bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transit Bus Scheduling with Limited Energy
Authors: Li Jing-Quan
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we propose a vehicle-scheduling model for electric transit buses with either battery swapping or fast charging at a battery station, and a vehicle-scheduling model with the maximum route distance constraint for compressed natural gas, diesel, or hybrid-diesel buses. Both of these scheduling models are NP-hard. We develop column-generation-based algorithms to solve the scheduling problems. We conduct extensive case studies based on real-world instances and instances randomly generated in a practical setting. Our computational experiments show that our algorithms demonstrate very good computational performances. We also use real-world transit data to systematically analyze the number of buses needed, the total operational costs, and the vehicle emissions generated when compressed natural gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric buses are used in service.
Assessing Long-Term Performance of CANDU®Out-of-Core Materials
Authors: Tapping R.L. , Lu Y.C. , Mancey D.S. , Walker Z.H.
Published: June 2013

As so-called second-generation power reactors are approaching the end of their original design lives, assessments are being made to determine the feasibility and economics of extending plant life. Although components exposed to neutron and gamma irradiation are often those of most concern in terms of in-service ageing and continued fitness for service, ageing of out-of-core components can also limit the possibility of extended service life beyond design life. In CANDU®reactors, life extension decisions occur when the Zr-2.5Nb pressure tubes reach end of life, typically after about 25 years of service for the first CANDU-6 units. At the time of pressure tube replacements, the remaining life predictions for several other major components or systems provide the information required to determine life extension feasibility. Several CANDU reactors are currently being refurbished, with others planned, and experience to date shows that the steam generators, heat transport system piping and various balance of plant piping systems are typically those requiring careful assessment to ensure successful refurbishment. In this paper, we discuss AECL R&D that is oriented towards providing the chemistry and materials inputs required to assess current condition and predict future ageing of CANDU reactor out-of-core components and systems, and in particular steam generators (Alloy 800 tubing and carbon steel internals), feeder pipes and related heat transport system piping (carbon steel flow accelerated corrosion, feeder cracking). Systems and components that may impact future life will also be discussed, along with the related R&D, and this includes balance of plant system piping (feedwater piping and buried piping), cables and concrete structures.
Anthropogenic Radionuclides in Ottawa River Sediment near Chalk River Laboratories
Authors: Rowan D.J.
Published: June 2013

The Ottawa River has received nuclear reactor effluent from Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) for more than 60 years, including releases from a NRX accident in 1952. Recent interest in the potential impact of these historical releases and the possible need for remediation of a small region immediately downstream from the release point has led to comprehensive studies to assess risk to people and wildlife. In this paper, the results of an extensive survey of gamma-emitting anthropogenic radionuclides in Ottawa River sediment in the vicinity of CRL are presented. Anthropogenic radionuclides detected in Ottawa River sediment include 60Co, 94Nb, 137Cs, 152Eu, 154Eu, 155Eu and 241Am. Concentrations of all anthropogenic radionuclides decline rapidly with distance downstream of the process outfall, reaching stable concentrations about 2 km downstream. All of these radionuclides are found at some sites within 2 km upstream of the process outfall suggesting limited upstream transport and sedimentation. Comparison of anthropogenic radionuclides with several representative primordial radionuclides shows that with the exception of sites at the process outfall and within 2 km downstream of the process outfall, primordial radionuclide concentrations greatly exceed CRL derived anthropogenic radionuclide concentrations. Thus, over 60 years of radionuclide releases from operations at CRL have had little impact on radionuclide concentrations in Ottawa River sediment, except at a few sites immediately adjacent to the process outfall.
Challenges of SMR Licensing Practices
Authors: Söderholm K.
Published: June 2013

This paper aims to increase the understanding of high level Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) licensing processes in Finland, France, the UK, Canada and the USA. These countries have been selected for this study because of their different licensing processes and recent actions in new NPP construction. After discussing their similarities and differences, suitable features for Small Modular Reactor licensing can be emphasized and suggested. Some of the studied licensing processes have elements that are already quite well suited for application to SMRs, but all of these different national processes can benefit from studying and implementing lessons learned from SMR specific licensing needs. The main SMR features to take into account in licensing are standardization of the design, modularity, mass production and serial construction. Modularity can be divided into two different categories: the first category is simply a single unit facility constructed of independently engineered modules (e.g., construction process for Westinghouse AP-1000 NPP) and the second is a facility structure composed of many reactor modules where modules are manufactured in factories and installed into the facility as needed (e.g., NuScale Power SMR design). Short construction schedules will not be fully benefitted from if the long licensing process prolongs the commissioning and approach to full-power operation.

