bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circular Economy in the Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: Resource Recovery from Drill Cuttings and other Oily Wastes
Authors: Castilla Alejandro , Zeuss Michaela , Schmidt Michaela
Published: December 2021

With an increasing awareness of minimising the environmental footprint combined with the inclusion of circularity in the oil and gas industry, stricter laws and therefore more rigorous treatment targets will have to be implemented in the waste/resource management. Increasingly complex solid and liquid waste streams result in the further need to implement safer, more advanced technologies. Emission levels, resource recovery, energy efficiency, worker safety, and input material flexibility will become key assessment factors. The vacuum thermal desorption process allows for the recovery of resources from different industrial hazardous wastes. At the core of the process is a specially designed vacuum evaporator chamber utilizing indirect heat and controlled vacuum to evaporate contaminants. With this process, resources can be recovered and solids/mineral fractions decontaminated therefore minimising the hazardous waste and bringing valuable resources back into the value chain. A wide range of input materials, independently from their consistency, can be treated using the same process, as a result of the batch-wise working principle of the vacuum evaporator. The process reduces air emissions derived from two sources. One originates from the thermal oil heating system (flue gas), the other from the vacuum desorption process (exhaust). For the latter, in an oily waste recycling facility that processes approximately 30,000 tonnes per year, <<100 m3/h are emitted, of which on average 96 % are nitrogen. Regarding resource recovery, typical output material parameters include clean solids with a TPH (up to C40) content < 0.5 %, oil in product quality with a recovery rate > 99.5 %, and clean water for moistening of the solids. Highest energy efficiency is achieved because the vacuum reduces the boiling point of the hydrocarbons by more than 100 °C. In addition, the recovered oil can be used as fuel to run the equipment. In conclusion, resources will be recovered and therefore hazardous waste reduced, emissions decreased and highest safety for workers observed. Aside from the above stated advantages of using indirectly heated thermal desorption, this process also offers the possibility to be operated using renewable energy. Therefore, guaranteeing zero emissions supporting the health & safety of our environment and its people.
Redefining Light Weight Structural Design for Gas Marginal Field Development Through Conductor Supported Platform CSP Concept
Authors: Wong Shiiun Bak , Alias Nur Dalila , Arif Mohd Kamal , Shabazi Majid
Published: December 2021

The rise of offshore marginal field development and low-cost CAPEX has given an impetus to O&G operators to challenge the common structural platform design especially for wellhead platform type. Demand to reduce the platform weight has been observed for the past 20 years. Typically, the challenge to meet this demand will be tremendous once the water depth exceed 50m. This paper will elaborate on how using an engineered design approach was implemented to obtain fast track onshore fabrication and offshore installation and meet the operator demand for minimal structural concept.
Integrated Project Management Approach for Production Well Tie-In in Upstream Projects-Case Study
Authors: Nair Sreekumar , Thebet Salah , Al Obeidli Ibrahim , Adi Mohamad Bara , Al Reyami Maher , Al Romaithi Ebraheem
Published: December 2021

Al Dhafra Petroleum Operations Company Limited, (Joint Venture between ADNOC and KADOC, established in late 2013 and assigned with Onshore and Offshore concession areas in Abu Dhabi) had the challenging task to achieve the sustainability of crude production to 40,000 BOPD by end of 2020 from their Haliba field. Current production profile with available wells could not meet that target, for which additional 4 production well Tie-in and construction of 8 km 6″ flow line became necessary within next 3 months. Regular Tie-in program may complete the first Tie-in only by Q2, 2021 and no possibility of enhancing this Tie-in works by 2020.

Al Dhafra Management has appointed the Project Management Team (PMT) to take up the challenge by attempting many methods and the timeline was very limited (approximately 90days) to obtain First Oil from those wells.
Wireless Coiled Tubing Disrupts the Industry by Enabling Use of Conventional Coil Tubing for Access and Matrix Acidizing of Multilaterals and Extended Reach Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Saeed Abubaker , Fellinghaug Jarl André , Bouldin Brett
Published: December 2021

As the number of Extended Reach Wells (ERW) with multilaterals and restricted access due to electric submersible pumps (ESP) increases, so does the challenge to enable access and stimulation to these wells to maintain production rates. This paper describes a Slim Access and Stimulation System (SASS) development program launched to develop a game changing technology to give operators the ability to maintain high production rates in unconventional developments. There is available technology today to accurately access extended reach lateral wells, even with restricted access. But the technology is limited to logging only, as the tools and/or control wire are not acid resistant and would limit the pump rate through the coil tubing for pumping acid. The new system would require a tool suite which was acid resistant, enable slim access to the laterals, and have the ability to perform multiple stimulation jobs in one run, with monitoring and control from surface without a wire inside the coiled tubing. The SASS development program gave birth to three separate and revolutionary new technologies: two-way wireless communication and energy harvesting with integrated production logging suite, slim and high-power open hole tractor with a wire bypass to power the tool string, and semi-autonomous lateral access sub, which finds, enters, and confirms the lateral access. The three game changing technologies have application as standalone products, however the real value occurs when they combined as a Slim Access and Stimulation System, run on conventional coiled tubing. The paper will describe working methods and technology incorporated to provide access to restricted extended reach laterals and perform multiple stimulation jobs in a single run. The SASS development program is a testament of how the industry can tackle complex challenges, introducing new technologies across in multiple domains while still adapting to conventional methods. The paper highlights the full system design approach method used to understand and combine features of downhole tools, surface equipment, and operational and handling routines to achieve the overall design goal.
The Journey for Digital Well Delivery Technology Adoption: The How and Why
Authors: Kucs Richard , Ripperger Georg , Doschek Markus , Sonnleitner Natascha , Szemat-Vielma Waldemar , Mouzali Nadjib , Roy Sonali , Lepp Becky
Published: December 2021

