bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON SEMEN PARAMETERS AFTER VARICOCELECTOMY
Authors: Buğday Muhammet Serdar , Öksüz Ersoy , Dursun Murat , Çimen Serhan , Sulukaya Muhammed , Çakmak Battal Selçuk
Published: January 2023

The negative effects of varicocele and smoking on infertility are known. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking on the healing process after varicocelectomy. 378 male patients who have undergone varicocelectomy operation were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups as non-smokers, patients, who smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day, and patients who smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day. Semen analysis of the patients before varicocelectomy operation and three months after varicocelectomy operation were evaluated and semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm motility were evaluated according to WHO (World Health Organizations) guidelines. Patient age changed between 16 and 52 and the mean age was 27.20±6.74. When cigarette usage was evaluated, it was determined that 52.82% of patients (n=220) were non-smokers, 13.8% of patients (n=52) smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day and 28.0% of patients (n=106) smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day. Improvement in sperm concentration and motility rates after varicocelectomy was determined to be lower in 10 or more cigarette smoking group compared to other groups. It is shown that cigarettes play a negative role in recovery process after varicocelectomy operation.
CRISPR genome editing using computational approaches: A survey
Authors: Alipanahi Roghayyeh , Safari Leila , Khanteymoori Alireza
Published: January 2023

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing has been widely used in various cell types and organisms. To make genome editing with Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats far more precise and practical, we must concentrate on the design of optimal gRNA and the selection of appropriate Cas enzymes. Numerous computational tools have been created in recent years to help researchers design the best gRNA for Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats researches. There are two approaches for designing an appropriate gRNA sequence (which targets our desired sites with high precision): experimental and predicting-based approaches. It is essential to reduce off-target sites when designing an optimal gRNA. Here we review both traditional and machine learning-based approaches for designing an appropriate gRNA sequence and predicting off-target sites. In this review, we summarize the key characteristics of all available tools (as far as possible) and compare them together. Machine learning-based tools and web servers are believed to become the most effective and reliable methods for predicting on-target and off-target activities of Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats in the future. However, these predictions are not so precise now and the performance of these algorithms -especially deep learning one’s-depends on the amount of data used during training phase. So, as more features are discovered and incorporated into these models, predictions become more in line with experimental observations. We must concentrate on the creation of ideal gRNA and the choice of suitable Cas enzymes in order to make genome editing with Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats far more accurate and feasible.
UCP1 Knockin Induces Lipid Dynamics and Transcriptional Programs in the Skeletal Muscles of Pigs
Authors: Xu Ziye , Chen Wentao , Wang Liyi , You Wenjing , Wang Yanfang , Wang Yizhen , Zhao Jianguo , Shan Tizhong
Published: January 2023

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), the hallmark protein responsible for nonshivering thermogenesis in adipose tissue (especially brown adipose tissue) has regained researchers’ attention in the context of metabolic disorders following the realization that UCP1 can be activated in adult humans and reconstituted in pigs. Both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue are highly dynamic tissues that interact at the metabolic and hormonal level in response to internal and external stress, and they coordinate in maintaining whole-body metabolic homeostasis. Here, we utilized lipidomics and transcriptomics to identify the altered lipid profiles and regulatory pathways in skeletal muscles from adipocyte-specific UCP1 knock-in (KI) pigs. UCP1 KI changed the contents of glycerophospholipids and acyl carnitines of skeletal muscles. Several metabolic regulatory pathways were more enriched in the UCP1 KI skeletal muscle. Comparison of the transcriptomes of adipose and skeletal muscle suggested that nervous system or chemokine signaling might account for the crosstalk between these two tissues in UCP1 KI pigs. Comparison of the lipid biomarkers from UCP1 KI pigs and other mammals suggested associations between UCP1 KI-induced metabolic alternations and metabolic and muscle dysfunction. Our study reveals the lipid dynamics and transcriptional programs in the skeletal muscle of UCP1 KI pigs and suggests that a network regulates metabolic homeostasis between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.
The MOZ-BRPF1 acetyltransferase complex in epigenetic crosstalk linked to gene regulation, development, and human diseases
Authors: Viita Tiina , Côté Jacques
Published: January 2023

