bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching Quality Monitoring and Evaluation in Higher Education through a Big Data Analysis
Authors: Dong Yuxin
Published: April 2023

In the existing teaching quality monitoring and evaluation, there usually adopts only one method, which is relatively simple, lacking validation and verification in the analysis results. For this reason, this paper aims to conduct research on the teaching quality monitoring and evaluation in higher education based on big data analysis. Firstly, the teaching quality monitoring in higher education was made in five directions: teachers' teaching level, students' academic status, course learning effectiveness, students' competency, and students' employment status. Also, the time series forecasting model (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) and the differential equation model (GM(1,1)) model which can effectively predict the change trend of the series, are fused to make the predictive evaluation of the changes in data series of the higher education teaching quality. Next, a combined analysis was performed for both the teaching quality monitoring and evaluation results in higher education and the corresponding data on the frequency of proposing and promoting the improvement measures of teaching quality, and mathematical models were established through curve fitting and parameter estimation to explore the deep correlation between the two. Finally, the related experimental results were given to verify the fusion model. Therefore, the teaching quality monitoring and evaluation system in higher education based on big data analysis can realize the effective regulation of factors affecting teaching quality, and also provide convenience for the academic management of universities, which has certain research significance.
Higher Learning
Authors: Webb Patrick
Published: April 2023

The existence and use of restorative justice has evolved in the past 50 years. This includes research related to the development and effectiveness of such within a number of academic and professional areas. It also includes the types of practical activities and processes based upon the theoretical premise of restorative justice, which is referred to as restorative pedagogy. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the use of restorative justice in higher education. This includes the application of restorative justice practices as a viable alternative to punitive-based responses to student misconduct. Finally, this chapter discusses the infusion of restorative justice content and practices in criminal justice courses.
School Between Equity and Inequalities
Authors: Ferrero Valerio
Published: April 2023

This chapter aims to contribute to pedagogical reflection on the issue of equity in education, placing a specific focus on the Italian context. Having traced a normative and institutional framework on the Italian school system, old and new inequalities that impact students' educational experience will be analyzed. There is an urgent need to focus on nontraditional factors of inequality: they are produced by the school itself, combined with classical causes of inequality (socioeconomic and sociocultural background), and produce unprecedented forms of inequity. It is therefore necessary to understand how to take action to promote equity in school and build a more equitable society. The idea is that creative and courageous use of school autonomy is helpful in overcoming current inequalities. From this perspective, talking about educational justice rather than restorative justice allows us to construct a paradigm that combines the demands of equity and social justice with some aspects of restorative justice without giving in to the risk of compensatory pedagogy.
Role of Leadership and Governance for Public Sector Sustainability
Authors: Ramakrishna Yanamandra , Wahab Siti Norida , Babita Srivastava
Published: April 2023

Governments across the world face multiple and complex sets of challenges to manage public sector enterprises in an efficient manner. Despite their best of efforts, several countries have been facing issues in delivering the intended outcomes to the bottom of the pyramid in society through these enterprises. These issues range from lack of a long-term sustainable strategy, inefficient management, and unavoidable interference of political parties, especially in India. Though some organizations have been achieving their objectives, leadership, and governance is found to be major issue in enterprises in India to achieve sustainability. With this background, based on a systematic literature review, this chapter intends to develop a model of leadership and governance for the sustainability of public sector enterprises with special emphasis on India. This model will add value to the governing bodies, policymakers, researchers, and all the stakeholders of these enterprises in redesigning their strategies for achieving sustainability.
Experimental Investigation and Modeling of a Nanoparticle-Based Foam: Core Scale Performance for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Ahmadi Khashayar , Akrong Dorcas Annung , Sripal Edison Amirtharaj , Sahari Moghaddam Farzan , Ovwigho Ejiro Kenneth , Esene Cleverson , Machale Jinesh , Telmadarreie Ali , James Lesley Anne
Published: April 2023

Nanoparticle-based foam shows promise to enhance oil recovery; however, there is limited experimental investigation on the influence of injection sequence on recovery. The objective of the present study is to systematically compare the injection sequence of SiO2 nanoparticle-based foam, viz, brine-gas-foam-gas (N2) and brine-foam-brine, using core flooding experimental and simulation analyses. Relative permeability endpoints and Corey exponents are found by history matching the experimental production data using a commercial software. To match foam parameters and assess recovery considering underlying physics a software was used. Three coreflooding experiments using a novel nanoparticle-based foam were conducted on two unaged and one aged sandstone cores to investigate two injection sequences (i.e., water (brine)-gas-foam-gas and water-foam-water) at reservoir conditions. The stability and solubility of the nanofoam were studied in high-pressure and high-temperature interfacial tension experiments.

