bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing Sustainable Practice in Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review on Material Waste Recyclability
Authors: Prasad Geena , H Arunav , S Dwight , Ghosh Madhav B , Jayadev Ayona , Nair Deepa Indira
Published: September 2024

This review investigates the pivotal challenge of recycling material waste in the context of Additive Manufacturing with an emphasis on decentralized 3D printing, shedding light on its environmental and economic implications. With additive manufacturing experiencing exponential growth, the environmental impacts of waste generation during 3D printing processes have become increasingly significant. The paper explores various recycled materials commonly used in 3D printing, including polymers like polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), evaluating their characteristics and usability. General recycling methodologies, encompassing mechanical and chemical processes, are examined with attention to challenges such as polymer sorting, additives, coatings, contamination, and thermoset reprocessing. The economic and societal impact of integrating recycled materials into 3D printing and the environmental impacts are examined. By identifying research gaps and proposing future trends, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of how recycling can play a pivotal role in achieving environmental sustainability and economic viability within the decentralized 3D printing landscape.
In the Shadow of a Parent’s Genocidal Crimes in Rwanda: The Impact of Ambiguous Loss on the Everyday Life of Children of (Ex‐)Prisoners
Authors: Rutayisire Theoneste , Richters Annemiek
Published: September 2024

In Rwanda, following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, many people were found guilty of genocide crimes and imprisoned. Their children ended up in a situation of ambiguous loss during and after a parent’s imprisonment. The article presents the multidimensional impact of this loss on the everyday lives of these children and their families according to key themes as they emerged from an ethnographic study in which 21 children and their family members participated. Themes include changed family dynamics and family stress, economic deprivation, incomprehension of a parent’s criminal past, the social stigma of being a child of a génocidaire, and strategies used to make the loss bearable. The uniqueness of the ambiguous loss as experienced by children of perpetrators of genocide in Rwanda compared to those of perpetrators of the Holocaust or other mass crimes relates to an amalgam of factors specific for the context of post-genocide Rwanda; major ones being the severity of genocidal crimes and gacaca courts Rwanda chose as its main form of transitional justice. The case study illustrates how using the prism of intergenerational relations helps to understand some of the transformative and enduring effects of a crisis that deeply affects a society.
Sonoplasma Frequency Tuning of Electric Pulses to Modulate and Maximise Reactive Oxygen Species Generation
Authors: Mikhalev Egor Stanislavovich , Kamler Anna Vladimirovna , Bayazitov Vadim Muratovich , Sozarukova Madina Magamedovna , Nikonov Roman Viktorovich , Fedulov Igor Sergeevich , Mel'nik Elena Aleksandrovna , Ildyakov Alexander Valerevich , Smirnov Demid Vladimirovich , Volkov Mikhail Sergeevich , Varvashenko Dmitry Vladimirovich , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: September 2024

The wastewater problem is becoming an increasingly significant environmental issue affecting various aspects of human activities. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in water through certain physicochemical processes, which can oxidize or degrade various organic and chemical compounds, offers an effective purification method. The main advantage of these methods is the elimination of chemical reagents. Aim of this work is to investigate the possibility of regulating the ROS content in water by altering the characteristics of the plasma discharge that occurs under hydrodynamic cavitation in the water flow. ROS concentration was determined using the permanganate oxidation titration technique. It was found that the content of various reactive oxygen species in water after treatment can be controlled by varying the power of the electrical pulses applied. Additionally, the study obtained the dependence of ROS concentration in treated water samples on storage time, indicating a prolonged effect of sonoplasma treatment on the antibacterial properties of water. Analysis of water samples using a biological test culture of Salmonella typhimurium revealed bacteriostatic properties of the water for at least 48 hours after sonoplasma discharge treatment.
Design of Differential Loudspeaker Line Array for Steerable Frequency-Invariant Beamforming
Authors: Zhang Yankai , Xiang Qian , Zhu Qiaoxi
Published: September 2024

Keywords: Linear differential arrays; beam steering; frequency-invariant beamforming.
Probabilistic Cellular Automata Monte Carlo for the Maximum Clique Problem
Authors: Troiani Alessio
Published: September 2024

We consider the problem of finding the largest clique of a graph. This is an NP-hard problem and no exact algorithm to solve it exactly in polynomial time is known to exist.
Several heuristic approaches have been proposed to find approximate solutions, Markov Chain Monte Carlo being one of those. In the context of Markov Chain Monte Carlo, we present a class of ``parallel dynamics'', known as Probabilistic Cellular Automata, which can be used in place of the more standard choice of sequential ``single spin flip'' to sample from a probability distribution concentrated on the largest cliques of the graph. We perform a numerical comparison between the two classes of chains both in terms of the quality of the solution and in terms of computational time. We show that the parallel dynamics are considerably faster than the sequential one while providing solutions of comparable quality.
Reconstruction of The Policy License for Tourism Businesses: Challenge and Opportunity for Social Welfare
Authors: Suastuti Eny , Haq Hayyan ul , Muishot George , Sri Djamiati Tatiek , Arif Firman
Published: September 2024

