bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geomorphological evolution of the Group I fluvial system, AX field, Malay Basin
Authors: Zawri Nurul Fahana , Rahman Abdul Hadi Abd , Siddiqui Numair Ahmed , Nor Norizam Md
Published: April 2022

The AX Field is located 167km off NNE Kerteh, Terengganu of Peninsular Malaysia, southwest of Malay Basin. This study is focused on the 3D seismic analysis of the Lower Miocene fluvio-deltaic Group I. The objective of the study is to evaluate the geomorphological evolution of fluvial succession and interpret the possible intra-basinal and extra-basinal controls on the fluvial evolution. One hundred strata slices were generated in order to evaluate the evolution of the fluvial systems within the Group I interval. Seismic attributes such as Root Mean Square (RMS), sweetness and spectral decomposition were computed to map channel geomorphology. Different fluvial styles were identified in the different parts of the study area. Variation of fluvial style were identified within the Group I interval including the low sinuosity system with tributary channels, high sinuosity system with broad meander belt and braided system. Fluvial channel imaged within the studied interval can be divided into six (6) stages based on the channel morphology. Stage 1 (1875 – 1810 ms), the oldest stage, displays high sinuosity channels. Braided system associated with coal deposition were imaged in Stage 2 (1810 – 1765 ms). During stage 3 (1765 – 1710 ms), the fluvial system is characterized by low to moderate sinuosity channel features that varies in scale and geometry. Stage 4 (1710 – 1675 ms) display fluvial style characterized by low sinuosity-to-straight system with tributary channels. Stage 5 (1675 – 1615 ms) is represented by high sinuosity fluvial system with broad meander belt and point bar. During Stage 6 (1615-1536 ms) the fluvial system displays moderate-to-high sinuosity. The high sinuosity system in period 6 exhibit well-defined meander scroll bar morphology that reveals the extension and translation course of the fluvial system.
First principle elastic property study of α-AI2O3 for application as nano-proppants
Authors: Danso D K , Negash B M , Padmanabhan E
Published: April 2022

Slickwater hydraulic fracturing creates complex fracture networks in unconventional shale gas reservoirs. The use of spherical micron and nano-sized particles have been proposed as suitable sized materials to keep nano fractures conductive. Few materials have been investigated for occupying induced unpropped nano fractures. In this study, the nanomechanical properties of α-Al2O3, a commonly used fracture fluid nanomaterial is calculated using the density functional theory to study its pressure-dependent elasticity and hardness. The elastic properties of α-Al2O3 are calculated within the CASTEP code under different hydrostatic pressures between 0 and 1 GPa. α-Al2O3 experienced a 0.11% and 0.34% in structural lattice constant and volume, respectively. Material mechanical properties such as the Bulk modulus B, decrease Shear modulus G, Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the trigonal α-Al2O3 nanocrystal structure are derived through the Voight-Reus-Hill approximation scheme. Young’s modulus of 391.8 and Hardness of 20.4 Gpa show that α-Al2O3 nanoparticles can withstand reservoir pressures without significant deformation. Elastic constants of α-Al2O3 generally increased with high pressure. However slight variations occurred in the derived nanomechanical properties between the pressure regime investigated.
Application of Machine Learning for Shale Reservoir Permeability Prediction
Authors: Prajapati Srichand , Padmanabhan Eswaran
Published: April 2022

Due to ultra-low permeability, the characterization of shale reservoir is always being a challenge. The traditional models are insufficient to estimate the ultra-low permeability of shale reservoirs. Based on Machine Learning, we proposed a simple mathematical approach to predict the permeability of shale reservoirs. Machine-learning techniques are good options for generating a rapid, robust, and cost-effective permeability prediction because of their strengths to deliver the variables. Additionally, used the Kozeny’s equation with power mean approach to constraint the estimated permeability for more reliable. To do this, we used a pure shale well-log downloaded from open source. The results show that the predicted permeability is well correlated with the neutron log and significantly match with the other well-logs.
Pore structure characteristic of the Kroh black shale using field emission scanning electron microscopy and Nitrogen BET
Authors: Shoieb Monera Adam , Gebretsadik Haylay Tsegab , Ismail Mohd Suhaili
Published: April 2022

Marine Paleozoic rocks account for about 25% of the surface Peninsular Malaysia. Black shales have primarily attracted interest from geologists in terms of their economic importance in hydrocarbon generation potential. The pore structue and pore size distributions of twenty shale samples from the Upper Ordovician to Lower Devonian Kroh Formation in the upper Perak were examined by using Nitrogen gas adsorption (N2 GA) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) eccupied by EDX techniques. The results of FE-SEM showed that the shale samples mainly composed quartz, kaolinite, and illite. The pores in shale have been classified into three types; two were associated with mineral matrix such as interparticle pores found in particles and clay flakes, and intraparticle pores found within particles or grains, while the third pore type were related to the organic matter (OM). The result of N2 adsorption analysis of the shale samples revealed that the pressure adsorption showed significant differences in surface area and pore volumes. Pore size distributions of all the Kroh shale samples they were predominantly multi-modal only few samples has unimodal pore sizes distribution with the shale median pore throat range = 10 to 100 nm. The pore volume has mesopores ranging from 2 to 50 nm, while the main specific surface area has micro-pores less than 2 nm and mesopores less than 50 nm.
Comparison between conventional and high-resolution measurements for unlocking the thin laminated potential reservoir, a case study
Authors: Sahari Sufizikri , Hassane Tharwat , Zahir Zuhar
Published: April 2022

