bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavior of Hydrogel Microparticles Based on Acrylamide and 2-HEMA Obtained By Inverse Emulsion
Authors: Sanchez-Orozco Raymundo , Vasquez-Garcia Salomon R. , Flores-Ramirez Nelly , Domratcheva Lada 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTPoly(acrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), hydrogel microparticles were prepared by free radical copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) using an inverse emulsion polymerization technique, employing ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinker in the presence of w/o emulsifiers span-80 and span-85 (sorbitol mono-oleate) above the lower critical solution temperature. Water absorption capacity and characteristics of the hydrogel microparticles were analyzed by Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Thus, microparticles were submitted to a gravimetric study on their ability to absorb and to retain distilled water at 25°C. One gram of microparticles absorbed at least 15 g of water. By varying the relative ratio between the continuous phase (hexane and emulsifiers) and the dispersed phase (monomers, initiator and crosslinker), non-agglomerated dispersed particles with nearly spherical shape were obtained having a narrow size distribution in the range from 10 to 20 µm. At a constant value of the emulsifier, and as a result of increasing the stirring rate, a particle size reduction was observed from 13 to 7 µm. The PAAm and PHEMA structures of synthesized hydrogel were confirmed using FTIR analysis. Additionally, through thermal analysis the P(AAm-HEMA) hydrogel showed an increase of water retention and thermal stability due to PAAm addition.
Thermoelectric properties of synthesized Mg2Si0.95-xGe0.05Sbx by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Sasaki Asumi , Arai Koya , Kimori Yuto , Nakamura Tomoyuki , Fujimoto Kenjiro , Yamaguchi Yuki , Tamura Ryuji , Iida Tsutomu , Nishio Keishi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMagnesium silicide (Mg2Si) has attracted much interest as an n-type thermoelectric material because it is eco-friendly, non-toxic, light, and relatively abundant compared with other thermoelectric materials. In this study, we tried to improve the thermoelectric performance by doping Sb and Ge in the Mg2Si, as well as further optimizing x in the carrier concentration to cause phonon scattering. A high purity Mg2Si was synthesized from metal Mg and Sb doped Si-Ge alloy by using spark plasma sintering (SPS) equipment. The sintered samples were cut and polished. They were evaluated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. The carrier concentration of the samples was measured by using Hall measurement equipment. The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient were measured by using a standard four-probe method in a He atmosphere. The thermal conductivity was measured by using a laser-flash system. We succeeded in obtaining a Sb doped Mg2Si0.95Ge0.05 sintered body easily without any impurities with the SPS equipment. The electrical conductivity of the sample was increased, and thermal conductivity was decreased by increasing the amount of doped Sb. The dimensionless figure of merit ZT became 0.74 at 733 K in the Mg2Si0.95-xGe0.05Sbx sample with x = 0.0022.
Purity of mushroom tyrosinase as a biocatalyst for biomaterial synthesis affects the stability of therapeutic peptides
Authors: Racheva M. , Romero O. , Julich-Gruner K.-K. , Ulrich A. S. , Wischke C. , Lendlein A. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe formation of injectable implants in the presence of cells or solutes has previously been conceptualized to be based on the selectivity of bioorthogonal chemical reactions. As an alternative approach, hydrogel network synthesis by enzymatic reactions with a typically high inherent substrate specificity and low toxicity have been repeatedly proposed, e.g. using commercial mushroom tyrosinase (MTyr), which specifically catalyzes phenol oxidation. In this study, it should be explored whether MTyr is compatible with therapeutic peptides that may be delivered from such hydrogels in the future. Based on the specificity of MTyr to phenol residues, no modification of peptides lacking the amino acid tyrosine would be expected. One example of such peptides is gramicidin S (GS), a potent antimicrobial peptide. However, when GS was incubated with commercial MTyr, peptide degradation occurred as observed by HPLC analysis. Several fragments of the peptide were detected by MALDI-TOF. Contamination of MTyr with peptidases was proven as the source of undesired peptide cleavage, which needs to be considered when preparing enzymatically crosslinked hydrogels for biomedical applications.
