bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Water Based Mud Design to Improve Formation Damage Results on Mariner Field
Authors: Houston Kirsty Ann , Fleming Niall , Bonkat Julya Jennifer , Kaarigstad Havard , Barclay Jonathan , Watson Russell , Viste Patrick
Published: February 2022

The Mariner Field consists of two shallow heavy oil reservoir sections: the deeper Maureen Formation and the shallower Heimdal Reservoir. Produced water is re-injected through stand-alone screens providing pressure maintenance for the aquifer support and producer well life longevity. The challenge is to design a drill-in fluid for the injectors to allow matrix injection across the sand face. This improves the longevity of the lower completion screens by reducing hot spot completion damage created by the injection fluid (Yildiz, 2004). It also improves the pressure support for the producing wells.

Equinor is committed to using sustainable, environmentally sound drilling fluid options. Therefore, the preference was to utilize a water-based drilling fluid with the application of a breaker after the lower completion was in place. A significant formation damage study was performed using various designs of water-based fluids. Each formulation utilized a biopolymer to provide viscosity and rheological support. The sands were unconsolidated and sand packs had to be created to mimic the reservoir characteristics of the Maureen reservoir. This potentially impacted the formation damage interpretation.

From the formation damage study, biopolymer was highlighted as a limiting damage mechanism. This prompted both Equinor and Schlumberger to look at alternative ways to provide rheological support without using biopolymers. A mono-valent biopolymer free reservoir drill-in fluid was designed specifically for this challenging high Darcy reservoir to mitigate the formation damage seen from coreflooding. This paper will detail the design, testing, diagnostic analysis of the formation damage mechanism and the new biopolymer free fluid. Together they showed a step change improvement in the formation damage testing. In addition, the paper will also detail the deployment of the new fluid on Mariner. Furthermore, it will describe how the laboratory design translated into large scale plant mixing with deployment at the rig site.
A Comprehensive Review of Sand Retention Test Methods and Data Analysis with a Focus of Application
Authors: Linden Tanner , Fischer Christine
Published: February 2022

Sand Control completions in long horizontal laterals often present challenging conditions because of a wide range of formation particle sizes and inflow rates which must be contained with a single completion. To aid in the screen selection process, laboratory testing of possible sand control media has proven to be a reliable method to improve the success of the completion.

Soft sand completions are generally characterized into two classes of wellbore environments. A rapid wellbore collapse onto the screen or a gradual mechanical failure of the surrounding formation. Depending upon the type of wellbore environment encountered, one sand control test may provide a closer simulation to the failure phenomenon in the wellbore than another.

This paper reviews three primary types of sand retention tests that include Constant Drawdown (pre-pack), Constant Rate, and Cyclical Brine. There are several variations on each test method, particularly the constant rate test method.

The primary objective of any sand retention test method is to determine the amount and size of solids production through the sand control media with a specific particle size distribution. However, the various test methods provide additional performance data to aid in selecting a sand control system for a given environment. The Constant Drawdown method simulates a wellbore that is in conformance with the sand control media. This method provides retained screen permeability, as well as the formation and system permeabilities at multiple stress levels. Similarly, the Cyclical Brine method simulates a rapid wellbore collapse with an emphasis on injection well shut ins. This test provides system permeability data in both the injection and production flow directions. Lastly, the Constant Rate methods simulate a gradual or erosional failure of the wellbore on the sand control media. In these tests, a fluidized slurry contacts the sand control media in the open annulus, providing increasing pressure data with time.

Using the sand retention data from these test methods a master curve is generated, which can predict how the screen will perform with various particle size distributions. A detailed analysis of particle size data down a lateral and interpretation with the Master Curves has been completed and provides a prediction of the performance of the sand retention media across the range of formation particle size distributions.

By comparing the various evaluation methods through a reproducible sand retention study, we can optimize laboratory evaluation methods for a variety of wellbore environments. This provides the industry a comprehensive guide for matching wellbore specifications to the ideal laboratory sand retention evaluation method, optimizing the sand control selection to the well.
Water Injector Acid Stimulation: An Offshore Case Study
Authors: Bolingbroke Hannah F , Yao Calvin C
Published: February 2022

Waterflooding presents many unique challenges, especially in the offshore environment. Cost, slot availability, and uncertainty about return on investment limit the number of water injection wells and the use of ideal flooding patterns. Furthermore, water injectivity commonly declines with time due to formation damage. Well stimulation is a routine solution to remove such damage and recover injectivity. This case study focuses on our experience with a mud-acid stimulation of a water injector in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM).

When the injectivity index of an offshore water injection well had decreased over time by a factor of 4, a mud-acid stimulation was performed, and significant injectivity was recovered. The well logs show multiple high-permeability layers, which can cause issues with waterflood conformance. A non-flowback operation, also known as bullheading, was decided upon to push insoluble fines into those high-permeability layers to improve waterflood conformance. Forgoing a post-stimulation flowback also decreased the cost of the job, reduced the risk of personnel exposure to acid, and was more favorable from an environmental viewpoint.

