bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotherm History Matching and Scale Squeeze Treatment Design Optimization in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Tambach Tim , Lee Ji-young , Azari Vahid , Vazquez Oscar
Published: May 2022

Waterflooding for improved oil recovery (IOR) could lead to the deposition of mineral scale in the near-wellbore area, wells, and production facilities, due to the mixing of incompatible injection water (IW) and formation water (FW). Scaling may hamper critical elements such as the safety valves (Baraka-Lokmane et al. 2014) and may reduce the permeability, causing oil productivity decline. Near-wellbore and downhole scale deposits are often prevented by scale squeeze treatment, where scale inhibitor (SI) is pumped into the reservoir via producer wells. In this paper we report uncertainty quantification of scale squeeze designs, based on field return data from a producer well in the Gulf of Mexico.

Field data was used to derive history matched adsorption isotherms, required to simulate the SI retention on the formation rock, and consequently to accurately predict the lifetime of SI squeeze treatments. Such treatments are usually defined by the injected SI concentration, main slug volume and, overflush volume. When the well is back in production, the SI slowly releases into the production brine. Scale will be inhibited if the concentration is above a certain concentration threshold, known as the MIC (minimum inhibitor concentration). Optimization of the results was carried out to maximize treatment lifetime.

SI adsorption isotherm models were derived by history matching the SI concentration return profile from a production well that has been on stream for several years. The derived models were improved, based on two subsequent treatments in the same well, and then used to find optimum treatment designs for the next squeeze design. The results indicated that effective overflush volume, for maximizing treatment lifetime, was significantly higher than the main slug inhibitor injection volume. Several isotherms reasonably matching the field SI return concentration profile were identified, which resulted in a significant impact on treatment lifetime. Isotherm history matching uncertainty was quantified by calculating the confidence interval, for identifying optimal scale squeeze designs.

The results indicate that scale squeeze design should include multiple scenarios to find the optimum treatment strategy, including confidence range due to uncertainty in isotherm history matching. Prior to scale squeeze design, it is recommended to accurately assess the SI adsorption to the reservoir rock as it significantly affects the results.
Insights into Permeability Variance in Tight Outcrop Chalk Core Observed During High Temperature Formation Damage Coreflood Testing of a Squeezable Sulfide Scale Inhibitor
Authors: Okocha Cyril , Thornton Alex , Chen Tao , Wang Qiwei
Published: May 2022

Matrix permeability impact is a key parameter when assessing the suitability of a squeeze scale inhibitor for field application, and this was particularly true for a new polymeric sulfide scale inhibitor chemistry re-engineered for squeeze treating hot, tight, sour gas condensate chalk producer wells for FeS scale mitigation. The new inhibitor molecule physical size and retention/release behavior, combined with the chalk matrix low permeability and loading capacity, provided some initial question marks with respect to both treatment formation damage potential and also squeeze lifetime longevity. Three years and multiple formation damage corefloods later, and the key questions have now largely been answered. The sulfide scale inhibitor has repeatedly shown minimal formation damage impact when deployed in simulated gas condensate well squeezes in low/very low permeability sandstone and carbonate substrates, and in addition, flowback residual scale inhibitor (RSI) returns data has indicated that significant and indeed extended scale squeeze lifetimes are possible.

The following technical account details the final validation coreflood performed in the development series, where successful conclusion would allow the inhibitor to progress to field trial. The ‘proof of concept’ (POC) coreflood required that; (1) the ‘bulk manufactured’ inhibitor (synthesized for field trial) show minimal formation damage impact on field analogous tight chalk core when deployed under target well simulated downhole conditions, and (2) provide the same FeS inhibitory performance and flowback residual scale inhibitor (RSI) profile as generated from the multitude of preceding coreflood series. Besides generating comparative critical gas and condensate core permeability data for fluid transmissibility assessment, the core plug used in the POC flood was subject to tomographic analysis for additional structural/integrity assay. An extensive residual scale inhibitor flowback sampling program was performed to generate inhibitor return data for subsequent use in field-trial squeeze treatment design.

The POC coreflood was completed successfully and without incident, and demonstrated minimal formation damage to the chalk core. The flowback RSI profile for the new sulfide scale inhibitor indicated that significant and even extended squeeze lifetime was likely for treatments performed in hot, gas condensate, low permeability chalk well horizons.
Evolution of Mineral Scale Deposition as a Function of Production Lifetime in TotalEnergies Gulf of Guinea Wells
Authors: Baraka-Lokmane Salima , Deleersnyder Matthieu
Published: May 2022

TotalEnergies Gulf of Guinea field is located in water depth of 40 meters, where the waters of the Niger Delta meet those of the Atlantic Ocean. This field has been discovered in 1990 and started production in 1998. Since 2006, calcium carbonate scale is present in the production wells. Because formation water contains low levels of barium (around 10 mg/L) and low levels of sulphate (around 20 mg/L), the scaling risk of barium sulphate as a result of mixing of formation water and seawater has been considered as low. Recently barium sulphate scale deposits have been collected in some wells. This study will determine the cause of both calcium carbonate and barium sulphate scales and establish the required scale mitigation.

