bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The early-diverging subgenera of the bee genus Andrena (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) in the Old World
Authors: PISANTY GIDEON , WOOD THOMAS JAMES
Published: July 2024

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have greatly improved our understanding of the higher classification of the bee genus Andrena Fabricius. Based on these findings, we herein describe three new, early-diverging western Palaearctic subgenera of the genus: Andrena (Warnckandrena) Pisanty subgen. nov., A. (Uncandrena) Pisanty subgen. nov., and A. (Vellandrena) Pisanty subgen. nov. For each subgenus, we provide a detailed description and a diagnosis against its closest morphological relatives, as well as information on flower hosts and pollen preferences. The following new species are described: Andrena (Warnckandrena) otoolei Pisanty sp. nov. from Turkey and the Levant, A. (Warnckandrena) papio Pisanty sp. nov. from Turkey, and A. (incertae sedis) remota Wood sp. nov. from China. The female of A. (Vellandrena) bassana Warncke, 1969 is described for the first time. The formerly infraspecific name Andrena (Vellandrena) etesiaca Warnkce, 1975 stat. nov. is recognized as a valid species. We additionally briefly review the enigmatic subgenus A. (Melittoides) Friese, 1921, and designate a lectotype for A. (Melittoides) melittoides Friese, 1899. We discuss main ancestral traits and evolutionary patterns that may be inferred with our improved concept of the genus. This study is another important step in the enormous project of revising the systematics of the gigantic genus Andrena.
A new mud lobster of the genus Thalassina Latreille, 1806 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Gebiidea: Thalassinidae) from the mangrove forest of the Cần Giờ Mangrove Reserve, South Vietnam
Authors: MARIN IVAN N. , KOLEVATOV VASILY M. , NGUYỄN TUẤN ANH
Published: July 2024

A new species of mud lobster of the genus Thalassina Latreille, 1806 (Decapoda: Gebiidea: Thalassinidae), Thalassina cangioensis sp. nov., is described from mangrove forests of the Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, located in the Soài Rạp River delta in the downstream of the Dongnai-Saigon River system, South Vietnam. The new species is morphologically mostly similar to T. anomala (Herbst, 1804) in the shape of the rostrum and anterior part of the carapace and the presence of a single median tubercle on pleonal sternites II–V. However, it differs in the strong spinulation on the posterior part of the carapace, the armature of the pereopods I (chelipeds), and the presence of spines on the proximal part of the pleopod I in males. The shape of the pleopod I in males of the new species is mostly similar to that of T. squamifera, but it can be distinguished by the downwardly bulging median part at the tip, which is unique to the genus. Molecular genetic analysis revealed that the new species strongly genetically diverged (by the mitochondrial COI gene marker) from all currently sequenced species of the genus Thalassina, such as T. anomala, T. gracilis, T. kelanang and T. squamifera.
New species group and two new species of the genus Hesperus from China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Philonthina)
Authors: CAI YU-JIE , LI YUE-YANG , TANG LIANG
Published: July 2024

A new species group, Hesperus babai group, is proposed based on characters of the subserrate antennae and apical portion of median lobe hatchet-like, along with description of a new species: H. pengi sp. n. (Hainan). A new species of the Hesperus borneensis group is described: H. flexibilis sp. n. (Xizang). Hesperus birmanus Cameron, 1932 is newly recorded from China (Yunnan, Hainan). Habitus and diagnostic characteristics of all mentioned species are provided. A key to Chinese species of the borneensis group and babai group are also provided.
Leach’s storm-petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous), a long-lived seabird shows flexible, condition-dependent, feeding strategies in response to poor chick condition
Authors: Haussmann Benjamin D. , Lichtner Kayla E. , Mauck Robert A. , Haussmann Mark F.
Published: July 2024

Background

Parent-offspring conflict represents the sensitive balance of resource allocation between self-maintenance and reproduction. Two strategies have been proposed to better understand how species manage this conflict. In fixed-level feeding behavior, parents feed offspring consistent quantities of food; while flexible feeding shows plasticity in parental allocation based on offspring need. Life-history theory predicts that parents of long-lived species prioritize their survival and may favor the fixed-level hypothesis to maximize lifetime reproductive success. In this study, we highlight the natural variation of parent-offspring allocation strategies within a unique population of Leach’s storm-petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous), and through month-long food supplementation and restriction manipulations, we investigate how chick condition affects parental provisioning during the chick-rearing period of reproduction.

Results

We show that the parents upregulated chick feeding frequency of nutritionally deprived chicks, resulting in a larger total amount of food delivered during the study period. Additionally, the proportion of nights when both parents fed was highest in restricted chicks, and the proportion of nights when neither parents fed was lowest in restricted chicks, suggesting that storm-petrel parents shorten their foraging bouts to deliver food more often when their chicks are in relatively poor condition.

