bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabricating Topologically Optimized Tree-Like Pavilions Using Large-Scale Robotic 3D Printing Techniques
Authors: Bao Ding Wen , Yan Xin , Xie Yi Min
Published: July 2022

This research addresses innovations in building structural components through the generative design technique Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) and the application of large-scale 3D robotic printing to produce efficient and elegant spatial structures. The innovative pavilion discussed in this paper demonstrates a design process and the ambitions of the research group through a full-scale model of large-span spatial structures. The focus of this work is the use of a modified BESO technique to optimize the structure, which features branches of various sizes and then applies 'skin' surfaces according to the direction of the main structure. The innovative production, construction, and assembling methodologies are to replace welded ultimately, forged, and cast components with large robotic 3D printed components and bolting methods. The advantages of the new design and construction process are less labor, fewer joints, shorter assembling time, lower cost & more efficient material usage and more complex & elegant large structural form.
Epidemiology of obesity in children and adolescents (systematic review and meta-analysis of publications over a 15-year period)
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Gritsinskaya V.L. , Novikova V.P. ,   Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Khavkin A.I. ,   Research Clinical Institute of Childhood of the Moscow Region, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: July 2022

The epidemic of obesity affected most of the countries by the beginning of the 21st century. However, the data on the prevalence of obesity among children in Russia are insufficient and were obtained using different methods. Objective. To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children from Russia and neighboring countries using metaanalysis. Materials and methods. We analyzed 56 publications that involved 355,905 children and adolescents aged 1–19 years from Russia and neighboring countries in accordance with the Child Growth Standards, 2006 and WHO Growth Reference 2007. Data analysis was performed using the MS Excel and MedCalc software. We calculated proportions with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and odds ratios (ORs); differences were considered significant at р < 0.05. Results. More than a quarter of study participants (25.3%) were overweight or obese. Children under 7 years of age were less likely to be overweight/obese than those aged 8–19 years (р < 0.001); boys were more prone to overweight/obesity than girls (р < 0.001). Overweight was observed in 18.8% of children and was more common in boys than in girls (р < 0.001). Obesity was more prevalent among children aged >7 years than among young children (р < 0.001); it was more frequently observed in boys than in girls (р < 0.001). The prevalence of overweight varied between 3.9% and 29.1% in different groups of children depending on their age, sex, and living conditions. The prevalence of obesity varied between 1.2% and 25.3%. Conclusion. The trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Russian children and adolescents is consistent with the global epidemiological situation and requires more effective preventive measures. Key words: obesity, overweight, prevalence, children, adolescents, Russia
Effectiveness of Weight Loss School
Authors:   V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation, Bolotova N.V. , Filina N.Yu. ,   V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation, Kompaniets O.V. ,   V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation, Dronova E.G. ,   V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation, Kurdiyan M.S. ,   V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation, Fedotova A.O. ,   V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation
Published: July 2022

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of Weight Loss School for children aged 10–17 years. Patients and methods. Between 2019 and 2021, we examined 853 children aged 10 to 17 years with exogenous constitutional obesity. All children were offered to attend Weight Loss School. One hundred and seventy-five children (20.5%) started the course and 110 of them (65%) completed it. The School lasted for 6 months and included 5 classes on nutrition and physical activity, physiotherapy, and monthly examination by an endocrinologist. Results. A total of 87% of children reported reduced appetite after the completion of the program. A decrease in median ΔSDS BMI by 0.2 confirmed clinically significant weight loss. Interviewing of participants 6 months following program completion showed that only 46.4% of children managed to maintain their body weight or continue weight loss, whereas 63.6% of children resumed gaining weight. The most common reasons for non-adhering to recommendations included uncontrollable hunger and difficulty of modifying a habitual lifestyle with no external control by a doctor. Conclusion. Our study demonstrated low adherence of children and their parents to obesity treatment. Nutrition education is a necessary component of obesity treatment; however, it has short-term effectiveness. In addition to patient education, administration of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (Saxenda), can be the most promising. GLP-1 affects anorexigenic and orexigenic systems of the hypothalamus and decreases appetite by slowing gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility. Key words: obesity, weight loss school, eating disorder, liraglutide.
Science Meets Metaphor: Teaching and Communicating about Abstract Concepts in Romanian Science Textbooks
Authors: Negrea-Busuioc Elena , Ștefăniță Oana , Guiu Gabriela
Published: July 2022