The analysis of the evolution with time of the production water chemistry, the determination of the mixing ratios between formation water and seawater in the production water, the scaling risk prediction modelling and field observations have allowed the mechanisms of formation of the different scales to be determined.

This study showed that the production waters contain different percentages of injected seawater varying from 0 to more than 90%. CaCO3 scale at bottomhole is the result of high-pressure drawdown. In order to avoid calcium carbonate scale at bottomhole of production wells, it is recommended to maintain a pressure drawdown below 50 bar. In case a pressure drawdown below 50 bar cannot be maintained a curative treatment with the help of acid washes is recommended. BaSO4 scale is formed as a result of reduction of pressure and temperature from the bottomhole to wellhead, although the scaling risk is low, but the limited predicted mass of scale can accumulate with time. In case barium sulphate scale is observed in the production wells, curative treatment using sulphate scale dissolvers should be applied. CaSO4 scaling risk is predicted for wells where the production water contains less than 10% formation water and more than 90% seawater. For wells showing formation waters containing more than 90% of seawater, scale inhibitor squeeze treatment should be carried out. This study has showed that a general scale mitigation cannot be applied for all the production wells of the field; the treatment needs to be adapted for individual wells.
Further Investigation of Scale Control Using Electromagnetic Devices Visualisation Experiments
Authors: Singleton Michael Andrew , Graham Alexander , Sanni Olujide , Bukuaghangin Ogbemi
Published: May 2022

Electromagnetic devices (EMDs) have been reported to be a method for scale management in the field. One proposed mechanism for scale mitigation is that the device imparts an electromagnetic (EM) pulse that provides sufficient energy to the fluids to cause homogeneous nucleation, resulting in the formation of very small particles (5 to 9 µm), which will pass through the production system, hence preventing/reducing heterogeneous nucleation and deposition on the tubing surface. Previous work revealed that such a device had a measurable impact on a Barium Sulphate scaling system. This paper extends this work by performing visualisation experiments and comparing the results with baseline findings previously published in 2016 using the same test apparatus.

Comparative experiments were performed with the device "on" and "off" and images of crystal growth within the test cell taken at regular intervals over the test period. The same conditions as those from 2016 (scaling brines (SR), T, P and Q) were used and then extended by increasing the residence time of the fluid in the test cell by a factor of 2 and 4. The images were analysed using MATLAB to quantify the number of crystals formed, their size and the surface coverage achieved. ESEM images of the test coupon within the cell were also taken for analysis.

From all the comparative experiments performed, it was seen that the EMD had a significant, measurable, and positive effect on BaSO4 control with a reduction in crystal growth rate, crystal size and the numbers formed. Comparison with previous data were consistent with results obtained with a lower SR scaling system, suggesting that the EM signal has effectively reduced the surface saturation ratio of the system as it passes through the test cell. Increasing the residence time of the fluid within the EM field enhances the impact of the device in terms of the number of crystals formed, their size and surface coverage within the cell. All these observations support the previously proposed mechanism, that the EMD promotes bulk (homogeneous) nucleation and precipitation, and therefore reduces the energetic favourability of surface (heterogenous) crystal formation.
The Oda Field: From Scale Prediction to Reality - Why Squeezing was Not Necessary Despite a High Calcium Sulphate Risk
Authors: Kaasa Baard , Somme Bodil , MacDonald Ross , Kjørsvik Kristin , Saunes Anders , Heath Stephen , Stamnes Marius
Published: May 2022

In this paper we will tell the story of a sub-sea well in the Oda field where the predicted downhole calcium sulphate (CaSO4) scale risk did not concur with observations in the field.

Seawater was injected into the oil leg and the first sample collected at 5% water cut had ~ 80% seawater breakthrough, with a harsh CaSO4 scaling tendency predicted (SR 3.5 at 120°C). A squeeze treatment was planned as part of the mitigation strategy and, in addition, continuous downhole injection of scale inhibitor (SI) was instigated to provide protection to the production tubing, flow line and topside facilities.

An extensive monitoring program consisting of productivity monitoring, weekly produced water ionic composition and ESEM/EDX bulk scale analysis (BSA) was instigated to confirm the scaling risk. The water cut increased as did the seawater content to ~90%, however, the results of the BSA did not indicate any significant amounts of CaSO4 scale on the filters indicating stable produced water.

