bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Background and Clinical Aspects of the Use of EMDR in Patients With Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Valiente-Gómez Alicia , Moreno-Alcázar Ana , Gardoki-Souto Itxaso , Masferrer Carmen , Porta Sara , Royuela Oscar , Hogg Bridget , Lupo Walter , Amann Benedikt L.
Published: November 2019

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with a lifelong episodic course of severe mood and behavioral disturbance. In last decades treatment improved with numerous pharmacological and psychosocial treatments; however, subsequent mood episode rates are still high and possible risk factors for subsequent mood episodes are not sufficiently addressed. Of note, childhood trauma and stressful life events represent significant, under-recognized, and often neglected environmental risk factors in the etiology and course of BD. Here, we summarize the evidence of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in BD with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or life traumatic events. So far, one case report study and one pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) have been published suggesting positive effect of EMDR therapy in BD. Currently, two larger further RCTs are ongoing to increase scientific evidence of the use of EMDR therapy in this indication, especially with a focus on its effect on relapse prevention. In addition, a functional neuroimaging case report of a bipolar subject versus 30 healthy controls showed first evidence that EMDR might modulate the default mode network. These preliminary results suggest that EMDR could be a promising and safe psychotherapeutic approach for the add-on treatment of bipolar subjects, but confirmative large RCT are needed, with two currently being conducted.
The Factors Affecting Smoking Cessation and Efficacy of Quitting Methods
Authors: SAYIN GÜLENSOY Esen , AKPINAR Evrim Eylem
Published: November 2019

Objective: We aimed to compare the demographic-sociocultural
characteristics of quitting and non-quitting individuals and to evaluate the
factors affecting smoking cessation and success rates of treatment methods.Methods:  179 patients were included in the study.
Demographic characteristics, smoking behaviour, Fagerström nicotine dependence
level were recorded. The treatment results at the end of the first year were
evaluated. The efficacy of treatment methods used in the treatment of smoking
dependence, gender, occupation, education, comorbidity, and family history were
recorded in quitting and non-quitting individuals. Statistical analysis was
performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21.0
(SPSS-21.0). Results:  Of the 179 patients evaluated, 118 (65.6%)
were male and 71 (39.7%) were married. The mean age was 41.5 ± 13.7 years. At
the end of 12 months follow-up, 57 (31.8%) had been quitted smoking. There was
no difference between the quit and non-quit groups in terms of gender, age,
working status and education level. It was found that being married and having
no additional disease significantly increased smoking cessation rate (p =
0.049, p = 0.010, respectively). In both groups, combination of behavioural
treatment and varenicline was the most common method. There was no significant
difference among the pharmacological methods used.

Conclusion: In our study, smoking cessation rate was found to be 31.8%. The efficacy
of different treatment modalities was similar. Despite the current treatments,
the rate of smoking cessation is not at the desired level and further studies
are needed to develop new methods for smoking cessation treatment.
Survey on the chemical composition of several tropical wood species
Authors: Gérard Jean , Paradis Sébastien , Thibaut Bernard
Published: November 2019

Variability in the chemical composition of 614 species is described in a database containing measurements of wood polymers (cellulose, lignin and pentosan), as well as overall extraneous components (ethanol-benzene, or hot water extracts and ash, with a focus on silica content). These measurements were taken between 1945 and 1990 using the same standard protocol. In all, 1,194 trees belonging to 614 species, 358 genera and 89 families were measured. At species level, variability (quantified by the coefficient of variation) was rather high for density (27%), much lower for lignin and cellulose (14% and 10%) and much higher for ethanol/benzene extractives, hot water extractives and ash content (81%, 60% and 76%). Considering trees with at least five different specimens, and species with at least 10 different trees, it was possible to investigate within-tree and within-species variability. Large differences were found between trees of a given species for extraneous components, and more than one tree should be needed per species. For density, lignin, pentosan and cellulose, the distribution of values was nearly symmetrical, with mean values of 720 kg/m3 for density, 29.1% for lignin, 15.8% for pentosan, and 42.4% for cellulose. There were clear differences between species for lignin content. For extraneous components, the distribution was very dissymmetrical, with a minority of woods rich in this component composing the high value tail. A high value for any extraneous component, even in only one tree, is sufficient to classify the species in respect of that component. Siliceous woods identified by silica bodies in anatomy have a very high silica content and only those species deserve a silica study.
Fracture load and shear stress of prefabricated glass fiber posts
Authors: Velho Helder Callegaro , Baldissara Paolo , Skupien Jovito Adiel , Wandscher Vinicius Felipe
Published: November 2019

