bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Microstructural and Mechanical Properties Development of Expansive Cement Slurry for P&A Applications
Authors: Mello e Alvim T. M. , Beltrán-Jiménez K. , Reales O. A.Mendoza , Gardner D. J. , Toledo R. D.
Published: May 2023

The inclusion of expansive agents in cement slurries has been proposed as a method to avoid shrinkage and reducing the probability of generating a microannulus at the interface between cement sheath and casing or formation wall. This work focuses on the effect that an expansive agent has on the mechanical and microstructural properties of cement paste when compared to conventional class G cement, aiming to identify any potential detrimental effects that might be induced by its inclusion.

Two cement slurries were evaluated: a class G cement used as a Reference and a second with the addition of 3 % of expansive agent. The slurries were fully characterized and cured under atmospheric or pressurized conditions for a duration of up to fifteen days. Cured cement specimens were analyzed to determine the influence of the expansive agent on early age mechanical properties development and microstructural properties. Development of mechanical behavior was measured using an ultrasonic cement analyzer (UCA). Microstructural properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Annular ring test at 27 °C for 15 days showed an expansion of 0.021 % in circumferential change for the expanded slurry, while the class G cement used as Reference achieved a value of 0.016 %. Both results are mainly due to silica effect. The same test performed at 70 °C for 7 days showed an expansion of 0.038 % in circumferential change for expanded slurry, which represents the effect of the additive dissolution and hydration, and a shrinkage of 0.012 % in circumferential change for Reference. UCA showed the tendency of acceleration of hydration kinetics caused by the expansion additive. An increase in compressive strength for expanded slurry can be related to its hydration and formation of a denser microstructure. SEM showed a uniform dispersion of magnesium in the cement matrix with some Mg(OH)2 crystals formed. Hydration products were also seen with a predominance of ettringite for samples cured at atmospheric pressure. XRD showed characteristic peaks of hydration products for all slurries, with an increased intensity for expanded slurries. TGA showed similar curves for all slurries, with the presence of thermal decomposition of magnesium hydroxide for expanded slurries. It was concluded that the presence of expansion additive in the cement slurry in an amount of 3 % was not found to be detrimental to the mechanical and microstructural properties.

Literature has a lack of connection between microstructural analysis with mechanical properties of slurries developed with expanded additive in downhole conditions. This paper intends to fill this gap detailing the high potential of this additive through an in depth characterization and comparison with a Reference slurry concerning the mechanical and mineralogical properties.
New Methods for Cutting Pressure Retained Cores from Deep Unconventional Reservoirs in West Kuwait - First Ever Successful Pressure Coring Operation in the Najmah Kerogen
Authors: Ekpe J. , Al-Shehab A. Y. , Al-Othman A. , Baijal S. , Nguyen K. L. , Al-Morakhi R. , Dasma M. , Al-Mutairi N. , Verma N. , Quttainah R. B. , Janem M. , Deutrich T. , Wunsch D. , Rothenwänder T. , Anders E. , Mukherjee P.
Published: May 2023

The successful recovery of pressurized core samples from an unconventional HPHT reservoir is presented. Optimized methods and technologies such as implementation of Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) technique as well as coring technology customization and adaptation are discussed. Results from offset wells are compared and a best practice method is described how to recover pressurized cores from the organic rich Najmah Kerogen in West Kuwait.

A coring BHA was configured using a modified version of the LPC Core Barrel hence allowing for the first time to consider recovering pressurized core samples from a well with a very challenging operating envelope. Furthermore, the provided methodology ensures that well conditions are maintained to allow for a pressurized core recovery in most stable wellbore environment avoiding any unwanted subsurface problems.

With three consecutive runs planned on for the pressurized coring using MPD each 10 ft., the results obtained showed a successful coring operation of which typical wellbore downhole issues were avoided with no loss time due to well ballooning, mud losses and well kicks. The successful coring operations as well as all subsequent on-site analysis procedures showed possibility to recover pressurized core samples from unconventional formations with high formation pressure in a safe and effective manner. Avoiding core damage due to petal-centerline fractures and disking is fundamental in quantifying natural fractures in this unconventional reservoir.

This novelty approach of core barrel system modification and using MPD technique in acquiring the pressurized cores has made it possible to obtain representative near in-situ data to better reservoir interpretation and quantification of natural fractures. The method has a great potential to ensure high core recovery in high angle wells while delivering superior reservoir fluid and rock information which is not obtainable by other means.
Operational Experience from the Implementation of 21 Wells with Non-Metallic Based Downhole Tubing: From Pilot to Large Scale Implementation
Authors: Ahmad M.H.
Published: May 2023

Tubular GRE lining technology has been globally applied used since 1960's in eliminating downhole tubular corrosion, replacing the elevated CAPEX of CRA OCTG and assuring steady oil, gas and water flow through the downhole string with its flow assurance benefits.