Experimental results indicate that the water (brine)-gas-foam-gas sequence results in higher recovery at core scale with a 13.2% increase in recovery after foam injection and total recovery of 80.2% after respective injections of 2.0, 1.8, 1.2 and 0.5 PV of water-gas-foam-gas. The water-foam-water sequence results in a 4.4% increase in recovery after foam injection and total recovery of 61.6% after respective injections of 0.9, 2.9 and 2 PVs in water-wet core and a 6.6% increase after foam injection and total recovery of 73.3% after respective injections of 1.2, 0.6, and 0.6 PV (brine-foam-brine) in an oil-wet core. Increased oil recovery in all experiments ranged from 6.6 to 30.6%.

Unlike previous studies, we investigate different nanofoam injection sequences in different wetting condition (aged/unaged cores). A limited number of studies for nanofoam on highly permeable sandstones (500–750 mD) have been reported. Results of this study show that the generated nanoparticle-based foam can be used to favorably control mobility and enhance oil recovery. The numerical simulation efforts led to several critical learnings on the physics of incremental oil recovery from dry-out effects of the foam, as well as the limitations of current commercial simulators in properly replicating the entire physics.
Intelligent Wireline Formation Tester Evaluation of Low-Permeability and Low-Resistivity-Contrast Formation
Authors: Wang Xiannan , Wang Jian , Guan Lijun , Gao Bei , Gisolf Adriaan , Fan Zhaoya , Partouche Ashers , Gu Yuyang , Liu Jian , Chen Li , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2023

Exploration and development drilling in offshore China is extending to Paleogene formations that are characterized by low-resistivity-contrast and low-permeability rocks. These formations have become a focus for increasing reserves and production. During exploration activities, these low-resistivity, low-formation-contrast formations have been critical and challenging for formation evaluation because the geological structure and lithology are more complex than in previously discovered fields. Differentiating hydrocarbon from water using petrophysical interpretation has a large uncertainty in these formations. Confirming the fluid type using conventional formation testing technology has been extremely challenging because the produced fluid is mainly mud filtrate, which is no use for fluid confirmation.

A new-generation intelligent wireline formation testing platform consisting of a focused radial probe inlet and a dual flowline with dual downhole pumps to enable flexible focused sampling was applied to three appraisal wells in offshore China. Given the larger flow area of the probe system, flow tests could be conducted in as low as 0.004-md/cP mobility zones (the tightest on record), and fluid identification could be performed in-situ while the fluid flowed through a group of sensors. Previous formation testing in these formations had been challenged because the water-based mud system caused suspension of solid particles (debris and mud solids). Filter and standoff accessories available with the intelligent wireline formation platform enabled designing a fit-for-purpose approach to overcome this challenge in a short time.

This dedicated design resulted in increased efficiency in water sampling compared to previous testing done by the operator. Clean water resistivity, measured in situ, can now be applied to this new exploration block to recalculate the water saturation for reserve estimation. Whereas previous gas-water transition zone sampling was challenging because high water-based mud filtrate fractions masked the presence of formation water and formation hydrocarbon, the radial probe, combined with state-of-the-art resistivity measurements, allowed identification of gas and the measurement of formation water resistivity in a multiphase flow environment. The formation testing of these low-resistivity-contrast and low-permeability formations enabled acquisition of a 2% contaminated formation water sample in 140 minutes with formation mobility of 1 md/cP. The gas-water zone was confirmed from a dual flowline resistivity measurement and a hydrocarbon show in mobility of 1.4 md/cP.
Wellbore Integrity During Production and Drilling Risk Analysis in Gas Hydrate Bearing Sediments by Coupled THMD Model
Authors: Wang Yarlong , Yuan Yuan , Chai Yutong
Published: April 2023

Wellbore integrity in a gas hydrate bearing formation during drilling and production is a great challenge in the energy industry since a complex thermal-hydraulic-mechanical interaction with decomposed solid hydrate process is involved. A wellbore temperature increase and/or depressurization process may induce additional stresses and thermal and fluid flows, which may trigger wellbore instability, sand production, and undesired fracturing. Production-related wellbore integrity issues such as solid production during wellbore depressurization or heating are also widely observed and studied. To understand the thermal-hydraulic-mechanical behavior with hydrate decomposition (THMD) process and to simulate the THM responses of hydrate gas bearing sediments to wellbore pressure and temperature variations under a given in-situ stress regime during drilling and production, a fully coupled THMD model is presented in this paper. The conceptual THMD model with simplified semi-analytical solutions for the induced stress, pore pressure, and temperature at the wellbore and inside the formation is discussed. A linear Mohr-Coulomb criterion is utilized to define the onset of the wellbore instability or plastic yielding when sand production defined by effective plastic strain (EPS) is considered with a cohesion dependent on hydrate saturation. Numerical method with Laplace transformation is used to solve the transformed homogeneous PDE. We conclude that thermally- and hydration-induced stresses will affect wellbore integrity during hydrate gas production due to wellbore pressure reduction and temperature increase. Unlike the stress perturbation in the conventional gas reservoir, critical temperature and pressure for the equilibrium phase change must be surpassed to induce additional incremental stresses due to the hydrate decomposition. Additional fluid mass and energy transfer may take place with induced temperature and pore pressure because of the hydrate decomposition/recomposition. In addition, the hydrate saturation changes due to the typical drilling strategy applied may reduce the hydrate formation significantly, which will affect the design of production pressure control and management. Thus, pressure optimization is crucial for both maximum production and wellbore integrity.
High Density Geopolymers: A Step Forward Towards Low Carbon Footprint Cementing Operations
Authors: Abdelaal Ahmed Elsayed , Elkatatny Salaheldin Mahmoud
Published: April 2023

