bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral Pyogenic Granuloma: A Literature Review
Authors: Lomeli Martinez Sarah Monserrat , Carrillo Contreras Nadia Guadalupe , Gómez Sandoval Juan Ramón , Zepeda Nuño José Sergio , Gomez Mireles Juan Carlos , Varela Hernández Juan José , Mercado-González Ana Esther Esther , Bayardo González Rubén Alberto , Gutiérrez-Maldonado Adrián Fernando
Published: September 2023

Oral pyogenic granuloma (PG) is generally a solitary benign connective tissue proliferation of unknown etiology. It is the most common type of oral inflammatory hyperplasia histologically characterized by proliferation of granulation tissue with inflammatory infiltrates and high angiogenic capacity. Vascular neoformations of different diameters are usually present. Due to their structural characteristics, tendency to bleed, and rapid and alarming growth rate, these neoformations may have serious consequences. Sometimes, it is complex to make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, adequate management and treatment are based on the characteristics and systemic conditions of each patient. This review was carried out to provide an overview of the factors involved in, or attributed to the etiopathogenesis of oral PG. It describes the different forms of presentation and clinical evolution, as well as the most frequent signs and symptoms that characterize this disease, while incorporating recent radiographic and microscopic findings. In addition, it describes the different modalities for the management of oral pyogenic granuloma depending on the particular characteristics of each patient.
Interlaboratory Comparison of SpermX™ and Conventional Differential Extractions Indicated High Male DNA Recovery by the SpermX Method
Authors: Sgueglia Joanne B , Holt Hailey , Hanson Erin , Nichols Justina , Kalafut Tim , Khan Mah-ro , Walsh Thomas , Foley Megan , Brown Hiromi , Ballantyne Jack , Sinha Sudhir K
Published: September 2023

The National Institute of Justice reported that current methods for processing sexual assault samples have a high failure rate, with 60 to 80 percent of tested kits unable to produce usable DNA profiles. Even when samples test positive for male DNA, 34 percent of sexual assault kits (SAK) do not yield recovered male DNA after differential extraction. Less than 30% recovery of available sperm DNA contributes to this low success rate. The SpermX™ method (SX) has been shown to recover 80 percent or more of sperm DNA from sexual assault samples. An interlaboratory evaluation compared SX to standard differential extraction (DE) protocols. Mock samples with known ratios of female epithelial cells and sperm cells were processed using both methods. Results revealed that SX consistently provided CODIS up-loadable DNA profiles, even with as few as 25 sperm cells, whereas DE failed to produce usable results. On average, SX yielded a seven-fold increase in the recovery of unshared male alleles compared to DE. In conclusion, SX outperformed DE in recovering higher quantities of male DNA with minimal female carryover in sexual assault-type samples. This improved success rate in obtaining usable DNA profiles can significantly aid in solving sexual assault cases.
Keywords: Differential extraction, Sexual Assault Kit (SAK), Sperm DNA, STRmix™, Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), Forensic DNA analysis, Low Sperm Samples, DNA Mixtures, Autosomal STR Analysis, SpermX.
Clinical Management and Therapy of Precocious Puberty in the Sapienza University Pediatrics Hospital of Rome, Italy
Authors: Micangeli Ginevra , Paparella Roberto , Tarani Francesca , Menghi Michela , Ferraguti Giampiero , Carlomagno Francesco , Spaziani Matteo , Pucarelli Ida , Greco Antonio , Fiore Marco , Tarani Luigi
Published: September 2023

Puberty identifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. It normally lasts from 3 to 5 years and begins from 9 years in males and 8 years in females, although with differences related to familiarity and geographical origin. Precocious puberty is the onset of signs of pubertal development before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys, it has an incidence of 1/5000–1/10.000 with an F:M ratio ranging from 3:1 to 20:1. Based on the mechanism that triggers puberty, precocious puberty can be classified as central, also known as gonadotropin-dependent precocious puberty or true precocious puberty, and peripheral, also known as gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty or precocious pseudopuberty. Thus, the main aim of this narrative report is to describe the standard clinical management and therapy of precocious puberty according to the experience and expertise of pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists at Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. In the suspicion of early sexual maturation, it is important to collect information regarding the age of onset, the speed of maturation of secondary sexual characteristics, exposure to exogenous sex steroids and the presence of neurological symptoms. The objective examination, in addition to the evaluation of secondary sexual characteristics, must also include the evaluation of auxological parameters. Initial laboratory investigations should include serum gonadotropin levels (LH and FSH) and serum levels of the sex steroids. Brain MRI should be performed as indicated by the 2009 Consensus Statement in all boys regardless of chronological age and in all girls with onset of pubertal signs before 6 years of age. The gold standard in the treatment of central precocious puberty is represented by GnRH analogs, whereas as far as peripheral forms are concerned, the triggering cause must be identified and treated. At the moment there are no reliable data establishing the criteria for discontinuation of GnRH analogs therapy. However, numerous pieces of evidence suggest that the therapy should be suspended at the physiological age at which puberty occurs.
Purification of Lithium Carbonate from Radioactive Contaminants Using MnO2–Based Inorganic Sorbent
Authors: Gileva Olga , Arial Pabitra , Choe JunSeok , Kim Yena , Kim Yeongduk , Lee Eun Kyung , Lee Moo Hyun , Milyutin Vitaly , Shin KeonAh , Yeon Hyojin
Published: September 2023

