bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accelerating to Net Zero Goal Through Efficient Methane Emissions Management
Authors: Chauhan D. K. , Alkatheeri I. , Saceda J. J.
Published: September 2024

The paper intends to outline a multifaceted approach for efficient management of methane emissions while meeting the requirements of Oil & Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP 2.0) gold standard certification. The company as part of ADNOC group is implementing robust methane emissions management program using innovative technologies, implementation of Best Available Techniques (BAT), robust monitoring, collaboration with industry partners, and capacity building. The paper describes the design features, monitoring technologies, and mitigation measures that has been implemented to prevent, measure, and minimize methane emissions from various sources, such as flaring, stationary combustion, fugitive leaks, and venting. The paper also highlights the results of the methane emission reduction program, which achieved a significant reduction in methane emissions, mainly from flaring and fugitive sources. The paper concludes that the efficient management of methane emissions roadmap is based on investing in methane reduction technologies, implementing best available techniques, strengthening leak detection and repair programs, implementing continuous monitoring, collaborating with industry partners and stakeholders, and engaging and building awareness among employees.
Methane Emissions Quantification: An Important Challenge Taken up to Strengthen our Reporting and Identify Further Areas of Improvement
Authors: Macci I. , Colella L. , Cislaghi R. , Vettraino M. , Zonta P. , Hamdy E.
Published: September 2024

This paper goal is to present the reduction process of Eni’s methane emissions starting with the development of emission baseline, followed by identification of mitigation measures, and ensuring their implementation. Among Eni’s efforts to establish a robust emission baseline is its participation to OGMP 2.0 with the aim to improve the quality and accuracy of its methane emissions reporting. This paper provides a description of the pathway to achieve OGMP 2.0 gold standard, including an overview of the lessons learned and major outcomes. The pathway started with a materiality analysis of all Eni facilities. A portfolio analysis was performed for clustering all operated and jointly operated upstream facilities into "Assets" based on geography, facility type, and emission sources distribution. Among these, more than 20 Assets were selected for materiality purpose. The facilities within these assets have been analysed by a review of P&IDs, technical datasheets, operative conditions, etc. to determine the most representative emission sources (stationary combustion, flaring, fugitive, and venting) for each. As an output of the materiality analysis the process of identification of on-site direct measurements of emissions and/or specific engineering calculations has been worked out. The field measurement campaigns have been extensively implemented and safely and successfully completed in five months’ time. For the remaining ones where the onsite measurements were not possible, process simulations and engineering calculation have been performed. With the conclusion of the field campaigns and simulations, a detailed analysis and reporting of the results was performed allowing Eni to obtain accurate, site specific, and empirical methane emission factors for each material emission source. Moreover, the campaigns have also contributed to the identification of improvement opportunities and the paper will highlight key points of attention to tackle that could be of common applicability in O&G facilities.
Measuring Process Safety Culture and Identifying Gaps Through PSM Element Focused Interviews
Authors: Kazmi Mohammad
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the measurement of process safety culture has gained significant attention from organizations, particularly as they face challenges in implementing their process safety management (PSM) systems. Organizations typically either adopt standardized PSM systems from established sources, such as CCPS, Energy Institute, DuPont, or OSHA PSM, or they develop their own customized safety management system (SMS) processes. These PSM systems share similar structures and common elements that constitute the PSM framework.

Through numerous incident investigations, which have identified both root causes and contributory factors, organizations have recognized that many incidents share contributory causes related to safety culture. Consequently, major organizations have developed various methods to evaluate their process safety culture. Their primary goal is to identify common issues and gaps within organizations' safety culture and to design programs and initiatives to address and rectify these deficiencies. These methods generally rely on two approaches: administering safety climate surveys to employees or conducting process safety culture assessments through targeted interviews.

This paper aims to highlight the limitations of relying solely on surveys to measure process safety culture and to identify common shortcomings in the current interview-based process safety assessment approaches. It also seeks to outline the essential steps for conducting a comprehensive process safety culture assessment. This approach has been implemented in approximately 40 plants across various industries, including chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, food manufacturing, and metallurgical plants. The paper also details critical steps such as formulating interview questions, selecting appropriate interviewees and auditors, and effectively reporting assessment results.
Maximizing Value Through the Adoption of Technologies to Ensure Near Zero Methane Emissions
Authors: Madhi Adnan A , Reddy Vijaya Bhaskar , Abdelmobdy Mahmoud , Al Awadhi Khalid Yousef , Bouilhol Pierre , Morazzani Marie , AlAwlaqi Amal Omar , Chauhan Deo Kumar , Fandino Angela , Singh Paramjeet
Published: September 2024

There is a wide agreement among scientists that methane emissions are under reported / counted or overlooked. Methane emissions are generally calculated using a combination of standard emission factors and engineering calculations. Oil and gas companies are under pressure to decarbonize their value chain. According to IPCC, "deep reductions" in non-CO2 emissions like methane are necessary to keep global average temperature rise within 1.5°C.