The utilization of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in well cementing is accompanied by technical and environmental problems, leading researchers to explore alternative materials that address these issues and promote eco-friendliness. Geopolymer technology, widely used in construction and other industries, has not yet been fully implemented in oil and gas well cementing. Industrial waste materials, such as Class F fly ash (FFA), can be utilized to improve cement properties or create new cement binders. Hematite is used as a weighting agent to increase cement slurry density. However, heavy particle sedimentation in cement and geopolymer slurries is a significant issue that leads to heterogenous properties along the cemented section. This study introduces a new class of geopolymers that use both hematite and Micromax as weighting materials for high-density well cementing applications. One system only used hematite, while the other used both hematite and Micromax in an effort to eliminate sedimentation issues associated with hematite in geopolymers. The effects of adding Micromax on different FFA geopolymer properties were also evaluated. The study evaluated mixability, rheology, and pumpability to determine the mix design, which was then used to examine other properties such as strength, and density variation. The results showed that adding Micromax to hematite reduced the average density variation from 12.5% to 3.9%. Micromax addition also decreased plastic viscosity by 44.5% and fluid loss by 10.5%. Both systems performed closely in terms of strength.
Model Testing of a Passively Controlled 15 MW Floating Wind Tension Leg Platform
Authors: Udoh Ikpoto Enefiok , De Ridder Erik-Jan , Williams Rebecca , Vinayan Vimal , Gant Frederick , Bouman Gijs , Chen Quan
Published: April 2023

This paper discusses the application of a novel passive control technology (Rotating Tension Element Damper, RTED) in attenuating dynamics of a floating wind tension leg platform (TLP) to significantly reduce fatigue and strength loads which ultimately lower the cost of the system. Comprehensive pre-Front End Engineering Design (pre-FEED), including wave basin testing, was carried out to develop the TLP integrated with the RTED. The integrated application of the RTED to a 15 MW floating wind TLP is the first of its kind, and the assessment features model testing performed at 1:60 scale in the wave basin using operational and extreme seas. Results indicate that the RTED attenuates dynamics in all components of the system, over a broad range of frequencies. Findings also reveal complexities which can be associated with dynamic attributes of control system embodiments at sub-scale, thereby providing insights to avoid such effects in full-scale applications.
SIIBED: An Updated Subsea Iceberg Risk Model for the Grand Banks
Authors: King Tony , Turnbull Ian , Stuckey Paul
Published: April 2023

As part of the SIIBED program, a subsea risk model for the Grand Banks was updated to reflect observed changes in the iceberg regime on the Grand Banks since the 1980s. This risk model is used to calculate interaction rates between free-floating and scouring icebergs and subsea infrastructure. The changes to the iceberg regime are described, along with the updates to the subsea risk model and changes in previously calculated iceberg interaction rates for a proposed facility. A methodology for integrating output from other SIIBED tasks into the risk analysis is outlined. Components of a source-to-sink model for understanding past changes in the iceberg regime, as well as future anticipated changes, are discussed.
Cost Effective Fixed Offshore Wellhead Platforms at Shallow Water Moderate Environment Considering Deck Space for Rig-Less Well Interventions
Authors: Chatterjee Prabir Kumar , Shah Jinesh
Published: April 2023

This paper proposes a nonconventional substructure of a fixed offshore wellhead platform that can support a reasonably large deck required for housing 8 wells and rigless well-intervention equipment. The large deck area is considered to avoid hiring of costly jack-up rig or lift boat. Unlike conventional jackets, some conductor guides/sleeves are modified like jacket legs, however, conductors are kept axially free to move through the sleeves. The mudmats are modified to include in the overall load-bearing capacity of the structure. The lower deck (41m × 25m) will accommodate all production equipment and the upper deck will be reserved mainly for temporary well-intervention equipment. Structural design is performed for the proposed platform at 33m water depth due to wave, wind and current loads. Simulated collapse analyses show adequate reserve strength for the structure against extreme wave loads along different directions. The proposed design can provide significantly larger deck space that may be reserved for temporary well-intervention equipment compared to conventional designs without considerable increase of structural steel.
Old Wells, New Purpose: Key Considerations for Re-Purposing Mature Wells and Fields for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Authors: Hoskin Edward Michael , Heller Jakob
Published: April 2023

Traditionally, when the production cycle of an oil or gas or oil & gas field reaches its economic end of life, the top side facilities are dismantled, the wellbore is permanently plugged and abandoned, and the surrounding land or seabed is returned to its natural condition. Such a procedure is commonly referred to as decommissioning and it is a complex, multi-step process that is expensive, with costs even higher for offshore and deep-water fields and wells.

