bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenging the Industry's Understanding of Hole Cleaning During the Drillouts of Frac Plugs with a New Holistic Approach
Authors: Ryan M. , Gohari K. , Bilic J. , Livescu S. , Lindsey B. J. , Johnson A. , Baird J.
Published: September 2019

Development of unconventional reservoirs in North America has increased significantly over the past decade. The increased activity in this space has provided significant data with respect to through-tubing drillouts which had previously not been attainable. This paper is focused on using the field data from the Montney and Duvernay formations along with laboratory data and numerical modeling to understand the hole cleanout associated with through-tubing drillouts of frac plugs.

Initially, an extensive full-scale flow loop laboratory testing program was conducted to obtain data on debris transportation for hole cleanout during through-tubing applications. The testing was conducted on various coiled tubing (CT)-production tubing configurations using various solid particles. The laboratory data was used to develop empirical correlations needed for a transient debris transport model. This model was then used for frac plug drillouts to ensure successful hole cleaning in actual field applications. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling was also used to further understand and quantify the differences between the laboratory data, field data and transient debris transport model results.

The objective of the work conducted was to gain a better understanding of debris transport and validate the empirical modelling approach developed for hole cleaning. The validation process was conducted in several stages. The first stage was to validate the laboratory data against the Montney and Duvernay field data. The second stage was to verify the results obtained from the empirical model against the results obtained from a computational fluid dynamic model. The results from both modelling approaches were lastly compared to the field data. All these results challenge the current industry's understanding and best practices for through-tubing drillouts in the Montney and Duvernay formations. With the contentious increase of lateral lengths and higher stage counts, the process of drilling out frac plugs has become more complex. This study explicitly benefits all operators in their ever-increasing need to understand their frac plug drillout operations to ensure efficient, cost effective, and most importantly, consistent and repeatable results.

While efficient results for frac plug drillout operations have been accomplished to date, the on-going feedback from the field has been the requirement to produce repeatable drillouts. This paper is the first to show a holistic approach for obtaining a transient debris transport model used for through-tubing drillouts of frac plugs. The novelty also consists of the transient debris transport model validation through laboratory data and actual Montney and Duvernay field data.
Advances in Flowback Data Analysis for Estimating Average Fracture Compressibility: North American Case Studies
Authors: Hossain Sabbir , Ezulike Obinna , Fu Yingkun , Dehghanpour Hassan
Published: September 2019

In this study, we propose a new method for estimating average fracture compressibility (cf¯) during flowback process, and apply it on flowback data from thirty multi-fractured horizontal wells completed in Eagle Ford, Horn River, Montney and Woodford formations. We conduct complementary diagnostic flow regime analyses and calculate cf¯ by combining a flowing material balance equation with rate-decline analysis.

We observe two production signatures during flowback: (1) single-phase water production followed by hydrocarbon breakthrough and (2) immediate production of hydrocarbon with water. Water rate-normalized-pressure plots show pronounced unit slopes, suggesting pseudo-steady state flow. Water decline curves follow a harmonic trend during multiphase flow; from which we forecasted ultimate water production as an estimate of initial fracture volume. The cf¯ estimates are within the range of 7 – 200 × 10-6 psi-1, and are generally lower than the values previously estimated using Aguilera’s type curves and DFIT data. Also, cf¯ estimates for deeper dry gas wells are relatively higher than those for shallower oil wells.
Intelligent Prediction of Stuck Pipe Remediation Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Abbas Ahmed K. , Flori Ralph , Almubarak Haidar , Dawood Jawad , Abbas Hayder , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: September 2019

Stuck pipe is still a major operational challenge that imposes a significant amount of downtime and associated costs to petroleum and gas exploration operations. The possibility of freeing stuck pipe depends on response time and subsequent surface action taken by the driller during and after the sticking is experienced. A late and improper reaction not only causes a loss of time in trying to release stuck pipe but also results in the loss of an important portion of expensive tubular, downhole equipment and tools. Therefore, a fast and effective response should be made to release the stuck pipe. Investigating previous successful responses that have solved stuck pipe issues makes it possible to predict and adopt the proper treatments. This paper presents a study on the application of machine learning methodologies to develop an expert system that can be used as a reference guide for the drilling engineer to make intelligent decisions and reduce the lost time for each stuck pipe event.

Field datasets, including the drilling operation parameters, formation type, and fluid mud characteristics, were collected from 385 wells drilled in Southern Iraq from different fields. The new models were developed to predict the stuck pipe solution for vertical and deviated wells using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and a support vector machine (SVM). The results of the analysis have revealed that both ANNs and SVM approaches can be of great use, with the SVM results being more promising. These machine learning methods offer insights that could improve response time and strategies for treating stuck pipe.
Numerical Simulation of Multiphase Non-Darcy Flows: Generalized Approach
Authors: Elizarev Maksim
Published: September 2019

A set of different numerical algorithms for non-Darcy flow models is developed and compared to each other in order to estimate functionality of algorithms and their potential of embedding into existing reservoir simulation software. In addition, a question of using such updated software to study an applicability of various non-Darcy flow models for unconventional reservoirs is discussed.