Metaphors and analogies are efficient and attractive tools used in science teaching to explain abstract ideas in simpler, familiar terms. Science textbook authors and teachers rely on metaphors and analogies to explain abstract scientific concepts and convey them to young learners. In this paper, we discuss a corpus of metaphorical expressions found in Romanian physics and chemistry textbooks for secondary education (grades 6-8), and classified based on target domains (i.e., the core scientific concepts presented in the unit lessons of the analyzed textbooks) and source domains (i.e., the more concrete, more familiar concepts used to explain scientific concepts from the analyzed textbooks). Furthermore, we explore the way in which the identified and annotated metaphors may provide the basis for understanding core concepts from physics (e.g., electricity in terms of ‘water flowing’) and chemistry (e.g., electron shells as ‘field track lanes’). This study is part of a larger research project which aims is to examine how metaphors and analogies used in Romanian science textbooks are understood and misunderstood by young learners and what (mis-) understanding complex scientific ideas might mean for pupils’ preparedness to make sense of the world we live in and, ultimately, for their future engagement with and interest in science.
Synthesis of 2-Methoxypropyl Benzene for Epitope Imprinting
Authors: Moores Lee C. , Ashvin P.U. , Fernando I. , George Garret W.
Published: July 2022

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are occurring with increasing frequency and severity across the globe in part due to climate change and anthropogenic pollution (Bullerjahn et al. 2016). HABs produce several classes of toxins; however, microcystins (MCs) are the most commonly studied (Lone et al. 2015) and can be potent toxins with LD50s in the range of 50 μg/kg (Puddick et al. 2014). Sample analysis in laboratories, typically by high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) or by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) (USEPA 2015). These analytical techniques are highly sensitive and selective for the given toxins; however, the time it takes to collect, transfer, prepare, and analyze a sample before the data can be reported is significant; often, multiple days is the most expeditious.
Artificial Lift Experience in Malaysia and Indonesia and the Way Forward
Authors: Mehran Fatemah , Idris Khairul Nizam , Kusuma Dadik Hendra
Published: July 2022

Artificial lift is a method used to lower the producing bottomhole pressure on a formation to obtain a higher production rate from the well. This can be done either with a positive-displacement downhole pump, such as a beam pump or a progressive cavity pump (PCP), to lower the flowing pressure at the pump intake, or it can be done by injecting gas with high pressure through a downhole gauge near the bottom of the well. The selection of the method depends on many factors such as reservoir characterization, completion design, and operating conditions such as pressure, temperature, and producing rate. In addition, production-fluid properties such as density and viscosity also play a role in the selection of artificial-lift methods.

Market Overview

The market for artificial-lift systems is growing at a compound annual growth rate of more than 4.5% (Fig. 1). Seventy percent of the world’s existing fields are mature, most of which require artificial lift to maintain planned production targets.

Based on a recent marketing study, Asia Pacific is one of the fastest growing markets

for electrical submersible pumps (ESP), with China leading in demand as it works to increase production output from established fields.

North America dominated the global artificial-lift systems market in 2018, owing to its shale discoveries and the associated exploration and production activities. Furthermore, improved oil recovery is expected to support the demand for artificial-lift systems during the forecast period.

Petronas, PTTEP, and Pertamina are the major operators in the Asia Pacific region taking the lead in using new technology and methodology in artificial lift and in adopting digitization.

This article presents the technical approach of Petronas and Pertamina in implementing artificial-lift technology and their vision for the future. It summarizes a panel session organized by the SPE Artificial Lift and Gas Well Deliquification Technical Section in which the authors participated last year.
Technology Focus: Coiled Tubing (June 2022)
Authors: Crabtree Alex
Published: July 2022

As I write the introduction to this year’s Coiled Tubing feature, I am reflecting on a couple of recent events in my SPE life.

The first was the announcement that the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists are no longer pursuing a merger. It wasn’t the merger notification that caught my eye but the drop in SPE membership from 99,175 in 2015 to the current total of 66,020. In addition, a point was raised in the announcement about attracting and retaining young members.

The second event was being fortunate enough to attend the SPE/Intervention and Coiled Tubing Association (ICoTA) Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, in person following a 2-year in-person hiatus. There was an energy about the conference, where people were glad to be spending time with one another and simply networking, sharing ideas, and catching up and not through a computer screen. The Intervention Technology Award, presented by ICoTA each year, had 22 submissions with four finalists. I will leave the reader to research the winner. This is the largest number of submissions in the history of the award. Engineers enjoy solving problems and developing solutions. These submissions reflect 22 problems, or challenges, addressed and solved by bringing new solutions to bear.

So, my reflection on these two events raises the question: does one of these provide insight about the other?

In this year’s feature are two case histories and an equipment-development paper, all of which are, by accident rather than design, from operations undertaken in the Gulf States. Each, in its own way, exemplifies the engineering decisions and balances that must be weighed to provide the best solution within limiting parameters and the considerable effort this may take. These are not compromises, as is often talked about. Compromise implies that something has been given up or sacrificed, but, to me at least, that is not the case when a solution is found that achieves the objective while working within limitations. The case histories are for different types of operations, but the engineering similarities are clear.

Much in line with previous years, papers in the recommended additional reading list are on coiled tubing material performance.

Please all continue to stay well and safe.

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

SPE/ICoTA 208996 - Coiled Tubing Premature Failure—The Effects of Pressure and Strain by Jorge Martin Bunge, Tenaris, et al.

