bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Development of Orienteering in Elementary School Physical Education Classroom in the Context of Ecological Physical Education Resources
Authors: Shi Cheng
Published: April 2022

With the development and implementation of the national policy of double reduction, for elementary school physical education, if we can effectively use the ecological physical education resource environment to carry out orienteering, it is a lifelong benefit to students' physical exercise, students can relax more happily in the ecological environment, the natural good ecological environment is more conducive to the healthy development of students' body and mind, and at the same time can effectively It can also effectively relieve the academic pressure of students in the cultural classroom, thus allowing students to learn more efficiently. The introduction of orienteering in the elementary school physical education classroom has greatly increased students' awareness of integrating into nature and protecting nature, as well as continuously improving students' physical fitness and athletic ability, effectively cultivating students' sports interests and specialties, and continuously using ecological physical education teaching concepts and teaching methods to guide students, so that students have sports skills in line with their own interests and hobbies, and improving students' sports ability.
On Capability-Based Requirements of Vocational Curriculum Development
Authors: Yang Liu
Published: April 2022

Since the competency-based curriculum was introduced into China in the early 1990s, it has adapted to the institutional development of our country and achieved unprecedented development. In the course of competency-based curriculum implementation, we encounter the crisis of knowledge based, especially human-oriented curriculum view. But today, the aptitude -based curriculum concept is still the main guiding ideology of curriculum development in vocational colleges. This is because vocational education aptitude standard has the stipulation to the vocational curriculum development. This paper will discuss its regulation.
Teaching Reform and Practice of Science and Technology Paper Writing Course Under the Background of Engineering Education Certification
Authors: Tang Yufeng , Wang Member , Chen Ye
Published: April 2022

Based on the basic concept of engineering education professional certification student center, achievement orientation, continuous improvement, in view of the current situation of poor writing ability of undergraduate scientific and technological thesis, weak scientific research consciousness, combined with the graduation requirements from the syllabus, course content, teaching methods, assessment methods and other aspects of the reform. The reform has played a beneficial help to improve students' subjective initiative in learning, cultivate teamwork spirit, and vacation to the understanding of scientific and technological papers and writing ability. The results can also provide a useful reference for the curriculum teaching reform under the background of other engineering education professional certification.
COMMUNITY OF CULTIVABLE ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI OF CASSAVA Manihot esculenta CRANTZ
Authors: Viana Diniz Fernanda , Martins Pereira Veluma , De Freitas Lopes Nathalia , Medeiros Vasconcelos Janaína , Vasconcelos de Araujo Atilon , Maia Carvalho Clarice
Published: April 2022

The objective of this work was to characterize the community of endophytic fungi of cassava Manihot esculenta cultivated in the state of Acre, Brazil. For that, M. esculenta root, stem and leaf were collected, washed and disinfected by immersion in 70% ethanol (1 min), sodium hypochlorite 2% (5 min), 70% alcohol (30 sec) and washing in water sterile distilled (1 min) three times. The samples were fragmented and inoculated in BDA and Oat culture media and incubated at 28 º C for 30 days. The isolated fungi were characterized by morphology and grouped into morphospecies. There was isolated a total of 39 endophytic fungi M. esculenta, 19 (48.7%) of stem 13 (33.3%) of leaf and 7 (18%) root. On culture medium, 23 (59%) fungi were isolated in BDA medium and 16 (41%) in Oat medium. Eight fungal genera were identified, Penicillium and Phomopsis the most frequent, with 30.8% relative frequency each, and Fusarium (10.2%) Aspergillus (5.1%), Guignardia (5.1%), Acremonium (2.6%), Colletotrichum (2.6%), Phoma (2.63%), and unidentified (10.2%). M. esculenta showed dominance by fungi of the genera Penicillium and Phomopsis. This is the first study report of the endophytic fungi community of Manihot esculenta.
Indonesia Export, Import, and Demand for Domestic Commodities under Economics Liberalisation
Authors: Irawan Andi
Published: April 2022

The aim of this research is to identify the behaviour of export, import and domestic commoditiesdemand in liberalization era both in the long run and the short run. This researchapplies the Vector Error Correction Model, Johansen Cointegration Test, Impulse ResponseAnalysis and Granger Causality Test. The data range from 1993:01 to 2002:12. The resultshows that in the long run the cross-price elasticity of imported non agricultural goods withrespect to demand for domestically produced goods have lower magnitudes than own priceelasticity of domestically produced goods. The demand elasticity of import commodities iselastic but that of domestic commodities is inelastic.Keywords: Import, Export, Economic Liberalization, Vector Error Correction Model
DECENTRALIZATION, FISCAL CAPABILITY AND PUBLIC SPENDING EFFICIENCY
Authors: Hakim Abdul , Sriyana Jaka
Published: April 2022

