bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Root-Colonizing Endophyte Piriformospora indica Supports Nitrogen-Starved Arabidopsis Seedlings with N Metabolites
Authors: Scholz Sandra , Barth Emanuel , Clement Gilles , Marmagne Anne , Ludwig-Müller Jutta , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kiba Takatoshi , Vicente-Carbajosa Jesús , Pollmann Stephan , Krapp Anne , Oelmüller Ralf
Published: September 2023

The root-colonizing endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica promotes root and shoot growth of its host plants. We show that growth promotion of Arabidopsis leaves is abolished when the seedlings are grown on media with nitrogen (N) limitation. The fungus neither stimulated the total N content nor did it promote 15NO3- uptake from agar plates to the leaves of the host under N-sufficient or N-limiting conditions. However, when the roots were co-cultivated with 15N-labelled P. indica, more label can be detected in the leaves of N-starved host plants, but not of plants supplied with sufficient N. Amino acid and primary metabolite profiles, as well as expression analyses of N metabolite transporter genes suggest that the fungus alleviates the adaptation of its host to the N limitation condition. P. indica alters the expression of transporter genes which participate in relocation of NO3-, NH4+ and N metabolites from the roots to the leaves under N limitation. We propose that P. indica participates in the plant´s metabolomic adaptation to N limitation by delivering reduced N metabolites to the host, alleviating metabolic N starvation responses, and reprogramming the expression of N-metabolism related genes.
Spectral methods for solution of differentiatial and functional equations
Authors: Varin Victor Petrovich
Published: September 2023

An operational approach developed earlier for the spectral method that uses Legendre polynomials is generalized here for arbitrary systems of basis functions (not necessarily orthogonal) that satisfy only two conditions: the result of multiplication by x or of differentiation with respect to x is expressed in the same functions. All systems of classical orthogonal polynomials satisfy these conditions. In particular, we construct a spectral method that uses Chebyshev polynomials, which is most effective for numerical computations. This method is applied for numerical solution of the linear functional equations that appear in problems of generalized summation of series as well as in the problems of analytical continuation of discrete maps. We also demonstrate how these methods are used for solution of nonstandard and nonlinear boundary value problems for which ordinary algorithms are not applicable.
Hydraulic Fracture Design Evaluation Through a Robust Geo-Mechanical Model, Tested in a Tight Gas Reservoir, North of Oman
Authors: Al Senani A. , Al Aamri M. , Al Mahfudhi M. , Al Dhanhani F. , Sarmadivaleh M. , Al Sheidi A.
Published: September 2023

Natural gas plays an essential role in providing the world with a cleaner energy for possibly the next 50 years. Conventional gas resources are quickly declining and many countries (e.g. Oman) are investing in tight gas extraction. Such natural gases are usually accumulated in tight sand or shale formations, which have extremely low permeability. Thus, they don't flow at a commercial rate without implementing a hydraulic fracturing, which is an expensive and complicated technique. Therefore, proper fracturing design is a must to enhance well productivity and connectivity. In this study, the petrol physical logs and real field test data were used to construct an intensive rock mechanical model (RMM) for a specific tight gas field to be used in an economical simulator, to optimize the hydraulic fracturing design and strategy for the field.

In this study, a rock mechanical model (RMM) was constructed to calculate the rock mechanical properties of the Formations, such as Poisson ratio, Young's modulus, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), pore pressure and situ stresses. This was achieved by using the drilling data, wireline logs and core data of two wells from the field. The calculated properties from RMM were calibrated by inputting them in a specific constructed geo mechanical equation at which its trend was matched with the field caliber log trend. Some revision and modification were applied using an economical simulator to optimize the hydraulic fracture treatment. The simulation was run twice. In the first run, the simulator calculated the mechanical properties of the formation automatically by the built-in correlations of the simulator. In the second run, the outcome of constructed RMM were input in the simulator. The results from simulator were compared with the real fracture height from the radioactive tracer measured from the field test.

The simulator's result shows the error percentage in the first run, which was done without the RMM, was 112%. While in the second run, where rock mechanical properties were entered in the software, it was 11%. As expected theoretically, building a fracturing model with calibrated data from RMM provides accurate and precise results that are close to the real measurements. However, the minor difference between the second run and the actual measurements can be because of uncertainties in the rock formation, and unavailability of some test data. In addition, the accuracy of the radioactive tracer to measure the real fracturing treatment should be considered.

The outcome of this project would help to enhance and optimize the fracturing design and ultimately enhance the productivity of the newly fractured wells. Further, this study is considered an excellent guideline for current and new hydraulics fracture design to reduce the OPEX of the well and optimize production.
Application of Reclosable Fracturing Sleeves in Horizontal Wells in Changqing Oilfield
Authors: Xie Yonggang , Qi Yin , Liu Zhongneng , Ren Guofu , Luo Yougang , Zhang Huaguang
Published: September 2023

Different from hydraulic jetting fracturing technique and plug-and-perf fracturing technique, it is not necessary to perforate for fracturing using reclosable casing sliding sleeves, the wellbore is connected with reservoir through sleeves, and the opening and closing are controllable. The reclosable casing sleeve technique provides the possibility to enrich the fracturing mode in horizontal wells and also provides a technical means to solve the development contradiction such as water breakthrough.

