Radiologist-patient communication of musculoskeletal ultrasonography results: a choice between added value and costs

Background Literature on radiologist-patient communication of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) results is currently lacking. Purpose To investigate the patient's view on receiving the results from a radiologist after a musculoskeletal US examination, and the additional time required to provide such a service. Material and Methods This prospective study included 106 outpatients who underwent musculoskeletal US, and who were equally randomized to either receive or not receive the results from the radiologist directly after the examination. Results In both randomization groups, all quality performance metrics (radiologist's friendliness, explanation, skill, concern for comfort, concern for patient questions/worries, overall rating of the examination, and likelihood of recommending the examination) received median scores of good/high to very good/very high. Patients who had received their US results from the radiologist rated the radiologist's explanation and concern for patient questions/worries as significantly higher ( P = 0.009 and P = 0.002) than patients who had not. In both randomization groups, there were no significant differences between anxiety levels before and after the US examination ( P = 0.222 and P = 1.000). Of the 48 responding patients, 46 (95.8%) rated a radiologist-patient discussion of US findings as important. US examinations with a radiologist-patient communication regarding US findings (median = 11.29 min) were significantly longer ( P < 0.0001) than those without (median = 8.08 min). Conclusion Even without communicating musculoskeletal US results directly to patients, radiologists can still achieve high ratings from patients for their communication and empathy. Nevertheless, patient experience can be further enhanced if a radiologist adds this communication to the examination. However, this increases total examination time and therefore costs.

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Pilot-scale neutralisation of underground mine water

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1996.0250 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 34 (10) ◽

pp. 141-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. P. Maree ◽

G. J. van Tonder ◽

P. Millard ◽

T. C. Erasmus

Keyword(s):

Mine Water ◽

Contact Time ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Underground Water ◽

Underground Mine ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Fluidised Bed ◽

Chemical Composition Of Water ◽

Before And After ◽

Time Required

Traditionally acid mine water is neutralised with lime (Ca(OH)2). Limestone (CaCO3) is a cheaper alternative for such applications. This paper describes an investigation aimed at demonstrating that underground mine water can be neutralised with limestone in a fluidised-bed. The contact time required between the limestone and the acid water, chemical composition of water before and after treatment, and economic feasibility of the fluidised bed neutralisation process are determined. A pilot plant with a capacity of 10k1/h was operated continuously underground in a gold mine. The underground water could be neutralised effectively using the limestone process. The pH of the water was increased from less than 3 to more than 7, the alkalinity of the treated water was greater than 120 mg/l (as CaCO3) and the contact time required between mine water and limestone was less than 10 min (the exact contact time depends on the limestone surface area). Chemical savings of 56.4% can be achieved compared to neutralisation with lime.

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Independent Map Enhancement for a Spatial Road Network: Fundamental Applications and Opportunities

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information ◽

10.3390/ijgi10010008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 8

Author(s):

Sultan Alamri

Keyword(s):

Road Network ◽

Road Networks ◽

Road Construction ◽

Peer To Peer ◽

Transport Infrastructure ◽

Traffic Density ◽

Additional Time ◽

Developing Cities ◽

Time Required ◽

Future Work

In many developing cities, the improvement of transport infrastructure is usually accompanied by major road construction and maintenance. This paper presents approaches and opportunities using peer-to-peer updating to improve spatial road networks undergoing construction and maintenance, which in turn will improve traffic flow and benefit cities overall. In many cities, the spatial road network requires maintenance, and these works often require traffic detours. With the current GPS (Global Positioning System) services, there is a noticeable delay in the updating of many spatial road networks. Thus, when a driver plans a trip to a certain location (such as Starbucks), his/her usual route may have changed, but the spatial road network in the GPS has not been updated. This can affect the user in many ways. For example, a trip that usually takes five minutes might now take half an hour, taking into account the additional time required to find alternative roads and possibly encountering more unexpected road closures, until the driver reaches his/her destination. This paper addresses this issue by proposing solutions that offer several advantages including a new peer-to-peer updating mechanism that helps to direct the driver to another route when road changes occur. Moreover, the peer-to-peer updating mechanism can enable the independent monitoring of road conditions and the updating of maps for newly-constructed roads, as well as the analysis of road congestions, traffic density, and people movements at certain times. Note that this work focuses on the conceptual ideas and approaches intended to improve independent maps, and the detailed algorithms have been left for future work.

