bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Note on the Interrelationship Between Wetting and Nonwetting Phase Relative Permeability
Authors: Wyllie M.R.J.
Published: April 2012

In a recent publication wetting phase relative permeability was expressedas:

(Equation 1)

and it was stated that a similar expression applied, mutatis mutandis, tonon-wetting phase relative permeability; i.e.,

(Equation 2)

In Equations (1) and (2), Sw and So are respectively the wetting andnon-wetting phase saturations as a fraction of the pore volume; Pc is thecapillary pressure; I, the wetting phase electrical resistivity index; IN, theanalogous non-wetting phase electrical resistivity index and Krw and Krnw, thewetting and non-wetting phase relative permeabilities.

Equation (3) is interesting because it expresses the nonwetting phaserelative permeability of a porous medium at any saturation as a function of thewetting phase relative permeability at that saturation, the saturation itselfand parameters which bear directly on the distribution within the pores of thenon-wetting and wetting phase fluid networks. It is thus inherentlyplausible.

Equation (3) is not readily checked against experimental data since fewreliable relative permeability figures have appeared in the literature; also nopublished information exists on the probable relationship between IN and So.However, if the Krw and Krnw figures of Leverett for unconsolidated sands areused in conjunction with the relationship I = Sw-2 for sands of this type, itis possible for Equation (3) to compute IN as a function of So. The results areshown in the accompanying figure and it will be seen that IN = So-1.72. Asynthetic sandstone for which Muskat quotes relative permeability data, alsogives a straight line plot between IN and So if I = Sw-1.8 is assumed. (Aresistivity index exponent of 1.8 appears to be the best average forconsolidated porous media.)

T.N. 93
The Quantitative Aspects of Electric Log Interpretation
Authors: Walstrom J.E.
Published: April 2012

While intensive research continues to promote a more complete understandingof the potential and resistivity measurements that comprise the electric log, it is believed that consideration should also be given to translating thesenumerous and often widely separated findings into a coordinated and readablebody of fundamental facts designed specifically for the petroleum engineer andgeologist. Although provision is made through publication for a ready exchangeof new theoretical concepts, it is also desirable to provide reviews andappraisals of the more established techniques and methods from the operatingstandpoint so that an economic and practical application may be realizedconcurrently with the theoretical progress. With these basic premises as aguide the author reviews the present state of electric log interpretation.

The paper is directed not so much to the logging or research specialist asto the petroleum engineer and geologist to whom the electric log is only one ofthe many tools which he employs. Frequently, these persons do not have the timeto follow in detail the many specialized contributions that appear and, as aconsequence, are not in a position to place these contributions in properrelation to each other, or to the art as a whole.

The paper reviews the basic steps in making quantitative determinations fromthe electric log of the amount of oil or gas present in subsurface formationsand also discusses the degree of reliability of these determinations undervarious conditions. The paper also indicates the trend of future developmentsin electric logging systems and methods of interpretation.

Introduction

The electric log has been used about 20 years as a means for studying theformations penetrated by a well bore. The first half of this period ischaracterized by the development of suitable logging techniques and equipment.Although progress in this direction is continuing at a satisfactory rate, thelast ten years are characterized more by an increasing interest in methods ofelectric log interpretation. During this period, a large number of fundamentalpapers have been published, expounding various logging techniques andparticular phases of the interpretation problem. Many of these papers representimportant contributions, and a few are classic.

T.P. 3280
Equilibrium Vaporization Ratios for Nitrogen, Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Ethane and Hydrogen Sulfide in Absorber Oil-Natural Gas and Crude Oil-Natural Gas Systems
Authors: Jacoby R.H. , Rzasa M.J.
Published: April 2012

Experimental equilibrium vaporization ratios (K values) were obtained fornitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, ethane and hydrogen sulfide in two naturalgas-absorber oil mixtures and in two natural gas-Elk Basin crude oil mixtures.For each mixture of constant over-all composition, data were obtained at 100?,150? and 200'F and at various pressures in the range 200 to 5,000 psia. Someeffects of composition on the K values were obtained to serve as a guide inchoosing K's for engineering calculations on other mixtures.

The pressure cell used to obtain the data is a new type and is described herefor the first time.

Introduction

The phase equilibria of complex hydrocarbon mixtures such as natural gases, crude oils and their mixtures have been studied previously for the purpose offinding equilibrium vaporization ratios for the hydrocarbon constituents. In afew cases, such non-hydrocarbons as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogensulfide were included in the mixtures studied because they occur in the fluidsobtained from petroleum reservoirs.

The increasing occurrence of these non-hydrocarbons and their growingeconomic importance, make it necessary to account for them more accurately inengineering calculations than is now possible using the meager publisheddata.

