bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling Methane Extraction from Stimulated Coalbed Influenced by Multidomain and Thermal Effects
Authors: Li Wai , Liu Jishan , Zeng Jie , Leong Yee-Kwong , Elsworth Derek , Tian Jianwei
Published: October 2021

The process of extracting coalbed methane (CBM) is not only of significance for unconventional energy supply but also important in mine safety. The recent advance in fracking techniques, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) fracking, intensifies the complexity of stimulated coalbeds. This work focuses on developing a fully coupled multidomain model to describe and get insight into the process of CBM extraction, particularly from those compound-fractured coalbeds. A group of partial differential equations (PDEs) are derived to characterize gas transport from matrix to fractures and borehole. A stimulated coalbed is defined as an assembly of three interacting porous media: matrix, continuous fractures (CF) and radial primary hydraulic fracture (RF). Matrix and CF constitute a dual-porosity-dual-permeability system, while RF is simplified as an 1-D cracked medium. These media further form three distinct domains: non-stimulated reservoir domain (NSRD), stimulated reservoir domain (SRD) and RF. The effects of coal deformation, heat transfer, and non-thermal sorption are coupled into the model to reflect the multiple processes in CBM extraction. The finite element method is employed to numerically solve the PDEs. The proposed model is verified by comparing its simulation results to a set of well production data from Southern Qinshui Basin in Shanxi Province, China. Great consistency is observed, showing the satisfactory accuracy of the model for CBM extraction. After that, the difference between various stimulation patterns is presented by simulating the CBM extraction process with different stimulation patterns including (1) unstimulated coalbed; (2) double-wing fracture + NSRD; (3) multiple RFs + NSRD; (4) SRD + NSRD and (5) multiple RFs + SRD + NSRD. The results suggest that Pattern (5) (often formed by CO2 fracking) boosts the efficiency of CBM extraction because it generates a complex fracture network at various scales by both increasing the number of radial fractures and activating the micro-fractures in coal blocks. Sensitivity analysis is also performed to understand the influences of key factors on gas extraction from a stimulated coalbed with multiple domains. It is found that the distinct properties of different domains originate various evolutions, which in turn influences the CBM production. Ignoring thermal effects in CBM extraction will either overestimate or underestimate the production, which is the net effect of thermal strain and non-isothermal sorption. The proposed model provides a useful approach to accurately evaluate CBM extraction by taking the complex evolutions of coalbed properties and the interactions between different components and domains into account. The importance of multidomain and thermal effects for CBM reservoir simulation is also highlighted.
Aspects of Multiscale Flow Simulation with Potential to Enhance Reservoir Engineering Practice
Authors: Kumar Khataniar Sanjoy , De Brito Dias Daniel , Xu Rong
Published: October 2021

A new implementation of a multiscale sequential fully implicit (MS SFI) reservoir simulation method is applied to a set of reservoir engineering problems to understand its utility. An assessment is made to highlight areas where the approach brings substantial advantage in performance as well as address problems not successfully resolved by existing methods.

This work makes use of the first ever implementation of the multiscale sequential fully implicit method in a commercial reservoir simulator. The key features of the method and implementation are briefly discussed. The learnings gained during field testing and commercialization on about forty real world models is illustrated through simpler, but representative data sets, available in the public domain. The workhorse robust fully implicit (FI) method is used as a reference for benchmarking. The MS SFI method can faithfully reproduce FI results for black oil problems.

We conclude that the MS SFI method has the capability to support reservoir engineering decision making especially in the areas of subsurface uncertainty quantification, representative model selection, model calibration and optimization. The MS SFI method shows immense potential for handling prominent levels of reservoir heterogeneity. The challenge of including fine-scale heterogeneity, which is often overlooked, when scaling up EOR processes from laboratory to field, appears to have found a practical solution with a combination of MS SFI and high-performance computing (HPC).
Deep Learning for Latent Space Data Assimilation LSDA in Subsurface Flow Systems
Authors: Mohd Razak Syamil , Jahandideh Atefeh , Djuraev Ulugbek , Jafarpour Behnam
Published: October 2021

