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Abstract Background For renal hilar angiomyolipoma, general surgical resection is often quite challenging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an innovative robot-assisted laparoscopic strategy that combines tumor enucleation with tumor aspiration in the treatment of renal hilar angiomyolipoma. Methods The clinical data of 38 patients with renal hilar angiomyolipoma who went through robotic tumor enucleation combined with tumor aspiration in the Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, from December 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The basic characteristics, the perioperative variables, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative complications were all recorded. Patients were followed up to evaluate the angiomyolipoma recurrence and the renal function by urologic CT or ultrasound and renal function tests. Results All surgeries were successfully completed without conversion to radical nephrectomy or open surgery. One patient developed urinary extravasation 10 days after surgery, and was readmitted to the hospital for transurethral ureteral stenting considering the injury of the renal collecting system. The median operative time was 181.5 (123.8-206.3) min, the warm ischemia time was 20.0 (17.3–24.0) min, the blood loss was 125 (100.0-262.5) ml, and no patients received blood transfusion during and after surgery. The median hospitalization time was 7.0 (6.0–9.0) days, and the duration of indwelling drainage tube was 2.0 (2.0–3.0) days. The serum creatinine (Scr) on the first day, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery were 55.5 (50.8–62.8) µmol/L, 55.5 (48.0–62.0) µmol/L and 54.0 (51.8–63.5) µmol/L, respectively, and there was no significant difference compared with the preoperative level 56.0 (47.8–60.3) µmol/L. All patients were followed up after surgery, and the urinary CT scan or renal color doppler ultrasound, and renal function were reexamined. The median follow-up time of all patients was 19.0 (14.75-33.0) months, and no local recurrence of angiomyolipoma was seen in all patients. Conclusions The surgical strategy of robot-assisted laparoscopic tumor enucleation combined with tumor aspiration is safe and effective in the treatment of renal hilar angiomyolipoma.

In recent years, the Ordos Basin has undergone a reevaluation, transitioning from a perception of a single block to a focus on understanding the influence of multiple stages and fault systems on hydrocarbon accumulation. This study utilizes the latest 3D seismic and drilling data alongside a theoretical model of strike-slip fault to analyze fault geometry and kinematics in the Xunyi-Yijun area of the basin's southern region. The mechanisms of fault formation are predicted and the related impacts on the formation and accumulation of deep carbonate rocks are also discussed. The results indicate the presence of three fault systems in the Xunyi-Yijun area, with decoupling between deep and shallow layers. The Lower Paleozoic strike-slip faults exhibit distinct characteristics, including high vertical structure, dip swing, and a "flower-shaped" structure in the section. The faults display "compression shear in the northwest, tension shear in the center, and segmental deformation on trunk fractures" on their planes.Moreover, the Lower Paleozoic strike-slip faults experienced two stages of tectonic activities with greater intensity observed from the Late Ordovician to the Silurian, marking the primary period of fault development. The activity intensity during the Middle to Late Permian was relatively weaker, with faults exhibiting inherited strike-slip characteristics. These faults formed two groups, one with a NE strike and the other with a NW strike. Additionally, during the second stage of the Caledonian period, ocean subduction and closure lead to stress being transferred to the basin interior. It is believed that the NE and NW strike basement weak zones existed in the southern Ordos Basin. As a result, the Lower Paleozoic strike-slip fault system likely formed due to the activation of oblique compression. This fault system has the potential to enhance the physical properties of deep carbonate reservoirs and create high-quality karst or tectonic fracture reservoirs in the Xunyi-Yijun area. Moreover, The formation of the "upper source and lower reservoir-lateral source and lateral reservoir" combination along the strike-slip fault belt is an area of interest for deep oil and gas exploration in the Xunyi-Yijun region.

It has not been clearly understood whether the hydrocarbon generated from the argillaceous sourcerocks of the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation could upward pass through the regional cap rocks of the Lower-Middle Cambrian gypsum rocks and accumulate in the Middle-Upper Cambrian Xixiangchi Group reservoir, namely the cross-formational hydrocarbon accumulation, in the eastern Sichuan Basin. Therefore, the studies on the reservoir solid bitumen in the Xixiangchi Group and the sealing performance of the regional cap rocks of the Lower-Middle Cambrian gypsum rocks were carried out, and the cross-formational hydrocarbon accumulation of the Cambrian oil and gas and its significance for natural gas exploration were discussed. It was shown by synthetic studies that the reservoir solid bitumen in the Xixiangchi Group mainly originated from the argillaceous source rocks of the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation. The sealing integrity of the regional cap rocks of the Lower-Middle Cambrian gypsum rocks was damaged to some extent by the reactivated basement faults and the large nascent faults in the Middle Permian to Middle Triassic though it had good sealing performance in geological times, which could provide convenient vertical pathways for the Cambrian cross-formational hydrocarbon accumulation in the eastern Sichuan Basin. Three evolutionary stages were built up about the Cambrian hydrocarbon migration and accumulation as follows. Stage 1 is the formation of the Cambrian pre-salt early paleo-reservoirs in the period ofthe Late Silurian to the Early Permian (S3-P1), stage 2 is the one of the Cambrian cross-formational hydrocarbon accumulation in the period of the Middle Permian to the Middle Triassic (P2-T2), and stage 3 is the formation of the Cambrian late paleo-gas reservoirs in the period of the Late Triassic to the Early Cretaceous (T3-K1). The cross-formational hydrocarbon accumulation is an important feature of hydrocarbon accumulation in multi-cycle superimposed basins, and the reactivated basement faults and the large nascent faults in the period of the MiddlePermian to the Middle Triassic are important clues to the Xixiangchi Group primary paleo-gas reservoirs. Identification and evaluation of the Xixiangchi Group primary paleo-gas reservoirs will be the key points and the main challenges to natural gas exploration in the study area.

