Search Results (320)

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a chronic autoinflammatory disorder characterized by sustained systemic inflammation that may affect cardiac structure and function. Colchicine is the cornerstone of FMF therapy and has cardiovascular benefits in inflammatory settings. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 106 participants: 53 patients with FMF receiving long-term colchicine therapy and 53 age- and sex-matched controls. Participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography with speckle-tracking imaging. Conventional parameters and strain-derived indices of the left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function were assessed. Correlation analyses and multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between FMF presence and cardiac strain parameters. Results: The LV ejection fractions were comparable between the groups. The FMF group showed thinner ventricular walls and larger chamber dimensions than the control group. Patients with FMF exhibited higher LA reservoir strain, while conduit and contractile atrial contributions were reduced, as shown by lower passive and active emptying fractions and reduced LA ejection fraction. LA volumes and stiffness indices were lower in the FMF group, indicating smaller and more compliant atrial structures. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) was more negative in patients with FMF, indicating preserved LV longitudinal systolic function. FMF was independently associated with LVGLS and LA strain parameters after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: In patients with FMF receiving long-term colchicine therapy, cardiac strain imaging showed preserved LV longitudinal function and distinct LA mechanics with preserved reservoir strain but reduced conduit and contractile function. Strain echocardiography may provide insights into cardiac involvement in well-controlled FMF, although prospective studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of these findings. Full article

This study presents the development and validation of a high-speed optical data acquisition system for detecting and characterizing hydrodynamic cavitation downstream of a triangular nozzle. The system integrates a PIN photodiode, a transimpedance amplifier, and a high-sampling-rate microcontroller. Its performance was first evaluated using controlled sinusoidal signals, and statistical stability was assessed as a function of the number of acquired samples. Experiments were subsequently conducted in a converging–diverging conduit under biphasic flow conditions, where mean irradiance, standard deviation, and frequency spectra were analyzed downstream of the nozzle. The optical signal distributions revealed transitions in flow behavior associated with cavitation development, which were quantified through statistical metrics and spectral features. The Strouhal number was estimated from dominant frequencies extracted from the spectra, exhibiting a non-monotonic dependence on the Reynolds number, consistent with changes in flow structure and turbulence intensity. Spectral analysis further indicated frequency bands associated with energy transfer across turbulent scales and bubble dynamics. Overall, the results demonstrate that the proposed optical system constitutes a viable and non-intrusive methodology for detecting and characterizing cavitation intensity in a way that complements other optical and acoustic methods. Full article

Faults and fractures play a critical role in subsurface systems; they may act as hydrocarbon traps, compartmentalize reservoirs, or serve as conduits for fluid migration across stratigraphic intervals. Consequently, fault delineation from seismic data plays a key role in reservoir characterization. This study presents a workflow for generating ant-tracking attribute volumes using multiple structural attributes to enhance fault/fracture delineation. Our results were thereafter validated with formation microimager (FMI) data. The workflow involves a sequential process comprising seismic data conditioning, structural attribute computation, and ant-tracking volume generation. Variance, curvature, and amplitude contrast attributes were calculated on conditioned 3D seismic data and subsequently used as input for the ant-tracking process. Parameter optimization was conducted through an iterative process of varying individual parameters and qualitatively assessing the results against key seismic features in both vertical sections and time slices. The ant-tracking volumes generated from individual attribute volumes were integrated to produce a composite volume, which served as input for automatic fault extraction. The resultant fault patch orientations were consistent with the formation microimager (FMI) log orientations. The integration of multiple structural attributes within the ant-tracking workflow significantly enhanced fault and fracture delineation by leveraging the complementary strengths of each attribute. Full article

