bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Mangrove Potential for Heavy Metal Phytoremediation Along Coastal Zones: A Study of Sempu Island Nature Reserve
Authors: Afifudin Alfin Fatwa Mei , Irawanto Rony , Purnomo Hari
Published: October 2023

Sempu Island Nature Reserve (CAPS) in East Java is one of the nature reserves in Indonesia. On this island, there are various native Indonesian vegetation, including mangroves. One of the biological functions of mangrove plants is as a shelter for marine species, wave breaker, and as a phytoremediator to prevent water pollution. This research is an exploratory study that aims to discover the diversity of mangrove species on Sempu Island and evaluate their potential as heavy metal phytoremediator using the literature review method. The exploration was conducted in July 2022 on three different locations on Sempu Island, which are Semut Bay, Ra'as Bay, and Freshwater area. In conclusion, eight species have been identified as true mangrove species in Sempu Island Nature Reserve, East Java. Such as Aegiceras corniculatum, Ceriops decandra, Exoecaria agallocha, Heritiera littoralis, Rhizophora apiculate, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, and Xylocarpus granatum, which originate from five families and six genera. Furthermore, Ceriops decandra has a conservation status of "Near Threatened." The study also revealed that the mangrove forest in Semut Bay offers better zonation compared to Ra'as Bay and Freshwater. Importantly, after conducting literature review, it shows that all mangrove species discovered have the potential to remediate waters polluted by heavy metals including Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Cr.
Nanofiber-Based Gas Diffusion Layer for Improve Performance in Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Massaglia Giulia , Serra Tommaso , Pirri Candido Fabrizio , Quaglio Marzia
Published: October 2023

This work investigates a new nanostructured gas-diffusion-layer (nano-GDL) to improve performance of air-cathode Single-Chamber-Microbial-Fuel-Cells (a-SCMFCs). The new nano-GDLs improves the direct oxygen-reduction-reaction by exploiting the best of nanofibers from electrospinning in terms of high surface ratio to volume and high porosity, and laser-based processing to promote adhesion. Nano-GDLs by electrospinning were fabricated directly collecting two nanofibers mats on the same carbon-based electrode, acting as the substrate. Each layer was designed with a specific function: water resistant, oxygen permeable polyvinylidene-difluoride (PVDF) nanofibers served as a barrier to prevent water-based electrolyte leakage, while an inner layer of cellulose nanofibers was added to promote oxygen diffusion towards the catalytic sites. The maximum current density obtained for a-SCMFCs with the new nano-GDLs is (132.2 ± 10.8) mA m-2, and it doubles the current density obtained with standard PTFE-based GDL (58.5 ± 2.4 mA m-2), used as reference material. The energy recovery (EF) factor, i.e. the ratio of the power output to the inner volume of the device, was then used to evaluate the overall performance of a-SCMFCs. a-SCMFCs with nano-GDL provided an EF value of 60.83 mJ m-3: one order of magnitude higher than the value of 3.92 mJ m-3 obtained with standard GDL
Description and Characterization of the Odontella aurita OAOSH22, a Marine Diatom Rich in Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Fucoxanthin, Isolated from Osan Harbor, Korea
Authors: An Sung Min , Cho Kichul , Kim Eun Song , Ki Hyunji , Choi Grace , Kang Nam Seon
Published: October 2023

Third-generation biomass production utilizing microalgae exhibits sustainable and environmentally friendly attributes, along with significant potential as a source of physiologically active compounds. However, the process of screening and localizing strains that are capable of producing high-value-added substances necessitates a significant amount of effort. In the present study, we have successfully isolated the indigenous marine diatom Odontella aurita OAOSH22 from the East coast of Korea. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of its morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. Afterwards, comprehensive analysis was conducted on the morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics, along with testing for optimal growth conditions. The morphological characteristics of the isolate were observed using optical and electron microscopes, and it exhibited typical features of O. aurita. Additionally, the molecular phylogenetic inference derived from the sequence of the small-subunit 18S rDNA confirmed the classification of the microalgal strain as O. aurita. This isolate has been confirmed to contain 7.1 mg g-1 dry cell weight (DCW) of fucoxanthin, a powerful antioxidant substance, in terms of dry cell weight (DCW). In addition, this isolate contains 11.1 mg g-1 DCW of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is one of the nutritionally essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, this indigenous isolate exhibits a significant potential as a valuable source of bioactive substances for various bio-industrial applications.
Developmental Changes and Sex Differences in Infants' Neural Sensitivity to Emotional Prosodies in Spoken Words
Authors: Kao Chieh , Zhang Yang
Published: October 2023