As part of the industry 4.0 revolution, digital technologies are forever changing the way we do things. native cloud applications are able to adapt to specific processes and requirements, particularly those related to well construction planning driven by an automated collaborative solution. The operator of the future will use its engineers mainly for engineering analysis and social interactions, while the system will take over tasks such as orchestration, data mining, and experience management.

Based on the definition of a new way of working and the application of new workflows, a thorough trial process was required to evaluate the solution usability and to define the minimum viable product requirements to be developed within a strategic partnership prior to rolling out the technology. The requirement was to enable globally dispersed teams, even across company borders, collaborating through automatically orchestrated processes, supported by knowledge and experience management systems in the background, to deliver a digital drilling program and ultimately accelerate the field development program.

The operator decided to prove the concept through a series of pilots within a well-educated well planning team. Major assumptions to the business case were tested while planning actual drilling operations with the purpose to de-risk the value proposition. All different tested elements are captured by the users and the gaps to the final solution are ranked for joint development. The back-end interoperability of the solution supports a fully connected model, where data from subsurface systems can directly feed the well construction planning platform. The automated updates in the end-to-end workflow would ultimately simplify the way drilling engineers work, but also upscale the nature of their work by including many new elements as part of the routing analysis.

Supported by the cloud computer power and flexibility, remote working is seamlessly enabled to removing the classic silos and digitally promote the collaboration. Standardization across the whole organization by corporate managed settings reduces iterative control processes. Furthermore, management of change is a key aspect to consider alongside the technical elements.

The result of the extended trial confirmed that achieving the minimum viable product requirements of the operators was well within reach and confirmed the operator's value case to a large extent.

In this paper we will describe the extended trial process, objectives, and associated workflows, in addition to the collaborative team nominated by both partners. The scope was user centric to assist with competency development and technology adoption. Parallel to confirming the minimum viable product, the extended pilot resulted in a prioritized list of co-developments leading to the full implementation of the operator's vision of a fully integrated well planning workflow.
Examining Relationship Between Safety Culture Maturity and Safety Performance in Oil and Gas Company
Authors: Kusumawati Diah , Erwandi Dadan
Published: December 2021

Studies show that 80-90% of losses are caused by human failure, both as individuals and organizations. Yet, only 3.4% of organizations have mature processes in place to actively identify, evaluate, and manage their risks. Safety culture, which has been introduced for more than two decades, has been considered as an effective approach to improve safety performance. Having a positive safety culture is now seen as a prerequisite for, and the basis for, good safety performance. Thus, good safety culture is considered a predictor of good safety performance. However, there are only a limited number of studies that examine the relationship between safety culture and safety performance. This study used a safety culture maturity framework and the level of injury as the variables measured at five sites of PT. X. Data for both variables were secondary data obtained directly from PT.X. The five sites were found to have a statistically significant difference between their injury rates but no statistically significant difference was observed between their safety culture maturity scores. The figure for the safety culture maturity in each site can be considered similar, considering that they have implemented a safety management system for more than two decades. At PT. X, the safety culture maturity alone cannot be considered to have a direct correlation with safety performance. There may be several other factors that contribute to safety performance. However, in sites with a high injury rate, a lower SCM score was identified in twelve elements of safety culture maturity when compared to the sites with low injury rates.
The Evolution of CaCO3 Scaling Potential in ADNOC Reservoirs Under Water Flooding and CO2 WAG Scenarios
Authors: Ness Giulia , Sorbie Kenneth Stuart , Al Mesmari Ali Hassan , Masalmeh Shehadeh
Published: December 2021

Wells producing from an oilfield in Abu Dhabi were investigated to understand the CaCO3 scaling risk at current production conditions, and to predict how the downhole and topside scaling potential will change during a planned CO2 WAG project. The results of this study will be used to design the correct scale inhibitor treatment for each production phase.

A rigorous scale prediction procedure for pH dependent scales previously published by the authors was applied using a commercial integrated PVT and aqueous modelling software package to produce scale prediction profiles through the system. This procedure was applied to run many sensitivity studies and determine the impact of field data variables on the final scale predictions. These results were used to examine the scaling potential of current and future fluids by creating a diagnostic "what if" chart. Some of the main variables investigated include changes in operating pressure, CO2 and H2S concentrations and variable water cut.

