Search Results (4,195)

This study investigates gas injection gravity miscible flooding to enhance oil recovery in fractured-vuggy volatile oil reservoirs of the Fuman area, Tarim Basin. The Fuman 210 reservoir, containing light oil with high maturity, large column heights, and strong fracture control, provides favorable conditions for gravity-driven flooding. Laboratory tests show that natural gas and CO₂ achieve miscibility, while N₂ reaches near-miscibility. Mixed gas injection, especially at a natural gas to nitrogen ratio of 1:4, effectively lowers minimum miscibility pressure and enhances displacement efficiency. Full-diameter core experiments confirm that miscibility improves oil washing and expands the sweep volume. Based on these results, a stepped three-dimensional well network was designed, integrating shallow injection with deep production. Optimal parameters were determined: injection rates of 50,000–100,000 m³/day per well and stage-specific injection–production ratios (1.2–1.5 early, 1.0–1.2 middle, 0.8–1.0 late). Field pilots validated the method, maintaining stable production for seven years and achieving a recovery factor of 30.03%. By contrast, conventional development relies on depletion and limited water flooding, and dry gas injection yields only 12.6%. Thus, the proposed approach improves recovery by 17.4 percentage points. The novelty of this work lies in establishing the feasibility of mixed nitrogen–natural gas miscible flooding for ultra-deep fault-controlled carbonate reservoirs and introducing an innovative stepped well network model. These findings provide new technical guidance for large-scale application in similar reservoirs. Full article

‘Korla fragrant’ pear has a long history of cultivation in Xinjiang, China, with favorable economic and social benefits. The selection of tree growth has a direct impact on improvements in fruit yield and quality. In order to provide a theoretical basis for the efficient and high-quality cultivation of ‘Korla fragrant’ pear, two ‘Korla fragrant’ pear tree growth forms, namely trunk shape and small-canopy shape, were selected as experimental materials to study the differences in the parameters of different tree growth forms, as well as the effect on photosynthetic activity and fruit quality. The results show that the small-canopy-shape trees exhibited significantly improved photosynthetic activity, with a 60.64% higher net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in the upper canopy compared to the trunk-shape trees. Fruit quality was also superior in the small-canopy-shape trees, with increases in single-fruit weight (29.36–46.91%), soluble solids content (13.51–14.39%), soluble sugar content (25.79–27.56%), and vitamin C content (up to 0.4363 mg·100 g⁻¹ in the upper layer). However, the yield per unit area of the trunk-shape trees was significantly higher than that of the small-canopy-shape trees by 19.32% because of the higher number of short fruit branches and increased prevalence of smaller row spacing. In addition, within the same tree growth forms, photosynthetic activity and fruit quality were improved in the upper layers compared to the lower layers. Full article

Introduction: In minimally invasive, off-clamp partial nephrectomy (ocMIPN), the reconstructive strategy profoundly influences functional outcomes. Traditional nephrometry scores aid preoperative planning but do not directly inform the choice of closure technique. This dual-institutional study aimed primarily to identify preoperative CT-derived parameters predictive of renorrhaphy versus a sutureless approach, and secondarily to compare perioperative and functional outcomes between these techniques. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 201 consecutive ocMIPN cases performed using a standardized off-clamp technique by two experienced surgical teams across robotic platforms and conventional laparoscopy. Preoperative CT scans were centrally reviewed to quantify morphometric features, including contact surface area (CSA), tumor radius, and Gerota’s fascia thickness. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models—one restricted to radiologic variables and one expanded with RENAL score terms—were generated to identify independent predictors. Perioperative outcomes, renal functional metrics, and Trifecta rates were compared between cohorts. Results: Among the 201 patients, 101 (50.2%) underwent sutureless reconstruction and 100 (49.8%) renorrhaphy. Cohorts were comparable at baseline except for tumor size (3.1 vs. 3.6 cm; p = 0.04). In multivariable analysis, CSA > 15 cm² (OR 3.93; 95% CI 1.26–12.26; p = 0.02) and tumor radius (OR 1.14 per mm; 95% CI 1.01–1.29; p = 0.04) consistently predicted renorrhaphy, while Gerota’s fascia < 10 mm emerged as significant only in the expanded specification (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01–0.70; p = 0.02). Integration with RENAL improved predictive performance (ΔAUC 0.06; NRI 0.14; IDI 0.07), and the final model demonstrated strong discrimination (AUC 0.81) with satisfactory calibration. Perioperative outcomes, postoperative renal function, and Trifecta achievement were similar between groups (all p ≥ 0.21). Conclusions: A concise set of CT-derived morphologic markers—CSA, tumor radius, and perinephric fascia thickness—anticipated reconstructive strategy in ocMIPN and augmented the discriminatory power of RENAL nephrometry. When anatomy was favorable, sutureless repair was not associated with statistically significant differences in perioperative safety or renal function, although the study was not powered for formal equivalence testing. These findings support the integration of radiologic markers into preoperative planning frameworks for nephron-sparing surgery. Full article