We present a deep learning architecture for efficient reduced-order implementation of ensemble data assimilation. Specifically, deep learning is used to improve two important aspects of data assimilation workflows: (i) low-rank representation of complex reservoir property distributions for geologically consistent feature-based model updating, and (ii) efficient prediction of the statistical information that are required for model updating. The proposed method uses deep convolutional autoencoders to nonlinearly map the original complex and high-dimensional parameters onto a low-dimensional parameter latent space that compactly represents the original parameters. In addition, a low-dimensional data latent space is constructed to predict the observable response of each model parameter realization, which can be used to compute the statistical information needed for the data assimilation step. The two mappings are developed as a joint deep learning architecture with two autoencoders that are connected and trained together. The training uses an ensemble of model parameters and their corresponding production response predictions as needed in implementing the standard ensemble-based data assimilation frameworks. Simultaneous training of the two mappings leads to a joint data-parameter manifold that captures the most salient information in the two spaces for a more effective data assimilation, where only relevant data and parameter features are included. Moreover, the parameter-to-data mapping provides a fast forecast model that can be used to increase the ensemble size for a more accurate data assimilation, without a major computational overhead. We implement the developed approach to a series of numerical experiments, including a 3D example based on the Volve field in the North Sea. For data assimilation methods that involve iterative schemes, such as ensemble smoothers with multiple data assimilation or iterative forms of ensemble Kalman filter, the proposed approach offers a computationally competitive alternative. Our results show that a fully low-dimensional implementation of ensemble data assimilation using deep learning architectures offers several advantages compared to standard algorithms, including joint data-parameter reduction that respects the salient features in each space, geologically consistent feature-based updates, increased ensemble sizes to improve the accuracy and computational efficiency of the calculated statistics for the update step.
A Physics-Based Proxy for Surface and Subsurface Coupled Simulation Models
Authors: Yang Changdong , He Jincong , Du Song , Wang Zhenzhen , Onishi Tsubasa , Guan Xiaoyue , Chen Jianping , Wen Xian- Huan
Published: October 2021

Full-physics subsurface simulation models coupled with surface network can be computationally expensive. In this paper, we propose a physics-based subsurface model proxy that significantly reduces the run-time of the coupled model to enable rapid decision-making for reservoir management.

In the coupled model the subsurface reservoir simulator generates well inflow performance relationship (IPR) curves which are used by the surface network model to determine well rates that satisfy surface constraints. In the proposed proxy model, the CPU intensive reservoir simulation is replaced with an IPR database constructed from a data pool of one or multiple simulation runs. The IPR database captures well performance that represents subsurface reservoir dynamics. The proxy model can then be used to predict the production performance of new scenarios – for example new drilling sequence – by intelligently looking up the appropriate IPR curves for oil, gas and water phases for each well and solving it with the surface network. All necessary operational events in the surface network and field management logic (such as facility constraints, well conditional shut-in, and group guide rate balancing) for the full-coupled model can be implemented and honored.

In the proposed proxy model, while the reservoir simulation component is eliminated for efficiency. The entirety of the surface network model is retained, which offers certain advantages. It is particularly suitable for investigating the impact of different surface operations, such as maintenance schedule and production routing changes, with the aim of minimizing production capacity off-line due to maintenance. Replacing the computationally intensive subsurface simulation with the appropriate IPR significantly improves the run time of the coupled model while preserving the essential physics of the reservoir. The accuracy depends on the difference between the scenarios that the proxy is trained on and the scenarios being evaluated. Initial testing with a complex reservoir with more than 300 wells showed the accuracy of the proxy model to be more than 95%. The computation speedup could be an order of magnitude, depending largely on complexity of the surface network model.

Prior work exists in the literature that uses decline curves to replicate subsurface model performance. The use of the multi-phase IPR database and the intelligent lookup mechanism in the proposed method allows it to be more accurate and flexible in handling complexities such as multi-phase flow and interference in the surface network.
Alpine Rockwall Erosion Patterns Follow Elevation-Dependent Climate Trajectories
Authors: Draebing Daniel , Mayer Till , Jacobs Benjamin , McColl Samuel
Published: October 2021

Mountainous topography reflects an interplay between tectonic uplift, crustal strength, and climate-conditioned erosion cycles. During glaciations, glacial erosion increases bedrock relief, whereas during interglacials relief is lowered by rockwall erosion. In the first landscape-scale, multi-process investigation of postglacial rockwall erosion patterns, we show that paraglacial, frost cracking and permafrost processes jointly drive rockwall erosion. Field observations and modelling experiments demonstrate that all three processes are strongly conditioned by elevation. Our findings provide a multi-process explanation for the increase of rockwall erosion rates with elevation across the European Alps. As alpine basins warm during deglaciation, changing intensities and elevation-dependent interactions between periglacial and paraglacial processes result in elevational shifts in rockwall erosion patterns. Future climate warming will shift the intensity and elevation distribution of these processes, resulting in overall lower erosion rates across the Alps, but with more intensified erosion at the highest topography most sensitive to climate change.
Quantum Statistics of Light Emitted from a Pillar Microcavity
Authors: Khudaiberganov Timur A. , Arakelian Sergei M.
Published: October 2021

