bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technology Focus: Offshore Drilling and Completion (October 2021)
Authors: Rylance Martin
Published: November 2021

Communication and prediction are symmetrical. Communication, in effect, is prediction about what has happened. And prediction is communication about what is going to happen. Few industries contain as many phases, steps, and levels of interface between the start and end product as the oil and gas industry—field, office, offshore, plant, subsea, downhole, not to mention the disciplinary, functional, managerial, logistics handovers, and boundaries that exist. It therefore is hardly surprising that communication, in all its varied forms, is at the very heart of our business.

The papers selected this month demonstrate how improved communication can deliver the prediction required for a variety of reasons, including safety, efficiency, and informational purposes. The application of new and exciting ways of working, partially accelerated by recent events, is leading to breakthrough improvements on all levels. Real-time processing, improved visualization, and predictive and machine-learning methods, as well as improvements in all forms of data communication, are all contributing to incremental enhancements across the board.

This month, I encourage the reader to review the selected articles and determine where and how the communication and prediction are occurring and what they are delivering. Then perhaps consider performing an exercise wherein your own day-to-day roles—your own areas of communication, interfacing, and cooperation—are reviewed to see what enhancements you can make as an individual. You may be pleasantly surprised that some simple tweaks to your communication style, frequency, and format can deliver quick wins. In an era of remote working for many individuals, it is an exercise that has some value.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

OTC 30184 - Augmented Machine-Learning Approach of Rate-of-Penetration Prediction for North Sea Oil Field by Youngjun Hong, Seoul National University, et al.

OTC 31278 - A Digital Twin for Real-Time Drilling Hydraulics Simulation Using a Hybrid Approach of Physics and Machine Learning by Prasanna Amur Varadarajan, Schlumberger, et al.

OTC 31092 - Integrated Underreamer Technology With Real-Time Communication Helped Eliminate Rathole in Exploratory Operation Offshore Nigeria by Raphael Chidiogo Ozioko, Baker Hughes, et al.
Analysis plan for primary cohort GWAS for blood lipid levels for the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium
Authors: Willer Cristen
Published: November 2021

This protocol describes the guidelines for generating GWAS summary statistics that were provided to all participating cohorts in the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium HRC + 1KGP3 imputation meta-analysis collected jointly with the GIANT consortium. It is applicable for generating the input phenotype and genotype files for use with the rvtests software. Key stages include imputation, generating phenotype files, and running the analysis to generate summary statistics. The exact time needed to carry out this protocol varies depending on the existing genotype files and size of the cohort. The latest version of rvtests is available at: http://zhanxw.github.io/rvtests/
Study of The Sorption of The Total Phenolic Compounds From Olive Mill Wastewater By Natural Soils: Conventional and Under Microwave Irradiation Kinetics.
Authors: Arabi Malika , Elias Abdelhamid , Younes Yasmine Ait , Kamel Ziane , Toumert Idir , Mansouri Belkacem
Published: November 2021

The elimination of total phenolic compounds (TPC) from olive mill wastewater was studied by sorption under the conditions: conventional and under microwave irradiation on previously characterized soils. The sorption process has been studied in batch using inorganic materials in their natural states for sustainable development.The characterizations of the soils have shown variability in potential of hydrogen (4.6-8.9) in total nitrogen between 0.5 and 2.5% and in mineral matter which varies between 5.86 and 15.16%. On the other hand, the mineralogical characterization showed that the three soils are composed of several clay and non-clay minerals.The experimental data were analyzed using reaction models and diffusion models. The pseudo second order kinetic model provides the best correlation. It best represents the kinetics of adsorption by the natural adsorbents N1, N3 and R.The sorption models of LANGMUIR, FREUNDLICH and DUBININ-RADUSHKEVICH were used for the mathematical description of the conventional adsorption equilibrium. The best correlations were obtained with the model of LANGMUIR (r2 > 0.95) on soils N1 and N3 unlike the models of FREUNDLICH and DUBININ-RADUSHKEVICH (r2 < 0.65). The soil R can be represented by the model of FREUNDLICH (r2 ≥ 0.96) and the model of LANGMUIR (r2 > 0.93). The latter is confirmed by the value of the dimensionless coefficient RL. Removal rates of TPC were calculated. The value obtained (71 %) showed that the soil N1 is a good adsorbent. The results are satisfactory and promising.
A comparative study of ionothermal treatment of rice straw using triflate and acetate-based ionic liquids
Authors: Jisha K.J. , Rajamani Sunita , Singh Dharmendra , Sharma Gyanendra , Gardas Ramesh L.
Published: November 2021