Company with an objective of reduction in methane emissions and enhancement of associated reporting is investing in a suite of technologies to reduce methane emissions and monitoring, measurement programs to minimize uncertainty in tracking and reporting of methane emissions.

The best practices include various engineering solutions i.e. flare recovery systems, green completion, electrification of drives and deploying advanced aerial technologies such as satellite tracking and in-plant measurements using IR cameras, fixed sensors, spectrophotometers for accurate monitoring and measurement of methane emissions.

Continuous emission monitoring system by top-down aerial surveys combined with source level emission monitoring assisted in identifying methane hotspots and developing emission reduction plans. These efforts will support ADNOC to achieve near zero methane emissions from our operated oil and gas assets by 2030 and will encourage our partners to achieve similar results.

In recognition of efforts, OGMP has certified ADNOC as Gold Standard Reporting company. This certification demonstrates company commitment and our leadership role towards enhancing both quality and transparency of methane data reporting and identify intervention actions required to tackle global methane emissions.
The Benefits of Nurse Telemedicine Triage: A Case Study from North America
Authors: Koulache C. , Fleming B.
Published: September 2024

This paper describes how an energy technology company has implemented a virtual nurse triage program to ensure a consistent level of professional medical support and care for onshore operations in Canada.

Many of the company's remote operational locations are without professional onsite medical services. The nurse telemedicine triage program is used to ensure personnel are provided with timely medical care and professional case management while ensuring the confidentiality of medical information. The nurse telemedicine triage program provides access to registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to support onsite first aid response.

Standardized nurse triage protocols combined with the nurse's experience and medical knowledge are used to advise on the necessary level of care. This includes determining whether the person requires emergency medical treatment or needs to be examined by a doctor, or if onsite first aid response is sufficient. A follow-up consultation is provided within 4 hours of the initial report to assess and monitor progress. If necessary, the nurse helps to organize doctor appointments and specialist treatment. The nurse telemedicine triage program was implemented in 2023 across the company's land operational locations in Canada.

The nurse telemedicine triage program has reduced the number of nonessential trips from remote locations, which often require driving in high-risk environments as a result of extreme local weather conditions. The service has proved to be an effective health, safety, and environment (HSE) engagement tool, with personnel appreciating the care shown by the company for their wellbeing.

Professional case management and maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of medical data are additional positive outcomes of the program, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and company health management requirements. The nurse telemedicine triage program has helped employees avoid unnecessary visits to public health facilities for medical issues that were not serious or urgent.

The nurse telemedicine triage program has also proven to be cost effective as a result of reduced medical claims and sickness-related absences. In addition, the company saw a reduction in its industry-recognized total recordable incident rate to date in 2024 compared with 2023 following implementation of the program.
Revolutionizing Tool Management in Oil and Gas Facilities
Authors: Daher Elie , Schoeib Sameh
Published: September 2024

One of the key challenges to worker productivity is increasing tool time. One way to increase worker productivity is to ensure that workers have easy access to the equipment they need and ensure that the equipment can be effectively tracked, maintained and is ready for use.

The Automated In-Plant Equipment Center (AIPEC) is an automated warehouse with all the required equipment set up on the worksite itself. The AIPEC is a groundbreaking innovation in safety tool management within oil and gas facilities and refineries. Acting as the central point of onsite distribution, the AIPEC streamlines the process of accessing essential safety tools and breathing air for workers and contractors. Through a seamless interface where workers can simply use their badges to rent required equipment, the AIPEC ensures a highly automated, cost-effective, efficient, and reliable tool tracking and inventory management system.

Key benefits of the AIPEC include the supply of rental equipment needed by both clients and contractors, accurate billing, and comprehensive usage reporting. The integration of breathing air solutions with the refill station further enhances its utility, providing a holistic safety solution. With electronic distribution of safety tools and equipment, the AIPEC eliminates the inefficiencies and uncertainties associated with manual tracking methods, ensuring precise management of inventory and usage.

Designed specifically for downstream environments, the AIPEC addresses the unique needs and challenges of oil and gas facilities. By centralizing the distribution and management of safety tools, it optimizes operational efficiency while enhancing safety protocols. The AIPEC not only reduces the time and effort required for equipment procurement but also minimizes the risk of inventory discrepancies and ensures compliance with safety regulations.

