bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disposable Fibre Optic Surveys Optimise Wells and Reduce CO2 Emissions in Unconventional Assets
Authors: Crawford R. , Green A. , Lynch P. , Feherty C.
Published: November 2023

The large quantity of batch wells typical in unconventional fields results in per well incremental optimisation gains compounding and significantly improving asset economics. A disposable, cost effective, fibre optic intervention system safely and efficiently provides high quality data to optimise completion design and hydraulic fracturing, calibrate reservoir models and inform future well design. CO₂ efficiency estimates and technology applications in unconventional fields including Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP), cement cure analysis and hydraulic fracture optimisation are outlined.

The upper end of one or two bare fibre optic cables are fixed inside a light-weight pressure control cap, while the downhole ends are deployed along the wellbore as they unspool from a disposable probe which is pumped along horizontal sections. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is used for seismic and micro-seismic fracture analysis, whereas Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) is used to monitor well and near wellbore fluids. The high-quality data is used both in real time and subsequent enhanced analysis with disposable fibre having been successfully deployed in over 200 unconventional wells. The high level of acoustic and strain coupling as well as the elevated sensitivity of disposable bare optic fibre produce high quality data, with recent studies favourably comparing disposable fibre data with that obtained by retrievable fibre optic intervention. When compared with well monitoring methods utilising Wireline or Coiled Tubing, the disposable fibre system is extremely light weight with a micro footprint, requires only one person to deploy, has static seals, and does not require a BOP. The result is a low risk, efficient, method of highly sensitive, complete wellbore, fibre optic sensing. The transportation weight saving, reduced survey time, power consumption and reduced personnel requirements result in significant operational CO₂ reductions.

Examples of unconventional well VSP, cement cure analysis, well integrity and fracture optimisation applications demonstrate efficiency gains and impact on asset economics. Unconventional field lifecycle applications of a new disposable fibre optic system are presented along with field optimisation and economic benefits. In addition, an example operation illustrating comparative CO₂ emissions for a hydraulic fracture monitoring application demonstrates disposable fibre CO₂ emissions at 8% of comparable wireline operations.
Limited Entry Liner Completion and Acidizing Design with Consideration of Reservoir Heterogeneity for MRC Wells
Authors: Liu Huifeng , Jia Wanting , Cui Longlian , Xu Ning , Yang Guobin , Liqiu Ping , Chen Zhangxin
Published: November 2023

MRC (Maximum Reservoir Contact) wells with extra-long laterals (formation contact length＞5000m) are drilled in many oilfields in the world to develop tight and thin reservoirs. LEL (Limited Entry Liner) completion and acidizing are an effective technology to stimulate these wells because they distribute the acid uniformly along the long laterals. The design of a distribution of holes in LEL is the key to this technology, especially for reservoirs with high heterogeneity.

This study focuses on the optimization of the current LEL completion design strategy by considering the porosity heterogeneity along the lateral and the permeability anisotropy within each segment. Firstly, a model for designing a distribution of holes in LEL is established by incorporating a newly developed model for calculating a post-stimulation equivalent skin factor. Secondly, three LEL completion design strategies are proposed: uniform acid coverage, uniform wormhole length and uniform equivalent skin factor. Thirdly, a real well case is introduced to show the difference between the three strategies in terms of the distribution of holes, generated wormhole length and post-stimulation skin factor.

In our new design model, the variances of formation porosity, the differences in acid outlet flow velocity among different segments and the difference in permeability in different directions are considered. This model is used in a horizontal well to achieve uniform post-stimulation equivalent skin factor and the result is compared with those by the other two design strategies. The result from the uniform acid coverage strategy shows that the total number of holes is 198, the length of the generated wormhole is 4.46ft and the equivalent skin factor is -2.88. The result from the uniform wormhole length strategy indicates that fewer holes (totally 135) and a more irregular holes distribution are obtained; the wormhole length is 0.43ft. The result from the uniform equivalent skin factor design strategy shows that the total number of holes is 161; the wormhole length and acid coverage are bigger at the heel but smaller at toe. It also shows that the equivalent skin factor is much bigger (even positive at the heel) than in the other two strategies, which indicates that more acid and consequently more holes should be added at the heel. It is also recommended for an appropriate selection of the three design strategies.

Our work is an optimization for LEL completion design based on the current design strategy in the industry, which only aims for uniform acid distribution. A guideline chart of the three design strategies we have proposed is also useful for engineers to select the appropriate LEL design methods based on the specific well conditions.
Unlock the Conventional and Unconventional Potential of North Kuwait Jurassic Reservoirs
Authors: Ameer A. , Al-Saffaar A. , Narhari S. , Emera M. , Jin M.
Published: November 2023

The success of production from unconventionals in North America, encourage Kuwait to focus on Najmah Kerogen and unconventional resources that have value of significant hydrocarbon resource potential in North Kuwait Jurassic Area. Kuwait Oil Company has embarked on a journey to unlock these unconventional resources by screening the subsurface targets in the reservoirs which have potential to contribute to the gas production ambitions of the country. Unconventional field development team has evaluated these difficult reservoirs through an End To End (E2E) hydrocarbon maturation (HCM) framework, with a clear roadmap to appraise and develop these resources to sustain the required plateau of the unique Gas Asset in Kuwait.