Abstract Background Although, micropeptides encoded by non-coding RNA have been shown to have an important role in a variety of tumors processes, there have been no reports on micropeptide in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Based on the micropeptide MIAC (micropeptide inhibiting actin cytoskeleton) discovered and named in the previous work, this study screened its tumor spectrum, and explored its mechanism of action and potential diagnosis and treatment value in the occurrence and development of renal carcinoma. Methods The clinical significance of MIAC in RCC was explored by bioinformatics analysis through high-throughput RNA-seq data from 530 patients with kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) in the TCGA database, and the detection of clinical samples of 70 cases of kidney cancer. In vitro and in vivo experiments to determine the role of MIAC in renal carcinoma cell growth and metastasis; High-throughput transcriptomics, western blotting, immunoprecipitation, molecular docking, affinity experiments, and Streptavidin pulldown experiments identify MIAC direct binding protein and key regulatory pathways. Results The analysis of 600 renal carcinoma samples from different sources revealed that the expression level of MIAC is significantly decreased, and corelated with the prognosis and clinical stage of tumors in patients with renal carcinoma. Overexpression of MIAC in renal carcinoma cells can significantly inhibit the proliferation and migration ability, promote apoptosis of renal carcinoma cells, and affect the distribution of cells at various stages. After knocking down MIAC, the trend is reversed. In vivo experiments have found that MIAC overexpression inhibit the growth and metastasis of RCC, while the synthetized MIAC peptides can significantly inhibit the occurrence and development of RCC in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies have demonstrated that MIAC directly bind to AQP2 protein, inhibit EREG/EGFR expression and activate downstream pathways PI3K/AKT and MAPK to achieve anti-tumor effects. Conclusions This study revealed for the first time the tumor suppressor potential of the lncRNA-encoded micropeptide MIAC in RCC, which inhibits the activation of the EREG/EGFR signaling pathway by direct binding to AQP2 protein, thereby inhibiting renal carcinoma progression and metastasis. This result emphasizes that the micropeptide MIAC can provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of RCC.

Terrestrial shale strata generally has frequent and strong heterogeneity characteristics, thus affecting shale gas enrichment and target selection. In this study, samples from the Da’anzhai Member of Well A in Yuanba area have performed a series of experiments including total organic carbon ( TOC ) content measurement, rock pyrolysis, organic petrology, vitrinite reflectance ( R o ), whole-rock mineral composition, thin section analysis, focused ion beam scanning electron microscope, high-pressure Hg injection, nitrogen (N 2 ) adsorption, and methane (CH 4 ) isothermal adsorption. The results show that: (1) Da'anzhai (J 1 da) Member is a set of mixed sediments with various lithology, which consists of black shale and well-developed siltstone and carbonate rocks interlayers. The second section of the Da'anzhai Member (J 1 da 2 ) has relatively greater organic matter abundance (1.24% TOC ), better organic matter type dominated by type III and II, as well as higher maturity (1.67% R o ), which is the most favorable section of J 1 da. (2) J 1 da 2 shale strata can be divided into three shale lithofacies types, two interlayer lithofacies types, and three macro-lithofacies assemblage types. Among them, mudstone–limestone lithofacies assemblage (type AB-I) has preferable hydrocarbon generation conditions, better reservoir properties, and more developed shell limestone interlayers with better fracturing performance, is thought the most favorable interval. (3) The optimal interval and horizontal target of J 1 da 2 are further selected based on the source–reservoir coupling relationship, corresponding to the depth is 3909–3914 m, which imply the optimal horizontal target window for Well A. This study has application values not only for the identification of “sweet intervals” and well location deployment of J 1 da but also supports the later systematic studies of shale gas accumulation mechanism and enrichment regularity in Yuanba area.

Breakthroughs of oil and gas exploration have recently been achieved via several wells in marl reservoirs of the first member of the middle Permian Maokou Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin. As a new type of unconventional gas reservoir, a lot of attention was attracted. In order to understand lithological characte-ristics and pore characteristics of marl reservoirs, lithological, pore types and pore structure characterization, works were carried out based on field and core samples. Results show that: (1) The TOC content of the marl reservoirs, which is mainly in outer gently sloping facies, is 0.76%-1.1%, with an increasing trend from northwest to southeast, similar to porosity changes. (2) Reservoir spaces of the marls mainly include organic pores, inorganic pores and microfractures. The organic pores can be classified into independent organic pores, organic pores with talc and intergranular organic pores of pyrite. The inorganic pores can be classified into intergranular pores, intercrystalline pores, and crystal dissolved pores. The microfractures can be classified into talc fractures, grain boundary fractures, and stress fractures. Organic pores are not dominant in the marl reservoirs, while microfractures are the most important reservoir space. (3) Combined characterization of cryogenic nitrogen adsorption, cryogenic CO2 adsorption, high-pressure Hg injection experiments and CT scan show that pores of the marls are mainly ink-bottle shaped with narrow neck and wide body. Micropores, mesopores and macropores are developed, with pore diameters of about 0.4-100 nm. The marls have obvious lithologic heterogeneity and poor connectivity. Fractures have an important influence on the connected pores. The marl in the first member of the Maokou Formation is a new type of unconventional reservoir, which has complex mineral composition and special pore characteristics. Targeted acid fracturing technology should be strengthen to promote the exploration and production of the marl reservoir.