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Mature Field Economic Rejuvenation with Infill and Re-Entry Multilateral Well Creation Techniques

10.2118/200996-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin Butler ◽

Justin Roberts ◽

Matthew Kelsey ◽

Steffen Van Der Veen

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Field Performance ◽

Cost Effective ◽

High Water ◽

Additional Time ◽

Flow Management ◽

Performance Improvements ◽

Mature Field ◽

Water Cut ◽

Time Required

Abstract Multilateral wells have been proven over decades and have developed into a reliable and cost effective approach to mature field rejuvenation and extended commercial viability. This paper will discuss case studies demonstrating a number of techniques used to create infill multilateral wells in existing fields with a high level of reliability and repeatability. Techniques reviewed will cover cutting and pulling production casing to drill and case a new mainbore versus sidetracking and adding laterals to an existing mainbore. Discussion will also cover completion designs that tie new laterals into existing production casing providing significantly greater reservoir contact. Temporary isolation of high water-cut laterals brought into production later in the well's life through bespoke completion designs will also be discussed. Case studies will include discussion of workover operations, isolation methods, and lateral creation systems. Where available, resulting field performance improvements will also be discussed. In Norway, slot recoveries are commonly performed by cutting and pulling the 10-3/4" casing, redrilling a new mainbore, and running new casing. This enables junction placement closer to unswept zones and easier lateral drilling to targets. It does have drawbacks, however, related to the additional time required to pull the subsea xmas tree and challenges associated with pulling casing. In 2019, Norway successfully completed a 10-3/4" retrofit installation, whereas a sidetrack was made from the 10-3/4" and an 8-5/8" expandable liner was run down into the reservoir pay zone where two new laterals were created. The 8-5/8" liner saved time otherwise spent having to drill the section down to the payzone from the laterals. These wells have a TAML Level 5 isolated junction, Autonomous Inflow Control Devices (AICDs) in each lateral, and an intelligent completion interface across the junction, enabling active flow management and monitoring of both branches. In Asia, infill laterals were added to existing wellbores by sidetracking 9-5/8" casing and tying production back to the original mainbore. These dual laterals were completed with intelligent completions to enable lateral flow management and monitoring of both laterals. In Australia, dual laterals were created in a similar fashion; laterals are added to existing wells; however, a novel approach was used to manage water from existing lower mainbore laterals whereby they are shut in at completion and opened later when the new lateral is watered out. The older lateral now produces at lower water cut given the time allowed for water coning in the lateral to relax. Using this practice, production is alternated back and forth between the two laterals. In the Middle East, an older well has been converted from TAML Level 4 to Level 5 in order to prevent detected gas migrating into the mainbore at the junction. This conversion of a cemented junction well has enabled production to resume on this well. The well was converted to incorporate an intelligent completion to enable flow control of each lateral. This paper intends to provide insights into the various mature field re-entry methods for multilateral well construction, and a review of the current technology capabilities and well designs through the review of multiple case histories.

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Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is important over low [Ca2+]i range in arterial smooth muscle

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00865.2001 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 283 (6) ◽

pp. H2431-H2439 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Tomoko Kamishima ◽

John M. Quayle

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Decay Time ◽

Removal Rate ◽

Arterial Smooth Muscle ◽

Carbonyl Cyanide ◽

Before And After ◽

Intracellular Ca ◽

Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells ◽

Time Required ◽

Loaded Voltage

Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake is usually thought to occur only when intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) is high. We investigated whether mitochondrial Ca2+ removal participates in shaping [Ca2+]i signals in arterial smooth muscle over a low [Ca2+]irange. [Ca2+]i was measured using fura 2-loaded, voltage-clamped cells from rat femoral arteries. Both diazoxide and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) depolarized the mitochondria. Diazoxide application increased resting [Ca2+]i, suggesting that Ca2+ is sequestered in mitochondria. Over a low [Ca2+]i range, diazoxide and CCCP slowed Ca2+ removal rate, determined after a brief depolarization. When [Ca2+]i was measured during sustained depolarization to −30 mV, CCCP application increased [Ca2+]i. When Ca2+ transients were repeatedly evoked by caffeine applications, CCCP application elevated resting [Ca2+]i. Caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients were compared before and after CCCP application using the half decay time, or time required to reduce increase in [Ca2+]i by 50% ( t ½). CCCP treatment significantly increased t ½. These results suggest that Ca2+ removal to mitochondria in arterial smooth muscle cells may be important at a low [Ca2+]i.

