bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Successful Exploitation of Khuff-B Low Permeability Gas Condensate Reservoir through Optimized Development Strategy
Authors: Rahim Zillur , Al-Anazi Hamoud , Al-Kanaan Adnan , Aziz Azly Abdul 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Khuff-B and Khuff-C are the two carbonate reservoirs in the SA-1 field discovered in 1980 with the drilling of exploratory well SA-A. Production from Khuff-B began in December 1983 when a second well was drilled and both were put onstream. The development of Khuff-B was minimal until two years back and only nine stand-alone wells were exclusively completed in this reservoir at that time. Three of these nine wells were actually tied-in to the gas plant. Few other wells were combined Khuff-B/Khuff-C producers. In the commingled producers, Khuff-B’s contribution is significant only in areas where Khuff-C is of relatively poorer quality. The dominant production is generally from Khuff-C reservoir.
A large area is currently within Khuff-B reservoir boundaries with only few producing wells. The development of this vast area is required to meet the increased gas demand. Accurate evaluation of Khuff-B to ascertain reservoir potential and deliverability is of utmost importance. This paper evaluates the Khuff-B reservoir in the SA-1 field and proposes an optimal development plan to effectively deplete its reserves.
Based on detailed analyses, the Khuff-B area has been divided into three regions, namely AREA-1, AREA-2 and AREA-3: The good, moderate, and challenging low quality, tight reservoir. The average production rates from those areas vary between 5 and 50 MMSCFD. The optimal drilling plan in the low quality, low productivity area consists of identifying the productive layer through a slanted pilot hole followed by drilling an extended lateral to attain maximum reservoir contact. A second lateral can also be drilled in special cases where more than one developed layer is encountered in the pilot hole. This development approach also allows placing the production lateral much above the gas-water contact to avoid any future water production or influx. The strategy is promising, has already been implemented in the field, and the results have confirmed a high production, water-free gas rate from the Khuff-B interval.
NOX2 Deficiency Protects Against Streptozotocin-Induced β-Cell Destruction and Development of Diabetes in Mice
Authors: Xiang Fu-Li , Lu Xiangru , Strutt Brenda , Hill David J. , Feng Qingping 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
The role of NOX2-containing NADPH oxidase in the development of diabetes is not fully understood. We hypothesized that NOX2 deficiency decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and immune response and protects against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced β-cell destruction and development of diabetes in mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Five groups of mice—wild-type (WT), NOX2−/−, WT treated with apocynin, and WT adoptively transferred with NOX2−/− or WT splenocytes—were treated with multiple-low-dose STZ. Blood glucose and insulin levels were monitored, and an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed. Isolated WT and NOX2−/− pancreatic islets were treated with cytokines for 48 h.

RESULTS
Significantly lower blood glucose levels, higher insulin levels, and better glucose tolerance was observed in NOX2−/− mice and in WT mice adoptively transferred with NOX2−/− splenocytes compared with the respective control groups after STZ treatment. Compared with WT, β-cell apoptosis, as determined by TUNEL staining, and insulitis were significantly decreased, whereas β-cell mass was significantly increased in NOX2−/− mice. In response to cytokine stimulation, ROS production was significantly decreased, and insulin secretion was preserved in NOX2−/− compared with WT islets. Furthermore, proinflammatory cytokine release induced by concanavalin A was significantly decreased in NOX2−/− compared with WT splenocytes.

CONCLUSIONS
NOX2 deficiency decreases β-cell destruction and preserves islet function in STZ-induced diabetes by reducing ROS production, immune response, and β-cell apoptosis.
MafA and MafB Regulate Genes Critical to β-Cells in a Unique Temporal Manner
Authors: Artner Isabella , Hang Yan , Mazur Magdalena , Yamamoto Tsunehiko , Guo Min , Lindner Jill , Magnuson Mark A. , Stein Roland 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Several transcription factors are essential to pancreatic islet β-cell development, proliferation, and activity, including MafA and MafB. However, MafA and MafB are distinct from others in regard to temporal and islet cell expression pattern, with β-cells affected by MafB only during development and exclusively by MafA in the adult. Our aim was to define the functional relationship between these closely related activators to the β-cell.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The distribution of MafA and MafB in the β-cell population was determined immunohistochemically at various developmental and perinatal stages in mice. To identify genes regulated by MafB, microarray profiling was performed on wild-type and MafB−/− pancreata at embryonic day 18.5, with candidates evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The potential role of MafA in the expression of verified targets was next analyzed in adult islets of a pancreas-wide MafA mutant (termed MafAΔPanc).

