bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and Optimization of A Novel High-Density and High-Temperature Resistance VES-Based Fracturing Fluid
Authors: Then Yee Ling , Ling Kong Teng , Goh Soo Hui , Melice Daniel Thomas
Published: March 2023

Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is widely known to be a clean fluid for fracturing and gravel pack application. However, its low thermal stability had made the VES inefficient for high-temperature application. VES viscosity dramatically declines when temperature exceeds 300°F. Work has been done to explore the potential of a new VES to apply to high-density, high-temperature applications. Such VES could also serve as alternate option to conventional polymer-based fracturing fluid, which is known to create some level of formation damage due to polymer residue.

This study aims to evaluate the fracturing fluid of a novel VES system that exhibits improved performance at high-temperature (300°F to 350°F) in high-density brines. Industries commonly use heavy brines of different densities; monovalent sodium bromide (NaBr) and sodium chloride (NaCl) and divalent calcium chloride (CaCl_2) and calcium bromide (CaBr2) brines were used for this evaluation. In this paper, we investigate the rheological properties and viscoelastic behavior of VES. A high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) rheometer was used to evaluate the fluid viscosity stability, elastic modulus (〖G〗') and viscous modulus (〖G〗′) measurements at elevated temperature. Surface tension, breaker, and coreflood tests were conducted to assess the fluid’s flowback ability and formation damage extent using synthetic core. The sand-bearing capability of the VES as a fracturing fluid was examined via a high-temperature sand settling test.

Testing results demonstrated that this novel VES shows good shear recovery and viscosity stability with a 12.5-ppg (NaBr) brine system when tested at temperatures up to 325°F. The fluid system showed the ability to break with good retained permeability. The 11.5-ppg CaCl2 brine-based fluid developed its viscosity as the temperature increased. It showed good stability when tested at 350°F, and it can be broken with good retained permeability. Both brine-based viscoelastic fluids were found to be compatible with a demulsifier at a concentration up to 0.2% by volume.

In conclusion, this novel VES system could be formulated with NaBr and CaCl2 brines for high-density fracturing fluid application.
Wettability Alteration of Carbonate Rock by Chelating Agents
Authors: Deng Xiao , Patil Shirish , Kamal Muhammad Shahzad , Shakil Syed Muhammad , Mahmoud Mohamed , Zhou Xianmin , Shalabi Emad Al , Hassan Anas
Published: March 2023

The two most important EOR mechanisms for oil-wet carbonate rock are IFT reduction and wettability alteration. By altering rock surface wettability, the resulting positive capillary pressure can help imbibe water and displace oil from the rock matrix. Researchers have studied the wettability alteration of materials covering surfactants, nanofluids, alkalis, salts, and so on. Chelating agents are found to alter carbonate rock wettability recently. This work aims at the wettability alteration and EOR production by three chelating agents in different salinity condition when used alone or combined with surfactants.

Three commonly used chelating agents were studied. Indiana limestone and Guelph dolomite were selected to represent carbonate rocks. Rock samples were dipped in chelating agent solutions at different concentrations and salinity, in ambient and reservoir conditions. Differences in contact angle values due to the treatment reflect the wettability alteration performance. Mixtures of chelating agents and surfactants (VES AGA-97, gemini surfactant) were prepared and tested in the spontaneous imbibition study.

Results show that all tested chelating agents could strongly alter the wettability of carbonate samples from oil-wet to water-wet at relatively low concentrations (~0.4 wt%). When salinity increased, however, higher concentrations were required. Salts showed different effects on the wettability alteration by DTPA. The negative effect lowered in the sequence: NaHCO3 > Na2SO4 ≈ NaCl ≈ MgCl2. CaCl2 showed a positive effect, indicating enhanced performance in carbonate formations due to the abundant Ca2+ ions. A real-time contact angle study under reservoir conditions revealed that the oil drop decreased in diameter while increasing in height, indicating a higher tendency to be removed from the rock surface. The gemini surfactant + DTPA mixture has stronger wettability alteration potential. The VES + DTPA mixture has a stronger IFT reduction potential. The spontaneous imbibition results showed that for relatively tight carbonate rock, wettability alteration has a higher significance than IFT reduction.

This study shows the outstanding wettability alteration performance of chelating agents, suggesting possible applications in oil-wet carbonate formations with high salinity. Besides, this study suggests that in low permeability formations, wettability alteration contributes more to oil recovery than IFT reduction.
Understanding Your Wells: Conventional Nodal Analysis; Not a Solution for Depleting Fields
Authors: Ahmed Hassaan , Mallah Sohail Ahmed , Anwar Muhammad Talha , Ali Muhammad , Ali Syed Dost , Javed Waqar Ali , Usman Muhammad
Published: March 2023

Modeling fluid behavior using conventional nodal analysis software is a common practice in the oil and gas industry. However, understanding flow physics helps production engineers to understand the difference between predicted and actual flow behavior. This work presents a methodology applied to a depleting oil and gas field in northern Pakistan. The adopted approach not only helped to overcome vertical lift performance issues in the wellbore, but it also resulted in improved and sustained oil and gas production from the well. Based on these results, wells in the field with vertical lift performance issues were identified and evaluated using the analysis approach presented in this work.

