bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Summary Report on the Graded Prognostic Assessment: An Accurate and Facile Diagnosis-Specific Tool to Estimate Survival for Patients With Brain Metastases
Authors: Sperduto Paul W. , Kased Norbert , Roberge David , Xu Zhiyuan , Shanley Ryan , Luo Xianghua , Sneed Penny K. , Chao Samuel T. , Weil Robert J. , Suh John , Bhatt Amit , Jensen Ashley W. , Brown Paul D. , Shih Helen A. , Kirkpatrick John , Gaspar Laurie E. , Fiveash John B. , Chiang Veronica , Knisely Jonathan P.S. , Sperduto Christina Maria , Lin Nancy , Mehta Minesh 
Published: December 2011

Purpose Our group has previously published the Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA), a prognostic index for patients with brain metastases. Updates have been published with refinements to create diagnosis-specific Graded Prognostic Assessment indices. The purpose of this report is to present the updated diagnosis-specific GPA indices in a single, unified, user-friendly report to allow ease of access and use by treating physicians. Methods A multi-institutional retrospective (1985 to 2007) database of 3,940 patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases underwent univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors associated with outcomes by primary site and treatment. Significant prognostic factors were used to define the diagnosis-specific GPA prognostic indices. A GPA of 4.0 correlates with the best prognosis, whereas a GPA of 0.0 corresponds with the worst prognosis. Results Significant prognostic factors varied by diagnosis. For lung cancer, prognostic factors were Karnofsky performance score, age, presence of extracranial metastases, and number of brain metastases, confirming the original Lung-GPA. For melanoma and renal cell cancer, prognostic factors were Karnofsky performance score and the number of brain metastases. For breast cancer, prognostic factors were tumor subtype, Karnofsky performance score, and age. For GI cancer, the only prognostic factor was the Karnofsky performance score. The median survival times by GPA score and diagnosis were determined. Conclusion Prognostic factors for patients with brain metastases vary by diagnosis, and for each diagnosis, a robust separation into different GPA scores was discerned, implying considerable heterogeneity in outcome, even within a single tumor type. In summary, these indices and related worksheet provide an accurate and facile diagnosis-specific tool to estimate survival, potentially select appropriate treatment, and stratify clinical trials for patients with brain metastases.
Association of Obesity With DNA Mismatch Repair Status and Clinical Outcome in Patients With Stage II or III Colon Carcinoma Participating in NCCTG and NSABP Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trials
Authors: Sinicrope Frank A. , Foster Nathan R. , Yoon Harry H. , Smyrk Thomas C. , Kim George P. , Allegra Carmen J. , Yothers Greg , Nikcevich Daniel A. , Sargent Daniel J. 
Published: December 2011

Purpose Although the importance of obesity in colon cancer risk and outcome is recognized, the association of body mass index (BMI) with DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status is unknown. Patients and Methods BMI (kg/m2) was determined in patients with TNM stage II or III colon carcinomas (n = 2,693) who participated in randomized trials of adjuvant chemotherapy. The association of BMI with MMR status and survival was analyzed by logistic regression and Cox models, respectively. Results Overall, 427 (16%) tumors showed deficient MMR (dMMR), and 630 patients (23%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Obesity was significantly associated with younger age (P = .021), distal tumor site (P = .012), and a lower rate of dMMR tumors (10% v 17%; P < .001) compared with normal weight. Obesity remained associated with lower rates of dMMR (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.79; P < .001) after adjusting for tumor site, stage, sex, and age. Among obese patients, rates of dMMR were lower in men compared with women (8% v 13%; P = .041). Obesity was associated with higher recurrence rates (P = .0034) and independently predicted worse disease-free survival (DFS; hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.64; P = .0010) and overall survival (OS), whereas dMMR predicted better DFS (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.74; P < .001) and OS. The favorable prognosis of dMMR was maintained in obese patients. Conclusion Colon cancers from obese patients are less likely to show dMMR, suggesting obesity-related differences in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Although obesity was independently associated with adverse outcome, the favorable prognostic impact of dMMR was maintained among obese patients.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Steel and Concrete Composite Floors Subjected to ISO Fire Condition
Authors: Zhao B. , Roosefid M. 
Published: December 2011