The focus area of this study is to better understand the possibility of SMR deployment in small nuclear countries, such as Finland, which currently has four operating NPPs. The licensing process needs to be simple and clear to make SMR deployment feasible from an economical point of view.

This paper uses public information and interviews with experts to establish the overview of the different licensing processes and their main steps. A high-level comparison of the licensing steps has been carried out. Certain aspects of the aviation industry licensing process have also been studied and certain practices have been investigated as possibly suitable for use in nuclear licensing.

All of the current licensing processes were found to be quite heavy and time-consuming and further streamlining could be possible without compromising safety or the need for public participation in the licensing process. Some examples of the modification possibilities for SMR applications are discussed.

A profound discussion on SMR-specific licensing models, and on ways to simplify and harmonize them, will be needed in the near future in Europe too. This would be a natural continuation to the harmonization efforts underway for existing and new large reactors.
The Effect of Irradiation on Ni-Containing Components in CANDU®Reactor Cores: A Review
Authors: Griffiths M.
Published: June 2013

For nickel-containing alloys irradiated in thermalized neutron fluxes, the formation and reaction of59Ni with thermal neutrons can lead to time-varying changes in displacement damage rate, expressed as displacements per atom per second (dpa.s-1), gas formation and nuclear heating. Ni-rich alloys are used in PWR and BWR reactors as spacers within fuel assemblies but also as tensioning springs for these same assemblies. Flux thimbles have also been made from Ni-rich alloys in the past but are gradually being replaced by thimbles made from other alloys containing substantially less Ni. In a CANDU®reactor, Ni-alloys are used as tensioning springs, fuel channel spacers (in the form of garter springs) and as cable sheathing and core wires in flux-detector assemblies. Prediction of the irradiation processes that affect the functionality of these CANDU internals, such as irradiation embrittlement and irradiation creep, especially under conditions of extended operation, necessitates a consideration of the effect of the transmutation of Ni.

Over the past 10 years, there has been a considerable increase in the understanding of the effects of irradiation on the properties of components made from Ni-rich alloys. The nuclear processes and the effects of irradiation damage on the performance of components made from these alloys will be described.
Implementation of A Gibbs Energy Minimizer In A Fission-Product Release Computer Program
Authors: Barber D.H.
Published: June 2013

SOURCE 2.0 is the Canadian computer program for calculating fractional release of fission products from the UO2 fuel matrix. In nuclear accidents, fission-product release from fuel is one of the physical steps required before radiation dose from fission products can affect the public. Fission-product release calculations are a step in the analysis path to calculating dose consequences to the public from postulated nuclear accidents. SOURCE 2.0 contains a 1997 model of fission-product vaporization by B.J. Corse et al. based on lookup tables generated with the FACT computer program. That model was tractable on computers of that day. However, the understanding of fuel thermochemistry has advanced since that time. Additionally, computational resources have significantly improved since the time of the development of the Corse model and now allow incorporation of the more-rigorous thermodynamic treatment. Combining the newer Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) thermodynamic model of irradiated uranium dioxide fuel, a new model for fission-product vaporization from the fuel surface, a commercial user-callable thermodynamics subroutine library (ChemApp), an updated nuclide list, and updated nuclear physics data, a prototype computer program based on SOURCE IST 2.0P11 has been created that performs thermodynamic calculations internally. The resulting prototype code (with updated and revised data) provides estimates of 140La releases that are in better agreement with experiments than the original code version and data. The improvement can be quantified by a reduction in the mean difference between experimental and calculated release fractions from 0.70 to 0.07. 140La is taken to be representative of “low-volatile” fission products. To ensure that the existing acceptable performance for noble gases and volatile fission products is not adversely affected by the changes, comparisons were also made for a representative noble gas, 85Kr, and a representative volatile fission-product, 134Cs. These nuclides have the largest dataset in the SOURCE 2.0 validation test suite. This improvement provides increased confidence in the safety margin for equipment qualification in Loss-of-Coolant Accidents with Loss of Emergency Core Cooling.
Fouling Of Nuclear Steam Generators: Fundamental Studies, Operating Experience and Remedial Measures Using Chemical Additives
Authors: Turner C.W.
Published: June 2013

