bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Thermal Well Completion Design Yields Substantial Enhancement in Steam Injection Capacity
Authors: Al Amri Y. B. , Al Bulushi Z. A.
Published: April 2024

The QAS thermal development is one of the most productive fields in the Sultanate of Oman. The field's fractured reservoir has got a gas cap within excess of 3% H2S which makes it PDO's riskiest asset to be attended by well engineering operations. This paper will introduce two of the most innovative design optimizations which were implemented for the first time: Semi-Flush 5.5" Steam Completion and 7" Steam Completion

The main challenges that were mapped out and tackled during the implementation were, the 7-production casing ID limitation and the gas cap procedures and mitigations (Known as Natih requirement). In order to overcome the above challenges, a detailed engineering design was carried out for the casing string, connections and the tubing hanger. This paper will explain the detailed engineering approach from design to execution. The main elements discussed are, the design aspects of the 7" and Semi-Flush 5.5" strings, the annulus fluid replacement for annulus pressure build and using retrievable seal bore packer with bore extension under total losses.

In the initial 2 trials for the 5.5" steam completion, steam capacity was increased by 50%. This design will be applied to the full remaining scope of 15 existing wells. Also, the 7" steam injection completion was trailed in 2 wells. As a result, extra steam injection capacity has been added to fleet by converting gassed out producers to steam injectors. The highlight of the project was that with the 7" injection tubing, the steam injection capacity increased significantly and eliminated the need of drilling 4 new steam injectors, marking a considerable cost saving to the company. Avoiding the need of drilling new injectors also reduced the HSE exposure that is associated with high-risk wells with a risk of encountering sour shallow gas. Also, eliminating the dynamic fill for the upper part of the completion reduced Natih type operations which in turn reduced HSE exposure for future workovers significantly.

The Semi-Flush tubular with premium connections were used for the first time in the steam application to accommodate the limited annulus clearance between the steam injection tubing and the production casing strings. As well, repurposing of legacy gassed-out oil producers to 7" steam injectors whereby the 7" thermal completion was run for the first time. Also, deployment of thermal Retrievable Seal bore Packers enables future interventions without exposure to the sour gas cap from a naturally fractured carbonate reservoir.
CO2-Driven Geothermal Energy Extraction in the Baram Basin, Sarawak: Insights from Numerical Reservoir Simulations
Authors: Bataee M. , Chai M. C. , Bennour Z. , Carter R. , Hamdi Z. , Hassan A. M.
Published: April 2024

This progress report focuses on the potential for geothermal energy extraction in Malaysia, particularly in the Sabah and Sarawak sedimentary basins. Despite the region's rich deep reservoirs, development in this area has been limited. Our study emphasizes the extraction of geothermal energy from the Sarawak Basin's geothermal reservoirs through CO2 injection. We primarily investigate sandstone formations, analyzing their properties and the feasibility of hot water extraction using CO2. The report provides a theoretical framework to understand the primary recovery mechanisms for fluid extraction from these reservoirs. To simulate geothermal reservoir performance, a commercial reservoir simulator was used. Due to the lack of precise data, our analysis relies on existing literature and estimations, which are substantiated by relevant sources to ensure reliability. We constructed a reservoir model to compare scenarios with and without CO2 injection, demonstrating that CO2 injection significantly enhances energy extraction. Our findings also suggest that sandstone formations can effectively trap CO2, offering a dual benefit of permanent underground storage and improved fluid production from the reservoir. Lastly, the report identifies areas for further improvement in this field.
Modeling of Gas in Riser Unloading Problem
Authors: Ashena Rahman
Published: April 2024

A Gas-in-Riser (GIR), when not predicted and controlled, expands and reaches the surfaces in an uncontrolled manner to cause unloading of the riser and finally a blowout, which was the case with Deepwater Horizon's 2010. Failing to predict and model GiR fluid flow would jeopardize well control. Such a model is vital for efficient performance of riser gas handling (RGH) systems, but it is still a challenge for the offshore industry. Therefore, in this work an analytical model was found for gas migration in riser with water-based muds, based on gas laws. However, the model cannot converge from a specified time/depth on. This is considered a challenge for developing a straightforward fluid flow model that can handle modeling gas flow in the riser. Therefore, this work finds an analytical model which can not only outperform iterative models but can also find the riser equilibrium depth for a real gas. Since backpressure is considered in the developed equations, it can be used for riser gas handling (RGH) systems. The root cause of inefficiency and impracticality of gas law models above the equilibrium depth is still unclear; thus, to provide a more reliable gas migration modeling it is recommended to further study the root cause and apply more sophisticated CFD methods to compare with gas laws’ results.
Asset Integrity AI & ML Applications in Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Majors Marc , Ferguson Eric , Bargoti Suchet
Published: April 2024

Objective

Risk reduction and increased Fabric Maintenance efficiency using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms to analyze full-facility imagery for atmospheric corrosion detection and classification. Following imagery capture and processing, deficiencies are identified, and targeted mitigation strategies are executed at greatly reduced cycle time and cost.

