Search Results (27,215)

Foredeep basins often host significant natural gas reservoirs within siliciclastic successions, as exemplified by the Po Plain (Northern Italy), one of Europe’s largest foredeep basins. Here, numerous depleted gas reservoirs have been successfully converted into underground gas storage (UGS) facilities. For safe and efficient storage operations, detailed reservoir characterization and continuous monitoring of surface and subsurface effects are crucial. This study investigates the Cornegliano Laudense reservoir during its first 5–7 years as a UGS facility, employing an integrated monitoring approach that combines traditional methods (InSAR for surface deformation, microseismic monitoring) with innovative techniques (Pulsed Neutron Log-PNL). The results clearly illustrate and quantify the significant increase in storage capacity over a relatively short operational period, primarily driven by the progressive displacement of formation water by injected gas. Despite increased stored gas volumes, monitoring revealed no adverse effects on surface stability or subsurface seismicity. This integrated methodology demonstrates substantial potential for refining predictive models, optimizing storage efficiency, and enhancing sustainable management practices for underground gas storage operations. Full article

Motivated by the rapid development of SERS technology, trace detection of various viruses in the sewage and body fluid environments and accurate positive and negative diagnosis of detection samples can be achieved. However, evaluating the environmental survival ability of viruses based on SERS technology remains an unexplored issue, but holds significant guiding significance for effective epidemic prevention and control as well as inactivation treatment. In this work, Au nanoarrays were fabricated on silicon substrates through a simple Ar ion sputtering route as ultra-sensitive SERS chips. With the synergistic contribution of the “lightning rod” effect and the enhanced coupling surface plasmon caused by the nanoarrays, the ultra-sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 S protein with a concentration of 1 pg/mL and SERS enhancement factor of 4.89 × 10⁹ can be achieved. Exploration of the environmental survival ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus indicates that the Raman activity of SARS-CoV-2 S protein exhibited higher temperature tolerance from 0 °C to 60 °C than SARS-CoV S protein, suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has less temperature influence from increasing air temperature than the SARS-CoV virus to a certain extent, which explains the seasonal recurrence pattern and regional transmission pattern of the novel coronavirus that are different from the SARS virus. Full article

Pulmonary coinfection involving both viral and opportunistic pathogens is an emerging challenge in immunosuppressed patients. We report the case of a 59-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term immunosuppressive therapy who developed necrotizing pneumonia and acute respiratory failure and was ultimately diagnosed with triple pulmonary coinfection by SARS-CoV-2, Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Diagnosis required comprehensive imaging, bronchoscopy with BAL, and microbiological work-up. The case was complicated by septic shock, multiple organ failure, and family-driven end-of-life decisions. This report highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic complexity of triple coinfection in the ICU, emphasizing the importance of systematic microbiology, imaging, and interdisciplinary care in critically ill immunocompromised hosts. Full article

Children with COVID-19 typically experience milder symptoms and lower hospitalization rates, though severe cases do occur. Understanding age-related immune responses is crucial for future preparedness. We characterized immune response dynamics to SARS-CoV-2 in 145 samples from 119 pediatric patients (<18 years) with confirmed infection, assessed at four distinct time points: <14 days, 14 days–3 months, 3–6 months, and 6–12 months post-infection. At infection, patients presented increased activated T-cells, higher levels of exhaustion (i.e., PD-1⁺), lower numbers of unswitched memory B-cells, and increased antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). Both humoral and cellular anti-SARS-CoV-2 responses increased over time (all patients showed measurable responses in the last assessment). Asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic patients (58.6%) showed increased specific cellular responses from infection onwards, along with enriched memory B-cell subsets (but not ASCs), and distinct T-cell activation profiles. Children with severe disease were younger, predominantly boys, displayed altered T/B-cell ratios, and reduced PHA responses when infected. Compared to adolescents, younger children showed lower antibody titers and weaker cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2, possibly underlining the higher prevalence of severe manifestations in younger children. Our study illustrates important age-, gender-, and disease severity-dependent variations in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, which can be helpful in improving patient management and immunization strategies adjusted to age groups. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to better understand the antibody concentrations in healthcare workers (HCWs) from a hospital in Mexico City with a high density of COVID-19 patients. Methods: Up to 243 HCWs were recruited in 2020 and 2022 and were sorted into three groups: hybrid immunity (HI, natural infection plus vaccination), vaccine-induced immunity (VI), and unvaccinated but RT-qPCR negative at the beginning of the pandemic (UV). Peripheral blood and nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained; additionally, saliva samples were obtained from the UV group. The titers of IgG, IgM, and IgA against the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and nucleocapsid (NCP) proteins were assessed using an in-house ELISA, and positivity to the virus was determined via RT-qPCR. Results: Most HI and VI participants were positive for serum anti-RBD IgG (92.8% and 100%, respectively), while 26.6% (for HI) and 19% (for VI) were positive for anti-NCP IgG. Regarding serum anti-RBD IgA, the VI and HI groups had positive rates of 87.3% and 66%, respectively. In contrast, the UV group showed a rate of 5.7% but the positivity for IgA in saliva was higher (52% for RBD and 35% for NCP). In addition, the highest antibody titers were obtained for anti-RBD IgG and IgA in the HI and VI groups, respectively. In saliva, the IgA antibody titer was higher for the RBD antigen (1:1280). Conclusions: These results strengthen our understanding of antibody concentrations in HCWs during two critical years of the pandemic in a general hospital with many COVID-19 patients. Full article

