bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ethical question: Are health professionals promoters of the status quo or of social change?
Authors: Shuftan Claudio
Published: August 2008

The topic of the above title has vividly interested the author for many years. Regretfully, the issues at stake have not changed for the last 25 years. As proof of this — and on purpose — references dug up and quoted are only those published before 1986. The end result has been the (re)construction of a scenario that has been stubborn to change and that looks into most of the burning questions of then and now pertaining to the title.

The materials here presented are an informal, non-systematic review of the literature on the ethical, ideological and political implications of health as a science and as a praxis. The materials here collected are, in a way, “out of the box” and, in the author's view very needed. The article sheds some light on the major issues at the core of this universal discussion that — whether we like it or not — was and continues to be at the very base of our daily work as health professionals. (Promot Educ 2008;15(3): 30-33)
School Nurse Case Management for Children With Chronic Illness: Health, Academic, and Quality of Life Outcomes
Authors: Engelke Martha Keehner , Guttu Martha , Warren Michelle B. , Swanson Melvin
Published: August 2008

More children with chronic illnesses are attending school, and some of them struggle academically because of issues related to their health. School-based case management has been suggested as one strategy to improve the academic success of these children. This study tracked the academic, health, and quality of life outcomes for 114 children with asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, seizures, or sickle-cell anemia in 5 different school districts who were provided case management by school nurses. The children ranged in age from 5 to 19 years. At the end of the school year, children experienced an improvement in quality of life and gained skills and knowledge to manage their illness more effectively. Classroom participation, grades, and participation in extracurricular activities also increased for many children. The study provides evidence of the positive impact school nurses have on children with chronic illness and suggests ways they can measure the outcomes of their interventions.
Latino Mobilization in New Immigrant Destinations
Authors: Benjamin-Alvarado Jonathan , DeSipio Louis , Montoya Celeste
Published: August 2008

We use the 2006 immigrant-rights protests as a point of departure to test whether political opportunity structures aligned to spur widespread immigrant mobilization in new immigrant destinations. The existing immigrant mobilization scholarship would predict the absence of protest in areas of new migration because of their low levels of immigrant civic infrastructure. Through a detailed study of the immigrant-rights protests and their aftermath in Nebraska, we find that the unifying effect of the anti-immigrant legislation on immigrant-ethnic communities nationally allowed immigrants and their leaders to seize the opportunities presented by shifting local politics, new communications technologies, and the growing migrant civil societies in new destinations to spur widespread, if short-lived, mobilization.
Breakthrough invasive fungal infection in an immunocompromised host while on posaconazole prophylaxis: an omission in patient counseling and follow-up
Authors: Kishel Joseph J , Sivik Jeffrey
Published: August 2008

Posaconazole (Noxafil ® Schering-Plough Corporation) is a triazole antifungal approved in the United States for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis and for the prophylaxis of Candida and Aspergillus infections in the immunocompromised host. Posaconazole is available only as an oral suspension. When used for the prevention of Candida and Aspergillus infections, posaconazole should be taken three times daily with a high fat meal to maximize oral absorption. Failure to take posaconazole with food will lead to subtherapeutic serum levels and decreased clinical effectiveness of the drug.

We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia who received 4 months of posaconazole as an outpatient for the labeled indication of prophylaxis of Candida and Aspergillus infections. During her last admission, the patient presented with an invasive sinus infection diagnosed as a mixed Aspergillus and Mucor etiology. The patient succumbed to this infection five weeks after presentation. Upon investigation it was found that the patient did not self-administer posaconazole as required in the product labeling, which may have led to drug failure in this patient. We submit this case to illustrate the importance of patient education regarding proper administration of posaconazole. The important role of the outpatient physician, nurse, and pharmacist in this setting is underscored. J Oncol Pharm Practice (2008) 14: 189—193.
Numerical Prediction of Noise Transmission Loss through Viscoelastically Damped Sandwich Plates
Authors: Assaf Samir , Guerich Mohamed
Published: August 2008

This study describes the numerical prediction of noise transmission loss (TL) through sandwich plates subjected to an acoustic plane wave or a diffuse sound field excitation. The sandwich plate considered is made up of a viscoelastic core sandwiched between two elastic faces. The model presented is based on a finite element formulation for the sandwich plate coupled to a boundary element method for the acoustic medium. The plate formulation is derived from Kirchhoff's theory for the elastic faces and Mindlin's theory for the core. The strain and kinetic energies of the sandwich plates are written in terms of the mean and relative in-plane displacements of the faces and the transverse deflection of the plate. The diffuse sound field is modeled as a superposition of uncorrelated plane waves with equal amplitude. The vibroacoustic equations obtained are discretized using a triangular finite element. The accuracy of the present model is demonstrated by comparing it with analytical and experimental results available in the literature. New results on laminated glass showing the effects of temperature on the TL are presented.
A Holistic Approach to Static Design of Sandwich Beams with Foam Cores
Authors: Sharma Ramesh S. , Raghupathy V.P.
Published: August 2008

