bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Recovery: SPE’s Technology Focus and a Look Ahead
Authors: Ben-Naceur Kamel
Published: September 2022

The SPE governance model is based on the concept of “think global, act local.” The model connects local sections and student chapters and consolidates to the regional directors. On the technical side, technical sections report to the technical directors. It is a model that is recognized among professional societies as providing the combined benefits of proximity to members along with technology-focused networking capacity.

Technical sections/communities of SPE members share ideas, promote competence, and develop projects related to their technical interest. Technical Sections tend to be more task-oriented than discussion-oriented. They meet virtually for the most part but are encouraged to hold a face-to-face meeting at least once a year.

Technical sections (TS) evolve with the industry’s current and foreseeable trends. There are nearly 20 technical sections, and over my tenure as president two new sections were approved.

- The Geothermal Technical Section (GTTS) builds on the synergies between the geothermal industry and the knowledge from the oil and gas industry, especially for enhanced and advanced geothermal systems. GTTS has been off to a great start with the organization of several virtual events, and recently, its participation in physical events such as the SPE EuropEC held last month.

- The Management Technical Section. As the previous Management & Information technical discipline was split with the creation of the Data Science and Engineering Analytics discipline, the emergence of a standalone TS provides continued focus on the Management side. The latter covers several major topics, including energy economics, strategic planning, etc.

Two other sections are being created on hydrogen and on management of greenhouse-gas emissions, in particular methane.

Technical sections may also be recombined, when needed, to provide maximum efficiency to our members. The consolidation of the Digital Energy TS and the Petroleum Data-Driven Analytics TS has been proposed. A committee has been tasked to evaluate the options moving forward, including the potential creation of new focused sections that would cover emerging areas such as quantum computing.

In last month’s column, I mentioned that the SPE Board of Directors and leadership is undertaking reviewing and updating the SPE Strategic Plan. It is a regular, periodical positioning guide for the Society within a context that has evolved significantly over the past 4 years due to the pandemic crisis, the industry cycle, and the perspectives of the energy transition. With the help of consultants, we have undertaken a number of member interviews that reflect different geographical and business perspectives. These are conducted either through one-on-one discussions, town halls with targeted groups, or smaller focus groups. Regular updates on the strategic plan are provided at SPE Strategic Planning.
A Few Lessons From Tight-Rock Producers That Have Made Big Investments in Fracture Diagnostics
Authors: Jacobs Trent
Published: September 2022

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Devon Energy may have unlocked why hydraulic fractures in some tight-rock plays grow faster than others. This appears to be strongly linked to the well-density potential of these plays.

The operator is also working on a new way to measure how fractures squeeze steel pipe, which, in turn, might result in more-efficient completion designs.

SM Energy recently studied the interactions between hydraulic fractures and faults in one of its tight-rock projects in Texas. When a fault slipped, the Denver-based producer had seen production slip too.

Now, armed with enough data, SM Energy has adopted new completion designs that avoid overpressurizing the faults found all over the target formation.

Shell’s search for light-tight oil in the Permian Basin ended about a year ago but what the company learned there will live on in its other unconventional projects. Not least of those learnings involves how to best deploy diagnostic technologies to answer big questions about the way fractures behave—no matter the formation.

These glimpses into how each unconventional operator is relying on fracture diagnostics were shared at a recent technical conference organized by Calgary-based SAGA Wisdom which offers training for engineers on reservoir analysis. Here is more on the lessons they shared with the industry at the conference held this year in Fort Worth, Texas.

Pick the Right Tools

Som Mondal, an engineer with Shell’s shale business unit, joked that when he agreed to speak at the conference about the company’s diagnostics journey in the Permian, it still owned assets there. The London-based supermajor exited the largest US onshore play in a $9.5-billion sale to ConocoPhillips that closed in December 2021.

But while it has moved on from the Permian, Shell still operates unconventional assets in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta and the Montney Shale in Alberta. It is in those places where the company’s years of integrated diagnostics research in the Permian will be carried forward.

Mondal shared how that work shaped the way he now views the different diagnostics technologies and where they complement each other. On this, he subscribes to two overarching philosophies.

“One, we need to aim for consilience—which is when different, independent approaches converge toward the same solution,” said Mondal. “And second, we need to weigh the different diagnostics so that we can combine them based on our confidence in them and the scope of its measurement.”
Technology Focus: Subsea Systems (August 2022)
Authors: Johnston Colin
Published: September 2022

As goes the offshore market in general, so follows the subsea arena, and both are experiencing an upturn because of an increase in commodity prices and the potential that offers to operators focused on optimizing existing assets. In current offshore operations—with an emphasis on environmental, social, and governance performance—subsea has an increasingly important role to play. Subsea tiebacks in particular offer opportunities to increase asset productivity while minimizing environmental impact on an incremental production-per-barrel basis.

With that in mind, the papers selected provide an overview of interest and immediate relevance to SPE members and JPT readers, regardless of where those operations are taking place.

