bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19-Triage: Wer bleibt stationär? Das Modell Essen
Authors: Fistera David , Risse Joachim , Manegold Randi , Pabst Dirk , Konik Margarete , Dolff Sebastian , Witzke Oliver , Schaarschmidt Benedikt Michael , Taube Christian , Kill Clemens , Holzner Carola
Published: May 2020

Einleitung Wenig ist bisher bekannt über die optimale Ersteinschätzung fußläufiger Patienten mit Verdacht auf COVID-19-Infektion oder bereits bestätigter Infektion. Insbesondere der zu erwartende Massenanfall von Erkrankten verlangt nach einer raschen, effizienten und sicheren Unterscheidung zwischen ambulanter Therapieführung, stationärer Überwachung und ggf. Intensivtherapie.

Methode Wir präsentieren das in der Universitätsmedizin Essen (UME) entwickelte und verwendete Modell einer möglichst sicheren und effizienten Triage außerhalb des Katastrophenfalls. Das beschriebene Modell der UME ist eine Kombination aus klinischer Einschätzung durch Vitalparameter und Manchester-Triage-Skala (MTS), optional ergänzt durch POCT-Labor, EKG, CT-Pulmonalisangiografie, SARS-CoV-2-PCR sowie ausführlichere Labordiagnostik. Es erfolgte eine Validierung anhand von 100 konsekutiven Patienten. 3 konkrete Patientenbeispiele verdeutlichen das Modell.

Ergebnisse Im Rahmen des Regelbetriebs ergab sich in den ersten 2 Wochen eine gute Trennschärfe zwischen stationär behandlungsbedürftigen und ambulanten Patienten. 16 Patienten wurden primär stationär aufgenommen. Bei den 84 initial „ambulant“ klassifizierten Patienten kam es zu 7 Wiedervorstellungen binnen 14 Tagen, 3 hiervon aus anderen Gründen. Eine Patientin musste hierbei aufgrund von progredienter Dyspnoe stationär aufgenommen werden.

Fazit Das vorgestellte Triage-Modell bewährt sich in der Praxis, wobei weitere Anpassungen je nach Erfahrung und Patientenanfall vorgesehen sind.
A Distinct Scenario of a Patient with Parkinson’s Disease and Comorbid Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Authors: Onder Halil
Published: May 2020

In literature, patients with coexistence of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and Parkinsons’s disease (PD) have been rarely reported. Herein, I illustrate the evaluation processes of a remarkable patient with PD and comorbid NPH from my experience, which I think may provide crucial perspectives regarding the management problems of these patients. Besides, the patient had also developed bipolar disorder in the follow-up course and extrapyramidal side effects related to antipsychotic medications, which further complicated the treatment process. I think that results of future reports of larger case series including the long-term follow-up of this group of patients with coexisting NPH and PD would provide substantial perspectives regarding the contributory effects of these two pathophysiologies, as well as management, of NPH in these specific patients with neurodegenerative pathology.
JOB STRESS AND COPING AMONG FISHERMEN
Authors: Jacob Janella Mariam , George Linu Sara ,   Savitha
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Fishing in Indian villages is considered one of the major occupations for the villagers. The work related health problems encountered by fishermen are vast. Long hours, extreme weather and working with heavy machinery contribute to a high mortality rate in fishermen. Despite a long standing acknowledgement of the dangers and mortality associated with fishing, there has been little research in this field

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to: assess the job stress and coping among fishermen, find the relationship between job stress and coping, find the association between job stress, coping and demographic variables such as age, religion, marital status, type of family, education, monthly income and work experience.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey was under taken among 140 fishermen using structured questionnaire. SPSS 16.0 software was used for data analysis. Frequency, percentage, Pearsons product moment correlation and Chi-square were used.

Results: Majority of the subjects had moderate stress (62.1%) and moderate cope (91.4%). It is found in the study that there is significant 2 relationship between job stress and coping. There is significant association between job stress and work experience (? = 6.90, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Fishermen who work for long hours in the sea without any contact with their families are prone to problems with their work and their personal life as it is unsafe at sea.
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PERCEPTION ON DEATH AND DYING AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN SELECTED COLLEGES OF NURSING IN UDUPI DISTRICT, KARNATAKA STATE
Authors: Jawahar Preethy , Alex Soumya , George Anice
Published: May 2020

Objective: The objectives of the study were assess nursing students perception on death and dying and to identify the perception on death and dying among nursing students of different levels.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey design was used. Data were collected from 210 nursing students in selected Colleges of Nursing in Udupi district, Karnataka state by using semi structured questionnaire.

Result: Thoughts: while caring dying patients and their families, 66.6% perceived thoughts regarding the physical, emotional, spiritual care given to patients who were dying and 77.6% regarding their family or friends. 57.1% perceived thoughts regarding their sufferings, 88% perceived thoughts about a realization that death is a part of life, 29.5% perceived thoughts about the survival and 42.8% perceived that being able to care for dying patients as a privilege and it is an opportunity to work with those who are going through the dying process.

