bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimisation of Tubing Conveyed Perforations: Combination of Dynamic Underbalance and Mechanical Surge Techniques
Authors: Gonzalez Luis Daniel , Curteis Charles , Raziyev Mukhamed , Khaira Kuljit
Published: August 2014

A Brown field, offshore Malaysia, has been in production for over 30 years. The Brown field has low rock strength in shallow reservoirs, while the deeper reservoirs consist of stronger and stiffer formations. As a result, the completion for shallow reservoirs requires gravel pack treatment, whereas the deeper reservoirs can be completed without particular requirements of sand control.

Big hole charges followed by mechanical surge are the preferred perforating technique for an optimum gravel pack. For consolidated formations, deep penetration charges, with a dynamic underbalance, are more suitable to maximize inflow. Historically, multi-zone completions in field wells are performed in stages: the deeper zone is perforated and conditioned first; followed by the upper interval, which is perforated, gravel packed, completed and connected to the lower section.

This paper presents the combination of the two perforating techniques in one operation. It also discusses the candidate identification process, perforation design, formation damage analysis, execution and results. The gravel packs were performed successfully with a GP factor higher than predicted by simulations, and the initial production behavior suggests no evidence of adverse effect on formation damage even when the mechanical surge required for the big hole charges was done higher than conventionally.

Considerable rig time savings were achieved by eliminating a Tubing Conveyed Perforations (TCP) run and clean out operation. The operation was performed in 60.8% of the time observed in a previous similar well. The combined perforating technique is suitable for cases where the reservoir properties are very well known.

Based on the result of the world first combination of these techniques, continue supporting the implementation of this optimized solution in future wells is high recommended.
First Achievement Using Water Shutoff Polymer in Monobore Well Completion, Gulf of Thailand
Authors: Wattanasuwankorn Reawat , Jiemsawat Nophadol , Dunlop Tyson , Kanchiak Surachai
Published: August 2014

An operator launched a “water shutoff” polymer development project for a monobore gas well completion in the Gulf of Thailand. The shutoff concept involved a conservative tubing pad application in which a water shutoff polymer technique was used to help prevent wellbore restriction by sealing off the target reservoir permeability zone. Job planning and careful laboratory testing were conducted to simulate bottomhole conditions. In 2009, the treatment was used to perform shutoff of the top water producing zone using bullheading. The design consisted of the shutoff treatment followed by a loss circulation material (LCM) to help ensure wellbore fluid placement in the designed positions and that the pressure response could be monitored from the surface. The shutoff operation was performed according to plan, and coiled tubing (CT) was used for cleanup after placing the shutoff treatment. As a result of well testing after the shutoff treatment, water production dramatically decreased by 50%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique in terms of safety, economics, and operation. A long-term monitoring program was established to evaluate the polymer's seal-off performance for development of future field strategies.

Since 2009, water production monitoring has proven that the shutoff polymer is one of the best solutions for long-term water shutoff in terms of safety, economics, and operation. This technique does not require mechanical sealing off of the perforations, making it more feasible for future well interventions.
Combating Severe Losses and Improving Cementing Quality in Carbonate Formations: A Lesson Learned from Drilling Wells in Offshore Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Brandl A. , Hafizzudin R. Mohd , Mahaiyudin A. Mohd , Jayah M. , Aziz I. , Sze W. Han , Drus Z.
Published: August 2014

Wells drilled into gas bearing carbonate reservoirs in offshore Sarawak are prone to severe lost circulation issues. In the first 3 exploration wells, total losses were encountered after drilling 20 m into the carbonate in 8.5-in. hole section. The well managed to drill to TD with application of pressurized mud-cap drilling. However the challenge of the total losses wellbore is the incomplete cementing of the 7-in. liner across the carbonate column. Poor zonal isolation and reduction of reservoir permeability were major concerns to the operator requiring significant investigation, laboratory testing and pre-job planning for future wells.

This paper will discuss an unique design technique for curing the challenging lost circulation issues while also providing improved cement placement along the fractured formation. Lab test results are presented using a bridging material simulator with different fracture sizes to evaluate the sealing effectiveness of the engineered systems. Return permeability studies using a Hasseler-style core holder were conducted for the fluids to verify their damage potential to the producing formations.

The engineered solution was the use of a cement spacer fluid containing membrane forming colloids to seal fracture sizes up to 2 mm which also yielded 100% return permeability to hydrocarbons. The use of the spacer fluid enabled successful cement placement along the critical carbonate section. A bond log evaluation showed that there was cement coverage along the zones of interest. Based on the positive lab tests and field results, the combination of a sealing spacer and lightweight cementing system was identified as a viable solution to combat lost circulation and improve cement placement for future wells drilled in this area.
Vortex Induced Vibration Monitoring of Completion Operations
Authors: bin Ismail Muhammad Yussof , Elletson Edward , Gauthier Steven
Published: August 2014

Throughout drilling, completion and workover activities risers are subject to environmental loading from currents, waves and vessel offset, these dynamics could cause fatigue in the riser structure. Due to their smaller diameter, completion and workover risers (CWORs) are especially susceptible to Vortex Induced Vibration (VIV) during open water operations.

