bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling of a UASB Reactor by NARX Networks for Biogas Production
Authors: Jain Vinod , Sambi Surinder , Kumar Shashi , Kumar Brajesh , Kumar Surendra 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
An Artificial Neural Network model of a UASB Reactor has been developed. The reactor treats bagasse wash water (containing organics), generated after washing of stored bagasse prior to its use in paper manufacture. In the process, biogas, a renewable source of energy is produced. As the UASB reactors (2×5,000 m3 volume) operate mostly with feed having varying characteristics, therefore a special type of dynamic networks, called NARX networks have been used to model it for predicting biogas production rate. The input to the model is influent flow rate, inlet and outlet COD. Model is based upon 576 days plant data. NARX model architecture consists of input, output, and 2 hidden layers each having 10 neurons and utilizes 4 days delay. The developed ANN model represents the dynamic behavior of UASB reactor and recursively predicts and forecasts the biogas production rate with acceptable deviation with respect to actual production rate.
Optimal Dispatch of Unreliable Electric Grid-Connected Diesel Generator-Battery Power Systems
Authors: Xu D. , Kang L. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Diesel generator (DG)-battery power systems are often adopted by telecom operators, especially in semi-urban and rural areas of developing countries. Unreliable electric grids (UEG), which have frequent and lengthy outages, are peculiar to these regions. DG-UEG-battery power system is an important kind of hybrid power system. System dispatch is one of the key factors to hybrid power system integration. In this paper, the system dispatch of a DG-UEG-lead acid battery power system is studied with the UEG of relatively ample electricity in Central African Republic (CAR) and UEG of poor electricity in Congo Republic (CR). The mathematical models of the power system and the UEG are studied for completing the system operation simulation program. The net present cost (NPC) of the power system is the main evaluation index. The state of charge (SOC) set points and battery bank charging current are the optimization variables. For the UEG in CAR, the optimal dispatch solution is SOC start and stop points 0.4 and 0.5 that belong to the Micro-Cycling strategy and charging current 0.1 C. For the UEG in CR, the optimal dispatch solution is of 0.1 and 0.8 that belongs to the Cycle-Charging strategy and 0.1 C. Charging current 0.1 C is suitable for both grid scenarios compared to 0.2 C. It makes the dispatch strategy design easier in commercial practices that there are a few very good candidate dispatch solutions with system NPC values close to that of the optimal solution for both UEG scenarios in CAR and CR.
A Socio-Demographic Analysis of Responses to Terrorism
Authors: Salvatore Christopher , Rubin Gabriel 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Extensive research has found that there are differences in reported levels of fear of crime and associated protective actions influenced by socio-demographic characteristics such as race and gender. Further studies, the majority of which focused on violent and property crime, have found that specific demographic characteristics influence fear of crime and protective behaviors. However, little research has focused on the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on perceptions, and protective actions in response to the threat of terrorism. Using data from the General Social Survey, this study compared individual level protective actions and perceptions of the effectiveness of protective responses to the 9/11 terrorist attacks among Americans for demographic factors that have been found to influence fear of crime and protective actions. Results indicated that several socio-demographic factors including race and gender do exhibit some differences in perceptions of the effectiveness of responses to terrorism, although not all achieved statistical significance. Results are discussed in relation to their implications for criminological theory, security, and terrorism preparedness.
Language and Hume’s Search for a Theory of the Self
Authors: Schwerin Alan 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
In his Treatise Hume makes a profound suggestion: philosophical problems, especially problems in metaphysics, are verbal. This view is most vigorously articulated and defended in the course of his investigation of the problem of the self, in the section “Of personal identity.” My paper is a critical exploration of Hume’s arguments for this influential thesis and an analysis of the context that informs this 1739 version of the nature of philosophical problems that anticipates the linguistic turn in philosophy.
Preparation and characterization of poly(MMA-EGDMA-AMPS) microspheres by soap-free emulsion polymerization
Authors: Xu Jingshui , Chen Denglong , Hu Xianglong , Ke Yangchuan , Zhou Qian , Gao Wensuai , Zeng Zheling , Zhang Guoliang 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The poly(methyl methacrylate-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) [poly(MMA-EGDMA-AMPS)] microsphere was produced by a soap-free emulsion polymerization of MMA, EGDMA and AMPS. The chemical composition, morphology, particle size distribution and properties of the obtained microspheres were characterized by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a laser particle analyzer and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that the microspheres had a high-quality spherical morphology, irrespective of the components, and their particle sizes mainly ranged from 10 μm to 70 μm. The microspheres were thermally stable up to 190°C. As the AMPS loading was increased, the synthetic yield rate decreased and the water uptake increased. The optimum synthetic yield rate and water uptake were obtained at a 2.0 wt% AMPS. In addition, the selected microspheres with a diameter of approximately 25 μm provided an effective plugging, and the plugging rate was up to 80%. This study demonstrated that the plugging behavior of microspheres was due to their deformation, migration and aggregating properties in the plugging process, which made them potential materials for modifying the porous reservoir to enhance oil recovery in petroleum engineering.