Scale and 1D reservoir simulations also showed that to match the produced water composition with the correct FW:SW ratio, CaSO4 should have precipitated in the reservoir, but not to equilibrium resulting in a produced water with SR higher than one. In addition, a further increase in seawater content would lead to lower scale risk and the produced water was confirmed as stable even with a calculated SR of about 3-3.5. Several scale prediction models were evaluated with the same outcome.

A new scaling risk matrix created from the BSA field data, backed up by the trends in measured vs predicted ion data, indicated no significant scale risk to the Oda well which is in contrast to what was predicted.

Based upon this data it was agreed that the planned squeeze treatment was no longer required, but this still raised the question of why the well didn't scale. Several theories including metastability, natural inhibition and kinetic effects coupled with partial protection by downhole injection of SI will be discussed.

In addition, this paper will highlight the benefits of using a holistic, integrated scale management strategy, consisting of scale and reservoir simulations combined with field data (ions and BSA), to identify a more realistic field risk and save unnecessary treatment costs.
A New View on Scale
Authors: Appelquist Isaac Løge , Neerup Randi , Loldrup Fosbøl Philip
Published: May 2022

Without methods for surface characterization of tubing and pipeline, corrosion and scaling cannot be mitigated. One standardized characterization method would enable comparison between various surfaces, which would give new insight into the mechanism behind both corrosion and scaling.

We aim to showcase a novel surface characterization software and how it can be used for industry and research purposes. We aim to highlight the capabilities of this tool through 2 analysis campaigns. Our tool is called XCHANTO (X-ray CHannel ANalysis TOol). XCHANTO is an in-house written Python code that can extract surface texture information from 3D point cloud data generated from a stack of images. XCHANTO is based on X-ray CT scanning and calculates standardized Metrologic parameters. In the first campaign we show how XCHANTO can aid the industry in characterizing decommissioned tubing. We performed a single in-depth analysis of a channel. The investigation includes global averages of texture parameters, cylindrical averages in spherical coordinates, and visualization of the height reduction. This investigation was concluded by benchmarking the obtained texture parameters to values obtained from international peer-reviewed journals. Secondly, we have shown how XCHANTO could be useful for researchers. This included using texture parameters to describe surface growth with a temporal resolution and compare in between larger datasets.

The quality of XCHANTOs output is dependent on the input CT data. Therefore, for optimal usage of XCHANTO, it will require an experienced operator to acquire and segment high-quality data. When data is acquired, XCHANTO offers a simple way of sophisticated analysis.
Alternative Scavenger Chemistries: Impact of Scavengers on Carbonate Scaling
Authors: Rafferty Andrew , Stewart-Liddon Christine , Graham Gordon M , Baraka-Lokmane Salima , Nwankwo Chidiebere , Hitta Jérôme
Published: May 2022

The application of triazine-based H2S scavengers are often used for the removal of H2S during oil and gas production processes. Most oil and gas production installations today use monomethylamine (MMA) and monoethanolamine (MEA) based triazines for H2S removal. Although triazine products have a good capacity to reduce the sulfide concentration, they are associated with several drawbacks, such as significant calcium carbonate scaling issues due to an increased pH of process waters. Issues in downstream refineries processing crudes are also reported.

This paper presents feedback on the impact of triazine scavengers in North Sea and American installations in terms of performance and technical issues1. Attention has been focused on the development of alternative scavenger chemistries with good scavenging capability, limited impact on carbonate scaling and which do not interfere with existing scale control strategies. The evaluation of a range of H2S scavengers based on different chemistries, looking at both influence on scaling and scavenging ability, is described.

It has been shown that the chemistry of the scavengers can have a significant influence on carbonate scaling.2,3 In general, scale formation correlates with pH, with a large increase in the rate of carbonate scaling observed in the presence of the amine-based scavengers due to their high pH. Scavenger products based on triazine and oxazolidine structures show the best scavenging performance where an aqueous phase is present. However, this work has highlighted that an oil soluble zinc carboxylate product formed deposits in the water-based test.

Correlation of both carbonate scaling tendency and H2S scavenging ability by these products has been studied to assess suitability for application in environments where carbonate scale is either known or has the potential to form.

