bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RSS and Motor Directional Analysis: Modelling the Effect of Local Doglegs on RIH of Completions and Casing
Authors: Nobbs Benjamin , Menand Stephane , Dao Ngoc-Ha
Published: November 2020

Rotary steerable systems (RSS) and steerable motors pose their own unique challenges when modelling the bottomhole assembly (BHA) directional behavior. This paper aims to present a methodology that allows the anticipation of problems such as mechanically stuck pipe or lock up situations when running in hole casing or completion strings.The methodology consists of 3 tasks: evaluation of intermediate doglegs and wellbore tortuosity using a unique Rock-Bit-BHA analysis, modelling of the casing deformation including potential centralization and then modelling the run in hole (RIH) of the completion. The directional capabilities of a BHA are affected significantly by the selection of the drilling bit, type of directional drilling driving system and the type of formation. The resulting trajectory can be either very smooth or very tortuous with significant additional local doglegs. The deformation of the casing as well as the completion post buckling analysis is completed using a robust and field validated 3D stiff string Torque & Drag & Buckling model. This methodology can be applied before, during or after the well has been drilling. Used before or during the well construction process, an indication can be given as to whether the casing or completion can reach total depth (TD) using planned or actual data. Used after a lockup or stuck pipe incident, the methodology can give an indication if tortuosity was a contributing factor. Various field cases are presented and clearly show the benefit of the methodology including post-analysis of stuck standalone-screen (SAS) completion string in complex 3D drain and pre-analysis of completion run in hole (RIH) targeting a specific drain. Correctly evaluating the risk of BHA, casing and/or completion strings getting stuck or locked-up when RIH can ultimately provide a template for ultimate reduction of non-productive time (NPT).
Monitoring and Modelling Condensate Banking Effects with the Ichthys Field Production Data
Authors: Iizuka Ryo
Published: November 2020

The Ichthys gas-condensate field is situated in the Browse Basin, North West Shelf of Australia, and the field production commenced in July 2018. The Brewster Member, one of the two reservoirs in the field, is a liquid-rich sandstone reservoir. One of the major uncertainties is the degree of well productivity impairment, caused by condensate banking since the dew point pressure is close to the initial reservoir pressure. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the condensate banking impact on well production performance, and to establish a modelling methodology to consider the condensate banking effect in a full-field simulation model, based on the field production data.

Permanent downhole gauges are deployed in the field, and thus, downhole pressure can be monitored continuously. We conducted high rate tests for selected wells to monitor well productivity impairment from the condensate banking. This production data was history-matched with a compositional sector model by applying Local Grid Refinement (LGR) and Velocity-Dependent Relative Permeability (VDRP) to account for more accurate physics in the near-well region. With the tuned VDRP model, skin trends were predicted to increase with various gas rates, and a skin correlation was established as a function of this gas rate. This correlation is applied to the full-field simulation where LGR and VDRP cannot be applied due to a simulation time constraint.

The skin correlation was validated through the history matching, using the full-field model and was used to predict the future field production performance. We need continuous monitoring of the condensate banking effect, to further validate the correlation, because the production data used in this study is less than one-year duration. The correlation is then flexible enough to tune the history matching when necessary.

We present the monitoring and modelling of the condensate banking effect with the actual production data. The implementation of the proposed well modelling will help reservoir engineers in considering the condensate banking effect in the field production forecast.
New Vision into Relative Permeability Estimation Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Kalam Shams , Khan Mohammad , Mahmoud Mohamed , Khan Rizwan Ahmed , Abu-Khamsin Sidqi A.
Published: November 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be the smartest predicting tool in the oil and gas industry. In this paper, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm was applied to build two new empirical correlations to predict relative permeability profiles of oil-water two phase flow in the reservoir for both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. The proposed model evaluates the relative permeability as a function of porosity, rock absolute permeability, initial water saturation, residual oil saturation, wettability index and water saturation. Accordingly, relative permeability to water and oil are respective outputs. Real data of both sandstone and carbonate reservoirs taken from literature were used in the development of the new empirical correlations. Multiple realizations with various hidden layer neurons were run to find the best scenario; and maximum coefficient of determination (R2) was designated as the finest case. The weights and biases values were found for the models of relative permeability to water and oil after proper training and are presented in this paper. Tan-sigmoid and linear transfer functions were utilized in the hidden and output layers, respectively. Neural Network was trained using Levenberg-Marquardt back-propagation algorithm. The novel ANN model was able to accurately estimate relative permeability to oil and water for an unseen data set of 319 real data points. Root mean squared error for both models are near to zero, while R2 for relative permeability to oil and water is 0.92 and 0.98, respectively. The relative permeability models are presented in the form of an actual mathematical correlation. The use of the developed ANN models significantly saves time and cost for conducting experiments for relative permeability measurements.
Development of a Model and Simulation Tool to Predict Hydrate Growth in Flowlines for Gas Hydrate Production
Authors: Sakurai Shunsuke , Norris Bruce , Hoskin Ben , Choi Joel , Nonoue Tomoya , Eric May , Aman Zachary
Published: November 2020

Natural gas hydrate has attracted interest as an energy resource capable of meeting the expected growth in global energy demand. Several key issues remain to be tackled to enable commercial production, one of which is gas hydrate re-association in production lines, where significant volumes of water are co-produced with free gas. To predict this behavior, we introduce a model and simulation tool tailored towards hydrate growth in water-dominant turbulent flow.