Assigning autonomy to regency governments in Indonesia has failed to increase regency’s economies.While it increases regency government role in planning and initiating policies, its impact oneconomic development has been insignificant. This stems from the lack of institution’s capacity inorganizing the bulk funds transfer from the central government which leads to inefficiency in resourceallocation. This paper maps these regencies based on their fiscal dependency. This paperalso applies Data Envelopment Analysis to identify the efficient and non efficient regencies in sucha way that the non efficient regencies might use the efficient ones as the benchmark to increase theirefficiency.Keywords: Autonomy, regency government, efficiencyJEL classification numbers: H21, H53, H71, H72
EFFECT OF FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, GROWTH, AND WELFARE
Authors: Badrudin Rudy
Published: April 2022

This research analyzes the influence of fiscal decentralization on capital expenditure, economic growth, and social welfare of 29 regencies and 6 cities in Central Java Province based on the data of year 2004 to 2008. The method used to analyze the hypotheses is the Partial Least Square. The results showes that fiscal decentralization has no significant effect on capital expenditure; fiscal decentralization has significant effect on economic growth and social welfare; capital expenditure has no significant effect on economic growth and social welfare; and economic growth has significant effect on social welfare.Keywords: Fiscal decentralization, capital expenditure, economic growth, social welfareJEL classification: H76, I31, 043
BALANCE SHEET CHANNEL OF MONETARY POLICY IN INDONESIAN MANUFACTURING FIRMS
Authors: Alfarisy Muhammad F. , Nopirin Nopirin , Permono Iswardono S. , Widodo Tri
Published: April 2022

This paper aims to test the hypothesis in a period of monetary tightening. Firms that face liquidity constraint and have limited access from external sources of funds will lower its investment. We use the panel data analysis of Indonesian manufacturing firms and financial variables, LIQ as the ratio between the sum of cash and marketable securities to total assets, and the change in cash flows as a proxy of firm’s liquidity constraint. The result provides some supports for the view that inventory in Indonesian manufacturing firms is sensitive toward cash flow during the monetary tightening period, especially for the firms that produce durable goods.Keywords: Monetary tightening, liquidity constraint, inventory investmentJEL classification numbers: G32, G38.
MODELLING INDONESIAN OIL AND GAS EXPORT
Authors: Syahnur Sofyan , Nawafil
Published: April 2022

This study investigates factors affecting Indonesian oil and gas export to six main importing countries. A simultaenuous equation model containing demand and supply equation is used to analyze the problem. A two-stage least squares method is employed to estimate the model. The results show that exchange rate does not statistically influence Indonesian oil and gas export demanded. It also finds that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of importing countries and Indonesian oil and gas price statistically affect the demand. From the supply model analysis, price statistically affects Indonesian oil and gas export supplied. In addition, Indonesian oil and gas production influences the supply.Keywords: Oil and gas export, simultaneous equation model, exchange rate, GDP.JEL classification number: F40, Q41AbstrakStudi ini menyelidiki faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi ekspor minyak dan gas Indonesia ke enam negara importir utama. Model permintaan dan penawaran digunakan untuk menganalisis ekspor migas Indonesia dalam bentuk persamaan simultan. Metode Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) dipakai untuk mengestimasi persamaan simultan tersebut. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa kurs tidak berpengaruh terhadap permintaan ekspor migas Indonesia. Studi ini juga menemukan bahwa Produk Domestik Bruto (PDB) negara pengimpor dan harga migas Indonesia berpengaruh terhadap permintaan ekspor migas Indonesia. Dari hasil analisis model penawaran didapatkan bahwa harga dan produksi migas Indonesia mempengaruhi penawaran ekspor migas Indonesia.Kata Kunci: Ekspor minyak dan gas, model persamaan simultan, kurs, PDBJEL classification numbers: F40, Q41
Diversity of Herbicide-resistance Mechanisms of Avena fatua L. to ACCase-inhibiting Herbicides in the Bajio, Mexico
Authors: Tafoya-Razo Antonio , Mora-Munguía Saúl Alonso , Torres-García Jesús R.
Published: April 2022

Herbicide resistance is an evolutionary process that affects entire agricultural regions' yield and productivity. The high number of farms and the diversity of weed management can generate hot selection spots along regions. Resistant biotypes can present a diversity of mechanisms of resistance and resistance factors depending on selective conditions inside the farm; this situation is similar to predicts by the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. In Mexico, the agricultural region of Bajio has been affected by herbicide resistance for 25 years. To date, Avena fatua L. is one of the most abundant and problematic weed species. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism of resistance of biotypes with failures in the weed control in 70 wheat and barley crop fields in Bajio, Mexico. The results showed that 70% of farms have biotypes with TSR, the most common mutations where Trp – 1999 – Cys, Asp – 2078 – Gly, Ile – 2041 – Asn, such mutations confer cross-resistance to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides. Metabolomic fingerprinting showed four different metabolic expression patterns. The results confirmed that in the Bajio exist multiple selection sites for both resistance mechanisms, which proves that this area can be considered as a geographic mosaic of resistance.
The Benefits of Training and Development Programs for Lending Organization Personnel: Basis for Development of Training Program
Authors: Jesus Fhrizz S. De , Fajardo Lyka Mae L.
Published: April 2022

