggests recommendations for further research.
Facilitating the Merger of Multinational Companies
Authors: Wang William Y. C. , Pauleen David J. , Chan Hing Kai
Published: December 2012

This paper reports on case research investigating the challenges presented by a newly formed supply chain after a merger and acquisition (M&A) and the subsequent solution – the enactment of a global virtual enterprise (GVE). Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) is used as a lens to view and understand the transformational effects that occurred after the merger and the adoption of the GVE. A case study approach was adopted with empirical data collected from corporate web sites, direct participation in the project, and in-depth interviews with the two merged multinational supply networks set in Asia (the sub-ordinates are based in China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) and North America (sites in Canada and the U.S.). The major problems encountered in the M&A process in the supply chain included incompatible product codes, redundant business processes, no unified ERP platforms, conflict of interests of supply chain entities, etc. The findings show the GVE approach improved the efficiency and effectiveness of this global acquisition through the re-alignment of organizational structures and personnel. Implications for practice and the further application of AST to the study of global supply chains and M&A are raised.
Are Mobile Spreadsheet Applications Usable?
Authors: Flood Derek , Harrison Rachel , Iacob Claudia , Nosseir Ann , McDaid Kevin
Published: December 2012

Many businesses are heavily reliant on data and many people working in business like to have almost constant access to this data. Mobile phones provide users with access to a wide range of office applications, including word processors, email applications, and spreadsheet applications. However the limitations of the mobile devices can cause a number of usability issues which may limit the productivity of users of these devices. This paper presents the authors’ investigation of the usability of mobile spreadsheet applications. Through a controlled study they examined the performance of users using a mobile spreadsheet application to perform a series of simple tasks, such as finding data and altering values in the spreadsheet. The authors found that although mobile spreadsheet applications can be effective, they are highly inefficient due to a large number of usability issues.
Successful Colonoscopic Approach in Aa Child with Intussusception Associated with Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 Infection
Authors: Hagiwara Shin-ichiro , Tobayama Hisako , Kagimoto Seiichi
Published: December 2012

The pathogenesis of intussusception caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 infection is unknown. In our case, colonoscopy was useful for confirming O157 infection. The intussusception was caused by focally damaged edematous mucosa in the cecum. This case helped in elucidating the pathogenesis of the disease.
Proof of concept for gas hydrate production using the depressurization technique, as established by the JOGMEC/NRCan/Aurora Mallik 2007-2008 Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program
Authors: Dallimore S R , Wright J F , Yamamoto K , Bellefleur G
Published: December 2012

Scientific and engineering studies advanced through the JOGMEC/NRCan/Aurora Mallik 2007-2008 Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program have successfully established proof of concept that sustained gas production can be achieved by simple depressurization of a
gas hydrate reservoir using conventional oil-and-gas drilling, completion, and production methods. This paper reviews the scientific findings that substantiate this claim. These include 1) establishment of a petroleum-system model for the emplacement of a gas hydrate field by migration along
vertical faults of thermogenic methane sourced from deeper sedimentary strata, with subsequent trapping as gas hydrate within a regionally extensive structural anticline; 2) quantification of the detailed physical properties (geological, geophysical, geomechanical) of gas hydrate reservoir sands and
enclosing sediments; 3) construction and safe operation of a production well using conventional oilfield drilling and completion technologies; and 4) 6 days of continuous gas production by reservoir depressurization, with sustained gas- and water-flow rates averaging about 2000 and 10 m3/d
respectively, and peak gas-flow rates in the range of 3500-4000 m3/d . Modestly increasing trends in the gas rate were apparent throughout the stage 2 and stage 3 production periods.
Numerical reservoir simulations of the observed short-term gas- and water-production rates at Mallik have been undertaken with some success. We conclude, however, that before field-scale production can be realized there is a need for an improved understanding of the long-term production responses of
the Mallik reservoir, which might reasonably be achieved through a future production test of between 6 and 12 months duration.
Validation de principe liée à la production d'hydrates de gaz au moyen de la technique de dépressurisation, telle que démontrée dans le cadre du Programme de puits de recherche sur la production d'hydrates de gaz JOGMEC/NRCan/Aurora Mallik
2007-2008
Authors: Dallimore S R , Wright J F , Yamamoto K , Bellefleur G
Published: December 2012

