bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seamless in seam – new geosteering technology delivered challenging coal seam gas project with success
Authors: Nick Kholgh Arman , Mackinlay Martin , Garrard Sophie , Zaman Mohammad , Wang Haifeng , Hibberson Chris , Challands Nicholas , Luu Hoan Van , Tekale Rohit , Kalukal Francis Advent , Liu Yang , Ardikani Nadia
Published: May 2022

A recent coal seam gas (CSG) appraisal project posed several challenges. The target reserve area had limited seismic data available and yet had complex structure with several faults of variable orientations and throws between 2 and 25 m. Dual-lateral extended-reach drilling (ERD) wells needed to be drilled in order to access this reserve, with a 1000 m in-seam section for each lateral planned to maximise production. Conventional technologies for CSG projects included motor bottom hole assembly with a boundary mapping tool for geosteering in the coal seams. However, for drilling ERD wells in this unknown area, these methods were insufficient to deliver success, due to the limited mapping capabilities and drilling efficiencies. Recently there has been significant development on the directional resistivity-based mapping tool, on both the measurements and processing. The operator adopted a new mapping-while-drilling technology which has the first-in-industry tool with axial, tilted and transverse antennas integrated in one module. This new technology can provide high-resolution multilayer mapping with doubled depth of investigation, even when drilling out of the coal seam. The results from utilising this new tool, together with a rotary steerable system for directional control, were very encouraging. The new multilayer mapping-while-drilling tool mapped both the top and base of the coal seam throughout horizontal sections in-seam. In addition, it detected the coal seams during landing and after fault-crossing from up to 4 m true vertical depth away, enabling the team to navigate through complex fault zones confidently, and to deliver the project with success.
INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture – proudly partnering with Indigenous Groups in the Northern Territory
Authors: Corbett Joshua J. , Carle Christopher J.
Published: May 2022

The INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture has established strong partnerships with the Northern Territory Government (NTG), cultural organisations and Traditional Owner groups in the Northern Territory to deliver social and environmental offset programs. The key governance model for delivery of the offset programs is the Ichthys Project Voluntary Offset Agreement (IPVOA), which commits $91 M AUD over a 40-year period through a suite of offset programs. This paper focuses on the journey to partner with the NTG-run Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program (ARGP). Through the IPVOA, INPEX and its Ichthys Joint Venture participants will contribute $24 M AUD over 22 years, to the ARGP, for Aboriginal Ranger programs addressing specific species and their associated habitat throughout the Top End. This is the first time where industry has contributed to the ARGP to deliver positive outcomes in the NT. This has been achieved by fostering collaborative, engaging and trustworthy relationships with the Commonwealth and NT governments; engaging with the Aboriginal Land Management Advisory Group; and meeting with Aboriginal Ranger groups. The key has been finding a common ground between the perspectives and the priorities of all stakeholders for how best to deliver conservation management on country in the NT. This common ground is likely to evolve over the next 22 years as the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture and NTG deliver environmental outcomes, promote a connection to country and empower Aboriginal Ranger groups to better manage their country for future generations.
On a mission to decommission?
Authors: Aston Andy
Published: May 2022

E&P operators with ageing assets are making informed investment decisions around financial commitments for later-life asset management through to full decommissioning and abandonment in a safe, environmentally sound and cost-effective way. Factors affecting decommissioning decisions include: Oil price, New technology, Regulatory requirements, Supply chain and contracting options. Operators are optimising the execution of decommissioning projects and consistently looking to improve efficiencies through decommissioning strategies, technologies and approaches. At the same time, a new focus on programmatic approaches, and the use of data are becoming more prevalent to eliminate waste and create cost saving opportunities. This paper provides: an overview on the decisions that need to be taken when commencing decommissioning activities; a review of the various models and strategies for decommissioning and abandonment; discussion on how traditional project approaches may not be appropriate in light of environmental and sustainability targets; and consideration of contracting options. The paper will appeal to E&P operators, major contractors and service providers.
Create a new carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry – unlock Australian CO
Authors: Cha Daein , Holding Matthew
Published: May 2022

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is central to a clean energy transition. According to the UN’s IPCC and IEA, CCS needs to attain a global CO2 reduction capacity of ~4 billion tonnes per annum by 2050 to achieve Paris Agreement targets. To date, only 27 large-scale CCS facilities are operating worldwide, totalling 36.6 million tonnes per annum of CO2 reduction. Massive number of new projects are needed. Australia has a potential CO2 storage capacity of 434 billion tonnes, with 316 billion tonnes (73%) residing in offshore oil and gas fields and aquifers. A key constraint to unlock this potential is that the CO2 storage sites and emitter sources are not necessarily located close by. Since CCS projects considered to date in Australia use pipeline transportation, this limits the number of developments to those that have the emission sources and storage sites in proximity. By utilising the Floating CCS Hub development concept, which includes CO2 carriers and floating CCS hub facilities, CCS can be provided to a broader range of emission sources. The transportation cost using CO2 carriers is not as sensitive to transport distance as pipelines, which have a linear relationship between distance and cost. In addition, the CO2 carriers costs are reducing substantially as technology allows for CO2 to be transported in lower pressure states enabling larger parcel sizes, and manufacturing efficiencies further reducing costs. CO2 carriers and CCS hub facilities minimise development constraints related to pipeline distances and land use, and enable replicability and scalability for multiple CCS projects.
Australian onshore petroleum acreage and releases 2022
Authors: Bartholomew Lana
Published: May 2022

