Applying European approach to predict coal self-heating in Ukrainian mines

Purpose is the prediction of coal self-heating and determination of the factors effecting the dynamics of emission of tracer gases (TG) used for routine control of coal self-heating within the production unit involving European approach. Methods. To determine the composition of mine ventilation flows, mine air was sampled into a rubber chambers with the volume of 1 liter; after that, gas content (%) was determined in State Militarized Mine-Rescue Service (SMMRS) gas analytical laboratory with the help of “SIGMA-SO-V” and “Kristall” gas analyzers. Arrangement of sampling points is specified according to the normative document. Sampling periodicity while identifying a threat of coal self-heating within the worked-out area was three hours; in terms of standard conditions, the periodicity was not less than once a day. Period of monitoring within the mine working areas is not less than 9 – 10 days. Experimental observations were performed in terms of the production unit of “Pioner” mine and “Pokrovske” mine office. Findings. Innovative approach to routine control of coal self-heating taking into consideration TG dynamics has been tested in terms of the pillar system with return-flow ventilation of a mine section. It has been defined that within the area of expected place of coal self-heating, carbon oxide (CO) consumption within the mine workings was up to 20.59 l/min, and the worked-out area was the source of TG emission; if there were no signs of self-heating, self-heating was not more than 4 – 6 l/min. It has been determined that the TG emission nature is effected by geological (coal grade, seam occurrence, and seam disturbance) and technological (development system, ventilation scheme, rate of stoping advance, downtime periods etc.) factors. Originality. It is for the first time when, in terms of mining-geological and mining-technical conditions of Donbas, the factors, determining dynamics of tracer gases within the production unit in terms of pillar system of seam development, have been defined. Practical implications. Possibility to use European methodology of routine control of coal self-heating in Ukrainian mines has been substantiated and validated.Мета. Прогноз самонагрівання вугілля і визначення факторів, які впливають на динаміку виділення індикаторних газів (ІГ), що використовуються для поточного контролю самонагрівання вугілля на видобувній дільниці, шляхом застосування європейського підходу. Методика. Для визначення вмісту шахтних вентиляційних потоків рудничної атмосфери відбиралося в резинові камери об’ємом 1 літр, після чого у газоаналітичній лабораторії Державної воєнізованої гірничорятувальної служби (ДВГРС) за допомогою газоаналізаторів “Сигма-СО-В”, “Кристал” визначали вміст газів (%). Розташування точок відбору газових проб обрано у відповідності до нормативних документів. Періодичність відбору проб при виявленні загрози самонагрівання вугілля у виробленому просторі складала кожні 3 години, у звичайному режимі – не менше 1 разу на добу. Період спостереження на виїмкових дільницях – не менше 9 – 10 діб. Експериментальні спостереження виконані на виїмковій дільниці шахти “Піонер” та шахтоуправління “Покровське”. Результати. Виконано перевірку нового підходу до поточного контролю самонагрівання вугілля з урахуванням динаміки ІГ, при стовповій системі розробки зі зворотноструминним провітрюванням дільниці. Встановлено, що в районі передбачуваного осередку самонагрівання вугілля витрата СО у виробках досягала 20.59 л/хв, а джерелом виділення ІГ був вироблений простір; при відсутності ознак самонагрівання – витрата не перевищувала 4 – 6 л/хв. Встановлено, що інтенсивне виймання вугілля призводить до збільшення виділення ІГ. Так, зі збільшенням навантаження на очисний вибій від 1500 до 4600 т/добу зростає виділення СО від 2.5 до 6.0 л/хв. Визначено, що на характер виділення ІГ ключову роль відіграють геологічні (марка вугілля, залягання пласта і його порушеність) та технологічні (система розробки, схема провітрювання, швидкість посування очисних робіт, тривалість простоїв та ін.) фактори. Наукова новизна. Вперше для гірничо-геологічних і гірничотехнічних умов Донбасу встановлено фактори, що визначають динаміку індикаторних газів на видобувній дільниці при стовповій системі розробки пласта. Практична значимість. Обґрунтована та доведена можливість використання європейської методики поточного контролю самонагрівання вугілля на українських шахтах.Цель. Прогноз самонагревания угля и определение факторов, влияющих на динамику выделения индикаторных газов (ИГ), используемых для текущего контроля самонагревания угля на добычном участке, посредством применения европейского подхода. Методика. Для определения состава шахтных вентиляционных потоков рудничный воздух отбирался в резиновые камеры объемом 1 литр, после чего в газоаналитической лаборатории Государственной военизированной горноспасательной службы (ГВГСС) с помощью газоанализаторов “Сигма-СО-В”, “Кристалл” определяли содержание газов (%). Расположение точек отбора газовых проб выбрано в соответствии с нормативным документом. Периодичность отбора проб при выявлении угрозы самонагревания угля в выработанном пространстве составляла каждые 3 часа, в обычной обстановке – не реже 1 раза в сутки. Период наблюдения на выемочных участках – не менее 9 – 10 суток. Экспериментальные наблюдения выполнены на выемочном участке шахты “Пионер” и шахтоуправлении “Покровское”. Результаты. Выполнена проверка нового подхода к текущему контролю самонагревания угля с учетом динамики ИГ, при столбовой системе разработки с возвратноточным проветриванием участка. Установлено, что в районе предполагаемого очага самонагревания угля расход СО в выработках достигал 20.59 л/мин, а источником выделения ИГ являлось выработанное пространство; при отсутствии признаков самонагревания – расход не превышал 4 – 6 л/мин. Установлено, что интенсивная выемка угля приводит к увеличению выделения ИГ. Так, с увеличением нагрузки на очистной забой от 1500 до 4600 т/сут возрастает выделение СО от 2.5 до 6.0 л/мин. Определено, что на характер выделения ИГ ключевую роль играют геологические (марка угля, залегание пласта и его нарушенность) и технологические (система разработки, схема проветривания, скорость подвигания очистных работ, длительность простоев и др.) факторы. Научная новизна. Впервые для горно-геологических и горнотехнических условий Донбасса установлены факторы, определяющие динамику индикаторных газов на добычном участке при столбовой системе разработки пласта. Практическая значимость. Обоснована и подтверждена возможность использования европейской методики текущего контроля самонагревания угля на украинских шахтах.We express our gratitude to the authorities of the State Militarized Mining Rescue Service of the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine for the possibility to use materials of gas-and-air surveying during our studies

