bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work With Chemical Additives Advances Understanding of Relative Permeability Shifts
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: October 2021

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 201520, “Advances in Understanding Relative Permeability Shifts by Imbibition of Surfactant Solutions Into Tight Plugs,” by Mohammad Yousefi, Lin Yuan, and Hassan Dehghanpour, SPE, University of Alberta, prepared for the 2020 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, originally scheduled to be held in Denver, Colorado, 5–7 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

Various chemical additives have been proposed recently to enhance imbibition oil recovery from tight formations during shut-in periods after hydraulic fracturing operations. In the complete paper, the authors develop and apply a laboratory protocol mimicking leakoff, shut-in, and flowback processes to evaluate the effects of fracturing-fluid additives on oil regained permeability. A conventional coreflooding apparatus is modified to measure oil effective permeability (koeff) before and after the surfactant-imbibition experiments.

Methodology

Proposed Technique for Measuring Oil Effective Permeability. Despite the simplicity of the steady-state method, measuring permeability of tight rocks with this technique is challenging because of its time-consuming nature and the fact that accurate measurement is necessary of extremely low flow rates corresponding to low injectivity of tight rocks. The authors use a pair of plugs from a well drilled in the Montney formation that is a stratigraphic unit of the Lower Triassic age in the western Canadian sedimentary basin located in British Columbia and Alberta. It is mainly a low-permeability siltstone reservoir. In the modified coreflooding apparatus, the authors reduce the effect of compressibility in order to reduce the duration of the transient period by approximately one order of magnitude. Because monitoring changes in pressure is much easier and more accurate than monitoring flow-rate changes, a constant flow-rate mode is used and pressure is recorded with time. Oil is injected at different constant flow rates (qo), and the inlet pressure is monitored. The stable pressure difference across the plug is recorded for each flow rate. After steady-state conditions are reached based on the pressure profile, the qo is increased. This process is repeated until four stable pressure differences corresponding to four different qo are obtained. After the highest qo is reached, it is decreased in similar steps to check the repeatability of each data point. The permeability is calculated with the Darcy equation and slope of the qo vs. stable pressure difference across the plug.
Inversion of Full Waveform Sonic Data Assists Calibration of Geomechanics Model
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: October 2021

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 202260, “Inversion of Advanced Full Waveform Sonic Data Provides Magnitudes of Minimum and Maximum Horizontal Stress for Calibrating the Geomechanics Model in a Gas Storage Reservoir,” by Zachariah J. Pallikathekathil, SPE, Xing Wang Yang, and Saeed Hafezy, Schlumberger, et al., prepared for the 2020 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, originally scheduled to be held in Perth, Australia, 20–22 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

In 1D geomechanics projects, calibration of stress is extremely important in the construction of a valid mechanical earth model (MEM). The effective minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) data usually are available from traditional measurements, but these have a few deficiencies. The complete paper presents a technique for deriving stresses in which the radial variation of acoustic velocity from an advanced dipole sonic logging tool is inverted to obtain stress. These derived stresses are then used to calibrate the 1D MEM for a gas storage field.

Regional Geology

The field is in the Otway Basin in Western Victoria. Gas is trapped in the Late Cretaceous Waarre formation at depths between 1155 and 1200 m subsea. The reservoir is sealed by the overlying marine Belfast mudstone, which is the common seal in the stratigraphy across the onshore Otway Basin. The reservoir has excellent reservoir quality and has proved ideal for gas storage.

Challenge Posed by the 1D MEM Challenge Posed by the 1D MEM

Well 1 was recently drilled in the basin. A 1D MEM - a numerical representation of the geomechanical properties and stress state of the earth at any depth - was planned to be constructed to obtain the current-day far-field principal stresses (Shmin), effective maximum horizontal stress (SHmax), and effective vertical stress (SV)] in the Belfast and Waarre formations. Understanding the stress field was important, especially in the caprock (Belfast) and in the reservoir (Waarre) so that the pressure limits for safe gas-storage operation could be defined better.

However, for a variety of reasons, no conventional stress measurements were available to calibrate the modeled stress in the 1D MEM. Without any calibration of the stress, the geomechanics model would feature high uncertainty to be used to define the pressure operational limits for gas-storage operation.

Fortunately, a new wireline sonic tool was recorded in the reservoir section and the overburden sections of the borehole in Well 1. A quick dispersion analysis of the waveforms showed that the Paaratte formation, above the Belfast formation, was acoustically stress-sensitive and that advanced processing could be performed to invert the acoustic information to stress values.
Label-Free Detection of Human Coronaviruses in Infected Cells Using Enhanced Darkfield Hyperspectral Microscopy (EDHM)
Authors: Gosavi Devadatta , Cheatham Byron , Sztuba-Solinska Joanna
Published: October 2021

