bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
President’s Column: Q&A With 2025 SPE President Olivier Houzé: A Roadmap for a Very Busy Year
Authors: Houzé Olivier
Published: September 2024

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This is a summary of the September episode of the President’s vodcast. Dive into the full video to catch the entire conversation.

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Welcome to the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ President’s message with 2025 President Olivier Houzé. I’m Pam Boschee, director of SPE magazines, and Olivier joins me today to share his thoughts about being named president with the official passing of the baton from 2024 President Terry Palisch at our Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in New Orleans this month.

He holds an engineering degree from École Polytechnique and an MSc in petroleum engineering from Stanford University. He started his career as a field well-test operator with Schlumberger (SLB). He is the co-founder and managing director of KAPPA Engineering, a reservoir and production engineering software company.

Olivier has been involved in many SPE summits, forums, and workshops. He coauthored an SPE and SPEE Monograph. He was an SPE Distinguished Lecturer in 2013 and served on the SPE Board as Technical Director for Reservoir from 2012 to 2015. In 2019, he received the SPE Lester C. Uren Award for Technical Excellence, and an SPE Honorary Member Award in 2022.

Olivier, let’s start by hearing a bit about your journey and what has led you to this pivotal role within SPE.

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After my petroleum degree I started my professional career with Flopetrol, the well-testing arm of Schlumberger (now SLB) at that time. I started as a field engineer, mainly in the Middle East and the North Sea. Even many years later I still consider myself a well-test chief operator.

At age 28 I left Schlumberger, co-founded KAPPA and wrote the first version of a piece of well-test software that is still around today. My professional career has centered on the development of my company over the past 37 years.

I joined SPE as a student. During this time, Hank Ramey, who was our department head, would tell his Stanford students that joining SPE was not an option.

When I visit sections these days, I am impressed by the volunteerism and dedication of students and young professionals. I feel a bit guilty because it was not my case when I was their age.

I started with SPE as a consumer. I would publish papers, attend events, and use SPE exhibitions and JPT ads to commercially develop my company. My service to SPE was limited: some peer reviews, joining event committees, co-chairing events, that sort of thing.

Whenever I attended an SPE event, my goal was to come back home with at least one technical idea for the development of my company. It worked, invariably. It would not necessarily be from a paper publication or a plenary session. Sometimes the idea would come whilst having a drink with a colleague on the side of the event. To me SPE was, first and foremost, a fantastic facilitator.
Technology Focus: Field Development (September 2024)
Authors: Alasfoor Maan H.
Published: September 2024

As the industry progresses, the need for further collaboration is imperative on all fronts. Academic expertise, operational experience, and knowledge gathered through trial-and-error analysis must be meshed in order to achieve the optimizations that are increasingly needed with the depletions we experience in various fields globally.

The challenges that we face as an industry will require development of new technologies, whether workflows or other innovative solutions, that we never thought possible because of the need for supporting infrastructure to address them.

The challenges also require more closely coupled connections between stakeholders—the innovators in academia and industry and the doers who close the gap of technology deployment. Deployment requires taking the ideas and tried and tested opportunities to fruition, where the knowledge is shared and highlighted for our community at large.

The three papers synopsized in this feature include a discussion of augmented depletion development, a technique in which openhole wells are drilled within the fractured network of a pad; an approach to well-path generation that relies on the collection of experienced-based constraints from each discipline to generate possible alternatives to the well path; and a multidisciplinary approach used to develop a presalt field offshore Brazil.

The hope is that the technical articles in this feature can demonstrate to the reader the scope of collaboration and the effect of technical knowledge sharing that our industry currently enjoys—and requires. I hope they drive more questions and provoke further and deeper understanding of the content to the benefit of all. More importantly, I hope they highlight the complexity that is involved in addressing the industry challenges in field development and project management.
Polarised human alveolar epithelia enable identification of dichloroacetate as an effective drug against respiratory viruses
Authors: de Iturrate Paula Martínez , Hernáez Bruno , Santos Patricia de los , García-Gómez Alba , Sánchez-Cruz Alonso , Hernández-Sánchez Catalina , Rivas Luis , Val Margarita del , Rial Eduardo
Published: September 2024

Respiratory viral infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the lack of drugs for fighting emerging viruses and the need for preclinical screening models that better recapitulate human disease. These new strategies should also involve the search for drug targets in the infected cell to hamper the development of resistance and of potential antiviral effect on diverse viruses. Since viruses reprogram cellular metabolism for viral progeny, we performed a comparative analysis of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors, involved in the virus-induced metabolic adaptations, using MRC5 lung fibroblasts and Huh7 hepatoma cells. We demonstrate that infection of MRC5 cells with HCoV-229E caused the expected shift in the energy metabolism but the inhibitors had markedly different effects on the metabolic profile and antiviral activity in the two cell lines. Thus, dichloroacetate (DCA) had antiviral activity against HCoV-229E in MRC5 but not in Huh7 cells, suggesting that the screening model is more critical than previously assumed. DCA was tested in polarized alveolar epithelia in air-liquid interface, an experimental 3D model considered an innovative tool for studying respiratory infections. DCA was effective against the respiratory viruses HCoV-229E, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus, even when applied after infection had been established. We conclude that a cellular metabolic pathway commonly hijacked by viruses constitutes a viable therapeutic target for three respiratory viruses that have major impacts on human health and that drug repositioning is a strategic approach to fight emerging pandemics.
A Machine Learning Algorithm for the Detection of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) in UK Primary Care Electronic Health Records
Authors: Worker Amanda , Mahon Hadley , Sams Jack , Boardman-Pretty Freya , Marchini Elena , Dubis Rand , Warren Alan , Stockdale Jez , Kumar Jyothika , Varones Elizabeth , Ollerenshaw Daniel , Grant Calum , Fish Peter , Kelly Richard J
Published: September 2024