"From the moment i wake up i will use it?every day, very hour": A qualitative study on the patterns of adolescents' mobile touch screen device use from adolescent and parent perspectives

Background: The use of mobile touch screen devices, e.g. smartphones and tablet computers, has become increasingly prevalent among adolescents. However, little is known about how adolescents use these devices and potential influences on their use. Hence, this qualitative study explored adolescents' perceptions on their patterns of use and factors influencing use, and perceptions and concerns from parents. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents (n = 36; 11 to 18 years) and their parents/caregivers (n = 28) in Singapore recruited to represent males and females across a range of ages from different socioeconomic groups. Prompts covered weekday and weekend use patterns, types of activities, perspectives on amount of use, parental control measures and concerns. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded and thematic analysis was carried out. Results: Smartphone was the most common mobile device owned and used by many of the adolescents, while only some used a tablet. Many adolescents and their parents felt that adolescents' MTSD use was high, frequent and ubiquitous, with frequent checking of device and multitasking during use. Reported influences of use included functional, personal and external influences. Some of the influences were irresistibility of mobile devices, lack of self-control, entertainment or relaxation value, and high use by peers, family and for schoolwork that contributed to high use, or school/parental control measures and lack of internet availability that limited use. Most adolescents were generally unconcerned about their use and perceived their usage as appropriate, while most parents expressed several concerns about their adolescents' use and perceived their usage as excessive. Conclusions: This study has provided rich insights into the patterns and influences of contemporary mobile device use by adolescents. Mobile device use has become an integral part of adolescents' daily routines, and was affected by several functional, personal and external influences which either facilitated or limited their use. There also seemed to be a strong inclination for adolescents to frequently check and use their mobile devices. There is an urgent need to understand the implications of these common adolescent behaviours to inform advice for wise mobile device use by adolescents

