bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Productivity and nutrient export in a maize and forage grasses intercropping under semiarid conditions
Authors: PONTE FILHO Francisco Augusto Machado da , GUEDES Fernando Lisboa , POMPEU Roberto Cláudio Fernandes Franco , SAGRILO Edvaldo , ANDRADE Hosana Aguiar Freitas de , COSTA Carlos Pedro de Meneses , SOUZA Henrique Antunes de
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT The aim was to evaluate the productive performance and nutrient export of maize intercropped with drought-tolerant forage grasses. The experimental design was a randomized blocks in a 2x2x2+1 factorial scheme (two forage grasses species – Massai and Buffel; two forage sowing methods - in the furrow and broadcast; and two forage sowing times - anticipated and simultaneous; and monoculture maize as an additional control), with three replicates. The maize+forage intercropping promoted greater competition for resources, especially water, limiting N uptake, chlorophyll synthesis, and biomass production by maize under semiarid conditions. Early sowing gave forage plants a competitive advantage, favoring forage establishment before or immediately after the sowing of maize. Thus, the simultaneous sowing of forage grasses in a semiarid environment is a more appropriate option considering the importance of high levels of chlorophyll to ensure high photosynthetic activity in maize plants and greater capacity of biomass synthesis. Massai intercropped with maize exhibits a greaterpotential for biomass production than Buffel under semiarid conditions. Maize+Buffel result in highest macronutrient export by maize, while maize+Massai result in highest macronutrient exports by total forage biomass under a semiarid environment. The choice of the forage species and its sowing time in relation to maize are the main determinants of successful intercropping systems under semiarid conditions.
Colony PCR (E. coli) v1
Authors: not provided a.koh
Published: November 2023

Fast and easy PCR to check for cloning inserts. This protocol is not suitable for downstream application of the amplified PCR products.
Long term performance of existing asphalt concrete pavement sections
Authors: Sargand Shad M. , Vega-Posada Carlos A. , Arboleda-Monsalve Luis G.
Published: November 2023

Highway pavements are designed to withstand the projected traffic loads while providing a high quality level of service. The large loads that pavements experience during the design life in conjunction with variable climate and moisture conditions accelerate the deterioration process and might cause premature failure of the pavements. In this research, a forensic study to assess the current performance of several asphalt concrete (AC) pavements is conducted. The structural condition of the AC sections, located in the State of Ohio, United States, was determined by means of the Falling Weight De¯ ectometer (FWD) testing method. The evaluation and interpretation of the FWD tests permit the assessment of potential short or medium-term rehabilitation projects. The methodology of analysis and data interpretation presented in this paper for the case of 110 km of asphalt concrete pavement in the State of Ohio, stands as a valuable technique in Colombia to determine, with actual field measurements, the condition and potential rehabilitation of the infrastructure system that is required to guarantee the sustainable economic development of the country.
A System for the Management, Visualization and Annotation of Digital Collections of Handwritten Historical Documents
Authors: Correa-Guillén Carlos Andrés , Gómez Ángel , López-Salas Estefanía
Published: November 2023

Today, there are huge amounts of handwritten documents accessible in digital collections. However, working with these documents for research purposes is limited due to the lack of appropriate technological tools to read, transcribe and analyze them in the same digital environment. This paper presents a web-application that allows a dynamic interaction with a particular collection, the so-called General Answers of the Cadaster of Ensenada. The app was designed to give access and support the analysis of these historical handwritten documents that are crucial to study the natural and human environment of the 18th-century Spain. The app allows parameterized searches, the visualization and annotation of digitized documents, and its integration with other applications through an API. In addition, it includes a functionality to segment and classify handwritten numbers automatically
EXPERIMENTAL SIMULATION OF FAST ELECTRON BOMBARDMENT OF METHANOL ICE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN ASTROCHEMISTRY
Authors: Moreira Freitas Fabricio , Pilling Sérgio
Published: November 2023

