bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geomechanics impact due to in-situ and induced stresses during drilling of horizontal and highly deviated coal bed methane wells
Authors: Dani Kamal Chandra , Gupta Dharmendra Kumar , Sharma Pushpa
Published: August 2022

Hydrocarbon exploration is the arduous task. Urgency of hydrocarbon and avengement of technology push operators to recover the unexplored unconventional hydrocarbon like coal bed methane (CBM) which has been discontinued. Limitations such as misunderstanding of geomechanical stress, formation behaviours- abrasiveness, mud properties etc; impaired the drilling performance and leads to well failure. Therefore, wellbore stability due to geomechanical stresses is considered as one of the major stages in well planning and required extensive study. The dominant elements of fascinating the CBM extraction are cost and the currently available technology and poor understanding of reservoir as compare to conventional reservoir. CBM wells fails due to exceeding the limit of tensile and shear strength which includes wellbore collapse, pipe sticking, caving, loss circulation and leads to ruin the operator’s money and time. The stress regimes in induced, in-situ stresses are natural and cannot be change; however study of these stresses and implementation of findings are essential to implement while planning the well and monitoring stresses behaviour during drilling of highly deviate or horizontal wells are key element to successfully develop the coal bed methane reservoir. Effect of geomechanical stresses are experienced while drilling horizontal and highly deviated wells. By considering the effects of in-situ and induced stresses; suitable operational window can be design to reduce the CBM wellbore failure. The present work analyse the geomechanical in-situ and induced stresses which are contributing towards instability of wellbore along with matrix shrinkage effect, outcome of this study can be utilized for the efficient planning of failure-free wellbore operating envelopes for CBM wells.
Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Al6061 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Singh Pawandeep , Gupta Vivudh
Published: August 2022

This paper presents an investigation of the dry sliding wear behaviour of Al6061 hybrid metal matrix composites reinforced with B4C (3 wt.%) and eggshell ash (3, 6, 9 and 12 wt.%) fabricated through the stir casting process. A four factors and five-level central composite design (CCD) were used for experiments through response surface methodology. The factors considered for design were eggshell ash (0-12 wt.%), load (10-50 N), sliding speed (0.8-4 m/s) and sliding distance (300-1500 m). The experiments were performed using a pin-on-disc tribometer according to the ASTM G99 standard at room temperature for 30 combinations. Based on experimental results, a regression model was developed to predict the wear rate, and its adequacy was checked with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and confirmation tests. The ANOVA results showed that sliding speed was the most significant factor followed by the load, which significantly influences the response. Wear rate increased with the increase in load and sliding distance, whereas it decreased with the increase in wt.% of eggshell ash and sliding speed. The increase in wear rate with the increase in load can be caused by the increase in tip pressure, and in case of sliding distance it may be due to increase in contact time. Whereas, decrease in wear rate with the increase in sliding speed can be caused by the decrease in contact time and higher wt.% of eggshell also reduced the wear rate and it may be due to the increase in composites hardness.
Fabrication And Characterisation of AA6063-T6/SiC/Waste Bone Powder Using Electromagnetic Stir Casting
Authors: Sharma Ojasvi , Gupta Prateek , Kumar Tarun
Published: August 2022

Electromagnetic stir casting (EMSC) is a highly effective process to produce the metal matrix composite (MMC) because of the uniform mixing of reinforcement with the matrix. The current research is to investigate AA6063-T6/2wt%SiC/5wt%WBP hybrid composite using Microstructure analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Tensile strength and Hardness. Stirring time and speed is kept as constant parameter. Microstructure analysis reveals that there is uniform distribution of reinforcement in AA6063-T6 hybrid composite and no voids were observed. FESEM analysis shows that reinforcement have a good bonding with a small porosity. XRD analysis indicates that there are no unwanted contaminants found and Al3Ca shows the highest peak followed by Al2(CO3)3 and CaSiO3. It was concluded that mechanical properties are improved on adding the reinforcement, tensile strength by 22.4% and hardness by 31%.
Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy with CFA and SiC
Authors: Mayana Pachakhan , Kavyasree G , Lakshmi Narasimhulu P , Althaf Hussain SG , Maheshwar Reddy E , Syman N
Published: August 2022

