bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Probabilistic Methods to Assess a Portfolio of Conventional and Unconventional Resources
Authors: Jones Alistair , Mijnssen Chris , Burton Andrew , Ewin Mark
Published: October 2018

Recoverable hydrocarbon resource assessments underpin decision making and business planning in the oil and gas industry. Understanding the uncertainty associated with the resource assessments are key to sound decisions that are robust against low or high outcomes. This paper outlines a probabilistic approach to resource assessment in order to characterise resource uncertainty in a portfolio containing primarily Coal Seam Gas resources.

The Probabilistic Resource Assessment (PRA) process outlined in this paper allows calculation of risked and unrisked probabilistically derived commercially recoverable resources at a field or permit level as well as at a portfolio level. This process incorporates Undiscovered ("Prospective") resources and Contingent Resources as well as resources that are producing or are under development. The key steps in this process include: definition of input distributions, probabilistic calculation of technically recoverable resources at a field level, estimation of economic chance of success, probabilistic estimate of commercially recoverable resource and aggregation of resources to a portfolio level.

This process has been applied within an integrated joint venture supplying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and domestic gas markets. The process has been used primarily to understand the uncertainty range of the total resource as well as the production profile within the upstream portfolio. Sensitivities to product prices or development costs can be investigated to enable a deep understanding of the key drivers and variables of the resource assessment.

Various methods for determining recoverable hydrocarbon resources have been well documented. Broadly speaking, these methods can be categorised as probabilistic methods and deterministic methods. Typically, unconventional resources are assessed using deterministic methods. The process presented here is a robust probabilistic approach to determine a risked view of recoverable resources within an entire portfolio including both unconventional and conventional resources.
Cementing Production Liners Terminating in Depleted Reservoirs: A Case Study on Deepwater Wells off the East Coast of India
Authors: Yadav Anand , Kumar Animesh , Iyer Venkat , Ganjoo Tushar , Bhaisora Devesh
Published: October 2018

A lightweight cement solution was successfully applied in deepwater wells at depths greater than 1000 m and in production liners terminating in depleted reservoirs. These wells were drilled off the east coast of India. The fracture gradient prognosis for the depleted zones ranged from 11.0 to 11.28 lbm/gal. The measured depth (MD) of these wells was more than 4500 m (MDRT). Mud weights ranged from 10.9 to 11 lbm/gal in the well while drilling the zone. The length of the liner normally ranged from 1400 to 2300 m. The cement slurry was finalized after conducting numerous tests in the laboratory. A lead and tail combination was used for the job to maintain the required equivalent circulating density (ECD).

In openhole completions, the casing or liner before the gravel pack should be landed in sand to establish having reached the reservoir top and to help ensure that no shale is present. Challenges for a successful liner job in these wells include landing in a depleted reservoir, which would enable a very low margin between the mud weight and fracture gradient. This margin is further reduced by the minimum horizontal stress mud weight requirement to help ensure that no hole collapse occurs while drilling and before cementing begins. In addition to the depleted zone, to maximize reservoir tapping, the well profiles are highly deviated, often reaching a well deviation of 80+ degrees, resulting in a high ECD during cementing. A long section of the cement column can create problems of cement channeling past the mud and mixing in the annulus. The correct prediction of pore pressure and fracture pressure for different sections is very important. Accurate knowledge of these values is recommended for a correct job design.

Some of the lessons learned during the process to help ensure good zonal isolation include the following: An 11-lbm/gal lightweight lead slurry was formulated, keeping ECD and fluid rheology vs. strength development in mind. Solids loading was controlled to help ensure low friction factors (considering rheology) and to achieve a final compressive strength of 2,000 psi because it was a production casing.The length of the tail slurry column was maintained to a minimum to create minimal effect on the ECD, even though the hydrostatic pressure developed was marginal in a highly deviated section.A low-rheology/low-density synthetic oil-based mud (SOBM) (10 lbm/gal) was pumped ahead to reduce the ECD and to maintain the equivalent static density (ESD) above the pore pressure. In addition, the displacement rate was staggered to help maintain the ECDs.A high-viscosity pill was spotted at the 12 1/4-in. section total depth (TD) before the final pullout to act as a base for the cement slurry.