In Low resistivity low contrast (LRLC), also known as low resistivity pay (LRP), one of the factors is, the existence of alternating thin sedimentary layers of various rock types in hydrocarbon reservoirs, commonly consist of sandstone, siltstone and claystone and have been widely reported today. This phenomenon causes the potential intervals to be misinterpreted as non-hydrocarbon bearing zone due to its ability to reduce the measured apparent resistivity which result in overestimated water saturation calculation and due to its low contrast, in comparison with water bearing interval, this phenomenon always make well analyst to by passed this interval. As a result, from falsified measured resistivity, the final reserves volume tends to be underestimated. A huge number of studies have proven this kind of interval able to produce oil with very low water-cut therefore this paper would like to present the case study of solving this complex lithology by using sophisticated petrophysical modeling with a combination of Thomas-Stieber plot. Measured vertical (Rv) and horizontal (Rh) resistivity is available for this study and will be used as comparison. In general, this paper will present two case studies for final saturation computation, a) The sand resistivity will be estimated through inversion using measured resistivity anisotropy (Rv - Rh), b) The sand resistivity is reconstruct based on identified volume fraction of clay, whereas the shale resistivity estimated from conventional resistivity (RDEEP). Both of the cases will be calibrated using measured saturation from core by using Dean-Stark technique. Selected interval in this study (X1 zone) is a proven oil interval with a standard volume production rate 698 bbl/day. The final comparison of saturation computed using measured resistivity anisotropy yield a high correlation in contrast, the inversion using conventional resistivity yields less correlation with saturation from core. Nonetheless, by comparing with conventional computed saturation i.e. Waxman Smith, the final saturation of these two cases is significantly increased and unmasked the hydrocarbon-bearing interval. Therefore, case b indicates the best approach to be used whenever the advance measured resistivity anisotropy is unavailable.
Reducing the risk of low saturation gas using controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) in K-Field, Central Luconia: a forward modeling case study
Authors: Salleh Nur Farhana , Hermana Maman , Mohd Hassan Nik Nur Anis Amalina Nik
Published: April 2022

The application of controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) in hydrocarbon exploration significantly facilitates the detection of economic hydrocarbon. The method captures anomalies through the resistivity contrast between the overburdens and hydrocarbon-bearing lithologies. In most cases, the resistivity contrast is only prominent when there is sufficient hydrocarbon saturation. K-Field is situated on the continental shelf of Sarawak Basin, a sub-mature area for oil and gas in the Central Luconia province. Despite the low saturation of the gas in the Cycle VI sand, the seismic data shows a strong amplitude in the shallow section. Therefore, this study is conducted to assess the change of resistivity and CSEM response to the gas saturation and thickness variations of thin-gas sand in the K-Field. 3D resistivity models and three exploration wells are provided and two main methods are implemented in this study comprising the resistivity and CSEM forward modelings. The resistivity modeling is conducted using the Indonesia water saturation equation for different gas saturation scenarios and subsequently, the modeled resistivity is inputted in 1D and 2.5D CSEM forward modeling. The modeled CSEM response analysis is done by normalizing the modeled CSEM amplitude to the background or also known as normalized amplitude response (NAR). In gas saturation variation, the modeled resistivity showed an insignificant resistivity increase from 0.45Ωm to 0.55Ωm from wet case to 5% of gas and strongly increases to 35Ωm at 90% of gas saturation. The 1D CSEM NAR shows a very weak response of less than a 3% increase for 5% of gas and up to 230% increase for 90% of gas. In gas thickness variation, the CSEM NAR is weak and less than a 15% cutoff for all the tested thicknesses for 5% and 45% of in-situ gas. At 70% of gas, 25m is the minimum detected gas thickness with a 17.5% response increase, and at 90% of gas, the response is already strong at a minimum 5m thickness with a 35% increase. The modeled 2D CSEM responses also show that only 70% and 90% of gas sand layers in the K-field were delineated distinctively by the inline receivers with a 40% and 200% response increase respectively.
Surface analysis of liquid adsorption onto shale
Authors: Abdulelah Hesham , Negash Berihun Mamo , Babatunde Kawthar Adewumi , Alzanam Ali Aref Ali , Hakimi Mohammed Hail , Padmanabhan Eswaran
Published: April 2022

