bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Analysis of Data Driven Techniques to Quantify Injector Producer Relationships
Authors: Ore Tobi , Davudov Davud , Malkov Anton , Venkatraman Ashwin , Al-Aulaqi Talal , Singh Gurpreet , Dindoruk Birol , Djanuar Yanfidra , Huang Qingfeng , Adnan Izwan , Lozano Jose , Ameish Giamal , Gibrata Muhammad
Published: March 2023

Water flooding is an established method of secondary recovery to increase oil production in conventional reservoirs. Analytical models such as capacitance resistance models (CRM) have been used to understand the connectivity between injectors and producers to drive optimization. However, these methods are not applicable to waterflood fields at the initial stage of life with limited data (less than 2 years of injection history). In this work, a novel approach is presented that combines analytics and machine learning to process data and hence quantify connectivity for optimization strategies.

A combination of statistical (cross-correlation, mutual information) and machine learning (linear regression, random forest) methods are used to understand the relationship between measured injection and production data from wells. This workflow is first validated using synthetic simulation data with known reservoir heterogeneities as well as known connectivity between wells. Each of the four methods is validated by comparing the result with the CRM results, and it was found that each method provides specific insights and has its associated limitations making it necessary to combine these results for a successful interpretation of connectivity.

The proposed workflow is applied to a complex offshore Caspian Sea field with 49 production wells and 8 injection wells. It was observed that implementing the diffusivity filter in the models while being computationally expensive, offers additional insights into the transmissibility between injector producer pairs. The machine learning approach addresses injection time delay through feature engineering, and applying a diffusive filter determines effective injection rates as a function of dissipation through the reservoir. Hence, the combined interpretation of connectivity from the different methods resulted in a better understanding of the field. The presented approach can be extended to similar waterflood systems helping companies realize the benefits of digitization, in not just accessing data, but also using data through such novel workflows that can help evaluate and continuously optimize injection processes.
Successful Sweep Efficiency Improvement of Horizontal Wells in a High Temperature and High Salinity Reservoir by In-Depth Waterflood Conformance Control using Low-Density Gel Particles
Authors: Jin Fayang , Du Xuan , Wang Huailong , Yuan Chengdong , Liu Yong , Pu Wanfen , Varfolomeev Mikhail A. , Gu Junying , Li Kexing
Published: March 2023

HDX oilfield is located in Tarim Basin (China) and operated by PetroChina. Horizontal wells are used to develop some reservoirs. Due to high permeability heterogeneity, injection water early breaks through, resulting in a poor sweep efficiency. Conformance control is considered as the most suitable technique for sweep improvement, but such treatment in horizontal wells is more difficult than in vertical wells. Moreover, high temperature (112 ℃) and salinity (290,000 mg/L) increases extra difficulty in the treatment. Because of high temperature and high salinity, dispersed gel (DG) particles were suggested given that they are more insensitive to harsh environments than in-situ crosslinked gels. Considering wide well spacing and discontinuous interlayer, in-depth conformance control using a large volume of gel particles was proposed. To achieve in-depth migration, gel particles should have a slow expansibility and a high deformability. For horizontal well, particles sedimentation in horizontal section is a challenging issue. Therefore, the density of gel particles should be enough low to be well suspended. To meet all these requirements, eventually delayed expansion in water, low-density, highly deformable DG particles were synthesized.

The first application was started at October 2016 and finished at June 2017. Multiple slug injection with different particle size and concentration was designed, and gel particles-alternating-water injection was implemented. Incremental oil production response was observed at December 2016 since the second slug injection started. Until June 2019, incremental oil was 45,255 tons, and the input-output ratio is about 48.59. Considering this huge success, the second treatment in another well was implemented from July to September 2019. The incremental oil after 8 months was 4,870 tons, and the treatment continues to be effective until 2022. Moreover, the first treatment is still effective after 3 years, which proves the treatment a great technical and economic success. This paper presents the idea of the operation design of low-density DG particles for in-depth conformance control in horizontal wells. Furthermore, how to precisely evaluate treatment effect are discussed in detail based on production performance together with water injectivity, pressure index, and wellhead pressure drop curve in the injection well.

This paper not only presents the idea using low-density gel particles with multistage injection process of gel particles-alternating-water for in-depth conformance control in horizontal wells, but also summarizes important experiences for successful field operation design and control, which will give an updated framework and an important guidance for in-depth conformance control treatment in horizontal wells under high temperature and high salinity conditions.
Unique PDC Bit Design Significantly Improves Drilling Efficiency Across Several Interbedded Formations
Authors: Hababi Ali , Omar Mahmoud , Alqunais Dawood , Teasdale Paul , Case Matt , Casad Chris
Published: March 2023

Drilling interbedded formations through alternating soft and hard layers is challenging due to torsional instability that could damage the PDC bit. The traditional PDC bit design approach to overcome this challenge is to use secondary elements that control Depth Of Cut (DOC) and limit torque fluctuations. While this approach can be effective, it limits ROP. This paper presents a unique concept that utilizes advanced cutting elements across the bit to control DOC while improving ROP.