Compared to conventional carbon steel whose failures are frequent, the GRE lined carbon steel provides long lasting protection which results in huge savings in life cycle cost. Likewise, compared to CRA material capable of withstanding corrosion issues, the GRE lined CS provides direct capital cost savings. Apart from the economic benefits, operators deploying GRE lined CS have enjoyed superior well integrity over the life cycle of the well.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC ONSHORE) implemented this technology in 2013 for the water disposal wells (5 wells as trial, all of them were successful). We will share the results of the caliper logs that have been run into these wells and the inspection of tubing pulled out of the disposal wells after 4 years in service. Following the assessment, which was satisfactory, the first Water Injection well with GRE lined tubing has been RIH in 2021, and plans for Oil producers with GRE lined tubing in Q2-2023.

Till the time of writing this paper, 19 GRE lined strings have been RIH in Aon's water disposal wells, and 2 strings have been run in water injection wells (under study and field test and assessment).

This paper shares the evolution of this technology within the Aon from the first installation to the development of a contract and how Aon geared to absorb this technology in their system. Some of the challenges that faced the company were: The modifications that were required to the wells’ designs.How the service provider was aware of Aon's operational well intervention jobs.How this is compatible with the lining system.
Longest Slim Hole ERD Wells Campaign with Limited Entry Liner Using Water-Based Mud in Onshore Abu Dhabi
Authors: Varma Esha Narendra , Ditzler Theodore Jay , Mwansa Peter Levison , Husien Mohammad , Bahrom Abdul Raman Bin , Saragi Raymond , Samahi Musabbeh Khamis Al , Shamsi Juma Sulaiman Al , Alshaigy Ahmad Othman , Gaurav Anchit , Abdelhalim Khaled
Published: May 2023

Extended reach drilling (ERD) can facilitate the development of untapped resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, surface congestion, and drilling costs. This ERD project with lower completion was started with an aim to lower well cost indicators including $/ft and $/bbl. Therefore, the challenge was to drill Slimhole ERD (6-1/8″ lateral) wells with water-based mud (WBM). WBM is more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and less damaging to the reservoir than OBM (oil-based mud). The use of WBM instead of OBM can save $2MM per well. The major challenges in drilling Slimhole (6-1/8″ size) ERD well with lateral le include higher torque and failure to deploy lower completion due to high friction factors.

The first pilot well was planned with a liner-less design considering the low friction factors required to drill 15,000′ of 6-1/8″ lateral hole and run the lower completion. The second pilot well was targeting a deeper and tighter reservoir zone with higher downhole temperatures. This involved drilling 12-1/4″ intermediate hole to the landing point with larger 5-1/2″ drill pipe. It enabled a push-pipe technique for drilling the lateral hole with improved weight transfer through the curved profile. The 6-1/8″ lateral hole was drilled with 4″ high-torque drill pipe, tandem high-flow circulating subs, and specially formulated drilling fluid lubricant. A conventional OBM system provides sufficient lubricity to reduce friction factors as low as 0.10. In this application, a low cost WBM system was made feasible by introducing stable high-temperature lubricant and unique hole cleaning practices.

Following this successful achievement, the 5-year business plan has been revised to include 63 similar wells with a projected total savings of ~ $250MM.

The Slimhole ERD project has demonstrated substantial value with a 35% reduction in CAPEX. The delivery of these two Slimhole ERD wells overturned conventional drilling and completion practices.

The implemented project resulted in saving up to 35% of the well cost and saved 20 days per well compared to a conventional ERD well with 8-1/2″ hole and OBM. These two Slimhole ERD (15,000′ lateral) wells were drilled with a challenging Directional Difficulty Index (DDI) of 7.2. The wells were both completed successfully by running the 4-1/2″ lower completion to reach the total depth.
Protocol for Pre and Post-Operative Voice therapy (PaPOV) for benign vocal fold lesions: Non-randomised, multicentre feasibility trial with nested process evaluation
Authors: White Anna , Carding Paul , Booth Vicky , McGlashan Julian , Stan Jarrad Van , Logan Pip , Awad Rehab
Published: May 2023

