bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health problems in children and young people from minority ethnic groups: The need for targeted research
Authors: Dogra Nisha , Singh Swaran P. , Svirydzenka Nadzeya , Vostanis Panos
Published: April 2012

In this editorial we argue for the need for better research evidence on the prevalence of child mental health problems in minority ethnic groups, service utilisation among these groups and whether some service barriers are specific for certain groups. Without such evidence it is not possible to influence policy and practice so that evidence-based and appropriate services can be designed and offered to these populations. The terms ethnicity, race and migration are often imprecisely defined, and mental health needs and outcomes vary between immigrants from different generations. There is also a complex interplay between minority status and social class, with terms such as ethnicity being a proxy for multifaceted sociocultural and economic variables. However, we need to start collecting better data on children from minority ethnic groups so that these relationships can be understood, services tailored on the available evidence and ultimately better care delivered to this group of children.
Third-generation neuroimaging in early schizophrenia: Translating research evidence into clinical utility
Authors: Borgwardt Stefan , Fusar-Poli Paolo
Published: April 2012

Psychiatric imaging needs to move away from simple investigations of the neurobiology underlying the early phases of schizophrenia to translate imaging findings in the clinical field, targeting clinical outcomes including transition, remission and response to preventive interventions.
Evaluation of teaching an integrated case formulation approach on the quality of case formulations: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Abbas Mohammed , Walton Ruth , Johnston Allan , Chikoore Millicent
Published: April 2012

Aims and method

This paper introduces a new approach to producing case formulations, the integrated case formulation (ICF) approach, and a rating scale, the Case Formulation Scale (CFS). Twenty-four psychiatrists participated in a single-blind randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching using this new approach. The intervention group (n = 12) received teaching about using ICF, whereas the control group (n = 12) received teaching as usual. The scores on the CFS were compared before and after teaching.

Results

Prior to teaching, psychiatric trainees had poor scores on the CFS. The CFS score for the group taught the ICF approach improved five times more than the control group.

Clinical implications

This study demonstrates that case formulation skills can be taught. With further improvements, the ICF approach might be useful in the teaching of case formulation.
Colloid and Interface Chemistry under Magnetic Fields
Authors: Sakaguchi Ayumi , Hamasaki Atom , Ozeki Sumio
Published: April 2012

Magneto-Science, a new science of materials using magnetic fields, is recently being developed all over the world. Magneto-Science concerns mainly feeble magnetic materials such as soft matter, carbons, ceramics, and organometals. Colloidal and interfacial systems under magnetic fields are very attractive and important because the dimensions are very much sensitive to magnetic fields. In this review we introduce several examples in colloid and interface chemistry under magnetic fields. Molecular assemblies such as micelles, bimolecular membranes, and vesicles are changed in shape and, in some cases, size and composition by magnetic fields. Since mesophases are sensitive to relatively low magnetic fields, magnetic fields control not only structures and functions but also cooperatively other magnetically insensitive materials. Moreover, a few interesting magnetic responses in hydrogels are summarized.
Capital Market Integration and Wages
Authors: Chari Anusha , Henry Peter Blair , Sasson Diego
Published: April 2012

For three years after the typical emerging economy opens its stock market to inflows of foreign capital, the average annual growth rate of the real wage in the manufacturing sector increases by a factor of three. No such increase occurs in a control group of countries that do not liberalize. The temporary increase in wage growth drives up the level of the average worker's annual compensation by US $487—an increase equal to nearly one-fifth of their annual pre-liberalization salary. Overall, the results suggest that trade in capital may have a larger impact on wages than trade in goods. (JEL E25, E44, F16, F43, G18, O16)
Real Wages and the Business Cycle: Accounting for Worker, Firm, and Job Title Heterogeneity
Authors: Carneiro Anabela , Guimarães Paulo , Portugal Pedro
Published: April 2012

Using a longitudinal matched employer-employee dataset for Portugal over the 1986–2007 period, this study analyzes the wage responses to aggregate labor market conditions for newly hired workers and existing workers within the same firm. Accounting for worker, firm, and job title heterogeneity, the data support the hypothesis that entry wages are more procyclical than wages of stayers. A one point increase in the unemployment rate decreases wages of newly hired workers within a given firm-job title by around 2.7 percent and by 2.2 percent for stayers within the same firm-job title. Finally, the results reveal a one-for-one wage response to changes in labor productivity. (JEL: E24, E32, J64)
Rebalancing Frequency and the Welfare Cost of Inflation
Authors: Silva André C
Published: April 2012

Cash-in-advance models usually require agents to reallocate money and bonds in fixed periods. Every month or quarter, for example. I show that fixed periods underestimate the welfare cost of inflation. I use a model in which agents choose how often they exchange bonds for money. In the benchmark specification, the welfare cost of 10 percent instead of 0 inflation increases from 0.1 percent of income with fixed periods to 1 percent with optimal periods. The results are robust to different preferences, to different compositions of income in bonds or money, and to the introduction of capital and labor. (JEL: E30, E40, E50)
Modeling Seasonality in New Product Diffusion
Authors: Peers Yuri , Fok Dennis , Franses Philip Hans
Published: April 2012