This study examined infants' neural responses to emotional prosody in natural speech. A multi-feature oddball paradigm was used with 34 3~11 month-old infants. Results showed distinct early (100-200 ms) and late (300-500 ms) mismatch responses to different emotional prosodies. Older infants had more negative early responses with happy and angry prosodies evoking stronger responses compared to sad prosody while younger infants showed a clearer distinction between angry and sad prosodies. In the late time window, angry prosody elicited more negative responses than sad prosody with younger infants showing more distinct responses between these two prosodies. Males exhibited stronger early mismatch responses than females. These findings call for further research on the implications for socio-emotional and language development.
Impact of Nd Doping on Electronic, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of ZnO: A GGA+U Study
Authors: Qiao Wu , Gaihui Liu , Huihui Shi , Bohang Zhang , Jing Ning , Tingting Shao , Suqin Xue , Fuchun Zhang
Published: October 2023

The electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of Nd-doped ZnO systems were calculated using the DFT/GGA+U method. According to the results, the Nd dopant causes lattice parameter expansion, negative formation energy, and bandgap narrowing, resulting in the formation of an n-type degenerate semiconductor. Overlapping of the generated impurity and Fermi levels results in a significant trap effect that prevents electron-hole recombination. The absorption spectrum demonstrates a redshift in the visible region and improved intensity, leading to enhanced photocatalytic performance. The Nd-doped ZnO system displays ferromagnetic, with FM coupling due to strong spd-f hybridization through magnetic exchange interaction between the Nd-4f state and O-2p, Zn-4s, and Zn-3p states. These findings imply that Nd-doped ZnO may be a promising material for DMS spintronic devices.
Experimental investigation of the Metasurfaced Reverberation Chamber
Authors: Sun Hengyi , Li Zhuo , Gu Changqing , Xu Qian , Zhang Yaoran , Xu Zhengran , Luo Xiaoping , Sun Changjiang , Chan Alfred
Published: October 2023

To verify the concept of the metasurfaced reverberation chamber (MRC) which was proposed. This paper reports on measurements in the reverberation chamber (RC) performance by using a 1-bit random coding metasurfaced stirrer. The measurement results are validated and compared with that from two mechanical stirrers (horizontal stirrer and vertical stirrer). Figures of merit such as quality factor (Q factor), number of samples, standard deviation, angle autocorrelation, average K-factor, total scattering cross section (TSCS) and the enhanced back scattering coefficient (eb) are presented. Results indicate the feasibility of the MRC technique in the operation frequency of the RC. And it is possible to enlarge the test volume of the RC by using the 1-bit random coding metasurface stirrer.
T. vaginalis: Monolayer and cluster formation - ultrastructural aspects using HR-SEM
Authors: Ortiz Sharmila , Verdan Raphael , Fortes Fabio da Silva de Azevedo , Benchimol Marlene
Published: October 2023

Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular parasite protozoan that causes human trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects approximately 200 million people worldwide. The presence of T. vaginalis adhesion to inert substrates has been described in several reports. Still, very few studies on cluster formation and more detailed analyses of the contact regions between the membranes of the parasites in these aggregate formations have not been carried out. We analyzed the formation of parasite monolayers and clusters using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cytochemistry, TEM tomography, and dye injection. Here, we show the formation of a monolayer of tightly adherent cells, epithelium-like, when the parasites are in contact with an inert material. Based on this observation, we analyzed whether this monolayer behaves as an epithelium, analyzing cell junctions, cell communication, and ultrastructural aspects. We also analyzed the cluster formation and the morphological characteristics of parasite aggregation observed in the culture supernatant. We report that monolayer formation differs from cluster formation in many aspects. The monolayers form strong adhesion, whereas the clusters have fragile attachments. There is no fusion or passage of molecules between neighbor-attached cells; there is no need for different strains to form filopodia, cytonemes, and extracellular vesicles during cluster formation.
Diagnosing Liver Cirrhosis by Overlooked Tools: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Tarantino Giovanni , Citro Vincenzo , Tarantino Marianna , Capone Domenico
Published: October 2023

Background
Total serum bile acids (TSBA), liver-spleen scan and dynamic liver functional tests, in our case the antipyrine clearance (Ap Cl), have been long adopted. The aim of our study was that of assessing whether some diagnostic tests, scarcely performed due to the novel techniques implementation, were reliable diagnostic tools.
Methods
Data extracted from records of two well-matched for age and gender populations was retrospectively analysed. Specifically, 17 patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis were confronted with 17 subjects suffering from liver cirrhosis. Clinical, laboratory and instrumental findings, such as the Child-Pugh classification, the number connection test for evaluating hepatic encephalopathy, prothrombin time, serum albumin levels, TSBA concentration, Ap Cl determination, abdominal ultrasound and liver-spleen scan imaging as well as endoscopy features were evaluated.
Results
Cirrhotics showed a median concentration of TSBA increased respect to that of patients with chronic hepatitis, independently from gender, 20.1 versus 12.24 micromol/L, P= 0.0054. The median AP Cl value of the patients with liver cirrhosis was reduced confronted with that of patients with chronic hepatitis, specifically, 13.92 opposed to 18.3 mcg Ap/dL, P= 0.045. Furthermore, the median liver-spleen scan score was higher in cirrhotics than in chronic hepatitis patients, i.e., 3.47 versus 1.47, P= 0.000. The AUROCs of TSBA levels and of the liver-spleen scan scores for differentiating patients with liver cirrhosis from those with chronic hepatitis were 0.82 and 0.96, respectively. When was applied a new predictive model, combining the previous ones, the AUROC to discriminate patients belonging to the two populations was 0.98. The best cut-off of the new index was 26, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100.00% and 82.35%, respectively, correctly classifying 91.18% of the patients.
Discussion
Both TSBA and liver-spleen scan were high discriminant as well as their combination, while Ap Cl showed some limitations as reliable diagnostic tool. TSBA and liver-spleen scan have been too soon and unnecessarily overlooked.
The Use of Spatially Multi-Component Plasma Structures and Combined Energy Deposition for High-Speed Flow Control. A Selective Review
Authors: Azarova Olga A. , Kravchenko Oleg V.
Published: October 2023