The demand for reclosable casing sleeves is increasing in unconventional reservoir development. A new idea is to change the conventional fracturing sequence from toe to heel to skip fracturing to strengthen the stress interference between different stages, so as to create more complex three-dimensional fracture network and larger SRV. For waterflood development zone, especially the infill area with small well spacing, sleeves can be directly closed to save the well in case of fracturing fluid breakthrough and to realize water-out treatment during the production stage. In terms of production management, alternate production of the stimulated stages can be achieved.

In recent years, field tests of reclosable casing sleeves have been carried out in more than 10 horizontal wells in Ordos Basin unconventional reservoirs. This paper focuses on some typical application cases. Case 1 introduces a successful case of skip fracturing. According to the principle of complex fracture generated by stress interference, skip fracturing test is carried out, and successful experience is obtained in the process. Case 2 introduces a fracturing fluid breakthrough treatment with reclosable casing sleeves in a waterflood infill area. Breakthrough occurs during fracturing, resulting the connection between the fracturing stage and an injection well. The problem is solved by adjusting fracturing string and closing the sleeve, the subsequent stages are normally fractured, and an infill horizontal well is saved. Case 3 introduces a successful application of closing sleeves to treat high water-cut in a horizontal well after six months of production, which provides experience for treating water-out wells. Case 4 introduces the first successful case of the 28 reclosable casing sleeves + 3611.5m permanent optical fiber monitoring test outside casing in China. The success rate of sleeves is 89.3%, the real-time optical fiber monitoring signal is stable, and the operation is successfully completed.

The reclosable casing sleeve has a wide application prospect in enriching reservoir stimulation mode and well production management, but there are still many problems to be solved related to the sleeve and its application. There are both successful experiences and lessons in tests. This paper will share these with the peers, and promote the improvement and application of reclosable casing sleeve technique.
Extreme Well Condition Demands Customized Completion Design for Fracturing and Well Testing in HPHT Exploratory Well
Authors: Magrì R. , Repetto C. , Sacchini A. , Brambilla R. , Magna Detto Calcaterra S. , Carpineta G.
Published: September 2023

New and extreme challenges, from engineering and operational standpoints, were faced during the preparation and execution of an exploration well in an HPHT environment. COVID-19 pandemic outbreak made it even more challenging leading to several issues in terms of material deliverability and personnel availability.

The nature of the reservoir required hydraulic fracturing to be performed prior to test the explorative target. The entire fracturing treatment and well testing were performed through an instrumented well testing string which allowed to save rig time and, thus, costs.

This paper goes through the selection of proper completion and hydraulic fracturing technologies to withstand the challenges that such environment poses to deliver the job safely and timely.

The completion hardware selected to perform the job was a well test/frac string equipped with sensors, tester valve and circulating valve. A mechanical set down weight non-rotating packer isolated the reservoir from the annulus, a standard completion safety valve and a tubing hanger with X-Mas Tree completed the configuration of the DST string.

Another important aspect was the need of heavy brine (i.e. bromide based) which exposed the equipment and material to aggressive environment.

Hydraulic fracturing operations were carried out smoothly with the support of a dedicated frac vessel reaching up to 10,000 psi at wellhead and more than 12,000 psi at bottomhole.

The total amount of proppant pumped into formation was one of the highest in the Operator experience and good results were achieved in unknown formations. The result of the stimulation job was a good values of proppant concentration in the fracture as long as a good frac width.

During well testing operations high drawdown was reached without compromising the integrity of the string.

This paper outlines and describes the completion and fracturing job engineering, preparation and execution phases including all the mitigation actions and lessons learned gathered during operations.

Moreover, this experience showed how a resilient culture and an integrated approach between subsidiary operations and headquarter technical support, lead to successful operative results.
Slurry Acid Fracturing was First Ever Proposed to Unlock the Production Potential in Low Permeability Carbonate Reservoir in Central Iraq
Authors: Xiao Yong , Lu Lize , Zhang Jian , Mahmood Haider Qays , Sabir Hadeel Salahuddin , Wang Hehua , Li Xin , Wang Jian , Xu Tao , Mi Zhongrong , Kang Bo , Cheng Yi , Deng Yunhui , Huang Kai , Zhang Zhenghong
Published: September 2023

