Search Results (36,323)

Frequent drilling fluid lost circulation in the Kuqa foreland area of the Tarim Oilfield severely constrains drilling efficiency and safety. The complex formation structures and diverse lost circulation types in this region are compounded by a lack of systematic classification in existing studies and weak correlation between mechanism analysis and field plugging measures, leading to a deficiency in quantitative decision-making for lost circulation prevention and control. Based on lithology analysis, loss zone pressure differential calculation, well log interpretation, and core observations, this study establishes an integrated “formation–lithology–pressure” diagnostic and classification method for lost circulation. A systematic classification framework comprising five types of lost circulation channels and mechanisms was developed. Based on this, the dominant lost circulation types and characteristics of three typical vertical formations in the Kuqa foreland were clarified: ① The supra-salt sandy conglomerate formations (e.g., Q1x, N2k) are dominated by permeability loss, where the loss rate (V) and bottomhole pressure differential (ΔP) exhibit a strong positive correlation (V ∝ ΔP). On-site application of graded bridging plugging formulations achieved a first-attempt success rate of ≥90%. ② The salt–gypsum formations (E1-2km) are primarily characterized by induced fracture loss, with a weak correlation between V and ΔP and dynamic fracture opening/closing behavior. Conventional rigid plugging materials showed limited effectiveness, resulting in a first-attempt success rate of <50%. ③ The K1bs formation is dominated by vertically developed natural fracture loss, where V and ΔP also demonstrate a strong positive correlation. In a specific Keshen block, a power-law relationship between the fracture aperture (W) and loss rate was established (W = 0.26·V^0.62, R² = 0.98), providing a basis for predicting fracture aperture and optimizing plugging formulations, with a plugging success rate of ≥80%. The classification system and quantitative criteria developed in this study effectively link lost circulation mechanisms, dynamic characteristics, and engineering countermeasures, offering theoretical support and a decision-making framework for optimizing lost circulation prevention and control measures and improving success rates in the Kuqa foreland area. Full article

Domestic hot water systems are one of the most important reservoirs of Legionella. It is thought that physicochemical and microbiological water quality influences bacterial development. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to evaluate this relationship in domestic hot water in public buildings in Madrid for potential health risks and to assess the parameters that could be associated with Legionella contamination, which would assist in developing control strategies to prevent legionellosis. A total of 1695 DHW samples were evaluated over a 14-year period (2007–2020). Legionella was analysed using culture plates and qPCR. The influencing parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, colour, turbidity, Fe nitrites, and coliforms) were analysed following official methods. Furthermore, sport centre risk assessment was carried out. Legionella was isolated in 64 samples. Non-compliance levels for turbidity, colour, iron, nitrites and coliforms were found primarily in samples containing Legionella. Nitrites > 0.5 mg/L, turbidity > 1 NFU, colour ≥ 1 Pt/Co, and building type were good parameters to test Legionella colonisation. The selected influencing factors may be a useful tool for ensuring water supply quality. Full article

The clinical efficacy of chemotherapy against rapidly proliferating cells stimulates both the development of new agents and the reassessment of established drugs. Spectroscopic methods (UV, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR) were applied to characterize prospidium chloride and related substances. The FT-IR spectrum of prospidium chloride, arising from vibrational transitions within the alkyl fragments of the dispirotripiperazinium cation, is reported with band assignments. Electronic transitions between molecular orbitals are analyzed using quantum–mechanical selection rules (Laporte and spin selection rules). The n→σ* transition (ΔS = 0) corresponds to the absorption maximum at λmax = 282 ± 0.40 nm (ε = 3.89 ± 0.08 L·mol⁻¹·cm⁻¹). A ¹H NMR spectrum (700 MHz) was used to assign chemical shifts δ (ppm), J-coupling constants (Hz), and gauche conformational features of prospidium chloride and its dihydroxy and epoxy impurities. Quantitative ¹H NMR (qNMR) was applied to determine the content of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and related substances. The methods provide complementary structural information for the characterization of prospidium chloride. Full article

