bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart MIMO-OFDM Wireless Communication Frameworks for Subsurface Wireless Sensor
Authors: Katterbauer Klemens , Al Shehri Abdallah
Published: October 2022

Wireless communication in subsurface wells and reservoir has been a major challenge in ensuring robust data transmission, and reliable communication between the sensors. Challenges from the multiple reflection as well as other external factors, makes subsurface communication a unique challenge for modern communication algorithms. While multiple-Input, multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) communication has been extensively implemented in wireless communication for signal processing, unique challenges arise in subsurface reservoirs caused by unknown formation properties and fluid movements.

We present a new smart MIMO-OFDM algorithm for wireless communication in subsurface reservoirs. The new algorithm integrates both MIMO and OFDM into a deep learning framework. It optimizes the communication quality as well as reliability of the communication between the various subsurface wireless devices. The joint integration and smart adjustment leverages the power of both algorithms simultaneously, and allows significantly improved communication robustness between the wireless devices.

We tested the smart MIMO-OFDM on a synthetic carbonate reservoir formation with multiple wireless sensors and wireless appliances. Fracture Robots (FracBots, about 5 mm in size) technology will be used to sense key reservoir parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, pH and other chemical parameters). The technology is comprised of a wireless microsensor network for mapping and monitoring fracture channels in conventional and unconventional reservoirs. The system establishes wireless network connectivity via magnetic induction (MI)-based communication, since it exhibits highly reliable and constant channel conditions with sufficiently communication range inside an oil reservoir environment. The results exhibited strong performance of the wireless communication, hence providing reliable and robust subsurface wireless communication.

The novel framework presents a vital component in enhancing subsurface wireless communication and achieve robust data transfer. The results outline the opportunity for wireless communication to become a critical component for subsurface communication.
Design, Operation and Maintenance of Subsea High Integrity Pressure Protection System and Subsea Automated Pig Launcher for Shallow Water Gas Condensate Field Development in Malaysia
Authors: Nasri Huang Farah Julieana , Hashim Muhammad Fikri , Omar Siti Aisyah
Published: October 2022

Objectives/Scope

This paper provides an overview of design, operation, and maintenance of Subsea High Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS) and Subsea Automated Pig Launcher (SAPL) in a shallow water gas condensate field development offshore Sarawak, Malaysia. It will outline the key technical drivers for the subsea field architecture development and technology qualification programme that was undertaken to manage the risk and uncertainties with deployment and operation of new subsea technology.

Methods, Procedures, Process

The shallow water field hereby denotes as "Field K" is located approximately 200 km offshore Sarawak, Malaysia at water depth of around 80 meter. The field consists of two (2) subsea wells and is expected to deliver non-associated gas at rate of 200 MMscf/d to a Central Processing Platform (CPP), located approximately 5 km away from the wells. The field was initially planned to be developed using a wellhead platform but mid-way through the project, it was decided for Field K to be developed using Subsea Production System (SPS) with the following key requirements: -

Meet production target of 200 MMscf/d Achieve production availability of 96% Diverless philosophy throughout the field life Utilize the procured 24 inch Carbon Steel (CS) pipeline with design pressure of 83 barg Implement safety protection system that complies to Safety Integrity Level (SIL) 4 requirement to safeguard downstream facilities from the wells Closed in Tubing Head Pressure (CITHP) of 240 barg. Operational pigging to be carried out every 3 months and intelligent pigging every five (5) year for the 24 inch CS pipeline Any new technology to be implemented shall reach minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 as per API 17N prior to its installation.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

A subsea technology screening and gap assessment was performed using API 17N and Company Internal Standards, and it was decided for the field to be developed using two 7 in. horizontal subsea tree, with two unit of Subsea HIPPS on manifold and retrievable Subsea Automated Pig Launcher at Pipeline End Termination (PLET). The field commenced its operation in December 2012 and was able to meet all the field key requirements identified. It was also the first subsea shallow water field that was designed, build, and operated by the Company. The paper will also highlight the key lessons learned and best practices during design, operation and maintenance that can be shared with other Operators and Industry.

Novel/Additive Information

The paper will outline the design, operational consideration, and necessary technology qualification program for new/modified subsea technology i.e., Subsea HIPPS and Subsea Automated Pig Launcher prior to deployment.
Probabilistic Estimation of Rigless Plug and Abandonment Campaign in Mahakam Offshore Fields
Authors: Sinaga Rahmat , Styward Boris , Yandra Garry Andrew
Published: October 2022

Under the low commodity prices, the operator of the marginal fields has been constantly initiating the ways to improve efficiency. Re-entry wells technique has been chosen as one of many to achieve the objective. Plug and abandonment (P&A) campaign has become massively conducted to prepare the wells for the re-entry. Moreover, a hydraulic workover unit (HWU) is utilized to support the drilling rigs in executing such projects in the last 3 (three) years.

Since the nature of the operation involves multiple stakeholders, careful planning is required to ensure that the company's objectives are well delivered. Therefore, estimating duration of single well P&A is more critical to gain the better perspective in the early stages.

This paper explains the probabilistic technique developed in forecasting the project's duration. Historical data are collected and multi-level statistical data analytics are performed to establish a tool for estimating the days, costs and finally providing valuable feedback for the initial planning.

