bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards an Understanding of Control of Complex Rhythmical ‘Wavelike’ Coordination in Humans
Authors: Sanders Ross Howard , Levitin Daniel J.
Published: February 2020

How does the human neurophysiological system self-organize to achieve optimal phase relationships among joints and limbs, such as in the composite rhythms of butterfly and front crawl swimming, drumming, or dancing? We conducted a systematic review of literature relating to CNS control of phase among joint/limbs in continuous rhythmic activities. SCOPUS and Web of Science were searched using keywords ‘Phase AND Rhythm AND Coordination’. This yielded 998 matches from which 23 papers were extracted for inclusion based on screening criteria. The empirical evidence arising from in-vivo, fictive, in-vitro, and modelling of neural control in humans, other species, and robots indicates that the control of movement is facilitated and simplified by innervating muscle synergies by way of spinal central pattern generators (CPGs). These typically behave like oscillators enabling stable repetition across cycles of movements. This approach provides a foundation to guide the design of empirical research in human swimming and other limb independent activities. For example, future research could be conducted to explore whether the two-layer CPG model proposed by Saltiel et al [1] to explain locomotion in cats might also explain the complex relationships among the cyclical motions in human swimming.
Regulation of the Proteolytic Activity of Cysteine Cathepsins by Oxidants
Authors: Lalmanach Gilles , Saidi Ahlame , Bigot Paul , Chazeirat Thibault , Lecaille Fabien , Wartenberg Mylène
Published: February 2020

Besides their primary involvement in the recycling and degradation of proteins in endo-lysosomal compartments but also in specialized biological functions, cysteine cathepsins are pivotal proteolytic contributors of various deleterious diseases. While the molecular mechanisms of regulation by their natural inhibitors have been exhaustively studied, less is currently known about how their enzymatic activity is modulated during the redox imbalance associated with an oxidative stress and their exposure resistance to oxidants. More specifically, there is only patchy information on the regulation of lung cysteine cathepsins, while the respiratory system is directly exposed to countless exogenous oxidants contained in dust, tobacco, combustion fumes, and industrial or domestic particles. Papain-like enzymes (clan CA, family C1, subfamily C1A) encompass a conserved catalytic thiolate-imidazolium pair (Cys25-His159) in their active site. Despite the sulfhydryl group (with a low acidic pKa) is a potent nucleophile highly susceptible to chemical modifications, some cysteine cathepsins reveal an unanticipated resistance to oxidative stress. Beside an introductory chapter and a peculiar attention to lung cysteine cathepsins, the purpose of this review is to afford a concise update of the current knowledge on molecular mechanisms associated to the regulation of cysteine cathepsins by redox balance and by oxidants (e.g. Michael acceptors, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species).
Resonance Enhancement by Suitably Chosen Frequency Detuning
Authors: Dutykh Denys , Tobisch Elena
Published: February 2020

In this manuscript we report new effects of resonance detuning on various dynamical parameters of a generic 3-wave system. Namely, for suitably chosen values of detuning the variation range of amplitudes can be significantly wider than for exact resonance. Moreover, the range of energy variation is not symmetric with respect to the sign of the detuning. Finally, the period of the energy oscillation exhibits non-monotonic dependency on the magnitude of detuning. These results have important theoretical implications where nonlinear resonance analysis is involved, such as geophysics, plasma physics, fluid dynamics. Numerous practical applications are envisageable e.g. in energy harvesting systems.
Self-Reproduction Cycles of Living Matter and Energetics of Human Activity
Authors: Popov Leonid Evegen'evich
Published: February 2020

In the author's opinion, many global problems that face humanity - in the fields of education, medicine, management etc can be tackled more effectively if the cyclic nature of self-reproducing systems – including living beings – is taken into account. Summarizing the main physiological findings of the last decades on "adaptation reactions", one can very roughly say that the way of action which is effective in the sense of productive activity of people happens at the same time to be healthy, and it gives the participants of the process the feeling of happiness. The present paper represents a very short overview of the contemporary concepts of the adaptation reactions based on the fundamental understanding of their cyclic nature due to general properties of self-reproducing systems. One interesting feature of self-reproduction cycles is its first "phase of orientation" which was not discussed in detail in the past but plays a key role in the whole cycle.
Controlling Systemic Inflammation by Careful Formulation of Topical Skin Care Products: Our Bodies Didn’t Evolve With All the Current Chemicals in Skin Care Products
Authors: Maguire Greg
Published: February 2020

Although man is still rapidly evolving, he has not co-evolved with all of the modern chemicals made by man, including those in cosmetic products. Care must be taken when formulating products so that commonly used ingredients, such as polyethylene glycol, can be substituted with safer ingredients to which man has adapted and that will not cause irritation and inflammation. This is especially important given that induction of skin inflammation will cause systemic inflammation. A review of the literature and of commercially available products was made to highlight techniques and products that remediate inflammation or induce inflammation. Many skin care products contain chemicals that induce irritation and inflammation that may lead to chronic, systemic inflammation. Well studied natural products, especially skin identical chemicals, may offer an advantage compared to recent man-made chemicals in cosmetic and topical formulations and help to reduce skin inflammation as well as skin derived systemic chronic inflammation.
Six-Month Physical Activity Versus Sclerostin and Interleukin 6 Concentration in Patients Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy by Hemodialysis – Pilot Study
Authors: Turoń-Skrzypińska Agnieszka , Dutkiewicz Grazyna , Marchelek-Mysliwiec Malgorzata , Dziedziejko Violetta , Safranow Krzysztof , Ryl Aleksandra , Ciechanowski Kazimierz , Rotter Iwona
Published: February 2020