We have produced a model to predict the growth rate of hydrate in water dominant systems, integrated into an in-house pseudo-steady-state multiphase flow simulator, named HyFAST. This is a mass transfer limited model where the growth rate is limited by the dissolution of guest gas molecules into the water-continuous phase. It considers the effect of interfacial gas-water bubble surface area, the degree of turbulence on mixing, and changes in bulk viscosity caused by hydrate particle formation. The tool is deployed to estimate the hydrate volume formed in production lines during the second offshore methane hydrate production test in Japan.

Initially, the model was validated in an experimental study against flowloop data, where, at worst, model predictions showed order of magnitude agreement with experimental growth rates; following this the model was integrated into an overall flow simulation tool used for larger scale predictions. The offshore production test was designed to use two separate lines to produce gas and water, however, some gas was entrained into the water production line, posing a risk of re-association. As such, our primary focus was on this water production line, approximately 1 km in length, rather than the gas production line, which generally remained outside the hydrate stability region. Our simulation predictions showed that the hydrate volume in the water production line was less than 5 vol%. Coupled with flowloop data which showed that blockages did not occur in similar systems up to 20 vol% hydrate, this suggests there was not a significant hydrate blockage likelihood in the offshore production test. These initial results suggest that the model may scale well from lab to field, and that such simulation tools can prove useful in discussing the consequences of hydrate re-association.

A new model and simulation tool were developed to predict the rate and extent of hydrate growth in water-dominant flow. These were used to predict hydrate formation in both flowloop experiments and actual production lines. The validation results showed that the approach may prove useful in evaluating hydrate blockage propensity in future gas hydrate production.
Integrated Field Management System for LNG Assets: Optimising Recovery and Managing Deliverability under Complex Constraints
Authors: Khan Osama Hasan , Ali Samad , Elfeel Mohamed Ahmed , Biniwale Shripad , Dandekar Rashmin
Published: November 2020

The sustained increase in global demand for cleaner fuels continues to drive the gas industry growth. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been a key enabler for this growth by making sizeable remote gas re-serves, which are unreachable by pipeline, accessible to the major and emerging gas markets. Every segment of the LNG supply chain has its own set of technical challenges. On the upstream side, many gas resources require significant pre-treatment before liquefaction, and the feed gas to the LNG facility is typically a mixture of various compositions from multiple sources; this composition mix evolves over the life of the project. The main challenge is development planning for the contributing reservoirs under the constraints imposed by the processing facility– managing reservoir deliverability, scheduling & sequencing of wells, and downtime management while maintaining the inlet stream specification. To aid with long-term planning for such assets, a virtual field management system is needed that can emulate a real-world hydrocarbon producing asset by capturing all operational constraints, resource lim-its, and complex operating logic.

This paper describes a comprehensive field management framework that can create an integrated vir-tual asset by coupling reservoir, wells, network, and facilities models and provides an advisory system for efficient asset management. The field management component can replicate any operational logic, exercises holistic control over the sub-surface model, integrates with the surface network model, and provides optimization capabilities. This paper demonstrates this for a complex LNG asset that is fed by sour gas of different compositions from multiple reservoirs.

We describe the different levels of constraints the asset needs to operate under, including treatment plant capacity, the LNG production capacity, the contractual LNG specifications, the disposal of gas impurities and imposes them on the model by utilizing a flexible and extensible logic framework. Con-straints applied at different levels can be mutually competing and their combination with recovery opti-mization goals increases complexity. The unified field management system uses a robust scheme to bal-ance the coupled system under these constraints while optimizing overall recovery. The optimization is enabled through the ability provided by the field management system to query and retroactively control flow entities during the simulation at the desired frequency.

