Formation Damage Due To Iron Precpitation In Limestone, Dolomite and Sandstone Cores

Formation damage due to iron precipitation continues to be a major problem in the oil field. Research has established that as the pH of injected acid increases, iron (III) ions start to precipitate and block the pores in the formation, significantly reducing production. However, where exactly this iron precipitates and how iron precipitation changes with different lithologies has not yet been comprehensively studied. Coreflood experiments were conducted on carobonate (calcite and dolomite) and sandstone cores to assess the effects of temperature and iron concentrations on the degree of damage caused by iron precipitation during an acid job. The temperature values tested were 200 and 300°F. Iron concentrations ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 ppm were used. The core effluent samples were analyzed by ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) to measure the concentrations of key cations. Coreflood experiments, revealed that iron precipitates across the entire core. Iron precipitation was severely detrimental in sandstone cores compared to those composed of calcite and dolomite. While limestone cores showed the least formation damage from iron precipitation, coreflood tests indicated that as the iron concentration increases, the damage was more evident. On the other hand, increasing the temperature adversely affected sandstone and dolomite cores, but improved the final permeability of limestone cores. In this study, the location of the iron precipitation is determined for three different lithologies. The effects of different parameters are studied to determine the best conditions that would lead to a decrease in iron precipitation and hence prevent formation damage. Iron control agents are not always needed, as previously thought

An Autonomous Wearable Sensor Node for Long-Term Healthcare Monitoring Powered by a Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting System

oai:ojs.ijet.ise.pw.edu.pl:article/2503In this paper, an autonomous wearable sensor node is developed for long-term continuous healthcare monitoring. This node is used to monitor the body temperature and heart rate of a human through a mobile application. Thus, it includes a temperature sensor, a heart pulse sensor, a low-power microcontroller, and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) module. The power supply of the node is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, but this battery has a limited lifetime. Therefore, a photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting system is proposed to prolong the battery lifetime of the sensor node. The PV energy harvesting system consists of a flexible photovoltaic panel, and a charging controller. This PV energy harvesting system is practically tested outdoor under lighting intensity of 1000 W/m2. Experimentally, the overall power consumption of the node is 4.97 mW and its lifetime about 246 hours in active-sleep mode. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate long-term and sustainable operation for the wearable sensor node

A Study Comparing the Effectiveness of Hamstring Tendon Graft Versus Quadriceps Tendon Graft in Press Fit Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Press fit ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure used to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. During press fit ACL reconstruction, a graft is used to replace the torn ACL. The graft can be harvested from various sources, such as the patient's own hamstring tendons or patellar tendon, or from a donor. The graft is then inserted into tunnels created in the femur and tibia bone. The term "press fit" refers to the technique used to secure the graft within these bone tunnels. Instead of using screws or other fixation devices, press fit ACL reconstruction relies on tight fitting of the graft within the tunnels. Objective: This study aimed to compare the subjective, objective, and radiological results of press fit anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendon graft versus quadriceps tendon graft. Methods: A total of 50 patients with complete ACL tears underwent press fit ACL reconstruction between March 2016 and June 2019. Among them, 25 patients received a hamstring tendon graft, and another 25 patients received a quadriceps tendon graft. Results: The study demonstrated favorable outcomes of press fit ACL reconstruction, with improvements observed in all 50 patients when comparing postoperative to preoperative parameters. The results also showed comparable outcomes between the quadriceps and hamstring groups in terms of subjective, objective, and radiological measures. Conclusion: The press fit technique for ACL reconstruction is a successful method of graft fixation that offers advantages such as fewer complications, lower cost, and easier revision compared to other commonly used techniques

Breathing at birth: neonatal resuscitation in the golden minute of life

At the time of delivery, the process of transition of the baby from the mother’s womb to the extra uterine environment is among the most complex adaptations that a human faces in different phases of life. This transition involves both physiological and anatomical changes in the baby that occurs in a relatively short span of time. While most babies can smoothly undergo this transition without much difficulty, there are indeed many who face difficulties in this complex phase resulting in perinatal asphyxia evident by delayed or absent crying, cyanosis, generalized hypotonia, and so on. An astute assessment is needed to identify these babies at birth who are at risk of death or severe complications in the future. After identification, prompt management and resuscitation should be started immediately after birth to ensure the survival of these babies. The first moments after birth are vital, and the first 60 seconds after delivery is known as the golden minute of life. In case a baby does need resuscitation, it is imperative that the baby gets identified and effective resuscitation starts in the golden minute of life. The longer resuscitation is delayed, the more the chance of death or future complications. This paper attempts to describe the steps of neonatal resuscitation of newborn babies suffering from perinatal asphyxia to help them establish effective breathing after birth