Basic petroleum engineering concepts are implemented using a multi-tier approach, and a proposal was outlined to understand the sluggish flow behavior from the well. The analysis approach characterizes the problem as "IPR dominated" or "VLP dominated" flow using the well's historical data and nodal analysis results, identifies the requirement for a new data set, and then operations are planned accordingly. During execution, coil tubing with memory gauges was deployed with a provision to simulate Coil Tubing Gas Lift (CTGL) with single point injection. This arrangement not only resulted in sustained production from the well, but it also provided leverage to gather bottomhole data corresponding to multiple flow parameters during sensitivity analysis.

The workflow explains the physics behind oil and gas wells with sluggish liquid production and the inadequacy of conventional nodal analysis software in predicting production rates with certainty. The application of this workflow converted a "sick well" into a "sustained production well," which was previously ruled out for the implementation of ALS techniques during initial screening using conventional nodal analysis software.

This novel approach highlighted the "domain of applicability" of conventional nodal analysis software and proposed a detailed workflow for artificial lift candidate selection. This workflow served as the blueprint for the overall evaluation of well productivity in depleting fields with VLP issues.
Micro Seepage Mechanism and Field Test of a New Dispersion System
Authors: Sun Zhe , Wang Xiujun , Xie Kun
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the dispersion system is a novel developed flooding system. The oil displacement system consists of dispersion particles and its carrier fluid. According to its superior oil displacement mechanism, its field test has achieved remarkable oil increase effect.

In this paper, basic properties, injectability and transport migration performance, micro seepage mechanism of the new dispersion system in pore throat is explored by using micro physical simulation and NMR technology. Furthermore, one of the successful field application case is analyzed.

Results show that, the appearance of dispersion system is spherical particles. It has good expansion performance. With the increase of hydration time, its size increases, and the growth rate was fast. According to the injectability and transport migration performance evaluation results, it can provide guidance for field application scheme. By using NMR technology, its micro seepage mechanism is analyzed. Finally, the field trial of dispersion system conformance control technology has been applied widely. Good oil increment effect have been obtained, with the input-output ratio ranges from 2.33 to 14.37.

By using different research methods, the micro seepage mechanism and field test of dispersion system is researched, which provide important technical support for enhancing oil recovery.
New Direction of Low-Concentration Surfactant Flooding in Low-Permeability Reservoir by Low Interfacial Tension But Weak Emulsifying Ability
Authors: Yuan Chengdong , Pu Wanfen , Cheremisin Alexey , Zhao Shuai , Tan Tao , Cheng Junfeng
Published: March 2023

Interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, emulsification, and wettability alteration are three main mechanisms for surfactant flooding. In traditional concepts, researchers often connect low IFT with strong emulsifying ability and use microemulsion phase behavior test to choose surfactant systems. However, this is not always necessary, especially for low-permeability reservoir where microemulsion is unwanted due to its potential blocking risk. In this work, we present a new potential direction of low-concentration surfactant flooding.

For low-permeability reservoir, microemulsion that may cause pore blocking is unwanted. Therefore, we try to develop special surfactant formulation with low concentration that can reduce IFT to 10-2 mN/m even ultra-low level and significantly alter wettability, but have a weak emulsifying ability under high temperature and high salinity conditions. IFT, emulsification, and contact angle measurements were performed to determine the surfactant formulation. Furthermore, microfluidic device was employed to investigate the mobilization and transport of residual oil to understand the pore-scale enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanism and efficiency of such a surfactant system.

For the special type surfactant, low IFT is not always accompanied by strong emulsifying ability. The anionic-nonionic surfactant was found to have this expected function that can significantly reduce IFT and alter wettability, but have a weak emulsifying ability. This can be accomplished by a low surfactant concentration, especially under high temperature and high salinity. We also found that low IFT always leads to a great alteration of wettabilty, but the reverse is not ture. In porous media, under low IFT condition, the surfactant system with a weak emulsifying ability can effectively displace residual oil, and oil drops could be easily mobilized and no blocking occurred even at narrow throat because of their high deformability. ‘Lateral stripping’ was found to be one of main mechanisms to mobilize oil films and the exterior oil of clusters. The coalescence of stripped oil and its stronger stripping ability to other residual oil plays an important role in EOR mechanism. The surfactant system reduced residual oil saturation from 18.14% (after waterflooding) to 1.28%.