The available data for non-hydrocarbons may be classified into two groups:namely, binary mixtures of a hydrocarbon and a non-hydrocarbon, and mixturescontaining three or more components, only one of which is a non-hydrocarbon.Among the former, phase analyses are available for two nitrogen-HC mixtures, five carbon dioxide-HC mixtures and three hydrogen sulfide-HC mixtures. Datafor more complex mixtures are available as follows: Nitrogen-Methane-Pentane;Nitrogen-Methane-Hexane; Nitrogen-Methane-Heptane; Carbon dioxide-NaturalGas-Natural Gasoline; Carbon dioxide-Natural Gas-Crude Oil.

These data have been used generally for engineering calculations, often withlittle regard for their precise applicability because data for thenon-hydrocarbons in the complex mixtures being dealt with were not available.The use of K values from binary data for calculations involving complexmixtures is open to criticism because such K's are not a function ofcomposition and very often show large differences from the K's for the samecomponents in a complex mixture.

T.P. 3312
Analysis of Pressure Build-Up Data
Authors: Thomas G.B.
Published: April 2012

Several methods of analyzing pressure build-up data in wells have beenpresented by various authors. This paper reviews the theory and method of D. R.Horner and presents example calculations performed on data obtained by testingseveral different types of wells. These calculations include,graphicalestimation of final static pressure,determination of the productivecapacity of the pay away from the well bore and,the degree to which theformation adjacent to the well bore has been damaged by completion or othercauses.

The methods of testing and precautions which should be taken to assurethe best data possible are discussed. Limitations and reliability of calculatedresults are also treated.

Introduction

Pressure testing of wells is generally limited to the determination ofproducing and static mean formation pressures. The so-called "static" pressure determinations, along with PVT, electric log and production data, enable the reservoir engineer to determine, within reasonable limits, the drivemechanism of the reservoir and in some cases, the amount of edge waterencroachment. Producing pressure tests enable calculation of productivityindices and allow the engineer to plan the systematic production of a poolfor optimum conservation of subsurface energy.

The radial flow formula advanced by Muskat has been based on the assumptionof incompressible radial fluid flow. It has been known that reservoir fluids donot behave in an ideally incompressible manner. For example, incompressibleflow theory indicates a simple logarithmic relationship between the differenceof the instantaneous and static well pressures when plotted against time. Thelatter stages of this type of plot of pressure build-up data generally show amarked deviation from the earlier straight line trend, which deviation may beshown to be due to the compressible flow of fluids toward the well bore.Shut-in times of 24, 48, 72, or at most 96 hours are currently in wide use fordetermining so-called "static" reservoir pressure. Due to thecontinuation of compressible flow of fluids into the well bore long after thisarbitrarily taken shut-in time, the determination of static pressures hasalmost invariably resulted in lower than equilibrium values. Materials balancecalculations made early in the life of a reservoir often result in a calculatedreserve which later observations prove to be too low. Failure to obtainreliable "static" reservoir pressures within the prescribed 24 or48-hour build-up period has undoubtedly been a major factor in obtaining theselow estimates. Comparison of theoretical and actual productivity performance has indicated that formation damage and not being able to attaintrue static pressures have been partially responsible for the observeddiscrepancies.

T.P. 3542
Recent Laboratory Investigations of Water Flooding in California
Authors: Johnston Norris , Van Wingen N.
Published: April 2012

Laboratory flood pot testing of California sands has progressed to aconsiderable extent in the past 18 months. Flood evaluations have been carriedout on over 200 large core samples. Many of these were heavy oil sands of highpermeability and completely unconsolidated in nature. The oil frequently formeda bank, though some of the oil was recovered in the subordinate phase of theflood, by viscous drag. Flood pot recoveries as high as 1400 bbl/ acre ft havebeen recorded. Reservoir analysis suggests a conformance factor of 0.4 toreduce laboratory recovery to probable field practice. Oils with viscosities upto 1800 cp have been successfully handled in flood pot evaluations. Theshallow, loose sands are not well adapted to the application of high pressuresto offset the high viscosities.

Introduction

Secondary recovery may be said to have started 60 years ago when accidentalfloods occurred in the Bradford sand in Pennsylvania; About 1921 artificiallyconducted water drives came into extensive use and since that time the greatBradford field has been almost completely subjected to water flooding. Duringthe last 30 years, most of the known medium and deeper production in Californiahas been discovered and is being exploited by primary recovery methodssupplemented in some instances by high pressure gas injection. The Californiaarea is just beginning to feel the need for secondary recovery in view of anunprecedented market demand and the rapidly rising cost of new pooldiscoveries.

With the presently recognized desirability of secondary recovery inCalifornia, there must also be appreciated a number of serious differencesbetween the water flooding problems here as compared to the territory east ofthe Rockies. California sands are generally thicker, and are frequently softand argillaceous. The oils are often heavier and asphaltic. Much of the oil isbelow 15?API, occurs at shallow depth, is cool and free from appreciabledissolved gas, which results in relatively high reservoir oil viscosity.Secondary recovery is particularly beneficial where primary recovery has beenpoor and where no natural water drive exists. These conditions applyparticularly to the heavy, shallow, clean production from soft, oftenargillaceous California sands so abundantly found at depths less than 1500feet. Often, too, there is a totally insufficient supply of water ofsatisfactory quality to inject at a reasonable cost. Also, the crude oils arepriced far below the premium Bradford crude.