Customization through scripting was necessary to implement this advanced logic and was enabled by the extensible nature of the field management framework. This extensibility, along with native capabili-ties, ensures that any level of complexity can be captured, and the workflow described in this paper can be applied to any hydrocarbon producing asset for short-term and long-term development planning.
Health-risk Investigation Among First-grade School Children From Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP): A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Xiao Shuang , Xu Mingjia , Wang Lihua , Tu Wei , Yu Lili , Sun Yongqi , Zhang Jun , Wang Wenge , Hu Jian , Hu Yi , Zhou Xuesong , Cai Qingtao , Zhang Yaning , Zhang Zhijie
Published: November 2020

BackgroundShanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP), located in Jinshan District, is the largest industrial zone in China. However, the impact on the residents’ health has not been assessed. The study aimed to identify the impact of living in chemical industrial areas on the health of first-grade studentsMethodA cross-sectional study was conducted among first-graders between May and June 2016 in Jinshan District using experimental examinations and questionnaires. Demographic statistics and hematological parameters were summarized. Geographical distribution and high-risk clusters of prevalence of diseases and birth status were depicted. Multivariate logistic model was used to analyze the differences in the prevalence of diseases and symptoms between chemical and nonchemical industrial areas after adjusting for potential factors.ResultA total of 4821 first graders were included in the study. Mean age was 7.2 (±0.41) years. The prevalence of respiratory, digestive, and skin diseases was 0.229, 0.042, and 0.168, respectively. We observed one spatial cluster each for respiratory diseases (RD) and skin diseases, respectively. Significant differences in birth defects were not observed. Some significantly different hematological parameters and higher prevalence of RD in nonchemical industrial areas might indicate pollutant exposures in nonchemical industrial areas. The study revealed a possible positive association between environmental factors and RD.ConclusionStrong evidence regarding the main impact of SCIP on the health of school children was not observed. Governments and parents might need to pay more attention to indoor and other environmental management. Long-term health effects of chemical industries should be continuously monitored.
Prehospital Identification of Covid-19: An Observational Study
Authors: Spangler Douglas Nils , Blomberg Hans , Smekal David
Published: November 2020

Background The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has affected prehospital care systems across the world, but the prehospital presentation of affected patients and the extent to which prehospital care providers are able to identify them is not well characterized. In this study, we describe the presentation of Covid-19 patients in a Swedish prehospital care system, and asses the predictive value of Covid-19 suspicion as documented by dispatch and ambulance nurses.Methods Data for all patients with dispatch, ambulance, and hospital records between January 1 - August 31, 2020 were extracted. A descriptive statistical analysis of patients with and without hospital-confirmed Covid-19 was performed. In a subset of records beginning from April 14, we assessed the sensitivity and specificity of documented Covid-19 suspicion in dispatch and ambulance patient care records.Results A total of 11 894 prehospital records were included, of which 481 had a primary hospital diagnosis code related to-, or positive test results for Covid-19. Covid-19-positive patients had considerably worse outcomes than patients with negative test results, with 30-day mortality rates of 24% vs 11%, but lower levels of prehospital acuity (e.g. emergent transport rates of 14% vs 22%). About half (46%) of Covid-19-positive patients presented to dispatchers with primary complaints typically associated with Covid-19. 6 776 of records were included in the assessment of predictive value. Sensitivity was 76% (95% CI 71 - 80) and 82% (78 - 86) for dispatch and ambulance suspicion respectively, while specificities were 86% (85 - 87) and 78% (77 - 79).Conclusions While prehospital suspicion was strongly indicative of hospital-confirmed Covid-19, based on the sensitivity identified in this study, prehospital suspicion should not be relied upon as a single factor to rule out the need for isolation precautions. The data provided may be used to develop improved guidelines for identifying Covid-19 patients in the prehospital setting.
Association of Multiple Rib Fractures With Pneumonia After Successful Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Kawai Yasuyuki , Takano Keisuke , Miyazaki Keita , Yamamoto Koji , Tada Yusuke , Asai Hideki , Maegawa Naoki , Urisono Yasuyuki , Saeki Keigo , Fukushima Hidetada
Published: November 2020

Background: Few studies have examined the impact of chest wall injury on respiratory complications after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This is due to many confounding factors for the development of complications after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Accordingly, we investigated the association between multiple rib fractures and the incidence of pneumonia during the post-resuscitation period after adjusting for confounding factors using a propensity score.Methods: This single-centre, retrospective cohort study enrolled adult, non-traumatic, out-of-hospital, cardiac arrest patients who maintained circulation for >48 h between June 2015 and May 2019. Rib fractures were evaluated by computed tomography on the day of hospital admission, and the association with newly developed pneumonia within 7 days of hospitalisation was analysed using propensity score matching with adjustment for variables previously reported to be risk factors for the development of pneumonia.Results: Of the 683 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated during the study period, 87 eligible cases were enrolled for analysis. Thirty-two patients had multiple rib fractures identified by computed tomography and 35 patients developed pneumonia. The presence of multiple rib fractures was significantly associated with a higher incidence of pneumonia (propensity score-adjusted hazard ratio: 3.51; 95% confidence interval: 1.59–7.72; p=0.002). Consistently, after propensity score matching, the multiple rib fracture group showed significantly shorter pneumonia-free survival than the non-multiple rib fracture group (p<0.01).Conclusion: Multiple rib fractures are independently associated with the development of pneumonia after successful resuscitation.
The impact of helicopter emergency medical services and craniocervical traction on the early reduction of cervical spine dislocation in a rural area of Japan
Authors: Lee Deokcheol , Kawano Keisuke , Ishida Shotaro , Yamaguchi Yoichiro , Kuroki Tomofumi , Nagai Takuya , Higa Kiyoshi , Kurogi Syuji , Hamanaka Hideaki , Ochiai Hidenobu , Chosa Etsuo
Published: November 2020