Background
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) is an ultra-rare, acquired disorder that is challenging to diagnose due to varied symptoms, heterogeneous patient presentations, and lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. This leads to frequent misdiagnosis and delays in diagnosis. This study evaluated the feasibility of a machine learning model to identify undiagnosed PNH patients using structured electronic health records.
Methods
The study used data from the Optimum Patient Care Research Database, which contains electronic health records from general practitioner (GP) practices across the United Kingdom. PNH patients were identified by the presence, and control patients by the absence of a PNH diagnosis code in their records. Clinical features (symptoms, diagnoses, healthcare utilisation) from 131 patients in the PNH group and 593,838 patients in the control group, were inputted to a tree-based XGBoost machine learning model to classify patients as either “positive” or “negative” for PNH suspicion. The algorithm was finalised after additional exclusions and inclusions applied. Performance was assessed using positive predictive value (PPV), recall and specificity. As the sample used to develop the algorithm was not representative of the true population prevalence, PPV was additionally adjusted to reflect performance in the wider population.
Results
Of all the patients in the PNH group, 27% were classified as positive (recall). 99.99% of the control group were classified as negative (specificity). Of all the patients classified as positive, 60.4% had a diagnosis of PNH in their record (PPV). The PPV adjusted for the population prevalence of PNH was 19.59 suggesting nearly 1 in 5 patients flagged may warrant further PNH investigation. The key clinical features in the model were aplastic anaemia, pancytopenia, haemolytic anaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and Budd-Chiari syndrome.
Conclusion
This is the first study to combine clinical understanding of PNH with machine learning, demonstrating the ability to discriminate between PNH and control patients in retrospective electronic health records. With further investigation and validation, this algorithm could be deployed on live health data, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis for patients who currently experience long diagnostic delays or remain undiagnosed.
Enhancing Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis through Bioinformatics and Machine Learning
Authors: J Dafni Rose , A Mohanaprakash T , H Jeyamohan , J Jerusalin Carol
Published: September 2024

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that uses computer and statistical methods to analyze biological data. This article shows how bioinformatics can be used to diagnose cardiovascular disease. Heart disease affects millions worldwide, making it a serious global health concern. Nowadays, cardiovascular disease affects many more individuals than any other major cause on World. Primary diagnosis of heart disease is crucial because it can reduce the risk of fatal complications like heart attacks, strokes, and death. The detection and treatment of cardiac disease could be dramatically improved by applying machine learning, a promising new technology. The current method uses a machine learning technique called FCMIM-SVM (Fast Conditional Mutual Information-Support vector machine) to diagnose cardiac disease. An optimized chi-squared (CS) mechanism is a machine learning algorithm proposed in this paper for diagnosing heart disease. The CS mechanism is mostly utilized for feature selection. The proposed system uses the GNB (Gaussian Naive Bayes) machine learning model to overcome the limitations in the current technique, which requires less time to train the data. The highest accuracy score is attained using GNB's k-fold cross-validation. The proposed CS-GNB mechanism will achieve maximum accuracy when processing the huge dataset in comparison to the FCMIM-SVM method. This research contrasts the relative contributions of several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as age, family history, hypertension, cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and lack of exercise. Heart disease diagnostics has a bright future. Doctors can diagnose cardiac problems earlier and more precisely than ever with emerging technologies like machine learning. Patients will benefit from earlier therapy and better results as a result.
International Labor Migration Decision in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia.
Authors: Degfachew Tegegn Nigussie , Dilnesaw Melkamu Mada , Massa Malebo Mancha
Published: September 2024

Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, the study aimed to analyze the factors influencing decisions about international labor migration in the North Shewa zone, Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. The data for the analysis came from 384 samples that were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The quantitative analysis included multinomial logistic regression models, while the qualitative data came from focused group discussions and key informant interviews. The results of the multinomial logistic regression model indicated that various factors were either positively or negatively affecting decisions about international migration. The factors that affect international migration decisions positively include local ethnic conflicts for illegal migrants, drought, migrant’s network, family size for illegal migrants and age of household head. The factors that affect international migration decisions negatively include alternative income sources, participation in irrigation, access to credit for legal migrants, land quality, education level of migrants and cultivated land size for legal migrants were found the significant factors for migration decisions at a different significant level. As per the research results the researchers recommended that promoting rural entrepreneurship to have alternative income sources, improving the land quality, increasing irrigation use of farmers to mitigate the effect of drought and ceasing the local ethnic conflicts are the possible solutions for the problem of international labor migration in the study area.
Unlocking the Antiparasitic Potential of Apiaceae: The Promise of Geraniol for Scabies Treatment
Authors: Khallaf Iman S. A. , Malak Lourin G. , Bayoumi Soad A. L. , Farag Salwa F. , Sayed Ahmed M. , Mohamed Sara A.A. , Nasr Asmaa A. E. , Ibrahim Radwa Y. , Zahran Eman M. , Bringmann Gerhard , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan
Published: September 2024