In conclusion, the AIPEC represents a transformative advancement in safety tool management for oil and gas organizations. By leveraging automation and advanced tracking technologies, it enables facilities to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, reliability, and safety. Embracing the AIPEC solution underscores the industry's commitment to innovation and proactive risk management, setting new standards for operational excellence in the downstream sector.
Facet-Specific Gas Transport Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks in Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Smith Zachary , Lee Hyunhee , Z.D. Moein Hajian , Joo Taigyu , Wu Wan-Ni , Yeo Jing , Lee Tae Hoon , Howe Joshua
Published: September 2024

Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) hold significant potential for various applications in gas, liquid, and ion separations. However, while MOF-based nanocomposite research is growing, facet-specific studies on molecular transport are rare. Here, a pioneering investigation into facet-specific gas transport in nanocomposites was conducted using ZIF-8, with exposed {110} or {100} facets interacting with a polyimide. Despite their otherwise near-identical properties, the higher energy {100} facet showed more significant MOF–polymer interactions, resulting in substantially stronger binding with the polymer, which was corroborated by DFT calculations. This phenomenon leads to unique gas transport trends: the {110} facet promotes propylene/propane separations, while the {100} facet enhances hydrogen-based (H2/N2, CH4) and ethylene/ethane separation, particularly at subambient temperatures and mainly by diffusion selectivity. This study provides insights into an largely unexplored area of MOF–polymer composites. Gas transport properties are significantly influenced by surface-dependent interactions for MOF–polymer hybrid materials, enabling unique separation properties through simple engineering of the MOF surface.
Humanizing the endocrine milieu of female mice for women’s health-related studies
Authors: Constantin Céline , Matvienko Daria , laszlo csaba , Scabia Valentina , Battista Laura , Binz Pierre-Alain , Bruce Stephen , Brisken Cathrin
Published: September 2024

To improve on the quality of preclinical studies and their clinical translatability, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are increasingly used because they reflect inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity as well as human-specific tumor cell characteristics. However, the endocrine milieu of human patients, which affects grafted tumor cells may differ from mice. This is a growing concern as evidence of sex-specific biology in cancer has accumulated and an increase in the incidence of endocrine-related cancers has been observed highlighting the need to correctly reflect the hormonal milieu in PDX models. Here, we address the need to better model different female endocrine milieus in xenograft studies. Using an improved Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) protocol for concomitant analysis of four different ovarian steroids in low volume plasma samples, we show that female mice of NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) strain frequently used for xenografts have 17-β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels comparable to widely used C57Bl6 strain but higher progesterone (P4) levels. While NSG E2 levels are comparable, T levels are lower and P4 levels higher compared to those observed in menopausal women. Following ovariectomy, T levels increase to those found in postmenopausal women. Subcutaneous implantation of E2 and combined E2 and P4 silicon pellets mimic ovarian hormone levels of premenopausal women in follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Thus, straightforward procedures can effectively humanize the endocrine environment of experimental animals and improve physiologic relevance in women’s health-related research.
Association of impaired sleep, depressive symptoms and pain with physical activity and exercise intervention adherence
Authors: Kekkonen Eija , Hall Anette , Antikainen Riitta , Havulinna Satu , Kivipelto Miia , Kulmala Jenni , Laatikainen Tiina , Paajanen Teemu , Sindi Shireen , Soininen Hilkka , Strandberg Timo , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Ngandu Tiia , Solomon Alina
Published: September 2024

Background
Physical activity (PA) and exercise interventions are beneficial for health and can reduce dementia risk. However, there might be barriers to engage in PA, such as sleep problems, depressive symptoms and pain, which are common complaints with older adults. We investigated the association between sleep duration, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and pain with adherence to exercise intervention and self-reported PA in a 2-year randomized controlled trial using multidomain lifestyle intervention (post-hoc analyses).
Methods
The FINGER trial included 1259 individuals at risk for dementia, aged 60–77 years who were randomized (1:1) to a multidomain lifestyle intervention (exercise, diet, cognitive training, vascular risk factor management) or a control (regular health advice) group. Logistic regression analyses were used with exercise adherence (adherent: ≥66% participation) or self-reported PA (active: ≥2 times/week) as outcomes, adjusted for relevant baseline characteristics. Data on PA at baseline and at 2-years were available for 1100 participants.
Results
The intervention group participants sleeping < 6h or ≥ 9h per night were less likely to be adherent compared with the participants sleeping ≥ 7–<8h, (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.21–0.99 and OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.20–0.74, respectively). The intervention group participants were more likely to be physically active than those in the control group at two years. This intervention benefit did not significantly differ by baseline sleep duration, depressive symptoms, or pain (p > 0.3 for all interactions). Regardless of randomization group, those sleeping < 6h were less likely to be physically active at two years, compared with participants sleeping ≥ 7–<8h (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.18–0.72). Depressive symptoms or pain were not related to PA at two years.
Conclusions
Older adults with sleep problems, depressive symptoms or pain may benefit from lifestyle interventions. However, both short and long sleep duration can be barriers to engaging in exercise intervention and should be taken into consideration when aiming to promote PA among older populations at risk of dementia.
Trial registration:
The FINGER trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier NCT01041989.
Eyestrains among smartphone users while watching videos in Taipei MRT carriages: A comparison between sitting and standing postures
Authors: Chen Yi-Lang , Chu Kuo-Hao , Huang Po-Chun , Ho Chieh-Ting , Nguyen Hong-Tam
Published: September 2024