Employee development and training programs are critical to the global success of firms. Not only do these programs enable employees to develop new abilities, but they also enable businesses to increase employee productivity and improve company cultures. Assistance for Central Luzon Lending Inc.(ACLLI), is a newly established organization which aims to provide a training and development program for its employees. The researchers of this study focus on the emerging situation and the need for training and development, its implications on individual performance and the achievement of the institutional goal. The study utilized a mixed-method approach to assess the benefits of a Training and Development Program for a lending organization personnel. This research was conducted in Talavera, Nueva Ecija where the 13 employee- respondents of ACLLI were identified. The data collected from the locale were encoded, tallied, and analyzed. Statistical tools such as Percentage, Frequency Distribution, Weighted Mean, and Thematic analysis were used in analyzing the data gathered. The result shows that most of the respondents strongly agreed the training given equipped me with the knowledge necessary to succeed in my career when it comes to career competencies. Also, the majority of the respondents are highly in favour that they performed better after attending training and development programs relative to their work. Lastly, a training and development plan was crafted by the researchers to help the needs of the employees.
Sustainable Recovery: Regained Optimism
Authors: Ben-Naceur Kamel
Published: April 2022

Upstream investment is the main driver for employment in our industry, and forecasts of company spending are eagerly expected by the service sector. I commented in my January column on the initial activity estimates made by West (Evercore). The forecasts have now been firmed up and the increases range between 15 and 17% in 2022 compared to 2021, with growth in all geographical regions. Evercore even projects that 2022 will be the beginning of a multiyear positive cycle for the industry, following 2021 which was a “renaissance of sorts” for the E&P sector. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Short Term Energy Outlook for February 2022 forecasts that US oil production will rise to 12.0 and 12.6 million B/D in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The latter would be the highest level ever reached, exceeding the previous record in 2019 by 0.3 million B/D.

In their fourth-quarter announcements, the leaders of major service companies made the most optimistic comments for the past several years. Halliburton’s CEO Jeff Miller stated that “simultaneous” growth will occur in both the North American and international markets with a “momentum that I have not seen in a long time.” For Schlumberger’s CEO Olivier Le Peuch, “a strong multiyear upcycle” is underway as capital spending commitments are set to increase by 20% in North America and in the “low to mid-teens” across the broader international market.

Such notes from the service sector are welcome news for SPE, as its financial sustainability depends on the engagement of the industry through trade shows, exhibitions, and meetings.

Fiscal year 2022 (which ends on 31 March 2022) was the most challenging one in SPE’s history, as we chose not to diminish the level of service to our members and continued to provide virtual and hybrid information channels. SPE’s account balance was positively impacted by the outstanding performance of its reserve funds in financial markets and the support from the US government through instruments such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These allowed a considerable reduction in loss to an estimated $3 million.

For fiscal year 2023 (ending 31 March 2023), the SPE Finance Committee has retained a cautious outlook, with significant uncertainties resulting from the pandemic situation. Early signals coming from the success of the recent hydraulic fracturing technology conferences and exhibitions in Oman and the US are positive. The financial strategy will be adapted in the coming months based on the results of key events such as IPTC, OTC Asia, and the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.
History Matching of Petroleum Engineering Graduation Rates
Authors: Blasingame Tom , Ozkan Erdal , Kelkar Mohan , Miskimins Jennifer , Rassenfoss Stephen
Published: April 2022

An email discussion among the four members focused on one of several charts created by Tom Blasingame, 2021 SPE president. A summary of their insights follows.

Tom Blasingame explained the chart, which led to further discussion. The “reference” trend shown (red) occurs over the period from 1970 to 2000, which peaked at 1,587 BS graduates around 1984. It is a Gaussian probability distribution fitted to the data provided by Lloyd Heinze, professor at Texas Tech University’s Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum (solid black line), and data extracted from a 1991 paper by John C. Calhoun, who was then at Texas A&M University and previously served as the 1964 SPE president.

The reference trend is then shifted in time to the period from 2003 to 2033 (green).

The mean and standard deviation of the statistical trends are the same; only the midpoint in time and peak in BS graduates are adjusted for each period. We note an excellent match of the data in the period from 2003 to 2033.

Taking the reference trend back in time to the period from 1940 to 1970 (purple trend), we do not get a reasonable match of the data, with the exception of a slump from about 1951 to 1956.

It is difficult to explain this feature, other than to note that in this timeframe the US began to import significant quantities of oil.

Regardless, we note the statistical trend does capture the beginning and end of this distribution, and we recognize that there is no single peak in the data trend from 1940 to 1970.

If we follow the historical trends and the current increase in oil prices and consider the need for oil and gas in the foreseeable future, we predict that the downward trend may stabilize as it did before and level out at the range of 250 graduates a year, while the demand for graduates is much higher.

In this scenario, I consider the following positives and negatives.