The possibility of deep radiochemical purification of Li2CO3 has been examined in the frame of the purification program of AMoRE collaboration. In this experiment, commercial Li2CO3 was converted into LiNO3. Co-precipitation with inorganic salt-based carriers followed by membrane filtration and sorption using MDM inorganic sorbent methods were tested for the removal of alkaline-earth and transition metals, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, uranium, thorium, and radium. The calcium molybdate-based carrier was the most efficient for removing Th, U, and K. Subsequently, the radium, calcium, and barium contaminations were removed with MDM sorbent. After the impurities’ removal, the final Li2CO3 product was synthesized with NH4HCO3 sludge. The separation factors were derived by means of ICP-MS and HPGe analyses of the initial material, intermediate and final products. The study showed the optimum conditions of co-precipitation and sorption to reach a high yield and radiopurity of lithium carbonate used for low radioactive background experiments.
The Potent Potential of Green Tea In against Cardiac Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Discoveries
Authors: Akter Shamima , Choubey Mayank , Arbee Shahida , Mohib Mohammad Mohabbulla , Tirumalasetty Munichandra Babu , Akhtar Asif , Wahiduzzaman Md , Mohiuddin Mohammad Sarif
Published: September 2023

A preventive effect for tea and its bio active components in cardiovascular health has been suggested by the results of several epidemiological studies, treatments utilizing randomized controlled trials, and mechanistic investigations. Therefore, scientific interest in green tea's ability to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is growing. Green tea benefits for the metabolic syndrome, which includes diabetes and hypertension but may also raise cholesterol levels. Additionally, green tea reduces the mortality from any cause, arrhythmia, stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and other conditions.
Advances in Slime Mould Algorithm: A comprehensive Survey
Authors: Wei Yuanfei , Othman Zalinda , Daud Kauthar Mohd , Luo Qifang , Zhou Yongquan
Published: September 2023

Slime Mould Algorithm (SMA) is a new swarm intelligence algorithm inspired by the oscillatory behavior of slime molds during foraging. Numerous researchers have widely applied SMA and its variants in various domains and proved its value by the experiments in literatures. In this paper a comprehensive survey on SMA is introduced, which is based on 130 articles visa Google-scholar between 2022 and July, 2023. Firstly, the theory of SMA is described. Secondly the improved SMA variants are provided and categorized according to the approach that they are applied with. Finally, it also discusses the main applications domains of SMA such as engineering optimization, energy optimization, machine learning, network, scheduling optimization, image segmentation and etc. This review presents some research suggestion for researcher who is interested in this algorithm.
The Role Of Vitamin D And Its Molecular Bases In Insulin-Resistance Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome And Cardiovascular Disease: State Of Art
Authors: Argano Christiano , Mirarchi Luigi , Amodeo Simona , Orlando Valentina , Torres Alessandra , Corrao Salvatore
Published: September 2023

In the last decade, an increasing awareness was directed to the role of Vitamin D in non-skeletal and preventive roles for chronic diseases. Vitamin D is a key hormone involved in the regulation of calcium/phosphorous balance and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation, insulin resistance and obesity. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) and Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) are the main form of vitamin D: the active form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) is the result of two hydroxylations that take place in liver, kidney, pancreas and immune cells. Some anti-inflammatory cytokines are produced at higher levels by vitamin D, while some pro-inflammatory cytokines are released at lower levels. Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) expression is increased and a pro-inflammatory state is also linked to low levels of vitamin D. Regardless of how it affects inflammation, various pathways suggest that vitamin D directly improves insulin sensitivity and secretion. The level of vitamin D in the body may change the ratio of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines, which would impact insulin action, lipid metabolism, and the development and function of adipose tissue. Many studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between vitamin D concentrations and pro-inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, obesity and cardiovascular disease. It's interesting to note that several long-term studies also revealed an inverse correlation between vitamin D level and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D supplementation in people has controversial effects, in fact while some studies demonstrated improvements in insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism, others revealed no significant effect on glycemic control and inflammation. The aim of this review is to provide insight into the molecular basis of the relationship between vitamin D, insulin-resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 1 and 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Safety and Effectiveness of Intensive Treatments Administered Outside the Intensive Care Unit to Hematological Critically Ill Patients: An Intensive Care without Walls Trial
Authors: Vergnano Beatrice , Signori Davide , Benini Annalisa , Calcinati Serena , Bettini Francesca , Verga Luisa , Borin Lorenza Maria , Cavalca Fabrizio , Gambacorti-Passerini Carlo , Bellani Giacomo , Foti Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Historically, admission of hematological patients in the ICU shortly after the start of a critical illness is associated with better survival rates. Early intensive interventions administered by MET could have a role in the management of hematological critically ill patients, eventually reducing ICU admission rate. In this retrospective and monocentric study, we evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intensive treatments administered by the MET in a medical ward frame. The administered interventions were mainly helmet CPAP and pharmacological cardiovascular support. Frequent reassessment by the MET at least every 8 to 12 hours was guaranteed. We analyze data from 133 hematological patients that required MET intervention. In hospital mortality was 38%; mortality doesn’t increase in patients not immediately transferred to the ICU. Only 3 patients died without a former admission in ICU; in these cases, mortality was not related to the acute illness. Moreover, 37% of patients overcame the critical episode in the hematological ward. Higher SOFA and MEWS scores were associated with a worst survival rate, while neutropenia and pharmacological immunosuppression were not. The MET approach seems to be safe and effective. SOFA and MEWS confirmed to be effective tools for prognostication.
Construction of Co-expression Network affecting Intramuscular Fat Content and Meat Color Redness Based on Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Wang Binbin , Hou Liming , Yang Wen , Men Xiaoming , Xu Ziwei , Wu Wangjun
Published: September 2023

