bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achieving Zero Lost Time Injury in a Refinery: A Practical Approach
Authors: Robert Eretoru , Junaid Camilla , Idris-Idah Kawu , Oyeyele Adebimpe , Olomolaiye Daniel
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to highlight and share some insight on how a modular crude oil refinery operating at 5000bopd capacity delivered refined products with zero LTI. The intention is to pass knowledge to upcoming modular refineries as projections from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources indicate that many more will spring up within the next few years. The refinery came live in November 2020 and was tasked with ensuring optimum production in a safe working environment. Since then, it has gone on to safely refine over one million barrels of crude oil

In the Oil and Gas industry, safety is a crucial determinant of the overall success of a facility’s operations. Refineries have even greater responsibilities, given that there is the presence of highly volatile and flammable hydrocarbons within the facility, and personnel having consistent interactions with these liquids pose a huge danger. Achieving zero LTI implies that in the period under review, no incidents occurred that prevented the continuity of the core activities of the workplace, no productive work time was lost due to injuries to an employee and as such, is a key indicator in measuring safety performance, hence its adoption

The steps taken to minimize and eliminate risks peculiar to the refinery were discussed, with these taking the form of engineering controls, policies and procedures. It is interesting to note that in the operation of a refinery, the areas that are most vulnerable to accidents are outside the core process areas. The array of process control systems, alarms, and fail-safes keep the system within operational limits. The systems involved in the storage and offloading of hydrocarbon products, however, handle more volumes of hydrocarbon, with higher frequency and is prone to human error. This work is a summarised document that contains proactive safety-inclined solutions and lessons learned along the way, hopefully translating into increased productivity and safety within the downstream space.
Effective Asset/Portfolio Management: NAPIMS Perspective
Authors: Nnakenyi Norbert , Amos Simon Olushola , Abegunde Mobolaji , Ayo-Dayisi Ibidunni , Anozie Nnabuike , Gari Tayiro , Akintade Olusemola , Musa Aminu , Ibrahim Habeeb
Published: August 2022

NAPIMS is the investment portfolio management arm of the NNPC that has been entrusted with investments of the federal government of Nigeria in the oil and gas sector. In alignment with best international practices, NAPIMS adopted an efficient asset-based management organizational structure to monitor the true performance of the entire assets within its portfolio.

Having an overview of all assets serves as a roadmap/link to obtaining vital background information about legacy performance as well as plans and strategies. Over the years, NAPIMS had a less structured asset overview for producing and non-producing assets thereby, encumbering information access for budgetary and budget performance tasks.

The deployed methodology ensures that investments meet the long- and short-term financial objectives and risk tolerance of NNPC and Nigeria at large.

This work bridged the performance gap between producing and non-producing assets by delineating important parameters for that influence asset portfolio management. This project also encompasses useful technical, commercial, planning, and financial parameters from sub-sections within an asset group. The developed and implemented solution offers good flexibility by providing every essential and minute detail that can help an asset manager to deep dive into the historical and current performance. It further warehouses the plans for future growth, expansion, and optimizations towards greater profitability.
Formulation of Bio-Surfactant Augmented with Nanoparticles for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Ihekoronye Kingsley Kelechi
Published: August 2022

In this study, a novel concept of enhanced oil recovery was explored to improve oil recovery in the Niger Delta oil fields. Experimental investigation of bio-surfactant augmented with nanoparticles was evaluated to determine the influence of the nanoparticles on enhanced oil recovery. Bio-surfactant derived from yellow oleander seeds oil was formulated. Nanoparticles such as silicon oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide was used as a displacing fluid due to its ability to alter the rock wettability (oil-wet to water-wet) and interfacial tension reduction of the oil/water interface of the rock property. Core-flooding experiment was conducted using four Berea sandstone cores sample obtained from the Niger Delta oil field to investigate the suitability of the nanoparticles and bio-surfactant in enhanced oil recovery process. The results of this study shows that nanofluid flooding with silicon oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide had oil recoveries of 43.72%, 45.76%, 46.12%, and 47.07%, 42.41%, 45.00%, 47.02% and 48.10%, 46.10%, 47.31%, 50.26 % and 51.70%, 40.31%, 41.75%, 44.43% and 45.00% respectively. However, nanoparticles augmented with Bio-surfactant had oil recoveries of 46.20%, 48.08%, 52.00% and 53.31%, 45.61 %, 49.51 %, 50.87% and 51.46%, 47.26 %, 48.90%, 51.20% and 52.90%, 43.70%, 46.01%, 47.52% and 48.21% respectively at different concentrations of nanoparticles and bio-surfactant. The result from this study shows that nanoparticles with bio-surfactant improve oil recovery via interfacial tension reduction and wettability change.
Effectiveness of Mangifera Indica Peels for Heavy Metal Adsorption in the Treatment of Produced Water from Niger-Delta Oilfields
Authors: Ajani Mofopefoluwa A. , Isehunwa Sunday O.
Published: August 2022

Produced water usually contains contaminants such as hydrocarbon fractions, heavy metals, corrosion inhibitors, etc. which are potentially harmful to the environment. Produced water has to be treated to conform to regulatory standards. Treatment techniques that are both robust and cost-effective need to be developed to increase the economic viability of produced water treatment. This research evaluates the effectiveness of mango peels as bio-adsorbents in the treatment of produced water and the effectiveness of modifications made to the mango peels.

