bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Deficiency Disparity: The Limit of Systemic Theory and the Need for Strategic Studies in Power Transition Theory
Authors: Steinback Athahn , Childs Steven
Published: June 2023

This article synthesizes power transition theory (PTT) at the grand strategic scale with military studies methods at lower levels of analysis. We analyze the Russo-Japanese War, the recent Afghan War, and the ongoing war in Ukraine as conflicts where political-military specificities enabled outmatched powers to win or force a stalemate. These cases demonstrate the decisive influence of power projection, doctrine, geopolitical constraints, and readiness on conflict outcomes. Finally, the authors operationalize PTT at the grand strategic scale alongside military studies methods at the operational level to propose U.S. responses to Chinese regional revisionism.
“Trying Not to Lose It”: The Allied Disaster in France and the Low Countries, 1940
Authors: Shuster Richard J.
Published: June 2023

This article argues that the critical point of failure in the Allied catastrophe in France and the Low Countries in 1940 was a military plan that ignored key tenets of operational art and planning. In doing so, it points out that the Allies lacked a strategy oriented toward victory, failed to balance their operational factors of time, space, and force, and planned against a single potential enemy course of action. Together, these components set the conditions for a swift Allied defeat that shocked the world.
Oilfield Technology Leads the Way in Pursuit of Undersea Metals Vital to Energy Transition
Authors: Wright Blake
Published: June 2023

A carbon-free world and green economy have a lot riding on the future of electricity generation and storage. As the world moves away from hydrocarbons and toward electricity to power everything from cars to the factories that make them and beyond, there is yet another crucial hurdle to clear. To meet the expected electric future for vehicles alone, it will take more manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium than we as a planet are currently producing. These elements are the building blocks for the batteries that power the electrified future—and they are finite.

Supply concerns have already hit automakers as more and more look to grow their electric vehicle (EV) footprints. Representatives from Tesla, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz were among the delegates at a recent metals and mining conference in Florida—a gathering usually attended by metals producers. The auto managers were in attendance to learn more about potential obstacles to their supply chains when it comes to lithium, nickel, and cobalt, all critical battery components.

An answer to the supply conundrum may lie in a most curious place—the ocean floor. Specifically, in deposits of polymetallic nodules—black lumps of mineral matter about the size of a potato that are strewn throughout certain areas of the Earth’s seabeds. These nodules are present in deposits across the globe, but mostly in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The existence of these nodules has been known for decades. In fact, it would be the idea of deep-sea mining for manganese nodules that would act as cover for a Cold War expedition known as Project Azorian, a CIA-led mission in the Pacific Ocean that would use a converted drilling rig—the Glomar Explorer—to retrieve a sunken Soviet submarine in the early 1970s. The mission was a partial success as only a portion of the crippled vessel was retrieved.

In the North Pacific between Hawaii and Mexico, there is an area called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) that is estimated to hold a field comprised of 21 billion dry tons of nodules at water depths ranging from 4 to 6 km. The CCZ is broken up into licenses, much like what is common for offshore oil and gas exploration.

“The amount of metals in the nodules themselves surpasses anything on land—far more nickel, far more cobalt, far more manganese, and a fair amount of copper as well,” said Rory Usher with The Metals Company, a deep-sea miner with licenses in the CCZ. “In the face of massive resource demand and constrained supply, we think this abundant and potentially lower-impact alternative is something that absolutely has to be responsibly considered. And through our extensive deep-sea science program to provide definitive answers as to the impacts, that’s exactly what’s been done.”
Case Study: Addressing the Mounting Challenge of Produced-Water Metering Inaccuracy With Nanotechnology
Authors: Wernli Clay , Cambre Elizabeth
Published: June 2023

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As the energy industry strives to reuse produced water and disposal costs of produced water increase, it has elevated the need for more accurate measurement to save money.

Measurement of produced water in the US unconventional market is impacted by paraffin deposition on the meters causing inaccurate readings of the volume of produced water. The industry is starting to address this growing issue by applying new technology solutions that enable lasting accuracy in the place of routine maintenance that provides a temporary solution.

Most oil and gas producers face paraffin buildup on the inside surface of their electromagnetic flowmeters. These meters are typically located on the produced-water leg, downstream of production and test separators. Paraffin, a waxy substance present in crude oil production, drops out of solution as the fluid cools from the wellhead through the surface equipment.

How Paraffin Impacts Metering

As the fluid is transported through the pipes, it cools down, causing the paraffin to solidify and deposit on the walls of pipes and flowmeters. Separators that are designed to remove most of the paraffin via heat are still susceptible to the accumulation of small amounts of paraffin that may coat the pipe and measurement devices.