Some of the longstanding issues currently of greatest concern are the jumping-off point for a review intended to focus on optimizing subsea developments. Speed of asset delivery, system reliability, data and information management, and project repeatability are the general wish list for subsea engineers looking to improve efficiency, and all are covered in the papers presented.

Within the industry, the push for a standard approach—not so much with hardware and components but more so with overall subsea project management—is a high priority. Additionally, building on the learnings from mature subsea areas pushes development with a focus on subsea reliability, increasing the global nature of these challenges yet maintaining a specific focus on local issues.

Finally, with a nod to the future, the electrification and automation of subsea assets is presented, the intention being that the industry is ready to combine state-of-the-art system and project management with cutting-edge technology to fully deliver on the potential of subsea.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

OTC 32010 - Novel Concept Approval and Technology Qualification of Systems and Vessels for Deep‑Sea Extraction of Polymetallic Nodules by Tyson Breedlove, American Bureau of Shipping, et al.

OTC 32028 - Key Technology Qualification of a Full‑Scale Subsea Chemical Storage and Injection System by Art J. Schroeder, Subsea Shuttle, et al.

OTC 32100 - Unlocking Resident Underwater Inspection Drones or Autonomous Underwater Vehicles for Subsea Autonomous Inspection: Value Creation Between Technical Requirements and Technological Development by Matteo Mattioli, Saipem, et al.
Guidance for Systems-Engineering Processes for Subsea Production Systems
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: September 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 31827, “Systems Engineering of Subsea Production Systems,” by Amedeo Marcotulli, Saipem, and David Wilkinson, Endeavor Management. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2022 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

As the complexity and cost of subsea production systems (SPS) has increased during recent decades, the requirement for a more-rigorous, systematic approach toward the engineering of such systems has increased. A systems-engineering (SE) guidance document, specifically written to be applicable to SPS, is being developed by members of API Sub-Committee 17 at the time of writing. The objective of the complete paper is to make potential users of the guidance document aware of the benefits associated with the use of formal SE processes when designing complex facilities.

SE Fundamentals

Systems engineers exercise a high-level understanding of how system elements work together, visualizing complex systems as a set of subsystems that interact recursively. Recursive relationships are critical in SE and define many hierarchical taxonomies, such as the following:

- System components consist of subsystems

- Project activities consist of subprojects

- Organizations consist of suborganizations

- Contracts consist of subcontracts

However, an elegance exists in the recursive nature of SE because its processes are self-similar and independent of scale. Its fractal nature allows application of the same process at any level and for any size of project, as shown in Fig. 1.

The recursive and iterative nature of SE results in information flows in four directions:

- Downward path: Requirement information flows from top to bottom, until the lowest elements are fully defined.

- Upward path: Integration information flows from the lowest-level element.

- Forward path: Interface information flows across elements that are at the same level, in each level.

- Backward path: Feedback information informs the design and realization processes on every iteration for continuous improvement.

SE formalizes the interfaces between disciplines, streamlining communications and avoiding rework. SE takes control of the iterations and recursions, thus minimizing waste. Therefore, SE reduces engineering cost while optimizing engineering design.

SE requires a mindset more akin to an architect’s duties than to those of an engineer. It requires synthesis more than analysis, involving a top-down view of the system that goes further than an intimate analysis of its parts.
Study Details Management of Mercury for Production Facilities
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: September 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 31465, “Management of Mercury Offshore for Onshore Production Facilities,” by Mohamed Sopiee Saaibon, Zainab Kayat, and Fatimah A. Karim, Petronas. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2022 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

The objective of the complete paper is to provide an approach to mitigating the adverse effects of mercury found in production fields. It includes an evaluation of treatment-facility requirements and suitable technologies for production fields and facilities. The evaluation covers assessment of pipeline integrity and managing unexpected increases in mercury content to ensure that mercury removal units (MRU) can treat gas within design specifications.

Introduction

Mercury is present as a contaminant in many oil and gas reservoirs; southeast Asia is a well-known for high concentrations of mercury. The presence of mercury poses a threat to the operator’s integrated upstream value chain. The primary concern is exposure of mercury to downstream aluminum heat exchangers for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. The production lines and risers, although made of carbon steel, are exposed to integrity threats and, consequently, risk deferment of production.

