bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Guatemalan Campesino Movement and the Postconflict Neoliberal State
Authors: Granovsky-Larsen Simon 
Published: July 2017

The Guatemalan peace process helped to shape both the form of state that emerged following armed conflict and the constraints and opportunities faced by contemporary social movements. Despite the reconfiguration of power by Guatemalan elites through peace negotiation and accord-based reforms, social movements have harnessed neoliberal projects to strengthen grassroots resistance and alternative-building. An overview of the campesino movement and the case of the Comité Campesino del Altiplano indicates that campesinos have engaged strategically with neoliberal resources in order to construct counterhegemonic projects. El proceso de paz en Guatemala ayudó a definir tanto al Estado que surgió después del conflicto armado como las limitaciones y oportunidades que caracterizan a los movimientos sociales contemporáneos. A pesar de la reconfiguración del poder llevada a cabo por las élites guatemaltecas a través de las negociaciones de paz y las reformas basadas en los acuerdos, los movimientos sociales han utilizado proyectos neoliberales para fortalecer la resistencia popular y la construcción de alternativas. Un vistazo al movimiento campesino y el caso del Comité Campesino del Altiplano da muestra de como los campesinos se han relacionado estratégicamente con recursos neoliberales para construir proyectos contrahegemónicos.
A new capacity controller for a direct expansion air conditioning system for operational safety and efficiency
Authors: Xia Yudong , Yan Huaxia , Deng Shiming , Chan Ming-Yin 
Published: July 2017

For achieving a balance between the operational safety and efficiency of a variable speed direct expansion air conditioning system, a new capacity controller that can not only simultaneously control indoor air temperature and humidity, but also select an optimized degree of superheat setting to properly balance the operational safety and efficiency has been developed, by adding a control module to a previously developed capacity controller. The core of the control module was an artificial neural network based model representing the known relationship between the inherent operational characteristics and operational stability of a variable speed direct expansion air conditioning system. Using the control module developed, the degree of superheat setting could be varied in accordance with the variation in operating conditions for ensuring a safe and an efficient operation. The performance of the new capacity controller was experimentally tested using an experimental variable speed direct expansion air conditioning system. Controllability test results showed that the system hunting was mitigated when a larger degree of superheat setting was selected by the developed control module and an improvement in COP at about 3.4% was achieved when a smaller one was selected when using the new capacity controller for simultaneously controlling indoor air temperature and humidity. Practical application: This paper reports a new capacity for a VS DX A/C system, which can not only control indoor air temperature and humidity through varying compressor and supply fan speeds, but also select an optimized DS setting for ensuring both a safe and efficient system operation. The controllability test results showed that the new capacity controller could be applied to DX A/C systems for indoor thermal control with a higher operational safety and energy efficiency.
Uncertainty and the Changing Oil Business Worldwide: Norwegian Petroleum Lawyers' Seminar, October 30, 1986
Authors: McNabb J. E. 
Published: July 2017

The petroleum industry is being challenged by price volatility and substantially reduced cash flow. In recent years, the decline in worldwide oil demand coupled with rising non-OPEC production has resulted in considerable excess productive capacity in the hands of OPEC. If OPEC fails to adhere to production restraint, world oil prices could tumble toward their short-term economic floor of less than $10. It appears more likely, however, that OPEC will manage its surplus capacity reasonably well and prices will fluctuate around the upper teen level for the near term. As the supply and demand balance tightens in the 1990s, prices can be expected to move up significantly. Free-world oil demand is expected to rise about 1% a year, with much of that growth in the developing nations and in the United States. Oil supply from sources outside OPEC will likely decline about 2% a year. The net result will be an expanded market for OPEC oil, and a rising world dependence on Middle East sources. In this environment, companies need responsive strategies and reasonable government policies to preserve their viability and to provide an energy-secure future for consumers.
Wanganui and East Coast Basins - Two of New Zealand's Little Explored Sedimentary Basins
Authors: Katz H.R. 
Published: July 2017