Electromagnetic flowmeters are used to measure the volumetric flow rate of conductive fluids in pipelines, such as produced water. They operate by generating a magnetic field across the flow path and measure the voltage induced by the fluid as it flows through the magnetic field.

The voltage is proportional to the flow velocity and the magnetic field strength, which is used to calculate the volumetric flow rate of the fluid. Electromagnetic flowmeters contain a minimum of two electrodes, composed of ceramic or metallic materials depending upon the manufacturer. The electrodes read the induced voltage of the produced water flowing through the meter.

An insulating liner is placed inside the meter between the conductive fluid and the metal body. This isolates the fluid being measured from the meter body, preventing the fluid from creating an electrical short circuit.

Paraffin buildup affects the accuracy and reliability of electromagnetic flowmeters as it nucleates on the electrodes and the liner of the meter. Over time, the paraffin deposition will increase around the electrodes, essentially insulating the electrodes from the fluid. At this point the conductivity of the fluid is artificially reduced, and the flowmeter will under read.

If the paraffin coating on the electrodes becomes thick enough, a flowmeter will be completely insulated from the produced water, which the meter interprets as zero flow. As the paraffin coating on the liner increases, the cross-sectional area of the meter is reduced, creating a higher fluid velocity which results in the meter overreading the flowrate (Q = Av where A is the cross-sectional area of flow and v is its average velocity).
Technology Focus: Intelligent Operations (May 2023)
Authors: Al Yateem Karam
Published: June 2023

The first paper selected for this Intelligent Fields Technical Focus presents the use of a unique artificial-intelligence (AI) technique from the fourth industrial revolution—dual heuristic dynamic programming—to address business opportunities associated with optimization. The background, methodology, and novelty presented by the authors are clear; however, they need to benchmark their efforts and claims of improvement with peers.

The second paper demonstrates well-structured content, though the topic is detailed, with the introduction of a digital laboratory called Ibtikar toward the enablement of connecting to open-source tools with the use of AI. The collaboration in research and development, as well as addressing challenges of upstream oil and gas requirements, is commendable. The authors, however, do not address associated security concerns concerning the open-source aspect of the technology.

The third paper presents a combination of technologies used to automate daily data acquisition and model updates from production databases and run a supervised machine-learning model to continuously calibrate the network model.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 207188 Design and Development of a Solar-Powered Pump System With Liquid-Level Sensor and Controller Using Internet of Things Technology by Chinonyelum Ejimuda, Afe Babalola University, et al.

SPE 211314 Improved Field Production Planning and Cost Optimization Using Predictive Analytical Choke Performance Model and Intelligent Alarms in an Integrated Platform by Ayesha Alsaeedi, Adnoc, et al.

SPE 211367 Multidisciplinary Data Integration for Artificial-Intelligence-Assisted Well Placement and Trajectory-Design Optimization Under Uncertainty by Shi Su, SLB, et al.
Technology Focus: Extended-Reach and Complex Wells (May 2023)
Authors: Qiu Kaibin
Published: June 2023

A clear change in the last 2–3 years is that the energy transition is becoming the undisputable trend for almost all major oil and gas companies and oilfield services providers, as evident from the news of rebranding, the roll-out of companies’ new strategies, and announcements of commitments to net zero. Geothermal energy, especially within deep, hot, dry rock, is abundant around the globe. It can be a great opportunity for the majors to boost their energy-transition process and open new business opportunities.

Previously, however, deep geothermal development activities were rather limited and participation from the majors was sporadic. One reason was that drilling into such extra-hot and extra-deep impermeable rock could render excessively high cost and risk, making the development of deep geothermal energy far from economical and scalable and discouraging many companies from entering this hot spot.

The domain expertise and technologies in the oil and gas industry such as integrated project planning and operating, extended-reach drilling (ERD), high-pressure/high-temperature drilling tools, multilateral drilling and completions, geomechanics, flow and thermal dynamics modeling, and artificial intelligence have been fueling the ongoing march for new records on ERD, multilateral, and other complex wells. They have made it possible to drill faster, further, and with more production, which will be the keys to accelerating the learning curve, filling the technology gap, and breaking the economic barrier on deep geothermal drilling, which in turn will attract more players to this new arena.

A bold move of the majors into deep geothermal drilling could accelerate the removal of the economic and technical hurdles in harnessing the enormous baseload renewable energy and meanwhile backfeed new drilling technologies developed in deep geothermal applications to the oil and gas industry for a more sustainable future.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 206616 Deep Geothermal Well-Construction Problems and Possible Solutions by Mikhail Yakovlevich Gelfgat, Gubkin University, et al.

SPE 200792 Lessons Learned and Case Studies of Overcoming Sustained Casing Pressure in Extended-Reach Wells by Svetlana Nafikova, SLB, et al.

