bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Temporal Effects on Low Frequency DAS and Microseismic Implications on Hydraulic Fracture Geometry and Well Interactions
Authors: Ugueto Gustavo A. , Haffener Jackson , Mondal Somnath , Satviski Alexei A. , Huckabee Paul T. , Haustveit Kyle
Published: January 2022

Monitoring the geometry of hydraulically induced fractures using a variety of frac diagnostic tools is a relatively expensive but necessary step to achieve successful development of unconventional reservoirs. Valuable insights about the hydraulic fracturing process can be determined and cross-validated using an assortment of diagnostic tools. In recent years, the monitoring of pressure, temperature, and strain interactions between wells during stimulation has been providing new and detailed information about the geometry of hydraulic fractures not available before. Low Frequency Distributed Acoustic Sensing (LF-DAS) and Distributed Strain Sensing (DSS) can be used to determine the timing and location of approaching, intercepting and re-opening hydraulically induced fractures in nearby wells instrumented with Fiber Optics (FO). In the Hydraulic Fracture Test Site 2 (HFTS2) the integration of these technologies with traditional fracture geometry diagnostic tools such as Microseismic (MS) are revealing unique information about fracture geometry and the propagation tendencies of fractures generated while stimulating the Wolfcamp in the Permian Delaware Basin. In HFTS2, hydraulic fractures are sub-vertical, occurring in swarms and forming well-defined and separate Frac-Zone-Domains (FZDs). In HFTS2, both the number of microseismic events and strain interactions increase as stimulation progresses within the pad. The observed spatial and temporal dependencies in the MS and LF-DAS datasets strongly suggest there is a lot of re-opening and re-fracturing of pre-existing fractures, not only of the FZDs from the "parent/primary" wells but also from pre-existing fractures of the FZDs from offset "child/infill" wells that are part of the same stimulation vintage. These newly observed spatial and temporal effects must be considered when using MS, LF-DAS, and other fracture driven interaction (FDI) techniques to determine fracture growth velocities and when interpreting frac diagnostics results to calibrate fracture models. The data suggest that fracture growth is impacted by the location of pre-existing hydraulic fractures and their stress state. The findings in HFTS2 highlight the risk not only of misinterpreting microseismic derived Stimulated Rock Volume (SRV) but also, and more importantly the development of possible new completion practices and wells stimulation sequencing. The information from HFTS2 has helped to understand not only the fracture geometry on this Permian Wolfcamp site but also the uses and limitations of different fracture diagnostic tools.
Practical Design Considerations for Perforation and Stimulation Strategy Based on Two Permanent Fiber Optics Tests in the Williston Basin
Authors: Ribeiro Lionel , Zurovec Wesley
Published: January 2022

This paper introduces the results and interpretation of two permanent fiber optic (FO) installations deployed on two plug-and-perf wells in the Williston Basin. The paper covers a wide range of completion parameters that were tested and later implemented at scale as part of the field development strategy.

Recent publications from multiple operators have demonstrated the success of aggressive limited entry strategies to reverse the decade-long trend of reducing stage length (to accommodate higher cluster counts and stimulate more entry points) in favor of extended stage lengths with higher cluster counts per stage. The paper provides additional field data supporting this trend with an emphasize on key design parameters that enable an increase in stimulated surface area while decreasing costs. We also share practical guidelines and field recommendations to mitigate risks during FO deployment.

Finally, we demonstrate the value of the integrated application of field trials, fracture diagnostics, and well performance analysis to improve the stimulation design and capture additional value. The FO results enabled us to increase clusters per stage without diminishing cluster efficiency and allowed us to understand the dynamic of perforation screen-out and how variations in proppant schedules can impact cluster efficiency.
Driving Completion Execution Improvements Through Detailed Analysis of Acoustic Imaging and Stimulation Data
Authors: Watson Mark , Schinnour Mitch , Cramer David D. , White Matt
Published: January 2022

This study documents an ongoing analysis of frac plug integrity and inter-cluster treatment distribution using multiple datasets. It includes post-treatment acoustic imaging data from three Montney pads, in which the dimensions of 3538 perforations and casing wear patterns at 150 frac plug setting locations were determined. The analysis process features an iterative approach to improving execution performance during field appraisal – execute the design, measure performance, identify failures, and then implement an improved design. This approach identified execution performance issues that would have otherwise been undetected and provided insights that were used to inform manufacturers of necessary design improvements.

The fiber optic and acoustic imaging programs for Pad 1 indicated loss of frac plug isolation in 70% of stages. Acoustic imaging data gathered from Pad 2 indicated loss of frac plug isolation in 57.5% of stages. Additionally, the measured diameters of eroded perforations were smaller than the expected unstimulated diameter in 48% of measurements. This finding revealed a discrepancy in the perforation-charge manufacturer's published performance information which led to unintended treatment behavior.

Building on Pad 2 results, multiple vendors were engaged to provide engineered solutions to the issues identified through acoustic imaging campaigns for potential implementation on future wells. The findings from this exercise confirmed the underperformance of dissolvable frac plug technology and the importance of verifying perforation performance by conducting surface tests that are representative of field conditions. The outcome led to modified perforation charges and dissolvable frac plugs for trial on Pad 3.

