Supporting hydrocarbon exploration in new venture areas with optical remote sensing

In past time, exploration geologists mainly used Earth Observation systems for basin-wide analysis of gravimetry, magnetomerty, structural faults, lithology and land-cover. After two decades of research, nowadays multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing represent a cutting-edge technology in the oil and gas industry. The application fields of optical remote sensing not only range from the monitoring of the oilfields to the evaluation of pollution, but also to hydrocarbon exploration. With reference to exploration activities, the observation of the territory from above into several different wavelengths is able to supply inestimable geophysical information related to the microseepage effect, different and complementary to tradition geophysical methods. It is almost accepted that many of the oil and gas fields leak light hydrocarbon gases along nearly vertical pathways and, thus, their detection with multi/hyperspectral imaging can support the detection of active petroleum systems. Indeed, several independent oil companies are using satellite and airborne observations for reducing exploration risks in new venture areas and for optimizing their seismic surveys. This study shows some examples of microseepage-related geochemical and geobotanical alterations detected in several different environments, from sandy desert to vegetated savannah, both using airborne hyperspectral data and multispectral satellite time series. All the examples analyze real onshore concession blocks in Africa and Asia and results clearly show a correlation between the spectral signals recorded form remote with in situ measures, well logs, the knowledge of the subsurface and the position of known oilfields

The E-Cultural Adaption Framework (E-CAF) : adapting the local travel interface for Egyptian consumers

Although the Internet has become a global medium, which companies use to access individuals worldwide, it is argued in this thesis that cultural issues still need to be taken into account when designing Web sites. In fact, international marketers agree that culture in terms of consumers‘ values and beliefs remains a significant constraint for reaching international consumers. Professional analysts and designers generally agree that well-designed user interfaces improve the performance and appeal of the Web and help in reaching large numbers of consumers across cultures. Therefore, one way of improving the user-interface is by paying attention to users' culture, which means developing culturally adapted Web sites. The Web localisation literature addresses the users' ultural concerns by utilising some of the popular cultural models like those of Hofstede and Hall; however these tools are not appropriate for handling the cultural values affecting the online behaviour of consumers. Effective Web localisation can be achieved through an appropriate cultural framework that incorporates the cultural values that affect the online behaviour of consumers. This thesis introduces the electronic cultural adaption framework or E-CAF, as a structure for adapting local Web interfaces. The E-CAF, constructed for the travel domain, uses six cultural dimensions derived from the observation of behaviour and identifies unique cultural variables that affect online consumer behaviour. The E-CAF is constructed using grounded theory methodology and is then evaluated as a tool for adapting local Web interfaces. This includes discussing the applicability of the E-CAF as a tool for identifying online marketing strategies suitable for targeting consumers across cultures and using the E-CAF to assess and evaluate the cultural adaptation of three Egyptian local travel interfaces. Finally, the E-CAF is utilized as a means for developing questions that can help designers to collect the clients' designing requirements. This helps the designers to build an effective local interface based on an understanding of each client‘s special design requirements.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

International consensus statement on nomenclature and classification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy, for clinical, surgical, interventional and research purposes.

peer reviewedThis International Consensus Classification and Nomenclature for the congenital bicuspid aortic valve condition recognizes 3 types of bicuspid valves: 1. The fused type (right-left cusp fusion, right-non-coronary cusp fusion and left-non-coronary cusp fusion phenotypes); 2. The 2-sinus type (latero-lateral and antero-posterior phenotypes); and 3. The partial-fusion (forme fruste) type. The presence of raphe and the symmetry of the fused type phenotypes are critical aspects to describe. The International Consensus also recognizes 3 types of bicuspid valve-associated aortopathy: 1. The ascending phenotype; 2. The root phenotype; and 3. Extended phenotypes

Summary: International Consensus Statement on Nomenclature and Classification of the Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Its Aortopathy, for Clinical, Surgical, Interventional and Research Purposes.

peer reviewedThis International evidence-based nomenclature and classification consensus on the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy recognizes 3 types of bicuspid aortic valve: 1. Fused type, with 3 phenotypes: right-left cusp fusion, right-non cusp fusion and left-non cusp fusion; 2. 2-sinus type with 2 phenotypes: Latero-lateral and antero-posterior; and 3. Partial-fusion or forme fruste. This consensus recognizes 3 bicuspid-aortopathy types: 1. Ascending phenotype; root phenotype; and 3. extended phenotypes

Mapping large-scale microseepage signals for supporting oil and gas exploration in new ventures

Optical remote sensing is emerging among non-conventional geophysical methods for oil & gas exploration and mineral prospecting. Complementary to all traditional technologies such as seismic, magnetic, gravity or electric methods, multispectral imaging is able to detect long-term biochemical and geochemical environmental alterations, known as microseepage effect, produced by invisible small fluxes of light hydrocarbons migrating from the underground deposits to the surface. This paper describes a case study where satellite multispectral data were used to detect large-scale microseepage signals nearby Lake Turkana (Republic of Kenya). The satellite analysis highlighted the presence of invisible surface signals on top of several oilfields discovered only many years after the image collection

