bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Study: Sand Control Technology During CSS in Liaohe and Xinjiang Heavy Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Du Xuan , Zheng Haora , Wang Xiaochun , Hua Xin , Guan Wenlong , Zhao Fang , Xu Jiacheng
Published: October 2019

Heavy oil reservoirs are generally unconsolidated and easy to produce sand during production1. In the late stage of Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS), high temperature steam and hot water destroy clay minerals, further aggravate sand production problems, resulting in sand jam, sand burial, pump jam and casing damage, and frequent operations seriously affect the effective production of oil wells. PetroChina has been carrying out steam stimulation for more than 40 years, and has formed a series of sand control technologies in the field of heavy oil thermal recovery. This paper introduces several sand control techniques used in Liaohe and Xinjiang Oilfield and their successful cases. Liaohe and Xinjiang Oilfield is rich in heavy oil resources. The oil types include ordinary heavy oil, extra heavy oil and super heavy oil2. In Liaohe Oilfield, they have medium and deep heavy oil with a depth of 600-900m and super deep heavy oil with a depth of 1300-1700m. As the main development method, CSS has entered the late stage of production, more than 9 cycles, and encountered various sanding problems during the production. By using mechanical sand control and chemical sand control measures, the sand path was controlled, and an artificial wellbore was formed in the near-wellbore zone to control the fine silt. Through the discussion in this paper, we can provide a variety of solutions for sanding problems encountered in heavy oil steam handling.
Decline Curve Analysis for Production Forecast Assurance- A Novel Approach
Authors: Thakuria Chandan , Al-Ghnemi Mohammad , Bora Anup , Al-Bahar Mohammad
Published: October 2019

Production forecasting always play an important role in decision-making for the corporate management and architecting company's strategy. In an oil or gas upstream company, the yearly projection of future hydrocarbon production is a routine practice for preparing annual business plan. As sub surface uncertainties pose a huge threat for upstream company, achieving the forecasted crude oil and gas production is challenging in most cases. For national oil companies, having multiple Assets and thousands of wells where reservoirs underpinning different projects at different stages of field development, there arises a need of unified production forecast process that ensures forecast quality. In view of this, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) initiated a process for improving forecast process adopting best reservoir management practices. In order to make reliable predictions, the engineer must be knoweledgable in variety of techniques to cover the wide range of conditions that are encountered in forecasting process. At the same time, engineer should have enough experience of reservoir behavior to alert the ways in which a given procedure might be changed to yield the most reasonable outcome. In case of using multiple methodology during preparation of forecast, the results obtained by each method and its underlying factor of judgment must be accounted.
Safety Pact
Authors: Franceschini Luca , Maugeri Pietro , Chiantella Paolo , Buccarelli Antonio , Grillo Roberto
Published: October 2019

This document describes the journey taken over the years by the Milazzo Refinery, together with the Contractors, to achieve and maintain levels of excellence for the health and safety of all workers. The last step in this process was the "Safety Pact" between all parties involved in health and safety aspects. The Pact is updated and renewed every year with increasingly challenging objectives.

The Pact is based on the following innovative methods:STOP - ANALYZE - THINK - DO procedure. It is based on the self-evaluation risk which is a procedure that every employee has to follow before starting any activitySafety "Pills". Short meetings take place on the contractors working area aimed at analyzing good or and bad practice observed during the works executionHousekeeping Coordinator. New role dedicated to manage all the issues related with the housekeeping of the working areasRewarding system to evaluate behaviours adopted in the working area: bonus/malus points to workers depending on their particular attention for safety.

The Safety Pact was thought and implemented as a first field test during a Major Turnaround (TA) and as a possible innovative tool to define rules and goals between RAM and Contractors, with the purpose of improving safety during turnaround activities and achieving the most important target of ZERO INJURIES. Following turnaround completion RaM and Contractors make a balance of the results analyzing performance index and making plan to improve weak area in the future.

The implementation of a formal signed Safety Pact between RaM dramatically increased engagement of different companies (client + contractors) towards safety and allowed RaM to achieve ZERO INJURIES during the Turnaround activities. Moreover it has been observed an improvement of the housekeeping, a reduction of non-compliances for dangerous behaviour and a widespread application of RaM procedure for scaffoldings.

