bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coupled Completion and Reservoir Simulation Technology for Well Performance Optimization
Authors: Grubert Marcel A. , Wan Jing , Ghai Sartaj S. , Livescu Silviu , Brown William P. , Long Ted A. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Ensuring long-term optimum completion performance is important for the economic development of any field. As fields are now developed with fewer wells and in more technically challenging environments, new technologies are required to provide guidance and quantify the impact of completion design. This paper presents a new methodology and workflow to optimize long-term well performance by coupling ExxonMobil's reservoir simulator and a detailed completions hydraulics simulator which models reservoir, wellbore tubing and wellbore annulus flow simultaneously. A case study indicates that unique completions opportunities are captured by using the modeling capabilities.
Completion strategies frequently include provisions to 1) maintain a uniform production profile along the wellbore, 2) manage future risks (early water or gas breakthrough) and mitigate the potential for sand production, and 3) improve reservoir recovery. In order to achieve these strategies, a proposed coupled well and reservoir simulation provides not only detailed information on the tubing and annulus flow and associated pressure drops in and throughout all completion types, but also the impact of completions on short and long term reservoir flow and recovery. The significance of this new coupled approach is its ability to capture both flow dynamics through various completion options and reservoir performance.
Application of Continuous Improvement Methods to the Petroleum Upstream Business
Authors: McCall John , Smart Peggy , McNeil Dale 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Imperial Oil has a strong history and culture of continuous improvement (CI). Historically the benefits seen from CI were less in the upstream business than in the downstream and other areas with resulting skepticism on the method validity for the resources business. In recent years, Imperial Oil has tested a more aggressive application of CI methods in upstream operations with positive results.
The technical methods for CI are broadly known. The approach taken at Imperial Oil Resources (IOR) was to develop the management techniques for CI initiatives. A project philosophy was used and processes were established for initiating, staffing, tracking and closing each initiative. Dedicated CI personnel were added and trained. Expectations were set for the delivery of results. Hindsight reviews have been established to verify the success of each effort.
The toolset used was expanded beyond the published Lean and Six Sigma methodologies. Methods were added, such as those used for improving the profitability of a target business segment and for assessing reliability issues that have been proven in other business functions. An examination of the challenges encountered by CI specialists indicated the need for additional training in leading and influencing others. Project teams have also been assembled with experts external to Imperial Oil's upstream business using company staff from other business lines. Skills have been developed in engaging suppliers, contractors and regulatory agencies in IOR's projects.
Positive results have been realized in a broad array of areas. Maintenance improvements, general operating cost reductions, energy efficiencies, environmental impact and volume improvements have been achieved in existing conventional and unconventional operations at surface facilities, plants, well servicing and support functions. In the second year of operation, the CI program at IOR implemented projects that will provide over 30 million dollars per year in ongoing financial benefits. In addition significant benefits were realized from the application of these methods to reduce operating costs in a planned oil sands mining project. Active projects are expanding efforts into other areas such as drilling.
A Technique for Averaging Matrix-Fracture Fluid Transfer Rates for Multiple Displacement Processes in a Naturally Fractured Reservoir Model
Authors: Eccles T. K. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
A common method of modeling naturally fractured reservoirs is a dual porosity approach that uses two identical grids superimposed on each other. Porosity in one grid represents pore space within matrix rock. In the other it represents fracture space between blocks of matrix rock. Fluid transfer rates between corresponding fracture and matrix grid nodes due to capillary pressure and gravity effects are determined from the results of independent simulations that model displacement of fluids in the matrix by fluids from the fracture.
This paper presents details of a technique for averaging results of these independent simulations when multiple displacement processes are expected in the reservoir. Motivation came from the need to model a naturally fractured field in which water was first injected below the oil zone in a peripheral waterflood. At the end of the waterflood, gas was injected at the top of the oil zone as the second part of a double displacement process. Fluids in the matrix rock were expected to be displaced by fluids from the fracture network with the following processes: water displacing oil, oil displacing water, and gas displacing oil and water.