From early history, builders, manufacturers, and engineers continued to develop composites of wide assortments of materials. Furthermore, chemical upheaval changed the composite development of plastics such as polyvinyl, polystyrene, etc., and reinforcement was reinforced essential to provide strength and rigidity. At present composites finds many applications in every aspects of day to day life. The utilization of raw materials like coal, baggase and agricultural wastes are used in large scales in industries for power generation and food production. The utilization of these fuels causing huge environmental pollution liberating in the form of ashes. These ashes can be utilized in effective way for manufacturing and structural applications with their incorporation in polymer matrix composites. To enhance the mechanical properties and in reducing the manufacturing cost, these industrial wastes plays a major role. The present research work mainly focuses on the influence of Coal Fly Ash (CFA), Silicon Carbide (SiC) and a mixture of CFA & SiC as filler materials on the mechanical behavior of Epoxy Glass fiber composite. Various types of composites are fabricated by manual hand lay-up process with varying weight percentages of the filler materials and epoxy resin as matrix material. The filler materials weight proportions are taken as 5%, 10% and 15%. The prepared composites are cut into tests specimen as per the ASTM standards of mechanical characterization. The mechanical properties of the composites (like Tensile strength (ASTM D3039/D3039M: 2017), Flexural strength (ASTM D790: 2015), Impact strength (ASTM D 229 el: 2019), Interlaminar shear strength (ASTM D2240: 2015), Hardness (ASTM D2240: 2015)) are determined by using corresponding testing machines and it is observed that the properties exhibited by the composites are enhanced with the incorporation of CFA, SiC & mixture of CFA and SiC when compared with the unfilled composites. So, these composites are considered a multifunctional composite material where the individual fillers are used in some applications and the combined proportions are used in different applications. They replace the existing materials that are very high in cost and cause more pollution at the time of manufacturing. These composites give the ability to improve and increase the efficiency, autonomy, and life expectancy of a structure.
Fatigue strength of copper and mild steel single lap joints bonded with epoxy-alumina nanocomposite adhesive
Authors: Dinesh Ram S , Shukla Dharmendra Kumar , Gupta Aman
Published: August 2022

An In-situ polymerization technique was used to create an epoxy nano-alumina composite adhesive. Ultrasonication was used to achieve the distribution of nano-alumina particles in an epoxy matrix containing weight percentage 0.5,1,1.5 and 2% nanoparticles. Single lap joints with adherents of Copper-Copper (CC), Mild Steel-Mild Steel (MM) and Copper-Mild Steel (CM) were prepared following ASTM D1002 standards. Lap shear strength tests in tension of bonded joint samples (CC, MM, and CM) were conducted on UTM at 1.27 mm/min cross head travel rate. The fatigue strength of bonded specimens was tested at a stress ratio of R 0.1 and a frequency 5HZ by following ASTM D3166 standards. Stress amplitudes of fatigue test were taken at 70%, 65%, 60% and 55% of shear strength of corresponding single lap joints. Six samples were tested to calculate the average number of cycles to failure. For each combination of joints shear strength and fatigue life were increased with an increase in wt.% but maximum increment was obtained at 1.5 wt.% of nanoparticles addition. An increment of 40% for CC joints, 66% for MM joints and 47% for CM joints was obtained in nanocomposite’s shear static strength containing 1.5 wt.% nanoparticles over neat epoxy joints. Increment in fatigue life of CC, MM, and CM joints at 1.5 wt.% of spherical nanoparticle inclusions was 401%, 500%, and 409% respectively.
Optimization of Various Percentage of Fibers in Fiber Reinforced Composite Material Leaf Springs in Vehicles
Authors: Aggarwal Shivam , Aggarwal M. L. , Verma Krishan
Published: August 2022

A spring steel leaf spring is commonly used for suspension system in all types of loading vehicles due to its good stiffness and fatigue strength. Today, spring steel leaf springs are used in majority of applications but they are heavy in weight, poor in terms of gets corrosion resistance and average in ride comfort. Fiber reinforced composite material leaf spring represents a key application of composite materials in the field of automotive vehicles due to improved ride comfort and light in weight. Stiffness, fatigue life and damping capacity are the critical parameter of fiber reinforced composite leaf springs. CAE software and experimental analysis have been mainly used for design and analysis for composite material leaf springs. Saman Jolaiy et.al. [2021] focused on the damping characteristics of the composite leaf springs and worked out that fabrication of composite leaf spring with viscoelastic core(2mm) decreases the damping ratio of the leaf spring system, which results in a smooth ride. Few studies evaluated the stress distribution, deflection and fatigue life assessment of composite leaf springs reinforced with glass fibers or carbon fibers or combination of carbon lass and carbon fibers. The main objective of the present work is to optimize various percentage of fiber reinforced composite material leaf springs along with insertion of viscous core. The optimized results thus obtained show that the fiber reinforced composite leaf springs with viscous core can be a good replacement of spring steel leaf springs with overall weight reduction and better damping characteristics. Replacing spring steel leaf springs with fiber reinforced composite leaf springs will improve safety, comfort, high elastic strain energy storage capacity and durability.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Carbon and Boron Nitride nanotubes: Tensile and Compressive Behavior
Authors: Bedi Deepa , Sharma Aditya , Sharma Sumit , Tiwari S.K.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the mechanical properties of Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Boron Nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are studied systematically by using molecular dynamics simulations. CNTs are considered semi-metallic, whereas the BNNTs, of the large band gap, are considered to be insulators, regarding the difference in the electrical properties of CNTs and BNNTs; comparing the mechanical properties of both nanotubes offers great scientific significance for their prospective applications. The simulations were carried out with the help of a Large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (LAMMPS) and were based on the Airebo and Tersoffs force fields for C-C interaction in CNTs and B-N interaction in BNNTs, respectively. Failure behavior of armchair and zigzag CNTs and BNNTs under tensile and compressive loading has been predicted and observed that for both the nanotubes the armchair nanotubes showed higher tensile and compressive strength as compared to zigzag nanotubes. The maximum tensile and compressive strength for CNTs is 205 GPa and 35.62 GPa respectively and for BNNTs are 159 GPa and 24.81 GPa respectively. CNTs are identified as axially stronger and stiffer than BNNTs for the same diameter under identical loading conditions.
Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell using Hamelia Patens leaves as natural dye
Authors: Vardan  , Kumar Dr.Manoj , Garg Dr.Sangeeta
Published: August 2022

