bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ROLE OF SOME ECOFRIENDLY BIOPESTICIDES TO CONTROL THE PEST Heliothisarmigera ON TOMATO
Authors: Awasthi Ankita , Avasthi Sangeeta
Published: March 2017

PurposeBotanical pesticides are now emerging as a valuable component of IPM strategies in all crops due to their efficacy to insect pests and safety to their natural enemies. The prime purpose of the study is to check the efficiency of plant extracts against the Heliothis armigera on tomato.MethodologyThe trial test was performed in randomized block design with six treatments and three replications. The infestation was evaluated and subjected to analysis of variance with LSD. Field experiments were performed to check the efficacy of chemical and botanical formulations against fruit borer, Heliothis armigera infesting tomato. The insecticides Steward, Tracer, and Proclaim (Sahito 2013), were applied four times at the interval of 15 days of second, third and fourth spray, respectively.Social ImplicationsPlants derived chemicals act as an environmentally safe alternative to chemical pesticides. Secondary metabolites from plants play a key defensive role against the pests and act as antifeedants, oviposition deterrents, and growth inhibitors. Plant extracts pose less threat to the animals, human, and society.FindingsThe results showed that all three insecticides performed well in reducing the infestation in fruits by the H. armigera however, Proclaim gave best results. It shows 1.22 % of infestation after the 4th spray and 95.72% mortality. Simultaneously three plants extract Nigella sativa, Aristolochia leaf extract, Jatropha curcas (Ratnadass 2012) also applied to check their efficacy against fruit borer. Among these plants extract Nigella sativa extract perform well against H.armigera. After the application of Nigella sativa 4th spray, the percent infestation was 3.83 and 72.99% mortality while Aristolochia leaf extract and Jatropha curcas were comparatively less potent with 48.5% and 62.64% mortality respectively.OriginalityThe study was performed at Zoology Department, A.N.D. College, Kanpur. Data collected through the randomized block design method.
CONTRIBUIÇÃO DOS PROGRAMAS DE COMPRA INSTITUCIONAL (PAA E PNAE) PARA A ESTABILIZAÇÃO DOS PREÇOS AGRÍCOLAS EM MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Salgado Rafael Júnior dos Santos Figueiredo , Teixeira Erly Cardoso , Cunha Wellington Alvim
Published: March 2017

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a contribuição do Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA) e do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) para a estabilização de preços e renda dos agricultores nos mercados de arroz, feijão e milho no estado de Minas Gerais. Para tanto, foi calculado o coeficiente de variação (CV) dos preços, da renda e da quantidade produzida, considerando o período anterior e posterior à implementação dos programas. É feita também a decomposição da variância da receita, objetivando identificar qual a fonte mais importante de instabilidade da renda agrícola. Por último, foi examinada a influência dos fatores de mercado e das políticas públicas de compra institucional na determinação do preço dos produtos agrícolas. Os resultados indicaram aumento da instabilidade da receita para todos os produtos analisados, após a implementação do PAA, em decorrência, sobretudo, do aumento da variabilidade de preços. Apesar de diversos estudos apontarem estas políticas como estabilizadoras do mercado agrícola e constatar-se que foram importantes para minimizar os impactos negativos sobre a receita do produtor, o estudo constatou que ainda não apresentam-se como programas efetivos mediante a capacidade de contribuição na estabilização e elevação dos preços.
Solving systems of high-order linear ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients by means of exponential Chebyshev collocation method
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed , Raslan Kamal , El Danaf Talaat , Abd Elsalam Mohamed A.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of exponential Chebyshev (EC) collocation method for solving systems of high-order linear ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients with new scheme, using the EC collocation method in unbounded domains. The EC functions approach deals directly with infinite boundaries without singularities. The method transforms the system of differential equations and the given conditions to block matrix equations with unknown EC coefficients. By means of the obtained matrix equations, a new system of equations which corresponds to the system of linear algebraic equations is gained. Numerical examples are given to illustrative the validity and applicability of the method.
Fairness Oriented Neighbor-Channel-Aware MAC Protocol for Airborne Sensor Networks
Authors: Gao Xiaolin , Yan Jian , Lu Jianhua
Published: March 2017

In airborne sensor networks (ASNs), the media access control (MAC) protocol is facing with serious unfairness problem due to the traditional protection mechanism of air-to-air communications among aircrafts. Actually by using the binary exponential back-off algorithm at high traffic loads to minimize collisions among users, the latest successful node can always benefit from this kind of MAC to obtain channel resources. Moreover, when taking the existence of the hidden nodes in ASNs into account, the inaccurate traffic load information will further aggravate the system’s unfairness. In this paper, a neighbor-channel-aware (NCA) protocol is proposed to improve the fairness of MAC protocol in ASNs. In the proposal, the NCA frame is firstly added and exchanged between neighbor nodes periodically, which helps to resolve the inaccurate traffic load information, so as to avoid reducing the probability of successful message transmission. Then a traffic-loading based back-off algorithm is involved to make the neighbor nodes cooperatively adjust the inter-frame space (IFS) interval to further reduce the unfairness. The simulation results show that, the proposed MAC protocol can guarantee the satisfied fairness, simultaneously avoiding heavy network overloads to protect key messages’ successful transmissions in ASNs.
Biomineralization of Carbonate Minerals Induced by Halophilic Chromohalobacter israelensis in High Salt Concentration: Implications for Natural Environments
Authors: Han Zuozhen , Li Dan , Yan Huaxiao , Li Peiyuan
Published: March 2017