This paper is a compilation of information provided by state and territory jurisdictions about onshore acreage and its availability for petroleum exploration in 2022. Most Australian state and territory governments continue to research and promote petroleum prospectivity and support exploration opportunities. Current and future policy directions including government initiatives and strategies to support and increase petroleum exploration opportunities are described, particularly for jurisdictions where no or limited acreage releases are available this year. Increased global energy demand, supply chain issues and resulting commodity price increases present challenges for domestic users and governments alike as global economies bounce back from the forced slow-down of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of writing, the conflict in Europe brings additional supply chain challenges.
PESA Australia business environment review 2021
Authors: Bell Candice
Published: May 2022

With a backdrop of energy transition and an accelerating need to decarbonise, the oil and gas business environment was complex and conflicted through 2021. The complexity of the energy transition was continually highlighted by academia and international agencies. While asserting gas and LNG as a fuel critical to the energy transition, they continued to warn that the transition away from fossil fuels is not occurring fast enough to arrest catastrophic climate change. International cooperation culminating at COP26 somewhat faltered in the face of the immense challenges the energy transition poses. Complexity was also demonstrated through the rise in LNG spot prices as Asia’s demand for energy rebounded. Though high spot LNG prices through this period proved lucrative for producers, the surge in prices pushed some Asian markets back to emission-intensive yet low-cost coal for energy generation, signalling the volatility and challenges of LNG’s position as an energy transition fuel. Conflict was seen when environmentally focused activist investors disrupted business-as-usual operations for several Australian and international firms, with all signs pointing to an intensification of this trend in the coming years. In response, capital markets rallied behind low-carbon energy investments with trillions of dollars flowing towards renewables, hydrogen and CCS projects. Finally, to compound the complexity of the myriad external forces, oil and gas firms coalesced around four key decarbonisation responses. Oil and gas firms focused efforts on: (1) strengthening and refining net zero commitments; (2) operational decarbonisation including CCS investment; (3) investment in low-carbon fuels including hydrogen; and (4) consolidation, to strengthen balance sheets, build business model resilience and diversify their portfolios.
Foreword: ADSS 2020 special edition
Authors: Pembleton Keith , Barber Dave
Published: May 2022

An introduction to the special issue for the 2020 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium.
Phylogeography and evolutionary dynamism of marine gastropods from the Lord Howe Island Group
Authors: Colgan Donald J. , Woods Caitlin L.
Published: May 2022

Context There has been considerable interest in the biogeography of the marine fauna of the Lord Howe Island Group (LHIG) lying ~580 km from continental Australia. Most phylogenetic studies of the group’s marine taxa have included few specimens, limiting their phylogeographic perspective. Aims This investigation was conducted to enhance understanding of the phylogeographic relationships of the LHIG, especially with temperate Australia. Methods The investigation used mitochondrial DNA sequences of the muricid subfamily Ergalataxinae, especially Tenguella, which has a broad distribution in the Indo-West Pacific, and two other gastropod genera, Cellana and Bembicium, each proposed to have endemic species in the LHIG. Key results Most species of LHIG Ergalataxinae have recent genetic connections with tropical landmasses, but Tenguella marginalba is closely related to temperate mainland conspecifics. The endemic taxa Cellana howensis and Bembicium flavescens respectively, have tropical and southern temperate affinities. Conclusions The most recent common ancestors (MCRAs) of LHIG specimens of each of B. flavescens, C. howensis and T. marginalba all date from long after the archipelago’s emergence. Implications The studied species may have arrived only recently on the archipelago. Alternatively, their estimated MCRAs may be due to recent demographic bottlenecks or selective sweeps influenced by Pleistocene environmental changes.
Exciton dynamics and photoresponse behavior of the in situ annealed CsSnBr3 perovskite films synthesized by thermal evaporation
Authors: Jia Junlin , Wang Ruibin , Mu Haichuan
Published: May 2022

The CsSnBr3 photodetectors are fabricated by thermal evaporation and 75 °C in situ annealing, and the effect of in situ annealing on the morphology, structure, exciton dynamics and photoresponse of thermally evaporated CsSnBr3 films are investigated. Especially, temperature dependent steady-state photoluminescence (PL) and transient PL decaying have been analyzed in details for understanding the exciton dynamics. Meanwhile, effect of annealing on the activation energy for trap sites (E
a), exciton binding energy (E
b), activation energy for interfacial trapped carriers (ΔE), trap densities and carriers mobilities are studied and the annealed (A-CsSnBr3) reveals obviously lower E
b and trap density together with notably higher carrier mobility than those of the unannealed (UA-CsSnBr3). Temperature dependence of the integrated PL intensity can be ascribed to the combining effect of the exciton dissociation, exciton quenching through trap sites and thermal activation of trapped carriers. The temperature dependent transient PL decaying analysis indicates that the PL decaying mechanism at low and high temperature is totally different from that in intermediate temperature range, in which combing effect of free exciton and localized state exciton decaying prevail. The beneficial effects of the in situ annealing on the photoresponse performance of the CsSnBr3 films can be demonstrated by the remarkable enhancement of the optimal responsivity (R) after in situ annealing which increases from less than 1 A W−1 to 1350 A W−1 as well as dramatically improved noise equivalent power, specific detectivity D* and Gain (G).
Ground-state properties of an electron-phonon coupled quantum wire within the dynamic mean-field approximation
Authors: Puttar Devi , Verma Vishal , Garg Vinayak , Moudgil R K
Published: May 2022

