Risk Matrix as a Tool for Risk Analysis in Underwater Operations in the Oil and Gas Industry

The study is a cross-sectional design assessment of the likelihood, frequency and severity of hazards associated with underwater operations in the Niger Delta. Five oil and gas companies were used for this study selected by a purposive method given that they had the highest number of workers involved in underwater operations. A sample size of 418 was computed to which the questionnaires were administered with response rate of 95.93%. Data analyses were carried out to cover descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and Pearsonal correlation coefficients. The 4 by 4 risk assessment matrix for the likelihood and consequences showed that 8 out of 20 underwater hazards were categorized as having very high risk according to their risk ratings. The eight hazards categorized based on their risk IDs were H01, H03, H04, H08, H10, H11, H12, and H15. The 4 by 4 risk matrix for frequency and consequences revealed that two hazards (Piracy & bandit attack/kidnapping (H01) and Other main vessels/heavy object dropping or falling load/collision (H08)) were identified to be of very high risk.

Needs and Challenges of Nigeria Petroleum Industry in Assessing Process Safety Cumulative Risk

A cross-sectional exploratory assessment of the needs and challenges of petroleum industry in Nigeria, in assessing process safety cumulative risk for major accidents prevention was investigated. A purposive cum random sampling technique was used in this study, among selected petroleum companies operating in Nigeria. Survey questionnaires were received from 216 participants made up of asset integrity engineers/operators, process safety experts, production safety professionals in the petroleum industry in Nigeria. Data analyses were carried out to cover descriptive and inferential statistics. Overall, the study recognized that assessing process safety cumulative risk is not a simple process due largely to the changing nature of safety critical barriers degradation data. The study result showed four main challenges faced by petroleum industries in Nigeria, in assessing process safety cumulative risk: 1) the study showed that 94% of the respondents agreed that there is limited accessibility to safety critical barriers degradation data (little automation). Also 2) 94% of the respondents accounted for poor knowledge of process safety cumulative risk is and agreed it to be of low rating. The result further showed that 3) 90% of the respondents demonstrated that there are no guidance and procedures in assessing process safety cumulative risk and finally 4) 92% of the respondents reported that there is no real-time risk visualization model/ tool. Addressing these issues and challenges by the petroleum industries in the study area, will lead to successful assessment of process safety cumulative risk, thereby reducing the risk of major accidents.

Effect of clonidine on the cutaneous silent period during spinal anesthesia

AIM To investigate the effect of clonidine on the cutaneous silent period(CSP) during spinal anesthesia. METHODS A total of 67 adult patients were included in this randomized, prospective, single-center, double-blind trial. They did not have neurological disorders and were scheduled for inguinal hernia repair surgery. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov(NTC03121261). The patients were randomized into two groups with regards to the intrathecally administered solution:(1) 15 mg of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 50 μg of 0.015% clonidine, or(2) 15 mg of 0.5% levobupivacaine alone. There were 34 patients in the levobupivacaine-clonidine(LC) group and 33 patients in the levobupivacaine(L) group. CSP and its latency were measured four times: prior to the subarachnoid block(SAB), after motor block regression to the 0 level of the Bromage scale, with ongoing sensory blockade, and both 6 and 24 h after SAB.RESULTS Only data from 30 patients in each group were analyzed. There were no significant differences between the groups investigated preoperatively and after 24 h. The CSP of the L group at the time point when the Bromage scale was 0 was 44.8 ± 8.1 ms, while in the LC group it measured 40.2 ± 3.8 ms(P = 0.007). The latency in the L group at the time point when the Bromage scale was 0 was 130.3 ± 10.2 ms, and in the LC group it was 144.7 ± 8.3 ms(P < 0.001). The CSP of the L group after 6 h was 59.6 ± 9.8 ms, while in the LC group it was 44.5 ± 5.0 ms(P < 0.001). The latency in the L group after 6 h was 110.4 ± 10.6 ms, while in LC group it was 132.3 ± 9.7 ms(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION Intrathecal addition of clonidine to levobupivacaine for SAB in comparison with levobupivacaine alone resultsin a diminished inhibitory tonus and shortened CSP.

