bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Bildungsroman as Monomythic Fictional Discourse: Identity Formation and Assertion in Great Expectations
Authors: KARABAKIR Tamer , GOLBAN Petru
Published: October 2019

In English literature, the Bildungsroman – vouched by a number of predecessors and based on a long developmental process from antiquity through romanticism to establish itself as a fictional subgenre with Goethe in Germany – flourished as a self-contained literary system due to the aesthetic efforts of various Victorians writers facing the co-existence of tradition, as realism and, to a certain extent, post-romanticism, and of innovation, as symbolism, aestheticism, and other forms of avant-garde. The novel of identity formation became popular in particular among the realists, and significantly, a great number of realist novels are Bildungsromane dealing with the development and becoming of a protagonist. The aim of the present study is to show what makes the protagonist of a Bildungsroman to be at the same time the hero of the monomyth. In order to achieve this purpose, after having defined and shown the essence of the Bildungsroman and the monomyth, we disclose the fictional pattern of the novel of formation with its thematic and structural elements interrelated to form a literary system, as well as the three-dimensional structure of the monomyth encompassing the aspects of separation – initiation – return. Finally, in matters of exemplification and practical argumentation, and relying on a comparative approach, we would reveal similarities and differences between the Bildungsroman and monomyth through textual reference to a particular novel, namely Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
Embrapii
Authors: Gordon José Luis , Stallivieri Fabio
Published: October 2019

Este estudo apresenta uma análise descritiva da Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Inovação Industrial – Embrapii, que tem se tornado uma referência crescente no estímulo à atividade de inovação colaborativa entre empresas e as 42 Unidades Embrapii (ICTs credenciadas no sistema). Desde o início de suas atividades, a instituição já acumula mais de 500 projetos fomentados em parceria com mais de 350 empresas. Uma característica essencial do modelo é alavancar recursos empresariais em P&D a partir do apoio governamental com recursos não reembolsáveis. O modelo tem se constituído num novo padrão de financiamento para a inovação desenvolvida em parceria entre empresas e instituições de pesquisa no Brasil.
EVALUATION OF FORMAL RISK ASSESSMENT IMPLEMENTATION OF MIDDLE EAST RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS IN 2018
Authors: Pradanti Della Safera
Published: October 2019

Background: Confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were not found until the end of February 2019 in Indonesia. The spreading threat of MERS-CoV disease in Indonesia is still quite vast, mainly because of the amount of international travel from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Hajj and Umrah, vacationing, working, or settling in the Arabian Peninsula. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of formal risk assessment (FRA) and MERS-CoV risk in Indonesia in 2018, having regard to threat, vulnerability, and capacity. Method: This study is a non-reactive observation study presented descriptively using the literature method and in-depth interviews with staff of the subdirectorat of Penyakit Infeksi Emerging Kementerian Kesehatan Republik. Decision-making for the threat category and vulnerability category is based on the highest threat index and vulnerability values, while the capacity category is based on the lowest capacity index value. Results: This study shows that there are three threat subcategories and two vulnerability subcategories that have high index scores and eight capacity subcategories that have low scores. Conclusion: The implementation of risk assessment for MERS-CoV with the FRA method as a whole has been maximally pursued. However, there are still shortcomings in the results of the research that need to be improved through further interventions to reduce the subcategory values that are high in the threat and vulnerability index and to increase the value of the low capacity index.
AN OVERVIEW OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION CASES BEFORE AND AFTER EXPOSURE TO VOLCANIC ASH
Authors: Tyas Nienda Mustika Wahyuning , Indawati Rachmah
Published: October 2019

Background: Volcanic ash due to volcanic eruptions has an impact on health. Volcanic ash can cause health problems such as irritation and acute respiratory infections (ARI). Purpose: This study aims to know the outlook of ARI cases before and after exposure to volcanic ash. Methods: This research is a descriptive observational study with a cross-sectional approach that used secondary data from Kepohbaru Health Centre. The population of this study was ARI patients in Kepohbaru Health Centre in February 2013 and February 2014. The sampling technique used is total sampling. The analysis used is univariate analysis. Results: The results of this study indicate that before exposure to volcanic ash, the majority of ARI cases were males (52.01%), age group 5–11 years (16.3%), and with no history of ARI (67, 85%). The majority of ARI patients after exposure to volcanic ash were female (53.67%), age group 5–11 years (15.5%), and with no history of ARI (58.37%). More cases of ARI occurred after rather than before exposure to volcanic ash. Conclusion: Before and after exposure, the most common cases of ARI were suffered by respondents in the age group 5–11 years who had no history of respiratory disease. The number of cases of ARI was higher after exposure to volcanic ash. ARI cases happened more on males before exposure, whereas after exposure, it happened more on females.
¨Vivienda digna¨ en las políticas públicas en Colombia = ¨Decent housing¨ in Colombia’s public policies
Authors: Uribe Tami María Fernanda
Published: October 2019

