bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards an Ethics of Intimate Audience
Authors: Iball Helen
Published: July 2013

As so-called ‘intimate theatre’ (Gardner 2009) becomes a feature of UK festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe and the focus of the BAC (Battersea Arts Centre, London) One-on-One Festival (2010 and 2011), so relations between audience and performer alter. This shift has raised concerns about the ethics of theatre audience participation. Taking Adrian Howells’s one-to-one performance Footwashing for the Sole (premiered Glasgow 2009, international touring since 2009) as its case study, the article undertakes an ethical review that identifies key benefits and risks of the activity for Howells and his participants. The evidence is drawn from a three-day interdisciplinary research workshop conducted with Howells and student theatre-makers, witnessed by psychologists and applied ethicists (Workshop Theatre, University of Leeds 2010). Using video clips of the two workshop performances of Footwashing for the Sole, which are available to readers via an online archive, the article proposes an ethics of intimate audience that draws upon a key concept from Eve Sedgwick’s Touching Feeling (2003) read through Nel Noddings’s care theory (1984). It concludes that, in a dynamic heightened by the ‘particular intimacy’ (Sedgwick 2003) between physical touch and emotion, Howells and his audience-participant bring their ‘ethical selves’ (Noddings 1984 and 2007) to this ‘accelerated friendship/relationship between two initial strangers’ (Howells 2009).
The Welfare Effects of Location and Quality in Oligopoly
Authors: Corchón Luis Carlos , Zudenkova Galina
Published: July 2013

In this article, we show that in models where location is endogenous, maximum welfare losses arising from non-optimal locations or from the lack of market coverage may be substantial. In contrast, maximum welfare losses arising from non-optimal quality choices are more modest, but they might vary discontinuously with the dispersion in consumer tastes. Very often, welfare losses can be inferred from data.
Measuring the Financial Exposure from Medical Care Spending Among Families with Employer Sponsored Insurance
Authors: Abraham Jean M. , Royalty Anne Beeson , DeLeire Thomas
Published: July 2013

We develop an empirical method to assess the degree of financial exposure associated with medical care spending among non-elderly US families with employer-sponsored insurance. A key feature of this method is its simplicity – it only requires data on out-of-pocket (OOP) health care spending and total health care spending and does not require detailed knowledge of health insurance benefit design. We apply our method to assess whether families with a chronically ill member face more financial exposure given their level of total spending relative to families with no chronically ill members. We find that the insured chronically ill face more financial exposure than the insured non-chronically ill. Additional analyses suggest that the reason for this additional financial exposure is not that families with a chronically ill member are in different, less generous plans, on average. Rather, families with a chronically ill member have higher spending on certain types of medical services (e.g., pharmaceuticals) that face higher levels of coinsurance. Given recent work on value-based insurance design and coinsurance as an obstacle to medication adherence, our findings suggest that the current design of health plans could jeopardize both the health and the financial well-being of the chronically ill.
Assessment of the Physico-mechanical, Chemical and Colour Characteristics of Potatoes Depending on Tuber Size and Cultivar
Authors: Altuntas Ebubekir , Yilmaz Gungor , Karan Yasin Bedrettin , Dulger Emre
Published: July 2013

In this study, four tuber sizes (28S1 45mm, 45S255mm, 55S365 mm and S465 mm) and three potato cultivars (Jelly, Milva and Sante) were used to assess the variations of physico-mechanical, chemical and colour properties depending on tuber size and potato cultivars. Physico-mechanical properties (geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, bulk and tuber densities, volume, static coefficient of friction, puncture force and deformation), chemical properties (pH, total acidity [TA] and total soluble solid content [TSSC]), and colour characteristics (L
, a
, b
) were determined. The physico-mechanical (geometric properties and puncture force) and chemical properties of potatoes were significantly affected by tuber sizes and cultivars, respectively. pH, TA and TSSC of potato tuber were higher in Milva, TA was higher in Jelly and TSSC was higher in Sante than in those of the other cultivars, respectively.
Crystal structure of 3-(thiophen-2-yl-carbonyl)-4-(thiophen-2-yl)-1-isopropyl-4-piperidinol, C17H21NO2S2
Authors: Aydin Abdullah , Akkurt Mehmet , Gul Halise Inci , Mete Ebru , Sahin Ertan
Published: July 2013

C17H21NO2S2, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 5.9254(2) Å, b = 8.9579(2) Å, c = 16.6787(4) Å, α = 92.570(1)°, β = 99.158(2)°, γ = 98.441(2)°, V = 862.4 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0557, wRref(F2) = 0.1477, T = 293 K.
Crystal structure of (2,2’-bipyrimidine-κ2N,N')dichloridopalladium(II), PdCl2(C8H6N4), C8H6Cl2N4Pd
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: July 2013

C8H6Cl2N4Pd, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 5.0941(7) Å, b = 14.258(2) Å, c = 13.947(2) Å, β = 91.574(2)°, V = 1012.6 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0233, wRref(F2) = 0.0666, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of (acetonitrile-κN-iodido[2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl-κ2N,C] platinum(II), PtI(C11H8N)(CH3CN), C13H11IN2Pt
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: July 2013