The success of this kind of approach suggested RaM to adopt the safety pact to every refinery turnaround (both major and minor ones) but also extend it to each single refinery maintenance activity.
In-Depth Water Diversion Treatment by Coupling Preformed Particle Gel and Low Salinity Waterflooding in Fractured Carbonate Cores
Authors: Alhuraishawy Ali K. , Jaber Ahmed Khalil , Aljawad Sameer Noori , Bai Baojun , Wei Mingzhen , Baker Hussein Ali , AL-Bazzaz Waleed Hussien
Published: October 2019

The limitations of oil recovery from carbonate reservoirs are fractures and oil-wet conditions. To overcome the reservoir heterogeneities and reduce fracture transmissibility, preformed particle gel was applied in injector wells. Experimentally, low salinity waterflooding was applied to change the core wettability from oil-wet to water wet for enhanced oil recovery. However, both processes have limitations that cannot be resolved using a single method. A non-uniform fracture width and uniform fracture width models were built using carbonate cores to evaluate the coupling low salinity waterflooding and preformed particle gel in fractured cores and how could be used to improve in-depth water diversion treatment. The results showed that low salinity waterflooding improved in-depth water diversion when injected after PPG directly while seawater showed less effect than low salinity waterflooding. Also, the uniformity of fracture had a significant effect on plugging efficiency oil recovery factor from fractured reservoirs.
Lesson Learned from Production Enhancement Pilot for Medium Oil Viscosity in Um-Ghdair Oil Field
Authors: AL-Rashidi Hamad , AL-Azmi Waled , AL-Azmi Talal , Ahmed Ashfaq , Muhsain Batoul , Mousa Saad , AL-Kandari Noor , AL-Sabah Fahad , AL-Hajri Mohsen , AL-Mutwa Bandar
Published: October 2019

Crude oil production in Um-Ghdair field is consider one of the most complex operational activities in Kuwait Oil Company due to high water cut percentage, asphaletene flocculation, high viscosity and tight emulsion phenomena. As the fluid travels through the reservoir, wellbore, flowline, all the way to the gathering center, the state of initial equilibrium is disturbed leading to change in the chemical composition of the crude oil. As pressure and temperature continue to drop, and gas escapes, more asphaltenes and heavy components may continue to flocculate all the way throughout the system until the petroleum reaches its final destination. In this pilot project, asphaltene inhibitor and viscosity reducer agents were selected for reducing oil viscosity and breaking the tight emulsion phenomena in the selected piloting well in Um-Ghdair field. It was noticed that there is an asphaltene compounds flocculate in the interface between oil and water leading to increase crude oil viscosity. The best two among 22 chemical formulations tested through the screening process at lab scale and take it to pilot stage. Additionally, the pilot study examined the influences effective for surfactants such as water composition, temperature, concentration, pH and total dissolved solids. It was noticed that the viscosity reduction and the water separation improve with increasing surfactant concentration and increasing temperature up to 50 °F. Two formulations were selected based on cost effective optimal concentrations of surfactant that identified from the bottle test. The pilot has been implemented successfully in the field, resulting a reduction in non-production time and increase the oil mobility from the reservoir.
Implementation of Solar Photovoltaic in PRIZe Project
Authors: Alazmi Mansour
Published: October 2019

The solar energy system has become lucrative solutions for housing, commercial, as well as industrial sectors. This work presents the analysis of the present status as well as the perspective of solar electricity majorly photovoltaic technology. The paper focuses put on current technologies, installations issues, and challenges, as well as future anticipations. Diverse attributes linked to the photovoltaic (PV) module costs, as well as supporting technologies and green buildings approach. This paper tends in addition to discuss the diverse available PV system units. This solar photovoltaics case study examines the threats and opportunities inherent in implementation in a novel organization too, which will base on the low price and effectiveness of solar technology in the oil and gas industry by creating, installing as well as maintaining accessories of solar units.
First Successful Chemical Application Water Shut Off Job in Dual Completed Well Short Tubing and Oriented Perforations to Enhance Well Productivity in Burgan South Kuwait
Authors: AL-Rashidi Alyah , Jain Manish , Tirkey Naween , AL-Ammar Heyam , Al-Ajmi Salem , Weiss Adrian
Published: October 2019

Greater Burgan Field has been producing from more than 70 years and brings many challenges with the maturing field. During the last decade almost all the new wells drilled were completed as dual completions to simultaneously produce from two different formations in Burgan. As the workover rig activity tremendously increased with the increased number of new wells per year, it has been a constant endeavor to carry out maximum well intervention jobs possibly by rig less operations to reduce rig related OPEX and well production down time during rig work over.

One of the biggest long term challenges was to carry out well interventions in dual completions short tubing, which was used to be considered inaccessible due to presence of tubing long in the well bore. In view of above, most of the intended well interventions in tubing short were normally used to be proclaimed as work over candidate thereby increasing load on limited work over rigs.

First time in Burgan a dual completion well was carefully identified to carry out water shut off job by chemical application and adding perforation by oriented perforation gun in short tubing. The tubing short was producing from BGSU reservoir and became ceased to flow due to lateral water encroachment which was evident from the recent PNC log. The formation layer below BGSM was still having oil potential and was intended to produce after shutting off the upper layer BGSU. The Tubing Long was producing from deeper reservoir BGSL around 1200 BLPD with 50% W/C.

This paper elaborates the procedures adopted during the execution of the job and selection process of the chemical squeeze technology. The best suitable chemical technology was selected after carrying out a careful & detailed approach towards different vendors. The step by step detailed program was prepared to squeeze the chemical in to existing perforations, cleaning to the desired depth, testing the squeezed perforations and adding new perforations below with oriented perforations gun.