IPTC 21439 Application of Multilateral Wells for Production and Enhanced Oil Recovery: Case Studies From Canada by Eric Delamaide, IFP-Technologies
Expertise in Complex-Well Construction Leveraged for Geothermal Wells
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: June 2023

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 204097, “Constructing Deep Closed-Loop Geothermal Wells for Globally Scalable Energy Production by Leveraging Oil and Gas Extended-Reach Drilling and High-Pressure/High-Temperature Well-Construction Expertise,” by Eric van Oort, SPE, Dongmei Chen, SPE, and Pradeepkumar Ashok, SPE, The University of Texas at Austin, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

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In the complete paper, deep closed-loop geothermal systems (DCLGS) are introduced as an alternative to traditional enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for green energy production that is globally scalable and dispatchable. The authors demonstrate that DCLGS wells can generate power on a scale comparable to that of EGS. They also highlight technology gaps and needs that still exist for economically drilling DCLGS wells, writing that it is possible to extend oil and gas technology, expertise, and experience in extended-reach drilling (ERD) and high-pressure/high-temperature (HP/HT) drilling to construct complex DCLGS wells.

Introduction

CLGS is considered a subset of EGS, but the authors write that it is a distinct entity. EGS mostly involves well designs that rely on fractures for heat extraction. Such systems are different from CLGS wells in that the latter use closed conduits for thermal fluid circulation and heating. CLGS relies on fluids pumped through a closed loop. The authors treat CLGS systems as being different from EGS systems, with the understanding that drilling technologies discussed in the paper as enablers for CLGS wells apply equally to EGS wells.

In the geothermal (GT) domain, the majority of attention and funding currently is assigned to EGS projects. A case is made in the complete paper to continue to develop DCLGS technology because of its favorable risk profile compared with EGS.

Part I of the complete paper introduces a hydraulic model coupled with a thermal model suitable for calculating the power generation of DCLGS wells. This synopsis concentrates instead on Part II of the complete paper, in which technology gaps and needs of DCLGS drilling and well construction are highlighted and opportunities identified where oil and gas experience and technology can be directly applied and leveraged.

Similarities and Differences of Deep GT and Oil and Gas HP/HT Wells

- GT wells generally use larger production hole sizes than typical land wells.

- Casing-cement annuli typically are cemented back to surface.

- GT wells can be drilled in more-forgiving pore-pressure fracture gradient (PPFG) environments with wider drilling margins than geopressured HP/HT wells in hydrocarbon systems.

- Severe lost circulation appears to be a universal problem in deep GT wells.

- Drilling costs can account for 50% or more of the total capital costs for a GT energy project.

- Data sets on GT wells are much smaller than those for oil and gas wells.
Study Compares Methods To Measure Static Gel-Strength Development
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: June 2023

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This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 31348, “Comparing Oilwell Cement Static Gel-Strength Development by Ultrasonic and Intermittent- and Continuous-Rotation Measurement Methods,” by Shameed Ashraf, Rahmad H.M. Husin, and Awang Rizalman, Schlumberger, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2022 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

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Cement-sheath integrity preventing interzonal communication is closely related to static gel strength (SGS). API Standard 65-2 puts importance on the critical gel strength period (CGSP) measurement, which begins when the critical static gel strength (CSGS) is developed and ends when 500 lbf/100 ft2 is attained. The three methods accepted in the industry to measure SGS development are continuous and intermittent rotation, followed by ultrasonic measurement. A laboratory-based study is presented in the complete paper that compares these measurement methods.

SGS Measurement Methods

Continuous-Rotation Device. The continuous-rotation device used for direct SGS measurement is equipped with a pressure vessel capable of maintaining the set temperature and pressure that simulates actual cementing conditions. The paddle drag created by the continuous movement is converted and measured as SGS by means of correlation.

Intermittent-Rotation SGS Device. This device keeps the cement slurry to be evaluated in a static condition inside a pressure vessel at controlled temperature and pressure. The device features a torque-sensing arrangement that obtains the intermittent rotating paddle value. This measured torque value is used to calculate the SGS using correlations related to paddle dimensions.

Ultrasonic Method. An ultrasonic device can estimate the SGS of a concrete slurry under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions using an acoustic ultrasonic mechanism based on the attenuation of the acoustic wave communicated through the slurry during the hydration process. The ultrasonic cement-analyzer configuration estimates the acoustic speed, whereas the SGS analyzer measures the signal through the slurry. Thus, the SGS analyzer joins an implanted framework that performs computerized gel analysis. When data collection is complete, investigation of the information calculates the SGS values as a function of time. The authors compared the results obtained by this SGS system with information acquired from the tube rheometer device and shearometer and found them to have similar findings.

