bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed culture biocatalytic production of the high-value biochemical 7-methylxanthine
Authors: Mock Meredith B. , Summers Ryan M.
Published: January 2023

Background

7-Methylxanthine, a derivative of caffeine noted for its lack of toxicity and ability to treat and even prevent myopia progression, is a high-value biochemical with limited natural availability. Attempts to produce 7-methylxanthine through purely chemical methods of synthesis are faced with complicated chemical processes and/or the requirement of a variety of hazardous chemicals, resulting in low yields and racemic mixtures of products. In recent years, we have developed engineered microbial cells to produce several methylxanthines, including 3-methylxanthine, theobromine, and paraxanthine. The purpose of this study is to establish a more efficient biosynthetic process for the production of 7-methylxanthine from caffeine.

Results

Here, we describe the use of a mixed-culture system composed of Escherichia coli strains engineered as caffeine and theobromine “specialist” cells. Optimal reaction conditions for the maximal conversion of caffeine to 7-methylxanthine were determined to be equal concentrations of caffeine and theobromine specialist cells at an optical density (600 nm) of 50 reacted with 2.5 mM caffeine for 5 h. When scaled-up to 560 mL, the simple biocatalytic reaction produced 183.81 mg 7-methylxanthine from 238.38 mg caffeine under ambient conditions, an 85.6% molar conversion. Following HPLC purification and solvent evaporation, 153.3 mg of dried 7-methylxanthine powder was collected, resulting in an 83.4% product recovery.

Conclusion

We present the first report of a biocatalytic process designed specifically for the production and purification of the high-value biochemical 7-methylxanthine from caffeine using a mixed culture of E. coli strains. This process constitutes the most efficient method for the production of 7-methylxanthine from caffeine to date.
Anode-assisted electro-fermentation with Bacillus subtilis under oxygen-limited conditions
Authors: Sun Yu , Kokko Marika , Vassilev Igor
Published: January 2023

Background

Bacillus subtilis is generally regarded as a ubiquitous facultative anaerobe. Oxygen is the major electron acceptor of B. subtilis, and when oxygen is absent, B. subtilis can donate electrons to nitrate or perform fermentation. An anode electrode can also be used by microorganisms as the electron sink in systems called anodic electro-fermentation. The facultative anaerobic character of B. subtilis makes it an excellent candidate to explore with different electron acceptors, such as an anode. This study aimed to optimise industrial aerobic bioprocesses using alternative electron acceptors. In particular, different end product spectrum of B. subtilis with various electron acceptors, including anode from the electro-fermentation system, was investigated.

Results

B. subtilis was grown using three electron acceptors, i.e. oxygen, nitrate and anode (poised at a potential of 0.7 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode). The results showed oxygen had a crucial role for cells to remain metabolically active. When nitrate or anode was applied as the sole electron acceptor anaerobically, immediate cell lysis and limited glucose consumption were observed. In anode-assisted electro-fermentation with a limited aeration rate, acetoin, as the main end product showed the highest yield of 0.78 ± 0.04 molproduct/molglucose, two-fold higher than without poised potential (0.39 ± 0.08 molproduct/molglucose).

Conclusions

Oxygen controls B. subtilis biomass growth, alternative electron acceptors utilisation and metabolites formation. Limited oxygen/air supply enabled the bacteria to donate excess electrons to nitrate or anode, leading to steered product spectrum. The anode-assisted electro-fermentation showed its potential to boost acetoin production for future industrial biotechnology applications.
Brain correlates of declarative memory atypicalities in autism: a systematic review of functional neuroimaging findings
Authors: Desaunay Pierre , Guillery Bérengère , Moussaoui Edgar , Eustache Francis , Bowler Dermot M. , Guénolé Fabian
Published: January 2023

The long-described atypicalities of memory functioning experienced by people with autism have major implications for daily living, academic learning, as well as cognitive remediation. Though behavioral studies have identified a robust profile of memory strengths and weaknesses in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few works have attempted to establish a synthesis concerning their neural bases. In this systematic review of functional neuroimaging studies, we highlight functional brain asymmetries in three anatomical planes during memory processing between individuals with ASD and typical development. These asymmetries consist of greater activity of the left hemisphere than the right in ASD participants, of posterior brain regions—including hippocampus—rather than anterior ones, and presumably of the ventral (occipito-temporal) streams rather than the dorsal (occipito-parietal) ones. These functional alterations may be linked to atypical memory processes in ASD, including the pre-eminence of verbal over spatial information, impaired active maintenance in working memory, and preserved relational memory despite poor context processing in episodic memory.
Medical and physiological complications of exercise for individuals with an eating disorder: A narrative review
Authors: Quesnel Danika A. , Cooper Marita , Fernandez-del-Valle Maria , Reilly Alanah , Calogero Rachel M.
Published: January 2023