The Permian stratum in Hangjinqi area is one of the important fields to increase gas reserves and outputs in the Ordos Basin in recent years. The studies of the origin and source of formation water are still insufficient due to the complexity of relationship between gas and formation water. Based on the analysis of major components, trace elements, as well as hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, the indication of geochemical characteristics for the source of formation water is then revealed. The Permian formation water in Hangjinqi area is mainly of CaCl2 type, and the average total dissolved solids (TDS) of formation water to the north and south of the Borjianghaizi fault are 52.1 and 41.9 g/L, respectively. Different water chemical parameters indicate favorable formation sealing conditions, and the formation water has experienced strong concentrated metamorphism with beneficial preservation conditions for natural gas. The formation water is mainly terrigenous one after evaporation and concentration, and the stratum has experienced albitization of plagioclase and dolomitization of cements. The δD and δ18O values of the formation water are mainly in the ranges of -81‰ to -75‰ and -12.1‰ to -8.8‰, respectively, suggesting weaker water-rock interaction than that in the Sulige gas field. Due to the mixing of condensate water in regional uplift since the Late Cretaceous or the seepage of surface water along faults, a small number of formation water samples display more negative δD values.

The Upper Paleozoic strata in the Hangjinqi area of the Ordos Basin are an important field to increase reserves and productions for the North China Oil and Gas Branch, SINOPEC. It is necessary to conduct a re-evaluation of hydrocarbon generation potential for the Upper Paleozoic coal-measure source rocks in time, which is favorable to provide theoretical support for further exploration and deployment. The organic geochemical and organic petrological approaches were carried out in this study and integrated with the physical simulation of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from formation pore by thermal compression, numerical simulation of TSM basin resource evaluation and new exploration data, in order to systematically analyze and compare the sedimentary environment, quality and distribution of the Upper Paleozoic source rocks, and further to conduct the re-evaluation of hydrocarbon potential. The results indicated that the Upper Paleozoic source rocks of the south of the fault belts in the Hangjinqi area appeared to have characteristics of good quality, high evolution degree, and a great thickness, whereas those in the north part of the fault belts displayed the negative characteristics. As indicated by the physical and numerical simulation results, the Upper Paleozoic coal-measure source rocks in the Hangjinqi area displayed a total gas generation amount of 15.922×1012 m3. The gas generation intensity to the north of the fault belts was less than 1×109 m3/km2, whereas that to the south ranged (1.5-3.5)×109 m3/km2, which has provided a material basis for the generation of large and medium gas fields.

Gas diffusion in nano-scale porous media of deeply burried shale includes bulk diffusion (Fick and Knudsen diffusions) and surface diffusion. To reveal the migration mechanism of this process, the influence of temperature and pressure on diffusion coefficient needs to be quantitatively evaluated. A case study was made with the Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the Maoping area, Zigui, western Hubei, South China. Gas diffusion was simulated by isobaric diffusion experiments under different temperature and pressure conditions. The results indicated that: (1) The diffusion coefficient DF decreases with increasing of pressure (when the pressure is higher than 30 MPa, DF tends to be constant), and increases with increasing of temperature; (2) In the high temperature-pressure setting, DF is affected significantly by pressure and generally tends to decrease. Moreover, the impacts of temperature, pressure, porosity and lithology were quantitatively calculated, and a mathematical model of gas diffusion was established, which had comparable results with simulation experiment. The following conclusions were thus drawn: (1)Higher temperature will cause stronger molecular kinetic energy, resulting in increasing bulk and surface diffusion coefficients, while higher pressure will slightly strengthen the Fick and surface diffusions, but significantly limit the Knudsen diffusion, and cause lower total diffusion coefficient; (2) Larger pore size leads to stronger bulk diffusion, but weaker surface diffusion. Finally, according to the studies of a specific research block, high pressure setting is conducive to the preservation of nano-scale porous gas reservoir in shale, while the uplift accompanied by pressure release is the main stage of shale gas loss.

The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has exerted tremendous influences on the wellbeing of international students and the sustainable development of higher education. The current study adopts an 8-month exploratory case study to trace eight Chinese international students’ psychological and academic adjustments in the United Kingdom amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging from the qualitative data constitutive of semi-structured interviews, self-reflection writings, memoing, together with stimulated-recall interviews, findings have demonstrated the three main types of obstruction for such students’ adjustments in the foreign land including COVID-specific challenges (i.e., the threat of infect, reduced access to university facilities and resources); COVID-enhanced challenges (i.e., anxiety exacerbated by parents and social media use, anti-Asian racism and hate incidents); and language barriers and cultural differences as long-standing issues. Students’ previous lockdown experience, individual resilience, development of monocultural friendship patterns, and institutional provision and support are all factors that have contributed to their ability to overcome or at least mitigate the psychological and academic difficulties. The study offers insight into the impacts of COVID-19 on international students, providing implications that could contribute to the sustainable adjustments of international students in times of disruptive events and inform future responses to global health crises from individual and higher education perspectives.

The Upper Ordovician WufengFm and the Lower Silurian LongmaxiFm are important strata for shale gas exploration and development in the Sichuan Basin, but the genetic mechanism, evolutionary history and the controlling effect of mineral diagenetic evolution on the formation of shale gas reservoirs are not clear. In this paper, the evolution history of organic matter pores and the diagenetic evolution of minerals were analyzed based on the analysis of petrology, mineralogy and organic geochemistry, combined with basin simulation and practical shale gas exploration and development. Then, the types and genetic mechanisms of high-quality shale gas reservoirs were discussed, and the development intervals of high-quality shale gas reservoirs were determined. And the following research results are obtained. First, the shale gas development intervals of Wufeng–LongmaxiFms in the Sichuan Basin are mainly dominated by siliceous shale, limy siliceous shale and clayey shale. Rock type has an important controlling effect on the types and characteristics of shale reservoir space. Siliceous shale and limy siliceous shale have the highest reservoir capacity with the most developed organic pores. Second, the diagenetic evolution of minerals controls the formation of shale gas reservoirs. Biogenic silica, formed in the early diagenetic stage, together with terrestrial detrital silica and pyrite, constitutes particle support lattices in the form of microcrystalline aggregates, so as to resist the compaction effectively and preserve a great number of residual intergranular pores, which is beneficial to the formation of high-quality shale gas reservoirs. Third, siliceous shale in the WF2–LM4 graptolite zone (from WufengFm to the bottom of LongmaxiFm) presents a high-quality reservoir genetic mechanism of “multicellular algae controlling hydrocarbon source, biogenic silica controlling framework, and co-evolution controlling a high-quality reservoir”. In conclusion, the siliceous shale and limy siliceous shale in the WF2–LM4 graptolite zones are the main development intervals of high-quality shale gas reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin. It is also a valuable reference for the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurianshale gas exploration and development in other countries and regions worldwide.

