Schlumberger (United States)

Objetivo: Compreender os desafios e as possibilidades no atendimento médico entre ginecologistas e pacientes surdas do município de Itumbiara-GO, no cuidado preventivo da saúde da mulher. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, envolvendo médicos ginecologistas e pacientes surdas do município de Itumbiara-GO. A coleta dos dados ocorre no período de março e abril de 2024, utilizando instrumento como coleta de dados entrevistas semiestruturadas, contendo perguntas acerca dos desafios e potencialidades encontrados pelas pacientes surdas e que médicos ginecologistas encontram no atendimento médico dessas pacientes. Participaram desta pesquisa três médicos ginecologistas e duas mulheres surdas, usuárias da Língua Brasileira de Sinais (Libras). A pesquisa foi submetida e aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética e todos os participantes assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Resultados: os resultados da pesquisa evidenciam desafios significativos na comunicação entre ginecologistas e pacientes surdas em Itumbiara-GO, ressaltando a necessidade urgente de uma formação médica mais inclusiva. As entrevistas revelam que, embora haja um esforço mútuo para superar as barreiras comunicacionais, a falta de conhecimento em Libras por parte dos profissionais de saúde muitas vezes resulta na dependência de acompanhantes ou intérpretes, o que compromete a autonomia das pacientes. Conclusão: Para melhorar a saúde pública no atendimento ginecológico para mulheres surdas, é crucial implementar políticas públicas e educacionais que incentivem a formação contínua dos profissionais de saúde em Libras e a contratação de intérpretes qualificados nos serviços de saúde.

The chemical absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) usingamine solvents is set to be a prominent technology for large-scalepoint source carbon capture, yet its development encounters significantchallenges, such as the inherent instability of carbamate intermediatesthat are crucial to the CO2 capture process. Traditionally,amine solvent development has been focusing on stringent process controlsand optimizing the structure of amino sites that form carbamates.Our study introduces an innovative concept of intersite stability,which enhances the relative structural arrangement and positioningbetween amino sites, specifically between carbamate and its counter-protonatedamine. Our approach not only stabilizes the carbamate itself but alsoleverages synergistic effects to improve overall system performanceunder higher CO2 loadings. We demonstrate that strategicincreases in structural differences between amino sites can significantlyaugment stability, effectively mitigating the traditional pathwaysof carbamate decomposition to bicarbonate, especially under high-temperatureCO2 loading conditions. We optimize the amine system’sresilience against decomposition by designating specific roles foramino sites, increasing protonation and carbamate stabilization, andstrategically modifying their structural relationships, both withinand between molecules. Our detailed analysis and validation of thisconcept includes the study of structural positioning in blends ofcyclic amines, multialkylamines, and alkanolamines, which are candidatesfor commercialization. These modifications made to traditional aminesystems, which usually form less stable carbamates, follow the logicof our intersite stability framework, showcasing enhanced stabilityeven in aqueous environments. This study paves the way for more reliableand efficient CO2 capture technologies by fundamentallyrethinking the dynamics within the amino sites of these amine-basedsolvents.

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Historically, adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been challenging. We are conducting a study comparing PAP therapy adherence and sleep-related outcomes between automatic-PAP (APAP) and continuous management of airway pressure (cMAP^®), which leverages artificial intelligence for predicting and preventing OSA events. In a preliminary analysis, we assessed: 3-month differences in adherence, sleep-related outcomes, and key reasons for PAP discontinuation (DC). <bold>Methods:</bold> This is a double-blind, block randomized trial with a standardized coaching protocol. Seventy patients (cMAP^®: 36, APAP: 34) reached 3-month follow-up (1-year target: N=200). Three-month US CMS compliance was assessed via Fisher Exact test; device usage and total clinician coaching time by unpaired t-test. A questionnaire identified DC reasons. <bold>Results:</bold> No baseline clinical or demographic differences were noted between arms. cMAP^® patients showed significant improvements in 3-month adherence compared to APAP (93.9% [34/36] vs. 76.5% [26/34], p=0.04). Device usage significantly increased (5.3±1.5 vs. 4.6±2.5 hrs, p=0.014) while total coaching time decreased (19±12 vs. 36±24 mins, p<0.001) compared to APAP. The most prominent DC reason, “CPAP wakes me up too often when sleeping,” was exclusively cited by patients in the APAP arm (0 vs. 9). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Improved adherence, device usage, and reduced coaching time on the cMAP^® arm are promising. The absence of nocturnal arousal-related complaints leading to DC in the cMAP^® arm may be due to the higher sleep quality index (SleepImage^TM Ring) associated with cMAP^® versus APAP (Hanafi. et al. ERJ 2024 64:PA4470).

