Search Results (848)

Coxiella burnetii, the etiological agent of Q fever, is a globally distributed zoonotic pathogen and a One Health priority. Despite increasing recognition of wildlife as potential reservoirs, data on C. burnetii circulation in European wild ungulates remain scarce. This study estimated exposure to C. burnetii in free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) from two major hunting regions in east-central and northeastern Portugal and evaluated the performance of a commercial multi-species ELISA in these hosts. Between 2011 and 2021, 279 serum samples (162 wild boar; 117 red deer) from legally hunted animals in Portugal were tested using an indirect multi-species ELISA using an empirical species-specific threshold derived from a Gaussian mixture model. Overall seroprevalence was 6.8% (CI 95%; 3.4–11.8) in wild boar and 13.7% (CI 95%; 8.0–21.3) in red deer, with higher exposure in wild boar from Beira Baixa (east-central Portugal) than from Trás-os-Montes (northeastern Portugal). The manufacturer’s ruminant cut-off classified almost no animals as seropositive (0.6% and 2.6%, respectively) and showed slight to fair agreement with the species-specific thresholds, underscoring the need for validated, wildlife-appropriate diagnostic criteria. These findings confirm exposure to C. burnetii in both species, suggesting their possible involvement in local maintenance of the pathogen at the wildlife–livestock–human interface. The results reinforce the value of integrating wildlife surveillance into national Q fever surveillance and control strategies to safeguard both public health and livestock production within a One Health context. Full article

Despite effective viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART), people with HIV (PWH) remain at increased risk of neurocognitive impairment and persistent neuroinflammation. Although neurons are not infected by HIV, they remain susceptible to the indirect effects of chronic infection, including exposure to viral proteins, inflammatory mediators, and glial dysfunction. The resulting neuronal injury is thought to contribute to the development and persistence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in the ART era. This review examines the impact of chronic HIV infection on neuronal function, highlighting mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction driven by both viral-dependent and viral-independent pathways. We discuss the role of central nervous system viral reservoirs, neuroimmune interactions, and the neurotoxic effects of HIV proteins including Tat, gp120, and Nef. We further explore how chronic HIV infection influences synaptic integrity, neuronal metabolism, and age-related neurodegeneration. Finally, we highlight emerging biomarkers and therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving neuronal function. By integrating current evidence on both viral-dependent and viral-independent mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps and future research priorities aimed at preserving neuron function and improving neurological outcomes in PWH. Full article

Lake Nasser represents Egypt’s principal strategic freshwater reservoir; however, its long-term phytoplankton dynamics at the basin scale remain insufficiently characterized. This study presents a detailed spatiotemporal investigation of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) variability across the reservoir during the 2002–2020 period using exclusively MODIS-Aqua Level-3 satellite observations. As no concurrent in situ measurements were available for validation, the reported values are treated as satellite-derived Chl-a estimates rather than direct observations of phytoplankton biomass. A non-parametric statistical approach, incorporating the Mann–Kendall test, Theil–Sen slope estimator, coefficient of variation (CV), and relative anomaly analysis, was used to characterize pixel-level climatology and temporal trends. The findings demonstrate that the reservoir exhibits pronounced spatial heterogeneity and a well-defined bimodal seasonal pattern associated with the annual Blue Nile flood pulse during August–October and winter convective mixing processes between November and February. Although annual-scale analysis did not indicate a statistically significant monotonic trend, seasonal investigations revealed strongly contrasting temporal responses throughout the year. At the pixel level, significant increases dominated ten of the twelve calendar months, from September through June, with median slopes among significant pixels of +0.36 to +1.47 mg m⁻³ yr⁻¹. July and August reversed this pattern, combining significant declines along the northern and central main channel with the steepest increases in the record at the extreme southern inflow. The directional contrast was unaffected by control of the false discovery rate within each calendar month (q = 0.05), which retained 66% of the significant pixels. Summer conditions were additionally marked by substantial temporal variability (CV > 60%) and pronounced positive anomalies, reaching +274.51% during August. Notably, these anomalies were spatially concentrated within the central and southern sectors of the reservoir, rather than within the conventionally productive northern region. This spatial redistribution, together with the broad enrichment tendency indicated by the pixel-level trends, points to an intensification of the summer maximum within the southern inflow zone and to a possible emergence of localized eutrophication risk, a hypothesis that requires confirmation through concurrent nutrient, transparency, and dissolved-oxygen observations. Overall, the study provides valuable geospatial insights for the environmental management of Lake Nasser, emphasizing the importance of implementing targeted early-warning systems for harmful algal bloom monitoring. The results also demonstrate the critical role of satellite-based Earth observation technologies in supporting adaptive water resource management under evolving climatic and hydrological conditions. Full article

