Search Results (106)

This study analyzes the lacustrine hydrocarbon source rocks of the Lower Cretaceous in the Erdengsumu sag of the Erlian Basin, evaluating their characteristics and identifying areas with oil resource potential, while also investigating the ancient lake environment, material source input, and controlling factors, ultimately developing a sedimentary model for lacustrine hydrocarbon source rocks. The findings suggest the following: (1) The lower Tengger Member (K₁bt₁) and the Aershan Formation (K₁ba) are the primary oil-producing strata, with an effective hydrocarbon source rock exhibiting a lower limit of total organic carbon (TOC) at 0.95%. The Ro value typically remains below 0.8%, indicating that high-maturity oil production has not yet been attained. (2) The oil generation threshold depths for the Dalestai and Sayinhutuge sub-sags are 1500 m and 1214 m, respectively. The thickness of the effective hydrocarbon source rock surpasses 200 m, covering areas of 42.48 km² and 88.71 km², respectively. The cumulative hydrocarbon generation intensity of wells Y1 and Y2 is 486 × 10⁴ t/km² and 26 × 10⁴ t/km², respectively, suggesting that the Dalestai sub-sag possesses considerable petroleum potential. The Aershan Formation in the Chagantala sub-sag has a maximum burial depth of merely 1800 m, insufficient to attain the oil generation threshold depth. (3) The research area’s productive hydrocarbon source rocks consist of organic matter types I and II₁. The Pr/Ph range is extensive (0.33–2.07), signifying a reducing to slightly oxidizing sedimentary environment. This aligns with the attributes of small fault lake basins, characterized by shallow water and robust hydrodynamics. (4) The low ratio of ∑nC₂₁₋/∑nC₂₂₊ (0.36–0.81), high CPI values (>1.49), and high C₂₉ sterane concentration suggest a substantial terrestrial contribution, with negligible input from aquatic algae–bacterial organic matter. Moreover, as sedimentation duration extends, the contribution from higher plants progressively increases. (5) The ratio of the width of the deep depression zone to the width of the depression in the Erdengsumu sag is less than 0.25. The boundary fault scale is small, its activity is low, and there is not much input from the ground. Most of the source rocks are in the reducing sedimentary environment of the near-lying gently sloping zone. Full article

Ground-level ozone (O₃) pollution is a problem when managing air quality in China, and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are key precursors of O₃ formation. Vegetation type and temperature influence BVOC emissions, yet the differences in emissions across vegetation types and their temperature responses still exhibit significant uncertainties. This study was focused on the Sichuan Basin in China. It used the G95 model to develop a high-resolution BVOC emission inventory, allowing the analysis of emission characteristics for different vegetation types. The study also used a temperature sensitivity algorithm to assess how temperature changes affect BVOC emissions. The impact of these emissions on regional O₃ formation potential (OFP) was then quantified using the OFP method. The results show significant differences in BVOC emissions across vegetation types. Forests at the basin edges (mixed, broad-leaved, and coniferous) have much higher emission intensity (10.5 t/km²) than agricultural areas in the center of the basin (0.15 t/km²). In terms of composition, monoterpenes (MON) mainly dominate mixed and coniferous forests (42.28% and 58.37%, respectively), while isoprene (ISOP) dominates broad-leaved forests (64.02%). The study found that temperature generally increases BVOC emissions, which vary by vegetation type. Broad-leaved forests have the highest temperature sensitivity (3.94%), much higher than agricultural vegetation (0.03%). BVOC emissions exhibit a seasonal pattern of “high in summer, low in winter” and a spatial pattern of “high at the edges, low at the center”. Temperature also influences emission intensity and composition, thus driving variations in the potential for O₃ formation. Seasonally, different vegetation types show structural changes in OFP contribution. Broad-leaved forests, dominated by ISOP, show a significant increase in summer contribution (+8.0%), becoming the main source of O₃ precursors. In contrast, mixed forests, dominated by MON, show a clear decrease in summer contribution (−6.3%). Full article