Phonon Transport in SiGe-Based Nanocomposites and Nanowires for Thermoelectric Applications
Authors: Upadhyaya M. , Aksamija Z. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTSilicon-germanium (SiGe) superlattices (SLs) have been proposed for application as efficient thermoelectrics because of their low thermal conductivity, below that of bulk SiGe alloys. However, the cost of growing SLs is prohibitive, so nanocomposites, made by a ball-milling and sintering, have been proposed as a cost-effective replacement with similar properties. Lattice thermal conductivity in SiGe SLs is reduced by scattering from the rough interfaces between layers. Therefore, it is expected that interface properties, such as roughness, orientation, and composition, will play a significant role in thermal transport in nanocomposites and offer many additional degrees of freedom to control the thermal conductivity in nanocomposites by tailoring grain size, shape, and crystal angle distributions. We previously demonstrated the sensitivity of the lattice thermal conductivity in SLs to the interface properties, based on solving the phonon Boltzmann transport equation under the relaxation time approximation. Here we adapt the model to a broad range of SiGe nanocomposites. We model nanocomposite structures using a Voronoi tessellation to mimic the grains and their distribution in the nanocomposite and show excellent agreement with experimentally observed structures, while for nanowires we use the Monte Carlo method to solve the phonon Boltzmann equation. In order to accurately treat phonon scattering from a series of atomically rough interfaces between the grains in the nanocomposite and at the boundaries of nanowires, we employ a momentum-dependent specularity parameter. Our results show thermal transport in SiGe nanocomposites and nanowires is reduced significantly below their bulk alloy counterparts.
Osteogenesis imperfecta and pregnancy: case report
Authors: Kisielienė Rūta , Kupčiūnaitė Rasa , Bužinskienė Diana , Drąsutienė Gražina 
Published: March 2015

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder, in which synthesis or structure of type I collagen is defective, causing reduced osseous density and increased bone fragility. There is presented a case report of type V osteogenesis imperfecta woman pregnancy and delivery, analyzed physiological changes during pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis, osteogenesis imperfecta influence to pregnancy and mode of delivery. Due to a vast variety of phenotype and insufficient data, individual analysis of each case and mode of delivery should be done by a multidisciplinary team. Osteogenesis imperfecta is an extragenital disorder and it‘s not a contraindication to pregnancy
Phase II Study of Sorafenib and Bortezomib for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic or Unresectable Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Rao Arpit , Lauer Richard 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Author Summary

Background.
Sorafenib is an orally active multikinase inhibitor, and bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that affects multiple signaling pathways. Sorafenib has clinical activity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), whereas bortezomib has demonstrated activity against RCC cell lines in vitro, with in vitro studies showing synergism between the two agents in the induction of apoptosis in neoplastic cell lines. In this phase II study, we explored the efficacy and toxicity of this regimen.

Methods.
Adult patients with cytologically confirmed clear cell RCC with no prior chemotherapy, Zubrod performance status of 0–1, serum creatinine &lt;1.5 mg/dL, and normal liver function tests were treated with sorafenib 200 mg orally b.i.d. with bortezomib 1 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 21 days. Treatment was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was median progression-free survival (PFS) of at least 70 weeks.

Results.
Seventeen patients were enrolled between April 2011 and January 2013. Median age was 62 years (range: 44–75 years). Four of 17 patients had known brain metastasis on enrollment. Median number of cycles was 4 (range: 1 to ≥45). No patient had complete response, 1 had partial response, 12 had stable disease, and 4 had progressive disease (response rate of 6%; 95% confidence interval: 0%–29%) with treatment. Median PFS was 13.7 weeks, and median overall survival was 110 weeks. The study was halted for futility.

Conclusion.
The combination of sorafenib and bortezomib was well tolerated; however, response rate and PFS were comparable to sorafenib monotherapy. This regimen is not recommended for further development.
