bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cement-Slurry Performance and Set-Cement Properties vs. Microsilica Densification
Authors: Daou Fatma , Piot Bernard 
Published: September 2009

SummaryMicrosilica is the extremely fine noncrystalline silica obtained in electric furnaces as a byproduct in the manufacture of elemental silicon and ferrosilicon alloys. This waste material, also improperly called silica fume, is available in different grades of various handling characteristics. It has been used for years as cement admixture both in the oil field and in construction and civil engineering industries. Because of its extremely fine nature and high reactivity as a pozzolanic material, microsilica has been used to improve slurry stability and the mechanical properties of the hardened material.This paper reviews typical uses of microsilica in oilfield cements. Particular attention is given to the influence of material grade in terms of degree of densification, on slurry behavior, and set cement properties. The physical properties of the tested micro-silica include specific gravity, loose and compacted bulk densities, and particle-size distribution before and after being submitted to an ultrasonic treatment. Slurry behavior is evaluated in terms of rheology and stability.The observation of set microsilica cement microstructure with a scanning electron microscope, coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer, clarifies the question concerning the dispersability of densified microsilica in cement slurry. An unambiguous correlation between physical properties of microsilica, slurry performance, and set cement stability and morphology is also established, leading the way to correctly specifying the quality of microsilica to be used in oilfield applications.This work demonstrates that, contrary to common belief, not all grades of microsilica are equal and that densified microsilica does not redisperse into small particles when mixed in a cement slurry. Therefore, densified grades, which are popular for their ease of handling, do not provide the performance required for adequate zonal isolation as is normally expected from microsilica slurry. In particular, densified material improves neither the slurry stability nor the set cement mechanical properties. Only moderately compacted microsilica with a bulk density of approximately 300 kg/m3 have been found to offer the adequate compromise between proper handling characteristics and good slurry and set cement performance.
A Case History of Heavy-Oil Separation in Northern Alberta: A Singular Challenge of Demulsifier Optimization and Application
Authors: Wylde Jonathan J. , Coscio Steven , Barbu Victor 
Published: September 2009

Summary
This case history tracks the continual improvement cycle for the fluid-separation process of a heavy-oil/oil-sands production facility in northern Alberta over a period of 3 years. The major challenge posed by the operator of this 13 to 16°API crude oil was to move away from injection of two separate demulsifier formulations to injection of a single product. This was not an easy task because of the very different conditions that existed at the two injection locations. The first location was at a series of injection points upstream of the gathering stations before separation where temperatures could reach subzero conditions, and the second was at the battery receiving facility where heating increased temperatures to 100°C. Water cut and shear were also very different, and the operator required a very strict 0.2% basic sediments and water (BS&W) on the crude exiting any of the four treater tanks. To complicate issues further, crude-oil viscosity ranged from 500 to 5,000 cp.
A unique bottle testing method was developed and used to simulate the field conditions as accurately as possible. Details are given on the chemistry of the individual components of the demulsifier determined to be so crucial to adequate performance and how this was optimized in the field after being identified from the bottle tests.
Results show how careful consideration was given to the concentration of the demulsifier bases in the blends, and show the curious observation that dilution of the final product made a big difference to the final performance in the field. Elaboration is given on potential mechanisms explaining the dilution effect, and this paper will conclude with observations on how careful design of field testing followed by field implementation can indeed solve complex separation issues and address individual well, battery, and field requirements.
Additive Effects of Genetic Variation in GCK and G6PC2 on Insulin Secretion and Fasting Glucose
Authors: Li Xia , Shu Yu-Hsiang , Xiang Anny H. , Trigo Enrique , Kuusisto Johanna , Hartiala Jaana , Swift Amy J. , Kawakubo Miwa , Stringham Heather M. , Bonnycastle Lori L. , Lawrence Jean M. , Laakso Markku , Allayee Hooman , Buchanan Thomas A. , Watanabe Richard M. 
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE
Glucokinase (GCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit 2 (G6PC2) regulate the glucose-cycling step in pancreatic β-cells and may regulate insulin secretion. GCK rs1799884 and G6PC2 rs560887 have been independently associated with fasting glucose, but their interaction on glucose-insulin relationships is not well characterized.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We tested whether these variants are associated with diabetes-related quantitative traits in Mexican Americans from the BetaGene Study and attempted to replicate our findings in Finnish men from the METabolic Syndrome in Men (METSIM) Study.

