Using age, arterial lactate level and sequential organ failure assessment score in risk stratification of sepsis syndromes

Introduction: In low income countries, ICU places are limited and not all sepsis patients will benefit from ICU admission. Stratification is an important step to identify patients who require ICU treatment from patients who can be treated on general ward setting. Improper stratification results in increased length of stay, costs, morbidity and mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to stratify the risk of mortality in patients with sepsis syndrome using age, arterial lactate level and SOFA score. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 250 patients with sepsis were enrolled and followed up until discharge. They were categorized into 2 groups according to 7-days mortality. Results: SOFA score (≥5) was the only good tool (AUC=0.722) while age (≥65 years) (AUC=0.650) and arterial lactate (≥3.25 mmol/L) (0.690) were fair tools to predict 7-days mortality. A new score “ALSOFA score” (≥10) was an excellent tool for prediction (AUC =0.912, 95%CI: 0.851 to 0.940, p<0.0001). It showed an excellent sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (85.1%). Conclusion: In critically ill patients with sepsis syndromes, age, arterial lactate and SOFA score are fair tools of stratification. No single marker/score can be used alone to stratify such patients

Role of Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) in bedrock mapping; case study from industrial zone, Ain-Sokhna area, Egypt

In this study, eighteen compressional P-wave seismic refraction profiles survey was conducted on the western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, to map bedrock topography, which is vital information in foundation pole placement and design for large factory construction. The configuration of the seismic survey consists of 10 metres geophone intervals (12 and 24 channels) with a total survey length of 3150 metres survey length. The seismic compressional wave velocity distribution reveals three layers ranging from (400 to 1100 m/s), (1200 to 2000 m/s), and (2200 to 3500 m/s). According to the data, the first low-velocity layer represents unconsolidated Wadi sediments. The second layer, on the other hand, comprises consolidated Wadi sediments, while the third layer comprises fractured to intact sandstone bedrock. The thickness of the first layer is believed to be between 0.5 and 10 m, while the thickness of the second layer is between 8.5 and 25 m. Pseudo-3D model of velocity distribution was constructed, revealing the presence of several low-velocity zones at a depth ranging from 15 to 32 m. Then, the topography of the non-rippable sandstone rock mass was mapped utilizing 3-D model. Finally, the correlation between seismic refraction tomography (SRT) results and nearby well logging dataset drilled by the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority (EGSMA) matched quite well. It may be inferred that, up to a depth of 15 to 32 metres, there is a high-velocity rock layer suitable for constructing deep foundations for multiple levels of the mega factory

Integrated AVO inversion and seismic attributes for tracing hydrocarbon accumulation in Kafr El-Sheikh Formation, South Batra field, Nile Delta, Egypt: A case study

Utilizing advanced seismic techniques for delineating hydrocarbon accumulations in HST (High Stand System Tract) turbidite channel of Kafr El-Sheikh (KS) formation (Pliocene Age) located in the western part of South Batra field (SBF), Nile Delta – Egypt is investigated. 3D seismic data and four well logs helped in studying the properties of the channel. Three wells encountered the central part of the channel and showed thicker reservoir thickness than the fourth well, which encountered the levee. The channel is characterized by high porosity (25–30%) and relatively low water saturation (27–50%). The structural map showed that the channel is dipping towards the NE–SW. AVO analysis, scaled Poisson's ratio, post-stack seismic inversion, and seismic attributes confirmed the presence of Class III gas sand. Variance attribute helped in imaging the channel and faults. Maps generated from spectral decomposition showed that the dominant frequency is around 15 hertz. Results of integrating different techniques were consistent and successfully helped in determining the geometry of the channel, discriminating between different lithologies and fluids, in addition to delineating the sweet spots and recommended locations for drilling

Analytical and numerical investigation of transient behaviour in hydraulically fractured tight gas reservoirs

