bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engaging People from Ethic Minority Groups in Health and Oral Health Research: an infographic
Authors:   University of Dundee, Rodriguez Andrea , McFadden Alison , Murray Chris , Laird Catriona
Published: October 2022

Migrant and BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) groups are more likely to suffer from poorer health and oral health outcomes in general. In Dundee, 10.6% of the population identified as an ethnic minority. However, they have been underrepresented in research and health promotion interventions for decades. This reinforces the importance of using participatory research to capture the realities and health needs of these groups to inform policy and interventions addressing health inequalities. The research project ‘Engaging People from Ethic Minority Groups in Health and Oral Health Research’ aimed to engage individuals from migrant and BME groups and researchers who work with these groups to share their experiences, views and perceived challenges and opportunities to improve migrant and BME groups’ research participation. As a specific objective we wanted to identify effective strategies to engage these socially excluded groups in health and oral health research. This infographic is one of the research outcomes in this project. It was co-designed with migrant and BME women living in Dundee to explore their experience and opinions of participation in health and oral health research. we hope this resource will contribute to improve the inclusivity and to maximise participation of research for a wide range of migrant and BME groups.
What Learned from Omicron Sub-Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1
Authors: Mustafa Mujahed , Makhawi Abdelrafie
Published: October 2022

Currently SARS-CoV-2 is spreading around the world as an Omicron strain. Recently, the Omicron variants (BQ.1 and BQ.1.1) were identified as novel Variants of Concern. UpToDate, there is little information about the Omicron Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. The widely altered Omicron variants are spread globally, providing a high risk of infection surges with devastating consequences in some areas. The Omicron type of SARS-CoV-2 has a harm risk of reinfection, according to early reported findings. COVID-19 Variants particularly, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 have gained global attention and caused a worldwide sensation since their discovery. Therefore, this communication discusses the present status of COVID-19 Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, and their consequences.
Characteristics of Real-world Non-exhaust Particulates from Vehicles
Authors: Mun Sunhee , Chong Hwansoo , Lee Jongtae , Lim Yunsung
Published: October 2022

The need to regulate the non-exhaust particulate emissions from vehicles has been discussed worldwide due to the toxicity to the human body as well as the atmosphere. In-depth studies have been conducted on precise analysis of the non-exhaust particulates, in particular, accurate measurement of tire-brake-road wear particles, and their proportion in the atmosphere. In this study, the influence of tire and road wear particles (TRWP) on particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere was investigated through tire and PM samples. PM samples were collected from the atmosphere using a high-volume sampler equipped with a quartz filter. Additionally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in tire rubber were analyzed as markers by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), GC/MS, and inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). More vinylcyclohexene was detected than dipentene in the markers measured in the samples of tires equipped with vehicles driving on the road with the high-volume sampler installed, while more dipentene was detected in total suspended particles (TSP) samples. Among the PAHs measured in tire samples, pyrene exhibited the highest concentration. In TSP samples, benzo(b)fluoranthene showed the highest concentration. Among the heavy metals, zinc exhibited the highest concentration in all tire samples and calcium in TSP samples.
Subsea Methane Hydrates: Origin and Monitoring of Impact of Global Warming
Authors: Cheverda Vladimir , Bratchikov Denis , Gadylshin Kirill , Golubeva Elena , Malakhova Valentina , Reshetova Galina
Published: October 2022

One of the possible mechanisms causing significant emissions of methane into the atmosphere within the Arctic shelf may be the decomposition of gas hydrates. Their accumulations within the Arctic shelf formed during Ice Age almost simultaneously with the formation of permafrost, which contributed to the emergence of a zone of stable existence of gas hydrates. The subsequent flooding of the Arctic shelf led to the degradation of the permafrost and the violation of the conditions for the existence of hydrates. To assess the state of the stability zone, methods of mathematical numerical modeling are used. Standard seismic methods are widely used to localize gas hydrates, but monitoring their physical state requires the development of fundamentally new approaches based on solving multiparameter inverse seismic problems. In particular, the degree of attenuation of seismic energy is one of the objective parameters for assessing the consolidation of gas hydrates: the closer they are to the beginning of decomposition, the higher the attenuation, and hence the lower the quality factor. Thus, the methods of seismic monitoring of the state of gas hydrates in order to predict the possibility of developing dangerous scenarios should be based on solving a multi-parameter inverse seismic problem. This publication is devoted to the presentation of this approach.
“We Beat them to Help them Push”: Exploring Midwives’ Perspectives on Obstetric Violence in Ghana
Authors: Yalley Abena Asefuaba
Published: October 2022