RESULTS
rs1799884 was not associated with any quantitative trait (corrected P &gt; 0.1), whereas rs560887 was significantly associated with the oral glucose tolerance test 30-min incremental insulin response (30′ Δinsulin, corrected P = 0.021). We found no association between quantitative traits and the multiplicative interaction between rs1799884 and rs560887 (P &gt; 0.26). However, the additive effect of these single nucleotide polymorphisms was associated with fasting glucose (corrected P = 0.03) and 30′ Δinsulin (corrected P = 0.027). This additive association was replicated in METSIM (fasting glucose, P = 3.5 × 10−10 30′ Δinsulin, P = 0.028). When we examined the relationship between fasting glucose and 30′ Δinsulin stratified by GCK and G6PC2, we noted divergent changes in these quantitative traits for GCK but parallel changes for G6PC2. We observed a similar pattern in METSIM.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that variation in GCK and G6PC2 have additive effects on both fasting glucose and insulin secretion.
Addressing Literacy and Numeracy to Improve Diabetes Care
Authors: Cavanaugh Kerri , Wallston Kenneth A. , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Shintani Ayumi , Huizinga Mary Margaret , Davis Dianne , Gregory Rebecca Pratt , Malone Robb , Pignone Michael , DeWalt Darren , Elasy Tom A. , Rothman Russell L. 
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVE
Diabetic patients with lower literacy or numeracy skills are at greater risk for poor diabetes outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of providing literacy- and numeracy-sensitive diabetes care within an enhanced diabetes care program on A1C and other diabetes outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In two randomized controlled trials, we enrolled 198 adult diabetic patients with most recent A1C ≥7.0%, referred for participation in an enhanced diabetes care program. For 3 months, control patients received care from existing enhanced diabetes care programs, whereas intervention patients received enhanced programs that also addressed literacy and numeracy at each institution. Intervention providers received health communication training and used the interactive Diabetes Literacy and Numeracy Education Toolkit with patients. A1C was measured at 3 and 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes included self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, and treatment satisfaction.

RESULTS
At 3 months, both intervention and control patients had significant improvements in A1C from baseline (intervention −1.50 [95% CI −1.80 to −1.02]; control −0.80 [−1.10 to −0.30]). In adjusted analysis, there was greater improvement in A1C in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.03). At 6 months, there were no differences in A1C between intervention and control groups. Self-efficacy improved from baseline for both groups. No significant differences were found for self-management behaviors or satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS
A literacy- and numeracy-focused diabetes care program modestly improved self-efficacy and glycemic control compared with standard enhanced diabetes care, but the difference attenuated after conclusion of the intervention.
Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Calvin Andrew D. , Aggarwal Niti R. , Murad Mohammad Hassan , Shi Qian , Elamin Mohamed B. , Geske Jeffrey B. , Fernandez-Balsells M. Merce , Albuquerque Felipe N. , Lampropulos Julianna F. , Erwin Patricia J. , Smith Steven A. , Montori Victor M. 
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVEThe negative results of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have challenged current guideline recommendations for using aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events among patients with diabetes. We therefore sought to determine if the effect of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events and mortality differs between patients with and without diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus since their inceptions until November 2008 for RCTs of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events. Blinded pairs of reviewers evaluated studies and extracted data. Random-effects meta-analysis and Bayesian logistic regression were used to estimate the ratios of relative risks (RRs) of outcomes of interest among patients with and without diabetes. A 95% CI that crosses 1.00 indicates that the effect of aspirin does not differ between patients with and without diabetes.RESULTSNine RCTs with moderate to high methodological quality contributed data to the analyses. The ratios of RRs comparing the benefit of aspirin among patients with diabetes compared with patients without diabetes for mortality, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke were 1.12 (95% CI 0.92–1.35), 1.19 (0.82–1.17), and 0.70 (0.25–1.97), respectively.CONCLUSIONSWhereas estimates of benefit among patients with diabetes remain imprecise, our analysis suggests that the relative benefit of aspirin is similar in patients with and without diabetes.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Medicaid-Enrolled Autistic Adults
Authors: Yerys Benjamin E. , Tao Sha , Shea Lindsay , Wallace Gregory L. 
Published: February 2025