Feelings: 40.5% nursing students had physiological symptoms like nausea, muscle tension, headache, 53.8% had fear, 68.5% developed compassion, 86.6% had sadness and 46.2% developed anxiety while caring for dying patients and their families.

Challenges: 67.1% of nursing students unaware about how to communicate with unresponsive patient, 61.9% expressed they had language barrier and 71.4% developed problems related to severe emotions while caring dying patients and their families.

Conclusion: There is a great need to educate students about death and dying, cultural competence, communication skills and coping with emotional stress.
SOMATOFORM AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION-A CASE REPORT
Authors:   Savithaa
Published: May 2020

Somatoform disorders are characterized by a concern with the body and are among the most common reason for seeking medical help. Mr. X, a 47 year old male presented to the psychiatric department with persistent belching, fatigue and anxiety symptoms with autonomic arousal related to his work and health. Patient was treated with antipsychotics and cognitive behavioural therapy. Patient and family members were psycho educated about the illness.
GINGIVAL DEPIGMENTATION: CASE SERIES FOR FOUR DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES
Authors: S. Sharath K. , Shah Rahul , Thomas Biju , Madani Shabeer Mohamed , Shetty Shamila
Published: May 2020

Gingival melanin pigmentation occurs in all races in variable amount caused by melanin granules. The degree of pigmentation varies from person to person. Excessive gingival pigmentation may be a major esthetic concern for many patients. Methods of deepithelialization of the pigmented or discolored areas of gingiva using different methods such as scalpel method, bur method or laser method are well documented. The procedure for all three techniques has been described and evaluated here. Following presentation encloses a case series in which depigmentation of upper anterior gingival was carried out. The case presented with moderate to severe pigmented gingival (DOPI score ≥ 3) which were treated with one of the above mentioned techniques. The results of these cases suggested that ablation of the gingiva by a Diode laser, abrasion with a scalpel or rotary round bur is good enough to achieve esthetic satisfaction and fair wound healing without infection or severe pain.
Risk Factors for Postpartum Maternal Infection Following Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery Complicated by Chorioamnionitis
Authors: Daifotis Helen A. , Smith Megan M. , Denoble Anna E. , Dotters-Katz Sarah K.
Published: May 2020

Objective Guidelines for the management of chorioamnionitis include intrapartum antibiotics, while postpartum antibiotics after spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) are reserved high-risk women. Our objective is to describe the incidence of and risk factors for postpartum infection after SVD complicated by chorioamnionitis.

Study Design This is a retrospective study of SVDs with clinically diagnosed chorioamnionitis at a single center. The primary outcome was a composite of postpartum infection. Women who developed the primary outcome were compared with those who did not using bivariate statistics. Regression models were developed to estimate adjusted odds of outcomes.

Results In this cohort, 346 women underwent SVD complicated by chorioamnionitis. Of these, 23 (6.6%) developed postpartum infections (endometritis n = 7, urinary tract infection/pyelonephritis n = 6, sepsis n = 4, and perineal wound infection n = 6). Receipt of antibiotics intra- or postpartum did not differ between groups, but women with postpartum infections were more likely to deliver prior to 32 weeks (17.4 vs. 4.9%, p = 0.04). When controlling for antibiotic use, delivery at < 32 weeks was associated with 3.8-fold increased (95% confidence interval: 1.07–13.7) odds of postpartum infection.

Conclusion Postpartum infections occur in ∼1/15 women delivering vaginally with chorioamnionitis, with those who deliver at < 32 weeks' gestation being at increased risk.
Numerical analysis of drop coalescence in cavity flow using CESE method
Authors: Yang Duo-Xing
Published: May 2020

On the basis of the space-time conservation element and solution element method and by applying the hybrid particle level-set function, the drop coalescence in a dual-layer vertical channel has been numerically studied. Interactions between the flow field and the drop migration are observed. Main eddies and secondary vortexes induced by the drop coalescence are examined. Deformation and migration of the drop are mainly controlled through interfacial tension and the shear stress gradient. Drop coalescence is related to a viscous dissipation of energy.
Effects of distribution density and location of subsurface particles on elastohydrodynamic lubrication
Authors: Chen Keying , Zeng Liangcai , Zheng Feilong , Chen Juan , Ding Xianzhong
Published: May 2020