This paper highlights the concerns and best practices developed when cementing production liners across depleted formations in deepwater wells.
Experimental Study on Charged Nanogels for Interfacial Tension Reduction and Emulsion Stabilization at Various Salinities and Oil Types
Authors: Geng Jiaming , Han Pu , Bai Baojun
Published: October 2018

Nanoparticles have been systematically investigated for their EOR mechanisms, such as rock wettability alternation, oil displacement by disjoining pressure, and the stabilization of emulsion and foam. Nanogels are nano-sized crosslinked polymeric particles that have the properties of both nanoparticles and hydrogels. The goal of this study is to investigate the oil-water interfacial behavior in the presence of nanogels, especially the dynamic interfacial tension and the stability of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions. The nanogels synthesized in this study are able to reduce the oil-water interfacial tension and stabilize the o/w emulsions. The diameter and zeta-potential of the charged nanogels are dramatically influenced by the brine salinity whereas the neutral charged nanogels are barely affected by salt. The synthesized nanogels are stable in distilled water and brines at room temperature for more than 60 days. The dynamic interfacial tension results show that the nanogels are able to reduce the oil-water interfacial tension to as much as 1/30 of the original value. In addition, the interfacial tension reduction is more significant at high salinity (ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 ppm NaCl concentration). Emulsion stability results demonstrated that the stability of emulsified oil drops was controlled by both the strength of the adsorbed nanogel layers and the interactions among oil drops. The salt dependent interfacial tension and emulsion stability indicated that the appropriate charged nanogel can be a promising candidate for enhanced oil recovery.
A Model for Platform Location Optimization in Shale Gas with Learning Effect
Authors: Gu Yue , Gao Deli , Yang Jin , Wang Zhiyue , Li Xin , Tan Leichuan
Published: October 2018

Shale gas in the mountain area is exploited in well factory mode. Learning effect due to well factory mode significantly affect the drilling cost, which has a powerful effect on platform location. The learning index, which is quantitative assessment of learning effect in the process of shale gas exploitment, is made by adjusted cosine similarity in this paper. The learning index, of which data comes from adjacent well, takes drilling cost, the well length and drilling time into account. The platform location optimization model, which considers learning effect, maximum number of wells one platform allowed and well trajectory, is established. The genetic algorithm is applied to solve the optimization model and the genetic operator is improved base on shale gas exploitation in mountain area. All the calculation procedure of genetic algorithm is performed in this work. The case study indicates that the optimization model can reduce the platform amount in a given area and increase the well amount one platform drills, namely, reduce the drilling cost by optimizing the platform location. The study demonstrates that the platform location optimization model established in this paper can both effectively quantify learning effect due to the well factory mode drilling in mountain area and decrease the drilling cost.
Understanding the Impact of Condensate Composition on Performance of Gas Well Deliquification Surfactants
Authors: Ren Ginger , Sanders Aaron , Friesen Dawn , Seymour Brian
Published: October 2018

Surfactants are used in gas well deliquification to generate foam to lift liquid condensates and brine from a well during gas production. In this paper, the effect of various hydrocarbon components typically found in natural condensates on selected foaming surfactants was studied.

The screening methodology used a modified blender test to evaluate foam height and its half-life. The foaming results from the blender tests are reported for a number of alpha olefin sulfonates (AOS), alkyl ether sulfates (AES), and betaines at 25°C and ambient pressure. The surfactants were also evaluated using dynamic foam carry-over apparatus at ambient conditions for further validation.

This work helps to elucidate problems associated with choosing the proper gas well deliquification surfactant suitable for a condensate of a specific composition.
Reserves Assessment in Petroleum Accumulations Straddling Boundaries: The Relationship Between Reserves & Resources and Unitisation
Authors: Peacock Douglas
Published: October 2018

The objective of this paper is to outline the issues that should be considered and provide guidance on the assessment of reserves and resources in a variety of scenarios where petroleum accumulations straddle licence boundaries.

Petroleum accumulations straddling boundaries are common. Global estimates of the numbers of fields which straddle boundaries vary but run into hundreds or thousands with several countries/basins reported to have up to half of discovered fields straddling at least one boundary.

It is widely recognised that development of oil and gas fields straddling boundaries can be optimised through unitisation. However, less attention has been paid to the assessment of reserves and resources in such situations and how the nature and status of unitisation, or lack thereof, impacts reserves and resources assessment using the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). Even in ideal situations where unitisation has been agreed, the methods and objectives of unitisation and reserves assessment are quite different. Unitisation is typically: based on in-place volumes, considers a single deterministic interpretation, follows specified technical procedures, without consideration of economics and is done at a specified time during a field's life, and may be followed by subsequent redeterminations. Reserves are: remaining recoverable volumes, consider a range of outcomes, do not follow specific procedures, do consider economics and are typically assessed at regular intervals, often annually, throughout a field's life.

The paper will examine a range of scenarios from those where unitisation has been agreed, through those where unitisation is mandated but not yet in place, to those where no unitisation is either in place or mandated. Several factors influence how such situations should be assessed. The status of the field and data on either side of the boundary will be considered including: have wells been drilled on one or both sides? Is production occurring on one or both sides? What consideration should reserves assessors give to scheduled redeterminations where agreements, formulas and outcomes are unknown. There are many cases where production has occurred on both sides and unitisation is required retroactively. Regulatory requirements regarding unitisation vary throughout the world. Where present, regulations often require unitisation to occur, but the practice lags behind the legislation. There are also situations where production has occurred on one or both sides in "rule of capture" scenarios without any requirement or plan for unitisation. Accumulations straddling international boundaries introduce additional factors that should be considered.
Is Static Nitrogen Management in Northwestern US Sugarbeet Production Appropriate?
Authors: Tarkalson David D. , Bjorneberg David L. , Dean Greg
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

With increased yields, a yield goal N management approach can lead to oversupply of N.