Background: Chronic kidney disease and renal replacement therapy are associated with reduced physical activity, which may result in the presence of mineral-bone disorders and an increase in inflammation markers. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the performance of daily physical activity, expressed in the number of steps performed by patients undergoing hemodialysis and the concentration of selected biochemical parameters (SCL, IL-6). Materials and Methods: The study involved 33 patients aged 59.8 ± 9.8 years from the dialysis station at the Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine PUM. Group C consisted of 30 people aged 54.9 (9.37), with GFR over 60 mL/min/1.73m. The study group was divided into S-N and N-S. Participants of the S-N group were assigned the task of performing the appropriate daily number of steps, and the N-S group was to perform spontaneous physical activity. The tasks were replaced after the third month of the research project. Physical activity was measured with pedometers. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline, after the third and sixth month of the study. Descriptive statistics, intergroup comparisons using Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman correlation analysis were performed. The level of significance was set at p≤0.005. Results: Patients from the S-N and N-S groups compared to group C performed significantly fewer steps in the 0-3 month and 4-6 month periods. In the S-N group, with an increase in steps performed in the period of 4-6 months, sclerostin levels dropped in the 6th month. In group C, the concentration of SCL and IL-6 decreased with the increase in the number of steps taken. Only in group C the waist circumference decreased with the increase of the number of steps performed. Conclusions: Patients receiving renal replacement therapy by hemodialysis showed significantly lower physical activity compared to people without kidney disease. Performing bigger number of steps can lower sclerostin levels in hemodialysis patients.
Exceptionally Rare Genomic Combinations to Skip Sex: Blending Old Ideas and New Data
Authors: Hojsgaard Diego , Schartl Manfred
Published: February 2020

The unusual occurrence and developmental diversity of asexual eukaryotes still remain a puzzle. Despite asexual organisms have a theorized two-fold reproductive advantage over sexuals, asexual lineages are rare among multicellular eukaryotes. Justification of such disparity relies on the consequences of a lack of meiosis, which restricts genotype diversity and adaptation to novel conditions while accelerating the genetic degeneration that drives asexual lineages to an early demise. However, evidence indicates asexuals use different strategies to limit negative consequences of ameiosis, and age estimates show some asexual vertebrates and plants are much older than expected. If rapid extinction is not a factor influencing asexuals lifespan, then why asexuals are not more frequent? Here we review traditional ideas and new data and provide a novel unified evolutionary frame to understand the intriguing nature, developmental diversity and maintenance of asexual lineages. As a rule, de novo formation of a functioning asexual genome requires a unique assemblage combining particular sets of genes or gene states to disrupt cellular mechanisms of meiosis and gametogenesis, and affect discrete components of sexuality to produce clonal or hemiclonal offspring. We highlight two usually overlooked but essential conditions to understand the molecular nature of clonal organisms, i.e. a non-recombinant genomic assemblage retaining modifiers of the sexual program, and a complementation between altered reproductive components. These subtle conditions are the basis for physiologically viable and genetically balanced transitions between generations. Genomic and developmental evidence from asexual animals and plants indicates the lack of complementation of molecular changes in the sexual reproductive program is likely the main cause of asexuals' rarity, and can provide an explanatory frame for the developmental diversity and lability of developmental patterns in some asexuals as well as for the discordant time to extinction estimations.
Application of ERA5 and MENA Simulations to Predict Offshore Wind Energy Potential
Authors: Shamshirband Shahab , Mosavi Amir , nabipour narjes , Chau Kwok-wing
Published: February 2020

This study explores wind energy resources in different locations through the Gulf of Oman and also their future variability due climate change impacts. In this regard, EC-EARTH near-surface wind outputs obtained from CORDEX-MENA simulations are used for historical and future projection of the energy. The ERA5 wind data are employed to assess the suitability of the climate model. Moreover, the ERA5 wave data over the study area are applied to compute sea surface roughness as an important variable for converting near-surface wind speeds to those of wind speed at turbine hub height. Considering the power distribution, bathymetry and distance from the coats, some spots as tentative energy hotspots to provide a detailed assessment of directional and temporal variability and also to investigate climate change impact studies. RCP8.5 is a common climatic scenario is used to project and extract future variation of the energy in the selected sites. The results of this study demonstrate that the selected locations have a suitable potential for wind power turbine plans and constructions.
SİNİR BİLİMİN PAZARLAMA DÜNYASINA ARMAĞANI: NÖROPAZARLAMA DENEYSEL ARAŞTIRMALARI
Authors: OYMAN Turgay , YÜCEL Nurcan , TÜFEKÇİ Ömer Kürşad
Published: February 2020