This work presents a new direction of low-concentration surfactant flooding by lowering IFT significantly without the generation of microemulsion, which not only enriches the theory of surfactant flooding, but also provides a great potential application of surfactant flooding in low-permeability reservoir. Simultaneously, this surfactant system can be used at high temperature and high salinity, which also expands the application of surfactant flooding for EOR in harsh reservoir conditions.
PENDIDIKAN DAMAI (PEACE EDUCATION) BAGI ANAK-ANAK KORBAN KONFLIK
Authors: Sukendar Sukendar
Published: March 2023

The conflict is as natural of law (sunnatullah) that always there in the course of human life. So that conflicts do not lead to violence and social disaster, the conflicts need to be managed properly. Managing conflicts is not solely aimed at the cessation of conflict, or the signing of a peace agreement between the parties to the dispute. Over, conflict manage­ment must be followed by the management of post-conflict conditions. Among the efforts the condition of post-conflict is recovery of the affected populations, especially children who are the most vulnerable groups in a conflict. One remedy is to educate children affected by conflict through peace education. This needs to be done so that they are free from the trauma, did not carry a grudge in life, and capable of being a man who loves peace. This study will explore the efforts of peace education for children affected by conflict in the Latansa Islamic Boarding School, Cangkring, Karang­anyar, Demak.
BUDAYA PESANTREN DAN PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER PADA PONDOK PESANTREN SALAF
Authors: Zuhriy M. Syaifuddien
Published: March 2023

As part of the community, pesantren with typical of the main elements such as kiai, santri, mosque, cottage and classical instruction books (kitab kuning), has become its own subculture. Therefore, despite modernization and globalization invaded, pesantren can still maintain its existence. Further­more, many stakeholders indicated that the pesantren are educational institutions that can serve as a model of character education in Indonesia. How the strategies and patterns of character education by pesantren so as to create culture? What are these cultures? These are the two main questions are answered through qualitative research is in pesantren Langitan, Tuban and pesantren Ihyaul Ulum, Gilang.
PERKEMBANGAN PENDIDIKAN DAN PERILAKU KEBERAGAMAAN PADA MASA KESULTANAN SAMBAS
Authors: Mardiyati Isyatul
Published: March 2023

From a historical perspective, Sambas Sultanate historically had a significant contribution to the diversity of the empire and the kingdoms in the archipelago. While the educational side of this empire have also contributed to the transmission of the scientific world-Malay archipelago in the context of the development of Islamic education as a chain of intellectual authority (intellectual genealogy) which in turn result in the intensification of the Islamization of Islamic civilization in Indonesia. One role of the educational Sambas Sultanate is their success in producing the best sons of the Malay world and the Islamic world, such as Indra Crown Prince, Ahmad Khatib Sambas and H. M. Basyuni Imran. To find out more about the historical development of science Sambas Sultanate both from within and outside the palace will be presented further in this paper.
PENGARUH ORIENTASI PEMBELAJARAN MOTIVASI KERJA DAN KOMITMEN TERHADAP KINERJA MADRASAH SWASTA
Authors: Hakim Lukman
Published: March 2023

A combination of the research by Asatuan (2004) and Kiuk (2007), gave a model for empowerment to private institutions like madrasah to become qualified institutions that can take part in education development in order to educate people through learning orientation, motivation and commitment as well as to improve the performance of private madrasah. Applying the combination the two research scheme, this research aims to determine the influence of (1) orientation on performance of private madrasah, (2) motivation of working on performance of private madrasah, (3) commitment to the performance of the private madrasah. The results showed that (1) Learning orientation affect the performance of the private madrasah, (2) Motivation of working affected the performance of private madrasah, (3) Commitment affected to the performance of private madrasah.
PENDIDIKAN NONFORMAL DAN PENGURANGAN KEMISKINAN DI PEDESAAN
Authors: Tohani Entoh
Published: March 2023

Non-formal education through life skills education has shown a positive contribution to poverty reduction in rural development efforts, although still requiring efforts to life skills education development. The research was conducted in Kulonprogo, and the District of Gunungkidul, with research and development approach on life skills education programs are being implemented in two districts e.i KWK Rabbits Livestock in Gunungkidul and KWD Hair Dressers in Kulonprogo. The results showed that: life skills education needs assessment in the two target groups were performed using the idea of life skills 4-H shows are not much different conditions, and based on the needs of the development, 4-H life skills education model developed with a focus on experience-based learning. Development of validated models show the results (output) is positive. Therefore, in the context of poverty reduction in 4-H PKH models should be developed more structured and integrative and guarantee all the life skills that are the focus of life skills development efforts to overcome poverty.
RINTISAN SEKOLAH BERSTANDAR INTERNASIONAL: ANTARA CITA DAN FAKTA
Authors: Ma’arif Syamsul
Published: March 2023