Methods, Procedures, Process

A pre-mobilization facility scan plan is generated to maximize imagery quality, including high elevation scan positions, to ensure thorough and comprehensive analytics. Data from all scan positions are stitched together in a point cloud and aligned for accuracy relative to each location. Finalized imagery and point clouds are then tagged with unique piping line numbers per design, fixed equipment tags, or unique asset identification. The Machine Learning algorithm is intensely trained with manual ground truth inputs prior to analysis. The algorithm analyzes each pixel throughout the facility and detects, classifies, and reports on all identified corrosion, tagging faults to specific piping or equipment.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

Atmospheric corrosion is the number one Asset Integrity threat in the Gulf of Mexico. Utilizing this tool, we can have a comprehensive and objective analysis of a facility's health in a matter of weeks from the time of data collection. Data collection for a large deep-water, spar facility requires approximately 12 days with 8 data scanning personnel. Conventional manual inspections incur higher risk, higher cost, and reporting is much less objective considering the number of inspectors involved and the duration of a full-facility campaign. Finally, all results are published in a user-friendly dashboard that can be filtered by process type, equipment type, corrosion severity, and many other criteria as the user requires. Each fault is associated with the specific equipment identification and the user can navigate to see the imagery of the corrosion in a 3D, photogrammetric environment. Remediation strategies can be collated into work packs for fabric maintenance teams, further Nondestructive Examination (NDE) assessment, or work orders for replacement. Fabric maintenance efficiencies are substantially realized by targeting decks, blocks, or areas with the highest aggregate surface areas of corrosion (on process equipment or structurally, as selected by the user) and concentrating remediation efforts on at-risk equipment.

Novel/Additive Information

This application of Artifical Intelligence and Machine Learning is a first-in-industry approach to having a comprehensive understanding of facility coating integrity and external corrosion threats. HSE analysis, Risk awareness, and targeted remediation strategies will make the Asset Integrity program more efficient, proactive, and reduce down-time across the Gulf of Mexico related to atmospheric corrosion.
H2S Valorization Technologies to Produce Hydrogen from Unconventional Highly Viscous Oil Reservoirs: Moving Forward to the Production of Clean Fuels in Venezuela
Authors: Rodriguez Fernancelys , Belhaj Hadi , AlDhuhoori Mohamed , Alhameli Fatima , Morales Raifel
Published: April 2024

The production of clean fuels in Venezuela is currently a great challenge, since the country has huge reserves of hydrocarbons (mainly highly viscous) where acid gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are generated due to high temperatures involved in the production process (e.g. after the application of thermal processes). H2S represents a considerable risk to human life and the environment, in the same way that it causes corrosion and other flow assurance issues and potential damage to facilities and equipment. The objective of this article is to perform a state-of-the-art review of H2S conversion techniques from hydrocarbon reservoirs in Venezuela that allow the production of hydrogen and low carbon fuels, as wells as less toxic products with greater commercial value. Among the most widely H2S valorization techniques reported in the literature are thermocatalytic splitting, hydrogen sulfide methane reformation (H2SMR), non-thermal plasma, and electrolysis. At present most of these technologies are at research scale to provide good understanding and advancement on their fundamental process mechanisms as well as potential avenues for applications. For the Venezuelan case, thermocatalytic splitting is one of the techniques that has been widely studied from combustion tests, using extra-heavy crudes from the Orinoco Oil Belt and nanoparticle catalysts. Results of the review of this article show that the techniques based on the use of catalysts allow the production of H2 and by-products of commercial value for the petrochemical industry (i.e. carbon disulfide), one of the critical points being the selection of the most suitable catalyst along with temperature control. In the case of Venezuelan unconventional reservoirs, the separation of hydrogen from the reservoir's fluids to the surface conditions, for which membrane absorption techniques are required, as well the management of scales, etc. are some of the important and challenging aspects to take into consideration in the

development of the technology at field conditions. This article opens opportunities to produce hydrogen by thermal cracking at reservoir conditions for unconventional highly viscous oil reservoirs. It will highlight important technologies and applications in Venezuela and worldwide; and as such, this work will serve as a guideline for the evaluation of H2S conversion to H2 technologies from lab to potential field implementations.
Impact of a Vertical Temperature Gradient on H2S Gradient in Sour, Near-Critical Reservoir Fluids
Authors: Shaikh J. A. , Murata K. , Kuramata H. , Mogensen H. K.
Published: April 2024

An equation of state model is presented, developed for an H2S-rich field, where the fluid type changes smoothly from gas to oil through a zone with a critical fluid and not through a classical gas-oil contact with a discontinuity in fluid properties. For use in connection with compositional reservoir simulation studies, a depth gradient model has been developed that provides a good representation of the compositional variation with depth, including the depth where the fluid type changes from gas to oil. The depth gradient model considers the influence of both gravity and the vertical temperature gradient on the distribution of the individual components in the fluid column. A depth gradient model that only considers gravity and ignores the temperature gradient will simulate an increasing H2S concentration with depth, while the fluid samples show that the H2S concentration decreases with increasing depth. When the effect of the temperature gradient is included, a good match is obtained of the development of fluid composition, saturation point and GOR with depth.
A New Method for Automatic Identification of Inter-Well Connectivity in Heterogeneous Reservoirs Based on Affinity Propagation Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Zhang Lingfeng , Liao Xinwei , Shen Chuanhai , Dong Peng , Ou Yuhao , Tao Ran , Wang Xiaochen
Published: April 2024