Shale rocks are one of the world's most important unconventional gas resources today, thanks to technical advancements. Fluid adsorption in tight rocks like shale is critical for designing fracturing and treatment fluids. However, adsorption of fluids in shale is not fully understood, and quantifying it remains difficult. In addition, the complicated pore structure of shale rocks makes characterisation challenging. Wettability can be used to understand the affinity of a solid surface to adhere certain fluid. Shales present several basic problems when employing standard techniques because of their small grain size, low permeability, and reactive components. We assessed and compare the wettability of shale using contact angle and spontaneous imbibition methods in two shale samples. The findings showed no correlation between contact angle and imbibition curves. Such behaviour is due heterogeneity of shale surface. Contact angle produces local wetting characteristics, but shale sample is rather complex and contact angle is therefore not representative. Imbibition results might be more reliable since fluids contacts with the whole sample.
Study on the propulsion of the rigid-flexible composite plate driven on two points
Authors: Wu Wenbo
Published: April 2022

The fish can be driven by the sarcomere at different locations of the body. To study the hydrodynamic performance of the fish in this process, the self-propulsion of a composite plate driving on two points was investigated. It is supposed that the forces were exerted on the junction point to maintain a given pitch motion of the rigid portion, and an additional external moment was exerted at a point on the flexible plate. The ratio between the lengths of the rigid portion and the flexible portion was fixed as 1/9, which was reasonable for a real fish. The acting point and phase angle of the additional external moment was varying to study the cooperation of the forces on different points. It was found that the additional external moment was not always promoting the propulsion velocity and efficiency of the composite plate. The additional external moment near the joint point was most suitable for improve the propulsive velocity and efficiency of the composite plate. The anti-phase additional external moment was prejudicing the propulsion of the plate. The additional external moment could change the vibration shape of the flexible plate and the flow structure around it. As ϕ = π, the amplitude and the gradient of the deformation was largely reduced, and the wake became long and narrow. The hydrodynamic forces at the head and tail portion of the flexible plate were hindering the propulsion of the plate, while the thrust was mainly produced on the intermediate portion. It was expected that our investigation can be helpful for the design of the soft robotic fish.
The formation and growth of intermetallic compounds during interdiffusion of Al/Cu bimetals
Authors: Cao Fei , Zhang Peng , Zou Juntao , Wang Tongmin
Published: April 2022

The diffusion couple technology was used to study the formation and growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of Al/Cu bimetals at the temperature range of 480-540 oC for 5-20 h. The interfacial microstructure formed during interdiffusion and the growth kinetics of IMCs are determined. The results show that four different kinds of IMCs (Al2Cu, AlCu, Al2Cu3 and Al4Cu9) were formed at the Al/Cu interface, which is related to the interfacial diffusion reaction and the migration of phase interfaces. The growth of IMCs is mainly controlled by volume diffusion, and follows a parabolic growth kinetics, i.e. L = kt
1/2. Based on the effective heat of formation model and Gibbs free energy change calculation, the Al2Cu is predicted to form first and the formation sequence of the four IMCs is Al2Cu, Al4Cu9, AlCu and Al2Cu3.
Generation of few µm high optical vortex using tunable spiral plates
Authors: Awasthi Saurabh , Kang SeungYeon
Published: April 2022

Optical vortices have been extensively explored, due to their widespread applications, spanning from optical trapping to laser processing. Previously, several methods for generating optical vortices had been reported. However, none of the previously reported methods demonstrated the design of a geometrically variable tunable spiral plate (SP) capable of tuning the optical vortex’s features. In this study, we present a three-dimensional tunable SP capable of generating desired vortex and focal characteristics. These SPs are 10 µm in width and 7–17 µm in height, generating few µm high vortices. We used the 3D finite difference time domain approach to model and simulate these SPs for incident plane waves with a wavelength of 632 nm. We show that the vortex profiles can be tweaked in two ways: by changing the SP’s geometrical features along the vertical axis, and by changing its refractive index.
Silver nanoprism-mediated protein estimation—an ultrasensitive platform for rapid estimation of protein concentration
Authors: Sundar Katha Shyam , Ramesh Jatavath , Chinthala Praveen , Rao Karunakar , Banerjee Swagata , Roy Shibsekhar
Published: April 2022

Estimation of protein concentration in the range of nanogram level (ng/ml) is a big challenge for conventional protein estimation methods. The highly dipole sensitive spectroscopic properties of Silver nanoprism (AgNPR) has been utilized to develop a rapid and highly sensitive method for the estimation of globular protein concentration at ng/ml (or ppb) range. We have applied a unique molecular doping approach to introduce protein in the interstitial space of the Ag fcc(111) crystal planes within AgNPR structure. The presence of the doped protein induces deformation in the crystal plane arrangement of AgNPR that results in a quantitative red shift of the dipole resonance peak (D-peak) of AgNPR under UV–vis spectroscopy. The proposed method allows detection of a protein concentration range of as low as 1–20 ng ml−1- that is better than the sensitivity limit of conventional protein estimation techniques. This method has been successfully applied for commonly used proteins like haemoglobin (Hb), Bovine serum albumin (BSA), Trypsin (TRYP) and Lysozyme (LYS) with a very low limit of detection (LOD) within 2–6 ng ml−1. The lowest LOD value was shown by Hb as 2.08 ng ml−1. The method has further been validated by measuring Casein concentration from milk with an accuracy of 99% and 95% recovery for the concentration of 3.1 and 31 ng ml−1 respectively. Transmission emission microscopy (TEM) images show that the doped protein has been found to alter the size and shape of the AgNPR as a function of the dopant concentration by creating systematic deformation. This method does not require any alteration of the reaction temperature and solely depends on the physical interaction of doped protein with its neighbouring crystal structure of the nanoplanar geometry.
Adherence to 5 Diet Quality Indices and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in a Large US Prospective Cohort
Authors: Julián-Serrano Sachelly , Reedy Jill , Robien Kim , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael
Published: April 2022