The low permeability carbonate reservoir in central Iraq was discovered in the 80's, facing the acid stimulation demand of shut-in well reactivation and new drilling well high-efficiency production. Low permeability, poor pore connectivity and non-ideal production necessitate the shift from conventional acidizing and pad fracturing to integrated multistage acid fracturing techniques, which achieve better fracture conductivity and deep penetration to maximize the production potential. Petro-physically speaking, effective porosity, net pay and hydrocarbon pore volume are related to reservoir performance. In this low permeability carbonate reservoir, previous acid stimulation analysis shows that the factors affecting production capacity are far more than those above mentioned. The injection parameters, surface etching and conductivity were lab-tested and evaluated among the four techniques of matrix acidizing, pad fracturing, alternating injection with acid and linear gel and proppant-slurry acid fracturing. The proppant-slurry acid fracturing was the first-ever proposed to unlock the production potential. Comparing to the conventional acid stimulation, the parameters including the proportion of crosslinked gel and acid, concentration, size and total volume of proppant, multistage injection volume and rate, retardance and closed acidizing, have been optimized and designed successfully for the first pilot well on-site.After the lab tests, geomechanics and modeling and parameter simulation of proppant-slurry acid fracturing, the results show that the stress difference between the perforated layer and the upper rock layers is about 5 MPa, the geometry of the artificial fractures can be controlled in between oil layers. Water-based guar gel fracturing fluid with additives and 20% concentration HCL with retarded agents were selected, the maximum pumping rate was designed as 6.0 m3/min with 6862 Psi pumping pressure, and the volume of acid was double of fracturing fluid. After the pumping of 20 m3 20/40 proppant with maximum concentration of 583 kg/m3 and 400 m3 acid, the evaluation results showed that the propped half-length Xf = 116.4 m width Wf = 0.7 cm, and dimensionless conductivity is 2.6. The predicted production was 2.5 times greater than before stimulation, and the artificial fracture was initiated in the pad stage, and then a finite conductive channel was formed by dual support of surface etching and proppant.Many technical and operational challenges were faced and properly handled with lab tests, numerical simulation and evaluation, which will form the completion and stimulation strategies for the low permeability carbonate reservoir. Four jobs have been confirmed for proppant-slurry acid fracturing.
A Dynamic Shift in Stimulation and Completion Strategy to Develop the Complex Mishrif Reservoir of Minagish Field, Western Kuwait
Authors: Al-Sabea S. , Patra M. , Ziyab K. , Abueida A. , Najaf A. , Al-Haddad M. , Bu-Mijdad M. M. , Salem A. , Peiwu L. , Pochetnyy V. , Almatroud N. , AlOthman F.
Published: September 2023

One of the most complex reservoir structures in Kuwait is the Mishrif reservoir in the Minagish field of western Kuwait. This depleted reservoir is composed of multiple heavily faulted compartments, each trending in different directions and with varying depth extensions. Earlier production was heavily dependent on these faults. Of late, a dynamic change in approach is under study to maximize the sustained oil production.

Recent findings from multiple openhole horizontal laterals crossing Mishrif using production logging tools and dynamic temperature survey enabled identification of some major faults as thief zones and not contributing to production. In extreme cases, mechanical isolation is necessary to overcome the losses and allow the well to produce. An openhole multistage completion (MSC) with extensive packer placement was deployed in a well in the central geographic area of the Mishrif crossing multiple faults and natural fractures. This was to study and to maximize the production potential after hydraulic acid fracturing. The combination of appropriate logging analysis, completion design, and hydraulic acid fracturing design were all key to the well production success.

The subject well is the first MSC with the faults mechanically isolated and the production relying on the fractures. All stages were completed in a record 5 days with multiple onsite decisions to control the fluid leakoff during the treatments. Due to the degradable balls with the MSC, milling operation was not required. The stabilized production result of approximately 800 BOPD achieved the target.

The dynamic changes in production over time can cause a complete shift in reservoir development strategy for the Mishrif reservoir. This is particularly due to the reservoir being highly faulted, complex, tight carbonate and highly depleted in nature. This paper describes the strategies used in multiple wells that led to a successful design and completion of the subject well.
YOLOv5-CE-DAFF: A polyp detection model based on CBAM-ECA attention mechanism and dropout-based adaptive feature fusion
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Zhang Qiming , Qiao Chen , Mei Zhandong , Ren Kai , Chen Jian
Published: September 2023

Colorectal cancer often develops from polyps, and timely detection and removal of polyps can effectively reduce colorectal cancer mortality. However, traditional medical imaging methods have low accuracy and slow detection speed, which cannot meet the requirements of practical use. For the above reasons, we propose a real-time polyp detection model called YOLOv5-CE-DAFF, which is based on the YOLOv5 model and incorporates the CBAM-ECA attention mechanism and dropout-based adaptive feature fusion. Firstly, to pay more attention to polyp features, we incorporate the CBAM-ECA attention module into the local cross-layer fusion structure. Secondly, we design an adaptive feature fusion of the prediction feature layer based on dropout, which increases the number of high-quality prediction boxes. Thirdly, we improve the positive and negative sample matching strategy to accelerate model convergence and improve detection accuracy. Additionally, we combine Soft-NMS and WBF to replace the original NMS algorithm, which retains as many high-quality prediction boxes as possible. The model proposed in this paper is tested on the colonoscopy dataset provided by Huashan Hospital. Numerical experiments show that YOLOv5-CE-DAFF has high detection accuracy and a low missed detection rate for colon polyps. Compared with the original YOLOv5 model, the proposed model significantly improves recognition accuracy and reduces missed detection rate.
Impact of advanced oxidation process (AOPs) pretreatment on enhancing sludge dewaterability: new insights through EPS protein and sludge hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity properties
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhu Jing , Yang Xue , Dai Xiaohu
Published: September 2023