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Surgical Pathology Resident Rotation Restructuring at a Tertiary Care Academic Center

Academic Pathology ◽

10.1177/2374289517736344 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 237428951773634

Author(s):

Chelsea R. Mehr ◽

Amrom E. Obstfeld ◽

Amanda C. Barrett ◽

Kathleen T. Montone ◽

Lauren E. Schwartz

Keyword(s):

Resident Education ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Turnaround Time ◽

Surgical Pathology ◽

Primary Sources ◽

Road Map ◽

Academic Center ◽

Organ Systems ◽

Before And After ◽

Time Required

Changes in the field of pathology and resident education necessitate ongoing evaluation of residency training. Evolutionary change is particularly important for surgical pathology rotations, which form the core of anatomic pathology training programs. In the past, we organized this rotation based on subjective insight. When faced with the recent need to restructure the rotation, we strove for a more evidence-based process. Our approach involved 2 primary sources of data. We quantified the number of cases and blocks submitted per case type to estimate workload and surveyed residents about the time required to gross specimens in all organ systems. A multidisciplinary committee including faculty, residents, and staff evaluated the results and used the data to model how various changes to the rotation would affect resident workload, turnaround time, and other variables. Finally, we identified rotation structures that equally distributed work and created a point-based system that capped grossing time for residents of different experience. Following implementation, we retrospectively compared turnaround time and duty hour violations before and after these changes and surveyed residents about their experiences with both systems. We evaluated the accuracy of the point-based system by examining grossing times and comparing them to the assigned point values. We found overall improvement in the rotation following the implementation. As there is essentially no literature on the subject of surgical pathology rotation organization, we hope that our experience will provide a road map to improve pathology resident education at other institutions.

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Characterizing and Mitigating Work Time Inflation in Task Parallel Programs

Scientific Programming ◽

10.1155/2013/898597 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (3-4) ◽

pp. 123-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stephen L. Olivier ◽

Bronis R. de Supinski ◽

Martin Schulz ◽

Jan F. Prins

Keyword(s):

Poor Performance ◽

Data Access ◽

Parallel Applications ◽

Task Parallelism ◽

Improve Performance ◽

Additional Time ◽

Work Time ◽

Task Parallel ◽

Time Required ◽

Data Access Latency

Task parallelism raises the level of abstraction in shared memory parallel programming to simplify the development of complex applications. However, task parallel applications can exhibit poor performance due to thread idleness, scheduling overheads, andwork time inflation– additional time spent by threads in a multithreaded computation beyond the time required to perform the same work in a sequential computation. We identify the contributions of each factor to lost efficiency in various task parallel OpenMP applications and diagnose the causes of work time inflation in those applications. Increased data access latency can cause significant work time inflation in NUMA systems. Our locality framework for task parallel OpenMP programs mitigates this cause of work time inflation. Our extensions to the Qthreads library demonstrate that locality-aware scheduling can improve performance up to 3X compared to the Intel OpenMP task scheduler.

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Statistical Analysis using traditional technique, Microsoft Excel and Predictive Analytic Software

UIC Research Journal ◽

10.17158/514 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Jovelyn M. Durango ◽

Carlito P. Yurango

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Completion Time ◽

Microsoft Excel ◽

Instructional Tools ◽

Traditional Technique ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Computer Based ◽

The One ◽

Time Required

The advent of technology has improved the way statistics is taught and learned. It is claimed that the use of computer-based instructional tools can actively explore the meaning of statistical concepts among the students, as well as enhance their learning experiences. This study aimed to compare three methods of statistical analysis namely, the traditional technique (use of the calculator), Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. This investigation utilized the experimental design, specifically the One-Group Pretest – Posttest Design. There were six education students who self-assessed their attitude before and after the introduction of the use of various computation techniques and performed the statistical analysis considering also the completion time required for each process. Results of the study revealed an increase in the level of attitude among the respondents form the pretest to the posttest. Also, the cognitive level regardless of the approach was very high. However, the t-test failed to establish a significant difference in the attitude among the respondents. On the other hand, there were significant differences in both the test scores and completion time of the respondents in the three methods in favor of SPSS. Keywords: Information technology, statistics, traditional technique, Microsoft excel, SPSS, comparative analysis, experimental research design, Davao City, Philippines.