The approaches are based on generalization of a linear Darcy law in which a flow equation is modified by nonlinear expressions of a flow rate and other reservoir values, so various formulations of non-Darcy flows from different research papers can be described as particular cases of such a general formula. Next, this generalized flow equation is applied to the modified black-oil equations, but an exclusion of a flow rate as unknown is impossible due to properties of the generalization. A finite volume discretization and Newton linearization are performed, and several techniques of computationally efficient solution are observed.

A prototype of reservoir simulation program based on obtained mathematical model is constructed. Several numerical experiments are performed in order to verify numerical solutions and applied algorithms. Convergence rates of calculations by different approaches to non-Darcy flows are studied. The most significant finding is an existence of common approaches to exclude discretized and linearized flow equations at each iteration of nonlinear solver. This is important due to a presence of different non-Darcy models derived from different prerequisites (such as Forchheimer quadratic law and power law for non-Newtonian fluid) which can be studied through general algorithm as a research framework. Equally important is that the developed approaches are practically efficient and could be implemented in previously developed software without significant rearrangement of their code and algorithms in order to immediately gain practically useful simulations of non-Darcy flows or to explore their applicability, which is still an issue to resolve.

The novelty of the considered approaches is in ability to embed non-Darcy flow models into present reservoir simulation software keeping most of existing algorithms and data structures implemented. Taking into account that the algorithms are based on a generalized form of non-Darcy flows, it is possible to calculate a wide range of models preserving computational complexity.
Rapid Coupled Flow and Geomechanics Simulation using the Fast Marching Method
Authors: Terada Kazuyuki
Published: September 2019

Substantial computational time is typically a bottleneck for coupled flow-geomechanics simulation in realistic problems despite increasing importance in reservoir geomechanics. This paper presents a new, rapid, coupled flow-geomechanics simulator using the Fast Marching Method (FMM-Geo). The simulator incorporates Diffusive Time-of-Flight (DTOF), which represents the arrival time of the propagating pressure front, as a 1-D spatial coordinate to transform original multi-dimensional model into equivalent 1-D model. DTOF can be obtained by efficiently solving the Eikonal equation using the Fast Marching Method (FMM). FMM-Geo is verified for 2-D models against a benchmark simulator and has achieved order-of-magnitude faster computation while it preserved reasonable accuracy. Finally, the simulator is applied to an assisted history matching example using surface subsidence data to illustrate its computational efficiency and applicability.
Febrile neutropenia management in pediatric cancer patients at Ethiopian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital
Authors: Bedewi Husnia , Berihun Malede , Mulu Atalay , Assefa Tamrat
Published: September 2019

Objective This study aimed at assessing the management practice of febrile neutropenia (FN) in pediatric cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH), Ethiopia by reviewing patients’ charts from 135 participants retrospectively. Data was entered into Epi-info 7 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Results Empiric antibiotics therapy (EAT) was given to all patients in which ceftriaxone with gentamycin constituted of 71.9% followed by ceftriaxone monotherapy. EATs were converted to others in 20 (14.8%) and 2(1.5%) patients for the first and second times respectively, mainly based on poor clinical response without conducting culture and sensitivity tests. These tests were done only for 13 (9.6%) participants and growth was seen in 5 patients; and definitive therapy was given for 2 patients. ANC value was above 500 cell/mm3 in 80.7% of patients and 98.5% of study participants were afebrile after completion FN treatment. Most of them (70.4%) were treated for FN and 7 of patients died due to all case mortality. The hospital should not rely mainly only on ceftriaxone with gentamycin as EAT and also should do culture and sensitivity test to optimize therapy based on susceptibility result before conversion and modification of therapy in management of FN.
Acupuncture for relief of gag reflex in patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography – a protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial
Authors: Usichenko Taras , Mueller-Kozarez Irina , Knigge Stephan , Hahnenkamp Klaus , Busch Raila , Busch Mathias
Published: September 2019