Background: Current research on healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) institutions is limited. Methods: We utilized the Delphi method to evaluate the validity and feasibility of implementing an HAI surveillance system in TKM hospitals. This involved conducting a systematic literature review and focus group interviews with three infection control experts and five TKM doctors experienced in infection control within TKM hospitals. Based on these findings, we developed a Delphi questionnaire. The survey included a total of fifteen participants: ten TKM doctors and TKM-related policy researchers with infection control expertise, two infection control nurses, and three infectious disease doctors. Results: The survey results indicated strong consensus on the necessity of introducing an HAI surveillance system tailored to TKM hospitals, as well as their integration into the Korean National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance (KONIS) system. Since infectious diseases do not differentiate between acute care hospitals and TKM hospitals, it is reasonable for TKM hospitals to participate in infection surveillance systems. However, the feasibility of implementing HAI surveillance in TKM hospitals remains low due to a lack of awareness regarding infection surveillance, insufficient surveillance personnel, inadequate diagnostic and surveillance infrastructure, and limited policy support for infection control. Therefore, this study proposes a phased approach in which hand hygiene surveillance and safe injection practice monitoring, which received relatively higher consensus on feasibility, should be prioritized to establish the necessary surveillance infrastructure. Subsequently, a stepwise implementation of HAI surveillance can be introduced. Conclusions: Although TKM hospitals generally have a lower risk of HAIs compared to acute care facilities, they lack robust infection control systems and support. To address this gap, TKM hospitals should join the KONIS system. Appointing and training dedicated infection control personnel will enable their participation and enhance overall infection management. Full article

Xiangyang City is the core area of soil erosion in the Han River Basin, with serious problems of soil erosion and a weak soil conservation capacity. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of soil conservation in Xiangyang City, Han River Basin, from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed using the InVEST-SDR model and the PLUS contribution methodology. The results show the following: (1) The amount of soil conservation per unit area in Xiangyang in 2000, 2010, and 2020 was 1.84 × 10⁵ t/km², 1.59 × 10⁵ t/km², and 1.96 × 10⁵ t/km². This was concentrated in some areas, such as Baokang County, Nanzhang County, and Gucheng County. The soil conservation in Zaoyang, Xiangzhou, Yicheng, and Laohekou was relatively low, while the soil conservation capacity in the Xiangcheng and Fancheng areas was weakest. (2) The areas with the highest value of soil conservation were mainly concentrated in the forest areas in the southwest and northwest of Xiangyang, where the vegetation coverage is high and the altitude is low. The areas with low soil conservation were mainly concentrated in the eastern central part of Xiangyang, which is mainly farmland, with less vegetation and relatively flat terrain. (3) The amount of soil conservation is mainly influenced by two factors—vegetation coverage and terrain—indicating that vegetation management strategies should be tailored to local conditions. This article differs from previous watershed research areas by exploring the influencing factors of soil conservation in Xiangyang City and deeply analyzing the changes in importance and the spatiotemporal differentiation of ecosystem service functions. This conclusion can provide data support for environmental management and decision-making in the Xiangyang region, helping to achieve the sustainable development of the regional ecological environment and economic society. Full article

Bee venom acupuncture (BVA) is used in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) for various diseases, but its evaluation within clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) has not been comprehensively reviewed. This study aimed to review TKM-CPGs to characterize the range of conditions for which BVA is recommended, summarize the level of evidence and recommendation grades, and assess the factors influencing the grades. Eighteen TKM-CPGs, including 30 BVA-related recommendations, were identified. Data on targeted diseases/symptoms, treatment protocols, evidence levels, and recommendation grades were extracted. The CPGs recommended BVA for musculoskeletal and neurological disorders in standalone or combined therapy. Most of the evidence for BVA recommendations was evaluated with low to moderate levels based on randomized controlled trials. The grades of recommendations were mostly B or C, indicating that BVA is advisable or potentially beneficial. Although the CPGs offer some guidance on treatment protocols for BVA, there remains a lack of detailed specifications, and we need to conduct additional research to provide evidence. Also, the heterogeneity of recommendations across different CPGs presents a challenge in establishing consistent clinical guidelines. Future research should focus on generating high-quality evidence and standardizing treatment regimens to support more robust recommendations for BVA in TKM clinical practice. Full article

