bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning and Expression of PirA gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strain K5 Causing Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease in Whiteleg Shrimp in E. coli Host Cell
Authors: Linh Nguyen Quang , Nguyen Khanh Van , Tran Dung Quoc , Tran Quang Van Khanh
Published: January 2022

Background: Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), is a bacterial disease of whiteleg shrimp, which has a high mortality rate (100%) and incurs economic losses. Our objective was to identify the genes which lead to cell and organ damage and investigate bioproducts to prevent and treat. Methods: Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam were collected from an infected pond and analysed at the Institute of Biotechnology, Hue University. The PirA gene of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain K5 was isolated and analyzed for nucleotide sequence and paired with the expression vector pQE30. The expression vector was transformed into E. coli strain M15, the PirA recombinant protein was expressed in the form of 6xHis-PirA fusion protein of about 15 kDa. PirA recombinant protein was purified and determined the PirAvp binding ratio, cloning and sequencing of PirA gene from Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain K5 causing AHPND by PCR method with specific primers and molecular weights of PirAvp and the PirAvp complex. Results: PirA gene from Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain K5 was cloned into pGEM-T easy vector (Promega, USA) and screened E. coli TOP10 colonies containing pGEM T easy/PirA recombinant plasmid on LB agar/ampicillin/IPTG/X-Gal medium. PCR showing a band of about 347 bp, matching the size of PirA gene and two nucleotide sequences (BamHI and HindIII). The results showed that PirA gene has a length of 336 bp and similar to PirA gene on GenBank (Code: KU556825.1). The results of protein extracted from E. coli M15 recombinant cells and 6xHis-PirA target protein was collected in elution fractions from EF2 to EF6, showed that the concentration of 6xHis-PirA protein and EF3 elution fraction collected a highest protein concentration (1,586.54 µg/ml). Conclusions: The purified PirA recombinant protein will provide materials for development research to create biological products to prevent and treat AHPND.
Control Of Plant Diseases By An Allium-based Antimicrobial Formulation
Authors: Oluwashina Oladejo , Imani Jafargholi
Published: January 2022

The objective of this work was to determine the antimicrobial properties of an allium-based antimicrobial formulation named VEG’LYS (https://phytoauxilium.com/) on the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms such as fungi, oomycetes, and bacteria. Two anthracnose-related species of the fungal genus Colletotrichum, C. gloeosporioides, and C. fragariae, the oomycete Phytophthora cactorum and the bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae associated with strawberry plants and two fungi Alternaria dauci and Botrytis cinerea, associated with carrot plants were tested in vitro. In in planta experiments, A. dauci and B. cinerea were used.. VEG’LYS inhibited the growth of all plant pathogens tested. We found that both curative and preventive in planta treatments with VEG’LYS inhibited the growth of A. dauci and B. cinerea in carrot. Furthermore, after spraying VEG’LYS on carrot plants the expression of the Pathogenesis-related (PR) 10 gene correlated with the magnitude of infection both in treated and untreated plants. Additionally, it has been shown, that the field application of VEG’LYS on strawberry plants results in a reduction of bacterial and fungal pathogens of strawberry fruits stored in refrigerator. In summary, VEG’LYS is a potential resistance inducer that seems to be suitable for use in both curative and preventive treatments to reduce the diseases and rotting of fruits and vegetables caused by different plant pathogens.
A BIM Based Framework for Damage Segmentation, Storage, and Visualization
Authors: Artus Mathias , Alabassy Mohamed , Koch Christian
Published: January 2022

Current bridge inspection practices rely on paper-based data acquisition, digitization, and multiple conversions in between incompatible formats to facilitate data exchange. This practice is time-consuming, error-prone, cumbersome, and leads to information loss. One aim for future inspection procedures is to have a fully digitized workflow that achieves loss-free data exchange, which lowers costs and offers higher efficiency. On the one hand, existing studies proposed methods to automatize data acquisition and visualization for inspections. These studies lack an open standard to make the gathered data available for other processes. On the other hand, several studies discuss data structures for exchanging damage information through out different stakeholders. However, those studies do not cover the process of automatic data acquisition and transfer. This study focused on a framework that incorporates automatic damage data acquisition, transfer, and a damage information model for data exchange. This enables inspectors to use damage data for subsequent analyses and simulations. The proposed framework shows the potentials for a comprehensive damage information model and related (semi-)automatic data acquisition and processing.
Assessment of Biostimulation Methods based on Chemical Communication in Female Doe Reproduction
Authors: Villamayor Paula R. , Gullón Julián , Yáñez Uxía , Sánchez María , Sánchez-Quinteiro Pablo , Martínez Paulino , Quintela Luis
Published: January 2022