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REDUCING THE NUMBER OF BACTERIAL COLONIES USING ECOCID®S (POTASSIUM PEROXYSULPHATE BASED DISINFECTANT) AT SMALL ANIMAL CLINIC

Slovenian Veterinary Research ◽

10.26873/svr-589-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Nataša Tozon ◽

Majda Biasizzo ◽

Leon Ščuka ◽

Tamara Potočnik ◽

Marjeta Redek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Clinical Study ◽

Microbial Contamination ◽

Small Animal ◽

Before And After ◽

Microbiological Testing ◽

Sources Of Infection ◽

Time Required ◽

Paper Towels ◽

Reduced Time

A clinical study has been conducted to test the efficacy of Ecocid® S, a biocidal agent. The active substance is potassium peroxysulphate and is used in clinical practice after the mechanical cleaning of various surfaces that act as potential sources of infection transmission. We determined 29 swabbing points, from which 87 samples were collected with cotton swabs. Swabs were submitted for microbiological testing to evaluate microbial contamination before cleaning, and before and after disinfection with Ecocid® S. We submitted 63 swabs from 21 swabbing points for further statistical analysis. Five swabs were excluded because the presence of bacteria in the swabs before disinfection had not been determined. The clinical study on the efficacy of Ecocid® S disinfectant showed that it is effective with an average reduction in contamination of 95.75%. The disinfectant was also active with a significantly reduced time of action: it was removed with dry paper towels from all sampling points, except the floor scales, only 5 to 10 minutes after application. The time required for the proper preparation of examination tables and other equipment in clinical practice is of vital importance for a smooth workflow.Key words: animals; disinfection; potassium peroxysulphate; Ecocid® S ZMANJŠANJE ŠTEVILA BAKTERIJ PO UPORABI RAZKUŽILA ECOCID®S (RAZKUŽILO NA OSNOVI KALIJEVEGA PEROKSISULFATA) V PROSTORIH KLINIKE ZA MALE ŽIVALIPovzetek: S klinično študijo smo želeli ugotoviti učinkovitosti biocidnega razkužila ECOCID®S. Aktivna snov v razkužilu je kalijev peroksisulfat, ki se na klinikah uporablja za razkuževanje različnih površin, ki predstavljajo ključna mesta za prenos okužb, po njihovem mehaničnem čiščenju. Določili smo 29 vzorčnih mest, na katerih smo z uporabo bombažnih brisov odvzeli 87 vzorcev. Z mikrobiološkim testiranjem smo ugotavljali stopnjo kontaminacije pred čiščenjem, ter pred in po razkuževanju z ECOCID®S. Za statistično obdelavo smo uporabili 63 rezultatov z 21 vzorčnih mest. Pet rezultatov je bilo izločenih iz obdelave, ker je bila že pred razkuževanjem stopnja kontaminacije pod mejo detekcije uporabljene metode. S klinično študijo učinkovitosti razkužila Ecocid®S smo ugotovili povprečno 95,75 % zmanjšanje števila kontaminantov po uporabi razkužila. Razkužilo je bilo učinkovito tudi ob skrajšanem času delovanja le 5 do 10 minut po nanosu. Zaradi zagotavljanja tekočega dela na kliniki je izredno pomemben čas, ki je potreben za ustrezno pripravo površin in druge opreme za pregled živali, zato je razkužilo Ecocid® S primerno za uporabo na veterinarskih klinikah, saj hitro in učinkovito zmanjša bakterijsko kontaminacijo.Ključne besede: živali; dezinfekcija; kalijev peroksisulfat; Ecocid® S

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Impact of mineral and organic absorbent during the discoloration of avocado oil by comparing with olive oil

Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences ◽

10.4314/jcas.v16i2.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 113-121

Author(s):

Orléans Ngomo ◽

Joseph Sieliechi ◽

Etienne Dongo

Keyword(s):

