bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marcellus shale characteristics and CO2 adsorption: equilibrium and kinetic modeling study
Authors: Abdulkareem Firas A. , Faugere Gauthier , Radman Amatalrhman , Irfan Sayed Ameenuddin , Sathiavelu Srimanimegala , Padmanabhan Eswaran
Published: April 2022

The CO2 injection in unconventional reservoirs is one of the promising techniques for improved hydrocarbons recovery (IOR) and eliminated greenhouse gas emissions. In this work, the Physico-chemical characteristics of shale rocks, and the influence of those characteristics on CO2 adsorption and desorption are investigated. The mineralogy of four Marcellus shale samples, in addition to the morphology, elemental distribution, functional groups, total organic content, and porosity are indicated and discussed. The adsorption measurements utilizing gravimetric approach show up to 35mg/g and presented obvious correlation of clay minerals existence such as Dolomite, Illite, and Kaolinite at different weight ratios i.e. up to 60wt.% with CO2 adsorption and retention. Open-ended Pore shapes and mesoporous zone are illustrated on the mesoporous shale geometries. The applied numerical equilibrium isotherms modelling, which are Langmuir, Freundlich, Toth, and Tempkin models, are reflected multilayer and heterogeneous gas molecules distribution following the monolayer and homogeneous adsorption. The kinetic measurements showed a rate of adsorption variation, which reflected the total organic content and porosity variations impacts. The temperature program desorption of the pre-adsorbed CO2 gas revealed strong chemisorption on shale matrix, which requested up to 500°C and 2675.538KJ/mol to break down the CO2 bonding from shale geometry. The findings supported the CO2 utilization as water competitor and shale matrix as a storage environment for further utilization or environmental assortments. Keywords: CO2 adsorption/desorption, Marcellus Shales, Kinetics, Hydraulic fracturing, Enhanced Gas Recovery (EGR).
Hydrocarbons and residual oil recovery with ultrasonic-assisted waves and co-solvents
Authors: Abdulkareem Firas A. , Padmanabhan Eswaran
Published: April 2022

In this work, the physicochemical characteristics of the recovered organic fractions and the correlation between organic-makers existence and recovered hydrocarbons are studied on two shale samples from the Kubang Pasu (KP) Formation, Kedah, Malaysia formation. Improving the extractability of organic matter is the key to evaluate the source or reservoir rock petroleum characteristic, this study is an attempt to estimate the optimist extraction technique and conditions for shale rocks. In this work, the physic-chemical characteristics of two moderately organic-rich shale samples from the North-Western Peninsula Malaysia are studied. The recovered organic matter using Soxhlet and ultrasonic extraction processes of the shale samples with toluene is inspected. Samples characteristics in terms of micro-porous surface area and volume analysis, elemental compositions, total organic compounds, surface morphology with elemental mapping, and elemental cations with the active functional groups are analyzed. The solutes of the extraction process are evaluated utilizing gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GCMS), and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) techniques. The extraction measurements showed a wider range of organic matter recovered from KPK-13 compared to KPK-14 shale. Hence, the total organic content (TOC) of both samples are almost identical (i.e.: ≈ 1.5) which might refer to the higher carbon mineralogy as quantified by EDX mapping, lower surface area according to N2 adsorption analysis, the thermal maturity, or kerogen type of the KPK-14 shale samples. The Soxhlet and ultra-sonication extraction process showed feasible extraction of organic fractions with up to C20. Various configurations of alkanes, alkenes, amines and esters are indicated in the post-sonication solutes with higher weight ratios on the KPK-14 shale sample. The study provides an insightful relation between the organic matter existence and their characteristics, with the possible extractable fractions using the ultrasonic technique as cost and time effective approach.
Pore geometry and connectivity in shaly sand as input data for fracking experiments
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Siddiqui Numair A. , Mathew Manoj J. , Garzanti Eduardo , Shiqi Zhang
Published: April 2022

Exploration for hydrocarbon in shales is an example of unconventional reservoirs for oil and gas resources with huge amount of commercial potential. Porosity and permeability in shale are two important factors that control fluid accumulation and flow. To get the natural shale samples from wells is certainly a hard and crucial job for reservoir fracking studies. To study different factors that influence pore types and geometry in fracking experiments, we carried out X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, surface area analyzer and porosimetry system (SAP), poroperm and tomographic imaging (micro-CT scan) on shale samples from Peninsular Malaysia. The results of synthetic cores through XRD show high amount of clay content (illite/smectite, and kaolinite) and quartz. Other experimental studies reveal that porosity and permeability is heterogeneous and low in the interbedded shale due to very-fine grained matrix. Microscale studies using SEM and CT scan demonstrate different types of pores that are inter/intragranular, intercrystalline, and organic. Our results elucidate that interconnecting pores and their permeability for fluid flow is low due to the obstruction by very-fine grains of clay minerals like illite and kaolinite in shaly sand. The results can be directly applied to labbased fracking experiments that can provide optimal fracking parameters and has great potential in the (oil and gas) O&G industry for understanding hydrocarbon (HC) flow dynamics
Structural Interpretation by Applied Seismic Attribute in ‘I’ Field, Northwestern of Malay Basin.
Authors: Mokhtar S S S , Elsadaany M , Ridwan T K
Published: April 2022