C13H11IN2Pt, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 11.708(1) Å, b = 5.6266(6) Å, c = 20.214(2) Å, β = 105.161(2)°, V = 1285.2 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0241, wRref(F2) = 0.0504, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of trans-dibromidobis(4-phenylpyridine-κN) platinum(II), PtBr2(C11H9N)2, C22H18Br2N2Pt
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: July 2013

C22H18Br2N2Pt, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 9.296(1) Å, b = 24.252(3) Å, c = 8.940(1) Å, β = 98.893(2)°, V = 1991.4 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0200, wRref(F2) = 0.0518, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of pentakis(diisobutylaminium) dichloride tris(tetrachloridoferrate(III)), C40H100Cl14Fe3N5
Authors: Reiss Guido J.
Published: July 2013

C40H100Cl14Fe3N5, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 19.549(2) Å, b = 20.031(2) Å, c = 19.705(2) Å, β = 117.388(4)°, V = 6851.3(12) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0220, wRref(F2) = 0.0529, T = 100 K.
Pediatrician Workforce Policy Statement
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON PEDIATRIC WORKFORCE, Basco William T. , Rimsza Mary E. , Rimsza Mary E. , Hotaling Andrew J. , Sigrest Ted D. , Simon Frank A.
Published: July 2013

This policy statement reviews important trends and other factors that affect the pediatrician workforce and the provision of pediatric health care, including changes in the pediatric patient population, pediatrician workforce, and nature of pediatric practice. The effect of these changes on pediatricians and the demand for pediatric care are discussed. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concludes that there is currently a shortage of pediatric medical subspecialists in many fields, as well as a shortage of pediatric surgical specialists. In addition, the AAP believes that the current distribution of primary care pediatricians is inadequate to meet the needs of children living in rural and other underserved areas, and more primary care pediatricians will be needed in the future because of the increasing number of children who have significant chronic health problems, changes in physician work hours, and implementation of current health reform efforts that seek to improve access to comprehensive patient- and family-centered care for all children in a medical home. The AAP is committed to being an active participant in physician workforce policy development with both professional organizations and governmental bodies to ensure a pediatric perspective on health care workforce issues. The overall purpose of this statement is to summarize policy recommendations and serve as a resource for the AAP and other stakeholders as they address pediatrician workforce issues that ultimately influence the quality of pediatric health care provided to children in the United States.
Alkaline Surfactant Polymer (Local) Enhanced Oil Recovery: An Experimental Approach
Authors: Ojukwu C. , Onyekonwu M. O. , Ogolo N. A. , Ubani C.
Published: July 2013

Alkaline Surfactant Polymer (ASP) local oil recovery process has shown great potential in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The recovery percentages are encouraging. The fact that these reagents are locally and cheaply sourced is also advantageous. The technique can be successfully applied in producing oil left in reservoirs after primary and secondary recovery process has been exhausted. The reagents used for this work include Irvingia Gabonensis, Lecithin and Palm Bunch Ash (PBA). Irvingia Gabonensis is granulated wild mango seeds (Ogbono, a biopolymer) used as polymer. It has similar characteristics with the xanthan gum that is already in use. Lecithin is a phospholipid and also a surfactant extract from soya bean. PBA is an alkali, and also an agricultural waste product. The reagents were used individually and in combination. Unconsolidated sand was used in the experiment.

The appreciable oil recovery from the experiment buttresses the essence of lowering interfacial tension by the alkali through in-situ saponification to recover 25% oil in place (OIP). The surfactant in this experiment lowered interfacial tension to release more oil out from the sand pores and thus recovered 23.3% OIP. The polymer used increased the mobility and gradually swept the oil trapped in the pores to increase oil recovery by 22.7% OIP. A combination of the reagents used shows that the ASP flood gave a percentage recovery of 27.7% ROIP and an incremental oil recovery of 17.9% above water flooding.
Recovery of Marginal Reserves Through a Cement Packer within Two Production Packers in Dual Completion Strings
Authors: Okoto Francis , Mofunlewi Samuel , Kayode-Sote Olujimi , Okeke Francis , Fatile Olufemi , Enekahi Henry , Atanda Bukola
Published: July 2013

For more than a decade now cement packers have been used to access behind the pipe reserves that have been over looked due to their uneconomical viabilities during the developmental stages of the different reservoirs in a well. This technology has been used mostly to access reserves above the production packers either in a single completion or in a dual completion wells.

Recently, this technology has been extended to marginal reserves found between dual production packers in dual strings completions. In some cases, it has been used to plug off existing perforations within the dual production packers and also used in accessing reserves slightly above or below the existing perforations.

Equally, a new approach was adapted in keeping the tubing free of cement slurry during displacement. This new approach uses a foam wiper ball that is housed in a conventional cement head (designed solely for cement packer jobs) which launches the foam wiper ball to wipe off cement from the Christmas tree bore and production tubing during the displacement of the cement slurry. It also prevents the rigging down of the pump line from the well head connection/crossovers during the wiper ball launching.