Ionic liquids (ILs) have found applications in the pretreatment of waste lignocellulosic biomass by interacting with the carbohydrate molecules present in the biomass materials. Pretreatment is essential before biomass conversion into valuable chemicals, fuels, and many other value-added products. This comparative study mainly focused on the pretreatment ability of four ILs having acetate or triflate as a common anion with different cations. Among various studied ILs, diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU)-based acidic ionic liquid when used as a dual solvocatalyst showed significant structural modifications of the rice straw (RS) sample, through C6-O bond breakage assisted by the tertiary nitrogen in DBU cation. Structural modifications due to the pretreatment were confirmed through SEM, PXRD, and FTIR analysis. The elemental analysis confirmed that carbon content in original RS is reduced to 29% and 20% upon ionothermal treatment of RS with IL at 90 °C and 120 °C, respectively. Additionally, TGA indicated that further pyrolysis could be easier with the pretreated rice straw yielding biochar up to 9% thereby reducing wastes. Conversion of RS was found to be 60 % which reduced marginally to 50 % after three cycles of recycling IL. The findings of this work provide the proof of concept that studied ILs with high thermal stability and recyclability should act as a potential solvocatalyst in sustainable pretreatment and other biomass applications.
Electrocatalytic Degradation of Sulfameth Thiadiazole by GAC@Ni/Fe Three-Dimensional Particle Electrode
Authors: Li Siwen , Lin Yingzi , Zhu SuiYi , Liu Gen
Published: November 2021

In this work, GAC@Ni/Fe particle electrodes were prepared and employed for the degradation of Sulfamethylthiadiazole (SMT) by three-dimensional electrocatalytic technology.The effects of particle electrode bi-metal loading ratio, cell voltage, particle electrode dosage, electrode plate spacing and SMT initial concentration on SMT removal were studied.In addition, GAC@Ni/Fe particle electrode was analyzed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) to characterize . which indicated that a significant amount of Iron-nickel oxide were formed on the surface of GAC@Ni/Fe particle electrode.The results indicated that when the nickel-iron loading ratio is 1:1, the SMT removal effect is the best, and the removal rate can reach 90.89% within 30 minutes,Compared with the granular activated carbon without bimetal, the removal efficiency is increased by 37.58%. The degradation of SMT in the GAC@Ni/Fe particle three-dimensional electrode reactor is the joint result of both direct oxidation and indirect oxidation. The contribution rates of direct oxidation of anode and particle electrode and indirect oxidation of ·OH in the degradation are 32%, 27% and 41%, respectively. Based on the intermediate detected by ultra high liquid chromatography and the calculation of bond energy of SMT molecule by Gauss software，the degradation pathway of SMT in the GAC@Ni/Fe three-dimensional electrode reactor is proposed. This research provides a green, healthy and effective method for removing sulfonamide micro-polluted wastewater.
Using Machine Learning to Identify At-risk Students in an Introductory Programming Course at a Two-year Public College
Authors: Cooper Cameron I. , Cooper Kamea J. , Collyer Cameron
Published: November 2021

Nationally, more than one-third of students enrolling in introductory computer science programming courses (CS101) do not succeed. To improve student success rates, this research team used supervised machine learning to identify students who are “at-risk” of not succeeding in CS101 at a two-year public college. The resultant predictive model accurately identifies \(\approx\)99% of “at-risk” students in an out-of-sample test data set. The programming instructor piloted the use of the model’s predictive factors as early alert triggers to intervene with individualized outreach and support across three course sections of CS101 in fall 2020. The outcome of this pilot study was a 23% increase in student success and a 7.3 percentage point decrease in the DFW rate. More importantly, this study identified academic, early alert triggers for CS101. Specifically, the first two graded programs are of paramount importance for student success in the course.
Stakeholder Insights Into a Systems-Based Suicide Prevention Program Implemented in Regional and Rural Tasmanian Communities
Authors: Grattidge Laura , Mond Jonathan , Auckland Stuart , Purton Terry , Lees David
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Emerging evidence indicates that systems-based suicide prevention programs can help optimise suicide prevention activities, with the National Suicide Prevention Trial using these approaches in regional and community contexts throughout Australia. The Tasmanian arm of the Trial adopted the LifeSpan systems framework to deliver suicide prevention activities across three distinct geographical areas, focusing on high-risk populations of men aged 40-64 and people 65 and over. The University of Tasmania’s Centre for Rural Health undertook a local-level evaluation of the Trial in Tasmania.Aims: To explore key stakeholder perceptions of the implementation of a systems-based suicide prevention program in regional and rural communities in Tasmania, Australia.Method: Focus groups and interviews with 46 participants, comprising Working Group members (n=25), Tasmania’s Primary Health Network employees (n=7), and other key stakeholders (n=14), with the majority (53.3%) reporting a lived experience of suicide. Thematic analysis was used to explore data and study aims.Results: Key themes centred on how the National Suicide Prevention Trial was understood and established in Tasmania; Working Group governance structures and processes; communication and engagement processes; reaching priority population groups; the LifeSpan model and activity development; and the effectiveness and sustainability of activities.Discussion: Findings showed communities were wary of suicide and wanted to engage to take action and the Trial provided the resources and coordination to do so. Perceived limitations implementing the Trial included varied involvement of key stakeholders, and lack of role clarity within Working Groups. Barriers delivering activities to the priority population groups suggested a strict adherence to the Lifespan model was challenging. Working Groups embraced a pragmatic approach, preferring activities that best utilised available capital and resources to meet perceived needs within communities. While a focus on effectiveness and sustainability of activities was seen as important, barriers at the community-level, i.e. nobody to run them, hindered these efforts. Analysis of stakeholder perceptions provides crucial insights for guiding future community-based suicide prevention efforts in regional and rural areas, and with high-risk groups.
Reefscapes of fear assess tradeoffs of risk and reward on coral reefs
Authors: Malone Margaret A. , de Chevalier Gregorio , Whelan Christopher J. , Brown Joel S.
Published: November 2021