Sarcoptic mange, also referred to as scabies in humans, is a highly contagious skin condition caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei (Astigmata: Sarcoptinae). This parasitic disease significantly affects livestock production and poses a substantial threat to both animal and human health. The current treatment methods primarily involve synthetic acaricides like permethrin and ivermectin. However, these medications have several limitations, including a lack of ovicidal activity, concerns about toxicity, potential parasite resistance, residues in animal products, and environmental contamination, making them less than ideal. Volatile constituents derived from Apiaceae plants, especially essential oils, present a promising alternative. In this study, we have, first, reviewed all previously (until June 2024) reported volatile constituent from Apiaceae plants. Second, we carried out a comprehensive in silico-based investigations on the collected compounds to suggest a new potential antiparasitic or insecticidal agent derived from Apiaceae volatile oils. Geraniol, among other possible candidates, was found to be a potential acaricidal agent that might be used as a natural safe alternative. Furthermore, it showed a promising inhibitory activity against S. scabiei, both in vitro and in vivo. Geraniol demonstrated acaricidal activity, achieving a 100% mortality rate at high concentrations and significant effectiveness even at a lower concentration of 6.25%. In vivo studies on rabbits confirmed the efficacy of geraniol, showing complete clinical recovery, including the disappearance of scabies lesions and an improved skin health. Histopathological analysis indicated skin regeneration in the geraniol-treated group compared to the control group. These results suggest that geraniol could be a viable natural option for scabies treatment, likely due to its ability to disrupt mite nerve function by targeting acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Further research is necessary to determine the optimal formulation and delivery methods for geraniol-based treatments for scabies.
Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Fertilizers Derived from Various Production Processes and Biomass Sources
Authors: Maffia Angela , Marra Federica , Oliva Mariateresa , Canino Francesco , Mallamaci Carmelo , Muscolo Adele
Published: September 2024

The growing global food demand increased the use of chemical fertilizers, causing environmental issues. This study explores fertilizers from agro-industrial waste materials on the basis of different percentage of food wastes, focusing on their environmental and soil impact, particularly on global warming potential (GWP). The fertilizers investigated include vermicompost (VC, 70% wood sawdust + 30% food wastes); compost 1 (C1, 50% wood sawdust + 50% food wastes); compost 2 (C2, 10% straw + 90% food wastes); sulfur bentonite (SBC, 90% SB + 10% food wastes). Six months post-fertilization, the soil's chemical and biological properties, revealed significant improvements in respect to unfertilized soil (control). A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was used to comprehensively evaluate the entire life cycle of these fertilizers, from production and application to their environmental effects. Our findings highlighted the different environmental impact of these fertilizers. Vermicompost demonstrated lower CO2 equivalent emissions during the vermicomposting process, emphasizing its environmental sustainability. It also showed positive effects on soil chemical and biological properties, enhancing soil health and fertility. Despite SBC positively affected soil properties, it was identified as the fertilizer with the greatest environmental impact. Consequently, from a benefit-cost perspective, the ranking of the fertilizers was VC > C2 > C1 > SBC. These findings underscore that it is possible and necessary transitioning towards sustainable fertilizers derived from waste materials to mitigate the environmental degradation associated with the production and use of conventional fertilizers. By adopting circular economy principles and promoting the use of organic fertilizers, the agricultural sector can enhance productivity while adhering to environmental sustainability standards.
Impact of EV Interfacing on Peak-Shelving & Frequency Regulation in a Microgrid
Authors: Shrivastava Sharika , Khalid Saifullah , Nishad D. K.
Published: September 2024

A "vehicle-to-grid system" enables electric vehicles to be charged by the grid and to discharge electricity back into it when required. This paper presents the performance of a microgrid under the condition of interfacing the electric vehicle with a typical microgrid, which consists of solar, wind, and diesel power generation along with residential and industrial loads. In this research, the V2G effect on chopping the peak of load and on the regulation of frequency is observed. Diverse practical situations are considered to find the effect under a wide range of scenarios. The complete Phasor model is modelled and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink. Simulation results show that for a wide range of inputs V2G effectively regulated the grid frequency and reduced the peak of power demand.
Exploring Nutrition and Lifestyle Modifications Among Women Post Bariatric Surgery: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Güney Hilal Doğan , Göbel Pınar
Published: September 2024

