bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 Completion Designs Using Crosswell Strain Measurement
Authors: Mjehovich Joseph , Srinivasan Aishwarya , Wang Wen , Wu Kan , Jin Ge
Published: January 2024

The implementation of effective completion design configurations during hydraulic stimulation is critical for the economic development of unconventional reservoirs. Low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing (LF-DAS)-based crosswell strain measurement is an advanced monitoring technique used to diagnose completion design efficiency but has been primarily restricted to qualitative analysis. In this study, we apply our novel Green-function based inversion algorithm to calculate fracture geometry (i.e., width) using the Department of Energy sponsored Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS-2) data set. The adopted algorithm relies on a 3D displacement discontinuity method to construct geomechanical models inverting linear elastic strain to hydraulic fracture widths.

We use the inversion algorithm to calculate dynamic fracture widths using LF-DAS data recorded at two horizontal monitoring wells with permanent optical fiber installations. The inverted fracture widths at the monitoring wells from more than 100 hydraulic fracturing stages are used to diagnose the efficiency of eight unique completion designs implemented across three fracturing wells. We develop several metrics to evaluate completion design efficiency including the evenness of fracture widths at the monitoring wells, fracture density (i.e., number of fracture hits per foot), and fracture-width-density (i.e., fracture width/stage length).

We observe a significant impact on completion efficiency with varying degrees of limited entry, tapered configurations, and stage length designs. Results indicate improved hydraulic stimulation is achieved with the implementation of limited-entry designs for extended stage lengths (ESLs), but no observable trend for normal stage lengths (NSLs). Tapered configurations significantly improve efficiency for ESLs but indicate little impact on normal-length designs. Reducing the space between perforation clusters (PCs) is determined to negatively impact design performance. Additionally, our quantitative analysis describes the impact of the nearby depletion zone on completion design efficiency. The methodology developed in this study provides operators with another level of quantitative information to optimize hydraulic fracturing treatments and reduce costs associated with the development of unconventional wells.
Phase Behaviors of Gas Condensate at Pore Scale: Direct Visualization via Microfluidics and In-Situ CT Scanning
Authors: Jing Wenlong , Zhang Lei , Li Aifen , Liu Tengyu , Cheng Yulong , Sun Hai , Yang Yongfei , Zhu Guangpu , Yao Jun , Zhong Junjie
Published: January 2024

Gas condensate is stored in multiscale pores, fractures, and vugs within geological formations. Confinement within these structures significantly influences the phase behavior of gas condensate, rendering it challenging to characterize through conventional bulk pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) measurements. In this study, we used microfluidics and in-situ computed tomography (CT) scanning to directly measure the upper dewpoint of gas condensate and the gas/oil ratio in porous media during depressurization. We used two microfluidic chips with different pore sizes to investigate the confinement effects on gas condensate phase behavior at various scales, including pores as small as 50 nm. Our results revealed a significant increase in the upper dewpoint within the pores compared to bulk PVT measurements, with a more pronounced deviation at smaller pore sizes. Additionally, the proportion of condensate oil in porous media exceeded that observed in bulk PVT measurements at the same pressure. To validate our microfluidic findings, we conducted in-situ CT scanning experiments using a porous media model created by packing quartz particles. CT scans revealed pores ranging from a few micrometers to over 100 micrometers. Consistently, we observed an increase in the upper dewpoint and liquid ratio within these pores. Our study provides crucial experimental evidence indicating that the phase behavior of gas condensate in porous media deviates from bulk PVT measurements. The observed increase in the upper dewpoint, even within micrometer-sized pores, has important implications for phase equilibrium calculations.
Diagnosis of Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis: A Literature Review
Authors: Abe Eiji , Ohara Yukoh , Hara Takeshi , Iwamuro Hirokazu , Nojiri Hidetoshi , Kondo Akihide
Published: January 2024