Human coronaviruses (HCoV) are causative agents of mild to severe intestinal and respiratory infections in humans. In the last 15 years, we have witnessed the emergence of three zoonotic, highly pathogenic HCoVs. Thus, early, and accurate detection of these viral pathogens is not only essential for preventing transmission but also for the timely treatment and monitoring of drug resistance. Herein, we applied enhanced darkfield hyperspectral microscopy (EDHM), a novel non-invasive, label-free diagnostic tool for rapid and accurate identification of two strains of HCoVs, i.e., OC43 and 229E. The EDHM technology allows collecting the optical image with both spectral and spatial details in a single measurement without direct contact between the specimen and the sensor. Thus, it can provide the direct mapping of spectral signatures specific for a given viral strain in a complex biological milieu. Our study demonstrated distinct spectral patterns for HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E virions in the solution, which can serve as distinguishable parameters for their differentiation. Furthermore, spectral signatures for both HCoV strains in the infected cells displayed a considerable peak wavelength shift compared to the uninfected cell samples indicating that the EDHM is applicable to detect and differentiate between HCoV infected and uninfected cells.
Study of the Application of Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Identification of Pathologies in Concrete Structures
Authors: Netto Sergio Orlando Antoun , de Carvalho Lucas Pires Chagas Ferreira , Reis Ana Waldila de Queiroz Ramiro , Barbalho Leonardo Vieira , Rodrigues Lucas de Campos
Published: October 2021

Laser scanning enhances classic field surveys. The terrestrial laser scanner is a versatile device with applications in various areas of knowledge, which uses remote sensing fundamentals to determine point coordinates. It is a remote, active, noninvasive, nondestructive and high-precision technique to capture reality that records from thousands to millions of points per second in a detailed representation of the situation called a point cloud. The surveys are performed along the object of interest in a process called scanning, which has as its gross product a dense cloud of three-dimensional points of the scanned object. This point cloud stores information about the object’s geometry, return pulse intensity, and point color data. As a way of extending the uses of terrestrial laser scanning, this work studies the application of this method in civil engineering, through the identification of pathologies in reinforced concrete structures, aiming to show how geoinformation can be employed in this area. To this end, a case study of the São Cristóvão Viaduct was conducted in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This study included definition of the site of analysis; planning and execution of the field survey to collect raw data; processing of the point cloud; and generation of a three-dimensional surface for global visualization of the structure and identification of pathological manifestations and the regions where they were observed. Concrete structures in general are affected by various external factors, such as weather and anthropogenic actions, which contribute to their wear.
External validation of the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk engine in patients with type 2 diabetes identified in the national diabetes program in Iran
Authors: Valipour Mehrdad , Khalili Davood , Dodaran Masoud Soleymani , Motevalian Seyed Abbas , Khamseh Mohammad Ebrahim , Baradaran Hamid Reza
Published: October 2021

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the first leading cause of mortality in the world. Practical guidelines recommend an accurate estimation of the risk of these events for effective treatment and care. The UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) has a risk engine for predicting CHD risk in patients with type 2 diabetes, but in some countries, it has been shown that the risk of CHD is poorly estimated. Hence, we assessed the external validity of the UKPDS risk engine in patients with type 2 diabetes identified in the national diabetes program in Iran.

Methods

The cohort included 853 patients with type 2diabetes identified between March 21, 2007, and March 20, 2018 in Lorestan province of Iran. Patients were followed for the incidence of CHD. The performance of the models was assessed in terms of discrimination and calibration. Discrimination was examined using the c-statistic and calibration was assessed with the Hosmer–Lemeshow χ2 statistic (HLχ2) test and a calibration plot was depicted to show the predicted risks versus observed ones.

Results

During 7464.5 person-years of follow-up 170 first Coronary heart disease occurred. The median follow-up was 8.6 years. The UKPDS risk engine showed moderate discrimination for CHD (c-statistic was 0.72 for 10-year risk) and the calibration of the UKPDS risk engine was poor (HLχ2=69.9, p<0.001) and overestimated the risk of heart disease.

Conclusion

This study shows that the ability of the UKPDS Risk Engine to discriminate patients who got CHD events from those who did not was moderate and the ability of the risk prediction model to accurately predict the absolute risk of CHD (calibration) was poor and it overestimated the CHD risk. To improve the prediction of CHD in patients with type 2 diabetes, this model should be updated in the Iranian diabetic population.
Self-management Support in Primary Care Practice: the Development of a Conceptual Model Using a Qualitative Approach
Authors: Timmermans Lotte , Boeykens Dagje , Sirimsi Mustafa Muhammed , Decat Peter , Foulon Veerle , Hecke Ann Van , Vermandere Mieke , Schoenmakers Birgitte
Published: October 2021

BackgroundCoping with a chronic disease can be really challenging. Self-management represents a promising strategy to improve daily life experiences. The role of primary healthcare professionals cannot be underestimated in supporting self-management. Due to a shortage of theory, implementation of self-management support is hindered in primary care practice. The aim of this study is to create a conceptual model for self-management support by analysing patients’ care experiences towards self-management support. MethodsAn explorative-descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Flanders, Belgium. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 16 patients and their informal caregiver (dyads) using a purposive sampling strategy and processed by an inductive content analysis. ResultsInterviews revealed in-depth insights into patients’ care experiences. A conceptual model was developed for primary care practice, including five fundamental tasks for healthcare professionals - Supporting, Involving, Listening, Coordinating and Questioning (SILCQ) – contributing to the support of self-management of chronic patients.ConclusionThis qualitative paper emphasises the use of the SILCQ-model to develop optimal roadmaps and hands-on toolkits for healthcare professionals to support self-management. The model needs to be further explored by all stakeholders to support the development of self-management interventions in primary care practice.
Validity of Self-reported Diabetes Among Kurdish Population; a Large Population-based Study From Iran
Authors: Moradi Yousef , Piri Negar , Dehghanbanadaki Hojat , Moradi Ghobad , Fotouk-Kiai Mahdiyeh , Moradpour Farhad
Published: October 2021