Oversupply of N can increase sugarbeet impurities and decrease profit.

N supply needed for max. yield was 179–204 kg N ha−1 for Idaho studies in 1977, 1997, and 2011.

Research is needed to evaluate a static N management approach in sugarbeet production.

Nitrogen (N) management is important in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) production. This paper presents data to support additional research to evaluate a new N management approach in the northwestern United States. Evaluation of historic data suggests that static N management (fixed N supply independent of yields) may have advantages compared with yield goal‐based N management in the northwestern United States. From the early 1970s to 2011, the amount of N supply needed to maximize yields in research studies was within a narrow N supply range of 179 to 204 kg N ha−1. Recommended N supplies (179–204 kg N ha−1) have not increased as yields have increased. Evidence suggests that following the past recommendations under current yield levels will likely oversupply N. On the basis of this analysis, a regionwide project has begun to determine if a static N management approach is appropriate.
Genetic Basis of Protein Digestibility in Grain Sorghum
Authors: Duressa Dechassa , Weerasoriya Dilooshii , Bean Scott R. , Tilley Michael , Tesso Tesfaye
Published: October 2018

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plays a key role in food and nutritional security for over half‐a‐billion people in Africa and Asia. In industrialized nations, sorghum is mainly cultivated as animal feed and more recently as a feedstock for biofuel production. Despite its comparable nutritional profile with other cereals, which is even better in health promoting phytochemicals, sorghum is viewed as a low‐value crop primarily due to the low digestibility of its proteins. Decades of research to improve the trait has not yet produced high‐protein‐digestible sorghum cultivar with acceptable agronomic characteristics. The efforts were frustrated by strong association between the high lysine and high protein digestibility traits and floury endosperm phenotype. Recently, several biotechnological strategies have been pursued to address the problem. Perturbation of sorghum protein bodies by downregulating α‐kafirin and suppression of kafirin cross‐linking by silencing γ‐kafirin synthesis have produced transgenic sorghum lines with substantially improved protein digestibility, but these too were, in most cases, associated with floury endosperm phenotype. However, there is an indication that careful tweaking of the expression of γ‐kafirin has potential to produce cultivars with high protein digestibility and vitreous endosperm texture. Moreover, natural variation for protein digestibility exists among sorghum germplasm and can be used in improving the traits through breeding. The objective of this article is to compile and document previous endeavors in improving sorghum nutritional quality through research targeted at increasing protein digestibility, to highlight recent developments, and to share perspectives on future research to address the challenge.
Genetic Advance in Grain Yield and Other Traits in Two Tropical Maize Composites Developed via Reciprocal Recurrent Selection
Authors: Kolawole Adesike O. , Menkir Abebe , Blay Essie , Ofori Kwadwo , Kling Jennifer G.
Published: October 2018

Assessment of genetic gain in two tropical maize (Zea mays L.) composites improved across years is critical in determining their future improvement and use as sources of inbred lines. Two genetically complementary tropical maize composites were subjected to four cycles of reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) for grain yield, resistance to foliar diseases, and other desirable agronomic traits using a reciprocal S1 testcross evaluation scheme. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of this selection scheme on: (i) the rate of genetic gain in grain yield and other traits, (ii) the changes in variance and heritability estimates, and (iii) changes in correlations between grain yield and other traits in the two tropical maize composites. One hundred S1 lines, each derived from the original (C0) and advanced (C4) cycles of the two composites, were crossed in pairs to form 100 C0 × C0 and 100 C4 × C4 testcrosses, which were evaluated along with 10 commercial hybrid checks in a replicated trial across eight environments in Nigeria. The observed genetic gain was 3.60% cycle−1 for grain yield. On average, the top 10 C4 × C4 testcrosses outyielded the commercial hybrids by 29% and had desirable agronomic traits and improved resistance to foliar diseases. The genetic variance estimates for C0 and C4 of each composite were significantly larger than zero for most traits. These results indicated that the RRS was effective in improving grain yield and other desirable agronomic traits without diminishing genetic variability that can be exploited for further improvement of the two tropical maize composites.
Assessment of In‐Season Soil Nitrogen Tests for Corn Planted into Winter Annual Cover Crops
Authors: Norris Robert , Chim Bee Khim , Evanylo Gregory , Reiter Mark , Thomason Wade
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

The Solvita 1‐d CO2 mineralization test could be a new tool to improve in‐season N rate recommendations for corn.