High salt environment was widespread in modern and geological record, and sedimentation induced by microbes in these systems was an important part of sedimentary minerals and rocks. The mechanism of microbiologically induced carbonate precipitation has not been solved thoroughly although numerous scholars and experts have made specifically research of the problems with respect to minerals induced by bacteria. The study of carbonate minerals induced by Halophilic bacteria has aroused wide concern. The present study was aim to investigate the characterization and process of biomineralization in the high salt system, a Halophilic bacterium, Chromohalobacter israelensis LD532 strain (Genbank: KX766026), which isolated from Yinjiashan Saltern of China, was selected as an object to induce carbonate minerals. Carbonate minerals induced by LD532 were investigated in several comparative experimental sets with Mg resources of magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride. Magnesium calcite and aragonite were induced by LD532 bacteria while these minerals were not in the control group. The mineral phases, micromorphologies, and crystal structures were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive X-ray detector. Carbonic anhydrase and urease secreted by strain LD532 through metabolism promoted the pH values of the liquid medium and the process of carbonate precipitation. Further study proved that the nucleation sites of partial carbonate nucleus were located on the extracellular polymeric substance and the membrane of intracellular vesicles of LD532 bacteria by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray detector and ultrathin slices analysis, which provided favorable conditions for the growth of carbonate mineral crystals. The morphology and composition of minerals formed in MgSO4 and MgCl2 solution have significant differences, indicating that different sources of Mg2+ could also affect the physiological and biochemical activities of microorganisms and then affect the mineral deposition. The accomplished study is of certain interest for interpretation of the carbonates biomineraliazation in natural salt environment, and has a certain reference value in understand of the sedimentary carbonates in ancient marine environment like evaporated tidal flat.
A Closed Form for the Stirling Polynomials in Terms of the Stirling Numbers
Authors: Qi Feng , Guo Bai-Ni
Published: March 2017

In the paper, by virtue of the Faá di Bruno formula and two identities for the Bell polynomial of the second kind, the authors find a closed form for the Stirling polynomials in terms of the Stirling numbers of the first and second kinds.
The second Maxwell’s relativistic equations of a rapidaly rotating neutron star, based on ZAMO framework (zero angular momentum observers)
Authors: Yasrina Atsnaita , Pramono Nugroho Adi , Latifah Eny , Wisodo Hari
Published: March 2017

The second Maxwell’s relativistic equations of a rapidaly rotating neutron star, based on ZAMO framework (Zero Angular Momentum Observers) has been formulated. The formulations obtained were epresented by differential equations in the radial, polar, and azimuthal components. The ZAMO basis is implemented because the neutron star reviewed as a rotating star. The second Maxwell’s equation is important to use as one of the fundamental equations to formulate relativistic magnetic fields dynamics of the neutron stars that rotate rapidly.
Meneguhkan Islam Harmoni Melalui Pendekatan Filologi
Authors: Said Nur
Published: March 2017

Indonesia dihuni oleh sebuah bangsa yang memiliki kelimpahan aneka seni dan budaya. Salah satu produk budaya yang khas nusantara adalah naskah kuno. Maka menjadi sebuah keniscayaan menjadikan naskah kuno sebagai bagian dari sumber utama dalam meneguhkan Islam nusantara. Maka ilmu filologi mutlak diperlukan. Paper ini akan membahas ruang lingkup manuskrip di nusantara serta menjelaskan pemahaman tentang pendekatan filologi secara teoritis dan praktis. Penulisan paper ini merupakan bagian dari penguatan theoretical framework  melalui review literatur secara kritis. Kesimpulannya adalah bahwa hampir di setiap kota lintas pulau di Indonesia ditemukan sejumlah manuskrip dengan ragam aksara, bahasa dan materi isinya yang mencerminkan kedalaman spiritualitas bangsa. Salah satu tugas filolog adalah peran pokoknya adalah melakukan transliterasi (alih aksara), agar naskah kuno tersebut bisa dibaca lebih luas dan selanjutnya mengkajinya secara interdisipliner sebagai bahan untuk rekonstruksi budaya. Sejauhmana produk riset filologis tersebut memberi kontribusi keilmuan tergantung kecerdasan dan kreatifitas peneliti mendialogkan dengan disiplin keilmuan yang ditekuninya sehingga mampu  meneguhkan identitas Islam nusantara yang dikenal ramah dan harmoni dalam relasi dengan Tuhan, sesama manusia dan lingkungan.
Detection of wheat damping off and root rot disease pathogenic fungi and it bio control by pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: Ameen Adel T. , Jdyea Ismael A.
Published: March 2017

