Familiar Tools Research Articles

Using survey experiment pretesting to support future pandemic response.

The world could witness another pandemic on the scale of COVID-19 in the future, prompting calls for research into how social and behavioral science can better contribute to pandemic response, especially regarding public engagement and communication. Here, we conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of a familiar tool from social and behavioral science that could potentially increase the impact of public communication: survey experiments. Specifically, we analyze whether a public health campaign that pays for a survey experiment to pretest and choose between different messages for its public outreach has greater impact in expectation than an otherwise-identical campaign that does not. The main results of our analysis are 3-fold. First, we show that the benefit of such pretesting depends heavily on the values of several key parameters. Second, via simulations and an evidence review, we find that a campaign that allocates some of its budget to pretesting could plausibly increase its expected impact; that is, we estimate that pretesting is cost-effective. Third, we find pretesting has potentially powerful returns to scale; for well-resourced campaigns, we estimate pretesting is robustly cost-effective, a finding that emphasizes the benefit of public health campaigns sharing resources and findings. Our results suggest survey experiment pretesting could cost-effectively increase the impact of public health campaigns in a pandemic, have implications for practice, and establish a research agenda to advance knowledge in this space.

Selection of agile project management approaches based on project complexity

AbstractManaging software development projects is a complex endeavor due to the constant emergence of unforeseen events that deviate from initial expectations. A competent project leader is not just someone who follows the planned course but also adept at handling and minimizing inconveniences, ultimately striving to achieve results that align as closely as possible with the desired outcome. However, individuals involved in technological development often cling to familiar tools that have previously yielded positive outcomes, even when those tools may not be the best fit for the current project context. The Agile Manifesto has significantly transformed project management, infusing the discipline with a fresh perspective. Nevertheless, there remain several challenges to overcome. In this article, we aim to provide a guide that addresses these difficulties and minimizes their impact. We explore the selection of key factors that adequately describe a project's complexity, which can subsequently be used in conjunction with the Cynefin framework to categorize management strategies, techniques, and tools based on their applicability to specific complexities. Additionally, we offer insights on adapting project management approaches throughout the project life cycle in response to changes in reality, utilizing the dynamics outlined by the Cynefin framework. Finally, we present suitable strategies, techniques, and tools for agile project management based on the complexity context assigned by the Cynefin framework.

Thai Secondary EFL Teachers’ Use of Digital Literacy Tools in Post-COVID-19 Teaching

This study investigates the reasons behind pre-service and in-service teachers’ decisions to use digital literacy tools in their teaching following the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to understand the factors influencing their choices and to identify areas where support and training are needed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight teachers from a university demonstration school in Thailand, evenly divided between pre-service and in-service teachers. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework guided the creation and adaptation of the interview questions. The findings indicate that pre-service teachers prefer digital tools that are easy to use, accessible, and affordable, with features such as templates, multimedia, and engaging functionalities. In contrast, in-service teachers prioritize familiar tools that save time and enhance the quality of teaching materials. Both groups value tools that facilitate collaboration and ensure privacy. The study highlights the significant generational differences in technology adoption, with younger teachers showing a greater inclination towards exploring a variety of digital tools, while more experienced teachers tending to stick with familiar technologies due to time constraints and comfort levels. These insights underscore the necessity for ongoing, tailored professional development programs that address the specific needs of both pre-service and in-service teachers. Such programs should focus on enhancing digital literacy, providing practical examples of new tools’ benefits, and fostering a supportive community for technology integration. By understanding these differences, educational institutions can better support teachers in integrating digital literacy tools effectively, thereby improving teaching practices and professional development opportunities. The implications of this study suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach to technology training may not be effective, and differentiated support is essential to cater to the diverse needs of educators.

Using Cultural Repertoires during Unsettled Times

Abstract This research draws on the theory of culture in action, which explains how consumers selectively mobilize their cultural repertoires to understand and solve daily problems. Contemporary life, however, is increasingly unsettled, challenging the adequacy of consumers’ repertoires and how they use existing institutional cultural resources. This qualitative study identifies four ways in which consumers use their cultural repertoires and institutional resources during unsettled times. Formulaic uses are when consumers mobilize familiar cultural tools and existing resources to resettle. Versatile uses are when consumers develop new cultural tools to transform while working within demanding institutional resources. Freewheeling uses are when consumers mobilize familiar cultural tools for play but rework institutional resources to be less demanding. Finally, troubleshooting uses are when consumers extend their existing cultural tools to suffice but reject institutional resources. These varied uses of culture capture how consumers either mobilize or develop their cultural repertoires and institutional resources to serve different ends. This study provides a more dynamic, pragmatic, and nuanced explanation of how consumers summon culture to solve problems during unsettled times. A conceptual model explains this process, and the discussion highlights the theoretical contributions.

