bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EL DERECHO INTERNACIONAL PRIVADO DE FUENTE INTERNA EN MATERIA DE DERECHO DE DAÑOS. APROXIMACIÓN A LA REGULACIÓN DEL CÓDIGO CIVIL Y COMERCIAL DE LA NACIÓN DE LA ARGENTINA
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Gerbaudo Germán E.
Published: April 2022

El artículo analiza el régimen internacional de derecho de daños vigente en la República Argentina a partir de la sanción del Código Civil y Comercial de la Nación. Se muestran las fortalezas e innovaciones de la nueva regulación y se marcan las cuestiones que aun quedan pendientes.
Assisted Cement Log Interpretation
Authors: Time Eirik , Viggen Erlend Magnus , Mishra Siddharth , Berg Eirik
Published: April 2022

The Assisted Cement Log Interpretation project has used machine learning (ML) to create a tool that interprets cement logs by predicting a predefined set of annular condition codes used in the cement log interpretation process.

The development of a cement log interpretation tool speeds up the log interpretation process and enables expert knowledge to be efficiently shared when training new professionals in the cased hole logging unit. By using high quality and consistent training data sets, the project has trained a model that will support unbiased and consistent interpretations over time.

The tool consists of a training and a prediction tool integrated with the cased hole logging interpretation software. By containerizing the code using an "API First" design principle, the applicability of this add- on tool is broad. The ML model is trained using selected and engineered features from cement logs, and the tool predicts an annular condition code according to the cement classification system for each depth segment in the log. The interpreters can easily fetch a complete cement log interpretation prediction for the log and use that as a template for their final interpretation. The ML model can easily be retrained with new data sets to improve accuracy even further.

To improve cement log interpretation consistency in the industry, the results are made available as open source.
E-line Milling of Isolation Valve Restores Well Access in the North Sea
Authors: Ngo Xuan Dong
Published: April 2022

Milling interventions can resolve a variety of issues related to downhole restrictions, and these extend beyond remediation of typical scale buildup. One such problem or challenge is that of downhole hardware becoming stuck or no longer functioning properly.

In early 2020, a North Sea operator experienced a significant increase in water cut from a horizontal producer and needed to investigate. Production logging found no evidence of scale, but the run did reveal a half-open formation isolation valve. An additional caliper log showed the valve had a clean shifting profile, but, after a failed open-close operation, the operator decided to mill the valve to make further logging and water shut off possible.

The e-line toolstring consisted of a tractor and a milling tool with a specialized milling bit. The function of the tractor was twofold, providing conveyance to target depth as well as countering the torque of the milling tool during the operation. A Power Suction Tool was also included as a contingency for potential fishing of milled hardware/debris. During the run, after tagging the valve, hardware milling was carried out in two three-hour stages. The valve was completely milled through, collected as two pieces (half-moons) in a single run.

The operation resulted in the removal of the restriction and enabled access to the section of the well below the isolation valve. With the operation requiring just 8.5 hours, the solution provided significant time and cost savings to the operator.
GOR Prediction from Advanced Mud Gas in Gas Flooded Reservoirs – A Simulation Study
Authors: Yerkinkyzy Gulnar , Yang Tao , Cheng Nan , Uleberg Knut
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a new approach to GOR prediction from advanced mud gas data for gas flooded reservoirs. This new approach predicts the GOR of the reservoir oil and/or gas while drilling in gas flooded reservoirs and makes real-time well decisions based on identifying the reservoir fluids. The method is currently under extensive verification in real field operations. The new method's potential is significant for accurately mapping resources for in-fill wells, boosting profitability, and lowering carbon footprint in gas flooded fields.

This study widens our previous machine learning model from advanced mud gas (Yang et al., 2019) developed for predicting in-situ reservoir fluid properties by extending the methodology to include gas flooded reservoirs. The methodology is verified by compositional modeling of a large field undergoing pressure depletion, water, and gas injection over 30 years. The compositional reservoir model is used to generate advanced mud data (light components C1 to C5) to predict fluid phase properties by machine learning. The predicted fluid properties are then compared to the actual model data. The data points represent different well locations and different times of the field development, i.e., initial state, water injection, gas injection, and pressure depletion.

To accurately predict the fluid properties using a machine learning model, the "training database" must contain a wide range of fluids that covers the "compositional window" in the gas injection process. To achieve this, we have introduced synthetic fluid samples into the machine learning fluid database. The synthetic data are generated through slim tube simulation by developing miscibility between original reservoir fluid composition and representative injection gases. We have verified the machine learning model by comparing the GOR from the reservoir simulation model against the predicted GOR at different depths during the different production stages of the field. The GOR prediction shows good agreement with the simulation results.
Utilization of Settled Barite as Permanent Well Barrier Element - Feasibility Study
Authors: Khalifeh Mahmoud , Muri Bø Eskild , Shahmoradi Mohammad Ali
Published: April 2022

Settled barite is a flexible material which can be compared with unconsolidated sand slurry barrier materials. It is consisted of different particles with density of 4.2 sg and in combination with additives in drilling fluid (e.g., bentonite, xanthan gum, cuttings) can create a seal barrier.