- Negative publicity around fossil fuels and social/political pressure to shut down the oil industry will continue, pulling the graduates’ figures down.

- Current energy shortages and price spikes will remind the public that the end of oil and gas is not near, which will start to improve the image of petroleum engineering.

- Deepening global economic crises and rising inflation will reduce people’s buying power and move them from highly idealistic to mostly pragmatic decisions. That, combined with the unmatched salary prospect of petroleum engineers with only a 4-year undergraduate degree, will increase the interest in the PE degree.

- Considering that oil and gas will remain to be slightly over 50% of the energy mix, and that the energy demand will increase by 47% by 2050, we will need to produce roughly 45% more oil and gas than today. Even with the increased efficiency … we will need more petroleum engineers.
Study Reviews Downhole Wireless Technologies and Improvements
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: April 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 207466, “A Review of Downhole Wireless Technologies and Improvements,” by Brett Bouldin, SPE, Wireless Instrumentation Systems, and Ahmed AlShmakhy, SPE, and Ahmed Khaled Bazuhair, SPE, ADNOC, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Downhole wireless communication through mud-pulse telemetry has enabled directional drilling for decades and has been highly successful. But on the production end of the industry, applications for downhole wireless communication have been less clear, especially where long distances and long-term monitoring are concerned. In the complete paper, a history and comparison of wireless telemetry methods is provided and potential improvements to existing systems are discussed.

Background

Downhole wireless gauges for production monitoring can be likened to permanent downhole gauges (PDGs). PDGs are the standard for production monitoring in the industry, but they have the drawback of increased capital expense and a system failure rate of approximately 10% after 10 years, depending on downhole and surface conditions. The failure rate of the gauges themselves is generally 2–3% at 5 years, so downhole umbilicals, connectors, and surface infrastructure problems generally comprise the remainder. Because PDG-system repair would involve a full well workover, failed PDGs tend to remain nonfunctional indefinitely or until a greater purpose for the workover is encountered. While the loss of monitoring information is regretted by production and reservoir engineers, it does not justify a well workover on its own. One solution is a retrofit wireless gauge run inside the production tubing.
Production Strategy Calls for Injection of High-Gas/Oil-Ratio HP/HT Crude
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: April 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 203484, “The Innovative Production Enhancement Strategy of Using High-GOR Crude in HP/HT Reservoir To Lift Upper Reservoir Production, Case Study in Iraq,” by Xueqing Tang and Zhongliang Cheng, SPE, PetroChina, and Ruifeng Wang, SPE, CNPC, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Halfaya oilfield in Iraq contains multiple vertically stacked reservoirs. The main oil reservoirs are under primary development at the time of writing. The remaining deepest high-gas/oil-ratio (GOR), high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) carbonate reservoir, with an original pressure gradient of 0.867 psi/ft, has been drilled and tested but not yet developed. A production strategy has been proposed in which high-GOR crude can be injected into the upper oil reservoirs with partial pressure depletion as an energy-conservation measure in view of its high wellhead pressure and good productivity during drillstem tests (DST), thereby achieving production enhancement and synergy among reservoirs.

Introduction

The Halfaya field is a supergiant hydrocarbon accumulation in southeastern Iraq. Structurally, it is a gentle elongated anticline trending northwest/southeast. It is 20–22 miles long and 5.0–5.9 miles wide. It features nine vertically stacked reservoirs, including two sandstone reservoirs with high permeability and seven highly heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs (including Sadi B, Middle Cretaceous Mishrif, and Lower Cretaseous Yamama). The main reservoirs, Mishrif, Nahr Umr, and Upper Kirkuk, contain edge water and bottomwater support.

Early field production began in April 2005. So far, 313 wells have been producing and the field has successfully achieved 413,000 BOPD compared with the plateau production target of 400,000 BOPD, with a water cut of 8.7%, producing a GOR of 759 scf/STB.
Geomechanics Study: Key to Successful Development of Unconventional Resources
Authors: Omer Mohammed , AlKhalifa Ali Ahmed , Fragachan Francisco E.
Published: April 2022

With the rising energy demand, operators in Middle East are now focusing on developing Unconventional resources. To optimize hydraulic fracture stimulation, most of these deep gas wells are required to be drilled laterally and in the direction of the minimum horizontal stress. However, this poses an increased risk of stuck pipe due to hole instability and differential sticking, which makes drilling these wells challenging. Over the last couple of years one of the operators in Middle East had 1500 days of lost time due to stuck pipe which translates to around $100 million worth of red money. One of the stuck pipe mitigation strategy is to perform both Pre-Drill and Real Time Geomechanics analysis. This paper presents the results of 1D Mechanical Earth Models case studies across multiple formations and wells which helped the client in reduce NPT, providing a roadmap to optimized drilling of gas wells and understanding the formation risks for wellbore collapse before drilling.