RESULTS
MafB was produced in a larger fraction of β-cells than MafA during development and found to regulate potential effectors of glucose sensing, hormone processing, vesicle formation, and insulin secretion. Notably, expression from many of these genes was compromised in MafAΔPanc islets, suggesting that MafA is required to sustain expression in adults.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide insight into the sequential manner by which MafA and MafB regulate islet β-cell formation and maturation.
Impact of A1C Screening Criterion on the Diagnosis of Pre-Diabetes Among U.S. Adults
Authors: Mann Devin M. , Carson April P. , Shimbo Daichi , Fonseca Vivian , Fox Caroline S. , Muntner Paul 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
New clinical practice recommendations include A1C as an alternative to fasting glucose as a diagnostic test for identifying pre-diabetes. The impact of these new recommendations on the diagnosis of pre-diabetes is unknown.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2006 (n = 7,029) were analyzed to determine the percentage and number of U.S. adults without diabetes classified as having pre-diabetes by the elevated A1C (5.7–6.4%) and by the impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dl) criterion separately. Test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values) using IFG as the reference standard were calculated.

RESULTS
The prevalence of pre-diabetes among U.S. adults was 12.6% by the A1C criterion and 28.2% by the fasting glucose criterion. Only 7.7% of U.S. adults, reflecting 61 and 27% of those with pre-diabetes by A1C and fasting glucose, respectively, had pre-diabetes according to both definitions. A1C used alone would reclassify 37.6 million Americans with IFG to not having pre-diabetes and 8.9 million without IFG to having pre-diabetes (46.5 million reclassified). Using IFG as the reference standard, pre-diabetes by the A1C criterion has 27% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 61% positive predictive value, and 77% negative predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS
Using A1C as the pre-diabetes criterion would reclassify the pre-diabetes diagnosis of nearly 50 million Americans. It is imperative that clinicians and health systems understand the differences and similarities in using A1C or IFG in diagnosis of pre-diabetes.
Genetic diversity of avian blood parasites in SE Europe: Cytochrome b lineages of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus (Haemosporida) from Bulgaria
Authors: Dimitrov Dimitar , Zehtindjiev Pavel , Bensch Staffan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe used a nested PCR protocol to examine the genetic diversity of cytochrome b (cyt b) lineages from blood parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus in birds in Bulgaria. In total, 460 birds of 43 species and 14 families (mostly passerines) were examined for the presence of infections. Of them, 267 were recognised as infected with haemosporidian parasites. Mixed infections were recorded in 24 individuals (9%). Besides the 24 individuals with mix infections, 114 (43%) were positive for Plasmodium spp. and 129 (48%) for Haemoproteus spp. We identified 52 genetic lineages of haemosporidian parasites: 38 of Haemoproteus and 14 of Plasmodium. Twelve new cyt b lineages of Haemoproteus were recorded; they occurred in the following hosts: grey-faced woodpecker (Picus canus), golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus), jay (Garrulus glandarius), barred warbler (Sylvia nisoria), song thrush (Turdus philomelos), spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), spanish sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis), hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes), and cirl bunting (Emberiza cirlus). We also detected 22 new host records for previously known lineages. The most common lineage was SGS1 (Plasmodium relictum), which had a total prevalence of 14% and occurred in 8 host species belonging to 5 families. Three of the cyt b lineages of genus Haemoproteus (DURB1, DURB2 and SYNIS2) showed more than 5% divergence from all described morphologically lineages. These lineages probably represent at least 2 different morphospecies which remains to be identified.
Ephemeral gully erosion from agricultural regions in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Authors: Barber Michael , Mahler Robert 
Published: July 2010

Ephemeral gully erosion from agricultural regions in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Soil erosion continues to be problematic financially and environmentally with the USEPA ranking sediment as one of the top ten pollutants of concern in the USA. One aspect of erosion often overlooked is the role of ephemeral gullies in terms of quantity of sediment produced and amount exported to nearby waterways. Current physically-based and empirical models are inadequate for predicting this type of erosion particularly at the watershed scale. A new methodology for predicting the quantity and location of sediment delivery was developed and tested via a case study. Aerial ephemeral gully erosion rates varied from 33.6 mton/km2 (0.15 U.S. tons/acre) in the Big Bear Creek basin to 88.4 mton/km2 (0.39 U.S. tons/acre) in the Middle Potlatch Creek basin representing 2.3 to 7.7% of the total surface sediment load. This information was used to develop a predictive Erosion Potential Index (EPI) that uses LANDSAT aerial imagery combined with readily available soils information and a digital elevation model to identify the most probably locations of ephemeral gully development. High resolution aerial imagery was used to quantify actual ephemeral gully locations which were then compared to the EPI predicted locations to verify the procedure. High resolution aerial imagery was also used to quantify the amounts of soil erosion from ephemeral gullies in basins of the Potlatch River system.
The role of thaumatin II in cucumber resistance against Tetranychus urticae Koch: laboratory and greenhouse evaluation
Authors: Kiełkiewicz Małgorzata , Czarnecka Małgorzata , Orzechowski Sławomir , Szwacka Maria 
Published: July 2010