Conclusions

Our results support that Leach’s storm-petrels use a flexible-level feeding strategy, suggesting that parents can assess offspring condition, and respond by feeding chicks at higher frequencies. These data provide insight on how a long-lived seabird balances its own energetic demands with that of their offspring during the reproductive period.
U.S. primary care physician perceptions on barriers to providing guideline-driven care for UTI and recurrent UTI: a qualitative study
Authors: Park Jennifer , Torosis Michele , Kim Ja-Hong , Ackerman A. Lenore
Published: July 2024

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTI) affect almost two-thirds of all women during their lives and many experience recurrent infections. There are evidence-based guidelines from multiple international societies for evaluation and treatment; however, recent claims-based analyses have demonstrated that adherence to these guidelines is poor. This study seeks to understand the barriers experienced by U.S. primary care providers (PCPs) to providing guideline-based care for UTI and recurrent UTI (rUTI).

Methods

Semi-structured interviews of 18 PCPs, recruited from the greater Los Angeles area, examined real-world clinical management of UTI/rUTI episodes, decisions to refer to subspecialty care, and resources guiding counseling and management. Grounded theory methodology served to analyze interview transcripts and identify preliminary and major themes.

Results

Participants expressed the desire to obtain urine cultures for each cystitis episode, but felt pressured to make compromises by patient demands or barriers to care. PCPs had lower thresholds to empirical treatment if patients had a history of rUTIs, were elderly, or declined evaluation. Laboratory data was minimally utilized in clinical decision-making: urinalyses were infrequently considered when interpreting culture data. PCPs treated a broad set of urologic and non-urologic symptoms as UTI, even with negative cultures. PCPs did not feel comfortable initiating UTI prophylaxis, instead seeking specialist evaluation for anatomic causes. They were unaware of management guidelines, typically utilizing UpToDate® as their primary resource. Few evidence-based UTI prevention interventions were recommended by providers.

Conclusions

Low availability of succinct and clear professional guidelines are substantial barriers to appropriate UTI/rUTI care. Poor useability of clinical guidance documents results in substantial confusion about the role of preventative measures and additional diagnostic testing. Difficulties in patient access to care providers lead to expectations for presumptive treatment. Future studies are needed to determine if improved educational materials for providers and/or management algorithms can improve guideline concordance of UTI management.
Dyspnea, the silent threat in Parkinson’s: a mixed methods study
Authors: Aburub Aseel , Darabseh Mohammad Z. , Abu-Khdair Zaina E. , E’layan Mohannad A. , Al Aqqad Tariq , Ledger Sean J. , Khalil Hanan
Published: July 2024

Background

Dyspnea is considered a silent threat to people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and may be a common concern in patients, however, little is known about how it affects quality of life. This study explored the experiences of independently mobile people who are affected by dyspnea in daily life.

Methodology

This was a cross-sectional mixed methods study that included an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The participants were included if they were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; had a self-reported Hoehn and Yahr Score I, II or III; were mobilizing independently; and were Arabic speakers. Participants were excluded if they had any other musculoskeletal, cardiac, respiratory, or neurological diseases; or were previous or current smokers; or had been previously hospitalized due to respiratory complications.

Results

A total of 117 participants completed the Arabic version of the Dyspnea-12 Questionnaire. Dyspnea was reported in all participants and that it had an adverse effect on their quality of life, especially during activities of daily living. Additionally, participants reported a lack of knowledge about pulmonary rehabilitation and were unaware of the availability and potential benefits of participation in programs.

Conclusion

Dyspnea was reported in people in the early stages (Hoehn and Yahr Stages I, II, and III) of Parkinson’s disease, and may benefit from routine assessment of lung function, dyspnea management and participation in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Child and adolescent exposure to unhealthy food marketing across digital platforms in Canada
Authors: Potvin Kent Monique , Bagnato Mariangela , Remedios Lauren , Soares Guimarães Julia , Gillis Grace , Soto Carolina , Hatoum Farah , Pritchard Meghan
Published: July 2024

Background

Children and adolescents are exposed to a high volume of unhealthy food marketing across digital media. No previous Canadian data has estimated child exposure to food marketing across digital media platforms. This study aimed to compare the frequency, healthfulness and power of food marketing viewed by children and adolescents across all digital platforms in Canada.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, a quota sample of 100 youth aged 6–17 years old (50 children, 50 adolescents distributed equally by sex) were recruited online and in-person in Canada in 2022. Each participant completed the WHO screen capture protocol where they were recorded using their smartphone or tablet for 30-min in an online Zoom session. Research assistants identified all instances of food marketing in the captured video footage. A content analysis of each marketing instance was then completed to examine the use of marketing techniques. Nutritional data were collected on each product viewed and healthfulness was determined using Health Canada’s 2018 Nutrient Profile Model. Estimated daily and yearly exposure to food marketing was calculated using self-reported device usage data.

Results

51% of youth were exposed to food marketing. On average, we estimated that children are exposed to 1.96 marketing instances/child/30-min (4067 marketing instances/child/year) and adolescents are exposed to 2.56 marketing instances/adolescent/30-min (8301 marketing instances/adolescent/year). Both children and adolescents were most exposed on social media platforms (83%), followed by mobile games (13%). Both age groups were most exposed to fast food (22% of marketing instances) compared to other food categories. Nearly 90% of all marketing instances were considered less healthy according to Health Canada’s proposed 2018 Nutrient Profile Model, and youth-appealing marketing techniques such as graphic effects and music were used frequently.