T.P. 3640
Equilibrium Vaporization Ratios for Nitrogen, Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Ethane, and Hydrogen Sulfide in a Natural Gas-Condensate System
Authors: Jacoby R.H. , Rzasa M.J.
Published: April 2012

Experimental equilibrium vaporization ratios were obtained for nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, ethane, and hydrogen sulfide in natural gas-condensatesystems. Two different overall mixture compositions were investigated over thepressure range 500 to 4,000 psia at 100?, 150?, and 200?F. Partial phasediagrams of the mixtures were obtained; one of these showed a critical point at204?F and 3,875 psia. These and earlier data were compared with the Kelloggcorrelation at 100?F and 1,000 psia.

Introduction

The authors have presented equilibrium vaporization ratios for nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, ethane, and hydrogen sulfide in complex mixtures, suchas natural gas-crude oil and natural gas-absorber oil. Since mixtures of thenatural gas-condensate type also occur widely in petroleum reservoirs and oftencontain the non-hydrocarbons mentioned, it would be useful to have appropriateK data for calculating equilibrium vaporization conditions. Roland, Smith, andKaveler obtained K's for methane and the light hydrocarbons in gas-condensatemixtures; and Poettmann and Katz obtained K's for carbon dioxide in agas-condensate system. The data presented in this paper extend this coverage toinclude K's for nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide and phase diagrams for theexperimental mixtures.

Experimental Work

The equipment and experimental procedure was essentially as describedpreviously except for analysis of the vapor samples. The vapor sample bombswere filled at the pressure and temperature of the run. Immediately aftersampling, a portion of this sample was flushed from the bomb into a 650 ccglass bulb, filling it to near atmospheric pressure. The sample in the glassbulb was then analyzed by the mass spectrometer. Some checks were made on thisanalytical procedure to find the accuracy of measurement of the C5+ content ofthe vapor samples. The modifications tried were complete fractionation of thevapor sample and the use of several liquids (depropanized condensate andretrograde liquid from several vapor samples) as calibrating materials for themass spectrometer. The results obtained from these various checks differed byabout 10 per cent relative and this is believed to be the order of accuracy ofthe vapor C5+ concentrations.

T.P. 3652
Compressibility of Reservoir Rocks
Authors: Hall Howard N.
Published: April 2012

The compressibility of reservoir rock is a factor which is generallyneglected in reservoir engineering calculations. This is due in part to thefact that there is little published information on rock compressibility valuesfor limestones and sandstones. Omission of rock compressibility is undoubtedlyjustified in calculations for saturated reservoirs; however, in undersaturatedreservoirs, expansion of the rock accompanying decline in the reservoirpressure may be of such magnitude as to affect materially the prediction ofreservoir performance. The effect of rock compressibility will be of mostimportance in:calculation of oil in place by pressure decline data inundersaturated volumetric reservoirs when the limits of the field are unknownor indefinite, andstudies of natural water drive performance.

To estimateits importance in such cases, a series of laboratory tests were made to obtainusable values for reservoir rock compressibility.

The total, or effective, compressibility of any reservoir rock is a resultof two separate factors, namely, expansion of the individual rock grains, asthe surrounding fluid pressure decreases, and the additional formationcompaction brought about because the reservoir fluids become less effective inopposing the weight of the overburden as reservoir pressure declines. Both ofthese factors tend to decrease porosity. The laboratory tests were conducted ina manner that would give compressibility values representing a combination ofthe two factors, and would, as nearly as possible, duplicate the behavior ofthe rock under reservoir conditions. Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the equipmentused to determine rock compressibility.

The rocks used in these tests were cores cut from producing limestone andsandstone formations. They were from 2 to 3 1/2 in. in diameter, and 5 to 6 in.long. A core to be tested was completely surrounded by a Lucite jacket with theexception of the connection at one end to allow production of liquid duringtesting. To represent the effect of the overburden, a constant externalhydrostatic pressure of 3,000 psig was applied to the core throughout the test.(The amount of external pressure was varied in a series of tests and no changewas evidenced in the measured compressibility values.) Starting atapproximately 1,500 psi static fluid pressure in the core, the core pressurewas reduced by steps of 100 to 200 psi. Precise measurement of liquidproduction was made for each decrease in pressure.

T.N. 149
Calculations of Unsteady-State Gas Flow Through Porous Media, Corrected for Klinkenberg Effect
Authors: Collins R.E. , Crawford Paul B.
Published: April 2012

Mathematical equations have been derived to show the effect of the slippagephenomenon (Klinkenberg effect) on unsteady-state gas flow through porousmedia.