Background Gagging during transesophageal echocardiography examination (TEE) can be both distressing and even dangerous for patients. Needling of acupuncture point CV24 was described to be effective in reducing of gag reflex during TEE in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.Methods/Design We describe a proposal for a prospective randomized, patient, practitioner and assessor-blinded, single-center trial with two arms/groups: real acupuncture will be compared to placebo acupuncture. A total of 60 (30 per group) patients scheduled for elective TEE in order to exclude a cardiac embolic source, endocarditis or for valve failure evaluation will be recruited according to patients’ selection criteria and receive either indwelling fixed intradermal needles at acupoints CV24 and bilateral PC6 or sham acupuncture at the same sites. Patients undergoing TEE, practitioners performing TEE, and the outcome assessors will be unaware of group (real or placebo) allocation. The primary outcome is the intensity of gagging, measured using verbal rating scale (VRS-11) from 0 = no gagging to 10 = intolerable gagging. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of gagging, the use of rescue medication, patients’ satisfaction with relief of unwanted side effects during the TEE procedure, success of patients’ blinding (patients’ opinion to group allocation), heart rate and oxygen saturation measured by pulse oxymetry.Discussion To study the effects of acupuncture to reduce gagging during TEE we test needling of the acupoints CV24 and PC6 bilaterally. Placebo acupuncture is used for the control group.
Inhalational Aesthetic Sevoflurane Exacerbates Eye Phenotype of SCA3 Transgenic Drosophila Model
Authors: Chen Chia-Wen , Lin Wei-Yong , Cheng Jack , Chen Kuen-Bao , Kuo Yu-Cheng , Li Chi-Yuan , Hsin-Ping Liu
Published: September 2019

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disease. The features of SCA3 include extremely short life expectancies, motor functions, and eye phenotypes. Sevoflurane is one of the most frequently used inhalational anesthetics and shows both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects. Previous studies showed neurotoxicity of sevoflurane exposure to Alzheimer’s disease models. However, the effect of sevoflurane inhalation on SCA3 is not clear. Materials and Methods: Here, we exposed sevoflurane to SCA3-transgenic Drosophila model with clinically relevant concentrations and observed the consequent change of survival, motor function, and eye phenotype of the flies. Results: We found that sevoflurane exposure exacerbated eye phenotype but not survival or motor function of male SCA3-transgenic flies. The percentage of ommatidium retinal cell number of male SCA3-transgenic flies with 0%, 2.1%, or 3% of sevoflurane exposure was 70.2 ± 4.8%, 64.8 ± 4.5%, or 46.8 ± 2.9% respectively (ANOVA F = 27.86, total df = 10, p = 0.0002), while sevoflurane exposure did not show any harm to the control flies. Conclusions: Our results may acknowledge the need for caution of the potential hazard of sevoflurane application on patients with SCA3 or other poly-Q related neurodegenerative diseases.
Design of high specificity and sensitive sequencing primers to detect the bifidobacterial population in biological samples
Authors: Bai Xiaoye , Shen Lingling , Yu Zhongjie , Gao Xu , Kwok Lai-Yu , Sun Zhihong , Zhang Heping
Published: September 2019

Background : Bifidobacteria were poorly represented or even totally absent in many of the currently published microbiota/metagenomics datasets. This work designed Bifidobacterium -targeting primers that were suitable for use in high-throughput sequencing to characterized the feature of Bifidobacterium . Results : After multiple steps of in silico prediction, phylogenetic analysis, polymerase chain reaction and single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) experiments, the Bif-6 primer pair was confirmed to be optimal for such purpose. Up to 99.42% and 99.32% of the detected sequences in human stool and breast milk samples represented up to 6 and 8 different Bifidobacterium species, respectively. Additionally, the Bif-6 primer pair detected the species Bifidobacterium catenulatum and Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense , which have not previously been reported in human breast milk to our knowledge. The high specificity of Bif-6 could be explained by the lower average nucleotide identity of 78.42% (versus 93.91% for the universal primers 27f/1492r). Moreover, to optimize the process of microbiota annotation, here a Bifidobacterium -specific database was constructed that largely reduced the time required for annotation compared with using the NCBI nucleotide (nt) database. The two databases generated highly consistent profiles of bifidobacteria when tested on the same samples. Conclusion : this work designed a highly reliable primer and database specific for detecting the bifidobacterial population in complex biological samples, which will facilitate future studies of this group of bacteria.
Effects of parental genetic divergence on gene expression patterns in interspecific hybrids of Camellia
Authors: Zhang Min , Tang Yi-Wei , Qi Ji , Liu Xin-Kai , Yan Dan-Feng , Zhong Nai-Sheng , Tao NAi-Qi , Gao Ji-Yin , Wang Yu-Guo , Song Zhi-Ping , Yang Ji , Zhang Wen-Ju
Published: September 2019

Background: The merging of two divergent genomes during hybridization can result in the remodeling of parental gene expression in hybrids. A molecular basis underling expression change in hybrid is regulatory divergence, which may change with the parental genetic divergence. However, there still no unanimous conclusion for this hypothesis. Results : Three species of Camellia with a range of genetic divergence and their F 1 hybrids were used to study the effect of parental genetic divergence on gene expression and regulatory patterns in hybrids by RNA-sequencing and allele-specific gene expression analysis. We found that though the proportion of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the hybrids and their parents did not increase, a greater proportion of DEGs would be non-additively (especially transgressively) expressed in the hybrids as genomes between the parents become more divergent . In addition, the proportion of genes with significant evidence of cis -regulatory divergence increased , whereas with trans -regulatory divergence decreased with parental genetic divergence. Conclusions : The discordance within hybrid would intensify as the parents become more divergent, manifesting as more DEGs would be non-additively expressed. Trans -regulatory divergence contributed more to the additively inherited genes than cis , however, its contribution to expression difference would be weakened as cis mutations accumulated over time; and this might be an important reason for that the more divergent the parents are, the greater proportion of DEGs would be non-additively expressed in hybrid.
Prevalence rate of skin manifestations in NICU-admitted neonates
Authors: Mehrpisheh Shahrokh , Memarian Azadeh
Published: September 2019

