bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound powered piezoelectric neurostimulation devices: a commentary
Authors: Sun Tao , Wright Jason , Datta-Chaudhuri Timir 
Published: August 2020

AbstractConventional neurostimulation systems for preclinical research can be bulky and invasive due to the need for batteries or wired interfaces. Emerging as a new neural interface technique, ultrasound-powered piezoelectric neural stimulators work by converting ultrasound energy to electrical charge for neural stimulation. In addition to the benefits of wireless powering and miniaturization leading to less traumatic surgery, piezoelectric neural stimulators can also exhibit prolonged operational lifetimes for a long-term stable neural interface, and show promise for clinical translation. As one of first steps to demonstrate the value of ultrasound-powered piezoelectric neural interface, Li et al. developed a piezoelectric stimulator to activate spinal cord neural circuits for locomotion restoration in a rat model with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compared its efficacy with conventional electrical stimulation (ES). From the point of view of materials science, neural engineering and microelectronics, we provide our commentary on the article, highlighting its importance and discussing the issues that remain to be addressed in future studies in the emerging field of ultrasound powered piezoelectric neurostimulation devices.
Flow and heat transfer analysis of Eyring-Powell fluid over stratified sheet with mixed convection
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Ashbar Samia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis article presents the study of heat transfer under the influence of mixed convective flow of Eyring-Powell fluid over a stratified stretching sheet. The impact of heat generation/absorption is also discussed. The fluid is considered to be a viscous, incompressible, two dimensional, and laminar. Transformation, based on the similarity variables, is used for the alteration of modeled governing partial differential equations (PDEs) into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The shooting approach is introduced to accomplish the mathematical solution of governing equations. Runge-Kutta method of order four is used for the integration purpose and Newton’s method helps to refine initial guesses. All the programming is done on MATLAB. The effects of emerging parameters on temperature and velocity profiles are discussed through graphs. The related physical properties of flow, i.e., the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number are described graphically for various parameters. Numerical values for the Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient are tabulated for the various parameters. It is noted that increment in thermal stratification parameter yields fall in both velocity and temperature of fluid and a reverse relation is observed for the heat generation parameter.
Review on analytical studies of some pharmaceutical compounds containing heterocyclic rings: brinzolamide, timolol maleate, flumethasone pivalate, and clioquinol
Authors: Mandour Asmaa A. , Nabil Nada , Zaazaa Hala E. , Abdelkawy Mohamed 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe heterocyclic compounds are extremely important with wide array of synthetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Heterocyclic-containing compounds have been reported for their broad spectrum of biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and anthelmintic activity.Main textSeveral techniques have been used for the quantitation of heterocyclic compounds in pharmaceutical samples such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) either equipped with UV-visible or fluorescence, in addition to liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and electrochemical techniques. This article reviewed several published methods that have been applied to detect and quantify some pharmaceutical drugs containing heterocyclic compounds focusing on four drugs: brinzolamide, timolol maleate, flumethasone pivalate, and clioquinol.ConclusionFrom literature reviews, HPLC is the most widely used analytical technique for the quantitative analysis of the four selected drugs.
Efficacy of manual hyperinflation on arterial blood gases in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Elrefaey Basant H. , Zidan Mohamed S. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundTracheal intubation exposes mechanically ventilated patients to serious pulmonary complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of manual hyperinflation in supine versus lateral decubitus position on arterial blood gases (ABG) in patients with VAP. Forty-two patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia with age range from 40 to 60 years were selected. They were randomly divided into two equal groups: group A who received manual hyperinflation from supine position and group B who received manual hyperinflation from lateral decubitus position (upper most affected). Both groups received respiratory physiotherapy. The patients received 2 sessions per day for 6 days. Outcome measures were arterial blood gases (PaO2, PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2, and SaO2). They were assessed before the 1st morning session (pre), at day 3 (post 1), and at day 6 (post 2).ResultsAfter sessions, significant changes of measured variables (PaO2, PaCO2, PaO2/FiO2, and SaO2) were obtained in both groups (P< 0.05, in all variables) and by comparison between groups post-intervention; a significant difference was observed between both groups in measures of oxygenation in favor of group B (P< 0.05), whereas there was a non-significant difference in the PaC02 between both groups (post 1P= 0.52 and post 2P= 0.33).ConclusionIt was concluded that effect of the bag squeezing on arterial blood gases in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia from lateral decubitus position was more effective than from supine position.Trial registrationPACTR, PACTR201909817075549. Registered October 21, 2018—retrospectively registeredhttps://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=4655
Efficacy of uniportal video-assisted medical thoracoscopy in the management of multiloculated pleural infections: a retrospective study
Authors: Shoukri Amr Mounir 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Pleural infection is a serious medical issue for which the appropriate management is still controversial. Complicated (multiloculated) pleural infection usually requires invasive approach.