We propose a method to include seasonality in any diffusion model that has a closed-form solution. The resulting diffusion model captures seasonality in a way that naturally matches the original diffusion model's pattern. The method assumes that additional sales at seasonal peaks are drawn from previous or future periods. This implies that the seasonal pattern does not influence the underlying diffusion pattern. The model is compared with alternative approaches through simulations and empirical examples. As alternatives, we consider the standard Generalized Bass Model (GBM) and the basic Bass Model, which ignores seasonality. One of the main findings is that modeling seasonality in a GBM generates good predictions but gives biased estimates. In particular, the market potential parameter is underestimated. Ignoring seasonality in cases where data of the entire diffusion period are available gives unbiased parameter estimates in most relevant scenarios. However, ignoring seasonality leads to biased parameter estimates and predictions when only part of the diffusion period is available. We demonstrate that our model gives correct estimates and predictions even if the full diffusion process is not yet available.
'Little Keats' and His Congenital Diseases
Authors: Livesley Brian
Published: April 2012

Many articles and detailed biographies about John Keats (1795–1821) describe how he qualified as an apothecary in 1816 but I have found no evidence that those who have written about him, including several medical practitioners, have explored the significance of his small height. This was stated by his personal friend and portrait painter, Joseph Severn, to have been five feet and three quarters of an inch. It is therefore not surprising he was called 'Little Keats's by his fellow surgical students at Guy's Hospital.
A Comparison of 18th Century and Contemporary Surgical Training
Authors: Patel KM , Cambridge N , Dasgupta P
Published: April 2012

John Hunter was an archetypal 18th-century surgeon and one of the world's foremost pioneering surgeons. At a time when physicians were concerned with rebalancing the four humours of ill health, chiefly by bloodletting and blistering, Hunter set out to 'systematically question every established process'. He is hence accredited with leading the surgical profession towards a scientific pursuit of excellence following his simple rules of observation and recording. Many today would agree that nurture is as important as nature; we can therefore compare Hunter's education with the current UK surgical curriculum.
Saints and sinners: Thomas Wakley
Authors: Tyte Kate
Published: April 2012

Thomas Wakley (1795–1862) trained as a surgeon before founding The Lancet. Wakley was a passionate reformer and his relentless campaigning helped to improve public health, patient care, medical education and the status of ordinary medics. He was also a controversial figure. His tactics were often childish and bullying, and he exposed public figures to ridicule and made many enemies, includingThe Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Bangladesh Health Minister Visits College
Authors: Tavares Sandra
Published: April 2012

The Royal College of Surgeons of England had the pleasure of hosting a visit from Professor AFM Ruhal Haque, Minister for Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, on 30 January 2012. The visit was another international initiative from the College aiming to advance surgical care and standards overseas.
Surgery, Dental Surgery and Alcohol: Putting Prevention at the Heart of Patient Care
Authors: Shepherd Jonathan
Published: April 2012

The ravages and risks of alcohol misuse manifest themselves conspicuously and subtly in every surgical and dental specialty; in the form of injuries, burns, gastrointestinal and breast cancers, liver disease, pancreatitis, heart disease, dental erosion and periodontal disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and osteoporosis for instance. Alcohol misuse both causes surgical admissions and complicates surgical management. Coma resulting from brain injuries and intoxication can be difficult to differentiate, for example, and alcohol withdrawal during hospital treatment poses specific challenges that need to be met.
ENT training and the independent sector
Authors: Parmar Amit , Armstrong Alexander , Drysdale Andrew
Published: April 2012

An increase in training numbers and a general reduction in training opportunity have been well documented in the recent literature. Over the last few years the involvement of the independent sector in providing NHS-funded healthcare has steadily increased. Since 2000, the government has implemented the independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programme, on which £2.7 billion of NHS money has been spent. Current plans in healthcare policy will further increase the role of the independent sector in providing NHS-funded healthcare. To date, the NHS-funded independent sector has been dominated by the ISTCs that were commissioned by the last government. These were commissioned directly from the department of Health, primarily to provide service provision. As a part of the commissioning process, a commitment to training by the ISTCs was also expected.
RCS Conference Explores Surgical Opportunities Overseas
Authors: Lavy Chris
Published: April 2012

On Friday 13 January the RCS hosted a one-day conference for almost 200 delegates. All grades from consultant to medical student were present, united by an interest in surgery overseas. The day started with an introduction by Lord Ribeiro, who as the first African-born President of the College encouraged the delegates to think globally and to look at the role of the RCS in international as well as domestic surgery. He was followed by Caris Grimes, who presented the surgical needs of the planet and the stark inequity in the provision of surgical services. She has a personal research interest in this area but also quoted the work ofThomas Weiser, who showed that the poorest third of the world's population receives only 3.5% of the world's operations, while the richest third (including the UK) receives 75%.
RCS to Expand Surgical Research Infrastructure
Authors: Morton Dion
Published: April 2012