This work has demonstrated that it is possible to identify alternative scavenger chemistries that are able to scavenge efficiently, but do not increase the carbonate scaling tendency following scavenger dosing and validates the approach of investigating different chemistries as a way of improving the process of H2S removal during oil and gas production.
The State of Local Humanitarian Leadership: A learning report on a series of LHL online convenings held in Asia, the Middle East and Northern Africa, the Pacific, and West Africa
Authors: Manlutac Janice Ian
Published: May 2022

From May 2021 to January 2022, Oxfam, in partnership with Sejajar Indonesia, the Tamdeen Youth Foundation in Yemen, and the Palestinian Agricultural Development Association (PARC) in Palestine, convened a total of 10 learning series through online convenings on local humanitarian leadership (LHL). Approximately 450 people participated, of whom 60% were from local and national NGOs representing approximately 30 countries. This document offers a snapshot report on the state of LHL across the four regions based on discussions, insights, and materials shared by the resource persons and audience members who participated in the series.
Analysis on the Reform and Development of College Physical Education Teaching Service under the Background of 5G Internet Communication
Authors: Kang Lijun
Published: May 2022

This exploration is to study the reform and development of college physical education teaching service under the background of the 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G). Based on this, the data channel algorithm processing of Internet communication technology and the Internet of things (IoT) resource allocation algorithm for deep reinforcement learning are adopted to analyze the physical education reform in colleges. In the research and application scenario of the IoT, the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) precoding technology and the repeated lifting coverage of transmission time interval (TTI) in data transmission are mainly studied based on the downlink system of the U-NB-IoT (Un-Narrow Band Internet of Things). Moreover, the resource allocation problem under the access of massive IoT devices is solved through the deep reinforcement learning framework. The research results show that QoS (quality of service) is difficult to measure the communication network centered on the integration of teachers and students, while QoE (quality of experience) can make teachers and students feel satisfied. Moreover, QoE can measure the quality of service by the satisfaction of teachers and students to experience teaching resources. Finally, the following conclusions are drawn. The downlink scheme of U-NB-IoT system has the characteristics of strong coverage and low complexity. The resource allocation algorithm proposed can improve the experience of teachers and students using teaching resources, make the satisfaction of teachers and students reach the ideal value, further optimize the traditional problems existing in teaching and improve the quality of students in all aspects.
EPHB2 knockdown mitigated MI-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting MAPK signaling
Authors: Yang Yang , Yang Huan , Yang Chong
Published: May 2022

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common disease in the cardiovascular field. The incidence of ventricular remodeling dysplasia and heart failure increases significantly after MI. The objective of this study was to investigate whether EPHB2 could regulate myocardial injury after MI and explore its regulatory pathways. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to verify the expression of EPHB2 in MI mice, and then shRNA knockdown of EPHB2 was used to confirm the relationship between EPHB2 expression and disease progression. The levels of inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis were detected by tissue staining. Related factors were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot or ELISA. Further, the signaling pathway through which EPHB affected MI processes was detected and preliminarily confirmed by Western blot. EPHB2 was significantly overexpressed in heart tissue of MI mice. Knockdown of EPHB2 gene significantly downregulated immune factors and apoptotic factors, and alleviated mi-induced cardiac tissue damage and functional decline in mice. The MAPK pathway was found to be a downstream pathway in which EPHB2 acted. Knockdown EPHB2 down-regulates phosphorylation of MAPK pathway-related proteins. In mouse models, knockdown EPHB2 alleviated MI-induced cardiac function decline, inflammation and apoptosis of myocardial tissue, and myocardial fibrosis. This process may be achieved through the MAPK pathway.
Clinical and sociodemographic risk factors associated with the development of second primary cancers among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors
Authors: Bailey Stacyann , Ezratty Charlotte , Mhango Grace , Lin Jenny J.
Published: May 2022

Introduction
: Advances in breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and treatment have increased the number of long-term survivors. Consequently, primary BC survivors are at a greater risk of developing second primary cancers (SPCs). The risk factors for SPCs among BC survivors including sociodemographic characteristics, cancer treatment, comorbidities, and concurrent medications have not been comprehensively examined. The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence and clinicopathologic factors associated with risk of SPCs in BC survivors.
Methods
We analyzed 171, 311 women with early-stage primary BC diagnosed between January 2000-December 2015 from the Medicare-linked Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER-Medicare) database. SPC was defined as any diagnosis of malignancy occurring within the study period and at least six months after primary BC diagnosis. Univariate analyses compared baseline characteristics between those who developed a SPC and those who did not. We evaluated the cause-specific hazard of developing a SPC in the presence of death as a competing risk.
Results
Of the study cohort, 21,510 (13%) of BC survivors developed a SPC and BC was the most common SPC type (28%). The median time to SPC was 44 months. Women who were white, older, and with fewer comorbidities were more likely to develop a SPC. While statins [hazard ratio (HR) 1.066 (1.023–1.110)] and anti-hypertensives [HR 1.569 (1.512–1.627)] increased the hazard of developing a SPC, aromatase inhibitor therapy [HR 0.620 (0.573–0.671)] and bisphosphonates [HR 0.905 (0.857–0.956)] were associated with a decreased hazard of developing any SPC, including non-breast SPCs.
Conclusion
Our study shows that specific clinical factors including type of cancer treatment, medications, and comorbidities are associated with increased risk of developing SPCs among older BC survivors. These results can increase patient and clinician awareness, target cancer screening among BC survivors, as well as developing risk-adapted management strategies.
Innovation and Practice of Music Educationpath in Colleges and Universities Under the Popularization of 5g Networks
Authors: Huang Shaohan
Published: May 2022

