bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Type Microproppant and Its Property Evaluation for Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Li Jun , He Siyuan , Wu Mingyi 
Published: September 2023

Summary
Modern hydraulic fracturing technologies relied on maintaining the natural fracture of the shale reservoir open and providing its long-term conductivity by injecting flow with proppant particles of various sizes. However, some natural fractures were too narrow for the conventional macro-sized proppants to enter, which greatly reduced the gas flow area and productivity and implied an increasing demand for micro-sized proppants that could be easily transported in narrow natural fractures. This study introduced innovative microproppants produced from abandoned tailings. Their basic characteristics were experimentally obtained, and the impact of various factors on microproppant placement and transportation in fractures was analyzed using a physical analog fracture model. The performed field and laboratory tests proved that this microproppant combined the merits of low activity, low cost, and easy utilization in the petroleum field. Besides, in the experiments of prefabricated fractures, the permeability of fractures filled with this type of microproppant exceeded that of fractures with no microproppant under temperature variation from 30°C to 90°C. Finally, visual examination of prefabricated fractures showed that the transport capacity of this new type of microproppant significantly outperformed that of the microproppants made of quartz sand and ceramic with the same particle size.
Prefrontal deficits in procrastinators: impaired impulse control or emotion-regulation difficulties
Authors: Feng Tingyong , Zhang Shunmin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Prefrontal aberrations are robustly associated with high tendency to procrastinate, but cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying this link remain unknown. An impulse-control hypothesis predicts insufficient prefrontal regulation over reward-processing regions, leading failure to forgo immediate pleasure. While an emotion-regulation hypothesis predicts inadequate prefrontal regulation over emotion-processing systems, resulting in deficits to endure adversity. To investigate which hypothesis is more valid, the current study presented procrastinators with conflicts between pleasant distraction (photographs watching) and difficult-but-rewarding mission (dots counting) under fMRI scanning. The results favored the emotion-regulation hypothesis relative to the impulse-control hypothesis in three regards: (1) High procrastinators performed worse in the mission because of high task difficulty but not fun distraction. (2) Inadequate prefrontal regulation over emotional insular activities underlay failure in both persisting in the mission and resisting the distraction. (3) Trait procrastination correlated with regulatory prefrontal signals during persisting in the mission but not during resisting the distraction. These results indicate procrastinators suffer from emotion-regulation prefrontal deficits, and thus recommend emotional supports rather than criticism on them.
Transformative Student-led Hybrid Mentorship Model Empowering Health Sciences Undergraduates and Young Professionals in Uganda: A MedXMentor Case Study
Authors: Tamale Elvis , Atuhairwe Irene , Ssemwogerere Arnold , Muhimbura Brian , Atimango Lorna , Malinga Paddy Derrick , Mulungi Jonathan , Ssekitto Joseph , Naigaga Josephine , Kintu Timothy Mwanje , Masood Kiran Mitha , Ohuruogu Victor , Ngonzi Joseph 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Students pursuing health-related courses need access to mentorship and its benefits during their formative academic and career states. Despite a few assertive health professions students knowing about mentorship, they also need help leveraging the various benefits of mentorship. The lack of a structured platform to ease access to mentorship. A student-led initiative dubbed Medxmentor was established to address these gaps. This study assessed the effectiveness of this hybrid mentorship initiative in enhancing research capacity and professional development among undergraduate health sciences students and young professionals in Uganda.
Methods
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized to obtain data. The Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation was utilized to assess mentees' emotions, learning, and behavior using Google Form questionnaires, feedback forms, and mentoring logs. Study results were summarized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Results
There were 80 mentees recruited, with 48 (60%) qualifying for one-to-one mentorship and the rest participating in group mentorship sessions. The program had 24 mentors, primarily from the medical profession. The program also had three non-Ugandan mentors. Eight online sessions were organized for group mentorship between April and September 2022, with an average attendance of 52% of mentees. Three workshops were organized; a boot camp, grant writing, and soft skills. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the project planning webinar attendees reported an increased understanding of the basics of project management. Four themes emerged on Mentee experiences; Mentor engagement, Goal oriented study, Skills and professional development, and High yield mentor-mentee engagements.