Sandwich panels with strong and stiff face sheets separated by light weight core are increasingly being used in aero-space, marine, automobile, and electronic packaging industries due to their low mass coupled with other attractive properties like corrosion resistance, thermal insulation, and acoustic damping. Most of the design methodology for the sandwich constructions is based on stiffness and core shear stress and the methodologies do not bring out clearly the loading situations under which sandwich panels would work. In this work, a holistic approach has been made to identify the applicability of sandwich construction based on a step-by-step procedure combining the stiffness requirement, allowable core shear stress, interface bond strength, allowable face compressive strength derived from failure modes. Further, weight optimization exercise is also included as a part of design procedure. A computer algorithm is developed and is illustrated with an example on sandwich beam with epoxy-resin impregnated bi-woven glass cloth as face sheets and polyurethane foam as core material with densities varying from 100 to 400 kg/m3.
Osteoporotic Caucasian and South Asian women: a qualitative study of general practitioners' support
Authors: McKenna Jim , Ludwig Alison Frances
Published: August 2008

Health professionals face two complicated but contradictory epidemics: obesity and osteoporosis (OP). While obesity is obvious, OP progresses silently affecting one in two UK women. Both South Asian and Caucasian women are at OP risk. This study compared experiences of osteoporotic Caucasian and South Asian women in a purposive sample of 21 volunteers from south east England, aged 43 to 82 years.

The women had been diagnosed for eight months to 40 years. Long disease duration was marked by complacent OP dialogue, although OP was objectionable and marked a loss of quality of life. Inductive content analysis of transcripts showed that `uncertainty' — about one another and about what constituted helpful self-care — affected both GPs and patients. Instead, support groups and the media supported learning about OP care. Beyond providing drug prescriptions, women reported desiring, but rarely feeling, that GPs fully supported their preferences for self-care. Self-care often included specialist exercise classes. Some younger women led their GPs to better understand the range of self-care options. GPs were seen as being unsure about how and when to discuss physical activity (PA).

In conclusion, women with OP in this sample are sensitive to their GP's hesitance about offering detailed PA recommendations. Regardless of ethnicity, younger women undertook PA based on personal initiative. Positive PA experiences stimulated an interest in discussing PA with GPs, and these dialogues broke the silence surrounding OP care. By providing important information regarding the OP patient experience, the findings highlight the unmet desire of OP sufferers for better and closer attention from GPs.
Targeted versus global approaches to the management of hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Reynolds Timothy M. , Mardani Alireza , Twomey Patrick J. , Wierzbicki Anthony S.
Published: August 2008

Aims: The role of statins in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is well established. However, there is debate about the most effective approach to primary prevention. This study simulated the effects of directed versus global approaches for intervention on coronary heart disease (CHD) event rates.

Methods: A primary prevention population was generated by computer simulation derived from data from the National Health Survey for England. The efficacy of reductions in cholesterol, treatment to cardiovascular risk targets and effects of phytosterols or statins were assessed.

Results: A 0.5 mmol/L reduction in population total cholesterol would result in a 10.4% reduction in CHD events, while 1.0 mmol/L, 1.5 mmol/L and 2.0 mmol/L reductions would achieve 21.0%, 30.6% and 41.9% reductions respectively. In statin-based cardiovascular risk targeted strategies, use of simvastatin 40 mg would result in 1.8% reduction by UK National Service Framework targets of 30%/decade CHD risk and 7.2% reduction in events for a 20%/decade target assuming perfect adherence. Similarly, aggressive primary prevention with 40 mg atorvastatin would result in a 2.5% or 10% reduction in events. Universal use of 10 mg simvastatin following an over-the-counter approach would result in a 25% reduction in CHD events. In contrast, whole population consumption of sitostanol/sitosterol products would result in 11.8% reduction.

Conclusion: Targeting and treating high-risk individuals may be beneficial for them and rewarding for medical practitioners. However, this approach has minimal effects on the population burden of atherosclerotic disease. This study suggests that universal therapy with phytosterols and/or wider availability of statins has the potential to dramatically decrease rates of CHD.
The prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections in confirmed HIV cases at a referral clinic in Jamaica
Authors: Hutton-Rose Nellian , Blythe Charmaine , Ogbonna Chinedu , McGrowder Donovan
Published: August 2008