It is pointed out that most of the existing data on unsteady gas flow may becorrected for slippage by a simple change in definition of the dimensionlessgroups.

Introduction

Several solutions to the various problems associated with the unsteady-stateflow of gas through porous media have been recently presented in theliterature. The cited publications have presented solutions for flow underideal conditions. The principal assumptions involved include:the densityof the gas obeys the perfect gas law;the viscosity of the gas is constant; andthe gas permeability is constant.

Few, if any, actual gases under reservoir conditions are believed to conformwith the above, but the ideal solutions do provide the basis for makingimproved estimates on the performance of gas reservoirs. The purpose of thispaper is to show the performance characteristics when assumption (c) iscorrected for the slippage phenomenon or the Klinkenberg effect. This isbelieved to be a step nearer to reality.

Mathematical Development

Case 1. Gas Flow - Ideal Conditions

The equations describing the flow of gas under ideal conditions have beenclearly presented in the cited literature; however, for completeness of thiswork they are repeated here.

The basic differential equation describing the flow of gas is Equation (6).

T.N. 191
How Confidence and Uncertainty Affect Consumers' Enjoyment of Gambling
Authors: Lin Chien-Huang , Hung Hui-Hsi , Li Yi-Hsin
Published: April 2012

In this research we explored the moderators that affect enjoyment when consumers gamble on predictions. We provide evidence that consumers who make predictions with great confidence will have more enjoyment and will increase the amount of their bet in a situation of high uncertainty.
The findings have implications for marketing managers in that marketers may be able to create a controllable, yet risky, environment for consumers to increase their enjoyment. The results can also be applied by gambling companies to strategically enhance consumers' confidence and further encourage
them to increase betting amounts. This research reinforces existing theories that levels of confidence and uncertainty can influence willingness to bet.
Individual Differences in Adult Crying: the Role of Attachment Styles
Authors: Laan Anja J. , van Assen Marcel A. L. M. , Vingerhoets Ad J. J. M.
Published: April 2012

We carried out 2 studies to evaluate the relationship between attachment style and crying in adults. Data were collected from 2 independent large samples, measuring as 2 different operationalizations crying in general and in response to music. The results in both studies showed a consistent
pattern. As anticipated, the group with a dismissive attachment style cried less than the other groups, and the preoccupied attachment style group cried more intensely than the secure group. The preoccupied and fearful attachment style groups reported the most negative emotions while crying,
whereas the secure group reported more crying over positive emotions. These results show that attachment style is a determinant of adult crying behavior.
Achievement Goals and Physical Self-Perceptions of Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Cetinkalp Zisan Kazak
Published: April 2012

The relationship between achievement goals and physical self-perceptions of adolescent athletes was examined in this study. Participants were 208 adolescent athletes with a mean age of 16.35 + 0.48 years. Independent samples t tests, Pearson correlations, and regression analysis
were used to analyze the data. The results showed that female athletes' mastery-avoidance scores were higher than male athletes'. Mastery-approach goals were related to sports competence and global physical self-concept. Performance-approach goals were associated with sports competence, global
physical self-concept, and global self-esteem. Performance-avoidance goals were related only to sports competence. In addition, the mastery-approach goal was predicted by global physical self-concept, and performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals were positively predicted by sports
competence.
Hopelessness Levels of Children Living with Their Parents or in an Orphanage
Authors: Ören Nihal
Published: April 2012

Turkish children in the second grade at primary school who were either living with parents or living in an orphanage were surveyed using the Hopelessness Scale for Children (Beck, 1974) to assess their feelings of hopelessness. Participants were 130 students (66 girls and 64 boys) living
in the province of Erzurum, Turkey. When data were analyzed the findings showed that the hopelessness level of children living in an orphanage was significantly higher than that of children living with their parents.
A Perspective on Principles of Comparative Cost-Effectiveness Studies for Pharmacotherapy of Chronic Diseases
Authors: Farahani Pendar
Published: April 2012

IN BRIEF

Comparative cost-effectiveness drug studies can support decision-making for allocation of health care resources if principles of clinical pharmacology and pharmacoepidemiology are considered. Use of constant or milligram-equivalent doses instead of bio-equivalent doses, reliance on placebo-controlled instead of head-to-head randomized trials, disparities in community-based distribution of disease burden, lack of clinically important endpoint data, and absence of adherence data can limit the applicability of such studies. This article highlights methodological issues that should be incorporated in comparative cost-effectiveness drug studies, using statins as an example.
Assessing the Consequences of the 1999 German Citizenship Act
Authors: Triadafilopoulos Triadafilos
Published: April 2012

This special issue of German Politics and Society offers a retrospective look at

the German Citizenship Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz, StAG), which passed in