Degradation of coral reef habitats changes the abundance and community composition of fishes due in part to changes in the ecology of fear. The ecology of fear sees the predator-prey system as a dynamic game of behavioral responses to perceived risk with population and community level consequences. We measure spatial variation in predation risk as landscapes of fear. We consider changes in predation risk with habitat quality and examine the effects of fear on coral reefs in Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. First, we associate fish and benthic communities on patch reefs with varying degradation due to invasive algae (Euchema spp. and Kappaphycus spp.). Next, we quantify the spatio-temporal variation of risk (reefscape of fear) of a common Hawaiian fish (saddle wrasse, hīnālea lau wili, Thalassoma duperrey) across reefs of varying degradation. Finally, we assess the tradeoffs in resource availability and predation risk on these reefs. At the scale of whole reefs, saddle wrasse responded to perceived risk. Intensity of patch use (measured by giving-up densities) by wrasse indicated risky reefs. Such reefs differed in benthic and fish community composition. We demonstrated the impact of an altered reefscape of fear due to habitat degradation. Habitat degradation seems to influence the tradeoff between resource availability and safety. From wrasse abundances and their patch use behavior we can classify the reefs into categories based on risk and resource availability. Allowing fish to reveal their perceptions of habitat qualities through their behaviors provides critical information for assessing and monitoring reefs.
Do Different Samples From Pregnant Women and Their Neonates Share the Common Microbiome: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Park Jee Yoon , Yoon Huiyoung , Lee Seung-been , Kim Hyeon Ji , Jung Young Hwa , Choi Chang Won , Shin Jong-Yeon , Park Joong Shin , Seo Jeong-Sun
Published: November 2021

Background

We characterized the microbiome composition from various samples in pregnant women and their neonates and evaluated the association between the distribution of microbiome and obstetric factors.
Results

A prospective study was performed in live births delivered at a single tertiary center between March 2020 and January 2021. Samples collected from pregnant women and their newborns included maternal cervicovaginal discharge (VD), amniotic fluid (AF), umbilical cord blood (CB), neonatal gastric liquid (GL), and meconium. Next-generation sequencing was used to analyze the composition of the microbiome from the samples. We identified 19,597,239 bacterial sequences from the 641 samples. The alpha diversity of the negative control group was slightly higher than that of the VD group. The samples were separated well based on the microbiome pattern unique to their body sites despite the significant batch effects present within our dataset. We observed a higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus at the genus level but lower abundances of Aerococcus, Fusobacterium, Gardnerella, Peptoniphilus, Porphyromonas, and Prevotella in VD. In evaluating the association with clinical data, Staphylococcus in M showed a strong association with preterm birth. The lists of bacterial taxa were connected to the weights of newborn babies in the CB group. The microbiome pattern of GL was similar to that of AF, but not technically identical. Twins did not demonstrate significant differences in the composition of microbiomes from neonate samples.
Conclusions

In this study, samples known to be traditionally sterile, such as AF and CB, showed specific bacterial taxa although they were extremely close to negative controls. The microbiome patterns were grouped according to the body compartments where the samples had been obtained, not according to the mother-fetus/infant pairs. Further studies lowering the possibility of contamination and redeeming the low-biomass specimens are necessary to determine the relationship between microbiomes and specific pathological complications during pregnancy.
Development and Validation of Self-screening Tool for Nutrition Risk in Patients With Gastric Cancer After Gastrectomy: A STUDY PROTOCOL
Authors: Chen Zhiming , Yu Haichi , Yuan Hua , Wang Jia , Wang Qiuchen , Zhu Mingyue , Yao jiannan , Zhang Xiuying , Xue Hui
Published: November 2021

