Search Results (1,605)

Modulating boundary conditions offers a powerful approach to generate and control topological defects, which govern the structure and dynamics of liquid crystals. Here, we employ Langevin dynamics simulations to study defect structure formation in two-dimensional colloidal liquid crystals confined within a square cavity whose walls undergo periodic oscillation. The spatial topology of the driving boundary from single-side to global four-wall actuation directly sets the symmetry of energy input, which in turn determines its spatial gradient and distribution. By controlling boundary vibrations through amplitude and frequency, we demonstrate the emergence of novel steady-state patterns and transformations between distinct defect structures, identified via the local order parameter. Four-wall oscillation generates richer structural diversity due to its higher spatial symmetry. Structural transitions are quantified by tracking a global director angle under two driving regimes: varying amplitude at fixed frequency (f = 2.0), and varying frequency at fixed amplitude (A = 1.0). Our results establish that the manner of energy injection determined by the choice of boundary motion mode governs the emergent defect architectures, providing a general route to engineer non-equilibrium phases under confinement. Full article

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections have become a cornerstone of minimally invasive aesthetic medicine. While the demand for these procedures continues to grow globally, large-scale longitudinal analyses of patient demographics and specific injection site trends remain limited, particularly in Asian populations. Existing data in Japan are largely confined to aggregate procedure numbers. This study aimed to elucidate the transition in patient demographics and site-specific treatment trends using a nationwide big-data approach. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 299,413 treatment sessions (417,590 injection sites) from patients who underwent facial HA injections at 110 clinics across Japan between October 2020 and December 2024. Data were analyzed by year, patient age, and injection site to evaluate demographic shifts and treatment patterns. Results: The annual number of treatment sessions increased steadily during the study period. A significant demographic shift was observed: while patients in their 20s were predominant in 2020–2022, the proportion of patients aged ≥ 40 years increased markedly from 2023 onward, accounting for more than half of all cases (63.7% in 2024). Treatment preferences varied distinctly by age; younger patients favored localized contouring (e.g., pretarsal fullness, chin), whereas older patients required multi-site rejuvenation. By 2024, the orbital rim became the most frequently treated site (22.6%). Statistical analysis confirmed that age was a significant predictor for multi-site treatments (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This large-scale analysis reveals a clear transition in the Japanese aesthetic market from contour enhancement in younger demographics to anatomy-based rejuvenation in middle-aged and older populations. Full article

This study investigates a water–energy investment in the Consorzio di Bonifica della Romagna Occidentale (Northern Italy) over the period 2015–2022, analysing how integrated irrigation and energy infrastructures can support agricultural resilience. In this area, pressurised irrigation systems are increasingly replacing traditional gravity-fed networks, enabling precise water distribution. However, their energy intensity raises operational costs and exposure to volatile electricity prices. To address these challenges, the research evaluates the coupling of pressurised irrigation with floating photovoltaic (PV) systems on irrigation reservoirs. Using plot-level economic data for vineyards and orchards, the analysis shows that, although pressurised systems entail higher costs in terms of Relative Water Cost (RWC) and Economic Water Productivity Ratio (EWPR), integrating them with PV production significantly improves economic performance. The findings show an average reduction in RWC of 1.44% for vineyards and 5.52% for orchards, and an average increase in EWPR of 38.51 units for vineyards and 24.81 units for orchards. This suggests that combining efficient irrigation systems with renewable energy could represent a viable pathway toward more sustainable water management. Policy implications may concern incentives for joint water–energy investments, adjustments to zero-injection rules, and broader reforms in agricultural, energy, and environmental policies. Full article