Identifying inter-well connectivity is essential for reservoir development adjustment and optimization, but the actual working and reservoir conditions are complex, making the task difficult to do manually. Therefore, a set of unsupervised machine learning algorithms based on affinity propagation (AP) is developed in this work to cluster and map production data of oil wells in two dimensions and then extract inter-well topology to achieve automatic identification of inter-well connectivity. To better respond to the conditional independence of the variables, the Graphical Lasso algorithm is used to find the inter-well correlation matrix. Finally, the Local Linear Embedding (LLE) algorithm is used to embed the production data of the wells into a two-dimensional plane to visualize the clustering results and inter-well connectivity relationships.

Results show that production wells close to the fault can be aggregated automatically, which proves that the method can identify the impermeable boundaries. In addition, the process can automatically cluster production wells of different permeability zones and distinguish production wells at the junction of low and high permeability zones. Finally, this method is applied to the production data of 63 wells in an actual reservoir. The model divides the oil well into four macro-level regions, which is consistent with geological understanding. At the microscopic level, five groups of wells with highly similar production variations were automatically detected, and the presence of high permeability channels between them was accurately identified. The proposed method has important practical significance for reservoir development adjustment and geological understanding.
Delivery of Curcumin Using Colloidal Complexes Formed from Ammonium Chitosan and Acid Treated Soybean Protein
Authors: Weng Shuni , Su Huanhuan , McClements David Julian , Wang Yuting , Li Teng , Fu Yuying
Published: April 2024

Curcumin (CUR) is found to exhibit a broad spectrum of potentially beneficial biological activities, which make it suitable as a nutraceutical ingredient in functional foods and supplements. But its application for this purpose is often limited by its low water-solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability. In this study, acid-treated soybean protein isolate (SPI) and chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (CQAS) were used to assemble colloidal carriers for CUR to form soybean protein isolate-curcumin-chitosan quaternary ammonium salt nanoparticles (SPI-CUR-CQAS NPs). The nanoparticles formed were relatively small (< 200 nm), approximately spherical, and strongly positively charged (> 43 mV). Fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that the dominant interaction between CUR and SPI was hydrophobic attraction, while the dominant interaction between CQAS and SPI was electrostatic attraction. The encapsulation efficiency (95.4%) and loading capacity (14%) of the SPI-CUR-CQAS NPs (pH 1.5) were relatively high. The vitro digestion experiments showed that the CUR was progressively released from the nanoparticles under stomach, small intestine, and colon conditions. Moreover, the final bioavailability of the encapsulated CUR (65%) was much higher than for free CUR (16%). The SPI-CQAS NPs developed in this study can therefore be used as an effective delivery system for CUR in functional foods.
Mechanochemically Responsive Polymer Enables Shockwave Visualization
Authors: Chan Edwin , Centellas Polette , Mehringer Kyle , Bowman Andrew , Evans Katherine , Vagholkar Parth , Thornell Travis , Huang Liping , Morgan Sarah , Soles Christopher , Simon Yoan
Published: April 2024

Understanding the physical and chemical response of materials to impulsive deformation is crucial for applications ranging from soft robotic locomotion 1–3 to space exploration 4,5 to seismology 6. However, investigating material properties at extreme strain rates remains challenging due to temporal and spatial resolution limitations. Combining high-strain-rate testing with mechanochemistry uniquely encodes the molecular-level deformation within the material itself, thus enabling the direct quantification of the material response. Here, we demonstrate a mechanophore-functionalized block copolymer that self-reports unique energy dissipation mechanisms, such as bond rupture and acoustic wave dissipation, in response to high-strain-rate impacts. A microprojectile accelerated towards the polymer permanently deforms the material at a shallow depth. At intersonic velocities, the polymer reports significant subsurface energy absorption due to shockwave attenuation, a mechanism traditionally considered negligible compared to plasticity and not well explored in polymers. The acoustic wave velocity of the material is directly recovered from the mechanochemically-activated subsurface volume recorded in the material, which is validated by simulations, theory, and acoustic measurements. This integration of mechanochemistry with microballistic testing enables characterization of high-strain-rate mechanical properties and elucidates new insights applicable to nanomaterials 7, particle-reinforced composites 8, and biocompatible polymers 9.
Chinese experience in hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and collection in lymphoma patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lv Jie , Mi Lan , Liu Weiping , Wang Xiaopei , Song Yuqin , Zhu Jun , Zhang Chen
Published: April 2024

