Improvement of Fluid Penetration Efficiency in Soil Using Plasma Blasting

EZH2 Targeting Induces CD38 Upregulation and Response to Anti-CD38 Antibodies in Multiple Myeloma

Exploring the effectiveness of China's dual credit policy in a differentiated automobile market when some consumers are environmentally aware

Improvement of fluid penetration in soil by plasma blasting

The Blue LED Nobel Prize: Historical context, current scientific understanding, human benefit

Investigation of the cutaneous penetration behavior of dexamethasone loaded to nano-sized lipid particles by EPR spectroscopy, and confocal Raman and laser scanning microscopy

Objectives/Goals: Nucleoside transport by ENT2 facilitates transit of the lupus anti-DNA autoantibody Deoxymab into cells and across the blood–brain barrier into brain tumors. This work examines the Deoxymab-nucleoside interactions that contribute to membrane crossing and apply them in brain tumor therapeutics. Methods/Study Population: Deoxymab interactions with individual nucleosides, nucleobases, and pentose sugars are examined by surface plasma resonance (SPR) and cell penetration assays in a panel of cell lines including glioblastoma, breast cancer, and normal breast epithelial cells. Deoxymab-conjugated gold nanoparticles are generated and tested for binding to normal human astrocytes and glioma cells, and the impact of supplemental nucleosides on this binding is determined. Deoxymab-gold nanoparticles are tested for brain tumor localization by systemic and local administration in mice bearing orthotopic glioblastoma brain tumors and enhancement of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) examined. Results/Anticipated Results: Individual nucleosides significantly increase the efficiency of cell penetration by Deoxymab in all cell lines tested. In contrast, component nucleobases and pentose sugars significantly suppress the uptake of the autoantibody into cells. Deoxymab-conjugated gold nanoparticles bind DNA in vitro and to astrocytes in culture and are anticipated will enhance the efficacy if LITT in vivo by associating with DNA released by necrotic tumors and/or by locally administered nucleosides in brain tumor environments and subsequently act as heat sink to amplify LITT impact. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Deoxymab is a DNA-targeting, cell-penetrating autoantibody. These findings establish nucleosides as the components of DNA that promote autoantibody membrane crossing through ENT2 activity and indicate potential for use of Deoxymab-gold nanoparticles in combination with LITT for brain tumor therapy.

In today’s dynamic and competitive industries, businesses face increasing pressure to identify opportunities, anticipate market shifts, and optimize strategies for sustained growth. This study presents an AI-driven predictive analytics model designed to support strategic business development and market expansion. The framework leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze complex datasets, uncover hidden patterns, and generate actionable insights for decision-makers. The model incorporates supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, including decision trees, support vector machines (SVM), and clustering methods, to evaluate market trends, customer behavior, and competitive landscapes. It integrates real-time data streams from diverse sources such as social media analytics, economic indicators, customer feedback, and sales records. By employing natural language processing (NLP) and sentiment analysis, the model enables businesses to capture consumer sentiment and refine product offerings to align with evolving preferences. Key features of the model include opportunity mapping, demand forecasting, and dynamic risk assessment, which empower organizations to proactively adapt to changing market conditions. The predictive insights are visualized through intuitive dashboards, enhancing strategic planning and resource allocation. The model also emphasizes scalability, allowing its application across multiple industries such as retail, finance, healthcare, and technology. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in market penetration, customer acquisition, and operational efficiency for businesses adopting the model. By addressing critical challenges such as market volatility and evolving customer expectations, the framework fosters resilience and agility in competitive environments. This research highlights the transformative potential of AI-driven analytics in strategic business development. It underscores the importance of ethical considerations, including data privacy and algorithmic transparency, in ensuring responsible implementation. The proposed model provides businesses with a robust toolset to navigate complexity, drive market growth, and achieve long-term success.

Hierarchically structured mesoporous TiO2 beads (HS-TBs), which are used as photoelectrodes in highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), were prepared by an electrostatic spray (e-spray) technique. To prepare different sized HS-TBs, the electric field and the concentration of TiO2 particles were carefully controlled, because they are critical factors in preparing size-controlled TiO2 beads. Four different HS-TBs were formulated with average diameters of 250, 450, 700, and 1200 nm as high-quality photoelectrodes for use in DSCs. In this study, we found that the zero-dimensional HS-TBs were the most promising photoelectrode for DSCs due to enhanced charge collection efficiency and better penetration of electrolytes through relatively large pores among the HS-TBs. The HS-TBs were characterized by intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS), the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) method, and electrochemical analysis. The conversion efficiency of HS-TB photoelectrodes improved with increasing bead size due to the enhanced electron transport through electrodes. The present HS-TB cells exhibit a noticeable improvement in the overall efficiency: maximum 9.54% (1200 nm) versus 5.83% for the reference cell made of a TiO2 nanocrystalline film.