Water injectivity was monitored with traditional diagnostic Hall plots. The efficacy of the stimulation job was evaluated through Hall plots, calculated injectivity index, and skin. Pressure transient analysis (PTA) was used to determine kh products, reservoir pressures, and skin factors before and after the mud-acid stimulation.

This paper presents the successful, bullhead-style acid stimulation of a water injector supporting two oil producers in the deepwater GOM.
Understanding Fluid Exchange as Screens are Run in Hole – Mitigation of Formation and Completion Damage Risks
Authors: Byrne Michael , Djayapertapa Lesmana , Watson Ken , Fleming Niall , Taugbøl Knut
Published: February 2022

To reduce the risk of screen plugging with drilling fluid solids, wellbore fluids are typically displaced to low or no solids systems before sand screen lower completions are run in to wells. Displacing the entire wellbore volume to low solids fluids can add significant cost particularly in high pressure wells. An option can be to displace the open hole section of the well only with the low solids fluid and run the lower completion through the original drilling fluid. A refinement of this process is to fill the upper hole section with the low solids fluid in order to pre-saturate the screens assembly. The movement or exchange of the two fluids as the screens are run in to the wellbore has been a significant uncertainty, until now!

This work was conducted to investigate the potential for fluids to exchange as sand screen completions are run in to wells in the Field 1 Satellite and Field 2 developments. The hypothesis that fluids in the wellbore would displace fluids inside the screen assembly as the screens are run in to the well was tested. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling was used to simulate the movement of the lower completion in to the well and determine the rate and quantity of fluid exchange.

The simulations demonstrated that when stand alone screen (SAS) completions are run in to wellbores, fluids will exchange from outside to inside the screens. This process happens at all tripping speeds examined and in all parts of the cased and open hole wellbore. The fluid exchange continues throughout the running in process, including in the open hole lower completion. There is no value in filling the top hole section with low solids completion fluid unless fluid exchange during running in can be controlled. When a one-way inflow control device (ICD) check valve is fitted to each screen joint allowing fluid to flow in to the tubing but not back out to the annulus then fluid exchange is significantly limited.

Careful consideration should be given to the exchange of fluids as lower completion assemblies are run in to wells. If it is considered undesirable that the fluid in the well should enter the lower completion string as it is run in to the well then appropriate valves or flow reduction should be considered. Eliminating the requirement to fill the top hole section with low solids fluid can lead to significant cost reduction in well where expensive fluids, such as Cs formate, are required to meet the low or no solids specifications. Understanding fluid exchange in wells as screens are run in can significantly reduce the risk of formation/completion damage. The work illustrates the value in a novel application of CFD to determine the optimum well construction process.
Novel Sealing Technology Increased Wellbore Integrity While Optimizing Well Schematic in La Caverna Bandurria Sur Unconventional Field
Authors: Emanuel Lopez Gaston , Vidal Gonzalo , Claus Hedegaard Allan , Maldonado Reinaldo
Published: February 2022

The Bandurria Field in Argentina is known for its narrow operational window due to the difference in pressure gradients while drilling through the Quintuco and Vaca Muerta formations. This scenario usually requires managed pressure drilling (MPD) and a robust well design, including four casing sections, which significantly increases the well construction cost. The operator's objective was to design an efficient and cost-effective well aligned to the current economic market conditions.

Using a break-even price target of 43 USD/bbl, high-end technologies resulting in high operational costs are not cost effective and unacceptable. Therefore, the operator selected a new technology and operational method focused on the drilling fluids to increase the pressure-gradient operative window.

An ultra-resistant and flexible technology was used in the open hole section in real-time while drilling. The technology is designed with the drilling fluid system so that new rock drilled would be sealed quickly. Minimizing the interaction between the drilling fluid and the formation would preserve the original formation conditions. Using this technology, it was possible to perform a flawless operation, increasing the operative window and minimizing wellbore instability while drilling through the Quintuco and Vaca Muerta formations which are characterized by interbedded carbonates/shale layers under high-pressure conditions.

The offset wells on the same pad presented severe operations issues, including stuck pipe, lost circulation, and sidetracks, even with the use of MPD. The technique implemented, known as Wellbore Stabilization Technology (WSST), enabled the operator to perform a dynamic formation integrity test (DFIT) while drilling through the transition zone to evaluate the magnitude of the operative window increase and compare those results to the offset wells on the same pad. As measured in the field, the WST allowed an increase of 2-3 lb/gal beyond the fracture gradient window.

The WST was later applied in six additional wells in the same area, where the drilling efficiency significantly improved compared to historical wells. Further, the operator reduced the volume of oil-based drilling fluid (OBM) used per well, minimizing drilling fluid costs and optimizing the drilling operations.