The reservoirs of focus are a mix of naturally fractured carbonates with conventional "Middle Marat (MM)" reservoirs and tight unconventional reservoirs ("Najmah/Sargelu"&"Kerogen") at a depth of 15000+ ft in a HPHT setting. The E2E-HCM Modules have been used as key building blocks for the economic evaluations. The modules can be flexibly combined as needed to model the economic potential of each of the Common Value Areas (CVAs), where a CVA is defined as an area that has been demonstrated to have common economic metrics based on Play-Based Exploration (PBE), infrastructure, and field development characteristics.

Aggregating modelling tools (eg Proviso), using decline curves of 23 conventional volatile oil and gas condensate reservoirs (3D simulation) and five unconventional reservoirs have been used. Long term production forecast is generated by combining these simulation results and flowing through 8 production facilities. An optimized drilling sequence of 500+ wells is worked-out to achieve this production forecast. This exercise also facilitated in screening potential targets for further drilling for meeting and sustaining the promised gas production plateau. In this paper, the methodology and workflow used for unlocking the potential of conventional and unconventional resources of north Kuwait Jurassic reservoirs is highlighted.
Computational Analysis of Proppant Transport and Screen-Out in Natural and Induced Fractures
Authors: Leonardi Christopher R. , Di Vaira Nathan J. , Laniewski-Wollk Lukasz , Ganpule Sameer , Flottmann Thomas
Published: November 2023

Predicting the pressure drop (or, equivalently, the effective permeability) across a fracture due to proppant injection is integral to the design of hydraulic fracturing treatments. This theoretical study investigates the relationship between permeability and proppant solid volume fraction, φ, for synthetic rough fractures via direct numerical simulation. For high aperture widths, it is found that permeability decreases in accordance with the cubic law with viscosity adjusted to that of a suspension. This is commensurate with what is currently employed in commercial hydraulic fracturing simulators. Moreover, permeability decreases with increasing fracture roughness. In narrow fractures, however, the permeability deviates further due to arching and localised clogging. However, screen-out, or complete fracture clogging, does not occur instantaneously. Instead, fracture permeability decreases as a continuous function of increasing φ, with gradually-increasing arching and localised clogging. The current binary criteria used by hydraulic fracturing simulators, which model a discontinuous jump in permeability at some φ, are therefore not reflective of the reality of particle transport in rough fractures because they grossly under-predict the permeability. Instead of the existing apparent viscosity and binary screen-out models, the permeability decline curves which are presented in this work should be incorporated into simulators as corrections to the cubic-law fracture permeability.
Study on Parameters Optimisation of Fracturing Stages & Perforation Clusters in Luzhou Deep Shale Gas Horizontal Wells Based on Integrated Drilling and Logging Data
Authors: Yuan L. , Hu S. L. , Mu L. Y. , Wang D. L. , Yang X. T. , Song Y. , Wang J. C.
Published: November 2023

Considering the high temperature environment and high operation cost, only a small number of deep shale gas horizontal wells in Luzhou would conduct logging in horizontal sections. If the neighboring wells were rather far away, it would be difficult to accurately obtain the reservoir heterogeneity along the lateral; therefore, most completions were designed geometrically, with little or no guidance for the location optimizations of fracturing intervals & perforation clusters. In such a case, it was most likely to occur a low opening rate of perforation clusters in the same stage, resulting in a poor stimulation effect.

For the first time, this paper proposed a novel optimization method for the fracturing parameters of horizontal sections based on integrated drilling & logging data. Firstly, the available data type was evaluated. If the logging data was missing, geometrically designed stages and clusters would be relocated based on drilling data; otherwise, it could be easily accessible by logging data. Then, when relocating, the drilling data (torque, drilling pressure, mechanical drilling speed, etc.) were used to calculate the rock mechanical specific energy (RMSE) along the lateral. Next, the RMSE values were calibrated with the indoor rock mechanics experiments to establish a standard classification of Luzhou deep shale rock hardness. Finally, based on the principle of similar rock hardness, the perforation clusters in the same fracturing stage were re-positioned to ensure their locations at the same or adjacent rock hardness level.

The above design method was applied and verified in Luzhou deep shale gas wells, the results demonstrated that, after the geometrically distributed segments & clusters were adjusted and relocated, their positions had a high matching rate of 85.47% with the optimized design of fracturing segments & perforation clusters using logging data. What's more, the VideoLog technology was utilized to observe the erosion of the perforation holes after fracturing, 9 out of 11 perforation clusters effectively opened, with an opening rate of up to 81.8%. Compared to the previous geometrically fracturing design with only 2 out of 10 perforation clusters effectively opened, it was a 124.7% improvement. In addition, the shape and size of the opening perforation holes were the same after erosion, which indicated that the hardness of the rock at the locations where the perforation holes were arranged was nearly the same, resulting in almost all clusters simultaneously opening & initiating.