This paper offers a diachronic and ecoanthropological analysis of the existence, function, and treatment of sacred waters within Macedonian monasteries, from the High Middle Ages and Byzantine rule (eleventh century) to the National Revival period of the nineteenth century. Across this centuries-long span, the sanctity of water underwent a significant ontological and spatial transformation, shaped by complex relationships of ecclesiastic, cultural, historical, social and political factors. The paper’s central argument traces a shift from a strictly ecclesiastic and theological framework toward a vernacularized, folkloric sacrality of the water. In the medieval period, the sanctity of water depended chiefly on the liturgical act of epiclesis, the institutionalized consecration effected through invocation of the Holy Spirit, whereas in the period from the late 18th to the beginning of the 20th century happened an unprecedented proliferation of localized “holy water” springs. Their sanctity was regarded as immanent, independent of sacerdotal phenomena. Where medieval hagiasmata were dedicated predominantly to the Theotokos and to the Life-giving Spring (Baloukli), the 19th century brought a marked democratization of sacred waters. The sacral topography of monasteries came to include springs dedicated to a wide pantheon of saints or to specific days of the week (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday waters, associated with St. Paraskevi, St. Nedela/Kyriaki, St. George, and St. Demetrius). This diversification finds little grounding in official theological doctrine; its sources lie instead in the deep syncretism of folk religion and in enduring traces of pre-Christian belief. Read through an ecoanthropological lens, the paper argues that the sacralization of water functioned not only as a religious phenomenon but also as a cultural mechanism for establishing a sustainable, reciprocal relationship between human communities and the natural environment. Sacred springs operated as biocultural reservoirs in which spiritual ethics contributed directly to the long-term conservation of vital hydrological resources and sacred landscapes. Full article

Carboniferous volcanic reservoirs are widely developed in the central part and surrounding areas of the Junggar Basin. These reservoirs are closely associated with underlying Carboniferous and overlying Permian major source rocks, providing favorable source–reservoir configurations. Determining the hydrocarbon sources of the Carboniferous System is therefore critical for understanding hydrocarbon accumulation mechanisms. In this study, the Fukang Sag and Penyijingxi Sag in the central basin and the Wucaiwan Sag, Dinan Uplift, and Zhongguai Uplift in the surrounding areas were selected as research targets. Based on a systematic analysis of geochemical characteristics of source rocks, biomarker compounds and stable isotopes were integrated to conduct oil–source and gas–source correlation studies for Carboniferous petroleum systems. The results show significant variations in hydrocarbon sources among different tectonic units. Carboniferous crude oils in the central basin are mainly derived from Permian source rocks, with minor contributions from Carboniferous source rocks. In contrast, Carboniferous oils in the Wucaiwan Sag are mainly sourced from Carboniferous source rocks, whereas those in the Zhongguai and Dinan Uplifts are primarily derived from Permian source rocks. Natural gases in the Penyijingxi Sag and Dinan Uplift are mainly supplied by Permian source rocks, while gases in the Fukang Sag and Wucaiwan Sag are predominantly derived from Carboniferous source rocks. Overall, the Carboniferous petroleum system in the central and marginal areas of the Junggar Basin exhibits mixed-source characteristics, with significant differences in dominant source strata among tectonic units. Further analysis indicates that Carboniferous oils in the central basin and Dinan Uplift are mainly sourced from Permian source rocks. The Wucaiwan Sag is dominated by Carboniferous-derived hydrocarbons. For gas–source correlation, gases in the Penyijingxi Sag and Dinan Uplift are mainly derived from Permian source rocks, whereas those in the Fukang Sag and Wucaiwan Sag originate primarily from Carboniferous source rocks. However, gases in the Zhongguai Uplift show poor correlation with known source rocks in the area. Full article

