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Archimedes' principle states that the upward buoyant force exerted on a solid immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the solid displaces. In this 3D salt-reconstruction study we treat Zechstein evaporites in the Netherlands as a pseudo-fluid with a density of 2.2 g cm−3, overlain by a lighter and solid overburden. Three-dimensional sequential removal (backstripping) of a differential sediment load above the Zechstein evaporites is used to incrementally restore the top Zechstein surface. Assumption of a constant subsurface evaporite volume enables the stepwise reconstruction of base Zechstein and the approximation of 3D salt-thickness change and lateral salt redistribution over time. The salt restoration presented is sensitive to any overburden thickness change caused by tectonics, basin tilt, erosion or sedimentary process. Sequential analysis of lateral subsurface salt loss and gain through time based on Zechstein isopach difference maps provides new basin-scale insights into 3D subsurface salt flow and redistribution, supra-salt depocentre development, the rise and fall of salt structures, and external forces' impact on subsurface salt movement. The 3D reconstruction procedure is radically different from classic backstripping in limiting palinspastic restoration to the salt overburden, followed by volume-constant balancing of the salt substratum. The unloading approach can serve as a template for analysing other salt basins worldwide and provides a stepping stone to physically sound fluid-dynamic models of salt tectonic provinces.

Detailed organic and inorganic geochemical analyses were used to assess the depositional environment and source rock potential of the Upper Albian to Turonian oil shale deposits in the Tarfaya Basin. This study is based on core samples from the Tarfaya Sondage-4 well that penetrated over 300m of Mid Cretaceous organic matter-rich deposits. A total of 242 samples were analyzed for total organic and inorganic carbon and selected samples for total sulfur and major elements as well as for organic petrology, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, Curie-Point-pyrolysis-gas-chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry and molecular geochemistry of solvent extracts. Based on major elements the Albian and Lower Cenomanian differ from the other intervals by higher silicate and lower carbonate contents. Moreover, the molecular geochemistry suggests marine anoxic bottom water conditions during the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary event (CTBE; oceanic anoxic event 2: OAE2). As a proxy for the Sorg/Corg ratio, the ratio total thiophenes/total benzenes compounds was calculated from pyrolysate compositions. The results suggest that Sorg/Corg is low in the Albian, moderate in the Cenomanian, very high in the CTBE and high in the Turonian samples. Rock-Eval data reveal that the Albian is a moderately organic carbon-rich source rock with good potential to generate oil and gas upon thermal maturation. On the other hand, the samples from the Cenomanian to the Turonian exhibit higher organic carbon contents and can be classified as oil-prone source rocks. Based on Tmax data, all rocks are thermally immature. The microscopic investigations suggest dominance of submicroscopic organic matter in all samples and different contents of bituminite and alginite. The Albian samples have little visible organic matter and no bituminite. The Cenomanian and CTBE samples are poor in bituminite and have rare visible organic matter, whereas the Turonian samples change from bituminite-fair to bituminite-rich and to higher percentages of visible organic matter towards the younger interval. These differences in the organic matter type are attributed to 1) early diagenetic kerogen sulfurization and 2) the upwelling depositional environment. Moreover, kerogen sulfurization was controlled by the relationship between carbonate, iron and sulfur as well as the organic matter. Thus, the organic carbon-rich deposits can be grouped into: 1) low Sorg and moderately organic matter-rich oil prone source rocks, 2) moderate Sorg and organic-carbon-rich oil prone source rocks, 3) high Sorg and organic carbon-rich oil prone source rocks and 4) very high Sorg and organic carbon-rich oil prone source rocks, the latter being represented by the CTBE. Types 2 to 4 will generate sulfur-rich petroleum upon maturation or artificial oil shale retorting.