PREFÁCIO AO SEGUNDO NÚMERO DA REVISTA JURÍDICA DO CESUCA: DIREITOS FUNDAMENTAIS E PROCESSO
Authors: KRETSCHMANN Angela , SILVA Jaqueline Mielke 
Published: March 2015

<p>A Revista Jurídica do Cesuca alcança seu segundo número com uma seleção de artigos cuidadosamente selecionados e avaliados e que vêm a público agora, em dezembro de 2013. O segundo número leva em conta a linha de pesquisa adotada pela Revista: Direitos Fundamentais, Efetividade e Cidadania</p><p>Pensando na importância que uma Revista com acesso aberto representa para a comunidade acadêmica, e para a comunidade na qual se insere, e considerando que, de acordo com o CNPQ, uma linha de pesquisa deve representar temas que reúnam estudos científicos, aglutinando pesquisas com tradição investigativa, que levam a projetos que tragam resultados com afinidades, a Revista Jurídica do Cesuca adota a linha Direitos Fundamentais, Efetividade e Cidadania.</p><p>Na atualidade a manifestação da cidadania está condicionada por normas vinculadas a direitos fundamentais que orientam ou condicionam o saber-fazer humano, e no mesmo sentido, o caminho ou modo de alcançar a realização dos direitos. Com isso, aspectos culturais e valorativos assumem, junto com questões de ordem política, jurídica e econômica, uma importância central, o estudo das relações entre Direitos Fundamentais, Efetividade e Cidadania vem sendo aprofundado, em uma perspectiva interdisciplinar.</p>
Estimating the Impact of Microholes on Economy and Environment via Geo Mechanical Simulation
Authors: Ansari Ubedullah , Tunio A. H. , Ali Zeeshan , Memon H. U. 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Geo-mechanics has always been a challenge during drilling process. It has also been a common observation that 40% of the over-all capex is given away during drilling process. Moreover, it also damages the land mass at large, loads of drill cuttings are generated from subsurface which are disposed on the earth surface, simply affecting the topography. Even, drilling does not prove to be successful in various cases as most of the exploratory wells are found to be dry this issue requires an ultimate solution. A well known technology called microhole drilling has been introduced to cope up with such concern. No doubt, all these specifications are achieved with the help of micro instrumentation.
This study reflects the estimation of all the solids as wastes that are generated during the drilling process and imparts the environmental destruction. Microhole has been used effectively so far to hit the wells up to 700ft. Further, serious drilling issues are encountered but with the help of micro instrumentation it can be taken up to 5000ft or even farther. The main aspect that was found during the study that is microholes are drilled with the help of coiled tubing rig which consumes less disturbance area. In order to prove the metal of this technology a geo mechanical simulator is developed and model of microhole is even built on the developed software. The specifications and lithology of lower goru reservoir coordinates were used as input. Later, the results were compared to evaluate the recommended technology to avoid environmental issues and optimize the drilling program.
Production Forecast Scenarios for Shale Gas and Tight Gas: How Do They Differ in Terms of Simulation?
Authors: Khan Waqar A. , Ali Hamza , Shah Abdur Rahman , Ahmad Ammar , Jibran Ali , Baig Zeeshan 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Unconventional reservoirs, due to their complexity, are among the greatest challenges to the oil and gas industry. After years of research, shale gas and tight gas reservoirs are now proven to be one of the unconventional reservoirs that are economically viable to fulfill the crucial energy requirements. Due to their low permeability and several other factors, they require advance techniques on both operational and simulation fronts.
We performed several different simulations, both numerical and analytical, covering a variety of scenarios to compare shale gas and tight gas production forecasts. Both vertical and horizontal completions were analyzed. For horizontal completions, different hydraulic fracturing stage density was evaluated to identify the best possible production profile for a well and the entire field. The simulations show that Langmuir pressure, volume, rock density, well spacing, completion type, lateral length, and reservoir thickness have a large effect on production forecasts as well as simulations. The simulation results also show the effect of permeability in different cases. The aforementioned are key factors in development plan for a shale gas asset. All the values used for forecasting, both numerical and analytical, are typical for worldwide shales and belong to open source data. They have been selected carefully due to their close resemblance to unconventional reservoirs in Pakistan.