Therefore, this method can effectively compensate for the blindness of the segment & cluster parameters design caused by the lack of logging data, ensure the effective opening efficiency of perforation clusters in the same stage, and maximize the uniformity and effectiveness of reservoir stimulation.
Do Caregivers Hava an Effect Extended Hospitalization in Patient Fallowed Palliative Care Center? A Study From Turkey
Authors: Çakmak Nuray Yılmaz
Published: November 2023

Background
Since palliative care clinics are clinics that strive to solve the pain caused by the disease as well as other physical and psychological symptoms and social problems as a caregiver burden, the length of stay becomes important in our clinics with high demand from patients.
One of the purposes of palliative care centers is to evaluate the patient for discharge, to provide devices that the patient needs at home or in a nursing home, and to provide caregivers with care and device usage training. We aimed to investigate whether the length of stay is caused by the caregivers as well as clinical conditions.
Methods
In this study, we retrospectively investigated the days of hospitalization of 915 patients followed in a palliative care center and the factors that prolong hospitalization in patients with extende hospitalization.
Results
The average length of stay of the patients was found to be 15.65±11.43 days. Hospitalization longer than 28 days was found to be 97(10.6%) patients. The most common reason for extende hospitalization was the reluctance of care givers to discuss discharge in 47 (48.5%) patients. The second most frequent discharge was delayed in 25 (25.8%) patients due to clinical instability. 23(23.7%). A significant relationship was detected between length of stay and TPN and nutrition. A significant relationship was detected between patients with comorbid cancer (p>0.042) and coronary artery disease (p<0.01) and extended stay.
Conclusion
With the aging of the world population and the improvement of health care services, the need for palliative care is increasing day by day. In order to use resources efficiently, there is a need to optimize the length of stay in palliative care with a multidisciplinary approach.
Trial registration
This study registerded retrospectively.
Phase Dependent Hanbury-Brown and Twiss effect
Authors: Ou Zhe-Yu , Tang Xuan , Zhang Yunxiao , Guo Xueshi , Cui Liang , Li Xiaoying
Published: November 2023

Hanbury-Brown and Twiss (HBT) effect is the foundation for stellar intensity interferometry. However, it is a phase insensitive two-photon interference effect. Here we extend the HBT interferometer by mixing a reference field with the input fields before intensity correlation measurement. With the freely available coherent state serving as the reference field, we experimentally demonstrate the phase sensitive two-photon interference effect when the input fields are thermal fields in either continuous wave or non-stationary pulsed wave and measure the complete complex second-order coherence function of the input fields without bringing them together from separate locations. Moreover, we discuss how to improve the signal level by using the more realistic continuous wave broadband anti-bunched light fields as the reference field. Our investigations pave the way for developing new technology of remote sensing and coherent imaging.
Nickel-plated SiCp/Al composites brazed in the air: Microstructure and mechanical properties of brazed joints under different processes
Authors: Qiu Dechao , Cheng Dongfeng , Niu Jitai , Ba Xianli , Brnic Josip
Published: November 2023

55% SiCp/ZL102 composites were surface metalized by electroless nickel plating. The Al-17Cu-8Mg-2Ni as-cast brazing alloy was treated by an ultra-cold thin strip system using a melt-spinning machine to realize the redistribution of solutes. The obtained foil-like brazing alloy has better flexibility, more uniform element distribution, and higher free energy than the as-cast brazing alloy. The 55% SiCp/ZL102 composites after nickel plating were brazed by different brazing processes in the air. The Ni-P coating effectively inhibited the formation of alumina film on the composite surface. However, the presence of an oxide layer on the foil filler caused a negative effect on the Ni-P coating and hindered the diffusion between elements. SiC, Ni2Al3, and other phases were detected in the joint port. The characteristic morphologies such as furrows and massive particles indicated that the fracture behavior is brittle fracture. The maximum shear strength of the joint was 88.31 MPa at 590°C.
Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 in young children with moderate acute malnutrition: secondary analysis of a randomized trial in Burkina Faso
Authors: Grenov Benedikte , Helt Thora , Cichon Bernadette , Fabiansen Christian , Iuel-Brockdorff Anne-Sophie , Yameogo Charles , Ritz Christian , Briend André , Michaelsen Kim , Filteau Suzanne , Friis Henrik , Christensen Vibeke
Published: November 2023