Of the 5 largest basins, with over 20,000 km and 4 km plus of sediments, only one (Taranaki) has seen more than reconnaissance exploration. The other basins have barely been scratched, with results that in all cases remain inconclusive. There is a wide potential still untested in New Zealand. Two examples are presented: The Wanganui Basin, where the older part of the sequence has never been drilled. Wells were located on buried hills with older sediments onlapping along flanks. There are extensive updip wedgeouts and potential for structural-stratigraphic trap combinations. Aspects of source rock and flushing, while initially thought of as downgrading prospects, may look more favourable upon proper evaluation. East Coast Basin. With very thick. Cretaceous-Tertiary sediments, multiple deformation, local unconformities and facies changes, this is one of the more exiting basins, measuring 40,000-50,000 km2 on and offshore. Oil and gas generation is widespread, source rocks being of Paleocene and Cretaceous age. Potential reservoirs are Cretaceous and Miocene sandstones and Oligocene and Pliocene limestones, the latter of excellent qualities. Lower Tertiary, undercompacted and gas-charged mudstones may be an additional target for gas production. Shale diapirism has contributed widely to structural trap formation. Since 1960, only 14 wells have been drilled, of which I offshore. This amounts to 0.3 wells per 1,000 km2, or 0.6 m/km2.
The Greenhouse Issue - The Iniquity of a Carbon Tax
Authors: Sullivan Ken 
Published: July 2017

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Brazil in June 1992 reached international consensus on the need to stabilise greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. The use of energy in all its forms, contributes to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. However, energy is a fundamental requirement for human existence, and the demand for energy increases with improved lifestyle, urbanisation and population growth. Approximately 90% of the world's energy needs are currently met by the use of fossil fuel. In spite of technological and economic developments with renewable sources of energy, it is unlikely that they will be a major contributor to the world's energy needs for the foreseeable future. In consequence, fossil fuel must and will continue as the major source of the world's energy. Fossil fuel reserves are finite, those of oil and gas are estimated to last for several decades, whilst those of coal will last for centuries. Therefore, when developing strategies for greenhouse gas stabilisation, it is important to consider the relative magnitude of these reserves and the best use to which each form of energy is suited, taking note of environmental, technical and economic requirement and consequences. The misuse of potential transport fuels in stationary applications may result in a short term reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but could ultimately result in a significant increase in greenhouse emissions, once oil and gas reserves are depleted. It is equally important to consider all greenhouse gas emissions associated with the energy chain. These include emissions associated with the winning, preparation, storage and transport of coal, which constitute a very small component of the total greenhouse gas emissions from the use of coal. However, in the case of natural gas, although greenhouse gas emissions, associated with the winning, treatment, transmission and distribution or liquefaction, transport, storage and distribution will vary for each situation, nevertheless they constitute a significant component of total greenhouse gas emissions from the use of natural gas. Control strategies aimed at stabilising greenhouse gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels should encourage more efficient production, treatment, transport and use of energy. They should not include control measures simply aimed at emissions resulting from their use. Control measures, such as a carbon tax or a CO2 tax would distort the energy mix, would impact most on those in the community who are least able to afford the cost and would not take account of total greenhouse emissions associated with energy use. In fact, they could result in a real increase in greenhouse emissions. In addition, it would hasten depletion of scarce resources of energy, ultimately leading to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the production of transport fuels by conversion technologies.
Changing Efficiencies in Petroleum Energy Use in New Zealand
Authors: Ellis A.J. 
Published: July 2017

The paper introduces the work of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority relating to gas and petroleum usages, with the dual imperatives to gain technical and economic efficiencies; and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Factors inhibiting greater efficiency include current investments, competition for new investment capital, price structures, and public attitudes. The current usage of petroleum products is presented with trends in sectors. Current gas use, from our history of development, wastes resources and produces high carbon dioxide emissions. Alternative trends can gradually be imposed to improve efficiency and lower environmental effects. Particular opportunities are in substituting direct use of natural gas and cogeneration for gas-fired electricity generation. There is a continuing upward trend in transport fuel use. Changing utilisation efficiencies in various modes of transport are reviewed and compared with overseas trends. While some progress has been made, considerable further improvement is possible by implementing regulatory, behavioural, and technical changes. The rising diesel and petrol usage relating to CNG and LPG is of concern. Overall, improvements in energy efficiency in New Zealand do not compare well with most OECD countries, but there are some positive trends in a number of sectors. The scope for improved efficiencies in New Zealand from newer technologies is reviewed with respect to domestic, commercial, industry and transport sectors. Means are outlined for taking opportunities with today's technologies through changing attitudes, standards, improved design of buildings, improved industrial processes, and financial packaging.
Britain's North Sea Oil and Gas Production: A Critical Review
Authors: Odell P.R. 
Published: July 2017