The Design engineering focal group have developed a new PDC bit with an alternate cutter arrangement to drill transitional zones more efficiently. Although PDC bit designs with various configurations of cutters have been utilized, the need remains for an innovative solution to improve stability and ROP. The novel PDC bit has cutters that are strategically placed in the cutting structure with alternating passive and aggressive back rake angles to manage DOC and increase ROP. The strategic cutters arrangement enables the PDC bit to shear the formation effectively from different points of contact in a passive and aggressive manner.

Introducing the new concept in four PDC bits designs helped to achieve a step change in drilling performance in challenging applications that generate extensive torsional vibrations. The initial testing in 16-in vertical section showed 24% ROP improvement, achieving the highest ROP in a well-established field of more than 300 wells. Moreover, the rerun of the same PDC bit achieved the second highest ROP in the same field. Additional testing in lateral sections showed 6 1/8-in PDC bit increased ROP by 42% in offshore, and 5 7/8-in PDC bit drilled the longest footage in Ghawar field, achieving 41% ROP improvement and 14% increase in footage. Subsequent testing in 17-in vertical section showed similar performance with 22 % ROP improvement in south Ghawar.

The developed concept provides an advanced solution to the challenge of drilling with PDC bit through transitional formations. The performance studies demonstrate that PDC bit with alternating cutter back rake angles reduced torsional instability by 30% in interbedded formation, decreased torque fluctuations and delivered a smooth torque response. The new PDC bit also increased the durability and the dull condition by two wear scale. Overall, the innovative cutters configuration helped to enhance drilling efficiency and provided significant cost savings.

This paper demonstrates the value of the new PDC cutting structure layout that can deliver enhanced performance and dull condition in variety of applications where torsional vibrations leads to premature bits failure. The new concept can also be applied to existing designs to further improve performance in transitional applications and reduce drilling cost.
A New Tool for Identification of Lost Circulation and Fluid Influx: Experimental Study
Authors: Ma Yue , Dokhani Vahid , Ma Hejun , Miao Hailong , Shi Zhaorui , Zhang Daoming
Published: March 2023

Mud loss occurrence is one of the costly problems during drilling operations that can increase the non-productive time if not treated promptly. This study presents a new method for analysis of drilling microchip data, which can help to locate the loss and influx zone(s).

An experimental flow loop facility with an inclined test section is developed to study the effect of lost circulation or fluid influx on the circulating temperature profile. The presence of loss/influx zone is simulated using an external clamp to control the peripheral leakage or injection through a joint in the test section. Drilling microchips are dropped in multiple runs to obtain the circulating temperature profiles in the flow conduits with and without lost circulation. Similar tests are conducted in presence of fluid influx. Meanwhile, the transit times of tracers in the pipe and annulus are measured. A tracer tracking algorithm is developed considering slippage between the tracers and fluid to follow the axial location of tracers while circulating in the flow loop.

The experimental observations indicate that the tracers are moving slower than the average fluid velocity and mainly travel on the lower side of the inclined annular space. The circulating temperature profiles with and without lost circulation are compared to identify the loss zone. The experimental results further show that the depth of influx can be easily recognized from the calculated temperature gradients. Measured results of drilling microchips in a field trial are analyzed to identify anomalies of temperature gradients near the bottom hole. It is realized that the amplitude of the annular temperature gradient can be evaluated to identify the abnormal changes.

Novel results of deployed drilling microchips along with the presented methodology can be used to investigate the lost circulation or fluid influx while drilling. In particular, the amplitude of temperature gradients from the measured data of drilling microchips can be used as a signature to locate the loss and influx zone(s).
Keys for Success to Deliver and Strengthening a Sustainable Safety Culture in Developing Companies in Developing Countries Facts about Safety Culture, Facts About Safety Culture?
Authors: Amin Wael Mohamed
Published: March 2023

What is a safety culture? There are many contemporary definitions of safety culture, most are taken from the one giving by advisory committee on safety back in the 1980’s which states :-- The product of individual and group values, attitudes, competencies, perceptions and patterns of behavior that determines the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of an organization’s health and safety management.
Conformance Control in Harsh Reservoir Conditions Using a Novel Pickering Emulsion
Authors: Mahboob Ahmad , Sultan Abdullah Saad , Adewunmi Ahmad Akanbi , Kamal Muhammad Shahzad
Published: March 2023