Tüketicileri daha iyi tanımayı ve anlamayı amaçlayan pazarlama akademisyenleri, tüketiciler ne düşünüyor ya da ne hissediyor sorusuna geleneksel araştırma yöntemlerinin yanında beynin metabolik aktivitelerinin, elektrik sinyallerinin görüntülenmesi ve fizyolojik tepkilerin ölçülmesiyle elde edilebilecek verileri kullanarak da cevap aramaktadırlar. Nöropazarlama olarak tanımlanan/bilinen bu yöntemin pazar araştırması, ambalaj tasarımı, mağaza tasarımı, reklam araştırmaları, siyasal iletişim gibi konularda oldukça yaygın uygulama alanları bulunmaktadır. Bilinçaltı çalışmalarla karıştırılarak tüketim robotuna dönüştüreceği yanılgısı nöropazarlama çalışmalarının önündeki önemli engellerden biri olsa da bilinirliğinin artması ve klasik araştırma yöntemlerinin eksiklerini tamamlayabilme potansiyeli bu alandaki çalışmaların artmasını sağlamaktadır. Literatür incelendiğinde nöropazarlama çalışmalarında çeşitli yöntemlerin kullanıldığı görülmektedir. Genellikle bu yöntemlerin birkaçı bir arada kullanılmaktadır fakat beyindeki metabolik aktiviteleri ölçen yöntemlerden fMRI, elektriksel aktiviteleri ölçen yöntemlerden EEG, beyin aktivitelerini ölçmeyen yöntemlerden göz izleme en çok kullanılan yöntemler olarak göze çarpmaktadır. Bu çalışmada nöropazarlama, pazarlamanın gelişim süreci içerisinde ele alınarak avantajları ve kısıtları incelenmiştir. Nöropazarlamada kullanılan yöntemler ve bu yöntemleri kullanarak nelerin ölçülebileceği yapılabilecek deneysel çalışmaların tasarlanmasına yardımcı olacak temel bilgileri içerecek şekilde ele alınmıştır.
SAĞLIK ÇALIŞANLARININ ÖRGÜTSEL DEĞİŞİM SÜRECİNDEKİ ALGILARI
Authors: TUĞLACI YILMAZ Mürüvvet , ÖZTOP Sezai
Published: February 2020

Gelişen teknolojilere uyum sağlayabilmek, değişen ve artan müşteri beklentilerine yanıt verebilmek ve küreselleşen rekabet sarmalı içinde varlığını sürdürmek isteyen örgütler, örgütsel değişim sürecini iyi yönetmek durumundadırlar. Gelişen teknolojiye uyum sağlamak ve sağlık hizmeti alanların artan kalite beklentilerini karşılayabilmek için sağlık sektöründe de önemli değişimler yaşanmaktadır. Türkiye’de sağlık sektöründeki en güncel değişimler, 2003-2009 ve 2009-2014 yılları arasında gerçekleştirilen ve iki aşamadan oluşan Sağlıkta Dönüşüm Programı vasıtasıyla olmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, sağlık çalışanlarının sağlıkta dönüşüm programı içinde yaşadıkları örgütsel değişim sürecine yönelik algılarını tespit etmektir. Bu amaçla, Burdur Devlet Hastanesinde anket tekniğine dayalı bir araştırma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Anketlerden elde edilen verilerin SPSS yazılımı ile analizi sonucu ulaşılan bulgulara göre, yaşanan değişimin daha çok iş yapma yöntemlerinde, hastane prosedürlerinde, insan kaynağı ve teknolojik alanlarda gerçekleştiği görülmüştür. Hastanede yaşanan örgütsel değişimdeki temel amacın hasta ve yakınlarının memnuniyet düzeyinin arttırılması olduğu ve çalışanların değişim süreci içinde bilgilendirildikleri tespit edilmiştir. Örgütsel değişime yönelik en önemli direncin ise mevcut alışkanların değişecek olmasından kaynaklandığı belirlenmiştir.
Toward the Redefinition of Drilling Plan and Execution Via a Digital Drilling Ecosystem
Authors: Caso Carlo , Bennett Peter , Isaachsen Jan , Ask Kjell Kristian , Stray Thorkild , Andresen Per Arild , Straumsheim Carl Fredrik
Published: February 2020

For the past few years, the oil and gas industry has invested in digitalization efforts for well construction and drilling operations with the goal of improving drilling efficiency, e.g. optimizing the time and costs of reaching drilling targets. It is widely recognized that this can be achieved by creating a standardized and structured wellbore planning and execution ecosystem.

Today this is still missing; each step of the drilling activity planning is performed in separate spreadsheets and documents, and legacy applications that require point-to-point connections, frequent data importing and exporting, and manual typing and retyping. These inefficiencies make it difficult to standardize ways of working, accurately communicate the drilling activity plans to all stakeholders and partners involved in the value chain, and reuse data to improve the planning process.