Lumbar foraminal stenosis was suggested to exist as early as the 1800s; however, its importance faded when lumbar canal stenosis attracted attention. Subsequently, it was warned that lumbar foraminal stenosis should be considered as a “hidden zone.” Additionally, the importance of distinguishing foraminal stenosis from canal stenosis was reaffirmed when investigating the cause of lumbar nerve root symptoms. However, this condition is now widely recognized after the development of imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); nonetheless, the accurate diagnosis of lumbar foraminal stenosis remains challenging. Lumbar foraminal stenosis is most commonly defined as a stenotic lesion extending from the medial edge of the pedicle to the lateral part. Conventional imaging examinations mainly include radiography and myelography; however, these imaging methods are unable to clearly visualize lateral lesions. Therefore, there is limited literature on lumbar foraminal stenosis. Subsequently, selective nerve root injection and CT have become popular, with MRI being the main diagnostic modality. The development of sequences such as 3-dimensional MRI, oblique coronal MRI, and diffusion tensor tractography has improved the diagnostic performance of imaging examinations. Thus, a better understanding of lumbar stenotic lesions among spine surgeons, in combination with more accurate imaging examinations, is expected to improve the accuracy of diagnoses, which in turn will help enhance the quality of treatment.
The Environmental and Socioeconomic Effects of Tuberculosis Patients in the Southwest of China: a population-based study
Authors: Xia Lan , Wei Wen , Zhou Zonglei , Zhang Wenqiang , Luan Rongsheng
Published: January 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and ind the risk factors of TB patients with a high burden of TB in socioeconomic level, the high level of TB incidence and the great changes of economic and social factors, explore the possible factors, construct scientiic and robust prediction model, and analyse whether the task of stopping TB can be accomplished by the ex- pected global deadline.
Study design: This was an ecological study.
Methods: Descriptive analysis, spatial and space-time scan, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were carried out, based on cases of TB in Sichuan Province and ecological data from 2006 to 2017, to explore the characters of TB and ecological factors, using the transfer functionenoise model to forecast the trend of TB until 2035.
Results: Factors affecting the incidence of TB, increasing per capita green area, reporting status of TB among Tibetans and Yi minorities, comprehensive treatment management, total cost of TB per capita for urban residents, proportion of males with high school education, 20 to 20 h of 24-h accumulated precipitation, reducing HIV at the same time as AIDS deaths, the increase in the proportion of males in junior highschool education, and the increase in the number of registered TB cases can reduce the incidence of TB.
Conclusions: There was concentration mainly on enhanced control of the environment and society measures, helpful in guiding government planning to control TB. Reinforcement is required to reduce the TB of population aged 15e24 and aged 25e64 in socioeconomic level by 2035.
Association of high alpha-Klotho-levels in CSF with a later onset of cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson´s disease
Authors: Zimmermann Milan , Fandrich Madeleine , Jakobi Meike , Schulte Claudia , Roeben Benjamin , Wurster Isabel , Lerche Stefanie , Zimmermann Shahrzad , Deuschle Christian , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole , Gasser Thomas , Brockmann Kathrin
Published: January 2024

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related condition characterized by substantial phenotypic variability. Consequently, pathways and proteins involved in biological aging, such as the central aging pathway comprising IGF1, alpha-Klotho, FOXO3a, and PPARγ, may potentially influence disease progression.
Methods: We examined CSF levels of alpha-Klotho in 471 PD patients. Of the 471 patients, 96 carried a GBA1-variant, while the 375 non-carriers were classified as PD wildtype. Each patient was stratified into a CSF alpha-Klotho tertile group based on the individual level. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analysis was conducted.
Results: Among Parkinson's disease patients, those with the highest tertile of CSF alpha-Klotho levels reached the "disease milestone" of cognitive impairment at a later stage compared to those in the lowest tertile.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that reduced CSF levels of alpha-Klotho are associated with accelerated cognitive decline in PD. This association appears to be predominantly pronounced in PD GBA1 patients.
The relative contributions of species turnover and intraspecific trait variation to community functional composition are determined by functional trait categories following nutrient enrichment
Authors: zhou xiaolong , Dong Liuwen , Zhang Yongjun , Li Jingdong , Ren Zhengwei , Niu Kechang
Published: January 2024

Functional composition has been extensively used to study variation in community structure and maintenance of ecosystem functioning in recent years. However, the drivers of functional composition in terms of species turnover and intraspecific trait variation (ITV) have still not been unambiguously distinguished, and the primary determining factors of those two components have not been made clear, especially under nutrient enrichment scenarios. In this study, we used a global data synthesis analysis and three multiple nutrient addition experiments conducted in two sites of alpine grassland to determine the extent to which species turnover and ITV contribute to functional composition shifts following nutrient enrichment. Our results showed that functional traits categories, but not environmental factors (fertilization type, climatic factors, soil properties and light transmittance), primarily determine the relative contributions of species turnover and ITV in driving shifts in community functional composition following nutrient enrichment. For whole plant traits (height) and leaf morphological traits (specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC)), the relative extents of species turnover generally exceeded ITV in most nutrient addition treatments. However, for leaf chemical traits (leaf N content (LNC) and leaf P content (LPC)), the effects of ITV overwhelmed species turnover in almost all nutrient addition treatments. Those findings are robust across different nutrient addition types and gradients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to combine global data with multisite experiments to explore the drivers of shifts in community functional composition. Future research should focus on exploring the mechanism behind these patterns and linking species turnover and ITV to community assembly processes under global nutrient enrichment scenarios.
The effects of microwave and oven drying on bioactive compounds individual phenolic constituents and the fatty acids profiles of bitter orange, mandarin and grapefruit peel and oils
Authors: Ahmed Isam A. Mohammed , Özcan Mehmet Musa , uslu Nurhan , Mohammed Belal M. , Adiamo Oladipupo
Published: January 2024