Results
A retrospective study that aims to assess the efficacy of uniportal video-assisted medical thoracoscopy in the management of complicated (multiloculated) pleural infections. Review of the charts of 37 patients with multiloculated pleural infections who were treated by uniportal video-assisted medical thoracoscopy. There were 30 (81.08%) males and 7 (18.91%) females, age ranging from 22 to 73 years, with a mean age of 49.13 ± 15. Etiology of empyema was complicated parapneumonic effusion in 25 patients (67.5%), tuberculosis in 10 patients (27.02%), and malignancy in 2 patients (5.40%). Treatment of multiloculated pleural infections by uniportal video-assisted medical thoracoscopy was successful in 33 patients (89.1%); those patients did not require any further intervention. Among successful cases, 25 patients (75.75%) showed complete resolution, and 8 patients (24.24%) showed partial success. Four patients (10.81%) required subsequent thoracotomy with decortication.

Conclusion
The conclusion of the present study is that uniportal video-assisted medical thoracoscopy is a safe, valuable, and effective tool in the management of multiloculated pleural infections.
High-dimensional co-occurrence matrix: A new tool for 3D seismic target visualization and interpretation
Authors: Luo Qiang , Wang Yibo , Zheng Yikang , Chang Xu , Wang Baodeng , Zeng Rongshu 
Published: August 2020

The interpretation of seismic attributes has been developed for more than 40 years, but it still cannot be fully matched with the study of geologic sedimentology. There are two main bottlenecks. One is that almost no attributes can completely characterize amplitudes from a 3D perspective. Another is the influence of wavelets (frequency and phase). Accordingly, a new volumetric attribute extraction technique is presented for solving these two problems as much as possible. A high-dimensional co-occurrence matrix (HCM), as a statistical representation of the spatial structural relationship between data points, can be one of the solutions to extracting 3D attributes. By considering the global spatial distribution, the HCM fixes the directional distortion of the existing co-occurrence matrix methods and effectively suppresses vertical wavelet illusions. By realizing a rapid transformation of seismic data to 3D geologic target visualizations, this method does not rely heavily on structural information such as dip and azimuth and becomes a convenient bridge from seismic to geologic interpretation. We have applied the methodology to channel delineation in a 3D seismic survey acquired in Ordos, China. The results indicate that the attribute volume extracted from HCM expresses the geologic target convincingly and eliminates the illusions caused by the wavelets. The deposition history of the channels could be observed continuously through geologic time.
Geothermal potential of the Tubbergen Formation in the Twente region of east Netherlands
Authors: Veenstra Edo , de Groot Paul , de Lange John , Mol Andre , van den Heuvel Piet 
Published: August 2020

We have determined the potential geothermal prospectivity of clean sandstones in the Tubbergen Formation (Late Carboniferous) of the Twente area (eastern Netherlands). We were motivated by the prevailing paradigm that in the Netherlands geothermal power can only be harvested economically through large, expensive installations producing high volumes from high-quality aquifers located between approximately 1500 and 2500 m. No such aquifers are present in Twente. We found that heat production is economically feasible from the Tubbergen Formation sandstones by producing smaller volumes from smaller, highly efficient installations that can be developed at considerably lower cost. Our reinterpretation of publicly available seismic and well data shows that potentially suitable sandstones occur over the whole area with thicknesses of up to 50 m, porosities reaching 20%, and permeabilities reaching 300 mD. The Tubbergen Formation is approximately 400–700 m thick in the study area and contains approximately 60% sandstone. The top reservoir reaches an approximate 1500 m depth in the southwest, and the base reaches some 4300 m in the northeast of the study area. The temperature is expected to range between 60°C and 140°C depending on the depth. The Carboniferous is densely faulted with a block size of approximately 3 × 4 km, each block being a potential target for geothermal development. To determine the economic feasibility, we performed an economic screening for a hypothetical location north of the city of Enschede and backed this up by reservoir simulations. The geologic risks of the Tubbergen Formation are the lack of permeability, reservoir thickness, and lateral extent of the reservoirs. In our judgment, the chance of economic success for this site is 50% or more. Upside potential is present in numerous fault blocks in the study area and in adjacent areas where suitable sandstones with similar porosity and permeability at greater depth and higher temperatures are expected.
Fracture behavior of Longmaxi shale with implications for subsurface applications
Authors: Liao Zonghu , Deng Shunjie , Chen Xiaofeng , Wu Mengni , Kang Yongshang , Zeng Lianbo , Zou Huayao 
Published: August 2020