The structural pattern within the Malay Basin is divided into fold and fault systems. Malay Basin is a complex rift composed of numerous extensional graben formed during the late Eocene-early Oligocene and the underwent thermal subsidence and sedimentation during the early Miocene. 3D seismic data and well data are used to map fault surface and stratigraphic reference horizons in the research field. The 3D surfaces and stratigraphy can thus be used to better understand and evaluate fold, fault interaction and structural trap. The quality of the data was improved by applying the seismic attribute (volume attribute) to intensify the geologic features. This paper is focusing on identified fold and faults by applying several seismic attributes on the specified parameter. The objective of this paper is to answer the question regarding how the fault is growing and its propagation. Thus, it is will help with the exploration to produce accurate structural maps in discovery oil and gas.
An approach to sustain micro-hydro power plants (MHPP) operation in the rural areas: a case study in South Dulamayo village of Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Jahja Muhammad , Arifin yayu Inriati , Fitra Syamsul Andi M. N. , Mobiliu Fajar Putra
Published: April 2022

Electrification is one of the driving factors for improving the quality of life of a country. Currently, Indonesia's electrification is borne solely by Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), which isn’t sustainable and eco-friendly due to the fact that the main energy source is fossil fuel. Gorontalo, which is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources has installed many renewable energies power plant, but some of them have stopped operating due to the inability to maintain the operation. In South Dulamayo Village, in which the energy supply has already been dominated by PLN, the renewable energy power plant is still being used. The micro-hydro power plant project (MHPP) in South Dulamayo has operated for more than 7 years old, which currently struggles to maintain its sustainability. This study focused on capturing how the micro-hydro power plant in South Dulamayo maintains its sustainability. It is possible to keep The MHPP South Dulamayo working together (hybrid) with PLN for several customers, mainly the management by the intervention of UNG researchers.
Sequential search technique for obtaining the energy-efficient residential building in Gorontalo
Authors: Jahja Mohamad , Ftirah And Muhammad Nur , Gunawan Abdu
Published: April 2022

A sequential search technique is being used to optimize the design of the residential building in Gorontalo to minimize their life-cycle energy cost while improving their energy efficiency. Certain design features are included like air-conditioned, house orientation, window material, wall exterior finish, roof insulation, lighting fixtures, cooling system efficiencies, and photovoltaic while also considering the neighbor distance. The outcomes of the sequential search methodology are contrasted with those achieved through a more time-consuming approach to brute-force optimization. Alternatively, for selected locations in Gorontalo, the best design features for residential building is determined. By using specific measures resulted from the optimization technique can cost-effectively reduce the annual energy saving by 59%, while adding the photovoltaic as a measure, we can increase the annual energy use saving percentage up to 117% compared to the reference design in the residential building in Gorontalo.
Evaluation of site effects using horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan
Authors: Badrolhisham Siti Noor Shafiqah , Khalil Amin Esmail , Wai Wong Kian , Latiff Abdul Halim Abdul
Published: April 2022

The destruction experienced by an area due to tremors is commonly related to the size of magnitude and the distance of the source to the site where it is well known that larger magnitude earthquakes cause greater damage. Similarly, the closest area to the source will experience much devastating damage compared to the area further away. In addition to that, the local site effect also plays a significant role in the impact of earthquake hazards for specific sites despite the site being hundreds of kilometers away from the epicenter. This had been proven by the Michoacán earthquake in 1985 where the situation is similar to Peninsular Malaysia located approximately 400 km away from one of the most active plate tectonics in the world, the Sumatra Subduction Zone. This paper aims to evaluate the local site effects to improve the result of seismic hazard assessment by applying the Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method. The recorded microtremors data are processed to get two parameters that are closely related to the local site condition which is the resonant frequency and the amplification factor. The overall values extracted from the H/V curves are intermediate for both parameters. Overall, Kuala Pilah is divided into two zones; the western region associated with a thin, well-compacted soil layer and the eastern region associated with loose and unconsolidated deposits.
A case study on the application and workability of the crosshole seismic survey in a karstic area
Authors: Sithambaram Rubenee
Published: April 2022