Firm-level financial statement data form multivariate annual time series with strong cross-variable dependencies and temporal dynamics, yet publicly available panels are often short and incomplete, limiting the generalization of predictive models. We present Latent Financial Time-Series Diffusion (LFTD), a structure-aware augmentation framework that synthesizes realistic firm-level financial time series in a compact latent space. LFTD first learns information-preserving representations with a dual encoder: an FT-Transformer that captures within-year interactions across financial variables and a Time Series Transformer (TST) that models long-horizon evolution across years. On this latent sequence, we train a Transformer-based denoising diffusion model whose reverse process is FiLM-conditioned on the diffusion step as well as year, firm identity, and firm age, enabling controllable generation aligned with firm- and time-specific context. A TST-based Cross-Decoder then reconstructs continuous and binary financial variables for each year. Empirical evaluation on Korean listed-firm data from 2011 to 2023 shows that augmenting training sets with LFTD-generated samples consistently improves firm-value prediction for market-to-book and Tobin’s Q under both static (same-year) and dynamic (τ → τ + 1) forecasting settings and outperforms conventional generative augmentation baselines and ablated variants. These results suggest that domain-conditioned latent diffusion is a practical route to reliable augmentation for firm-level financial time series. Full article

Potato tubers can be dormant for 1–15 weeks after harvest, and the germination of tuber eye-buds is suppressed by cold. Genetic mechanisms regulating bud dormancy at low temperatures are not completely understood. We performed RNA-seq to compare gene expression in tubers after 0.5, 3.5, and 6.5 months of cold storage. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in non-dormant (3.5/6.5 months) vs. dormant (0.5 months) tubers were associated with transcriptional and translational activation, cell growth, metabolism, hormonal signaling, meristem development, dormancy break, and reproduction, confirming the non-dormant state of the meristem in the middle of storage. DEGs encoding transcription factors (TFs) (CBF1, FLC, SVP, HY5, GI, CO, FT, SOC1, CDF1, POTM1) were associated with the regulation of dormancy, flowering, and tuberization. TF DEGs upregulated (78) or downregulated (224) over four times in non-dormant vs. dormant tubers are considered potential coordinators of the endo- to non-dormancy transition and upcoming tuber sprouting during cold storage. RT-qPCR analysis of non-dormant and germinating buds revealed the upregulation of tuberigens (StSP3D, StFTL1-1, StFTL1-2), anti-tuberigens (StSP5G-like), and TF genes positively associated with tuberization or flowering/germination (StFDL1, StFDL, StCDF1, StCO-like). Our results should further investigation of the mechanisms underlying tuber meristem dormancy release and sprouting during long-term cold storage. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mycotoxin contamination in grain-derived foods is still a major food safety concern; thus, innovative mitigation approaches need to be continuously developed. This study investigated the influence of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) incorporated into a food matrix on ochratoxin A (OTA)-induced cellular responses using a dietary-relevant in vitro intestinal model. Methods: Four bread types were prepared: control (C), OTA-contaminated (OTA), bilberry-enriched (VM), and OTA + VM (OTA-VM). Simulated intestinal digests of these breads were applied to differentiated Caco-2 cells for 24 h. Apoptotic and necrotic cell populations, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, were quantified by flow cytometry, while RT-qPCR assessed the expression of 10 genes related to mitochondrial function, oxidative stress response, and intestinal barrier integrity. Results: Exposure to OTA resulted in increased cytotoxicity, reflected by a higher proportion of necrotic cells (5.11 ± 0.35%), and elevated ROS levels compared with control cells. Co-exposure to bilberry-enriched digests was associated with attenuation of apoptotic responses, a reduced proportion of necrotic cells (2.16 ± 0.61%) and a 16% decrease in ROS levels. Gene expression profiles in the VM group were comparable to control, whereas OTA exposure led to downregulation of several genes related to oxidative stress response and intestinal barrier integrity (e.g., CLDN2, OCLN, SLC7A11). In the OTA-VM group, a partial recovery of gene expression was observed. Conclusions: These findings suggest that bilberry incorporation into a food matrix may modulate OTA-induced cellular stress responses by attenuating oxidative imbalance and supporting the expression of genes associated with antioxidant defense and epithelial barrier integrity. Bilberries may therefore represent a promising functional ingredient for influencing intestinal cellular responses to dietary mycotoxin exposure. Full article