Fouling remains a potentially serious issue that if left unchecked can lead to degradation of the safety and performance of nuclear steam generators (SGs). It has been demonstrated that the majority of the corrosion product transported with the feed water to the SGs accumulates in the SG on the tube-bundle. By increasing the risk of tube failure and acting as a barrier to heat transfer, deposit on the tube bundle has the potential to impair the ability of the SG to perform its two safety-critical roles: provision of a barrier to the release of radioactivity from the reactor coolant and removal of heat from the primary coolant during power operation and under certain post accident scenarios. Thus, it is imperative to develop improved ways to mitigate SG fouling for the long-term safe, reliable and economic performance of nuclear power plants (NPPs). This paper provides an overview of our current understanding of the mechanisms by which deposit accumulates on the secondary side of the SG, how this accumulation affects SG performance and how accumulation of deposit can be mitigated using chemical additives to the secondary heat-transport system. The paper concludes with some key questions that remain to be addressed to further advance our knowledge of deposit accumulation and how it can be controlled to maintain safe, economic performance of nuclear SGs.
New Obesity Agents: Lorcaserin and Phentermine/Topiramate
Authors: Fleming Joshua W , McClendon Katie S , Riche Daniel M
Published: June 2013

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the evidence for lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate in the treatment of obesity.

DATA SOURCES

Literature was accessed through PubMed (June 1975-March 2013) using the search terms lorcaserin, phentermine, topiramate, or phentermine/topiramate. Additionally, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed. Additional information was obtained from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved prescribing information and FDA briefing documents.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

English-language articles focusing on Phase 3 clinical trials for obesity were critiqued. Data from preclinical and Phase 1 and/or 2 trials are reported when appropriate. Six prospective Phase 3 trials were reviewed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, affecting more than one third of adults in the US. Two medication products, lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate, have recently received FDA approval as adjuncts to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity among individuals with a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 or greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 with an obesity-related comorbidity, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes. Lorcaserin is a selective serotonin 5-HT2C agonist that regulates food intake, while the combination of phentermine/topiramate causes appetite suppression and enhanced satiety. Three Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trials reported approximately 75% and 45% of patients achieved greater than or equal to 5% weight loss with phentermine/topiramate and lorcaserin, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

With lifestyle modification, phentermine/topiramate appears most effective in terms of weight loss. Lorcaserin demonstrates moderate efficacy. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes studies are needed to confirm the safety and benefit of these new obesity agents.
Newsgathering and language: Concerns and strategies among European minority language journalists
Authors: Zabaleta Iñaki , Fernandez Itxaso , Ferré-Pavia Carme , Gutierrez Arantza , Xamardo Nicolás , Urrutia Santi
Published: June 2013

Minority language media journalists face specific difficulties during the newsgathering process such as the lack of news agencies and scarcity of sources that speak their language. This reality could affect the production and quality of their news stories since often times those journalists, working in their community, must act as if they were foreign correspondents covering newsworthy issues abroad and in a different language. To overcome these problems, they deploy diverse strategies that lead to different journalistic outcomes and news stories as it can be seen in this article. It is based on a fairly representative and stratified survey of journalists from ten European minority languages (Basque, Catalan, Galician, Corsican, Breton, Frisian, Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Sámi).
Transforming growth factor β1 is not a reliable biomarker for valvular fibrosis but could be a potential serum marker for invasiveness of prolactinomas (pilot study)
Authors: Elenkova Atanaska , Atanassova Iliana , Kirilov Georgi , Vasilev Vladimir , Kalinov Krassimir , Zacharieva Sabina
Published: June 2013

Background

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) signaling pathway is crucial for both human fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of TGFβ1 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) as potential circulating markers for fibrotic valvular heart disease (FVHD) and invasiveness as well as of Fetuin A as a marker for calcification in patients with prolactinomas.

Design

The study population consisted of 147 subjects divided into four groups: 30 dopamine agonist (DA)-treated prolactinoma patients with proven FVHD and three control groups with normal echocardiograms: 43 DA-treated patients, 26 naïve patients, and 48 healthy subjects.

Results

We observed significantly higher serum TGFβ1 levels in all three patient groups than in the healthy subjects (21.4±8.86 vs 19.1±9.03 vs 20.7±11.5 vs 15.8±7.2 ng/ml; P=0.032). Moreover, TGFβ1 levels were significantly higher in patients with macroprolactinomas and invasive prolactinomas than in those with microprolactinomas and noninvasive tumors respectively. In addition, a strong positive linear relationship between TGFβ1 levels and invasiveness score (ρ=0.924; P<0.001) and a moderate correlation between TGFβ1 levels and tumor volume (r=0.546; P<0.002) were observed in patients with invasive prolactinomas. By contrast, prolactin (PRL) levels exhibited a better correlation with tumor volume (r=0.721; P<0.001) than with invasiveness score (ρ=0.436; P<0.020). No significant difference was observed in Fetuin A levels between patients with FVHD and healthy controls. Results concerning MMP2 were unclear.

