bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Offshore Oil & Gas Workers in Nigeria's Niger Delta by Using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test-A Preliminary Report
Authors: Bwala John Mark , Iroezindu Israel , Felfernig Michael 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Following detection of two open tuberculosis (TB) cases among offshore installation workers some years ago, screening for latent TB infection using an interferon gamma release assay, QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QTBGT), was introduced in the oil industry. Since the introduction of QTBGT, this screening has been used as a prerequisite for working offshore with focus on TB diagnosis (active and latent) and monitoring of clinical management. The aim of our retrospective descriptive study was to determine the prevalence of patients with latent or active TB in offshore workers in Nigeria.
Methods. We used medical records in order to gather all demographic and medical data of patients who underwent QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G Cellestis Limited, Carnegie, Victoria, Australia) within a period of 40 month in our facility. Ages, gender, country of origin and test results of the QTBGT were documented. We furthermore evaluated the findings of chest x rays, and compared findings by age and region of origin of the patients.
Results. 2055 workers were screened for tuberculosis infection. 145 patients could not be implemented due to incomplete medical files. Among the remaining 1910 workers tested with QTBGT, 1163 (61%) were negative, 689 (36%) were positive, 43 (2%) had indeterminate results and 15 samples were rejected by the laboratory due to inproper sample handling. In total 2 cases of active tuberculosis were detected. The range of positive samples on different platform ranges from 10 – 50%. 349 of the positive cases were further examined and placed on treatment for latent TB. Out of them 270 (78%) had normal chest x-ray findings; 79 (22%) patients showed hilar shadows. Out of those patients placed on treatment 24 persons were retested in our facilities, 8 did seroconvert to negative while 16 did not, 50% of indeterminate results turned negative on the repeat test.
Conclusion. There was good correlation between our findings and the numbers described in literature reflecting the incidence in other study populations QTBGT test appears to be an good screening tool as a safety measure to mitigate spread of TB among offshore workers; it would be highly beneficial if in-cooperated into pre-employment medicals especially in this region, HIV testing can be offered on voluntary basis to workers with positive QTBGT.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Marine Electromagnetic Survey Techniques
Authors: Tsoflias S. L. , Hutchinson J. , Dandridge C. , Nicholls J. , Henman R. E. , Buchanan R. , Fechhelm R. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) of electromagnetic (EM) survey techniques used for oil and gas exploration in the marine environment was completed and published in November 2011. The EIA was funded by the member companies of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC) EM Subcommittee and prepared by an independent environmental consulting company.
EM survey technologies currently utilized offshore use either the Earth's natural electromagnetic field or an induced low-frequency electromagnetic field transmitted by an antenna towed behind a vessel. The electric and magnetic fields are measured and recorded by an array of receivers. To date, these receivers have usually been deployed on the seafloor and then retrieved to process the measurements. Tests are currently being conducted to commercialize a system that tows the receivers underwater behind the vessel, similar to the method used in most marine seismic surveys. The data from EM surveys can help identify differences in the resistivity of subsurface rocks that may be related to the presence of hydrocarbons.
The goal of the EIA was to provide a comprehensive resource summarizing available literature and potential effects of EM technologies on marine life. Designed for a broad audience, the document provides a basic description of EM survey technologies, naturally-occurring EM fields, and the potential use of these fields by diverse animal groups. The assessment focuses on survey activities considered to have at least some potential to affect marine animals, such as EM, noise, light emissions, and accidental events.
The EIA concluded that EM sources as presently used have no potential for significant effects on animal groups such as fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. In addition, cumulative effects from EM surveys are negligible compared to natural EM anomalies, induced fields from natural water currents, and other anthropogenic EM sources such as those originating from permanently installed undersea equipment.
PNG LNG Project Community Engagement Within a Unique and Complex Cultural Environment
Authors: Koyama Sam , Hayes Bruce 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT
The scale and extent of the Papua New Guinea LNG Project, compounded by the complex and fractionalized multiethnic composition of the population, presents significant challenges to conventional community engagement.
Construction requires approximately 2,000 ha of land, comprising two large parcels at either end of a 700 km pipeline. These activities impact more than 30,000 people in over 100 communities and many language groups. Resettlement of approximately 400 households in parts of the footprint requires extensive engagement because of the cultural complexity and uniqueness of PNG traditional land tenureship.
