bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-Imagining the Criminal Standard of Proof: Lessons from the ‘Ethics of Belief’
Authors: Ho H. L.
Published: July 2009

On a standard view, the criminal standard of ‘proof beyond reasonable doubt’ is a statement of probabilities, the pre-set benchmark of evidential support that must be crossed before a contested hypothesis of guilt can be accepted as true. Where to set that benchmark calls into play the calculation of social costs and benefits. This article proposes an agent-centred interpretation, one that involves viewing trial deliberation as a mental activity and the acquisition of an ethical vocabulary with which to express standards of excellence for the conduct of that activity. Our moral exemplar would, in her deliberation on the criminal verdict, exhibit relevant virtuous traits, and be guided by practical wisdom in the contextual operation of those traits. In judging the application of the standard of proof, there is a sense in which we should ultimately be making an ethical judgment of the person who applies it.
Concurrent Validity of the Candidate and Officer Personnel Survey (COPS)
Authors: McGrath Robert , Guller Matthew
Published: July 2009

The Candidate and Officer Personnel Survey (COPS) (Guller & Guller, 2003) was developed as a predictor of job performance in public safety candidates. Three studies were conducted to collect normative data for the COPS, to evaluate the reliability of the scales, and to investigate the concurrent validity of the instrument. Reliability coefficients were generally fair to excellent. Concurrent validity was quite good for the discrimination of promotional versus problematic officers. The results suggest the COPS's potential as a predictor of public safety officers' performance.
The Abduction of Sherlock Holmes
Authors: Carson David
Published: July 2009

All criminal investigations, and resulting trials, rely upon inferential reasoning. Theories, hypotheses and conclusions, are drawn from the evidence. The victim's blood was on the knife; we infer it was the murder weapon. The suspect's fingerprints are on the knife; we infer he killed the victim. Sherlock Holmes, although a fictional character, remains renowned as a great detective. However, his methodology, which was abduction rather than deduction, and which is innocently used by many real detectives, is rarely described, discussed or researched. This paper compares and contrasts the three forms of inferential reasoning and makes a case for articulating and developing the role of abduction in the work, and training, of police officers.
Juvenile Justice in Austria and the United States: Similarities and Differences
Authors: Kratcoski Peter C. , Edelbacher Magistrat Maximilian
Published: July 2009

This article compares juvenile justice practices in Austria and the United States. The sources of information include statistics provided by public agencies, interviews, analyses of legislation and data from juvenile court reports. The legal structures of the juvenile justice systems of the two countries are compared and the effects of the adoption of community policing on the manner in which the police respond to youth deviance are considered, particularly in regard to the diversion of youths from official processing through the juvenile justice system by the police or the courts. The article describes the evolution of the juvenile justice systems in Austria and the United States, the changes in the forms of juvenile justice procedures in recent years mandated by legislation, and the expected consequences of these changes for both countries.
Revisiting Louisiana Drug Interdiction: Drug Profiling in the Louisiana Justice System
Authors: Ruiz James M. , Lee Joongyeup
Published: July 2009

Drug profiling by the Louisiana State Police Criminal Patrol Unit (LSP-CPU) and the deputies of the St Martin Parish Sheriff's Office (SMSO) has been through in-depth analyses by Ruiz (2000) and colleagues (Bowling, Ruiz, & Staub, 2008; Ruiz & Woessner, 2006). Ruiz's essential findings support allegations of demographic profiling in traffic arrests on Louisiana's Interstate-10. Also, Ruiz suggested that the most plausible explanation was attributed to the war on drugs specified by Louisiana's asset forfeiture procedure. Assuming that a similar pattern would exist in the St. Martin Parish justice system, the present study examines the court dispositions that were followed by drug interdiction in Bowling et al. (2008), Ruiz (2000) and Ruiz and Woessner (2006). This study also endeavours to discover more evidence regarding the relationship between the asset forfeiture policy and drug interdiction by the Louisiana justice system. The drug arrest records from 1988 to 1994 that were prepared by the SMSO and the LSP-CPU officers and collected by Ruiz were analysed, focusing on court dispositions.
The Challenges of Community Policing in Nigeria
Authors: Ikuteyijo Lanre Olusegun
Published: July 2009

A community approach to the management of crimes and criminal behaviour in Nigeria is the latest in the crime fighters' attempt to curb the menace of the rising crime rate in the country. The efficiency of this approach is, however, facing certain challenges, namely: interference of some ‘powerful’ members of society in the course of justice, inertia on the part of some corrupt police officials who want the status quo to be maintained, financial constraints, and the unpleasant image of the police. This paper examines these challenges as well as the constraints they pose to the success of community policing in Nigeria. The author is of the opinion that for community policing to be successful in Nigeria, these challenges must be addressed taking into consideration the peculiarities of the Nigerian context.
The Future of Initial Police Training: A University Perspective
Authors: Wood Dominic A. , Tong Stephen
Published: July 2009