Lymphoma can be treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The mobilization and collection of hematopoietic stem cells is essential for the success of stem cell transplantation. From January 2017 to December 2022, 561 patients who had undergone autologous hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and collection at Peking University Cancer Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. In the post-plerixafor era, the parameters of the mobilization and collection of stem cells have changed. Some factors still influence the number of stem cells collected, such as age, pre-apheresis blood platelet counts, peripheral blood CD34 + cells; However, the pathological type of patients, bone marrow infiltration, number of treatment lines, and whether small molecule drugs such as lenalidomide were used had no significant effect on the number of CD34 + cells collected. Although the number of CD34 + cell yields in chemo-mobilization is indeed higher than that in steady-state mobilization, clinicians also need balance benefits versus risks to select appropriate mobilization regimens. Plerixafor as a new mobilizer can improve the results of CD34 + cell yields, with cost-effectiveness being taken into account.
Prevalence of functional difficulty among school-aged children and effect on school enrolment in rural southern India: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Chandy Bobeena Rachel , Davey Calum , Oswald William E , Kaliappan Saravanakumar Puthupalayam , Aruldas Kumudha , Banks Lena Morgon , Jasper Smitha , Nagarajan Guru , Galagan Sean , Kennedy David S , Walson Judd L , Koshy Beena , Ajjam Sitara SR , Kuper Hannah
Published: April 2024

Despite the large number of children in India, there is little information on the impact of children’s disability on school enrolment, and how this differs by population. We estimated the prevalence of childhood disability in two sites in Tamil Nadu, southern India, and the effect of functional difficulty on school enrolment. We used a parent-reported survey containing the UNICEF-Washington Group questions to identify children aged 5 to 17 years with functional difficulty during a census conducted for an ongoing trial. We estimated pooled- and gender-specific prevalence of functional difficulty among 29,044 children. We fitted regression models to identify subgroups with higher rates of functional difficulty and the effect of functional difficulty on reported school enrolment. We estimated the modification of the effect of functional difficulty by age, gender, socioeconomic status, household education, and sub-site, on additive and multiplicative scales. We found of 29,044 children, 299 (1.0%) had any functional difficulty, equal among boys and girls. Being understood (0.5%) and walking (0.4%) were the most common difficulties. Functional difficulty was strongly associated with non-enrolment in school (Prevalence ratio [PR] 4.59, 95% CI: 3.87, 5.43) after adjusting for age, gender, and site. We show scale-dependent differences between age and socioeconomic groups in the effect of functional difficulty on enrolment. This study shows that at least one in a hundred children in this region have severe functional difficulties and nearly half of these children are not enrolled in school, highlighting the need for further efforts and evidence-based interventions to increase school enrolment among these groups.
High-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia co-existing with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia increased the risk of persistent human papillomavirus infection and residual/recurrent disease after LEEP
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhu Yanmei , Yang Di , Liu Guangcong , Wang Danbo
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with co-existent vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) is a challenge in clinical management. This study was aimed to evaluate the association of having co-existent CIN and VaIN with persistent high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection and with residual/recurrent disease after treatment.
Methods
A retrospective study was performed involving women treated for co-existent CIN2/3 and VaIN and those treated for CIN2/3 only between January 2018 and December 2020. CIN2/3 was treated with LEEP, and VaIN was treated with electrocoagulation (fulguration) at the time of CIN treatment. First follow-up was conducted by HPV-based testing at 3–6 months after treatment. Persistent HPV infection and residual/recurrent disease after treatment are the outcomes of the study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the risk factors of persistent HR-HPV infection and residual/recurrent disease.
Results
Among 676 women with CIN 2/3, 83 (12.3%) women had co-existent VaIN. Age ≥ 50 years (odds ratio, OR = 3.105, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.399–6.889) and multiple HPV infections (OR = 2.692, 95% CI = 1.406–5.155) were associated with an increased risk of co-existent CIN and VaIN. At the 1st follow-up, 195 (28.8%) of 676 women had persistent HR-HPV infection, which was more common in women having co-existent CIN and VaIN compared those with CIN only (49.4% vs. 26.0%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, co-existent CIN and VaIN was an independent risk factor for persistent HR-HPV infection (OR = 2.844, 95% CI = 1.446–5.595) and for residual/recurrent disease (OR = 4.876, 95% CI = 1.131–21.028) after treatment.
Conclusions
Co-existent CIN and VaIN increased the risk of persistent HR-HPV infection and residual/recurrent disease after treatment. Close follow up was proper for women having co-existent CIN and VaIN.
Reduced Systemic Microvascular Function in Patients With Resistant Hypertension and Microalbuminuria: an Observational Study
Authors: TIBIRICA Eduardo , Verri Valeria , Lorenzo Andrea , Crahim Vinicius
Published: April 2024

