bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extending Openhole Gravel-Packing Intervals through Enhanced Shunted Screens
Authors: Dikshit Ashutosh , Kumar Amrendra , Langlais Michael , Gadiyar Balkrishna , Woiceshyn Glenn , Parlar Mehmet 
Published: January 2021

Summary
For offshore wells requiring sand control, it is beneficial to extend the openhole length to access more reserves with a reduced well count. In challenging environments (e.g., low fracture pressure, highly unconsolidated sand), gravel packing with shunt tubes has been used successfully to virtually ensure a complete pack, thereby minimizing the risk of sand-control failure. Although shunt-tube gravel-pack technologies already exist, several issues must be addressed to gravel pack longer wells. First, the extra volume of gravel passing through shunt-tube manifolds raises erosion concerns. Second, the burst rating of the entire shunt system needs to be increased to allow continuous packing through shunts in a heel-to-toe fashion. Third, higher leakoff through the packed interval might increase gravel concentration, which increases friction and the risk of bridging inside the shunts. This study discusses the development and testing of a modified shunted screen that could extend openhole gravel-packing lengths to more than 7,000 ft with zonal isolation.
The first step was to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate the erosion-prone areas in our existing conventional shunted-screen-technology (SST) manifold design. The CFD results were then used to modify the manifold and make it more resistant to erosion. Prototypes were manufactured and erosion tests were conducted to validate and qualify the new design for targeted proppant concentrations, flow rates, and treatment volumes. Any weak areas found in the shunt system were modified to enable higher burst pressure. The modified shunt system was then independently tested to quantify the burst limits. The concerns regarding high leakoff, friction, and bridging inside the tubes were first addressed by means of experimentation. The first nozzle distance was then modified according to these results. Verification of the modified system design was performed by means of gravel-pack testing on a full-scale model. It was observed that the proposed enhanced-SST (ESST) had no erosion failure after 450,000 lbm of proppant at a slurry rate of 5 bbl/min. The proposed ESST was successfully tested for 10,000-psi burst pressure after the erosion test. The initial motivation, design changes, and tests that led to the development of the modified system are presented herein.
Testing Low-Melting-Point Alloy Plug in Model Brine-Filled Wells
Authors: Zhang Hua , Ramakrishnan T. S. , Elias Quincy Kurleigh 
Published: January 2021

Summary
Low-melting-point bismuth- (Bi-) based alloys have recently been proposed for plug-and-abandonment (P&A). Previous experiments have shown the feasibility of BiSn [58-wt% Bi and 42-wt% tin (Sn)] and BiAg [97.5-wt% Bi and 2.5-wt% silver (Ag)] alloy plugs in moderate temperature wells, both across shales and across the shale/sandstone sequence. These were validated in linear and cylindrical wellbore cavity geometries for various differential setting pressures for alloy over air. Until now, all of the experiments for setting alloy plugs have been conducted with air as the wetting fluid. Given the lack of adhesion between minerals and alloy, our concept for providing bond strength and integrity has hinged on providing a bicontinuous structure through alloy penetration into the pore network. For shales, with a positive setting pressure, anchors on the surface, in lieu of pores, have proven to be adequate. With results obtained under excess alloy pressure, we have quantified the effect of setting pressure on the alloy/shale bond quality. With brine as the wetting fluid, imposing an excess pressure on the alloy has not been demonstrated previously. This paper is the continuation of our previously published papers (Zhang et al. 2020, 2021), and our objective here is not only to show the possibility of forming a plug under brine but also to quantify the plug’s quality with and without an excess alloy pressure. We first describe an apparatus that controls alloy and brine pressures independently through a semipermeable piston assembly and demonstrate forming alloy plugs in a brine-filled borehole cavity. Based on pressure decay tests across the plug, we demonstrate that wellbore integrity is possible only with a positive alloy pressure over that of brine.
Multifrequency Analytical Forward Modeling of Dielectric Permittivity Dispersion in Mixed-Wet Sedimentary Rocks
Authors: Posenato Garcia A. , Heidari Z. 
Published: January 2021