Conclusion & Recommendations
A structured mentorship program provides a solution to access mentorship and addresses the needs of mentors and mentees. The Medxmentor program leveraging online platforms provides a broad niche of mentor resources and an efficient structure that can be easily replicated in various medical schools in low-resource settings.
Impaired extinction of cocaine seeking in HIV-infected mice is accompanied by peripheral and central immune dysregulation
Authors: Barker Jacqueline , Buck Lauren , Xie Qiaowei , Willis Michelle , Side Christine , Giacometti Laura , Gaskill Peter , Park Kyewon , Shaheen Farida , Guo Lili , Gorantla Santhi 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly comorbid with HIV infection, necessitating an understanding of the interactive effects of drug exposure and HIV. The relationship between HIV infection and cocaine use disorder is likely bidirectional, with cocaine use directly impacting immune function while HIV infection alters addiction-related behavior. To better characterize the neurobehavioral and immune consequences of HIV infection and cocaine exposure, this study utilized a humanized mouse model to investigate the outcomes of HIV-1 infection on cocaine-related behaviors in a conditioned place preference (CPP) model, and the interactive effects of cocaine and HIV infection on peripheral and central nervous system inflammation. HIV infection selectively impaired cocaine CPP extinction without effecting reinstatement or cocaine seeking under conflict were observed. Behavioral alterations were accompanied by immune changes in HIV infected mice, including increased prefrontal cortex astrocyte immunoreactivity and brain-region specific effects on microglia number and reactivity. Peripheral immune system changes were observed in both mouse and human cytokines, including HIV-induced reductions in mouse IL-1α and G-CSF and human TNFα, and cocaine induced alterations in mouse GM-CSF. Together these data provide new insights into the unique neurobehavioral outcomes of HIV infection and cocaine exposure and how they interact to effect immune responses.
Mutational dissection of a hole hopping route that can be tuned to boost peroxygenase activity in LPMOs
Authors: Eijsink Vincent G.H. , Ayuso-Fernández Iván , Emrich-Mills Tom Z , Haak Julia , Golten Ole , Hall Kelsi R. , Schwaiger Lorenz , Moe Trond S. , Stepnov Anton A. , Ludwig Roland , III George Cutsail , Sørlie Morten , Røhr Åsmund Kjendseth 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Oxidoreductases have evolved tyrosine/tryptophan pathways that channel highly oxidizing holes away from the active site to avoid damage. Here we dissect such a pathway in a bacterial lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), member of a widespread family of C-H bond activating enzymes with outstanding industrial potential. We show that a strictly conserved tryptophan is critical for radical formation and hole transference and that holes traverse the protein to reach a Tyr-His pair in the protein’s surface. Real-time monitoring of radical formation revealed a clear correlation between the efficiency of hole transference and enzyme performance under oxidative stress. Residues involved in this pathway vary considerably between natural LPMOs, which could reflect adaptation to different ecological niches. Importantly, we show that enzyme activity is increased in a mutant with slower radical transference, providing experimental evidence for a previously postulated trade-off between activity and redox robustness.
GeneXpert has perfect test agreement with WHO recommended TB lipoarabinomannan antigen test for the diagnosis of TB among under five children from urine sample in Tuberculosis endemic setting of Ethiopia
Authors: Derese Daniel , Teklu Takele , Kumalo Abere , Chinasho Tariku , Anjulo Temesgen 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading public health problems in children mainly due to difficulties in the diagnosis of disease in children. This study aimed to detect the diagnostic agreement between GeneXpert MTB/RIF and WHO recommended lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen test for the detection of TB in children using urine samples
Methods
Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 337 children in Wolaita Sodo University comprehensive hospital. LAM antigen and GeneXpert methods were used to detect TB from urine sample. The agreement between two tests was assessed using Kappa statistics with the standard error (SE), concordance and disagreements statistics. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with TB and P-values less than 0.05 were considered as having a statistically significant association.