Acetylation of lysine residues on histone tails is an important post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates chromatin dynamics to allow gene transcription as well as DNA replication and repair. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are often found in large multi-subunit complexes and can also modify specific lysine residues in non-histone substrates. Interestingly, the presence of various histone PTM recognizing domains (reader domains) in these complexes ensures their specific localization, enabling the epigenetic crosstalk and context-specific activity. In this review, we will cover the biochemical and functional properties of the MOZ-BRPF1 acetyltransferase complex, underlining its role in normal biological processes as well as in disease progression. We will discuss how epigenetic reader domains within the MOZ-BRPF1 complex affect its chromatin localization and the histone acetyltransferase specificity of the complex. We will also summarize how MOZ-BRPF1 is linked to developmentviacontrolling cell stemness and how mutations or changes in expression levels of MOZ/BRPF1 can lead to developmental disorders or cancer. As a last touch, we will review the latest drug candidates for these two proteins and discuss the therapeutic possibilities.
Carvacrol instigates intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis with abrogation of cell cycle progression in cervical cancer cells: Inhibition of Hedgehog/GLI signaling cascade
Authors: Ahmad Afza , Tiwari Rohit Kumar , Saeed Mohd , Al-Amrah Hadba , Han Ihn , Choi Eun-Ha , Yadav Dharmendra K. , Ansari Irfan Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Recent times have seen a strong surge in therapeutically targeting the hedgehog (HH)/GLI signaling pathway in cervical cancer. HH signaling pathway is reported to be a crucial modulator of carcinogenesis in cervical cancer and is also associated with recurrence and development of chemoresistance. Moreover, our previous reports have established that carvacrol (CAR) inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer cells via inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and thus, it was rational to explore its antiproliferative effects in cervical cancer cell lines. Herein, the present study aimed to investigate the anticancer and apoptotic potential of CAR on C33A cervical cancer cells and further explore the underlying mechanisms. We found that CAR significantly suppressed the growth of C33A cells, induced cell cycle arrest, and enhanced programmed cell death along with augmentation in the level of ROS, dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase cascade, and eventually inhibited the HH signaling cascade. In addition, CAR treatment increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bad, Fas-L, TRAIL, FADDR, cytochrome c) and concomitantly reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) in C33A cells. CAR mediates the activation of caspase-9 and -3 (intrinsic pathway) and caspase-8 (extrinsic pathway) accompanied by the cleavage of PARP in cervical cancer cells. Thus, CAR induced apoptosis by both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. CAR efficiently inhibited the growth of cervical cancer cells via arresting the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and modulated the gene expression of related proteins (p21, p27, cyclin D1 and CDK4). Moreover, CAR inhibited the HH/GLI signaling pathway by down regulating the expression of SMO, PTCH and GLI1 proteins in cervical carcinoma cells. With evidence of the above results, our data revealed that CAR treatment suppressed the growth of HPV−C33A cervical cancer cells and further elucidated the mechanistic insights into the functioning of CAR.
Vaginal Dysbiotic Microbiome in Women With No Symptoms of Genital Infections
Authors: Pramanick Rinku , Nathani Neelam , Warke Himangi , Mayadeo Niranjan , Aranha Clara
Published: January 2023

The vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in determining the progression of female genital tract infections; however, little is known about the vaginal microbiota of Indian women. We aimed to investigate the vaginal microbial architecture of women with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) (n=20) and normal microbiota (n=19). Microbial diversity was analyzed in vaginal swabs from regularly menstruating women (18-45yrs) by 16S rRNA V3-V4 amplicon (MiSeq Illumina) sequencing. Rarefaction analysis showed a higher number of species in normal flora compared to BV. Alpha diversity as measured by Pielou’s evenness revealed microbial diversity was significantly greater in BV samples than normal microbiota (p= 0.0165). Beta diversity comparison using UniFrac metrics indicated distinct microbial communities clustering between normal and BV flora. Firmicutes were the major phyla observed in vaginal specimens of normal microbiota whereas Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes were significantly abundant in BV samples. Notably, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly high in normal microbiota. Conversely Gardnerella, Sneathia, Prevotella, Atopobium, Ureaplasma, Dialister significantly dominated dysbiotic microbiota. Relative frequency of Lactobacillus decreased significantly in BV (6%) as compared to normal microbiota (35.2%). L. fermentum, L. gasseri, L. iners, L. jensenii, L. mucosae, L. ruminis, L. salivarius, L. coleohominis was more exclusively present in normal microbiota. L. iners was detected from both the groups with a relative frequency of 50.4% and 17.2% in normal and BV microbiota respectively. Lefse analysis indicated Atopobium vaginae, Sneathia amnii, Mycoplasma hominis Prevotella disiens in the vaginal microbiota as a biomarker for dysbiosis and L. jensenii as a biomarker of a healthy microbiota. Firmicutes were negatively correlated to Tenericutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria. Proteobacteria positively correlated to Tenericutes, and Bacteroidetes were shown to be positively correlated to Fusobacteria. Predicted functional analysis indicated differences in the functional profiles between BV and normal microbiota. Normal microbiota utilized pathways essential for phosphatidylglycerol biosynthesis I & II, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, geranylgeranyl diphosphate biosynthesis I, mevalonate pathway, CoA biosynthesis pathway I and pyrimidine nucleotide salvage; whereas BV bacteria had characteristic aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, pentose phosphate pathway, carbohydrate degradation. In conclusion, women with asymptomatic BV have vaginal microbiota significantly different than women with normal microbiota. Furthermore, the study provides insights into the vaginal microbial structure of Indian women that will enable us to explore the prospective candidates for restoring the vaginal microbiota.
Potential Clinical Value of Biomarker-Guided Emergency Triage for Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Authors: Qiu Peng , Yang Meng , Pu Hongji , Hou Jingli , Chen Xu , Wu Zhaoyu , Huang Qun , Huang Siyi , Fu Yan , Wen Zi'ang , Zhang Chengxin , Zha Binshan , Yang Yang , Xu Zhijue , Chen Fuxiang , Lu Xinwu
Published: January 2023

Aim: Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a high-risk vascular disease. The mortality rate of untreated TADs in 24 h was as high as 50%. Thus, rapid diagnosis of TAD in the emergency department would get patients to the right treatments to save their lives.

