Worldwide, unconventional resources are important sources of oil and gas when most conventional resources are declining and demand for hydrocarbons is growing. The Masters? (1979) concept of the energy resource triangle suggest that the exploitation of unconventional reservoirs is particularly sensitive to both technology and commodity price parameters. In the United States, production from unconventional reservoirs has been stimulated by a combination of Federal tax credits, technical development programs -supported by government agencies and private organizations- and high commodity prices. In this work, the effect of technology and different economic events for selected unconventional oil and gas plays in the United States was evaluated according to the concept of the Resource Triangle Theory (RTT). Studies conducted in the Austin Chalk -our textbook case- and other seven unconventional plays in the United States have supported the RTT concept that high prices and better technologies do result in more drilling activity and more oil and gas production from unconventional reservoirs. For instance, two approaches were employed to support RTT concept: Correlation study and Forecasting graphs. On the first one, correlations of commodity prices and technology with drilling activity demonstrated that periods of high commodity prices coincide with increase in unconventional producing wells approximately 75% from selected plays in this study. The second one shows that high prices and technological advances also translate into additional oil and gas production and reserves. This behavior was observed through the analysis of a series of decline production curves using a VBA program in Excel that compute oil and gas production volumes and their corresponding economic values under specific conditions. The results indicated that maximum value of approximately $50 billion oil plus gas would have been possible using conventional hydraulic fracturing technology only. Moreover, subsequent episodes of high commodity allow the introduction of new technologies that have boosted even more oil and gas production from the plays. Great examples are the use of horizontal and multilateral wells which has opened up additional areas for development, such as the Barnett Shale and the Bakken Shale. Using horizontal wells has also revived older plays, such as the Austin Chalk. The combination of horizontal well technology and water fracturing technology has led to a dramatic increase in the development of both oil and gas from shale reservoirs. Current production schemes suggest that the plays could produce an additional of $320 billion when producing at rates higher than 5 BOE/day. Our results confirm the concept of the resource triangle that natural gas and oil resources can be produced from low quality resources when either product prices increase or when better technology is available. The seven oil and gas plays studied in this research are demonstrative examples.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the utilization of student support services and overall satisfaction in medical school. Utilization of services, and overall satisfaction were analyzed by gender, race/ethnicity, and medical specialty choice. In addition, the study identified the most utilized support service, and explored whether utilization of services and overall satisfaction were correlated with academic performance. Two medical schools in the state of Florida were used for the study, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine (USF MCOM), and Florida State University College of Medicine (FSU CoM). Separate anonymous, three-part, on-line surveys were created and administered to fourth-year students. Data were collected on the utilization of the specific academic and psychological support services available at each school. Data were analyzed by medical school (n = 87; n = 71), and as a combined set (N = 158). Results of a multiple regression analysis, using each support service as predictors, indicated that the utilization of the primary service for academic counseling at both medical schools was inversely related to overall satisfaction. Results also revealed that no significant differences existed for utilization of support services and overall satisfaction by gender, race/ethnicity, and medical specialty choice. The most utilized service at USF MCOM was the Office of Student Affairs. At FSU CoM, the Office of Student Counseling Services was the most utilized. The findings indicated that utilization of USF MCOM services increased as academic performance decreased; however, there was no significant relationship between academic performance and utilization of services at FSU CoM. A significant relationship existed between academic performance and overall satisfaction; as students’ experience of academic difficulties increased, their overall satisfaction with medical school decreased. The implications from this study can help facilitate an initiative, at both medical schools, to broaden the scope and utilization of the academic and psychological support services to possibly increase their influence on student resiliency, and the overall medical school experience.