Resumen Garantizar el acceso efectivo a una vivienda digna o adecuada para la población de menores ingresos debería representar una de las obligaciones primordiales del Estado colombiano. Sin embargo, dicha obligación queda, en muchos casos, plasmada tan solo en forma sesgada en la normativa sin tener en cuenta la calidad de la vivienda que se produce. Este documento presenta un marco analítico para explorar, desde un conjunto de indicadores basados en los instrumentos legales y jurídicos, los diferentes procesos de configuración del entorno habitacional. Se evalúan dos proyectos de vivienda nueva gestionados por el Estado, Ciudadela El Porvenir en Bogotá y Ciudadela Nuevo Occidente en Medellín, desde su desarrollo en 2002 hasta lo ejecutado en el año 2010. Los resultados muestran cómo la vivienda social es una necesidad aún desatendida en donde se privilegia un producto sometido a intereses particulares, de realización progresiva y sujeta a voluntades políticas.Abstract To guarantee effective access to a decent or adequate housing for the population with lower incomes should represent one of the primary obligations of the Colombian State. However, this obligation is, in many cases, reflected only in a biased manner in the regulations without taking into account the quality of the housing. This document presents an analytical framework to explore, from a set of indicators based on normative and legal instruments, the different processes of configuration of the housing environment. Two new housing projects managed by the State, Ciudadela El Porvenir in Bogotá and Ciudadela Nuevo Occidente in Medellín, are evaluated from its development in 2002 until the execution in 2010. Research findings shows how social housing is an unattended need where a product subject to particular interests, of progressive realization and subject to political wills, is privileged.
Evolution of Access Network Sharing and its Role in 5G Networks
Authors: Afraz Nima , Slyne Frank , Gill Harleen , Ruffini Marco
Published: October 2019

This paper details the evolution of access network sharing models from legacy DSL to the most recent fibre-based technology and the main challenges faced from a technical and business perspectives. We first give an overview of existing access sharing models, that span physical local loop unbundling and virtual unbundled local access. We then describe different types of optical access technologies and highlight how they support network sharing. Next, we examine how the concept of SDN and network virtualization has been pivotal in enabling the idea of “true multi-tenancy”, through the use of programmability, flexible architecture and resource isolation. We give examples of recent developments of cloud central office and OLT virtualization. Finally, we provide an insight into the role that novel business models, such as blockchain and smart contract technology, could play in 5G networks. We discuss how these might evolve, to provide flexibility and dynamic operations that are needed in the data and control planes.
A Diagnostic Evaluation of Refracturing Techniques
Authors: Senters Chad , Brady Jared , Werline Rusty
Published: October 2019

The Barnett Shale continues to offer vast opportunities for refracturing operations. This study covers diagnostic data and case histories of refracturing in the Barnett Shale. Job design and completion techniques are evaluated throughout the project.

Candidate selection planys an important role in the overall success of a refracturing program. Wells are grouped by area and original completion design. Completion diagnostics are utilized to test and optimize a variety of refracturing techniques. These techniques include bullhead treatment with and without diverter, various types of diversion, and mechanical isolation.

The evaluation of the refracturing program will be broken up into two parts. Bullhead refracturing techniques will be evaluated for new and existing perforation coverage as well as overall lateral coverage. The second part of the paper will evaluate mechanical isolation techniques. These techniques include the installation of a liner with and without isolation on the annulus. A plug and perf treatment is then performed through the newly installed liner.

In addition to the optimization through the use of completion diagnostics, the wells are evaluated based on production analysis. This study will compare the overall economics to the method deployed. Twenty-nine horizontal wells are included in this study with some form of diagnostics utilized during the frac. Accessing new rock shows a correlation with incremental reserves as expected. Diversion is evaluated with economic projects on bullhead operations. However, the diversion is not always effective at opening up new perforations and stimulating the well effectively.

This study provides data that is utilized to develop best practices for refracturing in the Barnett Shale that can be applied directly to additional basins. In addition to the direct applicability of this work, the methodology utilized to test and optimize diversion can be applied not only to refracturing operations, but also to new well completions.
Optimizing Cost & Elevating Design
Authors: Alabouh Omar , Albeajan Abdulaziz
Published: October 2019

Scope

KIPIC engineering team within Petrochemical project (PRIZe) aims to improve the project design while optimizing cost. PRIZe is executing this objective by following the updated design specifications, latest approved technologies, and enhancing communications with parallel and previous projects to achieve the best practice and avoid any repetitive flaws.

Procedure

The first approach is by following the updated standards. PRIZe is using Shell DEP standards V41. Although parallel projects within the company are using an older version of Shell DEP standards, PRIZe found that it is best to follow the latest standards while reviewing and providing Project Variations (PV). PRIZe team are also familiarized and aware of the standards for the adjacent projects to assure compatibility of the overall KIPIC design approach.