Functional fixedness in chimpanzees

Differences in the tool use of non-human primates and humans are subject of ongoing debate. In humans, representations of object functions underpin efficient tool use. Yet, representations of object functions can lead to functional fixedness, which describes the fixation on a familiar tool function leading to less efficient problem solving when the problem requires using the tool for a new function. In the current study, we examined whether chimpanzees exhibit functional fixedness. After solving a problem with a tool, chimpanzees were less efficient in solving another problem which required using the same tool with a different function compared to a control group. This fixation effect was still apparent after a period of nine months and when chimpanzees had learned about the function of a tool by observation of a conspecific. These results suggest that functional fixedness in our closest living relatives likely exists and cast doubt on the notion that stable function representations are uniquely human.

Incorporating Microdebrider Use in a Community-Based Thyroidectomy Practice.

Objectives: Substernal goiters often require surgery, yet their location presents challenges. Most can be removed via transcervical approach, but extent and relationship to mediastinal structures can merit consideration of sternotomy and assistance of colleagues. Despite widespread use in sinus surgery and previous literature reports, microdebrider use to facilitate transcervical removal of substernal goiters has not been broadly adopted. Our objective was to report our experience with use of the soft tissue shaver to facilitate substernal goiter deliver through a cervical incision in a community-based thyroidectomy practice. Methods: We reviewed thyroidectomy cases performed by a general otolaryngologist (D.M.Y.) in a community setting from January 2017 through December 2019. Four patients required microdebrider use for intracapsular debulking of substernal goiter to allow for transcervical removal. We discuss pre- and perioperative considerations, present computed tomography (CT) and operative images, review surgical technique, and report estimated blood loss (EBL), surgical time (T), complications, and length of stay. Results: Average EBL was 237.5 ml (range 100-500 ml). Average T was 137 minutes (range 121-170 minutes). No patients required sternotomy. One patient developed postoperative hematoma requiring evacuation and cautery of a bleeding site. No other complications were encountered, all patients were discharged after overnight observation. Conclusions: The microdebrider can be safely utilized by general otolaryngologists to facilitate transcervical removal of substernal goiters. Adoption of this familiar tool for a different surgical application can reduce the need for sternotomy, assistance of colleagues, or referral to a tertiary care center, with associated decrease in risk, morbidity, surgical time, length of stay, and cost, and improved patient convenience and satisfaction.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications and usage among the LIS professionals of Pakistan

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an important and emerging sub-discipline in information technology that is progressively being implemented in every field. It is gradually being introduced to support new forms of research, discovery, and reuse of library contents in advanced and interesting ways. University libraries have the potential to substantially improve their library services through the implementation of sophisticated AI tools. This study explored the application of AI tools in the university libraries of Pakistan, as well as draw a comparison in the usage of AI tools between public and private sector universities. This is a quantitative study and data is collected through survey methodology. We used purposive sampling to collect the data from 175 university libraries. The collected data was analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-version 22). Findings indicate that while AI-based services are starting to be introduced into university libraries in Pakistan, no university library has implemented the full suite of AI-based tools. Natural language processing, voice searching, and chatbots are the most familiar and popular tools currently used in libraries. However, robotics technology is rarely used with a mean value of (1.62) because of the financial investment and high level of IT skills required. We found that private university libraries are using AI tools more as compared with public sector university libraries. The study concludes with several key recommendations, including closer collaboration between the library and the respective university IT department for technical support and assistance; improved financial support and ICT infrastructure to establish AI technology-based library services; and training development plans for library staff. Insights gained from this study should contribute to the capacity of Pakistani University librarians and their staff to maximize the full potential of AI within their institutions. The research implications are helpful to library leaders and policymakers in building a policy for AI-based technology in their respective university libraries.