Objectives: Sex-based disparities in COVID-19 outcomes are well-documented, with men experiencing greater acute severity and women showing increased vulnerability to post-viral syndromes. However, longitudinal immunometabolic trajectories in vaccinated individuals remain underexplored. In this study, sex-based differences in long-term metabolic, endocrine, renal, cardiovascular, and inflammatory responses were investigated among vaccinated individuals recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study included 426 adults (199 females, 227 males) with PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 and at least two vaccine doses. Serial assessments were conducted at baseline, 18-, 24-, and 30-month post-infection. Parameters included fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, thyroid function, renal markers, CRP, D-dimer, fibrinogen, troponin, and hematologic indices. Statistical analyses assessed longitudinal changes and sex-stratified correlations. Results: Fasting glucose and HbA1c levels significantly declined over time, more prominently in males. Glucose correlated with age and BMI only in females. Lipid levels remained largely unchanged, although males had higher baseline triglycerides. Females showed rising TSH levels and persistently lower free T3; males exhibited higher creatinine, urea, and troponin levels throughout. Inflammatory markers declined significantly in both sexes, with males displaying higher CRP and troponin, and females showing sustained fibrinogen elevation and a temporary lymphocyte surge. D-dimer was elevated in females at the 30-month point. Conclusions: Sex-specific physiological recovery patterns were evident among vaccinated COVID-19 survivors. Males exhibited earlier metabolic and cardiac alterations, while females had more persistent endocrine and inflammatory shifts. These findings underscore the need for sex-tailored long-term monitoring strategies prioritizing early metabolic and cardiac screening in men and prolonged immunoendocrine surveillance in women. Full article

Due to extensive soft soil and high human activities, Wuhan is a hotspot for land subsidence. This study used the time-series InSAR to calculate the spatial and temporal distribution map of subsidence in Wuhan and analyze the causes of subsidence. An improved fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (GD-FAHP) was proposed and integrated with the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) to assess the hazard and vulnerability of land subsidence using multiple evaluation factors, thereby deriving the spatial distribution characteristics of subsidence risk in Wuhan. Results indicated the following: (1) Maximum subsidence rates reached −49 mm/a, with the most severe deformation localized in Hongshan District, exhibiting a cumulative displacement of −135 mm. Comparative validation between InSAR results and leveling was conducted, demonstrating the reliability of InSAR monitoring. (2) Areas with frequent urban construction largely coincided with subsidence locations. In addition, the analysis indicated that rainfall and hydrogeological conditions were also correlated with land subsidence. (3) The proposed risk assessment model effectively identified high-risk areas concentrated in central urban zones, particularly the Hongshan and Wuchang Districts. This research establishes a methodological framework for urban hazard mitigation and provides actionable insights for subsidence risk reduction strategies. Full article

The accurate estimation of building heights using very-high-resolution (VHR) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is crucial for various urban applications. This paper introduces a deep learning (DL)-based methodology for automated building height estimation from single VHR COSMO-SkyMed images: an object-based regression approach based on bounding box detection followed by height estimation. This model was trained and evaluated on a unique multi-continental dataset comprising eight geographically diverse cities across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, employing a cross-validation strategy to explicitly assess out-of-distribution (OOD) generalization. The results demonstrate highly promising performance, particularly on European cities where the model achieves a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of approximately one building story (2.20 m in Munich), significantly outperforming recent state-of-the-art methods in similar OOD scenarios. Despite the increased variability observed when generalizing to cities in other continents, particularly in Asia with its distinct urban typologies and the prevalence of high-rise structures, this study underscores the significant potential of DL for robust cross-city and cross-continental transfer learning in building height estimation from single VHR SAR data. Full article