Conclusions

TGFβ1, MMP2, and Fetuin A are not reliable biomarkers for valvular fibrosis and calcification in DA-treated patients with prolactinomas, but TGFβ1 may represent a useful serum marker for tumor invasiveness. The simultaneous determination of TGFβ1 and PRL levels could improve the noninvasive assessment of prolactinoma behavior.
Isolated versus Pierre Robin Sequence Cleft Palates: Are They Different?
Authors: Godbout Audrey , Leclerc Jacques E. , Arteau-Gauthier Isabelle , Leclerc Louis-David
Published: June 2013

Objective

To determine if there are any differences in size between isolated cleft palates (CPs) and those associated with Pierre Robin (PR) sequence.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Settings

Tertiary care hospital.

Subjects and Methods

From 1993 to 2011, nonsyndromic isolated CP and PR sequence cases were classified as severe if the patients had respiratory or feeding difficulties. While patients were under general anesthesia, seven anatomical cleft parameters were prospectively measured in the operating room at the time of palatoplasty.

Results

Fifty-seven patients without the PR sequence and 36 patients with the PR sequence were enrolled. Within the PR group, 61% of cases were mild and 39% were severe. A larger soft palate width was found to be statistically significant in a comparison of the severe PR cases with the isolated clefts ( P < .005) and mild PR ( P < .05), respectively. For the hard palate width, a statistically significant difference was found in a comparison of the narrower isolated cleft cases with the mild PR ( P < .05) and the severe PR cases ( P < .05), respectively. A shorter cleft length was found to be statistically significant in isolated clefts versus both the clefts of the mild PR ( P < .05) and the severe PR cases ( P < .05).

Conclusions

The patients with PR sequence presented statistically significant different cleft characteristics. The increased width of the cleft at the soft palate level showed the greatest correlation with increased airway and feeding problems.
Which intrinsic traits predict vulnerability to extinction depends on the actual threatening processes
Authors: González-Suárez Manuela , Gómez Alicia , Revilla Eloy
Published: June 2013

Understanding what makes some species more vulnerable to extinction than others is an important challenge for conservation. Many comparative analyses have addressed this issue exploring how intrinsic and extrinsic traits associate with general estimates of vulnerability. However, these general estimates do not consider the actual threats that drive species to extinction and hence, are more difficult to translate into effective management. We provide an updated description of the types and spatial distribution of threats that affect mammals globally using data from the IUCN for 5941 species of mammals. Using these data we explore the links between intrinsic species traits and specific threats in order to identify key intrinsic features associated with particular drivers of extinction. We find that families formed by small‐size habitat specialists are more likely to be threatened by habitat‐modifying processes; whereas, families formed by larger mammals with small litter sizes are more likely to be threatened by processes that directly affect survival. These results highlight the importance of considering the actual threatening process in comparative studies. We also discuss the need to standardize and rank threat importance in global assessments such as the IUCN Red List to improve our ability to understand what makes some species more vulnerable to extinction than others.
Control of Numerical Dispersion in Streamline-Based Simulations of Augmented Waterflooding
Authors: AlSofi Abdulkareem M. , Blunt Martin J.
Published: June 2013

Augmented waterflooding is when a component is coinjected with water to modify the fractional-flow curve. Examples include polymer flooding, surfactant injection, low-salinity waterflooding, and carbonated-water injection (including applications related to carbon dioxide storage). The numerical simulation of these processes is a challenge for several reasons: The appropriate physical behavior needs to be incorporated consistently into empirical models of the fractional flow, whereas the solutions should minimize numerical dispersion, allowing the correct and accurate tracking of compositional variations.

Lower-order numerical simulations of these processes give excessive front smearing, requiring many thousands of gridblocks in one dimension to resolve the fronts adequately, rendering the predictions from 3D simulations dubious at best. These erroneous predictions are not caused by phase dispersion (the improper prediction of water velocity)—as in black-oil simulation, in which the effect is less significant—but occur because of the coupling of compositional dispersion with fractional flow. Small errors in composition alter the fractional flow, causing the development of incorrect wavespeeds. The same effect is also seen in compositional simulation of gas injection.