A recurring issue in the initial training of police recruits in England and Wales concerns the status of student police officers. This position paper engages with debates concerning this aspect of initial police training from a university perspective by reflecting on the experiences gained over a three and a half year period of delivering a Student Officer Programme (SOP), a joint collaboration between a university department and a UK police service. As such it should be read as a comment piece that aims primarily to stimulate debate. Although not an empirical research piece, the paper nonetheless engages with the experiences that have been borne out of the collaborative running of the SOP. The paper presents a philosophical analysis of one particular aspect of that experience, namely the tension that arises from the contradictory status of student police officers.
Gender, Victimisation, Perceived Risk and Perceptions of Police Performance in Disadvantaged Neighbourhoods
Authors: Gainey Randy R. , Payne Brian K.
Published: July 2009

Although research on the public's attitudes towards the police has a long history, and gender has long been considered a potential correlate, theoretical and empirical development concerning the role of gender in forming positive or negative attitudes towards the police is limited. In this paper we approach this issue in three ways to understand better how gender may or may not affect attitudes towards the police among a sample of residents in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in two south-eastern cities. We find that the total bivariate effect of gender in the sample is small and not statistically significant. However, there is some evidence that gender plays a distal causal role because women feel less safe or at greater risk of victimisation, but are less likely to be victimised or confronted with a drug dealer. Theoretical and policy implications are provided.
Risky Intelligence
Authors: Keane Nick , Kleiven Maren Eline
Published: July 2009

The article concerns the use by police services of the abstract idea of intelligence-led policing, often embodied as it is in the United Kingdom in the National Intelligence Model. We will argue that while this is a central framing idea in policing, it contains omissions which lead to faulty decision-making. The article charts the rise of intelligence-led policing in the United Kingdom and argues that circumstances have led to the concept of intelligence becoming equated to ‘information which leads to a detection’; however, that this construction leads to the exclusion of intelligence which then impacts upon the business of the police service. One outcome of this is that the members of the community that the police service is charged with protecting and serving pay the price of this decision-making. The central argument of our article is that an overconcentration on the detection of offences has skewed the way the map has been drawn up and how it is currently being used. Our main contention is not that the concept of intelligence-led policing should be abandoned, but that it should be revisited and revised to take greater notice of the changes in the landscape it is designed to cover. The territory is changing but the map is not being amended; it is time for some major revisions.
Occupation-Specific Precursors of Stress among Greek Police Officers: The Roles of Rank and Gender
Authors: Antoniou Alexander-Stamatios
Published: July 2009

Although assessment of stress is typically performed using generic stress questionnaires, the context-specificity and generalisability of such assessments are often ignored. This study explored the differences in perceptions of work-related stressors in male/female and high/low rank police officers in Greece, by the application of a context-specific measure. 512 police officers representing the Hellenic police force responded to a questionnaire assessing precursors to work stress, and perceived level of stress. Results revealed that the nature of occupational stressors pertinent to Greek police officers differed as a function of their gender and their rank. Males and females differed in their perceptions of stressfulness of the context-specific issues assessed, with females reporting significantly higher stress in 21 work and organisational issues. High and low rank police officers also differed in their perceptions of stressfulness, with high rank police officers reporting more stress overall. The study highlighted the facts that work issues pertaining to female police officers' work and work issues pertaining to high and low rank police officers are of a specific nature. Women police officers are concerned more with issues related to career opportunities, roles and responsibility, and work–family issues. Risk assessment and stress management interventions should take these into consideration. Context-specificity is a good way forward in assessments of stress, and measures may need to be refined.
Race Issues and Stop and Search: Looking behind the Statistics
Authors: Reid Kiron
Published: July 2009

This article considers the ongoing controversy over police powers to stop and search. It particularly looks at the evidence of racial disparity in use of these powers from the official statistics. The article considers attempts to improve use of stop and search by the police, including extra safeguards introduced after the Macpherson Report and the reduction of recording requirements after the Flanagan Report. It considers the argued fall in police use of stop and search after Macpherson and increase in use of general and anti-terrorist stop and search powers after 9/11 and 7/7. Police arguments to justify differential use between ethnic groups are considered. While concentrating on the developments since the late 1990s, the continuing nature of the debate about police use of powers in the last few decades is highlighted. The article considers the great concern about knife crime in recent years and government and police policies to deal with this. The analysis focuses on the potential impact on young people.
The Challenge of Responding to People with Mental Illness: Police Officer Training and Special Programmes
Authors: Lurigio Arthur J. , Smith Angela , Harris Andrew
Published: July 2009

The processing of people with serious mental illness (PWMI) through the criminal justice system is widespread and often occurs when mental health services are unavailable or difficult to access. In such instances, police, court, and jail procedures have become default mechanisms for handling criminal cases that include mentally ill individuals, especially those who are perceived as recalcitrant or dangerous. The current article focuses on how PWMI affect police operations. The article is divided into four sections. The first section discusses the factors that have led to an influx of mentally ill individuals into the criminal justice system. The second section describes police contacts with PWMI and the limited options that officers face when seeking to resolve, successfully, service calls that involve the mentally ill. The third section examines police training and specialised programmes that have been implemented in order to help police officers respond more effectively to the problems of the mentally ill. The final section offers suggestions for improving police services for PWMI.
Flow Chart and Road Map in Law Enforcement: The Case of Organised Crime
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: July 2009