Individuals with eating disorders (ED) experience prolonged malnutrition, binge episodes, and compensatory behaviours that affect every organ system. Psychological and physiological symptoms are worsened with comorbid dysfunctional exercise, seen in up to 80% of those with an ED. Although return to exercise is an important component of treatment and recovery, little is known about the contraindications and risks of exercise engagement specific to those with an ED. This paper provides a comprehensive narrative review of the medical and physiological complications of engaging in exercise during ED treatment and outlines when exercise may be contraindicated or used in modified or cautionary ways. We conducted a literature search on MEDLINE, PubMed, and PsychArticles to identify relevant articles, which yielded six categories of medical and physiological complications of ED that may be exacerbated by exercise: energy availability, cardiovascular health, electrolyte abnormalities, biomedical function markers, sex hormones, and body composition. We summarize the evidence for these complications for readers and offer an initial set of recommendations for incorporating exercise during ED treatment based on our findings. This review may serve as a resource for members of ED treatment teams to help evaluate more readily and confidently whether exercise is safe for individual patients and when modifications and caution may be warranted.
Cardioprotective effect of crude polysaccharide fermented by Trametes Sanguinea Lyoyd on doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury mice
Authors: Shen Chenjun , Yang Bo , Huang Lili , Chen Yueru , Zhao Huajun , Zhu Zhihui
Published: January 2023

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor drug, but its clinical application is greatly limited because of the cardiotoxicity. Thus, exploration of effective therapies against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity is necessary. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of Trametes Sanguinea Lyoyd fermented crude polysaccharide (TSLFACP) against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. We investigated the protective effects of TSLFACP on myocardial injury and its possible mechanisms using two in vitro cells of DOX-treated cardiomyocytes H9C2 and embryonic myocardial cell line CCC-HEH-2 and a in vivo mouse model of DOX-induced myocardial injury. We found that TSLFACP could reverse DOX-induced toxicity in H9C2 and CCC-HEH-2 cells. Similarly, we found that when pretreatment with TSLFACP (200 mg/kg, i.g.) daily for 6 days, DOX-induced myocardial damage was attenuated, including the decrease in serum myocardial injury index, and the amelioration in cardiac histopathological morphology. Additionally, immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to identify the underlying and possible signal pathways. We found that TSLFACP attenuated the expression of LC3-II, Beclin-1 and PRAP induced by DOX. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that TSLFACP could protect against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis.
Cartas Ejecutorias de Hidalguía (executory certificates of nobility): a survey in materials analysis, legal, and aesthetic contexts—two case studies
Authors: Mercado-Oliveras Verónica , Alcántara-García Jocelyn
Published: January 2023

Illuminated manuscripts are relatively well studied, but the available publications greatly focus on religious manuscripts of a geographically limited area. In contrast, technical examinations of illuminated legal documents have received far less attention, e.g., Spanish cartas ejecutorias de hidalguía (executory certificates of nobility). These documents are suitable case studies to deepen current knowledge of manuscript-making in Spain for two reasons: First, they are dated (late fifteenth to early eighteenth centuries); and second, they are unusual and understudied from both the textual and materials analysis standpoints. Cartas contain judicial proceedings whereby a family gained or was re-assigned hidalguía (lower nobility). A key exhibit to achieving this status was proving their “blood purity” which implied they were faithful Catholics, so finding religious representations within the document is common. In addition, families embedded their faith and links to monarchs in their coat of arms through symbols like crowned eagles, trees, and towers. The deliberate choice of heraldic and religious elements is as important as the materials used to produce them. Interested in better understanding illumination in Spain we are studying these unique documents from the historical, materials, and iconographic points of view. Herein, we present the earliest results of an ongoing survey, detailing two case studies: Davila and Nuñez D. Armesto cartas. This research uses a combination of: (a) instrumental techniques (X-ray fluorescence, reflectance, and infrared spectroscopies; peptide mass fingerprinting; and gas chromatography); and (b) historical research using both the manuscript’s contents as primary sources, and published research. The preliminary results are enabling us to shed light onto Spanish (legal) illuminated manuscript-making, and the symbolic role materials played, e.g., use of precious metals adorning monarchical elements, presence of ultramarine mixed with azurite on both coats of arms, and on Virgin Mary’s gown, etc. This survey intends to simultaneously learn more about illumination practices in Spain, inform conservation decisions, and hopefully better understand problems connected to historic ideologies that were legalized in beautiful albeit disturbing documents, e.g., persecution of non-Catholics at the time in Spain.
The role of novelty stimuli in second language acquisition: evidence from the optimized training by the Pinyin Tutor at TalkBank
Authors: Zhang Yanhui , MacWhinney Brian
Published: January 2023