A quantum behavior of the light emitted by exciton polaritons excited in a pillar semiconductor microcavity with embedded quantum well is investigated. Considering the bare excitons and photon modes as coupled quantum oscillators allows for an accurate accounting of the nonlinear and dissipative effects. In particular, using the method of quantum states presentation in a quantum phase space via quasiprobability functions (namely, a P-function and a Wigner function), we study the effect of the laser and the exciton-photon detuning on the second order correlation function of the emitted photons. We determine the conditions for the phenomena of bunching, giant bunching, and antibunching of the emitted light. In particular, we predict the effect of a giant bunching for the case of a large exciton to photon population ratio. Within the domain of parameters supporting a bistability regime we demonstrate the effect of bunching of photons.
Thru-Hole Epitaxy: Is Remote Epitaxy Really Remote?
Authors: Jang Dongsoo , Ahn Chulwoo , Lee Youngjun , Lee Seungjun , Lee Hyunkyu , Kim Donghoi , Kwon Young-Kyun , Choi Jaewu , Kim Chinkyo
Published: October 2021

The remote epitaxy was originally proposed to grow a film, which is not in contact but crystallographically aligned with a substrate and easily detachable due to a van der Waals material as a space layer. Here we show that the claimed remote epitaxy is more likely to be nonremote ‘thru-hole’ epitaxy. On a substrate with thick and symmetrically incompatible van der Waals space layer or even with a three-dimensional amorphous oxide film in-between, we demonstratively grew GaN domains through thru-holes via connectedness-initiated epitaxial lateral overgrowth, not only readily detachable but also crystallographically aligned with a substrate. Our proposed nonremote thru-hole epitaxy, which is embarrassingly straightforward and undemanding, can provide wider applicability of the benefits known to be only available by the claimed remote epitaxy.
Optimal Design of Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Using PSO And Ant Colony Optimization For Estimation of Uncertain Observed Values
Authors: Danesh Mahdi , Danesh Sedighe
Published: October 2021

This study employs a new method for regression model prediction in an uncertain environment and presents fuzzy parameter estimation of fuzzy regression models using triangular fuzzy numbers. These estimation methods are obtained by new learning algorithms in which linear programming is used. In this study, the new algorithm is a combination of a fuzzy rule-based system, on the basis of particle swarm optimization (PSO) and ant Colony Optimization AC\({O}_{R}\). In addition, a simulation and a practical example in the field of machining process are applied to indicate the performance of the proposed methods in dealing with problems where the observed variables have the nature of uncertainty and randomness. Finally, the results of the proposed algorithms are evaluated.
Kinetics And Thermodynamic Properties of Trametes Polyzona WRF03 Laccase
Authors: Ezike Tobechukwu Christian , Ezugwu Arinze Linus , Udeh Jerry Okwudili , Ugwuoke Kenneth Chinekwu , Eze Sabinus Oscar Onyebuchi , Chilaka Ferdinand Chiemeka
Published: October 2021

The effect of thermal treatment on the activity of laccase from Trametes polyzona WRF03 was studied at pH and temperature ranges of 3.0 to 6.5 and of 40 to 70 oC respectively. Kinetic data revealed that the heat inactivation of Trametes polyzona WRF03 laccase (TpL) was pH dependent and followed first-order kinetics. There was a positive correlation between activation energy (Ea) for thermal inactivation of TpL and the reaction pH. Highest activation energy, Ea, value of 175.49 kJ/mol was obtained at pH 6.0. On the contrary, the z-value decreased with a lowest value of 12.37 oC at pH 6.0. The high Ea value and low z-value were indicative of the thermo-stable nature of TpL which suggests that pH 6.0 had a compensatory stabilizing effect on TpL against its thermal denaturation. There was a gradual decrease in the enthalpy of denaturation (∆Ho) and Gibb’s free-energy with every 10 % rise in temperature within the investigated pH range, suggesting that TpL was more stable at 40 oC. Positive values of entropy of inactivation (ΔSº) at each temperature indicated that there was no aggregation during the inactivation processes. Thus, these results provided useful information about the behaviour of TpL under certain pH and temperature combination with respect to biotechnological application. Thus, the kinetic and thermodynamic data could be used to design a model to predict the thermal inactivation of TpL during industrial application.
Geographical Distribution of Zebu Breeds in Brazil And Their Relationship With Environmental Variables and Human Development Indicator
Authors: Lima Paulo Ricardo Martins , Peripolli Vanessa , Josahkian Luiz Antônio , McManus Concepta
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the geographical distribution of zebu breeds in Brazil and correlate their occurrence with environmental variables and human development indicator. The herds of purebred zebu cattle in Brazil were classified as beef breeds (Brahman, Polled Brahman, Nelore, Polled Nelore and Tabapuã), dairy breeds (Gir and Polled Gir), and dual-purpose breeds (Guzerá, Indubrasil, Polled Indubrasil, Sindhi and Polled Sindhi), all breeds being spatialized in ArcGIS program. Variables examined included environmental and human development indicator. The statistical analysis included analysis and logistic regression.The lower distribution of zebu cattle in the states of Northeast compared to other locations is probably due to its extreme climate, highly susceptible to long periods of high temperatures and lower precipitation, which directly affects local livestock. The beef breeds were evenly spread throughout the country. The location occupied for beef breeds was influenced by environmental variables, showing a higher incidence with increased precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), temperature, relative humidity and temperature humidity index (THI), as well as establishments without family agriculture and rivers and streams with forest protection. The location used for dual-purpose and dairy breeds was influenced by areas with cultivated cutting forages, areas with integrated crop-livestock forest systems and areas with rotational grazing system, indicating a higher occupation in fertile lands. The Gir breed, the only one with dairy exploration in this study, showed herds in establishments with family agriculture, characterized by small to medium farms, and in regions with higher altitude.
Effects of Jia Wei Dachaihu-Tang on gut microbiota and inflammatory markers in patients with overweight or obesity: study protocol for a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial
Authors: Gao Yang , Hong Peipei , Liao Tingting , Han Xuke , Zhou Shan , Chen Qiu
Published: October 2021