Due to the depletion of conventional hydrocarbon resources, both China and Russia are giving more attention to the exploration and production of unconventional oil and gas resources, especially those generated and accumulated within source rocks. In an attempt to further understand the mechanisms of these resources, detailed mineralogical, lithological, and geochemical studies were performed to compare source rock samples from i) the Longmaxi Formation of the Lower Silurian in the Sichuan Basin (China), and ii) the Semiluksk Formation of the Frasnian Stage of the Upper Devonian in the Volga-Ural region of the East European Platform (Russia). The results showed that the main mineral of the source rocks of both formations is chalcedony that formed during an outpouring of deep fluids onto the sea bed. Simultaneous thermal analyses of this mineral indicated similar thermophysical properties to those of the hydrothermal-sedimentary chalcedony from jasper. Moreover, a direct relationship between the chalcedony content and the total organic matter content in the samples from the two formations was established. The presence of biophilic chemical elements in the siliceous component of the source rock samples indicate that high total organic content values were likely due to the presence of biophilic chemical elements in deep fluids, which led to the large-scale development of biota and subsequent accumulation of organic matter during sedimentation. The findings also revealed that the organic matter in the source rocks of the two regions was at different stages of maturity. The organic matter in samples from the Volga-Ural region was less mature and only at the early stage of oil generation, whereas the organic matter in samples from the Sichuan Basin reached both oil and gas generation stages. The Longmaxi Formation is already in the shale gas exploration and development stage, and the Semiluksk Formation could also be regarded as an exploration target for shale oil reservoirs.

Abstract Background To compare robot-assisted simple enucleation with renal arterial cold perfusion (RACP-RASE) and RASE alone in complex renal tumors with regard to perioperative, functional and oncologic outcomes by propensity score-matched analysis. Methods Data from 351 patients who underwent RACP-RASE or RASE for complex renal tumors were recorded between September 2014 and December 2017. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed on age, sex, BMI, ECOG score, tumor side and size, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), RENAL score and PADUA score. Results The study included 31 RACP-RASE and 320 RASE procedures. RENAL score and PADUA score were higher and tumor diameter was greater under RACP-RASE than RASE. After matching, the two groups were similar in estimated blood loss (208.3 vs 230.7 ml; p = 0.696) and ischemic time (34.8 vs 32.8 min; p = 0.342). The RACP-RASE group had significantly longer operative time than the RASE group (264.1 ± 55.7 vs 206.9 ± 64.0 min, p = 0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (13.8% vs 24.1%; p = 0.315), as was the overall incidence of positive surgical margins (3.4 vs 0%; p = 1.000). The changes in eGFR significantly differed between the two groups at 3 months (p = 0.018) and 12 months (p = 0.038). More patients in the RASE group were CKD upstaged (p = 0.043). At multivariable analysis, preoperative eGFR and the type of procedure were significant predictive factors for a change of more than 10% in eGFR at 3 months postoperatively. There was no local recurrence or distant metastasis during follow-up. Conclusions RACP-RASE is an effective and safe technique for complex renal tumors that can provide appropriate temporary arterial occlusion and renal hypothermic perfusion. Renal arterial cold perfusion may be helpful in protecting renal function in RASE as compared with warm ischemia.

The Fuling shale gas field in China is the largest shale gas field as well as the largest of its type discovered in any Lower Paleozoic formation. In this study, the geology and production of the upper and lower gas layers in the Fuling shale gas field are evaluated in terms of structure, shale quality, fault, initial production, and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). The shale in the lower gas layer of the Jiaoshiba anticline is a high-quality reservoir, where the space is dominated by organic pores in kerogen, and the gas content is high. The shale gas wells reveal relatively high initial production and EUR. However, the shale in the upper gas layer of the Jiaoshiba anticline has reservoir space mainly composed of clay mineral pores and organic pores within bitumen, and the gas content is low. In terms of structure, primary gas migration may occur in the upper gas layer, resulting in free gas accumulation in the structural high, where the development effects are generally better than those in the structural low. The lower gas layer in the Pingqiao anticline, is the main interval for shale gas accumulation and development due to the high-quality shale. Under the influence of faults, the efficiency of exploration wells emplaced on top of the anticline is much lower a compared with those in the flanks. The residual synclines close to the Sichuan Basin, including the Baima and Baitao anticlines, are characterized by more recent uplifts, larger area, greater distance from the deep and large faults, and early fracture closure. Therefore, we recommend that the shale gas exploration and development should be carried out preferentially in areas close to the center of the residual synclines, featuring relatively high-pressure coefficient and moderate burial depth.