Intramuscular fat content (IFC) and meat color are vital indicators affecting pork quality. A significant positive correlation between IFC and redness meat color (a* value) indicates that these two traits are likely to be regulated by shared molecular pathways. To identify candidate genes, hub genes, and signaling pathways that regulate these two traits, we measured the IFC and a* value in 147 hybrid pigs and selected individuls with extreme phenotypes for transcriptome analysis. The results revealed 485 and 394 overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using DESeq2, limma, and edgeR packages affecting IFC and a* value, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified four modules significantly correlated with IFC and a* value. Moreover, we integrated functional enrichment analysis results based on DEGs, GSEA, and WGCNA conditions to identify candidate genes, and identified 47 and 53 candidate genes affecting IFC and a* value, respectively. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of candidate genes showed that 6 and 14 hub genes affecting IFC and a* value, respectively. These genes mainly participated in various pathways related to lipid metabolism and redox reactions. Notably, four crucial hub genes (MYC, SOX9, CEBPB, and PPAGRC1A) were shared for these two traits. After functional annotation of these four hub genes, we hypothesized that the SOX9/CEBPB/PPARGC1A axis could co-regulate lipid metabolism and myoglobin redox response. Further research on these hub genes, especially the SOX9/CEBPB/PPARGC1A axis, will help to understand the molecular mechanism of the co-regulation of IFC and a* value, which will provide the theoretical basis for improving pork quality.
Anthocyanins as Immunomodulatory Dietary Supplements: A Nutraceutical Perspective and Micro-/Nano-Strategies for Enhanced Bioavailability
Authors: Ijinu Thadiyan Parambil , Lellis Lorenza Francesca De , Shanmugarama Santny , Pérez-Gregorio Rosa , Sasikumar Parameswaran , Ullah Hammad , Buccato Daniele Giuseppe , Minno Alessandro Di , Baldi Alessandra , Daglia Maria
Published: September 2023

Anthocyanins (ACNs) have attracted considerable attention for their potential to modulate the immune system. Research has revealed their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which play a crucial role in immune regulation by influencing key immune cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Moreover, ACNs contribute to maintaining a balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus promoting immune health. Beyond their direct effects on immune cells, ACNs significantly impact gut health and the microbiota, essential factors in immune regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that they positively influence the composition of the gut microbiome that enhance the immunomodulatory effects of ACNs. Furthermore, these compounds synergize with other bioactive substances, such as vitamins and minerals, further enhancing their potential as immune-supporting dietary supplements. However, detailed clinical studies must fully validate these findings and determine safe dosages for different populations. Incorporating these natural compounds into functional foods or supplements can revolutionize the management of immune-related conditions. Personalized nutrition and healthcare strategies can be developed to enhance overall well-being and immune resilience by fully understanding the mechanisms underlying their actions. Recent advancements in delivery methods have focused on improving the bioavailability and effectiveness of ACNs, providing promising avenues for future applications.
Necroleachate Could be the Cemetery’s Sewage? A Panorama from Brazilian Legislation
Authors: Azevedo Ana Paula Chein Bueno de , Cardoso Telma Abdalla de Oliveira , Cohen Simone Cynamon
Published: September 2023

Cemeteries can be compared to landfills since their leachate, also known as necroleachate, can be transported and pollute groundwater, surface waters, and soils. In Brazil, the cemeteries management is the responsibility of states and municipalities, to ensure that they do not generate negative environmental impacts and risks to public health. This article aims to discuss Brazilian sanitary-environmental legislation relating to cemetery waste management. Among the Brazilian states, half have sanitary-environmental legislation for cemeteries, and between the municipalities, only 19 have specific legislation. The legislation is broad and has many gaps, leading to environmental vulnerability and risk of contamination for the people who live in the surrounding area.
Molecular Characterization of ANKRD1 in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines: Expression, Localization, and Proteasomal Degradation
Authors: Milosevic Emilija , Novkovic Mirjana , Cenni Vittoria , Bavelloni Alberto , Kojic Snezana , Jasnic Jovana
Published: September 2023