Reducing friction and wear in contact pairs is a formidable challenge in engineering applications. In this study, the influence of different particle distribution parameters on the flow field for elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) friction pairs is analyzed using a multigrid method. In particular, the effects of the particle distribution density and location on the tribological properties are examined. A general Reynolds equation for an arbitrary non-Newtonian fluid is used to account for the non-Newtonian properties in the contact area. An inclusion-EHL model is established by coupling the flow field with the elastic field of heterogeneous particles below the contact surface, which are subject to eigenstrains. The results illustrate that the distribution density of the particles causes fluctuations in the film pressure and thickness and that the spacing ratio and position of the symmetry center have serious effects on the traction force. It is also found that the traction force can be effectively reduced by using a reasonable set of particle distribution parameters.
Investigation of Al- and N-implanted 4H–SiC applying visible and deep UV Raman scattering spectroscopy
Authors: Piskorski Krzysztof , Guziewicz Marek , Wzorek Marek , Dobrzański Lech
Published: May 2020

Effects of aluminum (Al) and nitrogen (N) implantation performed at room and at elevated (500 °C) temperatures on epitaxial n-type 4H polytype silicon carbide as well as post-implantation annealing have been studied by Raman scattering spectroscopy. The amorphization of 4H–SiC is observed because of ion implantation effects. The Raman analysis showed that the recovery of the crystallinity increased with an increase in the annealing temperature. However, for samples implanted with high doses, the full crystal recovery was not complete even with annealing temperatures up to 1800 °C, and crystal defects were still present in the recrystallized layer, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Raman scattering spectra were collected at room temperature using a micro-Raman spectrometer. The visible (488 nm) and deep ultraviolet (266 nm) lasers were used as excitation sources. For the DUV laser, the optical penetration depth is less than the implanted layer thickness, and the area near the surface layer can be exactly probed. In contrast, the visible Raman spectrum shows bands characteristic of bulk 4H–SiC, which arise from the underlying non-implanted region. Based on the analysis of the longitudinal optical phonon–plasmon coupled mode, the electrical parameters for N2+ implanted samples were evaluated, where electron concentration n = 3.05 × 1018 cm−3 and mobility μ = 50 cm2/V s, respectively. The results are consistent with the parameters measured by the Hall method.
Preparation of submicron-sized Sm2Fe17N3 fine powder by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis-hydrogen reduction (USP-HR) and subsequent reduction–diffusion process
Authors: Zheng Jingwu , Tian Shijun , Liu Kaihua , Cai Wei , Tang Yiping , Qiao Liang , Ying Yao , Li Wangchang , Yu Jing , Liu Youhao , Che Shenglei
Published: May 2020

A new reduction–diffusion method for preparing submicron-sized Sm2Fe17N3 was developed. First, submicron-sized α-Fe/Sm2O3 composite precursors with good dispersibility were prepared directly by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and hydrogen reduction (USP-HR). Then, the precursor was successfully converted into Sm2Fe17N3 powder by Ca reduction–diffusion and nitridation. The results displayed that the precursor prepared by USP-HR was a monodisperse homogeneous composite of spherical particles of α-Fe and Sm2O3. α-Fe and Sm2O3 exist in an intercalated structure in the composite spherical particles. This creates conditions for the preparation of ultrafine Sm2Fe17N3 particles with uniform sizes and dispersity. The results show that Sm2Fe17N3 is a single-phase, composed of submicron-sized particles with no other impurity phases. The physical property measurement system shows that the coercivity of 0.616 ± 0.347 µm particles reaches 14.7 kOe.
Understanding the electronic behavior of iridium-based perovskites
Authors: Lim Alane
Published: May 2020

Surface termination in a type of iridium oxide may later help researchers demonstrate unconventional superconductivity.
Strongly correlated and topological states in [111] grown transition metal oxide thin films and heterostructures
Authors: Chakhalian Jak , Liu Xiaoran , Fiete Gregory A.
Published: May 2020

We highlight recent advances in the theory, materials fabrication, and experimental characterization of strongly correlated and topological states in [111] oriented transition metal oxide thin films and heterostructures, which are notoriously difficult to realize compared to their [001] oriented counterparts. We focus on two classes of complex oxides, with the chemical formulas ABO3 and A2B2O7, where the B sites are occupied by an open-shell transition metal ion with a local moment and the A sites are typically a rare earth element. The [111] oriented quasi-two-dimensional lattices derived from these parent compound lattices can exhibit peculiar geometries and symmetries, namely, a buckled honeycomb lattice, as well as kagome and triangular lattices. These lattice motifs form the basis for emergent strongly correlated and topological states expressed in exotic magnetism, various forms of orbital ordering, topological insulators, topological semimetals, quantum anomalous Hall insulators, and quantum spin liquids. For transition metal ions with high atomic number, spin–orbit coupling plays a significant role and may give rise to additional topological features in the electronic band structure and in the spectrum of magnetic excitations. We conclude this perspective by articulating open challenges and opportunities in this actively developing field.
Theoretical predictions for upper-convected Maxwell fluids in mixed shear and planar extensional flows
Authors: Castellanos Campillo Alberto , Aguayo Vallejo Juan Pablo , Herrera Nájera Rafael , Chávez Castellanos Ángel Enrique
Published: May 2020