Background

The increasing number of overweight and obesity has posed an enormous hazard to the health of worldwide people, but the present methods for it still exist a few drawbacks, which implied that new effective treatment is urgently needed. Jia Wei Dachaihu-Tang (JWDT), a Chinese herbal medicine formulation wildly used to remedy obesity in clinical practice, has been confirmed its effectiveness and safety in our previous studies. In the study, the impacts of JWDT on gut microbiota and inflammatory markers in patients with overweight or obesity will be further investigated.
Methods/design:

This trial will be a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, placebo-controlled single-center trial recruiting 60 participants who are 18 to 80 years of age with a body mass index(BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. Participants will be enrolled on a random basis and are equally assigned to either Jia Wei Dachaihu-Tang or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is the change in BMI during this trial. Secondary outcomes contain changes in waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, blood lipid, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), body composition, inflammatory factors, gut microbiome, appetite, etc. Blood and fecal sample collection will be conducted at the baseline and after the 12-week intervention.
Discussion

This study will further testify the therapeutic effect of JWDT in overweight or obesity, and investigate its power on insulin resistance, body composition, gut microbiota, inflammation, appetite, food intake, emotion. Furthermore, investigators attempt to pursue the possible mechanism that JWDT ameliorates overweight and obesity from the perspective of gut microbiota, expecting to provide new targets and directions for the treatment of obesity.
Trial registration:

The protocol has been registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000040889) on 14 December 2020,http://www.chictr.org.cn/abouten.aspx.
Ecological niche modeling, niche overlap, and good old Rabinowitz’s rarities applied to the conservation of gymnosperms in a global biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Quiroga Paula , Souto Cintia
Published: October 2021

ContextBiodiversity hotspots harbor 77% of endemic plant species. Patagonian Temperate Forest (PTF) is a biodiversity hotspot, but over the past centuries, has been over-exploited, fragmented and replaced with exotic species plantations, lately plus the threat of climate change. ObjectivesOur aim is to better understand patterns of habitat suitability and niche overlap of nine endemic gymnosperm species, key elements of the PTF, complementing traditional approaches of biodiversity conservation. MethodsUsing R packages and 3024 occurrence data, we deployed ecological niche models (ENM) in MaxEnt via KuENM, and classified species according to Rabinowitz’s types of rarity. We then overlapped their niches calculating Schoener's D index, and considered types of rarity in a spatial ecological context. Finally, we overlay high species’ suitability and protected areas and detect conservation priorities using GapAnalysis. ResultsWe generated simplified ENMs for nine Patagonian gymnosperms and found that most niches overlap, and only one species displayed a unique niche. Surprisingly, we found that three species have divergent suitability of habitats across the landscape. We showed that the rarer a species is the smaller niche volume tend to have, that six out of nine studied species have high conservation priority, and that there are conservation gaps in the PTF. ConclusionOur approach showed that there are unprotected suitable areas for native key species at high risk in Patagonian forests. Suggesting that integrating habitat-suitability models of multiple species, types of rarity, and niche overlap, can be a handy tool to identify potential conservation areas in global biodiversity hotspots.
Nitrogen Deficiency in Culture Affects the Metabolic Pathways in Amphora Coffeaeformis for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Wang Kang , Cui Yulin , Meng Chunxiao , Gao Zhengquan , Qin Song
Published: October 2021

Background: Amphora coffeaeformis, a unicellular diatom, can accumulate large amounts of lipids under nitrogen (N) limitation, because of which it can act as a promising raw material for biodiesel production. However, the molecular mechanism underlying lipid accumulation in A. coffeaeformis remains unknown. Results: In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying lipid accumulation under N deprivation conditions in A. coffeaeformis using RNA-seq. The results showed that the total lipid (TL) content of A. coffeaeformis in normal f/2 medium was 28.22% (TL/DW), which increased to 44.05% after 5 days of N deprivation, while the neutral lipid triacylglycerol (TAG) content increased from 10.41% (TAG/DW) to 25.21%. The transcriptional profile showed that 591 genes were up-regulated, with false discovery rate cutoff of 0.1%, and 1,021 genes were down-regulated, indicating that N deprivation induced wide-ranging reprogramming of regulation, and that most physiological activities were repressed. In addition, ribosome biogenesis, carbon fixation, and photosynthesis in A. coffeaeformis were considerably affected by N deprivation. Conclusions: In summary, the findings initially clarified the molecular mechanism of TAG accumulation and revealed the key genes involved in lipid metabolism in A. coffeaeformis, which will be useful in designing strategies for improving microalgal biodiesel production.
Women Leaders Perceived Barriers and Consequences of Safe Abortion in Rwanda: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Rugema Lawrence , Uwase Marie Ange , Rukundo Athanase , Nizeyimana Vianney , Mporanyi Theobald , Kagaba Aflodis
Published: October 2021