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue malignancy in children and adolescents. Respecting the age of the patients and the tumor aggressiveness, investigation of the molecular mechanisms of RMS tumorigenesis is directed toward the identification of novel therapeutic targets. To contribute to a better understanding of the molecular pathology of RMS, we investigated ankyrin repeat domain 1 (ANKRD1), designated as a potential marker for differential diagnostics. In this study, we used three RMS cell lines (SJRH30, RD, and HS-729) to assess its expression profile, intracellular localization, and turnover. They express wild-type ANKRD1, as judged by the sequencing of the open reading frame. Each cell line expressed a different amount of ANKRD1 protein, although the transcript level was similar. According to Western blot analysis, ANKRD1 protein was expressed at detectable levels in the SJRH30 and RD cells (SJRH30>RD), but not in the HS-729, even after immunoprecipitation. Immunocytochemistry revealed nuclear and cytoplasmic localization of ANKRD1 in all examined cell lines. Moreover, the punctate pattern of ANKRD1 staining in the nuclei of RD and HS-729 cells overlapped with coilin, indicating its association with Cajal bodies. We have shown that RMS cells are not able to overexpress ANKRD1 protein, which can be attributed to its proteasomal degradation. The unsuccessful attempt to overexpress ANKRD1 in RMS cells indicates the possibility that its overexpression may be lethal for RMS cells and opens a window for therapeutic targeting.
De Novo Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Are We Moving towards a Personalized Treatment?
Authors: Piombino Claudia , Oltrecolli Marco , Tonni Elena , Pirola Marta , Matranga Rossana , Baldessari Cinza , Pipitone Stefania , Dominici Massimo , Sabbatini Roberto , Vitale Maria Giuseppa
Published: September 2023

De novo metastatic hormone-sensitive PC (mHSPC) accounts for 5-10% of all prostate cancer (PC) diagnoses but it is responsible for nearly 50% of PC-related deaths. Since 2015, the prognosis of mHSPC has slightly improved thanks to the introduction of new hormonal agents and chemotherapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy from the first-line setting. This review describes the current therapeutic opportunities in de novo mHSPC, focusing on potential molecular biomarkers identified in the main clinical trials that have changed the standard of care, the genomic features of de novo mHSPC, and the principal ongoing trials that are investigating new therapeutic approaches and the efficacy of a biomarker-guided treatment in this setting. The road towards a personalized treatment for de novo mHSPC is still long considering that the randomized clinical trials, which have furnished the basis of the current therapeutic options, stratified patients according to clinical criteria that not necessarily reflect the biological rationale of the chosen therapy. The role of transcriptomic profiling of mHSPC as predictive biomarker requires further validation, as well as it remains to ascertain how the genomic alterations detected in mHSPC, that are considered predictive in the castration-resistant disease, can be exploited in the mHSPC setting.
MLPs Are All You Need for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Ojiako Kamsiriochukwu , Farrahi Katayoun
Published: September 2023

Convolution, recurrent and attention-based deep learning techniques have produced the most recent state-of-the-art results in multiple sensor-based human activity recognition (HAR) datasets. However, these techniques have high computing costs, restricting their use in low-powered devices. Different methods have been employed to increase the efficiency of these techniques; however, this often results in worse performance. Recently, pure MLP architectures have demonstrated competitive performance in vision-based tasks with lower computation costs than other deep-learning techniques. The MLP-Mixer is a pioneering pure MLP architecture that produces competitive results with state-of-the-art models in computer vision tasks. This paper shows the viability of the MLP-Mixer in sensor-based HAR. Furthermore, experiments are performed to gain insight into the Mixer modules essential for HAR, and a visual analysis of the Mixer’s weights is provided, validating the Mixer’s learning capabilities. As a result, the Mixer achieves an F1 score of 97%, 84.2%, 91.2% and 90% on the PAMAP2, Daphnet Gait, Opportunity Gestures and Opportunity Locomotion datasets, respectively, outperforming state-of-the-art models in all datasets except Opportunity Gestures.
Application Potential of Wastewater Fertigated Short Rotation Coppice Systems in a Selected Region (Aligarh, UP, India)
Authors: Hänel Mirko , Khurelbaatar Ganbaatar , Jespersen Emil , Upadhyay Aryan , Acosta Andres Camilo , Khalil Nadeem , Brix Hans , Arias Carlos Alberto
Published: September 2023