A thorough laboratory analysis was performed to evaluate this novel technology's effectiveness against several high-end technologies. This innovative adoption to the drilling fluid design resulted in a significant cost reduction to drill the Bandurria Sur Field. In addition to presenting field results, including the increase in the fracture gradient window as compared to offset wells, this paper describes the prevention of lost circulation, resulting in a nearly 50% decrease in wellbore instability.
Industry First: Shunt Tubes Open Hole Gravel Pack Completion Through 9-5/8" Milled Casing Window in ACG Field, Azerbaijan
Authors: Susilo Raden Yoliandri , Yahyayeva Narmina , Saavedra Luis , Loboguerrero Santiago , Akhundova Gumru , Rasul-zade Ali , Whaley Kevin
Published: February 2022

Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) is a giant field located in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. The major reservoir zones are multi layers sandstone formations with oil column up-to 1000m, and weakly consolidated where Open Hole Gravel Pack (OHGP) completions have become the standard design for production wells. Development began in 1997 and to date more than 130 high rate OHGPs have been installed.

Once existing wells has been uneconomically to be produced, a Sidetrack or Up-Hole Recompletion (UHRC) will be performed. The standard 9-5/8" sidetrack technique will be done by drilling new section, installing and cemented a 7-5/8" liner, then drilling 6.5"x8" hole in pay zone followed by running 4" Shunted Screen and gravel packing. Previously C&P technique has been used for UHRC option but it was producing at limited drawdown and quickly sand up when water break through. Cased Hole Gravel Pack (CHGP) technique has been trialed as UHRC option in the past 2 years but has limitation of the number zone & length can be perforated which resulted in leaving some zones unperforated behind casing.

A new concept of UHRC has been designed and successfully tested. This concept consists of sidetracking into the overburden, drilling to TD and removing 7-5/8" liner section. Shunted screen then deployed into open hole through a cased milled window followed by gravel pack operation. While standalone screens have been deployed through cased milled windows before, deploying shunted screens through a cased milled window followed by an OHGP is an industry 1st. This technique delivers the well 20 days earlier compare to standard Sidetrack OHGP well due to removal 7-5/8" production liner section. This technique is also give advantage over stacked CHGP option because can provide higher k*h access, can handle high levels of differential depletion within the completed interval and has the potential to unlock up lot more well candidates to allow and deplete the reserves from overlying reservoirs.

This paper will also describe window and well design to deliver successful Shunt Tubes OHGP installation with this technique.
Managing to Reproduce Original Carbonate Core Condition: Is Core Initialized Realistically on Three-Dimensional Geometry?
Authors: Yonebayashi Hideharu , Uetani Takaaki , Kaido Hiromi
Published: February 2022

In this study, we established initial water saturation (Swi) using three techniques: (1) the dynamic displacement technique, (2) the porous plate technique, and (3) the vacuum saturation technique. A unique heterogeneous carbonate reservoir rock sample (1.5-inch diameter and 3-inches long) was used repeatedly to compare the techniques without an uncertainty of different cores. After establishing Swi by each initialization technique, the cross sections were scanned using a micro-CT scanner. The image data was processed to estimate the cross sectional fluid distribution in XY-direction. Furthermore, each areal average Swi was calculated to investigate Swi distribution in Z-direction (direction of injection). Based on the comparison of interpreted fluid distribution, pros/cons of each technique was discussed.
Smart Drill-In Fluid and Breaker Design for a Limestone Reservoir for Persian Gulf Offshore Wells
Authors: Pietrangeli Gianna , Barry Michael , Alvarez Daniel , Hayden Laurie , Addagalla Ajay
Published: February 2022

Offshore reservoirs in the Southwest Persian Gulf are commonly oil-wet limestone with an average permeability of 10 md. High production of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide is often encountered in the oil producer wells. The tight reservoirs are commonly drilled with water-based reservoir drill-in fluid (DIF) with high concentrations of lubricants.

DIFs based on sodium chloride or calcium chloride brines with corresponding optimal breakers to remove the filter cakes were formulated and evaluated to optimize production in newly drilled wells.

Fluid displacement by return permeability (RP) testing was used to evaluate the fluid/limestone rock interaction. This paper discusses the compatibility of a sodium chloride-based and a calcium chloride-based DIF with limestone formation and the necessity of introducing an optimal breaker to maximize the opportunity to achieve high production rates.

RP tests are widely used to determine the potential damage caused by the DIF and production enhancement after removing the DIF filter cake with a breaker. Desired results for RP tests performed with the brine-based DIF in limestone cores were a minimum of 75% regain permeability to oil production. The cores used for the RP tests were from an analogue limestone outcrop from a Mississippian formation with permeability between 9-16 md and 14-18% porosity.

DIF properties were determined following API RP-13I recommended practices. Emulsion tendency for the fluids was determined by using emulsion tendency testing with a high-speed mixer to mimic shear at the pore throat.

A 10.0 lb/gal sodium chloride water-based DIF with a high content of ester-based lubricant was designed for drilling a limestone formation. A high pH close to 10 was necessary to control H2S and CO2 corrosion.

The return permeability of the 10.0 lb/gal fluid was 44% using LVT-200 oil as an analogue for the native hydrocarbon permeating fluid. The low return permeability was likely caused by emulsion blockages generated by the saponification of the ester-based lubricant used in the sodium chloride-based DIF.