Initial Problem

Concerns regarding mercury’s presence in hydrocarbon processing systems arose when substantial liquid mercury was detected at the operator’s downstream onshore LNG plant at levels three times beyond the design of its existing onshore MRU within the plant. Such high mercury concentration in feed gas was not expected because the wells had been operational for only 1 year. Immediate measures taken to handle these high quantities of mercury to protect the plant and its aluminum equipment included the following:

- Reduction of feed-gas intake and production slowdown

- Closing of wells with high mercury content

- Mixing of that gas with low-mercury gas

- Preparation for MRU adsorbent changeout

No method exists to predict mercury production, and thus mitigation and equipment design—particularly that of an MRU across an integrated oil and gas production system—cannot be based on subsurface production data alone. A holistic approach to determine reservoir mercury concentrations from geology by on onsite sampling and mapping, from the wellhead to the production facility along the pipeline to the plant, was initiated.
Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in bovine mammary epithelial cells through the NFE2L2 signaling pathway
Authors: Qian Weidong , Chang Renxu , Jia Hongdou , Fu Shixin , Sun Xudong
Published: September 2022

Background
During the lactation period, the dairy cows is often in a state of negative energy balance. An enhanced lipid mobilization alters the redox imbalance of bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs) due to the negative energy balance in the early stage of lactation. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), the main active components of ginseng, has been well-documented with possession of excellent antioxidant both in humans and non-ruminants. The primary objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of Rg1 on H2O2-induced oxidative damage of bMECs and its molecular mechanism. Bovine MEC line MAC-T cells were pretreated with Rg1 (0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 µM) for 24 h, followed by a H2O2 (500 µM) challenge for 24 h.
Results
Rg1 treatment decreased intracellular ROS and apoptosis induced by H2O2. These effects are related to the activation of NFE2L2 antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and the inactivation of caspase / Bcl2 / p53 apoptosis pathway. MAC-T cells were transfected with NFE2L2 siRNA for 48 h, and then treated with Rg1 (2 µM) for another 24 h, followed by a H2O2 (500 µM) challenge for 24 h. The protective effect of Rg1 on H2O2-induced intracellular ROS accumulation and apoptosis was eliminated after transfection with NFE2L2 siRNA.
Conclusions
These results suggest that NFE2L2 is necessary for the protective mechanism of Rg1 on H2O2-induced oxidative damage of bMECs. Thus, Rg1 might be a potent antioxidant in vivo that could be administered to ruminant animals during stressful periods such as the transition into lactation.
Lead exposure dose-dependently affects oxidative stress, AsA-GSH system, photosynthesis, and mineral element content in pakchoi (Brassica Chinensis L.)
Authors: Tan Zhanming , Wu Cuiyun , Xuan Zhengying , Cheng Yunxia , Xiong Renci , Su Zhihang , Wang Desheng
Published: September 2022

Lead (Pb) stress can cause oxidative stress and abnormal plant growth. The ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle mainly exists in the chloroplast and is involved in resisting oxidative stress, scavenging reactive oxygen radicals in the chloroplast, and maintaining normal photosynthesis. However, whether Pb can affect the photosynthesis of pakchoi in a dose-dependent manner through the oxidative stress and AsA-GSH system is unclear. In this study, the low-dose (300 mg/kg), medium-dose (600 mg/kg) and high-dose (900 mg/kg) Pb stress models were established. In this experiment, methods such as ICP-MS, detection of photosynthetic characteristics and fluorescence characteristics, qRT-PCR, principal component analysis and correlation analysis were used. The results showed that Pb stress induced a dose-dependent increase in Pb content in pakchoi leaves. Principal component analysis discovered that Se, B and Pb were significantly negatively correlated. Pb stress caused an increase in MDA content and the decrease in SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC activities. We also found that the Vc content and the GSH/GSSG ratio decreased. In addition, Pb stress resulted in the decreases of Pn, Tr, Gs, Ci, and VPD, and attenuated Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo. In the high-dose group, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids were significantly decreased, and the expression of chloroplast development genes (GLK, GLN2) were abnormal. Taken together, our data suggests that Pb stress leads to aberrant photosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner by inhibiting the AsA-GSH system in pakchoi. The study expands the field of Pb toxicology research and provides indications for screening antagonists.
Anxiety, Depression, and Stress among Female Community Health Volunteers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal
Authors: Basnet Author: Saraswati , Silwal Co- author: Suvekshya
Published: September 2022

Introduction
Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) are an integral part of various community-based health programs visiting households and communities to screen for diseases, risk factors and educate on basic health issues. A profound and wide range of psychological health issues (anxiety, stress, and depression) at the individual, community, and international levels has been reported during the COVID-19 outbreaks.
Methods
An analytical cross-sectional study design was used to assess the anxiety, depression, and stress level among rural and urban FCHVs during the COVID-19 in Province 1. A multistage random sampling technique was be used the select the sample. The totalsample size was 384. Semi-structured structured valid Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used for measuring the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress level of FCHVs. Descriptive analysis i.e. frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation was used to assess the level of anxiety, depression, and stress among adults. Inferential analysis i.e. logistic regression was used to find the association between dependent and selected demographic variables.
Findings
The study revealed that the prevalence of extremely severe levels of anxiety was 35.5 % of the Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) 23.4% of moderate level of stress and 21.6% of respondents were a severe level of depression respectively. There is significant association between level anxiety and ethnicity (p=0.040; OR=1.562; CI=1.021-2.390), occupation (p=0.013; OR=3.861; CI=1.325-11.249) and place of residence (p≤ 0.001; OR=1.959; CI=1.470-3.413). There is significant association between level stress and occupation (p=0.037; OR=3.363; CI=1.074-10.531) place of residence (p=0. 005; OR=1.817; CI=1.193-2.767). There is significant association between level depression and ethnicity, occupation (p≤0.001; OR=2.117; OR=1.391-3.222) and place of residence (p=0. 026; OR=3.371; CI=1.158-9.812).
The study concluded that the female community Health Volunteers was mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe level of anxiety, stress and depression level so prompt psychiatric intervention to enhance the mental wellbeing of FCHVs.
The interaction between physiology and behavior underlying complex life histories
Authors: Cabrera Doreen , Quezada Katia , Bolander Mikayla , Griffen Blaine D.
Published: September 2022

The pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis predicts that consistent variation in behavior should be linked to variation across individuals in physiological and other life history traits. Here, we examined the interaction between physiology and behavior in the Cambarid northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis) from its invaded range. The morphology of adult male Cambarid crayfish is accompanied by seasonal changes in sexual activity, a process called form alternation or cyclic dimorphism. Crayfish exhibit the reproductive form in the breeding season and subsequently molt into the non-reproductive form. Upon return of the breeding season, non-reproductive males molt back to their reproductive form. We repeatedly measured metabolic rate, body condition, and propensity to take risks in reproductive and non-reproductive northern crayfish. Higher risk-taking behavior was linked to a higher body condition consistent with the pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis. Individual differences in risk-taking behavior were only mildly repeatable. Further, non-reproductive crayfish with high energy stores had a higher metabolic rate than reproductive crayfish. This is an indication that high energy stores are needed to fuel growth in the non-reproductive form and thus resulting in higher metabolic demands. Understanding the links between physiology and behavior not only has important implications for the evolution of life history traits but may also provide insight into the dynamics of range expansion in this invasive crayfish species.
Resource use differences of two coexisting chironomid species at localized scales
Authors: McCormick Amanda R. , Phillips Joseph S. , Botsch Jamieson C. , Ólafsson Jón S. , Ives Anthony R.
Published: September 2022

The abundances of competing species may show positive correlations in time and space if they rely on a shared resource. Such positive correlations might obscure resource partitioning that facilitates competitor coexistence. Here, we examine the potential for resource partitioning between two ecologically similar midge species (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Lake Mývatn, Iceland. Tanytarsus gracilentus and Chironomus islandicus show large, roughly synchronized population fluctuations, implying potential reliance on a shared fluctuating resource and thereby posing the question of how these species coexist at high larval abundances. We first considered spatial partitioning of larvae. Abundances of both species were positively correlated; thus, spatial partitioning across different sites in the lake did not appear to be strong. We then inferred differences in dietary resources with stable carbon isotopes. T. gracilentus larvae had significantly higher δ13C values than C. islandicus, suggesting interspecific differences in resource use. Differences in resource selectivity, tube-building behavior, and feeding styles may facilitate resource partitioning between these two species. Relative to surface sediments, T. gracilentus had higher δ13C values, suggesting that they selectively graze on 13C-enriched resources such as productive algae from the surface of their tubes. In contrast, C. islandicus had lower δ13C values than surface sediments, suggesting reliance on 13C-depleted resources, which may include detrital organic matter and associated microbes that larvae selectively consume from the sediment surface or within their burrow walls. Overall, our study illustrates that coexisting and ecologically similar species may show positive correlations in space and time while using different resources at fine spatial scales.
“They said we're all in it together, but we were kind of separated”: Barriers to access, and suggestions for improving access to official information about COVID-19 vaccines for migrants in Australia
Authors: Pourmarzi Davoud , Fitzpatrick Petya , Allen Keeley , Yuen Aidan , Lambert Stephen
Published: September 2022

