Production sharing contracts have been used in the development of China’s offshore petroleum resources since 1982, but the mechanism in which the fiscal terms impact project economics is complicated and not well unde...Production sharing contracts have been used in the development of China’s offshore petroleum resources since 1982, but the mechanism in which the fiscal terms impact project economics is complicated and not well understood. The purpose of this paper is to model China’s offshore production sharing contracts using a probabilistic approach. Cash flows and economic indicators are used for a typical offshore oilfield development, and meta-models are constructed to analyze the basic features of the fiscal system. Applications of the models in contract negotiation are discussed.展开更多
A constitutive model of quasi-Newtonian fluid based on the type of flow is used in abrupt planar contraction now.The numerical results from finite element analysis are consistent with experimental data for stress patt...A constitutive model of quasi-Newtonian fluid based on the type of flow is used in abrupt planar contraction now.The numerical results from finite element analysis are consistent with experimental data for stress patterns and velocityprofiles in the flow field. The chain conformations of polymer melts are then investigated in such a planar contraction byusing the phenomenological model with internal parameters proposed by the author. That is, the shape and orientation ofpolymer chain coils are predicted and discussed in different flow regions of the contraction flow field that possess simpleshear flow, extensional flow, vortical flow, and mixed flow respectively.展开更多
Objective Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot(rTOF)account for the majority of cases with late onset right ventricle(RV)failure.The current surgical approach,including pulmonary valve replacement/insertion(PVR)...Objective Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot(rTOF)account for the majority of cases with late onset right ventricle(RV)failure.The current surgical approach,including pulmonary valve replacement/insertion(PVR),has yielded mixed results with some patients recover RV function and some do not.An innovative surgical approach was proposed to help ventricle to contract and improve RV function qualified by ejection fraction with one or more active contracting bands.Computational biomechanical modelling is a widely used method in cardiovascular study for investigation of mechanisms governing disease development,quantitative diagnostic and treatment strategies and improving surgical designs for better outcome.Muscle active contraction caused by zero-load sarcomere shortening leads to change of zero-load configurations.In lieu of experimenting using real surgery on animal or human,computational simulations(virtual surgery)were performed to test different band combination and insertion options to identify optimal surgery design and band insertion plan.Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)data were obtained from one rTOF patient(sex:male,age:22.5 y)before pulmonary valve replacement surgery.The patient was suffering from RV dilation and dysfunction with RV end-systole volume 254.49ml and end-diastole volume 406.91 mL.A total of 15 computational RV/LV/Patch/Band combination models based on(CMR)imaging were constructed to investigate the influence of different band insertion surgery plans.These models included 5 different band insertion models combined and 3 different band contraction ratio(10%,15%and 20%band zero-stress length reduction).These models included 5 different band insertion models:Model 1 with one band at anterior to the middle of papillary muscle;Model 2 with one band at posterior to the middle of papillary muscle;Model 3 with 2 bands which are the ones from Models 1&2 combined;Model 4 with a band at the base of the papillary muscle;Model 5 with 3 bands which is a combination of Models 3&4.A pre-shrink process was performed on in-vivo begin-filling and end-systole MRI data to obtain diastole and systole zero4oad ventricle geometries.An extra 5%-8%shrinkage was applied to obtain corresponding systole zero-load geometry reflecting myocardium sarcomere shortening.The zero-load band length in systole was 10%,15%and 20%shorter than that in diastole according to their corresponding contraction ratio.The nonlinear Mooney-Rivlin model was used to describe the ventricle material properties with their material parameter values adjusted to match measured data with CMR.The band material properties were in the same scale with healthy right ventricle.The RV/LV/Band model construction and solution procedures were the same as described.Results Model 5 with band contraction ratio of 20%has the ability to improve RV ejection fraction to 41.07%,which represented a 3.61%absolute improvement,or 9.6%relative improvement using pre-PVR ejection fraction as the baseline number.The ejection fractions for Models 1-4 with band contraction ratio of 20%were 39.28%,39.47%,38.87%and 40.34%respectively.Compared to models with band contraction ratio15%and 20%,models with band contraction ratio 10%has the least ability on RV ejection fraction improvement with ejection fraction 38.28%,38.00%,38.81%,38.50%and 39.36%corresponding to Models 1-5.Conclusions This pilot work demonstrated that the band insertion surgery may have great potential to improve post-PVR RV cardiac function for patients with repaired TOF.More band contraction ratio and inserted band number may lead to better post-surgery outcome.Further investigations using in-vitro animal experiments and final patient studies are warranted.展开更多
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a technology and a process that has brought changes in the construction’s traditional procurement system. Kenya lacks contractual guidelines on implementation of BIM;this makes...Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a technology and a process that has brought changes in the construction’s traditional procurement system. Kenya lacks contractual guidelines on implementation of BIM;this makes the adoption of BIM slow and difficult. Previous research has identified a gap in contractual relationships, roles and resulting risks. The objectives of this study were to investigate BIM adoption in Nairobi and to investigate the influence of BIM on Engineering Contract Management (ECM)</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> in Nairobi Kenya</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. The survey research was a descriptive study with 175 responsive questionnaires. Respondents comprised of Civil Engineers, Construction Project Managers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Contractors and Facility Managers. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interview. Descriptive analytics, correlation and Exploratory factor analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. It emerged that adoption level was at 56.6% and shallow understanding of BIM capabilities remains to be a barrier to its adoption and implementation. It also emerged that BIM improves ECM;when time, cost, quality, collaboration and return on investment improve, ECM becomes easier. Latent factors found in BIM and ECM relationship were Legal Implications, awareness and knowledge, efficiency, versatility, mandate and leadership, and competitiveness. Further, the study found out that BIM influence on ECM demands for establishment of standards, guidelines, policy, legal framework, and regulations, which can be achieved by amending the public procurement act which dictates the operation of all the other standard forms of contract. Further research should be conducted to measure whether the understanding of BIM had positively improved.展开更多
文摘Production sharing contracts have been used in the development of China’s offshore petroleum resources since 1982, but the mechanism in which the fiscal terms impact project economics is complicated and not well understood. The purpose of this paper is to model China’s offshore production sharing contracts using a probabilistic approach. Cash flows and economic indicators are used for a typical offshore oilfield development, and meta-models are constructed to analyze the basic features of the fiscal system. Applications of the models in contract negotiation are discussed.
