Search Results (1,055)

Background/Objectives: The TOPAZ-1 phase III trial reported a survival benefit of using durvalumab, an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) antibody, in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GCD) treatment in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. This retrospective study investigated the efficacy and safety of GCD treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer in real-world conditions. Methods: The study subjects were 52 patients with biliary tract cancer who received GCD therapy between January 2023 and May 2024. The observation parameters included the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events. Results: The cohort included 36 men and 16 women, with a median age of 73.0 years. There were 36 cases of cholangiocarcinoma (distal: 10, perihilar: 19, intrahepatic: 7), 13 cases of gallbladder cancer, and 3 cases of ampullary carcinoma. The stages were locally advanced in 30 cases and metastatic in 22 cases. Biliary drainage was performed in 30 cases. There were 38 cases receiving first-line therapy and 14 cases receiving second-line or later treatments. The median values at the start of GCD therapy were ALB 3.7 g/dL, CRP 0.39 mg/dL, NLR 2.4, PLR 162.5, CEA 4.8 ng/mL, and CA19-9 255.9 U/mL. The mGPS distribution was 0:23 cases, 1:18 cases, and 2:11 cases. The treatment outcomes were ORR 25.0% (CR 2 cases, PR 11 cases), DCR 78.8% (SD 28 cases, PD 10 cases, NE 1 case), median PFS 8.6 months, and median OS 13.9 months. The PLR was suggested to be useful for predicting PFS. A decrease in CEA at six weeks after the start of treatment was a significant predictor of PFS and OS. Gallbladder cancer had a significantly poorer prognosis compared to other cancers. The immune-related adverse events included hypothyroidism in two cases, cholangitis in one case, and colitis in one case. Conclusions: The ORR, DCR, and PFS were comparable to those in the TOPAZ-1 trial. Although limited by its retrospective design and small sample size, this study suggests that GCD therapy is an effective treatment regimen for unresectable biliary tract cancer in real-world clinical practice. Full article

The level of participation and performance of water user associations (WUAs) in drained and irrigated areas is influenced by many factors. This paper aims to identify the main challenges to the functioning and performance of these associations in Poland and Ukraine using the methodology of international comparative analysis. We examined legal, organizational, and financial framework of WUAs performance in Poland and Ukraine based on selected case study areas. The results of the study indicate that creation of WUAs in both countries can be assessed as beneficial for sustainable water development in general. However, it is found that the actions intended to bring benefits can actually exacerbate the problem of drought and water shortages. Research shows that the lack of complete documentation on the layout of the drainage networks plays a huge constraint factor that can lead to problems with controlling the reconstruction of drainage networks and significant deterioration of water relations. Another significant problem is the restriction of the scope of WUA activities in Poland to those types of actions subsidized by the state, while lacking financial resources for other necessary activities. Full article

Acid mine drainage, a consequence of exposure of sulfide mining waste to weathering processes, results in significant water, sediment, and soil contamination. This contamination results in acidophilic ecosystems, with low pH values and elevated concentrations of sulfate and potentially toxic elements. The São Domingos mine, an abandoned site in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, lacks remediation measures and has numerous waste dumps, which are a major source of contamination to local water systems. Therefore, this study examines sediment accumulation in five mine dams along the São Domingos stream that traverses the entire mine complex. Decades of sediment and waste transport since mine closure have resulted in dam-clogging processes. The geochemical, mineralogical, and magnetic properties of the sediments were analyzed to evaluate the mineralogical controls on the mobilization of potentially toxic elements. The sediments are dominated by iron oxides, oxyhydroxides, and hydroxysulfates, with jarosite playing a key role in binding high concentrations of iron and toxic elements. However, no considerable correlation was found between potentially toxic elements and magnetic parameters, highlighting the complex behavior of these contaminants in acid mine drainage-affected systems. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently leads to neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, for which appropriate bladder management is essential. While clinical care relies on continuous low-pressure drainage in the acute phase, rat models commonly use twice-daily manual bladder expression—a method known to generate high intravesical pressures and retention. This study evaluated the impact of this standard practice on bladder tissue remodeling by comparing it to continuous drainage via high vesicostomy in a rat SCI model. 32 female Lewis rats underwent thoracic contusion SCI and were assigned to either manual expression or vesicostomy-based bladder management. Over eight weeks, locomotor recovery, wound healing, and bladder histology were assessed. Vesicostomy proved technically simple but required tailored wound care and calibration. Results showed significantly greater bladder wall thickness, detrusor muscle hypertrophy, urothelial thickening, collagen deposition, and mast cell infiltration in the manual expression group compared to both vesicostomy and controls. In contrast, vesicostomy animals exhibited near-control levels across most parameters. These findings highlight that commonly used bladder emptying protocols in rat SCI models may overestimate structural bladder changes and inflammatory responses. Refined drainage strategies such as vesicostomy can minimize secondary damage and improve the translational relevance of preclinical SCI research. Full article