Overview on Epidemiology and Management of Myxedema Coma or Crisis

The most severe type of hypothyroidism is known as myxedema coma, which can quickly lead to death if not identified and treated aggressively. The condition known as hypothyroidism is easily detected and treated. But if ignored, it might eventually progress to myxedema coma, the most serious form of hypothyroidism. Since the majority of patients do not initially appear in a coma, the term "myxedema coma" is usually regarded as misleading. Lethargy usually progresses to stupor, which then becomes a coma with hypothermia and respiratory failure. only clinical criteria are used for diagnosis because thyroid hormone assays are unable to distinguish between simple hyperthyroidism and thyroid storm. Apart from essential medical interventions, the treatment focuses on preventing thyroid hormone production and secretion as antithyroid medications, and preventing the peripheral effects of thyroid hormone as β-blocker, glucocorticoids. The diagnosis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood is the same as that of simple hypothyroidism. As soon as a diagnosis is obtained, treatment should start right away. The majority of hospital and commercial laboratories can turnaround a TSH test in a matter of hours

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Assessment of endovascular embolization of cerebral arterio-venous malformations in vertebrobasilar domain

Abstract Background Endovascular approaches have been widely applied in patients with brain arterio-venous malformations (AVM). However, little is known regarding the risk factors for complications or predictors of procedure success. Herein, we report our experience regarding the outcomes of endovascular embolization of posterior fossa AVM, focusing on how angioarchitectural and hemodynamic characteristics of the AVM affect the post-intervention outcomes. 17 patients diagnosed with posterior cranial fossa AVM were enrolled and scheduled for endovascular interventions by Onyx or Histoacryl. Results Most patients had a single session (58.8%), while 29.4% had two sessions, 11.7% had three sessions. Total nidus obliteration was achieved in 52.9% of cases, while 35.3% and 11.8% of them had subtotal and partial occlusion, respectively. Postprocedural hematoma was encountered in 17.6% of cases. All preprocedural demographic characteristics did not have a significant impact on occlusion outcomes. However, some angioarchitecture criteria were associated with partial occlusion including large size, superficial or mixed drainage. No significant association was noted between patients criteria and the incidence of complications. Conclusion Endovascular interventions could be curative for brain AVM, with an accepted periprocedural morbidity rate. Proper knowledge of the angioarchitectural characteristics of these lesions could help us to predict lesions that carry high risk for complications or high chance for cure

Validity of umbilical artery Doppler waveform versus umbilical vein Doppler waveform in the prediction of neonatal outcome in intrauterine growth restriction cases

Objective: To assess the neonatal outcome in relation to umbilical vein Doppler compared to umbilical artery Doppler in growth restricted fetuses. Methods: A total of 72 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy between 28 and 38 weeks of gestation with risk of developing intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) were recruited to the study. All women were subjected to full assessment via detailed history, clinical examination, obstetric assessment, routine laboratory assessment and ultrasonography examination for fetal assessment. Doppler examination of umbilical artery (UA) and umbilical vein (UV) was performed. Absent or reversed UA end diastolic flow (EDF) and pulsatile flow in the umbilical vein were examined for their efficacy to predict critical outcomes (still birth, neonatal death, IUGR). Results: A total of 13 deaths (18%) were reported; 13.9% were neonatal deaths and 4.2% were stillbirths. Fetuses were grouped according to Doppler parameters: those with normal Doppler finding (n = 35), those with resistance index (RI) (n = 20), those with Absent UA EDF (n = 10) and those with reversed UA EDF (n = 7). Pulsatile UV waveform was reported among 9.7% of patients all of them had reversed UA EDF. Patients with absent/reversed EDF have significant association with critical neonatal outcomes as lower birth weight, perinatal deaths, and lower Apgar score. UV Doppler was abnormal in patients with more severe deterioration (patients with reversed UA EDF) while it was normal in all patients with increased RI and absent UA EDF. All cases with Pulsatile UV Doppler have shown higher incidence of critical neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: UV Doppler assessment can aid in detection and prediction of critical perinatal outcomes however, it required further evaluation and assessment

Laboratory and field evaluation of certain wild plant extracts against Aphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) and its predators

Abstract Background Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) is considered one of the most essential food crops in Egypt. Aphis fabae Scop. (Homoptera: Aphididae) causes a considerable damage to bean plants as well as to other leguminous crops. The present study dealt with laboratory and field trials to evaluate the effectiveness of some plant extracts against A. fabae and two predatory species. Results The effectiveness of six plant extracts viz Ballota undulata (BU), Teucrium polium (TP), Phlomis aurea (PA) (Lamiaceae), Pulicaria incisa (PI), Seriphidium herba-alba (SHA) (Asteraceae), and Euphorbia saint catherine (ESC) (Euphorbiaceae) against the bean aphid (A. fabae) and on the two predators, Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) and Coccinella undecimpunctata L., was determined in both laboratory and field. Results showed that BU, TP, and SHA were the most toxic extracts to aphids, followed by PA and PI, while the ESC was the least toxic one. The lethal effects, expressed as percent mortalities, were 74.3, 73.2, 72.7, 65.9, 62.5, and 56.8%, respectively. All mortality rates were significantly different than the control. Regarding the effect on the predators, insignificant differences were observed between the tested extracts and the control. In the field, the tested plant extracts were efficient for controlling the aphid without a harmful effect on the predators. The extracts had a various positive effect on crop yield; it was increased. Conclusion The six tested plant extracts, evaluated against A. fabae, and two predatory species showed efficiency in aphid control and safety to the predators in the field