bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unconventional Engineering Toward Efficient Geosteering and Well Placement - Logging-While-Drilling in an Oil-Based Mud Environment
Authors: Almasmoom Salaheldeen S , Santoso Gagok I , Rubaie Naif M , Lagraba Javier O , Stonestreet David B , Faraj Omar A , Belowi Ali , Alomoush Jamal
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a success story of deploying new technology to improve geosteering operations in an unconventional horizontal well. A new-generation logging-while-drilling (LWD) imaging tool, that provides high resolution resistivity and ultrasonic images in an oil-based mud environment, was tested while drilling a long lateral section of an unconventional horizontal well. In addition to improving the geosteering operations, this tool has proven the ability to eliminate the wireline image log requirements (resistivity and ultrasonic), hence reducing rig time significantly. The LWD bottomhole-assembly (BHA) included the following components: gamma ray (GR), density, neutron, resistivity, sonic, density imager, and the newly deployed dual imager (resistivity and ultrasonic). The dual imager component adds an additional 15-ft sub to the drilling BHA, which includes four ultrasonic sensors orthogonal to each other, and two electromagnetic sensors diametrically opposite to each other (reference figure 1).

This new technology was deployed in an unconventional horizontal well to help geosteer the well in the intended zone, which led to an improvement in well placement, enhanced the evaluation of the lateral facies distribution, and allowed better identification of natural fractures. The dual images provided the necessary information for interpreting geological features, drilling induced features, and other sedimentological features, thus enhancing the multistage hydraulic fracturing stimulation design. In addition, an ultrasonic caliper was acquired while drilling the curve and lateral section, providing a full-coverage image of the borehole walls and cross-sectional borehole size.

The unique BHA was designed to fulfill all the directional drilling, formation evaluation and geosteering requirements. A dynamic simulation was done to confirm the required number of stabilizers, and their respective locations within the BHA, to reduce shock and vibration, borehole tortuosity and drilling related issues, thereby improving over-all performance. Real-time drilling monitoring included torque and drag trending, back-reaming practices and buckling avoidance calculations, which were implemented to support geosteering, and for providing a smooth wellbore for subsequent wireline and completion operations run in this well.

A new generation dual-image oil-based mud environment LWD tool was successfully deployed to show the multifaceted benefits of enhanced geo-steering/well placement, formation evaluation, and hydraulic fracturing design in an unconventional horizontal well. Complexities in the multifunctioning nature of the BHA were strategically optimized to support all requirements without introducing any significant risk in operation.
Is Digital Nomadism the Answer to Work Life Balance?
Authors: Gustave Nicole , Alarfaj Abdullah
Published: December 2021

The world is currently experiencing a rude awakening because of the COVID-19 pandemic and in a matter of months businesses averse to trust the benefits of remote working have been compelled to adapt. This advantage has enabled many Human Resource (HR) Professionals to revisit the dreaded topic of flexible working, as the new normal has shown that it is not where you work but the work you produce that matters.

Ironically, the age-old question of work-life balance surfaces as individuals search for the purpose of life as the pandemic brings everyone to their knees and philosophically people question what exactly is this balance. For HR Professionals this question is not personal but a matter of their profession in providing companies with a wider lens to understand that in order to remain competitive they need to adapt to change. One of the ways is to develop an open mindset and flexibility to revise their policies on types of flexible working, which offers work-life balance and positively impacts their ability to retain and attract highly skilled talent. This article examines the concept of Digital Nomadism as one of the radical yet realistic ways to achieve work-life balance.

Digital Nomadism puts a new spin on work arrangements and is a movement of highly mobile workers who dictate where they work, how they adapt to the demands of work to suit their lifestyle and find balance; with digital technologies. The concept has been around since 2014, the history of nomadism even longer but what is new, and why this subject adds value is the ingenuity of technology, how it makes this way of working a reality and the increasing numbers of digital nomads. The research suggests that approximately several hundred thousand of digital nomads exist throughout the world and numbers continues to rise due to globalization and the need for talent to be flexible with their lifestyles and work.

Interestingly, while many companies are convinced of the technological disruptors and how it changes the face of work from a technical perspective, the flexibility of work patterns remains a hard sell in some cases. Consequently, recruiting for talent, employment contracts and the way work is organized, remains the same and lacks flexibility. This limits the opportunity to remain competitive, retain or attract top talent and drive innovation at all angles of the business. This paper will confirm whether the solution to work-life balance is the notion of digital nomadism, detailing how it works, its benefits and issues, with the intention to offer an option to forward thinking companies, reasons to adapt their flexible working policies.
Energy Harvesting Under Harsh Conditions for the Oil & Gas Upstream Industry
Authors: Correia José , Rodrigues Cátia , Esteves Ricardo , Bezerra de Melo Ricardo Cesar , Gutiérrez José , Pereira André , Ventura João
Published: December 2021