The RCS is working with partners to develop a nationwide research infrastructure to develop and expand the surgical clinical trials portfolio over the next five years. The aim is to establish at least three centrally funded clinical research centres based within existing clinical trials units of international standing, and to support lead clinicians to develop new multi-centre studies across the surgical disciplines. New funding is being raised by the College to support this initiative.
Fellows and members debate health bill at EGM
Authors: Whitaker Matthew
Published: April 2012

On 8 March the College held, for the first time in living memory, an Extraordinary General Meeting. One hundred and seventy-six fellows and members met to debate the RCS's position on the Health and Social Care Bill that is currently passing through the House of Lords.
Synthesis and biological activities of chaetocin and its derivatives
Authors: Sodeoka Mikiko , Dodo Kosuke , Teng Yuou , Iuchi Katsuya , Hamashima Yoshitaka , Iwasa Eriko , Fujishiro Shinya
Published: April 2012

Chaetocin, a natural product isolated from fungi of Chaetomium species, is a member of the epipolythiodiketopiperazines (ETPs), which have various biological activities, including cytostatic and anticancer activities. Recently, the inhibitory activity toward histone methyltransferases (HMTs) was discovered for chaetocin. We previously reported the first total synthesis of chaetocin and various derivatives. During studies on the structure–activity relationship for HMT inhibition, we found that the enantiomer of chaetocin (ent-chaetocin) is a more potent apoptosis inducer than natural chaetocin in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that ent-chaetocin induces apoptosis through the caspase-8/caspase-3 pathway.
Rattling out of control:A comparison of U2 and Joy Division on film
Authors: McLaughlin Noel
Published: April 2012

This article integrates Popular Music Studies, Film Studies and Fashion Studies to offer a comparative analysis of Joy Division and U2 in the cinema. It focuses primarily on the films Control (Corbijn, 2007) and Rattle and Hum (Joanou, 1988), and looks at how popular musical performance
and sub-cultural style are intertwined with the representation of city space and the construction of metropolitan identities. It does this via consideration of filmic style but in a manner sensitive to the broader sociopolitical and popular musical discourses that frame these representations.
The article argues that popular music’s relationship to the cinema, and to representations of place, has been much neglected in Film Studies. As such, it considers the rock/performance/fashion/place nexus in some detail.
The many voices of Itamar Assumpção: Deconstructing identities and subverting marginality in Brazilian popular music
Authors: Falbo Conrado
Published: April 2012

Brazilian singer–songwriter Itamar Assumpção (São Paulo, 1949–2003) is best remembered for his complex composition style and theatrical live performances. In the early 1980s, he started working with elements of what would later become his trademark songwriting
style: role playing, irreverence, acid social criticism and the overlapping of different rhythmic patterns. On Assumpção’s first album, the independent release Beleléu leléu eu (1981), the songs form a narrative body portraying the life of Beleléu,
a dangerous criminal (created and performed by Assumpção himself), and his gang (also his band) called Isca de Polícia (police bait). The songs are based on an ambiguous play between biography and fiction: a complex identity (de/re)construction in which Assumpção
was able to transport the possibilities of stage performance into the album, revealing to the listener his various personas through various uses of his own voice. The songs combine the lyrics, rhythm, guitar/bass lines, the use of spoken word and backing vocal interventions to create a highly
innovative songwriting style. The analysis of this album was complemented by a 1983 videotaped concert with a similar repertoire.
A big black lady stops the show: Black women, performances of excess and the power of saying no
Authors: Dinero Dan
Published: April 2012

As performer Capathia Jenkins sings in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, it has become almost de rigueur to have ‘a big black lady stop the show’ on Broadway. This article uses theories of affect and performance studies to examine the theoretical significance and performative
effects of this common trope, arguing that these black female performances are both integral to, yet remain separate from, mainstream Broadway musical theatre. These songs are multifariously excessive, and their excessive nature places them at the fringes of the musical proper, thus in some
sense reaffirming Broadway’s existence as the ‘Great White Way’. However, the intense popularity of these songs must also be acknowledged; indeed, they play a key role in the production of affect that is an essential part of Broadway musical theatre. And it is the affective
power of these vocal performances, along with their ability to actually halt a show’s progress, which points towards their queerly subversive potential.
Hydranencephaly
Authors: Chinsky Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2012