Why and how to conduct a Scoping Review of literature in the Humanities and Social Sciences? Application to free labour in agriculture

Literature reviews stand as familiar and relevant tools within the research community, as mean to produce a state of knowledge to justify the relevance of a research question. Among the many methods that can be used, systematic approaches are developing in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). These review methodologies employ rigorous techniques in the identification, retrieval, and analysis of data. The overarching objective is to uphold transparency and replicability in research endeavours, elevating the overall quality and credibility of scholarly work in these disciplines. By presenting the two main systematic approaches to literature reviews – Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) and Scoping Reviews (SRs) –, we intend to clarify their respective objectives and methods, so that interested researchers can make an informed choice between them. We thus show that an SR aims to characterise the extent (or scope) of research on a subject or field, whereas an SLR aims to answer a specific question with a view to guiding practices. We also show the interest of these approaches for the HSS. We use a case study – free or unpaid labour in agriculture – to illustrate the different stages of a systematic approach to a literature review. We begin by justifying the choice of an SR over an SLR, and then test the former’s methodology through its various stages. The aim is to provide guidelines for researchers wishing to undertake this type of work. We reflect on this methodology, illustrating its advantages and disadvantages in the light of our experience. We show that systematic approaches to literature reviews are non-linear and time-consuming processes which require constant back-and-forth and reflection between the various stages. Nevertheless, their contributions in helping us understand complex subjects, develop expertise and achieve transparency show that they are suitable approaches for the HSS.

Comparison between MCQ, Extended matching questions (EMQ) and Script concordance test (SCT) for assessment among first-year medical students - A pilot study.

Single-best response types of MCQs are commonly used tools in medical assessment. However, these are not particularly apt for the assessment of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) among students. Assessment of HOTS and clinical reasoning skills requires unexplored tools like extended matching questions (EMQs) and SCTs. The aim is to assess HOTS and clinical reasoning skills during formative assessment among medical students post a simulation-based education (SBE) using EMQ and SCT on the topic of shock and collect student perceptions regarding new assessment tools. The research is an observational descriptive study. Fifty-two first-year medical students were asked to take a formative assessment consisting of 20 MCQs, 6 EMQs, and 2 SCT post a SBE during July 2022 on the topic of shock. MCQs were categorized into themes of aetiology, pathophysiology, and management of shock. These categorized MCQs were compared and analyzed with EMQs and SCTs prepared on the same themes. The data analysis by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the difference in per cent mean scores of MCQ with EMQ and MCQ with SCT. The overall mean scores and also under the theme of aetiology and management, the student's score in MCQ were higher than EMQ and SCT and the difference was statistically significant with the P value (≤0.001). Students scored better in familiar assessment tools like MCQ, but majority of the students were of the opinion that EMQ tested the delivered content better and SCT tested the clinical application better.

Diagnosing homo digitalis: towards a standardized assessment for digital tool competencies.

In the 21st century, digital devices have become integral to our daily lives. Still, practical assessments designed to evaluate an individual's digital tool competencies are absent. The present study introduces the "Digital Tools Test" ("DIGI"), specifically designed for the evaluation of one's proficiency in handling common applications and functions of smartphones and tablets. The DIGI assessment has been primarily tailored for prospective use among older adults and neurological patients with the latter frequently suffering from so-called apraxia, which potentially also affects the handling of digital tools. Similar to traditional tool use tests that assess tool-selection and tool-action processes, the DIGI assessment evaluates an individual's ability to select an appropriate application for a given task (e.g., creating a new contact), their capacity to navigate within the chosen application and their competence in executing precise and accurate movements, such as swiping. We tested the implementation of the DIGI in a group of 16 healthy adults aged 18 to 28 years and 16 healthy adults aged 60 to 74 years. All participants were able to withstand the assessment and reported good acceptance. The results revealed a significant performance disparity, with older adults displaying notably lower proficiency in the DIGI. The DIGI performance of older adults exhibited a correlation with their ability to employ a set of novel mechanical tools, but not with their ability to handle a set of familiar common tools. There was no such correlation for the younger group. In conclusion, this study introduces an innovative assessment tool aimed at evaluating common digital tool competencies. Our preliminary results demonstrate good acceptance and reveal expected group differences. For current cohorts of older adults, the results seem to indicate that the ability to use novel tools may aid digital tool use. In the next step, the psychometric properties of the DIGI assessment should be evaluated in larger and more diverse samples. The advancement of digital tool competency assessments and rehabilitation strategies is essential when we aim at facilitating societal inclusion and participation for individuals in affected populations.