Solvita and soil NO3–N tests may be useful for predicting the level of early‐season N mineralization from winter cover crops (WCCs).

Soil NO3–N collected at the V4 growth stage of corn at 0 to 15 cm was positively correlated (R2 = 0.45) with corn check yield.

Neither the Solvita nor the presidedress nitrate test detected WCC N mineralization consistently enough to use them in rate recommendations.

Environmental and economic goals encourage the use of soil N tests to improve fertilizer N (FN) management in corn (Zea mays L.). Recently, the Solvita 1‐d CO2 burst test, which proposes to estimate soil potentially mineralizable N (PMN), has been promoted as a tool for FN recommendations. We aimed to compare the Solvita test with the established presidedress nitrate test (PSNT) for estimating optimum sidedressed FN rates in a typical corn crop rotation in the Mid‐Atlantic United States that includes winter annual cover crops (WCCs). Research was conducted at eight locations from 2012 to 2014. Three WCC treatments [cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth ssp. villosa) or a cereal rye–hairy vetch mix] were the main plots and 10 FN rates were the subplots. The WCCs affected preplanting (PP) Solvita results at one location, V4 NO3–N at 0 to 15 cm (PSNT15) at four locations, and V4 NO3–N at 0 to 30 cm (PSNT30) at two locations. Correlations between soil N test parameters and relative corn yields ranged from 0.31 to 0.13. Values for PSNT15 and PSNT30 correlated positively with corn check yields (r = 0.41 and 0.39 respectively). Solvita did not provide additional information to PSNT for predicting preplanting PMN, V4 PMN, or corn check yields. The advantages of the Solvita test were its simplicity, speed of analysis, and lower coefficient of variation relative to the PSNT. Neither method was consistently effective for predicting WCC effects on soil N or relative corn yield.
Developing Near‐ and Mid‐Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis Methods for Rapid Assessment of Soil Quality in Illinois
Authors: Xia Yushu , Ugarte Carmen M. , Guan Kaiyu , Pentrak Martin , Wander Michelle M.
Published: October 2018

Core Ideas

Lithology‐based libraries may support reusable NIR models to predict soil quality.

Monte Carlo feature selection and spectral refinement of NIR‐ and MIR‐based models.

Use of randomly drawn validation datasets and overestimation of RPD.

Estimation of plant growth via NDVI and relation to NIR‐ and MIR‐based models.

Rapid, affordable assessment of soil quality (SQ) is needed to maintain soil health. We sought to build reusable near‐ (NIR) and mid‐infrared‐ (MIR) based models using a regional library of accepted SQ indicators and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). This described soil health in 228 topsoil samples from 57 grain fields in Illinois paired to compare the influence of conventional, organic or conservation‐tillage practices. Predictive models for all SQ indicators were developed with Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) using: (i) whole NIR or MIR spectra, (ii) refined spectra that included features associated with organic functional groups, or (iii) refined spectra that were identified as important using Monte Carlo feature selection (MCFS). Comparison of model building methods using randomly or systematically divided calibration and validation sets suggests that the random method overestimated model Residual Prediction Deviation (RPD). Use of systematically selected validation sets produced acceptable (RPDs ≥ 1.4) models for soil organic C (SOC), total N (TN), and exchangeable Ca and Mg using whole NIR spectra. Use of spectral refinement techniques improved MIR‐based models for SOC, TN, and exchangeable Ca to RPDs ≥ 1.4. Poor performance of models predicting other SQ indicators, including particulate organic matter (POM), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (FDA), is attributed to the influence of mineralogy associated with different types of loess. Use of lithology‐based libraries may support reusable and affordable NIR‐based models to predict SOC, TN, Ca and Mg. The addition of weather or moisture co‐variates may be needed to build models reliant on NDVI.
Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial and Docking Simulation of Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c] pyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: Hassaneen Hamdi M. , Saleh Fatma M. , Abdallah Tayseer A. , Mohamed Magda F. , Mohamed Yasmin Sh. , Awad Enas M. , Abdelhamid Ismail A.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Isobutyrohydrazonoyl bromide 1 was used as a precursor for the synthesis of 4-imino-3-isopropyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-5H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-5-amine 4, which was converted into hydrazino derivative 5 by heating with hydrazine hydrate at reflux. Hydrazino, as well as imino-amino derivatives, underwent condensation and cyclization reactions to give pyrazolo[ 3,4-d]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[4,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c]pyrimidine derivatives, respectively.

Method:

Antimicrobial studies are performed using two-gram positive bacteria and two-gram negative bacteria.

Results:

Data revealed that compound 9a is the most promising antibacterial agent with high efficiency (low MIC value (48 μg/ml)). The cytotoxic assay was investigated for in vitro antitumor screening against Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma MCF7, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 and colon carcinoma HCT-116 cell lines.