Using a single flow-type parameter, we obtain analytic expressions for the unsteady and steady stress distribution for upper-convected Maxwell fluids in mixed shear and planar extensional flows, experimentally achieved in a four-roll mill. We propose two expressions to quantify the shear and extensional contributions to the strain rate magnitude. Finally, we conduct an analysis on the appearing rheological functions by defining apparent shear viscosity as a function of the flow-type parameter and the Weissenberg number.
Progressive cavity pump tubing drain valves: operator-savings illustration
Authors: Smith Peter Mark
Published: May 2020

Three case studies show how three progressive cavity pump (PCP) operators used Zenith® (Baker Hughes) tubing drain valves to protect problematic PCPs from blockage and damage, reducing downtime and avoiding cost of backflush operations. The efficient solids management system incorporated in the Zenith PCP tubing drain valve (PCP-TDV) reliably safeguards pumping equipment from damage or blockage caused by descending solids when the pump is shut down, eliminating unplanned downtime and costly equipment replacement. Addressing the failings of alternative valves, the Zenith PCP-TDV effectively reduces the requirement for well workover, preventing pump-off, increasing uptime and lift system run-life, even in heavy oil and high viscosity fluid operations. The Zenith PCP-TDV provides an innovative solution to costly pump damage, while preventing recirculation and simplifying backflush operations. The addition of backflush capability is designed to allow the pump rotor to be retracted and reset without running out of hole. A further addition specific to the coal seam gas market is the inclusion of a tubing pressure-activated, single-use locking piston, so as to allow external pressure to be subjected to the PCP-TDV without pumping being open, thus allowing the string to be set with no well fluid ingress into the production string and pump before operation.
CarbonNet progress towards a declaration of identified storage formation at the Pelican site with a new high-resolution 3D seismic dataset
Authors: Hoffman Nick
Published: May 2020

The CarbonNet project is making the first ever application for a ‘declaration of an identified greenhouse gas storage formation’ (similar to a petroleum location) under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act. Unlike a petroleum location, however, there is no ‘discovery’ involved in the application. Instead, a detailed technical assessment is required of the geological suitability for successful long-term storage of CO2. The key challenges to achieving a successful application relate to addressing ‘fundamental suitability determinants’ under the act and regulations. At Pelican (Gippsland Basin), a new high-resolution 3D seismic survey and over 10 nearby petroleum wells (and over 1500 basinal wells) supplement a crestal well drilled in 1967 that proved the seal and reservoir stratigraphy. The GCN18A 3D marine seismic survey has the highest spatial and frequency resolution to date in the Gippsland Basin. The survey was acquired in water depths from 15 to 35 m with a conventional eight-streamer seismic vessel, aided by LiDAR bathymetry. The 12.5 m bin size and pre-stack depth migration with multiple tomographic velocity iterations have produced an unprecedented high-quality image of the Latrobe Group reservoirs and sealing units. The 3D seismic data provides excellent structural definition of the Pelican Anticline, and the overlying Golden Beach-1A gas pool is excellent. Depositional detail of reservoir-seal pairs within the Latrobe Group has been resolved, allowing a confident assessment of petroleum gas in place and CO2 storage opportunities. The CarbonNet project is progressing with a low-risk storage concept at intra-formational level, as proven by trapped pools at nearby oil and gas fields. Laterally extensive intra-formational shales provide seals across the entire structure, providing pressure and fluid separation between the overlying shallow hydrocarbon gas pool and the deeper CO2 storage opportunity. CarbonNet is assessing this storage opportunity and progressing towards a ‘declaration of an identified greenhouse gas storage formation’.
SURFIM Network: the value of sharing lessons learned on the industry's longest running joint industry project regarding SURF facilities integrity management
Authors: Botto Adriana
Published: May 2020

The SURF Integrity Management (SURFIM) Network is an operator-only joint industry project (JIP) that promotes industry engagement and collaboration through shared experience and lessons learned on issues related to the integrity and reliability of subsea equipment. The JIP kicked off in 2010, with the goal to develop a best practice guideline for integrity management of subsea equipment. In its current form, the JIP is supported by nine of the world’s leading international operators on five continents, providing global perspective to local problems. The perceived industry value of this JIP is illustrated by the large number of operator participants and it presents an excellent example of the value of collaboration. Sharing knowledge in emerging areas allows the opportunity for individual companies to progress when they would otherwise not have had access to the breadth of experience, or the data required. This paper will present an overview of the SURFIM Network, including its scope, deliverables, key issues of common interest and its main achievements. The paper will also present case studies demonstrating the value of integrity management and, conversely, the cost of not undertaking such activities. The paper will conclude with the future vision for SURFIM Network and the value of continued collaboration.
Digital innovation in subsea integrity management
Authors: Thethi Ricky , Vadel Dharmik , Haning Mark , Tellier Elizabeth
Published: May 2020