Background:
Management of benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs) is variable with some receiving surgery, voice therapy or a combination of these approaches. Some evidence suggests that the best outcomes may be achieved when patients are offered pre and post-operative voice therapy in addition to phonosurgery, but what constitutes pre and post-operative voice therapy is poorly described. The pre and post-operative voice therapy (PaPOV) intervention has been developed and described according to the TiDIER checklist and Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System for voice. The PaPOV intervention is delivered by specialist speech and language therapists trained in the intervention and comprises 7 essential and 4 additional components, delivered in voice therapy sessions with patients who are having surgery on their vocal folds for removal of BVFLs.
Study Design:
Non-randomised, multicentre feasibility trial with embedded process evaluation
Method:
40 patients from two sites who are due to undergo phonosurgery will be recruited to receive the PaPOV intervention. Measures of feasibility, including recruitment, retention, and adherence will be assessed. The feasibility of gathering clinical and cost effectiveness data will be measured pre treatment, then at 3 and 6 months post-operatively. An embedded process evaluation will be undertaken to explain feasibility findings.
Discussion:
This study will assess the feasibility of delivering a described voice therapy intervention protocol to patients who are undergoing surgery for removal of benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs). Findings will be used to inform the development and implementation of a subsequent effectiveness trial, should this be feasible.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This trial has been prospectively registered on ISRCTN, (date 4th January 2023), registration number 17438192 and can be viewed here: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17438192
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping of Phewa Watershed, Kaski, Nepal
Authors: Kunwar Bimal Bahadur , Muensit Nantakan , Techato Kuaanan , Gyawali Saroj
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to assess the quantities of association between landslide events and causal factors in order to generate an accurate, updated landslide susceptibility map (LSM) of the Phewa watershed in Kaski, Gandaki District, Nepal. Landslides are the second-largest natural disasters of the world, and the costs of their damage could be more than those of all other multi-hazard disasters together. Nepal receives a lot of rain, especially during the monsoon season, which creates a number of water-induced risks each year, such as landslides. The LSM, which allows for effective landslide risk prediction. The most dependable and popular statistical approach for determining LSMs is the frequency ratio (FR) model. In ArcGIS 10.8, the LSM was created using eight causal factors. Five classes were represented in the LSM, with the low class having a large percentage (43.226%) and the high class having a low percentage (0.63%). In FR techniques, slope, proximity to a stream or road, land use/cover, precipitation, and proximity to a road are given greater weight than aspect, profile curvature, and plan curvature, which are given comparably less weight in this study area. Using the area under the curve (AUC), the model's performance was validated, and the performance was good, 0.71. The information given by this LSM, which provided the spatial distribution of the landslide and help to reduce landslide risk issues in the Phewa watershed, can be useful to researchers, communities, planners, and the government.
Physical, chemical and microbiological attributes as discriminators of coffee and forest areas under different soils in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome
Authors: Aragão Osnar Obede da Silva , Jesus Ederson da Conceição , de Oliveira-Longatti Silvia Maria , Souza André Alves , Moreira Fatima Maria de Souza
Published: May 2023

Ensuring soil quality of coffee fields is fundamental for sustainable production of coffee itself. Microbiological attributes are especially effective predictors of changes in the soil. But their value as indicators can vary depending on the soil class and the type the management. This study aimed to determine the effect of different soil classes and management (natural systems and agricultural systems) on microbiological attributes and the potential of these attributes to serve as discriminators of different soils used for conventional coffee growing in the Atlantic Forest domain. The microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial basal respiration (MBR), the metabolic quotient (qCO2), microbial quotient, and the activity of several enzymes were assessed in coffee plantations and adjacent forests on two soil classes. The lowest values of most attributes were observed in the Planosol under a coffee plantation. The activities of most of the enzymes were higher in the forest’s Oxisol and lower in the Planosol under coffee. Among the physical and chemical attributes, organic matter content, potential acidity, potential cation exchange capacity, pH, phosphorus, and zinc were most important in the discrimination of the areas. For the microbiological attributes, the forest vegetation maintained higher MBC, BMR, qCO2, and urease activity independent of soil class. Nevertheless, the soil class had a marked negative effect on microbial biomass and activity in the Planosol coffee plantation. We can conclude that MBC, FDA, urease, β-glucosidase, and acid phosphatase were the most important attributes in the discrimination of coffee and forest areas under different soil classes.
Class II HLA-DRB4 is a predictive biomarker for survival following immunotherapy in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Jiang Cindy Y. , Zhao Lili , Green Michael D. , Ravishankar Shashidhar , Towlerton Andrea M. H. , Scott Anthony J. , Raghavan Malini , Cusick Matthew F. , Warren Edus H. , Ramnath Nithya
Published: May 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are important treatment options for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, not all patients benefit from ICIs and can experience immune related adverse events (irAEs). Limited understanding exists for germline determinants of ICI efficacy and toxicity, but human leukocyte antigen (HLA) has emerged as a potential predictive biomarker. We obtained HLA genotypes from 85 metastatic NSCLC patients on ICI therapy and analyzed the impact of HLA Class II genotype on progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and irAEs. Most patients received pembrolizumab (83.5%). HLA-DRB4 correlated with improved survival in both univariable (PFS 9.9 months, p = 0.040; OS 26.3 months, p = 0.0085) and multivariable analysis (PFS p = 0.0310, HR 0.55, 95% CI [0.31, 0.95]); OS p = 0.003, HR 0.40, 95% CI [0.21, 0.73]). 11 patients developed endocrine irAEs. HLA-DRB4 was expressed in 39/85 (45.9%) patients and was the predominant genotype for endocrine irAEs (9/11, 81.8%). Cumulative incidence of endocrine irAEs was higher in patients with HLA-DRB4 (p = 0.0139). Our study is the first to suggest metastatic NSCLC patients on ICI therapy with HLA-DRB4 genotype experienced improved survival outcomes. Additionally, we found a correlation between HLA-DRB4 and endocrine irAEs.
How does urban-rural integrated medical insurance affect labour supply of migrant workers
Authors: Zhou Deshui , Jin Wenhui , Wu Hainan
Published: May 2023