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are important for improving sludge dewatering efficiency. In this study, AOPs such as pretreatment with sodium persulphate and calcium peroxide were investigated as methods for improving the dewaterability of waste activated sludge (raw sludge), digested sludge (DS), and sludge digested for 3 days (DS-3). The results showed that persulphate and peroxide could effectively improve the dewaterability of sludge. The results suggested that the maximum increment of free moisture of 4.69% was achieved for the DS-3 of pretreatment with persulphate, and the mechanism investigation revealed that AOPs pretreatment could enhance sludge floc disintegration, degrade the protein (PN) fraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and accelerate the release of mechanically bound moisture. Free moisture was significantly negatively correlated with the DS PN concentration in extra-microcolony polymers (R = 0.850, p < 0.01). Compared with RS, the organic matter content of DS and DS-3 sludge samples pretreated by AOPs was lower, viscosity was decreased, zeta potential was closer to zero, and the strength of amino, amide II and other hydrophilic functional groups decreased or disappeared. Under the same AOPs conditions, the dewateratbility of digested sludge is better than that of RS. This study reveals the mechanisms of sludge AOP conditioning and provides a theoretical basis for practical applications.
Efficient degradation of sulfamethoxazole by diatomite-supported hydroxyl-modified UIO-66 photocatalyst
Authors: Liu Huilai , Zhang Yu , Lv Xinxin , Cui Minshu , Cui Kangping , Dai Zhengliang , Wang Bei , Weerasooriya Rohan , Chen Xing
Published: September 2023

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a widely used antibiotic to treat bacterial infections prevalent among humans and animals. SMX undergoes several transformation pathways in living organisms and external environments. Therefore, the development of efficient remediation methods for treating SMX and its metabolites is needed. We fabricated a photo-Fenton catalyst using UIO-66 (Zr) metal-organic framework (MOF) dispersed in diatomite by a single-step solvothermal method for hydroxylation (HO-UIO-66). The HO-UIO-66-0/DE assisted Fenton process shows SMX degradation at 94.7% efficiency; however, HO-UIO-66 (Zr) is not stable. We improved the stability of the catalyst by introducing a calcination step. The calcination temperature is critical to improving the catalytic efficiency of the composite (for example, designated as HO-UIO-66/DE-300 to denote hydroxylated UIO-66 dispersed in diatomite calcined at 300°C). The degradation of SMX by HO-UIO-66/DE-300 was 93.8% in 120 min with 4 mmol/L H2O2 at pH 3 under visible light radiation. The O1s XPS signatures signify the stability of the catalyst after repeated use for SMX degradation. The electron spin resonance spectral data suggests the role of h+, •OH, •O2-, and 1O2 in SMX degradation routes. The HO-UIO-66/DE-300 assisted Fenton process shows potential in degrading pharmaceutical products present in water and wastewater.
The Study Of Remazolam Combined With Sufentanil And Propofol On Painless Gastroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Authors: Wu Xiaohong , Zeng Lin , Zhang Tianyao , Wu Wei , Tian Ying , dong Shuhua
Published: September 2023

Background
Gastroscopy is one of the most commonly used diagnostic modalities for upper gastrointestinal disorders. Remazolam besylate, a new type of ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine drug, has been less studied in gastroscopy. In this study, we studied the efficacy and safety of remazolam combined with propofol for painless gastroscopy.
Methods
This was a single-center, placebo-controlled randomized trial. One hundred patients undergoing painless gastroscopy were included in this study and randomly divided into two groups (n = 50 per group): the control group (Con group) and the remazolam group (Rem group). Sufentanil, remazolam, and propofol are used to anesthetize the patients, and then, the effects of different solutions on these patients are compared and analyzed. The patient's general condition, vital signs at different times, the dosage of propofol (mg) and additional times, complications, duration of gastroscopy (min), recovery time (min), residence time in the resuscitation room (min), and adverse reactions were recorded.
Results
Rem group SBP is more stable(P < 0.05); The number of additional propofol in Rem group was less(P < 0.05). The incidence of hypotension, bradycardia and dizziness was lower in Rem group, as well as the time of awakening and staying in the resuscitation room were shorter(P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Remazolam combined with sufentanil and propofol have less effect on hemodynamics in painless gastroscopy, and the patients have shorter awakening time.
Characteristics and risk assessment of water weight metal pollution in a mining area in Southern Hunan Province
Authors: Feng Li Jian , Feng Pan
Published: September 2023