In Taipei's MRT carriages, many passengers watch videos on their smartphones during their daily commutes, but the impact of carriage movement on visual load remains understudied. Our study investigated eyestrain in 48 young participants (24 men and 24 women) while viewing films on smartphones in MRT carriages. We examined two viewing postures (sitting and standing) and two durations (15 and 30 min), measuring critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) reduction, visual fatigue scale (VFS) scores, and viewing distance (VD). The results indicated that the main effects of the independent variables were nearly all significant, with two-way interactions (sex x posture and posture x time) significantly affecting most responses. Women exhibited notable differences between postures, with higher CFF reduction when sitting compared to standing (3.47 Hz vs. 1.90 Hz; p < 0.001) and shorter VD when sitting compared to standing (25.5 cm vs. 34.3 cm; p < 0.001). Conversely, standing led to higher VFS scores for women compared to sitting (8.94 vs. 4.60; p < 0.001). This suggests that women may be more sensitive to motion sickness, particularly when standing in a moving MRT carriage. Men showed higher CFF reduction while standing compared to women (p < 0.01), but no significant difference between sexes while sitting. Visual fatigue indices were significantly higher after 30 min of viewing compared to 15 min, with amplified effects on VFS score and VD. These findings support the recommendation that users should take a break after 20 min of smartphone use, even in MRT carriages. Although subjective fatigue may not always be perceived, watching videos while sitting in MRT carriages leads to unexpectedly high objective visual fatigue (i.e., CFF reduction), necessitating greater caution.
Analysis of main controlling factors of oil well productivity in tight reservoir of Xiasiwan Oilfield
Authors: Zhong Pinzhi , Dong Lifei , Wei Haiyu , Yu Bo , Zhang Qi , Tong Fantao , Wang Miao
Published: September 2024

Xiasiwan Oilfield, located in the southwest Yan'an block of the Ordos Basin, has large geological reserves, but the actual productivity of some oil wells is low. To analyze the reasons for poor oil well productivity, this paper examines the QZ block of Xiasiwan Oilfield as a case study. Based on investigation and actual production characteristics, it adopts a multivariate nonlinear regression model, stochastic forest model, and BP neural network model to comprehensively evaluate the impact of various geological development factors on oil production and clarify the main controlling factors of oil well productivity in tight reservoirs. By comparing the evaluation criteria among the three models, the study analyzes the explanatory power and generalization ability of the models and verifies their accuracy. The results show that oil saturation, porosity, permeability, closing stress, and reservoir thickness are the main factors influencing oil production, in order of significance, with oil saturation being the primary controlling factor affecting oil well productivity. The stochastic forest model is the most balanced and robust among the three models, demonstrating strong generalization ability and resistance to overfitting. This study provides a scientific basis for the efficient development of Xiasiwan Oilfield and helps optimize the oilfield development strategy.
Establishment of potential reference measurement procedure and reference materials for EML4-ALK fusion variants measurement
Authors: Yang Yi , Zhang Yu , Zhou Shujun , Wang Xia , Niu Chunyan , Zhang Yongzhuo , Dong Lianhua
Published: September 2024

EML4-ALK fusion gene detection is of great significance in personalized tumor treatment. With the development of EML4-ALK fusion variants detection, it is necessary to establish traceability to ensure the consistency and comparability of its detection results in clinical practice. The establishment of traceability relies on SI traceable reference materials (RMs) and potential reference measurement procedures (RMPs). In this study, a potential RMP for the quantitative detection of V1 and V3 fusion mutations and the reference type (ALK-ref, including wild type, V1 and V3 mutant type) based on reverse transcription dPCR (RT-dPCR) and EML4-ALK fusion gene RMs were established. The proposed potential RMP has high specificity, good inter-laboratory reproducibility (CV < 7.3%) and good linear relationship (0.92 < slope < 1.06, R2 ≧ 0.99). The limit of detection (LoD) of V1, V3, and ALK-ref are 2 copies/reaction, 2 copies/reaction, and 1 copy/reaction, respectively. Interlaboratory studies using the EML4-ALK RMs and potential RMP showed that participating laboratories can produce consistent copy concentrations of fusion variant and ALK-ref as well as the ratio of EML4-ALK/ALK-ref. The established potential RMP with high specificity and accuracy can be used to characterize the EML4-ALK RMs, and the potential RMP and RM are useful to establish the traceability of EML4-ALK fusion measurement to improve the comparability and consistency in clinical tests.
Systemic aspects of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Authors: Facin Andréia C. , Rein Ariadne , Fabris Isabella de Almeida , Gasser Beatriz , Aires Luiz Paulo Nogueira , Lima Bruna Bressianini , Gandra Daniela Azevedo , Silva Daniela Gomes da , Uscategui Ricardo Andres Ramirez , Feliciano Marcus Antônio Rossi , Moraes Paola C.
Published: September 2024