Few prospective studies have examined associations between diet quality and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), or comprehensively compared diet quality indices. We conducted a prospective analysis of adherence to the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, alternative HEI-2010, alternate Mediterranean diet (aMed), and 2 versions of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH; Fung and Mellen) and PDAC within the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP Diet and Health Study (United States, 1995–2011). The dietary quality indices were calculated using responses from a 124-item food frequency questionnaire completed by 535,824 participants (315,780 men and 220,044 women). We used Cox proportional hazards regression models to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each diet quality index and PDAC. During follow-up through 2011 (15.5-year median), 3,137 incident PDAC cases were identified. Compared with those with the lowest adherence quintile, participants with the highest adherence to the HEI-2015 (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.94), aMed (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.93), DASH-Fung (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.95), and DASH-Mellen (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.96) had a statistically significant, lower PDAC risk; this was not found for the alternative HEI-2010 (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.04). This prospective observational study supports the hypothesis that greater adherence to the HEI-2015, aMed, and DASH dietary recommendations may reduce PDAC.
Service user involvement in social work education: Enhancing student learning about intimate partner violence
Authors: Jury Rebecca
Published: April 2022

Men who use intimate partner violence (IPV) are often excluded from service user involvement approaches, including those provided in social work education. This article outlines Australian research in which men who use IPV developed a learning resource, the resource was shown to social work students and student feedback sought through pre- and post-test questionnaires and group discussion. Students reported increased knowledge regarding interpersonal violence, greater awareness of the skills required to engage service users who use IPV and willingness to work alongside service users who are involuntary and/or have multiple issues in future social work placements and practice. The findings suggest, when risks are well managed, it may be possible to incorporate the lived experiences of men who use IPV in social work education with positive benefit for student learning. The ramifications of these findings for social work education and practice internationally are discussed.
Multitranscriptome analyses of keloid fibroblasts reveal the role of the HIF-1α/HOXC6/ERK axis in keloid development
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhong Yixiu , Li Zhijia , Zhu Dingheng , Lu Hongyan , Chen Pingjiao , Li Changxing , Peng Xuebiao , Li Qian , Zeng Kang
Published: April 2022

Background

A keloid is a disease of excessive fibrosis that is characterized by the aberrant proliferation of fibroblasts. However, the molecular mechanisms of fibroblasts during the development of keloids remain unclear. This study aims to identify new molecular targets that promote the proliferation and migration of keloid fibroblasts, providing new ideas for the prevention and treatment of keloids.

Methods

We utilized bioinformatics tools to analyze data from keloid fibroblasts (KFs) available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify the key genes involved in keloid development. Homeobox C6 (HOXC6) emerged as a hub gene in KFs from the GEO database was verified in keloid tissue samples and KFs using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, the effects of downregulated HOXC6 expression on the cellular behaviors of KFs were examined by performing Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, transwell migration and WB assays. Meanwhile, we performed transcriptome sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to further explore HOXC6-related mechanisms and validated the signaling pathways by performing a series of experiments.

Results

HOXC6 was the top-ranking hub gene of KFs in microarray datasets from GEO and was upregulated in keloid tissue samples and KFs. Downregulation of HOXC6 inhibited proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and promoted KF apoptosis. GSEA predicted that the hypoxia signaling pathway was associated with HOXC6 in KFs. Transcriptome sequencing suggested that the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway was one of the downstream pathways of HOXC6 in KFs. Our experiments confirmed that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) upregulates HOXC6, contributing to KFs proliferation, migration, apoptosis inhibition and collagen accumulation through the ERK signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Our findings first revealed that HOXC6 acts as an oncogenic driver in the molecular mechanisms of fibroblasts in keloids. The HIF-1α/HOXC6/ERK axis promotes proliferation, migration and ECM production by KFs, contributing to the progression of keloids. Taken together, HOXC6 may serve as a promising novel therapeutic target and new focus for research designed to understand the pathogenesis of keloids.
Effectiveness of Messenger RNA–based Vaccines During the Emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant
Authors: Sharma Aditya , Oda Gina , Holodniy Mark
Published: April 2022

Background

We evaluated the effectiveness of mRNA-based vaccines following emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

Methods

Recipients of a third dose of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 ≥180 days after the primary series were matched to primary-series recipients and unvaccinated persons. Participants were followed from 1 December 2021 to 12 March 2022. Outcomes were documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19 death. Effectiveness was calculated from 100-day risks estimated with the Kaplan-Meier estimator.