Aim: This study evaluated the fracture load and pattern failure of different prefabricated glass fiber posts (GFPs) of the same diameter. Methods: Seventy-eight (n=13 for six groups) GFPs of 1.6 mm coronal diameter of different brands were evaluated— Exacto (Angelus), Power Post (BM4), White Post DC (FGM), HiRem (Overfibers), MAQ (Maquira), and SD (Supordont). The posts were subjected to fracture load testing (45° of inclination and 1 mm/min until fracture). Each factor (load (N) and shear stress (MPa)) was analyzed separately using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test (α=0.05). Results: The type of failure was evaluated on a stereomicroscope (×10). The Power Post samples presented higher values of fracture load (p<0.001) followed by Maquira fiber post, White Post , HiRem, Superpost, and the Exacto posts. The failure pattern observed was intralaminar mode II in-plane shear, such as a failure occur parallel to fibers. Conclusion: Despite the same diameter of GFPs, the fracture load and shear resistance were brand-dependent.
Different fabrication techniques of implant-supported prostheses
Authors: Borges Silas Monteiro , Poole Stephanie Francoi , Moris Izabela Cristina Maurício , Spazzin Aloísio Oro , Faria Adriana Cláudia Lapria , Gomes Erica Alves
Published: November 2019

Aim: This study evaluated the mechanical behavior of implant-supported crowns obtained by different fabrication technique after thermomechanical cycling. Methods: Thirty-two external hexagon dental implants were divided into four groups (n=10): CC – conventional casting with torch; EI – electromagnetic induction casting; PL – plasma casting; and CAD-CAM – milling through computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Vickers microhardness of the specimens were made before and after the thermomechanical cycling, and then subjected to fracture load. Fracture pattern was evaluated. Results: No significant difference was observed comparing the microhardness before and after thermomechanical cycling. CAD-CAM group presented significant lower microhardness than the other groups. No significant statistical difference was showed on fracture load between the groups. The CAD-CAM and PL presented lower number of failure by plastic deformation. Conclusion: The manufacturing techniques affected the mechanical behavior and the failure pattern of implant-supported crowns tested.
Efficacy of digital radiographic systems in the quality assessment of intracanal materials used for primary teeth
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme Fantini , Melo Larissa Pereira Lagos de , Nadaes Mariana Rocha , Reis Fernanda Maria Mazoni , Pascon Fernanda Miori , Freitas Deborah Queiroz
Published: November 2019

Aim: To evaluate the performance of three digital radiographic systems in the analysis of root canal filling quality using different intracanal materials for primary teeth. Methods: Twenty-five bovine teeth were divided into 5 groups: Calen® combined with iodoform; Calen® combined with zinc oxide; zinc oxide and eugenol; UltraCal®XS, and 2% chlorhexidine combined with Ca(OH)2 + zinc oxide. Periapical radiographs were obtained with the VistaScan, Express, and SnapShot systems. The quality of the images was evaluated objectively (radiopacity) and subjectively (apical sealing and filling homogeneity). As the reference standard, the teeth were scanned with a micro-CT device. Results: Radiopacity differed among the radiographic systems and materials tested. In general, the greatest difference was observed between the Express and VistaScan systems; Calen® combined with iodoform resulted in the highest radiopacity. The radiographic systems did not differ in terms of homogeneity. However, Calen® combined with iodoform differed from the other materials and exhibited the best results. Regarding apical sealing, the SnapShot system and Calen® combined with zinc oxide provided the best results. Conclusion: Direct digital systems show better performance in evaluating the quality of endodontic treatment in primary teeth and should be preferred for this purpose.
Validity of self-report of oral conditions in older people
Authors: Arenas-Márquez María Jesús , Tôrres Luísa Helena do Nascimento , Silva Debora Dias da , Hilgert Juliana Balbinot , Hugo Fernando Neves , Neri Anita Liberalesso , Souza Maria da Luz Rosario de
Published: November 2019

Aim: To verify if self-report is a valid instrument to study the clinical oral condition in older people without cognitive deficit. Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted with 647 older people from the community, without cognitive deficit, living in Campinas, Brazil. A self-report questionnaire assessing the presence or absence of teeth (edentulism) and use of complete denture was applied, identifying the location of the denture, whether in the upper and/or lower arch. In the same session oral clinical exams were performed, considered the gold standard. The self-report validation was performed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, odds ratios and Kappa agreement. Results: There were high percentages of sensitivity (95–99%), specificity (84–97%), positive (81–97%) and negative (95–98%) predictive values, obtaining an elevated level of confidence and quality intrinsic value of self-report. Agreement with the clinical examination was excellent for all variables (greater than 0.80). The likelihood ratios showed compelling evidence that with self-report an edentulous individual (+LR 32), non-edentulous (-LR 0.06) and absence of complete denture (-LR 0.01) could be correctly identified, with moderate evidence to identify the presence and location of complete denture use (+LR 6.5 to 6.9). Conclusion: Self-report is a valid instrument to study the clinical oral condition in the older people of the community.
A CASE STUDY OF SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING USING MOVIE TO PROMOTE ORAL COMMUNICATION
Authors: Mohammad Suleiman Mohammad Amro , Maniam Mahendran
Published: November 2019