Total phenol amounts of bitter orange, mandarin and grape fruit peels dried were measured between 627.21 (70oC) and 1280.03 mg GAE/100g (control), 485.50 (900 W) and 991.39 mg GAE/100g (control) and 393.03 (100oC) and 847.04 mg GAE/100g (control),respectively. The cathechin contents of bitter orange and mandarin peels dried were identified between 174.29 (100oC) and 527.54 mg /100g (control) to 160.02 (control) and 255.46 mg /100g (70oC), respectively. Also, the catechin amounts of grapefruit peels varied between 177.72 (70oC) and 446.75 mg/100g (control). Rutin contents of bitter orange peel change between 48.84 (540 W) and 380.20 mg/100g (control). Oleic acid results of bitter orange, mandarin and grapefruit peel oils were identified between 20.26 (control) and 49.82% (70oC), 7.64 (control) and 53.46% (70oC) and 40.25% (control)and 50.30% (70oC), respectively. While linoleic acid results of bitter orange peel oils are recorded between 17.08 (70oC) and 30.46% (control), the linoleic acid results of mandarin and grape fruit peel oils were identified between 18.23 (70oC) and 35.55% (control) to18.05 (70oC) and 29.28% (control), respectively.
Between-Word Processing and Text-Level Skills Contributing to Fluent Reading of (Non)Word Lists and Text
Authors: Viersen Sietske van , Altani Angeliki , de Jong Peter F. , Protopapas Athanassios
Published: January 2024

Recent studies have shown that fluent reading of word lists requires additional skills beyond efficient recognition of individual words. This study examined the specific contribution of between-word processing (sequential processing efficiency, indexed by serial digit RAN) and subskills related to text-level processing (vocabulary and syntactic skills) to a wide range of reading fluency tasks, while accounting for within-word processes (i.e., those involved in phonological recoding, orthographic decoding, and sight word reading). The sample included 139 intermediate-level (Grade 3, n = 78) and more advanced (Grade 5, n = 61) readers of Dutch. Fluency measures included simple and complex lists of words and nonwords, and a complex text. Data were analyzed through hierarchical regressions and commonality analyses. The findings confirm the importance of between-word processing for fluent reading and extend evidence from simple word lists and texts to complex word lists and texts, and simple and complex lists of nonwords. The findings hold for both intermediate-level and more advanced readers and, as expected, the contribution of between-word processing increased with reading-skill level. Effects of vocabulary were generally absent, aside from a small effect on text reading fluency in Grade 3. No effects of syntactic skills were found, even in more advanced readers. The results support the idea that once efficient individual word recognition is in place, further fluency development is driven by more efficient between-word processing. The findings also confirm that vocabulary may be less prominent in processing mechanisms underlying fluent word identification in transparent orthographies, across reading levels.
Spatial single-cell profiling of deeply matched extreme long-term surviving glioblastoma patients reveals a distinct immune and stem cell driven ecosystem
Authors: Decraene Brecht , Antoranz Asier , Vanmechelen Maxime , Coppens Grégoire , Shankar Gautam , Spans Lien , Verbeke Tatjana , Solie Lien , Dubroja Nikolina , Nazari Pouya , Derweduwe Marleen , Sciot Raf , De Visser Yanti , Andhari Madhavi , Hecke Manon Van , Bempt Isabelle Vanden , Loon Joannes van , Agostinis Patrizia , Bamps Sven , Gijtenbeek Anja , Noens Bonny , Duerinck Johnny , De Mulder Gert , Weyns Frank , Broekman Marike , Govaere Olivier , Reuss David E , De Smet Frederik , De Vleeschouwer Steven
Published: January 2024

Inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity have been suggested to substantially contribute to variations in tumoral behavior and survival in Glioblastoma (GBM). However, the exact contribution of the interplay between cancer cells and their microenvironment remains poorly understood. From a cohort of 2632 GBM patients, we selected 12 extreme long-term GBM survivors (eLTS, survival over 10 years) and 22 rigorously clinically matched short-term survivors (STS, survival less than 20 months). We compared the spatial composition and cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment using high-dimensional, multiplexed immunofluorescence and spatial transcriptomics. Through extensive data analysis, we identified a specific perivascular niche in STS patients marked by a strong enrichment of the immunosuppressive milieu featuring CD133+ Glioma Stem Cells (GSCs), alternatively activated HMOX1high/PDL1high macrophages (MFs), and exhausted T-cytotoxic lymphocytes (Tcyts). By contrast, eLTS patients were characterized by an enrichment of immunocompetent HLA-DRhigh MFs and Tcyts that infiltrate deep into the tissue. Our work offers insights into the unique stem cells and immunosuppressive-driven ecosystems that underlie substantial differences in survival in GBM patients.
Novel monocyte sub-populations in Sprague Dawley rats revealed by detailed analysis of CD43 and CD11b expression using a single-stain 11-colour fluorescence activated cell sorting protocol
Authors: Doig Ryan O'Hare , Jenkner Sandra , Grose Randall , Lewis Martin , Thomas Daniel , Gronthos Stan , Clark Jillian
Published: January 2024