SPE/ICoTA 209019 - Wellbore Abrasion Comparison With High-Strength Coiled Tubing—A Case Study by Garry McClelland, Global Tubing, et al.
Surface-Modified Nanoparticle Gelled-Acid System Stimulates Without Formation Damage
Authors: Carpenter Chris
Published: July 2022

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 22443, “Surface-Modified Nanoparticle-Based Novel Gelled-Acid System: A Unique Formation-Damage-Free Well-Stimulation Technology,” by Rajendra Kalgaonkar, SPE, and Nour Baqader, SPE, Saudi Aramco. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2022 International Petroleum Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission.

Gelled-acid systems based on the gelation of hydrochloric acid (HCl) are used extensively in both matrix and fracture acidizing to prevent acidizing-fluid leakoff. However, these systems can lead to formation damage. To mitigate this risk, the authors have developed a self-breaking, formation-damage-free, novel nanoparticle-based gelled-acid system to replace polymer-based gelled-acid systems.

Nanoparticle-Based Gelled-Acid System

The complete paper showcases a method for gelling up an acid formulation for stimulating a carbonate reservoir. The technique is based on surface-modified nanoparticles. The new gelled-acid system does not contain any polymer-based gelling agents. It consists of inorganic nanoparticles with a gelation-activator material to activate viscosification. The increase in viscosity will lead to a slowdown of the reaction rate of the acid with the carbonate formation. Suitable functionalities are used to surface-modify the nanoparticles to stabilize them in acidic media.

The treatment fluid can be pumped downhole as a single homogeneous fluid system in the same pumping stage. The nanoparticles are easily miscible with the acid formulation without any need for the batch-mixing processes that may be required for a polymer-based gelled-acid system to account for polymer hydration. Thus, this formulation can be mixed easily while pumping the acidic fluid downhole. This ensures that the new gelled-acid system can increase operational efficiency by reducing operational time substantially. Nanoparticle gelation takes place in situ in the acid fluid and does not require a separate pumping stage to introduce the activator. The gelation of nanoparticles is predominantly a pH-based phenomenon. The gelation rate can be influenced also by temperature.

As the fluid’s temperature increases, the treatment fluid viscosifies, thus diverting the tail-end acid to less-permeable zones in the reservoir. As the acid spends after reacting with the carbonate formation and the pH of the system increases beyond a pH of 4, the nanoparticles lose their ability to further viscosify the acid, thus reducing the viscosity of the fluid system. This enables easy flowback of the fluid post-treatment. Because the viscosifying material used in the present invention is a nanoparticulate, it will be potentially nondamaging to the formation because of effective flowback and no residual deposition inside the formation.
Technology Focus: EOR Operations (June 2022)
Authors: Kokal Sunil
Published: July 2022

In this article, I will focus on chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR). What is its current status, and what is its future? Chemical EOR is defined as the addition of a chemical to injection water for enhancing oil recovery. Typically, and traditionally, there are three types of chemicals added to water: polymers, surfactants, and alkalis.

In simple terms, the polymers increase the viscosity of injected water, thus improving its mobility, similar to adding a small amount of corn starch to thicken soups. The surfactants reduce the interfacial tension (IFT) between the oil and water, dislodging the stuck oil, similar to how a laundry detergent works in our washers to clean our clothes. Alkalis are surfactant-forming compounds that react with the organic material in the oil and form surfactants in situ. The surfactants then reduce the IFT and enhance recovery.

Chemical EOR has been practiced since oil was discovered and water was injected to produce it. The world produces less than 1 million BOPD from chemical EOR. The bulk of this (more than 80%) is from polymerflooding for mostly medium to heavy oils. Surfactants and alkalis have been tested, but their field performance has been poor. They perform extremely well in experiments and laboratories. Up to 100% of the oil can be produced in the laboratory using surfactants, if enough pore volumes are injected.

Therein lies the first clue as to why surfactants have failed. Too many pore volumes are needed. The main reason is adsorption on the rock surface. Most of it is adsorbed, and it does not propagate far enough into the reservoir for it to perform its magic. Another reason is its degradation in harsh reservoir conditions. A third reason is economics and the high initial investments for facilities.

Combination flooding including surfactant/polymer, alkali/surfactant/polymer, and others have been tried with limited success. In my humble opinion, chemical EOR equals polymer EOR, at least from a total-oil-production point of view. Some purists and scientists may disagree, but that’s all right.

The papers that follow are examples of polymer EOR from China, Europe, and Oman. One is an excellent paper that shares lessons learned from extensive polymerflooding experience in China. Another describes lessons learned from pilots in Austria. A third shares some of the challenges encountered in pilot-testing polymers from Oman.

The challenge for academia and research institutes is this: How can we make robust surfactants, reduce their adsorption on rocks, and reduce their cost? It’s food for thought for future researchers and graduate students.

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

SPE 200178 - Polymer Stability at Harsh Temperature and Salinity Conditions by Tormod Skauge, Energy Research Norway, et al.

