442 research outputs found
Palaeozoic petroleum systems of the Irish Sea
This report synthesises the results of the 21CXRM Palaeozoic project in the Irish Sea to
describe the Palaeozoic petroleum systems of that area.
One hydrocarbon play system dominates the basin system: Namurian organic-rich marine
shales (Bowland Shale Formation) generated oil and gas with a peak during maximum burial
of the system in late Jurassic/early Cretaceous time. These hydrocarbons passed to reservoirs
in the Triassic Ormskirk Sandstone (Sherwood Sandstone Group) by way of structures
generated during the Variscan Orogeny and Cenozoic inversion, resulting in the Morecambe,
Hamilton and other gas and oil fields
The Palaeozoic study of the wider Irish Sea area has assessed the potential for more
widespread petroleum systems situated outside the well-known play, particularly within the
Carboniferous.
Within the Main Graben system of the East Irish Sea Basin, Coal Measures strata were
partially removed following Variscan inversion and early Permian uplift. They are not rich in
coals, and not inferred to be a significant source rock. There is some potential in the
Millstone Grit and Yoredale sequences, as some shales (particularly those associated with
marine bands) are known to have high Total Organic Contents. The source rock potential of
shales within the Carboniferous Limestone sequence is poorly constrained by data. A
Devonian source rock is unproven and considered unlikely.
Potential Namurian source rocks, such as the Yoredale Group, have been largely eroded in
the Peel and North Channel basins, considerably reducing their prospectivity, although
terrestrial sequences of equivalent age in the Solway Basin may offer better potential.
The variable seismic data quality at Carboniferous levels and sparsity of deep well control
have led to challenges in interpretation, particularly of the deeper picks. The interpretation of
the surfaces contains a strong model-driven element, evidenced by the onshore relationships
and areas where seismic picks can be made with the greatest confidence. Based upon the
integration of regional seismic mapping with a limited well, source rock and reservoir
property dataset, the most prospective parts of the region, outside the Ormskirk conventional
gas play, are considered to be:
The thick Westphalian sequences preserved in the Eubonia Tilt-Block in Quadrant
109, outside the main Permian-Mesozoic graben system and unaffected by Cenozoic
inversion. The presence and quality of seals form a major risk as the Cumbrian Coast
Group seal is thin or absent and Carboniferous intraformational seals are required but
untested. Based on the limited dataset available in adjacent basins, reservoir quality is
also a significant risk.
A belt of Variscan inversion structures correlated with structures on the Formby
Platform, and Ribbledale Foldbelt onshore, from which hydrocarbons have leaked
into the overlying, Ormskirk-hosted Hamilton fields. The biggest risk here is whether
reservoirs remain unbreached at the Pre-Permian level, and retain good poroperm
characteristics at depths of about 2500 m.