Scale prediction profiles through the entire system from reservoir to stock tank conditions were obtained using the above modelling procedure. The main findings in this study are: (i) That CaCO3 scale is not predicted to form at separator conditions under any of the current or future scenarios investigated for these wells. This is due to the high separator pressure which holds enough CO2 in solution to keep the pH low and prevent scale precipitation. (ii) The water at stock tank conditions was found to be the critical point in the system where the CaCO3 scaling risk is severe, and where preventative action must be taken. (iii) Implementing CO2 WAG does not affect CaCO3 scaling risk at separator conditions where fluids remain undersaturated. However, the additional CO2 dissolves more CaCO3 rock in the reservoir producing higher alkalinity fluids which result in more CaCO3 scale precipitation at stock tank conditions. (iv) Fluids entering the wellbore are likely to precipitate some CaCO3 (albeit at a fairly low saturation ratio, SR) due to a significant pressure drop and the relatively high temperature, and this is not associated with the-bubble point in this case. This downhole scaling potential becomes slightly worse by an increase in CO2 concentration during CO2 WAG operations.(v) Scale inhibitor may or may not be required to treat downhole fluids depending on the wellbore pressure drop, but it is always necessary to treat fluids downstream of the separator due to the very high scaling potential at stock tank conditions.

By applying a rigorous scale prediction procedure, it was possible to study the impact of CO2 WAG on the risk of CaCO3 scale precipitation downhole and topside for this field. These results highlight the current threat downhole and at stock tank conditions in particular and show how this will worsen with the implementation of CO2 WAG and this will require a chemical treatment review.
Disposal Wells Integrity Management- Real Time Annulus Pressure Monitoring Through GSM Connectivity to Enhance Well Integrity
Authors: Mohamed Saleem Babar , Kunissery Puliyakotte Janardhanan , Ullalil Mundeth Abullais , Yasein Diaa Mohamed , Al-Muri Mohammed Ali , Yan Jian , Salem Al Ghailani Salah
Published: December 2021

ADNOC BAB Field has 11 water disposal wells, which are currently being monitored manually.

The paper is about the implementation of remote annulus pressure monitoring for water disposal wells. The manual methods of monitoring remote annulis pressure comes in with inherent disadvantages like no continuous monitoring and deployment of our skilled resources for the same. The paper throws light on the present issues faced while using the manual monitoring and how it has been covered when the proposed wireless technology is implemented. Also the paper illustrates, the savings in terms of man power and resources and relevance of the technology to the modern age oil and gas upstream industry considering the scalablity to more number of wells in vast oil fields.
Practical Wash Water & Demulsifer Optimization at Khurais Crude Processing Facility
Authors: Bajuaifer Hatem Abdullah , Malki Mohammed Abdullah , Amminudin Kamarul
Published: December 2021

This paper covers practical demulsifer and wash water approach followed by Saudi Aramco Khurais producing facility to optimize the chemical and water consumption.

This Paper is intended to:

Share practical demulsifer and wash water optimization approach. Highlight how this approach enhanced the separation process and how it already helped Saudi Aramco to meet the product quality with minimal operating costs by optimizing operating parameters in the field.

The basic idea of the optimization is to relax the oil - emulsified water separation in HPPT by allowing water carry over to the downstream equipment and vessels through minimizing the demulsifer dosage on the production header to increase the retention time. The optimization process includes manipulating different key parameters (controlled variables) which are demulsifer dosing rate (on production header and dehydrator), wash water dosing rate, de-salting train mixing valves differential pressure and transformers voltage with continues monitoring and corrective actions based on the export specification of BS&W and salts within pre-defined internal limits to avoid having off-spec product (Trial and Error)

This approach resulted in decreasing the operating costs by reducing overall demulsifer dosage by 50%, and allowing the overall separation efficiency to be increased contributing towards enhanced separation. Various graphs included showing the full impact of optimizing the operating parameters on improved separation in dehydrator. From the water conservation, this process resulted in reducing non-potable wash water consumption for crude washing purposes by more than 20,000 gallon/day without compromising the crude specification. This optimization resulted in cost saving equivalent to around US$ 650,000 due to significant demulsifer reduction.