The results were quite encouraging with sustainable oil gain of 1400 BOPD and the detailed cost/pay back analysis indicated the payback period of only 1.5 days of production.

This successful job has opened a new era in the history of Burgan field and many other water shut off jobs may be successfully carried out without the need of rig work over. This not only will reduce the work load on rig work overs and save rig cost significantly but will also allow to increase the well productivity with a very short period of well down time.
Alternative Fuels Development in Europe: Threat or Opportunity for the Middle East?
Authors: Van Haute Maarten
Published: October 2019

PART IFuels Developments in Europe: a threat?

Introduction

In 2015 195 members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have signed the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016, after being ratified by 55 countries - representing at least 55% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

The Paris Agreement's long-term goal is to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels; and to limit the increase to 1.5 C, since this would substantially reduce the risks and effects of climate change. Being aware of climate change, aleady in 2009 The European Union published the original Renewable Energy Directive (RED 2009/28/EC) that establishes an overall policy for the production and promotion of energy from renewable sources in the EU. It requires the EU to fulfil at least 20% of its total energy needs with renewables by 2020 – to be achieved through the attainment of individual national targets. As a subtarget all EU member states must also ensure that at least 10% of their transport fuels come from renewable sources by 2020.

In December 2018, the revised Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EU entered into force. It establishes a new binding renewable energy target for the EU for 2030 of at least 32%, with a clause for a possible upwards revision by 2023. Under the new Governance regulation, EU countries are required to draft 10-year National Energy & Climate Plans (NECPs) for 2021-2030, outlining how they will meet the new 2030 targets for renewable energy and for energy efficiency. The subtarget of for renewable energy in transport is raised to 14%.
A Collaborative Approach in Horizontal Drilling for Well Cost Optimization and Optimum Drainage, Minagish Field, West Kuwait
Authors: Gezeery T.. , Halawa Y.. , Rashidi M.. , Matter S.. , Ramadan Z.. , Osman S.. , Ahmed A.. , Al-Hamad N.. , Kumar D.. , Siam M.. , Abdelbaset S..
Published: October 2019

The Cenomanian Wara Formation in Minagish Field is composed mainly of coastal plain deposits, observed at field scale along with shallow marine shales and carbonate bioclastic sandy beds. They are locally disrupted by embedded channelized sandy bodies from fluvio-tidal origin. The reservoir units are represented by different channel geometries with limited areal extension. The placement and completion of horizontal and highly deviated wells in such reservoir is a challenge necessitating a collaborative approach to avoid major well bore instability issues. These issues have a significant impact on the well cost and time line. In addition, having the right placement and completion is important for optimizing the drainage contact. To address such challenges during the different stages of the drilling operation, different technologies were used. For example, while the well was drilling through the unstable Wara and Ahmadi shaley formations, a Logging While Drilling (LWD) sonic and gamma ray (GR) tools were used to update in realtime a predrill geomechanical model with the formation acoustic and GR properties. Having such measurements allowed calculating the right mud weight density which resulted in drilling a stable borehole. This was confirmed by the absence of cavings and tight spots thought out the whole operation. On the other hand, the drain section was drilled in Wara channel sands which are known to be composed of a thinly bedded faulted sand-silt sequence with the sand layers being relatively radioactive. To help steering in such complex environment, a combination of LWD tools were chosen to place the well in the sweet spot of the target. These tools involved using the advanced deep azimuthal resistivity (geosteering) and the Multi-Function LWD (advanced petrophysics) tools. As a result of this, the horizontal section was proactively geosteered in the reservoir in which 1049 ft MD were steered in the high-quality sand layers.
Poor mental health of livestock farmers in Africa: a mixed methods case study from Ghana
Authors: Nuvey Francis Sena , Kreppel Katharina , Nortey Priscilla Awo , Addo-Lartey Adolphina , Sarfo Bismark , Fokou Gilbert , Ameme Donne Kofi , Kenu Ernest , Sackey Samuel , Addo Kennedy Kwasi , Afari Edwin , Chibanda Dixon , Bonfoh Bassirou
Published: October 2019