It is a challenge in experimental studies today to accurately predict the trapping mechanisms in saline aquifers that influence the long-term CO₂ storage capacities. The inability in current experimental studies to quantify the effects of combined processes of solubility, hysteresis, and mineralization as a means of affecting saline aquifer properties that influence CO₂ trapping mechanisms makes this topic interesting. A systematic framework in CMG-GEM compositional simulation studies is proposed in this article to assess the effects of gradually modelled trapping mechanisms on CO₂ storage performance. Simulation studies are conducted under identical constraints, trapping mechanisms, as well as operational factors in a sequential process that activates (i) solubility, (ii) solubility + hysteresis, and (iii) solubility + hysteresis + mineralization. The findings demonstrate distinct differences in trapping process behaviors as well as simulation stability under various modes: hysteresis effects largely improve immobile reserves as well as decrease plume migration, and, on the other hand, mineralization adds long-term dynamics of capacity increase as well as porosity-permeability alterations, especially in carbonate reservoirs. Through long-term post-injection simulations (up to 1000 years), the findings demonstrate that various trapping processes trigger over distinct time periods—years for immobile reserves, decades for dissolution, and centuries in the case of mineralization. This contribution is able to point out the computational efficiency as well as defective model behavior of concern to various physics levels, providing a practical guide to modelers in making a well-informed decision on what constitutes a minimum set of physics in long-term trustworthy CO₂ storage. Full article

This work develops a methodology for operating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) in distribution networks, connected in parallel with a medium- and small-scale photovoltaic Distributed Generator (PMGD), focusing on a real project located in the O’Higgins region of Chile. The objective is to increase energy sales by the PMGD while ensuring compliance with operational constraints related to the grid, PMGD, and BESSs, and optimizing renewable energy use. A real distribution network from Compañía General de Electricidad (CGE) comprising 627 nodes was simplified into a validated three-node, two-line equivalent model to reduce computational complexity while maintaining accuracy. A mathematical model was designed to maximize economic benefits through optimal energy dispatch, considering solar generation variability, demand curves, and seasonal energy sales and purchasing prices. An energy management system was proposed based on a master–slave methodology composed of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and an hourly power flow using the successive approximation method. Advanced optimization techniques such as Monte Carlo (MC) and the Genetic Algorithm (GAP) were employed as comparison methods, supported by a statistical analysis evaluating the best and average solutions, repeatability, and processing times to select the most effective optimization approach. Results demonstrate that BESS integration efficiently manages solar generation surpluses, injecting energy during peak demand and high-price periods to maximize revenue, alleviate grid congestion, and improve operational stability, with PSO proving particularly efficient. This work underscores the potential of BESS in PMGD to support a more sustainable and efficient energy matrix in Chile, despite regulatory and technical challenges that warrant further investigation. Full article

This study presents a quantitative simulation analysis of hydrogen-enriched methane (HENG) storage with nitrogen as the cushion-gas in a depleted gas reservoir by varying three key operational parameters: the injection/withdrawal period, hydrogen blending ratio (5–20%), and injection depth. Ten injection–withdrawal cycles were modeled for each scenario, and performance was evaluated using cycle-averaged and cumulative hydrogen purity, recovery factors, and the mixing zone size. Extending the injection period increased hydrogen purity to 20.00–20.26% and reduced nitrogen to 0.001–0.003%, but recovery decreased from 65.63 to 53.83–41.09% due to enhanced dispersion and residual trapping. The blending ratio was the dominant control: 20% blending yielded 19.9–20.0% purity with nitrogen as low as 0.00–0.03%, whereas 5–10% blending produced lower purity but minimized nitrogen production to 0.97–1.08%. Injection depth affected nitrogen recovery more than purity, increasing from 0.72–1.20% (upper) to 1.46–1.61% (lower), along with thicker mixing zones. Final mixing zone size ranged from 3176 to 5546 blocks, with smaller zones consistently linked to higher purity and lower nitrogen breakthrough. The shut-in period further reduced nitrogen recovery from 6.49 to 1.33% and stabilized mixing behavior. Overall, minimizing late-cycle mixing zone thickness is essential for maintaining HENG storage performance. Although this study provides quantitative insights into HENG operational strategies, the use of a homogeneous grid and simplified fluid properties limits representation of geological heterogeneity and reactive processes. Future work will incorporate heterogeneity and reaction modeling into field-scale simulations to validate and refine these operating strategies for practical deployment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sex-specific differences in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify sex-associated disparities in disease progression and recovery using a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) plus Western diet/fructose-induced murine model combined with artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted histological analysis. Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J mice received a single diethylnitrosamine injection and were fed a Western diet/fructose regimen for 38 weeks, followed by an 8-week recovery period on standard chow. Serum biochemical parameters were measured, and liver histology was assessed using second harmonic generation/two-photon excitation fluorescence (SHG/TPEF) microscopy. Steatosis and fibrosis were quantified within tumor and adjacent non-tumor regions using AI-based image analysis. Results: Male mice developed more severe disease phenotypes, including greater tumor burden and higher serum alanine aminotransferase levels, compared with females. Following dietary recovery, female mice showed substantial reductions in tumor number and hepatic steatosis, particularly in non-tumor regions; in contrast, male mice demonstrated only minimal improvement. AI-assisted quantification confirmed considerable regression of both steatosis and fibrosis in females and moderate fibrosis improvement in both sexes. Conclusions: These findings indicate sexual dimorphism in the progression and regression of MAFLD-related HCC, with females exhibiting enhanced metabolic and histological recovery. The results underscore the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in preclinical metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease-related hepatocellular carcinoma research and highlight the value of AI-enhanced imaging for precise, objective evaluation of liver histology. Full article