Introduction: To better understand the factors that contribute to long-term weight change in women who have undergone bariatric surgery, this qualitative study will focus on eating behavior and examine the impact of patients' social environment, psychological factors, and behavioral patterns.
Method: In this qualitative study, we adopted a phenomenological approach to the exploration of women's experiences of bariatric surgery. We conducted in-depth individual semi-structured interviews to explore their perceptions, feelings, and ideas regarding post-surgical support. The study was conducted between November and December 2023 and included 20 female participants who were over 18 years old, had undergone bariatric surgery at least two years prior, and had experienced a weight gain of at least 10% 2-3 years after their surgery.
Results: Notably, the last recorded BMI was 31.3 kg/m2. The study findings indicate that overfeeding was a common occurrence among the participants, with 60% reporting overeating due to enjoyment and 40% due to necessity. Before the operation, 40% of the participants had a healthy diet, while 60% had a high consumption of unhealthy snacks. 50% of individuals who had an unhealthy diet before the operation adopted healthy nutrition as a lifestyle. Additionally, 70% had a family history of obesity problems, 60% had struggled with weight management since childhood, and 80% had health problems that required obesity-related operations.
Conclusion: The study revealed that all participants experienced positive changes in their lives after surgery. Larger-scale studies are necessary to evaluate post-operative eating behaviors after bariatric surgery.
Laryngeal and pleural ultrasound and elastography (ARFI) in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Authors: Rein Ariadne , Facin Andréia Coutinho , Fabris Isabella Almeida , Lima Bruna Bressianini , Gasser Beatriz , Aires Luiz Paulo Nogueira , Uscategui Ricardo Andres Ramirez , Feliciano Marcus Antônio Rossi , Moraes Paola Castro
Published: September 2024

The aim of the present study is to evaluate pleural thickness and stiffness and the laryngeal stiffness in dogs clinically affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome using B-mode ultrasound and acoustic radiation force impulse elastography. Fifty-two brachycephalic, pugs and French bulldog, clinically classified as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) grades 0, I, II and III were included and 15 mesocephalic beagle dogs used as a control group. All animals underwent B-mode ultrasound and subsequent elastography of the pleura and arytenoid cartilage of the larynx. Brachycephalic dogs showed greater pleural thickness over mesocephalic group (p = 0.04). Also showed lower pleural shear wave velocity than the mesocephalic group (p = 0.04), The larynx shear wave velocity was similar between types of skull and BOAS grades (p = 0.80). Measurements of pleural line thickness and pleural stiffness showed moderate capacity for diagnosing brachycephalic syndrome (p = 0.01, cut-off value of > 0.82 mm and p = 0.04, cutoff value 3.29 m/s), with low sensitivity and good specificity. However, shear wave velocity measurements of the larynx were not statistically significant for the diagnosis of brachycephalic syndrome. The results suggest a secondary change to the inspiratory effort, at the tissue level of the pleura in dogs clinically affected by BOAS, which can be identified by B-mode ultrasound and elastography methods, but it was not possible to diagnose changes in the arytenoid cartilage.
Proteomic characterization between males and females with moderate-to-severe psoriasis
Authors: Yang Xin , Cen Chen , Xie Bibo , Hu Lihua , Huang Jia , Shen Ningning , Li Yi , Dong Qiang
Published: September 2024

Men often presented with higher severity of psoriasis than women, but the underlying reasons are still unclear. In this study, we evaluate proteomic differences in psoriatic lesions between men and women with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and explore possible protective and risk proteins using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) and verified by 4D-parallel reaction monitoring (4D-PRM). 416 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between two groups. Among them, 94 proteins were upregulated, while 322 were down-regulated. Some DEPs were enriched to pathways associated with psoriasis, such as the IL − 17 signalling pathway, T cell receptor signalling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, Oxidative phosphorylation, PI3K − Akt signalling pathway, and MAPK signalling pathway; meanwhile, numerous pathways associated with infection. Nine DEPs (KRT36, KRT13, KRT15, SHC1, GNAI1, SRC, HSPA6, HSPA1L, and HSP90AB4P) were involved in the estrogen pathway, which was predicted to be activated in males. Through Ingenuity pathway Analysis (IPA), our data also identified three upstream regulators (TNF, KRAS, TGFB1). 4D-PRM suggested that HMGB2 and PML were upregulated, while LAMTOR3 was downregulated in male group compared to female one. Our study suggests that sex may influence protein changes in psoriasis, pathogenesis and disease severity. Targeting these molecules may improve the severity and therapeutic efficacy of psoriasis.
In-depth evaluation of pyran derivatives for mild steel corrosion protection in 1.0 M HCl: An experimental and theoretical analysis
Authors: karkouri A. El , Dahmani K. , Kharbouch O. , Khattabi M. , hajri F. El , Galai M. , Cherkaoui M. , Chafiq M. , Chaouiki A. , Alharbi S.M. , Boukhris S.
Published: September 2024