Utilizing the probabilistic method in this case for the last 5 (five) wells of P&A campaign has showed significant approximation to the actual days. Therefore, the operator is confidence to continuously use this method for the planning.

Besides predicting the main scope of P&A works, the tool has accommodated the duration of the non-productive time (NPT) as well as the wait on weather (WOW) for each P&A well. Hence, the probabilistic method introduced in this paper can be beneficial not only for estimating but also enhancing the performance evaluation as the part of continuous improvement.
Effect of cellulose-nanoparticles (CNPs) and nanoclay (NC) reinforced starch based biocomposite films on thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Olusanya John Olumide , Mohan T P , Kanny K
Published: October 2022

This paper explores the effect of nanoclay as improvement to the interfacial properties of starch bioplastic material filled with cellulose-nanoparticles (CNPs). At the initial, cornstarch bioplastics filled with CNPs were prepared. The CNPs were prepared through acid-hydrolysis process by using acid concentration to break the amorphous region of chopped fiber to produce nano-cellulose. Various CNPs concentration (0.5–2.5 wt.%) were dispersed in cornstarch biopolymer matrix. Cornstarch bioplastic reinforced with 1.5 wt.% of CNPs showed optimum improvement in thermal and mechanical properties. Furthermore, nanoclay (NC) of varying weight percentage (0.1–0.5 wt. %) were added to the optimum improved 1.5 wt.% CNP/cornstarch biopolymer material solution. Hence, cellulose-nanoparticles/nanoclay (CNPs/NC) reinforced cornstarch bioplastic films were formed by solution casting method.
Portuguese version of the HLS-EU-Q6 and HLS-EU-Q16 questionnaire: psychometric properties
Authors: Pedro Ana Rita , Raposo Beatriz , Luís Luís , Amaral Odete , Escoval Ana , Dias Sara Simões
Published: October 2022

Background

Health Literacy (HL) refers to the empowerment and competencies of individuals and the general population to navigate in the various areas of health care, to make decisions regarding their health in everyday life in an individual, family, or social context. Due to the dynamic process of health literacy, health professionals need to have a set of skills and real information that allow them to adapt to the changing landscape of people's literacy in order to empower them in the areas they need. To succeed, it is crucial to have the means to determine the health literacy level of the general population, in this case in the Portuguese context. Therefore, this study aims to measure the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of HLS-EU-Q16 (HLS-EU-PT-Q16) and HLS-EU-Q6 (HLS-EU-PT-Q6) from the long form of HLS-EU-Q47 already validated for Portugal (HLS-EU-PT).

Methods

In order to analyse the results already obtained, a comparison was made with HLS-EU-PT index. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between the single items and scale scores. Cronbach’s alphas for all the indexes were calculated as a measure of internal consistency. For comparison associations between all the HL indexes - non-parametric test were calculated. The software used for the statistical analysis was SPSS (version 28.0).

Results

Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for HLS-EU-PT-Q16 internal consistency was 0.89 overall, and regarding HLS-EU-PT-Q6 the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient obtained was 0.777 overall. Indexes were not normally distributed, and Spearman correlation was computed. The results obtained in the correlation between G HL47 and G HL16 indexes (ρ=0.949, p<0.001) and the correlation between G HL6 and HLS-EU-PT-Q6 have a perfect correlation.

Conclusions

The HLS-EU-PT-Q16 and HLS-EU-PT-Q6 are concise and present adequate psychometric properties to measure health literacy level of the Portuguese population. However, the forms that show more similarities are the 47-item and the 16-item forms of the HLS-EU-PT.
Investigation of the Brain Carcinoma Based on Generalized Variation Coefficient Similarity Measures Using Complex q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Information
Authors: Ali Zeeshan , Mahmood Tahir , Ullah Kifayat , Zedam Lemnaouar , Pamucar Dragan , Ahmadi Mohsen
Published: October 2022

Background/ introduction
: To analyze the symptoms of brain cancer in the presence of the strategic decision-making method under the consideration of human cognitive process, and its basic idea is to divide a universal set into three pair-wise disjoint regions to cognitive information processing. As the ambiguity and complexity of the decision-making environment, cognitive information about alternatives given by decision-makers is ambiguous and contradictory. Brain Carcinoma is one of the massive dangerous diseases in the human body and certain intellectuals have been affected by them.
Methods
A bunch of intellectuals has generalized the concept of fuzzy set, but the methodology of complex q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (Cq-ROFS) has gotten a huge attraction from different scholars. In the presence of the above theory, this study aims to employ the principle of variation coefficient and generalized variation coefficient similarity measures for Cq-ROFSs and exemplify their properties. To analyze the supremacy and dominancy of the invented measures, we demonstrated their special cases and some results.
Results
In the consideration of the presented generalized variation coefficient similarity measures for complex q-rung orthopair fuzzy information, a medical diagnosis is illustrated in the presence of the invented measures is to diagnose the most dangerous sorts of brain carcinoma in the human body.
Conclusions
Various examples are illustrated in the consideration of the invented works for Cq-ROFS are to diagnose the advantages and sensitive analysis of the initiated measures to exemplify the rationality and power of the developed measures.
An In Vitro Study of the Thermal Effect of Holmium Laser Lithotripsy of Ureteral Stones
Authors: Taixun Li , Guangjing Shao , Huijuan Li , Suqin Guo , Wei Wang , Hongzhou Li , Mingchong. Sun
Published: October 2022