Results

BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 groups included 221 267 and 187 507 third-dose recipients, respectively, matched to equal numbers of primary-series recipients and unvaccinated persons. Compared with no vaccination, effectiveness of a third dose of BNT162b2 was 47.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45.2–50.3), 81.8% (95% CI, 79.2–84.2), and 89.6% (95% CI, 85.0–93.6) against infection, hospitalization, and death, respectively. Effectiveness of a third dose of BNT162b2 compared with the primary series was 30.1% (95% CI, 26.2–33.7), 61.4% (95% CI, 55.0–67.1), and 78.8% (95% CI, 67.9–87.5) against infection, hospitalization, and death, respectively. Effectiveness of a third dose of mRNA-1273 compared with no vaccination was 61.9% (95% CI, 59.4–64.4), 87.9% (95% CI, 85.3–90.2), and 91.4% (95% CI, 86.4–95.6) against infection, hospitalization, and death, respectively. Effectiveness of a third dose of mRNA-1273 compared with the primary series was 37.1% (95% CI, 32.2–41.7), 63.5% (95% CI, 53.7–71.6), and 75.0% (95% CI, 55.4–88.0) against infection, hospitalization, and death, respectively.

Conclusions

BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 were effective against COVID-19 following emergence of Omicron variant. A third dose provided additional protection over the primary series.
Case Series: Re-induction of Intravenous, Weight-Based Ustekinumab Is Well Tolerated in Patients With Moderate–Severe Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Lee Scott David , Kamp Kendra , Clark-Snustad Kindra Dawn
Published: April 2022

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) patients may benefit from biologic optimization.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed adverse events (AEs) and clinical/endoscopic response after ustekinumab re-induction in CD patients.

Results

We identified 28 patients, all with prior biologic exposure. Eight weeks following re-induction, 10.7% reported ≥1 AE. Three serious AEs occurred in a single patient (CD flares). No infusion reactions occurred. 53.8% and 38.5% achieved clinical response and remission, respectively. 42.8% achieved both endoscopic improvement and remission.

Conclusions

Ustekinumab re-induction was well tolerated. Clinical and endoscopic disease activity improved in some patients. Further larger studies are needed to verify these findings in a broader population.
Inheritance of social dominance is associated with global sperm DNA methylation in inbred male mice
Authors: Hou Guan-Mei , Zhang Yao-Hua , Zhang Jian-Xu
Published: April 2022

Dominance relationships between males and their associated traits are usually heritable and have implications for sexual selection in animals. In particular, social dominance and its related male pheromones are heritable in inbred mice; thus, we wondered whether epigenetic changes due to altered levels of DNA methylation determine inheritance. Here, we used C57BL/6 male mice to establish a social dominance–subordination relationship through chronic dyadic encounters, and this relationship and pheromone covariation occurred in their offspring, indicative of heritability. Through transcriptome sequencing and whole-genome DNA methylation profiling of the sperm of both generations, we found that differential methylation of many genes was induced by social dominance–subordination in sires and could be passed on to the offspring. These methylated genes were mainly related to growth and development processes, neurodevelopment, and cellular transportation. The expression of the genes with similar functions in whole-genome methylation/bisulfite sequencing was also differentiated by social dominance–subordination, as revealed by RNA-seq. In particular, the gene Dennd1a, which regulates neural signaling, was differentially methylated and expressed in the sperm and medial prefrontal cortex in paired males before and after dominance–subordination establishment, suggesting the potential epigenetic control and inheritance of social dominance-related aggression. We suggest that social dominance might be passed on to male offspring through sperm DNA methylation and that the differences could potentially affect male competition in offspring by affecting the development of the nervous system.
Social buffer or avoidance depends on the similarity of stress between queen ants
Authors: Sanmartín-Villar Iago
Published: April 2022

The association of unrelated ant queens (pleometrosis) is supposed to improve nest foundation and competitiveness under environmental stress, but its evolutionary maintenance is difficult to explain because only one of the queens survives after nest foundation. My aim was to test the potential effect of queen association as a social buffer, that is, as a mechanism reducing stress and improving fitness due to the benefits of social contact. I analyzed the survival, fecundity, and behavior of isolated and paired Lasius flavus queens exposed and not exposed to stressors (disturbing environmental conditions). I found no difference in survivorship between isolated and paired queens or between stressed and unstressed isolated queens. Groups in which 1 or 2 paired queens were stressed showed higher mortality. Unstressed queens died similarly to their stressed nestmates, suggesting stress transmission. A trend suggested that paired queens produced eggs more quickly, but eggs were produced similarly between isolated and paired queens. Social avoidance was observed in groups with 1 stressed and 1 unstressed queen. However, the groups with 2 stressed queens showed the expected behaviors according to social buffering: lower mobility and more interindividual inspection. My findings suggest the synergistic effect of pleometrosis and stress and the dependence of stress level similarity between nestmates on social buffering or rejection on ant queens.
Discrimination and Deaf Adolescents’ Subjective Well-Being: The Role of Deaf Identity
Authors: Ma Yidan , Xue Weifeng , Liu Qin , Xu Yin
Published: April 2022