Challenges include low literacy levels across much of the Project area and a strong and vibrant oral tradition of storytelling.
An additional challenge for community engagement has been the large scale of construction activities at varying stages of execution with competing priorities for support.
Field personnel work in remote areas promoting engagement using simple tools which have been developed to overcome cultural and education level challenges, as well as taking into account the local population's ability to assimilate information given their strong cultural attachments and entrenched mindsets.
As a result of early engagement experience, it was recognized that this rich cultural diversity would require a flexible approach to community engagement. Traditional engagement approaches and techniques have evolved into more culturally appropriate techniques. This paper addresses the approaches and tools developed by the Project to meet these unique challenges.
Process Safety Management Integrated Into Basic Research and Development
Authors: Serfontein DW (Wynand) 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Process Safety Management Integrated Into Basic Research and Development

Background
Process safety management (PSM) attempts to prevent major accidents involving large volumes, multiple injuries and significant damage. Laboratory research focuses on small experiments, typically followed by scaling up to bench scale demonstrations, and the successful projects are often optimised on pilot scale. The typical process engineer is not highly involved in the laboratory phase of the research, and the research chemist is seldom involved in the operation of the plant, especially from a process safety perspective. This presentation shows how Sasol Technology R&D integrates these two aspects to allow the R&D phase of the development process to address safety concerns. This enables the design team to introduce safeguards as early as possible in the design.
There are several published examples of major accidents that illustrate where better knowledge of the process could have contributed to preventing the accident. I will use two of these examples to illustrate the development of a set of questions that aim to address the possible problems at the experimental planning stage. The success of such a process could eliminate the need to retrofit solutions to the design.
Sasol Technology R&D uses a Stage-Gate model to plan and evaluate projects. This model evaluates and develops an idea for possible commercialisation in distinct phases. In broad terms, the evaluation points are:
Most of the laboratory work is done in Stage C, which is between Gate B and Gate C. The program that covers Stage C can span years of experimental work, and the team reviews the project continuously during this stage. The Stage-Gate model now contains the PSM-related questions, and allows resource allocation to investigate these aspects.

Consequences of failure
There are many examples in the world where PSM failures caused catastrophic losses to human life, the environment and capital investments. This paper will use two well known examples to highlight where better knowledge could have helped to prevent these accidents. These examples are used as background, and will be discussed in detail, even though they are well known. This is done to make it easy for the reader to follow the arguments derived from the example case studies.
Designing Capability for Offshore Response- A Consultant Perspective
Authors: Barber Lee , Varghese Geeva 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In different parts of the world, oil spill preparedness and response is approached in different ways. This variance in approach is particularly obvious in the design and development of capability for offshore response. Usually, the rationale behind the offshore capability design may include either of the following methods such as quantitative criteria, qualitative criteria, or a combination of the two as well as prescriptive legal requirements.
From an offshore operator's perspective, the demands for oil spill response capability vary from region to region depending on the requirements of the country they are operating in. The country may have legislation which can be quite prescriptive at times, for example; India, which prescribes a 700 tonne Tier 1 capability, which a lot of the time is not practical for the operator to meet, begging the question – what is the ideal answer?
This paper aims to answer this question, drawing on the wealth of experience gained from dealing with operators, regulators and the industry across the globe. The paper will take a closer look at the different approaches each country adopts for defining oil spill response capability, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each. Based on this, the paper aims to present some suggestions for designing and developing a cost effective yet, fit for purpose capability design for the operators and regulators to consider.
Early Progress and Challenges in Assessing Aggregate Sound Exposure and Associated Effects on Marine Mammals
Authors: Streever Bill , Ellison William T. , Frankel Adam S. , Racca Roberto , Angliss Robyn , Clark Christopher , Fleishman Erica , Guerra Melania , Leu Matthias , Oliveira Shirley , Sformo Todd , Southall Brandon , Suydam Robert 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Most assessments of multiple, interacting, and/or repeated anthropogenic underwater sounds (sometimes considered to be an aspect of cumulative effects assessment) rely on narrative descriptions rather than systematic evaluations. In 2010, recognizing the need to better understand the potential effects of multiple sound sources (such as vessels, drilling rigs, pile drivers and seismic operations), British Petroleum (BP) sponsored the University of California to convene an expert committee tasked with advancing a method of systematic evaluation. The method developed by the committee (1) identifies the species, region, and period to be assessed, (2) compiles data on relevant sound sources for that region and period, (3) models the acoustic footprint of those sources, (4) models the movement of simulated marine mammals (animats) through the acoustic footprint, and (5) aggregates data on sound exposure and movements for each of the simulated animals. The method was applied to a test case or trial loosely based on data from the Alaskan Beaufort Sea during a period of seismic exploration and other activities. Substantial additional work is needed to better define output metrics related to degradation of acoustic habitat and to understand the potential effects of multiple sound sources on individuals and populations. Nevertheless, the method provides a starting point that will lead to improved understanding of the implications of multiple underwater sound sources associated with industrial activities.