Since the 2014 oil-price downturn, the offshore oil and gas industry has accelerated implementation of digital technologies to drive cost efficiencies for exploration and production operations. The upstream offshore sector comprises many interfacing disciplines such as subsurface, drilling and completions, facilities and production operations. Digital initiatives in subsurface imaging, drilling of subsea wells and topsides integrity have been well publicised within the industry. Integrity of the subsea infrastructure is one area that is currently playing catch up in the digital space and lends itself well for data computational efficiencies that artificial-intelligence technologies provide, to reduce cost and lower the risk of subsea equipment downtime. This paper details digital technologies employed in the area of subsea integrity management to meet the objectives of centralising access to critical integrity data, automating workflows to collect and assess data, and using machine learning to perform more accurate and faster engineering analysis with large volumes of field-measured data. A comparison of a typical subsea field is presented using non-digital and digital approaches to subsea integrity management (IM). The comparison demonstrates where technologies such as digital twins for dynamic structures, and auto anomaly detection by using image recognition algorithms can be deployed to provide a step change in the quality of subsea integrity data coming from field. It is demonstrated how the use of a smart IM approach, combined with strong domain knowledge in subsea engineering, can lead to cost efficiencies in operating subsea assets.
Revolutionising confined space safety management: a case study
Authors: Daher Elie , Dowd Darrel Wade
Published: May 2020

Maintaining safety during confined space work is one of the most challenging aspects of a turnaround, shutdown or outage. To handle the safety risks associated with confined space entry, a safety attendant is normally assigned to the entry point of a confined space to maintain communication with workers inside. However, the duties of the attendant are restricted to the outside of the vessel. So how do we ensure that the workers continue to be safe when they are inside the confined space? Harnessing technological advancements, a solution was designed that combines gas detection, video surveillance, two-way communication, access control and a command centre to enhance safety while improving productivity and reducing costs. The solution combines real-time gas detection, cameras with day–night vision installed outside and inside vessels, video recording and two-way communication. It delivers and stores data useful in alerting workers of hazardous environments, providing video evidence of safe behaviour, enables operators to see work inside the vessels in real time, and stores video and overlaid gas data logs to protect against future liabilities. The innovation revolutionises the role of the safety watch by replacing multiple safety attendants with two highly qualified personnel who monitor all confined spaces from the command centre. The paper discusses examples and provides data on the potential savings resulting from the implementation of the technology. The present paper also discusses further enhancements, including body cameras, monitoring of employee wellbeing and facility access control. This is the path to the digital turnaround of the future.
Cost reductions through converting platforms from permanently manned to manned-evacuated
Authors: Keys Matt
Published: May 2020

Most platforms in Australia and the North Sea were originally designed to be permanently manned facilities. As long-term predictions of extreme weather events have intensified, it has become challenging to demonstrate acceptable life safety levels. Extreme weather events have been an ongoing area of development. With an increasing database of information and potential climate change effects, the intensity of the environmental conditions for even recently installed facilities have increased significantly. The Gulf of Mexico estimate of environmental loading has increased 63% in the past 15 years alone, with similar increases in all other regions. To continue to operate these facilities as permanently manned while maintaining the original design safety level requires extensive strengthening. In cases assessed, associated costs have been shown to easily exceed US$100 million. With the advancements in forecasting, facilities now have adequate information available to ensure a facility is evacuated, shut in or both before any major risk to the safety of the personnel and environment is intolerable. The platform response to a forecast can be referred to as a severe weather action plan (SWAP). These can be shown to be a more cost-effective means than strengthening the asset, and most assets may only require evacuation or shut-in once in their lifetime. The benefits of a manned-evacuated platform also extend to new platforms where the cost of the jacket or hull can be reduced to achieve a target risk level provided a SWAP is in place.
Improving exploration efficiency in frontier basin using CSEM
Authors: Tharimela Raghava
Published: May 2020

In underexplored frontier offshore basins one of the key challenges is to identify areas with the greatest probability of success (Pg) within set budgetary and time constraints. Frontier exploration permits are generally large, with limited geophysical data and limited knowledge of a working petroleum system. Play concepts can be formulated using data at hand but will require augmenting by new datasets. The nature and extent of additional data is generally linked to budgetary constraints and exploration history of the area and will set the strategy to identify and manage key risks before major investment for block development. Often this preliminary evaluation does not address fluid-related risk which has a major impact on assessment of Pg. Seep evaluation could indicate presence of hydrocarbons in the system, but the absence of seeps cannot be a reason to condemn the area. Resistivity is a key attribute that has a reliable relation with hydrocarbon saturation. Subsurface resistivity imaging using the controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) method, can indicate in situ saturated hydrocarbon accumulations and when correlated with available seismic data, absence of a resistive anomaly at the prospect location is a direct indication of a lack of significant hydrocarbons and associated leads/plays can be downgraded. The presence of a resistive anomaly could mean saturated hydrocarbons or other lithological effects that needs to be further evaluated. CSEM 2D data acquired along key seismic lines covering promising play types can be an effective means of screening the frontier block and identifying areas that should be the focus of further exploration activities.
Multi-isotope studies investigating recharge and inter-aquifer connectivity in coal seam gas areas (Qld, NSW) and shale gas areas (NT)
Authors: Suckow Axel , Deslandes Alec , Gerber Christoph , Lamontagne Sebastien , Mallants Dirk , Davies Philip , Taylor Andrew , Wilske Cornelia , Smith Stan , Raiber Matthias , Meredith Karina , Rachakonda Praveen Kumar , Larcher Alf , Wilkes Paul , Prommer Henning , Siade Adam , Barrett Damian
Published: May 2020