We investigate the ground-state properties of an electron-phonon (e-ph) coupled quantum wire in which the effect of coupling between longitudinal optical (LO) phonons and the wire electrons is considered, in addition to the conventional electron-electron (e-e) interactions. The e-ph coupling is included through the Fröhlich interaction potential and the dynamics of electron correlations using the quantum (dynamic) version of self-consistent mean-field approximation of Singwi et al (the qSTLS approach). Numerical results for static structure factor, pair-correlation function and static density susceptibility are presented over a wide range of electron number density parameter r

s
. We find that the electrons undergo Wigner crystallization at a critical electron density parameter r

s

c
owing to the dynamics of severely correlated electrons. Notably at a fixed wire width, the inclusion of e-ph coupling tends to increase the value of r

s

c
significantly in comparison to a situation in which only the e-e interactions are considered. Besides this, we compute the plasmon-phonon (pl-ph) coupled modes and the energy contribution of e-ph interactions (E

e−ph
) to the ground-state energy of the quantum wire, also known as polaronic energy. We find that pl-ph coupled modes resonantly split into two branches, and ∣E

e−ph
∣ monotonically increases with rise in r

s
then becomes almost constant as

r

s

→

r

s

c

. Wherever interesting, we compare our results with the static STLS theory and the lattice regularized diffusion Monte Carlo (LRDMC) simulation data of Casula et al.
High sensitivity metal-insulator-metal sensor based on ring-hexagonal resonator with a couple of square cavities connected
Authors: Aghaei Fatemeh , Bahador Hamid
Published: May 2022

The necessity for cheaper and more efficient sensors has been the main motivation for the use of Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) sensors. In this paper, a micro-dimensional refractive index MIM sensor based on surface plasmon polaritons is presented. This sensor has a ring-hexagonal resonator and a pair of squares-ring resonators that are connected to each other. For the proposed structure, magnetic field profile, transmission spectrum, and important sensor parameters such as sensitivity are obtained through the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. By optimizing the dimensions of the resonators, we achieved a sensitivity equivalent to 2115 nm/RIU in the first mode and 2180 nm/RIU in the second mode. The FOM values for the first and second modes were 118.25 RIU−1 and 120.208 RIU−1, respectively. The results show that the ring-hexagonal resonator significantly improves the sensor parameters in both modes. These enhancements can be considered unique due to the simple structure presented and as a result the reduction of construction costs.
Linear low energy excitations in fully-connected models of glasses
Authors: Franz Silvio , Nicoletti Flavio , Ricci-Tersenghi Federico
Published: May 2022

We study the linear excitations around typical energy minima of a mean-field disordered model with continuous degrees of freedom undergoing a random first order transition. Contrary to naive expectations, the spectra of linear excitations are ungapped and we find the presence of a pseudogap corresponding to localized excitations with arbitrary low excitation energy. Moving to deeper minima in the landscape, the excitations appear increasingly localized while their abundance decreases. Beside typical minima, there also exist rare ultra-stable minima, with an energy gap and no localised excitations.
Influence of rotational speed on the collision of mechanically plated galvanized layers based on discrete element method
Authors: Hao Chaoyang , Wang Shengmin , Zhao Xiaojun , Gao Kai
Published: May 2022

A discrete-element numerical simulation method was used to investigate the effect of plating barrel speed on the density of the galvanized layer during mechanical galvanizing. The motion behavior between the impact medium and the substrate in the plating barrel at five rotational speeds (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 rpm) was investigated. Laws of collision and contact force variation between the substrate and the impact medium were obtained. The average thickness, relative density, and average deviation of thickness of the galvanized layer specimens were obtained at the same rotational speed. The results were compared with those obtained from the simulation. The increase in barrel rotational speed decreased the number of contacts between the impact medium and the substrate, but made the change in the number of collisions more regular. This was conducive to a regular force on the zinc powder particles and made the galvanized layer more uniform and dense. The contact force between the impact medium and the substrate increased with an increase in barrel speed. At 20 rpm, the impact medium could not provide enough contact force to melt the zinc powder particles into the substrate surface. Contact force increased abnormally at 60 rpm, which caused some of the zinc powder particles that were attached to the surface of the substrate to fall off, which affected the plating thickening. The average thickness, relative density, and average deviation of the galvanized layer in the comparison test were consistent with the simulation results. From 30 to 50 rpm, the relative density of the galvanized layer increased with an increase in speed. The average thickness and relative density of the obtained galvanized layer were highest and the average deviation of the thickness was lowest at a barrel speed of 50 rpm. The relative density and uniformity of the galvanized layers were optimized.
Study of a 105 GHz short-pulse dummy load for the electron cyclotron resonance heating system with the quasi-optical method
Authors: XIONG Shouqi , XIA Donghui , HUANG Mei , CHEN Gangyu , WENG Wenting , FAN Guoyao , PAN Yuan
Published: May 2022