Police forces in many nations are making substantial progress in knowledge management to fight organised crime. As organised crime becomes more sophisticated and transnational, there is a need for new insights and new law enforcement procedures. This article makes a contribution by classifying criminal organisations into criminal industries, identifying organised crime by means of a flow chart, and presenting a road-map for law enforcement to apply in organised crime policing.
Comment
Authors: Cottingham Simon
Published: July 2009

The Home Office's recent announcement that citizens can access neighbourhood crime maps online for every police force in England and Wales is a step in the right direction, but while there has been much focus on how crime figures could or should be presented to the public, there is also a need to think about the quality and management of the data behind these systems.
Responses of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica to in situ simulated salinity increase
Authors: Ruíz Juan M. , Marín-Guirao Lazaro , Sandoval-Gil Jose M.
Published: July 2009

The dominant Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica inhabits sublittoral environments with very stable salinity regimes; the species is considered highly sensitive to even moderate increases in salinity caused by hypersaline effluents (brine) from desalination plants. We analysed the effect of salinity increase on seagrass vitality and survival by means of an in situ mesocosm experiment. To this end, we used the brine (70–75 psu) produced by a pilot desalination plant, which was diluted with seawater to obtain brine solutions of 1 psu (high salinity increase, HS) and 2.5 psu (very high salinity increase, VS) over the mean natural salinity (37.5±0.16 psu) and then interspersed a set of experimental units in a nearby P. oceanica meadow. At the end of the experimental period (3 months), these treatments had produced differential effects on all seagrass descriptors, i.e., intense and significant in the VS experimental units and more modest (or even negligible) in the HS ones. Seagrass meadow declined through a significant decrease in shoot density in both HS (12.4±3.4%, mean±SE) and VS (18.5±3.05%, mean±SE) in comparison to control experimental units (<5%). Surviving shoots had reduced size and lower leaf growth rate than control plants, but more generally a reduction in the photosynthetic leaf surface caused by the increase in the proportion of necrotic leaf area (up to 60% in VS treatments). Non-structural carbohydrate (soluble and reserve) concentrations decreased in rhizomes, probably in relation to physiological osmoregulation processes. All these responses support the hypothesis that the threshold salinity tolerance of P. oceanica is very close to the upper limit of its natural salinity range (ca. 38 psu).
The lexical category debate in Salish and its relevance for Tagalog
Authors: Koch Karsten , Matthewson Lisa
Published: July 2009

We review some morpho-syntactic contexts where, parallel to data in Tagalog, Salishan languages famously fail to distinguish the categories noun and verb. Nevertheless, we then show that Salish languages do distinguish noun from verb, both lexically and syntactically, and suggest how similar analyses might perhaps be applicable to Tagalog.
Cumulus gene expression as a predictor of human oocyte fertilisation, embryo development and competence to establish a pregnancy
Authors: Anderson R A , Sciorio R , Kinnell H , Bayne R A L , Thong K J , de Sousa P A , Pickering S
Published: July 2009

The close relationship between cumulus cell function and oocyte developmental competence indicates that analysis of cumulus gene expression is a potential non-invasive method to aid embryo selection and IVF outcome. Cumulus was isolated from 674 oocytes from 75 women undergoing ICSI and gene expression analysed by quantitative RT-PCR. Cumulus expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2) was higher with mature oocytes, whereas brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was lower when fertilisation was normal. Expression levels of gremlin (GREM1) and BDNF were weak positive and negative predictors of embryo quality respectively. Ranking of GREM1 expression within cohorts of oocytes showed that oocytes associated with the highest GREM1 expression were more likely to be transferred or cryopreserved than discarded (49 vs 33%, P<0.02), although the clinical pregnancy rate was not significantly different. This study demonstrates both the feasibility and difficulties of this method of analysis in the largest such group studied thus far. Novel relationships between BDNF expression and fertilisation were identified, and the potential value of GREM1 expression as a marker of embryo quality supports the further assessment of GREM1 analysis in the context of embryo selection.
Natural disturbance and human land use as determinants of tropical forest dynamics: results from a forest simulator
Authors: Uriarte María , Canham Charles D. , Thompson Jill , Zimmerman Jess K. , Murphy Lora , Sabat Alberto M. , Fetcher Ned , Haines Bruce L.
Published: July 2009