The main aim of this study is to help EFL students’ improve their oral communication proficiency out-of-class. To achieve that, video-movie was chosen as a medium for improving the subjects' oral communication proficiency. It was hoped that movie could function as a pseudo-immersion for the students, an accessible and easy alternative to being in the English native countries. Based on that, this study aim has been transformed into this research question ‘what effect does self-directed learning using movies has on the students' perceived oral communication proficiency?’. To answer that, six first year students at the faculty of English language and literature, Ajloun University in Jordan, were selected based on purposive sampling and divided equally into two groups, treatment and control, based on random assignment. The subjects in both groups were asked to take the self-assessment language test twice, once before the beginning of the case study scheme and another after. Likewise, to be interviewed twice, and to fill in the study notes during the case study scheme. Only the treatment group were given eight movies with its guides and asked to self-study with it over eight weeks. The results from the case study indicated that movie could help improve the students' oral communication proficiency with higher post-test scores than pre-test scores. Methodological triangulation from both the interviews and study notes also supports the assertion that movie improved the subjects’ oral communication proficiency. The subjects in the treatment group revealed in the post-interview that movies helped improve their listening skills and two subjects suggested that it could possibly have helped improve their speaking skills as well. Their perception in their study notes also supports the results. In conclusion, it is very likely that self-directed learning using movies has improved the students’ oral communication proficiency. This study has implications for practical applications in language teaching and learning which suggests that movie can be effective out of class. In addition, the results suggest that further larger scale investigations into students' language improvement out of class will be worth carrying out.
THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF BANJARESE CULTURE THROUGH ADJECTIVES IN BANJARESE LULLABIES
Authors: Jumainah Jumainah , Lestary Agustina , Krismanti Ninuk
Published: November 2019

The focus of this study is to conceptualize Banjarese living values through the investigation of adjectives used in Banjarese lullabies. Singing lullabies while rocking the baby is a common practice for Banjarese people. The lullabies becoming the subject of the study of this research are the ones with Banjarese lyrics. In practice, Banjarese parents do not only sing lullabies in their tribe language but also in either Arabic or Indonesian. The data are collected through three techniques: observation, interview, and documentation. The data are obtained from five regions all over South Kalimantan to represent both Banjar Hulu and Banjar Kuala. The adjectives found the lullabies being investigated are analyzed using Cultural Linguistic approach. The results of the study show a close connection between adjectives used in the lullabies and beliefs of Banjarese people. Adjectives describing desired and undesired traits of children reflect Islamic teachings.
SPEAKING SKILL AND PICTURE SERIES ON EFL CLASSROOM
Authors: Islamiah Neneng , Nurhasanah Nurhasanah
Published: November 2019

This study was aimed to find out whether by using this techniques can motivate students in speaking. Result shows that the students’ ability in speaking English has a better ability after the students having the treatment. It is also proves that the application of procedures in using pictures series can also improve the students ability in speaking in five terms according to Oller,John W, they are accent, vocabulary, grammar, fluency, and comprehend. The purpose of the study aims to investigate whether the ability of the students after they have had treatment have better in the ability than before. This study was administered to the eleventh grade students of MIPA on SMAN7 Banjarmasin. The results of the research show that the teaching techniques can improve students speaking ability in both the first cycle and the second cycle, but the researcher only took 18 students for this study because their ability in speaking English is medium to low in ability in contrast to other students. This finding also proves that students’ ability. It also proves that the application of procedures in using serial pictures can improve the ability of English speaking students in five terms as mention before. From the data analysis the value of significant column p- 2tailed at the table show .000 which is lower than 0.05. That is the researcher conclude that; accent, vocabulary, grammar, fluency and also comprehension, the formulated null hypothesis was rejected. Regarding the result of the research showed that it did work.
Characteristics of Organoleptic Functional Biscuit Formula Rich in Protein and Betacaroten
Authors: Sari Dewi Kartika , Agustiana Agustiana , Puspitasari Findya
Published: November 2019

One of the fishery products that have great potential for solutions in the effort to handling nutrition cases is snakehead fish as a source of protein and pumpkin as a source of beta-carotene. This study aimed to determine the effect of variations in biscuit formula by supplementation snakehead fish meal and pumpkin flour to the characteristics of organoleptic functional biscuits and obtaining functional biscuit formulas with organoleptic characteristics can be received by the panelist. The main ingredients of this study are snakehead fish meal and pumpkin flour. Fish meal maker tools include oven and flour blender, as well as biscuit making tools, include baking pan, mold, mixer, and oven. The results of this study indicate that variations in biscuit formulas with supplementation of cork and pumpkin fish meal significantly affected the characteristics of organoleptic functional biscuits. Functional biscuit formula with a ratio of 75% wheat flour, 12.5% snakehead fish meal, 12.5% pumpkin flour (comparison of 3 parts wheat flour with 2 parts mixture of fish flour and pumpkin/ 3: 1) selected as the best formula.  The conclusion showed that functional biscuits rich in protein and beta-carotene with supplementation of snakehead fish meal and pumpkin flour (ratio 3: 1) can be an option to overcome nutritional problems and be able to improve immunity.
Remuneration Factors Production of The Cultivation Brown Rice (Oryza Nivara) in Teluk Lombung Village Babirik District Hulu Sungai Utara Regency
Authors: Ferrianta Yudi , Rifiana Rifiana
Published: November 2019

