bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Recovery by Huff ‘n’ Puff Gas Injection in Shale-Oil Reservoirs Using the Climbing-Swarm Derivative-Free Algorithm
Authors: Olusola Bukola Korede , Orozco Daniel , Aguilera Roberto 
Published: September 2020

SummaryRecent improved-oil-recovery and enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) methods in shale reservoirs use huff ‘n’ puff gas injection (H&P). Investigating the technical and economic impact of this technology for one well is challenging and time consuming, and even more so when the petroleum company is planning H&P and refracturing (RF) jobs in multiple wells. Thus, in this paper we present an original methodology to learn how to perform these tasks faster and at lower cost to improve oil recovery.The procedure is explained with the use of an actual H&P gas-injection pilot horizontal well in the Eagle Ford Shale, the performance of which is matched using the methodology developed in this paper. The methodology includes use of an original climbing-swarm (CS) derivative-free algorithm that drives, without human intervention, desktop computer or laptop material-balance (MatBal) and net-present-value (NPV) calculations. The code was written in open-source Python programming language. Following history match, the methodology demonstrates that significant improvements in oil recovery can be obtained by injecting gas at larger rates during shorter periods of time (as opposed to injecting gas at lower rates during longer periods of time).Once oil-recovery improvement in a pilot horizontal well is demonstrated, the methodology is extended to the analysis of H&P gas injection and RF in horizontal wells and shale reservoirs that have not yet been developed or are in initial stages of development; this provides a preliminary assessment of H&P and RF potential.Results indicate that oil recovery and NPV from multiple wells can be improved significantly by a strategic combination of H&P gas injection and RF. A combination of derivative-free optimization algorithms, MatBal calculations, and NPVs permits optimizing when to start the H&P gas-injection project, the optimum gas-injection rates (GIRs) and time span of injection, the reservoir pressure at which gas injection should be started in each cycle, and the time span during which the well should produce oil, before starting a new cycle of gas injection. The development strategy of shale-oil reservoirs could be improved significantly if the possibility of H&P gas injection is considered before field development. This could be the case of the Eagle Ford Shale in Mexico, La Luna Shale in Colombia and Venezuela, Vaca Muerta Shale in Argentina, and other shale-oil reservoirs worldwide.The paper contributes the development of an original methodology, which includes use of a derivative-free algorithm we call CS. CS drives the desktop computer or laptop to perform MatBal and NPV calculations, without human intervention, once the optimization process is started. The methodology improves oil recovery and NPV from a single horizontal well or from multiple horizontal wells operating under H&P gas injection.
Bacterial profile, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors of urinary tract infection among clinically suspected children attending at Felege-Hiwot Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. A prospective study
Authors: Fenta Adugna , Dagnew Mulat , Eshetie Setegn , Belachew Teshome 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in children. Understanding the characteristics of uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in a particular setting can provide evidence for the appropriate management of cases. This study aimed to assess the bacterial profile of urinary tract infection, their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated factors among clinically suspected children attending at Felege-Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February-April, 2019. A systematic sampling technique was employed. A mid-stream urine sample was inoculated on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient media and incubated for 24-48 hours. Sub-culturing was done on Mac-Conkey and blood agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done on Muller-Hinton agar. A binary logistic regression model was used to see the association between dependent and independent factors. A p-value<0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant.Results: The overall prevalence of urinary tract infection was 16.7% (95% CI 12.4-21.1). Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isolates were recovered with a rate of 44/50 (88%) and 6/50 (12%) respectively. Among Gram-negative isolates, E. coli 28/44(63.6%) was predominant while S. saprophyticus 2/6(33.3%) was prevalent among Gram-positive bacterial isolates. Overall, a high level of resistance to ampicillin, augmentin, and tetracycline was shown by Gram-negative bacteria with a rate of 44/44(100%), 39/44(88.6%), and36/44 (81.8%) respectively. About 33/50(66%) of overall multidrug resistance was observed (95% CI 52-78). About six Gram-negative bacterial isolates were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Having a history of urinary tract infection (P-0.003, AOR 1.86-22.15) and male uncircumcision (p-0.00, AOR 5.5-65.35) were the independent variables that associate for urinary tract infections.Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of urinary tract infection among children was high and considerably a high proportion of multidrug resistance was observed. This result will have a significant impact on the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents for the treatment of urinary tract infection.