This paper describes successful cement packer recompletion jobs done on reserves found above dual production completion and those found between two dual production completion packers using the above techniques.
Application of Experimental Design for Improved Reservoir-Characterisation by Pressure-Transient Analysis
Authors: Uvieghara Tega , Lawal Kazeem A. , Effiom Oghogho
Published: July 2013

Pressure-transient Analysis (PTA) is a useful technique for well-performance analysis and reservoir characterisation. Compared to other subsurface-characterisation techniques, PTA generally provides a more quantitative understanding of the subsurface characteristics over a relatively larger area. However, similar to all inverse problems, the results are often non-unique, largely due to uncertainties in the input data and interpretation model. Although the integration of PTA with other sources of information usually narrows the choice of the interpretation model, the use of uncertain input parameters still undermines the quality of the results while putting the associated business decisions at risk.

To explore the effects of the full range of input-parameter uncertainties on PTA results, this paper describes the combined application of experimental design and response-surface method to analyse and interpret the pressure-transient data recorded by a permanent downhole-gauge during the shut-in of an oil producer in a West-African deepwater reservoir. Specifically, the paper discusses (i) a procedure for establishing the range of input-parameter uncertainties; and (ii) the effects of these uncertainties on the estimated well, reservoir and boundary properties.

Within the parameter-space examined, it is found that the interpreted subsurface properties show strong dependence on the input-parameter range. More importantly, the susceptibility of relying on a single PTA outcome for key subsurface parameters such as permeability and connected volume is clearly demonstrated.
Impact of Matrix Acidizing on Shale Formations
Authors: Morsy Samiha , Sheng J. J. , Hetherington C. J. , Soliman Mohamed Y. , Ezewu Roland O.
Published: July 2013

Matrix acidizing is typically used to remove drilling and completion damage to reservoir conductivity around the wellbore and dissolve calcite in natural fractures. Despite being a common procedure, few studies have investigated the effect of matrix acidizing on the physical properties and oil recovery factors in shales. This paper describes the effect of HCl treatment on porosity, spontaneous imbibition, and crack distribution in samples from the Eagle Ford, Mancos, Barnett and Marcellus shale formations. Samples measuring 2.54–3.81 cm in diameter and 2.54–5.08 cm in length were exposed to acid with concentrations between 0.8–3% active HCl (4 and 15% of 20% diluted HCl). Active acid concentrations of 0.8% were optimal for balancing enhanced oil recovery while maintaining samples structural stability and integrity. The Pre and post HCl treated samples were saturated with Soltrol 130™. Oil recovery was determined by measuring the quantities of oil displaced by uptake of saline water. Recovery factors for Mancos and Eagle Ford shale samples improved from 4 and 16% for non-treated samples to 36 and 71% for the treated samples. In contrast, no change in Barnett and Marcellus shale recovery factors were observed. Porosities were calculated using X-ray computed tomography (CT–scanning). Average porosities prior to acid treatment were 1.6 – 3.7% versus 1.6–10.7% after acid treatment. The CT-scanning studies of treated samples also shows that in the Mancos shale randomly oriented cracks developed, while in the Barnett and Marcellus shales cracks developed along bedding planes; very little crack development was observed in Eagle Ford shales. These results are encouraging for the application of matrix acidizing in shale formations to improve microfractures conductivity at distances along strike from the wellbore.
Seismic-Guided Appraisal and Development: A Case Study from Niger Delta
Authors: Ayeni Olumide , Amaefuna Magnus , Nwogbo Prince , Adepoju Yaqub , Fasasi Roseline , Opadokun Dayo
Published: July 2013

The development strategy for a green reservoir with a huge gas resource needs to be evaluated based primarily on the presence or otherwise of a possible economic oil column below this gas cap, as well as on other pertinent reservoir property distributions. The evaluation process requires the integration of all available and credible geoscience and engineering information to help justify and support the correct assessment of key elements and options in the development strategy.

The only well that penetrated this structure encountered a "gas-down-to" (GDT) within the upper reservoir interval. The objective is to assess the possibility of the existence of an oil rim below the GDT and to estimate the depth of a possible GOC and the associated degree of confidence. This assessment needs to be done to support a robust hydrocarbon development strategy and to secure approvals from regulatory authorities.

This paper details the use of 3D seismic attribute analysis and forward seismic modelling combined with static reservoir modelling and scenario management to delineate the fluid contacts and to constrain the inherent uncertainties. The direct hydrocarbon indicator (DHI) observed on the 3D seismic data across the field exhibits an excellent structural fit and yielded a robust fluid contact definition. The use of quantitative seismic amplitude analysis as well as scenario synthetic matches with real seismic data was invaluable in guiding the selection of a feasible development option and securing the necessary approvals.
Sustainability Risks in the Supply Chain - The Nigerian Content Challenge
Authors: Olatoye Deji
Published: July 2013

With the passing into law of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (‘the Act’) in 2010, a needle's eye has now been transformed into a floodgate for the participation of local enterprises in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. The oil majors, multinational corporations, which constitute the mainframe of private sector participation in the industry now have to deal with a whole host of new players within their supply chains, with serious implications for procurement management. One such implication will be challenges posed by sustainability risks (Olatoye 2011; Toye 2010).