ImportanceAutistic adults experience suboptimal health outcomes. Likewise, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to poor health outcomes in the general population, yet little is known about co-occurring ADHD and its links with poor health outcomes among autistic adults.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of ADHD and ADHD medication prescriptions and to examine associations between health outcomes and both ADHD co-occurrence and ADHD medication prescriptions among autistic adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsPopulation-based cohort study of US Medicaid-enrolled adults aged 18 years and older, including autistic adults with and without co-occurring intellectual disability (ID), adults with ID without autism, and adults from a random sample of Medicaid-enrolled individuals from 2008 to 2019. Analyses were completed September 2023 to September 2024.ExposuresAutism, ADHD, and ID using validated algorithms from the Chronic Conditions Warehouse.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrevalence rates of co-occurring ADHD, ADHD medication prescriptions, substance use, cardiovascular conditions, injury in autism without ID, ID without autism, autism with ID, and the general population.ResultsThe study included 3 506 661 patients (mean [SD] age, 33.5 [15.6] years; 1 854 892 [52.9%] female; 702 694 [20.0%] Black, 587 048 [16.7%] Hispanic, and 1 786 703 [60.0%] White). Compared with the general Medicaid-enrolled population (1 846 102 patients), which had 49 523 patients (2.7%) with co-occurring ADHD diagnoses, this study found elevated rates of ADHD in autism without ID (280 195 patients [26.7%]; prevalence ratio [PR], 5.1; 95% CI, 4.4-5.9), autism with ID (261 061 patients [40.2%]; PR, 6.8; 95% CI, 6.0-7.7), and ID without autism (1 119 303 patients [19.0%]; PR, 4.4; 95% CI, 4.0-5.0). A total of 117 704 adults (26.6%) with ADHD received an ADHD medication prescription. The study identified that rates of substance use were higher among clinical groups with co-occurring ADHD. For example, 9886 of 74 675 autistic adults with ADHD (13.2%) had substance use disorder, compared with 11 782 of 205 520 autistic adults with no ADHD (5.7%). ADHD diagnoses were associated with higher rates of all health outcomes, regardless of group. Substance use was higher in both ID groups with ADHD diagnoses and ADHD medications, whereas injury and cardiovascular condition rates were lower in all ADHD groups who received ADHD medications.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of Medicaid-enrolled adults, autistic adults experienced high rates of co-occurring ADHD and were more likely to receive ADHD medication prescriptions than adults in the general population. Negative health outcome rates are higher among autistic people with co-occurring ADHD, although ADHD medication prescriptions are associated with lower rates of negative health outcomes. Treating ADHD may improve health among autistic adults.
Challenges to Video Visits for Patients With Non–English Language Preference
Authors: Kong Marianna , Rios-Fetchko Francine , Olmos-Rodriguez Madelyn , Branagan Linda , Iott Bradley , Chan Tack Therese , Yarbrough Carol , Grumbach Kevin , Fernandez Alicia 
Published: February 2025

ImportancePatients with non–English language preference (NELP) participate in video visits considerably less often than their English-speaking counterparts. Understanding the capability, opportunities, and motivation of patients with NELP to use video visits is key to determining how this technology may benefit their care.ObjectiveTo investigate the perceptions of patients with NELP regarding the facilitators and barriers to usage of video visits.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews of patients with NELP from an ambulatory clinic network of a large, urban, academic health system in California serving a linguistically diverse population was conducted from November 2022 to September 2023. Electronic health data were used to identify Spanish- and Cantonese-speaking patients with at least 1 clinic visit but no video visits in the prior 12 months. Data were analyzed from September 2023 to February 2024.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOne-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted by telephone to capture perceptions on facilitators and barriers to video visit use. Interviews were audio-recorded until reaching thematic saturation, deidentified, transcribed and translated, and analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. Common themes were identified and matched to relevant domains of the capability, opportunities, and motivation model.ResultsOf the 31 patients successfully contacted by telephone, 27 participants (mean [SD] age, 66 [15] years; 18 women [67%]), including 16 Spanish-speaking and 11 Cantonese-speaking participants, were interviewed. Four major themes emerged, including (1) video visits creating additional communication challenges and potentially exacerbating communication difficulties for patients who face language barriers; (2) video visits perceived as having some drawbacks for medical evaluations as well as some appealing benefits; (3) limited digital literacy, device and data access, and non–user-friendly video visit processes as important barriers; and (4) in-person teaching, simpler technologic processes, opportunities to repetitively practice video use, troubleshooting support, and language-concordant instructions, clinicians, and clinic staff as facilitators of video visits. For some, the disadvantages were sufficient to deter use of video visits, while for others, they were counterbalanced by the ease of access provided by video visits.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this qualitative study, participants with NELP perceived multiple barriers to video visits, including greater communication difficulties, lower medical evaluation quality, and technical issues. These findings suggest that addressable technical challenges associated with language barriers hamper access to video visits and decrease motivation for use and that interventions are needed to increase telehealth equity.
Research Domain Criteria in NIMH Grants Characterized Using Large Language Models
Authors: Perlis Roy H. 
Published: February 2025