The corrosion inhibition properties of two inhibitors, 2-Amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-4H-5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[b] pyran (ZE1-4-Cl) and 2-Amino-3-cyano-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-4H-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo[b] pyran (ZE2-4- NO2), on mild steel in a 1.0 M HCl solution was evaluated using Tafel polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The inhibitory efficiency increases with decreasing temperature. Additionally, the inhibitory efficiency also increases with increasing inhibitor concentration. Notably, the better inhibitor of the two (ZE2-4- NO2) achieves an efficiency of 93.7% at a temperature of 298 K and an optimal concentration of 10− 3M. The adsorption of both inhibitors on the steel surface was found to follow the Langmuir model, and the polarization study shows that both compounds are adsorbed to the metal surface through chemical bonding (chemisorption) following the Langmuir isotherm. The experimental results reveal that these organic compounds are effective corrosion inhibitors in a 1.0 M HCl solution. SEM and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDS) were employed to confirm the presence of a barrier layer enveloping the mild steel, contributing to surface characterization. Notably, interactions with the iron surface are primarily facilitated by inhibitors possessing electron-accepting properties, as evidenced by DFT results and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations.
Synergistic impacts of plant growth promoting Pseudomonas geniculata TIU16A3 and green-synthesized iron-oxide nanoparticles from Eichhornia crassipes for the amelioration of heavy metal stress in Vigna radiata L.
Authors: Madhogaria Barkha , Banerjee Sangeeta , Chakraborty Sohini , Dhak Prasanta , Kundu Atreyee
Published: September 2024

Plants are often affected by deleterious effects of heavy metals (HM). This HM stress leads to growth and production capacity issues. The most hazardous trace metals in agricultural areas are lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr). It is not only carcinogenic to humans, but also negatively affects plants' phenotypic, biochemical, and genetic properties. Bioremediation can be used to economically remove contamination of heavy metals. The study aims to test the bioremediation potential of biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe-O-NP) along with Pseudomonas geniculata strain TIU16A3 (accession number OR507186). Plants of Eichhornia crassipes were used to create Fe-O-NP. Individually iron oxide nanoparticles exhibited enhancement of phenotypic traits in Vigna Radiata L. under heavy metal stress. We used four concentrations (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/L) of Cr, Cd, and Pb for stress conditions. Biogenic nanoparticles and TIU16A3 in combination act synergistically with the increase in the amount of chlorophyll content and growth in distinct phenotypic traits. In plants, under HM stress, levels of antioxidant enzymes were observed to be high including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase and H2O2 content and electrolyte leakage, when they were treated with biogenic NPs and TIU16A3 together the antioxidants decreased significantly. TIU16A3 and Fe-O-NP synergistically in the presence of Cd and Cr enhanced the expression of the Aux/IAA gene more than the expression observed in the presence of Fe-O-NP only. Due to the enhancement of intrinsic properties, and ability to remove Cr, and Cd by TIU16A3 when used in combination with Fe-O-NP for bioremediation exhibits promising results.
Hydrogen peroxide foliar spray alleviates chromium toxicity through modulation of antioxidant defence mechanism, photosynthetic machinery and ions regulation in Brassica oleracea L.
Authors: Shehzadi Nimra , Shah Anis Ali , Usman Sheeraz , Ahmed Shakil , Kaleem Muhammad , Shafique Shiffa , Gatasheh Mansour K.
Published: September 2024

The economy of Pakistan largely depends on agriculture. Agriculture lands are facing the challenges of heavy metals contamination. Soil is an important source of nutrients which is continuously polluted with heavy metal due to anthropogenic activities. In this study the effect of hydrogen peroxide in mitigating chromium contamination in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitate) was evaluated. Brassica oleracea var. capitata is a crop that is vulnerable to Cr toxicity. In order to reduce Cr contamination in B. oleracea, this study explored use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a signalling molecule. Plants were subjected to 100 and 200 µM of Cr stress, and they were either treated with H2O2 (10 mM) or in combination with Cr. Our studies suggested that H2O2 greatly enhanced morphological characters, such as plant growth and development in Cr-stressed environment. Antioxidant activity elevated in response to Cr stress and the use of H2O2 enhanced it further. Biochemical factors, such as enzyme activity, elevated under Cr stress but maintained in response to H2O2 foliar application. Chromium stress reduced physiological parameters like photosynthesis and water use efficiency, but H2O2 treatment upgraded them. With the application of H2O2, inorganic ionic strength and gas exchange parameters showed a significant improvement. According to our research, H2O2 is efficient for reducing Cr stress in B. oleracea as it boosted physiological, antioxidant, and morphological characteristics. This suggests a possible method for promoting crop tolerance to heavy metal stress.
Who Shares: Cross-National Variation in ‘Faith Sharing’ Across Religious Traditions
Authors: Woodberry Robert D. , Bradshaw Matt , Weele Tyler J. Vander , Johnson Byron R.
Published: September 2024