Background: The incidence of malnutrition in patients with gastric cancer after surgery is 59%. The main reason for the high incidence of malnutrition is untimely nutrition screening and low compliance with nutrition treatment. In order to enable home patients to know their nutritional status in time, we have developed and validated nutritional risk screening tools for patients with gastric cancer to help patients’ at home find nutritional risks in time and seek medical help. This article introduces the development and verification methods and statistical methods of the tool.Methods: The development of self-nutrition risk screening tool for patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy (SNRSGC) is divided into four parts：Steps1Identification of a potential referred nutritional risk screening; Steps2Item generation and scoring are selected through literature review methods to screen sensitive indicators that can reflect the nutritional characteristics of patients after gastric cancer surgery, establish the frame and update according to the latest guidelines ；Steps3Item reduction is determined by the rating of SNRSGC items by an expert panel and piloting method to determine the final item; Steps4 In the validation stage, we conducted research design based on the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist to evaluate the content validity, structure validity, interpretability, and retest validity of SNRSGC.Discussion: SNRSGC is the first screening tool specifically to predict nutrition risk for stay-at-home postoperative patients with gastric cancer.SNRSGC may provide action guidelines and knowledge guidance for patients with gastric cancer at home.Trial registration: Identifier on Chinese Clinical Trials Registry : ChiCTR2100041809 , registered January 06, 2021.
Determinants and Effects of Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Infants at a Tertiary Care Center, Kerala
Authors: Joseph Reny , John Jijo Joseph , David Alice , Sankar Lakshmy , Darvin Dary , Yashik Mohammed
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is the first fundamental right of the child. Globally less than half of the infants of the world are optimally breastfed. Suboptimal breastfeeding can lead to increased respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. This study was undertaken to assess the determinants and effects of EBF among infants at a tertiary care hospital in south India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done among infants at the pediatric unit of Believer’s Church Medical College Hospital, from October 2019 to April 2020, using a structured pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: 257 infants were included in the final analysis. 70.4% of babies were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, while 80.9% were breastfed within the first hour after birth. Among determinants of exclusive breastfeeding, unemployed mothers and mother’s without a professional qualification were more likely to continue exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (OR 2.8 95% CI (1.6 – 4.9). and 2.7 95% CI (1.5 – 4.9). respectively). Antenatal counselling appeared to have some beneficial effect but the result was not statistically significant. We did not find significant increase in the number of infections or hospitalizations for respiratory or gastrointestinal infections among the formula fed babies. However, significantly lower number of breastfed babies had constipation (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2 – 0.9) when compared to formula fed babies. CONCLUSION: Significantly higher percentage of infants presenting to our hospital have been exclusively breastfed as compared to the state average. The major determinant of EBF was maternal education and employment and the main effect of EBF was a protection against constipation.
Ecotoxic Effects of the Vehicle Solvent Dimethyl Sulfoxide on Aquatic Model Organisms
Authors: Andrade-Vieira Larissa , Bojic Clement , Alvarenga Ingrid , de Carvalho Teotonio , Masfaraud Jean-François , Cotelle Sylvie
Published: November 2021

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is widely used as a vehicle solvent in ecotoxicity bioassays. However, despite its frequent use, itcould be toxic for organisms at some concentrations. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectsof DMSO on the population growth rate of the microalgaeRaphidocelis subcapitata, the mobility of the microcrustacean Daphnia magna,and the reproduction of the rotiferBrachionus calyciflorus. DMSO was applied to the organisms in concentrations ranging from 0.031–4%. For R. subcapitata significant effects in growth inhibitionafter 72 h of exposure was 0.125% DMSO,being the lowest observed effectconcentration (LOEC). The 50% effective concentration (EC50) was2.138 ± 0.372%. In D. magna,significant differences in the mobility after 24 h or 48 h of exposure was 1% DMSO being 1.712± 0.207% and 1.167± 0.220%DMSO the EC50 observed for 24 h and 48 h exposure, respectively. For B. calyciflorus,it was not possible to validate the tests performed, as there were insufficient animals alive in the control conditions at the end of the exposure period. Therefore, we recommended avoiding DMSO as a vehicle in assays using B. calyciflorus,and to use final DMSO concentrationsin experimental solution not exceeding 0.125% forR. subcapitata and 0.5% for D. magna.
AC099850.3 Promotes Cell Proliferation and is One of Five Costimulatory Molecule-Related LncRNAs That Predict Overall Survival of Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Meimei , Fang Qiong , Huang Yanping , Zhou Jin , Wang Qi
Published: November 2021

Background: Extensive research has revealed that costimulatory molecules play central roles in mounting anti-tumor immune responses and long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) is an important regulatory factor in the development of various cancers. However, their roles in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unexplored. In this study, we aimed to explore costimulatory molecule-related lncRNAs in HCC and construct a prognostic signature to predict prognosis and improve clinical outcomes with HCC patients.Methods: The data we used for bioinformatics analysis were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Costimulatory molecules were obtained from the known literature. The R software, SPSS and GraphPad Prism were used for mapping and statistical analysis.Results: A five costimulatory molecule-related lncRNAs based risk model was initially constructed through lasso and Cox regression analysis. Moreover, multivariate regression suggested that the risk score was a significant prognostic risk factor in HCC. Samples in high- and low-risk groups exhibited significantly different in gene set enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis. Importantly, we found that the AC099850.3 were significantly related to cell proliferation in HCC according to the colony formation and CCK8 assays.Conclusion: In summary, we first identified and validated a novel costimulatory molecule-related survival model and we found that AC099850.3 is closely associated with clinical stage and could remarkably facilitate cell proliferation in HCC, making it potential to be a novel therapeutic target.
Effects of The Pandemic On Women’s Reproductive Health Protective Attitudes: A Turkish Sample
Authors: ŞENOL DERYA KAYA , POLAT Filiz
Published: November 2021