Scientific and technical studies conducted under the 2007-2008 JOGMEC/NRCan/Aurora Mallik Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program have successfully demonstrated proof-of-principle that sustained gas production is achievable by simply depressurizing a gas
hydrate reservoir using the same drilling, completion and production methods used for conventional oil and gas resources. This paper reviews the results that prove the validity of this claim. The results in question consist of 1) the establishment of a petroleum system model representing the
development of a gas hydrate field through the migration of thermogenic methane from deeper sedimentary strata along vertical faults and the subsequent trapping of gas hydrates within a large regional anticlinal structure; 2) determining the significance of the specific physical properties
(geological, geophysical and geomechanical) of the sands and sediments surrounding the gas hydrate reservoir; 3) the construction and safe operation of a producing well using drilling and completion technologies used in conventional oil fields; and 4) the use of reservoir depressurization to produce
gas continuously for six days, with average gas and water flow rates of approximately 2000 and 10 m3/d, respectively, and peak flows of up to 3500-4000 m3/d. Modest upward trends in gas flow were observed during the Stage 2 and Stage 3 production periods.
Numerical reservoir simulations of the short-term gas and water production rates achieved at the Mallik site were modestly successful. In conclusion, it appears that prior to commencing full-scale operations, there is a need to improve the state of knowledge regarding the impact of long-term
production on the Mallik reservoir, which could be achieved through a 6 to 12 month production trial.
Electric submersible pump as an effective artificial lift method to control bottom-hole pressure in a producing gas hydrate well, JOGMEC/NRCan/Aurora Mallik 2007-2008 Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program
Authors: Rojas M , Martin C K , Hernandez-Johnson L , Ashford D I , Wright J F , Yamamoto K , Numasawa M , Dallimore S R , Isted R
E
Published: December 2012

Gas hydrate is a potentially vast, high-energy hydrocarbon resource. It is known to occur in deep water marine sediments along continental margins, and in cold Arctic regions beneath thick permafrost. The challenge in producing methane gas from gas hydrate lies
in controlling the gas hydrate dissociation process through depressurization and/or thermal stimulation (addition of heat). The first sustained production of gas hydrate was achieved at the Mallik site in Canada's Mackenzie Delta over a period of 6.8 days during March 2008, as part of the 2007-2008
JOGMEC/NRCan/Aurora Mallik Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program. In this test, gas hydrate dissociation was initiated by simple depressurization of the gas hydrate reser-voir, using mechanical manipulation of fluid levels within the producing well to maintain bottom-hole pressure and
temperature conditions outside the methane hydrate stability field. This paper addresses the design criteria and equipment selection for the artificial lift component of the 2007-2008 gas hydrate production test. The equipment was specially configured to operate in the very low ambient wellbore
temperatures and potentially abrasive conditions. An electric submersible pump (ESP), pressure and temperature sensors, down-hole induction heater, and a variable speed drive were used to maintain the stable pump-intake pressure and temperature required to sustain the dissociation process. The ESP
down-hole equipment operated as expected and was capable of significant turn-down to produce at relatively low flow rates of 10 to 15 m3/d under a variety of intake pressures. The variable speed drive enabled the maintenance of stable intake pressures throughout the production
test.
Development and field installation of a monitoring system for the JOGMEC/NRCan/ Aurora Mallik 2007-2008 Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program
Authors: Fujii K , Imasato Y , Ikegami T , Fukuhara M , Sugiyama H , Sakiyama N , Suzuki K , Yasuda M , Dallimore S
R
Published: December 2012

Design and construction of long-term gas hydrate production facilities requires assessment of the in situ formation response to production at a field scale. Fundamental properties, such as tem-perature and pressure, are critical for the determination of phase
conditions. Other properties, such as formation resistivity, formation acoustic properties, and fluid mobility, support the inference of forma-tion permeability, porosity, and gas hydrate saturation. An ability to continuously monitor the changes in these properties during the course of a production
test will facilitate tracking of the dissociation front and yield valuable information for engineering design and verification of numerical reservoir simulators. Such a monitoring system was designed, developed, and introduced as a part of the Mallik Gas Hydrate Production Research Well Program,
carried out by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Natural Resources Canada, and Aurora College in the winters of 2007 and 2008 in the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories. Although the deployment of some sensors and the acquisition of some data were limited by various operational
challenges encountered during the field program, considerable experience was gained during all phases of the research program. In particular, the acquisition and interpretation of down-hole temperature profiles and changes in formation electrical potentials during testing provided use-ful insight
into the stimulation-response behaviour of the reservoir, assisted in the understanding of a range of operational conditions, and supported critical decision-making processes at the well site.
Seismic characterization of gas hydrate accumulations in a permafrost environment: lessons learned from Mallik, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Bellefleur G , Riedel M , Huang J , Saeki T , Milkereit B , Ramachandran K , Brent T A
Published: December 2012