Large sedimentary basins with multiple aquifer systems like the Great Artesian Basin and the Beetaloo Sub-Basin are associated with large time and spatial scales for regional groundwater flow and mixing effects from inter-aquifer exchange. This makes them difficult to study using traditional hydrogeological investigation techniques. In continental onshore Australia, such sedimentary aquifer systems can also be important freshwater resources. These resources have become increasingly stressed because of growing demand and use of groundwater by multiple industries (e.g. stock, irrigation, mining, oil and gas). The social licence to operate for extractive oil and gas industries increasingly requires robust and reliable scientific evidence on the degree to which the target formations are vertically and laterally hydraulically separated from the aquifers supplying fresh water for stock and agricultural use. The complexity of such groundwater interactions can only be interpreted by applying multiple lines of evidence including environmental isotopes, hydrochemistry, hydrogeological and geophysical observations. We present an overview of multi-tracer studies from coal seam gas areas (Queensland and New South Wales) or areas targeted for shale gas development (Northern Territory). The focus was to investigate recharge to surficial karst and deep confined aquifer systems before industrial extraction on time scales of decades up to one million years and aquifer inter-connectivity at the formation scale. A systematic and consistent methodology is applied for the different case study areas aimed at building robust conceptual hydrogeological models that inform groundwater management and groundwater modelling. The tracer studies provided (i) in all areas increased confidence around recharge estimates, (ii) evidence for a dual-porosity flow system in the Hutton Sandstone (Queensland) and (iii) new insights into the connectivity, or lack thereof, of flow systems.
Unlocking material gas resources – Moomba South case study
Authors: Moriarty Hayden , Clifford Jennifer , Donley James , Maxwell Lewis
Published: May 2020

In the last two years, Santos has identified and unlocked a significant contingent resource in the Cooper Basin, onshore Australia. Commercialisation of these resources has been enabled through the application of phased appraisal programs, combined with Santos’ disciplined low-cost operating model. The implementation of a disciplined low-cost operating model as part of the current Santos strategy has resulted in unprecedented cost reductions in the Cooper Basin. Sub-economic contingent resources across many fields have become primary targets for appraisal and development for conversion to economic reserves. One of Santos’ largest contingent resources lies in the deep tight rocks of the Moomba Field.
From diversity to inclusion: Woodside Energy's inclusion and diversity journey
Authors: Lyall Ruth
Published: May 2020

Woodside is a leading natural gas producer in Australia, operating 6% of the global supply of liquefied natural gas. Woodside has been on an accelerated inclusion and diversity journey since 2015, with female and Indigenous Australian participation growing each year, and recognition through the Australian Workplace Equality Index as the oil and gas sector’s most LGBTI+-inclusive company in 2019.This paper sets out experiences and learnings from Woodside’s journey so far, including: the way Woodside uses measurable objectives to set expectations and increase accountability; why everyday people decisions matter; the critical role of inclusive, employee-driven networks to support under-represented groups, and also engage the broader workforce.
Working together to establish a world-class mercury recovery facility for the Australian liquefied natural gas industry
Authors: Pittson Jarrod , Kerferd Jeff
Published: May 2020

Mercury is a heavy metal that is widespread and persistent in the environment and, even at low concentrations, poses a risk of adverse effects to human health and ecosystems. Mercury is commonly found in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Approximately 1.5 tonnes of mercury arrive at the Karratha Gas Plant each year in feed gas from offshore platforms. Because mercury reacts with aluminium, it must be removed from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) process before the main cryogenic heat exchangers, which comprise ~1000 km of aluminium tubing. For over a decade mercury has been safely removed from the Woodside LNG process and sent to Switzerland for recovery of metals and complete recycling of waste constituents. Here we present the outcome of a 3-year collaboration between Woodside and Contract Resources that resulted in the opening of Australia’s first industrial-scale state-of-the-art mercury recovery facility in Karratha in July 2018. The AU$20 million plant is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and was underpinned by Woodside providing foundation funding through a long-term contract. The facility can handle all mercury-contaminated waste produced by the Australian oil and gas sector now and into the foreseeable future. An unparalleled project delivery taking 3 years to implement from initial discussion to the first batch of waste being processed in Karratha. This paper illustrates the collaboration, innovation and acceleration that occurred to deliver a sustainable outcome for Australian LNG.
Reducing methane losses across the gas value chain – Woodside journey to excellence
Authors: Pittson Jarrod , Convery Allie
Published: May 2020