Introduction: Disparities in cardiovascular care are well recognized, with socioeconomic status being one of the strongest determinants of cardiovascular disease outcomes. This study evaluates whether these disparities translate to coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan utilization. Specifically, we aim to describe regional variation and socioeconomic variables that impact CAC utilization across the United States relative to the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and related comorbidities., Methods: This cross-sectional study integrates county-level CAC utilization with CAD prevalence and publicly available socioeconomic variables including self-identified ethnicity, education, and adjusted gross income. CAC utilization rates were sourced from 2022 hospital commercial claims, outpatient Medicare service claims, and independent imaging center claims. Heart disease prevalence and socioeconomic variables were extracted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Adjusted gross income per capita was gathered from Internal Revenue Service data., Results: CAC utilization was evaluated across 808 counties within the United States, representing 600,379 claims. Median utilization was 1.62 scans per 1,000 persons with a range of 0.03 to 104.39. The West had the highest CAC scan utilization rate (median 3.09 scans per 1,000 persons) with a CAD prevalence of 548 per 100,000 persons. In contrast, the Midwest had the lowest utilization rate (median 1.24 scans per 1,000 persons) with a CAD prevalence of 635 per 100,000 persons. Socioeconomic factors that favor higher CAC utilization include a larger density of White/Caucasian ethnicity (p = 0.007) and a higher adjusted gross income per capita (p = 0.006). Counties with the lowest rates of CAC utilization have a higher population of African Americans (p <0.001) and a higher proportion of females (p <0.001)., Conclusion: This analysis highlights regional and socioeconomic differences in CAC utilization in the United States. Under-represented ethnicities such as African Americans have among the lowest rates of CAC utilization despite having a higher burden and mortality from heart disease. Discordance between CAC utilization, heart disease prevalence and socioeconomic status reveals a need for targeted interventions and policies aimed at mitigating structural barriers that perpetuate health inequities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A Multiple patient-specific and provider-perceived factors delay initiation of treatment in patients with hepatitis C. Patient-specific barriers to initiation of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) include age, race, gender, economic status, insurance status, and comorbidities such as HIV coinfection, psychiatric illness, and other psychosocial factors.Provider-perceived patient factors include substance abuse history, older age, psychiatric illness, medical comorbidities, treatment adverse effect risks, and factors that might limit adherence (eg, comprehension level).Study limitations included problems with generalizability of the populations studied and variability in reporting or interpreting data associated with substance or alcohol use disorders (strength of recommendation: B, based on 2 prospective and 5 retrospective cohort studies).

The sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of the solid phase capture-platelet test (CPT) were compared with those of the platelet adhesion immunofluorescence test (PAIFT) and the lymphocytotoxic test (LCT). This study shows that CPT has a higher sensitivity than PAIFT (P < 0.001) and LCT (P < 0.01). The specificity was 86% lower than LCT (100%) (P < 0.01). Both the CPT test and PAIFT were comparable with regard to reproducibility (100%, 92%). The solid phase assay is easier to handle than PAIFT and LCT, allowing identification of HLA as well as of platelet specific antibodies. It is an efficient antibody screening test.

Studies carried out on the red cells of a patient with autoanti-B agglutinin gave further evidence that it is probably not modified red cell antigens which cause autoantibody formation.

An obviously new phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP) gene product (PGP Sumatra) was detected by use of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis (SGE). The observed phenotype PGP (1-Sumatra) can be distinguished from any known PGP type.

The introduction of a standardized paternity index (PI) for the statistical evaluation of blood group findings in cases of disputed paternity is proposed and explained. By using the PI X/Y as parameter, it is not necessary to give the information of the probability of paternity in percent. The PI includes the full information of the blood group findings. In addition to that, by using the suggested standardization based on the probabilities of error according to Schulte Mönting and Walter the test volume is also taken into account. The interpretation of the mathematical result is given by verbal predicates, the limitations of which are orientated by the verbal predicates for the probabilities of error according to Schulte Mönting and Walter, published by us elsewhere. Besides the essential fact that the test volume is taken into account, the most important advantage of this procedure is that the mathematical result is involved in the court decision only by the PI (which is free of any valuation) and its verbal predicate and not by sometimes relatively high percentages, which may be misunderstood by laymen.

The serum of a patient (Mr. Lat) with the regular blood group A1 B contains an anti-B reacting with all cells having a B antigen except Bx and cis AB. The anti-B reacts at 4 degrees C and occasionally at room temperature as shown by agglutination, absorption-eluction and by thermo-dynamic assays. The antibody is regarded as an irregular autoantibody belonging to the group of the so called "suppressed" or "latent" antibodies.

Fifty-six patients with unexplained lymphocytosis were investigated with a panel of antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens. In 23 the distribution of cell surface markers suggested reactive lymphocytosis. The remaining 33 patients showed a distribution of cell surface markers that indicated or suggested a diagnosis of B-cell lymphoproliferative disease. Two illustrative case reports show how such studies performed early in the investigation of unexplained lymphocytosis may permit earlier diagnosis of the underlying mechanism.

A new variant of the PGMa1 erythrocyte enzyme system not identical with the known variants of the system has been detected in the hemolyzed red blood cells of a healthy blood donor by isoelectric focusing. Using this technique the variant is represented by two bands, a strong and slow one more cathodically located than the a3 band and a weak one in the position of the a2 band. Using agarose thin layer or acetate foil electrophoresis the variant is represented only by a minimal cathodic broadening of the PGM1 1 band and therefore it is easily overlooked. Investigation of the propositus' family shows that the variant occurs combined with the common alleles PGMa1(1), PGMa1(2), and PGMa1(3) and that it has an autosomal dominant inheritance. Obviously the variant has a very low frequency.