In many Indian regions increased wastewater is both a threat and an opportunity. Efficient wastewater treatment and reuse schemes are needed in India to face impending water and fertiliser shortages. This study explores the application potential of wastewater fertigated Short Rotation Coppice systems (wfSRC) as a cost-efficient and promising solution for treating and reusing wastewater in a specific region (400 km2, 184 settlements) of Aligarh (UP), India. Based on real data from a local wfSRC pilot site using bamboo, willow, and poplar, we analysed the system’s treatment performance, nutrient recovery, carbon sequestration potential, land requirements, biomass production potential, and cost-benefit, under various scenarios. The results show that the pilot wfSRC system is efficiently treating 250 m3/day of domestic wastewater on 6,864 m2 of land, and serving 2,500 people. The land requirements for wfSRC systems vary depending on local conditions and user requirements, ranging from 2.75 – 25.7 m2/PE which equates to a required land area in the whole study region of between 108 and 1006 ha in 2036. This would produce up to 100 DM t/ha/yr of valuable biomass. Early local stakeholder involvement and monitoring of pollutants are recommended as priorities during the planning process for large-scale implementation of wfSRC systems in India.
Cultivation of Cyanobacteria on Sustainable Dried Luffa cylindrica
Authors: Kollmen Jonas , Stiefelmaier Judith , Mofrad Ramtin , Strieth Dorina
Published: September 2023

Cyanobacteria are promising organisms for the sustainable production of various biotechnologi-cal interesting products. Due to their energy production via photosynthesis, the cultivation of cyanobacteria expands the CO2 cycle. Most cyanobacteria form biofilms on surfaces in their natu-ral environment by surrounding the cells with a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that hold the cells together. These special growth properties need special reac-tors for cultivation. By immobilizing cyanobacteria on carriers, systems currently established in industry could also be used for biofilm formers. Various artificial carriers for immobilized growth of cyanobacteria and microalgae have already been described in the literature. However, the use of waste materials or natural biodegradable carriers would be more sustainable and is, therefore, the focus of this study.
Dried Luffa cylindrica, zeolite, and corn stalks were investigated for their use as carriers for cyanobacteria. L. cylindrica was shown to be an excellent natural carrier for (i) Anabaena cylindrica (ii) Nostoc muscorum 1453-12a, and (III) Nostoc muscorum 1453-12b. Higher or at least similar growth rates were achieved when cyanobacteria were cultivated with L. cylindrica compared to submerged cultivation. Additionally, the production of EPS and C-phycocyanin was increased at least 1.4-fold in all strains by culturing on L. cylindrica. The improved growth could be explained on the one hand by the high surface area of L. cylindrica and its properties, and on the other hand by the release of growth-promoting nutrients from L. cylindrica to the medium.
Modified Vertical Parasagittal Sub-Insular Hemispherotomy - Case Series and Technical Note
Authors: Del Gaudio Nicole , Ferrao Santos Susana , Raftopoulos Christian
Published: September 2023

(1) Background: Hemispherotomy is the generally accepted treatment for hemispheric drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). Lateral or vertical approaches are performed according to the surgeon's preference. Multiples technical variations have been proposed since Delalande first described his vertical technique. We propose a sub-insular variation of the vertical parasagittal hemispherotomy (VPH) and describe our case series of patients operated on with this procedure. (2) Methods: a continuous series of patients operated on by the senior author (CR) with the modified sub-insular VPH was retrospectively analyzed. We report the demographic pre-operative characteristics, epilepsy and functional outcome as well as the surgical complications.(3) Results: Twenty-five patients were operated on between August 2008 and August 2023, twenty-three of them have at least a 3-month follow-up. On this last group 86,3% of patients were seizure-free. Only two patients developed post-operative hydrocephalus (8.7%), all patients with autonomous preoperative walk and 86,3% of the total series were able to walk without assistance (86.3%) and perform adapted social activities at last follow-up.(4) Conclusion: The modified vertical parasagittal sub-insular hemispherotomy is a successful surgical technique for hemispheric DRE with seizure freedom rates similar to the biggest series reported in the literature. Compared to other series, patients operated with our modified technique had a lower rate of postoperative hydrocephalus and excellent long-term motor and cognitive outcome.
Horava-Lifshitz $F(\bar{R})$ Theories and the Swampland
Authors: García-Compean Hugo , Mata-Pacheco Daniel , Zapata Luis
Published: September 2023

The compatibility between the de Sitter Swampland conjecture and Ho\v{r}ava-Lifshitz $F(\bar{R})$ theories with a flat FLRW metric is studied. We first study the standard $f(R)$ theories and show that the only way in which the dS conjecture can be made independent of $R$ is by considering a power law of the form $f(R)\sim R^{\gamma}$. The conjecture and the consistency of the theory puts restrictions on $\gamma$ to be greater but close to $1$. For the $F(\bar{R})$ theories described by its two parameters $\lambda$ and $\mu$ we use the equations of motion to construct the function starting with an ansatz for the scale factor in the Jordan frame of the power law form. By doing a conformal transformation on the three metric to the Einstein frame we can obtain an action of gravity plus a scalar filed by relating the parameters of the theory. The non-projectable and projectable cases are studied and the differences are outlined. The $F(\bar{R})$ function obtained consists of terms of the form $\bar{R}^{\gamma}$ with the possibility of having negative power terms. The dS conjecture leads to inequalities for the $\lambda$ parameter, in both versions it gets restricted to be greater but close to $1/3$. For the general case in which $\mu$ and $\lambda$ are considered as independent, the action contains an extra term but we propose that the conjecture is still applicable. Once again the non-projectable and projectable cases are studied. The $F$ function obtained has the same form as before, the consistency of the theory and the dS conjecture lead to a set of inequalities on both parameters that are studied numerically. In all cases $\lambda$ is restricted by $\mu$ around $1/3$ and we obtain $\lambda\to1/3$ if $\mu\to0$. Finally we consider the $f(R)$ limit $\mu,\lambda\to1$ and we obtain consistent results.
Symbiont Diversity in Imidacloprid-Resistant and Imidacloprid-Susceptible Populations of Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Zhang Juefeng , Li Fang , Zhong Haiying , Chen Jianming
Published: September 2023

Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid, has proven as efficacious against hemipterans including the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). Frequent use, however, has resulted in high levels of resistance to imidacloprid among brown planthopper populations. Endosymbionts of insects are important for host insect growth and development and seem to play a role in resistance to imidacloprid. In this study, polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) was used to analyze the bacterial and yeast-like-symbiont communities of imidacloprid-resistant and imidacloprid-susceptible brown planthopper populations. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index and the evenness index indicated that there were no differences in the composition of the symbiotic communities of resistant and susceptible with a similarity coefficient of 0.53 for bacterial symbionts and 0.56 for yeast-like symbionts for the two planthopper populations. Sequence comparison analysis showed that the numbers of bacterial species in the imidacloprid-resistant versus the imidacloprid-susceptible populations were not significantly different. The bacterial species in the susceptible population were members of the Enterobacteriaceae and Moraxellaceae, while these in the resistant population were members of the Enterobacteriaceae, Oxalobacteriaceae, Rhodobacteriaceae, and Sphingomonadaceae. The imidacloprid-susceptible population had more yeast-like symbiont species than the resistant population.
A Comparison Between Crossbred (Holstein × Local Cattle) and Bangladeshi Local Cattle for Body and Milk Quality Traits
Authors: Saha Sudeb , Hasan Md. Nazmul , Uddin Md. Nazim , Rahman B.M. Masiur , Khan Mohammad Mehedi Hasan , Khan Syed Sayeem Uddin , Kitazawa Haruki
Published: September 2023

Crossbreeding in dairy cattle with exotic breeds continues to be an appealing practice to the dairy farmers of Bangladesh. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of crossbreeding on both the physical attributes and milk quality traits of crossbred cattle in Bangladesh. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of crossbreeding Bangladeshi local cattle with the exotic Holstein breed on their body characteristics and milk quality. To achieve the goal, data pertaining to body traits and milk samples were gathered from a total of 981 cows from 19 dairy farms located in the northwestern region of Bangladesh. A trained evaluator measured body condition score (BCS), udder score, locomotion score, and body conformation traits. Milk yield information was acquired from official records, while milk composition details were determined through milk analysis. The average measurements for body traits were as follows: wither height (WH) at 138 cm, body length (BL) at 155 cm, and heart girth (HG) at 203 cm. Notably, crossbred cows (Holstein x Local cattle) exhibited greater values for WH, BL, HG, BCS, and udder score than their Bangladeshi local counterparts. Furthermore, the average daily milk yield of sampled cows was recorded at 8.7 kg, with fat and protein contents of 3.78% and 3.67%, respectively. It is worth noting that crossbred cows produced a higher volume of milk compared to Bangladeshi local cattle. However, milk from crossbred cows displayed lower fat and protein content, although their somatic cell score (SCS) remained similar. Additionally, milk from crossbred cows exhibited a longer coagulation time when compared to that of Bangladeshi local cattle. A more comprehensive assessment of the crossbreeding scheme, particularly in comparison to Holstein, would necessitate further research, including an examination of its impact on cheese yield traits, health, fertility, and longevity.
Management of Coronary Artery Disease in TAVR Patients
Authors: Faroux Laurent , Villecourt Aurélien , Metz Damien
Published: September 2023

About half of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) recipients exhibit some degree of coronary artery disease (CAD), and controversial results have been reported regarding the impact of the presence and severity of CAD on clinical outcomes post-TAVR. In addition to coronary angiography, promising data has been recently reported on the use of both cardiac computed tomography angiography and the functional invasive assessment of coronary lesions whether by FFR or iFR in the work-up pre-TAVR. Despite mitigated available data, percutaneous revascularization of significant coronary lesions has been the routine strategy in TAVR candidates with CAD. Also, scarce data exists on the incidence, characteristics and management of coronary events post-TAVR, and increasing interest exist on potential coronary access challenges in patients requiring coronary angiography/intervention post-TAVR. This review provides an updated overview of the knowledge of CAD in TAVR recipients, focusing on its prevalence, clinical impact, pre- and post-procedural evaluation and management.
A Study of Acid Etched Fracture Degradation During the Well Lifetime in a North Sea Chalk Reservoir
Authors: Mocanu A. , Bocaneala B.
Published: September 2023

The study of etched fracture degradation has been a subject of interest within reservoir production engineers and it is generally expected that the etched fractures created after pumping acid in carbonates at pressures exceeding fracturing pressure are subject to degradation in time. Based on past observations, the fracture production performance is expected to decrease in time, as the etched fracture is exposed to in-situ stress that tends to crush the pinch points supporting the fracture, resulting in fracture closure or partial closure therefore having direct impact on well production.