Background: The aim was to assess the validity of diabetes self-reporting based on oral anti-diabetic drugs, insulin injection, or high fasting blood sugar (FBS) in a large Kurdish population of Iran.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analytical study on 4400 subjects aged 35-70 years of the Dehgolan Prospective Cohort Study (DehPCS). The reference for having diabetes was oral hypoglycemic drug consumption, insulin injection, or high FBS representing diabetes. Self-reported diabetes status was investigated by well-trained interviewers before the identification of diabetes status based on reference criteria. The accuracy and agreement of self-reported diabetes with reference were assessed in the overall population as well as in different sociodemographic and habitual conditions. Results: Out of 4400 adults, 3996 agreed to participate in this study (participation=90.8%). The diabetes prevalence among the study population was 13.1% based on self-report and 9.7% based on reference. Of the 523 people who reported diabetes, 213 (41.28%) did not have diabetes. We found a good agreement of 92.3% concordance with a kappa value of 65.1% between self-reported diabetes and reference. Self-reported diabetes also guaranteed sensitivity of 78.5%, specificity of 93.9%, positive predictive value of 58.7%, and negative predictive value of 98.0% to identify diabetic participants. Conclusion: Self-reported diabetes is identified as a valid tool that could accurately determine the diabetes prevalence in epidemiological studies on the Kurdish population of Iran.
Tuning Local Proton Flux in Yolk-Shell Cu@Cu2Se Nanoreactors to Enable Efficient Electrochemical Nitrate-Ammonia Conversion
Authors: Hu Qi , Zheng Hongju , Wang Xiaodeng , Gao Keru , Mi Lingren , Cao Jianyong , Huo Qihua , Xie Laiyong , Yang Hengpan , Chai Xiaoyan , Ren Xiangzhong , He Chuan-Xin
Published: October 2021

Electrochemical nitrate (NO3−) reduction reaction (NO3−RR) represents an ideal alternative for ammonia (NH3) generation. Despite recent success on the synthesis of Cu-based electrocatalysts, the kinetics of Cu-catalyzed NO3−RR is still greatly limited by the slow proton transfer rate since the large energy barrier for water dissociation. Here, we report the construction of a yolk-shell structure, comprising a Cu core and Cu2Se shell that functions like the tandem nanoreactor. Specific, the Cu2Se shell with strong water dissociation ability can easily produce protons and then transfer to the Cu core for driving the reduction of NO3−. Intriguingly, the proton flux arriving to the Cu core can be well tuned by altering the void size of the yolk-structure, thereby enabling rapid proton transfer yet hindering the competitive hydrogen evolution. More importantly, operando Raman spectra reveal that the rapid proton transfer significantly promotes the hydrogenation of key intermediates for reducing the overall energy barrier of the NO3−RR. Consequently, the optimized yolk-shell structure enables highly selective and efficient NO3−RR with a large NH3 yield rate of 0.94 mmol cm−2 h−1. This work offers a fresh concept to boost the NO3−RR by tuning proton transfer rate.
Androgenic Haploid Plant Development Via Embryogenesis With Simultaneous Determination of Bioactive Metabolites in Cambod Tea (Camellia Assamica ssp. Lasiocalyx)
Authors: Mishra Vijay Kumar , Bajpai Ruchira , Chaturvedi Rakhi
Published: October 2021

This pioneering work reports successful androgenic plant development via embryogenesis from microspore calluses in anther cultures and estimation of bioactive metabolites in in vitro regenerants and parent plant (control) of Cambod tea, Camellia assamica ssp. lasiocalyx (Planch MS) cultivar TV19. Anthers bearing microspores at early-to-late uni-nucleate stage were selected to initiate androgenesis. A pre-treatment of 50 C for five days in the dark was most effective to initiate profusely growing white callusing from microspores within 10 weeks of culture on MS medium (6% sucrose) supplemented with high cytokinins/ auxin ratio maintained by benzyl adenine (BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenxyacetic acid (2, 4-D). Nodular structures on the callus surface differentiated into embryos. Further developement of the embryos occurred on embryogenesis medium but, with ten times reduced concentration of growth regulators and additives. Germination of embryos into complete plantlets was achieved when major salts in medium were reduced to half MS (½ MS) and augmented with BAP, GA3 and IBA along with glutamine and serine. Cytological examination of the root-tip cells revealed that regenerated plantlets were haploids (2n=x=15), which was further confirmed through flow cytometry. The hot-water extracts from in vitro haploid calluses, embryos and field-grown donor plant were utilized for quantification of (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine and theophylline. Our findings revealed that the metabolite profile of in vitro regenerated haploid cultures is comparable to that of the mother plant, thereby presenting them as potential source for genome duplication and development of genetically stable homozygous pure breeding lines.
Associations of Actigraphy-derived Rest-activity Patterns and Circadian Phase Parameters With Clinical Symptoms and Polysomnography Results in Patients With Chronic Insomnia
Authors: Roh Hyun Woong , Choi Su Jung , Jo Hyunjin , Kim Dongyeop , Choi Jung-gu , Son Sang Joon , Joo Eun Yeon
Published: October 2021