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC), a 3rd generation solar cell has gained huge attention in the field of solar photovoltaics as a substitute for the silicon solar cell. The performance of the DSSC mainly depends on all the important components such as transparent conductive oxide substrate, cathode, photo-anode, dye, and electrolyte. Additionally, sensitizing dyes also perform a vital role in the absorption of light and the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy in DSSC. However, its efficiency is low and it consumes good amount of energy in manufacturing. In this respect scientists and researcher are more focus on how to improve its efficacy and production cost to make it economically viable. For this purpose, in this present work we have the natural dyes from Hamelia patens plant’s leaf which is available throughout the year for the fabrication of DSSC at low temperature. Semiconductor film electrode, ZnO has been synthesized via. chemical bath deposition process, which is anchored on the FTO glass substrate. Various characterizations techniques such as UV-vis absorption, FTIR were done for the extracted natural dye. XRD and FE-SEM were also performed for crystallinity and morphological analysis of ZnO material. XRD data reveals the formation of hexagonal ZnO (JCPDS card no. 01-082-9744 where 2θ° at 31.799, 34.454, 36.289, 47.586 corresponds to (100), (002), (011), (012) respectively). Using the ZnO and natural dyes, a sandwiched type DSSC has been fabricated and various parameter such as power conversion efficiency, Voc (open circuit voltage), Isc (short circuit current) has also been measured for continuous 3 days. DSSCs which is fabricated by using natural dye extracted from Hamelia patens leaves (sample 1) shows Voc = 132.2 and Isc = .065 mA.
Potential of nanosilicon dioxide extraction from silicon-rich agriculture wastes as a plant growth promoter
Authors: Ibrahim Muhamad Syazlie Che , Meng Teo Han , Ahmad Aziz , Ghazali Mohd Sabri Mohd , Abdullah Wan Rafizah Wan , Chuen Ng Lee
Published: August 2022

Agriculture waste has attracted attention as a potential source to produce raw material silicon dioxide, either crystalline (pyrophyllite) or amorphous form (geothermal sludge). It is an unwanted waste produced as a desired result of agricultural activities. Nanosilicon dioxide has undoubtedly gained eager interest in many vital industries. It is renowned for positively enhancing outstanding performance due to tuneable properties over its bulk counterpart. Silicon dioxide scientifically demonstrates a unique ability to convert efficiently into economic value from silicon-rich agriculture waste. Thus, a noble extraction from silicon-rich waste is undoubtedly gaining enormous attention. However, adequate knowledge on local optimisation of nanosilicon dioxide extraction from silicon-rich agriculture waste is lacking. Specific aims of this comprehensive review mainly highlighted a synthesis method of potential nanostructured silicon dioxide from agriculture waste and their potential applications for plant growth promoters. Reverse microemulsion, chemical vapour condensation, solid gelation, and mechanochemical are preferred methods that were typically specified to focus this comprehensive review critically. Optimisation of nanosilicon dioxide can be achieved precisely via the ideal combination of solid gelation and a high-energy ball mill process. Silicon dioxide is undoubtedly an effective agent as a plant growth promoter to overcome biotic and abiotic factors such as heavy metal uptake and translocation, inhibit pathogenic fungi, improve the antioxidant system, and mitigate various stress factors.
Dual-Language Testing of Emotional Verbal Fluency: A Closer Look at “Joy,” “Sadness,” “Fear,” “Anger,” and “Disgust”
Authors: Lam Boji P W , Yoon Jiyoung
Published: August 2022

Objective

Assessing neuropsychological functions of dual-language speakers with semantic verbal fluency should consider the impact of language proficiency. Much evidence for the proficiency effect is found in tasks targeting neutral words. The proficiency effect on emotional verbal fluency (Emo-VF) that targets emotional word retrieval, however, is far from conclusive. This study aimed to clarify the proficiency effect on Emo-VF, specifically the extent to which language proficiency impacted positive and negative word retrieval comparably. In addition, the study examined the extent to which dual-languages speakers produced duplicated items and unique, non-duplicated items in each of two languages tested.

Method

Thirty-two adult participants completed Emo-VF tasks that targeted a comprehensive set of basic emotions (“joy,” “sadness,” “fear,” “anger,” “disgust”) in English and Spanish in two sessions separated by at least 72 h. All participants exhibited greater proficiency in English than in Spanish according to subjective and objective measures of language proficiency.

Results

Verbal productivity was comparably lowered for all emotions in the less proficient language. Differences among categories were consistent between languages, with “joy” eliciting more words than other emotions, and “fear” yielding the highest productivity among negative emotions. Finally, dual-language speakers produced a significant number of unique items in different languages, especially for “fear.”