Background/objectives
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important growth factor in childhood. We aimed to investigate the impact of food supplements for treatment of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) on serum IGF-1 (sIGF-1).
Subjects/methods
This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized 2×2×3 factorial nutrition trial. Children aged 6-23 months with MAM received 2093 kJ/day (500 kcal/day) as lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) or corn-soy blend (CSB), containing either dehulled soy or soy isolate and different quantities of dried skimmed milk (0%, 20% or 50% of total protein) for 12 weeks. The trial was double-blind with regard to soy and milk, but not to matrix (LNS vs. CSB). sIGF-1 was measured at inclusion and after 12 weeks supplementation.
Results
Of 1609 children enrolled, 1455 (90%) had sIGF-1 measured at both time points. During supplementation sIGF-1 increased 6.7 (95%CI 6.1; 7.3) ng/ml compared with an expected age-dependent decrease of 0.3 (95%CI 0.2; 0.4) ng/ml. Children who received LNS vs. CSB had lower increase in sIGF-1 (-8%, 95%CI -12; -3). The effect of LNS was partly attenuated when sIGF-1 was corrected for inflammation. Children who received soy isolate compared with dehulled soy had higher increase in sIGF-1 (6%, 95%CI 1; 12). Milk content did not affect sIGF-1.
Conclusions
Overall, sIGF-1 increased during supplementation. The lower increase with LNS vs. CSB was only partly explained by increased inflammation with LNS, and needs further investigation. Isolate vs. dehulled soy led to a higher increase which may be due to antinutrients in dehulled soy.
Genomic malaria surveillance of antenatal care users detects reduced transmission following elimination interventions in Mozambique
Authors: Mayor Alfredo , Brokhattingen Nanna , Matambisso Gloria , Silva Clemente da , Vickers Eric Neubauer , Pujol Arnau , Mbeve Henriques , Cistero Pau , Maculuve Sonia , Cuna Boaventura , Melembe Cardoso , Ndimande Nelo , Palmer Brian , García Manuel , Munguambe Humberto , Lopez Julia Montana , Nhamussa Lidia , Simone Wilson , Chidimatembue Arlindo , Galatas Beatriz , Guinovart Caterina , Rovira-Vallbona Eduard , Saute Francisco , Aide Pedro , Aranda-Díaz Andrés , Greenhouse Bryan , Macete Eusebio
Published: November 2023

Routine sampling of pregnant women at first antenatal care (ANC) visits could make Plasmodium falciparum genomic surveillance more cost-efficient and convenient in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the genetic structure of parasite populations sampled from 289 first ANC attendees and 93 children from the community in Mozambique between 2015 and 2019. Samples were amplicon sequenced targeting 165 microhaplotypes and 15 drug resistance genes. Metrics of genetic diversity and relatedness, as well as the prevalence of drug resistance markers, were consistent between the two populations. In an area targeted for elimination, intra-host genetic diversity declined in both populations (p=0.002-0.007), while for the ANC population, population genetic diversity was also lower (p=0.0004), and genetic relatedness between infections were higher (p=0.002) than control areas, indicating a recent reduction in the parasite population size. These results highlight the added value of genomic surveillance at ANC clinics to inform about changes in transmission beyond epidemiological data.
Antibiotic Utilization Patterns and perception about antimicrobial resistance among forcibly displaced persons in Uganda, Yemen, and Colombia
Authors: Hesari David Kamiab , Aljadeeah Saleh , Brhlikova Petra , Hyzam Dalia , Komakech Henry , Rueda Jhon Sebastián Patiño , Cañas Jovana Alexandra Ocampo , Ching Carly , Orubu Samuel , Acevedo Oscar Bernal , Besaleem Huda , Orach Christopher Garimoi , Zaman Muhammad , Costa Clarissa Prazeres da
Published: November 2023

Background
Forcibly displaced population are exposed to many socioeconomic determinants, which predispose them to negative health outcomes, like antimicrobial resistant infections (AMR) and inaccessibility to life saving antibiotics. Poor quality antibiotics pose a threat in further driving AMR in these populations. Although there are (inter-)national policies in place to fight AMR there is a gap in recognizing the specific challenges for these people. Our study wanted to investigate the nexus of these global challenges by identifying and analyzing key barriers of access to quality-assured and affordable antimicrobials. Our study sites consisted of three countries that carry a high burden of forced displacement. The study population included South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, internally displaced people (IDPs) in Yemen and Venezuelan migrants in Colombia.
Methods
Semi-structured questionnaires with single-choice, multiple-choice and open-ended questions were used to capture perceptions of displaced populations about access to and quality of antimicrobials, and their knowledge of AMR. Sample size was 36 refugees in Uganda, 50 IDPs in Yemen and 50 migrants in Colombia. Because of the small study sample size, we conducted mainly univariate analysis.
Results
The majority of the 136 participants were female and had no health insurance. Obtaining antibiotics/antimicrobials through informal pathways, either without a doctor's prescription or through family and friends, was common across all study sites. Knowledge of AMR was generally low; usage of antibiotics preventatively or inappropriately was practiced especially in Yemen and Uganda. Barriers to access included mainly financial constraints in Colombia and Uganda, prescription requirements in Yemen and Colombia, reachability of healthcare centers in Yemen as well as nonavailability of drugs in Uganda.
Conclusion
Our multi-centered research identified common barriers to accessing quality antimicrobials among refugees/IDPs/migrants and common use of informal pathways. The results suggest that knowledge gap about AMR may lead to potential misuse of antimicrobials and therefore the rise of AMR within these populations. Possible future interventions designed for similar humanitarian settings should consider these interlinked barriers.
Lifestyle Subgroups and its Relationship with the Incidence of Hypertension in the Population of Azar Cohort: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Naghizadeh Sahar , Faramarzi Elnaz , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Akbari Hossein , Mohammadpoorasl Asghar
Published: November 2023

