bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical and Numerical Simulations of Subsurface Upgrading by Use of Solvent Deasphalting in a Heavy-Crude-Oil Reservoir
Authors: Ovalles Cesar , Rogel Estrella , Alboudwarej Hussein , Inouye Art , Benson Ian P. , Vaca Pedro 
Published: August 2016

Summary
Physical and numerical simulations of subsurface upgrading by use of solvent deasphalting (SSU-SDA) at laboratory conditions will be presented with a heavy crude oil and propane as a solvent. In this work, 1D propane-flood experiments were performed in a live-crude-oil-saturated (8.8°API) sand at 120°F and 1,000 psi (7.58 MPa). The results showed oil recovery of 85 wt%, with increases of °API value up to 14°API for the produced crude oil. By use of laboratory-characterization data, a new asphaltene-precipitation model was developed that involves four pseudocomponents (deasphalted oil, heavy fraction, and soluble and solid asphaltenes) and three pseudochemical reactions to numerically simulate the laboratory experiments. [In this text, asphaltenes are the fraction of the crude oil that precipitates in paraffins (propane or heptane) and are soluble in aromatics or chlorine-containing solvents (CH2Cl2)]. History match showed very good agreement between the experimental and calculated oil and gas rates and cumulative oil. Also, reasonably good match between laboratory and theoretical °API value of the produced oils was found throughout the propane-flood experiments. By use of this model, a field-scale well pair in steam-assisted-gravity-drainage (SAGD) configuration was simulated for steam only and two steam/propane cases [10:1- and 1:1-vol% ratio, as measured by liquid volume of solvent per cold water equivalent (CWE) of steam] in a typical heavy-crude-oil reservoir. Results showed accelerated oil production and higher °API values of crude in the presence of propane in comparison with the steam-only case. For the 1:1 steam/propane case, the model predicted that the oil quality improved enough to make the oil transportable through a pipeline. This work finds that SSU-SDA continues to show promise as a viable oil-recovery and -upgrading process when the complex downhole physics is modeled. It is predicted that higher propane/steam ratios are needed during SSU-SDA compared with historical solvent-based enhanced-oil-recovery field pilots to capture both the oil-recovery and -upgrading benefits of this process.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Enhanced Condensate Recovery by Gas Injection in Shale Gas–Condensate Reservoirs
Authors: Meng Xingbang , Sheng James J. , Yu Yang 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThis paper examines the potential of huff ’n’ puff gas-injection method to recover condensate in shale gas–condensate reservoirs by conducting experiments on a shale core. Numerical models were developed to verify experiment results. Our laboratory study shows that condensate recovery was increased to 25% by applying huff ’n’ puff gas injection on a shale core. Also, we compared the efficiency of huff ’n’ puff gas injection with that of gasflooding. At the end of same flooding with time that is the same as the time for five huff ’n’ puff cycles, the condensate recovery is 19%. From the experimental results, we found that huff ’n’ puff was more effective than gasflooding. During the experiment, condensate accumulated near the production-end region. In the huff ’n’ puff process, because the location for injection in the core was the same as that for production, the pressure in the condensate region built up faster than pressure in the flooding experiment. Also, because of the ultralow permeability, the pressure propagation was much slower in the shale core than in a conventional reservoir core, and the efficiency of gasflooding is much lower than that of the huff ’n’ puff.This study indicates that huff ’n’ puff has the potential to effectively enhance condensate recovery in shale gas–condensate reservoirs.
The Effects of Firm Growth and Model Specification Choices on Tests of Earnings Management in Quarterly Settings
Authors: Collins Daniel W. , Pungaliya Raunaq S. , Vijh Anand M. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Commonly used Jones-type discretionary accrual models applied in quarterly settings do not adequately control for nondiscretionary accruals that naturally occur due to firm growth. We show that the relation between quarterly accruals and backward-looking sales growth (measured over a rolling four-quarter window) and forward-looking firm growth (market-to-book ratio) is non-linear. Failure to control for the effects of firm growth and performance on innate accruals leads to excessive Type I error rates in tests of earnings management. We propose simple refinements to Jones-type models that deal with non-linear growth and performance effects and show that the expanded models are well-specified and exhibit high power in quarterly settings where one is testing for earnings management. The expanded models are able to identify the presence of earnings management in a sample of restatement firms. Our findings have important implications for the use of discretionary accrual models in earnings management research.
JEL Classifications: C15; M40; M41.
Speech effects of Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers by acoustic analysis: A single-center randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wan Jia , Wang Tong , Pei Xibo , Wan Qianbing , Feng Wenkun , Chen Junyu 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of alteration on speech articulation of adult patients between Hawley retainers and vacuum-formed retainers by an objective acoustic analysis of vowels and voiceless fricatives.
Materials and Methods: Twenty adults, aged 19.0–29.0 years, who had just finished active orthodontic treatment were included in this study. They were divided into a Hawley retainer group and a vacuum-formed retainer group by sortation randomization method. The assessment of speech sounds was performed objectively using acoustic analysis before and after retainer application at the following time points: before wearing (T0), immediately after wearing (T1), and at 24 hours (T2), 1 week (T3), 1 month (T4), and 3 months (T5).
Results: The production of /з:/, /i:/, /f/, /θ/, /s/, and /∫/ sounds for the Hawley retainer group and /i:/, /θ/, /s/, and /∫/ sounds for the vacuum-formed retainer group showed severe speech impairment according to acoustic analysis (P &lt; .05). A comparison of the Hawley retainer group with the vacuum-formed retainer group revealed that the performance of /i:/, /f/, and /s/ sounds were significantly different (P &lt; .05).
Conclusion: Although sound distortion could be found in both the Hawley retainer group and the vacuum-formed retainer group, changes in articulation were more obvious in the Hawley retainer group.
Characteristics of cats sterilized through a subsidized, reduced-cost spay-neuter program in Massachusetts and of owners who had cats sterilized through this program