Objective To observe the local thermal effect of holmium laser in ureteral models.
Methods This study was conducted in July-August 2022 using a 3D printed kidney model (ureteral diameter: approximately 6 mm; length: approximately 20 cm). A clinically collected calcium oxalate monohydrate stone was polished into a 5 mm diameter sphere, placed under the ureteropelvic junction, and ligated with silk wire above the stone. The kidney model was placed in a water bath, and the temperature of the water bath was maintained at approximately 37°C to simulate the constant temperature of the human body. A fifth generation EMS pulse width tunable holmium laser was selected as the laser device. The laser fiber diameter was 200 μm. The thermometer was a multi-channel real-time thermometer with two temperature probes placed in the ureter. The distance between the probe and the fiber tip was maintained at 5 mm. Perfusion fluid: saline, temperature around 24°C; perfusion rate: 0, 10, 20, 30, 50 ml/min. We used a flexible ureteroscope with holmium laser fiber. The lithotripsy was performed by a physician. The holmium laser was continuously excited for 120 s. The temperature was measured and recorded once per second by an electronic thermometer. Each set of experiments was repeated three times.
Results The operating graph of the temperature around the holmium laser fiber versus the time was recorded for different operating modes, and the change in temperature around the fiber was recorded at each time point in the absence of perfusion. The temperature of 43°C was reached around the fiber after an average of 9.2±3.0 s of laser excitation; the higher the power, the shorter the time to reach 43°C. The operating curve of the temperature around the laser fiber versus the time was recorded at the perfusion rate of 20 ml/min for each time period, and it was found that the temperature around the fiber was ≤43°C at ≤20 W of fragmentation power. At a perfusion flow rate of 50 ml/min, the holmium laser began to excite and reached a plateau between approximately 20 and 30 s. The plateau temperature powdered group > fragmentation group (p < 0.01).
Conclusion During ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, holmium laser excitation will produce a local thermal effect. Keeping the lithotripsy power ≤ 20 W within the perfusion flow rate ≥ 20 ml/min can reduce the local high temperatures caused by the thermal effect of the holmium laser and reduce any thermal damage, while the local thermal effect of low-energy high-frequency powdering mode is the highest and the local thermal effect of high-energy low-frequency powdering mode is the lowest.
ABHD6 inhibition alleviates memory deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model
Authors: Xue Zhiwei , Ye Lei , Mao Chenglu , Lan Zhen , Ge Jianwei , Zhou Xinxin , Bao Xinyu , Yu Linjie , Xu Yun , Zhu Xiaolei
Published: October 2022

Synaptic dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). α/β-hydrolase domain-containing 6 (ABHD6) plays a critical role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, and ABHD6 inhibition has shown potential therapeutic value in several neurological disorders. However, the role of ABHD6 in AD has not been fully defined. In this study, we demonstrated that Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated ABHD6 inhibition in hippocampal neurons attenuated synaptic dysfunction and memory impairment of APPswPS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice, while it didn't affect the amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels and neuroinflammtion in the brains. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of wwl70, a specific inhibitor of ABHD6, improved the synaptic plasticity and memory function in APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, wwl70 significantly decreased the Aβ levels and neuroinflammtion in the hippocampus of AD mice, which indicated that wwl70 might exert the neuropreotctive effects not only by neuronal ABHD6 inhibition. In conclusion, for the first time our data has shown that ABHD6 inhibition might be a promising strategy for AD treatment, and wwl70 is a potential candidate for AD drug development pipeline.
The bridge between genotype associations and innovations for Leptocybe invasa resistance in Eucalyptus: a meta-analysis
Authors: Calazans Crislaine Costa , Souza Juliana Lopes , Nunes Valdinete Vieira , Silva-Mann Renata
Published: October 2022

I. Background:
Plant phenotyping has been a bottleneck for selecting insect-resistant plants in breeding programs. Our objectives were to: use text-mining tools to investigate state of the art about Leptocybe invasa in Eucalyptus; identify associated molecular interactions involving genes as a candidate and their impact and associated metabolites pathways and determine how products are currently used to control this insect as patents.
II. Methods and Results:
The literature survey was explored by title, abstract, and keywords of scientific articles, a database of genes and protein sequences, and patents. Nucleotide and protein sequences were mined in public banks. In the literature, we searched for homology to known genes or predicted proteins with sequences described in Eucalyptus sp. To obtain a broad set of studies, we accessed literature data of the last 20 years conducted with combinations of search terms “Leptocybe invasa” OR “eucalyptus gall wasp” AND “control”. Patents were prospected and analyzed using Orbit Intelligence patent research software
III. Conclusions:
Succinct interpretation of results as well as significance of findings. Statement There are perspectives to access the genotype resistance; furthermore, it is critical managing the evaluable information as state of the art to overcome the damages of L. invasa beyond the genotype selection. The target genes found in this research can serve as a basis for further functional characterizations of Eucalyptus genes possibly related to response expression to L. invasa.
Investigating sources of non-response bias in a population-based seroprevalence study of vaccine- preventable diseases in The Netherlands
Authors: Postema Abigail E. A. S. , Ferreira José A. , Klis Fiona van der , de Melker Hester , Mollema Liesbeth
Published: October 2022