Methods: We profiled the proteome of aortic tissues from TAD patients using a label-free quantification proteomics method. The differentially expressed proteins were screened and subjected to bioinformatics analysis. Candidate biomarkers were selected and validated in independent serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The diagnostic values were further predicted via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: A total of 1,141 differentially expressed proteins were identified in aortic tissues from 17 TAD patients and eight myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Six proteins were selected as candidate biomarkers for ELISAs in an independent training set of 20 serum samples (TAD = 10, MI = 10). Of these proteins, four with a P-value < 0.01 were further validated in another independent set of 64 serum samples (TAD = 32, MI = 32) via ELISAs. ITGA2, COL2A1, and MIF had P-values < 0.0001, and their areas under the curve (AUCs) were 0.801 (95% CI: 0.691–0.911), 0.773 (95% CI: 0.660–0.887), and 0.701 (95% CI: 0.574–0.828), respectively.

Conclusion: ITGA2, COL2A1, and MIF were identified as promising biomarkers for discriminating TAD from emergency patients with severe chest pain. Biomarker-guided emergency triage could further shorten the time for patients to get more effective treatments.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation and Risk Stratification
Authors: Roca-Luque Ivo , Mont-Girbau Lluis
Published: January 2023

Ventricular tachycardia is the most frequent cause of sudden cardiovascular death in patients with structural heart disease. Radiofrequency ablation is the treatment cornerstone in this population. Main mechanism for structural heart disease-related ventricular tachycardia is re-entry due to presence of slow conduction area within the scar tissue. Electroanatomical mapping with high density catheters can elucidate the presence of both scar (voltage maps) and slow conduction (activation maps). Despite the technological improvements recurrence rate after ventricular tachycardia ablation is high. Cardiac magnetic resonance has demonstrated to be useful to define the location of the scar tissue in endocardium, midmyocardium and/or epicardial region. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that cardiac magnetic resonance can analyse in detail the ventricular tachycardia substrate in terms of core scar and border zone tissue. This detailed tissue analysis has been proved to have good correlation with slow conduction areas and ventricular tachycardia isthmuses in electroanatomical maps. This review will provide a summary of the current role of cardiac magnetic resonance in different scenarios related with ventricular tachycardia in patients with structural heart disease, its limitations and the future perspectives.
Waist-to-height-ratio is associated with sustained hypertension in children and adolescents with high office blood pressure
Authors: Nimkarn Norrarath , Sewarit Anyamanee , Pirojsakul Kwanchai , Paksi Witchuri , Chantarogh Songkiat , Saisawat Pawaree , Tangnararatchakit Kanchana
Published: January 2023

Background

Waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR) has been proposed as another indicator for cardiometabolic risk factors including hypertension. Normally, hypertension can be diagnosed in the office setting by detecting high blood pressure for three occasions. However, patients with high office blood pressure may not exhibit high blood pressure outside the office. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a procedure to measure blood pressure over 24-h. Sustained hypertension is characterized as hypertension detected by both office measurement and ABPM. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of WHtR in the diagnosis of sustained hypertension in patients with high office blood pressure.

Materials and methods

Demographic data, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were retrospectively reviewed in children and adolescents who underwent ABPM due to persistently high office blood pressure. Patients were separated into two groups: a sustained hypertension group and a normal ABPM group. BMI was adjusted to z-score using the WHO Anthroplus software. WHtR was calculated by the formula: waist circumference (cm)/height (m). The performances of different parameters were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Sixty patients (63% male) with a mean age of 12.9 ± 3.7 years had persistently high office blood pressure. Twenty-nine (48.3%) had high ambulatory blood pressure parameters so-called “sustained hypertension.” The sustained hypertension group had a higher mean BMI z-score (2.32 vs. 1.31,p= 0.01) and a higher mean WHtR (57.7 vs. 49.2 cm/m,p< 0.001) than those of the normal ABPM group. For the diagnosis of sustained hypertension, the ROC analysis revealed that WHtR had a greater area under the ROC curve (AUC) than that of BMI z-score (0.772 vs. 0.723). WHtR remained associated with sustained hypertension (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.022–1.408,p= 0.026) after adjusting for age, gender, and BMI z-score.