Conclusions

Using the WHO screen capture protocol, we were able to determine that child and adolescent exposure to the marketing of unhealthy foods across digital media platforms is likely high. Government regulation to protect these vulnerable populations from the negative effects of this marketing is warranted.
Nonpharmacological interventions on glycated haemoglobin in youth with type 1 diabetes: a Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Muñoz-Pardeza Jacinto , López-Gil José Francisco , Huerta-Uribe Nidia , Hormazábal-Aguayo Ignacio , Izquierdo Mikel , García-Hermoso Antonio
Published: July 2024

The available evidence on the impact of specific non-pharmacological interventions on glycaemic control is currently limited. Consequently, there is a need to determine which interventions could provide the most significant benefits for the metabolic health of young individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to identify optimal nonpharmacological interventions on glycaemic control, measured by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus from inception to July 1, 2023. Randomised clinical trials (RCT) investigating nonpharmacological interventions (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, and behavioural therapies) were included. Primary outcome was change in HbA1c levels. Secondary outcome was change in daily insulin dose requirement. Seventy-four RCT with 6,815 participants (49.43% girls) involving 20 interventions were analysed using a network meta-analysis. Most interventions showed greater efficacy than standard care. However, multicomponent exercise, which includes aerobic and strength training (n = 214, standardised mean difference [SMD] =– 0.63, 95% credible interval [95% CrI] – 1.09 to – 0.16) and nutritional supplements (n = 146, SMD =– 0.49, – 0 .92 to – 0.07) demonstrated the greatest HbA1c reductions. These interventions also led to the larger decreases in daily insulin needs (n = 119, SMD =– 0.79, 95% CrI –  1.19 to – 0.34) and (n = 57, SMD =– 0.62, 95% CrI –  1.18 to – 0.12, respectively). The current study underscores non-pharmacological options such as multicomponent exercise and nutritional supplements, showcasing their potential to significantly improve HbA1c in youth with type 1 diabetes. Although additional research to confirm their efficacy is required, these approaches could be considered as potential adjuvant therapeutic options in the management of type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents.
Gestational exposure to organochlorine compounds and metals and infant birth weight: effect modification by maternal hardships
Authors: Hu Janice M. Y. , Arbuckle Tye E. , Janssen Patricia A. , Lanphear Bruce P. , Alampi Joshua D. , Braun Joseph M. , MacFarlane Amanda J. , Chen Aimin , McCandless Lawrence C.
Published: July 2024

Background

Gestational exposure to toxic environmental chemicals and maternal social hardships are individually associated with impaired fetal growth, but it is unclear whether the effects of environmental chemical exposure on infant birth weight are modified by maternal hardships.

Methods

We used data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a pan-Canadian cohort of 1982 pregnant females enrolled between 2008 and 2011. We quantified eleven environmental chemical concentrations from two chemical classes – six organochlorine compounds (OCs) and five metals – that were detected in ≥ 70% of blood samples collected during the first trimester. We examined fetal growth using birth weight adjusted for gestational age and assessed nine maternal hardships by questionnaire. Each maternal hardship variable was dichotomized to indicate whether the females experienced the hardship. In our analysis, we used elastic net to select the environmental chemicals, maternal hardships, and 2-way interactions between maternal hardships and environmental chemicals that were most predictive of birth weight. Next, we obtained effect estimates using multiple linear regression, and plotted the relationships by hardship status for visual interpretation.

Results

Elastic net selected trans-nonachlor, lead, low educational status, racially minoritized background, and low supplemental folic acid intake. All were inversely associated with birth weight. Elastic net also selected interaction terms. Among those with increasing environmental chemical exposures and reported hardships, we observed stronger negative associations and a few positive associations. For example, every two-fold increase in lead concentrations was more strongly associated with reduced infant birth weight among participants with low educational status (β = -100 g (g); 95% confidence interval (CI): -215, 16), than those with higher educational status (β = -34 g; 95% CI: -63, -3). In contrast, every two-fold increase in mercury concentrations was associated with slightly higher birth weight among participants with low educational status (β = 23 g; 95% CI: -25, 71) compared to those with higher educational status (β = -9 g; 95% CI: -24, 6).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that maternal hardships can modify the associations of gestational exposure to some OCs and metals with infant birth weight.
Long-term outcomes of IVUS-guided and angiography-guided drug-eluting stent implantation for left main coronary artery disease: a retrospective consort study
Authors: Yang Qing , Ma Xiaoyi , Wang Yuexi
Published: July 2024

Background

In patients with unprotected left main coronary artery disease (ULMCAD), this study compared the long-term prognosis of drug-eluting stent insertion guided by intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) vs. angiography.

Patients and methods

This retrospective consort investigation was performed in December 2021. This analysis included 199 patients who underwent IVUS-guided (IVUS group, n = 81) or angiography-guided (angiography group, n = 118) drug-eluting stent implantation at the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University between September 2013 and September 2018. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as cardiovascular death, sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction.

Results

The IVUS group had considerably lower proportions of MACE within 1 year postoperatively (P = 0.002) and cardiac mortality within 3 years postoperatively (P = 0.018) compared to the angiography group. However, after adjusting for confounding variables, the hazard ratio for 3-year cardiac mortality was similar between the two groups (P = 0.28). In the IVUS group, there was considerably greater minimum lumen diameter (MLD) (P = 0.046), and reduced frequencies of target vessel restenosis (P < 0.050) and myocardial infarction (MI) (P = 0.024) compared to the angiography group. Cox regression analysis for 3-year cardiac mortality found that MSD was independently associated with low cardiac mortality (HR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.01–14.92, P = 0.030).