Monocytes are a diverse population of white blood cells with critical roles in immunity and inflammation. The rat is commonly used for immunological investigations, but comprehensive characterization of rat monocytes/macrophages has been hampered by limited accessibility to immunophenotyping capabilities in hospitals and medical research institutions. Here, we developed a single-stain 11-color fluorescence activated cell sorting protocol to identify and enumerate major peripheral blood mononuclear cell subgroups (pan T cells, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, B cells) and monocyte sub-populations in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Cell surface marker expression and frequency of populations was validated in 8 male and 13 female rats and compared between young vs aged and cryopreserved vs fresh samples. We identified four putative monocyte sub-populations based on differential CD43 and CD11b expression, including two novel sub-populations (CD43Lo/CD11bLo and CD43Hi/CD11bLo) not previously described in rats. Each sub-population exhibited distinct cell morphology and surface marker profiles. Monocyte sub-population frequencies and surface expression were robust across sex, age and cryopreservation status. Immunophenotypically distinct monocyte sub-populations are increasingly recognized in both humans and mice, but only two sub-populations (CD43Hi and CD43Lo) have been described thus far for rats. Our data underscore the complexity and species-dependent variability of monocyte sub-populations and highlight the presence of at least four distinct monocyte sub-populations in Sprague Dawley rats. This validated panel will support consistency in rat immunological research, warranting further in-depth functional characterization of novel monocyte sub-populations.
Novel monocyte sub-populations revealed by detailed analysis of CD43 and CD11b expression in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Jenkner Sandra , Grose Randall , Lewis Martin , Thomas Daniel , Gronthos Stan , Clark Jillian , Doig Ryan O'Hare
Published: January 2024

Monocytes are a diverse population of white blood cells with critical roles in immunity and inflammation. The rat is commonly used for immunological investigations, but comprehensive characterization of rat monocytes/macrophages has been hampered by limited accessibility to immunophenotyping capabilities in hospitals and medical research institutions. Here, we developed a single-stain 11-color fluorescence activated cell sorting protocol to identify and enumerate major peripheral blood mononuclear cell subgroups (pan T cells, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, B cells) and monocyte sub-populations in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Cell surface marker expression and frequency of populations was validated in 8 male and 13 female rats and compared between young vs aged and cryopreserved vs fresh samples. We identified four putative monocyte sub-populations based on differential CD43 and CD11b expression, including two novel sub-populations (CD43Lo/CD11bLo and CD43Hi/CD11bLo) not previously described in rats. Each sub-population exhibited distinct cell morphology and surface marker profiles. Monocyte sub-population frequencies and surface expression were robust across sex, age and cryopreservation status. Immunophenotypically distinct monocyte sub-populations are increasingly recognized in both humans and mice, but only two sub-populations (CD43Hi and CD43Lo) have been described thus far for rats. Our data underscore the complexity and species-dependent variability of monocyte sub-populations and highlight the presence of at least four distinct monocyte sub-populations in Sprague Dawley rats. This validated panel will support consistency in rat immunological research, warranting further in-depth functional characterization of novel monocyte sub-populations.
A proteomics approach to isolating neuropilin-dependent α5 integrin trafficking pathways: neuropilin 1 and 2 co-traffic α5 integrin through endosomal p120RasGAP to promote polarised fibronectin fibrillogenesis in endothelial cells
Authors: Robinson Stephen , Benwell Christopher , johnson Robert , taylor james , Lambert Jordi
Published: January 2024

Integrin trafficking to/from membrane adhesions is a crucial mechanism that dictates many aspects of a cell’s behaviour, including motility, polarisation, and invasion. In endothelial cells (ECs), the intracellular traffic of α5-integrin is regulated by both neuropilin-1 (NRP1) and neuropilin-2 (NRP2), yet the redundancies in function between these co-receptors remain unclear. Moreover, the endocytic complexes that participate in NRP-directed traffic remain poorly annotated. Using comprarative label-free quantitative mass-spectrometry, we isolate a comprehensive map of α5-integrin’s associations in ECs, including its NRP1-dependent, NRP2-dependent, and NRP1/NRP2-co-dependent trafficking routes. We identify a putative trafficking pathway dependent on both NRP1 and NRP2, which promotes the recycling of α5-integrin from early endosomes via the GTPase-activating protein p120RasGAP. Mechanistically, p120RasGAP enables transit of endocytosed α5-integrin-NRP1-NRP2 complexes to Rab11+ recycling endosomes, promoting cell polarisation and fibronectin (FN)fibrillogenesis. Silencing both NRP receptors, or p120RasGAP, results in the accumulation of α5-integrin in early endosomes, a loss of α5-integrin from surface adhesions, and attenuated EC polarisation. Importantly, endothelial-specific deletion of both NRP1 and NRP2 in the postnatal retina recapitulates our in vitro findings, severely impairing FN fibrillogenesis and polarised sprouting. Our data assign an essential role for p120RasGAP during integrin traffic in ECs and show NRP receptors can co-traffic internalised cargoes.
Comparison of hydrological modeling, Artificial Neural Networks and multi-criteria decision making approaches for determining Flood Source Areas
Authors: Azari Mahmood , Mahmoodi Erfan , Dastorani Mohammad Taghi , Salavati Aryan
Published: January 2024