Outputs from the analysis performed on Pad 3 revealed improved performance, with confinement issues identified in only 28% of the total stages. Initial unstimulated perforation diameters were within 3.59% of the pre-job surface validation tests. Improvements contributed to better treatment conformance relative to Pad 1 and Pad 2.
Environmental Technology Effect of Two-way FDI Interactive Development in China
Authors: Gong Mengqi , You Zhe , Cheng Jinhua
Published: January 2022

This paper examines the impact of the interactive development of inward foreign direct investment and outward foreign direct investment (two-way FDI) on regional environmental technology by using data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2004 to 2017. To overcome the possible endogeneity problem of the model, the system generalized moment estimation method (system GMM) is used to estimate the model. The results show the following: First, two-way FDI could inhibit the progress of regional environmental technology. Second, the results of the regional heterogeneity test show that the development of two-way FDI interaction promotes the environmental technology in the eastern region, but inhibits the environmental technology in the central and western regions of China. Third, the heterogeneity test results of two-way FDI interactive development degree show that the two-way FDI interactive development in China promotes environmental technology in high-interactive areas, but inhibits environmental technology in low-interactive areas. Finally, the results of the phased heterogeneity test show that as China's two-way FDI interactive development gradually increases, its inhibitory effect on regional environmental technology gradually declines. Therefore, it is believed that in the future, China should further strengthen inward foreign direct investment and outward foreign direct investment, realize the benign interaction of two-way FDI, and finally promote the progress of regional environmental technology.
External validation of the Hospital Frailty Risk Score among older adults receiving mechanical ventilation
Authors: Sy Eric , Kassir Sandy , Mailman Jonathan F , Sy Sarah Lauren
Published: January 2022

Purpose:To externally validate the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) to predict clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.Methods:We selected index hospitalizations of older adults (≥75 years old) receiving mechanical ventilation, using the United States Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) from January 1, 2016, to November 30, 2018. Frailty risk was determined by the HFRS using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes, and further subcategorized into low-risk (score <5), intermediate-risk (score 5-15), and high-risk (score >15) for frailty. We evaluated the HFRS to predict prolonged hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and 30-day emergency hospital readmissions, using multivariable logistic regression, after adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics. Model performance was assessed using the c-statistic, Brier score, and calibration plots.Results:Among the 649,330 weighted index hospitalizations in the cohort, 50.0% were female, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 81 (78-86) years old, and the median (IQR) HFRS was 10.8 (7.7-14.5). Among the cohort, 9.5%, 68.3%, and 22.2% were subcategorized as low-, intermediate-, and high-risk for frailty, respectively. After adjustment, high-risk patient hospitalizations were associated with increased risks of prolonged hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.59 [95% confidence interval [CI] 5.24-5.97], c-statistic 0.694, Brier score 0.216) and 30-day emergency hospital readmissions (aOR 1.20 [95% CI 1.13-1.27], c-statistic 0.595, Brier score 0.162), compared to low-risk hospitalizations. Conversely, high-risk hospitalizations were inversely associated with in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.46 [95% CI 0.45-0.48], c-statistic 0.712, Brier score 0.214). Calibration plots demonstrated good calibration for the adjusted analyses.Conclusions:In this external validation study of critically ill older adults receiving mechanical ventilation, the HFRS was not successfully validated to predict in-hospital mortality in the NRD. While the HFRS may predict prolonged hospitalization and 30-day readmission, further research is necessary to develop accurate, intuitive, easy to use frailty scores for the critically ill.
Characteristics of oral mucosal lesions and their association with socioeconomic status and systemic health in a remote rural area in China: a cross-sectional study of 146 cases
Authors: Yao Hui , Zhang Qiongyue , Song Qianqian , Liu Mingshan , Tang Guoyao
Published: January 2022

Background
Epidemiological data of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) are required to develop practical oral care policies. However, limited data are available for rural areas in China. We aimed to estimate the spectrum and prevalence of OMLs and to identify their associated socioeconomic status (SES) and systemic health in a remote rural area in Yunnan, China.
Methods
We screened patients for OMLs in an oral medicine clinic in rural Yuannan, China, from August 2020 to February 2021. OMLs were documented. SES, including the highest education level achieved and the previous month’s household income, as well as the patient’s systemic health, including a history of smoking, alcohol use, and chronic disease, were obtained from the Medical History/Health Questionnaire Form and patient medical records.
Results
A total of 146 patients were found to have OMLs. The most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer (n = 41, 28.1%), followed by burning mouth syndrome (BMS) (n = 16, 11.0%), viral ulcer (n = 14, 9.6%), and oral lichen planus (OLP) (n = 9, 6.2%). In these patients, the most common chronic diseases were sleep apnea (n = 35, 24.0%), hypertension (n = 23, 15.8%), bronchitis (n = 16, 11.0%), reflux (including gastroesophageal reflux disease) (n = 12, 8.2%), and arthritis (n = 11, 7.5%). On adjusted regression, the patients without chronic diseases had a lower risk of BMS than those with chronic diseases (odds ratio [OR], 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.9). Age was an independent protective factor for viral ulcers (OR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9–1.0). Patients with low-income levels had a lower risk of OLP than those with high-income levels (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.05–0.9).
Conclusions
In rural Yunnan in China, the most frequent OML was aphthous ulcer, which was followed by BMS, viral ulcer, and OLP. Chronic diseases were associated with BMS. Age was an independent protective factor for oral viral ulcers. A high-income level was associated with the presence of OLP. Oral care policies should be prioritized among patients with aphthous ulcer. Preventive strategy of BMS should be targeted to people with chronic disease for health equalities.
Moment Estimators of Relatedness From Low-Depth Whole-Genome Sequencing Data
Authors: Herzig Anthony Francis , Ciullo Marina , Leutenegger Anne-Louise , Perdry Hervé , Consortium FranceGenRef
Published: January 2022