We explored the associations of actigraphy-derived rest-activity patterns and circadian phase parameters with clinical symptoms and level 1 polysomnography (PSG) results in patients with chronic insomnia to evaluate the clinical implications of actigraphy-derived parameters for PSG performance. Seventy-five participants underwent actigraphy assessments and level 1 PSG. Exploratory correlation analyses between parameters derived from actigraphy, PSG, and clinical assessments were performed. Study participants were classified into two groups, and group differences were investigated after adjusting for potential covariates. Participants with poorer rest-activity patterns on actigraphy (low inter-day stability and high intra-daily variability) exhibited higher insomnia severity index scores compared to participants with better rest-activity patterns. No between-group differences in PSG parameters were observed. Late-phase participants (late least active 5-h and most active 10-h onset times) exhibited higher insomnia severity scores, longer sleep latency, longer rapid eye movement latency, and lower apnea-hypopnea index compared to early-phase participants. These associations remained significant even after adjusting for potential covariates. Some actigraphy-derived rest-activity patterns and circadian phase parameters were significantly associated with clinical symptoms and PSG results, suggesting a possible adjunctive role of actigraphy-derived rest-activity patterns and circadian phase parameters in deriving plans for PSG lights-off time and assessing the possible insomnia pathophysiology.
Appropriateness of Referrals From Primary Care for Lumbar MRI
Authors: Krogh Susanne Brogaard , Jensen Tue Secher , Rolving Nanna , Laursen Malene , Thomsen Janus Nikolaj Laust , Hansen Casper Brink , Werenberg Christoffer Høj , Rasmussen Erik , Carlson Rune , Jensen Rikke Krüger
Published: October 2021

Background: A number of papers highlight the extent to which low back pain (LBP) is generally mismanaged, especially regarding overuse of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). International guidelines do not recommend routine imaging, including MRI, and seek to guide clinicians only to refer for imaging based on specific indications. Despite this, several studies show an increase in the use of MRI among patients with LBP and an imbalance between appropriate versus inappropriate use of MRI for LBP. This study aimed to investigate to what extent referrals from general practice for lumbar MRI complied with clinical guideline recommendations in a Danish setting.Materials and methods: From 2014-2018, all referrals for lumbar MRI were included from general practitioners in the Central Denmark Region for diagnostic imaging at a public regional hospital. A modified version of the American College of Radiology Imaging Appropriateness Criteria for LBP was used to classify referrals as appropriate or inappropriate, based on the unstructured text in the GPs’ referrals. Appropriate referrals included fractures, cancer, symptoms persisting for more than 6 weeks of non-surgical treatment, previous surgery, candidate for surgery or suspicion of cauda equina. Inappropriate referrals were sub-classified as lacking information about previous non-surgical treatment and duration. Results: Of the 3,772 retrieved referrals for MRI of the lumbar spine, 55% were selected and a total of 2,051 referrals were categorised. Approximately one quarter (24.5%) were categorised as appropriate, and 75.5% were deemed inappropriate. 51% of the inappropriate referrals lacked information about previous non-surgical treatment, and 49% had no information about the duration of non-surgical treatment. Apart from minor yearly fluctuations, there was no change in the distribution of appropriate and inappropriate MRI referrals from 2014 to 2018.Conclusion:The majority of lumbar MRI referrals (75.5%) from general practitioners for lumbar MRI did not fulfil the ACR Imaging Appropriateness Criteria for LBP based on the unstructured text of their referrals. There is a need for referrers to include all guideline-relevant information in referrals for imaging. More research is needed to determine whether this is due to patients not fulfilling guideline recommendations or simply the content of the referrals.
Heterogenous Nanocomposite Catalysts With Rhenium Nanostructures for the Catalytic Reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Authors: Cyganowski Piotr , Dzimitrowicz Anna
Published: October 2021