Testing Methodology

The methodology included the cement-slurry formula and the preparations followed by the device settings for each assessment type. Two different paddle configurations are used for the continuous-rotation method. As a result, four types of equipment evaluation are made for each slurry, two for the continuous-rotation type, one for the intermittent-rotation type, and one for the ultrasonic type.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Daily Self-Weighing to Prevent Age-Related Weight Gain
Authors: Levitsky David , Zhong Yingyi , Barre Laura , Mizia Alyse
Published: June 2023

Objective
Age-related weight gain refers to the gain in adult body weight with age. What makes age-related weight gain a serious public health problem is that the higher the rate of age-related weight gain, the greater the incidence of many weight related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. We examined the efficacy of daily self-weighing to reduce age-related weight gain among university employees.
Design:
Participants were randomized into two groups. One group (experimental) were given internet-based scales and asked to weigh themselves daily. They received an email reminder if more than three days elapsed between weighings. The other group (control), like the experimental group, was weighed at the beginning and the end of the two-year experimental period.
Settings:
The initial and final weighing occurred in the Metabolic Unit of the Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Participants:
The participants were 286 adult employees of a Cornell University
Results
Using the conventional Intent-to-Treat analysis neither the within subject weight change over time (-0.38kg [-1.27kg, 0.50kg], control: 0.19kg [-0.56kg, 0.93kg]) nor the between groups (0.40kg, p = 0.183) reached statistical significance. However, when the non-compliers from both the experimental and control group were removed, the self-weighers gained significantly less weight than the controls (0.59 kg (p = 0.048)). Analyses controlled for baseline weight, gender, ethnicity, age, education, marital status, weight change the year before the study, and baseline weighing frequency.
Conclusion
Compliers to daily self-weighing gained significantly less weight over two years than a matched group who did not self-weigh.
Process Modularity Impact on Manufacturing Lead Time and Throughput Rate in Terms of Mass Customization
Authors: Modrak Vladimir , Soltysova Zuzana , Nazarejova Julia
Published: June 2023

As mass customization becomes more pervasive in many sectors, researcher needs to update traditional approaches to optimization of critical performance and design parameters in order to help companies in their effort to implement this strategy. In general, implementation of mass customization from manufacturing perspective is frequently focused on shortening cycle times, reducing production cost, and increasing throughput rate of parts. In this paper, process structure modularity impact on manufacturing lead times and throughput rates is explored. An important precondition to explore these relationships is awareness that process modularity is conceptualized and quantified in an appropriate way. For this purpose, two independent modularity measures were employed to provide more reliable assessment of this system property. The relationships were investigated on the basis of simulation experiments using deterministic models of alternative process structures. The results from the experiments showed that there are strong correlations between process modularity and manufacturing lead time, as well as between process modularity and throughput rate.
Skin-effect-mediated magnetoionic control of charge transport in thick layers
Authors: Mohseni S.Majid , Miandoab Vahid Barough , Jamilpanah loghman , Zare Mohammad , Ghanaatshoar Majid
Published: June 2023

In the rapidly developing area of magnetoionics (MI), which combines electrochemistry and magnetism, changes in the surface chemistry of magnetic materials in response to gate voltages cause dramatic modifications in the magnetic characteristics, resulting in low power-consuming charge transport tuning. Due to the surficial character, only magnetic thin films have been addressed for the MI effect's role in controlling charge transfer. Here, we show how it can be used to regulate the transit of charges in bulk magnetic materials. This is accomplished by combining high-permeability magnetic materials with a high-frequency passing current, allowing the skin effect and the MI effect to control the magnetic materials' impedance due to the impedance's high sensitivity to magnetic permeability. Our in-situ impedance measurement and magneto-optical characterization show the role of redox reactions at the surface in controlling impedance in magnetic materials. This research paves the way for using the MI effect in high permeability bulk magnetic materials.
NDUFS4 Regulates Cristae Remodeling in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Danesh Farhad , Mise Koki , Long Jianyin , Galvan Daniel , Ye Zengchun , Fan Guizhen , Serysheva Irina , Moore Travis , Wada Jun , Schumacker Paul , Chang Benny
Published: June 2023

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is a highly adaptive process to meet metabolic demands of the cell, and its dysregulation has been associated with diverse clinical pathologies. However, the role and nature of impaired ETC in kidney diseases remains poorly understood. Here, we generated diabetic mice with podocyte-specific overexpression of Ndufs4, an accessory subunit of mitochondrial complex I, as a model to investigate the role of ETC integrity in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We find that these conditional mice exhibit significant improvements in cristae morphology, mitochondrial dynamics, and albuminuria. By coupling proximity labeling with super-resolution imaging, we also identify the role of cristae shaping proteins in linking NDUFS4 with improved cristae morphology. Taken together, we discover the central role of NDUFS4 as a powerful regulator of cristae remodeling, respiratory supercomplexes assembly, and mitochondrial ultrastructure in vitro and in vivo. We propose that targeting NDUFS4 represents a promising approach to slow the progression of DKD.
Seasonality and association with climate factors of peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and parapharyngeal abscesses in Korea
Authors: Kim Su Il , Lee Hun Hee , Eun Young-Gyu , Lee Young Chan
Published: June 2023