Ticks are among the most important arthropod vectors affecting human and animal health worldwide. We present a set of globally harmonized indicators integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability associated with human-biting ticks and with two major tick-borne pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme borreliosis), and Orthonairovirus haemorrhagiae (Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, CCHFV). Hazard indices were derived from the distributions of confirmed vector tick species. Exposure was incorporated through rural human population density, livestock density, and the abundance of competent vertebrate reservoirs and/or amplification hosts, as applicable. Vulnerability was assessed using country-level indicators related to healthcare accessibility, socioeconomic development, and demographic dependency. The indices show spatially structured global patterns. Tick hazard is concentrated in eastern North America, Europe, Central and East Asia; Africa displays fragmented but substantial hotspots. The B. burgdorferi s.l. index is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, following the distribution of Ixodes spp. and associated reservoir communities, with highest exposure in Europe and North America. The CCHFV index is confined to the Old World, extending from the Mediterranean region through the Middle East and Central Asia into Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting the distribution of Hyalomma ticks and ungulates. The vulnerability indicators highlight regional patterns of high exposure and limited adaptive capacity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. Our framework provides the first global set of harmonized, high-resolution indices integrating vector ecology, reservoir communities, exposure, and vulnerability for major tick-borne diseases of humans. It offers a flexible platform for comparative epidemiology, surveillance prioritization, and public health decision-making at multiple administrative scales. Full article

Quantifying groundwater depletion and aquifer–stream interactions in intensively irrigated basins remains a critical challenge for sustainable water management. This study numerically examines these issues in the San Joaquin River Basin (SJRB) using the coupled SWAT+ gwflow framework. To manage computational demands across the 28,435 km² basin, upland contributing areas were represented as inlet point sources at five gauging stations at the outlets of each of the upstream subbasins, reducing computational cost by ~45% while preserving hydrological fidelity. A fine-resolution (300 m × 300 m) model was developed for the downstream valley floor, with release from reservoirs and mountain-block runoff incorporated as a surface boundary condition. We applied the water allocation module gwflow to withdraw water from the aquifer to satisfy crop water stress based on user-defined crop water coefficient values and compared the simulated and observed spatially distributed groundwater head values. Results show a persistent decline in groundwater storage and water levels from 2006 to 2022, with extraction exceeding recharge by ~40%, resulting in an average annual storage loss of 450,175 acre-feet. Intensive pumping also caused hydraulic disconnection between groundwater and some streams, where pronounced cones of depression developed in Turlock, Merced, and western Madera subregions. These findings indicate that targeted managed aquifer recharge and reductions in groundwater extraction in the most severely depleted subregions, are essential to restore aquifer–stream connectivity and ensure long-term water security in the SJRB. Overall, integrating gwflow with SWAT+ provides critical insights into groundwater dynamics in California’s Central Valley and supports sustainable groundwater management. Full article