Initially, 402 wells were reviewed, which 307 of them were wells with slot recovery. Among them, 102 wells had cut reported below top of solid, and only 72 of them had circulation pressure data. Acceptance criteria were defined to sort out the final wells to be considered in this study. Finally, 22 wells possessed the requirement for being studied. Our data mining process shows that one can divide the fluid above cement into three zones: light, heavy and consolidated. Engineers are interested to find depth of heavy fluid and conducting cut & pull operation. However, these data shall not be used for studying potential utilization of settled barite as annular barrier. Operational data and experience show barite can be compacted and in combination with other ingredients present in drilling fluid, providing consolidated material. Analysis of 77 field circulation through settled barite shows that settled barite adheres to casing and formation.

The initial experimental result, on simple water base fluid, show that settled barite could hold pressure slightly higher than its hydrostatic pressure. One should note that these experiments were conducted in long transparent plastic pipes with least friction. The well data and initial experimental measurements indicate that settled barite may have the potential to act as barrier similar to unconsolidated sand slurries.

The objective of this paper is studying prospective utilization of settled barite as annular barrier by reviewing well data from wells drilled in the North Sea and conducting experiments.
Real-Time Fiber Optics: A Door Opener for the Wellbore Environment
Authors: Bakka Håkon Sunde , Dümmong Stefan , Haavik Kjetil Eik , Li Qin , Olsen Per Atle
Published: April 2022

Distributed Fiber Optic (FO) sensing is a novel technique that allows for continuous monitoring of the entire wellbore. Two of the most common techniques are Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which allow for measurement of temperature and strain, respectively (after Johannesen et al., 2012). Both have a large range of applications, but accessibility has often been a limiting factor due to large data amounts and slow data transfer rates (e.g., Schuberth, 2020, and Schuberth et al., 2021).

For the Johan Sverdrup asset, Equinor has developed a data streaming solution that allows for real-time processing and interpretation of FO data. The system has been operational for more than a year. In its current state it processes approximately 500 terabytes (TB) of data each week, with insights made accessible to the end user through a web-based front-end solution. This streaming solution has been designed to give a flexible and scalable framework that enables real-time information exploitation of the fiber optic data, as well as allowing for automated monitoring.

We will illustrate some of the benefits of this system, and how it can provide new understanding of well conditions and processes. Over the past year, the potential of this data has been illustrated through several prototype applications, providing automated insights ranging from downhole valve monitoring to real-time inflow profiling (e.g., Schuberth at al., 2021, and Dümmong, 2021). It even opens the door to harsh environments such as wellbore clean-up, where monitoring in the past has been a challenge.

The real-time fiber optic system on Johan Sverdrup has been developed over the course of just two years. In its current state it processes 500 TB per week but is designed to handle up to 300 TB per day, which will be put in use as more interrogators are added to system. As data acquisition is continuous, the amount of information and therefore possible application space keeps growing day by day.
Grane Case Study: From Data and Model Ensembles to Actionable Insights Using a Cloud-Based Innovation Toolkit
Authors: Barkved Olav , Haukås Jarle , Kochetygova Anastasia , Monastyrev Konstantin
Published: April 2022

Assessing and improving subsurface models is an integral part of any field development project. Scanning through a multitude of data and models to look for opportunities to improve is a challenging task that can be very complex and time consuming if done manually. On the other hand, successful automation of the process typically requires field-specific customization. To address this challenge, a cloud-based innovation toolkit has been developed.

The toolkit is a set of Python modules that automate the key steps in comparing reservoir model predictions to various types of observation data, including production data and time-lapse seismic data. The toolkit enables users to create customized images that highlight important aspects of data and models, helping the team to decide how to proceed. Images that drive decisions are referred to as actionable insights. The toolkit is also used to create customized mismatch metrics, combining, for instance, production data mismatch and time-lapse seismic mismatch per region, per time interval, or overall. Ranking a set of reservoir models according to selected mismatch metrics is automated. For improved efficiency, the toolkit is built on top of a data management system for simulation models, which makes access to the models and results stored in the cloud quick and seamless.

The innovation toolkit was used in a case study in the Grane Field to assess time-lapse seismic data, production data, and two ensembles of 200 and 100 reservoir models, respectively. An important element of the project was the customized co-visualization of gas migration observed from time-lapse seismic data and production data, vs. simulated gas thickness and gas production from the reservoir model ensembles. These images allowed the team to quickly identify a region where changes to the top reservoir structure could reduce the mismatch between model predictions and production and time-lapse seismic observations.

As a final step of this study, an updated ensemble was generated that allowed the team to test and confirm several hypotheses about structure, contacts, and in-place volumes of the selected region of the Grane Field. The short time spent for this study vs. the amount of data processed highlights an important advantage when it comes to the need for continuous well maturation in the Grane Field.