Obstetric violence has been recognized as a major impediment to facility-based delivery, increasing the risk of preventable complications and maternal mortality. In Ghana, studies on women’s birth experiences reveal enormous and brutal acts of violence during delivery; but inquiries into why midwives abuse women have largely been unexplored. This study explored the perspectives of midwives on the drivers of obstetric violence in the Western and Ashante Regions of Ghana. A qualitative study was conducted involving 30 in-depth interviews with midwives in eight health facilities. The data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12. The results of the study reveal a normalization of violence in the delivery room and the intensity of violence is heightened during the second stage of labor. Midwives reported perpetrating or witnessing physical violence, abandonment of women, stigmatization of HIV women, verbal abuses such as shouting, and the detention of women in the health facilities. Obstetric violence occurs as a result of the pressures of the midwifery profession, poor maternal efforts of women, disrespect of midwives, women’s disobedience, and uncooperative attitudes. The culture of acceptability of obstetric violence is a major driver, contributing to its normalization. Midwives do not consider obstetric violence as abuse, but rather, as a delivery strategy which aids a successful delivery. It is therefore justified and viewed as a necessary part of the delivery process. There is a critical need for retraining midwives on alternative birthing strategies devoid of violence.
Tensor Calculus in Digital Colorimetry
Authors: Saukova Y. N. , Hundzina M. A.
Published: October 2022

Any object can have many implementations in the form of digital images and any digital image can be processed many times increasing or decreasing accuracy and reliability. Digital colorimetry faces the need to work out issues of ensuring accuracy, metrological traceability and reliability. The purpose of this work was to generalize approaches to the description of multidimensional quantized spaces and show the possibilities of their adaptation to digital colorimetry. This approach will minimize the private and global risks in measurements.

For color identification digital colorimetry uses standard color models and spaces. Most of them are empirical and are improved during the transition from standard to real observation conditions taking into account the phenomena of vision and the age of observers. From the point of view of measurement, a digital image can be represented by a combinatorial model of an information and measurement channel with the appearance of the phenomenon of a color covariance hypercube requiring a significant amount of memory for data storage and processing. The transition from the covariance hypercube to high-dimensional matrices and tensors of the first, second and higher ranks provides the prospect of optimizing the color parameters of a digital image by the criterion of information entropy.

Tensor calculus provides opportunities for expanding the dynamic range in color measurements describing multidimensional vector fields and quantized spaces with indexing tensors and decomposing them into matrices of low orders.

The proposed complex approach based on tensor calculus. According to this approach the color space is a set of directed vector fields undergoing sampling, quantization and coding operations. Also it is a dynamic open system exchanging information with the environment at a given level and to identify color with specified levels of accuracy, reliability, uncertainty and entropy.
Segmental Zoster Paresis with Late-Onset Skin Rash Mimicking a Herniated Cervical Disc: A Case Report
Authors: Jeong Seung Jun , So Jin-Shup , Kim Young Jin
Published: October 2022

Segmental zoster paresis (SZP) of the limbs, characterized by focal weakness of the extremity, is recognized as a rare complication of herpes zoster that can lead to a misdiagnosis of other radiculopathies or musculoskeletal problems. Here, we present a rare case where the patient experienced severe pain and weakness of the right upper extremity caused by SZP. A 58-year-old man came to the hospital with severe right upper extremity radicular pain. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord showed disc protrusion at the C5-6 level with a high signal change. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was performed. On the first and second postoperative days, the patient’s symptoms showed slight improvements. However, on the fourth postoperative day, the patient experienced a right shoulder drop along with exacerbated radicular pain and presented a herpetic rash on the right extremity. The patient showed a dramatic improvement in pain and weakness after taking antiviral medication and undergoing a fluoroscopic-guided right C6 selective nerve root block. He fully recovered from his symptoms after 12 weeks of rehabilitation and physical therapy. This rare case involved SZP which was misunderstood as a herniated cervical disc. If a patient complains of severe pain with motor weakness inconsistent with radiologic findings, SZP should be discriminated from other possible diagnosis.
Implementation of a New Proprietary Vortex Fluid Sucker Rod Pump System to Improve Production by Enhancing Flow Dynamics
Authors: Coyes Corbin , Williams Benny , Jensen Camille , Conner Mike , Link Bradley , Saponja Jeff , Quinn Jordy
Published: October 2022

Conventional ball valve systems and insert-guided cages compromise performance due to gas interference, solids accumulation and ball vibration that shortens the life and efficiency of conventional travelling and standing valve cages. Analysis of the flow profile around a common ball valve resulted in the design of a new proprietary pump system that maximizes fluid flow, creating a vortex profile that extends service life while increasing production.

The proprietary vortex fluid pump system was compared against conventional inserts in a laboratory flow loop in over 1000 iterations with varying pressures, ball sizes and ball types. Maximum and minimum flow rates were digitally measured to calculate the pressure drop at each flow rate with and without injecting gas. The transparent flow loop tubing allowed a visual qualitative assessment of fluid flow. Laboratory data was confirmed in numerous field applications as well as four case studies from four different fields for four separate operators.