Background: Hypertension represents a global public health challenge due to its high prevalence and relationship with cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle-related high-risk behaviors are the leading causes of hypertension, usually occurring simultaneously or in clusters. While prior studies have examined lifestyle variables separately, behaviors related to lifestyle often coincide in specific patterns. Using Latent Class Analysis (LCA), we can simultaneously analyze the effects of variables related to lifestyle on the incidence of hypertension. The aim of present studt was to compare the incidence of hypertension across different lifestyle subgroups of the Azar cohort population identified via LCA.
Methods: In the present study, we used the data of 15,006 eligible participants across five follow-up periods. Seven observed variables were used to assess lifestyle behaviors as a latent variable. These indicators were smoking, substance use, alcohol consumption, secondhand smoke exposure, sleep quality, physical activity, and obesity. The analysis was performed using PROC LCA in SAS 9.2 software.
Results: Three-class and seven-class models were appropriate for females and males based on the indices for model selection and the interpretability of the model results, respectively. In females, 25.7%, 9% and 65.3% were at “low risk”,“high risk” and “secondhand smoke exposure and poor sleep quality”, respectively. In males, 13.3% and 3.6% were in the “smoker” and “high-risk” classes, respectively. In females and males (up to class 4), after adjusting for age and socioeconomic status, the prevalence and incidence of hypertension increased with the advancement of classes.
Conclusion: This study provides important information on lifestyle intervention strategies to minimize the burden of hypertension. Identifying concurrent high-risk behaviors in an at-risk population can lead to simultaneous interventions as an effective means of preventing disease by addressing clusters of high-risk behaviors. Considering the characteristics of the identified classes and the prevalence and occurrence of hypertension in each class, the main focus of lifestyle interventions can be placed on the most high-risk groups. Our findings suggest that poor physical activity, poor sleep quality, and obesity should be adressed as the main targets of lifestyle intervention strategies for preventing and controlling hypertension.
Investigation of oxide layer development of X6CrNiNb18-10
stainless steel exposed to high temperature water
Authors: Veile Georg , Weihe Stefan
Published: November 2023

The oxide layer development of X6CrNiNb18-10 (AISI 347) over exposure time in high temperature water has been investigated. While a parabolic development of Cr in the protective primary layer and Fe in the secondary layer can be observed, dimensions of the Ni layer remains constant. Ni requires the presence of a pronounced Fe-rich secondary layer before being able to reside on the outer secondary layer. With rising immersion time, the Ni element fraction surpasses the Cr element fraction in the secondary layer. The oxide growth of the secondary layer could be observed. After 480 h, almost the entire surface is covered by the outer oxide layer. In the metal matrix no depletion of Cr or Ni could be observed over time. However, an increased presence of Cr and Ni in the primary layer was at the expense of Fe content.
Formalising the law of diminishing returns in metabolic
networks using an electrical analogy
Authors: de Vienne Dominique , Petrizzelli Marianyela , Coton Charlotte
Published: November 2023

The way biological systems respond to changes in parameter values caused by mutations is a key issue in evolution and quantitative genetics, as it affects fundamental aspects such as adaptation, selective neutrality, robustness, optimality, evolutionary equilibria, etc. We address this question using the enzyme-flux relationship as a model of the genotype-phenotype relationship. Applying an analogy between electrical circuits and metabolic networks, we show that a behaviour of diminishing returns, which is commonly observed at various phenotypic levels, is inevitable, irrespective of the complexity of the system.
IGFBP4 suppresses EndMT to maintain corneal endothelial cell characteristics through down-regulating WNT2 to inhibit Wnt2/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Ke Hongqin , Cao Qian , Li Yong , Long Junjun , Tian Ermiao , Li Lan , Liu Hai
Published: November 2023

Objective: It is aimed to investigate the mechanism of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which is a significant limiting factor in the culture of corneal endothelial cells (CECs).
Methods: The primary rabbits corneal endothelial cells (RCECs) at passage 0 (P0) and passage 3 (P3) were subjected to Illumina high-throughput RNA sequencing, leading to the identification of EndMT-related genes and signaling pathways. Target genes IGFBP4 and WNT2 were selected for validation, with observation indicators including EndMT markers, α-Smooth muscle actin（α-SMA) and vimentin, tight junction protein ZO-1(ZO-1) and aquaporin-1(AQP-1), as well as molecules related to Wnt2/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Results: The results of high-throughput RNA sequencing suggest a potential association between the Wnt pathway and EndMT. Overexpression of IGFBP4 or knockdown of WNT2 in RCECs, the levels of α-SMA, vimentin, ZO-1 and AQP-1 were significantly reduced, as well as molecules related to Wnt2/β-catenin signaling pathway, such as Frizzled, Dvl, and p-β-catenin and p-TCF-4. On the contrary, when IGFBP4 is knocked down or WNT2 is overexpressed, the opposite results are obtained. Moreover, the IP experimental results provide evidence of the interaction between WNT2 and IGFBP4.
Conclusion: In the in vitro culture of RCECs, the downregulation of IGFBP4 could activate Wnt/β- catenin signaling pathway and induce the occurrence of EndMT.
Network Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Authors: Zhang Wenkai , Zhao Songbo , Li Jipin , Sun Yihua , Zhuang Leyi , Wang Jianqin , Wang Xiang
Published: November 2023