The aim of the study was to evaluate systemic health variables in brachycephalic dogs affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) and compare them with mesocephalic dogs, assessing if any changes are related to BOAS grades. Fifty-two prospectively recruited client-owned brachycephalic dogs were included: 34 French bulldogs and 18 pugs, and 15 laboratory-owned beagle dogs. Each dog had undergone full physical exam, BOAS functional grading and sampling of venous and arterial blood. Arterial blood gas analysis, hematologic, biochemistry and acute phase proteins analysis were performed. Fifty-two brachycephalic dogs showed evident features of BOAS systemic consequences evidenced by hypoventilation state (higher levels of arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), p = 0.017), a subclinical inflammatory state (higher levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), p < 0.001 and haptoglobin, p = 0.036), higher hematocrit (HCT, p = 0.045), and creatinine, total protein (TP, (p < 0.001) and lactate levels (p = 0.006). The variables hemoglobin (HGB), HCT, total protein, AGP, PaCO2, arterial base excess and arterial bicarbonate (HCO3-) were the most correlated (72%) with the BOAS functional grades in the analyzed data. BOAS grades were related to signs of hypoventilation, a subclinical inflammatory state, and higher hematocrit which suggest a systemic impact of the brachycephalic respiratory abnormalities.
Cytochrome c oxidase dependent respiration is essential for T cell activation, proliferation and memory formation
Authors: McGuire Peter , Tarasenko Tatiana , Warren Emily , Fuchs Amanda , Singh Bharati , Marin Jose , Szibor Marten
Published: September 2024

AAlthough glycolysis has received considerable attention in activated T cells, the utility and requirement of cytochrome c oxidase (COX) mediated mitochondrial respiration (MR) in T cell activation and function remain incompletely understood. To address this, we re-introduced MR via an alternative oxidase (AOX) from Ciona intestinalis into COX deficient T cells. Our findings reveal that MR serves as a critical safety valve for metabolic reprogramming during T cell activation, managing electron pressure and maintaining cellular redox balance. AOX-mediated MR restored mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced ATP production. This resulted in the elimination of the secondary effects of COX dysfunction, such as apoptosis and metabolic perturbations in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, thereby supporting robust effector and memory T cell generation and function. Our results underscore the importance of maintaining COX integrity for overall cellular health and emphasize the pivotal role of MR in T cell cellular proliferation and differentiation.
The heightened impact of COVID-19 on emotional wellbeing and delays in care in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Munjal Ananya , Sun Yage , Rosen Kyle , Slavinsky Victoria , Burns Austin , Rozati Sima
Published: September 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected healthcare delivery in specialties like dermatology and oncology. While previous studies have demonstrated the risk of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) disease progression during the pandemic, our study sought to delve deeper into patient-reported experiences with this condition– including anxiety, depression, and self-reported delays in care. Our study found that a significant proportion of CTCL patients reported symptoms of anxiety, worrying, anhedonia, and depression during COVID-19, and that reported rates of anxiety were higher than in the general Maryland population. This study also uncovered a significant association between CTCL stage and patient-reported outcomes, with early-stage patients reporting higher symptoms of anxiety, worrying, and anhedonia. We believe these findings in our diverse patient population contribute valuable insights into the patient experience, raise awareness for the challenges faced by CTCL patients, and emphasize the importance of tailored multidisciplinary support to reduce barriers to care.
HNRNPAB is involved in the development of gastric cancer by regulating EMT through the AkT-GSK3β-Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Huiru Luo , Traore Aime Gael Yaya , Hu Junyi , Miao Yinshuang , Guo Zhongxue , Zheng Qing , Wang Feng
Published: September 2024

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and metastasis significantly contributes to poor prognosis. Splicing factors are known to influence cancer progression, including metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the role of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B (hnRNPAB) in GC cell invasion and migration.
Methods
An investigation into the role of hnRNPAB in GC was conducted. This study analyzed hnRNPAB expression in human gastric cancer tissues. Functional studies were then performed using gastric cancer cell lines with overexpression or knockdown of hnRNPAB to assess its effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistic studies were conducted to determine the signaling pathways involved in hnRNPAB-mediated effects.
Results
Overexpression of hnRNPAB in gastric cancer cell lines promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Conversely, hnRNPAB knockdown had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, hnRNPAB induced a switch in the expression of cell adhesion markers, increasing the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin, and Snail1) while decreasing the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, indicating its role in epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT). Further investigation revealed that hnRNPAB activates the Akt-GSK3β-Wnt signaling pathway by promoting Akt phosphorylation and inactivating GSK3β.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that hnRNPAB promotes EMT and GC development by activating the Akt-GSK3β-Wnt signaling pathway. These findings suggest that hnRNPAB could be a potential target for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for GC. Further studies are warranted to explore its therapeutic potential fully.
Exploring Resourcefulness of the Paragraph for PrecedenceRetrieval in Legal Documents
Authors: Sisodiya Bhoomeendra Singh , Unnam Narendra Babu , Reddy P. Krishna , Santhy K.V.K.
Published: September 2024