Background: Pandemics restrict access to reproductive healthcare services and worsen the inequalities in the delivery of healthcare services. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health protective attitudes. Methods: The study sample included 306 women and data were collected through a web-based, online questionnaire. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Determination of Married Women's Reproductive Health Protective Attitudes Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA test were used to assess the data.Results: The mean scores for Determination of Married Women's Reproductive Health Protective Attitudes Scale significantly differed in terms of education, employment status, income, health insurance and perceived health status (p<0.05). Sixty-nine-point-three percent of the women had their first pregnancy at the agerange of 21-34 years, 17.6% of the women had four or more pregnancies, 55.6% of the women gave birth 1-3 times, 13.4% of the women gave birth at home and 57.8% of the women did not use an effective contraceptive. Twenty-three-point-two percent of the women experienced a problem with their reproductive organs during the pandemic, 70.6% of them did not present to a health center for their problems and 74.5% of these women did not present to a health center to avoid the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Forty-point-two percent of the women used the methods they already know at home to relieve their problems and 16.0% of the women used them edications previously prescribed by their doctors. Conclusion: The pandemic negatively affects there productive health of women. While health policies are modified to meet increased healthcare demands from COVID-19 patients and to eliminate the threat of the pandemic. The role of midwives and nurses is very important in the maintenance of reproductive health services.
Association Between Antispasmodics and Detection of Lesions By Screening Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Authors: Iwagami Hiroyoshi , Seta Takeshi , Juri Noriko , Nakano Shogo , Wakita Midori , Umemura Soichiro , Konishi Takafumi , Matsumoto Hisakazu , Nakatani Yasuki , Akamatsu Takuji , Urai Shunji , Uenoyama Yoshito , Yamashita Yukitaka , Nakayama Takeo
Published: November 2021

Background and Aim: Whether administration of antispasmodics as a component of premedication contributes to detection of lesions by screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) remains unclear. Our primary aim was to investigate this possibility.Methods: The cohort of this retrospective study comprised consecutive cases who had undergone screening EGDS at the Japanese Red Cross Wakayama Medical Center from October 2015 to September 2020. The investigated lesions comprised esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, gastric adenoma or adenocarcinoma, and duodenal adenoma or adenocarcinoma.Results: Targeted lesions were detected in 72 of 31484 participants (0.23%), 18260 and 13224 of whom had received and not received pre-procedure antispasmodic agents, respectively. The rates of detection of lesions in these groups were 0.21% (38/18260) and 0.26% (34/13224), respectively (P = 0.40). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed no association between administration of antispasmodics and rates of detection of targeted lesions (P = 0.12). Conclusions: Antispasmodics, which were administered to more than half of the study cohort, did not improve the rate of detection of targeted lesions.
Devising an Innovative, Genotype-free Transformation Protocol for Recalcitrant Indica Rice Genotypes: Samba Mahsuri and Sundarbans’ Salt-tolerant Indica Rice Cultivars White Getu and Hamilton to Establish an Ingenious Platform for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Genome Editing
Authors: Sony Sonia Khan , Motelb Khaled Fathy Abdel , Kaul Tanushri , Nehra Mamta , Bharti Jyotsna , Thangaraj Arulprakash , Verma Rachana , Kaul Rashmi , Eswaran Murugesh
Published: November 2021

BackgroundPlant genetic transformation involves in vitro callus induction & regeneration strategies that are quintessential for introduction of novel agronomical traits employing CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. However, lack of effective regeneration and transformation techniques for indica rice cultivars pose as the foremost hurdle towards genetic improvement in rice crop. We devised an astounding road-map to genotype-independent and efficacious in vitro callus induction, transformation and shoot regeneration protocol that emerges as an optimal therapy, universally adaptable to invariably any rice cultivar, in order to establish an ingenious CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing platform in this crop.ResultsWe developed a genotype-independent regeneration and transformation protocol employing mature seed-derived calli for indica rice (one mega variety- Samba Mahsuri and two salt tolerant wild genotypes- White Getu & Hamilton) genotypes to introduce important agronomical traits via CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing system. MS- and N6-salt based media reinforced with 2,4-D (2.5 mg/L); dicamba (1.5 mg/L); TDZ (0.1 mg/L), proline (1000 mg/L), and glutamine (2.5 mg/L) exhibited highest percentage (95-98%) of embryogenic calli initiation and development. Employing this novel protocol, we achieved unparalleled regeneration efficiencies within untransformed calli (90-94%) and transformed calli (81-86%) in these recalcitrant indica genotypes and significantly enhanced number of shoots (18-20) on MS medium containing BAP (1.5 mg/L), NAA (0.5 mg/L), TDZ (1.0 mg/L), zeatin (0.2 mg/L) and proline (500 mg/L). We successfully transformed rice calli with pCAMBIA1300-based marker- free NICTK-1_pCRISPR-Cas9 vector harbouring the cassette of plant codon optimized Cas9 via biolistic approach that exhibited notably enhanced transformation efficiencies (67-69%). The integration of Cas9 gene into rice genome was validated by PCR, Southern blotting and Sanger sequencing analyses. The transgenic lines were phenotypically indistinguishable from the wild type as no significant differences in phenotypic performances were revealed between transgenic and wild type lines. ConclusionWe devised a promising, time-efficient, universally adaptable, optimal hormonal-media therapy for triggering enhanced embryogenic callus formation, regeneration and transformation efficiencies, across recalcitrant indica rice genotypes.
Influence of source and site effects of 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake on the generation of high PGA in the near-fault zones
Authors: PAVLENKO Olga V.
Published: November 2021