This study tested the influence of Deaf identity (cognitive identification and affective identification) on the association between perceived deaf discrimination and subjective well-being among Chinese adolescents who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH), based on the rejection-identification model. Questionnaires on perceived deaf discrimination, subjective well-being, Deaf identity, and demographic information were completed by 246 DHH students (15–23 years old) from special residential schools in China. The results indicated that: (1) higher level of perceived deaf discrimination was significantly associated with lower level of subjective well-being (direct effect = −0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−0.37, −0.12], p < .001); (2) there was a significant indirect effect of perceived deaf discrimination on subjective well-being via cognitive identification (indirect effect = −0.07, 95% CI = [−0.12, −0.01], p < .05); and (3) positive affective identification due to increased cognitive identification with Deaf community may help counteract the negative impact of perceived deaf discrimination on subjective well-being (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.10], p < .001). These findings further support the notion that the different components of group identification should be examined separately.
Effect of sex and surgical incision on survival after isolated primary mitral valve operations
Authors: Dębski Maciej , Taylor Rebecca , Abdelrahman Amr , Dębska Karolina , Assaf Omar , Qadri Syed , Wong Kenneth Y -K , Vassiliou Vassilios , Zacharias Joseph
Published: April 2022

OBJECTIVES

Multiple studies have suggested that women have worse outcomes than men following mitral valve (MV) surgery—most of those studies reported on conventional sternotomy (CS) MV surgery. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether or not the minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) approach might mitigate a worse survival in women following MV surgery.

METHODS

We identified patients with isolated primary MV operations with or without tricuspid valve repair performed between 2007 and 2019. Patients were propensity score-matched across the MIMVS and CS surgical approaches. Sex was excluded from the matching process to discern whether female patients had a different likelihood of receiving minimally invasive surgery than males. A Cox proportional hazards model was fitted in the matched cohort and adjusted for the imbalance in baseline characteristics using the propensity score.

RESULTS

Of 956 patients (417 MIMVS, 539 CS; 424 females), the matched set comprised 342 pairs (684 patients; 296 females) of patients who were well balanced across MIMVS and CS groups with regard to preoperative clinical characteristics. We observed a 47/53% female/male ratio in the CS group and a 39/61% in the MIMVS group, P = 0.054. In both matched groups, women were older than males. A Cox model adjusted for propensity scores showed no survival difference with sex, surgical type or interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Women present to the surgical team at an older age. They appear less likely to be considered for a MIMVS approach than men. Neither sex nor surgical approach was associated with worse survival in a matched sample.
Weak Cation Selectivity in HCN Channels Results From K+-Mediated Release of Na+ From Selectivity Filter Binding Sites
Authors: Bauer Daniel , Wissmann Jan , Moroni Anna , Thiel Gerhard , Hamacher Kay
Published: April 2022

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels generate the pacemaker current which plays an important role in the timing of various biological processes like the heart beat. We used umbrella sampling to explore the potential of mean force for the conduction of potassium and sodium through the open HCN4 pore. Our data explain distinct functional features like low unitary conductance and weak selectivity as a result of high energetic barriers inside the selectivity filter of this channel. They exceed the 3-5 kJ/mol threshold which is presumed as maximal barrier for diffusion-limited conductance. Furthermore, simulations provide a thermodynamic explanation for the weak cation selectivity of HCN channels that contain only two ion binding sites in the selectivity filter (SF). We find that sodium ions bind more strongly to the SF than potassium and are easier released by binding of potassium than of another sodium. Hence ion transport and selectivity in HCN channels is not determined by the same mechanism as in potassium-selective channels; it rather relies on sodium as a weak blocker that can only be released by potassium.
Convergent evolution of polyploid genomes from across the eukaryotic tree of life
Authors: Hao Yue , Fleming Jonathon , Petterson Joanna , Lyons Eric , Edger Patrick P , Pires J Chris , Thorne Jeffrey L , Conant Gavin C
Published: April 2022

By modeling the homoeologous gene losses that occurred in 50 genomes deriving from ten distinct polyploidy events, we show that the evolutionary forces acting on polyploids are remarkably similar, regardless of whether they occur in flowering plants, ciliates, fishes, or yeasts. We show that many of the events show a relative rate of duplicate gene loss before the first postpolyploidy speciation that is significantly higher than in later phases of their evolution. The relatively weak selective constraint experienced by the single-copy genes these losses produced leads us to suggest that most of the purely selectively neutral duplicate gene losses occur in the immediate postpolyploid period. Nearly all of the events show strong evidence of biases in the duplicate losses, consistent with them being allopolyploidies, with 2 distinct progenitors contributing to the modern species. We also find ongoing and extensive reciprocal gene losses (alternative losses of duplicated ancestral genes) between these genomes. With the exception of a handful of closely related taxa, all of these polyploid organisms are separated from each other by tens to thousands of reciprocal gene losses. As a result, it is very unlikely that viable diploid hybrid species could form between these taxa, since matings between such hybrids would tend to produce offspring lacking essential genes. It is, therefore, possible that the relatively high frequency of recurrent polyploidies in some lineages may be due to the ability of new polyploidies to bypass reciprocal gene loss barriers.
The role of geotectonic setting on the heat flow distribution of southern South America
Authors: Christiansen Rodolfo O , Gianni Guido M , Ballivián Justiniano Carlos A , García Héctor P A , Wohnlich Stefan
Published: April 2022