The rapidly separating microneedles (RS-PP-MNs), composed of PVA (separable arrow head) MNs and a poly(L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide) (PLA) supporting array, are used for transdermal delivery system at high humidity. The fabricated RS-PP-MNs should have sufficient mechanical strength at different humidity. In general, the water adsorption rate was increased with increasing humidity; by contrast, storage time was decreased with increasing humidity. The higher water adsorption rate indicated the lower mechanical strength, thereby lowering drug delivery efficiency. The prepared RS-PP-MNs could be successfully inserted within the skin at high humid atmosphere due to PLA supporting array. The bright field and fluorescence microscopic images suggested the probable real-time applicability of RS-PP-MNs. The in vitro and in vivo assay suggested that RS-PP-MNs potentially were able to deliver the drugs at high humidity condition. The significant improvement in the drug delivery efficiency and skin penetration ability was observed compared with the traditional MNs. In addition, the fabrication of RS-PP-MNs is facile and scalable. Therefore, the prepared RS-PP-MNs with supporting solid PLA array might be advantageous in real-time applications. This study is of great importance for the MN field as it offers more theoretical support for clinical applications.

ABSTRACTBackgroundAs beauty consumption upgrades and skincare concepts evolve toward science‐backed efficacy, the field of cosmetology has put forward higher requirements for the dermal absorption efficiency of efficacious products. Notably, amid the global medical aesthetics market's 12.8% Compound Annual Growth Rate (projected to reach $35,327.5 million by 2030), rising demand for high‐efficacy cosmeceuticals has amplified the significance of a longstanding issue: the low transdermal efficiency of active ingredients due to skin barrier and molecular constraints. Various studies have explored different dermal absorption promotion methods, but there is a lack of a systematic review that encompasses all types of permeation promotion technologies.AimsThis review aims to systematically sort out the mechanism of dermal absorption and comprehensively summarize the commonly used permeation methods, in order to provide technical solutions for breaking through the barriers of active ingredient delivery and realizing the targeting effect of the skin in the deep layers of the skin.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of existing literature related to dermal absorption promotion methods, systematically organizing the mechanisms of dermal absorption and integrating the commonly used permeation approaches.ResultsActive ingredients show low transdermal efficiency due to skin barrier and molecular constraints, with permeation via epidermal pathways and appendages. Non‐invasive (chemical enhancers, nanocarriers, ultrasound) and invasive (microneedles, electroporation, needle‐free injectors) techniques exist, with combinations boosting efficacy.ConclusionsAppropriate dermal technology is crucial to solve the problem of low dermal efficiency of active ingredients. The systematic sorting of dermal absorption mechanisms and the comprehensive summary of commonly used permeation methods in this review can provide effective technical support for the development of high‐efficacy cosmeceuticals and the improvement of dermal penetration efficiency in the field of cosmetology.

Highly anisotropic carbonates require unique stimulation fluid placement methodologies and one of the ways to improve this is by utilizing degradable particulate material, which will be the focus of this manuscript. The primary objective was to help improve stimulation efficiency and reduce the number of stages, overall treatment time, and requirement for prolonged workover rig operations. A comparative evaluation between horizontal and vertical well geometries was also conducted to assess particulate placement behavior and diversion effectiveness. Degradable particulates were introduced as a temporary diversion agent during acid stimulation treatments in a carbonate reservoir with high permeability contrast. The particulate blend was engineered to fully degrade under downhole conditions to eliminate post-treatment intervention and across multiple field applications on both vertical and horizontal wellsReal-time data from pressure response, surface rates, and fluid distribution confirmed diversion performance. Post-treatment production data and wellbore imaging tools confirmed fluid coverage and zonal activation. The degradable-particulate diversion workflow delivered marked improvements in stimulation efficiency for both vertical and horizontal high-anisotropy carbonate wells. After a baseline matrix-acid schedule, particulates were injected between stages to temporarily seal treated zones and force acid into bypassed intervals at matrix stimulation rates. Real-time surface pressure records rose from 15% to 60% after each diversion stage, followed by a pressure drop with the 15% HCl, confirmingimproved fluid penetration homogeneity and effective zonal isolation. Post-operation tests showed uplift in stabilized oil rates and an observed increase in average wellhead pressure versus pretreatment values, which demonstrated the direct impact of improved fluid placement and reservoir contact. Encouraged by these gains, a transition occurred from complex ported work strings that struggle to apply the technology to simple open-end tubing with bridge plugs, which streamlined operations and extended diversion reach in longer intervals. This optimized design cut workover rig time by 25%, reduced stage count by 40%, and removed the requirement for straddle packers. Field-wide rollout sustained production increases of 25 to 35% for the treated wells, which established degradable particulates as a cost-effective, low-footprint solution that helped improve stimulation coverage in complex carbonate reservoirs. How degradable particulate diversion can simplify stimulation workflows and maximize treatment efficiency in complex carbonate reservoirs is highlighted. It also provides valuable insights into particulate behavior in various wellbore geometries, which helps improve the design of future stimulation strategies in anisotropic formations.