Stable and efficient heterogenous nanocatalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) has attracted much attention in recent years. In this context, a unique and efficient in-situ approach is used for the production of new polymeric nanocomposites (pNCs) containing rhenium nanostructures (ReNSs). These rare materials should facilitate the catalytic decomposition of 4-NP, in turn ensuring increased catalytic activity and stability. These nanomaterials were analyzed using Fourier-Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD). The efficiency of the catalytic reaction was estimated based on the acquired UV-Vis spectra, which enabled the estimation of the catalytic activity using pseud-first order modelling. The applied method resulted in the successful production and efficient loading of ReNSs in the polymeric matrices. Amino functionalities played a primary role in the reduction process. Moreover, the functionality that is derived from 1.1’-carbonyl imidazole improved the availability of the ReNSs, which resulted in 90% conversion of 4-NP with a maximum rate constant of 0.28 min-1 over 11 subsequent catalytic cycles. This effect was observed despite the trace amount of Re in the pNCs (~5%), suggesting a synergistic effect between the polymeric base and the ReNSs-based catalyst.
Apoptosis-Independent Reduction of Programmed Death Ligand-1 Levels by Boningmycin Through AMPK-Mediated Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Protein Degradation in Human Tumor Cells
Authors: Zhang Juan , Wang Jin-Cai , Shang Yue , Chen Yang , Chen Shu-Zhen , He Qi-Yang
Published: October 2021

Boningmycin (BON), a new member of the bleomycin family, exhibits highly potent activity against tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. It remains unclear if BON can affect the protein levels of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in a manner similar to that of other antitumor agents. Potent inhibition of cell survival by BON was observed in non-small-cell lung cancer NCI-H460 cells and sarcoma HT1080 cells. Apoptosis-independent reduction of PD-L1 was observed after exposure to BON. Furthermore, BON-treatment increased AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, however, this increase was suppressed by treatment with specific inhibitor (compound C) or RNAi-mediated knockdown of AMPKα. BON-induced PD-L1 reduction is mediated by the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathway. Its mode of action is similar to that of metformin on the PD-L1 protein. In conclusion, it is firstly reported that BON can decrease PD-L1 protein levels through the AMPK activated endoplasmic reticulum- associated degradation pathway.
Modelling of pure CO2 and flue gas sorption data on South African coals using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Extended Langmuir isotherm models
Authors: Mabuza Major , Premlall Kasturie , Daramola Michael O.
Published: October 2021

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) have sharply increased over the past four decades due to intensifying industrial activities; as a result, the earth has been faced with global warming in which the major contributor is the anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. Carbon sequestration in unmineable coal seams has been proposed as one of the most attractive technologies to mitigate CO 2 emissions in which CO 2 is stored in the microporous structure of the coal matrix in an adsorbed state. The CO 2 adsorption process is hence considered one of the more effective methodologies in environmental sciences. Thus, adsorption isotherm measurements and modelling are key important scientific measures required in understanding the adsorption system, mechanism, and process optimization in coalbeds. In this paper, three renowned adsorption isotherm models were employed including Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin for pure CO 2 adsorption data, and the Extended-Langmuir model for multicomponent, such as flue gas mixture-adsorption data as investigated in this research work. The adsorption data was acquired from a high-pressure volumetric sorption system (HPVSS) experiment involving two South African coal samples from Ermelo and Somkhele coalfields with pure CO 2 and synthetic industrial flue gas to simulate emissions that are representative of a typical coal-fired power plant (12% CO 2 , 5.5% O 2 , 82% N 2 , 0.38% SO 2 , and 0.12% NO 2 ). The adsorption data was measured on 10 g samples with a mean size of 2 mm at temperatures ranging from 30 ºC to 60 ºC and pressure up to 9.0 MPa using the HPVSS. The statistical evaluation of the goodness-of-fit was done using three (3) statistical data analysis methods including correlation coefficient (R 2 ), standard deviation ( σ ), and standard error (SE). The Langmuir isotherm model conventionally fits the pure CO 2 gas experimental data better than Freundlich and Temkin. The Extended Langmuir gives best experimental data fit for the flue gas.
On the Feasibility of All-solid-state Batteries with LLZO as a Single Electrolyte
Authors: Kravchyk Kostiantyn V. , Karabay Dogan Tarik , Kovalenko Maksym V.
Published: October 2021

Replacement of Li-ion liquid-state electrolytes by solid-state counterparts in a Li-ion battery (LIB) is a major research objective as well as an urgent priority for the industry, as it enables the use of a Li metal anode and provides new opportunities to realize safe, non-flammable, and temperature-resilient batteries. Among the plethora of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) investigated, garnet-type Li-ion electrolytes based on cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) are considered the most appealing candidates for the development of future solid-state batteries because of their low electronic conductivity of ca. 10−8 S cm−1 (RT) and a wide electrochemical operation window of 0 ‒ 6 V vs. Li+/Li. However, high LLZO density (5.1 g cm-3) and its lower level of Li-ion conductivity (up to 1 mS cm−1 at RT) compared to liquid electrolytes (1.28 g cm-3; ca. 10 mS cm−1 at RT) still raise the question as to the feasibility of using solely LLZO as an electrolyte for achieving competitive energy and power densities. In this work, we analyzed the energy densities of Li-garnet all-solid-state batteries based solely on LLZO SSE by modeling their Ragone plots using LiCoO2 as the model cathode material. This assessment allowed us to identify values of the LLZO thickness, cathode areal capacity, and LLZO content in the solid-state cathode required to match the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries (ca. 180 Wh kg-1 and 497 Wh L-1) at the power densities of 200 W kg-1 and 600 W L-1, corresponding to ca. 1h of battery discharge time (1C). We then discuss key challenges in the practical deployment of LLZO SSE in the fabrication of Li-garnet all-solid-state batteries.
Relationship Between Pathological Response and Molecular Subtypes in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: DEĞERLİ EZGİ , Öztaş Nihan Şentürk , Alkan Gülin , Bedir Şahin , Derin Sümeyra , Valıkhanova Nahıda , Saraç Betül , Demirci Nebi Serkan , Demirelli Hulusi Fuat , Turna Hande
Published: October 2021