1999 and came into force in 2000.1 The law was and continues to be understood

by many academics, policymakers, and lay commentators as constituting

a “paradigm shift” in German citizenship policy and, by extension,

prevailing conceptions of German nationhood. The introduction of the law

of territory (jus soli), in particular, was greeted as a welcome acknowledgement

of Germany’s de facto status as a modern immigration country. Children

born and raised in Germany would no longer be rendered permanent

foreigners as a consequence of the dominance of the law of descent (jus sanguinis)

in the Reichs- und Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (RuStAG), 1913. Proponents

assumed that the reduction of the residency requirement for naturalization

would also allow greater numbers of long settled immigrants to assume the

rights and privileges of German nationality. Just as importantly, Germany

would join the European mainstream as regarded citizenship policy. The

stigma associated with its traditionally ethnic conception of nationhood

would give way to a more positive, civic identity.
A Bridge or Barrier to Incorporation? Germany's 1999 Citizenship Reform in Critical Perspective
Authors: Schönwälder Karen , Triadafilopoulos Triadafilos
Published: April 2012

This article probes the consequences of Germany's 1999 citizenship reform as it pertains to the incorporation of immigrants. We maintain that the law's principled rejection of dual citizenship and related stipulation that children born into German nationality via the law's revolutionary jus soli provision choose between their German citizenship or that of their non-German parents between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three is unfair, potentially unconstitutional, and likely unworkable in administrative terms. We also argue that the decline in naturalization rates in Germany since 2000 is due to a combination of legal, administrative, and symbolic barriers in the law, as well as a lack of incentives for naturalization for immigrants from European Union member states and other rich industrialized countries. We believe that progress in the area of incorporation will require a shift in outlooks on the part of German political elites, such that immigrants are seen as potential members of a diverse community of free and equal citizens rather than untrustworthy and threatening outsiders.
Poverty in Freedom versus Opulence in Chains
Authors: Ndlovu Isaac
Published: April 2012

In my examination of Ahmadou Kourouma's satirical 'historiographic metafiction' (Hutcheon 1988: 93) Waiting for the Wild Beasts to Vote [1998] (2004), I argue that this narrative shows that in postcolonial Africa freedom from colonial rule has resulted neither in privilege nor power for the majority of African citizens. In the novel, Kourouma employs but also subverts the style of donsomana or praise poetry in his satirisation of postcolonial African ways of wielding political power. Largely narrated by Bingo, a satirical griot, the novel adopts a mock-epic mode as a way of acknowledging but also subverting both traditional African and European modernistic conceptualisations of the historical and literary. Among other things, the title of the novel satirises the inadequacy of electoral processes imposed by the Western nations to bring about smooth power transitions and genuine freedoms to the African populace. The novel's title also mocks African rulers for undermining democracy and those who are ruled for their inability to seize the voting opportunities, which in the novel are sometimes presented as moments of genuine civil power, to rid themselves of the emasculating dictators.
Supplementation of Ascorbic Acid in Weanling Horses Following Prolonged Transportation
Authors: Ralston Sarah , Stives Michelle
Published: April 2012

Though horses synthesize ascorbic acid in their liver in amounts that meet their needs under normal circumstances, prolonged stress results in low plasma concentrations due to enhanced utilization and renal excretion and can reduce immune function. It was hypothesized that plasma ascorbic acid could be maintained in weanling horses by oral supplementation following prolonged transportation. Weanlings were supplemented with no ascorbic acid (Tx 0: n = 4), 5 grams ascorbic acid twice daily for 5 days (Tx 1: n = 4) or for 10 days (Tx 2: n = 4) following >50 hours of transportation. Supplementation caused slight (P < 0.2) increases in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations. Both supplemented groups had decreased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations for 1 to 3 weeks following cessation of supplementation, possibly due to increased renal excretion or suppressed hepatic synthesis. Supplementation of ascorbic acid following prolonged stress will increase plasma concentrations, but prolonged supplementation should be avoided.
Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a Provincial Breastfeeding Policy in Nova Scotia, Canada and the Implications for Childhood Obesity Prevention
Authors: Kirk Sara F. L. , Sim Sarah Meaghan , Hemmens Erin , Price Sheri L.
Published: April 2012

Healthy public policy plays a central role in creating environments that are supportive of health. Breastfeeding, widely supported as the optimal mode for infant feeding, is a critical factor in promoting infant health. In 2005, the Canadian province of Nova Scotia introduced a provincial breastfeeding policy. This paper describes the process and outcomes of an evaluation into the implementation of the policy. This evaluation comprised focus groups held with members of provincial and district level breastfeeding committees who were tasked with promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding in their districts. Five key themes were identified, which were an unsupportive culture of breastfeeding; the need for strong leadership; the challenges in engaging physicians in dialogue around breastfeeding; lack of understanding around the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; and breastfeeding as a way to address childhood obesity. Recommendations for other jurisdictions include the need for a policy, the value of leadership, the need to integrate policy with other initiatives across sectors and the importance of coordination and support at multiple levels. Finally, promotion of breastfeeding offers a population-based strategy for addressing the childhood obesity epidemic and should form a core component of any broader strategies or policies for childhood obesity prevention.
Paediatric Obesity Research in Early Childhood and the Primary Care Setting: The TARGet Kids! Research Network
Authors: Morinis Julia , Maguire Jonathon , Khovratovich Marina , McCrindle Brian W. , Parkin Patricia C. , Birken Catherine S.
Published: April 2012