Background:Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health measurements to mitigate the burden of COVID-19 infection. For health equity, information needs to be accessible to all members of society to allow for informed decision-making about COVID-19 vaccines. We sought to investigate barriers that migrants living in Australia faced in accessing official information about COVID-19 vaccines and identify potential solutions.Methods:This study used a descriptive qualitative study design. Seventeen adults living in Australia and born in the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Region participated in a semi-structured interview conducted via telephone. Participants were recruited using advertising through social media platforms. The interviews were conducted between December 2021 and February 2022. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Results:Barriers to accessing official information about COVID-19 vaccines were related to unmet language needs, methods of dissemination, and mistrust in official sources of information. To overcome barriers, participants suggested improving the quality and timeliness of language support, using diverse modes of dissemination, working with members of migrant communities, providing opportunities for two-way communication, communicating uncertainty, and building a broader foundation of trust.Conclusion:Information about COVID-19 vaccines during different stages of the vaccination program should be provided in migrants’ languages at the same time that it is available in English using a variety of methods for dissemination. The acceptability of official information can be improved by communicating uncertainty, acknowledging people’s concerns about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and providing opportunities for two-way communication. People’s trust in official sources of health information can be improved by working with migrant communities and recognising migrants’ contributions to society. The findings of this study may improve managing the response to COVID-19 and other health emergencies in Australia and in other similar societies.
Epidemiology of human visceral leishmaniasis in Pernambuco-Brazil: a descriptive study, 2015 to 2020
Authors: Macena Leylyane Silva , Pascoal Suedja Maria , Germinio Josefa Elaine Silva , Correia Bárbara Virgínia Mendonça Silva
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a systemic pathology caused by a parasite of the genres Leishmaniawhich Dogs are the main disease reservoir. The main parasite form of transmission in Brazil is through Lutzomyia longipalpis female bite. Objective: The objective of this work is to assess the epidemiological profile of the VL in Pernambuco from 2015 to 2020. Method: It is observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective from secondary dates about LV rates in Pernambuco. Data were collected from DATASUS, SINAN, and IBGE all Brazilian official systems. Results: Pernambuco located in the Northeast region of Brazil presented high rates of Leishmaniasis which is a disease with a very intense infection with more distribution in the backwoods of the state. The notification index of the state in the studied period was 175, 118, 185, 200, 181, and 113 respectively for each year. In 2016 there was a reduction of 32% in cases in relation to 2015. There was an increase in 2017 of 56.8%, and in 2018 there was an increase of 8,1%. In 2019 there was a decrease of 9,5% and in 2020 there was the smallest number of cases, a decrease of 37.6%. The mortality average of VL in the state of Pernambuco between 2015 and 2020 was 8.1%. The co-infection of LV with HIV revealed an increase during the years.
Conclusion: It was identified that there may be conflict regarding canine euthanasia. In addition, the incidence of Co-infected patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis and HIV is a worrying factor. Also, basic sanitation is the main measure to reduce several neglected diseases, and for that reason the development of social actions to raise awareness against the disease in all aspects is essential.
Effect of a low-calorie meal replacement diet and a usual low-calorie diet on resting metabolic rate and body composition in overweight and obese women
Authors: Keshavarz Mozhdeh , Rezvani Reza , Jarahi Lida , Esfahani Ali Jafarzadeh , Novaei-Alipour Narges , Nematy Mohsen
Published: September 2022

Background: Using meal replacement plans is one of the weight loss methods. A study on the effectiveness and efficiency of these methods seems necessary. In this study, we intend to determine and compare the effectiveness of Meal Replacement Therapy (MRT) and the Usual Low-Calorie diet (ULC) on Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and body composition in overweight and obese women.
Methods: This quasi-experimental clinical trial consisted of two groups of women aged 18 to 50 years with a BMI of 25 to 40. Participants were allowed to choose between MRT and ULC diets based on their preferences. Both groups received equal daily calories (1000-1200 kcal in the first four weeks and 1200-1400 kcal in the second four weeks), which BMI determined. Primary outcomes were BMI, weight, body composition, and RMR. Secondary outcomes were Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), insulin, lipid profile, and Physical symptoms.
Results: There were 35 participants in each group. There were no significant differences in the baseline anthropometric and metabolic measurements between the two groups (p>0.05). The only significant difference between the two groups was weight and BMI, lower in the MRT group (28.48kg/m2 vs. 30.75kg/m2). RMR did not change in the MRT group but decreased significantly in the ULC group. Metabolic profile improved in both groups, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that meal replacement therapy is a more effective strategy for losing weight.Nevertheless, it is necessary to do further studies on meal replacements.
Trial registration
The study was approved on January 19, 2020, in the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (ethics code: IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1398.744) as well as in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT code: IRCT20200611047731N1. Registration date: 17-07-2020)
Unique hexagonal-Ge nanostructures with direct-bandgap emissions in Si-based light-emitting metasurface
Authors: Zhang Ningning , Yan Jia , Wang Liming , Zhang Jiarui , Zhang Zhifang , Miao Tian , Zheng Changlin , Jiang Zuimin , Hu Huiyong , Zhong Zhenyang
Published: September 2022

Si-based emitters have been of great interest due to their potential as the ideal light source for monolithic optical-electronic integrated circuits (MOEICs) on Si substrates. However, the general Si-based material is a diamond structure of cubic lattice with an indirect-bandgap, which cannot emit light efficiently. Here, unique hexagonal-Ge (H-Ge) nanostructures within light-emitting metasurface consisted of cubic-SiGe nanodisk array are reported. The H-Ge nanostructure is naturally formed within the cubic-Ge epitaxially grown on Si (001) substrates due to the strain-induced crystal phase transition assisted with far-from equilibrium growth conditions. The direct-bandgap features of H-Ge nanostructures are observed and discussed, including a rather strong and linearly power-dependent PL peak around 1560 nm at room temperature, temperature-insensitive PL spectrum above 160 K. Given the direct-bandgap nature and the compatibly with the sophisticated Si technology, the H-Ge nanostructure within a light-emitting metasurface has great potentials for innovative light sources, particularly in Si-based MOEICs.
Effects of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept for branch retinal vein occlusion on the choroid: a retrospective study
Authors: Kishishita Shuta , Sakanishi Yoshihito , Morita Shu , Matsuzawa Moe , Usui-Ouchi Ayumi , Ebihara Nobuyuki
Published: September 2022