As hypothesized by the unified competition model (MacWhinney, 2007, 2017, 2021), optimizing training schemes can enhance second language (L2) learning by fostering various protective factors. Under such a framework, the current study focuses on how the familiarity of stimuli will affect learning Chinese phonetic skills in a computer-assisted language learning (CALL) environment. Two training conditions, i.e., training with familiar stimuli from the textbook and unfamiliar stimuli from novelty design, were administered for two groups of learners at American universities, where the classroom instructions were integrated with the Pinyin Tutor—an online spoken Chinese learning platform hosted under TalkBank. The results show that training with novelty stimuli leads to a greater pretest–posttest improvement for intermediate learners, whereas more significant improvement has been observed in training with familiar stimuli among beginning learners. The learning-enhancing power of the Pinyin Tutor is evidenced by the overall significance of the pretest–posttest improvement when consolidating the results of the two conditions. Furthermore, high retention has been demonstrated in all six aspects of the Pinyin knowledge as tested by a three-month-after delayed posttest. These findings tend to endorse a differentiated design of instructional materials with increasing novelty components as the level of L2 learning advances. The overall significant learning-boosting results accredit the design of the Pinyin Tutor, where the technological architecture and algorithms were integrated with psycholinguistic and pedagogical theories. Suggestions and implications for smart learning in general are presented.
Breakfast intake and associated factors and barriers among tertiary institution students in the Western Region, Ghana
Authors: Adonu Regina Enyonam , Amoah Millicent , Saah Farrukh Ishaque
Published: January 2023

Background

Breakfast is considered the day’s most important meal. Skipping breakfast consumption is detrimental to health and intellectual performance. University life has tight schedules and rigorous intellectual activities often very early in the morning. This study aimed at assessing breakfast intake and its associated factors among the students of Takoradi Technical University (TTU).

Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data was collected from 347 students in TTU using pre-tested questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using STATA v17. It employed descriptive and inferential statistics such as logistic regression. P-value less than 0.05 was set as statistical significance at 95% confidence interval.

Results

Regular breakfast was taken by 35.7% of the students. Higher odds of regular breakfast intake were found among respondents aged 25–29 years (AOR = 3.13, 95%CI = 1.57–6.24) and those who buy their breakfast (AOR = 5.13, 95%CI = 2.16–12.19). However, lower odds of regular breakfast consumption were found among respondents who were females (AOR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.18–0.85). Barriers to regular breakfast intake included negative mood, insufficient funds, health condition, weight management, religious reasons such as fasting, limited time/unfavourable academic schedules, daily activities/workload, and cost of food on campus.

Conclusion

The study stressed on the need for external and personal factors such as sex, age, religion, limited time/unfavourable academic schedules among others that hinder habitual breakfast intake to be addressed adopting innovative approach such as peer education and campaigns. University management should implement favourable policies on academic schedules, canteens/cafeterias, less stringent regulation on cooking at halls of residence.
A socioeconomic approach to the profile of microcredit holders from the Hispanic minority in the USA
Authors: Cruz Rambaud Salvador , López Pascual Joaquín , Santandreu Emilio M.
Published: January 2023

The subject of this study is the microcredit market in the USA, more specifically in Florida. The justification for choosing this specific state is the massive presence of the Hispanic population. This will facilitate a generalization of the obtained results to the microcredit market in Latin American countries. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the profile of microcredit holders and their companies from socioeconomic and financial points of view. As our data also consider the degree of repayment of the microloans included in the sample, the clients’ profile is related to the punctuality or default of their corresponding loan repayments using the methodology of multinomial logit regression. The variables used in this study refer to personal information concerning borrowers (gender, age, education level, and marital status), the economic situation of their respective companies (closeness to the lender, number of workers, and revenues), and the characteristics of granted loans (principal, term, and purpose). However, the results of the regression show that only two variables are significant at the 5% significance level: the borrower’s age, which has a positive effect on repayment punctuality, and the loan term, which exhibits a negative effect. The findings of this study have clear implications, as they can help lenders design suitable microloans adjusted to customer profiles. Finally, future research should include other demographics and characteristics of affected companies.
Markets in crypto-assets regulation: Does it provide legal certainty and increase adoption of crypto-assets?
Authors: van der Linden Tina , Shirazi Tina
Published: January 2023

This study discusses the European Union’s proposal for a Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets, now subject to formal approval by the European Parliament. The objective is to explore whether it will positively impact the adoption of crypto-assets in the financial sector. The use of crypto-assets is growing. However, some stakeholders in the financial service sector remain skeptical and hesitant to adopt assets that are yet to be defined and have an unclear legal status. This regulatory uncertainty has been identified as the primary reason for the reluctant adoption. The proposed regulation (part of the EU’s Digital Finance Strategy) aims to provide this legal certainty for currently unregulated crypto-assets. This study investigates whether or not the proposed regulation can be expected to have the intended effect by reviewing the proposed regulation itself, the opinions and reactions of the various stakeholders, and secondary literature. Findings reveal that such regulation will most likely not accelerate the adoption of crypto-assets in the EU financial services sector, at least not sufficiently or as intended. Some suggestions are made to improve the proposal.
Simultaneous biportal endoscopic management of pineal region tumors in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus: technical notes
Authors: Al-Saiari Sultan , Al Orabi Khalid , Abdoh Mohammad Ghazi , Basurrah Abdulaziz A. , Albalawi Sultan Faez , Farag Ahmed A.
Published: January 2023