Authors: Benka Valerie A. , McCobb Emily 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine characteristics of cats sterilized through a subsidized, reduced-cost spay-neuter program in Massachusetts and of owners who had their cats sterilized through this program.
DESIGN Cross-sectional anonymous survey and telephone interviews.
SAMPLE 1,188 (anonymous surveys) and 99 (telephone interviews) cat owners.
PROCEDURES Owners who had a cat sterilized at clinics held between January 2006 and December 2008 were invited to complete anonymous surveys. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with owners who had a cat sterilized during clinics held in 2009.
RESULTS Most cats had never been seen by a veterinarian previously; “too expensive” was the most common reason for this. Total annual household income was significantly associated with the number of times the cat had been examined by a veterinarian and reason why the cat had not been spayed or neutered previously. Most cats were acquired through informal means and without actively being sought, and there was often a time lag between acquisition and sterilization. Undesirable behavior and avoiding pregnancy were primary motivations for neutering and spaying, respectively. Nearly half of owners who indicated they would have had their cat sterilized through a private veterinarian if the clinic had not been available stated that the surgery would have been delayed because of cost.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings suggested that spay-neuter decisions were related to owner income and procedure cost, that elimination of the reduced-cost spay-neuter program would likely have exacerbated the spay-delay problem, and that gradations of financial need should be considered when evaluating relationships between income and spay-neuter decisions.
Evaluation of peripheral blood and abdominal fluid variables as predictors of intestinal surgical site failure in dogs with septic peritonitis following celiotomy and the placement of closed-suction abdominal drains
Authors: Guieu Liz-Valérie S. , Bersenas Alexa M. , Brisson Brigitte A. , Holowaychuk Marie K. , Ammersbach Melanie A. , Beaufrère Hugues , Fujita Hiroshi , Weese J. Scott 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate peripheral blood and abdominal fluid variables as predictors of intestinal surgical site failure in dogs with septic peritonitis following celiotomy and closed-suction abdominal drain (CSAD) placement.
DESIGN Prospective study.
ANIMALS 26 dogs with septic peritonitis that underwent celiotomy and CSAD placement.
PROCEDURES Abdominal fluid and blood samples were collected prior to surgery and daily thereafter until CSAD removal. Abdominal fluid was collected through the CSAD. Analysis of all samples included pH, PCO2, PO2, PCV, WBC count, and total solids, glucose, lactate, and electrolyte concentrations. Abdominal fluid samples also underwent cytologic evaluation and bacterial culture, and the volume of fluid removed through the drain was recorded daily. The blood-to-fluid glucose and lactate differences, fluid-to-blood lactate ratio and blood-to-fluid WBC and neutrophil ratios were determined daily. Dogs were categorized into 2 groups on the basis of whether they had an uneventful recovery (UR) or developed postoperative septic peritonitis (POSP).
RESULTS 23 dogs had a UR and 3 developed POSP. On the third day after surgery, the abdominal fluid WBC count was significantly lower and the blood-to-fluid WBC and neutrophil ratios were significantly higher for dogs in the POSP group, compared with those for dogs in the UR group. None of the other blood and abdominal fluid variables assessed differed significantly between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results failed to identify any objective predictive indicators for POSP in dogs with CSADs. Use of blood-to-fluid WBC and neutrophil ratios as predictive indicators for POSP requires further investigation.
Oral administration of famciclovir for treatment of spontaneous ocular, respiratory, or dermatologic disease attributed to feline herpesvirus type 1: 59 cases (2006–2013)
Authors: Thomasy Sara M. , Shull Olivia , Outerbridge Catherine A. , Lim Christine C. , Freeman Kate S. , Strom Ann R. , Kass Philip H. , Maggs David J. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate outcomes for cats treated with orally administered famciclovir 3 times/d for clinical signs attributed to naturally occurring feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) infection and to assess variables related to owner satisfaction with the treatment.
DESIGN Retrospective case series.
ANIMALS 59 client-owned cats.
PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed to identify cats treated for presumed FHV-1 infection from 2006 through 2013 with ≥ 1 follow-up visit. Signalment, duration of clinical signs, prior treatment, examination findings, diagnostic test results, concurrent treatments, and outcome data were recorded. Owners were asked to complete a survey regarding patient- and treatment-related variables. Data were compared between cats that received low (approx 40 mg/kg [18 mg/lb]) and high (approx 90 mg/kg [41 mg/lb]) doses of famciclovir, PO, 3 times/d.
RESULTS Patient age ranged from 0.03 to 16 years. Conjunctivitis (51/59 [86%]), keratitis (51 [86%]), blepharitis (19 [32%]), nasal discharge or sneezing (10 [17%]), and dermatitis (4 [7%]) were common findings. Clinical improvement was subjectively graded as marked in 30 (51%) cats, mild in 20 (34%), and nonapparent in 9 (15%). Median time to improvement was significantly shorter, and degree of improvement was significantly greater in the highdose group than in the low-dose group. Adverse effects potentially attributable to famciclovir administration were reported for 10 cats. On the basis of survey responses, most (29/32 [91%]) owners were satisfied with their cat's treatment.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Famciclovir at the prescribed dosages was associated with improved clinical signs in cats with presumed FHV-1 infection, and few adverse effects were attributed to the treatment. Further studies are needed to assess whether a famciclovir dosage of 90 versus 40 mg/kg, PO, 3 times/d would result in increased efficacy and shorter treatment time.
Defining the primary research question in veterinary clinical studies
Authors: Giuffrida Michelle A. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
A thoughtful, clearly defined research question should be the foundation of any clinical trial or research study. The research question helps determine key study methods, and defining a specific research question helps avoid problems with inadequate sample size, inappropriate design, or multiple statistical comparisons. Rationales and strategies for formulating research questions and using them to define study protocols are discussed, with a focus on application in clinical trials.
Vascularized dorsal dartos flap to prevent fistula in tubularized incised plate urethroplasty for primary distal and mid shaft hypospadias
Authors: Hossain A. K. M. Zahid , Hasan Gazi Zahirul , Mondal Susankar Kumar , Shahinoor A. M. , Nooruzzaman Md. , Koirala Dinesh Prasad 
Published: August 2016