This paper is the result of research on junior school of RSBI 2 Semarang. By using qualitative descriptive research methods and approaches case can be concluded that no other RSBI founding purpose is only to get to quality education in Indonesia and are able to compete at international level. Moreover, the fact that Indonesia is part of the life of a globalized world, it is in harmony with the global demands should be considered in order to have an accredited educational international. Where the quality of our educational institution recognized internationally. Indonesia does not need education “embarrassed” let alone to be arrogant in the face of the criteria used at the international level. Although in practice RSBI, faces a number of problems both economic, psychological, cultural and governance management.
NILAI-NILAI PENDIDIKAN DALAM SURAT LUQMAN
Authors: Mukodi Mukodi
Published: March 2023

The result of this study —library research— showed that the values of Islamic education are contained in the Holy Qur’an surah Luqman verses 12-19. There are at least three basic education, namely aqidah education, syari’ah education and character education. Aqidah education, there are two things: (1) prohibition of associating partners with Allah. Luqman al-Hakim himself had to prioritize monotheism education (tauhid) to his children, (2) believe in the place of hereafter. Luqman ordered his children to believe the reward of all his deeds. Especially retaliation for our gratitude to Him for every blessing and our sense of respect for both parents. Syari’ah Education, there are two things, namely a command set up prayer and amar ma‘rūf nahy munkar. Character education, which is the command to ingratitude towards Allah SWT. For all the blessings and grace of God, we should be grateful to Him.
PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ANAK SUKU KALANG
Authors: Elizabeth Misbah Zulfa
Published: March 2023

This study with descriptive qualitative approach produces a fact that the context of education, the children of the Kalang community in general are also followed formal education, like other school children. They also received religious instruction as a compulsory subject. This of course has consequences for the possibility of cultural transformation through the instrument of education. Especially with religious education, the children of the Kalang community possible simultaneously and slowly will leave their teachings. Moreover, the nature of religious education itself is more of an orthodox religious values.
STRATEGI PENINGKATAN MUTU PERGURUAN TINGGI AGAMA ISLAM BERBASIS BALANCED SCORECARD
Authors: Machasin Machasin
Published: March 2023

This study is a policy research, which use STAIN in Central Java as objects of research, while faculty, students, employees, officers and graduates of the unit being analyzed. The analysis technique used is exploratory descriptive. To implement the balanced scorecard at STAIN would require accurately data and documents, it is to be aware of changes in key indicators that can be used as the basis of evidence the organization’s activities. In this study, the perspective which used is the perspective of stakeholders, administrative and financial management, and the teaching and learning process, work ethos, culture and good governance. The results of the five perspective are referred to the differences of implementation, but for administrative and financial management perspective STAIN, in Central Java, faced the same thing that is the not optimal care units so that are still limited contribution to STAIN revenue.
PERGESERAN MITOLOGI PESANTREN DI ERA MODERN
Authors: Junaidi Arif
Published: March 2023

The main problem of this study is how to root, pattern and function of beliefs about karamah of the kiai pesantren Futuhiyyah Mranggen Demak and the extent of the shift of mythology that occurred at the school in line with the social changes in the modern era. This study is a field research. The paradigm used in this study is a qualitative paradigm, because the study intended to find meaning. The findings of this study is that the lives of the kiai in the pesantren Futuhiyyah also widely covered by the myths of “kiaiship”, it is a belief that the kiai has karamah.
Review of recent advances in the ptosis treatment of the upper eyelid
Authors: Akhmedov Sh. S.
Published: March 2023

The article provides a literary review of the methods of surgical correction of blepharoptosis. The methods are divided into the following groups: upper blepharoplasty, operations with hanging the upper eyelid to the frontalis muscle, operations with various methods of shortening the eyelid levator muscle, operations with attachment of the levator of the eyelid to the upper rectus muscle of the eye, Muller’s muscle resection technique. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are indicated.
Morphofunctional characteristics of the parotid salivary glands of rabbits in postnatal ontogenesis
Authors: Anvarovna Sharipova Postumia , Isakovich Abdukarimov Dilshod , Khudoyberganovna Kenzhaeva Khilola , Askarovna Mirzaakhmedova Nilufar , Maksutalievich Turdaliev Komilzhon , Rasulovich Rakhmanov Otabek
Published: March 2023

