bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY OF OILS FROM MYANMAR – A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
Authors: Bojesen‐Koefoed Jørgen A. , Fyhn Michael B. W. , Nytoft H. Peter , Nielsen Lars H. , Schovsbo Niels H. , Abatzis Ioannis
Published: September 2021

Myanmar has a long history of petroleum production, but little information has so far been published pertaining to the detailed composition of the country's oils. The present paper reports the results of the analysis of a total of 28 Cenozoic oil samples collected from producing fields/wells or natural seepages in the onshore Salin and Chindwin Basins of the Central Myanmar Depression and from Ramree Island in the Rakhine Coastal Belt. In addition, a set of 68 mudstones and coals from four Oligocene – Paleocene formations were collected along the western margin of the Central Myanmar Depression and were analysed for petroleum generation potential. Data on five oil samples from the Assam Province of India, situated to the north of the Central Myanmar Depression, were also included in the study for comparison purposes.

Previous studies have suggested that the Eocene succession in the Central Myanmar Depression includes organic‐rich source rocks. However, none of the analysed rock samples show any potential for the generation of appreciable amounts of liquid petroleum components. The samples were collected at the basin margin and only cover a small fraction of the succession, and they are probably not therefore representative of the actual source rocks present in deeply buried kitchen areas in the Central Myanmar Depression.

The oils from the Central Myanmar Depression appear to have been generated from the same overall source type, which is dominated by terrigenous, higher land‐plant –derived kerogen. Several different parameters consistently show clear north–south trends in the Salin Basin with respect to both thermal maturity and source facies. Oils from the Chindwin Basin in the north of the depression can be distinguished from those of the Salin Basin further south using subtle variations in biomarkers. The oils collected from Ramree Island represent a different basin and are easily distinguished in that they are generated from a predominantly marine source rock, albeit one with a significant terrigenous input. However, one sample from Ramree Island was generated from a predominantly terrigenous source, which may suggest the existence of two viable petroleum systems in the Rakhine Coastal Belt or of marked facies variations within the source succession.

Oils from the Central Myanmar Depression and the Assam Province of India are remarkably similar, thus suggesting generation from highly similar source rock types, presumably of Eocene age. This could be a result of these two areas being physically connected during the Eocene as suggested by modern plate reconstructions.
SOURCE ROCK EVALUATION AND BASIN MODELLING IN THE GORGAN PLAIN, SE SOUTH CASPIAN BASIN, NORTHERN IRAN
Authors: Zeinalzadeh A. , Sharafi M. , Mirshahani M. , Shirzadi A.
Published: September 2021

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Gorgan Plain to the SE of the South Caspian Basin (northern Iran) has taken place since the 1960s but no economic resources of petroleum have yet been discovered in this area and few studies of potential source rocks have been carried out. In this study, the generation potential and thermal maturity of potential Cenozoic source rocks are investigated on the basis of Rock‐Eval analyses of core and cuttings samples and organic petrographic observations. Hydrocarbon generation, migration and entrapment are evaluated from 2D basin modelling along two seismically‐derived profiles, oriented east‐west and north‐south across the Gorgan Plain area. The models used input data from ten wells.

Rock‐Eval analysis of 65 samples from well C in the Gorgan Plain show that organic‐rich intervals with source rock potential are present in the Paleocene‐Eocene section (1.1% TOC) and in the Pliocene Cheleken Formation (1.5% TOC). These intervals in general contain organic matter of terrigenous origin (kerogen Type III) but have poor hydrocarbon generation potential (i.e. Rock‐Eval S1+S2). There is no evidence for an organic‐rich interval in the Oligocene – Miocene succession equivalent to the Maikop Group – Diatom Formation which is a major source rock in eastern Azerbaijan and the adjacent offshore.

Results of 2D basin modelling indicate that potential source rocks in the Paleocene – Eocene and Pliocene (Cheleken Formation) intervals are thermally immature throughout most of the study area, but that their maturity increases westwards towards the centre of the South Caspian Basin due to the increasing thickness of the overburden. The source rocks may be sufficiently mature in kitchen areas (at depths of more than 4000 m) to have generated hydrocarbons which may have migrated laterally updip to the basin margins.
Telomere dysfunction is associated with dark‐induced bleaching in the reef coral Stylophora pistillata
Authors: Rouan Alice , Pousse Mélanie , Tambutté Eric , Djerbi Nadir , Zozaya William , Capasso Laura , Zoccola Didier , Tambutté Sylvie , Gilson Eric
Published: September 2021

Telomere DNA length is a complex trait controlled by both multiple loci and environmental factors. A growing number of studies are focusing on the impact of stress and stress accumulation on telomere length and the link with survival and fitness in ecological contexts. Here, we investigated the telomere changes occurring in a symbiotic coral, Stylophora pistillata, that has experienced continuous darkness over 6 months. This stress condition led to the loss of its symbionts in a similar manner to that observed during large‐scale bleaching events due to climate changes and anthropogenic activities, threatening reef ecosystems worldwide. We found that continuous darkness was associated with telomere length shortening. This result, together with a phylogenetic analysis of the telomere coral proteins and a transcriptome survey of the continuous darkness condition, paves the way for future studies on the role of telomeres in the coral stress response and the importance of environmentally induced telomere shortening in endangered coral species.
Validation of guidelines for the care of patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: do Nascimento Joni Carlos , Sanches Mariana Bucci , Souza Regina Claudia Silva
Published: September 2021

Background

Continuous renal replacement therapy is one of the most frequently used treatments for acute kidney injury (AKI) in intensive care units (ICUs). It requires professionals with specialized knowledge, specific facilities, and care guidelines to ensure appropriate clinical practice.