Jamaica has the second highest number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases and deaths in the Caribbean and a significant number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals have a concomitant sexually transmitted infection (STI). The study determined the prevalence of non-ulcerative and ulcerative STIs and their association with sexual risky behaviour in a sample of HIV seropositive men and women. This study was conducted at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Jamaica, a sexually transmitted infection referral centre. The sample comprised 138 men and 132 women age 15—49 years, of average 29.5 years. The study was retrospective, from 2000 to 2002, and sample collection was randomized. The sexual behaviours of the subjects were assessed from the case records. In the 270 HIV diagnosed cases examined, the prevalence of STIs was 51.1% in men and 48.9% in women, with 85.4% having one or more STIs with an average of four STIs per patient. There was a total occurrence of 744 STIs with non-gonococcal urethritis (19.4%), gonorrhoea (17.2%), candidiasis (13.4%), trichomonas (12.4%), genital ulcer (10.4%) and syphilis (7.3%) the most common in HIV infected men and women. The presence of STI was associated with continued practice of risky sexual behaviour. The age group most implicated was the 30—34 year old, and 73.1% of the HIV infected patients had multiple sexual partners with only 16.4% reporting frequent condom use. The study demonstrates that there is a high prevalence of non-ulcerative and to a lesser extent ulcerative STIs in HIV infected patients in Jamaica. There are significant associations between STIs and continued high risk sexual practices in HIV infected men and women. The findings support the need for implementation of effective diagnosis and treatment strategies coupled with education about safe-sex practices in HIV prevention and STI control programmes.
‘A stony road… a 19 year journey’: ‘Bridging’ through late-stage Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Williams Sion , Keady John
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Studies reporting the lived experience of late-stage Parkinson’s disease are sparse. Using constructivist grounded theory and centre-stage storyline generation as the methodological approach, this study reports on 69 interviews with 13 people with late-stage Parkinson’s disease and their family carers who were recruited from the caseload of two specialist Parkinson’s disease nurses working in North Wales and one consultant geriatrician. The interviews were conducted longitudinally between June 2007 and April 2008, and all participants were diagnosed with late-stage idiopathic Parkinson’s disease using Brain Bank clinical criteria. All interviews and the subsequent sharing, modification and testing of the results of data analysis were conducted in the person’s home and with their participation as partners in the research process. From this process, bridging emerged as the centre-stage storyline in adjusting to life with late-stage Parkinson’s disease, and this consisted of three temporal stages, namely: 1) building on the past; 2) bridging the present and 3) broaching the future. These three stages were underpinned by three linked sequential foundations, namely biographical, situational and crumbling. These stages, foundations and properties of bridging have important implications for the understanding of late-stage Parkinson’s disease and informing the nursing role in developing and providing appropriate supportive interventions.
Lateral Column Lengthening Using Allograft Interposition and Cervical Plate Fixation
Authors: Philbin Terrence M. , Pokabla Christopher , Berlet Gregory C.
Published: August 2008

Lateral column lengthening has been used successfully in the treatment of stage II adult-acquired pes planovalgus deformity. The purpose of this study is to review the union rate when allograft material is used and the osteotomy stabilized with a cervical plate. A retrospective review was performed on 28 feet in 26 patients who underwent correction of stage II pes planovalgus deformity using a lateral column lengthening with allograft tricortical iliac crest stabilized with a cervical plate. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using a modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and the Short Form–12 health survey, as well as radiographically by assessing the talonavicular coverage angle. At a mean follow-up of 9 months, the mean total modified AOFAS score and pain subscore were significantly higher (45.6 and 25.0, respectively) versus preoperatively (27.3 and 11.2, respectively). Graft incorporation occurred in all but one case, and the average length of time to union was 10.06 weeks. Complications included 4 hardware removals, 1 nonunion, 1 graft penetration of the calcaneocuboid joint, and 2 cases of calcaneocuboid joint arthritis. Lateral column lengthening using allograft tricortical iliac crest bone graft with cervical plate fixation is a viable option for the correction of acquired pes planovalgus deformity. Allograft bone avoids donor site morbidity of autogenous iliac crest grafts and was not shown to increase rates of nonunion. Cervical plate fixation avoids the necessity of penetrating the graft with a screw and is associated with high patient satisfaction and radiographic union
Use of rosiglitazone before and after vascular injury in hypercholesterolemic rabbits: Assessment of neointimal formation
Authors: Alessi Alexandre , França Neto Olímpio Ribeiro , Brofman Paulo Roberto Slud , Prim Camila , Noronha Lucia , Silva Ruy Fernando Kuenzer Caetano , Baroncini Liz Andréa Villela , Précoma Dalton Bertolim
Published: August 2008

Objectives

To analyse the effects of rosiglitazone administered at different times on neointimal formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits following vascular injury.

Methods

Thirty-nine rabbits on a hypercholesterolemic diet were included. The animals underwent balloon catheter injury to the right iliac artery on day 14. They were divided into three groups as follows: control group, 13 rabbits without rosiglitazone; group I, 13 rabbits treated with rosiglitazone (3 mg/Kg body weight/day) for 28 days after the vascular injury; and group II, 13 rabbits treated with rosiglitazone (3 mg/Kg body weight/day) during all the experiment (42 days). Histological analysis was done by an experienced pathologist who was unaware of the rosiglitazone treatment. Histomorphometric parameters were performed by calculation of the luminal and intimal layer area, and intima/media layer area ratio (the area of the intimal layer divided by the area of the medial layer).