The second approach is by enhancing the communications with parallel projects within KIPIC and other Kuwait oil companies. PRIZe had conducted meetings, exchanged emails, and established committees to discuss and share any announcements related to design changes. These announcements were beneficial in enhancing the design and optimizing cost. Moreover, KIPIC initiated a "lesson learnt" practice that is circulated between all departments and other Kuwait oil companies to gather any issue that would serve in enhancing the design.

Last approach is by staying alert to latest approved technologies in the market that are related to the project. Technology adds value in improving the design and optimizing cost. Therefore, scouting for latest approved technologies in the field can add significant value to the project. PRIZe has taken this initiative by conducting meetings with vendors for several equipment and packages during the FEED stage. This allowed PRIZe to make prior adjustment to the FEED design to meet these technologies.

Results

Novel/Additive Information

This paper is for all design engineers that works in the project that seek to optimize cost while improving the design.
Fully Automated Managed Pressure Drilling Delivers Precise Control through Ultrahigh Pressures in a Narrow Drilling Window
Authors: Muhammad Jamal uddin , Sugiarto Chajar
Published: October 2019

Managed pressure drilling (MPD) helps operators efficiently navigate through narrow pore pressure-fracture pressure windows. The challenges encountered during one onshore drilling campaign included pore pressure uncertainty, high pressure influxes, total losses and high incidences of differential sticking, which at times led to abandoning wells when drilled conventionally. The case study highlights how these challenges were counteracted with the implementation of a fully automated MPD system.

MPD is a safer and more effective drilling technique, as compared to conventional drilling, especially in wells with narrow drilling windows and downhole hazards. A fully automated, early kick detection and control system that enables nearly instantaneous, precise adjustments to the bottomhole pressure adds great value to the client’s operations.

It has been observed that in wells with a narrow window, precise determination of downhole pressure margins (i.e. pore pressure, wellbore stability and fracture pressure) and precise control of bottomhole pressure are imperative to complete the well without well-control incidents. A fully automated MPD system helps to achieve these goals.

Prior to the start of drilling with MPD, the exact formation pressure is determined by conducting pore pressure tests, and then during drilling the target bottomhole pressure can be precisely adjusted almost instantly by adjusting the surface pressure at the MPD choke. The MPD system greatly reduces the time to stabilize well conditions when encountering well control problems or downhole losses.

This paper summarizes the implementation of the fully automated MPD system as a sophisticated tool to precisely control such situations instantly, saving time, associated mud costs and hence optimize the overall drilling process. This paper describes a few MPD milestones in drilling the 8 3/8-in. and 12-in. hole sections in the field despite of difficulties including total losses and high-pressure influxes leading to well control events. The primary objective of MPD application in this field was to drill to the liner landing point by adjusting the bottomhole pressure (BHP) in real-time to eliminate the problems caused by uncertainty in the over pressured target formation and minimizing or eliminating the downhole fluid losses in the lower formations.

The paper describes results from two case studies. In the first case, the well was drilled with a 1 pound per cubic foot (pcf) (0.13 ppg) narrow window, with accurate detection and control of influxes while mitigating losses. In the second case, initially the bottomhole mud-losses were minimized instantly and later the well was precisely displaced under partial losses to a lighter mud to save mud costs while maintaining well control.
Energy Audit is a Robust Tool for Energy Conservation
Authors: Kothandan Sridhar , Al-Sabti Adnan , George Bindu Finny
Published: October 2019

We believe our prime responsibility is to protect the environment by utilizing the energy in a responsible way and also by reducing the wastage of energy. Energy conservation will play a vital role in climate change and leave our planet pristine for the next generations to come.

In light of our Company’s ambitious vision of reducing energy consumption and losses and to conserve energy without disturbing the regular business of the Company, we have started to evaluate all the options to conserve the energy by incorporating the latest technologies, conducting awareness programs and optimizing the energy consumption.

In line with our objectives, we conducted a study on one of the existing office building to check all the possibility of reducing energy consumption without disturbing the regular activity.

At the end, we realised that the simple and easy way to conserve Energy is through conducting an Energy Audit and implementing Energy Audit recommendations.
Pressure Transient Analysis Assists in Production Optimization of Magwa-Marrat Reservoir in South East Kuwait
Authors: Al-Shammari Asrar , Gonzalez Fabio A , Gonzalez Doris L , Jassim Sara , Sinha Satyendra , Al-Nasheet Anwar , Datta Kalyanbrat , Younger Robert , Almahmeed Fatma
Published: October 2019

Magwa-Marrat reservoir fluid is an asphaltenic hydrocarbon, exhibiting precipitation and deposition of asphaltene in the production system including the reservoir rock near wellbore and the tubing. The main objective of this work was to optimize production in Magwa-Marrat wells by remediation of tubing plugging and formation damage. Well interventions were prioritized based on potential production benefit resulting from the removal of productivity impairment. It was required to understand current formation damage in all wells, including those without recent pressure transient analysis (PTA).