The rodent family unites a large number of animal species and is of interest to various areas scientific knowledge. Animal species from the rodent family are interesting because they occupy different ecological niches and are adapted to different conditions of existence. Many species of rodents feed exclusively on plant foods, but there are also omnivorous species whose dietary range includes insects, worms and other invertebrates, as well as bird eggs and small vertebrates. Examples include rats, guinea pigs, mice. As a result, the rodent family demonstrates biologically diverse group of species that are very different in appearance,with specific morphofunctional adaptations.Generally morphological and functional features of the large salivary glands in representatives of the rodent family in not currently studied.
Effect of foreign direct investment on the economy of developing countries: Case of Latvia
Authors:   Finance and Accounting Department, Faculty of Business, Management and Economics, University of Latvia, Rīga, Latvia, Saksonova Svetlana , Konovalova Natalia ,   Economics and Finance Department, Faculty of Business and Economics, RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, Rīga, Latvia, Savchina Oksana ,   Department of Finance and Credit, Faculty of Economics, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
Published: March 2023

The aim of this paper is to determine and evaluate the effect of FDI stock on the Gross Domestic Product per capita and on labor productivity per person, which would give an understanding of the causality of investment in the development of the country. Although foreign investment plays a positive role in the development of several countries, promoting competition, development of employment, and acquiring new knowledge, experience, and technologies, in other countries FDI does not bring significant changes. Summarizing the literature, the authors conclude that there are no unambiguous econometric results on the causal relationship between FDI and economic development in developing, developed, or transition economies, so the authors' research will provide additional insight into the interaction of transition economies with FDI. Within the framework of the conducted research, an adapted Granger causality testing methodology is applied, to find out whether there exists and in which direction a causal relationship can be observed between the income level of Latvian residents, labor productivity, and foreign direct investment. The results of the analysis, which are based on a special VAR compilation mechanism and a modified Wald test, show that foreign investment in Latvia has no causal relationship either with the level of welfare or with labor productivity. The authors conclude that in Latvia there is a correlation between the attraction of foreign investment to the service sectors and the lack of transfer of national knowledge, which is reflected in the lack of a causal relationship between FDI and the level of national income. The authors conclude that in order to improve the welfare level of Latvian residents, the able-bodied population should improve their productivity, aside from attracting additional foreign investment.
Individual Factors Influencing the Public’s Perceptions About the Importance of COVID-19 Immunity Certificates in the United Kingdom: Cross-sectional Web-based Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Niculaescu Corina-Elena , Sassoon Isabel Karen , Landa-Avila Irma Cecilia , Colak Ozlem , Jun Gyuchan Thomas , Balatsoukas Panagiotis
Published: March 2023

Background

Understanding how perceptions around immunity certificates are influenced by individual characteristics is important to inform evidence-based policy making and implementation strategies for services around immunity and vaccine certification.

Objective

This study aimed to assess what were the main individual factors influencing people’s perception of the importance of using COVID-19 immunity certificates, including health beliefs about COVID-19, vaccination views, sociodemographics, and lifestyle factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional web-based survey with a nationally representative sample in the United Kingdom was conducted on August 3, 2021. Responses were collected and analyzed from 534 participants, aged 18 years and older, who were residents of the United Kingdom. The primary outcome measure (dependent variable) was the participants’ perceived importance of using immunity certificates, computed as an index of 6 items. The following individual drivers were used as the independent variables: (1) personal beliefs about COVID-19 (using constructs adapted from the Health Belief Model), (2) personal views on vaccination, (3) willingness to share immunity status with service providers, and (4) variables related to respondents’ lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

The perceived importance of immunity certificates was higher among respondents who felt that contracting COVID-19 would have a severe negative impact on their health (β=0.2564; P<.001) and felt safer if vaccinated (β=0.1552; P<.001). The prospect of future economic recovery positively influenced the perceived importance of immunity certificates. Respondents who were employed or self-employed (β=–0.2412; P=.001) or experienced an increase in income after the COVID-19 pandemic (β=–0.1287; P=.002) perceived the use of immunity certificates as less important compared to those who were unemployed or had retired or those who had experienced a reduction in their income during the pandemic.

Conclusions

The findings of our survey suggest that more vulnerable members in our society (those unemployed or retired and those who believe that COVID-19 would have a severe impact on their health) and people who experienced a reduction in income during the pandemic perceived the severity of not using immunity certificates in their daily life as higher.
Serious Game for the Screening of Central Auditory Processing Disorder in School-Age Children: Development and Validation Study
Authors: Gabaldón-Pérez Ana-Marta , Dolón-Poza María , Eckert Martina , Máximo-Bocanegra Nuria , Martín-Ruiz María-Luisa , Pau De La Cruz Iván
Published: March 2023

Background

Currently, many central auditory processing disorder screening tests are available for children, and serious games (SGs) are frequently used as a tool for the diagnosis of different neural deficits and disorders in health care. However, it has not been possible to find a proposal that unifies both ideas. In addition, the validation and improvement of SGs, in general, does not take into account the player-game interaction, thus omitting valuable information about the playability and usability of the game.