Background.
Estimating relatedness is an important step for many genetic study designs. A variety of methods for estimating coefficients of pairwise relatedness from genotype data have been proposed. Both the kinship coefficient and the fraternity coefficient for all pairs of individuals are of interest. However, when dealing with low-depth sequencing or imputation data, individual level genotypes cannot be confidently called. To ignore such uncertainty is known to result in biased estimates. Accordingly, methods have recently been developed to estimate kinship from uncertain genotypes.
Results.
We present new method-of-moment estimators of both the coefficients and calculated directly from genotype likelihoods. We have simulated low-depth genetic data for a sample of individuals with extensive relatedness by using the complex pedigree of the known genetic isolates of Cilento in South Italy. Through this simulation, we explore the behaviour of our estimators, demonstrate their properties, and show advantages over alternative methods. A demonstration of our method is given for a sample of 150 French individuals with down-sampled sequencing data.
Conclusions.
We find that our method can provide accurate relatedness estimates whilst holding advantages over existing methods in terms of robustness, independence from external software, and required computation time. The method presented in this paper is referred to LowKi (Low-depth Kinship) and has been made available in an R package (https://github.com/genostats/LowKi).
No impact of psychosocial stress on glioblastoma development
Authors: Durrechou Quentin , Engelhardt Julien , Jecko Vincent , Domblides Charlotte , Catry-Thomas Isabelle , Loiseau Hugues , Planchon Charlotte , De Grimal Sandrine , BRONNIMANN Charlotte
Published: January 2022

No impact of psychosocial stress on development of glioblastomaPurpose: Psychosocial stress represents an important source of questions in the potential implication of origin of cancer. The aim of the study was to assess stress prevalence prior to diagnosis of wild-type IDH glioblastoma.Methods: This prospective single-center study enrolled consecutive new cases of wild-type IDH glioblastoma diagnosed between December 2019 and March 2021 at the University Hospital of Bordeaux. A standardized patient self-assessment stress questionnaire explored both the presence of stressor exposure and the intensity of patient stress level prior to the diagnosis. Four groups were included: high stressors/high stress, high stressors/low stress, low stressors/low stress, and low stressors/high stress. Patient characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis was based on the Chi-square test and the Kaplan-Meier survival estimator.Results: Sixty-four patients with a median age of 66 years were included. Glioblastoma involved predominantly the frontal lobe (39%). Thirty-six patients (56.3%) presented a low stressor/low stress profile. Stress corresponded mainly to the death of a loved one or to family health problems. Among working professionals, 20 patients (67.5%) reported low-intensity work stress. A history of depression was found in 30%. Progression-free survival at 6 months was 45.3% and median overall survival was estimated to be 16.5 months. Level and presence of stress did not differ based on location of tumour. No association was found between stress and tumour progression or overall survival.Conclusion: A majority of patients in this study had low exposure to stressors as well as low stress level. Psychological stress did not seem to favour the emergence of glioblastoma or survival.
Analysis of Wear Mechanisms and Chip Morphology During Machining of Tool Steel Using TiAlSiCrN-Coated WC-Co Ball end Mills
Authors: Ahmed Farooq , Kumaran S. Thirumalai , Ahmad Furqan
Published: January 2022

Machining of difficult-to-cut materials with high surface quality is a challenging task that requires a precise machining approach with an efficient cutting tool. Among the tool performance evaluation parameters, rate of wear, chip morphology and surface quality are the vital aspects to establish a relationship between the input conditions and the machining quality. In this study, tool geometrical parameters i.e. rake, clearance and helix angles were selected to analyse the effect of geometry on wear behavior and the chip morphology during the ball end milling of tool steel. Increase in rate of wear with machining length was analysed based on the different tool geometry combinations. Tool geometry with rake angle 3°, clearance angle 10° and helix angle 32° was found to have least wear length at 56μm. The study provides basis for the selection of geometry parameters considering the wear mechanisms and the chip morphology. The influence of the change in tool geometry on surface quality was also analysed and reported.
Attainment of Favorable Microstructure for Residual Stress Reduction Through High-Temperature Heat Treatment on Additive Manufactured Inconel 718 Alloy
Authors: Kumar Vijayakumar Praveen , Jebaraj Alfred Vinoth
Published: January 2022