The accurate power measurement is important for an ECRH system in tokamak. The dummy load is designed and developed for the measurement of the millimeter wave power. This work analyzes the dummy load based on the quasi-optical method and the ray tracing method. The reflectivity and thermal deposition of the dummy load have been considered to ensure the safety of the entire system. High-power tests have been carried out at a 105 GHz/500 kW ECRH system. The results of the tests indicate that the designed dummy load is stable and valid.
Development and implementation of pharmacy department and pharmacy resident well-being programs
Authors: Pillinger Kelly E , Treptow Carissa F , Dick Travis B , Jones Courtney M C , Acquisto Nicole M
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Burnout in healthcare can have serious consequences, as it decreases patient care quality. Recent studies have found pharmacy employees have high rates of burnout, but formalized pharmacy well-being programs are not reported in the literature.

Methods

We developed a departmental pharmacy well-being program and focused residency well-being program in October and July 2020, respectively. The program committees sent anonymous surveys to all pharmacy employees to identify opportunities to improve well-being. The feasibility and impact of ideas were assessed by committee members and presented to pharmacy leadership who endorsed and supported all proposed initiatives prior to implementation. Pharmacist distress scores were measured using the Well-Being Index (WBI).

Results

The WBI was completed by 49% of invited pharmacists (137 of 278) in November 2020 and 41% (116 of 283) in June 2021. There was a numerical improvement in mean (SD) WBI scores from 2.06 (2.47) in November 2020 to 1.52 (2.49) in June 2021 (P = 0.09). Pharmacy residents had significantly higher distress scores than nonresident pharmacists (P = 0.01). However, pharmacy resident scores improved by almost 50% between the 2 time points, from 4.43 (2.13) to 2.40 (2.42); P = 0.03.

Conclusion

The development of a system-wide pharmacy well-being program creates a structure to collect ideas from employees, implement well-being initiatives, measure burnout using a validated tool such as the WBI, and continue to build, evaluate, and adapt new interventions. Importantly, the program went beyond addressing individual needs and addressed institutional opportunities that impact well-being. This can serve as a model for other pharmacy departments looking to implement similar programs.
Uterine NK cell functions at maternal-fetal interface
Authors: Xu Xiuxiu , Zhou Yonggang , Fu Binqing , Wei Haiming
Published: May 2022

During pregnancy, maternal decidual tissue interacts with fetal trophoblasts. They constitute the maternal-fetal interface responsible for supplying nutrition to the fetus. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the most abundant immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy and play critical roles throughout pregnancy. This review provides current knowledge about the functions of uNK cells. uNK cells have been shown to facilitate remodeling of the spiral artery, control the invasion of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells, contribute to the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance, protect against pathogen infection, and promote fetal development. Pregnancy-trained memory of uNK cells improves subsequent pregnancy outcomes. In addition, this review describes the distinct functions of three uNK cell subsets: CD27−CD11b−, CD27+, and CD27−CD11b+ uNK cells.
Vestibular/ocular motor symptoms in concussed adolescents are linked to retrosplenial activation
Authors: Manelis Anna , Lima Santos João Paulo , Suss Stephen J. , Holland Cynthia L. , Stiffler Richelle S. , Bitzer Hannah B. , Mailliard Sarrah , Shaffer Madelyn A. , Caviston Kaitlin , Collins Michael W. , Phillips Mary L. , Kontos Anthony P. , Versace Amelia
Published: May 2022

Following concussion, adolescents often experience vestibular and ocular motor symptoms as well as working memory deficits that may affect their cognitive, academic and social well-being. Complex visual environments including school activities, playing sports, or socializing with friends may be overwhelming for concussed adolescents suffering from headache, dizziness, nausea and fogginess, thus imposing heightened requirements on working memory to adequately function in such environments. While understanding the relationship between working memory and vestibular/ocular motor symptoms is critically important, no previous study has examined how an increase in working memory task difficulty affects the relationship between severity of vestibular/ocular motor symptoms and brain and behavioural responses in a working memory task. To address this question, we examined 80 adolescents (53 concussed, 27 non-concussed) using functional MRI while performing a 1-back (easy) and 2-back (difficult) working memory tasks with angry, happy, neutral and sad face distractors. Concussed adolescents completed the vestibular/ocular motor screening and were scanned within 10 days of injury. We found that all participants showed lower accuracy and slower reaction time on difficult (2-back) versus easy (1-back) tasks (P-values < 0.05). Concussed adolescents were significantly slower than controls across all conditions (P < 0.05). In concussed adolescents, higher vestibular/ocular motor screening total scores were associated with significantly greater differences in reaction time between 1-back and 2-back across all distractor conditions and significantly greater differences in retrosplenial cortex activation for the 1-back versus 2-back condition with neutral face distractors (P-values < 0.05). Our findings suggest that processing of emotionally ambiguous information (e.g. neutral faces) additionally increases the task difficulty for concussed adolescents. Post-concussion vestibular/ocular motor symptoms may reduce the ability to inhibit emotionally ambiguous information during working memory tasks, potentially affecting cognitive, academic and social functioning in concussed adolescents.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisantigen-specific T-cell responses in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Authors: Esmael Ahmed , Abebe Tamrat , Mihret Adane , Mussa Daniel , Neway Sebsib , Ernst Joel , Rengarajan Jyothi , Wassie Liya , Howe Rawleigh
Published: May 2022