基金This work was supported by the research grants from the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 20174024) and the Special Founds for Major State Basic Research Projects (G199906408)
文摘A constitutive model of quasi-Newtonian fluid based on the type of flow is used in abrupt planar contraction now.The numerical results from finite element analysis are consistent with experimental data for stress patterns and velocityprofiles in the flow field. The chain conformations of polymer melts are then investigated in such a planar contraction byusing the phenomenological model with internal parameters proposed by the author. That is, the shape and orientation ofpolymer chain coils are predicted and discussed in different flow regions of the contraction flow field that possess simpleshear flow, extensional flow, vortical flow, and mixed flow respectively.
基金supported in part by National Sciences Foundation of China grants ( 11672001, 81571691,81771844)
文摘Objective Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot(rTOF)account for the majority of cases with late onset right ventricle(RV)failure.The current surgical approach,including pulmonary valve replacement/insertion(PVR),has yielded mixed results with some patients recover RV function and some do not.An innovative surgical approach was proposed to help ventricle to contract and improve RV function qualified by ejection fraction with one or more active contracting bands.Computational biomechanical modelling is a widely used method in cardiovascular study for investigation of mechanisms governing disease development,quantitative diagnostic and treatment strategies and improving surgical designs for better outcome.Muscle active contraction caused by zero-load sarcomere shortening leads to change of zero-load configurations.In lieu of experimenting using real surgery on animal or human,computational simulations(virtual surgery)were performed to test different band combination and insertion options to identify optimal surgery design and band insertion plan.Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)data were obtained from one rTOF patient(sex:male,age:22.5 y)before pulmonary valve replacement surgery.The patient was suffering from RV dilation and dysfunction with RV end-systole volume 254.49ml and end-diastole volume 406.91 mL.A total of 15 computational RV/LV/Patch/Band combination models based on(CMR)imaging were constructed to investigate the influence of different band insertion surgery plans.These models included 5 different band insertion models combined and 3 different band contraction ratio(10%,15%and 20%band zero-stress length reduction).These models included 5 different band insertion models:Model 1 with one band at anterior to the middle of papillary muscle;Model 2 with one band at posterior to the middle of papillary muscle;Model 3 with 2 bands which are the ones from Models 1&2 combined;Model 4 with a band at the base of the papillary muscle;Model 5 with 3 bands which is a combination of Models 3&4.A pre-shrink process was performed on in-vivo begin-filling and end-systole MRI data to obtain diastole and systole zero4oad ventricle geometries.An extra 5%-8%shrinkage was applied to obtain corresponding systole zero-load geometry reflecting myocardium sarcomere shortening.The zero-load band length in systole was 10%,15%and 20%shorter than that in diastole according to their corresponding contraction ratio.The nonlinear Mooney-Rivlin model was used to describe the ventricle material properties with their material parameter values adjusted to match measured data with CMR.The band material properties were in the same scale with healthy right ventricle.The RV/LV/Band model construction and solution procedures were the same as described.Results Model 5 with band contraction ratio of 20%has the ability to improve RV ejection fraction to 41.07%,which represented a 3.61%absolute improvement,or 9.6%relative improvement using pre-PVR ejection fraction as the baseline number.The ejection fractions for Models 1-4 with band contraction ratio of 20%were 39.28%,39.47%,38.87%and 40.34%respectively.Compared to models with band contraction ratio15%and 20%,models with band contraction ratio 10%has the least ability on RV ejection fraction improvement with ejection fraction 38.28%,38.00%,38.81%,38.50%and 39.36%corresponding to Models 1-5.Conclusions This pilot work demonstrated that the band insertion surgery may have great potential to improve post-PVR RV cardiac function for patients with repaired TOF.More band contraction ratio and inserted band number may lead to better post-surgery outcome.Further investigations using in-vitro animal experiments and final patient studies are warranted.
文摘Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a technology and a process that has brought changes in the construction’s traditional procurement system. Kenya lacks contractual guidelines on implementation of BIM;this makes the adoption of BIM slow and difficult. Previous research has identified a gap in contractual relationships, roles and resulting risks. The objectives of this study were to investigate BIM adoption in Nairobi and to investigate the influence of BIM on Engineering Contract Management (ECM)</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> in Nairobi Kenya</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">. The survey research was a descriptive study with 175 responsive questionnaires. Respondents comprised of Civil Engineers, Construction Project Managers, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Contractors and Facility Managers. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interview. Descriptive analytics, correlation and Exploratory factor analysis methods were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. It emerged that adoption level was at 56.6% and shallow understanding of BIM capabilities remains to be a barrier to its adoption and implementation. It also emerged that BIM improves ECM;when time, cost, quality, collaboration and return on investment improve, ECM becomes easier. Latent factors found in BIM and ECM relationship were Legal Implications, awareness and knowledge, efficiency, versatility, mandate and leadership, and competitiveness. Further, the study found out that BIM influence on ECM demands for establishment of standards, guidelines, policy, legal framework, and regulations, which can be achieved by amending the public procurement act which dictates the operation of all the other standard forms of contract. Further research should be conducted to measure whether the understanding of BIM had positively improved.