The very positive membrane action of steel and concrete composite floor systems (concrete slabs connected to steel beams by means of headed studs) has been clearly demonstrated through various Cardington real fire tests. However, little evidence is established for fire performance of such structural system exposed to ISO fire condition, the lack of which still constitutes an obstacle for certain national authorities to accept totally the application of the design concept derived from above real fire tests, in particular for long duration ISO fire.On the basis of the above situation and in order to enlarge the application of the design concept based on membrane action to all types of fire, CTICM, within the scope of two different research projects FRACOF and COSSFIRE, performed successively two full scale ISO fire tests, both of which lasted for more than 120 minutes, with two different steel and concrete composite floor systems designed according to Eurocode. The observed fire performance of these floor systems during the tests was extremely satisfactory and revealed a solid robustness of such type of structure systems in fire situation. Considering the fact that the fire test of FRACOF project has been already presented in detail during SiF'08 and Eurosteel2008 conferences, this paper is focused especially on the comparison of above two tests with regard to structural configuration, loading condition, structural behaviour and failure modes.In addition, these tests have been subjected to a specific numerical investigation with help of a 3D hybrid structural FE model. It is illustrated through this numerical investigation that the actual advanced modelling technique is accurate enough to reproduce precisely the fire behaviour of complex structural systems and may be applied to fire safety engineering with high level of confidence.
I-SAVE Study: Impact of Sedation, Analgesia, and Delirium Protocols Evaluated in the Intensive Care Unit: An Economic Evaluation
Authors: Awissi Don-Kelena , Bégin Cindy , Moisan Julie , Lachaine Jean , Skrobik Yoanna 
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: Intensive care units (ICUs) account for considerable health care costs. Adequate pain and sedation management is important to clinical care. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether implementing a protocol for management of analgesia, sedation, and delirium in the ICU would save costs. METHODS: With data from the I-SAVE (Impact of Sedation, Analgesia and Delirium Protocols Evaluated in the Intensive Care Unit: an Economic Evaluation) study, a prospective pre- and postprotocol design was used. Between the 2 periods, protocols for systematic management of sedation, analgesia, and delirium were implemented. Cost-effectiveness was calculated by associating the variation of cost and effectiveness measures (proportion of patients within targeted pain, sedation, and delirium goals). Total costs (in 2004 Canadian dollars), by patient, consisted of the sum of sedation, analgesia, and delirium drug acquisition costs during the ICU stay and the cost of the ICU stay. RESULTS: A total of 1214 patients, 604 in the preprotocol group and 610 in the postprotocol group, were included. The mean (SD) ICU length of stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation were shorter among patients of the postprotocol group compared with those of the preprotocol group (5.43 [6.43] and 6.39 [8.05] days, respectively; p = 0.004 and 5.95 [6.80] and 7.27 [9.09] days, respectively; p < 0.009). The incidence of delirium remained the same. The proportion of patients with Richmond Agitation and Sedation (RASS) scores between −1 and +1 increased from 57.0% to 66.2% (p = 0.001), whereas the proportion of patients with a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of 1 or less increased from 56.3% to 66.6% (p < 0.001). The mean total cost of ICU hospitalization decreased from $6212.64 (7846.86) in the preprotocol group to $5279.90 (6263.91) in the postprotocol group (p = 0.022). The cost analyses for pain and agitation management improved; the proportion of patients with RASS scores between −1 and +1 or NRS scores of 1 or less increased significantly in the postprotocol group while costing, on average, $932.74 less per hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing protocols for patient-driven management of sedation, analgesia, and delirium is a cost-effective practice and allows savings of nearly $1000 per hospitalization.
Avoiding Losses in Depleted and Weak Zones by Constantly Strengthening Wellbores
Authors: van Oort E. , Friedheim J. , Pierce T. , Lee J. 
Published: December 2011

