Maturation Trends Research Articles

Current trend of sexual maturity, teeth eruption, and bone fusion in the present female population, relative to documented age and development of prediction model for age of females.

Understanding sexual maturity and bone fusion is crucial in forensic investigations and legal contexts. This study investigates the contemporary trend of sexual maturity and bone fusion in females, comparing the observed age-related characteristics with documented ages. Such analyses contribute to the accuracy of age estimation methods used in medico-legal scenarios. A comprehensive study was conducted involving a diverse sample of females, and their sexual maturity and bone fusion were assessed relative to documented ages. The research utilized a cross-sectional design, collecting data through interviews, medical examinations, and radiographic imaging. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants provided informed consent. Variables included documented age, age of menarche, stages of sexual maturity, dentition, and bone fusion. Validation of model performance was conducted. Among 70 cases studied, the mean age of menarche was 10.48 years (range: 7-12 years). Maternal reports indicated menarche onset between 12-17 years. Tanner's Staging 5 for pubic hair and fully developed breasts occurred at 14 years. Permanent teeth increased with age, with 28 or more teeth present at age 14 or above. Fusion of the distal end of the Radius and Ulna with the parent bone was positive from 15 years onwards. The regression model predicted age accurately (97.99% fit). The results highlight the early onset of sexual maturation, consistent teeth eruption, and bone fusion patterns in females. The observed correlations offer valuable insights for medicolegal practitioners and forensic experts.

Cured or fresh? Between fish maturation trends in restaurants and food safety: The case of dry-aged rainbow trout

The application of dry aging on fish is increasing in restaurants worldwide. This process determines fluid loss, changes in muscle texture, and the development of a more concentrated flavour appreciated by consumers. Despite the growing popularity in the foodservice industry, there is a lack of data on potential risks and quality conditions of dry-aged fish. This study was aimed at assessing the safety for consumption of whole rainbow trout subjected to dry aging in a local restaurant (Turin, Italy). Quantitative microbiological analyses and detection of foodborne pathogens were performed on dorsal, ventral muscles, and skin samples at day 0, 3, 6, 10, and 14 of dry aging. Changes in water activity (aw), pH, colour, and biogenic amines in muscle were checked at each sampling point. Almost all the microbiological indicators were below the quantification limits in muscle until day 6 of dry aging, while higher but still acceptable loads were observed at day 10. At day 14, yeasts and moulds exceeded the acceptable level in one case (3.3 ± 0.4 log10 CFU/g) in ventral muscle and counts of Pseudomonas spp. (from 6.1 ± 0.8 to 6.4 ± 0.5 log10 CFU/g), total mesophilic (from 4.4 ± 0.3 to 5.3 ± 0.7 log10 CFU/g), and psychrophilic (from 5.4 ± 0.1 to 5.8 ± 0.3 log10 CFU/g) bacteria indicated the approaching of spoilage. Detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus was always negative during the trials. Minimal changes of pH and colour were observed, while aw values followed a decreasing trend during dry aging. Putrescine was the only detectable amine, with a maximum concentration of 2.05 ± 0.02 mg/kg at day 14. In this study, dry-aged rainbow trout was safe for consumption and 10 days was the most appropriate curing time with 3 °C and 78% of relative humidity. Further studies at different environmental conditions and on other fish species are needed for a comprehensive risk assessment of this fast-growing practice in the restaurant sector.

Haptic and visuo-haptic impairments for object recognition in children with autism spectrum disorder: focus on the sensory and multisensory processing dysfunctions