Background Skin disorders in neonates can be regarded as determining concepts for prognosis and genetic counseling. Few studies have so far been conducted on determining and recording the relative frequency of skin disorders. The present study was therefore conducted to investigate skin manifestations and their relationship with other variables in the neonates hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 neonates, hospitalized in the NICU of Rasoul Akram Hospital in 2014 and selected using convenience sampling. The data collected from the profiles of the neonates were recorded in a data collection form.Results Of the 403 study neonates, 366 (90.8%) had no skin manifestations, while 37 (9.2%) had skin manifestations, 18 (48.6%) of which were pathological. According to the results obtained, gender, type of delivery, gestational age and reasons for hospitalization were found not to be correlated with skin manifestations and their pathological status (P>0.05). Moreover, gender, gestational age and reasons for hospitalization had no significant relationships with the lesion type (P>0.05). Type of delivery was however found to have a statistically significant relationship with the type of skin manifestation (P=0.043).Conclusion Skin manifestations in the neonates hospitalized in the NICU are found to be less frequent in the present study compared to those in other studies, which can be attributed to the retrospective type of study using profiles and the lack of direct medical examination of patients.
Prognostic value of perioperative NT-proBNP after corrective surgery for pediatric congenital heart defects
Authors: Lin Fangqin , Zheng Lingling , Cui Yanqin , Chen Weidan , Gupta Ramit Kumar , Li Huixian , Chen Xinxin , Xia Huimin , Liang Huiying
Published: September 2019

Background: It is critically important to assess the prognostic value of NT-proBNP in the form of repeated measures among children undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects (CHD). The aim of the present study is to assess the value of repeated perioperative NT-proBNP in evaluating the time dependent and temporal trajectory in prognostics diagnosis during the perioperative period in a large series of children with CHD.Methods: Repeated measures of NT-proBNP from 329 consecutive children with CHD were obtained before and 1, 12, and 36 hours after surgery, respectively. For fully utilizing longitudinal characteristics, we employed parallel cross-sectional logistic regression, a two stage mixed effect model and trajectories over time analysis to mine the predictive value of perioperative NT-proBNP on the binary outcome of prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay.Results: The two stage mixed effects model confirmed that both the mean NT-proBNP level (aOR=1.46, P=0.001) and the time trends had prognostic value on the prediction of prolonged ICU stay. In the fully adjusted logistic regression analyses based on gaussian distributions, “rapidly rising NT-proBNP” put the subjects at 5.4-times higher risk of prolonged ICU stay compared with “slowly rising” group (aOR=5.40, P=0.003).Conclusions: Comprehensive assessment of the time dependent and temporal trajectory in perioperative NT-proBNP, indicated by repeated measurements, can provide more accurate identification of children with higher risk of prolonged ICU stay after CHD surgery.
Outcome of robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy during initial learning curve versus laparotomy
Authors: Zhou Jiangjiao , Zou Heng , Xiong Li , Miao Xiongying , Liu Zhongtao , Liu Juan , Wen Yu
Published: September 2019

Background : To analyze the initial learning curve (LC) for robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy (RAPD) and compare RAPD during the initial LC with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) in terms of outcome. Methods : This study is a retrospective review of patients who consecutively underwent RAPD between October 2015 and May 2019 in our hospital. Experiences from 30 initial consecutive RAPD cases, considered the initial LC of a single surgeon team, were compared with those from laparotomy cases during the same period in terms of outcome. Preoperative demographic and comorbidity data were obtained. Perioperative data on operation time, blood transfusion, numbers of harvested lymph nodes, 90-day mortality and readmission, surgery-related complications, postoperative hospital stay, and total costs were acquired for analysis. The operation time for RAPD was evaluated using the cumulative sum(CUSUM) method. Results : Seventy-eight patients, including 30 consecutive RAPD cases and 48 consecutive open cases, were enrolled for review. The demographic and comorbidity characteristics of the two groups were similar. Compared with OPD, RAPD required a significantly longer operative time (423.67 ± 137.627 min vs. 228.75 ± 44.988 min, P < 0.001) and higher cost (185700 ± 54500 RMB vs. 120600 ± 41700 RMB, P < 0.001). Moreover, compared with the OPD group, the RAPD group revealed a significantly smaller mean number of lymph nodes harvested in malignant cases (8.72 ± 4.9 vs 14.26 ± 7.633, P = 0.007). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of incidence of Clavien–Dindo grade III–V morbidities and 90-day mortality and readmission. In the CUSUM graph, one peak point was observed at the 8th case, after which the operation time began to decrease. Conclusions : RAPD is safe when performed in well-selected patients by well-trained teams with extensive experience in open pancreaticoduodenectomy during the initial LC,and the LC of RAPD may be shorten less than 30 cases.
General Healthcare Utilization and Out-of-Pocket Expenditures Associated with Depression in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in Nepal
Authors: Rajan Selina , Rathod Sujit D , Luitel Nagendra P , Murphy Adrianna , Roberts Tessa , Jord Mark JD
Published: September 2019