Conclusions

Apart from being a more user-friendly metric, WHtR tended to outperform BMI z-score in predicting sustained hypertension in children and adolescents with persistently high office blood pressure.
Planning of graft size and 3D reconstruction using virtual reality technique in aortic valve reimplantation
Authors: Reid Gregory , Gehweiler Julian , Thieringer Florian , Eckstein Friedrich , Ferrari Enrico , Gahl Brigitta , Berdajs Denis A.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To evaluate applicability and feasibility of the virtual imaging technology for diagnosis and planning of the aortic valve sparing procedure.

Methods

Pre-operative electrocardiography-gated computed tomography images of 12 adult patients with aortic root pathology were used for 3D reconstruction of the aortic root geometry. The structural analysis was conducted with focusing on spatial architecture of key aortic root structures such as the three commissures, intervalvular triangles (IVT), as well as on morphology of the aortic root base (AoB) and of the sinotubular junction (STJ).

Results

In all included patients, the 3D mapping of aortic root (AoR) morphology was successfully performed. The pre-operative diameter of the AoB was 30.6 ± 2.6 mm and of the STJ 46.5 ± 7.5 mm (p < 0.001). Based on measured AoB diameter, the mean size of prosthesis used was 28.3 ± 1.37 mm. The planar arrangement of the three commissures was similar to an equilateral triangle where the three commissures were at similar distance for each individual sinus with 39.8 ± 6.64 mm for right, 37.5 ± 7.10 mm for left, and 39.2 ± 7.52 mm for non-coronary sinus (p = 0.72) subsequently. The similar height of the three IVT’s with 32.6 ± 5.87 mm for right, 33.6 ± 6.14 mm for anterior, and 31.7 ± 5.83 mm for left IVT (p = 0.73) was suggestive for all three commissures being positioned in the same plane. Consequently at reimplantation, the orientation of the three commissures followed the pattern of an equilateral triangle.

Conclusion

The reconstructed images revealed a detailed 3D anatomy of the aortic root, with the spatial arrangement of the intervalvular triangles, planimetric orientation of the commissures, as well as determination of the AoB and STJ diameters. Obtained information was successfully applied to pre-operative surgical planning. The reimplantation technique, the height of the reimplanted intervalvular triangles, as well as their orientation are crucial for achieving adequate aortic valve function.
Myocardial inefficiency is an early indicator of exercise-induced myocardial fatigue
Authors: Erevik Christine Bjørkvik , Kleiven Øyunn , Frøysa Vidar , Bjørkavoll-Bergseth Magnus , Chivulescu Monica , Klæboe Lars Gunnar , Dejgaard Lars , Auestad Bjørn , Skadberg Øyvind , Melberg Tor , Urheim Stig , Haugaa Kristina , Edvardsen Thor , Ørn Stein
Published: January 2023

Background

The effect of prolonged, high-intensity endurance exercise on myocardial function is unclear. This study aimed to determine the left ventricular (LV) response to increased exercise duration and intensity using novel echocardiographic tools to assess myocardial work and fatigue.

Materials and methods

LV function was assessed by echocardiography before, immediately, and 24 h after a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and a 91-km mountain bike leisure race. Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) was used to assess myocyte stress.

Results

59 healthy recreational athletes, 52 (43–59) years of age, 73% males, were included. The race was longer and of higher intensity generating higher cTnI levels compared with the CPET (p < 0.0001): Race/CPET: exercise duration: 230 (210, 245)/43 (40, 45) minutes, mean heart rate: 154 ± 10/132 ± 12 bpm, max cTnI: 77 (37, 128)/12 (7, 23) ng/L. Stroke volume and cardiac output were higher after the race than CPET (p < 0.005). The two exercises did not differ in post-exercise changes in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) or global longitudinal strain (GLS). There was an increase in global wasted work (p = 0.001) following the race and a persistent reduction in global constructive work 24 h after exercise (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Increased exercise intensity and duration were associated with increased myocardial wasted work post-exercise, without alterations in LVEF and GLS from baseline values. These findings suggest that markers of myocardial inefficiency may precede reduction in global LV function as markers of myocardial fatigue.
Structural and electrophysiological determinants of atrial cardiomyopathy identify remodeling discrepancies between paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Huang Taiyuan , Nairn Deborah , Chen Juan , Mueller-Edenborn Bjoern , Pilia Nicolas , Mayer Louisa , Eichenlaub Martin , Moreno-Weidmann Zoraida , Allgeier Juergen , Trenk Dietmar , Ahlgrim Christoph , Westermann Dirk , Arentz Thomas , Loewe Axel , Jadidi Amir
Published: January 2023

Background

Progressive atrial fibrotic remodeling has been reported to be associated with atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) and the transition from paroxysmal to persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to identify the anatomical/structural and electrophysiological factors involved in atrial remodeling that promote AF persistency.