Salt cavern gas storage (SCGS) is a key development direction for future energy storage. However, the stability of the surrounding rock in underground SCGS remains a challenging issue to be resolved. This study uses numerical simulation methods to analyze the stability of the surrounding rock in SCGS at different height-to-diameter ratios and burial depths during both solution mining and long-term operation. The research results show that: SCGS at the same burial depth, as the height-to-diameter ratio increases from 1.2 to 2.2, the maximum displacement of the surrounding rock decreases by 32.3% and the plastic zone area decreases by 54.1%. However, the density of the plastic zone and the volume shrinkage of SCGS rate increase. The optimal cavern shape lies between a height-to-diameter ratio of 1.2 and 1.5. At the same height-to-diameter ratio, the stability of the salt cavern decreases as burial depth increases: the maximum displacement of the surrounding rock, cavern shrinkage rate, and plastic zone area increase by 94.6%, 99.05%, and 78.61%, respectively. Therefore, within a reasonable burial depth range, a shallower burial depth is more favorable for the stability of the surrounding rock. The presence of interlayers reduces cavern displacement, plastic zone, and cavity volume shrinkage, thereby influencing the stability of the surrounding rock. Among them, the interlayer located at the cavern waist reduced the cavern shrinkage rate by 10% and the maximum displacement by 21.9%, exerting the greatest influence on the stability of the surrounding rock. Full article

Predicting favorable reservoirs controlled by source-to-sink systems in rift basins is a current research focus. Using seismic, core, drilling, logging, and thin-section data, this paper systematically identifies fan types and their reservoir characteristics controlled by two boundary faults in the southern steep-slope zone of Wushi Sag, Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea. The analysis compares differences in (1) source–channel–margin–sink systems and (2) diagenetic facies, dividing the sink area into migratory and progradational fans. Results show that migratory fans are associated with denudation. Sediments migrate through wide, deep “V”-shaped valleys, forming fan deltas that are large in area but short in progradation. Lithology is dominated by fine sandstone with siltstone interbeds, reservoirs’ diagenetic evolution is weak, pores are mainly primary, and Type I–II reservoirs are developed. In contrast, progradational fans reflect weaker source area denudation, with sediments prograding through narrow, shallow “U”-shaped valleys. These form broom-shaped fan deltas that are small in area but long in progradation, with lithology dominated by fine sandstone interbedded with mudstone. Reservoirs show strong diagenetic evolution, well-developed secondary porosity, and Type II–III reservoirs. Reservoir prediction models indicate that high-quality migratory reservoirs are large, with excellent physical properties and oil-bearing capacity, mainly in fan stacking zones. High-quality progradational reservoirs are concentrated in the fan midsections, with strong cementation and secondary porosity. These findings provide a theoretical basis for reservoir prediction and oil and gas exploration in the southern steep-slope zone of Wushi Sag. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), as an emerging persistent contaminant, pose a potential threat to ecosystems and human health. The adsorptive removal of MPs from aqueous environments using magnetic nanoparticles has become a particularly promising remediation technology. Nevertheless, there remain significant knowledge gaps regarding its adsorption mechanism, especially how the key physical properties of magnetic nanoparticles regulate their adsorption behavior towards MPs. This study first investigated the relationship between the particle size of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and their adsorption efficacy for MPs. The results demonstrated a non-monotonic, size-dependent adsorption of MPs by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, with the adsorption efficiency and capacity following the order: 300 nm > 15 nm > 100 nm. This non-linear relationship suggested that factors other than specific surface area (which would favor smaller particles) are significantly influencing the adsorption process. Isotherm analysis indicated that the adsorption is not an ideal monolayer coverage process. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process could be better described by the pseudo-second-order model, while intra-particle diffusion played a critical role throughout the adsorption process. Furthermore, the effect of pH on adsorption efficiency was examined, revealing that the optimal performance occurs under neutral to weak acidic conditions, which is consistent with measurements of surface charges of nanoparticles. These findings suggest that the adsorption is not determined by specific surface area but is dominated by electrostatic interactions. The size-dependent adsorption of MPs by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles provides new insights for the modification of magnetic adsorbents and offers a novel perspective for the sustainable and efficient remediation of environmental MPs pollution. Full article