During laboratory testing, conventional inserts measured high ball vibration with excessive pressure drop. The proprietary vortex fluid pump system had no ball vibration, with significant pressure drop decrease and gas remained entrained as it cycled through a vortex flow. Results from laboratory testing showed an average 40% - 46% pressure drop decrease compared to conventional inserts. When extended to field applications, the vortex fluid pump system showed greater pump efficiencies and pump longevity. After installation of the system, cumulative results were combined to show an average 46% production increase over 485 wells in North America in one year.

The proprietary vortex fluid pump system decreases erratic velocity profile and reduces vibration in the valve system resulting in improved efficiency and reliability of sucker rod pumps. The design optimizes flow dynamics enabling the ball to remain stationary, allowing smaller and lighter balls, increasing the cross-sectional flow area in the most restrictive pump section. The design reduces solids accumulation, lessens cage wear, improves pump efficiency and increases production. The vortex fluid pump system replaces all conventional valve systems.
Bottom Intake ESP for Slim Wells Applications
Authors: Caridad Jose , Alamoudi Marwan Mohammad , Lim Lester Zhi Guang , Alyami Salem Feras
Published: October 2022

In certain oil fields, slim wells are common due to corrosion or erosion in 7-in. casing and sidetracks to evaluate secondary reservoirs. Efforts to produce such wells by electric submersible pumps (ESPs) pose several challenges such as early failures and insufficient pressure to reach target flows due to the limited casing clearance which also limits the pump size. This paper discusses the successful installation and a production test of a bottom intake ESP. In comparison, conventional slim electric submersible pumps had been installed in the same field with limited success in the same type of slim wells.

The slim ESPs have shorter run life compared to standard ESPs, mainly because of equipment damage while running in hole (RIH). The motor lead extensions (MLE) are particularly vulnerable given the tight clearance available, which precludes the use of MLE cable protectors along the ESP. Production is also limited because of the smaller diameters that conventional slim ESPs require to fit into the slim (4.5-in. and 5-in.) casings.

To tackle these challenges, an operator and an energy technology company collaborated to devise a solution using a bottom intake slim ESP architecture. The objective was to modify the conventional slim ESP to maximize clearance thereby improving the reliability of the ESPs and increasing the production rate in slim wells. By combining conventional slim ESP technologies and the inverted architecture used in coiled-tubing-deployed ESP, the challenges described were addressed. The bottom intake slim ESP was designed with MLE to be installed along jointed tubing. Since it is terminated at the top of the ESP string, risk of damage to the MLE while RIH is eliminated, and a larger pump can also be installed. The larger pump outside diameter results in a substantial production increase. The bottom intake slim ESP can operate on higher drawdown compared to conventional ESPs as it can be set deeper. The objective was to prove bottom intake slim ESP technology as a solution to produce 3,500 to 7,000 BPD in 5-in. casing wells, while eliminating the risk of MLE damage during RIH in the operator slim wells. Moreover, based on erosion simulation, the effect of discharge velocity on the casing was negligible, and by utilizing plug-and-play technology, human error and rig time were reduced.
Testing Gas-Liquid Homogenization for High GVF Flow Applications in ESPs
Authors: Ejim Chidirim Enoch , Xiao Jinjiang , Badr Hassan Mohamed , Alsarkhi Abdelsalam Mohammad , Ben-Mansour Rached
Published: October 2022

High gas volume fractions (GVFs) decrease the pressure boosting capacity of electric submersible pumps (ESPs). To prevent this, advanced gas handlers, helico-axial-pumps, etc., may be installed upstream of the pump, but these equipment can be expensive. This study presents results of testing different impeller combinations up to 90% intake GVF. The findings present a potential economical option for managing high GVF flows in ESP operation, beneficial to boosting and maximizing production from a field asset.

The pump used was a two-stage, radial-type centrifugal pump with 3.78-inch impeller diameter operating at 3400 RPM. Three impeller pairs were used: P0 (no hole in any impeller blades), P1 (holes only in second stage impeller blades), and P2 (holes in first and second stage impeller blades). Water flow rates were fixed from 75 to 550 barrels per day (BPD), and air flow rates varied to give intake GVFs between 10% to 92% for average fluid temperatures about 25°C. The corresponding differential pressures across the pump were measured and compared to one another.

The results showed that for all impellers, the differential pressure across the pumps decreased with increasing GVF. At 75 BPD, pump P0 attained zero differential pressure at about 72% GVF. The impellers in P1 and P2 were able to extend its operation to reach zero differential pressure at 90% and 90% GVF, respectively. When the liquid flow rate was increased to 275 BPD, the differential pressures in P0, P1 and P2 reached zero at about 36%, 38% and 41%, respectively. Increasing the liquid flow rate even further to 410 BPD, results in zero differential pressure at about 26%, 30% and 29% GVF for P0, P1, and P2, respectively. The general trend is that the GVF at which the differential pressure reaches zero decreases with increasing liquid volume flow rate. At lower liquid volume flow rates, holes drilled in the impeller blades significantly extend the pump's GVF handling capability by homogenizing the flow at the inlet of the centrifugal pump. Since the gas-handling performance of a radial-type pump was enhanced, it may be concluded that the performance will be even more favorable for a mixed-flow or axial-flow pump, especially at higher rotational speeds and intake pressures than in these tests.

