bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medición del Desempeño Organizacional en las Micro y Pequeñas Empresas del Sector Manufacturero en México
Authors: Murillo Ricardo Gallegos
Published: August 2021

El desempeño organizacional facilita e impulsa el logro de los objetivos de la empresa a través de las personas. La tasa de mortalidad de las PYMES en México ha alcanzado el 4.5%; una adecuada administración y gestión del desempeño pudiera contribuir a decrecer dicha tasa. El objetivo de esta investigación fue medir el desempeño organizacional en las micro y pequeñas empresas del sector manufacturero. El enfoque de la investigación fue de naturaleza cuantitativa, el diseño fue no experimental y transaccional, el muestreo fue no probabilístico. La población bajo estudio fueron las micro y pequeñas empresas del sector manufacturero (excluyendo el de alimentos) de la ciudad de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México. En el período de tiempo comprendido entre los meses de noviembre del 2018 a mayo del 2019. Se estableció contacto con los grupos de interés y se procedió a recabar retroalimentación a través de llamadas telefónicas, correos electrónicos y visitas físicas a las empresas. Los resultados arrojaron que las micro y pequeñas empresas de este sector no cuentan con los conocimientos necesarios para implementar mediciones del desempeño. Los principales indicadores para medir el desempeño de las PYMES en la que coinciden la mayoría de los autores fueron: calidad, productividad, costos, participación del mercado, recursos humanos, capacidad instalada y satisfacción del cliente.

Organizational performance facilitates and drives the achievement of company objectives through people. The mortality rate of SMEs in Mexico has reached 4.5%; an adequate administration and performance management could contribute to decrease this rate. The objective of this research was to measure organizational performance in micro and small companies in the manufacturing sector. The research approach was quantitative in nature, the design was non-experimental and transactional, the sampling was nonprobabilistic. The population under study was the micro and small enterprises of the manufacturing sector (excluding the food sector) of the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. In the period of time between the months of November 2018 to May 2019. Stakeholders were contacted and feedback was obtained through phone calls, emails and physical visits to the companies. The results showed that micro and small companies in this sector do not have the necessary knowledge to implement performance measurements. The main indicators to measure the performance of SMEs in which most of the authors agree were: quality, productivity, costs, market share, human resources, installed capacity and customer satisfaction.
Géomatique appliquée à la géomorphologie littorale : Contribution à la connaissance théorique des techniques d’analyse spatiale de l’évolution du linéaire côtier
Authors: Thior Mamadou
Published: August 2021

L’analyse de l’évolution du trait de côte en cinématique du littoral exige tout d’abord le choix d’un indicateur linéaire. En effet, il existe plus d’une douzaine de lignes de référence matérialisant la position du trait de côte. Cette diversité d’indicateurs induit la recherche et la mise au point de nombreuses méthodes pour détecter, extraire et suivre la mobilité du trait de côte. Ces approches méthodologiques reposent sur la compilation et la comparaison de données acquises, soit sur le terrain par des instruments de topométrie (niveau de chantier, théodolite, tachéomètre électronique, lidar, récepteur DGPS, etc.), soit en laboratoire par le traitement numérique d’images satellites ou aériennes. Le but de ce travail est de contribuer à une meilleure connaissance de l’approche cartographique et statistique qui permet de calculer les taux de variation historique du trait de côte à travers les outils la géomatique: Télédétéction et Système d’Information Géographique (SIG). La technique faisant l’objet d’étude dans cette approche est une méthode statistique d’extrapolation et de calcul de tendances basée sur le traitement des images géospatiales. Dans un cadre théorique, le sujet discute la définition de la ligne de référence, du protocole méthodologique de son extraction et de la cartographie de l’évolution du trait de côte du littoral.

 

The analysis of coastline evolution in coastal kinematics requires first of all the choice of a linear indicator. Indeed, there are more than a dozen reference lines materializing the position of the coastline. This diversity of indicators leads to the research and development of numerous methods to detect, extract and monitor coastline mobility. These methodological approaches are based on the compilation and comparison of data acquired either in the field by topometry instruments (site level, theodolite, electronic tacheometer, lidar, DGPS receiver, etc.) or in the laboratory by digital processing of satellite or aerial images. The aim of this work is to contribute to a better knowledge of the cartographic and statistical approach that allows the calculation of historical coastline variation rates through geomatics tools: Remote sensing and GIS. The technique studied in this approach is a statistical method of extrapolation and calculation of trends based on the processing of geospatial images. In a theoretical framework, the subject discusses the definition of the reference line, the methodological protocol of its extraction and the mapping of the coastline evolution.
Colegio inicial, primaria y secundaria en la provincia de Satipo-Junín enfocado en espacios compartidos y comunitarios
Authors:   , Díaz Sedano Carlos Alfredo
Published: August 2021