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of neourethral covering using vascularized dorsal flap for preventing fistula in Tabularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty. The study included 52 children (aged 2-10 years) who had hypospadias repaired including 44 with distal and 8 with mid shaft hypospadias. In all children, a standard tabularized incised plate urethroplasty was followed by reconstruction of new surrounding urethral tissue. A longitudinal dartos flap was harvested from excessive dorsal preputial and penile hypospadiac skin and transposed to ventral side by a buttonhole maneuver. It was sutured to the glans wings and the neomeatus and to the corpora covernosa over the neo-urethra. Thus the new urethra was completely covered with well-vascularzed subcutaneous tissue. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, the result was successful with no fistula or urethral stenosis, except 2 of the mid penile hypospadias. All patients had good functional and cosmetic results with straight penis and vertical slit shaped meatus at the tip of the penis. The 2 patients developed tiny fistula, which were closed spontaneously after meatal dilatation. In conclusion, urethral covering should be part of TIP urethroplasty. A dorsal well-vascularized dartos flap, button holed ventrally is a good choice for preventing fistula for distal and mid shaft hypospadias.
High degree of clonal reproduction and lack of large‐scale geographic patterning mark the introduced range of the invasive vine, kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), in North America
Authors: Bentley Kerin E. , Mauricio Rodney 
Published: August 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:Pueraria montana var. lobata, or kudzu, is an invasive species whose invasion in North America is not genetically well characterized. The clonality of kudzu introduces challenges to population genetic analyses that can bias the assessment of spatial patterns of genotypes. Assessing patterns of genetic diversity while considering clonality is necessary to understand the invasion and spread of kudzu in its invasive range.METHODS:We screened 1747 individuals from 87 populations across the invasive range with 15 microsatellite markers and a 789 bp chloroplast region. We performed detailed clonal analyses and tested levels of genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogeographic relationships.KEY RESULTS:Kudzu exhibited a clonal rate of 80%, and was more heterozygous than other long‐lived perennials. We detected only 353 distinct clonal lineages, with over 60% sharing a maternal haplotype. Populations were established with few genotypes, many consisting of only a single clone. We found no isolation by distance. Despite high genetic diversity, we found little geographic patterning.CONCLUSIONS:Kudzu is highly clonal with few genetically distinct lineages and haplotypes existing in the introduced range. Our data are consistent with a large single introduction, or a few at most. Introduced lineages are geographically randomly distributed but isolated, suggesting that genotypes rarely expand into already established populations. No route of expansion was detectable from an original introduction. The invasion of kudzu does not seem to have been dominated by a single genotype, thus standing genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity are more likely mechanisms explaining kudzu's invasion success.
Frequent colonization and little in situ speciation in Senecio in the tropical alpine‐like islands of eastern Africa
Authors: Kandziora Martha , Kadereit Joachim W. , Gehrke Berit 
Published: August 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:Floras of continental habitat islands, like those of islands, originate mostly through colonization, which can be followed by in situ speciation. We here address the question of the relative importance of colonization and in situ diversification in the high‐altitude areas of the eastern African high mountains, the tropical Afroalpine Region, using the most species‐rich genus in the region, Senecio, as an example.METHODS:We expanded earlier Senecioneae phylogenies by adding more tropical African species and analyzed our phylogenetic tree biogeographically.KEY RESULTS:Senecio contains at least five clades with tropical African species, all of them containing tropical afroalpine species. Between four to 14 independent colonization events into the tropical Afroalpine most likely from montane regions in southern Africa were found. Additionally, relationships of tropical afroalpine species to Palearctic and South American taxa were identified. Although some in situ diversification occurred in Senecio in the tropical Afroalpine, the resulting number of species per clade is never higher than seven.CONCLUSION:Like other genera, Senecio colonized the tropical Afroalpine several times independently. Comparison with Mt. Kinabalu, a small tropical alpine‐like region in Southeast Asia, and alpine‐like regions in the Andes implies that rates of in situ speciation might be linked to area size.
Exhaustifying Focus Intervention Effects: A Crosslinguistic Study
Authors: Xie Zhiguo 
Published: August 2016