Background: Between 2010 and 2014, approximately 25 million unsafe abortions were performed annually across the globe. Africa alone accounted for 29% of all unsafe abortions, and 62% of the related deaths. Women living in poverty, especially adolescents, lack information about where and how to access safe abortion services. They often do not have the power to make informed decisions on the subject. The purpose of this study is to explore the barriers and consequences of safe abortion as perceived by women leaders in Rwanda. Method: In this qualitative study, seven focus group discussions and seven key informant interviews were performed in October 2019. A total of 51 women leaders participated, their age ranging from 38 to 60 years. Participants were drawn from three districts, namely Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge. For variability of data, participants came from parliament, government ministries, government parastatals, and civil society organizations. All interviews were conducted in Kinyarwanda and later translated into English. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The emerging theme “strong barriers and numerous consequences of safe abortion” illustrates how women leaders perceive barriers to safe abortion and its related consequences in Rwanda. The theme is divided into two categories: 1) “Perceived barriers of safe abortion” and 2) “Consequences of providing safe abortion”. The sub-categories for the first category are “Reluctance to fully support safe abortion due to perceived unjustified abortions”, “Abortion-related stigma, “Abortion is against cultural and religious beliefs”, and “Emotional attachment to the unborn”. The sub-categories for the second category are “Perceived physiological trauma”, “cause for barrenness/infertility”, “increase in services abuse by adolescents/women”, “increase of workload for healthcare providers”, “increase in sexual activities and STIs”, and “Abortion-related physiological trauma”. Conclusion: The subject of safe abortion evokes mixed reactions among participants, and is entangled with unsafe abortion in most cases. Participants stress that the word ‘abortion’ disturbs, regardless of whether it relates to being safe or unsafe. Participants believe the word ‘abortion’ outweighs the word ‘safe’. Societal expectations play a major role in the decision-making process of any adolescent or a family member faced with a pregnant adolescent regardless of the existing safe abortion law. Community mobilization and sensitization are crucial if safe abortion in accordance with abortion law is to be embraced. Messages that reinforce safe abortion as acceptable and address stigma, fears of trauma, and barrenness should be developed to educate adolescents, parents, and women leaders about safe abortion, to mitigate unsafe abortion-related complications.
Case Report: Gastric Cancer Combined With Bilateral Ovarian Metastasis In Pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Zhenhua , Lv Gang , Liu Mei , Lin Miaohui , Xie Meilin , Zhao Yinghui , Lv Jia
Published: October 2021

Background: The early manifestations of gastric cancer during pregnancy are non-specific. Ovarian mass and ascites are the main manifestations of late ovarian metastasis. Case presentation: A case of late gastric cancer with bilateral ovarian metastasis in pregnancy was reported in our study. Cesarean section and full staging of ovarian malignant tumors were performed at 28+5 weeks of pregnancy, and the prognosis was poor. We performed Cesarean delivery and extracted a vital male newborn of 35 cm, 1020 g, Ap score 3. The newborn is alive and grows normally. Three months later the mother died. The key to improving the prognosis is early diagnosis, and the pre-pregnancy health checkup must be emphasized. Conclusions: During pregnancy, ultrasound, gastroscopy, MRI and other related examinations should be performed to confirm the diagnosis, and individualized treatment plans should be formulated to maximize the protection of the mother and child's interests.
Estimation of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) and Spectral Acceleration (Sa) Vertical Component for Interface Subduction Zone Earthquakes of North-east India (NEI) and Adjacent Regions
Authors: Tauhidur Rahman , Chhangte Ricky L
Published: October 2021

This article presented ground motion model (GMM) for vertical peak ground acceleration (PGA) and pseudo spectral acceleration (Sa) at 5 % damping for North-east India (NEI) and adjacent regions at a time period of 0.01 to 5 s, and hypocentral distance 40 to 300 km. We used combined point source (4.5 ≤ Mw ≤ 6.5) and finite fault model (6.5 < Mw ≤ 9.5) (refer as combined model) to develop GMM for vertical component of ground motion (VCGM) for the region. The vertical GMM obtained is validated with the available recorded events in NEI and adjacent regions for the interface subduction zone earthquakes. It is observed that peak ground accelerations and spectral accelerations are 55 to 65% lesser than the horizontal components of ground motions. VCGM parameters obtained in this study play an important role in designing low rise buildings and linear superstructures such as bridges, silos and chimneys.
Analysis of barriers in e-waste management in developing economy: An integrated MCDM approach
Authors: JANGRE JOGENDRA , PRASAD KANIKA , PATEL DHARMENDRA
Published: October 2021