This applied dissertation was designed to provide better access to current information for best practices in kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) online learning. Virtual schooling is becoming a mainstream option for high school students, especially when some courses are not offered in every traditional school. Despite its increased popularity, very few studies had been conducted in K-12 virtual schooling. There was a need for more research based on the perspectives of adolescent students to understand the importance of quality interactions that can bridge the psychological and communications gap that may result when the learner and teacher are separated by time and distance. A quantitative study was conducted at a district-level high school located in the southeastern area of Florida to understand the relationship between adolescent students’ perceptions of the quality and level of learner-teacher, learner-learner, and learner-content interactions; academic achievement; and satisfaction in an online course. Transactional distance theory was used to explain if the quality interactions utilizing synchronous and asynchronous tools have the potential to increase the dialogue within this online course, thereby, reducing the transactional distance. Data was gathered by using a nonexperimental, self-reported, Web-based interaction preferences survey of approximately 50 high school students. Descriptive and nonparametric inferential statistical methods were used to guide, interpret, and analyze students’ responses from this survey.

<p>   </p> <p>M&A activity is significant in today’s economy, as well as the need for M&A deals to be successful. Human resourcing is a necessary component in executing M&A deals and without it, anticipated growth through expected synergies cannot be achieved. What was particularly sparse in the extant literature of human resources support for M&A was the research into developing a function supporting M&A activities. The purpose of this research was to gather data of previously completed M&A deals at a business to examine if a correlation exists between the available M&A deal data and the number of human resources that were hired for integration. This study used existing data from previous M&A deals to develop a model for predicting the ideal number of human resources required to complete integration activities for future M&A deals. In a case wise diagnostic of the resulting model, 28 of the 31 previous M&A deals were correctly predicted by the model for the needed number of contractors. These findings answered the research question posed by this study, and these resulted in the creation of a multiple regression model with statistically significant coefficients for future M&A deals. A process model was developed and may be useful for businesses, by providing a methodology to leverage its own historical data to predict human resource needs during M&A integrations. This study provided businesses pursuing M&A a quantitative process for intentional planning to ensure that there are dedicated human resources to support the business strategy and outcomes. </p> <p>  </p>

No description available.

A soldagem a ponto por resistência é o processo de união de partes mais comum utilizado na indústria automobilística. Vários métodos de representação de pontos de solda estão disponíveis, e este trabalho se propõe comparar dois métodos de modelagem de pontos de solda através de um estudo de correlação, em termos da força máxima suportada pela junta soldada, entre os resultados de testes virtuais e de laboratório. Estes métodos de representação dos pontos de solda são os elementos de viga e os elementos sólidos. Os testes utilizados neste estudo de correlação carregam o corpo de provas sob ação de forças de cisalhamento e normal aplicadas diretamente no ponto de solda. E para completar este estudo de correlação, o entendimento dos modos e critérios de falha de juntas soldadas também é necessário. Os modelos de elementos finitos dos corpos de prova gerados para serem testados sob condições de cisalhamento e de força normal são detalhados pela apresentação dos tipos de materiais, elementos, formulações de contato e carregamento utilizados. Estes modelos foram analisados pelo LS-DYNA, que é um código de elementos finitos de propósito geral para análise de respostas dinâmicas provenientes de grandes deformações de estruturas. Da mesma forma, os testes físicos e os corpos de prova utilizados são detalhados, e os resultados provenientes dos testes são comparados aos obtidos nas simulações. Dos resultados obtidos, a melhor correlação se deu com a utilização do elemento sólido para representar o ponto de solda, com diferenças entre os resultados físicos e virtuais em torno de 4%. Uma representação simples do ponto de solda é indicada no caso de modelos completos e para aplicações na indústria, alguns fatores, tais como a modelagem da ZTA, podem ser suprimidos. Uma breve descrição do processo de soldagem a ponto, alguns tópicos da análise de elementos finitos não-linear e algumas características do LS-DYNA, além das conclusões e recomendações para trabalhos posteriores, completam este estudo. / Resistance spot welding is the most common jointing process of parts used in automotive industry. Several methods to represent spot welds are available, and the purpose of this work is to compare two different methods of spot weld modeling through a correlation study, taking into consideration the maximum force withstood by the welded joint, between virtual and lab test results. These spot weld representation methods are beam and solid elements. The tests used in this correlation study load the specimens under pure shear and pure normal forces. And in order to complete this correlation study, the understanding of the failure modes and criteria is also necessary. The specimens finite element models generated to be tested under purê shear and normal conditions are detailed by the presentation of materials, elements contact formulations and loading types used. These models were analyzed by the LS-DYNA, which is general purpose finite element code for analyzing the large deformation dynamic response of structures. As well, the physical tests and used specimens are detailed, and the results from the tests are compared to the results obtained in the simulations. Taking the obtained results, the best correlation was found using solid elements to represent the spot weld, due to differences between the physical and the virtual results about 4%. A simple representation of the spot weld is indicated in case of a complete model, and for the industry application, some factors such as the HAZ, may be suppressed. A brief description of the spot welding process, some topics of the non-liner finite element analysis and some features of the LS-DYNA, and also the conclusions and recommendations for future works, complete this study.