Background and Objectives: Acute poisoning is a frequent cause of pediatric emergency department visits and represents a significant public health issue, with children particularly vulnerable due to developmental and behavioral factors. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and demographic profiles of pediatric patients presenting with acute intoxication over a ten-year period (2014–2023) and to assess the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on patterns of pediatric poisoning. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli in Rome, including all patients under 18 years presenting with acute intoxication between September 2014 and June 2023. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and categorized by age group (0–5, 6–11, and 12–18 years) and by three pandemic-related periods: Pre-COVID-19 (to March 2020), COVID-19 (March 2020–June 2021), and Post-COVID-19 (June 2021 onwards). Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and Cramér’s V for effect size. Results: Of 794 PED admissions for acute intoxication, 64.5% involved children aged 0–5 years, and 24.9% involved adolescents. Most events occurred at home (63.2%) and were accidental (76.4%), with voluntary intoxications exclusively among adolescents. Drug ingestion was the leading cause (39.3%), followed by solvents (17.8%) and alcohol (7.8%), with alcohol-related cases rising markedly post-pandemic. Statistically significant associations were found between the pandemic period and both age group and intentionality of poisoning (p < 0.00001), but not gender. Voluntary and recreational intoxications increased during and after the pandemic, particularly among adolescents. Conclusions: Pediatric acute poisoning displays a bimodal age distribution, with accidental exposures predominant in young children, and intentional cases predominant in adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in adolescent voluntary and recreational intoxications. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies addressing both household safety for young children and mental health and substance use interventions for adolescents. Full article

The upper Mapocho River basin, located in central Chile, has been affected by numerous landslides in the past, which may become more frequent due to a projected increase in intense precipitation events in the context of climate change. Against this background, this study aimed to analyze the ground deformation associated with an active landslide area in the Yerba Loca basin using the SBAS–DInSAR technique with PAZ and Sentinel-1 images acquired during two time periods, 2019–2021 and 2018–2022, respectively. Using PAZ imagery, the estimated vertical displacement velocity (subsidence) was as high as 9.6 mm/year between 2019 and 2021 in the area affected by the Yerba Loca multirotational slide in August 2018. Analysis of Sentinel-1 images indicated a vertical displacement velocity reaching −94 mm/year between 2018 and 2022 in the Yerba Loca landslide, suggesting continued activity in this area. It, therefore, may collapse again soon, affecting tourism services and the local ecosystem. By focusing on a mountainous region, this study demonstrates the usefulness of radar imagery for investigating landslides in remote or hard-to-reach areas, such as the mountain sector of central Chile. Full article

Air moving-target detection is crucial for national defense, civil aviation, and airspace supervision. Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides high-resolution, continuous observations for this task, but faces challenges including target attitude variation-induced weak signals and Doppler defocusing from targets’ high-speed motion, which hinder target-background separation. To address this, we propose a novel method combining sub-aperture segmentation with GoDec+ low-rank decomposition to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and suppress defocusing. Critically, ADS-B flight data is integrated as ground truth for spatio-temporal validation. Experiments using Sentinel-1 SM mode SLC imagery across farmland, forest, and mountainous regions confirm the method’s effectiveness and robustness in real airspace scenarios. Full article