Supporting Parents & Kids Through Lockdown Experiences (SPARKLE): a digital parenting support app implemented in an ongoing general population cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Objectives The COVID-19 related lockdowns and distancing measures have presented families with unprecedented challenges. A UK-wide cohort study tracking changes in families’ mental health since early lockdown (Co-SPACE) found a significant rise in primary school-aged children’s behaviour problems and associated family-related stress. Three-quarters of parents in Co-SPACE also reported wanting extra support. In SPARKLE, we will examine whether providing Co-SPACE families with a smartphone application delivering information and parenting support, Parent Positive, can reverse the negative effects of the pandemic on children and parents. The efficacy on child and parent outcomes and cost-effectiveness of Parent Positive will be examined. We will also test whether the effects are moderated by pre-existing levels of child conduct problems and usage of Parent Positive. Exploratory analyses will examine whether other baseline characteristics or lockdown circumstances moderate the effects of Parent Positive. Trial design SPARKLE is a two-arm superiority parallel group randomised controlled trial embedded in an existing large UK-wide self-selected community cohort – Co-SPACE. Those who consent to SPARKLE will be randomised 1:1 to either Parent Positive or Follow-up As Usual (FAU). Participants Co-SPACE (a UK-wide longitudinal cohort study) parents aged ≥18 who have children aged 4-10 years will be eligible for SPARKLE. Intervention and comparator Parent Positive: is a digital public health intervention that can be delivered rapidly at scale to support parents in managing their children’s behaviour to reduce conduct problems and levels of family conflict, which were exacerbated during the first lockdown, and which may increase further in future months as families need to cope with continuous uncertainty and further disruption to their daily lives. Co-designed with parents and based on decades of parenting research, Parent Positive consists of three elements: (i) Parenting Boosters: where advice, delivered in the form of narrated animations, videos, graphics and text is provided to help parents with eight common parenting challenges; (ii) Parenting Exchange: a facilitated parent-to-parent communication and peer support platform and; (iii) Parent Resources: giving access to carefully selected high-quality, evidence-based online parenting resources. Follow-up as Usual: FAU was selected as a comparator because the public health nature meant that an active comparator was not appropriate due to the pragmatic, rapid implementation of the trial. Individuals randomised to FAU will receive no intervention for the first two months while the data for baseline (T1), T2 and T3 are collected. They will then be given full access to the app until 30th November 2021. Main outcomes Outcome measures will be collected remotely through Qualtrics according to the Co-SPACE schedule at baseline (T1), which will be the Co-SPACE survey data obtained immediately prior to randomisation, and then at one month (T2) and two months (T3) post-randomisation. Measures will be collected to assess group differences in child and parent outcomes, costs and service utilisation, and adverse events. Usage of Parent Positive will also be tracked. The primary outcome is parent-reported child conduct problems at one-month post-randomisation measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire conduct problems subscale. Randomisation Enrolled participants will be allocated to Parent Positive or FAU at the ratio of 1:1 by simple randomisation using the Randomizer function within the Qualtrics programme. Neither blocking nor stratification will be used. Blinding (masking) It is not possible to blind parents enrolled in the study and Qualtrics will automatically inform parents of their group allocation. Blinded members of the research team and the senior statistician will not be given access to the Qualtrics system or the data in order to remain blinded until after the analysis is complete. We do not anticipate any serious harms associated with taking part in the intervention, therefore there will be no need to unblind any blinded staff during the study. The junior statistician will be unblinded throughout. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) A total of 616 will be recruited into the trial with 308 consenting parents randomised to each treatment arm. Trial status V1.0; 15.03.2021. Not yet recruiting. Anticipated start date: 1st April 2021. Anticipated end date for recruitment: 31st July 2021. Trial registration Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT04786080. The trial was prospectively registered on 8 March 2021. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 2)

Mortality after surgery in Europe: a 7 day cohort study

Background: Clinical outcomes after major surgery are poorly described at the national level. Evidence of heterogeneity between hospitals and health-care systems suggests potential to improve care for patients but this potential remains unconfirmed. The European Surgical Outcomes Study was an international study designed to assess outcomes after non-cardiac surgery in Europe.Methods: We did this 7 day cohort study between April 4 and April 11, 2011. We collected data describing consecutive patients aged 16 years and older undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery in 498 hospitals across 28 European nations. Patients were followed up for a maximum of 60 days. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome measures were duration of hospital stay and admission to critical care. We used χ² and Fisher’s exact tests to compare categorical variables and the t test or the Mann-Whitney U test to compare continuous variables. Significance was set at p<0·05. We constructed multilevel logistic regression models to adjust for the differences in mortality rates between countries.Findings: We included 46 539 patients, of whom 1855 (4%) died before hospital discharge. 3599 (8%) patients were admitted to critical care after surgery with a median length of stay of 1·2 days (IQR 0·9–3·6). 1358 (73%) patients who died were not admitted to critical care at any stage after surgery. Crude mortality rates varied widely between countries (from 1·2% [95% CI 0·0–3·0] for Iceland to 21·5% [16·9–26·2] for Latvia). After adjustment for confounding variables, important differences remained between countries when compared with the UK, the country with the largest dataset (OR range from 0·44 [95% CI 0·19 1·05; p=0·06] for Finland to 6·92 [2·37–20·27; p=0·0004] for Poland).Interpretation: The mortality rate for patients undergoing inpatient non-cardiac surgery was higher than anticipated. Variations in mortality between countries suggest the need for national and international strategies to improve care for this group of patients.Funding: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, European Society of Anaesthesiology