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt:This paper describes, from a crosslinguistic perspective, the empirical pattern of focus phrases interacting with wh-in-situ arguments in their scope, and provides a preliminary theoretical analysis of the pattern. I cite examples from genetically unrelated languages to show that, contrary to Kim’s (2002, 2005) claim, not all focus phrases (FPs) trigger intervention effects (IEs). To control for any potential asymmetry between wh-arguments and wh-adjuncts, in my discussion of focus-included IE, I exclude wh-adjunct questions from consideration. I will show that whether an FP is an intervener for wh-in-situ argument questions depends on whether the FP receives an exhaustive interpretation or not.
SECONDARY FAST MAGNETOACOUSTIC WAVES TRAPPED IN RANDOMLY STRUCTURED PLASMAS
Authors: Yuan Ding , Li Bo , Walsh Robert W. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Fast magnetoacoustic waves are an important tool for inferring parameters of the solar atmosphere. We numerically simulate the propagation of fast wave pulses in randomly structured plasmas that mimic the highly inhomogeneous solar corona. A network of secondary waves is formed by a series of partial reflections and transmissions. These secondary waves exhibit quasi-periodicities in both time and space. Since the temporal and spatial periods are related simply through the speed of the fast wave, we quantify the properties of secondary waves by examining the dependence of the average temporal period (