We propose a simple method for streamline-based simulations that substantially reduces numerical dispersion. The method is rooted in the assumption of segregated flow within a gridblock. After comparing numerical and analytical results in one dimension, we implement the method into a 3D streamline-based simulator of polymer flooding that also incorporates a physically based model of the fluid rheology. We demonstrate that traditional simulation methods can vastly overestimate recovery, potentially leading to poor injection design and management decisions. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by suggesting optimal strategies for the design of polymer injection on the basis of our improved simulation technique.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance When Transporting Hazardous Materials in Brazil
Authors: Firmino Glaydson S. , Celly John J.
Published: June 2013

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America. Strict national regulations as well as state regulations are in place regarding the control and transportation of hazardous materials. Oil and gas industry operations require a significant number of long distance trips to transport materials across the country, and it is critical to implement a process that includes appropriate controls to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition to improving the safety of operations, an effective process avoids risk of non-compliance that could lead to the loss of licenses to operate in the country.

This paper describes how an oilfield services company developed a process to address all of its hazardous material trips in Brazil. The process includes implementation of a hazardous material transport checklist used by all business units that utilize and transport such materials in company-owned or dedicated contractor vehicles. The checklist was designed to comply with all regulatory requirements of materials used that are considered hazardous. The checklist was designed to take into account not only regulations in Brazil but also the company’s own stringent internal requirements.

The paper describes the management of the checklist, how it kept is up-to-date for each trip, and how the process has been integrated in the company’s overall journey management plan. The paper describes the verification process that confirms each trip complies with all the requirements. It also shows how the journey management system monitors the trip in real time, provides feedback to the driver, and notifies both the requester and approver of the progress of the trip. At the close of a trip the corresponding compliance reports are distributed to the various stakeholders involved.

The paper also discusses how the process ensures that all trip requesters, approvers, supervisors, and dispatchers have control over the trips.
The Human Chain - A Different Approach To Behavior Safety Program Through the Use of Social Marketing Concepts
Authors: Daher E.
Published: June 2013

Safety at the work place has been the focus of attention in recent times. While huge strides have been made in engineering and safety management systems, unsafe behaviors play a major role in most accidents that still occur in the oil and gas industry.

Behavior safety has many advocates and critics. Advocates vouch for the effects of a well-designed process on incident rates. Conversely, critics do not believe it truly involves workers in the overall safety process. Given the complexity of the process and the variety of behavioral safety approaches, success is still not consistent.

The first part of this paper discusses the elements of behavior. The issue is that when we are not able to overcome our intuitive tendency to assume how people should behave and start studying how people really behave, human behavior turns out to be much more predictable than we think. Therefore, understanding real human behavior and incorporation of this behavior should be an integral part of safety programs. This paper explains and exposes the most important elements of human behavior which may pose risks. From there, it extends our understanding of all types of behavior so we can evaluate and design proper behavioral safety programs. Some of the components of behaviors that are exposed in this paper are: communication, memory and intuition.

The second part of this paper discusses issues like adoption, generalisation, lack of empowerment, punishment, normalization of deviances, outdated training methods and poor or inconsistent communication in current behavioral safety programs and proposes an alternative method: Social Marketing.

This relatively new approach is being used to change safety behaviors of workers, people and communities worldwide. We will discuss how it could be implemented in an Oil and Gas setting and how it improves the safety behavior of oil and gas workers.
Building Strong Stakeholder Relations and Minimizing Operational Risks in the Oil and Gas Industry Through Market-Based Certification
Authors: Santos V. , Benalcazar F. L. , Valdivieso S.
Published: June 2013

Many Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (O&G) companies devote significant resources to keep their employees safe, protect the environment around their operations, stimulate local economies and build strong and trusting relationships with community stakeholders. Despite these efforts, recent public opinion surveys show that the oil and gas industry is mistrusted more than any other, and cite questionnaire responses that reveal a negative impression of the sector for having minimal regard for social and environmental issues. This mistrust translates into direct operational, reputational, legal, and financial risks for O&G companies throughout the project life cycle, from exploration to production and to decommissioning.

The O&G industry is not the only sector to have attracted criticism and been challenged by social campaigns to improve sustainability performance. It is worthwhile to learn from the responses of other initiatives that have successfully made a virtue of their corporate responsibility through third-party certification, especially those built around market mechanisms, such as with sustainable palm oil and soy; responsibly produced timber, fish, and mining; and Fair Trade cotton and coffee. These approaches serve to create a constructive relationship between producers, consumers and stakeholders that reduce risk to both society and to business and facilitate wealth creation.

Between 2009 and 2012, Equitable Origin developed the first and only stakeholder-based, social and environmental certification system specifically for the oil and gas industry. The system includes a rigorous, comprehensive standard for exploration and production, a certificate trading platform and a consumer-facing ecolabel program that enables downstream customers to support operations working to high HSE standards and better production practices. Pacific Rubiales Energy (PRE), the largest private operator in Colombia, committed in 2012 to implement the fundamental principles of this standard in two of their producing fields to be the first fully certified oil and gas operations to the market by the end of 2013.