Se plantea diseñar un colegio público en el distrito de Satipo, en donde la interacción del colegio con la comunidad se manifieste de manera fluida y flexible. El proyecto busca brindar espacios de aprendizaje fuera y dentro de aulas proponiendo espacios compartidos en las aulas, y en áreas de esparcimiento; así como vincular las actividades del colegio con el desarrollo de las comunidades nativas cercanas. Para esto, se analiza y considera los factores del lugar y clima que influyen en el diseño del colegio para proporcionar confort al usuario. El proyecto busca contemplar las necesidades de la comunidad locales proponiendo talleres por medio de los centros técnicos de producción (cetpro) que beneficiarían a los estudiantes al culminar los estudios; así como, la implementación de áreas recreativas y espacios abiertos para la comunidad.
Students’ reflective thinking based on their levels of emotional intelligence in mathematical problem-solving
Authors: Utomo Dwi Priyo , Junirestu Erentrudis , Khusna Arif Hidayatul
Published: August 2021

[English]: This qualitative research aims to analyze secondary students’ reflective thinking in solving mathematical problems based on their emotional intelligence (EI). It involved four secondary school students selected from twenty-nine students who were given the EI questionnaire. The research instrument was a test and an interview guideline. Data analysis was referred to as Polya's four problem-solving stages integrated with the indicators of reflective thinking. The findings reveal that students with a high level of emotional intelligence can fulfill the whole indicators of reflective thinking. In this case, the students can react to a given situation or problem by carefully understanding the available information, making comparisons between elements to formulate strategies, explaining in detail the steps to solve problems, and doing contemplation in checking step by step and correcting mistakes. Meanwhile, students with mid-levels of emotional intelligence are less reflective in making comparisons between elements to formulate strategies for problem-solving.
[Bahasa]: Penelitian kualitatif ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pemikiran reflektif siswa sekolah menengah pertama dalam menyelesaikan masalah matematika berbasis kecerdasan emosional. Subjek penelitian adalah empat siswa, dipilih dari 29 siswa yang mengisi kuesioner. Data dikumpulkan melalui tes dan wawancara kemudian dianalisis dengan merujuk pada empat langkah pemecahan masalah Polya yang diintegrasikan dengan indikator berpikir reflektif. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa siswa dengan tingkat kecerdasan emosional tinggi memenuhi semua indikator berpikir reflektif dalam pemecahan masalah. Dalam hal ini, siswa mampu memberikan reaksi pada situasi atau permasalahan yang diberikan dengan memahami secara cermat informasi yang ada, melakukan komparasi antar elemen untuk menyusun strategi, menjelaskan secara rinci langkah memecahkan masalah, melakukan kontemplasi dalam memeriksa langkah demi langkah dan memperbaiki kesalahan. Sedangkan siswa dengan tingkat kecerdasan emosional sedang kurang reflektif dalam melakukan komparasi antar elemen untuk menyusun strategi pemecahan masalah.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES WITH THE PREVALENCE OF STUNTING BASED ON THE BASIC HEALTH RESEARCH IN INDONESIA
Authors: Simbolon Demsa , Adevianti Dhea , Setianingsih Luluk , Ningsih Lisma , Andriani Lusi
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTStunting is a linear growth disorder considered as a serious health problem in Indonesia, where its prevalence is related to maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study aimed to compare the coverage of maternal and child health services between two surveys and analyze how they relate to the prevalence of stunting. The study used aggregate data from the 2013 and 2018 Basic Health Research Reports using a cross-sectional approach. The research sample spanned to 34 provinces in Indonesia. Stunting prevalence was taken as aggregate data from individuals based on height-for-age z-scores (HAZ). The independent variable was the achievement of MCH service indicators. Data analysis used variance measures, correlations, simple linear regression, and paired T-tests. The results found variations in the prevalence of stunting, with 25.4% in 2013 and 25.1% in 2018. There was a 7.4% decrease in severe stunting prevalence between 2013 and 2018, but the decrease was not significant (p = 0.506). The analysis results of the 2013 Basic Health Research showed that MCH service indicators related to stunting prevalence were coverage of antenatal care, iron consumption, delivery by health personnel, delivery in health facilities, postpartum maternal health services, low birth weight (LBW) prevalence, neonatal examination, complete immunization, health card ownership, and growth monitoring. The analysis results of the 2018 Basic Health Research showed that MCH indicators were related to the prevalence of antenatal care coverage, delivery by health personnel, and delivery in health facilities, postpartum maternal health services, LBW prevalence, neonatal examination, and complete immunization. There was a significant increase in the coverage of MCH services from 2013 and 2018 (p < 0.0001), except for the coverage of Fe tablet consumption, the prevalence of stunted birth babies, ownership of health cards, provision of vitamin A, and provision of colostrum. The better the coverage of MCH services, the lower the stunting prevalence. Efforts to improve the MCH service programs are required to reduce the prevalence of stunting for Indonesian children. Keywords: stunting, children under five years old, coverage of maternal and child health services
COST EVALUATION OF STROKE THERAPY COMPARED TO INA-CBGs ON INPATIENTS AT ANUTAPURA HOSPITAL
Authors: Rinaldhi Tandah Muhamad , Mukaddas Alwiyah , Angriani Dewi , Mangoting Gaby Nathania Angela
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTStroke is the third cause of death in the world after heart disease, cancer, and disability including disability categorized based on its severity: mild (I), moderate (II), and severe (III) severity. This study aims to determine the difference total cost of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke therapy, each, with INA-CBGs rates. The method of data collection was conducted retrospectively taken from medical record data, and on patient medical expenses. The subject were ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients hospitalized from 2016-2017 at Anutapura Hospital who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 134 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 68% were ischemic stroke patients and 32% were hemorrhagic stroke patients. The result of research showed that there were significant differences in costs (p <0.05) between hospital real costs and INA-CBGs rates. The average total real cost of treatment for ischemic stroke therapy was IDR 7,360,196.70 and the cost of the INA-CBGs was IDR 7,427,251.65 for 91 inpatients; and the average total cost of patients with hemorrhagic stroke therapy took IDR 10,606,834.34 with average of INA CBG’s rate at IDR 4,399,393.02 for 43 inpatients. The conclusion is both of stroke therapy proved significant difference compared to BPJS claimed amount of money.Keywords: pharmacoeconomic, cost analysis, ischemic stroke, haemorrhage stroke, INA-CBG’s rate.
Evaluasi Mutu Pelayanan Kefarmasian di Puskesmas Seluruh Kota Kendari
Authors: Ihsan Sunandar , Nuralifah Nuralifah , Jabar Asriulah , Sabarudin Sabarudin , Sonaru Fitriani , Ramadhan Rahmat
Published: August 2021

