bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual Laboratory Tests: Effect of Operational Parameters on Proppant Transport in a 3D Printed Vertical Hydraulic Fracture with Two-Sided Rough Surfaces
Authors: Li Jun , Han Xu , He Siyuan , Wu Mingyi , Lu Xinqian 
Published: November 2023

Summary
Hydraulic fracturing technology is an effective measure that can improve oil and gas production and achieve enormous economic benefits owing to it phenomenally increasing the oil recovery from the low intrinsic permeability of the compact rock. Good placement and distribution of the proppant in the hydraulic fractures can provide successful stimulation for a well, which is essential for applying the hydraulic fracturing process. Previous studies extensively explored proppant placement, distribution, and operational factors in simplified smooth surface fracture models. However, the operational factors such as pump rate, proppant concentration, proppant size, fluid viscosity, and inlet condition (pulse time) involved in proppant placement and distribution in realistic rough surfaces of fractures are not clearly understood. In particular, the law of proppant transport in a two-sided rough surface of fracture with changes in the aforementioned operational factors was unclear. Hence, in this study, we investigated the effect of these operational factors on proppant placement and transport in both the smooth surface fracture model and the two-sided rough surface fracture model. The results suggested that the traditional law of proppant transport drawn on the smooth surface fracture model did not apply to the two-sided rough surface model. It is suggested that selecting corresponding variables was needed to reduce the risk of proppant bridging and offer a better channel ratio.
Lactate/GPR81 recruits regulatory T cells by modulating CX3CL1 to promote immune resistance in a highly glycolytic gastric cancer
Authors: Hu Yanfeng , Su Jin , Mao Xinyuan , Wang Lingzhi , Chen Zhian , Wang Weisheng , Zhao Cuiyin , Li Guoxin , Guo Weihong 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Lactate plays an important role in shaping immune tolerance in tumor microenvironment (TME) and correlates with poor prognosis in various solid tumors. Overcoming the immune resistance in an acidic TME may improve the anti-tumor immunity. Here, this study elucidated that via G-protein-coupled receptor 81 (GPR81), lactate could modulate immune tolerance in TME by recruiting regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vitro and in vivo. A high concentration of lactate was detected in cell supernatant and tissues of gastric cancer (GC), which was modulated by lactic dehydrogenase A (LDHA). GPR81 was the natural receptor of lactate and was overexpressed in different GC cell lines and samples, which correlated with poor outcomes of GC patients. Lactate/GPR81 signaling could promote the infiltration of Tregs into TME by inducing the expression of chemokine CX3CL1. While GPR81-deficiency could decrease the infiltration of Tregs into TME, thereby inhibiting GC progression by weakening the inhibition of CD8+T cell function in a humanized mouse model. In conclusion, targeting the lactate/GPR81 signaling may potentially serve as a critical process to overcome immune resistance in a highly glycolytic GC
Reduced Grey Matter Volume in Adolescents with Conduct Disorder: A Region-of-Interest Analysis Using Multivariate Generalized Linear Modeling
Authors: Zhang Ru , Blair R. James R. , Blair Karina S. , Dobbertin Matthew , Elowsky Jaimie , Bashford-Largo Johannah , Dominguez Ahria J. , Hatch Melissa , Bajaj Sahil 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background: Conduct disorder (CD) involves a group of behavioral and emotional problems that usually begins during childhood or adolescence. Structural brain alterations have been observed in CD, including the amygdala, insula, ventrolateral and medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and fusiform gyrus. The current study developed a multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) to differentiate adolescents with CD from typically developing (TD) adolescents in terms of grey matter volume (GMV).
Methods: The whole‐brain structural MRI data were collected from 96 adolescents with CD (mean age = years; mean IQ = ; 63 males) and 90 TD individuals (mean age = years; mean IQ = ; 59 males) matched on age, IQ, and sex. Region-wise GMV was extracted following whole-brain parcellation into 68 cortical and 14 subcortical regions for each participant. A multivariate GLM was developed to predict the GMV of the pre-hypothesized regions-of-interest (ROIs) based on CD diagnosis, with intracranial volume, age, sex, and IQ serving as the covariate.
Results: A diagnosis of CD was a significant predictor for GMV in the right pars orbitalis, right insula, right superior temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, and left amygdala (F(1, 180) = 5.460 - 10.317, p < 0.05, partial eta squared = 0.029 - 0.054). The CD participants had smaller GMV in these regions than the TD participants (MCD - MTD = [-614.898] mm3 - [-53.461] mm3).
Conclusions: Altered GMV within specific regions may serve as a biomarker for the development of CD in adolescents. Clinical work can potentially target these biomarkers to treat adolescents with CD.