Forests are often subject to multiple, compounded disturbances, representing both natural and human‐induced processes. Predicting forest dynamics requires that we consider how these disturbances interact to affect species demography. Here we present results of an individual‐based, spatially explicit forest simulator that we developed to analyze the compounded effects of hurricane disturbance and land use legacies on the dynamics of a subtropical forest. We used data from the 16‐ha Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot in Puerto Rico, together with a reconstruction of historical wind damage, to parameterize the simulator. We used the model to ask two questions. (1) What are the implications of variation in hurricane frequency and severity for the long‐term dynamics of forest composition, diversity, and structure? Both storm severity and frequency had striking effects on forest dynamics, composition, and structure. The periodicity of disturbance also played an important role, with periods of high hurricane activity fostering the establishment of species that may become rare in the absence of severe storms and quiescent periods allowing these species to reach reproductive size. Species responses to hurricane disturbance could not be predicted from their life history attributes. However, species perceived to be primary forest species exhibited low temporal variation in abundance through the simulations. (2) How do hurricanes and legacies from human land use interact to determine community structure and composition? Our results suggest that, over time, regardless of the storm regime, land use legacies will become less apparent but will lead to a forest community that contains a mixture of secondary and primary forest species formerly dominant in areas of different land use. In the long term, hurricane disturbance generated two communities with slightly greater similarity than those not subject to storms. Thus, the inclusion of hurricane disturbance does not alter the prediction that land use legacies in this tropical forest will diminish over time. Our simulations also highlight the contingent effects of human legacies on subsequent community dynamics, including the response to hurricane disturbance, therefore supporting the notion that compounded disturbances can interact in ways that cannot be predicted by the study of single disturbances. The widespread importance of land use as a large‐scale disturbance makes it imperative that it be addressed as a fundamental ecological process.
Stochasticity and controllability of nutrient sources in foraging: host‐feeding and egg resorption in parasitoids
Authors: Richard Romain , Casas Jéme
Published: July 2009

The trade‐off between current and future reproduction has led many organisms experiencing stochastic reproductive opportunities to be flexible in their resource acquisition and allocation rules. Many parasitoid wasps display flexibility in choosing to host‐feed or oviposit on a host and possess an ovarian system enabling nutrient reallocation through egg resorption.

The aim of this work is to assess the complementary adaptive values of host‐feeding and egg resorption as functions of host density in a synovigenic (maturing eggs throughout its adult life) parasitoid,Eupelmus vuilleti(Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), for which there is a uniquely large base of relevant knowledge. We developed a series of models of increasing complexity, starting from a simple analytical model without egg resorption and moving on to data‐rich stochastic dynamic programming models (SDP), without and with resorption.

The analytical model enabled the characterization of two, long‐ and short‐term, foraging strategies which determine host usage. Oviposition is favored at low host densities (leading to the short‐term strategy), while host‐feeding is favored at high host densities (leading to the long‐term strategy). The change of strategy occurs abruptly at intermediate host densities. The SPD models not only confirmed these predictions, but also identified smaller regions of decisions driven by day/night cycles and approaching death and predicted major shifts in daily activity patterns according to the chosen strategy. The fitness gain due to resorption is highest at intermediate host densities, where females adopt the riskier but more profitable long‐term strategy. Such a result contrasts with the generally held view, which assumes highest gains at the lowest host densities. A counterintuitive result is the higher prevalence of host‐feeding associated with the ability to resorb eggs.

Considering egg resorption as a last‐resort strategy is underestimating its adaptive value, which is best understood with reference to other sources of nutrients. Its deterministic and controllable nature acts as insurance to forage and oviposit at low host densities, despite irregular food availability and potential death through starvation. Thus timing, not so much overall energy gain, matters in egg resorption. The approach can be extended to other situations, and we highlight an unexpected analogy of our results with the hoarding behavior of vertebrates.
Detectable effect size and bioassay power of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) adult reproductive tests
Authors: Melvin Steven D. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , Bosker Thus , MacLatchy Deborah L.
Published: July 2009

Although multiple reproductive tests have been developed in small-bodied fish to determine the effects of endocrine-disrupting substances, few direct comparisons have been made among the available tests. Side-by-side reproductive tests with mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) and fathead minnow (FHM; Pimephales promelas) were conducted with 0, 3, 10, and 30% effluent from a bleached kraft pulp mill in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Egg production was significantly increased in mummichog exposed to 3% combined mill effluent, but no difference was observed in FHM. No differences were found in whole-body testosterone or estradiol levels in mummichog, and whole-body 11-ketotestosterone levels in males were increased in 3% exposed fish compared to those in 10% effluent. Male FHM exposed to 30% effluent had increased whole-body testosterone levels, and female FHM in 30% effluent had decreased testosterone. No differences in estradiol or 11-ketotestosterone were observed in FHM. Relatively limited response occurred in other endpoints. A comparison of the results of the present study to other published studies suggests that current reproductive bioassays are only sensitive for detecting magnitudes of change of greater than 50% and that differences exist in the sensitivities of fish. Future research should address methods of reducing variability within test populations and focus on understanding the comparative responses among species commonly used for endocrine-disrupting substance testing.
Agrichemicals in nebraska, USA, watersheds: Occurrence and endocrine effects
Authors: Sellin Marlo K. , Snow Daniel D. , Schwarz Matthew , Carter Barbara J. , Kolok Alan S.
Published: July 2009