The government's policy of revoking the authority of local governments to issue permits for the tourism business sector has caused chaos in the management and supervision of tourism businesses. This takeover of authority is closely related to the business licensing regulations regulated in the Omnibus Law. This research aims to determine the challenges and opportunities in licensing policy issues in the tourism sector that need reconstruction. The research method applied is normative legal research with a statutory and conceptual approach. The Omnibus Law is the prominent rule that be analyzed. Meanwhile, the concepts of licensing, authority, and the principle of community participation are used as the basis for analyzing and reconstructing regulations. The results of this research show that there are challenges in reconstructing licensing regulations in the Omnibus Law due to differences in perspectives on licensing concepts between the central government and regional governments, which have implications for shifting the objectives of issuing permits and the transfer of authority to issue licenses that the regional government initially owned created chaos in the supervision of tourism business activities. Still, the opportunity in this policy reconstruction is that it is still possible to revise laws based on the principle of real participation with community involvement mechanisms that can influence the final results of policy decisions, as well as active collaboration between governments at the central, regional and regional levels, stakeholders and the community in developing the tourism sector which can realize social welfare.
LCOH INDICATORS OF ELECTROLYSER OPERATING SEPARATELY FROM GENERATION
Authors: Tolstov Dmytro
Published: September 2024

Abstract. A promising direction for increasing the flexibility of the energy system is the introduction of innovative technologies for regulating electricity consumption. Regulator consumers can use electricity during periods of surplus and suspend consumption during periods of shortage. One such technology is the use of hydrogen electrolyzers to convert excess electricity into hydrogen. One of the key economic indicators of hydrogen technology is "The Levelized Cost of Hydrogen" (LCOH). The paper considers various options for the use of electrolyzers, including: the operation of the electrolyzer on electricity generated from renewable sources, the purchase of additional cheap volume on the electricity market, the operation of the electrolyzer with partial load and the provision of balancing services to the power system. The influence of the operation of the electrolyzer as a consumer of the regulator on the LCOH indicator was studied.
PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF FORMULATING A STRATEGY FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
Authors: Druhova Olena , Changsheng Wang
Published: September 2024

Abstract. This article discusses the basic concepts regarding enterprise strategy. The theoretical principles of strategic planning and planning of foreign economic activity at an enterprise are revealed. The characteristics of the activities of an agro-industrial Ukrainian-Chinese enterprise are given. Its activities are characterized and the main directions of development are determined. The Romanian market for foreign economic activity is justified. Incoterms conditions under which products will be delivered are proposed. Types of products and quantities have been calculated and justified. To implement this project, a dedicated team, including the head of international economic activity, production department head, international economic activity manager, logistician, and lawyer, will be formed. The project group's main tasks include defining key goals, analyzing information, selecting optimal partners, negotiating and concluding supply contracts, monitoring contract fulfillment, and presenting results reports.
Performance Analysis of Through Tubing Sand Screen Application in Offshore East Malaysia
Authors: Zin Z. M , Lin L. Onn , Chandrakant A. A. , Nizam Z. M , Meng T. Kah
Published: September 2024

Through Tubing Sand Screen (TTSS) is routinely used as a remedial sand control solution by the Operator to mitigate sand production in offshore wells located in East Malaysia. A smaller outer diameter (OD) wire-wrap or premium mesh screen is retrofitted inside or set at the end of an existing tubing to filter sand coming from failed primary sand control zone or when there is no sand control installed. The solution has been adopted extensively to mitigate sand production from existing wells as a low-cost application with relatively simpler installation and retrieval operation via slickline, consequently allows for fast reactivation of sand producing wells. Given the large number of installations carried out by the Operator yearly, and most of them recurring in nature, a study is conducted on the past TTSS installations to understand the performance and develop a workflow for design and operation with the aim of improving future installations.

This study is done by analyzing past TTSS installations and the associated production performance including sand production parameter i.e. sand count. Parameters such as screen type, length, opening size and installation depth are studied to evaluate the impact to the production performance and the screen service life. Wells with premature TTSS failure are selected for detailed teardown study, whereby the retrieved TTSS joints are sent to workshop to be cut and analyzed for failure mechanisms such as erosion and plugging.

Outcome of the study includes a workflow that addresses the main design and operation consideration for TTSS installation capturing the best practices of past installations. Additionally, the study is used to develop strategy for TTSS installations including the required changeout frequency based on the lifespan and inventory management.