The Review examines studies aimed at the organization of energy (non-mechanical) control of high-speed flow/flight using spatially multi-component plasma structures and combined energy deposition. The Review covers selected works on experimental obtaining and numerical modeling multi-component plasma structures and use of sets of actuators based on the plasma of such a spatially type for the purposes of control of shock wave/bow shock wave – energy source interaction, as well as control of shock wave – boundary layer interaction. A series of works on repetitive multiple laser pulse plasma structures is also analyzed from the point of view of examining shock wave/bow shock wave boundary layer interaction. Self-sustained theoretical models for laser dual-pulse, multi-mode laser pulses and self-sustained glow discharge are also considered. Separate sections are devoted to high-speed flow control using combined physical phenomena and numerical prediction of flow control possibilities using thermal longitudinally layered plasma structures. The wide possibilities for organization and applying spatially multi-component structured plasma for the purposes of high-speed flow control are demonstrated.
Vaccination against Influenza: Clinical and Cytokine Profile of Patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Kostinov Мikhail Petrovich , Chuchalin Alexander , Chebykina Anna , Akhmatova Nelli Kimovna , Polishchuk Valentina Borisovna , Kryukova Nadezhda , Kostinova Aristitsa M. , Vlasenko Anna E , Cherdantsev Alexander Petrovich , Solovieva Irina Leonidovna , Loktionova Marina , Shmitko Anna Dmitrievna , Gladkova Lilya Solomonovna , Albahansa Mana Yvette
Published: October 2023

Background: Influenza vaccine is a tool for preventing infection and reducing exacerbations in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Purpose of this study is to investigate dynamics of CRP and serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17) in patients with asthma and COPD, as well as to perform a correlation analysis with the clinical parameters of the disease manifestation. Methods: The study included 34 patients with asthma, 20 patients with COPD vaccinated against influenza during a period of remission from 2 to 4 weeks, both groups being under a basic maintenance therapy, and 26 healthy individuals vaccinated with the trivalent polymer-subunit vaccine Grippol® Plus, containing 5 µg of influenza virus strains and 500 µg of azoximer bromide. Results: Observing patients with asthma and COPD, during a year after the vaccination, has revealed a significant reduction in exacerbations frequency (p < 0.05) and duration (p < 0.05) of the bronchial obstructive syndrome (BF). Before the vaccination the IL-6 level in patients with asthma had a direct moderate correlation with duration of exacerbations of the underlying disease (p < 0.05), along with the number of systemic corticosteroids courses during exacerbations (p < 0.05). In 12 months after the vaccination, while assessing cytokine profile of all study groups, a significant reduction in the level of IL-6 was observed, compared to the baseline values (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Conducted analysis of immunological, clinical, and functional parameters of patients with asthma and COPD has proven for influenza vaccine to be effective in BF patients.
Evolutionary, Non-Mutational Cancers Cannot Be Considered Atavistic
Authors: Niculescu Vladimir , Niculescu Eugenia R.
Published: October 2023

Recent successes in the field of evolutionary cancer cell biology (ECCB) have brought to a head two of the most important controversies regarding cancer origin. The first concerns the question of whether carcinogenesis is initiated only by genetic alterations, mutations, and driver genes, as the mutational theory teaches. The ECCB, claims that a large number of polyploidy-related cancers (PGCC cancers) are not due to mutations, but rather to inadequate ancient repair mechanisms used by DNA-damaged stem cells for their repair. Somatic mutations are merely secondary. The second controversy, described in the previous article, concerns the non-mutational theory itself: Are non-mutational polyploid cancers an atavism - as previously thought - or rather the effect of an ancient gene regulatory network aGRN that controls genome reprogramming in precancerous DNA-damaged cells as well in the transformed cells. Finally, the unicellular gene module of cancer, of which the aGRN is a part, has evolved along with the multicellular genome during the last 1000 My of evolution. and non-mutated cancer cell systems are under the control of the aGRN. The atavistic theory relies on phylostratigraphic evidence to determine the age of cancer genes. It states that most cancer-like genes arose during the transition period from unicellularity to multicellularity, but also during the early metazoan era. In our opinion, the atavistic theory is flawed and suffers from many misunderstandings. It provides little insight into the origin and coevolution of the cancer cell system and its control by the ancient gene regulatory network aGRN.
New Graph-Based and Transformers Deep Learning Models for River Dissolved Oxygen Forecasting
Authors: Costa Rocha Paulo Alexandre , Oliveira Santos Victor , Van Griensven Thé Jesse , Gharabaghi Bahram
Published: October 2023