Primary paediatric health care is the foundation for preventative child health. In light of the recent obesity epidemic, paediatricians find themselves at the frontline of identification and management of childhood obesity. However, it is well recognized that evidence based approaches to obesity prevention and subsequent translation of this evidence into practice are critically needed. This paper explores the role of primary care in obesity prevention and introduces a novel application and development of a primary care research network in Canada—TARGet Kids!—to develop and translate an evidence-base on effective screening and prevention of childhood obesity.
Eating Behavior and Childhood Overweight Among Population-Based Elementary Schoolchildren in Japan
Authors: Ochiai Hirotaka , Shirasawa Takako , Nishimura Rimei , Morimoto Aya , Shimada Naoki , Ohtsu Tadahiro , Hashimoto Masayasu , Hoshino Hiromi , Tajima Naoko , Kokaze Akatsuki
Published: April 2012

This study investigated the relationship between eating behavior and childhood overweight among population-based elementary schoolchildren in Japan. Data was collected from fourth graders (9 or 10 years of age) from Ina Town, Saitama Prefecture, Japan from 1999 to 2009. Information about subjects’ sex, age, and lifestyle, including eating behaviors (eating until full and chewing thoroughly), was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire, and height and weight were measured directly. Overweight was determined according to the definition established by the International Obesity Task Force. Data from 4027 subjects (2079 boys and 1948 girls) were analyzed. Chewing thoroughly was associated with a significantly decreased odds ratio (OR) for being overweight, whereas eating until full significantly increased the OR for being overweight (OR: 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.94) among boys. However, eating until full was not associated with a significantly increased OR for being overweight among the group that reported chewing thoroughly, whereas it was associated with a significantly increased OR for being overweight (2.02, 1.38–2.94) among boys who did not chew thoroughly. In conclusion, eating until full or not chewing thoroughly was associated with being overweight among elementary schoolchildren. Results of this study suggest that chewing thoroughly may be an avenue to explore childhood overweight prevention efforts.
Childhood Obesity among Puerto Rican Children: Discrepancies Between Child’s and Parent’s Perception of Weight Status
Authors: Rivera-Soto Winna T. , Rodríguez-Figueroa Linnette
Published: April 2012

Public concern about childhood obesity and associated health problems calls for the identification of modifiable factors that could halt this epidemic. Parental perceptions of their children’s weight status could be associated to how parents influence children’s eating patterns. We aimed to identify the perceptions Puerto Rican parents have of their children’s weight and children’s own perceptions of weight status as compared to real weight. A cross sectional survey was performed in a representative sample of 1st–6th grade students. Only half of the children correctly identified their weight, and only 62.4% of the parents correctly classified their children’s weight. Most obese/overweight children did not perceive themselves as such. Almost half of obese/overweight children were identified by the parents as normal weight while over half of the underweight children were perceived by their parents at normal weight. More girls than boys perceived themselves as obese/overweight and more parents of girls than of boys perceived them as such. Higher-educated parents were better at recognizing overweight/obesity among their children compared to less-educated parents. This study suggests an influence of parents’ SES characteristics on their perceptions of children’s weight status as well as on children’s own perceptions of their weight status.
Socioeconomic Patterning of Childhood Overweight Status in Europe
Authors: Knai Cécile , Lobstein Tim , Darmon Nicole , Rutter Harry , McKee Martin
Published: April 2012

There is growing evidence of social disparities in overweight among European children. This paper examines whether there is an association between socioeconomic inequality and prevalence of child overweight in European countries, and if socioeconomic disparities in child overweight are increasing. We analyse cross-country comparisons of household inequality and child overweight prevalence in Europe and review within-country variations over time of childhood overweight by social grouping, drawn from a review of the literature. Data from 22 European countries suggest that greater inequality in household income is positively associated with both self-reported and measured child overweight prevalence. Moreover, seven studies from four countries reported on the influence of socioeconomic factors on the distribution of child overweight over time. Four out of seven reported widening social disparities in childhood overweight, a fifth found statistically significant disparities only in a small sub-group, one found non-statistically significant disparities, and a lack of social gradient was reported in the last study. Where there is evidence of a widening social gradient in child overweight, it is likely that the changes in lifestyles and dietary habits involved in the increase in the prevalence of overweight have had a less favourable impact in low socio-economic status groups than in the rest of the population. More profound structural changes, based on population-wide social and environmental interventions are needed to halt the increasing social gradient in child overweight in current and future generations.
Thermal Properties and Thermal Degradation of Cellulose Tri-Stearate (CTs)
Authors: Huang Feng-Yuan
Published: April 2012