All PTA tests since 1983 for Magwa-Marrat reservoir were analyzed to determine the different reservoir parameters such as flow capacity (KH), Skin (S), reservoir boundaries, and the extrapolated reservoir pressure (P*). PTA derived permeability was compared to log derived permeability to quality control skin determination. Independently formation damage was estimated using the radial form of the solution of the diffusivity equation for pseudo steady state flow. Once a skin correlation for both PTA vs. Darcy's law equation was derived using out of date well performance, the formation damage for all wells was accessed using current productivity index to identify production optimization opportunities in wells without recent PTA. This work was combined with nodal analysis to separate vertical lifting performance and inflow performance relationship impact on total productivity detriment.

Cross plot of PTA derived flow capacity (Kh) vs. Log derived Kh correlates very well with a slope and a coefficient of correlation close to 1.0. This was observed for wells located in the reservoir where there are not heterogeneities near wellbore such as boundaries or natural fractures. For these cases the higher than normally observed estimated skin explained poorer well productivity. After skin values were accessed for all wells, a production gain was estimated, and the wells were ranked based on potential benefit. A stimulation campaign was put in place based on the type of rock, formation damage and vertical lifting performance. Eight (8) wells were stimulated and they delivered approximately an additional 20% production for the field.

This work was innovative in the sense that there was not pressure build up tests run prior to the interventions and such, there was not any production deferral. This was achieved by building the well performance understanding on a correlation that required petrophysical description, production rates and estimates of drainage area reservoir pressure.
Understanding Gas Kick Behavior in Water and Oil-Based Drilling Fluids
Authors: Manikonda Kaushik , Hasan Abu Rashid , Kaldirim Omer , Schubert Jerome J. , Rahman Mohammad Azizur
Published: October 2019

A semi-analytical model to simulate the behavior of a gas kick in an annulus was developed utilizing various concepts, including gas solubility in oil-based drilling fluids. This simulator examines critical kick indicators such as Pit Gain and Wellhead Pressure with time. It models the gas behavior using a drift-flux approach with bubble rise velocity appropriate for flow through an annulus. It also uses the Peng-Robison equation of state, van der Waals mixing rules, along with binary interaction coefficients appropriate for drilling fluids, to account for gas solubility in oil-based mud.

The simulation results predict that a five-barrel (bbl) gas kick, would reach the wellhead of a 10,000 ft deep, non-circulating, vertical well in approximately 78 minutes. But it would only take 35 minutes to traverse the same well, if the well is circulating at 702 gallons per minute. The simulations also predict that if there is a constant kick influx of 1 scf/sec, the first gas bubbles would reach the wellhead of the same, non-circulating well in 4.45 hours. But only take 52 minutes when it is circulating. Incorporating gas solubility into these simulations revealed that the choice of drilling fluid volume factor (Bo) correlation affects the results significantly. It also showed that some of the existing Bo correlations fail, for drilling fluid swelling calculations, at higher pressures and temperatures. Finally, the results indicate that a gas kick would take longer to reach the wellhead when it is soluble in the mud than when it is not, regardless of the choice of Bo correlation.

Most of the existing kick simulators either partially or entirely overlook the effects of solubility on gas migration. This model accounts for the gas kick's solubility in Oil-based drilling fluids, an issue that is critical for off-shore drilling. Applicability of empirical two-phase flow correlations developed for flow in cylindrical conduits, to a gas kick situation is questionable. This simulator addresses this issue by using a semi-analytical approach for modeling two-phase flow in an annulus.
Production Excellence is the Platform to Support Digital Oil Field
Authors: Musameh Fakhri K. , ALJadi Issa
Published: October 2019

Kuwait Oil Company manages the production and export of oil and gas with the associated facilities from different oil fields in the state of Kuwait. Kuwait Oil Company has ambitious growth targets with challenges of expanding portfolio, high water cuts, lower reservoir pressures, new facilities, and complex production processes. In recognition of these challenges, KOC Leadership Committee created the Production Excellence and Planning Team (PE&P) in June 2015. KOC assets are committed to the company's vision to achieve a leading global position in the Oil & Gas industry. Operational Excellence is an element of organizational leadership that stresses the application of a variety of principles, systems, and tools toward the sustainable improvement of key performance metrics. This is only possible through the consistent and transparent view of companywide production, capacity (wells and facilities), constraints and loss numbers. Efficiently deriving actionable insights from the vast amounts of data generated upon a daily basis is a strategic priority for KOC. The ongoing digital transformation across KOC is one lever to attain the step change in performance required to meet KOC's targets.