Background: Agriculture represents the mainstay of African economies and livestock products are essential to the human population’s nutritional needs. However, in many developing countries, including Ghana, livestock production fails to meet demand due to population growth and negative effects of climate change. One of the challenges to production is livestock loss affecting farmers. However, despite stressful events experienced, livestock farmers’ mental health is poorly documented. This study aims to identify the root causes of livestock losses and their influence on pastoralists’ mental health. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study in two districts in the Northern and Southern Belts of Ghana. Using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 and guided interviews, we collected quantitative and qualitative data from 287 livestock farmers and 24 key-informants respectively. Mental health scores were categorized using standard guidelines. We evaluated the factors that explained variations in mental wellbeing using linear regression models ( α =0.05). Results: About 85% (240/287) of the livestock farmers lost cattle within one year. Of these, 91% lost cattle to animal diseases, 50% to theft and 27% to pasture shortages. Findings showed that 60% of livestock farmers had poor mental health. Of those, 72% were depressed, 66% anxious and 59% stressed. Mental wellbeing was negatively associated with the number of adverse events experienced, proportion of livestock lost, emotional attachment to livestock and self-reported illnesses in farmers, but positively associated with increasing herd size [F (5,281) = 17.19, p < 0.001, R 2 = 0.23]. Qualitative findings reveal that due to poor access to veterinary services, farmers treat livestock diseases themselves with drugs from unregulated sources and often sell diseased cows for meat to recover losses. Conclusions: Livestock diseases are the leading cause of losses to livestock farmers, whose mental wellbeing is negatively affected by these losses. Although an adaptive strategy by farmers to compensate for poor veterinary services, the arbitrary use of veterinary drugs and sale of diseased cattle pose health risks to the public. Further research to evaluate the performance of veterinary services in Ghana, mental health problems and risk to human health due to potential high-risk meat entering the food chain, is needed.
Machine learning prediction of oncology drug targets based on protein and network properties
Authors: Dezso Zoltan , Ceccarelli Michele
Published: October 2019

Background The selection and prioritization of drug targets is a central problem in drug discovery. Computational approaches can leverage the growing number of large-scale human genomics and proteomics data to make in-silico target identification, reducing the cost and the time needed. Results We developed a machine learning approach to score proteins to generate a druggability score of novel targets. In our model we incorporated 70 protein features which included properties derived from the sequence, features characterizing protein functions as well as network properties derived from the protein-protein interaction network. The advantage of this approach is that it is unbiased and even less studied proteins with limited information about their function can score well as most of the features are independent of the accumulated literature. We build models on a training set which consist of targets with approved drugs and a negative set of non-drug targets. The machine learning techniques help to identify the most important combination of features differentiating validated targets from non-targets. We validated our predictions on an independent set of clinical trial drug targets, achieving a high accuracy characterized by an AUC of 0.89. Our most predictive features included biological function of proteins, network centrality measures, protein essentiality, tissue specificity, localization and solvent accessibility. Our predictions, based on a small set of 102 validated oncology targets, recovered the majority of known drug targets and identifies a novel set of proteins as drug target candidates. Conclusions We developed a machine learning approach to prioritize proteins according to their similarity to approved drug targets. We have shown that the method proposed is highly predictive on a validation dataset consisting of 277 targets of clinical trial drug confirming that our computational approach is an efficient and cost-effective tool for drug target discovery and prioritization. Our predictions were based on oncology targets and cancer relevant biological functions, resulting in significantly higher scores for targets of oncology clinical trial drugs compared to the scores of targets of trial drugs for other indications. Our approach can be used to make indication specific drug-target prediction by combining generic druggability features with indication specific biological functions.
Network governance forms in healthcare: Empirical evidence from two Italian cancer networks
Authors: Vecchio Mario Del , Romiti Anna , Sartor Gino
Published: October 2019

Background: The study focuses on the application of a well known framework of networks governance modes to the specific field of healthcare public networks, extending the framework to the analysis of systems in which networks are involved. The aim of the study is to identify which contextual factors (internal and external to the networks) of different governance modes are critical for network effectiveness. Methods: A qualitative study of two clinical networks belonging to the Italian healthcare system was conducted. The sample for interviews included representatives of the regional administration (n = 4), network coordinators (n = 6), and general and clinical directors of health organizations involved in the two networks (n = 25). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews.Results: Our study confirms the general validity of Provan and Kenis’ framework and shows how other specific factors and contingencies may affect the possibility of the two cancer networks finding positive equilibria between competing needs of inclusivity and efficiency, internal and external legitimacy, stability and flexibility. Concerning the first tension, our study shows the importance of distinguishing the professional inclusiveness of the organizational inclusiveness with respect to which of the two networks are characterized by different components. In both a critical role is played by a professional figure who acts as the network broker in managing the legitimacy tension, although the nature of the role actually played and the characteristics of individuals appear to be different. Few differences across networks are shown about the third tension in respect to which both networks are characterized by the network governance’s stability although both were involved in two Italian regions that underwent healthcare system reconfiguration.Conclusions: Our study shows the importance of considering three factors and contingencies that may affect network effectiveness: a) the importance of looking at the networks governance modes not in isolation, but in close relationship to the regional systems’ governance; b) the influence of the specific network governance structure on the capability of the network to respond to tensions and achieve its goals; and c) the need to take into due account the role of professionals in network governance.
Specific humoral response in cancer patients treated with a VEGF therapeutic vaccine under a compassionate use program
Authors: Ramírez Javier Sánchez , Díaz Yanelys Morera , Bequet-Romero Mónica , Hernández-Bernal Francisco , Bauta Yenima Martín , Bernal Katty-Hind Selman-Housein , Santos Ana Victoria de la Torre , Iglesia Mariela Pérez de la , Lorenzo Lian Trimiño , Program Team of Investigators of Compassionate use , Avila Marta Ayala
Published: October 2019