Sustainability risks are those risks posed by aspects of an organisation's business or operational practices to its sustainability aspirations, expectations or obligations. Traditionally, sustainability risks in the supply chain have been focused on the environmental indicators – thus explaining lingoes like ‘green purchasing’, ‘eco-procurement’ etc (Russel 1998; Erdmenger 2003). However, the enactment of the Act also coincides with increasing emphasis on social as well as economic indicators of sustainability performance (Olatoye 2012).

This state of affairs raises issues on what both procurers and suppliers of services under the Nigerian content regime should envisage in the emergent industry structure. This is all the more so as the procurers of services are not just subject to Nigerian local laws but also a regime of international sustainability requirements, the so-called international corporate responsibility (Michael 2005).

Using the framework of the Global Reporting Initiative and associated standards and principles, this paper draws a chart of the dimensions of commitments which both the supply and demand sides of local content services must look at, as they cement their relationships. It concludes by demonstrating that Nigerian enterprises desirous of taking advantage of the Act will need to look beyond that Act and even the Nigerian legal regime for an understanding of the standard of practices which would be acceptable to their service procurers.
"I-Petro"- Software For The Evaluation Of Oil In Place And Petrophysical Properties Of Petroleum Reservoirs
Authors: Okoli Ugochukwu , Ajienka J. A.
Published: July 2013

Reservoir estimation and evaluation during the exploration and appraisal phases of an Asset has proven very challenging due to the data uncertainties of the Reservoir. This makes the original oil in place calculations erroneous. Some of thePetrophysical data include the permeability, porosity, formation resistivity factor and saturation of water. The Porosity of the reservoir rocks and its permeability can be said to be the most fundamental physical properties with respect to the storage and transmission of fluids. These properties might also have an effect on the Formation resistivity factor, Saturation of water and then the whole Oil in place estimation. Thus, the accurate knowledge of these properties for any hydrocarbon Reservoir, along with the fluid properties is required for efficient development, management, and prediction of future performance of the oilfield Asset. This paper discusses the development (modelling, programming and simulating) of I-PETRO, a software designed to aid the evaluation of Petrophysical data, with reference to data from all the various Depobelts in the Niger-Delta. They incorporate all existing Models and correlations (Global and Regional), which thus allows the user to be able to compare the obtained value with existing correlations. It also helps to evaluate the oil in place. It was developed with Visual Basic 6.0. It is user friendly, reduces complexities in facies analysis, perform Petrophysical properties evaluation and is fully accompanied with an encompassing unit's converter. The first step of achieving the objectives of this project was to develop correlations for Formation Resistivity and Porosity especially for the Niger Delta from 156 data points, these points were taken from different regions of the Niger Delta Depobelts (Northern Delta, Greater Ughelli, Coastal Swamp, Central Swamp and the Offshore Depobelts) and they were compared with Global correlations. I-PETRO software was then developed using an algorithm, which was used to develop the program to estimate Petrophysical parameters and then the oil in place, taking into consideration all the required correlations required for more accurate evaluations.
Optimizing The Technical Limit Value Of Drilling Operations With Proper Bit Selection And Hydraulics
Authors: Okoli Ugochukwu
Published: July 2013

The cost of drill bits represents only approximately 3–4% of the authorization for expenditure (AFE) of well construction, but by their overall performance, affect 15–20% of the overall well cost which can either be positive due to increased rate of penetration (ROP) or negative due to trouble time (TT) losses due to the wellbore or invisible lost time (ILT) due to connection times or other failures. When these costs are considered, the selection of the appropriate bit can be seen to be key of the overall economics of field development. Bit performance represents the achievement of preset objectives which include revolutions per minute (RPM), weight on bit (WOB) and flowrate-hydraulics inclusive. These are a function of the rate of penetration (ROP), footage, and dull grading in a given formation. Bit behavior represents the ability to achieve the required directional control within the confines of a systemized drilling environment. It is a function of the bottom hole assembly, the planned tortuosity of the well (well directional profile) and the operational environment.

In a new development, the typical procedure for the selection of drill bits is for the operator to initially approach drill bit vendors with a data package which contains information (lithology, log information(sonic, density-neutron), and bits graded from offset wells, these are used for the proposed wells as offset information. Drill bit vendors then put together a proposal based on this data and local experience; usually there is no way of validating the bit recommendation except by running the bit and evaluating the dull grade when out of hole, should the bit performance not meet the expectations then a new bit is tried. This method of trial and error exposes the operator and sometimes the cost impact is massive and has its effect on the project.