Background Detection of bedaquiline (BDQ) resistance is essential for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) treatment. Mutations in mmpR5 (Rv0678), a transcriptional repressor of MmpL5/MmpS5 efflux pump, are the most frequent basis for clinical BDQ resistance, yet exhibit variable resistance. Current sequencing methods lack sensitivity and specificity due to the heterogeneity of resistance-associated variants (RAVs). We modeled conformational changes in MmpR5 RAVs and predict impact on protein stability, DNA binding, and phenotypic BDQ resistance. Methods A literature review identified mmpR5 genotype-phenotype correlations. We retrieved mmpR5 sequences and AlphaFold3 generated structural models with reference to solved crystal structure. Maestro was used to predict stability changes, while mCSM was applied to assess effects on MmpR5-DNA to evaluate association with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for BDQ. Results Structural changes in MmpR5 were observed across 3 RAV categories: low (Q22R, V85A, Y92fs), intermediate (G66E, M139fs), and high-level resistance (L142R, C46fs, M10fs). Maestro-predicted destabilization correlated with BDQ MICs. mCSM analysis revealed high-resistance mutations significantly impaired DNA binding affinity, potentially disrupting efflux pump repression. Conclusion Integrating structural analysis may enhance the predictive ability of targeted sequencing to predict phenotypic BDQ resistance. <fig><object-id>erj;66/suppl_69/PA788/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>

Facial recognition has become a widely adopted biometric authentication technique due to its uniqueness and versatility. It plays a crucial role in identifying individuals in large crowds, making it a preferred method in security applications, automated surveillance, and missing person identification. Over the past four decades, face recognition has gained significant attention in computer vision research, leading to advancements in various algorithms. This paper presents a comprehensive review of facial recognition technologies, analyzing their strengths, limitations, and applications. It explores the fundamental concepts of face recognition, common methodologies, challenges, and potential future advancements. A robust facial authentication system must not only recognize individuals but also detect spoofing attempts, such as those involving printed images or digital displays. One effective anti-spoofing measure is liveness detection, which examines facial movements such as eye blinking and lip motion. However, traditional liveness detection techniques are often ineffective against video-based replay attacks. To address this, this study proposes an AI-driven facial authentication system that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for facial recognition and liveness detection mechanisms. The system consists of two main modules: a CNN-based classifier for face authentication and an eye-blink detection module to assess natural facial movements. The CNN model is trained using publicly available datasets to enhance its effectiveness. These components are seamlessly integrated and implemented on an Android platform to develop a facial recognition application. Experimental results indicate that the proposed system successfully detects various spoofing attacks, including those involving masks, printed images, and digital screens.

Abstract The scope of this paper is to highlight the application of fiber-optic enabled coiled tubing to a multi-zone intervention stimulation campaign focusing on two wells in a deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GoM) Miocene reservoir. This technology application informed real-time decision making on the coiled tubing intervention stimulation pumping program, to assure proper placement of chemicals for effective zonal isolation and stimulation, eventually leading to improved productivity. The fiber optic coiled tubing string was deployed on a spar facility in ~4,500-ft of water in Green Canyon GoM. The surface rig-up consisted of traditional coiled tubing injector and well control equipment, spanning multiple decks of the facility. The fiber optic readings were obtained real-time via a data acquisition cabin on the surface, focused on temperature signatures to inform fluid placement across the differentially pressured zones in each well. During the execution of the jobs, there was concern over the effectiveness of diverter chemicals to properly isolate the depleted upper interval (Zone 1s) prior to acid stimulation of the of lower interval (Zone 2 and/or Zone 3s). However, the real-time log interpretation of the distributed temperature data helped to inform decisions regarding accurate placement of an additional 30% and 50% diverter volume in each respective Zone 1 prior to stimulating the lower interval. The final job results were positive, restoring the wells to production and in one case an increase in productivity index by ~120%. The lessons learned from this application can be applied to a variety of other wells and scenarios to enable better decision-making during operations. Well Interventions are often challenged regarding two investment areas. The first being the use of coiled tubing conveyance for placement of chemical treatments versus simpler bullhead pumping. The second being data acquisition during the operation versus no logging (passive or active) whatsoever. This campaign is a stark example of where the additional investment in both coiled tubing and data acquisition via fiber optics informed critical decisions to assure success and limit risk of ineffective intervention stimulations, loss of time and resources to investigate failure, inability to accurately determine failure due to no data, and poor return on investment.