On the origin of indentation size effects and depth dependent mechanical properties of elastic polymers
Authors: Han Chung-Souk , Sanei Seyed H.R. , Alisafaei Farid 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Indentation size effects have been observed in both polymers and metals but, unlike in metals, the origin of size effects in polymers is not well understood. To clarify the role of second order gradients of displacements, a model polymer is examined with spherical and Berkovich tips at probing depths between 5 and 25 μm. Applying different theories to determine the elastic modulus, it is found that with a pyramidal tip, the elastic modulus increases with decreasing indentation depth, while tests with the spherical tip yielded essentially constant values for the elastic modulus independent of indentation depth. The differences between these tips are attributed to second order displacement gradients, as they remain essentially constant with a spherical tip while they increase in magnitude with decreasing indentation depth applying a Berkovich tip.
Die aktuelle Situation der Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Poethko-Müller Christina , Schmitz Roma , Ellert Ute 
Published: May 2015

Zusammenfassung
In der Epidemiologie dienen Kriterien wie Prävalenz, Krankheitsschwere, Risikopotenzial für Folgekrankheiten im Erwachsenenalter und Chronifizierung, aber auch der individuelle und familiäre Leidensdruck der thematischen Schwerpunktsetzung in der Kinder- und Jugendgesundheitsforschung. Übergewicht und Adipositas, psychische Störungen, allergische Erkrankungen und Unfälle haben eine hohe Prävalenz im Kindes- und Jugendalter, bergen das Risiko für Folgekrankheiten und Chronifizierung (z.B. Übergewicht, Adipositas und Allergien), schränken die ungestörte Entwicklung der Kinder ein und belasten betroffene Familien (z.B. psychische Störungen, Allergien, Unfälle) und zählen deshalb in diesem Kontext zu den bedeutsamsten Themen. Nachfolgend wird ein kurzer Überblick hierzu gegeben (ausführlicher siehe Schwerpunkthefte zur KiGGS-Studie im Bundesgesundheitsblatt Heft 5/6 (2007) bzw. Heft 7 (2014)).
What do patients with epilepsy tell us about language dynamics? A review of fMRI studies
Authors: Baciu Monica , Perrone-Bertolotti Marcela 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe objective of this review is to resume major neuroimaging findings on language organization and plasticity in patients with focal and refractory epilepsy, to discuss the effect of modulatory variables that should be considered alongside patterns of reorganization, and to propose possible models of language reorganization. The focal and refractory epilepsy provides a real opportunity to investigate various types of language reorganization in different conditions. The ‘chronic’ condition (induced by the epileptogenic zone or EZ) is associated with either recruitment of homologous regions of the opposite hemisphere or recruitment of intrahemispheric, nonlinguistic regions. In the ‘acute’ condition (neurosurgery and EZ resection), the initial interhemispheric shift (induced by the chronic EZ) could follow a reverse direction, back to the initial hemisphere. These different patterns depend on several modulatory factors and are associated with various levels of language performance. As a neuroimaging tool, functional magnetic resonance imaging enables the detailed investigation of both hemispheres simultaneously and allows for comparison with healthy controls, potentially creating a more comprehensive and more realistic picture of brain-language relations. Importantly, functional neuroimaging approaches demonstrate a good degree of concordance on a theoretical level, but also a considerable degree of individual variability, attesting to the clinical importance with these methods to establish, empirically, language localization in individual patients. Overall, the unique features of epilepsy, combined with ongoing advances in technology, promise further improvement in understanding of language substrate.
El menosprecio y la burla como armas de ataque en el debate electoral. Caracterización funcional y configuración discursiva
Authors: Fernández García Francisco 
Published: May 2015

Resumen
El presente trabajo, integrado en un proyecto investigador de mayor envergadura sobre el ataque descortés en el debate electoral, desarrolla el análisis de dos estrategias de descortesía que revelan un funcionamiento particularmente interesante en dichos eventos discursivos: el menosprecio y la burla hacia el adversario.
Tomando como referencia el último debate cara a cara de máximo nivel celebrado en España hasta el momento, el que enfrentó a A. Pérez Rubalcaba y M. Rajoy en la campaña para las elecciones generales de 2011, se analiza el valor funcional de estas estrategias y los rasgos de las diversas variantes que presentan, así como los diferentes patrones lingüístico-discursivos en que toman forma. A ello se une su caracterización desde el punto de vista teórico de la descortesía lingüística.