SPE 200166 - Cost-Efficient Polymer Full-Field Development by Fast-Tracking Nap Concept in Horizontal Polymer Injectors by Faisal Saadi, Petroleum Development Oman, et al.
Hybrid Focusing Metric for Sound Speed Estimation in Photoacoustic Imaging Involving Layered Media
Authors: Yıldırım Ahmet , Mahmutoğlu Aslı Nur , Karaaslan Berkay , Özdemir Özgür
Published: July 2022

In photoacoustic imaging, the speed of sound distribution (SoS) of background is required for image reconstruction, though, in general, it may not be known exactly before reconstruction. The estimation of SoS in a layered media is a difficult task due to the nonlinearity of the wave propagation. In this work, we proposed a novel hybrid focusing metric for accurate image quality assessment in an autofocusing approach to estimate the speed of sound distribution of layered media. In the proposed metric, contrast resolution and spatial resolution information were combined into a novel hybrid focusing metric by exploiting intensity-based focusing metrics and pixel count metrics, thus, enhancing the accuracy of estimation. We have compared the performance of the proposed metric with state of art focusing metrics Brenner, Tennenbaum, and Normalized Variance through numerical simulations which were conducted through k-Wave toolbox. and proved that the proposed focusing metric improved the performance of autofocusing approach significantly in layered media.
Straw lignin degradation by lignin peroxidase from Irpex Iacteus cooperated with enzymes and small molecules
Authors: Chen Huayou , Liang Xiaoyu , Li Shouzhi , Cui Zhoulei , Yong Yangchun , Ni Zhong , Bu Quan , Zhu Daochen
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesLignin degradation is the result of synergistic action of many enzyme systems. The degradation capacity of a single enzyme is limited, which can not maximize the utility value of the enzyme. Some small molecules also affect the efficiency of lignin degradation by lignin peroxidase.MethodsUsing wheat straw as raw material and taking lignin degradation rate as index, it was found that laccase, glucose oxidase, malonic acid, citric acid, ZnSO4, CaCl2 could promote the lignin degradation by the lignin peroxidase from Irpex Iacteus, respectively. Moreover, glucose oxidase, malonic acid and CaCl2 had obvious synergy effects on lignin degradation by the lignin peroxidase.ResultsThe optimal conditions of lignin degradation were obtained by response surface experiment: 4% glucose oxidase, 0.74% malonic acid and 3.29% CaCl2 were added for synergistic degradation at 37℃ with 50% of water content. After 72h quickly enzymatic hydrolysis, the degradation rate of lignin was 45.84%.ConclusionsA new green and efficient method for lignin removal from straw was obtained, which provided a reference for the efficient utilization of straw and lignin peroxidase.
Stress and depression of university students in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Soliman Asmaa Mohamed Ahmed , Mabrouk Shimaa Elsayed Mohammed , Hagag Radwa Samir , Ghandour Ahmed A , Mekhamier Hanem Awad , Elsherbeny Enas Elsayed
Published: July 2022

Background: Mental health issues have been increasing globally, especially among university students. The pandemic of COVID-19 has aggravated this pre-existing and serious problem. This study aimed to assess the stress and depression levels and mental health status of Egyptian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted on medical and non-medical Egyptian university students. A total of 1470 participants completed the electronic anonymous online survey containing Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Perceived Stress Scale(PSS). Results: Of the 1470 participants, 10.9% have moderately severe depression and 6.1% have severe depression. Moreover, 77.6% reported moderate stress, 16.3% reported low stress, and 6.2% reported high stress. There was strong positive correlation between depression and stress among participants (r = 0.815) (p < 0.001). The significant predictors for depression were age between 18 and 20 years, female sex, presence of chronic diseases, and presence of friends or relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The significant predictors for stress were age between 18 and 20 years, female sex, presence of friends or relatives diagnosed with COVID-19, and medical faculties.Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of university students of Egypt showed moderate to high level of stress, and about one-third of them had moderate to severe depression. Younger age, female sex and having a relative or friend diagnosed with COVID-19 were significant predictors for high stress level and depression. Psychological interventions for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic are strongly recommended to promote their mental health and improve academic achievement.
QTL Mapping of Resistance to Pseudoperonospora Cubensis Clade 2, Mating Type A1, in Cucumis Melo and Dual-clade Marker Development
Authors: Toporek Sean , Branham Sandra , Keinath Anthony , Wecther Patrick
Published: July 2022