This study highlights the importance of pursuing economical alternatives to extend the performance envelope of a centrifugal pump operating in high GVF flows. The findings from this work imply that with appropriate modifications to ESP impellers, their operating envelopes may be increased using cost-effective methods. This opens opportunities for stakeholders to maximize production from field assets with very high-gas content, and increase the economic bottomline for the operator.
Intermediate Diameter, High Horsepower ESP Motors for Unconventional Wells
Authors: Wheeler Charles Leroy , Rumbaugh Michael Robert
Published: October 2022

Unconventional well construction presents challenges for many types of artificial lift technologies. This includes electric submersible pumps (ESPs). And, while ESPs provide compelling advantages in production rate and depth capabilities for unconventional wells, the drilling and completion practices of these wells can severely limit ESP system options. This is especially true in 5 ½ inch cased wellbores with heavy wall casing (defined as 20 or 23 lb. per foot tubing weight). This paper will highlight the consequences of these drilling and well construction practices for the production phase of the well or field. Solutions of various types will be listed, including an outline of ESP equipment options. Finally, a case study will presented for the solution that incorporates an intermediate diameter, high horsepower ESP induction motor.
Novel Use of PMM Technology in Complicated Well Environment
Authors: Chaudhari Bhushan , Mishra Chetan , Atamanov Oleg , Nikitin Yuriy
Published: October 2022

Electrical Submersible Pump is playing a pivotal role in crude extraction. It is one of the innovative technologies at this stage being used globally to produce wells with a higher flow rate. Today, ESP systems are acting as an effective medium for companies to operate efficiently with higher production. As of today, ESPs are being used at many different applications like dewatering, multi-zone production etc, however, technology use shall need minor modification to operate ESP with longer run life. In the coming era, fields are expected to enter the EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) stage, wherein every drop of the reservoir would add importance in production for companies. ESP with PMM motors is the typical application in such EOR, adding many benefits over the operation of IM application. Polymer flooding is used in some wells in the onshore Rajasthan field to perform enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The typical static bottom hole temperature of wells in this field is 65°C. When using ESPs with industry-standard induction motors, the motor operating temperature has been recorded at 105°C on initial startup. Polymer deposition on the motor causes heat to rise, with operating temperatures escalating quickly to 180°C. Temperature-induced polymer deposition requires frequent back-flush interventions to maintain target production and results in premature motor failure. Because PMMs have been shown to operate at lower temperatures than induction motors, they were tested in ESPs in this field in an attempt to increase motor run life and reduce ESP failure rates. Four wells were targeted for this study with the goal of limiting motor temperatures to 80°C without impairing production. Detailed ESP designs are explained along with the results. Unique ESP designs were made for four wells that use PMMs rated for 3600 RPM @ 60Hz. The operating plan called for limiting the motor load to no more than 60% to keep motor temperatures around 78°C. PMMs operate at 15-20% lower temperatures due to reduced frictional, mechanical, and hydraulic loss with higher efficiency up to 95%. PMMs were installed with high-efficiency pumps capable of producing 5000-10000 BFPD. Target production rates were maintained in all four wells, with motor temperatures remaining around 78°C during operation. The result was the longer motor and ESP run life compared to offset wells in the field using ESPs with induction motors. The PMM systems also reduced the need for back-flushing operations, reducing CAPEX and lowering intervention costs. PMMs were shown to maintain low motor temperatures, reduce polymer deposition, and significantly increase economic well life.

This paper examines the outcomes discovered when using PMMs in a difficult EOR well environment where only asynchronous induction motors had been previously used. It shows that PMMs can be used to control motor temperatures, reduce polymer deposition, and increase run life in the conditions presented by this polymer flood application.
An E-Line Deployed Electric Submersible Progressive Cavity Pump (ESPCP) to Unload Observation Wells for Logging
Authors: Cochran Jamie , Xiao JJ , Mutairi Khaled , Winarno Mulad , Wrighton Christopher
Published: October 2022

This paper describes the development and field trial test of a new well intervention service tool for lifting observation wells for oil saturation logging. The Well Intervention Service Tool (WIST) is a high efficiency, slim hole pumping system that is conveyed and powered through a wireline power cable to appropriate depth in order to lift wellbore fluids. A multi-resettable inflatable packer system was developed to work in conjunction with the permanent magnet motor pumping system, which allows the pump to be positioned and repositioned in the well as required. This improves operational efficiency, enabling jobs to be conducted in a single run, rather than multiple runs as would be the case with conventional packer design.