Background

The goal of this study is to show the feasibility and benefits of using the simultaneous biportal endoscopic procedure to treat pineal tumors in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed three patients with pineal tumors and acute obstructive hydrocephalus who were treated in one session with a frameless stereotactic guided simultaneous biportal endoscopic third ventriculostomy and endoscopic tumor biopsy performed through two separate ports using one rigid ventriculoscope.

Results

In the three patients, ventriculostomy and endoscopic biopsies were conducted. There was no death or morbidity throughout the 45-min procedure. All of the patients’ histological findings were confirmed. Germinoma was diagnosed in two patients who recieved postoperative radiotherapy, and the third patient diagnosed with a pineocytoma. Magnetic resonance imaging with flow-sensitive sequences was used to confirm ventriculostomy patency in all patients 6 months after the surgery.

Conclusion

Biportal endoscopic approach enables better visual control of both procedures. Furthermore, it allows the surgeon to safely pass the ventriculoscope via the foramen of monro, even if it is narrow. Moreover, during endoscopic tumor biopsy and third ventriculostomy, the intracranial pressure can be smoothly managed using the outlet tubes accessible. This treatment may be an alternative to traditional uniportal endoscopic operations in certain patients.
First genome-scale insights into the virulence of the snow mold causal fungus Microdochium nivale
Authors: Tsers Ivan , Marenina Ekaterina , Meshcherov Azat , Petrova Olga , Gogoleva Olga , Tkachenko Alexander , Gogoleva Natalia , Gogolev Yuri , Potapenko Evgenii , Muraeva Olga , Ponomareva Mira , Korzun Viktor , Gorshkov Vladimir
Published: January 2023

Pink snow mold, caused by a phytopathogenic and psychrotolerant fungus, Microdochium nivale, is a severe disease of winter cereals and grasses that predominantly occurs under snow cover or shortly after its melt. Snow mold has significantly progressed during the past decade, often reaching epiphytotic levels in northern countries and resulting in dramatic yield losses. In addition, M. nivale gradually adapts to a warmer climate, spreading to less snowy territories and causing different types of plant diseases throughout the growing period. Despite its great economic importance, M. nivale is poorly investigated; its genome has not been sequenced and its crucial virulence determinants have not been identified or even predicted. In our study, we applied a hybrid assembly based on Oxford Nanopore and Illumina reads to obtain the first genome sequence of M. nivale. 11,973 genes (including 11,789 protein-encoding genes) have been revealed in the genome assembly. To better understand the genetic potential of M. nivale and to obtain a convenient reference for transcriptomic studies on this species, the identified genes were annotated and split into hierarchical three-level functional categories. A file with functionally classified M. nivale genes is presented in our study for general use. M. nivale gene products that best meet the criteria for virulence factors have been identified. The genetic potential to synthesize human-dangerous mycotoxins (fumonisin, ochratoxin B, aflatoxin, and gliotoxin) has been revealed for M. nivale. The transcriptome analysis combined with the assays for extracellular enzymatic activities (conventional virulence factors of many phytopathogens) was carried out to assess the effect of host plant (rye) metabolites on the M. nivale phenotype. In addition to disclosing plant-metabolite-upregulated M. nivale functional gene groups (including those related to host plant protein destruction and amino acid metabolism, xenobiotic detoxication (including phytoalexins benzoxazinoids), cellulose destruction (cellulose monooxygenases), iron transport, etc.), the performed analysis pointed to a crucial role of host plant lipid destruction and fungal lipid metabolism modulation in plant-M. nivale interactions.
Radiographic measurement of the congruence angle according to Merchant: validity, reproducibility, and limits
Authors: Severyns M. , Mallet J. , Santoni B. , Barnavon T. , Germaneau A. , Vendeuvre T. , Drame M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study was to analyze the intra- and interobserver variability of this measurement according to a strict methodology and on a representative sample of the general population, as well as to identify the possible difficulties of measurement in case of patellar or trochlear dysplasia.

Methods

This observational study involved radiographic analysis by three independent observers of a total of 50 patients who had a loaded patellofemoral X-ray taken with the knee flexed to 45°. An initial reading was taken to measure the angle of the trochlear sulcus, the Merchant angle, and to classify the knees according to a possible trochlear dysplasia and/or patellar dysplasia according to Wiberg. A second measurement was then performed to analyze intraobserver agreement. Interobserver agreement was measured on all radiographic measurements (n = 100).