Environmental and safety sensing is becoming of high importance in the oil and gas upstream industry. However, present solutions to feed theses sensors are expensive and dangerous and there is so far no technology able to generate electrical energy in the operational conditions of oil and gas extraction wells. In this paper it is presented, for the first time in a relevant environment, a pioneering energy harvesting technology based on nanomaterials that takes advantage of fluid movement in oil extraction wells. A device was tested to power monitoring systems with locally harvested energy in harsh conditions environment (pressures up to 50 bar and temperatures of 50ºC). Even though this technology is in an early development stage this work opens a wide range of possible applications in deep underwater environments and in Oil and Gas extraction wells where continuous flow conditions are present.
High Performance Friction Reducer for Slickwater Fracturing Applications: Laboratory Study and Field Implementation
Authors: Al-Hulail Ibrahim , Arauji Oscar , AlZaki Ali , Zeghouani Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Proppant placement in a tight formation is extremely challenging. Therefore, using a high viscous friction reducer (HVFR) as a fracturing fluid for stimulation treatment in tight gas reservoirs is increasing within the industry because it can transport proppant, help reduce pipe friction generated during hydraulic-fracturing treatments, and efficiently clean up similar to the lower viscosity friction reducers (FRs). In this paper the implementation of the robust HVFR that is building higher viscosity at low concentrations, which minimizes energy loss and promotes turbulent flow within the pipe during the pumping of low viscosity, is discussed in detail.

Performance evaluation of the new HVFR was conducted in the laboratory and compared to the lower viscosity FR. The study consisted of viscosity measurements at 70 and 180°F, compatibility with other additives, and proppant transport capabilities. Additionally, the viscosity generated from both FRs was compared using two water sources: water well A and treated sewage water. Viscosity measurements were performed across a wide range of FR and HVFR concentrations and under varying shear rates using a digital viscometer.

To validate drag reduction capabilities for this HVFR in the field, the same groundwater with low salinity and low total dissolved solids (TDS) content were used for comparison purposes. The test plan for this new HVFR was for a well to be drilled to a total depth of 17,801 ft MD (10,693 ft TVD) with a 6,016-ft lateral section. Another part of the plan was to complete 41 stages—the first stage with the toe initiator, and subsequent stages using ball drops until Stage 8, were completed using the current FR. For Stage 8, the drag reduction from the new HVFR was evaluated against the current FR only during the pad stage. Then, FR or HVFR concentrations were used, with a gradual reduction from 2 to 1 gpt without compromising proppant placement from stages 9 to 37, alternating current FR and the new HVFR every four stages. From Stage 38 to 41, the same approach was used but with treated sewage water and alternating every other stage using current FR or HVFR at 1gpt.

The implementation of the new HVFR showed better friction reduction when using the same concentration of the current FR. Also, achieving better average treating pressures with lower concentration. Based on that it is a cost-effective solution and the performance is better, this lead to reduce the HVFR volume to be pumped per stage compared to the current FR.

Applications/Significance/Novelty

For this study, drag reduction capabilities for this new HVFR were validated in the field at higher pumping rate conditions, potentially optimizing (reducing) the polymer concentration during a freshwater application. It was shown that lower concentrations of this HVFR provided higher viscosity, which helps improve proppant transport and operation placement.
Organic Oil Recovery - Resident Microbial Enhanced Production Pilot in Bahrain
Authors: Venske Christopher , Mohamed Ali , Shaban Ammar , Maan Nelson , Hill Dr. Colin , Carroll Michael , Findlay Roger
Published: December 2021

Tatweer Petroleum has been involved in a Pilot study to determine the efficacy of Organic Oil Recovery (OOR), a unique form of microbial enhanced oil recovery as a means of maximising oil recovery from its Rubble reservoir within the Awali field.

OOR harnesses microbial life already present in an oil-bearing reservoir to improve oil recovery through changes in interfacial tensions, which in the case of Rubble will increase the heavy oil's mobility and improve recovery rates and reservoir wettability. These changes could increase recoverable reserves and extend field life through improved oil recovery with negligible topsides modifications. The Pilot injection is implemented by injecting a specific nutrient blend directly at the wellhead with ordinary pumping equipment. The well is then shut-in for an incubation period and thereafter returned to production.