Source and site effects of 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake (Japan, Mw~8.3) and their influence on the distribution of peak ground accelerations (PGA) in the near-fault zones are studied. Based on records of KiK-net vertical arrays, models of soil behavior are constructed, i.e. vertical distributions of stresses and strains induced in soil layers by strong motion. The method is used suggested by Pavlenko and Irikura and previously applied for studying soil behavior during 1995 Kobe, 2000 Tottori, and 2011 Tohoku earthquakes. During the Tokachi-oki earthquake, we did not find a widespread nonlinearity of soft soil behavior. Manifestations of soil nonlinearity were observed at sites closest to the source; at remote sites where high PGA were recorded, soil behavior was virtually linear, and shear moduli in soils increased till the moments of the highest intensity of motion, then decreased. The shapes of acceleration time histories at remote sites indicate directivity effects: seismic waves radiated by the crack tip during its propagation along a section of the fault plane came to the stations simultaneously. Soil hardening occurred at these sites that increased amplification and PGA on the surface. Similar effects were observed during 2011 Tohoku earthquake; evidently, they can occur during future strong earthquakes.
Prediction of Inpatient Pressure Ulcers Based on Routine Healthcare Data Using Machine Learning Methodology
Authors: Walther Felix , Heinrich Luise , Schmitt Jochen , Eberlein-Gonska Maria , Roessler Martin
Published: November 2021

Despite the relevance of pressure ulcers (PU) in inpatient care, the predictive power and role of care-related risk factors (e.g. surgical anesthesia) remain unclear. We investigated the predictability of PU incidence and its association with multiple care variables. We included all somatic cases between 2014 and 2018 with length of stay ≥2 days in a German university hospital. For regression analyses and prediction we used Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) as nonparametric modeling approach. To assess predictive accuracy, we compared BART and logistic regression (LR) using area under the curve (AUC) and confusion matrices. The analysis of 149,006 cases revealed high predictive variable importance and associations between incident PU and intensive care with ventilation, age, surgical anesthesia (≥1 hour) and number of care-involved wards. Despite high AUCs (LR: 0.89; BART: 0.9), the confusion matrices showed a higher number of false negative (LR: 816; BART: 826) than true positive (LR: 138; BART: 68) predictions. In summary, particularly intensive care with ventilation, age, anesthesia and number of care-involved wards were associated with incident PU. Using surgical anesthesia as a proxy for immobility, our results suggest hourly repositioning. High rates of false negative predictions indicate a general challenge in the predictability of PU.
External validation of the T.O.HO. score as predictor of success after retrograde intrarenal surgery
Authors: Senel Samet , Kasap Yusuf , Kizilkan Yalcin , Tastemur Sedat , Ozden Cuneyt
Published: November 2021

Background
To assess the effectiveness of T.O.HO. (Tallness, Occupied lesion, Houndsfield unit evaluation) score in predicting the retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) success and to validate this scoring system.
Methods
The age, sex, previous stone surgery, hospitalization, surgery duration, postoperative complication, stone length, stone location, stone density, stone number, lateralization, presence of hydronephrosis, and presence of preoperative stent datas of 518 patients who underwent RIRS in our clinic between January 2013 and January 2021 were retrospectively assessed. The patients were divided into two groups as successful and unsuccessful. The T.O.HO scores of all patients were calculated.
Results
The success rate was 72.5%. Compared to the unsuccessful group, stone length and stone density were lower, surgery duration was shorter and there were less lower pole stones in the successful group (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the other parameters. The T.O.HO. score was significantly lower in the successful group compared to the unsuccessful group (p<0.001). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, stone length (OR: 0.905; 95% Cl: 0.866-0.946; p<0.001), lower pole location (OR: 0.546; 95% Cl: 0.013-0.296; p<0.001), stone density (OR: 0.999; 95% Cl: 0.998-1; p=0.044) and the T.O.HO. score (OR: 0.684; 95%Cl: 0.554-0.844; p<0.001) were found as the independent risk factors for RIRS success. ROC curve analysis showed that the T.O.HO. score could predict the RIRS success with 7.5 cut-off point (AUC:0.799, CI: 0.76–0.839; p<0.001).
Conclusion
The T.O.HO. score can predict RIRS success with a high rate of accuracy.
Evolution of the Profile of a Polish Paralympian from Heidelberg to Tokyo Paralympic Games: A Study Protocol for a Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Sobiecka Joanna , Zwierzchowska Anna
Published: November 2021