Aim

To validate the care guidelines for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy.

Method

This is a methodological study regarding consensual validation of the directives of care. These directives followed the formulation of the research question, a literature review, elaboration of the directive, and validation of the agreement by a committee consisting of seven expert judges.

Results

The data were analysed based on the content validity index and described in four categories. Among 40 care‐related items, 95% showed a degree of agreement above 80% for adequacy and 82.5% showed a degree of agreement above 75% for relevance.

Conclusion

The care‐related items identified in the literature showed a high percentage of agreement among the judges and reflected the treatment requirements of these patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

The guideline will be important to assist in the care process regarding patient safety and quality of care.
Three‐Dimensional Distribution of Bone‐Resorption Lesions in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Based on the Three‐Pillar Classification
Authors: Liu Guang‐bo , Lu Qiang , Meng Hao‐ye , Quan Qi , Zhang Yu‐xuan , Li Huo , Ma Hai‐yang , Zhao Jun , Wang Peng , Zhou Xue‐feng , Peng Jiang
Published: September 2021

Objective

To investigate three‐dimensional distribution of bone‐resorptive lesions based on the three‐pillar classification and its effect on the disease progression of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

Methods

A total of 194 femoral head CT images from 117 patients diagnosed with ARCO stage II and III ONFH were retrospectively reviewed from April 2014 to February 2019. Three‐dimensional structures of the femoral head and the bone‐resorptive lesions were reconstructed. Using the three‐pillar classification and coronal plane of the femoral head, we divided each femoral head into six regions to observe the location characteristics of bone‐resorption lesions, and explore the destruction of different areas of the femoral head by the bone‐resorptive lesions. Then the hips were divided into two groups based on whether they contained bone‐resorption lesions and compared the difference of stage II and stage III between the two groups.

Results

The regional distribution revealed 39 (27.27%), 55 (38.46%), six (4.20%), 23 (16.08%), 17 (11.89%) and three (2.10%) bone‐resorptive lesions in regions I, II, III, IV, V and VI respectively. The lateral pillar, AL (I + IV), contained 44.76% of the lesions, central pillar, C (II + V), 48.95%, and medial pillar, M (III + VI), 6.29%. Moreover, there were 81.82% bone‐resorption lesions in anterolateral pillar, AL (I + II + IV), and 18.18% in posteromedial pillar, PM (III + V + VI). In all ONFH hips, the lateral pillar of 81(88.04%) femoral heads were affected, the central pillar of 84 (91.30%) femoral heads were affected, and the medical pillar of 29 (31.52%) femoral heads were affected. The ratio of ARCO stage III in the group with bone‐resorption lesions was significantly higher than that of the group without bone‐resorption lesions (76.09% vs 30.39%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that the bone‐resorption lesions are mainly distributed in the lateral and central pillar of the femoral head, and the two pillars of the femoral head are usually involved by bone‐resorption lesions. Furthermore, the ratio of ARCO stage III in the group with bone‐resorption lesions was significantly higher than that of the group without bone‐resorption lesions, suggesting that the bone‐resorption lesions might accelerate the progression of ONFH.
Misdiagnosis of capillary malformations in darker skin phototypes
Authors: Nriagu Bede N. , Sanders Victoria R. , Bercovitch Lionel , Snyder Kristen , Cross Elizabeth A. , Treat James R. , Sheppard Sarah E.
Published: September 2021

In the dermatologic medical literature, there is an underrepresentation of conditions in individuals of color. Due to the lack of representation, it may be harder for clinicians to recognize certain diagnoses in patients with darker skin phototypes leading to misdiagnosis and affecting overall patient management, outcomes, and satisfaction. Here, we present four Black or Indigenous People of Color who were initially referred for hyperpigmentation, hemihyperplasia, or café au lait spots and found to have syndromic capillary malformations.
On the semantics of artifactual kind terms
Authors: Olivero Irene , Carrara Massimiliano
Published: September 2021

What kind of reference (if any) do terms such as “pencil,” “chair,” “television,” and so on have? On the matter, a debate between directly referential theorists and descriptivist theorists is open. It is largely acknowledged that natural kind terms (such as “water,” “gold,” “tiger,” etc.) are directly referential expressions (cf. Putnam, 1975). That is, they are expressions whose reference is determined by their referents' nature, independent of whether we know or will ever know what this nature is. However, it does not seem likewise convincing that all artifactual kind terms (like “pencil,” “chair,” “television,” etc.) semantically behave the same. Terms for artifactual kinds seem more likely to be subjected to a descriptivist view, that is, definable not by links to their extensions' nature but in terms of conjunctions or clusters of properties. In his celebrated “The Meaning of ‘Meaning’” (1975), Hilary Putnam originated the mentioned debate by arguing that artifactual kind terms also refer directly. Thus, the discussion ultimately revolves around establishing whether artifactual and natural kind terms are both directly referential expressions. The authors engaged in this debate have tried to argue in favor of (or against) Putnam's proposal by highlighting the similarities (or differences) between natural vis‐à‐vis artifactual kind words and their respective referents. This paper aims to provide a thorough and reasoned overview of the debate at stake, pointing out trends and problems associated with each proposed account.
Social construction and the diffusion of anti‐trafficking laws in the U.S.
Authors: Blanton Robert G. , Jones Peter A.
Published: September 2021