Crosshole seismic tomography is currently one of the reliable methods used in identifying the seismic velocity patterns for the development in areas challenged by presence of karstic features due to dissolution of the underlying limestone bedrock formation. The crosshole seismic tomography which provides a persistent image of the borehole and its surroundings in the form of P-wave velocity, picks up in-depth information compared to other surface geophysical methods. A crosshole seismic survey which consists of 99 lines connecting a total of 48 boreholes were conducted at Jalan Cochrane for a proposed residential development to determine the subsurface geology of the area. The site was divided into four main towers, namely Tower A and B (East) and Tower A and B (West). Jalan Cochrane is underlain by the Kuala Lumpur Limestone formation. This survey was mainly conducted to identify the possible cavities and incompetent rocks which are fractured and infilled in the proposed area. The crosshole seismic survey tomography correlated well with the borehole information obtained. Several drop in velocity observed were concluded to be possible cavities in the bedrock. Data obtained in Tower A and B (West) are more uniform and have a uniform bedrock level compared to the data in Tower A and B (East) which has an undulating bedrock level as well as fractured rocks and infilled cavities. This paper presents the findings obtained from the crosshole seismic survey conducted at Jalan Cochrane which successfully mapped out the cavities and bedrock level.
Elastic properties and pore structure characterization of selected shales in the sungai Perlis beds, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Haq Izhar ul , Padmanabhan Eswaran , Khan Javed Akbar , Uthayakumar Tineswaran
Published: April 2022

Studied drill core of the Sungai Perlis Beds in the Terengganu State, Peninsular Malaysia, consists of a diverse suite of organic rich shale lithofacies at various subsurface depths. Lithofacies were delineated on the basis bedding thickness, mineralogy, and organic richness carried out by X-ray diffraction and (XRD) total organic content (TOC) analysis. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis was carried out to identify the pore structure, range of pore sizes and mineral arrangement within each lithofacies unit Elastic geomechanical properties (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio) were measured on core samples from each lithofacies unit using static and dynamic approaches. The identified lithofacies include moderate TOC massive argillaceous shale (MTOCMAS), high TOC massive argillaceous shale (HTOCMAS) and high TOC massive siliceous shale (HTOCMSS). FE-SEM analysis shows that pores in all the lithofacies are mostly intergranular, associated with phyllosilicate minerals, and ranges from <1 micrometer to approximately 8 micrometer. Static and dynamic elastic properties measurement shows that shale lithofacies having a high content of phyllosilicate minerals has a lower Young’s modulus and a high Poisson’s ratio value while lithofacies rich in brittle minerals has a higher Young’s modulus and a low Poisson’s ratio value. A good correlation exists between mineralogical brittleness index of the lithofacies and their plane strain modulus. The plane strain modulus is found higher in lithofacies having abundance of brittle minerals in the matrix suggesting that the high TOC massive siliceous shale (HTOCMSS) would preferably allow formation of dense hydraulic fractures, as observed in the CT scan analysis of triaxially fractured specimen, compared to argillaceous shale lithofacies.
Termus shale of central Pahang, Malaysia: kerogen typing by palynofacies analysis
Authors: Azmi Azyan Syahira , Ismail Mohd Suhaili , Talib Jasmi Ab
Published: April 2022

Palynofacies study has been done on selected samples fom the Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Termus Shale from Kuala Tahan, Jerantut-Jengka and Maran in Central Pahang to study its kerogen properties. Palynofacies study reveals distinct organic matter composition of different biological affinities from the samples where the organic matter composition were sorted into maceral groups and then by its distribution, to standard kerogen types. Three types of kerogens were interpreted: kerogen Type I, kerogen Type III and kerogen Type IV. Kerogen Type I and Type IV is interpreted in Kuala Tahan, Type III in Jerantut and kerogen Type III and Type IV are interpreted in the Maran area. The overall kerogen types correspond to different hydrocarbon potential ranging from high-low oil and gas potential.
Depositional environment and diagenesis of early Miocene Nyalau Formation, Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Shoukat Noureen , Siddiqui Numair Ahmed , Ismail M Suhaili B , Ali Syed Haroon
Published: April 2022

Diagenetic understandings tied to depositional sequences that developed over the past decades help to predict the reservoir quality in oil and gas exploration. Understanding the lithologic characteristics and diagenetic alterations is key to decipher the various complex controls on its porosity and permeability. This diagenetic heterogeneity is a product of a complex history of diagenetic modifications, however, there are not many studies addressing this problem. The results show that the exposed sections around Bintulu town comprise of massive sandstones intervals, laminated clays, and brackish-shales and lignite. Five main types of lithologies are identified in the stratigraphic sections: sandstones, shales, coal, siltstones, and mudstones. These rock types are further sub-divided into fifteen lithofacies based on sedimentary structures and other characteristics. Petrographic studies revealed that the sandstones are well-sorted quartz arenite, with fine to medium grained sand. The diagenetic processes recognized include compaction, dissolution and cementation. The early, middle, and late diagenetic stages are present in the lithostratigraphy. Bioturbation marks the start of post-depositional changes, and allowed rapid exchange of pore waters with overlying depositional water. Iron oxide occurred in early diagenesis rapidly after the sediments were buried. However, later grain dissolution provided the secondary porosity and permeability. Compaction rates were high in muddy sediments. Sandstone samples with high mud content have less diagenetic signatures. Later, quartz and calcite cement stabilizes the grains and decreases porosity generated by early dissolution. Middle stages of diagenesis involved the growth of chlorite perpendicular to quartz grains. The late diagenetic changes involved the growth of pyrite crystals associated with chemical composition of deep burial pore fluids. The cement types that have been observed in this formation include clay, calcite, quartz overgrowth and iron oxides whereas, the later phases destroyed the early generated porosity. The calcite cement in the early stage of diagenesis, though, resisted the compaction of sediments and aids to preserve the porosity. Dominant porosity is interparticle porosity that is present depositionally and later enhanced by secondary grain dissolution.
High-performance stretchable thermoelectric generator using serpentine interconnects encapsulated in an ultrasoft silicone sponge
Authors: Koshi Tomoya , Okawa Kenjiro , Amagai Yasutaka , Sakamoto Norihiko , Nomura Ken-ich , Yoshida Manabu
Published: April 2022