Geographically, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency is one of the regencies in South Kalimantan which is one of the regions producing brown rice with good results to develop. The land in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency is an average of swampland and rainfed, to plant brown rice only once a year. Brown rice is one type of rice that contains high nutrition. Based on the nutritional content, brown rice is very good for food-insecure areas, especially people who are malnourished. Farmers are less interested in planting brown rice although the selling price of red rice is higher than white rice and there is public awareness of the importance of the nutritional content of red rice for health so that the prospect of brown rice is very good to be cultivated. This research is raining to find out the costs, revenues, and profits of brown rice, to find out compensation for brown rice farming and to find out the problems faced in brown rice farming. The type of data used includes primary data and secondary data. The total sample of respondents was 11 farmers using the census method. The average land area used by brown rice farmers is 0.46 Ha. Based on the results of research on brown rice, it includes preparation of seedlings, land preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting. The total costs incurred by farmers are Rp. 7,940,572, - per farm or Rp.17,303,649, - per ha. The total farmer income is IDR 14,784,000 per farm or IDR 32,139,130 ​​per ha. The total income of brown rice farmers is IDR 13,730,053 per farm or IDR 29,847,942 per ha. The benefits obtained by farmers are Rp.6,843,428, - per farm or Rp.14,835,481, - per ha. Repayment of farmers' capital is Rp.6,843,428, - per farm. Land compensation is Rp.6,843,428, - per farm. Retribution for labor in the family of brown rice farmers is IDR 6,799,348 per farm. The problem of brown rice farmers is that it is mostly an obstacle in regulating water, the difficulty of obtaining new land to cultivate brown rice, the difficulty of marketing the results of red rice to the community and the benefits of labor received by the red rice farmers smaller than the UMR of Hulu Sungai Regency North.
Perspectivas en el estudio de la encuadernación artística: de los tratados generales a la web semántica
Authors: DÍAZ REDONDO Carlos , MIGUÉLEZ-GONZÁLEZ Elvira J.
Published: November 2019

Se presenta una revisión de las distintas metodologías aplicadas a lo largo del tiempo en el estudio de la encuadernación artística. Para ello, se recurre a la visión del arte ligatorio en tratados generales primero, y en manuales específicos después. Se atiende, asimismo, al cambio de paradigma motivado por el movimiento bibliófilo del siglo XIX, y a su repercusión en los posteriores estudios de los siglos XX y XXI. En último término, se analiza la importancia de las nuevas tecnologías en la investigación y difusión de la encuadernación artística, en medida que establecen vínculos con la web semántica y la musealización virtual del libro.
¡Acierta con la metáfora! Las metáforas de los tratamientos contra el cáncer en la prensa inglesa y española
Authors: WILLIAMS CAMUS Julia T.
Published: November 2019

Este estudio explora el uso de la metáfora en la presentación de terapias contra el cáncer en un corpus de 300 artículos de divulgación publicados en cuatro periódicos, The Guardian, The Times, El País y El Mundo, de la prensa inglesa y española. En concreto, se investiga la forma en la que los tratamientos actuales se presentan frente a los que siguen en desarrollo. Los términos empleados de forma metafórica se identificaron según el ‘Metaphor Identification Procedure’ MIP desarrollado por el Grupo Pragglejaz (2007), teniendo en cuenta también las mejoras presentadas por el procedimiento más elaborado del MIPVU. El análisis muestra que se emplean tres dominios fuente en la conceptualización de los tratamientos contra el cáncer: ARMAS, ROPA y COMIDA Y CÓCTELES. Del análisis contextual se desprende que las metáforas son empleadas frecuentemente con una función persuasiva y evaluativa en los textos tanto por periodistas como científicos.
OPTIMASI FORMULA TEPUNG PISANG CAVENDISH (MUSA CAVENDISHII) INSTAN DENGAN METODE RESPON SURFACE
Authors: Sukasih Ermi , Setyadjit NFN , Sunarmani NFN , Pertiwi Sri Rejeki R.
Published: November 2019

Salah satu diversifikasi pengolahan pisang adalah menjadi tepung pisang instan dengan pengering drum dryer. Teknologi pengeringan ini memerlukan bahan pengisi dan agen anti pencoklatan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengoptimasi konsentrasi tapioka, asam sitrat dan puree pisang dalam proses pembuatan tepung pisang Cavendish instan. Penelitian ini menggunakan rancangan Response Surface Methodology (RSM), tiga parameter yang dioptimasi adalah konsentrasi tapioka, asam sitrat dan puree pisang. Level dari input parameter adalah tapioka 3-10%, asam sitrat 150-300 ppm dan puree pisang 1-50%. Karakteristik fisiko-kimia produk tepung pisang instan kemudian dianalisis, meliputi kadar air, abu, lemak, protein, karbohidrat, serat kasar, kalori, dan warna (oHue). Hasil prediksi variabel respon dari formula optimal yaitu kadar air 2,67 %, abu 1,60 %, lemak 3,09%, protein 2,38%, karbohidrat 90,26%, serat kasar 7,49%, kalori 398,84 Kkal/100g, dan warna 67,78oHue (kuning kecoklatan). Formula optimum tepung pisang instan adalah formula 6, yaitu dengan penambahan tapioka 6,50%, asam sitrat 225 ppm dan puree pisang 30%. Tepung pisang instan berpotensi untuk digunakan sebagai makanan sarapan melalui formulasi dengan penambahan bahan yang lain seperti lemak dan protein.