Complexity evaluation of hydro-climatic datasets is a challenging but essential pre-requisite for accurate modeling and subsequent planning. Changes in climate and anthropogenic interventions amplify the complexity of hydro-climatic time-series. Understanding persistence and fractal features may help us to develop new and robust modeling frameworks which can work well under non-stationary and non-linear environments. Classical fractal hydrology, rooted in statistical physics, has been developed since the 1980s and the modern alternatives based on de-trending, complex network, and time–frequency principles have been developed since 2002. More specifically, this review presents the procedures of Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA) and Arbitrary Order Hilbert Spectral Analysis (AOHSA), along with their applications in the field of hydro-climatology. Moreover, this study proposes a complex network-based fractal analysis (CNFA) framework for the multifractal analysis of daily streamflows as an alternative. The case study proves the efficacy of CNMFA and shows that it has the flexibility to be applied in visibility and inverted visibility schemes, which is effective in complex datasets comprising both high- and low-amplitude fluctuations. The comprehensive review showed that more than 75% of the literature focuses on characteristic analysis of the time-series using MFDFA rather than modeling. Among the variables, about 70% of studies focused on analyzing fine-resolution streamflow and rainfall datasets. This study recommends the use of CNMF in hydro-climatology and advocates the necessity of knowledge integration from multiple fields to enhance the multifractal modeling applications. This study further asserts that transforming the characterization into operational hydrology is highly warranted. Full article

This study analyzed the anaerobic co-digestion of inoculum (I), rubber plant effluent (RPE) and Gliricidia leaves slurry (GLS) at different mixing ratios for the simultaneous production of methane and organic fertilizer. The results were analyzed for volatile fatty acids, pH, C/N ratio, and methane production. The organic quality of the substrate mixture before and after anaerobic digestion was analyzed for total organic carbon, total nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus contents. This study concluded that the inoculum, rubber plant effluent (RPE), and Gliricidia leaves slurry (GLS) mixed at the ratio of 10:2:2 showed higher methane production than other experiments conducted at different mixing ratios. The nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus contents of the substrates were increased after anaerobic digestion. However, the organic carbon content in the substrate decreased in all experiments. This research recommends the planting of rubber trees and Gliricidia maculata to promote energy sustainability and the socio-economic development of Mauritania. Full article

Background/objective: The diagnosis and treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) require a systematic and tailored approach. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), pattern-identification tools help analyze clinical information and guide treatment. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the standard tool of pattern identification for functional dyspepsia (STPI-FD) and subsequently assess its reliability and validity. Methods: Common patterns and symptoms were identified through a systematic review of the clinical studies conducted in Korea and China. An importance survey for each pattern and symptom was conducted using the Delphi method and refined through expert consensus. A draft STPI-FD comprising six patterns and 38 items was developed. Ninety-five patients with FD completed the STPI-FD along with the Visual Analog Scale, Total Dyspepsia Symptom scale, Single Dyspepsia Symptom scale, and Functional Dyspepsia-related Quality of Life questionnaire. Results: Two items were excluded from the STPI-FD due to their negative impact on reliability, resulting in a 36-item tool. The revised STPI-FD demonstrated high internal consistency, with an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.942. In contrast, the Cronbach’s alpha values for each pattern ranged from 0.7 to 0.9. To assess its validity, significant differences in the pattern characteristics and associated symptoms were confirmed, indicating its clinical relevance. Statistically significant positive correlations between the revised STPI-FD and other dyspepsia-related scales underscore the differentiation between patterns. Conclusion: The final STPI-FD is a moderately reliable and valid tool for diagnosing specific patterns in FD, supporting the selection of interventions and the evaluation of symptom improvement in patients treated with TKM. Full article

Based on the field survey and reference data of the sea area of the Zhongjieshan Islands from 2021 to 2022, the Ecopath model was used to analyze the energy flow structure of the marine ecosystem of the sea area of the Zhongjieshan Islands; the energy structure of the marine ecosystem was divided into 21 functional groups, and its nutrient structure, energy flow, and total system characteristics were analyzed. The results show that the credibility of the model is 0.414, which is at a medium level. The trophic level of each functional group of the ecosystem in the sea area of Zhongjieshan Islands was 1–3.48, the energy flow structure of the system was mainly concentrated in the first five grades, and the trophic level was relatively simple, with the average energy transfer efficiency of the system being 8.11%, the energy flow range being 2.81–13.04%, the energy transfer efficiency of the primary producers of the system being 7.25%, and the energy conversion efficiency of the system debris being 9.12%. The total system throughput was 2125.96 t·km⁻²; The analysis of the overall characteristics of the ecosystem showed that the system connectance index and the system omnivory index were 0.45 and 0.24, respectively, while the Finn’s cycling index was 8.24, the Finn’s mean path length of the system was 2.72, and the total primary production/total respiration was 1.71. In this study, the marine ecosystem model of the sea area of the Zhongjieshan Islands was studied to understand the trophic structure and ecosystem status of the sea area, which is conducive to the sustainable utilization and scientific management of fishery resources in the sea area. Full article