This study was conducted to determine the fungal cause and bio control of damping off and root rot of wheat plants by using pseudomonas fluorescens under greenhouse and field conditions. Results showed isolation of eight species from the soil and roots to deferent region of Baghdad government. Rhizoctonia solani (Rs) and Fusarium solani (Fs) were the predominant damping off fungus with frequency 60 and 52% respectively. Led the using of bacteria formulations such as crud suspension , pure bacteria filtration and pure living cells in culture medium inhibit all type fungi with rates ranging from 84-96% , 80- 93% and 75-88% respectively. Rs and Fs were more pathogenesis under greenhouse conditions, with incidence of 80 and 68% and disease severity up to 41,20 and 30,20% respectively. The results of test bacterial formulation (dry, liquid and bacterial filtrate ) with seeds, soil and water irrigation showed high effectiveness for all treatments with superiority of the treatment of seeds in reducing the incidence which reached for the three formulation 21-34% compared with the infested control of Fs, Rs which reached 70 and 55%, respectively. Field experiments results showed superiority of seeds bacterization with dry formulation to reduce the disease incidence to 38% compared with the infested control (75%).These results reflected on the increasing of the shoot and rot dry weight and increasing the productivity (63%) compared with the infested control treatment .
Synthesis of Some Mixed ligands Complexes of (2-hydroxy benzaldine)-4-amino Antipyrine and 1,10-phenanthroline and Studying their antibacterial activity
Authors: Alias Mahasin F. , Ibraheem Israa H. , Hassan Maysoon M. A bdul
Published: March 2017

Complexes from the ligand (2-hydroxy benzaldine)-4-aminoantipyrine with some transition metal ions V(l?),Cr(lll),Fe(lll) and Co(ll) were prepared in the presence of the co-ligand 1,10-phenanthroline in alcoholic medium. These compounds were characterized by the available techniques: FT-IR ,UV-Visible ,magnetic susceptibility, Flame atomic absorption technique as well as elemental analysis and conductivity mesurments .From these spectral studies, a square pyramidal structure proposed for V(IV) complex and an octahedral geometry for Cr(III),Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes. The biological activity of the ligands and their complexes were evaluated by a gar plate diffusion technique against three human pathogenic bacterial strains: Pseudomonas aerogenuosa, E.schriachia coli. and Staphlococcus arureus. Some of the complexes were found to have a good antibacterial activity a gainst these pathogens.
Study the Effects of Olive Leaves Extracts in the activity of the enzyme GOT and their Biological Activities
Authors: Eltayef Emad Mahmoud
Published: March 2017

The olive tree, has been used it is important plant for the time being some of their parts on a large scale in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and stimulate circulation . Moreover, it is used as antibacterial material and also to address some of the respiratory system, diabetes, food preservation osteoporosis. This study involved the collection of olive leaves from different areas in Baghdad / Iraq. These leaves have been harvested, wash it, then dried and crushed, where the study aimed to identify the active ingredients and chemical elements in the olive leaf as well as its effect on the action of GOT enzyme .The study showed that the aqueous extracts (cold and hot) of the olive leaves powder are acidic in nature pH values are of (5.74 and 5.40) for the aqueous extracts hot and cold respectively. Study revealed the extract contain the a collection of Glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, resins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes and compound Alaolurobin. The study also showed ability to activate the enzyme GOT in cold aqueous extract (8.36%). and the percentage (27.35%) of hot aqueous extract. That can be analyzed to the presence of higher concentrations of the active compounds in hot aqueous extract compared with cold aqueous extract especially tannins working to activate enzymes carrier in the cell membrane in the body. The study showed that the analysis of thin layer chromatography, liquid high-performance, ( TLC, HPLC) in extract compounds of phenols olive leaf using a mixture (chloroform, acetic acid) and a 2:5 was more impact in the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, while less impact in a negative Gram Salmonella typhimurium. As proved accurate analysis of the chemical elements in powder of plant leaf olive tree and at different concentrations contain of chemical elements Major estimated by (g /kg) and trace estimated by (mg/kg). Since the existence of these elements led to increasing of enzymatic effectiveness through an increase process of activity the enzyme (GOT), which plays role of important in our bodies being gives indication of the nature of the work and effectiveness of the activity of some members of the body (liver, kidney, pancreas, etc.).
Histomorphological study of uropygial gland of pekin duck (Anas platyrhnchos domesticus)
Authors: Mohammed Yaseen Kalaf. , Mirhish Shakir Mahmood , Allah Samira Abdul hussain Abdu
Published: March 2017

The study included 20 birds of Pekin duck (Anas platyrhnchos domesticus) for study the histological of uropygial gland (10 males + 10 females), the weights were between (1411-1582 gm) for males and (1350-1980 gm) female. Routine Histological Techniques was done and stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acidic Schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome stains. Histological sections of the uropygial gland of Pekin ducks showed that the gland consist of the capsule, parenchyma, isthmus and uropygial papillae. The capsule consist of Dense irregular connective tissue. The mean thickness of capsule around the gland lobes were (56.321?17.206µm) and around the uropygial papillae were (67.208?14.996 µm). The capsule tissues continuous in between the secretory tubules to form trabecular.The parenchyma consists from secretory tubules arranged around the central cavity of gland, the cells that lining the secretory tubules consist of four types the basal cells, intermediate cells, secretory cells and degenerative cells.