Woodside is the first, and, to date, only, Australian listed company to be a signatory to the Methane Guiding Principles, an industry, non-Government organisation and educational institution collaboration aimed at reducing methane emissions across the natural gas value chain. Woodside’s methane emissions are ~0.04% of our total hydrocarbon production, or 400 kt CO2-eq per annum (Woodside Energy 2019). This is a relatively small methane emission footprint in comparison with other industrial and oil and gas operators; however, to ensure the greenhouse gas and environmental benefits of LNG over coal and other greenhouse intensive fossil fuels remain legitimate and substantial, we recognise the important role of minimising methane losses through the natural gas value chain. The global-warming potential of methane is 86 times more potent over a 20-year time frame than that of carbon dioxide (IPCC 2014). By tackling methane emissions, significant inroads can be made in reducing the impacts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Woodside became a signatory to the Methane Guiding Principles in April 2018 and has commenced a program of work to deliver on the five principles, which are to (1) continually reduce methane emissions, (2) advance strong performance across gas value chains, (3) improve accuracy of methane emissions data, (4) advocate sound policy and regulations on methane emissions and (5) increase transparency. This paper will focus on the journey we are on, namely, understanding our methane emission footprint within our operational boundaries and setting in place an action plan to reduce these emissions. But it is also a lot broader as we start to look beyond our gates to the transport and distribution networks, through to the end user turning on their gas stove at home. It is about cradle to grave custody of our product for it to be a viable long-term solution in a lower-carbon economy.
Water footprint of livestock products and production systems: a review
Authors: Ibidhi R. , Ben Salem H.
Published: May 2020

This paper reviews the small but growing literature on the water footprint (WF) of livestock production and provides an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this indicator. We identified 42 papers published in peer-reviewed international journals between 2000 and 2017, which covered the WF of dairy, meat and egg production using life-cycle assessment and WF network methodologies. The WF of livestock products decreases with the level of intensification of the farming system. In addition, the WF of meat is higher than that of either milk or eggs. The WF of beef is much larger than the WFs from sheep, goat, pork and chicken. The WF variation among different animal products is explained by the difference of the feed conversion ratio. Ruminants (cattle, sheep and goat) have a poor feed conversion ratio compared with monogastric animals (poultry and swine). Estimating the WF of livestock production and economic analysis of water use at different stages of production will help farmers and other stakeholders to identify the most demanding activities in term of water use, and implement strategies to improve water-use efficiency. Thus, feed production was identified as the largest contributor of the WF of livestock production. Options to reduce the WF of livestock production include the use of low-WF feeds, more efficient irrigation of crops used for livestock feed, and reduced consumption of animal-sourced protein in human diets through substitution with plant proteins. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis highlighted the importance of combining WF with other environmental-footprint and sustainability indicators to provide more reliable information for decision makers.
A typology of the mass/count distinction in Brazil and its relevance for mass/count theories
Authors: Lima Suzi , Rothstein Susan
Published: May 2020

While much work has been done on the description of the mass/count distinction in different geographical areas, Brazilian Indigenous languages are still highly underrepresented in the field. This paper presents the results of a project that involved researchers describing the mass/count distinction in 15 Brazilian Indigenous languages, based on a questionnaire we prepared in 2016 in order to explore the distribution of bare nouns, plurals, numerals, and quantifiers (seeAppendix). Three main observations will be drawn. First, number marking and countability are independent. Second, counting is not restricted to natural atoms. Third, since there seems to be no systematic symmetry in the distribution of plurals, numerals, and quantifiers, we argue that the standard diagnostics for countable vs. non-countable nouns are highly language-specific.
Ferroptosis is involved in alcohol-induced cell death in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Liu Chun-Yu , Wang Min , Yu Hong-Min , Han Fang-Xuan , Wu Qiong-Shi , Cai Xing-Jun , Kurihara Hiroshi , Chen Yong-Xing , Li Yi-Fang , He Rong-Rong
Published: May 2020

A critical pathogenic factor in the development of lethal liver failure is cell death induced by the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species. In this study, we discovered and illuminated a new mechanism that led to alcoholic liver disease via ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death. Study in vitro showed that both necroptosis inhibitor and ferroptosis inhibitors performed significantly protective effect on alcohol-induced cell death, while apoptosis inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor had no such effect. Our data also indicated that alcohol caused the accumulation of lipid peroxides and the mRNA expression of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, reduced the protein expression of the specific light-chain subunit of the cystine/glutamate antiporter and glutathione peroxidase 4. Importantly, ferrostatin-1 significantly ameliorated liver injury that was induced by overdosed alcohol both in vitro and in vivo. These findings highlight that targeting ferroptosis serves as a hepatoprotective strategy for alcoholic liver disease treatment.
Coldzyme® Mouth Spray reduces duration of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in endurance athletes under free living conditions
Authors: Davison Glen , Perkins Eleanor , Jones Arwel W. , Swart Gabriella M. , Jenkins Alex R. , Robinson Hayley , Dargan Kimberly
Published: May 2020