Three international research well programs, in 1998, 2002, and 2007-2008, studied the Mallik gas hydrate accumulation in the Mackenzie Delta and identified three distinct gas hydrate intervals in the crest of an anticline structure. The gas hydrate intervals are
up to 40 m thick and have high saturation, sometimes exceeding 80% of pore volume in unconsolidated clastic sediments with porosities ranging from 25 to 40%. Here, we present a summary of the seismic work done to understand the distribution and characteristics of the Mallik gas hydrate.
Results are based on a detailed analysis of the upper two seconds of a 3-D seismic-reflection data set provided to the JAPEX/JNOC/GSC et al. Mallik 5L-38 science program through partnership with the BP-ChevronTexaco-Burlington joint-venture parties. We applied an acoustic-impedance inversion to the
3-D seismic data to determine high-velocity areas associated with the gas hydrate and to help define its spatial extent away from well control. The extent and geometry of the two lower gas hydrate zones show a distribution controlled by local geology. Correlation between the uppermost gas hydrate
zone and the 3-D seismic data could not be established with confidence. We investigated further the heterogeneous distribution of gas hydrate using multivariate, conditional, stochastic simulation of well-logging data. The volume of natural gas estimated from acoustic-impedance inversion and
conditional simulation ranges from 112 x 106 to 4.7 x 109 m3/km2. These estimates are for a small volume of rocks centred on the Mallik wells and demonstrate the complexity of assessing gas hydrate resources from logging and seismic data.
Overview of wireline-logging analysis in the Aurora/JOGMEC/NRCan Mallik 2L-38 gas hydrate production research well
Authors: Fujii T , Noguchi S , Murray D R , Takayama T , Fujii K , Yamamoto K , Dallimore S
R , Al-Jubori A
Published: December 2012

In order to evaluate the productivity of gas hydrate by the depressurization method, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and Natural Resources Canada carried out a full-scale production test in the Mallik field, Mackenzie Delta in April 2007 and March
2008. An extensive wireline-logging program was conducted in 2007 to evaluate physical reservoir properties of gas-hydrate-bearing sediments, to determine production-test and water-injection intervals, to evaluate cement bonding, and to interpret gas hydrate-dissociation behaviour throughout the
production test.
New open-hole wireline-logging tools, such as the Magnetic Resonance ScannerTM, True Resistivity ScannerTM, Sonic ScannerTM, and other advanced logging tools, such as Elemental Capture SpectroscopyTM, were deployed to obtain precise data on the occurrence of gas hydrate, lithology, gas hydrate pore
saturation, porosity, and permeability. Perforation interval of the production-test and water-injection zones was determined through a multidisciplinary approach, using geological-petrophysical analysis and interpretation of open-hole logging data, construction of layered reservoir models, quick
reservoir numerical simulations for several perforation scenarios, and operational constraints. A gas-hydrate-bearing formation from 1093 to 1105 m KB was selected for the 2007-2008 production test, and three zones (1224-1230, 1238-1256, and 1270-1274 m KB) were selected for the injection of
produced water.
Cased-hole logging measurements with the Reservoir Saturation ToolTM, Accelerator Porosity SondeTM, and Sonic ScannerTM were also conducted to evaluate physical-property changes of the gas-hydrate-bearing intervals before and after the production test (time-lapse analysis). Analysis of these
cased-hole logging data provided important knowledge about gas hydrate-dissociation behaviour.
Geophysical well-log montage for the Aurora/JOGMEC/NRCan Mallik 2L-38 gas hydrate production research well
Authors: Yang X W , Murray D R , Noguchi S , Fujii T , Fujii K , Yamamoto K , Dallimore S
R
Published: December 2012