Methods

Consecutive patients with paroxysmal (n = 134) or persistent (n = 136) AF who presented for their first AF ablation procedure were included. Patients underwent left atrial (LA) high-definition mapping (1,835 ± 421 sites/map) during sinus rhythm (SR) and were randomized to training and validation sets for model development and evaluation. A total of 62 parameters from both electro-anatomical mapping and non-invasive baseline data were extracted encompassing four main categories: (1) LA size, (2) extent of low-voltage-substrate (LVS), (3) LA voltages and (4) bi-atrial conduction time as identified by the duration of amplified P-wave (APWD) in a digital 12-lead-ECG. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and logistic regression were performed to identify the factors that are most relevant to AF persistency in each category alone and all categories combined. The performance of the developed models for diagnosis of AF persistency was validated regarding discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness. In addition, HATCH score and C2HEST score were also evaluated for their performance in identification of AF persistency.

Results

In training and validation sets, APWD (threshold 151 ms), LA volume (LAV, threshold 94 mL), bipolar LVS area < 1.0 mV (threshold 4.55 cm2) and LA global mean voltage (GMV, threshold 1.66 mV) were identified as best determinants for AF persistency in the respective category. Moreover, APWD (AUC 0.851 and 0.801) and LA volume (AUC 0.788 and 0.741) achieved better discrimination between AF types than LVS extent (AUC 0.783 and 0.682) and GMV (AUC 0.751 and 0.707). The integrated model (combining APWD and LAV) yielded the best discrimination performance between AF types (AUC 0.876 in training set and 0.830 in validation set). In contrast, HATCH score and C2HEST score only achieved AUC < 0.60 in identifying individuals with persistent AF in current study.

Conclusion

Among 62 electro-anatomical parameters, we identified APWD, LA volume, LVS extent, and mean LA voltage as the four determinant electrophysiological and structural factors that are most relevant for AF persistency. Notably, the combination of APWD with LA volume enabled discrimination between paroxysmal and persistent AF with high accuracy, emphasizing their importance as underlying substrate of persistent AF.
Authigenic calcite as a record of geologic fluids in siliciclastic rocks: Evidences from the Upper Permian Wuerhe Formation, Junggar basin, NW China
Authors: Xu Duonian , Qu Yongqiang , Huang Linjun , Dai Chao , Hu Ruipu , Kang Xun
Published: January 2023

The identification of geologic fluids and related fluid–rock interactions during diagenesis is the subject of much research in sedimentary petrology. Authigenic calcite potentially provides a record of geologic fluids and it occurs heterogeneously in the Upper Permian Wuerhe Formation (P3w) in the Shawan Sag, Junggar Basin, which has a complex history of geologic fluid activity. This provides an ideal opportunity to study the effectiveness of authigenic calcite in tracing fluids. We conducted optical, cathodoluminescence (CL), and scanning electron microscopic observations, as well as the major and trace element and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of authigenic calcite. The results show that three generations of calcite were precipitated in the P3w Formation, and the diagenetic fluid was affected to varying degrees by paleo-meteoric water and hydrocarbon-bearing fluids. During early diagenesis, diagenetic fluid with low Mn contents precipitated the amorphous early-stage calcite (dark red in CL images, MnO <1.5%, δ13C = −8.6‰ to 2.1‰, VPDB). Its carbon source was mainly meteoric CO2. During mesodiagenesis, the limited hydrocarbon emplacement during the Middle Jurassic enriched the pore fluids in Mn and 13C-depleted organic derived CO2, subsequently precipitating the late-stage sparry calcite I (orange in CL images with MnO of 2.5%–4% and δ13C of −14.5‰ to −8.1‰). The carbon in this calcite came from the dissolution of early-stage calcite and CO2 generated by decarboxylation of organic acids. During the Early Cretaceous, large-scale hydrocarbon charging occurred and the pore fluids were further enriched in Mn and organic derived CO2, eventually precipitating the late-stage sparry calcite II (bright yellow in CL images with MnO of >4% and δ13C of −25.7‰ to −14.9‰). Its carbon source was mainly CO2 produced by the decarboxylation of organic acids. The precipitation of abundant late-stage sC-depleted calcite suggests that the hydrocarbons were oxidized to organic acids in the reservoir. The two periods of hydrocarbon charging caused the dissolution of laumontite and the early-stage calcite, forming secondary minerals and dissolution pores, which increased the porosity and permeability of the rock. Therefore, authigenic calcite is a useful tracer of fluid properties, fluid–rock interactions, and alteration processes in petroliferous basins.
Geochemical classification and secondary alteration of crude oil in the southern thrust belt of Junggar Basin
Authors: Qin Zhijun , Qi Hongyan , Liang Zeliang , Ma Wanyun , Wang Ruiju , Wu Wei’an
Published: January 2023