The detection of underground cavities and dissolution features is a critical component in assessing geohazards within karst terrains, particularly where natural processes interact with long-term human occupation. This study investigates two contrasting sites in the Sefrou region of northern Morocco: Binna, a rural travertine-dolomite system shaped by Quaternary karstification, and the urban Old Medina of Bhalil, where traditional cave dwellings are carved into carbonate formations. A combined geophysical and geological approach was applied to characterize subsurface heterogeneities and assess the extent of near-surface void development. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) at Binna site delineated high-resistivity anomalies consistent with air-filled cavities, dissolution conduits, and brecciated limestone horizons, all indicative of an active karst system. In the Bhalil old Medina site, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with low-frequency antennas revealed strong reflection contrasts and localized signal attenuation zones corresponding to shallow natural cavities and potential anthropogenic excavations beneath densely constructed areas. Geological observations, including lithostratigraphic logging and structural cross-sections, provided additional constraints on cavity geometry, depth, and spatial distribution. The integrated results highlight a high degree of subsurface karstification across both sites and underscore the associated geotechnical risks for infrastructure, cultural heritage, and land-use stability. This work demonstrates the value of combining electrical and radar methods with geological analysis for mapping hazardous subsurface voids in cavity-prone Quaternary landscapes, offering essential insights for risk mitigation and sustainable urban and rural planning. Full article

Peripheral nerve injuries, particularly those involving the sciatic nerve, remain a major clinical challenge due to incomplete functional recovery and the limited translation of preclinical advances into effective therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the phase-specific evaluation of sciatic nerve regeneration in preclinical models, integrating behavioral, sensory, electrophysiological, and morphological approaches across the acute, subacute (Wallerian degeneration), early regenerative, and late regenerative phases. By mapping functional readouts onto the underlying biological events of each phase, we highlight how tools such as the Sciatic Functional Index, Beam Walk test, Rotarod test, nerve conduction studies, and nociceptive assays provide complementary and often non-interchangeable information about motor, sensory, and neuromuscular recovery. We further examine emerging therapeutic strategies, including intraoperative electrical stimulation, immunomodulation, platelet-rich plasma, bioengineered scaffolds, conductive and piezoelectric conduits, exosome-based hydrogels, tacrolimus delivery systems, and small molecules, emphasizing the importance of aligning their mechanisms of action with the dynamic microenvironment of peripheral nerve repair. Despite substantial advancements in experimental models, an analysis of publication trends and registries reveals a persistent translational gap, with remarkably few clinical trials relative to the high volume of preclinical studies. To illustrate how mechanistic insights can be complemented by molecular-level characterization, we also present a targeted computational analysis of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA,) including frontier orbital energies, physicochemical descriptors, and docking interactions with IL-6, TGF-β, and a growth-factor receptor—performed solely for this molecule due to its documented structural availability and relevance. By presenting an integrated, phase-specific framework for functional assessment and therapeutic evaluation, this review underscores the need for standardized, biologically aligned methodologies to improve the rigor, comparability, and clinical relevance of future studies in sciatic nerve regeneration. Full article

Background: Anastomotic leak (AL) after esophagectomy remains a devastating complication. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography may mitigate this risk by enabling perfusion-guided anastomotic site selection. This study evaluates the feasibility of quantitative ICG angiography using the SPY-PHI QP^® system (Stryker AB, Malmö, Sweden) during gastric conduit reconstruction. Methods: Six patients undergoing esophagectomy (Ivor Lewis/McKeown) after neoadjuvant therapy were retrospectively identified. ICG angiography was performed intraoperatively, with perfusion at the gastric conduit quantified as a relative perfusion ratio (RPR) using the first duodenal segment as the reference (100%). Anastomotic sites were selected based on maximal RPR (threshold > 80%). Postoperative outcomes included AL incidence (radiological/clinical), complications (Clavien–Dindo), and 90-day mortality. Results: All patients (median age: 69 years) underwent successful perfusion assessment. Adenocarcinoma predominated (50%, 3/6), with most tumours at the gastroesophageal junction (Siewert II: 66%). Intraoperative RPR at anastomotic sites ranged from 80% to 100%. No anastomotic leaks occurred. Complications included Clavien–Dindo grade II (n = 3; respiratory infections) and grade IV (n = 2; reintubation). There was no 90-day mortality. Conclusions: Quantitative ICG angiography using the SPY-PHI QP^® system facilitated perfusion-guided anastomosis with no leaks observed. Standardising perfusion assessment based on an RPR threshold of >80% may enhance surgical safety, though larger studies are needed to validate these findings. Full article