The technical limit cycle is a conceptual feedback tool for maximizing drilling efficiency, and this paper presents how proper bit selection and proper hydraulics will help to increase the ROP of a well. This in turn helps to reduce all the trouble and invisible lost times which can be created by hole cleaning, high unplanned tortuosity, vibrations, helical/sinusoidal buckling of strings, bit whirls, excessive drags which distorts the planned time of drilling a well. This increases the well cost and increases the technical limit value of the well but the reverse when the right bit is chosen and flat times eliminated.
Drilling Cost Effective Wells By Incorporating Lessons Learnt Into Drilling Operations; OML 126 Wells (Phase 1 FDP)
Authors: Okubor Eleanor , Okoli Ugochukwu
Published: July 2013

The decision to drill new expensive offshore wells is made because of the availability of information that proves the profitability of these new wells and the possibility that these wells can be drilled faster and more efficiently due to experience that has been gathered from drilling older wells under similar conditions. The cost of drilling new offshore wells has not reduced in recent times and drilling new wells to meet production targets has become more challenging while well trajectories have become increasingly more complex thereby increasing the associated costs of delivering such wells. However, new technologies combined with experience have improved the efficacy of operations when drilling relatively challenging wells.

Addax Petroleum Nigeria in its offshore OML-126 operations has been able to overcome technical, logistical and organizational challenges by effectively applying lessons learned from previous operations in its on going operations there by improving drilling performance – reducing time spent drilling and operational costs.

Simple modifications such as using a 36″ bit instead of a hole opener to drill the top hole section improved cementing, setting the seal assembly after cementing operations rather than before cementing to prevent the accumulation of debris around the seal assembly area improved the efficiency of setting the seal assembly, optimizing the screen sizes while drilling the reservoir section reduced the time spent conditioning the mud to Production Screen Testing (PST) quality for completion operations (running Expandable Sand Screens (ESS) and Stand Alone Screens (SAS)), and has also considerably reduced the time for completion operations, other factors like continuity, in-house competition, improved communication and knowledge management has helped increase the efficiency of operations and saved cost».

This paper expounds on these and other changes that were carried out during the Phase I development of the Okwori field and how they reduced costs and saved time while achieving the goals that were set prior to commencing the drilling campaign.
Classification and Management of Liquid Loading in Gas Wells
Authors: Joseph A , Sand C. M , Ajienka J. A.
Published: July 2013

Liquid loading in gas wells is the accumulation of liquids (water or condensate or both) in the wellbore due to pressure decline. It occurs in vertical or deviated wells during production from natural gas reservoirs as a consequence of condensation and coalescence of liquids from gas streams. This is common in both offshore and onshore production systems and results in the simultaneous flow of gas, liquid hydrocarbons and water.

Both water vapour and intermediate hydrocarbons can condense, depending on the composition of the gas, the temperature and pressure within the wellbore. Liquid loading has remained a menace and a fundamental problem in gas wells as all gas wells will undergo this phase in their productive life cycle. It is more pronounced in aging fields but can also occur in new wells having poor completion designs. When improperly managed, liquid loading can cause not only a drastic reduction in production but also pose a potential challenge of killing the well.

Several methods are available in aiding and managing production when severe liquid loading occurs, but there is no current solution available in preventing its occurrence in the industry

This review considers a broad perspective of how liquid loading has been managed over the years and develops classifications for liquid loading problems based on the sources of the liquids, the severity of the problem, the preventive measures and the treatment strategies available in the industry. A comparative analysis of some of the predictive models was made along with a new model using Matlab. The result shows that at pressures below 2500psi and pressures above 5000psia; the modified model perform better than Turner et al's model whereas at pressures between 2500 and 5000psia, Turner et al's model performed better than other models.

This work is intended to provide a "first aid" guide to professionals and early career engineers in one package – identifying different types of liquid loading problems and the available and best techniques in managing it; thus accelerating quick decision making and intervention in gas fields for the oil and gas industry.
Prediction of Oil Rim Presence from Compositional Gradient Theory – A Case Study from Niger Delta Reservoirs
Authors: Joseph Peter , Imo-Jack Otavie
Published: July 2013

Fields in the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria typically comprise of stacked multiple reservoirs, sometimes with more than one culmination in a particular sand unit. Due to the occurrence of numerous hydrocarbon-bearing intervals in these stacked reservoirs, it is often unlikely that an appraisal well downdip of the structures will provide fluid contacts information at all levels in the field. Based on this fact, some gas-bearing reservoirs with relatively small Hydrocarbon In-Place volumes cannot be economically developed owing to the requirement of a dedicated appraisal well to establish the presence or absence of an oil-rim. The presence of an oil rim in a predominantly gas reservoir can go a long way in influencing the long term development philosophy. For example, the presence of an oil rim could lead to delay in gas cap production, and thus affect an operator's ability to meet gas demand contracts. An alternative approach that can verify the presence of oil-rim without a dedicated appraisal well will aid early development of these reservoirs.