Resistant hypertension (RH) may be associated with microalbuminuria (MAU), a marker of increased mortality, and both may be related to microvascular damage. Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is an innovative approach for noninvasively evaluating systemic microvascular endothelial function useful in the context of RH with or without MAU. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio between 30 and 300 mg/g. Microvascular reactivity was evaluated using LSCI to perform noninvasive measurements of cutaneous microvascular perfusion changes. Pharmacological (acetylcholine [ACh], or sodium nitroprusside [SNP]) and physiological (postocclusive reactive hyperemia [PORH]) stimuli were used to evaluate vasodilatory responses. Thirty-two patients with RH and a normal urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (RH group) and 32 patients with RH and microalbuminuria (RH + MAU) were evaluated. Compared with patients without MAU, patients with RH + MAU showed reduced endothelial-dependent systemic microvascular reactivity, as demonstrated by an attenuation of microvascular vasodilation induced by PORH. On the other hand, ACh-induced vasodilation did not differ between groups. The results also revealed reduced endothelial-independent (SNP-induced) microvascular reactivity in hypertensive patients with MAU compared with patients without MAU. In this study, there was evidence of endothelial dysfunction associated with impaired microvascular smooth muscle function in patients with RH + MAU. This may suggest that patients with RH need more intensive therapeutic strategies for the control of blood pressure to avoid further vascular damage and the resulting consequences.
BAP1 serves as a clear-cell renal cell carcinoma suppressor and is inversely regulated by miR-200c-3p
Authors: Wei Du , Wenyu Ge , Ling Yu , Hongzhe Chen , Dongmei Wang , Xinglu Xu
Published: April 2024

The initiation and development of malignant tumor is always accompanied by a series of complex gene expression alterations inside the cells. As a tumor suppressor, the deubiquitinating enzyme BAP1 has been identified as an important regulator on the outcomes and biological properties of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, BAP1-involved intracellular regulatory cascades in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma are still not fully understood. In this study, we provided evidence that the protein levels of BAP1 were dramatically diminished in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the relatively low expression of BAP1 is significantly associated with worse prognosis in ccRCC patients. Besides, through the prediction of bioinformatics methods and verification of biological experiments, we confirmed that miR-200c-3p was the direct upstream regulator of BAP1. Taken together, our study presents an important role of miR-200c-3p/BAP1 in the development of ccRCC, which provided an alternative strategy for treating ccRCC in clinical practice.
Numerical study of the free convection of a hybrid nano-fluid filling a three-dimensional cavity exposed to a horizontal magnetic field
Authors: Benshab Mouna , Bouchta Said , FEDDAOUI M'Barek , Dayf Abdellatif , BOUCHTA Jaouad , Abderrahman Nait Alla
Published: April 2024

This work presents a numerical study of the effect of a horizontal magnetic field on free convection inside a three-dimensional enclosure filled with a hybrid nanofluid. The transport equations are discretized by the finite volume method. The SIMPLEC algorithm was used to couple the velocity and pressure fields. The vertical walls are heated differently and the horizontal walls are assumed to be adiabatic. The effects of Rayleigh number, volumetric fraction of particles and Hartmann number are studied. The results are given in the form of isotherms, streamlines and Nusselt numbers. It has been shown that for low Hartmann numbers the heat transfer intensifies with an increasing percentage of particles and a higher Rayleigh number. In addition, for low Hartmann numbers, it has been shown that the heat transfer intensifies with an increasing percentage of particles and a higher Rayleigh number. In return, for high Hartmann numbers, heat transfer decreases under the influence of the magnetic field.
Refinement Based Stochastic Model for Developing Water Supply System in Bangladesh
Authors: Asaduzzaman Md. , Hasan Mohammad Babul
Published: April 2024

In our everyday lives, we collect water, use it and emit used water into the canal. We use water for drinking, sanitary, and washing purposes in our everyday lives. The amount of water we use for washing purposes is huge. In this paper we will propose a model in which we consider the refining process of water, which will produced for washing purposes. Unrefined water is harmful for the ecosystem of the river. If we emit our used water, which we used for washing purposes under refining, then this used water is not harmful for the environment. We also reused the refined water for our secondary purposes, such as vehicle washing, any construction purpose, in the dying industry, etc. We solve the model under the assumption that the availability of water at the supplying authority is uncertain. We find the cost without refinement, and then we calculate the cost with the refining process by using our proposed model. We compare these two results. Finally, we calculate the expected value of perfect information (EVPI) and the value of stochastic solution (VSS) by calculating the wait-and-see solution (WS), the recourse solution (RS), and the expected solution by using the expected first-stage decision (EEV).
Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Post-Bariatric Surgery: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Al-Dewik Nader I. , Samara Muthanna , Mahmah Adel , Al-Dewik Aseel , Nahia Seba Abou , Abukhadijah Hana , Samara Yahya , Hammuda Sara , Razzaq Aleem , Al-Dweik Manar , Alahersh Asma , Moamed Lina , Singh Rajvir , Al-Obaidly Sawsan , Olukade Tawa , Ismail Mohamed , Alnaama Alaa , Thomas Binny , Silang John Paul Ben , Nasrallah Gheyath , Rizk Nasser , Qoronfleh M Walid , AlAlami Usama , Farrell Thomas , Abdulrof Palli Valapila , AlQubaisi Mai , Rifai Hilal Al
Published: April 2024