Dysfunctions in sensory processing are widely described in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although little is known about the developmental course and the impact of these difficulties on the learning processes during the preschool and school ages of ASD children. Specifically, as regards the interplay between visual and haptic information in ASD during developmental age, knowledge is very scarce and controversial. In this study, we investigated unimodal (visual and haptic) and cross-modal (visuo-haptic) processing skills aimed at object recognition through a behavioural paradigm already used in children with typical development (TD), with cerebral palsy and with peripheral visual impairments. Thirty-five children with ASD (age range: 5–11 years) and thirty-five age-matched and gender-matched typically developing peers were recruited. The procedure required participants to perform an object-recognition task relying on only the visual modality (black-and-white photographs), only the haptic modality (manipulation of real objects) and visuo-haptic transfer of these two types of information. Results are consistent with the idea that visuo-haptic transfer may be significantly worse in ASD children than in TD peers, leading to significant impairment in multisensory interactions for object recognition facilitation. Furthermore, ASD children tended to show a specific deficit in haptic information processing, while a similar trend of maturation of visual modality between the two groups is reported. This study adds to the current literature by suggesting that ASD differences in multisensory processes also regard visuo-haptic abilities necessary to identify and recognise objects of daily life.

Secular trends in physical growth, biological maturation, and intelligence in children and adolescents born between 1978 and 1993.

Human physical growth, biological maturation, and intelligence have been documented as increasing for over 100 years. Comparing the timing of secular trends in these characteristics could provide insight into what underlies them. However, they have not been examined in parallel in the same cohort during different developmental phases. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine secular trends in body height, weight, and head circumference, biological maturation, and intelligence by assessing these traits concurrently at four points during development: the ages of 4, 9, 14, and 18 years. Data derived from growth measures, bone age as an indicator of biological maturation, and full-scale intelligence tests were drawn from 236 participants of the Zurich Longitudinal Studies born between 1978 and 1993. In addition, birth weight was analyzed as an indicator of prenatal conditions. Secular trends for height and weight at 4 years were positive (0.35 SD increase per decade for height and an insignificant 0.27 SD increase per decade for weight) and remained similar at 9 and 14 years (height: 0.46 SD and 0.38 SD increase per decade; weight: 0.51 SD and 0.51 SD increase per decade, respectively) as well as for weight at age 18 years (0.36 SD increase per decade). In contrast, the secular trend in height was no longer evident at age 18 years (0.09 SD increase per decade). Secular trends for biological maturation at 14 years were similar to those of height and weight (0.54 SD increase per decade). At 18 years, the trend was non-significant (0.38 SD increase per decade). For intelligence, a positive secular trend was found at 4 years (0.54 SD increase per decade). In contrast, negative secular trends were observed at 9 years (0.54 SD decrease per decade) and 14 years (0.60 SD decrease per decade). No secular trend was observed at any of the four ages for head circumference (0.01, 0.24, 0.17, and - 0.04 SD increase per decade, respectively) and birth weight (0.01 SD decrease per decade). The different patterns of changes in physical growth, biological maturation, and intelligence between 1978 and 1993 indicate that distinct mechanisms underlie these secular trends.

Solid bitumen as an indicator of petroleum migration, thermal maturity, and contact metamorphism: A case study in the Barrandian Basin (Silurian - Devonian), Czech Republic

Silurian and Devonian marine shales and limestones of the Barrandian Basin host abundant black solid, non-fluorescing bitumens that fill tectonic fractures and veins, and occlude fossil moulds and diagenetic concretions. Solid bitumen, interpreted as thermally degraded petroleum, entered the rocks during several successive episodes of fracture-bound petroleum migration that occurred during deeper burial of the strata. Regional distribution of bitumen reflectance values that range between ∼0.9–2.3% Rr, correlate with variations of its FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic characteristics and aromatic hydrocarbon composition, and collectively evidence the maturity trend increasing across the basin from the southwest to the northeast. The reflectance of chitinozoans and graptolites (∼0.8–1.9% Rr) in the country rocks and homogenization temperatures of hydrocarbon fluid inclusions document palaeotemperatures ranging between ∼90–150 °C, characteristic of the oil window zone grading into the gas/condensate zone. Although in a basin-wide perspective the averaged values of solid bitumen and zooclast optical reflectance converge and indicate the same northeastern-increasing regional diagenetic trend, solid bitumen reflectance values vary considerably at individual localities and even within some bitumen samples. The wide scatter of optical reflectance values and the heterogeneity of optical properties, which were attributed to the presence of multiple source rocks in the basin, the variable lithology of bitumen host rocks, or other variables, hamper the use of solid bitumen as a simple alternative to zooclast/vitrinite reflectance palaeothermometers in a given basin. On the other hand, the highly anisotropic domain and the mesophase “coking” textures of the solid bitumen that were recognized in the NE part of the basin provide unique evidence on an anomalous, hitherto unrecognized, geologically short-lasting thermal event that affected the Palaeozoic rocks. A line of indirect evidence suggests that the coking of the bitumen was caused by a cryptic intrusion, possibly a concealed branch of the Central Bohemian Pluton, which intruded into the strata during the Variscan orogeny. More rarely occurring semi-solid, vividly yellow fluorescing waxy bitumen, that postdates solid bitumen in some fractures and voids, does not reveal a regional thermal maturation trend. It precipitated from relict waxy oils that migrated through the strata during a post-Neogene uplift of the Barrandian region.