This study reports the application of emulsified and non-emulsified colloidal silica gels (CSGs) for conformance control in oilfields. Herein, non-emulsified CSGs were produced from 28% and 20% colloidal silica and sodium chloride (NaCl) of varying concentration from 1 – 10%, while emulsified CSGs were formed from 28% colloidal silica solution, diesel and the optimal emulsifier (cloisite 20 - CL20) following proper selection process and visual observation of gelation activities of different formulations of non-emulsified CSGs. Rheological determination was used to examine how various temperatures (80, 100 and 120 °C) affect the gelation of emulsified and non-emulsified CSGs. Also, effect of varying CL20 concentrations (500, 700, 1000 and 1250 ppm) on the viscosity of emulsified gel was evaluated. Experimental results showed that the gelation times of both emulsified and non-emulsified CSGs decreased with increasing temperature. However, the gelation periods of emulsified CSG at tested temperatures were longer than that of non-emulsified CSG. The complete gelation times of emulsified CSG at 80, 100 and 120 °C were 83 hours, 24.8 hours, and 7.1 hours, respectively; and that of non-emulsified CSG at these same temperatures were 36 hours, 10.5 hours and 6.2 hours, respectively. Likewise, it was noticed from the rheological determination that, as the CL20 concentration is increased, the emulsified CSG viscosity decreased which may hinder its final gel strength. Hence, about 500 ppm of CL20 would be suitable for the formation of an emulsified colloidal silica gel having the desired gelation time and gel strength.
Application of Digital and Real-Time Technologies in Deepwater Drilling Environment Operations for Performance Enhancement and Efficient and Accurate Decision-Making Process.
Authors: Nunez Davila Andres Felipe , Lopez Juan Ramon , Rossi Lucas , Smith Graham
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the oil and gas industry has evolved and now requires the application of digital solutions. The deepwater environment is no exception. In an integrated project in the Gulf of Mexico, a long-term commercial relationship was established. Different technologies were implemented that have positively affected the overall performance, focusing on risk management, efficiency, and establishing a more accurate decision-making process. This paper describes how digital solutions are integrated into the project to better detect undesirable events and offer ways to further enhance well performance.

New technologies have been implemented to optimize the operations while reducing nonproductive time and undesirable events, without adding additional operational risks. The strategy employed resulted from the integration of the real-time monitoring in conjunction with the digital technologies. Monitoring drilling fluid properties in real time through the application of the semiautomatic rheometer provided the required input to maintain optimum fluid conditions and keep the required hole clean. The ultimate objective of drilling operations is to ensure well integrity before the well is placed in production. Cementing operation real-time solutions provide quick and accurate results after the job is completed, assuring the job objectives.

In parallel, to eliminate inefficiencies and capture invisible lost time, the implementation of the multiwell performance analysis and benchmarking tool enables project process evaluation. This evaluation features both a micro and macro perspective. The evaluation takes into consideration the routine and nonroutine operations executed daily. In the initial stage, the solution supports the definition of the baseline and benchmark required. It will also determine project progress and further define the most suitable technologies needed to capitalize on improvement opportunities.
Harnessing the Power of Operational Excellence to Cope with the Upcoming Perfect Storm of Energy Transition and Diversification
Authors: Alwazzan Amir , Seddik Sameh
Published: March 2023

In view of the mounting attentiveness on the global warming phenomenon and the rapid evolution of the renewables and sustainables, energy transition is inevitable and oil and gas producers and companies should respond instantly to ensure business resilience. Such a transition puts the fossil fuel industry under unprecedented pressure to cope with serious environmental, technical and economical challenges. The leaders of the industry are in critical need to develop efficient protocols to produce clean energy, reduce costs and improve performance to secure the assets’ value. They also have to effectively respond to the diversified drivers of change through performing holistic and systematic analyses to cover their strategies, operating model and capabilities and collaboration with other industry stakeholders.

Operational Excellence (OE) is a thorough, systematic and collaborative approach that addresses the cultural, behavioral and technical transformation within organizations to enable them to streamline operations, perform at optimum limits to achieve their strategic objectives. OE approach, in general, is to be derived from cutting-edge technical advancements needed to improve the ecosystem of the business and to be performed in alignment with a top view on the organization to accommodate the multiple upcoming waves of innovation. Evidently, there is a definite correlation between excellence, innovation and organizational success in growing organically and inorganically. This growth has played a prominent role in shifting activities more toward decentralizing decision making to enable lower-level management and frontline employees to take more ownership of the operations they are responsible for.

This paper will share the key elements of an OE model and will demonstrate the impact of unleashing these elements on the performance of oil companies to embark on the journey of energy transition and stay the course.
Dual-Lateral Horizontal Wells Unlock China Changbei Tight Gas Potential
Authors: Liu Yongjun , Zhao Hongkai , Wang Jichang , Sun Jiacai , Luo Lei , Lu Zaohua , Zhang Xiaodong , Jiang Tao , Zhu Xuanlu , Zhang Zhenhuo
Published: March 2023

China Changbei block development is an unconventional tight gas project in China Ordos basin. The main pay zone of Changbei is braided river sedimentation with inconsistency of sandstone. Well stimulation with hydraulic frac was the predominant concept for tight gas development in the basin with low individual well producing rate. Innovative Dual-Lateral horizontal well concept was selected for Changbei block thin gas reservoir development. Each cluster planned 3 Dual-Lateral horizontal wells which could cover a 3 km radius circle drainage area. The Dual-Lateral well spud with 16" hole to about 600m to secure top formation, then continue with 12-1/4" hole section landing in reservoir formation at around 3,400m AHMD (2,900m TVD) and cased off with 9-5/8" casing. Two 8-1/2" lateral legs, with each being turned for around 45 degrees in azimuth to separate from each other, string up as many as sand bodies in designed 2,000m leg length in reservoir section to maximize production. The Dual-Lateral horizontal well design proven to be successful for China Changbei tight gas development.