Using Wikipedia to Teach the Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education in a Graduate Seminar: Experimental, Model-Centered Interventions

This case study outlines two instructional strategies deployed in a graduate level school librarian course designed to use Wikipedia as an instructional tool to teach two of the concepts from the Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education (2015): Authority is Constructed and Contextual and Scholarship as Conversation. The strategies are designed within the conceptual framework of Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process Model (1991) and Moore’s Model of Interaction (1989). Both of the strategies are designed to use a familiar tool, Wikipedia, to teach the more esoteric concepts of the ACRL Framework. Instructional strategies as well as student learning assessments are provided and discussed.

Technological steps towards adaptation and mitigation of the rural economy of Siberia to climate change

The paper presents the results of a scoping study of the possibility of applying various practices of agricultural production adaptation to existing and potential climatic changes to the conditions of the West Siberian economic region. It is assumed that already in the medium term, the agro-industrial complex of the macro-region will face new defining challenges in terms of climate change impact on everyday production processes and the need to respond by developing sustainable strategies to overcome them and adapt to them. The concept of agriculture as a climateresponsible sector is introduced. In this regard, the possibility of developing a unified adaptation mechanism for agriculture in Siberian regions through a combination of economic, research and social practices while maintaining familiar forms and tools of production is considered. In addition, the main barriers to adaptation of the agro-industrial complex of Western Siberia to climate change are presented, and comments are given on possible ways to overcome them while maintaining the growth rate of the industry and the nature of economic activity, including in regions with traditional forms of management.

Anger as Human Nature – Sharī‘ah (Islamic Law), Shakespearean Perspective: A Way towards Effective Islamic Criminal Law and Legal Ethics (A Realistic Jurisprudential Approach)

Abstract William Golding once said: “Look out; the evil is in us all” (Lambert, 1993). Deeply scarred by wars, feuds, oppressions, discriminations and murders, in short, the entire history of mankind gives a sharp impression that man by nature is devoid of any good. Every single act of his signifies that, besides others, man is mainly driven by the evils, especially of wrath. Owing to the negative human nature, the state of affairs of this world has been gloomy since year dot – a notion, despite their radical conceptual and methodological differences, is fast held by scriptures like the Holy Qurān, by the literati like William Shakespeare and psychology alike. Notwithstanding its concept of fitrāh, the Sharī‘ah refers to human nature as weak. William Shakespeare, redoing the Qurānic concept of human nature, illustrates the notion in his tragedies that man is more evil by nature. A close scrutiny of the works of the renowned psychologists reveals that psychology, more or less, mirrors the same concept of human nature, compelling researchers to further probe the issue. Critical analysis and in-depth scrutiny of all the three domains affirm that human nature is negative in many aspects. Underpinning the evils of anger, the three works concurrently recommend feasible cures to this evils – though requiring, at some levels, conscious efforts. Such cures create strong ethical values both at social and legal levels, creating a society where commission of crimes becomes less. While keeping the reliability of the findings, the present work opts for the content analysis approach – a familiar tool of qualitative research - to examine the secondary data, conscientiously collected from the Holy Qurān, work of William Shakespeare and the works of prominent psychologists.

Разработка банков тестовых заданий как разновидности современных аттестационных педагогических измерительных материалов

In connection with the transition of higher education to the Federal State Educational Standards of Higher Education of the third generation in terms of evaluating learning outcomes, a new task has arisen to create such an assessment system that would allow determining the formation of competencies and parts of competencies of students and graduates. To do this, universities should create a qualitatively new system for evaluating educational outcomes. At the same time, it is certainly desirable that the new system make maximum use of already well-tested, repeatedly tested and familiar tools and techniques. Testing is one of these tools that meet modern requirements and at the same time are already familiar to users. Of particular note is the value of testing for current and widely used distance learning methods. The article is devoted to some aspects of modern testing, namely, the creation of databases of test tasks and the design of the test tasks themselves as a type of certification and pedagogical measuring materials based on the provisions of the theory of testing and international standards.
 The article may be useful to all teachers who use or intend to use modern testing tools in their professional activities, teachers who form funds of assessment tools for disciplines at departments of educational institutions of higher education, as well as to the organizers and performers of diagnostic work of Rosobrnadzor – heads of departments and heads of the main professional educational programs.