Conclusion

IVUS-guided drug-eluting stent implantation may lead to better long-term prognosis in patients with ULMCAD, and MSD may be a predictor for lower cardiac mortality.
Classification of the oesophageal perforation
Authors: Harrich Friederike , Knoefel Wolfram Trudo , Bölke Edwin , Schauer Matthias
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Esophageal perforations are a complex clinical scenario that have been poorly studied. To date, there is no grading of esophageal perforations, the reason being that the outcome is very heterogeneous, because the perforation is very heterogeneous. A grading of the severity of the perforation may guide treatment, and could ultimately affect morbidity and mortality.

Methods

The observation period of the study was four years. All patients with a perforation of the esophagus aged 18 to 90 years were included. All anastomotic insufficiencies or fistulas after surgery of the esophagus were excluded. The cause of the injury and the time interval between the event and the start of therapy were analyzed. The severity of each perforation was classified based on the results of a diagnostic CT scan, gastroscopy as well as clinical and laboratory findings. Therapy and signs of infection were evaluated. Endpoints of the study were patient recovery or death. The study was conducted as a retrospective single-center study at a university hospital of Düsseldorf. The study has been approved by the review board. Patients gave their informed consent before data collection. All data were analyzed using SPSS 29 (IBM SPSS Statistics software).

Results

Age, gender and cause of the esophageal perforation did not impact significantly on overall survival. The duration of injury > 24 h (p = 0.01), presence of mediastinitis (p = 0.01) and necrosis of the esophagus (p = 0.02) were associated with an unfavorable outcome. The correlation of the clinical grading of the severity of the perforation based on the endoscopic, radiological and clinical findings with the overall survival of patients was significant. Patients categorized into the four grades of severity (I–IV) had an overall survival of 100%, 100%, 70% and 50%, respectively.

Conclusion

The severity of esophageal perforations can be systematically rated grades I to IV based on the radiological, endoscopic and clinical findings at diagnosis. Due to the grading and its correlation to the overall survival, a comparison of patients, their treatment and outcome becomes possible. In future, the grade of a perforation may guide treatment, and therefore affect morbidity and mortality.
Transport Characteristics and Corrosion Behavior of Ultra-High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete with the Key Mix Parameters
Authors: Ahmad Shamsad , Bahraq Ashraf A. , Al-Fakih Amin , Yusuf Moruf Olalekan , Al-Osta Mohammed A.
Published: July 2024

The presence of low-quality coarse aggregates and exposure to aggressive conditions are the two major problems with the durability of concrete. Therefore, an alternative concrete with enhanced properties to prevent fluid and ionic mobility compared to conventional concrete is needed. This study investigated the effects of main mix parameters on the transport characteristics and corrosion behavior of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC). A set of 27 UHPFRC mixtures with different combinations of w/b ratio, cement, and silica fume contents, based on a 33-factorial experiment design, were prepared and tested for water permeability, chloride penetrability, electrical resistivity, chloride profile, and corrosion current density. The results showed that UHPFRC mixtures exhibited excellent durability properties characterized by negligible water penetration (< 15 mm), negligible and very low chloride permeability when the w/b ratio was 0.15 (< 100 Coulombs) and up to 0.2 (< 300 Coulombs), respectively, and very low chloride concentrations at the rebar level (0.03–0.18 wt.%). All resistivity values were within the range of 26.7–78.8 kΩ cm (> 20 kΩ cm) and pH values were 12.41–13.01, indicating the implausible likelihood of corrosion in the UHPFRC mixtures. This was confirmed through the corrosion current density measurements of reinforced UHPFRC specimens after 450 days of chloride exposure, which were below the critical limit for the corrosion initiation of reinforcing steel. Finally, the experimental data were statistically analyzed and fitted for all the listed tests, and models were developed for them using the regression analysis such that regression coefficients were within 0.90–0.99.
Revisiting the role of mesenchymal stromal cells in cancer initiation, metastasis and immunosuppression
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Wang Charles , Li Jian Jian
Published: July 2024

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) necessitates a thorough understanding of intricate cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play a pivotal role in cancer generation, progression, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Within the TME, MSCs encompass both resident and circulating counterparts that dynamically communicate and actively participate in TME immunosurveillance and response to ICB. This review aims to reevaluate various facets of MSCs, including their potential self-transformation to function as cancer-initiating cells and contributions to the creation of a conducive environment for tumor proliferation and metastasis. Additionally, we explore the immune regulatory functions of tumor-associated MSCs (TA-MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) with analysis of potential connections between circulating and tissue-resident MSCs. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of MSC-immune cell communication and the heterogeneous cargo of tumor-educated versus naïve MSCs may unveil a new MSC-mediated immunosuppressive pathway that can be targeted to enhance cancer control by ICB.
New insights into swine dysentery: faecal shedding, macro and microscopic lesions and biomarkers in early and acute stages of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Lucía , Carvajal Ana , Puente Héctor , Peres Rubio Camila , Cerón Jose Joaquín , Rubio Pedro , Argüello Héctor
Published: July 2024

Background

Swine dysentery (SD) is a severe mucohaemorrhagic colitis in pigs caused classically by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. Although several aspects of B. hyodysenteriae infection dynamic are already described, further research in the early stage of this infection is required. In this study, 7-week-old pigs were orally challenged with B. hyodysenteriae to obtain information about faecal shedding, macro and microscopic intestinal lesions and serum acute phase proteins in pigs at the onset of B. hyodysenteriae shedding (early infection group, n = 8), in pigs with mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea (acute infection group, n = 8) and in non-infected controls (n = 16).