With the frequent occurrence of global floods, the demand for emergency rescue equipment has grown rapidly. The development and technological innovation of digital hydraulic drive systems (DHDSs) for emergency drainage pumps (EDPs) have become key to improving rescue efficiency. However, EDPs are prone to being affected by random and uncertain loads during operation. To achieve intelligent and efficient rescue operations, a DHDS suitable for EDPs was proposed. Firstly, the configuration and operation mode of the DHDS for EDPs were analyzed. Based on this, a multi-field coupling dynamic simulation platform for the DHDS was constructed. Secondly, the output characteristics of the system under alternating loads were simulated and analyzed. Finally, a test platform for the EDP DHDS was established, and the dynamic characteristics of the system under alternating loads were explored. The results show that as the load torque of the alternating loads increases, the amplitude of the pressure of the motor also increases, the output flow of the hydraulic-controlled proportional reversing valve (HCPRV) changes slightly, and the fluctuation range of the rotational speed of the motor increases. The fluctuation range of the pressure and the rotational speed of the motor are basically not affected by the frequency of alternating loads, but the fluctuation amplitude of the output flow of the HCPRV reduces with the increase in the frequency of alternating loads. This system can respond to changes in load relatively quickly under alternating loads and can return to a stable state in a short time. It has laudable anti-interference ability and output stability. Full article

Controlled iron extraction from iron-based sludge (Fe-Sludge) drainage and its use as a Fenton’s reagent is investigated in the current study for eliminating organics from launderette discharge stream. The influences of the iron dosage, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and pH are assessed as treatment factors for their direct impact on the oxidation of organic compounds. Additionally, optimal oxidation conditions are determined using the response surface methodology (RSM) technique, and the ranges of treatment variables are analyzed. The optimum values of a pH of 2.0, Fe sludge concentration of 99 mg/L, and H₂O₂ content of 402 mg/L resulted in optimal organics removal of up to 98%, expressed as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal. The oxidation efficacy attained from the design is confirmed and the model validation is assessed, and the suggestive model is accepted since it possesses a correlation coefficient of 97.7%. The thermodynamic and kinetic models are also investigated, and the reaction showed that the temperature increases resulted in the oxidation efficiency being reduced. The oxidation efficiency expressed as COD reduction is clearly characterized by first-order reaction kinetics. The thermodynamic characteristics indicated that the oxidation reaction was exothermic and not spontaneous. Full article

The rheological behavior of firefighting foam is the basis for analyzing foam flow and foam spreading. This experimental study investigates the complex rheological behavior of rapidly aging firefighting foams, specifically focusing on alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam. The primary objective is to characterize the time-dependent viscoelasticity, yielding, and viscous flow of firefighting foam under controlled shear conditions, addressing the significant challenge posed by its rapid structural evolution (drainage and coarsening) during measurement. Using a cylindrical Couette rheometer, conductivity measurements for the liquid fraction, and microscopy for the bubble size analysis, the study quantifies how foam aging impacts key rheological parameters. The results show that the creep and relaxation response of the firefighting foam in the linear viscoelastic region conforms to the Burgers model. The firefighting foam shows ductile yielding and significant shear thinning, and its flow curve under slow shear can be well represented by the Herschel–Bulkley model. Foam drainage and coarsening have competitive effects on the rheology of the firefighting foam, which results in monotonic and nonmonotonic variations in the rheological response in the linear and nonlinear viscoelastic regions, respectively. The work reveals that established empirical relationships between rheology, liquid fraction, and bubble size for general aqueous foams are inadequate for firefighting foams, highlighting the need for foam-specific constitutive models. Full article

Global changes and society’s development necessitate the improvement of water use and irrigation water saving, which require a set of water management measures to best deal with the necessary changes. This study considers the framework of the change process for water management in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID) of the Yellow River Basin. This paper presents the main measures that have been applied to ensure the sustainability and modernization of Hetao, mitigating water scarcity while maintaining land productivity and environmental value. Several components of modernization projects that have already been implemented are characterized, such as the off-farm canal distribution system, the on-farm surface irrigation, innovative crop and soil management techniques, drainage, and salinity control, including the management of autumn irrigation and advances of drip irrigation at the sector and farm levels. This characterization includes technologies, farmer training, labor needs, energy consumption, water savings, and economic aspects, based on data observed and reported in official reports. Therefore, this study integrates knowledge and analyzes the most limiting aspects in some case studies, evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions used. Full article

