bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SS: Jack-up Rig Technology - New Simplified Conceptual Model for Spudcan Foundations on Sand Overlying Clay Soils
Authors: Lee Kok Kuen , Randolph Mark Felton , Cassidy Mark Jason
Published: July 2009

The paper reports the development of a new simplified conceptual model for evaluating the peak penetration resistance of spudcan foundations on sand overlying soft clay, where potential for punch-through exists. Observations of the failure mode for spudcans penetrating through a sand layer into soft clay have shown that at peak bearing resistance a frustum of sand is forced into the underlying clay, with the outer angle reflecting the dilation in the sand. This has formed the basis of the new analytical design approach. The analytical basis of the conceptual model follows the approach for silo analysis, and takes account of the stress level and dilatant response of the sand. It is therefore an advancement over the punching shear and load spread models advocated in the current SNAME (2002) approach, which do not consider the strength properties of the sand. Results from 47 centrifuge model tests spanning a wide range of foundation diameter and sand layer thickness are shown to match the new design method well. The experimental results are significantly underestimated by the design approach of the current design guidelines SNAME (2002). Although the new design method has been formulated for a surface sand layer overlying clay, it may be extended to cover the situation of an interbedded sand layer.

Introduction

Punch-through hazards of a jack-up foundation on sand overlying clay is a common problem in the industry. It has been reported that spudcan punch-through failures occur at an average rate of one incident per year, costing the industry between US$1 million and US$10 million per incident due to rig damage and loss of drilling time (Osborne and Paisley, 2002). Punch-through commonly occurs during the installation of the jack-up unit, where the spudcans are preloaded to ensure the foundation system is capable of resisting the design loads arising under extreme storm conditions. Punch-through hazard exists when the bearing capacity of the layered soil (referred to as peak penetration resistance, qpeak, in this paper) is lower than the preloading pressure.

The traditional analytical methods used to calculate the peak penetration resistance on sand overlying clay are the punching shear method as shown in Figure 1, which is based on Hanna and Meyerhof (1980), and the projected area method as shown in Figure 2.
The Operation Of The Multiphase Flow Meters On The Sour Environment Of QTIF Field (Case Study)
Authors: Al-Dossary Faisal Mohammed , Al-Ghamdi Abdulrahman Ahmed
Published: July 2009

Qatif field is the first intelligent field in Saudi Aramco equipped with measurement, communication, control and software enabling semi real-time and automated asset management and field rate optimization. Qatif is fully automated with remote controls, due to its complex reservoir characteristics and fluids with high H2S concentration. Difficulties were experienced with one of the main intelligent components of the surveillance systems, the Multiphase Flow Meter (MPFM), due to the H2S variations, which can reach up to 5% within the same reservoir.
Design and Installation of the Submerged Loading System
Authors: Vedeld Stein , Frichou Adeline
Published: July 2009

Talisman Energy Norge AS has awarded a contract to SBM Offshore for the re-development of the Yme field which is located in the Egersund basin in the North Sea. The re-development is based on a Mobile Offshore Production Unit (MOPUstor) with a subsea storage tank from which stabilized crude is exported via a Submerged Loading System (SLS).

The SLS, which is a novel design, is a freely weathervaning loading system located directly on the seabed. The SLS consists of a subsea flowline fitted with a horizontal diverless connector at each extremity, and a gravity base with a rotating upper part linked to the export tanker through a 16?? ID riser in a Steep Wave configuration. When disconnected, the riser is left on the seabed, and the end of the riser is connected to a messenger line which is terminated by surface marker buoys and a pick-up rope.

Both the riser and the flowline are comprised of 12m Trelline™ bonded hose sections. The riser (or any hose section) is replaceable by way of a vertical diverless coupling connecting the gravity base piping and the subsea central pipe swivel.

An acoustic transponder with heading sensor is fitted on the rotating part of the subsea swivel, and acoustic DP reference transponders are positioned on the seabed.

The SLS system is hawserless because it is operated with DP Class 2 tankers which can stay on station up to the maximum specified operational seastate.

The SLS was installed by SBM's Normand Installer in August 2008. This was the first major milestone in the MOPUstor system installation campaign. The size of the gravity base and the large number of bonded hoses (115 hoses for the flowline and 16 hoses for the riser) made it a challenging operation, not only offshore but also at the mobilization in port. The constraints onshore and offshore, the main installation steps and the methodology are described in this paper.

Introduction

The Yme field is located approximately 100 km offshore in the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The Yme field consists of two main reservoirs, Beta and Gamma, which are approximately 12 km apart. The Yme Re-development Project will be based on a MOPUstor2,4, which is a Mobile Offshore Production Unit with a subsea storage tank. The MOPUstor will be located at the Gamma reservoir with surface completion of the Gamma wells and tie back of the subsea completed Beta wells.

The oil will be exported by means of an oil offloading flowline laying on the seabed and a weathervaning Submerged Loading System (SLS) installed in the vicinity of the MOPUstor at a distance sufficient to allow weathervaning of the shuttle tanker, as shown in Figure 1.