Hydranencephaly describes the condition of extensive absence of cerebral tissue that is replaced by a saclike accumulation of fluid. It first may be suspected by neonatal bedside transillumination, which is a screening tool but is not diagnostic. When noted at birth, it is imperative to rapidly distinguish this condition from extensive hydrocephalus, holoprosencephaly, large porencephalic cyst, and other conditions so that those conditions with indications for prompt treatment are identified. An illustrative case of hydranencephaly is presented with discussion of imaging techniques to distinguish between the diagnostic possibilities. Etiologies of the neuropathology of hydranencephaly are discussed. The importance of distinguishing this condition, with an associated poor prognosis, from extensive hydrocephalus, with potential for improved prognosis with early shunting procedures, is emphasized.
Core Concepts
Authors: Malaeb Shadi N. , Cohen Susan S. , Virgintino Daniela , Stonestreet Barbara S.
Published: April 2012

The blood-brain barrier maintains central nervous system homeostasis and limits the entry of blood-borne substances that could alter neuronal function and survival. The barrier exists predominantly at the endothelium of cerebral vascular microvessels. The cerebral vascular endothelium becomes highly specialized during the formation of the neurovascular unit early in embryonic development. The blood-brain barrier is present and functional early in fetal life. The tightness of the barrier gradually increases throughout gestation and in the newborn period. Alterations in the basolateral environment of the cerebral microvasculature can modify the blood-brain barrier properties by modulating the expression of the endothelial tight junctions and other biochemical properties of the cerebral vascular endothelium. Maturation of the blood-brain barrier late in gestation correlates with increases in endogenous corticosteroids and with exposure to exogenous corticosteroids. Several adverse fetal and neonatal conditions can alter the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier. Impairment of blood-brain barrier function in the perinatal period could increase the entry of bilirubin and other neurotoxic substances from the systemic circulation into the brain, thereby exacerbating and/or causing damage to the developing brain.
Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Decision Regret Scale in Recipients of Internal Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: Hickman Ronald L. , Pinto Melissa D. , Lee Eunsuk , Daly Barbara J.
Published: April 2012

The Decision Regret Scale (DRS) is a five-item instrument that captures an individual’s regret associated with a healthcare decision. Cross-sectional data were collected from 109 cardiac patients who decided to receive an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, assessments of the internal reliability consistency (α = .86), and discriminant validity established the DRS as a reliable and valid measure of decision regret in ICD recipients. The DRS, a psychometrically sound instrument, has relevance for clinicians and researchers vested in optimizing the decisional outcomes of ICD recipients. Future research is needed to examine the reliability and validity of the DRS in a larger and more diverse sample of ICD recipients.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Revised Attribution Questionnaire (r-AQ) to Measure Mental Illness Stigma in Adolescents
Authors: Pinto Melissa D. , Hickman Ronald , Logsdon M. Cynthia , Burant Christopher
Published: April 2012

The Revised Attribution Questionnaire (r-AQ) measures mental illness stigma. This study’s purpose is to evaluate the factor structure of the (r-AQ) and examine the validity of the factor structure in adolescents. A convenience sample (n = 210) of adolescents completed the r-AQ and these data were used in exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The EFA established a five item single factor structure, which we called the modified r-AQ and captures the negative emotional reactions to people with mental illness, a domain of mental illness stigma. The CFA established the validity of the factor structure (χ2 = 2.4, df = 4, p = .659, TLI = 1.042, CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = .000). Internal consistency reliability for the scale was acceptable (α = .70). The modified r-AQ is a reliable and valid measure of the emotional reaction to people with mental illness.
MATCHING‐AND NONMATCHING‐TO‐SAMPLE CONCEPT LEARNING IN RATS USING OLFACTORY STIMULI
Authors: April L. Brooke , Bruce Katherine , Galizio Mark
Published: April 2012

Previous research has shown that rats can learn matching‐to‐sample relations with olfactory stimuli; however, the specific characteristics of this relational control are unclear. In Experiment 1, 6 rats were trained to either match or nonmatch to sample in a modified operant chamber using common household spices as olfactory stimuli. After matching or nonmatching training with 10 exemplars, the contingencies were reversed with five new stimuli such that subjects trained on matching were shifted to nonmatching and vice versa. Following these reversed contingencies, the effects of the original training persisted for many trials with new exemplars. In Experiment 2, 9 rats were trained with matching procedures in an arena that provided for 18 different spatial locations for comparison stimuli. Five subjects were trained with differential reinforcement outcomes and 4 with only one type of reinforcer. Differential outcomes and multiple exemplars facilitated learning, and there was strong evidence for generalization to new stimuli for most rats that acquired several conditional discriminations. Performances with novel samples were generally above chance, but rarely reached the high levels obtained during baseline with well‐trained stimulus relations. However, taken together, the data from the two experiments extend previous work, show that rats can learn both match and nonmatch relations with different experimental protocols, and demonstrate generalization to novel sample stimuli.
ADAPTIVE CRITERION SETTING IN PERCEPTUAL DECISION MAKING
Authors: Stüttgen Maik C. , Yildiz Ali , Güntürkün Onur
Published: April 2012

