Seismo-Structural Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation of Ugwu-Field, Coastal Swamp Depositional Belt of the Niger Delta Basin

Structural interpretation of 3-D seismic data and well log have been applied to unravel hydrocarbon entrapment pattern and petrophysical parameters of X-field within the coastal swamp region of the Niger Delta.. Four reservoir intervals (A, B, C and D) delineated as (W-026, 032, 042 and 048) using gamma ray and resistivity log response. Structural interpretation for inline 5158 revealed four horizons (A, B, C and D) and eight (8) faults labelled (F1, F2, F12, F13, F21, F22, F23, and F24) were mapped. It was observed that the hanging wall block due to reverse drag or rollover anticline slided over fault F12 and created fault F2, thereby creating subsidence where sediments can be deposited. Therefore, faults F2 and F12 created rollover structures which cuts across the entire four reservoirs and invaluably responsible for trapping of hydrocarbon in the field. RMS map developed for horizons \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 revealed high amplitude anomalies, while variance attribute for both horizons showed relatively uniform lithology observed from east to west across the study area. While from north-east to south west, variance was observed to increase relatively which indicates different lithology. These trend exposes dipping of the channel fill at both flanks by creating extensive faulting. Results of petrophysical evaluation for reservoirs \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 across the four wells were analyzed. For reservoir \u2018A\u2019, porosity values of 32.8%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 27.1% were obtained for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 respectively with an average of 27.65%, while for reservoir \u2018B\u2019 porosity values of 26.83%, 26.93%, 25.59% and 27.99% for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 were obtained respectively with an average of 26.84%. This porosity values were rated very good to excellent for reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and very good for reservoir \u2018B\u2019, while Permeability values of the order (K > 1000mD) were obtained for both reservoirs across the four wells and is rated excellent. Hydrocarbon saturation (Shc) across the four wells averages at 68.57% for reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and 68.67% for reservoir \u2018B\u2019 which is high. Log motifs using gamma ray log for well-026 was integrated with seismic facies to infer on depositional environment of the reservoirs horizons showed a combination of serrated funnel/blocky shape log response and coarsening upward cycles. For reservoirs \u2018A\u2019, \u2018B\u2019 and \u2018C\u2019 the log shape pattern indicates deposition in a fluvial / tidal, channel environment while for reservoir \u2018D\u2019 the pattern indicates deposition in deltaic front environment. Isochore maps computed for horizons \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019, shows that horizon \u2018A\u2019 is relatively thick and this pattern suggests increased tectonic activities during deposition of reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and is an indication that reservoir \u2018A\u2019 is a synrift deposit

Delivery of thermostable Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine to chickens with broken millet grains as the vehicle

The efficacy of treated broken millet grains as a carrier for delivery of thermostable Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine HRV4 to free-range chickens in three locations was assessed by haemagglutinationinhibition (HI) test and challenge experiment. Out of 256 birds fed with first dose of the vaccine, 130 (50.8%) produced detectable HI antibody but only 16 (6.3%) attained serum antibody level of log2 3.0adjudged protective. From the locations, Igumale (74 birds), Kuru (88 birds) Riyom (94 birds), only 1 (1.4%), 8 (9.1%) and 7 (7.4%) attained log2 titre 3.0, respectively. A booster vaccine dose 2 weeks lateron 236 of the birds led to 126 (53.4%) attaining HI (log2) titre 3.0 [Igumale (63 birds), Kuru (86 birds) Riyom (87 birds) had 33 (53.5%), 46 (53.5%) and 42 (48.3%) respectively attaining log2 titres of 3.0]. Out of a total of 70 buy-back chickens challenged, 49 (70.0%) survived. The break down showed that from Igumale (20 birds), Kuru (25 birds) Riyom (25 birds), the survivors were 13 (65.0%), 19 (76.0%) and 17 (68.0%), respectively. Out of 28 unvaccinated control birds challenged, only 4 survived. The overall results showed that millet, if properly treated, could be a good vaccine carrier and that the method of vaccination was relatively efficacious.