Developing computational methods for efficiently extracting relevant legal information to aid legalpractitioners is an active research area. In this regard, research efforts are being made to developefficient methods by leveraging different kinds of information in a legal document, such as meta-data, citations, keywords, sentences, paragraphs, etc. Similar to any text document, legal documentsare composed of paragraphs. In this paper, we have analyzed the resourcefulness of paragraph-levelinformation in capturing similarity among judgments for improving the performance of precedenceretrieval. The statistical analysis on the Supreme Court of India judgment dataset shows that theparagraph-level methods with only a few paragraph interactions could capture the similarity amongthe judgments and exhibit more discriminating power over the baseline document-level method. More-over, the comparison results on two benchmark datasets for the precedence retrieval on the Indiansupreme court judgments task show that the paragraph-level methods exhibit comparable perfor-mance with the state-of-the-art methods by utilizing only a few paragraph interactions. Overall, theresults show that paragraph-level granularity can better represent the legal document, and there is ascope to exploit them to improve the retrieval systems in the legal domain.
Proposal of a Classification Method for Brazilian Automotive Companies Using the Principal Components Analysis
Authors: Oliveira Paulo Sergio Gonçalves , Silva Luciano Ferreira , Araujo Pedro Teixeira , Reis Guilherme Fernandes Gomes , Otero Marco Antônios Soares Gomes
Published: September 2024

This article proposes a method for classifying Brazilian companies according to the concepts of Industry 4.0, to do so, research was carried out on the websites of automotive companies affiliated with Anfavea (Brazilian Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), using the ElasticSearch software. This tool allows scanning large textual databases, including websites. The search found 137,382 occurrences in documents belonging to the companies’ websites. To develop the classification, principal component analysis was used, by limiting it to two components, which together explain 90.98% of the total variation. The components are named tools and innovations using this, data was divided into quadrants represented by the x and y axes of the chart. The first quadrant is considered "low in tools (y) and low in innovations (x)", where 12 companies were classified, with highlights being Renault and Ford. In the second quadrant, "low in tools and high in innovations (x), only the company Komatsu was classified. In The third quadrant, companies that have "high classification" were classified as “high tools” and “high in innovations”, represent by Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Scania. In the fourth quadrant, companies were classified as on-highway and Volvo, with high use of innovations and low use of industry 4.0 tools.
Engineering a broad-spectrum multi-epitope vaccine to combat emerging monkeypox virus by immunoinformatic approaches
Authors: Puagsopa Japigorn , Jumpalee Panuwid , Lohasupthawee Pana , Sutjaritvorakul Thanawat , Meksiriporn Bunyarit
Published: September 2024

Monkeypox virus (MPXV), has caused 41,664 confirmed cases and five deaths in non-endemic regions, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). There is an urgent demand for effective vaccines to combat and prevent the spread of MPXV. Traditional vaccine development is low-throughput, expensive, time-consuming, and susceptible to reversion to virulence. As an alternative, a reverse vaccinology approach can be employed as a promising tool to design effective and safe vaccines against MPXV. Here, MPXV proteins associated with viral infection were analyzed for potential immunogenic epitopes to design multi-epitope vaccine constructs based on B-cell, CD4+, and CD8+ epitopes. Epitopes were selected based on allergenicity, antigenicity, and toxicity parameters. The prioritized epitopes were then combined via peptide linkers and N-terminally fused to various protein adjuvants, including PADRE, beta-defensin 3, 50S ribosomal protein L7/12, RS-09, and the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). All vaccine constructs were further computationally validated for physicochemical properties, antigenicity potential, allergenicity, safety, solubility, and structural stability. The three-dimensional structure of the selected construct was also predicted. Moreover, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations between the vaccine and the TLR-4 immune receptor demonstrated a strong and stable interaction. The vaccine construct was codon-optimized for high expression in the E. coli platform and was finally cloned in silico into the pET21a(+) vector. Collectively, these results could represent innovative tools for vaccine formulation against MPXV and be transformative for other infectious diseases.
Vertebral Artery Web: A Case Report
Authors: Amer Lamar A. , Aljohani Abdullah K. , Alshanqiti Ahmed I. , Sheikh Bassem Y.
Published: September 2024