 

Optimisation of The Instant Cavendish Banana Flour Formula by Response Surface Method. 2018. Ermi Sukasih, Setyadjit, Sunarmani and Sri Rejeki R. Pertiwi.

One of diversification products of banana is instant flour using drum dryer. It requires filler and anti-browning agents. The purpose of this research was to get the optimum concentration of tapioca, citric acid and banana puree to produce instant banana flour.The experiment used Response Surface Methodology (RSM), with three parameters being optimized, i.e. the concentration of tapioca, citric acid and banana puree. The percentage used for tapioca in the range of 3-10 %, citric acid 150-300 ppm and banana puree 1-50%. TThe instant banana flour was analyzed for its physicochemical characteristics, i.e: moisture, ash, fat, protein, carbohydrate, crude fiber content, energy, and color 67.78 (oHue). The result of variable response prediction from the optimum formula was moisture content 2.67%, ash 1.60%, fat 3.09%, protein 2.38%, carbohydrate 90.26%, crude fiber 7.49%, color 67.78oHue brownish yellow, energy 398.84 kcal/100g. The optimum formula was formula 6, with the addition of tapioca 6.50%, citric acid 225 ppm and banana puree 30%. This product has a potential to be used as a breakfast food through further formulations with the addition of other ingredients such as fat and protein.
Decommissioning: Turning Challenges into Opportunities, through the Eyes of the Regulators
Authors: Akbar Ali Ir. Mohd , Abdul Karim Marcella , Rusli Hasfanida
Published: November 2019

This paper describes how PETRONAS plays its role as Malaysia's Oil and Gas Regulator in maximizing values and extending the production period of Oil and Gas Assets in Malaysia. Upstream oil and gas industry in Malaysia is based on the Production Sharing Contracts arrangement. The Abandonment obligations transferred to the contractor on 2 items –Obligations to execute the abandonment–Obligations to pay the cess fund

All this works is cost recoverable from PETRONAS. After more than 100 years since oil and gas development starts in Malaysia, there are nearly 40% of assets reaching its design life and this has increase the demand of decommissioning in Malaysia. More matured oil and gas regions have undertaken waves of decommissioning activities in recent years, it is only now that in Malaysia or South East Asia is facing emerging reality of decommissioning. Like any other challenges that the industry has faced before, this will require collaboration from Operators, Host Authority, Service Providers, and other relevant stakeholders to overcome the challenges that decommissioning wave brings.

PETRONAS as the host Authority in Malaysia is playing a key role in turning this challenges to an opportunity for others.
Removing Uncertainty from Cutting of Piles and Structures
Authors: Spence Fergus , Stoddard John , MacWilliam David , Anderson David
Published: November 2019

Objectives/Scope

During decommissioning of an offshore platform jacket the removal of the structure will entail cutting and recovery of the piles driven into the seabed. Uncertainty on the effectiveness of the cutting process can lead to non-productive time and increase in operating cost. The scope of this paper is to present work undertaken to identify a suitable technology that provides near real time cut performance monitoring of single wall piles and conductors.

Methods, Procedures, Process

Abrasive Water Jet cutting is commonly used during pile cutting and remote monitoring of parameters gives valuable information of the cutting process. However, the decision to pull the pile is often based on the know-how or skill of the cutting operators to interpret what the gauges are showing them. Uncertainty leads to increased risk and project costs and can result in disputes between heavy lift vessel contractors and cutting service providers. Several techniques are claimed to be effective in verifying cutting performance but there are none that provide near real-time mapping of cut performance at the cut location.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

Two optical technologies namely laser scanning and photogrammetry were identified as having potential and extensively tested to detect cuts in representative mock-up conditions on varying pile wall thicknesses from 30mm up to 90mm. This paper will present the results of the testing and how each technique performed when asked to identify partial circumferential cuts and incomplete through-wall cuts. The results are compared with physical measurements and evaluated to meet the requirements set out by the project objectives. Field application of each technique was assessed and how the optical method can be integrated into existing equipment is described. Seawater turbidity in the pile which would render optical techniques ineffective has been considered and novel techniques are proposed to overcome this. Limitations and application of each technique in the real world are presented and the paper provides description on how the technique selected may be implemented into existing pile cutting tools.