Biostimulation is an animal management practice that helps improve reproductive parameters by modulating animal sensory systems. Chemical signals, mostly known as pheromones, have a great potential in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the influence of short-term female rabbit exposure to different conditions, mainly pheromone-mediated, on reproductive parameters of inseminated does. Groups of 60 females/each were exposed to 1) female urine, 2) male urine, 3) seminal plasma and 4) female-female interaction, just before artificial insemination, and compared to isolated females controls (female-female separated). The following reproductive parameters were analyzed for each group: receptivity (vulvar color), fertility (calving rate), prolificacy and number of born alive and dead kits ⁄ litter. Our results showed that the biostimulation methods employed in this experiment did not significantly improve any of the analyzed parameters. However, female doe exposure to urine, especially to male urine, slightly increased fertility levels when compared to the rest of the experimental conditions. Female-female interaction before artificial insemination, which is a common practice in rabbit farms, did not have any effect, which suggests its removal to avoid unnecessary animal management and time cost. On the other hand, fertility ranges were lower for animals with pale vulvar color whereas no differences were noticed among the other three colours which measure receptivity (pink, red, purple), thus suggesting that these three colours could be grouped together. Additionally, equine chorionic gonadotropin injection could be replaced with various biostimulation methods, therefore reducing or replacing current hormonal treatments, and contributing to animal welfare and to a natural image of animal production.
MISF2 Encodes an Essential Mitochondrial Splicing Co-factor Required for nad2 mRNA Processing and Embryo Development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nguyen Tan-Trung , Best Corinne , Shevtsov Sofia , Zmudjak Michal , Quadrado Martine , Mizrahi Ron , Zer Hagit , Mireau Hakim , Ostersetzer-Biran Oren
Published: January 2022

Mitochondria play key roles in cellular energy metabolism in eukaryotes. Mitochondria of most organisms contain their own genome and specific transcription and translation machineries. The expression of angiosperm mtDNA involves extensive RNA-processing steps, such as RNA trimming, editing, and the splicing of numerous group II-type introns. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are key players of plant organelle gene expression and RNA metabolism. In the present analysis, we reveal the function of the MITOCHONDRIAL SPLICING FACTOR 2 gene (MISF2, AT3G22670) and show that it encodes a mitochondria-localized PPR protein that is crucial for early embryo-development in Arabidopsis. Molecular characterization of embryo-rescued misf2 plantlets indicates that the splicing of nad2 intron 1 and thus respiratory complex I biogenesis are strongly compromised. Moreover, the molecular function seems conserved between MISF2 protein in Arabidopsis and its orthologous gene (EMP10) in maize, suggesting that the ancestor of MISF2/EMP10 was recruited to function in nad2 processing before the monocot-dicot divergence, ~200 million years ago. These data provide new insights into the function of nuclear-encoded factors in mitochondrial gene expression and respiratory chain biogenesis during plant embryo development.
Precipitation of Minerals from Water-Rich Fumarolic Gas Using a Flow-through Benchtop Installation
Authors: Zelenski Michael , Taran Yuri , Korneeva Alina , Sandalov Fedor , Nekrylov Nikolai
Published: January 2022

Volcanic fumaroles are openings in the earth's surface, where volcanic gases discharge to the atmosphere. Metallic and non-metallic elements contained in gases form specific mineral precipitates upon cooling. Although the presence of metals in fumarolic gases has long been known, their concentrations are generally low and difficult to measure directly. A laboratory model of a fumarole may resolve the situation if the complex gas composition could be accurately reproduced. Here we describe a new experimental approach that allows accurately simulating fumarolic gases in terms of their main components (H2O, CO2, S, HCl), as well as adding volatile metal compounds. Gas is generated inside a special flow-through reactor, at the outlet of which the elements contained in the gas form temperature-dependent mineral sequence inside the attached silica-glass tube. Using this installation, we obtained laboratory sublimates from reducing (H2S-rich) gases similar to natural ones in terms of mineral composition and mineral habits. Twenty-one phases have been identified in sublimates, among which are simple and complex chlorides, simple sulfides and six sulfosalts. Comparison of the sublimate deposition from H2O-rich gas at 1 bar with similar works performed in evacuated ampoules at low pressure showed that fumarolic gases behave like an ideal gas, in which molecules do not interact with each other, and reactive compounds in the gas serve in fact as an inert carrier of volatile metals species. Changing the composition of the gas at the outlet of the installation, its flow rate and temperature, we can observe the corresponding changes in mineral precipitates and in such a way study the factors affecting mineral formation on natural fumarolic fields.
Tiebout Sorting, Zoning, and Property Tax Rates
Authors: Bourassa Steven C. , Wu Wen-Chieh
Published: January 2022

This paper examines certain implications from the literature on Tiebout’s model of local gov-ernment service provision, particularly Hamilton’s extension of the model to include local control of land use and property taxation. Our empirical analysis focuses on the use of fiscal zoning to lower property tax rates, a topic that has not been addressed in the extensive Tiebout literature. Using data for over 100 municipalities in the Miami, Florida, metropolitan area, we specify property tax rates as a function of fiscal zoning measures, other municipal characteristics, and tax mimicking. We conclude that single-family zoning is by far the most important variable ex-plaining municipal property tax rates.
Investigating the Unfavored Factors That Interfere MALDI-TOF Based AI in Predicting Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Wang Hsin-Yao , Liu Yu-Hsin , Tseng Yi-Ju , Chung Chia-Ru , Lin Ting-Wei , Yu Jia-Ruei , Huang Yhu-Chering , Lu Jang-Jih
Published: January 2022