Pigeons responded in a perceptual categorization task with six different stimuli (shades of gray), three of which were to be classified as “light” or “dark”, respectively. Reinforcement probability for correct responses was varied from 0.2 to 0.6 across blocks of sessions and was unequal for correct light and dark responses. Introduction of a new reinforcement contingency resulted in a biphasic process of adjustment: First, choices were strongly biased towards the favored alternative, which was followed by a shift of preference back towards unbiased choice allocation. The data are well described by a signal detection model in which adjustment to a change in reinforcement contingency is modeled as the change of a criterion along a decision axis with fixed stimulus distributions. Moreover, the model shows that pigeons, after an initial overadjustment, distribute their responses almost optimally, although the overall benefit from doing so is extremely small. The strong and swift effect of minute changes in overall reinforcement probability precludes a choice strategy directly maximizing expected value, contrary to the assumption of signal detection theory. Instead, the rapid adjustments observed can be explained by a model in which reinforcement probabilities for each action, contingent on perceived stimulus intensity, determine choice allocation.
REVERSING THE COURSE OF FORGETTING
Authors: White K. Geoffrey , Brown Glenn S.
Published: April 2012

Forgetting functions were generated for pigeons in a delayed matching‐to‐sample task, in which accuracy decreased with increasing retention‐interval duration. In baseline training with dark retention intervals, accuracy was high overall. Illumination of the experimental chamber by a houselight during the retention interval impaired performance accuracy by increasing the rate of forgetting. In novel conditions, the houselight was lit at the beginning of a retention interval and then turned off partway through the retention interval. Accuracy was low at the beginning of the retention interval and then increased later in the interval. Thus the course of forgetting was reversed. Such a dissociation of forgetting from the passage of time is consistent with an interference account in which attention or stimulus control switches between the remembering task and extraneous events.
PREFERENCE AS A FUNCTION OF ACTIVE INTERRESPONSE TIMES: A TEST OF THE ACTIVE TIME MODEL
Authors: Misak Paul , Cleaveland J. Mark
Published: April 2012

In this article, we describe a test of the active time model for concurrent variable interval (VI) choice. The active time model (ATM) suggests that the time since the most recent response is one of the variables controlling choice in concurrent VI VI schedules of reinforcement. In our experiment, pigeons were trained in a multiple concurrent similar to that employed by Belke (1992), with VI 20‐s and VI 40‐s schedules in one component, and VI 40‐s and VI 80‐s schedules in the other component. However, rather than use a free‐operant design, we used a discrete‐trial procedure that restricted interresponse times to a range of 0.5–9.0 s. After 45 sessions of training, unreinforced probe periods were mixed with reinforced training periods. These probes paired the two stimuli associated with the VI 40‐s schedules. Further, the probes were defined such that during their occurrence, interresponse times were either “short” (0.5–3.0 s) or “long” (7.5–9.0 s). All pigeons showed a preference for the stimulus associated with the relatively rich VI 40‐s schedule—a result mirroring that of Belke. We also observed, though, that this preference was more extreme during long probes than during short probes—a result predicted by ATM.
Monitoring Pioneer Waste Injection Projects in Caspian Sea: Challenges, Lessons Learned, Findings and Recent Advancements
Authors: Gumarov S. M. , Shokanov T. A. , Geehan T.. , McEwen Greg , Rojas J. C.
Published: April 2012

Drilling waste sub-surface disposal, via injecting into a pre-defined suitable formation, known as Waste Injection (WI) technology; has been selected as a primary drilling waste management tool for the development of a major oil field in the Caspian Sea. The field development has been utilizing WI technology since the beginning of development drilling operations. The main drivers were proven track record of the technology, meeting "zero-discharge" environmental requirements and elimination of logistical complications associated with onshore transfer of drill cuttings. A dedicated WI well was drilled and the surface equipment package to process and inject drilling waste was installed on each drilling and production platform.

WI failure was considered as one of the top ten risks to achieving full field production targets. Complexity of the injection horizon consisting mostly of massive mudstone, regional faulting and tectonic activity combined with a lack of local WI experience called for a detailed sub-surface engineering design and meticulous monitoring of the waste disposal domain.

Continuous pressure monitoring was recognized as a critical approach in providing sub-surface assurance and timely identification of any early-warning signatures. Unique to these WI wells, the injection wells were equipped with down-hole pressure-temperature gauges for accurate pressure measurement and subsequent analysis.