Pseudoperonospora cubensis, causal organism of cucurbit downy mildew (CDM), causes severe necrosis and defoliation on Cucumis melo (melon). A recombinant inbred line population (N = 169) was screened against an isolate of P. cubensis (Clade 2 / mating type A1) in replicated greenhouse and growth chamber tests. SNPs (n = 5,633 bins) identified in the RIL population were used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. A single major QTL on chromosome 10 was consistently associated with resistance across all tests, while a second major QTL on chromosome 8 was identified only in greenhouse tests. These two major QTL were identified on the same chromosomes (8 and 10) but in different locations as two major QTL previously identified for resistance to P. cubensis Clade 1 / mating type A2. Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed for these four major QTL and validated in the RIL population through QTL mapping. These markers will provide melon breeders a high-throughput genotyping toolkit for development of melon cultivars with broad tolerance to CDM.
In vitro infection of human ocular tissues by SARS-CoV-2 lineage A isolates
Authors: Krishna Venkatramana D. , Roehrich Heidi , Schroeder Declan C. , Cheeran Maxim C-J. , Yuan Ching , Hou Joshua H
Published: July 2022

Background
The purpose of this study was: (1) to evaluate the infectivity of two SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants on human ocular tissues in vitro, and (2) to evaluate the stability of SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variant in corneal preservation medium.
Methods
Primary cultures of donor corneal, conjunctival, and limbal epithelium were inoculated with two lineage A, GISAID clade S isolates of SARS-CoV-2 (Hong Kong/VM20001061/2020, USA-WA1/2020), to evaluate the susceptibility of the ocular surface to infection. Cultured human corneal endothelium and flat-mounted DSAEK grafts were inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 to evaluate the susceptibility of the endothelium to infection. All inoculated samples were immunostained for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N)-protein expression to confirm positive infection. SARS-CoV-2 Hong Kong was then inoculated into cornea preservation media (Life4oC, Numedis, Inc.). Inoculated media was stored at 4oC for 14 days and assayed over time for changes in infectious viral titers (TCID50).
Results
Corneal, conjunctival, and limbal epithelial cells all demonstrated susceptibility to infection by SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants. Conjunctiva demonstrated the highest infection rate (78% of samples infected [14/18]); however, infection rates did not differ statistically between cell types and viral isolates. After inoculation, 40% (4/10) of DSAEK grafts had active infection in the endothelium. SARS-CoV-2 lineage A demonstrated < 1 log decline in viral titers out to 14 days in corneal preservation media.
Conclusions
SARS-CoV-2 lineage A variants can infect corneal, limbal, and conjunctival epithelium, as well as corneal endothelium. There was no statistical difference in infectivity between different lineage A variants. SARS-CoV-2 lineage A can survive and remain infectious in corneal preservation media out to 14 days in cold storage.
Environmental, Ecological, and Health Risks Assessment of Olive Orchard Soils in Izmir Province of Turkey
Authors: Deliboran Aise
Published: July 2022

Soil contamination with trace elements (TEs) become a severe concern, however, the evaluation of ecological and human health problems in intensive agricultural areas remained limited. In this study, Pb, Cr, Ni, Al, Fe, Co, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Zn content of olive orchard soils in Izmir province of Turkey were investigated to the state of pollution, environmental, ecological, and health hazards. Soil samples were taken from 129 olive orchards at 0-30 cm depth. Air-dried samples were eliminated by a 0.5 mm sieve and digested in HNO3 and HCl (3: 1) at a microwave digestion device. TheTEs concentrations are determined by ICP-OES. Cr and Ni levels were advanced at the limit level. In terms of EF, the soils are significantly contaminated by Cd (7.18), moderately contaminated by Ni (2.94), and Cu (2.56). In terms of Cf, soils were moderately contaminated by Cd (1.96), and in terms of Er moderate by Cd (58.83). Co, Fe, Al, and Mn are the lithogenic origin, and Pb, Zn, Al, Cd, Cu, and Ni are anthropogenic. The HQ, HI, and THI in terms of adults and children were below 1, all TEs via ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation pathways had no serious non-carcinogenic hazards. The harmful health consequences of TEs were accentuated in children. This study may serve as a method for managing the contamination-related risk of olive cultivation areas where agrochemicals are widely employed. Additional studies are recommended about TEs contamination risk and the potential health dangers in olive fruits.
Protection of Ferrets Against Avian Influenza H7N9 Challenge Following Intranasal Dosing of Inert Bacterial Spores
Authors: Hong Huynh , Dang Chau , Thi Yen-Linh , Katsunde Paida , Vo Linh , Hynes Daniel , Love William , Cutting Simon
Published: July 2022

Background
Influenza is a respiratory infection that continues to present a major threat to human health with ~ 500,000 deaths/year. Continued circulation of epidemic subtypes in humans and animals potentially increases the risk of future pandemics. Vaccination has failed to halt the evolution of this virus and additional "universal" prophylactic approaches should be considered. Naked, "heat inactivated", or inert, bacterial spores have been shown to protect against influenza in murine models.
Methods
Ferrets were administered intranasal doses of inert bacterial spores (DSM 32444K). Seven days after the last dose animals were challenged with H7N9. Clinical signs of infection and viral shedding were monitored.
Results
Clinical symptoms of infection were significantly reduced in animals dosed with DSM 32444K. The temporal kinetics of viral shedding were reduced but not abolished,
Conclusion
Taken together nasal dosing using heat-stable spores could provide a simple, cost-effective approach for influenza prophylaxis in both humans and animals.
Determining urban tolls based on two pricing schemes by considering emission of pollution (Case study: Isfahan, Iran)
Authors: Soleimani Mozhgan , akbari Nematollah , Saffari Babak , Haghshenas Hosein
Published: July 2022