At the same time as increasing numbers of oil and gas assets are reaching their end-of-life and need to be decommissioned, governments world-wide are committing to reach a net zero target for CO2 emissions in the coming decades. With these two concurrent commitments there is now the opportunity to evaluate the potential for re-use of those to-be-decommissioned wells and fields for the use of CO2 injection and storage, commonly referred to as CCS or carbon capture and storage. Re-using wells and fields for CO2 injection provides not only potential cost saving benefits but also promises to reduce the time required for developing the necessary CCS infrastructure because much of it will already be in place. The process of converting hydrocarbon wells to CO2 storage wells has been considered in several planned projects, including the P18-4 depleted gas field near the coast of Rotterdam, part of the wider Porthos project, and Peterhead project in the North Sea (Arts et al., 2012; Marshal et al., 2018). Other inherent advantages to re-use include the availability of rich datasets of downhole measurements including logs, core samples and any subsequent lab analysis, and also in-depth field understanding based on potentially multiple well operations. The operators also have the possibility of turning decommissioned wells into a source of profits, or at least covering decommissioning costs, by selling CO2 storage capacity to others.

However, the process for facilitating re-use of wells for injection of CO2, even into a saline aquifer, is far from a simple process of reverse engineering typical oil and gas production practices because there are a number of factors to consider. These include both geological, including reservoir pressure and seal capacity, and engineering not only from a well construction and integrity process but also reservoir engineering and the feasibility of a reservoir to accept the volume and rates of CO2 required to make economic sense for either a new field CCS site or in a re-use case.
Study of Cold Cracking on Offshore Platform Structural Fillet Welds from 440MPa Yield Strength Steel and its Prevention
Authors: Mohandas Subindas Melapurakkal , Cho Min Hyun
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a study conducted to evaluate the centerline weld cracking observed on primary structural Node's fillet weld joint connections made of 440MPa Yield Strength Steel using Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) process in the offshore structures during the fabrication and assembly. Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) – Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) was selected to inspect the fillet weld joint connections because RT or UT is not practical. Considering the possibility of delayed cracking, fillet welds were inspected using MPI after 3 days of weld completion, and MPI examination has not captured any indication. The significance of cracks observed on these initial MPI examined weld joint connections was noticed by visual inspection after 3 weeks of weld completion, thus, the extent of NDE was conducted and observed the long-delayed cracks, which doubts the possibility of long incubation time of cracking. The laboratory examination of the weld center line crack sample had been performed to acquire the key evidences to verify the damage mechanism as a cold cracking. In this paper, the identification of the major causes of Cold cracking, the discussion of the possible causes of long incubation time, and the optimization of the weld joint design had been studied. It also covers the correction methodology that needs to be adopted to prevent the recurrence.
State of the Art Flow Loop Experiments with Real Fluids to Enable Simulator Matching with Field Conditions
Authors: Johansson Peter Sassan , Kjeldby Tor Kindsbekken , Johnson George William , Valle Arne , Hu Bin , Xu Zheng Gang , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: April 2023

An experimental campaign was conducted in Equinor's high pressure flow loop in Porsgrunn with the objective of establishing a high-quality real gas condensate data set for use in modeling steady state flow as well as the specific surge wave phenomena in the Mikkel and Midgard (part of Åsgard) fields on the Norwegian continental shelf. The Mikkel and Midgard fields have been naturally flowing to Åsgard B since 2003 with introduction of the Åsgard Subsea Compression station in 2015 as a major upgrade. The surge wave phenomenon is per today observed in flowlines both upstream and downstream the compressor station, representing challenges with respect to liquid level control both in the scrubber upstream the compressor station as well as topside Åsgard B. Several flowlines are operated with so called ‘’minimum flow limitations’’ representing the minimum production rates at which the flowlines can be operated with acceptable liquid content and flow fluctuations due to surge waves. In order to plan future operations and restructuring initiatives, predictive tools able to capture these phenomena from a quantitative point of view are required. Data based on realistic fluid properties and conditions, have been vital for achieving the required flow simulator improvements in close collaboration with the software vendor modeling team. The first part of the paper gives a detailed description of the experimental matrix, the experimental execution, and the data analysis. Emphasis is also given to describe the state-of-the-art instrumentation used to achieve a unique set of high quality three-phase pipe flow data. The second part of the paper describes a modelling effort utilizing User Defined Functions in the multiphase flow simulator to tune/modify the closure laws to better match the experimental data. The improved model is compared with the Åsgard field data. The model will be used to aid future operations of the field. In an accompanying paper the software vendor has used the new data to improve the general multiphase flow simulator model.
Influence of Hydrogen Sulfide on Adsorption Behavior of CO2/CH4 Mixtures in Calcite Nanopores with the Implications for CO2 Sequestration
Authors: Qian Cheng , Rui Zhenhua , Liu Yueliang , Zhao Yang , Li Huazhou Andy , Ma An , Afanasyev Andrey , Torabi Farshid
Published: April 2023