An operator began development drilling on a field offshore Indonesia using a jackup rig in around 95m water depth. A 7-5/8” completion riser was used to complete the wells with a surface blowout preventer (BOP). Due to the nature of the application and the severity of the environmental loading conditions, VIV was observed during completion of the first well. Although riser analysis showed that currents over 1.5 knots were fatigue critical for the completion riser, two uncertainties remained in the model:

The through depth current loading; Effectiveness of the riser vortex suppression.

Because of these unknowns and in order to demonstrate fitness-for-purpose of the completion riser during the well completion operations, a VIV monitoring system was installed. Providing the utmost simplicity, this monitoring system consisted of a single dynamic curvature sensor installed at the top of the riser, 3.5m below the drill floor. This sensor was connected to a central control unit via a topside cable. The strain data was captured and calibrated on board using proprietary software, with the bending stress data calculated at 8 points around the riser circumference.

This paper provides details on the monitoring system provided. On top of this, the paper will analyse the data collected throughout these completion operations and share the key conclusions from this monitoring campaign.
A More Advanced Multistage Completion System for Fracturing
Authors: Wibowo Hendra , Gaudette Sean L. , Carrejo Nicholas
Published: August 2014

Multistage hydraulic fracturing is an unconventional system of accessing tight, hydrocarbon-bearing shale basins, which has become one of the most effective approaches to satisfy ever increasing energy demands. When utilizing the latest technology developments, these multistage fracturing systems are able to treat over 40 stages. This is made possible by the application of a ball-seat system that utilizes one tripping ball per stage to actuate a sleeve, and expose ports to deliver the fracturing treatment. A new frac sleeve with high-impacting telescoping ports (HITP) and the capability of multiple injection points per stage has been developed. The HITP impact the formation at 3,000 psi before delivering the fracture treatment and the ball seats enables one tripping ball to open up to five sleeves in one stage and fracture all sleeves at the same time. Advancement in technology has led to the development of High-Strength Disintegrating Materials (HSDM) which have been successfully used and commercialized in the form of disintegrating frac balls. This paper will explore the experimentation of combining these new technologies.
Innovative Intelligent Multizone Gravel-Pack Completion Revives Production in Malaysian Brownfield
Authors: Ceccarelli T. U. , Atkinson W. R. , Zabala J. J. , Khalis A. , Razak F. , Yildiz R. , Gil J.
Published: August 2014

The aims of every oil & gas operator to optimize production, increase oil recovery, and minimize operating cost are driving the industry to look for innovative completion and production solutions. This is true for brownfields where operators are looking to rejuvenate reservoirs that still have reserves in place as original completion efficiencies deteriorated over time.

A workover offshore Malaysia was conducted in a field to recover oil from a multilayered, high water/oil contact reservoir. The objective was to increase production and recovery volumes in a cost-effective way and reduce rig time. The original completions lacked the ability to control and choke the flow from each zone independently, and thus could not optimize comingled production and water cut, resulting in limited oil recovery from the reservoir.

For this reason, an intelligent completion with downhole variable flow control valves and real-time pressure and temperature gauges was considered. The objective was to design an intelligent completion that is both cost effective in a marginal field and that can fit inside an existing cased-hole wellbore that requires sand control. Because of the many challenges faced in combining the multizone gravel-pack system and the intelligent completion components, both had to be re-engineered to allow for a perfect interface. This resulted in the first intelligent completion installation inside a shunt-tube gravel pack with multizone packers.
Evaluation of a Tubing Stress Analysis Method to Design an Acid Fracturing String in a Complex Horizontal Well, Tarim Oilfield, China
Authors: Liangliang Ding , Fuxiang Zhang , Xiangtong Yang , Hongtao Liu , Jun Wu , Rosland Habil
Published: August 2014

A carbonate reservoir in the Tarim oilfield has a deep burial depth (5000 to 7000 m), high temperature (130 to 150°C), and long horizontal section (600 to 1600 m). It is a heterogeneous formation with obvious interlayer physical differences. The requirements for using a multistage acid fracturing process (5 to 12 stages) in the stimulation program for this complex horizontal well completion highlight the challenges associated with ensuring tubing string integrity.

Multistage acid fracturing string design is more difficult than conventional string design because the tubing string consists of multiple packers and sliding sleeves, which can allow for uneven fluid inflow distribution through the variable cross section. Thus, to understand the pressure decline profile resulting from localized heat loss, an accurate pressure and temperature simulation is important. The horizontal well process of running in—setting—release—tie-back complicates the calculation of initial conditions for string mechanics analysis. The tubing string operation process can be very intricate; as such, a proper tubing string stress analysis should consider the operation characteristics adequately.