Summary
The dominant wettability of reservoir rocks is one of the main factors affecting the spatial distribution of fluids inside the pore space. More specifically, wettability controls the fluid type that coats the surface of the grains and, hence, the establishment of an electric double layer (EDL) at the solid–liquid interface. These factors, namely fluid distribution and EDL, affect the conductivity and permittivity of the rock in unique ways. Therefore, interpretation of multifrequency complex permittivity measurements can be used to quantify the wettability and parameters affecting the double layer (e.g., grain size) in addition to porosity and fluid saturation. In this paper, we introduce an analytical model to reliably characterize the dielectric permittivity dispersion of mixed-wet sedimentary rocks. The analytical derivation of the rock-physics model results in physically meaningful parameters, associated with either microscopic polarization mechanisms or pore-network geometry. We incorporate the contribution of the complex impedance associated with the EDL to the complex permittivity of the rock through a mechanistic model of Stern and Gouy-Chapman layers. Then, we quantify the contribution of different fluid and grain types to the electrical response of sedimentary rocks through Hanai–Bruggeman effective medium model. The sequential application of Hanai-Bruggeman is specifically designed to make the dependence of complex permittivity on wettability explicit. We successfully verified the reliability of the new analytical model using experimental measurements performed on two water-wet and two hydrocarbon-wet sandstone core samples. The experimental measurements were in agreement with the complex permittivity calculated using the new analytical model in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 10 MHz. Furthermore, the introduced model provides a physical interpretation to the experimentally detectable influence of wettability on the complex dielectric permittivity of rocks. Consequently, the outcomes of this paper will enhance petrophysical evaluation in mixed-wet formations by providing a novel interpretation method for complex permittivity dispersion measurements.
Effective removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) by sodium alginate intercalated MgAl-layered double hydroxide: adsorption properties and mechanistic studies
Authors: Zhang Xue , Shan Ranran , Li Xuguang , Yan Liangguo , Ma Zhenmin , Jia Ruibao , Sun Shaohua 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
To improve the adsorption efficiency of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) for heavy metals, a novel sodium alginate (SA) intercalated MgAl-LDH (SA-LDH) was synthesized in this work. SA-LDH was characterized by XRD, FTIR, XPS and employed as adsorbent for Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) elimination. Adsorbent dosage, initial pH and contact time, which are regarded as several key parameters, were optimized. The results showed that SA-LDH exhibited better adsorption performance compared with the pristine MgAl-LDH. The maximum adsorption capacities of SA-LDH for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) reached 0.945, 1.176 and 0.850 mmol/g, respectively. The possible mechanisms were analyzed by XPS, XRD and FTIR. The results showed that Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) may be removed by SA-LDH via (i) bonding or complexation with Sur-OH or Sur-O- of SA-LDH, (ii) precipitation of metal hydroxides or carbonates, (iii) isomorphic substitution, and (iv) chelation with −COO− in the interlayers. This work provides an effective method for the development of LDH-based adsorbent and the treatment of wastewater containing heavy metals.
Optimization of Performance Variables of Exemestane Nanosuspension Using Box-Behnken Design to Improve Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability
Authors: Parmar Komal , Shah Jay 
Published: January 2021

Aim:
Present investigation was aimed to fabricate nanocrystal of exemestane, an anticancer
drug with poor dissolution properties and oral bioavailability.

Methods:
Influence of various process parameters on the formulation of exemestane nanosuspension
using media milling technique were investigated in the trial batches. Box-Behnken design was
applied with independent variables identified in the preliminary studies, viz. X1-Milling time, X2-Amount
of stabilizer and X3-Amount of milling agent. In vitro dissolution and in vivo studies were
carried out. Solid state characterization (PXRD, SEM, and DSC) studies demonstrated physical
changes in drug due to nano-crystallization. Accelerated stability studies of optimized formulation
were carried out.

Results:
Individual process attributes exhibited a significant effect on the average particle size of
exemestane nanosuspension. Dissolution studies revealed enhancement in drug release rate as compared
to pure exemestane powder. The in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters of exemestane nanosuspension
showed significant improvement in Cmax and AUC0-t, about 283.85% and 271.63%, respectively
suggesting amelioration in oral bioavailability by 2.7-fold as compared to pure exemestane.
Accelerated stability studies of the optimized formulation suggested stability of the nanocrystals
for at least a six-month period.

Conclusion:
Nanocrystals prepared by media milling technique were successful in improving the
poor dissolution properties and oral bioavailability of exemestane.
Differential Proteomic Identification and Bioinformatics Analysis of Femoral
Neck in Elderly Female Patients with Hyperuricaemia
Authors: He Yingyi , Zhang Guangming , Huang Yuyang , Li Qi , Luo Cheng 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Serum uric acid (UA) is positively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD). However, the mechanism by which serum UA affects BMD remains unclear.

Objective:
The aim was carried out to search for the functional proteins related to serum UA and femoral neck BMD to better understand the pathophysiological mechanism of osteoporosis.

Materials and Methods:
In this study, patients in the UA group (hyperuricaemia combined with femoral neck fracture) and the control group (normal uricaemia combined with femoral neck fracture) were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Total protein was extracted from the femoral neck of each patient. Fluorescence differential gel electrophoresis was used to separate the total proteins, and the differentially expressed protein spots were detected by image analysis. After enzyme digestion, peptide mass fingerprinting and database searches were performed to identify the differentially expressed proteins. DAVID software and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) data were used for enrichment analysis of the screened differential proteins.