The observation of sociodemographic characteristics is important for the characterization of Paralympic athletes and the identification of determinants of their athletic performance. The aim of this study is to present the changes that have occurred in the profile of the Polish Paralympian in the period from Heidelberg to Tokyo Paralympic Games based on basic demographic characteristics and selected social and sport-related features. The study included n=646 Polish Paralympic athletes, accounting for 96.6% of the population from the 1972-2021 Games. The research was conducted with the method of direct participant observation using a diagnostic survey. Analysis of the data showed that gender was not a differentiating factor among Polish Paralympic athletes, and the proportion of women was lower than men. Age, on the other hand, was a significant differentiating factor at (p<0.05). Furthermore, a significant differentiation of athletes in terms of the structure of education was observed, with a tendency to a steady increase in its level in subsequent years (chi2 = 68.83; df = 8; p<0.01). However, this did not have a significant effect on their professional fulfillment. The proportion of multiple participants of the Paralympic Games increased significantly (chi2 = 21.43; df = 8; p<0.01), while the proportion of athletes who won a Paralympic medal decreased (also significantly, chi2 = 59.11; df = 8; p<0.01).
An Encoder-Decoder Network For Direct Image Reconstruction On Sinograms of A Long Axial Field of View PET
Authors: Ma Ruiyao , Hu Jiaxi , Sari Hasan , Xu Song , Mingels Clemens , Viscione Marco , Kandarpa Venkata Sai Sundar , Li Weibo , Visvikis Dimitris , Qiu Rui , Rominger Axel , Li Junli , Shi Kuangyu
Published: November 2021

Purpose: Deep learning is an emerging reconstruction method for positron emission tomography (PET) that can tackle complex PET corrections in an integrated procedure. This study optimized the direct PET reconstruction from sinogram on a long axial field of view (LAFOV) PET. Methods: This study developed a new deep learning architecture to reduce the biases during direct reconstruction from sinograms to images. This architecture is based on an encoder-decoder network and perceptual loss is adopted with pre-trained convolutional layers. It is trained and tested on data of 80 patients acquired from recent Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra PET/CT. The patients were randomly split into a training dataset of 60 patients, the validation dataset of 10 patients, and the test data set of 10 patients. The 3D sinograms were converted into 2D sinogram slices and were used as input to the network, and the vendor reconstructed images were considered as ground truths. The proposed method was compared with DeepPET, a benchmark deep learning method for PET reconstruction. Results: Compared to the DeepPET, the proposed network significantly reduced the root-mean-squared error (rRMSE) from 0.63 to 0.6 (p<0.01), and the structural similarity index (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) were improved from 0.93 to 0.95(p<0.01) and from 82.02 to 82.36(p<0.01), respectively. The reconstruction time was approximately 10s per patient, which was shortened by 36 times compared with the reconstruction using the conventional method. The errors of average standardized uptake values (SUV) for lesions between ground truth and the predicted result was reduced from 33.5% to 18.7% (P=0.03), and the error of max SUV was reduced from 32.7% to 21.8% (P=0.02).Conclusion: The results demonstrated the feasibility of using deep learning to reconstruct images with acceptable image quality and short reconstruction time. It showed that the proposed method can improve the quality of deep learning-based reconstructed images without additional CT images for attenuation and scattering corrections. This learning-based approach may provide the potential to accommodate more complex corrections for LAFOV PET.
Outcomes of Total versus Partial Colectomy in Fulminant Clostridium Difficile Colitis. A Propensity Matched Analysis.
Authors: Ahmed Nasim , Kuo YenHong
Published: November 2021

BackgroundThe Total Abdominal Colectomy (TAC) is the recommended procedure for Fulminant Clostridium Difficile Colitis (FCDC), however, occasionally, FCDC is also treated with partial colectomies. The purpose of the study was to identify the outcomes of partial colectomy in FCDC cases.MethodThe National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was accessed and eligible patients from 2012 through 2016 were reviewed. Patients 18 years and older who were diagnosed with FCDC and who underwent colectomies were included in the study. Patients’ demography, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, mortality, morbidities, length of hospital stay and discharge disposition were compared between the group who underwent partial colectomy and the group who underwent TAC. Univariate analysis followed by propensity matching were performed. A p value of <0.05 is considered as statistically significant. ResultsOut of 491 patients who qualified for the study, 93 (18.94%) patients underwent partial colectomy. The pair matched analysis showed no significant difference in patients’ characteristics and comorbidities in the two groups. There was no significant difference found in mortality between the two groups (30.1% vs. 30.15, P>0.99). There were no differences found in the median [95% CI] hospital length of stay [LOS] (23 days [19-31] vs. 21 [17-25], P=0.30), post-operative complications (P>0.05), and discharged disposition to home (43.1% vs. 33.8%) or transfer to rehab (21.55 vs. 12.3%, P=0.357) between the TAC and partial colectomy groups.Conclusion The overall 30 days mortality remains very high in FCDC. Partial colectomy did not increase risk of mortality or morbidities and LOS.
Efıcacy of Mıcropulse Laser In The Treatment of Dıabetıc Macular Edema
Authors: Bıçak Faruk , Kayıkçıoğu Özcan Rasim , Altınışık Muhammed , Doğruya Suzan , Kurt Emin
Published: November 2021