Background
Several clinical and basic studies have shown that an association exists between achieving decompression of the spinal cord within a few hours and neurological recovery, even in patients with complete paralysis due to cervical spine dislocation. This study aimed to clarify the impact of helicopter emergency medical services(HEMS)and craniocervical traction using a halo ring on rapid reduction of lower cervical spine dislocation in rural Japan.
Methods
The success rate of and factors inhibiting closed reduction, time from injury to reduction and functional prognosis of lower cervical spine dislocations treated between July 2012 and January 2020 were retrospectively analysed.
Results
Fourteen patients were transported by HEMS (group H), seven were by ambulances (group A) and two were by themselves. Although the average travelled distance and injury severity score were significantly higher in group H (64.5 km, 28.0) than in group A (24.7 km, 18.6), there was no significant difference in the average time to admission or the time to start craniocervical traction after admission between group H (159.4 min, 52.2 min) and group A (163.6 min, 53.2 min). The urgent traction could be administered for 20 patients. The success rate of closed reduction was 95%, and neurological deterioration following traction was not observed in any cases. The average traction time and weight for reduction were 30.3 min and 16.3 kg, respectively. Patients’ body size and fracture-dislocation types did not significantly affect the traction time or weight. The rate of reduction within 4 h after injury was higher in group H (79%) than in group A (33%). Herniated discs were found at dislocation levels in five patients by magnetic resonance imaging scans performed after closed reduction, and all cases of inner fixation were treated via the posterior approach an average of 5.7 days after admission. After these treatment, three of nine AIS A patients recovered the ability to walk, and all the three patients underwent successful closed reduction within 4 h after injury.
Conclusion
HEMS and highly successful closed reduction considerably contributed to the early reduction of cervical spine dislocation and can potentially improve complete paralysis.
“To Do or Not To Do?” Clinical Integration of Point-Of-Care Ultrasound After Training: A Prospective Study
Authors: Lien Wan-Ching , Chang Chih-Heng , Chong Kah-Meng , Wu Meng-Che , Wu Cheng-Yi , Wang Hsiu-Po
Published: November 2020

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) can serve as a valuable adjunct for patient care. This study aimed to investigate the clinical integration of PoCUS of the first post-graduate year (PGY-1) residents after a PoCUS curriculum.Methods: The prospective study was conducted at the emergency department (ED) of the National Taiwan University Hospital between July 2015 and October 2017. Every PGY-1 resident had one-month ED training and a PoCUS curriculum was implemented during the first week. The post-training objective structured clinical examination global ratings were obtained, as well as the sonographic examinations the residents performed on shifts. Four groups could be identified: group 1 performed PoCUS before and after the curriculum; group 2 performed only after the curriculum; group 3 performed only before the curriculum; the last did not perform any examinations.Results: 239 residents participated. The median global rating was 4 (interquartile ranges, 4-5). After the curriculum, an increasing number of residents integrated PoCUS into patient care (64 vs. 170, p=0.037) with acceptable image quality. No differences existed in the global ratings between 4 groups, however, nearly 30% of residents did not use PoCUS during their shifts. Group 1 performed more cases with better image quality and using ≥2 US applications (8/100 vs. 82/359, p=0.0009), compared with those before the curriculum. Comparing with those in groups 1 and 2, group 1 performed more cases (p<0.0001) with better image quality (p=0.03). “No suitable cases” (25/69), and “choosing other imaging priorities” (43/69) were the main feedbacks in groups 3 and 4.Conclusions: A short focused US training had an immediate positive impact on OSCE global ratings and integration of PoCUS of PGY-1 residents in the ED. The global ratings could not predict whether to use PoCUS in the ED practice. Although the working climate was designated to be friendly for utilizing US, a substantial percentage of residents did not use PoCUS. Further longitudinal studies would be needed for the sustained effects of the curriculum.Trial registration: NCT03738033.
Long Non-Coding RNA H19 Expression and Functional Polymorphism rs217727 Are Linked to Increased Ischemic Stroke Risk
Authors: Rezaei Mohadese , Mokhtari Mohammad Javad , Bayat Mahnaz , Safari Anahid , Dianatpuor Mehdi , Tabrizi Reza , Borhani-Haghighi Afshin
Published: November 2020