Significant uranium exploration breakthroughs have been achieved in the eolian deposits of the uranium reservoirs in the southwestern part of the Ordos Basin. The redox environment remains a crucial factor in controlling the migration and precipitation of uranium. This study, through rock mineralogical observations and hydrocarbon gas composition analysis, combined with the regional source rock and basin tectonic evolution history, reveals the characteristics of the reducing medium and the mineralization mechanisms involved in uranium ore formation. The Lower Cretaceous Luohe Formation uranium reservoirs in the study area exhibit a notable lack of common reducing media, such as carbonaceous debris and pyrite. However, the total hydrocarbon gases in the Luohe Formation range from 2967 to 20,602 μmol/kg, with an average of 8411 μmol/kg—significantly higher than those found in uranium reservoirs elsewhere in China, exceeding them by 10 to 100 times. Due to the absence of other macroscopically visible organic matter, hydrocarbon gases are identified as the most crucial reducing agent for uranium mineralization. These gases consist predominantly of methane and originate from the Triassic Yanchang Formation source rock. Faults formed during the Indosinian, Yanshanian, and Himalayan tectonic periods effectively connect the Cretaceous uranium reservoirs with the oil and gas reservoirs of the Triassic and Jurassic, providing pathways for the migration of deep hydrocarbon fluids into the Cretaceous uranium reservoirs. The multiphase tectonic evolution of the Ordos Basin since the Cenozoic has facilitated the development of faults, ensuring a sufficient supply of reducing media for uranium reservoirs in an arid sedimentary context. Additionally, the “Replenishment-Runoff-Drainage System” created by tectonic activity promotes a continuous supply of uranium- and oxygen-bearing fluids to the uranium reservoirs, resulting in a multi-energy coupling mineralization effect. Full article

The rising demand for freshwater, driven by population growth, economic development, and climate change, necessitates proactive watershed management. This study focuses on prioritizing the watersheds of the Doon Valley in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) using geospatial techniques. It involves a detailed morphometric analysis incorporating hydrological and topographical parameters, ranking the watersheds using the compound factor value (CFV), and prioritizing them based on the given CFV. The Doon Valley watersheds exhibit dendritic to parallel drainage patterns and moderate relief. The study identifies the Suswa watershed as the most susceptible, necessitating urgent conservation attempts to mitigate soil erosion and ensure sustainable land use. In contrast, the Song watershed, characterized by steep slopes and high relief, requires targeted management strategies to control rapid runoff and prevent potential flooding. The Asan watershed, with a medium priority classification, also requires intervention to prevent ecological degradation. Prioritization based on the CFV provides a strategic framework for targeted management, offering valuable insights for policymakers and planners. This research supports sustainable watershed management by guiding effective conservation practices and addressing the specific needs of each watershed. Full article

Micro-fracturing technology is a key approach to enhancing the flow capacity of oil sands reservoirs and improving Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) performance, whereas heterogeneity in reservoir physical properties significantly impacts stimulation effectiveness. This study systematically investigates the coupling mechanisms of asphaltene content, clay content, and heavy oil viscosity on micro-fracturing stimulation effectiveness, based on the oil sands reservoir in Block Zhong-18 of the Fengcheng Oilfield. By establishing an extended Drucker–Prager constitutive model, Kozeny–Poiseuille permeability model, and hydro-mechanical coupling numerical simulation, this study quantitatively reveals the controlling effects of reservoir properties on key rock parameters (e.g., elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and permeability), integrating experimental data with literature review. The results demonstrate that increasing clay content significantly reduces reservoir permeability and stimulated volume, whereas elevated asphaltene content inhibits stimulation efficiency by weakening rock strength. Additionally, the thermal sensitivity of heavy oil viscosity indirectly affects geomechanical responses, with low-viscosity fluids under high-temperature conditions being more conducive to effective stimulation. Based on the quantitative relationship between cumulative injection volume and stimulation parameters, a classification-based optimization model for oil sands reservoir operations was developed, predicting over 70% reduction in preheating duration. This study provides both theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for micro-fracturing parameter design in complex oil sands reservoirs. Full article

In order to examine the fracture development law of overlying strata in goafs and to reasonably lay out a high gas-drainage roadway under gob-side entry retaining with roadside filling, the 91–105 working face of the Wangzhuang Coal Mine was selected as the engineering case study. The failure laws and fracture development characteristics of the overlying strata in both the strike and dip directions using gob-side entry retaining and roadside filling were studied through rock mechanic tests and PFC numerical simulations. The optimal layout of the high gas-drainage roadway was determined through theoretical analysis and coupled Fluent–PFC numerical simulations, and on-site monitoring was conducted to evaluate the extraction effects. The results indicate that the first weighting interval of the 91–105 working face was 40 m, while the periodic weighting interval was approximately 14 m. The height of the falling zone was 14.4 m, and the height of the gas-conducting fracture zone was 40.7 m. In the dip direction, compared with coal pillar retaining, gob-side entry retaining with roadside filling formed an inverted trapezoid secondary breaking zone above the retaining roadway. Using this method, the span of the separation zone increased to 30 m, and the collapse angle decreased to 52°, resulting in a shift in the separation zone—the primary space for gas migration—toward the goaf. It was determined that the optimal location of the high gas-drainage roadway was 28 m above the coal roof and 30 m horizontally from the return air roadway. Compared with the 8105 working face, this position was 10 m closer toward the goaf. On-site gas extraction monitoring data indicate that, at this optimized position, the gas concentration in the high gas-drainage roadway increased by 22%, and the net gas flow increased by 18%. Full article