The change of teeth color, whiteness variations and its psychosocial and self-perception effects when using low vs. high concentration bleaching gels: a one-year follow-up.
Authors: Estay Juan , Angel Pablo , Bersezio Cristian , R Mateus Tonetto , Jorquera Gilbert , Peña Manuel , Fernandéz Eduardo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Dental bleaching in traditional concentrations generates greater sensitivity. In this respect, new systems of lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide for tooth bleaching appeared, with color stability unknown over time. The aim of this study was to compare the change and stability of color with low-concentration (6%) hydrogen peroxide gel in an in-office bleaching setting relative to conventional 37.5% gel, including their effects on psychosocial and esthetic self-perception, after one year.Methods: Patients (n=25) were assessed at 12 months post bleaching treatment (whitening with 6% chemo-activated alkaline formula gel versus 37.5% traditional concentration gel). Color changes were measured objectively using total variation in color (ΔE), and subjectively using Vita Classical and Vita Bleached scale (ΔSGU) by calibrated evaluators (Kappa=0.85). The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) aesthetic questionnaires were used to measure the self-perception and the psychosocial impact of the bleaching protocols.Results: The effect (ΔE) of 37.5% HP (8.37 ± 2.73) was significantly better than that of 6% HP (5.27 ± 2.53) in terms of color rebound after one year of follow-up. There were significant differences in psychosocial impact and esthetic self-perception measurements prior to bleaching versus one-year post-whitening time points; positive effects were maintained.Conclusions: Low concentration (6%) achieved effective bleaching with good stability after one year, accompanied by a positive psychosocial impact and enhanced self-perception at follow-up.Trial registration: NCT03217994 (before enrollment of the first participant). Data register: July 14, 2017
Contact tracing of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis-infection among their male partners in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, China
Authors: Yan Rui-lin , Deng Bao-qing , Wen Gui-chun , Huang Li-cheng , Li Li-mei , Huang Zhi-ming 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Untreated male partners are a critical source of maternal re-infection. Contact tracing is a good way to identify infection among partners and reduce risk of mother-to-child transmission related to maternal re-infection. This study aimed to analyze the current situation and related factors of contact tracing of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis-infection among their male partners.Method: Data of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and their male partners attending clinic for syphilis-screening were obtained from the Shenzhen Program for Prevention of Congenital Syphilis. Contact tracing rate of syphilis-seropositive pregnant women and syphilis prevalence among male partners were counted, and related factors were also analyzed using a random-effects logistic regression model.Result: Of the 1299 syphilis-seropositive pregnant women, 74.1% (963/1299) had their male partners receiving syphilis-screening and 19.1% (184/963) of male partners were syphilis-infected. For pregnant women, being divorced (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.39; 95%CI: 0.17-0.87), seeking for emergency services at their first antenatal clinics visits (AOR=0.58; 95%CI: 0.44-0.77), reporting willingness to notify partner(AOR=7.65; 95%CI: 4.69-12.49), multi-partners (AOR= 1.38; 95%CI:1.03-1.86) and having a history of drug abuse (AOR=0.37; 95%CI: 0.14-1.00)were independently associated with successful contact tracing. For male partners, of minority ethnicity (AOR=4.15; 95%CI: 1.66-10.34), age at first sex＞20(AOR=0.57; 95%CI: 0.37-0.87), reporting multi-partners (AOR = 1.60; 95%CI: 1.04-2.46), having a history of drug abuse (AOR=4.07; 95%CI: 1.31-12.64) were independently associated with syphilis-infection. In addition, pregnant women with TRUST titer ≥1:8 (AOR=2.81; 95%CI: 1.87-4.21), having a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (AOR=1.70; 95%CI: 1.14-2.53), reporting multi-partners (AOR=0.43; 95%CI: 0.29-0.64) and reporting the current partner as the source of syphilis (AOR=5.05; 95%CI: 2.82-9.03) were independently associated with partners' syphilis-infection.Conclusion: Contact tracing is feasible and effective in identifying syphilis-infected partners among syphilis-seropositive pregnant women. Contact tracing is associated with many factors such as women's marital status, services at their first antenatal clinics visit and willingness of partner notification. Partners' ethnicity, age at first sex, multi-partners and history of drug abuse as well as women's levels of TRUST titer were associated with partners' syphilis-infection.