Combining Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) spectra data and artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced for rapid prediction on antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) of S. aureus. Based on the AI predictive probability, the cases with probabilities between low and high cut-offs are defined as “grey zone”. We aimed to investigate the underlying reasons of unconfident (grey zone) or wrong predictive AST. A total 479 S. aureus isolates were collected, analyzed by MALDI-TOF, and AST prediction, standard AST were obtained in a tertiary medical center. The predictions were categorized into the correct prediction group, wrong prediction group, and grey zone group. We analyzed the association between the predictive results and the demographic data, spectral data, and strain types. For MRSA, larger cefoxitin zone size was found in the wrong prediction group. MLST of the MRSA isolates in the grey zone group revealed that uncommon strain types composed 80%. Amid MSSA isolates in the grey zone group, the majority (60%) was composed of over 10 different strain types. In predicting AST based on MALDI-TOF AI, uncommon strains and high diversity would contribute to suboptimal predictive performance.
The Tryptophan Catabolite or Kynurenine Pathway’s Role in Major Depression
Authors: Almulla Abbas F. , Maes Michael
Published: January 2022

Kynurenine or tryptophan catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway contributes to the pathophysiology of major depression disorder (MDD) and major depressive episodes (MDE) in bipolar disorder and suicidal behaviors. The consequences of the overactivation of this pathway large reduced tryptophan (TRP) levels in peripheral blood and the CNS and increased levels of neurotoxic TRYCATs including kynurenine (KYN), 3-hydroxy kynurenine (3HK), quinolinic acid (QA), xanthurenic acid (XA), and picolinic acid (PA). However, other TRYCATs are protective, such as kynurenic acid (KA) and anthranilic acid (AA). Inflammation and cell-mediated immune activation along with oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) may stimulate the first and rate-limiting enzyme of this pathway, namely indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Therefore, during depression, balancing neuroprotective versus neurotoxic TRYCATs and balancing activation of the immune response system (IRS) versus the compensatory immune response system is crucial for achieving better treatment outcomes. Furthermore, targeting the causes of TRYCAT pathway activation (immune activation and O&NS) is probably the most effective strategy to treat depression. In the present review, we aim to provide a comprehensive explanation of the impact of TRYCATs in terms of pathophysiology and treatment of MDD and MDE.
Paleoenvironmental insights from the deposition and diagenesis of Aptian pre-salt magnesium silicates from the Lula Field, Santos Basin, Brazil
Authors: Carramal Nívea G. , Oliveira Daniel M. , Cacela Alessandra S.M. , Cuglieri Matheus A.A. , Rocha Natasha P. , Viana Samuel M. , Toledo Sérgio L.V. , Pedrinha Saulo , de Ros Luiz F.
Published: January 2022

Since the discovery of giant Aptian pre-salt reservoirs in Brazilian margin basins, the study of lacustrine carbonates has drawn great attention from the scientific community. Comparatively, minor attention was given to the characterization and genesis of the Mg-silicates (e.g., stevensite, kerolite) which are commonly associated with these carbonates. A systematic petrological study was performed in the Aptian Barra Velha Formation (BVF) within distinct structural compartments of the giant Lula Field in the Santos Basin, in order to recognize the patterns of primary formation and diagenetic alteration of these Mg-silicates. Mg-silicates occur as peloids, ooids, intraclasts, and fine-grained laminated deposits, either mixed in variable proportions with other particles, such as carbonate bioclasts and volcanic rock fragments, or constituting specific intrabasinal deposits. In the BVF interval, clay peloids and laminated deposits are associated with spherulitic and fascicular calcite aggregates, as substrate and hosts for these precipitates. Ooids are interpreted as formed at the sediment–water interface by the nucleation of concentric envelopes on the surface of particles (heterogeneous nucleation), through repeated rolling under gentle wave and current action. Laminated deposits, interpreted as precipitated directly from the water column (homogeneous nucleation) in highly supersaturated and low-hydrodynamic-energy environments, constitute extensive deposits in the BVF. Peloids were probably formed in intermediate energy conditions. Some ooidal arenites show porosity from the dehydration and contraction, and/or the dissolution of ooids. In some rocks, these pores are filled with fibrous calcite, while the remaining Mg-silicates are replaced by dolomite, calcite, or silica. A similar diagenetic pattern occurs in the laminated deposits, where magnesite and dolomite fill shrinkage pores formed along their characteristic wavy laminae. Owing to their elevated solubility, most of the Mg-silicates were dissolved, or intensely replaced by calcite, dolomite, or silica. The detailed petrologic analysis indicates that the original volumes of Mg-silicates were substantially larger, and that their deposition was widespread in the basin, including on structurally high areas. The types and intensity of diagenetic alteration of the Mg-silicate deposits are distinct for each structural compartment, being more intense towards the highs and closer to the overlying evaporites, which imposed a strong influence on reservoir quality.
Tornando-se professor: Um relato de experiência e vivência durante o Estágio Supervisionado II
Authors: Fracaro Adonis Rogério , Haefliger Charlene Karine Martello
Published: January 2022

Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar as experiências vivenciadas durante o período de realização da disciplina de Estágio Supervisionado II do curso de Matemática-Licenciatura do Instituto Federal Catarinense – Campus Concórdia. A turma de regência foi o sétimo ano do ensino fundamental da educação básica. Durante o período de realização de estágio, diferentes abordagens foram feitas, a fim de encontrar as que mais se adequavam ao estilo da turma. Entre as metodologias de ensino utilizadas destacam-se o uso de jogos, materiais concretos e a investigação, atreladas à aprendizagem significativa e o aluno como centro do processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Ao final das aulas, foi feito um levantamento que buscava apurar quais metodologias os alunos se adaptaram melhor, tendo o uso de jogos como a mais recorrente dentre as respostas à pesquisa. Ao final apresentamos as considerações oriundas das reflexões feitas pós realização das atividades de Estágio. Sobressai, dessas reflexões, a necessidade de promover a autonomia e confiança dos alunos e a importância da autoavaliação do professor, sobre os aspectos experimentados em sala de aula. É essencial entender-se, enquanto profissional, como mediador do processo de ensino e aprendizagem, desenvolvendo e incentivando a colaboração e convivência entre os alunos.
Finding the Best of the Best: Hydraulic Fracturing Design Optimization Study in Oman
Authors: Kayumov Rifat , Al Shueili Ahmed , Jaboob Musallam , Al Salmi Hussain , Trejo Ricardo Sebastian , Al Shidhani Ruqia
Published: January 2022

Development of the tight gas Khazzan Field in Sultanate of Oman has progressed through an extensive learning curve over many years. Thereby, the hydraulic fracturing design was fine-tuned and optimized to properly fit the requirements of the challenging Barik reservoir in this area. In 2018, BP Oman started developing the Barik reservoir in the Ghazeer Field, which naturally extends the reservoir boundary south of Khazzan Field. However, the Barik reservoir in the Ghazeer area is thicker and more permeable than in the Khazzan Field; therefore, the hydraulic fracturing design required adjustment to be optimized to directly reflect the reservoir needs of the Ghazeer Field.

A comprehensive hydraulic fracturing design software was used for this optimization study and sensitivity analysis. This software is a plug-in to a benchmark exploration and production software platform and provides a complete fracturing optimization loop from hydraulic fracturing design sensitivity modelled with a calibrated mechanical earth model to detailed production prediction using the incorporated reservoir simulator. One of the stimulated wells from Ghazeer Field was used as the reference for this study. The reservoir sector model was created and adjusted to match actual data from this well. The data include fracturing treatment execution response, surveillance data such as radioactive tracers, bottomhole pressure gauge, and pressure transient analysis. Reservoir properties were also adjusted to match long-term production data obtained for this reference well. After the reservoir model was fully validated against actual data, multiple completion and fracturing scenarios were simulated to estimate potential production gain and thus find an optimal hydraulic fracturing design for Ghazeer Field.

Many valuable outcomes can be concluded from this study. The optimal treatment design was identified. The value of fracture half-length versus conductivity was clarified for this area. The comparison between single-stage fracturing versus multistage treatment across the thick laminated Barik reservoir in a conventional vertical well was derived. The drainage of different layers with variable reservoir properties was compared for a range of different scenarios.
Numerical Simulation Study of Proppant Transport in Cross Fractures
Authors: Lu Cong , Ma Li , Guo Jianchun
Published: January 2022

Hydraulic fracturing technology is an important means to stimulate unconventional reservoirs, and the placement morphology of proppant in cross fractures is a key factor affecting the effect of hydraulic fracturing. It is very important to study the proppant transport law in cross fractures.

In order to study the proppant transportation law in cross fractures, based on the CFD-DEM method, a proppant transport model in cross fractures was established. From the two aspects of the flow field in the fractures and the morphology of the proppant dune, the influence of the natural fracture approach angle, the fracturing fluid viscosity and injection rate on the proppant transport is studied. Based on the principle of hydropower similarity, the conductivity of proppant dune under different conditions is quantitatively studied.

The results show that the natural fracture approach angle affects the distribution of proppant and fracturing fluid in natural fractures, and further affects the proppant placement morphology in hydraulic fractures and natural fractures. When the fracturing fluid viscosity is low and the displacement is small, the proppant forms a "high and narrow" dune at the entrance of the fracture. With the increase of the fracturing fluid viscosity and injection rate, the proppant settles to form a "short and wide" placement morphology. Compared with the natural fracture approach angle, the fracturing fluid viscosity and injection rate have a more significant impact on the conductivity of proppant dune.

This paper investigated the proppant transportation in cross fractures, and quantitatively analyzes the conductivity of proppant dunes with different placement morphology. The results of this study can provide theoretical guidance for the design of hydraulic fracturing.
Integrated Hydraulic Fracturing Strategy Leads to Successful Execution of the First Highly Deviated Ultra-Deep Well in Tarim Oilfield
Authors: Wang Liao , Cai Bo , Fan Wentong , Yang Zhanwei , Xu Guowei , Wang Liwei , Gao Ying
Published: January 2022

Well K1002 is the first highly deviated ultra-deep well in Tarim Oilfield of China, with the reservoir depth 7060m and the well deviation of 60° ∼ 77.6° in the fractured interval. Because of large deviation angle, high breakdown pressure and in-situ stress, poor effectiveness of natural fractures, large reservoir thickness, it is difficult and risky to implement hydraulic fracturing. In this paper, the fractured well was taken for a case study to illustrate the holistic optimization to guarantee the treatment success, a world-wide difficulty with high engineering risk.