Analyzing the fluctuations of particulate matter (PM) concentrations and their scaling correlation structures are useful for air quality management. Multifractal characterization of PM2.5 and PM10 of three cities in India wase considered using the detrended fluctuation procedure from 2018 to 2021. The cross-correlation of PM concentration in a multifractal viewpoint using the multifractal cross-correlation analysis (MFCCA) framework is proposed in this study. It was observed that PM2.5 was more multifractal and complex than PM10 at all the locations. The PM–gaseous pollutant (GP) and PM–meteorological variable (MV) correlations across the scales were found to be weak to moderate in different cities. There was no definite pattern in the correlation of PM with different meteorological and gaseous pollutants variables. The nature of correlation in the pairwise associations was found to be of diverse and mixed nature across the time scales and locations. All the time series exhibited multifractality when analyzed pairwise using multifractal cross-correlation analysis. However, there was a reduction in multifractality in individual cases during PM–GP and PM–MV paired analyses. The insights gained into the scaling behavior and cross-correlation structure from this study are valuable for developing prediction models for PMs by integrating them with machine learning techniques. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hwa-byung (HB), traditionally observed in middle-aged Korean women, was investigated among the MZ generation in Republic of Korea to investigate its prevalence, associated factors, and perceptions. Methods: An online survey was conducted with 449 Korean adults in the Republic of Korea born between 1980 and 2005. The participants completed questionnaires that assessed HB symptoms, emotional labor, psychological distress, and HB perceptions. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared tests, t-tests, and bivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of HB in the MZ generation was 36.3%. Significant HB predictors included female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.314), poor subjective health (OR = 3.207), higher HB trait scores (OR = 1.155), depression (OR = 1.145), and state anger (OR = 1.087). Only 44.54% of the participants were aware that HB is a diagnosed mental disorder and 34.97% knew that it could be treated at traditional Korean medicine (TKM) clinics. Despite the limited awareness, 49% expressed interest in TKM treatment for HB, in which acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind–body medicine are the preferred modalities. Conclusions: This study revealed a high HB prevalence among the MZ generation in the Republic of Korea, which challenges traditional perceptions of this syndrome. These findings highlight the need to reevaluate HB conceptualization and treatment approaches for younger generations. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, qualitative investigations of the evolving HB cultural context, and the development of targeted awareness and intervention programs to address this significant mental health issue in contemporary Korean society. Full article

The Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains (NSTM) is characterized by complex and diverse terrain, which represents a fragile ecological environment. Soil wind erosion is a key factor affecting the natural ecosystem and the social development of the region, but it has not been well understood until now. In this study, the revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) was employed to display the spatial and temporal characteristics of soil wind erosion in the NSTM from 2000 to 2018. In addition, the main driving factors of wind erosion were analyzed. The results showed that approximately 94.25% of the NSTM experienced soil wind erosion, with a multi-year average actual soil wind erosion modulus of 6556.40 t·km⁻²·a⁻¹. From 2000 to 2018, the actual soil wind erosion modulus in the NSTM showed a trend of fluctuational increase, with an increase rate of 44.65 t·km⁻²·a⁻², but the area affected by soil wind erosion exhibited a downward trend. The wind erosion rate decreased in 76.38% of the total area, except for some areas such as Hami, with an increasing trend of soil wind erosion. The wind factor in RWEQ showed a significant linear relationship with the soil wind erosion modulus (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). Land use changes also have a critical impact on the soil wind erosion. The results of geographical detectors show that the combined effect of weather factor and vegetation factor can explain more than 60% of the changes in soil wind erosion. Full article