Pendahuluan: Tujuan evaluasi mutu pelayanan adalah untuk mengevaluasi seluruh rangkaian kegiatan pelayanan kefarmasian dan sebagai dasar perbaikan pelayanan kefarmasian selanjutnya sehingga meningkatkan kualitas hidup pasien. Tujuan: Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui mutu pelayanan kefarmasian di seluruh Puskesmas di Kota Kendari berdasarkan permenkes nomor 74 tahun 2016. Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional yang bersifat deksriptif menggunakan desain cross sectional. Mutu pelayanan yang diukur adalah kepuasan pasien, dimensi waktu pelayanan dan ketersediaan serta pelaksanaan Standar Operational Procedure/SOP. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah kuesioner kepuasan pasien, pedoman wawancara dan lembar observasi. Parameter penilaian mutu pelayanan kefarmasian di Puskesmas yang digunakan adalah Permenkes no. 44 tahun 2016 tentang pedoman manajemen mutu di Puskesmas, dengan kategori baik yaitu > 8,5, cukup 5,5 – 8,4, dan kategori kurang yaitu < 5,5 yang didapat dari nilai rata-rata empat skala nilai. Hasil: Tingkat kepuasan pasien didapatkan 79,51% kategori cukup (skala nilai = 7), sedangkan untuk dimensi waktu pelayanan obat yaitu 80% puskesmas telah menetapkan waktu pelayanan baik obat racikan maupun non racikan dengan skala nilai 7. Hanya 59,04% (skala nilai 7) puskesmas yang menerapkan standar prosedur pelayanan (SOP) minimal sesuai permenkes RI nomor. 74 tahun 2016. Dalam pelaksanaan pelayanan kefarmasian oleh farmasis didapatkan 43,65% pada skala nilai 4. Kesimpulan: Secara keseluruhan rata-rata nilai mutu pelayanan kefarmasian seluruh Puskesmas di Kota Kendari adalah 6,25 atau kategori cukup.
Optimasi Aristoflex®️ AVC dan Propilen Glikol Gel Tabir Surya Rimpang Kunyit dengan Metode Desain Faktorial
Authors: Sumule Arsiaty , Pamudji Gunawan , Ikasari Endang Diyah
Published: August 2021

Pendahuluan: Kunyit (Curcuma domestica) mengandung kurkumin yang cocok digunakan sebagai pelindung kulit dari sinar ultraviolet (UV). Produk tabir surya topikal perlu dikembangkan, salah satunya gel, sediaan paling stabil dan tidak menunjukkan pemisahan fase. Optimasi lebih menguntungkan dibandingkan metode trial and error dari segi biaya, waktu, dan keakuratan hasil. Tujuan: Mengetahui pengaruh kombinasi Aristoflex® AVC dan propilen glikol pada sifat fisik gel ekstrak rimpang kunyit, mengetahui formula gel ekstrak rimpang kunyit yang optimum, dan mengetahui pengaruh kombinasi Aristoflex® AVC dan propilen glikol pada nilai SPF dari sediaan gel ekstrak rimpang kunyit. Metode: Gel dibuat empat formula dengan komposisi Aristoflex® AVC 1% dan 3% dan propilen glikol 5% dan 10%. Parameter yang digunakan meliputi daya sebar, daya lekat, viskositas, dan nilai SPF yang dihitung secara in vitro menggunakan spektrofotometri. Hasil uji dioptimasi dengan metode desain faktorial menggunakan Design Expert 7.1.5. Hasil: Kombinasi Aristoflex® AVC dan propilen glikol berpengaruh terhadap daya sebar, daya lekat, viskositas dan nilai SPF yang dihasilkan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan formula optimum gel ekstrak rimpang kunyit pada kombinasi Aristoflex® AVC dan propilen glikol masing-masing 1,68% dan 9,87% sehingga diperoleh nilai daya sebar 5,1 cm, daya lekat 2,018 detik, viskositas 110,008 dPas, dan nilai SPF 11,935. Kesimpulan: Kombinasi Aristoflex® AVC dan propilen glikol memberikan pengaruh pada daya sebar, daya lekat, viskositas, dan nilai SPF sediaan gel ekstrak rimpang kunyit. Proporsi Aristoflex® AVC 1,68% dan propilen glikol 9,87% merupakan formula optimum gel ekstrak rimpang kunyit.
Efficacy and Toxicity of VarroMed® Used for Controlling Varroa Destructor Infestation in Different Seasons and Geographical Areas
Authors: Smodiš Škerl Maja Ivana , Rivera-Gomis Jorge , Tlak Gajger Ivana , Bubnič Jernej , Talakić Gabriela , Formato Giovanni , Baggio Alessandra , Mutinelli Franco , Tollenaers Wim , Laget Dries , Malagnini Valeria , Zanotelli Livia , Pietropaoli Marco
Published: August 2021