Assessing the role of two populations of Aedes japonicus japonicus for Zika virus transmission under a constant and a fluctuating temperature regime.
Authors: Glavinic Uros , Varga Jasmin , Paslaru Anca Ioana , Hauri Jeannine , Torgerson Paul , Schaffner Francis , Veronesi Eva 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Since the huge epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil in 2015, questions were raised to understand which mosquito species could transmit the virus. Aedes aegypti has been described as the main vector. However, other Aedes species (e.g. Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) proven to be competent for other flaviviruses (e.g. West Nile, dengue and yellow fever), have been described as potential vectors for ZIKV under laboratory conditions. One of these, the Asian bush mosquito, Ae. japonicus, is widely distributed with high abundances in central-western Europe. In the present study, infection, dissemination and transmission rates of ZIKV (Dak84 strain) in two populations of Ae. japonicus from Switzerland (Zürich) and France (Steinbach, Haut-Rhin) were investigated under constant (27 °C) and fluctuating (14–27 °C, mean 23 °C) temperature regimes.Results: The two populations were each able to transmit ZIKV under both temperature regimes. Infectious virus particles were detected in the saliva of females from both populations, regardless of the incubation temperature regime, from 7 days post-exposure to infectious rabbit blood. The highest amount of plaque forming units (PFU) (400/ml) were recorded 14 days post-oral infection in the Swiss population incubated at a constant temperature. No difference in terms of infection, dissemination and transmission rate were found between mosquito populations.Temperature had no effect on infection rate but the fluctuating temperature regime resulted in higher dissemination rates compared to constant temperature, regardless of the population. Finally, transmission efficiency ranged between 7–23% and 7–10% for the constant temperature and 0–10% and 3–27% under fluctuating temperatures for the Swiss and the French populations, respectively.Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study confirming vector competence for ZIKV of Ae. japonicus originating from Switzerland and France at realistic summer temperatures under laboratory conditions. Considering the continuous spread of this species in the northern part of Europe and its adaptation at cooler temperatures, preventative control measures should be adopted to prevent possible ZIKV epidemics.
Mercury in the terrestrial environment: a review
Authors: Gworek Barbara , Dmuchowski Wojciech , Baczewska-Dąbrowska Aneta 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Environmental contamination by mercury is and will continue to be a serious risk for human health. Pollution of the terrestrial environment is particularly important as it is a place of human life and food production. Publication presents a review of the literature on issues related to Hg pollution of the terrestrial environment: soil and plants and their transformations. Different forms of atmospheric Hg may be deposited on surfaces by way of wet and dry processes. These forms may be sequestered within terrestrial compartments or emitted back into the atmosphere, and the relative importance of these processes is dependent on the form of Hg, the surface chemistry, and the environmental conditions. On the land surface, Hg deposition mainly occurs in the oxidized form (Hg 2+ ), and its transformations are associated primarily with the oxidation-reduction potential of the environment and the biological and chemical processes of methylation. The deposition of Hg on ground with low vegetation as 3–5 times lower than that in forests. The estimation of Hg emissions from soil and plants, which occur mainly in the Hg 0 form, is very difficult. Generally, the largest amounts of Hg are emitted from tropical regions, and the lowest levels are from the polar regions.