Objective

This study presented Amalia’s Planet, a game conceived for use in school environments, which allows a first assessment of a child through their performance of the proposed tasks related to different aspects of auditory performance. In addition, the game defines a series of events in relation to the execution of the tasks, which were evaluated for the subsequent optimization of its performance and the improvement of its usability.

Methods

Using screening tools based on the use of SG technologies, a total of 87 school-age children were evaluated to test the various hypotheses proposed in this study. By grouping users according to whether they had personal history of hearing pathologies, the discriminant power, playability, and usability of the final solution were examined using traditional statistical techniques and process mining (PM) algorithms.

Results

With a confidence level of 80% for test 2 (P=.19), there was no statistical evidence to reject the null hypothesis that a player’s performance is affected by whether the player had a previous auditory pathology. Furthermore, the tool allowed the screening of 2 players initially categorized as healthy because of their low level of performance in the tests and the similarity of their behavior with that of the group of children with a previous pathology. With regard to the validation of the proposed solution, the use of PM techniques made it possible to detect the existence of events that lasted too long, which can lead to player frustration, and to discover small structural flaws in the game.

Conclusions

SGs seem to be an appropriate tool for the screening of children at risk of central auditory processing disorder. Moreover, the set of PM techniques provides a reliable source of information regarding the playability and usability of the solution to the development team, allowing its continuous optimization.
Airway Sequelae After Mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Authors: Candelo Estephania , Arias-Valderrama Oriana , Triviño-Arias Jacobo , Quiroz Felipe , Isaza-Pierotti Daniel Francisco , Victoria William , Tintinago Luis F
Published: March 2023

Background

The epidemiology, morbidity, and burden of disease related to airway sequelae associated with invasive mechanical ventilation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic remain unclear.

Objective

This scoping review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding airway sequelae after severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This knowledge will help guide research endeavors and decision-making in clinical practice.

Methods

This scoping review will include participants of all genders, and no particular age group who developed post–COVID-19 airway-related complication will be excluded. No exclusion criteria will be applied from country, language, or document type. The information source will include analytical observational studies. Unpublished data will not be completely covered as gray literature will be covered. A total of 2 independent reviewers will participate in the process of screening, selection, and data extraction, and the whole process will be performed blindly. Conflict between the reviewers will be solved through discussion and an additional reviewer. The results will be reported by using descriptive statistics, and information will be displayed on RedCap (Research Electronic Data Capture).

Results

The literature search was conducted in May 2022 in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, as well as LILACS and gray literature to identify observational studies; a total of 738 results were retrieved. The scoping review will be finished by March 2023.

Conclusions

This scoping review will describe current knowledge on the most frequently encountered laryngeal or tracheal sequelae in patients exposed to mechanical ventilation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This scoping review will find the incidence of airway sequelae post COVID-19 and the most common sequelae such as airway granuloma, vocal fold paralysis, and airway stenoses. Future studies should evaluate the incidence of these disorders.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/41811
The Usage of Digital Health Technology Among Older Adults in Hong Kong and the Role of Technology Readiness and eHealth Literacy: Path Analysis
Authors: Kim Seungmo , Chow Bik Chu , Park Sanghyun , Liu Huaxuan
Published: March 2023

Background

Although digital health technologies (DHTs) help many people maintain a healthy life, including those of advanced age, these technologies are of little use to older adult populations if they are not being adopted in daily life. Thus, it is critical to identify ways to help older adults recognize and try new technologies and maintain their use of them to maximize the benefits of these technologies in a digital-based society.

Objective

Our study aimed (1) to assess the current usage of DHT among older adults in Hong Kong and (2) to examine how high and low levels of eHealth literacy in this group affects the relationship between the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM) and attitudes and intention toward DHT.

Methods

A total of 306 adults over 60 years of age in Hong Kong participated in this study. After conducting confirmatory factor analysis to validate the measurement model, the hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling.

Results

Optimism was significantly related to perceived usefulness, while optimism, innovativeness, and discomfort were significantly associated with perceived ease of use. Both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were significantly linked to attitude toward the use of DHTs. Meanwhile, attitude significantly predicted usage intention. Additionally, the results revealed the differences in the relationships of the TRAM between participants with high and low levels of eHealth literacy. The influence of optimism and innovativeness on perceived ease of use was stronger for the higher-level group than for the lower-level group, and the influence of discomfort for the higher-level group was much weaker.