In the Karaganda coal basin, deteriorating geomechanical conditions have been observed, including seam disturbances, diminished strength of argillite–aleurolite strata, water ingress, and pronounced floor heave, all of which markedly increase the labor intensity of maintaining developmental headings. The maintenance and operation of these entries for a reference coal yield of 1000 t necessitate 72–75 man-shifts, of which 90–95% are expended on mitigating ground pressure effects and restoring support integrity. Conventional heave control measures—such as relief drifts, slotting, drainage, secondary blasting, and the application of concrete or rock–bolt systems—deliver either transient efficacy or incur prohibitive labor and material expenditures while lacking unified methodologies for predictive forecasting and support parameter design. This study therefore advocates for an integrated framework that synergizes geomechanical characterization, deformation prognosis, and the tailored selection of reinforcement schemes (incorporating both sidewall and floor-anchoring systems with directed preloading), calibrated to seam depth, geometry, and lithological properties. Employing deformation state assessments to optimize reinforcement layouts for floor stabilization in coal mine workings is projected to curtail repair volumes by 30–40% whilst significantly enhancing operational safety, efficiency, and the punctuality of face preparation. Full article

The massive heavy oil reserves in the Athabasca region of northern Alberta depend on steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) for their economic exploitation. Even though SAGD has been successful in highly viscous oil recovery, it is still a costly technology because of the large energy input requirement. Large water and natural gas quantities needed for steam generation imply sizable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and extensive post-production water treatment. Several methods to make SAGD more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable have been attempted. Their main goal is to reduce steam consumption whilst maintaining favourable oil production rates and ultimate oil recovery. Oil saturation within the steam chamber plays a critical role in determining both the economic viability and resource efficiency of SAGD operations. However, accurately quantifying the residual oil saturation left behind by SAGD remains a challenge. In this experimental research, sand pack Expanding Solvent SAGD (ES-SAGD) coinjection experiments are reported in which Pentane -C₅H₁₂, and Hexane -C₆H₁₄ were utilised as an additive to steam to produce Long Lake bitumen. Each solvent is assessed at three different constant concentrations through time using experiments simulating SAGD to quantify their impact. The benefits of single-component solvent coinjection gradually diminish as the SAGD process approaches its later stages. ES-SAGD pentane coinjection offers a smaller improvement in recovery factor (RF) (4% approx.) compared to hexane (8% approx.). Between these two single-component solvents, 15 vol% hexane offered the fastest recovery. The obtained data in this research provided compelling evidence that the coinjection of solvent under carefully controlled operating conditions, reduced overall steam requirement, energy consumption, and residual oil saturation allowing proper adjustment of oil and water relative permeability curve endpoints for field pilot reservoir simulations. Full article

Agricultural water resource management is increasingly challenged by climate variability, land degradation, and socio-economic pressures, particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study, conducted in 2023–2024 within the REACT4MED project (PRIMA initiative), addresses sustainable water use through a comparative analysis of organic and conventional farms in the Stornara and Tara area (Puglia, Italy). The research aimed to identify critical indicators for sustainable water management and develop ecosystem restoration strategies that can be replicated across similar Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. An interdisciplinary, participatory approach was adopted, combining technical analyses and stakeholder engagement through three workshops involving 30 participants from diverse sectors. Fieldwork and laboratory assessments included soil sampling and analysis of parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, nutrients, and salinity. Cartographic studies of vegetation, land use, and pedological characterization supplemented the dataset. The key challenges identified were water loss in distribution systems, seawater intrusion, water pumping from unauthorized wells, and inadequate public policies. Soil quality was significantly influenced by salt stress, hence affecting crop productivity, while socio-economic factors affected farm income. Restoration strategies emphasized the need for water-efficient irrigation, less water-intensive crops, and green vegetation in infrastructure channels while incorporating also the native flora. Enhancing plant biodiversity through weed management in drainage channels proved beneficial for pathogen control. Proposed socio-economic measures include increased inclusion of women and youth in agricultural management activities. Integrated technical and participatory approaches are essential for effective water resource governance in Mediterranean agriculture. This study offers scalable, context-specific indicators and solutions for sustainable land and water management in the face of ongoing desertification and climate stress. Full article