bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Operating Management System to Deliver Safe Operations
Authors: Ferrow Michael 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Although occupational safety metrics in the Oil and Gas Industry have continued on a downward trend for many years, major accidents have continued to occur around the world. Individual assets and operators will generally have no individual recent history of major accidents but must nevertheless learn from this overall body of major accidents and their precursors.
The immediate technical causes for these accidents are generally well understood and improvements can usually be implemented by everyone. There is however only limited value in trying to prevent just lookalike accidents. A study of a range of accidents over the last 100 years identifies common themes, particularly in the areas of proper assessment of risk, management of change and the basic control of work at the workface. To control these aspects properly, reliably and sustainably requires an overarching system of work control that is commensurate with the risks and consequences of more or less all activities in a business.
ConocoPhillips UK Upstream has carried out a thorough review and overhaul of management systems designed to fully comply with its own corporate standards and UK legislation. During this review the decision was made to create an Operating Management System to incorporate all necessary processes and controls to deliver a safe, high performing operation.
The features of the developed system are described along with insights that may help others contemplating assessment and overhaul of their own systems.
Fit For Purpose And Cost Effective Integrated Operations Implementation For Mature Assets In Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited
Authors: Bjerregaard Claus G. , Ratcliffe Helen 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Integrated Operation (IO) is often perceived as a long term, high cost commitment for an organisation. This perception often makes it difficult to gain the senior sponsorship required to get a programme off the ground for mature assets. This paper outlines how Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited (Maersk Oil UK) designed and delivered a project, which generated real business value for mature assets within a short timeframe.
Key focus in the justification, design and implementation of the project, was the ability to deliver a solution that fitted the business needs and gave immediate value without compromising future opportunities. The project was designed and implemented as the first step towards and proof of the concept for Integration Operations solutions with focus on production optimisation and reservoir management within Maersk Oil UK.
The key business process focus was on well test automation, well and reservoir monitoring and production optimisation. All technologies used were readily available and only mature software solutions were used. Part of the required technology was already available in the company however without using the full potential.
The paper describes the approach to, and how senior business sponsorship was obtained and retained, how business needs were identified and addressed, how the technology requirements were satisfied and how this influenced the work flow and operation. The paper includes what made the project succeed and why some of the initiatives were less successful.
Most importantly, the paper explains how the capabilities developed and delivered in excess of the investment within the projects implementation phase and how Maersk Oil UK continues to gain value of the mature assets.
Summary: Full project cycle 1.5 yearsScope includes 3 subsea operated hubs for 8 fields with a total of 45 producers, 13 water injectors and 2 gas injectorsPayback within the project lifecycle.
Moving CO2 EOR offshore
Authors: Goodyear S G , Koster M P , Marriott K A , Paterson A , Sipkema A W , Young I M 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
CO2 can be an effective EOR agent and is the dominant anthropogenic greenhouse gas driving global warming. Capturing CO2 from industrial sources in EOR projects can maximize hydrocarbon recovery and help provide a possible bridge to a lower carbon emissions future, by adding value through EOR production and field life extension, and providing long term secure storage post-EOR operations.
Shell is working to implement new generation CO2 projects, including offshore applications. Based on recent offshore project design experience, this paper describes the challenges in moving CO2 EOR from onshore to offshore and the solutions developed, in the key areas of safety, facilities, wells, subsurface and piloting. The overriding design principle in any project is HSE. Offshore operations brings a new set of challenges over inventory, pressure, confined spaces and evacuation, with conventional emergency procedures requiring modification because of the different physical characteristics of CO2 releases compared to hydrocarbon gas. Surface facilities need to be simple to minimise CAPEX, weight and space while maintaining flexibility, since there is less scope to incrementally evolve the surface facilities as is the case onshore. Balancing the tension between these objectives requires very close surface and subsurface integration to find optimal and cost-effective solutions. This is illustrated with three key decision areas: gas treatment options for back produced CO2 and hydrocarbon gas, artificial lift and facilities capacity.
A novel integrated CO2 gas lift system is described. This simplifies facilities and reduces CAPEX and OPEX, while at the same time providing a high degree of flexibility and risk management over the EOR life cycle in terms of subsurface uncertainty and reducing the issues around molecular weight variation in the recycled gas and the degree of turndown required in the facilities in the early years of EOR operations.
Mobile Workforce Integration with Process Safety Management Framework Enables Sustained Improvement
Authors: Lough Victor 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Recent incidents have highlighted the increased importance of situation awareness and its relationship to crisis management, With studies showing some 40% of incidents being related to operational error the need for an effective process safety management (PSM) framework which melds procedural automation with a previously IT centric business process management (BPM) environment could be seen to be advantageous. The final hurdle to a fully integrated solution has been the capturing of stranded assets e.g. where data collection is not possible, consistency of timely manual information or a heavy reliance on experienced human elements to consider information context.