Objectives: This study has two main goals. The first step is to assess the incidence, risk factors, and maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women who have undergone Bariatric Surgery (BS). Second, to analyze these effects among pregnant women without a history of BS, these include women who are obese, overweight, and of normal weight (non-exposed groups).
Methods: This population-based study was conducted using 12-month retrospective registry data from the PEARL-Peristat Study at the Women's Wellness and Research Center (WWRC) in Qatar.
A total of 6,212 parturient women and their respective offspring were examined. Participants were categorized into two groups: those with a history of Bariatric Surgery (post-BS) as the exposed group (N=315), and those without such a history as the non-exposed group (N=5,897). Both univariate and multivariable regression analyses were employed to scrutinize risk factors and outcomes.
Results: Qatari, advanced maternal age, parity >1, diabetes, and hypertension were found to be significant risk factors for women with post-BS. Also, women in the post-BS group were found to be more likely to have a cesarean delivery (37.5% vs. 24%, aOR=1.59, CI 1.18-2.14), preterm babies (10% vs. 7%, aOR=1.66, CI 1.06-2.59), and stillbirth (1.6% vs. 0.4%, aOR=4.53, CI 1.33-15.50) compared to the normal weight women group. Moreover, post-BS women had a higher risk of low-birth-weight neonates than obese (15% vs. 8%, aOR= 1.77, CI 1.153-2.73), overweight (15% vs. 7%, aOR=1.63, CI:1.09-2.43), and normal weight (15% vs. 8%, aOR=1.838, CI 1.23-2.75) women. Finally, women in the post-BS group were more likely to have low-birth-weight neonates amongst term babies than obese and overweight women.
Conclusion: Pregnancies with post-BS should be considered a high-risk group for certain medical outcomes and should be monitored closely. These findings may guide the future clinical decisions of antenatal and postnatal follow-up for post-BS women.
Spatial-Temporal Monitoring of Groundwater Quality at the Northeast Coast of Alexandria, Egypt Short Title: Spatial-Temporal Monitoring of Groundwater Quality
Authors: Bestawy Ebtesam El , Tonbol Kareem , Omar Mohamed Youssef , Ahmed Ragaa Ahmed Mahmoud
Published: April 2024

The degradation of water quality poses a significant challenge to the utilization of freshwater resources for human activities, which threatening agricultural productivity and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The quality of irrigation water is greatly affecting both crop health and production. Hence, there is a must to enhance understanding of the quality of irrigation water. The aim of this assessment is to determine the suitability and compatibility of water sourced from 13 borehole ground wells located at the northeast coast of Alexandria, Egypt, Abu Qir district, with emphasis on the ability of usage for irrigation purposes. The research areas comprise the combination of urban, including residential complexes and academic campuses, alongside agricultural activity. A total of 52 groundwater samples were collected throughout the four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and autumn in the year 2022, with the objective of determining how they fit for agricultural use. Results revealed that the tested groundwater from the selected wells lied in the moderate to poor water quality for irrigation based on SAR, SSP, RSC, KR, PI, CAI, PS, MH, TDS, and TH indices. Therefore, using such groundwater for irrigation in the specified research area poses real dangers for crop health and agricultural productivity unless receive appropriate treatment.
A storyline of ozone pollution extremes in warmer climates
Authors: Emmerichs Tamara , Shen Fuzhen , Gromov Sergey , Hegglin Michaela , Wahner Andreas , Taraborrelli Domenico
Published: April 2024

High ozone levels pose a significant threat to human health and ecosystems, especially during extreme weather events. These are expected to become more frequent and intense with climate change, exacerbating the interactions between weather, vegetation, and air pollution. Traditionally a climate change penalty is expected for ground-level ozone is expected. However, models do not even agree on the sign of the change over most of the continents suggesting an important role for vegetation. We address this uncertainty by incorporating realistic vegetation responses to abiotic stress into a global atmospheric chemistry model. We develop novel storyline scenarios of air pollution, contrasting the actual climate of 2018-2020 with two different levels of warming. Our results show that under warming, vegetation and local photochemistry generally conspire to exacerbate ozone pollution extremes, while a concurrent moistening of the free troposphere leads to a lower ozone background. The competition between these two effects depends on the degree of warming and will determine whether climate change results in a penalty or a benefit. However, the role of changing pollutant emissions remains uncertain and should be addressed in future studies.
Factors associated with cancer in a screened population for upper gastrointestinal cancer in rural Wuwei, China: Application of the Anderson Health Service utilization model
Authors: Sun Qian , Hu Junguo , Cai Qinghua , Ye Yancheng , Wang Hongzong , Huang Yue , Liu Xiaxia , Wang Xinghua
Published: April 2024

