Community engagement and feedback of results in the H3Africa AWI-Gen project: Experiences from the Navrongo Demographic and Health Surveillance site in Northern Ghana

Community and Public engagement (CE) have gained traction as an ethical best practice for the conduct of genomics research, particularly in the context of Africa. In the past 10 years, there has been growing scholarship on the value and practice of engaging key stakeholders including communities involved in genomics research. However, not much has been documented on how research teams, particularly in international collaborative research projects, are navigating the complex process of engagement including the return of key research findings. This paper is part of a series of papers describing the CE processes used in the AWI-Gen study sites. We describe the key processes of engagement, challenges encountered and the major lessons learned. We pay particular attention to the experiences in returning research results to participants and communities within the Demographic and Health Surveillance site in northern Ghana.

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Auditors, Underwriters, and Firm Owners’ Interaction in an IPO Environment: The Case of OECD Nations

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6281

Author(s):

Sheela Sundarasen ◽

Kamilah Kamaludin ◽

Izani Ibrahim ◽

Usha Rajagopalan ◽

Nevi Danila

Keyword(s):

Positive Impact ◽

Common Law ◽

Civil Law ◽

Least Square ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Research Findings ◽

Firm Owners ◽

The Relationship

This study explores the effects of interactions among key stakeholders, i.e., auditors, underwriters, and firm owners on IPOs’ first-day returns in selected OECD nations. It also examines the alteration effects of legal origin (Common law and Civil law) on the relationship between the interacted key stakeholders and IPOs’ first-day returns. A total of four thousand one hundred and sixty-four IPOs from twenty-eight OECD nations are included in this study. Since it is cross-sectional data, a two-stage least square regression is applied. The empirical outcomes indicate that, in general, the interacted reputable underwriters and auditors have a positive impact on IPOs’ first-day return. The relationship is modified between common law and civil law nations, whereby in civil law nations, no significance is demonstrated except for the interaction between the reputable auditors and underwriters. In the common law nation, interactions between reputable auditors and ownership retention have an impact on IPOs’ first-day return. The research findings provide outlooks into an IPO framework for issuers, investors, and regulators. Issuers may want to weigh carefully the costs and benefits of hiring credible auditors and underwriters when going public as they act as signaling agents. As for the investors, they should take into consideration the involvement of reputable underwriters and auditors and the degree to which the IPO firms retain ownership, as the interactive effects give clear signals on firm valuation and IPOs’ first-day returns. Regulators may find the findings informative concerning the creation of a more organized regulatory and financial system that could lead to a deeper and more open financial market.

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Chemical Deliquification of Unconventional Gas Wells

10.2118/spe-169958-ms ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

K.. Francis-LaCroix ◽

D.. Seetaram

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Best Practice ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Large Deviation ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Gas Production ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Offshore Platforms ◽

Gas Wells ◽

Current Production

Abstract Trinidad and Tobago offshore platforms have been producing oil and natural gas for over a century. Current production of over 1500 Bcf of natural gas per year (Administration, 2013) is due to extensive reserves in oil and gas. More than eighteen of these wells are high-producing wells, producing in excess of 150 MMcf per day. Due to their large production rates, these wells utilize unconventionally large tubulars 5- and 7-in. Furthermore, as is inherent with producing gas, there are many challenges with the production. One major challenge occurs when wells become liquid loaded. As gas wells age, they produce more liquids, namely brine and condensate. Depending on flow conditions, the produced liquids can accumulate and induce a hydrostatic head pressure that is too high to be overcome by the flowing gas rates. Applying surfactants that generate foam can facilitate the unloading of these wells and restore gas production. Although the foaming process is very cost effective, its application to high-producing gas wells in Trinidad has always been problematic for the following reasons: Some of these producers are horizontal wells, or wells with large deviation angles.They were completed without pre-installed capillary strings.They are completed with large tubing diameters (5.75 in., 7 in.). Recognizing that the above three factors posed challenges to successful foam applications, major emphasis and research was directed toward this endeavor to realize the buried revenue, i.e., the recovery of the well's potential to produce natural gas. This research can also lead to the application of learnings from the first success to develop treatment for additional wells, which translates to a revenue boost to the client and the Trinidad economy. Successful treatments can also be used as correlations to establish an industry best practice for the treatment of similarly completed wells. This paper will highlight the successes realized from the treatment of three wells. It will also highlight the anomalies encountered during the treatment process, as well as the lessons learned from this treatment.