Results

The Merchant patellofemoral congruence angle showed good intraobserver concordance ranging from 0.925 (95% CI 0.868–0.957) to 0.942 (95% CI 0.898–0.967), as well as interobserver concordance ranging from 0.795 (95% CI 0.695–0.862) to 0.914 (95% CI 0.872–0.942). Poor results were found in terms of interobserver concordance on the measurement of the Merchant angle in case of stage 3 Wiberg patella ranging from 0.282 (95% CI −0.920 to 0.731) to 0.611 (95% CI 0.226–0.892).

Conclusion

Congruence angle is one of most commonly used measurements for patellar tracking. However, the convexity of the patellar surface makes it difficult to identify the patellar apex on its intraarticular facet, making the measurement of the Merchant congruence angle unreliable and not very reproducible in cases of stage 3 Wiberg patella.

Registration N°IRB 2021/139
Cross-variant proof predictive vaccine design based on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using immunoinformatics approach
Authors: Sahu Lavanya Kumar , Singh Kiran
Published: January 2023

Background

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving continuously. The omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has the highest mutation in its spike protein, thus making the presently available vaccine ineffective or reducing its efficiency. Furthermore, the majority of the vaccines are constructed using a spike protein sequence from wild-type SARS-CoV-2. This raises the possibility of the virus evolving to the point where the vaccine's effectiveness is completely lost, even after booster doses. The study aims to develop a predictive vaccine as well as the epitopes for the updating of the vaccine sequences of currently available vaccines. In this study, following the immunoinformatics approach, predictive vaccine construction was done with the help of epitopes present on spike proteins of wild-type, delta, and omicron variants that encompass the majority of variants and possible new variants that arise from the combination of circulating variants.

Results

The vaccine that was constructed was stable and immunogenic. The vaccine was constructed with the help of 18 B-cell epitopes, 5 MHC class I epitopes, and 6 MHC class II epitopes. The epitope conservancy analysis suggests that the vaccine will work for the previously known variant of concern. The vaccine bound to TLR4, TLR2, B-cell receptor chains A and B, and ACE2 receptors with a z score of − 1.4, − 1.7, − 1.4, − 1.7, and − 1.4, respectively, with a cluster size of 121 highest for the ACE2 receptor and 46 lowest for B-cell receptor chain A. The C-ImmSim simulation results indicate that the vaccine is generating both humoral and cell-mediated responses at a sufficient level throughout the month upon injection of the vaccine as an antigen.

Conclusion

The study's findings indicate that the vaccine was both stable and immunogenic, providing a sufficient level of immunity. Following experimental validation, the vaccine can be used, and the epitopes can be employed for therapeutic purposes such as antibody synthesis.

Graphical Abstract
Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with lung cancer requiring ICU admission: a retrospective analysis based on the MIMIC-III database
Authors: Qian Jie , Qin Ruoyan , Hong Liang , Shi Yangyang , Yuan Haibin , Zhang Bo , Nie Wei , Li Yanwen , Han Baohui
Published: January 2023

Background

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common solid tumor type in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study investigated the characteristics of LC patients admitted to the ICU, the major reasons for their admission, short-term mortality, and associated risk factors.

Methods

Patients with LC were retrospectively identified in the publicly available, large-scale, single-center database Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) III. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, smoking history, comorbidities, type of admission to ICU, major diagnoses, illness severity score as assessed by the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), ICU length of stay (LOS), use of mechanic ventilation (MV) or vasopressors, the existence of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, and metastatic status were collected. The major reasons for ICU admission were analyzed in subgroups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the 28-day and 6-month mortality.

Results

A total of 1242 ICU admissions were included. Diseases of respiratory (42.7%), nervous (14.3%), and cardiovascular (11.9%) systems accounted for the top reasons for admission. Pneumonia/pneumonitis, respiratory failure, and sepsis were the primary reasons for ICU admission. The median survival was 2.93 (95% CI: 2.42–3.43) months. The 28-day inhospital and the 6-month mortality were 30.6% and 68.2%, respectively. Sepsis (63.9%), respiratory failure (47.0%), and pleural effusion (40.9%) accounted for the top three highest 28-day ICU mortality in all causes. An age ≥ 65 years, a SAPS II ≥ 37, a SOFA ≥ 3, metastasis, and MV use were independent risk factors for an inferior 28-day survival rate, while only metastatic status and SOFA score were associated with the 6-month mortality. SAPS II was accepatable and better than SOFA in predicting 28-day ICU [area under the curve (AUC): 0.714 and 0.658, respectively] or 28-day inhospital mortality (AUC: 0.717 and 0.660, respectively).