The problem of traffic congestion and the environmental issues related to air pollution are among the essential problems of urban management that metropolitan cities are trying to mitigate. Given that the contribution of motor vehicles to air pollution is significant, both goals are achieved by managing urban transport. Among the various methods of travel demand management, congestion pricing is a very efficient measure. In this study, it is tried to simultaneously increase the efficiency of the transportation network and reduce the environmental effects by using a bi-level model for the multi-modal network. For this purpose, the upper-level model includes minimization of the objective function, i.e., pollution emission costs, and overall commuting cost. The lower level also has a transportation network model that provides the condition of user equilibrium. Two pricing schemes, including cordon-based and link-based pricing, are used to investigate and assist policymakers. The genetic and Frank-Wolfe algorithms have been used to solve the bi-level programming model. The proposed algorithm is also applied for a real network in Isfahan-Iran. The results of the proposed model for different pricing strategies were compared. According to the results, both pricing schemes mitigate traffic congestion and pollution, and the demand was shifted from the private car mode to public transportation. However, link-based pricing provides better performance than cordon-based pricing. According to the results, if there are conditions of link-based pricing, this scheme can reduce pollution and increase tolls revenue.JEL Classification: R41, O18, R48, C61, C63, Q53
velocity-field characteristics of MgxZn1-xO/ZnO heterostructures
Authors: liu dongfeng
Published: July 2022

In this work, the electron transport in MgxZn1−xO/ZnO heterostructures at room temperature is simulated by the ensemble Monte Carlo (EMC) method. Electron scatterings including deformed acoustic phonon (DAC), piezoelectric acoustic phonon (PAP), polar optical phonon (POP), interface roughness (IFR), dislocation (DIS), electron escape (ESC) and capture (CPR) by optical phonon, and random alloy (RAS), are considered in EMC. Electron drift velocities in MgxZn1−xO/ZnO heterostructures with various Mg composition x (0.1 ~ 0.3) are calculated at electric fields up to 25kV/cm. We find that there is no obvious velocity saturation occuring in the range of the electric field considered. The results show that ESC scattering is one of the main physical mechanisms that limit the drift velocity. On the other hand, it is found that the competition between IFR and intersubband POP scatterings plays an important role in the change of electron drift velocity with the increasing Mg compositions.
A mixed method, phase 2 clinical evaluation of a novel device to treat postpartum hemorrhage.
Authors: Weeks Andrew , Cunningham Caroline , Taylor Wendy , Rosala-Hallas Anna , Watt Peter , Bryning Lucy , Ezeofor Victor , Cregan Liz , Hayden Emma , Lambert Dot , Bedwell Carol , Lane Steven , Fisher Tony , Edwards Rhiannon Tudor , Lavender Tina
Published: July 2022

Background: We evaluated the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of a new device designed to facilitate uterine compression in women with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).Methods: A prospective, phase two clinical device trial with concurrent qualitative study, conducted in a UK consultant obstetric unit. The device was used in addition to standard care in women unresponsive to initial oxytocin therapy. The primary effectiveness outcome was additional blood loss of over 1000mls, whilst safety was assessed through adverse events. Interviews assessed device feasibility and acceptability, and were analyzed using framework analysis.Results: We recruited 57 women with clinical PPH after vaginal birth; 67% were primiparous and 47% had undergone operative birth. All but two (96%) had atony as a cause of the hemorrhage; in addition, 30% also had bleeding from lacerations and 11% had retained tissue.After device use, only one woman had additional blood loss over 1000mls, although 3 women (7%) needed a Bakri balloon and 14% received a blood transfusion. All but one clinician felt that the device was easy to use. Clinicians stated that the device assisted management in 85% of cases. All 56 women who responded stated that if they bled in a future birth they would want the device to be used again. There were no serious adverse events related to the device. However, 3 events were judged as ‘possibly’ being caused by the device - 2 minor vaginal grazes and one postnatal episiotomy infection and breakdown. Lax vaginal tissue complicated the use of the device in three women. In 47 interviews, participants, birth partners, clinician users and attending midwives viewed the device positively. Clinicians found it useful as a way of stopping blood loss and as an aid to diagnose the source of bleeding. Conclusions: The PPH Butterfly may provide a rapid, acceptable and effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage. Clinical Trial Registration: prospective with ISRCTN15452399 11/09/2017 (www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15452399).
Unexplained abdominal pain in pregnancy and the use of the term ‘Round Ligament Pain’: a single-centre New Zealand pilot cohort study
Authors: Twidale Emily Katherine , Ahmad Hashilah Husaimee , Halpin Shannon , Price Hannah Louise
Published: July 2022