Export tankers will periodically connect to the SLS and will receive the oil stored in the storage tanks of the MOPUstor.

The complete system is designed to meet the environmental operational conditions specified for both the offloading and survival cases in accordance with the specifications and the Classification Society rules. The SLS system does not require mooring because it is attended by DP tankers.
SS - I-Field Implementation Enable Real Time Reservoir Management Of Newly Developed Saudi Fields
Authors: Al-Malki Said Saad , Al-Buraikan Meshal , Abdulmohsin Rami Ahmed , Wolfe Wayne , Harbi Asem , Al Shaikh Abdulsatar Ahmed
Published: July 2009

This paper demonstrates how intelligent Field (I-Field) capabilities, including the Enterprise Monitoring System (EMS), are being used in real time to monitor the performance of 11 reservoirs across three Saudi Aramco carbonate Fields to meet the required crude blend, and to provide alerts to engineers when certain reservoir engineering requirements or strategies are violated. Using a real Field example, the paper discusses in detail an I-Field workflow used to monitor reservoir performance during a pre-injection period, starting from real time data gathering, validation and mapping, using Permanent Downhole Monitoring Systems (PDHMS) and integrated surface and subsurface modeling along with data mapping packages. Finally, the paper illustrates how integrated real time data and modeling results are used to optimize production and injection strategies for the three Fields for more efficient real time reservoir management.

Introduction

During the planning phase for developing a new increment in Saudi Arabia (Figure 1), several challenges were identified suggesting the need for putting eight of the project's eleven reservoirs on power water injection to add reservoir energy prior to oil production start-up [1].

Tight flank permeability preventing enough aquifer support from reaching the crest area of the Field was identified to be a challenge for meeting production target of two of the eleven reservoirs. Long reach flank injectors with ± 2-km of reservoir exposure were recommended as the optimum solution to provide adequate injection rates to support producing area in two reservoirs [1].

Presence of a non-permeable tar mat across the flanks of the Field preventing aquifer support from reaching the producing area was identified to be a challenge for meeting production target of four of the eleven reservoirs. The need to drill or reactivate up-dip injectors placed ±30' above the tar-oil contact (TOC) was recommended as the optimum solution to provide adequate injection rates to support the producing area. Optimum well placement above tar was selected based on a massive data gathering project that was initiated to map the tar mat. Several studies were conducted to confirm minimum impact on ultimate recovery of wedge oil [2].
Innovative Solution for Emergency Repair of a Deep Water Riser (Avoiding Flooding and Re-Commissioning, Minimizing Lost-Production) A Case Study of Independence Hub Flex-Joint Repair
Authors: Selden Rush
Published: July 2009

The export riser leaving the Enterprise Independence Hub platform is a 13,000 feet, 20?? SCR, in 8,000 feet of water, with the capacity to handle more than 10% of the natural gas transported from the Gulf of Mexico.

In April 2008, Enterprise found a leak in the flex-joint assembly, located about 26 meters (85 feet) below sea level.

The goal was to repair the flex-joint with minimum down time. Normally the valves above the assembly would be shut and the flex-joint disconnected to replace the o-ring. This would cause the riser to flood, and once repaired, the riser would have to be de-watered and re-commissioned.

This paper will discuss the repair, using an innovative technology consisting of a remotely controlled (through-steel wall data communication) double block, piggable high-pressure isolation system (non-invasive). The system was pigged from the platform launcher, through the riser, and " set?? immediately past the flex-joint.

Once the flex-joint was so isolated from the riser with this tool, the o-ring gasket was replaced subsea (at ambient), without flooding the remainder of the riser or pipeline, avoiding degassing (the riser and pipeline remained pressurized during repair) and avoiding re-commissioning.

The repair was completed, and Enterprise was able to resume gas flow, in 10 days, representing a significant savings in lost-production.

Considering MMS Safety Alert 264, and with deep water risers becoming more common, and more valuable given their high pressure/volume of production, this pressure isolation technology represents a method of allowing subsea repairs without flooding, potentially saving months of production.
Improvements in Dynamic Loading of Ultra Deepwater Catenary Risers
Authors: Wajnikonis Christopher John , Leverette Steven J.
Published: July 2009

This paper gives results of numerically modeling several examples of steel catenary risers (SCR's) with a variety of buoyancy and damping devices. Conventional and modified strakes, short segments of conventional plain cylindrical floats, and modified buoyancy units were investigated. A key configuration studied is a " short-lazywave?? configuration where buoyancy is used on the lower section of riser of length equal to 10% of the water depth. The dynamics of variations of the short-lazy-wave SCR's are compared with that of similar conventional free hanging SCR's.