Background PIENTER 3 (P3) is the third nationwide serological survey in the Netherlands, conducted in 2016/17. The overall response rate was 13.9%, following a decreasing trend in response compared to the previous two PIENTER studies (1995/1996 and 2006/2007). During P3 a non-response survey was used to investigate non-response bias. We assess P3 representativeness and potential sources of non-response bias, and trends in decreasing participation rates across all PIENTER studies. Methods P3 invitees were classified into survey response types (RTs): Full Participants (FP), Questionnaire Only (QO), Non-Response Questionnaire (NRQ) and Absolute Non-Responders (ANR). FP demographic and health indicator data were compared with Dutch national statistics, and then the RTs were compared to each other. Random Forest algorithms were used to predict an invitee’s RT. Finally, FPs from all three PIENTERs were compared to investigate the profile of national survey participants through time. Results P3 FPs were in general healthier, younger and higher educated than the Dutch population. Random forest was not able to differentiate between FPs and ANRs, but when predicting FPs from NRQs we found evidence of healthy-responder bias. Participants of the three PIENTERs were found to be similar, but we found that, in line with national trends, P3 participants were less inclined to vaccinate than previous cohorts. Discussion As vaccination coverage is high in the Netherlands, P3 remains a powerful tool to monitor population-level protection against vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). Participants of all three PIENTERS do not differ and there can be compared through time. However, future PIENTER studies should continue to focus on improving recruitment from under-represented groups but consider alternative survey modes to improve overall response.
Energy transfer driven brightening of MoS2 neutral exciton by ultrafast polariton relaxation in microcavity MoS2/hBN/WS2 heterostructures
Authors: Hu Zehua , Dini Kevin , Fieramosca Antonio , Krisnanda Tanjung , Zhao Jiaxin , Su Rui , Wang Junyong , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Eda Goki , Wang Xiao , Liew Timothy , Xiong Qihua
Published: October 2022

Energy transfer is a ubiquitous phenomenon that delivers energy from a blue-shifted emitter to a red-shifted absorber, which has enabled plentiful photonic applications of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, solar cells, and display devices1–5. The fast-emerging two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors offer unique opportunities for exploring new energy transfer mechanisms in the atomic-scale limit enabled by confined geometry and van der Waals architectures, which transcend the conventional Förster and Dexter types. Herein, we have successfully designed and constructed a planar optical microcavity-confined MoS2/hBN/WS2 heterojunction, which realizes the strong coupling among donor exciton, acceptor exciton, and cavity photon mode for the first time. Such a configuration demonstrates the unconventional energy transfer via ultrafast polariton relaxation, leading to the brightening of MoS2 neutral exciton with a record-high enhancement factor of ~ 440, i.e., two-order-of-magnitude higher than the data reported to date. A short characteristic time of ~ 1.3 ps is extracted by setting up a high-resolution k-space transient-reflectivity spectroscopy. This ultrafast polariton relaxation is attributed to the significantly enhanced intra- and inter-branch exciton-exciton scattering to overcome the hot phonon bottleneck effect, as revealed by theoretical calculation with coupled rate equations. Our study not only opens a new direction of microcavity 2D semiconductor heterojunctions for high-brightness ultrafast polaritonic light sources, but also provides a new paradigm to study the ultrafast polariton carrier dynamics.
SOST gene suppression stimulates osteocyte Wnt/β-catenin signaling to prevent bone resorption and attenuates particle-induced osteolysis
Authors: Jiao Zixue , Chai Hao , Wang Shendong , Sun Chunguang , Huang Qun , Xu Wei
Published: October 2022

Background The most common cause for prosthetic revision surgery is wear particle-induced periprosthetic osteolysis, which leads to aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. Both SOST gene and its synthetic protein, sclerostin, are hallmarks of osteocytes. According to our previous findings, blocking SOST induces bone formation and protects against bone loss and deformation caused by titanium (Ti) particles by activating the Wnt/β-catenin cascade. Although SOST has been shown to influence osteoblasts, its ability to control wear-particle-induced osteolysis via targeting osteoclasts remains unclear. Methods Mice were subjected to development of a cranial osteolysis model. Micro CT, HE staining and TRAP staining were performed to evaluate bone loss in the mouse model. Bone marrow-derived monocyte-macrophages (BMMs) made from the C57BL/6 mice were exposed to the medium of MLO-Y4(co-cultured with Ti particles) to transform them into osteoclasts. Bioinformatics methods were used to predict and validate the interaction among SOST, Wnt/β-catenin, RANKL/OPG, TNF-α, and IL-6. Results Local bone density and bone volume improved after SOST inhibition, both the number of lysis pores and the rate of skull erosion decreased. Histological research showed that β-catenin and OPG expression were markedly increased after SOST inhibition, whereas TRAP and RANKL levels were markedly decreased. In-vitro, Ti particle treatment elevated the expression of sclerostin, suppressed the expression of β-catenin, and increased the RANKL/OPG ratio in the MLO-Y4 cell line. TNF-α and IL-6 also elevated after treatment with Ti particles. The expression levels of NFAT-1, CTSK, and TRAP in osteoclasts were significantly increased, and the number of positive cells for TRAP staining was increased. Additionally, the volume of bone resorption increased at the same time. In contrast, when SOST expression was inhibited in the MLO-Y4 cell line, these effects produced by Ti particles were reversed. Conclusion All the results strongly show that SOST inhibition triggered the osteocyte Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade and prevented wear particle-induced osteoclastogenesis, which might reduce periprosthetic osteolysis.
Retinal microvasculature damage associated with orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Youn Jinyoung , Ahn Jong Hyeon , Kang Min Chae , Lee Dongyoung , Cho Jin Whan , Park Kyung-Ah
Published: October 2022