Stretchable thermoelectric generators (S-TEGs) have the potential to utilize waste heat from sources with complex and dynamic surfaces. However, their thermoelectric performances are still lower than those of conventional hard and rigid TEGs and are easily degraded by large or cyclic deformations due to electrical failure. An approach that improves both stretchability and thermoelectric performance is required. This study presents and explores the improvements enabled by an ultrasoft silicone sponge encapsulation for S-TEGs using silicone-encapsulated serpentine interconnects for the internal electrical wiring of the bismuth-telluride-based thermoelectric elements. The ultrasoft silicone sponge is characterized by a low Young’s modulus (0.01 MPa) and low thermal conductivity (0.08 W m−1 K−1) owing to its open-cell structure. We consider that the low Young’s modulus decreases the internal stress in the interconnects under deformation and that the low thermal conductivity increases the temperature differences in the thermoelectric elements under constant heat flow conditions. We fabricated S-TEGs with three different silicone encapsulations: hard and soft silicones, as used in previous studies, and an ultrasoft silicone sponge. We experimentally measured the elongation and cycle number to failure for stretchability evaluation as well as the open-circuit voltage and maximum power for thermoelectric performance evaluation. Thus, the S-TEG with the ultrasoft silicone sponge encapsulation showed both the highest stretchability (125% elongation to failure) and thermoelectric performance (1.80 μW cm−2 maximum power per unit area on a heater at 100 °C under natural air convection). Additionally, the S-TEG showed 153 μW cm−2 maximum power per unit area on a heater at 100 °C under water cooling, and comparisons with existing S-TEGs confirm that the proposed S-TEG achieves improved stretchability and relatively high output power.
Evaluation of QAOA based on the approximation ratio of individual samples
Authors: Larkin Jason , Jonsson Matías , Justice Daniel , Guerreschi Gian Giacomo
Published: April 2022

The quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) is a hybrid quantum–classical algorithm to solve binary-variable optimization problems. Due to the short circuit depth and its expected robustness to systematic errors it is a promising candidate likely to run on near-term quantum devices. We simulate the performance of QAOA applied to the Max-Cut problem and compare it with some of the best classical alternatives. When comparing solvers, their performance is characterized by the computational time taken to achieve a given quality of solution. Since QAOA is based on sampling, we utilize performance metrics based on the probability of observing a sample above a certain quality. In addition, we show that the QAOA performance varies significantly with the graph type. In particular for three-regular random graphs, QAOA performance shows improvement by up to two orders of magnitude compared to previous estimates, strongly reducing the performance gap with classical alternatives. This was possible by reducing the number of function evaluations per iteration and optimizing the variational parameters on small graph instances and transferring to large via training. Because QAOA’s performance guarantees are only known for limited applications and contexts, we utilize a framework for the search for quantum advantage which incorporates a large number of problem instances and all three classical solver modalities: exact, approximate, and heuristic.
The fundamental solution to \Box_{𝑏} on quadric manifolds – Part 1. General formulas
Authors: Boggess Albert , Raich Andrew
Published: April 2022

This paper is the first of a three part series in which we explore geometric and analytic properties of the Kohn Laplacian and its inverse on general quadric submanifolds of

C

n

×

C

m

\mathbb {C}^n\times \mathbb {C}^m

. In this paper, we present a streamlined calculation for a general integral formula for the complex Green operator

N
N

and the projection onto the nullspace of

◻

b

\Box _b

. The main application of our formulas is the critical case of codimension two quadrics in

C

4

\mathbb {C}^4

where we discuss the known solvability and hypoellipticity criteria of Peloso and Ricci [J. Funct. Anal. 203 (2003), pp. 321–355] We also provide examples to show that our formulas yield explicit calculations in some well-known cases: the Heisenberg group and a Cartesian product of Heisenberg groups.
Safety and Efficacy of Polymethylmethacrylate-Collagen Gel Filler for Correction of the Pre-jowl Sulcus: A 24-month Prospective Study
Authors: Hevia Oscar
Published: April 2022

Background

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-collagen gel is approved for the correction of nasolabial folds and severe atrophic, distensible facial acne scars on the cheek. However, fillers are often used off-label in clinical practice, necessitating additional study of safety and efficacy.

Objectives

To determine the safety and efficacy of PMMA-collagen gel for the correction of lower face aging, specifically the pre-jowl sulcus.