By 2022, Changbei completed in total 57 Dual-Lateral horizontal wells and maintained productivity over 3.2BCM per year for more than 14 years, played an important role for China gas supply. This paper detailly described the well design and execution of Dual-Lateral horizontal wells including drilling challenges and countermeasures including casing exit and open hole sidetrack practices, hole cleaning, drill pipe and BHA selection, etc. The paper will give a full picture on Dual-Lateral horizontal wells construction.
Approaches to researching creative industries for management in digital economy
Authors: Gumerova G. I. , Shaimieva E. Sh.
Published: March 2023

Objective: to form and reveal the four research approaches to the study and management of creative industries; to systematize the material within the research area and object.

Methods: analysis, synthesis, classiﬁcation.

Results: the rapid development of creative industries has become one of the key trends in entrepreneurship in recent years. To understand this phenomenon, the article explores the concept and features of creative industries in the digital economy. Based on the analysis of scientiﬁc literature, the stages of the evolution of the creative industries development and formation on a global scale are determined. Four approaches to the study of creative industries are formulated: as a set of economic activities; as a set of high-tech industries and services; as platforms for the creation of intellectual property objects; through the prism of a speciﬁc type of economic activity. Each of the four approaches has its own tools for the development, study and management of creative industries.

Scientiﬁc novelty: to clarify the existing approaches in the study of creative industries; to form a list of approaches to the study and management of creative industries in the digital economy; to form tools for the management and development of creative industries in the digital economy based on the formed approaches.

Practical signiﬁcance: the results obtained may contribute to: (a) developing further research on the essence of creative industries in the digital economy based on the formulated four approaches to research and management of creative industries; (b) scaling up the positive experience of using the tools obtained in a certain creative industry to other creative industries, and (c) developing universal and specialized methods for creating intellectual property objects in creative industries, activating innovative, creative, intellectual activity in organizations of creative industries in the digital economy.
A hybridized algorithm of combination of modified teaching-learning-based optimization and modified chicken swarm optimization
Authors: Ke Ming , Liu Kejin , Yan Guoping
Published: March 2023

To overcome the defect of Teaching-Learning-based Optimization (TLBO) that it converges to the global optima with a relative slow speed, a modified Teaching-Learning-based Optimization (mTLBO) is proposed to enhance the convergence rate of TLBO. Then, the updation equation of rooster of Chicken Swarm Optimization (CSO) is improved to obtain modified Chicken Swarm Optimization (mCSO) to boost the global exploring capacity of CSO. Moreover, mTLBO and mCSO are hybridized to produce mTLBO-mCSO to get a comprehensive capability of fast searching and global exploring. Above all, relevant simulations are conducted using seven unimodal benchmark functions and six multimodal benchmark functions and related analyses are given for them. The simulation results reveal that mTLBO-mCSO works better or at least equal to basic algorithms for the vast majority of test functions and worse in extremely few cases.
Acute subdural haematoma exacerbates cerebral blood flow disorder and promotes the development of intraoperative brain bulge in rats with severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhang Shangming , Chen Qizuan , Xian Liang , Chen Yehuang , Wei Liangfeng , Wang Shousen
Published: March 2023

Background
Intraoperative brain bulge (IOBB) is a malignant complication of decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), which seriously worsens the prognosis of patients. Previous studies have shown that malignant intraoperative brain bulge (IOBB) may be associated with excessive arterial hyperaemia, but changes in cerebral vein have not been mentioned. In the current literature, rat models of severe brain injury-associated brain bulge have rarely been reported.
Methods
To gain an in-depth understanding of cerebrovascular changes and the cascade of responses related to brain bulge, we introduced acute SDH into the Marmarou model for the preparation of high intracranial pressure (ICP) to simulate the pathological conditions experienced by patients with severe brain injury.
Results
With the introduction of a 400 µL haematoma, ICP increased to 56.9 ± 2.3 mmHg, mean arterial pressure showed reactive decrease, and the blood flow of cerebral cortical arteries and veins on the non-SDH-affected side decreased to < 10%. These changes could not fully recover even after DC. This resulted in generalised damage to the neurovascular unit and a lag effect to the venous blood reflux, which triggered malignant IOBB formation during DC.
Conclusion
An excessive increase in ICP causes cerebrovascular dysfunction and brings about a cascade of damage to brain tissue, which forms the basis for the development of diffuse brain swelling. The subsequent heterogeneous responses of the cerebral arteries and veins during craniotomy may be the main cause of primary IOBB. Clinicians should pay particular attention to the redistribution of CBF to various vessels when performing DC in patients with severe TBI.
Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in Danube River: An analysis of NORMAN database
Authors: Saxena Priyam , Sarkar Atanu , Hazarika Rashmi , Yadav Om Prakash , Achari Gopal
Published: March 2023