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD). OH can cause cerebral and retinal hypoperfusion and is associated with microvascular damage in PD. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive technology that can be used to visualise the retinal microvasculature and detect the microvascular damage in PD. In the present study, 51 PD patients (OH+, n = 19; OH−, n = 32) and 40 healthy controls were evaluated. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) III, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) and vascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, were investigated. The PD patients underwent a head-up tilt (HUT) test. The PD patients had a lower superficial retinal capillary plexus (SRCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DRCP) vessel densities in the central region than controls. The PDOH + group had lower vessel density in the SRCP central region compared with the control group, and lower vessel density in the DRCP central region than the PDOH − and control groups. The changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during the HUT test in PD patients showed a negative correlation with the vessel density in the DRCP central region. The results showed the presence of OH was a critical factor associated with the microvasculature damage in PD. The findings indicate that OCTA can be a useful and non-invasive tool for detecting microvasculature damage in PD patients.
Wide Tuning of Magnetic Exchange Coupling in Nanographenes through Orbital-Symmetry Engineering
Authors: Du Qingyang , Su Xuelei , Liu Yufeng , Jiang Yashi , Li Can , Yan KaKing , Ortiz Ricardo , Frederiksen Thomas , Wang Shiyong , Yu Ping
Published: October 2022

Open-shell nanographenes appear as promising candidates for future applications in spintronics and quantum technologies. How to engineer and obtain large magnetic exchange coupling in nanographenes is crucial for realizing their applications at room temperature. Here, we reveal a mechanism of engineering magnetic exchange coupling in nanographenes through tailoring their frontier orbital symmetries, investigated by combining scanning probe microscope measurements and different levels of theoretical calculations. In nanographenes of phenalenyl spin dimers, their exchange interaction can be widely tuned from 20 meV to 160 meV. Theoretical calculations reveal that frontier orbital symmetries play a key role in engineering magnetic exchange coupling on such a large scale. Moreover, a spin trimer is demonstrated for investigating the magnetic interaction among three spins with unequal magnetic exchange coupling, in agreement with Heisenberg spin chain model calculations. Our results provide insights into both theoretical design and experimental realization of nanographene materials with widely tunable exchange interactions, potentially useful for realizing magnetically operable graphene nanomaterials.
Toxic potential evaluation of liquids effluents discharged into nature by the university hospitals centers (UHC) and mixed wastewater treatment station (WWTS) at Ouagadougou-Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouédraogo Gamamé Abasse , Djopnang Djimbie Justin , Zongo Omarou , Badé Farid Toyigbenan , Ouédraogo Arouna , Kaboré Boukaré , Cissé Hama , Traoré Yves , Bassolé Ismael Henri Nestor , François Tchoumbougnang , Savadogo Aly
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In Burkina Faso, several investigations have raised suspicions that hospital liquid effluents are the source of contaminants in porbeagle-culture products and surface water in urban and peri-urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the Hygienic quality of hospital liquid effluents discharged into nature by the UHC Bogodogo (UHC-BOG), Yalgado Ouédraogo (UHC-YO) and the WWTS of Kossodo (WWTS-KOS).
Methodology: 15 samples of liquid effluents (five per site) discharged into nature were collected. Within the physicochemical parameters, the COD, BOD5, TSS, conductivity, copper, iron, hafnium, silver, mercury, lead and cadmium of these samples were determined using standards methods.
Results: The mean values of conductivity were 1956.80±81.30, 812.80 ±45.22 and 956.00 ±39.96 μS/cm for WWTS-KOS, UHC-BOG and UHC-YO respectively. TSS were 338.20± 38.80, 45.00 ±5.79 and 187.80 ±27.58 mg/L respectively. COD were 274.80 ± 20.46, 35.00 ±5.52 and 139.80 ±25.53 mg/L respectively. BOD5 were 186.40 ±68.68, 26.20 ±4.82 and 81.80 ±15.63 mg/L respectively. Mercury were 1.93±0.38, 4.04±0.38 and 14.37±1.65 µg/L respectively. Lead were 434.70±202.42, 310.50±4.09 and 367.43±94.01 µg/L respectively. Cadmium 79.59±19.48, 109.94±8.43 and 80.26±7.85 µg/L respectively. Copper were 27.66±3.33, 30.84±1.65 and 28.32±2.36 mg/L respectively. Iron was detected only on the STEP-KOS with an average of 71.01±37.83 mg/L. Hafnium were 50.27±4.49 and 51.58±4.61 mg/L for WWTS-KOS and UHC-BOG respectively. Silver were 34.26±3.06 for WWTS-KOS.
Conclusion: Liquid hospital effluents from Ouagadougou discharged into nature on the whole do not respect the Burkinabè normative values for the discharge of wastewater into the environment. On the three sites, the differences found where significant (p<0.05)
Durum Wheat Heat Tolerance Loci Defined via a North-South Gradient
Authors: Sall Amadou Tidiane , Kabbaj Hafssa , Menoum Sidi ould Ely , Cisse Madiama , Geleta Mulatu , Ortiz Rodomiro Octavio , Bassi Filippo M.
Published: October 2022