Methods

In this prospective, single-center, 1-year study (N = 20) and additional 1-year extension (N = 10), 20 patients with a pretreatment score of 2, 3, or 4 on the 5-point Merz Aesthetic Scale for jawline at rest were eligible for treatment with PMMA-collagen gel. Efficacy was measured by blinded review using the jawline scale, Subject and Physician Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and Subject Satisfaction scores, collected at weeks 4, 12, 26, 52, and 104.

Results

Improvement in jawline score was significant at all posttreatment time points up to 104 weeks (P < 0.01). The percentage of patients with subject-reported GAIS ratings of “improved” or “much improved” was 79% at 12 weeks and ratings were maintained at 76% at 52 weeks and increased to 90% at week 104. At 52 and 104 weeks, 82% and 100% of patients, respectively, were at least “somewhat satisfied.” All adverse events were minor.

Conclusions

PMMA-collagen gel is well tolerated and effective for durable correction of the pre-jowl sulcus and jawline.

Level of Evidence: 4
Methylartist: tools for visualizing modified bases from nanopore sequence data
Authors: Cheetham Seth W , Kindlova Michaela , Ewing Adam D
Published: April 2022

Methylartist is a consolidated suite of tools for processing, visualizing and analysing nanopore-derived modified base calls. All detectable methylation types (e.g. 5mCpG, 5hmC, 6mA) are supported, enabling integrated study of base pairs when modified naturally or as part of an experimental protocol.

Availability and implementation

Methylartist is implemented in Python and is installable via PyPI and bioconda. Source code and test data are available at https://github.com/adamewing/methylartist.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dismantling the Western Canon in Media Studies
Authors: Mohammed Wunpini Fatimata
Published: April 2022

Although there have been extensive discussions on decolonizing the field of media and communication(s), not much attention has been paid to the way that curricula reproduce colonialism, imperialism, and racism in the classroom. In this article, I draw on my experiences as an African graduate student in an American classroom to highlight the ways that systemic racism is replicated, reproduced and frames pedagogy. I argue that although many communication(s) scholars purport to theorize from a radical perspective, these politics are not represented in their pedagogy which means that students from marginalized communities are often erased in discussions on theory, research methods and even pedagogy. Not only are the epistemological experiences and realities of marginalized students erased, but the canon is further legitimized leading to the training of scholars and teachers who go on to (in)advertently uphold racism, White supremacy, colonialism, and imperialism in their research, teaching and service.
Squatting, pelvic morphology and a reconsideration of childbirth difficulties
Authors: Gorman John , Roberts Charlotte A , Newsham Sally , Bentley Gillian R
Published: April 2022

Childbirth is commonly viewed as difficult in human females, encompassed by the ‘Obstetrical Dilemma’ (OD) described by early palaeoanthropologists as an evolved trade-off between a narrow pelvis necessitated by bipedalism and a large-brained fetal head. The OD has been challenged on several grounds. We add to these challenges by suggesting humans likely squatted regularly during routine tasks prior to the advent of farming societies and use of seats. We suggest that habitual squatting, together with taller stature and better nutrition of ancestral hunter-gatherers compared with later Neolithic and industrial counterparts, obviated an OD. Instead, difficulties with parturition may have arisen much later in our history, accompanying permanent settlements, poorer nutrition, greater infectious disease loads and negligible squatting in daily life. We discuss bioarchaeological and contemporary data that support these viewpoints, suggest ways in which this hypothesis might be tested further and consider its implications for obstetrical practice.

Lay Summary

Human childbirth is viewed as universally difficult. Evidence from physical therapies/engineering and studies of living and ancestral humans illustrates habitual squatting widens the pelvis and could improve childbirth outcomes. Obstetrical difficulties emerged late in prehistory accompanying settled agriculture, poorer nutrition and less squatting. Specific physical exercises could improve obstetrical practice.
Association of Baseline and Longitudinal Changes in Frailty Burden and Risk of Heart Failure in Type 2 Diabetes—Findings from the Look AHEAD Trial
Authors: Pandey Ambarish , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Garcia Katelyn , Simpson Felicia , Bahnson Judy , Patel Kershaw V , Singh Sumitabh , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Bertoni Alain , Kitzman Dalane , Johnson Karen , Lewis Cora E , Espeland Mark A
Published: April 2022

Background

Individuals with diabetes have a high frailty burden and increased risk of heart failure (HF). In this study, we evaluated the association of baseline and longitudinal changes in frailty with risk of HF and its subtypes: HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods

Participants (age: 45–76 years) of the Look AHEAD trial without prevalent HF were included. The frailty index (FI) was used to assess frailty burden using a 35-variable deficit model. The association between baseline and longitudinal changes (1- and 4-year follow-up) in FI with risk of overall HF, HFpEF (ejection fraction [EF] ≥ 50%), and HFrEF (EF < 50%) independent of other risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using adjusted Cox models.