Flood risk management is a critical task which necessitates flood forecasting and identifying flood source areas for implementation of prevention measures in a basin. Hydrological models, multi-criteria decision models (MCDM) and data-driven models such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been used for identifying flood source areas within a watershed. The aim of this study is comparing the results of hydrological modeling, MCDM and ANN approaches in order to identify and prioritize flood source areas. The study results show that the classification results of the hydrological model and the artificial neural network have a significant correlation; also the correlation between the TOPSIS method with the hydrological model (0.252) and the artificial neural network (0.233) indicates that none of the sub-basins in the Very high, High and Very low classes are similar in the above methods. Since the neural network model has simulated the HEC-HMS classifications very accurately, it can be concluded that this model has performed very well as compared to the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making method.
Cause-specific excess mortality in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic 2020–2022: a study using nationwide population data
Authors: Nilsson Anton , Emilsson Louise , Kepp Kasper P , Knudsen Ann Kristin Skrindo , Forthun Ingeborg , Madsen Christian , Björk Jonas , Lallukka Tea
Published: January 2024

Background
While there is substantial evidence on excess mortality in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, no study has conducted a cause-specific analysis of excess mortality for the whole period 2020–2022 across multiple countries. We examined cause-specific excess mortality during 2020–2022 in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden – four countries with similar demographics and welfare provisions, which implemented different pandemic response policies.
Methods
Utilizing nationwide register-based information on cause-specific deaths stratified by age and sex, we applied linear regression models to predict mortality in 2020–2022 based on the reference period 2010–2019. Excess deaths were obtained by contrasting actual and predicted deaths. Additional analyses employed standardization to a common population, as well as population adjustments to account for previous deaths.
Results
Besides deaths due to COVID-19 (a total of 32,491 during 2020–2022), all countries experienced excess deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (in total 11,610 excess deaths), and under-mortality due to respiratory diseases other than COVID-19 (in total 9878) and dementia (in total 8721). The excess mortality due to cardiovascular diseases was particularly pronounced in Finland and Norway in 2022, and the under-mortality due to dementia was particularly pronounced in Sweden in 2021–2022.
Conclusions
While COVID-19 deaths emerge as the most apparent consequence of the pandemic, our findings suggest that mortality has also been influenced by substitutions between different causes of death and over time, as well as indirect consequences of COVID-19 infection and pandemic responses – albeit to different extents in the different countries.
Discrimination and Hypertension among a Diverse Sample of
Racial and Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV:
Baseline Findings of a Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Gillespie Avrum , Song Rui , Barile John , Okada Lorie , Brown Shari , Traub Kerry , Trout Julia , Simoncini Gina , Hall Casey Xavier , Tan Yin , Gadegbeku Crystal , Ma Grace , Wong Frankie
Published: January 2024

Racial and sexual orientation discrimination may exacerbate the double epidemic of hypertension and HIV that affects men of color who have sex with men (MSM). This was a cross-sectional analysis of African American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NHPI) MSM living with HIV (PLWH) cohort in Honolulu and Philadelphia. Racial and sexual orientation discrimination, stress, anxiety, and depression was measured with computer assisted self-interview questionnaires (CASI). We examined the associations between racial and sexual orientation discrimination with hypertension measured both in the office and by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) using multivariable logistic regression. Sixty participants (60% African American, 18% Asian, and 22% NHPI) completed CASIs and 24-hour ABPM. African American participants (80%) reported more daily racial discrimination than Asian American (36%) and NHPI participants (17%, p < 0.001). Many participants (51%) reported daily sexual orientation discrimination. Sixty-six percent of participants had hypertension by office measurement and 59% had hypertension by 24-hour ABPM measurement. Participants who experienced racial discrimination had greater odds of having office-measured hypertension than those who did not, even after adjustment (Odds Ratio 5.1 (95% Confidence Interval [1.2–20.1], p = 0.01). This association was not seen with 24-hour ABPM. Hypertension was not associated with sexual orientation discrimination. In this cohort, MSM of color PLWH experience significant amounts of discrimination and hypertension. Those who experienced racial discrimination had higher in-office blood pressure. This difference was not observed in 24-hour APBM and future research is necessary to examine the long term cardiovascular effects.
Cathodic protection of carbon steel using zinc and magnesium as sacrificial anodes in different conductivity solutions
Authors: Beden Amal Abd Al-Hussein , Hasan Basim , Sabti Hamza K.
Published: January 2024

This work investigated the cathodic protection of carbon steel in different conductivity solutions using sacrificial anodes of zinc and magnesium. The effect of salt concentration (0.5–3.5% NaCl), the distance between structure and anode, and the area ratio of anode to cathodic on the protection efficiency was investigated and discussed. The consumption rate of sacrificial zinc and magnesium was evaluated for a range of operating conditions. High cathodic protection efficiency was obtained by Zn with low consumption rate compared to Mg. The Mg showed short lifespan and high potential shift to more positive and high protection current decrease after short time of applying the protection. Therefore, zinc is a successful sacrificial anode while magnesium is not recommended for long term protection for the range of salt concentrations investigated.
Timing is everything in selection on life-history driven by extrinsic mortality
Authors: Barker Christopher R , Senior Alistair M
Published: January 2024