Background: CIGB-247 is a cancer therapeutic vaccine that uses as antigen a variant of human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mixed with the bacterial-derived adjuvant VSSP. This VEGF vaccine has been evaluated in phase I clinical trials CENTAURO and CENTAURO-2, showing to be safe and immunogenic in advanced cancer patients selected under well-defined and controlled clinical conditions. Surviving patients were submitted to monthly re-immunizations and some of them showed objective clinical benefits. These observations led us to initiate a compassionate use program of CIGB-247 in patients who do not meet entry criteria applied for CENTAURO and CENTAURO-2 clinical trials. Results: This report shows the characterization of the humoral response elicited after vaccination with 400 µg of antigen combined with 200 µg of VSSP in cancer patients representative of the Cuban real clinical practice setting. Polyclonal antibody response was specific to VEGF, and showed no cross reactivity with other VEGF family members like VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Specific IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies detected in the serum of vaccinated patients were able to block the binding of VEGF to its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. Serum-purified IgG fraction exhibited all these properties. For the first time, there is experimental evidence of the presence of polyclonal antibodies directed to clinically relevant epitopes on VEGF. These elicited antibodies impaired the high affinity interaction between VEGF and monoclonal antibody Bevacizumab, an antiangiogenic drug approved in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of different tumors. This investigation also shows preliminary evidences of safety and immunogenicity of CIGB-247 in cancer patients under clinical conditions not yet explored. Conclusions: CIGB-247 was immunogenic in a broader patient population, and induced Bevacizumab-like polyclonal antibodies, indicating that the VEGF-specific antibody response could have a potentially relevant clinical activity.
The Gut microbiota in Sheep of Different Breeds in Qinghai Province
Authors: Chang Jianjun , Author) Xiaoting Yao(Former Corresponding , Zuo Chenxiang , Qi Yuxu , Chen Dekun , Author) Wen-Tao Ma(New Corresponding
Published: October 2019

Background: Gut microbiota play important roles in their co-evolution with mammals and may influence their emissions into numerous habitats. Mammal lifestyle is related to immune and metabolic system, driven by difference in their gut microbiota composition. Results: Using 16S rDNA genes Illumina sequencing, we dissect the specificity of gut microbiota among four breeds of sheep and find the difference between TSs and other three types of sheep (DsSs, STHSs and DrSs). The results also indicate that gut microbes effect on the adaptation of high-elevation animals, which can contribute to the survival of their hosts in high-altitude conditions. Besides, the analysis of function abundance profile shows that commensal bacteria are entirely possible to coevolved with their host genomes by gene lineages contribute to energy metabolism. And the study of low methane metabolism in mammals at high-elevation environment may give theoretical basis for the biologic supervision of greenhouse gas emissions, which is the byproduct of high-methane-producing animals. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results reveal the value of characterizing mammalian gut microbiomes to fully understand mammal’s lifestyle among different breeds.
Prevalence and associated factors of Female Sexual Dysfunction among Female Population in Aksum Town, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, 2019. A Community Based Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Gebrezgabhier Gebreslasie , Desta Haftom , Berhe Tesfay , Hailu Etsay , Gebrehiwot Fitsum , Kifle Yohannes
Published: October 2019

Objective : Female sexual dysfunction is age related, progressive and highly prevalent, afffecting more than half of womens in general population. A Community based cross sectional study was implemented from March to April 2019 and a total of 823 participants were interviewed. Data was entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS Version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the association. The p-value less than 0.05 found from multivariate logistic regression analysis was considered as statistically significant. The strength of the association was presented by odds ratio with 95% C.I and model fitness was checked by Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness and goodness fit was 0.086. Result : A total of 823 women were completed the questionery with mean of Age and in this study the prevalence of Female sexual dysfunction was found to be 57.1% . Factors like , old age (AOR= 4 .12; 95% C.I:1.39, 12.22), being divorced (AOR=4.83; 95% C.I: 2.41, 9.66), widowed (AOR=3.28; 95% C.I:1.58, 6.80), single (AOR=6.24; 95% C.I: 2.22, 17.53), menopause (AOR=2.11; 95% C.I:1.06, 4.20), pill contraceptive (AOR=0.24; 95% C.I: 0.06, 0.95) were the factors associated with Female sexual dysfunction in the study area.
Combining physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to improve balance confidence and community participation in people with unilateral transtibial amputation who use lower limb prostheses: a study protocol for a randomized sham-control clinical trial
Authors: Bourque McKenzie , Schneider Kristin L , Calamari John E , Reddin Christopher , Stachowiak Aaron , Major Matthew J , Duncan Chad , Muthukrishnan Sri Ranjini , Rosenblatt Noah J
Published: October 2019