Based on the dynamic monitoring survey data of the floating population in 2018, this study analyses the impact of urban and rural integrated medical insurance on the labour supply of migrant workers. The study found that this medical insurance significantly promoted the labour participation rate of migrant workers and improved the quality of labour supply. Using instrumental variables to solve endogenous and propensity score matching method to solve selective bias, this study’s results are robust. Regarding the stability of labour supply, urban and rural integrated medical insurance has significantly increased the probability of migrant workers obtaining fixed income jobs and reduced the probability of them engaging in non-fixed income jobs. Further analysis shows that it has significantly reduced the working time of migrant workers, and improved the accessibility of their health rights and interests through health records, health education, and family contracted doctor services, which are important factors to improve the labour supply of migrant workers.
DUSP6 regulates NOTCH1 signaling in colorectal cancer
Authors: Png Chin Wen , Weerasooriya Madhushanee , Hou Xiaowen , Teo Yaxuan Fiona , Zheng Ser , Sobota Radoslaw , Chong Choon Seng , Tan Ker-Kan , Zhang Yongliang
Published: May 2023

Notch1 plays various roles in cancer development and Notch1-induced transactivation is controlled by phosphorylation of its cleaved intracellular domain. However, if there are phosphatases that are able to dephosphorylate cleaved Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) to regulate its function is unclear. Here we showed that DUSP6 is a Notch1 phosphatase which regulates NICD stability hence transcriptional activity, thereby regulating colorectal cancer (CRC) development. It was found that high tumoral DUSP6 protein expression is associated with poorer overall CRC patient survival. In human CRC cells, increased DUSP6 expression is associated with increased NICD level resulting in more CRC cell proliferation in both in vitro and in vivo. Development of CRC upon induction was reduced in mice deficient in DUSP6. Mechanistically, DUSP6 dephosphorylates phospho-Y2116 to reduce NICD ubiquitination that in turn increases NICD stability and transcriptional activity. Consequently, Notch1-targeted proliferation gene expression is increased to promote tumour cell growth.
Evaluation of Aluminum Effects to Freshwater Planarian Dugesia tigrina (Girard, 1850)
Authors: Braguini WELLIGTON LUCIANO
Published: May 2023

The toxicity and reproductive effects of aluminum to freshwater worm Dugesia tigrina were investigated by LC50 (96h) evaluation, locomotor activity (pLmV), glycogen content, reproductive effects (fertility and fecundity). The results revealed an LC50 (96 h) of 348.08 µM Al. Planarian mobility reduced by 74.6% with 100 µM Al, and glycogen content were reduced by 34.3% at 150 µM Al. Fecundity and fertility were reduced by 47.8 and 67.8%, respectively, in planarians treated with 50 µM Al (pH 7.0). The number of cocoons was reduced by 100% with 50 µM Al (pH 5.9). The time until hatching was extended by 24.8% for planarian cocoons incubated in 50 µM Al at pH 7.0. The data showed that the acidic environment generated by the AlCl3 solubilization, and Al itself, cause toxicity in planarians. The presence of Al in effluents or water from rivers and lakes is a silent contaminant for aquatic animals because it changes the pH of the water. Notwithstanding the impact of Al on other species and environments, it is necessary to establish methods for meaningful and responsible environmental management of Al waste rolled out into the environment. The results provide a comprehensive evaluation of the toxicological effects that aluminum has on flatworms and aquatic environment.
Genetic differentiation of different Egyptian wheat genotypes using biochemical and molecular markers
Authors: Osman Samira A. , Heiba Samy A.A. , Ali Rania T.
Published: May 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Evaluating the economic disparities in the world: Sentiment Analysis on Central Bank Speeches from Third World and First World Countries
Authors: Vazirani Krish
Published: May 2023