Background
Deep neck space abscesses are an important medical problem but the extent of their seasonality is not yet fully understood. Thus, we aimed to examine the seasonality of deep neck space abscesses and define the associated climate factors using a nationwide, population-based, cross‐sectional data.
Methods
Korean National Health Insurance-derived database with records from January 2010 to December 2019 was utilized in this study. We identified patients with peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and parapharyngeal abscesses who were assigned the following diagnostic codes as a principal or first additional diagnosis: The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes J36 (peritonsillar abscess), J39.0, and J39.1 (retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess and other abscess of the pharynx). We calculated the seasonal ratio as the ratio of the highest to the lowest number of patients per each month to assess the degree of seasonality for each studied condition. In addition, climate data points corresponding to each month were obtained. Thus, we analyzed correlations between the monthly patient numbers for each disease and various climate-related factors.
Results
We detected seasonal variations in the number of peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and parapharyngeal abscesses, which were highest in winter-to-spring and lowest in summer. Peritonsillar abscesses were strongly correlated with average temperature, ground temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, daily temperature range, and particulate matter < 10µm (PM10). Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses were linked to similar climate factors but with sunlight rate instead of PM10.
Conclusion
This large population-based study highlights a clear seasonality and climate relevance in patients with deep neck space abscesses. Further studies exploring detailed demographic factors associated with the incidence of deep neck space abscesses are required to better characterize these conditions.
Physicochemical Profile of Non-polar Extracts of Colombian Propolis (Npcs) and Their Correlation With the Antimicrobial Activity of Pathogenic Strains
Authors: Márquez David Guillermo Piedrahita , Ovalle Lady Viviana Camargo , Maraschin Marcelo , Schmitz Caroline , Díaz-Moreno Consuelo , Suárez-Mahecha Héctor
Published: June 2023

Honeybees collect multiple types of propolis with high concentrations of bioactive compounds with notorious antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, undesirable microorganisms in food products. Propolis is produced by collecting and transforming plant exudates around hives. Their composition and action against pathogenic microorganisms vary according to the hive structure and the plant's chemical composition. In the literature, there is a lack of information on the Colombian propolis action against pathogens, and there is no information about the chemical profile of the compounds in these samples. Therefore, to identify propolis's chemical profile and correlate the metabolites with the antimicrobial action, it is necessary to perform a metabolomic analysis that integrates spectroscopic techniques and bioassays. Techniques such as GC-FID, NMR, and U-HPLC were used to obtain the profile and concentration of low molecular weight metabolites, amino acids, fatty acids, and polyphenols. Then, the extracts were analysed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests to elucidate the bactericidal power of the extracts. It was concluded that the ecosystem and botanical species are the main characteristics that allow the discrimination of propolis. Additionally, it was seen that the bioactivity against pathogens was due to a synergistic effect between various metabolites, which have variations in their chemical structure, mainly in molecular weight and functional groups. Additionally, it was seen that the ecosystem has a more significant influence on the propolis composition compared to the bee species that collect the exudates.
The effect of m-Health interventions on early child development: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Tavassoli Ghanbar , Samimi Tahereh , Afshar Hadi Lotfnezhad , Eslamlou Hamidreza Farrokh , Rahimi Bahlol
Published: June 2023

Introduction Assisting in the growth and development of children can have an impact on the long-term sustainable progress of society. The integration of mobile health technology (m-health), which is a widely available and easily accessible approach, can be advantageous in achieving this goal. This protocol outlines a systematic review strategy for identifying articles that promote children's development through the use of m-health. Methods We developed this review protocol using the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) checklist. To conduct this systematic review, we will perform searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Our search strategy includes English articles published between 2000 and 2022, using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and related keywords. We will use the participants, interventions, comparators, and outcomes (PICO) framework to determine article inclusion criteria. At least two independent reviewers will assess the articles, and the findings will be reported in the published article. Discussion We expect that the results of this systematic review will clarify the effects of health on different aspects of child development and assist health policymakers in selecting cost-effective and optimal solutions to improve children's development across various domains. Additionally, it has the potential to identify gaps and provide directions for future research in this field. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022339264
Discovery of a new anticancer nicotinamide analog that targets the VEGFR-2 enzyme: a computer-assisted drug design (CADD) story
Authors: Eissa Ibrahim H. , Bkrah Mohamed , Yousef Reda , Elkady Hazem , Elkaeed Eslam B. , Alsfouk Bshra A. , Ibrahim Ibrahim M. , Metwaly Ahmed M. , Husein Dalal Z.
Published: June 2023