Injecting CO2 into reservoirs for storage and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a practical and cost-effective strategy for achieving carbon neutrality. Commonly, CO2-rich industrial waste gas is employed as the CO2 source, whereas contaminants such as H2S may severely impact carbon storage and EOR via competitive adsorption. Hence, the adsorption behavior of CH4, CO2, and H2S in calcite (CaCO3) micropores and the impact of H2S on CO2 sequestration and methane recovery are specifically investigated using molecular simulation. The Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were applied to study the adsorption characteristics of pure CO2, CH4, and H2S, and their multi-component mixtures are also investigated in calcite nanopores to reveal the impact of H2S on CO2 storage. The effect of pressure (0-20 MPa), temperature (293.15-383.15 K), pore width, buried depth and gas mole fraction on the adsorption behaviors are simulated. Molecular dynamics simulations (MD) were performed to explore the diffusion characteristics of the three gases and their mixes. The amount of adsorbed CH4, CO2, and H2S enhances with rising pressure and declines with rising temperature. The order of adsorption quantity in calcite nanopores is H2S>CO2>CH4, whereas the order of adsorption strength between the three gases and calcite is CO2>H2S>CH4 based on the interaction energy analysis. At 10 MPa and 3215 K, the interaction energies of calcite with CO2, H2S, and CH4 are -2166.40, -2076.93, and -174.57 kcal/mol, respectively. The CH4-calcite and H2S-calcite interaction energies are dominated by van der Waals energy, whereas electrostatic energy predominates in the CO2-calcite system. The adsorption loading of CH4 and CO2 are lowered by approximately 59.47% and 24.82% when the mole fraction of H2S is 20% at 323.15 K, reflecting the weakening of CH4 and CO2 adsorption by H2S due to competitive adsorption. The diffusivities of three pure gases in calcite nanopore are listed in the following order: CO2 > H2S > CH4. The presence of H2S in the ternary mixtures will limit diffusion and outflow of the system and each component gas, with CH4 being the gas most affected by H2S. The CO2/CH4 mixture can be buried in formations as shallow as 1000-1500 m, but the ternary mixture should be stored in deeper formations. The effects of H2S on CO2 sequestration and CH4 recovery in calcite nanopores are clarified, which provides theoretical assistance for CO2 storage and EOR projects in carbonate formation.
A Retrofittable Instrument to Monitor and Record Strain on Subsea Structures
Authors: Smerdon Andy , Cook Graham
Published: April 2023

In mature offshore hydrocarbon fields, an increasing number of aging assets have reached or exceeded design life, meaning fatigue is of growing concern. Digital twins incorporating a fatigue model are typically used to assess structural integrity and inform decisions on life of field extension. However, they rely on idealized wave models which cannot truly reflect the hydrodynamic loading, which leads to uncertainty and conservatism. The operator of the Ninian Southern Platform in the UK North Sea concluded that if strain could be monitored in situ at key subsea locations, they could develop a more accurate relationship between sea conditions and structural loading, which could be used to calibrate the asset fatigue model, providing enhanced understanding of the jacket integrity. We describe the development, validation, installation, and first field results from an instrument designed to meet that challenge.

Retrofitting strain sensors to subsea structural members presents many technical challenges, as neither conventional strain gauges nor cabled connections are feasible in the harsh subsea environment. For the first deployment, the instrumentation required robust attachment to a 1.2 m diameter tubular member situated at 43 m depth, which would withstand 100-year metocean maxima. It needed a strain transfer mechanism for autonomous measurement of the smallest fatigue-inducing strain reversals on three quadrants of the tubular over a two-year period. Strains were to be continuously sampled and recorded at a sufficient rate to accurately capture the peak values. Additionally, accelerations in three axes and wave height derived from hydrostatic pressure were to be monitored. The whole package had to be installed by ROV, and needed to deliver periodic data downloads throughout the life of the instrument.

At the heart of the instrument is a set of environmentally packaged strain transfer mechanisms. These engage with the surface of the structure through spring-loaded actuators that are deployed by the ROV during installation. They allow strains to be measured directly by the instrument’s data acquisition system. These mechanisms were validated and calibrated using specially designed test equipment. Prior to deployment, the complete instrument, including its magnetic attachment system, was tested on a sample pipe section. All instrument subsystems were proven, including a high-speed optical data link for through-water transfer of recorded data, and an acoustic communication system for status updates.