Oncogenic miR-20b-5p contributes to malignant behaviors of breast cancer stem cells by bidirectionally regulating CCND1 and E2F1
Authors: Xia Liqin , Li Feng , Qiu Jun , Feng Zhongming , Xu Zihan , Chen Zhengtang , Sun Jian-Guo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. Therefore, it is of great significance to identify the biological mechanism of tumorigenesis and explore the development of breast cancer to achieve a better prognosis for individuals suffering from breast cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have become a hot topic in cancer research, but the underlying mechanism of its involvement in cancer remains unclear.MethodsThe miRNA profile between breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs, CD44+CD24-/low) and control MCF-7 breast cancer cells was obtained in a previous study. Based on biological analysis, miR-20b-5p was hypothesized to be a key factor due to the malignant behavior of BCSCs. Then, agomir-20b-5p and antagomir-20b-5p were transfected into MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells to detect cell migration, wound healing and proliferation, and lentivirus vectors silencing or overexpressing miR-20b-5p were transfected into T47D-CSCs to detect proliferation and apoptosis. The effect of miR-20b-5p on xenograft growth was investigated in vivo by transfection of a lentivirus-overexpression vector into T47D cells. The target genes were predicted by the online programs picTar, miRanda and TargetScan and verified by dual luciferase assay, and changes in protein expression were detected by western blot.ResultsMiR-20b-5p had the highest degree in both the miRNA-gene network and miRNA-GO network to regulate BCSCs. Overexpression of miR-20b-5p significantly promoted the migration and wound healing ability of MCF-7 cells and T47D cells compared with the control (P < 0.05). In addition, miR-20b-5p facilitated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and T47D-CSCs (P < 0.05) and inhibited the apoptosis of T47D-CSCs (P < 0.05). Moreover, miR-20b-5p promoted xenograft growth compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Accordingly, potential targets of both CCND1 and E2F1 were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. MiR-20b-5p directly targeted both CCND1 and E2F1 in a dual luciferase assay, while antagomir-20b-5p downregulated the protein levels of CCND1 and E2F1.ConclusionsOncogenic miR-20b-5p was confirmed to promote the malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells and BCSCs. The underlying mechanism lies in that miR-20b-5p overall enhanced both CCND1 and E2F1 targets via bidirectional regulation probably involving direct downregulation and indirect upregulation.
Distributed causality in resting-state network connectivity in the acute and remitting phases of RRMS
Authors: Wu Lin , Huang Muhua , Zhou Fuqing , Zeng Xianjun , Gong Honghan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Although previous studies have shown that intra-network abnormalities in brain functional networks are correlated with clinical/cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS), there is little information regarding the pattern of causal interactions among cognition-related resting-state networks (RSNs) in different disease stages of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. We hypothesized that abnormalities of causal interactions among RSNs occurred in RRMS patients in the acute and remitting phases.Methods: Seventeen patients in the acute phases of RRMS, 24 patients in the remitting phases of RRMS, and 23 appropriately matched healthy controls participated in this study. First, we used group independent component analysis to extract the time courses of the spatially independent components from all the subjects. Then, the Granger causality analysis was used to investigate the causal relationships among RSNs in the spectral domain and to identify correlations with clinical indices. Results: Compared with the patients in the acute phase of RRMS, patients in the remitting phase of RRMS showed a significantly lower expanded disability status scale, modified fatigue impact scale scores, and significantly higher paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT) scores. Compared with healthy subjects, during the acute phase, RRMS patients had significantly increased driving connectivity from the right executive control network (rECN) to the anterior salience network (aSN), and the causal coefficient was negatively correlated with the PASAT score. During the remitting phase, RRMS patients had significantly increased driving connectivity from the rECN to the aSN and from the rECN to the visuospatial network. Conclusions: Together with the disease duration (mean disease duration < 5 years) and relatively better clinical scores than those in the acute phase, abnormal connections, such as the information flow from the rECN to the aSN and the rECN to the visuospatial network, might provide adaptive compensation in the remitting phase of RRMS.