The paper describes a study on the TTSS performance analysis including selected case studies and teardown analysis. Also, workflow on TTSS design, selection and installation will be discussed.
Resident Ecology Production Enhancement Success in the North Sea
Authors: Venske Christopher , Viveros Linda Tatiana Lezama , Diver Colin , Hill Colin , Carroll Michael , Colmenares Juan
Published: September 2024

A Company in the United Kingdom who operates a field in the North Sea has been involved in a pilot study to determine the efficacy of Organic Oil Recovery (OOR) as a means of maximising oil recovery. This paper shows the process, planning and execution of the application of the technology as well as results of the OOR Pilot Test. Organic Oil Recovery (OOR) is a unique enhanced oil recovery process. The fundamentals of the technology are based on the activation of microbial life resident in oil reservoirs with the purpose of increasing oil production. The technology can dramatically improve the mobility of oil trapped in tight pore spaces or on the oil-bearing rock to improve ultimate oil recovery. This Pilot Test (In-Situ Microbial Response Analysis – ISMRA®) is implemented by injecting a reservoir specific nutrient blend directly at the wellhead with typical pumping equipment. The well is then shut-in for an incubation period and thereafter returned to production. Another important feature of the technology is its ability to tackle the root cause of H₂S formation by targeting specific species of microbes to outcompete Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRBs) which are a primary cause of this gas's formation. During initial laboratory testing, Field X target wells showed a diverse and abundant resident ecology which has been proven capable of undergoing the necessary characteristic changes to facilitate enhanced oil recovery in the Field X reservoir. An important observation was that the ecology was initially dominated by Sulfidogens. The Pilot Test was undertaken in Q4 2023 and showed an average 30-35% increase in overall production. The full method of implementation of the Pilot Test, from sampling to injection, will be discussed in detail in this paper, and will include any challenges and/or successes in this area. The initial state ecology reports of the wells are demonstrated and compared to that of post-Pilot Test ecology reports, which proved a substantial shift towards the targeted ecology which resulted in a >99% decrease in sulfidogens. This will be substantiated by production figures for the well prior to the Pilot Test as well as after the pilot implementation. A correlation is demonstrated between changes in ecology and an increase in production.
Measuring and Profiling Water Ingress in an Emulsion Flow with a Compact Array Production Logging Tool and Successfully Shutting Off Water
Authors: Vevakanandan V. , Aziz Mokhtar Abd , Schoepf V. , Barnabas Y.
Published: September 2024

Water-in-oil emulsion represents a substantial volume of the produced water while the process of demulsification at surface remains costly. Accurately determining the source of water in oil producers with emulsion flow remains a challenge for production logging (PL). This paper presents a case study that shows how an innovative PL suite meets the main objectives of delivering a robust and accurate diagnostic of water ingresses and of informing an operational decision of a water shut off in an open hole gravel completion.

After a history of deploying legacy centralized PL strings with sub-optimal probe and measurement capabilities in emulsion flow regimes, an operating company elected to deploy a third generation Production Logging Tool (PLT) which ultracompact length of 1m results from use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The PL platform combines centralized measurements of pressure, temperature, Doppler, MML (CCL) with oriented azimuthal array holdups and flow speed sensors. The holdup measurements consisted of proven triphasic optical probes and conductivity probes and of newly developed micro-capacitances designed to sense micrometer water droplets in oil continuous phase. The PL survey was acquired on memory and deployed on slickline during well shut-in and at three different flowing rates.

Very consistent and reliable gas holdup was measured by the triphasic optical probes through the whole acquisition. The water holdup was calculated using the micro-capacitance data as it proved to be the most accurate, in particular during the highest rate. The optical water holdup agreed well with the capacitance at intermediate and lower rates. The electrical probes were affected by water emulsion flow and stopped detecting water at flow speeds larger than 200 fpm (feet per minute). Excellent flow speed measurements were obtained with the robust micro-spinners covering a wide range of flow speeds from a few fpm up to 500 fpm. The main source of water was located at the bottom of the gravel pack completion. The PLT was run with an innovative combination of flow speeds and holdups sensors that allowed to reliably diagnose the water ingresses. Based on these results, a water shutoff intervention job was decided, implemented and coupled with a gas lift valve change to improve the gas lift injection that eventually led to a significant increase in oil production close to 1000 bbl/day and 10-point reduction in water cut.

The extremely compact PLT with collocated holdup and flow speed sensors enable to deploy array production logging with limited rig up height. State of the art methods for measuring water holdups such as resistivity or conductivity fail in these extreme conditions due to the extremely small size of water droplets. The newly developed micro-capacitances are designed to sense micrometer water droplets in oil continuous phase, which is typically of emulsion flow.
Well Placement Optimization Using Mixed Integer Programming
Authors: Abouheit F. F. , Al-Ismael M. A. , Baig R. R.
Published: September 2024