An important indicator of human-related pollution in watersheds is dissolved oxygen (DO). The DO is highly dependent on both space and time characteristics of the watershed and is directly linked to eutrophication, which impairs the development of both the aquatic fauna and flora, also negatively impacting the water quality. Aspiring to reach a more accurate and precise forecasting approach to predict levels of DO, the present work proposes new graph-based and transformer-based deep learning models. The models were trained and validated for the Credit River Watershed, and the results were compared with both benchmarking and literature-found approaches. The proposed Graph Neural Network Sample and Aggregate (GNN-SAGE) model was the best-performing approach, reaching coefficient of determination (R2) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values of 97% and 0.34 ppm, respectively. The findings from the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) indicated that the GNN-SAGE benefited from spatiotemporal information from the surrounding stations, improving the model’s results, and that temperature is a major input attribute for determining future DO levels. The results established that the proposed GNN-SAGE model stands as a state-of-the-art solution for DO forecasting, with potential for real-time water quality applications.
A Novel Type II L-Asparaginase from the Halotolerant Bacillus subtilis CH11
Authors: Arredondo-Nuñez Annsy , Monteiro Gisele , Flores-Fernández Carol , Antenucci Lina , Permi Perttu , Zavaleta Amparo Iris
Published: October 2023

L-asparaginase from bacterial sources have been used in antineoplastic treatments and the food industry. A novel type II L-a sparaginase encoded by the N-truncated gene ansZP21 of halotolerant Bacillus subtilis CH11 isolated from Chilca salterns in Peru was expressed using a heterologous system in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)pLysS. The recombinant protein was purified using one-step nickel affinity chromatography and exhibited activity of 234.38 U mg-1 and a maximum catalytic activity at pH 9.0 and 60 °C. The enzyme shows a homotetrameric form with an estimated molecular weight of 155 kDa by gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme half-life at 60 °C was 3 h 48 min, and L-asparaginase retained 50% of initial activity for 24 h at 37 °C. The activity was considerably enhanced by KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, mercaptoethanol, and DL-dithiothreitol (p-value < 0.01). Moreover, the Vmax and Km were 145.2 µmol mL-1 min-1 and 4.752 mM, respectively. These findings evidence a promising novel type II L-asparaginase for future industrial applications.
Alterations in the amyloid protein precursor, α-secretase, β-secretase, presenilins and tau protein Genes in the CA3 Area of the Hippocampus in a 2-Year Ischemic Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Czuczwar Stanisław , Kocki Janusz , Miziak Barbara , Bogucki Jacek , Bogucka-Kocka Anna , Pluta Ryszard
Published: October 2023

Understanding the phenomena underlying the non-selective susceptibility to ischemia of py-ramidal neurons in the CA3 area of the hippocampus is important from the point of view of elu-cidating the mechanisms of memory loss and the development of post-ischemic dementia. We used an ischemic model of Alzheimer's disease to study changes in amyloid protein precursor gene expression, its cleavage enzymes and tau protein in the CA3 area of the hippocampus af-ter a 10-minute brain ischemia with 12, 18, and 24-month survival. Quantitative reverse tran-scriptase PCR assay showed that the expression of all the genes that contribute to amyloid pro-duction was dysregulated within 2 years in the CA3 area of the hippocampus after ischemia. The expression of the amyloid protein precursor gene was above the control values at all times of the study. The expression of the α-secretase gene also exceeded the control values throughout the study. In contrast, the expression of the β-secretase gene reaching its maximum increase 12 months after ischemia, was below control values after 18 months and again above control values after 24 months of survival. Presenilin 1 and 2 gene expression was significantly elevated throughout the follow-up period, with peak expression of both genes occurring 12 months after ischemia. This suggests that the genes studied are involved in the non-amyloidogenic processing of amyloid protein precursor. Also, tau protein gene expression was significantly elevated throughout the observation period, and peak gene expression was present 12 months after is-chemia. Data indicate that an episode of brain ischemia with long-term survival causes damage and death of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 area of the hippocampus in a manner dependent on modified tau protein. Thus defining a new and important mechanism of pyramidal neuronal death in the CA3 area after ischemia. In addition tau protein gene modification after brain is-chemia is useful in identifying ischemic mechanisms occurring in Alzheimer's disease.
Significant social networks of women victims of childhood sexual abuse
Authors: Buccieri Karla Cristina Kurquievicz , Dos Santos Azevêdo Adriano Valério
Published: October 2023

