bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Resistivity Image Interpretation to Improve Stratigraphic Model of the ITT Field – Oriente Basin, Ecuador
Authors: Gaibor Janeth , Guerrero Santiago , Grefa Martina , Valdez Anne , Villavicencio Angel
Published: September 2022

The Oriente Basin is an oil-rich province located in Ecuador, where the main reservoirs were deposited during the Late Cretaceous. The distribution and thickness of the sandy reservoirs vary from East to West of the basin. For that, most of the reservoirs are amalgamated to the East and the definition of the contacts between them are difficult. The ITT oil field is located in this area and the main reservoir correspond to M1 Sandstone Member of the Napo Formation. However, in certain areas, the contact between M1 Sandstone Member of Napo Formation and the Basal Tena Member of the Tena Formation is hard to discern. The primary objective of this study was determined if the sandstones beds present in the well TMB-081 of the ITT oil field in the Oriente Basin- Ecuador belong to the same formation or not, based on analysis of high-resolution, resistivity-based borehole images.

The structural analysis of the image show that the sandy interval to the top of the well is in the same structural zone, which suggest that they were deposited in the same sedimentological conditions. Additionally, the sedimentological analysis shows that textures of the image can be linked with lithofacies defined for deltaic environment in previous works. Finally, the paleocurrents direction suggest that the sediments source rock was located to the South and East of the ITT Field.

The contact between Napo and Tena formations is a regional discordance. Therefore, if all sandy interval is in a single structural zone meaning that they belong to the same formation. Additionally, the direction of the paleocurrent suggest that the origin of the sediments is the Amazonian Craton and not the Andes for these sandstones. In conclusion, the sandstones located to the top of the well TMB-081 correspond to the M1 Sandstone and not to the Basal Tena Sandstone. This definition only can be defined using high-resolution resistivity-based images because the conventional logs can provide this type of information.
A Robust Workflow for Optimizing Drilling/Completion/Frac Design Using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Alhemdi Aymen , Gu Ming
Published: September 2022

One of the biggest challenges in drilling/completion/hydraulic fracturing optimization is determining the optimal parameters in the infinite space of possible solutions. Applying a comprehensive parametric study with various geomechanical properties using both a frac simulator and a reservoir simulator is low efficient. This study proposes a workflow for optimizing unconventional reservoir development using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in conjunction with advanced geomechanical modeling.

The workflow consists of four steps: in Step1, appropriate acoustic interpretation models are used for geomechanical and in-situ stress characterization. In Step2, unsupervised machine learning optimizes completion designs based on formation anisotropy and heterogeneity along a well. In step3, a training database is built by generating multiple cases based on various simulations guided by a smart sampling algorithm. Proxy models are trained and validated by feeding the training datasets to supervised machine learning algorithms. Lastly, the tested proxy models are run for a multi-parameter sensitivity study for design optimization.

The workflow was validated by a Marcellus field case. First, the newly proposed orthorhombic acoustic interpretation model yielded in-situ stress results more consistent with field measurements than the traditional acoustic models. Second, using the C-Means Fuzzy Clustering, the stage and cluster spacings were optimized to overcome the low cluster efficiency issue led by the current geometric completion design. Last, using the newly proposed smart sampling algorithm, a 200-critical-case database was built and fed into the Neural Network algorithm for training proxy models. After running the proxy models in a random-search algorithm, the optimal design parameter values were obtained statistically, leading to the Return-On-Frac-Investment (ROFI) improved by 22-40% from the current base case.

The study introduces a robust four-step workflow combining unsupervised and supervised machine learning to examine high-dimensional multivariable drilling/completion/frac designs efficiently. The new workflow enables the evaluation of the statistical significance of the influencing parameters and, most importantly, their interactions, which have often been neglected in the current simulation-based optimization workflow. Moreover, the trained proxy models can be applied to optimize the design of the current wellbore as well as any other future wells drilled in the same basin in a convenient and time-efficient manner.
Establishing Reasonable Certainty for Reserves Estimates by Utilizing a Combination of Reliable Technologies
Authors: Narayanan Keshav , Gale Peter , Blangy J. P , Young Elliott
Published: September 2022

The Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) (PRMS, 2018) and many regulatory agencies (e.g. US Securities and Exchange Commission – US SEC) require "Reasonable Certainty" for Proved Reserves estimates. The PRMS states that Reasonable Certainty can be demonstrated by use of "definitive geoscience, engineering, or performance data", while the SEC allows the application of reliable technology which they define as a "grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability" (US Code of Federal Regulations § 210.4-10). The guidance provided by the PRMS or SEC for establishing reasonable certainty is general in nature due to the difficulty in explicitly describing all possible scenarios and also allows leeway to use new technologies in the future. In this context, we see the need for more discussion on how a reasonably certain case can be developed utilizing multiple technologies.

Reserves estimates are snapshots in time based on the integration of the best data, analysis and forecasts available. Proper application of reliable technologies with all available data can help to refine the uncertainty ranges of reserves. We demonstrate how an overall reasonably certain estimate can be established by utilizing multiple reliable technologies even when each technology individually may not be sufficient to establish reasonable certainty. This approach can also guide how future performance data can be integrated to refine uncertainty ranges.