Results:
After mass spectrometry and database searching, 66 differentially expressed protein spots were identified between the UA group and the control group. Most differentially expressed proteins functioned in cytoskeleton formation, energy metabolism, or signal transduction. They were mainly involved in 50 biological processes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signalling and fatty acid metabolism. PPARγ and PLIN1 were subject to Western blotting analysis detection; results were consistent with the Label-Free result.

Conclusion:
Based on an analysis of the biological information, these proteins may be associated with the incidence and progression of the femoral neck bone tissues of hyperuricaemia patients.
Cationicity and Hydrophobicity Enhance the Cytotoxic Potency of Phoratoxin C Anticancer Peptide Analogues against Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Ng Chu Xin , Le Cheng Foh , Lee Sau Har 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Anticancer Peptides (ACPs) have received increasing attention as a
promising class of novel anticancer agents owing to their potent and rapid cytotoxic properties. In
this study, we aim to investigate the effects of cationicity and hydrophobicity in modulating the cytotoxicity
of PtxC, a class of ACP from the leafy mistletoe Phoradendron tomentosum against the
MDA-MB-231 and Vero cells.

Method:
We designed a series of four PtxC analogues (PA1 – PA4) by residual substitutions with
specific amino acids to introduce the specific charge and hydrophobicity alterations to the analogues.
The cytotoxicity strength of the PtxC analogues on MDA-MB-231 and Vero cells was tested
using MTT assay 24 hours post-treatment.

Results:
PA1, PA2, and PA4 displayed marked increases in cytotoxicity against both MDA-MB-
231 and Vero cells and can be ranked in the order of PA2 > PA4 > PA1 > PtxC > PA3. Sequence-
activity relationship analyses of the designed analogues showed that an increase in the level
of cationicity and hydrophobicity correlated well with the enhanced cytotoxic activity of PtxC
analogues. This was observed with PA1 (netC +8) and PA2 (netC +10) in comparison to PtxC
(netC +7). A similar finding was observed for PA4 (GRAVY +0.070) in contrast to PtxC (GRAVY
-0.339). Three-dimensional modelling predicted a double α-helix structure in PtxC class of ACP.
The larger first helix in PA2 and PA4 was suggested to be responsible for the enhanced cytotoxicity
observed.

Conclusion:
The critical role of cationicity and hydrophobicity in enhancing cytotoxicity of PtxC
class of ACPs was clearly demonstrated in our study. The current findings could be extrapolated to
benefit peptide design strategy in other classes of ACPs toward the discovery of highly potent
ACPs against cancer cells as potential novel therapeutic agents.
Identification, Interaction and Detection of Microplastics on Fish Scales
(Lutjanus gibbus)
Authors: Murugan Preethika , Jeevanandham Gayathri , Sundramoorthy Ashok K. 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Microplastics are found to be one of the major emerging contaminants in the environment.
Various environmental occurrences cause the macro plastics to degrade slowly into microplastics. Microplastics present in
the water bodies may enter into the fish’s body through ingestion of food and also get adsorbed onto the surface of their
gills or skin.

Objective:
Microplastics of polyethylene were chosen to investigate their sorption capacity on fish
scales. The dispersion of polyethylene microplastics was studied by using a Total Dissolved Solids
meter. Using this dispersion, the sorption effect was studied, and it revealed that the microplastics
had the sorption ability on the fish scales.

Method:
Polyethylene microplastics were chosen to investigate its sorption capacity on fish scales of Lutjanus gibbus.
The sorption effect of microplastics on fish scales were performed by using polyethylene microplastics obtained by bath
sonication and the concentration was studied using Total dissolved solids meter. Using polyethylene microplastics
dispersion, the sorption effect was carried out on the scales of Lutjanus gibbus for ten days at 8 oC. Sorption of
microplastics on fish scales were characterized by FE-SEM, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy.

Results:
Polymer sorption was confirmed by using optical microscopy and FE-SEM. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy
confirmed the existence of polyethylene microplastics on the fish scale. Moreover, polyethylene microplastics sorption
studies were also studied in different pH, various concentrations of NaCl and at different time intervals.

Conclusions:
We have synthesized microplastics from the bulk polyethylene by NaCl solution. This study confirmed the
successful sorption of polyethylene microplastics on the fish scale. Our study revealed that marine water may be a suitable
medium to facilitate the polymer sorption on aquatic animals/organisms.
Anlotinib Overcomes Multiple Drug Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells via Inactivating PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Lan Weilan , Zhao Jinyan , Chen Wujin , Shang Haixia , Peng Jun , Lin Jiumao 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Anlotinib is a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been reported to have activity
against colorectal cancer. However, the mechanisms of how anlotinib mediates drug-resistance of colorectal
cancer have not been fully described. Particularly the potential mechanisms regarding the inhibition of proliferation
and induction of apoptosis remain unknown.