We aimed to analyze the impact of tin mining and metallurgy on the water environment around a mining area. To achieve this, we selected pond water (n = 9), river water (n = 22), tailing dams (n = 4), and well water samples (n = 4) from a mining area in Hunan to analyze for major ions and heavy metals. Pond water, river water, tailings dam, and well water in the area were mainly of the Ca-Mg-HCO3 type, mainly controlled by rock weathering. The average ion content of the water bodies was highest in the tailing dam (12.01 mg/L), followed by the river (10.14 mg/L), well (9.71 mg/L), and pond waters (7.40 mg/L). Regarding heavy metal distribution concentration, arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) made up the highest percentage of metal elements in ponds (81.86%) and river water (67.64%), tailings dams (87.61%), and well water (71.77%), respectively. Water quality indicators showed that the mean values of the single factor pollution index for each heavy metal element were ranked as mercury (Hg, 10.30 µg/L) > As (1.76 µg/L) > Mn (0.36 µg/L) > cadmium (Cd, 0.30µg/L) > copper (Cu, 0.16 µg/L) > iron (Fe, 0.12 µg/L) > Chromium (Cr, 0.07 µg/L) > tin (Sn, 0.04 µg/L ) > lead (Pb, 0.02 µg/L) ≈ Zinc (Zn, 0.02 µg/L). Combined multi-factor pollution index (Pn) > 0.7 µg/L for Hg and As in the water bodies and Pn < 0.7 µg/L for all other heavy metals indicate that Hg and As were the main elements polluting the water bodies. The overall pollution was controllable and not significant; controlling the pH in the acidic range could significantly reduce the water's ability to carry Hg. Correlation and principal component analyses showed that the PC1 variance contribution rate accumulated at 33.3%, and the main variables were (As, Hg, and Cu) and (Zn and Cd). Moreover, the PC2 variance contribution rate accumulated at 19.9%, and the main variables were Ti, Pb, Sn, and Mn, implying that the two groups of elements have homologous relationships or have common pollution sources.PCI variables mainly originated from mining areas and agricultural activities, and PC2 variables originated from mining areas, providing basic data and theoretical support for preventing and controlling heavy metal pollution in tin mining waters.
Differentiation of biologically functional peritoneal mesothelial cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Kato Tadashi , Yasuda Masahiro , Nakatsuka Ryusuke , Shirouzu Yasumasa , Fujioka Tatsuya , Hattori Fumiyuki , Taniyama Yoshihiro , Ogata Hiroaki , Sakashita Akiko , Honda Hirokazu , Hitomi Hirofumi
Published: September 2023

The peritoneum, which provides a slippery, nonadhesive, and protective surface for body cavities and internal organs, comprises peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs). Peritoneum is semipermeable, which makes it useful for performing peritoneal dialysis, but prolonged exposure to dialysate causes peritoneal adhesions. PMC replenishment could help treat adhesions in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis; however, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient yields of PMCs to achieve this. Here, we developed a method for differentiating PMCs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The hiPSCs were initially differentiated to the intermediate lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) stage in the presence of FGF2 and BMP4. The LPM-stage cells were then differentiated into PMCs by activation of Wnt and retinoic acid signaling pathways and BMP inhibition. Expression of PMC markers verified correct cellular differentiation. Passaging of the induced PMCs (iPMCs) resulted in a uniform population of mature cells that were permeable to small molecules but only exhibited low permeability for large molecules. In addition, the iPMCs appeared to have regenerative and restorative properties. These findings suggest that iPMCs could help study human peritoneal function and be used for cell therapy in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
Propagating insulator-to-metal transition in the wake of photoinduced strain waves in a Mott material
Authors: Amano Tatsuya , Babich Danylo , Mandal Ritwika , Guzman-Brambila Julio , Volte Alix , Trzop Elzbieta , Servol Marina , Pastor Ernest , Alashoor Maryam , Larsson Jörgen , Jurgilaitis Andrius , Pham Van-Thai , Kroon David , Ekström John Carl , Ahn Byungnam , Mariette Céline , Levantino Matteo , Kozhaev Mickael , Tranchant Julien , Corraze Benoît , Cario Laurent , Phuoc Vinh Ta , Sopracase Rodolphe , Grau Mathieu , Itoh Hirotake , Kawakami Yohei , Nakamura Yuto , Kishida Hideo , Cailleau Hervé , Lorenc Maciej , Iwai Shinichiro , Janod Etienne
Published: September 2023