The variations and modifications of the buoyancy units and of the strakes involved adding damper/added mass surfaces, so that those devices increased the riser drag per unit length in up to three local dimensions: in the tangential, normal and bi-normal directions. The dampers can be installed on the riser in-between the conventional devices (i.e., strakes and floats). They can be attached to those devices or they can be built integrally with those devices. The devices investigated can be used with newly installed risers, but are also suitable for retrofitting existing risers.

The touchdown zone (TDZ) fatigue is one of the important design considerations of SCR's. In addition to controlling the SCR design, TDZ fatigue is significant enough that it can affect the selection and design of the production vessel. For the riser examples shown, most of the improvements achieved over the base case conventional riser were due to the decoupling character of the short-lazy-wave. The variations investigated resulted in a considerable increase in the TDZ fatigue life of the modified SCRs - fatigue lives were increased by between one to three orders of magnitude. In the cross and near configurations, using dampers on the buoyancy allowed fatigue life improvements above those pertaining to plain floats by factors of 1.05 to 4.4. Effective tension compression was eliminated. Mean and maximum dynamic hang-off loads were decreased 13% to 24%. The configurations investigated may allow reductions in pipe wall thickness for new risers and they allow the use of SCRs in water depth/metocean conditions where it may be difficult or impossible to use free hanging risers. Of particular note is the possibility of using SCR's from FPSO's and semisubmersible in conditions which have heretofore been considered limiting.

Introduction

SCRs are commonly used in deep and ultra-deep water; they have traditionally provided a low cost and reliable solution for export lines and flowlines to/from remote wells and floating systems.

Design controlling limitations in use of SCR's are typically fatigue due to dynamic stresses at the top and in the touch down areas, and compression in large motion conditions. Fatigue due to dynamic stresses may also become more troublesome in particular where sour service is combined with high design pressures.
SS: Spar Technology - Marine operations during transport and discharge of SPAR hulls
Authors: Postma Ralph
Published: July 2009

One of the key elements of the production & installation of a SPAR floating production unit is the transportation of the hull from the construction yard to the installation area. Given the specific geometry of SPAR hulls unique operational challenges are to be overcome. These challenges, as well as the engineering and operations aspects, will be adressed.

The paper describes the way these marine operations are prepared and executed on site. Lessons learnt during execution of SPAR transports are provided as well as statistics that can be produced, based on the many SPAR hulls that have been transported on Heavy Transport Vessels (HTV).

During the loadout phase

Potentially critical aspects have been identified and evaluated in this chapter, based on the assumptions below.

Assumptions

The following is assumed for the load out review in this chapter:–Load out will be a stern load out by means of skidding–The SPAR load distribution will be as defined in Attachment 1.–Skidding arrangement will be situated below soft tank, heave plates and hard tank.–the soft tank generally exceeds the vessel perimeter and as such, it is not supported during the voyage/ load-out–Hard tank skidding arrangement will be positioned at the load centre.–Heave plate support design is such that the load is dispersed along a length of 15m and in general aligned with the vessel's longitudinal bulkheads.

Ballast capacity of the HTV

For a stern loadout, the main parameters for the feasibility are:the quayheightwater depthtidal fluctuationweight distribution of the SPAR.

To verify that the vessel has sufficient ballast capacity for the stern loadout, several ballast conditions are prepared. A prerequisite for the skidding operation is that the skid beam on both the quay and the vessel are aligned horizontally. This requires the vessel to be in an even keel condition.

In addition a check is performed to verify that sufficient ballast capacity / flux is available to account for tidal fluctuations as well as the compensation for cargo weight during the load-out operation. The analysis results in a minimum draft at which the operation can be performed.

The water depth of the load out location needs to be sufficient to guarantee a vessel under keel clearance of ~1.0 m.
Hybrid Screw Compressor Suitable for Offshore Vapor Recovery or Flare Gas Elimination Application
Authors: Fujimatsu Kenji
Published: July 2009

1. ABSTRACT

Environmental issues such as global warming are getting widespread international attention. Flare Gas Elimination projects and Flare Gas Recovery systems become more interest among oil and gas industries all over the world. Screw compressors are suitable for gas compressor applications that can recover flare gas or the hydrocarbon vapor instead of sending it to a flare line for offshore platforms or FPSOs (Floating Production, Storage, & Offloading). This type of compressor system provides Zero Flare Emission.

Oil-free screw compressors have been used for process gas applications since the 1970's. Oil-flooded screw compressors have been used in many process gas related applications since the 1980's. Recently, both oil-free and oil-flooded screw compressors have been expanding into the process gas compression application industry.

The oil-free screw compressor is popular for the offshore applications in recent market trends, and it has been used due to several advantages, good suitability and reliability in comparison to other types of compressors.

Hybrid Screw Compressors have been developed by creating the best combination of advantages in the oil-free and the oilflooded screw compressor.

Hybrid Screw Compressors have good features of compact and reliable designs, simple single skid arrangements. These features translate into benefits for the users such as lower installation costs, simple and easy start/stop operation, and suitable for long-term continuous operation.

2. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is to present technical information and advantages in Hybrid Screw Compressors, and also show a comparison to the conventional type of Oil-free and Oil-flooded Screw Gas Compressors. In addition, the paper will explain what benefits the Hybrid Screw Compressor provides to vapor recovery and flare gas elimination applications in the offshore areas.

3. HISTORY

Since the screw compressors have characteristics of both rotary (centrifugal) compressors and positive displacement compressors (reciprocating), screw machines found rapid acceptance in petrochemical and gas processing industries. In 1975, API 619 was introduced to specify a screw compressor. This first edition of API 619 looked only at oil-free screw compressors. During this period, the oil-free screw compressor was applied in many unique applications such as butadiene, styrene monomer recycle gas, linear alkyl benzene, soda ash, etc. Most of these applications are subject to dust, polymers, and liquids that are likely to be present in the gas stream. In many cases, water injection was used to control the compression process.

In the 1980's, oil-flooded screw compressors started appearing in process gas applications. During the same period of time, cogeneration started to take off with gas turbines becoming necessary in more and more applications. Also, oil-flooded screw compressors were finding their way into light gases such as Helium and Hydrogen.
SS: Agbami Field Development: Incident and Injury-Free Culture: A Journey to Achieve World Class HES Performance
Authors: Simon Rick L. , Duncan Lorri
Published: July 2009

The Agbami Project is a unitized development. Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, an affiliate of Chevron Corporation, is the operator of the Agbami Unit, The concessionaires are Famfa Oil Limited and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the other partners are Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited, Statoil Nigeria Limited and Texaco Nigeria Outer Shelf Inc., a Chevron Corporation affiliate. The Agbami Project achieved outstanding safety performance during project: Execution, Installation, Hook-up and Commissioning. The major keys in achieving world class safety performance were the focus on: Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Culture development, Training, Safe Facilities Design, Operational Excellence, Risk Management, Safe Job Analysis, Incident Investigation and Reporting, Emergency Response and Contractor Management.

This paper will provide a look back into the major safety challenges and solutions that occurred during the Phase 4: Execution, Fabrication, Hook-up and Commissioning and Hand Over to operations phase of the project. Some of the major project HES milestones will be reviewed as well as HES statistics to help develop a better overall appreciation for the Agbami Project's safety implementation and performance.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

In conclusion the development of an Incident and Injury Free (IIF) Culture is critical in achieving world class safety performance for major capital projects. There is also the need to have mature safety processes in place and functioning i.e.: Safe Facilities Design, Operational Excellence, Risk Management, Safe Job Analysis, Incident Investigation and Reporting, Training, Emergency Response and Contractor Management. All of these elements along with top down management support, commitment and leadership help drive excellent safety performance and organizational capability. Over time through the sharing of Lessons Learned, a Safe Culture as well as a Learning Organizational Culture will develop. The development of this dual culture will promote the cycle of continual improvement and enhance better safety performance.

Significance of Subject Matter

The importance of reviewing the " Safety Journey of the Agbami Project?? is to assure that the Lessons Learned are shared, benchmarked and communicated to stakeholders and interested parties. This will assure continual safety improvement in the execution of major capital project's (MCP's) industry wide.
Moho Bilondo: The First Deepwater Development Offshore Republic of Congo
Authors: Cahuzac Claude , Bourcier Franci
Published: July 2009

After onshore development more than 40 years ago, standard development in water depth around 200m, Total Exploration Production Congo has launched in 2005, with its partners SNPC and Chevron, the development of the Moho Bilondo field, the first deep sea project offshore the Republic of Congo. The field was brought in production in April 2008, 33.5 months only after award of the execution contracts.

This paper presents the specific challenges met by the Operator, to make this " mid size?? deep sea field an economical development, the compact lay-out selected, the technical choices in drilling and completion for instance and the organization with early integration of operators in the team which made this development a success.

Moho Bilondo which came on stream on April 17th, 2008 is the first deep offshore field of the Republic of Congo. This development is launching the valorization of a serie of deposits located about 80 km off the coast in water between 540 and 660m metres deep.

Four reservoirs hace been discovered on the Moho Bilondo permit since 1995, but Total Exploration & Production Congo and its Partners, SNPC, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, and Chevron have opted to develop them in two stages. In the first phase of the overall development, only two deposits, Mobim and Bilondo, covering an area of about 72 sq.km in the southern part of the zone, are been brought into production. This strategy has allowed Total to meet the key challenge on Moho Bilondo: economical production of medium-sized reservoirs under the extreme conditions associated with deep water

Meeting this challenge meant to adapt the organization of the project to the specifity of the country, to solve technical challenges by innovation, selection of architecture and during operations with a challenging overall planning