Objective:
In this study, we intended to study the effect and related-mechanism of the proliferation, migration, invasion and induced
apoptosis of anlotinib overcoming multidrug resistant colorectal cancer cells through in vitro experiments.

Methods:
Cell viability was determined by MTT assays and the resistant index was calculated. Colony formation
and PI/RNase Staining were used for testing the proliferation of resistant cells. DAPI staining and Annexin
V-FITC/PI staining were used to detect cell apoptosis. Migration and invasion were examined by transwell. Protein
expression and activation of PI3K/AKT pathway were detected by western blot. LY294002 was used to verify
whether anlotinib overcomes the drug-resistance of CRC cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Results:
The results showed that the HCT-8/5-FU cells were resistant to multiple chemotherapy drugs (5-FU,
ADM and DDP). Anlotinib significantly inhibited cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and induced
cell apoptosis. Moreover, anlotinib down-regulated the expression of survivin, cyclin D1, CDK4, caspase-3,
Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, vimentin and N-cadherin, but up-regulated cleaved-caspase-3, Bax and E-cadherin and
blocked the activity of the PI3K/AKT in HCT-8/5-FU cells. We found anlotinib and LY294002 overcame the
drug resistance of HCT-8/5-FU cells by reducing the expression of PI3K/p-AKT.

Conclusions:
Anlotinib inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and induced apoptosis of HCT-8/5-FU cells, and the mechanisms
may be that anlotinib conquered multidrug resistance of colorectal cancer cells via inactivating of PI3K/AKT pathway.
The Relevance of Supplemental Vitamin D in Malignancies
Authors: Nica-Badea Delia , Udristioiu Aurelian 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Vitamin D has a widely acknowledged role in regulating the metabolism of calcium
and phosphate, both essential to bone remodeling. However, numerous studies in recent decades have emphasized
the association between low sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency, and an increased risk of extra-skeletal
disorders such as cancer.

Objective:
This mini-review of literature aims to present an objective overview of several recent studies and meta-
analyses evaluating the role of vitamin D in cancer prevention, its potential to improve cancer treatment outcomes,
as well as the negative effects of vitamin D deficiencies.

Methods:
The antitumor effects of calcitriol and analogs in the treatment of cancer, either as single agent or in
combination with other anticancer agents, are based on several mechanisms: inhibition of cancer cell proliferation
and invasiveness, induction of differentiation and apoptosis, and promotion of angiogenesis, all recorded in
numerous preclinical studies of various cancer types.

Results:
The importance of VDR polymorphisms for individual malignancies remains a topic of debate. Contradictory
effects have been recorded in recent studies, the results of which include positive associations of VDR
when cumulated with other risk factors, both an increase and a decrease in cancer risks, as well as no correlation
between VDR polymorphisms and individual malignancies.

Conclusion:
The scientific evidence reviewed in this paper suggests that health care providers and individuals
should consider increasing concentrations of 25 (OH) D through sensitive sun exposure and / or by supplementing
with vitamin D to reduce cancer risk and, in combination with standard care, to treat cancer.
Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions for Individuals with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Quilico Enrico , Swaine Bonnie , Alarie Christophe , Colantonio Angela 
Published: January 2021

Background
Long-term physical, cognitive, and psychosocial problems resulting from moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can prevent individuals from returning to preinjury lifestyles because of significant challenges with employment, leisure, and relationships. While physical activity (PA) is proposed as a cost-effective method to alleviate problems after moderate to severe TBI, there is no review to date that synthesizes the evidence for PA in the community-based context. Further, although sex- and gender-based considerations in research are considered requisite to good science, there is no review on PA and TBI that has included this explicit focus.

Objective
The purpose of this review is to map and synthesize the current evidence identified through a systematic search of community-based PA interventions for individuals of all ages with moderate to severe TBI and provide an overview of that evidence by asking the following research questions: (1) what are the characteristics of community-based PA programs for individuals with moderate to severe TBI, (2) what are the reported health-related outcomes and measurement tools used to evaluate them, and (3) what considerations have been given to sex and/or gender?

Methods
Searches will be conducted of six academic databases for peer-reviewed articles. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles for inclusion and extract data for the analysis. The extracted data will be coded according to the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template checklist and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist to provide sufficient detail for replication.

Results
The abstract screening was completed by two reviewers and the extracted data were analyzed. A qualitative synthesis and description of community-based PA interventions for individuals with moderate to severe TBI will be provided.

Conclusions
This scoping review will generate new knowledge from published and publicly available literature. Dissemination of the results will include activities related to knowledge transfer for community-based PA after moderate to severe TBI for future research and practice. Evidence-based recommendations, future directions, potential limitations, use of online/digital components, and the possible need for a systematic review will be discussed as well.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/24689