Who shares their faith with people who have different religious views? This article examines ‘faith sharing’ across 22 religiously diverse countries. To our knowledge, this is the first study of ‘personal evangelism’ between religious groups across national contexts. Evangelism can be controversial, but both historically, and also in our data, it is widespread, including in societies that restrict religious liberty. ‘Faith sharing’ is lowest in Europe, Japan, Australia, and the US, and highest in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia (excluding Japan). Within countries, there is no consistent pattern about which religious groups share their faith more. Previous research about ‘faith sharing’ focuses on Christians in the US, but the factors that predict ‘faith sharing’ in the US often do not generalize. In fact, the association with age, education, marital status, employment status, and immigration status is exactly the opposite in many societies. Because past comparative research ignores this topic, and because so much of what we think we know about evangelism is based on US Christians, we hope this article will spur further research and expand our understanding of religious persuasion and global religious change.
Language-Learning Strategies in Sweden: Newly Arrived Students’ Perceptions
Authors: Tjernberg Catharina
Published: September 2024

The aim of the study is to find out how some newly arrived students learn through investigating how the students themselves understand their learning and the teaching strategies used by the teacher. To reach this aim, we examine the various ways in which the students have learned Swedish, the different strategies that they use to understand a text, and what factors are important in their process of learning. The study is based on sociocultural theory, including key concepts such as zone of proximal development, scaffolding, and appropriation. The data collection was carried out through qualitative interviews that were video recorded. The results highlight the significance of the teacher for the students’ learning, as well as the importance of using several languages when teaching. The students collaborate through discussion and use digital tools to look up words and terms in their own languages. The students engage in several different ways of working, which means that talking, reading, and writing interact. They use digital tools such as computers and phones as aids, and learn various strategies for approaching and understanding texts. A conclusion is that when the first and second languages are used together in different language domains, the students’ language skills are intertwined and develop in parallel.
Blended NPS and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Yield and Quality of Head Cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. Capitata L.) at Haramaya, Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed Eman , Mihretu Fikreyohannes Gedamu , Woldetsadik Kebede
Published: September 2024

Head cabbage (Brassica oleracea Var. Capitata L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is low as compared to its potential yield due to low rates application of fertilizers. The use of optimum fertilizer are one of the cultural practices that help to increase the productivity of the crop.Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of blended NPS and nitrogen fertilizer rates on the yield and quality of head cabbage at Haramaya University during the 2022 cropping season. The treatment consisted of a factorial combination of four rates of blended NPS fertilizer (0, 50 100, and 150 kg ha− 1) and five rates of nitrogen fertilizer (0.23, 46,69, and 92 kg ha− 1) laid down in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that the application of NPS and N fertilizer significantly influenced yield component, and quality traits of cabbage plants. Plots received the highest rate of 150 kg ha− 1 NPS and 92 kg ha− 1 N showed maximum 2.93 kg plant− 1 economioc head weight, 62.87 t ha− 1marketable head yield and 8.63% head dry matter. Therefore, a combined application of 150 kg NPS and 92 kg N ha− 1 could be considered for head cabbage production at Haramaya area and areas with similar agro ecological and soil conditions.
(Un-)Sichtbarkeiten in mediatisierten Gesellschaften. Einblicke ins 40. Forum Kommunikationskultur der GMK
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer
Published: September 2024

Merkmale und Ursachen sozialer Ungleichheit sind stets an die Frage gekoppelt, inwiefern Menschen über gesellschaftlich relevante Ressourcen verfügen, um an Gesellschaft teilhaben zu können. In Gesellschaften, in denen Prinzipien und Strukturen digitaler Medien tiefgreifend mit gesellschaftlichen Prozessen verflochten sind, kann Medienkompetenz als solche Ressource betrachtet werden. Nur wer über mediale und digitaltechnische Kommunikationsfähigkeiten verfügt, kann an Gesellschaft teilhaben und diese (mit-)gestalten.
Wie Teilhabe und Sichtbarkeit in gegenwärtigen Gesellschaften für alle Menschen gefördert werden kann, diskutierten die Teilnehmer*innen des Forums Kommunikationskultur der Gesellschaft für Medienpädagogik und Kommunikation (GMK) in vielfältigen wissenschaftlichen und praxisnahen Vorträgen, Lesungen, Talkrunden und Workshops. Das Klassentreffen der Medienpädagog*innen wurde vom 17. bis zum 19. November 2023 an der Universität Bielefeld ausgerichtet.
Genotype by environment (GxE) interaction and stability for seed yield of newly developed mung bean genotypes
Authors: Giang Tong Van , Ha Chu Duc , Giang Doan Thi Huong , Khanh Tran Dang , Loc Nguyen Van , Tuan Nguyen Thanh
Published: September 2024

Genotype by environment interaction (GEI) is crucial for selecting high performing and adapted genotypes for targeted breeding. The main goal of this study was to study genotype-by-environment interaction and stability of eight elite mung bean (Vigna radiate L.) genotypes (DTG01-DTG08) with a national check DX208 which laid out in RCBD with 3 replications across three locations (Ha Noi, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa) in three crop seasons (summer 2018, summer 2019, spring 2019) at Vietnam. The analysis of variance showed that genotype, location, environment, and interaction between GxL were significant for grain yield. The seed yields of all varieties were significantly higher than those of the control variety (please check). Among these, DTG05 and DTG06 exhibited the highest yields, approximately 1.77 tons/ha and 1.89 tons/ha, respectively. AMMI model showed that DTG05 exhibited the best performance in the summer season, especially at Thanh Hoa, and Ha Noi. Thus, DT05 could have commercial potential for mung bean production in Northern and North Central Vietnam.
Is climate change a source of economic disparities between regions in Benin? Evidence from the spatial effects analysis method
Authors: Acacha-Acakpo Hortensia , Acclassato Houensou Denis , Duhamel Logozo Christian , Hekponhoue Sylvain
Published: September 2024