An increasing quantity of electronic waste (e-waste) is not a new cause of concern, and it has been causing trouble throughout the world. This waste comprises of valuable metals along with harmful compounds that leads to harmful environmental consequences. Managing this kind of waste in developing economies is difficult due to presence of lot of hindrance in the process. Therefore, the goal of this research work is to determine the barriers while taking expert opinions and through available literature, and subsequently prioritize them to address the challenges in e-waste management. Moreover, this study reflects a hybrid Fuzzy DEcision-MAking Trail and Evaluation Laboratory (F-DEMATEL) and Fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling (F-ISM) approaches applied for determining the interrelationship between the barriers. The F-DEMATEL technique facilitates in identifying influential and influenced barriers and categorizes them into causal or effect groups. Performance data obtained from this combined approach is applied to determine an overall rank for 15 identified barriers. In addition, a fuzzy Matrice d'impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée an un Classeement (F-MICMAC) analysis is exercised to sort them into dependent or driving factor. The findings suggest that the underlying cause barriers include ‘lack of customer awareness about return’, ‘less policies addressing e-waste problem’, ‘lack of long-term planning’, and ‘insensitiveness of public towards environmental issues. The methodology is integrated with fuzzy logic to take uncertainty in the data gathered into consideration. This approach aids policymakers and decision-makers in determining the barriers' mutual relationships and interconnections.
Changes In Argentine Ant Trophic Position As A Function of Time
Authors: Baratelli Evelyne , Tillberg Chad , Suarez Andy , Menke Sean , Naughton Ida , Holway David A.
Published: October 2021

The ecological effects of species introductions can change over time, but an understanding of how and why they do remains hindered by the lack of long-term data sets that permit investigation into underlying causes. We employed stable isotope analysis to estimate how trophic position changes as a function of time for the Argentine Ant, a widespread, abundant, and ecologically disruptive introduced species. Previous research at a site in southern California (Rice Canyon, San Diego Co.) found that Argentine Ant δ15N values were higher at the leading edge of invasion than at those same sites in years subsequent to invasion. To assess if a reduction in relative trophic position over time is a typical feature of ant invasions, we expanded the temporal and spatial scale of sampling and measured δ15N values of the Argentine ant at three locations with a known or inferred history of invasion: Rice Canyon (the site of the original study), the Sacramento River Valley (Yolo and Solano Cos., CA), and San Nicolas Island (Ventura Co., CA). Resampling Rice Canyon in 2019, 16 years after the original survey, revealed a significant increase in Argentine ant δ15N values. At the two other locations, Argentine ant δ15N values were independent of time since invasion (Sacramento River Valley) or position relative to the invasion front (San Nicolas Island). These findings suggest that post-invasion reductions in trophic position may not be a general phenomenon or could reflect transitory ecological processes that require finer-scale temporal sampling than was possible to achieve in the present study. Our findings are nonetheless consistent with the results of recent studies, which found that the effects of Argentine ant invasions persist over decadal time scales.
Investigating the Effect of Quadruple Therapy with Saccharomyces Boulardii or Lactobacillus Reuteri Strain (DSMZ 17648) Supplements on Eradication of Helicobacter Pylori and Treatments҆ Side Effects: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Naghibzadeh Nooshin , Salmani Fatemeh , Nomiri Samira , Tavakoli Tahmine
Published: October 2021