KOC S&EK in 4th Dec 2017 launched the Integrated Operational Excellence Program (IOX) in S&EK for one year and was completed with key lessons learnt. Technology and innovation continues to be the foundation of KOC's success and Business requirements mandate that the company further incorporate the transformational opportunities of the digital revolution, by leveraging key advances in areas such as surface & subsurface modelling, big data, advanced analytics, and the digitally connected workforce into our daily workflows. Building on the powerful Production Excellence Framework and the consistency and transparency it generates, KOC can achieve its ambitions around the Digital Oil Field of the future leading to Business Digital Transformation.
Smart Production Surveillance: Production Monitoring and Optimization Using Integrated Digital Oil Field
Authors: Al-Subaiei Dalal , Al-Hamer Mohammad , Al-Zaidan Ahmed , Nawaz Mohammad Sami
Published: October 2019

The change in global oil price has led Oil producing companies to chase each and every barrel of oil either through optimizing their production or through minimizing the production losses pertaining to various reasons. The Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has a vision to increase its production to 4 MMBOPD by year 2030. To fulfill this vision KOC has designed a Digital Oil Field system which is unique in world in various aspects. This Digital Oil Field is designed to achieve two main objectives, first objective is to minimize the oil production losses associated with downtime and second objective is to optimize the oil production at network and field level. To achieve its first objective KOC designed various workflows to chase the losses and identify its root cause. Once the root cause is identified the issue are fixed in minimum possible time.

The workflows designed to achieve this objective were all combined under one main workflow Smart Production Surveillance (SPS). The Smart Production Surveillance comprises of various sub-workflows taking care of various elements which affect or may affect the production. The idea behind the SPS design was to capture the main reasons for production losses, report them as quickly as possible resolve the issue in time and resume the production back to normal. Also as a proactive active approach where prediction of issue is done through alarms and warnings system. For this purpose smart alarms are designed based on experience in Oil Field. These alarms help analyze the issues at well level and pin points the major issues. The objective of the Digital Oil Field system is to improve the oil production by optimization. This objective was met by designing an extensive surface network model comprises of seven gathering centers for seven fields. To run this network model around twelve hundred well models were prepared which acts as an engine for optimization calculations.
Implementation of Integrated Reservoir Reviews in North Kuwait
Authors: Muñoz Rojas Alberto , Benham Philip , Al-Hajeri Nasser , Ochoa Contreras Sandy , Salakhetdinov Ravil , Plokhotnichenko Oleg , Al-Quoud Khaled Jamal , Gupta Prakash , James Andrew , Crawford Adrian , Al-Khalid Dhuha Mohammad , Al-Mufarrej Mishal , Al-Mutari Fahad , Al-Qattan Sara Jaber
Published: October 2019

This article describes both the implementation of a structured review process of field performance for managing an existing waterflood in North Kuwait and summarizes how this process can lead to enhanced oil recovery. The aim of the review process, applied to the Upper Burgan and Zubair in the Raudhatain field, is to enhance understanding of the reservoir performance, through the movement of the injected water, and the impact on produced oil based on increasing sweep efficiency. This methodology will identify unswept oil and opportunities to mobilize it to be pushed towards the production wells by enhancing the effectiveness of the injected water to maximize recovery. In this work, we describe a systematic approach, callled WRFM, which is in summary an integrated geology, reservoir engineering and field management review process of all available data in a field. This process has been developed with the purpose of identifying opportunities at both well and pattern level to enhance water injection effectiveness in specific layers of a multi-stacked reservoir field.
Conquering Wellbore Instability in Kuwait
Authors: Haddad Hassan , Al-Khaja Mohamed Jassem , Saffar Ali Hussein , Raturi Sushil Kumar , Aleem Bahaa Abdul , Samak Mohamed , ElSeheemy ElSayed Ibrahim , Barsoum Victor , Abdelaziz Rami , Rockwood Jene
Published: October 2019

To reach many of the world's petroleum-rich formations, drilling must first penetrate challenging shale formations where wellbore instability frequently results in costly stuck pipe, lost circulation, non-productive time, and expensive sidetracks. One technology gaining traction through successful field usage is a wellbore stabilizing agent (WSA) to limit the invasion of drilling fluid and wellbore pressure into the formation. Using a WSA can assist in stabilizing shales, delivering trouble-free drilling, and reduce losses and non-productive time.