Conclusion

Language proficiency exerts a general effect on positive and negative word retrieval. The study extends previous work by revealing differences between “fear” and other negative categories in addition to replicating positivity biases in unbalanced dual-language speakers. Dual-language testing is valuable in capturing the richness of emotional word repertoire associated with different languages.
Prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the Sydney Brain Bank
Authors: McCann Heather , Bahar Anita Y , Burkhardt Karim , Gardner Andrew J , Halliday Glenda M , Iverson Grant L , Shepherd Claire E
Published: August 2022

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem. It has been associated with repetitive mild neurotrauma sustained in amateur and professional contact, collision and combat sports, although it has also been documented in people with a single severe traumatic brain injury and in some people with no known history of brain injury. The characteristic neuropathology is an accumulation of perivascular neuronal and astrocytic phosphorylated tau in the depths of the cortical sulci. The tau-immunopositive neurons and astrocytes that are considered pathognomonic for chronic traumatic encephalopathy are morphologically indistinguishable from Alzheimer-related neurofibrillary tangles and ageing-related tau astrogliopathy, respectively, although they are found in different spatial distributions throughout the cortex. The Sydney Brain Bank collection consists of neurodegenerative diseases and neurologically normal controls. We screened 636 of these cases for chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change. A subset of 109 cases had a known history of traumatic brain injury. Three cortical regions were screened for the presence of neuronal and astrocytic phosphorylated tau according to the current 2021 National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering consensus criteria for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Five cases (0.79%) showed pathological evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and three of these had a history of traumatic brain injury. Three cases had coexisting Alzheimer’s and/or Lewy body disease pathology meeting criteria for neurodegenerative disease. Another eight cases almost met criteria for chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathological change except for an absence of neuronal tau or a strict perivascular arrangement. Ageing-related tau astrogliopathy was found in all eight cases as a coexisting neuropathology. Traumatic brain injury was associated with increased odds ratio [1.79, confidence interval 1.18–2.72] of having a higher neurofibrillary tangle stage and phosphorylated TAR DNA binding protein 43 (OR 2.48, confidence interval 1.35–4.54). Our study shows a very low rate of chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathological change in brains with or without neurodegenerative disease from the Sydney Brain Bank. Our evidence suggests that isolated traumatic brain injury in the general population is unlikely to cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change but may be associated with increased brain ageing.
Simultaneous Determination of Ten Active Components From Jinhongtang Granule in Rat Plasma by LC–MS/MS and its Application to a Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study in Normal and Sepsis Rats In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Wu Fan , Zhang Baojing , Zhang Yu , Zhao Ting , Wang Yan , Tian Xiangge , Sun Chengpeng , Fang Bangjiang , Huo Xiaokui , Ma Xiaochi
Published: August 2022

Jinhongtang granule (JHT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used for treatment of infection diseases including severe COVID-19. However, pharmacokinetics of JHT was unknown, especially in infection condition. A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously quantify ten active components form JHT in rat plasma. MS detection was performed by MRM scanning operating in the negative ionization mode. The method showed good linearity (r > 0.997). The accuracy, precision, matrix effect, recovery and stability were all satisfactory with current criterion. The method was successfully applied to compare the pharmacokinetic difference between normal and sepsis rats. The pharmacokinetic behaviors of analytes in sepsis rats were significantly different from those in normal rats. Cmax and AUC of rhein, emodin, aloe emodin, rhein-8-glucoside, aloe emodin 8-glucoside, protocatechuic acid, epicatechin and salidroside, were significantly increased in sepsis rats, except for 4-hydroxycinnamic acid and ferulic acid. In vitro intestinal absorption study using everted intestinal sac preparations indicated that the intestinal permeability was altered under sepsis. In conclusion, pharmacokinetic difference of JHT between normal and sepsis rats were evaluated for the first time, which provided useful information for the clinical application of JHT as an integrative therapy for severe and critical COVID-19.
Living a bacterial lifestyle as an academic researcher
Authors: Wettstadt Sarah
Published: August 2022

About the scientific life of Melanie Blokesch
A Generalized mathematical representation of the shape of the Wheatley heart valve and the associated static stress fields upon opening and closing
Authors: Oliveira H L , McKee S , Buscaglia G C , Cuminato J A , Stewart I W , Wheatley D J
Published: August 2022

This note extends previous work of the authors modelling the Wheatley valve by using six intersecting and contiguous ellipses to obtain a generalized mathematical representation of the Wheatley valve: this provides a number of free parameters that could be employed to obtain an optimal design. Since optimality is multi-objective with many of the objectives conflicting we focus on the stresses imposed on the valve by a constant force field. Three distinctly different designs are chosen and an analysis of the stresses is undertaken, conclusions are drawn and results are discussed.
Scaling Relationships of Maximal Gape in Two Species of Large Invasive Snakes, Brown Treesnakes and Burmese Pythons, and Implications for Maximal Prey Size
Authors: Jayne Bruce C , Bamberger Abigail L , Mader Douglas R , Bartoszek Ian A
Published: August 2022