Emulsion tendency was observed between the DIF filtrate and permeating fluid in a fluid/fluid compatibility evaluation. Therefore, a breaker system was formulated and customized to enhance RP from 44% to a minimum of 75%.

In contrast, a 11.0 lb/gal calcium chloride-based DIF with pH of 9.0 and same ester-based lubricant content was evaluated using a comparable limestone analogue core and demonstrated a high return permeability (>80%). Filtrate of the calcium chloride-based DIF did not form emulsions during fluid displacement in the RP test.

Compatibility evaluation (return permeability) between drill-in fluids and reservoir rock is essential for oil producer wells in order to determine and avoid potential problems caused by interactions between them.
Wellbore Stability Analysis in an Offshore High-Pressure High-Temperature Gas Field Revealed Lost Times Due to Lack of Well Trajectory Optimization
Authors: Ashena Rahman , Roohi Abbas , Ghalambor Ali
Published: February 2022

Wellbore stability (WBS) problems causes excessive lost times and cost during drilling. Drilling 10 development wells in an offshore high pressure high temperature (HPHT) gas field showed different non-productive time (NPT) values due to different severity of WBS issues such as kick flows, lost circulation, tight holes, stuck pipes which are responsible for repeated reaming, fishing and sidetracking. To reveal the reasons for the different severity of WBS problems in the studied wells and enhance future drilling, this work focused its investigation on the geomechanical modeling and WBS analysis.

The results of the constructed geomechanical model show that well trajectory parameters of azimuth and inclination angle have crucial effects on the safe mud weight window and the consequent WBS problems. The stable mud weight window decreases as the borehole deviation increases, the maximum allowable inclination angle was determined as 50 degrees; otherwise, severe WBS issues are expected during drilling. The well azimuth showed to have trivial effect on the breakout mud weight, whereas the breakdown mud weight is significantly greater in wells drilled in the direction of minimum horizontal stress (NW-SE). Therefore, as safe mud weight windows are broader in wells with NW-SE, it is expected that such wells have greater wellbore stability than wells drilled in other directions. Therefore, the different extent of the actual field WBS issues in the studied wells was attributed to their well trajectories, in accordance with the WBS analysis.

Optimization of wellbore trajectory parameters while taking into account reservoir targets are recommended for future drilling in HPHT fields. This would contribute to reducing WBS problems and NPT for subsequent drilling jobs and finally contribute to more efficient drilling operations.
A Comprehensive Validation Methodology for Benchmarking Polymeric Chemistries for Controlling and Inhibiting C60+ Paraffin Waxes in Shale Oils
Authors: Pontifes Antonio , Iwasiw Alexis , Trevino Eric , Mahmoudkhani Amir
Published: February 2022

Recent developments in sampling and analytical techniques have enabled scientists to identify and track compositional changes in the molecular weights of paraffin hydrocarbons in organics rich shales wells towards higher molecular weight paraffin hydrocarbons. High molecular weight carbon chains (HMWCs) are generally regarded as the problematic hydrocarbons as they have the highest tendency to precipitate, deposit, and restrict flow in near wellbore zones, flowlines, valves, and chocks. This paper presents a systematic laboratory approach for monitoring and screening for of C60+paraffin waxes in shale oils and field deposits. A comprehensive validation methodology for benchmarking polymeric chemistries in laboratory for controlling and inhibiting C61 – C100 paraffin waxes is discussed based on the results from gas chromatography analysis (GC), differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DCS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and cold finger wax deposit testing. Modes of action of four polymeric chemistries are discussed based on laboratory data. Results showed none of the polymeric compounds performed as wax crystal modifiers for C60+paraffins, but more likely did disperse C60+wax crystals to some degree. This leads to the alarming conclusion that use of some paraffin inhibitors could lead to a much severe wax deposition when higher amounts of very large paraffin molecules are present in reservoir hydrocarbons. A plausible theory is proposed based on the "folded chain model" and common understanding of how polymeric inhibitors interact with paraffin wax molecules. It was found that model oil systems are more realistic for suitable to screening existing and new inhibitor chemistries for wax control and management when very high molecular weight paraffin molecules are present.
Frac Fluid induced Damage in Tight Sands and Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Li Shuai , Cai Bo , He Chunming , Gao Yuebin , Wang Jia , Yan Fei , Liu Yuting , Yu Tianxi , Zhong Xiaojun , Cheng Ning , Zhang Haoyu
Published: February 2022

During the hydraulic fracturing of tight sands and shale reservoirs, ten thousands cubic meters of frac fluids were pumped into formation, while only 6-30% can be recovered. Frac fluids imbibed into formation matrix via capillary or forced pressure can cause formation damage, and this has been widely concerned.