This paper describes the approach taken by one of the largest independent oil and gas operators in Europe toward an open, standardized, and structured digital drilling ecosystem that orchestrates the exchange of plans between systems while enforcing standardized plan structures from well construction, time estimation, and the time planner to the rig action plan and its connection to a rig control system.

Central to this ecosystem is a "smart hub" that receives and centrally masters updated plans, checks each plan's conformance to the schema on which it is based, and distributes each committed plan to registered consumers. The smart hub provides a loose coupling between itself and connected plan consumers and publishers, which enables the easy connection of new systems or the replacement of one system with another.

The operator described in this paper is deploying this smart hub to act as its single source of truth for activity planning data and to orchestrate the exchange of this data throughout the planning and execution phases. So far, this approach has elevated the collaboration within the organization and with stakeholders. The longer-term goal of the approach is to inspire the development of new software applications and eliminate old bottlenecks related to manual typing and iteration, thereby improving the user experience and defining new standards for better drilling efficiency.

By leveraging the connection of automated drilling to the digital drilling ecosystem, the operator believes a reduction in drilling time of 15-25% can be achieved. This will create substantial cost savings and thus allow smaller reservoirs to be more profitable. Other benefits include more accurate time estimates and resource planning, more efficient logistical services, and better data-driven decision-making.
Measurements of Bubble Frequency in Cores
Authors: Wieland Denton R. , Kennedy Harvey T.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 210, 1957, pages 122–125.

The frequency of bubble formation is measured for oils from the East Texas field and the Slaughter field in cores from these fields. East Texas oil was also tested in a Slaughter core. The data checked previous results in that a definite supersaturation may exist without the formation of bubbles in periods of observation totaling 158 hours. Measured frequencies varied from zero at supersaturations below 14 psi to 3.1 bubbles/sec/cu ft of rock at 40 psi supersaturation.

Introduction

The formation of bubbles is essential in a solution gas-drive reservoir in the displacement of oil. In formations where the basic pore structure consists of fine pores or fractures connected to larger pores or crevices, bubble formation in the fine pores may be the most effective means by which the oil may be displaced, even if secondary methods are applied. The most efficient oil displacement would occur where at least one bubble would form in every pore. As the pressure decreased, the bubbles would expand, due to the gas diffusing into the bubbles, and displace the oil toward the lower pressure area around the wellbore.

Kennedy and Olson have shown that the total number of bubbles formed in a reservoir is primarily dependent upon the rate of pressure drop, the rate of diffusion of gas through oil, and surface area of the rock. The surface tension of the liquid and other characteristics of the rock may also exert an important effect, which would give a different frequency to different rocks and oils and various combinations of different rocks and oils. The purpose of this paper is to present frequency measurements on two rocks and two oils.

A hydrocarbon liquid is at equilibrium with gas when it contains the maximum volume of gas in solution that it can have at the prevailing temperature and pressure. If the temperature is maintained constant and the pressure is reduced below the equilibrium pressure, the liquid is supersaturated to the extent of the difference in the two pressures until the gas comes out of solution as a free phase.
The Effect of Fluid Pressure Decline on Volumetric Changes of Porous Rocks
Authors: Geertsma J.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 210, 1957, pages 331–340.

In order to obtain a better insight into the pressure-volume relationship of reservoir rocks a theory of pore and rock bulk volume variations is presented. The theory is independent of the shape of the pores but is restricted to isotropic porous media built up of continuous homogeneous matrix material. The main conclusion obtained from this theory is that only three elastic constants and three viscous constants are required for describing pore and rock bulk volume variations if the porosity is explicitly introduced into the treatment.

In addition, reasonable approximations are introduced for various types of reservoir rock, e.g., sandstones, limestones, and shales, which lead to further simplifications of the basic formulas. In consequence there is then a further reduction in the number of deformation constants which have to be determined experimentally. It is shown how measurements of these remaining deformation constants can be performed most conveniently.

Finally the application of the theory to reservoir studies is discussed and the translation of experimental results obtained in the laboratory into reservoir behavior is considered.

Introduction

The decline of fluid pressure in connection with the withdrawal of fluid from an underground reservoir gives rise to a change in volume of both reservoir fluids and reservoir rock. The volume variation of the reservoir rock results in a decrease of both the pore volume and the total volume of the fluid-filled formation. Whereas the variation in volume of the reservoir fluids with pressure is usually known from PVT analysis, that in the volume of the porous medium is rarely measured, as it is considered of minor importance in reservoir engineering. Nevertheless, certain experimental results suggest that in a number of cases the neglection of the variation in pore volume may introduce errors into material balance calculations of reservoirs producing above the bubble point.
Flooding in South Ward - Analysis of a Lease Performance
Authors: Dyes A.B. , Braun P.H. , Coles B.E.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 210, 1957, pages 283–288.