Synopsis

Snakes are a phylogenetically diverse (> 3500 species) clade of gape-limited predators that consume diverse prey and have considerable ontogenetic and interspecific variation in size, but empirical data on maximal gape are very limited. To test how overall size predicts gape, we quantified the scaling relationships between maximal gape, overall size, and several cranial dimensions for a wide range of sizes (mass 8–64,100 g) for two large, invasive snake species: Burmese pythons (Python molorus bivittatus) and brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis). Although skull size scaled with negative allometry relative to overall size, isometry and positive allometry commonly occurred for other measurements. For similar snout-vent lengths (SVL), the maximal gape areas of Burmese pythons were approximately 4–6 times greater than those of brown treesnakes, mainly as a result of having a significantly larger relative contribution to gape by the intermandibular soft tissues (43% vs. 17%). In both snake species and for all types of prey, the scaling relationships predicted that relative prey mass (RPM) at maximal gape decreased precipitously with increased overall snake size. For a given SVL or mass, the predicted maximal values of RPM of the Burmese pythons exceeded those of brown treesnakes for all prey types, and predicted values of RPM were usually least for chickens, greatest for limbed reptiles and intermediate for mammals. The pythons we studied are noteworthy for having large overall size and gape that is large even after correcting for overall size, both of which could facilitate some large individuals (SVL = 5 m) exploiting very large vertebrate prey (e.g., deer > 50 kg). Although brown treesnakes had longer quadrate bones, Burmese pythons had larger absolute and larger relative gape as a combined result of larger overall size, larger relative head size, and most importantly, greater stretch of the soft tissues.
Safety and efficacy of a biodegradable implant releasing tenofovir alafenamide for vaginal protection in a macaque model
Authors: Massud I , Krovi A , Nishiura K , Ruone S , Li L , Holder A , Gary J , Mills P , Mitchell J , Khalil G , Pan Y , Luecke E , Gatto G , Heneine W , Garcίa-Lerma J G , Johnson L , van der Straten A , Dobard C
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To advance the initiative of ending the global epidemic, long-lasting HIV protection is needed through sustained release of antiretroviral drugs for months to years. We investigated in macaques the safety and efficacy of biodegradable polycaprolactone implants releasing tenofovir alafenamide for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Methods

Implants were administered subcutaneously in the arm using a contraceptive trocar. Efficacy against vaginal simian-HIV (SHIV) infection was investigated in six pigtailed macaques that received two tenofovir alafenamide implants (0.35 mg/day), one in each arm, for a total release rate of tenofovir alafenamide at 0.7 mg/day. Macaques were exposed to SHIV twice weekly for 6 weeks. Statistical analyses were used to compare outcome with eight untreated controls. Histological assessments were performed on skin biopsies collected near implantation sites.

Results

Median (range) tenofovir diphosphate level in PBMCs was 1519 (1068–1898) fmol/106 cells. All macaques with tenofovir alafenamide implants were protected against vaginal SHIV infection. In contrast, 7/8 controls were infected after a median of 4 SHIV exposures (P = 0.0047). Histological assessment of tissues near tenofovir alafenamide implant sites showed inflammation and necrosis in 5/6 animals, which were not evident by visual inspection.

Conclusions

We demonstrated complete protection against vaginal SHIV infection with two implants releasing a total of 0.7 mg of tenofovir alafenamide per day. We also identified tenofovir diphosphate concentrations in PBMCs associated with complete vaginal protection. Consistent with previous findings, we observed adverse local toxicity and necrosis near the tenofovir alafenamide implant site. Improved tenofovir alafenamide implants that are safe and maintain high efficacy have the potential to provide long-lasting protection against vaginal HIV infection.
Real-world effectiveness of early remdesivir and sotrovimab in the highest-risk COVID-19 outpatients during the Omicron surge
Authors: Piccicacco Nicholas , Zeitler Kristen , Ing Austin , Montero Jose , Faughn Jonathan , Silbert Suzane , Kim Kami
Published: August 2022

Background

Remdesivir and sotrovimab both have clinical trial data in the outpatient setting demonstrating reduction in the risk of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits related to COVID-19.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of remdesivir in comparison with sotrovimab and matched high-risk control patients in preventing COVID-19-related hospitalizations and ED visits during the Omicron B.1.1.529 surge.

Patients and methods

This retrospective cohort study included outpatients positive for SARS-CoV-2, with non-severe symptoms for ≤7 days and deemed high-risk for severe COVID-19 by an internal scoring matrix. Patients who received remdesivir or sotrovimab from 27/12/2021 to 04/02/2022 were included (n = 82 and n = 88, respectively). These were compared with a control cohort of high-risk COVID-19 outpatients who did not receive therapy (n = 90). The primary outcome was a composite of 29 day COVID-19-related hospitalizations and/or ED visits. Pre-specified secondary outcomes included components of the primary endpoint, 29 day all-cause mortality and serious adverse drug events.

Results

Patients treated with remdesivir were significantly less likely to be hospitalized or visit the ED within 29 days from symptom onset (11% versus 23.3%; OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.17–0.95). Patients receiving sotrovimab were also less likely to be hospitalized or visit the ED (8% versus 23.3%; OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.11–0.71). There was no difference in the incidence of hospitalizations/ED visits between sotrovimab and remdesivir.