Despite recent improvements in microbial detection, smear-negative TB remains a diagnostic challenge. In this study, we investigated the potential discriminatory role of polychromatic flow cytometry of M. tuberculosis antigen-specific T cells to discriminate smear-negative TB from health controls with or without latent TB infection, and non-TB respiratory illnesses in an endemic setting. A cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV negative, newly diagnosed smear-positive PTB (n = 34), smear-negative/GeneXpert negative PTB (n = 29) patients, non-TB patients with respiratory illness (n = 33) and apparently healthy latent TB infected (n = 30) or non-infected (n = 23) individuals. The expression of activation (HLA-DR, CD-38), proliferation (Ki-67), and functional (IFN-γ, TNF-α) T-cell markers using polychromatic flow cytometry was defined after stimulation with PPD antigens. Sputum samples were collected and processed from all patients for Mtb detection using a concentrated microscopy, LJ/MGIT culture, and RD9 typing by PCR. Our study showed CD4 T cells specific for PPD co-expressed activation/proliferation markers together with induced cytokines IFN-γ or TNF-α were present at substantially higher levels among patients with smear-positive and smear-negative pulmonary TB than among healthy controls and to a lesser extent among patients with non-TB illness. Our study conclude that smear-negative TB can be distinguished from non-TB respiratory illness and healthy controls with a flow cytometric assay for PPD-specific T cells co-expressing activation/proliferation markers and cytokines.
Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal new insights into the role of abscisic acid in modulating mango fruit ripening
Authors: Wu Shibo , Wu Di , Song Juan , Zhang Yanyu , Tan Qing , Yang Tianquan , Yang Jingya , Wang Songbiao , Xu Jianchu , Xu Wei , Liu Aizhong
Published: May 2022

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a climacteric tropical fruit consumed around the world. Although ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) have been considered to be stimulators that trigger mango fruit ripening, their regulation mechanisms in modulating mango fruit ripening remain uncertain. In this study, we performed integrative analyses of metabolome and transcriptome data combined with a series of physiological and experimental analyses in the ‘Keitt’ mango, and we characterized changes in accumulation of specific metabolites at different stages during fruit development and ripening, which were strongly correlated with transcriptional changes and embodied physiological changes as well as taste formation. Specifically, we found that ABA, rather than ethylene, was highly associated with mango ripening, and exogenous ABA application promoted mango fruit ripening. Transcriptomic analysis identified diverse ripening-related genes involved in sugar and carotenoid biosynthesis and softening-related metabolic processes. Furthermore, networks of ABA- and ripening-related genes (such as MiHY5, MiGBF4, MiABI5, and MibZIP9) were constructed, and the direct regulation by the key ABA-responsive transcription factor MiHY5 of ripening-related genes was experimentally confirmed by a range of evidence. Taken together, our results indicate that ABA plays a key role in directly modulating mango fruit ripening through MiHY5, suggesting the need to reconsider how we understand ABA function in modulating climacteric fruit ripening.
Development and Validation of a Quality Indicator System for Outpatient Service in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Lin Qian , Hao Horng-Shuh , Qin Deqing , Zhang Dan
Published: May 2022

Background

Outpatient services account for a large part of healthcare in China, and to survive in the competition with other hospitals, the management needs to understand and measure outpatient services quality for healthcare improvement and patient retention. There is a lack of comprehensive standardized outpatient healthcare quality measurement tools from patients’ perspective in China. This study aimed to develop and test a quality indicator system for outpatient services assessment in the Chinese healthcare sector.

Methods

Twenty-nine indicators were generated using literature review and focus group interviews. A modified Delphi process with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was conducted to screen and determine the final indicators with 13 interdisciplinary panelists through two-round email surveys. A two-level and three-column questionnaire was distributed to 250 outpatients in Shenzhen to pretest the indicator system. The validity and reliability of experts were tested by the experts' positive coefficient, authority coefficient, and degree of concentration of opinions. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and inter-subscale correlation.