The general aim of this thesis was to evaluate a newly designed and constructed miniaturized rotating disk apparatus for in vitro dissolution rate measurements of different drug substances from all of the classes in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS). The new equipment is based on a low volume flow-through cell of Plexiglas, a gold plated magnetic bar and a special designed press. The disk of drug substance (approx. 5 mg) is placed eccentrically in the bar. Rotation speeds were set with a graded magnetic stirrer. An external HPLC pump delivered a continuous flow of aqueous medium to the flow-through cell during dissolution testing. A reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography system using diode array detection (RP-HPLC-DAD) was coupled online to the new equipment. The injections from the miniaturized rotating disk outlet into the quantifying HPLC system were controlled by a six-position switching valve. The injection volumes from the valve and the autosampler, used for the external standards, were statistically evaluated to match each other volumetrically. No analyses were longer than three minutes, using isocratic mode. A traditional USP rotating disk apparatus was used as a reference system and the two instruments were shown to be statistically dissimilar in the numerical dissolution rate values probably due to different hydrodynamics, but had approximately the same precision/repeatability. When correlating the logarithmic values of the in vitro dissolution rate (G) with the apparent solubility (S), using shake-flask methodology in the solubility studies, the two apparatuses gave the same correlation patterns. Further correlation studies were done where the media components were altered by the use of different buffer species or additives into the buffers, such as inorganic salts. Chemometric tools, e.g. orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS), were used to better evaluate the most influential factors for G and S in different media. The most significant factor for a model basic drug substance (terfenadine) was pH, followed by the ionic strength (I) and added sodium chloride in one of the media. However, the surfactants in the Fasted State Simulated Intestinal Fluid (FaSSIF-V2) were found to be insignificant for G and S in this study (using a 95% confidence interval). The new miniaturized apparatus is a promising prototype for in vitro dissolution rate measurements both for early screening purposes and in dissolution testing during drug development, but needs further instrumental improvements.

A soldagem a ponto por resistência é o processo de união de partes mais comum utilizado na indústria automobilística. Vários métodos de representação de pontos de solda estão disponíveis, e este trabalho se propõe comparar dois métodos de modelagem de pontos de solda através de um estudo de correlação, em termos da força máxima suportada pela junta soldada, entre os resultados de testes virtuais e de laboratório. Estes métodos de representação dos pontos de solda são os elementos de viga e os elementos sólidos. Os testes utilizados neste estudo de correlação carregam o corpo de provas sob ação de forças de cisalhamento e normal aplicadas diretamente no ponto de solda. E para completar este estudo de correlação, o entendimento dos modos e critérios de falha de juntas soldadas também é necessário. Os modelos de elementos finitos dos corpos de prova gerados para serem testados sob condições de cisalhamento e de força normal são detalhados pela apresentação dos tipos de materiais, elementos, formulações de contato e carregamento utilizados. Estes modelos foram analisados pelo LS-DYNA, que é um código de elementos finitos de propósito geral para análise de respostas dinâmicas provenientes de grandes deformações de estruturas. Da mesma forma, os testes físicos e os corpos de prova utilizados são detalhados, e os resultados provenientes dos testes são comparados aos obtidos nas simulações. Dos resultados obtidos, a melhor correlação se deu com a utilização do elemento sólido para representar o ponto de solda, com diferenças entre os resultados físicos e virtuais em torno de 4%. Uma representação simples do ponto de solda é indicada no caso de modelos completos e para aplicações na indústria, alguns fatores, tais como a modelagem da ZTA, podem ser suprimidos. Uma breve descrição do processo de soldagem a ponto, alguns tópicos da análise de elementos finitos não-linear e algumas características do LS-DYNA, além das conclusões e recomendações para trabalhos posteriores, completam este estudo. / Resistance spot welding is the most common jointing process of parts used in automotive industry. Several methods to represent spot welds are available, and the purpose of this work is to compare two different methods of spot weld modeling through a correlation study, taking into consideration the maximum force withstood by the welded joint, between virtual and lab test results. These spot weld representation methods are beam and solid elements. The tests used in this correlation study load the specimens under pure shear and pure normal forces. And in order to complete this correlation study, the understanding of the failure modes and criteria is also necessary. The specimens finite element models generated to be tested under purê shear and normal conditions are detailed by the presentation of materials, elements contact formulations and loading types used. These models were analyzed by the LS-DYNA, which is general purpose finite element code for analyzing the large deformation dynamic response of structures. As well, the physical tests and used specimens are detailed, and the results from the tests are compared to the results obtained in the simulations. Taking the obtained results, the best correlation was found using solid elements to represent the spot weld, due to differences between the physical and the virtual results about 4%. A simple representation of the spot weld is indicated in case of a complete model, and for the industry application, some factors such as the HAZ, may be suppressed. A brief description of the spot welding process, some topics of the non-liner finite element analysis and some features of the LS-DYNA, and also the conclusions and recommendations for future works, complete this study.