The realization that an "Incident free" mission statement can effectively drive business strategy when used in conjunction with a mobile workforce is acknowledged. When used as part of an operator driven reliability program, we have a solution which captures tacit knowledge, improves inter-departmental collaboration and enables sensor to boardroom visibility. This Enterprise Control model enables the right people to consistently do the right thing optimally planned within the operational schedule.
This paper will describe how technology can be used as a change agent, not only to enable the consistent monitoring of previously stranded assets (People, Plant & Processes) but to change the workflow dynamics of the PSM model with field proven improvements in Safety and Productivity.
Development of Ball-and-Pocket Gripping Technology to Overcome Slip Handling Limitations
Authors: Jarski Justin , Yousef Faisal , Vandervort Kurt , Campbell-Smith Greg 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Presents a new pipe gripping method using spherical balls to replace conventional die slips with the potential for significantly less damage to and better load distribution around pipe during handling. Describes the testing scope, results and analysis of ball versus slip comparison testing conducted under identical conditions.
Superficial temporal artery calcification in patients with end-stage renal disease: Association with vascular risk factors and ischemic cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Anwar Zeeshan , Zan Elcin , Carone Marco , Ozturk Arzu , Sozio Stephen M , Yousem David M 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Background and Purpose: Extracranial superficial temporal artery (STA) calcification is an unusual finding seen in patients with chronic kidney disease and has unknown ramifications with respect to intracranial ischemic disease. We sought to determine the association between the risk factors for vascular calcification and this rare phenomenon, in patients with chronic renal failure, and to assess the coexistence of cerebral ischemia. Materials and Methods: Medical records and laboratory data on risk factors for vascular calcification were retrospectively retrieved for 453 patients with a discharge diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). CT head examinations were reviewed to identify and associate STA calcification with 1) risk factors for the vascular calcification, 2) intracranial artery calcification, and 3) cerebral ischemia (white matter and/or cortical ischemic changes). Results: STA calcification was present in 9.9% (45/453) of the studied cohort. The prevalence of cerebral ischemia was 24.4% (11/45) in patients with STA calcification and 9.3% (38/408) in patients without it. Diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.059-6.208; P=0.037) was independently associated with the risk of STA calcification. The risk of cerebral ischemia, however, was not related to STA calcification (P=0.221). Conclusion: The presence of diabetes mellitus is important in describing the risk of STA calcification in patients with ESRD, whereas age, gender, hypertension, serum calcium, serum phosphate, or serum hemoglobin levels are not. The risk of cerebral ischemia is not related to STA calcification but has the strongest association with diabetes mellitus.
Tibial hemimelia in Langer–Giedion syndrome with 8q23.1‐q24.12 interstitial deletion
Authors: Carvalho Daniel Rocha , Santos Savana Camilla Lima , Oliveira Maria Dulce Valverde , Speck‐Martins Carlos Eduardo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractLanger–Giedion syndrome (LGS) (OMIM 150230) is defined as a contiguous gene syndrome caused by loss of functional copies of the TRPS1 and EXT1 genes usually secondary to 8q microdeletion. Tibial hemimelia (TH) is the least common lower limb deficiency characterized by hypoplasia of the tibia with relatively intact fibula. We describe the third report of LGS with bilateral TH and an 8q23.1‐q24.12 interstitial deletion. It is not possible to exclude that this association is fortuitous, but our report reinforces the suggestion of a putative gene involved in limb development in this chromosomal region interval. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of ptb knockout on butyric acid fermentation by Clostridium tyrobutyricum
Authors: Zhang Yali , Yu Mingrui , Yang Shang‐Tian 
Published: September 2011

AbstractClostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755 is an anaerobic, rod‐shaped, gram‐positive bacterium that produces butyrate, acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide from various saccharides, including glucose and xylose. Phosphotransbutyrylase (PTB) is a key enzyme in the butyric acid synthesis pathway. In this work, effects of ptb knockout by homologous recombination on metabolic flux and product distribution were investigated. When compared with the wild type, the activities of PTB and butyrate kinase in ptb knockout mutant decreased 76 and 42%, respectively; meanwhile, phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase increased 7 and 29%, respectively. However, ptb knockout did not significantly reduce butyric acid production from glucose or xylose in batch fermentations. Instead, it increased acetic acid and hydrogen production 33.3−53.8% and ∼11%, respectively. Thus, the ptb knockout did increase the carbon flux toward acetate synthesis, resulting in a significant decrease (28−35% reduction) in the butyrate/acetate ratio in ptb mutant fermentations. In addition, the mutant displayed a higher specific growth rate (0.20 h−1 vs. 0.15 h−1 on glucose and 0.14 h−1 vs. 0.10 h−1 on xylose) and tolerance to butyric acid. Consequently, batch fermentation with the mutant gave higher fermentation rate and productivities (26−48% increase for butyrate, 81−100% increase for acetate, and 38−46% increase for hydrogen). This mutant thus can be used more efficiently than the parental strain in fermentations to produce butyrate, acetate, and hydrogen from glucose and xylose. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Comparison of several mathematical models for describing the joint effect of temperature and ph on glucanex activity