ImportanceOver the past decade, the leadership of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has emphasized the importance of a transdiagnostic approach to psychiatric investigation using Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) mapping more closely to neurobiology.ObjectiveTo investigate whether research support from the NIMH for individual RDoC domains and for transdiagnostic investigation has changed over time and has had differential impact in terms of publication, citations, or patent filings.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this longitudinal cohort study, all R01, R21, and R03 studies funded by the NIMH between January 2003 and December 2023 were identified via the National Institutes of Health RePORTER database. Their abstracts were characterized in terms of RDoC domains (negative valence, positive valence, cognition, social, arousal, and sensorimotor) using a large language model.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrimary outcomes were publications, citation impact estimated at 5 years from the index year of funding, and patents, examined using regression models adjusted for other grant characteristics.ResultsAmong 8897 R01, R03, and R21 projects, reflecting $17.7 billion of investment, abstracts of 3141 (35.3%) reflected negative valence; 1344 (15.1%), positive valence; 2781 (31.3%), cognition; 1607 (18.1%), social; 343 (3.9%), arousal; and 571 (6.4%), sensorimotor domains. A total of 1793 (20.2%) incorporated a transdiagnostic perspective. Positive and social domains were associated with fewer publications (difference, −1.13 [95% CI, −2.11 to −0.15] and −2.23 [95% CI, −3.15 to −1.30], respectively) and lesser citation impact (difference, −0.47 [95% CI, −0.75 to −0.18] and −1.19 [95% CI, −1.46 to −0.91], respectively) at 5 years. Social (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-0.23) and cognitive (AOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.89) domains and transdiagnostic proposals (AOR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.21-0.60) were associated with lower likelihood of patent filing.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study of NIMH funding, grants reflecting different RDoC domains differed substantially in their scientific impact in terms of publications, citations, and patent generation. The findings suggest that large language models represent a promising approach to characterizing research proposals at scale, which may be useful in guiding resource allocation to maximize scientific return on investment.
Making Progress in Clinical Trials for Suicide Prevention
Authors: Wilkinson Samuel T. , Bryan Craig J. , Alphs Larry D. , Canuso Carla M. , Ostacher Michael J. , Price Rebecca B. , Bloch Michael H. , Zarate Carlos A. , Rhee Taeho Greg 
Published: February 2025

ImportanceSuicide is a public health crisis, and despite renewed efforts to confront this problem, suicide rates continue to rise in the US. While suicide prevention encompasses a broad array of strategies, treatment development is lagging. Within this realm, clinical trials are the criterion standard for evaluating safety and efficacy of new treatments.ObservationsMost clinical trials conducted among patients with mental illness have excluded patients at risk of suicide. Historical reasons for this include regulatory challenges, liability concerns, ethical questions, discomfort working directly with high-risk patients, and the belief that research is too risky for individuals at elevated risk for suicide.Conclusions and RelevanceSeveral considerations are provided for investigators in the design of trials targeting at-risk populations, including thoughtful selection of study outcome, use of time-to-event design and analysis (which may simultaneously satisfy ethical concerns and scientific aims), enrolling an enriched sample (eg, among patients recently discharged from the hospital), and provision of usual care in the comparator group. Caution should be exercised to avoid excessive or unreasonable safety requirements, which may lead participants to minimize self-report of suicidal ideation or to drop out of trials. Where possible, regulatory bodies (institutional review boards [IRBs] and data and safety monitoring boards) should consult with or include as members those with direct clinical experience with this high-risk population. An important ethical principle for IRB members and other regulators to consider is that suicide-related events are expected in this clinical population.
Comparing the accuracy and precision of smartphone and specialist handheld GNSS receivers for use in ecological fieldwork
Authors: Osborne Andrew , Mossman Hannah , Caporn Simon , Coulthard Emma 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Smartphones are handheld computers and multichannel communication devices that carry an array of sensors and can link with specialist external devices. These powerful tools have an established role in biological recording and ecological surveying. The ability to geolocate accurately is frequently essential to ecological fieldwork. This field study aimed to test the performance of a compact/handheld surveyor‐grade GNSS receiver, functioning as an external sensor, compared to smartphones' inbuilt GNSS receivers and a standard‐grade external GNSS receiver.

We devised a series of survey protocols to test the horizontal accuracy of GNSS receivers in static and dynamic scenarios typical of ecology fieldwork, estimating the horizontal distance of GNSS measurements under ‘open sky’ conditions from a base station geolocated with centimetre accuracy. Protocols were designed to test the capabilities of GNSS receivers; the absolute horizontal accuracy and precision in static surveys and performance in dynamic surveys, walking a transect with frequent changes of direction, or roaming across the survey area, requiring the GNSS to rapidly re‐establish a position fix.

In all survey protocols, the surveyor‐grade GNSS performed significantly better with lower horizontal distance estimates at the 50th centile and more consistent performance at the 95th centile than the other GNSS receivers, giving median distance estimates of 0.5–1.1 m. The median horizontal accuracy of inbuilt GNSS receivers in this trial was 0.9–3.4 m under ‘open sky’ conditions.

Practical implication: The smartphone GNSS receivers that we tested were accurate to within a few meters. Linking the smartphone with a moderately priced compact/handheld external GNSS receiver significantly improved performance.