A compact development scheme, developed with synergies with existing fields

In order to reduce development costs, one aim of the development scheme designed for this project was to minimize the subsea infrastructures necessary by reducing the number of wells and shortening the flowlines. The scheme provides for two groups of wells, one on each reservoir, drilled from the subsea clusters located 2,300 m metres to each side of the floating production Unit (FPU). However; achieving such simplicity in a subsea production system necessarily means very complex well trajectories.
SS: Cryogenic Pipeline - Defining the Next Generation for LNG loading: Decision Analysis and Risk Assessment of Technology Management of New Technology vs. Conventional Trestle System
Authors: Beike Dieter K. , Gibbons Frank Bruce , Stokes Edward Gene
Published: July 2009

The decision to apply a new " unproven?? technology is a difficult one to make. Companies avoid it as much as possible. We all like to be the second one to use a new " successful?? idea. Be the " fast follower?? and get the benefit of lower cost and/or schedule without having the development cost or the risk of failure. If we ever apply " unproven?? technology it is usually the result of either being forced into it by not having a suitable alternative or the assessment of the risks is overwhelmingly in favor of applying it.

In the case of LNG/LPG loading terminals the use of traditional technology has been slow to change. It seems that sticking with what has worked in the past outweighs the risk associated with the incremental benefit that could be obtained from a new product. When traditional technology gets stretched beyond the point of reasonableness, then new technology has a chance to be applied. As new LNG loading and regas facilities are being studied, it can be observed, that some terminal locations are several kilometers away from the plant, hence, a traditional loading approach might not be the best solution. Thus, the new technology of using a subsea cryogenic pipeline has been under development over the last several years and promises substantial reduction in cost relative to a trestle. This paper focuses on the process that projects like Brass in West Africa and elsewhere are following when faced with this problem and have to compare and contrast the risks and uncertainties of applying new technology to their product loading system.

INTRODUCTION

In April 2007, at the San Antonio LNG Conference, the Managing Director of the Brass LNG Project announced that the project had decided to install sub-sea cryogenic pipelines (SSPL) as an integral part of its LNG marine loading facilities. The use of SSPL was largely driven by expected cost reductions due to ongoing optimization studies and the unstable security situation in the Niger delta.

Today's LNG mega projects face significant capital costs, from $200/tonne in 2004 to more than $1,000/tone in 2008. This is forcing investors to make final investment decisions with project costs in excess of $5-10 billion. Thus, the steps to reduce cost and optimize the design are essential for the viability of these projects. In projects with long shallow near shore environments and long trestles, costs for trestle construction and operation constitute a major part of lifetime costs of an LNG plant. Therefore, cost reduction is the determining driver.
Management of Commissioning and Start-Up Activities for Moho Bilondo Integrated Project
Authors: Kiehl Vincent
Published: July 2009

As Commissioning and Start-up activities are always marking the final stage of a Project, they must be carefully planned and organized together well in advance. This is particularly relevant when they take place within an integrated Project like Moho- Bilondo. These activities are divided into several packages including worldwide technology and equipment, subsurface wells completion to surface equipment, and bringing a deep offshore field development to Congo for the first time.

The Moho-Bilondo project was a very tightly driven project over a 34 month period, from first contracts signatures to First Oil flowing at Djeno terminal facilities. As a result of this, it was important to set out the main principles that were to be used over the 3 year period by the Field Operations team with the assistance of other project packages in order to fit into the project time schedule.

These principles have been based on the three commitments, as follows:

1. The use of ICAPS software

ICAPS is an "in-house" Company tool which stands for Integrated Commissioning and Progress System.

It is the compulsory software to be used to apply the Company OPERCOM methodology, in order to prepare and execute PreCommissioning and Commissioning activities for EPCC contracts and it also facilitates feedback for statistical information and internal Commissioning database update.

Since mid 2006, the project ICAPS database has been progressively built during the so called ‘Commissioning preparation phase’. This has been prepared by the contractor teams under the close supervision of the Company Commissioning team and has covered the main packages such as UFL, SPS and FPU.

For instance, the FPU package preparation phase took around 8 months and the final database was divided into 58 systems, 351 sub-systems with sub-systems ranking sequence optimized to meet the earliest First Oil date. Then, in summer 2007, the ‘Commissioning execution phase’ started in Ulsan and in Kongsberg respectively for the FPU and the SPS packages. Around 112 000 hrs of Commissioning activities were performed over a 6 month period at the Hyundai yard premises including 12 300 tasks including Instrumentation, Electricity, Mechanical, Piping, Structure, Telecom, HVAC…etc.