Cloud access to data, models, and new digital tools enable new opportunities for automation and improved efficiency. The novelty of the presented work is the combination of automation and customization, enabling domain knowledge to drive automated workflows.
Sealing Performance of Geopolymer for Plugging and Abandonment; Apple-to-Apple Scenario
Authors: Gomado Foster Dodzi , Khalifeh Mahmoud , Kamali Mohammadreza , Saasen Arild , Aasen Jan Aage
Published: April 2022

Sealability of barrier material is required for successful plug and abandonment operations. The emergence of geopolymer as a green alternative to ordinary Portland cement presents an option for well abandonment in a more environmentally friendly manner. Sealability of geopolymer in terms of hydraulic and shear bond strength (key factors in evaluating the interfacial properties of the cement-casing interface) is compared to that of API Class G cement at 25°C and at a pressure of 34.5 bar (500 psi). The hydraulic sealability was measured with a custom-made setup, which allows the measurement to be taken continuously from the curing stage of the various cementitious materials with eliminating any pressure and temperature shocks. Thus, mimicking downhole conditions for the hydraulic sealability behavior of the cementitious materials used in our study. In addition, the push-out test was used to characterize the shear bond strength between the casing-cement interfaces. The volume shrinkage behavior was studied for both materials. The volume shrinkage of the Neat G cement was found to occur very quickly during and after the hydration reaction resulting in a total shrinkage of 2.4% whiles that of the geopolymer undergoes a shrinkage of 2.2%. The shear bond strength of the geopolymer lesser than that of the Neat G cement, it was able to match the Neat G cement in terms of the hydraulic bond strength. This is reveals that the rock-based geopolymer can be an alternative for zonal isolation as well as revealing that hydraulic bond strength and hydraulic sealability should be the main factors for barrier qualification.
Materials for Well Integrity – Rheological Behavior Study
Authors: Kamali Mohammadreza , Khalifeh Mahmoud , Saasen Arild , Delabroy Laurent , Godøy Rune
Published: April 2022

Ordinary Portland cement has been the prime material used for well cementing and permanent well- abandonment. Occasionally, the properties of the Portland cement can be inadequate to fulfil the necessary requirements. Hence, alternative barrier materials have been suggested for use in primary cementing and permanent well-abandonment. Among these, geopolymers, expansive cement, pozzolan based material, and thermosetting resins can be good alternatives.

This article presents the fluid properties and rheological behavior of the above-mentioned alternative materials. API neat class G cement is used as a reference material to compare the obtained results. Through this study, the bottom-hole circulating temperature (BHCT) and bottom-hole static temperature (BHST) are selected to be 65 and 90°C, respectively. The pressure is 2500 psi. These conditions are representative for most wells on the Norwegian continental shelf. The initial results include viscosity profile at BHCT, the effect of pressure on thickening time, and intensity of static fluid loss.

Our results show that the barrier materials have their pros and cons. One material might be good for an application such as a squeeze cementing job while the other one may not fit this application. The viscosity measurements showed all the candidate barrier materials to be shear-thinning to some degree. Except for the pozzolan based sealant, all other selected materials presented right angle set and pressure- dependent consistency.
Virtual Field Trips: Experience from a Global Pandemic and Beyond
Authors: Buckley Simon John , Howell John Anthony , Naumann Nicole , Pugsley Jessica , Vanbiervliet Joris , Ringdal Kari , Lewis Conor , Tong Bowei , Chmielewska Magda
Published: April 2022

Traditionally, field geology and the use of outcrop analogues have been crucial to aid subsurface understanding, with fieldwork and excursions playing an important role in the training and continued professional development of multidisciplinary geoscientists. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a major disruption to industry training programs and university geoscience courses as travel restrictions and lockdowns created the need for digital alternatives. Although virtual field trips (VFTs) had been gaining traction prior to the pandemic, the sudden need to replace physical field activities has driven a rising interest to allow geologists and geoscientists to keep in touch with the rocks. In this contribution we present the state of the art of virtual field trips, covering the process of conceptualizing and building a VFT, as well as delivery methods available. We argue that VFTs have an important place in geoscience education, not as a replacement for physical field trips, but as a complement to assist participants’ orientation prior to a course, retention of learning outcomes post-trip, as well as an enabler of accessible and non-discriminatory experience of field geology to a wider group of people than those conventionally given the opportunity for physical excursions.