Simulation tools for net-positive process design: Trees as unit operations for carbon sequestration and air quality regulation

Chemical processes have significant environmental and societal impacts, such as climate change and human health, due to air and water pollution. In addition, chemical processes consume unsustainable amounts of natural ecosystems’ goods and services. Engineers have tried to address these challenges by reducing waste, integrating processes, and minimizing the consumption of raw materials and energy. However, these efforts have not been enough to address the impact of the process on natural ecosystems and local communities. Hence, the need to integrate ecological systems into traditional engineering design to provide sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Although models for ecological systems are readily available in the literature, engineers are hesitant to utilize these models without familiar tools and the traditional undervaluation of ecosystem services’ role and the uncertainty of their performance. To overcome some of these barriers, ecosystems can be classified as unit operations since they can be designed to achieve specific tasks. This work focuses on integrating vegetation as unit operations in process design to remove air pollutants and sequester carbon. We developed a practitioner-friendly simulation module in CHEMCAD that utilizes sophisticated rural and urban forestry models developed by the online i-Tree assessment tool. We demonstrate the module through a power plant case study and highlight some alternative spatially explicit integrated designs that are environmentally and economically superior.

Using Theory of Change to Support Participatory Visual Mapping in Urban Transformation Projects

AbstractTheory of Change was created as a logic planning model to explore and represent a potential change in a way that reflects a complex and systemic understanding of development. Even though it is a familiar tool in the context of community initiatives and philanthropic projects, Theory of Change is under‐applied in design as a problem‐solving practice and underexplored within design research. Design projects that are looking for more comprehensive ways of negotiating change can greatly benefit from it to inform a deep understanding of the dynamics of change. This paper focuses on how a designerly approach to Theory of Change can support participatory visual mapping, thus creating some enabling conditions towards transformation in cities, namely: facilitating more granular communication, suggesting a multifaceted and systemic perspective, helping to navigate complexity by creating shared mental models among stakeholders, fostering thinking through different temporalities, and boosting creativity. The paper will examine a case of an urban transformation project that involves six European cities under regeneration.

Knowing "what for," but not "where": Dissociation between functional and contextual tool knowledge in healthy individuals and patients with dementia.

Semantic tool knowledge underlies the ability to perform activities of daily living. Models of apraxia have emphasized the role of functional knowledge about the action performed with tools (e.g., a hammer and a mallet allow a "hammering" action), and contextual knowledge informing individuals about where to find tools in the social space (e.g., a hammer and a mallet can be found in a workshop). The goal of this study was to test whether contextual or functional knowledge, would be central in the organization of tool knowledge. It was assumed that contextual knowledge would be more salient than functional knowledge for healthy controls and that patients with dementia would show impaired contextual knowledge. We created an original, open-ended categorization task with ambiguity, in which the same familiar tools could be matched on either contextual or functional criteria. In our findings, healthy controls prioritized a contextual, over a functional criterion. Patients with dementia had normal visual categorization skills (as demonstrated by an original picture categorization task), yet they made less contextual, but more functional associations than healthy controls. The findings support a dissociation between functional knowledge ("what for") on the one hand, and contextual knowledge ("where") on the other hand. While functional knowledge may be distributed across semantic and action-related factors, contextual knowledge may actually be the name of higher-order social norms applied to tool knowledge. These findings may encourage researchers to test both functional and contextual knowledge to diagnose semantic deficits and to use open-ended categorization tests.

A short multi-factor screening tool to assess falls-risk in older people presenting to an Australian emergency department: A feasibility study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate use of a short multi-factor falls-risk screening tool for older people within the emergency department, to enable rapid identification of falls-risk and triggers for multidisciplinary referral for further falls-specific assessment. MethodsOlder people, aged ≥70 years, presenting to the emergency department with a fall-related injury or disease (n = 137) were recruited by a research nurse following randomisation. A short multi-factor screening tool was completed, comprised of 14 falls-risk-related assessment components. ResultsOnly one participant did not generate any referrals. Participants generated most referrals for medications (85.4%), social and housing (84.6%), vision (67.2%), podiatry (66.9%), or function and mobility (54.7%). Based on our results, the screening tool could be reduced to eleven components. The median time-to-screen was 11 min (IQR 9–15), with 736 triggers generated for referral and further assessment of falls-risk. ConclusionFalls are a major cause of ED presentation for older people. A short multi-factor screening tool with eleven components could be adapted to local familiar falls-risk tools and be completed in less than 10 min. Further research to trial the feasibility of completing ED referrals based on screening results is required to confirm the usefulness of such screening and referral within the ED.