The surface heat flow of southern South America was examined based on an updated database containing 1113 locations. Accordingly, this study presents the most accurate heat flow map of the southern portion of the continent (south of 16°30′S latitude), covering areas that previously presented limited information. The main anomalies show a strong spatial correlation with geothermal zones and with the most up-to-date lithospheric thickness maps. The blanketing effect produced by the sedimentary basins reduce the surface heat flow up to 27 mW m–2 over the thickest basins. The study region was separated into four large areas and their connection to tectonic processes analysed. The Central Andes present high heat flow zones related to a thick radiogenic crust, volcanic activity, and a hot asthenospheric wedge. In the Pampean flat-slab region, the low heat flow coincides mostly with the horizontal projection of the Juan Fernández aseismic ridge and not with a wide region as previously thought. Furthermore, a close relationship between the subduction of the ridges at different angles and a cold upper-plate lithosphere is suggested. Besides active regions of arc magmatism and a thin lithosphere, we propose that a hot upper-plate upwelling beneath the Patagonian Platform is also contributing to the high heat flow in the area. The foreland region exhibits a low heat flow coinciding with a thick cratonic lithosphere, and local high heat flow values in suture zones possibly triggered by ancient delamination beneath these regions.
LcERF19, an AP2/ERF transcription factor from Litsea cubeba, positively regulates geranial and neral biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Minyan , Gao Ming , Zhao Yunxiao , Chen Yicun , Wu Liwen , Yin Hengfu , Yang Jiahui , Xiong Shifa , Wang Siqi , Wang Jue , Yang Yang , Wang Jia , Wang Yangdong
Published: April 2022

The APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors (TFs) are involved in the regulation of specialized terpenoid biosynthesis. However, the AP2/ERF TFs in Litsea cubeba have not been characterized and their role in the biosynthesis of terpenoids is unknown. Here, 174 LcAP2/ERF TFs were identified in L. cubeba and categorized into four subfamilies: 27 AP2, 7 RAV, 1 Soloist, and 139 ERF. Transcriptomic and qRT-PCR assays both showed that the expression levels of LcERF19 were similar to that of terpene synthase LcTPS42 in the pericarp, which is related to the synthesis of geranial and neral in L. cubeba. LcERF19 was further shown to encode a nuclear-localized protein and its expression was strongly induced by jasmonate. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays showed that LcERF19 associated with GCC box elements of the LcTPS42 promoter and promoted its activity. Transient overexpression of LcERF19 in L. cubeba and overexpression of LcERF19 in tomato resulted in a significant increase in geranial and neral. Our findings show that LcERF19 enhances geranial and neral biosynthesis through activation of LcTPS42 expression, which provides a strategy to improve the flavor of tomato and other fruits.
Development and validation of MicrobEx: an open-source package for microbiology culture concept extraction
Authors: Eickelberg Garrett , Luo Yuan , Sanchez-Pinto L Nelson
Published: April 2022

Objective

Microbiology culture reports contain critical information for important clinical and public health applications. However, microbiology reports often have complex, semistructured, free-text data that present a barrier for secondary use. Here we present the development and validation of an open-source package designed to ingest free-text microbiology reports, determine whether the culture is positive, and return a list of Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED)-CT mapped bacteria.

Materials and Methods

Our concept extraction Python package, MicrobEx, is built upon a rule-based natural language processing algorithm and was developed using microbiology reports from 2 different electronic health record systems in a large healthcare organization, and then externally validated on the reports of 2 other institutions with manually reviewed results as a benchmark.

Results

MicrobEx achieved F1 scores >0.95 on all classification tasks across 2 independent validation sets with minimal customization. Additionally, MicrobEx matched or surpassed our MetaMap-based benchmark algorithm performance across positive culture classification and species capture classification tasks.

Discussion

Our results suggest that MicrobEx can be used to reliably estimate binary bacterial culture status, extract bacterial species, and map these to SNOMED organism observations when applied to semistructured, free-text microbiology reports from different institutions with relatively low customization.