A field trial test was conducted to qualify the prototype system. This paper will describe the test result and future improvement plans. This lightweight cable deployed pump system is an alternative to coiled tubing and nitrogen lift jobs, which can often be expensive and logistically challenging, requiring large amount of equipment and personnel at the wellsite to perform the activity.

Solutions to the issues encountered during this work have since been successfully implemented in further testing.
Surface PM Motor Drive for Sucker Rod Pumps – Design and Field Results
Authors: Alexeev Yaroslav , Shakirov Anton
Published: October 2022

For decades standard V-Belt transmission systems with induction motor have been a traditional method to drive beam pumping unit. This study describes a new approach based on the use of a Permanent Magnet Motor with no transmission.

Non-transmission drive integrates a permanent magnet motor and smart variable frequency drive. The technology eliminates the need for conventional V-belt systems, the motor is installed directly on the gearbox. Application results revealed unique features of the drive, that cannot be reached with standard application. Elimination of V-belt system allows for safe and environmentally friendly operation with enhanced reliability and reduced non-productive time as no maintenance is required. High-efficient PM Motor with no additional losses in V-belt improves power consumption resulting in total power savings of 15-35 % if compared to the previously installed systems. The system is easy to install, with installation time being less than 1 hour [1].

Synchronous nature of PM motor operation provides a number of options for its control through smart VSD algorithms requiring no additional sensors. VSD embeds mathematical models with a number of options for motor speed and rod load control, operation monitoring, failure risk mitigation, and production optimization, e.g. real-time up-stroke / down-stroke speed adjustment, torque control, operating trips detection and many other features. This can potentially improve production, expected runlife of rods and surface equipment.

This paper demonstrates an effective and efficient alternative for oil production with Sucker-Rod Pumps. Application of the new type of surface PMM drive has proved its high potential for production optimization and power consumption improvement with minimized risk of failures.
A study on the organization and function of Amtrak Police in the United States
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Ra Kwang Hyun , Kim Mansoo
Published: October 2022

In that the railway police are in a different environment from the general police, the Korea Railway Police are established and operated in Korea, and the railway police are operated by local governments and railroad corporations in foreign countries. In the case of railway police in Korea, there have been criticisms on the functions, jurisdiction, and operation, such as raising questions about whether public police activities are appropriate for private company’s operating areas. In this regard, in this paper, the organization and function of Amtrak Police were reviewed to derive implications for the Korea Railway Police. Amtrak Police employs more than 400 police officers and civilian staff with a budget of approximately $80 million, and performs passenger safety-accident prevention and corporate security functions as well as general police functions on railways. However, despite the increase in the demand for security on the railway, there seems to be some problems with the stability of the organization, such as the planned reduction of manpower. Several implications were presented in relation to the analysis of the functions and manpower of Amtrak police.
Using the flexible analytic hierarchy process method to solve the emergency decision making of public health for COVID-19
Authors: Chung Hsiang-Yu , Chang Kuei Hu
Published: October 2022

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 was initially found in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, the COVID-19 virus has rapidly spread throughout the world, causing the collapse of medical systems and economic depression. In addition to providing various relief programs, many countries have implemented various anti-epidemic measures to stop the continuous deterioration of the epidemic and maintain the stability of their economies. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency decision making and risk assessment is an important issue for guaranteeing the stable life of the people are considered emergency multicriteria decision making (MCDM) problems. The assessment information of the criteria simultaneously includes complete, incomplete and hesitant fuzzy linguistic information in emergency MCDM problems. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach can effectively process MCDM problems; however, the traditional AHP approach cannot handle the incomplete and hesitant fuzzy linguistic information of emergency MCDM problems. In order to overcome these issues, this paper proposed a novel flexible AHP method to solve emergency MCDM problems under the COVID-19 pandemic, and adopted a numerical case about public health emergency decision making and risk assessment under the COVID-19 pandemic to verify the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed flexible AHP method.
Comparing Eurocode 8-5 and AASHTO methods for earth pressure analysis against centrifuge tests, finite elements, and the Generalized Coefficients of Earth Pressure
Authors: Pantelidis Lysandros , Christodoulou Panagiotis
Published: October 2022