VarroMed® is a soft acaricide registered for honey bees on the European Union market since 2017 for Varroa control. Researchers involved were partners of different countries of the Varroa control task force of COLOSS Association. Our goal was to evaluate performances (acaricide efficacy and toxic effects on honey bees) of VarroMed® in different climatic conditions. Our results in the tested apiaries showed an efficacy ranging from 71.2 to 89.3 % in summer/autumn, and from 71.8 % to 95.6 % in winter. No toxic effects on bees were observed, except in one apiary, where severe cold climatic conditions played a crucial role. The treatment could be efficiently applied in brood right as well as in broodless colonies. Integrated pest management (IPM) recommendations for bee-keepers are provided in order to apply the best Varroa control protocol.
Use of Cerium Nitrate Nanoparticles in Biological Environment Along with the Factors Effecting It: An Empirical Overview
Authors: Fatima Zarish , Quazi Sameer , Gavas Shreelaxmi , Karpiński Tomasz
Published: August 2021

The advancement in the production and usage of the cerium oxide nanoparticles have diverted the attention of scientists towards their usage in medical field and therapeutic usage. The clinical usage of these Nano ceria is based on their ability to moderate the oxidative stress and this is only because of their ability to change their valent state from +3 to +4 which makes them ideal for scavenging radicals for use in a number of systemic and neurodegenerative disorders. This review aims to synthesize the basic methods used for the synthesis of nanoparticles along with the use of ligand, stabilizing agent and other components. This review also concludes that how various physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles effect the basic biological activities such as antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and many others. However, during the standardization, some of the physiochemical properties, methods used for preparation and catalytic abilities must be taken into account.
Can Hubble Tension Be Eased by Invoking a Finite Range for Gravity?
Authors: Rebecca Louise , Kenath Arun , Sivaram C
Published: August 2021

The estimation of the Hubble constant in the past few decades has increasingly become more accurate with the advance of new techniques. But its value seems to depend on the epoch at which the measurements are made. The Planck estimate of the Hubble constant from the observations of the CMBR in the early Universe is about 67.
A Novel Multi-dimensional Clinical Response Index Dedicated to Improving Global Assessment of Pain in Patients with Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome After Spinal Surgery, Based on a Real-life Prospective Multicentric Study (PREDIBACK) and Machine Learning
Authors: Rigoard Philippe , Ounajim Amine , Goudman Lisa , Louis Pierre-Yves , Slaoui Yousri , Roulaud Manuel , Naiditch Nicolas , Bouche Bénédicte , Page Philippe , Lorgeoux Bertille , Baron Sandrine , Charrier Elodie , Poupin Laure , Rannou Delphine , de Montgazon Géraldine Brumauld , Roy-Moreau Brigitte , Grimaud Nelly , Adjali Nihel , Nivole Kevin , Many Mathilde , David Romain , Wood Chantal H. , Rigoard Raphael , Moens Maarten , Billot Maxime
Published: August 2021

The multidimensionality of chronic pain forces us to look beyond isolated pain assessment such as pain intensity, which does not consider multiple key parameters, particularly in patients suffering from post-operative Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome (PSPS-T2). Our ambition was to provide a novel Multi-dimensional Clinical Response Index (MCRI), including not only pain intensity but also functional capacity, anxiety-depression, quality of life and objective quantitative pain mapping assessments, the objective being to capture patient condition instantaneously, using machine learning techniques. Two hundred PSPS-T2 patients were enrolled in a real-life observational prospective PREDIBACK study with 12-month follow-up and received various treatments. From a multitude of questionnaires/scores, specific items were combined using exploratory factor analyses to create an optimally accurate MCRI; as a single composite index, using pairwise correlations between measurements, it appeared to better represent all pain dimensions than any other classical score. It appeared to be the best compromise among all existing indexes, showing the highest sensitivity/specificity related to Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Novel composite indexes could help to refine pain assessment by changing the physician’s perception of patient condition on the basis of objective and holistic metrics, and by providing new insights to therapy efficacy/patient outcome assessments, before ultimately being adapted to other pathologies.
Interdisciplinary Co-design Framework in Healthcare Design for Older Adult Patients with Chronic Low-back Pain
Authors: Tufail Muhammad , Lee HaeBin , Kim Hwang , Kim KwanMyung
Published: August 2021