The central crux of modern life history theory is that extrinsic mortality compounds across life to drive reduced investment in longevity. This hypothesis has been subject to extensive laboratory and ecological testing. However, such studies often fail to support this hypothesis, and the range and inconsistency of the results has proven difficult to explain. The effect of extrinsic mortality on longevity is not as straightforward as increased hazard drives increased senescence. The shape of extrinsic mortality conditions over life shapes selection as significantly as the strength, and altering the age-structure of extrinsic mortality conditions can produce a wide range of life history phenotypes. We construct a theoretical model that shows that under typical laboratory extrinsic mortality interventions (ie a single application of mortality at a specified life stage) optimum phenotype is highly sensitive to the exact timing of the condition used. This framework provides an explanation for experimental results that do not accord with the predictions of modern life history theory and presents an opportunity to further investigate how more ecologically relevant age-structured mortality conditions could be used to solve perennial problems in ageing biology.
The Era of DAAs: Assessing the Clinical Impact and Emergence of Comorbidities in HIV/HCV-Coinfected versus HIV-Infected Individuals
Authors: Álvarez-Álvarez Beatriz , Prieto-Pérez Laura , Cuadra-Grande Alberto de la , Casado Miguel Ángel , Úbeda Alfonso Cabello , Al-Hayani Aws W. , Acosta Irene Carrillo , Mahillo-Fernández Ignacio , Hernández-Mora Miguel Górgolas , Rallón Norma , Benito Jose M.
Published: January 2024

Background
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes sustained chronic immune activation which is associated with earlier and more frequent onset of comorbidities. Coinfections, such as those caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), amplify this immune status. However, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) transformed HIV/HCV management by eradicating HCV quickly and effectively, bypassing the systemic proinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of interferon regimens. HCV infection significantly impacts the immunopathogenesis of HIV, and eradication of HCV with DAAs improves, but does not entirely normalize, the levels of markers of systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction or T-cell activation and exhaustion. This study aimed to determine whether HIV-infected individuals versus individuals with HIV/HCV coinfection, in the era of interferon-free therapies, exhibit an increased incidence of comorbidities and non-AIDS-related events.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted at a Spanish tertiary hospital, involving 229 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients and 229 HIV-infected patients, all with effectively controlled HIV. Coinfected patients underwent HCV clearance using DAAs and had no history interferon treatment. The incidences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, non-AIDS cancer and death were compared between the groups. Univariate logistic regression models and subsequent multivariate adjustment for all factors potentially impacting outcomes were used to assess the risk of clinical event onset. Propensity score (PS) analyses were also conducted to support the multivariate model results.
Results
Univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that, compared to HIV/HCV coinfected patients, HIV monoinfected patients presented a greater risk for hypertension (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.93; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.03–3.74; p = 0.040), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.83; 95%CI = 1.13–3.01; p = 0.014) and kidney disease (OR = 3.14; 95%CI = 1.19–9.80; p = 0.019) onset. Monoinfection was also associated with a lower risk for developing liver disease (OR = 0.12; 95%CI = 0.01–0.67; p = 0.012) and death (OR = 0.29; 95%CI = 0.06–0.96; p = 0.043). Multivariate models and PS showed that previous exposure to HCV was not associated with the onset of any clinical events studied.
Conclusions
Successful HCV elimination using DAAs improved the outlook regarding comorbidities and survival across both patient cohorts. Early HCV detection and DAA therapy could enhance clinical results. These findings provide an optimistic perspective for those living with HIV/HCV coinfection and underscore the importance of continuing efforts toward early detection and DAA treatment initiation.
Development, reliability and validity of the second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002
Authors: Lou Jiaqi , Fan Youfen , Li Jiliang , Huang Neng , Jin Guoying , Cui Shengyong
Published: January 2024

Objective To develop the second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002 and evaluate its reliability and validity.
Design The electronic medical records of burn patients admitted to the Burn Department, Ningbo No. 2 Hospital from August 2019 to August 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Using Kappa consistency test, Cramer's V test, Cronbach's α test and analysis of the reliability and validity of nutrition risk screening 2002.
Main Outcome Measures The correlation between nutrition risk screening 2002 and the second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002, the internal consistency, the reliability and validity of the second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002.
Results The two screening tables had a high consistency. The disease-related scores in second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002 were highly correlated with the nutritional risk of burn patients. The score of nutritional impairment in the second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002 was highly correlated with the nutritional risk of burn patients. The second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002 has good internal consistency reliability, content validity, construct validity, convergence validity, discriminant validity.
Conclusions The second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002 can more comprehensively evaluate the nutritional risk of burn patients in screening the nutritional risk, and has a good consistency with the results of nutrition risk screening.
Implications for Clinical Practice Based on good content validity, construct validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity, the second-modified nutrition risk screening 2002 is worthy of promotion and application in the preliminary nutritional screening of burn patients, so as to assess their nutritional status more accurately and guide the subsequent nutritional treatment and nursing procedures.
Development and Validation of a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Questionnaire regarding Exercise and Exergames for Obese Patients with Gout
Authors: Cao Manting , Yusof Hazwani Ahmad , Chen Jianer , Zhou Liping
Published: January 2024