A Retrospective Review of the Contribution of Rare Diseases to Paediatric Mortality in Ireland
Authors: Gunne Emer Anne , McGarvey Cliona , Hamilton Karina , Treacy Eileen , Lambert Deborah , Lynch Sally Ann 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Aims: To ascertain the number of paediatric deaths (0-14 years) with an underlying rare disease in the Republic of Ireland between the years 2006-2016, and to analyse bed usage by a paediatric cohort of rare disease inpatients prior to in-hospital death.Background: Rare diseases are often chronically debilitating and sometimes life-threatening diseases, with the majority (69.9%) of rare diseases being of paediatric onset. The Orphanet database contains information on 6172 unique rare diseases. Under-representation of rare diseases in hospital healthcare coding systems leads to a paucity of rare disease epidemiological data required for healthcare planning. Studies have cited variable incidence rates for rare disease, however the burden of rare diseases to healthcare services still remains unclear. This study represents a thorough effort to identify the percentage of child mortality and paediatric bed usage attributable to rare diseases in the Republic of Ireland, thus addressing a major gap in the rare disease field.Methods: Retrospective analysis of paediatric death registration details for the Republic of Ireland in the 11-year period 2006-2016 from the National Paediatric Mortality Register. Data was subcategorised as Neonatal (0-28 days), Post Neonatal (29 days < 1 year) and older (1-14 years). Bed usage data (ICD-10 code, narrative and usage) of paediatric inpatients who died during hospitalisation from January 2015 to December 2016 was extracted from the National Quality Assurance Intelligence System of in-patient data. Orphacodes were assigned to rare disease cases from ICD-10 codes or diagnostic narrative of both datasets.Results: There were 4044 deaths registered from 2006-2016, aged <15yrs, of these 2368 (58.6%) had an underlying rare disease. Stratifying by age group; 55.6% (1140/2050) of neonatal deaths had a rare disease, 57.8% (450/778) post-neonatal, and 64% (778/1216) of children aged 1-14 years. Mortality coding using ICD-10 codes identified 42% of rare disease cases with the remainder identified using death certificate narrative records. Rare disease patients occupied 87% of bed days used by children <15 years who died during hospitalisation from January 2015 to December 2016.Conclusion: Additional routine rare disease coding is necessary to identify rare diseases within Irish healthcare systems to enable better healthcare planning. Rare disease patients are overrepresented in paediatric mortality statistics and in-patient length of stay during hospital admission prior to death.
High-throughput screening reveals novel mutations in spinal muscular atrophy patients
Authors: Zhang Ruiping , Gu Chunyu , Pu Linjie , Meng Yingtao , Shu Jianbo , Cai Chunquan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease associated with severe muscle atrophy and weakness in the limbs and trunk. The discovery of mutated genes is helpful in diagnosis and treatment for SMA. Methods: 83 whole blood samples were collected from 28 core families of clinically suspected SMA, and multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA) was performed. Afterwards, the complete gene sequence of SMN1 gene was detected. Furthermore, 20 SMA patients were selected from the 28 probands, and 5 non SMA children as controls. The Life Technologies SOLiD™ technology with mate-pair chemistry was utilized to conduct the whole exome high-throughput sequencing. Results: 22 probands were SMA patients, 3 probands carriers, and 3 probands normal individuals. Moreover, 2 parents from 2 SMA families were with 3 SMN1 exon7 copies. 6 SMN1 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified in the 83 samples, and c.[84C>T], c.[271C>T], c.[-39A>G] and g.[70240639G>C] were novel. Compared with control group, 9102 mutation were selected out in SMA patients. SPTA1 mutation c.[-41_-40insCTCT], FUT5 SNV c.[1001A>G], and MCCC2 SNV c.[-117A>G] were the 3 most frequent mutations in SMA group (95%, 85% and 75%, respectively). Conclusions: We identified some mutations in both SMN1 and other genes, and c.[271C>T], c.[-41_-40insCTCT], c.[1001A>G] and c.[-117A>G] might be associated with the onset of SMA.