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Verifying the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure: Sydney Metro’s commissioning through the “significance matrix” methodology

Journal of Engineering Design and Technology ◽

10.1108/jedt-03-2021-0169 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Koorosh Gharehbaghi ◽

Kerry McManus ◽

Maged Georgy ◽

Ken Farnes ◽

Francesca Pagliara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Practice ◽

Transportation Infrastructure ◽

Content Type ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Comprehensive Determination ◽

Transportation Infrastructures ◽

Sustainability Challenges

Purpose Through the significance matrix, this paper aims to investigate and explore the main sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructure projects. Sydney’s Metro mega transportation infrastructure is used as a case study. Sydney’s Metro was selected because of its sustainability challenges faced because of the areas’ diverse ecological zones. Sydney’s Metro is thus examined as the basis of best practice for the determination of the sustainability factors of transportation infrastructures. Design/methodology/approach Using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research evaluates the environmental impact assessment and environmental assessment processes, to alleviate the problems of the mega transportation infrastructure. Findings This research found that a more comprehensive determination is needed to further analyse the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures, use of a significance matrix would further assess the environmental complexities of mega transportation infrastructures and the sustainability factors of mega transportation infrastructures should include a nonlinear and asymmetrical scheme highlighting its components and carefully outlining its integration and consolidation. Originality/value Although there is concurrent research into sustainability factors of mega transportation, this paper undertakes a new methodology for such infrastructure. While the significance matrix is not a new concept, it has never been used specifically for mega transportation infrastructure. Subsequently, using the significance matrix as a methodology, this research undertakes such environmental analysis and assessment and thus produces a qualitative risk analysis matrix. The findings from this research will ultimately assist the key stakeholders of mega transportation infrastructures to better plan, monitor and support similar projects.

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Countering Violent Extremism in Canada and Abroad

Inquiry@Queen's Undergraduate Research Conference Proceedings ◽

10.24908/iqurcp.11804 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Nora Abdelrahman Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Best Practice ◽

Unintended Consequences ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Far Right ◽

Significant Development ◽

The Us ◽

Violent Extremism ◽

Recent Trends ◽

The Uk

Terrorism and violent extremism have undoubtedly become among the top security concerns of the 21st century. Despite a robust agenda of counterterrorism since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the evolution of global terrorism has continued to outpace the policy responses that have tried to address it. Recent trends such as the foreign fighter phenomenon, the rampant spread of extremist ideologies online and within communities, and a dramatic increase in terrorist incidents worldwide, have led to a recognition that “traditional” counterterrorism efforts are insufficient and ineffective in combatting these phenomena. Consequently, the focus of policy and practice has shifted towards countering violent extremism by addressing the drivers of radicalization to curb recruitment to extremist groups. Within this context, the field of countering violent extremism (CVE) has garnered attention from both the academic and policy-making worlds. While the CVE field holds promise as a significant development in counterterrorism, its policy and practice are complicated by several challenges that undermine the success of its initiatives. Building resilience to violent extremism is continuously challenged by an overly securitized narrative and unintended consequences of previous policies and practices, including divisive social undercurrents like Islamophobia, xenophobia, and far-right sentiments. These by-products make it increasingly difficult to mobilize a whole of society response that is so critical to the success and sustainability of CVE initiatives. This research project addresses these policy challenges by drawing on the CVE strategies of Canada, the US, the UK, and Denmark to collect best practice and lessons learned in order to outline a way forward.