Objective: The screening situation of rural upper gastrointestinal cancer was reported in this area, and the influencing factors and influencing paths of upper gastrointestinal cancer were explored, so as to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of upper gastrointestinal cancer.
Methods: In Liangzhou district of Wuwei City, 10 towns with high incidence of upper gastrointestinal cancer were selected by cluster sampling to carry out screening. A hypothesis model of influencing factor pathway analysis for patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer in Wuwei City was constructed by using Anderson model as the framework. According to the results of factor screening, a path analysis model of influencing factors in upper digestive tract patients in Wuwei city was established to analyze the influencing paths and influencing coefficients of each factor.
Results: A total of 12453 patients were screened for upper gastrointestinal cancer in rural areas from 2017 to 2022. The detection rate of upper gastrointestinal cancer was 1.57%, the early diagnosis rate was 35.90%. Path coefficient showed that male, old age, smoking, hot food, family history of disease, belching symptoms and history of gastroscopy were more likely to develop cancer in rural upper gastrointestinal cancer screening population. Variables such as age, marital status, family history of disease and eructation will also have an indirect impact on whether rural upper gastrointestinal cancer screening population will suffer from cancer through the indirect path of whether gastroscopy history is a mediating variable.
Conclusion: It is suggested that cancer screening workers should pay more attention to the screening results and long-term follow-up results of rural upper gastrointestinal cancer screening population with male, old age, smoking, eating hot food, family history of disease, belching symptoms and history of gastroscopy.
Integrating tumor hypoxic sensing and photothermal therapy using a miniaturized fiber-optic theranostic probe
Authors: Ran Yang , Jin Fangzhou , Xu Zhiyuan , Wang Wei , Chen Zhongyuan , Wu Yang , Li Zesen , Song Enlai , Yue Xu , Zhang Yongkang , Li Wei , Feng Youzhen , Cao Donglin , Zhang Dongmei , Chen Minfeng , Cai Xiangran , Guan Bai-Ou
Published: April 2024

Efficient delivery of photons to visceral organs is critical for the treatment of deep-seated tumors taking advantage of photo-theranostics. Optical fiber can be regarded as a direct and facile photon pathway for targeting tumor lesion with negligible body invasion. However, current fiber theranostic strategies rely on the spatially separated optical fibers to realize diagnosis and therapy independently, resulting in low compactness, poor continuity of medical process, and incompatibility with current medical technologies. Herein, we develop an integrated fiber-optic theranostic (iFOT) probe that merges tumor microenvironment (TME) sensing and photothermal therapy (PTT) by functionalizing the fiber with graphene/gold nanostar hybrid materials and hypoxic-responsive fluorophores. The iFOT probe can quickly detect the hypoxia of xenograft tumors of mice with high sensitivity. The tumors can be photothermally killed on-site through the same fiber probe tightly followed by detection, which presents a high cure rate without the risk of recurrence. More importantly, the iFOT is highly adaptable to the conventional medical imaging and endoscopic techniques, such as laparoscope, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound imaging, which facilitates the imaging-assisted navigation and manipulation by use of the interventional trocar. The proposed integrated fiber-optic theranostic strategy can be used as an effective endoscopic and interventional tool for tackling deep-situated tumor and may open a revolutionized pathway to bridge the separate diagnosis and therapy process in the current stage.
Simulation and Implementation of PI, Fuzzy and ANFIS Controller for PV and WIND Based EV Charging Station
Authors: Bukya Ravi , Mohan G. Madhu , Sharanya M.
Published: April 2024

The study utilizes a fuzzy logic-controller, as referenced in the selection of a FLC is based on its remarkable capacity to handle systems that exhibit nonlinearities and uncertainties. This capability arises from its use of operator experiences, which enhances the system with an additional layer of intelligence. FLC's primary benefit is from its autonomy from a specific mathematical model of the system, making it more resilient in comparison to traditional controllers. The unique strength of FLC is its capacity to express linguistic rules based on fuzzy sets and fuzzy algorithms. This characteristic allows it to handle the imprecision and uncertainty inherent in SPV systems, which conventional controllers may struggle to accommodate. Fuzzy logic operates on the principle of linguistic variables and rule-based reasoning, making it well-suited for systems with complex and non-linear behavior, such as SPV modules. The preceding sections have highlighted the intricate non-linear attributes found in SPV modules, which pose challenges for standard methods used in MPP Tracking (MPPT) to identify and extract the MPP. AN techniques, such as FL-based MPPT, offer a highly promising alternative. It utilizes human-like reasoning, integrating qualitative information to make judgments without requiring a precise mathematical description of the system. The use of FLC in MPPT for SPV modules reflects a strategic approach to address the challenges posed by the non-linear nature of these modules. By capitalizing on the inherent adaptability and intelligence of fuzzy logic, this technique enhances the robustness and efficiency of the SPV system, showcasing the broader applicability and advantages of AI in optimizing renewable energy systems
Cerium oxide nanomaterial regulates endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria of wheat to enhance resistance under simulated microgravity stress
Authors: Fu Yuming , Chen Dengbo , Cui Jingjing , Zhao Liting , Xin Pan , Yan Shaocheng , Liu Hong
Published: April 2024