Central to the successful creation of virtual field trips is the availability of 3D virtual outcrops and other geospatial data to populate a VFT. Databases of virtual outcrops, such as SAFARI and V3Geo, make it efficient to create a high-resolution framework for a field trip, which is then used to integrate conventional field or subsurface data. Finally, the VFT leader adds their narrative and learning process around the 3D virtual environment and delivers the content to participants. A VFT can be organized by topic (e.g. depositional environment or structural setting) rather than restricted to a limited geographical area. In addition, a VFT can be created to fit any available timescale, from a tour lasting minutes to look at a particular geological feature, through to a multi-day agenda mirroring a conventional field trip. We illustrate our contribution using example VFTs designed for different audiences and geological topics.
Effects of Well Placement on CO2 Emissions from Waterflooding Operation
Authors: Angga I. Gusti Agung Gede , Sutoyo Handita Reksi Dwitantra , Bellout Mathias , Bergmo Per Eirik Strand , Slotte Per Arne , Berg Carl Fredrik
Published: April 2022

Water injection provides efficient pressure support and increases oil recovery in field developments worldwide. The success of water injection comes from its cheap and simple application. However, waterflooding is an energy intensive operation. Typically, more than one third of total energy use in offshore platforms is allocated for water injection. Since many offshore platforms still rely on gas turbines as their main energy source, waterflooding thus accounts for a substantial portion of total CO2 emissions. The quantity of CO2 emitted depends on the injection strategy being adopted; both on the well placement and on the injection rates and pressures during production life. Traditional optimization of drainage strategies has given little heed to the cost of emissions. In this work this emission cost will be an integral part of the injection strategy optimization, as we will include the cost of emissions into our optimization objective.

We formulate the optimization objective (net present value) so that it incorporates the cost of CO2 emission: Our augmented objective function includes not only revenue and cost of production, but also carbon tax proportional to CO2 emitted. Moreover, we introduce a scheme for quantifying CO2 emissions corresponding to a particular injection strategy. This scheme is based on an integrated subsurface-topside model and utilizes reservoir simulation results for calculating the energy spent by the water pump and treatment systems. This energy is then used to estimate the fuel consumption for water injection and the corresponding CO2 emissions.

We conduct the optimization study using a two-dimensional numerical reservoir simulation model. In addition, we optimize over a range of CO2 tax rates and investigate how the different tax regimes affect the optimal solution and associated carbon emissions. Our results indicate that the optimal well placement is dependent on the CO2 tax rate. A higher CO2 tax rate moves the optimal injection location towards higher permeable zones. This leads to lower oil production and lower emissions. However, the relative reduction in emissions is larger than the relative reduction in oil production.
Ensuring Well Safety and Integrity Through Risk Identification, Job Planning and Gas-Tight Multistage Cementing Tools in the Norwegian Martin Linge Field
Authors: Hrabovsky Brett , Zapata-Bermudez Fernando , Karlbom Therese , Fliss Andreas
Published: April 2022

Despite advances in cementing technology, annulus integrity is one of the major challenges facing the industry, both in terms of frequency and impact. Using tailored solutions for cementing a well is of great importance in oil and gas wells to secure an optimal annular barrier in complex conditions when traditional techniques done with single stage cementing are not sufficient. High-performance multistage cementing solutions are used to provide flexibility to operators to solve their new challenges and go beyond the conventional cementing techniques.

Operating in the Norwegian Martin Linge field, near the border to the UK sector in the northern part of the North Sea, with a target of deep gas formations brings additional challenges. When encountering shallow oil-bearing formations that require annular production barriers in conjunction with adjacent formations that have shown a propensity for breaking down during conventional cementing, choosing a solution that maximizes annular seal integrity and overcomes the shortcomings of previous stage cementing technology is a must have.

Even if possible, through conventional single stage cementing, to mitigate losses, the length of the section still posed significant risk to meet the overall objectives. A subsequent second stage cement job allowed the operator to avoid any additional intervention work to remediate poor isolation from primary jobs allowing them to deliver the well on time and on budget.

Therefore, this paper demonstrates how through risk identification, job planning and the selection of effective gas-tight multistage stage cementing tools, the enhancement of well safety and integrity can be achieved across multiple wells to ensure barrier objectives are met and future production can be optimized.
Ram Performance and Hydraulic Modeling of Subsea Blowout Preventer Control System
Authors: Párraga Quispe José Luis , Zhu Lei , Estefen Segen F. , Lourenço de Souza Marcelo Igor
Published: April 2022

A subsea blowout preventer (BOP) system is critical in providing safe working conditions for drilling activities in deepwater oil exploration. However, performance evaluation of the shear ram BOP is still a challenge for the industry. In this paper, two aspects of BOP shearing capability are studied: The required shear force to cut the pipe inside BOP successfully and the time it takes to shear the pipe and close the well. A finite element model is used to calculate the maximum shear force of a typical drillpipe, while an analytical hydraulic model is proposed to calculate the BOP closing time. A case study is presented for estimating the emergency disconnect sequence time in a deepwater offshore scenario. It is assumed that the BOP control system is activated from the surface, employing an electrohydraulic multiplexed control device for closing the BOP and rapidly disconnecting the lower marine riser package (LMRP), thus preventing damage to both riser and wellhead.
Observations of CO2 Corrosion-Induced Carbonate Scale Formation and Inhibition on Mild Steel
Authors: Li Wei , Dai Zhaoyi , Wang Xin , Ko Saebom , Paudyal Samiridhdi , Yao Xuanzhu , Leschied Cianna , Shen Yu-Yi , Pimentel Daniel , Kan Amy T. , Tomson Mason
Published: April 2022