This paper will present the process, practices and results of PRE’s commitment to achieve certification, including a thorough performance gap analysis against the EO100™ Standard and the lessons-learned for putting in place the systems and practices to meet the requirements of certification.
Safety Management of Steel Pipes Road Transportation Project
Authors: Guadalupe D.
Published: June 2013

Accidents related to road transportation activity are one of the main causes of company deaths worldwide. 23% of fatal accidents at work occurred during road transportation activities in the Exploration and Production Industry of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers in the period 2011. This percentage is increasing annually, and it is therefore necessary to implement specific preventive practices for this activity.

Transporting steel pipes is an activity with significant potential risks due to specific safety and occupational health hazards. Our goal is to reduce the number and severity of accidents during the road transportation of steel pipes by implementing the most effective internationally-proven preventive practices including those that TGP had already employed during the preliminary activities in 2010 for the Gas Pipeline Transportation System Expansion Project in Peru.

The safety and health management for the transportation of steel pipes demanded careful planning and thorough organization of equipment operation and supervision, training the personnel and the comprehensive review of the health and safety aspects and knowledge of lessons learned, all essential for the prevention of accidents.

We will describe the activities and implementation of the occupational health and safety management system in each phase of the project of road transportation of steel pipes. These guidelines will be presented in general terms to allow adaptation by companies with diverse operations and cultures.
A Suggestion of Decision Making Methodology To Assist Oil Companies Develop Shoreline Protection and Cleanup Plans
Authors: Van der Ven Adriana , Rustichelli Bruna , Pina Marushka , Perez Pedro
Published: June 2013

This paper presents a suggestion of methodology to previously define proper emergency response strategies to protect different coastal environments in case of a potential oil spill. In the event of an oil spill reaching the coast, a plan must be in place to mitigate its consequences.

For an effective response during a spill emergency the shoreline must be divided and classified according to the identification of sensitive areas, protection priorities, and protection methods. The proposed methodology suggests a qualitative assessment in a decision tree format that relates physical, biotic and socioeconomic data collected in secondary surveys and fieldwork campaigns. Using these inputs, the methodology is applied to assist oil companies defining the proper level of investment for establishing a customized shoreline protection and cleanup plan.

Despite being useful for planning effective response actions the methodology proposed in this paper is yet the first step towards the construction of a consolidated emergency environmental management process.
Contributions to the Design of a Methodology for the Monitoring of the Impacts of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity Under an Adaptive Management Approach on a Pipeline Project in the Lower Urubamba, Peru
Authors: Panta-Corzo M. , Watson A. , Chung C. , Ahumada C. , Videla C.
Published: June 2013

The development of gas transportation projects is considered as one of the main causes of the loss of biodiversity, habitat fragmentation and edge effect. This study has important implications in terms of conservation, forest regeneration and wildlife management.The biological monitoring methodology was designed and implemented for linear projects such as identification criteria considering borders, functional food webs and transversal adaptive management approach to the different stages of a development project (construction, operation and closure) allowing the biological monitoring program of the "Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the development of the southern Kinteroni field area "(Peru) evolve through these stages and function as a management tool and as a support for the various planning entities involved in the development of linear projects in tropical forest.

The identification of the distances between the edge zones, intermediate and deep forest was conducted by measuring the intensity of light, allowing adjusting the model by the different characteristics of the forest. Wildlife records were made using camera traps.
The Role of Quantitative Risk Analysis QRA in Risk Management
Authors: Mata O.
Published: June 2013

The industry through the years has learned that in order to make successfully decisions about risks it is not enough to practice minimal efforts from the single application of the law, it is necessary to involve the implementation of a management system risk and deeply rooted in the process of making process decisions in the company. The tool Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) is an essential part of the risk management system, as one of the main elements, and in the same time as one of the most objective and the tool to provide better information when making decisions.

About QRA has published numerous papers, articles and studies but almost in the same way and usually explain on detail how to calculate the frequency and consequences of the events. Very few ones, if not almost none; can explain how combine these factors in order to produce specific measures of the risk.

This paper tries to explain in a simple way the risk calculation and clarify the confusion between the practical meanings of some elements to QRA. Also, these paper attempts to define the process of QRA well done, the role and benefits in the process of making appropriate and intelligent decisions, looking for show by itself the complexity of the risk concept, and the fact that there is no a single or simple answer to the question, what is risk?