The global production of durum wheat (Triticum durumDesf.) is hindered by a constant rise in the frequency of severe heat stress. Three different germplasm panels were investigated under a range of heat stress to identify tolerant germplasm. The ‘discovery panel’ was field tested in the south of Morocco and along the Senegal River implementing a mild-to-strong North-South heat stress gradient. A subset of this same panel was also exposed to simulated terminal heat stress by applying plastic tunnels at the time of flowering. The ‘investigation panel’ and a ‘validation panel’ were field tested along the Senegal River under >32°C temperature throughout the season. Grain yield and its components were recorded at each site and a heat stress susceptibility index (HSI) was calculated. A total of 7,652 polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) defined the diversity of the first panel, while 5,642 SNPs defined the ‘investigation panel’. Genome-wide association study revealed that 36 quantitative trat loci were associated with the target traits in the ‘discovery’ panel, of which five were confirmed in the ‘subset’ tested with plastic tunnels and in the ‘investigation panel’. A haplotype study confirmed that Q.icd.Heat.003-1A, Q.icd.Heat.007-1B and Q.icd.Heat.016-3B are additive in nature and carrying the positive alleles at all three loci resulted in a 17% higher grain yield under heat stress. The underlying SNPs were converted into Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers and tested on the ‘validation’ panel, confirming that each explained 4 to 9% of the phenotypic variation for grain yield under heat stress.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on severe community-acquired pneumonia in Reunion Island: A multicenter retrospective observational study, 2016-2021
Authors: Combe Agathe , Kovacs David , de Mangou Axel , Miltgen Guillaume , Traversier Nicolas , Belmonte Olivier , Simon Olivier , Vidal Charles , Coolen-Allou Nathalie , Allyn Jérôme , Allou Nicolas
Published: October 2022

Background
The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a considerable impact on the incidence of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on severe CAP in the Reunion Island.
Material and methods
This multicenter retrospective observational study was conducted from 2016 to 2021 in the hospitals of Reunion Island. The incidence of severe CAP, microorganisms, the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized in intensive care unit were compared between the pre-COVID-19 period (January 1, 2016 to February 29, 2020) and the early COVID-19 period (March 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021).
Results
Over the study period, 389 patients developed severe CAP. The incidence of severe CAP significantly decreased between the two periods (9.16 vs. 4.13 cases per 100,000 person-years). The influenza virus was isolated in 43.5% patients with severe CAP in the pre-COVID-19 period and in none of the 60 patients in the early COVID-19 period (P < 0.0001). The only virus that did not decrease was the rhinovirus. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated bacterial microorganism, with no significant difference between the two periods.
Conclusion
In Reunion Island, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in the incidence of influenza, which likely explains the observed decrease in the incidence of severe CAP. The pandemic had no impact on the incidence of bacterial severe CAP. The incidence of influenza needs to be closely monitored now that control measures against COVID-19 have been removed.
Identification and fungicides sensitivity evaluation of the causal agent of cobweb disease on Lyophyllum decastes in China
Authors: Peng Keqin , Lin Meiling , Yuan Xiaoxiao , Li Changtian , Zeng Xiangyu , Li Yu , Tian Fenghua
Published: October 2022

Background: Cobweb disease is a fungal disease that often occurs in the cultivation and production of edible fungi, which can harm a variety of cultivated edible fungi and cause serious losses. Cobweb disease is considered to be one of the four most serious fungal diseases in edible fungi. Symptoms suspected of cobweb disease were found during the cultivation of Lyophyllum decastes mushrooms. The objective of our study was to identify the cobweb pathogen and screen out the effective fungicides, so as to provide a reference for the comprehensive prevention and control of velvet mushroom cobweb disease.
Results: The causal agent for this cobweb disease was isolated from symptomatic samples and was found to be Cladobotryum mycophilum based on morphological characteristics, phylogeny (ITS, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF1-α) and the cultural characteristics of two isolates on PDA and MEA medium. Results of pathogenicity tests also supported the conclusion that C. mycophilum is the pathogen responsible for this condition. The antibacterial effect of Prochloraz-manganese chloride complex, Trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole, and Difenoconazole among the tested fungicides is remarkable, with EC50 being 0.076 μg/mL, 0.173 μg/mL and 0.364 μg/mL respectively. These fungicides have good control effect, low toxicity, and have good application potential on L. decastes.
Conclusion: First report of cladobotryum mycophilum causing cobweb disease of Lyophyllum decastes in China.
Cloud Migration: Prospects and Impediments With Special Reference to India
Authors: Ahmad Magray Ajaz , -Nisa Khair-Ul , Andrabi Syed Javaid Ahmad
Published: October 2022