The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Questionnaire could help investigate whether there are misconceptions, positive attitudes, and adequate practice in people with gout about exercise and exergames. The study aims to develop and validate the KAP questionnaire regarding exercise and exergames for obese patients with gout to understand gout 'patients' awareness level of exercise and perception of exergames. The development and validation of the questionnaire involved two phases: (1) development of the instrument and (2) judgment of the instrument through calculating the content validity by the expert panel and using SPSS version 28 to examine the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and structural validity of the instrument. After the first phase of instrument development, an initial questionnaire consisting of six parts with 35 items was identified. After the content validation of the second phase, 11 items with a CVR value below 0.99 were eliminated, 3 items were rephrased, 2 items that mixed two statements were divided, and 15 items were added based on the original instrument. In addition, in the factor analysis, five items within the knowledge domain with factor loadings below 0.4 were removed. The final questionnaire was examined and demonstrated acceptable content validity, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity.
An improved corner dealiasing and recognition algorithm for 2D Wadell roundness computation
Authors: Chen Jianhuang , Zhang Zhongjian , Lin Daming , Li Lihui , Xu Wenjie
Published: January 2024

This paper optimizes the 2D Wadell roundness calculation of particles based on digital image processing methods. An algorithm of corner key points grouping is proposed to distinguish each independent corner. The cyclic midpoint filtering method is proposed for corner dealiasing. The relationships between the number of corner pixels (m), the central angle of the corner (α) and the parameter of the dealiasing degree (n) are established. The Krumbein chart and a sandstone thin section image were used as examples to calculate roundness. A set of regular shapes is calculated, and the error of this method is discussed. When α ≥ 30°, the maximum error in the Wadell roundness for regular shapes is 5.21%; when 12°≤α ≤ 30°, the minimum number of corner pixels required can be obtained according to the formula m0=15213α-1.628 to alleviate the increase in error. The results showed that the larger m is, the wider the optimal range interval for n; the larger α is, the lower the dependence on m.
Factors Influencing Health-Seeking Behavior Among Sudanese Expatriates in Saudi Arabia, 2023. A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Elfaki Noor Salaheldin Humaida , Abdelgyoum Hafeia Abdelrazig Elhussien
Published: January 2024

Background
Immigrant groups face prejudice and have limited access to healthcare. In Saudi Arabia, expatriates are particularly socially disadvantaged. Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in drawing enormous numbers of Sudanese professionals and technical labor throughout the years and is becoming an increasingly preferred destination after the Sudanese War of April 15, 2023. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing health-seeking behavior among Sudanese immigrants in Saudi Arabia, as understanding these factors is important for improving healthcare access and health outcomes.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting Sudanese residents of KSA via convenient sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed electronically and 494 participants were recruited for the study.
Results
This study showed that the majority of the participants (66.6%) visited a primary healthcare center when faced with a medical problem. However, the prevalence of self-medication in the past three months was 45.7%. Only age (OR [95% CI]: 1.032 [1.000-1.066]) and not having health insurance were found to significantly influence health-seeking behavior.
Conclusions
This study emphasizes the importance of understanding healthcare-seeking behavior among immigrant groups, particularly Sudanese expats in Saudi Arabia. It highlights the significance of insurance as a determinant of healthcare-seeking behavior and calls for reforming current policies to reduce disparities in accessing healthcare services.
Multi-trait body shape phenotypes and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women: a causal mediation analysis in the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Amadou Amina , Freisling Heinz , Sedlmeier Anja M. , Bohmann Patricia , Fontvieille Emma , Weber Andrea , Konzok Julian , Stein Michael J , Peruchet-Noray Laia , Jansana Anna , Noh Hwayoung , His Mathilde , Gan Quan , Baurecht Hansjörg , Fervers Béatrice
Published: January 2024