Depositional conditions, wildfires, maturity, and hydrocarbon potential evaluation of Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin based on integrative approach from Orava Basin

Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin (CCPB, Central Western Carpathians) comprises mainly Oligocene clastic autochthonous age-equivalents of the widely known Menilite shale formation from the Outer Carpathians. However, little is known about the paleoenvironment and its subsequent changes during the basin's evolution. Furthermore, the available hydrocarbon potential data are based on anachronous methods and are not investigated on the sub-basin level. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses supported by Rock-Eval data along with petrographic measurements enabled us to identify and document the paleoenvironmental evolution of the Orava sub-basin (NW remnant of CCPB). Thermal maturity based on vitrinite reflectance, 22S/(22S + 22R) homohopane ratio and 20S/(20S + 20R) sterane ratio increases from N to S and from Upper to Lower Oligocene. In the least mature samples ββ-hopanes, hopenes, and oleanenes are present, whereas in the most mature deposits less thermally stable compounds dissapeared. This maturation trend is shown also by the Rock-Eval data. Terrestrial organic matter input is documented by the predominance of III- and II/III-type of kerogen and the occurrence of several biomarkers, such as 3,3,7-trimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochrysene, cadalene, retene, and perylene. The significant contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be linked with wildfire-related land degradation and following runoff to the basin. Based on the measured fusinite reflectance values the wildfire types could range from hotter crown fires to colder surface fires. Depositional conditions in Lower Oligocene units are characterized by intermittent euxinia, as derived from small (<5 μm) pyrite framboid diameters and the presence of isorenieratane. Subsequently, a change of conditions to oxic/dysoxic in younger units is observed, and the input of terrestrial organic matter increased.

Interpreting siliciclastic sedimentation in the upper Paleozoic Mulargia-Escalaplano Basin (Sardinia, Italy): influence of tectonics on provenance

Late to post-Variscan molassic basins of Late Pennsylvanian-Permian age are exposed in Sardinia (Italy). Here, the compositional and stratigraphic evolution of the Mulargia-Escalaplano sedimentary basin (central Sardinia) has been investigated to highlight how the tectono-magmatic processes have influenced the sedimentation. Ruditic and arenitic samples were collected along well-characterized stratigraphic sections to provide a new insight into the impact of the tectono-magmatic processes on siliciclastic sedimentation. As a result, the conglomerates are mainly clast-supported, petromictic, and thus immature, with no defined maturity trend upwards. Nevertheless, pebble composition changes in times from Variscan basement pebble-rich to volcanic rock-rich, as a consequence of the basin widening and the dismantling and reworking of the coeval volcanic activity. The sandstone composition clearly changes from quartzolithic to feldspatholithic upwards, as a response to the same change of feeding and reworking of the volcanic rocks. Occasionally, interbedded quartzolithic arenites suggest exceptional floods carrying debris from the far borders of the basin. Also, the immature sandstone composition has been interpreted as being controlled by a continuous supply of fresh debris and to a rapid burial rate. In addition, the disappearance of metaradiolarite (lydite AA) Paleozoic grains in the sandstone mineral suite could represent a distinctive marker of a progressive unroofing of the Variscan chain and a clastic supply from deeper tectonic units.