In Tatweer Petroleum's Awali field the Rubble reservoir is one of the shallowest oil reservoirs in the Bahrain and the first oil discovery in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The reservoir can be found at depths of around 1400 – 1900 ft. During initial laboratory testing of the Rubble target wells the reservoir showed a diverse and abundant resident ecology which has been proven capable of undergoing the necessary characteristic changes to facilitate enhanced production from the target wells. The Pilot test on one of these wells, called Well (A) within this paper, took place in July 2020 and due to this process, the ecology of this well showed these same changes in characteristics in the reservoir along with an associated oil response. The full method of implementation of the Pilot test will also be discussed in detail and will include any challenges and/or successes in this area. The initial state ecology reports of Well (A) are demonstrated and compared to that of post-Pilot test ecology. We also present the production figures for the well prior to and post the Pilot implementation. A correlation will be demonstrated between changes in ecology and an increase in production.
A Novel and Sustainable Generation of Advanced Mud Gas Logging System for Managed Pressure Drilling Applications: An Explorative Well Deployment from North Germany
Authors: Marum Daniela , Cartellieri Ansgar , Shahini Edisa , Scanavino Donata
Published: December 2021

In the high risk Managed Pressure Drilling operations, increased certainty given by Mud Logging is a critical deliverable to guarantee a safe drilling environment even under challenging conditions and, to provide the first indications for reservoir evaluation. This paper describes a novel product application that successfully obtains advanced mud gas data from a Managed Pressure Drilling environment, proven in flow-loop and field applications (in Lower Saxony, Germany), by reducing service footprint as well as power consumption.
Slickline Descaling Technology Delivers Cost Savings Over Coiled Tubing
Authors: Abdallah Tawakol , Al-Fawwaz Abdullah , Eldaw Galal , Abdallah Wael
Published: December 2021

Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO), a joint operation representing both Saudi and Kuwaiti energy interests in the divided zone, recently encountered obstructions in their offshore field. Routine pressure and temperature surveys revealed that an increasing number of wells were developing scale. The operation required an efficient mechanical tool to clean out extensive accumulated scale bridging within a vertical production string and restore full wellbore accessibility. The well had been previously shut down from operations for five years. The operator considered using a coiled tubing (CT) unit or workover rig to clear the scale but sought a more cost-effective solution.

The operator chose a slickline wellbore cleanup and debris breaking tool, which is an impact-driven tool designed to break up scale deposits in a cost-effective, efficient manner. It is jarred down mechanically in the well, each jar applying a short-duration torque via the unique, helically split torque sub. The well's accessible tubing inner diameter was reduced from 2.9-in, nominal to 2-in, at the wireline reentry guide depth. To combat this issue, the slickline technology was deployed with subs increasing in outer diameter (OD) from 1.9-in. to 2.5-in. OD tools.

The special features of the wellbore cleanup and debris breaking tool made it better adapted to the well environment and greatly increased the descaling efficiency. Thirty runs enabled the team to clear the scale accumulations down to 3,652 ft (1113 m). The operator confirmed integrity of the tubing at the end of the slickline operation, allowing the slickline team to access the wellbore and run a memory pressure temperature survey to check the well deliverability. The implementation of the wellbore cleanup and debris breaking tool enabled the operator to reduce inventory and overall descaling time.

Microscopic and Fourier transform infrared analyses of the scale determined it was calcite (CaCO3) with some small hydrocarbon impurities from either oil or diesel. The descaling rate and cost savings achieved using the wellbore cleanup and debris breaking tool has since resulted in the operator adopting this technology and looking into the feasibility of starting a campaign for scale removal in more than 20 wells.

The presence of calcite as a scaling agent is potentially due to the carbonate-saturated formation water and the loss of carbon dioxide from this water to the hydrocarbon phase as pressure decreases. Creating a detailed reservoir characterization that defines fracture orientation, relative aperture produced fluid analysis, and rock properties can help minimize the effect of scale at an early stage. Continuous well monitoring can lead to early identification of scale and determine the need for chemical treatment or further mechanical interventions. This case study demonstrates the benefits of using this wellbore cleanup and debris breaking tool as the first method of mechanical descaling.
Workflow to Optimize Cluster Spacing Design of Horizontal Multistage Fractured Well in Unconventional Source Rock
Authors: Mesdour Rabah , Abdelrahman Moemen , Alhayaf Abdulbari
Published: December 2021

Horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing applied in unconventional reservoirs over the past decade to create a large fracture surface area to improve the well productivity. The combination of reservoir quality with perforation cluster spacing and fracture staging are keys to successful hydraulic fracturing treatment for horizontal wells. The objective of this work is to build and calibrate a dynamic model by integrating geologic, hydraulic fracture, and reservoir modeling to optimize the number of clusters and other completion parameters for a horizontal well drilled in the source rock reservoir using simulation and analytical models. The methodology adopted in this study covers the integration of geological, petrophysical, and production data analysis to evaluate reservoir and completion qualities and quantify the heterogeneity and the perforation clusters number required within a frac stage. Assuming all perforation clusters are uniformly distributed within a stage. The hydraulic planer fracture attributes assumed and the surface production measurement together with the production profile were used to calibrate the reservoir model.