Cellulose tri-stearate (CTs) was synthesized employing triﬂuoroacetic anhydride (TFAA), stearic acid (SA), with microcrystal cellulose (MCC) and characterized with FT-IR and 1H-NMR. The degree of substitution of CTs was determined by the traditional saponiﬁcation method and 1H-NMR. The thermal properties of CTs were investigated by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under Ar flow in dynamic heating conditions. Thermal stability, activation energy, as well as the degradation mechanism of the decomposition process were revealed. The results showed that the thermal stability of CTs is superior to that of raw materials-MCC, and that the degradation of CTs in argon is a first-order weight loss; the initial decomposition temperature and the temperature corresponding to maximum degradation rate (Tp) increase with an increase in heating rate. The activation energy values were calculated with the Ozawa method, Coats-Redfern method and Kinssinger method, respectively. Analyses of experimental results suggest that the degradation mechanism 0.10 < α < 0.80 is F2 type, A3 for α < 0.1, and R3 for α > 0.80. The degradation mechanism of CTs in the whole conversion range is a complex mechanism, and is the combination of A3, F2 and R3.
Porous Scaffolds Support Extrahepatic Human Islet Transplantation, Engraftment, and Function in Mice
Authors: Gibly Romie F. , Zhang Xiaomin , Lowe William L. , Shea Lonnie D.
Published: April 2012

Islet transplantation as a therapy or cure for type 1 diabetes has significant promise but has been limited by islet mass requirements and long-term graft failure. The intrahepatic and intravascular site may be responsible for significant loss of transplanted islets. Nonencapsulating biomaterial scaffolds provide a strategy for architecturally defining and modulating extrahepatic sites beyond the endogenous milieu to enhance islet survival and function. We utilized scaffolds to transplant human islets into the intraperitoneal fat of immunodeficient mice. A smaller human islet mass than previously reported reversed murine diabetes and restored glycemic control at human blood glucose levels. Graft function was highly dependent on the islet number transplanted and directly correlated to islet viability, as determined by the ATP-to-DNA ratio. Islets engrafted and revascularized in host tissue, and glucose tolerance testing indicated performance equivalent to healthy mice. Addition of extracellular matrix, specifically collagen I V, to scaffold surfaces improved graft function compared to serum-supplemented media. Porous scaffolds can facilitate efficient human islet transplantation and provide a platform for modulating the islet microenvironment, in ways not possible with current clinical strategies, to enhance islet engraftment and function.
Studies on Bilateral Cochlear Implants at the University of Wisconsin’s Binaural Hearing and Speech Laboratory
Authors: Litovsky Ruth Y. , Goupell Matthew J. , Godar Shelly , Grieco-Calub Tina , Jones Gary L. , Garadat Soha N. , Agrawal Smita , Kan Alan , Todd Ann , Hess Christi , Misurelli Sara
Published: April 2012

This report highlights research projects relevant to binaural and spatial hearing in adults and children. In the past decade we have made progress in understanding the impact of bilateral cochlear implants (BiCIs) on performance in adults and children. However, BiCI users typically
do not perform as well as normal hearing (NH) listeners. In this article we describe the benefits from BiCIs compared with a single cochlear implant (CI), focusing on measures of spatial hearing and speech understanding in noise. We highlight the fact that in BiCI listening the devices in
the two ears are not coordinated; thus binaural spatial cues that are available to NH listeners are not available to BiCI users. Through the use of research processors that carefully control the stimulus delivered to each electrode in each ear, we are able to preserve binaural cues and deliver
them with fidelity to BiCI users. Results from those studies are discussed as well, with a focus on the effect of age at onset of deafness and plasticity of binaural sensitivity. Our work with children has expanded both in number of subjects tested and age range included. We have now tested
dozens of children ranging in age from 2 to 14 yr. Our findings suggest that spatial hearing abilities emerge with bilateral experience. While we originally focused on studying performance in free field, where real world listening experiments are conducted, more recently we have begun to conduct
studies under carefully controlled binaural stimulation conditions with children as well. We have also studied language acquisition and speech perception and production in young CI users. Finally, a running theme of this research program is the systematic investigation of the numerous factors
that contribute to spatial and binaural hearing in BiCI users. By using CI simulations (with vocoders) and studying NH listeners under degraded listening conditions, we are able to tease apart limitations due to the hardware/software of the CI systems from limitations due to neural pathology.
SH Surface Waves in a Dielectric Layered Piezoelectric Half Space Loaded with a Liquid Layer
Authors: Zhang Rong , Feng Wenjie
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we analyze the propagation of shear horizontal surface waves in a dielectric layer/piezoelectric substrate structure covered by a viscous liquid layer of finite thickness. The complex dispersion equation is derived. The numerical results show that the liquid layer thickness
and dimensionless real-valued wave number have significant eff ects on the attenuation and phase velocity. In addition, it is found that in general the influence of the liquid layer viscosity on the phase velocity is opposite to that of the liquid layer density.
Reduction of Wind Turbine Noise Annoyance: An Operational Approach
Authors: Bockstael Annelies , Dekoninck Luc , Can Arnaud , Oldoni Damiano , De Coensel Bert , Botteldooren Dick
Published: April 2012