This study aimed to evaluate early childhood nutrition knowledge and practices in Gicumbi District, Rwanda, and assess the potential of parents' evening forums as platforms for community-based nutrition education. This study employed a mixed-methods design incorporating structured questionnaires (quantitative) and focus group discussions and interviews (qualitative). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation to explore associations among participation, knowledge application and access barriers. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data to capture contextual insights and educational preferences. The study was conducted in Gicumbi District, a rural region in northern Rwanda, characterised by high malnutrition rates. 523 participants: 471 household heads completed questionnaires; 52 took part in focus group discussions and interviews. The study revealed substantial knowledge gaps, with only 46 % of participants aware of the symptoms of malnutrition and just 32 % identifying nutrient-rich complementary foods. Despite 68 % of participants reporting social connection as a key motivator for joining parents' evening forums, logistical challenges such as time and travel barriers were cited by 41 % as constraints. Lectures were the most preferred teaching method (78 %), followed by cooking demonstrations (56 %). Qualitative findings emphasised the importance of local relevance, peer support and interactive learning for fostering participation and knowledge retention. Parents' evening forums represent a viable and contextually appropriate platform for delivering early childhood nutrition education. Their expansion, alongside the integration of digital tools and tailored, experiential teaching approaches, could strengthen community engagement and address persistent malnutrition challenges in Rwanda and comparable settings.

<bold>Background:</bold> Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complication of COPD and emphysema. Contemporary subphenotypes of COPD at risk for PH is unclear. <bold>Aim:</bold> To investigate the association between estimated cardiac hemodynamics on cardiac MRI and CTES in a community-based sample with and without COPD. <bold>Methods:</bold> MESA COPD is a nested COPD case-control study of participants aged 50–79 with ≥10 packyear smoking history without cardiovascular disease. Participants underwent spirometry, lung CT and cardiac MRI. CTES were labeled by an unsupervised machine learning model validated in an independent sample. Estimated mean pulmonary artery pressure (ePAP), pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (ePAWP), and pulmonary vascular resistance (ePVR) were calculated using validated equations on cardiac MRI. Adjusted linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between CTES and estimated hemodynamics. <bold>Results:</bold> The 301 participants were 68±7 years old, 60% male, 28% currently smoking, and 145 participants had COPD (42% mild, 45% moderate and 13% severe). The combined bronchitic-apical emphysema subtype was associated with greater ePAP (1.08 mmHg per 10% increment, 95% CI 0.40, 1.75). The diffuse subtype was associated with lower ePAWP (−0.49 mmHg per 10% increment, 95% CI -0.75, -0.24) and greater ePVR (0.36 Wood units per 10% increment, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.61). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Greater ePAP was specific to combined bronchitic-apical emphysema; greater ePVR was associated with diffuse emphysema. Precision emphysema phenotyping may inform risk stratification for PH in COPD.

Due to high energy density, clean combustion products and abundant resources, natural gas hydrates (NGHs) have been regarded as an important clean energy source with the potential for large-scale development and utilization. However, pilot tests in NGHs show that their production rates are far below commercial needs. Multilateral well technology may lead to a solution to this problem because it can dramatically expand the drainage area of production wells. This paper presents the practical rate transient analysis for multilateral horizontal wells in NGHs. In developing solution to the diffusivity equation of multilateral horizontal wells in NGHs, the superposition principle and reciprocity are applied. We wrote the governing equation in cylindrical coordinates to describe the NGH flow process. We used the moving boundaries and dissociation coefficients to model the solid-to-gas transition process in hydrates. To obtain solutions for flow in hydrate reservoirs, we used Laplace transforms and the Stehfest numerical inversion method. Superposition principle and Gaussian elimination are applied to obtain the desired solution for multilateral horizontal wells. We validated our proposed model with a commercial numerical simulator. By performing sensitivity analyses, effects on production behavior of the number of branches, dissociation coefficient, radius of the region with dissociated hydrate, and dispersion ratio are determined. A synthetic case study is conducted to show the typical production behaviors.