Background: Despite attempts to improve universal healthcare coverage (UHC) in low income countries like Nepal, most healthcare utilization is still financed by out-of-pocket (OOP) payments, with detrimental effects on the poorest and most in need. Evidence from high income countries shows that depression is associated with increased healthcare utilization, which may lead to increased OOP expenditures, placing greater stress on families. To inform policies for integrating mental healthcare into UHC in LMIC, we must understand general healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure patterns in people with depression. Aims: We examined associations between symptoms of depression and frequency and type of general healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure among adults in Chitwan District, Nepal. Methods: We analysed data from a population-based survey of 2040 adults in 2013, who completed the PHQ-9 screening tool for depression and answered questions about general healthcare utilization. We modelled associations between increasing PHQ-9 score and healthcare utilization frequency and OOP expenditure using negative binomial regression. We also compared sector-specific utilization of outpatient healthcare and their related costs among adults with and without probable depression, determined by a PHQ-9 score of 10 or more. Results: We classified 80 (3.6%) participants with probable depression, 70.9% of whom used some form of general healthcare in the past year compared to 43.9% of people without probable depression. Mean annual OOP healthcare expenditures were $118 USD in people with probable depression, compared to $110 USD in people without. With each unit increase in PHQ-9 score, there was a 14% increase in total healthcare visits (95% CI 7%-22%, p<0.0001) and $9 USD increase in OOP expenditures (95% CI $2-$17; p<0.0001). People with depression sought most general healthcare from pharmacists (30.1%) but reported the greatest expenditure on specialist doctors ($36 USD). Conclusions: In this population-based sample from Central Nepal, we identified dose-dependent increases in healthcare utilization and OOP expenditure with increasing PHQ-9 scores. Strengthening UHC to include early detection and treatment for people affected by depression as an integrated component of general healthcare should lead to a reduction in financial pressures on families, which is likely to reduce the incidence of depression in Nepal.
A Needs Assessment for Postgraduate Training in Selected Public Health Disciplines at the University of Zambia
Authors: Bulawayo Maio , Silumbwe Adam , Munakampe Margarate Nzala , Mukumbuta Nawa , Musabula Juliet , Chewe Mwimba , Mweemba Chriss , Michelo Charles , Hangoma Peter
Published: September 2019

Background As most low and middle-income countries seek to achieve universal health coverage targets, there is an ever-increasing need to train human resources with the required core skills and competencies. This study reports on the needs assessment conducted to understand postgraduate training needs for three selected public health disciplines – Health Policy and Systems, Health Economics, and Healthcare Management and Planning – at the University of Zambia. Methods The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews administered to 32 participants, identified through a comprehensive stakeholder mapping process, holding selected management positions in public and private health service organisations across Zambia. The organisations included regulatory authorities, research institutions, government ministries, insurance firms, multilateral and health services organisations. Results Overall, more than 68% of the stakeholders reported that they had no employees that were formally trained in the three disciplines. More than 90% of the stakeholders opined that training in these disciplines would be beneficial in providing competencies to strengthen service provision. The horizontal skills mismatch for health economics, and health services management and planning were found to be 93% and 100%, respectively. Among the key public health training needs were: policy development and analysis, economic evaluation, and strategic management. Conclusions This study confirms that introducing post graduate training in the proposed public health discipline of study will not only benefit Zambian health services organisations, but also help strengthen the health systems in general. However, there is need for further understanding of local context to ensure that training needs are matched with local priorities and service delivery.
Association of timed up and go test outcomes with future incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality in adults aged 66 years: a national representative longitudinal study
Authors: Son Ki Young , Shin Dong Wook , Lee Ji Eun , Kim Sang Hyuck , Yun Jae Moon , Cho Belong
Published: September 2019