Based on technological characteristics, this paper introduces, in detail, a string design flow for the staged acid fracturing of a horizontal well. This paper provides detailed descriptions of the anticipated loads encountered during multistage acid fracturing, using a wellbore thermal and flow simulator to perform wellbore temperature and pressure simulation under different operation scenario conditions. In a standard tubular design study, a comprehensive model that includes the well configuration with the tubing string structure and operation characteristics is essential to adequately simulate the potential stress placed on tubing, packers, and sliding sleeves. This also would help to optimize the design of the tubing string composition and operational parameters. In view of the technological characteristics of acid fracturing strings for horizontal wells, this paper focuses on the introduction of design methods and considerations. An example horizontal well is used to describe the analytical process of string mechanics for staged acid fracturing.
New Learning Methods To Connect With The New Generation Of Workers In The Oil And Gas Industry
Authors: Daher Elie
Published: August 2014

Learning methods have changed dramatically in the last 20 years. The 90s and the early 2000s saw the migration of training from bricks and mortar classrooms to e-learning. As online courses became more common, Learning Management Systems (LMS) became more advanced. The result was an automation of the online training process delivered and tracked through Learning Management Systems.

Recently however there has been a rising level of disillusionment with e-learning and its effectiveness has been questioned. On one hand, managers feel like it has failed to deliver on early promises while, on the other hand, employees are understandably unenthusiastic about having to plough through hours of online courses on their own.

To offer the best of both worlds and provide cost-effective training while addressing the need for human support, blended learning was conceptualized. This concept was taken a step further with the addition of the ‘hands-on’ practical element. For many organizations, this is very much the state of learning in the workplace today. However, we are now beginning to see a new phase of workplace learning.

New information and communication technologies have unleashed radical new opportunities in teaching and learning. Researchers predict a new era and a complete revolution in the way people gain access to knowledge and information.

This paper attempts to expose the various learning theories. It presents a comparison between traditional learning and new learning methods and proposes an action plan for Oil and Gas companies to adopt should they desire to ride the new wave of learning methodology.
Sailing for Rehabilitation of Patients with Severe Mental Disorders: Results of a Cross Over Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Carta Mauro G , Maggiani Federica , Pilutzu Laura , Moro Maria F , Mura Gioia , Cadoni Federica , Sancassiani Federica , Vellante Marcello , Machado Sergio , Preti Antonio
Published: August 2014

This study set out to evaluate the effectiveness of a sailing and learning-to-sail rehabilitation protocol in a sample of patients diagnosed with severe mental disorders. The study was a randomized, crossover, waiting-list controlled trial, following recruitment in the Departments of Mental Health of South Sardinia. Participants were outpatients diagnosed with severe mental disorders, recruited through announcements to the directors of the Departments of Mental Health of South Sardinia. Out of the 40 patients enrolled in the study, those exposed to rehabilitation with sailing during a series of guided and supervised sea expeditions near the beach of Cagliari (Sardinia), where the aim to explore the marine environment while sailing was emphasized, showed a statistically significant improvement of their clinical status (measured by BPRS) and, as well, of their general functioning (measured by HoNOS Scale) against the control group. The improvement was maintained at follow-up for some months only: after 12 months, the patients returned to their baseline values on the measures of psychopathology and showed a worsening trend of their quality of life. Sailing can represent a substitute of important experiences that the patients with severe mental disorders miss because of their illness.
MD&A Disclosure Tendencies: The Case of LIFO Liquidations
Authors: Wheeler Stephen W. , Cereola Sandra J. , Louwers Timothy J.
Published: August 2014

SYNOPSIS

We examine MD&A disclosure practices concerning the positive transitory impact that LIFO liquidations have on reported earnings. This issue is particularly relevant in light of the recent calls to eliminate LIFO for tax revenue reasons and the controversy surrounding the proposed shift to IFRS, which does not permit LIFO inventory valuation. Our analysis of companies with income-increasing LIFO liquidations between 1993 and 2010 shows that, after controlling for materiality, MD&A disclosure tendencies were not as reliable as disclosures of this issue in financial statement footnotes. Also, MD&A disclosure rates did not significantly increase in the periods after the introduction of SEC regulations calling for more transparency in the MD&A. Contrary to expectations, companies whose incomes were negative disclosed at a higher rate than companies with positive incomes. Results may indicate a need for greater auditor involvement with MD&A disclosures.