There is an increasing need to understand the long-term dynamics and quality of SARS-CoV-2 immune memory—both humoral and cellular—particularly with emerging variants. This study aimed to evaluate immune durability and variant-specific modulation through a longitudinal analysis of individuals with diverse SARS-CoV-2 exposure histories, over two years after infection and/or vaccination. The study involved assessing anti-spike IgG and IgA levels over time and analyzing their relationship with neutralizing activity against both ancestral and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants. Persistence of T cell responses was evaluated using intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) and activation-induced marker (AIM) assays. Anti-S IgG levels remained stable over time and increased after each immune stimulation, suggesting cumulative immune memory. Neutralizing capacity correlated strongly with IgG levels, showing long-term stability for pre-Omicron variants, but a moderate decline for Omicron. CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell responses persisted across all groups, largely unaffected by Omicron mutations. However, cytokine profiles revealed subtle, variant-dependent changes. These findings underscore the durability of cellular immunity and the comparatively reduced robustness of Omicron-specific humoral responses. Such insights are crucial for understanding long-term protection against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants and guiding public health strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intrinsic biomarkers, such as serum vitamin D levels and the conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) area, have been proposed to quantify sunlight exposure. Evidence suggests that reduced outdoor activity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic accelerated the progression of myopia; however, there is little information on the impact of such restrictions on vitamin D levels and CUVAF area in populations with myopia. This study aims to assess the association between serum vitamin D levels and conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence area (CUVAF) in young adults with myopia during and after the pandemic, as well as its relationship with sun exposure habits and the use of skin protection measures. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out. A total of 59 students participated, 32 with a diagnosis of myopia and 27 controls, during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Two serological tests for total 25-hydroxy vitamin D (D2 + D3) (Calciferol) were taken, activity habits and sun exposure were identified using the Intermountain Live Well Institute tool, and CUVAF images were taken post-pandemic. Results: In the 59 participants, we observed similar vitamin D concentrations between the myopic and control groups during and after the pandemic. However, analysis of CUVAF areas after the pandemic revealed that myopes had significantly smaller areas compared to controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study demonstrated that using vitamin D as a biomarker for outdoor activity requires additional investigation; the CUVAF biomarker showed a significant association with myopia. Full article

This study aims to develop an enhanced YOLO algorithm to improve the ship detection performance of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in complex marine environments. Current SAR ship detection methods face numerous challenges in complex sea conditions, including environmental interference, false detection, and multi-scale changes in detection targets. To address these issues, this study adopts a technical solution that combines multi-level feature fusion with a dynamic detection mechanism. First, a cross-stage partial dynamic channel transformer module (CSP_DTB) was designed, which combines the transformer architecture with a convolutional neural network to replace the last two C3k2 layers in the YOLOv11n main network, thereby enhancing the model’s feature extraction capabilities. Second, a general dynamic feature pyramid network (RepGFPN) was introduced to reconstruct the neck network architecture, enabling more efficient multi-scale feature fusion and information propagation. Additionally, a lightweight dynamic decoupled dual-alignment head (DYDDH) was constructed to enhance the collaborative performance of localization and classification tasks through task-specific feature decoupling. Experimental results show that the proposed DRGD-YOLO algorithm achieves significant performance improvements. On the HRSID dataset, the algorithm achieves an average precision (mAP50) of 93.1% at an IoU threshold of 0.50 and an mAP50–95 of 69.2% over the IoU threshold range of 0.50–0.95. Compared to the baseline YOLOv11n algorithm, the proposed method improves mAP50 and mAP50–95 by 3.3% and 4.6%, respectively. The proposed DRGD-YOLO algorithm not only significantly improves the accuracy and robustness of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) ship detection but also demonstrates broad application potential in fields such as maritime surveillance, fisheries management, and maritime safety monitoring, providing technical support for the development of intelligent marine monitoring technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: The coexistence of metabolic syndrome and COVID-19 presents a major challenge for healthcare systems, as individuals with metabolic syndrome are at significantly higher risk of severe disease and poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess how metabolic syndrome influences the outcomes of rehabilitation in patients recovering from COVID-19. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted at a rehabilitation hospital in Szczecin (Poland). One hundred and forty-six patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Data on age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, and hospitalization were analyzed. The intervention included a comprehensive post-COVID-19 rehabilitation program. Data were collected using functional tests (6MWT and spirometry), and clinical records were analyzed. Results: Patients with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher BMI (p < 0.001), lower HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001), and higher triglyceride levels (p < 0.001) compared with the group without metabolic syndrome. After rehabilitation, both groups showed significant improvements in 6MWT distance (with MetS p < 0.001; without MetS p < 0.001) and FEV₁% predicted (MetS p = 0.025; without MetS p = 0.021). However, regression analysis shows that age was a significant negative predictor of 6MWT performance in both groups (p < 0.01), whereas hypertension and diabetes predicted worse post-rehabilitation outcomes in the group without MetS. Conclusions: Comprehensive rehabilitation after COVID-19 benefits all patients, regardless of the presence of metabolic syndrome. However, individual clinical factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes, and male gender are crucial to its effectiveness. This highlights the need for individualized rehabilitation programs, especially for patients with metabolic conditions, which can significantly increase the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Full article