Results
M. tuberculosis was detected in 26 using TB LAM giving an overall prevalence of 7.7% and 29 (8.6%) using GeneXpert. The two tests had almost perfect agreement (Concordance of 99.1% and kappa value of 0.94 with standard error of 0.034) for the detection of TB in urine sample. Co-infections with other diseases [AOR = 4.00: 95% CI, 1.428, 11.203], cough for the previous two weeks [AOR = 3.700: 95% CI, 1.039, 13.183], night sweat [AOR = 4.255: 95% CI, 1.453, 12.463] and loss of appetite [AOR = 3.994: 95% CI, 1.444, 11.045] had significant associations with pulmonary TB among children in the study area.
Conclusion
Tuberculosis was still the public health concern among children of under five years old in the study area. The GeneXpert had almost perfect test agreement with WHO recommended TB LAM antigen test for the diagnosis TB among under five children, however, it needs further confirmation study with large sample size to use as diagnostic test.
Prognostic Value of Platelet Distribution Width to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Hepatectomy
Authors: Zhong Zhi-Han , Liang Lei , Fu Tian-Wei , Dai Mu-Gen , Cheng Jian , Liu Si-Yu , Ye Tai-Wei , Shen Guo-Liang , Zhang Cheng-Wu , Huang Dong-Sheng , Liu Jun-Wei 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background Platelet distribution width (PDW), but not platelet count, was found to more comprehensively reflect platelet activity. The present study, thus, aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of PDW to lymphocyte ratio (PDWLR)in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following hepatectomy.
MethodsPatients following hepatectomy were analyzed retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression model were used to determine the prognostic value of PDWLR.
Results241 patients were analyzed eventually, and stratified into low and high PDWLR groups (≤ 9.66 vs. > 9.66). Results of comparing the baseline characteristics showed that high PDWLR was significantly associated with cirrhosis, and intraoperative blood loss (all P < 0.05). In multivariate COX regression analysis, PDWLR was demonstrated as an independent risk factor for OS (HR: 1.549, P = 0.041) and RFS (HR: 1.655, P = 0.005). Moreover, PDWLR demonstrated a superior capacity for predicting prognosis compared to other indicators.
Conclusion Preoperative PDWLR has a potential value in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients following hepatectomy, which may help in clinical decision-making for individual treatment.
DNA methylation profiles of cancer-related fatigue associated with markers of inflammation and immunometabolism
Authors: Xiao Canhua , Peng Gang , Conneely Karen , Zhao Hongyu , Felger Jennifer , Wommack Evanthia , Higgins Kristin , Shin Dong , Saba Nabil , Bruner Deborah , Miller Andrew 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Cancer patients are commonly affected by fatigue. Herein, we sought to examine epigenetic modifications (i.e., DNA methylation) related to fatigue in peripheral blood among patients during and after treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). Further, we determined whether these modifications were associated with gene expression and inflammatory protein markers, which we have previously linked to fatigue in HNC. This prospective, longitudinal study enrolled eligible patients with data collected at pre-radiotherapy, end of radiotherapy, and six months and one-year post-radiotherapy. Fatigue data were reported by patients using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI)-20. DNA methylation (Illumina MethylationEPIC) and gene expression (Applied Biosystems Clariom S) arrays and assays for seven inflammatory markers (R&D Systems multiplex) were performed. Mixed models and enrichment analyses were applied to establish the associations. A total of 386 methylation loci were associated with fatigue among 145 patients (FDR < 0.05). Enrichment analyses showed the involvement of genes related to immune and inflammatory responses, insulin and lipid metabolism, neuropsychological disorders, and tumors. We further identified 16 methylation-gene expression pairs (FDR < 0.05), which were linked to immune and inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism. Ninety-one percent (351) of the 386 methylation loci were also significantly associated with inflammatory markers (e.g., interleukin 6, c-reactive protein; FDR < 0.05), which further mediated the association between methylation and fatigue (FDR < 0.05). These data suggest that epigenetic modifications associated with inflammation and immunometabolism, in conjunction with relevant gene expression and protein markers, are potential targets for treating fatigue in HNC patients. The findings also merit future prospective studies in other cancer populations as well as interventional investigations.