Conclusions

The findings provided partial support for the impact of eHealth literacy on encouraging older adults to use DHT and obtain health benefits from it. This study also suggests providing assistance and guidelines for older adults to narrow the aging-related technology gap and to further explore the associations of eHealth literacy, the TRAM, and actual behaviors.
Listening to Patients With Lupus: Why Not Proactively Integrate the Internet as a Resource to Drive Improved Care?
Authors: Blackie Caroline A , Gualtieri Lisa , Kasturi Shanthini
Published: March 2023

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. It is characterized by a broad spectrum of manifestations, depending on the affected organs and the severity of the inflammation at the time of presentation. Despite improvements in management, treatments are required on a chronic, cyclical basis; have high potential for unpleasant side effects; and deliver variable efficacy. Patients require care from multiple specialists, which can be delivered simultaneously and sporadically. Our fragmented health care system further exacerbates the disconnect between intermittent medical care and the lived experiences of patients with SLE. The goals of this research are to (1) assess the current standard of care for patients with SLE through the review of medical literature, including clinical consensus guidelines and systematic reviews; (2) assess the lived experiences of patients with lupus through the review of peer-reviewed literature on social listening, structured interviews, and data available from the open-access digital health platform PatientsLikeMe; and (3) present the perspective that the medical community has an opportunity to acknowledge and review the use of digital health interventions (DHIs) with their patients. The results of this research indicate that patients are incorporating DHIs, such as the internet and social media platforms, as critical components of their care for even the most basic of support. Although patients with SLE are depending on this support to shape their care, it is not considered a primary source of care by clinicians. Integrating the voices of patients brings valuable dimension to understanding the lived experiences of patients with SLE and the impacts of mutually dependent patient needs as patients navigate the disease in daily life. The medical community has a meaningful opportunity to leverage and recommend existing DHIs, such as web-based community platforms and web-based patient registries, at every stage of the patient journey to help patients better manage their condition. This has the potential to proactively build patient trust and well-being, reduce the underreporting of symptoms, increase shared decision-making, inform and shape clinical guidelines and future research, and improve patient outcomes.
Efficacy of Mobile-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Lowering Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Multicenter, Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li DuanBin , Xu Tian , Xie DaQi , Wang MiaoYun , Sun ShuPing , Wang Min , Zhang SiSi , Yang XinRui , Zhang ZhongNan , Wang Shen , Kuang Ming , Tang Jia , Liu HongYing , Hong XuLin , Fu GuoSheng , Zhang WenBin
Published: March 2023

Background

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, low adherence to medication and lifestyle management has limited the benefits of lowering lipid levels. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been proposed as a promising solution.

Objective

This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of mobile-based CBT interventions in lowering LDL-C levels in patients with ASCVD.

Methods

This multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 300 patients with ASCVD, who were randomly assigned to the mobile-based CBT intervention group and the control group in a ratio of 1:1. The intervention group received CBT for ASCVD lifestyle interventions delivered by WeChat MiniApp: “CBT ASCVD.” The control group only received routine health education during each follow-up. The linear regression and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the effects of a mobile-based CBT intervention on LDL-C, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, the score of General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), quality of life index (QL-index), and LDL-C up-to-standard rate (<1.8 mmol/L) at the first, third, and sixth months.

Results

Finally, 296 participants completed the 6-month follow-up (CBT group: n=148; control group: n=148). At baseline, the mean LDL-C level was 2.48 (SD 0.90) mmol/L, and the LDL-C up-to-standard rate (<1.8 mmol/L) was 21.3%. Mobile-based CBT intervention significantly increased the reduction of LDL-C change (%) at the 6-month follow-up (β=–10.026, 95% CI –18.111 to –1.940). In addition, this benefit remained when baseline LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L (β=–24.103, 95% CI –43.110 to –5.095). Logistic regression analysis showed that mobile-based CBT intervention moderately increased the LDL-C up-to-standard rates (<1.8 mmol/L) in the sixth month (odds ratio 1.579, 95% CI 0.994-2.508). For GSE and QL-index, mobile-based CBT intervention significantly increased the change of scores (%) at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up (all P values <.05).

Conclusions

In patients with ASCVD, mobile-based CBT is effective in reducing LDL-C levels (even for those who already had a standard LDL-C) and can improve self-efficacy and quality of life.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100046775; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=127140
The Role of Social Media for Identifying Adverse Drug Events Data in Pharmacovigilance: Protocol for a Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Golder Su , O'Connor Karen , Wang Yunwen , Gonzalez Hernandez Graciela
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a considerable public health burden resulting in disability, hospitalization, and death. Even those ADEs deemed nonserious can severely impact a patient’s quality of life and adherence to intervention. Monitoring medication safety, however, is challenging. Social media may be a useful adjunct for obtaining real-world data on ADEs. While many studies have been undertaken to detect adverse events on social media, a consensus has not yet been reached as to the value of social media in pharmacovigilance or its role in pharmacovigilance in relation to more traditional data sources.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to evaluate and characterize the use of social media in ADE detection and pharmacovigilance as compared to other data sources.