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the visual acuity, macular volume, central macular thickness, change in number of intravitreal ranibizumab injections with micropulse laser applications after loading dose of antiVEGF to DME patients.Study Design: Retrospective study Methods: This study was carried out on 97 patients (45 ranibizumab and 52 micropuls grid laser + ranibizumab) with diabetic macular edema patients who were followed in the Retina Unit. At the control visit after three loading ranibizumab injections administered once a month, micropuls grid laser was applied to one group and ranibizumab injection was continued PRN to both groups for an average of 9.27 ± 2.42 months and central macular thickness, macular volume and visual acuity were recorded. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender, smoking and systemic diseases, initial central macular thickness, macular volume and visual acuity measurements (p> 0.05). Central macular thickness, macular volume and visual acuity values measured at the last follow-up of the patients were not significantly different between the groups (p> 0.05). The mean post-treatment injection requirement was 4.19 ± 1.01 for the ranibizumab with micropuls laser group and 5.53 ± 1.14 for the ranibizumab group. In the group treated with micropuls laser, statistically less number of intravitreal ranibizumab injections were needed (p <0.001). Conclusion: Micropulse laser treatment after initial loading doses reduces the need for antiVEGF injections. Studies with the participation of more patients may help in the selection of treatment methods by comparing micropulse laser combined with different injection protocols.
FilmArray® Meningoencephalitis Panel In the Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Infections: Stewardship And Cost Analysis in a Paediatric Hospital in Chile
Authors: Acuña Mirta , Benadof Dona , Yohannessen Karla , Leiva Yennybeth , Clement Pascal
Published: November 2021

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infection has been an ongoing concern in paediatrics. The FilmArray® Meningoencephalitis (FAME) panel has greater sensitivity in identifying the aetiology of CNS infections. This study’s objective was to compare the aetiological identification and hospitalization costs among patients with suspected CNS infection before and after the use of FAME.Methods: An analytical observational study was carried out using a retrospective cohort for the pre-intervention (pre-FAME use) period and a prospective cohort for the post-intervention (post-FAME use) period in children with suspected CNS infection.Results: A total of 409 CSF samples were analysed, 297 pre-intervention and 112 post-intervention. In the pre-intervention period, a total of 85.5% of patients required hospitalization, and in the post-intervention period 92.7% required hospitalization (p<0.05). The P50 of ICU days was significantly lower in the post-intervention period than it was in the pre-intervention period. The overall positivity was 9.4% and 26.8%, respectively (p< 0.001). At ages 6 months and below, we found an increase in overall positivity from 2.6% to 28.1%, along with an increased detection of viral agents, S. agalactiae, S. pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis. The use of this diagnostic technology saved between $2,916 and $12,240 USD in the cost of ICU bed-days. FAME use provided the opportunity for more accurate aetiological diagnosis of the infections and thus the provision of adequate appropriate treatment.Conclusions: The cost/benefit ratio between FAME cost and ICU -bed-day cost savings is favourable. Implementation of FAME in Chilean public hospitals saves public resources and improves the accuracy of aetiological diagnosis.
Catalytic Reduction Performance of Carboxylated Alginic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Althomali Raed H. , Alamry Khalid A. , Abdo Mahmoud Hussein , Abdel-Hafez Shams H.
Published: November 2021

In this study, the catalytic reduction behavior of carboxylated alginic acid derivatives has been investigated against the harmful organic dyes including Methyl Orange (MO) and Congo Red (CR). Alginic acid was firstly oxidized through an easy addition of KMnO4 as an oxidizing agent. A carboxylated alginic acid (CAA) has been interacted with selected metal ions (Sn, Fe, Ni, and Zr) through coordination bonds at the value of pH = 4 to form the corresponding metal complexes namely: Sn-CAA, Fe-CAA, Ni-CAA and Zr-CAA. The consistency of the coordination was confirmed by several spectroscopic techniques including FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. The catalytic reduction of these metal ion-based products was carried out against MO and CR in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent under UV irradiation. All catalysts based metal complexes showed enhanced catalytic reduction against CR compared to MO. Among all those mentioned metal complexes Sn-CAA showed the best catalytic reduction of these dyes. The time taken by the Sn-CAA for CR, and MO is 5 and 7min respectively. Ni-CAA was classified as the second efficient product against both dyes, where the reduction process took 20 and 9 min respectively. The other two catalysts took a long time for CR and MO reduction. Zr-CAA showed more than 80 % reduction of only CR dye within 20 min. Whereas, Fe-CAA did not show any significant sign of reduction against both the dyes after the same time. The order of higher catalytic reduction was illustrated as: Sn-CAA > Ni-CAA > Zr-CAA = Fe-CAA.
The Effects of Variable Stirring Speeds On The Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Adigun Oluwole Daniel , Aribisala Adetoye Ayokunle , Adigun Aanuoluwapo Rebecca , Olusunle Samuel Olugbenga , Ajibola Olawale Olarewaju , Owa Adebayo Felix , Isadare Adeyemi Dayo , Madueke Chioma Ifeyinwa , Abegunde Ige Emmanuel , Omonubi Kayode Benson
Published: November 2021

The influence of variable stirring speeds on cast aluminium-copper alloys and the resulting enhancements in mechanical properties have been described in this study. Aluminium-copper (Al-Cu) alloys with 0-15 wt% Cu compositions were prepared via electro-mechanical stir casting process using various stirring speeds (0 rev/min, 10 rev/min, 50 rev/min and 90 rev/min) and the alloy materials produced were tested for microhardness and tensile strength. Increase in both wt% Cu compositions and stirring speeds were observed to have led to improvements in microhardness and tensile strength. The microstructural and mechanical characterisations also revealed that improvements in material properties recorded could be attributed to three mechanisms which are: solid solution hardening, precipitation hardening and the stirring effect.