This study presents three forms of interdisciplinary expertise in the healthcare design context to approach a particular multifaceted problem around the current healthcare for older adult patients with chronic low-back pain (LBP). Using an interdisciplinary co-design framework, first, our design approach performs the role of an initiator to define the problem by exploring the current context of healthcare. Second, it facilitates the experiences of experts and patients to reach the roots of the problem by functioning as a mediator. Third, our approach fulfills the primary role of healthcare design in producing new meanings considering the principles of patient-centeredness. These roles significantly contributed to the design of healthcare innovations. Our framework transformed the distributed disciplinary knowledge developed while tackling the multifaceted problem into new forms of expertise for collaboration in healthcare innovation.
The Ascent of Bitcoin: Bibliometric Analysis of Bitcoin Research
Authors: Aysan Ahmet Faruk , Demirtaş Hüseyin Bedir , Saraç Mustafa
Published: August 2021

Blockchain is a path-breaking paradigm, and cryptocurrencies are one of the main application areas of Blockchain technology. Bitcoin leads the cryptocurrency markets, both in terms of market capitalization and in scientific interest. In this paper, we performed a comprehensive bibliometric study of the Bitcoin-related literature. Using the Scopus database, we created a sample that comprises 4495 documents written in the 2011–2020 period. Furthermore, we provided insights about dimensions such as the change in the number of publications over the course of years, the main research areas, types of published documents, most important platforms and sources of Bitcoin publications, highly cited studies, productive authors, author’s countries, and finally main funders of Bitcoin-related research. Lastly, our bibliometric study manifests the current state and future path of Bitcoin literature from distinct perspectives.
Alcohol consumption during the coronavirus epidemic in Russia
Authors: Nemtsov A. V. , Gridin R. V.
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study is to assess alcohol consumption during the coronavirus epidemic in Russia.

Materials and methods – retail sales of alcoholic beverages, which account for about 70% of the alcohol market in the country, as well as online inquiries for the delivery of illegal vodka were assessed. The assessment of changes was made on the basis of a comparison of the period March 2020-March 2021 with the average 2018–2019, and in the case of sales growth in 2018–2019 – based on average and linear regression. Internet requests for the delivery of vodka were obtained from the portals Google Trends and Yandex. The purchasing power of the population was assessed by the dynamics of the real money incomes of the population of the Russian Federation.

Results – sales changes were ambiguous, both for diﬀerent drinks, and in the two waves of the epidemic. Alcohol spirits increased both in the frst (by 2.2%) and in the second half of the year (by 1.2%), despite a decrease in cognac sales due to an increase in MRP by 11.6% from January 2020. Wine sales decreased during the epidemic, but this is due to a number of administrative and legislative measures, as well as a twofold decline in production. During the epidemic, retail beer sales grew by 4.5% in the frst half of the year, and decreased by 3.4% in the second. Internet searches for the illegal delivery of vodka rose sharply at the very beginning of the epidemic (after March 22, 2020) and two weeks later reached a maximum (202.9 thousand per week; Yandex), exceeding the February level by 2.7 times. Further, the dynamics of online searches corresponded to the waves of the epidemic.

Conclusions. The coronavirus epidemic was accompanied by an increase in the consumption of hard alcohol from various sources. It has been suggested that distress was the dominant factor in the growth of strong alcohol consumption during the coronavirus epidemic, despite the decline in the purchasing power of the population, especially during the second wave of the epidemic.
The impact of alcohol on the male reproductive system
Authors: Apolikhin O. I. , Krasnyak S. S.
Published: August 2021

Although alcohol has been consumed by humans for centuries, its eﬀect on reproductive function is still not fully understood. Numerous studies have examined the eﬀects of alcohol on ejaculate parameters and male fertility. This article provides an overview of the main preclinical and clinical studies. Studies in experimental animals have shown that ethanol-rich diets cause spermatogenesis abnormalities, a variety of abnormalities involving diﬀerent parts of the reproductive tract, and a decreased frequency of fertilization in murine oocytes. These eﬀects quickly disappeared with the cessation of alcohol use. Most of the studies examining the eﬀects of alcohol on men have shown a negative eﬀect on ejaculate parameters. An association of hypogonadism and low or elevated gonadotropin levels has been reported, suggesting a combined central and peripheral damaging eﬀect of ethanol. Thus, alcohol consumption has a pronounced negative eﬀect on ejaculate parameters, which can be reversible upon cessation of alcohol consumption.
Improving the Food Environment in Washington State–Run Correctional Facilities: The Healthy Commissary Project
Authors: Auvinen Alyssa , Marcinkevage Jessica , Mornick Chris , Nambuthiri Susmitha , Daniel Mary , Carney Brent , Prather Charles , Dolan Jamie
Published: August 2021

Improvements to correctional facilities’ food environment can provide healthier food and beverage options for incarcerated individuals, a population disproportionately affected by chronic disease. This article describes efforts to increase healthy options in the commissary program at Washington State correctional facilities from 2017 to 2019, and the role of a multidisciplinary collaboration between the state’s Department of Corrections, Department of Health, and Statewide Family Council. Through the development, implementation, and promotion of nutrition standards, the nutritional quality of foods and beverages in the commissary program improved.
Vendian Hydrogeochemistry of the Siberian Platform
Authors: Novikov D.A. , Chernykh A.V. , Konstantinova L.N. , Dultsev F.F. , Yurchik I.I.
Published: August 2021