Background The timed up and go test (TUG) is one of the most widely used tests of mobility. We aimed to examine whether the TUG is associated with cardiovascular (CV) events, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality.Methods Subjects in the senior cohort database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service (2002–2013) who completed the TUG as part of the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages (NSPTA) during 2007–2008 were identified. An abnormal TUG result was defined as a time ≥10 seconds. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the associations between TUG results and CV events, CV mortality, and all-cause mortality.Results The mean follow-up period was 5.7 years. Incidence rates of CV events in the normal and abnormal TUG groups were 7.93 and 8.98 per 1,000 person-years, while CV mortality rates were 0.96 and 1.51 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. In a fully adjusted model, we found that abnormal TUG results were not associated with the incidences of CV events and CV mortality. However, abnormal TUG results (>10 sec) resulted in a 2.9-fold increase in CV mortality in women (adjusted hazard ratio 2.90, 95% confidence interval 1.15 – 7.30). Further, participants lacking certain CV risk factors, such as current cigarette smoking, obesity, or diabetes, had a higher CV mortality rate when TUG results were abnormal.Conclusions Abnormal TUG results in subjects aged 66 years were associated with future CV mortality in women and in subjects without obesity, diabetes, or cigarette smoking.
An immune-centric exploration of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutation related breast and ovarian cancers
Authors: Przybytkowski Ewa , Davis Thomas , Hosny Abdelrahman , Eissmann Julia , Matulonis Ursula A. , Wulf Gerburg M. , Nabavi Sheida
Published: September 2019

Background: This study was a hypothesis generating exploration of genomic data collected at diagnosis for patients participating in a clinical trial (#NCT01623349). The cohort consisted of hereditary and sporadic breast and ovarian cancers. Methods: Mining and statistical analyses of the original DNA and RNA sequencing data and data available from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were performed using the R computing environment. To interpret the data, we have used published literature and web available resources such as Gene Ontology Tools, The Cancer immunome Atlas (TCIA) and the Cancer Research Institute iAtlas. Results: We found that a prominent tumor mutation burden (TMB) in hereditary breast and ovarian cancers is not correlated with high global immune activity in their microenvironments. We also found that BRCA1/2 germline related breast and ovarian cancers do not represent a unique phenotypic identity, but that they express a range of phenotypes similar to sporadic cancers. Importantly, BRCA2 germline mutation related breast tumors have a different profile of genomic instability compared to those related to BRCA1. However, all breast and ovarian BRCA1/2 related tumors are characterized by high homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and low aneuploidy. Interestingly, all sporadic high grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) and most of the subtypes of triple negative breast cancers (TNBC), but not other types of breast cancer, also express a high degree of HRD. Conclusions: TMB is not associated with the magnitude of the immune response in hereditary BRCA1/2 related breast and ovarian cancers or in sporadic TNBC and sporadic HGSOC. Hereditary tumors express phenotypes as heterogenous as sporadic tumors with various degree of “BRCAness” and various characteristics of the immune microenvironments. The subtyping criteria developed for sporadic tumors can be applied for the classification of hereditary tumors and possibly also characterization of their immune microenvironment. A high HRD score may be a good candidate biomarker for response to platinum, and potentially PARP-inhibition. Trial registration: Phase I Study of the Oral PI3kinase Inhibitor BKM120 or BYL719 and the Oral PARP Inhibitor Olaparib in Patients With Recurrent Triple Negative Breast Cancer or High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01623349.
Correlation analysis of RBM3 expression in tumor stroma and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Ling , Ling Dongshuai , Chen Yi , Gai Kai , Liu Yang , Guo Chengye , Zhang Tenglong
Published: September 2019

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the expression of RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) pathological tissue and known risk factors. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological features of 128 patients with NSCLC from August 1, 2014 to August 1, 2015 was performed. The expression of RBM3 and protein kinase B (AKT) in the tumor stroma was examined by immunohistochemistry and pathological enumeration, followed by analysis of its correlation with prognosis. The survival status of patients was followed up. The relationships between RBM3 and AKT protein expression in tumor stroma with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. Results: The expression of RBM3 was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation ( P =0.012), lymph node metastasis ( P =0.02), T staging ( P =0.041), and AKT expression ( P =0.021). Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high expression of RBM3, lymph node metastasis, T staging, and high expression of AKT were prognostic factors in NSCLC ( P <0.05). Multivariate analysis of Cox proportional hazard model showed that high RBM3 expression, lymph node metastasis, and high AKT expression were independent risk factors for prognosis ( P <0.05). Conclusion: RBM3, AKT, and lymph node metastasis are independent prognostic factors for NSCLC, significantly affecting the prognosis of patients possibly through the classical signaling pathway AKT. RBM3 may be a prognostic marker for the overall survival rate of NSCLC and a candidate for the treatment of NSCLC, with potential therapeutic prospects.
Demyelinating Syndrome in Systemic Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Deeb khaled , Eby Jessika , Labault-Santiago Jose
Published: September 2019