Novel/Additive Information

This paper will be of benefit to those planning decommissioning of platform jackets and wind turbine piles due to the provision of new techniques resulting in reduction of project uncertainty and cost when employing heavy lift vessels.
Standardization of Inactive Wells Audit Process for Well Abandonment and Production Enhancement Candidate Screening
Authors: Haryanto Elin , Yersaiyn Saltanat , Akram Agha Hassan , Bouchet Francois , Galal Haytham , Basarudin Mohd Ashraf
Published: November 2019

The reservoir management team is often facing a standardization challenge during audit and screening of inactive wells, especially if this task involves multiple mature oil reservoirs or fields. Such a well candidate screening process is normally required to select candidates for revival as well as plug and abandonment (P&A) candidates.

Shut-in wells across different fields may be sharing common issues such as pressure depletion, liquid loading, and high water cut, however, the severity of well-related problems varies from one field to the other. This is in addition to the variation of wellbore mechanical issues such as well-bore integrity, wellbore accessibility, and others. This paper aims to demonstrate a workflow to provide a quantitative ranking of wells. It can be used to standardize an audit process during multi-reservoir or multi-field inactive-well candidate screening study.

The standardization process was addressed by developing a tool that registers the shut-in well ranking upon completing the well potential and risk assessment process. Well level petroleum engineering and production data analysis such as decline curve analysis, nodal analysis and well modeling are performed to estimate the remaining well potential. Subsequently, to enable a comparison across different fields, behind pipe well potential was normalized using multi-field parameters. The audit process followed with well workover risking based on ease of workover intervention including workover options such as water shut off, remedial wellbore integrity work, stimulation and others where it also draws on local knowledge for well risk calculation. The approach presented in this study provides a comprehensive tool for both key performance indicators; remaining well potential and well risk, that are usually required to short-list wells for workovers.

The standardized audit process was demonstrated in a case study where a large number of shut-in wells from multiple mature oil fields were ranked. In this study, the 7 highest ranked wells were recognized as production enhancement candidates and conversely, a number of wells with the lowest ranking were identified for well abandonment. Through this standardized workflow, the well risk assessment was performed efficiently with tools that enable a consistent result across different fields. It helped to accelerate the reservoir management decision-making process in identifying wells with the most impact to increase the success probability during inactive well revival and workover. The workflow and the tool presented in this paper has the potential to be used as analytic tool or template and can be used as a live document that may be adopted to reduce the workload and improve shut-in well management.
Effects of blended versus offline case-centered learning on academic performance and the development of critical thinking among undergraduate nursing students：a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Yu Zhenzhen , Shen Ling , Zhuang Jiayuan , Chen Yimin , Chen Meijing , Lin Yazhu , Hu Rong
Published: November 2019

Background: Educational reform, especially methods of teaching, has been a focus among nursing educators. This study explored the impact of blended versus offline case-centered learning on academic performance and the development of critical thinking among undergraduate nursing students.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was used, with assessments immediately before and 1 school year after the intervention. All second-year undergraduate nursing students were enrolled in the study (without any sampling). The two classes (taking Medical Nursing) were randomly allocated to either the experimental group, which undertook blended case-centered learning, or the control group, which undertook offline case-centered learning. The academic performance included final exam and process assessment, and the Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version (CTDI-CV) was used to assess critical thinking. A Shapiro-Wilk test was first performed to verify the normal distribution of the academic performance data. ANCOVA analyses were also performed to examine the two teaching methods’effect on critical thinking.
Results: Both of the two classes got excellent academic performance in Medical Nursing, and the blended case-based learning class tend to make greater progress. At baseline, the students in the offline case-based learning class exhibited superior performance regarding all seven Professional Basic courses which they have completed. However, the median score in the Medical Nursing course was slightly higher in the experimental group than in the control group after 1 academic year, although was no significant difference in statistics. In addition, compared with the control group, the pre-post difference in competency in critical thinking self-confidence in the experimental group was significantly greater. In the experimental group, there was significant improvement compared with baseline in dimension of critical thinking self-confidence (p<0.05). In the control group, there was significant improvement compared with baseline in the total score (p<0.05) and two of the seven dimensions: truth-seeking (p<0.05) and systematicity (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Our study confirms the effectiveness of blended and offline learning (both based on case-centered learning) for academic performance and components of critical thinking among undergraduate nursing students. Blended and offline case-centered learning could be applied to other nursing subjects in future studies. Moreover, further efforts to improve teaching are warranted.
Impact of Effective Normal Stress on Capillary Pressure in a Single Natural Fracture
Authors: Lima Marina , Schaedle Philipp , Vogler Daniel , Saar Martin O. , Kong Xiang-Zhao
Published: November 2019