The properties of the Stimulated Reservoir Volume "SRV" were defined after the final calibration using reservoir model including hydraulic fractures. The calibrated reservoir model was used to carry out sensitivity analyses for cluster spacing optimization and other completion parameters considering the surface and reservoir constraints. An optimum cluster spacing was observed based on the Estimated Ultimate Recovery "EUR" of the subject well by reservoir properties. The final results based on 70% of perforation clusters contribution to production observed from PLT log, and the results of this study were implemented. Afterwards, another study has been undertaken to increasing the stimulation effectiveness and maximizing the number of perforation clusters contributing to productivity as an area for improvement to engineering the completion design. The methodology adopted in this study identifies the most important parameters of completion affecting well productivity for specific unconventional reservoirs. This study will help to engineer completion design, improve cluster efficiency, reduce cost and increase well EUR for the development phase.
Automations in Chemostratigraphy: Toward Robust Chemical Data Analysis and Interpretation
Authors: Michael Nikolaos A. , Scheibe Christian , Craigie Neil W.
Published: December 2021

Elemental chemostratigraphy has become an established stratigraphic correlation technique over the last 15 years. Geochemical data are generated from rock samples (e.g., ditch cuttings, cores or hand specimens) for up to c. 50 elements in the range Na-U in the periodic table using various analytical techniques. The data are commonly displayed and interpreted as ratios, indices and proxy values in profile form against depth. The large number of possible combinations between the determined elements (more than a thousand combinations), makes it a time-consuming effort to identify meaningful variations that resulted in correlative chemostratigraphic boundaries and zones between wells. The large number of combination means that 30-40% of the information is not used for the correlations that maybe crucial to understand the geological processes. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are envisaged as likely solutions to this challenge.

Statistical and machine learning techniques are tested as a first step to automate and establish a workflow to define (chemo-) stratigraphic boundaries, and to identify geological formations. The workflow commences with a quality check of the input data and then with principle component analysis (PCA) as a multivariate statistical method. PCA is used to minimize the number of elements/ratios plotted in profile form, whilst simultaneously identifying multidimensional relationships between them. A statistical boundary picking method is then applied define chemostratigraphic zones, for which reliability is determined utilizing quartile analysis, which tests the overlap of chemical signals across these statistical boundaries. Machine learning via discriminant function analysis (DFA) has been developed to predict the placement of correlative boundaries between adjacent sections/wells.

The proposed workflow has been tested on various geological formations and areas in Saudi Arabia. The chemostratigraphic correlations proposed using this workflow broadly correspond to those defined in the standard workflow by experienced chemostratigraphers, while interpretation times and subjectivity are reduced.

While machine learning via DFA is currently further researched, early results of the workflow are very encouraging. A user-friendly software application with workflows and algorithms ultimately leading to automation of the processes is under development.
A Tool for Derivation of Real Time Lithological Information from Drill Bit Sound
Authors: Yang Yunlai , Li Wei , Almalki Fahd A. , Almarhoon Maher I.
Published: December 2021

Real time lithological information at the drill bit is required for some important drilling operations, such as geo-steering and casing shoe positioning. This paper presents a novel tool "Petro-phone" for recording and processing drill bit sounds, which are generated by the drill bit cutting the rock, in order to provide real time lithological information for the rock at the drill bit. A prototype and a preliminary professional version of Petro-phone have been developed and field trialed. Petro-phone is a surface tool with its acoustic sensors attached to the top drive of a drill rig at some strategical locations for maximally picking up drill bit sounds. The drill bit sounds generated at the drill bit transmit along drill string and drive shaft to reach to the acoustic sensors. Since all the parts along the drill bit sound transmission pathway are made of steel, the drill bit sounds transmit efficiently from the source (drill bit) to the sensors. Preliminary results from two field trials show that drill bit sound patterns correlate with lithologies. The results also indicate that a parameter "Apparent Power" of drill bit sounds negatively correlates with gamma log. Due to its true real time nature, Petro-phone potentially has some real time applications, such as geo-steering, casing shoes positioning. Recorded drill bit sound can also potentially be used to derive lithological information, such as lithology type.
Shut-in Stabilization Time Optimization for Better Reservoir Pressure Monitoring Harnessing Neural Network Modeling
Authors: Al Kadem Mohammad , Al Ssafwany Ali , Abdulghani Ahmed , Al Nasir Hussain
Published: December 2021

Stabilization time is an essential key for pressure measurement accuracy. Obtaining representative pressure points in build-up tests for pressure-sensitive reservoirs is driven by optimizing stabilization time. An artificial intelligence technique was used in the study for testing pressure-sensitive reservoirs using measuring gauges.

The stabilization time function of reservoir characteristics is generally calculated using the diffusivity equation where rock and fluid properties are honored. The artificial neural network (ANN) technique will be used to predict the stabilization time and optimize it using readily available and known inputs or parameters. The values obtained from the formula known as the diffusion formula and the ANN technique are then compared against the actual values measured from pressure gauges in the reservoirs.