Background: More than half of patients with breast cancer were diagnosed with locally advanced stages of the disease (54%). This study aimed to explain the pathological response received with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) according to the molecular classification of breast cancer in patients with locally advanced tumors.Methods: One hundred one patients with locally advanced breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were analyzed. Patients were classified into five molecular subtypes based on the profile of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2, and Ki-67. We determined associations between pathologic complete response and molecular subgroups.Results: Most patients had luminal A tumors (n:28, 27.7%). The overall rate of pathological complete response (pCR) was 34.7% (n:35). Tumors that presented the highest rate of pCR were pure HER2-positive, at 60% (n:6; OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 0.8–12.2). According to logistic regression analysis, the factors affecting pCR were HER2 positivity and clinically positive axilla before NACT. Luminal A tumors had a significantly lower pCR rate. (7.1%,p: 0.001). Despite the low pCR rate, luminal A tumor survival was the best subgroup (p< 0.001). However, there was no difference between EFS and OS according to pCR in any molecular subgroups.Conclusion: Pathological complete response is directly related to the subtypes of breast cancer. A high rate of complete pathological response is observed in the pure HER2-positive group. However, EFS and OS were not statistically significant in patients with and without pCR.
Magnetic Activated Cell-Sorting Identifies a Unique Lung Microbiome Community Associated with Disease States
Authors: Dunlap Daniel , Yang Libing , Qin Shulin , Li Kelvin , Fitch Adam , Huang Laurence , McVerry Bryan J , Methé Barbara A , Morris Alison
Published: October 2021

Background: The advent of culture-independent, next-generation DNA sequencing has led to discovery of distinct lung bacterial communities. Studies of lung microbiome taxonomy often reveal only subtle differences between health and disease, but microbial host response may distinguish members of similar communities in different populations. Magnetic-activated cell sorting has been applied to the gut microbiome to identify numbers and types of bacteria eliciting a humoral response. We adapted this technique to examine populations of immunoglobulin-bound bacteria and investigate the lung microbiota in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as a representative disease.Methods: 42 people living with HIV and 22 HIV-uninfected individuals underwent bronchoalveolar lavage. We separated immunoglobulin G-bound bacteria using magnetic-activated cell sorting and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform. We analyzed microbial sequencing data and quantified cytokines and bacterial rRNA copy numbers from bronchoalveolar lavage. Results: Immunoglobulin G-bound bacteria were detectable in the healthy lung microbiota. Comparison of raw bronchoalveolar lavage by HIV status showed no significant taxonomic differences, but the immunoglobulin-bound lung microbiota differed by HIV status with greater abundance of Pseudomonas in people living with HIV. Lung cytokine levels were also higher in people living with HIV, which correlated with increased quantity of immunoglobulin G-bound bacteria. Conclusions: We report a novel application of magnetic-activated cell sorting to identify immunoglobulin G-bound bacteria in the lung. This technique identified distinct bacterial communities which differed in composition from raw bronchoalveolar lavage, revealing differences in health and disease not detected by traditional analyses. Cytokine response was also associated with differential immunoglobulin binding of lung bacteria, suggesting functional importance of these communities.
Secondary Consolidation Characteristics of Organic Soil Modified by Biological Enzymes Based on Gibson Model
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Wen Changping
Published: October 2021

In order to study the secondary consolidation characteristics of organic soil modified by enzyme, the secondary consolidation tests of organic soil modified by enzyme were carried out. Firstly, the consolidation coefficient Cv, secondary consolidation coefficient Ca and compression index Cc of modified organic soil under different levels of loads and different enzyme contents were obtained according to the analysis of experimental data. Then, the parameters of Gibson rheological model were fitted respectively according to the experimental results. Finally, the relationship between rheological model parameters, Ca/Cc, secondary consolidation coefficient Ca and loading was analyzed under different enzyme contents. The results show that: (1) The rheological model parameters of organic soil modified by enzyme are negatively correlated with the enzyme content, and positively correlated with the load value. When the enzyme content is 0.01%, some parameters reach the maximum value; (2) The secondary consolidation coefficient is related to the load. The secondary consolidation coefficient of samples with different enzyme contents shows a certain rule under all levels of load. With the increasing of load, the final secondary consolidation coefficient Ca approaches a stable value; (3) The Ca/Cc values of the samples of the modified organic soil with different enzyme contents are between 0.042 and 0.1 under different loads. The results show that the model is suitable for describing the secondary consolidation creep characteristics of organic soil, and can be used to guide the long-term deformation prediction of organic soil foundation.
The Effectiveness of integrating spirituality into prenatal care on Improving Sleep Quality and Insomnia Severity among Pregnant Women: A Randomized Control Trial
Authors: maleki azam , Moradi Nahid , Zenoozian Saeedeh
Published: October 2021