The study included 20 birds of Pekin duck (Anas platyrhnchos domesticus) for study the histological of uropygial gland (10 males + 10 females), the weights were between (1411-1582 gm) for males and (1350-1980 gm) female. Routine Histological Techniques was done and stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acidic Schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome stains. Histological sections of the uropygial gland of Pekin ducks showed that the gland consist of the capsule, parenchyma, isthmus and uropygial papillae. The capsule consist of Dense irregular connective tissue. The mean thickness of capsule around the gland lobes were (56.321?17.206µm) and around the uropygial papillae were (67.208?14.996 µm). The capsule tissues continuous in between the secretory tubules to form trabecular.The parenchyma consists from secretory tubules arranged around the central cavity of gland, the cells that lining the secretory tubules consist of four types the basal cells, intermediate cells, secretory cells and degenerative cells.
The Relation between Bacterial and Heavy Metal Water Pollution and Blood Micronuclei as Biomarkers in the Tigris River Fish
Authors: Ibrahim Israa A.J. , Khayat Asmaa S. I. AL –
Published: March 2017

The objective of this study is to evaluate the bacterial count and heavy metal concentration of river water on fish micronuclei. Fish and water samples are carried out in 1 May to 1 June 2013 from Tigris River. A total of fifty three fish sample are studied. The bacteriological quality of water showed that the total viable count is ranged from 150×103 to 352×103 cfu/ml and fecal coliform counts was 1250 cell/100ml during the study period. All the metals (Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) are within the normal limit, but Cd was slightly elevated in river water samples. The appearance of micronuclei in red blood cells of all fish species is detect , by recording a larger number of it, in ( Abu Alsomere , Hishne , Bannini Kaber al fam & Karkoor ahmar) species compared with (Abu AL hakam , Nabbash , Kattan , Himri & Tela shami ) species. There is a difference in the percentages of the leukocytes types in different fish species, the highest percentage (12.3) of lymphocyte is recorded in Barbus xanthopterus and the lowest (1.5) is in Garra rufa
Using Phragmites australis(Iraqi plant) to remove the Lead (II) Ions form Aqueous solution.
Authors: Al-Saade Khulood A. S. , AL-Mammar Dunya Edan , AL-Ani Huda N.
Published: March 2017

Lead remediation was achieved using simple cost, effective and eco-friendly way from industrial wastewater. Phragmitesaustralis (P.a) (Iraqi plant), was used as anovel biomaterial to remove lead ions from synthesized waste water. Different parameters which affected on adsorption processes were investigated like adsorbent dose, pH, contact time, and adsorbent particle size, to reach the optimized conditions (maximum adsorption). The adsorption of Pb (?) on (P.a) involved fast and slow process as a mechanism steps according to obey two theoretical adsorption isotherms; Langmuir and Freundlich. The thermos dynamic adsorption parameters were evaluated also. The (?H) obtained positive value that meanes adsorption of lead ions was an endothermic processwhile (?G)values were negative which means that adsorption of lead ions was a spontaneous process and the decrease in (?G) with temperature increasing revealed that lead ions adsorption on (P.a) became favorable with temperature increasing
Cache Coherence Protocol Design and Simulation Using IES (Invalid Exclusive read/write Shared) State
Authors: Jalil Luma Fayeq , Al-Rawi Maha Abdulkareem H. , Al-Nakshabandi Abeer Diaa
Published: March 2017

To improve the efficiency of a processor in recent multiprocessor systems to deal with data, cache memories are used to access data instead of main memory which reduces the latency of delay time. In such systems, when installing different caches in different processors in shared memory architecture, the difficulties appear when there is a need to maintain consistency between the cache memories of different processors. So, cache coherency protocol is very important in such kinds of system. MSI, MESI, MOSI, MOESI, etc. are the famous protocols to solve cache coherency problem.
We have proposed in this research integrating two states of MESI's cache coherence protocol which are Exclusive and Modified, which responds to a request from reading and writing at the same time and that are exclusive to these requests. Also back to the main memory from one of the other processor that has a modified state is removed in using a proposed protocol when it is invalidated as a result of writing to that location that has the same address because in all cases it depends on the latest value written and if back to memory is used to protect data from loss; preprocessing steps to IES protocol is used to maintain and saving data in main memory when it evict from the cache. All of this leads to increased processor efficiency by reducing access to main memory
Rapid Field Analytical Methods for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Authors: Kong Deyuan , Hoelen Thomas , Mcmillen Sara , Vidra Timothy , Chitra Sarah , Saputra Dicky , Kuswardani Tyas , Kurniawan Yohanes , Pandjatan Yusak , Widiyanto Adi , Armpriester Cari , Mardalina Melda
Published: March 2017