Data Availability: Data are available from the sources listed in the paper.
Firm-Specific Characteristics of the Participants in the SEC's XBRL Voluntary Filing Program
Authors: Boritz J. Efrim , Timoshenko Lev M.
Published: August 2014

A number of papers have attempted to study firm-specific characteristics of the participants in the SEC-administered XBRL Voluntary Filing Program (VFP). However, to date, their findings have been conflicting—contrary to the underlying theory or inconclusive due to methodological limitations. Some of these limitations include the use of limited subsets of VFP data, the use of portfolio matching designs containing matching weaknesses, and omission of key explanatory variables. This paper attempts to overcome some of these limitations by using a more comprehensive sample, employing a more effective matching procedure, and a more complete set of variables suggested by both voluntary disclosure and organization theories. Consistent with the theory, higher voluntary disclosure propensity, stronger corporate governance, and better profitability are found to be robustly significant factors associated with voluntary XBRL adoption in the U.S. Innovativeness is a distinguishing characteristic for non-high-tech VFP participants. Analyst following, auditor quality, and earnings quality are less robust characteristics.
Outcome assessment of lingual and labial appliances compared with cephalometric analysis, peer assessment rating, and objective grading system in Angle Class II extraction cases
Authors: Deguchi Toru , Terao Fumie , Aonuma Tomo , Kataoka Tomoki , Sugawara Yasuyo , Yamashiro Takashi , Takano-Yamamoto Teruko
Published: August 2014

Objective: 

To validate our hypothesis that there would be significant differences in treatment outcomes, including cephalometric values, degree of root resorption, occlusal indices, and functional aspect, between cases treated with labial and lingual appliances.

Materials and Methods: 

Twenty-four consecutively treated Class II cases with extractions and lingual appliance were compared with 25 matched cases treated with extraction and labial appliance. Orthodontic treatment outcomes were evaluated by cephalometric analysis, peer assessment rating, and an objective grading system (OGS). Additionally, functional analysis was also performed in both groups after orthodontic treatment. Statistical comparison was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test within the groups, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare between the labial and lingual groups.

Results: 

The only significant difference between the groups was that the interincisal angle was larger in the lingual group than in the labial group. OGS evaluation showed that control over root angulation was significantly worse in the lingual group than in the labial group. There was no significant difference between groups in the amount of root resorption or in functional evaluation.

Conclusions: 

Generally, lingual appliances offer comparable treatment results to those obtained with labial appliances. However, care should be taken with lingual appliances because they are more prone to produce uprighted incisors and root angulation.
Cross-sectional evaluation of the prevalence and factors associated with soft tissue scarring after the removal of miniscrews
Authors: Jung Sung-ah , Choi Yoon Jeong , Lee Dong-Won , Kim Kyung-Ho , Chung Chooryung J.
Published: August 2014

Objective: 

To investigate the prevalence of distinguishable soft tissue scarring after the removal of temporary anchorage devices (TADs) such as orthodontic miniscrews and to analyze the factors associated with scar formation.

Materials and Methods: 

The prevalence of soft tissue scarring in 66 patients (202 miniscrew removal sites) was clinically investigated at least 1 year after miniscrew removal. To determine the clinical factors associated with soft tissue scar formation, miniscrew stability; host factors including age, gender, and gingival biotype; and miniscrew-related factors such as insertion site, vertical position, and insertion period were evaluated.

Results: 

The prevalence of a distinguishable scar remaining at least 1 year after miniscrew removal was 44.6%. Patients with flat gingiva showed a significantly higher prevalence of soft tissue scar formation than did those with pronounced scalloped gingiva (P < .05). Maxillary buccal removal sites showed a significantly higher prevalence of soft tissue scar formation than did those in the mandible or palatal slope (P < .05). Miniscrew sites at the alveolar mucosa showed a significantly lower prevalence of soft tissue scar formation than did those in the mucogingival junction or the attached gingiva (P < .01).

Conclusion: 

The prevalence of distinguishable scarring after miniscrew removal was fairly high. On the basis of our results, patients with flat gingiva and buccal interdental gingival insertion sites are more susceptible to scar formation.
A Study of Intelligence in Jordan
Authors: Bakhiet Salaheldin Farah Attallah , Lynn Richard
Published: August 2014

The Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices test was standardized in Jordan in 2004 on a sample of 1,015 school students ages 12 to 17 yr. The sample obtained a British IQ of 82.6.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Hip Bone Mineral Density in Women: A 6-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Tucker Larry A. , Nokes Neil R. , Bailey Bruce W. , Lecheminant James D.
Published: August 2014

Cross-sectional studies and short term interventions focusing on fitness and bone mineral density (BMD) are common. However, few investigations have studied the effect of fitness on BMD over an extended period of time. The present study was conducted to determine the extent to which cardiorespiratory fitness influences risk of BMD loss at the hip over 6 yr. A prospective cohort design was used with 245 healthy, middle-aged women. Hip BMD was assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Calcium and vitamin D were measured using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Menopause status was measured by a questionnaire. Results showed that fit and unfit women experienced similar changes in hip BMD over time. Specifically, unfit women experienced a non-significant 7% increased risk of losing hip BMD compared to their counterparts (RR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.66, 1.73). Adjusting statistically for differences in age, initial body weight, and hip BMD, weight change, menopause status, calcium and vitamin D intake, and time between assessments had little effect on the relationship. Fitness level did not influence risk of hip BMD loss over time.
Absence of Lateral Navigational Bias in Young Children
Authors: Dye Rosaline A. , Crawford Thomas M. , McBeath Michael K.
Published: August 2014