Exceptionally high chlorine contents (up to 1.57%) occur in the Middle Jurassic coal seams of the Sha’erhu area, Turpan–Hami Basin, Northwest China, making this coalfield one of the most Cl-enriched coal occurrences reported in China. However, the occurrence modes and enrichment pathways of chlorine in such coals remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we integrated coal quality analyses, mineralogical characterization (XRD and SEM–EDS), geochemical measurements (XRF and ICP–MS), and an integrated Sequential Chemical Extraction Procedure–High-Temperature Combustion Hydrolysis approach to systematically elucidate the occurrence forms and enrichment processes of chlorine in the Sha’erhu coals. The results indicate that chlorine predominantly occurs in water-soluble form (78.3%–84.7% of total Cl), followed by a minor adsorbed fraction, whereas carbonate-bound and organic/silicate-bound Cl are negligible. The mineral assemblages and geochemical indicators jointly suggest that the coal seams were deposited in a semi-closed, strongly evaporative lacustrine–peat mire system, which subsequently experienced structurally controlled brine intrusion. Chlorine enrichment is attributed to the combined effects of primary evaporative concentration, externally sourced brines migrating through tectonic conduits, and diagenetic fluid activities. This study provides an important case for understanding the genesis of High-chlorine coals in continental basins. Full article

The iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) skarns of the Tatatila-Las Minas mining district in central Mexico represent a structurally-controlled, exhumed fossil geothermal system located in the eastern sector of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). The district was historically exploited for gold and copper mineralization. The emplacement of the ore bodies was controlled by regional Neogene–Quaternary NE- and NW-striking fault systems formed during the extensional evolution of the TMVB. These faults acted as conduits for high-temperature hydrothermal fluids circulating during the cooling of the Neogene magmatic intrusions. By integrating detailed field study with available exploration borehole data, the spatial distribution of the skarn bodies was reconstructed. Three main emplacement geometries were identified: (a) at contacts between magmatic bodies and host rocks, (b) as lenticular or irregular bodies parallel to the host rock foliation, and (c) at the intersections of near-orthogonal faults. Although structural controls on skarn formation represent a key factor in ore emplacement, their analysis remains scarcely explored. This paper therefore contributes to filling this gap by providing a detailed characterization of the structural framework governing IOCG skarn development at Tatatila–Las Minas. The results improve understanding of IOCG systems formation and provide predictive criteria for mineral exploration in similar geological settings, potentially reducing exploration and mining risks. Full article

Member 2 of the Xujiahe Formation in the Anyue area of the Sichuan Basin exhibits significant resource potential for tight sandstone gas. However, its characteristic of “extensive gas presence with localized enrichment” leads to substantial variations in single-well productivity, challenges in target zone optimization, and unclear enrichment mechanisms, which hinder efficient exploration and development. This study proposes a hierarchical classification scheme of “two-level, six-type” source–reservoir structures based on the developmental characteristics of fault–fracture systems and vertical source–reservoir configurations. The gas-bearing heterogeneity is quantitatively characterized using parameters such as effective gas layer thickness, charge intensity, and effective gas layer probability, thereby revealing the differential enrichment mechanisms of tight sandstone gas controlled by source–reservoir structures. Our key findings include the following: (1) Member 2 of the Xujiahe Formation develops six subtypes of source–reservoir structures grouped into two levels, with gas-bearing capacities ranked as follows: source–reservoir separation type > source–reservoir adjacent type I > source–reservoir adjacent type II. Among these, the source–reservoir separation type (Level I) and fault–fracture conduit type (Level II) represent the most favorable structures for gas enrichment. (2) Tight sandstone gas enrichment is governed by a tripartite synergistic mechanism: hydrocarbon supply from source rocks, vertical cross-layer migration dominated by fault–fracture systems, and reservoir storage capacity determined by fracture density and reservoir thickness. (3) Three enrichment models are established: (i) a strong enrichment model characterized by “multi-layer source rocks beneath the reservoir, cross-layer migration, and thick fractured reservoirs”; (ii) a moderate enrichment model defined by “single-layer source rocks, localized migration, and medium-thick fractured reservoirs”; and (iii) a weak enrichment model featuring “single-layer hydrocarbon supply, pore-throat migration, and thin tight reservoirs.” This research provides a theoretical basis for optimizing exploration targets in Member 2 of the Xujiahe Formation in the Anyue area and offers insights applicable to analogous continental tight gas reservoirs. Full article