Purpose
There are many kinds of drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe UC, but the number of "head-to-head" clinical trials between these drugs is very limited. There is no reliable evidence to guide the selection of drugs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe UC used network meta-analysis.
Methods
We searched the Embase, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from inception to March 31, 2023. According to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about aminosalicylic acid, hormones, immunosuppressants, biological agents, and small molecule drugs used alone or in combination in the treatment of UC. We used Stata17.0 software for statistical analysis and results were reported as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results
A total of 18 articles (22 RCTS in total) were included, including 7873 patients with moderate to severe UC. For the efficacy outcomes, Upadacitinib is ranked first in induction of clinical response with 96.0% cumulative probability. Upadacitinib is ranked first in induction of clinical remission with 99.3% cumulative probability. Upadacitinib is ranked first in induction of endoscopic improvement with 99.0% cumulative probability. Upadacitinib is ranked first in maintenance of clinical remission with 93.2% cumulative probability. Upadacitinib is ranked first in maintenance of endoscopic improvement with 93.3% cumulative probability. For the safey outcomes, Vedolizumab is the best in incidence of AE with 16.8% cumulative probability. Upadacitinib is the best in incidence of SAE with 13.8% cumulative probability.
Conclusions
Upadacitinib may have the best efficacy during the induction and maintenance periods, with the lowest SAE rate, and be the most comprehensively effective intervention. Vedolizumab may have the best safety. Infliximab combined with AZA may improve efficacy and reduce safety.
Laminin α5β2γ1 promotes uterine stromal cells' mesenchymal-epithelial transition during decidualization
Authors: Wang Peng-Chao , Fu Tao , Xie Juan , Yang Zhenshan
Published: November 2023

Decidualization is critical to pregnancy in primates and rodents. Endometrial stromal cells undergo the mesenchymal-epithelial transition to transform into decidual stromal cells to provide nutrition and support vascularization during decidualization. Laminins, as the main component of the epithelial basement membrane, regulate cellular adhesion, growth, migration, and differentiation. Our previous study showed that laminin α5β2γ1 strongly expressed in mouse decidua. However, the regulation and function of laminin α5β2γ1 during endometrium decidualization are still unknown. Here, our study reveals robust expression of laminin α5β2γ1 in mice and artificially induced mice deciduoma. And laminin α5β2γ1 is also upregulated during mice and human in vitro decidualization. We demonstrate that progesterone regulates the expression of laminin α5β2γ1 during in vitro decidualization in mice. Interestingly, coated-laminin α5β2γ1 promotes the mesenchymal-epithelial transition in mouse and human uterine stromal cells.
Functional cellulose paper with high transparency, high haze, and UV-blocking for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Guan Yanhua , He Haodong , Tang Dexi , Han Xiaoqin , Zhang Haixia , Xu Jiayun , Dai Lin , Huang Zhanhua , Si Chuanling
Published: November 2023

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a promising solar energy utilization technology due to their high energy conversion efficiency and low preparation cost. However, the inherent instability under UV illumination limits their practical applications. In this work, we developed a new approach to fabricate functional cellulose paper (FTH paper) with high transparency, high haze, and UV-blocking, which can be used to extend the lifespan of PSCs. When the impregnation amounts of carboxymethyl cellulose and tannic acid were 16 wt% and 0.7 wt%, the light transmittance and UV-blocking performance reached 86.8% (at 600 nm) and 83.1% (at 320 nm), respectively, while maintaining a haze of 71.5%. After protonation and desalination treatment, the FTH paper exhibited good water resistance and mechanical properties (71.49 MPa, 2156 folding cycles). More importantly, FTH paper coating can significantly improve optical path length and the UV-stability (improved by 26% after 100 h) of PSCs. This study not only provides a simple and effective strategy to improve the properties of PSCs but also opens the way for high-value utilization of paper materials.
Minimum Supervision Levels required for Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship graduation by Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program Directors
Authors: Karnik Ruchika , Robinson Bradley , Glickstein Julie , Schwartz Alan , Mink Richard , Neal Ashley E. , Frank Lowell H , McMahon Colin J. , Kim Michael E , Turner David A. , Srivast Shubhika
Published: November 2023