Results

Intimal area was significantly lower in group II vs. CG (p = 0.024) and group I (p = 0.006). Luminal layer area was higher in group II vs. CG (p < 0.0001) and group I (p < 0.0001). Intima/media layer area ratio was equal between CG and group I. Intima/media layer ratio area was significantly lower in group II vs. control group (p < 0.021) and group I (p < 0.003). There was a significant reduction of 65% and 71% in intima/media layer area ratio in group II vs. control group and group I, respectively.

Conclusion

Pretreatment with rosiglitazone in hypercholesterolemic rabbits submitted to vascular injury significantly reduces neointimal formation.
Acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients: a comparison between the RIFLE and the Acute Kidney Injury Network classifications
Authors: Lopes José António , Fernandes Paulo , Jorge Sofia , Gonçalves Sara , Alvarez António , Costa e Silva Zélia , França Carlos , Prata Mateus Martins
Published: August 2008

Introduction

Whether discernible advantages in terms of sensitivity and specificity exist with Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria versus Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of Kidney Function, End-stage Kidney Disease (RIFLE) criteria is currently unknown. We evaluated the incidence of acute kidney injury and compared the ability of the maximum RIFLE and of the maximum AKIN within intensive care unit hospitalization in predicting inhospital mortality of critically ill patients.

Methods

Patients admitted to the Department of Intensive Medicine of our hospital between January 2003 and December 2006 were retrospectively evaluated. Chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis or renal transplant patients were excluded from the analysis.

Results

In total, 662 patients (mean age, 58.6 ± 19.2 years; 392 males) were evaluated. AKIN criteria allowed the identification of more patients as having acute kidney injury (50.4% versus 43.8%, P = 0.018) and classified more patients with Stage 1 (risk in RIFLE) (21.1% versus 14.7%, P = 0.003), but no differences were observed for Stage 2 (injury in RIFLE) (10.1% versus 11%, P = 0.655) and for Stage 3 (failure in RIFLE) (19.2% versus 18.1%, P = 0.672). Mortality was significantly higher for acute kidney injury defined by any of the RIFLE criteria (41.3% versus 11%, P < 0.0001; odds ratio = 2.78, 95% confidence interval = 1.74 to 4.45, P < 0.0001) or of the AKIN criteria (39.8% versus 8.5%, P < 0.0001; odds ratio = 3.59, 95% confidence interval = 2.14 to 6.01, P < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for inhospital mortality was 0.733 for RIFLE criteria (P < 0.0001) and was 0.750 for AKIN criteria (P < 0.0001). There were no statistical differences in mortality by the acute kidney injury definition/classification criteria (P = 0.72).

Conclusions

Although AKIN criteria could improve the sensitivity of the acute kidney injury diagnosis, it does not seem to improve on the ability of the RIFLE criteria in predicting inhospital mortality of critically ill patients.
Multi-body simulation approach for fault diagnosis of a reel
Authors: Korkealaakso P , Mikkola A , Rouvinen A
Published: August 2008

This study introduces a simulation approach that can be utilized in the detection of abnormalities in the behaviour of machines. The approach is based on the utilization of a detailed multi-body simulation model. In this study, the approach to detect abnormalities is applied to the study of a reel. The reel under investigation is used at the finishing end of the papermaking process and it consists of a number of subsystems including hydraulics, electrical drives, and mechanical parts. In the reel, mechanical parts are coupled by joints, contacts, and friction.

The symptoms of the faults are generated using the variables which can be measured from the reel. When using a traditional component level monitoring method, the faults in the process often cannot be recognized. However, in the proposed multi-body simulation approach, the supervision of a machine can be focused on the functionality of the entire process, whereas detection of faults can be carried out without the use of additional instrumentation. When the multi-body simulation approach is used, the modelling of a machine can be carried out in a straightforward and systematic manner including the dynamic coupling between the subsystems of a machine.
Fixed axode of a linkage coupler, its central tangent surface and its parameter of distribution
Authors: Baker J E
Published: August 2008

Intrinsic to the fixed axode traced by the instantaneous screw axis of a linkage coupler are measures which quantify aspects of the body's higher-order kinematics. One such entity, held to be fundamental, is the parameter of distribution of the ruled surface. An integral feature of the instantaneous screw, however, is its own pitch which must be nullified in the customary method for investigating the surface. Not only is there value in retaining this pitch in the interest of easing algebraic manipulation of consequent expressions, but doing so allows the discovery of important relationships involving the central tangent surface of the axode and the pitch of its typical generator.
In situ near Infrared Monitoring of Activated Dairy Sludge Wastewater Treatment Processes
Authors: Páscoa Ricardo N.M. , Lopes João A. , Lima José L.F.C.
Published: August 2008

A sequential batch reactor (SBR) for aerobic treatment of dairy residues (activated sludge process) was monitored on-line by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. NIR spectra in the wavelength range of 900–1700 nm were acquired in situ with a transflectance probe. Measured in situ NIR spectra allowed the development of multivariate statistical process control models for supervision of the SBR process. The directly acquired spectra permitted characterisation of the different SBR operation stages and the detection of process disturbances. Calibration models based on partial least squares regression were developed for three process parameters: total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Model errors were estimated as root mean squared errors of cross-validation.