In recent years, various anthropogenic factors have been contributing to the deterioration of water quality in the world’s major rivers due to the discharge of untreated or improperly treated municipal wastewater, industrial effluents, and agriculture runoffs. The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface water bodies, such as in river water, is increasingly becoming an environmental concern because of their toxicological consequences on the ecosystem. Pharmaceutical contamination of river water affects every trophic level of the aquatic biota along the down streams. This review aims to analyze the presence of pharmaceuticals in the Danube, the second longest river in Europe, connecting ten countries, running through their territories or being a border. Available data on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the NORMAN database is used to conduct this study. Herein, temporal analysis of the distribution of CECs is presented. Further, the occurrence patterns of CECs in different countries along the Danube River basin are compared and evaluated. The results indicate that Austria, Germany, and Romania have controlled the overall pharmaceutical contamination in the river, while for Serbia and Slovakia, precautionary measures are needed. Moreover, findings from this research may be used to assess the health and environmental hazards associated with the presence of CECs in the Danube River basin. This study can assist in framing future policies to prevent adverse impacts on public health.
A non-tissue culture dependent genetic transformation of Marchantia polymorphya L.
Authors: Zhang lan , Xu Ning , Man Jian ming , Luo Rui
Published: March 2023

Marchantia polymorphya is one of the earliest terrestrial plant. As a new type of model plant, there are many advantages in plant biological researching, such as short growth cycle, haploid gametophyte dominance, sexual and asexual propagation simultaneously, and so on. In this study, a non-tissue culture dependent genetic transformation was developed for M. polymorphya. This method consists of immersion of explants (thalli or mature gemmae collected in field conveniently, without pre-culture) in solution of Agrobacterium, inoculation on soil simply, screening by spaying of selection solution directly. Over-expression of MpCCAAT-NFYB5(Mp6g07410.1) and corresponding changes of phenotype were observed. Furthermore, non-chimera transformant could be obtained rapidly through four cycles of gemmae reproduction. This method will facilitate further molecular biological works in this model plant.
Indoor environmental parameters are related to house typology in the South of Vietnam
Authors: Tran Thanh Ngoc , Nguyen Diem K. T. , Tran Thuy T. T. , Hauglustaine Jean-Marie , Michel Olivier , BOULAND Catherine
Published: March 2023

Background: Several indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter under 2.5μm (PM2.5) and endotoxin in house dust contribute to increasing the risk of chronic respiratory diseases. The types of dwellings and housing ventilation can affect indoor pollutant concentrations.
Methods: Our study was carried out on 100 houses to define indoor air (IA) characteristics of 5 typical house types (apartment, rental, rural, slum and tube houses) in Ho Chi Minh City.
Results: The measured mean concentrations reached respectively 2.37ppm for carbon monoxide, 485.10ppm (441.60-520.50) for carbon dioxide, 23.20µg/m3 for PM2.5, 70.40ppb for VOC, 300C for temperature, 60.5% for relative humidity, 107.80EU/mg for living room endotoxin, 124.50EU/mg for bedroom endotoxin and 149.10EU/mg for kitchen endotoxin. Most parameters were differently distributed among the five studied house types (p<0.05, ANOVA one-way), except for PM2.5, VOC, and relative humidity.
Conclusion: Two house types (rental house and slum house) presented higher levels of most parameters, while the rural house presented higher PM2.5 and endotoxin levels than all the other house types. The apartment showed lower concentrations of all parameters than the other house types. In a later phase, the IA characteristics will be confronted with the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases.
Efficient adsorption on Cr(VI) and electrochemical application of N, P co-doped carbon spheres
Authors: Luo Tian , Xing Xianjun , Zhang Xuefei , Yue Wang , Ma Xiufen
Published: March 2023

In this study, nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon sphere was synthesized and prepared by a two-step hydrothermal activation pyrolysis method using agricultural, in which the forestry waste walnut shells, urea, and phosphoric acid were used as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus sources, respectively, for the efficient treatment of heavy metals Cr(VI) in wastewater, and a supercapacitor with high capacitive performance was investigated on this basis. The adsorption capacity of the N, P co-doped carbon sphere (N2PBC1-400) was optimal for Cr(VI), and the abundant functional groups on the surface of the carbon spheres significantly promoted the adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI). The adsorption capacity of the carbon material was up to 100.55 mg/g at 318 K, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model were used to describe the adsorption process. Before and after adsorption, the material was applied to the electrode material of the supercapacitor, and the capacitive performance of the adsorbed material was satisfactory as well as the excellent cycling stability which 93% capacity retention even after 5000 cycles.
State transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum: scoping review and evidence gaps
Authors: Parajulee Prerana , Lee Jungseok , Abbas Kaja , Cannon Jeffrey , Excler Jean Louis , Kim Jerome , Mogasale Vittal
Published: March 2023