A more speculative play lies in the extensive carbonate platform in Quadrant 109 and
surrounding the Isle of Man, in reefal facies with enhanced secondary porosity. Here,
source rock presence and migration pathways, reservoir properties and seal quality are
major risks
Clastic Polygonal Networks Around Lyot Crater, Mars: Possible Formation Mechanisms From Morphometric Analysis
Polygonal networks of patterned ground are a common feature in cold-climate environments. They can form through the thermal contraction of ice-cemented sediment (i.e. formed from fractures), or the freezing and thawing of ground ice (i.e. formed by patterns of clasts, or ground deformation). The characteristics of these landforms provide information about environmental conditions. Analogous polygonal forms have been observed on Mars leading to inferences about environmental conditions. We have identified clastic polygonal features located around Lyot crater, Mars (50°N, 30°E). These polygons are unusually large (> 100 m diameter) compared to terrestrial clastic polygons, and contain very large clasts, some of which are up to 15 metres in diameter. The polygons are distributed in a wide arc around the eastern side of Lyot crater, at a consistent distance from the crater rim. Using high-resolution imaging data, we digitised these features to extract morphological information. These data are compared to existing terrestrial and Martian polygon data to look for similarities and differences and to inform hypotheses concerning possible formation mechanisms. Our results show the clastic polygons do not have any morphometric features that indicate they are similar to terrestrial sorted, clastic polygons formed by freeze-thaw processes. They are too large, do not show the expected variation in form with slope, and have clasts that do not scale in size with polygon diameter. However, the clastic networks are similar in network morphology to thermal contraction cracks, and there is a potential direct Martian analogue in a sub-type of thermal contraction polygons located in Utopia Planitia. Based upon our observations, we reject the hypothesis that polygons located around Lyot formed as freeze-thaw polygons and instead an alternative mechanism is put forward: they result from the infilling of earlier thermal contraction cracks by wind-blown material, which then became compressed and/or cemented resulting in a resistant fill. Erosion then leads to preservation of these polygons in positive relief, while later weathering results in the fracturing of the fill material to form angular clasts. These results suggest that there was an extensive area of ice-rich terrain, the extent of which is linked to ejecta from Lyot crater
Hepatocyte growth factor pathway expression in breast cancer by race and subtype
Background: African American women have the highest risk of breast cancer mortality compared to other racial groups. Differences in tumor characteristics have been implicated as a possible cause; however, the tumor microenvironment may also contribute to this disparity in mortality. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a stroma-derived marker of the tumor microenvironment that may affect tumor progression differentially by race. Objective: To examine whether an HGF gene expression signature is differentially expressed by race and tumor characteristics. Methods: Invasive breast tumors from 1957 patients were assessed for a 38-gene RNA-based HGF gene expression signature. Participants were black (n = 1033) and non-black (n = 924) women from the population-based Carolina Breast Cancer Study (1993â2013). Generalized linear models were used to estimate the relative frequency differences (RFD) in HGF status by race, clinical, and demographic factors. Results: Thirty-two percent of tumors were positive for the HGF signature. Black women were more likely [42% vs. 21%; RFD = + 19.93% (95% CI 16.00, 23.87)] to have HGF-positive tumors compared to non-black women. Triple-negative patients had a higher frequency of HGF positivity [82% vs. 13% in non-triple-negative; RFD = + 65.85% (95% CI 61.71, 69.98)], and HGF positivity was a defining feature of basal-like subtype [92% vs. 8% in non-basal; RFD = + 81.84% (95% CI 78.84, 84.83)]. HGF positivity was associated with younger age, stage, higher grade, and high genomic risk of recurrence (ROR-PT) score. Conclusion: HGF expression is a defining feature of basal-like tumors, and its association with black race and young women suggests it may be a candidate pathway for understanding breast cancer disparities
Opportunistic, human-pathogenic species in the Herpotrichiellaceae are phenotypically similar to saprobic or phytopathogenic species in the Venturiaceae
Although morphologically similar, species of Cladophialophora
(Herpotrichiellaceae) were shown to be phylogenetically distinct from
Pseudocladosporium (Venturiaceae), which was revealed to be
synonymous with the older genus, Fusicladium. Other than being
associated with human disorders, species of Cladophialophora were
found to also be phytopathogenic, or to occur as saprobes on organic material,
or in water, fruit juices, or sports drinks, along with species of
Exophiala. Caproventuria and Metacoleroa were
confirmed to be synonyms of Venturia, which has Fusicladium
(= Pseudocladosporium) anamorphs. Apiosporina, based on
A. collinsii, clustered basal to the Venturia clade, and
appears to represent a further synonym. Several species with a
pseudocladosporium-like morphology in vitro represent a sister clade
to the Venturia clade, and are unrelated to Polyscytalum.
