Insights on Using Solid Bitumen Reflectance as a Thermal Maturity Proxy in the Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, USA.

To further refine the use of solid bitumen reflectance (BR in %) as a measurement of thermal maturity in source-rock reservoirs, we examined its relationship to other thermal proxies in the Bakken Formation. Comparisons included criteria from programmed temperature pyrolysis, gas chromatography (GC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Thirty-two organic-rich samples from the lower and upper shale members of the Devonian-Lower Carboniferous Bakken Formation were collected from eight cores across the Williston Basin, USA, at depths (∼7575-11,330 ft) representing immature through post peak oil/early condensate thermal maturity conditions based on proximity to current hydrocarbon production.

Cathodoluminescence differentiates sedimentary organic matter types.

High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visualization of sedimentary organic matter is widely utilized in the geosciences for evaluating microscale rock properties relevant to depositional environment, diagenesis, and the processes of fluid generation, transport, and storage. However, despite thousands of studies which have incorporated SEM methods, the inability of SEM to differentiate sedimentary organic matter types has hampered the pace of scientific advancement. In this study, we show that SEM-cathodoluminescence (CL) properties can be used to identify and characterize sedimentary organic matter at low thermal maturity conditions.

Animal movement on the hoof and on the cart and its implications for understanding exchange within the Indus Civilisation.

Movement of resources was essential to the survival and success of early complex societies. The sources and destinations of goods and the means of transportation - be it by boats, carts and/or foot - can often be inferred, but the logistics of these movements are inherently more difficult to ascertain. Here, we use strontium isotopic analysis to test hypotheses about the role of animal and animal-powered transport in medium and long-distance movement and exchange, using the Indus Civilization as a case study.

Disparities in Gender Preference and Fertility: Southeast Asia and Latin America in a Comparative Perspective.

A preference for sons and a sex selection against females are widespread in vast regions of the world, including a great number of Asian and East European countries. However, while a robust son bias has been widely studied in several countries of these regions, much less attention has been given to other regions, such as Latin America. The aim of this paper is to compare gender preferences in twelve selected countries of Southeast Asia and Latin America at the beginning of the 21st century by calculating to what extent parents adapt their fertility behaviors to ensure the birth of a preferred sex.

Clinical and pathological characterization of ophthalmic disease in a canine model of mucopolysaccharidosis type I.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by α-L-iduronidase enzyme deficiency, resulting in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation in various cell types, including ocular tissues. Ocular manifestations in humans are common with significant pathological changes including corneal opacification, retinopathy, optic nerve swelling and atrophy, and glaucoma. Available treatments for MPS I are suboptimal and there is limited to no effect in treating the ocular disease.