Fascia research suffers from definitional fragmentation, with no universal agreement about what fascia actually is, why it matters, or how to define it. Researchers often pursue lines of inquiry based on their existing expertise, yet traditional and newer approaches that might resolve these issues frequently conflict. To address this challenge, the authors use a hermeneutic framework to integrate their combined half century of anatomical experience with a narrative literature synthesis. They propose that fascia functions as a stochastic morphogenetic field rather than a discrete anatomical system, a stochastic process displaying opportunistic dynamics at atomic, molecular, and cellular scales that produces deterministic mechanical properties at macroscopic tissue levels. Four key conclusions emerge: (1) anatomical “virtual spaces” are hyaluronic acid (HA)–tissue manifolds tightly coupled with calcium coordination; (2) fascia functions as a stochastic morphogenetic field where clinically and educationally relevant deterministic patterns emerge; (3) a conceptual framework for context-flexible fascial nomenclature; (4) hermeneutic approaches enable synthesis across theoretical domains. The conclusions support the understanding of HA-mediated EMT/MET plasticity and its “Go or Grow” phenotypes as central conduits for both healing and cancer progression. Understanding the stochastic nature of fascia is thus essential for physicians as well as clinicians in the allied health setting. Optimal fascia-aware movement and manual therapy interventions are those that recognize fascia as a self-adapting morphogenetic field. Full article

The Muji carbonic springs on the northeastern margin of the Pamir Plateau provide a natural window into tectonically controlled CO₂ degassing within a continental collision zone. Through mineralogical and geochemical analyses, this study constrains the formation mechanisms and regional geological significance of carbonic spring systems. The formed deposits are dominated by calcite and aragonite, with minor dolomite, quartz, and gypsum. The compositions of major elements are consistent with the observed mineral assemblages, reflecting that the carbonate deposition was mainly governed by CO₂ degassing intensity and associated kinetic effects under cold-spring conditions. Carbon isotopes of the deposits are consistently enriched in heavy carbon with δ¹³C values of +3.5‰ to +9.1‰, indicating a persistent contribution of deep-sourced CO₂, most likely derived from metamorphic decarbonation of the crustal carbonates. Calcite exhibits moderate δ¹³C values due to rapid precipitation limiting isotope enrichment, whereas aragonite records higher δ¹³C signatures under subdued degassing and stable hydrodynamic regimes. The narrow δ¹⁸O range (−10.7‰ to −12.6‰), closely matching that of the spring waters, indicates that the tufas record the δ¹⁸O of the spring waters through DIC-water oxygen exchange. Trace element distributions (Sr–Ba–U) reveal systematic enrichment in deep-sourced fluids and progressive downstream geochemical alteration driven by spring–river mixing. The HD springs show high Sr and δ¹³C values, indicating minimal dilution of ascending CO₂-rich fluids, while MJX and MJXSP groups record variable degrees of shallow mixing. Collectively, the Muji system exemplifies a coupled process of “deep fluid input–shallow mixing–precipitation kinetics.” Its persistent heavy δ¹³C and trace-element enrichments demonstrate persistent metamorphic CO₂ release through fault conduits under ongoing compression. These findings establish the Muji springs as a key non-volcanic analogue for deep CO₂ degassing in continental collision zones and provides new insights into crustal carbon recycling and tectonic–hydrochemical coupling at plateau margins. Full article

The Tarim Basin is currently the largest petroliferous basin in China, with hydrocarbons primarily hosted in Ordovician marine carbonate paleokarst fracture–vug reservoirs—a typical example being the Tahe Oilfield located in the northern structural uplift of the basin. The principle of “the present is the key to the past” serves as a core method for studying paleokarst fracture–vug reservoirs in the Tahe Oilfield. The deep and ultra-deep carbonate fracture–vug reservoirs in the Tahe Oilfield formed under humid tropical to subtropical paleoclimates during the Paleozoic Era, belonging to a humid tropical–subtropical paleoepikarst dynamic system. Modern karst types in China are diverse, providing abundant modern karst analogs for paleokarst research in the Tarim Basin. Carbonate regions in Eastern China can be divided into two major zones from north to south: the arid to semiarid north karst and the humid tropical–subtropical south karst. Karst in Northern China is characterized by large karst spring systems, with fissure–conduit networks as the primary aquifers; in contrast, karst in Southern China features underground river networks dominated by conduits and caves. From the perspective of karst hydrodynamic conditions, the paleokarst environment of deep fracture–vug reservoirs in the Tarim Basin exhibits high similarity to the modern karst environment in Southern China. The development patterns of karst underground rivers and caves in Southern China can be applied to comparative studies of carbonate fracture–vug reservoir structures in the Tarim Basin. Research on modern and paleokarst systems complements and advances each other, jointly promoting the development of karstology from different perspectives. Full article