A new nicotinamide derivative, (E)-N-(4-(1-(2-(4-Benzamidobenzoyl)hydrazono)ethyl)phenyl)nicotinamide, was designed and evaluated for its potential to inhibit VEGFR-2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to explore the stability and reactivity of the designed compound. The molecular docking assessments indicated its potential to inhibit VEGFR-2. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further confirmed the binding with VEGFR-2. MM-GBSA analysis, PLIP experiments, and essential dynamics studies authenticated the precise binding with optimal energy. Then the targeted compound was synthesized and named compound 10. In vitro assays showed that compound 10 inhibited VEGFR-2 with an IC50 value of 0.1174 µM and exhibited potent cytotoxic properties against HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines with IC50 value of 35.78 µM and 57.62, respectively. Intwestingly, compound 10 showed low toxicity against vero cell lines exhibiting an IC50 value of 127.3 µM. Furthermore, compound 10 induced apoptosis of HepG2 cell lines making a substantial increase of 2.61-fold in caspase-3 levels and 3.66-fold in caspase-9. Finally, compound 10 decreased the potentialities of HepG2 cells to migrate and heal significantly. The results of the in vitro assays were consistent with in silico results, indicating the efficacy and safety of compound 10. In conclusion, the computer-assisted drug design (CADD) approach used in this study provide compound 10 as a promising candidate for the development of a new lead anticancer drug.
Construction of a novel microbial abundance prognostic risk (MAPR) model for predicting prognosis in CRC - based on bioinformatics
Authors: Chen Li , Lin Jie , Zhuang Wan-Li , Peng Shi-Rui , Li Xin-Biao , Li Dong-Liang , Xie Long-ke
Published: June 2023

Background Previous studies have demonstrated the significant role of the microbiome in the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, few studies have utilized bioinformatics to analyze the prognostic value of the microbiome in CRC. In this study, we constructed a CRC microbial abundance prognostic risk (MAPR) model and evaluated its prognostic value.
Methods The TCGA CRC microbiome data (TCGA-CRC-microbiome) was downloaded from the cBioPortal website. Univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between CRC microbial abundance and survival. The MAPR model was constructed based on the above analyses. The predictive ability of the MAPR model was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, independent prognostic analysis, and nomogram models.
Results Using 11 microbial genera which exhibited adverse overall survival (OS) in CRC patients from overall 1406 microbes in the TCGA-CRC microbiome dataset to construct a MAPR model.
This model was constructed and assessed for prognostic value using different survival endpoints. The results indicated that the high-risk group had shorter OS, progression-free interval (PFI), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free interval (DFI). High-risk status served as an independent adverse prognostic factor, with greater prognostic value than other clinical indicators. Compared to the MAPR-unincorporated CRC nomogram, the four nomograms incorporating MAPR significantly improved the predictive ability.
Conclusion The successful establishment of CRC's MAPR and its unique prognostic value provide a novel perspective for further investigations into the prognostic mechanisms of CRC patients.
The transcriptome profiling of the Sistani cattle and its crossbred with Montbeliarde breed
Authors: Esfeden Batol Asghari , Dashab Gholam Reza , Banabazi Mohammad Hossein , Rokouei Mohammad
Published: June 2023

Transcriptome study of the desired crossbreed and comparing it with the pure parental population is a method for evaluating and selecting cross with appropriate products, yet disease resistance, high tolerance to environmental stresses, and compatibility with the climate of the breeding tract. RNA-Sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was employed to investigate the effect of crossbreeding by the Montbeliarde cattle on the “Sistani cattle” transcriptome. Blood samples were collected from 60 cows (30 pure and 30 crossbreeds). The samples were shared together and two samples were taken from each group for sequencing (4 samples). Total RNA was extracted in the Media Teb Gene Laboratory of Iran. The mRNA selection, library preparation, and sequencing were performed at BGI Shenzhen, China on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer. After assembling the transcripts with the bovine reference genome, Cuffdiff was used to detect differential gene expression in purebred and its crossbred. In total, 45 significantly differentially expressed genes were identified (false discovery rate q < 0.05) between purebred Sistani and “Sistani×Montbeliarde” crossbreed. These genes are reported to have a role in immune response, calving, fertility, and resistance to mastitis. Besides, they may have a role in different levels of heat tolerance and disease resistance. Therefore, Sistani×Montbeliarde crossbred might be suitable for the climatic conditions of the Sistan region in Iran.
Trade-offs in the substrate mix optimization of biogas plants considering biomethane market conditions
Authors: Güsewell Joshua , Rousta Milad , Eltrop Ludger
Published: June 2023