Produced water samples were obtained from Niger Delta and analysed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

In this study, mango peels were washed with distilled water, sun-dried and oven-dried at 80°C. The adsorbent was pulverized and sieved (212 μm). Three batches of adsorbent were prepared: unmodified, 0.2 mol/L NaOH treated and 0.5 mol/L NaOH treated mango peels. Samples were treated with individual batches of adsorbent for up to six hours. Treated samples were analysed with AAS. The adsorption capacity, as well as the removal efficiency, were also determined. Adsorption was assessed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models.

For the 0.2 mol/L NaOH adsorbent treatment, the removal efficiency for the metal concentrations (Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) were found to be 58.33%, 100.00%, 95.00%, 75.00%, 56.00% and 98.67% respectively, while the removal in 0.5 mol/L NaOH adsorbent treatment for the heavy metals were 95.83%, 100.00%, 93.00%, 90.79%, 68.00%, 97.35% respectively.

The unmodified mango peels proved to be ineffective because the metallic concentration in the produced water increased after treatment (except for Lead and Copper). The modified variants proved to be effective as they reduced metallic concentration. The 0.5M NaOH modified variant outperformed the 0.2M NaOH modified variant. This shows that pH and contact time affect the adsorption process.
Corrosivity of Niger Delta Environment for Corrosion Control and Management
Authors: Amadi Azubuike , Ajienka Joseph , Akaranta Onyewuchi
Published: August 2022

It is difficult to simply bury a pipeline beneath the ground without facing corrosion challenges, yet it is important to do so for both the search for crude during drilling and pipe laying for oil and gas transportation. The oil and gas business has lost millions of dollars owing to corroded pipes, making it vital to evaluate the severity of environmental corrosion before making investment decisions. The Niger Delta, which is a hub of oil and gas activity in Nigeria, was the focus of this research. This research aims to reduce the impact of environmental corrosion on buried oil and gas assets by creating a corrosion map and model tailored to the environment in order to identify the level of corrosion severity at various points. 93-points soil resistivity data were collected using Vertical Electric Sounding (VES) and the Werner method, while average pH data from Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States were gathered from research within the Niger Delta. The extent of corrosivity in the environment was estimated using both the soil resistivity data and pH data. As an enhancement over the traditional method of employing ranges, a model was developed to determine the exact corrosion severity of the environment based on its soil resistivity. In addition, MATLAB was used to create a 3D planar curve and a map that could be used to quickly evaluate the corrosion severity of regions in the Niger Delta. This research paved the way for the continued development of corrosion severity maps unique to distinct oil and gas activity regions, as well as advancements in asset management for buried oil and gas assets.
Application of Genetic Algorithm on Data Driven Models for Optimized ROP Prediction
Authors: Duru David , Kerunwa Anthony , Odo Jude
Published: August 2022

The demand for cost-effective drilling operations in oil and gas exploration is ever growing. One of the important aspects to tackling the aforementioned difficulty is determining the optimal rate of penetration (ROP) of the drill bit. The most important optimization objective is to achieve a high optimal rate of penetration in safe and stable drilling conditions. Several machine learning models have been developed to predict ROP, however, there have been few studies that consider the different optimization algorithms needed to optimize the conventional developed models other than the conventional grid search and random search techniques. Genetic algorithm (GA) has gained much attention as methods of optimizing the predictions of machine learning algorithms in different fields of study. In this study, GA optimization algorithm was implemented to optimize 5 machine learning algorithms: Linear Regression, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Multilayer Perceptron algorithm while using torque, weight on bit, surface RPM, mud flow, pump pressure, downhole temperature and pressure, etc, as input parameters. Three scenarios were analyzed using a train-test split ratio of 70-30, 80-20 and 85-15 percent on all the developed models. The results from the comparative study of all models developed shows that the implementation of the GA optimization algorithms increased the individual ROP models, with the multilayer perceptron model having the highest coefficient of determination of 0.989% after GA optimization.
Hybridization of Optimized Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Effective Lithology
Authors: Aniyom Ebenezer , Chikwe Anthony , Odo Jude
Published: August 2022