Ultrafast physics opens new avenues for directing materials to different functional macroscopic states on non-thermal dynamical pathways. In any phase transition involving volume and/or ferroelastic deformation, an often overlooked mechanism emerges whereby photoinduced elastic waves drive the transition. However, a comprehensive physical picture of transformation dynamics which includes acoustic scale propagation remained elusive. Here we show that such a strain wave mechanism drives the ultrafast insulator-to-metal phase transition (IMT) in the V2O3 Mott material. We discuss the underlying physics based on time-resolved optical reflectivity and X-ray diffraction probing granular thin films. We evidence the role of strain wave mechanisms in ultrafast changes either with or without symmetry breaking. We reveal inverse ferroelastic shear occurring before the IMT propagating in the wake of compressive strain wave. These dynamics are shown to be governed by the domain size and the film thickness, respectively. A fluence threshold is evidenced for the onset of IMT at macroscopic scale, as well as phase separation at intermediate fluence and complete transformation at saturating fluence. We clarify the morphological conditions for the ultrafast IMT that is favoured in granular thin films, and hindered in single crystals. The resulting physical picture shed new light on ultrafast phase transitions in quantum materials and future devices based ond Mott insulators.
DNMT3B splicing dysregulation mediated by SMCHD1 loss contributes to DUX4 overexpression and FSHD pathogenesis
Authors: Salton Maayan , Engal Eden , Sharma Aveksha , Taqatqa Nadeen , Bentata Mercedes , Jaffe-Herman Shiri , Geminder Ophir , Lewis Reyut , Gotkine Marc , Eiges Rachel , Mouly Vincent , Drier Yotam
Published: September 2023

SMCHD1 is a non-canonical SMC protein and an epigenetic regulator. Mutations in SMCHD1 cause facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 2 (FSHD2), a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting, believed to be caused by aberrant expression of DUX4 in muscle cells. Here we demonstrate a new role for SMCHD1 as a regulator of alternative splicing in various cell types. We show how SMCHD1 loss cause splicing alterations of DNMT3B which can lead to hypomethylation, DUX4 expression, and FSHD pathogenesis. Analyzing RNA-seq data from muscle biopsies of FSHD2 patients and Smchd1 knocked out cells, we found mis-splicing of hundreds of genes upon SMCHD1 loss. At least 20% of mis-spliced genes were associated with abnormalities of the musculature. Moreover, mis-spliced exons tend to be bound by SMCHD1, and bound exons demonstrate a slower elongation rate, suggesting SMCHD1 binding promotes exon exclusion by slowing RNAPII, and recruitment of the splicing factor RBM5. The mis-splicing of DNMT3B leads to hypomethylation of the D4Z4 region and to DUX4 overexpression. These results suggest that mis-splicing by SMCHD1 may play a major role in FSHD2 pathogenesis by promoting the mis-splicing of different targets including DNMT3B, and highlight the potential for targeting splicing as a therapeutic strategy.
Three predictive models for transthoracic device closure of atrial septal defect: a comprehensive comparative analysis
Authors: Ruan Weiqiang , Han Junyang , Xie Lin , Lin Ke
Published: September 2023

Background:
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease. Although transthoracic occlusion of ASD is increasingly seen as a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery, the choice of procedure often relies on the surgeon's experience and the insights gained from transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images, lacking concrete, quantifiable standards. This study aims to guide clinical surgical decisions by developing and comparing predictive models.
Methods:
We analyzed 312 patients with secundum atrial septal defects who underwent either transthoracic device closure or open surgical repair. By measuring and analyzing preoperative TEE data and utilizing statistical and programming software, we developed three predictive models: logistic regression, random forest, and multiple linear regression. The original data were divided into a training dataset and a testing dataset, with each model trained on the training dataset and validated on the testing dataset. The predictive performance of each model was then evaluated on both adult and pediatric data.
Results:
Each model exhibited remarkable predictive power. The prediction accuracies in the training dataset for the logistic regression model, random forest model, and multiple linear regression model were 0.892, 0.888, and 0.868, respectively. In the testing dataset, the prediction accuracies were 0.9194, 0.871, and 0.9194, respectively.
Conclusions:
This study developed three predictive models to guide clinical surgical decisions for ASD closure surgery. Among them, the multivariate linear regression model demonstrated significant predictive accuracy, offering the potential to streamline the clinical decision-making process. This model does not require complex computations and is capable of providing quick, real-time predictions.
Impact of Healthcare Accessibility on Suicide Rates in the European Union: A Cross-Sectional Correlation Study
Authors: Máčel Martin , Opelka Jakub , Němcová Hana , Labajová Alexa
Published: September 2023