Fine identification and division of lithofacies types of continental shale strata is an important basis for the evaluation of shale gas exploration and development potential. At present, however, there is no consensus on the identification standard and division scheme of shale lithofacies. Taking the continental shale strata of the Middle–Lower Jurassic in the Sichuan Basin as an example, this paper established a lithofacies division method by means of core observation, whole-rock mineral X-ray diffraction analysis, thin section analysis, total organic carbon (TOC) measurement and helium porosity measurement after analyzing whole-rock mineral composition and shale characteristics. Then lithofacies types of shale strata were identified and divided, and characteristics of lithofacies assemblages in different scales were investigated. Finally, their significance for shale gas exploration was discussed. The following research results were obtained. First, 20 shale lithofacies types of 6 categories are totally identified in this continental shale strata using the newly established three-step lithofacies division method (whole-rock mineral composition partition–TOC classification–correction and improvement of mineral texture and sedimentary structure). Among them, medium–high TOC clay shale lithofacies, lamina–thin layer clay shale lithofacies and low–medium TOC silty shale lithofacies are dominant, followed by low–medium TOC shell limy clay shale lithofacies, and TOC bearing and low TOC silty clay shale lithofacies. Second, the average TOC and the average porosity of clay shale lithofacies and shell limestone clay shale lithofacies are higher than those of silty and silty clay shale lithofacies. It is indicated that mineral composition and lithofacies types of shale have a certain impact on gas source and reservoir performance. Third, three types of assemblages are identified in the continental shale strata, including mudstone–limestone assemblage, mudstone–sandstone assemblage and mudstone–limestone–sandstone mixed assemblage, which reflect the sedimentary characteristics of distal region, proximal region and transitional region in the lacustrine environment, respectively; and that the characterization of different lithofacies assemblages is conducive to recognizing the differences between different shale sedimentary environments. Fourth, fine identification and statistic of the number and frequency of limy shell laminae and thin layers in the terrestrial organic-rich shale with high clay mineral content can provide a basis for the fracturability evaluation of gas-rich zones and the optimization of optimum exploration and development intervals.

The Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation was divided into the shale and Guanyinqiao sections. Based on the comparative analysis of shale gas drilling cores and the whole rock mineral composition of the Wufeng Formation in the Sichuan Basin and its periphery, three end members including siliceous minerals (quartz), clay minerals and carbonate minerals were chosen for lithofacies classification. Four lithofacies types were identified in the shale section including siliceous shale, clayey siliceous shale, gray siliceous shale and gray clayey shale, while in the Guanyinqiao section, shell marl developed. The shale gas drilling showed that the four lithofacies types vary in TOC, brittle mineral and gas contents. The quality of siliceous shale is the best, and the quality of gray clayey shale is the worst. The lithofacies types of the shale section and the distribution characteristics of the Guanyinqiao section were controlled by the sedimentary environment. The shale thickness in Yongchuan area and other relatively shallow water areas in the southern Sichuan Basin is relatively large, but the thickness of siliceous shale is small, and the overall quality of the shale section is poor, so it is not recommended as the target window of horizontal wells. The thickness of siliceous shale in Weiyuan area in the southern Sichuan is small due to the influence of ancient land and topography, and it also is not recommended as the target window of horizontal wells. The thickness of siliceous shale in Jiaoshiba, Wulong, Dingshan and Nanchuan areas in the southeastern Sichuan Basin is more than 4 m, which can be regarded as a target window of horizontal wells.

With strong demand for aquatic products, as well as a rapid decrease in global fishery resources and capture fisheries, domesticating animals to provide more high-quality proteins is meaningful for humans. Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is widely distributed in the wild habitats of North America. However, the research on A. grunniens and the feed domestication with diets composed of artificial compounds remains unclear. In this study, a 4-month feeding domestication experiment was conducted with A. grunniens larvae to evaluate the underlying mechanism and molecular targets responsible for alternations in the ingestion performance. The results indicated that a significant increase in the final body weight was exhibited by the feed domesticated group (DOM, 114.8 g) when compared to the group that did not ingest the feed (WT, 5.3 g) as the latest version we raised From the result, the final body weight exhibited significant increase between unfavorable with the feed (WT, 5.3 g) and feed domesticated group (DOM, 114.8 g). In addition, the enzyme activity of digestive enzymes like amylase, lipase, and trypsin was increased in DOM. Genes related to appetite and perception, such as NPY4R, PYY, and LEPR, were activated in DOM. 16s rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that Pseudomonas sp. increased from 58.74% to 89.77% in DOM, which accounts for the dominant upregulated microbial community at the genus level, followed by Plesiomonas. Analogously, Mycobacterium, Methylocystis, and Romboutsia also accounted for the down-regulated microbes in the diversity. Transcriptome and RT-PCR analysis revealed that feed domestication significantly improved protein digestion and absorption, inhibited apoptosis by AGE-RAGE signaling, and activated extracellular matrix remodeling by relaxin signaling. Integrated analysis of the microbiome and host transcriptome revealed that Pseudomonas-mediated ingestion capacity, protein utilization, and cellular homeostasis might be the underlying mechanism under feed domestication. These results indicate Pseudomonas and its key genes relating to food ingestion and digestion could serve as the molecular targets for feed domestication and sustainable development in A. grunniens.

Rock pyrolysis, organic petrology, vitrinite reflectance, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and biomarker compound analysis were performed to comprehensively analyze the organic geochemical characteristics of the Jurassic Da’anzhai Member (J1da) shale strata in Yuanba and Puguang areas in the northeastern Sichuan Basin. Then the organic matter provenance and sedimentary environment were further analyzed. Finally, the significance of oil and gas exploration in J1da shale strata was discussed. Results show that the second section of the Da’anzhai Member (J1da2) has relatively high organic matter abundance (1.24%TOC), type Ⅱ-dominated organic matter type, which is the most favorable section of wells Y1 and T1 in the study area. The organic matter maturity and the hydrocarbon phases are quite different, which is 1.01%Ro dominated by oil generation in Puguang area, while it is 1.67%Ro dominated by gas generation in Yuanba area. Content and chromatograms of biomarkers including n-alkanes, tricyclic terpanes, C24 tetracyclic terpanes, and C27-C28-C29 regular steranes show that the organic matters of J1da shale strata derive from both terrestrial higher plants and lower aquatic organisms, with slightly differentiated mixed ratio of each sublayer. Characteristics of Pr/Ph, γ-cerane and hopanes compounds indicate that the overall depositional environment of J1da is a freshwater lacustrine environment, with saline lake deposits in local areas and intervals in the study area. The rapid changes of sedimentary environment have resulted in obvious stratification of water body, frequent interbeds, and strong heterogeneity of J1da shale strata. Comprehensive analysis shows the shale/mud microfacies in the semi-deep lake subfacies and shale/mud interbedded with siltstone and shell bank microfacies in the shallow lake subfacies are the most favorable sedimentary facies for J1da hydrocarbon enrichment. Deeper burial depth and higher maturity make for oil and gas enrichment with higher gas/oil ratio (GOR); moreover, the thicker intervals with organic-rich shale are favorable targets for geochemical evaluation.