Authors: Prieto Miguel Angel , Vázquez José Antonio , Murado Miguel Anxo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe aim of the present work was to evaluate with different statistical criteria the suitability of nine equations for describing and optimizing the simultaneous effect of temperature and pH on glucanex activity using two characteristic polysaccharides (curdlan and laminarin) as substrates. The most satisfactory solutions were found with an empirical equation constituted with parameters of practical interest (Rosso model), and a hybrid model between the Arrhenius equation and the mathematical expression generated by the protonation‐hydroxylation mechanism (Tijskens model). The joint optimal values of pH and temperature calculated with the Rosso model were obtained at 4.64 and 50°C with curdlan and 4.64 and 48°C using laminarin as substrate. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Synergistic effect of resveratrol and quercetin released from drug‐eluting polymer coatings for endovascular devices
Authors: Kleinedler James J. , Foley John D. , Alexander J. Steven , Roerig Sandra C. , Hebert Valeria Y. , Dugas Tammy R. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis study describes the development and evaluation of novel polymer films that provide controlled release of two vascular‐protective polyphenols for endovascular devices. Resveratrol (RESV) and quercetin (QUER) have antimigratory and antiproliferative actions on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), inhibit both platelet and inflammatory cell activation, and promote endothelial cell function. Our aim is to develop and characterize coatings that release these drugs within a therapeutic range. The most synergistic drug combination, as determined by isobolographic analysis, was incorporated into an arborescent poly(styrene–isobutylene–styrene) tri‐block polymer (arbIBS) and applied to stainless steel coupons using an electrospray process. Physical characterization of the resulting coating revealed a film featuring micro‐scale architecture consisting of drug‐containing domains. To determine drug‐mediated effects, vascular cells were exposed to coatings incorporating several loadings of RESV and QUER. Results from this study indicate that arbIBS exhibits no cytotoxicity, and that the films release RESV and QUER at therapeutic levels, dose‐dependently inhibiting macrophage activation, VSMC proliferation, and platelet stimulation. We conclude that RESV and QUER released from arbIBS interfere with key processes responsible for in‐stent stenosis, suggesting that RESV and QUER may have utility as therapeutics in a novel coating for device‐based interventions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Empirical taxonomy of refactoring methods for aspect‐oriented programming
Authors: Alshayeb Mohammad , Al‐Jamimi Hamdi , Elish Mahmoud O. 
Published: September 2011

SUMMARYRefactoring improves software quality by improving the design of existing code through changing its internal structure while preserving its behavior. Improving one quality attribute may impair other quality attributes. A number of refactoring methods were proposed specifically for aspect‐oriented systems. However, there are no guidelines to help aspect‐oriented software designer decide which refactoring methods to apply to optimize a software system with regard to certain design goals. In this paper, we propose a taxonomy/classification of refactoring methods for aspect‐oriented programming based on their measurable effect on software quality attributes using six open‐source aspect‐oriented software systems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct Reprogramming of Melanocytes to Neural Crest Stem-Like Cells by One Defined Factor
Authors: Zabierowski Susan E. , Baubet Valerie , Himes Benjamin , Li Ling , Fukunaga-kalabis Mizuho , Patel Sonal , McDaid Ronan , Guerra Matt , Gimotty Phyllis , Dahamne Nadia , Herlyn Meenhard 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Mouse and human somatic cells can either be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state or converted to another lineage with a combination of transcription factors suggesting that lineage commitment is a reversible process. Here we show that only one factor, the active intracellular form of Notch1, is sufficient to convert mature pigmented epidermal-derived melanocytes into functional multipotent neural crest (NC) stem-like cells. These induced NC stem cells (iNCSCs) proliferate as spheres under stem cell media conditions, re-express NC-related genes, and differentiate into multiple NC-derived mesenchymal and neuronal lineages. Moreover, iNCSCs are highly migratory and functional in vivo. These results demonstrate that mature melanocytes can be reprogrammed toward their primitive NC cell precursors through the activation of a single stem cell-related pathway. Reprogramming of melanocytes to iNCSCs may provide an alternate source of NCSCs for neuroregenerative applications.