The role of thaumatin II in cucumber resistance against Tetranychus urticae Koch: laboratory and greenhouse evaluation
The role of thaumatin II in the resistance of transgenic cucumber plants of the T6 generation against the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) (Tetranychus urticae C. L. Koch 1836, Acari: Tetranychidae) was determined in greenhouse experiments evaluating: (1) mite behaviour towards cucumber lines (T224 09, T212 01, T210 06) differing in the level of thaumatin II expression, (2) mite reproductive capacity, (3) mite colonisation ability, and (4) mite leaf damage. Additionally, using Western blot, the presence of thaumatin II in leaves of transgenic cucumber plants of the T6 generation was analysed before and after TSSM feeding. Even plants with a relatively high leaf thaumatin II level (T224 09 and T212 01) were equally well accepted by TSSM in a ‘free-choice’ test, which excludes thaumatin II as an important factor in the process of host plant acceptance. However, a reduced fecundity of mite females and a lower, than in the control, number of mites found in the period of permanent feeding on thaumatin-rich plants, indicate a putative role of thaumatin II in the plant-mite interactions. The lack of a clear relationship between the level of thaumatin II and plant resistance to TSSM may be a sign that thaumatin II is not a direct factor involved in antibiosis. In response to TSSM, the thaumatin II content decreases, increases, or remains unchanged in mite-infested leaves, which excludes thaumatin II as being directly involved in induced defence.
Variation of selected morphological characters of the cave mite Oribella cavatica Kunst, 1962 (Acari, Oribatida)
Authors: Żbikowska-Zdun Krystyna , Piksa Krzysztof , Smaczyńska Anna 
Published: July 2010