Conclusion:

The results are compared with doxorubicin standard anticancer drugs as well as normal cell lines like MCF10 and MCF12. Molecular docking was carried out for the highest potent compound 8c with the binding site of dihydrofolate reductase enzyme DHFR PDB:ID (1DLS).
Oral Drug Delivery Systems for Ulcerative Colitis Therapy: A Comparative Study with Microparticles and Nanoparticles
Authors: Ma Panpan , Si Xiaoying , Chen Qiubing , Ma Lijun , Hou Meili , Xu Zhigang , Kang Yuejun , Wang Jianglin , Xiao Bo
Published: October 2018

Background:

Oral administrations of microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) have
been widely employed as therapeutic approaches for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). However,
no previous study has comparatively investigated the therapeutic efficacies of MPs and NPs.

Methods:

In this study, curcumin (CUR)-loaded MPs (CUR-MPs) and CUR-loaded NPs (CUR-NPs)
were prepared using a single water-in-oil emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Their therapeutic
outcomes against UC were further comparatively studied.

Results:

The resultant spherical MPs and NPs exhibited slightly negative zeta-potential with average
particle diameters of approximately 1.7 µm and 270 nm, respectively. It was found that NPs exhibited
a much higher CUR release rate than MPs within the same period of investigation. In vivo experiments
demonstrated that oral administration of CUR-MPs and CUR-NPs reduced the symptoms
of inflammation in a UC mouse model induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Importantly, CUR-NPs
showed much better therapeutic outcomes in alleviating UC compared with CUR-MPs.

Conclusion:

NPs can improve the anti-inflammatory activity of CUR by enhancing the drug release
and cellular uptake efficiency, in comparison with MPs. Thus, they could be exploited as a promising
oral drug delivery system for effective UC treatment.
Spreading Depolarization Waves in Neurological Diseases: A Short Review about its Pathophysiology and Clinical Relevance
Authors: Taş Yağmur Çetin , Solaroğlu İhsan , Gürsoy-Özdemir Yasemin
Published: October 2018

Lesion growth following acutely injured brain tissue after stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury is an important issue and a new target area for promising therapeutic interventions. Spreading depolarization or peri-lesion depolarization waves were demonstrated as one of the significant contributors of continued lesion growth. In this short review, we discuss the pathophysiology for SD forming events and try to list findings detected in neurological disorders like migraine, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury in both human as well as experimental studies. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies are highlighted and future directions and research limitations are discussed.
Correlation of Serum Magnesium with Insulin Resistance in North Indian Adult Population
Authors: Shamnani Geeta , Bhartiy Shekhawat S. , Jiwane Rekha , Gupta Vani , Verma Narsingh , Verma Dileep
Published: October 2018

Background:

Globalization has lead to such lifestyle changes which have produced increase
in incidence and prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Magnesium is found to have some
role in glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum
magnesium levels with insulin resistance in apparently healthy adults.

Objective:

The objective of our study was to evaluate correlation of serum magnesium with fasting
blood sugar, insulin level and Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index
(indicator of insulin resistance) on the basis of the hypothesis that subjects with hypomagnesaemia are
more prone to develop hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.

Materials and Methods:

The study was a cross-sectional study which was population based. Total 130
apparently healthy adults of age between 25-65 years, were recruited with prior ethical approval and
written informed consent.

Results:

Serum magnesium was found to be negatively correlated with fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin
level and HOMA-IR. Co-relation of magnesium with FBS (r = -0.55, p<0.0001), insulin (r =
-0.45, p< 0.0001) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.52, p<0.0001) was significant.

Conclusion:

As per findings it was concluded that serum magnesium was found to have significant
negative correlation with fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin and HOMA-IR, thus hypomagnesaemia
can be suggested to be one of the important predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Indexing Natural Products for their Antifungal Activity by Filters-based Approach: Disclosure of Discriminative Properties
Authors: Rayan Mahmoud , Abdallah Ziyad , Abu-Lafi Saleh , Masalha Mahmud , Rayan Anwar
Published: October 2018

Background: A considerable worldwide increase in the rate of invasive fungal infections
and resistance toward antifungal drugs was witnessed during the past few decades. Therefore, the need
for newer antifungal candidates is paramount. Nature has been the core source of therapeutics for thousands
of years, and an impressive number of modern drugs including antifungals were derived from
natural sources. In order to facilitate the recognition of potential candidates that can be derived from
natural sources, an iterative stochastic elimination optimization technique to index natural products for
their antifungal activity was utilized.

Methods:

A set of 240 FDA-approved antifungal drugs, which represent the active domain, and a set of
2,892 natural products, which represent the inactive domain, were used to construct predictive models
and to index natural products for their antifungal bioactivity. The area under the curve for the produced
predictive model was 0.89. When applying it to a database that is composed of active/inactive chemicals,
we succeeded to detect 42% of the actives (antifungal drugs) in the top one percent of the screened
chemicals, compared with one-percent when using a random model.