Music education is among the most significant subjects covered in providing high-quality education in Chinese universities and colleges. College music education is critical for colleges and universities in China to provide high-quality education to students. It contributes significantly to the development of pupils' creative inspiration, inventive capacity, and personality development. In the field of music education, innovation is very significant. It has the potential to provide excellent outcomes in music instruction and foster students' original thinking and comprehensive abilities, therefore supporting the overall development of high-quality education. With the expansion of the educational system, it is becoming more vital to teach pupils a high level of musical literacy. With the arrival of the fifth generation (5G) of mobile communication, 5G mobile communication will play a significant role in future Chinese education, and 5G technology will also become one of the key technologies in Chinese music education. These findings provide an innovative framework for music education based on an examination of 5G technology to encourage the expansion of musical education in Chinese colleges and institutions. In the beginning, we normalize the musical dataset to prepare it for further processing. The characteristics of the song are retrieved using a technique called spectrum-based feature extraction (SBF). Bi-Recurrent Neural Networks are used to classify objects in space (Bi-RNN). The Improved TCP Congestion Control Algorithm (ITCCA) is proposed for efficient data transmission between the 5G networks. To enhance the performance of the transmission protocol, we employ Honey Bee Optimization Algorithm. The suggested system's performance is examined and contrasted with that of the currently used approaches. College music education might benefit from the successful integration of new 5G technologies by providing students with rich and diversified teaching materials and flexible instructional formats.
Short-Term Fire-Induced Changes in Soil Microbial Community and Nutrients in Subtropical Native Rangelands
Authors: Rai Dipti , Silveira Maria , Strauss Sarah L. , Meyer Julie L. , Castellano-Hinojosa Antonio , Kohmann Marta M. , Brandani Carolina B. , Gerber Stefan
Published: May 2022

Background-
Prescribed burning is a widely used management strategy to maintain ecosystem function and reduce the risks of wildfire. However, fire can alter soil microbial community, with subsequent impacts on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling. We examined the short-term effects of prescribed burning on selected soil chemical properties, soil enzyme activities, and bacterial and fungal community composition in subtropical native rangelands. Fire-induced responses were assessed immediately and 2 to 3 months after a fire event.
Results-
Soil pH, total C, and extractable NH4+and P concentrations decreased immediately after fire and remained relatively lower than the initial conditions 2 to 3 months after fire. Total N increased immediately after fire but returned to initial condition 2 to 3 months after fire. No effect of fire were observed for soil total P, and extractable Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Al concentrations. Reductions in soil beta glucosidase and N-acetyl glucosaminidase activity were observed immediately following fire but no differences occurred 2–3 months after fire. Microbial diversity and relative abundance at the phylum level revealed no short-term changes, but at the order level Desulfurellales increased while Eurotiales and Pleosporales decreased immediately after fire.
Conclusions-
Our results demonstrated that the prescribed burning had a minimal soil effect on soil microbial community composition in the short-term, probably due to limited effects in soil temperature associated with rapid vegetation recovery. This suggest that managers can employ prescribed burning to obtain the multiple benefits without major long-term impacts on the biogeochemical cycle of C, N, and P. Our study offers the potential to assess the suitability of the prescribed burning and future studies related to soil nutrient availability in subtropical regions for rangeland management. Long-term assessment is needed to determine if the effect of prescribed burning takes place in different time scales that will help us better predict changes in ecosystem function to changing fire regimes.
Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 subvariant during China’s largest outbreaks
Authors: Dai Yeyu
Published: May 2022

A complete and accurate statistical analysis of cases of contraction with SARS-CoV-2, under the conditions of strict mandatory quarantine and isolation and of a high rate of full vaccination, during the largest COVID-19 outbreaks driven by the Omicron BA.2 subvariant in China are given. Sars-Cov-2 is still new, and little is known about either its directions of variations or its laws of propagation. No country other than China has been able to disclose every case of infection in every epidemic or outbreak since April of 2020. Here, this study reveals that Omicron BA.2 subvariant can still spread very fast and wide in areas with strict “dynamic zero-COVID strategy”1 in China, that there exist cities twenty-fold differences in morbidity rates unrelated to any of the known factors contributing to incidence of infectious diseases, and that Omicron BA.2 subvariant is unpredictable in its virulence, although its severity rate of symptomatic cases is low. This analysis provides first-hand original and valuable information for further research on similar epidemics in the future. It may bring new thoughts for correction of present epidemiological theory and mathematical models. It may also give other countries time to be better prepared for the coming 6th wave driven by Omicron BA.2.
Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Alloys Produced by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Method
Authors: KARAYEL Elif , BOZKURT Yahya , ÖZDEMİR Cezmi , KALENDER Murathan
Published: May 2022