The optimization of the number of datasets required to be fed to the network to allow for coverage over the whole range is essential as opposed to the clustering of the datasets. A total of about 3000 pressure derivative samples from the wells were used in the testing, training, and validation of the ANN. The datasets are optimized by dividing them into three fractional parts, and the number optimized through monitoring the ANN performance. The optimization of the stabilization time is essential and leads to the improvement of the ANN learning process. The sensitivity analysis proves that the use of the formula and ANN technique, compared to actual datasets, is better since, in the formula and ANN technique, the time was optimized with an average absolute relative error of 3.67%. The results are near the same, especially when the ANN technique undergoes testing using known and easily available parameters. Time optimization is essential since discreet points or datasets in the ANN technique and formula would not work, allowing ANN to work in situations of optimization.

The study was expected to provide additional data and information, considering that stabilization time is essential in obtaining the pressure map representation. ANN is a superior technique and, through its superiority, allows for proper optimization of time as a parameter. Thus it can predict reservoir log data almost accurately. The method used in the study shows the importance of optimizing pressure stabilization time through reduction. The study results can, therefore, be applied in reservoir testing to achieve optimal results.
Prediction of H-Type Hypertension Based on Pulse Wave MFCC Features Using Mixed Attention Mechanism
Authors: Yang Jingdong , Chen Lei , Cai Shuchen , Xie Tianxiao , Yan Haixia
Published: December 2021

H-type hypertension increases the risks of stroke and cardiovascular disease, posing a great threat to human health. Pulse diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine ( TCM ) combined with deep learning can independently predict suspected H-type hypertension patients by analyzing their pulse physiological activities. However, the traditional time-domain feature extraction has a higher noise and baseline drift, affecting the classification accuracy. In this literature, we propose an effective prediction on frequency-domain pulse wave features. First, we filter time-domain pulse waves via removal of high-frequency noises and baseline shift. Second, Hilbert-Huang Transform is explored to transform time-domain pulse wave into frequency-domain waveform characterized by Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC). Finally, an improved BiLSTM model, combined with mixed attention mechanism is built to applied for prediction of H-type hypertension. With 337 clinical cases from Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM and Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the 3-fold cross-validation results show that sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F1-score and AUC reaches 93.48%, 95.27%, 97.48%, 90.77% and 0.9676, respectively. The proposed model achieves better generalization performance than the classical traditional models. In addition, we calculate the feature importance both in time-domain and frequency-domain according to purity of nodes in Random Forest and study the correlations between features and classification that has a good reference value for TCM clinical auxiliary diagnosis.
Midstream Urine Culture Had a Higher Predictive Value of Post-PNL SIRS in Patients Without Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction
Authors: An Lizhe , Xiong Liulin , Xu Qingquan , Huang Xiaobo
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Midstream urine culture (MUC) is reported to be associated with postoperative SIRS, but this correlation is uncertain, as MUC may not represent infection of obstructed urine in patients with upper urinary tract obstruction (UUTO). Instead, for patients without UUTO, positive MUC may be an indicator of intrarenal infection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether MUC had a higher predictive value in patients without UUTO.
Materials and Methods

The data of 175 patients who underwent PNL between September 2015 and June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and intraoperative factors including MUC were collected and analyzed. The primary endpoint was development of SIRS. Subgroup analysis according to the presence of UUTO was conducted.
Results

Generally, patients who suffered SIRS had a higher incidence of positive MUC (56%[25/45] vs. 32%[41/130], p=0.005). Subgroup analysis showed that among patients without UUTO, positive MUC (75%[13/17] vs. 33%[13/39], p=0.003) was still associated with development of SIRS. Among patients with UUTO, however, there was no obvious correlation between positive MUC and SIRS. Multivariate analysis controlling for age, previous ipsilateral kidney surgery, multiple tracts, and blood creatinine conducted in patients without UUTO demonstrated that positive MUC (odds ratio [OR] = 6.419, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.424-28.942, p=0.016) was still associated with development of SIRS. The rate of positive urine culture was 37.7% (66/72), 72 isolates of 24 species were reported, including 6 patients with mixed infection and 2 patients with fungi infection. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for a large proportion of all isolates (68.1%), and Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria (34.7%).
Conclusions

MUC had a higher predictive value of post-PNL SIRS in patients without UUTO.
The Initial Application of MRI Based Prostate Volume-Adjusted Prostate-Specific Antigen In The Diagonosis of MRI-Positive Prostate Cancer Patients
Authors: Si Jiemin , Li Mingzhuo , Cao Nailong , Gu Baojun
Published: December 2021