Multiphase fluid flow through rock fractures occurs in many reservoir applications such as geological CO2 storage, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), nuclear waste disposal, and oil and gas production. However, constitutional relations of capillary pressure versus fluid saturation, particularly considering the change of fracture aperture distributions under various stress conditions, are poorly understood. In this study, we use fracture geometries of naturally-fractured granodiorite cores as input for numerical simulations of two-phase brine displacement by super critical CO2 under various effective normal stress conditions. The aperture fields are first mapped via photogrammetry, and the effective normal stresses are applied by means of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based convolution numerical method. Throughout the simulations, the capillary pressure is evaluated from the local aperture. Two approaches to obtain the capillary pressure are used for comparison: either directly using the Young-Laplace equation, or the van Genuchten equation fitted from capillary pressure-saturation relations generated using the pore-occupancy model. Analyses of the resulting CO2 injection patterns and the breakthrough times enable investigation of the relationships between the effective normal stress, flow channelling and aperturebased capillary pressures. The obtained results assist the evaluation of two-phase flow through fractures in the context of various subsurface applications.
TDP-43 is elevated in plasma neuronal-derived exosomes of patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhang Nan , Gu Dongmei , Meng Meng , Gordon Marc L.
Published: November 2019

Background Recently, TDP-43 has been recognized as a common proteinopathy in the “oldest old” and a neuropathological comorbidity in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, since it has a low concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, the presence of TDP-43 in AD is rarely investigated in vivo. Methods Twenty-four patients with amyloid PET confirmed AD and 15 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. TDP-43 level in plasma neuronal-derived exosomes (NDEs) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results TDP-43 level was elevated in patients with AD compared with HCs (1.20 ± 0.91 ng/ml vs 0.64 ± 0.20 ng/ml, P < 0.039), after controlling for age. There was no correlation between TDP-43 level and cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms or APOE genotype in patients with AD. Conclusions This study demonstrated increased TDP-43 accumulation in AD patients by examining plasma NDEs, which may provide a window into the effects of TDP-43 on AD progression.
Development of a patient-oriented outcome measure for patients with hand and elbow disorder: HandQ
Authors: Uehara Kosuke , Miura Toshiki , Ohe Takashi , Doi Tokuhide , Tanaka Sakae , Morizaki Yutaka
Published: November 2019

Background: We aimed to develop a patient-oriented disease-specific outcome measure for patients with disorders of the hand and elbow, which we call the HandQ, and examine the practical applicability, reliability and validity of the HandQ for any patient with disorders of the hand and elbow. Methods: A total of 216 patients were surveyed with the HandQ, as well as the Hand20 and the DASH to assess psychometric characteristics. Results: Test-retest reliability and internal consistency determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.942) and Cronbach’s alpha test (0.961) were excellent. The HandQ was well correlated with the other questionnaires. Scree plot showed uni-dimensionality of the HandQ, and the graphical model showed the questionnaire items of the HandQ had reasonable correlation among each item. Conclusions: The HandQ has a sufficient reliability and internal consistency, and an excellent validity, and was shown to be able to be practically applicable in all patients with hand and elbow disorders.
Comparison of RWP-RK transcription factors between Arabidopsis and legumes uncovers a relationship between nitrogen signaling and nodulation
Authors: Wu Zhihua , Liu Hong , Huang Wen , Yi Lisha , Li Xiufang , Qin Erdai , Li Yarui , Yang Tiange , Zhang Yuxiang , An Can , Gan Yuqin , Wang Xinrong , Wang Jing , Qin Rui
Published: November 2019

Background Nitrogen, as a constituent of amino acids and nucleic acids, is an essential macronutrient for all living organisms. The nitrogen-fixation clade (NFC) is a clade, consisting of Fabales, Fagales, Cucurbitales, and Rosales, where all nodulating plants have been originated. The plant-specific RWP-RK family of transcription factors are involved in nitrate responses and play specific roles in nodule inception. In the present study, by investigation of RWP-RKs at genome-wide level and comparative coexpression networks, the roles of RWP-RKs involved in nitrate response and nodulation were analyzed to reveal evolution of RWP-RKs and a relationship between nitrogen signaling and nodulation.Results Here, we systematically investigated 292 RWP-RKs from 26 species of legumes and non-legumes of NFC by whole-genomic analysis and characterized their evolutionary relationships, protein motifs, and gene structures. We compared RWP-RK networks from Arabidopsis thaliana under N-starvation and N-supplementation conditions, as well as transcriptome atlases from Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max. This revealed that N starvation, which is essential for nodulation, alters the connectivity of RWP-RKs to other genes, including symbiosis-related genes. Meanwhile, appropriately low concentrations of nitrates stimulate nodulation by regulating RWP-RK expression in P. vulgaris.Conclusions Our comparative evolutionary analysis of RWP-RKs between A. thaliana and legumes revealed the evolutionary features and the relationship between the nitrate signaling pathway in a model organism and nodulation in legumes.
Soil Carbonate Analysis Using the Solvita Compost Maturity Gel System
Authors: Rogers C. W. , Pristupa S. , Dari B.
Published: November 2019

Core Ideas

The Solvita compost gel system was well calibrated with calcium carbonate C.

The Solvita compost gel system was highly correlated to the standard pressure calcimeter method.

The Solvita compost gel system is an alternative method for inorganic C determination.