The mitigation of residual stress in additive manufactured metal parts through post-heat treatment helps to enhance life during service. The present work aims to investigate the effect of the high-temperature heat treatment at 1065°C on microstructural changes, residual stress patterns, and hardness of Inconel 718 metal blocks fabricated through the Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process. The non-destructive X-ray diffraction technique known as cos α method was used to measure the surface residual stress by capturing the Debye ring. It was found that the existence of columnar dendrites with laves phases in the interdendritic region along the building direction was dissolved after heat treatment. The resultant microstructure showed homogeneous equiaxed grains with the formation of annealing twins along with strengthening phases (γ’ and γ’’) and tiny metal carbides on the grain boundaries. Further, the residual stress magnitude in the as-built sample was found to be 77% higher on the corners compared to the center region of the top surface. The average value of residual stress on the top surface was found to be 35.5% lesser than the lateral side surface of the sample. It was observed that the distribution of residual stress is not uniform in as-built condition. The heat-treated sample showed uniform distribution of compressive residual stresses in all the locations. This phenomenon happened due to the increase in diffusion of atoms present in the high-stress regions migrated to low-stress regions till attain their equilibrium condition. During this action, the stresses present in the grain interiors were altered considerably and resulted in complete recrystallization with the precipitation of more strengthening phases and annealing twins. The high-temperature post-heat treatment also affects the hardness leads to 23.03% increase in average microhardness mainly induced resistance to dislocation motion by precipitation of strengthening phases in the γ matrix.
On the Injectivity of an Integral Operator Connected to Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Adam Dumitru
Published: January 2022

In 1993, using the Beurling equivalent formulation of the RH ([3]),Alcantara-Bode proved ([2]): the RH holds if and only if the integraloperator on the Hilbert space L2(0; 1) having the kernel function defined by the fractional part of (y/x), is injective.Since then, the injectivity of this integral operator has not beenaddressed even if the investigation of the injectivity of this operatorcould be made out of context, by other means than of pure mathematics. In line with this observation is our approach using the operator approximations on a dense family of subspaces on separable Hilbert spaces in order to address its injectivity.One of the results obtained in this paper, Theorem 2.1 states that given an linear, bounded operator strict positive definite on a dense family of subspaces, having its sequence of injectivity parameters bounded inferior by a strict positive constant, is injective. (The parameters are the inverse condition numbers of the operator restrictions on the family of the subspaces.)Using a version of this theorem on L2(0; 1) we proved (Theorem4.1) the injectivity of the integral operator used by Alcantara-Bode in[2] for his equivalent formulation of RH.
Nutritional Relationships and Accumulation Capacity of Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea var. Italica) Grown Under the Stress Caused by Some Heavy Metals Seen in Agricultural Areas
Authors: ADİLOĞLU Sevinç
Published: January 2022

Agricultural soils lose their properties as a result of pollution caused by traffic, industry, agricultural activities, and urban activities. Among various techniques for the remediation of agricultural soils, phytoremediation is the most cost effective and applicable technique. Phyto extraction technique of phytoremediation has been applied with broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in this study to remediate some heavy metals (Cd, Cr, and Pb). The study was carried out in controlled conditions in pots according to randomized blocks design using three replicates. Cadmium was applied as only cadmium (30 mg/kg), and together with a chelator as Cd (30 mg/kg) + EDTA, in triplicates. Chromium was applied as only chromium (10 mg/kg), and together with a chelator as Cr (10 mg/kg) +EDTA. Similarly, lead was applied as only lead (100 mg/kg), and together with a chelator as Pb (100 mg/kg) + EDTA. After 30 days of incubation, one broccoli was cultivated in each pot. Plants were harvested after 2 months of experimental period. Agro-morphological traits of the plants were measured. Some macro and micro nutrient elements and Cd, Cr and Pb elemental analyses were carried out from root and shoot pf the plants. Among the agro-morphological traits, plant wet weight was the highest in lead applied pots. This was statistically significant at 5% and they fell into different groups with control pots according to Duncan test. The highest root and shoot dry weights were detected in lead and chromium applied pots. Changes in chlorophyll contents were found to be statistically insignificant. The highest lead, cadmium and chromium contents in the body of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) were found to be 14.0 mg/kg, 6.67 mg/kg and, 5.17 mg/kg, respectively, in the chelated applications. The order of accumulation in the root was Cr>Pb>Cd. The results revealed that this plant played a role in the remediation of lead>cadmium>chromium as a hyper accumulator plant, and broccoli grown in neutral soils could be used as a hyper accumulator plant in the phytoremediation technology.
The Characteristic of a Novel Metalloproteinase from Puccinia Helianthi
Authors: Lu Yan , Song Yang , Li Xinchun , Zhang Meng , Jing Lan
Published: January 2022