Purpose: To identify the value of prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) and prostate-specific antigen density of the transition zone (PSADTZ) in improving the sensitivity and specificity of the prostate multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI), for the purpose of predicting prostate cancer (PCa) and grade reclassification in men with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) between 4 and 20 ng/mL to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies. Patients and Methods: Between 2018 and 2020, we retrospectively identified 283 consecutive men in Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital who had mp-MRI and PSA test within 3 months before prostate biopsies. Total prostate volume (TPV) and transition zone volume (TZV) were measured on mp-MRI. PSA, PSAD, and PSADTZ were compared to improve the sensitivity and specificity of positive biopsy cores and pathological stage by univariate analyses and through the receiver operating curve (ROC). We were focused primarily on the MRI-positive patients with PSA levels of 4-20ng/ml who were most likely subjected to unnecessary repeated prostate biopsies. Results: Of the 283 patients, 138 (48.8%) had PCa and in 145 (51.2%) a benign prostate disease was diagnosed. PSA, PSAD, and PSADTZ were significantly related to biopsy, and equally able to predict higher pathological stage. The receiver operating curve (AUC) for predicting the presence of PCa in all patients was 58.06 for PSA, 72.13 for PSAD and 78.28 for PSADTZ. In addition, the AUC for predicting higher pathological stage in PCa patients was 65.71 for PSA, 65.46 for PSAD and 69.81 for PSADTZ. For 228 MRI-positive patients, the AUC for predicting the presence of PCa was 61.31 for PSA, 74.00 for PSAD and 80.13 for PSADTZ. No difference among the PSA, PSAD, and PSADTZ was found in 55 MRI-negative patients. Conclusion: The determination of PSADTZ had higher diagnostic accuracy for PCa than that based on PSA or PSAD. For MRI-positive patients, PSADTZ promote a more effective and simple method for PCa detection, and may be useful for decreasing the burden of surveillance prostate biopsies.
Vertucci's Root Canal Configuration of 11376 Mandibular Anteriors and its Relationship with Distolingual Roots in Mandibular First Molars in A Cantonese Population: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study
Authors: Yang Yeqing , Jiang Chong , Chen Ming , Zeng Junkai , Wu Buling
Published: December 2021

Background: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to study the root canal system of mandibular anteriors (MAs) in a Cantonese population and to evaluate the correlation between the complicated root canal configurations of mandibular lateral incisors (MLIs) and the presence of distolingual roots (DLRs) in mandibular first molars (MFMs).Methods: A total of 11376 mandibular anterior teeth were scanned by CBCT. Those whose images met the inclusion criteria were first analysed according to Vertucci's root canal configuration and then grouped based on gender, age, and side, and their effects on root canal morphology were analysed. Finally, statistical analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the complicated root canal configurations of MLIs and the existence of DLRs in MFMs. All statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS 21.0 software. Quantitative data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Student’s t tests were used to calculate statistical significance. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: In MAs in the Cantonese population, all mandibular central incisors (MCIs) and MLIs had one root, and 0.37% of mandibular canines (MCs) had two roots. The most common Vertucci's root canal configuration was Vertucci I followed by Vertucci III. A total of 30.91% of MLIs and approximately 8% of MCIs and MCs have complicated root canal configurations. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of DLRs in MFMs and the incidence of complicated root canal configurations of MLIs between males and females or between the right and left teeth. However, a significant difference was found in different age groups of root canal configurations in MLIs. Moreover, significant ipsilateral and contralateral correlations between MFMs with DLRs and MLIs with complicated root canal configurations were observed on both sides.Conclusion: There is a correlation between the presence of DLRs in MFMs and complicated root canal morphology in MCIs in the Cantonese population.
Separate and Combined Effects of Chlortetracycline and Oxytetracycline on Growth and Antioxidant Enzymes in Myriophyllum Aquaticum
Authors: Li Jing , Wu Zhonghua
Published: December 2021

As two typical tetracyclines, chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) coexist widely in water. In the experiment, Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc was exposed to the orthogonal hydroponic environment with the concentrations of CTC and OTC at 1, 10, and 50 mg/L for 7 days (7 D) and 14 days (14 D). The results showed that the plant height, relative growth rates (RGR), and photosynthetic pigment contents of M. aquaticum decreased significantly after 14 D of CTC/ OTC, which was stronger than that after 7 D, and the toxicity of CTC was stronger than OTC. The combined toxicity of the two on the RGR and total chlorophyll content was mainly synergistic or additive after 7 D. After 14 D, the interaction changed to antagonism or addition, and the response of total chlorophyll content was more obvious than that of RGR. After 7 D of combined treatments, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased significantly, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities responded to different combined concentrations, respectively, and CAT was the main protective enzyme of M. aquaticum. After 14 D of combined treatments, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content increased significantly, the MDA content increased first and then decreased, and POD was the main protective enzyme among the three antioxidant enzymes. Overall, this study provided the first insight into the single and combined toxicity of CTC and OTC on the growth and physiology of M. aquaticum at different time periods, revealing the reversal of the combined toxicity with time of exposure.
Altered Brain Network Centrality in Patients With Orbital Fracture: A Resting-State fMRI Study. Running Head: DC Alterations in OF Patients
Authors: Liu Yi-Nuo , Gao Yu-Xuan , Shu Hui-Ye , Li Qiu-Yu , Ge Qian-Min , Liao Xu-Lin , Pan Yi-Cong , Wu Jie-Li , Su Ting , Zhang Li-Juan , Liang Rong-Bin , Shao Yi
Published: December 2021