Aqueous CO2-containing environment is ubiquitous in oil and gas production. Carbonate scales (e.g., calcite) tend to form in such an environment. Meanwhile, the CO2 corrosion of mild steel infrastructure may result in corrosion-induced scales including siderite (FeCO3). Previously, siderite was generally treated as a corrosion problem rather than a scale problem. However, the relationship between the corrosion-induced scale and other metal carbonate scales on the steel surface is unclear. For example, how does siderite influence calcite deposition on the mild steel? In this study, the mild steel corrosion and mineral carbonate scaling behaviors were investigated simultaneously in the presence of various cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+. We observed a two-layer scale structure on the mild steel surface under simulated oilfield conditions. The inner layer is an iron-containing carbonate scale such as ankerite or siderite, while the outer layer is calcite. In addition, calcite deposition at a very low saturation index was observed when the inner layer was present. Furthermore, a common scale inhibitor [diethylenetriaminepentakis(methylenephosphonic acid) or DTPMP] can effectively mitigate calcite, siderite, and ankerite formation on the steel surface, but meanwhile, aggravate the steel corrosion because of the absence of protective scale layers.
Identifying and understanding disease burden in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on biological therapy
Authors: Christensen Katrine Risager , Ainsworth Mark Andrew , Skougaard Marie , Steenholdt Casper , Buhl Sine , Brynskov Jørn , Kristensen Lars Erik , Jørgensen Tanja Schjødt
Published: April 2022

Background: Physicians tend to focus on biomedical targets (endoscopic remission), while little is known about issues important to patients. We aimed to identify critical concepts impacting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.Methods: We performed a survey of patients with IBD in biologic therapy (n=172) and used a validated qualitative method called concept mapping (CM) in patient workshops. The survey included 13 questions on attitudes toward symptoms and issues related to IBD. In the eight CM workshops, patients (n=26) generated statements later clustered into concepts identifying issues impacting a patient’s life. Patients ranked the statements by importance.Results: In the questionnaire survey, patients identified fatigue (57%) and stool frequency (46%) as the most critical symptoms impacting their daily lives regardless of disease activity. In the CM workshops with Crohn’s disease (n=13), 335 statements divided among ten concepts were generated, and the three most important concepts were “Positive attitudes,” (mean 4.3) “Accept and recognition” (mean 4), and “Personal experiences with Crohn’s disease,” (mean 4). In the workshops with ulcerative colitis (n=13), 408 statements divided into 11 concepts were generated; the most important concepts were “Take responsibility and control over your life” (mean 4), “Medication” (mean 3.9), and “Everyday life with ulcerative colitis” (mean 3.7)Conclusion: While symptoms such as fatigue and stool frequency impacted daily life regardless of disease activity, patients with IBD rated concepts focusing on psychosocial factors as having the most significant impact on everyday life.Trial registration: The Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte approved the questionnaire and methodology (work-zone no.: 18015429).
Naringenin improves muscle endurance via activation of the Sp1-ERRγ transcriptional axis
Authors: lv Zhenyu , Meng Jiao , Yao Sheng , Xiao Fu , Cui Chen , Chen Kaixian , Luo Xiaomin , Ye Yang , Chen Chang
Published: April 2022

Skeletal muscle function declines in aging process or disease; however, until now, skeletal muscle has remained one of the organs most undertreated with medication. In this study, naringenin (NAR) was found to build muscle endurance and ameliorate muscle dysfunction during aging and in mdx mice by increasing oxidative myofiber numbers and aerobic metabolism. The transcription factor Sp1 was identified as a direct target of NAR and approved to mediate the function of NAR according to the results that Sp1 deficiency suppressed the benefit effect of NAR. Moreover, the binding site was further validated to be GLN-110. NAR enhances the binding of Sp1 to the CCCTGCCCTC sequence of the Esrrg promoter by promoting Sp1 phosphorylation, thus upregulates Esrrg expression. The discovery of the Sp1-ERRγ transcriptional axis is of great significance in basic muscle research, and the new function of NAR has potential implications for the prevention of age-or disease-related muscle atrophy.
In utero Repair of Myelomeningocele with Bovine Pericardial Patch. Case Report
Authors: Talabaev Mikle , Venegas Kevin , Beluga Maxim , Vasiljev Sergei , Bogomolov Alexandr , Salauyeva Hanna
Published: April 2022

We present the first case of meningomyelocele (MMC) in utero repair with the bovine pericardial patch performed in Belarus. We followed the maternal and fetal inclusion and exclusion criteria used by the MOMS trial. Prenatal fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows the anomaly of cerebellar tonsils, brain stem herniation and MMC at the level of L5-S1 vertebra. During the standard surgical hysterectomy, we performed exposure of the fetus and applied microsurgical repair of the MMC defect with the use of bovine pericardial patch. In our case, we demonstrated the use of bovine pericardial patch for MMC defect repair as optimal and safe material which resulted into skin epithelialization by the first month of life.
Ticagrelor alleviates pyroptosis in myocardial ischemia reperfusion-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Dai Yi-Ning , Wang Li-Tao , Zhang Ye-Shen , He Peng-Cheng , Tan Ning , Liu Yuan-Hui
Published: April 2022