Human trafficking is a compelling and persistent problem that has attracted a great amount of attention among political leaders, government institutions, NGOs, and nonprofit organizations. While there is consensus that trafficking necessitates a multipronged policy response commonly known as the “3Ps” (prosecution, protection, and prevention), anti‐trafficking policies diffused across U.S. states in a piecemeal fashion. In this paper, we explore the fragmented diffusion of the different types of anti‐trafficking laws. Drawing from social constructivist approaches, we posit that the differential diffusion rates depend on the social construction of the target population and policy intention of the law. Using event history analysis, we examine the diffusion of 14 types of human trafficking laws throughout the U.S. during 2003–2013. We find strong support for our hypotheses and show substantial differences in the rates at which prosecution, protection, and prevention‐related laws diffuse.
Boosting the Understanding and Approval of Anti‐Corona Measures–Reducing Exponential Growth Bias and its Effects through Educational Nudges
Authors: Jäckle Sebastian , Ettensperger Felix
Published: September 2021

One major problem of compliance with anti‐coronavirus measures originates from the so‐called exponential growth bias, i.e. the cognitive distortion of systematically underestimating exponential growth and its consequences. We replicate an Amazon MTurk experiment regarding the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 that was conducted in the general US population during the first wave of the pandemic in March 2020 dealing with this bias. Using a least‐likely‐design‐approach, we find a similarly strong bias in our sample of German students in November 2020. Nevertheless, this bias can be reduced by one simple educational intervention. Furthermore, participants who received these educational nudges showed a considerably higher approval rating for contact restrictions. This effect is robust to different analytical techniques and the inclusion of controls. Complementing political statements about the exponential spread of the virus – which often only mention the name of the phenomenon – with simple educational nudges could help the public better understand the need for encroachments on personal liberties.
Vertebral heart size and vertebral left atrial size reference ranges in healthy Maltese dogs
Authors: Baisan Radu Andrei , Vulpe Vasile
Published: September 2021

The most common cardiac measurements on thoracic radiography in veterinary medicine are vertebral heart size (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS). Previously published studies have demonstrated evidence that reference ranges for these measures vary among different dog breeds, however reference ranges for Maltese breed dogs are currently lacking. We hypothesized that VHS and VLAS in healthy Maltese dogs would not be influenced by sex, age, or bodyweight. This retrospective, reference interval study aimed to describe reference intervals for VHS and VLAS in a sample of clinically healthy Maltese dogs and assess the intra‐ and interobserver variabilities for VLAS and VHS measurements. A total of 81 clinically healthy Maltese dogs were included, with healthy status being based on a complete cardiologic examination. Thoracic radiography in right lateral recumbency was performed for all dogs. The intra‐ and interobserver variability assessments of VHS and VLAS were based on measurements independently performed by three observers. The mean VHS was 9.53 ± 0.46 vertebrae (v). The median and interquartile range (IQR) for VLAS was 2 v (IQR, 1.8‐2.1v). A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was observed between VHS and VLAS (P < .01,r = 0.416). Both VHS and VLAS showed an almost perfect intraobserver agreement. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect for VHS and substantial for VLAS. Findings supported previous studies recommending the use of breed‐specific reference values for VHS and VLAS, and provided background data for future radiographic evaluations of Maltese dogs with clinical signs of cardiac disease.
Presentación del dossier Género y Cultura Colonial
Authors: Ruiz Tresgallo Silvia
Published: September 2021

Este dossier forma parte del proyecto de investigación “Voces silenciadas por la historia: la mujer en la literatura y la producción cultural del barroco americano” registrado para el periodo 2019-2021 en la Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (México), cuenta con el apoyo externo del Prodep y fue dirigido por Silvia Ruiz Tresgallo. Dentro de las labores de revisión de los artículos incluidos en este dossier han participado las estudiantes María Valentina Díaz Herrera (Licenciatura en Lenguas Modernas Inglés, UAQ) y Mayra Hernández Ávila (Maestría en la Enseñanza de los Estudios Literarios, UAQ).
Mariana de Oliva, criada india de Santa Rosa de Lima: vida y textos
Authors: Firbas Paul
Published: September 2021

Este trabajo estudia los textos de la canonización de Santa de Rosa de Lima, preparados en esa ciudad entre 1617-1618 y 1630-1632, y sus primeras hagiografías publicadas en el siglo XVII en Europa. Mediante el estudio de diversos testimonios, narraciones e información, y de sus variantes, se reconstruye la participación de la criada Mariana de Oliva, “india ladina”, en la vida de Rosa y en la producción de su santidad, entendida como un fenómeno textual y como la manifestación de una cultura urbana multiétnica.
Voces silenciadas por la historia: la hechicera Juana García o la obliteración de la afrodescendencia
Authors: Ruiz Tresgallo Silvia
Published: September 2021