The cross-validation errors obtained were 0.066 g TS L−1, 0.075 g TSS L−1 and 86.6 mg O2 L−1 respectively. Results demonstrated the viability of NIR spectroscopy as an alternative method for monitoring and control of activated sludge wastewater treatment processes having advantages both in terms of efficient determination of process parameters (fast, in situ and requiring no toxic reagents) and in terms of process monitoring.
Gendered Charisma in the Buddhist Tzu Chi (Ciji) Movement
Authors: Huang C. Julia
Published: August 2008

The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi (Ciji) Foundation of Taiwan is a lay Buddhist movement under monastic leadership that has a mission of relieving all living beings from suffering. The founder and leader is the Venerable (or the Dharma Master) Cheng Yen (Zhengyan fashi). Cheng Yen is an ordained nun and, at the same time, commands considerable personal appeal. While Tzu Chi's current membership of several million does include a significant number of men, the majority of followers, especially the core members, continue to be women. What do Taiwanese women see in Cheng Yen and in Tzu Chi? Drawing from ethnography in southern Taiwan and the Tzu Chi literatures on Cheng Yen, this paper attempts to show a pattern of normalizing female charisma—in the sense that female followers struggle for a breakthrough from the cultural constraints of their female gender roles by means of, and by virtue of, the Tzu Chi mission.
Suggestions for a Redefinition of Charisma
Authors: Feuchtwang Stephan
Published: August 2008

This special issue examines charisma in the Chinese world and shows that the concept is applicable in a non-European-derived religious context. At the same time, these studies have required certain distinctions and emphases in defining what charisma is. In this they contribute to its general analysis. This article draws out their contribution by placing them within general sociological developments of Weber's original idea, linking political with religious charisma. It ends with a programmatic statement of what these Chinese studies show to be fruitful ways of describing and analyzing modern charisma in general, and concludes with a normative question, contrasting good charisma, which is accountable, with bad charisma.
Investigation of silicon nanoclusters embedded in ZnO matrices deposited by cosputtering system
Authors: Lai Li-Wen , Liu Chih-Hong , Lee Ching-Ting , Lou Li-Ren , Yeh Wen-Yung , Chu Mu-Tao
Published: August 2008

A co-sputtering system was used to deposit silicon nanoclusters embedded in zinc oxide matrix (Si:ZnO) at low temperature without post-annealing. By adjusting the radio frequency power of the Si target during co-sputtering, Si:ZnO films with various crystallographic structures can be obtained. Silicon nanoclusters embedded in the zinc oxide matrix were examined using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope, x-ray diffractometer, and Fourier transformation infrared spectrometry. By comparing with photoluminescence spectra, we can clearly identify quantum confinement effect of silicon nanoclusters embedded in the ZnO matrix.
A numerical approach to evaluation of elastic modulus using conical indenter with finite tip radius
Authors: Lee Jin Haeng , Lee Hyungyil , Kim Deok Hoon
Published: August 2008

Geometrical self-similarity is a feature of mathematically sharp indenters such as conical and Berkovich indenters. However, self-similarity is considered inappropriate for practical use because of inevitable indenter tip blunting. In this study, we analyze the load–depth curves of conical indenters with various tip radii via finite element analyses. Based on the numerical data, we propose a method of restoring the Kick’s law coefficient C of finite tip-radius indenter to that of zero tip-radius indenter, thereby retaining the self-similarity of the sharp indenter. We then regress the unloading slope for the evaluation of elastic modulus in several ways. Finally, we establish a method to evaluate elastic modulus, which successfully provides the value of the elastic modulus with a maximum error of less than 5%, regardless of tip radius and material properties of both indenter and specimen.
New 5 ½-in. Solid Expandable Systems Provide Effective Technology for Successful Workover Project in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Umran Mohammed I. , Al-Amri Kalifah M. , Ahmed Iqbal , Qasim Muhammad , Al-Obaidi Ibrahim A. , Zhou Shaohua , Sanders Tom , Stephenson David , York Pat
Published: August 2008

To maximize well productivity, Saudi Aramco embarked on a technology-driven strategy and began converting existing weak horizontal producers into maximum reservoir contact (MRC) wells. Many of these wells were completed with downhole smart systems to control flow from multiple laterals. Saudi Aramco also employed this strategy to convert dead vertical wells to single horizontal producers or power water injectors. A key driver in the success of this strategic approach has been the installation of solid expandable liners that have enabled zonal isolation and provided a conduit for any necessary smart-completion systems. Five wells to date have been successfully worked over with new 5 1/2 in. solid expandable liners that have been cemented when installed in the Shaybah, Ghawar and Abqaiq fields. Production data is projected to confirm the wells have achieved planned production gains.