Previous research has shown American adults exhibit a systematic navigational bias to favor moving to the right when locomoting around obstacles and other people. To further investigate how and when the right-side navigational bias develops, the authors tested pre-school and early elementary school aged American children. Children ran down a straight pathway with an object at the center of the end-line. Unlike replicated findings with adults, both pre-school and early elementary school aged children showed no tendency to favor either side of the object. These findings support that the rightward navigation bias found in adults is not present in children up to elementary school, and suggest that the onset of bias occurs during the age range of late elementary or secondary school.
Independent and Interdependent Self-Construals do Not Predict Analytic or Holistic Reasoning
Authors: Marquez Robert C. , Ellwanger Joel
Published: August 2014

Independent self-construals in Western cultures may promote analytic information processing and low field dependence, while interdependent self-construals in Eastern cultures may foster holistic information processing and high field dependence. To examine these ideas, the social orientation and cognitive style of 254 introductory psychology students were measured. Multiple regression analyses indicated a non-significant relationship between the participants' social orientation and cognitive style ( R2s ranged from .00 to .01, 95% confidence intervals for R2 ranged from .00 to .05). These findings indicate that the hypothesis that collectivism and individualism are associated with differences in information processing between individuals needs further scrutiny. The possible reasons for the lack of association between social orientation and cognitive style are discussed.
Decision Making under Uncertainty and Information Processing in Positive and Negative Mood States
Authors: Mohanty Sachi Nandan , Suar Damodar
Published: August 2014

This study examines whether mood states (a) influence decision making under uncertainty and (b) affect information processing. 200 students at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur participated in this study. Positive mood was induced by showing comedy movie clips to 100 participants and negative mood was induced by showing tragedy movie clips to another 100 participants. The participants were administered a questionnaire containing hypothetical situations of financial gains and losses, and a health risk problem. The participants selected a choice for each situation, and stated the reasons for their choice. Results suggested that the participants preferred cautious choices in the domain of gain and in health risk problems and risky choices in the domain of loss. Analysis of the reasons for the participants' choices suggested more fluency, originality, and flexibility of information in a negative mood compared to a positive mood. A negative (positive) mood state facilitated systematic (heuristic) information processing.
Financial Literacy among Turkish College Students: The Role of Formal Education, Learning Approaches, and Parental Teaching
Authors: Akben-Selcuk Elif , Altiok-Yilmaz Ayse
Published: August 2014

This study assessed financial literacy and its correlates among Turkish college students, with special emphasis on the role of formal education, learning approaches, and parental influences. Financial literacy was measured by the College Student Financial Literacy Survey, which assesses knowledge in four areas: general financial management, saving and borrowing, insurance, and investing. 853 Turkish university students were administered the survey (416 men, 437 women; M age=20.3 yr., SD=0.6). The mean percentage of correct responses was 45% (SD=12.8%). Regression results showed that formal finance education in college, a deep approach to learning, and direct financial teaching by parents were significantly associated with higher financial literacy scores.
New system of employment forecasting in Poland
Authors: Arendt Łukasz
Published: August 2014

The goal of the paper was to describe the system of employment forecasting in Poland and to present forecasts results. The paper described the main assumptions and elements of the system of employment forecasting (the structure of econometric models and on-line forecasting tool). It also elaborated on employment forecasts at national, regional and occupational levels. The analysis of forecasts enabled drawing some conclusions, important from the point of view of the perspectives of the Polish labour market and the labour market policy.
Optimization of investment management in Warsaw stock market
Authors: Janowicz Maciej , Orłowski Arkadiusz , Warzyński Franciszek Michał
Published: August 2014

Application of simple prescriptions of technical analysis on the Warsaw Exchange Market (GPW) has been analyzed using several stocks belonging to WIG20 group as examples. Only long positions have been considered. Three well-known technical-analysis indicators of the market have been investigated: the Donchian channels, the Relative Strength Index, and Moving Average Convergence-Divergence indicator. Optimal values of parameters of those indicators have been found by „brute force“ evaluation of (linear) returns. It has been found that trading based on both Donchian channels and Relative Strength Index easily outperform the „buy and hold“ strategy if supplied with optimal values of parameters. However, those optimal values are by now means universal in the sense that they depend on particular stocks, and are functions of time. The optimal management of capital in the stock market strongly depends on the time perspective of trading. Finally, it has been argued that the criticism of technical analysis which is often delivered by academic quantitative financial science is unjustified as based of false premises.
Sex differences in tibiocalcaneal kinematics
Authors: Sinclair Jonathan , Taylor Paul J.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

Female runners typically suffer more from chronic running injuries than age-matched males, although the exact biome-chanical mechanisms behind the increased susceptibility of female runners are unknown. This study aimed to compare sex differences in tibiocalcaneal kinematics during the stance phase of running.