Successful Subsea Interventions in North Sea Beryl Field
Authors: Lonnes Steve , Williams Bruce , Burleson Sheldon 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Effective management of subsea assets requires diligent focus on key performance areas such as productivity improvement, hydrocarbon recovery efficiency, production preservation, and well integrity. Common to all of these key areas is a need to perform periodic interventions on the asset's subsea wells to carry out performance-critical work, e.g., well servicing/repair, production enhancement, reserve additions, and surveillance. Well intervention services on subsea wells have been conventionally performed using large and expensive Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs). In the North Sea, ship-based light well intervention (LWI) services offer a lower cost solution to conventional MODU based intervention services by using dynamic positioning over the wells and deploying a subsea BOP stack plus fixed-length lubricator that connects as a self-contained unit to the subsea tree. Tools are conveyed on wireline/slickline from the vessel through the open sea into the self-contained subsea lubricator/BOP stack.
While these LWI services are lower cost, there are more physical and functional limitations that can result in additional technical challenges. One such challenge was encountered when ExxonMobil was evaluating its first LWI on a 5-1/8" × 2" spool/horizontal tree. The target was to pressure test the full TRT/BOP/lubricator stack-up, deploy the pressure tested system as a single unit, and establish hydraulic control of the tree such that separate emergency disconnect devices were not required beyond what was integral to the vessel's proven BOP/lubricator equipment. To achieve this end, ExxonMobil performed quantitative risk analysis on three viable equipment stack-up configurations to determine the safest and lowest cost approach for connecting to its spool/horizontal tree while honoring the 44 ton lifting limits of the particular LWI vessel. The results of this analysis showed that the equipment configuration that was statistically the safest was also the simplest and lowest cost option. Based on the analysis, ExxonMobil modified an 18-3/4" hub style connector for connection between the subsea tree and the vessel's BOP/lubricator and developed a flying stab plate deployment approach, with umbilical slack management, to facilitate stabplate make-up for hydraulic tree control from the vessel. The flying stabplate umbilical leveraged the vessel's BOP/lubricator emergency disconnect to further simplify the system and improve safety. The system has been used twice since development and both deployments were successful.
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria of Cotton Affecting the Developmental Stages of Helicoverpa Armigera
Authors: Vijayasamundeeswari Ayyathurai , Ladhalakshmi Duraisamy , Sankaralingam Ambalavanan , Samiyappan Ramasamy 
Published: October 2009

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria of Cotton Affecting the Developmental Stages ofHelicoverpa ArmigeraRhizobacteria isolated from cotton roots exhibiting antagonism towards seedling blight and leaf blight of cotton were tested for their efficiency against the insect pest American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). The bioformulation developed usingBacillus subtilis(isolate DGL9) + chitin was found to be detrimental to the developmental stages ofH. armigera(larva, pupa and adult) by causing larval mortality, pupal and adult malformation with reduced adult emergence. Generally, the larvae exhibited antifeeding behaviour when fed on bolls collected from rhizobacterial treatments. Hence, the developmental stages were altered leading to early pupation. Further, the efficacy of the isolate DGL9 was confirmed by culturing the bacteria in a suitable medium and incorporating the cell suspension and supernatant obtained form the broth culture in larval diet. The larvae fed to the diet exhibited defective developmental stages which was more significant in case of diet incorporated with supernatant. The percentage of pupal malformation, adult emergence and adult malformation was high at 96 h of incubation with the supernatant.