Development of tight gas reservoirs has long been affected by a lack of understanding of the complex flow profiles, and of the impact of very low permeability on reservoir productivity. Most well tests of tight dry gas wells are of short duration; well test interpretation often becomes difficult and non-unique when the duration of pressure buildup is too short. Thus, such tests typically lead to multiple interpretations and open-ended conclusions. The issue becomes even more complex as simulation software fails to adequately model flow in fracture networks. Presented and investigated here are a series of well tests conducted in tight, naturally fractured, dry gas sandstone reservoirs for long durations: 100 hours in most cases, and 1,000 hours in two extended well tests. Well test responses from these tests were ambiguous. Surprisingly, the transient pressure analysis signature of these tight, naturally fractured, dry gas reservoirs is similar to the signature from lean gas condensate reservoirs. Lean gas condensate reservoirs usually exhibit a two- or three-mobility radial composite model response in the buildup analysis because of the existence of a condensate bank. However, this cannot be the explanation in the dry gas example. Possible causes for the similarity of well test analysis signatures of post-fractured, tight, dry gas and lean gas condensate reservoirs are discussed. The primary objective is to document and characterize the observed behaviour of well tests in unconventional (tight) fields and, secondly, to determine how to analyse these test data, with the goal of obtaining the parameters of the induced fracture and the discrete fracture network (DFN). Primary investigation has explored the possible direct causes (i.e., those related to wellbore, geology, or specific well conditions) that could result in the ambiguous well test response. However, because the well test response has been found repeatedly in a variety of regions around the world, it may not be related to any of those factors. This case study was approached as a direct problem by making a series of conceptual assumptions and investigating their impact on the well test response. Within this context, the possible impact of scale-dependency of properties of fracture networks on the well test response is considered. It is argued that the anomalies in the well test response may reflect a step in the scale-dependent properties of the fracture network. Results suggest that the response reflects the scale-dependence of the intrinsic permeability of the fracture network and a geomechanical effect due to the induced hydraulic fractures. This scale-dependent property has its reflection typically in a change in permeability with relation to distance and time of flow and thus should be considered whenever planning to induce a hydraulic fracture in a natural fracture network.Open Acces

Contribución ó uso de tecnoloxías de Web Semántica para promover a reflexión e a curiosidade situacional en experiencias de Patrimonio Cultural