The objective of the present study was to determine the occurrence and endocrine effects of agrichemicals in four Nebraska, USA, watersheds—the Elkhorn, Platte, Niobrara, and Dismal rivers. Land use in the Elkhorn River and Platte River watersheds is characterized by intense agriculture, including row crop and beef cattle production. In contrast, land within the Niobrara River and Dismal River watersheds consists primarily of grasslands. Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) and caged fathead minnows were deployed at a site within each watershed for 7 d. The POCIS were analyzed for pesticides and hormones, while the caged minnows were analyzed for the expression of estrogen- and androgen-responsive genes. Amounts of pesticides recovered in POCIS extracts from the Elkhorn and Platte rivers were higher than those recovered from the Niobrara and Dismal rivers. Furthermore, female minnows deployed in the Elkhorn River experienced significant reductions in expression of two estrogen-responsive genes (vitellogenin and estrogen receptor α) relative to females deployed at the other sites, indicating alterations in endocrine function. However, the defeminization of these females could not be definitely linked to any of the agrichemicals detected in the POCIS recovered from the Elkhorn River.
Predictions of Two-Phase Critical-Flow Boundary and Mass-Flow Rate Across Chokes
Authors: Al-Safran E. M. , Kelkar M.
Published: July 2009

The objective of this study is to develop and validate a theoretical slip model for two-phase flow through chokes. As opposed to the models (Sachdeva et al. 1986; Perkins 1993) used currently by the industry, the present model accounts for slippage between the liquid and gas phases as they pass through the choke. The theoretical basis of the model is a 1D balance equation of mass, momentum, and energy with the assumptions of constant quality and incompressible liquid phase. The present slip model is capable of predicting the critical-subcritical-flow boundary and the critical and subcritical mass-flow rates. A model-validation study demonstrated the capability of the slip models to predict the critical-flow boundary with an average error and standard deviation of 5.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Furthermore, in a laboratory validation, the present slip model predicted the mass-flow rate with an average error of 2.7% and 12.5% standard deviation. Compared with field data, the present slip model predicted the mass-flow rate with 1.4% average percent error and 15% standard deviation. Compared to existing no-slip models (Sachdeva et al. 1986; Perkins 1993) used commonly by the industry, the present slip-model predictions outperformed their predictions in the average percent error in both laboratory and field validation and in the standard deviation in the laboratory validation only. This validation result indicates the importance of the slippage phenomenon.
Acid Fracturing of Gas Wells by Use of an Acid Precursor in the Form of Solid Beads: Lessons Learned From First Field Application
Authors: Nasr-El-Din H. A. , Al-Zahrani A. A. , Garzon F. O. , Giraldo C. A. F. , Al-Hakami I. M. , Al-Marri H. M.
Published: July 2009

Acid-fracturing treatments are used commonly to enhance the productivity of carbonate formations with low-permeability zones. Various forms of hydrochloric acid (HCl) are used to create deep etched fractures. However, regular HCl reacts very fast with limestone and high-temperature dolomite formations and, unless retarded, will produce a fracture with low conductivity. In addition, concentrated HCl-based acids are very corrosive to well tubulars, especially at high temperatures. To address problems associated with concentrated acids, various retarded acids were introduced. Organic acids were used also in some cases. These organic acid systems were used successfully to acid fracture several wells in a deep gas reservoir in Saudi Arabia. Field data, however, indicated that there is a need to create deeper and more-conductive fractures. To achieve this goal, it was decided to conduct a field trial with a newly developed acid system.

The new acid system is an ester of an organic acid in the form of solid beads. The ester reacts with water (hydrolyzes) at bottom-hole temperature and produces lactic acid, which reacts with carbonate minerals and etches the surface of the fracture. The system was examined thoroughly in the laboratory and showed promising results.

The treatment was conducted in the field without encountering operational problems. After successful placement of the solid beads in the fracture, the well was shut in for 24 hours to give ample time for the ester to hydrolyze and for the generated acid to react with the formation rock. The well was allowed to flow, and samples of the fluids produced were collected to understand chemical reactions that occurred during the treatment. The treatment has resulted in a slight increase in gas production, and no significant improvement was noted over a 9-month period. Consequently, the well was matrix acidized with 28 wt% HCl and responded positively to the treatment.

This paper will discuss major reactions that occurred during these treatments and how they impacted well response. Lessons learned and recommendations to improve the results of this new acid system will be given.
Local Update of Object-Based Geomodels
Authors: Georgsen F. , Syversveen A. R. , Hauge R. , Tollefsrud J. I. , Fismen M.
Published: July 2009

The possibility of updating reservoir models with new well information is important for good reservoir management. The process of drilling a new well through to update of the static model and to history match the new model is often a time-consuming process. This paper presents new algorithms that allow the rapid updating of object-based facies models by further development of already existing models.