Fracturing bedrock formations using a pressurized fluid to increase hydrocarbon production has been around since 1866 (Hicks 2013). It has been used in unconventional formations for over six decades since George Mitchell started using it for shale formations (New York Times 2013). For most wells in North America, hydraulic fracturing is usually performed by plug-and-perf (Lehr 2021). To reduce operational complexity, time, and cost time and meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, operating companies are in a continuous search for alternative innovative fracturing systems. A new approach to traditional hydraulic fracturing was recently presented, together with several case histories from Texas, the U.S., and Alberta, Canada showing significantly improved project economics and lower environmental impact (Watkins et al. 2023a, b). Plug-and-perf uses a perforating shape charge gun (Simpson 2017) to trigger charges to create channels through the casing into the adjacent rock formation (Renpu 2011). When the downhole plug seals the well, the high-pressure fracturing fluid is diverted into the channels to fracture the shale formation. While the plug-and-perf method has successfully increased hydrocarbon production, there are areas that can be improved. One key area overdue for efficiency improvement is the perforation cluster efficiency (PCE) of the fracture formation since it is estimated that one-third of perforation clusters fail to extend and have low production efficiencies (Miller et al. 2011; Wheaton et al. 2014). A key problem is stress shadows (Nagel. 2015; Wang et al. 2022), where stresses play a considerable role in fracture formation. Perforations are placed in areas that the producers believe will result in maximum production, but the fracture propagates following underground conditions. This is typically away from earlier fractures. Consequently, the more stages near one another, the more skewed the stress shadows and the more inefficient the well due to the poor fracture network. If stress shadowing can be neutralized, it is likely that a well’s estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) or lifetime production could be one-third greater (Miller et al. 2011; Wheaton et al. 2014). The magnitude of the problem, especially considering the current ESG trend, means companies should investigate ways to enhance resource extraction—especially if it can be done without incurring additional operating expenses. A fracture follows the path of least resistance unless it is forced otherwise. When conventional perforating guns trigger a fracture, they "create long spiral-patterned perforations that leave the formation undertreated because fluid and proppant tend to flow and settle below the wellbore. Multiple spiral perforations also create competing fractures near the well that impede proppant and fluid penetration during treatment." (Dailey 2002; Li et al. 2022). This creates a bottom-heavy three-dimensional pattern that does not fully leverage the placement of the clusters within the target stage. This paper explores a newly developed and recently field deployed technology (Watkins et al. 2023a, b) that produces very long fractures in a two-dimensional pattern within a single plane in both limited entry and single-point entry fracturing. This new fracturing system described previously becomes a more efficient alternative to traditional plug-and-perf technology. This process forces fractures to stay in the targeted locations much further to significantly reduce the tendency for a fracture to intrude into adjacent fractures. The net result of keeping fractures within a single plane is a higher EUR over a well’s lifetime for a given unit of fracturing costs since the fractures form in the ideal locations that the producers identified beforehand.