In the winters of 2007 and 2008, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Natural Resources Canada, and Aurora Research Institute jointly conducted a full-scale depressurization test on a gas-hydrate-bearing formation in the Aurora/JOGMEC/NRCan Mallik
2L-38 gas hydrate production research well, located in the Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories. In addition to production testing, an extensive wireline-logging program was carried out to evaluate reservoir properties and understand gas hydrate dissociation behaviour throughout the production
test. In the open-hole environment, the logging program included elemental capture spectroscopy, dipole sonic imaging, triaxial induction scanning, magnetic resonance scanning, fullbore formation microimaging, epithermal neutron scanning, and conventional logs such as gamma ray, neutron density, and
laterolog resistivity. In the cased-hole environment, reservoir saturation, epithermal neutron, and sonic scanning data were acquired to evaluate property changes after casing placement, and then again after the production test.
To facilitate the understanding of the above measurements, and their applicability to this scientific program, a composite geophysical well log was created to show the data for the sediments and gas-hydrate-bearing intervals between 880 and 1220 m. Included are numerous reservoir parameters, such as
porosity, gas hydrate saturation, and permeability.
Geomechanical study of the Mallik gas hydrate production field trials
Authors: Uchida S , Soga K , Klar A , Yamamoto K
Published: December 2012

A coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical analysis was conducted to investigate the geomechanical response of the gas-hydrate-bearing sediments at the Mallik site, Northwest Territories, during the gas hydrate production trials in the winters of 2007 and 2008 on the
Aurora/JOGMEC/NRCan Mallik 2L-38 well. The trials were conducted using the depressurization method, which decreases the wellbore pressure to induce gas hydrate dissociation and create a flow gradient into the wellbore. From the results of the simulations, it was found that the depressurization
caused large compressive volumetric deformation due to an increase in the effective stresses. In the perforated layer, depressurization caused the gas hydrate to dissociate preferentially in the radial direction due to anisotropic permeability. This preferential dissociation was enhanced by the
increase in water permeability due to gas hydrate dissociation. As the pore pressure was reduced, the effective stresses in all directions (i.e. vertical, radial, and circumferential) increased, but the increase in the vertical stress was more than that of the other two stresses, which resulted in
an increase in shear mobilization. In the nonperforated layers adjacent to the perforated layer, the soil moved towards the wellbore as a result of the soil deformation in the perforated layer. This led to an increase in the total radial stress in the nonperforated region. In contrast, the sediments
in the dissociated layer reduced its stiffness and strength, decreasing the total radial stress. This relative stress difference induced shear stress at the interface between the perforated and nonperforated layers.
Gas hydrate production from the Mallik reservoir: numerical history matching and long-term production forecasting
Authors: Uddin M , Wright J F , Dallimore S R , Coombe D
Published: December 2012

The first sustained production of methane from gas hydrate was achieved at the Mallik site over a 6-day period during March 2008, as part of a co-operative research and development effort by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and the Geological
Survey of Canada, a part of Natural Resources Canada. Basic operational parameters, such as gas/water flow rates and bottom-hole flowing pressure and temperature, were continuously recorded throughout the production period. These data have enabled subsequent history matching, interpretation, and
long-term production forecasting of the Aurora/JOGMEC/NRCan Mallik 2L-38 test well. In this work, a numerical history matching of the Mallik 2L-38 field test is conducted utilizing a single-well radial model with appropriate gridding choices. Importantly, our investigation reveals that the
assumption of conventional gas-flow behaviour in a producing gas hydrate reservoir is inadequate for explaining the pattern of gas production observed during the Mallik test. A new gas-evolution model with characteristics similar to gas exsolution via depressurization of heavy oil is applied to
successfully history match the Mallik production data.
Utilizing our base-case history match, we assess the effects and relative importance of reservoir heterogeneity, thermal conductivity, salinity, and permeability. The effect of reservoir extent (radial boundary distance) on long-term gas production is also explored. Overall, long-term gas hydrate
production from the Mallik reservoir appears feasible, assuming sufficient internal continuity of the deposit, such that effective limits to production will depend on the location of the effective outer boundary of the resource.
Formal definition of the Neoproterozoic Mackenzie Mountains Supergroup (Northwest Territories), and formal stratigraphic nomenclature for terrigenous clastic units of the Katherine Group
Authors: Long D G F , Turner E C
Published: December 2012