In this paper, we firstly reviewed and summarized the main damage mechanisms during the hydraulic fracturing of tight and shale reservoirs, including formation damage induced by fluids invasion, rock-fluids and fluids-fluids incompatibilities, proppants compaction and embedment, clay swelling and fines migration, chemical adsorption and particle dispersion et al. Secondly, we evaluated the formation damage via large-scale rock-block experiment (40cm×10cm×3cm cuboid size). Fluids invasion, water imbibition and flow-back process were carried out at the in-situ pressure condition to simulate the whole procedure of hydraulic fracturing. Liquid recovery and pressure profile obtained via the pressure detecting probes were used as evaluation method. What's more, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods were also used to illustrate the inner mechanism, explain the inside fluids distribution and fluids migration characteristics in different hydraulic fracturing procedure.

Results showed that after frac fluid invasion, the rock permeability declined by 8-20%, and the hydrocarbon recovery decline by 25-30%, while the rock permeability can recover 3-12% after 24h's well shut-ins. Well shut-ins can increase rock permeability and this improvement is beneficial to hydrocarbon output in the later flow-back process. At the in-situ pressure condition, 4.3% more kerosene can be recovered than just at the spontaneous imbibition condition. Results also shows that invaded frac fluid forms a ‘water block’ and mainly distributes in macropores and mesopores and forms a water-block near fracture face, increasing capillary discontinuity and blocking seepage channels, while imbibition mechanism can reduce near-fracture water-blocks. A balance of displacement pressure and capillary pressure is crucial to the imbibition mechanism when considering in-situ pressure. The re-migration and distribution of the oil-water phase during the well shut-ins can weaken the water damage effect of the fracture wall, increase the relative permeability of the oil phase, and reduce the discontinuity of the capillary.

Low fluids recovery after hydraulic fracturing would not all do harm to hydrocarbon recovery, sometimes it may help oil and gas extraction. Study of this paper can provide basis for oilfield field engineers to switch oil production choke and flow-back schedule management.
Simulation of Hydrate Particle Deposition in Horizontal Annular Mist Flow
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Pei Jihao , Zhang Jianbo , Gong Zhenggang , Ma Nan
Published: February 2022

In the prediction of hydrate deposition, few studies have considered the hydrate particles generated from droplets in the gas core, which makes it difficult to calculate the hydrate particle deposition accurately. Previous studies have introduced the effective deposition ratio (EDR) to predict the hydrate particle deposition from the gas core quantitatively, which simplifies the prediction process. However, a quantitative description of the EDR has not been studied. The current work has established a prediction model of hydrate particle deposition on a pipe wall and developed a method for solving the EDR based on the force analysis and removal mechanism (lifting, rolling, or slipping) of hydrate particles on the horizontal pipe wall in annular mist flow. The effects of gas velocity, pipe diameter, particle size, and other factors on the EDR of hydrate particles were analyzed using the optimized discrete particle model (DPM) in Fluent. The results show that the EDR is inversely proportional to the gas velocity under the comprehensive impacts of the turbulent kinetic energy and gas shear force. Under the influence of the liquid film "wrapping," the EDR rapidly grows and then stabilizes with the increase in particle size. Under the joint influence of the liquid film distribution and forces acting on the particles, the EDR first rapidly declines and then grows with the increase in pipe diameter, and finally tends to be stable. Through regression fitting of more than 700 sets of data, the empirical expression of the EDR of hydrate particles was established for the first time, and the error was within the allowable range in engineering. This work lays a foundation for the accurate calculation of hydrate particle deposition generated from droplets in a gas core.
Nexus Between Macroeconomic Factors and Economic Growth in Palestine: An Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach
Authors: Tabash Mosab I. , Farooq Umar , Safi Samir K. , Shafiq Muhammad Nouman
Published: February 2022

All the countries are trying their best to achieve maximum economic prosperity through employing efficient economic strategies. Such countries seem to be conscious of various factors that can potentially affect economic growth. Given that, the current study examines the impact of various macroeconomic factors on the economic growth of Palestine. By employing the large range of quarterly data spanning from 2001 to 2020, the statistical outputs of the ARDL model show that government debt, donations, government expenditures, and unemployment rate adversely impact economic growth. However, other factors including credit facilities, inflation, and total investments positively impinge upon the economic growth of Palestine. Such dynamic impact of various macroeconomic factors displays the detrimental and growth promising role of macroeconomic factors in determining economic prosperity. Our analysis suggests various policy implications to economic policy officials regarding the effectiveness of various factors for economic health. It is further recommended to international agencies working in aid and donations intensive countries to design efficient economic policies that can help such economic in coming out from economic distress.
The Use of Medicinal Plants in Common Ophthalmic Disorders: a Systematic Review With Meta-analysis
Authors: Alghamdi Ali Hendi , Ahmed Aimun A. E. , Bashir Mahadi , Abdalgadir Haidar , Khalid Asaed , Gul Sheraz
Published: February 2022