Background: Macular edema is found in more than half of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) cases leading to visual loss in most of these cases. Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor is currently the standard treatment for macular edema due to BRVO (BRVO-ME). The difference in the effects of aflibercept and ranibizumab on the choroid in BRVO-ME is unknown. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept on BRVO-ME.
Methods: We retrospectively observed changes in choroidal thickness in the subfoveal region in 36 patients with BRVO-ME who visited the Department of Ophthalmology at the Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital. The patients were treated with intravitreal injection of aflibercept or ranibizumab and followed up for 12 months or more.
Results: The observed point bifurcated into the affected side and the non-affected side 500 μm from the fovea. The central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were 564.2 ± 268.5 μm and 228.8 ± 50.1 μm, respectively, in the ranibizumab group (16 patients, 16 eyes) and 542.4 ± 172.5 μm and 246.1 ± 59.1 μm, respectively, in the aflibercept group (20 patients, 20 eyes). The changes in CMT at 12 months were 324.0 ± 262.6 μm and 326.55 ± 187.2 μm in the ranibizumab and aflibercept groups, respectively, with no significant difference (p = 0.97). Similarly, the changes in SFCT over 12 months were not significant between the groups (ranibizumab, 41.9 ± 33.0 μm; aflibercept, 43.8 ± 43.8 μm, p = 0.89).
Conclusion: The effects of ranibizumab and aflibercept 34 on choroidal thickness in BRVO-ME were the same regardless of the site. Although BRVO is a retinal disease, we hope that in the future we can further explore the mechanism of BRVO-ME by observing changes in the choroid.
XPAT® proteins, conditionally activated T-cell engagers engineered to mitigate on-target, off-tumor toxicity for immunotherapy of solid tumors
Authors: Cattaruzza Fiore , Nazeer Ayesha , To Milton , Hammond Mikhail , Koski Caitlin , Liu Lucas , Yeung V. Pete , Rennerfeldt Deena , Henkensiefken Angela , Fox Michael , Lam Sharon , Morrissey Kari , Lange Zachary , Podust Vladimir , Derynck Mika , Irving Bryan , Schellenberger Volker
Published: September 2022

To enhance the therapeutic index of T-cell engagers (TCE), we engineered masked, conditionally active TCEs (XPAT proteins), targeting a tumor antigen (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2] or epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [EGFR]) and CD3. Unstructured XTEN® polypeptide masks flank the N- and C-termini of the TCE and are designed to be released by proteases in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, unmasked HER2-XPAT (uTCE) demonstrates potent cytotoxicity, with XTEN polypeptide masking providing up to 4-log-fold protection. In vivo, HER2-XPAT induces protease-dependent anti-tumor activity and is proteolytically stable in healthy tissues. In non-human primates (NHPs), HER2-XPAT demonstrates a strong safety margin (> 400-fold increase in tolerated maximum concentration versus uTCE). HER2-XPAT cleavage is low and similar in plasma samples from healthy and diseased humans and NHPs, supporting translatability of stability to human patients. The EGFR-XPAT confirmed the utility of XPAT technology for tumor targets more widely expressed in healthy tissues.
Higher risk of cancer and neurodegenerative disease in elderly Koreans with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kim Hee-Cheol , Lee Ho-Jun , Kim Yang-Tae , Jang Byeong-Churl
Published: September 2022