These taxa are newly described in Fusicladium, which is
morphologically close to Anungitea, a heterogeneous genus with
unknown phylogenetic affinity. In contrast to the
Herpotrichiellaceae, which were shown to produce numerous
synanamorphs in culture, species of the Venturiaceae were
morphologically and phylogenetically more uniform. Several new species and new
combinations were introduced in Cladophialophora, Cyphellophora
(Herpotrichiellaceae), Exophiala, Fusicladium, Venturia
(Venturiaceae), and Cylindrosympodium (incertae
sedis)
Racial differences in breast cancer outcomes by hepatocyte growth factor pathway expression
Purpose: Black women have a 40% increased risk of breast cancer-related mortality. These outcome disparities may reflect differences in tumor pathways and a lack of targetable therapies for specific subtypes that are more common in Black women. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a targetable pathway that promotes breast cancer tumorigenesis, is associated with basal-like breast cancer, and is differentially expressed by race. This study assessed whether a 38-gene HGF expression signature is associated with recurrence and survival in Black and non-Black women. Methods: Study participants included 1957 invasive breast cancer cases from the Carolina Breast Cancer Study. The HGF signature was evaluated in association with recurrence (n = 1251, 171 recurrences), overall, and breast cancer-specific mortality (n = 706, 190/328 breast cancer/overall deaths) using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Women with HGF-positive tumors had higher recurrence rates [HR 1.88, 95% CI (1.19, 2.98)], breast cancer-specific mortality [HR 1.90, 95% CI (1.26, 2.85)], and overall mortality [HR 1.69; 95% CI (1.17, 2.43)]. Among Black women, HGF positivity was significantly associated with higher 5-year rate of recurrence [HR 1.73; 95% CI (1.01, 2.99)], but this association was not significant in non-Black women [HR 1.68; 95% CI (0.72, 3.90)]. Among Black women, HGF-positive tumors had elevated breast cancer-specific mortality [HR 1.80, 95% CI (1.05, 3.09)], which was not significant in non-Black women [HR 1.52; 95% CI (0.78, 2.99)]. Conclusion: This multi-gene HGF signature is a poor-prognosis feature for breast cancer and may identify patients who could benefit from HGF-targeted treatments, an unmet need for Black and triple-negative patients
The PHENIX Experiment at RHIC
The physics emphases of the PHENIX collaboration and the design and current
status of the PHENIX detector are discussed. The plan of the collaboration for
making the most effective use of the available luminosity in the first years of
RHIC operation is also presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Further details of the PHENIX physics program
available at http://www.rhic.bnl.gov/phenix
Biodiversity in the Cladosporium herbarum complex (Davidiellaceae, Capnodiales), with standardisation of methods for Cladosporium taxonomy and diagnostics
The Cladosporium herbarum complex comprises five species for which
Davidiella teleomorphs are known. Cladosporium herbarum s.
str. (D. tassiana), C. macrocarpum (D.
macrocarpa) and C. bruhnei (D. allicina) are
distinguishable by having conidia of different width, and by teleomorph
characters. Davidiella variabile is introduced as teleomorph of
C. variabile, a homothallic species occurring on Spinacia,
and D. macrospora is known to be the teleomorph of C. iridis
on Iris spp. The C. herbarum complex combines low molecular
distance with a high degree of clonal or inbreeding diversity. Entities differ
from each other by multilocus sequence data and by phenetic differences, and
thus can be interpreted to represent individual taxa. Isolates of the C.
herbarum complex that were formerly associated with opportunistic human
infections, cluster with C. bruhnei. Several species are newly
described from hypersaline water, namely C. ramotenellum, C.
tenellum, C. subinflatum, and C. herbaroides.
Cladosporium pseudiridis collected from Iris sp. in New
Zealand, is also a member of this species complex and shown to be distinct
from C. iridis that occurs on this host elsewhere in the world. A
further new species from New Zealand is C. sinuosum on Fuchsia
excorticata. Cladosporium antarcticum is newly described from a
lichen, Caloplaca regalis, collected in Antarctica, and C.
subtilissimum from grape berries in the U.S.A., while the new combination
C. ossifragi, the oldest valid name of the Cladosporium
known from Narthecium in Europe, is proposed. Standard protocols and
media are herewith proposed to facilitate future morphological examination of
Cladosporium spp. in culture, and neotypes or epitypes are proposed
for all species treated
Phylogeny and ecology of the ubiquitous saprobe Cladosporium sphaerospermum, with descriptions of seven new species from hypersaline environments
Saprobic Cladosporium isolates morphologically similar to C.
sphaerospermum are phylogenetically analysed on the basis of DNA
sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster, including the internal
transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2, the 5.8S rDNA (ITS) and the small
subunit (SSU) rDNA as well as ÎČ-tubulin and actin gene introns and exons.