In this work, we experimentally simulate the methanol (CH3OH) ice behavior (12 K) through the bombarded by fast electrons (4.9 keV) in an attempt to simulate radiation chemistry induced by radiation in space environments. The sample analysis by infrared spectroscopy reveals the appearance of new species, including CO2, CO, H2O, and CH4, during the sample bombardment. We have quantified the effective destruction cross-section of methanol (5.5 × 10-19 cm2) and determined the formation cross-section for these newly produced species. Additionally, we have characterized the chemical equilibrium (CE) phase, which becomes evident at higher fluences. We have also calculated molecular abundances and assessed the desorption yield induced by fast electrons within the same sample. Furthermore, we estimated the timescale required to achieve chemical equilibrium in specific astrophysical environments impacted by electrons. This study significantly contributes to our comprehension of electron bombardment behavior in astrophysical ices and allows for meaningful comparisons with organic-rich ices in space environments
Correlation of Lumbar Spine Fat Thickness and Surgical Site Infection in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Surgery
Authors: AlEissa Sami , Konbaz Faisal , AlHelal Fahad , Abalkhail Majid , AlSalman Mohammad , AlMutlaq Mutlaq , Shaheen Naila , AlMahayni Abdullah , AlTheneyan Fahad , Jawadi Tariq
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious and common complication following any surgery. Patientsundergoing lumbar surgery have a higher risk for SSI. Therefore, it is essential to accurately identifythe risk factors of SSIs to prevent them. There is an insufficient number of studies internationally andonly one to our knowledge nationally that studied the correlation between lumbar fat thickness andSSI in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. Our aim was to identify the correlation betweenlumbar fat thickness and SSI and determine its predictive value compared to other risk factors inpredicting the incidence of SSI.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved all patients aged 18 and above who underwent primary elective degenerative lumbar spine surgery in National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA) from 2016 to 2020 at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All trauma and oncology cases, patients with previous spine surgery, non-instrumented cases, and emergency cases without preoperative radiological images were excluded. The pre-operative and post-operative measurements were assessed using the sagittal MRI images on the T1 view to measure the fat length of the lumbar spine from L2 to S1. Two observers evaluated the films, and the average measurement was documented for each level.
Results: 151 patients were included in our study, four of whom developed SSI. When comparing the demographics of both groups, BMI was found to be a significant variable between both groups, with a P-value of 0.013. However, there was no significance regarding age, gender, DM, HTN, steroid use, and level of stay for each group. Furthermore, there was no significance in all vertebrae levels except for L4 fat thickness, which was significantly higher in the SSI group with a P value of 0.0264.
Conclusion: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious and common complication following any surgical operation. Patients undergoing lumbar surgery have a higher risk for SSI. In this study, we concluded that an increased L4 fat thickness was a significant predictor of SSI.
Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion: An Observational Study of Functional and Radiological Outcome
Authors: Abdel Hafeez Dana , Abdel Hafeez Hosam , A. Al-Mohrej Omar , A. Al-Rabiah Mohammed , M. F. Magableh Hamzah , Bin Ahmed Ibrahim , Khan Nazir , M. Al-Rabiah Anwar
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) constitutes a minimally invasive procedure employed to address a spectrum of conditions including degenerative disc disorders, trauma, infections, and deformities. Despite its potential, there exists a scarcity of studies exploring perioperative functional and radiological outcomes. This prospective observational study seeks to address this gap by reporting these outcomes in patients treated at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) over a mean follow-up period of 5 years.
Methods This case series amassed baseline patient data, encompassing gender, age, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, operated level, and posterior fixation type. Primary outcome measures encompassed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Index (RMDI), Euro-Qol (EQ)-5D, visual analog scale (VAS), and EQ-5D index scores. Additionally, the study delved into secondary outcomes encompassing radiological parameters such as sagittal balance, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence.
Results: The study embraced 51 patients, comprising 9 females and 42 males, with a mean age of 58.6 years and a mean BMI of 29.3. The patients were followed for an average of 5.2 years. Stratification according to ASA classification revealed that 11.8% of patients were classified as ASA I, 52.9% as ASA II, and 35.3% as ASA III. The levels of operation included 60.8% at L4-L5, 33.3% at L3-L4, and 5.9% at L2-L3. The fixation techniques employed encompassed 58.8% bilateral and 41.2% unilateral approaches. The analysis of the primary clinical outcomes unveiled statistically significant enhancements in ODI, RMDI, EQ-5D VAS, and EQ-5D index scores. While lumbar lordosis registered a significant decrease, radiological parameters indicated non-significant shifts in pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope.
Conclusion The XLIF procedure emerges as an efficacious and minimally invasive avenue for managing degenerative disc disorders. The reported functional and radiological outcomes prove satisfactory. However, while demonstrably effective, the generation of clinical recommendations necessitates the compilation of results from randomized clinical trials.
Prevalence of Thromboembolic Events, Including Venous Thromboembolism and Arterial Thrombosis, in Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bagheri Babak , Alipour Abbas , Yousefi Mojtaba , Jalalian Rozita , Moghimi Minoo , Mohammadi Mahsa , Hassanpour Negar , Iranian Mohammadreza
Published: November 2023

Background: Many studies have evaluated thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients, and most of them have reported a high estimation of the prevalence of such events. The present study sought to evaluate the prevalence of thromboembolic events in patients with COVID-19.
Methods: This study is a systematic review with meta-analysis that investigated thromboembolic events in patients with COVID-19 from the start of the pandemic to August 31, 2021. The 4 main databases for collecting articles were Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, arterial thrombosis, and the overall rate of thromboembolic events were considered primary outcomes.
Results: In a total of 63 studies (104 920 patients with COVID-19), the overall thrombosis rate was 21% (95% CI, 18% to 25%), the rate of deep vein thrombosis was 20% (95% Cl, 16% to 25%), the rate of pulmonary embolism was 8% (95% Cl, 6% to 10%), and the rate of arterial thrombosis was 5% (95% Cl, 3% to 7%). The prevalence of all primary outcomes in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was significantly higher (P<0.05). In older patients, the prevalence of overall thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis was significantly higher (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that COVID-19 increases the risk of thromboembolic events, especially in elderly and critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Therefore, more strategies are needed to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with COVID-19, especially in ICU-admitted and elderly patients.
Comparison of the Effects of Rosmarinic Acid and Electromagnetic Radiation-Induced Cardiotoxicity on Rats
Authors: Goudarzi Mehdi , Fatahi Asl Jafar , Shoghi Hamed
Published: November 2023