Results

Of the two rounds of Delphi consultation, the active coefficients were 76.92% and 80%, and the authoritative coefficients were both 0.88. An assessment system for the Chinese outpatient services quality was constructed with six first-level dimensions and 23 second-level indicators. The weights of safety, tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy were 0.286, 0.096, 0.088, 0.135, 0.226, and 0.169, respectively. For the pretest, Cronbach’s alpha values for the importance of the indicator, perception of quality of service, and expected quality of service were 0.96, 0.94, and 0.96, respectively. The values of the KMO test were 0.94, 0.93, and 0.95. All Bartlett’s test results showed that the correlation matrix was significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion

A multidimensional quality indicator system from patients’ perspective was developed for the outpatient services assessment in China’s healthcare sector. It has good validity and reliability and can be applied as a standardized tool by healthcare managers and policymakers in China to measure patients’ perceptions and expectations.
The Future of Work in the Heterogeneous Diverse Cloud
Authors: Campbell Alan
Published: May 2022

The nature of work is always transitioning, evolving and changing, writes Alan Campbell, Senior Director and General Manager, UK and Ireland at Nutanix.
Burden, Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Seasonality of Adenovirus 40/41 Diarrhea in Children in Eight Low-Resource Settings
Authors: Guga Godfrey , Elwood Sarah , Kimathi Caroline , Kang Gagandeep , Kosek Margaret N , Lima Aldo A M , Bessong Pascal O , Samie Amidou , Haque Rashidul , Leite Jose Paulo , Bodhidatta Ladaporn , Iqbal Najeeha , Page Nicola , Kiwelu Ireen , Bhutta Zulfiqar A , Ahmed Tahmeed , Liu Jie , Rogawski McQuade Elizabeth T , Houpt Eric , Platts-Mills James A , Mduma Estomih R
Published: May 2022

Background

The application of molecular diagnostics has identified enteric group adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41 as important causes of diarrhea in children. However, many aspects of the epidemiology of adenovirus 40/41 diarrhea have not been described.

Methods

We used data from the 8-site Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project birth cohort study to describe site- and age-specific incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and seasonality.

Results

The incidence of adenovirus 40/41 diarrhea was substantially higher by quantitative polymerase chain reaction than enzyme immunoassay and peaked at ∼30 episodes per 100 child-years in children aged 7–15 months, with substantial variation in incidence between sites. A significant burden was also seen in children 0–6 months of age, higher than other viral etiologies with the exception of rotavirus. Children with adenovirus 40/41 diarrhea were more likely to have a fever than children with norovirus, sapovirus, and astrovirus (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.16–2.26) but less likely than children with rotavirus (aOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49–0.91). Exclusive breastfeeding was strongly protective against adenovirus 40/41 diarrhea (hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.48–0.85), but no other risk factors were identified. The seasonality of adenovirus 40/41 diarrhea varied substantially between sites and did not have clear associations with seasonal variations in temperature or rainfall.

Conclusions

This study supports the situation of adenovirus 40/41 as a pathogen of substantial importance, especially in infants. Fever was a distinguishing characteristic in comparison to other nonrotavirus viral etiologies, and promotion of exclusive breastfeeding may reduce the high observed burden in the first 6 months of life.
Incidences of Infectious Events in a Renal Transplant Cohort of the German Center of Infectious Diseases (DZIF)
Authors: Sommerer Claudia , Schröter Iris , Gruneberg Katrin , Schindler Daniela , Behnisch Rouven , Morath Christian , Renders Lutz , Heemann Uwe , Schnitzler Paul , Melk Anette , Della Penna Andrea , Nadalin Silvio , Heeg Klaus , Meuer Stefan , Zeier Martin , Giese Thomas ,   for the Transplant Cohort of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF Transplant Cohort) Consortium
Published: May 2022

Background

Infectious complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation.

Methods

In this transplant cohort study at the German Center of Infectious Diseases (DZIF), we evaluated all infections occurring during the first year after renal transplantation. We assessed microbial etiology, incidence rates, and temporal occurrence of these infections.

Results

Of 804 renal transplant recipients (65.2% male, 51 ± 14 years), 439 (54.6%) had 972 infections within the first year after transplantation. Almost half of these infections (47.8%) occurred within the first 3 months. Bacteria were responsible for 66.4% (645/972) of all infections, followed by viral (28.9% [281/972]) and fungal (4.7% [46/972]) pathogens. The urinary tract was the most common site of infection (42.4%). Enterococcus was the most frequently isolated bacterium (20.9%), followed by E. coli (17.6%) and Klebsiella (12.5%). E. coli was the leading pathogen in recipients <50 years of age, whereas Enterococcus predominated in older recipients. Resistant bacteria were responsible for at least 1 infection in 9.5% (76/804) of all recipients. Viral infections occurred in 201 recipients (25.0%). Of these, herpes viruses predominated (140/281 [49.8%]), and cytomegalovirus had the highest incidence rate (12.3%). In the 46 fungal infections, Candida albicans (40.8%) was the most commonly isolated. Other fungal opportunistic pathogens, including Aspergillus fumigatus and Pneumocystis, were rare.