This paper provides an evaluation of the financial and simple sentiment of central bank speeches from 2004–2019. The speeches are categorized into two different sub-groups with three different countries for each one, respectively: Zambia, Barbados, and Sri Lanka for the third world [developing] group and France, Canada, and Japan for the first world [developed] group. This paper attempts to answer the following questions: (i) What do the sentiments of each country or sub-group tell us about their economic condition? (ii) How does the sentiment relate to the countries' contextual economic growth or decline? (iii) How do the central or federal banks of the country portray the economy? Using natural-language processing, more specifically BERT transformer models and modern NLP methods, a synthesized evaluation is created of what economic linguistics from central banks can reveal about the world's economy.
Impact of multimodal strategy on sepsis bundle compliance and in- hospital mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies
Authors: Silva Luciane Luz e , Ferreira Diogo Boldim , Melillo Karina Prandi , Passos Roselene Mesquita Augusto , Medeiros Eduardo Alexandrino
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies. Our aim is evaluate the impact of multimodal strategy on sepsis bundle compliance and in-hospital mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Methods:We conducted a quasi-experimental study that included patients with hematologic malignancies and sepsis or septic shock, between January 1, 2017 and August 31, 2020. The study comprised two phases: phase 1, survey of sepsis and sepsis shock cases and reformulation of the sepsis team and sepsis bundle; phase 2, staff training, monthly meetings of the sepsis team and feedback for care teams. The followup of patients was for 30 days, during hospitalization, or until death. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, with a 95% significance interval. And the tests considered a 5% significance level.
Results: A total of 329 (42.5%) patients were included. The proportion of sepsis was 241 (73.3%) and septic shock 88 (26.7%). We observed an increase in the 3h-bundle compliance in the phase 2 (86.8%), compared to the phase 1 (71.3%), with p=0.001. The in-hospital mortality was lower in the 2nd phase (38.2%), compared to the first phase (51.5%), with p=0.024. These results were mainly observed in cases of sepsis identified in the wards.
Conclusions:The multimodal strategy had an impact on increasing the rate of compliance to the sepsis bundle. In-hospital mortality significantly reduced in the intervention phase of the study.
Examining Micro and Small Enterprises from a Gender Perspective in Urban Cambodia
Authors: Rahut Dil , Aryal Jeetendra Prakash , Chhay Panharoth , Morgan Peter
Published: May 2023

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) provide livelihood opportunities for a large population, especially for the poor. Participation in MSEs depends on the individuals’ and households’ financial, human, physical, natural, and social capitals. As the literature on developing countries has found that men and women have differential access to and ownership of productive resources, this study uses the Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2019–2020 to examine factors influencing participation in MSEs and the associated gender differences in urban Cambodia. The current study’s findings suggest that assets, education, and access to credit are crucial drivers of participation in MSEs. Applying Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition showed a gender gap in MSE participation, with women owning more MSEs than men. However, the differences in participation vary across sectors. While women have higher participation rates in retail and wholesale, restaurants, and smaller enterprises, men are more likely to participate in manufacturing, construction, and repairs. Another crucial finding of this study is that a large proportion of men- owned enterprises fall under the petty trading categories (i.e., the lowest stratum of the MSEs), indicating that gender policies also need to consider poorer and less skilled sections of society. Government policies to promote the development of MSEs should focus on two aspects: (i) skills training to enable women to also be equally able to participate in manufacturing, construction, and repairs sectors; and (ii) improved access to credit, so both men and women can participate in enterprises requiring bigger investments.
Does Wild Food Contribute to Food Security? Evidence From Rural Bhutan
Authors: Chhay Panharoth , Rahut Dil Bihabur , Tashi Sonam , Chamberlin Jordan
Published: May 2023

We use primary data to examine the potential role of wild foods in alleviating food insecurity among rural farmers in Bhutan during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that food-insecure households are more likely to collect wild foods, suggesting that food-insecure households are consuming wild foods as a coping mechanism. Therefore, it is crucial to include wild food considerations in regional, national, and international food security policy to promote resilience and reduce vulnerability in rural communities. Food security policies may enable the use and consumption of wild foods as a complementary source of food and nutrition, especially in remote areas. Further, the government should implement policies on managing wild foods as it is a public good, and its conservation is crucial for preserving biodiversity.
JEL Codes: Q18, Q20
Health Shocks and Overindebtedness: A Panel Data Analysis From Rural Viet Nam
Authors: Chhay Panharoth , Rahut Dil B.
Published: May 2023

Rural households in developing countries have limited capacity to cope with and manage shocks, thereby resulting in chronic poverty, indebtedness, and a decline in overall well-being. Therefore, this study analyzes the effects of health shocks on overindebtedness in rural Viet Nam and examines the role of the national health insurance program in mitigating the negative effects of health shocks using four rounds of a balanced panel data set of about 1,750 households observed over a decade (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016). Employing the household- level fixed-effect model, this study finds that health shocks reduce household earned income and food expenditure and increase health expenditure among rural Vietnamese households. It also finds that households cope with health shocks mainly by borrowing from more sources. Households experiencing health shocks are 2.2 to 3.1 percentage points more likely to be overindebted. This study also finds that these negative effects of health shocks are statistically significant only among uninsured households, suggesting that social health insurance can reduce households’ vulnerability to the consequences of health shocks. These findings strongly support efforts to expand access to social health insurance in rural Viet Nam.
Zein electrospun fibers with red onion extract (Allium cepa L.): Bioactive compounds, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and antioxidant activity
Authors: Cruz Elder Pacheco , Pires Juliani Buchveitz , Jansen Estefani Tavares , Santos Felipe Nardo , Fonseca Laura Martins , Hackbart Helen Cristina Santos , Radünz Marjana , Zavarezze Elessandra da Rosa , Dias Alvaro Renato Guerra
Published: May 2023