This paper addresses the complex challenge of establishing reasonable certainty in reserves and resource assessments. The paper discusses how multiple reliable technologies may be used in concert to establish reasonable certainty for reserves estimates through the flexibility provided by the PRMS. We share our experiences with establishing reliability based on quality of data and reservoir complexity. The practical discussions in this paper will benefit subsurface teams and reserves estimators across the industry.
Wettability Alteration with Weak Acid Assisted Surfactant Flood
Authors: Shi Yue , Niu Fangya , Mohanty Kishore
Published: September 2022

Oil-wetness and heterogeneity are two key reasons for low oil recovery by waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs. Surfactants have been effective in altering oil-wet matrix to a more water-wet condition and initiating spontaneous imbibition. Because it takes time for surfactant to alter wettability, oil recovery from the tight matrix is considered to be slow and sometimes not economically feasible. Acids have a potential of dissolving minerals, which may alter wettability. In this study, the EOR performance of acid-assisted surfactant water was evaluated for both low- and high-temperature applications. A set of acids and their acetates were tested. Bulk rock-acid reaction, wettability alteration (WA) tests and spontaneous imbibition measurements were conducted at both 35°C and 80°C to identify effective candidates. Coreflood tests were then performed to evaluate the selected acid-surfactant formulations. Before and after coreflood test, the core was scanned in a micro-CT to investigate pore structure alteration. Bulk reaction measurements showed that weak acids, especially acetic acid (AA), have the desired low reaction rates at 35°C. At 80°C, acetates exhibited a slow reaction. WA tests showed that, at 35°C, AA can remove the crude oil off the rock surface and alter wettability. Acetates showed wettability alteration potentials at 80°C. Spontaneous imbibition experiments showed that AA-surfactant solution results in the highest oil recovery at 35°C. Acetate-surfactant showed a high oil recovery and a long equilibrium time at 80°C. Coreflood tests showed that adding AA into surfactant water can significantly improve oil production and its rate through mineral dissolution and wettability alteration. Micro-CT showed that minerals were transported along the core and plugged vugs, which reduced permeability and diverted flow leading to improved oil recovery.
Stimulation Efficiency with Significantly Fewer Stages: Perforation Strategy Combined with Multimodal Diverters and Novel Nonintrusive Monitoring Algorithm
Authors: Alobaid Hashem , Khan Abdul Muqtadir , Hansen Jon , Khudorozhkova Aleksandra
Published: September 2022

Tight carbonate development is moving towards longer laterals requiring a higher number of fracturing stages to complete a given well. A higher stage count implies longer completion time and higher costs. Therefore, an engineered strategy using technology enablers is indispensable to reducing the number of stages while retaining the well performance objective.

A 6,250-ft cemented lateral initially planned with 13 fracturing stages was analyzed for lithology and reservoir development to revise the perforation strategy to complete with more clusters per stage and reduced the number of stages to 5 stages. Clusters were designed to be very narrow to effectively divert the fracture fluids using chemical diversion. For a successful stimulation evaluation, a novel pressure monitoring technique was used to analyze the fluid entry points from the water hammers.

Pills of multimodal particulate near-wellbore diverters were used across the lateral to stimulate the perforated clusters in only five fracture stages effectively. The multimodal particle distribution model allows for bridging and then creating an impermeable flow barrier to ensure diversion. Effective diversion was seen through a pressure increase when diverter entered the formation. Correlations were analyzed for diversion pressure dependence on pill volume and injection rate to improve diversion. A new algorithm for nonintrusive diagnostics was also deployed. The algorithm combines advanced signal processing with a tube wave velocity model based on Bayesian statistics and has no additional operational footprint. The program allowed a timely interpretation to evaluate the fluid entry points based on the water hammer events. This evaluation was compared to the intuitive stimulation sequence based on the lithology to explain the results. The comprehensive analysis demonstrated the lateral was stimulated effectively. Finally, the production performance was compared with two offset horizontal wells intersecting the same carbonate sublayer. Offset 1 was a cemented lateral completed with 12 stages, and offset 2 was an openhole packer and sleeve lateral completed with 7 stages. Analysis of the post-fracturing absolute production enhancement showed 11 to 15% improvement and production index (PI) improvement was 40 to 63% when normalized by stage count.

The paper presents a rare and unique strategic integration of multiple technologies. This success paves the way for similar future developments to enhance operational efficiency and allow significant cost savings.
A New Folding Motif Formed with an Expanded Genetic Alphabet
Authors: Benner Steven , Wang Bang , Rocca James , Hoshika Shuichi , Chen Cen , Yang Zunyi , Esmaeeli Reza , Wang Jiangguo , Pan Xiaoshu , Lu Jianrong , Wang Kevin , Cao Y. Charles , Tan Weihong
Published: September 2022