Results

The study included 5 100 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, of which 257 developed HF. In adjusted analysis, higher frailty burden was significantly associated with a greater risk of overall HF. Among HF subtypes, higher baseline FI was significantly associated with risk of HFpEF (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI] per 1-SD higher FI: 1.37 [1.15–1.63]) but not HFrEF (HR [95% CI]: 1.19 [0.96–1.46]) after adjustment for potential confounders, including traditional HF risk factors. Among participants with repeat measures of FI at 1- and 4-year follow-up, an increase in frailty burden was associated with a higher risk of HFpEF (HR [95% CI] per 1-SD increase in FI at 4 years: 1.78 [1.35–2.34]) but not HFrEF after adjustment for other confounders.

Conclusions

Among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, higher baseline frailty and worsening frailty burden over time were independently associated with higher risk of HF, particularly HFpEF after adjustment for other confounders.
Genetic analysis of the early bud flush trait of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) in the cultivar ‘Emei Wenchun’ and its open-pollinated offspring
Authors: Tan Liqiang , Cui Dong , Wang Liubin , Liu Qinling , Zhang Dongyang , Hu Xiaoli , Fu Yidan , Chen Shengxiang , Zou Yao , Chen Wei , Wen Weiqi , Yang Xuemei , Yang Yang , Li Pinwu , Tang Qian
Published: April 2022

The timing of bud flush (TBF) in the spring is one of the most important agronomic traits of tea plants (Camellia sinensis). In this study, we designed an open-pollination breeding program using ‘Emei Wenchun’ (EW, a clonal tea cultivar with extra-early TBF) as a female parent. A half-sib population (n = 388) was selected for genotyping using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing. The results enabled the identification of paternity for 294 (75.8%) of the offspring, including 11 (2.8%) from EW selfing and 217 (55.9%) assigned to a common father, ‘Chuanmu 217’ (CM). The putative EW × CM full-sib population was used to construct a linkage map. The map has 4244 markers distributed in 15 linkage groups, with an average marker distance of 0.34 cM. A high degree of collinearity between the linkage map and physical map was observed. Sprouting index, a trait closely related to TBF, was recorded for the offspring population in 2020 and 2021. The trait had moderate variation, with coefficients of variation of 18.5 and 17.6% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping that was performed using the linkage map identified two major QTLs and three minor QTLs related to the sprouting index. These QTLs are distributed on Chr3, Chr4, Chr5, Chr9, and Chr14 of the reference genome. A total of 1960 predicted genes were found within the confidence intervals of QTLs, and 22 key candidate genes that underlie these QTLs were preliminarily screened. These results are important for breeding and understanding the genetic base of the TBF trait of tea plants.
Exogenous GA3 promotes flowering in Paphiopedilum callosum (Orchidaceae) through bolting and lateral flower development regulation
Authors: Yin Yuying , Li Ji , Guo Beiyi , Li Lin , Ma Guohua , Wu Kunlin , Yang Fengxi , Zhu Genfa , Fang Lin , Zeng Songjun
Published: April 2022

Paphiopedilum orchids have a high ornamental value, and their flower abundance and timing are both key horticultural traits regulated by phytohormones. All one-flowered Paphiopedilum have additional lateral buds in the apical bract that fail to develop. In this study, an exogenous gibberellin (GA3) application promoted flowering of Pathiopedilum callosum by inducing its early bolting instead of the floral transition of dominant flowers. Applying GA3 effectively promoted lateral flower differentiation, resulting in a two-flowered inflorescence. GA-promoted lateral flower formation involved GA interacting with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and cytokinins (CTKs), given the decreased CTK content and downregulated expression of CTK synthesis genes, the increased IAA content and downregulated expression of IAA degradation, and the upregulated expression of transport genes. Further, GA acted via PcDELLA, PcTCP15, and PcXTH9 expressed in stage 5 to promote bolting, and via expression of PcAP3, PcPI, and PcSEP to promote flowering. This study provides insight into mechanisms regulating flower development of P. callosum.
Strawberry fruit FanCXE1 carboxylesterase is involved in the catabolism of volatile esters during the ripening process
Authors: Martínez-Rivas Félix Juan , Blanco-Portales Rosario , Moyano Enriqueta , Alseekh Saleh , Caballero Jose Luis , Schwab Wilfried , Fernie Alisdair R , Muñoz-Blanco Juan , Molina-Hidalgo Francisco Javier
Published: April 2022

Volatile compounds produced during ripening of strawberry are key determinants of fruit quality and consumer preference. Strawberry volatiles are largely esters which are synthesized by alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) and degraded by carboxylesterases (CXEs). Although CXE activity can have a marked influence on volatile contents in ripe strawberry fruits, CXE function and regulation in them are poorly known. Here, we report the biochemical and functional characterization of the fruit receptacle-specific and ripening-related carboxylesterase FanCXE1. The expression of the corresponding gene was found to be antagonistically regulated by auxins and abscisic acid, key hormones that regulate fruit growth and ripening in strawberry. In vitro, FanCXE1 was able to hydrolyze artificial ester substrates similar to those produced by ripe strawberry fruits. Transient suppression of the FanCXE1 gene by RNAi resulted in an increase of important volatile esters such as methyl hexanoate, methyl butanoate and ethyl hexanoate as well as a decrease of the alcohols hexenol and linanool. The results of this work enhance our understanding of the molecular basis for volatile syntheses and facilitate production of better flavored strawberry fruits by introduction of the relevant alleles into common cultivars.
Parent Traumatic Stress After Minor Pediatric Burn Injury
Authors: Townsend Allie N , Batra Nikita , Lilenfeld Lisa , Maurin Elana , Inverso Hailey , Burd Randall S , Tully Carrie B
Published: April 2022