Objective In phytopathogenic fungi, several metalloproteinase have been implicated in virulence, but pathogenesis roles in rust are largely unknown. Here, we identified a M36 family metalloproteases from Puccina helianthi genome, designated PhMEP1, aimed to reveal the biological characteristics related to pathogenicity.Result Bioinformatics analysis showed that PhMEP1contains some of the conserved zinc-binding and active site motifs characteristics of metalloproteinase which might well be a new fungalysin-like peptidase in the M36 family. The PhMEP1 protein was over expressed as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli. The recombinant expression products of PhMEP1 could hydrolyze azocasein and the hydrolytic activity was suppressed by metal ion chelating agents such as 1,10-phenanthroline and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). The subcellular localization of PhMEP1 was detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy of the leaves from a 2-day-old Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings expressed PhMEP1-GFP fusion that showed green fluorescent protein (GFP) signal accumulated in the plasma membrane of epithelial cells.Conclusion PhMEP1 may serve as a pathogenicity factor contributing to P. helianthi penetration and infection.
Effects of Electron Donors and Acceptors on Cr(VI) Removal in Biotic Fe0 Columns Preloaded with Microorganisms
Authors: Li Weiquan , Li Mingxi , Yin Weizhao , Lv Sihao , Zhong Jiawei , Li Ping , Deng Hong , Wu Jinhua
Published: January 2022

The removal of Cr(VI) from groundwater by zero-valent iron (Fe0) and microorganisms under different nutrients and electron-accepting conditions was investigated using continuously-flowed column reactors with an abiotic Fe0 column as the control. Both abiotic and biotic Fe0 columns were operated at low and relatively high concentrations of organic substrates (sodium acetate and humic acid) and electron acceptors (nitrate and sulfate). Sodium acetate and humic acid were found to be effective substrates for the biotic Fe0 system to remove Cr(VI) since microorganisms were able to gain extra reducing capacity from two nutrients and simultaneously avoid the passivation effect of humic acids on Fe0 by metabolizing them. For nitrate and sulfate, varied influences were observed in the biotic Fe0 system. The former showed apparent inhibition on Cr(VI) removal as it competed with Cr(VI) for electrons, and the inhibition became more severe while nitrate concentrations increased. Differently, highly reactive minerals such as green rusts and iron sulfide could be generated on the biotic Fe0 surface under sulfate-reducing conditions. They significantly enhanced Cr(VI) removal by providing more adsorptive and reductive sites. Overall, though the biotic Fe0 column exhibited a longer life-span and higher Cr(VI) removal capacity than the abiotic Fe0 column, the effects of organic substrates and electron acceptors should still be taken into account when applying biotic Fe0 systems for Cr(VI)-contaminated groundwater remediation.
Clinical Observations on Infliximab Treatment of Infantile Onset Takayasu Arteritis
Authors: Kang Min , Lai Jianming , Zhang Dan , Xu Yingjie , Zhu Jia , Li Ming
Published: January 2022

Background

To study short-term clinical effectiveness and safety of infliximab (IFX) treatment of infants with Takayasu arteritis (TA).
Methods

We investigated the therapeutic effectiveness of IFX in 10 infantile TA in a retrospective case series. Evaluation included assessment of clinical symptoms, laboratory testing, and vascular imaging.
Results

Fever was the presenting symptom for 8 of 10 infants with TA. In the acute episode, leucocyte and inflammatory indices increased significantly. Vascular imaging showed that the most commonly-involved arteries were carotid arteries, abdominal aortas, and coronary arteries (9 cases, 90%). Two weeks after IFX treatment, leukocyte and platelet counts decreased, and hemoglobin levels increased. There were significant clinical differences 6 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment (p<0.05). Inflammatory indices decreased significantly 2 weeks after starting IFX treatment compared with before treatment (p<0.05). Vascular lesions began to recover within 1.5-3 months of initiating IFX therapy, and the involved vessels significantly recovered within 13 months. Some arteries remained stenotic, intimal thickening and uneven lumen wall thickness.
Conclusions

TA is rare in infancy. Fever may be the main manifestation of illness, often accompanied by significantly increased inflammatory indices. Early use of IFX appears to be effective, significantly decreasing inflammatory markers and improving clinical features, leading to partial remission of vascular lesions and sustain remissions for some infants. Use of IFX reduced or eliminated need for glucocorticoids. IFX has a reasonable safety profile and does not appear to affect normal growth and development of infants with TA.
Distinct Dyadic Quality of Life Profiles Among Advanced Lung Cancer Patient-Caregiver Dyads: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Wang Hui , Deng Tiantian , Cao Cong , Feng Danjun
Published: January 2022

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the heterogeneity of dyadic quality of life (QoL) profiles, determine whether these profiles differ in terms of demographic and medical factors, neuroticism, resilience, and family functioning, and explore the combined effect of patient and caregiver neuroticism, resilience, and family functioning on dyadic QoL profiles.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 304 advanced lung cancer patient-caregiver dyads enrolled from radiotherapy and chemotherapy departments at three tertiary hospitals. Self-report questionnaires were administered to patient-caregiver dyads to assess demographic and medical characteristics, neuroticism, resilience, family functioning and QoL.
Results
The latent profile analysis identified four subgroups of dyadic QoL: patient low-caregiver high profile (38.82%), patient high-caregiver high profile (22.37%), patient high-caregiver low profile (19.74%), and patient low-caregiver low profile (19.08%). Additionally, when both patients and their caregivers had a high level of neuroticism or low level of resilience, and low family functioning, compared with only member having them, there was a higher risk of poorer dyadic QoL.
Conclusions
Our study identified the four heterogeneities of dyadic QoL profiles among advanced lung cancer patient-caregiver dyads. Future dyadic interventions should consider the heterogeneity of dyadic QoL in this population and prioritize patient-caregiver dyads who are at risk of poor dyadic QoL. Furthermore, when high neuroticism, low resilience, or family functioning coexist between patients and their caregivers, both parties exhibit much lower dyadic QoL.
Tracing the Origins of Glioblastoma by Investigating the Role of Gliogenic and Related Neurogenic Genes/Signaling Pathways in GBM Development: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shafi Ovais , Siddiqui Ghazia
Published: January 2022

Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive tumors. The etiology and the factors determining its onset are not yet entirely known. This study investigates the origins of GBM and for this purpose it focuses primarily on developmental gliogenic processes. It also focuses on impact of the related neurogenic developmental processes in glioblastoma oncogenesis. It also addresses why glial cells are at more risk of tumor development compared to neurons.Methods: Databases including PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched for published articles without any date restrictions, involving glioblastoma, gliogenesis, neurogenesis, stemness, neural stem cells, gliogenic signaling and pathways, neurogenic signaling and pathways, astrocytogenic genes. Results: The origin of GBM is dependent on dysregulation in multiple genes and pathways that accumulatively converge the cells towards oncogenesis. There are multiple layers of steps in glioblastoma oncogenesis including the failure of cell fate specific genes to keep the cells differentiated in their specific cell type such as p300, BMP, HOPX, NRSF/REST and others. There are genes and signaling pathways that are involved in differentiation and also contribute to GBM such as FGFR3, JAK-STAT, hey1 and others. The genes that contribute to differentiation processes but also contribute to stemness in GBM include notch, Sox9, Sox4, c-myc gene overrides p300 and then GFAP, leading to upregulation of nestin, SHH, NF-κB and others. GBM mutations pathologically impact the cell circuitry such as the interaction between Sox2 and JAK-STAT pathway, resulting in GBM development and progression.Conclusion: Glioblastoma originates when the gene expression of key gliogenic genes and signaling pathways become dysregulated. This study identifies key gliogenic genes having the ability to control oncogenesis in glioblastoma cells, including p300, BMP, PAX6, HOPX, NRSF/REST, LIF, TGF beta. It also identifies key neurogenic genes having the ability to control oncogenesis including PAX6, neurogenins including Ngn1, NeuroD1, NeuroD4, Numb, NKX6-1 Ebf, Myt1, ASCL1 and others. This study also postulates how aging contributes to the onset of glioblastoma by dysregulating the gene expression of NF-κB, REST/NRSF, ERK, AKT, EGFR and others.
Changes in Causes of Maternal Mortality in Zimbabwe 2007-08 to 2018-19: Findings From Two Reproductive Age Mortality Surveys
Authors: Musarandega Reuben , Ngwenya Solwayo , Murewanhema Grant , Machekano Rhoderick , Magwali Thulani , Nyström Lennarth , Pattinson Robert , Munjanja Stephen Peter , Nyakura Michael
Published: January 2022

Background: Reducing maternal mortality is a priority of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 which requires frequent epidemiological analysis of trends, patterns and causes of maternal deaths. We conducted two reproductive age mortality surveys (RAMOS) to analyse the epidemiology of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe; assessing changes in the causes of death between 2007-08 and 2018-19. Methods: We collected data for deaths among women of reproductive ages (WRAs), and pregnancy-related deaths (PRDs) in 11 districts using multi-stage cluster and simple random sampling. We calculated mortality incidence rates (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) per 10000 WRA with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in ICD-10 groups. We calculated IR and IRR (per 10000 births) for PRDs with 95% CIs in ICD-MM groups. We also calculated maternal mortality ratios (MMR), per 100 000 live births, for selected causes of PRDs.Results: We identified 6188 deaths among WRAs and 325 PRDs in 2007-08, and 1856 and 137 respectively in 2018-19. Mortality in WRAs decreased by 81% in certain infectious or parasitic diseases, by 82% in diseases of the respiratory system, and by 79% in diseases of the digestive system. Pregnancy-related deaths from direct causes decreased by 61% and deaths from indirect causes by 84%. HIV/AIDS-related deaths decreased by 81% in WRAs and by 91% in pregnant women. However, direct causes of death still had a three-fold MMR (151 deaths) than indirect causes (51 deaths per 100 000), and obstetric haemorrhage alone had equal MMR as all indirect causes in 2018-19. Conclusion: HIV-related mortality has declined significantly in Zimbabwe in WRAs and pregnant women, though it is still an important cause of death. Zimbabwe has also reduced pregnancy-related deaths from direct causes significantly, through multipronged interventions. The focus is to improve coverage and quality of antenatal care to reduce deaths from indirect causes, and increase access to emergency obstetric care to further reduce deaths from the direct causes.
Loss of Zfp335 triggers cGAS/STING-dependent apoptosis of post-β selection pre-T cells
Authors: Ratiu Jeremy , Barclay William , Wang Qun , Wellford Sebastian , Mehta Naren , Harnois Melissa , DiPalma Devon , Roy Sumedha , Contreras Alejandra , Shinohara Mari , Wiest David , Zhuang Yuan
Published: January 2022