Background.
Suicide is a global and devastating phenomenon with severe society-wide consequences. One of the fundamental goals of researchers, policymakers, and health and social service professionals is to predict suicidal behaviour and prevent it. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the accessibility of healthcare, its financing by the state and the suicide rate in the states of the European Union. We aim to identify which part of the healthcare system, or the interplay between them, is critical to suicide prevention.
Methods.
We used freely available data from Eurostat, the statistical agency of the European Union, which processes and freely publishes demographic, economic, and social data from all European Union states. From the available data, we identified those that best indicate the availability and funding of health care in each state. These are the following factors: number of psychiatrists, number of general practitioners, length of psychiatric hospitalisation, number of psychiatric beds, unmet medical needs of citizens, government funding of healthcare and suicide rate. We included data from 2011 to 2019, the latest fully published datasets at the time of this study's writing.
Results.
Our statistical model demonstrated exceptional explanatory power, accounting for 25% of the suicide rate variance within European Union states, a substantial number for a phenomenon as complex as suicide. A significantly protective effect was found between the number of psychiatrists, percentage of inhabitants self-reporting fully met medical examination needs and suicide rate. Notably, the reported met medical needs can serve as an indirect yet significant indicator of the accessibility and quality of a healthcare system. Moreover, the significant positive effect between reported unmet medical needs and the suicide rate highlights the profound impact of healthcare accessibility on overall well-being and mental health.
Conclusions.
Our findings might serve as a basis for policies aiming to lower suicide rates in European countries by enhancing access to and funding of healthcare. We consider it crucial that interventions trying to reduce suicide rates focus not only on the quantity of resources and personnel that go into the healthcare system but also on their education, supervision, and care for their own physical and mental health.
Mendelian Randomization Analysis Reveals Causal Relationship Between Obstetric-related Diseases and COVID-19
Authors: Fang Yan , Fang Dajun
Published: September 2023

Background: Several observational studies demonstrated that pregnant individuals with COVID-19 had a higher risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth. We aimed to determine whether women with COVID-19 diagnosis had adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis in this study was used to evaluate the casual relationships between COVID-19 infection and obstetric-related diseases based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) dataset. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO were used to infer the connection and estimate the pleiotropy respectively.
Results: The significant connection was observed between COVID-19 and placental disorders with betaIVW of 1.57 and odds ratio of 4.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]:1.05-22.05, p =0.04). However, there were no associations between COVID-19 infection and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (OR= 1.12; 95% CI:0.85-1.45, p =0.41), other disorders of amniotic fluid and membranes (OR= 0.90; 95% CI:0.61-1.32, p =0.59), Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) (OR= 1.42; 95% CI:0.85-2.36, p =0.18), birth weight (OR= 1.02; 95% CI:0.99-1.05, p =0.19), gestational hypertension (OR= 1.00; 95% CI:1.00-1.00, p =0.85), spontaneous miscarriages (OR= 1.00; 95% CI:0.96-1.04, p =0.90) and stillbirth (OR= 1.00; 95% CI:0.98-1.01, p =0.62).
Conclusion: There was no direct causal relationship between COVID-19 infection and maternal and neonatal poor outcomes. Our study could alleviate the anxiety of pregnant women under the COVID-19 pandemic conditions partly.
Altitude-dependent Variation in Lipoprotein Profile as a Predictor of Hypoxic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in COPD Patients: An Analysis Across Gradient Altitudes
Authors: Zhong-Ping Wang , Geng Yu-Mei , Hua Mao , Ge Ri-Li , Bai Zhenzhong
Published: September 2023

Background
The heterogeneity of the spectrum of lipoproteins plays an important role in pulmonary hypertension, which mainly focuses on arterial types of pulmonary hypertension (PAH), but is little understood for the hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH).
Objectives
Here, we explore the impact of altitude-induced hypoxia and lipoprotein levels on the occurrence and development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease combined with Pulmonary Hypertension (COPD-PH) in high-altitude residents.
Methods
Clinical data from 245 COPD-PH patients admitted to Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital (2018–2022) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into middle (1500m-<2500m; 119 cases) and high-altitude (2500m-<4500m; 126 cases) groups, with a control group comprising 100 health-check participants from the same altitudes. Main variables included Pulmonary Arterial Systolic Pressure (PASP), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL), and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL).
Results
Differences in Body Mass Index (BMI), PASP, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, and lipoprotein ratios between the control and COPD-PH groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression revealed serum TC, HDL ≤ 1.13 mmol/L, and TC/HDL ≥ 3.52 as independent predictors of COPD-PH. In the COPD-PH group, PASP negatively correlated with BMI, TC, and HDL but positively correlated with age, altitude, and TC/HDL.
Conclusions
Low-oxygen conditions at high altitude are closely related to the severity of pulmonary artery pressure in COPD-PH patients and can influence the occurrence and development of COPD-PH by affecting serum TC and TC/HDL levels. Gender differences in COPD-PH occurrence and prognosis may be linked to TC, HDL, and TC/HDL, suggesting PAH is a gender-bimodal disease primarily affecting females.
Managing Pratylenchus brachyurus in subsequent soybean crops following maize-brachiaria intercropping in greenhouse conditions
Authors: Bicalho Anderson Cascione Gripp , Santiago Débora Cristina , Machado Andressa Cristina Zamboni
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to evaluate how intercropping maize and brachiaria impacts the population dynamics of Pratylenchus brachyurus in subsequent soybean crops, both in greenhouse and field conditions. A secondary objective was to assess the effectiveness of two seed treatment nematicides in this crop system. The research involved ten sites where soybeans were grown after the maize-brachiaria intercropping, alongside fields with single maize or brachiaria cultivation for comparison. In addition, two experiments were conducted in pots in greenhouse. The treatments included maize-brachiaria intercropping with maize treated or non-treated with nematicides, followed by soybean treated or non-treated with the same nematicides, all in the presence of P. brachyurus. Nematode population analyses were conducted for both the intercropped maize and brachiaria, as well as the subsequent soybean plants. The findings indicated that P. brachyurus was the predominant nematode in the root samples, with higher representation observed in the presence of maize-brachiaria intercropping. In both experiments, fluopyram exhibited superior efficacy against the lesion nematode compared to B. firmus when applied to soybean after intercropping of maize and brachiaria. Importantly, intercropping maize and brachiaria without nematicides led to the persistence of P. brachyurus populations, potentially causing issues in subsequent soybean crops. The data suggests that incorporating brachiaria in intercropping with maize contributes to the proliferation of P. brachyurus. However, the study demonstrated that this negative impact could be mitigated by implementing chemical and/or biological nematicides throughout the crop season. Hence, while intercropping systems involving maize-brachiaria may worsen problems caused by P. brachyurus in infested fields, appropriate nematicide application can effectively manage nematode populations and minimize potential harm to crops.
Epidemiology of adverse events and near misses in public exercise facilities: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hirata Akihiro , Oguma Yuko , Saito Yoshinobu , Ito Tomoya , Kondo Keisuke , Takemoto Yoshiteru , Nishigaya Tatsunori , Shiobara Sachi
Published: September 2023