Background: Pulmonary infection is highly prevalent in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the potential mechanism is unknown. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) was shown to induce acute lung injury (ALI) related to pulmonary infection and inflammation. Whether MIRI induces pyroptosis in the lungs remains unclear. Method: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, MIRI, low ticagrelor (30 mg/kg), and high ticagrelor (100 mg/kg). Rats were treated with ticagrelor or saline via intragastric gavage before undergoing surgery. Serum parameters of CK-MB and LDH were measured using automatic biochemistry analyzers. HE staining to obtain HE scores was performed following the calculation of the wet-to-dry ratio. NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved caspase-1 in lung tissue were detected by western blot, and IL-1β was assessed by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the MPO+, NLRP3+, and cleaved caspase-1+ area. Results: The HE score, wet-to-dry ratio, and MPO+ area were increased in the MIRI group, and attenuated after ticagrelor treatment. Pyroptosis-associated proteins including NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved caspase-1 were elevated in MIRI, and eliminated by ticagrelor. Similar results were observed using immunohistochemistry assays. Conclusions: Pyroptosis was augmented in lung tissue after MIRI, and pre-treatment with ticagrelor attenuated these effects.
Performance Evaluation of Bimetallic Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Based on Copper and MXene(Ti3C2Tx)
Authors: Wei Kaihua , Su Xianglong , Zhang Libin , Wu Pinghui , Zhu Hairong , Wu Kaihua , Guo Yan
Published: April 2022

Copper having high electrical conductivity can be a candidate for the plasmonic metal. MXene (Ti3C2Tx) is an emerging two-dimensional material can be used in the biosensing field considering its excellent metallic conductivity and hydrophilic fictionalized surface terminations. Here, we employ copper and nickel as the plasmonic metals and MXene as the sensing interface to achieve significant improvement in sensitivity through angular interrogation. We propose three structures based on bimetallic materials of copper and nickel. Through systematic optimization of all parameters, three optimum sensing configurations from these structures have been achieved, where the highest sensitivity can be obtained is 626 º/RIU with 564% increment compared with that of pure copper-based sensor, and the limit of detection of the refractive index change can be as low as 1.5 × 10− 6 RIU.
Polyvinyl chloride-based dielectric elastomer with high permittivity and low viscoelasticity for actuation and sensing
Authors: Huang Jianjian , Zhang Xiaodie , Liu Ruixue , Ding Yonghui , Guo Dongjie
Published: April 2022

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) have been widely used and shown great promises in soft actuation and sensing applications. However, existing DEs suffer from inherent low permittivity and high viscoelasticity, thus DE actuator requires high driving electrical field and exhibits high mechanical loss and large strain shift. Also, DE sensor exhibits low sensitivity, slow response and large signal drift. To overcome these limitations, this study demonstrates a novel and practical strategy to produce a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based elastomer with unprecedented properties, i.e. high permittivity and low viscoelasticity. Specifically, an introduction of cyanoethyl cellulose (CEC) into a plasticized PVC confers a high dielectric permittivity (18.9 at 1kHZ) and low viscoelastic effects with extremely low mechanical loss (tan δ = 0.05 at 1 Hz), which represent 4-fold increase in permittivity and 95% reduction in mechanical loss compared to commercial 3M VHB acrylic elastomer. Moreover, the resulted CEC/PVC DEs demonstrate superior performance in actuation and sensing as compared to the pristine PVC and other commonly used DEs. The CEC/PVC based actuator generates significantly larger strain of 12.22% and blocking force of 300 g under a low electrical field, i.e. 9.09 V/µm. The viscoelastic drift of CEV/PVC based actuator is only 3.5% over 1000 cycles, i.e. 1000 s, which is negligible when compared to 3M VHB based actuator (232.1% drift in 500 s). In addition, the CEC/PVC based sensor shows high sensitivity, stability, and fast response, which enables faithful monitoring of multiple human motions. The reported strategy can be readily applied and will be an asset to many applications, such as artificial muscle and electronic sensory skin.
Application of 9.4 Tesla resting-state functional MRI to Assess Neuronal function and Detect Microglial Density in AKI Rat Model
Authors: Yu Ziyang , Pang Huize , Yang Yifan , Xu Chenxi , Zheng Haiping , Huang Zicheng , Wu Ziqian , Hu Jingyi , Ren Ke
Published: April 2022