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration and chronic neuroinflammation in the brain and spinal cord, involving complex interactions between neurons and immune cells. Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) has pathophysiological relevance due to its ability to detoxify reactive carbonyl species, including α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, scavenge free radicals, and chelate zinc, and has also been proposed to function in the central nervous system as a histidine reservoir for histamine synthesis. Here, we investigated the effects of carnosine supplementation on the cerebellar proteome of SOD1^G93A ALS rats using quantitative proteomics. Carnosine treatment extensively remodeled mitochondrial, antioxidant, and synaptic vesicle-trafficking protein networks and increased the abundance of glutamatergic and GABAergic receptor subunits relative to untreated ALS animals, with several of these changes exceeding wild-type levels. Pathway enrichment analyses identified significant up-regulation of Rab-mediated vesicle trafficking, synaptic vesicle cycling, and neurotransmitter transport/secretion pathways, alongside a partial reduction in RNA splicing and proteasomal subunits that were elevated in untreated ALS animals. Cross-comparison with the ALS-associated proteomic signature revealed that most carnosine-responsive proteins followed, rather than reversed, the direction of disease-associated change, indicating that carnosine predominantly potentiates an endogenous compensatory program rather than restoring a wild-type-like proteome. Collectively, these findings show that carnosine drives systems-level remodeling of mitochondrial and synaptic networks in the ALS cerebellum, identifying candidate compensatory pathways and supporting further functional validation of carnosine as a component of multimodal therapeutic strategies in ALS. Full article

A central challenge in implantable local-delivery systems is to determine how internal device architecture shapes solute transport before drug-specific loading, release, and biological validation are available. This study examines the reservoir–channel architecture of the previously characterized KTD/KTM Ti-6Al-4V capsule platform and evaluates its effect on diffusion-dominated concentration redistribution in a preliminary finite-element model. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was used for qualitative characterization of the as-fabricated internal architecture, whereas the representative computational geometry was defined from the capsule computer-aided design (CAD) concept and previously reported dimensions. Transport of a nominal, fully dissolved species was modeled in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.2 using Fickian diffusion with a prescribed effective diffusion coefficient (D_eff = 1 × 10⁻⁹ m²/s) and a nominal peak initial concentration scale of 1.0 mol/m³. Under the closed no-flux condition, the internal control-point concentration decreased to near zero within approximately 4 h, while the remote outer control point reached approximately 0.002–0.003 mol/m³ by 6 h. A one-sided Dirichlet sink produced a more directional concentration field, demonstrating the sensitivity of the simulated distribution to geometry and boundary conditions. These results describe an idealized, CAD-informed diffusion problem and do not represent experimentally validated drug-release kinetics, therapeutic concentrations, or biological performance. The model is therefore intended as a design-phase framework for guiding subsequent drug-specific transport and experimental validation studies. Full article

Geological CO₂ storage represents one of the main strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions within the framework of global energy transition. This study presents an integrated workflow for assessing the geological CO₂ storage potential of the Mugrosa Formation in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin (Colombia). The methodology integrates multicriteria analysis, seismic interpretation, sedimentological and petrophysical characterization, three-dimensional geocellular modeling, geomechanical analysis, and fault seal evaluation using Shale Gouge Ratio (SGR) approach to assess reservoir-seal integrity and storage feasibility. Based on regional evaluation, two targets were selected: North and Central Structures. Seismic interpretation identified faulted anticline traps associated with reverse faults within a compressional regime, revealing different degrees of reservoir compartmentalization. Petrophysical characterization showed a predominance of clay-rich facies, with shale volume > 90% in some intervals, limiting reservoir quality and restricting storage potential to discrete sandy bodies. Reservoir intervals exhibit effective porosity from 13–15% and permeability between 500–800 mD. Geomechanical analysis allowed the evaluation of system stability under injection conditions, main faults are close to critical reactivation conditions, although they remain stable under moderate injection pressures. High SGR values (>0.75) suggest favorable fault-sealing capacity. Storage feasibility is controlled by the balance between reservoir quality, structural integrity, and geomechanical behavior. The integrated workflow provides a robust framework for subsurface integrity assessment and early-stage screening of geological CO₂ storage prospects in structurally complex sedimentary basins. Full article