Aims
Aging is associated with an increased occurrence of age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), cancer, and various neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Disturbance of cellular protein homeostasis might be involved in the etiology of these age-related diseases. Therefore, these three diseases may be related to each other. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of cancer and NDs in elderly Koreans with the first diagnosed T2D using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (DB) for the entire Korean population.
Methods
A population-based 10-year follow-up study was conducted using the Korean NHIS DB between 2006 and 2015. The study population included the T2D group (n = 155,459) and the matched-control group (n = 155,459), aged 60 to 84 years. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of cancer and ND.
Results
The number of cancer patients at the end of follow-up in both groups was as follows: 39,802/155,459 (25.6%) in the control group and 41,194/155,459 (26.5%) in the T2D group (χ2 = 32.35, p < 0.001). The number of ND patients at the end of follow-up in both groups was as follows: 44,673/155,459 (28.7%) in the control group and 51,096/155,459 (32.9%) in the T2D group (χ2 = 622.53, p < 0.001). The adjusted HR for cancer in the T2D group compared with the control group was 1.10 (95% CI, 1.08 ~ 1.11; P < 0.001). The adjusted HR for ND in the T2D group compared with the control group was 1.23 (95% CI, 1.22 ~ 1.25; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
This study showed s higher risk of cancer and ND in elderly Koreans with T2D. These results suggest that T2D is a risk factor for cancer and ND in elderly Koreans.
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9-driven mouse mammary tumor-inhibitory effect is accompanied by modulation of host gut microbiota, immunity, and serum metabolome
Authors: Zhang Weiqin , Zhang Yong , Li Yalin , Ma Da , Zhang Heping , Kwok Lai-Yu
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Gut microbiome may influence tumor growth and the outcome of cancer treatment, so it may be considered as a target for tumor prevention and treatment. This study investigated the preventive and therapeutic effects of the probiotic strain, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9 (Probio-M9), against mammary cancer in mice. Thirty-six female mice were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12 per group): control group (without tumor transplantation), model group (tumor transplantation; no probiotic administration), and probiotic group (30-day oral gavage of probiotic, started seven days before tumor transplantation). Changes in tumor size was recorded, and blood, tumor tissue, and stool samples were collected at the end of the trial for analysis. Significantly smaller tumor volume was observed in the probiotic group compared with the model group (P < 0.05). Probio-M9 significantly increased the Shannon diversity index of mouse fecal microbiota and modified the gut microbiota structure (P < 0.05), characterized by significantly more Alistipes sp., Porphyromonadaceae bacterium, and Bacteroidales bacterium (P < 0.05), compared with the model group. Additionally, Probio-M9 administration elevated the serum IFN-γ, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-27 levels, while reducing the serum levels of IL-5 (P < 0.05) and several metabolites (e.g., pyridoxal, nicotinic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, glutamine; P < 0.05). These physiological changes might be associated with the protective effect of Probio-M9 against mammary tumor growth. Our results support that probiotic administration could be a means of harnessing host gut microbiome and other physiological responses in combating cancer.
Attitudes regarding a warranty and the expected longevity of dental treatment amongst New Zealand dentists, dental students, and patients
Authors: Liu Belinda , Roessler David , Morse Zac
Published: September 2022

Objectives To investigate and compare estimates of the longevity of dental treatment, expectations for free remedial treatment, and attitudes about formal dental warranties among dentists, students, and patients.
Materials and Methods Using convenience sampling, a questionnaire was distributed to New Zealand dentists (n=28) and final year dental students (n=27). A separate questionnaire was provided to patients in a university dental clinic (n=43). Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square and Pearson Correlation tests were used to test for differences between groups and correlations amongst variables. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.
Results Dentists believed that their posterior composite resin restorations would last longer (p=0.014), would remediate failed crowns for longer (p=0.002) and provide longer crown warranties (p=0.003) compared to students. Patients had higher expectations for restoration longevity and free remediation for failed treatment. Students were generally more willing to provide warranties. Crowns were perceived to be the most warrantable, while endodontic treatment was the least warrantable. Recall attendance, mechanical failure and adequate oral hygiene were commonly proposed warranty conditions for restorations and crowns. There was little consensus about complete dentures and endodontic treatment.
Conclusions There are significant disparities between the expectations of patients and clinicians regarding treatment longevity and free remediation times. Clinicians, in general, are willing to provide free remediation within a specified time frame, except for endodontic treatment, but are hesitant to provide formal dental warranties.
Clinical Relevance Clinicians must ensure clear communication to manage patients’ expectations. A formal warranty could be one way to ensure patients are well informed of their rights.
General numeric determination of ecological operation of heat pumps using power from cogeneration.
Authors: Hurst Georg , Jentsch Andrej , Blesl Markus
Published: September 2022