In this paper, the use of compositional gradient model as an alternative way of predicting presence of oil-rim in the Niger Delta reservoirs is presented. The model is calibrated with data from several reservoirs with known fluid contacts, and then applied to gas reservoirs where fluid contacts are unknown. The results show good comparison with log, core and amplitude data when the fluid column is continuous and not interrupted by fluid infusion or geological barrier.

The theory of using compositional gradients to establish the presence of oil-rim has been widely investigated around the world. The theory is based on compositional variation along hydrocarbon column where the forces at play are majorly arising from gravity, chemical and thermal forces. In a typical hydrocarbon bearing column under gravitational forces, the mole fraction of lighter components decreases while that of heavy fractions increases from top to base of the column. As a result, fluid composition and properties also vary. This is the basic theory underlying the use of compositional gradient model to predict oil rim presence.

In the Niger Delta where the CAPEX for a new well is in the region of $25 million for an onshore well, this approach becomes a cost-effective way of confirming the presence of oil-rim, and therefore aid the profitable and speedy development of the asset.
Prediction Of Rate And Volume Of Oil Spill In Horizontal And Inclined Pipelines
Authors: Salufu Samuel O , Ibukun Samson O
Published: July 2013

Accurate prediction of total quantity of oil spills has become essential in designing bioremediation technology for effective remediation, cleanup of oil polluted environment, and for proper assessment of oil polluted environment.

Hydrodynamic principles were used to derive a simple analytical model to predict the rate and total volume of oil spills in both horizontal and inclined pipeline. The model result was validated with experimental result at various leakages pressure and leakages radii.

The results indicate that the model values match with the experimental values. The average standard
Who is Subjected to Coercive Measures as a Psychiatric Inpatient? A Multi-Level Analysis
Authors: Flammer E , Steinert T , Eisele F , Bergk J , Uhlmann C
Published: July 2013

Background:

For a reduction in the use of coercive interventions it will be necessary to identify patients at risk. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of basic patient characteristics at admission, history within 24 hours before admission, and living conditions on the risk of experiencing coercive measures, controlling for ward characteristics in a multi-level approach.

Methods:

Patient characteristics of 3389 patients (1920 women) who had received inpatient treatment in 2007, data relating to coercive measures, and ward characteristics were extracted from the clinical basic documentation.

Results:

Patients with aggressive behaviour in the 24 hours prior to admission had a three times higher risk of coercive measures compared to non-aggressive patients. Severity of illness increased the risk of coercion markedly. With each level of severity, the risk of coercion was doubled. Voluntariness of stay appeared to be the best protective factor against coercive measures. If a patient stayed voluntarily, this reduced the risk of coercion by more than two thirds. No impact was found for living conditions.

Conclusions:

To identify patients at risk, it is most important to intensively monitor patients with aggressive behaviour prior to admission and patients with a greater severity of psychopathological symptoms.
Physical Activity in Depressed Elderly. A Systematic Review
Authors: Mura Gioia , Carta Mauro Giovanni
Published: July 2013

Background:

exercise may reduce depressive symptoms both in healthy aged populations and in old patients diagnosed with MDD, but few specific analysis were conducted on the efficacy of exercise as an adjunctive treatment with antidepressants, which may be probably more useful in clinical practice, considered the high prevalence of treatment resistant depression in late life, the low cost and safety of physical activity interventions.

Objective:

to establish the new findings on the effectiveness of exercise on depression in elderlies, with particular focus on the efficacy of the exercise as an adjunctive treatment with antidepressants drug therapy.

Method:

the search of significant articles was carried out in PubMed/Medline with the following key words: “exercise”, “physical activity”, “physical fitness”, “depressive disorder”, “depression”, “depressive symptoms”, “late life”, “old people”, and “elderly”.

Results:

44 papers were retrieved by the search. Among the 10 included randomized controlled trials, treatment allocation was adequately conceived in 4 studies, intention-to-treat analysis was performed in 6 studies, but no study had a double-blinded assessment. We examined and discussed the results of all these trials.

Conclusion:

in the last 20 years, few progresses were done in showing the efficacy of exercise on depression, due in part to the persistent lack of high quality research, in part to clinical issues of management of depression in late life, in part to the difficult to establish the real effectiveness of exercise on depressive symptoms in elderlies. However, there are some promising findings on physical activity combined with antidepressants in treatment resistant late life depression.
Comorbidity of Depression and Anxiety: Association with Poor Quality of Life in Type 1 and 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: de Ornelas Maia Ana Claudia C. , Braga Arthur de Azevedo , Paes Flávia , Machado Sergio , Carta Mauro Giovanni , Nardi Antonio Egidio , Silva Adriana Cardoso
Published: July 2013

Background:

Diabetes is associates with depression and impairment in Quality of Life (QoL).

Objective:

The objective is to define the frequencies of depressive and anxiety symptoms in a sample of patients diagnosed with type 1 and 2 diabetes, the amount of impairment of QoL and the weight of depression and anxiety in determining the QoL in such of patients.

Methods:

A total of 210 patients were divided into two groups (type 1 and type 2). Patients completed the HADS and WHOQoL-bref.