Adding nucleotide pairs to a DNA alphabet not only increases the linear information density of DNA molecules, but also may increase the diversity of folds available to the molecular system. Reported here is an example of this. A single additional nucleotide, with the 5-nitro-6-aminopyridone ("Z") heterocycle, selected from an artificially expanded genetic information system (AEGIS), was incorporated at twelve sites into a DNA strand 23 nucleotides in length. With a fluor at its 5'-end and a quencher at its 3'-end, this molecule is shown by fluorescence quenching to fold in mildly alkaline (pH 8-9) conditions. This folded structure is quite stable, melting at Tm = 66.5 ℃ at pH 8.5. Spectroscopic, gel, and 2-dimensional NMR (800 MHz) analyses show that the structure is held together by "reverse" Z-:Z base pairs, which have been previously seen in a crystal structure of the free heterocycle, 5-nitro-6-aminopyridone. This, in turn, requires that the strands joined by Z-:Z reverse pairs be oriented in parallel. This, in turn, requires the fold to have a four stranded compact "down-up-down-up" fold. The structure does not form when various Zs are replaced or scrambled. Of two possible structures, we also considered the possibility of "intercalated" Z-:Z base pairs, a fold that resemble the i-motif of standard DNA where an analogous "down-up-down-up" fold is held together by C:C+ pairing at lower pH between parallel strands. An alternative model has a "down-up-down-up" fold without intercalation.
Control of Aedes mosquito by targeting dengue fever virus in local mosquito population
Authors: Sarwar Imtiaz , Riaz Muhammad Asam , Iftikhar Sohaib , Baig Mirza Bilal , Ali Zulfiqar , Afzal Muhammad , Majeed Muhammad Zeeshan , Ullah Muhammad Irfan
Published: September 2022

Mosquitoes are causing plenty of diseases including dengue fever, malaria, japanese encephalitis. Mosquitoes were collected from 1006 sties of six tehsils of district Sargodha. Different containers were inspected for mosquito sampling. RNA was extracted from female mosquitoes and used for cDNA synthesis followed by detection of arbovirus using primer. The site index (SI) and tehsil container index (TCI) of district Sargodha was 28.3 and 12.2 respectively. Overall, the percentage of Aedes spp, Culex spp. and Anopheles spp was 79, 20 and 0.4% respectively, in the collected population. Highest positive containers for Aedes mosquitoes were discarded tires. Overall, 12.2% of containers were found positive for mosquito population. Maximum number of larvae and adults were recorded from urban area of district Sargodha (SgdU). Arboviruses, Flavivviruses, were found in 5 pools (almost 3%) of the samples, while, other viruses such as Alphaviruses and Bunyaviruses were not detected in any of the samples. Man-made habitats are the main contributors to dengue fever mosquito population. There is a dire need of proper environment management to reduce the breeding places of mosquito and detect the virus in local population for environmental friendly control of dengue fever mosquito.
OAM-GANN: Online Adaptive Memory based Genetically optimized Artificial Neural Network for PUEA Detection in CRN Applications
Authors: Robert V Noel Jeygar , Vidya K
Published: September 2022

Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) allows opportunistic usage of spectrums owned by licensed users or primary users (PUs). The unlicensed users or secondary users (SUs) that use the spectrum rely opportunistically on spectrum sensing to determine the presence of PU signal. Unfortunately, this attribute opens the door for attacks such as the as the Primary User Emulation Attack (PUEA). This attack happens when an attacker emulates a PU signal. The intention of the attacker might be to grab the vacant channels for its data transmission or entirely disrupt the working of the CRN. Hence it is necessary to combat the consequences of PUEA effectively. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown its excellence in various applications including the detection of PUEA. To further enhance the security of the CRN, this research work proposes a novel classification framework called Online Adaptive Memory based Genetically optimized Artificial Neural Network (OAM-GANN) which introduces adaptive online learning of network parameters to identify the presence of PUEA. The proposed OAM-GANN involves Computational Intelligence (CI) algorithm called Memory based Genetic Algorithm (MGA) to optimally tune the hyperparameters of the developed ANN. The advantages of online adaptive training and optimal hyperparameter tuning of the AI model, result in improved security to the network and the data being transmitted in the CRN. The performance of the proposed attack detection model is evaluated in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, error rate, and detection probability. In addition, the performance of the proposed secure CRN is evaluated in terms of throughput and packet delivery ratio.
Isolated and Combined Effect of Hydraulic and Ladder Training on TCL, LDL and HDL Cholesterol Among College Women Students
Authors: Karthikeyan K.Manosakthi , Kalimuthu K.Divya
Published: September 2022