Production of a diverse peripheral T cell compartment requires massive expansion of the bone marrow progenitors that seed the thymus. There are two main phases of expansion during T cell development, following T lineage commitment at the DN2 stage and following successful rearrangement and selection for functional TCRβ chains in DN3 thymocytes, which promotes development of DN4 cells to the DP stage. Signals driving expansion of DN2 thymocytes are well studied, however, factors regulating the proliferation and survival of DN4 cells remain poorly understood. Here, we uncover an unexpected link between the transcription factor Zfp335 and control of cGAS/STING-dependent cell death in post-β-selection DN4 thymocytes. Zfp335 controls survival by sustaining expression of Ankle2, which suppresses cGAS/STING-dependent cell death. Together, this study identifies Zfp335 as a key transcription factor controlling the survival of proliferating post-β-selection thymocytes and demonstrates a key role for the cGAS/STING pathway driving apoptosis of developing T cells.
Application of SCoT Marker to Discriminate Genotypes and Synthetic Cultivars of Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare Mill.)
Authors: Akbari Azam , Darbandi Ali Izadi , Ramshini Hosein , Bahmani Keivan
Published: January 2022

Fennel is a member of the Umbelliferae family and one of the most important and commonly used medicinal herbs. Because plant cultivar registration and protection is now confined to a small number of morphological features, the adoption of molecular approaches as complementing tools is unavoidable. In this investigation, the researchers employed ten start codon targeted (SCoT) markers to identify and distinctiveness three synthetic fennel cultivars and eight parental ecotypes. Ten SCoT primers obtained a total of 54 amplified fragments, of which 44 were polymorphic. SC14 and SC2 primers with 9 bands had the most bands, whereas SC17 primers with 5 bands had the least bands. SC29, SC31, and SC2 primers have the greatest polymorphic information content (PIC), Resolving Power (RP), and Marking Index (MI). The genetic similarity of the genotypes analyzed using the Jaccard similarity coefficient varied from 0.31 to 0.76, with an average similarity of 0.54. Genotypes were distinct from one another and split into five categories using cluster analysis, the results of primary coordinate analysis (PCoA) corroborated these findings. These markers proved to be valuable tools for identifying and distinctiveness fennel cultivars due to their good separation of cultivars and independence from environmental effects. As a result, the markers utilized in this research are appropriate for distinction fennel cultivars.
Barriers to Third Mission: Organizational and Individual Antecedents
Authors: Naranjo-Africano Gloria , Vega-Jurado Jaider , Manjarres-Henríquez Liney
Published: January 2022

Barriers limit the development of relations between the university and its environment within the framework of the Third Mission. Although it is widely understood that barriers to successful collaboration and knowledge sharing between universities and other social agents exist, few studies have attempted to measure and map these perceived barriers or investigate what can mitigate them. In this context, this work aims to identify the factors affecting the barriers perceived by academics in their relationship with the environment. The study was based on data derived from a survey applied to a sample of academics categorized in the Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación of Colombia and related to six higher education institutions located in the Colombian Caribbean region. To analyze the data obtained, binary logistic regression models were established. The results obtained suggest that in addition to the orientation of the research activity, the perception that academics have about the existence of processes or support services for the university’s relationship with its environment is important to reduce the barriers perceived during the relationship. The foregoing implies that the institutions must progress with respect to the institutionalization of the third mission and in strengthening the functions of promotion, counseling, and support as well as promotion structures and, thus, being able to mitigate the barriers perceived in the process.
Establishing the Taxa, Functional profile, and in-silico Ayurvedic Remedy of Microbiota implicated in West Nile Fever
Authors: Bagchi Preenon , Jovita Jemy Ratna , IA Shylesh Murthy , M Anuradha
Published: January 2022

West Nile fever causing microbiome is taken in this work. Culex nigripalpus mosquito is the causative factor for West Nile Virus. Using Metatranscriptomic sequencing, identified the taxa and functional profile of the microbiome is identified. Again, the receptor genes involved in West Nile fever is taken and using computer aided drug design, the novel ligands from Ayurvedic medicinal plants Ginkgo biloba, Uncaria tomentosa, Lycoris radiate and Glycyrrhiza glabra. Further, in-vitro and in-vivo studies can be done on the selected ligands to prove their efficiency as drugs for the disease
Amylolytic Enzyme in Rehydrated Corn and Sorghum Grain Silage in the Diet of Ears
Authors: Silva Janaina Tayna , De Oliveira Euclides Reuter , Gandra Jefferson Rodrigues , Neves Nathálie Ferreira , Gabriel Andrea Maria de Araújo , Monção Flávio Pinto , Okadad Elaine Sayuri Miyagi , andrade wagner da paz , Fernandes Alexandre Rodrigues Mendes , Peixoto Eduardo Lucas Terra
Published: January 2022