Maturational trend of daytime sleep propensity in adolescents.

The teenage increase in sleepiness is not simply a response to decreasing nighttime sleep duration. Daytime sleepiness increases across adolescence even when prior sleep duration is held constant. Here we determine the maturational trend in daytime sleep propensity assessed with the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and assess the trend's relation to pubertal maturation and changes in the sleep electroencephalogram. We also evaluate whether the relation of daytime sleep propensity to prior sleep duration changes between ages 10 and 23 years. Participants (n = 159) entered the study between ages 9.8 and 22.8 years and were studied annually for up to 3 years. Annually, participants kept each of three sleep schedules in their homes: 7, 8.5, and 10 hours in bed for 4 consecutive nights with polysomnography on nights 2 and 4. MSLT-measured daytime sleep propensity was assessed in the laboratory on the day following the fourth night. A two-part linear spline model described the maturation of daytime sleep propensity. MSLT sleep likelihood increased steeply until age 14.3 years, after which it did not change significantly. The maturational trend was strongly associated with the adolescent decline in slow-wave (delta, 1-4 Hz) EEG power during NREM sleep and with pubertal maturation assessed with Tanner stage measurement of breast/genital development. The effect of prior sleep duration on sleep likelihood decreased with age. Adolescent brain changes related to pubertal maturation and those reflected in the delta decline contribute to the adolescent increase in daytime sleep propensity.

Effects of social and sensory deprivation in newborns: A lesson from the Covid-19 experience

BackgroundInfancy is a complex period of human life, in which environmental experiences have a fundamental role for neurodevelopment. Although conditions of social and sensory deprivation are uncommon in high income countries, the Covid-19 pandemic abruptly modified this condition, by depriving people of their social stimuli of daily life. AimTo understand the impact of this deprivation on infants' behaviour, we investigated the short-term effects of isolation and use of individual protective systems by mothers during the first two weeks of life. MethodsThe study included 11 mother-infant dyads with mothers tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 at the time of delivery (Covid group) and 11 dyads with a SARS-CoV-2 negative mother as controls. Neurobehavioral, visual, and sensory processing assessments were performed from birth to 3 months of age. ResultsFindings showed the effect of deprivation on some neurobehavioral abilities of infants in the Covid group; in addition, differences in sensory maturation trends were observed, although they tended to gradually decrease until disappearance at 3 months of age. ConclusionThese findings suggest the significant effects of early sensory and social deprivation during the first two weeks of life, but also provide several insights on the ability of the brain to restore its aptitudes by deleting or reducing the effects of early deprivation before the critical periods' closure.

Molecular fossil chronicles and geochemical probes of Paleogene coals from Meghalaya, India