Results and Conclusion:

Eight natural products, which were highly scored as likely antifungal drugs,
are disclosed. Searching PubMed showed only one molecule (Flindersine) out of the eight that have
been tested was reported as an antifungal. The other seven phytochemicals await evaluation for their
antifungal bioactivity in a wet laboratory.
Complications of Immunoglobulin Therapy and Implications for Treatment of Inflammatory Neuropathy: A Review
Authors: Abbas Ahmed , Rajabally. Yusuf A.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) forms a cornerstone of effective treatment
for acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathies, with a class I evidence base in Guillain-Barré
Syndrome (GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and multifocal motor
neuropathy (MMN). It is generally considered to be a safe therapy however there are several recognised
complications which are reviewed in this article.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Most adverse events are immediate and mild such as headache, fever and
nausea although more serious immediate reactions such as anaphylaxis may rarely occur. Delayed
complications are rare but may be serious, including thromboembolic events and acute kidney injury,
and these and associated risk factors are also discussed. We emphasise the importance of safe IVIg
administration and highlight practical measures to minimise complications of this therapy.
New Insights into the Interaction of Free-Living Amoebae and Pandoravirus Inopinatum: Investigations of the Host Range and the Role of Multilamellar Bodies
Authors: Scheid Patrick L.
Published: October 2018

Objective:

FLA are predatory heterotrophic microorganisms, feeding as trophozoites on bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi and algae while adhering to surfaces through phagocytosis. It is known that FLA produce and expel vesicles as part of the digestive process. Bacteria are packaged in multilamellar bodies and are released into the environment if not digested. In 2008, it was shown how easily the so-called Pandoraviruses can get in close contact with humans, while proliferating in Acanthamoeba.

Materials and Methods:

In our study, the search for these packages and multilamellar bodies in Acanthamoebae was conducted by electron microscopy with special emphasis on Pandoravirus inopinatum virions being involved in these processes. The multilamellar bodies were detected within the trophozoites of the amoeba host strain and as expelled vesicles within their environment. Neither digested, partially digested or viable Pandoravirus inopinatum virions nor developmental stages were found within these packages. A modified host range evaluation method was used to study the uptake and the proliferation of Pandoravirus inopinatum virions by Acanthamoeba trophozoites via light microscopy and to determine the host range.

Results:

In addition to the Acanthamoeba strain, which was found to harbor Pandoravirus inopinatum initially, we confirmed another 9 Acanthamoeba strains to be susceptible, among them members of genotypes T4 and T 11.

Conclusion:

The modified time series method, which we used, proved to be superior to the initial (more static) host range studies, in both axenic and xenic cultures.
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Comorbidities Among Clinically Stable HIV Patients on Long-Term ARV Therapy in Five Ambulatory Clinics in Lima-Callao, Peru
Authors: Hidalgo Jose A , Florez Alberto , Agurto Cecilia , Pinedo Yvett , Ayarza Rosemarie , Rodriguez Lourdes , La Rosa Alberto , Gutierrez Raul
Published: October 2018

Background:

There is scarcity of data about the prevalence of non-AIDS defining comorbidities among stable HIV-infected patients in Peru.

Objective:

We aimed to describe the most frequent cardiometabolic comorbidities found among ambulatory adults on ARV in Peru.

Methods:

A review of records for patients attending regular visits at 5 clinics in Lima-Callao in January-February 2016 is presented. Patients were adults on ARV for >6 months, with no recent AIDS-defining condition.

Results:

Three hundred and five medical charts were reviewed. Most patients were male (73.1%, n=223) with a mean age of 46.0 years. Mean time from HIV diagnosis was 9.41 yrs. and mean duration of ARV was 7.78 yrs. Most patients were on an NNRTI-based first line regimen (76.4%, n=233), and 12.1% (n=37) were on rescue regimens. Median CD4 count was 614.2 cells/µL and the proportion of patients with viral load <40 c/mL was 90.8% (n=277). Most frequent metabolic diagnoses were dyslipidemia (51.5%, n=157), obesity (11.1%, n=34), and diabetes mellitus (7.2%, n=22). Hypertension was diagnosed in 8.9% (n=27). Other diagnoses of cardiovascular disease were documented in 3.3% (n=10). Pharmacologic treatment was prescribed in 91.3% of patients with diabetes or hypertension, but in only 29.3% of patients with dyslipidemia.