For figuring out a reasonable treatment design, comprehensive lab experiments and numerical simulation were conducted to analyze and benchmark the reservoir characteristics, rock mechanics and geological model. Systematic study on reducing breakdown pressure, development of natural fractures evaluation, multi-size combination of diverting agent, separated layer stimulation and fracture parameters optimization, treatment fluid formulation, proppant screening and operation program were carried out.

Considering the wellbore trajectory and rock mechanics characteristics of well K1002, a breakdown pressure prediction model was established to optimize the perforation orientation. The best perforation orientation was 28° and 208°, the worst perforation orientation was 148° and 328°, and the breakdown pressure range was 168-175MPa with 60° phase angle. Combination with "imaging logging (0-3m) + far detection acoustic logging (0-30m) + geomechanics (0-300m)", the comprehensive evaluation and prediction of natural fractures in near wellbore area and far wellbore area were realized. Based on this, the stimulation technology of "mechanical layering + diverting agent" was optimized to connect the fracture development zone in near wellbore and far wellbore area. According to the Tight Packing Theory, the idea of "multi-size particles combination of diverting agent" was put forward. Through the experiment study, the combination of 1-5mm and 5-10mm particles was optimized, and the optimal chart of diverting agent size combination was made under different reservoir temperatures. For the fracturing job, totally 2562m3 KCL weighted fracturing fluid and 159.2m3 ceramic proppant of 40-70 mesh were pumped. The operation parameters were in reasonable agreement with the design. The initial test production was 10 times higher than before.

The experience gained in this case study has some guiding significance for improving the success rate of hydraulic fracturing treatments in the highly deviated ultra-deep well and for effectively developing such fractured tight sandstone reservoirs, both theoretically and practically.
Track Fractured Well Inflow Performance Using Historic Production Logging and Surface Well Performance Data in Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Veeken Cornelis Adrianus , Busaidi Yousuf , Hajri Amira , Hegazy Ahmed Mohammed , Riyami Hamyar , Rashdi Mohammed , Zarafi Mohammed , Zadjali Mohammed , Darga Kumaresh , Mamari Mazen
Published: January 2022

PDO operates about 200 deep gas wells in the X field in the Sultanate of Oman, producing commingled from the Barik gas-condensate and Miqrat lean gas reservoir completed by multiple hydraulic fracturing. Their inflow performance relation (IPR) is tracked to diagnose condensate damage, hydraulic fracture cleanup and differential reservoir pressure depletion. The best IPR data is collected through multi-rate production logging but surface production data serves as an alternative. This paper describes the process of deriving IPR's from production logging and surface production data, and then evaluates 20 years of historic IPR data to quantify the impact of condensate damage and condensate cleanup with progressive reservoir pressure depletion, to demonstrate the massive damage and slow cleanup of hydraulic fractures placed in depleted reservoirs, to show how hydraulic fractures facilitate the vertical cross-flow between isolated reservoir intervals, and to highlight that stress-dependent permeability does not play a major role in this field.
Best Practices in DFIT Interpretation: Comparative Analysis of 62 DFITs from Nine Different Shale Plays
Authors: Mcclure Mark , Fowler Garrett , Picone Matteo
Published: January 2022

In URTeC-123-2019, a group of operators and service companies presented a step-by-step procedure for interpretation of diagnostic fracture injection tests (DFITs). The procedure has now been applied on a wide variety of data across North and South America. This paper statistically summarizes results from 62 of these DFITs, contributed by ten operators spanning nine different shale plays. URTeC-123-2019 made several novel claims, which are tested and validated in this paper. We find that: (1) a ‘compliance method’ closure signature is apparent in the significant majority of DFITs; (2) in horizontal wells, early time pressure drop due to near-wellbore/midfield tortuosity is substantial and varies greatly, from 500 to 6000+ psi; (3) in vertical wells, early-time pressure drop is far weaker; this supports the interpretation that early- time pressure drop in horizontal wells is caused by near-wellbore/midfield tortuosity from transverse fracture propagation; (4) the (not recommended) tangent method of estimating closure yields Shmin estimates that are 100-1000+ psi lower than the estimate from the (recommended) compliance method; the implied net pressure values are 2.5x higher on average and up to 5-6x higher; (5) as predicted by theory, the difference between the tangent and compliance stress and net pressure estimates increases in formations with greater difference between Shmin and pore pressure; (6) the h-function and G-function methods allow permeability to be estimated from truncated data that never reaches late-time impulse flow; comparison shows that they give results that are close to the permeability estimates from impulse linear flow; (7) false radial flow signatures occur in the significant majority of gas shale DFITs, and are rare in oil shale DFITs; (8) if false radial signatures are used to estimate permeability, they tend to overestimate permeability, often by 100x or more; (9) the holistic-method permeability correlation overestimates permeability by 10-1000x; (10) in tests that do not reach late-time impulse transients, it is reasonable to make an approximate pore pressure estimate by extrapolating the pressure from the peak in t*dP/dt using a scaling of t^(-1/2) in oil shales and t^(3/4) in gas shales. The findings have direct practical implications for operators. Accurate permeability estimates are needed for calculating effective fracture length and for optimizing well spacing and frac design. Accurate stress estimation is fundamental to hydraulic fracture design and other geomechanics applications.
An Expanded Study of Proppant Distribution Trends from a Database of Eroded Perforation Images
Authors: Roberts Glyn , Saha Souvick , Waldheim Johanna
Published: January 2022