El trabajo, además, se contextualiza en el marco de la investigación en la que se integra, un análisis global del funcionamiento de la descortesía en el debate citado, en el que se aísla una nómina de estrategias de descortesía, se realiza un inventario de los mecanismos lingüístico-discursivos que se ponen en juego para su ejecución y se lleva a cabo una caracterización de los ataques desde el prisma teórico de la descortesía.
Aqueous Processing of L-Glutathione Capped ZnO Quantum dots for Potential Biomedical Applications
Authors: Feliciano-Crespo Raquel , Rodriguez José A , Reyes-Blas Myrna , Zhong Chuan-Jian , Perales-Perez Oscar 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTMedical research has demonstrated the importance of the utilization of stable, fluorescent nanoprobes. The present work addresses the applicability of biocompatible and fluorescent ZnO nanoparticles as probes for detection of pathogens with the aim of achieving extremely low detection limits. For this purpose, ZnO surface must be functionalized for its subsequent interaction with bacterial cellular membrane (coupling), which will allow the corresponding detection and quantification. Herein we will discuss the aqueous synthesis of stable, water soluble and biologically compatible ZnO nanoparticles (NPss) capped with L-glutathione (GSH). The understanding of the interactions between GSH molecules and surface atoms in ZnO QDs became critical to foster the applicability of this nanomaterial in the biomedical and bioengineering fields. In this regard, the GSH/ZnO molar ratios, reaction temperature (40°C and 60°C), time and pH (6-9) became crucial factors to attain suitable tuning of the QDs properties. ZnO/GSH synthesized QDs were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, FT-IR, UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The QDs shape was spherical with a particle size between 80-100nm. The synthesis of ZnO/GSH under different experimental conditions and the corresponding coupling with E. Coli species, are presented and discussed.
Robot Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Polyester-based Polyurethanes
Authors: Baudis Stefan , Lendlein Andreas , Behl Marc 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTDihydroxy telechelics are precursors for the synthesis of multiblock copolymers. In order to synthesize high molecular weight polymers with good elastic properties it is necessary to gain detailed knowledge of the reaction behavior of these precursors. Therefore it was explored whether the polyaddition reaction of polyester-diols can be established in a robotic synthesizer platform to facilitate the elucidation of reaction characteristics. A series of 16 reactions was performed using a telechelic polyester and trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate. The chain extension behavior of the building block was compared with respect to the Carothers equation. It was found, that the chain extension behavior follows the expected trend. The molecular weight of the polymers increased when the optimal ratio of reactive groups was approached.
Foam Production During Steam Displacement of Aqueous Surfactants
Authors: Michaels K. F. , Udell K. S. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT
The formation and flow of foam in porous media under conditions characteristic of steam injection were examined through a series of one-dimensional displacement experiments. It was observed that the steam front propagation velocity and temperature field ahead of and behind the condensation front were not significantly different for steam injection into partially saturated or dry media as compared to a water saturated medium. Significant differences in measured parameters were observed during steam displacement of a 1% by weight surfactant solution. The steam phase mobility decreased upstream of the condensation front by factors of 4.3 and 7.6 under conditions where noncondensable gases were not present and present as an initial gas saturation, respectively. These results clearly indicate that foam is produced during steam displacement of a surfactant solution without the presence of a noncondensable gas. Furthermore, noncondensable gas in the porous matrix was immobilized by the surfactant and aided in the stabilization of the foam in the steam zone.
A Comprehensive Application of a Composite Reservoir Model to Pressure Transient Analysis
Authors: Olarewaju J. S. , Lee W. J. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT
This paper presents analytical solutions for interpreting pressure transient tests for wells producing from a finite composite reservoir system. We also present rate solutions and methods for analyzing long term production data and forecasting production of oil or gas in a finite composite reservoir.
Composite reservoirs are reservoirs made up of two concentric zones of different hydraulic diffusivities. This type of reservoir consists of an inner and outer zone of uniform reservoir and fluid properties separated by a discontinuity. Composite systems include reservoirs with a fluid bank, reservoirs with a burning front, reservoirs with reduced permeability around the wellbore due to drilling fluid invasion and reservoirs with increased permeability around the wellbore due to acidizing or, as a good approximation, even fracturing.
This paper demonstrates that a composite reservoir model can be used to analyze wells with a high negative skin or wells intercepting a finite or an infinite conductivity hydraulic fracture. The differential equations for continuity of mass flow in the two regions are solved using Laplace transformation techniques for both the constant rate and constant pressure inner boundary conditions. The pressure solution is presented for a well in a finite or infinite-acting reservoir with wellbore storage effects. Both finite and infinite-acting reservoir solutions are presented for the constant pressure case. The paper demonstrates the behavior of pressure at the well located in the inner zone of the composite system with different permeability ratios of the inner and outer zone and different radii of the inner zone. Pressure and rate solutions are presented for different values of effective fracture permeability and effective fracture lengths. These type curves are equivalent to finite conductivity fracture type curves with wellbore storage effects included. The pressure and rate solutions for reservoirs with a fluid bank are also presented.