Objective: We aimed to identify potential functional network brain-activity abnormalities in patients with orbital fractures (OFs) by using the voxel-wise degree centrality (DC) method.Methods:We selected 20 patients with OFs (12 men and 8 women) and 20 healthy controls (HCs; 12 men and 8 women) matched by gender, age, and education level for this study. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used in various disciplines. We calculated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to differentiate characteristics between patients with orbital fractures and HCs; in addition, we applied correlation analyses between behavioral performance and average DC values in different areas. The DC method served to evaluate spontaneous brain activity.Results:The DC values of patients with OFs were higher in the right cerebellum 9 area (Cerebelum_9_R) and left cerebellar peduncle 2 area (Cerebelum_Crus2_L) than those in HCs. The area under the curve (AUC) values for Cerebelum_9_R and Cerebelum_Crus2_L were 0.983 and 1, respectively. The accuracy of our ROC curve analysis result was reliable. Conclusion:Many brain regions seem to show abnormal brain network characteristics in patients with orbital fractures, suggesting potential neuropathic mechanisms.
Research on Fusion Predictive Control Method of Size and Roundness in Online Grinding
Authors: Liu Dongliang , Zheng Peng , Cao Manyi , Zhang Zhiyong , Xu Yingjie
Published: December 2021

In order to solve the problem that the error evaluation delay and the size and roundness of workpiece can not meet the processing requirements at the same time in online measurement. First this paper proposes an online fusion control method for the size and roundness error of workpiece, which can not only improve the processing efficiency, but also improve the consistency of workpiece quality. Then, the Long Short-Term Memory(LSTM) is used to predict the workpiece information of online measurement, and the error is calibrated according to the predicted value. The LSTM is used to predict the workpiece information in real time, and the process parameters are adjusted in time when the prediction value is out of the theoretical boundary to avoid error accumulation. Finallyr the online grinding measurement experiment based on the LSTM is designed and carried out, and the relationship between the dimension of input tensor and the prediction accuracy is analyzed through the experimental results. The results show that the LSTM can accurately predict the grinding size sequence and roundness sequence, and has good universality. The small batch machining is carried out according to the experimental results. Statistical analysis shows that the grinding accuracy is significantly improved by using the fusion prediction and calibration method.
A Small Object Detection Research Based on Dynamic Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Bai Chenshuai , Wu Kaijun , Wang Dicong , Yan Mingjun
Published: December 2021

In view of the fact that the detection effect of EfficientNet-YOLOv3 object detection algorithm is not very good, this paper proposes a small object detection research based on dynamic convolution neural network. Firstly, the dynamic convolutional neural network is introduced to replace the traditional, which makes the algorithm model more robust; secondly, the optimization parameters are continuously adjusted in the training process to further strengthen the model structure; finally, the Learning Rate and Batch Size parameters are modified during the training process in order to prevent overfitting. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, RSOD and TGRS-HRRSD remote sensing image data sets are used to test the effect. The results of the proposed algorithm on RSOD remote sensing image data sets show that compared with the original EfficientNet-YOLOv3 algorithm, the mean Average Precision (mAP) value is increased by 1.93% and the mean Log Average Miss Rate (mLAMR) value is reduced by 0.0500; The results of the proposed algorithm on TGRS-HRRSD remote sensing image data set show that compared with the original EfficientNet-YOLOv3 algorithm, the mAP value is increased by 0.07% and the mLAMR value is reduced by 0.0007.
Neuroprotective Properties of Carvacrol Against Cadmium-induced Neurotoxicity in Male Rats
Authors: Yıldız Mustafa Onur , Çelik Hamit , Caglayan Cuneyt , Genç Aydın , Doğan Tuba , Satıcı Emine
Published: December 2021

Cadmium (Cd), is a heavy metal reported to be associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In this paper, we investigated the possible protective effects of carvacrol (CRV) against Cd-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were treated orally with Cd (25 mg/kg body weight) and with CRV (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) for 1 week. CRV decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and monoamine oxidase (MAO), and significantly increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) and activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in brain tissue. Additionally, CRV alleviated the in levels of inflammation and apoptosis related proteins involving p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), B-cell lymphoma-3 (Bcl-3), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), myeloperoxidase (MPO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cysteine aspartate specific protease-3 (caspase-3) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) in the Cd-induced neurotoxicity. CRV also decreased the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP9 and MMP13), as well as 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8−OHdG) level, a marker of oxidative DNA damage. Collectively, our findings indicated that CRV has a beneficial effect in ameliorating the Cd-induced neurotoxicity in the brain of rats.
Ecotoxicity Assessment of Photoinduced Imidacloprid Degradation Using HPLC-HRMS, QSAR and Ecotoxicity Equivalents
Authors: Voigt Melanie , Langerbein Victoria , Jaeger Martin
Published: December 2021