Modulation of western U.S. compound precipitation and temperature extremes by compounding MJO and ENSO interaction
Authors: Wang Jiabao , DeFlorio Michael , Gershunov Alexander , Guirguis Kristen , Monache Luca Delle , Ralph F. Martin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Extreme weather and climate events can have substantial impacts on society and the environment. Compound extremes (two or more extreme events occurring simultaneously or successively) may exert even larger impacts than individual events. This study examines physical drivers behind variability in hydrometeorological (precipitation and temperature) compound extremes on subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) timescales (2 weeks – 6 months). Observational evidence presented here indicates significant modulation of western U.S. compound extreme frequency by the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO), a unique type of organized tropical convection varying primarily on S2S timescales. For example, when the MJO is active over the western Pacific, a robust increase in wet-cold extreme frequency is found in Southern California. When the MJO is over the Maritime Continent, an overall increase in dry-hot extremes is observed across the western U.S.. The MJO influence on compound extremes is largely modulated by El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which can be seen through different magnitudes or changes in sign of the canonical MJO-extreme relationship conditioned on ENSO state. Similarly, the MJO can interrupt the canonical ENSO-compound extreme relationship. Our results suggest a potential route to improve western U.S. S2S prediction of compound hydrometeorological extremes by considering the combined effect of both MJO and ENSO.
Distribution and associated factors of choroidal thickness in highly myopic eyes.
Authors: Wei Wenbin , Shao Lei , Zhao Hanqing , Zhang Ruiheng , Zhou Wen Da 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

PURPOSE: To measure the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in highly myopic eyes at different locations using Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI SD-OCT). To identify the ocular and systemic risk factors associated with choroidal thinning in high myopia.
METHODS: Based on the Beijing Eye Study, a detailed ophthalmic examination was performed including EDI SD-OCT for the measurement of SFCT. OCT images were obtained from 103 highly myopic eyes (≥-6.00 diopters) and 227 normal eyes randomly selected from the baseline population, matched for age and sex.
RESULTS: The mean SFCT was 110.6±85.2 μm in highly myopic eyes (range, 3 to 395 μm). Mean regional choroidal thickness was lowest on the nasal and inferior sides of the macula, and slightly higher on the temporal and superior sides than at the fovea. On multivariate analysis, SFCT was associated with staphyloma (F=22.63; P<0.001), age (F=19.14; P<0.001), axial length (F=17.37; P<0.001) and sex (F=17.31; P<0.001). In highly myopic eyes, SFCT decreased by 5.1 μm per year of age, by 9.2 µm per D of myopia and by 22.6 µm per millimetre of axial length.
CONCLUSION: The SFCT decreases with age and increased axial length in highly myopic eyes. The formation of a posterior staphyloma has been identified as a major contributor to choroidal thinning and is therefore a reliable indicator for risk management. The involvement of choroidal abnormalities may be a significant factor in the development of myopic degeneration.
Optimizing Stability Design of Support System for the parallel Tunnels
Authors: suliman lojain , Xinrong liu , xiaohan zhou , Xinyang luo ,   Ahmad abd elmageed4
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The continued development of the cities leads to construct parallel tunnel. Thus, the majority of tunneling projects include creating two parallel tunnels, which known as twin tunnels. Because of this, it is crucial to look at the stability between twin tunnels that are situated in a slope. In this paper an optimized study has been proposed in order to obtain the best design for distributing the support system through a huge fill slope. Two main methodologies have been proposed in order to get the optimized design for distributing the support system. The first one is through the making a physical model. While, the second one is through the numerical simulation by using Plaxis3D software package. However, the results reveal that the settlement has decreased when the distribution of the support system has been done according to the model test as an optimal design. As a result, the suggested model test support system is an optimal design. And this due to many reasons such as the position of the support system in the model test which is located in the inclined part of the slope. While, the support system in the site has been distributed in the horizontal part of the slope.
Immunoglobin and T cell receptor repertoire changes induced by a prototype vaccine against Chagas disease in naïve rhesus macaques
Authors: Dumonteil Eric , Tu Weihong , Desale Hans , Goff Kelly , Marx Preston , Ortega-Lopez Jaime , Herrera Claudia 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

A vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, would be an excellent additional tool for disease control. A recombinant vaccine based on Tc24 and TSA1 parasite antigens was found to be safe and immunogenic in naïve macaques. Here we performed a transcriptomic analysis of PBMC responses to vaccination, to shed light on the immunogenicity of this vaccine and guide the optimization of doses and formulation. RNA-sequencing analysis indicated a clear transcriptomic response of PBMCs from macaques after three vaccine doses, with the up-regulation of several immune cell activation pathways and a broad non-polarized immune profile. Analysis of the IgG repertoire showed that it had a rapid turnover with novel IgGs produced following each vaccine dose, while the TCR repertoire presented several persisting clones that were expanded after each vaccine dose. These data suggest that three vaccine doses may be needed for optimum immunogenecity and support the further evaluation of the protective efficacy of this vaccine.