This research mapped significant social networks of victims of childhood sexual abuse, identifying relationships between childhood trauma and social bonds in adult life. Ten adult women, aged between 20 and 40 years, in psychiatric care for the consequences of trauma suffered in childhood participated in the research. For data collection, the map of significant social networks was used and analyzed through the structure, functions and attributes of the bonds. The network is composed of people from the Friendship, Family, Community, Work/Study and Health Teams group. The networks of friendships, family, co-workers or studies play a predominant role of emotional support, while the Health Teams also offer emotional support, but primarily provide clinical support in overcoming trauma and its consequences. The network of relationships has specific functions that maintain psychosocial integrity and help women to overcome the abuse suffered.
Uncovering the Impact of Working from Home on Employees’ Collaboration, Happiness, and Promotion Chances Using Machine Learning
Authors: Imani Mehdi
Published: October 2023

This research explores the impact of working from home on employees' happiness, collaboration, and promotion prospects using machine learning techniques. The study is guided by three research questions aiming to investigate the correlation between working from home and employees' collaboration and promotion prospects. Moreover, the research aims to find a relationship between the number of households and employees' happiness levels while working from home. The data is collected from ICT engineers working at a technology company in Sweden through a questionnaire-based survey. Probability sampling was selected for data collection to reduce bias and enhance the generalizability of the findings. The data is pre-processed and then analysed in Jupyter Notebook using the Python programming language. Various libraries and models, including Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Scikit-learn, were employed for data analysis. Both Pearson correlation and p-values in Pearson correlation were used in this study to analyse the relationships between different variables.However, based on the results, this study did not find any significant relationship between working from home and employees' promotion prospects or collaboration issues. Additionally, the results did not provide evidence of a significant relationship between the number of households of employees and their happiness levels while working from home.
Diagnostic Assessment in Wet and Dry Seasons of Simple Weirs Constructed by Small-scale Farmers in the Northern Region Provinces of Zambia
Authors: KABWE Alex Lushikanda , HYODO Masahiro , OGATA Hidehiro , SAGAWA Yoshihiro , ADACHI Yoshinao , ISHII Masayuki
Published: October 2023

Simple weir irrigation was recently introduced in rural areas of Zambia. This irrigation technique is based on gravity diversion of the river flow using simple weirs. This study was conducted between November 2022 to January 2023 in 3 northern region provinces (Luapula, Copperbelt, and North-western) of Zambia to perform a diagnostic assessment on simple weirs during the dry and the wet seasons. In this study, 15 single-line simple weirs were selected. The objective of the study is to assess the physical status, identify problems and extent, and estimate water diversion potential by each single-line weir. The findings of this study showed that 67% of weirs were in excellent status (recently maintained and repaired), and 26% of the weirs were partially damaged (leakages, decayed thatch grass). The study revealed that single-line weirs were able to raise a flood height of 0.1m at low flow and 0.5m at medium flow. It was found that single-line weirs in excellent condition diverted more than 90% of the river flow while poorly maintained weirs diverted below 45% of the river discharge. Based on the findings, Single-line weirs have the potential to assist small-scale farmers in accessing river water for irrigation purposes through diversion.
Polyomavirus wakes up and chooses neurovirulence
Authors: Butic Arrienne B , Spencer Samantha A , Shaheen Shareef K , Lukacher Aron E
Published: October 2023

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) is a human-specific polyomavirus that establishes a silent lifelong infection in multiple peripheral organs, predominantly those of the urinary tract, of immunocompetent individuals. In immunocompromised settings, however, JCPyV can infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS), where it causes several encephalopathies of high morbidity and mortality. JCPyV-induced progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a devastating demyelinating brain disease, was an AIDS-defining disease pre-antiretroviral therapy that has “reemerged” as a complication of immunomodulating and chemotherapeutic agents. No effective anti-polyomavirus therapeutics are currently available. How depressed immune status sets the stage for JCPyV resurgence in the urinary tract, how the virus evades pre-existing antiviral antibodies to become viremic, and where/how it enters the CNS are incompletely understood. Addressing these questions requires a tractable animal model of JCPyV CNS infection. Although no animal model can replicate all aspects of any human disease, mouse polyomavirus (MuPyV) in mice and JCPyV in humans share key features of peripheral and CNS infection and antiviral immunity. In this review, we will discuss evidence suggesting how JCPyV migrates from the periphery to the CNS, innate and adaptive immune responses to polyomavirus infection, and how the MuPyV-mouse model is providing insights into the pathogenesis of JCPyV CNS disease.
The Impact Of 'Long Covid-19' Symptoms On Stroke Patients During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wahyu Dwihardi Raputra
Published: October 2023