Body shape phenotypes combining multiple anthropometric traits have been linked to postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). However, underlying biological pathways remain poorly understood. This study investigated to what extent the associations of body shapes with postmenopausal BC risk is mediated by biochemical markers.
The study included 176,686 postmenopausal women from UK Biobank. Four body shape phenotypes were derived from principal component (PC) analysis of height, weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, and waist-to-hip ratio. The four-way decomposition of the total effect was used to estimate mediation and interaction effects simultaneously as well as the mediated proportions.
After 10.9 years median follow-up, 6,396 incident postmenopausal BC were diagnosed. There was strong evidence of positive associations between PC1 (general obesity) and PC2 (tall, low WHR), and BC risk. The association of PC1 with BC risk was mediated positively by testosterone and negatively by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), with the overall proportion mediated (sum of the mediated interaction and pure indirect effect (PIE)) accounting for 12.2% (95% confidence intervals: -20.5% to -4.0%) and 11.4%(5.1% to 17.8%) of the total effect, respectively. Small proportions of the association between PC2 and BC were mediated by IGF-1 (PIE: 2.8%(0.6% to 4.9%)), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (PIE: -6.1%(-10.9% to -1.3%)).
Our findings are consistent with differential pathways linking different body shapes with BC risk, with a suggestive mediation through testosterone and IGF-1 in the relationship of generally obese body shape and BC risk, while IGF-1 and SHBG may mediate the tall/lean body shape-BC risk association.
Roles of gut microbiome in gastroesophageal reflux disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Jingyuan , Wang Anning , Ma Luping , Zhu Weikai , Zhuo Chengting , Liu Yusha , Dai Mengjun , Chen Yongxuan , Zhao Yanyan , Shen Hui
Published: January 2024

Increasing evidence has indicated that the gut microbiota is altered in patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the exact causal connection between them remains unknown. In this research, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data. The primary analysis employed the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. To assess the robustness of our findings, we also conducted additional analyses using the MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy were examined through the Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis. The present study evaluated the potential causality of gut microbiota in the risk of GERD and found that 10 bacterial taxa, namely class Bifidobacteriaceae, family Christensenellaceae, family ClostridialesvadinBB60group, genus Anaerostipes, genus ChristensenellaceaeR, genus Coprococcus2, genus LachnospiraceaeUCG004, genus Prevotella9, genus Bifidobacteriales, phylum Actinobacteria, may be suggestively causally associated with the risk of GERD.
HMMF: A Hybrid Multi-modal Fusion Framework for Predicting Drug Side Effect Frequencies
Authors: Li Yang , Liu Wuyong , Qiao Guanyu , Bian Jilong , Dong Benzhi , Zhang Jingyu
Published: January 2024

Background: The identification of drug side effects plays a critical role in drug repositioning and drug screening. While clinical experiments yield accurate and reliable information about drug-related side effects, they are costly and time-consuming. Computational models have emerged as a promising alternative to predict the frequency of drug-side effects. However, earlier research has primarily centered on extracting and utilizing representations of drugs, like molecular structure or interaction graphs, often neglecting the inherent biomedical semantics of drugs and side effects.
Results: To address the previously mentioned issue, we introduce a Hybrid Multi-modal Fusion Framework (HMMF) for predicting drug side effect frequencies. Considering the wealth of biological and chemical semantic information related to drugs and side effects, incorporating multi-modal information offers additional, complementary semantics. HMMF utilizes various encoders to understand molecular structures, biomedical textual representations, and attribute similarities of both drugs and side effects. It then models drug-side effect interactions using both coarse and fine-grained fusion strategies, effectively integrating these multi-modal features.
Conclusions: HMMF exhibits the ability to successfully detect previously unrecognized potential side effects, demonstrating superior performance over existing state-of-the-art methods across various evaluation metrics, including RMSE (Root Mean Squared Error) and AUROC (Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve), and shows remarkable performance in cold-start scenarios.
Effect of tensile deformation on the optoelectronic properties of black phosphine-doped lithium atoms
Authors: Huang Zenan , Wang Ying , Wang Congrui , Liu Guili , Zhang Guoying , Niu Jindong
Published: January 2024

First-principle calculations of intrinsic and lithium-doped black phosphazene systems based on the CASTEP block of Materials Studio software were performed to study the structural stability and changes in the optoelectronic properties of the systems under different uniaxial tensile deformations, which showed that lithium doping caused the black phosphazene system to show metallicity from a direct bandgap semiconductor, and the structural stability of the doped system decreased with the increase of the tensile deformation. It is found that the band gap of intrinsic black phosphorine increases from 0.841 eV to 1.086 eV when the tensile deformation is increased from 0–4%, and decreases from 1.086 eV to 0.660 eV when the tensile deformation is continued to increase to 10%.From the analysis of the density of states, the density of states of all the systems is basically contributed by the s and p orbitals, and the contribution of the d orbitals is very small, with the contribution of the p orbitals dominating. The contribution of the p-orbitals is dominant. In terms of light absorption and reflection, the absorption peaks of the intrinsic black phosphorine strained system show a red-shifted, then blue-shifted and then red-shifted trend, and the reflection peaks show a red-shifted trend, while the absorption and reflection peaks of the lithium-doped black phosphorine strained system show a red-shifted trend.
Uniform and radial Dirichlet copulas
Authors: Sundgren David
Published: January 2024

We give copula densities for all symmetric Dirichlet distributions. In fact, since the number of variables in a Dirichlet distribution can be viewed in two different ways, there are two copulas for every Dirichlet distribution of which one is singular. We pay particular attention to the copulas of the Dirichlet distribution whose density is the normalised product of its own one variable marginal densities. The singular copula of that Dirichlet distribution is uniform and spherical in the Lp space with p equal to the number of free variables while the non singular copula is radial in the Lp space.