With regard to the scientific world of today, cloud computing is the most important repository for resource e parking and offers services to active users in the form of infrastructure, software, and platforms. Resources are online and accessible to anyone with an internet connection in a cloud computing environment. Since cloud computing makes resources easily accessible online, it is a growing sector of the ICT business. As a result, enterprises are quickly adopting this more recent technology, or cloud computing. The transition of a business from on-premises to a cloud computing environment includes benefits and challenges. The potential and barriers to different firms' adoption of cloud computing will be examined in this study report.
Southern Europe is becoming favourable for African birds: anticipating the establishment of a new species
Authors: López-Ramírez Sandro , Chamorro Darío , Real Raimundo , Muñoz Antonio-Román
Published: October 2022

Background:The current modification of species distribution ranges, as a response to a warmer climate, constitutes an interesting line of work and a recent challenge for biogeography. This study aimed to determine if the climatic conditions of southern Europe are adequate to host a typical African species, the House Bunting, which is registered regularly during the last years, still in low numbers. To this end, the distribution of the species in its native range was modelled, both in the present and in future climate scenarios, using its current breeding distribution areas and a set of environmental variables.Results:The results showed that the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula exhibits high values of favourability to host this African species for the current climatic conditions. Furthermore, future forecasts indicated an increase in favourability for this area. The favourable areas we detected in the south of the Iberian Peninsula are already regularly receiving individuals of the species. These observations are very likely vagrant birds dispersing from recently colonised breeding areas in northern Morocco, which may indicate a continuous process of colonisation towards the north, as has occurred during the last decades in Northern Africa.Conclusions:We cannot anticipate when the House Bunting will establish on the European continent because colonisation processes are usually slow but, according to our results, we predict its establishment in the near future. We have also identified those areas hosting favourable conditions for the species in Europe. These areas are a potential focal point for the colonisation of this and other African birds if the climate continues to warm.
Autologous semitendinosus meniscus graft restores the native knee joint kinematics and the tibiofemoral contact
Authors: Seitz Andreas Martin , Leiprecht Janina , Schwer Jonas , Ignatius Anita , Reichel Heiko , Kappe Thomas
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Meniscectomy may lead to osteoarthritis. Autologous meniscus substitutes such as fat pads, perichondral tissue, facia-covered meniscus fragments and various tendons have been previously investigated for meniscal replacement in animal models. Recently, a clinical pilot study indicated promising outcomes by utilising a doubled semitendinosus tendon autograft. However, to date, no biomechanical data is available regarding this promising treatment alternative. Therefore, the aim of this in-vitro study on human knee joints was to investigate the potential of two autologous tendon meniscus replacements to restore the knee joint kinematics and tibiofemoral contact after total lateral meniscectomy (LMM).
Methods
The tibiofemoral loads and knee joint kinematics of fourteen left human cadaveric knee joints were investigated using an established knee joint simulator. Testing conditions included the intact, native state, total LMM and replacement using a single-bundle gracilis tendon (GT) and a doubled semitendinosus (ST) meniscus autograft. The joints were axially loaded with 200 N and exposed to no externally applied moments, external rotation, valgus stress and a combination of external rotation and valgus stress during three flexion-extension cycles (0° – 120°). Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed on joint kinematics, the tibiofemoral mean (CPmean) and peak (CPpeak) contact pressures and the contact area (CA).
Results
LMM led to significant rotational instability of the knee joint (p < 0.02). While the GT autograft procedure failed to restore joint kinematics, the ST autograft did restore the knee joint kinematics, except for knee joint flexions > 60°. The varus-valgus knee alignment was unaltered by any of the interventions. As expected, LMM significantly increased the CPmean and CPpeak (p < 0.03), while decreasing the CA (p < 0.05). The CPpeak was restored by ST autograft application, while the GT replacement displayed only a trend towards contact mechanics improvement compared to LMM.
Conclusion
The ST autograft displayed promising results in the initial restoration of the basic biomechanical knee joint function after total LMM. Future studies are required to optimise the tendon autograft procedure for total meniscus replacement and also in-vivo or clinical studies to better understand the remodelling process.
Optimization of Neural-Network Models Using a Meta-Heuristic Algorithm for the Estimation of Dynamic Poisson’s Ratio of Selected Rock Types
Authors: Waqas Umer , Ahmed Muhammad Farooq , Rashid Hafiz Muhammad Awais , Al-Atroush Mohamed Ezzat
Published: October 2022