The Paleogene coals from the Jaintia, Khasi, and the Garo hills of Meghalaya, India, are studied for biomarker distributions, carbon isotope signatures (δ13Cbulk), and Rock-Eval pyrolysis (REP) to elucidate their organic matter (OM) source, depositional environment, thermal maturity, and hydrocarbon generation potential. Sulfur-rich OM (1.52 wt%–24.57 wt% S dry-basis) with Hydrogen Index (HI) values ranging from 172 mg HC/g TOC – 353 mg HC/g TOC suggest the presence of type IIS-IIIS admixed kerogen. Mixed gymnosperm – angiospermous OM input to the peatland is implied by δ13Cbulk values spanning from −26.7‰ to −25.5‰, −27.4‰ to −25.1‰, and −27.0‰ to −25.2‰ in the Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo coals, respectively. Further, the presence of pimarane, isopimarane, labdane, rimuane, phyllocladanes, and ent-beyerane, mark the conifer OM input, substantiated by the 1,7-dimethylphenanthrene (1,7-DMP), 1,6-dimethylnaphthalene (1,6-DMN), and 1,2,5- trimethylnaphthalene (1,2,5-TMN) compounds. The abundances of these gymnosperm markers decline from the Garo to the Jaintia coals implying plausible shifts in paleovegetation. Compound A from the oleanoid skeleton and subordinate amounts of oleanane indicate variable contributions from angiosperms. The oleanane index declines from the Garo to Jaintia coals suggesting a lower contribution of angiospermous OM from Garo to the Jaintia samples, which may also indicate a shift in the OM depositional environment towards the Jaintia Hills. Dibenzothiophene isomers increase while dibenzofuran isomers decrease from the Garo to Jaintia coals suggesting shifts from terrestrial to marginal marine depositional environment. Additionally, the gammacerane index increases from the Garo to Jaintia coals implying a transition from a stratified brackish water column or marine transgression to the peatland of the Jaintia Hills. Moreover, the studied coal samples exhibit variable thermal maturity. The mean random vitrinite reflectance of the Garo coals (R¯r=0.48%–0.61%) indicates subbituminous to bituminous rank, while the Khasi (R¯r=0.44%–0.60%) and Jaintia coals (R¯r=0.26%–0.75%) belong to subbituminous to bituminous D, and lignite to bituminous C rank, respectively. Tmax of these coals ranges from 414 °C to 446 °C, indicating the samples span from pre-catagenetic to catagenetic stages of maturation. Saturated C32-bishomohopane epimer and C30 βα-moretane/αβ-hopane ratios, along with aromatic MPI-3 and 3-MP/retene ratios, exhibit an increasing maturity trend from the Garo Hills to the Jaintia Hills samples.

Wood Fiber from Norway Spruce—A Stand-Alone Growing Medium for Hydroponic Strawberry Production

There is an increased interest in the hydroponic production of strawberries in protected cultivation systems, and it is, therefore, urgent to develop new, more sustainable growing media alternatives. This study investigated the physical properties of wood fiber produced from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and peat:wood fiber substrate blends as well as the performance of the wood fiber in comparison to the industry standards, i.e., peat and coconut coir in the cultivation of hydroponic strawberry. Tray plants of the June-bearing strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivar ‘Malling Centenary’ were transplanted into five different growing media: a peat (80%) and perlite (20%) mixture, stand-alone (100%) coconut coir and three stand-alone (100%) Norway spruce wood fiber substrates (including coarse textured fibers with compact and loose packing density and compacted fine-textured fibers). Ripe strawberries were harvested and registered throughout the production season. The overall marketable yield was comparable across all the tested growing media; however, after 4 weeks of harvest, both coarse wood fiber and fine wood fiber showed better fruiting performance than the peat-perlite mixture. A trend for earlier berry maturation was observed for all wood fiber-based substrates. Plant parameters recorded after the end of production showed that plant height, number of leaves, and biomass production were higher in coarse wood fiber than in the peat-perlite mixture. Moreover, plants grown in wood fiber-based substrates had less unripe berries and flowers not harvested in comparison to both the peat and coir treatments.

Test–retest Reliability of Acceptable Noise Level in Kannada-speaking Children with Normal Hearing Sensitivity

Introduction: Understanding speech accurately in the presence of noise is crucial for the development of learning speech, language, and educational skills in children. There are various audiological procedures available to check the ability of speech perception in the presence of noise. Acceptable noise level (ANL) measures the individual’s ability to tolerate the amount of background noise while listening to speech. Though, ANL has been shown to be clinically effective measure in children and adults its test- retest reliability in children is not well understood. Hence the present study was carried out to establish ANL using Kannada stimuli in native Kannada speaking children with normal hearing sensitivity and to check the test-retest reliability of the measure in them. Method: The study included a total of 61 native Kannada speaking children within the age range of 9-12years. Most Comfortable Level (MCL) and Background Noise Level (BNL) were established using standard procedures. The ANL was obtained by subtracting the BNL value with MCL for each participant. Results: The results revealed that there exists unacceptable reliability in MCL, BNL and ANL measures in native Kannada speaking children with normal hearing sensitivity using Kannada speech stimulus. This indicates that the ANL needs to be interpreted with caution in Children. Conclusion: The current study findings highlight on the importance of exploring these measures in children of various age groups to understand the developmental trend and age of maturation of ANL measure.