The instrument was successfully deployed subsea in April 2021, and one complete and continuous data set has already been retrieved. The data shows that the instrumentation is able to accurately capture a range of microstrains from the smaller strain reversals during calmer conditions to the larger wave driven strains in storm conditions. This has demonstrated the ability of the system to measure with great precision, while also withstanding very harsh environmental conditions.
Design Tool to Tailor Properties of Cement for P&A Applications
Authors: Jandhyala Siva Rama Krishna , Cuello Jimenez Walmy
Published: April 2023

As oil and gas wells approach the end of their productive lifetime, they must be permanently abandoned. In recent years, there has been a lot of emphasis on creating modeling tools for design tailoring and placement of abandonment plugs. Moreover, it is of equal significance to devise a process and design tool for achieving long-term integrity of abandonment plugs. Such a design tool will help understand and mitigate the risks of thermo-mechanical damage or flow through plugs. A sound underlying design process should demonstrate the following attributes - (i) be flexible to accommodate different load types: structural, thermal, pore fluid, and strain loads that can be rapid or gradual in nature, (ii) communicate stresses, deformation and temperature information between load stages, (iii) allow load application on the top, bottom, and radial directions of the plug, (iv) evaluate risk of mechanical failure and permeable flow, and (v) allow tailoring of cement properties to minimize the risks. As a result, this work presents a design tool that complies with all the attributes described.

The design tool has been used to model a cement plug interacting with its near wellbore environment. It has the necessary geomechanical and transient features to model rapid or gradual changes in pore pressure and stress to subsequently assess the risk of fluid flow, mechanical failure in shear, tension and/or debonding. The design tool is verified by simulating the construction phases and operational loads of a representative plug job and then comparing its outcome to the expected and/or actual behavior. The effect of plug in-situ stresses and stress anisotropy of the rock are demonstrated. Further, the response of formation's permeability changes from 50 nano Darcy to 5000 μDarcy is used to highlight the impact of fluid communication between the adjacent formation and the abandonment plug.

Interestingly, the verification results align with the expected behavior. Pore pressure buildup is found to increase or decrease the risk of plug failure in shear mode depending on whether the plug is cured in compression or tension, respectively. An increase in formation permeability shows a flow diversion from the plug into the rock, thus, limiting the stress build-up in the plug. For the case analyzed herein, the encountered impact of rock stress anisotropy is minimal.

Ultimately, the design tool demonstrates how a typical abandonment construction and operation process can be simulated to assess the risk of failure and fluid flow through an abandonment plug. It also highlights the critical factors that govern a plug's response, which in some cases includes the role of formation and casing.
Growing International Operations: Multiple Deployments of Multiple Hydrokinetic Power Systems in 2023
Authors: Cahill Brendan , Caspard Marie , Johnson Nathan , Davies Stuart , Leung Pak
Published: April 2023

The objective of this paper is to outline how technical validation of marine hydrokinetic devices is achieved through multiple in-water demonstration projects. The importance of these projects in accelerating the commercialization of the technology by increasing market awareness and adoption is also presented.

This paper will outline how a suite of power systems using the same core technology, based around a patented cross-flow hydrokinetic turbine, has been developed to generate power in both river and tidal environments.

A pathway advancing the design and testing five generations of turbine technology through fourteen system deployments has been followed, successfully facilitating progress to multiple parallel deployments in an 18 month period across 2022-23. The paper will demonstrate how these projects are being delivered, combining internal engineering, development and operational expertise with partnerships with communities, research organisations, regulators and suppliers. Structured innovation processes for optimizing and advancing novel systems and components are also discussed.

The paper outlines the installation and operation of a new hydrokinetic turbine device in Manitoba, Canada, next-generation river turbine units in Millinocket, Maine, and a single turbine tidal energy test system in Eastport, Maine. These are joining an ongoing deployment at Igiugig, Alaska which is demonstrating the performance and survivability of these systems in challenging conditions and proving the model of providing baseload renewable power to remote communities using hydrokinetic turbines. The lessons learned from these projects are described in detail.

The success of these demonstration projects will be shown to unlock the growth of the installed hydrokinetic device capacity by up to nine devices in eight locations on multiple continents and countries over the next 12 to 18 months. The paper will outline how management of parallel device deployments has enabled technology developers to significantly enhance their supply chain capacity, increase the volume of devices that can be manufactured and installed, and reduce unit costs as the project pipeline grows.

The paper will detail industry-leading approaches to supply chain strategy; project opportunity validation and advancement; regulatory and operations timeline implementation; and community engagement. This will provide insight into approaches that can be replicated across the wider marine energy sector.