Fracturing bedrock formations using a pressurized fluid to increase hydrocarbon production has been around since 1866 (Hicks 2013). It has been used in unconventional formations for over six decades since George Mitchell started using it for shale formations (New York Times 2013). For most wells in North America, hydraulic fracturing is usually performed by plug-and-perf (Lehr 2021). To reduce operational complexity, time, and cost time and meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, operating companies are in a continuous search for alternative innovative fracturing systems. A new approach to traditional hydraulic fracturing was recently presented, together with several case histories from Texas, the U.S., and Alberta, Canada, showing significantly improved project economics and lower environmental impact (Watkins et al. 2023a, b). Plug-and-perf uses a perforating shape charge gun (Simpson 2017) to trigger charges to create channels through the casing into the adjacent rock formation (Renpu 2011). When the downhole plug seals the well, the high-pressure fracturing fluid is diverted into the channels to fracture the shale formation. While the plug-and-perf method has successfully increased hydrocarbon production, there are areas that can be improved. One key area overdue for efficiency improvement is the perforation cluster efficiency (PCE) of the fracture formation since it is estimated that one-third of perforation clusters fail to extend and have low production efficiencies (Miller et al. 2011; Wheaton et al. 2014). A key problem is stress shadows (Nagel. 2015; Wang et al. 2022), where stresses play a considerable role in fracture formation. Perforations are placed in areas that the producers believe will result in maximum production, but the fracture propagates following underground conditions. This is typically away from earlier fractures. Consequently, the more stages near one another, the more skewed the stress shadows and the more inefficient the well due to the poor fracture network. If stress shadowing can be neutralized, it is likely that a well’s estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) or lifetime production could be one-third greater, given around half of all perforations do not propagate (see Fig. 1 cf. Miller et al. 2011; Wheaton et al. 2014). The magnitude of the problem, especially considering the current ESG trend, means companies should investigate ways to enhance resource extraction—especially if it can be done without incurring additional operating expenses. Figure 1 Many perforations do not propagate, and a minority produces most of the production (Bere 2020; Rahim 2017). A fracture follows the path of least resistance. When conventional perforating guns trigger a fracture, they "create long spiral-patterned perforations that leave the formation undertreated because fluid and proppant tend to flow and settle below the wellbore. Multiple spiral perforations also create competing fractures near the well that impede proppant and fluid penetration during treatment." (Dailey 2002; Li et al. 2022). This creates a bottom-heavy three-dimensional pattern that does not fully leverage the placement of the clusters within the target stage. This paper explores a newly developed and field-deployed technology that produces very long fractures in a two-dimensional pattern within a single plane in both limited entry and single-point entry fracturing. This new fracturing system described previously (Watkins et al. 2023a, b) becomes a more efficient alternative to traditional plug-and-perf technology. This process forces fractures to stay in the targeted locations much further to significantly reduce the tendency for a fracture to intrude into adjacent fractures. The net result of keeping fractures within a single plane is a higher EUR over a well’s lifetime for a given unit of fracturing costs since the fractures form in the ideal locations that the producers identified beforehand. In addition, the new technology utilizes much lower carbon emissions during completions than plug and perf, especially when cradle-to-grave CO2 emissions are considered.

The paper performed comparative assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends and climate change mitigation policies in the fuel combustion sector of selected EU member states with similar economic development levels and historical pasts, and implementing main EU energy and climate change mitigation policies, having achieved different success in GHG emission reduction. The impact of climate change mitigation policies on GHG emission reduction was assessed based on analysis of countries’ reports to UNFCCC by identifying the key areas of GHG emission reduction, their GHG emission reduction potential, and the driving forces behind them. The study revealed that climate change mitigation policies that have been implemented so far in Bulgaria are less efficient than in Lithuania, as Bulgaria places priorities not on energy efficiency improvement and penetration of renewable energy sources, but on switching from coal to natural gas. The policy implications for strengthening GHG emissions reduction efforts are provided based on analysis conducted.

Worldwide, household electronic appliances represent a very dynamic market segment, accounting for a significant share of household energy demand. In Switzerland, household electronic appliances consumed 5.3 PJ (1.5 TWh) or 8.2% of the residential sector’s electricity demand. According to historical trends, improved energy efficiency has been counteracting increased size, enhanced functionality and growing numbers of consumer electronics. A stock model is developed to describe the evolution of the appliances in use and the corresponding energy use. Apart from analysing past trends, we develop scenarios for the future based on simplified assumptions for energy efficiency improvement and penetration rates. We find that the competing aforementioned trends may keep the total energy demand of this product category at today’s level until 2035. Our energy efficiency cost curves show that the current energy saving potential is close to 1 PJ or 18% but that the related measures are not cost-effective when taking today’s perspective of a consumer who is faced with the choice among energy-efficient products currently offered on the market. Based on our findings for today’s commercially available portfolio of products, it therefore currently does not seem reasonable to recommend proactive, consumer-oriented policies for household electronic appliances (such as rebates). Instead, the findings indicate that producer-oriented policy measures should be pursued, ensuring continuous R&D and implementation of energy efficiency technologies including standby loss minimization related to connected appliances and wireless charging.