This paper will discuss the successful application of an alternative solid expandable technology, characterized by seamless expandable tubulars, robust and gas tight metal-to-metal seal connections, collapsible expansion cone, and lower-required expansion pressure; all of which provide technical improvements to more effectively meet application needs. This paper will also explain how an expandable system, when used as a production liner, offers additional benefits such as delivering extended-reach 5 1/2 in. laterals by using available technologies of geosteering, rotary steerable systems, and smart completions in the reservoir.
Best Practices in Conventional Core Analysis - A Laboratory Investigation
Authors: Al-Muthana Ahmed S. , Ma S. M. , Okasha Taha
Published: August 2008

Conventional core analysis procedures were investigated to validate data quality and accuracy. In this paper, 23 core samples from wells Q (14 carbonate samples) and N (9 sandstone samples) were tested in the laboratory.

The tests include grain density, porosity, and air and brine permeabilities.

Factors investigated in this study are:∘Effect of equipment calibration on grain density and porosity measurements,∘Effect of drying time on grain density and porosity measurements,∘Effect of sleeve confining pressure on gas permeability measurement, and∘Comparison between gas and liquid permeabilities.

Understanding data acquisition procedures and limitations is very important in core analysis. Therefore, data accuracy in laboratory measurements must be considered. Based on this study, best practices of performing conventional core analysis are recommended.
Amoebae-resisting bacteria in drinking water: risk assessment and management
Authors: Loret J. F. , Jousset M. , Robert S. , Saucedo G. , Ribas F. , Thomas V. , Greub G.
Published: August 2008

Free-living amoebae have been detected in a large number of man-made water systems, including drinking water distribution systems. Some of these amoebae can host amoebae-resisting bacteria, and thus act potentially as reservoirs and vehicles for a number of pathogens. The objectives of this study were to characterize the amoebae and amoebae-resisting bacteria present in different raw waters used for drinking water production, and to assess the efficiency of different treatments applied for drinking water production in removing or inactivating these amoebae. The preliminary results of this study confirm the presence of amoebae and amoebae-resisting bacteria in raw waters used for drinking water production. Due to their capacity to encyst, most of these amoebae are extremely resistant to disinfection processes. In these conditions, preventing the dissemination of these micro-organisms through drinking water will mainly require their physical removal by clarification and filtration processes. The particular hazard that amoebae-resisting bacteria represent in drinking water production should be taken into account in any risk assessment conducted in the framework of a water safety plan, and control strategies based on physical removal rather than disinfection should be adopted where necessary.
An integrated approach in a municipal WWTP: anaerobic codigestion of sludge with organic waste and nutrient removal from supernatant
Authors: Caffaz S. , Bettazzi E. , Scaglione D. , Lubello C.
Published: August 2008

Co-digestion appears to be an interesting solution to increase the biogas production of poorly performing under-loaded digesters of waste activated sludge. In the Florence WWTP anaerobic codigestion could increase nitrogen and phosphorus loading rates and thus lower the nutrient removal efficiency. In order to develop an integrated solution to upgrade the Florence WWTP, the different process units were tested in experimental plants. Anaerobic codigestion with source-collected organic solid waste in a pilot-scale bioreactor showed an increase of GPR from 0.15 to 0.45 Nl biogas/l/d with 23% of organic waste loaded. Autotrophic nitrogen removal was carried out in two lab-scale pilot plants which were fed with a real anaerobic supernatant after phosphate removal via struvite formation. The nitritation MBBR has been working for one year at steady-state conditions with a perfect nitrite/ammonium ratio equal to 1:1. Anammox biomass enrichment was performed in a suspended biomass SBR and the specific nitrogen removal rate increased from 1.7 to 58 gN/kgVSS/d in 375 days.
CoMFA, CoMSIA and Eigenvalue Analysis on Dibenzodioxepinone and Dibenzodioxocinone Derivatives as Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibitors
Authors: Xiong Xu-qiong , Zhao Dong-mei , Bu Peng-fei , Liu Yang , Ren Jin-hong , Wang Jian , Cheng Mao-sheng
Published: August 2008