Lithology identification is an important aspect in reservoir characterization with one of its main purpose of well planning and drilling activities. A faster and more effective lithology identification could be obtained from an ensemble of optimized models using voting classifiers. In this study, a voting classifier machine learning model was developed to predict the lithology of different lithologies using an assembly of different classification algorithms: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Logistic Regression, Random Forest Classifier, K-Nearest Neighbor, and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) models. The result of the comparative analysis shows that the implementation of the voting classifier model helped to increase the prediction performance by 1.50% compared to the individual models. Despite a small significance at deployment in real scenario it improves the chances of classifying the lithology.
OML-ZZZ: Water Production Forecasting Improvement
Authors: Agbehi Raphael , Aboaja Ugochukwu , Osho Rotimi
Published: August 2022

Reliable production forecasting of all fluid streams involved in hydrocarbon production has remained a perennial problem in the oil and gas industry. This paper presents the methodology and results of an improvement to the water forecasting approach adopted in the management of all the producing fields and reservoirs of OML-ZZZ located in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The main objective of our study was to identify and evaluate a means of achieving water/liquid forecast that is representative of field observed trends – a key input for the sizing of planned water dehydration facilities for our fields. Our study made use of an integrated production forecasting solution model with the associated engineering and geoscience data, which optimizes on oil production while forecasting the other fluid streams subject to defined system constraints. Improvement in water forecast was achieved through a review of the abandonment conditions of quit wells which have already reached their abandonment as analogues for producing wells being forecasted. Based on the review, we identified and applied recommended tranches of BSW conditions which have enabled better and more realistic forecasts of gross liquid and water production. The benefits of these improved forecasts include an increase in oil volumes and proper equipment/facilities sizing among others.
Reducing NPT Amidst Fluctuating Crude Oil Prices: Using Data Analysis to Investigate Well Construction Cost
Authors: Ajayi Olawale Isaac , Kehinde Sodiq Adejuwon , Akpan Unwono James , Odesa David Emudiaga
Published: August 2022

During drilling operations, one of the key parameters keenly monitored and measured is the Non-Productive Time (NPT). It is usually desired to be kept as minimal as possible due to its significant contribution to the entire well construction cost. In some instances, some of the factors responsible cannot be controlled such as bad weather conditions or occurrence of natural disasters. However, industry experience shows that a significant chunk of most NPT recorded can be avoided and mitigated with adequate planning, monitoring and prompt decision-making. In order to ensure sustainable oil production amidst the present economic situation of fluctuating crude oil prices occasioned by the imminent energy transition and other related factors, the costs associated with development and production of hydrocarbon assets will require prudent management by eliminating or reducing NPTs. This paper aims to illustrate some of the best in-class operational procedures and actions undertaken by the drilling operations team of a producing company for significant reduction of NPT spanning across seven (7) wells in two (2) of its producing fields. Information from structured daily operations reports were extracted and analyzed with significant focus on the time sheets and contributing factors to Non-Productive Time. Further attempts were made to identify the major contributors and the most efficient processes to eliminate their occurrences. The analysis shows an average of about thirteen percent from the first well drilled in 2018 to the most recent one drilled in 2021. This translates to about USD5.4 million in NPT cost equivalent over the span of the seven (7) wells. The prevalent drilling operational challenges were found to be related to host community issues, location preparation, statutory regulatory compliance issues, logistics, weather conditions, crew competency, well-bore instability, and most prevalently rig equipment failures etc. The data analysis showed a consistent decrease in NPTs for these factors, primarily due to deliberate and concise project planning and execution. The results from these analyses can therefore be used as a framework to improve current drilling practices, in order to achieve significant well construction cost savings and further support the need for sustainable oil production. However, it is important to ensure quality data gathering and structure by insisting on identifying and recording all the NPT-related issues. This will allow prompt forecasting of drilling operational challenges as well as proactively taking concrete steps to mitigating them.
Paraffin Inhibition in the Tubing of a Gas-Lifted Production Well Using Pre-Conditioned High Temperature Gas
Authors: Nwankwo Kenechukwu
Published: August 2022

Gas lift technology involves the introduction of gas in the tubing to improve vertical lift performance and over all well productivity. However, when wax is deposited in the tubing, the pressure drop across tubing is increased and vertical lift performance is adversely impacted. This paper reviews the performance of two wells known to have wax deposition issues leading to sub-optimal production, thus necessitating intermittent paraffin inhibition /hot oiling which have associated costs.

A Fluid Thermodynamics model which demonstrated that production from the two wells can be optimized by gas lifting wells at points deeper in the tubing than the nucleating points at a threshold gas lift temperature was developed. The minimum gas lift temperature at any given pressure required to attain this flow assurance solution was simulated from the model developed. The model illustrates that a thermodynamic state can be attained without the use of an inline heater. This was due to the high discharge of thermal energy from the lift gas supplied from the gas lift manifold.