Conclusions

Our highest-risk outpatients with Omicron-related COVID-19 who received early sotrovimab or remdesivir had significantly lower likelihoods of a hospitalization and/or ED visit.
Lessons learned from developing a statewide research data repository to combat the opioid epidemic in Alabama
Authors: Hudnall Matthew , Lewis Dwight , Parton Jason , Sellers Christopher
Published: August 2022

Many states are continuing to struggle with opioids and other commonly abused drugs. Alabama, being the highest opioid prescription per-capita state since 2012, has pulled together state agencies, private companies, academia, and community organizations to form a data council and repository to provide unified insights and information to the public and partner stakeholders. The lessons learned in constructing this data environment are documented so that other states and organizations can benefit from the challenges and success that Alabama has experienced. The centralized data repository consists of almost a dozen data streams from public agencies and private companies. The data are transformed and linked within the repository to provide geo-temporal linkages between data sources. The data are stored in a secure multi-tiered environment in a Microsoft SQL Server database, de-identified, aggregated, and then published to a public web portal for open consumption. The public-facing website from the project successfully integrates multiple disparate data sources into a common platform for streamlined and cohesive data communications. Drug addiction cannot be easily quantified, viewed, or otherwise examined when only looking at a portion of society. By bringing together multiple data sources and linking them, a more clear picture of trends, influences, and metrics can be obtained. A statewide drug use data partnership between public and private entities is both possible as well as beneficial to all parties involved. Items like legal contracts can inhibit data sharing, but certain best practices can help scale and streamline multiple agreements.
The initial delay to mitotic activity in primary cultures of equine satellite cells is reduced by combinations of growth factors
Authors: Barshick Madison R , Gonzalez Madison L , Busse Nicolas I , Helsel Patricia J , Johnson Sally E
Published: August 2022

Satellite cell (SC) activation is defined as the time frame during which the stem cell becomes poised to reenter G1 of the cell cycle. The growth factors and events leading to full mitotic activation in equine SCs remain largely unknown. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) are sequentially transcribed during the muscle repair and recovery period following strenuous exercise in adult horses. Expression of IGF-I occurs within 24 h of the postexercise recovery period suggesting it may affect early SC actions. As a first step, gluteus medius muscle cryosections from adult horses (n = 9) were examined for the presence of central nuclei (CN), a marker of SC addition to the fiber. Results demonstrate few CN fibers prior to exercise with a 3-fold increase (P = 0.05) 24 h postexercise. Cultures of SC (n = 4 isolates) were treated with 100 ng/mL IGF-I for varying times prior to measurement of myogenic events. Results demonstrate that IGF-I does not affect the initial lag period, proliferation, or subsequent differentiation of equine SC in vitro (P > 0.05). However, media containing a combination of IGF-I and 10 ng/mL FGF2 and 25 ng/mL HGF hastens (P < 0.05) the time to S-phase entry in fresh isolates of SCs. Media supplementation with optimal concentrations of FGF2, HGF, or a combination of HGF and FGF2 suppresses (P < 0.05) the percentage of myogenin immunopositive SCs to levels below that found in control- or IGF-I-treated SCs. These results provide new insight into the combinatorial roles growth factors play during equine SC myogenesis.
Effects of alkaline mineral complex water supplementation on growth performance, inflammatory response, and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets
Authors: Chen Jian , Xu Ya-Ru , Kang Jian-Xun , Zhao Bi-Chen , Dai Xue-Yan , Qiu Bai-Hao , Li Jin-Long
Published: August 2022

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of drinking water alkaline mineral complex (AMC) supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, inflammatory response, immunity, antioxidant defense system, and barrier functions in weaned piglets. In a 15-d trial, 240 weaned piglets (9.35 ± 0.86 kg) at 28 d of age (large white × landrace × Duroc) were randomly divided into two groups: the control (Con) group and the AMC group. Drinking water AMC supplementation improved (P < 0.01) final body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) in weaned piglets compared to the Con group. Importantly, AMC reduced (P < 0.01) the feed-to-gain (F:G) ratio. AMC water improved the physical health conditions of piglets under weaning stress, as reflected by the decreased (P < 0.05) hair score and conjunctival score. Moreover, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in relatively small intestinal length, organ (liver, spleen, and kidney) indices, or gastrointestinal pH value in weaned piglets between the two groups. Of note, AMC significantly promoted the microvilli numbers in the small intestine and effectively ameliorated the gut morphology damage induced by weaning stress, as evidenced by the increased (P < 0.05) villous height (VH) and ratio of VH to crypt depth. Additionally, AMC lessened the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, P < 0.01) and the contents of IL1β (P<0.05), and TNF-α (P<0.05) in the weaned piglet small intestine. Conversely, the gut immune barrier marker, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels in serum and small intestine mucosa were elevated after AMC water treatment (P < 0.01). Furthermore, AMC elevated the antioxidant mRNA levels of (P < 0.05) SOD 1-2, (P < 0.01) CAT, and (P < 0.01) GPX 1-2 in the small intestine. Likewise, the mRNA levels of the small intestine tight junction factors Occludin (P < 0.01), ZO-1 (P < 0.05), Claudin 2 (P < 0.01), and Claudin 5 (P<0.01) in the AMC treatment group were notably higher than those in the Con group. In conclusion, drinking water AMC supplementation has an accelerative effect on growth performance by elevating gut health by improving intestinal morphology, the inflammatory response, the antioxidant defense system, and barrier function in weaned piglets.
Clustering memory-guided anomaly detection model for large-scale screening of esophageal endoscopic images
Authors: Wu Yanbing , Zhao Zijian , Pang Xuejiao , Liu Jin
Published: August 2022