The drilling team was assigned a challenging well involving the Mutriba Formation, a shale-limestone formation notorious for stuck pipe and lost circulation. Focusing on wellbore stability and minimizing of the destabilizing nature of invasive drilling fluid and wellbore pressure, the team utilized a wellbore stabilizing agent to stop fluid invasion at the borehole wall. This barrier, or "shield", minimizes formation damage and mitigates fracture growth which can lead to destabilization of the wellbore

Constant monitoring and additions of the wellbore stabilizing agent resulted in a thin, tight, flexible HTHP filtercake and wellbore stability while drilling this challenging formation. The entire section through the Mutriba Formation was drilled with 100% returns and later casing was run without problems. No adverse wellbore conditions were encountered while tripping or drilling, and no non-productive time was lost in stuck pipe or lost circulation events. When compared to the offset well, the successful well using the wellbore stabilizing agent came in 7 days ahead of schedule and with a cost savings of more than 21% for the Mutriba section.

Controlling wellbore instability, especially in shale and shale-composite formations, is a key element of successful drilling in many fields across the globe. Information on field-proven technologies, such as this wellbore stabilizing agent, are important to the continual improvement of drilling fluid to safely drill similar fields around the world.
A New Tool for Long-Term Monitoring and Management of Kuwait Oil Company KOC Reservoirs through Reservoir Management Performance Index RMPI Concept and Best Practices
Authors: Al-Ghnemi Mohammad , Al-Bahar Mohammad , Al-Najdi Ali , Kumar Ashish , Bora Anup , Chandan Thakuria , Al-Ruwayeh Jarrah , AlSaidi Malek , AlRashed Shareefah , AlOmran AlHawraa , Singh Bharat , Kansao Rami , Surendra Meher , Sucimez Sander
Published: October 2019

Maintaining and sustaining reservoir performance and health is a priority that requires ongoing assurance activities that will maximize recovery up to industry best practices. An automated and integrated reservoir performance tool has been developed to provide high-level assurances at both the reservoir and asset level. The Reservoir Management Performance Index (RMPI) is a set of indices that can identify key performance issues involving several aspects of the reservoir'sdevelopment and operational plans. This tool identifies mitigating measures that require action, assures production sustainability, promotes a reservoir-focused organization, and standardizes the reservoir performance evaluation in an organization.

RMPIprovides a high-level overview and a platform for all management and operation levels, where observing the same set of results can initiate collective decisions that improve reservoir management. Such a system was developed for a company to monitor and measure the performance against expected standards and forecasts for the large number of reservoirs in its portfolio. This tool measures multiple aspects of reservoir management grouped into four major categories: Energy Management, Forcasting Relaibility, Reserves Management and Operations.

The tool is tailored to account for various aspects such as: stage of maturity of the reservoir, primary or secondary depletion stage, etc. Each category consists of multiple individual metrics that combine actual field data with targets/forecasts and use an algorithm to calculate a score.

These scores are weighted and aggregated for an overall score in each category and an overall score for the asset/reservoir itself. Several aspects accounted for in the metrics include (but not limited to): pressure management, voidage replacement, water and gas management, production and injection performance, reserves promotion and replacement, current RF, EURF, drilling and workover efficiency, Well-Up time, etc.
Analysis on the associated factors of drop-out from HIV antiviral treatment in Kunming City
Authors: Liao Bin , Zhang Xiao-Wen , Wang Jing-Ying , Liu Jun , Liang Jun , He Wen-Jie , Hong Biao , LI YI
Published: October 2019

Background:With the implementation of national anti-viral treatment and expanded treatment policies, the number of HIV-infected people receiving anti-viral treatment is increasing, and the number of people drop out of ART is also increasing year by year in Kunming. Thus,the aim of this study was to investigate the causes and influencing factors of drop out in treatment of HIV infection in Kunming and to explore the countermeasures to reduce the rate of drop out.Methods:Using convenient sampling method, the HIV infected people found in Kunming as of August 31, 2018 were selected.187 patients who had received antiviral treatment were treated as the treatment group, and 252 patients who had received antiviral treatment but drop out were treated as the drop out group.Results:Multivariate analysis shows that geographical division, monthly income, whether or not to receive minimum living allowance, and referral methods of follow-up institutions are the factors that affect the drop out of antiviral treatment of HIV infected persons. Conclusion:To increase the attention of vulnerable patients in ART, patients with adverse reactions to treatment drugs should be treated or replaced in a timely manner, and AIDS-related medical services and government support should be strengthened in order to reduce the rate of drop out.
A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of Auricular Point Acupressure to Manage Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults: Study Protocol
Authors: Yeh Chao Hsing , Li Cuicui , Glick Ronald , Schlenk Elizabeth A. , Albers Kathryn , Suen Lorna Kwai-Ping , Lukkahatai Nada , Salen Nicole , Pandiri Sonaali , Ma Weixia , Perrin Nancy , Morone Natalia E. , Christo Paul
Published: October 2019