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil is often measured to determine if soils have been impacted by crude oil. PT. Chevron Pacific Indonesia (CPI) operates several oil fields in Sumatra and samples soil for TPH content for remediation-related work. Traditional laboratory methods used to analyze for TPH in soil require three to four days, and commercial labs often take two to four weeks before reporting results. This timing results in delays in decision-making regarding site soil delineation and excavation as well as in determining when soil remediation has been completed. CPI conducted two pilot studies using commercially available rapid TPH test kits and one non-destructive infrared method. In the first pilot study, six different commercially available field test kits were evaluated for rapid TPH analysis plus a modified FTK (field test kit) with infrared method. Each test method was used to measure TPH from 63 soil samples. These samples covered a wide range of soil type, oil content, and moisture content, and should, therefore, be representative of most CPI sites. The TPH results were compared to the standard TPH analytical method, TPH-Gas Chromatography (TPH-GC) (USEPA 8015). In the second pilot study, a portable handheld infrared (IR) Instrument was tested with over 300 soil samples from variable CPI sites. The standard TPH-GC analytical method data of those soil samples were used to create two site-specific models with 15-20 double-blinded samples to validate the modeling work. The validated models will be loaded onto the individual instrument for future field deployment.

Two of the six commercially available test methods produced TPH results similar to those obtained by the standard laboratory TPH-GC methods. The rapid, portable IR method also provided TPH results that correlated well with standard TPH-GC results at different concentration levels. The advantage of the rapid IR method is that the soil samples do not have to be extracted with a solvent, so no chemical waste is generated. The rapid IR method provides TPH results in a few minutes rather than in days or weeks. This paper describes the results from the two pilot studies, and the pros and cons of each rapid method for field application are discussed.
Implementing an Integrated Wellness Programme
Authors: Ho Edwin , Bujang Hanifah
Published: March 2017

To become the most competitive and innovative company, it is vital that the company creates a Culture of Health. Although the existing wellness program had been successfully implemented since 2010, feedback from employees and senior management suggested a few areas of improvement which led to the development and implementation of this 12 month integrated lifestyle intervention wellness program.
A Methodology for Integrating Social Responsibility Into Management Systems
Authors: Norman Jason S. , Strobl Matthew , Moldovan Sonia
Published: March 2017

The FIRM risk management scorecard approach, often used to categorize an organization's risk, treats social responsibility risk as a reputational risk that is managed within the corporate social responsibility (CSR) function. We argue that, within the resource extractive industry, social responsibility risk occurs at the operational level and as such needs to be managed locally as part of the operation itself. Our analysis shows that social responsibility risk is complex and can present financial, infrastructure, and marketplace risk characteristics. Furthermore, a far more informationally-connected and vocal global society has changed the lens through which operational issues are viewed. Relatively minor incidents can now quickly escalate and ‘go-viral’ with significant long-term economic and reputational impacts to the parent organization. In this paper, we present a standardized approach, based on validated research methods, to better identify and manage these social responsibility risks.

Our risk management methodology aligns closely with the ISO 31,000 Risk management - Principles and Guidelines where risks are identified and managed using a common identification-analysis-evaluation-treatment approach. Our methodology draws upon more than 50 years of qualitative and quantitative data from environmental, social and governance development work in more than 75 countries around the world. A stepwise approach (1) conducts a detailed assessment of the local societal concerns and issues, (2) identifies key performance indicators (KPIs) of these concerns that can be tracked, (3) defines and implements a longitudinal monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, and (4) ties the reporting of the local social responsibility risks and mitigation performance directly into accessible dashboards and impact reporting tools.

Through specific examples, we will show how the ‘pulse’ of local communities can be tracked and provide the critical feedback loop that provides early warnings of required adjustments and interventions that prevent minor issues escalating into performance damaging crises. We demonstrate how the cost of risk mitigation can be tied directly into the host project financials and how risk mitigation activities can be optimized to identify ‘risk opportunities’.

Our work indicates that organizations should not confuse core-business operational social responsibility with non-core-business ‘doing good’ activities. We show that not only is it possible to tie social responsibility activities into local operational management systems, it is a requirement for success.
The Value of Focused Consensus Ecological Risk Assessments with Trans-Boundary Considerations for Oil Spill Response
Authors: Varghese Geeva , Coolbaugh Thomas , Walker Ann Hayward
Published: March 2017

The risk of an oil spill in Asia Pacific region has escalated in recent years due to increases in maritime traffic and oil and gas activities. It is possible that oil spills may result in serious environmental and socio-economic consequences with long term detrimental effects to the wider community. Implementing effective response to an oil spill incident is a complex decision-making process involving the consideration of multiple variables such as available response technologies, operational factors and logistical constraints, and is often carried out in the face of incomplete information. A rapid decision making process is also needed as the effective implementation of the various options to mitigate the oil spill impacts may be reduced with time.