This research investigates the dynamic behavior of rocks subjected to excitation frequencies at ambient condition. The dynamic response of rocks was evaluated in terms of quality factor (Q), resonance frequency (FR), acoustic impedance (Z), oscillation decay factor (α), and dynamic Poisson’s ratio (v). These parameters were measured in both longitudinal and torsion modes. Their ratios were taken to reduce data variability and make them dimensionless for analysis. Results showed that with the increase in excitation frequencies, the stiffness of the rocks got increased because of plastic deformation of pre-existing cracks and then started to decrease due to the development of new microcracks. After the evaluation of the behavior of the rocks, the v was estimated by the prediction modeling. Overall, 15 models were developed by using the backpropagation neural network algorithms including feed-forward, cascade-forward, and Elman. Among all models, the feed-forward model with 40 neurons was considered as best one due to its comparatively good performance in the learning and validation phases. The values of its Pearson correlation coefficient (R = 0.885) and coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.797) were estimated higher than the rest of the models. To further improve its quality, the model was optimized using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The optimizer ameliorated its R and R2 values from 0.885 to 0.980 and 0.797 to 0.954 respectively. The outcomes of this study exhibit the effective utilization of a meta-heuristic algorithm to improve model quality that can be used as a reference to solve several problems regarding data modeling, pattern recognition, data classification, etc.
­­Building a Second-Opinion Tool for Classical Polygraph
Authors: Asonov Dmitri , Krylov Maksim , Omelyusik Vladimir , Ryabikina Anastasiya , Litvinov Evgeny , Mitrofanov Maksim , Mikhailov Maksim , Efimov Albert
Published: October 2022

Classical polygraph screenings are routinely used by critical businesses such as banking, law enforcement agencies, and federal governments. A major concern of scientific communities is that screenings are prone to errors. However, screening errors are not only due to the method, but also due to human (polygraph examiner) error. Here we show application of machine learning (ML) to detect examiner errors. From an ML perspective, we trained an error detection model in the absence of labeled errors. From a practical perspective, we devised and tested successfully a second-opinion tool to find human errors in examiners’ conclusions, thus reducing subjectivity of polygraph screenings. We report novel features that uplift the model’s accuracy, and experimental results on whether people lie differently on different topics. We anticipate our results to be a step towards rethinking classical polygraph practices.
Non-communicable diseases in undocumented migrants: 10-year temporal trend, relative risk and pharmacological treatment
Authors: Fiorini Gianfrancesco , Franchi Matteo , Pellegrini Giacomo , Sartorio Alessandro , Corrao Giovanni , Cella Silvano Gabriele
Published: October 2022

Undocumented migrants are a large part of the population in the European Union (EU). Their health needs are only partially known and might be mainly related to chronic conditions. We studied the health records of 53.683 undocumented migrants receiving medical assistance over the last 10 years from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Milan, Italy. To identify NCD, we used the International Classification of Diseases – 9th revision (ICD-9) diagnostic codes and the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes of the prescribed drugs. Among persons having at least one contact with OSF in the period of the study, 17,292 had one or more NCD. The percentage of subjects with at least one NCD increased from 2011 to 2020. The risk of having NCD was higher in women than in men (RR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.89) and increased with age (p for trend < 0.001). Ethnicity affected the relative risk. Africans and Asians had a lower risk than Europeans of having cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders; risk was higher in Latin Americans. In migrants from Asia and Latin America the relative risk of diabetes was increased. In Europe, public interventions aiming at the prevention and treatment of NCD should include undocumented migrants.
Glycolipids from marine macroalgae: extraction methodology, isolation and biological activity
Authors: Sun Yingying , Long Zhengkang , Yi Lihui , Mu Yang , Huang Xinyan , He Yangdi
Published: October 2022

Considering the yield, concentration of glycolipids, moisture absorption and moisturizing activity of the extract, Bangia fusco-purpurea was selected from 8 species of marine macroalgae (Bangia fusco-purpurea, Gelidium amansii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, Gracilaria sp., Palmaria palmata, Porphyra yezoensis and Scagassum sp.) as the raw material for the extraction methodology, isolation and purification of glycolipids. Through single factor and response surface experiments, the suitable extraction conditions (the solid-to-liquid ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time and ultrasonic power) of the glycolipids from Bangia fusco-purpurea was: 1:27 g/mL, 49 ℃, 98 min and 500 W. Using the optimized process, the yield of extract and concentration of glycolipids in extract obtained were 28.1% and 116.9 µg/mL. Further, three compounds (H12, H22 and H33) were obtained from Bangia fusco-purpurea by liquid-liquid extraction, silica gel column chromatography and preparation thin layer chromatography, namely hexadecanyl-1-O-α-D-arabinopyranosyloxy (1→4)-α-D-arabinopyranosyloxy (1→4)-α-D-arabinopyranoside, β-Gal-(1–3)-β-Xyl, and docosanyl-1-O-α-D-arabinopyranosyloxy-(1→4)-3-O-acetyl -α-D-arabinopyranosyloxy-(1→4)-α-D-arabinopyranoside. This is the first report that these three compounds were isolated from Bangia fusco-purpurea. And those two with arabinopyranosyloxy (H12 and H33) were obtained from marine macroalgae for the first time. Also, the glycolipids from Gelidium amansii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, Gracilaria sp., Palmaria palmata, Porphyra yezoensis and Scagassum sp. were preliminarily determined by TLC and HPLC, and compared with glycolipid standard (MGDG, SQDG, DGDG), and found that MGDG or SQDG was existed in 7 species of marine macroalgae.