BackgroundImidacloprid is among the most widely used insecticides and today is found in surface and ground water worldwide. Together with four other neonicotinoids, it has been registered in the EU watchlist for monitoring. To prevent imidacloprid from entering water bodies, Advanced Oxidation Processes have been intensely researched. Photoirradiation proved one of the most efficient methods to degrade and eliminate anthropogenic micropollutants from waters. Their ecotoxicity assessment of photoinduced degradation and transformation products especially in the absence of reference standards is still heavily explored.ResultsIn this study, UVA and UVC irradiation in combination with titanium dioxide P25 as photocatalyst were investigated for their degrading and eliminating effects and effectiveness on imidacloprid. Humic acid was used as natural organic matter additive. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution and higher order mass spectrometry allowed to identify and monitor imidacloprid and its degradation intermediates yielding seven new structures and concentration-time (c-t) profiles. The correlation of structures and the application of radical scavengers and photocatalyst helped distinguish between direct photoinduced and indirect hydroxyl-radical induced degradation mechanisms. Only imidacloprid-urea and desnitro-imidacloprid resulted from direct degradation, all other products from the indirect mechanism. The ecotoxicity of all identified compounds was assessed by quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. Ecotoxicity equivalents (ETEs) were introduced allowing a classified ranking of the products and an assessment of the overall hazardous potential of the irradiated solution at a given moment. Generally, the number of hydroxyl substituents was inversely correlated to ecotoxicity due to a single product. From the c-t curves, time-dependent ETE profiles were established.ConclusionsStructure elucidation and c-t profiles from liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry allowed to distinguish between direct and indirect degradation mechanisms. Structure specific ecotoxicity assessment could be achieved through QSAR analysis. Ecotoxicity hazard was ranked based on ETEs. The time-dependent ETE profile proved suitable to reflect the effect of irradiation duration and allow to estimate the irradiation time required to eliminate ecotoxicity, which may be relevant for potential applications in wastewater treatment plants.
Response of Interspecific Hybrid Species of Manchurian Ash to MJ and NO Signals and Preliminary Study on the Formation Mechanism of Drought Resistance Advantage
Authors: Cao Yang , song fei , Zhao Xingtang , He Liming , Zhan Yaguang
Published: December 2021

Background: In this study, sodium nitrate (SNP, a donor of nitric oxide) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) were used as exogenous hormones. The experiment was conducted with the offspring (interspecific hybrid) D110 of ash and ash, and their respective parents (non-interspecific hybrid) D113 and 4-3 as experimental materials. The experiment set up three experimental groups of drought stress, exogenous hormone SNP and MJ, and a control group under normal growth (non-drought stress), to study the physiological indicators and gene expression of manchurian ash. Result: The results showed that under drought stress and exogenous application of hormone SNP or MJ, there were significant differences between hybrids and parents in plant growth, photosynthesis, defense enzyme activity, hormone content and gene expression.Conclusions: This experiment provides a new theoretical support for the existing hormone breeding methods of manchurian ash, which can improve the drought resistance of manchurian ash and increase its survival rate in the wild. Increasing the growth rate and breeding efficiency of manchurian ash brings new ideas.
C-Reactive Protein Knock Out Attenuate Temporomandibular Joint Inflammation in Rats
Authors: He Yao , Zhou Mengjiao , Jian Zixiang , Fang Lingli , Huang Lan , Song Jinlin
Published: December 2021

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation, is highly expressed in osteoarthritis (OA)-related diseases, but its exact role remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the biological effect of CRP on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation.Methods: Freund’s complete adjuvant (CFA) was used to induce TMJ inflammation in CRP-knockout (CRP-/-) and control rats. Degenerative changes in the TMJ were compared to elucidate the role of CRP in TMJ inflammation. In addition, inflammatory cytokines, macrophage activation and osteoclast differentiation were evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and tartrate-resistant phosphatase staining to explore the potential regulatory mechanism.Results: Compared to the control, CFA induced TMJ inflammation, which increased systemic and local CRP expression. Furthermore, CRP-/- rats exhibited less severe inflammatory symptoms. The downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6) and upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were detected in CRP-/- rats, which also exhibited reduced macrophage activation and osteoclast differentiation.Conclusion: These results indicated that controlling the highly elevated levels of CRP during inflammation could modify the cytokine profile, macrophage activation and osteoclast differentiation, thus providing beneficial effects for TMJ-OA prevention and treatment.