A deep learning screening model of esophageal endoscopic images can reduce the burden on endoscopists. However, most deep learning methods require many labeled data with balanced categories, and their ability to deal with new diseases not appearing in the training set is limited. This study elaborated a semi-supervised anomaly detection model for the initial screening of esophageal endoscopic images, requiring a single class of samples as a training set. The reconstruction-based method was used for anomaly detection. The model’s framework was a variational auto-encoder, with two memory modules added in latent space to restrain its generalization ability. In the memory module, a clustering operation was introduced to provide a better distribution of memory vectors, promoting their compactness with encoded features and separation from each other. A detailed description and theoretical substantiation of the proposed model were presented. A dataset containing 7989 esophageal endoscopic images labeled by experienced endoscopists was used for numerical experiments. The proposed model results were compared with those of other auto-encoder-based anomaly detection methods, outperforming them and achieving an area under the curve of 0.8212. The ablation study was also conducted to validate the effectiveness of each model’s part, and new data were successfully incorporated to assess the model feasibility and applicability range.
Learning-based catheter and guidewire-driven autonomous vascular intervention robotic system for reduced repulsive force
Authors: Song Hwa-Seob , Yi Byung-Ju , Won Jong Yun , Woo Jaehong
Published: August 2022

Manual vascular interventional radiology (VIR) procedures have been performed under radiation exposure conditions, and many commercial master–slave VIR robot systems have recently been developed to overcome this issue. However, master–slave VIR robot systems still have limitations. The operator must reside near the master device and control the slave robot using only the master device. In addition, the operator must simultaneously process the recognition of the surgical tool from the X-ray image while operating the master device. To overcome the limitations of master–slave VIR robot systems, we propose an autonomous VIR robot system with a deep learning algorithm that excludes the master device. The proposed autonomous VIR robot with a deep learning algorithm drives surgical tools to the target blood vessel location while simultaneously performing surgical tool recognition. The proposed autonomous VIR robot system detects the location of the surgical tool based on a supervised learning algorithm, and controls the surgical tools based on a reinforcement-learning algorithm. Experiments are conducted using two types of vascular phantoms to verify the effectiveness of the proposed autonomous VIR robot system. The experimental results of the vascular phantom show a comparison between the master–slave VIR robot system and the proposed autonomous VIR robot system in terms of the repulsive force, task completion time, and success rate during the operation. The proposed autonomous VIR robot system is shown to exhibit a significant reduction in repulsive force and a 96% success ratio based on a vascular phantom.
Presentation and management of a case of rectal cancer complicated by perforation and necrotizing soft tissue infection
Authors: Cragle Chad E , Schlenker James , Moonka Ravi , Wiebusch Abigail , Simianu Vlad V
Published: August 2022

A 68-year-old man presented with septic shock and severe perineal pain from a perforated low-rectal cancer causing a perineal necrotizing soft tissue infection. He underwent laparoscopic diverting colostomy and multiple surgical debridements resulting in extensive perineal and left leg wounds. A multidisciplinary rectal cancer team recommended against neoadjuvant chemoradiation or chemotherapy in his current state. He underwent up-front, urgent robotic-assisted abdominoperineal resection with immediate oblique rectus abdominus muscle flap closure. Final pathology demonstrated a T4N1b adenocarcinoma with negative resection margins. The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. Now at over 18 months, he remains cancer free.
Sleeve gastrectomy in a patient with situs inversus: a case report
Authors: Alonazi Ibrahim , Alharthy Yam , Alghamdi Ghadeer
Published: August 2022

Situs inversus (SI) is a very rare congenital disease affecting one in 10 000 people. It is characterized by a mirror image transposition of both abdominal and thoracic organs. Diagnosis of SI is usually made incidentally while investigating for unrelated medical problem. It can be associated with cardiac and respiratory anomalies that may cause perioperative morbidity if not diagnosed before surgery. There are limited case reports in literature of SI patients that underwent bariatric procedures. We report a case of a 32-year-old female with SI partialis and levocardia who successfully underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. We concluded that sleeve gastrectomy is safe in patients with SI if diagnosed preoperatively and if all the necessary precautions are taken into consideration before and during the surgery.
Contralateral diaphragmatic injury sustained from transhumeral amputation: an unusual case and brief literature review
Authors: Marcucci Vincent , Campbell Stuart , Ihionkhan Emmanuel , Shah Ajul , Bauer Thomas , Pratt Abimbola
Published: August 2022