Placement and design of wells in high potential regions within hydrocarbon reservoirs is a critical step in field development planning. Identification of high potential regions, serving as pivotal extraction zones, doesn't address the challenges in maximizing ultimate hydrocarbon recovery. This identification needs to be complemented by optimizing wellbore placement and design. This paper presents an efficient mathematical optimization method for well placement that maximizes the contact with the productive zones with best locations in the reservoir. The method starts by transforming the high potential 3D grid cells in the reservoir model into a set of nodes. The relationships between each node with its neighboring nodes are defined using the concept of graph theory. Several governing mathematical equations are formulated to define the objective function and constraints to satisfy the requirements for the well design. The objective function in this work is the maximization of the contact of well trajectory with the best grid cells represented by the nodes in space. An MIP (Mixed-Integer Programming) solver is used to solve these equations to maximize the predefined objective function subject to the formulated constraints. The solver represents an effective mathematical modelling approach to solve complex optimization tasks. In addition, it identifies the potential trade-offs between conflicting objectives, which can provide a better understanding of bioenergy systems and support decision-makers elaborating the sustainable pathways towards bioenergy targets. Moreover, it creates meaningful connections between the nodes which define practical wellbore trajectory paths that adhere to constraints such as area of interest, well geometry and anti-collision. The proposed optimization method was tested on a synthetic reservoir model with a size of six million grid-cells to place twenty-five producers on a 3D sweetspot map. The method was able to find the best proposal of new wells, which were accurately positioned in the most lucrative and highest-quality grid-cells, ensuring smooth pathways across multiple grid layers. The method doesn't only aim for well placement, but for a joint relationship between optimal design and reservoir potential. Furthermore, the proposed method leads to approximately 80% reduction in turnaround time compared to traditional and manual well placement and other optimization methods. The design capability coupled with the mathematical optimization in this work enables exploring innovative approach in the realm of advanced field development strategies. The approach facilitates employing advanced mathematical modeling techniques to devise optimum and economically feasible full-field development plans.
Automated Sand Influx Mitigation Workflow Using Geomechanical Analysis and Minimum Tubing-Head Pressure Estimation
Authors: Kumar P. , Gogoi U. , Bhatt B. , Dhiman A. , Chatterjee C. , Subbiah S.
Published: September 2024

Sand production is a major challenge for oil and gas companies worldwide. We describe an automated workflow that helps mitigate sanding caused by excessive drawdown by determining the minimum tubing-head pressure (THP). The automated workflow is designed to autocalibrate, analyze, and recommend actionable measures to control THP to prevent sand ingression. This enables oil and gas operators to control sand production, resulting in production enhancement and fewer workover jobs.

The operating philosophy consists of four components: 1D geomechanical analysis, sand ingression analysis, wellbore modeling and automated calibration, and automated minimum THP estimation. A 1D Mechanical Earth Model (1D MEM) calibrated with drilling events and caliper data was used as an input to the sand prediction model. The sand prediction model evaluates critical drawdown pressure (CDDP) and establishes a sand-free envelope. A calibrated digital twin is created using well test parameters. The automated sand mitigation workflow uses CDDP values and well models. The minimum flowing bottomhole pressure estimated from CDDP is translated into minimum THP for regular monitoring and sand control by the production team.

In this work, we examined the scale, complexity, technology, and advantages of using the digital oil and gas field workflow. Self-flow gas wells were considered as potential candidate wells for the study. The excellent results obtained from this study in terms of production enhancement can set a benchmark for projects concerning efficiency and output gains. Detailed analysis helped classify wells where production gain can be realized without any sand production. Through the study, it was observed that in two wells, THP reduction in steps can potentially lead to sand-free production, with a possible cumulative incremental gas production increase over 100%. Such analysis reiterated the significance of maintaining the minimum THP estimated by the workflow and resulted in a significant shift towards the adoption of digital and integrated workflows for problem solving, ultimately leading to improved operational efficiency and profitability.

The integration of state-of-the-art geomechanical analysis and automated workflows produced outstanding results in terms of production gain and reduced analysis time, thereby leading to extended well deliverability, delayed sand production and reduced workover frequencies. This approach provided efficient management and control of minimum THP values without relying on downhole pressure gauges, thus empowering the production team to make informed decisions and optimize production, ultimately saving on well maintenance costs.
Mitigating Polymer Damage with Strategically Designed Hydraulic Fracturing Treatments in a Multi Darcy Reservoir
Authors: DCruz R. , Jha A. K. , Narayan S. , Pramadana A. B. , Choudhary D. , Kumar M. , Sardesai P. , Kanaan S. , Sharma A. , Shrivastava P. , Kumar P. , Bohra A. , Tiwari S. , Deepankar D. , Pawar S.
Published: September 2024

Mangala Field is one of the world’s largest polymer flood projects and is currently at a total recovery of 37% over 15 years of production. Strategically designed polymer flooding has played a key role in augmenting the production numbers, but over time has posed significant challenges in injector and producer performance. A pilot hydraulic fracturing campaign of 11 wells has shown significant, sustained improvements in productivity index. The fracturing process effectively bypassed the damage caused by polymer injection, resulting in reduced near-wellbore formation damage and improved injectivity. The work progressed from the pilot tests to streamlined fracturing treatments in over 100 wells in the field.
Effects of LaB6 on the ablation properties and mechanism of C/HfC-SiC composites
Authors: Su Yi , Chen Sian , Shi Yangfan
Published: September 2024

Ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites adopt a multicomponent matrix to increase stability in a wide temperature range. However, oxides with lower melting points evaporated rapidly under prolonged high heat flux erosion, leaving refractory metal oxides with residual porosity, which restricted the lifetime of the composites. This study prepared LaB6-modified C/HfC-SiC composites through slurry-assisted polymer infiltration and pyrolysis method to improve ablation resistance and reusability, the influence of different LaB6 contents on the ablation resistance and mechanism of composites were investigated. Results indicated HfC, SiC, and La were uniformly dispersed within the fiber bundles and matrix, the density and flexural strength of the composites doped 5 mol% LaB6 were 3.78 g/cm3 and 323 MPa, respectively. The oxide layer remained intact after ablation for 240 s, due to the molten La2Hf2O7 and La2Si2O7 with high melting-point and viscosity filled the crack in the HfO2 framework, which were formed by the reaction of La between SiO2 and HfO2. The linear and mass ablation rates of the composites with 5 mol% LaB6 were 4.75×10− 3 mm/s and 1.39×10− 3 g/s, respectively.
Predicting post-surgery change in visual acuity after successful repair of macula-off retinal detachments: findings from a large prospective UK cohort study
Authors: Yorston David , Donachie Paul , Laidlaw David , Steel David , Williamson Tom
Published: September 2024

Objective
To identify risk factors affecting the change in visual acuity in successfully re-attached macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) surgery.
Design
A prospective study, using online databases, of visual outcomes for 2,770 macula-off retinal detachments that were successfully re-attached by vitrectomy and internal tamponade. The database included detailed retinal diagrams of each detachment.
Main outcome measure
The change in LogMAR visual acuity from pre-operatively to post-operatively.
Results
Male patients accounted for 64.6% of the sample and the median age was 63 years old. The median pre-operative VA was counting fingers (LogMAR 1.98); this improved to 0.30 LogMAR post-operatively. An improvement in VA of ≥ 0.30 LogMAR was achieved by 88.0% eyes. The change in VA model identified the preoperative VA, patient age, duration of central vision loss, lens status at follow up, extent of detachment, and the number of breaks in the detached retina, as factors influencing the change in VA. The model had an adjusted R2 of 0.749, and for 75.5% of eyes, the model prediction was within ± 0.30 LogMAR of the recorded VA change.
Conclusions
Greater post-operative visual acuity improvement was more likely in eyes that were pseudophakic at follow up, and had shorter durations of central vision loss. Non modifiable factors associated with greater vision improvement included worse presenting vision, younger age, less extensive detachment and less than three breaks in the detached retina. These results confirm that prompt surgery improves functional outcomes in successfully treated macula off retinal detachments irrespective of presenting visual acuity.
Structures of Native Doublet Microtubules from Trichomonas vaginalis Reveal Parasite-Specific Proteins as Potential Drug Targets
Authors: Zhou Z. Hong , Stevens Alexander , Kashyap Saarang , Crofut Ethan , Wang Shuqi , Muratore Katherine , Johnson Patricia
Published: September 2024

Doublet microtubules (DMTs) are flagellar components required for the protist Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) to swim through the human genitourinary tract to cause trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. Lack of DMT structures has prevented structure-guided drug design to manage Tv infection. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structure of native Tv-DMTs, identifying 29 unique proteins, including 18 microtubule inner proteins and 9 microtubule outer proteins. While the A-tubule is simplistic compared to DMTs of other organisms, the B-tubule features specialized, parasite-specific proteins, such as TvFAP40 and TvFAP35 that form filaments near the inner and outer junctions, respectively, to stabilize DMTs and enable Tv locomotion. Notably, a small molecule, assigned as IP6, is coordinated within a pocket of TvFAP40 and has characteristics of a drug molecule. This first atomic model of the Tv-DMT highlights the diversity of eukaryotic motility machinery and provides a structural framework to inform rational design of therapeutics.
Vertical targeting of the PI3K/AKT pathway at multiple points is synergistic and effective for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Kupcova Kristyna , Senavova Jana , Jura Filip , Herman Vaclav , Pacheco-Blanco Mariana , Chrbolkova Tereza , Hamova Iva , Davis R. Eric , Havranek Ondrej
Published: September 2024

The phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway is critically active in many cell types, both normal and neoplastic. Many small-molecule inhibitors targeting different levels of the PI3K/AKT pathway have been developed for cancer therapy, but their efficacy is reduced by compensatory pathway re-activation mechanisms, and their tolerability by side effects attributable to “on-target, off-tumor” pathway inhibition. We studied this problem using cell lines representing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (SUDHL-4 and OCI-Ly7), a genetically-encoded live-cell reporter of AKT activity, and 3 small-molecule inhibitors targeting different levels of the pathway: idelalisib (PI3Kδ), GSK2334470 (PDPK1), and ipatasertib (AKT). When used individually, the half-maximal (IC50) concentrations of these inhibitors for AKT activity inhibition (at 1 hour) were much lower than IC50 values for reduction of viable cell number (after 4 days). Time course studies provided an explanation of this discrepancy: AKT activity in the continuous presence of the inhibitors returned to normal after 24 hours, and was supranormal after inhibitor removal. Combining all 3 of these inhibitors produced sustained inhibition of AKT activity, was broadly synergistic at reducing viable cell number, enabled substantially lower doses of each inhibitor to be used, and was enhanced further by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. In a syngeneic mouse cell line model of lymphoma (A20), the triple combination showed antitumor activity and no evidence of toxicity. Our findings provide proof of concept suggesting further study of the safety and efficacy of low-dose multilevel PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition, for lymphoma and perhaps other cancers.
Forest biodiversity and structure modulate human health benefits and risks
Authors: Gillerot Loic , Landuyt Dries , Bourdin Audrey , Rozario Kevin , Shaw Taylor , Steinparzer Matthias , Stojek Katarzyna , Vanroy Tosca , Romero Ana Gabriela Cuentas , Müller Sandra , Oh Rachel , Proß Tobias , Bonal Damien , Bonn Aletta , Bruelheide Helge , Godbold Douglas , Haluza Daniela , Jactel Herve , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Kilpi Katriina , Marselle Melissa , Ponette Quentin , Scherer-Lorenzen Michael , De Frenne Pieter , MUYS Bart , Verheyen Kris
Published: September 2024

Forest risks and benefits to human health are widely recognised. Yet, variation across forest types and their ecological characteristics driving health effects remain underexplored. Based on empirical data from an interdisciplinary European forest network, we developed a Bayesian Belief Network to quantify seven causal pathways relating different forest types to physical and mental health. Results show that forests always generate net health benefits regardless of their ecological characteristics. Forest canopy density and tree species diversity emerge as key drivers, but their effect size and directionality are strongly pathway-dependent. Changes in forest canopy density can generate trade-offs. For example, forests optimised for heat buffering and air pollution mitigation may compromise medicinal plant yield and enhance Lyme disease prevalence. Tree diversity effects were weaker but more consistently positive. Forest management should therefore account for such trade-offs to tailor forest biodiversity and functioning to local public health needs of priority.
Prevalence, and Microbiological and Clinical Characteristics of Elizabethkingia Isolates from a tertiary hospital in Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Kang Xiuhua , Guo Huaming , Zhao Shanting , Zhang Wenzhen , Liu Peng , Mei Yanfang , Zeng Ling , Liu Yang , Wei Dandan
Published: September 2024

Background
Elizabethkingia infections have gradually become life-threatening hospital-acquired infections worldwide with increasing morbidity, multidrug resistance, and poor prognosis. However, information on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Elizabethkingia infections in mainland China is limited. The aim of this study was to analyze the molecular and clinical characteristics, and drug susceptibility of clinical Elizabethkingia isolates from a hospital in Jiangxi Province, China.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 61 years (excluding one 13-day-old infant) and 74.8% were male. In total, 85.4% of patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit were infected with Elizabethkingia. COVID-19, respiratory disease, and central venous catheterization rates were significantly different (P <0.05) between the surviving and dying groups. Sequencing of 103 isolates identified 92 strains of Elizabethkingia anopheles, eight strains of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica, two strains of Elizabethkingia bruuniana, and one strain of Elizabethkingia ursingii. The Vitek MS had a correct identification rate of 87% for E. anopheles. More than 90% of the Elizabethkingia isolates were susceptible to minocycline, but resistant to other drugs, including ceftazidime, aztreonam, and imipenem. Resistance genotype analysis showed that blaBlaB and blaCME were highly prevalent in the Elizabethkingia isolates. Molecular typing revealed 29 different PFGE types with clonal transmission between wards.
Conclusions
Multidrug-resistant Elizabethkingiaare beingdetected at increasing rates; a larger database is required for strain identification of this bacterium. This database could be beneficial for the subsequent determination of optimal antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infections caused by different Elizabethkingia strains. Our PFGE model showed that most isolates had sufficient genetic diversity and clonal transmission; adequate attention should be paid to this pathogen.
Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Bangladeshi Female Sex Workers toward Their School -Going Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Khan Afia Mahmuda , Eusufzai Sumaiya Zabin , Farook Taseef Hasan , Hossain Sheikh Jamal , Sharmin Mehnaj , Shohid Sabrin , Shahed Lameea , Zerin Tabassum , Chanda Diptendu Kumar , Hawlader Mohammad Delwer Hossain
Published: September 2024