Results

First B. hyodysenteriae detection by q-PCR and first loose stools with blood and mucus occurred both at 8 days post-inoculation. The lapse between a positive q-PCR and observation of mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea ranged from 0 to 3 days, except in a single pig in which this period lasted 5 days. Macroscopic lesions were observed in the large intestine from both infected groups although more frequent and severe in acute infection group. Microscopic observation of the apex mucosa revealed that in early infection only higher ulceration values were observed compared to healthy controls. In contrast, the acute infection group exhibited higher ulceration, neutrophils infiltration and increased mucosal thickness compared to the other two groups. Among the serum biomarkers tested, only haptoglobin, C-reactive protein, and creatine kinase showed a significant increase in pigs in the acute infection period compared to controls, whereas haptoglobin was the only factor with a significant increase at the early infection compared to non-infected animals.

Conclusions

This study provides new insights about SD and remarks the complex and limited options to perform an early detection of infected animals beyond PCR diagnosis.
Women’s leadership matters in education for planetary health
Authors: Abbonizio Jessica , Ho Susie Siew Yuen , Reid Alan , Simmons Margaret
Published: July 2024

Women in higher education are in critical positions for preparing future healthcare professionals to support the health of people and the planet. However, women’s leadership remains an under-explored area in education for planetary health (EPH) literature. This article articulates, through a review of empirical and theoretical literature, that it is vital to highlight women’s perspectives as leaders of EPH. We argue that women are well positioned for developing and delivering EPH, and that exploring women’s leadership in EPH will nuance understandings of the gendered challenges that leaders in this field face. We propose that women’s leadership in EPH can be enhanced through celebrating role models as well as improving access to partnership, funding, and research opportunities. This article adds women to the agenda of the diverse voices that need to be heard for advancing EPH, inspiring others to join the growing collective of educators partnering for the health of people and the planet.
Self-supervised denoising at low signal-to-noise ratios: A seismic-while-drilling application
Authors: Birnie Claire , Liu Sixiu , AlDawood Ali , Bakulin Andrey , Silvestrov Ilya , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: July 2024

Self-supervised blind-mask denoising networks overcome the challenge of requiring clean training targets by employing a mask on raw noisy data to form the input for training while using the unmasked version as the network's target. The application of such networks has shown considerable strength in suppressing both random and coherent noise in seismic data. However, because such networks need to figure out the target (clean signal) on their own, they struggle at low signal-to-noise ratios. Seismic-while-drilling acquisitions result in seismic data of very low quality because the drilling operation introduces significant noise propagating from the rig site. Due to its consistent and low-frequency nature, it is hard to design a noise mask to hide the rig noise from the network without also hiding useful information required for predicting the signal. However, by reframing the task from a noise suppression to a noise prediction task and utilizing a mask to hide the signal from the network, the rig noise can be predicted accurately. Therefore, the difference between the network's prediction and the raw data results in common bit (equivalent to shot, but continuous) gathers with a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio due to the removal of rig noise. Illustrated on six common bit gathers, this reversed methodology is shown to separate the rig noise and signal, even in their shared bandwidth. The additional use of explainable artificial intelligence is investigated as a means of avoiding the manual step of creating the signal mask, providing promising results. This study lays the ground work for suppression of high-amplitude, consistent noises, such as those arising from well site operations like fluid injection procedures for carbon sequestration or geothermal energy production purposes.
Steckman Ridge: A naturally fractured underground gas storage field
Authors: Toelle Brian Edward , Stellas Michael
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a field development case study of a gas storage field in Pennsylvania within a fractured reservoir. Integration of multiple data sets was required for the project's success. During the study, the interpretation of 3D isofrequency seismic volumes, generated through spectral decomposition, was shown to be the key step in this data integration. The interpretation of these isofrequency volumes successfully identified previously unresolved subtle structural features, which controlled the natural fracture system. The existence of these subtle structural features was subsequently confirmed with eight horizontal gas storage wells. Accurate characterization of a fracture trend requires the integration of seismic data, available well data, surface geology, drilling, and production data. This study was performed to develop the Oriskany reservoir in the Steckman Ridge underground gas storage field located in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. This field had undergone rapid depletion during its primary production phase. During the early portion of the study, the reservoir was determined to be a type 1 fractured reservoir with little to no gas storage available in the sandstone matrix. Multiple data types were acquired and integrated to detect and characterize the structural features that compose the reservoir. Isofrequency volumes, developed through spectral decomposition of 3D seismic data over the field, helped identify and map subtle shear faults that proved to be controlling the location and orientation of the dominant fracture trend in the field. Horizontal boreholes, needed to convert the field from gas production to gas storage, were planned and drilled based on this seismic interpretation. The existence of these shear faults, their location, and their orientation were confirmed by image logs acquired along the length of six horizontal gas storage boreholes. Additionally, flow tests performed to determine gas deliverability supported this interpretation.
Reviews
Authors: Aitken Julie
Published: July 2024