Sustaining such an optimum performance proves to be a challenge and in this regard, the team is focusing heavily on the monitoring efforts that are equipped with the advisory features on what to do should the deviation exist from the stipulated target. This includes, among others, the alerting feature for immediate corrective actions by the team. Overall, this initiative succeeded in maintaining the facility crude quality specifications of BS&W and salts while reducing chemical operating costs, creating positive environmental impacts by saving non-potable wash water while increasing the assets utilization and reliability effectively.
A Microbial Induced Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite with High UV Light Photocatalytic Activity for Tetracycline Degradation
Authors: Zeng Ting , Yan Yujie , Shen Juan , Chen Ke , Tang Mi , Chen Rigui , Guo Zhicheng , Tan Bisheng , Jin Bo
Published: December 2021

More and more new materials have been developed, but the research on the development and utilization of the single-phase materials has been neglected. Assembled from nano-particles, a high specific surface area and porous hydroxyapatite (BI-HA) has been synthesized by feasible bacterial induction. The surface structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) apparatus, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results suggest the obtained BI-HA powder with porous morphology, which were composed of nanoparticles with (100) crystal plane. The photoactivity of different HA samples was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The HA with (100) crystal plane displayed an obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity (75.33–86.43% for 60 min). Combined with experiments and DFT calculations, for the BI-HA with (100) crystal plane, it displayed better photocatalytic performance for photodegradation of TC. This study provides a viewpoint to fabricate high-performance nonmetal photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.
Temporal Changes in Key Signal Transduction Pathways Mediating Muscle Protein Synthesis with Adaptive and Maladaptive Right Ventricular Hypertrophy in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Middleton Ryan , Fournier Mario , Rogers Russell , Grimes Brandon , Xu Xuan , Lewis Michael
Published: December 2021

BackgroundPulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a progressive cardiopulmonary disease and is characterized by occlusive remodeling of pulmonary arterioles and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. With the onset of PAH, the right ventricle (RV) of the heart adapts to the increased afterload pressure by undergoing adaptive hypertrophic remodeling to maintain adequate blood flow. However, for unknown reasons, maladaptive influences ensue, resulting in impaired RV function with progressive decompensation and right heart failure. Using a rodent model of PAH, we evaluated key signaling pathways mediating cardiac muscle protein synthesis in the RV during the adaptive hypertrophy phase, with preserved right heart function, and the decompensated maladaptive phase, in which right heart failure (RHF) was clinically present.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with 60mg/kg Monocrotaline (MCT) and RV function was assessed by echocardiography during PAH disease progression. RV tissue was collected during the adaptive and maladaptive phases of PAH and cell signaling pathways involved in survival, hypertrophy, and autophagy, as well as fibrosis and vascularization, were probed using qPCR, Western blotting and histology. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA to compare differences between the independent groups and Student-Newman-Keuls test was used to compare differences within independent groups.ResultsAnalysis of protein and gene expression changes in PAH animals identified three key signaling pathways involved in the shift toward maladaptive right heart failure: i) PI3K/Akt/mTOR; ii) GSK-3; iii) MAPK/ERK, as well as IGF-1 regulation. During adaptive hypertrophy, significant increments of phosphorylated proteins in the three signaling pathways were observed with increases in RV fibrosis and decreased capillarity found. In the maladaptive phase, mTORC1 and its downstream effector p-70S6K were significantly activated, contributing to the decreased LC3-I/II ratio, a marker of autophagy inhibition. Additionally, p27, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, which has been recently implicated in regulating mTOR activity to inhibit autophagy and promote heart failure was significantly downregulated. ConclusionWe propose that autophagy inhibition in conjunction with other maladaptive processes reported in the decompensated RV muscle contributes to the genesis of overt RHF in PAH and that a continuum of changes characterizes the adaptive and maladaptive phases in the RV muscle.
Risk Evaluation and Warning Threshold of Unstable Slope Using Tilting Sensor Array
Authors: Lin Wang , Seko Ichiro , Fukuhara Makoto , Towhata Ikuo , Uchimura Taro , Tao Shangning
Published: December 2021

Slope monitoring and early warning systems (EWS) are a promising approach toward mitigating landslide-induced disasters. Many large-scale sediment disasters result in the destruction of infrastructure and loss of human life. The mitigation of vulnerability to slope and landslide hazards will benefit significantly from early warning alerts. The authors have been developing monitoring technology that uses a Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) tilt sensor array that detects the precursory movement of vulnerable slopes and informs the issuance of emergency caution and warning alerts. In this regard, the determination of alarm thresholds is very important. Although previous studies have investigated the recording of threshold values by an extensometer which installation of an extensometer at appropriate sites is also difficult. The authors prefer tilt sensors and have proposed a novel threshold for the tilt angle, which was validated in this study. This threshold has an interesting similarity to previously reported viscous models. Additionally, multi-point monitoring has recently emerged and allows for many sensors to be deployed at vulnerable slopes without disregarding the slope’s precursory local behaviour. With this new technology, the detailed spatial and temporal variation of the behaviour of vulnerable slopes can be determined as the displacement proceeds toward failure.
Irinotecan Resistance – In Search of New Markers in CRC.
Authors: Kryczka Jakub , Boncela Joanna
Published: December 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prominent causes of cancer death worldwide. Chemotherapeutic regimens consisting of different drugs combinations such as 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or irinotecan (FOLFIRI) have been proven successful in the treatment of CRC. However, chemotherapy often leads to the acquisition of cancer drug resistance followed by metastasis and in the aftermath therapeutic failure. The molecular mechanism responsible for drug resistance is still unclear. The systemic search for new biomarkers of this phenomenon may identify new genes and pathways. To understand the drug resistance mechanism in CRC, the in vitro study based on the molecular analysis of drug-sensitive cells lines vs drug-resistant cells lines has been used. In our study to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo study, we compared the expression profiles of cell lines and patient samples from the publicly available database to select the new candidate genes for irinotecan resistance. Using The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database of CRC cell lines (HT29, HTC116, LoVo, and their respective irinotecan-resistant variants) and patient samples (GSE42387, GSE62080, and GSE18105) we compared the changes in the mRNA expression profile of the main genes involved in irinotecan body’s processing, such as transport out of the cells and metabolism. Furthermore, using a protein-protein interaction network of differently expressed genes between FOLFIRI resistant and sensitive CRC patients, we have selected top networking proteins (upregulated: NDUFA2, SDHD, LSM5, DCAF4, and COX10, downregulated: RBM8A, TIMP1, QKI, TGOLN2, and PTGS2). Our analysis provided several potential irinotecan resistance markers, previously not described as such.
Garcinol Promotes the Formation of Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers by Inhibiting p300-Dependent Acetylation of PGC-1α
Authors: Yao Weilei , Guo Baoyin , Bao Zhengxi , Huang Lu , Wang Tongxin , Wen Shu , Jin Taimin , Yu Xinhong , Huang Feiruo
Published: December 2021