Background

To determine the effectiveness of integrating spirituality into prenatal care on Improving Sleep Quality and Insomnia Severity among Pregnant Women.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 40 pregnant women recruited at five health centers of zanjan, Iran, 2020. The eligible women were allocated into two intervention and control groups according to the randomized design. Group counselling with spiritual content was carried out in eight sessions, two times a week at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. The control group only received routine care. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires in three stages, before the intervention, at 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 16.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results

The results showed that comparing the mean score of insomnia severity, sleep quality and its components in the pre-intervention phase was not statistically significant between the two groups(p>0.05). Comparison of the insomnia severity, sleep quality, and its components scores decreased statistically in the second and third trimesters compared to the first trimester in the intervention group than the control group(p<0.05). The effect of the intervention (Eta score) was 64%.

Conclusion

The results showed that counselling with spiritual content could effectively ameliorate sleep quality and reduce insomnia severity in pregnant women. It seems that the approach is an acceptable basis to design intervention programs in this field that can be considered by midwives.
Economic Growth and Quality Adjusted Human Capital Equation: Moderating Role of Social Capabilities in Africa
Authors: Joseph Tonuchi Emmanuel , Obikaonu Pauline Chimuru
Published: October 2021

The role of human capital on economic growth across countries has over time garnered lots of discussion in economic literature. This is fundamental, given that the actual determinant of the difference in income per capita across countries or why some countries are growing faster than other countries has remained an unresolved issue. This study provide a different insight into the nexus between human capital and economic growth by accounting for the role of social capabilities in a panel framework. Specifically, the study covers 40 African countries between 1998-2019, where General Method of Moment (GMM) was employed to estimate the model. Specifically, it was discovered that without improved legal institution and better economic opportunities, human capital impact on the growth of income per capita across countries is insignificant though positive. The study concludes that the effectiveness of knowledge accumulation and adoption of technology in a country is hinged on the availability of enhanced legal, social, and economic environment.JEL CODE: A3, D83, E24, F63, I2
A multicenter, open-label, randomized, proof-of-concept phase ii clinical trial to Assess the efficacy and safety of icatibant in patients infected with sars-cov-2 (covid-19) And admitted to hospital units without invasive mechanical ventilation. StudyProtocol (icat-covid)
Authors: González Aurema Otero , Malchair Pierre , Giol Jordi , Solanich Xavier , Carnaval Thiago , Fernández-Nistal Alonso , Sánchez-Gabriel Ana , Montoto Carmen , Lleonart Ramon , Videla Sebastian
Published: October 2021

Background: COVID-19 has quickly become a global pandemic with a substantial number of deaths and a substantial burden for healthcare systems worldwide. Although most cases are paucisymptomatic and limited to the viral infection related symptoms, some patients evolve to a second phase, with an impaired inflammatory response (cytokine storm) that may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. This is thought to be caused by an increased bradykinin synthesis. Methods: ICAT-COVID is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, proof-of-concept phase II clinical trial assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of adding Icatibant on the standard of care in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 without invasive mechanical ventilation. Patients hospitalized with a confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis (RT-PCR or antigen test ≤ 10 days prior to randomization, and radiographic evidence of pulmonary infiltrates), rated ‘4’ or ‘5’ on the WHO’s clinical status scale are eligible. Patients will be randomized on a 1:1 ratio to either standard of care-plus-Icatibant (experimental group) or to standard of care alone (control group). The experimental group will receive 30 mg of Icatibant subcutaneously 3 times a day for 3 days (for a total of 9 doses). The expected sample size is of 120 patients (60 per group) gathered from 2 centers in Spain. Primary outcomes are Icatibant’s efficacy and safety. The main efficacy outcome is the number of patients reaching grades ‘2’ or ‘1’ on the WHO Scale within 10 days of treatment start. Among the secondary outcomes are ‘long-term efficacy’: number of patients discharged who do not present any COVID-19-related relapse or comorbidity up until 28 days after discharging, and mortality. Discussion: Icatibant, a bradykinin type 2 receptor antagonist with proven effectiveness and safety against hereditary angioedema attacks, may be beneficial for COVID-19 patients by inhibiting bradykinin’s action on endothelial cells and by inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 M protease. Our working hypothesis is that treatment with Standard of Care-plus-Icatibant is effective and safe to treat patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 admitted to hospital for pneumonia without invasive mechanical ventilation.Trial registration: EudraCT: 2020-002166-13; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04978051
Double-blind Placebo-controlled Randomized Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Montelukast in Mild to Moderate Respiratory Symptoms of Patients With Long COVID E-SPERANZA COVID PROJECT Study Protocol
Authors: Mera-Cordero Francisco , Monne Sara Bonet , Ortega Jesús Almeda , García-Sangenís Ana , Puèrtolas Oriol Cunillera , Contreras-Martos Sara , Muñoz Gemma Alvarez , Escolà Ramon Monfà , Joué Marina Balanzó , Pedrós Rosa Morros , Salvador-Gonzalez Betlem
Published: October 2021