Peptide Hp(2–20) accelerates healing of TNBS-induced colitis in the rat

Background and aims: Hp(2–20), a Helicobacter pylori-derived peptide interacting with N-formyl peptide receptors (FPRs), accelerates the healing of gastric injury in rats. Whether Hp(2–20) affects the recovery of inflamed colonic mucosa is unknown. We evaluated whether Hp(2–20) accelerated the healing of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis and explored the mechanism(s) underlying any such effect. Methods: Fifteen rats underwent rectal administration of Hp(2–20) 250–500 µg/kg/day, or of its control peptide Hp1 for 10 days, following induction of colitis with TNBS. Macroscopic and histological damage was quantified using predetermined injury scores. FPR1, COX-2, TNF-α, TGF-β, HB-EGF and tissue transglutaminase (t-TG) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in colonic tissue was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction; FPR1, TNF-α and COX-2 protein levels by Western blotting. Results: (1) Hp(2–20) accelerated healing of TNBS-induced colitis compared to controls consistently with the expression of FPRs in colonic mucosa; (2) TNBS upregulated mRNA mucosal expression of COX-2, TNF-α, TGF-β, HB-EGF and t-TG and (3) this, with the exception of HB-EGF, was significantly counteracted by Hp(2–20). Conclusions: Hp(2–20), an FPR agonist, accelerates the healing of TNBS-induced colitis in the rat. This effect is associated with a significant reduction in colonic tissue levels of COX-2, TGF-β, TNF-α and t-TG. We postulate that FPR-dependent pathways may be involved in the repair of inflamed colonic mucosa

Satellite remote sensing for hydrocarbon exploration in new venture areas

Multispectral remote sensing is an emerging technology for the oil & gas industry. Since its first application, Earth Observation has seen an enormous breakthrough in a brand-new field such as geosciences for hydrocarbon exploration: both the awareness of the microseepage phenomenon and data processing methods for its detection have greatly improved in the last years. This paper describes a case study of microseepage signals detection in the East Africa Rift System, onshore of Lake Albert, using multi-sensor satellite time series. Results clearly show that the spectral anomalies identified from satellite are closely related to the known oilfields and that the microseepage maps can provide new high-quality data to reduce exploration risk

Terre civiche nelle aree protette: la Carta degli usi civici nel Parco nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga

Con il termine “usi civici” sono indicati i diritti di godimento delle terre spettanti ai membri di collettività organizzate in un ordinamento politico-amministrativo. Il valore ambientale, in particolare di protezione e conservazione del paesaggio, è riconosciuto dalla legge quadro sulle aree protette che, all’interno dei Parchi Nazionali, salvaguarda “i diritti reali e gli usi civici delle collettività locali”. La mancanza di indicazioni in merito alla risoluzione di eventuali problematiche derivate dall’esercizio di tali diritti in aree sottoposte a un elevato grado di tutela (zone A e B) può generare conflitti di interesse e dissenso da parte delle popolazioni locali nei confronti dell’Ente Parco. Le proposte operative presentate in questa nota per contemperare un efficiente sistema di protezione dell’ambiente con l’esercizio dei diritti civici sono implementate nel contesto territoriale del Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, dove oltre il 50% del territorio proposto per l’inserimento in zona A è soggetto a uso civico. Le opzioni esposte si identificano principalmente con la concessione, regolamentata, degli usi in zona A oppure con il mutamento di destinazione e sono scaturite dall’elaborazione della Carta degli Usi Civici, innovativo strumento di supporto alla pianificazione forestale che, elaborata su base catastale, ha permesso di incrociare i dati derivanti dalle verifiche demaniali con quelli della zonizzazione e di altre mappe tematiche operative presso il PNGSML. Data la possibilità di interfacciarsi con altri strati informativi, la Carta degli Usi Civici assume particolare rilevanza anche per la redazione/revisione del piano del Parco e rappresenta uno strumento di supporto alla gestione ordinaria del territori

Terre civiche nelle aree protette: la Carta degli usi civici nel Parco nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga

Con il termine “usi civici” sono indicati i diritti di godimento delle terre spettanti ai membri di collettività organizzate in un ordinamento politico-amministrativo. Il valore ambientale, in particolare di protezione e conservazione del paesaggio, è riconosciuto dalla legge quadro sulle aree protette che, all’interno dei Parchi Nazionali, salvaguarda “i diritti reali e gli usi civici delle collettività locali”. La mancanza di indicazioni in merito alla risoluzione di eventuali problematiche derivate dall’esercizio di tali diritti in aree sottoposte a un elevato grado di tutela (zone A e B) può generare conflitti di interesse e dissenso da parte delle popolazioni locali nei confronti dell’Ente Parco. Le proposte operative presentate in questa nota per contemperare un efficiente sistema di protezione dell’ambiente con l’esercizio dei diritti civici sono implementate nel contesto territoriale del Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, dove oltre il 50% del territorio proposto per l’inserimento in zona A è soggetto a uso civico. Le opzioni esposte si identificano principalmente con la concessione, regolamentata, degli usi in zona A oppure con il mutamento di destinazione e sono scaturite dall’elaborazione della Carta degli Usi Civici, innovativo strumento di supporto alla pianificazione forestale che, elaborata su base catastale, ha permesso di incrociare i dati derivanti dalle verifiche demaniali con quelli della zonizzazione e di altre mappe tematiche operative presso il PNGSML. Data la possibilità di interfacciarsi con altri strati informativi, la Carta degli Usi Civici assume particolare rilevanza anche per la redazione/revisione del piano del Parco e rappresenta uno strumento di supporto alla gestione ordinaria del territori