Iran petroleum contract (IPC) - a new generation of oil contracts

Objective: to estimate the new generation of contracts (IPC, IOC) in the initial sector of oil industry and to compare them with previos contracts of other types used by the global producers in this sector.Methods: dialectical, comparative, descriptive, abstract-logical, and the method of system analysis.Results: in Iran of the post-sanctions period, the new model oil contracts (IPC) are becoming increasingly attractive to foreign investors. Under certain conditions, foreign oil company acquire the opportunity to reserve stocks, but foreign companies still cannot own oil deposits. One of the key advantages of the new contracts is the possibility to intensify development, search and optimal exploitation of oil and gas deposits, and to increase the coefficient of oil and gas extraction. The article presents a general characteristics of the new oil contracts, identifies the key spheres of their application. The key problems are systematized, related to the previous buy-back regime, which are either concealed in the new contract model, or information is insufficient for complete comprehension of the supposed risk distribution, such as the issues of buyback, commercialization, management, etc. The main advantages of the new integrated oil contracts are identified, such as: cost reimbursement, more complicated price structure, and transition to the model of a joint venture, as well as the advantages of the new contracts compared to buy-back contracts.Scientific novelty: the article presents a comparative analysis of the new integrated oil contracts in Iran and buyback contracts, and systematizes the key advantages and disadvantages of the new contracts.Practical significance: the research results can be used in scientific and academic activity of universities, as well as by state authorities when elaborating state policy in the sphere of oil production and processing

An adolescent with recurrent ankle swelling

A 14-year-old girl was admitted to our institute with a history of intermittent bilateral ankle swelling, and moderate but progressively worsening pain which has lasted for 2 years. The patient's history was unremarkable. She did not take medications and was not involved in any sports activity. She reported no fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, weight loss, travels abroad or previous infections. She reported moderate pain at night, associated with a sense of heaviness, tightness and general discomfort, and with no response to ibuprofen. Physical examination was remarkable only for bilateral ankle non-pitting oedema, more evident on the left leg, with a thickened skinfold at the base of the second toe, and without redness, swelling or skin warming. The patient had been previously examined, and her foot and ankle X-rays, ultrasound (US) and MRI were all negative. Blood tests (white cell count, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, albumin, antinuclear antibodies, creatinine, transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, thyroid function and glucose) and urinalysis were in the normal range. Her ocular assessment and echocardiogram were also normal. Question 1: Based on the clinical picture and laboratory tests, what is the most likely diagnosis? Deep venous thrombosis. Osteochondritis. Lymphoedema. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Question 2: Based on what you see infigure 1, what is the underlying cause? Recurrent bacterial lymphangitis. Primary lymphoedema. Tumour. Filariasis. Figure 1 Lymphoscintigraphy of the lower extremities showing insufficient deep lymphatic circulation in the left leg (red arrow, A) replaced by superficial drainage (B). Question 3: Which is the best diagnostic test to confirm the diagnosis? US scan. MRI. Lymphoscintigraphy. Reassurance and clinical follow-up. Question 4: What is the mainstay of management of this condition? Wait and see. Antibiotic course. Supportive therapy (ie, physical activity, elevation of extremities, pneumatic compression). Surgical intervention. Answers can be found on page 2

Six-year-old boy with a slow-onset persistent back pain

A 6-year-old boy was evaluated for a 6-week history of low back pain. Initially, the pain was exacerbated by movements, eventually showing a milder and fluctuating trend. History was unremarkable for previous traumatic events, fever or nocturnal pain. Physical examination revealed localised pain at palpation of the spinous processes at the lumbosacral level. Blood tests showed a normal blood count, negative C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, normal lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase. A posterior-anterior radiograph of the lumbar spine resulted normal. An MRI scan revealed a lumbosacral transitional vertebra with bone oedema of the posterior arch until the spinous process. For better bone definition, a CT scan was performed (figure 1). Figure 1 CT scan of the transitional lumbosacral (L5) vertebra. Questions: Which causes of persistent low back pain should be ruled out in children under 10 years of age? Osteochondrosis Neoplasm Functional pain Infections What is the diagnosis in this patient? How is the diagnosis performed? How is this condition managed? Answers can be found on page 2

Evaporite sinkholes of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (NE Italy)

Sinkholes are common in the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) Region (NE Italy), where the presence of karstifiable rocks favours their occurrence accelerated by intense rainfalls. Their existence has been reported since the end of the 1800s along the Tagliamento Valley, in correspondence with the mantled evaporites (gypsum). Furthermore, tens of evaporite sinkholes have been documented on the reliefs adjacent to the village of Sauris and along the narrow W\u2013Eoriented valleys, where regional faults have played a major role in their spatial distribution. This paper reports for the first time an inventory of the sinkholes affecting the evaporites of the FVG Region. These phenomena were mapped and categorised using a genetic classification. The main output is an A0-format map, which incorporates a 1:50,000 scale Sinkhole Inventory Map (SIM). The SIM encompasses 552 sinkholes. The cover suffosion sinkholes are the most abundant, followed by bedrock collapses. There is a clear prevalence of the circular shape (65%) over other shapes. Diameters are 1\u2013140 m, with depths ranging 0.1\u201340 m with a mean value of 4.5 m. The SIM can motivate regional planning authorities to perform further investigations aimed to understand the geomorphological evolutions of these phenomena