In Ecuador, the transmission of dengue has steadily increased in recent decades, particularly in coastal cities like Manta, where the conditions are favorable for the proliferation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The objective of this study was to model the spatial distribution of dengue transmission risk in Manta, a coastal city in Ecuador with consistently high incidence rates. A total of 148 georeferenced dengue cases from 2018 to 2021 were collected, and environmental and socioeconomic variables were incorporated into a maximum entropy model (MaxEnt). Additionally, climate and social zoning were performed using a multi-criteria model in TerrSet. The MaxEnt model demonstrated excellent predictive ability (training AUC = 0.916; test AUC = 0.876) and identified population density, sewer system access, and distance to rivers as the primary predictors. Three high-risk clusters were identified in the southern, northwestern, and northeastern parts of the city, while the coastal strip showed lower suitability due to low rainfall and vegetation. These findings reveal the strong spatial heterogeneity of dengue risk at the neighborhood level and provide operational information for targeted interventions. This approach can support more efficient surveillance, resource allocation, and community action in coastal urban areas affected by vector-borne diseases. Full article

The paper proposes the use of Bag-of-Words classifiers for the reliable detection of tuberculosis infection from cough recordings. The effect of using both independent and combined distinct feature extraction procedures and encoding strategies is evaluated in terms of standard performance metrics such as the Area Under Curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and F1-score. Experiments were conducted on two distinct large datasets, using both the original recordings and extended versions obtained by augmentation techniques. Performances were assessed by repeated k-fold cross-validation and by employing external datasets. An extensive ablation study revealed that the proposed approach yields up to 0.77 accuracy and 0.84 AUC values, comparing favorably against existing solutions and exhibiting robustness against various combinations of the setup parameters. Full article

As a key target area in China’s new round of strategic mineral exploration initiatives, Tibet possesses favorable metallogenic conditions shaped by its unique geological evolution and tectonic setting. In this paper, the Saga region of Tibet is the research object, and Level-2A Sentinel-2 imagery is utilized. By applying mixed pixel decomposition, interfering endmembers were identified, and spectral unmixing and reconstruction were performed, effectively avoiding the drawback of traditional methods that tend to remove mineral alteration signals and masking interference. Combined with band ratio analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), various types of remote sensing alteration anomalies in the region were extracted. Furthermore, the fractal box-counting method was employed to quantify the fractal dimensions of the different alteration anomalies, thereby delineating their spatial distribution and fractal structural characteristics. Based on these results, two prospective mineralization zones were identified. The results indicate the following: (1) In areas of Tibet with low vegetation cover, applying spectral mixture analysis (SMA) effectively removes substantial background interference, thereby enabling the extraction of subtle remote sensing alteration anomalies. (2) The fractal dimensions of various remote sensing alteration anomalies were calculated using the fractal box-counting method over a spatial scale range of 0.765 to 6.123 km. These values quantitatively characterize the spatial fractal properties of the anomalies, and the differences in fractal dimensions among alteration types reflect the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the mineralization system. (3) The high-potential mineralization zones identified in the composite contour map of fractal dimensions of alteration anomalies show strong spatial agreement with known mineralization sites. Additionally, two new prospective mineralization zones were delineated in their periphery, providing theoretical support and exploration targets for future prospecting in the study area. Full article