Most of the C. sphaerospermum-like species show halotolerance as a
recurrent feature. Cladosporium sphaerospermum, which is
characterised by almost globose conidia, is redefined on the basis of its
ex-neotype culture. Cladosporium dominicanum, C.
psychrotolerans, C. velox, C. spinulosum and C.
halotolerans, all with globoid conidia, are newly described on the basis
of phylogenetic analyses and cryptic morphological and physiological
characters. Cladosporium halotolerans was isolated from hypersaline
water and bathrooms and detected once on dolphin skin. Cladosporium
dominicanum and C. velox were isolated from plant material and
hypersaline water. Cladosporium psychrotolerans, which grows well at
4 °C but not at 30 °C, and C. spinulosum, having
conspicuously ornamented conidia with long digitate projections, are currently
only known from hypersaline water. We also newly describe C. salinae
from hypersaline water and C. fusiforme from hypersaline water and
animal feed. Both species have ovoid to ellipsoid conidia and are therefore
reminiscent of C. herbarum. Cladosporium langeronii (=
Hormodendrum langeronii) previously described as a pathogen on human
skin, is halotolerant but has not yet been recorded from hypersaline
environments
Phylogenetic lineages in the Capnodiales
The Capnodiales incorporates plant and human pathogens,
endophytes, saprobes and epiphytes, with a wide range of nutritional modes.
Several species are lichenised, or occur as parasites on fungi, or animals.
The aim of the present study was to use DNA sequence data of the nuclear
ribosomal small and large subunit RNA genes to test the monophyly of the
Capnodiales, and resolve families within the order. We designed
primers to allow the amplification and sequencing of almost the complete
nuclear ribosomal small and large subunit RNA genes. Other than the
Capnodiaceae (sooty moulds), and the Davidiellaceae, which
contains saprobes and plant pathogens, the order presently incorporates
families of major plant pathological importance such as the
Mycosphaerellaceae, Teratosphaeriaceae and
Schizothyriaceae. The Piedraiaceae was not supported, but
resolves in the Teratosphaeriaceae. The Dissoconiaceae is
introduced as a new family to accommodate Dissoconium and
Ramichloridium. Lichenisation, as well as the ability to be saprobic
or plant pathogenic evolved more than once in several families, though the
taxa in the upper clades of the tree lead us to conclude that the strictly
plant pathogenic, nectrotrophic families evolved from saprobic ancestors
(Capnodiaceae), which is the more primitive state
Measurement of the polarisation of W bosons produced with large transverse momentum in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS experiment
This paper describes an analysis of the angular distribution of W->enu and
W->munu decays, using data from pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV recorded with
the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2010, corresponding to an integrated
luminosity of about 35 pb^-1. Using the decay lepton transverse momentum and
the missing transverse energy, the W decay angular distribution projected onto
the transverse plane is obtained and analysed in terms of helicity fractions
f0, fL and fR over two ranges of W transverse momentum (ptw): 35 < ptw < 50 GeV
and ptw > 50 GeV. Good agreement is found with theoretical predictions. For ptw
> 50 GeV, the values of f0 and fL-fR, averaged over charge and lepton flavour,
are measured to be : f0 = 0.127 +/- 0.030 +/- 0.108 and fL-fR = 0.252 +/- 0.017
+/- 0.030, where the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second
include all systematic effects.Comment: 19 pages plus author list (34 pages total), 9 figures, 11 tables,
revised author list, matches European Journal of Physics C versio
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