This paper discusses the execution, results and conclusions of monitoring this challenging project over a 5-year period, including subsurface complexities experienced during this period such as very high injection pressures, limited fracture-wellbore communication, enhanced solids settling, observation and explanation of long-term pressure trend behaviours. In addition solutions developed to prolong the life of the injection asset; including enhanced seawater "over-flush" injection strategy coupled with down-hole pressure measurement, careful monitoring and analysis.
How to Safely Locate Residential Developments Near Process Plants
Authors: Goyal Ram K , Menon V..
Published: April 2012

For decades now the oil companies and the communities they operate in the vicinity of have had a kind of love-hate relationship with many ups and downs on the way. On the one hand the communities love the economic benefit and regional advancement that the oil companies bring in their wake while on the other they decry the real as well as imaginary environmental, health or safety related threats posed by the oil, gas and petrochemical plants operating in their midst.

As the population increases with time so does the demand for land required for urban development. This by necessity results in building of residential and commercial areas in close proximity of process plants, refinery and other oil handling facilities. This paper highlights the need for mutual cooperation that must exist amongst all parties concerned: the Company, the urbanization and planning bodies, community leaders, public servants, journalists and industrialists. This cooperation can only materialize through mutual trust which in turn can only be generated through a better understanding by all of the actual risks associated with various oil refining and oil handling facilities and the risk mitigation measure that the Company employs to ensure all real risks are reduced to a level as low as is reasonably practicable.

The concept of "zero-risk" being attainable in a process environment is infeasible. For land use decision-making we must apply formal techniques of quantitative risk assessment (QRA) and other recognized risk evaluation methods that are being used by many government organizations in Europe and North America. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued quite comprehensive guidelines on this topic which have found acceptance worldwide. This paper briefly explains how the QRA technique works and provides several real life examples of use of QRA in land use planning in Bahrain.

There is an immediate need for rational risk mitigation by the Company and rational risk acceptance by the community -- all for the sake of common national interest and vision for the future. Creation of a joint review board working in an advisory capacity might be the answer.
Safety KPIs during Shutdown Turnaround - What to Measure and How to Impact the Overall Economics
Authors: Dowd Darrell , Daher Elie
Published: April 2012

A turnaround is a planned, periodic total or partial shutdown of a refinery process unit or facility to perform maintenance, overhaul and repair operations and to inspect, test and replace process materials and equipment. This is a time sensitive operation that requires a major expenditure and focused project management 24 hour duration. Any delays due to operational or safety issues can adversely impact the shutdown time therefore increasing costs and impacting the revenue of the facility. With a high price of services, the pressure is greater than ever to deliver an efficient turnaround with virtually no incidents and on time. Safety management plays a crucial role in the turnaround activity.

Safety ensures regulations are followed, training and certifications are completed and preventive plans are in place and enforced. It starts by safety contractor selection, followed by a proactive safety plan and a flawless and timely execution.

How do we ensure that the safety management is conducted efficiently in order to impact the bottom line of the turnaround and limit delays?

Research by Liberty Mutual Research Institue for Safety demonstrates that for every $1 invested in safety there is a $3 to $6 return on investment, and our own research tells us that for every $1 spent on "tool time", $7 is spent on service costs associate with that work. Organizations need to aim for a safety excellence culture as this contributes to profitability and benefits employees and c ommunities. Safety excellence is the result of an effective safety management process. In order to monitor safety excellence, we will illustrate a system we call "The Safety Process Map".

This paper explores the deliverables generated by this map and the value they bring to turnarounds and shutdowns. These deliverables move beyond the standard Total Recordable Incident Frequency (TRIF) or Lost Time incidents reporting by auditing conformance to policies and procedure around activities like work permits issued and Confined Space Entry (CSE). Our position is that a process that can systemically identify when and why non-conformance to policy and procedure occur offers the opportunity for proactive mitigation activities. These proactive activities act on what we believe are often the root causes of negative incidents.
Recent Developments in Gas Flaring and Venting Reduction
Authors: Aliabadi A.. , Shamekhi A..
Published: April 2012

With the extraction of crude oil from several kilometers below the earth surface usually some associated gas comes to the surface as well. If there are not enough gas infrastructures or a nearby gas market in the area of the oil production, a significant portion of the associated gas may be vented or flared in the atmosphere. The importance of reduction of flaring or venting of natural gas can be mentioned from two aspects. Firstly, natural gas is a valuable source of energy. The national oceanic and atmospheric administration estimates 134 bcm of associated gas were flared worldwide in 2010. This is roughly equivalent to 5% of the world's total gas consumption, or 30% of the European Union gas consumption. Secondly, burning any kind of fossil fuel emits carbon dioxide as the main green house gas into the atmosphere which leads to global warming. This work presents recent developments in gas flaring and venting reduction throughout the world. The best way of gas flaring reduction is using associated gas as a source of energy or re-injecting it into the reservoir in order to increase oil production. Associated gas can be used to generate electricity or be transported by pipeline to consumption points. In some areas liquefied natural gas (LNG) or gas-to liquids (GTL) projects may make economic sense. Economically using of the associated gas depends on the volume of production and the distance to markets.
Sharing of HSE Lessons Through E-Messaging Tool
Authors: Tamarra Robinson , Macwan Nancy
Published: April 2012

Effective communications are essential for continuing improvement of HSE Culture and to that end ensuring HSE is efficiently communicated to the workforce.