CoMFA, CoMSIA and eigenvalue analysis (EVA) were performed to study the structural features of 61 diverse dibenzodioxepinone and dibenzodioxocinone analogues to probe cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitory activity. Three methods yielded statistically significant models upon assessment of cross-validation, bootstrapping, and progressive scrambling. This was further validated by an external set of 13 derivatives. Our results demonstrate that three models have a good interpolation as well as extrapolation. The hydrophobic features were confirmed to contribute significantly to inhibitor potencies, while a pre-oriented hydrogen bond provided by the hydroxyl group at the 3-position indicated a good correlation with previous SAR, and a hydrogen bond acceptor may play a crucial role in CETP inhibition. These derived models may help us to gain a deeper understanding of the binding interaction of these lactone-based compounds and aid in the design of new potent compounds against CETP.
Modelling Amperometric Biosensors Based on Chemically Modified Electrodes
Authors: Baronas Romas , Kulys Juozas
Published: August 2008

The response of an amperometric biosensor based on a chemically modified electrode was modelled numerically. A mathematical model of the biosensor is based on a system of non-linear reaction-diffusion equations. The modelling biosensor comprises two compartments: an enzyme layer and an outer diffusion layer. In order to define the main governing parameters the corresponding dimensionless mathematical model was derived. The digital simulation was carried out using the finite difference technique. The adequacy of the model was evaluated using analytical solutions known for very specific cases of the model parameters. By changing model parameters the output results were numerically analyzed at transition and steady state conditions. The influence of the substrate and mediator concentrations as well as of the thicknesses of the enzyme and diffusion layers on the biosensor response was investigated. Calculations showed complex kinetics of the biosensor response, especially when the biosensor acts under a mixed limitation of the diffusion and the enzyme interaction with the substrate.
Empirical Evidence for Impacts of Internal Migration on Vegetation Dynamics in China from 1982 to 2000
Authors: Song Conghe , Lord Jackson W. , Zhou Liming , Xiao Jingfeng
Published: August 2008

Migration is one of the major socio-economic characteristics of China since the country adopted the policy of economic reform in late 1970s. Many studies have been dedicated to understand why and how people move, and the consequences of their welfare. The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental impacts of the large scale movement of population in China. We analyzed the trend in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) along with China migration data from the 1 percent national survey during 1982-1987, the 4th national census during 1985-1990 and the 5th national census during1995~2000. We found that the internal migration in China has a statistically significant negative impact on vegetation growth at the provincial scale from 1982 to 2000 even though the overall vegetation abundance increased in China. The impact from migration (R2=0.47, P=0.0001) on vegetation dynamics is the second strongest as among the factors considered, including changes in annual mean air temperature (R2=0.50, P=0.0001) and annual total precipitation (R2=0.30, P=0.0049) and gross domestic production (R2= 0.25, P=0.0102). The negative statistical relationship between the rate of increase in total migration and the change in vegetation abundance is stronger (R2=0.56, P=0.0000) after controlling for the effects of changes in temperature and precipitation. In-migration dominates the impacts of migration on vegetation dynamics. Therefore, it is important for policy makers in China to take the impacts of migration on vegetation growth into account while making policies aiming at sustainable humanenvironment relations.
Effect of prophylactic cyclosporine therapy on ADAMTS13 biomarkers in patients with idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Cataland Spero R. , Jin Ming , Lin Shili , Kraut Eric H. , George James N. , Wu Haifeng M.
Published: August 2008

Several reports have been published regarding the use of cyclosporine (CSA) in the treatment of idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). We hypothesized that prophylactic CSA therapy may prevent recurrences in patients with a history of multiple relapses of TTP. Nineteen patients with idiopathic TTP were enrolled on prospective studies at Ohio State University between September 2003 and May 2007. Patients achieving remission remained on CSA therapy for 6 months, allowing us to evaluate the efficacy of CSA as prophylactic therapy. CSA was administered orally at a dose of 2–3 mg/kg in twice a day divided dose in all patients and continued for a total of 6 months. Long‐term clinical follow‐up with serial analysis of ADAMTS13 biomarkers during and after CSA therapy were performed to evaluate the efficacy of CSA as a prophylactic therapy. 17/19(89%) patients completed 6 months of CSA therapy in a continuous remission. Two patients relapsed during therapy with CSA and seven patients relapsed after discontinuing CSA therapy. Ten patients have maintained a continuous remission a median of 21 months (range, 5–46) after discontinuing CSA. The ADAMTS13 data suggest that CSA resulted in a significant increase in the ADAMTS13 activity during therapy with CSA. 8/9(89%) relapsing patients had severely deficient ADAMTS13 activity (<5%) suggesting this is a significant risk factor for relapse of TTP. These data support the hypothesis that prophylactic CSA improves the ADAMTS13 activity and may be effective at preventing relapses in patients at risk for recurrences of TTP. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deep subsurface geophysical prospection at Tell Qarqur, Syria
Authors: Casana Jesse , Herrmann Jason T. , Fogel Aaron
Published: August 2008