This paper presents an exhaustive comparison of the earth pressure methods included in EN1998-5:2004 (use of Mononobe-Okabe method, M-O), prEN1998-5:2022 and AASHTO (M-O with half peak ground acceleration) standards, against contemporary centrifuge tests, finite elements, and the method proposed by the first author in 2019. The latter is a continuum mechanics approach for deriving earth pressure coefficients for any soil state between the “at-rest” state and the active or passive state, applicable to cohesive-frictional soils and both horizontal and vertical pseudo-static conditions. The same method also provides analytical expressions for the calculation of the required wall movement for the mobilization of the active (or passive) failure state, as well as for the mobilized shear strength values of soil. The comparison includes among others, centrifuge test results from two different studies, and results from 157 finite element models from two different programs. All experimental, numerical, and analytical results show that the EN19985-5:2004 method gives conservative to excessively conservative active earth pressure values, AASHTO’s approach fairly good behavior, while prEN1998-5:2022 excessively conservative values. For the passive state, all methods included in the above-mentioned standards, return unreliable and unconservative results. In contrast, the results obtained by the proposed method show a remarkable agreement with the respective ones obtained both by the finite element method and the various centrifuge tests. Also, it is shown that a pseudo-static earth retention analysis, can be replaced by a respective static analysis, just substituting the (c’,φ’) values of soil of the original problem with the mobilized ones.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) profile and plantlet growth of Aeollanthus suaveolens under conventional and alternative membrane systems
Authors: Araújo Diene Xavier , Rocha Tainá Teixeira , de Carvalho Alexandre Alves , Medeiros Ana Paula Ribeiro , Ribeiro Fernanda Naiara Santos , de Assis Rafael Marlon Alves , Bertolucci Suzan Kelly Vilela , Pinto José Eduardo Brasil Pereira
Published: October 2022

In conventional in vitro culture, plantlets are kept in closed containers to avoid contamination and drying of the explant. Ventilation inside the containers improves plant growth and affects secondary metabolism, as it modifies the microenvironmental conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of ventilation systems on the growth characteristics and production of photosynthetic pigments and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Aeollanthus suaveolens Mart. ex Spreng. (Lamiaceae) cultured in vitro. Nodal segments containing one pair of leaves were cultured in a conventional system (NMS) and in natural ventilation systems with one (AMS1), two (AMS2) and four (AMS4) porous membranes. At 40 days, the plantlets were evaluated for growth, VOC concentration, and photosynthetic pigment production. The number of porous membranes used in the vial cap affected growth, photosynthetic pigments and VOCs. A higher number of porous membranes (AMS4) led to greater dry weight accumulation, increased production of photosynthetic pigments, and enhanced synthesis of (Z)-β-farnesene. Lower growth and fewer photosynthetic pigments, and increase linalool acetate synthesis were observed in the culture without the use of porous membranes (NMS). The leaf area of plantlets cultivated with the use of four membranes was 3.8 times greater than that of plantlets cultivated without the use of membranes. For the photoautotrophic cultivation of A. suaveolens in vitro, the use of natural ventilation with four membranes is recommended because it promotes better growth, increases the production of photosynthetic pigments and is superior to the conventional sealed system.
Conceptual design of a multistage hybrid desalination process for brine management and maximum water recovery
Authors: Kadi Khadije El , Janajreh Isam , Abedrabbo Sufian , Ali Mohamed Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

Hypersaline brine production from desalination plants causes huge environmental stress due to the untenable conventional discharge strategies. Particularly, brine production is expected to drastically increase in the coming few decades due to the increasing desalination capacity in attempts of forestalling water scarcity. Thereby, zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is a worth-considering solution for strategic brine management. ZLD or minimal liquid discharge (MLD) systems provide maximum water recovery with least or zero liquid waste generation and valuable salt production. In this work, a theoretical design of ZLD/MLD systems is proposed for RO brine management. Four different scenarios are investigated combining multistage freeze desalination (FD), multistage membrane distillation (MD), and eutectic freeze crystallization (EFC) technologies. Water recovery, water quality, as well as specific energy consumption (SEC) are evaluated. FD experiments showed that ice quality is reduced at greater crystallinity levels and initial concentration. Meanwhile, DCMD module was capable of producing 53 kg/(m2.h) of pure water operating with 69% thermal efficiency. Based on different configuration of the hybrid ZLD system, the proposed design can achieve water recovery between 40% up to 93% with SEC range of 28-114 kWh/m3. Results also showed that the produced water quality is even greater than drinkable water standards (500 mg/l). This work has provided great evidence in the practicality of ZLD/MLD systems for sustainable brine management.
SENP1 modulates chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced neuroinflammation and neuronal injury by inhibiting microglial migration via the de-SUMOylation of TOM1
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Wang Xu , Wang Yanmin , Yang Tianyun , Sun Jinyuan , Liu Song
Published: October 2022