Conclusion:

A high proportion of metabolic comorbidities was found, with dyslipidemia being the most frequent, followed by obesity and diabetes. In contrast, cardiovascular disease was documented less frequently. Medical treatment was started for only a third of dyslipidemia patients. HIV care policies need to consider proper management of chronic comorbidities to optimize long-term outcomes.
Evaluating the Effects of Monovalent and Divalent Salts on the Rheological Properties of Water Based Mud
Authors: Dankwa Ohenewaa K. , Appau Prince Opoku , Broni-Bediako Eric
Published: October 2018

Introduction:

Drilling fluid selection plays a key role in preventing major problems encountered during drilling operations such as hole pack-off, stuck pipe and loss circulation. Mud contamination which results from the overtreatment of the mud system with additives or foreign material entering the mud system during drilling operations causes unwanted changes in the properties of the mud. This makes the mud system inefficient in performing its major roles. This research studies the effects of monovalent and divalent salts namely Potassium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, and Magnesium Chloride on the rheological properties of water-based mud system which is most vulnerable to contamination.

Methods:

Sixteen mud samples were formulated of which fifteen were contaminated each with different concentrations (0.75 g, 1.50 g, 2.50 g, 3.50 g, and 5.0 g) of the various salts at ambient temperature.

Results:

The results showed that the rheological properties such as plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity and yield point of the mud samples decreased as the concentrations of various salts increase.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that increase in the concentration of the salts resulted in a decrease in the rheological properties of the mud samples. This indicates that with the monovalent and divalent salt contamination, there is a significant decline in the performance of drilling mud since the salts affect the dispersion, hydration and flocculation behaviour of the particles. The effect was more profound with CaCl2 and MgCl2 salts than the KCl salt.
Satisfaction With College
Authors: Strahan Sarah , Credé Marcus
Published: October 2018

Satisfaction with college is an important component of various theories of college student retention and academic performance but empirical support for the relationship of satisfaction with college with these two criteria has been mixed. Using data from two large datasets ( N = 34,047 and N = 35,503) from 300 institutions we examine whether satisfaction with college exhibits stronger relationships with retention intentions and academic performance when assessed using an inventory that acknowledges the likely multi-faceted structure of satisfaction with college. Results indicate that satisfaction with college is multi-faceted, exhibits a hierarchical structure, exhibits moderate to strong relationships with retention intentions, and relatively weak relationships with academic performance.
Exploring Student Characteristics of Retention that Lead to Graduation in Higher Education Using Data Mining Models
Authors: Raju Dheeraj , Schumacker Randall
Published: October 2018

The study used earliest available student data from a flagship university in the southeast United States to build data mining models like logistic regression with different variable selection methods, decision trees, and neural networks to explore important student characteristics associated with retention leading to graduation. The decision tree and logistic regression models indicated first semester GPA, earned credit hours after end of first semester, status (full/part time) at the end of semester, and high school GPA as the most important variables. Of the 22,099 students who were full-time, first time freshmen from 1995-2005, 7,293 did not graduate (33%). Out of the 7,293 who did not graduate, 2,845 students (39%) had first semester GPA < 2.25 with less than 12 earned credit hours. Characteristics of student retention leading to graduation can be predicted as early as end first semester instead of waiting until the end of the first year of school.
Advice for Health Care Professionals and Users: An Evaluation of Websites for Perinatal Anxiety
Authors: Moore Donna , Harrison Virginia
Published: October 2018

Background

Many websites are available with information and resources for perinatal anxiety; however, there is limited research on the quality and content of these sites.

Objective

This study aims to identify what sites are available on perinatal anxiety, identify any information and therapeutic advice given, and review its accuracy and website design.

Methods

We conducted an evaluation of websites for perinatal anxiety. Eligible websites (N=50) were evaluated for accuracy of information, resources for mothers, website quality, and readability.

Results

Information was often incomplete and focused on symptoms rather than risk factors or impact of untreated perinatal anxiety. Websites often had information on treatment (46/50, 92%), but much less on screening (19/50, 38%). Most sites provided at least some resources to support mothers (49/50, 98%), but active, guided support was infrequent (25/50, 50%). Website quality was extremely variable and mostly difficult to read (42/50, 84%).

Conclusions

This study recommends the top 4 websites on perinatal anxiety for health care professionals and users. There is a need for websites to be developed that provide accurate, evidence-based information that women can relate to with quality support resources. Furthermore, these sites should be easy to use and readable.
An Argument Against Cross-Platform Development: Lessons From an Augmented Reality App Prototype for Rural Emergency Responders (Preprint)
Authors: Weichelt Bryan , Heimonen Tomi , Pilz Matthew , Yoder Aaron , Bendixsen Casper
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Mobile augmented reality (MAR) apps offer potential support for emergency responders in rural areas.

OBJECTIVE

In this report, we described lessons learned from the development process of augmented reality (AR) Farm Mapping to Assist, Protect and Prepare Emergency Responders (MAPPER), a MAR app that provides emergency responders onsite information about the agricultural operation they enter.

METHODS

Cross-platform frameworks were used to create AR MAPPER to accommodate budget constraints and overcome issues with markerless MAR technologies. Although the single codebase and Web technologies streamlined development, cross-device hardware limitations impacted location accuracy, lengthened the development cycle, and required regular updates to third-party libraries.