Background

The conversion of skeletal muscle fiber from fast twitch to slow-twitch is crucial for sustained contractile and stretchable events, energy homeostasis, and anti-fatigue ability. The purpose of our study was to explore the mechanism and effects of garcinol on the regulation of skeletal muscle fiber type transformation.
Methods

Forty 21-day-old male C57/BL6J mice (n = 10/diet) were fed a control diet or a control diet plus garcinol at 100 mg/kg (Low Gar), 300 mg/kg (Mid Gar), or 500 mg/kg (High Gar) for 12 weeks. The tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus muscles were collected for protein and immunoprecipitation analyses.
Results

Dietary garcinol significantly downregulated (P<0.05) fast MyHC expression and upregulated (P<0.05) slow MyHC expression in the TA and soleus muscles. Garcinol significantly increased (P<0.05) the activity of PGC-1α and markedly decreased (P<0.05) the acetylation of PGC-1α. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that garcinol decreased (P<0.05) lactate dehydrogenase activity and increased (P<0.05) the activities of malate dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase. In addition, the results of immunostaining C2C12 myotubes showed that garcinol treatment increased (P<0.05) the transformation of glycolytic muscle fiber to oxidative muscle fiber by 45.9%. Garcinol treatment and p300 interference reduced (P<0.05) the expression of fast MyHC but increased (P<0.05) the expression of slow MyHC in vitro. Moreover, the acetylation of PGC-1α was significantly decreased (P<0.05).
Conclusion

Garcinol promotes the transformation of skeletal muscle fibers from the fast-glycolytic type to the slow-oxidative type through the p300/PGC-1α signaling pathway in C2C12 myotubes.
Stress-Constrained Topology Optimization Using Approximate Reanalysis with on-the-Fly Reduced Order Modeling
Authors: Xiao Manyu , Ma Jun , Lu Dongcheng , Raghavan Balaji , Zhang Weihong
Published: December 2021

Most of the methods used today for handling local stress constraints in topology optimization, fail to directly address the non-self-adjointness of the stress-constrained topology optimization problem. This in turn could drastically raise the computational cost for an already large-scale problem. These problems involve both the equilibrium equations resulting from finite element analysis (FEA) in each iteration, as well as the adjoint equations from the sensitivity analysis of the stress constraints. In this work, we present a paradigm for large-scale stress-constrained topology optimization problems, where we build a multi-grid approach using an on-the-fly Reduced Order Model (ROM) and the p-norm aggregation function, in which the discrete reduced-order basis functions (modes) are adaptively constructed for both the primal and dual problems. In addition to reducing the computational savings due to the ROM, we also address the computational cost of the ROM learning and updating phases. Both reduced-order bases are enriched according to the residual threshold of the corresponding linear systems, and the grid resolution is adaptively selected based on the relative error in approximating the objective function and constraint values during the iteration. The tests on 2D and 3D benchmark problems demonstrate improved performance with acceptable objective and constraint violation errors. Finally, we thoroughly investigate the influence of relevant stress constraint parameters such as the coagulation factor, stress penalty factor, and the allowable stress value.
Climate windows of opportunity for plant expansion during the Phanerozoic
Authors: Gurung Khushboo , Field Katie , Batterman Sarah , Godderis Yves , Donnadieu Yannick , Porada Philipp , Taylor Lyla , Mills Benjamin
Published: December 2021

Plants are likely to have had a profound influence on Earth’s long-term climate through their role in drawing down CO2 and emitting O2 into the atmosphere and their interactions with soils and minerals. Local climatic factors, including water availability, light, and temperature, play a key role in plant physiology and growth and have fluctuated substantially over geological time. However, the impact of these key climate variables on global plant biomass across the Phanerozoic have not yet been established.
Repeatability and Reproducibility of MRI-based Radiomic Features in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Rai Robba , Barton Michael B. , Chlap Phillip , Liney Gary P. , Brink Carsten , Vinod Shalini , Heinke Monique , Trada Yuvnik , Holloway Lois C.
Published: December 2021