The spectrum of disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) ranges from superficial to serious life-threatening invasive infections. We conducted a scoping review of published articles between 1980 and 2021 to synthesize evidence of state transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum. We identified 175 articles reporting 262 distinct GAS disease state transitions. Transition in the invasive and toxin-mediated disease category was highest (46%), while it was lowest (2.8%) in the locally invasive category. Transitions from well to any other state was most frequently reported (49%) whereas a relatively higher number of studies (n=71) reported transition from invasive disease to death. Transitions from any disease state to locally invasive, GAS Pharyngitis to invasive disease, and chronic kidney disease to death were lacking. Transitions related to severe invasive diseases were more frequently reported than superficial ones. Most evidence originated from high-income countries and there is a critical need for new studies in low- and middle-income countries to infer the state transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum in these high-burden settings.
Testicular biometry and semen quality in Bengal kids during pubertal period
Authors: Rava Prince Clinton , Sarkar Debajyoti , Singha Shubham , Mondal Mohan , Mandal Ajoy , Mandal Dilip Kumar , Das Subrata Kumar , Rai Saroj , Bhakat Champak , Karunakaran Muthupalani
Published: March 2023

The present experiment was carried out to ascertain age at puberty and sexual maturity in Bengal bucks reared in India and Bangladesh. Bengal males (n = 33) aged between 2 and 12 months were selected and categorized into group A (aged 4–12 months) and Group B (aged 2–8 months). Body weight, scrotal circumference, and testicular biometry, blood testosterone levels of males under Group A were recorded at 15 days intervals. Semen collection was attempted from four months of age onward, and collected semen samples were evaluated for quality and cryo-preservability. Male kids under group B were castrated from two months of age onward, testicular biometry and quality parameters of sperm cells harvested from cauda epididymis were recorded. Body weight, scrotal and testicular biometry parameters increased significantly as age advances and were positively correlated. Ejaculates collected from kids aged 4.5 months contained few immature sperm cells while cauda epididymis of castrated kids contained viable sperm cells from 5 months of age onward, and blood testosterone levels reached 5.95 ± 0.44 ng/ml at the same period. But semen ejaculates containing adequate numbers of matured motile sperm cells could be collected only from six months of age onward. Further, semen ejaculate characters and their cryo-survivability were optimal at 11–12 months of age with almost stable body weight, and scrotal/ testicular biometry. Based on the above facts, it could be concluded that the Bengal bucks attained puberty at 5–6 months and sexual maturity at 11–12 months of age.
Anisotropic Carrier Dynamics and Laser-Fabricated Luminescent Patterns on Oriented Single-Crystal Perovskite Wafers
Authors: Ge Chao , Li Yachao , Xie Qiyuan , Zhang Leilei , Ma Xiaoran , Guo Xiangjing , Liu Junfeng , Yan Yinzhou , Liu Danmin , Song Haiying , Liu Shibing , Liu Yang
Published: March 2023

Perovskite materials and their applications in optoelectronics have attracted intensive attentions in recent years. However, in-depth understanding about their anisotropic behavior in ultrafast carrier dynamics is still lacking. Here we explore the ultrafast dynamical evolution of photo-excited carriers and photoluminescence (PL) based on our delicately-grown MAPbBr3 high-quality bulk single crystals and differently-oriented wafers. The distinct in-plane polarization of carrier relaxation dynamics of the (100), (110) and (111) wafers and their out-of-plane anisotropy in a picosecond time scale were found by femtosecond time- and angle-resolved transient transmission measurements, indicating the relaxation process dominated by optical/acoustic phonon interaction is related to the photoinduced transient structure rearrangements. Femtosecond laser two-photon fabricated patterns exhibit three orders of magnitude enhancement of emission due to the formation of tentacle-like microstructures. Such a ultrafast dynamic study carried on differently-oriented crystal wafers is believed to provide a deep insight about the photophysical process of perovskites and to be helpful for developing polarization-sensitive and ultrafast-responsive optoelectronic devices.
Epidemiological analysis of tuberculosis in a remote district of Eritrea: implications for TB control strategies
Authors: Mengistu Samuel Tekle , Kesete Yafet , Tesfay Meron , Ghebremeskel Ghirmay Ghebrekidan , Abraham Saron , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih , Achila Oliver Okoth
Published: March 2023