Sleep Hygiene Education Program during Pregnancy A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Turkmen Nurdane , Tosun Sebnem Alanya , Ayraler Arzu , Akan Hulya 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Purpose: Pregnancy related psychophysiological changes are associated with the sleep alterations as the gestational week’s progress. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of sleep hygiene education programs during pregnancy.
Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study based on pre-posttest after intervention consists of 30 studies and 30 control groups. Pregnant descriptive form, Beck Depression Index (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) questionnaires were used. Pregnant women with a score of 15 and above according to BDI were excluded from the study due to depression. Sleep hygiene education program was given twice with an interval of 15 days to the intervention group, and as a post-test, PSQI and SHI questionnaires were conducted at the end of 1 month.
Results: 90% of all pregnant women had poor sleep quality in the pre-test, and 93.3% in the post-test. In the intervention group, the pre-test PSQI score was 8.10±1.80, the post-test PSQI score was 8.37±2.05 (p<0.001). In the control group, the pre-test PSQI score was 8.23±2.54 and the post-test PSQI score was 9.77±2.54, and the worsening of sleep quality became more evident (p<0.05). While the SHI in intervention group was 16.57±5.64 in the pre-test, it was 10.30±3.78 in the post-test after sleep hygiene training (p<0.001). In the control group, the pretest SHI scores increased from 14.50±3.78 to the posttest scores of 16.60±4.36, resulting in a decline in sleep hygiene and sleep quality (p<0.05).
Conclusion: As the gestational week progressed, the deterioration in sleep quality increased. The poor sleep quality improved significantly after sleep hygiene education counselling. It is recommended to add sleep-related screenings to routine pregnancy follow-ups and to provide sleep hygiene education.
Semantic Segmentation on Panoramic X-ray Images with U-net Architectures
Authors: Zannah Rafiatul , Bashar Mubtasim , Mushfiq Rahil Bin , Chakrabarty Amitabha , Hossain Shahriar , Jung Yong Ju 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The field of medical image analysis is in a constant state of evolution, particularly in the challenging tasks of segmenting organs, diseases, and abnormalities. Therefore, in the realm of dental disease diagnosis, image segmentation plays a crucial role in addressing the difficulties faced by dentists worldwide when diagnosing dental diseases with the naked eye. One prominent deep neural network architecture, known as U-net, originally designed for biomedical image segmentation, has seen multiple variations and advancements aimed at improving its performance. However, the lack of comparative studies has made it challenging to assess the effectiveness of these U-net variants in segmenting dental X-ray images. The primary objective of this research is to conduct a comprehensive performance comparison among various U-net architectures for dental image segmentation. Specifically, we examine six U-net architecture variants: Vanilla U-net, Dense U-net, Attention U-net, SE U-net, Residual U-net, and R2 U-net. These variants employ configurations with two and three convolutional layers in both the encoder and decoder blocks. Our evaluation metrics include Accuracy, Dice coefficient, F1 score, and IoU (Intersection over Union). Among these U-net variants, Vanilla U-net, with two convolutional layers, demonstrated the highest level of performance, achieving an Accuracy of 95.56% and an IoU score of 88% on the validation set. Notably, this model also exhibited a shorter processing time compared to the other architectures. Conversely, when employing three convolutional layers, the Dense U-net variant emerged as the top performer, achieving an Accuracy of 95.94% and an IoU score of 89.07% on the validation set. Furthermore, the segmentation process successfully isolates the teeth from the surrounding structures, which holds promise for improving disease detection through the development of automated disease diagnosis models.