Background
The body's potential for characteristic; health became visible as a state of regular function that would be disrupted from time to time through disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine the isolated and combined effect of hydraulic and ladder training on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol among college women students.
Methods
Totally 60 untrained volunteers from KAHE were taken to participate in the study. Their age ranged from 18 to 24 years. They were randomly divided and assigned into three groups of fifteen each as the experimental group (hydraulic training) 1(n = 15), experimental group (ladder training) 2 (n = 15), experimental group (hydraulic and ladder training) 3(n = 15) and control group 1 (n = 15). The data were collected before and after the training period of 12 weeks and the data collected were statically analysed which was used to find out the significant improvement on selected parameters and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to find out the significant difference if any among the adjusted post-test means of the experimental and control group on each parameter separately.
Results
The Statistical analysis of the hydraulic training group, ladder training group, combined training group, and the control group of F ratio. The obtained f ratio of total cholesterol is 41.01, low-density lipoprotein is 40.44 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is 31.59 of post-test was greater than the table value of the degree of freedom 3,56 required for the significance at 0.05 level. The combined training group responded to the training with a more positive influence on low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, when compared with the hydraulic training group, ladder training group, control group, and the hydraulic training group, the ladder training group was better than the control group.
Conclusion
It concluded that the study significantly improved that the combined training of hydraulic and ladder training was a better improvement in their level of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and enhance their daily activity level of fitness also improved and better lifestyle.
Multifaceted analysis of cross-tissue, cross-sectional and longitudinal transcriptomes reveals phenotype–endotype associations in atopic dermatitis.
Authors: Koseki Haruhiko , Sekita Aiko , Kawasaki Hiroshi , Fukushima-Nomura Ayano , Yashiro Kiyoshi , Tanese Keiji , Toshima Susumu , Ashizaki Koichi , Miyai Tomohiro , Yazaki Junshi , Kobayashi Atsuo , Namba Shinichi , Naito Tatsuhiko , Wang Qingbo , Kawakami Eiryo , Seita Jun , Ohara Osamu , Sakurada Kazuhiro , Okada Yukinori , Amagai Masayuki
Published: September 2022

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease heterogeneous both in terms of clinical manifestations and molecular profiles. It is increasingly recognized that AD is a systemic rather than a local disease and should be assessed in the context of whole-body level biology. In this study, we integrated RNA-seq data of both skin and PBMC along with clinical data from 115 AD patients and matched 14 healthy controls aiming to comprehensively capture the molecular signature associated with specific clinical presentation. Analysis of cross-tissue ligand-receptor coupling suggested increase of skin-PBMC interactions in AD patients compared to healthy controls. We built a regression model that predicts clinical phenotypes of AD using transcriptome modules identified from weighted gene co-expression network analysis of RNA-seq data in skin tissue and PBMC. We identified differential immunological signatures associated with two qualitatively differential skin manifestations of AD, erythema and papulation. Furthermore, we applied the regression model established in the cross-sectional dataset to a longitudinal dataset collected monthly from 30 AD patients for up to a year for personalized monitoring of disease trajectory and examined longitudinal heterogeneity in association with clinical presentation. Three patient clusters identified on the basis of longitudinal features of blood tests and PBMC transcriptome modules were found to be associated with longitudinal features in clinical severity as well as in the medication history. Our approach serves as a framework for effective clinical investigation to gain a holistic view of pathophysiology of complex human diseases by highlighting inter- and intra- patient heterogeneity.
Time Synchronous Averaging Based on Cross-power Spectrum
Authors: Wang Ling , HU Minghui , Ma Bo , Jiang Zhinong
Published: September 2022

Periodic signals produced by rotating machinery is of great significance for its fault diagnosis and health monitoring. Time synchronous averaging is an effective and convenient technique for extracting those components. However, the performance of time synchronous averaging is seriously limited when the separate segments are poorly synchronized. In order to address this problem, a new averaging method that is capable of extracting periodic components without external reference and accurate period is proposed in this paper. With this approach, the phase differences of all segments can be basically eliminated by phase detection and compensation. Therefore, the segments to be averaged have a high synchronization. The efficiency of this method is validated by numerical simulation and experimental investigation. The proposed method can improve the adaptability of time synchronous averaging.
Construction of Shellac-Based Drug Delivery System with Controlled Drug-release and Tunable Intragastric Floating-retention Properties
Authors: Yuan Ziting , Sun Bin , Li Kai , Tang Wei , Xu Juan
Published: September 2022

Intragastric floating-retention drug delivery system (IFRDDS) could prolong intragastric retention time and increase drug absorption to improve clinical efficacy and bioavailability effectively. To avoid the potential harm of synthetic materials, more biomass materials are used to synthesis the IRFDDS. In this research, shellac and its self-assembly behavoir triggered by H+ were employed to fabricate a continuous network for the matrix of IFRRDS. The NaHCO3 and HPMC acted as an effervescence agent and a precipitating agent, a positive agent and a negative agent for floating, respectively, which could create a porous structure for lowering the density of the tablet and continuously absorb water to enhance the density of tablet. Interestingly, the synergistic effect of NaHCO3 and HPMC was beneficial for initiating the floating of the complex tablet. By regulating their constitution, we could tune the floating lag time, continuous floating time and drug-release behavior of the shellac-based complex tablet. For example, the drug releasing curve of the shellac-based tablet containing 3wt% HPMC and 10wt% NaHCO3 presented a typical linear model, which was an ideal drug releasing system. Therefore, we successfully employed a facile strategy to fabricate a biobased IFRRDS with controlled drug-release and tunable intragastric floating-retention properties.
No Role for Electroencephalogram in the Initial Work-Up of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Barnbrock Anke , Luesebrink Natalia , Schubert-Bast Susanne , Bochennek Konrad , Lehrnbecher Thomas
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to verify whether there is a prognostic benefit of electroencephalogram (EEG) performed during initial work-up of children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Methods
In a retrospective monocenter study, the value of electroencephalogram (EEG) performed during initial work-up of children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was analyzed. All pediatric patients diagnosed with de novo ALL in our institution between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2018, in whom an EEG was performed for initial work-up within 30 days of diagnosis, were included in the study and the occurrence and etiology of seizure activity during time of cancer treatment investigated.
Results
Out of 242 children, EEG revealed pathological findings in 6 patients. Two of them developed a seizure at a later time point due to adverse effects of chemotherapy, whereas 4 children had an uneventful clinical course. In contrast, 18 patients with normal initial EEG findings developed seizures during therapy for different reasons.
Conclusion
We conclude that routine EEG does not predict seizure susceptibility in children with newly diagnosed ALL and is unnecessary in the initial work-up as EEG investigation in young and often sick children requires sleep deprivation and/or sedation, and our data demonstrate no benefit in predicting neurological complications.
Synthesis, antifungal activity, and DFT calculation study of novel 1-acyl-5- amino-1,2,4-triazole-thioether derivatives containing natural gem-dimethylcyclopropane ring structure
Authors: Cui Yucheng , Lin Guishan , Duan Wengui , Wu Xiaocui , Wu Kaiyue , Li Baoyu
Published: September 2022