Background: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) causes stable aggregation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), producing oxidative stress. Rosmarinic acid (RA), a plant-origin antioxidant, has been proposed against the side effects of cell phone and ultrahigh-frequency waves.
Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 (controls) received 5 mL of normal saline with the gavage method, Group 2 received 915 MHz radiation, Group 3 received 2450 MHz radiation, Group 4 received RA plus 915 MHz radiation, Group 5 received RA plus 2450MHz radiation, and Group 6 received oral RA (5 mg/kg). Treatment and radiation (1 hour per day) continued for up to 30 days.
Results: EMR significantly reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), the content of glutathione (GSH), and the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and significantly increased oxidative stress indices, such as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), and the content of protein carbonyl (PC). In contrast, RA significantly elevated TAC level (all groups), GSH content (the RA/cell phone radiation group), GPx activity (the RA/ultrahigh-frequency radiation group), SOD activity (all groups), and CAT activity (RA/ultrahigh-frequency radiation group) and conversely reduced MDA level (all groups), NO level (all groups), and PC content (all groups) in the RA/cell phone and RA/ultrahigh-frequency radiation groups compared with the NS/cell phone and NS/ultrahigh-frequency radiation groups, respectively. The administration of RA resulted in a significant reversal of cardiac markers in EMR-intoxicated rats.
Conclusion: RA treatment showed a significant protective effect against EMR-induced cardiotoxicity.
Giant Coronary Aneurysms with Multiple Large Resistant Thromboses in an 8-Month-Old Boy with IVIg-Resistant Kawasaki Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Gorji Mojtaba , Taraz Maryam , Gharib Behdad , Ziaee Vahid
Published: November 2023

Kawasaki disease is an acute self-limiting systemic vasculitis in childhood, resulting in arterial swelling or inflammation and eventually leading to cardiovascular problems, such as coronary artery aneurysms. Based on previous studies, serum sodium ≤133 mmol/L, albumin ≤3.2 g/dL, alanine transaminase ≥80 U/L, and neutrophil percentage ≥80% at diagnosis are risk factors for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). However, the prevalence of resistance to Ig among children with Kawasaki disease varies among different countries due to diversity in evaluation, treatment, and diagnosis.
Approximately, 10% to 20% of patients have IVIg-resistant Kawasaki disease. As the probability of coronary artery damage associated with IVIg-resistant Kawasaki disease is higher than that with IVIg-sensitive Kawasaki disease, the early detection and appropriate treatment of IVIg-resistant Kawasaki disease can decrease the probability of damage to coronary arteries and hospital lengths of stay and cost.
Kawasaki disease in early infancy is uncommon, and sometimes it occurs with thrombosis and peripheral gangrene. A positive genetic background may play a role in susceptibility to thrombosis.
We herein describe a patient suffering from an IVIg-resistant Kawasaki disease with severe coronary artery thrombosis and positive genetic mutation. Medical treatment resolved the thrombosis, but the coronary arteries remained dilated.
Neglected Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return during Atrial Septal Defect Device Closure
Authors: Radmehr Elahe , Radmehr Hassan , Shahidi Mohsen , Sayadpour Zanjani Keyhan
Published: November 2023

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a rare congenital heart malformation in which 1 or more pulmonary veins drain into the systemic venous circulation or directly into the right atrium instead of the left atrium. It may occur alongside other congenital heart defects, including atrial septal defect (ASD). All patients with newly diagnosed ASD must be evaluated thoroughly for the likelihood of PAPVR to select surgical or percutaneous procedures.
Here, we describe a 10-year-old girl with PAPVR who underwent percutaneous device closure of her secundum ASD with her PAPVR neglected at 3 years of age. We had to correct the anomalous venous connection by removing the device during an intricate procedure. The typical connection of the pulmonary veins to the left atrium was reported on her postoperative echocardiography 1 day after surgery. The patient was discharged without complications, and her first follow-up visit 7 days after discharge was unremarkable. While the most accurate diagnostic tools for PAPVR are cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic angiography, a careful examination of the pulmonary veins during pulmonary angiography or transesophageal echocardiography in children helps identify PAPVR in patients with ASD.
A Forgotten Bulldog Clamp during a Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Tarbiat Masoud , Salimbahrami Sayed Ahmad Reza , Rezaei Mahmoud , Khorshidi Hamid Reza
Published: November 2023