Comparative Ecological Risk Assessment is a widely accepted tool for evaluating ecological concerns that allows for the objective comparison of the relative risk contributed by each specific ‘stressor’ or ‘option’ being considered. The process facilitates optimum decision making through a more complete use of available information and participative consultation with key stakeholders.

The focus of this paper is the adaptation of the widely accepted comparative ecological risk assessment process towards a uniquely complex trans-boundary oil spill scenario for the Asia Pacific Region. The application of the comparative ecological risk assessment to region-specific scenarios will drew upon the authors' operational knowledge of responding to oil spills in the region and similar project studies conducted in other regions globally. While presenting oil spill response issues that are unique to Asia Pacific region, the paper will detail a fit for purpose comparative ecological risk assessment framework that can be implemented during a trans-boundary oil spill scenario with limited information and few resources. Emphasis will be given to problem formulation that takes temporal considerations and long term net benefits while combining expert judgment, stakeholder values and local knowledge to reach optimum decisions without undue stress on the resources available to do so.
Factors Contributing to Premature Disembarkation in Malaysian Offshore Installations Due to Illness and Work Related Injuries
Authors: Tan Alan , Hassim B. Ismail Noor , Nawi Azmawati
Published: March 2017

Background

There are numerous offshore installation sites drilling for oil and gas within Malaysian Coastal Waters. The population of each offshore installation are susceptible to a variety of illnesses, some of which are trivial, some others require medical prescription medication and of course some which require further medical evaluation on shore.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of premature disembarkations in Malaysian Offshore Installations due to illness and work related injuries.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted to study the prevalence of premature disembarkation due to illness, work related injuries in Malaysian Offshore installations. The study involved 380 respondents who were selected through convenient sampling. The respondents comprised of workers from twenty offshore installations located in Malaysian waters. Data collection was through notification of case medical information forms which were filled out by the paramedic aboard the offshore installation. Individual patient medical history, socio-demographic, type of illness and escalation of cases to the medical director were studied.

Results

This study found that the 12 months prevalence of premature disembarkation in Malaysian offshore installations due to illness and work related injuries was significant at 39%. The medical condition reported was about predominantly illness cases (90.8%) and only a smaller number (9.2%) were injuries. However 60% of the injuries were prematurely disembarked as compared to 27.7% of illness being disembarked. Injuries were more prevalent than illness in the cause for premature disembarkations.

Malaysians were also significantly found to be more frequently prematurely disembarked.

Cardiac conditions were significantly the most likely cause for a premature disembarkation due to an illness.

Conclusion

The prevalence of premature disembarkations in medically ill or injured offshore installation population was 39%, which were divided to urgent premature disembarkations being 15% and non urgent premature disembarkations being 25%

Looking at only the premature disembarkations, 36.5% were urgent premature disembarkations and 63.5% were non urgent disembarkations.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Risk Assessment BESRA for 2D Land Seismic Survey: Case Study of Open Block SK6-00 Limbang, Sarawak
Authors: Fatah Wan Muqtadir
Published: March 2017

The process to conduct a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Risk Assessment (BESRA) was established to enhance situational baseline on biodiversity data for PETRONAS’ upstream and downstream operations, and reducing the impacts on biodiversity in areas of its operation. The location for this assessment was Open Block SK6-00 in the District of Limbang, Sarawak. BESRA consists of a set of questions and a site visit to the identified locations. The template used is developed in accordance to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, IUCN Conservation Tools, PETRONAS HSE Risk Matrix, and PETRONAS Technical Guidelines: Environmental Management of Oil and Gas Operations in Tropical Rain Forest. Desktop assessment was made on the demographics mapped against the current practices adopted by the Project Management Team (PMT), as well as identification of existing biodiversity risks, and affected stakeholders. Initial discussion with project owners was held to clarify the Terms of Reference and to establishroles and responsibilities. The BESRA specific scope is divided into five (5) categories. These are (1) General Biodiversity, (2) Protection and Conservation, (3) Management of Ecosystem Services, (4) Management of Living Natural Resources, and (5) Supply Chain. During the site visit, photographs were taken for records purposes and short interviews were held with the project team. One of the key findings are the completed transact lines had been 90% restored to an almost pristine condition before the project begin. It was also discovered that the very small number of blast holes that was overblown could cause severe burn for the plants within its five metres radius from the shot holes. However this would prolonged the restoration process but not totally destrying the area. Awareness and improving the management practices is imperative to improve the situation and support the objectives of this assessment. It can be concluded that PETRONAS’ current practice of conducting 2D-Seismic activity for tropical onshore locations is low-risk due to the PMT's proactive stance. The two broad themes identified as solutions includes the inclusion of biodiversity management plan in current procedures and awareness on the locality of the BES in the area. The results of this initiative indicated that awareness on BES issues have improved significantly and consideration is now given to formalise BESRA as part of the procedure for future seismic studies. Furthermore, it has contributed towards PETRONAS’ data bank on terrestrial biodiversity in the area concerned while verifying biodiversity data contained in the EIA. BESRA can further enhance the organisation's internal capacity in conducting such assessment and empowering the employees to conduct their own assessments for continuous improvement thereby reducing reliance on consultants.
Tools for Pipeline Risk Assessment Using PD8010: Part 3
Authors: Jiao Lei , Suen Ka Man , Cheng Sin Yan , Alvarez Daniel
Published: March 2017