Methods

Twenty male and twenty female participants ran at 4.0 m • s–1. Tibiocalcaneal kinematics were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system and compared using independent samples t tests.

Results

Peak eversion and tibial internal rotation angles were shown to be significantly greater in female runners.

Conclusions

based on these observations, it was determined that female runners may be at increased risk from chronic injury development in relation to excessive tibiocalcaneal motions in the coronal and transverse planes.
Relationship between muscle strength and front crawl swimming velocity
Authors: Gola Radosław , Urbanik Czesław , Iwańska Dagmara , Madej Anna
Published: August 2014

Purpose

Competitive performance in swimming depends on a number of factors including, among others, the development of relevant muscle groups. The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between muscle strength and swimming velocity and the role of individual muscle groups in front crawl swimming.

Methods

Sixteen physical education university students participated in the study. The strength values, defined as torque produced during isometric contractions, of eight upper and lower extremity muscle groups were measured. Data were compared with participants' front crawl swim times in the 25m and 50m distances.

Results

Correlation analysis demonstrated a relationship between muscle strength and swimming velocity. statistically significant relationships were observed between swimming velocity and the torque values of the elbow flexor and shoulder extensor muscles as well as the sum of upper extremity muscle torque values (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results indicate the need for a focus on training those muscle groups identified as having a statistically significant relationship with swimming velocity for a given distance, as the sample showed deficiencies in the strength of those muscle groups responsible for generating propulsive force in the front crawl. Additionally, the collected data can serve as a diagnostic tool in evaluating the development of muscle groups critical for swimming performance.
A High Performance Computing Approach to the Simulation of Fluid-Solid interaction Problems with Rigid and Flexible Components
Authors: Pazouki Arman , Serban Radu , Negrut Dan
Published: August 2014

This work outlines a unified multi-threaded, multi-scale High Performance Computing (HPC) approach for the direct numerical simulation of Fluid-Solid Interaction (FSI) problems. The simulation algorithm relies on the extended Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (XSPH) method, which approaches the fluid flow in a La-grangian framework consistent with the Lagrangian tracking of the solid phase. A general 3D rigid body dynamics and an Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF) are implemented to model rigid and flexible multibody dynamics. The two-way coupling of the fluid and solid phases is supported through use of Boundary Condition Enforcing (BCE) markers that capture the fluid-solid coupling forces by enforcing a no-slip boundary condition. The solid-solid short range interaction, which has a crucial impact on the small-scale behavior of fluid-solid mixtures, is resolved via a lubrication force model. The collective system states are integrated in time using an explicit, multi-rate scheme. To alleviate the heavy computational load, the overall algorithm leverages parallel computing on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) cards. Performance and scaling analysis are provided for simulations scenarios involving one or multiple phases with up to tens of thousands of solid objects. The software implementation of the approach, called Chrono:Fluid, is part of the Chrono project and available as an open-source software.
Microfeatures of modern sea-ice-rafted sediment and implications for paleo-sea-ice reconstructions
Authors: St John Kristen , Passchier Sandra , TantillO Brooke , Darby Dennis , Kearns Lance
Published: August 2014

Distinguishing sea-ice-rafted debris (SIRD) from iceberg-rafted debris is crucial to an interpretation of ice-rafting history; however, there are few paleo-sea-ice proxies. This study characterizes quartz grain microfeatures of modern SIRD from the Arctic Ocean, and compares these results with microfeatures from representative glacial deposits to potentially differentiate SIRD from ice-rafted sediments which have been recently subjected to glacial processes. This allows us to evaluate the use of grain microfeatures as a paleo-sea-ice proxy. SIRD grains were largely subrounded, with medium relief, pervasive silica dissolution and a high abundance of breakage blocks and microlayering. The glacial grains were more angular, with lower relief and higher abundances of fractures and striations/gouges. Discriminate analysis shows a distinct difference between SIRD and glacial grains, with ˂7% of the SIRD grains containing typical glacial microtextures, suggesting this method is a useful means of inferring paleo-sea-ice presence in the marine record. We propose that differences in microfeatures of SIRD and glacial ice-rafted debris reflect differences in sediment transport and weathering histories. Sediment transported to a coastal setting and later rafted by sea ice would be subject to increased chemical weathering, whereas glaciers that calve icebergs would bypass the coastal marine environment, thus preserving their glacial signature.
Association of HbA1c with Urinary ACR & eGFR in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Haque Nazmin , Debnath Bidhan Chandra , Ibrahim Mohammad , Sirajuddin Khondaker , Majumder Monojit , Hossain Md Shahadat
Published: August 2014