RESULTS

A hybrid development approach of using Web-based technologies with native tie-ins for specialized components and enhanced performance cut time and costs. This also led to consistency across multiple platforms and ensured that there is only a single set of source files to modify for Android and iPhone operating systems. Meanwhile, active development was delayed by some major hurdles. Apple and Google both released new versions of their operating systems, and the Wikitude framework issued four major updates, each of which brought with it some important enhancements and also led to some new issues.

CONCLUSIONS

Developers should consider single platform native development to benefit from platform-specific MAR implementations and to avoid development, testing, and maintenance costs associated with cross-platform implementation. Emergency response organizations may be more likely to utilize a single platform across the devices used by their command staff. This also reduces the benefits of cross-platform development. Furthermore, providing map-based, non-AR cross-platform apps for landowners, farmers, and ranchers would help improve and maintain data quality, which is crucial for the utility and user experience of MAR apps.
Mobile Phone Apps for Low-Income Participants in a Public Health Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Review and Analysis of Features (Preprint)
Authors: Weber Summer J , Dawson Daniela , Greene Haley , Hull Pamela C
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Since 1972, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been proven to improve the health of participating low-income women and children in the United States. Despite positive nutritional outcomes associated with WIC, the program needs updated tools to help future generations. Improving technology in federal nutrition programs is crucial for keeping nutrition resources accessible and easy for low-income families to use.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to analyze the main features of publicly available mobile phone apps for WIC participants.

METHODS

Keyword searches were performed in the app stores for the 2 most commonly used mobile phone operating systems between December 2017 and June 2018. Apps were included if they were relevant to WIC and excluded if the target users were not WIC participants. App features were reviewed and classified according to type and function. User reviews from the app stores were examined, including ratings and categorization of user review comments.

RESULTS

A total of 17 apps met selection criteria. Most apps (n=12) contained features that required verified access available only to WIC participants. Apps features were classified into categories: (1) shopping management (eg, finding and redeeming food benefits), (2) clinic appointment management (eg, appointment reminders and scheduling), (3) informational resources (eg, recipes, general food list, tips about how to use WIC, links to other resources), (4) WIC-required nutrition education modules, and (5) other user input. Positive user reviews indicated that apps with shopping management features were very useful.

CONCLUSIONS

WIC apps are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in states that have implemented electronic benefits transfer for WIC. This review offers new contributions to the literature and practice, as practitioners, software developers, and health researchers seek to improve and expand technology in the program.
Determining Best Practices for Management of Bacteriuria in Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Skelton Felicia , Martin Lindsey Ann , Evans Charlesnika T , Kramer Jennifer , Grigoryan Larissa , Richardson Pete , Kunik Mark E , Poon Ivy Oiyee , Holmes S Ann , Trautner Barbara W
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Bacteriuria, either asymptomatic (ASB) or symptomatic, urinary tract infection (UTI), is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Current Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines recommend a screening urinalysis and urine culture for every veteran with SCI during annual evaluation, even when asymptomatic, which is contrary to other national guidelines. Our preliminary data suggest that a positive urine culture (even without signs or symptoms of infection) drives antibiotic use.

OBJECTIVE

Through a series of innovative studies utilizing mixed methods, administrative databases, and focus groups, we will gain further knowledge about the attitudes driving current urine testing practices during the annual exam, as well as quantitative data on the clinical outcomes of these practices.

METHODS

Aim 1 will identify patient, provider, and facility factors driving bacteriuria testing and subsequent antibiotic use after the SCI annual evaluation through qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. Aim 2 will use national VHA databases to identify the predictors of urine testing and subsequent antibiotic use during the annual examination and compare the clinical outcomes of those who received antibiotics with those who did not. Aim 3 will use the information gathered from the previous 2 aims to develop the Test Smart, Treat Smart intervention, a combination of patient and provider education and resources that will help stakeholders have informed conversations about urine testing and antibiotic use; feasibility will be tested at a single site.

RESULTS

This protocol received institutional review board and VHA Research and Development approval in July 2017, and Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development funding started on November 2017. As of submission of this manuscript, 10/15 (67%) of the target goal of provider interviews were complete, and 77/100 (77%) of the goal of surveys. With regard to patients, 5/15 (33%) of the target goal of interviews were complete, and 20/100 (20%) of the target goal of surveys had been completed. Preliminary analyses are ongoing; the study team plans to present these results in April 2019. Database analyses for aim 2 will begin in January 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

The negative consequences of antibiotic overuse and antibiotic resistance are well-documented and have national and even global implications. This study will develop an intervention aimed to educate stakeholders on evidence-based management of ASB and UTI and guide antibiotic stewardship in this high-risk population. The next step will be to refine the intervention and test its feasibility and effectiveness at multiple sites as well as reform policy for management of this common but burdensome condition.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR

DERR1-10.2196/12272