—The Vendian deposits of the Siberian Platform are represented by four regional horizons (from bottom to top): Nepa, Vilyuchan, Tira, and Danilovka. The TDS of brines in the Nepa and Vilyuchan horizons varies from 170.3 to 470.1 g/L, and the TDS in the overlying Tira and Danilovka horizons, from 84.6 to 583.1 g/L. Brines of Cl Na, Cl Na–Ca, Cl Ca–Na, Cl Ca, and Cl Ca–Mg types have been identified. The pH values of the brines vary from 3.0 to 7.0; acidic and weakly acidic brines (pH = 3.0–5.5) prevail. The redox potential Eh varies from –440 mV (highly reducing conditions) to +130 mV (oxidizing conditions), averaging –176 mV. Areal regional hydrogeochemical zoning is controlled by the outer (on the periphery of the Siberian Platform, where infiltration of meteoric waters took place) and inner feeding areas. The outer feeding areas bear infiltrogenic brines of different ages (group I), mostly of Cl Na composition. They are characterized by TDS ≤ 280 g/L, rNa/rCl ≤ 1.55, Cl/Br ≤ 2512, and average Ca/Cl = 0.3. The average values of the integrated brine metamorphization index S (according to S.L. Shvartsev) range from 50 to 200. In the intraplatform feeding areas, there are several phases of brines that underwent gravitational sinking into the Vendian horizons in the periods when Cambrian salt-bearing basins existed on the platform. These brines were metamorphosed during filtration along the fracture and fault zones. The intrusion of traps in the late Permian–early Triassic was accompanied by hydrothermal activity. The waters of the enclosing Cambrian dolomite horizons were heated to 800–1000 °C; their subsequent interaction with carbonate rocks and evaporites (in particular, chlorides) resulted in extrastrong saturated brines. These brines were also subjected to gravitational sinking into the Vendian reservoirs, which was the main cause of the inverse vertical hydrogeochemical zoning in the hydrogeologic subsalt formation. The brine metamorphism processes and temperature changes in the rock horizons during the intrusion of traps and their subsequent cooling led to a significant alteration of the enclosing rocks under interaction with brines and to salinization of the reservoirs, an increase in the total salinity of the brines, and catagenetic changes in their composition. The brines closest to the maximum saturation with halite were found in reservoir zones with the highest salinization and near faults and boundaries of intrusive bodies. During the pre-Vilyuchan, pre-Nepa, pre-Tira, and pre-Danilovka sedimentation breaks, infiltrogenic waters penetrated into the Vendian sediments. Geochemically, the sedimentogenic, infiltrogenic, and metamorphic strong brines (group II) have a predominantly Cl Ca or Cl Ca–Mg composition with TDS > 350 g/L. They are characterized by low rNa/rCl ratios (on average, 0.3), Cl/Br ≤ 100, high Ca/Cl values (on average, 0.4), and S > 250.
ConocoPhillips’ Water-Hammer Analysis Highlights Potential for a Complex Dataset
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: August 2021

It has often amounted to little more than background noise. Now, engineers with one of the largest shale producers in the US consider the water-hammer signal to represent a potential trove of insight into stimulation performance.

ConocoPhillips has spent almost 3 years developing a new approach to water-hammer analysis and recently shared the first public details of that work in a technical paper (SPE 204154). Perhaps the core takeaway is that within a few minutes of post-stage data, a picture of reservoir and stimulation quality is available. The challenge lies in how to bring that picture into proper focus.

The water hammer is a pressure pulse that moves through the wellbore at the speed of sound in fluid, or around 5,000 ft/s, which is more than four-fold the speed of sound in air. Its name comes from the often-audible slam made on one end of the pipe when a column of moving fluid is slowed or halted.

One is usually generated as a valve is turned, or a pump slowed or stopped at the end of a fracture stage. This makes the water hammer ubiquitous in the context of hydraulic-fracturing operations the world over.

As the wave bounces up and down the wellbore it generates noticeable pressure spikes on wellhead gauges. These oscillating signatures have been the subject of industry intrigue for decades. They’ve also proven to be difficult to decipher and trust.

As such, the water hammer has not entered into the shale sector’s pantheon of fracture-design inputs. ConocoPhillips’ ongoing research and development project may help change that.

Based on a review of treatment data from more than 150 of the operator’s low-permeability wells from an unnamed field in North America, those with fast-decaying water-hammer signals amounted to the best performers, achieving an output equivalent to 94–110% of their estimated recoveries. On the other hand, wells with more prolonged or low decay rates commonly fell 10–20% below their original type curve.

“The high decay rates indicated more near-wellbore fracture surface area, which related to higher well productivity. While conversely, low decay rates mean less near-wellbore friction, longer fractures, lower well productivity,” explained Dung “Zoom” Nguyen.

Nguyen is a staff completions engineer at ConocoPhillips and coauthor of the paper that she presented at the annual SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference in May. She elaborated that analysis on frac hits, or fracture-driven interactions (FDIs), supports the relationship between fracture geometry and water-hammer decay rates, i.e., low decay rates equate to fewer, longer, and less-complex fractures.
Cybersecurity: The Forever Problem
Authors: Wright Blake
Published: August 2021

The oil and gas business has become as much about bytes as barrels in recent years. Artificial intelligence, the internet of things (IoT), big data, and the ongoing digitization of the industry have not only made it a more-efficient machine but also a target to unscrupulous sorts looking to confound, cash in, and move on. As more information comes forward regarding the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline, it appears to have been a cash grab with the knock-on effect of physically crippling the company’s flow of fuel to East Coast states.