A series of novel 1-acyl-5-amino-1,2,4-triazole-thioether derivatives containing natural gem-dimethylcyclopropane ring structure were synthesized from natural biomass resource 3-carene. Their structures were confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. The possible mechanism of regioselectivity for the N-acylation reaction of 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole with intermediate 4 was explored by DFT theoretical calculation. All the title compounds were evaluated for antifungal activity in vitro against eight plant pathogens, and some target compounds showed good inhibitory activity against the testedpathogens. For example, compounds 7f and 7g exhibited inhibitory rates of 81.6% and 80.9% against C. arachidicola, and A. solani, respectively, better than that of the commercial fungicide thifluzamide with corresponding inhibitory rates of 75.0% and 78.6%. Besides, against G. zeae, most of the target compounds displayed better antifungal activity than the positive control thifluzamide.
Research on the influence factors of thin-walled 5A02 aluminum alloy Y-shaped tube in the hydroforming based on differential lubrication.
Authors: Xu Jiajun , Xu Xuefeng , Fan Yubin , Xiao Jie , He Ruirui , Zhang Ju
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the effects of the lubrication method, the end face angle of the middle punch and its back pressure on the wrinkling and cracking during the hydroforming of the Y-shaped tube were discussed.It is of great significance to the hydroforming of thin-walled 5A02 aluminum alloy Y-shaped tube with large transition fillet that are asymmetric in both longitudinal and transverse directions. MoS2 and PTFE film were used to lubricate different areas of the Y-shaped tube. Designed end face Angle of 0° and 13.5° for middle punch. Constructed a stepped pressure-feed loading path.The test results show that the combination of MoS2-PTFE film only lubricated the bulging zone and partial back zone of the Y-shaped tube and didn’t lubricate other zones, which could effectively increase the flow rate of material in the expansion zone and prevent the main tube from wrinkling. Using the 13.5°middle punch with a back pressure of 7MPa and a stepped-increasing pressure-feed loading path could not only effectively suppress the cracking of the branch tube in the early stage of forming, but also obtain the ideal branch tube height and surface.
YKL-40: a potential prognostic predictor of one-year clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Shi Guomei , Li Minghao , E Yan , Zhou Junshan , Wang Meng , Gong Pengyu , Wang Xiaorong , Lu Jingye , Wu Weixiang , Xue Shouru , Zhou Rujuan
Published: September 2022

YKL-40 mediates vascular inflammation and plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Previous studies have identified YKL-40 as a potential diagnostic biomarker for AIS. However, in patients with AIS, the effects of YKL-40 on long-term clinical outcomes including poor clinical outcome, all-cause mortality, and stroke recurrence remained elusive.The purpose of this study was to explore the association between serum YKL-40 at admission and one-year clinical outcomes in AIS patients. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 1002 participants out of 1361 AIS patients from two centers were included for current analysis. Serum YKL-40 concentrations were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariable logistic or Cox regression were performed to explore the independent association of YKL-40 with one-year clinical outcomes, including poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale of 3-6), all-cause mortality, and recurrent stroke. C-statistic, net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were calculated to evaluate the discriminatoryand predictive power of YKL-40 when added to conventional model. Compared with the first quartile of YKL-40, the adjusted odds ratios or hazard ratios (95% CI) of the fourth quartile was 3.032 (1.627-5.650) for poor outcome, 2.886 (1.320-6.308) for all-cause mortality and 1.694 (0.906-3.169) for recurrent stroke. The addition of serum YKL-40 to conventional model significantly improved reclassification for poor outcome (NRI 0.053, P = 0.031; IDI 0.018, P = 0.001) and all-cause mortality (NRI 0.162, P = 0.036). In conclusion, elevated serum YKL-40 at baseline might be independently associated with one-year poor outcome and all-cause mortality but not stroke recurrence among Chinese AIS patients, suggesting that YKL-40 can potentially serve as a valuable prognosticbiomarker for AIS.
Mechanism of action and resistance to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in patients with metastatic breast cancer: the DAISY trial
Authors: Andre Fabrice , Fernanda Mosele , Deluche Elise , LUSQUE Amelie , Le-Bescond Loic , Filleron Thomas , Pradat Yoann , Ducoulombier Agnes , Pistilli Barbara , Bachelot Thomas , Viret Frederic , LEVY Christelle , Signolle Nicolas , Alfaro Alexia , Tran Diep , GARBERIS Ingrid , Talbot Hugues , Christodoulidis Stergios , Vakalopoulou Maria , Droin Nathalie , Stourm Aurelie , Kobayashi Maki , Kakegawa Tomaya , Lacroix Ludovic , Saulnier Patrick , Job Bastien , Deloger Marc , Jimenez Marta , Baris Vianney , Laplante Pierre , Kannouche Patricia , Marty Virginie , Lacroix-Triki Magali , Dieras Veronique
Published: September 2022