The Article Abstract is not available.
Assessing Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Rice Genotypes using ISSR Markers
Authors: Jegadeeswaran M. , Nithya V.N. , Salini A.P. , Vanitha J. , Mahendran R. , Maheswaran M.
Published: November 2023

Background: The realm of genetic diversity within rice is immense and undermining it provides the opportunity to utilize them in rice improvement programs. Hence in our study, we aimed to undermine the genetic composition and structure of the selected rice accessions utilizing ISSR marker systems. Methods: ISSR analysis encompassed a set of thirty genotypes, comprising 16 cultivated varieties and 14 landraces. The screening was performed with a total of 49 ISSR primers. The consensus tree constructed from banding patterns generated by ISSR-PCR clustered 30 genotypes according to their respective genomes. The Sequential Agglomerative Hierarchical Non-overlapping (SAHN) clustering was employed with the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) method. The grouping of the 30 accessions was carried out through data analysis using NTSYSpc 2.02. Result: Utilizing 49 ISSR markers, the cluster analysis produced three clusters. These clusters displayed pronounced separation and exhibited evident patterns. The Cluster I encompassed Bharathi, BG367-2, PTB33, ASD9, ASD16, ASD20, Rathu Heenati and Columbia-2. Notably, the largest cluster was Cluster II comprising 20 accessions, while Cluster III contained only Jeeraga Samba and Basmati 370. The study validates the efficacy of ISSR markers in detecting polymorphism within and among rice populations and/or species. The resulting DNA profiles hold potential for serving as diagnostic fingerprints of both cultivated and wild rice germplasm, aiding in comprehending evolutionary relationships.
The Effect of the Use of Durian Seed Flour (Durio zibethinus Murr) as a Filler on the Physiochemical and Microbiology of Salami
Authors: Sembor S.M. , Liwe H. , Lontaan N.N. , Rumondor D.R.B. , Wuntu N.L.
Published: November 2023

Background: Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr) is a very popular fruit in Indonesia. People consume durian flesh because it has high nutritional value and delicious taste, while the durian skin and seeds are thrown away as waste. Durian seed flour contains quite a lot of starch, so it can be used as a filling ingredient for salami. The purpose of this study was to determine the physicochemical and microbiological quality of salami using durian seed flour as a filler. Methods: The research has been successfully carried out using a completely randomized design with five treatments P0(0%), P1(5%), P2(10%), P3(15%), P4(20%) each treatment was repeated 4 times. Parameters measured include physical and chemical and microbiology. The data used by ANOVA and continued with the Tukey test. Result: The research results show that the cooking losses decreased from 24.48%-8.31% and #39; Water Holding Capacity increased from 27.78%-51.97%; Softness increases from 13.94-22.39 mm/g/10 seconds. While the chemical quality of the water content increased from 40.46%-44.84%; Fat decreased from 19.95-13.75%; Protein decreased from 24.90-20.74%; Carbohydrates increased from 40.46-44.84%; Microbiological such as pH 4.07-4.08; Total Plate Count decreased from 3.57×103 CFU/gram - 3.038×103 CFU/gram. The study concluded that Durian seed flour cat a level of 15% could be used as a filler which improved the physicochemical and microbiological quality of salami.
End-to-End Continuous Small-Scale Drug Substance Manufacturing: From Continuous in-situ Nucleator to Free-Flowing Crystalline Particles
Authors: Kufner Anne Cathrine , Meier Marc Peter , Wohlgemuth Kerstin
Published: November 2023

In the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical manufacturing, a comprehensive continuous production process is being crafted for small-scale active pharmaceutical ingredient production. This study focuses on continuous crystallization with separate nucleation and crystal growth units, as well as continuous downstream processing, encompassing filtration, washing, and drying until the formation of free-flowing particles. We introduce a novel continuous nucleator designed based on solubility data and produced via 3D printing, enabling a fast and precise small-scale manufacturing of a nucleator meeting the requirements for nucleation and for the further growth processes. The nucleator was evaluated with regard to its suitability for continuous long-term operation across various coupled crystallizers. As a practical application example it is connected to a slug flow crystallizer to enable high-quality continuous crystallization. Additionally, the full integration of downstream processes using the continuous vacuum screw filter to achieve free-flowing product particles is realized. Even under non-optimized process conditions, with the help of in-situ generation of nuclei free-flowing product particles were successfully obtained. This is particularly useful during drug development when no material is available for seed addition and quickly obtain product for further characterization.
Petrographic and Geotechnical Study of Aggregates from the Alfallé Magmatic and Metamorphic Massif (Central Chad )
Authors: Al-hadj Hamid Zagalo , Rochette Pierre , Allafouza Annour Birké
Published: November 2023

