Maverick (United States)

The online landscape is an evolving sphere where individual participation in social networks undergoes a complex transitional flow. This research paper introduces a novel framework employing the concepts of participation continuum and transitional flow of persuasion (TFP) to map the user's journey through various stages of interaction in online communities. Through this lens, this research paper elucidates how external factors such as trolling or brand affinity can catalyse shifts in a user's beliefs, attitudes, and engagement levels, thereby propelling him/her through various optimum motive situations from equilibrium to disruption and ultimately to a new state of equilibrium. An algorithm is subsequently presented to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of seduction mechanisms employed by social networks to induce brand identification and user engagement. The research study culminates in a detailed analysis of how this algorithm can strategically guide users from a state of disengagement to committed participation. Through its theoretical framework and algorithmic model, this research paper advances our understanding of persuasive techniques in social networks and provides actionable insights for enhancing user participation and brand loyalty.

Abstract A successful CO2-foam technology has operated at the East Vacuum Grayburg San Andres Unit (EVGSAU) since Jan 2018 by ConocoPhillips in cooperation with Dow. In early 2020, scope of the technology was expanded from one pattern to three patterns. The expansion phase was implemented to evaluate scalability of this technology to patterns with diverse conformance issues and productivity inefficiencies. Severe vertical and areal conformance issues were initially identified in these patterns, resulting in early gas breakthroughs and poor oil sweep efficiencies. Due to the outstanding performance of the first phase, the same surfactant with high foaming tendencies, high gas solubility, and low adsorption characteristics was implemented in the new patterns. In contrast to the first foam pattern, gas injectivity was reduced by 20 to 50% after only 2 foam cycles in the new patterns. Based on injection profile logs (IPL), no out-of-zone injection was identified before the surfactant injection for the two new patterns, which can be the reason for such rapid injectivity responses. Similar to the first pattern, deep conformance corrections were confirmed as gas was redirected from highly connected producers to other producers within the new patterns. A lower surfactant dosage was applied to one of the new patterns to optimize chemical consumption, while sustaining the performance. The surfactant concentration was also reduced in the first pattern to study the effect of a lower dosage on a known performing pattern. During the foam implementation, the gas to water ratio (GWR) at the pattern injectors was increased to maintain the patterns at the baseline fluid throughput. This adjustment resulted in more than a 50% reduction in water consumption and a 17% improvement in gas utilization. Overall, a sustainable increase in oil production rate (30 to 40% over the baseline for the last two years) was achieved in the three foam patterns as a result of the foam implementation. This three-pattern CO2-foam field result is an outstanding example of how proper implementation of a novel surfactant in a conventional reservoir with mild-to-severe deep conformance issues can improve oil sweep efficiency. The application of this foam technology has demonstrated the extension of the life of a mature asset like EVGSAU by arresting the historical decline in the oil production rate. Reduction in energy and water consumption per barrel of oil produced, and further CO2 sequestration are other benefits of this technology.

This chapter describes four interdisciplinary fields originated and defined by Ashu M. G. Solo in 2011 called political engineering, public policy engineering, computational politics, and computational public policy. Political engineering is the application of engineering, computer science, mathematics, or natural science to solving problems in politics. Computational politics is the application of computer science or mathematics to solving problems in politics. Political engineering and computational politics include, but are not limited to, principles and methods for political decision-making, analysis, modeling, optimization, forecasting, simulation, and expression. Public policy engineering is the application of engineering, computer science, mathematics, or natural science to solving problems in public policy. Computational public policy is the application of computer science or mathematics to solving problems in public policy. Public policy engineering and computational public policy include, but are not limited to, principles and methods for public policy formulation, decision-making, analysis, modeling, optimization, forecasting, and simulation. The chapter describes the scope of research and development in these fields, provides examples of research and development in these fields, and provides possible university curricula for academic programs in these fields.

Over the past decade, the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model has been widely used for provision of primary care to provide more timely access, coordination and patient-centered care. Tailoring the PCMH model to older adults is a way to provide high quality coordinated care to older adults with more risk of negative health and psychosocial outcomes. In 2010, the PCMH for older adults model was implemented in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and called Geriatric Patient-Aligned Care Teams (GeriPACT). The objective of this paper is to describe the structural characteristics of GeriPACT utilizing survey results from 44 GeriPACT physician leaders (62% response rate). Our results indicate that there is substantial variation in these structural characteristics across GeriPACTs including staffing, allocation of clinical space, panel size, patient enrollment procedures, patient conditions managed in the GeriPACT, clinical services provided, and team member training in geriatrics.

Design requirements for nonmetallic piping systems are significantly different from those applicable to piping made of steel and other metals, and the development of rules for nonmetallic materials requires a unique set of expertise. While other piping standards have tried to address the use of nonmetallic materials in industrial piping, they do not provide adequate requirements to cover the service limitations, design, materials, fabrication, installation, fusing or joining, and quality control which are unique to nonmetallic piping systems. To address this gap, ASME assembled the Committee on Nonmetallic Pressure Piping Systems (NPPS) in 2011 to develop standard rules for the construction of nonmetallic pressure piping systems. Over the last 7 years, the NPPS Committee has developed three new standards which are scheduled to be published in 2018: ASME NM.1 Standard on Thermoplastic Piping, ASME NM.2 Standard on Glass Fiber Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Piping, and ASME NM.3 Standard on Nonmetallic Materials. These standards cover the design, manufacture, fabrication, installation, examination, testing, and inspection of thermoplastic and glass fiber reinforced thermosetting resin piping systems suitable for pressure applications. They will also cover specifications for nonmetallic materials for piping components including material design values and limits on the use of nonmetallic materials.

Background: Laparoscopic gastric banding is a well-tolerated bariatric operation with low morbidity and mortality. The management of gastric band erosion has not been well described. A review of the management of gastric band erosions occurring at our institution was conducted. Methods: Operative records were reviewed retrospectively, identifying the total number of gastric bands placed, as well as any operations performed for gastric band erosions. Results: During 2006–2009, 2,570 gastric bands were placed, and 17 gastric band erosions were managed. Management consisted of removal of the band and port device, and either primary closure of the defect or intraluminal placement of a drain. Fifty percent of patients with erosion presented with port-site infections. Conclusion: We conclude that placement of an intraluminal drain is more than adequate for gastric band erosion. We further conclude that when port-site infections occur, especially late, a work-up for erosion is indicated.

In this chapter, the authors provide fundamental principles of Higher Order Neural Units (HONUs) and Higher Order Neural Networks (HONNs) for modeling and simulation. An essential core of HONNs can be found in higher order weighted combinations or correlations between the input variables and HONU. Except for the high quality of nonlinear approximation of static HONUs, the capability of dynamic HONUs for the modeling of dynamic systems is shown and compared to conventional recurrent neural networks when a practical learning algorithm is used. In addition, the potential of continuous dynamic HONUs to approximate high dynamic order systems is discussed, as adaptable time delays can be implemented. By using some typical examples, this chapter describes how and why higher order combinations or correlations can be effective for modeling of systems.