Limbal Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells Attract Stromal Niche Cells by SDF-1/CXCR4 Signaling to Prevent Differentiation
Authors: Xie Hua-Tao , Chen Szu-Yu , Li Gui-Gang , Tseng Scheffer C.G. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Corneal epithelial stem cells (SCs) are an ideal model for investigating how adult lineage-committed epithelial SCs are regulated by an anatomically defined and accessible niche, that is, limbal palisades of Vogt, located between the cornea and the conjunctiva. We have used collagenase digestion to isolate the entire limbal epithelial SCs and subjacent mesenchymal cells, and we have demonstrated that their close association is crucial for promoting epithelial clonal growth, implying that the latter serves as niche cells (NCs). After their close association was disrupted by trypsin/EDTA, single SCs and NCs could reunite to generate sphere growth in three-dimensional Matrigel in the embryonic SC medium, and that such sphere growth initiated by SC–NC reunion was mediated by SDF-1 uniquely expressed by limbal epithelial progenitor cells and its receptor CXCR4, but not CXCR7, strongly expressed by limbal stromal NCs. Inhibition of CXCR4 by AMD3100 or a blocking antibody to CXCR4 but not CXCR7 disrupted their reunion and yielded separate spheres with a reduced size, while resultant epithelial spheres exhibited more corneal differentiation and a notable loss of holoclones. For the first time, these results provide strong evidence supporting that limbal SC function depends on close physical association with their native NCs via SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling. This novel in vitro model of sphere growth with NCs can be used for investigating how limbal SC self-renewal and fate decision might be regulated in the limbal niche.
Consumers can enhance ecosystem productivity and stability in changing environments
Authors: Fukui Shin , Miki Takeshi , Shimada Masakazu 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThere is increasing interest in the impacts of pulsed resource inputs (e.g., seasonal fluctuations in primary production) on ecosystem properties. However, theoretical models have focused on the ecosystem role of consumers only in stable environments. We investigated how the consumption rate affects ecosystem properties when resource supplies are pulsed using a simple model with numerical simulations. We initially investigated how primary production responds to resource supply shortages under various consumption rates and found that a vigorous consumer attenuates a rapid reduction in primary production. We next examined ecosystem properties under pulsed resource supplies. Intermediate consumption enhances primary production. The consumption rate that maximizes productivity differs for producers and consumers in a given resource supply environment, irrespective of the pattern of pulsation. The enhancement of primary production and the maximization of secondary production occur simultaneously in a stable environment but are not always the same when the resource supply is pulsed. We also investigated the variability of primary production and found that intermediate consumption rates reduce its coefficient of variation. In addition, we found that consumers with either very low or very high consumption rates are vulnerable to extinction when resource supplies are pulsed. Therefore, consumers with intermediate consumption rates contribute not only to the enhancement and stabilization of primary production but also to the stability of the consumer population itself.
The effects of rooting frequency and position of rooted ramets on plasticity and yield in a clonal species: an experimental study with Glechoma hederacea
Authors: Roiloa Sergio R. , Hutchings Michael J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractClonal plants produce numerous ramets that can be distributed over a considerable area. Resources are translocated between ramets, especially when they occupy microsites of different quality, or places where leaves or roots cannot be deployed. It is common for a proportion of the ramets of clones and clonal fragments to lack roots. We conducted a greenhouse study using clonal fragments of Glechoma hederacea to examine the effects of differences in the number and position of rooted ramets on yield and plasticity of clonal fragments. We hypothesized that (1) mass of roots and root mass ratio would increase as the number of rooted ramets decreased, (2) plasticity in rooted ramets would buffer the clonal fragment against reduction in yield as the number of rooted ramets declined, (3) ramet plasticity in response to the absence of rooting, and the beneficial effects of this plasticity, would be greater when older ramets were rooted. The same yield was achieved in clonal fragments with only one out of four ramets rooted as in clonal fragments with all four of their ramets rooted, regardless of whether rooting was confined to older or younger ramets. Plasticity in biomass allocated to roots was greater in older rooted ramets succeeded by unrooted ramets than in younger rooted ramets preceded by unrooted ramets. Modular plasticity, involving both direct responses to local conditions, and indirect responses to the conditions experienced by connected modules, buffered performance against variation in rooting ability, enabling clonal fragments to maintain their yield and lateral expansion even when a high proportion of their ramets lacked roots.
Devonian Ichnofossils from the Farakah Muth Section of the Pin Valley, Spiti Himalaya
Authors: Parcha S. K. , Pandey Shivani 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The Muth Formation is one of the most characteristic marker horizon traced throughout the northwestern Himalaya. The present studies were carried out in the Farakah Muth (Pin Valley) section of Spiti Basin. The formation uniformly consists of quartzarenite with a high textural and compositional maturity. The development of carbonate beds in the upper part of the Muth Formation separates it conformably from the overlying Lipak Formation. A variety of traces were observed throughout the succession, includes: Metaichna, Planolites, Skolithos, vertical and horizontal burrows. The presence of ichnofossils in the Muth Formation of the Farakah section indicates subtidal settings having soft sandy substrate, whereas, the gradual maturity of the quartz grains from base to top indicates deposition under high energy condition.