Certain nanomaterials, including cerium dioxide nanoparticle (CeO2 NP), have shown promise in modulating microbial composition in plants, thereby alleviating stressors such as the notable microgravity in space conditions. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we explored microbial community variations within the wheat rhizosphere and endosphere under simulated microgravity. With a 500 mg/L concentration, CeO2 NP enhanced wheat growth, particularly augmenting root growth, elevating stem diameter and root-to-shoot ratio, and improving endophytic microbial diversity with less impact on the rhizospheric community. Importantly, CeO2 NP mitigated simulated microgravity impact, including a notable increase in Bacteroidetes and a lesser decline of Firmicutes, thus bolstering microbial network stability. Additionally, CeO2 NP upregulated metabolic pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and nucleotide metabolism in rhizospheric microbiota, alongside nucleotide metabolism in endophytic microbiota. This insight deepens our understanding of cerium dioxide nanoparticles' potential in alleviating the adverse effects of simulated microgravity on plants through microbial modulation and provides new implications for future exploration of nanomaterials in enhancing plant health in space agriculture.
Trends and Factors Affecting the Initiation of Denosumab and Zoledronic Acid among Patients with Metastatic Lung, Breast, and Prostate Cancer in the United States
Authors: Tanni Kaniz Afroz , Billor Nedret , Ngorsuraches Surachat , Westrick Salisa , Xu Pei , Johnson Brandon , Qian Jingjing
Published: April 2024

Purpose
Patients with Metastatic lung, breast, and prostate cancer (MLBPC) experience skeletal related events (SREs), which significantly decrease survival. Denosumab (DS) and Zoledronic acid (ZA) are recommended for these patients to prevent such SREs. However, there is a lack of evidence in the patterns and predictors of real-world initiation of DS versus ZA in older MLBPC patients in the United States. The objective of this study was to examine the trends and factors associated with DS or ZA initiation among older MLBPC patients in the US.
Methods
We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-linked Medicare data to identify patients diagnosed with MLBPC between 2012 and 2017 who initiated DS/ZA treatment within 12 months of cancer diagnosis. Demographics, healthcare utilization, comorbidities, disease, and treatment attributes of new users were evaluated. Trends in treatment initiation were assessed using Cochran-Armitage tests among all MLBPC patients and by cancer type. T-tests, Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regressions were employed to identify factors influencing the choice between DS and ZA initiation.
Results
In 2012–2017, DS initiation trends increased across all individual cancer cohorts as well as the overall MLBPC sample, while ZA initiation notably decreased in the metastatic breast cancer and MLBPC cohorts (all P < 0.0001). Patients more likely to initiate DS over ZA were older at diagnosis, Hispanic, single, eligible for low-income subsidies, urban residents, had multiple comorbidities, impaired renal function, and prior chemotherapy use.
Conclusions
There are significant differences between the trends in DS and ZA initiation as well as in the factors affecting initiation among MLBPC patients.
Early enteral nutrition increases 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis who are on invasive mechanical ventilation: A retrospective analysis based on the MIMIC - IV database
Authors: Xu Fuchao , Wu Quantong , Gu Shuangshuang , Lu Geng , Wang Jun
Published: April 2024

Background: The optimal timing of enteral nutrition for critically ill septic patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who require invasive mechanical ventilation has not been determined, and the influence of early enteral nutrition on clinical outcomes is unclear.
Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV 2.2 (MIMIC-IV 2.2) database to investigate patients with sepsis who needed invasive mechanical ventilation post-ICU admission. Patients who had enteral nutrition (EN) initiated within 72 hours of ICU were categorized into the early enteral nutrition (EEN) group, while those who began enteral nutrition after 72 hours were placed in the delayed enteral nutrition (DEN) group. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare outcomes between these two groups, with the primary outcome being 28-day mortality.
Results:The final analysis included 2293 patients, 1546 (67.4%) of whom received enteral nutrition within 72 hours of invasive mechanical ventilation. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 31.0%. After propensity score matching employing the proximity matching method, Cox survival analysis revealed that early enteral nutrition was associated with increased 28-day mortality in septic patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (hazard ratio(HR) 1.440 , 95% CI 1.179–1.760; p ＜0.001). The sensitivity and robustness of the evaluation results under different models, including optimal matching (adjusted odds ratio（aOR） 1.54, 95% CI 1.22–1.93, p < 0.001), inverse probability of treatment weighting (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02–1.58, p = 0.035), and logistic regression analysis (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.18–1.84, p = 0.001), confirmed the detrimental effects of early enteral nutrition on invasive mechanical ventilation in septic patients. Subgroup analyses of the original data indicated that early enteral nutrition may be particularly harmful in mechanically ventilated septic shock patients and severely ill young female patients.
Conclusions: Compared to delayed enteral nutrition, early enteral nutrition increases 28-day mortality in septic patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, especially in septic shock patients and severely ill young female patients on invasive mechanical ventilation. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to compare the efficacy of early and delayed enteral nutrition in septic patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.