This study investigates an inlet design for a gravitational vortex turbine (GVT), drawing inspiration from the ancient Nazca puquios. The puquios are ingenious subterranean aqueducts constructed by the Nazca culture (c. 100 BC–800 AD) in southern Peru, featuring spiral ojos de agua (water eyes) used to access groundwater and stabilize flow.The primary objective was to enhance vortex stability and overall GVT efficiency under low-head, low-flow operating conditions. A parametric Nazca-type inlet feeding a conical basin was defined by two controlling factors: the number of turns (N) and the inclination angle ($\theta$). The optimal geometry was determined through a $3^2$ full factorial design, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and response surface methodology (RSM), with vortex circulation $\left(\Gamma \right)$ serving as the optimization metric. The best-performing inlet configuration ($N=4$, $\theta ={13}^{\circ }$) yielded $\Gamma =1.3459$ m²/s. This circulation level is comparable to that reported for optimized conventional wrap-around inlets at similar flow rates, but uniquely produced a broader and more symmetric vortex structure. Subsequently, two four-bladed runners (one with twisted blades and one with curved cross-flow blades) were evaluated numerically and experimentally using a laboratory-scale prototype operated at a consistent flow rate ($Q\approx 0.00143$ m³/s). CFD predicted maximum efficiencies of $15.37\%$ and $17.07\%$ for the twisted and curved runners, respectively, while experimental tests achieved $8.70\%$ and $11.61\%$, demonstrating similar efficiency($\eta$) versus angular velocity ($\omega )$) characteristics. These results indicate reduced hydraulic effectiveness of the Nazca-inspired geometry for the GVT, with experimental efficiencies below those reported in the literature. Full article

Background: Intensive poultry production systems can act as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli, posing a public health risk through food and environmental transmission. Methods: This study investigated the genomic characteristics of antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolated from an intensive poultry production system in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Chicken litter, wastewater, and floor swab samples were collected over three consecutive production cycles. Putative E. coli isolates were detected using the Colilert-18 system, cultured on eosin methylene blue agar, and genomically confirmed by quantitative PCR (q-PCR) targeting the uidA gene. Whole genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform, followed by bioinformatic analyses to assess resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, and phylogenetic relationships. Results: Of 150 presumptive E. coli, 70 were genomically confirmed as E. coli and resistant to at least one antibiotic, with 74% exhibiting multidrug resistance. Resistance was highest to tetracycline (100%), ampicillin (94%), and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (76%), while ciprofloxacin resistance was rare (3%). Genomic analysis identified multiple antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to fluoroquinolones, β-lactams, aminoglycosides, amphenicols, fosfomycin, and sulfonamides, as well as the disinfectant resistance gene qacI. These genes were frequently associated with mobile genetic elements, including plasmids, integrons, transposons, and insertion sequences. Predominant sequence types included ST155, ST48, ST1286, and ST602, with phylogenetic relatedness to poultry-associated isolates from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania, as well as environmental E. coli strains previously identified in South Africa and Ghana. Conclusions: The detection of diverse, mobile MDR E. coli lineages in poultry environments clearly signals a substantial risk for resistance gene dissemination into the food chain and surrounding ecosystems. Immediate attention and intervention are warranted to mitigate public health threats. Full article

Hyperlipidemia (HLP) is a metabolic dysfunction marked by dysregulated lipid metabolism, which jeopardizes cardiovascular health. The function of autophagy modulated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in HLP pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Thus, this study centered on the impacts of different feeding durations on HLP models. ICR mice were given a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce the model, with durations set at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 weeks. Body weight, liver and adipose organ indices, serum and hepatic lipid levels, and pathological changes (assessed by Oil Red O and HE staining) were measured. Related pathway markers were detected via immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and Western blotting. At week 9, the relative protein expression ratios of P-AMPK/AMPK, P-mTOR/mTOR, and P-ULK1/ULK1 were markedly reduced, while the expression levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ and P62 proteins were notably elevated, exhibiting transient dysregulation characteristics and suggesting a potential optimal modeling time point. It clarifies the temporal pattern, core molecular mechanism, and critical turning point of abdominal adipose metabolic disorder induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in ICR mice. This study offers a credible basis for the optimal duration of HLP modeling and in vivo animal experimental design. Full article