Conclusion

The 6-month prognosis for LC patients admitted to ICU was dismal. Multidisciplinary collaboration between intensivists and oncologists to identify high-risk patients and to determine a risk-benefit ratio of ICU treatment may improve survival prospects.
Seismic full-waveform inversion based on superresolution for high-precision prediction of reservoir parameters
Authors: Li Dong , Guo Yinling , Peng Suping , Lu Yongxu , Cui Xiaoqin , Du Wenfeng
Published: January 2023

The frequency band limitation of seismic data limits the resolution of full-waveform inversion (FWI) results. In addition, the high computational cost seriously affects the practical application of FWI. To alleviate these concerns, an FWI method based on superresolution (SR-FWI) is developed to improve the prediction efficiency and accuracy of the reservoir parameters. A channel attention mechanism is introduced for the multifrequency characteristics of the model images. A constrained residual channel attention network (CRCAN) is built for superresolution (SR) by adding structural constraints to the loss function of a deep learning network. A total of 65,000 sets of geologic models and natural images constitute the network training data, 90% of which are used for training with the rest used for testing. The iterative calculation for FWI is time-consuming; hence, SR is applied to the iterative process to reduce the number of iterations and accelerate the model update. Low-resolution images along with the synthetic and field data are used for the evaluation of the CRCAN and SR-FWI algorithms, respectively. The test results find that CRCAN can effectively improve the image resolution, whereas SR-FWI is beneficial due to its high efficiency and precision, especially in predicting the stratum edge and small-scale anomalies. Therefore, SR-FWI is a powerful means of reservoir static and dynamic detection and can provide high-resolution information for projects, such as resource development and CO2 storage.
Spatial variability of petrofacies using supervised machine learning and geostatistical modeling: Sycamore Formation, Sho-Vel-Tum Field, Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Duarte David , Pires de Lima Rafael , Tellez Javier , Pranter Matthew J.
Published: January 2023

The Sycamore Formation at the Sho-Vel-Tum Field primarily consists of clay-rich mudstones (Mdst) and quartz-rich siltstones. The clay-rich Mdst are mainly composed of clays, quartz grains, some allochems, and detrital organic matter. The siltstones are structureless and are divided into two petrofacies: high porosity and permeability massive calcareous siltstones and low porosity and permeability massive calcite-cemented siltstones. Core and well-log data provide mineralogical, lithologic, and porosity information that is useful to define petrophysical facies (petrofacies) and to create facies logs within the Sycamore Formation. We used the data to establish the Sycamore Formation stratigraphic architecture and to map its spatial variability and reservoir properties. To classify the Sycamore Formation petrofacies in noncored wells, we developed a machine learning-based workflow that compares more than 1800 classification models and selects the best combination of well logs, algorithms, and hyperparameters to predict defined petrofacies. The process includes combinations of well logs that were optimized in four classification algorithms: artificial neural network, K-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, and random forest. To adjust each classifier, we used a grid search and a fivefold cross validation to find the best combination of three hyperparameters to improve results of each algorithm. This workflow allows for the efficient extraction of information from cores at a low cost. After we generated the petrofacies logs in noncored wells, we combined them with multiple constraints to create a 3D petrofacies model for the Sycamore Formation at the Sho-Vel-Tum Field and analyze the stratigraphic and diagenetic controls on petrofacies and its impact in reservoir quality.
Enhanced Recovery Stem-Cell Transplantation: Multidisciplinary Efforts to Improve Outcomes in Older Adults Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant
Authors: Ngo-Huang An , Ombres Rachel , Saliba Rima M. , Szewczyk Nicholas , Adekoya LaToya , Soones Tacara N. , Ferguson Jill , Fontillas Rhodora C. , Gulbis Alison M. , Hosing Chitra , Kebriaei Partow , Lindsay Richard , Marin David C. , Mehta Rohtesh S. , Alousi Amin M. , Srour Samer , Oran Betul , Olson Amanda L. , Qazilbash Muzaffar H. , Rivera Zandra , Champlin Richard E. , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Popat Uday R.
Published: January 2023

PURPOSE:

Older adults have unique risk factors for poor outcomes after hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT). We sought to determine the impact of our multidisciplinary supportive care program, Enhanced Recovery after stem-cell transplant (ER-SCT), on survival outcomes in patients age 65 years and older who underwent HSCT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In this retrospective study, clinicodemographic data, nonrelapse mortality (NRM), overall survival (OS), and relapse were compared between 64 patients age 65 years and older who underwent allogeneic stem-cell transplant during ER-SCT program's first year, October 2017 through September 2018, and 140 historical controls age 65 years and older who underwent allogeneic HSCT, January 2015 through September 2017.

RESULTS:

In the ER-SCT cohort, 41% (26 of 64) of patients were women, and the median (range) age was 68 (65-74) years; in the control cohort, 38% (53 of 140) of patients were women, and the median (range) age was 67 (65-79) years. Hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index and donor type/cell source were similar between cohorts. The ER-SCT cohort had a lower 1-year NRM rate (13% v 26%, P = .03) and higher 1-year OS rate (74% v 53%, P = .007). Relapse rate did not differ significantly between cohorts. In multivariate analyses, ER-SCT was associated with improved 1-year NRM (hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.9; P = .02) and improved 1-year OS (hazard ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3 to 0.9; P = .03).