The Lower Jurassic shale in the northeastern Sichuan Basin is one of the main research intervals of continental shale gas. The shale pore structure is an important indicator for evaluating the reservoir capacities of shale reservoirs. We concentrate on the pore structure to indicate reservoir capacity using several testing methods, for example, N2 adsorption-high-pressure mercury pore size combined experiments, X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments, and the total organic carbon (TOC) method. The results show that the clay mineral content of the continental shale is high. The pore type is mainly a mineral matrix pore, followed by an organic matter pore, and the microcracks are locally developed; the distribution interval of the main pore size is mesoporous, between 10 and 50 nm; the pore volumes and specific surface areas of the continental shale reservoirs are negatively correlated or unrelated to the TOC, mainly due to the failure of pore development in the organic vitrinite and fusinite and the occupation of pore volume and adsorption sites by the soluble organic matter. The larger pores are mainly formed by clay minerals; the reservoir capacities of the continental shale reservoirs were evaluated using a two-factor evaluation method of the pore volume and specific surface area. It was found that the continental shale mainly comprises free reservoirs and has a storage gas capability level of II–IV. The research results elucidate the pore structure characteristics and reservoir capacities of the continental shale reservoirs in the northeastern Sichuan Basin, having important theoretical and guiding significance for the gas-bearing evaluation and dessert target optimization of the continental shale in the study area.

Non-precious-metal-based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts hold great prospects for rechargeable metal–air batteries and reversible electrolyzer/fuel cell systems. Among the various earth-abundant and noble-metal-free catalysts, Mn- and Ni-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) are attracting attention for ORRs. Herein, we designed a facile and efficient strategy to obtain Mn/Ni dual-metal single-atom catalysts, in which atomic Mn and Ni sites were dispersed on nitrogen-doped porous carbon. The optimized Mn/Ni catalysts showed excellent ORR electrocatalytic performance with a half-wave potential of 0.803 V, comparable to that of commercial Pt/C catalysts. Meanwhile, the electron transfer number was determined to be 3.9, indicating a good four-electron reaction process. The excellent electrocatalytic performance was attributed to the N-doped porous carbon structure with a large specific surface area, which afforded abundant active sites to anchor the single Mn and Ni atoms.

AbstractThe deposition and evolution of fine-grained sediments is a hot topic in fine-grained sedimentary rock studies and is important for accurately evaluating shale gas sweet spots. In this paper, the fine-grained deposition and evolution characteristics of the Wufeng-Longmaxi shales, major targets for Chinese shale gas exploration, were studied by using core observations, thin section analyses, scanning electron microscopy, geochemical analysis, and fossil identification. This work accurately identified six typical lithofacies; among them, the organic matter-rich siliceous shale facies (OMRSSF), the high-organic matter siliceous argillaceous shale facies (HOMSASF), and the medium-high organic matter low calcareous siliceous shale facies (M-HOMLCSASF) are favorable facies for shale gas exploration. The high-resolution isochronous unit in the shelf fine-grained sedimentary system was established, and the differential evolution of lithofacies in the system tract was discussed. The lithofacies deposition and differentiation in the transgressive system tract were controlled by the transgressive scale and tectonics under increasingly shallow water conditions. The lithofacies deposition and differentiation in the regressive system tract were controlled by tectonics and the preexisting lithofacies. The lithofacies in the regressive system tract had more frequent facies transitions and greater differentiation than those in the transgressive system tract, and they exhibited significant spatiotemporal inheritance. Sequential differential sedimentary sequences and symmetric differential sedimentary sequences were distinguished in the continental shelf sedimentary system. The lithofacies depocenters and subsidence centers were consistent in the transgressive system tract, while the tectonically active paleocontinent was important in the regression system tract. This study is of great significance for further high-resolution exploration of marine shale and improvement of the theory of shelf fine-grained sedimentary systems.

Hypothermia-exposure-induced oxidative stress dysregulates cell fate and perturbs cellular homeostasis and function, thereby disturbing fish health. To evaluate the impact of hypothermia on the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), an 8-day experiment was conducted at 25 °C (control group, Con), 18 °C (LT18), and 10 °C (LT10) for 0 h, 8 h, 1 d, 2 d, and 8 d. Antioxidant and non-specific immune parameters reveal hypothermia induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression. Liver ultrastructure alterations indicate hypothermia induced mitochondrial enlargement, nucleoli aggregation, and lipid droplet accumulation under hypothermia exposure. With the analysis of the transcriptome, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by hypothermia were mainly involved in metabolism, immunity and inflammation, programmed cell death, and disease. Furthermore, the inflammatory response and apoptosis were evoked by hypothermia exposure in different immune organs. Interactively, apoptosis and inflammation in immune organs were correlated with antioxidation and immunity suppression induced by hypothermia exposure. In conclusion, these results suggest hypothermia-induced inflammation and apoptosis, which might be the adaptive mechanism of antioxidation and immunity in the freshwater drum. These findings contribute to helping us better understand how freshwater drum adjust to hypothermia stress.