This paper presents a reservoir engineering analysis of the performance data for a waterflooding project in the Johnson Lease, South Ward field. This type of engineering analysis adds to the knowledge of the mechanics of water flooding. This study reveals that in general high ultimate areal sweep-out efficiencies (95 to 100 per cent) can be expected, and crossflow among strata of different permeabilities during the fill-up phase can have an important influence on the behavior and should be dealt with in studying reservoirs for water flooding. The analysis further showed that the recovery predictions based on what was considered a consistent interpretation of core data and logs were low because little contribution was assumed from the low permeability, oil-bearing sand sections which have apparently yielded considerable waterflood oil.

This project has yielded in excess of 2½ times as much oil by water flooding as by primary depletion. These very favorable results were achieved without the use of any special injection well completion techniques. However, all of the low permeability material was included in the section open to injection despite its poor estimated primary yield.

Lease Performance History

The South Ward field lies in the southeast corner of Ward County near the southern tip of the tremendous Yates trend. Deposition of sand bodies along the seashore reefs during the latter part of the Permian period established what have turned out to be ideal conditions to form a great number of independent productive sands. Probably, these reservoirs in Ward and Winkler counties are providing operators with some of the nation's richest sources of secondary oil reserves through the use of waterflooding techniques.

In South Ward field water has been very successfully used to flood oil from the Bennett sand occurring at a depth of about 2,300 to 2,400 ft. About 150 ft above the Bennett sand reservoir, the Grand Falls sand produced gas from a large cap extending over most of the field.
A Diffusion Model to Explain Mixing of Flowing Miscible Fluids in Porous Media
Authors: Aronofsky J.S. , Heller J.P.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 210, 1957, pages 345–349.

This paper presents a mathematical analysis of the fluid mixing which occurs during flow through porous media. The analysis is based on the well-known diffusion equation with mass transfer term. It is pointed out that the use of this equation is justified by a single general assumption which does not specify any particular mechanism for the mixing process. Formulas are given for tracer fluid concentrations for two different boundary and initial conditions. Calculated numerical values compare closely with some published results of experiments in which no viscosity or density difference existed between displaced and displacing fluids.

Introduction

A phenomenological theory of the mixing and diffusion process is presented for the flow in a porous medium of two miscible liquids of equal viscosity and density. This is based on the classical diffusion equation which has been used to explain such processes as Brownian motion and heat conduction. More recently, this same differential equation has been derived (in a manner analogous to the work in this paper) for the problem of heat transfer during fluid flow in porous media. The purpose of this paper is to show that the available experimental evidence justifies the use of this simple diffusion equation. The recent data of Koch and Slobod and of von Rosenberg are used to test this diffusion model by comparing concentration curve shapes and calculating "effective diffusion coefficients".

The same differential equation for miscible displacement, as well as some experimental confirmation, has been published in Japan by K. Yuhara, and recently in this country by Day. Yuhara arrives at his conclusions through analogy with turbulent diffusion, describing the microscopic velocities in terms of "eddy motion" although unlike the ordinary eddies of hydraulics. Day proceeds directly from Scheidegger's concept of the dispersion of velocities. After a very clear description of Scheidegger's theory, he applies it to calculate the motion first of a drop and then of a thin layer of brine into a bed of sand. For the latter case, Day derives and solves the same differential equation as Eq. 1.
Volume Requirements for Air or Gas Drilling
Authors: Angel R.R.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Vol. 210, 1957, pages 325–330.

Drilling rate is a parameter that should be considered in determining the volume requirements for air and gas drilling. The use of past method which ignore the effects of the solids content upon the pressure and velocity of the annulus flow stream can result in under calculation of the required volume by as much as 50 per cent.

A vertical-flow equation is presented for determining volume requirements. This equation includes the effect of the solids that are transported up the annulus in the flow stream by incorporating the drilling rate as one of the parameters. The effect of down-hole temperature on required circulation rates is also analyzed.

A simple approximate method of determining volume requirements is presented. This method is more accurate than the methods used in the past.

Hole cleaning difficulties are analyzed for a recent air drilling job where past method indicated that excess air was being used.

Sample curves of calculated bottom-hole pressures are presented for air and gas drilling in several hole sizes.

Introduction

In certain areas the use of air or natural gas as a circulating medium for drilling oil and gas wells is becoming a common practice. Large increases in penetration rate and bit life are achieved through the use of these media in preference to mud or water. Drilling rates as high as 90 ft/hr have been obtained in shales.

The importance of maintaining adequate circulation rate is generally recognized; however, much disagreement exists among drilling operators as to what constitutes "adequate" circulation rate. In quarry drilling, where annular velocities can be accurately determined, an annular velocity of 3,000 ft/min of standard air is required for best results in rocks having approximately the same density as those commonly penetrated in drilling oil or gas wells. Although this standard air velocity has proven satisfactory for quarry drilling, some oil and gas well drilling operators believe that an equivalent annular velocity of more than 4,000 ft/min is required; others believe that as little as 2,000 ft/min is sufficient. Much of this disagreement results from determining the required circulation rates with methods which fail to incorporate the drilled solids in an equation which is applicable to vertical flow.
Compressibility of Undersaturated Hydrocarbon Reservoir Fluids
Authors: Trube Albert S.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 210, 1957, pages 341–344.