Este ensayo pretende ahondar en el relato “Un negocio con Juana García”, incluido en el capítulo IX de El Carnero. Proponemos que el texto, a través de la representación de la partera Juana y sus hijas, visibiliza la vulnerabilidad ante la ley de las mujeres afrodescendientes en el Nuevo Reino de Granada. Nuestro análisis revela que la etnia de las protagonistas resulta instrumental tanto en la criminalización de sus actividades, relacionadas por los eclesiásticos con la hechicería, como en su expulsión del espacio colonial al que, según las autoridades, no tienen derecho a pertenecer.
Tuning Crumpled Sheets for An Enhanced Flexoelectric Response
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Lingling , Wang Binglei , Yang Shengyou , Sharma Pradeep
Published: September 2021

Flexoelectricity is a universal phenomenon present in all dielectrics that couples electrical polarization to strain gradients and vice-versa. Thus, structures and configurations that permit large strain gradients facilitate the design of an enhanced electromechanical coupling. In a recent work, we demonstrated the prospects for using crumpling of essentially arbitrary thin sheets for energy harvesting. Crumples, with their defect-like nature, admit singular and rapidly varying deformation fields and are thus ideal for engineering sharp non-uniformities in the strain field. In this work, we consider how to tune the design of crumpled sheets for a significant flexoelectric response. Specifically, we analytically derive the electromechanical coupling for a thin crumpled sheet with varying thickness and graded Young’s modulus as key design variables. We show that the electromechanical coupling of such crumpled sheets can be tuned to be nearly five times those of the homogeneous film.
Direct and Inverse Model for Single-Hole Film Cooling With Machine Learning
Authors: Xing Haifeng , Luo Lei , Du Wei , Wang Songtao
Published: September 2021

The direct prediction model for adiabatic film cooling effectiveness distribution and inverse prediction model for design parameters are studied in this article. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are trained on a set of simulated adiabatic film cooling effectiveness contours parameterized by blowing ratio, density ratio, mainstream turbulence intensity, injection angle, and compound angle. The direct model and the inverse model are able to approximate the data in the test set with plausible accuracy. The absolute error of spatial averaged effectiveness no larger than 0.03 could be obtained in the test set by a direct model with time consumption less than 1 ms for a single case. The inverse model is the first model of its kind, which accomplished the inverse mapping from contours to parameters. It has been demonstrated that the concatenation of inverse model with the pretrained direct model, which can be treated as a complex loss function, has preferable approximation performance compared with simple mean squared error (MSE) loss function in the training of the inverse model, thus confirming the necessity of adopting specialized modeling strategies for inverse problems.
Smart Pump Station for Cross Country Pipelines
Authors: Ibrahim V. Shiyas , Kumar T. Jonathan Sampath
Published: September 2021

Cross-country pipelines are the safest mode of transportation for petroleum products. A typical hydrocarbon multi-product cross-country pipeline network consists of Dispatch station, cross-country Pipeline, Intermediate Pump Stations, Sectionalizing Valve Stations, intermediate pigging stations and Receipt Stations. Dispatch station, Intermediate Pump Stations and Receipt stations are manned stations to meet the operational and maintenance requirements in the pipeline network. Since pipelines operate round the clock, operations work force are required on 24 × 7 basis at these control rooms. Typically, work force expenses account for more than 25% of total operating cost.

Cross-country pipelines are often laid in areas away from Urban and Industrialized areas. Intermediate Booster stations are also mostly located in remote areas. The work force operating these stations have to stay in hardship locations to ensure pipeline operations are unhindered.

In order to optimize the work force requirements at Intermediate Pump stations and to ensure seamless and safe operations, it is proposed to construct Smart pump stations. The smart pump stations are intelligent enough with state of the art instrumentation to be monitored / controlled / operated from a remote controlling station which is a non-hardship location. The smart pump stations are designed such that it will have self-sufficient systems which will require minimum human interface from remote controlling stations.

HPCL has implemented the smart pump station design philosophy in its ongoing Vijayawada Dharmapuri Pipeline project wherein two Intermediate Pump (IP) stations viz. Donakonda & Kalakada are designed and are being constructed as smart pump stations which are being completely automated and will be remotely monitored / controlled from remote controlling stations at Vijayawada & Kadapa respectively.

Design philosophy of Smart Stations entails developing a completely new and a tailor made design philosophy for Process, mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, cathodic protection system, SCADA, Telecom & allied systems, fire & safety and accordingly getting all the equipment selected / manufactured / installed / commissioned.
Several of Emerging Technological Developments, Innovation and Implementation Case for Pipelines
Authors: Janrao Balkrishna
Published: September 2021

Considering “Pipeline Industry’s Need of the Hour - Self Reliance and Emerging Technology Trends” as theme of pipeline conference, my submission of paper is on several use cases on technology and innovation for pipeline’s different life cycle phases.