Background : Low balance confidence is a prevalent yet overlooked issue among people who use lower limb prostheses (LLP) that can diminish community integration and quality of life. There is a critical need to develop rehabilitation programs that specifically target balance confidence in people who use LLP. Previous research has shown that multicomponent interventions including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and exercise are feasible and effective for improving balance confidence in older adults. Therefore, a cognitive behavioral-physical therapy (CBPT) intervention was developed to target balance confidence and increase community integration in people who use LLP. Methods : This randomized control trial will recruit sixty people who use LLP with low balance confidence. Participants will be randomized to the CBPT intervention condition or control condition.Discussion : The trial is designed to test the effects of the CBPT intervention on balance confidence and functional mobility in lower limb prosthesis users by examining self-reported and objective measures of community integration and quality of life. The trial will also examine the relationship between changes in balance confidence and changes in community integration following participation in CBPT intervention. Additionally, through participant feedback, researchers will identify opportunities to improve intervention efficacy.
Maternal healthcare services use in Mwanza Region, Tanzania: A cross-sectional baseline survey
Authors: Orwa James , Mantel Michaela , Mugerwa Micheal , Brownie Sharon , Pallangyo Eunice Siaity , Mwasha Loveluck , Isangula Kahabi , Subi Leonard , Mrema Secilia , Edwards Grace , Siso David , Selestine Edna , Mwansisya Tumbwene , Mbekenga Columba , Temmerman Marleen
Published: October 2019

Background Improving maternal health by reducing maternal morbidity and mortality relates to Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving this goal is supported by antenatal care (ANC), health facility delivery, and postpartum care. This study aimed to understand levels of use and correlates of uptake of maternal healthcare services among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Mwanza Region, Tanzania.Methods A cross-sectional multi-stage sampling household survey was conducted to obtain data from 1476 households in six districts of Mwanza Region. Data for the 409 women who delivered in the 2 years before the survey were analyzed for three outcomes: four or more ANC visits (ANC4+), health facility delivery, and postpartum visits. Factors associated with the three outcomes were determined using generalized estimating equations to account for clustering at the district level while adjusting for all variables.Results Of the 409 eligible women, 58.2% attended ANC4+, 76.8% delivered in a health facility, and 43.5% attended a postpartum clinic. Women from peri-urban, island, and rural regions were less likely to have completed ANC4+ or health facility delivery compared with urban women. Education and early first antenatal visit were associated with ANC4+ and health facility delivery. Mothers from peri-urban areas and those who with health facility delivery were more likely to attend postpartum check-ups.Conclusion Use of ANC services in early pregnancy influences the number of ANC visits, leading to higher uptake of ANC4+ and health facility delivery. Postpartum check-ups for mothers and newborns are associated with health facility delivery. Encouraging early initiation of ANC visits may increase the uptake of maternal healthcare services.
Storage time and temperature affect the isolation rate of Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida from bovine bronchoalveolar lavage samples
Authors: Driessche Laura Van , De Neve Charlotte , Haesebrouck Freddy , Leenen Katharina van , Boyen Filip , Pardon Bart
Published: October 2019

Background A microbiological diagnosis is essential to better target antimicrobial treatment, control and prevention of respiratory infections in cattle. Under field conditions, non-endoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (nBAL) samples are increasingly collected. To what extent the highly variable turnaround time and storage temperatures between sampling and cultivation affect the isolation rate of bacterial pathogens is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this experimental study was to determine the effect of different storage temperatures (0°C, 8°C, 23°C and 36°C) and times (0,2,4,6,8,24,48 hours) on the isolation rate and concentration of Pasteurellaceae in nBAL samples from clinically affected animals.Results Storage at 36°C resulted in a reduced isolation rate already 2 hours after sampling for Mannheimia haemolytica and 24 hours after sampling for Pasteurella multocida . When samples were stored at 23°C, a decrease in M. haemolytica and P.multocida isolation rate was noticed, starting at 24 and 48 hours after sampling, respectively. The presence of microbial contamination negatively affected the isolation of P. multocida in clinical nBAL samples. An increase in concentration of contaminating bacteria was noticed after 24 hours of sampling at a temperature of 36°C and after 48 hours of sampling at a temperature of 23°C.Conclusion Optimal M. haemolytica and P. multocida isolation rates from clinical nBAL samples are obtained after storage at 0°C or 8°C, provided that the sample is cultivated within 24 hours after sampling. The maximum period a sample can be stored without an effect on the M. haemolytica and P. multocida isolation success varies and is dependent on the storage temperature and the degree of microbial contamination.
Unmet obstetric need in emergency obstetric services in Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia, 2019.
Authors: Kebede Shambel , Mekonnen Wassie
Published: October 2019