Thanks to ICAPS software, the priorities were set and optimized weekly in order to achieve rapid progress on the critical subsystems path to First Oil. This was made possible by sharing the same tool with the contractors and was primarily managed and controlled by key Company personnel such as punch list coordinator, ICAPS coordinator, Commissioning Site Leader and of course the Commissioning Manager.
Forame Oval Patente e Acidente Vascular Cerebral
Authors: Fukujima Marcia Maiumi , Tatani Solange Bernardes , Prado Gilmar Fernandes do
Published: July 2009

Forame oval patente (FOP) ocorre em 10 a 15% na população geral. Recentemente FOP tem sido encontrado em 45% dos pacientes com AVC criptogênicos e em 23% daqueles com doença aterosclerótica de grandes vasos. O mecanismo pelo qual o FOP associa-se a AVC não é bem estabelecido. Nos casos de FOP e AVC pode-se instituir tratamento clínico, cirúrgico com fechamento do FOP, ou uma nova modalidade que é o fechamento por cateter transcutâneo.
Síndrome de Rett e Hidroterapia
Authors: M. Castro T. , S Leite J. M. R. , M. Vitorino D. F. , F. Prado G.
Published: July 2009

A Síndrome de Rett (SR) é uma doença progressiva, que acomete crianças do sexo feminino e mais raramente crianças do sexo masculino entre 6-18 meses de idade, e apesar das dificuldades de tratamento, a hidroterapia vem sendo usada como um recurso terapêutico nestes casos. Objetivo: avaliar a qualidade de vida de uma criança com SR submetida ao tratamento hidroterapêutico. Material e Métodos: deste estudo participou uma criança com SR, avaliada antes e após o tratamento, através de uma Ficha Hidroterapêutica e um Questionário adaptado baseando-se no PEDI (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory), que foi dividido em duas áreas: Auto-Cuidado e Mobilidade. Resultados: No Auto-Cuidado antes do tratamento a criança apresentava 2 pontos (totalmente dependente) e após apresentou 6 pontos (parcialmente dependente); em relação a mobilidade, antes obteve 3 pontos evoluindo para 9 pontos, portanto parcialmente dependente. Conclusão: pode ser concluído que através dos benefícios proporcionados pela hidroterapia a criança com SR apresentou uma melhora na qualidade de vida.
Queixas urinárias em mulheres com infarto cerebral
Authors: Monteiro Ébe Santos dos , Gimenez Márcia Maria , Fontes Sissy Veloso , Fukujima Márcia Maiumi , Prado Gilmar Fernandes do
Published: July 2009

A incontinência urinária é conceituada como perda involuntária de urina, clinicamente demonstrável que cause problema social ou higiênico. Objetivo. Avaliar a prevalência e os sintomas das queixas urinárias em pacientes que sofreram Acidente Vascular Cerebral Isquêmico (AVCI) e a topografia da lesão. Método. Foram avaliadas 91 mulheres com AVCI segundo os questionários: Mini-Mental e o King’s Health Questionnaire no período de março de 2005 a março de 2006, e divididas em dois grupos: o grupo continente e o grupo de mulheres com sintomas vesicais. A topografia da lesão cerebral foi determinada por tomografia computadorizada. Resultado. Das 91 mulheres, 13 foram excluídas por terem sintomas urinários prévios ao AVCI e por déficits cognitivos, resultando para análise 41 pacientes com sintomas vesicais e 37 continentes, apenas 6 mulheres melhoraram espontaneamente. Não houve relação entre os sintomas urinários e a topografia da lesão. Sintomas urinários ocorreram em 45% das mulheres pós AVCI. A urge-incontinência ocorreu em 28 pacientes (68,2%) e a urgência em 24 pacientes (58,5%). Conclusão. Os sintomas de maior freqüência foram urge-incontinência e urgência. Não houve associação significante entre a topografia da lesão e os sintomas urinários.
Driving force in first‐order phase transitions and its application to gas hydrate nucleation from a single phase
Authors: Carreón‐Calderón Bernardo , Soria Alberto , Romero‐Martínez Ascención
Published: July 2009

Classical nucleation theories of general application are taken as starting point to analyze the driving force for multicomponent gas hydrate nucleation from a single homogeneous phase. It is shown that the ratio between the specific surface energy and the critical radius of nucleation has a single value irrespective of the analyzed driving force expression. From this result, two driving force expressions for multicomponent gas hydrate nucleation are derived in the context of the so‐called generalized nucleation theory, and it is demonstrated that the driving force for gas hydrates can be estimated using the same information given for the determination of the incipient formation points of the dispersed phase from a saturated phase. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
ABC transporters and isothiocyanates: potential for pharmacokinetic diet–drug interactions
Authors: Telang Urvi , Ji Yan , Morris Marilyn E.
Published: July 2009

Isothiocyanates, a class of anti‐cancer agents, are derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and watercress, and have demonstrated chemopreventive activity in a number of cancer models and epidemiologic studies. Due to public interest in cancer prevention and alternative therapies in cancer, the consumption of herbal supplements and vegetables containing these compounds is widespread and increasing. Isothiocyanates interact with ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters such as P‐glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2 and BCRP, and may influence the pharmacokinetics of substrates of these transporters. This review discusses the pharmacokinetic properties of isothiocyanates, their interactions with ABC transporters, and presents some data describing the potential for isothiocyanate‐mediated diet–drug interactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An interspecies comparison of placental antibody transfer: New insights into developmental toxicity testing of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Pentšuk Nele , van der Laan Jan Willem
Published: July 2009