Right-sided diaphragmatic injury is an uncommon sequelae from blunt trauma and may be associated with other severe thoracoabdominal injuries. This injury can be easily missed on initial assessment and a high index of suspicion and clinical judgment is required. Recently, we treated a 25-year-old male inflicted with a right-sided diaphragmatic injury after a left-sided transhumeral amputation sustained from an overturned motor vehicle collision with thoracoscopic exploration and reapproximation.
Virulence factors of Malassezia strains isolated from pityriasis versicolor patients and healthy individuals
Authors: Chebil Wissal , Rhimi Wafa , Haouas Najoua , Romano Valentina , Belgacem Sameh , Belhadj Ali Hichem , Babba Hamouda , Cafarchia Claudia
Published: August 2022

Over the last decade, Malassezia species have emerged as increasingly important pathogens associated with a wide range of dermatological disorders and bloodstream infections. The pathogenesis of Malassezia yeasts is not completely clear, but it seems to be strictly related to Malassezia strains and hosts and needs to be better investigated. This study aimed to assess the enzymatic activities, biofilm formation and in vitro antifungal profiles of Malassezia spp. from pityriasis versicolor (PV) and healthy patients. The potential relationship between virulence attributes, the antifungal profiles and the origin of strains was also assessed. A total of 44 Malassezia strains isolated from patients with (n = 31) and without (n = 13) PV were employed to evaluate phospholipase (Pz), lipase (Lz), and hemolytic (Hz) activities and biofilm formation. In addition, in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was conducted using the CLSI broth microdilution with some modifications. A high percentage of strains produced Pz, Lz, Hz and biofilm regardless of their clinical origin. The highest number of strains producing high enzymatic activities came from PV patients. A correlation between the intensity of hydrolytic activities (Lz and Pz activities) and the Hz activity was detected. Positive associations between Lz and the low fluconazole susceptibility and Hz and biofilm formation were observed. These results suggest that enzyme patterns and biofilm formation along with antifungal profiles inter-play a role in the pathogenicity of Malassezia spp. and might explain the implication of some Malassezia spp. in invasive fungal infections and in the development of inflammation.

Lay Summary

There is still little information on the virulence factors of Malassezia spp., despite their implication in severe diseases. Phospholipase, lipase, and hemolytic activities, biofilm formation and decreased antifungal susceptibility seem to contribute to their virulence in susceptible hosts.
Radio fossils, relics, and haloes in Abell 3266: cluster archaeology with ASKAP-EMU and the ATCA
Authors: Riseley C J , Bonnassieux E , Vernstrom T , Galvin T J , Chokshi A , Botteon A , Rajpurohit K , Duchesne S W , Bonafede A , Rudnick L , Hoeft M , Quici B , Eckert D , Brienza M , Tasse C , Carretti E , Collier J D , Diego J M , Di Mascolo L , Hopkins A M , Johnston-Hollitt M , Keel R R , Koribalski B S , Reiprich T H
Published: August 2022

Abell 3266 is a massive and complex merging galaxy cluster that exhibits significant substructure. We present new, highly sensitive radio continuum observations of Abell 3266 performed with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (0.8–1.1 GHz) and the Australia Telescope Compact Array (1.1–3.1 GHz). These deep observations provide new insights into recently reported diffuse non-thermal phenomena associated with the intracluster medium, including a ‘wrong-way’ relic, a fossil plasma source, and an as-yet unclassified central diffuse ridge, which we reveal comprises the brightest part of a large-scale radio halo detected here for the first time. The ‘wrong-way’ relic is highly atypical of its kind: it exhibits many classical signatures of a shock-related radio relic, while at the same time exhibiting strong spectral steepening. While radio relics are generally consistent with a quasi-stationary shock scenario, the ‘wrong-way’ relic is not. We study the spectral properties of the fossil plasma source; it exhibits an ultrasteep and highly curved radio spectrum, indicating an extremely aged electron population. The larger scale radio halo fills much of the cluster centre, and presents a strong connection between the thermal and non-thermal components of the intracluster medium, along with evidence of substructure. Whether the central diffuse ridge is simply a brighter component of the halo, or a mini-halo, remains an open question. Finally, we study the morphological and spectral properties of the multiple complex radio galaxies in this cluster in unprecedented detail, tracing their evolutionary history.
Music Therapy for Hospitalized Antepartum Patients: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Horn Johanna , Robinson Jaimee , Tolliver Marie , Gollenberg Audra , Meadows Anthony
Published: August 2022

This study reports the benefits of individual music therapy with 5 mothers hospitalized due to complications related to their pregnancies. These five expectant mothers, hospitalized for a range of reasons, participated in 1 to 5 music therapy sessions focused primarily on their emotional well-being. An analysis of data from the Antepartum Bedrest Emotional Impact Inventory revealed significant changes (p = .0006) in the emotional health of these expectant mothers after their music therapy sessions. Concomitant analysis of post-session questionnaires suggested four primary types of emotional benefit: (1) improved connections to family, (2) normalization of the hospital experience, (3) emotional relief, and (4) new resources to manage the hospital experience. These benefits are described within the context of the music therapy sessions along with a discussion of practical challenges that arose while implementing music therapy in this hospital environment.