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to report a case of a 44-year-old female who presented with intractable hiccups, vomiting, and later complicated with paraplegia. Imaging and sero/immunological studies were consistent with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) based on NMO-IgG sero-positivity and transverse myelitis on MRI. Further investigation revealed positive ANA, anti-RNA polymerase III autoantibodies, and Scl-70, leading to a concurrent diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The coexistence of these two disease processes, namely systemic sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, and their underlying clinical manifestations and therapeutic interventions, are seldom reported in literature and are worth reporting. CASE REPORT: The patient was treated with high dose steroids, and subsequently developed malignant hypertension and acute renal failure, later identified as steroid induced scleroderma renal crisis on renal biopsy. Although Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has often been associated with various collagen and autoimmune diseases, the coexistence of NMOSD and SSc presented a challenge where patient underwent aggressive physical therapy and necessitated an intervention with Rituximab to achieve an appropriate clinical response. We have received consent forms from the participant in our study, and we have them on file in case they are requested. We have also received patient’s consent for the data presented in this article and Figure 1. CONCLUSION: This report expands on NMOSD associated autoimmune diseases. Systemic Sclerosis is an insidious disease that is often diagnosed late as not all patients often report skin manifestation. The finding suggests that patients presenting with acute neurological manifestations get tested for NMO-IgG/AQP-4 antibodies and other immunological studies based on clinical findings.
MODELLING WATER EXCHANGE BETWEEN COASTAL ELONGATED LAGOON AND SEA: INFLUENCE OF THE MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CONNECTING CHANNEL ON WATER RENEWAL IN LAGOON
Authors: Tuchkovenko Yurii , Tuchkovenko Oksana , Khokhlov Valeriy
Published: September 2019

The north-western part of the Black Sea Ukrainian coast is characterized by the presence of 12 marine lagoons which do not presently have permanent natural connections with the sea. Because of regional climate change, these lagoons have experienced a significant deficit of annual freshwater balance during the last decades and, consequently, an increase in salinity and eutrophication of their waters. One way to stabilize the hydroecological regime of lagoons is to maintain their regular connection with the sea via artificial connecting channels. The deepest and most prolonged Tyligulskyi Liman lagoon is used as an example to determine the morphometric characteristics (width, depth) of the artificial connecting channel which ensures bidirectional water exchange of the lagoon with the sea, i. e. its partial flushing. A numerical hydrodynamic model is used to estimate how the morphometric characteristics of the connecting channel influence the intensity of water exchange between the lagoon and the sea and of water renewal by seawater for the various parts of the lagoon. The dynamics of sea water volume concentration in reference points in the lagoon is used as an indicator of seawater intrusion into the lagoon and their degree of water renewal in its various zones. The proposed methodology could be used for other lagoons of the same type in the north-western part of the Black Sea.
METHODOLOGY OF EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS OF VALVE OPERATION
Authors: Seyidahmadov Natig Sabir
Published: September 2019

Tightness, as well as the reliability of the valve plate, is a complex property of the effective operation of compressor cylinders of the first stage and, in general, gas-engine reciprocating compressors. The issue of valve plate tightness is a subject of independent study, since technical and economic efficiency depends on their work. In this connection, only some data obtained under operating conditions are presented in this work.

As a research result, it is found that, taking into account the identified requirements for the gas lift system, in order to effectively increase the operating hours of valves with increased tightness of the plate, it is necessary to check and purge the valves. Therefore, each valve in the gas lift compressor station, without subjecting them to cleaning, is first recommended to check for leaks. To confirm the feasibility of checking valve tightness, special equipment is offered for each gas-lift compressor station, a purge chamber, on which the tightness of valve plates is checked.

The usefulness and importance of the purge chamber is in preparation of the valve at the gas lift compressor station, which contributes to increased efficiency, safe operation, normal tightness and reliability of its operation.
RESEARCH OF WHEAT DRYING IN A MICROWAVE AND COMBINED FILTER-MICROWAVE DRYER
Authors: Burdo Oleg , Bezbakh Igor , Shyshov Serhii , Zykov Aleksandr , Yarovyi Igor , Gavrilov Aleksander , Bandura Valentyna , Mazurenko Igor
Published: September 2019

The aim of the conducted study is to determine kinetics of the complex effect of microwave energy supply and filter drying of the process of water release from the wheat layer. There is offered a combination of MW and filter drying. A special feature of this combination must be its more effectiveness and high speed of water elimination from surface layers of wet seeds and, as a result, the productivity increase of the drying way, decrease of specific energy consumption.

There was determined the influence of the specific load of the material, radiator power on processes of microwave and filter-microwave drying of wheat seeds. There were compared microwave, filter-microwave and convective drying of seeds by parameters of specific energy consumption, drying speed.

The specific energy consumption at microwave drying of seeds was 4 MJ/kg, at filter-microwave drying 3.8 MJ/kg that is lower than existent convective dryers. The speed of microwave drying changes from 0,5 to 3 %/min, filter-microwave – from 0.3 to 0.7 %/min. The speed is at the level of standard convective dryers.

The conducted studies allow to recommend a new combined way of FMW drying of seeds with low energy consumption.

Revealed features of heating and drying are possible to be used at developing industrial dryers.