There are profound differences in maternofetal transfer of immunoglobulins between species with extensive gestational transfer of maternal immunoglobulins in primates (including humans) via the chorioallantoic placenta as well as in rabbits and guinea pigs via the inverted yolk sac splanchnopleure. In contrast, other neonatal rodents (rats and mice) receive passive immunity predominantly postnatally. This transfer is mediated principally via FcRn receptors. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are most commonly of the IgG1 subclass, which is transported most efficiently to the fetus. In all animal species used for testing developmental toxicity, fetal exposure to IgG is very low during organogenesis, but this increases during the latter half of gestation such that the neonate is born with an IgG1 concentration similar to the mother (but not rats and mice). Review of mAb developmental toxicity studies of licensed products reveals Cynomolgus monkey as the species used in the majority of the cases (10 out of 15). Pregnancy outcome data from women gestationally exposed to mAb is limited. In general, the findings are consistent with the expected low exposure during organogenesis. Guinea‐pigs and rabbits are potential candidates as “alternatives” to the use of nonhuman primates as the maternofetal transfer in the last part of gestation is at a level similar in humans. Based on the pattern of placental transfer of IgG in humans, study designs that allow detection of both the indirect effects in early gestation plus the effects of direct fetal exposure in mid and late gestation are recommended for developmental toxicity of mAbs. Birth Defects Res (Part B), 86:328–344, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uncoupling proteins: A complex journey to function discovery
Authors: Cioffi Federica , Senese Rosalba , de Lange Pieter , Goglia Fernando , Lanni Antonia , Lombardi Assunta
Published: July 2009

Since their discovery, uncoupling proteins have aroused great interest due to the crucial importance of energy‐dissipating system for cellular physiology. The uncoupling effect and the physiological role of UCP1 (the first‐described uncoupling protein) are well established. However, the reactions catalyzed by UCP1 homologues (UCPs), and their physiological roles are still under debate, with the literature containing contrasting results. Current hypothesis propose several physiological functions for novel UCPs, such as: (i) attenuation of reactive oxygen species production and protection against oxidative damage, (ii) thermogenic function, although UCPs do not generally seem to affect thermogenesis, UCP3 can be thermogenic under certain conditions, (iii) involvement in fatty acid handling and/or transport, although recent experimental evidence argues against the previously hypothesized role for UCPs in the export of fatty acid anions, (iv) fatty acid hydroperoxide export, although this function, due to the paucity of the experimental evidence, remains hypothetical, (v) Ca2+ uptake, although results for and against a role in Ca2+ uptake are still emerging, (vi) a signaling role in pancreatic beta cells, where it attenuates glucose‐induced insulin secretion. From the above, it is evident that more research will be needed to establish universally accepted functions for UCPs. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Treatment and outcomes of gastric cancer among United States‐born and foreign‐born Asians and Pacific Islanders
Authors: Byfield Stacey A. DaCosta , Earle Craig C. , Ayanian John Z. , McCarthy Ellen P.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

The authors investigated whether stage at diagnosis, cancer treatments, and survival of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) gastric cancer patients in the United States vary by birthplace.

METHODS:

The authors studied 6454 API and 10,099 non‐Hispanic white (NHW) patients diagnosed with gastric cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program between 1992 and 2005. In descriptive analyses, stage, receipt of adequate lymph node examination (ALNE), and surgery were compared among US‐born APIs, foreign‐born (FB) APIs, and NHWs. Multivariate polytomous logistic and proportional hazards regression models were used to assess differences in cancer stage and survival, respectively, adjusted for clinical and demographic factors.

RESULTS:

As a group, APIs were more likely than NHWs to present with earlier‐stage diagnoses and receive surgery and ALNE (P < .001). However, FB (adjusted odds ratios [aOR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73‐0.86) but not US‐born APIs (aOR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.92‐1.20) were significantly more likely to present at earlier stages than NHWs. Compared with NHW patients, FB and US‐born APIs were more likely to receive surgery (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.09 and aRR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03‐1.14, respectively) and ALNE (aRR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19‐1.41 and aRR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.32, respectively). In fully adjusted models, FB (adjusted relative hazard ratios [aHR], 0.86; 95% CI, 0.82‐0.90) but not US‐born APIs (aHR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.89‐1.04) had more favorable survival than NHWs.

CONCLUSIONS:

The earlier‐stage diagnosis, more complete surgical treatment, and improved survival of Asians and Pacific Islanders with gastric cancer may result from less aggressive tumors or more prompt recognition and thorough evaluation of early symptoms. Further study of these factors could improve outcomes for all patients with gastric cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Parent‐child communication patterns during the first year after a parent's cancer diagnosis
Authors: Gazendam‐Donofrio Stacey , Hoekstra Harald , van der Graaf Winette , van de Wiel Harry , Visser Annemieke , Huizinga Gea , Hoekstra‐Weebers Josette
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

Good parent‐child communication is thought to help families adjust more easily during stressful events such as parental cancer. Families dealing with cancer who communicate openly have reported less psychological distress. The first year after diagnosis may be particularly stressful. The authors investigated parents' quality of life (QOL) and stress‐response symptoms and parent‐child communication during the first year after diagnosis and examined possible relationships between communication and parents' functioning.