The workflow used for building the 1D-Geomechanical model required for optimizing the drilling plan and optimizing the direction for enhancing gas production is demonstrated in this work. The 1D model integrates petrophysical logs, acoustic data, drilling history, frac data and pore pressure data for identification of the current stress state.

The resulting 1D-Geomechanical model gives a new understanding of the in-situ stresses along with optimized wellbore stability mud weight predictions for effectively reducing the risk of kicks, mud losses and the risk of borehole shear failures. Integrating Petrophysics data, offset well drilling data and pore pressure fracture gradient data helps in calculating the in-situ stress which is calibrated with drilling events giving a clear idea of the associated risks, the best direction to drill wells and identify stress field around the wellbore.

1D Geomechanics model is key to successfully drilling gas wells along minimum horizontal stress direction and along the weak bedding planes. Additionally, having a better understanding of the fracture gradient in the carbonate formations enables optimal reservoir development and production.

This paper will provide a unique workflow that combines well engineering, project management, fracture analysis and geomechanics modeling and cover multiple scenarios including reducing stuck pipe issues in unconventional wells, identifying weak bedding planes, real time monitoring of mud weight to mitigate wellbore stability issues and drilling in unconventional formations.
Defining Maximum Allowable ROP in Realtime Enhancing Drilling Performance Based on Cutting Recovery Technology in Highly Deviated Wells
Authors: Wasnik Atul Sheshrao , Al Shammari Abdullah , Shadad Nawaf Bader , Saleh Khaled , Martocchia Alberto , Shoeibi Ahmad
Published: April 2022

Realtime Wellbore cleaning and stability Monitoring Service has been deployed in the field, where several side-track wells had been drilled due to stuck pipe and consequent lost in hole equipment. Traditional drilling practices were to drill highly deviated wells with inconsistent ROP without having sufficient information about the borehole condition and with the narrow pore pressure margin, which regularly resulted in sustained losses, even leading to differential sticking. In addition to these challenges, the well geometry made it necessary to constantly maintain sufficient ECD sensitive to borehole condition.

The service consists of Advance cutting flowmeter measuring cumulative bulk solids recovery while drilling, along with sophisticated software application compensating for drilling fluid coating the cutting. The real-time delta between actual and expected cutting volumes in surface is therefore a direct indicator of borehole cleaning efficiency and thus compared with various drilling and hydraulics parameters to provide timely operational recommendation, optimizing drilling performance and pre-empt potential causes of NPT/ILT.

The service is successfully determining the maximum allowable ROP in relation to cutting recovery, optimizing the number of drilling fluid pills, and supporting torque and drag analysis including cutting effects to give early indication of potential stuck pipe. This has reduced the on-bottom circulation cycles, reaming time and tripping intervals; thus allowing to drill longer deviated or horizontal sections avoiding tripping to clean the borehole.

As a result, operator was able to drill the wells optimally; saving 3.5 days of rig time, and about 50% of the pill volume for each well. The total cost saving for 5 wells, with the service deployed mostly in 6" production section was USD – 1.075 Million. The solution has then deployed across multiple rigs, drilling similar challenging wells.
Shale Compaction
Authors: Smith J. E.
Published: April 2022

The compaction of· shales or other fine-grained compressible rocks is described by a mathematical model, and specific solutions are presented graphically. The model treats the upward and downward movements of the water and the solid matrix in very extensive, uniform, flat-lying units. It may readily be adapted to treat the compaction of sands. The principal elements of the model are: (1) continuity equations for the water and solid matrix; (2) Darcy's law; (3) an expression for the fluid potential; (4) an equation for the total vertical stress; (5) an empirical relationship between porosity and the difference between the total vertical stress and the fluid pressure; and (6) an empirical relationship between permeability and porosity. From these elements an expression is derived for the porosity within the unit in terms of the space and time coordinates and boundary conditions, for the approximation that the densities of the water and the solid matrix are constant. Numerical solutions for the fluid pressure, the total vertical stress, the porosity, the permeability, and the velocities of water and solid matrix were obtained as profiles through the unit at close time intervals, and representative results are displayed. The events followed are: (1) shale sedimentation; (2) a time lapse following shale sedimentation; (3) sedimentation of a normally pressured unit over the shale unit; and (4) a final time lapse with no sedimentation. Two boundary conditions for the base of the shale unit are considered: (1) the underlying unit is impermeable, and (2) the underlying unit is a normally pressured sand. In the latter case, water flows both upward and downward out of the compacting unit. The solutions show that pore water pressures much greater than normal are obtained and may persist for tens or hundreds of millions of years. It is also found that a shale unit rapidly buried beneath a thick normally pressured sand develops a zone near the sand-shale boundary of reduced porosity and permeability in which the pore water pressure gradient is very large.
End-points of Decompression of in Lumbar Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review of Objective and Subjective Criteria to Prevent Failures
Authors: Krishnan Ajay , Marathe Nandan , Degulmadi Devanand , Mayi Shivanand , Ranjan Ravi , Kumar Bali Shiv , Parmar Vatsal , Amin Pratham C , Krishnan Preety A , Dave Mirant R , Dave Bharat R
Published: April 2022