Additive manufacturing technology is a new technology that is considered to be a technological revolution in the manufacturing industry. It has advantages such as design flexibility, saving material and time, producing low-density and high-strength parts. Due to these advantages it is used in many sectors such as aviation and automotive. The additive manufacturing method can be integrated into different welding methods. One of these technologies is wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). Metal inert/active gas (MIG/MAG) or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding methods are generally used in this method. The basic principle of the WAAM method is to melt the raw material in the form of wire with electric arc heat and deposit it in layers on top of each other. The fact that large-sized and complex parts can be produced without any problems, almost no waste, and being economical compared to other metal additive manufacturing methods has made this technique a demanding production method. In this study, AA5356 aluminum alloy wires with a diameter of 2.4 mm were deposited on plates under argon gas by TIG welding method and jointed aluminum parts were produced with different welding parameters. As a result of tests and microstructure investigations, it was determined that the samples prepared parallel and perpendicular to the weld seam direction showed different behavior in terms of mechanical properties. These results were supported by the microstructure and compared with the parts produced by traditional methods. In addition mechanical tests and microstructural examinations were supported by EBSD, EDS and AFM analyzes.
Comprehensive evaluation of water ecological environment in watersheds: a case study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China
Authors: Xu Yue , Yang Li , Zhang Chi , Zhu Jun-qi
Published: May 2022

The Yangtze River Economic Belt, as an inland economic zone with global influence, has shown a trend of prosperous economic development in recent years. In 2020, the total population of the Yangtze River Economic Belt accounted for nearly 50% of China's total population, and the GDP has reached 471,580 billion yuan. With economy developing, water pollution, resource depletion and many other environmental problems continue to emerge. Steady state of water ecological environment is an important part of ecological security. In order to investigate the regional water ecological security state, this study constructs a comprehensive evaluation indicator system with the framework of “Driving force-Carrying source-State-Management” (DCSM). The entropy weight method is used to determine the weight of each indicator, and then the weighted rank sum ratio model is introduced to classify the water ecological environment of Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2010 to 2019. Finally, the adversarial interpretative structure model is used to refine the ranking of each region. The results show that (1) The overall state of water ecology in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is at a medium level, with different regional divergent shortcomings in the upper, middle and lower basins. (2) Regional differences are obvious. The overall performance of the upper reaches is stronger than the middle and lower reaches and it can also founded that Zhejiang and Jiangsu present certain particularities which can be concluded as follow: the regions which consider traditional industrialization as the main development path perform worse. (3) It can be seen that from the sub-system level, the carrying state and water ecological management sub-system is highly correlated with the quality of water ecological environment. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to pay attention to the overall water ecological safety in the basin and promote the sustainable development of water ecology.
Can repair increase the survival of failed restorations when compared with replacement? Systematic-Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Garbim Jonathan Rafael , Laux Caroline Mariano , Kim Sabrina Jin Hee , Moro Bruna Lorena Pereira , Tedesco Tamara Kerber , Wanderley Marcia Turolla , Raggio Daniela Prócida
Published: May 2022