Measuring and Modeling Crop Loss of Wheat Caused by Septoria Leaf Blotch in Seven Cultivars and Lines in Iran
Authors: Mojerlou Shideh , Safaie Naser , Alizadeh Azizollah , Khelghatibana Fatemeh 
Published: October 2009

Measuring and Modeling Crop Loss of Wheat Caused by Septoria Leaf Blotch in Seven Cultivars and Lines in IranSeptoria leaf blotch caused bySeptoria tritici, is one of the most important diseases of wheat worldwide including Iran. To determine yield reduction caused by this disease in Golestan province, field experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with four replications and five wheat cvs. Tajan, Zagros, Shiroodi, Koohdasht, Shanghai and two lines N-80-6 and N-80-19 at Gorgan Research Station. Artificial inoculation was performed using spore suspension at three growth stages (Zadoks scale) including tillering (GS 37), stem elongation (GS 45) and flag leaf opening (GS 53). Control plots were sprayed with water. In this study, the 1 000 kernel weight (TKW), grain yield and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) during growth season were measured. Statistical analysis showed that the levels of yield reduction was different in various studied wheat cultivars and lines and was reduced by 30 to 50%. The highest losses were observed for cvs. Zagros and Tajan with 48.86% and 47.41% of grain yield reduction, respectively. There was a positive correlation between grain yield reduction and AUDPC. The results of crop loss modelling using integral and multiple point regression models showed that the integral model (L = 1230.91+1.37AUDPC) in which AUDPC and crop loss percentages were independent and dependent variables, respectively, could explain more than 95% of AUDPC variations in relation to crop loss in all cultivars in two years. In the study of integral model for each cultivar, cv. Shiroodi showed the highest fitness. In multiple point models, disease severity at various dates was considered as independent variables and crop loss percentage as dependent variable. This model with the highest coefficient of determination had the best fitness for crop loss estimation. Besides, the results showed that the disease severity at GS37, GS53 and GS91 stages (Zadok's scale) was more important for crop loss prediction than that in other phenological stages.
Effect of Gamma Radiation on Growth and Development of Rust Red Flour Beetle Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst.)
Authors: Tandon Shishir , Singh Anuradha , Kanaujia Sudha 
Published: October 2009

Effect of Gamma Radiation on Growth and Development of Rust Red Flour BeetleTribolium Castaneum(Herbst.)Study on the sterilizing and lethal effects of Cobalt-60 gamma radiation on the larval and adult stages of rust red flour beetleTribolium castaneum(Herbst.) was done at 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, 100, 150, 300 and 500 gray (Gy). Irradiation severely affected pupal period, pupal formation and survivability of larvae and adults. The developmental period of the pest was found to increase along with the increase in the radiation doses. The irradiation at 70 Gy was found to cause complete sterility in the insect.
Toxicity of Imidacloprid and Diafenthiuron to Chrysoperla Carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in the Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Preetha Gnanadhas , Stanley Johnson , Chandrasekaran Thiagarajan , Kuttalam Sasthakutty 
Published: October 2009

Toxicity of Imidacloprid and Diafenthiuron toChrysoperla Carnea(Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in the Laboratory ConditionsInsecticides are unavoidable in pest management programs especially when the pest crosses Econimic Threshold Level (ETL). Nevertheless, often the plant protection products kill the natural enemy population making the pest to resurge and thus demanding more sprays. Therefore, insecticides used in IPM programs should be selective enough to spare the beneficials. Laboratory studies were conducted to find out the toxicity of imidacloprid and diafenthiuron to the eggs, larvae and adults ofChrysoperla carnea.Imidacloprid at the recommended dose of 0.28 ml/l caused 15.38% egg mortality, 26.67 and 33.33% larval mortality by ingestion and contact, respectively and 50.00% adult mortality. The egg mortality was about 15.38% and larval mortality of 23.33% and adult mortality of 26.67% was caused by diafenthiuron. Based on the classification given by IOBC/WPRS working group on Pesticides and non-target invertebrates, both the insecticides were classified as harmless toC. carnea, since the recommended dose caused less than 50% mortality in the laboratory conditions.
Regional Marketing to Change Regional Images: The Example of the Groningen Province Campaign
Authors: Pellenbarg Pieter H. , Meester Wilhelm J. 
Published: October 2009

An important element in the urban and regional development strategy of many local and regional governments is geographical marketing. The process of geographical marketing combines promotional, spatial and organisational activities, and can be aimed at various groups.
From 1989 onwards, the province of Groningen, in the northern part of the Netherlands, has pursued such a geographical marketing campaign. This campaign, which is still being carried on, has used various means of communication: advertisements in newspapers and magazines, and radio and television commercials. It has been aimed at entrepreneurs and at the general public as well.