Summary
Drilling depleted or weak zones has always been a challenge, but with the aging of fields and the desire to drill to deeper in-field plays, the situation is becoming more exacerbated. The typical problems associated with drilling these types of intervals are lost circulation, stuck pipe, and wellbore instability, resulting in significant and expensive nonproductive time (NPT) and costly remediation operations. Conventional lost-circulation remedies (e.g., pumping lost-circulation pills and squeezing) have given way to popular wellbore-strengthening solutions. Our approach to strengthening, based on beneficial manipulation of fracture- propagation pressure and continuous application of specialized wellbore-strengthening additives, has had tremendous success in reducing downhole mud losses by more than 80% in Gulf of Mexico (GOM) deepwater operations and dropping the cost of these incidents out of the top 10 contributors to NPT.
This paper focuses on the various theories and approaches to wellbore strengthening and what the available field and literature data actually support. Building upon this, the approach of gaining wellbore fortification through fracture-propagation-resistance (FPR) enhancement is introduced, for which experimental results, field data, and case histories are shared. Central to our application of FPR to drill-challenging deepwater production wells is the notion of providing continuous wellbore protection through a novel and unique solids-recovery and reintroduction method that allows for drilling with high concentrations of wellbore-strengthening materials (WSMs) in the drilling fluid.
Limitations of Current Method-of-Characteristics (MOC) Methods Using Shock-Jump Approximations To Predict MMPs for Complex Gas/Oil Displacements
Authors: Ahmadi Kaveh , Johns Russell T. , Mogensen Kristian , Noman Rashed 
Published: December 2011

Summary
An accurate minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) is one of the key factors in miscible-gasflood design. There is a variety of experimental and analytical methods to determine the MMP, but the most-reliable methods are slimtube experiments, 1D slimtube simulations, mixing-cell models, and the fast key-tie-line approach using the method of characteristics (MOC). Direct comparisons of all these methods generally agree well, but there are cases in which they do not. No explanation has yet been given for these anomalies, although the MMP is critically important to recovery.
The focus of this paper is to explain when current MOC results assuming that shocks exist from one key tie line to the next may not be reliable, and how to identify when this is the case. We demonstrate, using fluid characterizations from Middle East oils, that the MMPs using this MOC method can be more than 6,500 psia greater than those calculated using a recently developed mixing-cell method. The observed differences in the MMP increase substantially as the API gravity of the oil decreases, likely the result of the onset of L1-L2-V behavior. We show that the key tie lines determined using this MOC method do not control miscibility for such cases. We explain the reasons for these differences using simplified pseudoternary models and show how to determine when an error exists. We also offer a way to correct the MMP predictions using the MOC for these complex gas/oil displacements without solving for the complete compositional path.
Waxy-Crude Production Management in a Deepwater Subsea Environment
Authors: Suppiah Sitham , Ahmad Afidah , Alderson Christopher , Akbarzadeh Kamran , Gao Jinglin , Shorthouse James , Khan Ifadat Ali , Forde Chris , Jamaluddin Abul 
Published: December 2011