Therefore, a new e-messaging tool has been developed by HSE&QA Division and IT Division, and has been implemented in a way that is available to all employees onshore & offshore. The tool requires no additional software and uses the power of Outlook to create and send messages. Outlook supports a wide variety of email accounts providing flexibility in sending messages to any account.

The HSE message is placed in the footer of every email that is sent and received within the company network everyday. This in turn enables ADMA as it: Clearly demonstrates commitment of HSE&QA Division towards HSE PerformanceCommunicates HSE efficiently to the entire workforce through emails sent everyday within the company and externally to contractors, service providers, other ADNOC Group of CompaniesHigh-return awareness tool, powerful and low costAlerts the recipient to special news and enables them to have access to linksMotivates employees with a strong, distinct HSE oriented message, offering tips on promoting the company's HSE corporate vision in all HSE matters.Personalizing messages with HSE Tips & Information, promoting health & wellness of staffSignificantly reduces the chances of incident / trends
Contractor Safety Management
Authors: Al-Saeedi Mohammed Jasem , Al-Anezi Nayef Abdullah , Palagummi Subba Rao , Gopalan Sridhar , Latheef Abdul , Thakkar Jigneshkumar
Published: April 2012

"We Believe Contractors are our Partners in Business"

Business partners carryout majority of our activities. Drilling is the most hazardous real estate on the earth. We do not differentiate Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and Business partners while reporting HSE Statistics as we share their sorrow and happiness equally (Every incident occurs in any area of operation with our Business Partners is counted as KOC incident).

We own and take the responsibility to investigate all the incidents and lessons learned are shared on weekly basis with all our Rigs & other groups of KOC to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

COMMON HSE OBJECTIVES

Effective coordination to create a better partnership Duty of Care demonstration by the leadership Improve the image of the company (Both KOC & Business partners) Compliance to HSE MS procedures of KOC and Business partners through proper bridging.

As appropriate to the risks associated with drilling operations, the evaluation and selection process for the business partners shall consider the adequacy of their HSE Management practices, their HSE performance record and their ability to perform work in a responsible manner consistent with the KOC HSE Management System. Risk register is prepared to identify all the hazards and risks associated with the operations, camp and office areas and communicated to the business partners to consider during risk assessments at rig sites. This risk register is reviewed on yearly basis and/or whenever there is an occurrence of serious incidents in drilling operations. Appropriate recommendations will be captured in the risk register and addressed.

We do identify the interfaces between KOC and our Business partners and effectively managed. KOC shall provide clear deliverables and performance standards like HSE KPIs shall be agreed and monitor compliance to the set KPIs on monthly basis and detailed review on Quarterly basis. Also we have a bridging document with the KOC and Business partners HSE MS to ensure both are in the same page when it comes to HSE Management.

A training matrix is also provided in line with KOC HSE MS and business partners are advised to comply to the matrix and majority of the times they supersedes our requirements which is a good sign as we consider.
Managing Security in Turbulent Times: A Middle East Case Study
Authors: Langford James , López Juan Carlos
Published: April 2012

Security is an on-going concern across the oil and gas industry. During turbulent times such as civil unrest, riots, states of emergency, demonstrations, protests or natural disasters, managing security poses additional risks that may lead to employee evacuations and disruption of business activities. This paper describes how an oilfield services company applied management commitment and leadership concepts to day-to-day operational and personnel security decisions during turbulent times across the Middle East region.

The paper describes how the company established a holistic approach to manage the additional risks associated with threat environments, taking into consideration the particularities of specific country, city and field operations. Clear priority has been given to protect employees, contractors and dependants, both nationals and expatriates.
DOIRC: An Effective Communication Tool in Improving Drilling Safety Culture
Authors: Boucif Mustapha Nasr-Eddine , Al Hammadi Adel
Published: April 2012

Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) Drilling Division and its Contractors have managed to reach and maintain world class performance in HSE for the past three years and recorded the lowest Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR), the second lowest Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) in ADCO's Drilling Division history and the longest time without LTI (Eighteen months without LTI). In addition we have recorded zero car related injuries and zero spills in 2011. ADCO believes that the most fundamental factor affecting HSE performance is what is commonly referred to as "safety culture". The strongest influence upon culture within most organizations is "the message from the top management".

DOIRC (Drilling Operations Incident Review Committee) program improved subsequently both vertical (ADCO management and rig site) and horizontal (ADCO and its contractors) communication and was a key factor in setting in place an effective 360° communication. The success of the program shows clearly that the behavior of all stakeholders in Drilling can be changed by an effective communication, visible commitment and involvement from the top management. By keeping a permanent physical and contact between drilling crews, service providers and top management of ADCO and its Contractors, the impact on the safety behavior of the drilling crews was changed since then.