Dimensionless pressure and pressure derivative curves are presented with suitable parameters for type curve analysis. A step-by-step procedure for analyzing pressure transient data is presented. Permeability of the inner zone or the effective fracture permeability can be estimated. The radius of the inner zone which corresponds to an effective fracture length associated with the estimated effective fracture permeability, the radial distance of acid stimulation or the average radial distance of a waterflood front can be estimated. Forecases of production increase associated with varying effective fracture permeability and length can be made.
This paper presents three field examples to demonstrate the application of the type curve analysis method to buildup and falloff test data.
Successful Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation of Yoredale Carboniferous Sands in the UKCS
Authors: Jones Peter , Symonds Richard , Talbot David , Jeffs Paul , Kohok Abhimanyoo , Shaoul Josef , Spitzer Winston 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The Breagh gas field lies in the UK Southern North Sea, 100 km east of Teesside in Blocks 42/13, 42/12a and 42/8a. The normally-unmanned gas field came on stream in October 2013 and is the first offshore development of the Yoredale formation of the Lower Carboniferous. The reservoir comprises a mixture of sand sheets and channels with permeabilities predominantly in the range 0.1 to 10 md.
The plan for the first phase of Breagh Field development was to drill 10 conventionally completed 65° angle deviated wells, through the reservoir, from a 12 slot platform. Analysis of log and PLT data from some of the initial wells identified channel sands, tighter than expected, yet containing significant GIIP. Wells 7 and 8 of the first phase of drilling were completed using hydraulic fracturing to evaluate the potential for improvement in productivity and drainage from the lower permeability intervals, although the execution of the stimulation programme brought significant challenges. This paper introduces the Breagh Field, discusses the reasons behind the change in completion design to include hydraulic fracture stimulation, considers the challenges associated with fracture placement in high angle wells and solutions implemented. The paper also addresses the importance of the clean-up phase, and reviews the lessons learned. In support of this programme, a number of hydraulic fracture designs and modelling methods were evaluated and used to make real time decisions during stimulation operations. These methods are discussed and used to estimate the value of hydraulic fracture stimulation in the Breagh field to date.
The first two wells to be stimulated on Breagh have been successful, yielding initial increases in productivity of the order of 4–10 fold. The magnitude of this increase has led to a forecast of significantly higher recovery from the lower permeability sands and from the total field. Important learnings from the subsurface characterisation, fracture planning and execution phases have been made. As a result of the success to date, hydraulic fracture stimulation is being integrated into the well completion planning and facilities design for the next phase of Breagh Field development.
Integrated Approach to Managing Formation Damage in Waterflooding
Authors: Aristov Sergey , van den Hoek Paul , Pun Eddie 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Waterflooding is the most widely used secondary recovery concept in the oil industry. Once embarked on, it becomes vital to assure the proper planning and execution of a project. There are multiple examples of things that can go wrong if the project is not properly designed, and/or if the practices and standards are not adhered to. These include loss of injectivity, out-of-zone injection, early water breakthrough, loss of reservoir containment, significant CAPEX/OPEX overruns, injector-producer shortcircuiting, reservoir souring and scaling issues etc. Understanding of formation damage is one of the overarching themes in a waterflood project. It requires an integrated multi-disciplinary approach to conclude on an optimum design and strategy. Some of the issues that need to be addressed in the first place are: - matrix of fractured regime; - injectivity decline and necessary water quality specifications; - fracture growth over time and its impact on sweep; - risk of out-of-zone injection and loss of reservoir containment.
Realising the magnitude of these questions, Shell has developed a suite of tools to tackle these issues and help in adequate designing and optimization of waterfloods. They include:
– ASCET (Actual and Simulated Coreflood Evaluation Tool). On-site coreflood tests at real-life conditions, measuring formation impairment as function of water quality. – FORDAM (FORmation DAMage) software. Estimation of injectivity decline when no ASCET tests are available. – PWRI-FRAC (Produced Water Re-Injection FRACture modelling). Quantification of fracture growth as a function of water quality and injection rate. – FRAC-IT (FRACture IT). Model the impact of fracture growth. Assess risk of out-of-zone injection and impact on sweep.
Utilising these tools helps make informed waterflood decisions, improve water management, reduce (or eliminate) water disposal, lower environmental impact, avoid unnecessary CAPEX/OPEX.