Background: Pleurodesis is a treatment method that aims to create permanent adhesion between the pleural layers to prevent recurrent fluid or air accumulation in the pleural cavity. Talc, one of the most commonly preferred agents in this procedure, is widely used in clinical practice. In this study, a new talc formulation with a modified surface to impart antibacterial and analgesic properties was experimentally evaluated for the first time. The main objective of the study was to comparatively assess the inflammatory and fibrotic responses following standard talc and modified talc applications. Methods: Thirty-six 12-week-old female Wistar albino rats were simply randomly divided into three different groups: control (n = 12), standard talc (n = 12), and modified talc (n = 12). Under anesthesia, 1 mL of physiological saline containing 17 mg of talc was injected intrapleurally into the right hemithorax. The presence of pneumothorax after the procedure was assessed by chest radiography. After a 12-day follow-up period, the animals were euthanized. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples, blood samples, and lung and pleural tissue samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: Modified talc application resulted in a significant increase in both visceral and parietal pleural thickness (p < 0.05). Granulation tissue formation and collagen deposition were significantly higher in the modified talc group. In addition, TGF-β expression and CD68-positive macrophage count increased significantly in the modified talc group (p < 0.05). Inflammatory changes in the lung parenchyma were limited and not statistically significant. Conclusions: The modified talc formulation enriched with lidocaine and antibacterial agents produced a stronger inflammatory and fibrotic response compared to standard talc. These findings indicate that modified talc may increase the effectiveness of pleurodesis. Furthermore, the absence of significant lung parenchymal damage suggests that this treatment is locally effective and feasible. However, further long-term and advanced studies are needed to translate these results into clinical use. Full article

Horizontal wells combined with multi-stage fracturing are key techniques for extracting tight oil formation. However, due to the ultra-low permeability and porosity of reservoirs, energy depletion occurs rapidly, necessitating external supplements to sustain production. During the hydraulic fracturing process, large volumes of fracturing fluid are injected into reservoirs, increasing its pressure to a certain extent. However, due to the oil-wet nature of the formation, the fracturing fluid cannot penetrate the rock, failing to enhance oil recovery during the shut-in period. Surfactant-based nanofluids have been introduced as fracturing fluid additives to reverse rock wettability, thereby boosting imbibition-driven recovery. Although the imbibition has been studied to inspire the tight oil recovery, few studies have demonstrated the imbibition in enhanced fossil hydrogen energy, which further promotes the imbibition recovery. In this paper, complex nanofluid dispersions (CND) have been proved to enhance the tight reservoir pressure. Through contact angle and imbibition experiments, it is shown that CND can transform oil-wet rock to water-wet, reduce the adhesion of oil, and improve the ultimate oil recovery through the imbibition effect. Then, core flow testing experiments were conducted to show CND can decrease the flow resistance and improve the swept area of the injected fluid. In the end, pressure transmission tests were conducted to show CND can enhance the formation energy and production after fracturing. Results demonstrate that CND enables the fracturing fluid to travel further away from the hydraulic fractures, thus decreasing the depletion of tight formation pressure and maintaining a higher oil production rate. Results help optimize the design of the hydraulic fracturing of tight offshore reservoirs. Full article