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to collect and compare survival data of repair and replacement techniques for restoration failure in both dentitions. Methods: To conduct a systematic review to gather and compare survival data between repair and replacement techniques in failed restorations of primary and permanent teeth. The systematic searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest and OpenSigle databases. Two independent calibrated reviewers (kappa=0.87) assessed as inclusion criteria: (1) Repair or replacement studies, (2) success, longevity, or survival data, (3) randomized clinical controlled trials; and for the exclusion criteria (1) Loss to follow-up over 30%, (2) less than 12 months follow-up, (3) anterior teeth. The risk of bias was assessed by the RoB 2 tool, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Meta-analysis was conducted considering the treatment’s survival rate. Results: We identified 4,070 potentially relevant publications, after removing duplicates and assessing title and abstracts, 2,115 studies were ineligible because they were not about repair and replacement, did not have percentage survival data, or were not RCTs. Seven remaining articles were assessed for the exclusion criteria, and we found all papers for full-text analysis. Three studies were included in the quantitative analysis, all evaluating permanent dentition. A standard follow-up time between studies was collected, and the pooled survival rate between studies was 99% after three years. There was no statistically significant difference between approaches and no heterogeneity between studies. All included studies had a high risk of bias. The certainty of evidence for the outcome measure of success between repair and replacement interventions in failed restorations is very low.Conclusion: The longevity for both techniques appers to be similar. However, the certainty of evidence is very low, and the trials have a high rick of bias.
Impacts of Herbal Extracts and Different Dietary Oil Sources on Performance, Tibia bone characteristics and Mineralization of Broiler Chicken
Authors: Saleh Hassan , Mirakzehi Mohammad Taher , Jangjou Omid
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the supplementation of Withania coagulans extracts (fruit (WCF) and root (WCR)) and two oil types (linseed oil (LO) and fish oil (FO)) on the growth performance, tibia bone characteristics, calcium and phosphorus content in tibia and serum, biochemical indicators of bone metabolism, and some blood parameter in broilers. The experimental materials comprised 720 male Ross 308 broilers (nine treatments, 8 replications, 10 birds per replication). Dietary treatments included: basal diet (control), 200mg/kg WCR, 200 mg WCF /kg, 2% FO, or 2% LO added to basal diet. BW and BWG increased at 1– 21 and 22–42 days with an adding FO and WCF compared to the control group. The highest values of stiffness, ultimate load, and BMD were obtained supplemented with a mixture of FO + WCF, while the lowest Stiffness, ultimate load, and BMD were observed basal diet without supplement. Increased serum calcium and tibia calcium levels observed by diets containing fish oil supplemented with WC extracts compared to other groups (P < 0.05). LO and FO supplementation reduced PGE2 concentration compared to other groups treatment (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in serum TRAP levels in all experimental groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, feeding a combination of oil source (FO) and extract (WCF) improved the performance of birds, increased bone characterized and calcium levels in serum and tibia by altering biochemical indicators of bone metabolism in serum.
Dietary fibers boost gut microbiota-produced B vitamin pool and alter host immune landscape
Authors: Parrish Amy , Grant Erica , Boudaud Marie , Hunewald Oliver , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Ollert Markus , Fukuda Shinji , Desai Mahesh
Published: May 2022

Dietary fibers can alter microbial metabolic output in support of healthy immune function, however, the impact of distinct fiber sources and immunomodulatory effects beyond short-chain fatty acid production are underexplored. In an effort to discern the effects of diverse fibers on host immunity, we employed five distinct rodent diets with varying fiber content and source in specific-pathogen-free, gnotobiotic (containing a 14-member synthetic human gut microbiota), and germ-free mice. Broad-scale metabolomic analysis of cecal contents showed a reduction in microbiota-produced B vitamins during fiber deprivation. Fiber deprivation shifted the ratio of transcripts corresponding to bacterial enzymes involved in B vitamin synthesis versus downstream utilization, resulting in a net reduction of host-available B vitamins. Broad immunophenotyping identified that the local gut effector immune populations and activated T cells accumulate in a microbiota-dependent manner. Supplementation with the prebiotic inulin recovered the availability of microbial-produced B vitamin and restored immune homeostasis. Our findings highlight the biotechnological potential of defined fiber polysaccharides to boost microbiota-derived B vitamin availability to the host and regulate local innate and adaptive immune populations, which may have critical implications for immune homeostasis in a variety of diseases.
Prevalence of dermatophytes infections at three elementary schools in Cape Verde
Authors: Correia Edmilson Emanuel Monteiro , Mota Marta , Veiga Luciano Vagner Ascenção de Melo , Gonçalves Teresa
Published: May 2022

Dermatophytoses are infectious skin diseases of public health importance because of their transmissibility and high prevalence, especially among school-age children. This is the first study aiming to estimate and report the burden of dermatophytoses on school-age children in Cape Verde. Children attending the afternoon shift of three elementary schools in the city of Achada Igreja, Cape Verde were observed; samples were collected from 60 students with suspected lesions, including hair, nails, and skin scraping. A total of 19 dermatophyte isolates were obtained, corresponding to a point prevalence of 7.63%. Morphological species identification demonstrated 3 different species Trichophyton soudanense, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton violaceum; re-identification by sequencing the (Internal transcribed spacer) ITS-5.8S rDNA region revealed T. soudanense as the most prevalent species, with only one case of T. rubrum. We document T. soudanense infections in the skin, nails, and scalp, and not only as an agent of tinea capitis as described before. This study reinforces the need of using culture and accurate identification methodologies for gathering epidemiological trends of dermatophytoses throughout the archipelago, especially in school-age students.
Entangling Billions of Motional Atoms and an Optical Loop at Ambient Condition
Authors: Jin Xian-Min , Pang Xiao-Ling , Dou Jian-Peng , Li Hang , Zhang Chaoni , Yang Tian-Huai
Published: May 2022