Background: Unexplained abdominal pain (UAP) in pregnancy is common, can be severe and difficult to treat. Despite no supportive evidence, it is often called ‘Round Ligament Pain’ (RLP). Abdominal Wall Pain (AWP) is under-recognised but is simple to diagnose and treat. We aim to display that UAP is common and that without evidence, medical carers continue to cite RLP and to show that pregnant people with UAP frequently use descriptors shared by AWP. Methods: We performed a prospective, cross-sectional, observational pilot cohort of an antenatal clinic in New Zealand. 203 pregnant adults over 20 weeks’ gestation were interviewed via written questionnaire. Measurements included the proportion with UAP, recognition of the term RLP and whether participants reported that medical carers taught them about RLP. Participants were asked whether their UAP fit any of fourteen descriptors, eleven of which were suggestive of AWP. Results: The majority of participants had UAP in pregnancy (68.5%). Recognition of the term RLP was high (54%). Those with UAP had an odds ratio of 9.23 of citing a medical carer as their RLP information source when compared to those without pain (95% CI 3.5-24.4). Amongst the participants who reported UAP, 98.6% used descriptors shared by AWP. The commonest AWP descriptors were abdominal pain that was: ‘worsened by walking, bending, moving to sit’ (72.6%); ‘sharp’ (56.8%); and ‘always in the same location’ (45.3%). Conclusions: UAP in pregnancy is common and our participants report that medical carers continue to cite RLP. Their unexplained abdominal pain shared many historical features with AWP.
Lipidomic profiling reveals metabolic signatures in psoriatic skin lesions
Authors: Peng Cong , Liu Panpan , Hou Guixue , Kuang Yehong , Li Lei , Chen Chao , Yan Bei , Zhu Wu , Li Jie , Chen Mingliang , Su Juan , Lin Liang , Chen Xiang
Published: July 2022

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Lipids play an important role in regulating the inflammatory response. However, the alteration of lipids involved in psoriasis particular in skin lesions remain unclear. Here, we performed the lipidomics to investigate lipid profiling in the skin lesions of the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis and psoriasis patients. The findings showed that ceramides phosphate (CerP) and ceramides were enriched in psoriatic lesions compared with controls from both psoriasis patients and psoriasis-like mouse model. Psoriasis patients were classified into two subtypes, the CC1 and CC2, by consensus clustering of these lipid signatures. The CC1 was characterized by the higher levels of CerP, uric acid, and more severe psoriasis, compared with CC2 subtype. Interestingly, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), dramatically enriched in CC1 subtype, facilitated imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, C1P induced the expression of inflammatory factors and activated DNA replication and cell cycle signaling pathways in the primary keratinocytes. Inhibiting the production of C1P with ceramide kinase inhibitor effectively alleviated the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation. Taken together, we described the landscape of lipids alteration and established lipids classification based on pattern of abundance of lipids in psoriatic skin lesions. Suppression of C1P pathway is a novel potential strategy for psoriasis treatment.
Cilia in the Striatum Mediate Timing-Dependent Functions: Implications for Neuro-Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Alhassen Wedad , Alhassen Sammy , Chen Jiaqi , Monfared Rouda Vakil , Alachkar Amal
Published: July 2022

Almost all brain cells contain cilia, antennae-like microtubule-based organelles. Yet, the significance of cilia, once considered vestigial organelles, in the higher-order brain functions is unknown. Cilia act as a hub that senses and transduces environmental sensory stimuli to generate an appropriate cellular response. Similarly, the striatum, a brain structure enriched in cilia, functions as a hub that receives and integrates various types of environmental information to drive appropriate motor response. To understand cilia's role in the striatum functions, we used loxP/Cre technology to ablate cilia from the dorsal striatum and monitored the behavioral consequences. Our results revealed an essential role for striatal cilia in the acquisition of and brief storage of information, including learning new motor skills, but not in long-term consolidation of information or maintaining habitual/learned motor skills. A fundamental aspect of all disrupted functions was the "time perception/judgment deficit", indicating a critical role for striatal cilia in brain central "clock" function. Further, the observed behavioral deficits form a set/cluster pertaining to clinical manifestations overlapping across disorders involving the striatum functions and to exhibit timing deficits, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Thus, striatal cilia may act as a calibrator of the basal ganglia-cortical circuit "clock" functions by maintaining proper timing perception. Accordingly, dysfunctional cilia might be a unifying factor that contributes to the pathophysiology of neuro-psychiatric disorders, as related to deficits in timing tasks performance, and may serve as therapeutic targets for these disorders.
Let-7b-5p inhibits breast cancer cell growth and metastasis via repression of hexokinase 2-mediated aerobic glycolysis
Authors: Ye Qinong , Li Ling , Zhang Xiujuan , Lin Yanni , Ren Xinxin , Xie Tian , Lin Jing , Wu Shumeng
Published: July 2022