Results from model application to the two case study wells showed improvement of flow rates from sub-optimal values to steady rates of total increments of about 1,000 Barrels of Oil Per Day. In addition, wax deposition ceased as confirmed from the laboratory re-estimation of the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) of the wellbore fluids. This model application eliminated yearly remediation operations such as hot oiling operations that was in place to manage and ensure that the wells produced continually, resulting in an annual cost saving of about $30,000 per well. This Thermal inhibition method can be applied in all wax producers to eliminate or reduce wax in tubing and hence the flow line.
2010 Gulf of Mexico Macondo Oil Spill Disaster: HACCP Lessons for Nigeria's Gulf of Guinea
Authors: Theophilus Tubi O. , Falode Olugbenga , Ogunshe Adenike A.O.
Published: August 2022

Dealing with potentially vast and serious environmental incidents has remained a challenge for the Oil and Gas Industry, thus, the aftermath of April 20, 2010, Macondo disaster, deserves a holistic overview of events responsible for, or associated with, the disaster. The study adopted and adapted the HACCP analysis and drew lessons by not only identifying and tracing the immediate and remote causes of the spill but also making appropriate recommendations on prevention and remediation measures to be adopted at similar operating points in the Gulf of Guinea area, like Shell's Bonga FPSO facility and Chevron's Agbami.

Using detailed extrapolation as a basis for the establishment of material conditionalities and similarities existing between the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Guinea, the study was conducted with the aid of an extensive and exhaustive review of literature, technical reports, and other de-classified materials to determine, amongst other things, the how, why and lessons learned. The results show that there are still technological, legal, and administrative lapses in our jurisdiction, causing shortcomings in the applicable administration of rules, regulations, and enforcement procedures in the Oil and Gas sector, which has been and is still being exploited negatively by industry players.

Hazard Analyses Critical Control Points addressed particularly include, causes of explosions, nature of fire, loss of well control, blowout, vessel sinking, casualties, modes of evacuation, vessel safety systems, oil spillage, environmental damages, systems deficiencies, maintenance of electrical equipment, gas alarms and automatic/emergency shutdown systems, the inadequacy of crew blast protection equipment barrier, inadequate intractable command, and control hands-off, lack of requisite training for personnel on emergency preparedness, to shut down engines and disconnect, risk-based decisions, abilities to prevent or limit the magnitude of the disaster.

The study concluded that an immediate review of some identified outdated rules and operational guidelines of the DPR be undertaken, namely: procedure guide for the construction and maintenance of fixed offshore platforms; procedure guide for construction & maintenance of surface production facilities; flexible pipes, SCR, and mooring chain systems. requirements for the maintenance and inspection of flexible pipes, SCR, and mooring chain systems; operation & maintenance of pipelines. guidelines etc. Adding more pre-installed blowout preventer (BoP) systems per rig/drill line, as well as call for a review of proposed PIB, EGASPIN 2018, and a further strengthening of NOSDRA.
Driving Project Efficiency and Cost Control in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Atolagbe Emmanuel , Mohammed Sani
Published: August 2022

Oil and gas companies continue to contend with numerous existential challenges that are exerting pressure on their activities. Some of the challenges includes the rise in alternative and renewable energy, persistent talent challenge, increase in supply chain complexity, price volatility and growing competitive pressure (EIA, 2020). The need to respond effectively to these challenges has made cost control a strategic imperative and competitive necessity. Cost control should be applied as a strategic lever for improving project efficiency, influencing growth and boosting profitability through conscious and proactive approaches, rather than using cost management as a defensive tool (Aguilar and Ittner, 2018). New innovations like digitization, advance analytics and artificial intelligence provide potential solutions capable of addressing these problems (Bohari, 2020). These innovations can easily be implemented and enable rapid transformation of the industry.

Cost control and project management initiatives have been implemented across most of the oil companies to weather the impact of rising cost and the low oil price. It was realized that having the right system in place, deploying modern technology, effective data collection and analysis, process reengineering, and automation are imperatives for driving cost reduction, capital efficiency and delivering competitive projects (Aguilar and Ittner, 2018). For instance, the leadership of one of the oil companies mandated the application of cost control and effective project management to well projects cost (circa $300-500mln annually). A combination of programs, innovations and practices were implemented between 2019 and 2021 and the control process was strengthened which resulted in savings of $20mln+ per annum year-on-year on drilling and wells related cost. Additionally, cost overruns were reduced and cost recovery from the JV partners improved due to better cost transparency and efficient cost management.

This paper aims at contributing to the quality of cost management decisions, and improved planning and performance by exploring the impacts of technological disruption on cost control and assessing how it can drive efficiency and improve performance in oil and gas companies in Nigeria through a review of existing literature on the subject.
Biomechanical Analyses of Gait and Balance in Patients with Subacute Stroke
Authors: Yoo Seung Don , Choi Min Kyu , Kim Dong Hwan , Lee Seung Ah , Chung Seung Jun , Park Eo Jin , Kim Min Gyun , Kim Ji Min
Published: August 2022