Onions are rich in bioactive and volatile compounds with antioxidant activity. When concentrated in plant extracts and applied directly into food matrices or packaging, they are sensitive to external factors and may have undesirable sensory attributes, such as odors. Therefore, this study sought to encapsulate red onion extract (ROE) in different concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40%, v/v) into zein fibers by electrospinning. The major volatile compound in ROE was 3(2H)-furanone, 2-hexyl-5-methyl. Adding ROE into the polymeric solutions increased their electrical conductivity and decreased the apparent viscosity, thus decreasing the average diameter of the fibers. The loading capacity of ROE on fibers ranged from 77.3 to 91.5%. The fibers’ random and continuous morphology showed beads at the highest ROE concentration (40%). Fibers membranes showed lower values ​​for contact angles as ROE was added. The antioxidant activity of the fibers ranged from 32.5 to 57.3%.
Effect of some physicochemical parameters on the decay rate of enteric bacteria isolated from a surface water
Authors: Olalemi Adewale Oluwasogo , Okunade Abiola Stephen
Published: May 2023

Water is essential to life, the public health significance of water quality cannot be over emphasized. In Nigeria, majority of people living along the course of water bodies still source and drink from the rivers and streams. There is, therefore, the need to determine the load of contamination and effect of pH and salinity on the decay rate of enteric bacteria in water samples from River Owena, Owena, Nigeria in order to develop adequate water quality management.
Water samples from River Owena were collected from three representative monitoring points (inflow, middle course and the outflow) in Owena, Nigeria. The load of enteric bacteria in the water samples were determined using membrane filtration technique. The physicochemical characteristics of the water samples were determined using standard methods. The incidence and prevalence of gastroenteritis in the community around River Owena was determined using a structured questionnaire. Microcosm studies were used to evaluate the decay rate of enteric bacteria at varying salinity and pH. Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the load of enteric bacteria and the incidence and prevalence of gastroenteritis in the community around River Owena.
The incidence and prevalence of gastroenteritis in the community around River Owena were estimated to be 0.75 and 0.51 respectively. Escherichia coli had positive relationships with incidence (r=0.76) and prevalence (r=0.65). Similarly, faecal coliforms had positive relationships with incidence (r=0.82) and prevalence of gastroenteritis (r=0.67), while enterococci showed positive relationship with incidence (r=0.59) and prevalence of gastroenteritis (r=0.87). Increase in pH and salinity increased the decay rate of enteric bacteria thereby reducing the growth of enteric bacteria, the optimum pH for the growth and survival of enteric bacteria ranged between pH 5.0 and pH 7.0. The optimum salinity for the growth of enteric bacteria isolated in water samples from River Owena ranged between 10% and 50% salinity. Findings revealed high levels of faecal contamination at the different representative monitoring points on River Owena, pH and salinity influenced the load and decay rate of enteric bacteria in water from River Owena essential in water safety plans and water management practices.
Mastitis in dairy cows: Prevalence, risk factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test of major Bacterial isolates in Adea Berga District
Authors: Wegi Fekadu Gutema , Negasa Dejene , Urge Beksisa , Siyoum Tamirat , Kassa Temesgen , Tadele Markos , Risa Desta
Published: May 2023

A cross-sectional study was executed from September 2022 to June 2022 in the Adea Berga district to estimate the prevalence of mastitis, identify potential risk factors, and isolate udder pathogens with subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A total of 326 lactating cows (1254 quarters) were examined by physical examination of the udder and California Mastitis Tests. Risk factors supposed to be associated with mastitis were assessed and recorded in the data collection format and analyzed using Chi-square and Logistic regression models. The result indicated that the overall prevalence of mastitis at the cow level was 45.7% (95% CI:0.404–0.511). The risk factors analysis indicated Breed (ꭓ2 =6.55; P = 0.01), Age Category (ꭓ2 =46.47; P = 0.00), Lactation phase (ꭓ2 =41.96; P = 0.07), Parity (ꭓ2 =47.32; P = 0.00), and Hygiene (ꭓ2 =26.99; P = 0.00) of the cows showed statistically significant association with mastitis based on Chi-Square Analysis. Other factors like study kebeles, daily milk yield of each cow, and the existence of the affected quarter were also evaluated and did not show a statistically significant association with mastitis occurrence(P > 0.05). Based on Multiple Logistic regression analysis, old cows were 3.17 times more affected by mastitis (OR = 3.17, 95%CI = 0.051,2.267; P = 0.04) when compared with the young adult age group. Cows at the late-lactation stage are 5.38 times more reactor for mastitis than those at the early lactation stage (OR = 5.38, 95%CI = 1.014, 2.383, P = 0.00). Multiparous and cows with poor hygiene are 3.5 and 2.87 times more affected by mastitis when compared with Uniparous and cows with good hygiene respectively. The most common pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (45.16%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (29%). All isolated bacterial pathogens were tested against different antimicrobial discs to evaluate the level of their susceptibility. Accordingly, the majority of the pathogens showed greatest resistance to penicillin, whereas most of them were found susceptible to tetracycline and gentamicin, respectively. The results of the present study indicated that mastitis is a common health problem of dairy animals with significant economic impact and public health importance. Hence improving dairy herds management and implementation of the one health concept is important to combat the economic and public health impact of this disease.
Assessment of Cardiac Adverse Events following COVID-19 Vaccination by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography
Authors: Chaichuum Srisakul , Tseng Ching-Li , Chang Su-Chen , Chan Chih-Lin , Hsu Chu-Ying , Daimon Masao , Chiang Shuo-Ju , Chen Hsiang-Ho
Published: May 2023