Traditional steel–wood composite formwork systems often exhibit mechanical imbalances, such as high strength with insufficient stiffness or high stiffness with low toughness, under both ultimate and serviceability limit states. To address the deficiency, this paper proposes a novel reinforced steel–wood composite formwork system (RSWC-FS). The system features a multi-layer plywood panel, ribbed cold-formed thin-walled Q235 steel secondary wales, and double-channel steel primary wales, interconnected by high-strength bolts to create a surface-to-surface bonded interface. This design enhances load transfer efficiency and mitigates stress concentration. Field testing was conducted on cast-in-place shear walls and frame columns, and corresponding finite element models were established in ANSYS for numerical analysis. The results demonstrate that the RSWC-FS delivers stable mechanical performance. The maximum stress of shear walls reaches 42.57 MPa and that of columns 49.98 MPa, while the corresponding displacements are 4.719 mm and 1.541 mm, all of which remain well within the allowable limits. Through an inverse analysis calibration process, optimal load partial factors of 1.26 for shear walls and 1.31 for columns are recommended, significantly reducing the deviation between calculated and measured values. The proposed RSWC-FS effectively resolves the mechanical imbalance inherent in traditional steel–wood composite formwork systems and demonstrates considerable potential for practical engineering application. Full article

Xinjiang is an arid and semi-arid region where ecosystems are fragile, and monitoring how its ecology changes over time is critical for its sustainable development. In this study, a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was established for Xinjiang from 2000 to 2025. To understand temporal and spatial changes in ecological quality, we conducted spatial autocorrelation analysis, Theil–Sen median trend analysis, a Mann–Kendall trend test, and Hurst exponent analysis. We also used Geodetector to determine which factors affect the RSEI. The main results were as follows: (1) The RSEI in Xinjiang remained low, with a mean value between 0.285 and 0.336. Mountainous areas had higher values, basins had lower values, and spatial clustering was strong (Moran’s I index: 0.81–0.86). (2) H-H clusters expanded and then shrank, while L-L clusters grew after 2015. Areas with excellent ecological grades increased, but so did areas with poor grades, indicating that improvement and degradation both exist. (3) Most areas were stable, but 19.13% showed persistent degradation, indicating that these areas need more attention. (4) Land surface temperature (q = 0.624) and land cover (q = 0.576) were the main driving factors, and factor interactions showed enhanced effects. The results of this study could provide a scientific basis for ecosystem protection and restoration in Xinjiang. Full article

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of disability and mortality worldwide, with mitochondrial dysfunction playing a critical role in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to identify immune-related mitochondrial biomarkers associated with IS and evaluate their diagnostic potential. Methods: IS-related gene expression datasets were obtained from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the GSE58294 dataset, followed by functional enrichment analysis, immune infiltration assessment, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Immune-related mitochondrial genes were screened using the MITOCARTA 3.0 database. Four machine learning algorithms—random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), generalized linear model (GLM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB)—were applied to identify hub genes. External validation was performed using the GSE16561 dataset, and RT-qPCR confirmed key gene expression. Functional enrichment and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses explored biological pathways and cellular localization. Results: Five key genes (ECHDC3, EPHX2, SPTLC2, MSRB2, and TK2) were identified, among which ECHDC3, EPHX2, and SPTLC2 showed strong diagnostic potential (AUC > 0.7). These genes were significantly enriched in apoptosis, JAK-STAT, MAPK, and VEGF signaling pathways and were closely associated with neutrophil infiltration. Single-cell analysis revealed increased immune cell populations and distinct expression patterns of key genes in the ischemic mouse brain. Conclusions: This study identifies novel immune-related mitochondrial biomarkers for IS, providing insights into its pathogenesis and offering potential targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Full article