There are continual developments in pipeline industry and several of technologies were successfully implemented or under consideration phase for implementation for pipeline industry.

In all phases of pipeline lifecycle of material management, project implementation as well in Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of pipeline. Several technological changes as well several of innovations in existing systems are of extensive use for enhancing pipeline safety, reliability, monitoring system as well ease of operations and maintenance. Many of systems been used for other purposes and are of great use for pipelines.

This paper discusses on few of such technologies and their implementation for pipelines.
Behind Closed Doors; Pipeline Closures and Traps Revisited
Authors: Solanki Hemantkumar , Variya Pradip
Published: September 2021

Pipeline doors or “closures” are commonplace in the pipeline industry, providing access to the pipeline as well as to high-pressure equipment associated with the pipeline such as filters, separators, strainers, etc. Despite their prevalence, the importance of closures to the safe and efficient operation of a pipeline system is often overlooked. Recent changes in closure definitions and terminology warrant a review of the systems, applicable standards, designs and considerations related to choosing a closure for a desired purpose.

Closure can be defined differently, one definition, for example, is a pressure-containing component used to blind off an opening nozzle on a vessel or end of pipeline which could mean simply a bolted blind flange, a T-bolt cap. Others define a “quick-opening” closure as a pressure-containing component used for repeated access to the interior of a piping system. So clearly there are several ways the current codes can be interpreted, but what does it all mean?

In addition to the changes in definitions and terminology on the closures, during the design of the traps, many different codes and standards may be applied. Both the product that will be transported and where the equipment will be located can impact on the materials and the design of the traps. This can include the transitions from one design code to another, commonly referred to as breaks in the specifications, or “spec breaks”.

This paper will focus on quick-actuating and quick-opening closures, presenting a history of pipeline closures from the early development to recent innovations. Also, the paper will address the issue of spec breaks and how designers and owners can benefit from the right choices for safe, cost effective and code compliant launch and receive facilities.
Comparison of cloud-based ion trap and superconducting quantum computer architectures
Authors: Blinov S. , Wu B. , Monroe C.
Published: September 2021

Quantum computing represents a radical departure from conventional approaches to information processing, offering the potential for solving problems that can never be approached classically. While large-scale quantum computer hardware is still in development, several quantum computing systems have recently become available as commercial cloud services. The authors compare the performance of IBMQ-16-Melbourne, IBMQ-Vigo, and Rigetti Aspen-8 superconducting systems, and IonQ ion trap systems on several simple quantum circuits and algorithms and examine component performance in the context of each system's architecture.
Investigating the magnetic and atomic interface configuration for a model Fe/CrN bilayer system
Authors: Alam Khan , Ponce-Pérez Rodrigo , Sun Kai , Foley Andrew , Takeuchi Noboru , Smith Arthur R.
Published: September 2021

A bilayer of iron on chromium nitride (Fe/CrN) is an interesting system for exchange biasing and sensing applications as the Néel temperature of CrN is 280 K and the Curie temperature of Fe is 1043 K. In this paper, we study the crystal and magnetic structures of the Fe/CrN interface at the atomic level. High quality epitaxial Fe/CrN bilayers prepared by molecular beam epitaxy grow in 001 orientation on MgO(001) substrates with uniform layer thicknesses and sharp interfaces. Our data reveal the epitaxial correlation between Fe and CrN crystals and their magnetic structures at the interface. The magnetic anisotropy directions of Fe and CrN are found parallel to [110]MgO. We studied the electronic and magnetic properties of the interface by performing the first-principles total-energy calculations. We present a model that combines the crystal and magnetic structures of the Fe/CrN bilayer and fully explains all results.
Modulation masking and fine structure shape neural envelope coding to predict speech intelligibility across diverse listening conditions
Authors: Viswanathan Vibha , Bharadwaj Hari M. , Shinn-Cunningham Barbara G. , Heinz Michael G.
Published: September 2021

A fundamental question in the neuroscience of everyday communication is how scene acoustics shape the neural processing of attended speech sounds and in turn impact speech intelligibility. While it is well known that the temporal envelopes in target speech are important for intelligibility, how the neural encoding of target-speech envelopes is influenced by background sounds or other acoustic features of the scene is unknown. Here, we combine human electroencephalography with simultaneous intelligibility measurements to address this key gap. We find that the neural envelope-domain signal-to-noise ratio in target-speech encoding, which is shaped by masker modulations, predicts intelligibility over a range of strategically chosen realistic listening conditions unseen by the predictive model. This provides neurophysiological evidence for modulation masking. Moreover, using high-resolution vocoding to carefully control peripheral envelopes, we show that target-envelope coding fidelity in the brain depends not only on envelopes conveyed by the cochlea, but also on the temporal fine structure (TFS), which supports scene segregation. Our results are consistent with the notion that temporal coherence of sound elements across envelopes and/or TFS influences scene analysis and attentive selection of a target sound. Our findings also inform speech-intelligibility models and technologies attempting to improve real-world speech communication.
The Impact of Concussion Education on Injury Disclosure in High School Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Hansbarger Alyson , Thomson Ryan , Mansell Jamie L. , Tierney Ryan T.
Published: September 2021