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Multistage Openhole Completion Using Integrated Dynamic Diversion Frac Technique in Highly Depleted Well: First Successful Application in West Kuwait Field

10.2118/205531-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abdullah Abu-Eida ◽

Salem Al-Sabea ◽

Milan Patra ◽

Bader Akbar ◽

Kutbuddin Bhatia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Best Practice ◽

Treatment Options ◽

High Energy ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

High Potential ◽

Fracture Plane ◽

Fluid Loss ◽

Field Development ◽

Two Fluids

Abstract The Minagish field in West Kuwait is a high potential field which poses several challenges in terms of hydrocarbon flow assurance through highly depleted tight carbonate intervals with uneven reservoir quality and curtailed mobility. These conditions have shifted the field development from vertical to horizontal wellbore completions. Achieving complete wellbore coverage is a challenge for any frac treatment performed in a long openhole lateral with disparities in reservoir characteristics. The fluid will flow into the path of least resistance leaving large portions of the formation untreated. As a result, economic fracturing treatment options dwindle significantly, thus reservoir stimulation results are not always optimum. A multistage fracturing technique using Integrated Dynamic Diversion (IDD) has been performed first time in West Kuwait field well. The process uses active fluid energy to divert flow into a specific fracture point in the lateral, which can initiate and precisely place a fracture. The process uses two self-directed fluid streams: one inside the pipe and one in the annulus. The process mixes the two fluids downhole with high energy to form a consistent controllable mixture. The technique includes pinpoint fluid jetting at the point of interest, followed by in-situ HCL based crosslinked systems employed for improving individual stage targets. The IDD diversion shifts the fracture to unstimulated areas to create complex fractures which increases reservoir contact volume and improved overall conductivity in the lateral. The kinetic and chemical diversion of the IDD methodology is highly critical to control fluid loss in depleted intervals and results in enhanced stimulation. Pumping a frac treatment in openhole without control would tend to initiate a longitudinal fracture along the wellbore and may restrict productivity. By using specialized completion tools with nozzles at the end of the treating string, a new pinpoint process has been employed to initiate a transverse fracture plane in IDD applications. Proper candidate selection and fluid combination with in-situ crosslink acid effectively plug the fracture generated previously and generate pressure high enough to initiate another fracture for further ramification. By combining these processes into one continuous operation, the use of wireline/coiled tubing for jetting, plug setting and milling is eliminated, making the new multistage completion technology economical for these depleted wells. The application of the IDD methodology is a fit-for-purpose solution to address the unique challenges of openhole operations, formation technical difficulties, high-stakes economics, and untapped high potential from intermittent reservoirs. The paper will present post-operation results of this completion from all fractured zones along the lateral and will describe the lessons learned in implementation of this methodology which can be considered as best practice for application in similar challenges in other fields.

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Developing national best practice recommendations for harm reduction programmes: Lessons learned from a community-based project

International Journal of Drug Policy ◽

10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.11.008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

pp. 14-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tara Marie Watson ◽

Carol Strike ◽

Laurel Challacombe ◽

Geoff Demel ◽

Diana Heywood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Harm Reduction ◽

Best Practice ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Community Based ◽

Practice Recommendations

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The management of infant developmental needs by community nurses - Part 2: The development of guidelines for the support of community nurses in the management of infant developmental needs

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v30i2.1085 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

Author(s):

R. Leech ◽

N.C. Van Wyk ◽

C.J.E. Uys

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Best Practice ◽

Scientific Information ◽

Scope Of Practice ◽

Developmental Needs ◽

Developmental Care ◽

Health Care Clinics ◽

Research Findings

In the previous article, the author described, according to the scope of practice of registered nurses, the responsibilities oi community nurses with regard to the management of infant developmental needs in primary health care clinics in South Africa. In this article, the focus is on the development of guidelines for the support of community nurses in fulfilling these responsibilities. Before the development of the guidelines is addressed, a brief overview of the background of the study, assumptions of the researcher and the methodology of the study is given. The development of the set of guidelines (DEFINE HOPE) is set against the background of the drive to improve the quality of developmental care for infants and their families. As guidelines help to translate scientific information into statements, it could be valuable to community nurses to improve their delivery of developmental care. To gather evidence for the formulation of the guidelines, the researcher utilised the themes identified during the analysis process in phase one of the research; investigated research articles; and compared findings and recommendations of the articles with the research findings obtained in phase one. In addition to the research findings and literature review, a focus group (health care professionals represented in the case study), was utilised to assist with the final development and validation of the guidelines. The researcher adapted a number of desirable attributes for guidelines, which are indicated in the literature, to compile the criteria for validation of the guidelines. In conclusion, guidelines are necessary to support community nurses in finding “best practice” within their scope of practice to ensure higher quality of developmental care to families with infants 0-2 years.