This paper presents results of recent archaeo‐geophysical investigations utilizing low‐frequency ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) at the site of Tell Qarqur in western Syria. Like many major tell sites in the Near East, Tell Qarqur possesses archaeological strata more than 30 m in depth and was nearly continuously occupied for 10 000 years. The sheer scale and complexity of tell sites has rendered traditional archaeo‐geophysical methods, designed to map cultural features at 1–2 m below the surface and in only two dimensions, relatively ineffective. The instruments, survey strategies, and processing protocols we have utilized at Tell Qarqur have succeeded in documenting architectural features and archaeological stratigraphy in three dimensions and at much greater depths than has been possible previously. Our results offer new perspectives on the organization and development of settlement at Tell Qarqur and highlight the potential of our methods for archaeo‐geophysical investigations at deeply stratified sites more generally. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Alternative approach toH∞control for fuzzy systems
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Liu Wanquan , Li Li , Zhang Qingling , Tong Shaocheng
Published: August 2008

In this paper the problem ofH∞dynamic feedback control for fuzzy dynamic systems has been studied. First the problem ofH∞dynamic feedback controller designs for complex nonlinear systems, which can be represented by Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy systems, is presented. Second, based on a Lyapunov function, four new dynamic feedbackH∞fuzzy controllers are developed by adequately considering the interactions among all fuzzy sub‐systems and these dynamic feedbackH∞controllers can be obtained by solving a set of suitable linear matrix inequalities. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Robust tracking control design for uncertain robotic systems with persistent bounded disturbances
Authors: Tseng Chung‐Shi
Published: August 2008

In this study, a robust nonlinear L∞‐gain tracking control design for uncertain robotic systems is proposed under persistent bounded disturbances. The design objective is that the peak of the tracking error in time domain must be as small as possible under persistent bounded disturbances. Since the nonlinear L∞ ‐gain optimal tracking control cannot be solved directly, the nonlinear L∞ ‐gain optimal tracking problem is transformed into a nonlinear L∞ ‐gain tracking problem by given a prescribed disturbance attenuation level for the L∞ ‐gain tracking performance. To guarantee that the L∞ ‐gain tracking performance can be achieved for the uncertain robotic systems, a sliding‐mode scheme is introduced to eliminate the effect of the parameter uncertainties. By virtue of the skew‐symmetric property of the robotic systems, sufficient conditions are developed for solving the robust L∞ ‐gain tracking control problems in terms of an algebraic equation instead of a differential equation. The proposed method is simple and the algebraic equation can be solved analytically. Therefore, the proposed robust L∞ ‐gain tracking control scheme is suitable for practical control design of uncertain robotic systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Deployment of a team of biomimetic searching agents based on limited communication quantity
Authors: Jian You‐Ling , Lian Feng‐Li , Lee Hou‐Tsan
Published: August 2008

This paper presents a dispersion movement design for a multi‐agent team inspired by the behavior of creatures. The goal of the dispersion algorithm is to maintain the communication network between agents and to enlarge the coverage area as widely as possible. The communication density, or the number of communication links, is the only information needed. A dispatch rule for releasing agents at a base station is also designed based on the dispersion algorithm. The proposed algorithms have been extensively tested by software simulation. Statistics concerning the coverage area, network partition rate, and spending time are analyzed to verify the feasibility and advantages of the algorithms. Potential applications of the proposed algorithms include rescue in a damaged area, planetary exploration, military reconnaissance, and geophysical mapping. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
REBUS‐PLS: A response‐based procedure for detecting unit segments in PLS path modelling
Authors: Esposito Vinzi V. , Trinchera L. , Squillacciotti S. , Tenenhaus M.
Published: August 2008

Structural equation models (SEMs) make it possible to estimate the causal relationships, defined according to a theoretical model, linking two or more latent complex concepts, each measured through a number of observable indicators, usually called manifest variables. Traditionally, the component‐based estimation of SEMs by means of partial least squares (PLS path modelling, PLS‐PM) assumes homogeneity over the observed set of units: all units are supposed to be well represented by a unique model estimated on the overall data set. In many cases, however, it is reasonable to expect classes made of units showing heterogeneous behaviours to exist.

Two different kinds of heterogeneity could be affecting the data: observed and unobserved heterogeneity. The first refers to the case of a priori existing classes, whereas in unobserved heterogeneity no information is available either on the number of classes or on their composition.

If a group structure for the statistical units is given, the aim of the analysis is to search for any differences in the behaviours of the a priori given classes. In PLS‐PM this would mean studying the effect of directly observed moderating variables, i.e. estimating as many (local) models as there are classes.

Unobserved heterogeneity, instead, implies identifying classes of units (a priori unknown) having similar behaviours. Such heterogeneity is captured by an unobserved (latent) discrete moderating variable defining both the number of classes and the class membership.

A new method for unobserved heterogeneity detection in PLS‐PM is proposed in this paper: response‐based procedure for detecting unit segments in PLS‐PM (REBUS‐PLS). REBUS‐PLS, according to PLS‐PM features, does not require distributional hypotheses and may lead to local models that are different in terms of both structural and measurement models. An application of REBUS‐PLS on real data will be shown. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.