Aimed of this work was to evaluate rehydrated corn and sorghum grains silages, with and without α-AMYLASE, on fermentation profile, nutritional value, digestion and metabolism on diets for sheep. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment 28 silos were divided into: 1- RSGS (rehydrated sorghum grain silage); 2- RSGS+A (rehydrated sorghum grain silage + amylase,); 3- RCGS (rehydrated corn grain silage); 4 RCGS+A (rehydrated corn kernel silage + amylase). In experiment II, 12 lambs were distributed in: RSGS; RSGS+A; RCGS; RCGS+A. In experiment I, there was an effect of grain x enzyme interaction for GL MN. The enzyme reduced the NFC content. In experiment II intake of DM kg/day was not affected by the starch content in the diet, with an average of 1.2 kg/day meaning that the type of grain and the enzyme had no influence on the intake of animals. There was an interaction for the intake of starch (kg/day), blood urea and N-NH 3. Lambs fed with RCGS+A had a higher concentration of ruminal ammonia. The use of enzymes improved the fermentation profile of the silages. RSGS can replace RCGS in sheep feed without modifying nutrient intake and digestibility.
Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women Affected With Thalassemia Traits
Authors: Ruangvutilert Pornpimol , Phatihattakorn Chayawat , Yaiyiam Chutima , Panchalee Tachjaree
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveTo compare the maternal and perinatal outcomes between a group of pregnant women diagnosed with thalassemia traits and normal controls.Study designA retrospective cohort study was conducted on singleton pregnant women affected and unaffected by thalassemia traits who attended an antenatal care clinic and delivered in Siriraj Hospital. Thalassemia status for all subjects was diagnosed by hemoglobin typing and/or DNA analysis. Patient charts were reviewed from January 2007 to December 2018. The control participants were randomly selected from the same period, with a control-case ratio of around 1:1.ResultsOverall, 1288 women with thalassemia traits (348 with α thal-1 trait, 424 with β thal trait and 516 with HbE trait) and 1305 women in the control group were recruited. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar, with the exception that the hematocrit level in the first trimester in the thalassemia trait group was significantly lower than that in the control group (34.8±3.4% VS 36.9±3.0%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) was higher in the thalassemia trait group, at 6.9% VS 4.7% in the control group; p = 0.018. When subgroups were analyzed between each thalassemia trait, the number of maternal anemias in the first and third trimester were higher for all thalassemia traits compared to the normal group. The β thal and HbE traits increased the risk of PIH, with a relative risk (RR) = 1.67 and 1.66, respectively. Additionally, the rate of neonates with a low Apgar score at 1 minute was significantly higher in the HbE trait; RR = 2.06.ConclusionsThalassemia traits minimally but significantly increase the risk of hypertensive disorders and low Apgar score in pregnancy. In addition, physiological changes during pregnancy may worsen the severity of anemia in the pregnant women with thalassemia traits.
Exploratory study on interaction between bacteria and fungi from mulberry to intestine of Bombyx mori
Authors: Li Chengxu , Xu Shuo , Xiang Chunjie , Xu Shixia , Zhou Qihai , zhang junfeng
Published: January 2022

Many kinds of antibiotics in the environments deeply affect the microbial composition, but their effect on the interactions among the host microbiota is still poorly understood. This study used Bombyx mori as the model organism by feeding the antibiotics-treated mulberry leaf, preliminarily explored the effects of antibiotic exposure on the interaction of bacteria and fungi in the worm’s intestine. Our results showed that the elimination of fungi significantly reduced the bacterial richness and diversity in the worm’s intestine after exposure of anti-fungal amphotericin B, while the elimination of bacteria dramatically increased the richness and diversity of fungi after exposure of anti-bacterial ampicillin-streptomycin. The results revealed the intestinal bacteria and fungi of Bombyx mori were markedly shaped by the mulberry leaf flora. Anti-bacterial antibiotics enhanced the correlation between the host gut fungi and the diet-deriving fungi, while anti-fungal antibiotics weakened the correlation between the host gut bacteria and the diet-deriving bacteria. The data preliminarily established a simple model to explore the effect of antibiotics on the host microbiota interactions, and provided a way for further study on the environmental factors of intestinal bacteria-fungi interaction.
Deep-potential enabled multiscale simulation of gallium nitride devices on boron arsenide cooling substrates
Authors: Wu Jing , Zhou E , Huang An , Zhang Hongbin , Hu Ming , Qin Guangzhao
Published: January 2022

High-efficient heat dissipation plays critical role for high-power-density electronics. Experimental synthesis of ultrahigh thermal conductivity boron arsenide (BAs, 1300 W m−1K−1) cooling substrates into the wide-bandgap semiconductor of gallium nitride (GaN) devices has been realized [Nature Electronics 4, 416-423 (2021)]. However, the lack of systematic analysis on the heat transfer across the BAs-GaN interface hampers the practical applications. In this study, by constructing the accurate and high-efficient machine learning interatomic potentials, we performed multiscale simulations of the BAs-GaN heterostructures. Ultrahigh interfacial thermal conductance (ITC) of 265 MW m−2K−1 is achieved, which lies in the well-matched lattice vibrations of BAs and GaN. Moreover, the competition between grain size and boundary resistance was revealed with size increasing from 1 nm to 100 µm. Such deep-potential equipped multiscale simulations not only promote the practical applications of BAs cooling substrates in electronics, but also offer new approach for designing advanced thermal management systems.