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic, affecting millions of people. However, the relationship between Covid-19 and acute cerebrovascular diseases is unclear.
Objective: This study aims to examine the potential effect of long COVID-19 on stroke patients.
Methods: A descriptive approach was employed in this study to effectively portray and elucidate the facts, data, and information that were gathered from literature studies, including books, journals, and, and results related to the topic.
Results: The results showed that stroke sufferers experienced several impacts due to their long Covid conditions. These perceived effects ranged from seizures to cognitive impairment or brain fog, encephalitis, as well as other symptoms that are likely to aggravate the condition of stroke sufferers.
Conclusion: The presence of the pandemic has introduced further obstacles for stroke patients who are also dealing with long COVID-19 conditions. If left unattended, these challenges can result in heightened complications, severity, comorbidities, and eve death. Therefore, the government needs to prioritize the prevention and control of long Covid condition among patients to minimize its impacts and effects.
Design and Development of an Automatic Angklung Robot Based on Microcontroller
Authors: Wicaksono Agung Rizaldi , Subur Joko , Taufiqurrohman Muhammad
Published: October 2023

The angklung is a traditional musical instrument from West Java, Indonesia. It can be played both individually and in groups. Playing the angklung requires precision in terms of tempo, rhythm, pitch, and beats to ensure that the music aligns with the intended song and is enjoyable to listen to. Therefore, not everyone can play the angklung, as it demands skill to achieve the right tempo, pitch, rhythm, and beats. To address this issue, a solution was developed, which involved creating a system and device capable of playing the angklung automatically. In this research, a system was designed to move the angklung automatically, simulating a robot, and it is referred to as the "angklung robot." This angklung robot consists of a set of 16 notes, and the electrical components used include an Arduino Mega 2560 as the microcontroller, a 16-channel relay module, motor drivers, a micro SD module. To play a song, the device uses a score file that has been converted and stored on a micro SD card, adjusting the tempo to match the desired Beats Per Minute (BPM).Through several experiments, the angklung robot successfully played 10 pre-composed songs with a 100% accuracy rate. According to the opinions of 10 music enthusiasts who were surveyed, the level of accuracy in which the angklung robot played the songs was 90%.This innovation brings automation to the traditional art of playing the angklung, making it accessible to a wider audience and ensuring consistent and precise musical performances.
Editorial: Current advances in anti-infective strategies
Authors: Almohaidi Asmaa M. Salih , Hassan Fikrat M. , Rothan Hussin
Published: October 2023

Infectious diseases pose a global challenge, necessitating an exploration of novel methodologies for diagnostics and treatments. Since the onset of the most recent pandemic, COVID-19, which was initially identified as a worldwide health crisis, numerous countries experienced profound disruptions in their healthcare systems. To combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments across the globe have mobilized significant efforts and resources to develop treatments and vaccines. Researchers have put forth a multitude of approaches for COVID-19 detection, treatment protocols, and vaccine development, including groundbreaking mRNA technology, among others.

This matter represents not only a scientific endeavor but also an essential addition to our arsenal for combating infectious diseases. This concern is underscored by the inclusion of eleven articles in this issue, each highlighting the urgent need to boost global resources for investigating, detecting, treating, and responding to emerging infections. Furthermore, there is a pressing call for the effective coordination and guidance of Arabian research initiatives, in conjunction with the efforts of Afro-Asian countries, to collectively address the challenges at hand and enhance overall outcomes.

This special issue of Baghdad Science Journal on COVID-19 and anti-infective strategies provides an overview of infectious disease and anti-infective strategies management for detection, treatment protocol, and vaccine development including mRNA with many other strategies, by publishing articles on recent research concepts.
Riser Gas Handling from Theory to Practice: Incorporating Principles to Operational Procedures
Authors: Silva Thiago , Gabaldon Oscar , Luis Romar A. Gonzalez , Puerto Gustavo , Torres Fabian , Bedoya Jorge
Published: October 2023

This work discusses the experience and results of generating a rig-specific riser gas handling (RGH) procedure based on previous project experiences and the IADC Riser Gas Handling Guidelines developed by the Riser Gas Handling sub-committee of the IADC Underbalanced Operations and Managed Pressure Drilling Committee. In this work the authors differentiate between what should be considered RGH, and what should be considered dynamic influx management, and define the boundaries between both processes.

It presents an example procedure under the following premises as main indicators to identify and differentiate the gas in the riser, for example a) high concentration of gas in the mud was detected in the shakers, b) gas units and LEL setting level, c) Undetected influx producing gas expansion in the riser increasing flow out. The presentation includes a brief discussion on the theory involved, preparation required, and responsibilities, and provides an example procedure and process flow diagram.
Slug and Backfill Trip Method Allows Quickened and Effective Tripping in High Pressure, Narrow Window Wells with MPD Drilling Techniques and Design Modelling Innovations
Authors: Gunn Philip , Okafor Maria , Thi Andy
Published: October 2023

Drilling long laterals at depths deeper than 17,000 ftTVD in Oklahoma offers numerous challenges due to high-pressure gradients in combination with narrow pressure windows of sometimes less than 0.5 ppg. This necessitates Managed Pressure Drilling techniques allowing use of a hydrostatically underbalanced drilling mud.