An existing facies realization is adjusted to match new well observations by changing objects locally or adding/removing objects if required. Parts of the realization that are not influenced by the new wells are not changed. A local update of a specified region of the reservoir can be performed, leaving the rest of the reservoir unchanged or with minimum change because of new wells.

In this method, the main focus is the algorithm implemented to fulfill well conditioning. The effect of this algorithm on different object models is presented through several case studies. These studies show how the local update consistently includes new information while leaving the rest of the realization unperturbed, thereby preserving the good history match.
Review of Practical Experience by Polymer Flooding at Daqing
Authors: Wang Dongmei , Dong Huanzhong , Lv Changsen , Fu Xiaofei , Nie Jun
Published: July 2009

This paper describes successful practices applied during polymer flooding at Daqing that will be of considerable value to future chemical floods, both in China and elsewhere. On the basis of laboratory findings, new concepts have been developed that expand conventional ideas concerning favorable conditions for mobility improvement by polymer flooding. Particular advances integrate reservoir-engineering approaches and technology that is basic for successful application of polymer flooding. These include the following: (1) Proper consideration must be given to the permeability contrast among the oil zones and to interwell continuity involving the optimum combination of oil strata during flooding and well-pattern design, respectively; (2) Higher polymer molecular weights, a broader range of polymer molecular weights, and higher polymer concentrations are desirable in the injected slugs; (3) The entire polymer-flooding process should be characterized in five stages—with its dynamic behavior distinguished by water-cut changes; (4) Additional techniques should be considered, such as dynamic monitoring using well logging, well testing, and tracers; effective techniques are also needed for surface mixing, injection facilities, oil production, and produced-water treatment; and (5) Continuous innovation must be a priority during polymer flooding.
Mobility Control Design for Miscible-Type Waterfloods Using Micellar Solutions
Authors: Gogarty W.B. , Meabon H.P. , Milton H.W.
Published: July 2009

Introduction

Oil recovery in any flooding operation depends on unit displacementefficiency and on the reservoir volume affected by the displacing fluid. Miscible fluids are used to increase the unit displacement efficiency. A higherpercentage of reservoir pore volume can be contacted if there is adequatemobility control during flooding.

With hydrocarbon displacement media such as dry gas, enriched gas, and LPGslug, viscosity determines the mobility control. Under secondary recoveryconditions, viscosity ratios generally are greater than one, and theunfavorable mobility condition leads to a poor conformance factor.

Both oil and water are displaced in a miscible waterflood. The flowing oiland water establish the mobility requirement for the displacing system. As weshall discuss later, the total mobility can be determined from relativepermeability curves. With tertiary flooding, transient test results can behelpful in selecting representative relative permeability curves. As will alsobe described, laboratory flooding procedures can be used to measure totalmobility directly.