Objective: People with stroke may have balance and gait disturbances due to decreased muscle strength and loss of proprioception. Although previous studies have evaluated balance, walking ability, and functional status of people with stroke, studies that quantitatively evaluate these problems and clarify the correlation between each parameter are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to measure the biomechanical gait parameters of subacute stroke patients and investigate their association with balance and function.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients admitted with stroke as the main diagnosis between November 2020 and November 2021. Functional evaluation was performed using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and the Short Physical Performance Battery; balance was evaluated using Berg balance scale, Trunk Control Test, and Trunk Impairment Scale. Quantitative gait parameters were measured using the Zebris gait analysis system. Bilateral hand grip strength, and bilateral knee extension and flexion strength were measured using a dynamometer. The correlation between each evaluation item was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation analysis.Results: Analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and the Short Physical Performance Battery, indicators of functional status, and Berg balance scale, Trunk Control Test, and Trunk Impairment Scale, indicators of balance. Grip, knee extension, and knee flexion strength of the hemiplegic side were positively correlated with overall balance and functional status. The hemiplegic side showed a shorter stance phase and a longer swing phase, and these values showed a significant correlation with functional status. Step length, step time, and gait line length were significantly correlated with balance.Conclusion: It may be helpful to focus on measuring and correcting the center of pressure and stance phase of the hemiplegic side during gait for balance and functional status improvements. Quantitative biomechanical gait analysis may be helpful in assessing balance and functional status in patients with subacute stroke.
Keap1-resistant ΔN-Nrf2 isoform does not translocate to the nucleus upon electrophilic stress
Authors: Mikac Sara , Dziadosz Alicja , Padariya Monikaben , Kalathiya Umesh , Fahraeus Robin , Marek-Trzonkowska Natalia , Chrusciel Elzbieta , Urban-Wojciuk Zuzanna , Papak Ines , Arcimowicz Lukasz , Marjanski Tomasz , Rzyman Witold , Sznarkowska Alicja
Published: August 2022

The Nrf2 pathway is an essential defense pathway in a cell. It responds to oxidative and electrophilic stress via derepression of Nrf2 from Keap1-Cul3-mediated degradation, accumulation of Nrf2 in the nucleus and transcriptional activation of a number of detoxifying and cell protective genes. Here we report that normal and cancer cells also express the N-terminally truncated Nrf2 isoform (ΔN-Nrf2), which originates from an alternative promoter. Co-immunoprecipitation together with molecular dynamics simulation studies showed that the binding between ΔN-Nrf2 and Keap1 is significantly reduced, resulting in ΔN-Nrf2 resistance to the canonical degradation machinery. In response to electrophilic stress, the stable ΔN-Nrf2 is retained in the cytoplasm. Altogether, the results show that the expression of the ΔN-Nrf2 isoform expands the Nrf2 activity beyond transcriptional activation.
Thermal aspects of Kumada rearrangement in symmetrical and asymmetrical polysilanes- Interdependence of molecular structure, thermal degradation, and stability
Authors: Krishnan G. Santhana , Shahnawaz M. , Ramcharan T.
Published: August 2022

Thermal degradation behavior, exothermic patterns, and kinetic parameters of symmetrical/asymmetrically substituted polysilanes during the Kumada thermal rearrangement in the temperature range of 100-450 °C, were investigated applying thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques. Three kinds of polysilanes, viz., Polydimethylsilane (PDMS), Polydiphenylsilane (PDPS) and Polymethylphenylsilane (PMPS) were synthesized through Wurtz/Wurtz-Fittig polycondensation. As-synthesized polysilanes were then characterized by FT-IR, CHNO, and TGA-DSC techniques. FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of methyl, phenyl, and a combination of methyl-phenyl functional groups in PDMS, PDPS, and PMPS, respectively. From CHNO analysis, the chemical/empirical formula of PDMS, PDPS, and PMPS was found to be SiC2.01H6.25, SiC12.50H10.26, and SiC6.45H7.76, respectively. TGA results confirmed that PDPS was more thermally stable as compared to PDMS and PMPS. The kinetic parameters of polysilanes were determined by using isoconversional methods such as Ozawa and modified Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods. The average value of activation energy for PDPS obtained from Ozawa and KAS methods was found to be 1078.49 and 1068.32 kJ/mole, respectively, which is very much higher as compared to that of PDMS and PMPS.
Peristaltic transport characteristics of a second-grade dusty fluid flown in a tube revisited: Role of heat transfer
Authors: Hafez N. M. , Alsemiry Reima D. , Alharbi Sana A. , Abd-Alla A. M.
Published: August 2022