This paper further develops an analysis of proppant distribution patterns in hydraulically fractured wells initially presented in SPE-199693-MS. A significantly enlarged database of in-situ perforation erosion measurements provides a more rigorous statistical basis allowing some previously reported trends to be updated, but the main objective of the paper is to present additional insights identified since the original paper was published.

Measurements of the eroded area of individual perforations derived from downhole camera images again provide the input for this study. Entry hole enlargement during limited entry hydraulic fracturing provides strong and direct evidence that proppant was successfully placed into individual perforations. This provides a straightforward evaluation of cluster efficiency. Perhaps more importantly the volume of proppant placed into a perforation can also be inferred from the degree of erosion. Summing individual perforation erosion at cluster level allows patterns and biases to be identified and an understanding of proppant distribution across stages has been developed.

Outcomes from an analysis of a database that now exceeds 50,000 eroded perforations are presented. Uniform reservoir stimulation is a key objective of fracture treatments but remains challenging to measure and report. The study therefore focused on understanding how uniformly proppant is distributed across more than 1,800 measured stages.

Results demonstrate how proppant distribution within stages is influenced when treatment parameters change. Our approach was to vary one parameter, for example the stage length, while all other parameters were maintained at a consistent value. We investigated multiple parameters that can be readily controlled during treatment design and show how these can be manipulated to improve proppant distribution. These included stage length, cluster spacing, perforation count per cluster and perforation phase.

Hydraulic fracturing is a complex, high energy process with numerous input parameters. At individual cluster and stage level outcomes can be unpredictable and diagnostic results are often quite variable. The approach taken here was to complete a statistical analysis of a sufficiently large dataset of in-situ measurements. This allowed common trends and patterns to be confidently identified and conclusions reached on how proppant distribution is affected by varying specific design parameters. This should be of interest and value to those designing hydraulic fracture treatments.
The Evaluation and Introduction of Novel Acid-Based Crosslinked Gel for HPHT Acid Fracturing Applications in Carbonate Formations
Authors: Fahad Almulhem Khalid , Malik Ataur , Ghazwi Mustafa
Published: January 2022

Acid Fracturing has been one of the most effective stimulation technique applied in the carbonate formations to enhance oil and gas production. The traditional approach to stimulate the carbonate reservoir has been to pump crosslinked gel and acid blends such as plain 28% HCL, emulsified acid (EA) and in-situ gelled acid at fracture rates in order to maximize stimulated reservoir volume with desired conductivity.

With the common challenges encountered in fracturing carbonate formations, including high leak-off and fast acid reaction rates, the conventional practice of acid fracturing involves complex pumping schemes of pad, acid and viscous diverter fluid cycles to achieve fracture length and conductivity targets. A new generation of Acid-Based Crosslinked (ABC) fluid system has been deployed to stimulate high temperature carbonate formations in three separate field trials aiming to provide rock-breaking viscosity, acid retardation and effective leak-off control.

The ABC fluid system has been progressively introduced, initially starting as diverter / leak off control cycles of pad and acid stages. Later it was used as main acid-based fluid system for enhancing live acid penetration, diverting and reducing leakoff as well as keeping the rock open during hydraulic fracturing operation. Unlike in-situ crosslinked acid based system that uses acid reaction by products to start crosslinking process, the ABC fluid system uses a unique crosslinker/breaker combination independent of acid reaction. The system is prepared with 20% hydrochloric acid and an acrylamide polymer along with zirconium metal for delayed crosslinking in unspent acid. The ABC fluid system is aimed to reduced three fluid requirements to one by eliminating the need for an intricate pumping schedule that otherwise would include: a non-acid fracturing pad stage to breakdown the formation and generate the targeted fracture geometry; a retarded emulsified acid system to achieve deep penetrating, differently etched fractures, and a self-diverting agent to minimize fluid leak-off.