The size and longevity of Britain's offshore hydrocarbons resources have been underestimated. Gas reserves were seriously under-exploited for almost 20 years from the late 1960s, given a belief that gas should be used only as a premium fuel and in the context of an uncompetitive market. Oil reserves' development and production has suffered from time to time from inappropriate politico-economic conditions. Nevertheless, offshore oil and gas has come to dominate the UK's energy production over the past 20 years and currently accounts for 85% of the country's total energy output. Fears for resources' exhaustion remain unjustified, as the industry continues to replace oil and gas reserves used each year. The North Sea is still not comprehensively explored: the continuation of the process will enable oil production to remain at high levels and that of gas to expand further. Supplementary output from the new west of Shetland province will become progressively more important after 2000. But continued intensive production overall depends on the maintenance of attractive politico-economic conditions and on present oil prices. It also requires the European gas market to remain firm but, ironically, the planned flow of UK gas to the mainland constitutes a threat to this condition.
Petroleum Exploration Risk Reduction Using New Geoscience Technology
Authors: Burnett T. L. 
Published: July 2017

As economics of the oil and gas industry become more restrictive, the need for new means of improving exploration risks and reducing expenses is becoming more acute. Partnerships between industry and academia are making significant improvements in four general areas: Seismic acquisition, reservoir characterization, quantitative structural modeling, and geochemical inversion. In marine seismic acquisition the vertical cable concept utilizes hydrophones suspended at fixed locations vertically within the water column by buoys. There are numerous advantages of vertical cable technology over conventional 3-D seismic acquisition. In a related methodology, ‘Borehole Seismic,’ seismic energy is passed between wells and valuable information on reservoir geometry, porosity, lithology, and oil saturation is extracted from the P-wave and S-wave data. In association with seismic methods of determining the external geometry and the internal properties of a reservoir, 3-dimensional sedimentation-simulation models, based on physical, hydrologic, erosional and transport processes, are being utilized for stratigraphic analysis. In addition, powerful, 1-D, coupled reaction-transport models are being used to simulate diagenesis processes in reservoir rocks. At the regional scale, the bridging of quantitative structural concepts with seismic interpretation has lead to breakthroughs in structural analysis, particularly in complex terrains. Such analyses are becoming more accurate and cost effective when tied to highly advanced, remote-sensing, multi-spectral data acquisition and image processing technology. Emerging technology in petroleum geochemistry enables geoscientists to infer the character, age, maturity, identity and location of source rocks from crude oil characteristics (‘Geochemical Inversion’) and to better estimate hydrocarbon-supply volumetrics, which can be invaluable in understanding petroleum systems and in reducing exploration risks and associated expenses.
Geological Models for the Next Decade: What Do We Need to Reduce Hydrocarbon Exploration Risk?
Authors: Lerche I. 
Published: July 2017

Several main areas of quantitative geologic model development, needed over the next decade, are outlined using illustrative examples to emphasize need. In order of importance these areas are: (i) motion of multiple faults in 3-D tied to multi-phase fluid-flow and overpressure evolution in sediments: (ii) dynamical primary and secondary hydrocarbon migration in 3-D; (iii) self-consistent salt and sediment dynamical interactions; (iv) turbidite and sequence stratigraphic models; (v) self-consistent dynamical tectonic and sediment evolution models; (vi) integrated economic and geological relative importance and risking methods. As vital adjuncts, each area of model development should include the capabilities: (a) of forward and inverse modes of operation; (b) of being able to provide quantitative measures of uniqueness, resolution, precision and sensitivity in relation to intrinsic model assumptions, parameters in the model, numerical limits, and in respect of quality, quantity and sampling frequency of present-day data used as control information; (c) of yielding quantitative probabilistic assessments of the range of results in view of the indeterminancy of point (b); (d) of culling needed data from a common data base; (e) of being built and used in a user-friendly, technology-transferable mode. No crystal ball is perfect, so this present view of the next decade's needs in geologic modeling should be continuously up-dated and modified as future information becomes available, which will influence the values, worth, and priorities of the presently estimated future needs in geologic model requirements.
Comparison of the Reorganisations of BP and Shell and Possible Opportunities for Middle East and North African Oil Companies
Authors: Jenkins Gilbert 
Published: July 2017

A critical analysis is provided of the recent reorganisations of the downstream and petrochemical activities of BP and Shell. BP (or BP Amoco including Arco) and Shell are preparing for the next decade anticipating the environment and changing the companies to maximise their profitability in that environment. For the oil producing countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), there are lessons to be learned both from the forecasts which BP Amoco and Shell are making and from the way these companies intend to operate. BP Amoco's view of oil refining is that the surplus capacity is endemic; Shell's view is that it is transient. BP Amoco will market oil products selectively across the world; Shell is still intent on a global approach. Both BP Amoco and Shell will minimise their wholesaling activities in the retail market and expand their merchandising with ever better quality sites. In the petrochemicals sector, the companies are taking similar actions, ie concentrating on positions of strength and selling business activities with low market shares or poor profitability. Petrochemical sites will be favoured when they have access to company produced hydrocarbon feedstocks. From the analysis, it is suggested that MENA oil companies will need to consider carefully the timing of any new refinery building. The reorganisation of the major OECD-based oil companies should offer opportunities for MENA companies to secure outlets for LPG and condensates, to form marketing alliances in OECD markets and to become involved in OECD-based petrochemical businesses.
Diabetes Camp Counselors: An Exploration of Counselor Characteristics and Quality of Life Outcomes
Authors: Nicholl Meg C. , Valenzuela Jessica M. , Nierenberg Barry , Mayersohn Gillian S. 
Published: July 2017