Variation of selected morphological characters of the cave mite Oribella cavatica Kunst, 1962 (Acari, Oribatida)
Two populations of Oribella cavatica were examined. The mites were isolated from bat guano collected in February 2006 in Zbójecka Cave in Mount Łopień and in the cave Czarci Dół, which are situated in the Beskid Wyspowy Mountains, within the Flysch Carpathians in southern Poland. Coefficients of variation of body length and width, lamella length, and sensillus length of this species under stenotopic conditions were compared with those of two eurytopic species. The stable variation of sensillus length of O. cavatica, like differences in the variation of Heminothrus peltifer in various soil habitats, may have bioindicative significance.
Luminescence of Fe-substituted ZnWO4 powders synthesized by aqueous solution reaction
Authors: He H. Y. , Huang J. F. , Cao L. Y. , Wu J. P. , Chen P. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Fe-substituted ZnWO4 as a possibleopticalmaterialhas someinteresting properties. We report a comparison of luminescence properties of pure ZnWO4 and Zn0.99Fe0.01WO4 powders synthesized with aqueous salt metathesis reaction in this work. The experimental results indicated that the Fe-substitution results in decreases in the crystallinity and grain size. In comparison with the pure ZnWO4, the Zn0.99Fe0.01WO4 powder shows a small intensity of blue-green emission band, significantly smaller intensity of emission peaks at longer wavelength, large half-widths of the emission bands, and a red emission band at a range of 590–680 nm. The results clearly indicate that the red emission band is related to the Fe3+ cation.
Insulation properties of bricks made with cotton and textile ash wastes
Authors: Binici Hanifi , Gemci Remzi , Aksogan Orhan , Kaplan Hasan 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Huge amounts of cotton and textile ash waste are disposed of by countries all over the world. The majority of cotton wastes and textile ash wastes is expelled in such a way as to cause serious environmental problems. The present study involves experimental research investigating the potential use of cotton and textile ash wastes combination for producing a new and lightweight composite building material with good insulation properties. The results showed that the cotton and textile ash waste bricks fulfill the compressive strength and heat conductivity requirements of the ASTM and Turkish Standards. A cotton and textile ash waste brick house has been found to be superior to a concrete brick house for regulating indoor temperatures. The production process can be easily applied in conventional brick plants. The product is a light weight composite which can be used for making bricks and wall and ceiling panels with good insulation properties.
Effects of homogenizing and aging treatments on the microstructure and microhardness of an Nb-silicide based ultrahigh temperature alloy
Authors: Guo Haisheng , Guo Xiping 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
To investigate the effects of homogenizing and aging treatments on the microstructure and microhardness of an Nb-silicide based ultrahigh temperature alloy, coupons were homogenized at 1 300–1 600°C for 50 h, and then aged at 1 100°C for 50 h. The results show that the phase constituents of the heat-treated alloys are still Nb solid solution and silicides, α-(Nb,X)5Si3 phase forms after heat-treatments at temperatures above 1 500°C. With the increase in heat-treatment temperature, the original big polygonal and plate-like silicides gradually break into small ones, and the amounts of retained typical lamellar and rod-like eutectic colonies reduce clearly. The variation of partitioning ratios of alloying elements between Nb solid solution and silicides causes the change in microhardness of the alloy. 1 500°C/50 h + 1 100°C/50 h is an optimum heat-treatment process.
Experimental investigation and thermodynamic prediction of the Ga–Sb–Sn phase equilibria
Authors: Manasijević Dragan , Minić Duško , Živković Dragana , Talijan Nadežda , Živković Živan 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Optimized thermodynamic data, successfully used for phase diagram calculations of constitutive binary systems, were used for prediction of phase equilibria in the ternary Ga–Sb–Sn system. The projection of the liquidus surface, invariant equilibria and three vertical sections with molar ratios Sb:Sn = 1, Ga:Sn = 1 and Ga:Sb = 1 of the Ga–Sb–Sn ternary system were calculated using the CALPHAD method. Alloys, situated along three selected vertical sections, were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The experimental phase equilibria data from this work and literature were compared with calculation results.
Simulation-based study of the compensation coil method applied to ferrite nanometric powders
Authors: Osaci Mihaela , Cunţan Corina , Panoiu Caius 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
The magnetic materials studied most by current international projects are based on ultrafine particles, in solid or liquid matrix. In order to design a good magnetic material based on nanoparticles, it is required to know their magnetic properties. Magnetic measurements represent a relatively difficult area of electrical engineering. In order to find the magnetic properties of nanometric magnetic powders, it is very difficult to use a traditional measurement method (e.g. using a toroidal coil). In this case, it is advisable to use compensation methods. In this paper, we present a study, based on simulation, of the compensation coil installation used to obtain the magnetisation curve of the ferrite nanometric powders of NiZn to 50 Hz. The experimental installation consists of a magnetisation circuit with two identical coils, connected in opposition, and a secondary circuit used to compensate the voltages induced in the identical probe coils, without sample. The parameters for which we obtain good secondary circuit compensation are simulated by the Electronics Workbench program – version Multisim 8.
Towards Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Enhanced Oil Recovery in Offshore Newfoundland, Canada
Authors: Thomas Brandon George , Iliyas Abduljelil , Johansen Thormod Ekely , Hawboldt Kelly , Khan Faisal 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
A consortium of university-industry researchers are developing sustainable and environmentally friendly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology for oil fields off the east coast of Newfoundland, Canada. This paper is foundational work on potential implementation of air and flue gas injection techniques. The paper discusses reservoir and facility considerations of air and flue gas injection and provides recommendations for project evaluation. The paper presents screening level results for Husky Energy's White Rose Field as a case study.
Newfoundland offshore fields contain light oil (30-37 oAPI, 0.5-0.8 cP) making the fields potential targets for gas based EOR. However, with the oil fields located 310-350 km off the coast, availability of injection gas and logistical problems present barriers to EOR. Air injection has the advantages of an unlimited supply of injectant, success in laboratory and field applications, years of safe operation, and potential for an estimated 10% incremental oil recovery in waterflooded reservoirs. The challenges toward implementation of both techniques considering field characteristics and infrastructure are discussed along with practical solutions to aid implementation.
The evaluation of sustainable and environmentally friendly EOR technologies is inline with long-term regulatory requirement and is timely as oil production from existing fields is beginning to decline. Moreover, with only 3 of over 20 discovered fields off the coast of Newfoundland currently developed, the conclusions and recommendations may also be valuable in the near future for evaluation of EOR techniques for the remote fields offshore Newfoundland.

Introduction
When evaluating the potential for enhanced oil recovery offshore Newfoundland, two key themes must be addressed;Is the process suitable for the reservoir properties and reservoir fluids?Is the process suitable for implementation offshore?
The challenges of implementing enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in an offshore environment are much greater than in an equivalent onshore field (Bondor et al., 2005). While EOR processes tend to be reservoir and reservoir fluid specific, the project must be commercially feasible within the high cost offshore environment. Beyond normal offshore conditions, Newfoundland's offshore oil fields occur in one of the harshest offshore environments in the world, with severe weather and ice encroachment for long periods during the spring and summer.
The two enhanced oil recovery techniques discussed within this document are high pressure air injection (HPAI) and flue gas injection. Both processes supply additional energy to the reservoir by the injection of non-hydrocarbon gases with the aim of recovering incremental oil.