The Mediating Effect of Chronic Pain on the Relationship between Falls and Frailty: A Cross-sectional Survey among Middle-aged and Older adults from Ethnic Minority Groups in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Wen Xuan , Deng Rui , Wang Xinping , Deng Chunyan , Li Xiaoju , Zhang Yafang , Chen Ying , Huang Yuan 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Falls are associated with an increased risk of frailty in middle-aged and older adults; however, the mediating role between falls and frailty remains unclear. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between falls and frailty in middle-aged and elderly individuals residing in Yunnan Province, China, with a specific emphasis on exploring the potential mediating effect of chronic pain across different ethnic groups.
Methods
Employing a cross-sectional design, data collection was conducted from July to December 2022 in five selected counties. Baron and Kenny’s causal steps method was used to explore the mediating effect of chronic pain on the relationship between falls and frailty. Spearman correlation analysis, multiple linear regression models, and bootstrap method were employed for data analysis.
Results
A total of 2,710 respondents participated in this study. The prevalence of falls among middle-aged and older individuals was 12.77%, while the prevalence of frailty in the same population was observed to be 21.62%. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant positive association between chronic pain and both falls (r=0.135, P<0.05) as well as frailty (r=0.383, P<0.05). Frailty also exhibited a significant positive correlation with falls (r=0.162, P<0.05). After adjusting for all covariates, the total effect of falls on frailty was estimated to be 1.065 (95% bootstrap CI: 0.804~1.326), with a direct effect estimate of 0.797 (95% bootstrap CI: 0.511~1.083). The indirect effect of chronic pain on this association was found to be approximately one-quarter at 0.268 (95% bootstrap CI: 0.170~0.366). The subgroup analysis discovered differences in the mediating effects across different ethnic groups; specifically, the proportions mediated by chronic pain were found to be 28.2%, 18.4%, and 21.5% for Han majority group, Zhiguo ethnic minorities, and other ethnic minority groups, respectively.
Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into the intricate association between frailty, falls, and chronic pain among middle-aged and older adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds in a western province of China. Effective management strategies targeting chronic pain and falls prevention could serve as crucial interventions to address frailty.
The radiation shielding parameters of a standard silica glass system
Authors: Kaky Kawa M. , Sayyed M. I. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
We investigated the radiation shielding parameters for K2O-SiO2 glasses using Phy-X software. The results show that the glasses with a higher K2O concentration and lower SiO2 contents have higher mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) values at all energies. At 0.03 MeV, the MAC values of the tested glasses are varied between 0.873 and 1.907 cm2/g, while at 0.10 MeV they are in the range of 0.168–0.195 cm2/g. The linear attenuation coeffieicnet (LAC) shows a direct relation with the density, where the LAC for the glass with a density of 2.211 g/cm3 is 0.704 cm− 1 at 0.05 MeV and increases to1.351 cm− 1 for the glass with a density of 2.491 g/cm3. We reported the effective atomic number (Zeff) for the tested glasses and we found the glass with a composition of 40K2O-60SiO2 has the greatest Zeff at all energies. The Zeff values at 0.03 MeV are in order of 11.94–16.43, while at 4 MeV they are varied between 10.06 and 12.31. according to the half value layer results, 40K2O-60SiO2 glass has the lowest HVL, which means this glass has the best radiation shielding properties among the tested glasses.