Background: Diabetes increases the risk of cataract formation fivefold. Immune-mediated inflammation has been reported to play a role in this process; however, whether alterations in the immune landscape are involved remains unknown. Therefore, we conducted a multi-omics analysis to evaluate the impact of immune inflammation on the lens. Methods: Bulk RNA sequencing was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from diabetic patients and lens tissues from diabetic rats. Single-cell RNA sequencing was utilized to characterize intercellular interactions. Key gene and protein expressions were validated via laboratory assays. Results: An integrated RNA-seq analysis revealed a disruption of the blood–aqueous barrier integrity in the diabetic group, enhanced monocyte migration and adhesion, increased differentiation from classical to non-classical monocytes, and the upregulation of TNF and IFN-γ signaling pathways. The transcriptomic profiling of rat lenses revealed an increased proportion of monocytes and the activation of apoptotic pathways in lens epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated elevated caspase-3 and IL-6 levels in lens epithelial cells and increased immune cell infiltration in the diabetic group. The qRT-PCR and ELISA confirmed elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ, alongside reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the peripheral blood and aqueous humor of diabetic patients. Conclusions: Diabetes alters the peripheral immune microenvironment and disrupts the blood–aqueous barrier, promoting intraocular inflammation and lens epithelial cell apoptosis, thereby accelerating cataract development. Full article

Despite the persistent global threat of seasonal influenza viruses such as A(H1N1)pdm09 and A/H3N2, their epidemiological and genetic characteristics in China following the implementation of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) remain poorly characterized. Between September 2020 and December 2023, we conducted an integrated epidemiological and genomic analysis of influenza A viruses in children in Wuhan. The overall positivity rate for influenza A virus was markedly low at 3.43% (109/3171), reflecting a profound suppression of circulation during the pandemic. Among genotyped positives, H1N1pdm09 was predominant (52.3%), followed by H3N2 (16.5%) and untypeable strains (32.1%). Preschool children showed the highest susceptibility. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the circulating H1N1 strains (90%) belonged to clade 6B.1A.5a.2, clustering with viruses from Hong Kong and Pakistan. In contrast, H3N2 strains (76.92%) primarily fell into clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2b, closely related to contemporary strains from Europe and North America. Notably, we identified key hemagglutinin mutations associated with antigenic drift (e.g., R240Q in H1N1; E78G, R158G in H3N2) and neuraminidase mutations potentially conferring antiviral resistance (e.g., S247N in H1N1; S245N, a putative novel glycosylation site, in H3N2). Evidence of reassortment events was also detected, underscoring the continued genomic evolution of these viruses despite their low prevalence. Our findings demonstrate that genetically diverse and antigenically drifted influenza A viruses continued to circulate and evolve in Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit at dramatically reduced levels. This highlights the critical need for sustained genomic surveillance and timely updates of vaccine compositions to pre-empt the resurgence of influenza in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Pseudomonas fluorescens is a primary spoilage bacterium in aquatic products. Due to its strong ability to adhere to surfaces and form persistent biofilm, it poses a persistent challenge to food safety. Therefore, developing strategies to effectively inhibit biofilm formation holds significant research value. Dubosiella newyorkensis, a recently identified probiotic, has gained growing attention for its distinctive physiological features and potential functional benefits. Although various probiotic-derived cell-free supernatants (CFSs) have been explored for food preservation, the application of D. newyorkensis CFS against aquatic spoilage bacteria, and particularly its specific mechanism against P. fluorescens biofilm, has not been previously reported. Increasing evidence indicates that CFS from probiotic can influence microbial behavior, including biofilm development. In this study, we investigated the ability of D. newyorkensis CFS to inhibit P. fluorescens biofilm formation. The CFS treatment impaired bacterial growth and motility, lowered surface hydrophobicity, reduced self aggregation, and consequently hindered biofilm formation. Furthermore, CFS markedly decreased bacterial adhesion to food and contact surfaces. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that key genes associated with biofilm regulation were also significantly suppressed. Taken together, these results demonstrate that D. newyorkensis CFS exerts both antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against P. fluorescens. These findings provide a sound basis for exploring its application as a natural biopreservative to enhance the microbial safety and extend the shelf life of aquatic food products. Full article