CONCLUSION:

A multidisciplinary supportive care program may improve NRM and OS in older patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT. Randomized studies are warranted to confirm this benefit and explore which program components most contribute to the improved outcomes.
Thermal performance of gasifier cooking stoves: A systematic literature review
Authors: Rabby Md Insiat Islam , Uddin Md Wasi , Sheikh Mahafuzur Rahman , Bhuiyan Humayun Kabir , Mumu Tazeen Afrin , Islam Fabliha , Sultana Afsana
Published: January 2023

A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize the overall thermal performance of different gasified cooking stoves from the available literature. For this purpose, available studies from the last 14 years (2008 to 2022) were searched using different search strings. After screening, a total of 28 articles were selected for this literature review. Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases were used as search strings by applying “Gasifier cooking stove” AND “producer gas cooking stove” AND “thermal performance” keywords. This review uncovers different gasified cooking stoves, cooking fuels, and fabrication materials besides overall thermal performances. The result shows that the overall thermal performance of different gasified cooking stoves was 5.88% to 91% depending on the design and burning fuels. The premixed producer gas burner with a swirl vane stove provided the highest overall thermal performance range, which was 84% to 91%, and the updraft gasified stove provided the lowest performance, which was 5.88% to 8.79%. The result also demonstrates that the wood pellets cooking fuel provided the highest thermal performance and corn straw briquette fuel provided the lowest for gasified cooking stoves. The overall thermal performance of wood pellets was 38.5% and corn straw briquette was 10.86%.
Anti-inflammatory effect of omega-7 against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats: An observational study
Authors: H. Fadhel Mohammed , Faris Hassan Ali
Published: January 2023

Background: Doxorubicin is a crucial anticancer medication, however, cardiotoxicity is a severe adverse effect of doxorubicin therapy. Various mechanisms, including inflammation, have been postulated to account for this negative effect. The omega-7 fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, the study's objective was to see whether omega-7 had any possible protective benefits against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in male rats.

Methods: 28 male Wister rats were split into four groups (seven per group).  Group 1 (negative control): healthy animals received normal saline orally as the vehicle for eight successive days and were sacrificed on day nine. Group 2 (positive control): animals that received a single dose of doxorubicin hydrochloride (IP 15mg/kg) were sacrificed the next day. Group 3: the animals were administered omega-7 orally at a 100 mg/kg/day dose for eight days. A single injection of doxorubicin IP (15 mg/kg) was given on day nine. The animals were sacrificed on day 10. Group 4: the animal was administered omega-7 orally at a 300 mg/kg/day dose for eight days. A single injection of doxorubicin IP (15 mg/kg) was given on day nine. The animals were sacrificed on day 10.

Serum was collected and used to measure lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase-MB, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1beta.

Results: Lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine kinase-MB levels in group 3 (100mg/kg) were significantly lower than in group 2 (p>0.05) and significantly lower in group 4 (300mg/kg) than in group 2. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1beta levels were considerably lower in the omega-7-treated groups (100 and 300mg/kg) than in the positive control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Through a mechanism involving the reduction of inflammation, omega-7 may preserve the cardiac tissue against doxorubicin-induced damage.
The medication self-management work system of patients and informal carers from a human factors & ergonomics perspective: A scoping review protocol
Authors: Negoescu Eduard , Marcilly Romaric , Cromie Samuel , Koay Aaron , Grimes Tamasine
Published: January 2023

Background: Healthcare is increasingly delivered closer to the patients’ homes, which increases the level of responsibility that patients and informal carers take for managing their medication-taking, although this is associated with hazards. Medication self-management has been conceptualised as work taking place in non-formal settings (e.g., households), which are complex systems. Human factors and ergonomics (HFE) models provide a framework for studying such systems. The Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) is one framework that considers work system elements and how they interact with each other to shape processes that lead to outcomes (e.g., safety). Given the increasing amount of diverse research on patient and carer work and on system-shaping factors, the objectives of this review are to: (i) identify available evidence in a structured and systems-oriented way, (ii) explore approaches that have been applied and (iii) highlight research gaps.

Methods: An evidence-informed patient, public and carer involvement (PPCI) approach will be implemented at all post-protocol stages to ensure the relevance, uptake and translation of the scoping review. The review will systematically search MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Web of Science to identify relevant qualitative studies. The methodological approach will be guided by Johanna Briggs Institute methodology and will be reported according to the PRISMA-ScR standards. Data charting and qualitative content analysis directed by SEIPS will explore how the work system and its constituting elements have been described in the literature and identify specific gaps and opportunities for future research. Borrowing from realist approaches, included studies will be assessed in terms of richness and relevance to our review question.