Background: Cardiac discomfort has been reported periodically in COVID-19 vaccinated individuals. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the role of myocardial strains in the early assessment of the clinical presentations after COVID-19 vaccination.
Methods and Results: Totally, 121 subjects who received at least one dose of vaccine within 6 weeks underwent laboratory tests and echocardiogram. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) was implemented to analyze changes in the left ventricular myocardium. After vaccination, 66 individuals (55.4 ± 17.4 years) developed cardiac discomfort, such as chest tightness, palpitations, dyspnea, and chest pain. All had normal serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, creatine kinase myocardial band, troponin, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, platelets, and D-dimer. Left ventricular ejection fraction in the symptomatic group (71.41% ± 7.12%) and the control group (72.18% ± 5.11%) (p = 0.492) were normal. Use of 2D-STE presented global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were reduced in symptomatic group (17.86% ± 3.22% and 18.37% ± 5.22%) compared to control group (19.54% ± 2.18% and 20.73% ± 4.09%) (p = 0.001 and p = 0.028).
Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine-related cardiac adverse effects can be assessed early by 2D-STE. The prognostic implications of GLS and GCS enable evaluation of subtle changes in myocardial function after vaccination.
Clinical Usefulness of Machine Learning Approaches as a Non-Invasive Technology in Reducing Hepatitis Disease Mortality
Authors: Ghorbian Mohsen
Published: May 2023

Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. However, other factors can cause the disease, including secondary effects from drugs, toxins, alcohol, and autoimmune hepatitis. The autoimmune form of the disease occurs when the body produces antibodies against the liver tissue, and many people worldwide are affected by it. Various clinical factors and parameters are examined in diagnosing hepatitis disease, which is analyzed by performing various tests of these factors and parameters. As a result of the vastness of the parameters under examination, it is challenging and complicated for the experts in this field to perform the analysis process on these parameters on a large scale. Healthcare experts can now identify the factors influencing the death rate of patients with high speed and accuracy thanks to emerging technologies such as machine learning, which is a subset of artificial intelligence. In this study, KNN and SVM machine learning techniques were used to analyze the positive effect of clinical parameters such as LIVER BIG, LIVER FIRM, SPLEEN PALPABLE, and ANOREXIA on patients' survival or death rates. This study investigates and analyzes the results of the implementation in two parts. The first part deals with determining the positive impact of these clinical parameters on the death and survival rate of patients, and the second part examines the performance of machine learning techniques based on the evaluation criteria of accuracy (ACC), error rate (ERR), specificity (SPE), and negative prediction value (NPV).Based on the implementation finding of machine learning techniques on data related to hepatitis patients, it has been determined that patients with positive LIVER BIG, LIVER FIRM, SPLEEN PALPABLE, and ANOREXIA clinical parameters can have a high chance of survival. On the other side, The SVM technique outperformed the KNN technique by ACC 94.05%, ERR 16.02%, SPE 93.07%, and NPV 85.7% in an analysis of the performance of machine learning techniques.
Convergence of Rational Quintic Spline Interpolator
Authors: Y.P.DUBEY
Published: May 2023

In this paper discuss construction, error bounds and positive preserving of Rational quintic spline (quintic /Cubic ) with one variable shape parameter. Changing value of shape parameter we can change shape of rational quintic spline And show that constructed Rational quintic spline always above straight line.
FEMALE SUPERINTENDENTS AND NEGOTIATIONS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF GENDER IN THE MIDWEST
Authors: Blaha Kathryn , Reed Kristine , Newland Lisa , Card Karen , Polk Larianne
Published: May 2023

In this qualitative study, the researcher examined 11 female superintendents’ experiences of negotiations. Six themes emerged from the semi-structured interviews: I am a Woman in a Man’s World (Still), Negotiating for Myself is Uncomfortable, The School Board Holds the Cards, Experience and Salary Data are Key, Fairness is Important, and Female Leaders Need Support. Recommendations are provided to bolster support and preparation for women’s participation in negotiation. Recommendations are also provided for future research to continue the exploration of female superintendents’ experiences of negotiations.
Local integrals of motion in quasiperiodic many-body localized systems
Authors: Thomson Steven J. , Schirò Marco
Published: May 2023