This paper investigates the relationship between wind turbine noise annoyance, exposure indicators, operational characteristics and environmental variables. A six-month field experiment at an industrial site near a residential area includes regular on-line annoyance reports, continuous
1/3-octave band noise level registrations, periodic sound recordings, data on electricity production per minute and meteorological observations. Here the risk of high annoyance does not only depend on the angular blade velocity, but also on the wind turbines' nacelle position relative to the
location of the dwellings, i.e. the wind direction. This directivity effect can be captured when noise parameters such as the background noise level caused by other sources and a so-called fluctuation-indicator are introduced, the latter calculated from the 1/3-octave band spectra to quantify
the periodic part of wind turbine noise. In addition, the calculated turbine's specific emission levels are closely related to the angular blade velocity, and an important parameter to predict the risk of high annoyance. Finally, these results suggest that operational restrictions based on
wind direction together with the angular blade velocity might help to reduce noise annoyance while preserving cost-effectiveness.
Auditory Evaluation of Sounds Radiated from a Vibrating Plate Inside a Damped Cavity: Adjustment of the Frequency Resolution of Vibro-Acoustical Computing
Authors: Trollé A. , Marquis-Favre C. , Hamzaoui N.
Published: April 2012

The issue of adjusting vibro-acoustical computational cost is especially important when enhancing the sound quality of a mechanical structure using simulation. Simulation parameters must be specified so as to: i) reduce computational cost, and ii) satisfy perceptual constraints. For
a simple plate-cavity system, the adjustment of computational cost is investigated in the framework of evaluating the influence of variable structural parameters (cavity absorption, thickness and tightening conditions of the plate) on the auditory perception of sounds radiated inside the cavity.
By concentrating on such a simple system, we eventually aim at achieving some recommendations adaptable to different vibrating structures of our environment – in the areas of transport and building – made up of plane elements coupled with enclosures. Considering stationary sounds,
this study deals with the adjustment of a major frequency computation parameter, i.e. frequency resolution. The specification of the frequency resolution for vibro-acoustical simulations has a great influence on the spectral envelope of the sounds synthesized afterwards. Here, we modify the
spectral envelope of real sounds in order to reproduce the envelope of spectra of synthesized sounds that would be computed in a simulation using a given frequency resolution. The adjustment process pursues the following objective: determining a frequency resolution for which certain perceptual
outcomes relative to modified real sounds remain similar to those concerning the original real sounds. These perceptual constraints are pertinent regarding the issue of adjusting vibro-acoustical computational cost. These constraints notably concern the merits of the stimuli and are translated
into two adjustment criteria. The results of a first experiment, an auditory evaluation of partial corpora of modified stimuli, highlight that, for the plate-cavity system under consideration, 4 Hz may be an adjusted frequency resolution. The consequences of using this frequency resolution
are then further assessed through a second experiment, an auditory evaluation of the complete corpus of modified stimuli. A wider range of perceptual results (perceptual spaces, preference spaces and merits) obtained for the modified sounds and the original sounds are compared. It is shown
that both adjustment criteria are fulfilled for the adjusted frequency resolution equal to 4 Hz.
Assessment of Conversational Speech Quality Inside Vehicles, Concerning Influences of Room Acoustics and Driving Noises
Authors: Jung Oliver
Published: April 2012

This study considers the influences of room acoustics and driving noises in vehicle interiors on the subjectively perceived acoustical quality of conversations between passengers. A listening test with 25 participants was performed inside a laboratory to assess the impact of different
vehicle interior transfer functions on the speech quality assessment in four predetermined dimensions. Idealized driving noises at three different vehicle speeds were presented simultaneously with speech samples to quantify the interferences of these noise conditions with varied signal-to-noise
ratios. To minimize the influence of different human speakers, four talkers (two male and two female) were selected from commercially available audio books. The respective speech samples were adjusted in level and long-term average speech spectrum to the common values of conversational speech.
The automatic reflex of raising one's voice in noisy environments, called “Lombard Effect” [1], was taken into account for an additional adjustment of speech levels while driving noises were present. A strong relationship between the speech-to-noise ratio and the test participants'
evaluations was found. Thus, one can assume that the speech signals' attenuation or amplification caused by the different room acoustics of the tested vehicles play a more important role for a sufficient speech quality than the varied speech timbre or other parameters. Only at very high speech-to-noise
ratios ( ≥ 20 dB with A-weighting), room-acoustical parameters such as IACC or the reverberation time are more determining for the speech quality appreciation than the speech's sound pressure level.