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health challenge, with an estimated 10 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths in 2019. However, despite the high burden of disease, TB remains a neglected and underfunded issue in many parts of the world. In this study, we aimed to provide information on the frequency and spatiotemporal distribution of TB in one of Eritrea's most remote areas, Nakfa, in order to better understand the local epidemiology of the disease.
Methodology: We collected data from the Nakfa Hospital Registry on TB patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2021. We calculated the crude incidence rate (CIR) and the age-standardized rate (ASR) for the study population, and used a joint point regression model to analyze changes in incidence over time.
Results: Of the 2,155 sputum samples collected in Nakfa during the study period, 165 (7.6%) were smear positive for pulmonary TB (PTB). An additional 104 patients were diagnosed with extrapulmonary TB, and 47 cases of PTB were diagnosed as smear-negative. Women accounted for a slightly larger proportion of TB cases than men, and the highest incidence rates were observed in individuals over the age of 45. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed that TB was concentrated in areas near the Nakfa Hospital.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TB incidence in Nakfa district is relatively stable, but the distribution of the disease is uneven and may be associated with a lack of TB care services in some subzones. We recommend greater decentralization of TB care services and increased case-finding activities in order to improve the detection and treatment of TB in Nakfa and other remote areas. Our study also highlights the need for continued investment in TB research and control efforts globally, in order to address this persistent public health challenge.
Case report: a glioma patient diagnosed as constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome (CMMRD) with a de novo germline variant in PMS2
Authors: Zheng Xiangrong , Yang Hongan , Du Jianyang , Li Mengmeng , Han Tiantian , Luo Ningning , Ding Feng
Published: March 2023

Background

Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome (CMMRD) is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by biallelic mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. 60% of CMMRD is caused by PMS2. CMMRD is often associated with a higher risk of malignancy in children and adolescents, with brain malignancies accounting for 50% of CMMRD cases. Currently, the diagnosis of CMMRD remains flawed, including immature clinical diagnostic criteria due to the small number of cases, and the complexity and technical limitations of molecular diagnosis. Previously reported CMMRD cases were mainly caused by homozygous mutations in PMS2, and de novo mutations in PMS2 with MSI-H were not reported.

Case presentation

In our case, we firstly reported a hypermutated glioma patient diagnosed as CMMRD at 22 years old. The patient was identified as CMMRD by the germline result of PMS2 p. V23Ifs*10 LP variant (+ PMS2 p.D694Y VUS variant) based on NGS detection and the clinical phenotype of glioma < 25 years and MSI-H.

Conclusions

This case sheds light on the limitations of the current diagnosis of CMMRD. Our case focuses on the clinical dilemma of "CMMRD-like" phenotype patients, aiming to attract everyone's attention and actively promote the improvement of CMMRD diagnostic standards.
Circulating lymphocytes in Relation to Long-term Clinical Outcome in Patients with Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Yu Feng , Li Guanglan , He Ganyuan , Yu Qixing , Hao Wenke , Hu Wenxue
Published: March 2023

Background: The clinical outcomes of prostate cancer (PC) may involve changes in immune profiles. Whether long-term prognosis of PC is related to circulating lymphocytes is still uncertain. Therefore, we investigated the long-term prognostic value of different lymphocyte populations in PC.
Materials: Patients with a pathological diagnosis of PC, at the Gleason Grades of 5 to 10 were included in the prospective cohort study. Lymphocyte count was evaluated in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. The prognostic value of different lymphocytes was analyzed in the whole cohort and the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models were used for survival curves and multivariate analysis, respectively.
Results: Between January 2001 and June 2021, 94 evaluable patients with prostate cancer were prospectively enrolled. The median follow-up duration of the study was 98 months. The levels of the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio, CD19(+), and CD19(+)CD5(−) B lymphocytes in non-survivors were lower than those in survivors. Grouping by each cutoff point of the lymphocytes respectively, the lower level of total CD3(+) T cells, CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells, the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio, total CD19(+) B cells, CD19(+)CD5(+) B cells, CD19(+)CD5(-) B cells showed poor survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed the worse prognosis associated with higher PSA (HR=2.493, 95%CI: 1.356-4.584, P=0.003), lower CD3(+)CD4(+) T lymphocytes (HR=0.379, 95%CI: 0.170-0.843, P=0.017), lower total CD19(+) B cell (HR=0.398, 95%CI:0.187-0.845, P=0.016) and higher CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells(HR=2.355, 95%CI: 1.175-4.723, P=0.016).
Conclusion: Our results showed that low level of CD4(+) T lymphocytes, decreased CD19(+) B cell and high level of NK cells were correlated with poor survival, which indicates that B lymphocytes, CD4(+) T lymphocytes and NK cells might involve in prostate cancer and associated with the long-term prognosis of this elderly patients.
Significant association of BRCA1 (rs1799950), BRCA2 (rs144848) and TP53 (rs1042522) polymorphism with breast cancer risk in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Khan Yumna , Khan Najeeb Ullah , Ali Ijaz , Khan Samiullah , Khan Aakif Ullah , Iqbal Aqib , Adams Brian D
Published: March 2023