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and optic disc parameters in patients treated for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical records of 60 patients who received intravitreal ranibizumab injections for macular edema secondary to AMD, DME, or RVO between October 2014 and January 2016. All patients received intravitreal ranibizumab at a dose of 0.5 mg. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded at baseline and during follow-up. RNFL thickness and optic disc parameters were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III (HRT-3). Measurements were obtained before treatment and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after injection. Comparisons were performed within and between disease groups. Results: Of the 60 patients, 31 (51.7%) had DME, 20 (33.3%) had AMD, and 9 (15.0%) had RVO. Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly during the follow-up period. Mean RNFL thickness measured by OCT showed a significant reduction in the DME and RVO groups (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.043, respectively). In contrast, no significant changes in RNFL thickness were detected using HRT-3, and no consistent alterations in other optic disc parameters were observed. Changes in optic disc parameters varied among disease groups. Conclusions: Intravitreal ranibizumab treatment was associated with a reduction in mean RNFL thickness measured by OCT in patients with DME and RVO during a six-month follow-up period, whereas no corresponding RNFL thinning was detected using HRT-3 in any disease group. The observed optic disc parameter changes appeared to be disease specific. Given the absence of untreated control eyes and the exclusion of patients with glaucoma, these findings apply only to non-glaucomatous eyes and should not be extrapolated to patients with glaucoma. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts, appropriate control groups, and longer follow-up durations are warranted to clarify the long-term effects of anti-VEGF therapy on the optic nerve. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is limited evidence of a combination of intraventricular injection and shunt soaking with a vancomycin–gentamicin technique as a prophylaxis for shunt infection. This study aimed to evaluate if a combination of this prophylaxis technique was a potential strategy in preventing ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infection. Factors associated with VP shunt infection at one year were executed by using logistic regression analysis. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were consecutive patients who received VP shunt placement regardless of etiology. The primary outcome of this study was VP shunt infection at one year postoperatively. Results: During the study period, there were 413 patients who met the study criteria. Of those, 31 patients (7.51%) had an infected VP shunt one year after the operation. There were three factors that were independently associated with VP shunt infection at one year: age, etiology of brain tumor, and intraventricular injection and shunt soaking technique. The adjusted odds ratio of age and brain tumor was 0.974 (95% confidence interval of 0.960, 0.986) and 0.251 (95% confidence interval of 0.099, 0.640), while intraventricular injection and shunt soaking technique had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.422 (95% confidence interval of 0.212, 0.768). Conclusions: A combination of intraventricular injection and shunt soaking technique with vancomycin and gentamicin may lower the VP shunt infection rate at one year after operation. Younger patients under an age of 8 years may be at risk for VP shunt infection. Further prospective randomized controlled trial may be needed to confirm the results of this study. Full article

Background: Facial palsy constitutes a profoundly disabling condition, often leading to marked functional deficits and a decline in facial appearance, which substantially reduces the patient’s quality of life. A combined therapy of botulinum toxin (BoNTA), hyaluronic acid (HA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) appears promising in the pharmacological approach of these patients. Methods: We reported our single center experience of patients with facial palsy, either of central or peripheral etiology who were treated with the combination of BoNTA, HA and CaHA, during a 6-month period (January 2025–June 2025). Results: Eight consecutive adult patients [mean age: 49.50 ± 7.95 years, 6 (75%) female] with facial palsy, either of central (4 patients) or peripheral (4 patients) etiology, received the combination of BoNTA, HA and CaHA. No serious adverse reactions were documented. Localized bruising and swelling at injection sites resolved without requiring any additional intervention. Facial Disability Index (FDI) was assessed both prior to and following treatment. The functional subscale increased from 65.63 ± 16.13 to 80.63 ± 10.50 (improvement rate = 24.4%, p-value = 0.002), while the psychosocial subscale increased from 63.00 ± 17.34 to 74.50 ± 10.89 (improvement rate = 18.3%, p-value = 0.004). Consequently, the total FDI score improved from 128.63 ± 28.92 to 155.13 ± 17.96 (overall improvement = 20.6%, p-value = 0.001). Conclusions: The present case series underscores the potential therapeutic role of CaHA as an adjunct to BoNTA and HA injections in patients with central or peripheral facial palsy. Full article