Background
Converging evidence increasingly implicates acute kidney injury (AKI) contribute to a series of brain injury. However, the neurobiological mechanisms of AKI induced brain alterations remains unclear. Examining the neurobiology of AKI induce brain injury and an early detection using non-invasive imaging method is critical for the early diagnosis and target treatment.
Methods
The AKI Sprague-Dawley male rats and the healthy control group performed the Morris water maze and acquired rs-fMRI images with 9.4-Tesla Bruker BioSpec system at 24, 48 and 72 hours following administering contrast medium or saline. Whole brain amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) at each time course was compared among groups. The AKI rats were then euthanized immediately, followed by H&E staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Besides, Flow cytometry analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to evaluate neuron and activated microglia.
Results
In contrast to HC group, lower ALFF in bilateral Cornu Ammonis (CA1) were observed in AKI-CI group. Specifically, there were significant differences in the ALFF values in the CA1 between the 48 h and 72 h in AKI groups. In addition, the percentages of microglia increased in AKI group at 24 h (range from 15.07 to 41.70%) and dramatically increased after 24h (range from 41.70–82.57%). Moreover, quantitative Flow cytometry analysis of microglial proportion is strongly correlated with the mALFF value (|r|༞0.80, P༜0.001).
Conclusions
Aberrant functional activity in the hippocampus, mainly CA1, contributes to the AKI induced brain injury. The ALFF of hippocampus may be an effective imaging biomarker for detecting grading of microglial proportion and have implications for early target treatment.
Economic Income and Life Satisfaction of Rural Chinese Older Adults: The Effects of Physical Health and Ostracism
Authors: Wang Yichen , Zhang Denghao
Published: April 2022

Purpose
This study aims to explore the serial mediating effect of physical health and ostracism between economic income and life satisfaction.
Methods
The study data was taken from the large cross-sectional survey: “Thousands of People and Hundreds of Villages (2019)”. A total of 1514 rural older adults were included in the analyses. Ostracism was assessed using the Ostracism Experience Scale (OMES), and life satisfaction was assessed using the Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS).
Results
The results showed that (1) economic income is positively related to the life satisfaction of rural older adults, and (2) physical health and ostracism experiences serially mediated the relationship between income and life satisfaction.
Conclusion
Thus, this study confirmed the serial mediating effect of health and ostracism between income and life satisfaction.
Trends in Psychiatric Admissions of Children and Adolescents During Early Corona Period Year (2020) Compared to Pre-Corona Year (2018): A Cross Sectional Study in Israel
Authors: Saad Ali , Hamady Hadeel , Kronos Tanya , Sandler Ludmila , Itah Dorit
Published: April 2022

Background: the current study sought to assess the patterns and characteristics of psychiatric admissions among children and adolescents during the early corona period (2020) compared to a year before the corona pandemic started (2018), and analyzing on a deeper level the psychiatric admissions that were related directly to corona stressors and their correlations with sociodemographic variables.Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted in The Child and Family Guidance Unit in The Galilee Medical Center, a psychiatric department for patients aged 6-18 years. The medical records of psychiatric admissions in the year 2020 and 2018 were analyzed on the same dates. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS v.20. Since all the variables were not normally distributed according to Shapiro-Wilk, non-parametric tests were conducted, including Mann-Whitney U and Chi-Square tests.Results: the study showed 17% increase in psychiatric admissions in 2020 compared with 2018. In 2018 most admissions were at November while in 2020 most of them were at May. The most common cause of admissions in 2018 was outbursts and violence 43% while in 2020 it was suicidal thoughts and behaviors 36%. Almost a third of patients admitted in 2020 reported a corona stressor in their admission, the majority was changes in daily routines. Conclusion: Changing daily routine and inconsistency in school attendance may have been the main stress factor on children and adolescents and might have caused a rise in hospital admissions caused by suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Thus, future studies should monitor the mental health of children and adolescents during the continual corona pandemic.
Risk factors for remnant gastric cancer after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a retrospective database review
Authors: Sakamoto Shinya , Wada Ikuo , Omichi Kiyohiko , Furuke Shunsaku , Kitnai Yusuke , Takegami Masayuki , Nasu Keiichi , Inada Kentaro , Takahama Yukiko , Takahashi Michiro , Imamura Kazuhiro , Maeshiro Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2022