Clinical Scenario: Sport-related concussions are common injuries during sport-related activities. Evaluations of these injuries involve symptom reporting. Unfortunately, concussion symptoms are widely underreported by athletes, and can lead to longer recovery times. Concussion education programs were created to encourage reporting of symptoms by athletes. Clinical Question: Does concussion education impact injury disclosure in high school athletes? Summary of Key Findings: Three studies were included in this appraisal. Two studies utilized an educational lecture, and one study utilized an informational video providing the concussion education. All three studies found significant increases in injury history disclosure from pre-education to immediate post-education. Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence to support the idea that education has a positive impact on concussion reporting behaviors. These studies found positive results immediately following concussion education therefore it may be beneficial to provide concussion education several times a year. Strength of Recommendation: There is Level B evidence to support the idea that implementing concussion education will impact concussion reporting behaviors as it pertains to injury history disclosure.
Efficient One-Step Biocatalytic Multienzyme Cascade Strategy for Direct Conversion of Phytosterol to C-17-Hydroxylated Steroids
Authors: Tang Rui , Ren Xiaoxian , Xia Menglei , Shen Yanbing , Tu Linna , Luo Jianmei , Zhang Qi , Wang Yuying , Ji Peilin , Wang Min
Published: September 2021

Steroid C-17-carbonyl reduction is one of the important transformations for the production of valuable steroidal medicines or intermediates for the further synthesis of steroidal medicines, but it remains a challenge through either chemical or biological synthesis. Phytosterol can be obtained from low-cost residues of waste natural materials, and it is preferred as the economical and applicable substrate for steroid medicine production by
Mycobacterium
.
Transcriptional Regulation of Congocidine (Netropsin) Biosynthesis and Resistance
Authors: Vingadassalon Audrey , Lorieux Florence , Juguet Maud , Noël Alba , Santos Luisa D. F. , Marin Fernandez Laura , Pernodet Jean-Luc , Bury-Moné Stéphanie , Lautru Sylvie
Published: September 2021

Understanding the mechanisms of regulation of specialized metabolite production can have important implications both at the level of specialized metabolism study (expression of silent gene clusters) and the biotechnological level (increase of the production of a metabolite of interest). We report here a study on the regulation of the biosynthesis of a metabolite from the pyrrolamide family, congocidine.
The Lytic Siphophage vB_StyS-LmqsSP1 Reduces the Number of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Isolates on Chicken Skin
Authors: Shakeri Golshan , Hammerl Jens A. , Jamshidi Abdollah , Ghazvini Kiarash , Rohde Manfred , Szabo Istvan , Kehrenberg Corinna , Plötz Madeleine , Kittler Sophie
Published: September 2021

Salmonella entericais one of the major global causes of foodborne enteritis in humans. The use of chemical sanitizers for reducing bacterial pathogens in the food chain can result in the spread of bacterial resistance.
Independent Evolution of a Lysergic Acid Amide in Aspergillus Species
Authors: Jones Abigail M. , Steen Chey R. , Panaccione Daniel G.
Published: September 2021

Lysergic acid derivatives are specialized metabolites with historical, agricultural, and medical significance and were known heretofore only from fungi in one family, the Clavicipitaceae. Our data show that several
Aspergillus
species, representing a different family of fungi, also produce lysergic acid derivatives and that the ability to put lysergic acid into its amide forms evolved independently in the two lineages of fungi.
Current Developments in Diagnostic Assays for Laboratory Confirmation and Investigation of Botulism
Authors: Centurioni Dominick A. , Egan Christina T. , Perry Michael J.
Published: September 2021

Detection of botulinum neurotoxin or isolation of the toxin-producing organism is required for the laboratory confirmation of botulism in clinical specimens. In an effort to reduce animal testing required by the gold standard method of botulinum neurotoxin detection, the mouse bioassay, many technologies have been developed to detect and characterize the causative agent of botulism.
High Prevalence of Coinfecting Enteropathogens in Suspected Rotavirus Vaccine Breakthrough Cases
Authors: Simsek Ceren , Bloemen Mandy , Jansen Daan , Beller Leen , Descheemaeker Patrick , Reynders Marijke , Van Ranst Marc , Matthijnssens Jelle
Published: September 2021

Despite the global use of rotavirus vaccines, vaccine breakthrough cases remain a pediatric health problem. In this study, we investigated suspected rotavirus vaccine breakthrough cases using next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based viral metagenomics (
n
 = 102) and a panel of semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) (
n
 = 92) targeting known enteric pathogens.
An Osmotic Laxative Renders Mice Susceptible to Prolonged Clostridioides difficile Colonization and Hinders Clearance
Authors: Tomkovich Sarah , Taylor Ana , King Jacob , Colovas Joanna , Bishop Lucas , McBride Kathryn , Royzenblat Sonya , Lesniak Nicholas A. , Bergin Ingrid L. , Schloss Patrick D.
Published: September 2021