This study employed an integrated computational approach to discover novel nucleoprotein (NP) inhibitors for influenza A virus (IAV). Beginning with virtual screening of over 10 million compounds using Schrödinger’s Glide module (HTVS, SP, XP docking), the workflow identified promising candidates with favorable binding energies. Subsequent molecular mechanics/generalized born surface area (MM-GBSA) calculations and 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations prioritized 16 compounds for experimental validation. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays revealed that compounds 8, 13, and 14 demonstrated superior target engagement, showing equilibrium dissociation constants (K_D) of 7.85 × 10⁻⁵ M, 3.82 × 10⁻⁵ M, and 6.97 × 10⁻⁵ M, respectively. Molecular dynamics, alanine scanning mutagenesis, and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) analysis were conducted to analyze the binding modes, providing a reference for the design of subsequent compounds. These findings validate the efficacy of structure-based virtual screening in identifying high-affinity NP inhibitors and provide insights for the development of broad-spectrum anti-influenza therapeutics. Full article

Background: Pain is a disabling issue in athletes, with significant impact on performance and career longevity. Many randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have explored interventions to reduce pain, leading to multiple systematic reviews with meta-analysis, but their methodological rigor and clinical applicability remain unclear. Objective: To provide an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis on interventions aimed at alleviating pain intensity in athletes, identifying knowledge gaps and appraising methodological quality. Methods: CINAHL, Embase, Epistemonikos, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to February 2025. Systematic reviews with meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating interventions to manage pain in athletes were considered. Athletes without restrictions in terms of sports, clinical, and sociodemographic characteristics were included. Overlap between reviews was calculated using the corrected covered area. Results: Twelve systematic reviews met inclusion criteria. Physical exercise modalities (e.g., gait retraining, hip strengthening), acupuncture, photo biomodulation, and topical medication showed potential benefits in reducing pain intensity. Other interventions, such as certain manual therapy techniques, platelet-rich plasma, or motor imagery, did not show consistent effects. All reviews focused solely on pain intensity, with minimal stratification by sport or clinical condition which may affect the extrapolation of meta-analyzed findings to the clinical practice. Methodological quality was often low, with flaws in reporting funding sources, lists of excluded studies, and certainty of evidence (was mostly rated as low/very low). Overlap was variable across the interventions. Conclusions: Given low/sparse certainty and minimal sport-specific analyses, no strong clinical recommendations can be made; preliminary signals favor proximal hip strengthening, gait retraining, photo biomodulation (acute soreness), and topical NSAIDs pending higher-quality syntheses. Future reviews should consider mandatory GRADE; pre-registered protocols; sport- and condition-specific analyses; and core outcome sets including multi-dimensional pain. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease with significant impacts on domestic pigs and wild boar populations. This study applies GIS-based spatial analysis to monitor ASF outbreaks in northwestern Italy (Piedmont and Liguria) and identify areas at increased risk. Key factors considered include pig density, wildlife proximity, and environmental conditions. The spatial analysis revealed that central–western municipalities exhibited higher risk due to favorable environmental conditions and dense wild boar populations, while peripheral areas showed a temporal delay in outbreak emergence. Mapping the spreading rate and habitat interfaces allowed the development of a spatial risk model, which was further analyzed using geostatistical techniques to understand disease dynamics. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of geospatial modeling in identifying high-risk zones, characterizing spatio-temporal patterns, and supporting targeted prevention and surveillance strategies. These findings provide actionable insights for ASF management and resource allocation. Future studies may refine these models by integrating additional datasets and environmental variables, enhancing predictive capacity and applicability across different regions. Full article