Radiomics of magnetic resonance images (MRI) in rectal cancer can non-invasively characterise tumour heterogeneity with potential to discover new imaging biomarkers. However, for radiomics to be reliable; the imaging features measured must be stable and reproducible. The aim of this study is to quantify the repeatability and reproducibility of MRI-based radiomic features in rectal cancer. An MRI radiomics phantom was used to measure the longitudinal repeatability of radiomic features and the impact of post-processing changes related to image resolution and noise. Repeatability measurements in rectal cancers were also quantified in a cohort of ten patients with test-retest imaging amongst two observers. We found that many radiomic features; particularly from texture classes, were highly sensitive to changes in image resolution and noise. 49% of features had coefficient of variations ≤ 10% in longitudinal phantom measurements. 75% of radiomic features in in vivo test-retest measurements had an intraclass correlation coefficient of ≥ 0.8. We saw excellent interobserver agreement with mean dice similarity coefficient of 0.95 ± 0.04 for test and retest scans. The results of this study show that even when using a consistent imaging protocol many radiomic features were unstable. Therefore, caution must be taken when selecting features for potential imaging biomarkers.
A Comparative Study of the Nonlinear Methods for Estimate Body Weight by Body Measurements on Different Sample Sizes in Morkaraman Sheeps
Authors: YAGANOGLU Mutlu
Published: December 2021

The objective of this study was to estimate body weight of Morkaraman sheeps from body measurements with nonlinear models. Selected 110 sheeps 3-5 years were scored for body weight, body length, height at wither, chest width and pump width. For determine relationships with body weight between body measurements, correlation analysis was performed. The results of the correlation analysis indicated that the highest relationship according to the all sample sizes were body weight between body length (0.95, 0.90, 0.83, 0.81). Considering all parameters included in the model, the parameter showing the highest correlation with body weight was determined as body length according to all sample sizes. the highest correlation was found in 50 sample sizes (r:0.95). According to the small sample sizes (10-20), Logistic and Saturation growth models can be used to determine the body weight by using body length, on the other hand, Incomplete gamma model is more succesful to estimate body weight when sample size is nearly 30 and 50.
Women’s participation in the local food system and implications for their dietary quality in rural Northern Ghana: A qualitative study
Authors: Zakariah-Akoto Sawudatu ,   2. Augustine Ankomah,   3. Kwesi Torpey,   4. Margaret Armar-Klemesu, Aryeetey Richhmond
Published: December 2021

Background

Women’s activities within local food systems are linked with their dietary quality. Their ability to achieve a nutritious diet is often limited by socio-cultural norms, which have not been adequately studied. This study examined socio-cultural norms linked with rural food systems and their adverse effects on women’s diets.
Methods

The study was conducted in two rural communities, Yilkpene and Kpachilo, in Northern Ghana between May and July 2016. Sixteen key informant interviews (KII) with community and institutional leaders, and eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members were used to explore the nature of the food system, (production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption), and how it is influenced by socio-cultural norms. Transcribed interviews were coded and analysed thematically, using inductive reasoning.
Results

The components of the food system in both communities were constructed, primarily, around men. Quantities, quality, and varieties of produce, distribution/marketing, and intra-household allocation were strongly dominated by male perceptions and practices about access and ownership of productive resources, and roles and responsibilities of household members. Men dominated in the production of cereals, and legumes, while women mainly produced/harvested vegetables and fruits, and limited quantities of legumes that have low economic value. Men sell their produce at higher market prices, at urban markets; women rarely sell their vegetables; it is preserved and stored for home consumption. Women’s produce were often sold at farm gates or local markets at lower prices, for income to supplement household diets. Men are responsible for allocating staple foods used in the household for meal preparation to women; women are expected to provide other ingredients needed to accompany the supply of staple food provided by men. Although women prepare household meals, men receive lion’s share of nutrient-dense portions of meals.
Conclusion

The local food system is heavily dominated by gender-driven socio-cultural norms, which constitute a barrier to women achieving dietary adequacy. Interventions are needed to improve women’s diets; such interventions should deliberately address these culturally-established barriers, in contexts where subsistence farming is the main source of livelihood.
Public Stigma on Depression Comorbid with Diabetes: A Vignette-Method Study in China
Authors: Leung Patrick , Gearing Robin E. , Chen Wanzhen , Cheung Monit , Brewer Kathryne B. , Li Xiao , He Xuesong
Published: December 2021