An ex ante study of the public image of Groningen was carried out in 1988, before the start of the campaign. For this purpose, a random sample of the Dutch population was inquired by telephone. Since then, similar inquiries were carried out every 2 years, in order to measure the ‘effects’ of the campaign. In these inquiries, the image of the provinces of Friesland and Noord- Brabant (considered as ‘competitors’ in the place marketing arena) was measured along with that of Groningen, and used for reference. The data set now reaches up to the year 2005. The availability of this kind of data for a period of 17 years, measured at regular intervals, provides a unique opportunity to study the development of regional images through time, and to find suggestions for the best possible way to continue the marketing campaign.
In this paper, the data of the inquiries will be analysed. The first question to be answered in the paper relates to the pace and the nature of the changes in image, observed in all three provinces. The second research question specifically deals with the influence of the marketing campaign on the image of Groningen.
Bilateral deep brain stimulation for treatment of medically refractory paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia
Authors: Kaufman Christian B. , Mink Jonathan W. , Schwalb Jason M. 
Published: October 2009

The authors present the case of a 26-year-old man with a 10–15-year history of worsening bilateral dystonia and baseline chorea occurring up to 20 times per day that was exacerbated by stress and anxiety and was refractory to medical management. Paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia was diagnosed, which is a rare, hyperkinetic movement disorder that is episodic and does not respond to nonbenzodiazepine antiepileptics. The patient was significantly debilitated by his disease, lived in a group home, and suffered from frequent falls, necessitating the wearing of a protective helmet and face mask at all times.
The patient underwent implantation of bilateral deep brain stimulation quadripolar electrodes in the globus pallidus internus with the aid of image-guided stereotactic neurosurgery and microelectrode recording without complication.
At his 1-month postoperative follow-up, the patient reported a subjective 90% improvement in his symptoms; the only notable side effect was a slight increased slurring in his baseline dysarthria. Objective reporting and recording forms maintained by the patient's caretakers over the following 18 months suggested a significant and sustained improvement in his overall balance, ambulation, and gross motor function with a substantial decrease in the incidence of reported falls.
The authors conclude that pallidal deep brain stimulation may be successfully applied to patients suffering from refractory paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia with promising results. This treatment strategy deserves further prospective investigation, clinical consideration, and refinement.
Elevated Levels of Select Gangliosides in T Cells from Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Is Associated with T Cell Dysfunction
Authors: Biswas Soumika , Biswas Kaushik , Richmond Amy , Ko Jennifer , Ghosh Sankar , Simmons Matthew , Rayman Patricia , Rini Brian , Gill Inderbir , Tannenbaum Charles S. , Finke James H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIncreased expression of gangliosides by different tumor types including renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is thought to contribute to the immune suppression observed in cancer patients. In this study, we report an increase in apoptotic T cells from RCC patients compared with T cells from normal donors that coincided with the detection of T cells staining positive for GM2 and that the apoptosis was predominantly observed in the GM2+ but not the GM2− T cell population. Ganglioside shedding from tumor rather than endogenous production accounts for GM2+ T cells since there was no detectable level of mRNA for GM2 synthase in RCC patient T cells and in T cells from normal healthy donors after incubation with either purified GM2 or supernatant from RCC cell lines despite their staining positive for GM2. Moreover, reactive oxygen species as well as activated caspase 3, 8, and 9 were predominantly elevated in GM2+ but not GM2− T cells. Similarly, increased staining for GD2 and GD3 but not GD1a was detected with patient T cells with elevated levels of apoptosis in the GD2+ and GD3+ cells. These findings suggest that GM2, GD2, and GD3 play a significant role in immune dysfunction observed in RCC patient T cells.