Background Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic micro vascular complication of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM), leading to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Control of DM is monitored by HbA1c. There are two early markers - to assess early renal impairment: Microalbuminuria (MA) & Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Estimation of MA - needs 24 hours collection of urine. GFR is clinically assessed by creatinine clearance rate (CCR) at the same time for accurate estimation of GFR which also needs 24 hours urine collection. Faulty timing and non compliance for 24 hours urine collection - may give erroneous results. MA is better reflected by spot urine urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR). Some formula based calculation of GFR, called estimated GFR (eGFR) are well correlated with CCR which needs only single blood sample for S.Creatinine (S.Cr). For example one such formula is Cockroft-Gault (C-G) formula. Objective To evaluate the association of HbA1c with urinary ACR and eGFR in Type 2DM. Design It was a cross sectional study carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, from July 2010 to June 2011. Methods Fifty (50) known type 2 DM patients of 40-60 years age were evaluated dividing them on the basis of HbA1c (<8%,>8%), duration of DM (>5 years, <5 years), normotensives or hypertensives. FBS, S.Cr, Urinary Albumin & Creatinine were estimated. eGFR and urinary ACR were calculated. Results were expressed as mean ± SD. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version (12.0). Unpaired t test and Pearsons correlation tests were performed as tests of significance. Value of p<0.05 was the level of significance. Results Significant difference of S.Cr & HbA1c was found between study groups on HbA1c<8% and >8%. DBP was significantly raised in hypertensive type 2 DM. Duration of DM did not show significant correlation with renal functional parameters. Serum Creatinine & U.ACR had significant positive correlation with HbA1c>8% and only with ACR but not with S.Cr in study subjects having HbA1c<8%. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20183 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.6-11
Total Arterial Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting  a review article with short experience in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka
Authors: Talukder M Quamrul Islam
Published: August 2014

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) is an established surgical treatment of coronary artery disease. Conventionally it has been done with left internal mammary artery and saphenous vein for many years. But the study shows that the rate of stenosis of venous graft is much higher than arterial graft in 10 years after CABG1 Recent studies also proved that the outcome of total arterial grafts for CABG is much better than conventional CABG2 In my recent short practice in this hospital, it also proved to be a safe procedure with better early post operative results. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20186 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.27-29
Management of Massive Blood Transfusion-a case study
Authors: Lima Sufia Khatun , Begum Monowara , Gupta Anil Kumar , Aziz Lutful , Mitra SP
Published: August 2014

Management of a complicated obstetric patient with profuse bleeding following caesarean section (under GA) required massive blood transfusion was managed properly with multidisciplinary approach in ICU. The involvement of obstetrician, anesthesiologist, intensivist, general surgeon, hematologist & gastroenterologist as a team in a single setup is essential for the management of such patients and the best outcome. The patient received total 117 units of blood products among which 20 units whole blood, 17 units packed red blood cell, 40 units of fresh frozen plasma and 40 units of platelet concentrate. Despite this massive blood transfusion, the patient recovered fully with minimal complications as we follow the near standard blood transfusion protocol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i1.20189 Pulse Vol.5 January 2011 p.39-43
Comparison of Vibrations and Emissions of Conventional Jet Fuel with Stressed 100% SPK and Fully Formulated Synthetic Jet Fuel
Authors: Khandelwal Bhupendra , Roy Swapneel , Lord Charles , Blakey Simon
Published: August 2014

The rapid growth of the aviation sector around the globe has witnessed an overwhelming impact on fossil fuel resources. With the implementation of stricter environmental laws over emissions by conventional jet fuels, growing demand for research on alternative fuels has become imperative. One-hundred percent Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (SPK) and Fully Formulated Synthetic Jet Fuel have surfaced as viable alternatives for gas turbine engines due to their similar properties as that of Jet Fuel. This paper presents results from an experimental study performed on a small gas turbine engine, comparing emissions performance and vibrations for conventional Jet A-1 Fuel, thermally stressed 100% SPK and Fully Formulated Synthetic Jet Fuel. Different vibration frequencies, power spectra were observed for different fuels. Gaseous emissions observed were nearly the same, whereas, significant changes in particulates emissions were observed.
Vesicular Trafficking Defects, Developmental Abnormalities, and Alterations in the Cellular Death Process Occur in Cell Lines that Over-Express Dictyostelium GTPase, Rab2, and Rab2 Mutants
Authors: Maringer Katherine , Saheb Entsar , Bush John
Published: August 2014