Our previous study demonstrated that low temperature could induce hepatic inflammation and suppress the immune and oxidation resistance of freshwater drum. However, the metabolism, especially the glucose and lipid metabolism involved, is poorly studied. To further explore the chronic hypothermia response of freshwater drum, an 8-day hypothermia experiment was conducted at 10 °C to investigate the effect of chronic hypothermia on glucose and lipid metabolism via biochemical and physiological indexes, and metabolic enzyme activities, miRNAs and mRNA-miRNA integrate analysis in the liver. Plasma and hepatic biochemical parameters reveal chronic hypothermia-promoted energy expenditure. Metabolic enzyme levels uncover that glycolysis was enhanced but lipid metabolism was suppressed. Differentially expressed miRNAs induced by hypothermia were mainly involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, programmed cell death, disease, and cancerization. Specifically, KEGG enrichment indicates that AMPK signaling was dysregulated. mRNA-miRNA integrated analysis manifests miR-1 and AMPK, which were actively co-related in the regulatory network. Furthermore, transcriptional expression of key genes demonstrates hypothermia-activated AMPK signaling by miR-1 and subsequently inhibited the downstream glucogenic and glycogenic gene expression and gene expression of fatty acid synthesis. However, glycogenesis was alleviated to the control level while fatty acid synthesis was still suppressed at 8 d. Meanwhile, the gene expressions of glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation were augmented under hypothermia. In conclusion, these results suggest that miR-1/AMPK is an important target for chronic hypothermia control. It provides a theoretical basis for hypothermia resistance on freshwater drum.

The gas exploration in the 4th Member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation (T2l4) in the Western Sichuan Depression has achieved a continuous breakthrough in the recent years. However, the gas origin and source remain controversial. The study on the geochemical characteristics indicates that the T2l4 gas in the Western Sichuan Depression is typically dry. Its dryness coefficient is generally higher than 0.99. The δ13C1 and δ13C2 values range from −35.1‰ to −29.3‰ and −34.8‰ to −31.9‰, respectively, with the exception of one gas sample from Well PZ1 with the δ13C2 value of −26.4‰. The δDC1 value ranges from −164‰ to −136‰. The gas souring index is positively correlated with the δ13C2 value in comparison to the δ13C1. The T2l4 gas has experienced heavy alkane-dominated TSR instead of the methane-dominated TSR. The T2l4 gas in the Western Sichuan Depression generally displays a GSI value lower than 0.01 with the exception of two gas samples from Well PZ1 (0.036, 0.04); they indicate extremely low TSR alteration extent. Gas origin identification points out that the T2l4 gas in the Western Sichuan Depression is mainly oil-type gas that has reached the secondary gas cracking stage. The CO2 in the T2l4 gas that has high δ13C values are mainly inorganic. They are mainly derived from the interaction between acidic fluids and carbonate reservoirs.

The Yuanba Gas Field is a large gas field in the marine strata with the largest burial depth in China up to date. The studies performed on the mentioned gas field have achieved significant progress made possible by determining the characteristics of reef flat reservoirs in the marine strata and the main controlling factors of hydrocarbon accumulation. However, there is no consensus on the origin of natural gases stored in the reservoir in the Changxing-Feixianguan Formations in the Yuanba and its adjacent area. The study on geochemical characteristics indicates that natural gases in the reservoir in the Changxing-Feixianguan Formations in the Yuanba Gas Field are mainly composed of alkane gases which are dominated by methane with dryness coefficients generally higher than 0.995. The CO2 and H2S display an average content of 8.55% and 6.47%, respectively. The δ13C1 and δ13C2 values are from −31.2‰ to −27.9‰, and from −29.9‰ to −25.0‰, respectively, displaying the positive carbon isotopic series. The δ13CCO2 values are generally higher than −8‰, and the δD1 values are from −156‰ to −107‰. The identification of gas origin and gas–source correlation indicate that the natural gases reservoired in the Changxing-Feixianguan Formations in the Yuanba Gas Field have been altered by thermochemical sulfate reduction, and they are mainly composed of oil cracking gases derived from the secondary cracking of oil generated by the sapropelic-prone source rocks in the Permian Longtan Formation. The CO2 in the gas pools are mainly inorganic and were derived from the interaction between the acidic fluid and carbonate reservoirs.

Focusing on how a world of possibilities is opened up by language learners themselves, imagination has been regarded as an elusive but indispensable element in second language (L2) education. Drawing on notions of international posture (Yashima 2002), Ideal L2 Self (Dörnyei 2009), and imagined communities (Norton 2001), we theorised imagination from a psychological perspective and a sociocultural lens. Then we conducted a mixed-method investigation to examine the complex relationship between imagination and informal digital learning of English (IDLE). A total of 401 participants from a tier-one university in China answered the survey, and 15 participated in post-survey interviews. Quantitative data revealed that students' international posture could positively influence their IDLE practices. The Ideal L2 Self could both contribute to IDLE and partially mediate the relationship between international posture and IDLE. Adding nuances to quantitative results, the analysis of the interview data highlighted three major themes--imagining possible selves, negotiating access, and investing in IDLE. These themes helped to make sense of the intricate ways in which EFL learners invest in IDLE trajectories by utilising the power of imagination to negotiate their desired memberships in imagined international communities. This study concludes with pedagogical implications and suggestions for future research.

Informal digital learning of English (IDLE) is an increasingly important subfield of inquiry in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) for its concentration on the language learning practices of the digital native EFL students in out-of-class contexts. Attention in mainstream research of IDLE has been directed to (meta)cognition, learning outcomes, etc. as separate domains of IDLE; however, these significant efforts have neither clarified the blurry boundary between semi-structured IDLE practices and unstructured extramural practices nor investigated factors that positively predict learners' IDLE-enhanced learning outcomes or practices on the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As such, the present study sets out to extend the discussion of informal digital learning of English (IDLE) by establishing a recontextualized model of IDLE. To this end, a total of 1080 Chinese university EFL learners were invited to complete an IDLE questionnaire survey developed and validated in the context of China. Using IBM SPSS Amos 22, structural equation modeling was run to examine the inter-factorial relationships among six IDLE sub-constructs by examining eight hypotheses. The results confirm that 1) learners' IDLE-enhanced benefits are positively predicted by support from their important others, resources and cognition, but not learners' authentic L2 experience and IDLE frequency and devices, and 2) learners' IDLE practices can be significantly predicted by resources and cognition, authentic L2 experience, and IDLE frequency and devices. Based on these findings, we put forward an expanded conceptual framework of IDLE and suggest more replication studies in the future to testify this study's generalizability and to arrive at more stable conclusions.