Local integrals of motion play a central role in the understanding of many-body localization in many-body quantum systems in one dimension subject to a random external potential, but the question of how these local integrals of motion change in a deterministic quasiperiodic potential is one that has received significantly less attention. Here we develop a powerful new implementation of the continuous unitary transform formalism and use this method to directly compute both the effective Hamiltonian and the local integrals of motion for many-body quantum systems subject to a quasiperiodic potential. We show that the effective interactions between local integrals of motion retain a strong fingerprint of the underlying quasiperiodic potential, exhibiting sharp features at distances associated with the incommensurate wavelength used to generate the potential. Furthermore, the local integrals of motion themselves may be expressed in terms of an operator expansion which allows us to estimate the critical strength of quasiperiodic potential required to lead to a localization/delocalization transition, by means of a finite size scaling analysis.
The influence of corporate governance factors on intellectual capital performance: Panel data evidence from the Indian banking sector
Authors: Kotte Sathish , Lokanandha Reddy Irala
Published: May 2023

This study empirically examined the relationship between corporate governance factors, namely CEO duality, independent directors, board meeting frequency, board size, gender diversity, audit committee size and audit committee meetings, and intellectual capital performance. The above premise is studied using data of 26 commercial banks listed on the Indian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2010 to 2020. The study used purposive sampling as the methodology and multiple regression models with VAIC and ROA as attributes. VAIC measures the efficiency of intellectual capital. ROA is used to determine financial performance. The results of the study reveal that the use of observational data, independent directors, frequency of board meetings and audit committee size has a positive and significant effect on intellectual performance at a 10% significance level. According to the study’s findings, audit committee meetings have a positive impact on intellectual capital performance at a 1% significance level, while board size has a negative impact at a 5% significance level. Among the study results, CEO duality, board meeting frequency and board size have a positive and significant effect on financial performance with 1% significance. Board gender diversity has a negative impact on financial performance. The study’s findings indicate that there is no single best way to design corporate governance that applies to all corporate situations, and that good corporate governance factors have a significant impact on improved intellectual capital performance.
Graffiti Artist’s Historiographical Writing Model “Bansky” The Man Behind The Wall” in The Perspective of Johan Joachim Wincklemann
Authors: Suminto RA Sekartaji , Carollina Donna
Published: May 2023

History writing can be understood as a way of writing, exposing, or reporting the results of historical research that has been carried out as a matter of embodiment of research reports or historical writing itself. Furthermore, historical writing became known as historiography. Before writing the historiography of graffiti artists in Indonesia, it is necessary to understand the writing model that has been done by previous historians, one of which is Johan Joachim Wincklemann. Thisarticle will use a book entitled "Bansky: The Man Behind The Wall", to then review his historical writing style with Winckelmann's historiographical writing methodology. Although Jones in his book writes about Bansky's life, when viewed from the perspective of Winckelmann's historical methodology, there are still shortcomings in the process of writing Jones in this book. Thus from this review, it can be found that to create a good historiography for the writing of the history of graffiti artists requires closeness and accuracy in observing the work and graffiti artists observed.
The development of flagellate hyperpigmentation after use of bleomycin for sclerotherapy slow flow vascular malformations
Authors: Safin D. A. , Agibalov D. Y.
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Bleomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic that is used as a sclerosing agent for sclerotherapy of vascular anomalies. Bleomycin is characterized by complications: nausea, vomiting, fever, the development of allergies/anaphylaxis, skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation), damage to lung tissue.

Aim. To study the frequency of hyperpigmentation after administration of bleomycin for sclerotherapy of vascular malformations with slow flow characteristics. To present our own clinical observation of the development of skin hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy of venous malformation with bleomycin.

Materials and methods. A systematic review was conducted in foreign (PubMed, Web Of Science, Google Scholar, Scirus) and domestic databases (eLibrary) for the period from 2012 to 2022. As a result of the selection, 17 full-text articles remained suitable for their inclusion in the analysis.

Results. In the first part of the review, 12 articles were analyzed, describing clinical observations of the development of “flaggelate” hyperpigmentation after chemotherapy of various neoplasms. In the second part of the review, an analysis of 4 articles describing clinical observations of the development of hyperpigmentation after intralesional administration of bleomycin into vascular malformation in 19 patients was carried out. Discussion. The occurrence of specific “flaggelate” hyperpigmentation after administration of bleomycin for sclerotherapy of vascular anomalies with slow flow characteristics is a rare complication. In the analysis carried out, there is no clear connection between the occurrence of hyperpigmentation and excess dosage.

Conclusion. To prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation, it is necessary to avoid excessive traumatization on time and immediately after sclerotherapy, including with ECG electrodes; avoid excessive oxygenation during the provision of anesthesia; it is necessary to avoid excessive insolation within 24–48 hours after sclerotherapy.