Background: The primary goal of this placebo-controlled study was to determine the effect of quadruple treatment with Saccharomyces boulardii or Lactobacillus reuteri on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and side effects of the treatment.Results: This study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. And, eradication of helicobacter pylori was reported comparing conventional anti-H. Pylori therapy versus conventional therapy supplemented with S. boulardii and L. reuteri DSMZ 17648. For this aim, a total of 156 patients were included in the current study; and patients positive for H. Pylori infection (n =156) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 52 patients (Group P) received conventional quadruple therapy plus L. reuteri, 52 patients (Group S) received conventional quadruple therapy plus S. boulardii daily, for 2 weeks, and 52 patients were in the control group (Group C). At the end of the treatment period, all the subjects continued to take proton pump inhibitor (PPI) alone for 14 days, and then, no medication was given for 2 weeks again. During follow-up, gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using an evaluation scale (Glasgow dyspepsia questionnaire (GDQ)), and adverse events were assessed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. As a result, eradication therapy was effective for 94.2% of subjects in Group S, 92.3% of subjects in Group P, and 86.5% of subjects in the control group, with no differences between treatment arms. In Group S, the chance of developing symptoms of nausea (OR=2.74), diarrhea (OR=3.01), headache (OR=10.51), abdominal pain (OR=3.21), and anxiety (OR=3.58) was significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: In general, our findings revealed that the use of probiotic supplements containing S. boulardii or Lactobacillus reuteri (DSMZ 17648 strain) improved the eradication rate of H. Pylori infection, but it was not statistically significant. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct future research with a larger sample size to investigate the effect of S. boulardii supplementation on eradicating H. pylori infection and reducing treatment side effects.Trial registration: IRCT20200106046021N1, this trial was registered on Jan 14, 2020.
Modified Superior Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Technique With Vitrectomy Versus Vitrectomy With Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling For Retinal Detachment With Myopic Macular Hole
Authors: Carballés María José Crespo , Sastre-Ibáñez Marina , Cura Mar Prieto del , Anaya Laura Jimeno , Salvador Natalia Pastora , Angelini Simon Quijada , Ceca Guadalupe Garrido Garrido , Saénz Maria Carmen García
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the modified superior inverted internal limiting (ILM) membrane flap technique in retinal reattachment, macular hole closure and external retinal layers restoration in macular hole associated retinal detachment compared to ILM peeling. Methods: Retrospective case series of 10 patients that required pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment with macular hole followed for more than 12 months. Data from medical records were retrospectively collected and patients were divided into the superior inverted flap (5 patients) and ILM peeling group (5 patients). We compared best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, retinal attachment, macular hole closure rate and external retinal layer restoration between groups. Results: There were significant improvements in BCVA in both groups before and after surgery, with no differences between the two groups at 12 months after surgery (p = 0.9). The macular hole closed in 100% of cases in the inverted flap group and 80% of the ILM peeling group with no significant differences between groups. The retina was reattached in 100% of cases in both groups. Only 2 patients in the inverted flap group (40%) had external retinal layer restoration and none in ILM peeling group (p=0,62). Conclusions: ILM peeling and superior inverted flap techniques are useful for treating retinal detachment with macular hole in myopic eyes.
Pathological Investigation of Meningioma Capsule with respect to Tumor Cell Invasion
Authors: Sugawara Takashi , Kobayashi Daisuke , Maehara Taketoshi
Published: October 2021

OBJECTIVE

No previous study has pathologically investigated whether the meningioma capsule presents with tumor cells. We investigated which types of tumor capsules include tumor cells to help decide the kind of capsules which can be left intraoperatively without recurrence risk.
METHODS

We investigated 22 specimens of 14 newly diagnosed meningiomas between February 2011 and June 2021. Capsules were classified into three types: tumor capsule (TC), capsule-like thickened arachnoid membrane (CAM), and extended membrane (EM). Capsule properties were scored as hardness (soft = 1, medium = 2, hard = 3) and transparency (high = 1, medium = 2, low = 3). Hardness, transparency, and score sum was compared between capsules with/without tumor invasion in CAM and EM types.
RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was 28.1 months, and there was only one recurrence in a remote location from the residual capsule. Nine capsules were classified as TC, seven as CAM, and six as EM. 88.9% of TCs, 42.9% of CAMs, and 50% of EMs were invaded by tumor cells. Hardness, transparency, and score sum in CAM with tumor invasion was lower than in CAM without, but not significant (p = 0.114, p = 0.114, p = 0.057).
CONCLUSION

Thickened TC or soft and highly transparent CAM imply a high risk of tumor cell invasion, thus such cases should be followed up long and carefully. The hard and low transparent residual CAMs may have low risk of tumor invasion, thus these kinds of residual capsules might not increase the recurrence risk. Thus, leaving such capsules tightly adhered to the eloquent cortex is theoretically justified to avoid damaging the brain surface.
Lessons Learned from Applying Varying Coefficient Model to Controlled Simulation Datasets
Authors: Meng Xiaofeng , Goulet Christine
Published: October 2021

The development of site- and path-specific (i.e., non-ergodic) ground motion models (GMMs) can drastically improve the accuracy of probabilistic seismic hazard analyses (PSHA). The Varying Coefficient Model (VCM) is a novel technique for developing non-ergodic GMMs, which puts epistemic uncertainty into spatially varying coefficients. The coefficients at nearby locations are correlated by placing a Gaussian process prior on them. The correlation structure is determined by the data, and later used to predict coefficients and their epistemic uncertainties at new locations. It is important to carefully verify the technique before its results can be accepted by the engineering community. In this study, we used a series of simulation-based controlled ground motion datasets from CyberShake to test a modified VCM technique, which partitions the epistemic uncertainty into spatially varying source, site and path terms. Because the simulation parameters (inputs) are known, it is straightforward to verify what is recovered by the VCM from CyberShake simulation. We find that the site effects in CyberShake datasets can be reliably recovered by the VCM. However, the densely-located self-similar events in CyberShake datasets lead to large correlation lengths, which violates the isotropic assumption underlying the method and prevents the VCM from capturing the genuine source effects. For path effects, cell-specific attenuation approaches fail to recover the anelastic attenuation pattern of the 3D velocity model, most likely due to inappropriate assumption of point sources and straight-line wave propagation. Instead, a midpoint approach that only considers the aggregated path effects can better recover the strong attenuation within basins by fixing the correlation length of path effects. Lessons learned in this study not only provide important guidance for future applications of VCM to both simulation and empirical datasets, but also help further development of the technique, notably for the recovery of path effects.
Adipocytokines on Insulin Resistance in Adolescents
Authors: Agostinis-Sobrinho César , Vicente Sofia E. de Castro Ferreira , Norkiene Sigute , Rauckienė-Michaelsson Alona , Kievišienė Justina , Dubey Viney Prakash , Razbadauskas Arturas , Lopes Luís , Santos Rute
Published: October 2021