Discussion: Strengths of this scoping review include PPCI and a converging focus on medication safety, medication self-management and HFE. Ultimately, this approach will advance our understanding of this complex system and guide opportunities to broaden and strengthen the evidence base.
The FIRE-IN project: Tsunami-risk related practitioner challenges and 3rd cycle overall results
Authors: Sakkas Georgios , Tsaloukidis Ioannis , Kazantzidou-Firtinidou Danai , Schneider Iris , Kouskouna Vassiliki , Hybbeneth Nico , Berchtold Claudia , Schlierkamp Juliane , Miralles Marta , Lahaye Sebastien , Bour Michel
Published: January 2023

This article summarizes the methodology for the identification of practitioners’ challenges of the H2020 funded project FIRE-IN (Fire and Rescue Innovation Network) activities with a strong focus on the natural hazard mitigation working group and tsunamis in the Mediterranean region as a case study for the 3rd cycle. The scenario of a tsunami occurrence in the Mediterranean is the basis for the FIRE-IN 3rd cycle workshop, as an indicative example of a high impact – low probability event, which aims to identify the Future Common Capability Challenges of practitioners in Europe. The current status of the tsunami hazard in Europe, national and international tsunami risk mitigation measures and procedures and operational experience from recent events are also discussed. Focus is provided on the natural hazard mitigation and tsunami related practitioners’ challenges, while results from the FIRE-IN request for ideas process and the interaction between practitioners, researchers and industry is also discussed. The aim is to present the current and future capability challenges of practitioners, one of the main outcomes of FIRE-IN project, and to provide further guidelines to stakeholders of disaster management towards a safer Europe, mainly, through preparedness for stronger and resilient societies.
Understanding the role of digitalization and social media on energy citizenship
Authors: Klein Lurian , Kumar Ajesh , Wolff Annika , Naqvi Bilal
Published: January 2023

The digitalisation of the energy domain can bring forth numerous aspects of the energy transition that can boost the emergence of energy citizenship, information sharing, and improved decision-making processes. However, this is premised on citizens being able to make sense of (digital) information. Hence, this paper proposes a link between energy informatics and energy citizenship via energy literacy, considering the cognitive and affective aspects of energy literacy and their relation to behaviour and action. By doing so, this paper aims to understand how the use of energy-related information and social media within five different case studies from the GRETA project can impel energy citizenship. This paper approaches this rationale through different means: (a) structured interviews to understand how citizens understand and make use of energy information within the case studies; (b) topic modelling on the content of those interviews to identify common factors that might spur on hinder behaviour change towards energy citizenship; and (c) social media content analysis to identify key energy-related topics of discussions among citizens around the globe and assess the role of social media as a tool for energy citizenship. As a result, this paper identified some key takeaways to improve the delivery of energy-related information to energy citizens for enhanced energy citizenship. These takeaways allow to conclude that it is fundamental to surpass the formal boundaries of techno-economic constructs and start addressing qualitative/subjective constructs (e.g., emotions, affections, and feelings) to foster energy citizenship. Also, these takeaways could be translated into social mechanism principles in the design of frontend energy-related digital platforms for improved end-user interactions and energy citizenship. Finally, this paper recognised the need to incentivise energy citizens to use social media for consuming energy-related information, and the need to formulate coordinated and coherent response strategies for disseminating energy-related information.
Proposal for policy change in the procedure of civil asset forfeiture
Authors: Tzenios Nikolaos
Published: January 2023

Without the proper due process, the civil asset forfeiture procedure violates the constitutional rights of citizens. The proposal aims to address the current right granted to the police to seize the property of civilians. The authorizing laws established by the Assets Forfeiture Fund and the Equitable Sharing Program are problematic in offering a loophole for the abuse of the property rights of American citizens. While some states have abolished the practice, federal laws still support their enforcement. The deficiencies in the policies raise discussion of the issue of policies for profit as a major aspect of civil asset forfeiture. This proposal is to outlaw instances of civil asset forfeiture without due process on the federal level.  On the state level, the preferred outcome would also include reform by repealing the laws allowing property seizure. The resistance to change in the legislature should be addressed by securing the success of the policy, taking advantage of the current unpopularity of unregulated asset forfeiture, and creating the base for integration of the process on the federal level. The proposal calls for identifying stakeholders, analyzing their views, and strengthening their support. The social and political opposition should be addressed by putting emphasis on fundamental American values. The action plan and implementation process are built upon efficient communication by the policy committee to engage stakeholders and the wider public in the process. With clearly defined priorities and budget allocation, the policy will ultimately evolve into a legislative and organizational tool. Using the strategies of ascertainment of stakeholders and reframing issues to ensure appeal to American values, the change at federal and state levels will be achievable. While the change will lead to debate, significant improvement and the protection of rights is attainable in due process.