TEACHING AND LEARNING ENGLISH AT HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN UKRAINE THROUGH PANDEMICS AND WARTIME

The study aimed to analyse online English teaching and learning experience in higher education institutions in Ukraine through pandemics and wartime. To answer our research questions, we employed a mixed-method research design, which considered social, methodological and emotional aspects of education. We conducted quantitative research to collect data on the experience of Ukrainian university teachers of English (N=100) and students (N=277) related to the emergency caused by pandemics and wartime. The qualitative data sources included online interviews and written comments of the participants. The main findings were as follows: teachers experienced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic such as lack of interaction with students, and unawareness of effective teaching methods in the digital environment. The wartime challenges included: air raids and power outages and, consequently, disrupted communication and isolation, stress and sense of insecurity, excessive workload, with students experiencing technical issues, air raids and communication problems as well as large amount of homework, no access to the software, inconvenient schedule, and their own unwillingness. To solve the problems, teachers introduced an online synchronous mode during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by blended and asynchronous modes which was a transformational period to teaching and learning English during wartime. The most common among the learning platforms and applications were Zoom and Google Classroom, as well as Moodle, MS Teams, YouTube, and Classtime, listed by both university teachers and students. Social networks such as Telegram, Viber, Facebook etc. were widely used too. To conclude, the COVID-19 pandemic caused Ukrainian teachers and students master new tools to use at online lessons of English, during wartime the demand on already familiar tools, as well as the range of them, increased as they provided more interaction. Considering emotional aspects, the study revealed disturbing data on teachers’ well-being: nearly 50% confessed that they were burned out and emotionally devastated, close to 40% were tired and pushed themselves to continue teaching. Despite these challenges, the majority were able to find solutions in conflict situations with students and colleagues, two-thirds were sure that their work was even more important during the wartime and they found ways to provide emotional support to their students needed in the times of war.

It’s Possible That Salt Clogging Is Lowering Your Gas Production

Salt buildup around producing wells is known for causing drastic drops in gas production. “Salt precipitation in gas wells (can) cause clogging, and severe production declines that may happen in days,” said Cíntia Gonçalves Machado, a scientist at TNO, which supports operators working in the waters off the Netherlands where salt blockages are a significant issue for producers. She recently presented a paper at the SPE Reservoir Simulation Conference on a new application that cuts the time and cost required to analyze the impact of salt on production and evaluate treatment plans (SPE 212257). The goal for TNO and its partner, Equinor, was to create an open-source simulator built on to a familiar engineering tool allowing “engineers to study how salt precipitation may affect production with a tool that is relatively cheap computationally, and also easy to use and visualize,” Machado wrote in an email. Specifically, the team that developed it started with a black-oil model in the open-source OPM Flow simulator and added elements that simulate salt precipitation, which happens as rapidly evaporating gas pulls water molecules out of salty brine, and estimate the effect on permeability. Other programs can do all that. What makes this one different is that it can run on an engineer’s laptop and can run a simulation in minutes to hours, while previous models require high-powered computer systems running for hours to days, Machado said. The early users are likely to be the small cadre of experts working on the extreme cases where salt buildup happens so rapidly that regular injections of fresh water are needed to dissolve the blockages. But Equinor also wanted a tool to help it identify wells where salt blockages are having a slower-building impact that is not obvious. “They see wells with a reduction in gas production and want to have some tool to understand and predict it,” said Paul Egberts, a staff mathematician at TNO who applied his years of salt-modeling experience to this project. The team also included Odd Steve Hustad, a reservoir technology specialist at Equinor who advised on how to accurately incorporate the physical properties of the brine into the black‑oil model. The paper described their work: “The black-oil transport equations are extended to allow the gas to contain vaporized water in addition to vaporized oil. The salt-transport equation is modified to account for a solid salt precipitate. The permeability reduction is dealt with through a mobility multiplier depending on the porosity change.” Salt precipitation is a possible source of trouble in wells where the pressure drops sharply to a low level near the wellbore. That triggers rapid gas evaporation, which pulls water droplets out of the brine. In wells with high water saturation and salinity, if the evaporation rate is high enough, it can reduce the liquid to below the level needed to dissolve salt, leading to the formation of salt crystals that clog the flow paths for gas. Egberts added that the actual production impact will depend on the vagaries of the reservoir.