Background: Efforts to identify potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of ischemic stroke (IS) are valuable. The H19 gene plays a functional role in increasing the prevalence of IS risk factors. We evaluated the correlation between H19 rs217727 polymorphism and the expression level of H19 lncRNA with susceptibility to IS among the Iranian population.Methods: Blood samples were collected from IS patients (n = 114) and controls (n = 114). We concentrated on the expression pattern of H19 at different time points (i.e., 0-24, 24-48, and 48-72 hours after stroke). The tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method was applied for DNA genotyping. We used the quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate H19 expression levels. Results: The rs217727polymorphism of H19 was related with IS susceptibility in the co-dominant (OR=2.92, 95% CI=0.91-10.92, P=0.04) and recessive models (OR=2.80, 95% CI=0.96-8.15, P=0.04). H19 expression was signiﬁcantly upregulated in IS and remained high for 72 hours after stroke. ROC curves showed that H19 expression within the first 24 hours from stroke onset might serve as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of IS with 79.49% sensitivity and 80.00% specificity. H19 expression in SVO and LAA patients were 3.74 and 3.34 times higher than the UD subtype, respectively [OR=3.74 95% CL (1.14-12.27) P=0.030 and OR=3.34 95% CL (1.13-9.85) P=0.029].Conclusion: The rs217727 polymorphism of the H19 is correlated with IS susceptibility, and H19 expression levels were higher in SVO and LAA patients. The upregulation of H19 may be considered as a diagnostic biomarker in IS among the Iranian population.
Hypersensitive C-Reactive Protein-Albumin Ratio Predicts Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Peng Qiang , Hou Jiankang , Wang Siyu , Zhou Feng , E Yan , Wang Wei , Huang Ting , Wang Meng , Huang Shi , Zhou Junshan , Chen Nihong , Zhang Yingdong
Published: November 2020

Background and purpose: A fraction of patients would develop symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) after endovascular therapy. The aim of our study was to explore the ability of hypersensitive C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (HAR) in predicting sICH after endovascular therapy.Methods: From April 2016 to December 2018, 334 consecutive patients with anterior circulation infarction undergoing endovascular therapy were enrolled in our study. sICH was defined as a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score increase of ≥ 4 points within 24 hours after endovascular therapy. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the potential risk factors of sICH after endovascular therapy. We used receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and nomogram analysis to assess the overall discriminative ability of the HAR in predicting sICH after endovascular therapy.Results: Among these 334 patients enrolled, 37 (11.1%) patients with anterior circulation infarction were identified with sICH after endovascular therapy. Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patients with higher levels of HAR may be inclined to develop sICH [odds ratio, 10.994; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.567–26.463; P = 0.001]. This association remained significant even after adjustment for potential confounders. Also, a cutoff value of 0.526×10-3 for HAR was detected in predicting sICH (area under curve, 0.763). Furthermore, nomogram analysis also suggested that HAR was an indicator of sICH (c-index was 0.890, P<0.001).Conclusions: This study showed that high levels of HAR may predict sICH after endovascular therapy.
Coagulation Functions Are Associated With Hemorrhagic Transformation in Non-Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Case Control Study
Authors: Cheng Hao-Ran , Chen Yun-Bin , Zeng Ya-Ying , Ruan Yi-Ting , Yuan Cheng-Xiang , Cheng Qian-Qian , Chen Hui-Jun , Luan Xiao-Qian , Huang Gui-Qian , He Jincai
Published: November 2020

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a serious neurological complication of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after revascularization. The majority of AIS patients do not have atrial fibrillation (AF) which could also develop to HT. In this study, we aimed to explore whether coagulation parameters are risk factors of HT in non-AF patients.Methods: We consecutively enrolled 285 AIS patients with HT. Meanwhile, age- and sex-matched 285 AIS patients without HT were included. The diagnosis of HT was determined by brain CT or MRI during hospitalization. All patients were divided into two subgroups based on the presence of AF and explore the differences between the two subgroups. Blood samples were obtained within 24 hours of admission, and all patients were evenly classified into three tertiles according to platelet counts (PLT) levels.Results: In this study, we found the first PLT tertile (OR = 3.509, 95%CI = 1.268-9.711, P = 0.016) was independently associated with HT in non-AF patients, taking the third tertile as a reference. Meanwhile, we also found mean platelet volume (MPV) (OR = 0.605, 95%CI = 0.455-0.805, P = 0.001) and fibrinogen (FIB) (OR = 1.928, 95%CI = 1.346-2.760, P <0.001) were significantly associated with HT in non-AF patients. But in AF patients, coagulation parameters showed no significant difference. Meanwhile, we found the MPV (OR = 1.314, 95%CI = 1.032-1.675, P = 0.027) and FIB (OR = 1.298, 95%CI = 1.047-1.610, P = 0.018) were significantly associated with long-term outcomes in non-AF HT patients.Conclusions: Low PLT, low MPV and high FIB levels were independently associated with HT in non-AF patients. Additionaly, MPV and FIB levels were significantly associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes in non-AF HT patients. Our study showed that coagulation functions at admission may be beneficial for clinicians to recognize patients with high risk of HT at early stage and improve unfavorable long-term outcomes in non-AF patients.
Title: Keep It Up! 3.0: Study Protocol for a Type III Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Cluster-Randomized Trial
Authors: Mustanski Brian , Jones Justin Patrick , Macapagal Kathryn , Benbow Nanette , Li Dennis H. , Brown C. Hendricks , Janulis Patrick , Smith Justin D. , Schackman Bruce R. , Linas Benjamin P. , Madkins Krystal L. , Swann Gregory , Saber Rana , Dean Abigael , Bettin Emily , Savinkina Alexandra
Published: November 2020