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) can compromise athlete preparation and performance, so countermeasures are desirable. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ColdZyme® Mouth Spray (ColdZyme) on self‐reported upper respiratory tract infection in competitive endurance athletes under free‐living conditions. One hundred and twenty‐three endurance‐trained, competitive athletes (recruited across 4 sites in England, UK) were randomised to control (no treatment, n = 61) or ColdZyme (n = 62) for a 3‐month study period (between December 2017 and March 2018; or December 2018 and April 2019). They recorded daily training and illness symptoms (Jackson common cold questionnaire) during the study period. A total of 130 illness episodes were reported during the study with no difference in incidence between groups (episodes per person: 1.1 ± 0.9 Control, 1.0 ± 0.8 ColdZyme, P = 0.290). Episode duration was significantly shorter in ColdZyme compared to Control: Control 10.4 ± 8.5 days vs. ColdZyme 7.7 ± 4.0 days, P = 0.016). Further analysis to compare episodes with poor vs. good compliance with ColdZyme instructions for use (IFU) within the ColdZyme group showed a greater reduction in duration of URTI when compliance was good (9.3 ± 4.5 days in ColdZyme poor IFU compliance vs. 6.9 ± 3.5 days in ColdZyme good IFU compliance, P = 0.040). ColdZyme may be an effective countermeasure to reduce URTI duration, which was significantly lower (by 26‐34%) in the ColdZyme treatment group (with no influence on incidence). This may have implications for athlete performance.
Retracted: Preparation and characterization of borosilicate-bioglass-incorporated sodium alginate composite wound dressing for accelerated full-thickness skin wound healing
Authors: Wu Chunxuan , Zhang Zhongjie , Zhou Kui , Chen Weigao , Tao Jun , Li Chen , Xin Hongbo , Song Yulin , Ai Fanrong
Published: May 2020

Full-thickness skin injury is a serious and intractable clinical problem. Wound dressing is urgently needed to treat serious skin defects or induce skin reconstruction. For the first time, we demonstrated a borosilicate bioglass (BBG)-incorporated sodium alginate (SA) wound dressing by a simple and effective technique for accelerated wound healing. The physical and chemical properties, in vitro and in vivo properties of SA-BBG composite wound dressing have been investigated. The results show that the SA-BBG composite dressing possesses good water absorption performance. The boron and silicon ions in BBG can maintain stable and sustained release. Most importantly, the SA-BBG composite wound dressing shows outstanding wound healing ability in full-thickness skin defects in rats. The wounds treated with SA-BBG composite dressing groups had almost closed at day 15. When the ratio of sodium alginate to bioglass in the sponge is 3:1, the wound healing effect is the best. In conclusion, the SA-BBG composite dressing shows great potential for application in skin wound healing and SA3BBG works best.
Vulnerability of vegetation activities to drought in Central Asia
Authors: Deng Haoyu , Yin Yunhe , Han Xiang
Published: May 2020

Central Asia (CA) is a continental region that is sensitive to water conditions. Hence, drought has one of the primary effects on the vegetation activities in CA and could vary with climate change. However, it is still unclear how the drought vulnerability of vegetation differs among vegetation types and varies with drought scales in CA. Therefore, this paper studied the drought vulnerability of vegetation in CA from 1982–2015. Droughts were detected by using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), and the vegetation activities were represented by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Only the areas with no change in vegetation types were analyzed, in order to avoid interference with changes in land use. Results showed that both the duration and intensity of droughts were higher in the central, southwestern, and northeastern CA. The growing season (April–October) NDVI decreased by −0.0095 ± 0.0065 per decade in response to drying trends of 0.21 ± 0.22 unit aridity index per decade in these drought-concentrated regions. Forests and savannas/woody savannas were more vulnerable to drought from July–September, and their vulnerabilities were higher to droughts with longer time scales. Shrublands and grasslands were more vulnerable to drought from April–May and May–September, respectively, and the vulnerabilities during these months were higher for the droughts at 6–12 months scales. Twelve months was the optimal (most vulnerable) drought scale for the shrublands and grasslands and the secondary drought scale for the savannas/woody savannas. Further analysis of the vulnerability of vegetation to 12 months drought found that it generally increased with the increase of the drought magnitude (duration or intensity) to some peak values and then decreased. However, the vulnerability of forests and savannas/woody savannas increased with the drought intensity. Results would help for the drought risk assessment of vegetation in CA.