This study focused on aggregates from the geological formations of the Alfallé massif located approximately 75km east of the town of N'Goura, in the Hadjer-Lamis Province (13°N, 17°E). The aim of this study is to determine the petrographic and geotechnical characteristics of these aggregates with a view to their recovery. Petrographically, the massif outcrops in blocks, balls and slabs. It is made up of three types of rock: alkali feldspar megacrystalline granite, biotite mi-crogranite and biotite gneiss. Alkali feldspar megacrystalline granite is composed of quartz (30%), orthoclase (30%), plagioclase (20%), biotite (15%) and opaque minerals (≈5%). Biotite mi-crogranite is composed of quartz (15-20%), orthoclase (20-25%), plagioclase (18-25%), biotite (20-25%) and opaque minerals (≈4%). The biotite gneiss is composed of quartz (25-30%), alkali feldspars (25-27%), plagioclase (17%), biotite (25-27%) and opaque minerals (≈5%). The geotech-nical characteristics show that the aggregates studied have specific density values of between 2.58 and 2.75g/cm3 with an average value of 2.66g/cm3, bulk density of 1, 3 to 1.4g/cm3 with an av-erage value of 1.3g/cm3, a Los-Angeles coefficient of 11.2% to 28.9% with an average value of 20.1% and a wet Micro-Deval coefficient of 5.2% to 10.8% with an average value of 7.6%. The values obtained indicate that the materials studied have satisfactory properties, with the excep-tion of samples E4 and E1, which respectively show aggregates with excellent geotechnical prop-erties and materials with limited impact resistance. These results are conclusive and of scientific interest for the exploitation of an aggregates quarry.
Endotypes of Atopic Dermatitis: Correspondence to Classical Subtypes
Authors: Suzuki Tsuyoshi , Kondo Shumpei , Ogura Yasuaki , Otsuka Masaki , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: November 2023

Since atopic dermatitis (AD) is a heterogeneous condition, subtyping of AD is a crucial issue. The classical subtypes of AD are represented by extrinsic and intrinsic subtypes, European American and Asian subtypes, and adult and pediatric subtypes. While subtyping of AD was historically conducted based on the phenotype, recent findings on the mechanisms of AD have revealed importance of the endotype, which can characterize individual patients more accurately. Considering the current development of AD therapies, AD endotyping is prerequisite for personalized therapeutic choice. Endotypes of AD can be stratified from different viewpoints, including cytokine expression patterns, allergen properties, epidermal barrier conditions, ceramide variation, involvement of innate immunity, and serum biomarkers. Among them, the cytokine-based endotype seems to be the most useful one and is categorized into type 2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31)-high, type 1 cytokine (interferon-g)-high, and/or type 3 cytokine (IL-22 and IL-17)-high, or mixed subtypes. The recently biomarker-proposed endotyping aims at individualized treatment options, although the daily clinical use of endotypes is a future issue. To better understand the endotypes for clinicians, attempts to adjust each of the classical subtypes to the endotypes are required. This review will discuss the correspondence of the classical subtypes to the various endotypes that have recently been proposed.
Rheology, Mechanical Properties and Shrinkage of Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Cement Kiln and By-Pass Filter Dust
Authors: Kounadis Andreas F. , Badogiannis Efstratios G. , Sideris Kosmas K. , Antiochos Stelios , Marinos Ioannis
Published: November 2023

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a high-quality construction solution combining high fluidity, passing and filling ability with improved mechanical properties and durability. In the present study, the effect of incorporating alternative waste materials, such as two by-products of the ce-ment industry, namely cement kiln dust (CKD) and by-pass dust (BPD), into SCC as partial re-placement for traditional filler material was investigated. The produced compositions were compared with reference mixtures containing only marble powder (MP) as a filler. A series of tests including specific test methods for wet SCC, compressive, flexural and tensile splitting strength tests as well as drying shrinkage determination were conducted to evaluate the quality of the produced SCC in terms of fresh and hardened SCC properties. The use of alternative fine filler materials resulted in a high-performance sustainable SCC of low cement content. Specifi-cally, incorporating CKD into the SCC enhanced its rheological behavior and improved slightly its mechanical properties, while the use of BPD led to SCC mixtures of adequate rheological characteristics but with highly upgraded mechanical and physical properties
Developing Pharmacological Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress: A Scoping Review
Authors: Menezes Júnior Antônio da Silva , Silva Ana Luísa Guedes de França e , Oliveira Joyce Monteiro de , Silva Daniela Melo
Published: November 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrhythmia caused by electrophysiological anomalies in the atrial tissue, tissue degradation, structural abnormalities, and comorbidities. A direct relation exists between AF and altered mitochondrial activity resulting from membrane potential loss, contractile dysfunction, or decreased ATP levels. This review aimed to elucidate the role of mitochondrial oxidative mechanisms in AF pathophysiology, the impact of mitochondrial oxidative stress on AF initiation and perpetuation, and current therapies. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews. PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, and Scopus were explored until June 2023 using "MESH terms." Bibliographic references from relevant papers were also included. Oxidative stress is an imbalance that causes cellular damage from excessive oxidation, resulting in conditions such as AF. An imbalance in reactive oxygen species production and elimination can cause mitochondrial damage, cellular apoptosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress and inflammation are intrinsically linked, and inflammatory pathways are highly correlated with the occurrence of AF. AF is an intricate cardiac condition that requires innovative therapeutic approaches. The involvement of mitochondrial oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of AF introduces novel strategies for clinical treatment.
Randomized Clinical Trial Demonstrate the Safety Assessment of Dietzia natronolimnaea C79793-74 for Use as a Probiotic in Humans
Authors: García Menéndez Gissel , Soto Josanne , Barreto Jesus , Gutiérez Ángela , Soto Carmen , Beatriz Pérez Ana , Peña Yudith , Cano Raul de Jesus
Published: November 2023