Summary
Systematic experimental and modeling approaches to designing a safe operating strategy for a 5-km deepwater-subsea-flowline case study are presented to address unplanned shutdown and restart events for waxy-crude production. The measurements confirmed that the fluid behaves like Bingham plastic when it is allowed to become gel at the seabed temperature of 4°C. The cool-down period was modeled using the transient simulator validated by measurements and was predicted to take 21 hours. The restart pressure was then modeled for both stock-tank and at-line pressure conditions. These restart pressure requirements were found to be 2,500 and 2,100 psi, respectively, for stock-tank and at-line pressure conditions. Also, the use of pour-point depressants demonstrated that the fluid would not form gel at the seabed temperature of 4°C. However, the current shut-in wellhead pressure of 2,500 psi is deemed adequate to restart the lines in the event of unplanned shutdown without the use of chemicals. The presence of a subsea pig-launching pump provides a safety factor for restart in case the line pressure is released to atmospheric conditions. Hence, the operating strategy does not require injection of pour-point depressants at the current state. However, in future when the shut-in wellhead pressure falls below 2,500 psi, the operating strategy is expected to be modified accordingly.
Predicting Effective Permeability to Oil in Sandstone and Carbonate Reservoirs From Well-Logging Data
Authors: Anand V.. , Freedman R.. , Crary S.. , Minh C.C.. C. , Terry R.L.. L. 
Published: December 2011

Summary
This paper discusses a new method for predicting continuous logs of effective permeability to oil in sandstone and carbonate formations from well-logging data. This important problem in formation evaluation has remained previously unsolved because the conventional approach used to predict reservoir properties from well-log data relies on simple empirical equations and idealized models of reservoir rocks. The use of such equations and models to predict a complex reservoir property (e.g., effective permeability) can result in an inaccurate representation of the formation.
This paper shows that accurate values of effective permeability to oil can be predicted using model-independent mapping functions constructed from Gaussian radial basis functions (RBFs), which can be derived from a laboratory database of measurements on partially saturated core samples. The mapping functions replace the empirical equations used in the conventional approach and are model-independent representations of the database measurements. Once the mapping functions are constructed from the database, there are no adjustable parameters.
In this study, mapping functions for sandstones and carbonates were derived from a worldwide database of laboratory measurements made on 79 sandstone and 25 carbonate core samples. The laboratory measurements available on each sample included irreducible water saturation, effective permeability to oil, porosity, and nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) T2 distributions. The mapping functions can be used to predict effective permeability to oil of reservoirs at irreducible water saturation from input measurements of porosity, T2 distribution, irreducible water saturation, and knowledge of rock lithology (e.g., sandstone or carbonate).
The methodology for deriving the mapping functions is explained in detail. The mapping functions are applied to the database itself to show the accuracy of the effective-permeability predictions on core samples. The method is also applied to log data from both sandstone and carbonate formations in three wells from different parts of the world. The predicted effective permeabilities to oil are shown to be consistent with oil mobilities measured in the formations by fluid-sampling tools.
Which Reservoirs in China Are Best for Underbalanced Drilling?
Authors: Yao Yanhua , Xie Gangping , Nas S.W.. W. , Boutalbi S.. , Du Heli 
Published: December 2011

Summary
As the underbalanced-drilling (UBD) technique develops, the benefits for eliminating formation damage and improving productivity have been well received by Chinese national oil companies. Potential candidates for UBD reservoirs are tight sandstone and volcanic rock, as well as other low-permeability hard rocks. Not all candidates are ultimately suitable. Experience in China suggests that inappropriate application of underbalanced reservoir drilling may have an adverse effect on protecting reservoirs, which in turn increases drilling risks. To achieve successful application of the technique, it is essential first to fully evaluate the suitability of the reservoir for UBD. Furthermore, it has been observed that there is a lack of research when it comes to evaluation of reservoir suitability with respect to UBD opportunities in China. Most current basin studies in China focus on geographic distributions and reservoir lithology characterizations rather than geomechanical properties.
This paper addresses these gaps by presenting the result of a China UBD basins study. We have applied our reservoir-screening process to reservoirs in 382 oil and gas fields and 17 onshore basins of China to determine whether or not these reservoirs are practical for UBD. Candidacy is determined by evaluating a number of formation-damage mechanisms and related operational risks within the reservoir-screening process. The research then identifies formation-damage mechanisms of the UBD reservoir candidates and also presents a ranking from high-potential to low-potential reservoirs for the suitability of UBD, and establishes the highest production potential by application of the UBD technique.
Also, the objective of the research is to evaluate and rank the suitability of reservoirs for exploitation by UBD compared with conventional drilling and completion processes. Proper identification of UBD opportunities will minimize drilling risks for Chinese national oil companies.
Interpretation of Immiscible WAG Repeat Pressure-Falloff Tests
Authors: Stenger B.A.. A. , Al-Kendi S.A.. A. , Al-Ameri A.F.. F. , Al-Katheeri A.B.. B. 
Published: December 2011