The combination of a combined heat and power (CHP) system with a heat pump (HP), is growing popular as an innovative heating solution in residential buildings as well as decarbonization-solution in district heating networks. Due to significant lower operational and initial costs, the predominant configuration is a CHP+HP combination, where the HP is operated by internal power supply, provided by the CHP. In this paper, the CHP+HP combination was generally analysed under exergy analysis regarding its climate protection potential, thus taking the first and second law of thermodynamics into consideration. As a result, the common conception of CHP+HP combinations being ecologically advantageous in terms of low CO2-emissions, was disproved analytically.
The new, theoretical COP limit, which is derived and presented in this work gives the COP-threshold that any HP operated with internal power supply from CHP has to achieve at minimum to provide heat at lower CO2-emissions than the CHP. The COP limit derived is a function of CHP temperatures only. The graphical representation of the results allows a simple determination of the energy system conditions to check whether the HP has a positive impact on the CO2-emissions of the combined CHP+HP-system under usage of internal power supply. The evaluation based on these results confirms that the heat from a HP using either of the 2 popular heat-sources surfaced-water or ambient air, inevitably has higher specific CO2-emissions in the CHP+HP combination than the CHP heat. Only when using a sufficiently hot and emissions-free heat source, the HP-heat from a CHP+HP combination can yield to maximum of half the CO2-emissions of the CHP. Therefore, power consumption with sufficiently low specific CO2-emissions out of external source is mandatory to achieve in case of a high temperature waste heat source fully capitalize on the ecological benefits through HP operation in CHP+HP systems.
Effectiveness of Four-week Task-Specific Functional Exercise protocol in chronic post-stroke upper limb management: A prospective interventional trial
Authors: Senarath ID , Thalwaththe STRD , Pathirage LPMMK , Kularatne SAM
Published: September 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate a specifically designed four-week Task-Specific functional exercise (TSE) protocol for chronic post-stroke upper limb. The protocol was initiated with simple mass movements in the first week, then gradually advanced into reaching, grasping, and finger movements in the second week, simple tasks in the third week, and complex tasks in the fourth week. Outcomes were measured by FMA-UL and ARAT. All participants improved 2.4 times at the end of the TSE protocol compared with baseline (95% CI 3.52 to 4.14) in wrist sub-category, thrice (95% CI 6.07 to 6.89) in hand sub-category, and 3.1 times (95% CI 17.4 to 19.7) in the total FMA-UL score. In ARAT; the achievement at the end of the protocol was thrice that of the baseline in the total sample (95% CI 5.81 to 6.59) for grasp sub-component, 2.9 times (95% CI 4.33 to 4.93) for grip, 2.6 times (95% CI 4.49 to 5.19) for pinch, 3.8 times (95% CI 4.22to 4.84) for gross sub-component, and 3.1 times (95% CI 19.4 to 21.4) for total ARAT. Implemented four-week TSE protocol is effective in upper limb functional improvement which is more than twice at the end compared to the baseline. Trial registration: SLCTR/2019/040
Impact of Agricultural Inputs Use on Productivity of Major Crops in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Meja Merihun , Kebede Alemtsehay Kassa
Published: September 2022

This invention describes that the rate of input utilization is decisive for productivity growth of considered crops. The invention enhances the productivity of major crops like maize, teff, wheat, barley and sorghum crops. The sample was based on a panel data of (2011, 2013, and 2015) acquired from the Ethiopian socio-economic survey was used. The invention was scientifically analyzed using the basic fixed effect model and dose-response function under exogenous and endogenous treatment models. In the exogenous and endogenous treatment cases, households applying fertilizer have achieved actual different levels of higher outputs than their counterparts. In endogenous treatment, the household applying fertilizer harvested much higher output than those in the counterfactual condition. Moreover, inputs: fertilizer, seed, labor force, and farm capital utilization have a critical impact on the aggregate outputs of considered crops.
Oridonin suppresses the growth of glioblastoma cells via inhibiting Hippo/YAP axis
Authors: wang chen , Zhang Yonghong , Jiang Qingsong , Chen Shuang , Zhang Liang , Qiu Hongmei
Published: September 2022

Glioma is a brain tumor that originated from brain or spine glial cells. Despite utilizing alternative treatments, the overall survival remains poor. Oridonin (ORI) is purified from the Chinese herb Rabdosia rubescens which exhibited anti-cancer effects on human tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ORI on U87MG glioblastoma cells and whether Hippo/YAP-related signaling pathway was involved in. Here, we found that ORI inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in U87MG cells. Moreover, ORI inhibited Bcl-2, YAP, c-Myc protein expression but increased Bax, caspase-3, p-YAP protein expression. Furthermore, these anti-cancer effects of ORI were also confirmed in a mouse model bearing glioma. Further study suggested that the YAP inhibitor Verteporfin (VP) showed the similar effect of ORI, but ORI reversed the effect of over-expression of YAP. Collectively, Oridonin suppressed glioblastoma oncogenesis via the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway and could be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of glioblastoma.
Dynamic Water Quality Changes in the Main Stream of the Yangtze River from Combined Multi-source Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Zhao Jiarui , Jin Shuanggen , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: September 2022

Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) are important indicators for water quality. However, although water quality with high accuracy can be obtained by traditional measurement methods, the cost is high and the area is limited. A single satellite remote sensing was used to retrieve water quality with larger scale, less bands and limited accuracy. In this paper, the inversion models of TN and TP are obtained and validated in the main stream of the Yangtze River by using multi-source remote sensing data. The accuracy of models from joint multi-source remote sensing data is higher than that from using a single satellite data. The correlation of TN joint inversion model can reach 0.80, and the root mean square error(RMSE) is about 0.5mg L-1. The correlation of TP joint inversion model can reach 0.85, and RMSE is about 0.1mg L-1. Using the models, the water quality changes are obtained and analysed in the main stream of the Yangtze River from 2019 to 2021. It is found that TN and TP in the upstream and downstream are high. In spring and autumn, the water quality is poor. The main stream of the Yangtze River mostly class III and getting better year by year. Finally, the reasons for the change of water quality are discussed with other factors. It is found that TN and TP are negatively correlated with water level, temperature and flow. The correlation between water level and water quality is higher than others and it can reach − 0.76 and − 0.64.