Reliable in situ quantification of interlayer mechanics in CRTS-II ballastless track slabs remains limited by the poor instrumentability of the CA mortar layer. This study implements a quasi-distributed fiber-optic sensing scheme by encapsulating FBGs in PVC conduits and embedding them within the CA mortar to track strain evolution under vertical loading. Four 1:3 scaled slabs were tested using stepwise load control (200 kN per step) to failure, and fiber measurements were cross-validated against conventional strain gauges on the reinforcement. The two systems showed consistent load–strain trends, while the fiber approach exhibited near-zero baseline offset and higher temporal resolution, enabling detection of small-amplitude strain changes that the gauges missed. The CA mortar displayed a clear tension-to-compression transition with increasing load; with two vertical rebars the ultimate load of the mortar layer reached 1400 kN, representing a 75% improvement over the rebar-free configuration and delaying compressive crushing through enhanced interlayer cooperation. Increasing the rebar diameter further restrained deformation and elevated the load level at which the transition occurred. The results demonstrate a practical interlayer monitoring route for CA mortar and quantify the strengthening role of vertical rebars, offering actionable guidance for design optimization and long-term condition assessment of CRTS-II slab tracks. Full article

The rehabilitation of critical water-conveyance infrastructure plays a fundamental role in the water–energy nexus and constitutes a key strategy for extending the operational lifetime of hydropower facilities. These interventions are aligned to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, which declare that ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy systems is essential for long-term energy security. This paper presents a field-validated, non-thermal repair methodology developed for the Chivor II hydropower penstock, a critical water conduction tunnel used for energy production in Colombia, that has been affected by a circumferential fatigue crack. Due to the geometric confinement of the penstock within the rock mass, conventional thermal or stress-relief treatments were unfeasible. Therefore, the proposed methodology uses controlled material removal with a welding sequence designed to release stored elastic energy and induce compressive stresses through the Poisson effect. Its main contribution is demonstrated through pilot-scale validation and full-scale implementation under real operating conditions, achieving 50% reduction in tensile stresses and left 99% of the examined surface under compression, which represents effective residual-stress stabilization, structural recovery, and hydraulic reliability. The methodology ensures reliable water conveyance for hydropower generation and can be applied to other pressurized conduits and pipelines where accessibility and heat treatment are constrained, strengthening SDGs 7 and 9 on clean energy, water sustainability, and resilient infrastructure. Full article

Settlements are the fundamental structural components of the Northwest and Southwest Routes, which were important defensive sectors of the Jin Dynasty’s Great Wall defense system. Under the Jurchen rule, these settlements function as special conduits for investigating border defense tactics. However, historical document analysis is the main method used in present study on the Northwest and Southwest Roads, and comprehensive quantitative empirical data about the geographical organization of settlements are absent. As a result, research on the unique defense tactics of the Jin Dynasty is still not fully understood. This study establishes a dual “historical-spatial” analytical paradigm by examining settlement remnants from the Northwest and Southwest Roads in modern-day Inner Mongolia. In order to thoroughly examine defensive tactics within their distinct historical and geographical settings, it clarifies the building procedures, spatial distribution, and site selection features of these settlements using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The results show: (1) The Southwest Road defense zone was continuously reinforced, whereas the Northwest Road defense zone steadily shrank inward from the standpoint of settlement construction. This illustrates how the Jin Dynasty’s macro-level defensive strategy changed from “military deterrence” to “tactical defense”. (2) In terms of military administration systems, ethnic composition differences and settlement defense functions were the main factors influencing the settlement patterns formed in the Northwest and Southwest Roads. (3) In terms of spatial distribution and site selection features, the Zhaotaosi settlements functioned as the core settlements integrating “command-troop garrison-combat operations,” in contrast to the conventional method of using the highest-level settlement as the rear command center. Full article