Gut peptide changes in patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing biliary drainage:A prospective case control study

BACKGROUND Biliary obstruction is a relatively common condition that affects approximately 5 in 1000 people annually.Malnutrition is very common in patients with biliary obstruction and since it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality,it is important to identify factors and mechanisms involved in its development.AIM To determine the influence of obstructive jaundice on the hormones controlling appetite and nutritive status.METHODS This was a prospective case control study performed in a tertiary center in Zagreb,Croatia.Patients with biliary obstruction undergoing internal biliary drainage from September 2012 until August 2013 were enrolled.After excluding patients who developed procedure related complications or were lost in the follow-up,out of initial 73 patients,55 patients were included in the analysis,including 34 with benign and 21 with malignant disease.Meanwhile,40 non-jaundiced controls were also included.Appetite,nutritional status,and serum ghrelin,cholecystokinin(CCK),interleukin 6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α)were determined at admission,48 h and 28 d after internal biliary drainage.Chi square test was used for categorical variables.Continuous variables were analysed for normality by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and relevant non-parametric(Mann-Whitney,Kruskal-Wallis,and Friedman)or parametric(t-test and analysis of variance)tests were used.RESULTS Patients with obstructive jaundice were significantly malnourished compared to controls,regardless of disease etiology.Plasma ghrelin and CCK levels were significantly higher in patients with obstructive jaundice.Serum bilirubin concentrations were negatively correlated with ghrelin levels and positively correlated with TNF-α,but had no correlation with CCK concentrations.After internal biliary drainage,a significant improvement of nutritional status was observed although serum concentrations of ghrelin,IL-6,and TNF-α remained significantly elevated even 28 d after the procedure.CCK levels in patients without malnutrition remained elevated 28 d after the procedure,but in patients with malnutrition,CCK levels decreased to levels comparable with those in the control group.We have not established any correlation between appetite and serum levels of ghrelin,CCK,IL-6,and TNF-α before and after biliary drainage.CONCLUSION Possible abnormalities in ghrelin and CCK regulation may be associated with the development ofmalnutrition during the inflammatory response in patients with biliary obstruction.

Assessment of Locational Compliance Status of Petroleum Products Handling Facilities in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

This study was aimed at assessing the locational compliance status of petroleum handling facilities in the Niger Delta to the specifications of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) locational standards. A cross-sectional research design was employed using a Standard checklist of seventeen compliance specifications of NUPRC. A walk-through survey was carried out in 118 identified facilities in three locations: Eket in Akwa-Ibom State, Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Warri in Delta State, respectively. The data obtained were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics, Kendall Tau-B and Principal Component analyses. The results indicate that the Petroleum Product facilities complied with 6 (35.29%) out of 17 specifications while 11 (64.70%) specifications were violated. Locations compliance of stations in the Niger Delta region is generally poor, but Stations in Port Harcourt recorded a higher compliance rate compared to Eket and Warri. Results of Kendall’s tau-b and Principal Component analysis indicated positive association between all the land space locational compliances. This study attributes the poor compliance rate to rapid urbanization, overpopulation, proliferation of filling stations and poor monitoring by regulatory agencies. It is recommended that, NUPRC should improve its monitoring and enforce regulatory operational specifications.

Heavy Metals Contents of Municipal Solid Waste Dumpsites in Potiskum, Yobe State Nigeria

The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe and Zn in selected dumpsites in Potiskum were determined with Buck Scientific 210VGB Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) AVG 210. One-way ANOVA was deployed at p < 0.05 level of significance for obtained triplicate values. It was found that the concentration (mg·kg-1) of studied heavy metals in Potiskum dumpsites ranged from 0.108 ± 0.02 - 262.536 ± 0.68 with pattern of accumulation Pb (262.536 ± 0.02) > Zn (183.369 ± 0.58) > Fe (159.453 ± 0.50) > Cu (111.382 ± 0.62) > Cr (43.523 ± 0.36) > Ni (6.419 ± 0.26) > Cd (0.679 ± 0.01) > As (0.108 ± 0.02) mg·kg-1. The concentrations of As, Cr, Ni, Fe and Zn fell below the WHO standards while those of Pb, Cd and Cu were above set limits by WHO. High acidity corresponds markedly with high levels of Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn and requires urgent attention as this trend is capable of groundwater contamination that will cause public health concern in affected areas.

医院内直接观察下治疗结核病时治疗卡对坚持规律治疗的作用

我们评价在结核病病房由病人和卫生工作者共同签字的治疗卡对坚持规律治疗的影响。通过检测每个病人的尿标本来估价坚持规律治疗情况,在干预之前和干预后2周、6周和16个月检测尿标本中异烟肼和利福平。干预前的坚持规律治疗率为62％,在短期、中期和长期干预后的坚持规律治疗率分别是88％、91％和93％(P=0.03,P=0.02,P<0.01)。医院内能够成功的实施直接观察下治疗的说法并不总是正确的。简单廉价的方法能够改善坚持规律治疗并对结核病控制产生影响。