Parents are at increased risk for psychological sequelae following their child’s burn injury which has demonstrated negative impacts on the child. The current study sought to address gaps in the literature on risk factors for parental distress by examining the relationships among demographic variables, burn characteristics, and child functioning after burn injury, with parent post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Participants included parents of 660 pediatric burn patients from a regional burn clinic. Parents completed measures during their initial visit to the burn clinic. Additional demographic and burn data were retrospectively collected by medical chart review. Fifteen percent of parents reported at-risk levels of parent PTSS. Parent PTSS was independently associated with child burn characteristics of total body surface area (TBSA) affected by the burn, required hospitalization, number of nights hospitalized, and number of ambulatory burn appointments attended. Minority race was associated with higher parent PTSS than non-minority race status, with Asian parents endorsing the highest scores. Furthermore, when considered simultaneously, impaired child quality of life (QOL), a higher number of ambulatory burn appointments attended, and racial minority status were associated with higher parent PTSS. These findings highlight the need for routine parent trauma screening in pediatric burn clinics, while additionally identifying a feasible screening measure.
Human Rights Experimentalism in Action: The Potential of National Human Rights Institutions in Enhancing the Implementation and Monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Lichuma Caroline , Tatic Damjan
Published: April 2022

Article 33(2) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides for the establishment and designation of independent monitoring mechanisms charged with the promotion, protection and monitoring of its implementation. In numerous States parties, National Human Rights Institutions have been designated as Article 33(2) institutions, either individually or in co-ordination with other bodies, and have consequently made effective contributions to the reporting and inquiry procedures of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Drawing from experimentalist governance theory, this contribution interrogates whether, and to what extent, this dialogue between locally placed actors and institutions (such as National Human Rights Institutions) on the one hand, and internationally situated actors and institutions (such as the Committee) on the other, has the potential to bolster the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. At its core, experimentalism proffers a normatively attractive vision of how broadly agreed upon goals can be brought to life in a multi-level setting, such as the monitoring mechanism contemplated by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with its unique role and definition for both international and national actors. By analysing Article 33 through an experimentalist governance lens, the contribution thus hopes to highlight a routinely neglected or underestimated aspect of the human rights treaty system, that is, the iterative and dynamic interaction between locally situated actors and institutions and internationally situated actors and institutions, and bring to light what this portends for the Convention’s implementation in reality.
GRaSP-web: a machine learning strategy to predict binding sites based on residue neighborhood graphs
Authors: Santana Charles A , Izidoro Sandro C , de Melo-Minardi Raquel C , Tyzack Jonathan D , Ribeiro António J M , Pires Douglas E V , Thornton Janet M , de A. Silveira Sabrina
Published: April 2022

Proteins are essential macromolecules for the maintenance of living systems. Many of them perform their function by interacting with other molecules in regions called binding sites. The identification and characterization of these regions are of fundamental importance to determine protein function, being a fundamental step in processes such as drug design and discovery. However, identifying such binding regions is not trivial due to the drawbacks of experimental methods, which are costly and time-consuming. Here we propose GRaSP-web, a web server that uses GRaSP (Graph-based Residue neighborhood Strategy to Predict binding sites), a residue-centric method based on graphs that uses machine learning to predict putative ligand binding site residues. The method outperformed 6 state-of-the-art residue-centric methods (MCC of 0.61). Also, GRaSP-web is scalable as it takes 10-20 seconds to predict binding sites for a protein complex (the state-of-the-art residue-centric method takes 2-5h on the average). It proved to be consistent in predicting binding sites for bound/unbound structures (MCC 0.61 for both) and for a large dataset of multi-chain proteins (4500 entries, MCC 0.61). GRaSPWeb is freely available at https://grasp.ufv.br.
DEMO2: Assemble multi-domain protein structures by coupling analogous template alignments with deep-learning inter-domain restraint prediction
Authors: Zhou Xiaogen , Peng Chunxiang , Zheng Wei , Li Yang , Zhang Guijun , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2022