PU.1 Regulates TCR Expression by Modulating GATA-3 Activity
Authors: Chang Hua-Chen , Han Ling , Jabeen Rukhsana , Carotta Sebastian , Nutt Stephen L. , Kaplan Mark H. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
The Ets transcription factor PU.1 is a master regulator for the development of multiple lineages during hematopoiesis. The expression pattern of PU.1 is dynamically regulated during early T lineage development in the thymus. We previously revealed that PU.1 delineates heterogeneity of effector Th2 populations. In this study, we further define the function of PU.1 on the Th2 phenotype using mice that specifically lack PU.1 in T cells using an lck-Cre transgene with a conditional Sfpi1 allele (Sfpi1lck−/−). Although deletion of PU.1 by the lck-Cre transgene does not affect T cell development, Sfpi1lck−/− T cells have a lower activation threshold than wild-type T cells. When TCR engagement is limiting, Sfpi1lck−/− T cells cultured in Th2 polarizing conditions secrete higher levels of Th2 cytokines and have greater cytokine homogeneity than wild-type cells. We show that PU.1 modulates the levels of TCR expression in CD4+ T cells by regulating the DNA-binding activity of GATA-3 and limiting GATA-3 regulation of TCR gene expression. GATA-3-dependent regulation of TCR expression is also observed in Th1 and Th2 cells. In CD4+ T cells, PU.1 expression segregates into subpopulations of cells that have lower levels of surface TCR, suggesting that PU.1 contributes to the heterogeneity of TCR expression. Thus, we have identified a mechanism whereby increased GATA-3 function in the absence of the antagonizing activity of PU.1 leads to increased TCR expression, a reduced activation threshold, and increased homogeneity in Th2 populations.
Functionally Mature CD4 and CD8 TCRαβ Cells Are Generated in OP9-DL1 Cultures from Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Cells
Authors: Van Coppernolle Stefanie , Verstichel Greet , Timmermans Frank , Velghe Imke , Vermijlen David , De Smedt Magda , Leclercq Georges , Plum Jean , Taghon Tom , Vandekerckhove Bart , Kerre Tessa 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
Human CD34+ hematopoietic precursor cells cultured on delta-like ligand 1 expressing OP9 (OP9-DL1) stromal cells differentiate to T lineage cells. The nature of the T cells generated in these cultures has not been studied in detail. Since these cultures do not contain thymic epithelial cells which are the main cell type mediating positive selection in vivo, generation of conventional helper CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ TCRαβ cells is not expected. Phenotypically mature CD27+CD1− TCRγδ as well as TCRαβ cells were generated in OP9-DL1 cultures. CD8 and few mature CD4 single-positive TCRαβ cells were observed. Mature CD8 single-positive cells consisted of two subpopulations: one expressing mainly CD8αβ and one expressing CD8αα dimers. TCRαβ CD8αα and TCRγδ cells both expressed the IL2Rβ receptor constitutively and proliferated on IL-15, a characteristic of unconventional T cells. CD8αβ+ and CD4+ TCRαβ cells were unresponsive to IL-15, but could be expanded upon TCR stimulation as mature CD8αβ+ and CD4+ T cells. These T cells had the characteristics of conventional T cells: CD4+ cells expressed ThPOK, CD40L, and high levels of IL-2 and IL-4; CD8+ cells expressed Eomes, Runx3, and high levels of granzyme, perforin, and IFN-γ. Induction of murine or human MHC class I expression on OP9-DL1 cells had no influence on the differentiation of mature CD8+ cells. Similarly, the presence of dendritic cells was not required for the generation of mature CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. These data suggest that positive selection of these cells is induced by interaction between T precursor cells.
Cutting Edge: Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cells Infiltrating Prostatic Tumors Are Induced to Become Suppressor Cells
Authors: Shafer-Weaver Kimberly A. , Anderson Michael J. , Stagliano Katherine , Malyguine Anatoli , Greenberg Norman M. , Hurwitz Arthur A. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
We previously reported that naive, tumor-specific CD8+ (TcR-I) T cells transferred into prostate tumor-bearing mice traffic to the prostate where they become tolerized. We now report that TcR-I cells suppress the proliferation of naive T cells. This suppression is mediated at least in part by secreted factors, and the suppressive activity can be blocked by Abs directed against TGF-β. We further report that TcR-I cells must infiltrate the prostate to acquire suppressive activity. Delivery of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells prevents the conversion of TcR-I cells into suppressor cells. Taken together, our findings may have critical implications for sustaining T cell responsiveness during immunotherapy, as the development of suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment may eliminate the potency of T cells primed in the periphery or delivered during adoptive immunotherapy.