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is an anti-HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) antibody-drug conjugate which has previously shown efficacy in patients with HER2-overexpressing and HER2-low metastatic breast cancer (mBC). However, the mechanisms of action and resistance of this drug remain partially unclear. DAISY (NCT04132960) is a phase II, open-label study that included patients with mBC whose disease progressed after at least one line of chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. Patients were enrolled in three cohorts according to HER2 expression determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC); cohort 1: HER2-overexpressing (HER2 IHC 3 + or HER2 IHC 2+/ISH+, n = 72), cohort 2: HER2-low (HER2 IHC2+/ISH- or HER2 IHC 1+, n = 74), and cohort 3: HER2 IHC 0 mBC (n = 40). Patients were treated with T-DXd 5.4 mg/kg every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In the full analysis set population (n = 177), the confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was of 70.6% (95% CI: 58.3–81) in cohort 1, 37.5% (95% CI: 26.4–49.7) in cohort 2, and 29.7% (95% CI: 15.9–47) in cohort 3 (p < 0.0001). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.1 months (95% CI: 8.5–14.4) in cohort 1, 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.4–8.3) in cohort 2, and 4.2 months (95% CI: 2-5.7); in cohort 3. Cohort 1 was significantly associated with longer PFS (adjusted HR: 0.53, 95% IC: 0.34–0.84, p = 0.007), and cohort 3 with shorter PFS (adjusted HR: 1.96, 95% IC: 1.21–3.15, p = 0.006) as compared to cohort 2. Exploratory analyses showed that HER2 spatial distribution predicted T-DXd response in patients with HER2-overexpressing mBC and that the transcriptomic response to T-DXd was different according to HER2 expression. No quantitative modulation of tumor microenvironment was observed after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Finally, recurrent mutations of the DNA repair gene SLX4 were identified in 20% of samples at resistance (4/20) as compared to 2% in baseline samples (2/88), suggesting that SLX4 mutations could mediate secondary resistance to T-DXd. These data suggest that HER2 is a key determinant of T-DXd efficacy. However, an antitumor activity is also observed in a subgroup of patients without detectable HER2 expression and resistance could be partially mediated by payload sensitivity.
Automatic classification of risk and priority in Emergency Care through the Manchester Triage System
Authors: Bastos Daniel S. , Meireles Magali R. G.
Published: September 2022

A large part of the population does not have access to Emergency Departments or, when they do, face a crowded environment, increasing wait time for the service without their risk situation being assessed. The Manchester Triage System was developed to identify the degree of priority of patients who come to the Emergency Department and to improve the quality of care in emergency services, redefining the flow of care by prioritizing patients who are in the most serious conditions. This work aims to make a comparison between six classifiers, based on the Manchester Triage System, with the data present during patient intake. The purpose is that the model can correctly classify their priority in emergency care. The experiments were conducted with a pediatric emergency database from hospitals in The Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. With the results obtained by the classifiers' performance, the best performing model was the Random Forest, with 78.20% for accuracy and 78.60% for F1-score. The expectation is that, by automating the classification process, health professionals will have a reliable tool to conduct risk assessment more accurately, having as a side-effect, less crowded Emergency Departments and reducing patient health deterioration due to misclassification and waiting time.
Evaluation of multivariate Gaussian transforms for geostatistical applications
Authors: Sepúlveda Exequiel , Adeli Amir , Dowd Peter A. , Ortiz Julian M. , Abulkhair Sultan , Xu Chaoshui
Published: September 2022