Conclusion

MicrobEx offers an open-source software solution (available on both GitHub and PyPI) for bacterial culture status estimation and bacterial species extraction from free-text microbiology reports. The package was designed to be reused and adapted to individual institutions as an upstream process for other clinical applications such as: machine learning, clinical decision support, and disease surveillance systems.
Pneumomediastinum, Facial Nerve Injury, and Sialocele Secondary to a Firework Burn to the Cheek: A Case Report
Authors: Lambert Raphaella A , Shogan Andrea N , Vrouwe Sebastian Q
Published: April 2022

Fireworks injuries can result in devastating cutaneous burns and may be further complicated in the head and neck region by the presence of specialized deeper structures. In the United States, the head and neck remain the most commonly injured sites, with the majority of these injuries constituting burns. We present an adult patient who suffered an accidental right cheek burn injury and went on to experience a complex pattern of findings including pneumomediastinum, facial nerve palsy, and sialocele formation.
Current status of endoscopic detection, characterization and staging of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ishihara Ryu , Muto Manabu
Published: April 2022

Background

This review focuses on the current status of endoscopic detection, characterization and tumour category staging of oesophagealsquamous cell carcinoma.

Detection

The diagnostic yield of white-light imaging is limited and narrow-band imaging has demonstrated a better performance for detecting oesophageal cancer. Narrow-band imaging has also shown similar sensitivity and superior specificity to iodine staining.

Characterization

Accurate differentiation between cancerous and non-cancerous lesions can be achieved by magnifying narrow-band imaging or iodine staining with confirmation of a pink-colour sign. A per-patient analysis of a randomized study showed similar sensitivities, specificities and overall accuracies of magnifying narrow-band imaging and iodine staining of 82.2%, 95.1% and 91.2%, and 80.5%, 94.3% and 90.5%, respectively.

Tumour-staging

The diagnostic capability of endoscopic ultrasonography after conventional and narrow-band imaging in terms of tumour depth was evaluated in a multicentre prospective study. Endoscopic ultrasonography did not significantly improve the accuracy for distinguishing between mucosal or submucosal microinvasive cancer and deeper cancers from 72.9 to 74.0%, suggesting that additional endoscopic ultrasonography did not improve the diagnostic accuracy. In addition, endoscopic ultrasonography increased the incidence of overdiagnosis, defined as a diagnosis of cancer depth greater than the actual depth, by 6.6%. The risk of overdiagnosis by endoscopic ultrasonography was reconfirmed in two systematic reviews.

Conclusions

Narrow-band imaging is currently considered as the standard modality for the detection and characterization of oesophageal cancer. The risk of overdiagnosis should be considered when applying endoscopic ultrasonography for the evaluation of tumour invasion depth of superficial oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Mental data protection and the GDPR
Authors: Ienca Marcello , Malgieri Gianclaudio
Published: April 2022

Although decoding the content of mental states is currently unachievable, technologies such as neural interfaces, affective computing systems, and digital behavioral technologies enable increasingly reliable statistical associations between certain data patterns and mental activities such as memories, intentions, and emotions. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence enables the exploration of these activities not just retrospectively but also in a real-time and predictive manner. In this article, we introduce the notion of ‘mental data’, defined as any data that can be organized and processed to make inferences about the mental states of a person, including their cognitive, affective and conative states. Further, we analyze existing legal protections for mental data by considering the lawfulness of their processing in light of different legal bases and purposes, with special focus on the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We argue that the GDPR is an adequate tool to mitigate risks related to mental data processing. However, we recommend that interpreters focus on processing characteristics, rather than merely on the category of data at issue. Finally, we call for a ‘Mental Data Protection Impact Assessment’, a specific data protection impact assessment designed to better assess and mitigate the risks to fundamental rights and freedoms associated with the processing of mental data.
Giant adrenal myelolipoma in a young female patient: a case report
Authors: Rahoui Moez , Ouanes Yassine , Chaker Kays , Dali Kheireddine Mrad , Bibi Mokhtar , Sellami Ahmed , Rhouma Sami Ben , Nouira Yassine
Published: April 2022

Myelolipoma is a rare, benign, non-secreting tumor and its pathophysiology is of metaplasia of the cells of the adrenal cortex into reticuloendothelial cells. Although they are often small and asymptomatic, some cases of giant adrenal myelolipoma cause symptoms such as chronic pain. Few cases of adrenal myelolipoma have been reported in the literature. We present a case of a large right adrenal myelolipoma in a 26-year-old female patient, who presented with an adrenal mass, and discuss the challenges of diagnosis and treatment.
The security implications of transnational population movements: A meta-analysis
Authors: Böhmelt Tobias , Mehrl Marius
Published: April 2022

Are migrants and refugees systematically linked to insecurity? This article, for the first time, takes stock of the interdisciplinary quantitative research on this question using meta-analysis. We compiled a unique dataset comprising more than 70 published studies across a variety of spatial and temporal scales covering 1951–2016. We show that an overall effect linking foreign-born populations to insecurity may exist, but there is little evidence for refugees or migrants consistently leading to more insecurity when assuming a disaggregated perspective. Specifically, foreign-born populations are unlikely to be systematically related to terrorism and hate crimes, while they can be associated with a higher risk of state-based disputes, inter-group conflict, and one-sided violence. This study adds to our understanding of the security implications of refugees and migrants as it sheds more light on the actual effect transnational population movements have on insecurity, thereby informing the research agenda in the years to come.