BackgroundYoung men who have sex with men are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic in the United States. Few rigorously tested HIV prevention interventions have been developed for young men who have sex with men; previous interventions have primarily focused on in-person programming, with high variability in fidelity. With nearly all young men who have sex with men going online daily, eHealth approaches to prevention may successfully bridge research and practice. Keep It Up! is an eHealth HIV Prevention program for young men who have sex with men. Previous research has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing sexually transmitted infections and condomless anal sex and efficiency in delivering HIV prevention education. Aim 1 is to compare two strategies for implementing KIU—implementation in community-based organizations and a centralized direct-to-consumer recruitment arm. Aim 2 is to examine adoption characteristics which explain variability in implementation success. Our exploratory aim will develop recommendations and materials for sustainment of KIU after completion of the trial.MethodsThis is a Type III Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation cluster randomized trial. Using estimates of young men who have sex with men per county in the United States, we identified 113 counties for our sample frame. Using an iterative process, we selected 66 counties to randomize 2:1 to our two strategies in Aim 1. The RE-AIM model for implementation science will be used to drive our outcome measurements in reach, effectiveness, implementation variability, and cost. Outcome measures will be collected from community-based organization staff participants, young men who have sex with men participants, and the technology provider. Our second aim will use mixed-methods research mapped onto the domains of the consolidated framework for implementation research. DiscussionThe trial has launched and is ongoing. This study is among the first to use a cluster randomized trial design in HIV implementation science. In comparing the community-based organization and direct to consumer models for recruitment and ongoing participant engagement, we are examining two strategies which have shown effectiveness in delivering health and technology interventions in the past, but with little base knowledge on their comparative advantages and disadvantages in implementation. The results of the trial will further understanding of the implementation of eHealth prevention interventions.Trial RegistrationNCT03896776, clinicaltrials.gov, 1 April 2019
Self-Reported Experience of Tinnitus Patients for Different Outpatient Modes
Authors: Xiang Tao , Xu Tao , Ren Jing , Pu Jun-mei , Liu Lu , Xiao Yan , Lai Dan
Published: November 2020

Objective: To explore self-reported experience for different outpatient modes in tinnitus patients.Methods: A observational study design was adopted. Tinnitus outpatients from the otological medicine and routine otolaryngology of our hospital fulfilling the study criteria were enrolled between October 2018 and January 2020. They were examined by semi-structured interview questionnaire. Groups were formed according to the different outpatient modes. The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0.Results: 193 questionnaires were included; 118 questionnaires of otological medicine outpatients, 75 questionnaires of otolaryngology outpatients. Nearly half of the otological medicine patients (48.3%) said that they communicated for 5–10 minutes with their doctor and a routine otolaryngology outpatient service usually takes 3–5 minutes (61.3%). However, most patients expected a longer time. Patient satisfaction and return visit rate of otological medicine (95.5% and 43.9%) were better than routine otolaryngology (77.3% and 7.1%). The main factors of efficacy considered physician interpretation and guidance.Conclusion: Both outpatient models can give patients a more satisfactory experience. Specialized outpatient service can better fit the shared decision making model, conducive to the rehabilitation and management of tinnitus. However, the long-term follow-up and management of patients still need to be scrutinized and improved continuously.
Validation of the Portuguese Version of Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS)
Authors: Maurício Sandra , Rebêlo Isabel , Madeira Catarina , Resende Filipa , Esteves Susana
Published: November 2020

BackgroundPreoperative anxiety is common among the oncological surgical population. Due to its psychological and physiological detrimental effects, identifying and addressing it is of uttermost importance to improve anesthetic management and patient’s experience. The aim of this study is to establish the Portuguese version of Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) in the oncological populationMethodsFollowing forward and backward translation of the original APAIS scale, further adaptation was obtained through cognitive interviewing. The resulting instrument was tested on the day before surgery on a sample of adult cancer surgical patients from a Portuguese oncology centre. Psychometric evaluation was derived from inter-item correlation, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, correlation with comparative scales, receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden index.Results109 patients (58 males, 51 females) were included. A three-dimensional model - anxiety about anesthesia, anxiety about surgery and desire for information, showed the best fit to the data. The questionnaire revealed high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha 0.81) and good inter-item correlation. Also, Portuguese APAIS correlated well with the gold standard anxiety scale. Therefore, the psychometric properties of this scale version make it a valid and reliable instrument. The optimal cutoff to maximize both sensitivity and specificity was 12.ConclusionsPortuguese APAIS version is an accurate tool to identify preoperative anxiety among cancer patients and might impact its management, from premedication choice to provision of information and reassurance about either anesthesia or surgery.
Synthesis of Ti3GeC2 Powders from Ti-Ge-TiC Mixtures by Pressureless Sintering
Authors: Qiaodan Liu , Tian Wubian , Sun Zhengming , Zhang Peigen , Zha Wenwen , Sun Shuo
Published: November 2020