The outage was never the goal, but what it if had been? That question, or one similar, was part of what got the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) involved and the subsequent announcement of a Security Directive that will require critical-pipeline owners and operators to report confirmed and potential cybersecurity incidents to the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and to designate a cybersecurity coordinator, to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It will also require critical-pipeline owners and operators to review their current practices as well as to identify any gaps and related remediation measures to address cyber-related risks and report the results to the Transportation Security Administration and CISA within 30 days.

The bad guys made off with over $4 million in the Colonial attack; however, the US Department of Justice was able to recover about $2.3 million in the cryptocurrency paid by the pipeline operator. But the Colonial breach wasn’t a first for the oil and gas industry, and it certainly won’t be the last. As more of the oil field comes online, it creates additional access points for would-be villains to pounce. What makes the cybersecurity threat unique compared to other obstacles in the industry is that it is likely unsolvable, only manageable.

“This will likely be a forever problem,” said Donald Paul, research professor of engineering at the University of Southern California and former CTO at Chevron. “It’s not like you can do something and fix it all, because ultimately, as the technology changes, as you add more digital systems, more vulnerabilities show up, and then the bad guys figure out how to crack them. It’s an ongoing process.”
Fishbone Stimulation Enhances Tight Carbonate Productivity
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: August 2021

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 202636, “Fishbone Stimulation: A Game Changer for Tight Carbonate Productivity Enhancement—Case Study of First Successful Implementation at ADNOC Onshore Fields,” by R.V. Rachapudi, SPE, S.S. Al-Jaberi, SPE, and M. Al Hashemi, SPE, ADNOC, et al., prepared for the 2020 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, held virtually 9–12 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

The operator’s first successful installation of fishbone stimulation technology was aimed at establishing vertical communication between layers in a tight carbonate reservoir and maximizing the reservoir contact. Furthermore, the advanced stimulation technology connects natural fractures within the reservoir, bypasses near-wellbore damage, and allows the thin sublayers to produce. This technology requires running standard lower-completion tubing with fishbone subs preloaded with 40-ft needles and stimulation with the rig on site.

Introduction

The operator plans to develop tight carbonate reservoirs as part of its production growth strategy. Field Q is a 35×15-km field under development with a phased approach. Phase 1 was planned and production began in 2014. Phase 2 is being developed by drilling wells using the pad concept.

Reservoir A, a tight carbonate formation with low permeability ranging from 1 to 3 md and porosity from 15 to 25%, is part of Phase 2 development. The aver-age thickness of Reservoir A is approximately 90 ft across the field, with seven sublayers. The major challenge of Reservoir A development is poor vertical communication and low permeability. Based on appraisal-well data, the average production rate per well is approximately 200 to 400 BOPD with a wellhead pressure of 200 psi. Therefore, appraisal-well testing confirmed the poor productivity of the wells. In addition, the wells are required to produce to the central facilities located in a Phase 1 area 18 km away from Phase 2. In summary, each Phase 2 well is required to be produced against a back-pressure of 500 to 600 psi.

Fishbone Stimulation Technology

Fishbone stimulation technology is an uncemented-liner rig-deployed completion stimulation system. The liner includes fishbone subs at fixed intervals, and each sub consists of four needles that will connect the sublayers by penetrating into the formation. The typical fishbone completion after installation and jetting the needles in formation is shown in Fig. 1.
The Challenge of Equipoise: Qualitative Interviews Exploring the Views of Health Professionals and Women With Multiple Ipsilateral Breast Cancer in a Surgical Randomised Controlled Trial.
Authors: Ingram Jenny , Beasant Lucy , Benson John , Brunt Adrian Murray , Maxwell Anthony , Harvey James Richard , Greenwood Rosemary , Roberts Nicholas , Williams Norman , Johnson Debbie , Winters Zoe
Published: August 2021

BackgroundA multicentre feasibility trial (MIAMI), comparing outcomes and quality of life of women with multiple ipsilateral breast cancer randomised to therapeutic mammoplasty or mastectomy, was conducted from September 2018 to March 2020. The MIAMI surgical trial aimed to investigate recruitment of sufficient numbers of women. Multidisciplinary teams at 10 breast care centres in the UK identified 190 with MIBC diagnosis; 20 were eligible for trial participation but after being approached only four patients were recruited. A nested qualitative study sought to understand the reasons for this lack of recruitment.MethodsInterviews were conducted from November 2019 to September 2020 with 17 staff from eight hospital-based breast care centres that recruited and attempted to recruit to MIAMI; and seven patients from four centres, comprising all patients who were recruited to the trial and some who declined to take part. Interviews were audio-recorded, anonymised and analysed using thematic methods of building codes into themes and sub-themes using the process of constant comparison.ResultsOverarching themes of 1) influences on equipoise and recruitment and 2) effects of a lack of equipoise were generated. Within these themes health professional themes described the barriers to recruitment as ‘the treatment landscape has changed’; staff preferences and beliefs’ which influenced equipoise and patient advice; and how different the treatments were for patients. Patient themes of ‘altruism and timing of trial approach’; ‘influences from consultants and others’; and ‘diagnostic journey doubts’ all played a part in whether patients agreed to take part in the trial.Conclusions﻿Barriers to recruiting to breast cancer surgical trials can be significant, especially where there are substantial differences between the treatments being offered and a lack of equipoise communicated by healthcare professionals to patients. Patients can become overwhelmed by numerous requests for participation in research trials and inappropriate timing of trial discussions. Alternative study designs to the gold standard randomised control trial for surgical interventions may be required to provide the high-quality evidence on which to base practice.Trial registration numbers: ISRCTN (ISRCTN17987569) registered 20/04/2018, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17987569; and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03514654).
Composition Optimization, High-temperature Stability and Thermal Cycling Performance of Sc-doped Gd2Zr2O7 Thermal Barrier Coatings: Theoretical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Guo Lei , Li Bowen , Cheng Yuxian , Wang Lu
Published: August 2021