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to affect the globe. After eighteen months of the SARS-CoV-2 emergence, clinicians have clearly defined a subgroup of patients with lasting, disabling symptoms. While big strides have been made in understanding the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the pathophysiology of long COVID is still largely unknown and evidence-based, effective treatments for this condition remain unavailable. ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of 10 mg oral montelukast every 24 hours versus placebo in improving quality of life associated with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms in patients with long COVID as measured with the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire. The secondary objectives will evaluate the effect of montelukast versus placebo on improving: exercise capacity; COVID-19 symptoms (asthenia, headache, mental confusion or brain fog, ageusia, and anosmia); oxygen desaturation during exertion; functional status; and mortality. Methods and analysisPhase III, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. We will include 18 to 80 year-old patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and mild to moderate respiratory symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention (experimental treatment with 10 mg/day montelukast) or the control group (placebo group), during a 28-day treatment. Follow up will finish 56 days after start of treatment. The primary outcome will be health-related quality of life associated with respiratory symptoms according to the COPD Assessment Test 4 weeks after starting treatment. Secondary outcomes a) Exercise capacity and oxygen saturation (1Min Sit-to-Stand test); b) Post-COVID-19 Functional Status scale; c) Other symptoms: asthenia, headache, mental confusion (brain fog), ageusia and anosmia (Likert scale); d) Use of healthcare resources; e) Mortality; f) Sick leave duration in days g) Side effects of montelukast. Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the IDIAPJGol (reference number 21/091-C). The trial results will be published in open access, peer-reviewed journals and explained in webinars to increase awareness and understanding about long COVID among primary health professionals. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04695704 first posted on January, 5, 2021. EudraCT number 2021-000605-24). Prospectively registered.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Xanthone Derivatives as Anti-Cancer Agents Targeting Topoisomerase II and DNA
Authors: Song Yali , Zhu Xinyue , Yang Kan , Feng Siran , Zhang Yiwen , Dong Jinjiao , Liu Zhenming , Qiao Xiaoqiang
Published: October 2021

Topoisomerase is one of the most important targets of anticancer drugs. In order to develop effective and low-toxic topoisomerase inhibitors, a series of xanthone derivatives have been designed and synthesized using the principles of skeleton transition. In vitro growth inhibition experiments of human breast cancer(MCF-7), gastric cancer (MGC-803), and cervical cancer(Hela) cell lines were used to evaluate the compound's anti-tumor cell proliferation activity. Most of the compounds showed anti-tumor growth activity, and also showed low toxicity to human normal cells L929. In the enzyme activity inhibition experiment, compounds 7d and 8d showed the best inhibitory activity. The DNA binding studies disclosed that the most potent compounds 7d and 8d can intercalate into DNA, induce apoptosis in MGC-803 cells and arrested at G2/M phase. Molecular docking showed that compounds 7d and 8d could bind with topoisomerase II and DNA through hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions.
Effect of Flexible Half-dose Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocol on in Vitro Fertilization Outcome in Predicted Normal Responder: A Study Protocol for a Multicentered, Randomized, Non-inferiority, Parallel Controlled Trial
Authors: Ma Ying-Jie , Song Jing-Yan , Li Meng-Yao , Sun Zhengao
Published: October 2021

BackgroundGonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH-ant) are widely used in current in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), however, whether the lowest daily dose of GnRH-ant is individualized remains unknown. Due to the negative effect of GnRH-ant on endometrial receptivity, lessening the amount of GnRH-antagonists used during controlled ovarian stimulation may be helpful for embryo implantation. As such, a randomized controlled study is essential to validate the feasibility and efficacy of daily GnRH-ant dose reduction to 0.125 mg geared towards providing scientific evidence for guidance in clinical practice.MethodsIn total, 620 infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization will be enrolled in the multicentered, randomized, parallel controlled trial. Based on a computer-generated random list, they will be randomly and equally subdivided into half-dose GnRH-ant group or conventional-dose GnRH-ant group. The primary outcome is ongoing pregnancy i.e., intrauterine pregnancy diagnosed by pelvic ultrasonography at more than 12 weeks of gestation accompanied by normal fetal heartbeats. Secondary outcomes include cycle cancellation, premature luteinizing hormone surge, positive pregnancy, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy, early spontaneous abortion, and live birth. The intention-to-treat and per protocol analyses will be used to initially analyze the difference in ongoing pregnancy rate between the two groups, while the multiple imputation method was used to handle missing values in the data.DiscussionAt present, no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed on the use of the half-dose GnRH-ant protocol (0.125mg/d) to improve reproductive outcomes of IVF-ET in predicted normal responder, compared to conventional-dose GnRH-ant protocol (0.25mg/d). Half-dose GnRH-ant protocol might provide a suitable clinical solution for predicted normal responder undergoing IVF treatment. Thus, it is critical to conduct a well-designed RCT to evaluate the impact of a half-dose GnRH-ant protocol on the reproductive outcomes of IVF-ET in predicted normal responder.Trial registrationThis study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry Platform on August 29, 2020. (chictr.org.cn; identifier: ChiCTR2000037629).