Importance of Process Safety Information (PSI) and Implementation of Design Best Practices for Upstream Safety Management Program
Authors: Laskar Sandipan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Safe operation and maintenance of emergency systems are of primary importance to the process industries, including upstream oil and gas. One of the critical elements of emergency system is proper documentation and ever greening of the process safety information. Significant time and experience in the onshore process industries, primarily in the downstream sector, have resulted in a robust set of guidelines and specifications for process safety. These best practices have broad applicability to upstream oil and gas, especially for offshore facilities.
In particular, the pressure relief system is an integral part of upstream design and operation; prevention of an accidental release of toxic, flammable or noxious materials from a production facility requires correct design and construction, safe operation, and proper documentation of this system.
In practice, relief system design and documentation for upstream production facilities and downstream refining or chemical facilities is quite similar. In fact, API RP 75 mirrors the requirements of the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's safety standard entitled "Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals" (29 CFR 1910.119)- which is applicable to qualifying onshore facilities (PSM). This paper aims to debunk any notion that upstream oil and gas is fundamentally different by providing comparative data from numerous relief system design studies for upstream and downstream facilities showing similar classes of deficiencies. This paper proposes a basic change in the way relief systems are documented - a requirement in order to comply with 29 CFR 1910.119 and thereby describes a new methodology and a change in documentation to meet OSHA requirements and other industry standards (such as API 520/521, API-RP 75, 14J).
The paper will assist upstream facility personnel to utilize good engineering practice in design and documentation of safety relief systems, to meet both onshore and offshore process safety requirements, and to develop consistent company best practices for process safety management. In addition to the comparative data, the paper will describe a comprehensive equipment based analysis protocol, preparation of documentation sufficient for design, operational, and audit purposes, and discuss maintenance both of the physical system and design data.
Improving Reservoir Monitoring in EOR Environments Using Microdeformation-Based Technologies
Authors: Marsic Scott , Roadarmel William , Machovoe Mike , Davis Eric 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Nearly every reservoir-level process generates and propagates outward a pattern of strain that can be detected using sensitive deformation-monitoring technologies. Microdeformation monitoring seeks to precisely detect and characterize strain patterns caused by fluid production and injection, thermal process such as steam flooding, cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), as well as CO2 Sequestration (CCS). By solving a geophysical inverse problem, well-characterized strain measurements can be used to identify and illustrate reservoir-level changes on a wide variety of spatial and temporal scales. Bringing surface deformation measurements down to the reservoir level to obtain the fluid migration pathways, volumetric strain, pressure fronts, or thermal fronts allows operators and asset managers to improve their understanding of how different storage and recovery methods work in different types of reservoirs at significant cost savings compared to traditional monitoring technologies.
A variety of independent yet complimentary technologies currently exist that allow a complete and accurate characterization of ground deformation patterns required to geomechanically invert for reservoir-level processes. Examples of recent work from California's thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) environments using tiltmeters, GPS, and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) are highlighted and discussed, showing how the microdeformation process has been employed to improve production surveillance and project operations.
White Blood Cells Count and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in Young Men
Authors: Twig Gilad , Afek Arnon , Shamiss Ari , Derazne Estela , Tzur Dorit , Gordon Barak , Tirosh Amir 
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE
Association between white blood cell (WBC) count and diabetes risk has been recently suggested. We assessed whether WBC count is an independent risk factor for diabetes incidence among young healthy adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
WBC count was measured in 24,897 young (mean age 30.8 ± 5.36 years), normoglycemic men with WBC range of 3,000 to 12,000 cells/mm3. Participants were periodically screened for diabetes during a mean follow-up of 7.5 years.