Sc was doped into Gd2Zr2O7 for expanding the potential for thermal barrier coating (TBC) applications. According to first-principles calculation, solid solution mechanism of Sc in Gd2Zr2O7 lattice was revealed, i.e., Sc atoms first occupy the lattice interstitial sites followed by substituting for Gd, and the interstitial Sc concentration is less than 11.11 at. %. By considering the mechanical and thermophysical properties comprehensively, the optimum Sc doping content was determined to be 16.67 at. %, and this Sc content was selected to produce TBCs by air plasma spraying with YSZ as a bottom ceramic coating (Gd-Sc/YSZ TBC). After sintering at 1400 ℃ for 100 h, Gd-Sc coatings retain phase and structural stability indicative of excellent sintering resistance. By thermal cycling tests, Gd-Sc TBCs fail due to the low toughness and the interface reaction between Gd-Sc and bond coat, while Gd-Sc/YSZ TBCs exhibit much longer thermal cycling lifetime, and the failure mode is YSZ coating cracking.
An effective step for evaluating of the sexual function: Developing and Standardizing Sexual Intelligence Scale
Authors: Dehkordi Mahnaz Aliakbari , Kharaman Azita , Mohtashami Tayebeh , Karimi Zahra
Published: August 2021

Background: Sexual intelligence is one of the most vital topics in research and clinical fields. Therefore, the existence of a suitable instrument for measuring these structures is an inevitable necessity. This study designed a valid and reliable sexual intelligence scale.Methods: In this instrumental research, 225 students of Payame Noor University were selected by purposeful sampling and answered the questionnaire. A baseline questionnaire with 36 questions was provided to the participants. SPSS software, statistical analysis of factor analysis and correlation coefficient were used for data analysis.Results: In an exploratory factor analysis that was done on 19 materials of this test, results revealed 4 factors. Initial examination in this test showed that 4 important and prominent factors were found after rotation and by considering the sloping line diagram.Conclusion: The present study showed that the designed tool is of sufficient competence and can be used in clinical research and diagnosis.
Methylated Septin 9 Gene is an Important Prognostic Marker in Stage II and Stage III Colorectal Cancer for Evaluating Local Recurrence or Distant Metastasis After Surgery
Authors: Huang Mingliang , He Jiehua , Lai Wei , Liu Lu , Xu Heyang , Zeng Yujie , Lan Qiusheng , Lin Xiangan , Chu Zhonghua
Published: August 2021

Background: Abnormal hypermethylation of the septin 9 gene was an inchoate incident in some cancers. Though latest several researches had paid attention to its value in prognosis, the consequences were not distinctly, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC) with stage II and stage III.Purpose: The aim of this research was to pick up the prognostic value of the methylated septin 9 gene (mSEPT9) in CRC patients, particularly in TNM stage II - III.Methods: Blood samples before surgery were obtained from 144 CRC patients, of which there were 94 with stage II and stage III. mSEPT9 was considered positive when the cycle number of the peak reaction (Ct) was lower than the threshold value (41.0) for two times during three times PCR test. mSEPT9 and other relative factors of prognosis were estimated by survival analysis. The level of septin9 in tissues was tested by immunohistochemical (IHC).Results: Stage II and stage III patients with mSEPT9 positive (mSEPT9+) had a lower disease-free survival (DFS) rate than those with mSEPT9 negative (mSEPT9-) (2-year DFS rates, 52.1% vs 73.9%, P = 0.014). In multivariate regression analysis, mSEPT9 was also an independent predictor of prognosis (HR = 2.741, P = 0.009). The risk of local recurrence or distant metastasis in CRC patients after surgery was mSEPT9+ with stage III, mSEPT9- with stage III/mSEPT9+ with stage II, and mSEPT9- with stage II (P = 0.001), from highest to lowest. In addition, mSEPT9 was strongly associated with TNM staging, tumor immersion depth, distant metastasis, differentiation degree, vascular invasion and microsatellite. When we explored the associations between septin9 protein level revealed by IHC and other elements, recurrence/progression (R = -0.523, P = 0.001), mSEPT9 status (R = -0.451, P = 0.004) and T stage (R = -0.375, P = 0.017) showed significant correlation.Conclusions: Positive mSEPT9 is a poor prognostic marker for CRC patients in stage II and III. It is also a powerful complement to TNM staging in predicting postoperative DFS of CRC patients of stage II and III.