Diarrheal samples from patients taking laxatives are typically rejected for
Clostridioides difficile
testing. However, there are similarities between the bacterial communities from people with diarrhea and those with
C. difficile
infections (CDIs), including lower diversity than the communities from healthy patients.
Zoonotic Transmission of
Blastocystis
Subtype 1 among People in Eastern Communities of Thailand: Organic Fertilizer from Pig Feces as a Potential Source
Authors: Ruang-areerate Toon , Piyaraj Phunlerd , Suwannahitatorn Picha , Ruang-areerate Panthita , Thita Thunyapit , Naaglor Tawee , Witee Umaporn , Sakboonyarat Boonsub , Leelayoova Saovanee , Mungthin Mathirut
Published: September 2021

Blastocystis
sp. remains a public health problem among people, particularly in rural areas of many developing countries. The infection usually reflects poor sanitation in communities by waterborne, zoonotic, and person-to-person transmission.
Rapid and Quantitative Detection of Human Antibodies against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus SARS CoV2 and Its Variants as a Result of Vaccination and Infection
Authors: Taubner Benjamin , Peredo-Wende Ruben , Ramani Ananthakrishnan , Singh Gurpreet , Strle Klemen , Cady Nathaniel C.
Published: September 2021

In this work, a novel biosensor technology was used to measure antibody levels that resulted from vaccination against COVID-19 and/or from infection with the virus. Importantly, this approach enables quantification of antibody levels, which can provide information about the timing and level of immune response.
Antenatal corticosteroids and neurodevelopmental outcomes in late preterm births
Authors: Aviram Amir , Murphy Kellie , McDonald Sarah , Asztalos Elizabeth , Zaltz Arthur , Redelmeier Donald , Shah Baiju , Barrett Jon , Melamed Nir
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) decrease neonatal mortality and morbidity among preterm neonates, yet there has been concern regarding their long-term safety. We hypothesised that potential long-term adverse effects of ACS may be observed among infants born during the late preterm period (LPT, 340/7–366/7weeks of gestation), when the benefits of ACS are subtle.

Design

Population-based, retrospective cohort.

Setting

Ontario, Canada, between 2006 and 2011.

Patients

All live singleton infants born during the LPT period with a minimum 5-year follow-up.

Interventions

Exposure to ACS prior to 340/7weeks of gestation.

Main outcome measures

Suspected neurocognitive disorder, audiometry testing or visual testing.

Results

Overall, 25 668 infants were eligible for analysis, of whom 2689 (10.5%) received ACS. Infants in the ACS group had lower mean birth weight and higher rates of birth weight <10th percentile, neonatal resuscitation and neonatal intensive care unit admission. At 5 years of age, ACS exposure was associated with an increased risk of suspected neurocognitive disorder (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.12, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.20), audiometry testing (aHR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.31) and visual testing (aHR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11).

Conclusion

In children born during the LPT period, exposure to ACS prior to 340/7weeks of gestation is associated with an increased utilisation of the healthcare system related to audiometry and visual testing and suspected neurocognitive disorders by 5 years of age.
Erdheim-Chester disease: a rare non-Langerhans histiocytosis
Authors: Costa Sofia , Julião Maria José , Silva Sónia , Brito Manuel João
Published: September 2021

A 3-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with diabetes insipidus and a left eye proptosis. During investigation of diabetes insipidus, an extensive osteolytic mass, involving skull base and maxillo-facial bones, was revealed. Biopsy exhibited dense infiltrate of foamy histiocytes, which were positive for CD68 and CD163 and negative for CD1a and S100 confirming histopathological diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease. Treatment with dabrafenib was initiated, with good response and no side effects.
Intralenticular metallic foreign body ‘locked-in’ the posterior capsule and the utility of multimodal imaging
Authors: Gupta Yogita , Lomi Neiwete , Patil Vinay S , Yadav Saumya
Published: September 2021

Intraocular foreign bodies (FBs) are common ocular injuries reporting to the emergency services all over the world. The authors highlight the findings and surgical management of a case of intralenticular metallic FB following an injury while using chisel and hammer. The ocular path of the FB (2 mm) could be traced from a self-sealed corneal perforation, extending through the anterior capsule rupture, terminating at the posterior capsule, forming a posterior capsule tent with a part embedded in clear lens. Preoperative ultrasound biomicroscopy gave clues on posterior capsule integrity and the exact site of FB, and helped prognosticate and plan the surgical management of the case. The ‘locked-in’ FB was extracted after clear lens aspiration and posterior capsulorrhexis. The posterior capsule acted as a natural barrier between anterior and posterior segment, where the FB was found embedded.
Lineage tracing and single-cell analysis reveal proliferative Prom1+ tumour-propagating cells and their dynamic cellular transition during liver cancer progression
Authors: Zhou Lei , Yu Ken HO , Wong Tin Lok , Zhang Zhao , Chan Chun Ho , Loong Jane HC , Che Noelia , Yu Hua Jian , Tan Kel Vin , Tong Man , Ngan Elly S , Ho Joshua WK , Ma Stephanie
Published: September 2021

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high intratumoral heterogeneity, which contributes to therapeutic resistance and tumour recurrence. We previously identified Prominin-1 (PROM1)/CD133 as an important liver cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in human HCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the heterogeneity and properties of Prom1+ cells in HCC in intact mouse models.