Lycorine (Lycoris radiata)- A unique natural medicine on breast cancer
Authors: Xue Qinbing , Wang Bing , Feng Jie , Li Chaoyu , Yu Miao , Zhao Yan , Qi Zheng 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common types of cancer among women worldwide. Lycorine (Lycoris radiata), a small molecule derived from the traditional Chinese herb Amaryllidaceae plants, has appeared potential effect on inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and inducing apoptosis in various types of cancer with minor side effects.
Methods: To discuss the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of lycorine on BC established by lycorine-treated S180 tumor-bearing mice in vivo and MTT assay in vitro. The mitotic arrest and microtubule morphology was observed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, both the mitotic and microtubule assembly dynamics genes were performed by qPCR assays, and the protein expression associated with mitotic arrest was investigated by flow cytometry and western blot.
Results: Lycorine was demonstrated to reduce sarcoma growth of S180 tumor-bearing mice (50.6 % at 40 mg/kg·bw of lycorine) and inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in concentration-dependent manner. Likewise, lycorine appeared little effect on the thymus and spleen indexes. Moreover, lycorine induced M phase cell cycle arrest viainterfering with the mitotic apparatus regulated the expression of 20 genes and 15 proteins in cell cycle progression. Furthermore, this study confirmed that the potential effect of lycorine on BC might be mediated by cell cycle arrest in M phase for the first time.
Conclusion: These results would be the consequence of exploitation of lycorine as a potential drug for BC therapy, however further preclinical and clinical studies are still needed.
Excitation of noise-squeezed forward Brillouin lasers from intracavity backward Brillouin lasers in a multimode fiber microresonator
Authors: Nie Mingming , Jia Kunpeng , Zhu Shining , Xie Zhenda , Huang Shu-Wei 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in low-power and compact microresonators has created a new field in cavity nonlinear photonics due to the marriage between acoustic and optical signal processing. Considering the fundamental differences between backward SBS and forward SBS processes, it is challenging to observe the coexistence of both processes in the same microresonator, as well as the photon noise suppression for the forward stimulated Brillouin laser (FSBL). Here, we demonstrate the first 20-dB-noise-squeezed FSBL generation excited by the coexisting backward SBL (BSBL) in an ultrahigh-quality-factor Fabry–Pérot (FP) microresonator based on multimode fiber (MMF). Multiple FSBLs and BSBLs are cascaded through multiple intermodal SBS processes in the multimode microresonator, where the cascaded process between backward SBS and forward SBS (pump-BSBL-FSBL) provides a route towards additional noise squeezing, rendering the FSBL phase noise to be -120 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency. Furthermore, we demonstrate Brillouin-Kerr soliton from a high-order BSBL, which also coexists with FSBLs. Our experimental results show the potential of MMF FP microresonator as an ideal testbed for high-dimensional nonlinear cavity dynamics and laser source with ultrahigh coherence, benefitting critical applications such as acoustic and optical signal generation, processing, and sensing.
A validated restriction enzyme ddPCR cg05575921 (AHRR) assay to accurately assess smoking exposure
Authors: Fitzgerald Sandra , Bhat Basharat , Print Cristin , Jones Gregory 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background & Methods: In this study, a novel restriction enzyme (RE) digestion-based droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assay was designed for cg005575921 within the AHRR gene body and compared with matching results obtained by bisulfite conversion (BIS) ddPCR and Illumina DNA methylation array.
Results: The RE ddPCR cg05575921 assay appeared concordant with BIS ddPCR (r2=0.94, P<0.0001) and when compared with the Illumina array, had significantly better smoking status classification performance for current versus never smoked (AUC 0.96 versus 0.93, P<0.04) and current versus ex-smoker (AUC 0.88 versus 0.83, P<0.04) comparisons.
Conclusions: The RE ddPCR cg05575921 assay accurately predicts smoking status and could be a useful component of ‘precision-medicine’ chronic disease risk screening tools.