Background: Recently, leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio has been suggested as a novel predictor of cardio-metabolic and other chronic disease.Aim: to evaluate the ability of leptin (L), adiponectin (A) and the L/A ratio in identifying high risk of IR in adolescents adjusted by cardiorespiratory fitness, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and body fat percentage. Subjects and methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 adolescents aged 12-18 years-old. Blood samples were taken to analyze glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA‐IR] was estimated from fasting serum insulin and glucose). Results: Adiponectin, leptin, and L/A ratio were accurate to predict of IR among adolescents. The optimal L/A cut-off value to indicate risk of IR development was >0.35 in boys and >0.97 in girls. Logistic analyses showed that the suggested cut points for adiponectin (girls: OR:2.87 (1.1.26-6.53); p=0.012); leptin (boys: OR:5.23 (1.16-7.14) p = 0.006; girls: OR:2.99 (1.10-8.09) p=0.031) and the L/A ratio (boys: OR:8.38 (2.6-26.8) p<0.001; girls: OR:6.1 (2.1-17.0) p<0.001), were significant predictors of IR, after adjustments for age, pubertal stage, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat percentage. Conclusion: Leptin and L/A ratio were associated with IR risk, after adjustments for confounders in both sexes and adiponectin in girls. L/A ratio seems to have a higher diagnostic accuracy to identify IR risk than adiponectin or leptin, in both sexes.
The Study of Feasibility and Acceptibility of Using HIV Self-Tests in High-Risk Iranian Populations(FSWs, MSM, and TG Populations): A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Moradi Ghobad , Amini Elnaz Ezzati , Valipour Azam , Tayeri Katayoon , Kazerooni Parvin Afsar , Molaeipour Leila , Moradi Yousef
Published: October 2021

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the HIV Self-Test in high-risk Iranian groups (MSM, FSWs, and TG people).Methods: This study was conducted in 2 main steps (the pre and post HIVST intervention and the qualitative method) between 1 October 2020 and 22 June 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The sample size needed for this study generally was 1000 people, including FSWs, MSM, and transgender individuals. The sampling method in this study was convenience sampling, while snowball sampling was used to complete the number of samples.Results: A total of 930 eligible respondents were enrolled in the study, of whom 456 (49%) were female, 49 (5.3%) were transgender (98% of TGs were male to female). The median age was 33.63 ±10.54 SD. The feasibility of the use of HIV self-tests in Iranian high-risk groups was significantly high. The majority of participants (97%) did not have any confidentiality problems while preparing or performing the test. In general, feasibility was assessed based on five questions. The overall feasibility score was 6.33 (0.824 SD). Taking tests, reading HIV test results, finding a safe place to do the test, and accessing HIV self-testing showed a high average. Conclusion: HIV self-testing was highly acceptable and feasible to permit routine HIV testing between high-risk populations efficiently.
Research On the Craniofacial Measurement Characteristics and Pollution Identification of Unearthed Human Bones at Shenna Ruins, China
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Mai Bingjie , Zhang Ying , Chen Liang , Li Yuhu , Wang Juanli , Cao Jing
Published: October 2021

The unearthed human bones are important materials for revealing ancient human food, ancient environment and ancient climate, and the origin of ancient humans, which the chemical composition and biological characteristics of bones have changed to varying degrees in the process of diagenesis, means that they were contaminated. Therefore, judging whether the unearthed ancient human bones are contaminated is a prerequisite for scientific analysis, environmental archaeology, and research on ancient human recipes. This paper is mainly using traditional morphological methods to analyze and study the craniofacial measurement characteristics of the unearthed human bones at the Shenna ruins, and the contamination of the unearthed human bones by burial environment and diagenesis was judged by using pH measurement, Scanning Electrion Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform red external light spectrum (FTIR). The results show that the organic composition of the remains at Shenna ruins is decomposed in a large amount, the inorganic structure is destroyed, which will eventually cause looseness and porosity. However, the composition of inorganic minerals of the human bones has not been changed or contaminated, they could be avoided unnecessary waste of energy and work and research bias in further study of paleoenvironment and paleoclimate in Shenna ruins.