This study analyzed, 18 oil samples from four representative oil-bearing secondary tectonic units in the southern thrust belt of the Junggar Basin. The genetic types and the secondary alteration of oil were discussed based on the characteristics of light hydrocarbon compounds, adamantanes, sterane/terpene biomarkers, and stable carbon isotopic composition of the bulk oil. . The results show that the oil in the study area can be divided into five categories. Type I oil is characterized by 13C-depleted carbon isotopes, a low pristane to phytane ratio, and high gammacerane and low diasterane content, whereas Type II oil exhibits the opposite characteristics. Type III is very similar to Type II oil but has a higher 13C-depleted bulk carbon isotopic composition and a wider carbon number of tricyclic terpenes. Type IV and V oils are similar to Type I oils, except for relatively lower gammacerane content. Further, Type IV oils also have high ααα 20R regular sterane content, 13C-enriched bulk oil carbon isotopes, and a higher pristane to phytane ratio than Type I oil. In contrast, the relative content of C27 regular steranes of Type V oils is considerably lower than that of Type I oils. The oil in the study area has not suffered from biodegradation. Maturity information indicated by regular biomarkers (i.e., steroid, terpene, and phenanthrene) and adamantane differs significantly, with the latter exhibiting a strong cracking characteristic. This reflects the charging and mixing of oils formed at different evolution stages. The other types of oils are in the normal oil-generating window and do not suffer from intense cracking. The oil in the study area is generally subjected to evaporative fractionation, but there are obvious differences in the degree of alteration between different oil-bearing structures and different reservoirs with the same structure. This study is of great significance for understanding the origin and accumulation process of oil and gas in a complex structural zone.
Upper bound analysis of the anti-seismic stability of slopes considering the effect of the intermediate principal stress
Authors: Zhang Biao , Sun Quanli
Published: January 2023

Considering the intermediate principal stress effect of soils, the unified strength theory was applied to correct the shear strength index of soils. Based on a mechanical model of the anti-seismic stability of slopes, the analytical formula of the stability coefficient was deduced by the upper bound method and the quasi-static method. Then the optimal solution of the stability coefficient was figured out via the Matlab software. The result shows that, if the intermediate principal stress is ignored, the shear strength of soils would obviously be underestimated; this is also the case with the slope stability coefficient, the relative error of which could reach 39.87%. The horizontal and vertical seismic forces significantly affect slope stability. When the horizontal seismic force is considered, the slope stability coefficient Ns is reduced by 79.82%. Similarly, if the seismic effect is not neglected, the stability of the slope would be seriously overestimated. Slope cutting can significantly improve slope stability. When the slope angle is reduced from 90° to 50°, the stability factor increases by 279.82%. The suitable design angle of the slope is between 50° and 60° without taking into account additional elements like groundwater level and stratum structure.
Surf-Net: A deep-learning-based method for extracting surface-wave dispersion curves
Authors: Jiang Yiran , Wen Jingchong , Tian Yuan , Wu Mengyu , Ning Jieyuan , Shi Yongxiang , Wu Han , Zhou Tong , Li Jiaqi , Bao Tiezhao
Published: January 2023

Surface wave is an energy-rich component of the seismic wavefield and has been widely employed in understanding underground structures due to its dispersive nature. One key work in improving the accuracy of dispersion curve measurement is selecting proper cycles and valid frequency ranges. Although manual selection could provide high-quality results, it is hardly possible to handle the explosive growth of seismic data. Conventional automatic approaches with the ability to handle massive datasets by their statistical features require prior assumptions and choices of parameters. However, these operations could not keep away from biases in empirical parameters and thus could not assure high-quality outputs, which might deteriorate the resolution of seismic inversion. To make good use of the waveform information, we develop a deep-learning-based neural network called ‘Surf-Net’. It extracts and selects the surface-wave dispersion curves directly from the waveform cross-correlations (CC) and distance information rather than from frequency-time transformed images or pre-extracted dispersion curves. Taking the velocity measurement task as an arrival time picking problem, Surf-Net is designed to output multiple-channel probability distributions in the time domain for target frequencies, which peak at the arrival times of valid frequencies and remain close to zero elsewhere. We train and test Surf-Net using observational data manually obtained from seismograms recorded by a regional network in Northeast China and synthetic data based on a global seismic velocity model. By comparing Surf-Net with the conventional method in both dispersion curves and inversion results, we show Surf-Net’s remarkable performance, robustness and potential for providing high-quality dispersion curves from massive datasets, especially in low frequencies.
Effect of fracture distribution on the triaxial shear behavior of loess
Authors: Chen Lijie , Ma Penghui , Zhao Junyan , Xie Fei , Yan Ruixin , Leng Yanqiu , Nan Jingjing
Published: January 2023

Fractures are widespread phenomena on loess slopes in northwestern China. Fractures are of various types and have different distribution patterns, and they are important factors affecting the mechanical properties of loess. In this paper, the effect of different fracture distribution modes (fracture angle, fracture position and fracture combination) on the shear strength of loess is investigated by carrying out consolidated undrained triaxial shear tests. The results show that the existence of fractures in loess can significantly weaken the strength of the soil under consolidated undrained conditions. Compared with unfractured loess, fractures weaken the shear strength of loess mainly by weakening the cohesion. The internal friction angles of fractured loess, however, are hardly affected by the existence of fractures and the fracture distribution mode. Furthermore, a comparison of three fracture distribution modes, namely, the fracture angle, position and combination, reveals that the fracture angle is the most significant factor weakening the loess strength, followed by fracture combination, and the least is fracture position. In addition, confining pressure increments can greatly improve the shear strength of both unfractured and fractured loess, and confining pressure increments can inhibit the weakening effect of fractures on loess strength.
New fossils of Sphaeriusidae from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber revealed by confocal microscopy (Coleoptera: Myxophaga)
Authors: Li Yan-Da , Ślipiński Adam , Huang Di-Ying , Cai Chen-Yang
Published: January 2023