Combination of Foam Assisted Lift and Gas Lift (FAGL) to De-Liquefy Gas Wells
Authors: Tayyab Imran , Uddin M. Farooq , Ahmed Qazi I. , Rehman M. I. , Azam Syed Qazi 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Liquid loading is an ineluctable problem encountered by gas wells as their reservoir pressure declines and Gas-Liquid Ratio (GLR) increases. Foam Assisted Lift (FAL) is one of the modern methods for dewatering gas wells by reducing effective density and surface tension of produced fluid. Gas lift is also a widely used method that reduces flowing bottom-hole pressure by injecting gas in the well to lower hydrostatic head.
This paper proposes a combination of above mentioned technologies called Foam Assisted Gas Lift (FAGL) and recommends its’ efficiency over two specific scenarios; a) when reservoir pressure is low and static liquid level remains below bottommost SPM, b) when there is a considerable liquid column in wellbore and gas injection pressures are limited due to surface constraints, injecting foam decreases the hydrostatic head and requires less gas injection pressure to offload the well. In either case, FAL can offload the well but the stabilized rates achieved are uneconomical compared to the soap requirement per day. FAGL is applied on mature wells having low reservoir pressures and completed with single SPM. These wells had frequent load-up issues and FAL/gas-lift failed due to low reservoir inflow. After FAGL is implemented, frequent load-up issues have been resolved and wells began to produce at increased stabilized rates. FAGL also emerged as an economical option because it reduced the soap/injected gas requirement per day and increased gas rates and overall recovery.
For wells with deep SPMs, depleted reservoir pressure and liquid loading problems, FAGL could be an economical de-liquefaction method when compared to standalone gas-lift or FAL due to its lower OPEX.
Linear Mathematical Model Developed Using Statistical Methods to Predict Permeability from Porosity
Authors: Dahraj Naeem Ul , Bhutto Abid Ali 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
As a matter of general belief there does not exist a universal mathematical relationship between porosity and permeability. Common practice to draw relationship between these two parameters is usually graphical, for instance using picket plots or picking general trends in the core or well logs data. Trends picked are mostly explicit and subjective i.e. limited to well and cannot be extrapolated to full field if the degree of heterogeneity is significant. Core work presents a general rigorous procedure for deriving a linear mathematical model for predicting permeability given porosity and vice versa, using statistical methods i.e. regression analysis & probability distribution, is developed using appropriate core data.
Based upon the literature review to the best of our knowledge so far regression analysis presented between porosity & permeability is so shallow and is only limited up to drawing trends in core or well logs data. Whereas in this paper, application of standard regression analysis methods opted from statistics is discussed in more details. In this regards the utility of Shapiro-Wilk test, Quantile-Quantile (Q-Q) plot, Cook's distance and residual plots have been presented to deal with outliers which normally come from heterogeneity. These techniques ultimately help developing a linear mathematical model for prediction. Besides in any new oil & gas field for reserves calculation and production forecast usually average porosity and permeability is needed. However, for best estimates average values for porosity & permeability have been calculated using probability distribution techniques. Average values obtained are more reliable than those obtained using simple averaging methods thus relatively more precise estimates of reserves/resources and production forecast can be made.
Separation and Recycling of Used Oil-Based Drilling Fluids
Authors: Farinato Ray , Masias Henry M. , Garcia Diana , Bingham Richard , Antle Glenn David 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
A novel approach has been taken to separating, recovering and recycling the oil-continuous phase from used oil-based drilling fluids. The method is based on destabilizing and aggregating the suspended solids and brine droplets through the application of polymers and surfactants in a controlled mixing device. The aggregated material may then be centrifugally separated using traditional solids-control equipment. This allows recovery of the oil-continuous phase, which may then be recycled into another oil-based drilling fluid. Laboratory data and field case studies will be presented that substantiate the efficacy of this solid-liquid separation method. Microscopic analyses of the aggregated solids support a proposed mechanism based on preferential wettability.