Background
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are “observable essential tasks expected to be performed by a physician for safe patient care in practice.” Six PC EPAs and their LOS scales were developed by medical educators in PC using a modified Delphi process and reviewed by the Subspecialty Pediatrics Investigator Network (SPIN). However, their general use in assessment for PC fellows for graduation requirements has yet to be studied.
Objective
To determine the minimum level of supervision (LOS) required for PC fellows to graduate and compare it with the minimum LOS expected for safe and effective practice for the 6 PC EPAs, from the perspective of PC fellowship program directors (FPD).
Method
All FPDs of ACGME-accredited PC fellowships were surveyed through SPIN between April 2017 and August 2017. For each of the PC EPAs, the FPDs were asked to indicate the minimum LOS expected for graduation and whether they would allow a fellow to graduate if this level was not achieved. The minimum LOS expected for a practicing pediatric cardiologist to provide safe and effective patient care. The minimum level of supervision (LOS) was defined as the LOS for which no more than 20% of FPDs would want a lower level.
Results
The survey response rate was 80% (47/59). The majority of the FPDs did not require a minimum LOS of 5 corresponding to unsupervised practice in any of the 6 PC EPAs at graduation. For EPAs related to imaging, arrhythmia management, and management of cardiac problems, the minimum LOS for graduation was 3, corresponding to being “trusted to perform a task with indirect supervision for most simple and a few complex cases.” For the EPAs related to interventional cardiology, heart failure pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac intensive care, the minimum LOS for graduation was 2, corresponding to being “trusted to perform a task only with direct supervision and coaching.” The minimum LOS considered necessary for safe and effective practice for all but one EPA was 3. For the EPA related to the management of cardiac problems, the minimum LOS for safe practice was 4, corresponding to being “trusted to execute tasks independently except for few complex and critical cases.”
Conclusion
Most PC FPDs reported they would not require fellows to achieve the highest entrustment level for any of the 6 PC EPAs for graduation. It is crucial that educational programs evolve to address these essential activities during training better and that stakeholders ensure that graduating PC fellows have adequate resources and infrastructure to continue professional development as early-career pediatric cardiologists.
Biodiversity and antifungal activities of actinomycetes isolated from the rhizosphere of Inga edulis in an urban forest fragment of the amazon
Authors: Rodrigues Rafael Souza , Souza Antonia Queiroz Lima , Barbosa Anderson Nogueira , Santiago Sarah Raquel Silveira Silva , Barbosa Roneres Deniz , Alves Thalita Caroline Lima , Cruz Jeferson Chagas , Silva Gilvan Ferreira , Bentes Jania Lilia Silva , Souza Afonso Duarte Leão
Published: November 2023

Actinobacteria are major producers of antibacterial and antifungal metabolites and are targets of increasing research in the search for substances of biotechnological interest, especially for use in agriculture. The Amazon soils is potentially rich in actinobacteria; therefore, we prospected actinobacteria from the rhizospheres of three individuals of Inga edulis found on the campus of the Federal University of Amazonas, the largest urban forest fragment in the Amazon. We isolated 64 strains of actinobacteria, which were distributed in 16 morphogroups. A total of 20 strains representing these 16 groups were subjected to morphological analysis, genotyping using the 16S rRNA gene, and assays against pathogenic fungi of important agricultural plants in the region that also cause annual losses of millions of dollars to world agriculture. Using GenBank-NCBI and EzBioCloud data, 90% of the strains were identified as Streptomyces and 10% as Kitasatospora, indicating at least 16 different species and possible new species. All showed antagonisms for two or more phytopathogen strains of Corysnepora cassiicola, Colletotrichum sp., Colletotrichum guaranicola, Pestalotiopsis sp., and Sclerotium coffeicola. Two stood out for their broad spectrum and better results against phytopathogens of the guarana plant (Paullinia cupana), an important crop for the regional economy and one of the best sources of caffeine in the world, whose powder is used in the food industry and traditional medicine. Complementary analyses ratified the potential of these strains as sources of highly effective antifungal substances. In general, the results exemplify the high diversity and richness of the actinomycetes in the Amazon.
Intention to use personal health records and associated factors among healthcare providers in Southwest Oromia region referral hospitals, Ethiopia: Using modified unified theory of acceptance and use technology 2 model
Authors: Dube Geleta Nenko , Asemahagn Mulusew Andualem , Mulu Yared , Guadie Habtamu Alganeh , Ahmed Mohammedjud Hassen , Bitacha Getu Kassa , Alameraw Temesgen Ayenew , Walle Agmasie Damtew , Meshasha Nega Abebe
Published: November 2023

Introduction:
The growing integration of vastly diversified technologies in the healthcare industry has made it necessary to collect organized and accurate data to support an informed decision in healthcare. The literature has revealed that the magnitude of intention to use personal health records among healthcare providers is low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess healthcare providers' intentions to use personal health records and its factors in Ethiopia.
Methods
A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 781 healthcare providers in referral hospitals in the Southwest Oromia region, Ethiopia. A simple sampling technique was used to select the study participants among healthcare providers. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered and cleaned using Epidata 4.6, and descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS 25. The degree of correlation between exogenous and endogenous variables was described and validated using structural equation modeling using AMOS 26.
Results
A total of 736 healthcare providers (94.2% response rate) participated in the study. The proportion of intention to use personal health records was 57.6%, 95% CI (53.9–61.2). Performance expectancy (β = 0.325, P < 0.01), effort expectancy (β = 0.289, P < 0.01), social influence (β = 0.216, P < 0.01), and facilitating condition (β = 0.242, P < 0.01) had a positive direct relationship with intention to use personal health records. Age (β = 0.269, P = 0.040, β = 0.272, P < 0.001, β = 0.326, P < 0.001) was a moderator variable between performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and intention to use personal health records.
Conclusions
Overall, healthcare providers intention to use personal health records were promising. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions were statistically significant factors of intention to use personal health records among healthcare providers. The relationship between performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and intention to use PHRs was positively moderated by age. Thus, implementers need to give priority to enhancing the provision of a better system, the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers, and awareness creation among staff by providing continuous training.
The protein phosphatase-2A subunit PR130 is involved in the formation of cytotoxic protein aggregates in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Nguyen Alexandra , Leydecker Alessa K. , Mustafa Al-Hassan M. , Murr Janine , Butter Falk , Krämer Oliver H.
Published: November 2023