There exist a number of published sources in the public domain where generic pipeline failure data consolidated for various types of oil and gas pipeline applications can be obtained. The main challenge of using these generic failure databases is to make reasonable estimates of the reduction factors applied in frequency calculation to reflect the specific design of the pipeline. An inappropriately chosen reduction factor can result in overestimation or underestimation of risk arising from the pipeline. It can also causes difficulties to pipeline designers in justifying pipeline integrity. Using PD8010: Part 3, detailed analysis of the historical pipeline failure data were carried out and the contribution from each design parameter was analysed. This provides a realistic approach to calculate the extent of risk reduction from each of the design parameters. Such an approach allows the pipeline operator and designer to make or support decisions on additional mitigation measures that may be necessary to fulfil safety and compliance requirements. Furthermore, it can be used as an input in cost estimation during the early stages of the project.
Is The Current Practice of Conducting Well Control Drills Obsolete?
Authors: Sookdeo Terrance , Fernandes Mary D. , Leong Weng Fei
Published: March 2017

Do well control drills really work? Have you ever wondered about the effectiveness of the current practice of conducting well control drills? What more can we do to drive safety assurance? Is there another method that is more proactive or less reactive?

Traditionally, ad hoc meetings and safety briefings are conducted with the operator, service providers, and drilling contractors to align goals and objectives and operational risk management strategies. While these collaborations must continue and strengthen, they may not be sufficient for continued safety assurance. This possible insufficiency is further exacerbated by the transitory nature of the personnel, products, and services at the wellsite. Changing market conditions, dwindling capital expenditure and budgets, and the ever-increasing complexity of exploring and recovering hydrocarbons call to question reliance on traditional safety approaches. Industry incidents continue to demonstrate that they may not be sufficiently comprehensive. So, the question is: How can we ensure that transitory local crews can effectively respond to threats that pose an imminent risk to loss of well control?

The current method of well control drills has shortcomings. It is highly reactive and essentially only addresses the right-hand side of a BowTie risk assessment. In other words, the assumption is that we must focus drill efforts on personnel responses once the top event (on a BowTie) presents itself. Little or no action focuses on conducting threat-response drills to address the left-hand side of the BowTie risk assessment.

This paper presents a new approach for conducting drills at the right time, the right location, and with the right personnel to maximize the likelihood that we can respond to major disruptions when they occur. This new approach proactively manages risk, drives operational and safety assurance, and enhances the effectiveness of local crews who are the front line in preventing or mitigating loss of well control or loss of primary containment.
Managing Occupational Health Risk Challenges During Plant Turnaround
Authors: Hassan Haszelina
Published: March 2017

Extended Abstract

Plant Turnaround, also known as a planned shutdown, is a period of scheduled non-production for the purpose of major maintenance activities. This major maintenance activities is crucial for plant optimization performance, efficiency, safety and to fulfill regulatory requirements. Turnaround activities involves intensive key maintenance works such as cleaning, inspection and repair within a fixed period involving large number of contracted workers. A big scale turnaround at refinery plants require more than 5000 workers at site with diverse work experiences, competencies, safety culture and behaviors.
Implementing Office Ergonomics in Challenging Times
Authors: Arasaratnam M
Published: March 2017

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have become a major occupational health issue as the number of cases continue on an increasing trend worldwide. Office ergonomics was found to be a significant finding from a Health Risk Assessment conducted for an oil & gas company. A 4 prong intervention strategy was developed with the objective to improve employee's awareness & practice of ergonomics in the office setting and ultimately prevent long term MSDs.

The strategies involved setting standards for IT & furniture, establishing and implementing self-assessment checklists, intensifying ergonomic awareness as well as management of ergonomic cases.

With collaboration from IH experts and stakeholders from various businesses and divisions within the corporation, a revised guideline on ergonomics and a detailed program for implementation was developed.

However, with the oil & gas industry being in difficult times, some resourceful means of implementing the program were taken in order to achieve the objective without incurring a major cost impact.

This paper aims to document and share some significant actions taken such as the development of a self-assessment checklist in-house for a fraction of the cost it would have taken had it been outsourced, focusing on training change agents and employees to make use of the full potential of available furniture instead of purchasing new furniture, making provision of computers fit for purpose rather than in accordance to position as well as establishing simple, cost-friendly options of standard peripherals to make laptop use more ergonomic.
Regulator Industry Partnerships for Effective Offshore Oil Spill Preparedness and Response
Authors: Jones Rhys D. , Cox Rob T. , O’Brien Michael L.
Published: March 2017

The IOPER – the International Offshore Petroleum Environment Regulators is a collaborative group of national regulators whose members are dedicated to raising environmental performance standards within the offshore petroleum exploration and production industry. This includes ensuring that standards applicable to the industry's normal operations, as well as environmental emergency prevention, preparedness and response are produced and exercised.