Dietzia natronolimnaea C79793-74 has emerged as a potential probiotic strain with implications for managing Crohn's disease. This study evaluates the safety profile of D. natronolimnaea C79793-74 as a probiotic sup-plement. Genotypic characterization involved a 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequencing and genome an-notation. The safety assessment included interrogation of the assembled genome for antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors, utilizing the CARD and VFDB databases. Notably, the analysis revealed an ab-sence of antibiotic resistance or virulence factors in Dietzia natronolimnaea C79793-74. The safety and tol-erability of D. natronolimnaea C79793-74 were further investigated in an 8-week double-blind, place-bo-controlled clinical trial involving healthy adult participants. A daily dose of 5 x 109 CFU of the probiotic strain was administered. This clinical trial represents the first assessment of the safety of D. natronolimnaea C79793-74 in human subjects. Results demonstrated that participants in both the Dietzia and Placebo groups maintained clinical and hematologic markers within the normal range throughout the study. More-over, the probiotic strain was well-tolerated, with nearly all participants experiencing no severe or medium adverse events. Collectively, the comprehensive data obtained in this study support the inference that Dietzia natronolimnaea C79793-74 is safe and well-tolerated as a nutritional supplement for human con-sumption
Exact Response Theory for Time-Dependent and Stochastic Perturbations
Authors: Rondoni Lamberto , Iannella Leonardo
Published: November 2023

The exact, non perturbative, response theory developed within the field of nonequilibrium molecular
dynamics, also known as TTCF (Transient Time Correlation Function) applies to quite general dynamical systems. Its key element is called dissipation function, because it represents the power dissipated by external fields acting on the particle system of interest, whose coupling with the environment is
given by deterministic thermostats. This theory has been initially developed for time independent external perturbations, and then it has been extended to time dependent perturbations. It has also been applied to dynamical systems of different nature, and to oscillator models undergoing phase transitions, which cannot be treated withe.g. linear response theory. The present work includes time dependent stochastic perturbations, in the theory, using the Karhunen-Loeve theorem. This leads to three different investigations of a given process. One in which a single realization of the stochastic coefficients is fixed, and averages are taken only over the initial conditions, as in a deterministic process. In the second, the initial condition is fixed, and averages are taken with respect to the distribution of stochastic coefficients. In the last investigations, one averages over both initial conditions and stochastic coefficients. We conclude illustrating the applicability of the resulting exact response theory with simple examples.
Assessment of Future Water Demand for Resilient Water Allocation under Socioeconomic and Climate Change Scenarios, a Case of Ghba Subbasin, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Hiben Mehari Gebreyohannes , Awoke Admasu Gebeyehu , Ashenafi Abraha Adugna
Published: November 2023

The impact of climate change on water resources is a global issue with significant regional
implications. The Ghba subbasin has experienced a higher socioeconomic change. In this
paper, we assess the potential impact of climate change and human activity on water supply
and demand in the Ghba subbasin of Ethiopia. We then evaluate the effectiveness of regional
adaptation strategies for water supply management under these conditions. To do this, we use
the statistical downscaling model (SDSM) and the water assessment and planning tool (WEAP)
to simulate and analyse future water conditions. After running the model through a calibration
and validation process, minimum (Tmin) and maximum (Tmax) temperatures, water demand and
unmet water demand were projected for 2100 horizon, using different climate change
scenarios. The results showed that the model's performance, calibration, and validation were
all satisfactory. The analysis showed that, under A2 and B2 emission scenarios of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the mean precipitation will increase by
31% and 26%, respectively. The projected mean Tmax and Tmin will be warmer than the
baseline period, with Tmax increasing by 1.5°C (A2) and 1.3°C (B2), and Tmin by 1.7°C (A2)
and 1.5°C (B2) by 2100. The results also illustrate that in all scenarios, water consumption
would rise and that this need will not be satisfied, and the pressure on water resources will
intensify, resulting in a water shortage. The findings show that future water demand under the
influence of climate change is projected to exceed 210 million cubic meters (MCM) by 2100.
The findings show that while the evaluations of the recommended adaption techniques are
effective, they are not enough to guarantee the Ghba subbasin's water sustainability.
The Sclerotinia sclerotiorum ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Plays an Essential Role in Abiotic Stress Response and Fungal Virulence to Host Plants
Authors: Wang Kunmei , Wang Siyi , Wang Ting , Xia Qi , Xia Shitou
Published: November 2023

The ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6), as the only member of the Arf family III protein, has been extensively studied for its diverse biological functions in animals. Previously, the Arf6 protein in Magnaporthe oryzae was found to be crucial for endocytosis and polarity establishment during asexual development. However, its role remains unclear in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Here, we identified and characterized SsArf6 in S. sclerotiorum using a reverse genetic approach. Deletion of SsArf6 impaired hyphal growth and development, and produced more branches. Interestingly, knockout of SsArf6 enhanced the tolerance of S. sclerotiorum to oxidative stress but the sensitivity to osmotic stress, and increased melanin accumulation, indicative of different roles of SsArf6 in various stress responses. Moreover, the appressorium formation was severely impaired, and fungal virulence to host plants was significantly reduced. Overall, our findings demonstrate the essential role of SsArf6 in hyphal development, stress responses, appressorium formation, and fungal virulence to host plants.
Catastrophic Sports Injuries
Authors: Boden Barry P. , Anderson Scott A. , Sheehan Frances T.
Published: November 2023

➤ Catastrophic injuries in U.S. high school and college athletes are rare but devastating injuries.

➤ Catastrophic sports injuries are classified as either traumatic, caused by direct contact during sports participation, or nontraumatic, associated with exertion while participating in a sport.

➤ Football is associated with the greatest number of traumatic and nontraumatic catastrophic injuries for male athletes, whereas cheerleading has the highest number of traumatic catastrophic injuries and basketball has the highest number of nontraumatic catastrophic injuries for female athletes.

➤ The incidence of traumatic catastrophic injuries for all sports has declined over the past 40 years, due to effective rule changes, especially in football, pole-vaulting, cheerleading, ice hockey, and rugby. Further research is necessary to reduce the incidence of structural brain injury in contact sports such as football.

➤ The incidence of nontraumatic catastrophic injuries has increased over the last 40 years and requires additional research and preventive measures. Avoiding overexertion during training, confirming sickle cell trait status in high school athletes during the preparticipation physical examination, and developing cost-effective screening tools for cardiac abnormalities are critical next steps.
Permeability Dependence of a Sand Packed Tube on the Type of Fluid and Grains Sorting
Authors: Sagirov R. N. , Bolotov A. V. , Varfolomeev M. A. , Derevyanko V. K. , Tazeev A. R. , Minkhanov I. F. , Tuktarov R. F. , Demchenkov D. V.
Published: November 2023

Rock permeability depends on the type of a fluid, the type of a reservoir, and many other factors. The object of study was a sand packed tube with sieved sand, which was affected by a hydraulic press with different loads In this article, the authors described the dependence of several parameters on the sorting of grains and a correlation coefficient determined: for absolute gas permeability – 0.964, porosity −0.958, permeability for distilled water −0.935, permeability for highly mineralized water −0.935, phase permeability and displacement efficiency. The results of the research show a direct dependence of all the parameters on the sorting of grains. The distraction of grains under different loads was shown by microscopic and sieve analysis. With increasing of load the content of less-size grains increases from 0 to 14 per cent. During the experiment, an effect was observed that had never been previously described in literature. The effect is that once the maximum destruction of the grains has been reached, the permeability of distilled water becomes higher than the permeability of mineralized water difference in permeability is about 60 per cent.
Binary Mixture Thermo-Chemical (BiMTheCh) Technology for Development of Low-Permeable Formations of Oil Fields in Caspian Sea
Authors: Koochi M. Rezaei , Rojas A. , Varfolomeev M. A. , Khormali A. , Lishcuk A. N.
Published: November 2023

Binary mixture thermo-chemical (BiMTheCh) technology refers to energy-releasing chemicals which can be injected into the reservoir with in-situ generation of heat, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. As laboratory investigations show, BiMTheCh or thermochemical fluid has proved to be a highly effective technology for stimulation of oil wells with heavy oil and low permeability.

In this work, the feasibility of this technology for stimulation of brown fields from laboratory to field scale is investigated. First, on the laboratory scale, thermobaric parameters of the reaction were studied to optimize the composition of injecting chemicals. And finally, the optimized composition is applied to enhance oil recovery from low permeable reservoirs in Russia.

Laboratory results show that BiMTheCh can be used for removing asphaltene and resin from near borehole zone by melting them. Generated gases after the reaction create a network of fractures in the vicinity of the reaction zone and simultaneously, by inducing a thermobaric shock, cracks oil molecules and upgrades oil directly into the reservoir. Oil field data in 5 wells shows that oil production increased 2-3 folds with a duration of 12 months or more.