Background: Depression and diabetes are common illnesses affecting individuals with health challenges and family stress. Research suggested stigma-reduction interventions for families facing health-related stressors. This study examined factors predicting public stigma on depression alone or comorbid with diabetes. Methods: In Shanghai, China, consented respondents to a community-based survey read one of four vignettes varied by depression types and gender of the Vignette Subject (VS). This vignette method measures each respondent’s Individualized Public Stigma score, attitude toward the subject’s family with the Devaluation of Consumer’s Families score, and problem seriousness leading to stress. Results: 125 respondents expressed views on depression or diabetes-associated depression via their answers to a randomly assigned vignette. Results show significant associations with Individualized Public Stigma when entering the regression model with five variables: problem seriousness, knowing someone with a mental health problem, subject’s gender, attitude toward the subject’s family, and depression comorbid with diabetes. Regression statistics showed that a person’s Individualized Public Stigma scores could be predicted by two of these variables: perceived problem seriousness and sympathy toward the affected family. Yet, comorbidity with diabetes was not a significant predictor of stigma. Conclusions: This study concludes that the cultural value toward community support could be an educational means to help the public realize the importance of protecting the families affected by mental health stigma. Applying this theory in action, practitioners must assess how self-stigmatization interfaces with the public perception of the patient's family. In addition, when people have a highly sympathetic attitude toward the patient’s family and perceive the presenting problem as severe, they must be aware of the impact of individualized stigma on the patient. Future research must focus on these cultural perspectives to support early anti-stigma interventions.
The Polymorphism rs2293855 MTMR9 Gene and Genetic Score Are Associated With Higher Atherogenic Risk in Brazilian Schoolchildren
Authors: Silva Mariane , Resende Cristina Maria Mendes , Louro Maíra Barros , Ribeiro Sarah Aparecida Vieira , Franceschini Sylvia do Carmo Castro , Velásquez-Meléndez Jorge Gustavo , Leite Jacqueline Isaura Alvarez , Durso Danielle Fernandes , de Novaes Juliana Farias
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Evaluate the associations of FTO (rs9939609), MC4R (rs17782313), MTMR9 (rs2293855), and the genetic score with atherogenic risk in Brazilian children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 544 children aged 4 to 9 years old. We obtained sociodemographic and lifestyle data by questionnaires, and biological sample (DNA) through oral swab. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) FTO (rs9939609), MC4R (rs17782313), and MTMR9 (rs2293855) were identified by the system taqman SNP genotyping and evaluated the obesity-related genetic risk score. Blood samples were collected for the lipid profile analysis (serum total cholesterol, HDLc, LDL-c, triglycerides). The atherogenic indexes (Castelli I and II indexes, atherogenic coefficient - AC, lipoprotein combination index - LCI and plasma atherogenic index - AIP) were calculated. We compared the distributions of outcomes (lipid profile and atherogenic indexes) by genotype categories using multivariable linear regression. Results: Children with AG/AA genotypes in the polymorphism MTMR9 (rs2293855), had lower HDL-c level and higher TC/HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c ratios, and AC. Those with one or more polymorphisms (FTO rs9939609, MC4R rs17782313, and MTMR9 rs2293855) in the genetic risk score had lower HDL-c and higher TC/HDL-c, AC, LCI, and AIP. Conclusion: The risk allele (AG/AA) of the MTMR9 (rs2293855) and the higher obesity-related genetic risk score were positively associated with higher atherogenic risk in Brazilian children.
Theoretical Basis of Face Contact Pressure Design of Zero-leakage Mechanical Seal
Authors: Zheng Wei , Sun Jianjun , Ma Chenbo , Yu Qiuping
Published: December 2021

Based on the percolation theory, the critical porosity of zero-leakage at the wetting and non-wetting sealing interface working in liquid medium is first discussed. The influence of end-face frictional heat on end-face friction and wear is then investigated. The design criteria for the face contact pressure of mechanical seals with zero-leakage and long-life operation are established. Afterwards, the face contact pressure range of the mechanical seal working in conventional different liquid medium is calculated, and the influence of different working conditions speed, medium temperature and pressure on the face contact pressure range change is analyzed. Existing studies have shown that mechanical seals can achieve zero-leakage and long-life operation. As for the wettable sealing interface, the minimum face contact pressure, corresponding to the zero-leakage condition, is only related to the morphological parameters of the sealing interface, and has nothing to do with the sealing medium. Under the rotating and stationary rings physical parameters and given working conditions, the face contact pressure range of the sealing medium water and propane propylene is 0.477~1.132 MPa. The diesel sealing medium has a larger face contact pressure range than that of water and propane propylene, which can reach 0.477~2.183 MPa. The working condition speed, medium temperature and medium pressure have an influence on the face contact pressure range, while the influence of the working condition speed is the most significant.
Protective Effect of Gallic Acid Against Thioacetamide Induced Metabolic Dysfunction of Lipids and Hepatic and Renal Toxicity
Authors: Ebaid Hossam , Bashandy Samir AE , Morsy Fatma A , Al-Tamimi Jameel , Alhazza Ibrahim M
Published: December 2021