Objective: Executions of indications/extended indications are associated with higher than normal rates of symptomatic recurrences and treatment failures, especially for novice surgeons incorporating Percutaneous Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy/decompression (PTELD) techniques. Causes of failures can be manifold and can occur because of a residual or a complete fragment causing persistent compression or associated unaddressed stenosis. To prevent this problem, proper training, multiple instrument inventory, variable techniques are needed with progressive learning. Authors aim to suggest objective and subjective criteria to define end-points/adequacy of decompression (EPD).Methods: PubMed database search was limited to locate only adequacy of decompression of PTELD and thus included specific keywords: “ENDPOINT” OR “ADEQUATE” AND “DECOMPRESSION” AND “TRANSFORAMINAL” AND “ENDOSCOPY”. Authors added their experience to refine and define multiple EPD.Results: In the search we found 12 articles total. Upon reviewing these, we found 7 articles matching our criteria. Cross references of included articles were searched, 5 additional articles were included. EPD were described in only 9 articles. Author’s experience with other relevant references were added to complete the viewpoint (EPD, n=29). Direct observed/ provoked EPD and inferred EPD were defined separately. Videos, illustrations and descriptions of each EPD are illustrated to provide the ideation.Conclusion: EPD are variable and not all signs may be elicited in every case and may change with surgeon experience. The ability to recognize EPD is the crux for successful outcomes and maximum possible EPD’s should be aimed in every surgery to avoid failures.
Effects of mammalian sex hormones on regeneration capacity, retrotransposon polymorphism and genomic instability in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Turkoglu Aras
Published: April 2022

Mammalian steroid hormones (MSH) are also inherently synthesized by several plant species. However, external application of steroid hormones further stimulates cell division, pollen germination, plant growth and development. There is little known about the effects of MSH on polymorphism and DNA damage in Triticum aestivum L under in vitro conditions. In this study, inter-primer binding site (iPBS) retrotransposon and coupled restriction enzyme digestion-iPBS (CRED-iPBS) markers were used for detection of the variation in responded embryogenic callus (REC) that were obtained from endosperm-supported mature embryo of wheat in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing different concentrations [0 (control), 10-4, 10-6 and 10-8 m mol L−1] of MSH (progesterone, 17β-estradiol, estrone and testosterone). Responded embryogenic callus (REC) and regenerable callus (RE) induction from mature embryos varied with MSH type and concentrations. The highest level of genomic template stability (GTS) value (80.52%) was obtained from 10-8 mM progesterone treatments and the lowest value (68.83%) from 10-4 mM 17 β-estradiol treatments. Epigenetic changes were more frequent and variable than the genetic changes. While DNA hypermethylation was observed at higher 17 β-estradiol concentrations, DNA hypomethylation was observed in progesterone treatments. It was concluded based on iPBS and CRED-iPBS findings that high MSH concentrations caused DNA changes and methylation.
ISNet: Costless and Implicit Image Segmentation for Deep Classifiers, with Application in COVID-19 Detection
Authors: Bassi Pedro , Cavalli Andrea
Published: April 2022

This work proposes a novel deep neural network (DNN) architecture, Implicit Segmentation Neural Network (ISNet), to solve the task of image segmentation followed by classification. It substitutes the common pipeline of two DNNs with a single model. We designed the ISNet for high flexibility and performance: it allows virtually any classification neural network architecture to analyze a common image as if it had been previously segmented. Furthermore, in relation to the original classifier, the ISNet does not cause any increment in computational cost at run-time. We implement an ISNet based on a DenseNet121 classifier to solve the task of COVID-19 detection in chest X-rays. The ISNet precisely ignored the image regions outside of the lungs; it achieved 94.5 +/-4.1% mean accuracy with an external test database, surpassing the performances of state-of-the-art DNNs (U-Net segmenter followed by DenseNet121 and standalone DenseNet121) by 6 to 7.9%. ISNet presents an accurate, fast, and light methodology to perform classification preceded by segmentation.
Exploration of User Needs and Design Requirements of a Digital Stress Management Intervention for Software Engineers in Sri Lanka: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Weerasekara Manoja Kumari , Smedberg Åsa
Published: April 2022