Sphaeriusidae is a small family of tiny aquatic beetles in the suborder Myxophaga. In this study we characterize two new sphaeriusid fossils from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber with the help of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Sphaerius martini Li & Cai sp. nov. displays similarities with both extant Bezesporum and Sphaerius, although it can be readily recognized based on the parallel-sided prosternum. Crowsonaerius minutus Li & Cai gen. et sp. nov. differs from other genera of Sphaeriusidae in having unreduced apical maxillary palpomeres, lowered mesoventrite, large metacoxal plates, separated mesotrochanter and mesofemur, and equal pretarsal claws. The present study demonstrates the efficacy of confocal microscopy in studying minute and dark bioinclusions in amber.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6E6EDC20-744A-4A75-849A-4B6126628C15.
Crack propagation law of rock with single fissure based on PFC2D
Authors: Yuan Hao , Xiao Taoli , She Haicheng , Huang Mei
Published: January 2023

In the study of pre-fabricated single-fissured rock, the failure mode, mechanical properties and propagation law of rock are affected by the length and inclination angle of fissure. In this study, artificially prepared marble-like rocks with different fissure characteristics were used as rock representatives, using PFC2D software to establish a uniaxial compression model tests for rocks with fissures. The effects of different fissure lengths and inclination angles on the failure mode and crack initiation and propagation of rock-like structures were systematically studied, revealing the mechanism of macroscopic mechanical behavior of rocks containing single fissures in the process of crack initiation, propagation, and failure at the micro-level. The results show that: 1) Failure mode of the rock sample is mainly controlled by fissure inclination angle and fragmentation degree is mainly controlled by fissure length. 2) The initiation stress, damage stress, and peak stress of rock samples during loading deformation increase with the increase of fissure inclination angle, and decrease with the increase of fissure length. The crack initiation angle decreases with the increase of the fissure inclination angle. 3) Crack initiation characteristics: at a low fissure inclination angle (α< 45°), the crack initiation position has a certain offset to the center of the prefabricated fissure, or starts from the tip of the prefabricated fissure. At high fissure inclination angles (α≥45°), the crack initiates from the tip of the prefabricated fissure and forms a “dispersed” distribution. 4) The crack propagation law is mainly shear cracks, at a low fissure inclination angle (α< 45°), the crack propagation has obvious aggregation band formation. At high fissure inclination angles (α≥45°), the crack aggregation zone gradually weakened and expanded in the direction of dispersion.
Comparison of process-based and lumped parameter models for projecting future changes in fluvial sediment supply to the coast
Authors: Sirisena T. A. J. G. , Bamunawala Janaka , Maskey Shreedhar , Ranasinghe Roshanka
Published: January 2023

Fluvial sediment supply (FSS) is one of the primary sources of sediment received by coasts. Any significant change in sediment supply to the coast will disturb its equilibrium state. Therefore, a robust assessment of future changes in FSS is required to understand the coastal system’s status under plausible climatic variations and human activities. Here, we investigate two modelling approaches to estimate the FSS at two spatially heterogeneous river basins: the Irrawaddy River Basin (IRB), Myanmar and the Kalu River Basin (KRB), Sri Lanka. We compare the FSS obtained from a process-based model (i.e., Soil Water Assessment Tool: SWAT) and an empirical model (i.e., the BQART model) for mid- (2046–2065) and end-century (2081–2100) periods under climate change and human activities (viz, planned reservoirs considered here). Our results show that SWAT simulations project a higher sediment load than BQART in the IRB and vice versa in KRB (for both future periods considered). SWAT projects higher percentage changes for both future periods (relative to baseline) compared to BQART projections in both basins with climate change alone (i.e., no reservoirs) and vice versa when planned reservoirs are considered. The difference between the two model projections (from SWAT and BQART) is higher in KRB, and it may imply that empirical BQART model projections are more in line with semi-distributed SWAT projections at the larger Irrawaddy River Basin than in the smaller Kalu River Basin.
Mining-induced deformation for a haulage drift of the hanging wall at Jinshandian iron mine in China
Authors: Yang Kuoyu , Chen Congxin , Sun Yuliang , Xia Kaizong , Wang Tianlong
Published: January 2023