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in saline aquifers offers a viable alternative to surface-based storage systems, which are limited by capacity constraints, high operational pressures, complex thermal regulation, low energy densities, and potential safety hazards. This study uses a fully compositional reservoir simulation model to evaluate hydrogen behavior in the Mt. Simon Sandstone in the Illinois Basin. The analysis focuses on the effects of hysteresis, solubility, diffusivity, and production well perforation location on recovery efficiency. Cyclic injection and withdrawal scenarios were simulated to assess storage performance and operational strategies. The results show that accounting for hydrogen diffusivity shows essentially unchanged withdrawal efficiency at 79%, the same as the base case. Solubility causes a slight decrease to 78%, while hysteresis leads to a more significant reduction to 63%. The location of injection well perforations also influences recovery: top-perforated wells increase efficiency from 60% after the first cycle to 74% after six cycles, whereas bottom-perforated injection wells increase efficiency from 56% to 79% over the same period. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for multiphase flow dynamics and strategic well placement in optimizing UHS system performance. The insights contribute to advancing reliable, large-scale hydrogen storage solutions essential for supporting renewable energy integration and long-term energy security. Full article

Background: This study evaluates the increase in gingival thickness following the administration of injectable atelocollagen. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the medical records of 60 patients with a thin gingival phenotype at baseline, treated between 2017 and 2025. All patients received a standardised protocol for soft tissue thickness modification using atelocollagen injections. Based on the continuation of maintenance therapy, patients were divided into Group A (n = 30), consisting of patients who received booster doses at six-month intervals following completion of the full treatment protocol, and Group B (n = 30), consisting of patients who did not continue maintenance therapy. The observation period for all patients was five years. Gingival thickness was assessed by periodontal probe transparency using a standard WHO probe (WHO 621) and the Hu-Friedy Colorvue Biotype Probe. Longitudinal changes were analysed using linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) for continuous outcomes and generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) with a binomial distribution and logit link for binary outcomes, accounting for repeated measurements at the patient level. Results: Significant effects of Group and Time, as well as their interaction, were observed for the proportion of sites with a thick gingiva (Group effect: F (1,93.14) = 57.94, p < 0.001; Group × Time interaction: p < 0.001). GLMM analysis confirmed a significant Group × Time interaction (χ² = 23.11, p < 0.001), indicating sustained gingival thickness improvement in Group A and a gradual decrease in effectiveness in Group B. Conclusions: Injectable atelocollagen represents a reliable, effective, and user-friendly method for long-term modification of gingival thickness, particularly when supported by maintenance therapy. Full article

Background: Aeromonas hydrophila is a common bacterial pathogen that causes hemorrhagic septicaemia in several farmed aquaculture species. Phage therapy is considered a promising and feasible alternative to antibiotic treatment. Methods: In this study, an A. hydrophila-infecting jumbo phage Z90 was isolated from an aquaculture pond. The biological characteristics, genomic features, and in vitro and in vivo experiments were investigated to evaluate its application potential. Results: Phage Z90 was a myovirus with distinctive curled tail fibers. Additionally, phylogenetic and genomic analyses found that the phage Z90 was a novel virus belonging to the genus Ferozepurvirus of the family Chimalliviridae. One-step growth curve analysis revealed that the phage Z90 was a lytic phage, exhibiting a short latency period of 20 min and a relatively large burst size of 270 ± 42 PFU/cell. The phage Z90 particles were stable at psychrotrophic and mesophilic temperatures (10–50 °C) and a wide range of pH (pH 3–12). Genomic analysis revealed that the phage Z90 did not contain any genes encoding toxins, virulence factors, or antibiotic resistance factors. In vivo analysis demonstrated that the phage Z90 protected American eels from A. hydrophila infection, greatly increasing eel survival rates and alleviating symptoms caused by bacterial infections. The comparison of different phage administration methods suggested that phage Z90 was better administered through intraperitoneal injection than immersion in aquaculture water. Moreover, the combination of phage Z90 and ampicillin improved the bactericidal effect and reduced the treatment dosage compared to antibiotics or phage alone. Conclusions: Altogether, the findings of this study indicate that the phage Z90 can serve as a promising biocontrol agent for the treatment of A. hydrophila infection in aquaculture. Full article