Traditional geostatistical simulation techniques rely on the assumption of multi-Gaussianity. Although the normal score transform is widely used to convert data to a Gaussian distribution, it only guarantees that the normal scores will be univariate Gaussian and the variables may still have complex multivariate relationships. For this reason, multi-Gaussian transforms became popular for simplifying multivariate geostatistical modelling. This study evaluates three multi-Gaussian transforms: flow transformation, projection pursuit multivariate transform, and rotation based iterative Gaussianisation. Three two-dimensional synthetic case studies were designed with complex multivariate relationships to make it difficult to produce good multivariate Gaussian distributions. The quality of the fitted transforms, the forward transformation of data from the same population and the back transformation from a standard multivariate Gaussian distribution were assessed based on statistical indices and visual inspection. The methods were also evaluated using a real case study with eight variables from the Prominent Hill copper deposit in South Australia. The effects of multi-Gaussian transforms on the reproduction of variograms, univariate and bivariate statistics were qualitatively and quantitatively investigated.
Metarhizium robertsii with insecticidal activity for the control of the fruit fly (Anastrepha obliqua), the main pest in mango crop in Colombia
Authors: Lozano-Tovar María Denis , Álvarez Karen Lorena Ballestas , Sandoval-Lozano Luis Andrés , Mendez Gloria Milena Palma , Barrera-Cubillos Gloria Patricia
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate and select entomopathogenic fungi that produces insecticidal compounds for the control of adults of Anastrepha obliqua Macquart (Diptera: tephritidae), that are the main pest of mango (Mangifera indica L. Bark) in Colombia. One strain of the species Metarhizium robertsii with insecticidal activity was selected. By column fractionation, an active fraction was obtained, this compound caused mortalities higher than 90% after 48 hours of exposure. By HPLC it was determined that the active fraction is composed of more than 22 metabolites. Identification of the extracts by UHPLC MS/MS reveal the presence of destruxin in the groups E, D, A and B (destruxin E-diol, destruxin D, destruxin D1, destruxin D2, destruxin A2, destruxin A, destruxin A3, dihydrodestruxin A, desmB, destruxin B2, destruxin B, and destruxin B1). The evaluation of the insecticidal capacity of the organic fractions obtained by HPLC indicated that the extract obtained from the isolate Metarhizium robertsii had a compound with high activity on adults of A. obliqua (destruxin A) causing massive mortality of up to 100%, 48 hours after treatment administration. Furthermore, two other compounds with medium activity were found (destruxin A2 and destruxin B), showing mortalities between 60.0 and 81.3% respectively. The extract of the isolate MT008 of M. robertsii showed higher insecticidal activity and is a potential source for the control of A. obliqua.
Efficacy and safety of iguratimod as an add-on therapy for refractory Lupus Nephritis: a Preliminary Investigational Study
Authors: Yan Qingran , Zhang Mei , Du Fang , Kang Yuening , Liu Bei , Ye Ping , Dai Min , Bao Chunde
Published: September 2022

Objectives:
Iguratimod (IGU), a novel immunomodulatory agent for rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to be effective and safe as monotherapy in a small population with refractory lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iguratimod as an add-on therapy in patients with refractory LN in the context of clinical practice.
Methods:
We have enrolled LN patients since 2019 at Renji Hospital. All participants should have recurrent or refractory LN with at least one immunosuppressant (IS) and have a baseline urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) >1.0. After enrollment, we added iguratimod (25 mg twice daily) to one of their previous IS without increasing the dose of steroids. The primary outcome was the complete renal response (CRR) in the 6th month. UPCR decrease of over 50% was defined as partial response (PR). Extended follow-up was performed after the initial 6 months.
Results:
We enrolled 26 eligible participants. 11/26 patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2/3 at the baseline. The IS combined with IGU included mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and cyclosporin A. 80.7% of patients had baseline steroids less than 0.5mg/kg daily and there was no steroids escalation during the IGU treatment. The CRR rate was 42.3% (11/26) at month 6. With a median follow-up of 52 weeks (range: 23-116 weeks), the CRR rate at the last visit was 50% (13/26) and 73.1% (19/26) of patients had UPCR decrease of over 50%. Six patients withdrew, three for no response and three for renal flare after initial CRR. One patient had an estimated glomerular filtration rate worsening of over 20% and was classified as renal flare. Three mild to moderate adverse events were recorded.
Conclusions:
Our study merits IGU a potentially effective, safe, and versatile component of combination therapy for refractory LN.
Potash mining friction factor determination using CFD
Authors: de Felipe J. J. , Vives_Costa Jordi , Bascompte Marc , Niubó Maria , Sanmiquel Lluis
Published: September 2022

Friction factor is a crucial parameter for assessing and modelling the ventilation system in underground mining, becoming essential as we deepen the mining activity. This parameter is related to the loss of energy due to air friction inside the mine and consequently to the energy consumption in the fans. So, it must properly calculate in order to reduce operating costs and thus improve mineral prices. This paper presents the calculation of the friction factor through a CFD model of a potash mine case study for different mean roughness and typical velocities. Results are compared with friction factors calculated through traditional empirical relationships. The comparison of both data has given some differences, especially for relative high Reynolds numbers, for low Reynolds numbers it is verified that there is also a dependence with himself. Thus, it is proposed a correction for calculate friction factor with Colebrook-White and Von Karman expressions for the particular case of potash mines.
Prevalence of abnormal semen parameter among the male partner of infertile couple and factors associated with abnormal semen parameter
Authors: Panda Subrat , AGARWAL MANIKA , Das Ananya , Saha anusmita , Shullai Wansa , Jante Vinayak , basu Ritisha , Baruah Pratitee , Makakmayum Ruksana , Gowda Namita
Published: September 2022