Background: Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a major health problem and the most common pain condition among those 60 years of age or older in the US. Despite the development of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, cLBP outcomes have not improved and disability rates continue to rise. This study aims to test auricular point acupressure (APA) as a non-invasive, nonpharmacological self-management strategy to manage cLBP and to address current shortcomings of cLBP treatment. Methods: For this prospective randomized controlled study, participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: (1) APA (active points related to cLBP), (2) Comparison Group -1 (non-active points, unrelated to cLBP), (3) Comparison Group-2 (enhanced educational control, an educational booklet on cLBP will be given and the treatment used by participants for their cLBP will be recorded). The ecological momentary assessment smartphone app will be used to collect real-time cLBP outcomes and adherence to APA practice. Treatment and nonspecific psychological placebo effects will be measured via questionnaires for all participants. This proposed trial will evaluate the APA sustained effects for cLBP at 12-month follow-up. Monthly phone follow-up will be used to collect study outcomes. Blood will be collected during study visits at baseline, post-APA treatment, and follow-up study visits at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-months post-completion of treatment for a total of 7 assessments. Appointments will start between 9 and 11 am to control for circadian variation in cytokine levels. Discussion: This study is expected to provide vital information on the efficacy, sustainability, and underlying mechanism of APA on cLBP necessary for APA to gain acceptance from both healthcare providers and patients, which would provide a strong impetus for including APA as part of cLBP management in clinical and home settings. Trial registration: NCT03589703, Registered on May 22, 2018
Sciatic-obturator-femoral technique versus spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for fixation of open tibial fractures using Ilizarov external fixator: A randomized trial
Authors: Shokri Hoda , Kasem Amr
Published: October 2019

Background Peripheral nerve block is an ideal choice for lower limb surgery because of the peripheral site of the surgical procedure and the ability to block pain pathways at multiple levels. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of SOFT block (sciatic-obturator-femoral nerve block technique) compared with spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for fixation of open tibial fractures using Ilizarov external fixatorMethods This study was conducted over 107 patients ASA I, II scheduled for fixation of open tibial fractures using Ilizarov external fixator. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either spinal anaesthesia or SOFT block. In spinal anaesthesia group, patients received spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (7.5-10mg). In SOFT group, patients received SOFT block with bupivacaine 0.25%. Primary endpoint included the duration of analgesia. The secondary endpoints included patient satisfaction scores, time of first analgesic dose, visual analogue scale scores, incidence of adverse events as back pain, postural -puncture headache, vomiting, systemic toxicity from local anesthetic, parathesia observed within 48 hours of the block.Results The duration of soft block and time to first analgesic dose in SOFT group was significantly longer (p<0.001). The incidence of headache (p=0.028) and back pain (p=0.012) was significantly higher in spinal group. There was no significant difference between the study groups regarding satisfaction scores, the incidence of cardiovascular collapse, seizures and parathesia. Pain scores were significantly lower in SOFT group at 3,6,12 hours postoperative (p<0.001).Conclusion SOFT block is a feasible technique for control of postoperative pain with unremarkable adverse events compared with spinal anaesthesia, in patients undergoing fixation of tibial fractures using Ilizarov external fixator.
Development and Validation of the Scale of Perception of Respect for and Maintenance of the Dignity of the Inpatient [CuPDPH]
Authors: Campillo Beatriz , Corbella Josep , Gelpi Marta , Martinez Elisenda , Viciana Miquel Angel , Alonso Milagros
Published: October 2019

Background. Dignity is a fundamental concept that is affected and altered in the course of hospitalization by professional’s behaviour. Despite the importance of respect and the maintenance of dignity, there are few instruments to evaluate the perception of a dignified attention. Our objective is to develop and determine the psychometric properties of a questionnaire for evaluating the perception of respect for and preservation of the dignity of the hospitalized patient.Methods. From the review of the literature of patients' contributions, a theoretical definition of the concept was generated, which served as the basis for the construction of a self-administered questionnaire. The preliminary items were submitted for expert opinion. Subsequently, their comprehensibility, feasibility and execution time were verified by conducting a pilot study. The definitive questionnaire was administered to a sample of patients hospitalized in two units of a third-level hospital in Barcelona.Results. The final sample consisted of 289 patients. The analysis of internal consistency through the Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.76. In the factorial analysis of the main components of the oblique rotation, six factors named "privacy", "identity", "integrity", "information”, “respect" and "consideration" emerged; together, they explain a total variance of 61.06%. The assignment of the statements to each of the factors was consistent with the initial definition.Conclusions. The proposed theoretical model considers the perception of dignity as the sum and interrelation of diverse factors based on personal and professional values that must precede and accompany any care activity. The constructed questionnaire demonstrated acceptable indices of validity and reliability in all its facets.
Person-centered care in a tertiary hospital from patients’ eyes: Hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Sahli1 Bashayer , Al-Surimi Khaled
Published: October 2019