Finally it is concluded that the risk management process supported by an adequate QRA process, is the starting point to ensure the integrity of the facilities, equipment and safe operations. In addition the QRA application process is damaged by several shortcomings that seriously compromise the usefulness of it in making decisions and have contributed for loss credibility. Consequently, one of the most important roles of the QRA is to ensure the provision of acceptable and credible measures risk in order to reduce the uncertainty of it, allow a more objective decision making as part of the process risk management.
Identifying and Avoiding Sensitive Habitats in Petroleum Operations
Authors: Deichmann J. L. , Higgins M. A. , Linares-Palomino R. , Rueda F. Carrasco , Faura M. Costa , Dallmeier F. , Alonso A.
Published: June 2013

Defining and understanding the habitats in which a company is operating is a key step toward the reduction of impacts on biodiversity. Identification of vegetation types is a commonly-used method for mapping an area of operations, and these vegetation types are often used as a surrogate for plant and animal habitats, but defining these types too finely may result in limited biological importance of these types for plants and animals, and may complicate the conservation planning process. Instead, habitat maps based on more coarse-scale but biologically important data such as elevation and geologic history can result in more useful maps of plant and animal communities and can lead to better land management during operations. We created habitat maps for Blocks 39 and 57 in northeastern and south central Peru, respectively, using Landsat imagery and elevation data. In Block 39, three different geological formations, or habitat types, were identified in the map, while four were identified in Block 57. In order to confirm that the habitats identified in this study are biologically distinct in terms of plant and animal communities, CCES researchers assessed soil samples and a variety of taxonomic groups including ferns, birds, bats, amphibians and reptiles in each. The protocol requires a minimum of five days sampling for each taxonomic group in a minimum of four different areas within each distinct habitat in order to ensure thorough data collection. We then use this data to test and redefine the boundaries of habitats, and to identify habitats with communities of plants and animals of special conservation concern. In the cases of Blocks 39 and 57, recommendations were made to the company regarding where to avoid or limit operations, in order to reduce negative impacts on special habitats and improve the likelihood and cost-effectiveness of habitat restoration post-operations.
Advanced Surveying Techniques Help Increase Hydrocarbons Production While Preventing Well Collisions and HSE Risks
Authors: Poedjono Benny , Burgos Elias Chamat , Gonzalez Luis Felipe , Nava Alfredo Aparicio , Ochoa Danny , Garzon Cesar Alejandro
Published: June 2013

Continued growth in worldwide demand for oil and gas has encouraged operators in Latin America to develop reservoirs using wells drilled from congested pads. Without remedial action, this practice would lead to operational or HSE risks, both on land and offshore.

An oilfield service company has adopted a comprehensive approach to this issue by incorporating a methodology for planning and preventing the risk of well-to-well collisions while drilling in congested environments. This anticollision methodology has been used to drill thousands of wells in Latin America without the occurrence of collision events.

Along with the anticollision methodology, the development and use of advanced surveying techniques allows the placement of complex horizontal and 3D wells in congested land and offshore fields. Multiple case histories support the functionality and effectiveness of the anticollision methodology. These case histories are from operations developed in different countries and include drilling in congested offshore environments. The focus of the methodology is safety of personnel and preventing HSE incidents.
Improvement in Mechanical Lifting Safety Performance Through a Supervisor Training Program
Authors: Galindo J. Gomez , Vazquez J. Echeveste , Fox C. , Desplain O.
Published: June 2013

The use of land mobile cranes is a common activity in the oil and gas industry. Although modern lifting equipment is often fitted with safety devices and usually operated by experienced and trained operators, mechanical lifting safety incidents continue to occur.

This paper describes how an oilfield services company implemented a training program in Latin America with a special focus on enhancing lift supervisors’ ability to perform lifting observations and to intervene if necessary.

In the past, the main focus was on rigorous training for the lifting operator. However, a common finding during many incident investigations was that the lifting operator’s supervisor had not performed an intervention within the established controls. The findings showed that lack of commitment was not the main cause, but rather a lack of knowledge. It was found that in many cases the lifting equipment operator took risks that were not recognized by the supervisor.

The paper describes how the company created an intensive training program covering both theory and hands-on supervisory practice focused on supervisory competence of the lifting supervisor. It shows how the initiative has had a positive impact in four phases of the lifting operation resulting in:

Better inspection of the lifting equipment on site. Improved planning of lifting operations. More knowledgeable lifting supervisors. More effective controls used during lifting operations.