The phenomenon of fracture degradation was previously studied in the context of acid fracture and proppant fracture effectiveness comparison. This paper attempts to further develop the subject by describing a workflow to analyze the reservoir lifetime production data of a North Sea chalk reservoir to identify production decline and quantify possible fracture half-length decrease. The ongoing study, comprising several phases, also aims to define an acid frac degradation model and then analyze possible ways to address the phenomenon through fracture design optimization.

After the collection and segregation of field production data and wells intervention reports, the data was evaluated. Wells PIs were calculated and modelled using machine learning algorithms. PI decrease was further analyzed from perspective of potential fracture parameters change and the impact of the fracture parameters change was simulated in the production simulator. Numerical simulations results were compared to actual production data.

Application of machine learning algorithms resulted in an analytical model for PI decrease that show a reasonable match with actual observed filed data. Model can be used as a reference to refine post stimulation production forecast of the wells in the field which helps with field development planning. Resulted PI degradation model is subject of further improvement through refinement of the input data accuracy and addition of new data.
Large-Scale Experimental Investigation of Fracture Propagation Using OFDR-Based Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Sensing
Authors: Tang Jin , Fu Haifeng , Xiu Nailing , Weng Dingwei , Lei Qun
Published: September 2023

Distributed fiber-optic strain sensing has been used as cutting-edge technology for real-time hydraulic fracturing monitoring. To better understand the fiber-measured strain response to the fracture propagation, we conducted a large-scale experimental investigation in a poly-triaxial testing site with OFDR-based fiber-optic sensors. The objective of this study is to measure the strain variations due to fracture propagation by time, estimate the fracture geometry and provide insights into the quantitative interpretation of the field-measured strain data.

The experiments were conducted in a large-scale poly-triaxial testing site with a testing concrete sample of 30in×30in×36in dimension. The fiber-optic sensing cable was "Hairpin turn" shape embedded in different locations inside the sample with varying distances to the injection side. The fiber-measured strain data was recorded and displayed on a waterfall plot during fracturing. We injected dyed fluid to generate the fracture so that we could cut the sample to investigate the fracture geometry. After the experiment, the treating pressure, injection, and fiber strain data are obtained. Eventually, we analyzed the measured data to characterize the fracture geometry over time.

This research demonstrates the utilization of using OFDR-based distributed strain sensing to monitor fracture propagation and estimate the fracture geometry. The experiment results show significant insights. The vital function of OFDR-based fiber-optic sensing in extremely high precision and resolution shows its feasibility in monitoring the fracturing process in a laboratory-scale experiment. The results of the experiments validate the current understanding of interpreting featured patterns observed in fiber-optic monitoring plots as fracture propagation intersects the fiber cables.
Superior Salt-Tolerant High Viscoelastic Friction Reducer Polymer Enables 100% Re-Use of Ultrahigh TDS Produced Water in Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Imqam Abdulmohsin , Liu Echo , Shi Haito , Andrianov Alexey
Published: September 2023

The water usage per well has considerably increased over the last decade, putting tremendous pressure on freshwater resources. Rather than paying to treat and dispose of produced and flow back water, most hydraulic fracturing companies prefer to reuse it in subsequent stimulation treatments by using salt-tolerant high-viscoelastic friction reducers (HVFR) to conserve freshwater resources, reducing operations costs, reducing carbon footprint, and improving environmental stewardship. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the compatibility of salt-tolerant HVFR products in extremely high-salinity environments to enable 100% reuse of produced and flow back field water in stimulation operations. The HVFR performance was evaluated based on three criteria: i) friction reduction accomplishment, ii) viscoelastic properties performance, and iii) proppant transport capability. Two anionic HVFR slurry product was used with highly desired water sources of salinity varying up to 300,000 ppm. Four dosages at 0.5, 1, 4, and 6 gpt were investigated. Water source samples from oilfields in Northeast Texas and in Midland Texas with a salinity of 200,000 ppm and 62,563 ppm were used to hydrate HVFR. A flow loop was used to determine the friction reduction of the HVFR product. Anton Paar rheometer was used to determine the viscosity and elastic properties of HVFR. Proppant settling studies using 30/60 mesh sizes were conducted in a confined fluid tube. The performance of salt-tolerant HVFR was compared with a widely used commercial friction reducer fracture fluid. Results show that salt-tolerant HVFR is a "self-healing product" compatible with producing water salinity, it developed both high viscosity and elastic profiles with high isothermal viscosity stability at 122 °F and 167 °F in 200,000 TDS. Even at 200,000 TDS, low dosages of HVFR (0.5 gpt) still produce a high stable friction reduction rate of approximately 75% across 11 minutes of testing with high quick hydration in less than 20 seconds. Salt-tolerant HVFR shows a good proppant settling performance with a long proppant suspension time varying from 10 minutes to 20 minutes. Proppant suspension time is controllable by changing the HVFR concentration. Finally, the salt-tolerant HVFR shows much better rheological properties than the commercial HVFR. This study demonstrates that salt-tolerant HVFR products have excellent friction pressure reduction performance, very well-accepted viscoelastic properties, and high proppant transport capability using oilfield-produced water salinity. The laboratory results illustrate the true benefits of the use of salt-tolerant HVFRs as a base fluid with the increasing demand for re-cycled and flow-back water use in fracturing fluid systems.
Securing Depleted Sandstone Gas Reservoirs in Oman With a Novel Reverse Hybrid Fluid System (RHS) Technique
Authors: al Jahdhami Ahmed , Chavez Juan Carlos , al Yaqoubi Mazin , al Farsi Shaima , al Yaaribi Aflah
Published: September 2023