Despite numerous studies on the impacts of climate change in developing economies, scarce research focuses on these spatial effects in the internal regions of these countries. To shed light on this concern, this study aims to analyze the spatial effect of climate change on regional economic disparities in the context of Benin. The secondary data are extracted from the World Bank’s Climate Knowledge Portal and a Beninese local finance database covering the period from 2010 to 2019. A random-effects panel model and a dynamic spatial Durbin model of endogenous growth are used. The results reveal that, in the absence of spatial effects, average temperature reinforces economic disparities by 4.4 points within regions. A one-point increase in precipitation increases economic disparities by 0.001 points. The spatial model reveals both short- and long-term positive spatial externalities. Thus, a one-point positive variation in precipitation in neighboring regions leads to a 0.005% increase in a given region’s own revenue per capita. Similarly, a one-point increase in precipitation in a given region induces a 0.004% rise in own revenues in neighboring regions. Damage caused by climate change in one area encourages positive economic dynamics in neighboring areas. These spatial interactions reinforce economic differences and maintain economic disparities between Benin’s regions.
Diuretic and Anti-hyperuricemic Effects of Geranyl Acetate in Rats
Authors: Nawaz Shah Sarmad , Younis Waqas , Gasparotto Junior Arquimedes , Manzoor Wajiha , Malik Muhammad Nasir Hayat , Mushtaq Muhammad Naveed , Munir Muhammad Usman , Bashir Asifa , Bibi Shabana , Talha Muhammad , Livero Francislaine Aparecida dos Reis
Published: September 2024

Background:

Geranyl acetate, a compound found in plant oils, has been
studied for its potential effects on renal and cardiovascular ailments.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the diuretic and anti-hyperuricemic properties
of geranyl acetate in male Wistar rats using a hyperuricemia-induced rat model.

Methods:

Molecular docking studies were conducted to assess geranyl acetate's interactions
with various targets. in vitro studies were performed to evaluate its scavenging ability
and inhibition of xanthine oxidase, urease, and acetylcholinesterase. Subsequently,
we administered different doses of geranyl acetate (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and a reference
drug (furosemide) to the rats to assess their acute and repeated dose diuretic effects
over seven days. To understand the diuretic mechanism, we used inhibitors, such as L--
NAME, indomethacin, and atropine, prior to administering geranyl acetate. We also tested
the anti-hyperuricemic potential of geranyl acetate on hyperuricemic rats.

Results:

Molecular docking suggested strong binding between geranyl acetate and nitric
oxide synthase. in vitro studies showed significant free radical scavenging activity and
and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, xanthine oxidase, and urease. The 100 mg/kg
dose exhibited the most promising diuretic effects, with nitric oxide appearing to influence
its action. Uric acid excretion increased at this dose, resembling allopurinol effects.

Conclusion:

Geranyl acetate has demonstrated significant diuretic and anti-hyperuricemic
effects, likely influenced by nitric oxide release and inhibition of enzymes, like
xanthine oxidase and urease. The findings have suggested potential benefits for individuals
with kidney ailments, hypertension, and gout.
Cell Culture and Molecular Docking Analysis to Determine the Antiviral Activity of Folklore Medicinal Plants Against Chikungunya Virus
Authors: Kumar Sukender , Kaushik Samander , Garg Munish
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-transmitted pathogen, poses a
significant global health threat owing to its widespread prevalence and high morbidity. There are no
approved vaccines or antivirals for prevention or treatment. Screening of folklore medicinal plants
has emerged as a promising approach to finding novel therapeutics to combat pathogens. Hence, this
study aimed to evaluate the anti-chikungunya potential of folklore medicinal plants and their phytochemicals.

Methods:

Maximum non-toxic concentrations (MNTD) of the extracts to Vero cells were determined
by the cytotoxicity assay. A Focus-Forming Unit (FFU) assay was used to assess the antiviral activity
of the extracts (at MNTD) against CHIKV in Vero cells under pre-, co-, and post-treatment conditions.
GC-MS was used to detect the phytochemicals of the extracts, and Schrodinger (Maestro) software
was employed for their molecular docking against the target protein of CHIKV.

Results:

Azadirachta indica exhibited anti-CHIKV activity during pre- and post-treatment, decreasing
the virus titer from 8.145 to 7.998 and 8.361 to 8.040 mean log10 FFU/ml, respectively. Calendula
officinalis and Piper retrofractum exhibited anti-CHIKV activity only during post-treatment (8.361
to 8.135, 8.361 to 8.075). Moreover, molecular docking studies of phytochemicals detected in GCMS
analysis of all the extracts revealed that many phytochemicals (especially F3, F5, F6, and A1)
could bind to the non-structural protein (nSP2) target of CHIKV and suppress the viral replication.