In miscible waterflooding such as with the alcohol slug process, there canbe a loss of miscibility because of mixing. The lack of mobility control behindthe alcohol slug has not been studied extensively. A new recovery process isavailable that utilizes micellar solutions for miscible-type waterflooding. With this process, mobility control is possible over a wide range of reservoirvariables. The mobility control feature, along with effective unitdisplacement, insures a high over-all recovery of oil. Design criteria foradequate mobility control in the process are described in this paper.
Sexual Development and Fertility of Loxl1−/– Male Mice
Authors: Wood Hadley M. , Lee Una J. , Vurbic Drina , Sabanegh Edmund , Ross Jonathan H. , Li Tiansen , Damaser Margot S.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: Our objective was to investigate the genitourinary defects and fertility of the male lysyl oxidase‐like 1 gene (Loxl1) knockout (Loxl1−/–) mouse, with particular attention to fecundity and testicular, epididymal, gubernacular, and penile histopathology, which may lead us to a better understanding of the role of the elastin‐homeostasis gene, LOXL1, in male sexual development. Genital morphometric evaluation of 6‐ to 9‐month‐old male Loxl1−/– mice (n = 26) was compared with C57Bl/6 controls (n = 24). Measurements included: body weight, scrotal development, evidence of feminization (nipples or vaginal pouch), penile malformations, anogenital distance, and absence/presence and size of perineal bulge. Sperm production was estimated using a standardized technique. A breeding program was conducted to determine how much of the infertility observed in Loxl1−/– pairs was due to the male factor. Finally, we performed histopathologic comparison of the genitourinary organs of Loxl1−/– and control mice. Loxl1−/– mice weighed less than their age‐matched C57Bl/6 counterparts (P < .001). Size‐adjusted perineal bulge was larger (P < .001), and resting location of the gonads was higher intra‐abdominally (P = .048) in the Loxl1−/– mice. Estimates of daily sperm counts revealed that the Loxl1−/– mice had lower sperm production (P = .048). Loxl1−/– males bred with control females demonstrated relative fecundity values intermediate between Loxl1−/– pairs (lowest fecundity) and control pairs (highest fecundity), suggesting a component of male‐factor infertility. No histologic differences were noted using hematoxylin‐eosin or specialized elastin staining of the gonads, gubernaculum, and penis. Although further studies are warranted, these findings suggest a subtle and likely multifactorial role of the LOXL1 protein in male sexual development and fertility.
Medical Management of Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Hellstrom Wayne J. G.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a wound‐healing disorder in which a fibrotic plaque forms in the tunica albuginea layer of the penis. It clinically presents as any combination of penile pain, angulation, and erectile dysfunction. Recent studies indicate that PD has a prevalence of 3%–9% in adult men. Although the exact etiology has not been established, PD likely results from a predisposing genetic susceptibility combined with an inciting event such as microtrauma during intercourse. During the initial acute phase (6–18 months), the condition may progress, stabilize, or regress. For this reason authorities recommend a more conservative treatment approach, with a trial of oral and/or intralesional pharmacotherapy, before surgical reconstruction is considered. Oral therapies most commonly employed include tocopherol (vitamin E) and paraaminobenzoate (Potaba), with colchicine, tamoxifen, propoleum, and acetyl‐l‐carnitine being used less often. There are a limited number of long‐term placebo‐controlled studies with these oral agents, and for the most part, studies have failed to show a consistent beneficial effect. Intralesional injection therapy for PD is more commonly used as a first‐line therapy. The current standard of care includes injection with interferon‐α‐2b, verapamil, or collagenase. Interferon‐α‐2b, in particular, has been documented in a large, multicenter, placebo‐controlled study to show significant benefit over placebo in decreasing penile curvature, plaque size, penile pain, and plaque density. However, intralesional interferon is associated with posttreatment flu‐like symptoms unless patients are premedicated with a nonsteroid anti‐inflammatory agent. Other available therapies that have not consistently shown efficacy in placebo‐controlled studies include corticosteroids, orgotein, radiation, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Surgery is considered when men with PD do not respond to conservative or medical therapy for approximately 1 year and cannot perform satisfactory sexual intercourse. Ongoing basic research in PD will likely identify future targets for medical exploitation.
Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the PRDM9 (MEISETZ) Gene in Patients With Nonobstructive Azoospermia
Authors: Irie Shinji , Tsujimura Akira , Miyagawa Yasushi , Ueda Tomohiro , Matsuoka Yasuhiro , Matsui Yasuhisa , Okuyama Akihiko , Nishimune Yoshitake , Tanaka Hiromitsu
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: To investigate the possible association between variations in the PRDM9 (MEISETZ) gene and impaired spermatogenesis in humans, we screened for mutations in the human PRDM9 gene using DNA from 217 sterile male patients and 162 provenfertile male volunteers. Two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 17353G>T (Gly433Val) and 18109C>G (Thr685Arg), were identified, as well as an intronic SNP, 15549G>T. These SNPs were identified in the heterozygous state in separate patients who demonstrated azoospermia. Neither variant was identified in fertile subjects. Our results suggest that mutations in PRDM9 may cause idiopathic infertility in human males.
Semen Collection and Ejaculate Characteristics in the Indo‐Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)