Evaluating the lacustrine Shahejie Formation source rock potential in the Bohai Bay Basin using a simplified regional basin model

Often petroleum system modelers tend to build complex and time-consuming basin models to understand detailed aspects of hydrocarbon generation and migration within a sedimentary basin. This study built a simple basin model focused on the middle part of the organic-rich, Eocene-Oligocene Shahejie Formation which is the predominant lacustrine source rock in the Bohai Bay Basin. This map-based basin model was created using published regional cross sections, subsurface maps, geochemical data, geothermal gradient data, and structural elements. The integration of these datasets allowed for basin-wide, average TOC and thermal maturity maps to be modeled much more quickly than a geocellular model. These maps show that the majority of the known hydrocarbon fields are found above the Shahejie source rock kitchens. Some fields, however, are found slightly outside of the source rock kitchens indicating either contribution from deeper known source rocks intervals (e.g., the Kongdian Formation) or lateral migration from the middle Shahejie Formation.The Bohai Bay Basin is a structurally complex rift basin with several strike-slip fault systems being present in the basin with the Tanlu fault system being the most prominent. Using potential field data, published cross sections, isopach maps, hydrocarbon fields, and the presence of Eocene evaporites, structural elements (lineaments) were interpreted. These structural elements influence depositional trends at various stratigraphic levels and the regional thermal maturity trends. Many of these structural elements likely represent thick-skinned faults and subtly influence the TOC trends within the Eocene. Within the middle Shahejie Formation, the average TOC is higher within the depocenters, which may show that lacustrine source rocks are driven more by accommodation space because of the inherent restricted nature associated with lacustrine depositional environments.

Fetal Ovarian Reserve: the Dynamic Changes in Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1.

The regulation of protein turnover by the unique deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) is only seen in oocytes, spermatogonia, and neurons. Our objective was to investigate variation in expression of UCHL1 across fetal maturation of oocytes that result in lifelong ovarian reserve. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 25 fetal autopsy specimens from 21 to 36weeks. This was an IRB-approved protocol with parental permission for use of tissues for research purposes. Tissues were stained for expression of the oocyte-specific protein UCHL1, and expression levels were evaluated using quantitative immunofluorescence across gestational ages after correction for the area and background absorbance. Corrected total cell fluorescence (CTCF) for expression of UCHL1 within human oocytes was compared across fetal gestational ages and oocyte size. Trends were analyzed using a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing algorithm. Local expression of UCHL1 increases in oocytes across ovarian development reaching a plateau at 27weeks with the maintenance of elevated levels through 36weeks gestational age. This maturation trend is also evidenced by the increase in protein expression as oocyte area increases (r = 0.5530, p ≤ 0.001) with the largest rise occurring as oocytes are enveloped into primordial follicles. The increase in expression as oocytes transition from oogonia into oocytes in primordial follicles and beyond may be part of the preparation of both oocytes and the surrounding somatic cells for the long-term maintenance of the ovarian reserve.

Application of light hydrocarbons for classification and geochemistry characterization of condensates from the Gavbendi High, southwest Iran