Background: Stress and stress-related disorders have risen throughout the years and negatively impacted individual, organisational and societal levels. Digital stress management interventions are considered promising additions to the spectrum of programs companies use to support the mental wellbeing of their employees. However, a series of constraints are identified that hinder the potential benefits of such interventions. These constraints include lack of user engagement, lack of personalization, poor adherence, and high attrition. Thus, to increase the likelihood of success of implementing ICT supported stress management interventions it is essential to understand the user requirements. Methods: With the participation of 22 software employees in three focus groups in Sri Lanka, the current study further explores the user needs and design requirements of a digital stress management intervention. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the collected data. Results: The analysis of the focus groups’ discussions provided a deeper understanding of the user needs. Three major themes and twelve subthemes emerged. The main themes were 1. provision for self-help: individual space, 2. provision for social support: collaborative space and 3. general design considerations for achieving success. Overall, participants preferred to use web and mobile as their preferred platforms. Participants emphasized the importance of incorporating content that is familiar to them and keeping the intervention simple and user friendly. While appreciating the provision for individual activities female participants highlighted the importance of having the support of peers to manage their stressful situations. Conclusions: The findings of the study directed to the implementation of a few design considerations to govern the artefact design and development process. Such design considerations covered the aspects of modality and focus of the intervention, rendering personalised experience, provision for active and passive content generation, social connectedness, and gamification.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of head lice infestation among children attending schools and kindergartens: direct research in Poland.
Authors: Padzik Marcin , Hendiger Edyta. B. , Gromala-Milaniuk Anita , Kopeć Ewa , Olędzka Gabriela
Published: April 2022

Human pediculosis is a parasitic disease caused by Pediculus humanus. The infection occurs mainly among children aged 5 to 13 years old. Due to the high prevalence of Pediculus humanus in the environment and the parasite's ability to transmit pathogenic bacteria, the disease needs monitoring. Each year, nearly 12 million patients suffer from head lice infestation. Current recommended treatment includes topical antiparasitic agents, oral therapy, and combing. The infestation causes potential social side effects such as embarrassment, discomfort, and necessary absenteeism from school or kindergartens. Various types of restrictions were used in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, including restrictions on interpersonal contacts, social isolation and functional restrictions on educational facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of head lice among children attending schools and kindergartens in Poland. The study group consisted of children aged 3 to 14 years old attending elementary school and kindergartens. A total of 5008 children were examined in educational institutions by registered nurses in period of 35 months. The results indicated that the restrictions applied during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced significantly the number of infected school children comparing to the pre-pandemic state. At the same time, restrictions and functional limitations of educational facilities did not significantly affect the incidence of head lice among preschool children. It can be concluded that restrictions on direct human contacts also significantly reduced the incidence of human head lice infestation among the study population.
Quantitative analysis of MGMT promoter methylation status changes by pyrosequencing in recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: Jiménez Víctor González , Doval Marta Brell , Bellvert Cristina Gómez , Domínguez Javier Ibáñez , Goliney Víctor , Asencio Osman Salazar , Martín Adriana Gómez
Published: April 2022

Background
MGMT promoter methylation status can change in response to several factors, including treatment with alkylating agents. Some authors have attempted to quantify these alterations with inconsistent results. This study aims to determine changes in MGMT promoter methylation status by pyrosequencing, which quantitatively yields results, providing percentages of methylation of a given CpG dinucleotide in a cohort of patients reoperated for recurrent glioblastoma and having previously completed the Stupp protocol.
Methods
A total of 25 pairs of glioblastoma preselected tumor samples were retrospectively analyzed using conventional DNA extraction techniques, bisulfite conversion, and PCR amplification of the MGMT promoter gene. Methylation status was obtained using pyrosequencing of 4 CpG dinucleotides within the enhancer region of the MGMT promoter gene and depicted as percentages or categories (hypermethylated, intermediate methylation, unmethylated). Matched samples were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the log-rank test was employed to establish a correlation between survival data and methylation status.
Results
Median value of MGMT promoter methylation status declined after adjuvant treatment from 22.25–16.15%. (p = 0.872). A correlation without statistical significance between methylation in primary samples and OS was found (p = 0.102). Lower degrees of association were obtained when studying primary methylation and PFS (p = 0.187). Intermediate methylation status at recurrence was more linked to PPS (p = 0.03)
Conclusions
Switching in both directions was observed when analyzing methylation status as a continuous variable. These data suggest that the dynamics of epigenetics may be very complex and not entirely explained by clonal selection or tumor heterogeneity.
The pre-analytical process management status and influencing factors of laboratory test before prescribing antimicrobial in developing country
Authors: Zheng Feiyang , Wang Kang , Wang Qianning , Yu Tiantian , Zhang Xinping
Published: April 2022

Introduction：The results of laboratory testing are crucial basis for clinicians to prescribe antimicrobial. Laboratory testing is a highly complex process, and increasing evidence suggests that errors and obstacles in the pre-analytical process (PP) will affect reasonable antimicrobial use. However, PP was an easily neglected link in hospital infection management and the current situation of it and the influencing factors of management are not clear.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the department of clinical, specimen collection, transportation, and inspection in 109 secondary and tertiary hospitals in Central China. The rate of antimicrobial susceptibility test request (AST) and related indexes of above departments were calculated to describe the situation. Management characteristics (frequency of training etc.) were described as proportions and fractional probit regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors.Results: The average rate of non restricted-use antimicrobial was 63%, the restricted-use was 86%, the special-use was 95%. The zero obstacle rate of specimen collection was 27.3%, of specimen transportation was 19.4% and of inspection feedback was 61.7%. There was a difference between the secondary and tertiary hospitals on non restricted-use (X2=22.968, P<0.001); restricted-use (X2=29.466, P<0.001); special-use (X2=27.317, P<0.001). Taking non restricted-use as an example, training (95%CI 0.148,0.429), low-frequency appraisal (95%CI 0.082,0.224), guidance (95%CI 0.237,0.403) and information technology (95%CI 0.009,0.199) were positive factors.Conclusions: There were substantial differences in the rate of AST request in clinical department between secondary and tertiary hospitals. The zero obstacle rate in collection, transportation and inspection department were still low. In most departments, training and performance appraisal were positive factors, guidance and information technology were positive supporting factors.
Proteomic analysis of the spineless cuttlefish Sepiella japonica: exploratory analyses on the phenomenon of death after spawning
Authors: Li Hongfei , Lin Shuangrui , Qi Pengzhi , Guo Baoying
Published: April 2022