Authors: Yuen Queeny W. H. , Brook Fiona M. , Kinoshita Reimi E. , Ying Michael T. C.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT:The testes of sexually mature dolphins produce large quantities of sperm. Sperm are expelled in copious amounts of seminal fluid through repeated ejaculations that can occur within a short period of time. There is currently a lack of detail about the methodology of sequential ejaculate collection in dolphins and how the traits of individual ejaculates affect the assessment of reproductive capacity. The objectives of this study were to obtain series of ejaculates from 3 dolphins by following a well‐defined collection protocol and then to characterize individual ejaculates. Semen was collected weekly for 1 year from 3 sexually matureTursiops aduncus. The end of a collection session was marked by a lack of semen, in spite of effort, or micturition. Individual ejaculates were analyzed for volume, pH, and sperm concentration, count, motility, and viability following methods previously described for dolphin semen. The first ejaculate was typically higher in volume and sperm count but lower in sperm concentration, motility, and viability. The concentration of the second ejaculate was generally the highest. Sperm motility and viability of the second and subsequent ejaculates in a series were good (ie, >80%). Collection of the first ejaculate only can lead to underestimation of reproductive capacity. Sperm output fluctuated erratically from week to week, so it was difficult to assess any seasonal pattern. Results provide information for further investigation of male dolphin reproductive patterns and any effect of collection frequency on ejaculate characteristics.
Effects of Alfuzosin and Tamsulosin on Sperm Parameters in Healthy Men: Results of a Short‐Term, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Crossover Study
Authors: Hellstrom Wayne J. G. , Sikka Suresh C.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: Ejaculation disorders are associated with tamsulosin treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). To assess whether tamsulosin has any effect on semen, sperm parameters were evaluated in healthy men receiving tamsulosin, alfuzosin, and placebo. Forty‐eight healthy men received 5 days of tamsulosin 0.8 mg once daily (QD), alfuzosin 10 mg QD, and placebo in a randomized, double‐blind, 3‐way crossover study with a 10‐14‐day washout period between treatments. The changes (x̄ ± SE) from baseline in semen sperm concentration, semen sperm count, semen viscosity, semen fructose, sperm motility, and sperm morphology on day 5 of treatment were assessed. The change from baseline in semen sperm concentration was 3.1 ± 8.3 million/mL with tamsulosin, 15.0 ± 6.5 million/mL with alfuzosin, and 24.4 ± 6.5 million/mL with placebo. The total sperm count in semen decreased from baseline with tamsulosin (−54.6 ± 24.0 million) but not with placebo (81.5 ± 18.8 million) or alfuzosin (46.2 ± 19.0 million). The percentage of men with normal semen viscosity was lower with tamsulosin (65%) than with placebo (98%) or alfuzosin (92%). The change from baseline in semen fructose was comparable for all treatments. The percentage of motile sperm decreased 13.8% from baseline to day 5 of treatment with tamsulosin compared with decreases of 2.3% with placebo and 0.4% with alfuzosin. The percentage of abnormal sperm increased marginally with tamsulosin (0.6%) but not with placebo (−2.8%) or alfuzosin (−3.9%). The most common adverse events were dizziness (alfuzosin 11%, tamsulosin 14%, placebo 0%) and orthostatic hypotension (alfuzosin 25%, tamsulosin 11%, placebo 5%). The results suggest that tamsulosin has a negative effect on sperm in healthy men. Studies on the effects of α1‐adrenergic blockers on sperm in men with BPH are warranted.
Effect of Androgen Suppression Compared With Androgen Receptor Blockade on Arterial Stiffness in Men With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Dockery Frances , Bulpitt Christopher J. , Agarwal Sanjiv , Vernon Clare , Rajkumar Chakravarthi
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: Endogenous testosterone and estradiol are thought to be cardio‐protective in men. We wanted to determine the effects of 2 different anti‐androgen therapies on arterial stiffness as one suppresses (goserelin—a gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone analog) while the other increases (bicalutamide—an androgen receptor blocker) both testosterone and estradiol. We conducted a randomized trial on 43 men (mean age, 71.2 ± 6.2 years) with localized prostate cancer. They received either goserelin or bicalutamide for 24 weeks. Carotid‐femoral (C‐F) and carotid‐radial (C‐R) pulse wave velocities (PWVs) were measured. Twenty age‐ and disease‐matched men with prostate cancer on no active treatment were studied in a similar manner. After 12 weeks of goserelin, radial artery PWV increased significantly from baseline and a nonsignificant increase was observed in femoral PWV (change from baseline radial: +1.4 m/s, P = .002, femoral: +0.9 m/s, P = .127) Both PWV measures increased significantly with bicalutamide (change from baseline radial: +0.8, femoral: +0.9 m/s, P ≤ .049). PWV increased further after 24 weeks with goserelin (change from baseline radial: +1.7, femoral: +1.3 m/s, P ≤ .049 for both) but not bicalutamide (change from baseline radial: +0.4, femoral: +0.4 m/s, P not significant [NS]); however, comparison of changes between the 2 drugs were not significantly different at either 12 or 24 weeks (P ≥ .967 at 12 weeks and P ≥ .07 at 24 weeks). The untreated men studied in parallel showed no changes at 12 or 24 weeks in either PWV measure. Anti‐androgen treatment in men might increase large artery stiffness, an adverse cardiovascular risk factor; however, the effect was not maintained with testosterone receptor blockade, in the longer term, but tended to be sustained with suppression therapy. This could relate to the different sex hormone effects of the 2 therapies.
Posttranslational Modification of Constitutive Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Penis
Authors: Musicki Biljana , Ross Ashley E. , Champion Hunter C. , Burnett Arthur L. , Bivalacqua Trinity J.
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common men's health problem characterized by the consistent inability to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Basic science research on erectile physiology has been devoted to investigating the pathogenesis of ED and has led to the conclusion that ED is predominately a disease of vascular origin, neurogenic dysfunction, or both. The constitutive forms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS, endothelial [eNOS] and neuronal [nNOS]) are important enzymes involved in the production of nitric oxide (NO) and thus regulate penile vascular homeostasis. Given the effect of endothelial‐ and neuronal‐derived NO in penile vascular biology, a great deal of research over the past decade has focused on the role of NO synthesis from the endothelium and nitrergic nerve terminal in normal erectile physiology, as well as in disease states. Loss of the functional integrity of the endothelium and subsequent endothelial dysfunction plays an integral role in the occurrence of ED. Therefore, molecular mechanisms involved in dysregulation of these NOS isoforms in the development of ED are essential to discovering the pathogenesis of ED in various disease states. This communication reviews the role of eNOS and nNOS in erectile physiology and discusses the alterations in eNOS and nNOS via posttranslation modification in various vascular diseases of the penis.