Based on data from a qualitative case study of two Chinese university EFL learners from rural backgrounds, Andy and Jimmy, this study traces their progress from being struggling English language learners to confident speakers of English. Drawing on Darvin and Norton's (2015) model of investment that recognizes the intersection of identity, capital, and ideology, this study dissects Andy and Jimmy's engagement with the digital wilds and their negotiation of resources in online and offline environments. Analysis of interviews, observations, and digital artifacts reveal that as students from rural and migrant worker families, Andy and Jimmy positioned themselves and were positioned by others as inadequate speakers of English, contributing to their initial non-participation in the English classroom. Participation in the digital wilds however provided these learners with opportunities to acquire a wider range of resources and to reframe their identities as legitimate speakers. Such expanded repertoires empowered them to claim the right to speak and to be heard across online and offline spaces. These findings reiterate the pedagogical potential of the digital wilds in creating conditions that enable rural EFL learners to invest in their learning of English.

Purpose: This study aims to generate empirical insights into the extent to which ChatGPT, a highly capable AI chatbot building on OpenAI's GPT family, is perceived and leveraged by EFL learners beyond the classroom. Design/Methodology: This quantitative cross-sectional investigation draws upon the technology acceptance model (TAM) as developed by (Davis, F. D. 1989. "Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology." "Management Information System Quarterly" 13 (3): 983-1003) to conceptualize EFL learners' attitudes, intentions, and actual behaviors of using ChatGPT in their informal digital learning of English. A total of 405 EFL learners answered the revised TAM questionnaire with scales including Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Attitude, Behavioral Intention, and Actual Use. Findings: The results of structural equation modeling analyses indicated that while Perceived Ease of Use fails to predict learners' Attitude directly, it can influence Attitude through the full mediator Perceived Usefulness. It was also found that learners who take positive attitudes toward the usefulness of ChatGPT tend to demonstrate a higher level of Behavioral Intention, which positively and strongly predicts their Actual Use of ChatGPT in English learning outside the classroom. Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence that supports the potential of ChatGPT as a powerful language-learning tool that EFL learners should utilize to participate in the ecological CALL creatively and productively.

The molecular and stable isotopic compositions of the Upper Paleozoic tight gas in the Hangjinqi area in northern Ordos Basin were investigated to study the geochemical characteristics. The tight gas is mainly wet with the dryness coefficient (C1/C1–5) of 0.853–0.951, and δ13C1 and δ2H-C1 values are ranging from -36.2‰ to -32.0‰ and from -199‰ to -174‰, respectively, with generally positive carbon and hydrogen isotopic series. Identification of gas origin indicates that tight gas is mainly coal-type gas, and it has been affected by mixing of oil-type gas in the wells from the Shilijiahan and Gongkahan zones adjacent to the Wulanjilinmiao and Borjianghaizi faults. Gas-source correlation indicates that coal-type gas in the Shiguhao zone displays distal-source accumulation. It was mainly derived from the coal-measure source rocks in the Upper Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation (C3t) and Lower Permian Shanxi Formation (P1s), probably with a minor contribution from P1s coal measures from in situ Shiguhao zone. Natural gas in the Shilijiahan and Gongkahan zones mainly displays near-source accumulation. The coal-type gas component was derived from in situ C3t-P1s source rocks, whereas the oil-type gas component might be derived from the carbonate rocks in the Lower Ordovician Majiagou Formation (O1m).

With strong demand for aquatic products, as well as a rapid decrease in global fishery resources and capture fisheries, domesticating animals to provide more highquality proteins is meaningful for humans. Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is widely distributed in the wild habitats of North America. However, the research on A. grunniens and the feed domestication with diets composed of artificial compounds remains unclear. In this study, a 4-month feeding domestication experiment was conducted with A. grunniens larvae to evaluate the underlying mechanism and molecular targets responsible for alternations in the ingestion performance. The results indicated that a significant increase in the final body weight was exhibited by the feed domesticated group (DOM, 114.8 g) when compared to the group that did not ingest the feed (WT, 5.3 g) as the latest version we raised From the result, the final body weight exhibited significant increase between unfavorable with the feed (WT, 5.3 g) and feed domesticated group (DOM, 114.8 g). In addition, the enzyme activity of digestive enzymes like amylase, lipase, and trypsin was increased in DOM. Genes related to appetite and perception, such as NPY4R, PYY, and LEPR, were activated in DOM. 16s rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that Pseudomonas sp. increased from 58.74% to 89.77% in DOM, which accounts for the dominant upregulated microbial community at the genus level, followed by Plesiomonas. Analogously, Mycobacterium, Methylocystis, and Romboutsia also accounted for the down-regulated microbes in the diversity. Transcriptome and RTPCR analysis revealed that feed domestication significantly improved protein digestion and absorption, inhibited apoptosis by AGE-RAGE signaling, and activated extracellular matrix remodeling by relaxin signaling. Integrated analysis of the microbiome and host transcriptome revealed that Pseudomonas-mediated ingestion capacity, protein utilization, and cellular homeostasis might be the underlying mechanism under feed domestication. These results indicate Pseudomonas and its key genes relating to food ingestion and digestion could serve as the molecular targets for feed domestication and sustainable development in A. grunniens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]