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a prominent characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, accelerates OSAS-associated neurocognitive impairment by initiating neuroinflammation. Microglia play a vital role in neuronal development and detrimental phagocytosis through migration. SUMO-specific proteases 1 (SENP1) has been implicated in cells migration. However, the role of SENP1 in the progression of CIH-induced neuroinflammation of microglia remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of SENP1 on microglial migration, neuroinflammation, neuronal injury and Aβ deposition after the CIH insult. The CIH model was established using an intermittent hypoxia device. SENP1 overexpression and knockdown were induced in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Results showed that CIH downregulated the expression of both SENP1 and TOM1, enhanced the SUMOylation of TOM1, and promoted microglial migration, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis and neuronal Aβ42 deposition in vitro and in vivo. After SENP1 overexpression in vitro, the enhanced SUMOylation of TOM1 was inhibited; the expression of TOM1 and microglial migration were enhanced; neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis and neuronal accumulation of Aβ42 by CIH was significantly reduced. However, the administration of siRNA-TOM1 abolished the microglial migration, neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis and reduction of Aβ42 deposition. After SENP1 knockdown in vivo, the SUMOylation enhancement of TOM1 was accelerated, microglial migration was inhibited. Neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis, neuronal Aβ42 deposition, cognitive impairment was significantly aggrandized. Overall, the results demonstrated that SENP1 promoted microglial migration by regulating the de-SUMOylation of TOM1, thus contributing to neuroinflammation, neuronal apoptosis and the clearance of Aβ42 deposition induced by CIH injury.
Changes at glutamate tripartite synapses in the prefrontal cortex of a new animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute stress
Authors: Musazzi Laura , Bonifacino Tiziana , Mingardi Jessica , Facchinetti Roberta , Sala Nathalie , Frumento Giulia , Ndoj Elona , Valenza Marta , Paoli Caterina , Ieraci Alessandro , Torazza Carola , Balbi Matilde , Muhammad Nadeem , Guerinoni Michele , Russo Isabella , Milanese Marco , Scuderi Caterina , Barbon Alessandro , Steardo Luca , Bonanno Giambattista , Popoli Maurizio
Published: October 2022

Stress represents a main risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Whereas it is known that even a single trauma may induce psychiatric disorders in humans, the mechanisms of vulnerability to acute stressors have been little investigated. In this study, we generated a new animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute footshock (FS) stress in rats and analyzed early functional, molecular, and morphological determinants of stress vulnerability at tripartite glutamate synapses in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We found that adult male rats subjected to FS can be deemed resilient (FS-R) or vulnerable (FS-V), based on their anhedonic phenotype 24 h after stress exposure, and that these two populations are phenotypically distinguishable up to two weeks afterwards. Basal presynaptic glutamate release was increased in the PFC of FS-V rats, while depolarization-evoked glutamate release and synapsin I phosphorylation at Ser9 were increased in both FS-R and FS-V. In FS-R and FS-V rats the synaptic expression of GluN2A and apical dendritic length of prelimbic PFC layers II–III pyramidal neurons were decreased, while BDNF expression was selectively reduced in FS-V. Depolarization-evoked (carrier-mediated) glutamate release from astroglia perisynaptic processes (gliosomes) was selectively increased in the PFC of FS-V rats, while GLT1 and xCt levels were higher and GS expression reduced in purified PFC gliosomes from FS-R. Overall, we show for the first time that the application of the sucrose intake test to rats exposed to acute FS led to the generation of a novel animal model of resilience/vulnerability to acute stress, which we used to identify early determinants of maladaptive response related to behavioral vulnerability to stress.
Methionine, Cysteine and Butylated Hydroxytoluene Enhance Cryosurvival of Ram Semen on Post-Thaw and Post-Incubation Time Points
Authors: Toker Mehmed Berk , Dogann Ibrahim
Published: October 2022

Despite there have been many experiments conducted about antioxidants, the best sole or combination use of antioxidants to include as a standard ingredient to freezing extenders yet to be found. This study conducted to investigate the different doses of methionine (2.5 and 5mM), cysteine (1 and 2mM) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (1 and 2mM) for ram semen cryopreservation on post-thaw and post-incubation (6 h) time points over spermatological parameters. Semen samples collected from Kivircik rams via electro-ejaculator in breeding season. After essential spermatological evaluations, appropriate samples were pooled then split into 7 equal aliquots to create study groups (antioxidant free control, 2.5mM methionine, 5mM methionine, 1mM cysteine, 2mM cysteine, 1mM BHT and 2mM BHT). Semen samples put into French straws (0.25mL) and freezing procedure (two-step) conducted via a programmable gamete freezer. At both time points; motility, HOST, PSA-FITC and TUNEL assays were conducted to discover the impacts of cryopreservation and incubation process over sperm cells. Antioxidant supplemented groups yielded better results comparing to control groups in terms of various spermatological parameters not only at post-thaw time point but after incubation for 6 h of time. The study demonstrated that supplementing sperm freezing extenders with abovesaid antioxidants may create new approaches to cryopreservation procedures and through increasing success rate of freezing, fertility results may increase to better results in near future.
Favorable Locations for new VGOS Antennas in India depending on the assessment of Geodetic Parameters and Environmental Factors
Authors: Dhar Sujata , Glaser Susanne , Heinkelmann Robert , Schuh Harald , Balasubramanian Nagarajan , Dikshit Onkar
Published: October 2022