Hexokinase 2 (HK2), a critical rate-limiting enzyme in glycolytic pathway catalyzing hexose phosphorylation, is overexpressed in multiple human cancers, and associates with poor clinicopathological features. Drugs targeting aerobic glycolysis regulators, including HK2, are in development. However, physiological significance of HK2 inhibitors and mechanisms of HK2 inhibition in cancer cells remain largely unclear. Herein, we show that microRNA-let-7b-5p (let-7b-5p) represses HK2 expression by targeting its 3’-untranslated region. By suppressing HK2-mediated aerobic glycolysis, let-7b-5p restrains breast tumor growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In patients with breast cancer, let-7b-5p expression is significantly downregulated, and is negatively correlated with HK2 expression. Our findings indicate that let-7b-5p/HK2 axis plays a key role in aerobic glycolysis as well as breast tumor proliferation and metastasis, and targeting this axis is a potential therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Three-dimensional modeling of the impact behavior of debris flows in areas affected by earthquakes
Authors: Dai Zili , Xu Kai , Jiang Mingtao
Published: July 2022

The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake triggered many landslides and caused high volumes of loose solid material to collect in gully drainage areas; over time, this material eroded and became the source material for multiple debris flows. On August 13, 2010, a heavy rainstorm struck the areas that were impacted by the Wenchuan earthquake. The resulting debris flows caused more than 2,000 deaths and destroyed numerous buildings, bridges, and traffic facilities. To mitigate and/or prevent the negative consequences of such disasters in the future, it is important to have reliable and effective methods for predicting the impact behavior of these debris flows. In this study, we investigated the impact behavior of debris flows in post-earthquake areas using a three-dimensional model that is based on the particle flow code PFC3D. We verified our model by simulating a granular flow model test in a laboratory. We quantified the flow process and the impact force of the granular material; by comparing our model data to the test data, we found that the PFC3D model was capable of accurately simulating the dynamic behavior of the granular flows. We then used our model to estimate the propagation processes and the impact forces exerted on check dams by two large debris flows that occurred in the Wenchuan earthquake area. The results agreed with data collected during field surveys, and the PFC3D model can reproduce the dynamic behavior of debris flows in areas that had recently experienced significant seismic activity.
A Particle Filter-based Parameter Estimation Algorithm for Prognostic Risk Assessment of Progression in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Shang Shi , Yuan Junyi , Pan Changqing , Mi Linhui , Cen Xingxing
Published: July 2022

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become a malignant tumor disease threatening human life and health. The development of new NSCLC risk assessment model based on electronic medical records (EMR) has a great potential to reduce the damage of cancer recurrence. In this process, machine learning (ML) serves as a powerful method to automatically extract risk factors and give impact weights for NSCLC death. However, when the number of samples reaches a certain number, it is difficult for ML to improve the prediction accuracy, and it is also difficult to effectively use the characteristic data of subsequent patients. The goal of this paper is to build a postoperative survival risk assessment model for NSCLC patients so that the model can update model parameters and improve model accuracy based on new patient data. From the model perspective, it realizes the combination of particle filtering and parameter estimation. To demonstrate the feasibility and to further evaluate the performance of our approach, we performed empirical analysis experiment. The results show that our method achieves an overall accuracy of 92% and a recall of 71% for deceased patients. On the one hand, our method can enable better utilization of subsequent patients' characteristic data, and can make more relevant to different patients and achieve precision medicine.
Liquid Madelung potential as a descriptor for lithium metal electrodes
Authors: Yamada Atsuo , Takenaka Norio , Ko Seongjae , Kitada Atsushi
Published: July 2022

Removing the graphite anode from lithium battery systems ultimately maximises the energy density, where lithium ions in the pristine positive electrode alone are deposited as lithium metal at the negative electrode. Since the Li/Li+ redox potential (ELi/Li+) is beyond the thermodynamical potential window of the present electrolyte, suppressing side reactions at the lithium metal electrode is essential, which can be realised by an upshift in ELi/Li+. Improvements in the Coulombic efficiency have been exemplified in (locally) salt-concentrated electrolytes, where ELi/Li+ upshifts over 0.6 V. However, the mechanism governing this unexpectedly large potential shift has remained unclear. Here, we revealed that the unusual upshift of ELi/Li+ is dominated by the Coulombic energy penalty of Li+ in the electrolytes rather than the simple Nernst equation with an extremely high Li+ activity coefficient. The overall energetics was verified and directly quantified by introducing the ‘liquid Madelung potential (ELM)’ analogous to the conventional concept in solid-state science. Namely, Li+ is electrostatically more stabilised by electron-localised solvents, while relatively less stabilised by electron-delocalised larger-sized anions, thus decreasing the overall Coulombic energy gain of Li+ under progressive anion coordination. This simple yet hitherto overlooked mechanism can be widely extended providing a useful guideline for developing better electrochemical systems.