As a major source of cellular serine and threonine phosphatase activity, protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) modulates signaling pathways in health and disease. PP2A complexes consist of catalytic, scaffolding, and B-type subunits. Seventeen protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) B-type subunits direct PP2A complexes to selected substrates. It is ill-defined how PP2A B-type subunits determine the growth and drug responsiveness of tumor cells. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease with poor prognosis. We analyzed the responses of murine and human mesenchymal and epithelial PDAC cells to the specific PP2A inhibitor phendione. We assessed protein levels by immunoblot and proteomics and cell fate by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and genetic manipulation. We show that murine mesenchymal PDAC cells express significantly higher levels of the PP2A B-type subunit PR130 than epithelial PDAC cells. This overexpression of PR130 is associated with a dependency of such metastasis-prone cells on the catalytic activity of PP2A. Phendione induces apoptosis and an accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates in murine mesenchymal and human PDAC cells. These processes occur independently of the frequently mutated tumor suppressor p53. Proteomic analyses reveal that phendione upregulates the chaperone HSP70 in mesenchymal PDAC cells. Inhibition of HSP70 promotes phendione-induced apoptosis and phendione promotes a proteasomal degradation of PR130. Genetic elimination of PR130 sensitizes murine and human PDAC cells to phendione-induced apoptosis and protein aggregate formation. These data suggest that the PP2A-PR130 complex dephosphorylates and thereby prevents the aggregation of proteins in tumor cells.
BreastCDNet: Breast Cancer Detection Neural Network, Classification and Localization
Authors: Mahichi Hassan , Ghods Vahid , Sohrabi Mohammad Karim , Sabbaghi Arash
Published: November 2023

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern globally, necessitating advanced detection methods for improved patient outcomes. Convolutional neural networks, CNN, have revolutionized object detection by automating the feature extraction process and allowing for the efficient localization and classification of objects within images. BreastCDNet introduces a novel approach to breast cancer detection using CNN. This pioneering CNN method is tailored specifically for the task of ultrasound breast cancer detection and localization, offering a streamlined and effective approach that significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy. Multi-task learning is leveraged by the proposed model, with simultaneous consideration of breast ultrasound image classification and bounding box regression for lesion localization. Intricate features from medical images are extracted by BreastCDNet architecture, facilitating both classification (benign or malignant) and object localization. Separate data generators are employed for classification and bounding box labels to optimize model training. The model's effectiveness is demonstrated by experimental results on the BUSI dataset, where exceptional classification accuracy and precise bounding box predictions are achieved. Key components, including convolutional layers for feature extraction, max-pooling layers for spatial reduction, fully connected layers for predictions, and specific output layers for classification and bounding box regression, are encompassed by the model architecture. The BreastCDNet model is a high-performance breast cancer detection model that achieved 99.14% training accuracy, 97.70% validation accuracy, 0.99 ROC AUC, and 0.97 F1-score on the training set. It is also capable of accurately localizing breast cancer lesions with an IOU score of 0.95.
Synthesis of Acetylene and Benzene in Controlled Methane-Plasma System
Authors: Kapustin Rostislav , Grinvald Iosif , Agrba Alina , Vorotyntsev Ilya , Vorotyntsev Vladimir , Suvorov Sergey , Barysheva Alexandra , Grachev Pavel , Lukoyanov Anton , Shablykin Dmitry , Petukhov Anton N. , Vorotyntsev Andrey
Published: November 2023

High-energy chemistry is a special way of accelerating chemical reactions by transferring large portions of energy to individual molecules. The synthesis of acetylene and benzene is a valuable chemical product and used in technologies for the many organic products obtaining: synthetic rubber, vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, ethylene, styrene. The article proposes an original version of the experimental setup and technology for plasma-activated methane conversion. Was tested a system of two connected reactors, one of which (the “cold” reactor) was displaced out of the microwave zone, and the other (the “hot” reactor) was located inside this zone. The surface of the “hot” reactor (which means its walls) was purged with argon at the selected temperature and flow rate. As a result, carbon phase structures were concentrated in the “cold” reactor, and organics (acetylene and benzene) were synthesized in the near-surface area of the “hot” reactor. Heat removal from the “hot” walls of the reactor by gas purging provided temperature control of the methane microwave plasma reforming process. The conversion of methane into acetylene and other products depends on the extremum point at the maximum temperature and pressure of the feeding gas stream in the “hot” reactor. In this system, a low-temperature IR optical cell made it possible to identify and extract the resulting conversion products.