Deployed devices also enable pilot demonstrations of new market applications for the power produced. Use cases such as point of generation EV charging, decarbonization of onshore industrial facilities, and electrofuels production are outlined.
Two-Year Changes in Diabetic Kidney Disease Phenotype and the Risk of Heart Failure: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea
Authors: Lee Seung Eun , Yoo Juhwan , Choi Han Seok , Han Kyungdo , Kim Kyoung-Ah
Published: April 2023

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a risk factor for hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). DKD could be classified into four phenotypes by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, normal vs. low) and proteinuria (PU, negative vs. positive). Also, the phenotype often changes dynamically. This study examined HHF risk according to the DKD phenotype changes across 2-year assessments.Methods: The study included 1,343,116 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database after excluding a very high-risk phenotype (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2) at baseline, who underwent two cycles of medical checkups between 2009 and 2014. From the baseline and 2-year eGFR and PU results, participants were divided into 10 DKD phenotypic change categories.Results: During an average of 6.5 years of follow-up, 7,874 subjects developed HHF. The cumulative incidence of HHF from index date was highest in the eGFRlowPU– phenotype, followed by eGFRnorPU+ and eGFRnorPU–. Changes in DKD phenotype differently affect HHF risk. When the persistent eGFRnorPU– category was the reference, hazard ratios for HHF were 3.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.73 to 3.52) in persistent eGFRnorPU+ and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.73 to 1.99) in persistent eGFRlowPU–. Among altered phenotypes, the category converted to eGFRlowPU+ showed the highest risk. In the normal eGFR category at the second examination, those who converted from PU– to PU+ showed a higher risk of HHF than those who converted from PU+ to PU–.Conclusion: Changes in DKD phenotype, particularly with the presence of PU, are more likely to reflect the risk of HHF, compared with DKD phenotype based on a single time point in patients with T2DM.
Total postoperative opioid dose is an independent risk factor for prolonged postoperative ileus after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a case-control study
Authors: Ju Hui , Shen Kai , Li Jiaxin , Feng Yi
Published: April 2023

Background: Prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) is a major complication of colorectal surgery. Increased opioid consumption has been proposed to increase the risk of PPOI. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that an increased total postoperative opioid dose (TPOD) is associated with the increased incidence of PPOI.Methods: For this matched case-control study, patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colorectal procedures at the Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2018 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with PPOI were assigned to the ileus group, while patients without PPOI (control group) were matched at a 1:1 ratio to the ileus group according to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score, and type of surgical procedure. The primary outcome was the TPOD between the ileus and control groups. The secondary outcome was risk factors of PPOI.Results: A total of 267 participants were included in the final analysis. No differences in baseline or operative factors were found between the two groups. The TPOD, intravenous sufentanil dose on postoperative day 1 (POD1), and the use of patient-controlled analgesia with basal infusion were associated with PPOI (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an increased TPOD was an independent risk factor for developing PPOI after laparoscopic colorectal procedures (Odd ratio: 1.67, 95% CI [1.03, 2.71], P = 0.04).Conclusions: The TPOD is an independent risk factor for PPOI after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. We need to explore new strategies of postoperative analgesia to reduce the dosage of TPOD.
Liposuction Versus Periareolar Excision Approach for Gynecomastia Treatment
Authors: Abdali Hossein , Rasti Mehdi , Adib Parsa Mehrdad , Seyedipour Sina , Tavakoli-Fard Negah
Published: April 2023

Background:

Gynecomastia (GM) is the increased fibroglandular tissue in the male breast by more than 2 cm, which is palpated under the nipple and areola. An ideal surgical approach aims to reduce the breast size, reach an acceptable breast shape, resect excessive glandular tissue, fatty tissue, and skin fatty tissue and excess skin, relocate the nipple-areolar complex, and avoid scars. Based on its importance, we aimed to compare outcomes of liposuction with and without periareolar incision in patients with GM.

Materials and Methods:

This was a randomized clinical trial on patients referred for plastic surgery. Patients with GM were allocated into two treatment groups. Group A underwent liposuction without any areolar skin incision and group B had liposuction with the areolar skin incision. Patients were followed-up after surgery. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.

Results:

Sixty patients aged between 20 and 27 years old participated in this study. Three hematomas, two surgical site infections, one nipple hypopigmentation after surgery, and one seroma formation were noted in group B. On the other hand, one hematoma and one seroma formation were noted in group A. The patients in group A were highly satisfied after the liposuction without skin incision procedure compared with group B (P = 0.01).