Fracture mechanical properties of shales have gained continued interest recently due to their critical role in many shale-related applications such as unconventional petroleum systems and subsurface carbon and waste disposal. However, due to their strong reactive nature to fluids, fracture mechanical properties of shales have not been extensively studied like other rock types. A more comprehensive understanding of fracture system development in shales under reactive fluids is needed for subsurface applications. We have measured fracture mechanical properties of Longmaxi shale outcrop samples in the Sichuan Basin, China, under different environments of ambient air, deionized water, saline fluids of NaCl and KCl at 0.5 M concentration, and acidic HCl fluid at pH of 5. All aqueous fluids tested show strong weakening effects on fracture propagation compared to the air environment, with the fracture toughness reduced by 75% and the subcritical fracture growth index reduced by 50%. Microstructural analysis reveals the predominantly grain boundary opening cracking mode for all tests, but the fracture traces branch more in reactive aqueous fluids. Natural fractures are comparable with artificial fractures in morphology. Bedding-perpendicular opening mode fractures with multiple-stage fracture fillings of calcite, quartz, and organic matters develop well in natural fractures. Our results suggest that clay mineral hydration and expansion are the main cause for the fluid weakening effect in Longmaxi shale, which has substantial implications for subsurface shale failure processes.
Methodology and application of shale-reservoir natural fracture modeling based on microseismic monitoring data
Authors: Liu Ziwei , Wu Jiapeng , Han Wenzhong , Zhang Yonggui , Li Zhenyong , Ma Yuehua , Ma Kecong , Zhang Yao , Wang Hu 
Published: August 2020

Fracturing is a key factor for shale oil and gas enrichment and high production. An accurate fracture model can effectively guide shale oil and gas exploration and development. The establishment of a natural fracture model must address the challenges of difficult data acquisition and poor representativeness of data points. To solve these problems, we have developed a method of shale-reservoir natural fracture modeling based on microseismic monitoring data. This method includes three steps. First, we establish an initial natural fracture model based on scale classification, vertical stratification, and genetic classification. Second, the shape and density of the hydraulic fractures are interpreted by microseismic monitoring data to calibrate the initial model of the shale reservoir natural fractures. Third, we verify the rationality of the model by assessment of the fracture porosity and permeability values. The results show that it is possible to calibrate the natural fracture density model using the fracture shape and density as determined by microseismic monitoring. And we predict that an ideal hydraulic fracture network can be formed when the body density of the natural fracturing is greater than 0.3 m2/m3. The crude production of wells is negatively correlated with the development of large-scale structural fractures and positively correlated with small-scale structural fractures. The well trajectory should run through small-scale fracture development sections as much as possible, avoiding large-scale, high-angle fracture areas. This method provides a new approach to model natural fractures in shale reservoirs that has wide applicability and can be used for modeling shale oil and gas reservoirs.
Understanding angiodiversity: insights from single cell biology
Authors: Jakab Moritz , Augustin Hellmut G. 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
Blood vessels have long been considered as passive conduits for delivering blood. However, in recent years, cells of the vessel wall (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and pericytes) have emerged as active, highly dynamic components that orchestrate crosstalk between the circulation and organs. Encompassing the whole body and being specialized to the needs of distinct organs, it is not surprising that vessel lining cells come in different flavours. There is calibre-specific specialization (arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins), but also organ-specific heterogeneity in different microvascular beds (continuous, discontinuous, sinusoidal). Recent technical advances in the field of single cell biology have enabled the profiling of thousands of single cells and, hence, have allowed for the molecular dissection of such angiodiversity, yielding a hitherto unparalleled level of spatial and functional resolution. Here, we review how these approaches have contributed to our understanding of angiodiversity.
Chromosome–nuclear envelope tethering – a process that orchestrates homologue pairing during plant meiosis?
Authors: Sepsi Adél , Schwarzacher Trude 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACT
During prophase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair, synapse and exchange their genetic material through reciprocal homologous recombination, a phenomenon essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Partial sequence identity between non-homologous and heterologous chromosomes can also lead to recombination (ectopic recombination), a highly deleterious process that rapidly compromises genome integrity. To avoid ectopic exchange, homology recognition must be extended from the narrow position of a crossover-competent double-strand break to the entire chromosome. Here, we review advances on chromosome behaviour during meiotic prophase I in higher plants, by integrating centromere- and telomere dynamics driven by cytoskeletal motor proteins, into the processes of homologue pairing, synapsis and recombination. Centromere–centromere associations and the gathering of telomeres at the onset of meiosis at opposite nuclear poles create a spatially organised and restricted nuclear state in which homologous DNA interactions are favoured but ectopic interactions also occur. The release and dispersion of centromeres from the nuclear periphery increases the motility of chromosome arms, allowing meiosis-specific movements that disrupt ectopic interactions. Subsequent expansion of interstitial synapsis from numerous homologous interactions further corrects ectopic interactions. Movement and organisation of chromosomes, thus, evolved to facilitate the pairing process, and can be modulated by distinct stages of chromatin associations at the nuclear envelope and their collective release.
Toxicity reduction required for MRI-guided radiotherapy to be cost-effective in the treatment of localized prostate cancer
Authors: Schumacher Leif-Erik D , Dal Pra Alan , Hoffe Sarah E , Mellon Eric A 
Published: August 2020