RESULTS
During 185,354 person-years of follow-up, diabetes was diagnosed in 447 subjects. A multivariate model adjusted for age, BMI, family history of diabetes, physical activity, and fasting glucose and triglyceride levels revealed a 7.6% increase in incident diabetes for every increment of 1,000 cells/mm3 (P = 0.046). When grouped in quintiles, a baseline WBC count above 6,900 cells/mm3 had an independent 52% increase in diabetes risk (hazard ratio 1.52 [95% CI 1.06–2.18]) compared with the lowest quintile (WBC &lt;5,400 cells/mm3). Men at the lowest WBC quintile were protected from diabetes incidence even in the presence of overweight, family history of diabetes, or elevated triglyceride levels. After simultaneous control for risk factors, BMI was the primary contributor of the variation in multivariate models (P &lt; 0.001), followed by age and WBC count (P &lt; 0.001), and family history of diabetes and triglyceride levels (P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS
WBC count, a commonly used and widely available test, is an independent risk factor for diabetes in young men at values well within the normal range.
Early Microvascular Recruitment Modulates Subsequent Insulin-Mediated Skeletal Muscle Glucose Metabolism During Lipid Infusion
Authors: Eggleston Emma M. , Jahn Linda A. , Barrett Eugene J. 
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE
To test whether early, insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment in skeletal muscle predicts steady-state glucose metabolism in the setting of physiological elevation of free fatty acid concentrations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We measured insulin’s microvascular and metabolic effects in 14 healthy young adults during a 2-h euglycemic insulin clamp. Plasma free fatty acid concentrations were raised (Intralipid and heparin infusion) for 3 h before the clamp and maintained at postprandial concentrations during the clamp. Microvascular blood volume (MBV) was measured by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) continuously from baseline through the first 30 min of the insulin clamp. Muscle glucose and insulin uptake were measured by the forearm balance method.

RESULTS
The glucose infusion rate (GIR) necessary to maintain euglycemia during the clamp varied by fivefold across subjects (2.5–12.5 mg/min/kg). The early MBV responses to insulin, as indicated by CEU video intensity, ranged widely, from a 39% decline to a 69% increase. During the clamp, steady state forearm muscle glucose uptake and GIR each correlated significantly with the change in forearm MBV (P &lt; 0.01). To explore the basis for the wide range of vascular and metabolic insulin sensitivity observed, we also measured Vo2max in a subset of eight subjects. Fitness (Vo2max) correlated significantly with the GIR, the forearm glucose uptake, and the percentage change in MBV during the insulin clamp (P &lt; 0.05 for each).

CONCLUSIONS
Early microvascular responses to insulin strongly associate with steady state skeletal muscle insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Physical fitness predicts both metabolic and vascular insulin responsiveness.
Benefits of Early Hypertension Control on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: O’Connor Patrick J. , Vazquez-Benitez Gabriela , Schmittdiel Julie A. , Parker Emily D. , Trower Nicole K. , Desai Jay R. , Margolis Karen L. , Magid David J. 
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of early hypertension (HT) control on occurrence of subsequent major cardiovascular events in those with diabetes and recent-onset HT.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Study subjects were 15,665 adults with diabetes but no diagnosed coronary or cerebrovascular disease at baseline who met standard criteria for new-onset HT. Poisson regression models assessed whether adequate blood pressure control within 1 year of HT onset predicts subsequent occurrence of major cardiovascular events with and without adjustment for baseline Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and other covariates.

RESULTS
Mean age was 51.5 years, and mean blood pressure at HT onset was 136.8/80.8 mmHg. In the year after HT onset, mean blood pressure decreased to 131.4/78.0 mmHg and was &lt;130/80 mmHg in 32.9% of subjects and &lt;140/90 mmHg in 80.2%. Over a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, age-adjusted rates of major cardiovascular events in those with mean 1-year blood pressure measurements of &lt;130/80, 130–139/80–89, and ≥140/90 mmHg were 5.10, 4.27, and 6.94 events/1,000 person-years, respectively (P = 0.004). In FRS-adjusted models, rates of major cardiovascular events were significantly higher in those with mean blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg in the first year after HT onset (rate ratio 1.30 [95% CI 1.01–1.169]; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS
Failure to adequately control BP within 1 year of HT onset significantly increased the likelihood of major cardiovascular events within 3 years. Prompt control of new-onset HT in patients with diabetes may provide important short-term clinical benefits.