In a similar fashion, IPIECA – The Global Association for Environmental and Social issues and IOGP – the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers have recently completed a five year multi-million-dollar effort to write recommended practices, good practice guidelines, technical discussion and information papers and many other reference documents. Part of that process has seen a systematic and constructive dialogue with offshore regulators in many countries – both nascent and developed – many of whom are members of the IOPER.

Globally, and particularly since the 2010 Gulf of Mexico incident, the offshore industry has adapted its approach to managing offshore oil pollution risks and regulators likewise have responded within the bounds of their national legislation. A logical next step was for regulators to work together with the oil and gas industry internationally to improve global oil pollution preparedness by the regulatory community developing a set of preparedness principles for application in the offshore sector, and the global associations (IPIECA and IOGP) mapping their best practices to these principles.

A total of six principles are outlined for monitoring the quality and quantity of industry oil spill preparedness for offshore activities.

This paper will outline the components of each of the six principles and explain in detail how the industry has responded to and mapped their Good Practice Guidance, Recommended Practices and other standards to the regulatory initiative with examples given for each of the principles
Regeneration Monitoring on Pipeline Projects: The PNG LNG Experience
Authors: Mosby A. , Sugihara M. N. , Mogina J. , Novotny V.
Published: March 2017

The PNG LNG operation extends from Papua New Guinea’s Highlands Region in the north to Caution Bay in the Central Province near Port Moresby. The five key PNG LNG facilities are the LNG Plant near Port Moresby, the Hides Gas Conditioning Plant, a series of production wells, approximately 800 kilometres of pipelines, and Komo Airfield. Construction of PNG LNG facilities started in early 2010. The facilities were completed in 2014, with loading of the first LNG cargo on 25 May 2014. In the production phase, PNG LNG has the capacity to produce around 7.4 million tonnes of LNG per year. During the life of PNG LNG, it is expected that about 250 billion cubic metres of gas will be produced and sold to provide a long-term supply of LNG to customers in Asia.

The PNG LNG footprint includes large tracks of high-value sensitive ecosystem. Recognizing the importance of ensuring regeneration in areas temporarily disturbed by construction, the PNG LNG Project instituted a multi-year regeneration monitoring program to track the level of vegetative regrowth occurring on the Pipeline Right of Way (ROW) and other disturbed areas, mainly focusing on the Upstream project areas. The Project’s objectives are to promote regeneration of temporary work areas disturbed during construction and achieve vegetation succession according to established benchmarks. To evaluate this objective, the PNG LNG Project instituted this regeneration monitoring program. The results of this paper focus on the monitoring through 1H2015, and so represent only initial findings to a multi-year regeneration effort.
SIL Product Certificates for Efficient Documentation of Functional Safety - Challenges and Pitfalls
Authors: Østdahl Anne , Grøtteland Cecilie Sneberg , Casal Angel , Berridge Chris
Published: March 2017

According to the functional safety standard IEC 61508 (2010), requirements apply to Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) for achieving a certain Safety Integrity Level (SIL). A typical SIF comprises of initiators (e.g. sensors), logic solvers and final elements (e.g. valves). A common method for SIF equipment vendors to document compliance with the standard is the use of SIL product certificates. This can be an efficient way of demonstrating functional safety compliance, but also involves certain challenges which will be discussed in this paper.

A study has been undertaken to identify recurring issues in functional safety compliance. This study is based on experience with SIL projects undertaken for various vendors, integrators/engineering companies and operators. The projects comprise SIL Failure Mode, Effects and Diagnostic Analyses (FMEDAs), safety manuals, certifications and SIL compliance reports. The main aim of the study is to identify challenges and pitfalls and to provide solutions for preparing traceable and unambiguous compliance documentation. During the study it became evident that final elements presented unique challenges to SIL compliance, so this paper particularly focuses on documenting compliance for valves.

The study reveals challenges related to the methodology used to reach a rational conclusion to the integrity of SIF elements covered in each certificate. This especially relates to definition of safe state for the relevant SIFs. It is important to have a clear and unambiguous definition of safe state, as this might give a different result regarding compliance. Clearly stating the application where the element is going to be used is important; this includes operational and environmental conditions. Challenges are also related to the failure rate derivation and whether the scope of the FMEDA is the element isolated or the element in a given application/system. The paper presents concrete examples of challenges, describes the impact of erroneous analyses and proposes solutions for each challenge.

This paper considers best practices for issuing SIL certificates, limitations and advantages of SIL certification, and methods to ensure efficient compliance documentation, reliable results, and avoidance of the challenges discussed.