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) presents a complex vascular challenge characterized by non-atheromatous changes in medium-sized arteries, primarily impacting the cervicocephalic territories. Vertebral artery webs, a rare manifestation of FMD, pose a significant risk, potentially leading to thromboembolisms and neurological deficits. We report a case of a 40-year-old female with multiple cerebral aneurysms successfully managed via endovascular intervention, subsequently revealing a progressive vertebral artery web. This case underscores the critical need for early detection, precise monitoring, and individualized management strategies. The discussion emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, advanced imaging techniques, and tailored therapeutic approaches. Recommendations include vigilant surveillance, personalized treatment strategies, optimized medical therapy, collaborative care, and further research to enhance awareness and understanding of this rare but impactful condition.
Assessment and Enhancement of Methods for Exosome Isolation from Camel Milk
Authors: 杨 回 , 乌伦 塔娜
Published: September 2024

Background
Camel milk is a source of exosomes with potential immunomodulatory and antioxidant benefits. However, the efficiency of exosome extraction from camel milk is crucial for maximizing their potential applications.
Objective
This study aims to optimize the exosome isolation process from camel milk to increase the yield and quality of the extracted exosomes.
Methods
We employed various pretreatment strategies prior to ultracentrifugation, including chymosin-assisted, isoelectric point (PI)-precipitation, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-assisted methods. For the characterization of the isolated exosomes, we utilized nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and western blotting to evaluate size distribution, structural integrity, and specific exosomal protein markers, respectively.
Results
The chymosin-assisted technique yielded exosomes with a more intact and defined double-layered membrane structure, lower non-exosomal protein background, and a higher presence of the exosomal marker CD63 as evidenced by western blotting analysis (P < 0.05), compared with the other methodologies tested.
Conclusion
Chymosin pretreatment combined with ultracentrifugation significantly enhances the isolation of high-quality exosomes from camel milk, indicating that this approach may be the most effective for purifying exosomes for downstream biomedical applications. Further studies are encouraged to validate and refine this method for large-scale extraction.
The Impact of Effective Menopausal Symptom Management on Workplace Performance and Well-being: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Ndindeng Atina
Published: September 2024

Menopausal symptom management is no longer just a personal health issue—it is a critical organizational concern that directly affects workplace performance, employee retention, and overall business success. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the profound impact that effective management of menopausal symptoms can have on organizational outcomes. Utilizing a robust mixed-methods approach, this study integrates quantitative data from extensive surveys and qualitative insights from detailed interviews to evaluate the prevalence and effects of menopausal symptoms among working women. The findings reveal that inadequate management of menopausal symptoms can lead to substantial declines in productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates, posing serious risks to organizational competitiveness and sustainability. However, the study also highlights the effectiveness of various management strategies, including innovative digital tools, and emphasizes the necessity of considering intersectional factors such as race and socioeconomic status. Crucially, this research underscores the urgent need for supportive workplace policies, not just as a matter of employee welfare but as a critical factor in maintaining organizational performance. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for organizations, emphasizing that the successful implementation of menopause support strategies must be tailored to cultural and global contexts to maximize their impact. Grounded in the latest 2024 research, this analysis positions menopause management as a vital element of future-focused human resource strategy.
Time-integrated and time-resolved wavelet coherence analysis to quantify cerebral autoregulation: Algorithm review, new development, and prediction of pediatric cardiac arrest
Authors: Yu Priscilla , Li Lin , Ranjitkar Sheetala , Zhou Yufeng , Raman Lakshmi , Liu Hanli
Published: September 2024

Wavelet transform and wavelet transform coherence (WTC) are advanced data analysis tools in the time-frequency domain for studying nonstationary time series and the relationship between two synchronous time series. These advanced tools can be used to quantify cerebral autoregulation (CAR) by calculating the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and regional cerebral oxygenation (StO2). The goal of this study was to develop a novel WTC analysis method that enables the quantification of disrupted CAR in pediatric cardiac arrest. Accordingly, this paper first provides a narrative explanation of a well-developed WTC computational package using a graphical flowchart for clinicians and life scientists to better comprehend the analysis rationale. Next, we introduce a new analysis strategy to quantify time-resolved significant coherence (trSC) which facilitates the visualization of temporal changes in CAR, followed by a clinical example using trSC to detect impaired CAR in pediatric cardiac arrest. Specifically, we quantified 25-hour temporal traces of trSC using concurrently recorded MAP and StO2 and examined CAR impairment during pre-, peri-, and post-cardiac arrest in 20 arrest events in 16 pediatric patients. This study demonstrated that trSC is a promising parameter for investigating CAR and can be developed as a bedside monitoring tool for clinicians.
Substance use research with gender minority populations: A systematic review of PubMed.
Authors: Barger Branden T.
Published: September 2024