We provide a rudimentary insight into the influence of heattransfer on the transport characteristics of a second-grade dusty fluid flownin a flexible tube with walls subjected to the peristaltic motion. Both dust particles and fluid movements were modeled using the coupled differential equations. The derived equations were solved analytically via the standard perturbation method to determine the fluid temperature, streamline patternand velocity of the dust particles as well as fluid. The values in the increase of pressure and frictional forces were calculated numerically using DSolver of the Mathematica software. In addition, the trapping mechanisms were ascertainedby computing the streamlines and various physical parameters. The achievedtransport properties were shown be significantly determined by the parameterslike Reynolds, Prendental, Grashof, wave number as well as nature of the heatsource and sink. The obtained results were validated with the state-of-the-artliterature reports. It was claimed that our systematic approach may constitute a basis for accurately examining the impact of heat transfer on the peristaltic transport of a complex fluid through narrow tubes, useful for diverse medicalapplications such as the gastric fluid flow through the small intestine during endoscopy.
Association of average daily corticosteroid dose with time to relapse in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: Results from a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Chanchlani Rahul , Noone Damien , Geier Pavel , Benoit Geneviève , Rodriguez-Lopez Sara , Brobbey Anita , Perinpanayagam Maneka A. , Nettel-Aguirre Alberto , Samuel Susan , Parekh Rulan
Published: August 2022

Background
In this longitudinal cohort study, we aimed to determine the association between average daily corticosteroid dose and time to first relapse among children with first presentation of nephrotic syndrome.
Method
We enrolled children (1–18 years) with nephrotic syndrome at the time of first presentation of nephrotic syndrome across 11 Canadian centers in the CHILDNEPH study between 2013–2019. Exposure was within-person average daily corticosteroid dose. Primary outcome was time to first relapse after entry into the study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were created to estimate the risk of relapse after adjusting for potential confounders.
Results
Among 328 children (129 females) with median age 4.3 (IQR 3.6) years, the unadjusted median time to first relapse in the study was 128 (42–707) days. The relationship between average daily corticosteroid dose and time to relapse was modified by age (HR: 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.93) with younger children having a higher risk of relapse compared to older children for the same corticosteroid dose. Relationships between time to first relapse, average corticosteroid dose, and age remained unchanged when including those children who entered the study at first or second relapse or those who relapsed while tapering the prednisone during the episode at entry in the study.
Conclusion
Younger children, despite receiving same average daily corticosteroid dose, experience faster time to relapse compared to older children. Further study is warranted to examine the optimal dosing of corticosteroids by age of the child.
Vitamin K2, MicroRNA-210 and mitochondrial DNA copy number: Implications in prediction, prevention and personalized treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Authors: Elkony Noha Salah , Barghash Nadia , Abdalrahman Ehsan , Zeid Ahmed E , Issa Yasmine Amr
Published: August 2022

Introduction:
Hypoxia is a major feature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The master hypoxamir, MIRNA-210, controls many carcinogenic pathways. Hypoxia can affect mitochondrial DNA copy number (MTCN), which could impair many mitochondrial functions, including electron transport chain (ETC). Vitamin K2 (VK2) is crucial for preserving ETC integrity.
Aim of the study:
To evaluate the role of MTCN, MIRNA-210 and VK2 in HCC prediction, prevention and personalized treatment.
Methodology:
60 cirrhotic patients with HCC (group I) classified into three sub-groups according to BCLC staging (20 patients each); Group (IA): Stages 0/A, (IB): stage B and (IC): stages C/D. Group II comprised 60 cirrhotic patients without HCC. Group III included 60 healthy controls. All participants were evaluated clinically, circulating MIRNA-210 expression and MTCN were assessed by real time polymerase chain reaction and VK2 levels were measured by ELISA.
Results
MIRNA-210 was higher in group I compared to other groups (P < 0.001). VK2 and MTCN were lower in group I than in other groups (P = 0.001 in both parameters). MIRNA-210 was higher in subgroup 1C than other sub-groups (P < 0.001). Both VK2 and MTCN were lower in subgroup IC than in subgroups IA and IB (P = 0.042, P < 0.001 respectively). In group I, Both VK2 and MTCN were negatively correlated with MIRNA-210 (p = 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively), but positively correlated with each other (p < 0.001). Same pattern followed in subgroups of group I and in group II.
Conclusion
Results suggest a potential predictive role of the studied markers in HCC, hence the possibility of early prevention and personalized treatment.
Low-Risk Contralateral Neck Failure for Lateralized Oral Cancer with Locally Advanced Stage and Effects of Neck Irradiation
Authors: Cheng Yung-Jen , Lin Hsin-Ying , Tsai Mu-Hung , Pao Tzu-Hui , Hsu Chia-Hsiang , Wu Yuan-Hua
Published: August 2022