Background: Single Nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 has been widely associated with breast cancer risk in different ethnicities with inconsistent results. There is no such study conducted so far in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Therefore, this study was conducted to check BRCA1(rs1799950), BRCA2 (rs144848) and TP53 (rs1042522) polymorphism with breast cancer risk in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Methods: This study, consisting 140 breast cancer patients and 80 gender and age matched healthy controls were subjected to confirm BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 polymorphism. Clinicopathological data and blood samples were taken from all the participants. DNA was extracted and SNPs were confirmed using T-ARMS-PCR protocol.
Results:
Our data indicated that BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 selected SNPs risk allele and risk allele containing genotypes displayed significant association (P< 0.05) with breast cancer risk in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Conclusion: All the three selected SNPs of BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 showed significant association with breast cancer risk in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. However, more investigation will be required on large data sets to confirm the selected SNPs and other SNPs in the selected and other related genes with the risk of breast cancer.
Real-time organic compounds monitoring in advanced oxidation process (AOP) of sewage digestion tank wastewater: introduction of UV-VIS spectrum representative index by discrete Fourier transform
Authors: Akter Jesmin , kim Weonjae , kim Ilho , Lee Jaiyeop
Published: March 2023

Anaerobic digestion effluent from sewage treatment plants (STP) is challenging because of high organic matter and inorganic nitrogen concentrations, which require an effective process for biological treatment. The study aimed to introduce a UV-VIS spectrum representative index by discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and apply UV/Vis spectrophotometric techniques for the real-time organic compounds monitoring in the AOP process using anaerobic digestion tank effluent wastewater. However, the effect of advanced oxidation on the organic compounds of effluent using ozonation was examined. Therefore, in this research, after treating secondary treated water with the UV-AOP process and anaerobic digestion effluent with ozone microbubble systems, changes in organic substances were expressed by the UV-VIS spectrum and compared with conventional water quality parameters. The anaerobic digestion tank effluent was subjected to ozonation, had a high curve, and fell gently from 230 nm to 667 nm. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) was applied to obtain representative values from the obtained spectrum. Among the coefficients obtained by analyzing the UV-Vis spectrum by DFT, an expected value was selected, and the correlation between CODMn and a3 was the highest (correlation function = 0.694, RSQ = 0.482). Therefore, a linear regression analysis was performed to determine which water quality factor it was related to.
Decentralized data transaction method and platform based on Ethereum + IPFS
Authors: Zhang Jiqun , Zhao Bin , Chen Fengmei , Qi Haodong , Gao Yilong , Zhang Wenyin
Published: March 2023

To address the problems of unclear data ownership and security in data transaction scenarios, a decentralized data transaction method and platform based on Ethereum + IPFS are proposed in this paper. The proposed method first performs similar calculations on text using natural language processing technology to realize data rights, then build a transaction body-centered data encryption; finally execute a decryption process through smart contracts to avoid malicious transaction behavior. The designed data-trading platform consists of three parts: customer front-end, back-end, and database. The database adopts the Ethereum and interplanetary file system. Experiments show that the designed platform can solve the problems of unclear data ownership and security in the process of data transactions, reduce data transaction costs, and provide safe and reliable data transaction services for buyers and sellers.
Sludge Dewaterability Testing: Relationship Between Capillary Suction Time (CST) and Specific Resistance to Filtration (SRF) for coagulation flocculation sludge
Authors: Fitria Dewi , Scholz Miklas , Swift Gareth M.
Published: March 2023

Capillary suction time (CST) and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) are widely accepted measurements to test for sludge dewaterability properties. Previous investigations indicated that CST and SRF are strongly inter-related for most relevant variables. Only few investigations have shown no correlation between CST and SRF. This study aims to assess the goodness of CST and SRF relationship for different process variables relevant for coagulation flocculation sludge. Findings suggested that CST and SRF demonstrate different trends and are not related well for different rapid mixing velocities, materials and temperatures. The lack of overall relationship can be explained by the use of different procedures and equipment at variable boundary conditions in practice. SRF is more temperature-dependent than CST. The use of alum sulphate (alum) and ferric chloride (ferric) resulted in the lowest CST values, followed by Moringa oleifera. This result contradicted the SRF findings for which alum produced the lowest SRF values followed by M. oleifera and ferric.
Quantifying time-varying dynamics of heart rate and oxygen uptake during incremental exercise tests
Authors: Gielen Jasper , Stessens Loes , Meeusen Romain , Aerts Jean-Marie
Published: March 2023

Biological systems have the ever-intriguing capacity to deal with disturbances and challenges from their environment. Exercise and sports are no different when it comes to studying systems (i.e. the human body) under stress. The goal of this study is to model the dynamic responses of heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake (⩒O2) during incremental exercise tests, and identify changes in the characteristic response time and amplitude gain. Therefore, we study data of 992 maximal effort running tests from an open access dataset. First order autoregressive-exogenous (ARX) models with time-varying parameters accurately fit the data (R² > 0.98) and indicate overall faster dynamics for ⩒O2in comparison to HR. Furthermore, the models demonstrate significant slowing down of these dynamics at exhaustion and during the first moments of recovery for both physiological variables. In addition, the (steady state) gain values for HR and ⩒O2decrease from start to end of the test. Finally, small but significant linear correlations are found between the model characteristics and ⩒O2max of the test subjects. The results illustrate that using low-complexity linear model structures with time-varying parameter estimates allows for capturing important non-linear behaviour of cardiorespiratory responses during exercise from rest to exhaustion and recovery afterwards.