METHODS

A scoping review will be undertaken. We will search 11 bibliographical databases as well as Google Scholar, hand-searching, and forward and backward citation searching. Records will be screened in Covidence by 2 independent reviewers at both title and abstract stage as well as full text. Studies will be included if they used any type of social media (such as Twitter or patient forums) to detect any type of adverse event associated with any type of medication and then compared the results from social media to any other data source (such as spontaneous reporting systems or clinical literature). Data will be extracted using a data extraction sheet piloted by the authors. Important data on the types of methods used (such as machine learning), any limitations of the methods used, types of adverse events and drugs searched for and included, availability of data and code, details of the comparison data source, and the results and conclusions will be extracted.

RESULTS

We will present descriptive summary statistics as well as identify any patterns in the types and timing of ADEs detected, including but not limited to the similarities and differences in what is reported, gaps in the evidence, and the methods used to extract ADEs from social media data. We will also summarize how the data from social media compares to conventional data sources. The literature will be organized by the data source for comparison. Where possible, we will analyze the impact of the types of adverse events, the social media platform used, and the methods used.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review will provide a valuable summary of a large body of research and important information for pharmacovigilance as well as suggest future directions of further research in this area. Through the comparisons with other data sources, we will be able to conclude the added value of social media in monitoring adverse events of medications, in terms of type of adverse events and timing.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/47068
Black Assimilationism in Neoliberal Globalization
Authors: Mocombe Paul C. , Tomlin Carol , Mapfumo Ericcson , Murray-Sakumai Sharon
Published: March 2023

This article, using Mocombeian phenomenological structural theory, argues that since their arrival on North American soil, the constitution of black American identity has been the product of their relations to the means and mode of production within the Protestant Ethic and the spirit of capitalism. As such, black Americans, and this includes the so-called black radical tradition, have never been agents in the constitution of their own identities. They have always been and remain (reactionary) pawns of capital seeking, dialectically or negative dialectically, to assimilate in the American social structure. Their assimilation takes place within the social practices of two social class language games (the black bourgeoisie and the underclass) that were historically constituted by different ideological apparatuses, the church and education on the one hand and the streets, prisons, and the athletic and entertainment industries on the other, respectively, of the global capitalist racial-class structure of inequality under American hegemony, which replaced African ideological apparatuses as found in Haiti, for example. Contemporarily, given both groups’ overrepresentation in the ideological superstructures of the American empire, they, antagonistically, have become the bearers of ideological and linguistic domination for all black youth the world-over, especially in the United Kingdom, which have tremendous consequences for their assimilation process. Under the assimilationist imperatives of the black bourgeoisie, the aim is integration and assimilation along the lines of traditional white Protestant agents of the Protestant Ethic and the spirit of capitalism with an emphasis on bourgeois prosperity, the black nuclear family, entrepreneurialism, and individualism. Conversely, the black underclass seeks integration and assimilation through the pathologies of their structural differentiation within the Protestant Ethic and the spirit of capitalism with an emphasis on identity politics, glorification of the self, wealth via sports and entertainment, and the communal thinking of the street life as the basis of black identity and culture.
A Review on Fungal Disease: Mucormycosis
Authors: Mundhe Dhiraj , Tasgaonkar Dr. Rupali , Sapkale Prof. Gayatri , Lokhande Sanskruti , Turde Kasturi , Dhule Manali
Published: March 2023

Abstract: As the fight against the deadly Covid 19 pandemic continues worldwide, several complications were being reported in patients who have recovered from Covid. One such deadly complication that has been reported recently in patients in India who were tested positive for Covid-19 and are gradually recovering was a fungal disease called mucormycosis, or black fungus. As hundreds of cases had been reported across the country, this had caused an additional wave of panic among the population. Post-Covid-19 patients who are more susceptible to mucormycosis are those with a history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and also those who are immunocompromised and have been treated with steroids and other medications for Covid-19. This brief review briefly discusses the epidemiology of mucormycosis, its potential pathophysiology in the post-Covid scenario, its clinical presentation, and its diagnosis and treatment. This brief review briefly discusses the epidemiology of mucormycosis
Research Paper on Financial Statement Analysis of Reliance Industries Limited
Authors: Parmar Margi , Parmar Jayshree , Sharma Prof. Shonakshi
Published: March 2023

Abstract: The project assigned to me was to study the financial health of any organization in the country. I decided to choose one of India’s largest companies in a sector that has rapidly grown over the last few years and a company where leaders like Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani, or rather, a company that has been made Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani. Through this report, I try and analyze the financial environment in which Reliance Industry Limited is operating. Through a thorough financial analysis, my aim to understand the financial factors is influencing the company and its decision making. Later, I try and evaluate the various ratios to appreciate their impact on company’s performance over the last four years. The financial statements of last four years are identified, studied and interpreted in light of company’s performance. Critical decisions of distributing dividends, Issue of bonus Debentures and other current news are analyzed and their impact on the bottom line of the company is assessed.