Introduction

Increasing emphasis is being placed on the necessity for obtaining reasonably accurate estimates of the physical properties of reservoir fluids well in advance of more accurate laboratory data. One such factor is the isothermal coefficient of expansion of an undersaturated hydrocarbon liquid which may be contained in a particular reservoir. This coefficient, or liquid "compressibility", has often been assumed to be relatively insensitive and nearly constant. Although this assumption may be nearly correct in the case of high specific gravity liquids, it cannot apply in the case of medium to low specific gravity liquids. Any treatment of the nature of liquid compressibilities must give consideration to the variable nature of the isothermal expansion coefficient and the fact that it can be both pressure sensitive and temperature sensitive.
Relationships between Academic Self-Efficacy, Learning-Related Emotions, and Metacognitive Learning Strategies with Academic Performance in Medical Students: A Structural Equation Model
Authors: Hayat Ali Asghar , Shatery Karim , Amini Mitra , Shokrpour Nasrin
Published: February 2020

Recognition of the factors affecting the medical students’ academic success is one of the most important challenges and concerns in medical schools. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of metacognitive learning strategies in the relationship between learning-related emotions and academic self-efficacy with academic performance in medical students. Methods: The present study was carried out on 279 students of medicine studying in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The students filled out three questionnaires: academic emotions (AEQ), metacognitive learning strategies, and academic self-efficacy questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS3. Results: The results of structural equation modeling revealed that the students’ self-efficacy has an impact on their positive emotions and metacognitive learning strategies, and these in turn affect the students’ academic performance. Moreover, positive emotions influence the metacognitive learning strategies which in turn mediate the effect of positive emotions on the academic performance. Discussion: The results of this study revealed that metacognitive strategies can play a mediating role in the students’ self-efficacy, positive emotions, and academic performance. Therefore, in case we can strengthen the students’ self-efficacy and their positive academic emotions, their performance will improve.
Attitude, Practice and its Associated Factors towards Diabetes Complications among Type 2 Diabetic Patients at Addis Zemen District Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: belsti yitayeh , Akalu Yonas , Animut Yaregal
Published: February 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the level of attitude, practices, and its associated factors towards complications of diabetes mellitus among type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among Type 2 diabetes patients visiting the diabetes clinic at Adiss Zemen District Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 402 patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with attitudes and practices towards diabetes complications. AOR with 95% CI and p-value less than 0.05 was considered to identify significant associated factors.

Results

Two third of the study participants 65.2% (95% CI: 60.2, 69.4) had a good attitude level while less than half of study participants 48.8% (95% CI: 44.0, 53.5) had a good practice on diabetes complications. Educational status of: read and write (AOR=2.32, 95% CI=1.26 4.27), primary school (AOR= 4.31, 95% CI= 2.06, 9.02), high school and above (AOR=2.79, 95% CI=1.41, 5.50), and urban residence (AOR=1.80, 95% CI=1.12 2.91) were significant factors for good attitude while educational status of: read and write (AOR=1.96, 95% CI=1.06, 3.61), high school and above (AOR=2.57, 95% CI=1.32, 5.02) were associated with diabetes complication practices.

Conclusions

Greater proportion of diabetes patients had relatively good attitude but poor practice towards diabetes complication prevention. Residence was significant contributing factor for good attitude whereas educational status was significantly associated with both attitude and practice. The current study suggests the need of structured educational programs about diabetes complications on a regular basis to improve patient’s attitude and practice.
Associations between early childhood caries, malnutrition and anemia: a global perspective
Authors: Folayan Morenike , Tantawi Maha El , Schroth Robert J , Vukovic Ana , Kemoli Authur , Gaffar Balgis O , Obiyan Mary
Published: February 2020

Background: Malnutrition is the main risk factor for most common communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between country-level prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), malnutrition and anemia in infants and preschool children.
Methods: Matched country-level ECC, malnutrition and anemia prevalence were generated from databases covering the period 2000 to 2017. Multivariate general linear models were developed to assess the relationship between outcome variables (prevalence of stunting, wasting, overweight, and anemia) and the explanatory variable (ECC prevalence) adjusted for gross national income per capita. Adjusted regression coefficients (B) and partial eta squared were computed.
Results: The mean (standard deviation (SD)) ECC prevalence was 23.8 (14.8)% for 0-2 year-olds and 57.3 (22.4)% for 3-5-year-olds. The mean (SD) prevalence of wasting was 6.3 (4.8)%, overweight 7.2 (4.9)%, stunting 24.3 (13.5)%, and anemia 37.8 (18.1)%. For 0-2-year-olds, the strongest and only significant association was between the prevalence of ECC and overweight (η2= 0.21): one percent higher ECC prevalence was associated with 0.12% higher prevalence of overweight (B= 0.12, P= 0.03). In 3-5-year-olds, the strongest and only significant association was between the prevalence of ECC and anemia (η2= 0.08): one percent higher prevalence of ECC was associated with 0.14% lower prevalence of anemia (B= -0.14, P= 0.048).
Conclusion: Country-level prevalence of ECC was associated with malnutrition in 0-2-year-olds and with anemia in 3-5-year-olds. The pathway for the direct relationship between ECC and overweight may be diet related. The pathway for the inverse relationship between ECC and anemia is less clear and needs further investigations.
First line in psychiatric emergency: Pre-hospital emergency protocol for mental disorders in Iran
Authors: Shirzad Fatemeh , Hadi Fateme , Mortazavi Seyede Salehe , Biglari Maryam , Sari Hassan Noori , Mohammadi Zeinab , Atoofi Mehrdad Kazemzade , Shariat Seyed Vahid
Published: February 2020