Conclusion:

The screened plants showed the ability to inhibit CHIKV infection and replication and
hold potential for further investigation in developing treatments for Chikungunya.
Innovations in Nanotechnology for Food Production and Packaging: A Review
Authors: Usha Talambedu , Middha Sushil Kumar , Hemavathi Kadabagere Narayanaswamy , Hemalatha Prakash , Harini Ravi , Afreen Zeenat , Dwivedi Nidhi , Akshaya Korthusheril Ajayakumar , Goyal Arvind Kumar , Baliga Manjeshwar Shrinath
Published: September 2024

The introduction of nanotechnology in food packaging has significantly transformed
and impacted food safety, quality, and shelf-life enhancement. It simplifies the monitoring of product
quality in real-time. This review gives an insight into the introductory perspective of food
packaging, emphasizing active packaging, biosensors, and intelligent systems. Engineering of these
nano-based active package materials to impart preservation, freshness, and safety advantages
by interacting with the food environment. Nano-based biosensors play a major role in quality precision
and rapid evaluation of packaged food matters. This article also provides advantages and
challenges associated with these new-generation technologies to meet the requirements of food industries.
To conclude, the future of food safety and preservation will be significantly determined
by the increasing impact of nanotechnology in food packaging, making it a more effective, consumer-
focused, and environmentally friendly option.
A Preclinical Study on 4-Methyl-N-((4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl) carbamoyl)-benzenesulfonamide as a Potent Chemotherapeutic Agent against Liver and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis in Rats: Immunohistochemical and Histopathological Studies
Authors: M. Sroor Farid , A. Younis Eman , F. Aly Hanan
Published: September 2024

Background:

Alternative and complementary applications of newly synthesized chemicals
have enhanced the prospect of finding curative treatments for liver hepatocarcinogenesis and
pancreatic cancer.

Methods:

The current study investigated the curative effect of the newly synthesized drug 4-
methyl-N-((4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenyl) carbamoyl) benzenesulfonamide (3) against diethyl nitrosamine
(DEN) (50 mg/kg) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (2 mg/kg)-induced hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic cancer in male rats using doxorubicin as a reference drug.

Results:

The findings demonstrated that the DEN/CCl4 treatment produced oxidative stress, as
evidenced by an increase in MDA and a reduction in GSH levels. A temporary decline in antioxidant
and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was detected. An increase in the levels of TNF-α and
other inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), was found. Our
findings showed that the liver and pancreas had significantly higher levels of hepatocellular carcinoma
biomarkers, namely α-fetoprotein and α-L-Fucosidase (α-FU). Changes in the biomarkers of
hepatic function were also seen, with elevated levels of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), and transaminases (AST, ALT). Our findings were supported by immunohistochemical
and pathological examinations, which revealed considerable improvement in liver
and pancreatic tissues after treatment with medication 3 when compared to normal healthy rats.

Conclusion:

To summarize, the new synthetic medication 3 could be an effective chemotherapeutic
method for treating DEN and CCl4-induced HCC and pancreatic cancer.
Investigating Preventive and Therapeutic Anti-cancer Potential of Grapes and their Bioactive Constituents
Authors: Bose Sankhadip , Chatterjee Subhadas , Mazumder Sujayita , Ghosh Somsubhra , Dhar Arghya Kusum , Singh Nardev
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Cancer is defined as the most prevalent and deadly disease, characterized
by the uncontrolled multiplication of abnormal cells and spreading to other body parts. Despite the
presence of several antineoplastic drugs, their use is limited due to their severe toxic effects. Vitis
vinifera L. or Grapes, one of the most cultivated fruits worldwide, have several pharmacological
effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, etc. This study aims to review the anticancer
property of Grapefruit as whole and several parts of the fruit and their respective phytochemicals
are obtained from several previously conducted research.

Methods:

A thorough literature review is performed via several online search engines like Google
Scholar, Science Direct, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus, regarding the anticancer potential of Vitis
vinifera and its phytoconstituents, possessing anticancer effect.

Results:

From several previous types of research conducted, a potent anticancer potential of Grapes
was found. From leaves to grape pomace, seed and skin extracts to stems, many evidences were
found for their anticancer activity. Other than the fruit or the plant as a whole, some individual active
phytoconstituents like Resveratrol, Myricetin -3glucoside, Fisetin, etc, have a wide range of anticancer
activity, which was tested against various ranges of cancer cell lines including breast, cervical,
lungs, kidney, brain, etc. In the majority of cases, a proper mechanism of their respective anticancer
activity was also established. Also, the safety profile of grapes is fantastic with no risk or
toxic effect on the body.

Conclusion:

Grape seeds, pomace, stems and other parts have shown positive potential for anticancer
activity. Several studies signifying the individual pharmacological actions of phytochemicals
against several carcinoma cell lines are the prime evidence for future work plans regarding the anticancer
potential.