Due to geological factors, bit runs are short and trips frequent. However, the pore pressure, narrow window, and the volume of mud in the vertical section hinders the use of the standard trip method of laying out a series of mud caps making conventional trips slow and cumbersome. As a result, over a series of consecutive bit trips, a method of balancing the well with a combination of a heavy slug and fixed volume backfill while stripping to surface was implemented and optimized and then further applied over successive bit trips and on a subsequent well. Once the bit was at surface, the well was hydrostatically balanced. Trips performed this way were significantly faster, saving time when compared to offsetting wells.

This paper details this slug and backfill trip method as a concept along with a series of three increasingly complex models for slugging and backfilling with MPD. The key depths model is succeeded by a constrained lightweight analytical model followed by a more elaborate, full numerical model for this type of well. The full numerical model can accommodate all slugging and backfilling scenarios and has wider applications.
Understanding Barrier Philosophy During MPD Operations
Authors: Parker Martyn , Shimi Ahmed , Kaldirim Omer
Published: October 2023

Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is becoming a common practice in the drilling industry and is getting more utilized and accessible to even the smallest operators. Albeit, we often see a need for a more fundamental understanding of MPD, where it should be used, what its limitations are, and especially the differences between MPD, Underbalanced Drilling (or UBD), and Well Control operations. This paper focuses on understanding the impact of MPD on the Primary Well Barrier Envelope, how MPD equipment selection and drilling parameters impact the Primary Well Barrier Envelope and other considerations that need to be understood. The authors will summarize guidance from the industry, including IADC UBO / MPD Committee. The authors will also share why as a company, they developed hard rules that they internally call the Pressure Operations Directive (POD), which they use to ensure the integrity of the Primary Well Barrier Envelope when using MPD.
Optimizing Well Spacing Based on Parent Well Depletion Radius
Authors: Assem A. I. , Ibrahim A. F. , Sinkey M. , Johnston T.
Published: October 2023

This study focuses on the optimization of child well spacing to mitigate fracture hits caused by hydraulic fracturing near depleted fractured rocks. Fracture hits lead to damage in the parent wells and significantly reduce the productivity of child wells due to the substantial loss of fracture fluids and proppant to the parent well. The reduction in child well productivity can exceed 50% and is influenced by well spacing and parent well(s) depletion time.

To achieve this optimization, the study combines decline curve analysis (DCA) and reservoir volumetric calculations to estimate the depleted pore volume impacted by the parent well(s). This allows for the estimation of depletion radii for the parent wells.

By analyzing production history in an actual field case, depletion radii for shale wells were estimated. The preliminary results indicated that child wells with spacing greater than the depletion radius of parent wells did not experience frac hits, in contrast to those within the depletion radius, and these findings were further confirmed through fracture-driven interactions (FDIs).

By estimating the depletion radii of parent wells, this study presents a more efficient and cost-effective method for optimizing well spacing in unconventional reservoirs. This approach helps to avoid detrimental frac hits, minimize parent well damage, and improve the productivity of child wells, thus maximizing the overall performance of hydraulic fracturing operations near depleted fractured rocks.
Decarbonization and Implementation of Class L Cement for Top Hole Zonal Isolation
Authors: DuBois Kristin , Pinkhouse Joseph , Enos Craig
Published: October 2023

Portland cement (the primary component in concrete) is the second most consumed product, globally, after water (Czigler 2020). With the sheer volume of cement that is produced each year, it should not be surprising that the manufacturing process ranks as the third largest industrial source of emissions and pollution in the world (EPA 2022). Specifically, cement plants emit a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) through fuel consumption to generate heat and the unavoidable chemical process of calcination. An oilfield service company and a cement manufacturer partnered to propose and implement a reduced carbon cementing solution to a future-focused operator. The primary goals were to 1) create a cement which reduced CO2 emissions by 20–30%, and 2) replace previously used Class A slurries with Class L slurries, while maintaining or improving the cement performance properties.

A new class of cement, Class L, was approved by the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 2019. This composite well cement is produced by intergrinding Portland cement clinker with one or more forms of gypsum, pozzolanic material (i.e., fly ash, silica fume, and natural pozzolans), as well as particle suspension aids. The cement manufacturer began working to create a Class L cement that would meet the same performance requirements as Class A cement while targeting substantial CO2 emissions reduction. The oilfield service company worked with the cement manufacturer over the course of two years to refine the product and evaluate it for oilfield application. Cement lab testing including thickening time, compressive strength, free water, fluid loss, transition time, and rheology evaluations were conducted on both the base Class L cement and designed slurries. Class L cement slurries were first implemented for this Appalachian Basin operator in late September 2022 and have since been utilized on more than 200 casing strings as of July 2023 across multiple operators.

The cement manufacturer has reported a 23% reduction in CO2 emissions by switching to the production of Class L cement from Class A within the same facility. Lab generated performance data of the base Class L cement and corresponding slurries are very similar and, in some cases, better than the original Class A slurries. To-date, more than 100 jobs have been successfully executed for this operator using Class L cement slurries, delivering both zonal isolation and well-integrity.