This paper describes all efforts behind the introduction of this novel Acid-Based Crossliked fluid system in different field trials. Details of the fluid design optimization are included to illustrate how a single system can replace the need for multiple fluids. The ABC fluid was formulated to meet challenging bottom-hole formation conditions that resulted in encouraging post treatment well performance.
Concentration Mechanism of Fluorine, Arsenic, and Uranium in Groundwater of the Hailar Basin, China
Authors: LIU Shengfeng , Gao Bai , Qin Huanhuan , Ge Qin , Ling Huilan , Fang Zheng , Ding Yan , Shi Tiancheng
Published: January 2022

Located in semi-arid regions of Hulun Buir League in China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hailar Basin is a region with less precipitation, where groundwater is the most important source for water supply. It is very important to study groundwater characteristics and hydrogeochemical processes for better management of the groundwater resource.The current status of fluorine (F), arsenic (As), and uranium (U) co-contamination exists in groundwater of the Hailar Basin, China. To understand the concentration mechanism of F, As, and U in groundwater in the study area, groundwater samples were collected for detection and analysis. The results showed that the main hydrochemical types were Cl-Na, HCO3-Na, and HCO3-Ca in the study area. The average values of F, As, and U were 3.94 mg/L, 0.04 mg/L, and 0.07 mg/L, respectively, which all exceeded the World Health Organization(WHO) guidelines. Through the Gibbs diagram and the end member diagram, it can be seen that the groundwater in the study area is mainly affected by the hydrogeochemical effects of evaporative crystallization, rock weathering mechanism, and the dissolution of silicate rock and evaporative salt rock minerals. Mineral dissolution, cation exchange, and weakly alkaline environment are important factors affecting F concentration; Low NO3ˉ and SO42- will cause a reducing environment and the competitive adsorption of HCO3ˉ will promote As pollution; The concentration of Ca2+,Mg2+, SO42-,and NO3ˉ have a great influence on the concentration of U.
Allowing the Actual Evapotranspiration Uncertainty in Hydrological Models: Coupling of Interval-Based Water Balance and METRIC Models
Authors: Khodadadi Maryam , Roozbahani Tarokh Maleki , Taheri Mercedeh , Ganji Fatemeh , Nasseri Mohsen
Published: January 2022

Against the paramount role of actual evapotranspiration (ET) in hydrological modeling, determining its values is mixed with different sources of uncertainties. In addition, estimation of ET with energy-based methods (e.g., METRIC) leads to different results with various acceptable initial and boundary conditions (such as land use and cold/hot pixels). The aim of the current research is to allow the uncertainty effects of ET as an interval-based input variable in hydrological modeling. The goal is achieved via feeding the uncertainty of computed ET values to the developed Interval-Based Water Balance (IBWB) model in terms of gray values. To this purpose, the comprehensive monthly water balance model (including surface and groundwater modules) has been revised to a new interval-based form. Moreover, the METRIC model has been used 20 times in each month of computational period to calculate the ET patterns with different hot/cold pixels to provide monthly ensemble ET values. For a comprehensive assessment, the selected water balance model has been calibrated with ensemble means of the computed ET with its classical type. The study area is a mountainous sub-basin of the Sefidrood watershed, Ghorveh-Dehgolan basin, with three alluvial aquifers in the North of Iran. Not only the paradigm shift from determinist to interval-based hydrologic structure improved the statistical metrics of the models’ responses, but also it decreased the uncertainty of the simulated streamflow and groundwater levels.
Do Canadians Support Tailored and Targeted Public Health Programs? A Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Card Kiffer G. , Adshade Marina , Hogg Robert S. , Jollimore Jody , Lachowsky Nathan J.
Published: January 2022

Background. We aimed to assess public support of tailored and targeted public health interventions for various marginalized communities.Methods. We conducted a discrete choice experiment using a web-based survey advertised to Facebook and Instagram users living in Canada, aged >16. Participants were asked to choose between funding two hypothetical public health programs. Each program was described by its purpose; expected increase in life expectancy; and target group. Demographically-weighted generalized linear mixed-effects models were constructed to identify program factors associated with program selection.Results. 23,889 exercises were completed by 3,054 participants. Selected programs were less likely to focus on prevention (vs. treatment). For each 1-year increase in the marginal years of life gained, there was a 15% increase in the odds of a program being selected. Interventions tailored to marginalized communities or targeting stigmatized health conditions were less likely to be selected compared with interventions targeted to the general population or targeting chronic health conditions. Noteworthy exceptions included an increased preference for interventions aligning with the perceived needs of marginalized communities (e.g. HIV and men who have sex with men).Conclusions. Stigmatizing perceptions of health conditions and key populations likely influence public health programming preferences of Canadians. Informational campaigns highlighting disparities experienced by marginalized populations may improve support for targeted and tailored interventions.
Intra Oral Mucosal Conditions in Older Patients With and Without Complete Dentures: A Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: Sartawi Samiha Yousef , Hassona Yazan , Alqaisi Dua'a , Salim Nesreen A , AL-Omoush Salah
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To obtain baseline information on Oral Mucosal Conditions (OMCs) and its relation to age, sex, medical history and the use of complete denture in a sample of edentulous patients. Materials and methods: Edentulous patients attending a university hospital were examined for the presence of OMCs, and demographic data were recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out on SPSS software; the following statistical tests were utilized: descriptive statistics, The Mann Whitney U test, Spearman’s Rho rank correlations, and The hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of one hundred and sixty-one participants were examined (34 females and 127 males with a mean age of 59.08 years). More than half of the participants (59.6 %) were non-denture wearers and (40.6%) were denture wearers. Longer edentulism, using dentures for longer duration, and the use of more previous dentures were associated with higher Atwood’s ridge classification. Smoking was associated with higher prevalence of OMCs, particularly hairy tongue, frictional keratosis, smokers’ palate, and leukoedema. Denture wearers had more denture stomatitis and denture induced hyperplasia, and less frictional keratosis than non-denture wearers. Participants with cardiac disease had more incidences of geographic tongue and tie tongue. Conclusion: Mucosal changes with increased age, smoking, medical conditions, and medications may be superimposed by wearing complete dentures.
TRIP13 Activates the PI3K/AKT Signal Pathway to Promote Melanoma Progression by Interacting With FLNA
Authors: Lu Wang , Mengxuan Zhu , Yong Zhang , Ming Ren , Zixu Gao , Simin Zhang , Yang Yang , Leqi Qian , Kangjie Shen , Yanlin Li , Jia Feng , Yiteng Ding , Chuanyuan Wei , Jianying Gu
Published: January 2022