Light hydrocarbons are beneficial compounds to achieve geochemical information from condensates. Due to lower concentrations of biomarkers in condensates, the limited applicability of these compounds can be compensated by light hydrocarbons in the geochemical studies. For the first time, the condensates of Iranian gas condensate fields in Gavbendi High were studied by light hydrocarbons in this paper. Twenty condensates from 8 different gas condensate fields were collected to investigate the genetic families and their distributions in the regional uplift of the Fars platform. Applying different light hydrocarbon parameters revealed two distinct genetic families in the studied area. Group I includes SNL, HMA, TBK, and VAR fields located in the eastern parts of the High, and group II consists of AGH, DL, KGN, and NR fields in the western parts. The stable carbon isotope data also confirmed the defined genetic families. The effect of secondary processes on the samples was very slight, and the samples experienced a lower level of biodegradation with water washing. The light hydrocarbons showed that the terrestrial organic matter has a higher contribution to the generation of group I samples, and group II samples have a higher contribution from the marine organic matter. Also, the source of group I samples was clay-rich, and the source rock of group II samples was clay-poor. The group I samples sourced from the Sarchahan Shaly Formation show higher clay contribution than the group II samples that originated from the mixture of the Sarchahan and upper Kangan source rock layers. The thermal maturity assessment indicated that the group II samples have higher maturity, and the northern fields in both groups have lower maturity than the southern fields. The maturity trend implies that the source rock layers of group II have been buried deeper than the group I source rock. Both groups were charged laterally from the surrounding withdrawal synclines source kitchens located in the southern area on both sides of the Gavbendi High.

Semiochemical Release and Ontogenetic Changes in a Primary Scent Gland of Podisus maculiventris.

The spined shoulder bug, Podisus maculiventris, is a generalist predator studied for its biocontrol potential. Despite our growing understanding of gland development, the conditions that elicit releases are largely unknown. To determine if male age or gland development affects the chemical composition and release behavior, we dissected adult male bugs and profiled the chemical composition of the male DAG 1, 7, and 14 d post-eclosion. To determine if gland development is related to sexual maturity, we counted the number of sperm present in the seminal vesicles at the same time points. Finally, we measured the diurnal release patterns of different aged males and in various male-female combinations. We observed that newly eclosed adults have under-developed glands and male seminal vesicles contained few sperm. One week post-eclosion the DAG contained previously reported semiochemical compounds and males contained many sperm. Mirroring the trend in reproductive maturation and gland development, the number of semiochemical releases increased with age and the majority of releases followed a scotophase pattern unaffected by sexual composition. These findings link male age to 1) dorsal abdominal gland development 2) release behavior and 3) sexual maturity, which will help our understanding of when these olfactory cues are present for other organisms, like prey, to perceive. Given the results, releasing adults that are at least 1week post eclosion will maximize the non-consumptive effects of this biocontrol agent.

A18 INTERKINGDOM DYNAMICS AND NUTRITION ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DIVERGENT MATURATIONAL PATTERNS OF THE INFANT BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL GUT MICROBIOME

Abstract Background Early life has been identified as a critical window, during which time deviations from typical patterns of gut microbiome maturation have been associated with adverse health outcomes later in life. In the first 2-3 years of life, the infant gut microbiome undergoes ecological shifts characterized by increasing bacterial alpha diversity and variable changes in fungal alpha diversity. Research has shown not all infants follow these maturational trends, but our understandings of the factors linked to atypical microbiome maturation patterns are limited. Purpose We assessed bacterial and fungal gut microbiome maturation in early life to determine if atypical maturational patterns were observed in otherwise healthy infants and identify factors associated with these patterns. Method In 100 infants from the CHILD Cohort Study, we assessed the bacterial and fungal gut microbiome in stool samples collected at 3 and 12 months of age using 16S and ITS2 Illumina sequencing, respectively. We performed untargeted metabolomics on urine samples collected at 3 and 12 months using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Microbiome and metabolomic measures were evaluated by ecological and multivariate analyses using RStudio. Result(s) Gut microbiome analyses revealed 24% and 20% of infants displayed atypical alpha diversity trajectories in the first year of life for bacteria or fungi, respectively. Atypical patterns were linked to reduced abundance of Bacteroides and increased Candida at 3 months. Functional analysis revealed an atypical bacterial alpha diversity trend was associated with elevated urinary trimethylamine N-oxide, creatine, indole acetic acid, and 2-furoylglycine, and an atypical fungal trend was associated with elevated urinary lactate. Using decision trees, the strongest predictors of atypical alpha diversity trends were interkingdom dynamics, breastfeeding duration, and maternal diet during pregnancy. Logistic regression revealed an atypical bacterial trend was positively associated with delivery via C-section and inversely associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months, and an atypical fungal trend was positively associated with gestational consumption of artificially sweetened beverages and inversely associated with prenatal antibiotics. Interkingdom network analyses revealed the gut microbiome of infants with an atypical bacterial or fungal alpha diversity trend displayed a greater number of interkingdom interactions reflective of a less stable or immature gut microbiome. Conclusion(s) Our findings reveal a substantial proportion of infants display atypical patterns of gut microbiome maturation in the first year of life. While known microbiome-modifying factors were important determinants of maturational patterns, these factors were generally less influential than interkingdom influences. Together, this highlights the importance of interkingdom analyses at the individual level to generate more nuanced understandings of maturational trajectories in early life. Please acknowledge all funding agencies by checking the applicable boxes below CIHR, Other Please indicate your source of funding; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Corpus callosum structural characteristics in very preterm children and adolescents: Developmental trajectory and relationship to cognitive functioning

