Assessing the Relative Importance of Satellite-Detected Methane Superemitters in Quantifying Total Emissions for Oil and Gas Production Areas in Algeria.

Methane emissions from oil and gas production provide an important contribution to global warming. We investigate 2020 emissions from the largest gas field in Algeria, Hassi R'Mel, and the oil-production-dominated area Hassi Messaoud. We use methane data from the high-resolution (20 m) Sentinel-2 instruments to identify and estimate emission time series for 11 superemitters (including 10 unlit flares). We integrate this information in a transport model inversion that uses methane data from the coarser (7 km × 5.5 km) but higher-precision TROPOMI instrument to estimate emissions from both the 11 superemitters (>1 t/h individually) and the remaining diffuse area source (not detected as point sources with Sentinel-2). Compared to a bottom-up inventory for 2019 that is aligned with UNFCCC-reported emissions, we find that 2020 emissions in Hassi R'Mel (0.16 [0.11-0.22] Tg/yr) are lower by 53 [24-73]%, and emissions in Hassi Messaoud (0.22 [0.13-0.28] Tg/yr) are higher by 79 [4-188]%. Our analysis indicates that a larger fraction of Algeria's methane emissions (∼75%) come from oil production than national reporting suggests (5%). Although in both regions the diffuse area source constitutes the majority of emissions, relatively few satellite-detected superemitters provide a significant contribution (24 [12-40]% in Hassi R'Mel; 49 [27-71]% in Hassi Messaoud), indicating that mitigation efforts should address both. Our synergistic use of Sentinel-2 and TROPOMI can produce a unique and detailed emission characterization of oil and gas production areas.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE AND SCORING OF ORAL HEALTH IMPACT PROFILE VERSIONS.

BACKGROUND: OHIP's original seven-domain structure does not fit empirical data, but a psychometrically sound and clinically more plausible structure with the four OHRQoL dimensions Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact has emerged. Consequently, use and scoring of available OHIP versions need to be revisited. AIM: We assessed how well the overall construct OHRQoL and its four dimensions were measured with several OHIP versions (20, 19, 14, and 5 items) to derive recommendations which instruments should be used and how to score them. METHODS: Data came from the "Dimensions of OHRQoL Project" and used the project's learning sample (5,173 prosthodontic patients and general population subjects with 49-item OHIP data). We computed correlations among OHIP versions' summary scores. Correlations between OHRQoL dimensions, on one hand, and OHIP versions' domain scores or OHIP-5's items, on the other hand, were also computed. OHIP use and scoring recommendations were derived for psychometrically solid but also practical OHRQoL assessment. RESULTS: Summary scores of 5-, 14-, 19- and 49-item versions correlated highly (r = 0.91-0.98), suggesting similar OHRQoL construct measurement across versions. The OHRQoL dimensions Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact were best measured by the OHIP domain scores for Physical Disability, Physical Pain, Psychological Discomfort, and Handicap, respectively. CONCLUSION: Recommendations were derived which OHIP should be preferably used and how OHIP versions should be scored to capture the overall construct and the dimensions of OHRQoL. Psychometrically solid and practical OHRQoL assessment in all settings across all oral health conditions can be achieved with the 5-item OHIP.

Accuracy of midface advancement using patient-specific surgical guides and pre-bent plates versus conventional interocclusal wafers and conventional plate fixation in quadrangular Le Forte II osteotomy. A randomised controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of quadrangular Le Fort II osteotomy and midface advancement utilising digitally fabricated surgical guides with pre-bent plates compared with conventional interocclusal wafers. Twenty patients with midface deficiency were allocated randomly to two groups: patient-specific surgical guides and pre-bent titanium miniplates were utilised in the study group, while conventional interocclusal wafers with intraoperatively adapted titanium miniplates were utilised in the control group. The accuracy of virtual planning was assessed in both groups using computed tomography (CT). Both groups showed accurate transfer of the plan, but the computer-guided group showed significantly greater accuracy and a shorter surgical time than the conventional group. The use of patient-specific surgical guides and pre-bent plates represents a promising computer-guided approach especially for inexperienced surgeons. Nevertheless, a major limitation is increased overall cost compared with the conventional approach.

Simultaneous implant placement with ridge augmentation using an autogenous bone ring transplant.

The severely defective socket, in which implant placement within the remaining bone will result in a significantly off-axis implant position, precludes immediate implant placement and requires bone grafting as an initial surgical intervention. The aims of this study were to evaluate autogenous chin bone ring consolidation after the augmentation of severely defective sockets and the clinical application of these rings in the premolar-molar region with simultaneous implant placement in a one-stage procedure. Ten patients with 12 defective sockets were included. Sockets were prepared with a trephine bur. Bone rings with a tapped implant osteotomy were harvested from the chin with a larger trephine bur. Bone rings were fitted in the prepared sockets. An implant drill was used to prepare the bone apical to the ring through its central osteotomy. Implants were screwed through the rings and the apical bone. Patients were examined clinically and radiographically immediately and at 6 months postoperative. Crestal bone changes were measured and evaluated statistically. All grafted sockets showed bone healing with no significant crestal bone resorption and no infection; only one ring showed dehiscence, which healed during the follow-up period. All implants showed radiographic evidence of osseointegration. The autogenous chin bone ring augmentation technique was found to be a reliable alternative method for the management of severely defective sockets.

Lack of effectiveness of syndromic management in targeting vaginal infections in pregnancy in Entebbe, Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) during pregnancy in Entebbe, Uganda, and to evaluate the current syndromic diagnosis and management approach in effectively targeting infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis, that are associated with low birth weight and prematurity among newborns. METHODS: We enrolled 250 antenatal clinic attenders. Vaginal swabs and diagnostic tests were performed for BV, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), candida, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and for HIV-1 and active (TPHA+/RPR+) syphilis infection. Same day treatment was offered for symptoms according to syndromic management guidelines. The treatment actually provided by healthcare workers was documented. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were used to assess the effectiveness of syndromic management guidelines and practice. RESULTS: The prevalence of infections were: BV 47.7%, TV 17.3%, candida 60.6%, gonorrhoea 4.3%, chlamydia 5.9%, syphilis 1.6%, and HIV 13.1%. In total, 39.7% of women with BV and 30.2% of those with TV were asymptomatic. The sensitivity of syndromic management as applied by health workers in targeting BV and TV was 50.0% and 66.7%, respectively. This would have increased to 60.3% (BV) and 69.8% (TV) had the algorithm been followed exactly. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of BV and TV seen in this and other African populations is high. High rates of asymptomatic infection and a tendency of healthcare workers to deviate from management guidelines by following their own personal clinical judgment imply that many vaginal infections remain untreated. Alternative strategies, such as presumptive treatment of BV and TV in pregnancy, should be considered.