Results:

Groups showed a high prevalence of anxiety (type 1 = 60%, type 2 = 43.8%) and depression (type 1 = 52.4%, type 2 = 38.1%), both measures were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in diabetes type 1 patients. Type 1 patients also showed a QoL in the overall assessment and the physical, psychological and social relations domains. In both Type 1 and 2 diabetes poor QoL was found associated by anxiety and depression comorbidity.

Conclusion:

In overall diabetes patients depression and anxiety seems to be a determinant of poor QoL.
Impact of Blood Cultures on the Changes of Treatment in
Hospitalized Patients with Community-Acquired
Pneumonia
Authors: Ishikawa Genta , Nishimura Naoki , Kitamura Atsushi , Yamano Yasuhiko , Tomishima Yutaka , Jinta Torahiko , Chohnabayashi Naohiko
Published: July 2013

Background:

Initial blood cultures (BCs) with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are warranted. However, other than severity, the specific contributing factors that affect the decision to change antimicrobial agents have not been evaluated previously.

Methods:

Consecutive adults with CAP hospitalized between January 2008 and December 2010 were assessed retrospectively. We enrolled those who were over 18 years old with typical symptoms of pneumonia and with an infiltrate consistent with pneumonia, from which 2 sets of BCs were obtained. Those who had been immunocompromised, hospitalized, or prescribed antibiotics in the past 30 days were excluded. We retrospectively assessed the factors contributing to the change in antimicrobial agents as well as the frequency of these changes in the enrolled patients based on the initial BC results.

Results:

In total, 793 patients with initial diagnosis of CAP were admitted; 399 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 386 were made definitive diagnosis of CAP after admission (the remaining 13 were made alternative diagnosis [non-pneumonia illnesses]). BC results were positive in 17 (4.4%) out of 386 CAP patients, among whom antimicrobial therapy was changed based on the BC results in 8 (2.1%) (Pneumonia Severity Index [PSI] grade IV; 2, PSI grade V; 6). Alternative diagnosis after admission was contributing factors for changing antimicrobial agents based on the positive blood culture results.

Conclusions:

The use of BCs should be limited to patients with very severe cases. It would be helpful to find alternative diagnosis and modify treatment.
The synergetic effect of α-hydroxycarbonyls mixtures used as green reducing agent on the indigo dyeing process
Authors: Ben Ticha , Meksi Nizar , Drira Neila , Kechida Moez , Mhenni Mohammed
Published: July 2013

Textile Industries use different chemicals in dyeing processes, consuming
large quantities of water and producing large volumes of wastewater. For the
particular case of indigo dyeing processes, its reduction is performed
chemically by the addition of sodium dithionite. However, this is considered
environmentally unfavorable because of the resulting contaminated
wastewaters. Therefore, it is important to replace sodium dithionite with
other alternatives in order to achieve cleaner processes. ?-hydroxycarbonyls
have been suggested as possible environmentally friendly alternatives to
reduce indigo. However, each one applied alone is enable to attain the dyeing
performances offered by the conventional reductant. Thus , the study of the
synergy of some selected ?-hydroxycarbonyls was proposed. In this paper, a
mixture design of experimental (DOE) methods was used to determine the
optimum combination of ?-hydrxycarbonyls to be applied in the indigo
reduction process. Based on the design expert software, quadratic models were
established as functions of ?-hydroxycarbonyls proportions. The diagnostics
of models were investigated by using mixture contour plots. Finally, a model
was proposed to predict the optimum conditions leading to dyeing performances
exceeding those obtained from the reduction of indigo by the conventional
sodium dithionite.
The application of NIR spectroscopy with chemometric analysis for monitoring the powder blending process
Authors: Maric Ljiljana , Jovic Branislav , Petrovic Slobodan , Nikolic Aleksandar , Homsek Irena
Published: July 2013

This paper reports the use of Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a Process
Analytical Technology (PAT) tool for monitoring the metformin hydrochloride
and polyvinilpyrolidone (PVP) mixing process, which is the first stage in the
tablet production. Blend homogeneity was tested using the noninvasive NIR
spectroscopy method and Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression model was
applied for the analysis of the obtained spectra. Simultaneously, the
critical parameter (metformin hydrochloride content) was monitored by
classical analytical technique, validated HPLC method, commonly used for this
purpose. Based on the high sensitivity of the model developed in this study,
as well as the established correlation among the results obtained by
different methods, it can be concluded that the proposed rapid and
noninvasive technique can be an effective tool for one of the critical
manufacturing step monitoring in solid dosage forms production.
Ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography-UV detection for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Ni, Co, Cu and Zn in water samples
Authors: Asghari Alireza , Ghazaghi Mehri , Rajabi Maryam , Behzad Mahdi , Ghaedi Mehrorang
Published: July 2013

Ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME)
coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV detection was
developed for simultaneous extraction and determination of nickel, cobalt,
copper and zinc ions. In the proposed approach, salophen
(N,N'-bis(salisyliden)-1,2-phenylenediamine) was used as a chelating agent;
the ionic liquid, 1-hexeyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, and
acetone were selected as extracting and dispersive solvents, respectively.
After extraction, phase separation was performed by centrifugation and the
sedimented phase (ionic liquid) was solubilized in acetonitrile and directly
injected into the HPLC for subsequent analysis. Baseline separation of metal
ion complexes was achieved on a RP-C18 column using a gradient elution of the
mixtures of methanol-acetonitrile-water as the mobile phase at a flow rate of
1.0 mL min-1. The influence of variables such as sample pH, concentration of
the chelating agent, amount of ionic liquid (extraction solvent), disperser
solvent volume, extraction time, salt effect and centrifugation speed were
studied and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factor of
222 was obtained. The detection limits for Ni, Co, Cu and Zn were 0.8, 1.6,
1.9 and 2.8 ?g L?1, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs)
were in the range of 3.6-5.0 % for all of the investigated metal ions. The
proposed procedure was successfully applied to the determination of the
studied metal ions in water samples.
Solubility of clonazepam and diazepam in binary and ternary mixtures of polyethylene glycols 400 or 600, propylene glycol and water at 298.2K - experimental data and modeling
Authors: Bastami Zahra , Soltanpour Shahla , Panahi-Azar Vahid , Jouyban Abolghasem
Published: July 2013

Experimental molar solubilities of clonazepam and diazepam in binary and
ternary mixtures of polyethylene glycols (PEGs) 400 or 600, propylene glycol
(PG) and water (138 data points) along with the density of the saturated
solutions at 298.2K were reported. The Jouyban-Acree model was used to fit
to the measurements for providing a computational method. Employing the
solubilities in the mono-solvents, the measured solubilities in mixed
solvents were back-calculated and the overall mean percentage deviations
(OMPDs) of the model were 16.0 % and 19.2% for diazepam and clonazepam,
respectively. Addition of the Hansen solubility parameters to the model helps
us to train all the data sets (clonazepam and diazepam) at once and the
back-calculated OMPD for this analysis was 19.3%.
Ten Years of Using Presentations at a Student Conference as a Final Assessment
Authors: Lund Nick
Published: July 2013

The final assessment for all psychology courses in the department of interdisciplinary studies, MMU Cheshire programmes, in the past 10 years has been a presentation of project work at an undergraduate conference. It is argued that this acts as an ‘authentic’ assessment method which helps prepare students for future experiences. Alumni who commented on their experience of the assessment noted an increased confidence in their presentation skills, communication skills, pride in their research, and a sense of professionalism. In general it was viewed retrospectively as a valuable learning experience and social event.
Are Capitalized Software Development Costs Informative About Audit Risk?
Authors: Krishnan Gopal V. , Wang Changjiang (John)
Published: July 2013

SYNOPSIS

Capitalization of software research and development costs (SDC) under SFAS No. 86 is the only exception to SFAS No. 2 that calls for immediate expensing of R&D costs. Although intangible assets have become increasingly relevant for firm valuation, they remain largely unexplored in audit research. This is an important topic because intangible assets, especially those that are internally developed, pose greater challenges in assessing audit risk relative to tangible assets. Capitalization of SDC offers a unique opportunity to study how auditors assess audit risk associated with the recognition of this intangible asset. While capitalized SDC could shed light on software products' potential commercial success and inform the auditor about the client's business risk, the accounting flexibility allowed by SFAS No. 86 also increases the risk of earnings management, and thus implies higher audit risk. Using audit fees as a proxy for audit risk, our results indicate that capitalized SDC are negatively associated with audit fees for firms where capitalization is inconsequential to beating analysts' forecasts, and also for firms with low analysts' following. These results support the notion that capitalized SDC signal lower business risk, especially for firms with low earnings management risk or high private information.
High Glucose Represses β-Klotho Expression and Impairs Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Action in Mouse Pancreatic Islets
Authors: So Wing Yan , Cheng Qianni , Chen Lihua , Evans-Molina Carmella , Xu Aimin , Lam Karen S.L. , Leung Po Sing
Published: July 2013

Circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels are elevated in diabetic subjects and correlate directly with abnormal glucose metabolism, while pharmacologically administered FGF21 can ameliorate hyperglycemia. The pancreatic islet is an FGF21 target, yet the actions of FGF21 in the islet under normal and diabetic conditions are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of high glucose on islet FGF21 actions in a diabetic mouse model by investigating db/db mouse islet responses to exogenous FGF21, the direct effects of glucose on FGF21 signaling, and the involvement of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in FGF21 pathway activation. Results showed that both adult db/db mouse islets and normal islets treated with high glucose ex vivo displayed reduced β-klotho expression, resistance to FGF21, and decreased PPARγ expression. Rosiglitazone, an antidiabetic PPARγ ligand, ameliorated these effects. Our data indicate that hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus may lead to FGF21 resistance in pancreatic islets, probably through reduction of PPARγ expression, which provides a novel mechanism for glucose-mediated islet dysfunction.