Background: There is rare information regarding the use of Medicinal Plants For Ocular Diseases. This study aimed to assess and compile the available research articles about medicinal plants used for ocular diseases.Methods: The PICOS as a search term were used to design a clear answerable study question. the studies were retrieved by searching in four selected databases; PubMed, science direct, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), using well-designed and optimized filters. while the Prisma flowchart was applied and the quality of the included studies was assessed. meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean (SM) for included studies for each outcome, using both fixed and random-effect approaches through constructing the relevant forest plot. the heterogeneity of the studies was determined by estimating both Q and I2 parameters. Moreover, the funnel plot was used to test the publication bias.Results: A Prisma flow chart revealed that; a total of 2,949 articles were retrieved, 35 full-text were assessed for eligibility and seven studies (4 observational and 3 experimental) with low to moderate quality were eligible and involved in the systematic review with a total of 600 plants from 4 countries. Among the 600 plants, only 24 (4%); were used to assess the status, both the fixed and random models of the studies proved that, the included studies have a tendency to predict the outcomes for the observational studies (OR= 0.062, CI= 0.043- 0.090 and OR= 0.039, CI= 0.012- 0.122) for different plants used for ocular diseases. High heterogeneity (estimated as I2 =87.078, Tau2 = 1.161 and Q-value =23.217 with p-value of 0.000). whilst for experimental studies (I2 =94.928, Tau2 = 23.211 and Q-value =39.434 with p-value of 0.000) and publication bias were reported.Conclusions: Few articles that represent about 600 plants with low to moderate quality reported the use of medicinal plants for ocular diseases. The meta-analysis confirmed the systematic review findings regarding the plants' traditional use with high heterogeneity and publication bias. A considerable gap was proved towards the use of medicinal plants in ocular diseases that require intensive research.
Normative Measurements of Orbital Structures by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Rana Khizar , Juniat Valerie , Rayan Aaron , Patel Sandy , Selva Dinesh
Published: February 2022

Purpose: We describe and compare the normative values of orbital structures in an Australian cohort on T1-weighted MRI and fat suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI.Methods: Retrospective review of patients who underwent 3T orbital MRI. The maximum extraocular muscle (EOM) and superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) diameters on normal orbits were recorded. The extraocular muscle diameters were summed to produce the sum of all muscles. Results: The normal measurements (mean ± SD) from 141 orbits that had fat suppressed contrast-enhanced MRI: medial rectus (MR), 4.1 ± 0.5 mm; lateral rectus (LR), 3.9 ± 0.7 mm; superior muscle group (SMG), 4.5 ± 0.7 mm; inferior rectus (IR), 4.6 ± 0.7 mm; and SOV, 1.8 ± 0.7 mm. The normal measurement from 84 orbits that had T1-weighted MRI: MR, 4.1 ± 0.5 mm; LR, 3.4 ± 0.6 mm; SMG, 4.3 ± 0.7 mm; IR, 4.6 ± 0.7 mm; SOV, 2.0 ± 0.7 mm. 84 orbits had both MRI sequences performed. The LR, SMG and the sum of all muscles were significantly larger on fat suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI sequence than the T1-weighted sequence (P<0.01), whereas the SOV was significantly larger on the T1-weighted sequence (P<0.01). Conclusion: These data may aid in diagnosing pathological enlargement of the EOMs and SOV on different scan sequences.
Necroptosis-related lncRNAs and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undoubtedly Secret
Authors: Ning Jingyuan , Sun Keran , Fan Xiaoqing , Jia Keqi , Wang Xiaofeng , Ma Cuiqing , Wei Lin
Published: February 2022

Background: The current study demonstrates that necroptosis is an important mechanism of carcinogenesis. However, the predictive value of necroptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma has not been demonstrated. The purpose of this study is to apply necroptosis-related lncRNAs to construct a predictive signature to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.Methods: The clinical and RNA-seq data were downloaded using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis was used to screen out suitable necroptosis-related lncRNAs, and then predictive signature was constructed. The TCGA data were randomly divided into high- and low-risk groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the overall survival (OS) of the two groups to verify the predictive signature. Finally, a prognostic correlation model for predicting disease-freesurvival （DFS）in hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC） was constructed and validated.Results: We had screened out 9 necroptosis-related lncRNAs (BACE1-AS, LINC01188, LUCAT1, PI3KCD-AS2, Z83851.1, AC009283.1, AC012360.2, AC015908.3, AC103760.1), which were used to construct a predictive signature, and draw the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve by the high- and low-risk group. It was found that the area under the curve (AUC) of risk score was 0.874, and the AUCs values of 1-,3-,and 5-years were 0.8, 0.759, 0.787. The TCGA data were randomly divided into two cohorts. In two cohorts, The OS of the high-risk groups were significantly lower than that of the low-risk groups, and the AUC of the ROC curves of the two cohorts were 0.851, 0.804, 0.802 and 0.735, 0.716, 0.76 at 1-, 3-, and 5-years. After quantifying immune cell subsets and related functions, it was found that the infiltration of active dendritic cells (aDCs), macrophages, mast cells, natural killer cells (NK), T regulatory cells (Tregs) were significantly different, and the expressions of immune checkpoints CD86, LAIR1, CTLA4, VTCN1, TNFRSF18, CD80, CD276, HHLA2, TNFSF4, TNFRSF8, TNFRSF4, TNFRSF9, LGALS9, HAVCR2 and TNFSF15 were also significantly different.Conclusion: This predictive signature can accurately predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and provide guidance for the clinical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
Peri-arthroscopic Management of Immunosuppressive Medications in Patients With Rheumatic Disease: A Survey of Practice Trends Among Rheumatologists and Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeons
Authors: Vasavada Kinjal , Jazrawi Laith M. , Samuels Jonathan
Published: February 2022