Ti3GeC2 compound has excellent electrical and mechanical properties, which can be used as a potential reinforcement for Ag-based electrical contact materials. However, few reports have been addressed on the synthesis of its powders. The present study, therefore, presents a new route to fabricate high-purity Ti3GeC2 powders from Ti/Ge/TiC by pressureless sintering in vacuum. The influence of sintering temperature and Ge content on the powder purity was studied and the optimized conditions are found to be 1550 ℃ and Ti:Ge:TiC=1:1.1:2. In addition, the reaction path of Ti/Ge/TiC was revealed to be three steps: First, liquid Ge starts to react with Ti to form Ti5Ge3 compounds at around 1140 ℃; Then Ti5Ge3 consumes the liquid Ge and TiC to form Ti2GeC at around 1200 ℃; Finally, Ti2GeC transfers into Ti3GeC2 with the consumption of residual TiC. The present study lays the foundation for the subsequent applications of Ti3GeC2 powders in high performance composites.
Contextualization of the Shane Theory and the Entrepreneurial Learning Model at University: A Narrative Method
Authors: Santoso R. Tri Priyono Budi , Ruspendi I Wayan , Priyanto Sony Heru , Santoso Donald Samuel Slamet
Published: November 2020

The novelty of this research is in applying the construction of the Shane Theory and the ELM Theory in applying Entrepreneurship Education at higher education institutions. This study used action research by utilizing a narrative method. The business field which matched with the academic discipline as well as hobby was more successful than that which was different had a prospect as a start-up. Leadership, entrepreneurship and managerial ability were determining factors in the success of a start-up company. It can delve more into the entrepreneurship process of start-ups to recognize opportunities to create ideas, start businesses, and develop businesses.
Impact of HPV Status and AurkA Phe31Ile Polymorphism on The Response to Cetuximab Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Patients
Authors: Muth Julia , Roth Andreas , Siegl Michael , Piontek Guido , Reiter Rudolf , Wirth Markus , Brockhoff Gero , Weichert Wilko , Pickhard Anja
Published: November 2020

Background: Since 2004, the use of the monoclonal antibody cetuximab has been preferred over platinum-based therapy for patients with advanced Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the response rate to the treatment is only around 20%. Currently, no biomarkers have been identified to differentiate potential responders from non-responders to cetuximab therapy.Methods: We evaluated the predictive and prognostic properties of AurkA polymorphism and HPV infection in HNSCC patients treated with cetuximab. Clinical data of 434 patients was collected and tissue was analyzed for AurkA polymorphism using PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to stain for various markers and their expression levels were scored. Cell culture experiments were performed to complement clinical findings.Results: We demonstrated in vivo as well as in vitro that both AurkA polymorphism and HPV status have predictive and prognostic value. Conclusions: AurkA polymorphism and HPV status could be beneficial for response prediction and therapy optimization for HNSCC patients.
Destabilization of The Bacterial Interactome Tracks Nutrient Restriction-Induced Dysbiosis in Insect Gut
Authors: Marasco Ramona , Fusi Marco , Callegari Matteo , Juker Costanza , Mapelli Francesca , Borin Sara , Savoldelli Sara , Daffonchio Daniele , Crotti Elena
Published: November 2020

Background. Stress affects host growth and development and can induce changes in the gut microbiome, commonly defined as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis has been proposed to affect community beta-diversity and within-beta-diversity (community dispersion). As abiotic and biotic stresses, nutrient restriction (NR) also impairs host fitness and results in dysbiosis. However, NR does not introduce overt negative effectors or selectors, such as toxic compounds, pathogens, or parasites, resulting in its role as a determinant of beta-diversity changes being questioned. We hypothesize that following NR, gut dysbiosis is reflected via changes in networking properties of the microbiome rather than via variation in its beta-diversity and/or dispersion. To test our hypothesis, we fed the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, a nutritionally versatile polyphagous insect, with two NR diets and a control full-nutrient (FN) diet. Then, we assessed the effects of NR on insect growth and development and gut physicochemical conditions to validate the presence of dysbiosis. In addition, we analyzed the bacterial diversity associated with larvae, pupae, and adults via 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the role of NR on the composition, structure, and stability of the bacterial communities.Results. NR strongly affected insect growth and development, inducing significant changes in the physiochemical conditions of the larval gut. Further, diet-dependent differences in bacterial composition—expected in holometabolous/polyphagous insects—were observed, with enrichment in diet-specific keystone bacterial taxa (Bacilli in FN-fed individuals and Clostridia and Gamma- and Alphaproteobacteria in NR-fed individuals), and greater microbiome dispersion in adults but not in larvae and pupae.Conclusions. While NR establishes alternative stable configurations of the gut microbiome compared with normally fed gut, NR-driven dysbiotic growth performance is considerably reflected in rarefied, less structured, and connected bacterial interactomes than in within beta-diversity changes.
A Multi-OMIC Characterisation of Biodegradation and Microbial Community Succession Within the PET Plastisphere
Authors: Wright Robyn J , Bosch Rafael , Langille Morgan GI , Gibson Matthew I , Christie-Oleza Joseph A
Published: November 2020