The training initiative has resulted in a reduction in the number of incidents related to mechanical lifting and a dramatic increase in lifting-related observations and interventions. The paper also describes how the training certification is helping to develop better qualified mobile crane lifting supervisors and details potential next steps such as extending the initiative to the use of forklifts. the supervisor requesting the crane operator to perform a lift that was not safe, or perform an operation using lifting appliances that were worn, damaged or otherwise out of specification and not certified.
Participation under Fire: Dilemmas of Reintegrating Child Soldiers Involved in South Sudan's Armed Conflict
Authors: Ensor Marisa O.
Published: June 2013

The tension inherent in the juxtaposition of children's right to participation and to protection is most starkly manifested in the context of armed conflict. The possibility that children may not only choose to participate in military structures, but actually derive some benefits from such participation must be seriously considered. Failure to adequately address children's own motivations and wishes constitutes a denial of their participation rights. It also poses a threat to disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes seeking to facilitate child ex-combatants' transition to civilian life. Inspired by the new paradigm of social studies and the theory of legal pluralism, this article presents the findings of a study of participation rights as they apply to child soldiers. Using the child-focused DDR initiatives currently being implemented in South Sudan as a main case study, the author combines insights derived from an examination of local norms and universal legal standards with field research to elucidate the legal, cultural, moral and practical dilemmas of upholding child soldiers' right to participation. Analysis of these inter-related issues seeks to advance the view in favour of field-based investigations testing the current normative assumptions guiding both child advocacy and DDR policy.
For Adults Only? Young People and (Non)Participation in Sexual Decision Making
Authors: Moore Allison
Published: June 2013

The term ‘participation’ is often used to refer to children and young people's involvement in decision-making processes but it also denotes the individual decisions that they make about their everyday lives. With regards to sexuality, children and young people are routinely excluded from policy formation and decision-making processes, due to assumptions about their sexual immaturity and lack of competence. The right of children to participate in the decisions that affect their lives is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), but the articles of the UNCRC are commonly grouped into three categories referred to as the ‘3Ps’: protection rights, provision rights and participation rights. This article will argue that, because of the refusal to recognise the sexually agentic child, children's protection rights outweigh their participation rights. Recognising the right to participate in sexual decision-making requires children's protection rights to be balanced with their rights to participation
The Boundaries of Girls' Political Participation: A Critical Exploration of Girls' Experiences as Delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Authors: Bent Emily
Published: June 2013

This article examines the boundaries of girls' political participation at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). It explores the structural and conceptual limits to girls' meaningful political participation, and brings critical attention to the problematic management of girls' political practices in formal ‘adult’ spaces. Based upon a series of qualitative interviews with 11 adolescent girl delegates attending the CSW in 2010, the study investigates how girls understand and challenge their political marginalization in order to actualize their participation rights. Using the tools of feminist standpoint theory, the author (re)imagines the forms and possibilities for girls' political participation by privileging their voices and experiences as current political actors.
Ebselen Treatment Prevents Islet Apoptosis, Maintains Intranuclear Pdx-1 and MafA Levels, and Preserves β-Cell Mass and Function in ZDF Rats
Authors: Mahadevan Jana , Parazzoli Susan , Oseid Elizabeth , Hertzel Ann V. , Bernlohr David A. , Vallerie Sara N. , Liu Chang-qin , Lopez Melissa , Harmon Jamie S. , Robertson R. Paul
Published: June 2013

We reported earlier that β-cell–specific overexpression of glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-1 significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia in diabetic db/db mice and prevented glucotoxicity-induced deterioration of β-cell mass and function. We have now ascertained whether early treatment of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with ebselen, an oral GPx mimetic, will prevent β-cell deterioration. No other antihyperglycemic treatment was given. Ebselen ameliorated fasting hyperglycemia, sustained nonfasting insulin levels, lowered nonfasting glucose levels, and lowered HbA1c levels with no effects on body weight. Ebselen doubled β-cell mass, prevented apoptosis, prevented expression of oxidative stress markers, and enhanced intranuclear localization of pancreatic and duodenal homeobox (Pdx)-1 and v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein A (MafA), two critical insulin transcription factors. Minimal β-cell replication was observed in both groups. These findings indicate that prevention of oxidative stress is the mechanism whereby ebselen prevents apoptosis and preserves intranuclear Pdx-1 and MafA, which, in turn, is a likely explanation for the beneficial effects of ebselen on β-cell mass and function. Since ebselen is an oral antioxidant currently used in clinical trials, it is a novel therapeutic candidate to ameliorate fasting hyperglycemia and further deterioration of β-cell mass and function in humans undergoing the onset of type 2 diabetes.