Background: Skin melanoma is a malignant tumor originated from skin melanocytes. It is highly malignant and easy to relapse and metastasis. Finding new diagnostic and therapeutic targets has become a hot issue. Accumulating evidence now indicates that thyroid hormone receptor interactor 13 (TRIP13) plays important roles in tumor development. However, its role in melanoma remains unclear.Methods: Bioinformatic analyses were employed to excavate crucial genes in melanoma using several public databases. The expression of TRIP13 was detected by immunohistochemistry. MV3 cell and A2058 cell were steadily transfected with TRIP13 knock-down or overexpression lentiviruses, then the function and potential mechanism of TRIP13 were studied in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and mass spectrum were employed to screen out the interacting molecule of TRIP13.Results: Our results showed that TRIP13 was generally upregulated in melanoma tissues and was related to the poor prognosis of melanoma patients. The overexpression of TRIP13 promotes the invasion, migration and EMT transformation of melanoma cells in vitro, and promotes lung metastasis in vivo. Mechanismly, TRIP13 interacts with FLNA, and activates the PI3K/AKT pathway, and then induces melanoma migration, invasion and EMT transformation.Conclusion: Elevated TRIP13 drives tumor progression via the FLNA/PI3K/AKT axis, and TRIP13 is a innovative prognostic molecule and potential target of targeted therapy in melanoma.
Deep Learning Algorithm for Diagnose Endoscopic and Histological Images With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Ye Yan , Luo Xudong , Nan Qiong , Liu Yanhong , Miao Yinglei , Miao Jiarong
Published: January 2022

The goal of treatment for ulcerative colitis is to achieve histological and endoscopic remission. Aiming at the problem that the observer will be affected by subjective factors in the endoscopic evaluation of ulcerative colitis and the cumbersome diagnosis process of histological images, this paper aims to develop a computer-assisted diagnosis system for real-time, objective diagnosis of endoscopic images and use the trained CNN model to predict histological images of patients with ulcerative colitis. Diagnosing endoscopic remission of ulcerative colitis, the accuracy of the CNN is 97.04% (95% CI,96.26%:97.62%). Diagnosing the severity of endoscopic inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis, the accuracy of the CNN is 90.15% (95% CI, 89.49%:90.82%). The accuracy of predicting histological remission was 91.28%. The kappa coefficient between the CNN model and the biopsy results was 82.56%. The proposed computer-aided diagnosis system can effectively evaluate the inflammation of endoscopic images of patients with ulcerative colitis and predict the remission of histological images with high accuracy and consistency.
The Effect of Polyamines and Silver Thiosulphate on Micropropagation of Date Palm Followed by Genetic Stability Assessment
Authors: Al-Mayahi Ahmed M.W
Published: January 2022

There are some limitations in the practical applications of in vitro date palm tissue culture, such as low multiplication efficiency, low rooting rate, and high mortality experienced by in vitro raised plantlets during laboratory to soil transfer. This study’s objective was to investigate the effect of the two types of polyamines (putrescine "PUT" and spermidine" SPD") in combination with silver thiosulfate (STS) on the growth and development and genetic stability of cultures of Quntar cultivar. Media supplemented with 75 mg L−1 SPD in combination with 10 mgL−1 STS gave the highest percentage of callus producing buds (83.34%) and average bud formation (16.3) per jar. The addition of PUT and STS to the medium was most effective in root formation and the number of roots per shoot, where the best result 91.67% and 6.37 roots per shoot, respectively, were obtained using 75 mgL−1 PUT and 10 mgL−1 STS, resulting in fast-growing plantlets during acclimatization phase, reaching 90% of plant survival. The genetic fidelity assessment of plants derived from micropropagation was confirmed by RAPD analysis. Four operon primers were used, and all of them showed amplified unambiguous (OPA02, OPC-04, OPD-07, and OPE-15). All generated bands were monomorphic and had no variation among the tissue culture-derived plants tested. Accordingly, these results indicate that adding polyamines and silver thiosulfate to the nutrient medium of date palm cv. Quntar is beneficial in improving shoot organogenesis, rooting, and production of genetically stable date palm plants.