Examining Environmental conditions during periods of high and low suspected meningitis cases in the Sahel (1995-2016)
Authors: M. Gueye , K. Coker 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Variability in the weekly Suspected Meningitis Cases (SMC) and the simulated daily mean of PM10 using WRF model with GOCART in West Africa is examined. We focus on the Eastern and Central Sahelian countries where dominant patterns of observed annual Meningitis cases are found in the periods of 1995-1997 (P0), 2000-2002 (P1) and 2007-2009 (P2) occurring in Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria. In general, the model shows positive mean differences of the seasonal mean (JFM) of the PM10 concentrations between the periods of high SMC years and the period of low SMC years 2011, 2013, 2014 (P3) across the Sahelian region. This result is associated with positive mean differences in the 925 hPa wind speed generally in the Saharan region and in the temperature at 2 meters (T2m) except in the Central and Eastern Sahara during the period P1. There is no significant change in the relative humidity at 2 meters (Q2m). By considering the daily time scale, we have found a strong signal in the environment associated with positive daily mean PM10 concentration differences between the periods of high SMC years and the period of low SMC years across the Sahelian countries, Niger, Northern Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
Numerical Study of Horizontal Axis Tidal Current Turbine (Hatct) Blade
Authors: Uddin Md Mezbah , Rahaman Kazi Rafi , Islam MD. Thanvir , Hoque Tasmia , Mahmud S M Ikhtiar 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Power generation from tidal current is gaining popularity over the time as tidal current is predictable and the process offers zero CO2 emission which is one of the major contributors of the greenhouse effect. A tidal turbine is a device designed to harness energy from sea currents, operating in a way analogous to a wind turbine. Tidal turbine basically is classified based on their blade orientation. Some of them are called horizontal axis, vertical axis, helical horizontal axis, and helical vertical axis tidal turbine. This paper presents the developed numerical study for horizontal tidal current turbine (HATCT) blade based on various angles of attack and number of blades along with blade element momentum theory (BEM) as well as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is mainly considered. Tidal turbine blade models are parameterized and designed by using solid modeling design software SOLIDWORKS and have been analyzed tidal turbines through CFD with high performance computational fluid dynamics software tool ANSYS CFX. A certain analysis is carried out where fluid flow is passed through turbines blade upon which the torque is acted and calculated the improved power from various turbines design.
Hydrochemical characteristics and processes for groundwater in salt lake area: a case of Bieletan in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Gu Xiaofan , Shi Jiansheng , Duan Rui , Chang Liang , You Xiangzhi , Li Xiaodeng 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The Bieletan area is located in the middle of the Qaidam Basin on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and its potash resources are abundant, accounting for more than half of the entire Qarhan Salt Lake. To explore the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Bieletan area and to understand the hydrogeochemical processes that happened during groundwater migration. The hydrogeochemical impacts of Senie Lake water and groundwater in the Bieletan area are determined using correlation analysis, the ion proportionality coefficient, and hydrogeochemical modeling in this research. Through the qualitative and quantitative investigation of the hydrochemical properties and the hydrogeochemical process, the results demonstrate that the groundwater is of Cl-Mg and Cl-Na types, whereas the surface water is of Cl-Na type. The findings of hydrogeochemical simulations suggest that the key hydrogeochemical processes are evaporation, water-rock interaction, and cation exchange.
Is There Any Association Between the Triglyceride and Glucose (TYG) Index and Severity of Ed?
Authors: EFESOY OZAN , Efesoy Ozan , SAYLAM BARIŞ , Çayan Selahittin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The triglyceride and glucose index (TyG index) is a practical index for determining insulin resistance. We aimed to reveal the relationship between the TyG index and the severity of ED. Medical records of 974 patients admitted to our clinics due to complaining of ED between January 2021 and June 2023 were scanned retrospectively. According to the scores obtained from the simplified 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire, patients were classified into four groups. The fasting serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) levels, and TyG indices of the patients in the groups were compared with each other. A statistically significant difference was found in fasting serum glucose, TG, and TC levels among the groups (p < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between the IIEF-5 score and fasting serum glucose, TG, TC, and TyG index (all p values < 0.001). The TyG index level was related to the risk of severe ED. ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off values of 5.05 for the TyG index by Formula 1 and 9.43 for the TyG index by Formula 2 in predicting severe ED (p < 0.001). TyG index might be associated with not only ED but also the severity of ED.
Effects of parathyroid hormone on the microarchitecture and bone remodeling of alveolar bone under physiologic mastication forces: An in vivo study in dogs
Authors: Kyoung Do-Kyoung , Kim Jiyeon , Kim Jin-Woo , Kim Min-Ji 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
This study investigates the anabolic effects of intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration on alveolar bone under physiological mastication force.
Methods
Three mongrel dogs were each injected once weekly for 20 weeks with vehicle (CON), 1.6 µg/kg PTH (PTH1.6), or 3.2 µg/kg PTH (PTH3.2). Bone density and maxillary alveolar trabecular bone remodeling were evaluated through bone microarchitectural and histomorphometric analyses using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), fluorescence labeling, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.
Results
Micro-CT showed that bone mass and density increased with increasing occlusal force in all subjects. Trabecular bone volume and bone mineral density increased significantly in the PTH1.6 subject but decreased in the PTH3.2 subject when compared to the control subject. Fluorescence labeling showed that new bone formation was the greatest in the PTH1.6 subject, followed by the PTH3.2 and CON subjects. In all subjects, new bone formation increased with increasing occlusal forces. H&E staining revealed no significant differences in the number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts according to PTH dose or occlusal force.
Conclusions
Our results showed that moderate doses of PTH had greater anabolic effects than high doses. Furthermore, bone density and formation were enhanced with stronger occlusal forces.