Role of Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein in Mediating Internal Initiation of Translation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 2 RNA

BACKGROUND: Earlier we have reported translational control of interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF2) by internal initiation (Dhar et al, Nucleic Acids Res, 2007). The results implied possible role of IRF2 in controlling the intricate balance of cellular gene expression under stress conditions in general. Here we have investigated the secondary structure of the Internal Ribosome Entry Site of IRF2 RNA and demonstrated the role of PTB protein in ribosome assembly to facilitate internal initiation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have probed the putative secondary structure of the IRF2 5'UTR RNA using various enzymatic and chemical modification agents to constrain the secondary structure predicted from RNA folding algorithm Mfold. The IRES activity was found to be influenced by the interaction of trans-acting factor, polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB). Deletion of 25 nts from the 3'terminus of the 5'untranslated region resulted in reduced binding with PTB protein and also showed significant decrease in IRES activity compared to the wild type. We have also demonstrated putative contact points of PTB on the IRF2-5'UTR using primer extension inhibition assay. Majority of the PTB toe-prints were found to be restricted to the 3'end of the IRES. Additionally, Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra analysis suggested change in the conformation of the RNA upon PTB binding. Further, binding studies using S10 extract from HeLa cells, partially silenced for PTB gene expression, resulted in reduced binding by other trans-acting factors. Finally, we have demonstrated that addition of recombinant PTB enhances ribosome assembly on IRF2 IRES suggesting possible role of PTB in mediating internal initiation of translation of IRF2 RNA. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: It appears that PTB binding to multiple sites within IRF2 5'UTR leads to a conformational change in the RNA that facilitate binding of other trans-acting factors to mediate internal initiation of translation

Porencephaly and psychosis: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malformations of the cerebral cortex are often associated with developmental delay and psychoses. Porencephaly is a rare congenital disorder of central nervous system involving a cyst or a cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid, in brain's parenchyma.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present a 25 years old woman with her first psychotic episode. She also suffers from porencephaly in the frontotemporal lobes region. It is emphasized that the two consistently abnormal brain regions in schizophrenia research had significant damage in this patient since birth. There is a total of only five cases of schizencephaly or porencephaly associated with psychosis in the scientific literature. Their clinical characteristics as well as the imaging results are described.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is unclear if porencephaly and psychosis concur by chance or are causally related. The area where the porencephalic cysts appear seems to be of relevance. This case highlights the need for further research.</p

Open Problems on Central Simple Algebras

We provide a survey of past research and a list of open problems regarding central simple algebras and the Brauer group over a field, intended both for experts and for beginners.Comment: v2 has some small revisions to the text. Some items are re-numbered, compared to v

Positive predictive value of automated database records for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children and youth exposed to antipsychotic drugs or control medications: a tennessee medicaid study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of treatment with some atypical antipsychotic drugs in children and <b>youth</b>. Because drug-associated DKA is rare, large automated health outcomes databases may be a valuable data source for conducting pharmacoepidemiologic studies of DKA associated with exposure to individual antipsychotic drugs. However, no validated computer case definition of DKA exists. We sought to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of a computer case definition to detect incident cases of DKA, using automated records of Tennessee Medicaid as the data source and medical record confirmation as a "gold standard."</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The computer case definition of DKA was developed from a retrospective cohort study of antipsychotic-related type 2 diabetes mellitus (1996-2007) in Tennessee Medicaid enrollees, aged 6-24 years. Thirty potential cases with any DKA diagnosis (ICD-9 250.1, ICD-10 E1x.1) were identified from inpatient encounter claims. Medical records were reviewed to determine if they met the clinical definition of DKA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 30 potential cases, 27 (90%) were successfully abstracted and adjudicated. Of these, 24 cases were confirmed by medical record review (PPV 88.9%, 95% CI 71.9 to 96.1%). Three non-confirmed cases presented acutely with severe hyperglycemia, but had no evidence of acidosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Diabetic ketoacidosis in children and youth can be identified in a computerized Medicaid database using our case definition, which could be useful for automated database studies in which drug-associated DKA is the outcome of interest.</p

Genotype by environment interaction in Nelore cattle from five Brazilian states

Records from 75,941 Nelore cattle were used to determine the importance of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) in five Brazilian states. (Co)variance components were estimated by single-trait analysis (with yearling weight, W450, considered to be the same trait in all states) and multiple-trait analysis (with the record from each state considered to be a different trait). The direct heritability estimates for yearling weight were 0.51, 0.39, 0.44, 0.37 and 0.41 in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Minas Gerais, respectively. The across-state genetic correlation estimates between Goiás and Mato Grosso, Goiás and Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Minas Gerais, and Mato Grosso do Sul and Minas Gerais ranged from 0.67 to 0.75. These estimates indicate that GEIs are biologically important. No interactions were observed between Goiás and São Paulo, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso and São Paulo, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais, or São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul (0.82 to 0.97). Comparison of single and multiple-trait analyses showed that selection based on the former was less efficient in the presence of GEI, with substantial losses (up to 10%) during selection