The aim of the study was to compare grain yield, grain quality, and morphophysiological parameters of three winter wheat cultivars: Kilimanjaro, Hymalaya, and Ostroga. The cultivars were grown in crop rotation after grain maize harvest, using three tillage systems: conventional (C), reduced (R), and no-tillage (N). A three-year field experiment was conducted in southeastern Poland. Compared to no-tillage, the use of conventional and reduced systems resulted in higher grain yield, increased leaf area index and relative chlorophyll content, and higher gas exchange parameters. In the conventional system, the highest grain yield was achieved by cvs. Hymalaya and Ostroga, while in no-tillage and reduced, it was cv. Hymalaya. Compared to no-tillage, the conventional system resulted in higher values of grain quality parameters, while simultaneously reducing ash content, and the reduced system promoted a better gluten index. Interactions between cultivar and tillage system demonstrated good grain quality in terms of protein, falling number, and gluten index. Gluten content above 25.0% was found in grains of cvs. Kilimanjaro and Hymalaya in the reduced and conventional systems, and cv. Ostroga in the conventional system. The dry and semi-drought periods in the 2018/2019 season were conducive to more favorable grain quality parameter values: protein, gluten, falling number, and ash. However, the resulting grain was characterized by a lower gluten index and lower physical parameters. Cvs. Hymalaya and Ostroga are recommended for cultivation in conventional and reduced tillage systems, and cv. additionally for no-tillage systems. Growing the cv. Kilimanjaro in no-tillage and reduced tillage systems, and the cv. Ostroga in a no-tillage system, will result in lower grain yields. Full article

The removal of nickel from industrial wastewater necessitates efficient sorbent materials. This study investigates nanostructured potassium- and sodium-substituted aluminosilicate-based nanocomposites for this application. Materials were synthesized and characterized using SEM-EDS, XPS, XRD, FTIR, low temperature N₂ adsorption–desorption and Ni²⁺ adsorption experiments. SEM and XRD confirmed an X-ray amorphous structure attributable to fine crystallite size. The sodium-substituted material Na₂Al₂Si₂O₈ exhibited the lowest specific surface area (48.3 m²/g) among the tested composites. However, it demonstrated the highest Ni(II) sorption capacity (64.6 mg/g, 1.1 mmol/g) and the most favorable sorption kinetics, as indicated by a Morris-Weber coefficient of 0.067 ± 0.008 mmol/(g·min¹/²). Potassium-substituted analogs with higher Si/Al ratios showed increased surface area but reduced capacity. Analysis by XPS and SEM-EDS established that Ni(II) uptake occurs through a complex mechanism, involving ion exchange, surface complexation, and chemisorption resulting in the formation of new nickel-containing composite surface phases. The results indicate that optimal sorption performance for Ni(II) is achieved with sodium-based aluminosilicates at a low Si/Al ratio (Si/Al = 1). The functional characteristics of Na₂Al₂Si₂O₈ compare favorably with other silicate-based sorbents, suggesting its potential utility for wastewater treatment. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the precise local coordination environment of the adsorbed nickel. Full article

Osseodensification (OD) has emerged as a favorable osteotomy preparation technique that preserves and compacts autogenous bone along the osteotomy walls during site preparation, enhancing primary stability and implant osseointegration. While OD has demonstrated promising results in low-density trabecular bone, especially when used in conjunction with acid-etched (AE) implant surfaces, its efficacy in high-density cortical bone remains unclear—particularly in the context of varying implant surface characteristics. In this study, Grade V titanium alloy implants (Ti-6Al-4V, 4 mm × 10 mm) with deep threads, designated bone chambers and either as-machined (Mach) or AE surfaces were placed in 3.8 mm diameter osteotomies in the submandibular region of 16 adult sheep using either OD or conventional (Reg) drilling protocols. Insertion torque values (N·cm) were measured at the time of implant placement to evaluate primary stability. Mandibles were harvested at 3-, 6-, 12-, or 24-weeks post-implantation (n = 4 sheep/time point), and histologic sections were analyzed to quantify bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fractional occupancy (BAFO). Qualitative histological analysis confirmed successful osseointegration among all groups at each of the healing time points. No statistically significant differences were observed between OD and conventional drilling techniques in insertion torque (p > 0.628), BIC (p > 0.135), or BAFO (p > 0.060) values, regardless of implant surface type or healing interval. The findings indicate that neither drilling technique nor implant surface treatment significantly influences osseointegration in high density cortical bone. Furthermore, as the osteotomy was not considerably undersized, the use of OD instrumentation showed no signs of necrosis, inflammation, microfractures, or impaired osseointegration in dense cortical bone. Both OD and Reg techniques appear to be suitable for implant placement in dense bone, allowing flexibility based on surgeon preference and clinical circumstances. Full article