Conclusions

Renal allograft recipients in Germany experience a high burden of infectious complications in the first year after transplantation. Bacteria were the predominating pathogen, followed by opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus. Microbial etiology varied between age groups, and resistant bacteria were identified in 10% of recipients.
Minimal effects from injunctive norm and contentiousness treatments on COVID-19 vaccine intentions: evidence from 3 countries
Authors: Carey John M , Keirns Tracy , Loewen Peter John , Merkley Eric , Nyhan Brendan , Phillips Joseph B , Rees Judy R , Reifler Jason
Published: May 2022

Does information about how other people feel about COVID-19 vaccination affect immunization intentions? We conducted preregistered survey experiments in Great Britain (5,456 respondents across 3 survey waves from September 2020 to February 2021), Canada (1,315 respondents in February 2021), and the state of New Hampshire in the United States (1,315 respondents in January 2021). The experiments examine the effects of providing accurate public opinion information to people about either public support for COVID-19 vaccination (an injunctive norm) or public beliefs that the issue is contentious. Across all 3 countries, exposure to this information had minimal effects on vaccination intentions even among people who previously held inaccurate beliefs about support for COVID-19 vaccination or its perceived contentiousness. These results suggest that providing information on public opinion about COVID vaccination has limited additional effect on people’s behavioral intentions when public discussion of vaccine uptake and intentions is highly salient.
Curly Top Disease of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) in California Is Caused by Mild-Type Strains of Beet curly top virus Often in Mixed Infection
Authors: Melgarejo Tomas A. , Chen Li-Fang , Rojas Maria R. , Schilder Annemiek , Gilbertson Robert L.
Published: May 2022

Interest in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) as a potential crop led to the establishment of commercial fields in a number of counties in California in 2019 and 2020. Plants in these fields developed different types of virus-like symptoms. The most prevalent type was stunted and bushy plants with distorted, upcurled, and yellowed leaves, which were similar to those associated with curly top disease (CTD) caused by the beet curly top virus (BCTV). This beet leafhopper-vectored virus is endemic in California and can cause economic losses to processing tomato production. Using a multiplex PCR test, BCTV infection was detected in 89% of hemp samples with CTD-like symptoms from Fresno, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Other symptom types had low incidence of BCTV infection and were associated with other factors. Hemp plants in California were infected only with the mild-type strains, BCTV-CO and BCTV-Wor, and often in mixed infection (43% of samples). Finally, using an infectious clone of a BCTV-CO isolate from hemp, we demonstrated that agroinoculated hemp plants developed these CTD-like symptoms, thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates for the disease.
Species-Specific Detection and Quantification of Erwinia pyrifoliae in Plants by a Direct SYBR Green Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay
Authors: Jin Yong Ju , Kong Hyun Gi , Yang Su In , Ham Hyeonheui , Lee Mi-Hyun , Park Dong Suk
Published: May 2022

The present study describes a SYBR Green real-time quantitative (q) PCR assay to detect Erwinia pyrifoliae in plants. E. pyrifoliae, first described in South Korea, is a phytopathogenic bacterial species in the genus Erwinia. In particular, specific detection, quantitation, and identification of E. pyrifoliae is still challenging, as symptoms resulting from its colonization of Asian pear blossoms are very similar to those caused by E. amylovora. E. pyrifoliae has biochemical, phenotypic, and genetic properties similar to those of E. amylovora. Moreover, other Erwinia species, including E. tasmaniensis and E. billingiae, are also detected by currently available molecular methods and with traditional methods as well. Therefore, in this study, previously published genome sequences of the genera Erwinia and Pantoea were compared to exploit species-specific genes for use as improved qPCR targets to detect E. pyrifoliae. In silico analyses of the selected gene and designed primer sequences, in conjunction with bio-SYBR Green real-time qPCR, confirmed the robustness of this newly developed assay. Consequently, the bio-SYBR Green real-time qPCR-based protocols developed here can be used for rapid and specific detection of E. pyrifoliae. They will potentially simplify and facilitate diagnosis and monitoring of this pathogen and guide plant disease management.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Semaphorin‐3F Deletion Prevents Oral Carcinogenesis
Authors: Omari Joud , Almazyad Asma , Alfaris Sausan , Balasubbramanian Dakshnapriya , Colombo Dan , Gao Yao , Bielenberg Diane R.
Published: May 2022