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of volunteering at a diabetes camp on emerging adults with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods Thirty counselors with and 22 without T1DM (19.07 ± 2.71 years old) volunteered at a 1-week T1DM camp in the northeastern United States. Counselors with T1DM had a range of self-reported A1C scores (5.8% or 39.9 mmol/mol to 14.0% or 129.5 mmol/mol). Self-report measures of quality of life, hope, and well-being were completed pre- and postcamp at 4 time points: 1 month before camp, arrival at camp, final day of camp, and 2 months postcamp. Open-ended questions regarding counselor experiences were analyzed to understand camp effect. Results There were significant differences between counselors’ levels of trait hope in comparison to published norms. There were few clear differences in psychosocial outcomes pre- and postcamp; however, some increases in well-being were revealed in anticipation of camp. Major reasons for volunteering included assisting others and reciprocating or continuing a perceived positive experience as a camper. Conclusion No changes in psychosocial outcomes pre- to postcamp were observed. However, measures used in this study may be poorly defined for a counselor population. Further research on the characteristics of emerging adults who choose to be camp counselors is needed. By understanding the demographics of this population, health professionals can help target individuals to become camp counselors as well as enhance the camp experience to fit their developmental needs.
Discussion—Information Externalities, Underinvestment, and Organizational Remedies
Authors: Kirby Alison J. 
Published: July 2017

Levine and Smith (hereafter L&S) create a scenario in which there arises underinvestment in a risky project. They identify several regions, each one corresponding to a different type of underinvestment. Correspondingly, they suggest distinct remedies for each of the different types of underinvestment. A primary insight to come out of this research is that not all underinvestment can be remedied in the same way. For example, cutting out the opportunity to share information may counteract underinvestment in some situations, and yet exacerbate it in others. In my comments below, I first provide a more detailed summary of the model and results and then describe two of my concerns with this paper. My first concern is whether this model captures innovation. My second concern is with the exogenous form of the compensation function as a function of divisional profits only. These concerns affect the interpretation and implications of the results rather than their validity.
A Model of Auditing Under Bright-Line Accounting Standards
Authors: Caplan Dennis , Kirschenheiter Michael 
Published: July 2017

This paper models auditors' preferences for bright-line financial reporting standards. Bright-line standards are unambiguous, requiring no judgment in their application. We characterize bright-line standards as one end of the continuum in the trade-off between relevance and reliability. We formally model two attributes of relevance and reliability as identified in Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 2: the representational- faithfulness dimension of reliability and the predictive-value dimension of relevance. Also, we distinguish these two dimensions of financial reporting standards from the information economics concept of fineness. The model allows auditors to vary in their financial reporting expertise. All auditors have a basic role to verify the accuracy of the financial statements. “Expert” auditors also fill an interpretation role. If financial reporting standards are not bright-line, expert auditors can use their financial reporting expertise to help generate a report that investors will understand. We show how our three dimensions of reporting standards affect the audit market. We find that auditors' preferences for bright-line standards depend on whether auditor expertise is observable to investors. Comparing standards of the same level of detail and relevance, if expertise is observable, expert auditors prefer standards that are not bright-line, whereas auditors without such expertise prefer bright-line standards. If investors cannot observe auditor expertise, all auditors prefer bright-line standards, and the average level of auditor expertise increases under bright-line standards.
A Preliminary Test of the Presence of Window Dressing: Evidence from Institutional Stock Trading
Authors: Bildersee John , Kahn Nathan 
Published: July 2017

For years, investors and accountants have speculated that managers “window dress,” that is, undertake actions to improve their balance sheets before they issue their financial reports. Similarly, institutional money managers are said to adjust their stock portfolios before the release of their quarterly reports. In this paper, stock market volume data for the overall market and for a number of different sample portfolios are examined to see if there is abnormal end-of-period trading activity. The results suggest that trading activity increases at the end of each quarter. This result is consistent with the window dressing hypothesis.