Background
Several aspects of petroleum production rely on solid-liquid-liquid separation of oil-continuous dispersions comprised of discrete aqueous and solid particulate phases. Such mixtures occur as drilling fluids, as produced fluids, at various stages in upgrading feedstock for refineries, and as a variety of waste streams derived from drilling, production and delivery operations. The efficiency and speed of mechanical separation of colloidally dispersed materials is greatly improved by aggregating fine particulates and coalescing liquid droplets as long as their densities are sufficiently different from the continuous phase. Improving solid-liquid-liquid separation in petroleum applications can have great economic and environmental benefits. This paper discusses a chemical and mechanical treatment scheme employing surfactants and inverse polymeric emulsions to concurrently improve particulate flocculation and droplet coalescence, thereby improving solidliquid-liquid separation in a conventional centrifuge.
The petroleum industry necessarily produces large quantities of complex mixtures of oil, water and solids either by design, as a consequence of natural resource recovery, or as a byproduct resulting from normal operations. Management of these fluid streams is not only good practice, but it can also make good economic sense, especially if components can be recycled. Drilling fluid management practices involve minimization, recycle/reuse, disposal or some combination of these practices (1). Strategies that minimize or dispose of waste is only one of cost avoidance, whereas strategies that rely on recycle/reuse can produce positive economic as well as environmental benefits. Current practices for disposing oily wastes include:onsite burial (pits, landfills)bioremediationoffsite disposal to commercial facilitiesre-injectionthermal treatment
Current practices to recycle/reuse oily byproducts include:recycling fluidsroad spreadingreuse of cuttings for construction purposesuse of oily cuttings as fuel
Innovative Mercaptan Scavengers: First Field Application
Authors: Passucci Claudio , Grazioli Gianfranco , Carniani Carlo 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Mercaptans are naturally occurring components of sour crude oil and natural gas condensate. When present in appreciable concentrations, they generate a very disagrenable smell which can be a nuisance to operators and to surrounding communities. Regulatory authorities aften require that mercaptan odors be controlled. A practical example of that has occurred to a gas field located in southern Italy which was suffering nuisance odor problems originating from a gas well whose fluid contained over 500 ppm total mercaptans. Production from this and several surrounding wells is collected in a shared collection tank, centrally located near officies and visitor entrances, where fluids undergo initial condensate/water separation. Despite dilution from well fluids containing far less mercaptan, the collection tank still emitted odors. The tank averaged 14Sm3 of condensate throughput per day and contained, on average, approximately 60 ppm total mercaptan. There was no issue about condensate delivery specification of mercaptan level, since the condensate can be diluted in other streams but the odor control issue was an opportunity to test the scavenging performance in the perspective of future, large scale mercaptan content management in other production sites. Contractor was involved as consultant to consider options for reducing mercaptan odors emanating from the condensate collection tank.
On the basis of cost- performance and ease of implementation, an innovative mercaptan scavangers was chosen as the preferred means to reduce odors from the tank.
The use of mercaptan scavangers is new to the oil industry.
The mechanism is a chemical reaction which converts mercaptan into a different chemical species. In this way the amount of mercaptan in the condensate is reduced and the unpleasant odor is controlled; if a specification exist for the level of mercaptan in the condensate, it allows this to be met without introduction of any additional unit operation or process.
Even if it isn't the case for the present case history, mercaptan scavangers are a very promising method to control streams that are out of specification.
The targeted key performance indicator (KPI) for this application was a reduction of mercaptan levels in the condensate by 50–75%. After considering several potential injection sites, it was agreed that the new mercaptan scavenger would best be continuosly injected directly into the mixed fluids collection tank.
From this point, the most efficient and effective mercaptan scavenging treatment could be realized, and condensate could then be readily transferred to the sales tank.