Background:
New regulations and market conditions affect the profitability of biomethane upgrading as a repowering option for existing biogas plants following on-site CHP utilization. These conditions present challenges like higher sustainability requirements and opportunities in new markets and higher revenues. Finding the optimal substrate mix and profitable solutions across multiple market conditions, plant-specific process constraints, and substrate properties requires optimization methods like linear programming (LP).
Methods:
We developed a substrate mix optimization model within an assessment framework for repowering existing biogas plants (BGPs). By modeling different variations of the German biomethane markets and conducting a sensitivity analysis for various BGPs, we assessed changes in the substrate mix, GHG emissions, contribution margins, and constraint parameters to derive conclusions for operators and future framework design.
Results:
Integrating market revenues and constraints into the substrate mix optimization can increase contribution margins by 12–55%. The gains increase by considering multiple markets simultaneously but are limited to a few BGPs. The plant-specific LP solution space and setting of the benchmark are decisive. The former limits the potential of high substrate-specific contribution margins, which has a significantly higher impact than the relation between plant-specific characteristics and process constraints. The advanced fuel market is the lead market for biomethane, incentivizing low yield and GHG emission substrates, decreasing gas production and GHG emissions but increasing LCOE and partially CO2 abatement costs.
Conclusions:
The key to improving profitability is a large LP solution space to supply an increasing biomethane demand while fulfilling new requirements. Increasing market options, substrate availability, and digestion system capacity achieve this. Another way is by reducing normative requirements such as a maize cap or double counting of advanced fuels and favoring high but uniform GHG requirements and low GHG emission substrates. Operators can prepare robustly for the future substrate mix by adding digester volume and pre-treatment tech, ensuring long-term and diverse substrate availability, and sales contracts with flexible components. Although current market conditions improve GHG emissions, they do not necessarily increase manure usage when other options, such as straw, are viable. Other regulatory support systems will be required to do so.
A dual indexed approach to small RNA sequencing library preparation for PRO-seq
Authors: Layden Hillary M. , Jones Angela L. , Ellis Jacob D. , Hiebert Scott W.
Published: June 2023

Advances in next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have vastly increased the number of samples that can be sequenced together and reduced the cost per sample. To fully utilize the increased capacity of standard sequencers, samples must be multiplexed. Sample multiplexing allows libraries to be pooled and sequenced together on a single sequencing run. Multiplexing requires libraries that have been prepared with a unique 6-12 bp sequence (index). The most efficient and cost-effective sequencing platforms rely on paired end sequencing methodologies to improve multiplexing efficiency. While libraries with a single index can be sequenced on paired end sequencers they reduce the efficiency of demultiplexing and increase the sequencing cost due to index mis-assignment. However, some specialized library preparation protocols, like the TruSeq Small RNA protocol, that rely on custom sequencing adapters have not been updated by Illumnia to include a second index. Commercially available kits for creating small RNA paired end libraries are expensive and do not provide the level of transparency required to adapt the kits to custom protocols. Here, we provide a dual-indexed approach to small RNA library preparatio that reduces the cost per library by nearly half (compared to the NEXTFLEX v3 kit) and includes all sequences for the oligonucleotides required. While this workflow was developed for PRO-seq libraries, deviations from the original TruSeq Small RNA library preparation protocol are denoted and alternate reagents are provided to facilitate adaptation of existing protocols.
Establishment of an efficient expression and regulation system in Streptomyces for economical and high-level production of the natural blue pigment indigoidine
Authors: Zhao Ming , Zhang Xiu-Shan , Xiong Liang-Bin , Liu Kun , Li Xiang-Fei , Liu Yan , Wang Feng-Qing
Published: June 2023