To better understand the physiological events involving death after spawning in S. japonica (Japanese spineless cuttlefish), we have presently generated a proteomic data set to properly examine this phenomenon. As such, a proteomic-based approach was employed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the optic glands of S. japonica, at three distinct growth stages: pre-spawning after sexual maturity (group A); spawning (group B) and postspawning before death (group C). About 955, 1000, and 1024 DEPs were identified for each comparative group analysis (i.e., group B vs A, group B vs C, and group C vs A). We further discovered that the function of these newly identified DEPs was mostly related to molecular events such as gene translation and signal transduction. According to the enriched GO terms obtained by Gene Ontology analysis, the function of most DEPs was correlated with structural molecule activity, ribosome function and gene expression. The majority of DEPs were known to be involved in signal transduction and energy metabolism, interestingly, some aging-related DEPs were also identified. Putting together, our study provides new insights, at the protein level, in the phenomenon of death after spawning in S. japonica, by refering to anti-aging effects conserved in other cephalopoda species.
DMRT2 gene polymorphisms is associated with the coronary artery disease in Han population in Xinjiang, China
Authors: li huayin , Tao Jing , Abuzhalihan Jialin , Ma YiTong , Fu ZhenYan
Published: April 2022

Background
DMRT2 gene plays a significant role in human gonad and skeletal muscle, as well as affecting human immune, inflammatory and metabolic pathways. The main purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DMRT2 gene and coronary artery disease (CAD) in Xinjiang Han population.
Methods
We designed a case–control study including 1092 participants (male: 533; female: 559); Among them, 542 patients with CAD and 550 normal coronary angiographies. We used the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction(iMLDR) method, we genotyped two SNPs (rs12350001 and rs7856817) of DMRT2 gene in all subjects.
Results
We found that the dominant model (A/A vs A/G + G/G) and over-dominant model (G/G + A/A vs A/G) of rs12350001 were significantly different between CAD patients and the controls (P = 0.003, P = 0.002 and P = 0.007, respectively). The dominant model (G/G vs G/A + A/A) of rs7856817 were significantly different between CAD and controls (P = 0.031 and P = 0.029, respectively). The rs12350001 G allele was associated with a significantly elevated CAD risk [AG/GG vs AA: odds ratio (OR) = 1.870, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.237–2.824, P = 0.003], and the rs7856817 A allele was associated with a significantly elevated CAD risk [GA/AA vs GG: odds ratio (OR) = 2.062, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.353–3.142, P < 0.001]. After adjustment for confounders, the TG and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in rs12350001 AG/GG genotypes than that in AA genotypes (P < 0.05). The TG levels were significantly higher in rs7856817 GA/AA genotypes than that in GG genotypes (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Rs12350001 and rs7856817 of DMRT2 gene are associated with CAD in Han subjects. Subjects with G allele of rs12350001 or A allele of rs7856817 were associated with an increased risk of CAD.
Analysis of NITI AAYOG (National Institution for Transforming India) health index report on the ranking of states and union territories: Round 2 (2015 – 2016/ 2017-2018)-V2
Authors: Kumar Piyush , Anupama Advocate
Published: April 2022

India has committed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Goal 3 of SDGs which is about ensuring healthy lives with promoting well-being for all. National Institution for Transforming India- (NITI) Aayog had started the State Health Index initiative for ranking, comparing, states and UTs for achieving desirable health outcomes. The key objective of NITI Aayog is to track development on health, to develop healthy competition and cross learning among states and UTs. Health Index Scores and rankings are generated to assess Incremental Performance (year-to-year progress) and Overall Performance of state/UT of India for achievement of health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This novel study second was a cross-sectional retrospective observational study. The Health Index consists of a set of indicators in the domains of Health Outcomes, Governance and Information, and Key Inputs/Processes. Health Outcomes are assigned the highest weight in this study; indicators were selected on the basis of their importance and availability of reliable data at least annually from pre- existing data sources such as the Sample Registration System (SRS), Civil Registration System (CRS) and Health Management Information Systems (HMIS). Data on indicators is included for Index calculations only after validation by the IVA.