Introduction : This article is a report of designing a rapid and effective guide for paramedics who take care of patients in a pre-hospital setting to answer developing demands.
Methods: The relevant literature was reviewed, and the topics were extracted. Then, the extracted items were discussed in an expert panel. Finally, items were discussed in a meeting including emergency technicians and emergency technical assistants to identify implementation problems.
Result s : Important topics for managing psychiatric patients were categorized at three levels: 1) Patient safety and security issues, 2) Patient status assessment and diagnosis, and 3) Patient management (medical, behavioral management, and referral to a treatment center).
Discussion: This protocol can be a solution to improve emergency technician training. Such summarized protocols can be used for rapid review immediately before exposing a patient with an acute psychiatric condition. Due to specific cultural and different access to medicines in Iran, some issues are different.
Roles of Peritoneal Clearance and Residual Kidney Removal in Control of Uric Acid in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Xiao Xi , Ye Hongjian , Yi Chunyan , Lin Jianxiong , Peng Yuan , Huang Xuan , Wu Meiju , Wu Haishan , Mao Haiping , Yu Xueqing , Yang Xiao
Published: February 2020

Background: There have been few systematic studies regarding clearance of uric acid (UA) in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study investigated peritoneal UA removal and its influencing factors in patients undergoing PD. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients who underwent peritoneal equilibration test and assessment of Kt/V from April 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019. Demographic data and clinical and laboratory parameters were collected, including UA levels in dialysate, blood, and urine. Results: In total, 180 prevalent patients undergoing PD (52.8% men) were included. Compared with the normal serum UA (SUA) group, the hyperuricemia group showed significantly lower peritoneal UA clearance (39.1±6.2 vs. 42.0±8.0 L/week/1.73m2; P=0.008). Furthermore, higher transporters (high or high-average) exhibited greater peritoneal UA clearance, compared with lower transporters (low or low-average) (42.0±7.0 vs. 36.4±5.6 L/week/1.73 m2; P<0.001). Among widely used solute removal indicators, peritoneal creatinine clearance showed the best performance for prediction of higher peritoneal UA clearance in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis [area under curve (AUC) 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-0.99]. Peritoneal UA clearance was independently associated with continuous SUA [standardized coefficient (β), -0.32; 95% CI, -6.42 to -0.75] and hyperuricemia [odds ratio (OR), 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76–0.98] status, only in patients with lower (≤2.74 mL/min/1.73 m2) measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR). In those patients with lower mGFR, lower albumin level (β -0.24; 95%CI -7.26 to -0.99), lower body mass index (β -0.29; 95%CI -0.98 to -0.24), higher transporter status (β 0.24; 95%CI 0.72-5.88) and greater dialysis dose (β 0.24; 95%CI 0.26-3.12) were independently associated with continuous peritoneal UA clearance. Furthermore, each 1kg/m2 decrease in body mass index (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.63-0.99), each 1g/dL decrease in albumin level (OR 0.08; 95%CI 0.01-0.47), and each 0.1% increase in average glucose concentration in dialysate (OR 1.56; 95%CI 1.11-2.19) were associated with greater peritoneal UA clearance (>39.8 L/week/1.73m2). Conclusions: For patients undergoing PD who exhibited worse residual kidney function, peritoneal clearance dominated in SUA balance. Increasing dialysis dose or average glucose concentration may aid in controlling hyperuricemia in lower transporters.
The Impact of Point-of-Care Testing for Influenza A and B on Patient Flow and Management in a Medical Assessment Unit of a General Hospital.
Authors: Connell Shane O , Conlan Chris , Reidy Mary , Stack Ciara , Mulgrew Alan , Baruah Joy
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Timely implementation of influenza infection control and treatment can significantly reduce the impact on Hospital resources and patient management when demand is at peak. Turnaround times of Laboratory based screening tests for the diagnosis of influenza may have an impact on the implementation of infection control measures and treatment. In this study the objectives included determining the correlation between the Abbott ID NOW point-of-care testing (POCT) instrument using the Influenza A&B2 test and the laboratory based GeneXpert Flu+RSV kit. In addition the impact of the POCT instrument on the prescription of antivirals and antibiotics was evaluated by comparing with practice when the instrument was not in place.