Background/purpose: Rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons frequently collaborate on difficult decisions regarding perioperative management of immunosuppression in rheumatic disease patients, balancing risk of postoperative infection with risk of disease flares. Current evidence-based guidelines pertain specifically to arthroplasty, thus we sought to understand the trends and common practices regarding peri-arthroscopic use of immunosuppression. Methods: Rheumatologists and sports medicine surgeons, from a variety of New York hospitals and serving a broad range of demographics, were surveyed on immunosuppressive medication management in rheumatic disease patients undergoing arthroscopic surgeries. Physicians preferences were elicited regarding the use of common anti-rheumatic medications with the lower risk meniscectomies and the higher risk anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions and allografts. Physicians were asked specifically about peri-arthroscopic use of conventional synthetic disease-modifying drugs (csDMARDs), biologics, and janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Results: During the survey period, 25 rheumatologists and 19 sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons completed their respective questionnaires. For lower-risk arthroscopies, rheumatologists favor continuing various csDMARDs (72-100%), biologics (50-64%) and JAK inhibitors (57%), while a majority of surgeons concurred for all 3 drug classes (csDMARDs 63%; biologics 53%; and JAK inhibitors 58%). For higher-risk arthroscopies, most rheumatologists prefer that patients continue csDMARDs (63-100%) but fewer support the use of biologics (28-39%) or JAK inhibitors (22%). Surgeons were more hesitant to endorse any class of immunosuppressive antirheumatic medications (22-27%) around these higher risk surgeries. The rheumatologists were most concerned about surgeries taking place too soon after the last dose of rituximab, recommending these higher risk surgeries not take place for 7.7 ± 8.8 weeks following the last infusion . Conclusion: For lower-risk arthroscopies, most rheumatologists but only about half of orthopedic surgeons prefer patients continuing csDMARDs. Approximately half of both groups prefer patients hold biologics and JAK inhibitors. In more involved arthroscopies, most rheumatologists but few orthopedists support the continued use of csDMARDs, with consensus to hold all other immunosuppression when possible. While the duration medications were held perioperatively were somewhat reflective of the current guidelines for arthroplasty, there is a need for evidence-based guidelines specifically regarding peri-arthroscopy immunosuppression in rheumatic disease patients.
Hybrid Leader Based Optimization: A New Stochastic Optimization Algorithm for Solving Optimization Applications
Authors: Trojovsky Pavel , Dehghani Mohammad
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a new optimization algorithm called Hybrid Leader Based Optimization (HLBO) is introduced that is applicable in optimization challenges. The main idea of ​​HLBO is to guide the algorithm population under the guidance of a hybrid leader. The stages of HLBO are modeled mathematically in two phases of exploration and exploitation. The efficiency of HLBO in optimization is tested in finding solutions to twenty-three standard benchmark functions of different types of unimodal and multimodal. The optimization results of unimodal functions indicate the high exploitation ability of HLBO in local search for better convergence to global optimal, while the optimization results of multimodal functions show the high exploration ability of HLBO in the global search to accurately scan different areas of search space. The quality of the results obtained from HLBO is compared with the results of eight well-known algorithms. The simulation results show the superiority of HLBO in further convergence towards the global solution as well as the passage of optimally localized areas of the search space against eight competitor algorithms. In addition, the implementation of HLBO on four engineering design issues demonstrates the applicability of HLBO in real-world problem solving.
Master Surgical Schedule Planning to Reduce Variability in Post-Operative Ward Bed Demand
Authors: Calegari Rafael , Fogliatto Flavio , Lucini Filipe , Brito João , Yamashita Gabrielli , Anzanello Michel , Tortorella Guilherme , Schaan Beatriz
Published: February 2022