In this paper, mining-induced deformation for haulage drifts of the hanging wall at Jinshandian Iron Mine is investigated, based on 8 monitoring stations adopted laser convergence meters. Monitoring results are analyzed to divide deformation-time curves into three types: fluctuation type, partial folding type and whole folding type. Moreover, it is found that tensile deformation is easy to occur in the roadway section corresponding to no folding type and partial folding type. And in the roadway section with folding type curve, it is obviously affected by the steeply anti-inclined structural plane. Furthermore, the relative position relationship between mining activities and a monitoring station is established through local coordinate system. Mining effects on roadway deformation are studied based on rectangular coordinate components and polar coordinate components respectively. The critical value of coordinate components that have a significant impact on roadway deformation have been determined. At last, combined with results of mining impact analysis, deformation mechanisms corresponding to the three deformation curves are revealed. These results help determine the appropriate support time and adopt targeted support schemes.
Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the career choices of individuals by using career sailboat model
Authors: Nazir Thseen , Özçiçek Ayşe
Published: January 2023

Career sailboat model (CSM) is a postmodernist career-counseling model in which career decision-making involves four interrelated and interactive dimensions: individual/personal factors, social factors, system-related factors, and chance factors. According to the CSM, because these factors are interrelated, in case of disclusion of any of them while making a career decision may lead an individual to make unfitting career choices. From this perspective, an unexpected event such as a natural disaster can be considered under the category of chance factor and it can impact other factors -individual, social and system-related- which have an influence on the individual’s career choice as well as its impact varies according to the individual, social and system-related factors. This article aims to understand the effects of COVID-19, as a chance factor, on other constructs -individual/personal, social, and system-related- of the CSM and their overall impacts on people’s career decision-making process. To be able to understand the impact of such a global calamity, the research done during the COVID-19 period has been used in this research. It is concluded that when a calamity like COVID-19 comes into the scene as a chance factor can have a significant impact on an individual’s perspective regarding their career.
An international study of high school teachers’ experience of incorporating water resources in their teaching
Authors: Kwee Ching Ting Tany , Dos Santos Luis Miguel
Published: January 2023

This qualitative study aims at investigating the significant personal and contextual factors influencing teachers’ motivations for incorporating water resources in their teaching. By exploring teachers’ experiences teaching water resources in their Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) classroom, this study attempts to close the research gap on the paucity of research on teachers’ motivation in teaching water resources within the realm of ESD. Based on the purpose of the study and the social cognitive career theory, this study is guided by two research questions: (1) How do teachers describe their experience of incorporating water resources in their classrooms? (2) Why are teachers motivated to incorporate water resources in their teaching? Ten high school teachers from five countries and regions, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, who had incorporated water resources into their teaching, were recruited. The researchers adopted Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis with semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to collect in-depth data to explore their teaching experiences. The results indicated that personal beliefs and characteristics of the community played significant roles in their experiences and motivations. This study’s findings can provide insights into how and why teachers’ personal beliefs and contextual variables like geographic and cultural influences can encourage teachers to implement water resource elements in their teaching, thereby illuminating the possible responsive pedagogies for successful cross-disciplinary ESD in future.
A Protocol for a Pan-Canadian Prospective Observational Study on Active Surveillance or Surgery for Very Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Sawka Anna M. , Ghai Sangeet , Tomlinson George , Baxter Nancy N. , Corsten Martin , Imran Syed Ali , Bissada Eric , Lebouef Rebecca , Audet Nathalie , Brassard Maryse , Zhang Han , Gupta Michael , Nichols Anthony C. , Morrison Deric , Johnson-Obeski Stephanie , Prisman Eitan , Anderson Don , Chandarana Shamir P. , Ghaznavi Sana , Jones Jennifer , Gafni Amiram , Matelski John J. , Xu Wei , Goldstein David P. ,   the Canadian Thyroid Cancer Active Surveillance Study Group
Published: January 2023

Background

The traditional management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is thyroidectomy (total or partial removal of the thyroid). Active surveillance (AS) may be considered as an alternative option for small, low risk PTC. AS involves close follow-up (including regularly scheduled clinical and radiological assessments), with the intention of intervening with surgery for disease progression or patient preference.

Methods

This is a protocol for a prospective, observational, long-term follow-up multi-centre Canadian cohort study. Consenting eligible adults with small, low risk PTC (< 2cm in maximal diameter, confined to the thyroid, and not immediately adjacent to critical structures in the neck) are offered the choice of AS or surgery for management of PTC. Patient participants are free to choose either option (AS or surgery) and the disease management course is thus not assigned by the investigators. Surgery is provided as usual care by a surgeon in an institution of the patient’s choice. Our primary objective is to determine the rate of ‘failure’ of disease management in respective AS and surgical arms as defined by: i) AS arm – surgery for progression of PTC, and ii) surgical arm - surgery or other treatment for disease persistence or progression after completing initial treatment. Secondary outcomes include long-term thyroid oncologic and treatment outcomes, as well as patient-reported outcomes.

Discussion

The results from this study will provide long-term clinical and patient reported outcome evidence regarding active surveillance or immediate surgery for management of small, low risk PTC. This will inform future clinical trials in disease management of small, low risk papillary thyroid cancer.

Registration details

This prospective observational cohort study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04624477), but it should not be considered a clinical trial as there is no assigned intervention and patients are free to choose either AS or surgery.