Results

The results of the correlation study with a cohort of 54 patients revealed the Abbott ID NOW POCT has 92% sensitivity for the detection of Influenza A, while specificity was 100% for both Influenza A and B. The impact of the POCT instrument on the frequency of prescription of antivirals and amount of antibiotics consumed (33% reduction in antibiotic consumption in a cohort of 65 (2017) and 61 (2018)) was significant. In addition the average patient length of Hospital stay was significantly reduced from 5.26 days to 3.73 days.
A nationwide survey on the use of Heated Humidified High Flow Oxygen therapy on the paediatric wards in the UK: Current practice and research priorities.
Authors: Hosheh Osama , Edwards Christopher T , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan
Published: February 2020

Background: Heated Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HHFNC) is increasingly used on the paediatric wards and High Dependency Units (HDU) for different types of pathologies and different age groups. We aimed to describe current practice related to the use of HHFNC on the paediatric wards and HDUs, weaning practices and preferred outcome measures for future research. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional online survey of UK paediatric consultants or their delegates working on the paediatric wards. Descriptive analysis of their geographical, and organizational characteristics, their specialties, and their level of experience was investigated. Reasons for HHFNC initiation, weaning criteria, patients’ characteristics and their primary pathologies were also analysed. Results: Participation of 218 paediatricians from 81 hospitals (Median: 2.7, Range: 1-11) was registered. HHFNC was provided in most of the surveyed hospitals (93%, 75/81). A High Dependency Unit (HDU) was available in 47 hospitals (58%); less than a third of those have a dedicated paediatrician. Decisions around HHFNC were made solely by paediatricians in (75%) of the cases, mostly at hospitals with no HDU compared to those with dedicated HDUs (70.3% VS 36.6%, 95%CI:22.6%-50.4%, P< .001). Nearly two-thirds (68%) of the practitioners who used HHFNC on the wards reported that its effectiveness is either the same or superior to CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) with fewer complications. Failure rate while on HHFNC was identified as the most important outcome measure in any future research followed by the length of need for HHFNC support (37.1%, and 28% respectively). Conclusion: This survey showed support for developing paediatric-specific national guidance on the use of HHFNC on the wards. Our list of defined research priorities may help guide further collaborative research efforts in this field.
Hypernatremia at admission predicts poor survival in patients with terminal cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Seo Minseok , Hwang In Cheol , Jung Jaehun , Lee Hwanhee , Choi Jae Hee , Shim Jae-Yong
Published: February 2020

Background

Although palliative care providers, patients, and their familes rely heavily on accurate prognostication, the prognostic value of electrolyte imbalance has received little attention.

Methods

As a retrospective review, we screened inpatients with terminal cancer admitted between January 2017 and May 2019 to one hospice-palliative care unit. Clinical characteristics and laboratory results were obtained from medical records for multivariable Cox regression analysis of independant prognostic factors.

Results

Of the 487 patients who qualified, 15 (3%) were hypernatremic upon admission. Median survival time was 26 days. Parameters associated with shortened survival included male sex, advanced age (> 70 years), lung cancer, poor performance status, elevated inflammatory markers, azotemia, impaired liver function, and hypernatermia. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, male sex (hazard ratio [HR]=1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15–2.04), poor performance status (HR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.09–1.94), leukocytosis (HR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.47–2.66), hypoalbuminemia (HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.49–2.73) and hypernatremia (HR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.18–2.03) emerged as significant predictors of poor prognosis.

Conclusion

Hypernatremia may be a useful gauge of prognosis in patients with terminal cancer. Further corroborative studies of large scale and prospective design are needed.
Transcriptome and metabolite analyses provide insights into zigzag-shaped stem formation in tea plants (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Cao Hongli , Wang Feiquan , Lin Hongzheng , Ye Yijun , Zheng Yucheng , Li Jiamin , Hao Zhilong , Ye Naixing , Yue Chuan
Published: February 2020

Background: Shoot orientation is important for plant architecture formation, and zigzag-shaped shoots are a special trait found in many plants. Zigzag-shaped shoots have been selected and thoroughly studied in Arabidopsis ; however, the regulatory mechanism underlying zigzag-shaped shoot development in other plants, especially woody plants, is largely unknown. Results: In this study, tea plants with zigzag-shaped shoots, namely, Qiqu (QQ) and Lianyuanqiqu (LYQQ), were investigated and compared with the erect-shoot tea plant Meizhan (MZ) in an attempt to reveal the regulation of zigzag-shaped shoot formation. Tissue section observation showed that the cell arrangement and shape of zigzag-shaped stems were aberrant compared with those of normal shoots. Moreover, a total of 2175 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the zigzag-shaped shoots of the tea plants QQ and LYQQ compared to the shoots of MZ using transcriptome sequencing, and the DEGs involved in the “Plant-pathogen interaction”, “Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”, “Flavonoid biosynthesis” and “Linoleic acid metabolism” pathways were significantly enriched. Additionally, the DEGs associated with cell expansion, vesicular trafficking, phytohormones, and transcription factors were identified and analysed. Metabolomic analysis showed that 13 metabolites overlapped and were significantly changed in the shoots of QQ and LYQQ compared to MZ. Conclusions: Our results suggest that zigzag-shaped shoot formation might be associated with the gravitropism response and polar auxin transport in tea plants. This study provides a valuable foundation for further understanding the regulation of plant architecture formation and for the cultivation and application of horticultural plants in the future.