Conclusions:

The management of GM by liposuction, either with the periareolar excision technique or without skin incision, allows the effective removal of fat and glandular tissue of the male breast. Although there was no significant difference regarding postoperation complications between groups, patients' satisfaction should be considered.
Risk factors predicting disease severity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 Saudi Arabian patients
Authors: Al Balwi Wala M. , AlGhamdi Nouf , Alshahrani Reem , Abdelrahman Ihssan H. , Mahmoud Sami , Al-Hamad Ali , Al Hamzah Salma , Al Jraid Fahad , Al Turki Maha , Al Balwi Mohammed A.
Published: April 2023

CONTEXT:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a global pandemic that may be associated with significant associated risk factors.

AIMS:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors predisposing risk to death in COVID-19 patients.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN:

This is a retrospective study that presents the demographic, clinical presentation, and laboratory findings on our patients to determine risk factors contributing to their COVID-19 outcome.

METHODS:

We used logistic regression (odds ratios) to examine associations between clinical findings and risk of death in COVID-19 patients. All analyses were done using STATA 15.

RESULTS:

A total of 206 COVID-19 patients were investigated, 28 of them died, and 178 survived. Expired patients were older (74.04 ± 14.45 vs. 55.56 ± 18.41 in those who survived) and mainly of male gender (75% vs. 42% in those who survived). The following factors were strong predictors of death: hypertension (OR: 5.48, 95% CI: 2.10–13.59, P < 0.001), cardiac disease (OR: 5.08, 95% CI: 1.88–13.74, P = 0.001), and hospital admission (OR: 39.75, 95% CI: 5.28–299.12, P < 0.001). In addition, blood group B was more frequent in expired patients (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 0.78–5.95, P = 0.065).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our work adds to the current knowledge about the factors predisposing to death in COVID-19 patient. In our cohort, expired patients were of older age and male gender plus they were more likely to have hypertension, cardiac disease, and hospital severe disease. These factors might be used to evaluate risk of death in patients recently diagnosed of COVID-19.
Husserl - consciousness as a system anticipating the further course of experience
Authors: Maciejczak Marek
Published: April 2023

Consciousness, according to one of Husserl’s characteristics, is also a system of potential moments outlined in advance. How does consciousness gain this competence? Answering the question, subsequent conditioning aspects are taken into account: (1.) the inner time consciousness that determinates the temporal structure of the word-experience (Welterfahrung) and the world consciousness (Weltbewusstsein), (2.) the network of types. The two aspects of consciousness make possible and determinate cognitive styles of present and future course of experience. The closing remarks (3.) concern the nature of types and their role as cognitive structures that integrate common knowledge with scientific knowledge. Types combined into wider structures types define the further course of experience. Ultimately, they define the scope of practical possibilities, purposes and interests of the subject, an open horizon of possible closer specification.
Bridging Causal Reversibility and Time Reversibility: A Stochastic Process Algebraic Approach
Authors: Bernardo Marco , Mezzina Claudio A.
Published: April 2023

Causal reversibility blends reversibility and causality for concurrent
systems. It indicates that an action can be undone provided that all of its
consequences have been undone already, thus making it possible to bring the
system back to a past consistent state. Time reversibility is instead
considered in the field of stochastic processes, mostly for efficient analysis
purposes. A performance model based on a continuous-time Markov chain is time
reversible if its stochastic behavior remains the same when the direction of
time is reversed. We bridge these two theories of reversibility by showing the
conditions under which causal reversibility and time reversibility are both
ensured by construction. This is done in the setting of a stochastic process
calculus, which is then equipped with a variant of stochastic bisimilarity
accounting for both forward and backward directions.
Fourth Industrial Revolution Tools to Enhance the Growth and Development of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review in South Africa
Authors: Nwosu Lilian Ifunanya , Bereng Makuena Clementina , Segotso Tlotlo , Enebe Ngozi Blessing
Published: April 2023

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has been the subject of discussion, and in most cases, it has been seen as a danger to jobs and conventional methods of doing things. Concerns over the preparation of the South African educational systems for 4IR have been raised as a result. Many industries still lack advanced understanding of 4IR, but the concept is already gaining ground in a variety of economic areas. As a result, academics, business professionals, and legislators are paying closer attention to 4IR. The researchers were inspired to look at how 4IR techniques were applied in South African higher education institutions to advance the growth and development of teaching and learning by this obvious knowledge gap. To investigate how 4IR technologies improve the growth and development of teaching and learning in South African higher education institutions, this study used a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. A search procedure, research key words, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and quality assessments of chosen literature were used in conjunction with the SLR approach. This study found that some South African higher education institutions have successfully adopted 4IR technologies for virtual and contact instruction. The research further saw that academics and support staff utilised various 4IR tools. This is done through a virtual or hybrid classroom, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things, with different devices to send students messages, schedule Zoom classes, and provide feedback and educational resources. However, the study made some recommendations that academics can use to make sure that 4IR is effectively integrated to support the expansion and improvement of teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Future research directions were suggested, and the study came to the conclusion that South Africa could change the direction of the management of the education sector by implementing various 4IR tools in higher education institutions.