5 Abstract In recent years, information and communication technology have become an increasingly integral part of almost everyone's work. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has accelerated to some extent the implementation of digital technologies that employees have not used before in such large scale and to which they have had to adapt. The number of employees working in various forms of teleworking has also increased. In addition to the positive effects in the form of increasing work efficiency, employee flexibility and facilitation of communication between international teams, the usage of information and communication technology is associated with a negative aspect in the form of technostress. This thesis deals with the relationship between different ways of work organization and technostress creators and the relationship between technostress creators and technostress inhibiting factors on employees who work with information and communication technology. It focuses also on intergroup differences in terms of technostress. The data were obtained through an online self-assessment questionnaire which was distributed through social networks 11 months after the spread of Covid-19 in the Czech Republic. The questionnaire consisted of the Technostress Creators Inventory (Ragu-Nathan et al., 2008) and the Technostress...

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is the most common aneuploidy to affect humans and occurs in approximately 1 of 750 live births. Individuals with DS present with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. Common craniofacial phenotypic expressions include a small mandible, protruding tongue, and a flattened nasal bridge. These traits may affect the feeding, breathing, and swallowing of individuals with DS. Because some complications may go unnoticed for longer periods of time, we hypothesize that significant cardiac and GI defects may be indicative of feeding and airway difficulties. In order to better understand the secondary phenotypes resulting from DS, we have implemented a retrospective chart review of 137 infants between zero and six months of age who were evaluated through the Down Syndrome Program at Riley Hospital for Children from August 2005 to August 2008. Data regarding cardiac, gastrointestinal, endocrine, airway, auditory, and feeding abnormalities have been collected and incedences and comorbidites of these traits has been examined. Comprehensive results indicate cardiac abnormalities occur in 80% of infants, 60% experience gastrointestinal complications, feeding difficulties occur in 46%, and airway complications occur in 38% of infants. Infants with DS were found to be breastfed less over time, with an increase in tube feeds. Notably, we have found all infants with videofluoroscopic evaluations had some type of dysphagia. The presence of gastrointestinal abnormalities closely correlate with the need for tube feeds, and the comorbidity between GI anomalies and muscle tone appear to indicate the likelihood of feeding difficulties and need for altered feeding strategies. Comorbidities between feeding difficulties were nearly significant with cardiac defects and significant with GI abnormalities. Identification of such associations will help healthcare providers determine the best course of treatment and recommended feeding methodology for infants with DS. In order to utilize an in vitro model to study the craniofacial dysmorphologies seen in individuals with DS, cranial neural crest cells (NC) have been cultured. With these, we have begun to investigate the mechanisms behind a smaller trisomic mandibular precursor as compared to the euploid. With this in vitro model, we will be able to test proliferation, migration, and senescence of NC in a culture system.