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Genomics research in Africa and its impact on global health: insights from African researchers

Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics ◽

10.1017/gheg.2018.3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

N. S. Munung ◽

B. M. Mayosi ◽

J. de Vries

Keyword(s):

Global Health ◽

Disease Surveillance ◽

Disease Burden ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

Genomics Research ◽

African Populations ◽

Research Findings ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

High Disease Burden

Africa may be heading for an era of genomics medicine. There are also expectations that genomics may play a role in reducing global health inequities. However, the near lack of genomics studies on African populations has led to concerns that genomics may widen, rather than close, the global health inequity gap. To prevent a possible genomics divide, the genomics ‘revolution’ has been extended to Africa. This is motivated, in part, by Africa's rich genetic diversity and high disease burden. What remains unclear, however, are the prospects of using genomics technology for healthcare in Africa. In this qualitative study, we explored the views of 17 genomics researchers in Africa on the prospects and challenges of genomics medicine in Africa. Interviewees were researchers in Africa who were involved in genomics research projects in Africa. Analysis of in-depth interviews suggest that genomics medicine may have an impact on disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. However, Africa's capacity for genomics medicine, current research priorities in genomics and the translation of research findings will be key defining factors impacting on the ability of genomics medicine to improve healthcare in Africa.

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Evaluation of serverless computing for scalable execution of a joint variant calling workflow

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254363 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254363

Author(s):

Aji John ◽

Kathleen Muenzen ◽

Kristiina Ausmees

Keyword(s):

Genetic Information ◽

Best Practice ◽

Workflow Management ◽

Variant Calling ◽

Phase Iii ◽

1000 Genomes Project ◽

1000 Genomes ◽

Genomics Research ◽

The Cost ◽

Analysis Of Performance

Advances in whole-genome sequencing have greatly reduced the cost and time of obtaining raw genetic information, but the computational requirements of analysis remain a challenge. Serverless computing has emerged as an alternative to using dedicated compute resources, but its utility has not been widely evaluated for standardized genomic workflows. In this study, we define and execute a best-practice joint variant calling workflow using the SWEEP workflow management system. We present an analysis of performance and scalability, and discuss the utility of the serverless paradigm for executing workflows in the field of genomics research. The GATK best-practice short germline joint variant calling pipeline was implemented as a SWEEP workflow comprising 18 tasks. The workflow was executed on Illumina paired-end read samples from the European and African super populations of the 1000 Genomes project phase III. Cost and runtime increased linearly with increasing sample size, although runtime was driven primarily by a single task for larger problem sizes. Execution took a minimum of around 3 hours for 2 samples, up to nearly 13 hours for 62 samples, with costs ranging from $2 to $70.

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The state of internal audit’s regulatory mandate

Risk Governance and Control Financial Markets & Institutions ◽

10.22495/rcgv6i3c2art12 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 93-99

Author(s):

Christo Ackermann

Keyword(s):

Board Of Directors ◽

South African ◽

Best Practice ◽

Internal Audit ◽

Audit Committees ◽

Detailed Review ◽

Internal Audit Function ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Board Of Directors ◽

State Of Affairs

The importance of an effective internal audit function in South African municipalities have been recognised insofar as internal audit functions are legally mandated to exist within municipalities. This also means that legally, internal audit has certain mandates which must be fulfilled in order to add value to management and audit committees, and ultimately, to the board of directors. Even though internal audit is sanctioned by this important legal mandate, evidence shows that internal audit does not always fulfil this mandate. This state of affairs has prompted a detailed review of the relevant laws and regulations governing the work of internal audit in South African municipalities in order to determine the extent to which key stakeholders find the regulatory work of internal audit useful in discharging their (stakeholders’) oversight responsibilities. Questionnaires were administered to audit committees. The results summarise the extent to which internal audit’s work assists audit committees in their oversight responsibilities as this ultimately affects the ability of audit committees to fulfil these responsibilities to the board of directors. The results indicate that audit committees are greatly dependent on internal audit as a provider of assurance on a variety of legally mandated variables. The results of this study can be used as a measure of best practice of the legally mandated duties performed by internal audit. It can also be used by other researchers in comparative studies and by practitioners to benchmark their work in order to better serve audit committees and ultimately, the board of directors.

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