Data Science for the Geosciences, by Lijing Wang, David Zhen Yin, and Jef Caers, 2023
CR193: a framework of knowledge and support for expert witnesses
Authors: Harding Duncan
Published: July 2024

The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ report CR193 details the responsibilities of psychiatrists who provide expert evidence to courts and tribunals. This brief commentary describes the rewards and challenges of expert witness work, the author's role as the College's Lead for Expert Witnesses, and importance of CR193 for expert psychiatric witnesses.
Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Cryoneurolysis of the Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerves for the Management of Prolonged Acute Post-Surgical Forearm Pain: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Jacoby Mackenzie J. , Wu Mengjie , Sen Sudipta , Gosey Bobby D. , Mehrafza Mariam , Said Engy Tandros , Hernandez Nadia
Published: July 2024

Prolonged acute postsurgical pain (PAPSP) contributes to the development of chronic postsurgical pain, impaired rehabilitation, longer hospital stays, and decreased quality of life. For upper extremity analgesia, the duration of postoperative pain management with continuous brachial plexus peripheral nerve blocks is limited due to the risk of infection. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis provides extended analgesia and avoids the risks and inconveniences of indwelling catheters. We present 2 cases of PAPSP of the forearm effectively managed by the use of ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis to treat the medial, lateral, and posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerves.
Functional distinction in oncogenic Ras variant activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lyu Haimeng , Chamberlin Helen M.
Published: July 2024

Ras genes are important oncogenes that are frequently mutated in cancer. Human oncogenic variants exhibit functional distinctions in terms of their representation in different cancer types, impact on cellular targets and sensitivity to pharmacological treatments. However, how these distinct variants influence and respond to the cellular networks in which they are embedded is poorly understood. To identify novel participants in the complex interplay between Ras genotype and cell interaction networks in vivo, we have developed and tested an experimental framework using a simple vulva-development assay in the nematode C. elegans. Using this system, we evaluated a set of Ras oncogenic substitution changes at G12, G13 and Q61. We found that these variants fall into distinct groups based on phenotypic differences, sensitivity to gene dosage and inhibition of the downstream kinase MEK and their response to genetic modulators that influence Ras activity in a non-autonomous manner. Together, our results demonstrated that oncogenic C. elegans Ras variants exhibit clear distinctions in how they interface with the vulva-development network and showed that extracellular modulators yield variant-restricted effects in vivo.
Θεσμοί και δομές διακυβέρνησης των κοινών
Authors: Νασιώκα Φωτεινή
Published: July 2024

Οι κοινοί πόροι αποτελούν μια ειδική κατηγορία πόρων που, λόγω της μη-αποκλειστικότητας και αφαιρεσιμότητας, συχνά αντιμετωπίζουν τον κίνδυνο κακοδιαχείρισης, υποβάθμισης ή ακόμη και καταστροφής, τη λεγόμενη «τραγωδία των κοινών». Λύση στο πρόβλημα αποτελεί η απόδοση ξεκάθαρων περιουσιακών δικαιωμάτων στα εμπλεκόμενα μέρη. Παραδοσιακά, τέτοια δικαιώματα έχουν είτε το κράτος είτε ιδιώτες. Ωστόσο, μια τρίτη διαμόρφωση, όπου τα περιουσιακά δικαιώματα αποδίδονται σε μια κοινότητα χρηστών, έρχεται να προστεθεί με ολοένα και περισσότερες μελέτες να διαπιστώνουν θεαματικά αποτελέσματα για την ποιότητα και μακροβιότητα του διαχειριζόμενου πόρου, αλλά και για την ίδια την τοπική κοινωνία αυξάνοντας την συμμετοχικότητα των πολιτών, την κοινωνική συνοχή, το κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο και την κοινωνική δικαιοσύνη και δημοκρατία. Τυπικό παράδειγμα «τραγωδίας» αποτελούν οι εγκαταλελειμμένοι ή ανεκμετάλλευτοι αστικοί χώροι. Οι χώροι αυτοί μπορούν να παίξουν σημαντικό ρόλο στη βελτίωση της αστικής ποιότητας ζωής και στην αντιμετώπιση των προκλήσεων που δέχεται η σύγχρονη ελληνική κοινωνία. Ωστόσο παραδοσιακές λύσεις δημόσιας διαχείρισης ή ιδιωτικοποίησης, είτε αδυνατούν να διαμορφώσουν ένα πλαίσιο που να εγγυάται τη βιωσιμότητά τους, είτε είναι ανέφικτες οικονομικά. Η δημιουργία εγχειρημάτων συλλογικής διαχείρισης στους χώρους αυτούς αποτελεί ίσως την αποδοτικότερη λύση (τουλάχιστον βραχυπρόθεσμα) για την αντιμετώπιση των περιβαλλοντικών, οικονομικών και κοινωνικών προκλήσεων που αντιμετωπίζουν κυρίως τα μεγάλα αστικά κέντρα. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, η παρούσα εργασία έρχεται να διερευνήσει την δομή, τους μηχανισμούς και την οργάνωση τέτοιων πρωτοβουλιών αυτο-διαχείρισης στην Ελλάδα, σε μια προσπάθεια ανάδειξης επιτυχημένων πρακτικών για την ισχυροποίηση της συλλογικής δράσης και τη βιώσιμη αυτοδιαχείριση των αστικών κοινών.
Διαταραχές της αιμόστασης στους ασθενείς με κίρρωση του ήπατος
Authors: Καμπέλος Γεώργιος
Published: July 2024