This study presents an integrated approach using organic geochemistry and incident-light organic petrographic microscopy techniques to characterize the kerogen type, hydrocarbon potential, thermal maturity, and effective depositional environment of the Eocene Liushagang Formation intervals in the western Huangtong Sag, eastern Bailian Sag, central Huachang Sub-uplift, and Southern Slope Zone area in the Fushan Depression, Beibuwan Basin. The results show that the hydrocarbon potential of these organic-rich lacustrine shale areas is mainly dependent on the depositional environment and the present-day burial depth of sediments. Oscillations and transitions between (i) rocks with dominant allochthonous organic matter (including primary/reworked vitrinite and inertinite macerals and terrestrial debris particles) representing a large influence of continental sediments (e.g., source supply direction) and (ii) rocks with dominant autochthonous organic matter (e.g., alginite) indicate a distal and stable lacustrine basin depositional environment. The source rock thickness ranges from 40.1 to 387.4 m. The average TOC of the Liushagang Formation in the Fushan Sag is between 0.98% and 2.00%, with the highest organic matter abundance being in the first and second sections of the Liushagang Formation, presenting as high-quality source rocks. The organic matter is predominantly Type II₁ and Type II₂. The highest vitrinite reflectance (1.14%) is in the Huangtong and Bailian Sags. The source rocks of the second section of the Liushagang Formation are primary hydrocarbon generators, contributing 55.11% of the total generation. Hydrocarbon sequestration peaks at %Ro 0.80%, with a maximum efficiency of 97.7%. The cumulative hydrocarbon generation of the Liushagang Formation is 134.10 × 10⁸ tons, with 50.52 × 10⁸ tons having been expelled and 83.58 × 10⁸ tons remaining. E₂L_2X and E₂L_2S have maximum hydrocarbon displacement intensities of 184.22 × 10⁴ t/km² and 45.39 × 10⁴ t/km², respectively, with cumulative displacements of 52.99 × 10⁸ tons and 15.58 × 10⁸ tons. The oil and gas accumulation system is highly prospective, showing significant exploration potential. Full article

Soil erosion (SE) is a critical threat to the sustainable development of ecosystem stability, agricultural productivity, and human society in the context of global environmental and climate change. Particularly in tropical island regions, due to the expansion of human activities and land use/cover changes (LUCCs), the risk of SE has been exacerbated. Combining the RUSLE with machine learning methods, SE spatial patterns, their driving forces and the mechanisms of how LUCCs affect SE, were illustrated. Additionally, the potential impacts of future LUCCs on SE were simulated by using the PLUS model. The main results are as follows: (1) Due to LUCCs, the average soil erosion modulus (SEM) decreased significantly from 108.09 t/(km²·a) in 2000 to 106.75 t/(km²·a) in 2020, a reduction of 1.34 t/(km²·a), mainly due to the transformation of cropland to forest and urban land. (2) The dominant factor affecting the spatial pattern of SE is the LS factor (with relative contributions of 43.9% and 45.17%), followed by land use/cover (LUC) (the relative contribution is 28.46% and 34.89%) in 2000 and 2020, respectively. (3) Three kinds of future scenarios simulation results indicate that the average SEM will decrease by 2.40 t/(km²·a) under the natural development scenario and by 1.86 t/(km²·a) under the ecological protection scenario by 2060. However, under the cropland protection scenario, there is a slight increase in SEM, with an increase of 0.08 t/(km²·a). Sloping cropland erosion control remains a primary issue for Hainan Island in the future. Full article

Postmenopausal women have a higher probability of experiencing cognitive alterations compared to men, suggesting that the decline in female hormones may contribute to cognitive deterioration. Thailand traditionally uses Tri-Kaysorn-Mas (TKM), a blend of three medicinal herbs, as a tonic to stimulate appetite and relieve dyspepsia. Due to its antioxidant and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities, we investigated the effects of TKM (50 and 100 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 8 weeks) on cognitive deficits and their underlying causes in an ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model of menopause. OVX mice showed cognitive impairment in the Y-maze, novel object recognition task (NORT), and Morris water maze (MWM) behavioral tests, along with atrophic changes to the uterus, altered levels of serum 17β-estradiol, and down-regulated expression of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). These behavioral effects were reversed by TKM. TKM decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and mitigated oxidative stress in the brain by enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and by up-regulating the antioxidant-related gene Nrf2 while down-regulating Keap1. TKM also counteracted OVX-induced neurodegeneration by enhancing the expression of the neurogenesis-related genes BDNF and CREB. The results indicate that TKM extract alleviates oxidative brain damage and neurodegeneration while enhancing cognitive behavior in OVX mice, significantly improving cognitive deficiencies related to menopause/ovariectomy through multiple targets. Full article