METHODS:

Recently‐diagnosed cancer patients (N = 70) and spouses (N = 55) participated within 4 months of diagnosis (T1) and 6 months (T2) and 12 months later (T3). Parents reported on communication with the children (PACS) and on their own physical and psychosocial functioning (RAND‐36) and stress‐response symptoms (IES).

RESULTS:

Parent‐child communication remained stable throughout the first year after diagnosis and was similar to communication in families 1 year to 5 years after diagnosis. Patients' functioning improved and cancer‐related distress decreased significantly. Spouses' cancer‐related distress decreased; their functioning fluctuated through the year. In concurrent analyses, patients' open communication with the children related only to T1 intrusion. Spouses' open communication related to T3 psychosocial functioning; problem communication related to T1 and T2 psychosocial functioning and T2 avoidance. In prospective analyses, no significant relationships were found between parent‐child communication and change in parents' functioning.

CONCLUSIONS:

Communication between parents and children remained stable over time; patients' and spouses' functioning improved. Parent‐child communication seems to have a limited affect on parents' functioning. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Histologic characteristics enhance predictive value of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging in resectable pancreas cancer
Authors: Helm James , Centeno Barbara A. , Coppola Domenico , Melis Marcovalerio , Lloyd Mark , Park Jong Y. , Chen Dung‐Tsa , Malafa Mokenge P.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) anatomic stage group is considered relatively nondiscriminatory for predicting differences in survival after pancreatectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma, a perception confirmed in the authors' patients and by other reports. The authors' aim was to investigate the potential for improving the predictive value of AJCC staging by incorporating individually predictive histologic features into AJCC tumor‐node‐metastasis classification of anatomic extent, and determine the simplest combination of tumor characteristics predicting survival.

METHODS:

The authors determined survival of 137 patients who underwent pancreatectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma with curative intent (stage Groups IA ‐ IIB) at Moffitt Cancer Center during the last 2 decades using data obtained from medical record review, the Moffitt Cancer Registry, and the Social Security Death Index. Histologic characteristics were confirmed by expert review.

RESULTS:

Median survival was 21.2 months after pancreatectomy with a 3‐year disease‐specific survival of 36%. Univariate Kaplan‐Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard modeling found worse survival with local extrapancreatic extension, poorly differentiated histology, and lymphatic invasion within tumor (P < .05). Survival was not worse with nodal metastases, microscopically positive resection margins, and perineural or venous invasion, nor was survival better with cancer arising from an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Kaplan‐Meier estimates for different variable combinations showed prognosis was best for well‐ or moderately differentiated tumors without lymphatic invasion and confined to the pancreas (9.9 years median survival), worst for poorly differentiated tumors with lymphatic invasion and local extension beyond the pancreas (8.5 months median survival), and intermediate for well‐ or moderately differentiated tumors with either lymphatic invasion or local extension beyond the pancreas (21.2 months median survival).

CONCLUSIONS:

A simple combination of tumor differentiation, lymphatic invasion within the tumor, and local extrapancreatic extension predicts survival after pancreatectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Breast reconstructive surgery in medically underserved women with breast cancer
Authors: Maly Rose C. , Liu Yihang , Kwong Elaine , Thind Amardeep , Diamant Allison L.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

Breast reconstructive surgery can improve mastectomy patients' emotional relationships and social functioning, but it may be underutilized in low‐income, medically underserved women. This study assessed the impact of patient‐physician communication on rates of breast reconstructive surgery in low‐income breast cancer (BC) women receiving mastectomy.

METHODS:

A cross‐sectional, California statewide survey was conducted of women with income less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and receiving BC treatment through the Medicaid Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. A subset of 327 women with nonmetastatic disease who underwent mastectomy was identified. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. The chief dependent variable was receipt of or planned breast reconstructive surgery by patient report at 6 months after diagnosis; chief independent variables were physician interactive information giving and patient perceived self‐efficacy in interacting with physicians.

RESULTS:

Greater physician information giving about BC and its treatment and greater patient perceived self‐efficacy positively predicted breast reconstructive surgery (OR = 1.12, P = .04; OR = 1.03, P = .01, respectively). The observed negative effects of language barriers and less acculturation among Latinas and lower education at the bivariate level were mitigated in multivariate modeling with the addition of the patient‐physician communication and self‐efficacy variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

Empowering aspects of patient‐physician communication and self‐efficacy may overcome the negative effects of language barriers and less acculturation for Latinas, as well as of lower education generally, on receipt of or planned breast reconstructive surgery among low‐income women with BC. Intervening with these aspects of communication could result in breast reconstructive surgery rates more consistent with the general population and in improved quality of life among this disadvantaged group. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.