Activated Carbon ◽

Shelf Life ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

The Other ◽

Added Value ◽

Avocado Oil ◽

Before And After ◽

Valuable Product ◽

Cie Lab

Avocado is a versatile and valuable product. Its oil is comparable to olive oil in terms of nutritional quality. It can also be used in cosmetics, in particular, in soaps, shampoos and lotions. Despite all these important attributes that avocado has, it is highly perishable and coupled with the lack of farm-to-market roads, a lot of it is lost after harvest during the peak season. The introduction of methods that will transform avocado to products with a long shelf life and added value will go a long way to solving the problem of post-harvest losses and poverty. One of these methods is the production of avocado oil. In addition, in order to reduce the colour of the pigments without altering their quality, discoloration tests were carried out by adsorption on bleaching grounds (a montmorillonite, a kaolinite and activated carbon). The colour intensities of the oils before and after adsorption were determined using two complementary methods: a UV-Vis spectrophotometer and a Konica Minolta spectrophotometer CM-5. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer show that the activated carbon has a best fixing capacity of the pigments; According to the Colorimetric parameters (CIE-Lab) the coordinates L* a* b* that showed brightness (L*) of the avocado oil was half of the olive oil (41.13±0.02 vs 84.85±0.02). The activated carbon was better in fixing the red (a*) (4.99±0.01vs 15.73±0.01 before adsorption) and yellow (b*) (63.71±0.09 vs 70.07±0.09 before adsorption) pigments, while the other two adsorbents have very little influence on the red colour of avocado oil. RésuméL’avocat est un produit versatile et de grande valeur. Son huile est comparable à huile d’olive en terme de qualité nutritionnelle ; elle peut également être utilisée en cosmétique en occurrence dans les savons, champoings et lotions. En pleine saison, l’on fait face à une abondance des avocats dans les zones de production qui sont très souvent enclavées ; c’est ainsi que face aux difficultés de transport et les routes peu praticables pour l’importation, l’on se retrouve en train de perdre de très importantes quantités d’avocats après les récoltes. Or la production d’huile d’avocats permettrait de réduire les pertes post récolte, réduirait le chômage et permettrait de lutter contre la pauvreté après la vente des huiles extraites. De plus, dans le but de réduire les pigments colorés, des tests de décolorations effectués par adsorption sur des terres décolorantes (une montmorillonite en provenance de Maroua, une kaolinite en provenance de Douala et le charbon actif) sont effectués. Les couleurs des huiles mesurées avant et après adsorption à l’aide deux appareils complémentaires : Le spectrophotomètre UV-Vis et du Konica Minolta spectrophotomètre CM-5 montrent. Les analyses spectrophotométriques UV-Vis montrent que c’est le charbon activé qui présente la meilleure adsorption des pigments ; D’après les coordonnées L*a*b*, la clarté de l’huile d’avocat est pratiquement la moitié de celle de l’huile d’olive (41,13±0,02 contre 84,85±0,02), le charbon activé fixe mieux les pigments rouges (a*) (4,99±0,01 contre 15,73±0,01 avant adsorption) et jaunes (b*) (63,71±0,09 contre 70,07±0,09 après adsorption), tandis que les deux autres adsorbants influencent très peu sur la coloration des huiles.

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Monitoring of the Project to Convert Cereal Production into Olive Plantations in the Province of Tetouan (Northern Morocco)

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International ◽

10.9734/jaeri/2019/v20i330114 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Ettakifi Hajar ◽

Barbara Hicham ◽

El Bouzdoudi Brahim ◽

Errabii Tomader ◽

El Kbiach Mohammed L’bachir

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Sector ◽

Olive Tree ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

Tree Planting ◽

Added Value ◽

Social Constraints ◽

Cereal Crops ◽

High Productivity ◽

Before And After ◽

Productivity And Competitiveness

The agricultural sector occupies an important economic and social position in Morocco. In this sense, in recent years our country has adopted a new strategy for the agricultural sector called the "Green Morocco Plan". This plan is based on two pillars, the first is that which provides agriculture with high added value, high productivity, and competitiveness, the second is that which offers solidarity-based agriculture, based on the fight against poverty, increasing the income of small farmers, particularly in disadvantaged areas (such as unfavourable stock areas, mountains or oases, plains and plateaus in semi-arid regions). In our present study, we are particularly interested in the project to convert 760 ha of cereal crops into olive groves in the province of Tetouan. On the one hand, all stages of olive tree planting in cereal crops were monitored, as well as a comparison of yields, area, income, productivity and employment before and after the project was carried out. And on the other hand, an analysis of the various positive (social, economic and environmental) and negative (ecological) impacts of the project on the rural population in the province of Tetouan and on the environment in general. On the contrary, this project encountered several constraints, including natural, economic and social constraints.

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