Ο ασθενής με κίρρωση του ήπατος εμφανίζει διαταραχή της αιμόστασης, η οποία θεωρείτο στο παρελθόν, ως η συνηθέστερη αιτία της δευτεροπαθούς αιμορραγικής διάθεσης. Το ήπαρ είναι το όργανο σύνθεσης των περισσότερων παραγόντων πήξης και, όταν η ηπατική λειτουργία διαταραχθεί, παρατείνεται κυρίως ο χρόνος προθρομβίνης (prothrombin time, PT) και, δευτερευόντως, ο χρόνος μερικής θρομβοπλαστίνης (activated partial thromboplastine time, APTT). Ωστόσο, η κλασσική αντίληψη, που κυριαρχούσε επί σειρά ετών, ότι δηλαδή οι παρατάσεις των χρόνων πήξης υποδεικνύουν αιμορραγική διάθεση στους κιρρωτικούς θεωρείται πλέον παρωχημένη. Νεότερα δεδομένα αποδεικνύουν, ότι η πραγματικότητα είναι τελείως διαφορετική, αρκετά πιο σύνθετη. Η αιμόσταση του κιρρωτικού ασθενούς θεωρείται πλέον, ότι ισορροπεί μεταξύ αιμορραγίας και θρόμβωσης (διατήρηση της ισορροπίας στην αιμόσταση, “rebalanced hemostasis”), μια εύθραυστη ισορροπία, που μπορεί εύκολα να διαταραχθεί και να αποκλίνει είτε προς την αιμορραγία ή προς στην θρόμβωση.Αναφέρεται ότι οι ιξωδοελαστικές μέθοδοι προσφέρουν σφαιρικότερη και σαφέστερη εκτίμηση της αιμόστασης συγκριτικά με τις συμβατικές μεθόδους. Απο την εν λογω μελέτη προκύπτει οτι ο ρόλος της περιστροφικής θρομβοελαστομετρίας στους ασθενείς με κίρρωση του ήπατος εχει υψηλή προγνωστική αξία ενώ δεν σχετίζεται με τον αυξημένο αιμορραγικό κίνδυμο.
Spór między Komisją Europejską a rządami państw członkowskich o model reformy ustrojowej Unii Gospodarczej i Walutowej w latach 2010-2023
Authors: Węc Janusz Józef
Published: July 2024

DISPUTE BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEMBER STATES OVER THE MODEL FOR THE SYSTEM REFORM OF THE ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION IN THE YEARS 2010-2023
The primary research objective of the article is to analyze the System Reform of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) from 2010 to 2023 from the perspective of the dispute between the European Commission and the governments of Member States over the model of this reform. The author formulated two research hypotheses. The first one is based on the assumption that the implementation of the reform faced numerous difficulties and barriers resulting from the negative attitudes of the governments of some Eurozone member states towards the implementation of selected projects of the European Commission, but also from the accumulation of several international crises that the European Union was facing at the time. These were the migration crisis in 2015-2016 and then from 2022, the pandemic crisis in 2020-2021 and the geopolitical crisis caused by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine from 2022. The second hypothesis is that the main axis of disagreement between the Commission and the governments of Member States was the limits of financial solidarity and the target System Model of the EMU. Following this, the author formulated four research questions: (1) On which issues did the positions of the European Commission and the Eurozone Summit converge and on which issues did they diverge, and why? (2) To what extent did disagreements between Member State governments over the limits of financial solidarity and the target integration model of the EMU determine the direction of System Reform? (3) How important were the aforementioned international crises for the fate of the reform? (4) What were the main achievements and failures of the EMU System Reform?
Stanowisko Niemiec wobec reformy Wspólnej Polityki Bezpieczeństwa i Obrony UE (2016-2022)
Authors: Malinowski Krzysztof
Published: July 2024

GERMANY’S POSITION TOWARDS THE REFORM OF THE EU’S COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY (2016-2022)
The aim of this article is to analyze Germany’s position towards the development of CSDP between 2016 and 2023, that is, from the enactment of the EU Global Strategy to the publication of the Strategic Compass. For the CDU/CSU-SPD (2013-2017 and 2017-2021) and SPD-Green-FDP (2021-2022) coalition governments, deepening security and defense integration was a means to advance European integration. The reasons for Germany’s increased interest in developing CSDP from 2016 onwards, regardless of the international context (Brexit, Trump’s presidency), were linked to the political elite’s growing aspirations to develop a more influential international role for Germany. However, hesitation was evident. European defense was seen as an instrument for aiding European integration and as a factor for activating the Franco-German engine. However, France – in strong contrast to Germany – saw the development of a common defense as a means to achieve strong European autonomy in the sense of independence from the US. In Germany, it was feared that this would damage the traditional relationship with NATO. Acceptance of strategic autonomy was therefore limited by the primacy of the Atlantic orientation, which was even revitalized because of the war in Ukraine. Berlin’s ambivalent position on CSDP was also due to the lack of political will to act militarily, constitutional constraints, that is, the strong role of parliament and the influence of a restrained political-military culture.
Wpływ wojny w Ukrainie na rozwój polityki bezpieczeństwa i obrony Unii Europejskiej
Authors: Przybylska-Maszner Beata
Published: July 2024