Determination of inorganic carbon (IC) as calcium carbonate is important for soil fertility and soil health assessments in alkaline soils. Methods have been developed to determine IC, including the widely used pressure calcimeter method. We compared 19 alkaline soils using the pressure calcimeter method and the Solvita gel system, which was recently developed to measure CO2respiration. Results from the study indicated calibration curves for the Solvita gel system could be developed within an approximate range of 1 to 30 mg IC. Comparison of the Solvita gel system with the pressure calcimeter resulted in a near 1:1 relationship, where slight overestimation occurred when IC was less than 13 g kg−1and slight underestimation above this level. The results of this study indicate the Solvita gel system can be considered as an alternative method for IC determination.
Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Problems and Improving Rice Production under Salinity Conditions
Authors: Anwari Gulaqa , Mandozai Ajmal , Feng Jin
Published: November 2019

Soil with poor physio-chemical and biological properties prevent plant growth. These poor characteristics may be due to soil creation processes, but also include largely inappropriate agricultural practices and/or anthropogenic pollution. During the last 4 decades, the world has lost one-third of its cropland due to pollution and erosion. Therefore, a series of operations is required to improve and recover the soil. Biochar is a new multifunctional carbon material extensively used as a modifier to improve soil quality and crop production. Previous studies have discussed the properties of biochar with varying soil pollutants and their effects on soil productivity and carbon sequestration. Comparatively, little attention has been paid to the effects of biochar application on rice growth in the problem of soils, especially in the saline-sodic soils. A comprehensive review of the literature with a high focusing on the effects of biochar application on problem soils and rice-growing under salinity conditions is needed. The present review gives an overview of the soil's problem, biochar amendment effects on physicochemical properties of soil, and how the biochar amendment could interact in soil microbes and root with remediation under salinity conditions for improving rice productivity. The findings of this review showed that biochar application can improve soil quality, reduce soil's problem and increase rice production under salinity conditions. It is anticipated that further researches on the biochar amendment will increase our understanding of the interactions of biochar with soil components, accelerate our attempts on soil remediation, and improve rice production under salinity conditions.
Outdoor Air Quality and Antibiogram Characteristics of Bacterial Isolates of Akure City Abattoirs, Nigeria
Authors: Olusola-makinde Olubukola Olayemi
Published: November 2019

Air sampling of Onyearugbulem and FUTA abattoirs was carried out to evaluate their quality. Air sampling was done using the open-settling method on general and selective agar media of the gutter, sleeping bench, slaughtering floor dumpsite, slaughtering table and roof of the abattoirs.  Using standard methods, Presumptive identification of the bacterial isolates was carried out. An array of ten (10) conventional antibiotics was used to assay the antibiotic susceptibility characteristics of the bacterial isolates. Multiple antibiotic sensitivity index (MARI) was determined for isolated bacteria. At Onyearugbulem abattoir, the total Escherichia coli count ranged from 3.6×10 cfu/ml from the gutter and slaughtering table to 6.5×10 cfu/ml from the slaughtering floor, while the total bacterial count ranged from 1.34×102 cfu/ml from dumpsite to 2.55×102 cfu/ml from the gutter, the total coliform count ranged from 2.8× 10 cfu/ml from slaughtering floor to 4.1×10 cfu/ml from sleeping bench. Several bacteria were presumptively isolated. These include: Micrococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., Enterobacter aerogenes and Aeromonas sp. Ciprofloxacin (10 µg) had an inhibitory effect on all the Gram positive bacterial isolates with the highest inhibitory activity on S. aureus at 24.00 mm, and the Gram negative bacteria with the highest inhibitory activity on E. coli at 21.00 mm. Micrococcus sp. had the highest MARI of 0.8. These findings reveal the presence of multiple-antibiotic resistant bacteria in Onyearugbulem and FUTA abattoirs’ atmosphere. There is therefore need for routine environmental sanitation of the slaughterhouses.
Haulm Forage Value of Lentil Varieties in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Hailegiorgis Asemahegn Mersha , Lemessa Debissa
Published: November 2019

The major livestock feed next to natural pasture in central highlands of Ethiopia is cereal crop residue; however, supplementation with additional nutritional entities is most often recommended.  The present study aims to examine the nutritive value of lentil haulm and how this value varies among the varieties and locations. For this, 80gms of haulm samples of Alemaya, Derash and local lentil varieties were collected with four replications from Bishoftu, Akaki, and Chefe-Donsa from on farm trial sites of Ethiopian institute of agricultural research. To test for the variation in haulm nutritional values among the varieties, two-way ANOVA was employed. The results showed that the interaction of variety and location had significant effect on crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), metabolizable energy (ME) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (P<0.05). Here, CP content of lentil haulm was higher for a local variety when compared with the two commercial varieties. The haulm yield (4.38t/ha) and haulm dry matter yield (3.97 t DM/ha) were higher for Derash when compared with that of the local variety (P<0.05). Overall, the present finding denoted that although in some cases the lentil haulm nutritional values and yields vary among varieties and were dependent on growing locations, it can be observed to have optimum feeding values to supplement livestock feed with the cereal crop residues in central Ethiopia.