To investigate the incidence of the contralateral neck failure (cRF) rate and outcomes among patients with well-lateralized locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with/without ipsilateral or bilateral neck adjuvant irradiation. Total 149 patients with lateralized OSCC who have undergone curative surgery with pathologically proven pT3/4 or pN0-2b between 2007–2017 were retrospectively enrolled. Those with cross midline, neck-level 1a involvement, and positive extra-nodal extension (ENE) were excluded. The median follow-up time was 5.2 years (range, 2.91–7.83). Pathological stages T3 and T4 were 22.7% and 56.8%, respectively. Pathologically negative and positive lymph nodes were 61.4% and 38.6%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of 5-year cRF rate was 3.57% (95% CI, 1.3–7.7%). No significant differences in the 5-year CSS, LRRFS, DMFS, and cRRFS were observed among those undergoing unilateral and bilateral neck irradiation. Five patients (3.4%) had contralateral neck recurrence, all simultaneously with local recurrence. No isolated contralateral neck recurrence was identified. In conclusion, the cRF rate was acceptably low in patients with well-lateralized advanced OSCC with the initially uninvolved contralateral neck. Omitting contralateral neck irradiation with active surveillance could be safely considered without compromising the cure rate in such locally advanced OSCC patients.
Biosensors based on carbon nanotubes and carbon nano-rings: A DFT study
Authors: Monavari Seyyed Mostafa , Marsusi Farah , Memarian Nafiseh , Qasemnazhand Mohammad
Published: August 2022

We investigate the effect of glycoproteins on the optical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanorings (CRNs), using density functional theory (DFT). Long rang correlation interactions are added by introducing van der Waals interaction. Our results show that the electronic and optical properties of both these materials are influenced by glycoprotein, which depends on their chirality and size. DFT can be used to predict the desired chirality and size of these nanomaterials. According to our outcomes, the predicted CNTs and CRNs may be chosen as the best sensitive and suitable candidates to use as bio-sensor materials.
Echocardiographic strategy for early detection of cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin: A prospective observational study
Authors: Sampaio Diogo P. S. , Silva João B. M. , Frota Daniela C. R. , Junior Aguinaldo F. Freitas , Rassi Salvador
Published: August 2022

Background
Cancer chemotherapy using anthracyclines is associated with cardiotoxicity (CTX), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) analysis is not sensitive to early cardiotoxic changes. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) monitoring helps screen subclinical CTX; however, the intervals at which it should be performed remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of CTX in women with breast cancer and the associated factors and compare two echocardiographic monitoring strategies using two cutoff points for GLS variation.
Methods
Patients with breast cancer prescribed doxorubicin underwent serial LVEF and GLS assessments using two-dimensional echocardiography every 3 weeks for 6 months.
Results
We included 43 women; none developed a clinical CTX. Considering a percentage reduction in absolute GLS value of > 15%, subclinical CTX was present in 12 (27.9%) and six (14%) patients at 3-week and 3-month intervals, respectively (P = 0.28). Additionally, considering a reduction of > 12%, subclinical CTX was present in 17 (39.5%) and 10 (23.3%) patients (P = 0.16), respectively. There were no significant differences in either reference value at 3-week (P = 0.19) and 3-month intervals (P = 0.41). Age ≥ 60 years (P = 0.018) and hypertension (HTN) (P = 0.022) were associated with subclinical CTX in the univariate analysis.
Conclusions
There was no difference in the incidence of subclinical CTX between the two cutoff points and no benefit in performing echocardiography every 3 weeks compared with quarterly monitoring. Advanced age and HTN were associated with the development of subclinical CTX.
Paediatric mental health predictors during COVID-19: Parent- and child-specific vulnerability factors
Authors: Bothma Nicole , Kroon Rianca , Mathieu Sharna , Farrell Lara J. , Fontenelle Leonardo F.
Published: August 2022

To prevent deterioration of paediatric mental health during a pandemic, it is important to understand the various factors that may impact mental health outcomes. This study examined which vulnerability factors predicted poorer anxiety and depression symptoms in Australian children and youth (aged 4-17 years) during the initial lockdown period (May – August 2020), and whether outcomes varied according to gender or age. A parent-report questionnaire was used to investigate parent-related vulnerability factors including parent mental health, family accommodation behaviours, and COVID-19-related worries, and child-related factors including fears about illness/contamination, fears about social distancing, behaviour modification, and virus impact. Data was analysed using four multiple regression models. Greater parent stress and family accommodation predicted increased child anxiety symptoms, whilst family accommodation predicted increased child depression symptoms. Regarding child-specific vulnerability factors, perceived virus impact predicted increased anxiety and depression symptoms. Greater social-distancing fears predicted depression symptoms, but not anxiety symptoms.
Physicians' Attitude towards e-prescripition and associated factors in a resource-limited setting: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zemene Wondwossen , Sharew Mequanint , Derese Masresha , Fentahun Ashenafi
Published: August 2022