THE IMPACT OF RUSSIA’S 2022 INVASION OF UKRAINE ON EU SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY
In recent years, the European Union has continuously expanded its role in the area of security and defense policy. This process gained momentum following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. New decisions and initiatives on common defense were developed due to the effects of the war, which changed the dynamics of interaction between institutions and member states. The analysis highlights how the EU is using the opportunities created by crises to strategically expand its security policy mandate. It also examined how the war in Ukraine led to the establishment of new security and defense initiatives, which affected its geopolitical position.
Talent Poaching and Job Rotation
Authors: Battiston Diego , Espinosa Miguel , Liu Shuo
Published: July 2024

The value of a firm’s service lies both in its workers and its relationship with clients. In this paper, we study the interaction between the client-specific experience accumulated by workers, poaching behaviour from clients, and strategic rotation of workers by firms. Using detailed personnel data from a security service firm, we show that an increase in client-specific experience increases both the productivity of workers and their probability of being poached. The firm reacts to this risk by rotating workers across multiple clients, and more frequently so for those workers more likely to be poached. Furthermore, we find that after a policy change that prohibited poaching, the firm sharply decreased the frequency of rotation, which in turn increased workers’ productivity. We propose a theoretical model that guides the empirical patterns and allows us to argue their external validity beyond our specific empirical setting. Finally, we provide survey evidence from the security service sector, demonstrating the consistency between our findings and industry observations.

This paper was accepted by Lamar Pierce, organizations.

Funding: S. Liu acknowledges financial support from the National Natural Science of China [Grants 72192844 and 72322006].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.02275 .
Polymyalgia rheumatica during the course of limited cutaneous scleroderma: an unusual and challenging coexistence
Authors: Lorenzo-Villalba Noel , Habib Charlene , Docquier Léa , Nasco Edward , Imperiale Alessio , Andrès Emmanuel , Terrade Jean Edouard
Published: July 2024

A 50-year-old patient with a history of limited cutaneous scleroderma began with polyarthralgia (left shoulder, elbows and hips) without stiffness or associated inflammatory syndrome. Treatment with oral anti-inflammatory drugs was started on suspicion of peripheral spondyloarthritis with partial response. This progressed with the appearance of stiffness and functional limitation of the hips as well as an increase in the inflammatory syndrome two weeks after onset. It was decided to perform an 18F-FDG-PET scan compatible with polymyalgia rheumatica. The patient was treated with oral corticosteroids with an excellent response after one week of treatment.
The Economic Impact of Cloud Technologies on the Industry 4.0 Development
Authors: Reznikov R. ,   Intellias Global Limited
Published: July 2024

This article explores the profound economic impact of cloud technologies on Industry 4.0, focusing on how these technologies are revolutionizing the industrial sector. It delves into the transformation of IT investments from capital expenditure (CAPEX) to operational expenditure (OPEX) due to cloud computing. This shift is making advanced digital technologies more accessible and affordable, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By reducing the need for significant upfront investments and providing scalable, pay-as-you-go solutions, cloud computing significantly enhances the return on investment (ROI) for Industry 4.0 initiatives. A comparative analysis of major cloud service providers—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure—reveals the diverse range of services and economic benefits they offer for Industry 4.0 applications. AWS leads with comprehensive IoT and machine learning services, GCP excels in data analytics and AI capabilities, and Microsoft Azure provides robust enterprise integrations and hybrid cloud solutions. The article also addresses critical challenges such as security, compliance, and the risks associated with cloud provider lock-in. It offers strategic insights into cost management practices that can maximize the economic benefits of cloud adoption, such as leveraging multi-cloud strategies and utilizing auto-scaling and reserved instances. Furthermore, the article includes case studies from leading industrial companies like Siemens, General Electric, BMW, and ABB. These examples illustrate how cloud-based Industry 4.0 solutions enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and drive innovation. For instance, Siemens leverages AWS for scalable IoT solutions, GE utilizes Azure for data-driven industrial insights, and BMW employs GCP for advanced data analytics to improve manufacturing processes. In conclusion, cloud technologies are essential enablers of Industry 4.0, offering significant economic advantages and fostering innovation and efficiency. By overcoming historical barriers to entry, especially for SMEs, and providing flexible, scalable solutions, cloud computing is transforming the industrial landscape, driving growth, and facilitating the widespread adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.
Shining a light on risks outside the home
Authors: Firmin Carlene , Lefevre Michelle
Published: July 2024

Authors set out five key features of promising social care responses to extra-familial risks and harms drawn from studying international systems