The phytoplankton community, which forms the base of aquatic food webs, plays a central role in ecosystem functioning and accounts for most primary production in aquatic systems, particularly in lentic environments. However, climate change and chemical pollution, especially herbicides, pose increasing threats to its structure and functioning. We hypothesized that herbicide exposure would alter both structural and functional attributes of the phytoplankton community, with primary production responding more strongly than community structure. This experimental study evaluated the effects of two widely used herbicides, atrazine and 2,4-D, applied individually and in combination, on a phytoplankton community maintained at a fixed elevated temperature representative of the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway SSP2-4.5 scenario described in the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Because temperature was not experimentally varied, the study was designed to assess herbicide responses under this fixed elevated thermal condition rather than warming effects or herbicide–temperature interactions. Phytoplankton samples collected from an artificial urban reservoir were exposed to six treatments, including a control, comprising different nominal concentrations of atrazine (32 and 64 µg L⁻¹) and 2,4-D (150 and 500 µg L⁻¹), applied alone or in mixture, in a completely randomized design with 10 independent replicates per treatment. Throughout the experiment, all samples were maintained under identical experimental conditions: a constant temperature of 31.8 °C, an irradiance of 140 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, and a 12 h light/12 h dark photoperiod. Response variables included density, taxonomic composition, biomass (chlorophyll a), and primary production (net photosynthesis). The results showed that herbicide treatment altered taxonomic composition and was associated with a marginal response in density but had no significant effects on species richness, diversity, evenness, dominance, or biomass. In contrast, net photosynthesis was the only functional variable significantly affected by herbicide treatments, with post hoc comparisons revealing lower values in the Mixture treatment than in the 2,4-D High treatment. Overall, these findings suggest a decoupling between community structure and phytoplankton functional performance following exposure to atrazine and 2,4-D under a thermal condition representative of the SSP2-4.5 climate scenario, with net photosynthesis appearing more sensitive than conventional structural descriptors. Full article

The Sinian Dengying Formation reservoirs in the Anyue Gas Field, Sichuan Basin, exhibit extreme heterogeneity. The existing karst geomorphological classification is too coarse to account for the significant differences in high-quality reservoir scale and productivity observed among adjacent wells within the same third- to fourth-order karst geomorphic units. To accurately predict the distribution of high-quality reservoirs, it is essential to reveal the precise mechanisms by which low-order micro-geomorphology controls paleokarstification and reservoir development. Based on 3D seismic data, core samples, thin sections, Formation MicroScanner (FMI) images, and geochemical analysis of data from the Gaoshiti–Moxi area, this study investigates how various micro-geomorphic units control karstification from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives and subsequently analyzes their reservoir-controlling mechanisms. The results indicate the following: (1) The paleogeomorphology at the top of the Dengying Formation was restored using the impression method with a decompaction correction. A classification standard for micro-geomorphology at the top of the fourth member of the Dengying Formation (Z₂dn⁴) dolostone was established, identifying ten micro-geomorphic units, including coastal plains, river channels, and terraces. (2) Micro-geomorphic morphology dictates the distribution of the paleokarst hydrodynamic field, thereby controlling the intensity of karstification. River channels, terraces, and coastal plains, characterized by strong hydrodynamics, are the most favorable micro-geomorphic units. Inclined plains, with moderate hydrodynamics, are secondary favorable units. Conversely, concave plains and karst hills, with weak hydrodynamics and slow water alternation, are unfavorable units. (3) Six models of high-quality reservoir development, dominated by micro-geomorphic units in both intra-platform and platform-margin settings, were constructed, emphasizing the multi-element coupling of “strong karstification–40%–60% microfacies–faults”. This study reveals that micro-geomorphology is the key factor controlling the development of Z₂dn⁴ karst reservoirs. Predicting sweet spots by superimposing sedimentary facies and fault distributions onto micro-geomorphic maps can effectively improve the drilling success rate and development efficiency of deep carbonate reservoirs. Full article