BackgroundGallic acid (GA) has a potential antioxidant bio-activity and inhibits diet-induced hypertriglyceridemia with reducing the size of adipocytes. GA also was found to increase the uptake of glucose by cell.MethodsThe present research studied the influence of gallic acid (GA) (100mg, 200 mg/Kg orally) on the liver and kidney injuries motivated by thioacetamide (TAA; 100 mg/Kg IP). The treatment of TAA was carried out three times weekly for eight weeks, while gallic acid was given daily. ResultsGA relieved the decrease of hepatic or renal reduced glutathione (GSH) or increase of malondialdehyde (MDA, an indicator for lipid peroxidation) induced by TAA. TAA treatment led to a significant increase in plasma inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CRP), liver enzymes (Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and kidney function parameters (creatinine, urea, uric acid). However, these parameters were reduced after treatment with GA. Moreover, GA reduced the significant decline in plasma protein induced by TAA. In addition, the hepatic fibrosis or histopathological changes of the liver and kidney were lowered by GA. ConclusionOur results suggested that GA may attenuate TAA induced liver and kidney toxicity via suppression of oxidative stress.
Evaluation of the Learning Curve for Conformal Sphincter Preservation Operation in The Treatment of Ultra-Low Rectal Cancer
Authors: ding Hai-bo , Wang Lin-hui , Sun Ge , Yu Guan-yu , Gao Xian-hua , Zheng Kuo , Gong Hai-feng , Sui Jin-ke , Zhu Xiao-ming , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2021

Background: To investigate the learning curve of conformal sphincter preservation operation (CSPO) in the treatment of ultra-low rectal cancer and to further expore the influencing factors of operation time.Methods: From August 2011 to April 2020, 108 consecutive patients with ultra-low rectal cancer underwent CSPO by the same surgeon in the department of colorectal surgery of Changhai Hospital. The moving average and cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) curve were used to analyze the learning curve. The preoperative clinical baseline data, postoperative pathological data, postoperative complications and survival data were compared before and after the completion of learning curve. The influencing factors of CSPO operation time were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: According to the results of moving average and CUSUM method, CSPO learning curve was divided into learning period (1-45 cases) and learning completion period (46-108 cases). There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical baseline data, postoperative pathological data, postoperative complications and survival data between the two stages. Compared with the learning period, the operation time (P < 0.05), blood loss (P < 0.05), postoperative flatus and defecation time (P < 0.05), liquid diet time (P < 0.05) and postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05) in the learning completion period were significantly reduced, and the difference was statistically significant. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that distance of tumor from anal verge (≥ 4cm vs. <4cm, P=0.039) and T stage (T3 vs. T1-2, P=0.022) were independent risk factors for prolonging the operation time of CSPO.Conclusions: For surgeons with laparoscopic surgery experience, about 45 cases of CSPO are needed to cross the learning curve. At the initial stage of CSPO, beginners are recommended to select patients with ultra-low rectal cancer whose distance of tumor from anal verge is less than 4cm and tumor stage is less than T3 for practice, which can enable beginners to reduce the operation time, accumulate experience, build self-confidence and shorten the learning curve on the premise of safety.
Separation of branched alkane feeds by a synergistic action of zeolite and metal-organic framework
Authors: Brântuas Pedro , Henrique Adriano , Wahiduzzaman Mohammad , von Wedelstedt Alexander , Maity Tanmoy , Rodrigues Alirio , Nouar Farid , Lee U-Hwang , Cho Kyung Ho , Maurin Guillaume , Silva José , Serre Christian
Published: December 2021

Zeolites and Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have frequently been considered as “competitors” for the development of new advanced separation processes. The production of high quality gasoline is currently achieved through the energy demanding conventional Total Isomerization Process (TIP) that separates pentane and hexane isomers while not reaching yet the ultimate goal of a Research Octane Number (RON) higher than 92. Herein we demonstrate how an unprecedented synergistic action of two complementary benchmark materials of each family of porous solids, a commercially available zeolite, 5A and the bio-derived Al-dicarboxylate MOF MIL-160(Al), leads to a novel adsorptive process for octane upgrading of gasoline through an efficient separation of pentane and hexane isomer mixtures into fractions of low and high research octane number (RON). This innovative mixed bed adsorbent strategy encompasses a thermodynamically-driven separation of hexane isomers according to the degree of branching by MIL-160(Al) coupled to a steric rejection of pentane and hexane linear isomers by the molecular sieve zeolite 5A. The adsorptive separation ability of this MOF/zeolite duo was further evaluated under industrial operating conditions by sorption breakthrough and continuous cyclic experiments with a mixed bed of shaped adsorbents. Remarkably, at the industrially relevant temperature of 423 K, an ideal sorption hierarchy of low RON over high RON alkanes is achieved, i.e., n-hexane >> n-pentane >> 2-methylpentane > 3-methylpentane >>> 2,3-dimethylbutane > isopentane ≈ 2,2-dimethylbutane, and an exceptional ideal productivity of 1.14 mol.dm-3 is attained for a final high RON isomers product of 92, which corresponds to a substantial leap-forward when compared with existing processes.