The evolution of Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) during the last decades has transformed the way that the masses can appraise cultural heritage: the inception of the World Wide Web first made loads of information available online; then the social revolution of the Web 2.0 brought in opportunities for people to share cultural experiences, and the more recent developments of the Semantic Web (which many authors refer to as “Web 3.0”) are enabling computers to process growing amounts of metadata, for example, to automatically put heritage items into tailor-made collections to browse online or into personalized itineraries to follow inside the museums. Undoubtedly, cultural experiences can be more attractive today than 20 years ago, but their general appeal has not grown accordingly. Even people who have interest in history, art or other areas of humanities are typically not aware of small or medium-sized museums (of which there are thousands only in Europe), since many of them mostly know about the famous large venues. As a result, many museums today suffer from very little traffic and seek survival. In this thesis, we argue that ICTs can have a great effect in attracting and changing the mindset of people towards museums and cultural heritage, for example by exploiting associations between the context of actual/potential visitors and relevant dates, periods or events connected to the heritage items. To this aim, we are developing a recommender system grounded on rich semantic modeling of temporal information in the user profiles, in the cultural heritage knowledge bases and in an almanac of important days connected to keywords and/or historical events and characters. the experimental study will be conducted in the context of the European project CROSSCULT1, in two pilot experiments that showcase different possibilities to promote serendipity and situational curiosity.La evolución de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TICs) durante las últimas décadas ha transformado la forma en que las masas se aproximan al patrimonio cultural: el nacimiento de la World Wide Web en primer lugar hizo que hubiese grandes cantidades de información accesibles en línea; luego, la revolución social de la Web 2.0 brindó oportunidades para que la gente compartiese experiencias culturales, y los desarrollos más recientes de la Web Semántica (a la que muchos autores se refieren como "Web 3.0") permiten que las computadoras procesen grandes cantidades de metadatos, por ejemplo, para reunir elementos del patrimonio cultural automáticamente en colecciones personalizadas para ojear en línea o en itinerarios personalizados para seguir dentro de los museos. Sin duda, las experiencias culturales pueden ser más atractivas hoy que hace 20 años, pero su atractivo en general no ha crecido a la par. Incluso gente con interés en la historia, en el arte y en otras áreas de las humanidades no siempre saben de pequeños o medianos museos (de los cuales hay miles en Europa), ya que la mayoría conoce únicamente las sedes más grandes. Como resultado, muchos museos hoy sufren de poca concurrencia de visitantes y ven peligrar su supervivencia. Esta tesis parte de la asunción de que las TICs pueden tener un efecto notable en atraer y cambiar la mentalidad de la gente hacia los museos y el patrimonio cultural, por ejemplo, explotando asociaciones entre el contexto de visitantes reales o potenciales y fechas relevantes o periodos/eventos conectados con los elementos del patrimonio cultural. Con este fin, se pretende crear un sistema recomendador apoyado en un modelado semántico rico de información temporal y espacial en los perfiles de usuario, en las bases de conocimiento sobre el patrimonio cultural y en un compendio de fechas importantes conectadas con palabras clave y/o eventos o personajes históricos. La validación experimental se va a llevar a cabo en el contexto del proyecto europeo CROSSCULT, concretamente en dos pilotos pensados para demostrar las posibilidades de promover la serendipia y la curiosidad situacional.A evolución das Tecnoloxías da Información e das Comunicacións (TICs) durante as últimas décadas transformou o xeito en que as masas se achegan ó patrimonio cultural: o nacemento da World Wide Web en primeiro lugar fixo que houbese grandes cantidades de información accesibles en liña; logo, a revolución social da Web 2.0 brindou oportunidades para que a xente compartise experiencias culturais, e os desenvolvementos máis recentes da Web Semántica (á que moitos autores se refiren como "Web 3.0") permiten que as computadoras procesen grandes cantidades de metadatos, por exemplo, para reunir elementos do patrimonio cultural automáticamente en coleccións personalizadas para ollar en liña ou en itinerarios personalizados para seguir dentro dos museos. Sen dúbida, as experiencias culturais poden ser máis atractivas hoxe ca hai 20 anos, pero o seu atractivo en xeral non creceu á par. Incluso xente con interese na historia, na arte e noutras áreas das humanidades non sempre saben de pequenos ou medianos museos (dos cales hai milleiros en Europa), xa que a maioría coñece únicamente as sedes máis grandes. Como resultado, moitos museos hoxe sofren de pouca concorrencia de visitantes e vén a súa supervivencia en perigo. Esta tese parte da asunción de que as TICs poden ter un efecto notable en atraer e cambiar a mentalidade da xente de cara ós museos e ó patrimonio cultural, por exemplo, explotando asociacións entre o contexto de visitantes reais ou potenciais e datas relevantes ou periodos/eventos conectados cos elementos do patrimonio cultural. Con este fin, preténdese crear un sistema recomendador apoiado nun modelado semántico rico de información temporal e espacial nos perfiles de usuario, nas bases de coñecemento sobre o patrimonio cultural e nun compendio de datas importantes conectadas con palabras clave e/ou eventos ou personaxes históricas. A validación experimental vaise levar a cabo no contexto do proxecto europeo CROSSCULT, concretamente en dous pilotos pensados para demostrar as posibilidades de promover a serendipia e a curiosidade situaciona

EEG changes in critically ill patients with sepsis associated encephalopathy and its correlation with morbidity and mortality