Background: Children born into prostitution are at risk of facing barriers in accessing the healthcare sector. This research aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of female sex workers regarding their school-going children’s oral health, as well as the oral health status of their children in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 180 female sex worker mothers/ institutional caregivers and female sex worker’s school-going children from March 2023 to February 2024 using a structured questionnaire. The caries condition and gingival health were assessed on their children using the DMFT/dmft and gingival index(GI). At the same time, their plaque and calculus levels were evaluated using the calculus index(CI) and plaque index (PI) respectively.
Result: 79% of the mothers or caregivers possessed good knowledge of oral health, 77.2% maintained a positive attitude, and 62.8% were well-informed about the proper oral health practices for their children. Children living with sex worker mothers/institutional caregivers who had higher educational attainment were 3 times more likely to practice good oral health hygiene than those with mothers/caregivers of low educational level (OR=3.27, β:1.11, p-value<0.05, CI=1.36-7.87). Similarly, children living with mothers/caregivers who had good oral health knowledge scores tended to have 3 times higher oral health practice scores compared to those with poor oral health knowledge(OR=3.20, β:1.16, p-value<0.05, CI=1.36-7.87).
Conclusion: Our study suggests that although FSW mothers/ institutional caregivers have better oral health knowledge regarding their children, they are unable to put this into practice for their children. Government-sponsored dental health camps should be made available to address the oral health needs of the targeted community. An educational approach aimed at both the sex worker mother and the children should be designed so that the children can develop improved oral hygiene practices.
Connecticut providers knowledge and attitudes towards use of extreme risk protection orders
Authors: Pandya Nishant , Dodington James , Jacob Joshua , Raskin Sarah
Published: September 2024

Background
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are a legislative tool that temporarily restrict firearm access in patients with higher suicide risk. ERPOs have reduced firearm suicide rates in Connecticut and are estimated to save one life per 10 orders filed. Connecticut medical providers can initiate this process, but less than 8% of 2020 ERPOs were filed by providers. This survey assesses provider knowledge and attitudes towards use of ERPOs.
Methods
This study electronically surveyed providers from six hospitals regarding their current knowledge of the Connecticut ERPO law, perceived barriers to the use of the law and procedures that might make use more likely.
Results
114 providers completed the survey in 2022. 66 (57.8%) providers encountered more than 1 patient per year at risk for suicide with firearm access. Only 2 providers had ever initiated an ERPO, but both found it extremely helpful. Only 1 provider was extremely familiar with ERPO while 91 (83.4%) were not familiar. Barriers to using ERPO include negatively impacting the patient relationship, and not enough time to call and follow up. ERPO specific training, and trained on-site coordinators to help file and follow through were ways to encourage to ERPO utilization.
Conclusion
The majority of providers encounter at least one patient annually who may benefit from an ERPO. However, providers are largely unfamiliar with ERPO and the filing process. Time cost is the greatest barrier to its utilization. Provider training and trained coordinators to process ERPO were the two most requested supports to encourage providers to initiate ERPOs.
Effect of different gastrointestinal decompression methods during general anesthesia
Authors: Jingya Li , Xueting Wang , Hongjuan Zhao , Hesong Gong , Xiaochun Zhao
Published: September 2024

Objective: During general anesthesia with drainage laryngeal mask airway (LMA) ventilation, a gastric tube or suction catheter is inserted through the drainage LMA hole during surgery. This allows for gastrointestinal decompression by vacuum aspiration. This study aimed to observe the effect of two decompression methods on the incidence of postoperative flatulence, nausea and vomiting, and other adverse reactions in patients undergoing general anesthesia.
Methods: Sixty patients (ASA I–II, aged 18–70 years) undergoing gynecological surgery with LMA ventilation under general anesthesia were randomly categorized into the gastric tube group (group G) and the suction catheter group (group S). After induction of general anesthesia, a gastric tube or suction catheter was placed through the drainage port of the drainage LMA in both groups, and vacuum aspiration was intermittently performed during the surgery. The antral area was monitored under ultrasound at three time points: after admission, after LMA insertion, and after LMA. Also, the incidence of adverse reactions, such as flatulence, and nausea and vomiting, was followed up at 1, 6, and 24 h after the surgery.
Results: No significant difference was found in general data, age, ASA grade, body mass index, ventilation time, and laryngeal mask cuff inflation volume between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with group G, the antral area in group S increased significantly after the surgery (P < 0.05). In addition, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and flatulence, in group S significantly increased 1 and 6 h after the surgery (all P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and flatulence, between the two groups 24 h after the surgery. No significant difference was noted in the incidence of sore throat and hoarseness at three time points after the surgery between the two groups.
Conclusions:Under general anesthesia with drainage LMA ventilation, gastrointestinal decompression with a gastric tube placed through the LMA drainage port could effectively prevent flatulence and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting. The placement of a suction catheter could not achieve the same clinical effect.
Clinical trial registration：Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number ChiCTR2300078990)
Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma/ Waldenström Macroglobulinemia in a Patient with Hemophagocytic Syndrome
Authors: TU SHENGKE , YANG JING , LI MIN , SONG KUI
Published: September 2024