This is a hospital-based observational study to estimate the prevalence of abnormal semen parameters in the northeast part of India and the effect of aging, lifestyle, and habits associated with it.
Methodology- This study was conducted among the male partner of the infertile couple who attended our infertility clinic from Jan 2019 to July 2021. After written consent semen samples were collected and analyzed in our andrology lab based on the 2010 WHO recommendation. For each male partner two consecutive sample collected one month apart and the study result was mean of two sample analysis. Result of seminal analysis,.age, lifestyle, habits, and occupational exposure associated with different semen parameters were collected and analyzed by using SPSS Software version 22, with unpaired T test and Logistic regression analysis.
RESULT In this study 14.8% males had oligospermia, 14.2% had Semen volume < 1.5ml,51..8% had total motility less than 50% ,(62.2%) had progressive motility less than 32%.and23.3.% had normal morphology < 4% and 25.6% had vitality < 58% .Semen volume was reduced in the age group more than 40 years (P value 0.000 ExpB 2.6) and with smoking (ExpB1.99). Sperm count was significantly less in the age group > 40years and with smokers( P VALUE-0.000,.0.012)Reduction in BMI increases sperm concentration. Smoking affects the total motility of sperms (ExpB 1.873). Progressive motility was affected by smoking and alcohol ( P value 0.000,0.000 ExpB 2.19,2.02). Vitality was affected by smoking, alcohol, and increased BMI (p-value 0.010,0.041, 0.000, ExpB 1.27.1.3,1.1). Morphology was affected by smoking, alcohol, (p-value − 0.00, 0.000, ExpB 1.57, 1.13) and with exposure to pesticide
Conclusion– Increased age above forty affect semen volume, and sperm count. Increased BMI negatively associated with sperm count, vitality ,and morphology. Alcohol intake affects progressive motility,vitality and morphology.Smoking affect all parameter of semen,and exposure to pesticide increases abnonrmal morphology
Observation of Distinct Phase Transitions in a Nonlinear Optical Ising Machine
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Li Zhaotong , Bu Ting , Qu Chunlei , Huang Yuping
Published: September 2022

Optical Ising machines promise to solve complex optimization problems with an optical hardware acceleration advantage. Here we study the ground state properties of a nonlinear optical Ising machine realized by spatial light modulator, Fourier optics, and second harmonic generation in a nonlinear crystal. By tuning the ratio of the light intensities at the fundamental and second-harmonic frequencies, we experimentally observe two distinct ferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic phase transitions: a second-order phase transition where the magnetization changes to zero continuously and a first-order phase transition where the magnetization drops to zero abruptly as the effective temperature increases. Our experimental results are corroborated by a numerical simulation based on the Monte Carlo Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, and the physical mechanism for the distinct phase transitions can be understood with a mean-field theory. Our results showcase the great flexibility of the nonlinear optical Ising machine, which may find important potential applications in solving combinatorial optimization problems.
Hamiltonian reconstruction as metric for variational studies
Authors: Zhang Kevin , Lederer Samuel , Choo Kenny , Neupert Titus , Carleo Giuseppe , Kim Eun-Ah
Published: September 2022

Variational approaches are among the most powerful techniques to
approximately solve quantum many-body problems. These encompass both
variational states based on tensor or neural networks, and parameterized
quantum circuits in variational quantum eigensolvers. However,
self-consistent evaluation of the quality of variational wavefunctions
is a notoriously hard task. Using a recently developed Hamiltonian
reconstruction method, we propose a multi-faceted approach to evaluating
the quality of neural-network based wavefunctions. Specifically, we
consider convolutional neural network (CNN) and restricted Boltzmann
machine (RBM) states trained on a square lattice
spin-1/21/2J_1\!-\!J_2J1−J2
Heisenberg model. We find that the reconstructed Hamiltonians are
typically less frustrated, and have easy-axis anisotropy near the high
frustration point. In addition, the reconstructed Hamiltonians suppress
quantum fluctuations in the large J_2J2
limit. Our results highlight the critical importance of the
wavefunction’s symmetry. Moreover, the multi-faceted insight from the
Hamiltonian reconstruction reveals that a variational wave function can
fail to capture the true ground state through suppression of quantum
fluctuations.
A classification of meibomitis and an algorithm of its treatment
Authors: Sukhomlinov A. E. , Baranov V. I. , Kruchinina A. A.
Published: September 2022

Purpose. To develop a classification of meibomitis accounting for the diverse course and stages of progression and offer guidelines for treatment based on the algorithm proposed.

Materials and methods. We observed 56 patients aged 4 to 68 (average age 33 years), of which 42 patients (75 %) were followed up for periods from 3 to 60 days. The patients received basic complex conservative treatment, probing the meibomian gland with an eyelash during the acute inflammation and microabscess stage, in the presence of the chalazion with and without inflammation manifestations, and underwent drainage of the microabscess or the chalazion according to the classification.

Results. The proposed algorithm reduced the duration of meibomitis treatment. Relapses were only noted in 2 cases; one case was complicated by corneal erosion caused by hardened oil. No complications associated with the treatment have been noted and nobody was prescribed surgical removal of the chalazion.

Conclusion. A meibomitis classification with effective combined treatment has been proposed, which is convenient for practitioners, cost-effective and not requiring special instruments or materials.