BiMTheCh can be used for stimulation of green and brown fields with a high efficiency in a safe rig-less mode.
Gel System for Water Shut-Off Operations in Oil Wells
Authors: Suleimanov B. A. , Gurbanov A. Q. , Tapdigov Sh. Z.
Published: November 2023

This study presents a new approach to creating a cost-effective thermally active formulation using readily available raw materials, including a gelation initiator and a gel-forming agent solution, designed for water shut-off applications. The innovation lies in the ability to customize the gelation time to match the well's specific conditions by adjusting the molar ratio and temperature. The proposed method involves introducing a thermally active blend of gel-forming initiator and gelling agent solutions to prevent water inflow into wells. Optimal concentrations for the mixture components were identified as 10-12% for the gel initiator and 9-10% for the gel-forming agent. Furthermore, the research revealed that escalating the temperature from 20 °C to 60 °C led to a remarkable 5-6-fold reduction in gelation time. At temperatures surpassing 60 °C, gel formation was achieved within 1-2 hours. Experiments conducted on both carbonate and sandstone reservoir models unveiled that the highest displacement efficiencies (%) were attained with the injection of a freshly prepared mixture (12.2% and 14.3% respectively). Notably, oil sweeping trials highlighted the superior efficiency of the newly devised method for water shut-off, using the thermally active gelling agent, surpassing the performance of established compositions in terms of technological effectiveness.
A Methodology for Assessing and Improving the Capacity of CO2 Injection in Saline Aquifers
Authors: Askoul Y. , Patil T. , Samy A.
Published: November 2023

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is recognized as one of the key strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. In CCS, carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured from industrial processes, compressed, and injected into geological formations, such as saline aquifers, for long-term storage. However, the success of CCS depends on the capacity of geological formations to store CO2 safely and securely. As saline aquifers form one of the potential known geological storage, evaluating the capacity reliably early in time is valuable. This paper presents a methodology for assessing the CO2 capacity using a material balance approach and comparing the results with dynamic simulation in order to define if an early reliable estimation is possible.

The methodology includes four main steps: (1) data collection and analysis, (2) reservoir characterization understanding, (3) modelling and simulation, and (4) sensitivity analysis and optimization.

The first step involves collecting and analysing data on the reservoir and injection operations, such as geological and hydrogeological parameters, reservoir pressure, and injection rate. The second step focuses on characterizing the saline aquifer using geological data. The third step involves developing a material balance model to simulate the injection and storage of CO2 in the aquifer, then compared to the dynamic simulation. The fourth step involves performing sensitivity analysis and optimization to evaluate the impact of different parameters on CO2 storage capacity, including operating condition, injection pressure and rate, then the optimum strategy for improving the injection efficiency can be identified.

The proposed methodology was applied, and the results showed that the material balance model could help to predict the behaviour of CO2 storage capacity at an early stage with reasonable and acceptable accuracy. Sensitivity analysis on reservoir permeability, injection rate, and reservoir pressure has been conducted and the results are discussed in this paper. The optimization analysis identified that increasing the injection rate and maintaining high reservoir pressure could significantly improve CO2 storage capacity.

In conclusion, the proposed methodology provides a comprehensive and systematic approach for assessing the capacity of CO2 in saline aquifers at an early stage as well as the potential solutions to improve the capacity.
Surfactant in Cement Slurry: Solution for the Problem of Incompatibility with Oil Based Mud
Authors: Bakhareva Elizaveta , Sukhachev Vasilii , Kolchanov Petr , Sozonov Alexander , Zinovyeva Anastasia , Olennikova Olesya , Akhmetzianov Ilshat
Published: November 2023

The main well cementing objective is to provide complete isolation of the formations behind the casing. To achieve this goal, the drilling fluid (mud) must be completely displaced in the annulus by cement. Effective mud removal is ensured by properly selected densities and fluid rheological hierarchy. However, even with ideal compliance with this rules, the oil based drilling fluid may not be completely replaced in the annulus. In such a case, contact of incompatible liquids occurs: cement and oil based mud. This leads to the formation of a viscous mass, which can cause high friction pressure during cementing job. In this situation, the zonal isolation of the formations is violated, and expensive remedial cementing job may be required. One solution for such cases may be use of surfactants to modify the properties of cementing systems in order to improve the compatibility of the drilling mud and cement slurry system.

This paper presents the results of study describing the possibilities of using various surfactants and their effectiveness when used in cement slurries. The surfactant selection to obtain rheological compatibility of the oil based mud and cement slurry system is theoretically justified.

The main attention was paid to rheological compatibility assessment and influence of surfactants on cement slurry properties, such as compressive strength development and thickening time. In addition to the initial assessment of the cement slurry properties, tests were carried out to determine cleaning and invert emulsion ability. In the process of studying, an express method for assessing the compatibility of cement and drilling mud was proposed and used.

The work has shown that surfactant addition to cement slurry improves rheological compatibility between the cement and drilling fluid. The dependence of the rheological compatibility experiment results and type of surfactant is found. Technical and experimental confirmation of possibility of well cementing without the use of a spacer, was obtained.

The novelty of the work is methodological approach for compatibility assessment of surfactant in cement slurry and slurry with drilling fluid (mud). This approach includes express method to select best surfactants candidates for further evaluation. The results of this study potentially allow to abandon the use of spacer in well cementing process and improve the quality of well cementing.