Background: The number of patients with remnant gastric cancer (RGC) following gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) is increasing due to the increasing number of patients undergoing function-preserving gastrectomy and improved outcomes for patients with GC. Male sex, old age, intestinal type, tumor depth, and synchronous multiple GC were all associated with RGC development in a few studies with a small number of cases. However, the risk factors for RGC development remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the clinicopathological features of patients with GC; these patients were followed up after they underwent distal gastrectomy and the potential risk factors for RGC development were evaluated.Methods: A retrospective database review of 438 patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for GC at a single institution, from 2006 to 2017, was conducted. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to estimate the relationship between clinicopathological features, operative findings, and postoperative course with RGC development. The cumulative incidence rates of RGC were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.Results: We retrospectively analyzed 405 cases. The median patient age was 69 years, and the patient cohort consisted of 263 men and 142 women. The Billroth-I reconstruction method was used in 204 cases, the Billroth-II method was used in 3 cases; the Roux-en Y method was used in 198 cases. RGC was diagnosed in 11 of the 405 patients. The median follow-up period was 5 years. The cumulative incidence rates of RGC calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method were 3.0%, 4.1%, and 9.1% at 5, 10, and 15 years after distal gastrectomy, respectively. During the initial surgery, intestinal-type GC was significantly associated with RGC development (hazard ratio [HR], 4.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–21.80; p = 0.05). Male sex (HR, 2.97; 95%CI, 0.64–13.75; p = 0.16), old age (≥70) (HR, 2.72; 95%CI, 0.78–9.47; p = 0.11), and synchronous multiple GC (HR, 1.31; 95%CI, 0.28–6.08; p = 0.37) were not associated with RGC development.Conclusions: Distal gastrectomy for intestinal-type GC was significantly associated with RGC development. Hence, patients who underwent distal gastrectomy for intestinal-type GC would require intensive endoscopic surveillance.
Interest of Thoracic Trauma Severity (TTS) score for predict acute respiratory failure after mild blunt chest trauma : result of an observational study
Authors: Coularet Charlotte , Carvelli Julien , Gainnier Marc , Bouzana Fouad , Lesaux Audrey , Boucekine Mohamed , David Tonon , Cauchoix Emi , Bichon Amandine , Michelet Pierre , Bourenne Jeremy
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Non-life-threatening blunt chest trauma (BCT) admitted in emergency department (ED) are at risk of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and respiratory complications during their intensive care unit (ICU) follow-up. They may require a special focus to adopt specific prophylactic strategies and proper orientation. The aim of this study was to identify different risk factors for ARF in mild BCT.Methods: This retrospective, monocentric study from January 2015 to December 2020 included all patients with mild BCT admitted to the ED and managed in ICU for at least 48 hours with spontaneous breathing at admission. Occurrence of ARF was defined by PaO2/FiO2 ratio (PaFI) under 200 and need of ventilator support in the first 72 hours after admission. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, the risk factors of ARF incidence after BCT were investigated. We also studied the global ability of the TTS score to predict ARF occurrence by a ROC curve. Finally, we assessed the most significant and sensitive TTS score threshold. Results: A total of 190 BCT patients was included and 23.7% of them developed an ARF. A TTS score greater than 8 was independently associated with early ARF. A TTS score threshold of 6 significantly predicted the ARF incidence with a sensitivity (91%) and negative predictor value (94%) in mild BCT. The others risk factors independently associated with ARF were chronic respiratory disease, high score SOFA and loco regional analgesia.Conclusion: A significant amount of risk factors of ARF following mild BCT were highlighted in our study and must be considered for the proper management of those patient. It is the first study to enhance that a low TTS score threshold could help the mass screening and proper orientation of mild BCT. This study provides the basis for the development of a new risk stratification tool (TTS score) for mild BCT patients who may develop respiratory complications.
Morphometric analysis of the cervical intervertebral foramina: Establishment of a normative database in Jordanians using 3-D reconstructed computed tomography images
Authors: Momani Esraa A. , Ghaida Jamal H. Abu , Marashdeh Wael , Aldaoud Osamah , Al-Mousa Arwa A. , Bataineh Ziad
Published: April 2022

Purpose
Despite overwhelming clinical importance, no accurate threshold values of linear measurements of cervical intervertebral foramina exist that signify the switch of cases from asymptomatic to symptomatic state. The pattern of change of relevant morphometric values with regard to different parameters remain inconclusive. In Jordan, morphometric analysis of normal cervical intervertebral foramina is still absolutely lacking. We intend to establish a normative database of the linear measurements of the cervical intervertebral foramina in a representative sample of normal Jordanian population. Age-, gender-, vertebral level-, and laterality-dependent differences of these measurements are to be explored.
Methods
Parasagittal computerized tomographic images of 320 normal Jordanians, 16–37 years of age, were stratified according to age and gender, three-dimensionally reconstructed, and foraminal height and width at the levels C2/C3 through C7/T1 were bilaterally measured and statistically analyzed.
Results
The overall average foraminal height and foraminal width measured: 10.15, 8.09, 8.00, 8.18, 8.43, and 7.97, and 6.34, 5.73, 6.03, 6.11, 6.83, and 7.33 (in mm), for the levels C2/C3 through C7/T1, respectively with mean ratio Width/Height was 0.77. A consistent reciprocal cranio-caudal pattern of decrease of height and increase of width was evident. Males showed consistently higher height and width values with level of significance reached at upper and lower intervertebral levels. Although statistically insignificant, the Adolescent age group showed the highest values of height and width among all other age groups. Significant side-related differences were lacking.
Conclusions
The linear parameters of normal cervical intervertebral foramina in Jordanians correspond well with other published studies, and follow differential, gender- and age-dependent, craniocaudal pattern of change relative to multiple variables.