ABSTRACTBackground Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) refers to multifactorial syndrome manifested by generalized cerebral dysfunction induced by systemic response to infections with no clinical or laboratory evidence of directly cerebral infections or other forms of encephalopathy. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the methods that allow physicians to continuously monitor the cerebrum and help management decisions. We studied the EEG changes in predicting morbidity and mortality of SAE in critically ill cases suffering sepsis or septic shock.Patients and Methods In this prospective observational study, 80 cases with sepsis or septic shock were subjected to EEG recording to assess EEG changes in critically ill patients with SAE and its correlation with their morbidity and mortality.Results There was a statistically significant difference in prognostic performance for EEG grading between survivors and non survivors to predict mortality. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.887, cut off was > 2#, sensitivity was 87.50 and specificity was 81.25 and accuracy was 83.75 as the higher the score was associated with higher mortality. There was statistically significant association between EEG grading and 28-day mortality (p-value ˂0.001). Also, there was statistically significant association between EEG grading and the need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressors (p-value ˂0.001). There was a significant association between EEG within 72 hours of admission and length of ICU stay (p-value ˂ 0.017).Conclusion Early EEG changes have a positive correlation with morbidity and mortality and can be used as a good predictor in cases suffering sepsis or septic shock presenting with SAE

A mobile app to learn about cultural and historical associations in a closed loop with Humanities experts

The Horizon 2020 project CrossCult aims to highlight historical and cultural associations between different characters, locations, events, venues, or artworks, to develop new strategies with which to promote intercultural and cross-border aspects of history and heritage. This paper presents a pilot app that provides graph-based visualizations of those associations, arranged by Humanities experts in relation to several reflective topics, and glued together by narratives that may present the same facts from diverse points of view. After querying a knowledge base that brings together several Linked Data resources, the associations are curated by the experts using a dedicated tool, to ensure that only meaningful associations appear on the mobile app. In turn, the app users can contribute new associations in the form of written text, which the experts can turn into new concepts and properties in the knowledge base. Here, we present the design of the mobile app and the experts’ tool, together with the results of early experiments aimed at assessing the instructional value of the proposal.European CommissionXunta de GaliciaMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (España) | Ref. TIN2017-87604-

Prefrontal Cortex Involvement during Dual-Task Stair Climbing in Healthy Older Adults: An fNIRS Study

Executive function and motor control deficits adversely affect gait performance with age, but the neural correlates underlying this interaction during stair climbing remains unclear. Twenty older adults (72.7 ± 6.9 years) completed single tasks: standing and responding to a response time task (SC), ascending or descending stairs (SMup, SMdown); and a dual-task: responding while ascending or descending stairs (DTup, DTdown). Prefrontal hemodynamic response changes (∆HbO2, ∆HbR) were examined using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), gait speed was measured using in-shoe smart insoles, and vocal response time and accuracy were recorded. Findings revealed increased ∆HbO2 (p = 0.020) and slower response times (p p = 0.549), accuracy (p = 0.135) and gait speed (p = 0.475) were not significantly different between tasks or stair climbing conditions. ∆HbO2 and response time findings suggest that executive processes are less efficient during dual-tasks. These findings, in addition to gait speed and accuracy maintenance, may provide insights into the neural changes that precede performance declines. To capture the subtle differences between stair ascent and descent and extend our understanding of the neural correlates of stair climbing in older adults, future studies should examine more difficult cognitive tasks

Advanced Visual Interfaces to Represent Cultural ad Historical Facts and Associations in the CrossCult Eu Project

Proceedings of the International Conference Advances Visual Interfaces for Cultural Heritage (AVI-CH 2018), (Castiglione della Pescaia, 29 maggio-1 giugno 2018). The European CrossCult project, dedicated to the enhancement and dissemination of European cultural heritage thanks to new technologies, has offered the possibility to compare different research fields and, at the same time, to develop new methodological approaches. IT experts, computing engineers, historians, art historians and archaeologists have worked in four pilots for developing semantic knowledge and technological tools useful to create meaningful interactive experiences, both for individuals and groups. This paper provides an overview of the tools developed to display interactive visualizations of cultural and historical facts and associations. By Maddalena Bassani, Mart\uedn L\uf3pez-Nores, Ahmed Dahroug, Abdullah Daif, Silvia Gonz\ue1lez-Soutelo, Paola Zanovello, Susanna Reboreda-Morillo, Omar Gustavo Bravo Quezada