Quantum entanglement recognized by Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen and Schrodinger is the essence of quantum physics, and has become a real available resource in the laboratory over recent years. The observation of quantum entanglement in macroscopic matters has implications in the fundamental studies of quantum mechanics, as well as the implementations of quantum information technologies, such as quantum communication, enhanced sensing and distributed quantum computing. Here, we report the creation and storage of the heralded entanglement between two different types of broadband quantum memories located on separated platforms at room temperature: a single-photon entangled state delocalized between billions of motional atoms as a collective excitation and an all-optical loop as a flying qubit. The stored entangled state is subsequently retrieved after a programmable storage time, and is verified by measuring the nonclassical correlations, quantum interference, and concurrence of the mapped-out Raman-scattered photons. Our results show that quantum entanglement can be sustained in macroscopic matters at ambient condition, which pushes the fundamental researches of the transition boundary between quantum and classical worlds. Also, the two quantum memories constitute a hybrid memory-built-in quantum network, which highlights the potential of the cooperation between an stationary atomic ensemble and an all-optical loop as quantum nodes at ambient condition, and brings a significant step towards practical quantum networks.
Solving Steady-State Wave Responses of One-Dimensional Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Lattices with Strong Nonlinearities Based on an Improved Incremental Harmonic Balance Method
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Wang Xuefeng , Zhao Jian , Zhang Jian , Huang Yu
Published: May 2022

The nonlinearity plays an important role in modulation of wave propagation characteristics, such as the adjustment of band structures by media nonlinearities. When strong nonlinearities are involved in a multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DoF) wave propagation problem, traditional methods have difficulties to solve it accurately and efficiently due to the growth of dimensions. An algorithm based on an improved incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method is developed in this work to obtain steady-state solutions of a general wave problem with complex nonlinearities. A multi-DoF wave problem is firstly transformed to a delay differential equation (DDE), and Jacobian matrices of a harmonic balanced residual of the DDE can be directly constructed by conducting fast Fourier transform of the residual without any numerical integration. The algorithm decouples wave vectors from basis functions to significantly reduce the number of the functions, and it is more efficient than that based on a traditional IHB method of solving a wave problem, especially for the case that high-order basis functions are involved to handle strong nonlinearities. Moreover, the nonlinear wave problem can be solved when frequencies are given and wave vectors unknown, which is a challenge of a traditional IHB method. In this work, one-dimensional diatomic lattices with Hertz contact law and cubic spring models are studied as examples, where dispersion curves and bandgap properties are generated. Results show that it is necessary to use high-order Fourier functions to obtain accurate steady-state responses when strong nonlinearities exist. Results also show that the convergence rate of the method with use of a fixed frequency is faster than that of a fixed wave vector.
Tropical Cyclone Rapid Intensification: An Explanation for the Global Increase
Authors: Bhatia Kieran , Baker Alexander , Yang Wenchang , Vecchi Gabriel , Knutson Thomas , Murakami Hiroyuki , Kossin James , Hodges Kevin , Dixon Keith , Whitlock Carolyn , Bronselaer Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Tropical cyclone rapid intensification events often cause destructive hurricane landfalls because they are associated with the strongest storms and the worst forecasts. Multi-decade observational datasets of tropical cyclone behavior have recently enabled documentation of upward trends in tropical cyclone rapid intensification in several basins. However, a robust anthropogenic signal in global intensification trends and the physical drivers of intensification trends have yet to be identified. To address these knowledge gaps, we compare the observed trends in intensification and tropical cyclone environmental parameters to simulated natural variability in a high-resolution global climate model. In multiple basins and the global dataset, we detect a significant increase in intensification rates with a positive contribution from anthropogenic forcing. Furthermore, thermodynamic environments around tropical cyclones have become more favorable for intensification, and climate models show anthropogenic warming has significantly increased the probability of these changes.
High Dimensional Survival Analysis Model for Predicting Diagnosis of alzheimer’s disease over Specific Period of time
Authors: Elzawawi Nour , Saber heba Gama , Hashem Mohamed , Gharib Tarek F.
Published: May 2022

Survival analysis is a statistical tool for predicting the period until an event such as death or disease diagnosis. It requires the availability of censored data demonstrating that the event of interest did not occur during the study period. The model faces issues of overfitting if it has more features than data. However, not all elements are necessary for addressing the problem, and incorporating non-essential aspects might occasionally degrade learning performance. As a result, constructing an accurate survival model using electronic health records is difficult. With this rationale, a hybrid approach for high-dimensional survival analysis is developed. First, labeled (Alzheimer’s Disease) and unlabeled (Normal Cognitive) instances are used to offer better representation with lower dimensions from clinical features, and then we actively train the survival model by labeling the censored data. The effectiveness of this strategy was evaluated using a c-index study. The results show that our method outperforms baseline models by a wide margin.