Background
This study aims to identify the demographics of new users of training rooms in public exercise facilities in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, as well as determine the incidence and frequency of adverse events and near misses of users exercising in the training room.
Methods
This prospective cohort study was conducted between October 2021 and December 2022. The participants were 1,235 (739 male and 496 female) new users of training rooms in three public exercise facilities in Fujisawa City who agreed to respond to the survey questionnaire comprising questions on demographics (age, sex, height, weight, exercise habits, underlying medical conditions, preworkout health check created based on Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire +: PAR-Q་), frequency of training room use, and occurrence of adverse events and near misses during exercise. Participant demographics were elicited at baseline using a questionnaire. Furthermore, data on the frequency of use and adverse events/near misses were reported by staff.
Results
The study found that 54.4% of the male and 72.9% of the female users of public exercise facilities did not report any exercise habits. The proportion of individuals with underlying medical conditions and persons included in one or more of the seven-item preexercise health check was higher in older age groups than in younger groups for both males and females. During the observation period, participants did not experience any adverse events or near misses. However, all training room users experienced a total of six adverse events, five of which were falls, of which four occurred in users aged 60 years or older.
Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest consideration of preexisting health conditions, the use of a standardized preexercise health check, and the education of trainers at public exercise facilities in Japan to avoid the occurrence of adverse events and near misses during exercise, particularly for those with underlying medical conditions and those in the older age group.
Effectiveness of gamified digital interventions in mental health prevention and health promotion among adults: A systematic review
Authors: Aschentrup Leona , Steimer Pia Anna , Dadaczynski Kevin , Call Timothy Mc , Fischer Florian , Wrona Kamil J.
Published: September 2023

Background
Though still a young field of research, gamified digital interventions have demonstrated potential in exerting a favorable impact on health and overall well-being. With the increasing use of the internet and digital devices, the integration of game elements presents novel opportunities for preventing mental disorders and enhancing mental health. Hence, this systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of gamified interventions focusing on preventing mental disorders or promoting mental health among adults.
Methods
Based on a systematic literature research across four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo and Web of Science), 7,953 studies were initially identified. After removing duplicates and screening titles, abstracts and full texts, 16 studies were identified as suitable for inclusion in a narrative synthesis of findings. We included interventional studies encompassing an intervention and a control group aiming to investigate the effectiveness of the use of gamified digital mental health interventions and the use of gamified digital elements.
Results
Overall, positive effects of gamified interventions on mental health-related outcomes were identified. In particular, beneficial consequences for psychological well-being and depressive symptoms were observed. However, further outcomes, such as resilience, anxiety, stress or satisfaction with life, showed heterogenous findings. Most game elements used were reward, sensation and progress, whilst the quantity of elements was not consistent and, therefore, no substantiated conclusion can be drawn. Further, the outcomes, measurements and analyses differed greatly between the 16 included studies making comparisons difficult.
Conclusion
In summary, this systematic review demonstrates the potential of integrating digital game elements on mental health and well-being with still a great gap of research. A taxonomy is needed to adequately address relevant game elements in the field of mental health promotion and prevention of mental disorders. Therefore, future studies should explicitly focus on the mechanisms of effect and apply rigorous study designs.