VLBI simulation studies are carried out to investigate the impact of any proposed station or strategy on the geodetic parameters, like Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) and Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF). Generally, such studies are performed for making decisions on any new development in the existing VLBI network. Thus, for selecting the favorable locations for establishment of a VLBI antenna in India, simulation studies are performed on 42 potential locations to cover the whole Indian subcontinent. Furthermore, the simulation setup is divided into four scenarios that consider the current and future situations of the global VLBI network. Extensive simulation strategy is applied with optimized scheduling for each network geometry, Monte-Carlo simulations and analysis in the VieSched + + software. Just the results from the simulation are considered not enough for a comprehensive assessment of the realistic performance of locations, and hence, environmental factors are also investigated in the present study. The environmental factors affecting the operation and vulnerability of the VLBI technique at the potential locations are also incorporated in the present study. For this, a weighted scoring model is developed with the scores and weights based on the probable impact and occurrence frequency of disrupting environmental events, respectively. This approach will avoid the possibility of new VLBI station ending up in an unfavorable location in India and, underperforming substantially in terms of the expected improvement of geodetic parameters as determined from the simulation study. The VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) network is being established at a global level to create a uniformly distributed network of the next generation VLBI system in order to meet the goals of the Global Geodetic Observing Systems (GGOS). India is planning to establish its first VGOS antenna and therefore, this study will help to mark the high-performance favorable locations for VGOS. The results show that the VGOS antenna at favorable locations in India outperform other locations by a factor of 1.1 to 5.0 in improvement percentage of derived geodetic parameters.
A novel therapeutic bispecific format based on synthetic orthogonal heterodimers enables T cell activity against Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Ali Abdullah , Burke Alan , Borot Florence , Du Xing , Churchill Michael , Ding Jian , Grass Albert , DeSouza Philip , Mukherjee Siddhartha
Published: October 2022

Many therapeutic bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) are in clinical trials. A modular and efficient process to create BiTEs would accelerate their development and clinical applicability. In this study, we present the design, production, and functional activity of a novel bispecific format utilizing synthetic orthogonal heterodimers to form a multichain modular design. Further addition of an immunoglobulin hinge region allowed a stable covalent linkage between the heterodimers. As proof-of-concept, we utilized CD33 and CD3 binding scFvs to engage leukemia cells and T-cells respectively. We provide evidence that this novel bispecific T-cell engager (termed IgGlue-BiTE) could bind both CD3 + and CD33 + cells and facilitates robust T-cell mediated cytotoxicity on AML cellsin vitro. In a mouse model of minimal residual disease, we showed that the novel IgGlue-BiTE greatly extended survival, and mice of this treatment group were free of leukemia in the bone marrow. These findings suggest that the IgGlue-BiTE allows for robust simultaneous engagement with both antigens of interest in a manner conducive to T cell cytotoxicity against AML. These results suggest a compelling modular system for bispecific antibodies, as the CD3- and CD33-binding domains can be readily swapped with domains binding to other cancer- or immune cell-specific antigens.
Improving mechanical performance and functionality of birch veneer with mechano-enzymatic nanocellulose coating
Authors: Orelma Hannes , Kunnari Vesa , Yamamoto Akio , Valkonen Mikko , Rautkari Lauri , Korpela Antti
Published: October 2022

In this study, we investigated the coating of birch veneers (BVs) with mechano-enzymatically manufactured nanofibrillated cellulose (meNFC) to improve mechanical strength and functionality. The meNFC has a broad particle size distribution and similar chemistry to lignocellulose materials, which are both beneficial properties in the coating of wood products. The veneer coating trials were carried out with a spray coating system developed to coat controllable thin coating layers. The spray coating produced uniform layers, which smoothened the BV surface significantly and was verified with scanning electron microscope imaging and optical profilometer measurements. The surface energy measurements showed that the meNFC is like cellulose, whereas the BV is like lignin. This observation proposes pre-treatment methods to secure a good adhesion level between the meNFC and BVs. The adhesion and compatibility of meNFC with the BV surface were measured with pull-off tests and surface energy measurements. The adhesion on a native BV surface was limited, while pre-treatment with sanding or using a primer significantly enhanced the adhesion. The meNFC coating slightly improved the BV transverse tensile strength (perpendicular to the wood veneer grain direction). A thermochromic functionality was installed on the BVs using meNFC as a binder. The produced thermochromic BVs displayed thermochromic behaviour; the coating could control the warming of the BVs subjected to solar radiation. The activation of a photocatalytic reaction of a meNFC coating containing TiO2 was studied on the wood surface under both ultraviolet and fluorescent light, indicating in a reduction of formaldehyde concentrations. The results also showed that wood discolouration was inhibited by meNFC with not only TiO2 but also only the meNFC coating. This study presents a practical approach to surface-treating wood materials with the meNFC to improve the mechanical and functional properties of wood products.