Small molecular weight GTPase Rab2 has been shown to be a resident of pre-Golgi intermediates and required for protein transport from the ER to the Golgi complex, however, the function of Rab2 in Dictyostelium has yet to be fully characterized. Using cell lines that over-express DdRab2, as well as cell lines over-expressing constitutively active (CA), and dominant negative (DN) forms of the GTPase, we report a functional role in vesicular transport specifically phagocytosis, and endocytosis. Furthermore, Rab2 like other GTPases cycles between an active GTP-bound and an inactive GDP-bound state. We found that this GTP/GDP cycle for DdRab2 is crucial for normal Dictyostelium development and cell–cell adhesion. Similar to Rab5 and Rab7 in C. elegans, we found that DdRab2 plays a role in programmed cell death, possibly in the phagocytic removal of apoptotic corpses.
Genetic Risk Scores Associated with Baseline Lipoprotein Subfraction Concentrations Do Not Associate with Their Responses to Fenofibrate
Authors: Frazier-Wood Alexis , Wojczynski Mary , Borecki Ingrid , Hopkins Paul , Lai Chao-Qiang , Ordovas Jose , Straka Robert , Tsai Micheal , Tiwari Hemant , Arnett Donna
Published: August 2014

Lipoprotein subclass concentrations are modifiable markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Fenofibrate is known to show beneficial effects on lipoprotein subclasses, but little is known about the role of genetics in mediating the responses of lipoprotein subclasses to fenofibrate. A recent genomewide association study (GWAS) associated several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with lipoprotein measures, and validated these associations in two independent populations. We used this information to construct genetic risk scores (GRSs) for fasting lipoprotein measures at baseline (pre-fenofibrate), and aimed to examine whether these GRSs also associated with the responses of lipoproteins to fenofibrate. Fourteen lipoprotein subclass measures were assayed in 817 men and women before and after a three week fenofibrate trial. We set significance at a Bonferroni corrected alpha <0.05 (p < 0.004). Twelve subclass measures changed with fenofibrate administration (each p = 0.003 to <0.0001). Mixed linear models which controlled for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, pedigree and study-center, revealed that GRSs were associated with eight baseline lipoprotein measures (p < 0.004), however no GRS was associated with fenofibrate response. These results suggest that the mechanisms for changes in lipoprotein subclass concentrations with fenofibrate treatment are not mediated by the genetic risk for fasting levels.
The Global Surge in Energy Innovation
Authors: Rhodes Aidan , Skea Jim , Hannon Matthew
Published: August 2014

Policymakers are seeking a transformation of the energy system driven by concerns about climate change, energy security and affordability. At the same time, emerging developments in underpinning science and engineering are opening up new possibilities across the whole technology spectrum covering renewables and other supply side technologies, energy demand and energy infrastructure. This paper reviews both the “policy pull” for energy innovation activities and the “science and technology push”. It explores the expectations of a variety of organisations in both the public and private sector regarding these pressures and possibilities by assessing various scenarios and outlook exercises that have been published since 2013. It reveals a wide range of beliefs about the future development of the energy system. The paper then moves on to analyse private sector expenditure on energy research and development (R&D) and public sector budgets for energy R&D and demonstration (RD&D). This analysis demonstrates significant divergences in patterns of innovation between the private and public sectors and leads to the hypothesis that the private sector is, broadly, taking measures to reinforce the existing energy paradigm while the public sector is focusing on new energy technologies that support wider policy objectives. This pattern is consistent with past technological transitions, with innovation efforts that would transform the energy system being counteracted by countervailing efforts that reinforce the existing fossil fuel-based paradigm.
A Model-Free Approach for Maximizing Power Production of Wind Farm Using Multi-Resolution Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation
Authors: Ahmad Mohd , Azuma Shun-ichi , Sugie Toshiharu
Published: August 2014

This paper provides a model-free approach based on the Multi-Resolution Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (MR-SPSA) for maximizing power production of wind farms. The main advantage is that the method based on MR-SPSA can achieve fast controller tuning without any plant model by exploiting the information of the wind farm configuration such as turbines location and wind direction. In order to simulate the performance of the model-free scheme, a wind farm model with dynamic characterization of wake interaction between turbines is used and then the proposed method is applied to the Horns Rev wind farm. Simulation results illustrate that the method based on MR-SPSA achieves the maximum total power production with faster convergence compared with other existing model-free methods.
Pomegranate and Its Components as Alternative Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wang Lei , Martins-Green Manuela
Published: August 2014

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States. There is a major need for less toxic but yet effective therapies to treat prostate cancer. Pomegranate fruit from the tree Punica granatum has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and is described as “nature’s power fruit”. Recent research has shown that pomegranate juice (PJ) and/or pomegranate extracts (PE) significantly inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in culture. In preclinical murine models, PJ and/or PE inhibit growth and angiogenesis of prostate tumors. More recently, we have shown that three components of PJ, luteolin, ellagic acid and punicic acid together, have similar inhibitory effects on prostate cancer growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Results from clinical trials are also promising. PJ and/or PE significantly prolonged the prostate specific antigen (PSA) doubling time in patients with prostate cancer. In this review we discuss data on the effects of PJ and PE on prostate cancer. We also discuss the effects of specific components of the pomegranate fruit and how they have been used to study the mechanisms involved in prostate cancer progression and their potential to be used in deterring prostate cancer metastasis.