Previous studies suggest that structural alteration of the corpus callosum, i.e., the largest white matter commissural pathway, occurs after a preterm birth in the neonatal period and lasts across development. The present study aims to unravel corpus callosum structural characteristics across childhood and adolescence in very preterm (VPT) individuals, and their associations with general intellectual, executive and socio-emotional functioning. Neuropsychological assessments, T1-weighted and multi-shell diffusion MRI were collected in 79 VPT and 46 full term controls aged 6–14 years. Volumetric, diffusion tensor and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) measures were extracted on 7 callosal portions using TractSeg. A multivariate data-driven approach (partial least squares correlation) and a cohort-based age normative modelling approach were used to explore associations between callosal characteristics and neuropsychological outcomes. The VPT and a full-term control groups showed similar trends of white-matter maturation over time, i.e., increase FA and reduced ODI, in all callosal segments, that was associated with increase in general intellectual functioning. However, using a cohort-based age-related normative modelling, findings show atypical pattern of callosal development in the VPT group, with reduced callosal maturation over time that was associated with poorer general intellectual and working memory functioning, as well as with lower gestational age.

Analysis of the Hydrodynamic Performance of Torizontal Axis Turbines

As the most mature trend energy capture device in the current technology, the hydrodynamic performance of the horizontal axis turbine is related to the conversion device of the entire flow energy. Based on CFD simulation software, this paper compares the influence of different TSRs on impeller energy utilization and studies the influence of turbine plus deflector on hydrodynamics. Studies have shown that when TSR increases, energy utilization also gradually increases, and the energy utilization rate of adding a shroud is much greater than that of a bare turbine.

Controls on East Shale Basin reservoir distribution within the Upper Devonian Duvernay Formation, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

The Duvernay Formation accumulated as an organic-rich basinal mudrock concurrent with shallow marine platform carbonates of the Leduc and Grosmont formations. Historically classified as a major source rock to conventional hydrocarbon production, the Duvernay evolved into an unconventional shale reservoir across Alberta, Canada much like other source rock intervals worldwide. Distributions of the Duvernay Formation are partitioned into the West and East Shale basins by a narrow, linear Leduc Formation reef complex known as the Rimbey-Meadowbrook trend. Since 2011, development has focused on the West Shale Basin, but thermal maturity trends suggest the potential for expanded shale reservoir development within the southern portion of the East Shale Basin. This study characterizes sedimentologic and stratigraphic controls on Duvernay reservoir potential to identify development “sweet spots” within the East Shale Basin. Duvernay geologic attributes mapped within this study include: oil thermal maturity, thick restricted basin facies association occurrence (at least 5-10m thick), high average TOC values (greater than 2.0 wt.%), and high net carbonate thickness (greater than 40m). The geologic attributes are predictive of production potential within horizontal wells, and the distribution of their co-occurrence suggests the potential for expanded development within the southern portion of the East Shale Basin.