The base of experimental data is possible to be used for optimizing and determining effective conditions of MW and FMW drying.
INVESTIGATION OF SALICYLIC ACID-INDUCED CHANGE ON FLAVONOIDS PRODUCTION UNDER CADMIUM TOXICITY IN BUCKWHEAT (FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM MOENCH) PLANTS
Authors: Kavulych Yana , Kobyletska Myroslava , Terek Olga
Published: September 2019

Salicylic acid (SA) is an imperative endogenous plant hormone. It is considered as one of the most important signaling molecule, involved in both abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. Application of optimal concentrations (0,05 mM) of SA enhances plants tolerance to cadmium stress by modulating levels of several metabolites, including components of antioxidative defense, osmolytes, secondary metabolites, and metal-chelating compounds. We showed that when SA and Cd were applied simultaneously, the damage was less pronounced than without SA. SA treatment itself also caused the oxidative stress, but decreased flavonoids content, regulated phenolic synthesis and lignin formation. Thus, the main purpose was to investigate how SA treatment, used prior the Cd stress, prevented the damaging heavy metal effects in buckwheat plants. And show that regulation of flavonoids and lignin formation are an important indicator of stability and stress resistance. The obtained data will expand the knowledge about the role of phenolic compounds and the action of salicylate under the cadmium chloride conditions. Also data with this type of buckwheat – Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, Rubra variety under the action of cadmium chloride and salicylic acid not found.
FERMENTATION OF MULTIGRAIN DOUGH – AN APPROACH TO REDUCE GLYCEMIC INDEX FOR HEALTHY BREAD
Authors: Singh Sunita , Sethi Shruti , Gupta Sangeeta , Kaur Charanjit , Wood Ed
Published: September 2019

The use of sourdough as the starter culture for bread making is one of the oldest processes in food fermentation and is very much prevalent in being used for the manufacture of various multigrain breads. The fermentation process of breads from mixed flours is one way, reported to reduce the glycemic index as compared to white bread. In this paper, we have discussed the use of (autochthonous) native culture vs pure culture use, in fermentation to prepare a starter culture sourdough by propagative fermentation. Since such a dough is incorporated in the sourdough bread making process (1:3), by the initial process of intermittent back-slopping (at intervals of 3.5 and 7 days) to propagate sourdough with a starter culture, as a part of the process, we observed the reduction in glycaemic index of the sourdough itself to as low as GI=40, at 3rd day of fermentation when the pure consortium and at 5th day of fermentation GI=43, when the native consortium was used. The sourdough process is thus an essential tool, aimed to make healthy breads, as it is incorporated as an ingredient in the process, to make sourdough bread.
Bicapite, KNa2Mg2(H2PV145+O42)·25H2O, a new polyoxometalate mineral with a bicapped Keggin anion from the Pickett Corral mine, Montrose County, Colorado, U.S.A.
Authors: Kampf Anthony R. , Hughes John M. , Nash Barbara P. , Marty Joe
Published: September 2019

Bicapite, KNa2Mg2(H2PV145+O42)·25H2O, is a new mineral species (IMA2018-048) discovered at the Pickett Corral mine, Montrose County, Colorado, U.S.A. Bicapite occurs as square tablets up to about 0.2 mm on edge on montroseite-corvusite-bearing sandstone. Crystals are dark red-brown, often appearing black. The streak is orange, and the luster is vitreous. Bicapite is brittle, has a Mohs hardness of 1½, and displays one excellent cleavage on {100}. The measured density is 2.44(2) g/cm3. Bicapite is uniaxial (+), ω = 1.785(5), ε ≈ 1.81 (white light); pleochroism is red-brown; E > O, slight. The electron probe microanalysis and results of the crystal structure determination provided the empirical formula (based on 67 O apfu) (K1.23Na2.23Mg1.48)Σ4.94[H2.51P1.02(V13.915+Mo0.076+)Σ13.98O42]·25H2O. Bicapite is tetragonal, I4/m, with a = 11.5446(12) Å, c = 20.5460(14) Å, V = 2738.3(6) Å3, and Z = 2. The strongest four lines in the diffraction pattern are [d in Å (I) (hkl)]: 10.14 (100) (002,101); 2.978 (29) (134,206); 2.809 (11) (305); and 2.583 (11) (420,008). The atomic arrangement of bicapite was solved and refined to R1 = 0.0465 for 1008 independent reflections with I > 2σI. The structural unit is a [H2PV125+O40(V5+O)2]7– heteropolyanion composed of 12 distorted VO6 octahedra surrounding a central PO4 tetrahedron and capped on opposite sides by two VO5 square pyramids; the structural unit is a modification of the α-isomer of the Keggin anion, [XM12O40]n–. Charge balance in the structure is maintained by the [KNa2Mg2(H2O)25]7+ interstitial complex. The name bicapite is in recognition of this being the only known mineral with a structure based on a bicapped Keggin anion. The discovery of bicapite and numerous other natural polyoxometalate compounds in the Colorado Plateau uranium/vanadium deposits make that the most productive region found to date for naturally occurring polyoxometalate compounds.