Background: Healthcare systems around the world have begun to move towards a person (or patient)-centered care approach. Although this approach seems to have been newly adopted in some healthcare organizations, there is no evidence of person-centered care among hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The aims of this study were to assess patients’ perspectives on the climate of person-centered care and its associated factors in a Saudi tertiary hospital, and to examine the reliability of the Arabic version of the Person-centered Climate Questionnaire – Patient (PCQ-P) version. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, the validated version of the PCQ-P was distributed to 300 adult patients admitted to hospital for more than 48 hours. Patients from 16 inpatient departments at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were interviewed using the PCQ-P. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 22; IBM, NY, USA). Results: A total of 300 questionnaires were completed. Within this number of respondents, 159 (53%) were females; 119 were aged 21–40 years; 72.7% were married; 147 (49%) had attained up to a high school level of education; and (67.4%) were unemployed. Inpatients’ overall mean PCQ-P score was 73 ± 9.988 out of 85. Results suggested some significant associations between patient characteristics and their perspectives on person-centered care, such as age ( P =0.005), gender ( P <0.001), nationality ( P =0.026), area of residency ( P =0.001), route to admission ( P =0.002), length of stay ( P =0.003), and hospital preference ( P =0.010). The Arabic version of the PCQ-P was found to be reliable (Cronbach’s α=0.840), indicating its applicability to measure the climate of person-centered care in an Arabic-speaking context. Conclusions: Patient and hospital characteristics are important in terms of patients’ perceptions of the climate of person-centered care. The Arabic translation of the PCQ-P tool is a reliable way to measure this climate within the setting of an Arabic-speaking tertiary care hospital.
Severe Liver Fibrosis and Association with Plasma Inflammatory Biomarkers among HIV/HCV Co-infected Patients in China :a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Chen Xiaochen , Liu Xing , Duan Song , Tang Renhai , Zhou Sujuan , Ye Runhua , Yang Yuecheng , Wang Jibao , Yao Shitang , Gao Meiyang , Ding Yingying , He Na
Published: October 2019

Background: Immune dysregulation among HIV/HCV co-infected patients with impaired liver function is common. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association of liver fibrosis with microbial translocation and related inflammation among HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 343 HIV/HCV co-infected patients who received cART. All patients had current blood biochemical testing data. We measured sCD14 and 27 serum cytokines concentrations using the Hycult Biotech sCD14 ELISA kit and Bio-plex Human Cytokine 27-plex Assay, respectively. We compared the concentrations of each marker between severe liver fibrosis and mild liver fibrosis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for the association of each marker with severe liver fibrosis were estimated using logistic regression. Results: Of the 343 HIV/HCV coinfect-ed patients enrolled, 188 (54.8%) had severe liver fibrosis (FIB-4 >3.25). Patients with higher FIB-4 score (>3.25vs. ≤3.25) had higher plasma level of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, BasicFGF and MCP-1. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased plasma level of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-17, GM- CSF, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL -10, MCP-1, Eotaxin, BasicFGF and sCD14 were linked to severe liver fibrosis in our study. Conclusions: Severe liver fibrosis are associated with increased microbial translocation plasma inflammatory biomarkers among HIV/HCV co-infected patients.
The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, guadecitabine, targets tumor-induced myelopoiesis and recovers T cell activity to slow tumor growth in combination with adoptive immunotherapy in a mouse model of breast cancer
Authors: Luker Andrea J , Graham Laura J , Zellner Matthew P , Gilmer Jamie-Jean S , Damle Sheela R , Conrad Daniel H , Martin Rebecca K , Bear Harry D
Published: October 2019

Background: Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) represent a significant hurdle to cancer immunotherapy because they dampen anti-tumor cytotoxic T cell responses. Previous groups, including our own, have reported on the myelo-depletive effects of certain chemotherapy agents. We have shown previously that decitabine increased tumor cell Class I and tumor antigen expression, increased ability of tumor cells to stimulate T lymphocytes, depleted tumor-induced MDSC in vivo and augmented immunotherapy of a murine mammary carcinoma. Results: In this study, we expand upon this observation by testing a next-generation DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi), guadecitabine, which has increased stability in the circulation. Using the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model, in BALB/cJ female mice, we found that guadecitabine significantly reduces tumor burden in a T cell-dependent manner by preventing excessive myeloid proliferation and systemic accumulation of MDSC. The remaining MDSC were shifted to an antigen-presenting phenotype. Building upon our previous publication, we show that guadecitabine enhances the therapeutic effect of adoptively transferred antigen-experienced lymphocytes to diminish tumor growth and improve overall survival. We also show guadecitabine’s versatility with similar tumor reduction and augmentation of immunotherapy in the C57BL/6J E0771 murine breast cancer model. Conclusions: Guadecitabine depleted and altered MDSC, inhibited growth of two different murine mammary carcinomas in vivo, and augmented immunotherapeutic efficacy. Based on these findings, we believe the immune-modulatory effects of guadecitabine can help rescue anti-tumor immune response and contribute to the overall effectiveness of current cancer immunotherapies.