Gender minority populations including transgender, genderqueer, gender non-binary, and other gender non-conforming groups, have increasingly become of special interest in healthcare and health-based research settings as populations that experience unique health disparities, strengths, and resiliencies. Though data supports high rates of substance use among both sexual and gender minority groups, there has been little work to summarize or report this data on a more global level. This review sought to examine literature and summarize non-alcohol or nicotine-related substance use research practices with a focus on characterizing methodologies for assessing gender identity, expression, and/or presentation and various substance use outcomes. Further, this review sought to highlight critical knowledge gaps in evaluating substance use among gender minority populations and propose improvements to current works.
Mitigating PFAS Contamination: Assessing the Impact of California's Legislation from 2018-2022 on Drinking Water Quality
Authors: Bagga Sameer Dutt , Parshley Iris J.N. , Tallon Lindsay
Published: September 2024

In California's public water systems, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination affects 65% of tested sites, impacting over 16 million residents [7]. This paper examines California's response to PFAS contamination through policy analysis and a comparative study of PFAS levels. The research reveals a significant reduction in PFAS contamination levels, suggesting the effectiveness of these policies. While recognizing limitations, this study underscores the urgency of addressing PFAS contamination and highlights California's approach as a model for other states. Future research should explore the mechanisms through which legislation can influence contamination levels, expand testing, and assess socio-economic implications, especially in environmental justice communities [3]. California's legislative efforts emphasize the collective resolve required to mitigate PFAS contamination's impact. This research contributes to the growing understanding of how policy interventions can address the pressing issue of PFAS contamination and calls for continued efforts to protect public health and the environment.
Macroeconomic Impacts of Energy Price Shocks and Monetary Policy: An Estimated DSGE Model for Turkey
Authors: Akpolat Ahmet Gökçe
Published: September 2024

This study examines the impact of energy price shocks and the role of monetary policy in the face of energy price shocks within a Bayesian DSGE model over the quarterly period 2009:1-2021:4 for Turkey. The results demonstrate that the main macroeconomic variables such as GDP, domestic production, employment, investments, real wages experience a decline and both core and CPI inflation an increase in the presence of international energy price energy price shocks. Moreover, the different scenarios of monetary policy responses to both core inflation and output deviations from their steady states which are strong, baseline and weak policy responses are illustrated and discussed. In the scenario in which monetary policy responds most strongly to deviation in the core inflation in the face of energy shocks; the decline in GDP, domestic production, investments and employment and the increases in core and CPI inflation are the highest while the increase in real wages are the lowest. In the scenario where monetary policy reacts strongly to the output deviation, the decrease in real wages and the increase in core and CPI inflation are experienced as the highest, while the decrease in GDP, domestic production, investments and employment turn out to be the lowest. These effects appear to differ in scenarios where monetary policy responds weaker to inflation and the output gap. As for a policy implication, the internationally coordinated contractionary monetary policy can be pursued to restrain the negative impacts of the international shocks.
Prevalence of and factors associated with cerebral malaria among children aged 6 to 59 months with severe malaria in Western Uganda: A hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Mseza Banga , Kumbakulu Patrick Kumbowi , Nduwimana Martin , Banga Desire ,   Emmanuel Busha Tibasima3, Egesa Walufu Ivan , Odong Richard Justin ,   Grace Ndeezi1
Published: September 2024

Introduction
Cerebral malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, represents the most severe neurologic complication of malaria. Its association with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially among young children, underscores its clinical significance. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of cerebral malaria and identify associated factors among children admitted with severe malaria at a tertiary hospital in western Uganda.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study involving children aged 6 to 59 months admitted with severe malaria. The study was conducted from January to March 2023 at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. Severe and cerebral malaria were defined as per the WHO criteria. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors associated with cerebral malaria. A p value <0.05 indicated statistical significance.
Results
A total of 250 children were recruited (mean age 33.1±17.3 months). The prevalence of cerebral malaria was 12.8% (95% C. I: 8.9-17.6). Cerebral malaria was independently associated with male sex (aOR: 3.05, 95%C. I: 1.20-7.77, p=0.02), abnormal bleeding (aOR: 13.22, 95%C. I: 11.54-15.16, p=0.001), history of convulsions (aOR 12.20, 95% C. I:10.7, -21. 69, p= 0.010), acute kidney injury (aOR: 4.50, 95% C. I: 1.30-15.53, p=0.02), and hyponatremia (aOR: 3.47, 95% C. I: 1.34-8.96, p=0.010).
Conclusions and recommendations
The prevalence of cerebral malaria was high among children with severe malaria. Male sex, a history of convulsion, abnormal bleeding, acute kidney injury, and hyponatremia were associated with increased odds of cerebral malaria. These characteristics should be properly investigated and adequately treated in young children to reduce the risk and complications associated with cerebral malaria.