Background
The written paper based prescription is the way to transfer information from the physician medical practice to the pharmacy. But this process is prone to error and miscommunication, which sometimes result in patient harm. Electronic prescribing has been proposed as an important strategy to minimize medication errors, improve the quality of patient care. This study was justified since no recent study was conducted in Ethiopia to assessing attitude of physicians towards e-prescription.
Methods
An institution based Cross-sectional study was carried out among (n = 152) physicians with a response rate of 88.8%. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires from September1 to September15/2021.The collected data were entered into Epi-info Version 7.2 and exported to SPSS version 20 software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with dependent variables. Odds ratio (OR), with 95% CI and p value < 0.05 were computed to determine the level of significance.
Results
Based on the operational definition the overall score of good attitude to e-prescription of physicians from the university of Gondar compressive and specialized hospital was 89.5% [95% CI: 84.2–94.1]. Among the candidate variables for multi variable analysis two variables age of the respondents [AOR: 2.48 (1.055–5.830], and monthly salary of the respondents [AOR: 8.29(3.002–22.89] had having significantly association with e-prescription,
Conclusion
The overall score of attitude to e-prescription of physicians from the university of Gondar compressive and specialized hospital was good attitude. Age of the respondents and monthly salary of the respondents were significantly associated with e-prescription from the working organization university of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. So since the attitude was good we recommend that it is best to implement the EPS in the UGCSH.
Challenges and Opportunities during the COVID-19 Pandemic:Faculty Insights for Managing Academic Stress
Authors: Kahouli Leila
Published: August 2022

This descriptive – survey research work is titled “Challenges and Opportunities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Faculty Insights for Managing Academic Stress conducted during the Third Trimester of the Academic Year 2020–2021. This study confines its parameter on the selected faculty in the university with classes online in the Kingdom of Bahrain. These target respondents are those faculty teaching courses online or face to face during this pandemic. In the treatment of data, inferential statistics and percentage were utilized. All statistics and tests subjected to.05 significance level using the SPSS. The greatest challenge that the faculty encountered during the COVID 19 pandemic in terms of Moodle and Social Media is seen in “Usage of platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Team, Moodle etc.). In terms of Teaching and students’ learning the extent of challenge is “educational experience. In terms of school calendar, great challenge is seen in “instruction on assignments, exams, and quizzes”. In terms of social mobility, the highest extent of challenge is on “lab and practical applications/simulations”. However, the pandemic enable the teachers to attend a vast of online, webinars on professional developments. With all the given professional developments, the faculty development is the highest mean to have given growth and participation to teachers. In the matter of difficulties experience by the teacher respondents, the highest factor among other difficulties is on “Education &Teaching”. There are no significant differences considering the teaching experience in relation to the following variables: Impact of Covid 19, Opportunities for Professional Development, and Difficulties on Challenges & Opportunities.
A Wearable Soft Robot that Can Alleviate the Pain and Fear of the Wearer
Authors: Yim Youchan , Noguchi Yohei , Tanaka Fumihide
Published: August 2022

Social soft robotics may provide a new solution for alleviating human pain and fear. Here, we introduce a hand-held soft robot that can be clenched by the wearer. The robot comprises small airbags that can be inflated to provide the wearer with a feeling of being clenched. We then conducted an in-depth study of 66 adults who participated in a pain research protocol using thermal stimulation to investigate the effect of wearing the robot on pain perception and fear of injections. Pain assessment scale scores for perceived pain decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when participants wore the robot compared with the baseline condition in which the robot was not worn. In addition, the saliva test results showed a downward trend in oxytocin level when the robot provided the wearer with haptic feedback via the inflation of the internal airbags in response to the wearer’s clench. Furthermore, the negative psychological state of participants, as measured using the positive and negative affect scale, improved significantly when wearing the robot. We also revealed that the salivary cortisol level, an indicator of stress, decreased significantly across all participants at the end of the experiment. In addition, participants’ fear of injections was significantly improved after participation in the experiment. These results suggest that the wearable soft robot may alleviate the human perception of pain and fear in during medical treatments, such as vaccinations.
A novel and diverse group of Patescibacteria from bathypelagic Lake Baikal revealed through long-read metagenomics
Authors: Rodriguez-Valera Francisco , Haro-Moreno Jose , Cabello-Yeves Pedro , Garcillan-Barcia M. Pilar , Zemskaya Tamara , Zakharenko Alexandra
Published: August 2022

We have applied a long-read (PacBio CCS) metagenomic approach to analyze in depth the Patescibacteria living in the bathypelagic water column of Lake Baikal at 1600 m. In addition to large (some complete) metagenome-assembled genomes, we have retrieved strong evidence of the presence of a novel and a likely endemic group of Patescibacteria inhabiting the bathypelagic realm. This novel group seems to possess extremely high intra-clade diversity akin to what happens with Patescibacteria at large but this takes place in an environment that has changed little in the last 25 million years. The enormous diversity detected within this group precludes assembly of complete genomes, albeit read binning and scaffolding indicate that they are similar to other Patescibacteria (i.e. parasites or symbionts) but they can synthesize most amino acids, likely reflecting the extremely oligotrophic habitat they inhabit. They have not been found anywhere else but one of the groups appears in small amounts in an oligotrophic alpine Lake Thun metagenome. We propose this novel group as Ca. Baikalibacteria. The recovery of MAGs via long-read metagenomics plus the use of long-read binning to uncover highly diverse “hidden” groups of prokaryotes are key strategies to move forward in ecogenomic microbiology.