Objective:
To determine the toxicity reduction required to justify the added costs of MRI-guided radiotherapy (MR-IGRT) over CT-based image guided radiotherapy (CT-IGRT) for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.

Methods:
The costs of delivering prostate cancer radiotherapy with MR-IGRT and CT-IGRT in conventional 39 fractions and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) 5 fractions schedules were determined using literature values and cost accounting from two institutions. Gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity rates associated with CT-IGRT were summarized from 20 studies. Toxicity-related costs and utilities were obtained from literature values and cost databases. Markov modeling was used to determine the savings per patient for every 1% relative reduction in acute and chronic toxicities by MR-IGRT over 15 years. The costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) saved with toxicity reduction were juxtaposed with the cost increase of MR-IGRT to determine toxicity reduction thresholds for cost-effectiveness. One way sensitivity analyses were performed. Standard $100,000 and $50,000 per QALY ratios were used.

Results:
The added cost of MR-IGRT was $1,459 per course of SBRT and $10,129 per course of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy. Relative toxicity reductions of 7 and 14% are required for SBRT to be cost-effective using $100,000 and $50,000 per QALY, respectively. Conventional radiotherapy requires relative toxicity reductions of 50 and 94% to be cost-effective.

Conclusion:
From a healthcare perspective, MR-IGRT can reasonably be expected to be cost-effective. Hypofractionated schedules, such a five fraction SBRT, are most likely to be cost-effective as they require only slight reductions in toxicity (7–14%).

Advances in knowledge:
This is the first detailed economic assessment of MR-IGRT, and it suggests that MR-IGRT can be cost-effective for prostate cancer treatment through toxicity reduction alone.
Optimisation of tube voltage range (kVp) for AP abdomen, pelvis and spine imaging of average patients with a digital radiography (DR) imaging system using a computer simulator
Authors: Moore Craig Steven , Wood Tim , Balcam Stephen , Needler Liam , Guest Tim , Ngu Wee Ping , Chong Lee Wun , Saunderson John , Beavis Andrew 
Published: August 2020

Objectives:
To investigate via computer simulation, an optimised tube voltage (kVp) range for caesium iodide (CsI)-based digital radiography (DR) of the abdomen, pelvis and lumbar spine.

Methods:
Software capable of simulating abdomen, pelvis and spine radiographs was used. Five evaluators graded clinical image criteria in images of 20 patients at tube voltages ranging from 60 to 120 kVp in 10 kVp increments. These criteria were scored blindly against the same patient reconstructed at a specific reference kVp. Linear mixed effects analysis was used to evaluate image scores for each criterion and test for statistical significance.

Results:
Score was dependent on tube voltage and image criteria; both were statistically significant. All criteria for all anatomies scored very poorly at 60 kVp. Scores for abdomen, pelvis and spine imaging peaked at 70, 70 and 100 kVp, respectively, but other kVp values were not significantly poorer.

Conclusions:
Results indicate optimum tube voltages of 70 kVp for abdomen and pelvis (with an optimum range 70–120 kVp), and 100 kVp (optimum range 80–120 kVp) for lumbar spine.

Advances in knowledge:
There are no recommendations for optimised tube voltage parameters for DR abdomen, pelvis or lumbar spine imaging. This study has investigated and recommended an optimal tube voltage range.