Accurate oil saturation evaluation is critical for shale oil sweet-spot prediction and reserve assessment, but conventional resistivity-based interpretation is commonly challenged in clay-rich lacustrine shale oil reservoirs. In some favorable shale intervals, high oil-bearing potential is accompanied by low resistivity, which weakens the applicability of Archie-type saturation models and may lead to underestimation of oil saturation. To clarify the origin of this abnormal electrical response and improve saturation interpretation, this study investigates the upper fourth member of the Shahejie Formation in the Boxing Sag, Jiyang Sub-basin. Core description, thin-section observation, XRD mineral composition, porosity, measured oil saturation, TOC, S1 and conventional logging data were integrated to establish a core-calibrated and SOM-based reservoir classification workflow. Using GR, AC, CNL, DEN, Rt and Rs as input curves, the shale oil reservoirs were divided into Type I, Type II and Type III classes. Type I reservoirs exhibit better pore development and hydrocarbon enrichment, with mean porosity, oil saturation, TOC and S1 values of 4.95%, 59.18%, 2.21 wt% and 2.77 mg/g, respectively. However, their mean Rt is only 22.75 Ω·m, much lower than that of Type III reservoirs. This response defines a typical “three-high and one-low” logging pattern, characterized by high GR, high AC, high CNL and low resistivity. The resistivity-reversal behavior is mainly associated with clay-related conduction and relatively higher absolute water content, whereas organic matter and pyrite do not form continuous conductive pathways in the studied interval. Based on this mechanism, a class-dependent electrical–non-electrical log fusion model was developed by combining clay-corrected electrical saturation with neutron–density saturation constraints. Compared with the single electrical model and single non-electrical model, which yield mean absolute errors of 12.65 and 13.84 percentage points, respectively, the proposed fusion model reduces the error to 8.88 percentage points. Application to more than 40 wells identifies the central–western part of the Boxing Sag as the most favorable shale oil sweet-spot area. The cumulative thickness of Type I reservoirs generally exceeds 100 m in this area and locally reaches more than 150 m. The proposed workflow provides a practical method for identifying favorable low-resistivity lacustrine shale oil reservoirs using conventional logging data. Full article

Riparian land use and land cover (LULC) exerts scale- and season-dependent controls on surface water quality, yet its influence in regulated agricultural–urban rivers is poorly characterized. We combined seasonal t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and redundancy analysis (RDA) at three riparian buffer scales (500, 1000, and 2000 m) to examine discharge, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, turbidity, and pH at four USGS stations along the Kansas River mainstem (2019–2026). DO and temperature showed the strongest seasonal contrasts: DO was 3.1–3.7 mg/L higher in the dry season and temperature 13–15 °C higher in the wet season, a coupling central to aquatic habitat suitability. Turbidity rose significantly in the wet season, consistent with agricultural runoff and sediment mobilization, whereas discharge showed no significant seasonal difference at three of four stations, reflecting upstream reservoir regulation. Spatial ANOVA detected station-level differences only for wet-season DO ($F_{3,28}=4.91$, $p=0.007$), which was lowest at the downstream urbanized station. RDA linked agricultural cover to turbidity and urban cover to reduced wet-season DO, although permutation tests were non-significant ($p\ge 0.42$) at $n=4$ replicates. Seasonality and riparian LULC jointly shape water quality along this regulated river, and the 500 m buffer is the most spatially discriminating scale for land-cover assessment. Full article

Long-term displacement in ultra-high rockfill dams is spatially heterogeneous, yet point-based monitoring and single-track InSAR provide only a limited account of its three-dimensional evolution. To address this limitation, we develop a workflow combining multi-track three-dimensional InSAR reconstruction, temporal feature clustering and modified HST/HTT modeling. In the modified models, the conventional linear time term is replaced by a predominant displacement component, allowing nonlinear long-term behavior to be represented alongside hydraulic and thermal responses. Three Sentinel-1 tracks acquired between 2014 and 2023 were used to analyze the Pubugou Dam. Maximum vertical and eastward displacement rates reached 17.70 and 19.41 mm/yr, respectively, while cumulative vertical displacement reached approximately 178 mm. Three coherent displacement zones were resolved: the upper dam was dominated by long-term accumulation, the central section displayed the strongest periodic response, and the lower dam and abutments remained comparatively stable. The modified models reproduced the observed series more closely in sample than the conventional formulations, while the fitted coefficients indicated a stronger and more spatially variable response to reservoir level than to air temperature. This integrated analysis provides a spatially resolved account of long-term displacement and environmental response across an ultra-high rockfill dam. Full article