) on the initial pulse width (w
0) and studying the density contrast (

) and correlation length (L

c
) that characterize the randomness of the equilibrium density profiles. For small-amplitude pulses,

does not alter

significantly. Large-amplitude pulses, on the other hand, enhance the density contrast when

is small but have a smoothing effect when

is sufficiently large. We found that

scales linearly with L

c
and that the scaling factor is larger for a narrower pulse. However, in terms of the absolute values of

, broader pulses generate secondary waves with longer periods, and this effect is stronger in random plasmas with shorter correlation lengths. Secondary waves carry the signatures of both the leading wave pulse and the background plasma. Our study may find applications in magnetohydrodynamic seismology by exploiting the secondary waves detected in the dimming regions after coronal mass ejections or extreme ultraviolet waves.
GRAVITATIONAL MICROLENSING EVENTS AS A TARGET FOR THE SETI PROJECT
Authors: Rahvar Sohrab 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
The detection of signals from a possible extrasolar technological civilization is one of the most challenging efforts of science. In this work, we propose using natural telescopes made of single or binary gravitational lensing systems to magnify leakage of electromagnetic signals from a remote planet that harbors Extraterrestrial Intelligent (ETI) technology. Currently, gravitational microlensing surveys are monitoring a large area of the Galactic bulge to search for microlensing events, finding more than 2000 events per year. These lenses are capable of playing the role of natural telescopes, and, in some instances, they can magnify radio band signals from planets orbiting around the source stars in gravitational microlensing systems. Assuming that the frequency of electromagnetic waves used for telecommunication in ETIs is similar to ours, we propose follow-up observation of microlensing events with radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Low Frequency Demonstrators, and the Mileura Wide-Field Array. Amplifying signals from the leakage of broadcasting by an Earth-like civilization will allow us to detect them as far as the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Our analysis shows that in binary microlensing systems, the probability of amplification of signals from ETIs is more than that in single microlensing events. Finally, we propose the use of the target of opportunity mode for follow-up observations of binary microlensing events with SKA as a new observational program for searching ETIs. Using optimistic values for the factors of the Drake equation provides detection of about one event per year.