The Mackenzie Mountains Supergroup in NWT is formalised in this and a companion paper. The supergroup includes carbonate rocks of the Tabasco Formation, mudstones, sandstones and minor carbonate rocks of the Tsezotene Formation, sandstones, mudstones and
carbonate rocks of the Katherine Group (formalised), and carbonate rocks, evaporite rocks and mudstones of the Little Dal Group. Descriptions and type sections are provided for seven new formations in the Katherine Group (Eduni, Tawu, Grafe River, Etagochile, Shattered Range, McClure, and Abraham
Plains formations).
Genetic Variation of North American Triatomines (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae): Initial Divergence between Species and Populations of Chagas Disease Vector
Authors: Espinoza Bertha , Martínez-Ibarra Jose Alejandro , Villalobos Guiehdani , De La Torre Patricia , Laclette Juan Pedro , Martínez-Hernández Fernando
Published: December 2012

The triatomines vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi are principal factors in acquiring Chagas disease. For this reason, increased knowledge of domestic transmission of T. cruzi and control of its insect vectors is necessary. To contribute to genetic knowledge of North America Triatominae species, we studied genetic variations and conducted phylogenetic analysis of different triatomines species of epidemiologic importance. Our analysis showed high genetic variations between different geographic populations of Triatoma mexicana, Meccus longipennis, M. mazzottii, M. picturatus, and T. dimidiata species, suggested initial divergence, hybridation, or classifications problems. In contrast, T. gerstaeckeri, T. bolivari, and M. pallidipennis populations showed few genetics variations. Analysis using cytochrome B and internal transcribed spacer 2 gene sequences indicated that T. bolivari is closely related to the Rubrofasciata complex and not to T. dimidiata. Triatoma brailovskyi and T. gerstaeckeri showed a close relationship with Dimidiata and Phyllosoma complexes.
Looking for Tropheryma whipplei Source and Reservoir in Rural Senegal
Authors: Keita Alpha Kabinet , Mediannikov Oleg , Ratmanov Pavel , Diatta Georges , Bassene Hubert , Roucher Clémentine , Tall Adama , Sokhna Cheikh , Trape Jean-François , Raoult Didier , Fenollar Florence
Published: December 2012

Tropheryma whipplei, the bacterium linked to Whipple's disease, is involved in acute infections and asymptomatic carriage. In rural Senegal, the prevalence of T. whipplei is generally high but is not homogeneous throughout households in the same village. We studied environmental samples collected in two Senegalese villages and conducted the survey to investigate the difference between households. Overall, the comparison between five households with very high T. whipplei prevalence and three households without any registered cases showed that the only difference was the presence of toilets in the latter (1/5 versus 3/3; P = 0.01423). Among the 1,002 environmental specimens (including domestic and synanthropic animals and dust sampled in households) tested for T. whipplei DNA, only four specimens were slightly positive. Humans are currently the predominant identified reservoir and source of T. whipplei in these populations. Limited access to toilets and exposure to human feces facilitate the fecal-oral transmission of T. whipplei.
Concurrent Criterion Validity of the Safe Driving Behavior Measure: A Predictor of On-Road Driving Outcomes
Authors: Classen Sherrilene , Wang Yanning , Winter Sandra M. , Velozo Craig A. , Lanford Desiree N. , Bédard Michel
Published: December 2012

We determined the concurrent criterion validity of the Safe Driving Behavior Measure (SDBM) for on-road outcomes (passing or failing the on-road test as determined by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist) among older drivers and their family members–caregivers. On the basis of ratings from 168 older drivers and 168 family members–caregivers, we calculated receiver operating characteristic curves. The drivers’ area under the curve (AUC) was .620 (95% confidence interval [CI] = .514–.725, p = .043). The family members–caregivers’ AUC was .726 (95% CI = .622–.829, p ≤ .01). Older drivers’ ratings showed statistically significant yet poor concurrent criterion validity, but family members–caregivers’ ratings showed good concurrent criterion validity for the criterion on-road driving test. Continuing research with a more representative sample is being pursued to confirm the SDBM’s concurrent criterion validity. This screening tool may be useful for generalist practitioners to use in making decisions regarding driving.