Summary
This paper reviewed the interpretation of repeat pressure-falloff (PFO) tests acquired in two vertical pattern injectors operating in a carbonate reservoir undergoing full-field development. Enhanced vertical-sweep conformance through phase mobility control in the presence of strong reservoir heterogeneity was the major expected benefit from an immiscible water-alternating-gas (WAG) displacement mechanism.
PFO tests were carried out during the monophasic injection phase to determine well injectivity and reservoir properties, and were subsequently acquired at the end of each 3-month injection cycle. Analytical falloff-test interpretation relied on the use of the two zone radial composite model. Multiple falloff-test interpretations indicated that the two pattern vertical injectors behaved differently even though both had been fractured. The difference in behavior was linked to different perforated intervals and reservoir properties. Gas- and water-injection rates were showing differences between both pattern injectors as a consequence. Injected gas banks had a small inner radius and were almost undetectable at the end of the subsequent water cycle. Changes in the pressure-derivative slope at the end of the subsequent water-injection cycle indicated most likely the creation of an effective mixing zone of injected gas and water in the reservoir.
Numerical finite-volume simulation was required to account for potential injected-fluid segregation and the heterogeneous multilayered nature of the reservoir. Repeat saturation logs acquired in observation wells monitored the saturation distribution away from the injection wells. Fluid saturations derived from the simulation model were showing a good agreement with the analytical results in general, although the need to account for gas trapping was confirmed. Eight planned development WAG injectors were repositioned as a consequence of WAG 1 and WAG 2 pattern performance.
Laboratory Investigation of the Impact of Injection-Water Salinity and Ionic Content on Oil Recovery From Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Yousef Ali A. , Al-Saleh Salah , Al-Kaabi Abdulaziz , Al-Jawfi Mohammed 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe impact of brine salinity and ion composition on oil recovery has been an area of research in recent years. Evidence from laboratory studies, supported by some field tests targeting mainly sandstones, has distinctly shown that injecting low-salinity water has a significant impact on oil recovery. Although the potential for carbonates has not been thoroughly investigated, some reported studies have excluded carbonates from this effect. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the potential of increased oil recovery by altering the salinity and ionic composition of the injection water for carbonate reservoirs, define the recovery mechanisms, and eventually transform the emerged trend to full-fledged reservoir technology.This paper presents the results of different laboratory studies to investigate the impact of salinity and ionic composition on oil/brine/rock interactions and draws conclusions on potential recovery mechanisms. Also, it provides a laboratory coreflooding study conducted using composite rock samples from a carbonate reservoir to investigate the impact of salinity and ionic composition on oil recovery. The experimental parameters and procedures were well designed to reflect the reservoir conditions and current field injection practices, including reservoir pressure, reservoir temperature, and salinity and ionic content of initial formation water and current types of injected water.The experimental results revealed that substantial tertiary oil recovery beyond conventional waterflooding can be achieved by altering the salinity and ionic content of field injected water. The new emerged trend is distinct from what has been addressed in previous reported studies on topics of low-salinity waterflooding for sandstones or seawater injection into high-temperature chalk reservoirs. On the subject of recovery mechanisms, the results showed that altering the salinity and ionic composition of the injected water has a significant impact on the wettability of the rock surface. Also, nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) measurements indicated that dilution of seawater can cause a significant alteration in the surface relaxation of the carbonate rock and also can enhance connectivity among pore systems because of rock dissolution. The results, observations, and interpretations addressed in this study provided compelling evidence to suggest that the key mechanism for the emerged trend is wettability alteration.