Design

We established two mouse models representing chronic fibrotic HCC and rapid steatosis-related HCC. We performed lineage tracing post-HCC induction using Prom1C-L/+; Rosa26tdTomato/+ mice, and targeted depletion using Prom1C-L/+; Rosa26DTA/+ mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was carried out to analyse the transcriptomic profile of traced Prom1+ cells.

Results

Prom1 in HCC tumours marks proliferative tumour-propagating cells with CSC-like properties. Lineage tracing demonstrated that these cells display clonal expansion in situ in primary tumours. Labelled Prom1+ cells exhibit increasing tumourigenicity in 3D culture and allotransplantation, as well as potential to form cancers of differential lineages on transplantation. Depletion of Prom1+ cells impedes tumour growth and reduces malignant cancer hallmarks in both HCC models. scRNA-seq analysis highlighted the heterogeneity of Prom1+ HCC cells, which follow a trajectory to the dedifferentiated status with high proliferation and stem cells traits. Conserved gene signature of Prom1 linage predicts poor prognosis in human HCC. The activated oxidant detoxification underlies the protective mechanism of dedifferentiated transition and lineage propagation.

Conclusion

Our study combines in vivo lineage tracing and scRNA-seq to reveal the heterogeneity and dynamics of Prom1+ HCC cells, providing insights into the mechanistic role of malignant CSC-like cells in HCC progression.
Healthcare distrust among hospitalised black patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nguyen Thang Cong , Gathecha Evelyn , Kauffman Regina , Wright Scott , Harris Ché Matthew
Published: September 2021

Study purpose

Distrust of the healthcare system is longstanding in the black community. This may especially threaten the health of the population when a highly contagious infection strikes. This study aims to compare COVID-19-related perspectives and behaviours between hospitalised black patients who trust versus distrust doctors and healthcare systems.

Study design

Cross-sectional study at a tertiary care academic hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Hospitalised adult black patients without a history of COVID-19 infection were surveyed between November 2020 and March 2021 using an instrument that assessed COVID-19-related matters. Analyses compared those who trusted versus mistrusted doctors and healthcare systems.

Results

37 distrusting hospitalised black patients were compared with 103 black patients who trusted doctors and healthcare systems. Groups had similar sociodemographics (all p>0.05). Distrustful patients were less likely to think that they were at high risk of contracting COVID-19 (54.0% vs 75.7%; p=0.05), less likely to believe that people with underlying medical conditions were at higher risk of dying from the virus (86.4% vs 98.0%; p=0.01) and less likely to be willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination (when available) (51.3% vs 77.6%; p<0.01) compared with those who were trusting.

Conclusion

Healthcare distrustful hospitalised black patients were doubtful of COVID-19 risk and hesitant about vaccination. Hospitalisations are concentrated exposures to the people and processes within healthcare systems; at these times, seizing the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships with patients may serve to gain their trust.
Are family medicine residents trained to counsel patients on physical activity? The Canadian experience and a call to action
Authors: Thornton Jane , Khan Karim , Weiler Richard , Mackie Christopher , Petrella Robert
Published: September 2021

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and early mortality. Family physicians have an important role in providing physical activity counselling to patients to help prevent and treat NCDs. Lack of training on physical activity counselling is a barrier in undergraduate medical education, yet little is known regarding physical activity teaching in postgraduate family medicine residency. We assessed the provision, content and future direction of physical activity teaching in Canadian postgraduate family medicine residency programs to address this data gap. Fewer than half of Canadian Family Medicine Residency Programme directors reported providing structured physical activity counselling education to residents. Most directors reported no imminent plans to change the content or amount of teaching. These results reflect significant gaps between the recommendations of WHO, which calls on doctors to prescribe physical activity, and the current curricular content and needs of family medicine residents. Almost all directors agreed that online educational resources developed to assist residents in physical activity prescription would be beneficial. By describing the provision, content and future direction of physical activity training in family medicine, physicians and medical educators can develop competencies and resources to meet this need. When we equip our future physicians with the necessary tools, we can improve patient outcomes and do our part to reduce the global epidemic of physical inactivity and chronic disease.
Physical, cognitive and mental health outcomes in 1-year survivors of COVID-19-associated ARDS
Authors: Latronico Nicola , Peli Elena , Calza Stefano , Rodella Federica , Novelli Maria Paola , Cella Andrea , Marshall John , Needham Dale M , Rasulo Frank Antony , Piva Simone
Published: September 2021

We report on the outcome of 114 COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) survivors evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months after intensive care unit discharge with assessment of physical, mental and cognitive impairments. Critical illness polyneuromyopathy was diagnosed in 23 patients (39%). Handgrip dynamometry was 70% predicted at 3 months and significantly improved over time, whereas the 6 min walk test (80% predicted) and severe fatigue (27% of patients) did not. Independence in activities of daily living (ADL) was achieved by 98% at 3 months. Cognitive impairment (28% at 3 months) improved over time, whereas depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, present in 9%, 10% and 4% at 3 months, did not. Normalised health-related quality of life was good. COVID-19-associated ARDS leads to persisting impairment in performance-based measures of physical function, while ADL, cognitive and mental health status, and health-related quality of life may be less impaired. Trial registration number NCT04608994.