The Semaphorin‐3F (Sema3F) gene was originally isolated from chromosome 3p21 in a region commonly deleted in small cell lung cancer and was subsequently shown to act as a tumor suppressor. Sema3F is expressed in epithelial cells and is a ligand of the Neuropilin‐2 (Nrp2) receptor. We have previously shown that normal epithelial cells lack Nrp2, but upregulate this receptor during the dysplastic stage of carcinogenesis. Nearly all cancers in the oral cavity are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) which highly express Nrp2. Preclinical trials performed in our laboratory demonstrate that exogenous SEMA3F protein delivered systemically in mice can regress existing OSCC orthotopic xenografts by inhibiting angiogenesis and tumorigenicity. Here, we seek to understand the role of endogenous Sema3F in oral carcinogenesis and hypothesize that deletion of Sema3F, a putative tumor suppressor, from epithelial cells will increase oral cancer incidence, tumor size, and metastasis. Transgenic mice (K14‐creERT;Sema3Ff/f or K14‐creERT) were treated with tamoxifen and then exposed to carcinogen (4NQO) in their drinking water. Mice were monitored for oral cancer progression and compared between the groups. 100% (10/10) of control mice (K14‐creERT) developed carcinoma in situ or invasive OSCC in the tongue. However, surprisingly 0% (0/8) of mice with inducible K14‐Sema3F‐KO developed OSCC. Since no cancers were found in the mice lacking Sema3F, we predicted that immune cells may be clearing mutated epithelial cells during immune surveillance before they had a chance to grow. To examine the effect of endogenous Sema3F loss on T‐lymphocytes (which express Nrp2), we examined Type IV hypersensitivity assays in control and K14‐Sema3F‐KO mice. Mice lacking Sema3F showed enhanced and prolonged swelling in the ears after antigen challenge, while control mice resolved more quickly. Immunostaining of inflamed ear cryosections showed increased CD4+ T cell infiltration in mice deficient in Sema3F compared to controls. Taken together, our data suggests that Sema3F does not function as a tumor suppressor in all epithelial cells and appears to act indirectly to promote oral carcinogenesis by repressing immune cell activation. Thereby, Sema3F may play duplicitous roles in the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting angiogenesis yet suppressing immune surveillance.
Deletion of Neuropilin‐1 in the Epidermis Delays Wound Healing
Authors: Alfaris Sausan , Almazyad Asma , Omari Joud , Gao Yao , Balasubbramanian Dakshnapriya , Bielenberg Diane R.
Published: May 2022

When cutaneous tissue is exposed to trauma it undergoes complex biological processes to achieve healing. Our goal is to better understand the cellular pathways and molecular mechanisms that control wound healing. Upon injury to the skin, cells in the epidermis and dermis secrete a number of cytokines and growth factors to promote cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protein secreted from fibroblasts that has been shown to function in several different stages of wound healing, including re‐epithelialization. HGF and its tyrosine kinase receptor MET are upregulated in various phases of the healing cascade such as in the wound epidermis as well as in granulation tissue and blood vessels. Previous studies have shown that the transmembrane glycoprotein Neuropilin‐1 (Nrp1) acts as a co‐receptor for HGF (in addition to VEGF) in endothelial cells, while our laboratory has shown that Nrp1 is constitutively expressed in keratinocytes and its expression is up‐regulated following stress (such as after UV‐irradiation). However, the role of Nrp1 in epithelial cells or in the wound healing process, and its contribution to epidermal HGF/MET signaling is unclear. We hypothesized that Nrp1 cooperates with MET to signal via HGF to promote epithelial proliferation and improve wound healing. Adult male and female transgenic mice (K14‐creERT;Nrp1f/f) were either untreated (Controls; n=10 mice/group) or treated with tamoxifen to delete Nrp1 in keratinocytes (K14‐iNrp1‐KO; n=10 mice/group). Two weeks later, mice received full‐thickness dermal punch biopsies on their shaved dorsum. Wounds were measured daily and wound areas were graphed and compared. At select time points, additional wounded mice were euthanized and tissues were embedded for histologic examination. Our results indicate that under basal conditions, Nrp1 deletion in the epidermis does not affect the number or differentiation status of keratinocytes as K14‐iNrp1‐KO mice skin was equal in thickness and morphology to control littermates. However, upon injury, wound closure rates were significantly slower in male K14‐iNrp1‐KO mice compared to female K14‐iNrp1‐KO mice or Controls. In summary, absence of Nrp1 in the epidermis causes delays in wound healing indicating that Nrp1 plays a significant role in re‐epithelialization. Ongoing studies are investigating the activation of MET by HGF following Nrp1 silencing in epithelial cells to decipher the co‐receptor dependency of MET on Nrp1. These findings may lead to an improved understanding of the wound healing process and suggest targets for future drug development.
Case report: response to the ERK1/2 inhibitor ulixertinib in BRAF D594G cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Wolfe Zachary , Friedland Julie C. , Ginn Sarah , Blackham Aaron , Demberger Lauren , Horton Morgan , McIntosh Alyson , Sheikh Hina , Box Jessica , Knoerzer Deborah , Federowicz Bryan , Stuhlmiller Timothy J. , Shapiro Mark , Nair Suresh
Published: May 2022

Melanoma is characterized by oncogenic mutations in pathways regulating cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. Greater than 80% of primary melanoma cases harbor aberrant activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathway, with oncogenic mutations in BRAF, most notably BRAF V600E, being the most common. Significant progress has been made in BRAF-mutant melanoma using BRAF and MEK inhibitors; however, non-V600 BRAF mutations remain a challenge with limited treatment options. We report the case of an individual diagnosed with stage III BRAF D594G-mutant melanoma who experienced an extraordinary response to the ERK1/2 inhibitor ulixertinib as fourth-line therapy. Ulixertinib was obtained via an intermediate expanded access protocol with unique flexibility to permit both single-agent and combination treatments, dose adjustments, breaks in treatment to undergo surgery, and long-term preventive treatment following surgical resection offering this patient the potential for curative treatment.