High differential depletion in deep tight gas reservoir causes limitation on the treatment pressure that can be applied to initiate and place optimum hydraulic fracture treatments. This paper will outline how a technique, applying viscous fingering, was successfully deployed to place hydraulic fractures in very challenging highly differentially depleted gas sandstone reservoir wells in Oman.

Most gas wells in PDO are completed with a 4 ½" 17ppf 13Cr cemented completion in stacked reservoirs. The differences in hydrocarbon mobility across the different target units will inevitably cause differential depletion. The challenge was to reduce surface treatment pressures while maintaining the ability to place a meaningful hydraulic fracture. The first Reverse Hybrid Fluid System (RHS) treatment in Oman was placed in PDO in 2019 and since then this technique has successfully managed to secure zones that would otherwise have been avoided. Long term monitoring of the wells with RHS was set up to observe the impact of this change in hydraulic fracture design on well productivity.

When simulating the hydraulic fracture treatments, the anticipated pressures excide the maximum allowable surface pressure to maintain the completion integrity. Without the possibility to reach the required pressures, early screen outs or the inability to breakdown the formation was observed in the field. The RHS technique managed to significantly reduce the treatment pressure while still maintaining the ability to create geometry and compensate for the low fluid efficiency, observed during the data frac, by using a Crosslinked Pad (CP) followed by slurry stages with Linear Gel (LG) or High Viscous Friction Reducer (HVFR) to carry the proppant. The difference in viscosity would carry the proppant in a viscous fingering pattern rather than plunger sweep pattern. This viscous fingering effect is very well documented in the industry, specifically in Enhance Oil Recovery (EOR). Conventional hydraulic fracture models, on the other hand, lack the ability to simulate this and, hence, optimizing the design and finding the right mobility ratio between the fluids is an area for much improvement.

The change in technique meant a change in the hydraulic fracture design as well as the type and proppant concentrations. A plan was put in place with production logs to monitor any impact of RHS on production, long term impact is yet to be assessed. RHS provides the ability to target reservoir units otherwise not feasible with combinational hydraulic fracture techniques, helping to secure the ultimate recovery from wells where differential depletion is observed.
Sand Control Through Frac Pack: Learnings from Over 400 Wells in the Penglai Oilfield, Bohai Bay, China
Authors: Gou Xinjun , Liu Baosheng , Zhang Ming , Hou Guanzhong , Sun Xiaofei , Zheng Jv , Wang Wei , Xi Jiangjun , Tan Caiyuan , Liu Xiaobin , Yu Jiansheng , Ma Chao , Lv Guang , Cao Jun , Li Changwei , Zhao Ning
Published: September 2023

After many years of field trials, cased hole frac pack has become the primary sand control and production enhancement method in developing the unconsolidated formations in the Penglai oilfield, Bohai Bay, China. The thick productive formations have low net-to-gross ratios, and the sandstone pays are separated by weak mudstones. This paper presents field cases of successful frac pack design and operations in the Penglai Oilfield.

This study reviews the sand control methods adopted in the Penglai oilfield and presents the major challenges in their field trials. The first cased-hole frac pack pilot was executed in 2008, followed by a four-well extended trial in 2009. After the field proof-of-concept, the large-scale adoption of frac pack began in 2011. Since then, continuous efforts have been made to optimize the key design parameters in successful frac packs, including perforation design, fracturing fluid, gravel placement, job size, downhole tools, etc. Well inflow modeling, laboratory evaluation and field trials have been performed and integrated in these optimization studies.

The study showcases over 400 frac-packed wells and more than 1500 stages, demonstrating the effectiveness of frac pack as an efficient sand control method when appropriately designed. This paper thoroughly examines the reservoir characteristics and key completion parameters during the frac pack, encompassing well architecture, net perforation thickness, perforation flow area, fracturing fluid, proppant, and various frac pack pumping parameters. Additionally, the paper summarizes key challenges, best practices, and valuable insights derived from extensive well data analysis. Results from this study emphasize the importance of maintaining the key design variables and call for the continuous optimization for the frac pack completion technology in waterflooded formations.

The paper also presents an integrated frac pack design approach that combines frac simulation, lab testing, and perforation optimization. This design approach has been successfully implemented in a large-scale well campaign in the Penglai oilfield. These findings contribute to the knowledge base of sand control and production enhancement in unconsolidated formations and provide key insights for improving the frac pack technology.