Background Indigoidine, as a kind of natural blue pigment, is widely used in textiles, food, and pharmaceutical and mainly synthesized from L-glutamine via a condensation reaction by indigoidine synthetases, most of which originated from Streptomyces species. Although Streptomyces possesses strong secondary metabolism, the switches of which from the primary metabolism are complex and thus a challenge to holistically optimize their productivities. Therefore, most of the researchers choose to over-express indigoidine synthetases in the heterologous host to achieve high-level production of indigoidine.
Results Considering the advantages of low-cost culture medium and simple culture conditions during the large-scale culture of Streptomyces, here, an updated regulation system derived from Streptomyces self-sustaining system, constructed in our previous study, was established for the highly efficient production of indigoidine in Streptomyces lividans TK24. The updated system was constructed via promoter mining and σhrdB expression optimization, and this system was applied to precisely and continuously regulate the expression of indigoidine synthetase IndC derived from Streptomyces albus J1704. Finally, the engineered strain was cultured in the cheap industrial medium, and 14.3 g/L and 46.27 g/L indigoidine could be achieved in flask and 4 L fermentor, respectively, reaching the highest level of microbial synthesis of indigoidine.
Conclusions This study will lay a foundation for the industrial application of Streptomyces cell factories to produce indigoidine.
Studying Data Loss, Nonlinearity, and Modulation Effects in Drone Swarms with Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Kharchenko Volodymyr , Grekhov Andrii , Kondratiuk Vasyl
Published: June 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) of drone swarms depends on reliable communications. The parallelism and distributed characteristics of swarm intelligence provide self-adapting and reliable capabilities. This article is devoted to the calculation of packet losses and the impact of traffic parameters on the data exchange in swarms. Original swarm models were created with the help of MATLAB and NetCracker packages. Dependences of data packet losses on the transaction size are calculated for different drone number in a swarm using NetCracker software. Data traffic with different parameters and statistical distribution laws was considered. The effect of different distances to drones on the base station workload has been simulated. Data transmission in a swarm was studied using MATLAB software depending on the signal-to-noise ratio, nonlinearity levels of base station amplifier, signal modulation types, base station antenna diameters, and signal phase offsets. The data obtained allows foresee the operation of drone communication channels in swarms.
A novel Chemokine-related LncRNA signature predicts the prognosis and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Zhu Kang , Xiong Linmin , Xiong Jianwen , Zhu Ying , Liang Yonggang , Yu Dongliang
Published: June 2023

Background Chemokines and their receptors are widely reported to be closely associated with cancer progression, especially in the immune microenvironment. However, studies on chemokine-related lncRNAs (CRLs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) have not been reported. This study aimed to construct a prognostic model based on CRL signature to explore their relationship with prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD. Samples and methods: We first obtained RNA-seq data and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, then identified prognostic CRLs by co-expression analysis and univariate Cox analysis, and constructed a prognostic model based on CRLs to predict the prognosis of LUAD patients using multifactorial Cox analysis and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to assess the prognostic ability of the model. Finally, we also explored the relationship of the risk model with immune checkpoint gene expression, tumor mutation burden, immunotherapy scores, and drug sensitivity. Results We constructed a risk model based on seven CRLs (AL391261.1, AC034223.2, SH3BP5-AS1, LY86-AS1, AC104971.3, LINC01843, AL157388.1) that were significantly associated with prognosis. Patients with LUAD were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups, using the median value of the risk score as the cutoff. K-M survival analysis showed that the higher the risk score, the worse the prognosis. the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.796, and multi-factor Cox analysis showed that the risk score was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of LUAD. In addition, our risk model played a key role in predicting immune checkpoint gene expression, tumor mutation burden, immunotherapy score, and drug sensitivity in LUAD patients. Conclusion We have identified a new CRL signature that has clinical value in predicting the prognosis of LUAD patients and provides a theoretical basis for the development of immunotherapy regimens for LUAD.
Differentiating Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumors from Atypical Meningiomas Using Conventional MRI: A Comparison of Radiomics Models Versus Assessment from Radiologists, and Exploration of Correlation with Collagen Volume Fraction.
Authors: Zhang Hua , Li Xiaoling , Xing Zhen , Kang Jie , Song Yang , Li JianYe , Cao Dairong , Wang XingFu
Published: June 2023

Purpose:
To investigate the performance of qualitative, quantitative assessment and radiomics models between solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) and atypical meningiomas (ATMs), and the relationship between imaging parameters and collagen volume fraction (CVF).
Methods:
This study included 132 patients with ATMs and 50 patients with SFTs who underwent MRI. Qualitative assessment was performed using a five-point-scale visual scoring on T1WI and T2WI. Quantitative assessment was conducted by dividing the signal values of tumors by those of centrum semioval or thalamus. Radiomics models were established on T1WI, T2WI, and T1&T2WI. Spearman correlation was used to determine the correlation between CVF and imaging features.
Results
The AUCs and cutoff values of qualitative parameters were 0.913, > 3 on T1WI, and 0.763, ≤ 4 on T2WI in testing set. The AUCs were 0.854, 0.877, 0.942 for T1WI, T2WI and T1&T2WI models in testing set. There were significant differences between radiomics models and qualitative and quantitative assessment in training set (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in testing set. Among SFTs, negative correlation was obtained between CVF and qualitative and quantitative parameters on T1WI and T2WI.
Conclusion
The hyperintensity on T1WI and hypointensity on T2WI were valuable for discriminating SFTs and ATMs. The performance of radiomics models was superior to qualitative and quantitative parameters. The imaging parameters on T1WI and T2WI were negatively correlated with CVF among SFTs.