Peaks in patients’ demand for inward hospitalization usually lead to disruptions in the provision of healthcare, having negative effects on patient and staff satisfaction. The two main sources of ward bed demand are the emergency department and the surgical center; while the former is random by nature, the latter may be managed through proper allocation of surgical specialties to time slots (or blocks) in the center’s timetable (or Master Surgical Schedule – MSS), and efficient scheduling of surgical procedures within time slots across specialties. We propose a three-step method to design an MSS timetable. In step 1, we mine historical data to determine the average duration of surgical procedures and the average length of stay in wards required by each surgical specialty. In step 2, we use a genetic algorithm to determine a good quality timetable that minimizes the ward bed demand variability overall specialties. In step 3, we approximate the new timetable to the one currently in use at the hospital through a refinement heuristic. Our propositions were tested using data from a tertiary public teaching hospital. The resulting timetable reduced post-operative ward bed demand variability by 99.9%, keeping 97% of surgical specialties allocated in their original slots. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method for long-term MSS design that reduces post-operative ward bed demand variability and changes in allocations in the current surgical center’s timetable. We innovate by considering the hospital's current timetable to search for solutions promoting minimum changes to the surgical center’s operation.
A Smartphone Application for Monitoring Postoperative Symptoms and Signs with an Instant Bi-Direction Feedback System in Patients after Cataract Surgery
Authors: Wu Ming-Han , Wu Pei-Chang , Hseih Long-Bing , Lin Li-Man , Tsai Chia-Ling
Published: February 2022

Purpose: Outpatient postoperative periodic visits still lack information for the early detection of patients with initial infection or other serious conditions after cataract surgeries. We developed and accessed a postoperative care smartphone application (PC app) for patients to self-record and report postoperative symptoms/signs with an instant bidirectional feedback system.Methods: The PC app alerted the patient to report and grade six ocular symptoms/signs associated with endophthalmitis or retinal detachment. Patients used the PC app for 7 days postoperatively to assess their symptoms/signs 4 times a day after receiving an alert. The data automatically collected using a cloud computer system judged the grade and sent messages to medical staff for further medical assistance. User information and satisfaction were collected from the questionnaire on the 7th day.Results: 50 patients participated. There were two reports of symptom grade deterioration (increased photopsia and fever) in two patients. 81% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied to communicate their symptoms instantly with the app, 86% reported the app to be helpful, and 81% opined to use it again. While, 79% of patients considered the PC app to improve the quality of postoperative care, 86% found it helpful for seeking medical assistance. Critical themes included less willingness to look at smartphones after eye surgery, lack of a footnote area, and the need for more medical education.Conclusion: This novel PC app for self-reporting of postoperative symptoms and instant bidirectional feedback system could be useful for cataract patients. It was perceived to be satisfactory and user-friendly.
Prevalence of abnormal kidney function and 90-days outcomes among patients admitted on medical wards of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda: a prospective study
Authors: Ronny SSenabulya F. , Joaniter Nankabirwa I. , Robert Kalyesubula , Bonnie Wandera , Bruce Kirenga , James Kayima , Posiano Ocama , Peace Bagasha
Published: February 2022

Background: Kidney disease burden is raising worldwide, raising a need to closely monitor high risk populations for swift response. However, there is limited data on the prevalence of abnormal kidney function and outcomes among patients admitted at regional referral health facilities in Uganda which are the first points of care for most patients in the country. We determined the prevalence of abnormal kidney function and 90-days outcomes among patients admitted on medical ward of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted among adult patients admitted on medical wards between September 2020 to March 2021. Patients were enrolled if they met the following inclusion criteria: a) ≥18 years of age, 2) provided written informed consent, 3) had phone contacts to help with patient follow up. Spot urine sample was collected to assess for proteinuria and a blood sample was collected to assess serum creatinine levels. Abnormal kidney function was defined as decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate < 90 ml/minute /1.73m² or proteinuria of ≥1+ on spot urine dipstick. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-Epi formula. Patients with abnormal kidney function were followed up at 90 days post enrollment to determine their outcomes.Results: Were enrolled 357 patients. The overall prevalence of abnormal kidney function was 32.8% (117/357), 08 (2.2%) patients having proteinuria alone, 68 (19.1%) having decreased eGFR alone, and 41 (11.5%) having both proteinuria and decreased eGFR. The median age of 117 patients with abnormal kidney function was 52 (IQR 39-70) years and majority were males (54.7%). Of the 117 patients with abnormal kidney function, 108 were followed up to 90-days. The 90 days mortality was 69.4% (75/108), and 13.0% (14/108) had progressed to chronic kidney disease. Conclusions: The prevalence of abnormal kidney function was high and the many had adverse outcomes including death and progression to chronic kidney disease. To reduce on these adverse outcomes, patients at risk or with abnormal kidney function may benefit from basic screening and use of management protocols for kidney disease.
Effects Of Nitric Acid And Sulfuric Acid On Thermal Stability Of Nitrocellulose
Authors: Sun Qi , Qiu Yue , xu wenjun
Published: February 2022

Sulfuric acid and nitric acid are two typical impurities in manufacturing, storage, processing, and transportation of nitrocellulose, and may reduce the thermal stability of nitrocellulose and increase hazards. Thermal behaviors of nitrocellulose contaminated by nitric acid and sulfuric acid were explored by a C80 micro calorimeter. Two exothermic processes were observed after adding acids into nitrocellulose. Kinetics and thermodynamics of pure nitrocellulose and its mixture with two acids were obtained by Kissinger method and Ozawa method. The catalytic mechanism was tested by analysis of reaction curve and isothermal experiments. Impurities of nitric acid and sulfuric acid decreased thermal stability of nitrocellulose with different mechanisms.