BackgroundPlastics now pollute marine environments across the globe. On entering these environments, plastics are rapidly colonised by a diverse community of microorganisms termed the Plastisphere. Members of the Plastisphere have a myriad of diverse functions typically found in any biofilm but, additionally, a number of marine Plastisphere studies have claimed the presence of plastic-biodegrading organisms, although with little mechanistic verification. Here we obtained a microbial community from marine plastic debris and analysed the community succession across six weeks of incubation with different polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products as the sole carbon source, and further characterised the mechanisms involved in PET degradation by two bacterial isolates from the Plastisphere. ResultsWe found that all communities differed significantly from the inoculum and were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, i.e. Alteromonadaceae and Thalassospiraceae at early time points, Alcanivoraceae at later time points and Vibrionaceae throughout. The large number of encoded enzymes involved in PET degradation found in predicted metagenomes and the observation of polymer oxidation by FTIR analyses both suggested PET degradation was occurring. However, we were unable to detect intermediates of PET hydrolysis with metabolomic analyses, which may be attributed to their rapid depletion by the complex community. To further confirm the PET biodegrading potential within the Plastisphere of marine plastic debris, we used a combined proteogenomic and metabolomic approach to characterise amorphous PET degradation by two novel marine isolates, Thioclava sp. BHET1 and Bacillus sp. BHET2. The identification of PET hydrolytic intermediates by metabolomics confirmed that both isolates were able to degrade PET. High-throughput proteomics revealed that while Thioclava sp. BHET1 used the degradation pathway identified in terrestrial environment counterparts, these were absent in Bacillus sp. BHET2, indicating that either the enzymes used by this bacterium share little homology with those characterised previously, or that this bacterium uses a novel pathway for PET degradation. ConclusionsOverall, the results of our multi-OMIC characterisation of PET degradation provide a significant step forwards in our understanding of marine plastic degradation by bacterial isolates and communities and evidences the biodegrading potential extant in the Plastisphere of marine plastic debris.
Long-term Follow-Up of Prophylactic Mesh Reinforcement After Emergency Laparotomy. Cohorts Study.
Authors: Bravo-Salva Alejandro , Argudo-Aguirre Nuria , González-Castillo Ana María , Membrilla-Fernandez Estela , Sancho-Insenser Joan , Grande-Posa Luis , Pera-Román Miguel , Pereira-Rodriguez Jose Antonio
Published: November 2020

BackgroundPrevention of incisional hernias with a prophylactic mesh in emergency surgery is controversial. The present study aimed to analyze the long-term results of prophylactic mesh used for preventing incisional hernia after emergency midline laparotomies. MethodsThis study was a registered (NCT04578561) retrospective analysis of patients who underwent an emergency midline laparotomy between January 2009 and July 2010 with a follow-up period of longer than 2 years. Long-term outcomes and risk factors for the development of incisional hernias between patients who received a prophylactic reinforcement mesh (Group M) and suture (Group S) were compared. ResultsFrom an initial 266 emergency midline laparotomies, 187 patients were included. The median follow-up time was 64.4 months (SD 35). Both groups had similar characteristics, except for a higher rate of previous operations (62% vs. 43.2%; P=0.01) and operation due to a revision laparotomy (32.5% vs. 13%; P=0.02) in the M group. During follow-up, 29.9% of patients developed an incisional hernia (Group S 36.6% vs. Group M 14.3%; P=0.002). Chronic mesh infections were diagnosed in 2 patients, but no mesh explants were needed, and no patient in the M group developed chronic pain. Long-term risk factors for incisional hernia were as follows: smoking (HR=2.47; 95% CI 1.318–4.624; P=0.05), contaminated surgery (HR=2.98; 95% CI 1.142–7.8; P=0.02), surgical site infection (SSI; HR=3.83; 95% CI 1.86–7.86; P=0.001), and no use of prophylactic mesh (HR=5.09; 95% CI 2.1–12.2; P=0.001). Conclusion﻿Incidence of incisional hernias after emergency midline laparotomies is high and increases with time. High-risk patients, contaminated surgery, and SSI benefit from mesh reinforcement. Prophylactic mesh use is safe and feasible in emergencies with a low long-term complication rate.