Most proteins in nature contain multiple folding units (or domains). The revolutionary success of AlphaFold2 in single-domain structure prediction showed potential to extend deep-learning techniques for multi-domain structure modeling. This work presents a significantly improved method, DEMO2, which integrates analogous template structural alignments with deep-learning techniques for high-accuracy domain structure assembly. Starting from individual domain models, inter-domain spatial restraints are first predicted with deep residual convolutional networks, where full-length structure models are assembled using L-BFGS simulations under the guidance of a hybrid energy function combining deep-learning restraints and analogous multi-domain template alignments searched from the PDB. The output of DEMO2 contains deep-learning inter-domain restraints, top-ranked multi-domain structure templates, and up to five full-length structure models. DEMO2 was tested on a large-scale benchmark and the blind CASP14 experiment, where DEMO2 was shown to significantly outperform its predecessor and the state-of-the-art protein structure prediction methods. By integrating with new deep-learning techniques, DEMO2 should help fill the rapidly increasing gap between the improved ability of tertiary structure determination and the high demand for the high-quality multi-domain protein structures. The DEMO2 server is available at https://zhanggroup.org/DEMO/.
Imaging biomarkers of TERT or GABPB1 silencing in TERT-positive glioblastoma
Authors: Minami Noriaki , Hong Donghyun , Stevers Nicholas , Barger Carter J , Radoul Marina , Hong Chibo , Chen Lee , Kim Yaewon , Batsios Georgios , Gillespie Anne Marie , Pieper Russel O , Costello Joseph F , Viswanath Pavithra , Ronen Sabrina M
Published: April 2022

Background

TERT promoter mutations are observed in 80% of wild-type IDH glioblastoma (GBM). Moreover, the upstream TERT transcription factor GABPB1 was recently identified as a cancer-specific therapeutic target for tumors harboring a TERT promoter mutation. In that context, noninvasive imaging biomarkers are needed for the detection of TERT modulation.

Methods

Multiple GBM models were investigated as cells and in vivo tumors and the impact of TERT silencing, either directly or by targeting GABPB1, was determined using 1H and hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Changes in associated metabolic enzymes were also investigated.

Results

1H-MRS revealed that lactate and glutathione (GSH) were the most significantly altered metabolites when either TERT or GABPB1 was silenced, and lactate and GSH levels were correlated with cellular TERT expression. Consistent with the drop in lactate, 13C-MRS showed that hyperpolarized [1-13C]lactate production from [1-13C]pyruvate was also reduced when TERT was silenced. Mechanistically, the reduction in GSH was associated with a reduction in pentose phosphate pathway flux, reduced activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and reduced NADPH. The drop in lactate and hyperpolarized lactate were associated with reductions in glycolytic flux, NADH, and expression/activity of GLUT1, monocarboxylate transporters, and lactate dehydrogenase A.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that MRS-detectable GSH, lactate, and lactate production could serve as metabolic biomarkers of response to emerging TERT-targeted therapies for GBM with activating TERT promoter mutations. Importantly these biomarkers are readily translatable to the clinic, and thus could ultimately improve GBM patient management.
Participatory methodologies and caring about numbers in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda
Authors: Rocha de Siqueira Isabel , Ramalho Laís
Published: April 2022

Calling for a “data revolution,” the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seek to promote progress in matters related to planet, people, prosperity, peace, and partnerships (the “5Ps”) by mobilizing an all-encompassing datafying system that heavily relies on quantification. As such, the SDGs serve as a unique window that showcases the most up-to-date materials, methods, and forms of expertise in datafying practices, while also incentivizing local and national appropriation, with all the difficulties this entails. The article looks at the policy dynamics around SDG localization and the role of participatory methodologies, especially citizen-generated data, in Brazil’s engagement with the agenda. We depart from interviews conducted with various actors involved with SDG implementation, including civil society and public servants, and from engagement with the work conducted by one NGO specialized in citizen-generated data in the peripheries of Rio de Janeiro. Two important findings are highlighted: Localizing strategies, i.e., those that aim to take subnational contexts into account in the achievement of the SDGs, have been used to promote an agenda on rights and, in addition, there has been a strong focus on local narratives as central aspects of communicating scientific data, where progress on the SDGs is but one vehicle in the struggle against statistical invisibility and political exclusion. These findings lead us to argue for a politics of care that can change how we do global public policy.
Impact of climate change on West Nile virus distribution in South America
Authors: Lorenz Camila , de Azevedo Thiago Salomão , Chiaravalloti-Neto Francisco
Published: April 2022

Background

West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borne pathogen of global relevance and is currently the most widely distributed flavivirus causing encephalitis worldwide. Climate conditions have direct and indirect impacts on vector abundance and virus dynamics within the mosquito. The significance of environmental variables as drivers in WNV epidemiology is increasing under the current climate change scenario. In this study we used a machine learning algorithm to model WNV distributions in South America.

Methods

Our model evaluated eight environmental variables for their contribution to the occurrence of WNV since its introduction in South America in 2004.

Results

Our results showed that environmental variables can directly alter the occurrence of WNV, with lower precipitation and higher temperatures associated with increased virus incidence. High-risk areas may be modified in the coming years, becoming more evident with high greenhouse gas emission levels. Countries such as Bolivia, Paraguay and several Brazilian areas, mainly in the northeast and midwest regions and the Pantanal biome, will be greatly affected, drastically changing the current WNV distribution.

Conclusions

Understanding the linkages between climatological and ecological change as determinants of disease emergence and redistribution will help optimize preventive strategies. Increased virus surveillance, integrated modelling and the use of geographically based data systems will provide more anticipatory measures by the scientific community.