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) associated with monoclonal immunoglobulin M protein (IgM). It is a rare type of indolent B-cell lymphoma. MYD88L265P mutation is an important molecular marker for the diagnosis and the differential diagnosis of WM. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe inflammatory response syndrome caused by genetic or acquired immunoregulatory dysfunction. It is extremely rare for WM and HLH to occur simultaneously in the same patient. So far, no case of WM and HLH has been reported, and the reason for the coexistence of WM and HLH is still unclear. With the advent of new therapies, the survival time of patients with WM and HLH has improved. Therefore, it is of great value to further investigate the clinical features, pathophysiology and prognosis of these cases. We present a case study of a 68-year-old woman who was diagnosed with WM. Following treatment with the Bendamustine/rituximab (BR) regimen, the patient experienced persistent high fever, leading to further investigations for a diagnosis of HLH. This report highlights the rarity of WM combined with HLH and provides valuable raw data for future clinical research.
The kinematic and physiological pilot study on obstacle properties for young adults with visual and hearing impairments
Authors: Misa Miura , Masahiro Kohzuki , Hiromitsu Goto , Midori， Homma , Harada Taku
Published: September 2024

Individuals with visual and hearing impairments often experience a lower quality of life (QOL) and reduced physical motor functions due to restricted activity ranges. This reduction in physical activity can lead to overactivity of cardiac sympathetic nerves, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the specific differences in physiological and kinematic responses due to the characteristics of visual and hearing impairments remain unclear. This pilot study aimed to investigate these differences in 34 university students using an orthostatic tolerance test and to analyze various parameters, including indicators of arteriosclerosis and physical motor functions. Participants were divided into three groups: healthy individuals, individuals with visual impairments, and individuals with hearing impairments. The results showed no significant differences in QOL and physical motor abilities between healthy and impaired individuals. However, distinct differences were observed in the orthostatic tolerance test based on the type of impairment. Associations between autonomic nervous system parameters and arteriosclerosis indicators were also identified in individuals with visual or hearing impairments. These findings highlight the necessity of addressing health risks specific to the type of impairment from a young age, suggesting the potential benefits of tailored preventive health programs.
Assessment of environmental parameters in natural coastal scenery and compositional by means of an innovative approach
Authors: Mastromatteo Nicole , Drudi Lia , Gallione Davide , Bellopede Rossana , Clerico Marina
Published: September 2024

Particulate matter (PM) in natural coastal environments can include sea spray aerosol (SSA), mineral dust, and particles from human activities. In a natural and uncontaminated scenario, three measurement campaigns were conducted on the island of Culuccia (Sardinia, Italy) to evaluate the PM concentration and the contribution of SSA in different seasons. The observed trend of concentrations of the various PM fractions confirmed the direct correlation with the main weather-climate parameters like temperature, relative Humidity (rH), and wind speed. Precipitation was not considered since rainfall events were too few in all three measurement campaigns. To evaluate the chemical composition of SSA particles, the collected PTFE filter was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and SEM-EDX. The combined use of both techniques on the same PM particle represents an innovative approach that allows individual particles to be uniquely identified. The main compounds classes found are carbonaceous fraction, secondary formation salts (nitrates and sulfates), sodium chloride, silicates, and aluminosilicates. In the March and June campaigns, considerable quantities of nitrates and sodium chloride were found; in contrast, in the October campaign, considerable quantities of different types of sulfates were detected, with nitrates and sodium chloride being absent. A correlation between the PM composition and meteorological parameters was observed according to the value of the Deliquescence Relative Humidity (DRH), highlighting the influence of weather and climate conditions on the chemical composition of sea spray in natural coastal environments, especially for the relative humidity and coarse and fine PM trends.
Effi̇ci̇ency Evaluati̇on of Turki̇sh Ports: Integrated Fuzzy Entropy- Fuzzy Marcos Analysi̇s
Authors: albayrak özlem karadağ
Published: September 2024

In this research, the Fuzzy Entropy-based Fuzzy MARCOS method is proposed for the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem covering the efficiency analysis of Turkish ports. Port alternatives were evaluated according to nine different evaluation criteria. All of these criteria are quantitative criteria. The uncertainty of quantitative criteria is based on the different values they take at different time periods. To overcome this problem, in this study, the importance levels of the criteria were determined by the Fuzzy Entropy method. Then, 11 port alternatives with a share of over 1% in transportation in Turkish ports were ranked according to their efficiency using the Fuzzy Measurement of alternatives and ranking to Compromise solution (MARCOS) method. The results showed that the most effective port among container ports is Kocaeli port. This method can enable a more accurate assessment of the efficiency level of ports and its use in planning and effective use of port investments.