The DOIRC program was the key factor for ADCO Drilling to reach and maintain a world class performance for the past three years, reaching 0.52 TRIR in 2011, the lowest in ADCO drilling history and more than twenty million kilometers driven without injuries.
Caring Hands Initiative
Authors: Al Shire Hyatt
Published: April 2012

During 2010, Bunduq Company Limited ("Bunduq") developed and delivered an innovative community engagement initiative called "Caring Hands" which focused on providing children with potentially life-saving skills in accident prevention, staying safe and administering basic first aid. In 2011 the program was extended to provide fully certified first aid training to students at one of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi. To date the initiative has provided training to 213 children and 35 tutors and students.
Environmental Impact Evaluation of a Safe Drilling Mud
Authors: Adesina Fadairo , Anthony Ameloko , Gbadegesin Adeyemi , Eseoghene Ogidigbo , Oyakhire Airende
Published: April 2012

Due to increase in environmental legislation against the disposition of oil based mud and an increase in environmental awareness, there is need for drilling companies to come up with a superior drilling mud with little or no aromatic content, which is biodegradable and environmentally friendly which poses no health hazard to oilfield workers and the host community.

For this study, oil extracted from the non food plant seeds (jatropha and canola seeds) were used as the base fluid for drilling mud samples in laboratory, oil in water emulsion was made using oil-water ratio of 70 to 30. 200ml of oil; 350ml of water, 50g of bentonite and barite was finally added to build the density up to 10ppg. Three mud samples were formulated with three different based fluids which are diesel, jatropha and canola oil based mud samples. Different mud laboratory tests such as toxicity, filtration, pH, viscosity and density were carried out on the three samples to ascertain their suitability properties for drilling operation and their degree of safety to the environment.

The results obtained show that jatropha has the lowest viscosity, which imply less resistance to flow and lower pressure losses. The outcome of toxicity test confirmed jatropha to be safer and less harmful to plant life and soil micro organism while diesel proved to be most toxic among the three samples. The overall results obtained from laboratory tests indicate that jatropha oil based mud pose great chance of being among the technically and environmentally viable replacements for convectional diesel oil based mud. The study serves as one of the ending solution to the environmental problem associated to oil based drilling operation especially in deep water exploitation.
A Leg Up For Safety - Installation of Vapour Phase Corrosion Inhibitor (VPCI) and Corrosion Monitor Program
Authors: Morsy Magdy Saad
Published: April 2012

Umm Shaif Field have twenty six Caisson Legs at different platforms namely six at USAP, Six at USEAP, four at PGP and 10 at WIP.

A fatal accident occurred in November 2000 as a result of an explosion inside the confined compartment around the caisson leg "SB" of Power Generation Barge (PGB)).

The investigation following the incident identified several recommendations one of which was to remove the blasting grit laying inside the caisson legs that had accumulated over last 20–25 years from blast cleaning operations.

As part of a pilot study the blasting grit and the biocide treated water was removed on one of the legs (PA at USAAP) and it was retained in an in empty condition, as a pilot project.

As part of this the Integrity Division decided to protect the inside of the leg by applying a Vapour Phase Corrosion Inhibitor and Corrosion Monitor Program.

This Innovative pilot example on Caisson leg US 52 internal protection technique, has happened for the first time in ADMA and considered as actual pioneer example in all offshore located OPCOs.

The weight loss corrosion coupons will be checked after one year in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the newly applied VPCI and if all the tests prove conclusive then the dry leg system will be implemented in all the Caisson legs on all the platforms.
Comprehensive QA/QC Program To Improve Safety & Integrity For All Wells
Authors: Diab Nabil
Published: April 2012

QA / QC Program to improve Safety & Integrity of all Wells:

The Equipment Integrity Assurance & Certification System is created with the target of Assuring Well Equipment Integrity before running in the well and therefore eliminating unforeseen equipment failures which extends the well life and improves well quality, performance and integrity. The equipment check list was initially developed to cover gas well equipment, however when it was proven successful and of added value on HSE & Operations the utilization was extended to equipment for all wells.

The system is been created to assure Equipment Integrity and eliminate equipment failures during any stage of well drilling and construction till the succesfull completion run and handover integral well as intended.

The system covers the preparation, inspection, and make up of equipment in town as follows:

Dimensional checks (ID's, OD's, Drift). Visual/Calliper Thread Inspection. Make-ups of accessories to Casing and Pup Joints. Assemble Setting Tools to liner hangers and liner top packers and carry out all required tests. Provide supporting pressure test charts / certificates for the made-up and assembled components. Provide reference of all involved parties / personnel carried out and witnessed the activities. Issue the equipment to the rig with Check List (Certificate), briefing all the actions implemented in town. The Check List is signed by all participants & approved by Equipment & Service Team Leader (EQSTL) and Drilling Operations Team Leader (DROTL) as Single Point of Responsibility (SPA).