Introduction Complications and obstetric emergencies were taken as an indicator of obstetric need. Obstetric needs are a health problem that needs Emergency Obstetric intervention. The assessment of Unmet Obstetric Need has never been articulated in studies conducted on Emergency Obstetric Care in the study area. This study identifies gap and deficit of Major Obstetric Intervention for Absolute Maternal Indication in relation to the existing need.Method A one year facility based cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted from July 8/2017-July 7/2018 G.C on mothers who delivered with Major Obstetric Intervention (Absolute Maternal Indication and non-Absolute Maternal Indication) at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital. Data was collected using structured and pre-tested format by four midwife trained data collectors from patient medical records. Rates of major obstetric interventions performed for absolute maternal indications among all expected births was calculated to assess unmet obstetric need. Training and using structured format were used to ensure the data quality in addition to supervision.Result A total of 363 major obstetric interventions were conducted in the study area. The result revealed that the unmet obstetric need of the area was 31.4%. Caesarean sections took the largest share of Major obstetric interventions 358(98.6%). Out of 153 women with absolute maternal indications majority were cephalo-pelvic disproportion which account 87(24%). The number of major obstetric interventions done without absolute maternal indications was 210(57.8%) where majority 78(29.5%) were done for fetal distress.Conclusion and recommendation There was higher unmet obstetric needs in rural than urban areas. Even though maternal mortality has been declining and no death was observed. The caesarean section rate was 2.3% this was below the world health organization recommendation 5% to 15%. Estimating the amount of unmet need for major obstetric interventions provide the information necessary for planning and prioritizing the development of services; and lead to action for the reduction of maternal mortality at local level.
The effect of Self-Rated Health in Pregnancy on the type of delivery in Bandar Abbas pregnancy cohort, 2016-2018
Authors: Holakouie-Naieni Kourosh , Nematollahi Shahrzad , Madani Abdul-Hussain , Moameri Hossein
Published: October 2019

Background Self-rated health in pregnancy can be a predictor of adverse childbirth outcomes and maternal health problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of maternal self-rated health on the type of delivery in Bandar Abbas pregnancy cohort.Methods This study used data of 247 mothers registered in a prospective cohort study on pregnant women in the suburbs of Bandar Abbas city, South of Iran. Self-rated health of mothers in pregnancy was measured by the answer to the question: “How do you evaluate your health in general?” The study outcome defined as having cesarean section measured at the second visit during postpartum period. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Cox regression models.Results The prevalence of bad/poor, good/excellent Self-rated health and cesarean section was 19.3% (n=42), 80.97% (n=200) and 40%, respectively. Compared to good self-rated health, the risk of cesarean section was 78% higher (RR= 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.4) in mothers with bad self-rated health. The risk of elective cesarean section and emergency cesarean section was 72% (RR= 1.72, 95% CI 1.09– 2.7) and 91% (RR= 1.91, 95% CI 1.04- 3.48) higher in mothers with bad self-rated health, respectively.Conclusion Our findings showed that self-rated health during pregnancy may effect cesarean section. Accordingly, the integration of screening for mental health morbidities into pregnancy health care packages are proposed.
Genome-wide identification of the Dicer-like family in cotton and analysis of the DCL expression modulation in response to biotic stress in two contrasting commercial cultivars
Authors: Moura Marianna de Oliveira , Fausto Anna Karoline S , Fanelli Amanda , Guedes Fernanda A de F , Silva Tatiane da F , Romanel Elisson , Vaslin Maite F S
Published: October 2019

Background Dicer-like proteins (DCLs) are fundamental players in RNA-silencing mechanisms acting in gene regulation via miRNAs and in antiviral protection in plants, in addition to being related to other biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite be identified in some crops, cotton DCLs weren't characterized until now. Here we characterize the DCLs of three cotton species and analyzed their expression profiles during biotic stress. Results We identified 11 DCLs in the allotetraploid cotton Gossypium hirsutum and 7 and 6 in the diploid G. arboreum and G. raimondii, respectively. Among some DCL duplication observed in these genomes, we observe the presence of an extra DCL3 in the three cotton species, not found in others eudicots until now. All the DCL types identified by in silico analysis in the allotetraploid cotton genome were able to generate transcripts, as observed by gene expression analysis in distinct tissues. Based on the importance of DCLs for plant virus defense, responses of cotton DCLs to virus infection and/or herbivore attack using two commercial cotton cultivars (cv.), one susceptible (Fibermax 966) and another resistant (Delta Opal) to polerovirus CLRDV infection were analyzed. Both cvs. responded differently to virus infection. At the initial stages, 24dpi, the resistant cv. showed strong induction of DCL2a and b, while the susceptible cv. showed a down-regulation of these genes, wherever DCL4 expression was highly induced. Herbivore attack did not induce contrasting profiles between cotton DCLs transcripts in either cotton cv. Conclusions The allotetraploide cotton G. hirsutum has almost all DCLs found in their diploid relative and duplication of DCL2 and DCL3 were found in the three species. All the four classes of DCL respond to aphid attack and virus infection in G. hirsutum, however, remarkable differences in DCL initial responses against the virus itself may be responsible for the virus susceptible and/or resistant phenotype of the contrasting cotton cv. studied.
Effects of Educational Interventions on Oral Hygiene: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dadipoor Sakineh , Ghaffari Mohtasham , Alipour Abbas , Safari-Moradabadi Ali
Published: October 2019