As the oil and gas industry focuses more on our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impact, the pathway that the cement manufacturer has paved is pivotal. Class L cement is a viable alternative to both API Class A and ASTM Type I/II cements utilized in well construction, while reducing CO2 emissions during manufacturing by 23%.
Revised Method of Evaluating Friction Flow Loop Results for Viscous Fluids
Authors: Bell Brian
Published: October 2023

Friction flow loop trials have become the industry standard for the development of new friction reducers and prequalification/selection of products for individual jobs. However, there are no industry standards on how to perform flow loop tests. Previous attempts to rank friction reducers based on flow loop results encounter problems with results changing between loops, attributable to variations of flow conditions and often small differences between loops (Nizamidin, et al. 2021; Matovic et al. 2022). Very small, absolute changes in flow conditions can have an outsized impact on flow loop results, yielding confusing outcomes that can show one product significantly outperforming another while field results are sometimes the reverse.

The current method for flow loop testing produces results often not repeatable on another flow loop and possibly not consistent with its previous results if not fully climate controlled. The author proposes that by accounting for some changes in flow conditions, results become more in line with field results, especially between viscosifying polyacrylamides and traditional friction reducers. When pressure drop calculations are reexamined for sensitivities at common flow loop conditions that have reduced or little impact at field conditions, the difference in friction reduction observed in the lab can be reconciled with the friction reduction observed in the field.

Upon identifying critical components of flow conditions in the Darcy–Weisbach pressure drop calculations, the author took efforts to adjust the data observed based on measurable/quantifiable parameters. For instance, the primary observation was that the impact of a change in viscosity as small as 1 cp could change the Reynolds number an order of magnitude, moving the Moody friction factor higher in comparison to water, in which most standard flow loop results are normalized. However, this difference in Moody’s friction factor is eliminated at field conditions, leaving the relative roughness of the pipe as the sole driver of the Moody friction factor for the higher viscosity fluid the same as it is with water in both flow loop and wellbore conditions. When viscous fluids have their friction factor adjusted to match the corresponding flow conditions created in the flow loop, the results curve slides up to the expected ranges based on field results thereby validating the approach.

The novelty of this revised method is in its ability to adjust experimental data based on accurate measurements from common tools, allowing for lab results to better reflect real-world results. With this data in hand, engineers can more accurately predict pipe friction and more easily assess treating pressure issues arising in the field, such as water quality hurting the friction reduction, perforation friction, or tortuosity.
ESP Challenges in an EOR Project After Breakthrough. An Analysis of Continuous Improvement for ESP Designs Towards the Reduction of OPEX
Authors: Andagoya Carrillo Kevin Ismael , Villalobos Leon Jorge Luis , Hidalgo Mario David , Morales Carlos , Orozco Andrés , Naranjo Raúl , Enriquez Luis , Reyes Carlos
Published: October 2023

Generally, the main concern in a well expected to be affected by a waterflooding effect is the readiness of the flow range to be handled; however, new findings had showed us that this is one of several other concerns that can be expected, such as scale deposits, sulfurs, asphaltenes, and sand migration. In influenced wells the main concern is to have a design that suits correctly to the flow range before and after the breakthrough; however, other fluid properties with a large influence during this process may be underrated. The scope of this project is to explain the symptoms of each cause of Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) failure to determine what can be done to improve operational expenses (OPEX) by tracking ESP failures ranging from as low as 90 days up to 900 days and performing a detailed dismantle and failure analysis (DIFA), combining reservoir data, tear-down information, and sampling composition analysis triggered evidence and patterns that previously were not identified. Several simulations were evaluated during the run life of the studied ESPs prior and after the breakthrough aiming to determine head degradation and power consumption. This information was cross checked with the historical production and downhole ESP parameters, showing a clear correlation between the evidence obtained in the ESP tear down with observed behavior while working. In Ecuador, where this study took place, the waterflooding projects are mainly low-salinity waterflood (LSWF) projects, where the water is taken from a water-producing reservoir. Based on salinity and water cut trends of the producer well, the water immersion process to the producer well or most known as breakthrough, was detected during the lifetime span of the ESP. After creating head and power consumption trends with several simulations, the effect of the fluid change over the ESP system was quantified. In some cases, head degradation of up to 65% was detected. Also, unexpected power consumption above 30% was identified in the system. By correlating the samples, these effects were classified and associated with different reservoirs, and it was found that the main reasons for the symptoms were deposits, mainly carbonates and sulfurs, in wells where no historical similar issues were recorded previously. The second finding was that changes in historical fluid viscosity may have led to the generation of asphaltene deposits. Finally, the third finding was fines migration causing ESP plugging and, in some cases, filling the well rathole. It is important to have in place a holistic process after the breakthrough to properly understand the failure mechanism of the system. In the studied of the 24 failed ESPs with a breakthrough process, based on the results, improvement of the hardware and a new chemical treatment were adopted to attack the cause of the ESP failure.