Background: This study assesses the impact of school based educational interventions on oral hygiene of students conducted worldwide. This is a systematic review and Meta-Analysis. Methods: Our investigation was conducted in electronic databases including MEDLINE Ovid), Embase Ovid, Scopus), Web of Science from 2000 to march 2018. The data were extracted based on a standard data collection form specific to observational studies, and entered into RevMan2014. Twelve studies of students in this review finally entered the study including five individual RCTs, four cluster-RCTs, and three quasi-experimental studies. Results: Meta-analyses showed a significant difference in knowledge (SMD 3.31, 95% CI 2.52 to 4.11; P < 0.001), attitude (SMD 1. 99, 95% CI 0. 43 to 3.54; P < 0.01), behavior (SMD 4.74, 95% CI 3.70 to 5.77; P < 0.001), plaque index (SMD -1. 01, 95% CI -1.50 to -0. 51; P < 0. 001) and Gingival index (SMD 0.33, 95% CI -0. 36 to 1.02; P = 0.34) for students receiving educational interventions compared to those receiving usual care . Discussion: The focus of the present study is the efficacy of all oral health education and promotion interventions, especially in terms of short-term outcomes. Since long-term and short-term results are of tremendous importance for oral and dental education programs, it will be possible to make these interventions in the future with several target groups, including families and teachers.
A novel method for measurement of occipital-cervical distance by occiput-C4 distance
Authors: Tang Chao , Yang Sheng , Liao Ye Hui , Tang Qiang , Ma Fei , Wang Qing , Zhong Dejun
Published: October 2019

Background: To describe and measure the occipital-cervical distance by a novel method utilizing the occiput-C4 distance (OC4D) in normal subjects that can be used to guide the restoration of vertical dislocation of the occipitocervical region in patients with basilar invagination and to perform standardized testing of occipitocervical constructs.Methods: Neutral, flexion, and extension lateral cervical spine radiographs of 150 asymptomatic subjects (73 males and 77 females) judged to be normal were analyzed. The mean age was 48.0±8.4 years old (range 20–69 years; 48.4±10.2 years old for males and 47.6±6.4 years old for females). Analysis consisted of measurement of the OC4D. The OC4D was defined as the shortest distance from the center of the C4 vertebral body to the McGregor’s line. Two spine surgeons measured the OC4D thrice in the normal population and obtained the average values. Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of each subject was recorded and analyze its correlation with OC4D.Results: The values of OC4D on neutral, flexion, and extension lateral cervical spine radiographs were 69.0±6.9 mm, 68.9±6.8 mm and 68.1±6.9 mm, respectively. There was no significantly different from the values measured in neutral、flexion and extension (P> 0.05). But the OC4D of males were higher than females in neutral, flexion, and extension (P < 0.001 for all). There was a positive correlation between OC4D and height and weight in neutral、flexion and extension (P <0.001 for all). The correlation between O-C4D and BMI was weak, and no significant in neutral, flexion, and extension (P > 0.05). The ICC values of inter- and intra-observer agreements for the radiographic parameter in all of the cervical positions were more than 0.93.Conclusions: OC4D, a new measurement method for occipital-cervical distance that is not affected by the change in neutral, flexion, and extension positions, should be a valuable parameter and intra-operative tool to guide the vertical restoration during OCF for patients with altered occiput-cervical anatomy.
Transcriptome analysis of peripheral whole blood reveals key lncRNAs implicated in childhood asthma
Authors: Zheng Peiyan , Huang Chen , Leng Dongliang , Feng Mengjie , Sun Baoqing , Zhang Xiaohua Douglas
Published: October 2019

Background Asthma is a chronic disorder of both adults and children affecting more than 300 million people heath worldwide. Diagnose and treatment for asthma, particularly in childhood asthma have always remained a great challenge because of its complex pathogenesis and multiple triggers, such as allergen, viral infection, tobacco smoke, dust, etc. It is thereby essential to explore novel biomarker or target for diagnose and therapy. Results In the present study, we performed a systematic transcriptome analysis based on the deep RNA sequencing of ten asthmatic children before and after desensitization treatment. First, a large number of lncRNAs were identified and characterized. Then a co-expressed network analysis was conducted to explore potential asthma-related lncRNAs using WGCNA R package. Module analysis disclosed 17 genes associated to asthma at distinct level. Subsequent network analysis based on PCC figured out several key lncRNAs related to asthma, i.e., LINC02145, GUSBP2, which probably involves in immune, inflammatory response and apoptosis process. Conclusions Our study successfully discovered many key noncoding RNA molecules related to pathogenesis of asthma and relevant treatment, which may provide novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for asthmatic diagnose and therapy.